March Madness got off to an early start as University of Michigan Women's Basketball Coach Kevin Borseth lost it Thursday night after the Wolverines blew an 18 point lead against the Wisconsin Badgers.  I happened to watch the early part of the game on the Big Ten network on my JetBlue flight back from Florida.  BTW's JetBlue TV's rule!  If you haven't seen the video, it's kind of sad but shows the passion that makes college sports special.

I can unfortunately relate to Coach Borseth's passion.  My beloved Orangemen were leading by 11 points, 75-64, late in the game before losing to Pittsburgh 82-77 on Saturday at the Carrier Dome in Syracuse.  I didn't have a meltdown like Coach Borseth as I was trying to stay steady in my chair at the barber shop.  The barber accidentally cut my face as he was shaving my goatee.   He never cut me before, perhaps he watched Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street  

Anyway, my "Color Me Bad" looking goatee is thankfully intact after light bleeding.  Let's hope the Orangemen can stop the bleeding and make the Dance with wins over Seton Hall and Marquette and make at least the semi-finals of the Big East Tournament at the Garden.   

Posted by The Tank on the bubble in the barber's chair.   

College Basketball | Movies

Sunday, March 02, 2008 12:33:01 AM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)
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"Take one for the team" is a line from one of the greatest movies ever, Major League.  Brady Clark did his part on Saturday for the Mets.  Clark was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded.  This scored the winning run in the Mets first win in Spring Training, 1-0, that I watched a few minutes ago on the WB11. 

The game also marked a reunion of former Yankees, Willie Randolph for the Mets and Joe Torre and Don Mattingly for the Dodgers. 

On the injury front, Church and Anderson collided in the outfield and both were taken to the hospital for precautionary MRIs.  Speaking of MRIs, Delgado's hip is being evaluated in the City.  MRIs are not fun.  I had one last summer after I tore my left calf.  My doctor was afraid that it was a stress fracture but it thankfully was "only" the tear.  With lots of blood, sweat, prayers, and tears, I ran the NYC Marathon last November thank God.  I hope and pray that Church, Anderson, and Delgado get better soon.

Posted by a hopeful Tank in NY.

Mets Analysis (MLB) | MLB | Movies

Saturday, March 01, 2008 4:12:13 PM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)
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Everything seemed to stop in Port St. Lucie. Johan Santana took his warm up pitches. Not quite a full house but close. (Someone has to work and someone has to go to school. If I did not have to go to school tomorrow, I would have flew down to the game.)

The first pitch was a strike..

In the first inning, Johan gave up 3 hits, including a 3 run shot to Juan Gonzalez. While Mets fans are going berserk that Santana will do poorly with the Mets this year, a 3 run HR to a former AL MVP in February is ok. He looked sharp in the second inning.

Even though Johan gave up the 3 run home run, a new era has begun....

In other news Jose Reyes beat out an infield single to open the first inning. Quite a sight to see compared the last month of the season when Jose was jogging to first. Wright looked sharp as well.

Posted by Steve in New York

Mets Analysis (MLB)

Friday, February 29, 2008 1:43:23 PM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)
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The US Congress has asked the US Justice Department to investigate Roger Clemens alleged performance enhancing drug use. They will also review his testimony and look at potential perjury charges.

Major League Baseball has failed to act, so the government has to. If the government puts Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens in jail, even for perjury, it will be a major step in stopping HGH and steroid use in MLB.

Next stop: investigate the commissioner.

Posted by Steve in New York

Steroids

Thursday, February 28, 2008 12:19:15 PM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)
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This spring, Duaner Sanchez is more closely watched then Johan Santana is. The key to the Mets bullpen before breaking his shoulder in a taxi accident in July 2006, right-handed pitcher Duaner Sanchez has not pitched a game since July 2006.

Until Monday when Sanchez pitched a scoreless inning in an inter-squad game. He has also been cleared to pitch in spring training games.

A key problem last year was the bullpen. There was no 8th inning set up man and Aaron Heilman and Pedro Feliciano had to fit the bill, while they performed nicely, that lead to no 7th inning set up as well as overworked the bullpen. A healed Sanchez would be Billy Wagner's eighth-inning setup man, giving the bullpen more depth by moving Heilman and Feliciano into the sixth inning.

Make no mistake, Duaner Sanchez is the second most important pitcher this spring. If Duaner Sanchez is healthy and effective and Johan Santana is as good as he has been in the past, the Mets pitching problems will be behind them.

Posted by Steve in New York

Mets Analysis (MLB)

Wednesday, February 27, 2008 8:24:27 AM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)
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Ok, first things first. As promised and without further ado, crowd hottie of the night honors go to:

WOW! Is she cute or what? Like, girl next door hot right? I don’t know who she is or if I’ll ever see her again but if I do it wouldn’t be the worst thing that ever happened to me!

Now, on to the fights!

Bout 8
Lightweight (155)-MMA
Brett Martinez (Simrell MMA)- blue
vs.
Juan Contrarez (Jacks Kickboxing) -red

Round 1 begins with Martinez dropping down for double but doesn't get it. Contrarez counters with a double leg and finishes it with a slam. Contrarez throws on a guillotine and stands. Martinez gets out and comes out on top. Martinez takes Contrarez’s back with the hooks in and begins to tee off on him. Contrarez rolls and Martinez stays on back and sinks in rear naked choke. Contrarez is saved by the bell.

Round 2 starts with Contrarez attempting an armbar and then transitions into a triangle choke. Martinez gets out and winds up mounting Contrarez. Contrarez gets out and Martinez winds up in side control. The ref stands them up due to inactivity. Contrarez pulls guillotine standing and then drops guard. Martinez looks pretty safe but still in the guillotine as the round ends.

Round 3 opens with Martinez landing a double leg takedown. Martinez positions into knee on belly and then claims full mount. Contrarez sweeps. The ref stands them back up and Martinez lands a takedown. The round ends with Martinez in the side mount position.

Brett Martinez wins via Split Decision.

Bout 9
Bantamweight (135)-MMA
Greg Albaragan (Soca BJJ)-blue
vs.
Jeff Cressman(Daddis FC)-red

Albaragan comes out to a nice crowd pop. Cressman fans return the favor with a nice crowd pop of their own. Cressman comes out in what looks like women’s boyshorts underwear which is ordinarily a major turn on but in this case, not so much!

Round 1 was uneventful but Cressman dominates the round.

Round 2 begins with Albaragan landing a solid couple of kicks followed with some nice punches. Cressman retaliates with a series of leg kicks. Albaragan lands a nice leg kick of his own. Cressman lands a nice kick to body followed by a series of punch/kick combinations. Cressman goes for another combo and Albaragan takes him down on the kick. The round ends with Albaragan going for double leg against cage. This was a good and smartly fought round by Cressman.

Round 3 opens with Albaragan going for a single leg takedown and gets it. Cressman has Albaragan in his guard and stands back up. Cressman stands. Albaragan goes for another single and winds up pressing Cressman against the cage. Albaragan tries to jump guard with a guillotine unsuccessfully as Cressman is able to pop out. The round ends with Albaragan having Cressman in his guard.

Jeff Cressman wins via unanimous decision.

Bout 10
Lightweight (155)-MMA
Kyle Harrington (Simrell MMA)-blue
vs.
Justin Lewis(Freestyle)-red

Round 1 opens with Harrington landing a flurry of strikes and winds up on top of Lewis. The two guys roll for a second and Harrington slips on a beautiful armbar. Lewis taps. When it’s over he is really pissed off and punches the cage post. Not the smartest idea!

Kyle Harrington wins at 47 seconds of round 1 by armbar.

Bout 11
Bantamweight (135)-MMA
Dan Flounders (Soul Assassins)-blue
vs.
Nick Perez (Jacks Kickboxing)-red

An announcement is made over the PA. Someone’s car is being towed. Two big jacked up guys run out of the arena. It was hysterical. I immediately recognize Perez as he was coaching a lot of the previous fighters’ at ringside.

Round 1 opens with a grapple and Perez mounts Flounders but he is able to escape. Flounders lands a double and winds up in Perez’s guard. They stand up and Flounders gets a double. Perez throws on a triangle but needs to shift his hips in order to cinch it in. He can’t do it. Flounders reverses, mounts, and the round ends with Flounders on top.

Round 2 opens with a takedown by Flounders. While on the ground, Flounders gets into the side mount position and transitions into mount. Perez rolls into turtle position. Flounders takes Perez’s back and gets the hooks in. He flattens Perez out and starts reigning down punches. Perez gets saved by the bell.

The fight is called before the third round bell rings as Perez can't answer bell due to neck injury.

Dan Flounders wins at 3:00 of round 2 due to failure to continue.

Bout 12
Lightweight (155)-MMA
Chris Kratz (Simrell MMA)-blue
vs.
John Coxhead (Nak Muay Gym)-red

Round 1 opens with Coxhead scoring with a takedown. Coxhead picks Kratz back up off of the ground and slams him back down. Kratz attempts a triangle but Coxhead is able to pass. Kratz attempts another armbar and almost has it but Coxhead is able to escape. Coxhead picks Kratz up and slams him again. Coxhead mounts and finishes the fight by unloading with strikes. The ref stops the fight.

John Coxhead wins at 2:26 of round 1 by technical knockout.

Bout 13
Welterweight (170)-MMA
Chris Wing (Wings MA)-blue
vs.
Kyle Hillman (Daddis FC)-red

For the fighter’s entrance, a ton of smoke pours out and people in the crowd are really pissed because they can’t see the fighters or take pictures.

Round 1 opens with Wing landing a hard strike. Hillman answers with a loud kick. The sound of the kick hitting Wing’s leg sounded like a cannon blast. I don’t know how he didn’t fall down. Wing gets a takedown. Hillman positions for triangle. Hillman bucks and throws Wing off with his legs. Wing starts reigning down punches and the ref comes close to stopping the fight. The round ends with Wing in Hillmans guard.

Round 2 begins with a takedown attempt by Wing. Hillman lands great knee causing Wing to wince in pain. Wing gets on top lands some strikes. Hillman bucks him off with his legs again. Wing goes flying.

The round ends with Hillman going for Kimura.

Round 3 starts with Hillman landing a good leg kick to the body. Wing gets a single. Hillman does his horse kick thing again sending Wing flying. Hillman takes Wing’s back. Wing turns and gets a double leg takedown. Wing ends up in Hillman’s guard. The round ends with Wing punching Hillman.

Chris Wing wins by Majority Decision.

Bout 14
Middleweight(185)-MMA
Kevin Killian (Primal Fighting)-blue
vs.
Dave Daneki (Ground Control)-red

Killian comes out to "Kung Fu Fighting" by Carl Douglas and is dressed in full Judo gear. My money immediately goes on Daneki.

Round 1 opens with a lot of action but no damage and no quality technique. Daneki takes this round but it is extremely unentertaining. I kept myself busy by wondering "If the camera man fell off the ladder that would be really funny." As long as he didn’t get hurt of course! It was a tall ass ladder. See the pic.

Round 2 starts with Daneki falling on Killian after a quick grapple on the feet. Daneki gets side mount. Killian gets half guard as the round ends.

Round 3 opens with Daneki landing a few ugly punches. Killian is hurt but Daneki doesn't take advantage. Killian is opened up under both eyes. Killian controls Daneki on the ground as the round ends. Terrible fight, no technique, ugly striking.

This was the worst fight of the night by far.

Dave Daneki wins by Unanimous Decision.

Bout 15
Lightweight (155)-MMA
Combat in the Cage Lightweight Championship
David Price (Team Steele)-blue
vs.
Al Iaquinta (Miletich NY)-red

Everyone should remember Al Iaquinta from the last time I covered an event for S&TT. If not, a pic from his entrance to the cage will help jog your memory.

Let me start off by saying holy shit! Fight of the night honors right here!

The first thing that is immediately noticeable is that Prince looks about 15 years older than Iaquinta.

Round 1 opens with Iaquinta landing a big punch and follows with a shot. Price winds up taking Iaquinta's back. The choke looks deep and I would say I was surprised that he didn’t tap but I’ve seen him fight before so I’m actually not surprised at all. At this point, I could not believe that Iaquinta was not unconscious. Just as I am almost out of air from holding my breath, Iaquinta escapes. Iaquinta gets a huge slam and closes with a series of punches to end the round.

Iaquinta goes back to his corner and actually sits down. This is the first time I have seen him not stand the whole time in-between rounds.

Round 2 opens with Iaquinta landing a series of good punches on his feet. Price is hurt. The two wind up on the ground and Iaquinta controls the action. Iaquinta stands up and lets Price up. Iaquinta gets poked in the eye. It looks bad. The Doctor is sent in to check. Eventually, the fight is restarted. Iaquinta attacks Price with a vengeance as he unleashes a furious series of pin point accurate, hard, and lightning fast punches. Prince goes flying across the ring as Iaquinta knocks him out.

Iaquinta retains the belt!

I was really impressed with Iaquinta’s composure, heart, and ability to overcome adversity. At the age of 20, he fights with the composure of a much older fighter. This guy is going to get better with time and I wouldn’t be surprised at all if we see him in the IFL or WEC one day.

Al Iaquinta wins at 2:07 of round 2 by knock out.

From left to right, Dave (the Militech NY mastermind and head trainer),
CITC lightweight champion “Ill” Al Iaquinta, and CITC promoter Ed Hsu.

Stay tuned for Part 3 of 3 to see pictures of the ring girl with the flat ass (due to popular demand) and find out why the crowd threatened a fighter and the ref. I’m not a religious guy, but I was preying for both of them.

P.S. for those of you asking about the Combat in the Cage website you can visit it at www.combatinthecage.com.

Thanks again to Freddie “Bad Intentions” Barfield aka Fred Nice for the pics.

Posted by Jason Nocco with one foot in the grave due to a devastating flu.

Ultimate Fighting

Tuesday, February 26, 2008 12:00:16 PM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)
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John Maine went 15-10 last year with 191 innings and a 3.91 ERA. He was the best pitcher in September and had a few games taken away from him by the bullpen. According to the NY Daily News Billy Wagner said yesterday:

"He can win 20," Billy Wagner said. "Heck, he could have won 20 last year if the bullpen had helped a little more and he didn't let an inning get away from him here and there. Johnny just needs to believe he's that good, that he can be as good as guys like Glavine, Maddux and Smoltz, because we've all seen how he can go out and dominate."

John Maine was a different pitcher in 2007 than in 2006 when he started Games 1 of the NLDS and must win Game 6 of the NLCS. Those experiences matured him and propelled him to start the home opener in 2007 as well as pitch near perfect in April very well during the September collapse.

If you remember the day before Tom Glavine gave away the farm, Maine pitched 7.2 innings of 1 hit ball, walking only 2 and striking out 14. This was a must win game and Maine brought his A game. A serious win in the clutch.

In 2006 Carlos Beltran performed much better than in 2005. The reason? Carlos Delgado arrived and took a lot of pressure off Beltran. I think you can see the same thing happen with Santana. Santana can reduce the pressure on Maine and allow him to shine. Plus with a better pitching staff in 2008 then 2007 and a slightly upgraded bullpen, the bullpen should be less worn down and can save more wins for Maine.

Pitching wins pennants. If Santana and Maine both flirt with 20 game seasons, Pedro says healthy, and Oliver Perez earns his raise and wins 17 games or so, you can see a very good 1 through 4 punch.

Posted by Steve in New York

Mets Analysis (MLB)

Monday, February 25, 2008 10:21:34 AM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)
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Yankees-Red Sox is a rivalry. Mets Phillies is just plain old boring. While the players are talking trash, there is just not enough history involved nor any real bad blood. They players should keep their mouths shut and focus on playing the game, why add additional pressure that is not necessary.

Posted by Steve in New York

Mets Analysis (MLB)

Sunday, February 24, 2008 9:49:30 PM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)
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Roger Clemens testified under oath to the US Congress that he did not attend a party in 1998 at Jose Canseco's house. Not only did he deny it he claimed to have proof by showing the world his golf receipts. He also claimed that this was proof that Brian McNamee was not only a liar but out to destroy Roger.

Now a photo has surfaced of Roger Clemens at the party. In addition, his lawyer is backtracking already:

"Roger was playing golf at the time of the party, and has stated that he may have stopped by the Canseco house after playing golf before heading to the ballpark for the game," read Rusty Hardin's statement.

Time for Roger Clemens to go to jail.

Posted by Steve waiting for Roger Clemens to go to jail.

MLB

Saturday, February 23, 2008 7:40:59 AM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)
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