 Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Who is the Mets 5th Starter?
El Duque has stated that he is not going into the bullpen. He has also been injured all spring and has yet to pitch a game-but yesterday he pitched a simulated game and will make is spring debut on Sunday. Mike Perfrey has made several starts this spring and has been very effective. Who does Willie go with, the aging veteran or the kid? El Duque always breaks down, and is only good for about 125 innings, so long relief work of say 75 innings this year will keep him healthy and effective. While this sounds like a no brainier, as a starter El Duque could make an argument that he was the most effective started behind John Maine all year and definitely the most effective during points in early September. While Mike Pelfrey was effective this spring, he was effective last spring and earned a spot on the rotation and went 0-5 before being sent back to AAA ball. Will the same happen this year? What to do? Willie has 2 weeks to decide. Posted by Steve in New York
Monday, March 17, 2008
Georgia does the impossible
After doing the impossible on Saturday, beating two higher ranked teams in one day, Georgia held on for a 66-57 victory over Arkansas to win the SEC tournament and head to the NCAA championship tournament. Georgia sliced down the nets on the home court of their bitter rival, Georgia Tech, which was a replacement venue for the tournament after the Atlanta Dome was damaged Friday night by a tornado-causing Georgia to play an improbable double header on Saturday. Georgia remained on the court after the ceremony, watching the NCAA selection show on the video board above the court. This is a great story for Georgia and an even better story for the NCAA. I will be rooting for Georgia to make it to the final four! Posted by Steve in New York
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Georgia Double Header
A tornado hits the Georgia Dome and throws the SEC tournament into a crisis since Friday's games were canceled. An amazing decision was made, basketball was put before money. The games would be played at the smaller venue Georgia Tech-and no tickets would be honored for the games since Georgia Tech's venue is quite smaller than the Georgia Dome. Only friends and family were allowed inside, under 1,000 spectators. There was one catch-the winner of the Georgia vs Kentucky game in the morning would have to play again at 8pm against Mississippi State (22-10). This double header would be a first in NCAA tournament history. Of course, the Georgia (16-16) vs Kentucky (#2 ranked) game went into overtime. Georgia came out ahead 60-56. The kids had great spirits, saying "we'll go back and rest now and fight hard tonight." The player took it in stride, “To win two games in one day at the SEC tournament is not easy,” said senior Sundiata Gaines, who held an ice bag on his sore right hip but insisted “I’m not tired.” The coach was livid making rash comments. Had he not seen the tornado? Cut the SEC some slack dude. So Georgia pulled it out in overtime and that was impressive, but few figured that they could come back and beat Mississippi, the top team from the West. That is exactly what they did. “We came in expecting to win this thing,” Georgia senior David Bliss said. “A lot of things didn’t go our way this year. But we were not going to quit.” Georgia faces Arkansas (9-7) today at 3:30pm at Georgia Tech. Posted by Steve in New York
Saturday, March 15, 2008
March Twister
A tornado in Atlanta last night rocked the rafters, lights, and other parts of the Georgia Dome last night. It interrupted the end of the Alabama and Mississippi State game. After an hour, the final 2:11 of overtime was completed and Mississippi State won 69-67. The Kentucky-Georgia game was postponed to today and moved to Georgia Tech.
This tornado brought back bad memories as my parents, brother, and his then girlfriend were almost killed by an unseasonable 155 mile-per-hour tornado on May 31, 1998, during El Nino-La Nina. (The last tornado in my hometown was 1932.) No one was hurt thank God.
Posted by a concerned Tank in NY.
Friday, March 14, 2008
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Len Elmore
I had the pleasure of meeting NYC basketball legend and ESPN analyst Len Elmore right outside of the Garden near where I currently work a couple of hours ago.
While I was coincidentially mailing Steve my deposit for our upcoming Everest Base Camp trip (touch wood) from the nearby Post Office on 32nd and Eighth, I happened to see Len.
It was great to meet him as I had listened to him recount his personal favorite moments as a player and a fan during the Marquette-Seton Hall game broadcast last night on ESPN. His recount of the Knicks 1970 championship was inspirational and mere days before I was born. I hope to live to see those Knicks glory days again, God Willing.
Len was cool and down to earth.
Posted by a grateful Tank reporting Live from outside the World's Greatest Arena, Madison Square Garden.
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Orange Crushed
My beloved Syracuse Orange lost to the Villanova Wildcats, 82-63, today in the opening round of the Big East tournament at the Big East Tournament at the Garden.
The Orange started strong but played poorly in the second half. Their collapse before the half was similar to the recent second half collapse against Pittsburgh.
The only consolation is if the Orange play well enough in the NIT (Not In Tournament) to make the Finals at the Garden in a few weeks.
Posted by a depressed Tank reporting live from right outside the Garden at 2 Penn Plaza in NY.
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Billy Crystal a Yankee?
The Yankees are signing up a new player: comic Billy Crystal. He will work out with the team today and play in the spring training game against the Pirates on Thursday. This is a gift from the Yankees to Crystal for his 60th birthday.
While this is cute, it is a disaster. First what happens if Crystal gets injured. He is a 60 year old man playing baseball with men half his age and in world class shape. Second it sets a bad precedent. Who will be next?
Do the Yankees really need a publicity stunt like this? Do they need the distraction? What is next, allowing some hedge fund manager to sponsor third base, have his photo on the bag at Yankee stadium to play in three spring training games next year?
Posted by Steve in Lisbon.
Monday, March 10, 2008
The Mets on the mend
Last week the Mets got in trouble from MLB for not fielding a "representative" team. That was because only David Wright and Jose Reyes were not on the DL. They are slowly starting to come back. It started with Ryan Church, coming back after his brutal concussion. Then Brian Schneider and Endy Chavez came back this weekend from their hamstrings.Even Damion Easley (ankle) and Jose Valentin (who was out most of last year) are back. That gives the Mets more depth if Chavez will replace Alou in Left Field for the beginning of the season. Los dos Carlos (Beltran and Delgado) were in today's lineup. So things are slowly getting better. We are waiting on the health of el Duque and Pedro Martinez while also hoping that Luis Castillo recovers soon. The real question mark is setup reliever Duaner Sanchez. The Mets need him back in a big way.
Sunday, March 09, 2008
The Rockets are on a Roll
The Houston Rockets are the hottest tean in the NBA. The Rockets, no relation to Roger Clemens, have won 18 in a row and are now the third seed in the Western Conference. And the last seven games have been without Yao Ming. Incredible.
Who knows if they can win it all? My cousin Mirko does but I am still sticking with the Spurs. As long as the Celtics don't win, I don't care. I am going to enjoy the stretch run and the playoffs.
Posted by a grateful Tank in NY.
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