 Monday, March 24, 2008
My Baseball Buddy Roy, R.I.P.
I met Roy at my friend Robert's house in Tampa, Florida, in May 2004. We went to a Yankees at D-Rays game that night at Tropicana Field. Mariano happened to get his 300th save that night and I did my best impersonation of the "Yankeeees Win!" I was so enthusiatic that Robert asked me to settle down because he had to do business with the clients he brought along.
Roy needed a new liver and was on the waiting list for years. He should have passed a couple of years ago but he fought the good fight, stayed positive, and inspired all who met him. He finally got his new liver over the weekend but he passed on Easter morning.
Though we rooted for opposing teams, we always liked and respected each other and our love of baseball. You'll be missed Roy. You'll be going to a place where everyday is Opening Day.
Posted by a grieving Tank in NY.
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Pettitte's Pain
Andy Pettitte was scratched yesterday from his Spring Training start with back spasms. The Yankees and I are relying on Andy to be a solid second starter as he has been a clutch big game pitcher over the years. The move is precautionary and he is supposed to make his next start next week, God Willing.
Posted by a concerned Tank in NY.
Saturday, March 22, 2008
Graig Nettles
You know you are getting older when your childhood heroes get diagnosed with cancer. One of mine is Graig Nettles. Graig was the reason I played third base in Little League. His outstretched lounging catch against the Dodgers in the 1978 World Series Graig is still etched in my mind like yesterday.
Prevention and checkups are key. Graig's brother Jim advised him to get tested as it runs in their family. After the Father's Day Run Against Prostate Cancer in 2005, I was tested for prostate cancer and thankfully didn't have it. The doctor told me to come back in 2010 when I turn 40, God Willing.
Graig is going to under prostate cancer surgery on April 8 at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York according to Yankees.com and ESPN 1050 AM. Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers.
I plan to run the NYC Marathon a fifth and final time this November, touch wood, as a member of Fred's Team raising funds for cancer research at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. I will do so in honor of the living like Graig and in memory of the passed on like Doug Stern.
Posted by a somber Tank on the road to defeating cancer.
Friday, March 21, 2008
Day 1 Recap of the Madness
I had a good start and won the first eight games. There are always upsets and tried to pick a couple. 13 out of 16 correct picks, touch wood. Here's where I went wrong:
(1) Notre Dame recovered after a bad Big East tournament. George Mason had two returning players from the Final Four two years ago so I thought this might be an upset.
(2) West Virginia surprised me. I overestimated Arizona. Bob Huggins is a great coach and Lute Olson isn't back until next season.
(3) I thought USC's Mayo would have gotten the better of Kansas State's Beasley in the battle of top freshmen.
Duke was nearly upset by Belmont. That would have hurt my (and almost everyone else's) picks but I didn't have them go to the Final Four. Upsets happen but you have to weather the storm and hope your Final Four picks advance. I was tied for second and in third out of 100+ brackets a couple of years ago at a prior job. I would have been in the money had if Villanova or UConn made the Final Four. They lost in the Elite 8. Darn it!
It's nice to see everyone get in on the fun, except for Senator Clinton who didn't fill out a bracket according to reports. That is one of the reasons I am running against her for President on the Baseball\Sports Integrity Ticket with Steve as my VP. Senator Obama ate chicken wings with fans at a bar in West Virginia. Senator Obama picked UNC, possibly to gain favor from Senator Edwards who is a huge UNC fan and ahead of the upcoming primaries in North Carolina. Senator McCain also picked UNC and his picks are here.
Posted by The Tank in the middle of March Madness.
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Spring Healing
The Yankees traveled to Virginia Tech yesterday to help with the healing there caused by a deranged gunman last April.
The Yankees met with students and visited the 32 stone memorials remembering each victim. It was a very sobering moment the players. I watched Derek Jeter on TV last night and he referenced the healing after the September 11 attacks.
The Yankees played the Virginia Tech baseball team and won 11-0 in a seven inning game. Life is more important than baseball. May the Virginia Tech, September 11, Oklahoma City, and victims from other tragedies never be forgotten.
Posted by a somber Tank in NY.
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
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