A cold foggy mist descended over Shea for Friday's Brewers-Mets game.  The Brewers were one of my pre-season dark horse picks.  The Brewers really surprised last season with young players like Tony Gwynn, Jr, Prince Fielder, and others.             
                   
The Yankees and Red Sox are both 5-5 coming into this first game between both teams of the season.

DW singles to start the bottom of the fourth.  Brewers pitcher Manny Parra throws over to first.  It almost makes you wish for Aaron "The Human Raindelay" Heilman.  Almost.

I am multi-tasking as usual and listening to the Yankees game on the radio.  Wang is perfect through three innings, touch wood.  Gotta love technology. 

Beltran walks.

Wang gives up his first hit to Pedroia but Big Papi grounds into a double play.  Yeah!  At the end of four, Yankees 0 - Red Sox 0. 

Delgado singles to right and DW scores.  Mets 1 - Brewers 0.

Adam Sandler starts the "Let's Go Mets!" cheer.  Like The Tank, Sandler is a Yankees fan who roots for the Mets.

Easley flies to left center, Beltran tags, and scores.  Mets 2 - Yankees 0.

The Fenway official scorer takes the hit away from Pedroia.  Wang has a no-hitter and A-Rod is charged with the error.  Touch call according to John Sterling and Suzyn Waldman.

Wild pitch to Ryan Church.  Delgado advanes to second.  Church singles to center, Delgado advances to third.

Matsui walks. 

Casanova singles to left.  Delgado scores and Church advances to second.  Mets 3 - Brewers 0.
         
Posada lines a foul ball down the left field line.  Darn it!

Figueroa is safe on his own bunt.  Bases loaded with one out.  Talk about helping your own cause.  Jose Reyes steps to the plate and grounds out into a double play on the first pitch.  Darn it!  Mets 3 - Brewers 0 at the end of four.
                             
Giambi strikes out.  Molina hits to left center.  Matsui scores, Posada goes to third and Molina to second.  Yankees 1 - Red Sox 0 with one out in the fifth.  Gonzalez please don't hit into a double play.  Yes, he walks and the bases are loaded thank God. 

Figueroa gives up his first hit to Hardy who doubles to left to score the first run.  Mets 3 - Brewers 1.

The Yankees only score one run.  Darn it!

Dillon strikes out on 3-2.  He threw away his helmet and started running to first but the ump called him out.  Mets 3 - Brewers 1 going into the bottom of the fifth.

Manny flies out to deep right.  Whew!  Unfortunately, JD Drew's hit to deep right hits off of Abreu's glove for the first hit and home run.  At the end of five innings, Yankees 1 - Red Sox 1.

The Cowbellman performs near me at Shea while A-Rod comes to the plate at Fenway.  A-Rod singles to left with two outs.  Yeah!

Matsui doubles to the Green Monster.  A-Rod advances to third. 

Gross flies out to right at Shea.  Prince Fielder doubles to left center.  Braun hits a bomb to center but Beltran sprints and catches it.  In the middle of the sixth, Mets 3 - Brewers 0.

Yankees are out of the sixth.  Darn it! 

Joe Smith starts to warm for the Mets while Ryan Church flies to right center for the second out of the sixth.  Casanova flies out to the double

Speaking of great defense, the Rangers and D*vils are tied at 0 in the second period.  Wow, what a New York sports night!

Joe Smith takes the mound in the top of the seventh.

Timlin relieves Buchholz to start the 7th.  Giambino hits a bomb to center.  Molina hits a double off the Monster.
         
DW's throws is wild of first.

Gonzalez sacrifice bunts to Timlin and Molina advances to third.  Timlin gets the hook.  Yankees 2 - Red Sox 1 with one out in the seventh.

Craig Counsell grounds out to Reyes to end the top of the seventh.  Mets 3 - Brewers 2.

Melky sacrifices Molina home.  Yankees 3 - Red Sox 1 with two out in seventh.

Get up and stretch!  It's the Seventh Inning Stretch at Shea.

Cano strikes out.  Get up and stretch (at Fenway)!  Yankees 3 - Red Sox 1.

Chavez walked.  Anderson sacrifices Chavez to second.  Last night's hero Pagan comes to the plate hitting .600 with Runners In Scoring Position.  He singles to right.  Mets 4 - Brewers 2.  DW singles to center.  The center fielder fumbles the ball and Pagan advances to third.
             
Pedroia grounds out to A-Rod.  Yeah!

Big Papi grounds to first.

Beltran hits into a double play.  Darn it!

Aaron "The Human Raindelay" Heilman is booed.

Manny strikes out!  Yeah!  Yankees 3 - Red Sox 1 at the end of seven. 
                               
Javier Lopez comes out of the bullpen for the Red Sox.  Abreu grounds out to Casey who flips it to Lopez.

Heilman strikes out Weeks.  OMG!

A-Rod singles to center. 

Heilman gets out of the eighth.  Time for the 8th Inning Sing-Along.  Tonight is Billy Joel's "Movin' Out".  Good selection, but not as good as Rick Astley's "Never Gonna Give You Up" from Opening Day.    BTW, I met Billy Joel during the Sting and Annie Lennox concert a Jones Beach in July 2004.  This before I bought a digital camera.  Darn it!
                           
Matsui grounds to second to force A-Rod.
                               
Rangers 2 - D*vils 0 in the third period just flashed on the left center score board.  Yeah!  The crowd at Shea goes crazy.

Delgado strikes out.  Easley comes up to MC Hammer's "2 Legit to Quit" but he grounds out.
           
Giambino walks to load the bases.  Francona brings the hook for Lopez.

Wagner comes into the game the tune of "Enter Sandman".

Fielder grounds out to Wagner.  Braun flies out to right.  Two out in the top of the ninth.  Hall flies out right.  It's great to hear "Takin' Care of Business" again.  Mets 4 - Brewers 2.

Yankees 3 - Red Sox 1 in the middle of the eighth.

Abreu makes a great catch on Youkilis.  Three up, three down in the 8th.  At the end of eight innings, Yankees 3 - Red Sox 1.         
                   
Gonzalez doubles to left.

Melky sacrifices Gonzalez to third.

Cano grounds out to third.  Gonzalez holds at third. 

Abreu hits an infield single to Pedroia.  Gonzalez scores.  A-Rod grounds out to end the inning.  In the middle of the ninth, Yankees 4 - Red Sox 1.

Casey lines out to Melky to start the ninth.  Lugo grounds to short.  Coco Crisp bunted to third but Wang can't get it.  Crisp is safe at first.  Crisp advances to second on defensive indifference on the first pitch to Pedroia.  Pedroia lined to Matsui to end the game.  Ballgame over, Yankees win, the Yankeeeees win!         

Wang pitched a two hitter and the Yankees won 4-1.  Wow!  All without Jeter.  Double wow!

This is one of the many great things about New York.  Mets win, Yankees win, and Rangers win 2-1 according to Don LaGreca reporting live on the ESPN 1050 AM post-game report.
                         
Posted by The Tank in a New York State of Mind reporting Live from Shea Stadium in Flushing, Queens.

Mets Analysis (MLB) | MLB | NHL | Yankees Analysis (MLB)

Friday, April 11, 2008 10:44:18 PM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)
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The Mets and Yankees endured their fair share of rain last night.
             
A mist early in the game turned into a slight rain but nothing that couldn't prevent playing the Phillies-Mets game at Shea last night.  The Mets 8-2 victory was their first in nine games against the Phillies going back to last season.  The Mets' bats combined with four Phillie errors and a solid pitching performance from Pelfrey got the job done.

On the other hand, the Yankees played in monsoon like conditions in Kansas City last night.  The start was delayed and Joe Girardi managed in reverse pitching relievers then starter Ian Kennedy later in the game.  Bruney pitched solid.  Bruney's loss of 20 pounds (note to self) and a great attitude have been making all the difference, touch wood.  I think Bruney will go down as one of Brian Cashman's better picks if this year is indicative of future performance.
       
Anyway, the game should have been postponed.  It's not like it's September and they need to get the game in.  They could have made it up on Thursday or another day later in the season.  You don't want to risk injury as Jeter and Posada are already injured.  MLB and the umpires should have postponed the game.
                                       
Posted by The Tank in Building an Arkville.

Mets Analysis (MLB) | MLB | Yankees Analysis (MLB)

Thursday, April 10, 2008 4:35:34 PM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)
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It was a cool but sunny day for the last home Opening Day at Shea. 

DW hit it to the wall.  Two out.  Darn it!  It's better to see him in person than on the 7 train as a wax statue.  (Many thanks to Linda for the DW permalink and for joining me at the game.)

Moyer kept throwing it over to first to keep Castillo at first.  I yelled at him like "he's not Reyes!"  Beltran grounded out to third to end the inning.  It's scoreless at the end of the first.

Delgado hit a solo blast to right center.  Pagan flew out to left center.  Mets 1 - Phillies 0.
             
Time for a new feature, Verizon Wireless' Dancing with the Fans.  "It's so bad," Linda says.  I concur but it's so bad, it's good.  More later on how I can improve this later.
                             
Moyer is the oldest "official" player in the majors at 45 years old and 4 months.  He's almost as old as Jessie Orosco a few years ago on the Yankees but not as old as El Duque who is probably is my Dad's age.  BTW, Happy Belated 76th Birthday to my Dad a couple of days ago on Sunday, April 6th.                   

Drinking a gallon of water a day is good for you but you have to go to the restroom.  The good news is that my superstition of running to the restroom works because the Mets scored a run while I stepped away from the action.

Perez walked Moyer in the top of the fifth but got out of the jam.

After DW's "Wright Way" advised all kids to wear a helmet, he hit a double down the left field line.  A fight broke out between Mets and Phillies fans near the third baseline.  Beltran unfortunately grounded out to end the evening.  BTW, where is Jose Reyes' Spanish Language Academy.

Castillo is out with a strained right knee.  Ouch!

Perez gave up three hits in 5.2 innings but runners on the corners.  Joe Smith walked another batter but got out of the jam.
           
The seventh inning was where it fell apart.  Schoenweis loaded the bases.  Delgado's throw to Reyes at second hit Utley in the back and the Phillies scored two runs on the play.  Darn it!  The Phillies added another run to make it 3-2 at the Seventh Inning Stretch.

Schneider hits a single up the middle.  Chavez grounds into a double play.  Reyes hits a single up the middle.  Easley hit the ball a ton to left but it was caught the left field warning track.  Darn it!  At the end of seven, Phillies 3 - Mets 2.

Stephanie from Franklin Square, Long Island, beat out Vinnie from Staten Island to win Verizon Wireless' Dancing with the Stars.

The Phillies scored another run in the top of eighth to take a 4-2 lead. 

Aaron "The Human Raindelay" Heilman keeps looking back to second and then gives up an RBI single.  Darn it!

The RickRollers strike again to the tune to the great Rick Astley song "Never Gonna Give You Up". 

I ask all of you to please call the Mets to demand that they have me sing this classic song during the Verizon Wireless Dance with the Stars contest.  I maybe a few years too old for "American Idol" but this is a nice consolation prize.  To quote Milli Vanilli, "you know it's true."

While everyone cheers Mr. Met, Linda boos him.  She is still emotionally scarred from a ferry trip from the City to Shea a few years ago where Mr. Met had all the kids singing "Meet the Mets".  It drove her to near insanity and almost prompted her to throw Mr. Met overboard.  It's a good thing that on the Antarctica Marathon trip three years ago that she didn't see nor hear Steve and I singing karaoke or we could have been thrown into the freezing Antarctic waters.  Whew! 

Mr. Met's handler unfortunately prevented me and others from getting our exclusive photo with Mr. Met.  I've got photos with A-Rod and Playboy's Miss November 2007 but my photo album isn't complete until I get a photo with Mr. Met.

Nice to hear the Twilo music for Brooklyn Pete.  Where you at bro?  Yeah, my Blackberry is on the fritz.  It has a Java error and doing a cold reboot could cause the lose of all the data on my Blackberry.  You know life will suck if anything bad happens to my Blackberry.

DW struck out looking on a questionable call.  Beltran doubled down the left field line.  Delgado grounds out and Beltran advances to third.  Brady Clark walks to first.  The Mets don't score and lose the game 5-2. 

Posted by a dejected Tank reporting live from Shea Stadium.

Karaoke | Live! | Mets Analysis (MLB) | MLB

Wednesday, April 09, 2008 5:18:42 PM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)
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The above headline isn't a rumor but more of a hope, a prayer that new Knicks President Donnie Walsh fires Isiah and hires Memphis Coach John Calipari.

Calipari is from New York as is Walsh.  Calipari coached the Nets back in the 1990s with players like Kerry Kittles.  Calipari wasn't too successful so might not be inclined to take Walsh's offer.  However, the thought of turning around the Bricks into the Knicks again might be the challenge that Calipari wants, especially if Memphis wins tonight.  Calipari will have a national title and a nearly undefeated season. 

If Calipari doesn't win, he might pass on the Bricks and stay in college.  He makes lots of money, can recruit any player in the country he wants, and is literally Big Man on Campus (BMOC). 

But if Calipari wins, isn't there part of him that wouldn't want to come home and help the millions of suffering Bricks/Knicks fans?  He would be the brightest coaching star on the world's biggest stage.  What do you say John?  I can't handle another season of Isiah.  Please come home John.

Posted by a desperate Tank in NY.

College Basketball | NBA

Monday, April 07, 2008 12:56:56 AM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)
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I stopped by PG's place on the Upper West Side to watch the Final Four.  The first game was Memphis against UCLA. 

Both teams had trouble making baskets in the last ten minutes, especially UCLA didn't hit a three point basket until less than a minute left.

Memphis' Chris Douglas-Roberts had trouble making shots down the stretch.

What impressed me most was that Memphis was able to win in a half court game.  Yes, they prefer up tempo but can win playing patiently.  More importantly, they continue to make free throws.  They were 58.7 percent during the season and 87.0 percent tonight.  Unbelievable!
 
UCLA has won three straight Final Fours and came up short 78-63 to Memphis.

Congratulations to Memphis for winning a historic 38 games! 

--------

The second game featured North Carolina versus Kansas in a match up of traditional powers.

Kansas tried to take Tyler Hansbrough out of his game.  My advice is make him work on the defensive side to wear him out later in the game.
           
Kansas jumped out to an early lead leading 23-10 at 11:30 mark in the first half.  Kansas stretched it to 31-10 at the mid way point of the first half.

Aldrich had longer arms than Hansbrough to get a rebound at 9:32.  I made this point yesterday.

Kansas nails a three pointer to take a 38-12 lead at 7:32.  PG says "it's over!"  There is still lots of basketball left.  Carolina has to start running plays or they will continue to be run out of the gym.  They are taking too many ill advised three point shots.

PG asks "if the guy is bleeding, should a foul not be called."  Good point bro!

Carolina didn't make a field goal for 9:03. 

Carolina then goes on a 10-0 run to close the lead to 40-22 at 2:27.

Kansas is tired but has a 44-27 lead at half time.

"17 is doable," PG says.  I agree.

After halftime, Kansas ran a perfect give and go to extend the lead to 19.  You couldn't diagram it.  Kansas weathered Carolina's initial run.

Carolina cuts it to 14 at the first TV timeout at 15:54 left in the second half.

PG predicts for a pivotal moment with five minutes left.  Kansas needs to go back to basics.  I agree with PG.

Carolina's half court trap works.  They get the tie up to cut it to 54-44.  "Why are they taking three pointers?" PG asks.  I agree.

Kansas went dry for over five minutes.  Carolina closed it to 54-50 with 11:08 left. 

"How much has Michael Jordan bet on this game?" I ask PG.  PG thinks the same thing as Jordan is a serial gambler and most famous Carolina alum.  Talk about ESP.

Collins hit a key basket with 5:25 to increase the lead to 67-59.  PG's basketball instincts are as good as anyone's.  The refs finally call a travel on Hansbrough at 3:40.

"Have movies gone AWOL?" PG asks in reaction to the "I Hate Sarah Marshall" movie trailer.

"Does Kansas know anything about clock management?" PG asks as Kansas pulls for a quick shot with about three minutes left.

It's nice to see Larry Brown in the stands.  PG thinks he is a "tortured artist".

"Tyler Hansbrough always looks like he is going cry.  How can the best college player have such a herky-jerky game?  Aldrich has ten times more grace than Hansbrough." PG observes even though he hasn't seen these teams play this season.  PG is more a NBA fan than college fan.

Kansas wins 84-66.  "Rock Chalk Jayhawk!"

Posted by The Tank reporting live from PG's Place on the Upper West Side of Manhattan.

College Basketball | Playoffs

Sunday, April 06, 2008 1:27:43 AM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)
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The Final Four is finally here.  All #1 seeds made it, the first time ever.  I picked all four, except Memphis.  My cousin Mirko was right that they would make their free throws.  Wow! 

What no one could anticipate is a key player, Andre Allen, getting suspended.  Double wow!

Which Memphis will show up?  The one that couldn't make free throws or the one that can?  How will they play without the suspended Andre Allen?  Memphis has better athletes and they embarrassed Michigan State and Tom Izzo.  Ouch!  John Calipari is a great coach but I think UCLA is a better team.  I still like UCLA.  Expect them to slow the game down. 

Kansas versus North Carolina is the marque matchup.  Yes, North Carolina is the favorite but I think Coach Bill Self is due to win the big one.  North Carolina is also due for a bad game.  Louisville gave them a run but nothing like Davidson gave Kansas.  I think Tyler Hansborough is a great college player and will be a good pro.  He won't be great like Michael Jordan or even James Worthy but a solid pro nevertheless.  His slowness and short arms will decrease the likelihood of being a super star in the NBA.
                     
Watch for Kansas to upset the Tar Heels in a close game.

Yesterday marked 25 years since North Carolina State upset Houston in the college basketball version of David beating Goliath.  I remember Coach Jimmy Valvano looking for someone to hug as if it were yesterday.  How time flies?

On a tragic note, yesterday marked 40 years since Martin Luther King Jr. was killed in Memphis.  May his memory of peace, non-violence, and social justice be eternal.

Posted by The Tank in NY.

College Basketball

Saturday, April 05, 2008 11:53:58 AM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)
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Joba Chamberlain has unfortunately been criticized over the past few days on ESPN 1050 and 660 The Fan for his celebration after striking out Frank "Big Hurt" Thomas on Tuesday night at the Stadium.  As you know, I was there and did not have any issues with it.  Joba did NOT taunt Thomas and you don't want to anger a guy like that.  He was only celebrating striking out a possibly Hall of Famer in a key spot to help nail down an important victory.

To his credit, Thomas didn't have a problem with Joba's celebration.  With 24/7/365-6 sports talk radio, I think people over analyze.  Joba's enthusiasm should be welcomed on a veteran team.  He is a young guy who wants to win.  Nothing wrong with it.  If he gets out of line, Joe Girardi and the rest of the team will let him know. 

Posted by the Tank in NY.

MLB | Yankees Analysis (MLB)

Friday, April 04, 2008 12:16:20 AM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)
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