 Saturday, April 19, 2008
Why Johan Santana is Worth the Money
Last night the second-place Mets headed into Citizens Park with an 8 game losing streak there. There has been talk that the Phillies are "in the Mets head." The Mets needed a win to set the tone for the year that this is not 2007. The Phillies and Citizens Park are not in the Mets head. Citizens Park is a classic hitters park and the Phillies have one of the most devastating lineups in the National League.The Phillies had their ace, Cole Hamels, starting, who had an ERA less than 1.The Mets countered with Johan Santana. Big game, big money pitcher. This is why Johan Santana is worth the money. Johan was awesome, not intimidated by the boos and the hitters park. Johan over 7 innings allowed only 2 hits (one a homer to Utley), walked none, and stuck out 10. Willie allowed him to pitch the 8th where he allowed 2 hits and Aaron Heilman gave up a three run home run, so the final line on Santana is 7+ innings, 4 hits and 3 ER, 10K and 0 BB. An economical 105 pitches. Last year the Mets had nobody to come in and set the tone. (Or alternatively stop the bleeding in a losing streak.) Santana set the tone. The Mets are armed and ready to take on the Phillies. They set the tone and took over first place. The Phillies are on notice. Posted by Steve in New York
Friday, April 18, 2008
Isiah Fired But NOT Gone From The Garden
Donnie Walsh made a great move in firing Isiah as the Knicks Head Coach a few moments ago in a conference call.
But, Isiah remains in the organization in some unknown title according to ESPN 1050 AM. What's Isiah going to do? Scout?
I didn't like Isiah as a player on the Bad Boys with the Pistons. They were dirty but champions. Isiah's success as a player didn't translate into the executive ranks as he ran the CBA into bankruptcy and the Raptors and Knicks into the ground. Granted, he did have some success with the Pacers but already had a ready built team and it's hard to lose with a coach on the court like Reggie Miller.
Isiah must be blackmailing the Dolans and/or has some kind of magical powers. How can he get away with running the Knicks into the ground? AND not even being contrite during a sexual harrassment suit? Isiah literally thinks he is above the law. What is going on? I may have to continue my Knicks boycott until Isiah is totally gone.
Posted by a bewildered Tank in NY.
Meeting Robert Klein on the Subway after Red Sox - Yankees is out of this world for AstroTank
Astronaut and Yankee fan Dr. Garrett Reisman threw out the first pitch from the International Space Station. He recited "Hip-Hip Jorge" and made references to other Yankee players and the Bleacher Creatures. Thanks bro!
Yes, indeed, it is a Yankees Universe he adds. 
I say walk Manny. Otto disagrees. Manny doubles to Death Valley. Red Sox 1 - Yankees 0. Youkilis couldn't check his swing and called out.
Damon is out. Jeter singles. El Como Dulce homers to the right field bleachers. Yankees 2 - Red Sox 1. I predicted A-Rod's home run. You can ask my buddy Otto. It went 100 feet to my right away from me. Yankees 3 - Red Sox 1. Matsui flew out and Posada grounded out to second to end the first. Yankees 3 - Red Sox 1.
Wang loads the bases with no outs in the top of the second as Lugo comes to the plate. Lugo grounds out to A-Rod. Ellsbury grounds out to Wang who throws to Posada or Molina who gets Varitek in a run down. Varitek eludes A-Rod's tag but is out since he went out of the basepath. Pedroia grounds out to Cano to end the top of the second. Yankees 3 - Red Sox 2.
Otto and I discuss the Pope's upcoming visit to NYC. Many thanks to Linda for the permalink. Though not Catholic, I pray/hope that the Pope doesn't go on the grass. One jinx will be resolved this season -- either the Popemobile going on the grass at the Stadium or the Yankees winning World Series without Don Mattingly.
Veteran catcher and newest Yankee Moeller hit to second ate up the RS second baseman. Cabrera couldn't check his swing so the Yankees couldn't extend their lead.
It's about 50 minutes in and only the end of the second inning. Yankees 3 - Red Sox 2. (Photo courtesy of PermaGuest Outlaw Jack whose seats were "slightly" better than mine.)
Otto and I discuss the merits of pitching inside. Hey, everybody is friends today. Manny called out on 3-2.
The Red Sox tied the game while I went to get something to eat.
Moeller hit a double down the left field. Scores. Yankees 4 - Red Sox 3. Jeter's single scores two. Yankees 6 - Red Sox 3. Terry Francona pulls Bucholz for Ramirez.
Ramirez's wild pitch scores Cabrera. Yankees 7 - Red Sox 3. Abreu strikes out looking but the four run lead is huge.
Pedroia hits a ground rule double down the left field line. I tell Otto that Big Papi is due and sure enough, he singles home Pedroia. Yankees 7 - Red Sox 4. Manny singles up the middle. The bullpen starts while Pitching Coach Dave Island goes to the mound. Youkilis singles to left. Bases loaded and no one out for JD Drew. Drew singles to center and the Red Sox close it to 7-6. Wang is pulled after 4+. Ohlendorf comes out of the bullpen. Varitek struck out. Casey's single ties the game at seven. Lugo called out on strikes. Ellsbury walks on four pitches. Pedroia doubles past Jeter. Red Sox 9 - Yankees 7. Ortiz comes to the plate for the second time in the inning. Big Papi mercifully strikes out swinging. Ugh! Half-way through at 2 hours and 15 minutes in, this game will finish around midnight.
A-Rod grounded out to second. Darn it! Matsui singles to right. Posada lines a double down the left field line. Matsui scores and Posada advances to third. Red Sox 9 - Yankees 8. Giambi is up. Three Red Sox are in between first and second. OMG! Otto calls for a hit up the middle. A home run would really help my chi. Anyway, Giambi walks. Cano is quick enough to beat a double play, touch wood, I reply to Otto. Cano singles to right and Posada ties the game at 9. Exactly even at 9-11 for both teams an older gentleman in front of me remarks. Moeller walks to load the bases. Cabrera grounds out to second but the throw was wide. Two runs score. Yankees 11 - Red Sox 9. Cabrera steals third on the first pitch to Jeter. Jeter grounded out. At the end of five innings (and 2.5 hours),
Manny walks on four pitches. LaTroy Hawkins strikes out Youkilis. Drew lines a single to right center. Varitek strikes out looking. Casey flies out to Matsui along the left field line. Whew! No runs thank God!
Abreu returns the favor and lines it down the line to Manny. A-Rod is hit by a pitch. My Blackberry battery died from all the action. The bottom line is that the Yankees won a wild game 15-9 to tie the Red Sox for first in the standings, touch wood.
I grab my gym bag from the bowling alley and go to the Subway. After entering the final car, Otto points out actor Robert Klein. I ask Mr. Klein for a photo and he obliges.
Posted by a psyched AstroTank reporting Live from Yankee Stadium and on the Subway from the Boogie Down Bronx.
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
A Visit to Safeco Field
I traveled to Safeco Field with Richard (from Canada) and Remi (from the Netherlands). It was Remi's first baseball game ever and my first time in Safeco field. The first thing that I noticed is that Safeco is right in the middle of town and has an open air aspect to it and has a retractable roof. This is needed in all baseball stadiums to prevent the early April rainouts that have plagued the league in recent years. Richard goes to the box office and we are able to get some 6th row seats in the field boxes, not cheap, but we are happy that it is a day game in April and the seats are available. I start to explain the rules to Remi. It is also Jackie Robinson day so I explain the importance of Jackie to Remi and Richard. \ It was a cold day, about 38 degrees when the Mariners took the field. We were very excited to see Ichiro Suzuki up close (and that is him running out in the photo below.) Kansas City took an early 1-0 lead and Remi was into it. In the bottom of the 1st Seattle tied it up. Both runs in the first inning came on sac flies, so we really had to get technical for Remi. (He is a fast learner, also his Dutchisms were cute, he called a Walk "Four Wide".) What was cool is that both teams were playing small ball so we were able to explain the awesome fundamentals of Baseball that make the game exciting and expose how strategic it is (fouling off bad pitches, stealing, pickoff moves, infield in, sac flies and bunts, etc).  Remi and I go to get some good old fashioned stadium hot dogs and an attempt for some Starbucks (since Seattle is the home of Starbucks and it was too cold for beer.) Striking out with the Strabucks we get to walk around the stadium and check it out. It is a very awesome stadium, I just hope that CitiField will be as nice. Jose Lopez became the 12th player in major league history to hit three sacrifice flies in a game and Yuniesky Betancourt drove in three runs. As the game progresses, the Mariners go to put up 11 runs and KC 6. Just about all of the runs were small ball runs, sac flies, etc. Remi is getting aggressive, saying that the team should steal and tag up far more than even super-aggressive always run manager in training me. We even witness Richie Sexson getting caught in a rundown, as I said a perfect first game for the Dutchman! The ticket taker gracefully took our photo, you can see I am already getting frozen. Richard and Remi sing "Take me out to the ballgame" for the 7th inning stretch and don't understand its importance. I said that will only come with time. 
Alas we have to get back to Microsoft Campus (hopefully they did not realize we took a 3 hour afternoon break) for our meetings and we leave in the bottom of the 8th after the Mariners have it locked up. Remi says that it was far more exciting than he thought and wants to come to NY this summer and take his 9 year old son to at Mets game. He won't admit that baseball is better than soccer but he kept saying how "exciting" the game was. Maybe after he sees Jose Reyes this summer he will change his tune.  Posted by Steve at Safeco Field in Seattle, Washington.
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Tuesday, April 15, 2008
WTF?! - What The Fox!
Red Sox 4 - Yankees 3 with two outs in the top of the ninth at Fenway on Saturday night. Cano had a full count against Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon. The pitch and
NASCAR
WTF?!!! What the Fox!
Fox pulled the 21st century version of Heidi. NBC cut from the Raiders-Jets playoff game to Heidi in the 1970s.
Fox didn't even apologize. They said the game was over on FX, a cable station that many people don't have. They didn't even wait for the next batter.
I stood in disbelief. What's even worse is that the NASCAR race went into an early caution like on the second lap. So everyone lost.
Fox owes everyone an apology.
Posted by a fuming Tank in NY.
Monday, April 14, 2008
Winning Games in April
The Mets and Yankees are off to an ok start, but are both 1 game under .500. While the Yankees in recent years have started very slow only to win the division or wild card well after the all star break, they mostly took advantage of Boston collapses. Teams that dominate do one thing and they do it well, they win games in April. The 1990s Atlanta Braves and the late 90s Yankees won tons of games in April, building out a big lead and never looked back. The Mets and Yankees both lost series this weekend that they should have won. These games may come back to haunt them, last year the Mets lost the playoff spot by 1 win and the Yankees lost the division by a slim margin. Wins in April of last year would have made the difference. Steve and the Tank are not pushing the panic button, but the teams need to start winning games in April. Posted by Steve in New York
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Mets Fans need their Heads Examined
Johan Santana made his long awaited Shea Stadium debut yesterday. He came into the game with a 1-1 record, and an ERA lower than 1.8 and the one loss was a dominating appearance in Atlanta where he gave up 1 run in 7 innings.
Johan had a shaky first inning giving up two hits. Mets fans booed him. Mets fans need to have their heads examined. I know that Santana has come in with high expectations, but come on, give the guy a break. He is on track this year, despite his bad outing at Shea (4 earned runs and a botched fielding play) yesterday, give the guy a chance. Don't give him the A-Rod treatment. Steve and the Tank will continue to support both MVP A-Rod and Cy Young in waiting Santana until they give us ample reason not to. So should the rest of New York.
Posted by Steve in Seattle
Saturday, April 12, 2008
Friday, April 11, 2008
Wonderful Wang and the Brew Crew Goes to Shea
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.
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Mist, Monsoon, or Make-up Day?
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.
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