Yesterday's post took me to Monument Park.  We were hustled along the third baseline to the dugout. 

What a view of the field!  Incredible! 

Home Plate behind me




I go to the dugout to view the field from the players and managers perspective starting with Derek Jeter's spot on the top step.




Chilling in the dugout.




I wanted to make a pitching change but the bullpen phone was locked. 




Richie the Tour Guide answered our questions.




I finally made it from the Bleachers to the seats right by the dugout. 




We had a group photo with new photos to capture the memories forever.




Time for a photo with the 21st Century Thurman Munson and Reggie Jackson. 




As I left the Stadium, I went to buy a "Yankee Universe" t-shirt which symbolizes the Yankees partnership with Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center.  To sponsor me in the 2008 NYC and 2009 North Pole Marathon fundraiser for cancer research at Sloan-Kettering, please visit the following fundraising link -- many thanks in advance.

Outside the Stadium, autograph seekers waited for hours like this gentleman below to get players' autographs.  Judging by his jersey, he has met several Yankees over the years. 




Before I left the Stadium for good, I got some final souvenirs of plaster and real authentic Stadium dirt stored in the plastic bag.




Posted by an emotional Tank reporting live from Yankee Stadium in the Boogie Down Bronx.

Yesterday's post took me from the press box to the field along the third base line.  It's now time to pay respects to past Yankees in Monument Park, the goal of my quest before the final game at the Stadium two weeks ago.  

Upon entering Monument Park from left field, you see the retired numbers in order from left to right and then the plaques in the back.  You have to start with the guy who built the place, Babe Ruth.




My favorite player was/is/will forever be Thurman Munson, R.I.P.  I was nine years old when he died; I immediately cried upon hearing the news as my Dad and I were driving home from the Otsego County Fair in Morris, New York.



One legend after another.  Joe DiMaggio.




Mickey Mantle.





May the memories of victims of September 11, 2001, be eternal, R.I.P.



The Yankees class continued as they tipped their hat to a great American, Jackie Robinson, for breaking baseball's color barrier and have his retired number in Monument Park.




My only criticism of the hour long tour is that the security guard literally chased us out of Monument Park to get to the dugout (post coming up tomorrow).  I would have spent about five to ten more minutes in Monument Park and five to ten fewer minutes in the dugout.  Therefore, I had to hustle to get one final photo of Thurman by the retired numbers. 




Posted by an escastic Tank reporting live from Monument Park in Yankee Stadium in the Boogie Down Bronx.  I made it.  I now have closure. 

I checked everyday for a ticket to the "Yankee Stadium Behind the Scenes Tour" after unjustly being denied entry to Monument Park before the last game at Yankee Stadium with Dave the Rock Climber, Erin the Engineer, and Ron the Giants Fan. 

I have so many photos that I will break it up into multiple parts.  You know I am a member of the press but just wanted to remind you... 
 

The view from the Press Box.  Not Bad, eh?




The Final Starting Line-Up




Time to make our way down to the field...




We then went down the third baseline to Monument Park (separate post tomorrow).  The view from the famous Left Field Foul Pole.




I finally made it onto the field.  Woooooooo!!!!!!  What a thrill!!!!!!!



Where the Warning Track meets the field...




The Left Field Wall just behind me is where Aaron Boone's 2003 ALCS Game 7 Home Run landed right next to my friend Otto...

 


The Bullpen...




To be continued with more photos from Monument Park tomorrow...

Posted by a grateful Tank reporting live from Yankee Stadium in the Boogie Down Bronx. 

The NY Mets today resigned Omar Minaya for a four year extension to stay on as GM. Omar showed smarts by signing Pedro Martinez in 2004 to lure Carlos Beltran, Carlos Delgado, and eventually Johan Santana to the Mets. He also showed smarts by locking in David Wright and Jose Reyes early to long term contracts.

Omar has more failures than successes. He gave a huge contract to Mota *after* admission of performance drug use. El Duque, Louis Castillo, Moises Alou, and the lack of any moves for the bullpen after last year’s collapse. Omar has showed time and time again that he will make bad moves.

What would Steve do if he were announced the GM today?

Sign a free agent pitcher and closer. Get some bullpen help. Let Pedro and Perez go. Let Delgado go. Trade “home run” Heilman. Trade some decent players away for minor league depth. Here is my opening day lineup:

C Brian Schneider

1B Daniel Murphy

2B Argenis Reyes

SS Jose Reyes

3B David Wright

LF Endy Chavez/Angel Pagan

CF Carlos Beltran

RF Ryan Church

Then go sign CC and K-Rod and some middle relief.

Posted by Steve, who forgot to get his resume in to the Wilpons in time.

Fight Club 1

On Thursday, August 28^th 2008, New York Fight Club brought us 12 full contact kickboxing, Muay Thai and SanDa fights. 

To see all the pics from this event, check out the pic site.

The event opened its doors at 8pm in the Freeport Recreation Center in Freeport, N.Y. and lasted about 2.5 hours.  There were 8 amateur fights in total.  The show was headlined by our boy, “Ill” Al Iaquinta who dominated his opponent, as usual.  As a fight fan, it is always good to see live fights, especially so close to home (I live in New Hyde Park, a 20 minute drive for me) and on a Thursday night.  I wasn’t always paying attention to which fight camp each fighter was out of, but I did get videos of each fight this time, so we’re even!

The fights were sponsored by Bikram Yoga in Carle Place and Aquaflex, the first sports drink with Hyaluronic Acid in it.  I never heard of Hyaluronic Acid and it doesn’t sound like something I’d like to pour into my mouth, but the guys over at Aquaflex believe in it so take a look at the site to read some articles about what it does for you.  If anybody has actually drank the stuff, let us know.  Steve could use all the help he can get while scaling Mt. Everest.  If you work for Aquaflex and want to send Steve and the Tank a case, holla achya boy!

I was accompanied by a beauty who will remain nameless, because if I give S&TT readers her name, you’ll be stalking her on facebook, myspace, or whatever social networking sites nice girls like her use to communicate with their friends and field requests from random perverts like yourselves (and by yourselves I mean us).  Nameless beauty was my photographer for the night.

For readers new to combat sports, kickboxing, Muay Thai and SanDa are all disciplines that along with many others make up mixed martial arts (MMA).  Each fight had its own rules depending on the discipline and sanctioning.  From a spectator’s perspective, you definitely notice the lack of takedowns, elbows, and ground fighting you’re used to seeing in MMA while watching The Ultimate Fighter or UFC pay-per-views.  The hunger these amateurs had to fight and win more than made up for it!

Thanks to the promoters who gave me front row passes to cover the event.  I was even seated in-between the nameless beauty and the Bikram Yoga girls.  It is good to be me.  Now lets get to the action!

Bout 1
Super Welterweight (147-153.9 lbs) – San Da
Jon Christ (Separation Anxiety)
vs.
Doug Miller (NY San Da)

Congratulations to Christ who is made his amateur debut.  He opens Round 1 up with a high kick.  Miller scores a takedown.  When the two fighters are back on their feet, Miller lands a high kick of his own.  Miller moved around well on his feet, throwing nice combos with his hands.  Miller scores another series of takedowns, culminating with a shot for a single leg takedown (single) into a sweep.  After the referee standup, Christ throws a spinning backfist but Miller winds up taking him down anyway to end the round.

At this point I would be willing to bet Steve’s first born (that he is aware of anyway) that Miller wrestled in high school.

Round 2 Christ opens with a leg kick and surprise surprise, Miller takes him down with a trip.  Miller scores with a couple of more takedowns.  Miller throws a spinning backfist.  As the two clinch, Miller throws Christ down using a pie face.  Yes, I said pie face.  I’m guessing that was not something he was taught to do in a fight during his training.  In Millers defense, it did get Christ down to the floor.

Round 3 was very similar to Round 2 with Miller dominating the round. 

Miller wins by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 30-26)

Bout 2
Super Light Heavyweight (175-182.9 lbs) – Thaiboxing
Kevin Murphy (Emerson Souza BJJ)
vs.
Doug Bonner (New Generation Karate)

Bonner comes out to Queen’s We Will Rock You.  He looks focused for his amateur debut.  Murphy comes out and controls the pace to open Round 1.  Murphy unleashes a barrage of punches capped off with a high kick to the head which forces the ref to break up the action and award points to Murphy.  Nothing exciting for the rest of the round as the round ends in a clinch.

Round 2 opens up with Murphy landing a kick to Bonner’s ribs.  The ref separates the two and immediately following the separation, Bonner returns the favor, kicking Murphy in his ribs.  The two clinch again and the ref breaks it up. Bonner ends the round by sending Murphy to the floor with a viscous straight right hand to the head.

Round 3 opens with a slugfest!  Bonner nails Murphy with a sidekick, Murphy is hurt, but Bonner does not capitalize.  Both fighters are notably exhausted at this point.

Murphy wins by a questionable split decision in a close fight (29-28, 27-28, 28-27)

Bout 3
Super Middleweight (160-166.9 lbs) – San Da
Ivan Gomez
vs.
Kevin Jansen

Jansen is being cornered by “Ill” Al Iaquinta.  The decorated amateur mma fighter, wrestler, and our boy gives some last minute advice to Jansen as he gets ready to fight.

Round 1 sees Gomez coming out with red, white, and blue headgear (style points!).  Gomez lands a knee and transitions into a takedown.  Jansen answers with a single leg takedown of his own.  Jansen gets another single.  When the two are on their feet again Gomez throws a nice combination.  Jansen has his mouth wide open and looks very tired.  Jansen is punching but they don’t look like they have anything behind them.  Gomez’s strikes look crisper now. 

Round 2 opens and Jansen is now being coached by the Miletich N.Y. coaches who joined Iaquinta in his corner!  Uniiiiiiiiiiitttttttyyyyyyyyyyy (check 2:27 of this video to get the reference, it is funny shit) !!!!! Jansen gets a takedown and when the two fighters are stood up he throws a flurry of kicks and punches.  Looks like Team Miletich is motivating this kid.  Instructions from Jensen’s corner are flying.  Jansen’s punches don’t seem to have much left on them.  Jansen gets another takedown.  Back on his feet, Jansen throws a huge haymaker but misses and almost falls down.  Gomez gets a takedown off of the miss.    Jansen throws a combo to end the round.

Round 3 sees Gomez opening up with a leg kick.  Jansen counters with a takedown.  Back on his feet, Jansen throws a nice uppercut but a stinging right hook by Gomez counters it.  The two clinch and the ref breaks it up.  Gomez throws a nice leg kick and follows up with a punch and Jansen is stunned.  Gomez doesn’t capitalize.  Jansen gains his composure back and as soon as he does he eats a nice straight right hand.  Jansen ends the round with a nice flurry.

Gomez wins by split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)

Bout 4
Super Welterweight (147-153.9 lbs) – San Da
TJ Gullo
vs.
Ian Morgan (Separation Anxiety)

Gullo opens the round with some nice punches, working well on his feet.  Morgan throws a couple of nice leg kicks.  Gullo answers with some leg kicks of his own.  Morgan throws a nice combo ending in a leg kick.  Gullo retaliates with his own.  The crowd is really getting into it now!  Morgan is reigning down blows on Gullo with some nice combos and really turning it up.  Morgan sends Gullo reeling to the floor and the ref stops the fight.

Morgan wins by referee stoppage at 1:53 of Round 1

Bout 5
Welterweight (140-146.9 lbs) – Thaiboxing
Jared Picarrello
vs.
Chris Laird

Best Knockout (and best victory yell) goes to Picariello.  His entrance music put me to sleep but thankfully I woke up for the fight.  I went to high school with this guy and actually saw a few of my friends in the crowd.  I haven’t heard anything about him in years… he caught me up really quickly! 

Picariello opens up Round 1 with a flurry of punches followed by a viscous knee to the ribs that really looked like it hurt.  Picariello transitions the knee into a takedown.  The ref separates the two waving his hands as Laird is on the ground thrashing in pain.

Picariello wins by KO at 0:20 of Round 1

Bout 6
Super Welterweight (147-153.9 lbs) – Thaiboxing
Turan Hasanov
vs.
Greg Tease

Tease opens round 1 by clipping Hasanov with an awesome shot.  The ref stops the action to check Hasanov but he is ok and the action continues.  Tease misses with a spinning back kick.  Hasanov attacks with a huge series of kicks and punches.  He is fluid like Neo from the Matrix in his attack; fast and accurate.  Tease is getting picked apart after a series of knees from Hasanov to end the round.

Round 2 opens with Tease throwing a flying jump kick that looks insane and gets the crowd moving.  Too bad for him it didn’t hurt Hasanov!  Hasanov counters with a nice knee and is boxing well.  Hasanov lands a nice high kick.  Tease counters with a big hook but misses.  Hasanov lands nice leg kick to the body of Tease.  Hasanov launches himself at Tease with a superman punch followed by a series of one two combinations.  The two fighters find themselves on the canvas and Tease punches Hasanov in the back of the head while he is down.  Tease gets a point deducted and the round ends.

Hasanov  dominates Round 3, and I mean DOMINATES.  Tease is overmatched in this fight.

Hasanov wins by unanimous decision (29-27, 30-26, 30-26)

Bout 7
Light Heavyweight (167-174.9 lbs) - San Da
John McFeely
vs.
Marvin Leggitts

Round 1 was unexciting with a lot of sloppy takedowns and nobody really taking the round.  If I had to give it to someone, I would have given it to Leggitts because McFeely looks like his head is not in the game.

Round 2 was more of the same with McFeely looking very tired.  McFeely falls sloppily.  From that point on, It looks like he doesn’t want to fight anymore.  He is breathing really heavy and the ref asks the doctor to check him out.  The fight is stopped as McFeely is done for the night.

LEGGITTS wins by doctor stoppage at 1:58 of Round 2

Bout 8
Super Middleweight (160-166.9 lbs) - Thaiboxing
USKBA Amateur Thaiboxing Super Middleweight East Coast Championship Title
Al Iaquinta (Miletich NY)
vs.
Valentin Stratichuk

I have to apologize in advance for not taking as much notes as I usually do during this fight.  I was all screaming at the top of my lungs for most of this fight and when I woke up the next day, I had no voice left to show for it. 

Round 1 opens up with the two fighters feeling each other out.   Iaquinta gets a takedown.  When they get back to their feet, Stratichuk throws a spinning back kick and Iaquinta takes him down again.  Iaquinta dominates the round as he scored frequently with accurate striking and takedowns.

Round 2 was dominated by Iaquinta as he used Stratichuk as a human heavy bag to practice leg kicks.  Stratichuk’s leg is starting to look an STD; red, blotchy, and just screwed!

Round 3 is much of the same with Iaquinta putting on a striking clinic, attacking Stratichuk’s legs while his coach Dave is smiling and screaming “That’s my boy right there!”  Stratichuk is limping and favoring the leg.  The crowd is really into this fight as the round comes to an end.

IAQUINTA wins by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Fight Club 1 at the Freeport Rec center was a success.  Take into consideration that these guys are still amateurs and are fighting their hearts out with the skill level that they have.  That takes a lot of guts!  For future shows, I’d like to see the scoring judges upgraded, as they seemed to not know how to score an MMA bout correctly, often times seeming not to abide by the scoring rules of the USKBA.  This will come in time as the sport grows. 

It’s always good to see “Ill” Al Iaquinta in action.  He’s heavier than we’ve ever seen him, stronger, faster, and his striking was pinpoint accurate as usual.  I’m looking forward to seeing him in a bout with rules that allow him to take guys down and submit them. 

Until next time!

Posted by Jason Nocco while conflicted between going out drinking and staying home and praying for Steve to return safely from the middle of nowhere... Sorry Steve!

Edit: This was originally written while Steve was away climbing Everest.  As it is being posted a few weeks after it was written, I am changing my sign off to: Posted by Jason Nocco as I wait for today to be over because tomorrow I AM SEEING MORE FIGHTS!  Stay tuned!

That is what the Daily News said the Mets need to be open to doing. They said if the right blockbuster deal came their way, the Mets should trade Wright and Reyes.

Steve and the Tank disagree. While the Mets need to fill more than a few holes (in priority order: a closer, a starter, an outfielder, a middle relief, and a second baseman) if they traded Wright or Reyes they would have even more holes to fill since they most likely would get an older player.

Part of me wants the Mets to unload some salary and trade for some minor league depth and not add anything major for next year except a free agent starter and closer. They can move Murphy to first base to back up Delgado (who they should resign), start Evens or Pagan (remember him?) in Left, sign a free agent starter (C.C. anyone?) and closer (K-Rod anyone?). They can trade for some middle relief and roll the dice at second base.

While I don’t think that the Mets will get CC and K-Rod, or either, there are some other free agents out on the market. The Mets can’t afford another Johan style trade since the minors are hurting right now.

We’ll see how things shake out after the World Series and start our hot stove then. Right now both Steve and the Tank are still recovering from the missed playoff chances.

Posted by Steve in New York

ESPN 1050 AM reported a few moments ago that Yankees GM Brian Cashman received a three year contract.  Terms are not yet announced. 

Given the job he has done rebuilding the Yankees farm system, I think Cashman deserved a new contract.  You can't blame Cashman for this year's injuries.  I have agreed with most of Cashman's decisions except for dealing with Bernie Williams which emotionally scarred me.

I do think Brian has lots of work to do.  He has to get committments ASAP from Mike Mussina and Andy Pettitte if they are returning next year.  I think Mussina is 50-50 and Andy is probable.  Joba's role has to clarified.  Is he a starter or a setup man (and eventual successor) to Mariano? 

Will the Yankees go after and get AJ Burnett and/or C.C. Sabbathia and/or another big free agent pitcher?

Will Cashman trade Robinson Cano (maybe), Phil Hughes (probably not), and Ian Kennedy (if anyone wants him)?  Maybe Kei Igawa can pitch for my 12 year old nephew's Little League team.   

How quickly will Carl Pavano clean out his locker?  Will fans be refunded for him quitting and not playing most of his four year contract?

Will the Yankees get another catcher to backup Jorge Posada? 

Will Jason Giambi be re-signed?  I think the Yankees should go after Texeira. 

Will Hideki Matsui be re-signed?  It depends upon his surgery and rehab.  Arn Tellum is a good agent and very professional.  He's much easier to deal with than Scott Boras or Drew Rosenhaus. 

This off-season will be longer than usual.  Cashman has lots of work to do.  Good luck Brian! 

I'll trouble-shoot the Mets soon.  The Mets need to be shook up.  I don't think Omar should have gotten a four year extension, especially to be leaked before the end of the season.  Given Wagner's injury and the theoretical lack of bullpen, the Mets must get K-Rod and sign my friend Nina.  Heilman and Schoenweis must be deported from the country and possibly planet.  I have to call my NASA friends.       
  
Posted by The Tank in NY.

Due to a prior committment for my Church's annual Circle Line boat cruise, I did not make it to Shea for yesterday's finale.  Steve expressed his pain earlier today but mine may be a little deeper for baseball and personal reasons.

I boarded the boat around 3:30 p.m. as the Mets were losing 2-0 and the Cubs and Brewers were tied at 1. 

My friends Igor and Catherine boarded right after me and we sat near each other to catch up.  Igor and Catherine are a great couple and publicly announced on the boat cruise that they are expecting their first child.  I congratulated them and am really happy for them.  Along with Steve and Kathleen as well as LI/Vermont Bill and his wife Jen, Igor and Catherine give me hope.  If marriage doesn't work for them, then what hope do I have? 

Strike 1: Igor and Catherine asked me when I was going to get married and possibly have kids.  Well, you know the the answer to that question.  You have a better chance of winning the Lottery.

But, wait, it got worse.  While Igor went to get drinks, I asked Catherine about Mira, my ex-girlfriend and Catherine's best friend.  Well, Mira just got engaged to some other guy.  No, not the "21st Street Loser" but some guy in Europe.  I really liked Mira a lot and we are both Montreal Canadiens fans.  She actually met Chris Chelios and Parrick Roy during the 1986 victory parade in Montreal.  How cool is that?!

Mira got busy with work last year, burned out, quit her job, and moved to Europe.  That's where she met her current fiance.  Not The Tank.  That really hurts.   

Strike 2: My fellow parishioners know I am a sports fan and were asking me for updates.  Steve and Linda were giving me updates and I was checking my Blackberry.  

Brewers rally to hit a go-ahead home run to win 3-1.  Darn it!

Strike 3: Mets tie the game at 2 but lose 4-2 on back to back home runs.  Linda questions the existence of the Mets bullpen.  But how can you blame the bullpen if you really don't have one?  Where is Nina?  Her Dad wanted her to come out of the bullpen.  She couldn't have done worse than Schoenweis.

If there is a charity auction to blow up Shea, Steve would win it.  Bill Gates and Warren Buffett and their billions wouldn't stand a chance against Steve. 

Is there somewhere I can hide from the bad news?  I go down to the boarding deck and couples are taking photos on the front of the ship like on the Titanic.  It reminds me of the stupid Celine Dion "My Heart Can't Go On" (AKA Titanic) song.  I'm on a boat and would like to jump off but I can't swim.  Where's my Deep Water Running belt?  At home of course.  So I have to stand and take it.  A three hour tour felt like a three day water torture session.     

Posted by The Tank trying to pick up the pieces of his broken love and sports heart.

You love the place and hate the place at the same time. You hate it since it is built on a swamp, right next to an airport and was the scene of so many bad memories such as the last game of last year and the last game of this year. But is also holds so many good memories, the Grand Slam Single, 1969, and of course Game 6-a moment that will continue to live in all of sports history. My last visit to Shea Stadium was a month ago and I had some quiet emotional time to say goodbye.

The Mets blowing yet another post season chance (more on that later this week) was a fitting end to Shea Stadium. I watched the game with low expectations and was not as down as most Mets fans when the post game “Shea Goodbye” ceremony took place. There were some emotional moments, Dwight Gooden, Mike Piazza, and Jessie Orosco. (Where was Mookie?????) I did feel a small sense of loss, but like most Mets fans April 13th, 2009 can’t come soon enough.

All the old timer Mets lined up and then touched home plate. Watching Willie Mays and Keith Hernandez touch home plate and Buddy Harrilson jump on it got me emotional, but boys don’t cry.

But then the Mets gods did something evil, they closed the day with Tom Seaver pitching a final pitch to Mike Piazza. That should not be allowed.

I held it together even as they pitched. (Tom pitched a one hopper to Mike.) So did most Mets fans. But then they embraced and walked from home plate to center field.

When they got to center field they closed the center field door and the lights went out. Not many dry eyes in the house.

(Photos from the AP)

Posted by Steve in New York, waiting for CitiField..

Say this for the Shea Stadium, in its last regular season game ever, the stadium will host a must-win game for the Mets. The Mets after an ace performance by Johan Santana (and what Mets fan can deny that Johan was worth every cent) yesterday are in a must win game in order to earn a playoff spot. It is this simple, if the Mets win, they are in (either alone or in a 1 day playoff with the Brewers). The fate of their season is in their hands. Open memo to the Mets: don’t make us cry again.

Posted by Steve, too nervous to watch