Due a sharp hamstring pain last Saturday morning, I passed on running Greta Gallop's, the half marathon honoring nine time NYC Marathon Women's Champion and cancer survivor Greta Waitz.  It pained me because of the hamstring pain itself.  More importantly, I am running for cancer research at Memorial Sloan-Kettering in honor of Greta.  (We are pictured below after last year's Greta's Gallop.) 

However, I erred on the sign of caution and signed up for this morning's 20 mile Running Center training run.  I started running (not racing) at a good pace, touch wood.  After we finished the first loop of the reservoir, one of my fellow runners shouts "Howard Stern!"  I thought she was listening to a recording on her iPod of previous Howard show.  Nope, it was the real guy running with a blue running head band.

Howard was unfortunately running in the other direction.  We missed an opportunity to talk and see if I could guest host for him. 

Congratulations to Howard for his recent wedding with Beth Ostrovsky!  Good luck to Beth who will be joining me (touch wood) and about 38,000+ of our closest running friends in the NYC Marathon three weeks from tomorrow!

You know I always want to meet celebrities like Howard Stern.  However, I'm focused on the run against cancer.  Please sponsor me below at this fundraising permalink OR copy and paste the link below into a browser:

https://fredsteam.mskcc.org/fundraising/Controller?action=userHome&user_id=35640&event_id=113

Many thanks in advance for your support in these difficult economic times for a great cause.

Posted by a grateful Tank running against cancer in Central Park.

I'm not quoting Alaska Governor Sarah Palin in her recent Vice Presidential debate against Senator Joe Biden.  But, the old adage is directed at former Yankee and current Dodger manager Joe Torre.

The Dodgers have fallen behind the Phillies 2-0 in their best of seven NLCS.  To their credit, the Phillies defended home field advantage.  The Dodgers need to go home and defend their turf.  We'll see what happens. 

Posted by a somewhat apathetic Tank in NY.  I'm still not yet totally ready for football, hockey, and basketball.

I joined Aussie Rod and hundreds of my closest fellow Aussie citizens for the Aussie Rules Grand Final, AKA the Australian Football Super Bowl.  (BTW, I hold honorary Aussie, Canadian, Dominican, Kiwi, and Puerto Rican citizenships.)  We gathered at BowlMor Lanes in the Village on Friday night on late Friday, September 26, 2008.  JH unfortunately can't make it but is with us in spirit. 

I love baseball, football (soccer), basketball, hockey, and other sports but Aussie Rules is my favorite sport.  It's my favorite because it basically combines the best of "hot potato" and "kill the guy with the ball".  You have to bounce the ball and then pass it to another guy within three steps.  Seriously, it combines the athleticism of football (soccer) with the team work of rugby without the injuries caused by American football's metal helmets. 

Aussie Rules is a fast moving game with 4 quarters of 20 minutes of moving time.  It's a high scoring game where six points are awarded for a goal (like a touchdown in American football), one point for a behind (like an extra point in American football), and you add them together.  Therefore, if you see 13 + 15 = 93 points, it is 78 points for the goals (13 times 6) + 15 (15 one points for behinds) = 93 points.  You'll often see points in the high double digits or low triple digits.  

Back to tonight's action.  Geelong was the defending champion after winning their first title in 44 years last year.  Hawthorne was the second seeded team.  The game was close in the first half but Hawthorne pulled away in the second half.

To get in the spirit of the game, I impersonated one of the umpires who signals a goal.  (I just came from the Mets loss at Shea to the Marlins so I wasn't in the best of moods.)
 

Hawthorne won the game 115 - 89.  Congratulations to Hawthorne for winning the Grand Final! 



Mega thanks to Aussie Rod for the invitation! 

To learn more about the world's best sport, Aussie Rules Football, please check out the NY Magpies Australian Football Club website for rules, schedules, and other fun information. 

Posted by The Tank reporting live from BowlMor Lanes in the Village. 

The MLB post-season has witnessed a perfect storm for the New York baseball fan. 

(1) The Yankees and Mets didn't make the playoffs.

(2) Arch-rivals like the Red Sox, Phillies, and Dodgers remain.  How can you root for those teams?

(3) That only leaves the Tampa Rays.  Though I like Manager Joe Madden and many of the players, it's hard to root for the Rays given my friend Robert's personal row with the owners after the 2007 season and the poor customer service he has received over the years. 

I have attended several Rays games over the years since 2002 including Mariano's 300th save in May 2004.  Most fans are fans of out of town teams like the Yankees, Red Sox, Orioles, etc.  It's so bad that Rays players complain that there are more fans of other teams than the Rays fans in their building, Tropicana Field.  Maybe success in this post-season will change this trend in future years. 

Who Should The Tank Root For: I really can't root for any of the teams but the Rays are the least odious.  In the meantime, I am trying to transition into football, basketball, and hockey. 

Posted by a conflicted Tank in NY.

ESPN 1050 reported that Mariano Rivera thankfully had successful shoulder surgery earlier today.  He can't pitch for three months but will hopefully be ready by the beginning of the season, God Willing. 

The Yankees should play it safe by keeping Joba as a reliever.  He should be Mariano's successor a few years down the line anyway.  The biggest factors will be Andy and/or Moose return, what happens with Hughes/Kennedy/etc, and who the Yankees are able to get in free agency.

Across town, the Mets MUST break the bank to get K-Rod or someone of comparable talent.  The good news for the Mets is that K-Rod is done pitching for the season as the Angels lost to the Red Sox in four games.  If Omar doesn't sign K-Rod, Steve must replace him ASAP.  It will be time for Coup d'Omar.

Posted by The Tank in NY.

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!