I received my Mets playoff ticket invoice in the mail the other day and am filling it out in anticipation of a great post-season as my ticket plan has one game in both the NLDS and WS and two games in the NLCS, respectively, God Willing!

I have yet to receive my Yankees playoff ticket invoice as they have gotten my snail mail address wrong with my old Manhattan address.  I'll have to call them to square it away once again.  I hope I don't have to repeat the stress of getting my season tickets where I ended up picking them up at the gate a few minutes before first pitch on Opening Day (whew) instead of going to the updated address that I specified.

Speaking of playoffs, kudos to our friend and Mets fan extraordinaire Linda for the following "Playoff Odds" website!

As for our teams, the Yankees split against the Tigers 2-0 and 5-3.  The Yankees should have won the second game but Proctor blew a 3-2 lead with two strikes and two outs in the ninth.  Darn it!   

The Mets continue to steamroll and beat the Rockies 11-3 as David Wright broke out of his "slump" with a grand slam and a key defensive play.  If the Mets don't make in error in Thursday's game, they will break their twelve game errorless streak set in June 15-27, 1999, according to WFAN.

Posted by The Tank in NY. 

 

 

An Interview with Jeff Rochford

 

About Jeff:

Jeff was the owner of Jeff’s Gym for 15 years before he sold the gym in 2006. Jeff is a United States Track and Field Certified Coach. He also volunteers as the coach of Fred’s Team (Marathon team benefiting cancer research at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center.)

 

 

Steve & The Tank: All three of us met in Antarctica running a marathon. That was my first Marathon, the Tank has run a marathon on all 7 continents (he is that crazy), how many marathons have you run?

 

Jeff:

This November will be my 10^th consecutive New York City Marathon. Others thrown in for variety, of course Antarctica being the coolest. No pun intended I’ve also done countless Triathlons and Distance swim races.

 

Steve & The Tank: How did you get started running?

 

Jeff:

Owning a gym, I was totally into bodybuilding. Running was something you didn’t do. Aside from hurting like hell, it made you small. Every year around marathon time clients would ask if I ever ran the marathon, and being a gym owner in NYC, it was a little embarrassing to say no. So ten years ago, I set out to run my first and only NYC Marathon. I had no Idea what I was doing. My longest run prior to the marathon was 13 miles and I was still well over 200 pounds. I thundered the course; it hurt every step of the way. I’ve broken bones, torn ligaments, and nothing hurt more than that marathon. I finished in 4:17 out of sheer stubbornness. The second I crossed the finish line, I said to myself, that was the greatest thing I’ve ever done. I have to do this again, the right way.

I immersed my self in the endurance world, went back to school and learned everything I could. I’m still learning till this day.

 

Steve & The Tank:  Describe Fred’s Team.

 

Jeff:

Fred’s Team is a marathon team benefiting cancer research at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. Each member of the team raises money by running the NYC marathon. We have over 750 runners running NY this year. We raise a lot of money for the Cancer Center.

 

Steve & The Tank:  How and when did you get involved with Fred's Team?

 

Jeff:

9 years ago, when I set out to run my second NYC marathon, I received a mailer from Fred’s Team and figured why not make my marathon really count?  4 years ago, I was running with a friend who was the director of the team and we were brainstorming ideas to grow the team. She said she wished the team could afford to hire a coach. Being this is where my career was moving, coaching runners, I volunteered.

 

Steve & The Tank:  How rewarding is that?

 

Jeff:

I can’t even begin to describe it. When the weather is nice, the hospital will bring the kids out to the MSKCC cheering section at mile 17. When you run by and give those kids a high five, their faces light up like you just dropped a million dollars in their lap. Your adrenaline starts pumping and you start to sprint up First Avenue till you realize you still have 9 miles to go. Also helping my fellow team members cross the line is a total rush.

 

Steve & The Tank:  Wow. Being the Coach of Fred’s Team, what type of workout do you put everyone through?

 

Jeff:

I have the team on a pretty aggressive 4 day a week running program, no junk miles. Quality over quantity. We meet three days a week as a team. Saturday morning we go long. Tuesday evening we alternate speed and hill work. Thursday night is coach’s choice work out. Think of track drills in High School.

 

 

Steve & The Tank:  Ever make some annoying guy do extra laps or something like that?

 

Jeff:

No, but if I’m training someone annoying who can only talk about themselves. I pick up the pace as to where they can no longer talk and breathe at the same time.

 

Steve & The Tank:  In what ways can people get more involved with Fred’s Team?

 

Jeff:

Aside from running for the team, we are always looking for volunteers to support our training runs by manning water stations and of course donate money. To learn more about our volunteer opportunities in New York or elsewhere, please contact us by e-mail at fredsteam@mskcc.org or phone at 800-876-7522.

 

Steve & The Tank: Do you think that the NYC Marathon has gotten too large of a field? Too Commercial?  Should it go qualifier like Boston?

 

Jeff:

It doesn’t bother me. The size of the field is what makes NY, NY. Boston needs the prestige of the marathon. God knows they don’t get it from their baseball team.

 

 

Steve & The Tank: My goal is to have Lance beat me by less than 2 hours; do you think I can do it?   

 

Jeff:

Lance will be probably be running a sub three, so you need to run a sub 5. The hills in NYC are nothing like we ran in Antarctica, so I think you guys can do it. Then again, you won’t have those crazy birds dive-bombing you motivating you to run faster

 

Steve & The Tank: Advice to young runners?  

 

Jeff:

Don’t be the first one to tell a girl you love her, be patient, don’ get married too young. Oh I’m sorry, you meant about running. Well be patient there too. Many young runners come out of the box too fast and struggle to hang on. Respect the distance.

 

 

Steve & The Tank: What is next for you Jeff?   

 

Jeff:

Half Ironman in October then the NYC marathon, and now that I don’t live at the gym any more, train for the Ironman. Join Tom (Tank) in the 7 continents club.

 

Steve and the Tank: Good Luck, see you at the finish line November 5^th.

 

Posted by Steve in New York.

My baseball past and present collided Monday night at the Staten Island Yankees game. As many of you know, I grew up in beautiful Upstate New York north of Oneonta and south of Cooperstown, home of the Baseball Hall of Fame. Oneonta was the home of the Oneonta Yankees where I watched greats like Don Mattingly and John Elway when he didn't want to play for the Indianapolis Colts. I don't blame him because the Colts sucked and Elway made $150,000 for playing only 2.5 months of short summer Class A baseball. I also watched Buck Showalter manage the Oneonta Yankees to a couple of NY-Penn League titles. I even blended my Oneonta Yankees passion with a local bank promotion that would give me an extra .01 percent for each win on the few hundreds dollars in my savings account. Therefore, I was a Oneonta and New York Yankees fan hook, line, and sinker.

When former NYC mayor Rudy Guiliani and Yankee owner George Steinbrenner to transfer the Oneonta Yankees to Staten Island in the late 1990s. I have been in mourning until tonight. The closest I have been in the SI Yankee parking lot for the Start/Finish of the SI Half Marathon in October 2004 and 2005.

The gang took a while to rally at the South Ferry in southern Manhattan. Vicky, Linda's Mom, James, Chris, and Steve are the new additions from Friday night. As the SI Ferry pulled into SI, my stomach filled with butterflies. It's time for closure and to play ball. I crossed myself and asked for forgiveness from my Oneonta brethren. As Saint George is my patron saint, I was comforted by walking into the "Richmond County Bank Ballpark at St. George" and settled into my awesome seat, third row behind the Brooklyn Cyclones dugout -- the best seats I have ever been in. Kudos to Linda for another great great ticket purchase!!

Now that I have started to get past my past, who do I root for? My borough, Brooklyn Cyclones, or past, SI Yankees. I am sitting in between two Mets die-hards, Steve and Doris. What do I do?

In addition to my nerves, Linda's cousins, Tommaso and Marta, are visiting the States from Italy and I also wondered what their reaction to "Italian Heritage Night", Staten Island style. The problem with these nights is that they are dated by the frame of reference of the immigrants that came here decades ago. I notice this with my parents from the former Yugoslavia as well. It is sometimes easier for me to talk to people their age because of a common reference point, values, and respect than my age because kids my age want to be "American" and "modern".

The Cyclones pitcher is pitching a no-hitter through three innings and the Italian Heritage is starting to kick in with King Henry eating Italian Ices and the scoreboard honoring the local Knights of Columbus.

Our section won the enthusiasm contest. Huck the Cow sits two rows in front of us. Seth Fortenberry is Steve's new favorite player as they share a common ethnic heritage. Steve and I are networking with our new fledgling sponsors the "Liquor Depot" who also DJ at "Redemption" in Manhattan. Steve and I are big in the community.

The Cyclones no-hitter holds through four innings. Steve is trying to get Huck in trouble as a Jose Reyes fan.

Meatball Eating contest going into the bottom of the fifth. Steve should be in the contest.

Linda tries to explain baseball in Italian to her cousins. I find the Italian baseball link on Wikipedia and give it to Linda and she gives it to Tommaso and Marta to read in their native tongue as we take in the game. God Bless the Internet!

In the top of the sixth, Brooklyn bunts a guy on but he is thrown out as the catcher overthrows first and is thrown out while trying to go to second.

The spinning of the heads on the baseball bat is the feature going into the bottom of the sixth. Mike beats out Jim.

Steve smells the salt of the sea or is it Mike's sweat he wonders out loud.

No hitter through sixth. Happy birthdays on the left center field scoreboard going into the seventh.

To inspire her fellow Canadian, Sara removes her jacket and he singles to center. He is sacrificed to second. Steve is not going to the restroom until the Yankees get a hit. He is keeping it in for the team.

"That's Amore" finally comes on as I thought the SI Yankees would have had more Italian heritage than a sushi toss earlier in the game. 

Steve nominates Sara as our mascot and offers to make g-strings "un-sexy as it hurts my bum". Even TMI (Too Much Information) for The Tank.

Back to the game, #11 flies out to end of the top.

An eight or nine year girl does a great job of singing "God Bless America" during the Seventh Inning Stretch.

Chevy's is the current promotion as Steve wants a quesadilla. He didn't win it and the ball girl didn't throw me a ceremonial softball souvenir even though Steve pointed to me and many in our section rallied to our cause. A lady behind me tells me that it is going to be another 30 years before I get a foul ball. Not comforting! I am definitely the Charlie Brown of the baseball souvenir world.

Steve's fruity cousin, Fortenberry, grounds out to start the bottom of the seventh. Larsen breaks up the no hitter with two out in the bottom of the seventh and #30 is pulled. Our inaugural sponsors encourage me to go to rally cap mode.

Huck and his friends are dancing the YMCA during the pitching change.

Curtis doubles in Larsen and the SI Yankees take a 1-0 lead. Linda and her Mom both blame Steve for going to the restroom for the Yankees taking the lead. Steve returns to the seat while the Yankees fly out to end the seventh.

Going to the top of the eighth, I am encouraged to go to the restroom so the Cyclones start a rally. I get some water, a lemonade, and even a funnel cake and the Cyclones get a walk while I still don't return to my seat. The Cyclones fly out to end the game. The Yankees win 1-0.

Go Cyclones! / Mets! / Yankees!

P.S. I tried to run the bases like I did after the Cyclones departmental outing last year. The usher let me through tonight but the power tool lady at the first base line did NOT let me run the bases. That seals my conflict, I am rooting for the Cyclones from here on out. Go Cyclones!

P.S.S. This is Steve's second minor league game!!

Posted by Steve and The Tank live from Richmond County Bank Ballpark at St. George

Looks Like Willie Randolph Reads Steve & The Tank. :) He is quoted by the New York Post as saying Jose Reyes should be the 2006 NL MVP.

Posted by Steve in New York.

The Yankees had their normal troubles with the LA Angels of Anaheim of Orange County of Southern California of the United States of the Western Hempshire of the Planet Earth of the Solar System of Known Universe...  After losing the first two games, the Yankees had to beat the pesky Angels to keep them out of the playoffs.  Led by two home runs each by "Bern Baby Burn" Williams and Derek Jeter, the Yankees beat their SoCal foes 11-8.  It was a nice start for Karstens who really turned himself around after being demoted from AAA to AA and now up to the majors.  He hasn't lost since May.

As for the Mets, their 11 game winning streak ended Friday night but started a new one Saturday night with a convincing win over the Phillies.  Sunday's game was rained out and rescheduled for Monday.

What about the suddenly hot Seattle Mariners?  After losing 11 straight to divisional foes, the Mariners beat the Yankees two out of three games at Safeco and thankfully swept the RS.  The RS are thankfully now 6.5 games behind the Yankees in the AL and 5.5 games in the Wild Card behind the Twins and White Sox.  The Angels are thankfully 5.5 games behind the As and 8.0 games back in the Wild Card.  The Yankees long road trip and three week consecutive playing couldn't have gone much better.

Most importantly, today is the one year observance of my Aunt Radojka's passing.  Though she is reunited in Heaven with Uncle Dragan, I love her and miss her.  Please also keep the Hurricane Katrina victims in your prayers as tomorrow is the one year observance of that tragedy.  R.I.P. and Memory Eternal to all the reposed souls. 

Posted by The Tank in NY.

Since I rarely drink alcohol and Jones Beach Theater does not serve alcohol, that phrase could only be uttered by "White Fedora" Mike. 
                                     
Who is "White Fedora" Mike you ask?  I did too as I looked for him Friday afternoon at Penn Station enroute to the BEP concert.  Sara, Linda, and her cousins from Italy went to Jones Beach earlier in the afternoon to take them to the beach as I looked for Mike at Penn Station.  I saw an elderly gentleman in a black fedora praying.  That's not Mike.  Finally, I called his mobile and a bald man (sarcastic hint "white fedora") comes up and says hello.          
                                
Anyway, after a laugh, it's off to Jones Beach for the concert where we meet up with the rest of the gang. 

The Pussycat Dolls were supposed to open but they had to cancel for illness or some "rock and roll" reason.  There was some other fill-in performer from MTV but we didn't watch them as the ladies were distracted by the hair care display and us guys went to get something to eat.  "White Fedora" Mike and I really don't have much hair to care for as we have shaved and receding hair, respectively. 
                         
Onto the moving to our seats, kudos to Linda getting them close to the front but elevated in the second row of the second section -- basically a great view of center stage!   

Though I am familiar with most of BEP music (basically "Elephunk" and "Monkey Business" when Fergie came on the scene), I didn't know what to expect going into the show because I had never seen them live before.  They got off to a fast start and kept the show moving.  In researching the BEP, I read a review that Fergie is Gwen Stefani with better moves.  Granted, Fergie is hot, has a great vocal range (including a great cover of Guns and Roses' "Sweet Child of Mine"), and did cool cartwheels while singing but Gwen is still the Queen even on maternity leave because she has produced more music and is prettier.  (I am definitely willing to give Fergie another five to ten years to prove me wrong.)  Let's hope Fergie's new "Dutchess" solo album because doesn't pull BEP apart as Gwen's solo departure pretty much marked the end of No Doubt though they'll probably do a reunion tour down the line to rake in the big bucks like The Fugees. 
                                        
BEP cranked out hits like "Shut Up", "Pump It", "Let's Get Retarded", etc. as well as mixed in great samples of hip-hop classic "It Takes Two" (Rob Base and DJ EZ Rock), "O.P.P." (Naughty By Nature), and "Jump Around" (House of Pain).  Special Guest Dante Santiago had the joint jumping including yours truly to the shock of "White Fedora" Mike and a kid near us.  Though I am past the "American Idol" cutoff age, I can kick it with the best of them. 
      
I have listened to quite a bit of hip-hop over the years including still being a member of gansta rap label "Death Row East" long after the label's peak.  I actually got "recruited" into "Death Row East" as a van pulled up near the MTV Video Music Awards in 1996 across the street from Radio City Music Hall.  I still have the t-shirt they gave me as I was going to Rochester Big & Tall for a new dress shirt for work.  Dominican Lou (the real one from work, not the one on "Saturday Night Live" played by Tracy Morgan) did tell me the other day at work that I am black.  I always thought I was white.  Maybe I need the laser vision more than I think.  Regardless of my real or outward looking race, I have crossed numerous musical, racial, and other boundaries as a global musical envoy (six karaoke continents, only South America remains).                     

                                           
Pre and post concert conversation ranged from a harsh critique of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act to discussing the NBA and Stanley Kubrick in Italish (Italian and English and Linda translated the words we didn't know), and if German porn is better than American porn.  The man who made the German porn quote was thankfully NOT in the car ride home.  Though I am a very patriotic person, I don't know what the difference between German and American or any other ethno-nationalistic porn for that matter.  Porn is porn in my book except for the weird "inter-species erotica" found in "Clerks II".  This high and diverse level of pseudo-intellectual conversation can only come from the Tank and his long-time and new friends.  Linda sailed (I mean drove) the Titanic of a rental car back to the City.  All in all, a great time had by all.                   

Post by The Tank in NY.

 

We got to the ballpark early and sat in the first row of the Mezz behind the right field foul pole hoping the rain would end. After a while we got our wish and the game started with only a 30 minute delay. The game got rolling and both pitchers were throwing strikes for the first 3 innings.

 

Dave Williams looked good. But Shawn Green in his second at bad on his Mets debut got an RBI single just after Lo Duca tripled in Reyes (how cool is that?) and Wright saced in Lo Duca. The crowd gave him standing ovation. Fans shouted “Green! Green!” New York wants Green to succeed and he is excited to be here. I felt a good vibe. He provides good protection for Wright, so I think it might just work out.

 

Mets up 3-0.

 

I then traveled around the entire stadium trying to get Kathleen a “Mrs. Wright” jersey to no avail. Somehow the bottom of the Cards order made it 3-2 and a close game.

 

After a Delgado home run the Mets were up 5-2. Jose Reyes added an insurance run in the 8^th with an RBI single.

 

Jose Reyes had three hits and an RBI and stolen base. He is the most exciting player in baseball. I would actually say he is the MVP candidate. Reyes is on track to bat .300, have 90 RBI, 70 SB, and 20 HR. He is the spark of the Mets. He is the most exciting player to watch. Reyes wins games for you with both power and speed. Vote for Reyes for MVP!

 

Our hot dog vendor came to visit us in the bottom of the 8^th in the Mezz but no free dogs.

 

Easy 9^th and the Mets won 6-2 and swept the first place Cardinals.

 

Posted by Steve Live From Shea Stadium

The inaugural NYC Half-Marathon takes place this Sunday (Aug 27). The race is a tad bogus since 7.5 miles are done in Central Park (on a 6 mile loop?!?!), but come watch 10,000 runners run 5.6 miles through the streets of Manhattan.

 

The NYRR will have to solve the “bunching up” problem while trying to get 10,000 runners through a 2 lane road with 1 lane open for Bikers and runners crossing over each other to make up the extra 1.5 miles.

 

Good luck to The Tank who is running and the rest of the Antarctica Gang. [Steve conveniently will be at Business School Orientation Weekend.]

 

Posted by Steve, in New York.

 

Even before the Mets great come from behind victory over the Cardinals, the Mets received great news that veteran left-hander Tom Glavine will only be out about a week to ten days.  Thank God! 

In a clash of MVP candidates, Carlos Beltran had the last laugh over Albert Pujols who had two home runs, a three run blast and a grand slam which represented all seven of the Cardinals runs.  As worthy MVP candidates as the Carloses (Beltran and Delgado) have been, Pujols will probably get it because he hasn't before and where would the Cardinals be without him.  Furthermore, the Carloses will take votes away from each other as well as DW who should get some MVP consideration.

Most importantly, if the Mets and Cardinals meet in the playoffs, I give the edge to the Mets because they will probably have home field advantage and the Cardinals are 20 games over .500 against right hand starters BUT under .500 against left hand starters according to WFAN's game announcers.  A pretty unbelievable statistic but I trust the FAN.  Therefore, if Glavine, a lefty, is pitching in the playoffs, I feel pretty good about the Mets chances.  If Pedro is near 100% and Maine, Trachsel, and/or El Duque are on, I like the Mets chances against the Cardinals.

As for the Yankees, they unfortunately lost to the Mariners 6-5 but something had to give after the Mariners lost 11 in a row coming in and the Yankees thankfully swept the five game set at Fenway.

The good news from the injury front is that Sheffield was cleared to swing under water and Matsui is cleared to hit off the tee according to the WCBS game announcers.  Even if Matsui and Sheffield aren't 100% by October, they could come off the bench in pinch hitting situation.  Fingers crossed for full recoveries for both Sheff and Hideki.

Unlike Steve, I am still keeping the Subway Series dream alive.  The Tigers have been a great story but they are built for the regular season and after Pudge, how much post-season experience do they have?  The Cardinals are a great regular season team but have under-achieved in the recent post seasons. 

The teams that could thwart my Subway Series dream and thus deny my much needed baseball closure are the Dodgers and the Angels (yes, the same "LA of Anaheim of Orange County of South California of the United States of the Western Hemisphere of the Planet Earth of the Solar System of the Known Universe" Angels).  The Dodgers are hot and have crafty veteran leadership in Maddux and Nomar.  If there is a manager equal to or even better than Joe Torre, it is Angels skipper Mike Scioscia.  He is a fellow National Leaguer who keeps the pressure on the base paths.  The Angels are so scary that I wanted the RS to beat the Angels on Tuesday evening (but lost 4-3) because I don't want the Angels to make the playoffs and the RS are probably not going to make it anyway, touch wood.  Yes, you read it here first.  Count on "Steve and The Tank" to tell it like it is. 

Go Yankees! / Mets!

Posted by The Tank in NY.

 

The Tank’s post on the 1986 Mets Anniversary night brought back some memories. When Mookie Wilson took the mike I got goose bumps remembering 1986. What I remember most about that post season (besides Mookie’s hit in-between Bill Buckner’s legs breaking the tie game) was  Mike Scott silencing the Mets bats in the NLCS and the relief I felt when Game 6 was over in like 100 innings at the old Astrodome because the Mets did not have to face Scott in Game 7.  

 

It reminds me that both the Mets and Yankees are screwed in 2006. Both teams have the same problem: they are all offence and have so-so pitching. And good offences get shut down by superior pitching. Anything can happen in a 7 game series, but the Yankees were early exiters last year for this very reason. My fingers are crossed but I am not that hopeful.

 

As a lifelong Mets fan, I will just be excited to see the Mets do well in the playoffs. The Mets are an exciting team to watch, I’d rather they win 100+ games a season and lose the World Series (but not to the Yankees!) then have a bad year, sneak into the playoffs and win it all.

 

Mookie and me in 2002: 

Posted by Steve, in New York.

I was very nervous going into this series because of losing two out of three to the Orioles and having to go to Fenway Park.  I reserved comment earlier because Friday's game went late, I wanted to tip my hat to the Mets and "focus" on the 1986 WS Celebration, and I didn't want to jinx the Yankees.  The last five game sweeps of the RS at Fenway were 1927 and 1943, respectively, years that the Yankees won championships.  Let's hope history repeats itself, touch wood.
      
Game 1, Friday afternoon: Chien-Ming Wang won this must win game against Jason Johnson.  Yankees win 12-4.
                                                              
Game 2, Friday evening: Sidney Ponson has been battling his demons over the years and was not good but neither was the RS starter.  The crooked number (7) that the Yankees put up in the seventh inning was magical to say the least.  Yankees win 14-11.
                                
Game 3, Saturday afternoon: Randy Johnson against Josh Beckett.  Yes, Randy gave up the three run home run to Manny but he kept us close as Boston Bob likes to say and pitched seven good innings.  Yankees win 13-5.

During the game, it was great to see ESPN's Peter Gammons in Mr. John Henry's owner's booth.  Best wishes on a full recovery.
              
Game 4, Sunday evening: Moose against Schilling.  Giambino's three run home run was awesome and it thankfully put the Yankees ahead in the third 3-2.  The RS unfortunately tied it back up.  Moose's groin injury going into the bottom of the fifth was very disturbing. 
        
There are comebacks and there are comebacks.  This is one of the best I will ever see.  Yankees win 8-5 in ten innings.  We never quit.

Game 5, Monday afternoon: Lidle against Wells.  Lidle pitched great, especially after the recent passing of his 98 year old grandmother.  Yankees complete the sweep 2-1.

Conclusion: Damon was unbelievable in the first three games.  A-Rod was not perfect but a good 7-21. Bernie, Posada, and Jeter were thankfully clutch as always. 

    The RS are killing themselves.  Why did Francona bring a rookie to start the eighth inning?  He should have gone straight to Papelbon who I agree with RS radio announcer Joe Castiligone that he is the RS best pitching prospect since Roger Clemens. 
    Fox commentator Ted Rosenthal made a great point during Saturday afternoon's game that the RS are trying to simultaneously contend and rebuild.  This is very tricky.  They don't want to go above $120 million which is ridiculous because RS owner Mr. Henry is a hedge fund billionaire (and a personal hero as a Missouri farm boy and statistics genius made good) who can easily pay the chump change luxury tax that MLB would levy on him. 
    Granted when Lester, Papelbon, Hansen, etc. mature, they are scary.  How long will it take them?  Will Wakefield, Schilling,
Varitek, and other key veterans be around when they do?  If so, how much do the have left in the tank?  (No pun intend.)
    Though GM Theo Epstein returned to the RS with more power, why didn't they make a trading deadline deal?  Were others teams asking for too much (probably) or was it a power struggle (less likely)?  Where does Team President Larry Lucchino fit in all of this?  It's so confusing that you, me, and Hazzard County Sheriff Roscoe P. Coltrane could be running the RS; it makes Kremlinology seem like kids play.                      
    With Big Papi and Manny, I respect the RS too much and never count them out but it will be interesting to see how they navigate salary cap concerns and key injuries to Varitek, Wakefield, Nixon, etc.                       

Go Yankees! / Go Mets!
Posted by The Tank in NY.

P.S. Best wishes to and prayers for Tom Glavine's full and fast recovery.  (As you could probably guess, I did not write the previous quote that Steve commented on in his last post.)

Less than 24 hours after the news that Tom Glavine maybe out for the season (or his career), this is in my inbox from a friend who is a Yankee fan:

Boston sucks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Also, looks like the AAAA team out at Shea is coming back to earth as well, especially now that Glavine's season, and possibly career is done. (I really hope it's not his career, tough way to go out and it would be nice to see him reach 300 wins)

Memo to Mets' fans. Don't become this way if we have a few good years.

Posted by Steve, in New York.

(1) 1986 Mets World Series Celebration:

The year 1986 conjures up many great sports, music, movies, and personal memories.  One of the most special was the Mets victory over the Red
Sox.  As I entered Shea Stadium extra early around 6:30 pm, the ticket taker said that all 1986 ceremonial baseball cards were gone at 4:30
pm.  You have got to kidding me because I was amongst the first 25,000 to be eligible for the ceremonial cards and you know my feelings about
baseball cards.  Not cool!

Anyway, the infectious "Let's Go Mets" played over the speakers and I went to my seat. 

As a special 1986 tarp covered the field from the light rain, Mets radio announcer Howie Rose was the MC for the 1986 World Series Celebration. 
When the WS trophy was brought out, the crowd went crazy!  And now, for the returning heroes who walked down the first and third base aisles
giving high fives and walked to their respective name and number signs along the diamond from first to third base:
          
GM Mr. Frank Cashen
23 Bud Harrelson
48 Randy Niemann 
2 Kevin Elster
49 Ed Hearn
25 Danny Heep
39 Doug Sisk 
38 Rick Aguilera
7 Kevin Mitchell 11 Tim Tueffel 
20 Howard Johnson
3 Santana
6 Wally Backman
12 Ron Darling - The Birthday Boy
19 Bobby Ojeda
50 Sid Fernandez
4 Lenny Dykstra
47 Jessie Orosco
1 Mookie Wilson
17 Keith Hernandez
8 Gary Carter
18 Darryl Strawberry - The loudest cheers were for "Straw".  He was really touched by the cheers.  Fingers crossed for a successful recovery.
     
Howie turned over to Keith Hernandez who turned it over to Mookie Wilson.  The National Anthem performed by 1986 Opening Day and World Series
Game 1 singer and lifelong Mets fan and #94 Glenn Close -- great job!
         
A USSOCOM parachuter landed in right center field and furled out a "Go Mets" banner.  There was a team Photo in CF while "You belong to the
City" played.


----------     

(2) How I reconcile being a life-long Yankees fans with rooting for the Mets:

The "abbreviated" version appears below.  After an upcoming post-season "summit" with Tony Robbins, A-Rod, Steve, and myself, I may provide a
thesis length version if we figure out all of A-Rod's and my issues out first which is premised on the fact that we try to make everyone happy
(AKA "A-Rodosis" or "Tomism") and need to tell people to take a hike from time to time. 

(A) Early Years:                                
I have been often asked how I can root for the Mets while being a lifelong Yankees fan.  Yes, rooting the Mets against the Boston Red Sox was easy
but my roots go earlier and deeper than that.  Most of you know that I grew up in beautiful Upstate New York but not many know that I actually
watched more Mets games than Yankees games because of how the games were broadcast on local stations, only the Utica NBC and the Binghamton CBS
affiliates.  The Syracuse ABC affiliate was out of range and what was Fox?  Believe me, my brother and I called the local cable company to ask
for our MTV but there were not enough people along our road which happened to be a New York State highway.
          
Anyway, I listened to Yankees games on the radio called by Phil Rizzuto and still catch most games on the radio through MLB.com.  I
watched Mets games on TV and enjoyed watching Rusty Staub, Dave "King Kong" Kingman hit moon shot home runs, amongst others.  (Unfortunately,
Dave has yet to run my e-mail from a couple months back.).        
                
(B) Speaking of Upstate, I never was confronted with making the choice that my Downstate brethren had to make between the Yankees and Mets. 
Ah, the innocence of youth.  Remember, it's two different leagues and in essence, two different games within our great pastime so I enjoy
aspects of both.  My multiple personalities can appreciate this. 
 
(C) While reading an issue of "Sports Illustrated" in the mid 1980s, I remember the lyrics of Suzanna Vega's "Luka" along in an article about
the Mets.  I always had a crush on Suzanne Vega and other female singer songwriters like her, Carly Simon, Sheryl Crow, etc.  Maybe Suzanne was
a Mets fan and I could meet her.  Hey, I was an impressionable teenager.  OK, I am impressionable adult too. 
          
These reasons may seem incomprehensible to you but that's my story and I am sticking to it.

-----------

(3) Colorado Rockies at Mets, Saturday, August 19:                     

After the ceremony and the grounds crew removed the tarp and groomed the field, the game started and hour late at 8:06 pm.
              
Nice catch by a fan right up against the railing in foul territory in the lower Mezzanine on the third base line while Yorvit Torrealba was at
base with two out in the top of the second.

Nice pickoff attempt to end the top of the third (1-3-4).
       
John Mellencamp's "R.O.C.K. In the USA" preceeds Lastings Milledge who gets on first after HBP.  Endy Chavez sacrifices Milledge to second. 
Profesor Reyes grounds out to end the third.  It's still scoreless. 

A wave attempt ends the top of the fourth and the infectious "Let's Go Mets" plays again with 1986 footage.

Beltran hits a nice fly out to the warning track in center.  Darn it!  The shift is on for Delgado who unfortunately strikes out to end the
fifth.

Torrealba hits a home run to open the sixth.  Rockies 1 - Mets 0.  Darn it!

The caped crusader with a Mets Blanket as a cape who was a couple of sections to my right takes a bow after Milledge singles to right.  Chavez
grounds out to end the sixth.           
                      
"Rock Me Amadeus" plays during the t-shirt toss.  As soon as I learn more German, I am considering entering the German version "American Idol"
as I am unfortunately too old for the American version as it tops out at 29 to enter.  Taylor Hicks who looks much older than me recently
turned 30.  As recently witnessed during my recent trip to Australia where I encountered "karaoke discrimination" for not being Japanese, I'll
continue to fight against "musical contest age discrimination".  I greatly appreciate your help in this important freedom of speech issue.          
                          
Delgado makes a great catch on a bunt attempt for the first out in the top of the sixth.  Runners at first and third with two out while the
trainer comes out to check Williams.  Willaims is out with an injury.

While I went to the rest room, the Rockies hit a three run shot.  OK, sorry Steve and Linda but I had to go and even the radio commentators
noted the shortness of Hernandez's warmup for the injured Williams.  The Rockies unfortunately lead 4-0.
                                         
When the Mets come up in the sixth, Beltran hits a fly ball that the LF drops and scores a run.

A wild pitch makes it 4 to 3.  Delgado on second.  It's fast and furious in the bottom of the sixth.  After the WP, DW is intentionally
walked.  Woodward flies out for the second out.  Lastings Milledge singles to right field to tie the game.  DW is almost caught in a run down at
second but a throwing error gets DW to third and Milledge advances to second.  Julio Franco is intentionally walked to load the bases.  Tucker is
back up and works a walk to break the 4-4 tie.  Peter Gabriel's "Sledgehammer" plays during the pitching change.  Profesor Reyes works a walk
after an 0-2 count and the Mets lead 6-4.  This kid has has ice water in his veins.  The crowd rallies behind Paul LoDuca in light of his
recent personal issues.  LoDuca unfortunately flies out to the right center warning track to end the sixth but the Mets lead 6-4 after scoring
sixth runs on two errors and only two earned runs.

Huey Lewis's "Stuck with You" plays going into the top of the 7th.
        
The home plate umpire Wally Bell got nailed with a ball in the left shoulder on a 1-2 count with one out.  Bell is thankfully okay.
     
DW starts the double play and the Mets lead 6-4 at the 7th inning stretch. 

After flashing on outfield screen, I am tempted to go over to get my picture with the 1986 WS trophy in the right field food court but know
there are thousands en route and don't want to jinx the winning karma.  (After the game, I did go to the Right Field Food Court but they already
cut the photo line off.  However, the security guard informs me that both championship trophies are in the Diamond Club for future reference.)
                                    
55,085 are announced for the eighth sellout of the season.
                     
Delgado hits a ground rule double to left but Holliday thankfully dropped another ball near the wall.  This is almost the exact spot where I
practiced catching the ball after the "Run to Home Plate" on Saturday, July 29.  (Holliday probably didn't run in the RTHP and was afraid of
hitting the wall unlike The Tank who almost ran over a college professor who considered blocking home plate for a moment and then moved while
The Tank rounded third base during a student-teacher softball game in college.  No brown nosing because I need to score and win; I even got an
A- in the class.)  DW lines out to the SS and Delgado is unfortunately caught off of second.                                             
                                               
A guy to my left with two chocolate ice creams in both hands gets a "Chocolate Ice Cream" chant.  Heilemann thankfully works an effective top
of the eighth.
                               
Steve Windwood's "Higher Love" plays before the Mets bat in the bottom of the eighth.  I am loving this musical trip down memory lane.

Milledge hits a bomb to left field bleachers and Billy Idol's "Mony Mony" blares over the speakers.

While the first part of Rule 10.1.9 gives the advantage to Hernandez for the win after relieving Williams in the sixth but the official scorer
rightfully awards the win to Heilemann because he gave up one hit over two innings while Hernandez gave up the three run home run.
            
"Enter Sandman" blares over the speakers and Billy Wagner enters the game.  Clint Barmes flies out to Milledge to end the game.                  

The Mets win 7-4!

Posted by The Tank from Shea in NY.

My roommate (MTA Ray) and I used the firm's primo tickets for the second time this season to visit the Yankee Club Restaurant at Yankee Stadium.

While enjoying lunch in the air conditioned Yankee Club and watching the first couple of innings on closed caption TV, it was time to sit in the primo Stadium seats. They are close to the field but not lots of leg room like the bleachers where I normally sit. I unfortunately could not stay the entire game because I had to go to work. I left after three innings when the Yankees were down 4-2.  Jared Wright didn't have the right stuff when we really needed him.

By the time I got to work, the Orioles widened their lead and unfortunately won 12-2. Going into Boston on Friday with only a 1.5 game lead and one game in hand, I am stressed for the five game series over four days. Fingers crossed and saying the prayers and eating the vitamins for a successful trip to Boston.

Go Yankees!

Posted by The Tank in New York.

P.S. The Mets helped their cause by beating the Phillies. I am less concerned for them as they still have a double digit lead but I am still praying for Pedro's recovery.

An Interview with a career Stadium Vendor

 

You see them all the time, all over the world. They walk in front of you at the most critical moment of the game and yell at the top of their lungs: “Beer here!” They are stadium vendors, folks who come to the games every day and get paid to sell you stuff to eat and drink.

 

I started vending hot dogs, pretzels, beer and soda at Shea Stadium in April 1988 and eventually worked at other sporting arenas like Madison Square Garden. Even to this day people are fascinated with my past experiences as a stadium vendor- it dominated every job interview I have ever been on as well as my interviews for Business School- so I figured that I would take the time out and interview a long time friend and stadium vendor. (Some names have been changed to protect the guilty.)

Steve and the Tank: We met at Shea Stadium Opening Day 1988 but I was smart enough to quit in 1994 after possibly 1000 games at multiple stadiums, what about you, how long have you been vending and how many sporting/entertainment events have you been to?

Vendor: Oh way too many, over 2000. How long have I been vending? Let’s do the math 1988-1993 about 70 games a year. 1994 about 100 games both Yankee and Shea. No vending in 1995 while on Wall Street. Then 1996-97 75 a year. Then 1998-99 I took some time off and was hoping around the world. Then 2000 75 games at Yankee. Then 2001-2006 about 140 a year both Shea and Yankee

Steve and the Tank: That sure is a lot of games! At what stadiums, just Shea and Yankee?

Vendor:  Only Yankee and Shea with a brief stint at Madison Square Garden.

Steve and the Tank:  Which is the best place to sell at? Shea? Yankee? MSG? Other?

Vendor:   Yankee has the most generous fans. Shea fans spend money but tipping is less then Yankee. MSG sucked when I worked there with you

Steve and the Tank: Yes it did suck. But we saw some amazing Knick games and our locker room was where they kept the rink for ranger games. Remember Martin Luther King day 1990 when Trent Tucker got a 3 point shot with 0.01 seconds on the clock to win an amazing victory over the Bulls? This leads me to the next question, did you start vending so you can see free games?

Vendor:   Yes I did in the beginning.

Steve and the Tank: What happened, is it all about the money?

Vendor:   Free games gets old after the first year. I come to work to work, just like you.

Steve and the Tank: How much does a vendor make on average selling each item?

Vendor:   No comment, but they pay us on commission, so the more you work the more you make.

Steve and the Tank: Why do the pay you on commission and pay the people behind the counter by the hour?

Vendor: It has always been like that. Vendors always got commission going back to the beginning o baseball and counter workers got hourly pay. I assume they pay us on commission since we are in the seats selling to the fans and can so easily just sit and watch the game if we were paid by the hour.

Steve and the Tank: What is the easiest product to sell? Beer? Hot dogs? Other?

Vendor:  Depends on the person some people find beer easy to sell others hot dogs. I prefer hot dogs.

Steve and the Tank: What is the most profitable product to sell?

Vendor: Depends how good the vendor is and the section of the stadium you are in.

Steve and the Tank: Can you give your friends free beer?

Vendor: Sometimes  they give me credit in the station. I don't want to pay for your free bee, we are accountable for everything we sell.

Steve and the Tank:  I once sold a beer to a 7 year old boy who was bringing it to his dad. The scene was funny, the dad actually sent his kid down to me to fetch him a beer. Do you card kids?

Vendor: I hate selling beer. Actually will not sell it anymore because I have to card everybody including 80 yr olds.

Steve and the Tank:  Do you sell beer to cute women who are underage?

Vendor: If I want to lose my job.

Steve and the Tank:   How have Aramark and other large scale vendors changed the vending business over the past 15 or so years?

Vendor: The prices are a lot higher. A lot has changed to much to list. No more draft beer, drip sodas. Vending is always changing. We now have ketchup with the hot dogs!

Steve and the Tank:  I remember Game 3 of the NLCS in 1988 when it was cold and raining and I just wanted to go home. I also remember some 100 degree day games selling hot dogs in the field level with the sun beating down on me and having to go into the ice cream freezer to cool off in-between innings. What was the hardest conditions (heat, cold, rain, snow, etc.) that you worked in?

Vendor: I remember one Mets opening day few years ago it was 31 degrees. It was to cold to do anything, I had to keep warm in the vendor room as much as I could between innings.

Steve and the Tank:  Did anyone ever try to rob you at the game?

Vendor: Never has happened at anytime. I don’t think anyone has ever been robbed.

Steve and the Tank:  I still remember the most beautiful woman I ever sold a hot dog to, her name was Tracy and it was August 1990 in the Upper Deck at a night game against the Pittsburg Pirates. Who was the least pleasant client you dealt with? Most pleasant?

Vendor: I deal with people in seconds don't have time to get to know them. Other vendors sit there and have conversations with fans. I am too busy try trying to make my money.

Steve and the Tank:  I remember I was hit in the head with a foul ball on the first pitch of the first game of a twilight double header. I also remember catching about 3 or 4 foul balls over the years. Did you ever catch a foul or home run ball? If so, which one and how many?

Vendor: Once caught a foul ball at Yankee during the game. The ball went down the hallway and I was standing there to pick it up. These days when I see a foul ball headed in my direction I tend to try to get as far away from the crazy people who are sacrificing their bodies for a worthless ball. More then a few vendors were knocked out from crazy people diving for balls. But I have caught plenty of balls during batting practice

Steve and the Tank:  What is the longest term vendor you are acquainted with? Shortest term?

Vendor: After Manny Gluck died last year he was at Yankee since 1955. Know the #1 guy is Mike McNamara he started at Yankee in 1960. Short term the vendor who started today.

Steve and the Tank:   What is the craziest story of a vendor getting fired?