 Friday, August 31, 2007
Sweep!
The race for the NL and AL East Division titles took a good turn for the Yankees and a bad turn for the Mets. The Yankees made a statement. The swept the division leading Boston Red Sox to pull within in 5 games-an amount a second place team can apparently make up in only 5 days-see below. The Yankees also improved to a 1 game lead over Seattle for the Wild Card, but we all know that after the sweep the Yankees will be sitting on top of the AL East come the end of the season. On the other hand, the Phillies made a statement too. They are not down, and they are not to be dismissed. The Mets lost four straight to be swept by the second place Phillies. Two games were won in dramatic walk off fashion (Mets style!). While they showed some signs of life, the Mets were killed and along with it their chances of an easy cruse to wining the NL East. While the Mets still hold a slim lead, 2 games, Philly gained 5 games in 5 games. As we roll into September, the Mets chances look bleaker and bleaker and the Yankees chances, look stronger and stronger. Have faith New York fans. The Red Sox always collapse and hand the division over to the Yankees in mid-September. While the Mets have significant bullpen issues (subject of a future analysis) the Phillies have a worse bullpen. As we head into September, both teams are playing meaningful games for a playoff spot. Anything can happen-good or bad. One thing is for sure, it will be exciting to watch. Posted by Steve in New York.
Thursday, August 30, 2007
Will Ronjon Root for the Yankees or Red Sox?
From yesterday's post, you know that the Tank roots for the Yankees and Mets. How is that possible you ask? I am joined at the Stadium by Ronjon, my friend since kindergarten. As a amateur historian and computer geek, I dislike the term "back in the day" because it is historically imprecise and technically vague. What year, decade, or even century I ask? Therefore, Ronjon and I were in kindergarten in 1975. I'm keeping it real. (I don't care if I am 37. I want to live until 100 so I am a little over a third of the way there.) Like me, Ronjon grew up a Yankees fan but became a Red Sox fan during college in Boston. Noooooo! Our lifelong friendship was tested like never before and I probably took it too personally. I asked myself what I did to cause Ronjon to root for the Red Sox. As usually, I was over ANALytical and hard on myself and Ronjon which I apologized to him for. Times change and so do people but Ronjon is always welcome to root for the Yankees. I use the blog to work through my Issue of the Day/Year/Life/AfterLife/etc. Hey, it's cheaper than therapy. 
Anyhoo, reunion night continues as I am reunited with my Bleacher Creature brethren in the Right Field Bleachers. When I tried to buy my ticket plan tickets earlier this year, Ticketmaster's servers rebooted eleven of my 20 games ended up in the Left Field instead of Right Field Bleachers.
Pedoria was hit by a pitch but caught stealing second. Big Papi thankfully flew out.
Damon grounded out to first. Jeter doubles. The scoreboard in left field flashes Angels 8 - Mariners 2. Yess! We have a chance to tie for the Wild Card if we win. Abreu pops up. A-Rod called out on strikes. Yankees 0 - Red Sox 0.
Police escorted two Red Sox fans to their seats and it's only the first inning. The Yankees fans that were harassing them were ejected in the top of the second.
Drew and Varitek walk on eight consecutive balls. Ron Guidry comes out to talk to Clemens. Coco Crisp grounds out to Giambi. No harm, no foul, thank God. Still scoreless after the top of the second.
Sir Paul McCartney is shown on the screen in right center field as Matsui comes to the plate. Our Japanese friends with the Matsui Godzilla sign are up. Matsui struck out. Posada singles. Giambi pops up in foul territory near the Yankee dugout. Cano walked. Cabrera singled Posada home. "Tienes Leche?" "Got Milk?" the sign displays. The Melkman thankfully delivers. Yankees 1 - Red Sox 0. On a wild pitch to Damon, Cabrera advances to second. Damon works a full count. After fouling off a pitch, Damon singles home Posada and Cabrera. Yankees 3 - Red Sox 0. Jeter hits a nubber to the mound and Beckett throws it away. Jeter and Damon advance to second and third. Abreu grounds out to end the inning. At the end of three, Yankees 3 - Red Sox 0.
As I went to the restroom, Ronjon reported that Kevin Bacon was shown on the big screen in right center.
Hinske walks to open the third. Lugo grounded out to Giambi. Pedroia bunted to Clemens and Hinske advances to third. Big Papi flews out to Damon on the warning track in left center. Whew!
A-Rod singled to left but thrown out after rounding the base too far. Darn it! Matsui works a full count and hit a triple to left center past a diving Coco Crisp. Tardy Red Sox fans are booed as they get to their seats. Better late than never I guess. Posada struck out. Giambi struck out to end the inning.
Kevin Bacon is shaking his head to the "Footloose" theme blasting over the speakers. The guy to my right "secretly" tells me that Clemens has a no hitter. OMG!
Cano grounds out. Cabrera hits an infield single to the second baseman as Beckett was late covering first. Nice. Damon flies out to shortstop. Cabrera is caught stealing as Jeter is at the plate. Yankees 3 - Red Sox 0 through four innings.
Penny Marshall is shown on the screen as the "Laverne and Shirley" theme is playing on the screen.
Varitek walks. Crisp strikes out swinging. Hinske flies out to Cabrera. Lugo grounds out to A-Rod.
Jeter struck out. Abreu hit an infield single in the area between the catcher, the pitcher, and first baseman. While the Cowbellman is cranking out a beat, A-Rod unfortunately grounds out into a double play to end the inning.
Disco Stu may not be Kevin Bacon or Sir Paul McCartney but he's got spirit. Ronjon and other fans think that Disco Stu's dancing is wrong. Hey, it's a free country.
Pedroia flies out to deep right center in front of Ronjon and me. Big Papi hits a monster shot in what appeared to be a foul ball but broke up Clemens no hitter in the top of the sixth. Darn it! Lowell's ball goes off Clemens' glove, Cano recovers and gets the out. Youkilis walks. Drew singled to right and Pedroia advanced to third. The infield meets at the mound with Pitching Coach "Louisiana Lightning" Ron Guidry. Varitek grounds out to Cano to thankfully end the threat. Yankees 3 - Red Sox 1.
Matsui flew out to Drew who almost dropped it. Posada singled to right center. Giambi singled to right center. Cano flew out to left. Phillips pinch ran for Giambi as Beckett convenes what feels like his 50th meeting of the game at the mound. Cabrera hits an infield single to Lugo whose Jeteresque throw almost gets Cabrera out. Damon is up with the bases loaded. He grounds out and slides into first.
Jeter flew out. Abreu struck out. As Ronjon was fading from jetlag (just came in from Switzerland), he snores and says "I want some action". A split later, A-Rod hit a home run to left. Go A-Rod! Thanks Ronjon! Welcome back to the Yankee family brother! I have closure on this issue! Yankees 4 - Red Sox 1. Javier Lopez is the new pitcher for the Red Sox. Matsui singled to left. Posada walked. Mike Timlin came in from the bullpen.
"She's going to get her boyfriend's @ss kicked," Ronjon astutely observes as a blonde Red Sox fan banters with some Yankees fans about five rows in front of us.
Phillips almost gets hit. A big sign in the upper deck reads "The Andy Man Can". Nice. The crowd cheers in the opposite deck as a fight breaks out.
Phillips pops up to Youkilis. At the end of seven, Yankees 4 - Red Sox 1.
Farnsworth is in to pitch to Big Papi who flies out on 3-2 to Cabrera. Lowell singles to center. Youkilis hits a two run shot to left. Yankees 4 - Red Sox 3. "We want Joba!" some fans chant but this is his rest day. Mariano started to warm up as Farnsworth pitched to Drew. Drew thankfully struck out. Varitek walked. So long Farnsworthless.
Ronjon smiles as Mariano's "Enter Sandman" blares over the speakers. Mariano gets Crisp to ground on three pitches thank God!
Take no chances. A tie in the Wild Card and drawing closer in the AL East is on the line.
Timlin is still pitching. Cano grounded out to Lugo. Cabrera poped up to Lowell. Damon flew out to center to end the eighth. Yankees 4 - Red Sox 3.
Hinske grounds out to Mariano. Lugo grounds out to A-Rod. Pedroia is out! Ballgame over. The Yankeeessss win!
With the Seattle 8-2 loss to Anaheim, the Yankees are now tied for the Wild Card with the Mariners. Only six games behind in the AL East with four head-to-head and 29 games left.
Posted by an excited Tank live from Yankee Stadium in the Boogie Down Bronx.
Postscript: The Yankees thankfully swept the series Thursday afternoon as I was editing this post thanks to a great pitching performance from Wang. Wang took a no-hitter into the seventh. As I write and post this, the Yankees are five games back in the AL East and own a half game lead in the Wild Card going into the Mariners playing at Cleveland tonight. Keep the faith!
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
Do or Die for Yankees and Mets this Week
The National League and American League East will be decided this week. The Mets play 7 games against the second place Phillies and 3rd place Braves and the Yankees play 3 against Boston. Forget about magic numbers. Forget about all the rest, I don't care that there are more games between these teams and clinches should be done in the last week in September. Now is the time. The Mets are in the drivers seat, the East is theirs to lose. Despite a loss last night, if they split the series with Philly and take 2 from the Braves, the Mets will be in position where it is almost impossible to catch up, unless there is a major collapses. (I wont say a major injury since the entire team except Wright and Reyes were injured at one point.) While the Yanks have a wild card race on with Seattle, we really want to see them take the East from Boston. This will strike fear into their opponents in the playoffs and set up a better home field advantage than a wild card. So the Yankees have to win the next 3 games. While they will still be 5 games out, it will make a statement. The statement of we're playing for keeps. We'll see what the week brings. Posted by Steve in New York.
Monday, August 27, 2007
The Power of Cheers
Last year I got on the Mets fans who booed Carlos Beltran on Opening Day and A-Rod all year. On Thursday night, the Mets gave a game away to San Diego. In the bottom of the 9th Carlos Delgado was up with two outs and the bases loaded and did not produce. I was at the game on Friday and by then he went 0-17 and was starting to get booed. I believe in the power of cheer when a talented player is struggling. NY fans are usually all about the boos. But something happened on Saturday. Carlos Delgado came up with two outs in the bottom of the 5th with runners in scoring position, a chance to break open the game. He was in an 0-19 slump. A fan of NY sports for 35 years, I expected to hear the boos. Something different happened. Something so special, it made me question if I was as really in New York. Maybe it was the power of the Tank at the game, I don't know. But instead of boos, there was a standing ovation. A show of support! NY fans NEVER do that!!! When asked later on Carlos said: "I wasn't sure if it was for me." The show of support worked, Carlos got the key hit on the first pitch and the Mets won. I hope the NY fans learned a lesson on Saturday, the power of Cheers over the power of Boos. Save the boos for Jeff Kent and the members of each team that we hate. Posted by Steve in New York (really?)
Sunday, August 26, 2007
Meeting Torrie Wilson and El Duque Decks the Dodgers
Medford Bob joins me for the sweltering summer day at Shea. They don't
call them the dog days of summer for nothing.
I was running late since I had to do a favor for my sister, brother-in-law, and nephew to get tickets for their first ever Yankees game. My sister is almost as last minute as Rochester Mike. Moreover, I was late after meeting WWE superstars Torrie Wilson and Chris Matthews in Midtown. We are pictured below.
El Duque is on the mound for los Mets versus Stokes who walked three in the first. Delgado is up with two outs. The Mets are the only team in MLB without a grand slam this season according to Fox TV which I am listening to on my uber geeky FM/AM/TV/Weather with MP3 player. That trend continues as Delgado grounds out to a chorus of boos to end the first.
Alomar throws out two runners in two innings. Martin draws a walk.
Reyes singles to start the third. Milledge grounds out but Reyes advances to third. DW singles and Reyes scores. Beltran singles to short. Conine strikes out. Delgado pops up to second to another chorus of boos. Mets 1 - Dodgers 0.
DW singles with two outs in the fifth. Beltran singles and DW advances to third. Adam Sandler leads the "Let's Go Mets" chant as Conine approaches the plate. (Like the Tank, Sandler is a Yankees fan who also roots for the Mets.) Beltran advances to second on no throw. Stults then intentionally walks Conine. DW motions towards home to try to get Stults to balk. Delgado breaks his 0-19 stretch with the bases loaded single pictured below.
He singles home DW and Beltran. "Mister Delgado" plays to the tune of Styx's classic "Mr. Roboto". I betcha Steve's girlfriend Kathleen likes Styx more than she admits to. She busted my chops for going to a Styx, Reo Speedwagon, and Journey concert four years ago. The Dodgers bring in Seanez to face Alomar who strikes out to end the inning. Mets 3 - Dodgers 0 at the end of the fifth.
Alomar makes a great catch on Sweeney's pop-up behind home plate and lands in the netting. Furcal singles to end eleven consecutive outs for El Duque and only the second hit of the game. Pierre strikes out to end the sixth.
Rudy Seanez is the new Dodgers pitcher and gets Gotay, El Duque, and Jose out in order.
Gonzalez hit what looked like a fly out to right center for the Dodgers third hit and first run. Martin hits a home run to left. Mets pitching coach Rick Peterson talks to El Duque and gets Kemp to strikeout on his 103rd pitch. Get up and stretch, Mets 3 - Dodgers 2.
DW singles with one out. Beltran strikes out. Conine doubles to left center and DW scores as he was running on the pitch. Beimel relieves Hernandez as "Mister Delgado" flies out to the warning track in right. Mets 4 - Dodgers 2.
Hillebrand hits a ball to right which Milledge tries to catch but misses. Hillebrand advances to third. Hillebrand scores on a ground out to first. Furcal singles with one out. Pierre grounds out into an inning ending double play. Mets 4 - Dodgers 3.
You know what time it is. Time for Neil Diamond's classic "Sweet Caroline" before the bottom of the eighth.
Jonathan Broxton gets Feliciano to ground out. Gotay grounds out. Anderson pinch hits for Feliciano and also grounds out to end the eighth.
No "Enter Sandman". What? No, Billy Wanger. Heilman is introduced to boos and a few cheers. Ethier flies out to center. The ever dangerous Jeff Kent singles to center. The even more dangerous Luis Gonzalez comes to the plate and works a 3-0 count. I am nervous and about to throw up. He hits a game ending double double play. Whew, because the Mets had relievers warming up in the bullpen and I was about to hurl.
The Mets are "Takin' care of business" and beat the Dodgers 4-3.
As I exit Shea, I criticize the vendors for selling "Brooklyn Dodgers" t-shirts. And you think I have issues. OK, I do but let it go people. The Dodgers stabbed you in the back 50 years ago and went west. Hasta la vista, good riddance, and don't let the door hit you know where.
Posted by the Tank reporting live from Shea Stadium in Flushing,
Queens.
Saturday, August 25, 2007
Los Mets 5- Dodgers 2
Steve's favorite pitcher, Oliver Perez, was on the mound and Steve was running late to the game (not his fault) for Fiesta de Latino night at Shea. Steve is wearing his Vamos Mets shirt. Professor Reyes Spanish phrase of the day is: Hablo como un loro parico (I talk like a parrot.) Ollie gets out of a 1st inning jam and Reyes leads off with a walk, steals second and Gotay doubles him home. That was all that was really needed as Oliver Perez tossed a three hit, 7 inning shutout . But in-between the first and when Ollie was pulled in the 8th, the Mets connected for two more runs, a Reyes double and coming around to score and a David Wright solo opposite field shot (which Steve predicted and Kathleen and Sally mocked.) Vamos Mets! Sosa comes in for the 8th with a 3-0 lead. He faces four batters and gets one out before Pedro Feliciano comes in to bail him out (with the help of some fancy glove work of David Wright.) The Mets connect for 2 more runs in the of the 8th to give Steve some sanity. Then for the third time in a week Wagner gives up runs in the 9th, loading the bases for Jeff Kent out-putting the tying run at-bat with one out. Steve's biggest nightmare, Kent, did not come through. Wagner gives up a run, but blows the lead. Cy Young favorite Brad Penney improves :) to 1-9 at Shea Stadium. I know the Tank thinks the Mets playoff chances are good, but the bullpen situation is making Steve nervous. Fellow fans talking to Steve felt the same way, the Mets will make the playoffs but advancement is a question mark. The only way for the Mets playoff chances to improve is for Pedro to come back and have a playoff rotation of Pedro, Glavine, Maine, and el Duque and move Ollie to the bullpen for middle relief. We'll see. Posted Live! by Steve from Fiesta de Latino night at Shea.
Friday, August 24, 2007
The Mets and Yankees Stretch Run
There are five weeks left in the season. It's do or die. I like the Mets and Yankees chances, God Willing, touch wood, lucky rabbit's foot, etc.
The Mets have the advantage because Pedro and Lo Duca are on the way back from injury. Hammel is on the DL for the Phillies and the Braves keep sputtering even though Texeira has hit ten home runs after the trade from Texas. The NL Central is almost laughable. Its parity makes the NFL look unbalanced. The Cardinals are only 3.0 games back and two games below .500. As I wrote a while back, the Padres concern me and I don't know what the deal with the Dbacks are. Webb's scoreless inning streak finally ended. Anyway, October is a whole different season.
As for the Yankees, they are control their destiny but have no margin for error. Two games behind the Mariners for the Wild Card who are coming to town in early September for a three game set. Five games behind the Red Sox for the AL East and have six head to head games.
Steve recently pointed out that the Yankees beat teams with bad records which you are supposed to do. They also have success against good teams like sweeping the Indians at home and winning three out of four against the Tigers last weekend. Granted, losing two out of three to the Angels, especially Monday night was bad. Mussina's loss on Tuesday was his worst since 1995. If Pettitte wasn't scheduled to pitch next Tuesday against the Red Sox, I would sit Mussina possibly for the rest of the season.
I like the Yankees chances, especially against the Mariners have 20 against .500 teams (as do the Yankees) but 10 of those 20 games are against the Angels. If the Angels and Mariners split those ten games, all the Yankees have to do is go 6-4 or better. Furthermore, eight of the Mariners last 11 games are against the Angels and Indians in the last 11 days of the season. Those games will mean lots.
Posted by a cautiously optimistic in NY.
Thursday, August 23, 2007
Where will A-Rod Play in 2008?
A-Rod is at the peak of his career and may opt out of his contract at the end of the year.
Steve thinks he'll be in Boston but I think he'll remain a Yankee because the Yankees would be on the hook for $30 million that Rangers owner Tom Hicks is still on the hook for. A-Rod's super agent, Scott Boras, is an expert at getting maximum value. Forget $27-8 million that Steve has him getting with the Red Sox, think closer to $32 million and possibly as high as $35-36 million per year. If you flipped burgers for a living and wanted to jump from MacDonald's to Burger King, Boras is so good that he would get you six figures instead of minimum wage. Granted, a slight exaggeration but not much.
If A-Rod doesn't stay in pinstripes, he'll end up in the following places in decreasing order of probability:
(a) Chicago Cubs: Lou Pinella is like a father to him.
(b) Anaheim Angels: A-Rod's mom lives in SoCal so he could move there to be closer to her. If A-Rod's marital issues continue, this option may increase in probability.
(c) Boston Red Sox: The Red Sox may get involved but only to drive up the price on the Yankees. The Red Sox already pay the highest ticket prices in the league and owner John W. Henry would be hard pressed to jack them up again for baseball and possibly personal reasons. You think Yankee tickets were expensive. In May 2002, a face value bleacher's ticket at Fenway was $20 while only $8 at the Stadium. This was before the Red Sox did the unthinkable and unwriteable in 2004 and increased prices again.
Furthermore, Mr. Henry is a hedge fund billionaire but is taking it on the chin like many of contemporaries if you have been following the recent financial news. According to a review of his funds recent statements, his Financial and Metals Portfolio is down 11.18% Est 2007 or Year To Date (YTD), Strategic Allocation Program is down 8.64% YTD, International Foreign Exchange Program is down 15% YTD, Global Diversified is down 18.53% YTD, JWH GlobalAnalytics is down 6.41% YTD, respectively. (Source: JWH Investment Programs and Performance, please click on "View Program Details" and "Performance Data". Though Mr. Henry is a hero of mine for being a Missouri farm boy made good, I am not an investor in any of Mr. Henry's funds.)
Bottom Line: Billionaires stay billionaires by using Other Peoples Money (OPM). In this case, it's ticket and other baseball revenue, NOT their own money. Mr. Henry would not be the first hedge fund baseball owner to run into difficulties in the A-Rod sweepstakes. This all started when Rangers owner Tom Hicks who took a bath in Latin America a few years ago and he had to unload A-Rod to cut expenses. The Red Sox already spent $52+ million to negotiate the Matsuzaka's contract before this season. Instead of going after A-Rod, expect the Red Sox to go after Miguel Tejada if the Orioles have a fire sale and/or if Tejada really wants out. Tejada is 14 months younger and millions cheaper. That's music to any billionaire's ears.
Posted by the Tank in NY.
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
The Rocket is Worth Every Penny
Steve recently made some compelling points about A-Rod and the Rocket. I'll deal with the Rocket today.
Is the Rocket worth it? Mike and I say yes while Steve disagrees.
Yes, I agree with Steve that you can find a AAA pitcher to get you five victories. However, a AAA pitcher can not bring the Yankees the gravitas that Roger Clemens and his seven Cy Youngs contain. It's hard to quantify the exact return of Clemens return but I think it is safe to say Mr. Steinbrenner have already made the money back in increased ticket sales, advertising, and merchandise revenue. Furthermore, Clemens has and will be teaching young pitchers like Wang, Hughes, Chamberlain, etc. about working hard and preparing in the years to come. No AAA pitcher can do that.
Since I am 20 game Yankee ticket holder, I don't have much choice about how my ticket revenue money is spent but was escastic when I heard the news of Rocket's return. It gave the Yankees hope to salvage an otherwise "lost" season which I never conceded unlike other pundits. Clemens was and is a very expensive but necessary band-aid.
Posted by the Tank in NY.
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
Pedro throws 72 pitches
With Rick Peterson there for moral support, Pedro Martinez allowed two unearned runs in five innings yesterday in a very impressive rehab outing for single A St. Lucie. In another piece of good news, in the same game, Endy Chavez also went 3-for-4 and scored a run in St. Lucie's 4-3 win. Pedro may need another rehab start before coming back to Shea. Maybe he and Endy can start on the single A Brooklyn Cyclones so all of New York can come out to cheer them on! Hopefully Endy and Pedro will be back in Flushing soon. Posted by Steve in New York
Monday, August 20, 2007
Carlos Zambrano signs 91.5 Million Extension-The Problem with Mets' Starting Pitching
Carlos Zambrano has signed a 5 year extension with the Cubs, removing another starting pitcher from the market. Zambrano is young (26) and is good for 200+ innings and 15+ wins. The Mets are in trouble moving forward with starting pitching. With Glavine likely to retire at the end of this year (and definitely after next), Pedro a question mark, and Pelfrey still developing, the Mets all of a desperately need some young reliable starting pitching-and there is none to be found.
Sunday, August 19, 2007
Is The Rocket Worth It?
This weekend Roger Clemens won his 5th game this year as a Yankee and is now 5-5 in 2007 as a Yankee with a respectable 3.92 ERA. The questions is, is he worth it? The Yankees are closing in Seattle for the wild card, .5 behind. Over the last month, the Yankees made up a lot of ground. But is this really because as the Tank said after the all star break, the Yankees had a month of playing teams below .500. So the last month is not really the Yankees improving, but just playing bad teams. Despite a one game suspension for tossing a bean ball, Clemens has put up 5 wins, against 5 losses. Are those five wins, at $2,000,000 a win, worth it? Are those five wins that the team could not have gotten with a AAA pitcher for a fraction of the salary? Steve doesn't think so, his office mate Mike does, as does the Tank. We'll find out in the next month what happens. Posted By The Tank in New York.
Saturday, August 18, 2007
Friday, August 17, 2007
Will A-Rod get greedy?
Yankees GM Brian Cashman said yesterday that if A-Rod elects to exercise his right to opt out of his contract at the end of the season, he will not return to the New York Yankees. If A-Rod opts out, he will then be eligible for free agency. Cashman said the Yankees will not participate in that bonanza. He also refuses to negotiate during the season, so the only scenarios are: A-Rod files for free agency and leaves the Yankees or he does not file and stays. The 10 days after the World Series will be the most dramatic filing period of all time. The Yankees are correct to play hardball, Boras has already said things like "A-Rod minimum is 32 million a year" so it is time to call Boras bluff and say you won't play that game. He either stays or goes. It is up to A-Rod. Does he get greedy? Steve's prediction: A-Rod will be in a Boston Red Sox uniform next year playing shortstop and earning about $28 million a year. Posted by Steve in New York
Thursday, August 16, 2007
NBA Highs and Lows
When we should be discussing the balance of power in the Eastern Conference and the entire NBA with the Celtics getting KG and Ray Allen, we have to witness renegade NBA referee, Tim Donaghy, sheepishly enter a guilty plea in court yesterday. Co-defendants entered innocent pleas. Let's see if names of players and other referees come up in this whole mess. Hopefully not.
Until then, I want focus more on if Reggie Miller is going to return to the NBA with the Celtics. If Reggie signs with the Celtics, the Celtics have to be favorites to win it all with three hungry veterans -- KG, Ray Allen, and Miller who have never won a championship ring.
More importantly, how will the Knicks, Nets, and the rest of the NBA respond?
Posted by an anxious Tank in NY.
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Pedro's Comeback
There is so much hype over Roger Clemens returning to the Yankees, that we have all but forgotten Pedro Martinez. Pedro made several simulated starts over the past month and had his second rehab start for for the Mets A Gulf Coast team. (Note to Omar-why not have him pitch a game for the Coney Island Cyclones so NY Fans can go out and show their love and support?) Pedro retired the first nine batters he faced yesterday against the Dodgers’ Gulf Coast League team. In the 4th inning, he threw 29 pitches and allowed a three-run homer. After the 60 pitch outing, Pedro went to the bullpen and threw 20 pitches, all fastballs. He was seen in the 84- to 85-mile-an-hour range and had one at 88. This is all good. The real question is how fast has the arm come back and can he get into a 5 day rotation. The Mets need a shot in the arm and Pedro maybe it.Pedro's presence in the dugout when he returns by early September will be a boost for the team. The Mets need some pitching help right now (as well as a catcher!), but unfortunately then need middle relief more than starting pitching. Posted by Steve in New York.
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Phil "Scooter" Rizzuto, R.I.P.
Mr. Steinbrenner was correct in saying that Heaven needed a shortstop, Phil "Scooter" Rizzuto, who passed earlier today. Scooter was a great player and broadcaster. His playing days preceded my birth but I knew that he never let anyone, including the great Casey Stengel stand in his way. Stengel told him that he should shine shoes but he went to win seven World Series and an AL MVP amongst other awards. He may have been short at 5-foot-6 but his heart was bigger than them all. That's what determination can do.
Scooter's broadcasting days shaped my youth. I listened to his radio broadcasts on WCDO in Walton, New York. His trademark "Holy cow!" became a staple in more ways than one as I grew up on a dairy farm. That was the beginning of my comedy career.
I can close my eyes, listen to the memorized tape of his radio broadcasts in my head, and let the game unfold in the "Theatre of the Mind". That was Scooter's gift to me and millions of other kids. He will be missed. Godspeed Scooter!
Photo courtesy of the Yankees.com. Posted by a mourning Tank in NY.
Monday, August 13, 2007
Tied for the Wild Card, Four Back of the Division Lead
Thanks to a sweep of the host Cleveland Indians, the Yankees moved into a first place tie with the Seattle Mariners for first place in the Wild Card. The Mariners have two games in hand -- one less loss and win, respectively, than the Yankees.
The Red Sox also thankfully blew two late leads against the Baltimore Orioles over the weekend so the Yankees thankfully moved within four games of the AL East lead.
Keep the faith!
Posted by a hopeful Tank in NY.
Sunday, August 12, 2007
Marlins at the Mets, the Tank's Unique Shea Doubleheader
In the spirit of sequels and unique doubleheaders, I returned to Shea Saturday for the Florida Marlins at the Mets. Tom Glavine is going for career victory # 301. I am joined by my college friend Bellerose(Queens) Alex who lives in DC but visiting home for a couple weeks. It's great catching up with Alex who I haven't seen since NJ/DC/NY Steve's October 2004 wedding.
My left calf is still tight and I am limping from Saturday morning's Run to Home Plate (RTHP) so I am a little concerned.
Luis Olsen is pitching for the Marlins.
Jose Reyes Spanish Academy's phrase is "Necesito una servilleta" - "I need a napkin."
Glavine escapes a bases loaded jam in the fourth. Two groundouts to Delgado and a groundout to Glavine who threw it to Lo Duca to get the force at home. Awesome!
David Wriight drives Castillo home with a 400 foot bomb to the left center bleachers in the fourth. Delgado gets on with a infield hit because of the shift.
One run in the sixth but Glavine tossed underhand to get the out at home. Mets 2 - Marlins 1.
DW's second home run went a little farther and to the left center bleachers. At the end of six, Mets 3 - Marlins 1.
With one on and one out in the seventh, Glavine leaves to a standing ovation and at 104 pitches. Mota replaced him. Mota ended up loading the bases on a hit and walk and then gave up a grand slam home run to make it 5-3. It's a good thing Glavine got his 300th win last Sunday at Wrigley.
Milledge and Castro singled. Jose bunted and hit by the ball while running down the first base line. Milledge scores. Runners at first and third with no one out while Castillo comes up to bat. Justin Miller
tries to keep Jose at first but Jose steals on a 2-1 count. Castillo grounds out to the second baseman but Castro scores.
Will DW hit his third straight home run? Kevin James of the "King of Queens" and "I pronounce you Chuck and Larry" starts the "Let's Go Mets". DW flies down to the right field line, Jose tags third, but is tagged out at home. Alex and I thought he was safe as he got his hand around the tag. But at the end of seven, the game is tied at 5.
Heilman loads the bases with two outs and of course gives up a two run single to Miguel Cabrera. Marlins 7 - Mets 5. The Mets bullpen officially needs help.
Milledge and Castro flew out to the warning track in center. Reyes walks with two out but Beltran pinch hits but is out to end the game.
My undefeated streak at Shea is broken as the Marlins beat the Mets 7-5.
Posted by a concerned Tank reporting live from Shea Stadium in Flushing, Queens.
Saturday, August 11, 2007
Run to Home Plate, Saturday at Shea, Part 1
What is the Run to Home Plate (RTHP) you may ask? The New York Road Runners and the Mets combined to give the average fan a chance to run to home plate at Shea like a Met. What a thrill!
This is my second year doing the RTHP. It was rescheduled from a few weeks ago which was when I was battling a slight tear in my left calf. Today is my first race back so I am a little nervous.
The 7 Train thankfully made good time out to Shea as there is hardly anyone on it is almost midway between the finish of Friday night's game and the start of Saturday night's game. I looked up from writing and happened to see PS1 which Kathleen suggested as a group get together. My idea was to
see Erasure and/or the Beastie Boys at McCarren Pool. So many good ideas, so little time.
Time to get ready for the 5k (3.1 mile) race that begins in the Shea parking lot, goes to and around the Unisphere in Flushing Meadow Park, run back around Shea, and into Shea through center field, take a quick left, run along the warning track to the right field line, and then a quick right down the first baseline to finish at home plate. The thousands of us didn't actually step on home plate because of possible damage to it and the field but you get the idea.
Back to the start in the Shea parking lot. There isn't much of it left as cranes move metal and concrete around to build the new Citi Field.
I am grateful that the regular NYRR announcer isn't making his usual annoying announcements. The regular announcer must be in Central Park at training run. Steve and Kathleen and Linda are somewhere are in Denmark and Upstate, respectively, smiling.
The new announcer does double duty and a great job singing the National Anthem. The starting horn is about to go off as I pray for a healthy race.
"Errrrr!" blasts off at the Start Line and I am off. I have to stay within myself and run slow and steady. I promised my roommate and other friends to take it easy. It's hard to do as my juices get flowing as
the "Let's Go Mets" theme plays after the starting horn goes off. My left calf tightens about a quarter mile in and I had to stop to stretch it out. Back on the course. I pass under the Grand Central Parkway
coaching myself to keep it slow and steady. The pain diminishes slightly as I get to the first water stop which I walk through to rehydrate and rest my legs. Time to move and I get to the Mile 1 marker in 8:45. OK, slower than last year but I need to finish this year as my third of nine qualifying races for guaranteed entry in the 2008 NYC Marathon.
I see the Unisphere and know if I get around it that I am more than half home. I start getting a good rhythm where I get good speed and can bear the pain in the left calf. I run the second mile in 8:33 (17:18 total) because I didn't have to stop to stretch and the walk stop is on the other side of the Mile 2 marker. I walk through the water stop to rehydrate and rest.
I can see Shea and know it's almost home. Through the parking lot and by my normal gate, Gate B, and around Shea to the entrance. I reach Mile 3 in 8:02 (25:20 total). Only a tenth of a mile (0.1) left. I
usually love running on a softer surface like along the reservoir in Central Park but I have to extend and pull the calves too much to get traction. Therefore, slow and steady and I finish in 26:25. Hey, a minute slower than last year but I'll take it. "Put it in the books!" as Mets radio announcer Howie Rose would say after each Mets win.
My fellow runners and I aren't allowed to hang out around home plate except for those with medical emergencies. My left calf is tight but okay thank God.
Posted by a grateful Tank live from the Run to Home Plate at Shea Stadium in Flushing, Queens
Friday, August 10, 2007
Thursday, August 09, 2007
Happy First Birthday SteveAndTheTank.com
Yesterday marked the first of hopefully many birthdays for SteveAndTheTank.com. Yes, the concept began Memorial Day 2006 when Steve and I interviewed Linda's Mom. Of course, this was off-the-cuff but it was our first pilot show. We then finalized the SATT name during the Team InfoSys departmental outing at the Brooklyn Cyclones game on July 29. I then registered the domain name a few days later and Steve posted an introduction to the world and then the first full post a year ago today.
Though lots of work (this is the 368th post), it has been fun and I want to thank everyone for their support especially Steve for co-creating, believing in, and maintaining and hosting the website. Who thought we would have thought we would have covered everything from baseball and football to jello wrestling and pillow fighting or lasted as long? I have met childhood heroes like Dave Winfield and Walt "Clyde" Frazier and a supermodel. All in a years work for you, our loyal readers.
Mucho mega thanks also go out to Linda, her Mom, PermaGuest Outlaw Jack, Dana "The Queen of Jello Wrestling" Sterling, Brian Van, Colin the Karaoke King, Melanie, Captain Zorikh, The Doom Maidens, JH, PG, Rod, Medford Bob, Score's Mike, White Fedora Mike, LI Mike, "Johnny Versace", Super Twin Gil, Maria, Director Steve, Buffalo Steve, Vermont Bill, Brooklyn Brant, MTA Ray, and all the other people who have made SteveAndTheTank.com a success. Last but not least, Steve's girlfriend Kathleen deserves special recognition as she says she doesn't believe in us but deep down, I know she really does. "Don't Stop Believin'" Kathleen!
Posted by a grateful Tank in NY.
Wednesday, August 08, 2007
Barry Bonds' 756*th home run
The most hallowed record in sports, the home run record, was broken last night in San Francisco. Under a cloud of allegedly using steroids, Barry "Steroid Boy" Bonds broke Hank Aaron's record of 755 home runs against the Washington Nationals. Mr. Aaron's absence told volumes as he and everyone else "knows" that Bonds abused steroids. Some have criticized Mr. Aaron a while for not following Bonds around. Why should he? Mr. Aaron encountered racist death threats before breaking Babe Ruth's record in 1974. Bonds allegedly cheated to break the record Mr. Aaron risked his life to set. I wouldn't show up to dignify it. Would you? Exactly. Ever the gentleman and probably under lots of pressure from Major League Baseball, Mr. Aaron compromised and sent in a very carefully worded congratulations via video.
On the bright side, congratulations to Mets fan, Matt Murphy, wearing a Jose Reyes jersey for catching 756*. I hope a collector gives him lots of money for the historically tainted baseball.
I hope and pray that A-Rod or someone else breaks Bonds' record soon. I'll go as far as throwing 500 batting practice pitches to David "Big Papi" Ortiz in a single game so he can break Bond's record. If Bonds doesn't retire at the end of the season, we'll see if the federal government will indict him as reported next month.
Posted by a disappointed Tank in NY.
Tuesday, August 07, 2007
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