 Monday, December 31, 2007
2007 Person of the Year: Barry Bonds
The first annual Steve and the Tank person of the year for 2007 is Barry Bonds. (Yes Barry Bonds.) The person of the year is the person who, better or worse, defines the sporting year. We at Steve and the Tank could not think of anyone else more deserving of this distinction. 
2007 was a very turbulent year. 2007 saw Barry Bonds break Hank Arron's home record, Tom Brady's record 50 TD passes, Randy Moss' record TD receptions, and the Patriots cheating in their first game on the way to a perfect record breaking 16-0 season. 2007 saw milestones like Tom Glavine's 300th win and Roger Federer steamroll his way to several records. We also saw one of the greatest collapses in sport history when the Mets lost the NL East in the final week of the season. And yet this year was filled with too much scandal and sadness. The year opened with news of Denver Broncos Darrent Williams' murder in a drive by shooting and ends with Jim Leyritz charged with DUI and manslaughter. In between is Sean Taylor's murder, Michael Vick convicted of dogfighting and Barry Bonds indicted for lying. Not to mention the NBA refs cheating and almost the entire elite riders in the 2007 Tour de France dropping out for doping. And then of course the Mitchell Report. While Yankees fans still think the Irish Catholic who brought peace to Northern Ireland somehow was loyal to the Boston Red Sox, the Mitchell Report, despite all of its flaws, cast a very dark shadow over the nation's pastime. 2007 was a year of records and scandal. Like it or not, Barry Bonds is the face of 2007 as he is the epitome of records and scandal. Posted by Steve in New York waiting for a better sports year in 2008.
Sunday, December 30, 2007
Am I in Giants or Gillette Stadium? Will the Patriots Go 16-0?
The Patriots are on a historic mission to go undefeated.
This is part of the Boston Sports Apocalypse that I have long rued.
The Giants are 3-4 going into this game and 7-1 on the road. One of the Giants players remarked that they play better on the road and there are many Patriots fans here who make it feel like Gillette Stadium in Massachusetts instead of Giants Stadium in New Jersey.
The Giants were 3-5 last season at home so recent history doesn't help the Giants. Giants Stadium doesn't offer lots of advantage as the Ghost of Jimmy Hoffa (GoJH) blows at unpredictable times. Bay Ridge Bob and I saw Bruce Springsteen in the summer of 2003 and the GoJH was a nice cooling breeze on that warm summer day.
Different story on a winter's day as the GoJH made a cold night even colder.
The breakdown of fans is about
Giants Fans - 70%
Patriots Fans - 25 %
History Buffs - 4.99 %
Praying Against the Boston Sports Apocalypse - Me and God knows how many others.
Getting a ticket to this game was one of my daunting challenges ever. I think trying to buy a ticket on Craigslist from Staten Island Tom (SIT) summed it up best. I e-mailed SIT that I live and work on the Upper West Side and could meet him near Columbus Circle and give him the money for the ticket. Sounds logical, right? No, he goes to the Bullpen on 88th and 1st and says he came in special for me. SIT went there to drink. Listen bro, I have to go to Bay Ridge Bob's daughter's Baptism on Saturday morning in Jersey so either please go to the Upper West or sell it to someone else.
Everyone is trying to get in on the action as a player's girlfriend or wife named "Toy" tried to sell his ticket for $1,000 which included pre and post game parties. Nice but no thanks.
After Bay Ridge Bob's daughter's Baptism in Passaic, I took NJ Transit from Montclair to Newark. I saw the new Prudential Center, AKA The Rock, as I was waiting for the Greyhound to take me back to Port Authority. Gotta love public transportation. Which presidential candidate is most committed to the environment and reducing traffic? The Tank. I look forward to your vote in November 2008.
I let Brooklyn Pete and his buddy George into the bus ticket line at Port Authority. We briefly catch up and then it's off to Linda's for a brief cameo at her surprise birthday party. It's good to see Johnny Versace, Erin, Sara, Lana, Steve, Kathleen, PermaGuest Outlaw Jack, White Fedora Mike, Adam, Linda's Mom and Aunt, amongst others.
Back to Port Authority to scalp a ticket. "I won't sell a ticket to a guy in a Canadiens jersey," some guys snidely remarked. Hey, I am a Canadiens fan and was asked to wear red to Linda's surprise birthday party. I bought a ticket but had a bad feeling that it was fake. I had a bad feeling but game time was less than an hour away. As I try to enter Giants/Gillette Stadium, the Giants score but my scalped ticket did NOT scan and it was fake. Darn it! There were no more tickets in the booth. Double darn! I scalped a second ticket from a guy named Gus and get in. Thank God!
The Patriots Stephen Gostkowski unfortunately kick a field goal in my end to close the gap to 7-3.
Junior Seau is a great player and makes a great tackle. I loved him on the Chargers but can't root for him here. He's a great player like KG on the Celtics, a future Hall of Famer who never won a ring, trying to win one before his ends. I'm conflicted and I'm sure he is too for selling out to the Pats.
3rd and 14 and they call a ridiculous penalty on the Giants defense. The NFL really wants the Patriots to go undefeated. This is worse than the Monday Night Game against the Ravens a few weeks back.
After the end of the first quarter, Tom Brady to Randy Moss to tie the Peyton Manning's quarterback record at 49 and 22 to tie Jerry Rice's wide receiver record. Patriots 10 - Giants 7.
Not to be undone, the Giants take the ensuing kickoff back for a touchdown to retake the lead at 14-10.
The Patriots drive down the field to kick another field goal to close the gap to 14-13. The young lady, "Diane", to my left took the Patriots for the over for the game, 14, and the half, 24 for both teams. She should be in Vegas. Her boyfriend, "Jack", comes back and graciously buys me a water as I am in full blog mode. Thanks "Jack"!
Randy Moss drops what would have been the tie breaker. Gostkowski kicks another field goal to give the Pats a 16-14 lead with 1:59 left in the first half.
There is a WPLJ radio ad for Pub 46 in Clifton, New Jersey. Hey, I passed by there Saturday afternoon as Bay Ridge Bob's uncle-in-law Oleg gave me a ride from the Church in Pasaic to the Baptism Dinner in Montclair. Thanks Uncle Oleg!
Eli Manning leading a drive down the field? Wow, I really need laser vision surgery. Talk about history in the making.
There is a fight between Brandon Jacobs and Junior Seau. Penalty against the Patriots. Imagine that?
The Giants have a first down at the Patriot 19. But wait, the refs moved it to the Patriot 14 with 31 seconds left.
Eli takes off running to the Patriots 3. Whoa!
Eli completes a touchdown pass to Kevin Boss pictured below.
The Pats get the ball back but don't do anything with it. At halftime, Giants 21 - Patriots 16.
Robert in Tampa calls and Steve texts to say hi. Robert is afraid that the Giants will play that well against the Bucs next week. Steve is cheering Eli and the G-Men on. Is this the night that Steve becomes an NFL fan again after the Jets scarred him by moving to Giants Stadium? Steve was more emotionally scarred than The Tank and that's saying lots.
The Giants kickoff goes in the end zone and the Patriots start at the Giants 20. Tom Brady is almost sacked on third down and the Pats are three and out.
Can Eli continue to lead the G-Men? Only time will tell.
The Giants run the ball. If there is any weakness on the Patriots, it's run defense. Jacobs continues to pound the ball. This softens the Pats defense up for touchdown pass to Burress. Giants 28 - Patriots 16. Can Tom Brady and the Patriots come back?
Wow! What a game! I'm not happy to get ripped off on the first fake ticket but thanks to Gus for selling me a real ticket.
The Patriots take the kickoff to their 27 yard line. Talk about TV timeouts! I'm freezing. Giants stop the run. Brady has to pass. He's got the weapons to do it. Bon Jovi's "Born to Be My Baby" plays on WPLJ. Hey, I can't hear the FAN radio feed probably because I dropped my geeked out AM/FM/TV/Weather Band radio which also plays MP3s for the 50th time.
Brady converts the third down as he he always does. He goes into shot gun mode. Another quick slant pattern. Prince's "1999" is playing on WPLJ's Saturday Night 80s with Jamie Lee. Gotta love Jamie Lee. Yeah, I know she's married.
Brady throws to Moss in the end zone but there's a flag. Of course, it's against the Giants. First and goal at the one. Incomplete pass but a penalty against the Patriots. Finally! Both teams sub out run for pass situation. It doesn't matter as Mulroney runs for a touchdown. Giants 28 - Patriots 23 with exactly four minutes left in the fourth quarter.
The Giants have the ball at their 40 after another solid kickoff return.
Can Eli put another solid drive together and take time off the clock?
Wow! Slant pattern to Burress converts a third and three. But, back to Earth, Eli is sacked for a big loss. 3rd and 22 from the Giant 45. Jacobs catch takes him to the Patriots 46. The Giants punt goes to the Patriots 17. It's only a net of 29 yards. Ouch!
The Patriots drive starts in my end but the end of the quarter means they will switch ends. At the end of the third quarter, Giants 28 - Patriots 23.
The Patriots get the first down. The Giants dig in for 3rd and 10 at the Patriots 28. Brady calls a timeout. Good idea.
The Giants Stadium TV shows a guy dressed up with a Giants cape. The crowd goes wild.
Moss drops the pass and the Patriots have to punt. No return. Solid coverage by the Patriots special teams. Giants ball at their 30 yard line. During the TV timeout, Jamie Lee is spinning the Bangles "Walk Like An Egyptian". Hey, you expect no less than total media coverage from The Tank.
Fumble! But Eli recovers. Whew! OMG! Is the Patriot Black Magic at work? The Bible doesn't specifically mention the Patriots in Revelations but all the other plagues of the Apocalypse -- wars, famines, floods, etc are sadly coming to fruition. It's time to repent people!
Giant timeout as I ponder the parallels between the Boston Sports Apocalypse and the One referenced in the Bible. To quote The Church Lady, "How convenient?!"
3rd and 11 from the Giants 11. The Giants don't convert. Of course. The Patriots return the punt to their 35.
Moss drops an under thrown Brady pass at the Giants 16 yard line. Wow!
On the very next play, Brady throws another bomb to Moss for the record. #50 for Brady breaking Peyton's record and #23 for Moss breaking Jerry Rice's record. The Patriots convert the two point conversion to take a 31-28 lead.
There is a penalty on the kickoff. Giants ball at their 24. A good return goes by the wayside with 10:57 left in the fourth quarter.
Jacobs reverses on second down to get the first down. There is a penalty against the Giants.
Eli goes back to his old ways as he overthrows his receiver for an interception. Patriots ball at their 48 yard line. Sack for the Giants. Yeah! Walker gets nine yards of it back to the Giants 36. 3rd and 11 from the 36 but Pierce catches the ball to the Giants 23.
Mulroney on the run. Another run. Complete pass to Walker to the Giants 9. First and goal. Slant pass to Moss to the five. Mulroney runs for the touchdown. Patriots 38 - 28 with 4:36 left in the fourth quarter.
Giants fans start to leave en masse. Not The Tank. I am too much of a history buff and want to maximize bang for my scalped bogus and real ticket. I don't leave unless it's a medical emergency or if I have to go to work.
After the kickoff to the Giants 32, the Giants inexplicably run the ball. The only saving grace is that their is a penalty against the Patriots. The Giants have a first down on the Patriots 46 yard line. Run the two minute drill Eli. Come on. An under thrown ball to Toomer inside the 10.
Get out of bounds Jacobs. Time ticks down to the two minute warning. 3rd and 1 from the Patriots 18 yard line.
Good pass to Smith who goes to the four. Eli has to call a play. Eli goes to Burress but it's thrown over his shoulder. The Patriots call their final timeout. Why are the Giants public address people playing "New York, New York"? That's only for victories at Yankee Stadium. The Giants are losing. WTF?
After a pass completion that loses a yard, the Giants lose their second timeout. Penalty with 1:07 left. 3rd and Goal. What a one handed catch by Plexico Burress! Patriots 38 - Giants 35 with 1:04 left in the fourth quarter.
Can the Giants recover the onsides kick? ACDC's "H*ll's Bells" blares over the speakers as the kick is made. Vrabel recovers the onsides kick with 1:03 left. Brady takes a knee and the Giants take their final timeout with 1:01 left. The Giants can't stop the clock again as Brady takes another knee to seal the Patriots 38-35 victory.
Congratulations to the Patriots for completing a perfect 16-0 regular season. Please join me in prayer for someone to stop them in the playoffs to prevent the Boston Sports Apocalypse.
Posted by a cold but historically fulfilled Tank reporting live from Giants Stadium in the Swamps of Jersey.
Saturday, December 29, 2007
NFL Week # 17 Picks
Last Week's Recap: I was 2-0 in my picks and 24-11 on the season. This Week's Fearless Picks: The Boston Sports Apocalypse continues as the Patriots march to another Super Bowl and beat the Giants at the Meadowlands on Saturday night to complete a perfect 16-0 regular season. Steve agrees with me that the Patriots are cheaters. The Patriots were warned by the NFL last season but still cheated anyway. The Bills lose to the Eagles. This is a tough game to pick, avoid it if you can. The Jets beat the Chiefs in former Coach Herm Edwards' homecoming. Written by The Tank and posted by Steve in NY.
Friday, December 28, 2007
Why the Patriots must lose
The New England Patriots are on course to win 16 straight games and finish the season a perfect 16-0. Normally most sports fans would be cheering them on, wanting to see some history. There are a few reasons why nobody wants the Patriots to win. First they are cheaters. In Week 1, Jets head coach Eric Mangini caught a Patriots cameraman trying to tape Jets signals from the sidelines. The Patriots got off easy with a $250,000 fine, coach Bill Belichick got a $500,000 fine, and the Patriots lost a first round draft pick. (Got off easy? They cheated and Belichick should have been suspended. Just look at all the hoopla with Barry Bonds now.) Now Bill Belichick knows that the Patriots are a much better team than the Jets and can win normally, so why would he cheat? They cheated because they are not nice people and want to win at all costs. This leads into point number two, the Patriots are not classy, they put themselves above all else. They cheat, they run up the score, they leave in their starters up until the last minute with a 50 point lead. That is not classy, it is saying "We rock, you suck, get out of our way." Last reason why the Pats have to lose is because the NFL is boring for the rest of us. The Patriots always win. I thought salary caps were suppose to prevent dynasties from forming. The Yankees made baseball boring for the rest of us in the late 90s, and as proof the last time the Yankees won a world series in 2000, it was the worst rated world series since they started keeping statistics. Memo to the NFL-most of the country will still watch the Super Bowl, but they probably will channel surf when Belichick starts to run up the score. Posted by Steve in New York
Thursday, December 27, 2007
Meeting Ozzie Smith Shows That The Baseball Hall of Fame Is More Than A Collection Of Plaques
I recently had the pleasure and privilege of meeting The Wizard of Oz, Ozzie Smith. It was quite a thrill as I attended his 2002 induction ceremony near my home town of Cooperstown, New York.
Upon his retirement from baseball, Ozzie has become a Baseball Ambassador. He participated in a Baseball Hall of Fame exhibition named "Baseball: The Ultimate Educational Tool" that I recently attended in Midtown Manhattan. The seminar lived up to its billing as baseball is a common identifying point across different generations, ethnic, religious, racial backgrounds, and socio-economic backgrounds.
Ozzie was a 13 time Gold Glove Winner but homework always came first at the insistence of his Mom. After he finished his homework, she played catch with Ozzie. She raised Ozzie and five sisters.
The exhibition illustrated that baseball teaches many things like statistics, civil rights, special abilities, cultural diversity, physics, leadership, honor excellence, preserve history, connect generations, mathematics, the business of baseball, character, education, American history, fine art, communication arts, geography, industrial technology, labor history, women's history, milestones and history makers, interaction with legendary leaders.
He almost quit playing baseball but his Mom and high school coach talked him out of it. Two weeks later, the starting shortstop hurt his ankle and Ozzie stepped in. The rest is history.
When facing adversity, Ozzie wisely said that no one faced anything like Jackie Robinson did. Keeping that in mind got him through the tough times like being traded from San Diego to Saint Louis. "Turn the other cheek and keep moving," he said.
Ozzie was also in a video showing the history of WWII Japanese-American internment in Manzanar, California. The interned Japanese-Americans played baseball in the camps. They had leagues and watched baseball movies like "Pride of the Yankees", a classic in any day. They had to make their own bats. It was fascinating. It showed that baseball got people through the hardest of times.
Posted by a grateful and enlightened Tank reporting live from Midtown Manhattan.
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
The Talk Around the Christmas Dinner Table
A fly on the wall reporting from Christmas Eve and Christmas Day dinners: - Many New Yorkers are counting down the days until the NJ Nets move to Brooklyn.The Knicks are so bad that we are just ready to toss in the towel and become Brooklyn Nets fans.
- Its time to check out the Devils new home. The Devils moved to Newark, NJ, and anytime a new arena opens in your sports radius, you have to go see it, even a High School field.
- Yankee fans are still in denial about Clemens. While I want to believe, I know in my heart that he is guilty, just as Barry Bonds is. Andy Pettette came clean, time to come clean Roger. Too much circumstantial evidence and the confession by your best fiend only hurts you.
- The Yankees need to make an offseason move. All they did was spend a lot of money keeping the status quo.
- Mets fans are mad as hell. All Mets fans want just one thing for Christmas: a starting pitcher.
- Steve's Uncle thinks the Mets pitching is ok. While the rest of the family will trade the farm for Santna and others. Uncle Joe defends Omar saying that the Mets payroll will balloon and that you can't give up too much. The rest of the family thinks that he is crazy, time to win man!!!
- The Mets should swap Orlando Hernández and Aaron Heilman. Heilman just whines about wanting to be a starter and lacks the 90s needed to be a big league closer. He is young and has enough arm strength to give 175-200 quality innings. El Duque is getting too old to give you 200 quality innings.
Posted by Steve in a food coma.
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Tuesday, December 25, 2007
Dreaming of a Kobe Christmas
Kobe Bryant scored 39 points at the Garden on Sunday to become the youngest player in NBA history to score 20,000 points.
In the post-game news conference, Kobe was asked if he wanted to be a Knick. Kobe said he didn't want to get in trouble but he did say that the Garden was his favorite arena.
Kobe coming to the Knicks would be like KG going to the Celtics. It would be worth trading seven or more of the current Knicks to the Lakers for Kobe. If Knicks fans are going to have to suffer with Isiah coaching the Knicks for the rest of the season or longer (God forbid), we should get appropriate compensation for our pain and suffering.
Merry Christmas and Happy Basketball Holidays to all.
Posted by a hopeful Tank in NY.
Monday, December 24, 2007
The Rocket Responds
Roger Clemens responded to his critics including Steve yesterday on his website in a one minute and 48 second address shown on ESPN and posted on YouTube.
I am giving the Rocket the benefit of the doubt and some time to let this situation play itself out just as Derek Jeter said a few days ago at his annual children's charity benefit shown on NBC 4 New York.
I am not in denial as Steve noted the other day but I still believe in the old fashioned values of "innocent until proven guilty". This country has unfortunately become "guilty until proven innocent". When elected President next year, I promise to lead the change the culture of people being judged in the court of public opinion.
I am looking forward to Rocket's interview with "60 Minutes" Mike Wallace in two weeks. The LA Times issued a front page apology a couple of days ago for naming the Rocket as a steroids user in 2006. Time will tell if Senator Mitchell and/or Brian MacNamee will have to apologize in the future.
Posted by an open-minded and traveling Tank in Tampa, FL.
Sunday, December 23, 2007
Long Island Mike's Russian Ice Hockey Missives
Long Island Mike writes on many historical, political, and sporting topics. Though a huge Red Sox fan, he is still a friend of The Tank. As hard as NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman may try to run hockey into the ground in North America, his and other owners' greed and stupidity during the recent lockout will never extinguish Long Mike's love for the great sport of hockey. Please find this latest hockey gem. See you at the rink. Written by The Traveling Tank and posted by Steve in NY.
Saturday, December 22, 2007
NFL Week #16 Picks
Last Week: I was 2-1 including the Giants choke job in the winds of the Meadowlands. I am 22-11 on the season. This Week's Fearless Picks: To make the playoffs, the Giants have to win this week at the Bills in a hard fought game because they are going to lose next week against New England. The Jets lose at the Titans. Written by The Tank and posted by Steve in NY.
Friday, December 21, 2007
The Fish Catch the Big Tuna
Former Giants, Jets, Cowboys, and Patriots Coach Bill "Big Tuna" Parcells was hired the Miami Dolphins, AKA the "Fish".
I don't know why he returned to the game but broadcasting must not be his cup of tea.
Though he isn't coaching, expect the Dolphins to be back in the playoff mix before the end of his four year contract if his prior track record is any indicator. The Dolphins have first pick in the April NFL Draft and Parcells is a shrewd draft picker. The Dolphins have gotten old quickly on defense but expect Big Tuna to refill through the Draft and free agency. The rest of the AFC East and NFL has been served notice. The Dolphins have hit rock bottom and on their way back off the canvas.
Posted by the Tank in NY.
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Schilling to Clemens: Give back the Cy Young Awards
Curt Schilling is running his mouth again. In his most recent blog post: "If he doesn't do that then there aren't many options as a fan for me other than to believe his career 192 wins and three Cy Youngs he won prior to 1997 were the end... From that point on the numbers were attained through using [performance-enhancing drugs]. Just like I stated about Jose [Canseco], if that is the case with Roger, the four Cy Youngs should go to the rightful winners, and the numbers should go away if he cannot refute the accusations." First off, should MLB pitchers even be allowed to have blogs? Ok I guess we do have Free Speech in this country. That said, there should be no taking away of awards and records, INCLUDING Barry Bond's home runs. Just the shame of history to judge them. Once you take one away, where does it stop? Just like you don't take away the Patriots wins this year, even though they are cheaters too. Schilling has a point. Roger Clemens has to stop hiding behind his lawyers and agents. He needs to speak. Tell us his side of the story. In other news, Andy Pettette, while being honest, was not 100% honest. Anyone who knows anything about HGH and working out know what Pettette should have said: "I took two six week cycles of HGH" not saying "I tried it twice." In reality nobody takes two doses of HGH and stops. He tried to imply that but we all know the truth Andy. While he spoke in circles, at least he did come clean. Andy, call your buddy Roger and tell him to do the same. Posted by Steve in New York
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
The Dolans Must Stop the Knicks Fans Suffering by Firing Isiah
I talked to MTA Ray and Prashanth about going to tonight's Knicks-Cavs game as I enjoyed watching King Lebron at the Garden and Jersey last season. I didn't even think of asking Steve to go as it would possibly jeopardize the future of Steve and The Tank. I do not want to be accused of friendship abuse especially during the Holiday Season.
Isiah Thomas was recently quoted that he would rather die than lose. Since I do not wish death on anyone, Isiah must stop coaching teams into the ground like he did in the CBA, the Raptors, and now the Knicks. I never liked Isiah as a player as I thought he and the rest of the "Bad Boy" Pistons were dirty. If Isiah doesn't stop coaching teams into the ground, everyone will forget how great of a player he was. Though different sports, Isiah's legacy isn't as bad as Bud Selig's but he is in the express lane.
By this time last season, I had been to a couple of games including the infamous Knicks-Nuggets fight. This year's team is more talented but doesn't have the same fight, literally and figuratively. Steve has been encouraging a boycott of the Knicks and I may join him. In the meantime, I have been listening to the games on the radio and announcer John Andres sounds like he is a caller on a suicide hotline. And he gets paid to announce the games. For the mental well being of Mr. Andres, myself, and Knicks fans everyway, Isiah must go!
Posted by a distraught Tank in Basketball H*ll.
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Mets to Raise Ticket Prices 20%
Mets management has severely underestimated the market situation. The Mets, a team built on top of disappointment, had one of the most disappointing collapses last season. Then the steroids report. Two big reasons for fans to stay away from Shea next year. The typical response would be to lower prices to attract the fans. Then go get a big name front line starter. The Mets management has done neither. Fans should boycott the games unless management lowers the prices and brings in a pitcher. Posted by Steve in New York
Monday, December 17, 2007
NY Pitching Moves this Offseason
The Mets and Yankees world's may have been shocked on Thursday with the Mitchell report (and the Tank is still in denial), however, the respected GMs need to get back to business, the business of finding starting pitching. Even with Andy Pettette confessing, the Yankees have less pitching issues than the Mets since they have three young prosopects that can be brought up nicely this year and next anchored by a mix of veterans. In reality the Yankees should have went after Dan Haren, he would have been less costly and would have been a great addition to their staff. The Yankees could have given up much less for Haren and have him signed now and also cost them less money and effort. Unfortunately for baseball, the Yankees decided to well, be the Yankees and chase the best on the market Johan Santana, thus complicating it for everyone else. The Yankees instead have lost out on Haren and claim that they are no longer working on Santana, leaving the Red Sox and the Mets pondering their next moves. Haren would have been good for the Mets too. Instead he went to a team with a Cy Young candidate on it already. The Mets need to throw everything but the kitchen sink at Baltimore for Bedard and the Yankees need to talk to Billy Bean about Joe Blanton, he is going to be cheap now, and way cheaper than Santana. Let the Red Sox overpay for Santana or let the fun start up again on Santana in July, when the Twins HAVE to move him. Posted by Steve, still waiting to hear from Roger Clemens, in New York
Sunday, December 16, 2007
Does Andy Pettitte deserve the Steroid Scarlet Letter for taking HGH twice? Justice was Not Served Literally
The fallout from the Mitchell Report continues to envelope the baseball world, especially NY baseball players. According to AM New York, 15 players who played for the Yankees and 12 players who played for the Mets at one time or another.
Andy Pettitte, Roger Clemens, David Justice, and others have been named. Andy admitted yesterday to using HGH twice for an elbow injury according to Bloomberg Radio. Roger denies using performance enhancment drugs.
Another of the 85 players named was David Justice who was on Michael Kay's radio show on 1050 AM Radio Friday. Justice said Senator Mitchell nor his team did not contacted the YES Network nor his business manager. Justice's phone number has changed twice in the past year as his home burned down and for other reasons. Justice was said that former Yankee trainer Brian MacNamee did offer him HGH. He said it is not a steroid. Justice turned down MacNamee's "siren song" offer.
There are fundamental flaws with this investigation. Can the "evidence" hold up in a court of law? Maybe. People are named but are they tested? No. They are guilty until proven innocent. They have to wage their battle in the court of public opinion. Senator Mitchell is judge, jury, and prosecutor.
Is this his report an exercise in nothing? (1) No, it was an effort to shine the light of day on the past to improve the future. The only good thing that will come out of this is that kids will hopefully be discouraged from using performance enhancing drugs. (2) It is also an attempt to salvage what little is left of Bud Selig's legacy. This report is really indicative of what is wrong of his Commissionership. For instance, when the All Star Game was still tied in extra innings a few years ago, he declared a tie and didn't have a home run contest or some other way to end it. No one went home happy and the same is true with the Mitchell Report. People were thrown under the bus and their reputations were sullied forever. They have little chance to defend themselves -- guilty until proven innocent.
Given Senator Mitchell's record, it's hard to question his integrity but we all have biases. As I have written in the past, Senator Mitchell also happens to be a Red Sox director which he stepped down during the investigation but was seen on the field at Fenway Park earlier this season wearing a Red Sox sweater. He should have recused himself from any ballpark. The bias is true for Commissioner Selig himself. Only under intense pressure, he transferred ownership of the Milwaukee Brewers to his daughter Wendy a few years ago. But seriously, do you think she isn't going to listen to her dad? Exactly. Baseball isn't going to be truly fixed until there is an truly independent commissioner and not with ownership ties. Where have you gone Peter Ueberroth?
Yes, players from all 30 teams were named but only a non-star from the Red Sox was named. Were Red Sox sources similar to Radomski on the Mets and MacNamee on the Yankee discouraged, covered up, and/or overlooked? I don't think Senator Mitchell himself but perhaps someone on his staff did. As many questions that the Mitchell Report answered, the more questions need to be asked.
The IOC stripped Marion Jones of her medals earlier this week. MLB won't strip Clemens and others of Cy Young awards and World Series rings for allegedly used performance enhancement drugs. However, will he still go to the Hall of Fame?
As I predicted months ago, don't be surprised if politicians jumped into the fray, especially Republican President candidate Senator John McCain who has been on the forefront of this issue. Senator McCain was on ESPN Radio's Mike & Mike in the Morning on Friday morning. This is not an endorsement of Senator McCain but an observation of this continuing story.
Posted by a saddened and skeptical Tank in NY.
Time to Come Clean Roger
Yesterday Andy Pettette came clean and admitted that what was reported in the Mitchell report was true and he took HGH twice when he was on the DL. While not excusable, at least he came clean and told the truth and is willing to face the music. The Rocket has hid behind his lawyer and tried to discredit his accusers. Posted by Steve in New York
Saturday, December 15, 2007
NFL Week #15 Predictions
Last Week: I was 3-0 last week and 20-10 for the season.
This Week's Fearless Picks:
The Bills lose at the Browns in a hard fought Rustbelt special.
The Jets lose badly at New England in Spy Bowl. The Jets best hope is a blizzard followed by monsoon followed by heat wave... Expect Patriots Coach Bill Belichick to run up the score on his former protege Eric Mangini. If Belichick beat friends like Bills Coach Dick Jauron 56-10 earlier in the season, he will try to score 100 points against new enemy Mangini.
The Giants beat the Redskins.
Posted by the Tank in NY.
Friday, December 14, 2007
Should They Erase the Records?
Should Barry Bonds' home run record be erased? Roger Clemens records? Should the Yankees give the Mets their 2000 World Series rings since Pettette and Clemens were cheating at that time? No. Just about everyone was cheating. I think all the records should be kept on the books and history can evaluate everyone. Once you start taking one record off and not another then it gets crazy. The past was the past and it is time to move on to the post-steroids era. New rules. Strict no tolerance. Mandatory testing all the time. Moving forward anyone caught is banned for life. Posted by Steve in New York
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Is Omar Crazy or Just Bluffing?
Yesterday was the Christmas party at Shea Stadium and John Maine was Santa. Omar insisted that even with Tom Glavine's 200.3 innings going back to Atlanta, he has enough pitchers to start the season. I understand the art of bluffing, but Omar also failed to sign a big name pitcher every winter since 2004. That means he did get the memo from Mets fans or forgot the 2006 NLCS where we had a 3-13 pitcher pitch games 5 and 7 due to lack of anyone else or the bullpen collapse that lead to the team collapse last year due the bullpen being over worked. Bullpens are usually overworked when the starters do not perform. Memo to Omar-your job is on the line here. If you are bluffing you are starting to do a good job at it since the natives are getting restless. All I want for Christmas is a 200 inning, 28 year old, front line pitcher. Posted by Steve in New York
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Bobby "Woo, Pig Swooey" Petrino's 24 Hour Party People
Bobby Petrino coached the Atlanta Falcons on Monday. On Tuesday, he accepted the new head coaching job of the Arkansas Razorbacks. Petrino is the latest NFL coach to return back to the college ranks. At this time last year, he was the coach of the University of Louisville.
In a conference already blessed with the best coaching and playing talent in the country, the SEC just got another great coach, Bobby Petrino. He joins Nick Saban who left the Dolphins in January and took the Alabama job. Roll Tide!
Why did Petrino leave the NFL? Well, he was the head coach during the Michael Vick saga. That is about as an extreme of a bad situation as one can get going from the fun of college to the grind of the pros. The funniest part of the press conference was watching Coach Petrino and his family do the Arkansas Razorback "Woo, Pig Swooey" cheer lead by the cheerleaders. It was like a religious revival where everyone raised their hands and cheered. I guees it's more fun than hearing the anti-Michael Vick jeers from animal rights demonstrators at home and on the road.
Posted by the Traveling Tank in NY.
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
The Johan Santana Saga Drags On
A week has passed since Hank Steinbrenner's deadline to the Minnesota Twins to trade Johan Santana to the Yankees.
Hank Steinbrenner's credibility is diminishing by the moment. He can't impose deadlines as the Twins hold the cards. This isn't A-Rod as no one else could or would pay him mega money.
However, Hank is carrying on the Steinbrenner tradition of bombastic statements and demands which is plenty of fodder for bloggers like Steve and The Tank to continue writing about. Furthermore, the deadline did make the Twins, Red Sox, and other teams show their cards. The Angels folded, the Red Sox tried to bet twice with two separate deals, and the Twins held. Why did the Twins hold? I don't blame them for balking on Lester and I really would hold out for Buchholz who already pitched a no-hitter for the Red Sox in his rookie season.
What should teams do?
Yankees: Send Hank Steinbrenner on a vacation to Antarctica where is only reachable by satellite phone and then jam the phone. Let Brian Cashman do the deal. Don't let go of both Kennedy (preferred to let go of the two) and Hughes.
In the meantime, try to get Haren who slightly younger and much cheaper than Santana.
Red Sox: Continue to drive the price up for the Yankees. Hope to get lucky and land Santana without giving up Buchholz.
Twins: Get something done by the end of the year. It will only be six weeks after that until pitchers and catchers in mid February. Yes, Santana will have value if he isn't traded by then but it will diminish to zero by the end of July trading deadline because he's going to take the big money in free agency like Torii Hunter did this year with the Angels.
Mets: Our buddy Omar Minaya needs to get either Santana and/or Haren. Trading the best player he had, Lastings Milledge, could prove to be costly. If Omar doesn't get a deal done, I am going to give Steve the highest recommendation to become the Mets next GM. Steve always wanted to overthrow former GM Steve Phillips. I may have to go to the Wilpons that Steve is the man for the job. Youth will be served.
Bottom Line: Oh well, sometimes the hot stove season is better than the real season. Keep check Steve and The Tank for more updates and perspective.
Posted by a philosophical and traveling Tank in Austin, Texas.
Monday, December 10, 2007
Sunday, December 09, 2007
Kevin Everett Walks Again - Tis the Season for Miracles
The Holidays are often times of great and unnecessary stress about what gifts to get/receive, parties to go to, etc. We get so caught up in the chaos that we forget what the Holidays are all about -- being grateful to God/G-d/Buddha/Allah/Creator for friends, family, health, and so on.
According to ESPN.com and other media outlets, Buffalo Bills special teams player Kevin Everett experienced the ultimate miracle -- being able to walk again, three short months after being paralyzed against the Broncos in September.
Posted by a grateful Tank in NY.
Saturday, December 08, 2007
Friday, December 07, 2007
NFL Week #14 Picks
I was 2-1 last week. I missed being perfect by one point as the Bills beat the Redskins 17-16 on a last second field goal. I am 17-10 on the season.
This Week's Fearless Picks:
The Bills beat the Dolphins at home.
The Jets lose at home to the Browns. As the sun sets in the 4:15 pm game, it could affect the Browns who are not used to playing in the unique wind and weather pattern of Giants Stadium. Perhaps it is the ghost of Jimmy Hoffa. 
The Giants beat the Eagles. This is a tough game to pick because of the Giants' lack of consistency and Donovan McNabb may not be 100 percent.
Posted by the Tank in NY.
Thursday, December 06, 2007
Why is Santana still available? Did Smith overplay his hand?
A report by the AP said that the Mets still have a shot at Johan Santana. Sure they have a shot, but it is a long one, the official Steve and the Tank odds are on opening Day 2008 Santana will be on the following teams:
Red Sox 2-1
Twins 3-1
Yankees 4-1
Mets 8-1
Other 9-1
That said, if the Twins wanted to deal him, how come a deal is not in the works now? Look how fast the Florida-Detroit blockbuster deal took, maybe 48 hours? I think the a deal on Santana is taking so long for a few reasons.
First Twins GM Bill Smith is new and proceeding cautiously. While that may be the case it is more likely another 2007 off-season player overplaying his hand. Santana has a no-trade clause and will be demanding big money in the 72 hour window after the trade to lock up a long term Barry Zito type of deal. Only a few teams have that kind of money and tradable talent and they are the Red Sox, Yankees, Mets, Dodgers and to some degree Chicago Cubs. So just like ARod's agent Scott Boras, Smith may have overplayed his hand demanding Ian Kennedy from the Yankees, Bill Smith maybe making a similar mistake. By causing the Yankees to bail out, the price suddenly dropped (the Yankees are usually the highest bidder).
Let's look at this from a simple market economy point of view. Limited supply (only one Johan Santana) and limited demand (only a few teams can afford him.) Also, it is highly likely that Santana will leave after 2008, so now is the time to trade him when his value is the greatest. Smith has to unload Santana this off-season, despite what he tells the media. With the removal of the Yankees (at least for now) and only a few teams in the running, it is now a little more of a buyers market due to less teams pushing up the price and time running out for Smith. If can you make the Twins sweat by waiting, the demands from the Twins will come down. If the Yankees and Mets deal for pitchers like Haren and Bedard that leaves the Twins with one legitimate suitor, the team from the original list that needs Santana the least. The World Champion Boston Red Sox.
Theo Epstein is no fool, he knows that waiting is in his best interest. Don't expect to see the Red Sox to move too quickly in order to force the pitching desperate Mets and Yankees to give up and go after someone else like Haren or Bedard. If the Mets and Yankees make their moves soon, expect there to be the fear of God in Bill Smith and a hat in hand phone call to Theo Epstein.
One thing, this is sure fun to watch.
Posted by Steve (studying for MBA finals) in New York
Wednesday, December 05, 2007
Are the Yankees bluffing on Santana?
Yesterday we were speculating if Omar was bluffing at the winter meetings about landing quality pitching. The Yankees made a midnight Monday night deadline for the Johan Santana sweepstakes. The Twins insisted on Ian Kennedy as the third player and the Red Sox are ready to move. The Yankees hinted that they left the race because they felt the Twins were running up the price by playing the Red Sox off the Yankees. Are they bluffing? Their recent public statements on A-Rod and then public reversal give them a credibility gab on this issue. The Yankees need to make this trade. While the Yankees retained their four key free agents: ARod, Rivera, Posada and Pettitte, they spent a lot of money maintaining the status quo, not improving. The Yankees traditionally have spent the most money and not on the best players. Here is a shot to get the best pitcher in the game. Yes you have to give up two prospects, however, sometimes you just have to pull the trigger for a superstar. Looks like the Yankees pulling out does not increase the Mets chances, they apparently have accepted reality and move |