Top seed Rafael Nadal faces Roger “Darth” Federer in a rematch of the greatest tennis match of all time, the Wimbledon finals last summer where Nadal outlasted Federer and became the #1 tennis player in the world. If Federer wins, he can try to get #1 back, however, he will be looking for history himself, a 14th Grand Slam win. It will mark the first time that Federer and Nadal will plan each other in a Grand Slam final outside of London or Paris. (next stop Flushing, 2009? <g>)

My money is on Roger since he just dominates on hard courts and Rafael must be tired after taking over 5 hours to qualify for the finals.

In other news, Serena Williams won her 10th Grand Slam today at Australia, putting her back at the #1 seed in the world.

Posted by Steve in London.

Last night I flew into LaGuardia airport. At about 1,000 feet we flew directly over what is left of Shea Stadium. There is almost nothing left. It was a sad sight to see. But then you immediately see how beautiful CitiField is in all its glory. So yes, out with the old and in with the new, but the old just had so many good memories…

Steve wants to counter the Tank on two issues. The first is his Super Bowl pick. Steve is only going to say one thing: Kurt Warner. Don’t go against Kurt, the story is too good.

Second is a comment the Tank made to me in private. As you know we disagree about Joe Torre and his book. I think that only mistake Joe made was to write the book while still managing, he may lose some trust with his current players. The Tank said to me in an email today:

“David Wells wants to punch Joe Torre. This isn't the Yankees, it's a soap opera.”

News flash my dear Tank. This IS the Yankees in all their glory. Remember someone named Billy Martin? Reggie Jackson? The Boss? They are all walking Paris Hiltons. The Bronx Zoo had a brief remission in the Joe Torre years and now you are starting to see it come out without Joe Torre around to keep it all together. Joe was a master at working the media and hiding the Zoo. Now that he is gone, the Zoo is back.

Face reality Yankee fans, the place was and always will be a Zoo. Torre just won four championships and hid the Zoo from you, but it was there. I also say good luck trying to win a World Series this year with all the media circus and no Joe to hold it all together. The pressure to win is even more intense and the baby Boss is overextended in his budget.

Posted by Steve in New York, looking forward to a few years of good comedy from the Bronx.

Conference Prediction Review: 1-1.  I am 4-6 in the playoffs.

The Pittsburgh Steelers are going for their sixth Super Bowl ring on Sunday against the underdog Arizona Cardinals.

The Cardinals have defied all my fearless playoff predictions because of veteran QB Kurt Warner and mega star receiver Larry Fitzgerald.  I remember Fitzgerald was special in college but he has really taken his game to new heights, figuratively and literally.  After stopping on a dime, he can jump out of the building.

The Steelers are and should be the favorites.  They need to come up with a scheme to contain Fitzgerald.  I suggest a combination of (1) jamming him at the line of scrimmage, (2) double coverage, and (3) getting pressure on Kurt Warner so Fitzgerald won't be able to get down field to make insane catches.

I expect Defensive Coach Dick Le Beau to come up with schemes to pressure Warner and frustrate Fitzgerald.  Coach Le Beau has seen it all in his 50+ years of experience.  He'll make the other Cardinals have to step up and try to beat the Steelers.

The Tank's Fearless Prediction: Buffalo Steve will be celebrating a Steeler 21-17 victory.

Posted by The Tank in NY.

While Steve and I were discussing/debating Joe Torre's new book, Andy Pettitte re-signed with the Yankees for about half of his original $10 million demand.  However, with incentives, Andy will hopefully make $12 million as both he and the Yankees will benefit, knock wood.

Most importantly, Andy can be the #4 pitcher as Joba becomes the #5 pitcher.  If Joba needs rest, he can get a game off to build his arm strength.

If Andy decides to retire after 2009, Phillip Hughes will hopefully be ready to be the #5 as Joba moves up to #4.

In the meantime, Jerry Manuel is making some overtures for Manny Ramirez.  There is also some talk about Oliver Perez re-signing with the Mets.

The Tank's Bottom Line: Andy Pettitte's reduced guaranteed contract is a signal to other free agents.  Sign now or watch your asking price continue to plummet.

Posted by The Tank in a snowy Hotstoveville.

Yesterday the Tank reported on Joe Torre’s new tell all book, The Yankee Years and suggested that it takes away from his reputation as a manager and damages his standing as a Yankee legend.

I strongly disagree.

We live in a fast paced media hungry society and we crave this kind of tell all book content. Everyone knows that AROD is a head case, the Boss a nut job, and managing the Yankees a high stress job.

The reason why Joe did not damage his standing is that this is 2009 and like it or not managing the media is equally as important as who you choose to bunt in the bottom of the 9th in Game 7. This book is Joe managing the media. He now controls the agenda and message, until the Boss or AROD write a book.

A legacy is shaped by the media and Joe just helped his reputation by reminding us how awesome he managed the team and ownership. People are thinking “wow, how could the team doctors tell the Boss before Joe about the prostate cancer” and “holy cow AROD is more crazy than I ever thought” not “how could you write this Joe!” I wish it was 1,000 pages, not 512.

Posted by Steve, waiting for the Yankee Years movie to come out on HBO.

Former Yankee Manager Joe Torre is releasing a new book about his time with the Yankees.  Joe was best known for his calm demeanor in the clubhouse.  Managing the media and the players was his strength.  To air dirty laundry about his time with the Yankees takes away from his reputation as a manager.  Did bad things happen behind closed doors?  Yes, but let others tell the story. 

Remember Joe Torre was made a martyr when the Yankees basically fired him after the 2007 season.  Yes, he was offered a one year contract at $5 million plus $1 million for each round of the playoffs to equal his previous $8 million base. 

After this book comes out, the tables maybe turned.  Will Joe Torre go to the Hall of Fame?  Yes.  Will Joe Torre have his number retired in the new Monument Park?  Before the tell-all book, definitely.  After the tell-all book, maybe.

Tank's Bottom Line: I know Joe is hurt by what the Yankees did to him.  But leave the Jeter versus A-Rod and other dirty laundry to others.  Joe doesn't need the $2 million that he is splitting with co-author Tom Verducci of Sports Illustrated.   History has already vindicated him as the Yankees didn't make the playoffs last season without him being the manager.

Posted by The Tank in NY.

Apparently the Mets made an offer to Oliver Perez in the range of 3 years, 30 million. It looks like super agent Scott Boras is squeezing more from the Mets, and is looking for the 4th year. The Mets maybe willing to go to a 4th year and it seems according to MLB Network’s Hot Stove Show, the Mets have increased the offer, but we are not sure what that means. Omar wants to move quickly on this so he can focus on other areas, like maybe bringing in Ben Sheets for the 5th starter or maybe, just maybe, holding out for a cheaper Manny. Donnie Baseball apparently has lobbied for Manny in recent days.

All I know is that it is 19 days for Pitchers and Catchers to report to Spring Training and two hall of famers are currently teamless, Tom Glavine and Manny, as well as a good amount of great players. I think that as soon as it turns Feb 1, it will be a buyers market..

 

Posted by Steve in New York

I discovered a link to this site on a Mets blog. Check out these photos of the demolition of Shea.

Posted by Steve in New York

I watched "The Wrestler" a few weeks ago with great interest.  As you know, I grew up a big wrestling fan. 

I also wanted to see Mickey Rourke in a comeback role on and off screen.  It's his best role in years as he recently won a Golden Globe and was nominated for an Oscar a few days ago.

Most importantly, Mickey's co-star Marisa Tomei plays his love interest who happens to be a dancer a New Jersey gentlemen's club.  Marisa was also nominated for an Oscar a few days ago.  Marisa and I lived in the same Brooklyn neighborhood, Midwood, though unfortunately at different times.

The soundtrack rocks and took me back to an age of innocence watching wrestling in the 1980s.  The scenes with the older wrestlers tugged my heart thinking how they destroyed their bodies fighting in the ring for my and other fans entertainment.

I won't tell you the rest of the story.  Just go out and see it.  You'll thank me later.  "Two thumbs up!"  Good luck to Mickey and Marisa on the road to an Oscar!

Posted by The Tank reporting live from the movies.

The Mets are out of the Manny Ramirez Sweepstakes according to a Bloomberg Business Radio that I heard to a moment ago.

Are the Wilpons serious?  Probably, given the extent of their $1.1 Billion losses in the Madoff Ponzi Scheme.  The Mets are lucky they signed K-Rod and JJ Putz just before the scandal broke.

We'll see if the Dodgers or anyone else takes the bait.  If not, Scott Boras will have to lower his asking price and/or change the deal from three years guaranteed to two years plus an option with a possible buyout..  Then, you might see the Mets come back into the bidding.

In other hot stove news, I like the Cora signing.  We'll see what it brings.

Posted by The Tank in Hotstoveville.