I wrote this on Wednesday but had some technical issues.  Mega thanks to Steve and Pedro in Egypt for fixing this. 

The Mets had a 9-1 home stand to rocket into first place in the NL East.  They swept the Dodgers on Wednesday thanks to taking my advice of bringing up Ike Davis.  This is the first time they went 9-1 on a home stand since 1971.

Update: The Mets won 9-1 tonight in Philly.  More soon.   

Posted by The Tank.

The Men’s NCAA Tournament will expand from 65 to 68 teams.  If you are going to have one play-in game, why not have four play-in games?  They don’t have to extend March Madness by a week or so if the tournament was expanded to 96 teams. 

Posted by The Tank looking forward to giving advice to NCAA and other institutions who may need it. 

All 32 teams passed over Notre Dame QB Jimmy Clausen on Thursday night of the first day of the NFL Draft.  And, Texas QB Colt McCoy was also passed over.  What happened? 

I like Tim Tebow but surprised that he was drafted ahead of Clausen and McCoy.  Tebow is athletic but didn't take snaps under center at Florida.  His throwing motion needs to be improved.  Denver Coach Josh McDaniels thinks he can improve Tebow.  That's a big gamble.  I think Tebow should learn the offense and be part of the wildcat for his rookie season.

Round 1 raised some eyebrows for the local teams.  I am surprised that the Bills chose Clemson RB C.J. Stiller.  I thought they should have chosen Clausen who has played in the cold or even McCoy or possibly Tebow.  Stiller helps the Bills as a running back who can catch the ball out of the backfield as well as return kicks.

The Jets secondary got better as they drafted Boise State CB Kyle Wilson.  This will give the Jets the opportunity to play nickel more, blitz, and cover slot receivers better.

The Giants drafted DL Jason Pierre Paul who is an incredible athlete who has done 13 back flips in a row.  Osi thinks his days are numbered and he is probably right. 

The Lambs selected Oklahoma QB Sam Bradford as the first pick in the draft.  (The "Lambs" are better known as the Rams but a St. Louis buddy calls them the "Lambs" because they are ripe for the slaughter by other teams.  I guess last season's 1-15 would count as lamb like.)  That's a big gamble as Bradford was injured in the third game of the season.

Posted by The Tank.

The Yankees completed their first triple play in 42 years on Thursday in Oakland.  It was also an odd day as CC pitched a complete eight inning game but lost.  (I was at CC’s complete six inning game last Friday that was rained out but CC won the game.)  A triple play usually helps a team win as it has runners in scoring position and it is an immediate rally killer.

The game was also unusual as the game was only 2 hours and 7 minutes.  Yes, it was like Greg Maddux pitching on a hot summer get away day in Atlanta.  Get up and sit down.

Too add to the oddity, CC threw a four hitter but six walks, more than in the entire season so far.  Though more common, the Yankees 12 game error free streak and 6 game winning streak were broken.  You never know what’s going to happen at the ballpark.

Posted by a bewildered Tank.

Phil Hughes had a no hitter going through seven innings Wednesday night in Oakland.  He was great and breezed along with 10 strikeouts.  He lost the no hitter in the 8th when the As Eric Chavez hit a ball back to him off his body.  He unfortunately couldn’t collect it in time to get Chavez out and lost his no hitter.  The Yankees went on to win 3-1. 

The Tank’s Bottom Line: Last night was vitally important huge because Hughes feels he is back to his 2007, possibly even better.  He maybe becoming an ace the Yankees saw years ago when they drafted him.  He is only 23 years old.  I ask all SATT readers to keep their fingers crossed that he stays healthy. 

Posted by an excited Tank.

Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger was suspended by the NFL for six games for violating the league's Personal Conduct policy.  That adds up to $3.5 million in lost salary.  Ouch!

I think six games is probably two games too many.  Between the union possibly fighting it and good behavior, I have a feeling Big Ben will serve four or fewer games.  I am not a Steelers fan but have always respected the Rooney Family and the Steelers franchise.  President Obama is close to the Rooney Family and appointed Mr. Rooney as American Ambassador to Ireland.  Big Ben doesn’t stand a chance against the Rooneys, the NFL, and the President.  (Granted, President Obama isn’t directly involved in the issue but he does like the Steelers after his home town Chicago Bears.)    

The Tank's Bottom Line: The Steelers and the NFL had to do something and set an example that no one is bigger than the team or the NFL.  Big Ben isn't an evil guy but has exercised bad judgment.  I also think the suspension is for his own good.  As a two time Super Bowl winning quarterback, Big Ben can't act like he's in college anymore.  They are too many people out there looking to extort, rob, and endanger the lives of professional athletes, especially in a down economy.  Big Ben doesn't need the Secret Service protection (yet) but needs to exercise better judgment on who he associates with and what situation he is in.

In the meantime, there are rumors that Big Ben maybe traded before tomorrow's draft.  I wouldn't be surprised.  Watch this space.

Posted by The Tank.

The Mets finally called up top prospect Ike Davis on Monday and he delivered.  He was 2 for 4 with 1 RBI in the Mets 6-1 win over the Cubs.  I am glad that the Mets finally took my advice. 

Not all changes are done.  I told Linda at last night’s Comp2Kids Charity benefit dinner that I am promoting her Mom from Bench Coach to Manager.  Since Jerry Manuel admitted to not having the players ready and motivated, it’s time for him to pack his bags.  Linda’s Mom keeps score of every game and knows the players from going to Spring Training to go to games and listening to them on the radio.  Her enthusiasm for the game is contagious.  She will have them ready to play.  

Le Coup d’Omar will take place when Steve returns from Hong Kong. 

Posted by Mets Interim GM The Tank until Steve returns from Hong Kong.

The Mets played a 20 inning classic on Saturday in St. Louis.  Talk about free baseball.

Johan pitched seven scoreless innings and the bull pen was good until the 19th inning.  The Mets took the lead with a sacrifice fly in the 19th.  The bull pen couldn’t hold the save.  (That sounds sadly familiar as the bull pen blew Ollie’s great performance on Friday night.)  Anyway, the Mets won in the 20th. 

The Mets lost on Sunday night 5-3.  Maine only went five innings.  The Mets are 4-8 and lost their first four series for the first time since 1997. 

The Tank’s Bottom Line: You never want to be 4-8.  But, the Mets showed lots of fight on Saturday.  Yes, the manager might NOT be prepared as he admitted earlier in the week and Omar can’t keep his foot out of his mouth.  Are these guys begging to be fired and/or just to incompetent to know better?

There is talk of brining up Ike Davis which I recommended a while back.  As long as the Mets players continue to fight, that’s all you can ask for.  That’s all The Tank can bank on right now. 

Posted by The Tank hoping Steve will return home soon to become the Mets GM.

The Bricks and Nyets thankfully ended their and our suffering this past week.  The real NBA season, the playoffs, begins this weekend and the Bricks and Nyets are on the golf course. 

If LeBron leaves Cleveland this summer, I think the Bricks and Nyets have the best chance as LeBron really loves New York.  LeBron is close with Nyets minority owner Jay-Z.  LeBron is also close to CC Sabbathia, A-Rod, and other Yankees. 

If LeBron makes this decision based on basketball, the Nyets give him the best chance to win.  They have good young players, have the best chance of winning the NBA Draft Lottery, and are way under the cap.  Since the Draft is in late June, LeBron will know his potential future teammate before free agency starts on July 1.  The Knicks have six players coming off the cap, no Lottery pick, but can sign two max players.  But, LeBron is going to need more than that if he wants to win.

As LeBron wants to be a billionaire too, it never hurts to work for a billionaire.  The Nyets are owned by Russian billionaire Mikhail Prokhorov.  Maybe Mr. Prokhorov will give him a board seat in one of his companies.  It doesn’t hurt that the Nyets are headed to Brooklyn and Mr. Prokhorov is “’first NBA owner who can dunk’”.

The Tank’s Bottom Line: It’s hard to say what LeBron will do as he is keeping it close to the vest.  I also think he will decide depending upon if the Cavs win the NBA Championship as I predicted months ago.  If he does, the odds are higher that LeBron will leave Cleveland. 

Posted by The Tank looking forward to the NBA Playoffs.

Phil Hughes looked great in the first inning on Thursday’s game at the Stadium.  He did give up a second inning solo home run to Hideki Matsui.  Matsui got a standing ovation.  Cano tied the game with a solo home run of his own. 

Jeter had a third inning home run to put the Yankees ahead 2-1. 

Granderson nailed Matsui at the plate in the fourth inning.  Johnny Damon couldn’t do that.  Granderson follows with a triple in the bottom of the fourth with a triple.  Yankees 3 – Angels 1.  Jeter double home Granderson later in the inning.  Yankees 4 – Angels 1. 

After my buddy A-Rod doubled to start the bottom of the 5th, Cano hit another home run.  Yankees 6 – Angels 1.  Granderson tripled again.  Wow!  It would have been a home run but the wind was blowing too hard. 

Hughes started the sixth inning.  He was charged for a second run in the sixth inning after Robertson relieved him.  He had five walks but threw over 100 pitches with only three hits.  Outstanding.  Let’s hope he doesn’t get injured like in Texas during the no-hitter in 2007.

The Tank’s Bottom Line: Hughes was able to work out of trouble in the 4th and 5th innings.  That’s the sign of a maturing pitcher.  He could be a #1 or #2 starter in the future if he stays healthy and continues to mature. 

The Yankees took two out of three against the Angels, Rays, and Red Sox.  That’s huge as the Yankees normally start slow.  Just wait till Teixeira starts hitting, knock wood.

Posted by an exciting Tank.