Millions of Americans will barbecue and party on this long Holiday weekend.  The reason that Americans can enjoy these precious freedoms is because of the soldiers, sailors, and airmen who gave their lives for our great country.  We often celebrate athletes as heroes but they pale in comparison to those who serve our country.  Please take some time today to remember the fallen, especially Kathleen’s brother Jimmy.  RIP Jimmy.

 

 

Posted by a somber Tank remembering the Fallen Heroes.

What a beautiful day for a game at the Stadium!  It was about 85 degrees with hardly a cloud in the sky on a lazy Sunday afternoon.  It's a perfect day for baseball!

 

The game was close throughout.  The Indians held a 1-0 lead against AJ and the Yankees through most of the game.

 

The Indians added two in the top of the 7th to make it 3-0.

 

El Capitan had a two run single in the bottom of the seventh to close the gap to 3-2.  Derek is now tied for 9th place on the Yankees RBI list with Don Mattingly with 1,099 RBIs.

 

Granderson doubled to right.  Teixeira hits a three run text message to left.  Yankees 5 - Indians 3.  Mark now has 250 home runs for his career.  Congratulations Mark!

 

A-Rod strikes out to end the inning.  But, the damage was done.

 

AJ comes out for the 8th.  He looked great.  He struck out Austin Kearns on his 114th pitch.

 

45,706 was the official attendance which was announced in between innings.

 

Miranda hit an RBI double in the bottom of the 8th to make it Yankees 6 - Indians 3.  Cervelli sacrificed to right.  Swisher scored.  Yankees 7 - Indians 3.  Jeter grounded out to end the inning.

 

Mariano comes in to get some work in the 9th.

 

Russell Branyan went down swinging.  Jhonny Peralta went down swinging.  Luis Valbuena shattered his bat.  But, Mariano kept his concentration and thankfully got the ball and threw it to Teixeira to end the game.  Yankees win 7- 3.

 

Posted by The Tank reporting live from the Stadium in the Boogie Down Bronx.

Robinson Cano was the clean-up hitter for the first time in his career last night at the Stadium.  It was also historic because it was the first game that Editor in Chief and Perma Guest Outlaw Jack and I attended together at the new seats at the new Stadium.  I normally go with Killer during the season and went with Kai twice in the playoffs.

 

Back to the game.  Cano had a great night including a grand slam in the seventh inning.  The video is here.  HIs grand slam sealed the deal for Phil Hughes and the Yankees who won 8-2.  Hughes was awesome including striking out the first five batters he faced.

 

Posted by an excited Tank reporting live from Yankees Stadium in the Boogie Down Bronx.

Queens native Ron Artest has had an (in)famous NBA career.  It took a bad turn with about a minute left in the Western Conference Finals Game 5 in LA on Thursday night.  Artest got the rebound with about a minute left.  He took an ill advised three point shot and missed.  No need to rush the shot as the shot clock had reset. 

 

The Suns tied the game at 101 with 3.5 seconds left.  After the in bound pass, Kobe took the shot (figures) but missed.  Nooooo!  But, Artest got the rebound and gave the Lakers 103-101 win and a 3 games to 2 series lead.  Yeah!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

The Tank’s Bottom Line: If the Lakers win in Phoenix on Saturday, they go to the Finals to defend their title.  Let’s go Lakers!

 

Posted by The Tank rooting for the Lakers on the road to the Finals (hopefully)!   

Derek Jeter and Mariano Rivera led the Yankees to two wins yesterday.  Jeter had the only run with a solo shot in the continuation of Tuesday’s rain game for a 1-0 win.  Mariano threw 14 pitches and got the save.  He returned a few hours late and got a second save in a 3-2 victory.  Jeter also made another patented Jump Throw to get a key out.

 

Posted by a psyched Tank. 

New York / New Jersey was awarded Super Bowl XLVIII yesterday at the NFL Owners Meeting.  The new Meadowlands Stadium will host the event.  I was at a Lacrosse Exhibition in the first event there last month.  It was cool there in early April so February should be COLD for the first outdoor Super Bowl in cold weather.  But hey, that’s how the game is supposed to be played.  And, it’s a great shot in the arm for the local economy. 

 

Posted by an excited Tank on the hunt for Super Bowl tickets.

Former Mets pitcher Jose Lima died on Sunday at 37 of a heart attack.  He was a fun loving player whose enthusiasm was infectious.  Vin Scully paid a great tribute.

 

Posted by a saddened Tank.

Friday was the first time that I have been to Yankees-Mets at Shea or Citi.  I had always been out of town, or work, or some other reason.  Anyway, since I didn't purchase a Mets ticket plan this season.  So I had to walk up, NOT scalp, a ticket.  Sure enough, there was a ticket available at decent face value.  It speaks to the bad economy and the Mets season.

 

As I went to buy the ticket, I saw Mike Piazza.  He wasn’t doing photos with fans like because he was getting ready for media interviews on the SNY set right in front of the entrance to Citi Field.  Mike is pictured below reading his Blackberry before going on stage.

 

 

Darryl Strawberry was already on stage and he is pictured below.

 

 

I was able to get a photo with the NY NY Sports Sports guys.  We are pictured below.

 

Time to go into Citi Field and get ready for the game.  Congratulations to Vietnam Veteran Joe Romagnoli.  He and his family are seated in Section 118.  Thank you for your service Mr. Romagnoli!

The Yankees threatened in the top of the third.  Cervelli walked.  Russo got his first MLB hit.  Congratulations!  Vasquez laid down a perfect bunt in front of home plate.  Textbook.  He should teach it. 

Captain Eddie Grant born on May 21, 1883.  He was the first MLB player to enlist in WWI.  He was a scholar, athlete, and soldier.  The New York Giants honored their fallen hero with a plaque at the Polo Grounds.  Thank you for your service Captain Grant!  May your memory be eternal!

In the top of the fourth, A-Rod hit an infield single with one out off Takahashi.  Cano doubled to left center.  Swisher struck out swinging.  Darn it!  This is a huge issue for the Yankees not being able to score a running with less than two outs. Cervelli flew out to center.  Double darn!!  Still scoreless after the top of the fourth.       

The Mets get a walk in the bottom of the 5th but that's it.  Pagan breaks up the no hitter with one out in the bottom of the 5th.  Darn it!  Barajas grounds into a double play to end the 5th at 0.

My buddy A-Rod doubled to right with two out in the 6th.  Cano struck out on a 3-2 pitch.  Darn it!

Dessens relieves Takahashi to start the top of the 7th.  Swisher singles to center.  Cervelli hit a bloop to Cora.  Cora overthrew Reyes at second.  Swisher advances to third and Cervelli to second with no out.  Russo doubles to right.  Swisher and Cervelli score.  Yankees 2 - Mets 0.  Vazquez bunted towards third.  Perfect!  An unidentified Yankee fan and I promise to go to Church on Sunday.  Thank God!  Jeter comes up with Russo on third with one out.  Jeter grounds out to Reyes but Russo stays at third.  Darn it!  Come on! 

Ollie Perez comes out of the pen to a chorus of boos to pitch to Brett Gardner.  Ollie should have gone to the minors.  Gardner walks on 3-1.  Teixeira flew out to center.  Yankees 2 - Mets 0 at the 7th Inning Stretch.

David Robertson relieves Vazquez to stay the bottom of 7th.  Winn replaces Russo in left.  Cora hit a shot past A-Rod.  Bay flies out to center.  Marte relieves Robertson.

Davis hit it toward first.  Cervelli's throw hits Davis in the back.  Everyone is safe.  DW comes up with one out and runners at first and second.  Joba comes out of the pen.  Joba struck out DW on 3-2.  Pagan works a 3-2 count but struck out swinging.  Cervelli drops the ball but throws to Teixeira.  Inning and threat over.  Yankees 2 - Mets 0 at the end of 7th.

Nieve starts the 8th.  A-Rod works a leadoff walk.  Feliciano comes in to face Cano.  Cano strikes out.  Swisher flies out to Reyes in deep short.  Cervelli works a 3-2 count but strikes out swinging. 

Barajas comes out to Tupac's "California Love".  Joba strikes him out.  Francoeur grounds out to Jeter.  Carter pinch hits for Feliciano.  Gotta love the theme music of Hulk Hogan's "I am a real American" theme.  Carter flies out to Winn to end the 8th.

Fans start leaving.  Beat the traffic!  Good, I'll get home sooner.

Acots comes out to face Winn.  Winn singles to left.  Miranda pinch hits for Joba.  Miranda works a full count but grounds out into a double play even though Winn started earlier.  Jeter grounds out to Reyes to end the top of the 9th.

Mariano comes out to the top of the Yankee lineup in the 9th.  Reyes flies out to Winn.  Cora grounds out to Mariano.  Bay hits a 1-2 pitch to deep left center.  Davis doubles to deep right center.  Bay scores.  Yankees 2 - Mets 1.  DW grounds out to Cano to end the game.  Yankees win 2-1.     

Posted by an excited Tank reporting live from Citi Field in Queens.

Yesterday's Champions League Final featured Inter Milan and Bayern Munich live from Madrid.

 

I can't believe Bayern dominated ball possession by 69 percent to 31 percent but still got outscored 2-0.  Diego Milito scored the Inter goals in the 35th and 70th minutes.

 

The Tank's Bottom Line: Mourinho probably coached his last game for Inter and maybe Real Madrid's boss next season.  Though I rooted for Bayern, congratulations to Inter!

 

Posted by a disappointed Tank.

Floyd Landis finally admitted to using performance enhancing drugs when he won the tour a few years ago.  Fine.  I don’t know why he did it.  Maybe a book deal, maybe to clear his conscience, or both.  Who knows?

 

But why did he throw his former teammate Lance Armstrong under the bus?  The IOC and WADA want proof.  He better have it or Lance should throw Landis under the proverbial legal bus.

 

Posted by The Tank.