BIG BASEBALL WEEK IN REVIEW: FIVE THINGS WE LEARNED

Major League Baseball in NY and Boston finished up a big week this past week. With The Yankees , Mets, and Red Sox playing against divisional and inter league rivals we witnessed some of the season's most anticipated games to date. Drama, both on and off the field, some great defensive plays, some horrendous defense that may cause a fan to vomit in his mouth, great pitching, terrible pitching, and of a lot of offense.

Here is what we learned:

1.The Red Sox have, hands down, the deepest, most effective bullpen in the AL and, probably, all of baseball. Led by Jonathan Papelbon, the Sox bullpen leads the majors in ERA. With the likes of Manny Delcarmen, Hideki Okajima, Takashi Saito, Jusitn Masterson, and Daniel Bard and his 100 mph fastball with movement, the Sox bullpen shortens the game and puts pressure on the opposition to score early and hold a lead going into the latter innings of the game. With a starting rotation that boasts Josh Beckett and Jon Lester at the top, the Sox depth at pitching cannot be matched. This week will more than likely mark the arrival of John Smoltz to the Sox. And, let's not forget Clay Buchholz lying in the weeds at Pawtucket.

2. The Yankees starting pitching and bullpen have alot to do to catch up with the Sox. AJ Burnett has been a huge disappointment especially against the Red Sox. He blew a 6 run lead in April and couldn't get out of the third inning last week. CC Sabathia pitched well, but tired during an epic 10 pitch at bat versus Dustin Pedroia. Joba Chamberlain can't get on the same page as his catcher and took 100 pitches to get through 4 innings. Chin Ming Wang looks lost and Andy Pettitte continues to show his age.

3. Joe Girardi's moves as manager become more and more curious and questionable. Going into Boston, he set up the rotation to start Wang, coming off a foot injury from last year. He did not go to Mo in the 8th inning vs. Boston while the Yanks had a lead, yet brought in the future HOF pitcher in the 8th inning during a tie game during the Subway Series. He brought in Brett Gardner to pinch run yet chooses to bunt him the speedster to second as opposed to calling for a steal. Playing for a tie on the road is a questionable move at best. Terry Francona continues to show MLB he is one of the elite managers in the game today. Girardi, the Manager of the Year while in Florida, continues to come up small on the big stage as the Yanks continue to look for their first win vs. Boston in 2009, after dropping the first eight games of the season .

4. The Mets have an uncanny ability to steal defeat from the jaws of victory yet show remarkable resilience and continue to hang around in the standings. After the gut wrenching loss on Friday night on Luis Castillo's mind numbing error , the Mets found a way to win with a minor league call up on Saturday. With injuries to Delgado, Reyes, Putz, Maine, and Perez, the Mets have almost $50 million in payroll sitting on sidelines. With all their injuries, the Metropolitans are only one game out of the Wild Card and 4 behind the Phillies. Had Castillo caught AROD's pop up on Friday night the Mets would have gone 3-3 last week; a huge accomplishment given the competition faced and the state of their health. This much is for sure: it is hard to see the Mets contending for a playoff spot if they cannot get a big bat and/or starting pitcher to fill the voids left behind. With Johan Santana's velocity falling faster than the stock market, the Mets look like a boxer who has been staggered with a left hook and praying for the bell.

5. The Subway Series continues to provide NY fans with drama and fodder for sports talk shows. On or off the field, the teams continue to perpetuate the rivalry. Even the players are getting into it. Brian Bruney, the oft injured middle reliever, called out Met closer Franky Rodriguez for his post game antics. It all came to a head on Sunday when the two had to be separated by teammates. One wonders if Bruney also took Joba Chamberlain to task for his antics every time he strikes out an opposing batter.

All in all, the Sox came out of the week with the most impressive performance. They went 5-1 vs. NY and Philly. With an improving pitching staff and prospects to deal, if necessary, they are primed to make another run at the WS. Meanwhile the Yankees continue with a $200 million payroll yet still seem to be several pieces away from solving the puzzle. And speaking of puzzles, Omar Minaya still continues to look for solutions to an ever increasing myriad of problems that be-fall the snake bitten Mets.

-- Steve

Sox/Yanks The Good, The Bad, The Ugly

The third series of the year between the arch rival Red Sox and Yankees commenced last night. The first game pitted $82 million Free Agent AJ Burnett vs. Sox ace Josh Beckett. The Sox won the game 7-0, making the season series record 6-0 in favor of the Boys from Beantown. It was the first time the Yanks were shut out this year.

Beckett dominated while Burnette imploded. Someone forgot to tell the former Blue Jay to show up. Burnette yielded 10 base runners, including 5 walks, and 5 runs ( 3 earned in 2 2/3 innings). The Sox got 4 runs in the second inning thanks to David Ortiz' third home run of the year. An error by AROD allowed a potential double play ball place runners at first and second. JD Drew hit a wall ball driving in 2 more; the game was, in effect, over. After being pulled, Burnette took his frustrations out on a water cooler- kicking it, in an ugly display of anger. Perhaps such intensity could have been saved for the Sox hitters.

Beckett meanwhile improved to 7-2 and lowered his ERA to 3.77 He is 5-0 with a 1.70 ERA since May 5, and in his last four starts he is 3-0 with a 0.31 ERA. Beckett is, more and more, returning to his 2007 form. Beckett along with baseball's best bullpen held the vaunted Yankee offense to 2 hits.

Chien Ming Wang faces knuckleballer Tim Wakefield tonight. The series finishes up tomorrow with Brad Penny going against $162 million "Free Agent" CC Sabathia. Although there are 2/3 of the season remaining, the Yankees are looking at what amounts to the closest thing to "must wins" the next two games. The two teams will not face each other again for two months. Another series loss to the Sox will certainly have the Yankee brass' bowels in an uproar.

- Steve

Brady on Cover of SI again- OH NO?!

Tom Brady was on the cover of SI last year just prior to the season. He proceeded to blow his knee out on a questionable hit by The Chief's Bernard Pollard. Although the Pats managed a very good record of 11-5 they failed to make the playoffs. The bad news is Brady is back on SI's cover. The good news is Tom Brady appears to be back and if he is WATCH OUT NFL!
Once the future HOF QB went down last season the balance of power was said to have shifted. The Jets, with antique QB Brett Favre, were supposed to win the AFC. Unfortunately the Dolphins dashed both the Pats and Jets dreams.
This year Brady seems determined to prove to the league once again his greatness. The sixth round draft pick is accustomed to having doubters and nay- sayers about his abilities. This season, assuming a healthy receiving corps headed by Randy Moss and Wes Welker, along with other added offensive weapons in Fred Taylor, Joey Galloway, Fred Taylor and a healthy Laurence Maroney, and a versatile Kevin Faulk, the Pats are pissed off and poised to make another run at the Big Prize.
With a younger defense short on linebackers, the Pats may just have to bludgeon teams to death as they did two years ago when the entire NFL whined about them " running up scores".
With a younger more athletic defensive backfield the Pats hope to re-capture a Dominating Defense, confusing opponent's QBs along the way. Jarod Mayo is coming off a stellar season and the Pats will be counting on him to lead the "D" along with the likes of Richard Seymour, Vince Wilfork , and Tedy Bruschi.
We still have a long way to go before NFL season heats up but look out world Brady is Back.

Has Papi Lost His "Pop"?

In 2005 David Ortiz was given a plaque from Larry Lucchino, Red Sox President and CEO. The plaque read:"The Greatest Clutch Hitter in the History of the Boston Red Sox, David Ortiz, #34."

Since his arrival in Boston in 2003, Big Papi has hit 231 HRs with 820 RBIs. He has thrilled the Fenway Faithful with numerous game winning hits and has been a formidable foe in the Sox line-up.
A force to be reckoned with.
In 2004 Oriz hit Game winning home runs in game 3 of the ALDS versus Anaheim ( actually a series winning HR). He followed that up with a game winning extra inning blast in game 4 of the ALCS vs. the Yankees to become the first player in MLB history to hit two walk off HRs in the same post season. That victory put in motion the chain of events that led to the precedent setting historic series come back from the brink of elimination. Game 5 of the '04 ALCS presented Papi with another opportunity to chisel out his legacy. His epic 10th inning, 10 pitch at bat ended with a single which plated Johnny Damon with the game winning run.

A legend was born and thrived for the ensuing 4 years.

Until this year Ortiz has more than lived up to his "clutch" hitting reputation. From 2003- 2008 seasons with the Sox, he has 16 walk off hits, including 10 homers. His reputation and place in Red Sox and MLB history have, like the bricks at the front gates to Fenway Park, been cemented into immortality.

But, alas, a wrist injury incurred last season, coupled with the departure of Manny Ramirez, have left Papi with no "pop". Ortiz played in only 109 games last season with 23 Home runs and 89 RBI's. Papi entered the 2009 season, looking leaner and determined to show the world he could still hit without the dread locked doofus Ramirez protecting him in the lineup. Thus far, in 35 games, the big fella has a paltry 27 hits with zero home runs and 15 RBIs. It all came to a head last week in Anaheim when a miserable 0-for-7 performance, leaving 12 men on base, tying a Red Sox record. This led to manager Terry Francona giving the DH the entire weekend series against Seattle off to refresh and reflect.

Last night his offensive struggles continued- going 0-3 with 2 K's, watching his batting average fall to 203.

The question now becomes: Is Big Papi finished? Has he fallen faster than guys like Cecil Fielder, Mo Vaughn, and Jim Rice? Has his swing slowed to a snail's pace making him incapable of getting around on the inside fastball? Has his swing gotten too long? What do Theo Epstein et. al. do with Ortiz? None of the options is pleasant. Placing him lower in the lineup. A stint with Pawtucket and former hitting coach Ron Jackson? Trade for another DH? Victor Martinez of the Indians and The National's Nick Johnson have been involved in trade whispers. It's not like Ortiz has no protection in the lineup. Jason Bay, Boston's cleanup hitter, has been on fire this season with 11 HRs, 40 RBIs batting almost 300 with an OPS of 1.054.

For now Red Sox management seem willing to stick with #34. I'm inclined to do the same. The guy has produced too much for too long. Too often, in the sports community we as fans and media are quick to the trigger to either anoint a rookie as "the next great superstar" or an aging veteran as "finished". Remember Mike Lowell. Everyone said he was washed up to the point where The Marlins forced him on The Sox in the Beckett trade. Since arriving in Boston Lowell has been all All Star and -oh by the way- won the World Series MVP in 2007.

I'll stick with Big Papi. After all he has contributed to the Sox I think we the fans owe him a little loyalty..... but Theo- let's also keep that cell phone charged just in case.
- Steve

ELLSBURY STEALS SHOW IN SOX SWEEP OF YANKS

The first series of the year between baseball's biggest rivals, The Red Sox and the Yankees is now history. The Sox swept the series, winning each game in unique come from behind fashion.
The first two games of the series were of epic proportions. Game one saw Mariano Rivera, baseball's greatest closer, blow a two run lead with two out in the ninth when Jason Bay took him to one of the deepest and highest parts of Fenway. Rivera's body English was not enough to prevent Bay's shot from clearing the 37 foot high green monster in dead center field. Kevin Youkilis' walk off home run in the eleventh secured the victory.

Game two's pitching match up, Beckett versus Burnett, had all the makings of a low scoring pitcher's duel. Apparently no one told neither the pitchers nor the hitters of either team. Both pitchers gave up eight runs. Burnett, the Yanks $88 million dollar off season FA pick up squandered a 6-0 lead. It was the largest deficit the Sox overcame against the Yanks since 1968. The game see- sawed back and forth with the Yank bull-pen fully imploding and the Sox ultimately tagging the Yankee's beleaguered bullpen ( the third worst in baseball ) for an additional 10 runs,leading to a 16-11 final.

With the Yanks desperately needing to salvage a win, Andy Pettitte was sent to the mound against Red Sox youngster Justin Masterston.The Sox versatile slingshot submariner out-dueled Pettitte while Jacoby Ellsbury stole home in a straight out steal. An inexcusable mistake for the Yankees inasmuch as catcher Jorge Posada specifically warned Pettitte to keep an eye on the Sox Speedster. Couple that with the fact that JD Drew, a lefthanded batter, allowed Posada a clear view of the runner, made the theft of home even more unlikely. Ellsbury is by far the fastest Red Sox this writer has ever seen and is yet another product of the Sox fertile farm system which continues to produce quality MLB players.

This series exposed the Yankees biggest weakneess and The Sox biggest strength: their respective bullpens. The Sox pen leads the majors with a 2.57 ERA. In the last 37.1 innings
Red Sox relievers have allowed a measly 5 earned runs leading the team to its current 10 game win streak . The Yanks on the other hand have the third worst bullpen in MLB.

These are not our father's Red Sox my friends. Pitching, Defense, and Speed are now key components in Boston's philosophical approach to the game.

Manny who?

Yes, we still have a long way to go in the season, and Sox fans are realistic about the formidable foes in the division, but things certainly have changed since their 2-6 start.

- Steve

YANKS VS SOX-- ROUND ONE THIS WEEKEND- JOBA "JUICED"

The first of 18 regular season "holy wars" between the Red Sox and Yankees begins this weekend at the Fenway Park, baseball's great green grand cathedral. Compelling pitching match ups are lined up for all three games kicking off with game one's match up between Justin "Joba" Chamberlain and Jon Lester. Both teams enter the early season series with identical 9-6 records; the Red Sox having won their last seven in a row, and the Yanks coming off a 14 inning win against Oakland on Melky Cabrera's two run home run.

The series is already heating up with "Cops" star, admitted drunk driver, and New York Chamber of Commerce member Joba "The Hut" Chamberlain, and Sox slugger, David Ortiz.
Big Papi has taken exception the Joba's headhunting of Kevin Youkilis. "None of that, man -- just play the game the way it's supposed to be, and that's about it," Big Papi was quoted as saying between games of a doubleheader yesterday. People in NY think Ortiz needs to pipe down. WRONG!

In the past two years, Chamberlain has shown he is nothing more than the cowardly lion pictured above when pitching against one of the Sox premier hitters. Youkilis, a 2008 AL MVP candidate , is hitting a torrid 429 with four home runs and 958 OBP, and who's head has been a favorite target of Chamberlain's. Joba, you may recall was suspended back in 2007 for twice throwing at Youk's head on successive pitches.

He continued his gutless antics last year versus the Sox first baseman. Hey, no-one denies Youk has a rather large dome and "pitching inside" is part of the game the Yankees pitching staff has forgotten over the past few years but, please - no head hunting.

One hopes Joba exercises better judgement in his pitch selection this weekend, than he did in October 2008, in Lincoln Nebraska, when he decided to get behind the wheel of his 2006 BMW after a night of heavy drinking. A bottle of Crown Royal, 3/4 empty,was found on the front seat of the car and Joba pleaded guilty to DUI.

Over the past several years Ortiz has been a Yankee killer and many have questioned the lack of intestinal fortitude of the Yank pitchers to pitch inside. The pinstripe philosophy has changed and more batters are being brushed off the plate. All well and good but anyone who throws at a specific batter's head as frequently as Chamberlain has with Youkilis is looking for trouble.

Any headhunting will DEFINITELY not be tolerated by the Sox staff. The Sox have been pitching inside and intimidating opposing hitters for the past several seasons, leading to two World Series Championships.

Is a sober Joba willing to take the heat if he beans a Bo-sox player then sees one of his hitters go down when a Beckett 95 mph fastball winds up in Mark Teixeira's earhole?

Show some guts and good judgement Joba: pitch (and drive) responsibly. Oh yeah-- one more thing-- lay off Yogi Berra's height- he may be small is size but you will never reach the heights he has realized in baseball history. Think about that while you're pouring that next bottle of booze down your throat....

Let the games begin.

-Steve

"STARTING N-Y-N-E" Next Show on April 26 at 9 pm

Hey-- don't forget our next show is on Sunday April 26th. We'll be on for two hours from 9-11 PM EST. We are on WGBB 1240 AM in NY or on the web at: http://www.sportsradiony.com/

Click on the "listen now" graphic at the top of the sportsradiony link and check us out. Call us up at and take us on at (631) 888- 8811 to talk New York and New England Sports.
Our guests will include:
Ralph Vacchiano of The NY Daily News, we'll talk a little NFL draft, Big Blue, and NFL topics. Additionally Brian Monzo from WFAN and contributing blogger to www.snyrangers.com
will join us to discuss the NHL playoffs and the Rangers. Looks like a great show- we'll see you on the radio......
-Steve

CLASS-LESS CANADIAN FANS BOO U.S. NATIONAL ANTHEM

The resurgent Boston Bruins are one game away from moving to the second round of the NHL playoffs. Last night the Bruins fought off Montreal's initial onslaught, overcoming a one goal deficit and ultimately winning 4-2 . Chuck Kobasew iced the game with a last minute empty net goal which sent the unruly, disgraceful Montreal fans homes to a well deserved night of misery. Fans flooded the exit gates after the 4th goal and are now looking at a three game to none deficit against their arch rival Bruins.



The behavior of the classless Montreal fans came early- before the game as a matter of fact. The Montreal fans once again booed the US National Anthem as it played. It has become customary for Montreal fans to BOO the anthem of our great country before all playoff games against the Bruins.... Where does this animosity come from? What ever happened to the graceful, classy Canadian players and fans? The link below is from a game in Montreal a few years back but the message is the same- disrespect the US our neighbors to the south--


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g2qFfuLy_fs


Sac re bleu Mon Ami!!! ( Is that how you spell that?)



Perhaps no-one needs to look further than the photo above or click the link to another YouTube video below to find an answer as to why Montreal cannot hold a stick- no pun intended -to the US and its cities like Boston and New York.

Don Cherry a Canadian citizen and hockey analyst who once coached the B's understands the class of the Boston sports fan, "sticks it " the Canadian fans:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7TxpxFqAV4I&feature=related





Lets' face it the guys in the photo will not be bringing the potato salad to the next Mensa meeting. I wonder where they got those really cool hats....... ( Mensa is an organization of people from every walk of life whose IQ is in the top 2% of the population of the world)





I guess one cannot expect much from a country who's second most popular sport behind hockey involves two nitwits with brooms sweeping ice so that a rock can glide to its intended destination. Who the hell ever thought Curling was a sport to begin with? The Maids of Montreal?
Hey Montreal it looks like it may be time to go cry in your Maple syrup.
Hey-- don't forget our next show is on Sunday April 26th. We'll be on for two hours from 9-11 PM EST. We are on WGBB 1240 AM in NY or on the web at: http://www.sportsradiony.com/
Click on the "listen now" graphic at the top of the sportsradiony link and check us out. Call us up at and take us on at (631) 888- 8811 to talk New York and New England Sports.

Our guests will include:Ralph Vacchiano of The NY Daily News, we'll talk a little NFL draft, Big Blue, and NFL topics. Additionally Brian Monzo from WFAN and contributing blogger to www.snyrangers.comwill join us to discuss the NHL playoffs and the Rangers. Looks like a great show- we'll see you on the radio....

- Steve

CITI FIELD: “SHEA" OR “NAY” ?

The Mets ushered in a new era in the history of their franchise when the gates were finally opened for the first regular season game at the new $ 800+ million dollar Citi –Field this week. The new Mets’ home is beautiful and has many of the modern amenities now found in the new “modern retro look stadium”. Wide open concourses, every concession from hot dogs, to sushi, to “five-star” restaurants. HD televisions are everywhere. Brand new bathrooms into which one may enter and use without fear of contracting an illness are now available.

To be sure the stadium is a huge upgrade and big difference from Shea Stadium. Ebbetts Field was used as a starting point to design the new digs. Citi-field is a place that Met fans can be proud of—that’s if they can afford a ticket a snack and maybe a souvenir. With an average cost of a family of four of almost $260, or an increase of over 3% from last year, one has to wonder how many families in an economic downfall will make such a commitment of their entertainment dollar. Sadly, even the home opener against San Diego was about 1000 short of a sell out. Opening day, in a new park, and not even a sell out? What does that say about the economic conditions and ticket prices?

I had an opportunity to be at Citi-Field for the first of two exhibition games versus the Red Sox.
A beautiful facility to be sure but there are many new features to the park that have this writer scratching his head.

Fans enter the park through the Jackie Robinson rotunda: a beautifully designed homage to the first African American to cross the color barrier in MLB. Pictures of Robinson adorn the walls and a huge “42” is on display in front of which many fans have their photo taken. I think remembering Robinson’s feat- as MLB has done by retiring his number throughout the majors - is a tribute which Robinson has obviously earned. Robinson’s achievement was truly remarkable and its impact on baseball and American culture cannot be ignored nor overstated. My question is: why would the Mets have the entrance of their new facility dedicated to a player who never played in a Met uniform? Where are the tributes to the likes of Gil Hodges, Tom Seaver, Tommy Agee, Darryl Strawberry, Doc Gooden and other Mets who actually contributed to World Series championships? The only tribute I saw to actual former Metropolitans was a series of banners hanging from the wall outside of the park to the right of the rotunda entrance, shown in the photo above.

The park has an inordinately high number of seats with “blind spots” or obstructed views of the playing field. One would think with the all the modern technology used such as CAD ( Computer Aid Design) to design new buildings, that each seat would have a view of the entire playing area. For the price a fan pays, shouldn’t the whole field be in view?

Another problem I have with the Stadium is that nothing really “brands” the park as the home of the Mets (except if you want to count the new HR apple and portion of the old score board which is located atop a concession stand in deep center field.)
All the seats are green. One sees orange and black on the outfield wall – the colors of the former NY and current SF baseball Giants. No-where does one see the colors of orange and blue- the Mets colors.

Nooks, crannies, and planned peculiarities of the playing area are now part of all new parks and Citi Field is no different. The right field area ( check out the video) where the field juts out and the wall rises at about a 40 degree angle goes straight then falls about 40 degrees as well as the color of an advertisement matching the color of the orange line trimming the top of the wall will make HR calls a challenge! There are also many small poles in that area which the ball can hit and carom in a million different ways. To me it’s too much “trickeration”. The right field second level harkens back to the old Tiger stadium where porch actually hangs over the field of play. A ball hitting the façade in that area can bounce off and back into play – it is not a HR.

I did not have the chance to buy any concessions as the lines for food were waaay too long. The five star restaurant looked like it had empty seats though. By the way, when did the American pastime go from $10 seats and a hot dog to $250 seats and five star restaurants?

Is Citi-field an upgrade over Shea? Of course – at a cost of over $800 million much of which is taxpayer dollars—it should be. Could it have been designed better with the average fan, the backbone of baseball in mind? Absolutely!

To that we say: "Pay ball"! Errrrr Play Ball!

-- Steve

Starting NYNE 3-22

Paul, Alex and Steve cover the WBC and Red Sox with Boston Herlad columnist Sean McAdam. Then switch over to some NCAA Tournament talk to finish out the show. Click here to listen to last night's show.

WBC- It May Not Mean Much To Fans, But It Does To Players

One of the best scenes you could see on a baseball diamond occurred 3 days ago. Team USA squared off against Team Puerto Rico. The same Team Puerto Rico that mercy ruled the boys in Red, White and Blue the previous game. But this was a new game although Team USA was staring down the barrel of another loss to Puerto Rico.

With his team down by a run and on the brink of elimination, David Wright strolled to the plate in the bottom of the 9th, with the bases loaded. Wright proceeded to drop a single directly down the right field line, scoring 2 runs and advancing the USA into the Semi-Finals of the WBC.

The players rushed the field as if they had just won the World Series. It was dog piles galore. And I'm sure every owner from every team those players were on, let out a collective gasp when the ruckus ensued.

Alot of people around baseball and a majority of baseball fans don't seem to care much for the WBC. I've been wondering, why? In the picture above, it shows 4 players celebrating victory. Those 4 players are David Wright(a Met), Shane Victorino(a Phillie), Derek Jeter(a Yankee) and Kevin Youkilis(a Red Sock). Only because of the WBC would you ever see this happen. Players from teams who quite literally hate each other, jumping up and down like little leaguers for one cause. But unfortunately for the players, they had only themselves to celebrate with. Only 30,000 fans attended this game and although the majority were face painted with red, white and blue colors, it was for Puerto Rico. Kevin Youkilis to notice of this:

“I don’t think we have enough pride in this,” Youkilis said yesterday at Team USA’s workout. “It’s kind of a sad day - and I know it’s a tough time (economically) to buy tickets - when you see that. I don’t think there’s as much pride in the USA as there is for these other countries. There was a whole section of Dominican fans (Sunday) night just here to watch baseball. I think we’re losing a little bit of pride for, quote, ‘America’s national pastime.’ ”

Youkilis went on to say:

“It definitely hurts a little bit to know that you’re always the away team in your own country,” he said. “There are some good people out there, but it would be nice to have a lot more of those people chanting ‘USA,’ holding up American flags. That’s the one thing we didn’t see much of the other night - there were more Puerto Rican flags than American (flags).”

Hopefully, after such a dramatic win and such an exuberant celebration, these players will get the fans they deserve.

-Alex

The Steroid Era: Blame This One on the Players and the MLBPA

Many of baseball historians will tell you the sport has evolved in the past century and can be broken down into different eras. The Dead-ball Era, “The Pre Jackie Robinson Era” the time period before African Americans were allowed into MLB , The WW II era during this period many of the sport's greatest players, including Joe Dimaggio and Ted Williams went off to fight in the war while in the prime of their careers. In 1968 Bob Gibson recorded a 1.12 era the lowest ever for any pitcher pitching 300 or more innings in a year. The following year the mound was lower thus decreasing the pitcher’s advantage. Now we are stuck with The Steroid era.
This era I blame on the players. Previous eras were not in the players control. Societal factors and rule changes incorporated by MLB forced all players to play “on the same level playing field”, and the statistics of those eras were by products of the influences outside the players control.

But steroids are different- no-one was putting a gun to these guys’ heads to take a needle and stick it in their behind. Players voluntarily looked for and administered these performance enhancing drugs to increase their chance to make it to the big leagues, inflate their stats, and cash in. Anyone using steroids after 1991- yes-1991violated the edict sent out by Fay Vincent, placing steroids on the banned substance list.

I fell in love with the game of baseball in 1967 - the “Impossible Dream” season of the Boston Red Sox,when a guy named Carl Yastrzemski – “ Big Yaz Bread” as we called him- was winning a Triple Crown and carrying the Sox single handedly on his back

The first memories I have of watching any sporting event are from the second to last game of that season when Sox and Twins tangled for the AL title It must have been a big deal I was almost seven; my bigger brother all my uncles, my grandfather and even my mother ans sisters were watching it.

The Sox were a game behind the Twins and needed to win the last two games of the season and pray for a Detroit loss to win the AL pennant. Yaz went 7 for 8 in those last 2 games with a HR and 6 RBIs. Even though the Sox went on to lose the WS to Bob Gibson and Cardinals in 7 games against I was hooked on baseball.

For my First Holy Communion gift I had to have a baseball uniform. I wore it every time we would play pick up games. I probably looked rlike a real idiot but I didn;t care I was Yaz in that uniform!

Since then I have gone to hundreds of games , burned away hours of emotional energy. and spent enough money on tickets, MLB merchandise, tv game packages, and other MLB licensed products to fund the payroll of a small market team.

Much of Baseball’s heritage and history is in its records and numbers. More so than any other sport Now In the midst of this steroid era, with the all the records being challenged and broken by cheaters like Barry Bonds Mark McGire Roger Clemens, and now AROD I think it’s fair to say that you and I- the fan- have been “Bernie Maddoffed”


We’ve been victims of a fraud perpetuated by the players, owners, the Players union and those two crooks who run the union Gene Orza and that fat pant load Donald Fehr.

Chicks dug the long ball so everyone looked the other way when HR numbers were escalating at rate faster than my 401 (k) is plunging. We fans were duped by the great HR race of 1998 featuring Sammy Sosa and Mark McGwire who now doesn’t want talk about the past.

Bonds going on trial for perjury pertaining to steroid testimony is our new HR king. Clemens was supposed to be the greatest pitcher of his generation is looking at a similar fate. Now AROD, who was supposed to be the guy to put a clean face on the sacred HR record has admitted to using steroids. I don’t know about you but I as a fan am pretty ticked and feel like I have been screwed and ripped off by MLB- now MLB’s credibility ranks right up there with that of professional wrestling. At least with wrestling everyone knows it’s staged.

Bernie Madoff and mlb: two peas in a pod

Somehow those day from 1967 seem even longer ago than they really are and for that I am really pissed off. I want a refund! Mr. Obama, can you send me a stimulus check and bail me out too?
- Steve

Starting NYNE show February 22

This past week's show featured a special bonus hour of "The Starting NYNE". WIth Paul and Alex, two keys members of the team, out due to illness Steve Rogan and Mike Carver welcomed in special guest host Tom Goren to join the show for the evening.

To listen to the show click here:

http://www.carverradioproductions.blogspot.com

In the first hour the guys went back and forth on the AROD steroid story and included clips from the press conference he held at Yankee camp. Chris Carlin of SNY, pre and post game host for the Mets broadcasts this year, and co-host of Loudmouths and Beer Money joined the program to talk about AROD as well as the upcoming Met and Yankee seasons.

In the second hour the guys talked a little NCAA hoops and the upcoming Tournament in March. Dave Goren, 2008 North Carolina Sportscaster of the Year and NCAA expert chimed him with his opinion of the potential final four, dark horses, and possible players of the year.

In the second half of the hour the guys played a little "on-board/over-board". During this segment current topics are mentioned and each member of the "NYNE" either agree or disagree. Complete with sound effects from our crack engineer MIke Carver, the segment is always informative and fun.

Steve and Mike would like to extend a special thanks to Tom and his brother Dave for coming on the show on such short notice. The NYNE is looking forward to getting Paul and Alex back snd being at full strength on March 8th, the date of their next show.

Steelers The Best This Year; But Have They Transplanted The Pats as "The Team of the Decade"?

As the curtain of the NFL 2008 season has fallen for the last time (not including the Pro-bowl which garners as much interest as C-Span re-runs) we are left pondering an incredible finish to a Super-bowl which gives the Pittsburgh Steelers an unprecedented Sixth Championship ring.
Kudos and congratulations to the Steelers, its coaching staff, the Rooney family and the city of Pittsburgh.
With the sixth Superbowl win, Pittsburgh now holds sole claim to the team with the most victories in the Big Game. The greatest team in NFL history? If the sole criterion is number of SB victories then of course The Steelers have to be on the short list. One could not complain if such claims were made by the Pittsburgh faithful and pundits far and wide.

Now I see there are writers, who obviously have nothing left to write about, crowning the men of Steel as the greatest Team of this decade prying the Patriots away from the top spot.

The decade began in 2001 ( not 2000 as the rest of the world would like to mistakenly believe) and still has two years to NFL seasons to go before it is over. Since the 2001 season let’s begin with the most obvious facts:
1. The Patriots have won 3 Super-bowls the Steelers have won 2. The Pats won back to back titles.
2. The Patriots have been to 5 AFC Championship games of which they won 4. ( Only loss was to Indianapolis). They also appeared in 4 Superbowls and won 3.
3. The Steelers have been to 4 AFC CHampionship games and went 2-2 in the same time span. Since Heinz Field has opened the Steelers are 1-2 in AFC Championship games.
4. Of the 4 AFC Championship games won by the Pats, 2 were won against Pittsburgh IN Pittsburgh. The second win was a blow-out by the Pats.
5. What a difference a year makes; last year the Pats went 18-0 before losing to the Giants in the SB and The Steelers bowed out of the Playoffs in the first round to the Jaguars.
6. OH yeah- let’s not forget the regular season........ in 2003-2004 the Pats won 18 games in a row- in 2006-2007 they broke their own record by winning 19 in a row, This accomplishment after the Pats had lost Romeo Crennel and Charlie Weis- the Defensive and Offensive coordinators through the 2004 season.
7. Since 2001 season the Pats have won 97 games in the regular season- a winning percentage of 76% and the Steelers have won 85 games or 66%.

8. The Pats have made the post season 6 times with as record of 14-3 while The Steelers have gone to the post season with an 8-2 record.

The best team in NFL history? The Steelers have won the most SB’s and should be considered the elite franchise in the historical context of the league- but this decade? Puh-lease can we wait until the end of the decade and objectively look at the numbers. Right now The Pats are without question, still the Team of the Decade.

PS- For all the "Patriots Cheated" readers let’s remember that the Steelers of the 70's have already been "outed" as to using steroids- perhaps all teams used steroids back then. But at the same time we know many teams also illegally videotaped other teams.

- Steve

Steve "The Greek's" Superbowl Pick

Well, at long last the day of The Big Game is within striking distance. After NBC's 6 hour pregame of "happy horse manure" the game is due to kick off at about 6:30. I'll tune in at 6:25 and skip all the nonsense filler stories including the obligatory "rags to riches" or "player who raised 14 brothers and sisters because both parents were crack addicts" human interest stories.

Countless hours of pouring over minutia and obscure stats that will convince us of who will win the game. Even President Obama will be part of the pre-game. I'm already "Obama'd out". Get on with the game already!

As a Patriot fan I would love to the Steelers lose to the upstart Cardinals. On my list of "hatred for NFL teams", the Steelers rank third behind the Jets and the Colts. Unfortunately, I think the Steelers win this game.

The game is a classic "Big Offense" against "Big Defense" game. Kurt Warner has played this type of Superbowl game before in 2001 when his heavily favored Rams fell to the Patriots. I think one can say the offense from the greatest show on turf has to be considered batter in overall talent and depth than Arizona's. Even with Larry Fitzgerald, Anquan Boldin and the remaining weapons in the Cardinal arsenal, I would have to give the nod to the Ram's offense of Marshall Faulk , Isaac Bruce, Torii Holt and others.

I just think the Steelers defense is too good. In 2001 the Pats chose to blitz Warner sparingly. It would not surprise me at all if the Steelers to adopt a similar approach, play more cover defenses and blitzing less than they normally do. Warner torched the Philly blitz in the first half of the NFC Championship game. After half time adjustments the Cards had three straight 3 and outs before the game winning drive.

History has shown us that great defenses can take away any offense's biggest weapon. Look for Larry Fitzgerald, Anquan Boldin and Stephen Breaston to get pounded in " bone crushing" fashion anytime Troy Polamulo, Ryan Clark or any of the other beasts on the Steelers "D" have the chance. Remember it was Clark that sent Willis McGahee off in a stretcher in the Championship game and nearly decapitated Wes Welker earlier this year.

All indications are is that Big Ben will be good to go health wise. In his first Superbowl Rothlisberger passes went 9-21 and he had a downright awful game. I'm sure he remembers that and has something to prove this time around. Although Hines Ward is iffy with a bum knee, Santonio Holmes and Willie Parker are poised to step up. Look for TE Heath Miller to have a big game for Pittsburgh. It kills me to say it but, if I were a betting man, I would say the Steelers win by at least 10 points 27-17.

Enjoy the game and see you next week. Oh by the way, on our radio show last week Paul and Mike each had Arizona winning the game outright and Alex had Pittsburgh winning but not covering. Just wanted to get that on the record.

Come Monday, we'll see who "The Greek" really is.

- Steve

Joe Airs Yank's Dirty Laundry

OK. So maybe you have been under rock for the last couple of days and haven't heard. "The Yankee Years", a book written by Joe Torre and Tom Verducci, is due to on book store shelves Tuesday, February 3.
In it, Joe seems to air the dirty laundry of that classy Steinbrenner empire known as The New York Yankees. Joe takes swipes at everyone from Brian Cashman to AROD. In the book Joe claims that players on the team had a myriad of issues with star players. A-ROD is referred to as "A-FRAUD" by many of his teammates, according to Saint Joe- and that's just the beginning. Joe claims Brian Cashman, Yankee GM and Steinbrenner buffoon, hung him out to dry (oops another laundry reference) when it was time to negotiate the skipper's new contract. Joe also says everyone on the team hated Carl Pavano. How could they? Carl was never around, spending nearly his entire Yankee "career" on the DL, appearing in only 57 games over four years. Pavano must have been a real pr*ck to have earned such scorn in such a small time frame.
Seems that Joe's doctor also told old Georgie Porgie that Joe had prostate cancer before he told Joe. AHHHH! Yankee class and tradition! Oh, to don the Pinstripes!

All this has us asking one question: "Why"? With all the money Joe has earned in his career, why would a guy perceived to be a "player's manager" and always told his players and the media

"everything stays in the clubhouse" write the book? What's an extra million bucks or so to one of MLB's highest paid managers in its history?

I wonder if Joe ever read his own book he wrote a few year back entitled:
Joe Torre's Ground Rules for Winners: 12 Keys to Managing Team Players, Tough Bosses, Setbacks, and Success written by Joe Torre and Henry Dreher.

Who knows what's true and what's not. I guess we'll have to wait for the book to come out. One thing is for sure. It is a brilliant marketing campaign launched by the publisher to leak juicy tid-bits then launch the sale of the book two days after the Superbowl. Hardly a coincidence, wouldn't you say? I bet A-ROD et. al. are looking forward to their first day of spring training when The Bronx Zoo hits Florida. I know I can't.
-- Steve

Starting NYNE 1-25

Click here to check out the Starting NYNE's newest episode that aired on 1-25. Paul, Alex and Steve talk with WFAN's Ed Coleman about the Mets moves so far and the moves they have yet to make. Then the guys switch to football and tackle the Superbowl and the Jets recent hiring of coach Rex Ryan.

NFL Championship Sunday is Upon Us

Alas! The bittersweet day known as "Championship Sunday" is upon us. This is truly the last "real" Sunday for the NFL. The final four teams will be reduced to two by the end of Sunday night and we will be left with the Super bowl remaining. Rumor has it the pregame show for The Big Game will begin Monday at 8AM.

After all the workouts, training camp, games, all the plays, the injuries, upsets, and drama ( both on and off the field ) we are left with an improbable matchup in the NFC if Philly vs. Arizona. How many in week 16 of the NFL season saw that coming?

In the AFC Pittsburgh and Baltimore a pair of bitter division rivals will play for a third time this season. The previous two matches have been decide by a total of 7 points with Philly come up on top in both games.

Last week I went 3-1 with my sole loss being the Cardinals coming out victorious over Carolina and Jake "6 turnovers" Delhomme doing his best Brett Favre impersonation.Once again: who saw that coming?

Anyways here are my picks:

NFC Championship Game: The Eagles are a 4 point favorite heading into the desert. After their upset last week ( you may recall I picked them to beat Big Blue outright), the Eagles are one game away from the Big Dance. It will be the 5th and probably last time the duo of McNabb and Reid will be in this position in the last 8 years. That should give Philly a lot of emotion and motivation heading into the game. But I smell an upset here. The Cards just took it to the Panthers last week without Anquan Boldin.
He looks like he will play this week. Coupled with all world receiver Larry Fitzgerald and a guy named Kurt Warner I am taking the points and the Cardinals. Don't be surprised if Arizona wins outright.

In the AFC game Baltimore is a 6 point dog to the Steelers. As a Pat fan I would love to see the Steelers lose this game but I think Baltimore is going to come up short. I don't believe in that "it's tough to beat a team three times in one year" philosophy. Each game is an independent event and Baltimore really should have lost last week as they were outplayed by the Titans and won as a result of Titan turnovers in the red zone and penalties. The Steelers got a great game from Willie Parker last week and Big Ben seems to have shaken off the injury he sustained in the last regular season game. It kills me to do this but I am giving the points and taking the Steelers.
-Steve

Hall Calls Rice and Rickey

The Baseball Hall of Fame announced its 2009 induction class. Rickey Henderson made the Hall on the first year he was eligible while Rice made it on his last year of eligibility. Henderson got 94.8% of the vote and Rice just slipped in at 76.4%. Induction requires a minimum of 75 % of the vote from the Baseball writers of America.
Henderson is regarded by many to be greatest lead-off hitter in the history of the game. A unique character both on and off the field, Henderson's first year induction came as no surprise to anyone. The only question we have is: why did he not get 100% of the vote?
WIth a creer OBP 0f .401, Henderson holds many MLB records including: runs scored, stolen bases, and lead off home runs (to begin a game). One has to wonder what it takes to garner 100% of the vote inasmuch as it has never happened.
Rice made the Hall on his last year of eligibility before going to the Veteran's committee for election. The 1978 AL MVP was dominant at his position in offensive categories for over a decade yet his election was never a lock. His election mark the succession of three Red Sox left fielders to make the grade. He followed Ted Williams and Carl Yastrzemski at the position and now joins them in Hall. Rice's relationship with the press is often cited as a reason for his lengthy wait, which if true, is utterly ridiculous. Performance and results on the field, really should be the only measuring stick. Writers harboring grudges who decide to "get even" against any great player by not voting him into the hall should have their vote taken away.
Congrats to both players. We look forward to the weekend of July 24 for the formal ceremonies . Rickey's acceptance speech alone would be worth the wait.
- Steve

New Episode of The Starting NYNE

Click here to listen to the newest edition of the Starting NYNE that aired on 1/11. Paul, Alex and Steve talk about the NFL playoffs and get a little heated when Paul voices his opinions about the teams left. The guys also touch on a little BCS. Above, Donovan McNabb tries to get through the busy phone lines to the show........

NFL Divisional Playoff Weekend- The Best Football Weekend of the Season

We are coming up on the NFL Divisional Playoff weekend. This weekend, in my mind, is the best weekend for football in the entire NFL season. The Eight best teams, four games, in two days. What a great way to spend 48 hours! This week of the season really represents the second to last "real" weekend of football.

After this we have Championship Sunday and of course then the Superbowl. The Superbowl has so many other things going on that make it an entirley different event... a week off in between Championship weekend and The Big Game....the media.... the hype... and of course Superbowl Sunday itself which has become an unofficial holiday in the country.

Anyways more on that later.

Be sure to tune onto our show on at 9 pm on http://www.sportsradiony.com Sunday and we’ll be talking all about the events of the weekend.

Here are my picks for the weekend ( for entertainment purposes only of course)..

Game 1 Baltimore at Tennessee- I'm taking the 3 points and the Ravens over the Titans- I think Tennessee has not been quite as good a team as its record would indicate. Ravens defense will come out on top in a low scoring game

Game 2 Arizona at Carolina- I’m going to take the Panthers and give up the 10 points. Arizona has been awful on the East Coast this year and played poorly down the stretch. Panthers are looking pretty fierce depite the late season loss to NY.

Game 3 Philadelphia at New York- It will be the third time these teams meet this year with each team winning on the opponent’s home field. Giants will look to control the line of scrimmage their running game of "Earth, Wind and Fire". Brandon Jacobs has looked great in practice this week which bodes very well for the "G-Men". Justin Tuck looks like a game time decision with a leg injury- a big loss for NY of he cannot play. I think the Giants are primed for getting picked off this week. They have not played well in the last month, and have had distractions off the field which we are all familiar with. I’ll take the points and say the Eagles win the game outright.

Game 4 San Diego at Pittsburgh- Both teams have health concerns ( which team this time of year does not?). San Diego looks like they will not have LT and also wide receiver Vincent Jackson is facing the distraction of a drunk driving charge which allegedly occurred on Tuesday. I am looking for a low scoring game and Pittsburgh to cover the 6 point spread.

Let the games begin. Tune in Sunday at 9pm for all the post games analyses

– Steve

"TEX" message to Yank fans: "She's the Boss". "Starting NYNE" predicted Yankees would land slugger

The recent Texeira signing was seen a surprise by many. Most pundits had him going to Boston. But we at The Starting NYNE did not. On our show on December 21 we said to keep an eye on the Yankees and 2 days later the Yanks swooped in. Check out the link below to listen to the cut from that show:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EzBbdna_6ro

You can also listen to the whole show by clicking on http://www.sportsradiony.com/
Scroll down for previous shows for all our back shows

On Tuesday, Mark and Leigh Teixeira got the full treatment. The Yanks rolled out the red carpet, broke out the carving stations, prime rib, and caviar, called the florists , polished the silverware and brought out the Steinbrenner family china for yet another press conference announcing the signing of their third premium free agent this off season. The pinstripe Front office has now committed over $ 420 million dollars in Free agent contracts thus far this off season. Hooray for the rich! Poverty sucks.

Bad Economy? What bad economy? "Thank God for Tax exempt bonds or I would really have to work at finding these guys" Brian Cashman had to be thinking yesterday as he handed a bouquet of roses to Leigh Teixeira, Mark’s wife. BTW-When did it become fashionable to start seeing wives receiving gifts for showing up at press conferences?

During the entire process Boston and Anaheim were seen as the two likely spots for Teixeira to call home for the foreseeable future.The Sox even took John Henry’s private plane to Texas to talk with the slugger while Brina Cashman was taking a commercial flight to visit CC Sabathia in California to convince the big south paw to take the 166 million over 7 years- "we’re not the Red Sox" quipped Cash when asked to compare the Yanks and Sox traveling accommodations.
In the end it appears that the Sox flight to Texas was a waste of time. As Teixeira said yesterday, "in the back of my mind the Yankees were always on top". The Sox visited Teixeira on December 18. IN his press conference, Tex said that two weeks before Christmas his wife had told him she wanted him to be a Yankee- so the trip to Texas is now seen by many Sox fans as another opportunity for Scott Boras to pit the Sox vs, The Yankees in a bidding war.

Even with the signing of the big three can we call the Yankees the favorites to go to the World Series this year? To this writer’s eye the Yankees still have pitching questions to answer- the bullpen is not a lock – will Joba start or set up? Who are the 4th and 5th starters?. How much has the starting rotation actually improved ? Mike Mussina is retiring and Andy Pettitte appears to not be coming back, Those two alone had a combined 34 wins and 404 innings pitched for the team last year. How much more in terms of wins and innings will Sabathia and Burnett give the Yanks in 2009?
Given Burnett’s propensity for injury in non contract years and Sabathia’s lack of coming up big in a big spot in the playoffs one could argue the staff is still ha a long way to go to catch up to the Rays or Sox starting rotations. The Yanks obviously have improved the offense which was a 7th in the AL in scoring runs last year . But in case you haven’t noticed the team still has a lot of questions- Derek Jeter will be 35 in June and was voted the worst fielding shortstop by STATS inc. AROD will be 34 in July. Will Robinson Cano return to form? Or does Larry Bowa have to come back from LA to be his personal baby sitter? Matsui? Damon? Posada? All coming off injury riddled years. The Yanks do not look like the "Lock" Buster Olny and other pundits if you ask me. Congrats to the Yankee fans for getting Texieira! Remember one thing though- you heard it first on the Starting NYNE. - WE know our sports!

-Steve