Is The Torch Getting Passed?

"Show me a guy who's afraid to look bad, and I'll show you the guy you can beat everytime."
Lew Brock

Can this be the last game for the defending champs? Will the mighty Spurs go down? I think that most of the NBA fans, also David Stern, want the Lakers and the Celtics in the finals. Nothing against the Spurs, I actually like them, but they are boring. They are like watching paint dry. They are great, Duncan is an all time great, but they are so boring!!!! I would love to see the Kobster win without Shaq. I am sick of Shaq, he runs his mouth too much. Kobe deserves it, and I know nobody deserves things in sports (earn things maybe). He does deserve it though, to shut up the critics. Imagine, he has critics. He is the best player on the planet and yet people want more from him. He is the Lakers, Kobe Jellybean Bryant is the Lakers. The best player on the best team, that is how sports are supposed to be. He is a battler, he is a warrior, he is Kobe. Listen, Parker, Duncan, and Ginobili (he is up for best actor for his flops by the way, how I hate him) are tremendous players, Kobe is still the best. D-Wade and Bron are close but not Kobe, not the yellow warrior. He is tremendous, yes I may sound like I have a man crush on him but deal with it. He is the best. I am willing to pay to see him play. There are not too many players that I can say that about. He dropped 81 against the Raptors on 1-22-06, 81!!!! He is the best, he is my new Michael Jeffery Jordan. Talk about clutch, I watched him hit many a game winning shot, and not even shake a nerve. Cold blood in his veins, like a snake. So, I leave with this: Kobe, let's finish off the Spurs and take care of the Eastern Conference team and hold up the trophy. Maybe throw in a laugh at Shaq. He is a battler, he is a warrior, he is Kobe.

And Boom Goes The Dynamite....

"Sports is the toy department of life"
Howard Cosell
Mojo. Momentum. This is what sports thrive on. The Rockies were an after thought last season, 20 wins out of 21 games, boom, World Series. The Giants, looked horrible before the playoffs, boom, 3 straight on the road and then defeating what was thought of as one of the greatest teams and they just needed the Super Bowl to be that. Boom, Giants and Eli win. People get caught up with standings, when really sports are all about mojo, momentum. The Warriors at the 8th seed, boom, beat the Dallas Mavericks in the first round last year. Mojo, all it takes is a bad call, a hard foul, late hit, batter thrown at, or a fight in hockey. Mojo doesn't have to shift due to a homer or a TD. Mojo can be done with a act of negativity. I know this may sound nuts, but I think that the tide may have turned yesterday for the Mets. The win just had that feeling. The bench guys drove in all the runs yesterday. That doesn't happen. Something about the win last night made me think, "Mr. Mojo may have switched uniforms.", it just seemed to have jumped ship. The Mets looked confident, they actually looked like they wanted to play yesterday. I know, I know, I write a lot about the Mets, but what did I tell you in the first blog "The Mets are my drug, I can over dose on them". Mojo, momentum, it just switches. Time goes by and nobody realizes it until the winning streak goes from 3 to 10. Turn on the switches. Open the windows and air out the place about the previous part of the season because mojo has shifted. Mojo, momentum it just switches. You can get that feeling, all of a sudden the team looks different. They looked possessed, the player has a aura about him. I remeber watching Jordan. Don't talk to him, you get him mad the shift is on and suddenly 1-7 turns into 55 points. Don't ever egg on mojo, once you do you can't turn it off. Momentum is a bitch. When it is against you you can't win but when with you, look out we aren't losing.

Bizzare

I just heard a very funny baseball story about two minutes ago. Nick Evans, who was playing in Binghamton at the time, in his last game there before being called up to the Mets had a mind hiccup. He was playing left field and he had thought a ball was foul. So what does the youngster do? HE GIVES IT TO A FAN TURNING IT INTO A TRIPLE!!!!!!!!! It happens. The best part was that he had been pulled out of the game in the 9th. He thought it was because of the play. The pull was because he was going to Colorado to join the Mutts, I mean, Mets. That isn't the first time a Met has done this. Benny Agbayani did so also. Larry Walker did it against the Dodgers in L.A. Happens, it's not a good thing, but it happens. We are all allowed some do overs. We are human and no human is perfect. What a funny story. That is like how Rickey Henderson once sat out a game because he strained an eye because he blinked too hard. Or how a player once caught freezer burn because he fell asleep with his ice bag on him, or the player who fell asleep in a tanning bed and got too sun burned to play. Weird things, funny things happen, and they always seem to catch the baseball player. They aren't great, but hey, they happen.

Can I Get A Do Over?

Wow!! I go away for the weekend, and come on. The Celtics won on the road, Kobe stunk up the joint and the Mets, I don't; speechless. What happened?!?!? They heard I wrote it down and they put my word on the club house walls? Nobody reads this blog. Helloooooooooo....... I can't pay people to read this. Maybe I am mush. So, here we are: the Mets stink, the Celtics are the best, and the Lakers are over hyped. There, that may just do it. I hate it, I swear. How is that two weeks ago I was so happy, and now everything falls apart. I swear, when you are up, you fall. Life is 12-1. You can be so high and well, the fall is far. So many things can do this. Just like sports. Many things have brought this upon me, and what do I do like an idiot? Turn to my teams, the Lakers, the Pistons, and the Mets.... Yeah take a guess. What did I tell you, they add on to bad days, or bad nights. I leave you with this,...... oh hell the Mets really look bad and I know it's May, but watch them. They make you feel like they are down 20-0 before first pitch. So, Happy Memorial Day to all of my 5 readers and enjoy the Monday off.
p.s. Try to remember what this day stands for, not drinking or bbq-ing assface. The men and women that kept us safe and free. Thank you, the real American Heroes.

All Over The Place

Funny, last week the Mets had gotten over the hump. But wait this is the New York media market. Everything, every game is over analyzed by the people who report and aren't there inside the locker rooms, the places where only the players know what is going on. I have been the first one yelling at the screen, but come on, maybe we are over reacting. I heard a great comment by Mike, of the Mike and the Maddog show, he says that it is time for us as Mets fans to calm down and forget last year. To take a line straight out of his pages, "It is time for us to open the windows, and air out the room." he has a great point. Listen, I am all but fed up with the Mets but, maybe, just maybe we could right the ship. Lets wait til we get the Old Goat, Pedro Martinez gets back. I want Willie out, but lets look at the facts, Beltran has 4 homers, Reyes can't get on base with regularity, he has a guy on his bench/starter in Anderson who can't get a hit (0-18), Alou can't stay healthy, and Heilman has a ERA of 6.35. Things are bad but maybe, just maybe Willie isn't to blame. But like they say, you can't fire the 25 players. Maybe, just maybe, they can right this ship.

Kobe. MVP. I love the player. Yes, I know he had some legal issues and yes, his personality is tuff on the skin. But he got his yellow warriors to win. Kobe Jellybean Bryant. That is all I have to say. MVP. Great baller, man, great. Down 65-45 with 17 and change left, wouldn't you know it. He has ice water in his veins. He could be 0-20, but he will still demand the ball in the dwindling minutes. Kobe. MVP. He is the closest thing to MJ that I can remember. Yes, yes, Bron Bron is the King, but Kobe is , well, MVP. He is looking for his first title by himself without the Diesel, Shaq. His dad was a bit player for the Sixers and he went on to play in Italy. I believe, if I am not mistaken, Kobe can speak four languages. He is so misunderstood as a person. Man, I never believed he raped that girl, yes he may have had some fun with her, but not rape. She wanted money, not right, not when the man has a family. Listen, if you willing go to a star's room late at night when everybody is asleep, what did you think was going to happen? I am not saying I condone it, but come on. There comes a point when logic has to be throw into the situation. But any who, back to the legend. Kobe. MVP. Clutch. I mentioned heart a whiles back, he has a huge heart. Enormous. Need a 16 wheeler to bring it around. Kobe.

Game two, back to heart. Oh the Celtics, the Celtics, the Celtics. Where do I begin. The big three show up and yet they still lose. They are so over hyped it isn't even funny. Two of the three have never done a thing by themselves. If Rondo doesn't step up, pack the bags, its over junior. I said it the other day, the Celtics have no heart. They are over-rated. They beat up on horrible Eastern Conference teams all year and finally they have a real foe and what, they curl up into a ball and perverbably cry. Garnett is so over-rated it isn't even funny. He is the most over hyped player I can remember. It took him 7 tries to even leave the first round. Dominique Wilkins made it to the conference finals a few times with no talent. The T-Wolves had to get rid of the farm to get him out of the first round, sad. I will stand by my pick, Pistons in 6. Lakers in 5. Turn the clocks back, it is 88-89 all over again. God I love the NBA playoffs!

Say Good Bye.........

Yesterday we said good bye to one of the greatest right handed hitters. He played for the Dodgers, the Marlins, the Mets, the Padres and the A's. He was drafted in the 62th round as a favor to Tommy Lasorda. Can you imagine that? He may have been the greatest hitting catcher in baseball history, a first ballot Hall of Famer. 2127 hits, 427 home runs, 1335 rbi's, .308 career hitter. He was a great. He hit one of the most important (in my mind) home runs in New York history: The 9/11 ball. He had some great home runs. I remember the one when the Mets were down to the dreaded Braves, 7-0, and in the 7th the Mets dropped 8 and the go ahead homer was hit by number 31. When the Mets acquired him, it was unreal. I couldn't believe that they had just pulled this off. It was tremendous. He was a great already, and he soon became the toast of the Mets fan town. He was awesome. Every child wanted to be him. Can I have 31? My baby brother (shouldn't call him a baby he is 20yrs young) had everything that he was on. He was even a Yankee fan, imagine that? He transcended a lot in New York. He was the cover boy on the back page. We were spoiled, we appreciated him, but we also booed. He was the Mets' Jeter. God, how will he be missed. The Great Mike Piazza. The Italian Hammer. The career home run hitter by catchers. He beat out Johny Bench. I know, I know, he couldn't throw a guy out carrying a fridge on his back. But hey, he could call a heck of a game and I believe hit a bit. So now it's time to say good bye to a great number 31, the great Mike Piazza.

Game 7 And More

How great were the game 7's on Sunday and Monday? Can Bron and Pierce play? I think they are still scoring. Duncan wasn't good but Manny was. I was shocked by the Spurs, but hey, that is what makes them the champs. The game 7, how great are they? Jordan played in some, so did Magic. Its about heart. The best show up. That is why I consider Garnet, 5-13, as over rated. While Pierce is great, love him or hate him he is clutch. The loser goes home, and we will see you next year. Now we have the Lakers v. Spurs, and Pistons and Celtics. I like the Lakers and the Pistons. I am doubting the Spurs again, and I have a feeling that this will bite me on the fanny. Clutch, heart, determination, that is game 7. Look at the rest and you are going home. Heart, you hear that alot in sports. It is the dive on the floor or giving yourself up for a catch. Heart can't be measured on a chart, but it is big. Eli showed heart with the resistance of the sack. Ryan Freel from the Reds, bit player, but he plays at 190 m.p.h.'s, he is a human crash test dummy. Hey, hello, that's the wall but I need, I must, have this catch. Game 1 of 162 or Game 7 of the finals, they are there. Game 7, who doesn't love them? The Bill Mazeroski game 7 of the World Series, Yankees v. Pirates, walk it off junior it's over. He ran around the bases that day swinging his arm with helmet in like a pinwheel. That is Game 7 in a nutshell. The game 7 is the Super Bowl moment. You have been playing a series all week and now we have the Super Bowl syndrome, the NCAA Tournament. Win or go home. Lets go, lets play, I have the heart. Grab that board, throw a block, sacrifice yourself. Heart, can't be measured, but it is big John Lester, cancer to no-hitter. The Yankees youngsters can't win a game but the two kids from Boston already have 2 no-hitters. The no-hitter, sounds easy huh? Ridiculous, it near impossible. The friggin' Mets have none but they had the likes of Gooden, Viola, Pedro, Seaver, and Koosman. But where is the no-hitter? None, zip, zilch, nada. The only other franchise that is to have none is the Rockies. Something is wrong, what the heck is going on here? 27 up no hits and that is it. Lester, cancer to no-hitter. This is remarkable, cancer. How is it possible that one man can fight cancer two years ago and now throw a no-hitter, but he also was on the mound last year when they finished off the Rockies. Cancer, the Big C as Junior Soprano once called it. It is the dreaded word, the doctor comes and says, "It's cancer, I am very sorry." Yeah, that is a good day, right?!?!?! Cancer, any form stinks, I can't wait til they wipe it off the face of the earth. I lost a friend when he was at the age of 15. That isn't fair, I have druggies and rapist walking around and I have to watch my friend die. John Lester, cancer to no-hitter. Congrats Johnny fight the fight, keep it going. Cancer...... it kills.

Mother Nature You Bitch!!

Maybe the rain was for a good reason-- the Mutts weren't ready for the Yanks, just maybe. I don't know. All I know is that I hate when there is no game on. It's ok though, maybe we can play two tomorrow. It gave me a chance to cook, watch the basketball game (Can Bron flat out play, I know he has struggled in this series, but he just oozes basketball knowledge. He is already a legend.), and watch one of the funnier movies, Dodgeball. How priceless is at the end when Ben Stiller is fat and all he can say is: "F*cking Chuck Norris." great scene. How funny is that the Celtics, who had the best road regular season record, can't win a road playoff game? What sense does that make? I don't get it. But anyways, I love this Cavs team. I think they have a complete package when Daniel "Boobie" Gibson is healthy. They can grind it out or run. Very good team, I see a title in their future. I like the addition of Delonte West, he is the perfect point guard for this team. He doesn't need to score, his very efficient, and under rated on the defensive end. Me though, this year, I would love to see the Lakers or the Hornets. Talk about another super star, Chris Paul. He can do it all, he is making Bruce Bowen look bad on the defensive side nobody does that. He can score it from anywhere, and he will rip you on the dribble if you don't protect the ball. Basketball is a fun sport to watch and play. When I was younger we would play for hours and then go home and watch the playoffs and talk about them and analyze them like we worked for ESPN or Sports Illustrated. So many great memories about this. But the fourth quarter is about to start and I will leave you be. LETS GO CAVS!!!!

Do You Believe In Miracles!!!!!!!!!

I love the upset, unless I am the one who is losing. The smaller boxer or the glue stuck mongrels that form this football team. But how does this seem to happen? Should the bigger, better team win? It has been going on forever, going back to the Bible. David defeated Goliath. My favorite is the Denver Nuggets of the 93-94 season. They beat the power house Sonics. Some of my favorite players were on that team. LaPhonso Ellis and Robert Pack are two of my favorite players ever. I watched LaPhonso Ellis when he was playing at Notre Dame. Man, if he ever could stay healthy. Robert Pack was such a good ball of energy that came off the bench. When he came to the Nets I was so happy. The upset, it happens and when it does we all root. Tell me, unless you are a Uconn fan, you didn't like George Mason in the Final Four? Or team USA pulling out the greatest miracle ever. The Cardinals weren't suppose to beat the Tigers, but heck, that is why we play the games. Upset special. I love watching the college upsets the most. To me, they seem to care so much that they literally cry themselves to sleep. When number one goes down it is fun. Appalachian St., that is classic. Those kids can now tell their grandchild that "One day I beat Michigan in the Big House". The Giants were small but not that day, not that Super Bowl. They stared the Patriots down and didn't flinch. They felt they belong, and it turns out that they did. Eli, star. Strahan is the toast of the town, "Hey maybe I shouldn't show up for camp next year and we can do this again". The upset, it couldn't be more fun. You feel like the little guy. Immediatly you adopt them as your team. They are what sports is all about. They make it fun, who wants the outcome to be what it is suppose to be?!?! I like drama, I like upsets. I watch that whole series between the Nuggets and the Sonics. I rooted like heck for those guys. I still remeber Deke lying on the ground holding the ball in his two hands, smiling and screaming. Deke, I tend not to like the "look at me celebration" but with Deke its different. He takes it well when they give it back to him. That team was awesome that series. They won Game 5, back then the first round was best of five, at Seatle. Who do think you are, upset special. Upset is great, the upset. Its a fabulous game.

Bloopers....... They Kill

The Mets just scored a run without a ball hit out of the infield. They kill. They hurt more than a homer. The batter was fooled but he still got a hit?!?!?! That would kill me if I pitched. Rod Carew was famous for these hits. The ones that wouldn't leave a little league ballpark. He made a career out of it. 3,000 hits and a few batting titles later, bloopers. It funny how those hits can be just as fatal as a homer. 2 outs in the 9th, and wouldn't you know it but, a two out rally started by a blooper. Hurts. Homers are glamour, bloops win. Make contact, that is what you are told. Put the ball in play. Maybe, just maybe, something, someone, can cause something to be changed. Catch, turn and throw can become catch, turn, and HEADS UP! Bloopers, put the ball in play that is all. They make all the difference. They can change a game, bloopers that is, they can be the pain in the fanny. Take them for granted, do it I dare. Call me crazy. I have watched Jose Reyes get a cheap hit and then steal second and score right afterwards. Singles turned into doubles. They can kill ya. If I pitched I might lose sleep over them. They are horrible. They stink. They change the game, bloopers that is. Don't take them for granted those cheap hits, they may turn the tide. Bloopers, they kill ya.

Pink Bats and More

I love the whole pink thing on Mother's Day. Every player in the league has to thank mom for, I am sure, driving them to the ballpark when they needed it. Mom, how can we forget. She is the glue. The safety pin for every man in her life. The Amazin's gave her a victory. While watching the game, a nice story came across the tv. Gary Cohen mentioned how much Oliver Perez loved to pitch on Mother's Day because of how much this event meant to him and how much his own mom helped get his career started with the encouragement and the car rides. Mom, the glue. How often do you see a football player, after he scores a TD, turn to the camera and say, "Hi Mom!"? Mom, the glue. Try to think of life without a mom. Remember those times when mom went away and you and dad would look at each other like, "OK, what the f*ck do we do now?". One woman can do the laundry, make dinner, clean dishes after dinner, iron, shop, bathe you, clothe you, sing a lullaby, and then restart? I would like to see Peyton Manning do that. Michael Jeffery Jordan has nothing on mom. Mom, the glue. She got you there on time and clean. I know I may be a day late with this, but I had stuff to do like set up my wedding and celebrate my mom. She is there when you clang the free throw, or throw an interception. The home run you yielded is in her head. She prays a prayer every time you cross the line. My mom was barely in to sports until I started. She sat there for every down, no matter how we stunk. She rang her bell with every ounce of energy. Mom, the glue. She wore my jersey with pride when I was getting thrown out of the game because I hit somebody too hard. Come on, its football. But she was there. I know what you may think, "How is this a sports blog?", well think about it. How else am I getting to practice, wearing a clean jersey or having a fan for life? Dads, I will get to you later, but today (yesterday) is for mom. Moms, we salute you... no matter how many trips to the principal we take or how many times we get laid off, you will always tell us how proud you are of us. Mom, the glue.

Mickey and the Duke

Old folk always try to make their time the best. The best sports, the best times, the best everything. Usually I disagree..... except baseball. Look, the facts are there. Go look up a player, try Christy Mathewson. What kind of person has any kind of season as him? He actually had two saves. He started and closed some games?!?! Who does that? Look they didn't take steriods, they smoked cigarrettes, and drank until they couldn't see. They played in ballparks 100 ft. longer than any ball park now a days. The times where better, the rest of sports the players are better nowadays but not baseball. Definetly not baseball. Go look at Willie Mays catch again. That quick turn and throw actually made it to the cut off man. THE CUT OFF MAN!!!! Who does that?!?! Jackie Robinson stole home regularly. Who does that?!?! Mickey won triple crowns, Don Larson goes out and throws a perfect game in the World Series. When they went to Spring Training they actually needed it to get in shape. They had to work side jobs because they weren't making 200 million. They were making 10 grand. Who does that?!?! These guys did, thats who. The Yankee clipper hit in 56 straight. It is in the pudding, look it up. They did things nobody does that, nobody. But maybe them, maybe. When was the last time sombody hit .400? The answer kiddies, 1953. Teddy Ballgame. I guess you can say he could hit. He went of to war in 42, came back in 46. Imagine Jeter going to the middle east in the prime of his career, then hitting .342 with 38 homers, and 123 RBI's. Who does that?!?!

I'm Bacccccckkkkkk!

I love it! I love the sport. How is it that you are outclassed all week and then, BAM! 12 to 1? Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. that is sports. The big turn, the swing of momentum. Down 10 with 2 quarters to go, but one dunk, one charging foul and the game swings. Isn't it like life? Can't sh*t hit the fan one day and then life is peaches the next? Life, who knows anything about it. Maybe one day things will be clearer but until then, just coast. 12-1, that's just it. A score, a number, 12-1. The Mets look like mutts all week, but then they explode. Why? Was the eating better the next day? Did the light hit at just the right moment? All I know is that we have the big W. Funny, things change. They come and go, but you wouldn't even know it. How is it that the Giants won four straight road games to beat the mighty, mighty Patriots? Things change, life...... changes. You know what, I will be there no matter how much the Mets may seem to stink for all 162. They are my life. Their ups are my ups, I hurt when they fail. I guess they tie into my life like anything else. 12-1, it's just numbers...... Or maybe a score. Whether you like it or not it is life sports. The drama, the angst. The child smiling at the ballpark is it. Bottom line, this is it. Life is 12-1. Everyone has that day. Copier down, fax not working. 12-1. We are so much like them, we just don't know it. They have an expression in baseball for bad days, "He is having a bad day at the office". Sound familiar?!?!?!?!?! They bleed the same blood we bleed. They are human. Watch, you can catch with that same wide eye look as when Mr. Smith hands you that 80 page report on Friday. Watch. 12-1, it's is only numbers.

What is this West Coast stuff?

Who here doesn't hate the 10pm start of a game? I understand that it can't be helped, but for Christ's sake can somethining be done?!?!?!? Maybe have more day games. I have to stay up until 1am for the Mets? What is this. I love the late start on the weekends, but on a Monday night I have to stay up?!?!?! Do a day game, why not. Who doesn't love a little kid in a cap with a sundae or hot dog watching the game? Why take away my beloved Mets, all I want to do is watch. I was only able to see 1 inning last night. That is not right, all because some "come late, leave early" Dodgers fan can see the Mets?!?! They don't like sports, they like glamor. They threw out two football teams for Pete's sake. Who does that?!?!??!?!??!! It is a lousy media market with sports. They could't tell you Babe Ruth from Babe Didrikson. They love the Lakers and that is it, the Dodgers need more. They are Duke, and Jackie. They are the pride of Brooklyn, but you wouldn't even know it. Number 42 wasn't a player for the L.A. media, but rather the New York Times. L.A. is basketball, John Wooden is the king, not baseball. Come late, leave early, thats what they tell me. I don't know. Maybe I am old fashioned, but where is the cigar and the notebook asking me about the 0-4? Sandy and Don where great, but wouldn't you like to see them in Brooklyn? Think about it, they would have been everywhere. The M&M boys would have been long forgotten. Sandy, there is a guy who was quiet, but needed to be pushed. He was the greatest. They don't know what they have. They like to root when they are up and hate when they are down. Sandy, who is built like him. Come late, leave Early.

Connor Jackson

That is the sole reason the Mets pulled out yesterday's game. Funny, but if the Mets beat the D-Backs out for the number one spot in the NL it could all be from, well, Connor Jackson. Funny how things like this tend to effect the out come. The Billy Buckner, the clanked free throw, the over thrown pass that is picked off, or quite possibly, well, Connor Jackson. Little things they may be on the surface, but big in spirit when you are talking about the nuts and bolts and chewing on the fat of things. This will be forgotten down the line and you may think that it is another reason that the Mets finish first but it can turn out to be , well, Connor Jackson. It was Joe Smith and the bullpen until the fatal error. People are complaining way to much about the slow start but hey, this team is playing pretty ok and yet they still win. Wait until they start to click. It can't be this simple, right? But it actually is that simple. Sports, when watch, can come down to the simplest thing. Life is hard, but watching a baseball team is simple. The simple has the biggest effect. Christ, just take Chuck Knoblach (spelled horribly wrong) had a great career until that throwing problem of his. But it seemed so simple right, catch, turn and then throw. Simple. Everybody has been doing it since the Pony League days. Rick Ankiel anybody. Devastating career problem, couldn't pitch. It was against Atlanta in the playoffs. He was having a great rookie year and was looking like a staff ace. Things change for the better or the worse. What can you do about it, get help and move on. Whether it be that play or another error down the road things all almost always effect by the easiest thing, well, Connor Jackson. Funny, but this will happen over and over again. Errors, interceptions, free throw missing, or cheap goals, they will always happen. I plan on ending this with one thing, Connor Jackson.

Just Cause

I have the Red Sox, White Sox (there I said it, better pitching and under-rated offense when Crede hits), Angels (depending on Lackey, if Lackey is not a factor then I am going to flip flop them with the Mariners), and the Mariners. Angels in the series (pending Lackey, if not then the Mariners). The other league I have the Mets (not a homer pick, just like their bullpen better then Philly, Lidge. Really) the Cubs, Diamondbacks, and the Phillies. I have the Mets in the series. If they play the Angels, well lets just not unpack that fast New York. If they play the Mariners it will be 86 all over again. My awards: Felix Hernadez Cy Young, Tori Hunter MVP, Evan Longoria ROY, and the most improved team will be the Devil Rays. National League: Johan Santana Cy Young, Jose Reyes MVP, Fukudome, and the most improved will be Marlins. Happiest person in baseball, Joe Torre. Saddest, Brian Cashman as he packs up because he didn't land Johan or Berdard and he watched the Mets go places with him.

Lets Play Two

On vacation, I ran an experiment. Before I went away something made me do this. I was walking into a store and I was wearing a New Jersey Devils jersey, when all of a sudden some guy asked me what time the game was and what the hell was up with the Devs. I decided to wear nothing but jerseys on the boat through out the day. And I had all these people coming up to and asking about the teams I represented or gave me a look of hate. Sports have a way of allowing strangers to talk. Go to a local bar, and notice this. Perfect strangers will be arm and arm acting like they have been friends for life because the Mets have a two out rally going. There is a certain spell that sports can cast upon someone. There is something about sports that make people realize that life can be fun. Take for example, September 21, 2001 New York is in shambles. The Mets are on their way to a 3rd place finish in the NL East. Then enter the hero, a strapping catcher who had no intentions on being a talk of folklore. The city on his back. The Mets were allowed to wear FDNY and PDNY hats for this occasion. Trailing, the team that the whole city had followed all night. Steve Karsay was on the mound. Man, I swear it was something out of a fairy tale. The hit goes down forever. Everybody was standing, Christ I think the dead walked that night. Sports. They can do that. Reading a Sports Illustrated article two weeks ago can explain it all. Ching-Ming Wang is the savior of Taiwan. He is king, they said that once when he arrived it took forty police officers to get the people away from him and his wife. Now, to understand sports and how they can bind people is in this article. In the article they explain how the delegates in the nation have been at war for years about what ever it is they fight about. When he is on the mound they come together to root with each other. It has been written before by the great Tom Callahan, "It's a fabulous game". They make us young again. I mean Christ, when was the last time you stopped someone on the subway because they had a nice suit on and you started talking to them about the suit?!?! The word primadonna is thrown around a lot, but honestly, do you really think they would put themselves out there for the world to see them just fail?!?! They want it just as much. When Dan Reeves was benching John Elway, do you honestly think he wasn't trying?!?!? There is no script. They want it, look at them next time with a third eye. The eye of innocences, and I think you may see A-Rod in a different light. It's sports, It's a fabulous game.