I'm Back!!!! (MLB Edition)

Only 30 or so days until pitcher and catchers. And for us NY football fans that may have to be what we're looking forward too

MLB

Yankees - This off season has been an interesting one but I feel as though there is still some work to be done.  First of all we are walking into this season so far without a major league proven catcher.  Me personally, I am ok with having Romin and Cervelli split time considering some of the options out the.  I mean is Rod Barajas really the answer?  Anyway, we go into this off season and learn we will be without A-Rod until the All-star break. I know you all love hating on A-Rod but as a serious statement, that's about 10-14 homeruns and 50 or so RBI's needing to be replaced before he returns. Same goes for Swisher leaving in right field. Between the 2, that's about 40 home runs 140 rbi's and an on base percentage of .360 for 2 guys. Yankees answer with Ichiro and Youkilis.

Some Yankee fans hated the Youk signing because of the Red Sox days and I have to say I hated him too during that time. But I hated him because he crushed us.  He was bean towns version of Paul. O'Neil and I didn't want them to have that. The guy could play ball and could rise to the occasion in the big spot.  This is why he will be perfect here. For of you morons that are like "he's a red sock, I'll never like him" think of this, were you cheering for Wade Boggs when he was ridding a house around the outfield after the world series? Happy to see Clemons shut all those teams down (before any steroid news came out)? Cheered Johnny Damon when he stole third with no one there in the world series?  Ever say I don't except Babe Ruth as a Yankee because he was a red sock first?  The answer to all those is most likely no and there will be cheers the first time you see him hit a homer over the green monster in pinstripes.

Youk and Ichiro should cover the Swisher A-Rod stats but as mentions earlier, catcher is a question mark. As well as some timely bench players. Jones, Chávez and Ibanez gone, there is a need for some good bench player there. Just feel as though we still need to make a few moves here

Mets - Where to start with them. I don' care what people say, and I am sorry to see him go, but the Dickey trade was a good trade at the time of the deal.  We will see what the future holds.  If these kids turn out to be a bust and Dickey wins 2 more CY Young awards well then we can second guess.  When you don't ant to spend money, trading is the only way to gain talent.  But forget that, there are no real outfielder on this them at the moment!!! Duda is a question mark at best and this team is without any real center and left fielders.  Plus an entire overhaul of the bullpen again, is worrisome.  There is much left to do with not much time left to do it!  I do think that the pitching staff this year even without Dickey will pitch well.  Santana, Niece, Gee, Harvey and Wheeler (Young until Wheeler gets here) should be solid. 

MLB - Did the Angels really need Hamilton to Protect Pujols in the line up?  The red sux are making some interesting moves but nothing to earth shattering. The Jays are trying to make a move up in the ranks in the AL East this year but I still feel it's the Yankees division to lose. The Marlins did what we all knew they would do, dump all the guys they signed a year later.  It should be interesting to see how this all plays out bright now the Angels look to be the big winners, with the Jays not to far off. But in the end it's the injury bug that does most teams in. The GM that prepared and adjusts for that bug always comes out on top. BTW 56 million for Swisher. Wow, I'm in the wrong business!
#justsayin

I'm Back!!! (NFL edition)

Sorry for being MIA everyone.  I know there has been lots to talk about and I haven't said anything so I'll go over every NY sports team one by one, sport by sport and rant about the chaos in each.  Let's starts with one that's dear to everyone heart

NFL
Jets - I start with them not because they have been the best or the worst on the league but because they are the biggest mess I have seen since the "Rich Kotite" days.  Tim Tebow got screwed. Never got a real shot to play ere which is sad because it the team really was committed to the "ground and pound" system, he was probably the best qb on the roster to do it. Green needed help running the ball and Tim could have did that. After an entire season too no one can say that if you limited Tebow to 20 or so throws a game, he wouldn't have done what Sánchez did. 

But past that, with the past few weeks and the qb craziness it has made something clear to me. Rex Ryan never wanted Tebow. And if he ever did at the beginning, something changes his mind throughout the season. Kid can't get into the game and then they say he quit on them to make him look bad and not them. Tebow comes out and says that's a lie and why would anyone not believe him and believe the Jets..... he does have better credibility then the team at this point. Then for good measure a report comes out that Ryan wants to quit as coach. What a joke

The sad fact is. It's time to blow it all up. Well most of it.  Small fact that no one knows is that the jets def has not given up one 100 yard receiver all season. And that's with Revis being down most of the season.  The secondary is nasty good.  It's the front that was the issue but even with that, the def has kept them in all but maybe 3 games all season. This offense is terrible. Your wide receivers are sub par. Adding Edwards should have happened in the off season not week 15. With him it's a little more stable but still not great. Question is what will it look like next season. Without good wide outs, it won't matter who is at qb.  Green is a free agent and I say good riddance. Keller is a free agent and I say good riddance.

I wish Sánchez was a free agent too but really, we're stuck with him. There is only one way I see anyone taking Sánchez's contract. Trading it for another bad contract. Brings me to the Sánchez for Matt Flynn trade I hope for. Money is similar (Mark has more guarantied money) and Pete Carol, Sánchez connection may work for the backup roll there but who knows. Whatever they do, they need to do something this team is a mess and needs help.

Giants - I don't know why anyone is surprised and upset with what the GMen did this year. In the past 5 years they have won 2 superbowls and haven't been to the playoffs the other 3. They are all or nothing. Giants fans, you need to face facts, you have a good team that is probably the most inconsistent team in football. If they could figure out some consistency, they would be nasty but instead you have a team that is soft.  A team that at any time can go on a run better that anyone else and win the Superbowl but a team that can score 54 points one week and. 0 the next. I don't know what it is because the talent is there the coaching is there but the passion isn't sometimes. It's like they are so cocky they expect to be in the playoffs no matter how they play and unfortunately for them, it doesn't work like that. Till next year gmen fans. You'll just have to deal with the fact your team went as far as the jets, jabs, chiefs, saints and Steelers this year except you have a worse draft position then they all do

NFL in General - this year has been crazy. In my opinion there is no clear cut great team out there. Atlanta has to prove they can win in post season, Houston looks soft at times, Pats def isn't great, San Fran has a better shot with Alex Smith Then Kapernick but won't play him, and the Seahawks and Ravens have so many ?, it's scary (hey diddle diddle, Ray Rice up the middle).  It's anyone's league this year. My opinion so far is it looks like Greenbay and Denver have figured it out after a slow start. They will be the one's to watch out for. Nice Superbowl if Payton makes it after everything that happened to him last season/off-season. Would be a nice story of he wins it in his home town too
#justsayin

Tebow Time! No Really

Alright, I know what your all thinking. Either "your crazy" or your a Tebow lover, crazy know nothing about football but support a person rant type of person. Please take a second to process this logically

Look at the team the jets currently have. There is no legit big time receivers on this team. Kerley is a great find and Hill can develop but right now, nothing. Our running back is prob at best a really good back up.

This team is built for a run first, throw at most 22/25 times a game offense. Let me state this, MARK SANCHEZ IS A BETTER ALL AROUND QB THEN TEBOW. In saying that, This team is currently built better for Tim Tebow.

Your best running back is Tim Tebow. With him, Greene and McKnight (yes McKnight) in the backfield, they shouldn't be throwing much which is good for Tebow. Sexy Jesus would be a better option to scramble then Mark. With the joke of a wide receiver core they have, it wouldn't make a difference because they wouldn't be throwing much. Few deep passes to keep then honest and screen "dink and dunk" plays

With a more focused and in my opinion, productive running attack, it would help shorten the game and keep the defense off the field. Defenses play better when there not on the field 70% of the game (so I hear).

Bottom line is at this point it's go time with this. Either Sexy Jesus is your guy or Mark. One needs to go next year and don't care which one it is as long as they win. #justsayin

BTW - Congrats to Angelo and Michelle on their wedding today (I am blogging while I wait for the wedding to start). God Bless

Adventures of Pennington Week 7

Well everyone. It's been 2 weeks and we have the good an the bad in Jetville. First the good

The Jets looked impressive verse the half hearted Colts a few weeks ago. They did all the right things and pushed all the right buttons. Green figured out how to run the ball and the def looked terrific.

This past week Gang Green started off with an impressive drive. The. They were quiet for a while. Keepin themself in the game but not winning I thought we were lookin at the same old Jets. Something wonderful happened after that! They came back, showed some brass and tied the game. And I. Te next kick off the unthinkable happened. They recovered a fumble!!!! Folks, I thought "we gottem". This is ours for the taking. But instead of going in for the kill and throwing everything at tired Pats Def, they pleated it super conservative (not scared folks) and were constant with a field goal. Big mistake. Crushing mistake. Brady bunch came down ties the game and made short work of OT winning by 3.

This hurts because we had them. We had them. This does prove something though. The Pats aren't "The Pats" this year and next time in our building, we can get them.

Folks this week is a must win. I know we lose to the Fins once every year for some strange reason but we need this one. Division game, back to .500 hard few games ahead. So I leave you with a "squish the fish" chant in your head. Back to the garden. It's gettin called out here by the way!!

Fire Joe Girardi

Listen. I get the experiments with lefty right hitters. I have to sit though the crappy "calculated" "spreadsheet" decisions throughout the year Joe Girardi makes with every pitching change. He has just gotten on my last nerve

Benching ARod night be the worst, bias, self centered decision I have ever seen. I don't understand why Joe has such a hatred for ARod but he obviously has an agenda.

For all of u idiot, yes idiots, out there trying to defend this or prove me wrong explain this. ARod I out because he hasn't hit and can't hit right handers right. Well Granderson has looked the most lost at the plate and has more strike outs then ARod but he's in the line up. Gardner proved he can swing a bat the other day and you may actually gain better defense with him in.

Swish prob has the most upside of the 4 not hitting this series but is by far the worst fielder. There better be a def replacement action for him.

By far, one of the worst hitters we have had in the line up this post season has been Robertson Cano. There's no talk of replacing him. Why? Because there is no one better to replace him. An the only reason he hasn't been the worst is because the guy we have REPLACING AROD is 0-15 with 8 K's!!!!!! That's right we are replacing ARod with our worst hitter this post season who doesn't play better def.

This is a joke. Everyone has an agenda and I would rather see AROD strike out 3 times tonight then Eric Chavez. Girardi needs to go. After Jeter gets hurt benching ARod, someone that might have been able to step up and be a leader, is not the way you to do things. He's pissed Alex gave a Australian BIKINI MODEL his phone number at the end of a game. Get over it. The chick was hot and he sent te ball boy up to see if e could get laid later. Guess what Joe, since you benched him and he's not playing anyway it looked like a good decision now to me on ARods part!
#JustSayin

Adventures of Pennington Week 6

Sorry folks, I've been on vacation. Went to New Orleans to visit my friend the Who DAT gnome and see some history.

Watched the Jets take off on Monday and thought it was a decent showing but they came up short.

If we being all 3 wide outs (TO, Ocho and Plax) into came we might have something.

Time to get back to the plan and back in NY. If not I may end up in the Mississippi river!!!

BREAKING NEWS: Keyshawn is right!

Been a jet fan forever. Loved/hated Keyshawn but had much respect for the man. Wayne Cherbet will forever be my favorite.

Anyway, I was watching espn the other day and the crew were taking tweet questions. Question was "should the jets bring in ocho, TO, or plax?"

Everyone had there yes or no arguments but the Keyshawn made this statement and made sense. "if I were the jets Brass, I would bring all 3 in for a try out... ALL 3!"

This was his reasoning. With the Receivers they have now, if all 3 of those guys can be half of what they used to be, you instantly upgraded your entire WR group. All 3 know the next chance might be their last so they should all be on best behavior. All 3 will go all out. And all 3 can be brought in for cheap at this point.

Plax is the best end zone threat, ocho prob has the best feet and hands and TO might be the most talented of all 3. I think, why not. Add some more clowns to the circus at this point, it can't hurt. #justsayin

The adventures of Pennington week 4

So after last weeks shut out I decided to go into hiding. You see my buddy, "Montana" the good luck 49er gnome made a bet with me and like a silly gnome I took it. I had to walk around all week with a Alex Smith jersey on. Not fun.

Anyway, what the Jets did good last week, um nothing. Not a thing. Thier def looked good but got tired because it was on the field too long. The offense could have stayed home, actually a few might have. We lost Santonio for the rest o the season (good or bad thing at this point is up for debate). Like him or not, he was out best offensive weapon.

Something that was So out of this world to me and frustrating was the fact we are down by 30 with 7 minutes to play and our starting qb is still in the game. If there was ever a time to test "Sexy Jesus" that was it. It bothers me that any other team at that point would have conceded and let the back ups go at it to make sure their starters didn't get hurt be we didn't because it may have caused too much controversy. That's crap.

Now we get to play the undefeated Houston Texans. Great. Alright no bets this week. I'm expecting to talk to you Tuesday with a 2-3 record so no worries here. Till next time, gnome out.

Replacement refs prove a point

Well after the intertouchdownception, a few things are clear. First and for most, no matter how bad we all thought the old refs might have been, we were dead wrong. Second, it's not see easy being a ref. Third and what I think is the most important, the nfl and the commish could care less about us as fans, the players safety, and the integrity of the game that is makin them money

I am sorry to all my packer fan out there. You got hosed. By the footlocker refs, by the league, and by Roger Goddell. Welcome to this saints fans life. How they put a product out there that allows for something like this to happen is beyond me.

On Goddells watch we have had a work/league stoppage and strike, a ref league stoppage and strike, the league being sued for millions for not being safe and a group of arbitrator judges reverse suspensions handed down because they were unjust. But the people he wok for, the owners, allow him to keep his job. I guess money really does talk.

That embarrassment on Monday night shows just how little the NFL owners and commish care about us as fans and the integrity of the product they put out. Joe Flacco mentioned that a week ago and people laughed. Now what do you think?

Also and more importantly, Flacco also mentioned and the players association mentioned in a letter to the league, the risk of injuries with these refs out there. most people blew I off. In the Pitt vs Oakland game, Hayward-Bay was knocked unconscious with a helmet to helmet hit. He didn't move for 11 minutes. Thankfully he is ok. How is this the refs fault, THERE WASN'T EVEN A PENALTY CALLED ON THE PLAY!!! Someone is going to get fined (and rightfully so) 15k for a hit he didn't even get a penalty for. This is insane.

What if he would have seriously gotten hurt? GODDELL is running around yelling about a bounty program that he can't prove existed but he let's officials into games that can't control the players and action on the field.

With all this I'll ask the same question Drew Brees asked this morning. Who's integrity should be questioned now?
#justsayin

The Adventures of Pennington week 3

Helllooooo all!!! Well now, what a crappy game I helped provide this week for u.

Let me start off by taking a look around the league, I don't know which way is up anymore and if Green Bay loses tonight, that would be the icing on the cake.

Back to my game at hand. So I have to admit, I got a little cocky. I never thought we would lose so I didn't bring my good luck "A" game to this one. Hanging around havin some beer, eatin some wings and socializing was my
Main focus.

And then I saw it. The drive to tie the game. Got to say I got scared. So I took of the sombrero, put down that funnel and summoned up the "good luck". It took a lot to get that shank but it worked. Tone time showed up when I wanted him too and Nick is quickly turning into a "Folk" hero with all the fieldgoals made.

Few things:
- We need a receivers that can hold on to the ball.
- the Shon Green experiment should be over
- Someone send a letter to Rex, you can't be a top 5 def without stopping the run
- Sanchize needs to be "on the Mark" a little more often
- Sexy Jesus made a sexy fake punt. We need to use him better (thanks for the help with the miracle btw T)
- please don't let Revis be hurt for the season. Please

Alright. We get the California boys next week at our house. I promise to be more focused Next week. Bring the pain!!

Yunel Escobar is an ass

So I have this gay friend. He gets super offended when people use the word "faggot".

Faggot got its slurred meaning back in the day. It means burning sticks (hence why a cig in England is called a fag). Gay people were thought to be evil and burned at the stake. While burning people would point and scream "faggot" (at least this is how the story was told)

Homosexuals took on the name faggot from that. You then have a pumps ass like Yunel Esobar who wrote in his eye black "tu ere maricon" which in English means "You're a Faggot".

Yunel goes on to explain how in his culture that's not a gay slur, it's just something you say As a general insult

It's sad that my friend is right. Faggot not only has made reference to gays, but not it has taken on a general negative connotation. Referring to all gays are negative. Yunel, your officially an ass. #justsayin

Vilma may shut a lot of haters up

Real quick here people. I just want to go over this.

So we're sayin that the best piece of evidence the NFL and Roger Goddell could come up with was a signed affidavit from Greg Williams saying Vilma put up 10k to take out Farve.

This affidavit was made and signed a few days ago, weeks after the courts tell Goddell his evidence isn't good enough.

So it's Goddell's 1 affidavit of a coach who will do anything to get back to his job (coaching) that Goddell has all the power over verses Vilma's 9 affidavits he has from coaches and players saying he didn't do it, all of which are pre-trial.

Just wanted to get that strait.

What happened to the 3 year investigation, 50,000 pages of evidence they did have? Oh yeah that's right, a panel of Judges said it wasn't enough

Goddell is a joke. If I were an owner I would realize the guy works for me and start the ball in motion to get him replaced. He is embarrassing the league. Between this and the Refs and a work storage a year ago, this is a disgrace.

Man up owners and do something about this guy! #justsayin

Goddell and the NFL are a joke!

He cares so much about the safety of his players that he threw the book at the saints for a bounty program he didn't have enough evidence to
Confirm....

But he let's this clown show of officials march out onto the field for the past few weeks putting the integrity of the league and the players safety in jeopardy.

The real officials went through extensive training and we still want to kill them. These guys are not trained well enough to be refing these games.

This is such a joke. Joe Flacco said what we should all be thinking.

The Adventures of Pennington Week 2

WHAT A WEEK!!!!

After last weeks blow out, I partied pretty hard with some friends throughout the week at Foleys (see picture) leaving me with with a massive headache on Sunday.

After parting all week I decided to stay with my venue of choice hoping we can get some more of that good luck going. And after the first quarter it looked like it was working. The Jets moved the ball well scored on the first drive and got pressure on Pitt's offense.

But as my headache got worse, so did the play and scoring. The wide receivers couldn't get open (Mark didn't complete a pass to a receiver after the first quarter), the defense couldn't tackle the quarterback, we couldn't find a way to get off the field on 3rd down and "sexy jesus" only got onto the field for one series (not fooling anyone with that little use of him).

In the end it was an "oh Shit not again" kinda day. Mark didn't look great but if some of the receivers, in particular Mr Holmes, would have caught some of the balls that "the Sanchize" hit him in the chest with, things may have been different.

Next week is Miami in Miami. Reggie Bush was good 2 weeks ago and a beast last week (179 yard rushing, 2 TD's). Since it looks like we can't stop the run again this year, and we always have a problem with Miami no matter how good or bad they look, I going to have to get my good luck prepped.

I think i'll start by helping Revis onto the field, teaching the linebackers how to tackle the QB, and getting some "stick'em" for the receivers. May be a good plan.

Until next week everyone keep a look out for Chad my pet mushroom. I found him on Tuesday and lost him again on Friday. Tricky little guy he is. See ya!!! Gnome out!

The Adventures of Pennington Week 1

Heellloooo everyone!!! My name is Pennington the "good luck/oh shit not again" NYJ gnome. I am bery lucky to have Anthony as a great friend. He is allowing me to use his blog to log my adventures this season

I started this year with a trip to Foleys in Pleasantville, NY for Week 1 and after this preseason I realized I had to bring extra luck this week annnnnddd it worked.

The Sanchize looked so good people booed "sexy Jesus" when he came in later into the game. I helped convince Hill that his hands were not made of stone and he can catch the ball... It worked. He scored 2 TD's.

Revis did what he does, until Bart Scott stepped on his hand. And Antonio Cromartie's 247 kids showed him how to summersault into the end zone.

Even special teams showed why they are so special with Kerrley's punt return. All aspects of the game were a plus. But now we have to go play Pitt. Man I hate playing them.

I'll make sure to try and bring the luck next week and not the "oh shit not again". By the way, anyone see my pet mushroom chad? Anybody?

UMPIRES NEED TO BE REGULATED

Listen, I understand the age old rule of you get some you lose some. If there is a bad call against you, eventually it will come back to you. But when a division is on the line you need to get the call right

In the Yankee game on Saturday night. There was a blatant missed call to end the game. I know, I know. They shouldn't have put themselves in that position, they had runners on in previous innings and the cal would have only tied the game, giving them a 50/50 chance off winning. I get all that. And it's all true but there are missed calls and whatever that was on Saturday night. I think half of Tex's body was over the bag before the ball reached the glove. We need instant replay for calls like this. Listen, If I'm willing to commit 3 hours to watch a baseball game, then I'm willing to commit 15 more minutes for instant reply to get the right calls
#justsayin

GULITY UNTIL PROVEN INNOCENT

Heeeeellllllllloooooooooooo out there!... Ok now that I got my Boomer and Carton moment out of the way, I can start. Actually, I need to make one more Boomer and Carton Reference, If anyone has seen the GQ with Tim Tebow in it, you will know what I am talking about but from now on (Credit to Boomer and Carton on this) when i speak of Tim Tebow, I will be referring to him as "Sexy Jesus".

Anyway, I am pretty ashamed that we, as a whole, can't evolove to the point where"lynch mobbing" someone for a perception and not valid facts does not exist.  This has happened a lot in the past few months and we should all be ashamed.  "Where? Who? No, not me". I know that's what your thinking well here are some of the blatant ones

I'll start with Chad "the player formally known as Ochocinco" Johnson.  Let me start this one out but saying this.  I, in no way, support anyone hitting a woman for any reason ever.  I think Chris Rock said it best "I'll never hit a Woman, but I'll shake the shit out of one!"  Chad gets arrested for head butting his (soon to be ex) Wife, gets cut from the Dolphins and no one else picks him up, and then loses endorsements.  Evelyn his a cut on her head and swears he head butted her.  He swears (until this day) that he didn't head butt her, still professes his love for her and is seen in recent pictures still with his wedding ring on.  You all know this story by now (unless you've been under a rock).  I watched Chad get killed for hitting Evelyn by a lot of people.  Here is the question, Why couldn't Chad be telling the truth?  Picture this, Evelyn finds a receipt for condoms in the car screaming and badgering him the entire ride home from dinner, while he tried to deny it.  She starts getting mad as sassy at him, he starts getting sarcastic like he always is toward her, she starts screaming and flailing around, he looks over to her and the knock heads, OR maybe, just maybe she gets so mad she head butts him and cuts herself then blames him. 

I don't know, I wasn't there but neither were you.  Could Chad have done this, Absolutely. But, could he have not?  I think so too.  We are talking about a guy that doesn't drink, doesn't do drugs, and doesn't get in trouble with the law.  He's guilty of being a show off big mouth. That's it.  Like it or not, the man is a good person.  He appreciates fans (buys entire resturante's dinner once every few months), and his teammates loved him.  But I guess the chic that broke up with her "Basketball Fiancee" because he got cut and didn't have enough money to support her is who we should trust.  Just some food for though here #justsayin

I've been yappin about the Saints all summer long.  All of a sudden, the players sue, and it comes out that GODdell has shown no real evidence except some disgruntled ex employees, a few ledgers with saying that the players explained in court, and a recorded speech that if you've never played football would not understand but for everyone that has played or been around football and is not a 49er fan does understand.  Lets face it. the saints got caught with a "Paid for performance" (not injury) program that is not allowed but 90% of the league has.  They were told to stop and didn't so the power hungry Commish used them as an example so that he can do what he did today.  Today they asked for the 3000 player lawsuit for concussions and head injuries to be dismissed citing the saints as a way they are trying to make the league safer now.  This guy is a joke.  Kenny Britt and Marshawn Lynch  have been waiting 4 weeks to see if they will be suspend for something that a Giants Offensive Lineman did a month ago and Goddell dismissed.  How long does it take to decide a suspension.  Oh i get it.  Flex your muscle and show the power you have by letting them wait and sweat it out until a few days before the regular season starts.  This is the same guy that most poeple just decided to take his word for at the beginning of the summer when he said "i have evidence the Saints did bad bad things!".  #justsayin

I hope everyone would just stop, realx, and take a second to realize that sometimes, it's not what THE MEDIA wants us to believe (PLease note the fact that a federal investigation showed there was no wire tapping in the superdome and it was a false store by ESPN with no appology by ESPN yet) but what we should actually believe.  I'll finish with I can't wait to see "Sexy Jesus" and the "Sanchize" actually work well together this season and blow poeple's minds. #justsayin

JULY 25th, 2005

Some people get lucky in life and meet someone special. Someone that may change the course of their life or their way of thinking. People that have the power to do this are truly amazing. I'm not talking about your mom or dad, they're supposed to be an influence (although sometimes are not) but maybe a coach, teacher, friend that just makes you go "Wow, how can I be more like them?".  I was lucky enough to meet such a person and was even prouder to call him my Friend.

My Friend Nick was one of those people that would go out of this way to make you smile even when you were having the worst day ever.  Always having a joke to tell you and meet you with a smile on his face.  Nick lived life like every day was a gift.  Now, I'm sure Nick got mad but I never saw it... ever.  He treated everyone with respect and a kindness that in this day in age just does not happen anymore.

A little back story to Nick.  He was born with a  Heart condition.  The story I was told is that he had a surgery done which had previously been unsuccessful on many other patience. He survived.  I was even told that he had this procedure done 6 more times in his life to help his heart condition. Nick couldn't allow too much strain on his heart, causing him to attend school for a semester, then having to take a semester off.

Nick went to the college I attended and thankfully, I was able to meet and stay friends with him after my graduation due to the frequent visits I made back to the school because of good friendships I created while attending.  Nick ended up being employed by me at a local CVS I managed. He also played first base for our softball team for a summer.  At work, playing ball, hanging out, or singing WEZZER songs at some of the shows a band I was in played, Nick always seemed to be having a wonderful time.

On July 25th, 2005, Nick was playing softball for the College Summer Camp and Hit a Home Run!  When he reached home plate, his heart gave in and he passed right there on the field on what seemed like a regular Monday. Every year, through out the year, and especially around this time I always think of Nick.

I saw how he treated people and it inspired me to attempt to be just a little bit of  what Nick was. Kindness and forgiveness are emotions that are hard to master. It can be frustrating and difficult if people view it as weakness. For the first 5 years after Nick passes I threw a music festival in Nick's name to benefit a camp he went to and worked at in NJ called "Hope with Heart" that helped kids with heart problems just like Nicks.  They Strive to provide Kids with was can be called a "normal" summer for at least a few weeks. At this music festival, I spoke with literally hundreds to thousands of people over the years that have had their lives effected (for the better) just by knowing Nick. This gives me hope. Hope that with every bad there are more good. Hope that with every one person that views weakness, there might be 5 that view kindness.

They say as long as people remember you, you are never gone. That legacies are forever. So I leave you with this verse from a song me and my friends wrote in memory of Nick and hope that you all have someone in your life that can move you like Nick has for so many

"Live every day as your last....
Don't dwell on the past.
I'll see you soon...
Heavens only a prayer away
It's only a prayer away"
                   -Switch: Prayer Away

IN MEMORY OF: Nick Fen Gretina

Rapid fire (sorry for the delay)

Super slacking on my rants for a while. This just means I have a lot to say. So here it goes...in no particular order

Let's start with football. That would lead me to something I have been waiting all summer for... DREW BREES GETS PAID! That's what's up! Talk about waiting till the last minute to give the guy what he wanted all along Whatever right. With that in hand the saints now need to stay focused and remind themselves of the chip that's on their shoulder throughout this season. It's the "us against the world" mentality and with Drew in place, there is always a chance. You think Rodger GODdell will be happy when he hands the Saints the Lombardi trophy? #justsayin

Everyone that knows me, knows I love Tim Tebow. Now that he's a Jet I get to watch him every week which is awesome (for me at least). I'm a believer that bringing Tebow in will work and was a good move but the media has to give it a break.... Please!!! The guy takes his shirt off in the rain and I think the reporters got moister then the women when they saw the picture. Leave the guy alone and let him be a football player please!!! With 29 arrests this offseason, I wish the league had more Tebow's. #justsayin

Real interested in Hard Knocks this season. Big Reggie Bush and Chad (ochocinco) Johnson fan. Hopefully they will be as entertaining on tv as they are on twitter.

Why is Jerry Jones calling out the Giants. Has he not realized the cowgirls haven't been relevant in 10/15 years #justsayin

On to baseball. Last time I ranted, the Mets were relevant. Now they are kind of doing what they were supposed to be doing. I'm surprised and a little shocked the Mets Brass didn't take a shot at a wild card. They could have went after a reliever or 2. But in reality Met fans, did you think you were winning the world series this year. Think of more important things like how do we get rid of Jason Bay, who is our catcher of the future because Thole is not the answer, Center fielder... Yes please we can we one of those too. There's a good core there and a good pitching staff so this off season should be interesting but please stop bitching about this season.

Yankees still can't hit with runners in scoring position. Other then that, they look good even with the injuries. Remember, the last 2 seasons they couldn't hit with runners in scoring position in the playoffs and you see where that got them right. #justsayin

Jeremy Lin Lin Lin. He got paid. Good for him. Knicks didn't take on what is most likely a bad contract. Good for them. What's the problem? Stop it with the "he's the second coming of Nash" crap. News flash. For the next 4 years, all offense goes through Carmelo Anthony, like it or not. He didn't play well with Lin. (fact). Smart move for all parties.

My Rangers get a goal scorer (thank the heavens). Dubbie, anisimov, I'll miss you and good luck but it was a good trade. Rangers don't lose Krieder, Mcdonagh or Stephan in this deal. No brainier.

Alright that's all I got for now. I know it was a lot at once and I'll try harder to be more consistent. Footballs going to start (saints preseason starts Sunday) and then baseball playoffs. Hockey and bball start up again soon too. Man I love it! In the immortal words of Michael Kay "SEEEEEEYAAAA"

OLD TIMERS TEAM?

After watching the Yankees awesome history of "old timers" this Saturday I came to this conclusion. If we gave these guys a month to get into playing shape, this team would have more wins then the cubs this year. Here is what I've got with just the 50 that showed up Saturday:
1. Rickey Henderson LF
2. Pat Kelly 2B
3. Bernie Williams CF
4. Tino Martinez 1B
5. Paul O'Neil RF
6. Cecil Fielder DH
7. Charlie Hayes 3B
8. Joe Girardi C
9. Homer Bush SS
Pitching - David Cone

Bench
Daryl Strawberry
Jessie Barfield
Bucky Dent
Reggie Jackson
Matt Nokes
John Flaherty

Bullpen
Sterling Hitchcock
Graham Lloyd
Ron Guidry
Goose Gossage

Coaching Staff
Manager: Joe Torre
Bench: Yogi Berra
1st: Lou Piniella
3rd: Willie Randolph
Pitching: Mel Stottlemyre
Hitting: Reggie Jackson (player coach)

We still have room for 5 more on the roster and prob will need a few more starters, middle infielder, and a lefty out of the bullpen. By the way the fact that homer bush might be our best option at short is sad. I will take suggestions for your last 5 and any corrections you might see from my lineup. Have Fun!

Little bit of everything

Here we go

Didn't catch "Mike Zahn" today but I hear mike from Mahopac killed it with him. Further proof that you can take the Mile away from the Mad Dog and The Mad Dog away from the Mike but there it will never be as good as "Mike and the Mad Dog".

Drew Brees is doing a lot of interviews today. Said he wouldn't even think about sitting out. As a Saints fan I love hearing that but Drew what are you doing. You just admitted that if the saints really want you at 16.5 mil, that's what you'll get 3 weeks till the deadline. #PAYDREWBREES

FACT: the Yankees hit a lot of home runs
FACT: people will be hatters no matter what!
When they hit home runs you say they can't win unless "they hit home runs" , when they don't hot home runs you say "there winning but for all that money they should be hitting more home runs".
FACT: either way try key word in both is WIN, cause that's what Yankees do!

Time for people to wake up and realize the mets aren't that bad, the NL East stinks this year and they can actually make a run at this. They need bullpen help bad. Btw hope you all realize that all this "home grown talent" is a product of Omar Miavia. Remember that guy. You ran him out of town for not knowing hat he was doing #justsayin

Finally I am sad to say there was an 80 foot grill in union square today in manhattan and I unfortunately couldn't go. If anyone went and has a picture of this amazing piece of machinery a post would be most appreciated.

Finally I'll leave you with this, I know he's old but he's still entertaining. Anyone think ocho might actually have a good year this year since the 2nd best wide receiver after him is Devan Bass. #justsayin

Yank/Met Trade?

Daniel Murphy for Fransico Cervelli. You need a catcher (unless you think .260 with 1 hr and 7 RBI's on the season from a guy that is not a good defensive Cather is exceptable). We have to many. Murphy should prob be a dh, infielder "full in" and you have Valsespin who looks like a stud to play second. Thoughts everyone?

BIG PHIL

Sorry everyone... I have been distracted by life and have not been going a good job of Ranting about things Lately.  I will correct that.  Much has happened in the past few weeks and I would Like to take the time to recognize "One of the Greatest Men" I have ever known...

Philip Molinari was a simple man. He loved many things in life. Baseball, Sanatra, Nightlife, The Sea, his Country and most important His Family.  Serving the country in the Navy during WWII he accumulated many stories and had many adventures.  When he returned home, he lived as large as he could, always finding a way to get in and out of trouble but continuing to have adventures throughout.  One day he met, fell in love and married a woman he would occasionally refer to as his better half, Lena (Pat).  Together they had 5 children and those 5 children had 4 grandchildren... one of them being me. 

My grandfather always seemed bigger then life to me.  He taught me how to play cards, how to cheat at cards, how to play poker, how to cheat at poker, how to be responsible, how to embrace your nationality (Italian) but love and respect this country and how to go through everyday life without letting people take advantage of you but how to be understanding at the same time.  From the Navy stories he told about how him and his friends drunkenly shot a cat in a bush accidentally on night because they thought it was the Japanese coming to get them, to how he was arrested for selling fireworks one fourth of July but got off even though there was a pack of fireworks in his shit pocket the cops never found, my grandfather was never a dull man and never short of a story (and always told a good story to boot).

My grandfather had diabetes and lost a leg 7 years ago putting him in a hospice full time.  While in there he lost the other leg and was attached by the disease know as "Deamentia".  On 5/27/12, after a long battle, he finally decided it was time to rest for good.  I know a lo of people lose the people the love, and it was hard losing him, but I think watching him not be able to have any more "adventures" the last 7 years was worse.  He's finally at peace now, having more adventures upstairs, makin new stories to tell me when I see him again.  I just want to say I love you Grandpa "Big Phil". and try not to piss anyone off up there please #justsayin

NOhan!!! It finally happened

If you are a true fan of the game of baseball in New York, last night was awesome. Not like when the Rangers were playing and weaver threw one but Johan did what many before have failed at repeatedly. The best part is it couldn't have been written better.

A guy coming off major shoulder surgery. A guy that they were talking about trading because the didn't know if they could afford him. A guy that goes out there and gives you everything every time he pitches. A guy that couldn't deserve it more.

As a Yankee fan I'll tell you, I wanted Johan the. And I wished they would have traded Burnett for Johan at the beginning of this season. The guy is a bulldog. Never gives up and will figure out how to get you out weather he's throwing 95 or 75.

I have to admit, I kind of believed it might never happen. So many Ex-Mets have done it, it was starting to get comical. But it happened and it was awesome.

Now if your sitting there saying "how can a Yankee fan be so happy for the Mets" then your not a fan of the sport an your an ignorant ass. No hitters are special and especially for a team that has never done it. Never ha one in 8020 games played. As Americans we are almost programed to route for the underdogs. An this is a true underdog story.

Finally I need to say, there is something to this team. It's a team that doesn't know they aren't supposed to be this good. It's a team that doesn't know they were picked last by everyone in the world to finish in this division. The entire season for the Mets can be summed up by one catch. A Native Queens kid, Mike Baxtor, diving to save the no hitter, hurting himself and sacrificing himself for the good of the team and the cause sums it all up. Congrats Johan. Well deserved

SAY IT AINT MO!!!!

As a life long Yankee fan and someone that views baseball as his "A, Number 1 Sport", I want to say how sickening this is.  The games all time best reliever/Closer shouldn't go out like this. A smart Friend posted something today and I will back him.  MO, I hope you come back.  WE know you have the will to come back.  But come back if you want to.  You don't owe the Yankees or us as fans anything.  You have been a professional, smart and one of the most durable players we have ever had. If you feel the need to have it end different, then please do. Mo said when he signed his last contract "GOD WILL TELL ME WHEN IT"S TIME TO STOP PLAYING BASEBALL", well I wish he could have waited until the off season to let Mo know it was time to hang it up because I would have loved to see him go out the way he should... making the last out in the World Series, just like he has done 5 times before. 

Now it starts already.  Panic, disarray and an all out scramble to decide who the new closer is.  Obvious choice is Robertson. The air-apparent to the role has not given up a run all year and is showing no signs of slowing down.  When asked about it thought, D-Rob said "I don't know if I'm ready to be the closer yet."  Now, I know he's still in shock that this happened (we all area) and wasn't expecting to mentally prepare for this role until the off season (even Mo had that), but D-Rob you need to man up.  We need you.  Now more then ever.  Please find that something that the great closers have deep down.  Something that they turn on when the game is on the line that makes then hear and know nothing except it is time to get that save.

I heard the debate about putting Soriano in the closer role and it's not a bad one. Reason are:

• He stinks as a 7thin inning guy and stunk as a 8th inning guy (hence why Robertson got the opportunity in the first place)
• His best role was when he was a closer even if it was in front of 10,000 fans a night and not 50,000
• Your paying him 11.5 million a year for this and next year
• It gives Robertson the Mental time he needs to prepare for the Role
• If he fails, so what, he goes back to the 8th or 7th inning, if Robertson Fails, then what? We're Really Screwed

It's hard for me to say that it shouldn't be D-Rob but I see the argument for Soriano too.  Especially if life for the Yankees play out as so:

• Hugh's Can't find any consistency as a starter and we need to put him back in the bullpen.  Now he is the 7th inning guy
• Joba and his freakish recovery ability comes back and is ready to help out in the bullpen as well
• Soriano can now be Moved for some Starting Pitching or a Position player later in the season with a Chamberlin,Hughs,Robertson final 3 giving Robertson enough time to mentally grasp the fact he is the man and has to be the man.

Who knows. Jeremy Lin tore his ACL and was out 4 months... Shumpert tore it and is out 6 to 8 months... No one has said how long Derek Rose is going to be out with his and Terrel Suggs is out most of if not all of the next season with the same injury.... You just don't know.  What I do know is the Advantage the Yankees have had for almost 20 years over every team in baseball is now gone.  No one was Mo and no one will be Mo. 

You watch Legends Pitch and Play and sometime don't realize or appreciate it until it is gone.  Thanks for everything Mo.  Hope you have a speedy recovery and I hope to see you pitching in Pinstripes again... But if not that's OK too..   GOTTA GO TO MO!

Screw You Girardi!!!

This always happens. Stop over managing you dick!!!! Watching the Yankee game and he takes Hughs out because he's at 100 pitches. Then they give up 6 runs. Let the guy get out of the inning. There were 2 outs!!!

News flash asshole. Your not playing anyone so stop trying to lose games for us. Your job isn't hard. You have the best closer and set up man in the game and one of the best line ups. Stop messing this up!!!

Sorry impromptu rant cause I'm watching the game. (currently 6-1 Baltimore over Yanks)

Baseball Time!

Alright, I know, I know I have been devoting my time to a lot of hockey stuff (no one cares about hockey Ant) so in a reverse the bulk of the Blog to day will be everything baseball. so here we go!

I'll start with the Al East: (cause that's where it's at).  Where does Baltimore get off playing so well  14-9? and 4 of the 9 are at the hands of the Yanks!  2 words Buck Showalter!  This man is a crazy good Coach.  I have a lot of respect for what he did for the Yanks (then left so Torre can win the Series the next year) and Arizona (then left so someone else can win the series there).  Hope one day he can get his Ring.... just won't happen in the AL east. Sorry Buck.  Heard today the Longoria is out 6 to 8 weeks... that's gonna hurt the Rays a lot but they did sign GODZILLA... imagine Matsui at Yankee Stadium in the playoffs, NOT GOOD FOR YANKEE FANS.  The Yanks went form having too much pitching to not enough... go figure.. lets see what this kid Phelps can do as a started and not a reliever(total Different Mindset). Toronto is Toronto (4th best in a great division) and the Sox are an embarrassment.  Couldn't happen to a nicer organization and fan base.  The players need to stop calling out the manager saying "this is not how things are done here.. he's learn soon enough"  HELLO the way things were done there got the last manager fired so shut up and Listen to him.

AL Central: This was supposed to be the easiest division to discuss but it's off to a little different start. The Royals and Twins were supposed to suck (which they do) the Sox were supposed to be mediocre (which they are) and the Indians were supposed to be a good but not great (looks like status quo). The Tigers were supposed to walk away with this one hands down and and struggling. Do i think they will snap out of it, yeah, but for now, NOT SO MUCH.  Time will tell if they can put it together but for now the
"GOOD" INDIANS > "OK" TIGERS

AL West:  This one is weird.  I expect a slug fest between 2 unbelievable teams The Angels are stacked. The Rangers are stacked and have gone to the World Series 2 years in a row... Seattle and Oakland are not supposed to relevant (which they are not) but the ANGELS STINK RIGHT NOW.  Albert cant hit a home run, the pitching stinks,  and no one is playing as a team.  The longest tenured manager in baseball is getting his job threatened and there already 9 games out of first (cause Texas is still that damn good).  Wow. I guess someone had to make the Detroit Situation look not that bad but this has to be the biggest surprise of the year so far at a 8-15 start.

NL East: Let me start this off by saying i am not a Met Fan I am a Yankee Fan, but I am one of those weird Yankee Fans that doesn't hate the Mets and cheers for them when they are not playing the Yanks. In saying that, I will say this about the Met season so far... HOW YOU LIKE THEM NOW!  Wow have the Mets shut a lot of people up so far!  Not that they are playing out of their mind, but everyone picked them to be dead last this year (and maybe rightfully so) without a shot.  25 games in and "they don't look so shitty."  Philly's fall from grace is super surprising and the Marlins are getting a taste of what happens to a team when you make a "ALL LATIN" locker room (see mets season form 2005 to 2010 for reference)... and yes i am saying it is one big Cuban loving "Fiesta"!  The Braves are doing a little better then expected but the Nationals are nasty... 4 out of 5 starting pitchers have an ERA under 2.00 and the one that doesn't has the most wins.  This should be fun. I hope them Mets can keep this up because with as much home grown talent they have they are fun to watch and easy to route for.... btw remember when everyone wanted to chase Omar Maniya out of town for not knowing what he was doing, this is his team he put together from the minor league system... guess he knew what he was doing after all huh... #justsaying

NL Central:  The best story of the year has to go to The Cardinals this year.  I applaud you.  You lose your manager, you lose arguably the best player in the game and you prove to everyone why you won last year... you take it all in stride, pick up the pieces and play as a team to keep winning.... Other organizations should take notice and follow suit (see Sox post in AL EAST).  The Reds are making thing respectable but the rest of this division really is nothing to write home about.  Milwaukee is mediocre without Fielder, Pitt was expected to be OK and they are. Houston is rebuilding and the Cubs have been rebuilding for 102 years so why expect anything different this year.

NL West:  If you don't believe in the Cardinals as the feel good store of the year so far then this HAS TO be it. In a division that has been dominated in recent years by Arizona and San Fran talk, nothing makes me happier then saying that the DODGERS lead by my idol, Don Mattingly, has been killin it this year.  Matt Kemp and Andre Either are nasty and the pitching staff has been killin it this year so far.  I'm sure that Arizona will put it together, San Fran night not because of injuries and we may be surprised by a surging Colorado or San Diego team but Lets go Mattingly Dodgers!!  No really Though Kemp is nasty.. He really is.

There is your baseball fix for now.  Knicks are getting embarrassed by the Heat and whats worse is I heard that there are killer Fire Extinguishers in Miami and one attacked STAT and broke his hand.  If your in the Miami area, beware.  The Rangers need to handle their business with Washington and move on to the next series.  Alright everyone until next time.....

Yeaaaah baby!!!

The only thing sad about the Rangers first round win today was the Fact I didn't get to hear Sam Rosen call the game. Other then that, what a way to start.

3-1 win, inKRIEdable scores another goal, "The King" looks good while getting a little help from his friend "Mr. post" a few times and the Rangers skated well after a physical and emotional game on thursday.

I want to take a second to say this. Thank god the Rangers didn't trade away a few key pieces to get a goal scorer at the trade deadline. Some people thought we needed it (which we do) and others didn't want them to break up the teams chemistry (like me). Well, they got to keep all their players and get a goal scorer for nothing. Kreider is that goal scorer. 6 games in and it looks like they hooked him up to that machine in the matrix and downloaded "NYR 101" into his system. This kid is the real deal and I'm excited about the rest of the playoffs and the Rangers future.

On a sadder note, I am so glad I didn't watch any of the Knicks game. For one, they got a whopping. And for 2, if I actually saw Iam Shumpert Hurt his knee, I might have cried. This kid is my Rookie of the year even if he doesn't win it. He is part of the core that has brought good defensive basketball back to the garden. A torn ACL in your first ever playoff game! Damn man. This stinks. All I can say to that is, Iam, please take care of yourself, heal well and we'll all wait for your return. Thanks for the rookie year this year man

WTF is Freddie Garcia's problem!!! This guy gets lit up like a Christmas Tree ever time he goes out there. With "Pain-in-my-Ada" out for the year, thank god Andy Pettite decided he wanted to pitch again. Andy, get your ass up here, we need you now! #justsayin

LETS GO RANGERS!!!!!

Whats better then a game 7 sporting even in New York... OK there could be a few but not many. Be a Basketball, Baseball or Hockey fan, nothing is better then a game 7. In reality no one wants to get to a game 7 but when i happens, everyone is pumped for it.  Unlike football where everything is a one game series, your long battles series comes down to a "win and your in, lose and you go home" situation.

Tonight, for a lot of you readers, it's all Rangers (and for the sad few of you all Devils).  Nothing else matters. Not the Yankees, not the Mets, not the Knicks, not the Nets last game as a losing NJ franchise and defiantly not a silly football draft.  Oh you might check in on them during an intermission, but It's all NYR tonight.

For any of you reading saying "no one cares about hockey Ant", you have no idea what you are missing and i feel sorry for you.  This is the only sport that you can take off your skate and try and stab a guy and get just a 3 game suspension if the "wheel-o-suspension" lands in your favor.  I love this game and I can't wait for the King to do his thing in goal tonight. 

There is one non-hocky thing I wanted to talk about.  How do you suspend an entire bowl game?  The jackass of a commissioner, Rodger Goodell, wants to suspend the PRO-BOWL because he is unhappy with the amount of competition in the game.  I hate to break this to you Commish, but it kind of works the same why in every league. No one ever takes the all star games seriously.  With basketball they play no defence and the final score is like 150 to 154. With hockey, they play no defense and the final score is like 8-9 (although that was a regular score in the Pitt vs philly playoff series) and in baseball, probably the most competitive all star game, they play for home field in the world series but still is not the greatest competition. 

I love how your the commish but you nor anyone around you can figure this out but here you go.  Your never going to be able to fix the game itself because no one wants to get hurt.  Same goes for any all star game. But, why do you not take a hint from some of the other sports and run a skills competition the Saturday before, or a redraft of the players school yard style.  Basketball has the rookie game, 3 point contest and dunk contest, baseball has the home run derby, hockey has the skills competition and redraft and you have what... guys in Hawaiian shirts... right.

Bottom line is all star sellections are needed and i guess a game is necessary even though it is a washed down version of the game.  They just are.  Deal with it and stop being a cry baby. and just for the hell of it here is a little hashtag love #WHODAT #USAGAINSTTHEWORLD #GOODELLISADOUCHE #justsayin

WTF Ref's

I am impressed that the Rangers won tonight. Not that they actually won game 6 but the fact that they won with the Ref's doing everything possible to screw them. What's up with this crap? First they let Boyle get killed and didn't suspension anyone for it, then they gave Ottawa a goal at the end of this game for no good reason. Game 7 Thursday night at the garden Here we go!

I saw a report that NFL's joke of a commish is accusing the Saints GM Loomis of eavesdropping on other teams to get an advantage from 2002 to 2004. Really?! Talk about 2 league officials hating 2 teams.

ASK AND YOU SHALL RECEIVE!

I asked for more action and I got it. What a good (and bad) weekend for sports in general.  OK rapid fire on some top stories and interesting things from this weekend.. Here we go!

Watching the first round of the Hockey playoff proves to me a few things. First, Seeding means nothing! Hockey is a "get in and win" type playoff.  Regular season standings mean nothing. Ask Vancouver about the (finish with the best regular season record in all of hockey and just got bounced out of the first round). Hopefully the Rangers can pull it out but who knows. It comes down to "who has the hottest Goaltender" and both Lundqvist and Anderson have been terrific (unlike in the Philly, Pitt series). 

One thing I will say is the way suspensions are being handed out is ridiculous.  At first i thought that it was going to be to soft when i saw one player bounce another guys head off the glass boards 3 times and only get a fine. Then, I thought things were going a little over board with the way they would hand out suspensions on how the player that was hit got hurt.  Now that i have seen a player get hit, get a concussion and no penalty was given at all i have figured it out. I'll let you in on their secret. Ready for this? When a play commits what can be considered a "suspendable offense" they go to the big carnival wheel, spin it and where ever it land, that's the kind of penalty you get.  "Get out of jail free", oh it's your luck day. "25 game suspension", ouch sorry buddy better luck next time with the wheel-o-Fun!  Outrageous you say. Stupid, no way.  Well then, you come up with a better theory because I'm all out.

Good to see the Mets have one bounce their way this weekend after they tried to give 2 games away back to back.  Every dog has its day and the Mets are having it right now. I stand by my earlier post TRADE JASON BAY NOW FOR A BAG OF BALLS.

I read a twitter post yesterday by ESPN NEW YORK that said "Rain spares Red Sox of any more Humiliation at Hands of Yankees".  I think that pretty much sums it up. First you have the joker, Kevin Millar, come on TV and say "People wish they had the tradition the Red Sox have. People try and buy it. They Yankees try to buy it, but they will never have the tradition and success like we do".  Will folks, they didn't call them the "village idiots" for nothin.  If anyone out there thinks the Red Sox have a better history and Tradition then they Yankees, I can give you about 20 reason (and rings) more why the Yanks do it better.  How about this simple fact. If the Yanks were celebrating something as important as their 100th year at a stadium, I GUARANTEE that the day they make a massive event about it, they won't lose.  I don't even think they lose when they have old timers day.... ever. But i guess its fitting. Lets celebrate 100 Years of being losers with 2 odd year World Series with a lose to the Yankees. No problem.

Dwight Howard is a dumby. "I never said I didn't want him as my coach". (2 days later) "I am having surgery and I will not play for Van Gundy anymore".  Good move signing this mess for another year Orlando.  And what is Meta Wold Peace aka the artist formally known as Ron Artest thinking.  He gave an elbow that would have send Tyson to his Knees and basically says "opps, sorry i was celebrating too much". You see when i hit something to someone accidentally, i usually see what just happened because i didn't expect it.  If i kept walking that means, you had that comin and i knew what i was doing. #Justsayin

Football Draft is this Thursday, Friday and Saturday.  Lets see how this works out for us all.  I'll be ripping apart my fav teams (Jets, Giants, Saints, New England, etc.) in the following days.

See ya everyone

Where is all the action this week?

It's Thursday and When Monday hit and the awful Suspension was given to Hagelin, I thought i would have a great week of stuff to talk about... but nothing has happened....

Since then, the Rangers have won one and lost one, I can talk about how the Rangers have lost 2 games this series without trailing in the series a second (that's impressive) or how impressive Lundqvist is but that's not that interesting.. Rangers will either lose or win in 7 and we can Rant about that later.

Knicks have gone from "will they make the playoffs?" to "damn why won't they finish in the 8 seed instead of the 7th so we don't have to face the heat".  Melo is finally "MELO" now that we got ride of that awful coach and Mike Woodson has them at 15-5 since he took over.  Lets see if the return of STAT helps or hurts them.

Mets are "overachieving" at 7-5 and the Yankees are "Underachieving" at 6-6.  It's too early to start ripping any of these guys. 12 games in is not enough to start an argument, no matter what any of you guys think.

Football... do we need to keep talking about football? Gmen get a harder schedule then last year. Saints get screwed with a rougher schedule again too and the New England Pat's get the easiest schedule in the game.  Tell me that the league isn't trying to get this team to the Superbowl again.  And the Jets... come on.... if it's not one thing its the next.  We talk about Holmes being a distraction, is Tebow being a distraction? Can we just wait for the season please. 

I will say this.  The Mets honoring Jose's time as a met is a Joke.  Honoring  a guy that has never won anything for you, went to your in division rival, and is going to play for the next 7 years against you is not right no matter if he was the best shortstop you have ever had or not.  Keep giving away tickets for $2.50 a seat and stop with these gimmicks please.  It's embarrassing. #justsayin

FREE HAGELIN TOO!!!!

Let me Start this Blog with a big WTF!!! 

Ok so this is my understanding of the Hagelin mess.  "The length of the penalty depends on the amount of damage/injury that is caused in the process. Also, Each incident will be compared to each other in an attempt to be Fair"

So my translation of that mess is: "If the guy you hit is a big wuss and can't handle a hit, your gonna get suspended longer then if you hit a guy that can "man up" and brush it off.  And, if someone got fined 2 games for something similar, you will get fined 2 or more because every incident isn't an individual thing, we look at everything that has ever happened.. ever"

So for Hagelin that means running at a guy and giving them an over aggressive "hockey hit" will get you fined 3 games because that guy is a wimp and hand to leave the game.  But, if you decide in the middle of the game, "i'm gonna go sucked punch that guy”, then go sucked punch a guy and when he doesn't fight back punch him 5 more times on the ground, you will only get fined 1 game cause tat guy is a real man and stayed in the game.

2 days ago I watched a hockey player take an opponents hand and slam it against the glass wall 5 times like he was playing "whack a mole" and trying to get high score. That guy got a $2,500 penalty. $2,500! I am gonna pay the same amount for my kids baptism and I make about one tenth of what that guy makes a year. I didn't even get to the best part THERE WAS NO SUSPENTION!!! Really.. .Wach-A-Mole is ok but taking a run at a guy is frowned upon so badly that you get suspended basically an entire Series which can change the entire result of that series.

Anyone with 2 brain cells to rub together that witnessed the 2 plays I am talking about in the Ranger game the other day can tell you that one was malicious and the other was basically a guy that doesn’t normally hit people, trying to hit someone, and F'ing it up so bad he clocked the guy.  Don't even get me started again on Whack-A-Mole. 

Like I said with the Saints, I will say it with the Rangers for Hockey and other teams all over. Professional Sports controllers have a thing out for some teams. I don't know why the league hates the Rangers so much, but they do. This year it started when they tried to get us to lose the Winter Classic and kept going to the last game of the season when our players are gettin hacked and there were no calls. We've only won 2 cups in 72 years.  Why would you hate us.... jealously... maybe because the only time your sport is relevant and the ratings are decent is when the Rangers win?

After the Rangers won the cup in '94 Hockey has never seen higher Ratings. Once they start sucking again the Rating dropped and the sport suffered. No Crosby or Ovechkin could save them. just the resurgence of one Franchise. NYR!

So keep hatin.... keep throwin things in front of them... it will only make them stronger. If you don't think that this pissed off Coach Torts they you have not been paying attention all season... Rangers go up 3-1 in the series and then they go to work takin out these clowns.  Torts should smack their coach up for the hell of it too. #justsayin

LETS GO RANGERS!!!!!

DAILY RANT!

So I have decided that one a week I will give you what I call the "Daily Rant". I will give you my opinion about everything I think relevant in the sports realm of my Favorite teams and beyond. So here it goes like it or not.

Yankee Baseball: Fellow Yankee Fan's..> CALM DOWN. Just because we lost 3 games in a row does not make the world crash. Yes, I know it stinks and is no way you want to start a season but get real. We're looking at 2-3 now with CC back on the mound against Baltimore.  We'll be ok. Has anyone noticed how ridiculously good Jeter looks at the plate and playing short? A year ago most people said he was done. I know it's really but, Jeet looks good.#justsayin

Meet the Mets: 4-0 start (4-1 now). Wow! Tell you what, there is not a sole that thought they would sweep the Braves.  I guess no one in the Mets read my previous blog ( i don't know why.. my blog is awesome) but i will say it again. CHANGE YOUR CONDITIONING AND MEDICAL STAFF. Ike Davis stubbed his toe last year and was out the entire season, now David Wright Breaks a bone in his Pinkie and they are talking about a DL stink.  Rub some dirt and play ball! Come on. #justsayin

LETS GO RANGERS!: The Ranger Season means nothing now if they can't show up at this point. It's go time. We need Henrik to be the King he is. Cally to Lead the way. Gabrick to keep up the scoring. You don't go into the playoffs winning as much the the Rangers have and change our style.  They have played hard nosed, dump and run, check, hit scratch and claw hockey all year and they need to keep it up.  But like you all should know, in the playoffs for hockey, the team that wins is the team with the hottest goalie. That's it. It's all on Henry's shoulders.  I believe he is the best and come Thursday he is gonna prove it. LONG LIVE THE KING! #justsayin

Your New York KNICKS: Lets be real folks, even without Derek Rose did you really think that the knicks were gonna take 2 form Chicago?  What have they lost like 14 games all season? Be happy with the one and one and lets move on. Tonight's game is most important anyway.  Knicks win tonight they take a 2 game lead on the bucks for that last spot with a rough schedule ahead. Knicks lose they are tied with the Bucks for the last spot but lose on tiebreaker so they are technically out of the playoffs with a rough schedule ahead.  Tonight might be the most important game left in the season regarding a playoff run.

J-E-T-S JETS JETS JETS: Heard a Report the Mark Sanchez and Santonio Holmes were playing nice this week in Florida.  Voluntarily getting together with Dustin Keller, Turner and McKnight to run drills and plays.Looks like a step in the right direction to me.

G-Men: your Superbowl champs... that is all.

What a Joke!

Well here we go. Monday April 9th and Roger Godell just proves what a bitch he really is.  A lot of words come to mind to describe Godell.  Hypocrite, bully, two-faced and asinine are a few off the top of my head but I won't go on with that. Instead, I will educate any of you that think this is actually a "football safety" move and not a show of power form a man that has hated a franchise since Hurricane Katrina (yes Katrina).

I'll start there.  One of the worst natural disasters to ever to hit the United States occurs in New Orleans. The people that call New Orleans home have very little "bright side" to their days. One thing that is always a happy time is Saints Football in New Orleans. If people forget, I'll remind you. The saints were ORDERED to play an entire season away form their home state.  All home games were played in the opposing teams buildings that year.  Why is this significant? Well, I'll tell you why.

You see, there is is this college football team in New Orleans called LSU ( you might have heard of them).  They have a nice stadium in Baton Rouge.  The saints requested to play in at LSU(Tiger) stadium in hopes of keepin their home games in the great state of New Orleans, giving the people there something to hope for and go to weekly. They were denied. Roger Godel decided there were not enough seats there for the NFL to make money. So forget about the people of New Orleans we need the money.

Ever since then, the New Orleans Saints have done everything in there power to not follow the commissioners office rules. Have you ever had someone poke their finger at you, but hot touch you and it was so annoying that you flipped out?  The Saints were the finger pointing at Roger Godells face but not touching him.  From not following "Head Coach Protocall" during the Superbowl, to running up scores, to not giving interviews when requested, to not stopping the bounty program when asked, The Saints have been a Pain in Godells Butt.

Now he holds the power.  Get caught with your hand in the cookie jar and you get punished. There is no denying that, not even from this guy but "going to your room for an entire year" is Nutz.... as is this UPHELD penalty.  A guy gets caught cheating to win 2 Superbowl's and get a"slap" your a bad boy don't do it again, and this guy get caught covering up a program he didn't even run and he gets a year. 

The worst part is Godell is punishing Sean Payton basically for lieing to him but is lieing to everyone else in return.  "Sean Payton put players in danger and that is unacceptable and the reason for the lenght of punishment.' If you believe that, shot me an email... iIhave a bridge in Brooklyn I'm lookin to sell at a good price, sounds perfect for you. 

2 or 3 years ago, a gentlemen came to The NFL and Mr. Godell with a product/idea that could help with the players concussions.  It was a new helmet.  This helmet was double shot absorbent. one on the outside and one on the inside of the helmet.  This helmet was tested and proven to reduce concussion causing hits but about 75 to 80%.  Sounds great right.  The helmet was reject. Do you want to know the reason why. When they helmets hit, it did not make a loud enough "football sound". Definition, we can't sell this because crunching helmet sounds are part of our game and we don't want to lose that.

What a Joke.  Any time since then this could have been revisited and put into place but never was.  Now, we fine and suspend a coach and are going to try and fine and suspend players for an "intent" to injure even though the actual plays that occurred were never fined at the time and were deemed legal. So now you can get suspended and fined for thinking about hurting someone.  Imagine if that worked in real life. I would be thrown in jail for thinking about killing some of the Yahoo's that come in to bar and act a fool.. just for thinking " i want to beat the crap out of him" (#justsayin)

In closing Godell, have your day in the sun. The Saints will be playing with a chip on there shoulder.  It will be Tuna time this year.  They Will announce Drew Brees's new 5 year 115mil contract and they are gonna play with something to prove.  I hope that New Orleans and the great people of Mercedes Bens who own the superdome, Hire Sean Payton to come out every home game and start up a WHO DAT chant before every game including the Super Bowl.  Stick that in your pipe and smoke it Godell. #justsayin

"Pain" in my "Ada" this guy is

Alright everyone, I apologize for the delay in blogging... I have no excuse it has almost been a week and a lot has gone on so i will hit you up with little excerpts instead of one big blog... here we go...

I'll start with this clown.  Pinada, what are you doing?  You have one half a good season, get traded to the Yankees and become a fat mess?  Really man, this is New York not Seattle.  Your arm tendentious is a joke. Figure it out and don't become the 2010's version of Carl Pavano.  BTW isn't it funny how the Yankees prob need to trade Garcia so he is now conveniently in the starting rotation for at least 3 starts. #justsayin

Way to make it interesting Rangers.  Yeah i do hockey too.  The Rangers have been a love/hate for me.  Kind of like the Knicks (I'm savin them for the last post btw).  I have watched this team develop the past few years.  As good players were signed and underperformed here, watching Cally, Dubbie, King Henry, Stall and so many more be home grown has made me so happy this year.  But come on guys, you still get no respect.  You've been in first for the entire season and it took 3 games before the end of the season to lock it up!!! With the Knicks who are barely .500 all year over shadowing you.  No one thinks there is a "beast in the east" this year and you need to come out and whoop some ass from the get go and never let up.  Anything less then a Cup visit this year in my eyes is a disappointment. I don't want to hear the name Crosby used as an excuse either. #justsayin

"Meet the Mets, Meet the Mets! Come on down and Beat the Mets".  What is going here? This is the only franchise I know that builds a stadium for pitching, defense, and speed, then created an on field product that is completely the opposite. It was so bad they had to bring the fences in because of it.  In all honesty, the Mets have a lot of talent here but they need to decide what they are doing. I will start my list:
Wright-Will you guys finally make him the face of the franchise now that you let the showboating SS go to Miami,
DuDa & Murphy- If these guys can't figure out how to play the position you put them at currently, trade them while they have value please.  I know you all love them and they are good players but you don't need 3 1B's
Ike- Please stay healthy, you can be a beast
Tuly- why is he still the starting Catcher?  really though
Bay- This guys a joke. A shell of his former self.  If you can learn anything from the Yankees please learn from this.  No matter how bad a guy is playing, there is a team out there that thinks that player might have some value. Find that team and trade him for a bag of balls and some foul line chalk (see Burnett trade to Pitt for Reference)
Torres & Tejada- Jury is out on a wait and see. Upside, I don't think many people are expecting much except good defence so as long as they don't have a Adam Dunn season, it can't get worse.
Starting Rotation- Johan will be good but is expensive, trade him if you can. You can get good prospects for him. Neise and Gee should be Solid. RA is what he is, just try and score for the guy this year. Pelf... what is up with this guy? can anyone tell me
Bullpen- You have none. No really they all suck start over.
And FOR GODS SAKE, will you please get a new strengh and conditioning staff.  You guys get hurt more then anyone in any teams existence ever.  #justsayin

Now on to the Knicks. It's funny how no one believed it could just be the coach that was the problem but here we are, almost 3 weeks removed from D'Antoni and the Knicks are 10-4 under Woodson.  I love watching this team play defense, and get frustrated when they chose not to.  The Knicks are tricky because I think the Jeremy Lin injury is more important then the STAT injury.  Just because with STAT, we have someone that can score if he's not there, after Lin I don't trust the other 3 Point Guards.  The Great thing about this team is that they have depth, which if they do make the playoffs, will help.  The emergence of Shumpart, Novak and Jeffereies as well as the late addition of JR Smith makes there bench almost as dangerous as the starting line up. Not may teams can say that. My opinion, we need to win the division and finish in the 4 spot. If we finish at 8 and play Chiago, even without Rose it will be difficult, with Rose almost impossible.  The 4 spot gives them the Pacers or Hawks first round and then Lin could be back for the second round which would be a huge energy burst (like him or not the fans will go nuts and the team will respond) which might help them. Who knows but I finally am enjoying watching them again and not disgusted with the mire mention of the name Knicks. #justsayin

In closing, I think i touched on everything I have been thinking of for the past week. MSG and the Daily News have to stop bitching. Lin or not people would have bought Playoff tickets. It's New york, its the playoffs that equals sold out. Looking forward to baseball (my true sports love) season and can't wait for the Jets training Camp. Tebow Time + Tone Time + Dirty Sanchez + Sexy Rexy = Entertaining. Finally, Godell is to review Sean Paytons suspension this week. Lets see if he does the right thing and knocks it down to 8 or 12 games. If not Tuna Time in Nola. Until then I will continue with my request #FreeSeanPayton!!!!! #justsayin

"MIKE'S ZAHN"

As you read my blog more you will learn of my hatred for Mike Francesa's arrogant nature.  He is such a pampas ass that, daily, it brings me to a point were i scream at my car radio.  Don't get me wrong, I think he knows Sports but his "my opinion is fact and you are always wrong" attitude grinds my gears.  I miss the days of Mad Dog who almost knew nothing about what he was talking about but would get Mike so worked up it would be wonderful.

Folks, I know you have all had this happen.  Your on a highway or parkway and there was a ton of traffic. You scream and yell for everyone to move and don't understand what the hold up is. Finally you see a car crash up a head and yell even more for the cars to move and not slow down to look. You finally get up to that point where you can either fly by or slow down and look like everyone else and what does 99% of us do, slow down and look at the car crash. Even though we were just yelling.  Even though we know we are just being part of the problem, we stop and look. Ladies and gentlemen, Mike Francesa is my daily car crash.

I think the organization to benefit from Tebow being a Jet the most is not The Jets.  It's not Denver.  It's WFAN 660 the Fan because it gives the biggest Jet Hater in the world a reason to KILL the Jets on a daily basis in the off season. That hater is (insert drum roll), 'Mike's ON" Francesa.  What i love is that this not even the biggest story in sports but it is to him and apparently everyone else on the FAN. No one can stop talking about it. COME ON PEOPLE!

The Rangers are fighting for 1st place in the East
The Knicks are fighting to get into the playoffs
The Mets are dropping like flies in spring Training
The Yankees have 7 Starters on the Roster and a Relief Pitcher that got hurt on a trampoline
USA Mens Soccer didn't Qualify for the Olympics
Bill Parcells might come back to Coaching
MLB officially started in Japan last night and there was no coverage at all
AND THE BREAKDOWN OF TIM TEBOW/MARK SANCHEZ GET THE MOST PLAY

Anyone remember a team called the Giants?  They won an important game about a month and a half ago.  They just lost 2 big pieces that helped them win that Superbowl (whether you liked them or not). Replaceable, yes but can we talk about them going the same team... a team that was a gift punt return fumble away form beating the Giants to get into the Superbowl?  The Gmen have had a quiet off season which is not unusual and after 2 Superbowl's in 4 years who am i to question their GM but don't look now, the 49ers who were good before, just got better at the Giants expense.

Mike, I applaud you for your consistency with your hatred toward everything Gang Green.  From the Coach to the QB to the CB's to the back up QB, there is nothing they can do right in your eyes and even though i didn't listen to you when Parcells was there i wish i could have listened to your "inner douche" fight with your love for everything "TUNA".

In closing i want to leave you with this.  Since writing yesterdays post, I have come across a post about a situation in 2007 where Greenbay was found to have a Bounty on AP that day.  He was Carted off the field injured and it was found that the bounty was for the entire D to keep AP under 100 yards for that day (which they did by knocking him out).  They admitted to it and were told not to do it again and no one was fine or suspended.  What a joke. Call it whatever you want but if a bounty is wrong its wrong. It's not just wrong because someone lied to cover it up.  A player (very high profile player) actually got hurt in this situation and nothing happened. Do we really care about the players safety with this fine of Goodell's big fat ego about being lied to? #JustSayin

FREE SEAN PAYTON!

Soooo... Listen, I've stayed quiet on this issue for almost a week for a few reasons. First, disbelief (how would you feel if one of the coaches on your team got suspended for a year). Second, loss of words. Third, I kinda wanted to see how this was gonna play out.  So here it goes.

ARE YOU KIDDING ME!!!!! A FREAKIN YEAR!!!!! A WHOLE YEAR!!!! WTF!!! Alright, now let me set something strait.  I get that a bounty program to injure players is wrong and i totally agree. I also want to say that I heard "Knock out of game" and "Cart off" which most likely calls for some kind of injury or concussion in order to do so, but not necessarily.  I have to give them a hand for not saying straight out "injure that MoFo".

I have no knowledge of this or anything to back this up, but i am going to GUESS that  about 60 to 80% of teams in this league HAD some kind of "bounty system" Rewarding players for interceptions, sacks, tackles, fumble recovery's, etc.  The Saints got caught, got told to knock it off, got caught again and then basically lied about the extent of knowledge (I think that's the case so far).  So for that i agree you should get punished. BUT A YEAR!!!

A year... after no other couch has ever gotten suspended ever before. I mean its not like they went out and taped the others teams defensive and offensive schemes and then won 2 Superbowl's off of that. I mean if anyone ever did that they would deserve some kind of suspension right.  OH WAIT THAT HAPPENED AND HE GOT A FINE, SLAP ON THE ASS AND A DON"T DO THAT NO MORE. To prove a point, what has New England Won since that.. NOTHING they got spanked twice by the Giants.  They went from being gods to being good. 3-2 in Superbowl's instead of 5-0. So Patriot fan can cry all they want, their not that good without cheating and Giant fans can thank THE JETS and Eric Mangini for blowing the whistle on that unless odds are they would have never won their last 2 Superbowl's.(Giant dig of the blog)

So Belichick gets no suspension and Payton gets a year for a Bounty Program he didn't even run.  INSANE!!! I was hoping for 4 expecting 6 would have yelled but excepted 8 BUT A YEAR!!! your out of your minds...

And now they want to suspend players.. FOR WHAT... let me get this strait so, we suspend a coach, GM, back up coach, and Def COORD (not even on our team anymore) and want to start suspending players for plays that at the time we're not fined and no one was suspended for.  "But they were trying to injure them" SHUT UP!!! Newsflash, football is dangerous and people get injured.  There isn't a Linbacker out there that isn't thinking about knocking the QB out if he gets a chance and we all know it.

You want real stats too then fine. The saints the past 2 years have been one of the 5 least penalized teams in the league. and have been in the bottom for fines for illegal hits as well.  Ask the Steelers about it (top team) I'm sure the Ravens don't know anything about being thugs out on the field and trying to injure someone (RAY LEWIS KILLED A MAN COME ON!!!)

Lets face it, there are 2 reasons this happens. First, the league is trying to look all safe and good now that there are major concerns about concussions so they came down extremely hard on the Saints.  I get this but a year! There's hard and then there's what this is, which leads me to my second reason THE COMMISSIONER HATES THE SAINTS.

Yeah i said it, and what.  He doesn't like Sean Payton for not being a drone and doing "what he is told" during their Superbowl run. They don't like the fact they score when they probably can just run out a clock. They wanted then out of New Orleans after Katrina and the good people of New Orleans are the only reason they are still there... well them and a Superbowl run lead by Payton and Brees.

SO in closing i want to say this is nuts I hope Payton appeals and wins something, I hope they get Bill Parcells as their fill in. I hope that the Saints go undefeated at home, AGAIN.  But I KNOW, they are all gonna play with a chip on their shoulder now. Superbowl's in New Orleans this year.  Better not let the saints in.  Belichick can do all the taping he wants and Manning and Elway can talk elite QB all day but no one is gonna stop the saints form marching over them if you let them play the Superbowl at Home
#WHODATNATION!