This week Michigan goes to Happy Valley to battle Penn State. But as far as this blog is concerned it's Focks vs. Freedo, Nails & Leary. I generally root for both these teams although Nails is a such a dick about Syracuse I sometimes wish him pain. But I do love The Ohio State University more than either of these schools.
Notre Dame beat Penn State by 24, and lost to Michigan by 26, meaning this game should be 63-13, Michigan. But I expect a much closer game.
First off, the Michigan coaching staff may be distracted by threatening and obscene e-mails they have been receiving from some crazed fan.
Also, Michigan's top receiver Mario Manningham is out and will not play against Penn State. Manningham has 527 yards and 9 touchdowns already this season.
Last year's game was a classic overshadowed by Notre Dame-USC. This game should be another good one but I see Michigan winning but just enough to cover the spread, say 28-20.
Friday, October 13, 2006
A Little Bit of Magic
The Concierge has been bragging all week about his magic at Mets games and calling me a mush.
Midway through the game I texted him to get his magic working or his streak would be over. At the instant I pressed send, Lo Duca singled to left. Before he could even reply, Beltran had blasted a homer to give the Mets the 2-0 win.
The few minutes after that saw about 6 text messages, so many that I couldn't respond.
The Concierge said "take that sucka."
Leary said "The Concierge almost knocked over the whole row after the HR."
A great moment!
Due to Wednesday's postponement I will be going to tonight's game with my dad, my father-in-law and The Concierge. Should be an interesting game especially if The Concierge takes the LIRR to the game.
The pressure is off and expectations are low due to the pitching matchup (Carpenter vs. Maine) but a win tonight would be huge.
Let's Go Mets!
Midway through the game I texted him to get his magic working or his streak would be over. At the instant I pressed send, Lo Duca singled to left. Before he could even reply, Beltran had blasted a homer to give the Mets the 2-0 win.
The few minutes after that saw about 6 text messages, so many that I couldn't respond.
The Concierge said "take that sucka."
Leary said "The Concierge almost knocked over the whole row after the HR."
A great moment!
Due to Wednesday's postponement I will be going to tonight's game with my dad, my father-in-law and The Concierge. Should be an interesting game especially if The Concierge takes the LIRR to the game.
The pressure is off and expectations are low due to the pitching matchup (Carpenter vs. Maine) but a win tonight would be huge.
Let's Go Mets!
Thursday, October 12, 2006
A Walking Tour of Staten Island
A New York Times reporter spent 6 days camping out and walking the perimeter of Staten Island. The video is available here, but you will probably have to look through the index to find it.
Weekly Picks
Last week, I proved myself to Adam and Harley and to Freedo as well. I went 4-1 (6-2 overall) despite the fact that 4 of my games were decided by half a point. I got three of them right (though late scores by Cleveland and Green Bay made that possible) and I could have gone 5-0. Kansas City had the ball 1st and goal on the 4 with 2 minutes left but Dee Brown from Syracuse came in for an injured Larry Johnson and ran the ball into the line 3 times. Unfortunately Adam and Harley both picked Detroit and the Jets so a good week was spoiled. Here are this week's forecasts.
DALLAS COWBOYS -12.5 houston texans
I do like Houston's offense to put enough points on the board to keep this one close. And I think the spread is a little too big. But I think a lot of people are expecting the TO situation to fester and start to hurt Dallas. I don't think that happens, at least not this suddenly. I expect Bledsoe to bounce back so I'm taking the Cowboys, but very worried about a late Houston score.
PITTSBURGH STEELERS -6.5 kansas city chiefs
Injuries play a big part in this one. Looks like Larry Johnson will probably play and Damon Huard will definitely play. This is the week we find out if the Steelers are slumping or seriously flawed. I think the Steelers will win a close one, so for the third straight week I'm counting on LJ and the Chiefs.
DENVER BRONCOS -15.5 oakland raiders
Denver's defense looked awesome against the Ravens but I always think a performance on Monday Night gets overrated in the next week's spread. But they are playing the Raiders. I doubt the Raiders will score a point so that means I have to take the Broncos.
ARIZONA CARDINALS +10.5 chicago bears
I thought I told you last week not to pick against the Bears.
DALLAS COWBOYS -12.5 houston texans
I do like Houston's offense to put enough points on the board to keep this one close. And I think the spread is a little too big. But I think a lot of people are expecting the TO situation to fester and start to hurt Dallas. I don't think that happens, at least not this suddenly. I expect Bledsoe to bounce back so I'm taking the Cowboys, but very worried about a late Houston score.
PITTSBURGH STEELERS -6.5 kansas city chiefs
Injuries play a big part in this one. Looks like Larry Johnson will probably play and Damon Huard will definitely play. This is the week we find out if the Steelers are slumping or seriously flawed. I think the Steelers will win a close one, so for the third straight week I'm counting on LJ and the Chiefs.
DENVER BRONCOS -15.5 oakland raiders
Denver's defense looked awesome against the Ravens but I always think a performance on Monday Night gets overrated in the next week's spread. But they are playing the Raiders. I doubt the Raiders will score a point so that means I have to take the Broncos.
ARIZONA CARDINALS +10.5 chicago bears
I thought I told you last week not to pick against the Bears.
Must Win Game
The Mets now find themselves in a must-win situation in Game 1 of the NLCS. Should the Mets get down 1-0, they would find themselves having to beat Chris Carpenter just to keep the series even. A 2-0 hole would be devastating especially because another unfavorable pitching matchup will occur in Game 4 when Oliver Perez is on the mound. The Mets are definitely the favorites heading into the series but if they lose Game 1 they will become a huge underdog.
Five Hours Wasted
Left my house at 3:30 for the Met game, arrived at Shea a little before 5 and it was pouring. I parked under the overpass and sat for two hours before they canceled the game. Traffic around the stadium was worse than it is after games, so I didn't get home until 8:30. I will be at Game 2 on Friday instead.
The rainout screws the Mets because now the Cardinals can use Chris Carpenter in Games 2 and 6 instead of 3 and 7. Also Tom Glavine might not pitch 1 & 5 because the travel day was eliminated, meaning he'd need to pitch on only 3 days rest, an option the Mets may have to explore.
The only positive part of the evening was when a guy got out of his car to pee on the pillar one car from where I was parked. Because of all of a sudden a woman got out of the same car, walked over, checked the adjacent cars for people (obviously didn't see me), squatted in front of my car and relieved herself. I couldn't see anything, she crouched so low she disappeared. Then two pedestrians walked by on the left and the female pee-er hopped up, raised her drawers, zipped her pants and got back in her car.
The rainout screws the Mets because now the Cardinals can use Chris Carpenter in Games 2 and 6 instead of 3 and 7. Also Tom Glavine might not pitch 1 & 5 because the travel day was eliminated, meaning he'd need to pitch on only 3 days rest, an option the Mets may have to explore.
The only positive part of the evening was when a guy got out of his car to pee on the pillar one car from where I was parked. Because of all of a sudden a woman got out of the same car, walked over, checked the adjacent cars for people (obviously didn't see me), squatted in front of my car and relieved herself. I couldn't see anything, she crouched so low she disappeared. Then two pedestrians walked by on the left and the female pee-er hopped up, raised her drawers, zipped her pants and got back in her car.
Yankees Statements
"I am deeply saddened by this tragic event and I ask everyone to keep Cory, his family and all those affected by this tragedy in your prayers."
Brian Cashman
Senior Vice President
and General Manager,
New York Yankees
"This is a terrible shock. I was with Ron Guidry and Lee Mazzilli when I heard the news and we were just stunned. Cory’s time with the Yankees was short, but he was a good teammate and a great competitor. My heart goes out to his family."
Joe Torre
Manager,
New York Yankees
"I am shocked by this devastating news. Spending the last few months as Cory’s teammate, I came to know him as a great man. While he was known as a baseball player, he was, more importantly, a husband and father and, at a time like this, I want to share my deepest sympathies with his wife Melanie, his son Christopher and all those who know and loved him."
Derek Jeter
Captain,
New York Yankees
Jason Giambi Statement:
“Right now, I am really in a state of shock, as I am sure the entire MLB family is. My thoughts are with Cory’s relatives and the loved ones of the others who were injured or killed in this plane crash. I have known Cory and his wife Melanie for over 18 years and watched his son grow up. We played high school ball together and have remained close throughout our careers. We were excited to be reunited in New York this year and I am just devastated to hear this news.”
Statement from George M. Steinbrenner
Re: Cory Lidle
“This is a terrible and shocking tragedy that has stunned the entire Yankees organization. I offer my deep condolences and prayers to his wife, Melanie, and son, Christopher, on their enormous loss.”
Brian Cashman
Senior Vice President
and General Manager,
New York Yankees
"This is a terrible shock. I was with Ron Guidry and Lee Mazzilli when I heard the news and we were just stunned. Cory’s time with the Yankees was short, but he was a good teammate and a great competitor. My heart goes out to his family."
Joe Torre
Manager,
New York Yankees
"I am shocked by this devastating news. Spending the last few months as Cory’s teammate, I came to know him as a great man. While he was known as a baseball player, he was, more importantly, a husband and father and, at a time like this, I want to share my deepest sympathies with his wife Melanie, his son Christopher and all those who know and loved him."
Derek Jeter
Captain,
New York Yankees
Jason Giambi Statement:
“Right now, I am really in a state of shock, as I am sure the entire MLB family is. My thoughts are with Cory’s relatives and the loved ones of the others who were injured or killed in this plane crash. I have known Cory and his wife Melanie for over 18 years and watched his son grow up. We played high school ball together and have remained close throughout our careers. We were excited to be reunited in New York this year and I am just devastated to hear this news.”
Statement from George M. Steinbrenner
Re: Cory Lidle
“This is a terrible and shocking tragedy that has stunned the entire Yankees organization. I offer my deep condolences and prayers to his wife, Melanie, and son, Christopher, on their enormous loss.”
Wednesday, October 11, 2006
Plane Crash
Yankee pitcher Cory Lidle died when a small plane he was in (not sure if he was piloting) crashed into a Manhattan apartment building. At first I was relieved that this was not an act of terrorism but then saddened when I learned a couple hours later that Lidle was on the plane.
Sad to see anyone die in this fashion but this feels even a little stranger to me. On Monday I heard Mike and the Mad Dog rip Lidle a new one over some comments in the paper. The quotes attributed to Lidle called the Yankees unprepared, but Lidle claims that wasn't a knock on Joe Torre. Lidle was clearly defensive and the two jerks made him look like a fool.
Today however they did a nice tribute to Lidle by getting a lot of his former teammates and coaches on to talk about him.
Sad to see anyone die in this fashion but this feels even a little stranger to me. On Monday I heard Mike and the Mad Dog rip Lidle a new one over some comments in the paper. The quotes attributed to Lidle called the Yankees unprepared, but Lidle claims that wasn't a knock on Joe Torre. Lidle was clearly defensive and the two jerks made him look like a fool.
Today however they did a nice tribute to Lidle by getting a lot of his former teammates and coaches on to talk about him.
It's Go Time
Game 1 of the NLCS will be my third straight Mets home playoff game. I'm going to go with the David Wright jersey for the third straight time and hope the luck continues.
St. Louis will be a much tougher opponent than the Dodgers, but the fact that it's Jeff Weaver and Jeff Suppan in Games 1 and 2 is a big advantage for the Mets (compared to Chris Carpeneter).
I promise not to smile even on the inside when the Great Albert Pooh Holes hits a home run. I think the Mets should walk him every single time, regardless of game situation.
St. Louis will be a much tougher opponent than the Dodgers, but the fact that it's Jeff Weaver and Jeff Suppan in Games 1 and 2 is a big advantage for the Mets (compared to Chris Carpeneter).
I promise not to smile even on the inside when the Great Albert Pooh Holes hits a home run. I think the Mets should walk him every single time, regardless of game situation.
Vote For Heath
Heath Shuler hopes to inject some horsepower into his U.S. House bid by renting advertising space on a racing car.
The campaign is spending $10,000 to put the Democrat's name on the No. 23 Chevrolet driven by Brad Keselowski during the NASCAR Busch Series event at Lowe's Motor Speedway on Friday night, spokesman Andrew Whalen said.
"It's an opportunity to reach out to voters in a different way," Whalen said. "Heath and the rest of the campaign staff are big NASCAR fans, so we're excited about this."
Shuler is trying to unseat eight-term Republican Rep. Charles Taylor in a district that covers the western tip of North Carolina.
The campaign is spending $10,000 to put the Democrat's name on the No. 23 Chevrolet driven by Brad Keselowski during the NASCAR Busch Series event at Lowe's Motor Speedway on Friday night, spokesman Andrew Whalen said.
"It's an opportunity to reach out to voters in a different way," Whalen said. "Heath and the rest of the campaign staff are big NASCAR fans, so we're excited about this."
Shuler is trying to unseat eight-term Republican Rep. Charles Taylor in a district that covers the western tip of North Carolina.
The NFL is Poop - Week 5
Best Team Ever?
I am starting to believe that the Chicago Bears are a real threat to go undefeated. They have all the elements, a dominating defense, a solid offense with a good running game, low expectations and most importantly an easy schedule. Their next three games are against the Cardinals (MNF), then a bye, then the 49ers and Dolphins, combined record, 4-11. I'd be shocked if they are not 8-0 after that. Then they play two weeks in a row in Meadowlands first against the Giants then the Jets. Then it gets tough, a third straight road game, Thanksgiving weekend on the road against the Patriots. Then come the Vikings (the only team to stay within 26 points this year) then the Rams on the road. If they can get through that stretch 13-0 the final 3 games are against Tampa Bay, Detroit and Green Bay, combined record 1-13. Unlikely, but could happen.
How'd It Happen
I'm actually not quite sure but somehow Tennessee almost beating Indianapolis, leading the whole game until a late touchdown gave the Colts the 14-13 win. Vince Young wasn't good but the running game controlled the clock and churned up more than 200 yards, 43 and a touchdown from Young himself. Manning threw for only 166 yards. I think the Colts are very good but they seem bored and may have realized that the regular season means nothing so they are taking it easy, allowing bad teams like the Jets and Titans to keep it close.
The Savior
Reggie Bush lived up to his billing and saved New Orleans with his first NFL touchdown giving the Saints a 24-21 win over Tampa Bay. Everyone is rooting for New Orleans this year and Sean Payton seems to have figured out a way to get Bush and Deuce enough touches so that they can both be happy and effective, perhaps they are doing even better together than they would be doing separately.
Game of the Week
Philadelphia 38 Dallas 24
The final score doesn't quite indicate the back and forth nature of this game. Donovan played a great game and had to lead the Eagles back a couple times, throwing a long pass to Baskett and one to Brown on a flea flicker. Of course the end of the game was marred by Bledsoe being horrible, throwing two awful picks and TO flipping out on him. The more subtle impact of Owens is that after seeing on a couple balls in the first half, he was the target on almost every pass in the second half. That imbalance will only hurt the Cowboys down the road.
Game to Watch
Seattle at St. Louis
Right now the Rams have a better record and are playing some good football. Seattle will almost certainly go 6-0 in division again if they can win this game. If they lose they might be in trouble.
Cheerleader of the Week
Gail, one of the San Diego Charger girls. Gail likes dancing and shopping and Shawne Merriman's mohawk.
A Brief Rant About the Redskins
That game was a complete disaster. They couldn't run the ball. They couldn't complete a pass. The defense was bad too but held enough to force the Giants into a lot of field goal attempts. John Hall even missed a kick, so special teams wasn't spared. Mark Brunell is best when he is throwing screen passes. In that game plan Portis ran for 2 yards on first and second downs and then Brunell had to throw a long pass. That's not gonna work. Tennessee and Indianapolis the next two weeks.
If The Super Bowl Were Played Today
Chicago 35 San Diego 13
The Bears are the best team in the NFL right now. They are killing people. I chose the Chargers over the Colts because I view a tough loss to Baltimore and a good win over the Steelers as strong games than narrow victories over the Jets and Titans. The Colts have the better record but they haven't proven they can still do it on O like they used to, now that they no longer have Edgerrin James.
I am starting to believe that the Chicago Bears are a real threat to go undefeated. They have all the elements, a dominating defense, a solid offense with a good running game, low expectations and most importantly an easy schedule. Their next three games are against the Cardinals (MNF), then a bye, then the 49ers and Dolphins, combined record, 4-11. I'd be shocked if they are not 8-0 after that. Then they play two weeks in a row in Meadowlands first against the Giants then the Jets. Then it gets tough, a third straight road game, Thanksgiving weekend on the road against the Patriots. Then come the Vikings (the only team to stay within 26 points this year) then the Rams on the road. If they can get through that stretch 13-0 the final 3 games are against Tampa Bay, Detroit and Green Bay, combined record 1-13. Unlikely, but could happen.
How'd It Happen
I'm actually not quite sure but somehow Tennessee almost beating Indianapolis, leading the whole game until a late touchdown gave the Colts the 14-13 win. Vince Young wasn't good but the running game controlled the clock and churned up more than 200 yards, 43 and a touchdown from Young himself. Manning threw for only 166 yards. I think the Colts are very good but they seem bored and may have realized that the regular season means nothing so they are taking it easy, allowing bad teams like the Jets and Titans to keep it close.
The Savior
Reggie Bush lived up to his billing and saved New Orleans with his first NFL touchdown giving the Saints a 24-21 win over Tampa Bay. Everyone is rooting for New Orleans this year and Sean Payton seems to have figured out a way to get Bush and Deuce enough touches so that they can both be happy and effective, perhaps they are doing even better together than they would be doing separately.
Game of the Week
Philadelphia 38 Dallas 24
The final score doesn't quite indicate the back and forth nature of this game. Donovan played a great game and had to lead the Eagles back a couple times, throwing a long pass to Baskett and one to Brown on a flea flicker. Of course the end of the game was marred by Bledsoe being horrible, throwing two awful picks and TO flipping out on him. The more subtle impact of Owens is that after seeing on a couple balls in the first half, he was the target on almost every pass in the second half. That imbalance will only hurt the Cowboys down the road.
Game to Watch
Seattle at St. Louis
Right now the Rams have a better record and are playing some good football. Seattle will almost certainly go 6-0 in division again if they can win this game. If they lose they might be in trouble.
Cheerleader of the Week
Gail, one of the San Diego Charger girls. Gail likes dancing and shopping and Shawne Merriman's mohawk.
A Brief Rant About the Redskins
That game was a complete disaster. They couldn't run the ball. They couldn't complete a pass. The defense was bad too but held enough to force the Giants into a lot of field goal attempts. John Hall even missed a kick, so special teams wasn't spared. Mark Brunell is best when he is throwing screen passes. In that game plan Portis ran for 2 yards on first and second downs and then Brunell had to throw a long pass. That's not gonna work. Tennessee and Indianapolis the next two weeks.
If The Super Bowl Were Played Today
Chicago 35 San Diego 13
The Bears are the best team in the NFL right now. They are killing people. I chose the Chargers over the Colts because I view a tough loss to Baltimore and a good win over the Steelers as strong games than narrow victories over the Jets and Titans. The Colts have the better record but they haven't proven they can still do it on O like they used to, now that they no longer have Edgerrin James.
As Seen on CNN
Cool article on Bloomberg about the divide on Wall Street.
Wall Street's Mets Fans Relish Baseball Misery of Rival Yankees
By Danielle Sessa
Oct. 11 (Bloomberg) -- Wall Street's bonus season arrived early this year for fans of the New York Mets. Before reaping December cash, they got October payback time.
Ask Michael Rail, an equity trader at Jefferies & Co. in Manhattan. After his Mets advanced over the weekend in Major League Baseball's playoffs on the same day the cross-town New York Yankees were dumped from contention, Rail called it ``the greatest Saturday of my life.''
It marked the first time that the Mets moved ahead in the playoffs while the Yankees, owners of 26 World Series titles and the chief tormentors of all Mets fans, exited the postseason and cleaned out their lockers.
``The Mets won and the Yankees lost,'' said Rail, a 42-year- old Mets season-ticket holder. ``How can it be any better?''
Elsewhere on Wall Street, backers of the Yankees, who have made the playoffs every year since 1995, were licking their wounds.
``There is something just wrong about it,'' said Brian Pears, a 37-year-old Yankees fan who said he was greeted by taunts from colleagues when he went to work on Monday at Nyfix Inc., an electronic-trading services company. ``It's not supposed to happen this way.''
``The fact that the Mets are still going makes it much, much worse,'' he said.
The Mets, who have won two world championships, advanced after sweeping the Los Angeles Dodgers in their best-of-five first-round playoff series. The Yankees were eliminated, three games to one, by the underdog Detroit Tigers.
Yankees' Dominance
Over the past 10 years the Yankees have dominated New York baseball, winning four World Series titles, including one over the Mets in 2000. Counting this season, the Mets have made the playoffs only three times in that same span.
The Mets open the best-of-seven National League Championship Series tonight against the St. Louis Cardinals at Shea Stadium in Queens. The winner meets the Oakland Athletics or the Tigers in the World Series.
In addition to sending their fans into shock, the Yankees' loss prompted three days of speculation over whether manager Joe Torre would be fired after failing for the sixth straight year to win the World Series with the sport's highest-paid club.
Torre, 66, said yesterday that Yankees owner George Steinbrenner, who's had 15 different managers since buying the team in 1973, told him he's staying. Steinbrenner called the Yankees' season a ``sad failure'' in a statement after they were eliminated.
Schadenfreude
Predictably, Mets fans are expressing their amusement at the disarray in Yankeeland.
Stephen Melz, a J.P. Morgan Securities Inc. trader, said he was enjoying the schadenfreude -- taking pleasure in someone else's misfortune -- because he found Yankees fans to be insufferable.
``They feel so entitled,'' Melz said. ``When they don't win, they feel so distraught. Their entitlement and the arrogance is what Mets fans hate more.''
Melz and his wife, a fan of the Yankees' division rival, the Boston Red Sox, have already passed on their baseball philosophy to their four-year-old twins. Over the weekend, he said, the twins would yell ``Yankees stink!'' anytime they saw someone wearing Yankees gear.
John McMillin, a Prudential Equity Group Inc. equity analyst, said he enjoyed the elimination of the Yankees, who tied the Mets for the best record in baseball during the regular season -- 97 wins and 65 losses -- because it should make it easier for his team to win the championship. Had the Yankees advanced and won the American League title, they might have faced the Mets in the World Series.
Yankees Pinata
``Deep down, you know the team that had the best chance to beat us was the Yankees,'' McMillin said. ``The Mets will have it easier not to play them.''
Some Mets fans had more fun celebrating the Yankees loss than the Mets victory.
Attorney Kathy Cehelsky threw a party for about 40 people at her home in Spring Lake Heights, New Jersey, to watch the final game of the Mets-Dodgers series. She told guests to arrive early to watch the Yankees-Tigers game.
After the Yankees were eliminated, she hoisted a homemade Yankees pinata that children bashed with a miniature Mets bat.
``Once they lost, we felt we could really give them a beating,'' said Cehelsky, 42, who said she'll continue to host Mets parties throughout the playoffs for good luck.
Even if the Mets lose to the Cardinals or fall to the American League champion in the World Series, Mets supporters will take solace in knowing how the Yankees' season ended.
``We didn't choke in the playoffs and they did,'' said Melz.
Wall Street's Mets Fans Relish Baseball Misery of Rival Yankees
By Danielle Sessa
Oct. 11 (Bloomberg) -- Wall Street's bonus season arrived early this year for fans of the New York Mets. Before reaping December cash, they got October payback time.
Ask Michael Rail, an equity trader at Jefferies & Co. in Manhattan. After his Mets advanced over the weekend in Major League Baseball's playoffs on the same day the cross-town New York Yankees were dumped from contention, Rail called it ``the greatest Saturday of my life.''
It marked the first time that the Mets moved ahead in the playoffs while the Yankees, owners of 26 World Series titles and the chief tormentors of all Mets fans, exited the postseason and cleaned out their lockers.
``The Mets won and the Yankees lost,'' said Rail, a 42-year- old Mets season-ticket holder. ``How can it be any better?''
Elsewhere on Wall Street, backers of the Yankees, who have made the playoffs every year since 1995, were licking their wounds.
``There is something just wrong about it,'' said Brian Pears, a 37-year-old Yankees fan who said he was greeted by taunts from colleagues when he went to work on Monday at Nyfix Inc., an electronic-trading services company. ``It's not supposed to happen this way.''
``The fact that the Mets are still going makes it much, much worse,'' he said.
The Mets, who have won two world championships, advanced after sweeping the Los Angeles Dodgers in their best-of-five first-round playoff series. The Yankees were eliminated, three games to one, by the underdog Detroit Tigers.
Yankees' Dominance
Over the past 10 years the Yankees have dominated New York baseball, winning four World Series titles, including one over the Mets in 2000. Counting this season, the Mets have made the playoffs only three times in that same span.
The Mets open the best-of-seven National League Championship Series tonight against the St. Louis Cardinals at Shea Stadium in Queens. The winner meets the Oakland Athletics or the Tigers in the World Series.
In addition to sending their fans into shock, the Yankees' loss prompted three days of speculation over whether manager Joe Torre would be fired after failing for the sixth straight year to win the World Series with the sport's highest-paid club.
Torre, 66, said yesterday that Yankees owner George Steinbrenner, who's had 15 different managers since buying the team in 1973, told him he's staying. Steinbrenner called the Yankees' season a ``sad failure'' in a statement after they were eliminated.
Schadenfreude
Predictably, Mets fans are expressing their amusement at the disarray in Yankeeland.
Stephen Melz, a J.P. Morgan Securities Inc. trader, said he was enjoying the schadenfreude -- taking pleasure in someone else's misfortune -- because he found Yankees fans to be insufferable.
``They feel so entitled,'' Melz said. ``When they don't win, they feel so distraught. Their entitlement and the arrogance is what Mets fans hate more.''
Melz and his wife, a fan of the Yankees' division rival, the Boston Red Sox, have already passed on their baseball philosophy to their four-year-old twins. Over the weekend, he said, the twins would yell ``Yankees stink!'' anytime they saw someone wearing Yankees gear.
John McMillin, a Prudential Equity Group Inc. equity analyst, said he enjoyed the elimination of the Yankees, who tied the Mets for the best record in baseball during the regular season -- 97 wins and 65 losses -- because it should make it easier for his team to win the championship. Had the Yankees advanced and won the American League title, they might have faced the Mets in the World Series.
Yankees Pinata
``Deep down, you know the team that had the best chance to beat us was the Yankees,'' McMillin said. ``The Mets will have it easier not to play them.''
Some Mets fans had more fun celebrating the Yankees loss than the Mets victory.
Attorney Kathy Cehelsky threw a party for about 40 people at her home in Spring Lake Heights, New Jersey, to watch the final game of the Mets-Dodgers series. She told guests to arrive early to watch the Yankees-Tigers game.
After the Yankees were eliminated, she hoisted a homemade Yankees pinata that children bashed with a miniature Mets bat.
``Once they lost, we felt we could really give them a beating,'' said Cehelsky, 42, who said she'll continue to host Mets parties throughout the playoffs for good luck.
Even if the Mets lose to the Cardinals or fall to the American League champion in the World Series, Mets supporters will take solace in knowing how the Yankees' season ended.
``We didn't choke in the playoffs and they did,'' said Melz.
Men Might Be Dumber
A drop in the number of men going to the emergency room during sports broadcasts on TV is followed by a surge afterward, reports an ER doctor who reviewed case numbers over three years at the University of Maryland Medical Center in Baltimore.
"It was a two-stage decision: If they were hurt, whether to go to the hospital or not. If they needed to go to the hospital, could they finish the game or not?''
The study looked at ER visits after NFL, major league baseball and University of Maryland football and basketball games.
Overall, the number of ER visits was 40 percent above the average for the same time and day of the week without a sportscast.
"It was a two-stage decision: If they were hurt, whether to go to the hospital or not. If they needed to go to the hospital, could they finish the game or not?''
The study looked at ER visits after NFL, major league baseball and University of Maryland football and basketball games.
Overall, the number of ER visits was 40 percent above the average for the same time and day of the week without a sportscast.
Girls Iz Dumb
Is that hot chick in your office sporting some extra cleavage today? Want to know why? She's ovulating.
A new study says women who are ovulating tend to pay more attention to their appearance.
Researchers say subconsciously women feel the need to attract a mate.
The researchers studied 30 coeds over the course of a month. Each was photographed when she was fertile, as determined by a urine test, and when she was not. The 30 sets of photos, with the faces blacked out, were shown to 42 male and female judges. They deemed the fertile photo most attractive 60 percent of the time.
So instead of telling a woman she looks nice today say "you must be ovulating."
A new study says women who are ovulating tend to pay more attention to their appearance.
Researchers say subconsciously women feel the need to attract a mate.
The researchers studied 30 coeds over the course of a month. Each was photographed when she was fertile, as determined by a urine test, and when she was not. The 30 sets of photos, with the faces blacked out, were shown to 42 male and female judges. They deemed the fertile photo most attractive 60 percent of the time.
So instead of telling a woman she looks nice today say "you must be ovulating."
Tuesday, October 10, 2006
Joe Will Stay
Seems the Yankees have decided to keep Joe Torre for next year. The definition of insanity is doing the same things and expecting different results. I think it has been proven that Joe Torre can't motivate these guys they have, so unless they are planning to overhaul the entire roster (more than just A-Rod and Sheff, though that's a good start) they are probably going to have the same flameout next October.
As Seen on CNN
Google is buying Youtube for $1.65 billion. A great day for the company's co-founders, Steve Chen and Chad Hurley.
A couple years ago they went to a party and thought, too bad there isn't an easy way to share the video we shot. So they created Youtube. Best party they ever went to.
The two guys aren't spoiled by succcess as evidenced by their goofy video.
This shouldn't result in too many changes to the site that we (especially Mike) love. Maybe a few more ads. Definitely some more sponsored content, thanks to a deal with CBS, but the Google guys are smart enough to know where their bread is buttered.
A couple years ago they went to a party and thought, too bad there isn't an easy way to share the video we shot. So they created Youtube. Best party they ever went to.
The two guys aren't spoiled by succcess as evidenced by their goofy video.
This shouldn't result in too many changes to the site that we (especially Mike) love. Maybe a few more ads. Definitely some more sponsored content, thanks to a deal with CBS, but the Google guys are smart enough to know where their bread is buttered.
Kidney Trouble
The Baltimore Ravens team plane was forced to make an unscheduled landing early Tuesday in Pittsburgh so injured cornerback Corey Ivy could go to a hospital.
Ivy was expected to stay at the hospital at least through the day for treatment of a kidney tear. The injury is not life-threatening.
Ivy was hurt in Monday night's game at Denver. When he was flying home with the team, he was in so much discomfort that the plane landed about 4 a.m. so he could go to the hospital.
The plane resumed its trip to Baltimore with the rest of the team, landing there about 5:45 a.m.
Ivy was expected to stay at the hospital at least through the day for treatment of a kidney tear. The injury is not life-threatening.
Ivy was hurt in Monday night's game at Denver. When he was flying home with the team, he was in so much discomfort that the plane landed about 4 a.m. so he could go to the hospital.
The plane resumed its trip to Baltimore with the rest of the team, landing there about 5:45 a.m.
Monday, October 09, 2006
Not Funny
I've held off posting Clinton Portis' latest costume until now. First of all, I never thought they were hysterical, and I now find them tiresome. Second of all, I hate the character's inspiration. But I consider myself a public servant and many of you might find Dolemite Jenkins amusing.
Dupe
Convicted killer Richard McNair is stopped by a cop as he is escaping prison. The cop tells him that he is looking for an escaped prisoner. Listen to McNair's conversation with the cop, it's long but worth it.
Disaster
Another horrible performance by the Redskins. They have been outscored 55-3 over the past two years against the Giants in Giants Stadium. And I sat there in misery both times.
At least my brother lit up the grill this time. But I had to eat 2 hot dogs and 3 hamburgers because of my father's new diet.
And because our seats were not together I didn't have to get berated by my brother-in-law for getting so upset.
It's amazing to me how Mark Brunell ever completes a pass. The offense was completely inept. But I'll right more in "The NFL is Poop."
At least my brother lit up the grill this time. But I had to eat 2 hot dogs and 3 hamburgers because of my father's new diet.
And because our seats were not together I didn't have to get berated by my brother-in-law for getting so upset.
It's amazing to me how Mark Brunell ever completes a pass. The offense was completely inept. But I'll right more in "The NFL is Poop."
Relief
The Mets swept the Dodgers which means we don't have to panic about pitching Oliver Perez in a crucial game (at least not yet).
We don't have to face a Game 5 at home.
Thanks to the bullpen (which was good enough, but shaky at times) the Mets have four days off before starting the NLCS on Wednesday against the Cardinals.
The Cardinals had been in a tailspin but they may have righted themselves.
They have Chris Carpenter (but he can't pitch until Game 3, and not again til a Game 7) but they also have Albert Pooh Holes, the great baseball player on God's Green Earth.
Should be a more competitive series.
And I do think there is a good chance the Mets will lose. How long can they win relying on the bullpen for 5 - 6 innings?
We don't have to face a Game 5 at home.
Thanks to the bullpen (which was good enough, but shaky at times) the Mets have four days off before starting the NLCS on Wednesday against the Cardinals.
The Cardinals had been in a tailspin but they may have righted themselves.
They have Chris Carpenter (but he can't pitch until Game 3, and not again til a Game 7) but they also have Albert Pooh Holes, the great baseball player on God's Green Earth.
Should be a more competitive series.
And I do think there is a good chance the Mets will lose. How long can they win relying on the bullpen for 5 - 6 innings?