Tough Loss Ends the Season for the Knights

       After just missing out on a spot in the BCS, RU Football had a chance to go out in style with a win in the Russell Athletic Bowl, the number 2 bowl game for the Big East (a conference which the Scarlet Knights will be leaving as early as 2014). Their opponent was Virginia Tech, who was 6-6 overall in the regular season. 17 seconds into the game, Khaseem Greene recovered a fumble in the end zone for the early score, and it was 7-0 Scarlet Knights. Near the end of the quarter, Nick Borgese added onto the lead with a 36-yarder to make the score 10-0. This was the score until an exciting 4th QTR. VA Tech kicked a 25-yard FG and a 21-yard pass to Corey Fuller to tie the game at 10 apiece. This bowl was destined for overtime. It didn't take long after that as the game quickly ended on a Virginia Tech field goal ended the game and Rutgers' season by the score of 13-10. Gary Nova, the Knights' QB, did not play well under the pressure of the big bowl game. At one point, in fact, he had 5 consecutive incompletions and he didn't score a single touchdown.

RA the Blue Jay

As sad as it was for me to see RA Dickey get traded, it was a good move for the Mets. I've had my RA Dickey jersey since his first year as a Met. He is such an inspiring human being. No one should root against him. I don't know if rooting against him is even possible. There's nothing to dislike about this man. I'm wearing my RA Dickey Blue Jays shirt that my brother had to go to a custom tshirt store to make to be sure I would have for Christmas. They also sent Josh Thole and Mike Nickeas to the Blue Jays, so that someone will be able to catch the knuckleball Dickey throws. As for the Mets, the package they got back is one they could not pass up on. John Buck should be able to be a serviceable catcher until d'Arnaud is ready. Travis d'Arnaud is going to a star for this team. Noah Snydergaard could be a very good pitcher and Wuilmer has the potential to be a good major league outfielder. While the Mets got a fantastic package of prospects, it is highlighted by d'Arnaud. He is the #1 catching prospect in all of baseball. He started with the Phillies and went to Toronto in the deal that landed the Phillies Roy Halladay. So d'Arnaud, 23, has twice been traded for Cy Young Award winners. That says a lot about what people think of this young man. I can't wait for him to debut. I also can't wait for Wheeler. With young players like these 2, Harvey, Ike, Tejada, and others on the horizon, it should not be long until the Mets are contenders again. I know that diehard Mets fans, like me, could never dream of switching teams. Mets diehards, we just need to stay positive and be a little bit patient, and it won't be long until we are playing meaningful baseball down the stretch. Also, check out the Mets new BP hat. It is very cool. The new alternate jerseys and hat are also very stylish as well. This is the BP hat.

Mark Was Treated Unfairly

Really? Are we serious? Mark Sanchez getting death threats on Twitter? First of all, threatening someone's life... Never okay. Second of all, Sanchez works hard and does his best. His best wasn't good enough this year. But honestly, he was set up to fail. He was not given the pieces to surround him that he needed. The Jets were not fair to him. They kept telling him he was their guy, and then they went and tried to get Peyton Manning, and then they got Tim Tebow. Every single time Sanchez threw an incomplete pass, fans would chant for Tebow. Tebow is not a good quarterback. So, here's Mark, afraid that one pass he might make would just get intercepted and make everything worse. Now, afraid to make certain throws for fear of making the situation worse, he stopped making the throws that deep down he knows he can make. In his 1st 2 seasons he played with enthusiasm, heart, confidence... I didn't see that at all this year after the first game. Is it really Mark's fault? In my opinion it is not. I think he can still salvage his career and become a very good QB for Gang Green. I would hate to see Sanchez go. Also, Tebow never should have been a Jet. Tannenbaum, who is expected to be fired Monday, never should have brought him in. The Jets are hoping to keep Tannenbaum in a cap management role. But Tebow acted like an absolute baby after the Jets chose to go with McElroy instead of him. Refusing to play? The Jets don't owe this guy anything. Him saying that he won't play if he isn't the starting QB is unacceptable. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hGBDgQl2xNI

After McElroy suffered a concussion, the Jets are going with Mark Sanchez in the season finale. I really really really hope Mark has an amazing game. I think he deserves another chance next season. He is a good player and a good QB. He didn't fail the Jets, the Jets failed him. Bringing in Tebow messed up his whole psyche. He deserves another chance next year. He was drafted #5 overall for a reason. He took this team to 2 straight AFC Championship games. The Jets should not give up on this young man. 

It Won't Be Easy

       After a Super Bowl title last season and a strong 6-2 start to 2012, the New York Football Giants are in the middle of a big pickle as their season comes down to the final week. They currently stand at 8-7, 3rd in the NFC East, and will need somewhat of a miracle for a shot at a second-straight championship and a third in a six-year span. They have already blown their chances at the division with after being demolished 33-14 by the Baltimore Ravens, so their only chance now is the #6 slot in the NFC, the lowest playoff position.
       So here's what needs to happen for a Big Blue Postseason run:

• Giants defeat Philadelphia at MetLife Stadium on Sunday
• Redskins defeat Dallas on Sunday night
• Packers defat Vikings in Minnesota on Sunday
• Lions defeat Chicago on Sunday

       Obviously, this isn't going to be the easiest thing Eli has ever had to swallow. In fact, the chances of the G-Men in the Playoffs at this point are 8.2% out of 100. However, anything can happen. It's the Holiday season (and on that note a Happy Holidays to everyone), and it's the final week where miracles are heroes are born. So, it will be tough, but as the great NY sports icon Yogi Berra one said, "It ain't over 'til it's over!"            

Scarlet Knights Can't Make BCS; RG3 Stuns Giants

       Thursday, #18 Rutgers had a chance at their first Big East title since the BCS started against the team that was also looking for the title, the Louisville Cardinals. Brandon Coleman got it started for the Knights mid-1st quarter with an 85-yard pass from Gary Nova, and it was 7-0 not much later. In the 2nd, with the score 7-3 after a Louisville field goal, Mark Harrison put a big one on the board as well with a 65-yard pass, so it was 14-3 at halftime. The third was a different story, as the Cardinals scored 2 TD's of their own, these coming from Jeremy Wright and DeVante Parker to make it 17-14 Louisville with their first lead of the night. Then came the 4th QTR when Nick Borgese tied it up with a 38-yard FG with less than 8 minutes left. Then, with 1:41 remaining, Louisville's John Wallace kicked one for 29 yards, and the Cardinals took the victory 20-17. As the final Rankings were released on Sunday, Louisville came out higher meaning they take the Big East's BCS spot, as they will take on Florida in the Sugar Bowl. Additionally, the Scarlet Knights will play the ACC's 6-6 Virginia Tech in the Russell Athletic Bowl, the Big East's #2 pick.
       Last night, the Giants went to Landover, Maryland looking to take the season sweep of the Redskins. Late in the 1st QTR, Lawrence Tynes kicked a 39-yarder, and Big Blue had a 3-0 lead. About 2 minutes later, Joshua Morgan returned a fumble for 13 yards and gave Washington a 7-3 advantage. The end of the first half was quite interesting: with 2:32 on the clock, Manning threw a 4-yard pass to Martellus Bennet to give New York a 10-7 lead. Then, within the last 41 seconds, 2 FG's were put through by Kai Forbath and Tynes again, so the Giants went to the half leading 13-10. The only score in the 3rd was yet another Lawrence Tynes field goal, so it was 16-10 into the fourth QTR. However, in this game, RG3 and the 'Skins were the ones who came out victorious after Pierre Garcon caught an 8-yarder, and Washington had beaten the Giants. Currently, New York is now 7-5 and are only 1 game ahead of the Redskins and Cowboys. Sunday, they will host Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints.
       Also noting is that in the SEC Championship Game on Saturday, Alabama defeated Georgia 32-28, and will face Notre Dame in Miami on January 7th for the title.    

Who should be the Jets starting QB?

It's still The Sanchise. He has the highest upside and could still develop into a very good quarterback. It's still only his 4th year. The Jets have never given him the supporting cast he needed. I mean his top receivers are Jeremy Kerley and Stephen Hill. Don't get me wrong, I think they are both good players but not great. Shonn Greene is not an elite back either. Again, I love him and think he's a good player, but he's not a great back. Sanchez has still not been totally awful this year, with these players around him. Sanchez is still the guy for the Jets, as he should be. So fans need to shut up and stop booing him and chanting for Tim and Greg because it doesn't make him any better.

BROOK-LYN

The Brooklyn Nets have been phenomenal so far this season. They currently sit 2nd in the division with a record of 11-5, one game behind the Knicks. I have already been to 2 games so far (the 1st against the Raptors and the makeup vs the Knicks) and the crowd has been electric. Everything is going according to plan. Brook Lopez has really stepped up his game and the bench has been fantastic. They proved when the beat the Knicks, and when they beat the Celtics twice, and also the Clippers. Even the brawl with the Celtics told a lot of this team. They are no longer going to allow other teams to push them around. They are going to stand up for themselves and their teammates. You could tell during the fight that this is a close knit bunch and they really enjoy being together on the court and in the locker room. It's been a fun year so far, and it's just going to keep getting better. Let's Go Nets!!!!!!!!

Mets offseason so far

The Mets offseason so far has to be considered a success. They have already resigned the face of the franchise to a 7 year, $122 million extension. Total, it is 8 years, $138 million. This was the the most important thing for them to get done this offseason. The second most, extend the Cy Young Winner, R.A. Dickey. It was a huge accomplishment for R.A. to win the award, which he deserved. His story just keeps getting more and more amazing. Hopefully they get him signed soon. Let's Go Mets!!!!!!

MIAMI BOUND: Irish off to the National Championship; Knights Upset Again; Giants Beat Up Green Bay

       On Saturday night, Notre Dame came into L.A. to play USC at 11-0 and win away from an undefeated season and a likely spot in the Title Game. The Fighting Irish got it started in the 1st quarter, as a Kyle Brindza kick and a Theo Riddick 9-yard run game them an early 10-0 lead. The 2nd quarter was a different story. The Trojans scored 10 points of their own with a Robert Woods 11-yarder and a field goal. However, Notre Dame answered back with 2 more Brindza FG's, including a 52-yarder to end the 1st half and it was 16-10 at the half. In the third, the only scoring was another Irish field goal as they had reached the 19-point mark. Both teams scored 1 FG each in the 4th quarter, and wi thin the final 5 minutes, the Irish stopped about 10 points on the goal line. The final score was 22-13, and the Fighting Irish had a perfect season. Now, they're still at the #1 slot, and they will likely play the winner of the SEC Championship Game (Alabama and Georgia) in Miami on January 7, 2013.
       Rutgers was out for the Big East crown on Saturday with a win in Pittsburgh or a Louisville loss as they faced UConn. However, it was not a very good game played by the Scarlet Knights. With the game scoreless in the 2nd quarter, the Panthers scored 3 TD's in a 13-yarder to Mike Shanahan, a 1-yard run by Ray Graham, and a 13-yard pass to Ed Tinker (one of the coolest names in College Football). Rutgers' only score was a Nova 11-yard pass to Brandon Coleman, and the Knights as well missed the 2-point attempt. Other than that, Pittsburgh scored 2 field goals, and that was the game. 27-6 your final. However, there is still hope for the Scarlet Knights, as Louisville suffered a home loss to UConn. The two squads will fittingly meet on Thursday in a game viewable on ESPN for the Big East tughest title and a spot in the Orange Bowl.
       Last night, the New York Football Giants came off a much-needed bye week after a 2-game losing streak and took on their toughest test of the season: the Green Bay Packers, a re-match of last year's NFC Divisional Game. The Jints got it started on their first possession with a quick run by Andre Brown to give New York an early 7-0 lead (Brown would later learn he had a broken fibula and is now out for the season). The Packers responded on their next possession with a Jordy Nelson TD to tie the game. New York would take the ball right after that, and would never look back with a Ruben Randle 16-yarder, a Victor Cruz 9-yard pass (his first TD in a while), an Ahmad Bradshaw 13-yard run, and a Hakeem Kicks 13-yarder. The final score was 38-10, as the Giants got a much-deserved win. Also worth noting is that Eli Manning surpassed Phil Simms on the Giants' all-time TD pass list with 200 to Simms's 199.

Where Are the Sox Going?

       After a blockbuster August trade with the Dodgers that took Adrian Gonzalez, Josh Beckett, and Carl Crawford off their roster, the Boston Red Sox may not b e on "Project Re-Build". After signing David Ortiz to another short-term deal this offseason, Boston is supposedly in talks with the Texas Rangers' 2 biggest free agents: CF Josh Hamilton and C Mike Napoli. In fact, Napoli is just about a signature away, as he's in serious talks for a 4-year deal. With all of this and the managerial change in firing Bobby Valentine, it's hard to tell which way the Red Sox are going. A-Gon, Beckett, and Crawford did cause some trouble in the clubhouse, but they were big game-changers on this club. Gonzalez had the perfect swing for Fenway, Beckett and who knows what Crawford could've done with a healthy body? Now, the Sox are after Hamilton, Napoli, Johnny Gomes (who just signed on for the next 2 years), and whoever else they can get their hot dog water-filled hands on. So, it's kind of hard to tell where the Red Sox see in their own future.

Notre Dame Demolishes Wake Forest Then Claims #1 Spot; Knights Win Nail-Biter

       The Fighting Irish came into Saturday back at the #3 spot and hosting Wake Forest, going for a perfect home season. The game was practically over by the end of the 1st QTR after 3 touchdowns for Notre Dame: Ciere Wood, Tyler Eifert, and John Goodman, and the score was 21-0. Everett Golson hit another man in the numbers for the score midway through the second quarter, this time to TJ Jones, and made it a 28-point lead. A Kyle Brindza field goal would make it a 31-point deficit. Golson came out after the first half with 300+ yards and 3 passing TD's. In the 3rd, George Atkinson III ran for 6 yards and put the game way out of reach in the final score of the game as the final was 38-0 on Senior Day. Additionally, Senior TE Tyler Eifert became the all-time Notre Dame leader in career receptions by a Tight End during the game. The next day, both AP and the BCS ranked the Irish the top team in the FBS, as both of the other undefeated teams were upset. On Saturday night, the Irish will have their toughest test of the season, as they will try to get themselves into the National Championship by going to L.A. and taking on USC.
       Rutgers came into the week at 22 and went to Cincinnati for a tough matchup. With the game scoreless mid-way through the 2nd, Scarlet Knights QB Gary Nova found Mark Harrison for 71 yards and it was 7-0 all the way until the fourth. With about 8 minutes left in the game, Nick Borgese made it a 10-point game with a 42-yarder, and Cincy's only scoring was an FG with 11 seconds remaining, and the Knights had yet another win by the score of 10-3. After that huge win, Rutgers not only keeps their lead in the Big East standings, but moved up to #18 in all of the land.
       The Giants had their bye week after 2 straight losses, and they will host the NFC North-leading Green Bay Packers on Sunday.

M - V - P!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

       On Thursday night, the AL and NL MVP's of 2012 were announced, and there were quite a few things that made fans turn their heads:

IN THE NL: Buster Posey of the San Francisco Giants came out on top over the other 4 final contenders: Yadier Molina, Chase Headley, Ryan Braun, and Andrew McCucthen. However, a familiar face to New York fans came out right behind those top 5: Mets 3B David Wright, who hit .306 with 21 HRs and 93 RBI and tied with Nationals' Adam Laroche for the 6 spot. NL Cy Young winner R.A. Dickey finished tied with Reds 1B Joey Votto for 14th on the final ballot. Congrats to Posey on an award he very much deserved, as there is no way the Giants get anywhere close to the World Series without their MVP catcher.

IN THE AL: Miguel Cabrera of the Detroit Tigers unrightfully took home the prize over Angels rookie CF Mike Trout. Surprisingly, it wasn't as close as most people thought with Cabrera taking the first-place votes 22-6 in a shock to all sabermetric fans including myself. Many voters didn't vote for Trout because he and his team failed to make the Postseason while Cabrera's team went to the World Series.
       I'm going to use an example Brian Kenny used on MLB Network's Clubhouse Confidential: Many used the beginning of September, when the Angels collapsed, as a tie-breaker between the two. Kenny went back to the Angels-Tigers series in early September. In the first game, Trout went 0-2 but had 2 walks, stole 2 bases, and scored from 2nd on a wild pitch. The next night, Trout went 1-3 with a homer, a stolen base, and robbed Detroit 1B Prince Fielder of a HR to end the game. Also, Trout had the most extra bases in the AL. Obviously, Mike Trout had the better overall season and deserved this special award.
       Yankees 2B Robinson Cano as well was in the Top 5, finishing 4th overall in front of Texas CF Josh Hamilton.
   

Story of the Season Becomes Best Pitcher in the NL

       After a tremendous year on a not-so-tremendous team, Mets starter Robert Allan Dickey won the 2012 NL Cy Young on Wednesday night and became the first knuckler to do so ever. He is also the first Met to do it since Dwight Gooden back in 1985. R.A. went 20-6 with a 2.73 ERA. Dickey as well had 8 shutouts including 1-hitters in back-to-back starts in June. There were many people in Baseball, however, that believed that Dickey shouldn't win the award because he was on a bad team. Let me tell all of those people that R.A. being a Metropolitan helps him even MORE. To think that a pitcher could win 20 games on such a terrible offensive team is quite astonishing feat. Seattle's Felix Hernandez can't do that, and he plays for a little better of an offensive club.

       What Mets fans should worry about most is that this accolade will raise Dickey's price tag quite a bit. In the recent days and weeks, there have been some rumors about the Mets shopping for him. Alderson and the organization have said that trading Dickey or David Wright would be a last resort, but if Dickey and Alderson can't find an extension agreement, I could definitely see the Mets looking for options, even if it isn't willingly.

       

       Here are some of the best moments of R.A.'s magical season:

      

"The Mystery of the Miami Marlins: The Saga Continues"

       It hasn't even been 3 months since all of Baseball was shocked by the Red Sox-Dodgers trade that sent Adrian Gonzalez, Josh Beckett, and Carl Crawford to L.A. Now, those busy GM's were at it again last night, as the Miami Marlins have dealt Jose Reyes, Mark Buehrle, Josh Johnson, and John Buck to the Toronto Blue Jays for Yunel Escobar and some prospects. I first read of these talks on the MLB Network bottom line and as the words "Blue Jays" passed by the screen, I could hardly think. It's amazing how quickly this Miami team gave up with a bright future. Hardly ever will you find a club go on a huge shopping spree and have it all work out in the first. Sure, they finished last and lost 97 games, but what can you expect from a team playing in a city like Miami with a troublesome manager and a brand new stadium with a brand new attitude? With a huge trade like this, Marlins fans will think this is a fire sale and be devastated about how the organization just threw it all away. Therefore, Miami will have trouble selling out for years and will probably have to move again. This trade might've turned the Miami Marlins into the newest Houston Astros.

"Holy War" Goes the Irish's Way; Knights Route Navy; Giants Fall to 6-4

       Saturday night, while Alabama lost for the first time since the "Game of the Century", Notre Dame was off to storied rival Boston College to try and reach 10-0. The scoring started out in the first with a Everett Golson 2 yd run that put the Irish ahead by 7. After a Nate Freese 36-yard kick and a 7-yard pass to Troy Niklas (both of those being in the second quarter), Notre Dame went into the half leading the Eagles 14-3. The 2nd half was not much different, as an 18-yarder to John Goodman and another Freese FG (this on for 45 yards) would not change anything, as the Irish remain undefeated beating Boston College 21-6. On Saturday, the Fighting Irish will go for an undefeated home schedule in South Bend by taking on 5-5 Wake Forest.
       Meanwhile, the Rutgers Scarlet Knights looked to get back on track after a bye week and an upset loss to Kent State against Army. The Black Knights got it started about halfway through the first with a Trent Steelmen ran for a 1-yard TD, putting them up 7-0. After that, it was all Scarlet Knights with a 16-yarder to Brandon Coleman in the 2nd and 3 touchdowns in the 4th, them being another 31-yarder to Coleman, a 2-yard run from Savon Huggins, and Duron Harmon 73-yard fumble return made it a final of 28-7 Rutgers. They are now #22 in the nation and will go to Cincy on Saturday.
       On Sunday, the New York Football Giants tried to end their recent skid by traveling to Cincinnati to play the Bengals. It wasn't much of a close game as the Giants only points came from 2 20+ yarders from Lawrence Tynes and a 4th QTR TD by Andre Brown. Everything else was the "Andy Dalton Show". Dalton made a great Jints defense look like the Kansas City Chiefs, throwing 4 touchdown passes: 10-yard passes from Jermaine Gresham and former Scarlet Knight Mohamed Sanu, an 11-yard pass to Andrew Hawkins, and even a 56-yarder to A.J. Green. The final was 31-13, and New York will have another challenge after their current bye week, as they will go back home to take on Green Bay.

The Irish ARE Legit!!!

       Throughout the past few years, there has been much talk that the BCS and AP Rankings have been too "Notre Dame happy", that meaning they've been ranking the Irish a little too high in the Top 25. In past years, I have agreed with that including last year when the team went into the BCS #16. However, this year, as they are now in the #4 slot, the 2nd-highest point of the year, they seriously are for real. First of all, their offensive line has seriously improved. Last season, the offense surrendered a total of 29 turnovers, near the very bottom of the FBS. This year, however, they've only given up 11 with only 3 games remaining. So unless they average 6 turnovers in their last 3 games>, consider the O-Line improved.
       Moving to the other side of the Line of Scrimmage, the defense has been untouchable. They've only given up 1 rushing TD this year, the least in the FBS. Most importantly, the Irish defense as a player who's a serious Heisman Trophy contender: Manti T'eo. He's been responsible for 6 turnovers and has 87 total tackles.
       Probably two of the most important parts of  this #4 team are the coach, Brian Kelly, and the young QB, Everett Golson. Kelly has been a huge part of this school's squad since he became the main man in  2010. He's won everywhere he's gone, and he's proved that this year at South Bend with one of his best creations so far. Every single move he's made as worked, one of them being giving Junior Tommy Rees some time as the starter.
       Then there's Everett Golson, the starter at Quarterback for this team. First of all, he's a Freshman and he's 9-0. He makes less mistakes than Matt Barkley of USC, who's a Senior! Golson has shown he can hand off the ball to his RB's such as Sierre Wood and can hit receivers pretty well, such as Tyler Eiffert. He's been a QB who's come up HUGE in the clutch and is the most important part of the 2012 Fighting Irish!

Clear Waters Ahead!!! The Troubled Bay Behind!!!!

       After 3 upsetting years for Mets fans, the pain has come to an end as on Wednesday, New York terminated Jason Bay's contract 2 years early. In 2012, Bay hit .165 in 70 games and hit .223 in 288 games as a Met. Like many other people who follow the Mets, I could not be happier that the agreement finally came. He has been absolutely holding back a young team that has been improving since the start of last season shocking all of Baseball by going into the All-Star break 6 games over .500. With Sandy Alderson and the organization having to keep him up on the Big League 25-man roster, it has made the team have to make crucial decisions on which of their young stars to send back down such as Lucas Duda, Jordanny Valdespin, and Kirk Niuwenhuis. In fact, he struggled so much that Terry Collins officially made him a platoon player, only to be used in certain situations.
       It's not only the organization that was struggling with Bay, the fans absolutely despised him and his contract up to the very last day. From the countless concussions to the underperformance, the boos from the Citi Field crowd became overwhelming. Looking on, I would think to myself "How could you not feel bad for the guy?".
       To me, the Mets should've done this earlier. If New York had made this decision during the season, it would've given Valdespin more time as the full-time left-fielder. Also, there would've been an extra spot on the September Call-Up Roster that could've gone to Zach Wheeler.

Notre Dame Makes Huge Comeback Then Falls in Rankings; Giants with Disgusting 4th Quarter

       On Saturday, the Fighting Irish was up to #3 in the country, their highest point this season, and were back to South Bend to take on the 4-win Pittsburgh Panthers. The score was 20-6 in favor of Pitt heading into the 4th quarter when a 11-yard pass to TJ Jones from Everett Golson that made it 20-12, but the extra point  attempt was no good. Then came a Red Zone situation for the Irish inside the 10, when an End Zone pass from Golson was intercepted for a Touchback. After that was a "3 and Out" for the Panthers, Notre Dame started at the 50. Then Golson unleashed a 45-yarder that brought the Fighting Irish to the 5. The very next play was a 5-yard TD pass to Theo Riddick and a 2-point conversion run by Golson tied the game as OT was on its way. Both teams' kickers, Notre Dame's Kyle Brindza and Pitt's Kevin Harper, kicked 35 plus-yard FG's to send it to 2 OT. The Fighting Irish had the first possession and it had looked like Cierre Wood had ran into the End Zone through Pitt's D-line to give Notre Dame a lead, but Wood fumbled and lost the ball in the End Zone and Pitt picked it up for a turnover. It was 4th Down for the Panthers and it looked as if Harper would lock up a huge upset with a FG, but his kick was wide right. In 3 OT, Harper kicked a 44-yarder, but a 1-yard run from Golson gave the Irish a hair-greying win, 29-26. However, since they went into 3 OT with a 4-4 squad, they fell 1 place in the BCS Rankings as Oregon is now the #3 team.
       The Giants were as well back home to play Ben Rothlisberger and the "Big Bad" Pittsburgh Steelers. In the 2nd QTR, Emmanuel Sanders caught a 4-yard pass, and Pittsburgh was up 7-0 before a 1-yard run from Andre Brown and a Lawrence Tynes PAT that ties the game at 7. Then Michael Boley picked up a Rothlisberger fumble and ran 70 yards to make it 14-7 Jints. In the final seconds of the 1st half, Shaun Suisham kicked a 30-yarder and it was a 4-point game. The 3rd quarter was all Giants as all the scoring was 2 field goals by Lawrence Tynes as New York was doubling up Pittsburgh heading into the 4th. Then in the 4th, the Steelers scored 2 TD's from Mike Wallace and Isaac Redmanthat gave Pittsburgh a 24-20 lead. The last 3 possessions for the Giants were "3 and Outs", as New York took the loss, 24-20.
       Rutgers had this week off after their upset loss to Kent State, and after completely falling from the Rankings, the Scarlet Knights are back on as #23 with a 7-1 record. They will host Army on Saturday.  

Notre Dame Gets it Done; Knights End Remarkable Run

       Saturday night, the Fighting Irish got their toughest test of the season: the Oklahoma Sooners, ranked #8 in all of the land. OU got it started in the 1st quarter after Michael Hunnicutt knocked through a 28-yarder, and it was 3-0 Sooners. Then, Notre Dame started their parade with a 62-yard run by Cierre Wood for the touchdown that gave the Irish a 7-3 lead going into the 2nd quarter. With 6 minutes left in the half, Notre Dame kicker Kyle Brindza extended the lead with a 34-yard field goal, so it was a 7-point affair. Then, within the final seconds of the 2nd half, Oaklahoma was threatening to tie the game as it was 1st and Goal on the 1. It had seemed like the Sooners had just tied the game with a 1-yard run, but a late flag was thrown onto the field for a Holding penalty on an offensive lineman that brought them back 10 yards. After this, the Sooners would have to settle for a FG, and it was a 4-point affair after the 1st half. After a scoreless 3rd, a Kyle Brindza field goal put the Irish up by a touchdown. Then a 1-yard run by Blake Bell tied the game with a little over 9 minutes left. After that it was all Irish.  Touchdowns by Everett Golson and Theo Riddick, another Brindza kick, and a huge interception by Manti T'eo wrapped it up with a final of 30-13 Notre Dame. After the new BCS Standings, they are now #3 in the country, right behind Alabama and Kansas State.
       Meanwhile, Rutgers was at home facing Kent State, who to that point had never won a game against a Big East team. The Scarlet Knights got it started as Nick Borgese kicked a 42-yard field goal and gave themselves a 3-0 lead. Not much later, Zack Hitchens scored on a 1-yard pass and gave Kent State a lead they would build on in an upset win. Touchdowns by Mark Farkler, Dri Harcher, Traylon Durham, and Josh Boyle built up 35 points for the Golden Flashes. Rutgers was able to counter with Tim Wright, Brandon Coleman, and Jawan Jamison TD's to make up for many of those points given up, but it would not be enough as Kentucky State pulled off a major upset against the #15 team in the country in New Jersey in a 35-23 rout of the Knights. With this crushing loss, Rutgers has completely fallen off the rankings heading into a Week 10 bye.
       I apologize for such a late weekly College Football update as I was one of many affected by Hurricane Sandy.

Isles Brooklyn-Bound!

       The New York Islanders announced on Wednesday that after the 2014-15 season, when their lease  is up on the Nassau Veterans Coliseum, they will be moving to Brooklyn's Barclays Center, current home of the Brooklyn Nets, after 45 years in Long Island. The move has been in talks for quite a while as quite a few venues have been in talk for this falling franchise, such as Brooklyn, Kansas City (who already has an arena ready), and even Seattle (which is getting an arena built). Personally, I could tell a move was well in the making and wasn't very far away. However, what surprises me most is that the Islanders owner Charles Wang has already announced that the team's name and logo will not change after the move.
       "We are the New York Islanders." Wang was quoted saying.
       I know that Brooklyn is technically a part of Long Island, but since 1972, this team has been representing Long Island, Nassau and Suffolk Counties, as their one and only team. In fact, Long Island can even be seen in the back of the Isles' logo. If they move to Brooklyn and keep everything the same, it would be somewhat of a mockery to Long Island. Also, if they're moving in with the BROOKLYN Nets shouldn't they be named Brooklyn as well like the Knicks and Rangers. Well, there's still a couple of years until the move, so maybe Wang will rethink keeping the Islanders the Islanders.      

Irish Sneak Past BYU; Rutgers Dominates Again

       On Saturday, Notre Dame headed back to South Bend after being ranked #5 in all of the land to take on BYU for the first time since they became an independent. However, the Fighting Irish were without their starting Freshman QB Everett Golson, so Junior Tommy Rees, who was the starter last year, got the start for Brian Kelly's squad. In the 1st quarter, Tyler Eifert caught a 4-yard pass from Rees that gave Notre Dame a 7-0 lead. That was all of the Irish's scoring in the first half as the Cougars scored 14 points with TDs from Cody Hoffman and Kanekua Friel, and it was 14-7 at the half. In the 3rd, Notre Dame kicker Kyle Brindza booted a 24-yarder through the posts that made it a 4-point game. Then came the deciding score early in the 4th quarter when George Atkinson III ran for 2 yards to give Notre Dame a 17-14 victory to remain undefeated at 7-0. However, after scoring 17 points against a tough Cougar defense, they are still #5 in the country.
        Meanwhile, #15 Rutgers took the short drive up the Turnpike to take on un-ranked Temple. By the end of the first half, the Scarlet Knights were down early after Cody Booth caught a 4-yard pass from Chris Coyer and a 49-yard FG by Brandon McManus. But in the 2nd half, Rutgers blew it open  with 3 touchdowns in the 3rd by Tim Wright, Jawan Jamison, and mark Harrison and 2 in the 4th with a 10-yard reception from Gary Nova and a Khaseem Greene 20-yard fumble return to give the Knights a 35-10 win. However, Rutgers as well did not move on the rankings.

Yankees 2012 Postseason Recap

       After a 95-win season and a win of the AL East on the final day of the year, the Bombers went into the Postseason as the #1 seed in the American League and began the Division Series against the Orioles after their Wild Card victory over Texas. After 8 innings in Game 1, the game was tied at 1 when Russell Martin smacked a solo shot that gave the Yanks a lead they wouldn't surrender as they went into Game 2 with a 1-0 series lead. In that game, a great start by Andy Petite was wasted by the Bomber offense as a Nate McLouth single was all it took for a 2-1 win for Baltimore. Then it was back to the Bronx where it was 2-1 Orioles in the bottom of the ninth in Game 3 before a solo shot by Raul Ibanez tied the game. This was the score until the 12th when "Mr. Oct-Tuuuuuuuu-Bre" did it again to put the Yankees 1 win away from the ALCS. Game 4 was a pitcher's duel won by Baltimore which kept them alive for at least another night. So, it all came down to Game 5, where Carston Charles Sabathia showed why the Yankees signed 4 years ago with a complete-game 3-hitter that put the Yanks in the American League Championship Series against a familiar foe in the Detroit Tigers, who beat the Oakland A's in 5 games to get to the ALCS.
       In Game 1, it was all Detroit until the bottom of the ninth. With the score 4-0 Tigers, Ichiro hit a 2-run shot that made the game 4-2. Then, with 2 outs, Raul saved the Yankees again with a game-tying 2-run homer to tie the game and save the Yankees. In the 14th, the Tigers took the lead in the game and the series 1-0. In the 14th as well, Yankee captain Derek Jeter slid on his ankle and broke it  to take him out for the rest of the season d will needth 4-5 months to recover. The nest night, a blown call helped the Tigers pounce on Hiroki Kuroda and win the game 3-0 and take a 2-0 lead back to Hockeytown.The Yanks would fare no better there as they were swept by Detroit who is off to the World Series for the first time since 2006. In the ALCS, New York never lead in a game and was outscored 19-6 in the series.

Game 1: Bombers Get it Started

       4 days after winning their division on their last day of the year, the Yankees were in Baltimore for Game 1 of the ALDS against the Orioles. New York got it started in the 1st when Ichiro continues to prove why the Yanks traded for him, hitting a double into left that scored Jeter and put the Bombers up 1-0. In the bottom of the second, starter CC Sabathia was in a jam and gave up a single to Nate McClouth that scored 2 and gave the Birds their first lead. In the top of the fourth, with runners on 1st and 2nd with 1 out, Mark Teixeira hit one of the scoreboard in right that scored Alex Rodriguez that nodded the game up at 2. This was all until the 9th, when Russel Martin broke the tie with a solo shot off Orioles closer Jim Johnson to break the tie, 3-2 New York. An Ichiro RBI infield single and a Robinson Cano RBI double broke it open as the Yankees scored 5 runs in the top of the ninth. Sabathia went 8 2/3, only one out shy of the complete game as the Yankees took Game 1 by the final score of 7-2. Tonight, Andy Pettite takes the mound at 8:05 pm ET as the Yanks try to take both games in Baltimore.

Yankees-Orioles: The First Intra-Divisional Series

       After a Yankee win on the final day of the regular season, New York clinched the AL East on Wednesday. Last night, the Yanks learned they would be playing the Baltimore Orioles, the team they were racing all September, after beating the Texas Rangers in the Wild Card Game. With this year's hectic schedule, the first 2 games of the series will be played at Camden Yards where both CC Sabathia and Andy Pettite will start. Those 2 guys will always give you a legit start every 5 days. With those two big guns starting at a place where the Yankees score a lot of runs will be very helpful when you're starting the series on the road. If the Yankees win both of those matchups, they can go back to the Stadium for 3 games and only have to win 1. Of course, pitching doesn't get you through a 5-game series alone. Another key point for the Yankees not only in this series but throughout all of the Playoffs is to keep the bat in the hands of Robinson Cano scorching at all costs. Cano has always been a big part   of the Yankees-Orioles rivalry and is one of the best hitters in the 20-year history of Camden Yards so that is important. If the Yankees can keep these important keys running and remain playing like the Bronx Bombers of the past few years, New York has a real good chance of advancing further on into the Postseason.

David Wright ties Ed Kranepool

David Wright tied Ed Kranepool for the most hits in Mets history last night against the Pirates. This is a great accomplishment for David. There's no doubt in my mind that David Wright will be a Met for life. There is not a better player the Mets have ever had that is more fit to be a Met forever. He loves it here and the organization loves him. He is a leader, a great player, a great person, and an all-around role model. The Mets know that they can't get rid of him. He is without a doubt a top 3 third basemen in all of baseball. He hits for power, for average, has speed, plays great defense, and can throw. Yes, that makes him a 5-tool player. David Wright will be a Met forever. There's no doubt in my mind.

McKnight Island

The Jets defense could be in big trouble with the loss of the best defensive back in the league. Darelle Revis tore his ACL on Sunday against the Dolphins, sidelining him for the rest of the season. That leaves Antonio Cromartie and Kyle Wilson as the top 2 cornerbacks for the Jets defense. Both of these players have the potential to be great. We've seen it from both Cro and Wilson. They both really need to step up in Revis' absence if the Jets want to play in the playoffs. With Revis going down, the Jets also decided to take an offensive player and make him a cornerback. That player is Joe McKnight. Joe McKnight has great speed and good hands. I don't have a problem with sticking him in a cornerback spot at all. I think he has a good chance to do well as a cornerback actually. With Bilal Powell as the #2 back after Shonn Greene, McKnight has seen his carries diminish. So the Jets, looking to get him more snaps, have decided to give him a shot on defense. He also may see his carries increase. With Shonn Greene's struggles, Rex Ryan said that Bilal Powell and Joe McKnight may get more carries. I personally think Bilal Powell is better than Shonn Greene and should the #1 running back. That's just my opinion though. We'll see how McKnight Island does as a cornerback.

#30 for Ike

Ike Davis reached a milestone no Met has ever done. He hit 30 home runs in a season in which his home games were played at Citi Field. It is an amazing accomplishment for Ike, who started off the season in a miserable slump. On Monday he hit 2 homers and drove in a career high 5 RBI. Back on June 5th Ike was hitting .160 with 5 homers. He now has 30. While his average is still very low, .225, it is definitely not nearly as bad as it looks. Ike didn't play a single game last year after May. It took him a while to get back to where he was, but he definitely got back, and is one of the biggest power threats in the National League. To go along with those 30 bombs, Ike has 88 RBI, another good total, especially considering that he has 21 back on June 5th. All of this trade talk about Ike is silly in my opinion. They can't trade him, and it is very likely that they won't. He is still a very young player and has superstar potential. Ike is a cornerstone player for the Mets, and I think he should be the Mets cleanup hitter for the next 5-10 years. I really hope he is a Met forever.

The Mets can't trade Ike Davis

The Mets cannot trade Ike Davis. He is a star in the making and is a huge part of the Mets future. Trading him would set back the rebuilding process by a lot. He is above average at hitting and fielding. The Mets say they worry about him stayin out too late after games, which isn't even true. Ike said that, since he does not often leave the ballpark until midnight, he is sometimes out a few hours after that -- the norm among many in baseball -- he does not do so in excess. He was surprised and confused when he heard that the Mets were concerned about his nightlife. Ike fired back, saying "I have never missed games or not been ready to work because of anything to do with staying up too late. “I show up every day. I play hard. It is unfair to me, and it doesn’t make sense.” the Mets are trying to decide whether Ike or Lucas duda is the future 1st basement for this franchise. I really don't see how this is even a discussion. Duda is far inferior to Ike in every aspect of the game. Ike is a better hitter and a better fielder. The team won't shop either aggressively this winter, but will be open to the right deal for either. The Mets might worry that Ike costs more money than Duda, and he does, but only because Ike is a much better player and is worth the money. Trading Ike would be a huge mistake for the Mets, and I think they know that. I don't think they will deal Ike. 

8/31/12-9/6/12 Recap

       The Mets started out the week on Friday in Miami with a 3-0 victory on 3 RBI's by Ike Davis, including a 2-run homer while Dickey threw another shutout. On Saturday, they took a 5-3 win, scoring 4 runs in the 9th. They closed it out on Sunday, winning 5-1, bringing out the broom for the first time in team history at Marlins Park. Monday started a tough series for New York. Down 5-4 in the 9th in St. Louis, Andres Torres doubled down the right field line, but the umpires blew a call, calling him out for missing 1st base as the Amazin's lost 5-4. After falling again on Tuesday, Robert Allan Dickey went back out to give the Mets another win, which is exactly what he did throwing 6 1/3 innings as New York finished the week with a win, 6-2 the final.
       The Yankees may be in the middle of the worst current stretch in Baseball, losing some ground in their race with the Orioles and Rays. On Friday, Mark Reynolds homered twice as Baltimore won 6-1. And  after a Saturday victory, Reynolds hit 2 homers again for an 8-3 Orioles win, Then came the third-wheel Tampa Bay Rays as New York headed to Tropicana Field for a 3-game set. After losing the first 2 games 4-3 and 5-2, Baltimore won 2 more, and the division was all tied up. Before the O's dropped one on Wednesday, the Yanks took a victory on a 2-run error on a ball hit by Jeter, and the Yankees remained in control.
       The Giants opened up their regular season with a home game against the Cowboys. Tony Romo played one of the best games of his life, as he had of their full control, leading Dallas and to a score in 4 of their last 5 possessions, including 3 TD's. Cowboys receiver Kevin Ogletree had the night of his life, with 8 receptions, 144 yards and 2 touchdowns. Ogletree would be the difference between a Cowboys win and loss, as the G-Men fell 24-17 the final.
       Now, the current state of the NHL CBA. As the deadline is only 8 days away, the players and NHL are absolutely nowhere close. So, we all know what this means: lockout time! NHL fans, buckle your seatbelts, it's going to be a bumpy ride!

NYS2D Weekly MVP: R.A. Dickey: 2-0, 15.2 IP, 2 ER, 13 H, 12 K

Terry, That IS an Achievement!!!

       After the Mets 3-2 victory over Philadelphia on Wednesday, manager Terry Collins answered a question from a reporter about the rumor that the Mets goal is 3rd place by saying that the goal is to win as much as they can for as long as they can. He went on to say that he "doesn't want his players to come to the ballpark, look at the box score, and see who's in 4th", which got a chuckle from all of the reporters. Honestly, I completely disagree with Collins on this one. A third place finish for this team would be like the Blue Jays winning the AL East! When you look back to the offseason and Spring Training before this year, not one human being that had a job in sports believed in the Amazin's. In fact, when the CBS Sports MLB analysts made their preseason predictions, they all predicted that they would finish dead last in the division, down with the Cubs and Astros. However, they came out of the gate like a Series contender, and for a while they were. The pitching was phenomenal, the youngsters were providing, and David Wright was playing 3rd base like he never has before. Things have changed quite a bit since then as Wright has come back down to his native planet, and the staff has been unreliable and inconsistent. With that said, New York is not playing like the Kansas City Royals or the Colorado Rockies. They are still playing okay baseball. This is a ball club with a bright future and a 3rd-place conclusion would put the Mets in a great spot for the 2013 season!  

Stern Out to Destroy Hockey?!?

       I'm going to come straight out and say this: I am not a fan of the NBA. From guys like Carmelo and Lebron to busy to play any defense to stories like Kris Humphries "making Kardashian miserable" and Bryant saying he can "beat the Dream Team", the players have turned the whole league into a tabloid joke! But it seems like NHL fans like myself have another reason to hate the NBA. Before Gary Bettman was the commissioner of Hockey, he was the senior VP of the NBA, and current commish of the NBA, David Stern, was the one who gave the NHL the recommendation to hire Bettman. Since then, Hockey has had 2 lockouts, one in 1994-95 and one for a whole season in 2004-05. The NHL, of course, is the NBA's only year-round competitor, so one must think that Stern would want Hockey to fail. This may be a little far-fetched, but maybe Stern and Gary Bettman were in on a plan to make Bettman the commissioner so that he could ruin the NHL. I mean, let's look at it: 2 big lockouts and a chance for a 3rd under 1 commish who's only been at his job for 20 years? That just shouldn't happen unless something's up. It may seem maniacal, but maybe David Stern is on an evil mission to destroy his biggest competition!

Irish Cream Navy; 'Bama and Michigan Face Off

       Here's a recap of an exciting Week 1 of the NCAA FBS season:
       Notre Dame came into the 1st week ranked #24 by the Coach's Poll and were in Dublin, Ireland to take on the ironic "home team" in Navy. The Irish got it started on their 1st drive of the season with a TD but missed the extra point, but that wouldn't matter as they would run away with this one. Fill in for suspended Tommy Rees, Everett Golson went 12/18 for 144 yards and a TD. However, the running game carried the Irish, running for 293 yards and 5 TD's. The final score was 50-10 as Notre Dame will probably be ranked higher in the next rankings.
       Bill O' Brian and Penn State were leading going into the 2nd half of their game against Ohio, but were outscored 21-0 in the half.
       BC was ahead 17-14 after the 1st half against Miami, but they fumbled twice in the half as Miami took the victory 41-32.
       In the prime time event on Saturday, Michigan and Alabama had their first ever regular season meeting at Cowboys Stadium in Dallas. AJ McCarron completed 11/21 for 129 yards and 2 TD's as Alabama took the victory 41-14.

Giants Final Roster

       Friday evening, the Giants made their final roster cuts to get down to 53 men before their Week 1 game with Dallas. They did lose some veteran experience with guys like D.J. Ware being cut, but overall, the team hasn't changed much since their championship team of last year. David Carr is set to be Manning's backup, God forbid if anything happened to him. With Hakeem Nicks ready to go, the receiving game should be a little more explosive than during the Preseason with one of their most reliable guys who the Giants know will go out there and consistently catch the football. Rookie David Wilson will be the second-team RB to back up Ahmad Bradshaw with the offseason loss of Brandon Jacobs. Wilson will probably help New York's running game, which was the worst in the NFL during the regular season last year.

Big Blue Begins Roster Cuts

       The New York Giants are preparing for the final roster deadline as they have announced that DE Matt Broha and DT Marcus Thomas have been cut by the team, according to a report by Mike Garafolo of the Star-Ledger. The deadline for the final 53-man roster is tonight at 9:00 p.m. Garafolo also reported that "Word is Adewale Ojomo has made the active roster." However, New York has not made that official. Garafolo also said that he thinks CB/KR Laron Scott will make the practice squad, not the active team. Of course, there will be more moves to come, and I will be here tomorrow morning, posting and analyzing the fully-cut roster as the Giants go for another title!

8/24/12-8/30/12 Weekly Recap

       The Mets have had a better week than they did last with a few callups and walkoffs. They started with a 3-game set at home with the Astros their last together as NL expansion mates. Houston started off the series on Friday with a 3-1 win. On Saturday R.A. Dickey pitched his way to a 17th victory as New York cruised to a 3-1 win. On Sunday an Ike Davis Homer gave the Mets a 1-0 lead going into the 9th but the 'Stros tied it there and could have taken the lead if not for a strong throw by recently called up Lucas Duda to the plate to throw out a runner at the plate. In the bottom of the ninth up came Davis again and he hit one right over the right field wall to win it 2-1 the final. After that the Mets had Monday off and were in Philadelphia on Tuesday to take on the Phillies who had now jumped ahead of New York in the standings. The game was tied at 5 in the top of the tenth before an Ike Davis RBI double a Lucas Duda RBI single and Kelly Shoppach 2-run shot gave New York a 9-5 lead they would hold on to. On Wednesday, Duda had risen to the occasion once again with a 2-run homer that proved to be the winner in a 3-2 Mets victory on a gritty outing by Matt Harvey. Today, Mike Baxter and Scott Hairston both hit solo shots, but Niese was not on his game as New York took the loss 3-2. They currently stand 4th in the NL East.           The Yankees started off the weekend against the Indians and on Friday CC Sabathia came off the DL the right way getting his 13th victory in a 3-1 Yankees win. However Cleveland struck back in the next game winning 3-1 themselves. On Sunday, Curtis Granderson hit his 200th career Homer as the Yankees took 2 out of 3 from the Indians. On Monday the Yanks were back at the Stadium to take on Toronto in a 3-game series. A throwing error on a pickoff attempt by Derek Lowe cost the Yankees the game as they lost 8-7 on Monday. On Tuesday a stellar comeback performance by Phil Hughes gave New York a 2-1 win. On Wednesday, however, CC was not as dominant as on Friday as the Yanks dropped this one 8-5. Also, Andruw Jones tweaked his fingers diving to make a catch on Wednesday, but he does not expect to miss any time.       The Giants played their 3rd preseason game Friday against the Bears. Eli Manning went 17-21 with 148 yards and a TD and RB David Wilson rushed for 49 yards and caught 2 passes for 26 yards which helped give Big Blue a lead into the 4th. The Giants were leading 17-13 until the Bears scored a touchdown at 8:22 in the 4th to give Chicago a 20-17 lead which would be the final score. On Thursday, while the Jets were at a leadership seminar, the G-Men were off on their final Preseason affair with the New England Patriots, a rematch of last year's Superbowl. It was a strange rematch as Tom Brady didn't play, and 17 Giants were injured. The starting offense for Big Blue was even worse. Manning went 4-8 in passing with 29 yards and a 14-yard sack through 4 series. However, the defense was spectacular. In the 4th quarter with the game tied at 3, Marcus Thomas picked up a fumble from by Pats QB Brian Hoyer, and that set up a game-winning FG at the 14-yard line by New York kicker Lawrence Tynes as the Jints finish up their Preseason with a 6-3 win. Hakeem Nicks saw his first action of the season, with a reception and 6 yards. This Wednesday, it all begins for real as the Giants host the rival Cowboys in the 2012 Kickoff game as Big Blue sets out to defend their title.       This week, the NHL met with their players again to discuss a new CBA. Today, Deputy Commish Bill Daly said that he is hopeful of the new proposal from the NHLPA possibly leading to getting closer to a new CBA as the current one expires September 15th. The league expects a response from the players to their counterproposal when they continue their meetings tomorrow morning.NYS2D Weekly MVP: Nick Swisher .391 BA 2 HR 7 RBI 5 BB

David, R.A. and Terry

Sandy Alderson recently said that he fully expects the team's only two all-stars, R.A. Dickey and David Wright, to be here not only for 2013 but also long-term. The team has options on both players for next season. David has expressed his love to play for the Mets for his whole career and I'm sure the Mets front office feels the same way. He is the franchise player and without a doubt one of the best Mets of all time. After letting Jose Reyes walk this past off-season, David is the one of two remaining players from 2006, along with Mike Pelfrey who had a few cups of coffee in 2006. David is a lifetime .302 hitter with 200 HR and a franchise most 803 RBI. He has made the all-star team six times, won two gold gloves, and two silver slugger awards. He holds the Mets franchise record in RBI, total bases, doubles, and runs. He grew up a Mets fan in Norfolk, Virginia and was drafted by them 38th overall in the 2001 MLB draft. He debuted in 2004 and has been the clubs 3rd basemen ever since. The Mets are the only franchise David has ever known and he wants to stay here and win with the Mets. With Dickey, he isn't in the same situation as Wright, but they both want to stay   and the front office wants them to stay. Dickey is having a career year this year, going 16-4 with a 2.76 ERA and 183 strikeouts, which currently leads the NL. He was an all-star for the first time this year and is thankful to the Mets organization for giving him a chance, and he has taken that chance and has really become the ace of this team. In his three years with the Mets he is 35-26 with a 2.98 ERA. Dickey feels comfortable in NY and loves it here. After a long and winding road to get to the majors, he is happy that the Mets have given him the opportunity to be a regular in their rotation and he has made the most of it. After being drafted by the Rangers 18th overall in the 1996 MLB draft. After a physical, it was discovered that he has no ulnar collateral ligament in his elbow, the ligament you get Tommy John surgery on. Doctors tell him that he shouldn't be able to turn a doorknob without feeling pain. The Rangers were worried about it, so they only gave him a $75,000 signing bonus, after originally offering him $810,000. As a conventional pitcher Dickey threw a high-80's fastball, an occasional fringy breaking ball, and a forkball which he dubbed "The Thing." He was never able to succeed as a conventional pitcher, so he had to try something else. He didn't know that his forkball was really a hard knuckleball. Dickey started trying to develop the knuckler but really struggled with it. The Rangers, Brewers, Mariners and Twins all gave up on him and he landed with the Mets. In 2010 Dickey was the 1st player the Mets cut in spring training, but pitched great in AAA and earned made his way to the majors in May due to injuries and hasn't looked back every since. He feels loyal to this organization for giving him a chance and loves being in NY. He said he would love to pitch for the Mets long-term. Both of these players are great players to have on any team and they will really be able to help the Mets get everything turned around sooner than if they left the team. They also made the decision was to keep their other all-star, manager Terry Collins. There had been talk of Collins being fired but he was reassured that he wouldn't be and that he will also be the manager next season, the last year of his contract. I think Terry has done a wonderful job with the Mets in his two years here and deserves to be for years to come. I think he does a great job getting the most out of his players, which makes him a great manager and a great fit for this young Mets team.

Neil Diamond Pays the Price?!?

       Recently, Penn State Football has announced that they will no longer be playing Neil Diamond's classic "Sweet Caroline" during halftime at games. This is because of the line ".... touching me, touching you....." in the song. Lines like this will probably be avoided in any songs they play due to the recently-revaeled child abuse by longtime football coach Jerry Sandusky. In my opinion, it is just said that it has come to this for such a great tune. This song has been played at many sporting events throughout the years, including during the 7th-inning stretch at Red Sox games, and they even used to play it between the 2nd and 3rd period at Ranger games. However, Penn State is currently under so much scrutiny that they really don't have a choice. When you think about it, it is just depressing seeing what was once one of the greatest football programs in the country be in so much trouble they can't even play one of the most iconic songs in sports during their games!  

Swisher A Phony?!?

       Last Monday, Sports Illustrated announced the results of a player poll they held about the Biggest Phony in Baseball. Obviously, we all know who was going to be #1: Yankees 3B Alex Rodriguez getting 26% of the vote. However, in second, with 14% of the vote, was his teammate, Nick Swisher in what shocked most people, including myself. Sure, Nick is smiling whenever you see a picture of him, but that doesn't mean it's fake. There have been many pictures that have been taken over 50 feet away where Swish wasn't even looking and he would be smiling like heck! Also, Nick has used his "real" positive energy to give back to others. In fact, just a few years ago, he recorded a charity album with a children's choir and donated all the profit to the charity. Overall, I think all other MLB players are "phonies" for voting for Swish and not themselves!

In case you were wondering, the rest of the Top 5:

3. Nyjer Morgan, Brewers - 11%

4. Brian Wilson, Giants - 9%

5. Brandon Phillips, Reds - 5%  

Terry Should Stay

       The New York Post reported Monday that Terry Collins will remain the manager of the Mets for the rest of this season and 2013, citing a team source. "There is no chance that he will be fired" the source told The Post. After all, Collins, age 63, is under contract through next season. New York management said that a successful season would be a 3rd-place finish. I agree with the Mets on this decision 100%. Although the pitching staff has been unreliable of late, and the offense has been shameful, recently going on a stretch of eight games without scoring more that 2 runs, he has lead this team to better than most people probably thought. Most writers and analysts had it set that New York would finish last in the East and be right down there with the Astros and Cubs for last in the NL. In fact, before the season, Sports Illustrated predicted that the Mets best-case scenario would to be in the playoff race until mid-June. However, Collins lead this team to an even better result than that, staying in the race until early after the All-Star break. It's obvious they've seriously slacked off since then, but Terry has done a fine job of managing this young club. In fact, this year he's done something the Mets should've done 2 1/2 years ago: he made Jason Bay a platoon player. Collins has finally noticed that Bay will never live up to his New York potential and has been switching off between players like Mike Baxter, recently-recalled Lucas Duda, and Jason. In all, Terry Collins has been a better manager this year than the Mets could've expected.

Rangers 2012-13 Season Preview

       If you were to ask every NHL fan who they think is most likely to win the Stanley Cup in 2013, most would probably say the New York Rangers. With the addition of Rick Nash and an All-Star goaltender in Henrick Lundquvist, who couldn't think they're gonna be there in May and June? However, with most thinking this, the pressure is on for the Blueshirts. As with any team that plays in New York City, this team will be very-well followed, especially since they're many people's Cup favorites. Most people, including myself, believe that this team can win it all this coming year or the next, if not both. However, one of the best trading GM's in Hockey, Glen Sather has done a great job of getting Nash and keeping the young stars in Dan Girardi, Michael Del Zotto, and Derek Stepan to keep the young swagger of this team alive. However, with getting a great forward like Nash and losing two forwards in Brandon Dubinsky and Artem Anisimov might shake up the lines a little bit, but I don't think it will mean much. Of course, it will be extremely tough for Lundquvist to repeat what he did last season, I believe the Rangers will win the Atlantic and will go at least as far as they did last year, if not farther.

"Wait, the Red Sox did WHAT?!?"

       The Boston Red Sox have just helped turn the LA Dodgers into the Miami Heat of Baseball. On Saturday, the Sox gave away 3 of their top-paid stars: Josh Beckett, Carl Crawford, and Adrian Gonzalez. They also got Nick Punto and cash from Boston. The Red Sox got back Dodgers 1B James Loney, and 4 prospects, 2 of them to be named later. With the completion of this trade, LA now has an All-Star-calibar player at 4 of the 9 infield positions and a more-stacked pitching staff. With a lineup like this, how could you NOT have them as your World Series favorite? On the Red Sox side, it seems like they are just throwing a lost season down the drain. After the trade, Boston shut down DH David Ortiz after only playing 1 game after coming off the DL. Bobby Valentine will most likely be fired after this season, and the Sox will start all over again next year. Sure all 3 of those players stirred quite a bit of controversy, but could anyone have IMAGINED how successful this club could've been if they would've built around those 3? Of course, Carl Crawford won't play another game this season, and Beckett and A-Gon aren't having the season they dreamed about, these 3 will help the Dodgers be successful this season and well into the future.

Duda returning

The Mets have announced that Lucas Duda will rejoin the big league team after demoting on July 24 to AAA Buffalo. Manager Terry Collins said that Duda will play mostly LF and some 1B when Ike Davis needs a day off. Duda hit .260 with 3 homers, 18 RBI in 96 at-bats during his demotion. He played 18 games in LF, 4 games in RF, and 2 games at 1B while in AAA. Before being demoted by the Mets, Duda had gone 2-his-last-22 at the plate and had been playing subpar defense in RF. With Duda set to be back in the starting lineup everyday, he provides the Mets a much needed power threat, as they scored more than 2 runs today after going 7 games with 2 runs or less. Duda worked on spreading out his legs more while in the minors. In 88 games this year for the Mets, Duda has 12 homers, 44 RBI, 37 runs, a .335 OBP, and a .241 batting average. Duda still has a lot of potential and could be a big piece for the Mets in the future if he can make up for his poor defense and hit a little bit better. In 2011 he hit .292 with 10 homers and 50 RBI in only 301 at-bats. The Mets believe he can be a good player here for a long time and really be a fixture for this Mets team looking toward the future. The Mets will make a corresponding roster move prior to Sunday's rubber game against the Houston Astros.

8/17/12-8/23/12 Weekly Recap

       The Mets have had a most different week with offense that's slacking like heck and a loss of their "Number 1" starter. It started with a 3-game set against the best team in Baseball, the Washington Nationals. A Michael Moorse slam gave D.C. a win on Friday, but the Mets countered the next day after a homer by Ike Davis and a stellar performance by Jon Niese gave New York a 2-0 victory. A rain-delayed Sunday matinee gave the Nats the edge, however, as they took 2 out of 3. Then the Amazin's headed back home to take on a no-name Colorado Rockies squad. Despite a stellar no-decision by R. A. Dickey on Monday and having leads in all 3 games, the Rocks took all of the first 3 affairs. Johan Santana was scheduled to start the series finale on Thursday but was placed on the 15-day DL after an MRI on Wednesday, and looks like he will sit out the rest of the season. So, Sandy Alderson brought up pitching prospect Collin McHough to take Johan's place 4 weeks to the day that Matt Harvey made his debut replacing Santana in Arizona and had 11 K's, setting a new club record. McHough had 9 K's through 7, good enough for 2nd on that list, and held Colorado scoreless. However, he came out with a ND and the Mets lost 2-0 and were swept by the Rockies in a 4-game set at Citi Field for the second year in a row. Tomorrow, New York begins a weekend series with the Houston Astros, the worst team in Baseball.
       The Yankees have had a week of red-hot captains non-Yankee type offense. They started off the week right on Friday when Nick Swisher had 2 solo shots that gave the Yankees a 6-4 win over Boston. However, the next day, David Phelps pitched brilliantly, but one mistake to Adrian Gonzalez cost him the game, and the Sox had redemption 4-1. On Sunday, Ichiro had his 1st multi-HR game as a Bomber and gave New York the win 4-1. Then, the Yankees went to Chicago for a 3-game set against Adam Dunn, Paul Konerko, Chris Sale and the White Sox. Although Derek Jeter homered in all 3 games, something he's never done before, New York was out-deuled, getting swept by Chicago. Also, on Thursday, New York placed starter Ivan Nova on the 15-day DL due to inflammation in his right rotator cuff. Tomorrow, the Yankees get back ace C.C. Sabathia as he will face the Indians in Cleveland.
       Last Saturday, the Giants looked to take the Metlife Cup from the "hosting" New York Jets. Starting QB Eli Manning completed 7/14 for 62 yards, and Lawrence Tynes had 2 field goals, but it was the defensive line that took the show sacking Sanchez and Tebow 6 times and one by the safety, Will Hill, who I think has the coolest name on the squad. For the 2nd straight week, rookie David Wilson led the team in rushing with 26 yards. Tomorrow, the starters will take the whole show as G-Men play Week 3 against the Bears.
        Additionally, the NHL and the NHLPA met yet again on Wednesday and earlier today, and not to much progress was made. The meetings ended early today and were totally cancelled yesterday, and now a lockout seems like a possible outcome.

NYS2D WEEKLY MVP: Derek Jeter- .375 AVG. 4 HR 4 RBI 7 R 1 BB

Shutting down Johan

The Mets have placed LHP Johan Santana (6-9, 4.85) back on the 15-day DL with back inflammation. It looks like Johan will not pitch again this season. Since his no-hitter on June 1st, the first in Mets history, Johan has not pitched effectively. He came into the season just hoping that he would start the year with the Mets. He didn't pitch at all in 2011, coming off major shoulder surgery. There were no guarantees that he would ever pitch again. He pitched like an ace for the first two months of the season. After the no-hitter he had a 2.38 ERA. Then he threw the no-hitter and has struggled ever since. Since "NO-HAN," he is 3-7 with a 8.27 ERA. The Mets have to shut him down and protect the investment they made for next season. They owe him $25 million next season and they need him to pitch as well as possible. Johan has not been struggling because he is not a good pitcher anymore. His changeup is still one of the best in baseball. He can still get people out with his fastball and slider. Johan is struggling only because he is tired. Johan just needs to rest his arm, take some time off, and come back and make sure he's ready to compete for the mets next season. Johan is still a leader of this team. He is one of the few veterans the Mets have and he knows how to win games. The Mets were successful in the first half for a lot of reasons, and Johan Santana was certainly one of them. He is a great mentor for the young pitchers the Mets have coming up. Prospect Collin McHugh will make his MLB debut on Thursday, taking Johan's spot in the starting rotation. McHugh is 25 years old and scouts describe him as a pitcher similar to Dillon Gee. He was 5-5 with a 2.41 ERA this year for AA Binghamton and 2-4 with a 3.39 ERA for AAA Buffalo.

Mark Sanchez

Although he is yet to score a TD this preseason, Mark Sanchez has looked fantastic! The offensive line has made him look bad. People are saying he has been struggling, but he is 13/17 so far this preseason. Although Mark looked bad on the pick-six, only Wayne Hunter can be blamed for that. Wayne Hunter is awful. Singlehandedly he got Mark and Tim Tebow sacked seven times. That is just awful. The Jets won't have a successful season with Wayne Hunter as a starting tackle. Wayne has to go. Last year Sanchez got beat up and that made him think he had to make throws that he didn't have to, that eventually ended up being picked off. His struggles last season had nothing to do with him, his leadership, his skills, his pocket awareness, his attitude, his work ethic or anything like that. Mark Sanchez had a bad year because the offensive line couldn't block anyone. Also, people were saying that Sanchez didn't have a good work ethic. That statement couldn't have been farther than the truth. Mark works hard and was the victim of things happening around him. Sanchez was blamed for Holmes being a baby, Sanchez was blamed for the awful blocking by the line, Sanchez was blamed for the sub-par defense for pete's sake! Mark was thrown under the bus for no reason which wasn't fair. He is a hard worker and a great kid and he will put it all together and become a very good QB for the Jets. Mark's passes have been spot on. Spot on! He looks like he is finally putting it all together. People forget that he left college a year early and only started 10 games as a college QB. You can't expect Mark Sanchez to be Joe Namath in his first few seasons after barely playing in college. Mark is putting it together this year and he will produce this year and put up very good numbers. People forget that he is missing two of his three best receivers and still having a great preseason. I also think Shonn Greene is going to have a great year and really breakout. Greene will definitely help Mark like back in their rookie year, when no QB in the league was benefitted by the play action more than Sanchez. He is this team's QB of the present and future. He is The Sanchise.

Shoppach Trade

The Mets completed their trade for Kelly Shoppach with the Red Sox today, sending RHP Pedro Beato to Boston. I thought that Beato had a bright future, I really like his stuff. I do feel that trading him needed to be done after his comments about Josh Thole. Blaming Josh for not blocking a ball on a horrendous pitch that led to the Nationals score the winning run? Sorry Pedro, but first of all that pitch was all your fault. Second of all, this Mets team, and no team, will tolerate pointing fingers. That is not what baseball, or any team sport, is about. You win as a team and you lose as a team. Beato appeared in seven games this year for the Mets and posted a 10.38 ERA. I suppose that is Thole's fault too right? Terry Collins is definitely not the manager who will allow any of that crazy nonsense Beato brought into the clubhouse. TC knows more than anyone in baseball that it takes all 25 guys on a team to win, and all 25 guys on a team to lose. It's never just one person's fault. The Mets needed to put their foot down and make this deal before that negative attitude started to rub off on the other players. Beato will be perfect for the Red Sox, they all hate each other over there anyway. Shoppach will make his Mets debut tonight against the Cincinatti Reds, catching Matt Harvey in his 5th MLB start. Homer Bailey goes tonight for the Reds, who have taken the first two games of this three game series, as the Mets try to salvage the finale. Shoppach has 5 home runs, 16 RBI, and a .250 average in 148 at bats with the Red Sox this year. In 2008 he hit 21 homers for the Indians, so he has shown that he can hit for some power, something the Mets have been lacking.

8/13/12 Recap

       Last night, the Yankees were back at The Stadium for the first of four games against the Texas Rangers. In the top of the first, Nelson Cruz delivered with an RBI broken-bat single that brought home Elvis Andrus and make it 1-0 Rangers before Texas starter Ryan Dempster took the mound. In the 3rd, David Murphy made it 2-0 with one swing, a homer to center. When the bottom of the inning came along, the Yankees loaded the bases for Nick Swisher who got his 200th career homer with a BANG with his 6th career grand slam, and New York took a 4-2 they would never relinquish. Starter David Phelps went 5 strong innings, only allowing the 2 early runs and 7 hits. In the top of the sixth, newly-acquired Derek Lowe pitched 4 innings of relief  and got the save as the Yanks took the victory 8-2. With Swisher's grand slam, the Yankees now have 7 players with 200+ HRs tying the 2008 Yanks for the most by a single team. However, Curtis Granderson already had 197 homers.