Here is, in my opinion, the greatest version ever of Prove It All Night by the Boss. This is the from the September 19, 1978 concert at the Capitol Theatre in Passaic, NJ, which at the time was also broadcast live on the radio on 102.7 WNEW-FM. It is regarded as one of his best concert performances.
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Saturday, June 28, 2008
What to do with Shockey
So yesterday, I got the email. 'Draft Date is tentatively set for August 28th, more details to follow'. If you love football, then that's all you need to know to understand what I'm referring to. It's fantasy football time! With training camp only a few weeks away, football season is just about on the horizon (Week 1 starts with Giants vs Redskins, Thursday, Sept. 4, 2008, 7:00pm on NBC). So with that in mind the question is what do the Giants do with Jeremy Shockey?
Has Jagr played his last game for the Rangers?
Reports are circulating that Jaromir Jagr may have played his last game with the Rangers. Jagr becomes an unrestricted free agent on July 1 and speculation is that he will play in Europe, where he received a substantial contract offer from Omsk, a team that plays in the Russian Superleague. While the Rangers are still very interested in signing Jagr, there are cap issues and its unlikely they would match the offer that's already on the table. Complicating things a bit is that if the Rangers should sign Jagr, they would have to reconsider which free agents are available that fit with Jagr's game and how that would impact the team overall in terms of team chemistry and direction.
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Mariners 11, Mets 1..........OY!
Okay, now that the Mets were slaughtered by the worst team in baseball last evening, it's time to get real. Its seems that somewhere in the last year or two, NYers (and others) got the impression that the Mets were a championship caliber team. Certainly, the fans and the media bought into it. And it was easy to get excited when you just look at the talent that started flocking to New York beginning with Pedro Martinez in 2004. Before long Carlos Beltran, Carlos Delgado , Billy Wagner and Johan Santana. Add the emergence of David Wright, Jose Reyes John Maine and I could see how everyone thought this team could make a championship run. So when they struggled at the end of last season and continue to struggle this year, it's easy to criticize, point fingers and perceive this team as underachievers. Listening to the media use words like "disappointing" and "underachieving" is the common theme. But how about this for a novel thought.....The Mets are not a championship team! I could be wrong but I might be the only person who thinks the Met are NOT underachieving. I believe they are playing exactly to their potential. These guys are a .500 ball club, who have been playing .500 ball for more than a year now --plain and simple.
Sure, its nice, as fans, to get excited about the start of the baseball season. And sure, its good to hear that the players have high expectations of themselves, but all this talk about playoffs and a championship run is nonsense. It's no longer the beginning of the season; The Mets are about 80 games in already. Fans and players are only fooling themselves. I know the team is only 3 1/2 games out of first. But that's because the Phillies have fallen back to the pack; not because the Mest are playing inspiring baseball. They haven't given any indication they are capable of making a challange for a wild card spot or division title, much less the ability to win regularly. The team is 38-39 at this point. Do you think they can just flip a switch and become a contending team? It would seem that if the Mets would try to make a playoff run, they would probably need about 90 wins, a reasonable expectation for a playoff team. That being said, the Mets would have to go 52-33. Does anyone believe this team can suddenly play .611 baseball? You may recall the Colorado Rockies last year who got smokin' red hot and went all the way to the World Series, winning a staggering 21 out of 22 games before they were swept by the Red Sox in the World Series. But let's be honest, it was an abberation. A streak like that happens once every, oh I don't know-gazillion years? Do you really think it could happen two years in a row?
Look, this team can't hit or pitch. They don't have enough horses to put it all together. When the team hits, the pitching fails and visa-versa. Martinez and Delgado are only shells of themselves. I would not be surprised if the Mets fall further behind, they buy out the rest of Delgado's contract and just waive him. They already acquired right-handed hitting first baseman Andy Phillips earlier this evening, indicating they may platoon him with Phillips, which Delgado already said would not be acceptable with him. Martinez is in the last year of his contract and he most certainly won't be back unless he were to agree to a reduced role. There is no production coming from left field -- a traditional power position. Moises Alou, at 41 was the expected starting left fielder (that alone should have gotten GM Omar Minaya fired) after his red hot finish last season indicated he still had a lot left in the tank. But this guy has a history of regularly ending up on the disabled list and this year is no different. He already has been on the DL three times and I believe his day with the Mets will be over shortly.
Then there is Billy Wagner. A few years ago, he regularly threw in the high 90's (96-99 mph), often breaking 100 mph. But I can tell you from the time he arrived in New York, he NEVER pitched with that kind of velocity. He is consistently in the low 90's, ocassionally topping out at 95 mph. Carlos Beltran had both his knees scoped in the off season and he simply is not the same player he once was. Oliver Perez, who stepped it up last year (15 wins, with a decent ERA), after almost pitching his way out of baseball, appear to be on that path again. At times this year he has been atrocious. Santana has pitched well, but not great. But when you're paid $140 million to play once-a-week, well let's just say expectations can be unreasonable (Cy Young performance every time out on the mound?).
What's interesting here is (and maybe the reason why the fans still believe this is a championship team) that the Mets didn't acquire these stars as has-beens. They began to decline in Met uniforms, some becoming has-beens after they got there, specifically Martinez and Delgado who had great first seasons upon their arrival. When that happens, sometimes as fans, it's hard to come to terms with that. I mean, you've watched the player(s) perform and they produced in the past so when the slide begins it becomes difficult to identify if it's just a slump or the beginning of the end. And we hate to accept when it's the latter.
So its time for everyone to look at this team and realize the players who fans were accustomed to thinking of as great are no longer the same players they once were. Their skills have deteriorated and all that's left are their marquee names. Granted, the Mets do have some good players and some very good players but no really great players (certainly none that could carry this team by themselves) to take them to the next level and so they will never be more than what they are right now. So Mets fans, get over it. Win one, lose one, win one, lose one and that's it. Lower your expectations to fit with reality and this will significantly reduce your risk of heart attack (and upset stomach). OK? Got it? Good.
Sure, its nice, as fans, to get excited about the start of the baseball season. And sure, its good to hear that the players have high expectations of themselves, but all this talk about playoffs and a championship run is nonsense. It's no longer the beginning of the season; The Mets are about 80 games in already. Fans and players are only fooling themselves. I know the team is only 3 1/2 games out of first. But that's because the Phillies have fallen back to the pack; not because the Mest are playing inspiring baseball. They haven't given any indication they are capable of making a challange for a wild card spot or division title, much less the ability to win regularly. The team is 38-39 at this point. Do you think they can just flip a switch and become a contending team? It would seem that if the Mets would try to make a playoff run, they would probably need about 90 wins, a reasonable expectation for a playoff team. That being said, the Mets would have to go 52-33. Does anyone believe this team can suddenly play .611 baseball? You may recall the Colorado Rockies last year who got smokin' red hot and went all the way to the World Series, winning a staggering 21 out of 22 games before they were swept by the Red Sox in the World Series. But let's be honest, it was an abberation. A streak like that happens once every, oh I don't know-gazillion years? Do you really think it could happen two years in a row?
Look, this team can't hit or pitch. They don't have enough horses to put it all together. When the team hits, the pitching fails and visa-versa. Martinez and Delgado are only shells of themselves. I would not be surprised if the Mets fall further behind, they buy out the rest of Delgado's contract and just waive him. They already acquired right-handed hitting first baseman Andy Phillips earlier this evening, indicating they may platoon him with Phillips, which Delgado already said would not be acceptable with him. Martinez is in the last year of his contract and he most certainly won't be back unless he were to agree to a reduced role. There is no production coming from left field -- a traditional power position. Moises Alou, at 41 was the expected starting left fielder (that alone should have gotten GM Omar Minaya fired) after his red hot finish last season indicated he still had a lot left in the tank. But this guy has a history of regularly ending up on the disabled list and this year is no different. He already has been on the DL three times and I believe his day with the Mets will be over shortly.
Then there is Billy Wagner. A few years ago, he regularly threw in the high 90's (96-99 mph), often breaking 100 mph. But I can tell you from the time he arrived in New York, he NEVER pitched with that kind of velocity. He is consistently in the low 90's, ocassionally topping out at 95 mph. Carlos Beltran had both his knees scoped in the off season and he simply is not the same player he once was. Oliver Perez, who stepped it up last year (15 wins, with a decent ERA), after almost pitching his way out of baseball, appear to be on that path again. At times this year he has been atrocious. Santana has pitched well, but not great. But when you're paid $140 million to play once-a-week, well let's just say expectations can be unreasonable (Cy Young performance every time out on the mound?).
What's interesting here is (and maybe the reason why the fans still believe this is a championship team) that the Mets didn't acquire these stars as has-beens. They began to decline in Met uniforms, some becoming has-beens after they got there, specifically Martinez and Delgado who had great first seasons upon their arrival. When that happens, sometimes as fans, it's hard to come to terms with that. I mean, you've watched the player(s) perform and they produced in the past so when the slide begins it becomes difficult to identify if it's just a slump or the beginning of the end. And we hate to accept when it's the latter.
So its time for everyone to look at this team and realize the players who fans were accustomed to thinking of as great are no longer the same players they once were. Their skills have deteriorated and all that's left are their marquee names. Granted, the Mets do have some good players and some very good players but no really great players (certainly none that could carry this team by themselves) to take them to the next level and so they will never be more than what they are right now. So Mets fans, get over it. Win one, lose one, win one, lose one and that's it. Lower your expectations to fit with reality and this will significantly reduce your risk of heart attack (and upset stomach). OK? Got it? Good.
Saturday, June 21, 2008
NHL 2008 Draft: Steven Stamkos Goes No. 1 Overall; New York Rangers Draft Michael Del Zotto
Last night, the NHL held their 2008 entry draft and as expected, the Tampa Bay Lightning selected Steven Stamkos with the first pick. Stamkos, a 6"0, 175lb center out of Sarnia of the OHL is a projected NHL star that has been most closely compared to Hall-of-Famer Steve Yzerman. He is considered an elite offensive player, with excellent skating skills who plays a two-way game and has an abundance of character.
With the 20th pick of the draft, the New York Rangers selected Michael Del Zotto, a defenseman out of OHL Oshawa. More on Del Zotto below
Here is the complete 2008 draft by round.
With the 20th pick of the draft, the New York Rangers selected Michael Del Zotto, a defenseman out of OHL Oshawa. More on Del Zotto below
Here is the complete 2008 draft by round.
Friday, June 20, 2008
Update: Blue Jays Manager John Gibbons Is Out
Earlier today, on the heels of the Mariners firing their manager John McLaren, I speculated as to who might be the next to go. I zeroed in on John Gibbons of the Toronto Blue Jays since published reports suggested his situation was critical. Well, I didn't realize just how critical, until I learned that this afternoon, the Blues Jays, did in fact, fire John Gibbons replacing him with Cito Gaston. Gibbons was the third manager to be fired this week, following Willie Randolph and John Mclaren of the Mets and Mariners, respectively
Seattle Mariners Fire John McLaren. Who's next?
Well, it looks like the permits were issued and the shootings have begun. I didn't realize hunting season on baseball managers had started but we now have two that have met their fate as the Seattle Mariners fired their manager John McLaren last night replacing him with bench coach Jim Riggleman.
This past Monday, the New York Mets fired Willie Randolph in what was perceived as a whacking even Tony Soprano would be proud of. By the way, with the worst record in baseball and the firing of general manager Bill Bavasi earlier in the week, McLaren's firing should not have come as a surprise, especially since the Mariners were expected to compete for the western division title. But we live in an era of players with multi-million dollar annual salaries and $100 million dollar payrolls, so now more than ever, the stakes are higher to produce a championship. Certainly, McLaren's record as manager (68-88) since taking over for Mike Hargrove in the middle of last season warranted consideration, but I believe it was not so much his record this season (25-47) as it was the high expectation of a $117 million dollar payroll that did him in so quickly. Case in point, look at the Nationals, a perennial low-budget team dating back to its days in Montreal. With a payroll half the size of the Mariners, management is not so quick to pull the trigger. Further, Willie Randolph leaves the Mets with a record of 302-253, the second best record in team history behind Davey Johnson. But he was only about .500 since last May and with a $138 million dollar payroll and a mandate to win the championship, it just wasn't good enough. Oh yeah, there's this other team that plays in New York; you may have heard of them -- the Yankees.
So, the question now is who is next? Well, follow the money. Each year, as part of the passage of spring in the northeast, the Yankees and Red Sox begin their annual quest for the American League eastern title (and beyond). This year is no different, except someone taught the Tampa Rays how to play baseball, and who are now in the mix. That's a problem for the Toronto Blue Jays since it is they who perennially compete with the Yanks and Sox for the AL East, although usually finishing third. But today, the Blue Jays are in last place with a payroll of approximately $97 million dollars, so it looks like John Gibbons could be next. Here is a look at some other possibilities
This past Monday, the New York Mets fired Willie Randolph in what was perceived as a whacking even Tony Soprano would be proud of. By the way, with the worst record in baseball and the firing of general manager Bill Bavasi earlier in the week, McLaren's firing should not have come as a surprise, especially since the Mariners were expected to compete for the western division title. But we live in an era of players with multi-million dollar annual salaries and $100 million dollar payrolls, so now more than ever, the stakes are higher to produce a championship. Certainly, McLaren's record as manager (68-88) since taking over for Mike Hargrove in the middle of last season warranted consideration, but I believe it was not so much his record this season (25-47) as it was the high expectation of a $117 million dollar payroll that did him in so quickly. Case in point, look at the Nationals, a perennial low-budget team dating back to its days in Montreal. With a payroll half the size of the Mariners, management is not so quick to pull the trigger. Further, Willie Randolph leaves the Mets with a record of 302-253, the second best record in team history behind Davey Johnson. But he was only about .500 since last May and with a $138 million dollar payroll and a mandate to win the championship, it just wasn't good enough. Oh yeah, there's this other team that plays in New York; you may have heard of them -- the Yankees.
So, the question now is who is next? Well, follow the money. Each year, as part of the passage of spring in the northeast, the Yankees and Red Sox begin their annual quest for the American League eastern title (and beyond). This year is no different, except someone taught the Tampa Rays how to play baseball, and who are now in the mix. That's a problem for the Toronto Blue Jays since it is they who perennially compete with the Yanks and Sox for the AL East, although usually finishing third. But today, the Blue Jays are in last place with a payroll of approximately $97 million dollars, so it looks like John Gibbons could be next. Here is a look at some other possibilities
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Breaking News (Well, sort of.....)
At approximately 3:15 am eastern standard time, the New York Mets fired manager, Willie Randolph and replaced him with bench coach Jerry Manuel. He will manage the team in the interim until a permanent replacement is hired. The firing should come as no surprise to anyone who follows Mets baseball as Randolph's job has been on the line for several weeks with speculation that his demise could happen at any moment. His job security was so tenuous that it was generally accepted that it was no longer a question of if the ax would fall, but when. Watching the Mets play baseball took a back seat as The "Randolph Watch" became the main event; no longer the side show it was for most of the season.
Randolph's firing has been the subject of New York sports talk shows dating back to last season's historic collapse when the Mets lost a 7 1/2 game lead to the Phillies with only 17 games remaining. Mets Nation was devastated. Fans lit up the phone lines of sports talk shows with repeated calls for Randolph's firing. But Mets management chose not to be reactionary; instead mandating that the team must start the 2008 season by winning early and often. Neither of that happened and the Mets stumbled out of the starting gate and never really got it going. It was clear right from opening day that the foul taste left in the mouths of Mets fans did not abate during the off season. In fact, quite the opposite. Having all winter to stew about what happened Mets fans returned to Shea to boo loud and often. Not only were the Mets not playing winning baseball but the losses were incredulous. Pressure on management to do something began to mount. Many believed Randolph escaped the ax in May when he met with management after returning home from a poorly played road trip. In that meeting he was asked to explain his accusations of racism and being unfairly portrayed as stoic on the team's television network. While fans were stunned by management's vote of confidence stemming from the meeting, it was clear Randolph was on a very tight leash and their support for him was lukewarm at best. It was also speculated that Randolph did not have the full support of his players as many chose not to publicly back him. But in the end, it was untimely hitting, poor relief pitching, so-so defense, late inning meltdowns and in the eyes of many fans, the appearance of indifference by many of the players that ultimately sealed Randolph's fate. And so, like the hundreds (thousands?) of others who've ever manged a professional baseball team that underperformed, Randolph got the ax. That's the way it always goes. Everyone who follows sports knows you can't fire the players. The manger is always the fall guy.
Randolph's firing has been the subject of New York sports talk shows dating back to last season's historic collapse when the Mets lost a 7 1/2 game lead to the Phillies with only 17 games remaining. Mets Nation was devastated. Fans lit up the phone lines of sports talk shows with repeated calls for Randolph's firing. But Mets management chose not to be reactionary; instead mandating that the team must start the 2008 season by winning early and often. Neither of that happened and the Mets stumbled out of the starting gate and never really got it going. It was clear right from opening day that the foul taste left in the mouths of Mets fans did not abate during the off season. In fact, quite the opposite. Having all winter to stew about what happened Mets fans returned to Shea to boo loud and often. Not only were the Mets not playing winning baseball but the losses were incredulous. Pressure on management to do something began to mount. Many believed Randolph escaped the ax in May when he met with management after returning home from a poorly played road trip. In that meeting he was asked to explain his accusations of racism and being unfairly portrayed as stoic on the team's television network. While fans were stunned by management's vote of confidence stemming from the meeting, it was clear Randolph was on a very tight leash and their support for him was lukewarm at best. It was also speculated that Randolph did not have the full support of his players as many chose not to publicly back him. But in the end, it was untimely hitting, poor relief pitching, so-so defense, late inning meltdowns and in the eyes of many fans, the appearance of indifference by many of the players that ultimately sealed Randolph's fate. And so, like the hundreds (thousands?) of others who've ever manged a professional baseball team that underperformed, Randolph got the ax. That's the way it always goes. Everyone who follows sports knows you can't fire the players. The manger is always the fall guy.
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Remembering Lord Stanley
For all Ranger fans, June 14 1994 is a special day as it is the day the New York Rangers finally won the Stanley Cup with a victory over the Vancouver Canucks, taking the best of seven series 4 games to 3, and bringing an end to one of the longest championship droughts in professional sports history. The Rangers had gone 54 years without one, while only the Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox and Boston Red Sox of the four major sports (football, baseball and basketball being the others) experienced greater futility. Today is the 14th anniversary of that memorable day and so to Mark Messier - The Captain, our captain, we salute you and to all who followed - congratulations.
Post script, the Red Sox and White Sox have since won their World Series championships leaving only the Chicago Cubs with, by far and away, the longest drought in professional sports. They last won the World Series in 1908 (that's 100 years if your doing the math). To put it in perspective, that's the same year Ford introduced the Model T and only 32 years after Bell invented the telephone.
Post script, the Red Sox and White Sox have since won their World Series championships leaving only the Chicago Cubs with, by far and away, the longest drought in professional sports. They last won the World Series in 1908 (that's 100 years if your doing the math). To put it in perspective, that's the same year Ford introduced the Model T and only 32 years after Bell invented the telephone.
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