Hello Brooklyn!

Well, it's official. As of April 30, 2012 the New Jersey Nets are in Brooklyn as part of the sale to Jay-Z. So they are now officially in the New York Groove. Sundiata Gaines-Likely to return Armon Johnson- Will return Brook Lopez-MUST return Jordan Farmar Gerald Green Kris Humphries Damion James DeShawn Stevenson Gerald Wallace Deron Williams-Wants to return if Dwight Howard comes to Brooklyn. (Please, do it!) Shelden Williams I look forward to seeing them more often and rooting them on in 2012 and beyond. With the playoff format currently in a top 8 per conference format, the Nets, who were 22-44 last season, must improve, and I feel that they will have a chance to compete next season and beyond.

Still In the New York Groove!

The New York Knicks have announced that they have signed Head Coach Mike Woodson to a 2-year contract extension with an option for a third year. According to ESPN's Steven A. Smith, it is worth around $4,000,000 per year ($12,000,000 in all). The Knicks went 18-6 under Woodson in 2012, and FINALLY ended their 13-game postseason losing streak, (they had last won a playoff game in 2001!) This move seems like the beginning of a new era in New York basketball. Woodson is very popular with Jeremy Lin, Carmelo, and Amare Stoudemire. Now that their coach is cared for, they must focus on free agents. Jeremy Lin-MUST return, and will, for he is a restricted free agent. Jared Jeffries-Would love to see him return. Could easily be used as a part-time player who is a defensive replacement late in games. Landry Fields-Solid player but not quite what he was before. Although he started every game, he could easily be replaced. Mike Bibby-Played in just 39 games as a bench player. Posted decent numbers as a bench player but I do not see the 34-year-old returning. Baron Davis-Tore his ACL last season and at age 33 despite a solid 12-year career. I think retirement is his best possibility. Regardless what he chooses, he will not be in New York next year. Steve Novak-Still a young man who puts up great numbers. He will return next season after setting career-highs in points, rebounds, and three-pointers. J.R. Smith-Opt out clause may be triggered. If so, his tenure in New York is over, much to my chargin.

Yankees @ Angels

In the first, the Angels put runners at the corners with no one out. After loading the bases, the Angels scored on a flyout and led 1-0. Martin singled, Jeter singled as Martin moved to third on a hit-and-run! Jeter stole second easily and Granderson homered, 3-1 Yankees!!!!!!!!!!! Cano homered, 5-1. Trumbo homered, 5-3 Yankees. Trout doubled to tie the game. Ibanez tripled in the sixth and scored on a sac fly by Swisher and led 6-5!! Nova departed in the seventh and was replaced by Boone Logan, who did not get his job done.

Mets vs Phillies

David Wright's RBI double in the second put the Mets on the board, but Ty Wigginton homered again and tied the game in the second. Lucas Duda homered, 3-1!!!! Dillon Gee departed in the seventh and Carlos Ruiz tied the game with a homer. Victorino hit a sac fly in the eighth and led 4-3. Rollins homered, 7-3. The Mets lost 10-6.

Yankees @ Angels

Mike Trout tripled to score a run, 1-0 Angels. Pujols then homered, 3-0. Swisher singled and scored Ibáñez, 3-1 Angels! Kendrick singles, 5-1.

Mets vs. Phillies

Rollins scored on a wild pitch in the first, 1-0. The Mets put runners on the corners with no outs and Wright singled off of Rollins' glove to tie the game! Duda flew out with the tying run on third, and Murphy ground out to get Wright out at third. Ike singled to score the go-ahead run, 2-1 Mets!!! A passed ball moved runners up and Nickeas grounded out to end the inning. Brian Schneider homered in the second and tie the game at 2. Kintinio doubled and moved to third on a sac bunt by Hefner, and Baxter doubled home the go-ahead run, 3-2 Mets!! Jeremy Hefner homered, 4-2!!! Pence doubled and scored a run, 4-3. Victorino struck out and Polanco flew out to end the inning. Quintonilla doubled, Hairston homered!!! 6-3 Mets!! After a lengthy rain delay, the Mets won a GREAT game after Frank picked up a save.

Yankees @ Angels

Derek Jeter singled to lead off the game and Granderson followed suit. A-Rod singled on an error by Erik Aybar to score Jeter and move Grandy to third! 1-0 Yankees!! Jered Weaver injured himself and was pulled out in a shocking move! Bobby Casseveh came in and struck out Canó, then proceeded to walk Teixeira to load the bases! Raúl Ibáñez flew out to score Grandy, 2-0 Yankees. Swisher doubles on an error and scored A-Rod, 3-0!!! Eric Chávez walked to re-load the bases. Russell Martin flew out to end the inning. Mike Trout led off the home first with a single, and Maicer Izturis flew out to center on a running catch by Granderson! Pujols singled as Trout moved to third. Kendrys Morales singled, 3-1. Trumbo doubled, 3-2. Howie Kendrick singled, 4-3 Angels. Aybar grounded out, and Bourjous lined to Hughes to end the inning. Granderson homered to tie the game at 4! Trumbo tripled on an error by Grandy and Swisher and scored on a sac fly by Kendrick, 5-4 Angels. Derek Jeter singled in the fourth on an error. Hisanori Takahashi came on in relief. Granderson singled and A-Rod followed suit. Canó struck out to end the inning. Trout homered in the fourth, 6-4. Teixeira homered in the fifth, 6-5 Angels!!! Jeter walked in the sixth and was erased on a groundout by Grandy. A-Rod struck out to end the inning. Borjous singled and Bobby Wilson sacrificed to knock out Hughes. Cody Eppley retired the first man he faced and allowed a single to put runners on te corners for Pujols. Eppley departed and was replaced by Phelps after walking Pujols. Morales had a two run double, 8-5. Cano doubled to lead off the seventh, tying Paul O'Neill for 14th place on the Yankees doubles list. Tex walked and Raúl Ibáñez singled to load the base with no outs!! Swisher flew out but scored Canó, 8-6 Angels. Eric Chávez grounded to first. Russell Martin doubled to score two runs and tie the game at 8!!!! Teixeira led off the ninth with a single, and Ibáñez lined out to center, and Eric Chavez walked. Martin singled and the bases were loaded for Derek Jeter. He grounded to second and ended the inning. Trumbo hit a homer in the ninth and the Angels won 9-8.

Mets vs. Phillies

Niese walked two and Ty Wigginton doubled in the second, 2-0 Phillies. Vinny Rottino homered in the fifth, 2-2!!! Mayburry homered, 4-2 as Niese departed. Scott Hairston homered and tied the game at 4!!!!!!!!!! Wigginton singled in the seventh, 5-4. Wigginton homered off Acosta in the ninth, 8-4.

Fantastic At Fenway

I have been meaning to write this for a LONG time... In April of 2012 the Boston Red Sox celebrated the 100th Anniversary of Fenway Park, whose first game hosted was a loss on April 20, 1912 to the New York Highlanders. Now, 100 years later, "America's Most Beloved Ballpark" is one of the greatest landmarks still around and one of two classic ballparks still in use (the other being Wrigley Field). Introduced by the late Carl Beane, former Red Sox greats flooded "America's Most Beloved Ballpark" to celebrate it's cennential, and took their places at their respective positions. Hall of Famer Jim Rice Bill Buckner Frank Malzone Jeremy Remy (now a broadcaster) Rico Petrocelli Reggie Smith Jim Lonborg Luis Tiant Dennis "Oil Can" Boyd Bruce Hurst Billy Rohr Joe Santiago Billy Coniglario Hall of Famer Carlton Fisk Future Hall of Famer Pedro Martinez Nomar Garciaparra Kevin Millar Terry "Tito" Francona (who received the loudest ovation), as opposed to Bobby Valentine, who went to make a pitching change in the game and was soundly booed. Hall of Famer Carl "Yaz" Yaztremski The former players mingled with current ones as they took their places to John Williams' Fanfare At Fenway. But the highlight of the night had to be recently retired Jason Varitek and boarderline Hall of Famer Tim Wakefield wheeling out the living legends Johnny Pesky, 92, (namesake of the foul pole in right field), and Bobby Doerr, 94 onto the field as they received emotional cheers from the fans. The Yankees and current Red Sox respectfully cheered and looked on as Keith Lockhart led The Star Spangled Banner and planes flew overhead. A large American flag was draped over the Green Monster. Then, the designated toastmasters, 2004 World Series Champions Kevin Millar and Pedro Martinez stood atop the duggout and helped to distribute wine and other beverages to lucky fans as the Sox attempted to break the record for the largest toast in history. Even though the attempt failed, fans gladly welcomed back two of the most beloved players in the franchise's history. "Fenway Park, we want to thank you for the last hundred years" Millar shouted. "And the next hundred years!", Pedro Martinez continued, to a loud ovation.

Leading the toast!

Yankees @ A's

Derek Jeter singled to lead off and passed Hall of Famer George Brett for 14th place on the all-time hit list. Granderson singled. Mark Teixeira popped out, and A-Rod singled to load the bases for Robinson Canó. Canó popped out to second and Nick Swisher popped out to end the inning. Horrendous Hirkoi allowed a leadoff single to Weeks, but got Coco Crisp to fly out, Reddick struck out, and Weeks was thrown out trying to steal second. Andruw Jones homered to lead off the second, 1-0 Yankees!!!!! Nix followed with a double off the wall and Chris Stewart popped out on a failed bunt. Derek Jeter grounded to third and Curtis Granderson flew out to end the inning. Teixeira led off the fourth with a double and A-Rod grounded out. Canó walked and Swisher struck out swinging. Andruw Jones grounded out. Teixeira doubled to score Granderson in the seventh, 2-0! Milone departed and Cook replaced him as A-Rod grounded out to end the inning. The A's had runners on first and third with one out and eventually avoided trouble in the inning as Hiroki departed. Soriano came on in the ninth and pitched a solid inning as the Yankees won an easy game!!

Mets vs. Padres

Wright and Duda walked in the first and Wright went to third on a wild pitch and scored on a Murphy single. 1-0 Mets! Turner doubled in the second, and R.A. Dickey singled! Mike Baxter struck out before Kirk lined out to end the inning. In the third, the Mets put two runners on with two outs but Ike struck out to end the inning. Baxter scored on a wild pitch and passed ball 2-0! Dickey walked two in the eighth, and was replaced by Tim Byrdak, who induced a flyout and quickly ended the inning. Andres Torres came in center and Bzxter moved to right as Frank Francisco came in to close. Frank pitched a 1-2-3, eight pitch ninth inning to give the Mets a win!!!

Yankees @ A's

Gomes singled to score Weeks, 1-0. Cano homered in the second, 1-1!!!! Chávez scored on Jeter's 3,153 hit (15th all-time). 2-1. Reddick homered, 2-2. Tex homered in the fourth, 3-2!! Jeter singled to put two on in the fifth, and Stewart moved up to third on a flyout. A-Rod lined out to score Stewart, 4-2! They put two more on and Tex singled, 6-2! Jeter was hit with the bases loaded, 7-2. Tex homered again, 9-2. The Yankee bullpen did the rest and they won another easy victory against the Oakland A's.

Mets @ Padres

The Mets scored four on homers by Hairston and Rottino. 4-0. Turner doubled and Ike followed, 5-0. Mike Nickeas hit a grand slam in the eighth, 9-0!

Yankees @ A's

Granderson doubled and Cano doubled him in, 1-0. Tex homered, 3-0! Chávez singled and Martin doubled in the fourth. Jeter fouled out, Granderson walked and A-Rod hit into a double play to end the inning. Canó homered in the fifth, 4-1. Tex was thrown out trying to stretch a double into a triple. Ibáñez doubled and Swisher homered, 6-1! The A's put runners on second and third in the fifth with no outs. Suzuki had an RBI sac fly, 6-2. Ka'aihui homered, 6-3 Yankees. Rafael Soriano pitched a scoreless ninth and the Yankees won another easy game!

Mets vs. Padres

The Padres scored in the first and Duda homered to lead off the second. Dillon Gee doubled in the second, and Baxter doubled to score Gee, 2-1 Mets!!! Kirk singled and Baxter scored, 3-0! Murphy doubled with two outs in the fifth, 4-1! Davis singled, 6-1 Mets!! Ramón Ramírez pitched a 1-2-3 ninth and the Mets won an easy victory!

Mets vs. Padres

The Mets tried a baserunning play that resulted in a run in the second and took a 1-0 lead. The Padres had four straight hits and led 4-1. Venebal had an RBI double, 5-1. The Mets scored two in the fifth on a Murphy homer, 6-3. The Padres scored in the sixth, 7-3. The eventually won 11-6.

Yankees Vs. Royals

Granderson homered in the first, 1-0 Yankees, and A-Rod homered, 3-0! In the third, Jeter doubled and Grandy singled. Tex hit into a double play but Jeter scored, 4-0. A-Rod homered again, 5-0! Billy Butler homered in the fourth, 5-1. The Royals loaded the bases in the fourth, but Quintero struck out to end the inning!! Mitch Maier homered, 5-2. Nix singled and Jeter reached second on a Bunt, and the Yankees loaded the bases for Tex. Tex worked a 3-0 count before Walking, 6-2! A-Rod singled but Jeter was thrown out at home. Mendoza departed as Cano had an RBI groundout, 7-2. Jones walked, 8-2. Martin flew out to end the inning. Jeter singled to tie Paul Waner on the all-time hit list. Hosmer doubled and collected an RBI, 8-3. David Phelps shut the Royals down after that, and the Yankees won a seemingly easy victory!

Mets @ Pirates

Lucas Duda had an RBI single in the first and the Mets led 1-0. Kirk flew out and scored another run, 2-0. Wright scored Baxter on a double, 3-0. McCutchen singled in the sixth to score a run, 3-1, but the Mets turned a double play to end the inning. Niese departed in the eighth and Bobby Parnell pitched a clean eighth. Frank Francisco pitched a 1-2-3 inning and the Mets won an easy game!

Yankees @ Royals

Quintero had an RBI double and scored Falu, 1-0 Royals. Francoer homered, 2-0. Robbie Cano homered, 2-1!!!!!!!!!!! The Yankees loaded the bases in the fifth, and tied the game on an RBI single by Jeter. 2-2 Granderson grounded out to socre a run, 3-2!!!! Cano was walked intentionally and that loaded the bases for Raul Ibanez. He grounded out, but the Yankees were back! No further scoring was done and Rafael Soriano set the Royals down scoreless in the ninth to earn the save! Ballgame over, Yankees win, THEEEEEEEEEEEE YANKEES WIN!!!!!!!! And it truly is, sweet victory!

Mets @ Pirates

Mike Nickeas singled and scored a run but was thrown out at second, 1-0 Mets! Josh Harrison tripled in the sixth, and tied the game on a McCutchen sac fly, 1-1. Mike Baxter doubled on an error by McCutchen, and Captain Kirk walked. David Wright struck out, but Lucas Duda singled to score Mike Baxter! 2-1 Mets!!!!! Murphy singled and scored a run as the bases were loaded with two outs for Ike Davis, who flew out to end the inning. McCutchen singled as Daniel Murphy pulled a Luis Castillo and Tim Byrdak replaced Jon Rauch. Frank Francisco came on and pitched a 1-2-3 inning.

Missing the Mets: A Fans Plea

On December 9, 2011, WOFX-AM announced they were terminating the broadcast of New York Mets games in the captial region, in favor of the Boston Red Sox. (I spread the news as soon as I heard it). The first few games I was able to watch as they did not coencide with Yankees games, however, that quickly faded and I found myself struggling to hear the feed for WFAN in New York City. Eventually, the signal became completely inaudible and I lost the Mets for good. Now, there are some days I can stream home games on my I-Phone, but those days are few and far between. It just seems to me that as a New Yorker, I should be able to access a Mets radio station with no problem.

I've tried streaming, but can't stream every game. I've tried to listen to WFAN, but can hear only static. I've even tried listening to opposing radio broadcasts, but as they say, there really is no place like home! And so, I beg you. I IMPLORE you! There are an abundance of radio stations in the capital district. There must be ONE that could carry the Mets games!

Yankees vs. Royals

Horrendous Hiroki allowed a two-out, two-run homer to Mike Moustakas in the first. In the third, Hosmer hit an RBI single, 3-0 Royals. With one out, Cano made a specatcular catch to save a run! Hiroki loaded the bases with two outs in the third. In the home third, Martin and Jeter hit back-to-back singles, and Granderson walked to load the bases with no outs for Robbie Cano! Cano struck out, A-Rod struck out, and Ibanez nearly launched a slam, but the ball was caught at the wall to end the inning. Eric Chavez doubled in the fourth, and moved to third on a passed ball/wild pitch, but Russell Martin grounded out to end the inning. Hiroki put two runners on in the sixth and departed. A-Rod led off the sixth with a double, his 500th, and moved to third on a flyout, but did not score. The Yankees brought in Failing Fred, (which is unofficially conceding the game), and he promptly gave up a homer to Francoer on his second pitch, 5-0 Royals. Martin doubled to lead off the seventh, followed by a lineout by Jeter and the Yankees were even more pathetic. Failing Fred allowed a run on a wild pitch in the eighth, 6-0. The Yankees need to score runs to make the playoffs, and it seems they will not do so this season. Now in fourth or fifth place, they NEED an offense quick!

Mets @ Pirates

Ronny Cedeno hit an RBI double in the second to give the Mets a 1-0 lead. The Mets loaded the bases in the second, and Justin Turner hit a two-run single, 3-0 Mets! Wright hit an RBI single, 4-0! Johan loaded the bases in the fourth, and allowed two consecutive RBI doubles to McCutchen and Alvarez, but ended the inning on a double play. 4-2 Mets. Santana allowed a two run homer to McKenry to tie the game at four. Kirk Nieuwenhuis singled and moved to second on a groundout and fantastic play! He also moved to third. With two men on, and the go-ahead run at third in the eighth, Andres Torres grounded out to end the inning. Walker tripled on an error by Kirk and Baxter, and scored on a flyout, 5-4. The Mets lost 5-4.

Mets @ Blue Jays

The Mets put runners on second and third to begin the first, and David Wright, back in the lineup after a one-day absence, got a two-run double to put the Mets on the board! 2-0 Mets! Duda grounded out as Wright moved to third, and Murphy struck out swinging. Captain Kirk doubled on an error by Rasmus, 3-0 Mets! Kelly Johnson doubled to lead off the home first, and Escobar walked. Jose Bautista struck out swinging and Edwin Encarnacion struck out and J.P. Arencibia grounded out to end the inning. In the second, Ronny Cedeno singled and moved to second on a groundout. Andres Torres grounded out and Cedeno moved to third. Baxter tripled as Cedeno scored, 4-0 Mets! Wright, who had moved to second on the all-time Mets hit list, struck out looking to end the inning. In the second, Gee walked the first two runners on and the Jays scored on an RBI single by Gomes, 4-1 Mets. With two outs, Escobar grounded out to end the inning. Bautista homered in the third, 4-2. Murphy singled, 5-2. Bautista singled, 6-3 Mets as Gee departed. The Mets loaded the bases with two outs in the eighth, but David Wright struck out to end the inning. Arencibia doubled to lead off the eighth off Bobby Parnell. Eric Thames drove him in, 6-4. Rajjai Davis grounded out and Thames scored on a single by Rasmus. 6-5 Mets. Jan Gomes struck out on a 101 MPH pitch from Parnell, and he departed for Tim Byrdak, who induced a fly out to end the inning. Lucas Duda walked off of Darren Oliver to lead off the ninth, Daniel Murphy flew out, and Kirk walked to bring up pinch hitter Scott Hairston, who struck out. Future Hall of Famer Francisco Cordero replaced Oliver and set the Mets down scoreless. Frank Francisco came on to pitch the ninth and walked the first batter he faced, as he always does. Bautista singled, and Encarnacion struck out! J.P. Arencebia struck out, and Eric Thames struck out to end the game!!!!!!!!! PUT IT IN THE BOOKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yankees vs. Reds

In the third, the Reds put a runner on third, and Drew Stubbs walked but the Yankees avoided trouble. Cano doubled in the sixth, and Raul Ibanez DRILLED a homer into right field! 2-0 Yankees as they FIANLLY broke the tie!!! Ryan Ludwick homered in the seventh, 2-1 Yankees. Hanigan homered, 2-2. CC loaded the bases with two outs in the seventh, and walked in the go-ahead run, 3-2 Reds. Despite getting out of trouble, he put the decrepit Yankees in a HUGE hole. Cory Wade set the Reds down scoreless in the eighth, and Johnny Cueto departed in the bottom of the inning. Logan Ondrusak came on and nearly surrendered a homer to A-Rod, but instead he popped out. The Yankees went scoreless. Wade continued in the ninth, and retired the first batter on a flyout before being pulled for Boone Logan, who put two men on with two outs, and was replaced by Rafael Soriano, who allowed a double to Ludwick and cost the Yankees a victory, 5-2 Reds. Aroldis Chapman came on to close and set the Yankees down scoreless to end the game.

Yankees vs. Reds

Drew Stubbs scored on a single by Brandon Phillips in the second. Chris Heisey doubled, 2-0. Russell Martin led off the third with a solo home run, 2-1 Reds! Cano scored on a double by Ibanez to tie the game at two. Votto hit a three run homer, 5-2. Jason Nix homered, 5-3. Costanzo hit a sac fly, 6-3. Swisher singled, 6-4 Reds! Andruw Jones singled and Swisher moved to third! Jason Nix singled, Swisher scored as Jones moved to second, 6-5! Derek Jeter came up with the tying run at second to face Jose Arredondo, and Jeter grounded out. Granderson grounded out to end the inning.

Mets @ Blue Jays

The Jays led 1-0 on a single by Johnson. Escobar singled, 2-0. Really, that was the entire game as the Mets were pathetic yet again.

NFL Hot Stove

The New York Jets have signed S Yeremiah Bell to a 1-year $1,400,000 contract. The oft-injured Bell did manage to play in 16 games last season, where he collected 107 tackles, 2 sacks, a fuble recovery, and a 20-yard interception. This move can bolster the Jets' defense AS LONG AS HE STAYS HEALTHY!

Bell with the Dolphins However, even though GM Mike Tannenbaum denies it, and he himself will not think it, this is likely the end of Jim Leonhard's tenure with the Jets. Leonhard, an unrestricted free agent, has been injured these past two years. That is not set in stone, however.

Mets and Jays

The Jays scored first on a three run homer by Arencibia. Gomes homered, 4-1. Bautista doubled, 5-1. Arencibia homered, 6-1. Murphy doubled, Scott Hairston walked, and Kirk Nieuwenhuis struck out. Rob Johnson grounded out to end the inning. Manny Acosta entered and the Jays led 10-1. The Mets got four runs in the eighth, but lost 14-5.

Yankees vs. Reds

Grandy doubled and moved to third on a bad play by Canó running to second. Grandy scored on a groundout by A-Rod, 1-0. Canó homered!!!!!! 2-0. Ibáñez homered, 4-0.

The End of An Era

Former New York Yankees pitcher and longtime Cubs fan favorite Kerry Wood has announced that he will retire following today's game. Wood (0-2, 8.64 ERA in 2012) has struggled with injuries recently including shoulder fatigue and last year, a knee problem. Wood played the latter half of the 2010 season with the Yankees, where he was 2-0 with a 0.69 ERA in 24 games setting up Rivera. He played extremely well in his career and his 20 strikeout game in 1998 will always be remembered as one of, if not the, greatest debuts in sports history. Wood, 34, who signed a 1-year, $3,000,000 contract in January after Theo Epstein convinced him to return, THRIVED as a setup man and closer for the Cubs. In 14 years, (12 of which were spent in Chicago), he compiled an 86-75 record with a 3.67 ERA.

It saddens me that injuries have finally led to his retirement. Obviously, he never won a championship (too much time in Chicago does that to you) but he was one of the premier closers and setup men in the game, likely in history. I wish him all the best in retirment and hope that someday he will have the honor of number retirement (with the Cubs of course), and maybe, just maybe, an invitation to Old Timers' Day in the future...

Yankees @ Blue Jays

The Yankees scored in the first on a single and RBI double by Canó, 1-0. José Bautista homered, 2-1. The Yankees put two men on with one out in the fifth, and Canó lined out, and Mark Teixeira popped put to end the inning. In the sixth, Eric Chávez doubled, but Andruw Jones popped up to kill the rally. The Jays put runners at the corners with one out as Hughes departed. Cory Wade got a groundout and tagged the runner out at home. Arencibia homered to put the game out of reach, 4-1. Darren Oliver retired the Yanks in order. The Yankees went scoreless in the ninth and lost a bad game 4-1. Hughes pitched well with just a few mistakes that ended up costing them the game.

Mets vs Reds

Joey Votto homered in the fourth, Hanigan homered Latos doubled and Haningan homered in the fifth. Lucas Duda doubled, 4-2. The Mets put the first two men on in the sixth and Mike Nickeas bunted a single on an error to load the bases with nobody out. Baxter hit a sac fly as Ike scored! 4-3 Reds. Andres Torres popped up and Kirk Nieuwenhuis struck out to end the inning. Fraizer doubled, and Hanigan struck out. Mike Costanzo flew out to right field and Cozart struck out to end the inning. Wright singled, Duda singled, and the Mets began the seventh with two men on. Daniel Murphy blipped a single to left, and the Mets once again had the bases loaded with NO outs. Justin Turner flew out to right as the Mets tied the game with one out. Ronny Cedeño struck out, and pinch hitter Scott Hairston walked to re-load the bases! Mike Baxter was punched out on a bad call to end the inning. Bobby Parnell came on to pitch the eighth and retired the Reds scoreless. Logan Ondrusek pitched the eighth and Rob Johnson bunted a single. David Wright doubled and Johnson scored, 5-4 Mets!!! Turner blooped a single and scored Wright, 6-4. Ronny Cedeño launched a 3-run homer, 9-4!

Mets vs. Reds

The Mets put two runners on in the first but failed to score. Mike Leake singled and later scored on a controversial call, 1-0. Lucas Duda singled and Baxter scored, 1-1. Ike singled to score Duda, 2-1 Mets! The Mets executed a squeeze play in the sixth, 3-1. The Reds got one back in the seventh, but the Mets lost even more in the eighth as the Reds tied the game with no outs. Votto scored in the eighth, 4-3. The Reds scored two more runs and the Mets lost the game 6-3.

Yankees @ Blue Jays

J.P. Arencibia homered in the second, 2-0. Edwin Encarnacion drilled a three run homer, 5-0. Kelly Johnson singled to score a run and Bautista homered to make it 7-0. Tex added an RBI single, 7-1. The yankees ended up losing 8-1.

On the All Star Game: 2013 Edition

It's official, Citi Field will host the 2013 All-Star Game. Citi is one of the most beautiful ballparks, along with Kauffman and of course, the New Yankee Stadium. This will benefit the Mets and also be a great thing for Major League Baseball.

Yankees @ Orioles

Adam Jones homered in the second, 1-0 O's. Laynce Nix singled, Jeter singled, and Nick Swisher grounded out to end the inning. CC loaded the bases in the third, and Baltimore led 2-0 on a double play groundout. Hardy doubled to score Avery, 3-0 Orioles. The Orioles took a 4-0 lead in the sixth.

Mets vs. Brewers

The Brewers had two men on in the second as Ramirez scored on a groundout. Cesar Izturis singled to score Lucroy, 2-0. In the fourth, Wright singled with one out and Lucas Duda struck out as Wright was thrown out at second to end the inning. In the fifth, Ishikawa homered, 3-0. Murphy singled to lead off the home fifth, Ike Davis lined into a double play that was partly Murphy's fault, as he left early. The Brewers put two men on in the sixth, but Hart flew out, and Lucroy singled, 4-0. Ishikawa homered to end the game, 7-0.

The Bills Are Back

...almost. However, I feel I should promote this. Current Buffalo Bills radio play-by-play man John Murphy will take on an expanded role with the Bills. In addition to his play-by-play duties, he will host a talk show on WGR AM Monday-Friday from 7-9 P.M.

Yankees @ Orioles

Hardy hit an RBI double to score Avery, 1-0 Orioles. Adam Jones doubled and scored Avery, 2-0. Swisher tied the game with a double in the fourth!!!!! The Orioles scored three in the fifth and the Yankees loaded the bases and scored on an error by Chris Davis. 5-5. The Yankees loaded the bases again in the sixth, and Jeter struck out swinging. Curtis Granderson popped out to end the inning. David Phelps came on in relief and Tex homered in the seventh, 7-5 Yankees!!! Boone Logan came on and retired his men in the seventh. Cory Wade came on in the eighth and struck out the side. The Yankees had the bases loaded in the ninth and Tex scored on a sac fly by Chávez, 8-5. The Yankees won an 8-5 game and they played well despite some early errors.

Mets vs. Brewers

Miguel Batista retired two batters and then walked two before striking out Corey Hart to end the inning. Murphy drilled a single into left field and scored Kirk, 1-0 Mets!! Taylor Green tripled to lead off the second on a massive error by Lucas Duda. Batista then struck out Conrad tried a suicide squeeze but Mike Nickeas tagged Green out at third as Conrad was allowed to go to first! Yovani Gallardo flew out to right to end the inning. Cedeño hit a sac fly to score Murphy, 2-0. José Veras came on and retired the Mets in the seventh. Parnell pitched a scoreless eighth. Wright doubled off of K-Rod in the eighth, and Lucas Duda moved the runner over. Daniel Murphy doubled and Wright scored on a dropped ball in a rundown!! 3-0 Mets! Frank Francisco came on to pitch the ninth and after a leadoff single and stolen base, retired the next batter and Corey Hart scored on a single. After a walk, Conrad struck out and Duda caught a fly out to end the inning!! As Mets radio announcer Howie Rose would say "PUT IT IN THE BOOKS!"

Mets @ Marlins

The Mets scored first on a groundout by Duda that scored Kirk, 1-0. Murphy singled and scored Wright, 2-0. John Buck hit a two-run homer to tie the game in the seventh. Ramon Ramirez pitched a scoreless seventh inning. The Mets loaded the bases in the ninth and pinch hitter Justin Turner doubled and the Mets took at 4-2 lead in the ninth! Bonafacio tripled in the ninth and Manny Acosta came on after Francisco was ejected. Reyes tied the game in the ninth and the Marlins won on Stanton's walk off GRAND FUCKING SLAM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This team is done. Francisco NEEDS to go and the Mets need a real closer!!!

Yankees vs. Mariners

Andy Pettitte allowed a two-run home run to Justin Smoak in the fourth. Swisher singled in the fifth, and the Yankees loaded the bases. Chavez struck out looking, Russell Martin walked to force in Teixeira, 2-1 Mariners. Casper Wells hit a two run homer in the sixth, 4-1 Mariners. The Yankees scored again on a bases loaded walk, 4-2. The Mariners scored two more in the ninth, 6-2.

NFL Hot Stove

The Buffalo Bills have signed Vince Young, former third-round draft bust for the Tennessee Titans. He spent last season with the Philadelphia Eagles, whom he famously dubbed the "Dream Team". Young threw for 866 yards and 4 TDs and 9 INTs in 2011. He had a career-low 60.8 passer rating. As long as Young doesn't say anything else stupid, this is a great pickup. As a backup to Fitzpatrick he will almost never play and I feel he can be a solid addition to the team.

The Giants have agreed to a contract with first-round draft pick RB David Wilson.

Yankees vs Mariners

Ibáñez had an RBI double in the second, and Martin doubled and gave the Yankees a 2-0 lead. Jason Nix launched a homer into right field, 4-0 Yankees! Kawasaki singled on a communication error by Canó and Swisher. Raúl Ibáñez drilled a homer into Monument Park in the fourth, 5-0 Yankees. Mike Carp drilled a solo homer in the seventh, 5-1. Boone Logan came on after Hughes allowed two 2-out hits and struck out Ichiro to end the inning. Canó doubled on an error and scored Jeter, 6-1 Yankees. Carp hit another homer in the ninth. However, after further review it was ruled a double and Seeger scored. The Yankees won however.

Mets @ Marlins

David Wright singled in the first to score Kirk, 1-0 Mets. An RBI single by Sanchez in the second tied the game but a homer from Wright and an RBI single from Captain Kirk put the Mets ahead 3-1. The Mets scored three on a single by Torres in the fifth after Dickey was hit by a pitch and led 6-1. Murphy had an RBI single in the sixth, 7-1. Stanton had an RBI double in the sixth, 7-2. Hanley Ramírez doubled in the seventh, 7-3. Murphy scored on a Cedeño groundout, 8-3. Wright singled again and the Mets led 9-3. D.J. Carrasco pitched a somewhat rocky ninth but the Mets took a game from the hated Marlins!

Mets @ Marlins

Jose Reyes scored on an Infante single, 1-0. Omar Infante homered, 3-0! Ike homered, 3-1. The Mets put runners on the corners with two outs in the sixth but didn't score. Nickeas doubled to score Cedeño, 3-2! Wright doubled in the eighth, and Duda grounded out as Wright moved to third. Kirk got a pinch hit double to tie the game at 3!!!!!!!!! Ike was intentionally walked. The Mets loaded the bases in the eighth, and pinch hitter Mike Baxter doubled, 5-3 Mets!!!!! The bases were loaded again in the eighth for Daniel Murphy, who grounded out to end the inning. Bobby Parnell came on to pitch the eighth, and Infante doubled, 5-4. However, Hanley Ramírez flew out to right, and pinch hitter Logan Morrison faced Tim Byrdak, who struck him out to kill the rally and end the inning!! Frank Francisco came on to pitch the ninth, allowing a double to Giancarlo (formerly Mike) Stanton. Gaby Sanchez flew out to center moving Stanton to third. Bonafacio singled and tied the game at 5. At this point I realized the Mets were done today. Bonafacio stole second, John Buck was punched out and Greg Dobbs, now in left field, singled. 6-5. The Mets need to FUCKING WIN DIVISIONAL GAMES!!!!

Yankees vs Mariners

Horrendous Hiroki allowed a leadoff homer but then retired the side. 1-0 Canó's RBI single scored Grandy, 1-1. Montero homered in the sixth, 2-1. Ibáñez drilled a three-run homer in the sixth, 4-2 Yankees!! Canó doubled and ARod made third in the eighth, but did not score. Andruw Jones launched a homer in the eighth, 6-2. The Yankees won a great game. Well pitched, well hit. If the Yankees can continue this, they will be a force this season.

Doomsday!

The Yankees, in fourth-place, deaperately need a win tonight! CC Sabathia loaded the bases in the first thanks to an error by Nunez, but the Rays scored only one run because of a great tag by Chris Stewart, 1-0 Rays. Nunez made ANOTHER PATHETIC ERROR to put runners on first and second with NO ONE out! The Rays scored on a Sean Rodriguez single in the second, 2-0. Curtis Granderson led off the second with a line-drive home run, 2-1 Yankees! Nunez singled and stole second, and Chris Stewart tripled on a throwing error to tie the game at 2!! Jeter walked but Nick Swisher and Jeter killed the rally with a double play. Nunez singled in the fourth and stole second easily. Cano homered in the fifth, 4-2. Jones doubled, 5-2. The Rays scored another run in the ninth on a Rhymes groundout to come within two, 5-3 Yankees, but Ben Zobrist flew out to centerfield to end the inning. The Yankees played VERY well in this series, and I llok forward to playing Seattle!

NFL Free Agency News

The Denver Broncos have signed former Buffalo Bills CB Drayton Florence.

The End of An Era

Former New York Jets QB Chad Pennington has announced his retirement after 11 seasons in the National Football League. Pennington spent eight years with the Jets, where he compiled a 69-61 record with a 66.0 completion percentage, finishing with a 1632/2471 TD/INT ratio, and 17,823 yards. He played very well for the Jets before signing with the Dolphins in 2008. He also made one 29-yard punt in 2006 for the Jets. Pennington had a great career and if it weren't for the numerous injuries, would have been (in my opinion) a Hall of Famer, however, the injuries detered and derailed his career. A significant shoulder injury in the first game of the 2010 season ended his season and eventually his career. He worked for Fox's NFL Sunday pregame show in 2011 and planned to return in 2012. I wish him well in retirement and look forward to hearing and seeing him on Fox next season and beyond.

Pennington celebrating with the Jets.

Yankees vs, Rays

The Yankees took a 1-0 lead into the ninth by Robertson allowed a 3-run homer and a sac fly and the Yankees lost 4-1.

Mets @ Phillies

Cliff Lee's RBI single in the second put the Phillies on the board and the Mets answered with an RBI double by Murphy to score Dillon Gee. Galvis got an RBI on a groundout and the Phillies led 2-1. Wright had an RBI single in the sixth to tie the game at 2, but a Galvis RBI double and an RBI single from Laynce Nix. Turner had an RBi double in the seventh which went over the head of Shane Victorino, 4-3 Phillies. Ike Davis doubled and that put runners on first and second and nobody out! Rob Johnson walked to load the bases! Lucas Duda was hit by a pitch and that tied the game at 4! Andres Torres grounded to second to force out the runner and the Mets took a 5-4 lead!!!!! Daniel Murphy hit into a double play to end the inning. Scott Hairston doubled in the eighth, 6-4! Ike Davis drilled a three-run BLAST to give the Mets a 9-4 lead in the eighth. Galvis tripled, 9-5 Mets. Andres Torres homered, 10-5! Pence tripled, 10-6, but the Mets squeezed out of a jam to record the victory.

Mets vs. Phillies

The Phillies scored three runs on a homer, a single and a double, and the Metsscored one in the fourth on a Murphy RBI single and a bizarre play that ended in a Wright triple on a few errors. Duda singled and scored Wright. Polanco singled and moved to second on a wild pitch in the eighth. John Mayburry, Jr. lined out on a BEAUTIFUL play by Murphy and Polanco moved to third on another wild pitch. Ramon Ramirez struck out Pete Orr and Tim Byrdak retired the lefties he faced and stranded the tying run on third!!!!! The Mets put runners on the corners with no outs, Kirk hit a sac fly, 6-4. Duda singled, 7-4. Jon Rauch came on to pitch the ninth inning and pitched another rocky ninth but the Mets took the victory home nevertheless.

Yankees vs. Rays

The Rays scored two on solo homers and a wild pitch. The Yankees hit three homers and led 4-3 going into the eighth. Teixeira hit an RBI double in the eighth, 5-3. Boone Logan pitched well, retiring the lefties and David Robertson loaded the bases before stirking out Pena to end the game.

Mets vs Phillies

Rollins tripled to Lead off and scored on a sac fly by John Mayburry, Jr. 1-0 Phillies. Polanco scored, 2-0. Wright doubled and tied the game at 2 on a ball which bounced away from Mayburry! The Phillies had the bases loaded in the seventh, but then Mayberry hit into a double play. Mayberry was ruled safe at first, however, the call was overturned and he was ruled out to end the inning and the Mets got out of a HUGE jam. The Mets had a rough eighth inning wherein Josh Thole was removed after a collision at home plate to save a run. Tim Byrdak set down the last batter to end the inning. The Mets had Davis on first and one out, and Nickeas doubled, moving Ike to third! Jordany Valdespin launched a 3-run BOMB in the ninth to give the Mets a 5-3 lead!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Ike made a great tag for the first out in the ninth, Mayberry struck out swinging, and Victorino grounded out to end the game! I'm back, back in the New York Groove!!!!!!!!!

Yankees Game

Billy Butler doubled in the first, 2-0. Raúl Ibáñez lined a double to right and scored Tex, 1-1. In the third, the Yankees put two runners on and Granderson singled to score Wise, his 1,000th career hit, and 2-1. Yankees! The Yankees loaded the bases in the third and Canó hit a grand slam!!!!!!!!! 6-1 Yankees!!!! Luis Mendoza came on to pitch the third and retired the Yankees. Alex Gordon singled in the fifth, 7-2 Yankees. Quintero homered in the seventh, 7-3. A-Rod launched a homer in the eighth, 10-3 Yankees. Cory Wade allowed a single to Dyson as the lead was cut to 10-4. But the Yanks pulled out another victory.

Mets Game

Daniel Murphy's two-run single in the first put the Mets on the board. Thole's RBI single in the third made it 3-0 Mets! Upton doubled and scored Para, 3-1. Dickey departed and Tim Byrdak took over for him. Byrdak retired Kubel but Upton moved to third. Frank Francisco came on and pitched a rocky ninth but the Mets won a well-needed game.

Yankees @ Royals

Billy Butler scored two on a double in the first. With one out in the fifth, Ibáñez singled and Martin followed suit. DeWayne Wise flew out to center. The bases were loaded in the fifth with two outs, but Derek Jeter grounded out to end the inning. Butler doubled in the fifth, and scored another run, 3-0. Hiroki departed in the bottom of the fifth and was replaced by Clay Rapada, who induced a fly out to end the inning. Granderson led off the sixth with a double, but A-Rod lined out and Grandy was tagged out trying to steal third. Canó lined out to end the inning. Dyson hit a sac fly to score Getz, 5-0 in the sixth. Russell Martin drilled a solo homer in the seventh, 5-1. Núñez doubled with two outs, but the Yankees did not score. In the eighth, Granderson doubled and Canó grounded out to move Grandy to third. Despite this the Yamkees failed to score. The Yankees were set down in the ninth despite a double by Russell Martin.

Yankees vs. Royals

Mark Teixeira launched a 2-run homer in the first, 2-0 Yankees. Gordon doubled, 2-1. Francoer doubled in the first and scored Gordon, 2-2. Jones singled in the second and Laynce Nix grounded out as the Yankees went scoreless. Hosmer tripled in the sixth, but the Royals went scoreless. Nunez tripled and scored Cano in the seventh, 3-2 Yankees!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Chris Stewart singled and scored Nunez, 4-2. Derek Jeter hit his fifth homer of the season in the seventh and led 6-2! David Robertson set down the Royals in the ninth and the Yankees won.

Mets vs. Diamondbacks

Cody Ransom homered in the second, 2-0. Tejada singled in the third and Murphy doubled to move Tejada to third. Wright walked and The Mets loaded the bases with no outs and Duda struck out. Scott Hairston doubled to tie the game at 2!! Ike grounded out to score Wright, 3-2 Mets!! Andres Torres singled to score Hairston, 4-2 Mets! Dud singled on a bad play by the first baseman to put two on for Hairston, who struck out. In the sixth, Gee walked the first two batters before getting a lineout, and a strikeout. He worked a 3-2 count to Aaron Hill before Hill was punched out to end the inning! Parnell threw a seven pitch seventh and was removed in the eighth for Tim Byrdak. Byrdak put the tying runs on base with no outs. Paul Goldshmidt tied the game with a 2-run single. Ransom singled and untied the game, 5-4. Duda walked to lead off the eighth and was pinch ran for. Scott Hairston was retired and Ike Davis struck out. Torres singled and Valdespan (pinch running for Duda) stole third. Josh Thole worked a full count before lining out to end the inning. In the ninth, Ramon Ramirez allowed a single, then set the rest of the batters down. The Mets came up in the bottom of the ninth needing two runs to win the game against former Met J.J. Putz. Captain Kirk struck out and Tejada struck out, but Murphy lined to center to end the inning.

Yankees @ Royals

The Royals scored first on a 420 foot homer by Moustakas in the home second, 1-0. Jeter doubled for his 500th double of his career in the third. Jeter scored on Mark Teixeira's 500th hit as a Yankee, and tied the game 1-1. Eric Hosmer singled in the third and scored Dyson, 2-1. Andruw Jones singled in the fourth and Nunez hit into a double play. Russell Martin singled for his tenth hit of the season and appeared to be tagged out at second on a stolen base attempt, but Duffy balked, therefore nullifying the play and allowing Martin to stay at second. The Yankees failed to score however. D.J. Mitchell loaded the bases in the fifth, and the Royals scored two more runs, 4-1. In the sixth, Cano singled and Andruw Jones singled. Nunez scored Cano on a sac fly, 4-2, but Martin lined out to end the inning. Tex hit a sac fly and Jeter scored, 4-3. Jones singled in the eighth, Martin singled, but the Yankees did not score. Jeter singled in the ninth and Granderson walked. Mark Teixeira grounded into a 4-6-3 double play and A-Rod grounded out to end the game.

Yankees vs Orioles

The Orioles scored five runs off of Ivan Nova over 6 innings and the Yankee offense was anemic in a pathetic loss. Jake Arrieta threw eight strong innings in contrast. 5-0 Orioles.

SWEEP...

The Astos scored 5 runs over three innings on two home runs by Chris Johnson. Andres Torres scored Wright, 5-1. Tejada doubled in the fifth on an error by Bogasevik but the Mets went scoreless. The Astros scored another three in the fifth, 8-1. Amazingly, that was the last scoring as both teams pitching set down hitters well, but nevertheless the Mets need to improve!

Mets vs. Astros

The Astros scored five runs on a two-run homer by Jed Lowrie in the first and a three run homer by Snyder in the second. Justin Turner doubled in the fourth, Wright lined to third, and Scott Hairston walked as Turner stole third base. Andres Torres singled and scored Turner, 5-1 Astros. Josh Thole singled and scored Hairston, 5-2 Astros. Duda struck out to end the inning. Miguel Batista came on in the fourth and pitched a scoreless inning. Wright singled in the fifth and Hairston came up as the go-ahead with two outs. Hairston singled and scored Wright, 5-3 Houston! The Astros went scoreless in the fifth. Batista loaded the bases with two outs in the sixth, and Ramon Ramirez walked in a run, 6-3. He ended the inning with a popout to second. Ramirez set the Astros down 1-2-3 in the seventh. Wright singled to start the top of the eighth, Hairston grounded into a 4-6-3 double play to end the inning. Jon Rauch came on to pitch the eighth, and the Mets went 1-2-3 in the ninth to end the game and give the Mets another loss.

Orioles @ Yankees

Curtis Granderson homered in the first, but the Orioles answered with a homer by Davis in the second, a two-run shot by JJ Hardy in the third, and an RBI single by Betemit in the sixth. Nick Johnson doubled in the sixth on an error by Nunez and the Orioles took an insurmountable 6-1 lead. A-Rod bunted in the seventh, but the Yankees did not score. In the eighth, the Yankees loaded the bases for A-Rod, who proceeded to pop up to end the inning. Nick Johnson singled and the Orioles led 7-1. D.J. Mitchell came in to make his major league debut and pitched well in an obvious loss. The Yankees went scoreless in the ninth.

NFL Free Agency

Former Giants ILB/MLB Jonathan Goff has signed with the Washington Redskins. Goff played on the Giants from 2008-2011, but missed all of last season with a torn ACL suffered in training camp. Goff was never an electric player and with both Mark Herzlich and Greg Jones waiting in the wings, there was no chance of a return to Big Blue.

Goff in 2010 with the Giants. I wish him all the best in Washington.