Yankees vs. O's

In the first, Granderson had an RBI single, Cano homered, Ichiro hit into a fielder's choice, and Martin had an RBI single. All of this added up to 5-0 Yankees.

However, in the second, a ground rule double by Mark Reynolds, a two-run single by former Met Omar Quintanilla, and a grand salami by Chris Davis made it 7-5 Orioles.

Wilson Betemit had n RBI single in the fifth, 8-5 Orioles.

Markakis homered, 10-5.

Ivan Nova didn't pitch up to par, period. This team is just stumbling and will get back on track in no time.

Folk Hero

Folk Hero

Why Nick Will Win the Job

It's no secret that Nick Folk has not been the most popular kicker in the league, nor the most popular member of the Jets. However, I feel that the job is Folk's to keep.

In 2011, Folk made 19 field goals to Brown's 21 and 44 PAT's (points after touchdowns) to Brown's 18. Folk was 19/25 (76%) in field goals to Browns 21/28 (75%). Folk, at 27 years of age, he has a chance to be a Jet for a longer time than Brown, age 33.

Folk has also been pretty reliable in the clutch since missing three field goals on Opening Day in 2010. He knows the system and had gotten to know Mike Westhoff quite well.

Make no mistake, there will be competition. But when the dust settles and all is said and done,

Nick Folk will be kicking for the Jets in 2012.

Folk reacts after nailing a 32-yarder to give the Jets a 17-16 victory of the Colts in the 2011 AFC wild card game, Peyton Manning's last as a Colt.

Trade Deadline Moves!

The Yankees have traded RHP Chad Qualls to the Pittsburgh Pirates for 1B/3B Casey McGee. In addition, they have activated RHP Joba Chamberlain from the disabled list. Joba had an ERA of 0.96 in 9 1/3 rehab innings for the Trenton Thunder.

Joba being attacked by the infamous midges in the 2007 ALDS.

NFL Hot Stove

The Seattle Seahawks have signed former Jets WR Braylon Edwards to a non-guaranteed contract. He will report to camp and attempt to earn a roster spot.

Giants S Tyler Sash has been suspended four games for steroids/PEDs. Way to go...

Yankees vs. Orioles

Chávez singled in the second, 1-0.

Betemit homered, 1-1.

Omar Quintanilla and Markaikis had sacrifice flies, 3-1.

Ibáñez homered, 3-2.

Markaikis doubled in the seventh 5-2.

Eric Chávez homered, 5-3!

Ichiro homered, 5-4 for his 100th career homer!

Swisher had a ground rule double in the ninth and Ichiro singled and stole second. Martin struck out.

Yankees vs. Red Sox

Ryan Sweeny had a two-run double in the second, 2-0 Sawx.

Russell Martin drilled a solo shot to lead off the seventh, 2-1 Sox!

Andruw Jones doubled in the eighth and Russell Martin singled to tie the game at 2! Martin moved up to second on a wild pitch by Alfredo Aceves! However, Ichiro flew out to end the inning.

Ciriaco had a bloop single to score a run in the tenth, 3-2 Sawx.

Yankees vs. Red Sawx

In the first, Adrian Gonzalez had an RBI double and 3B Will Middlebrooks followed with a two-run double to give the Red Sox a 3-0 lead in the first.

Chris Stewart drilled a solo shot in the bottom of the third inning, 3-1!

Adrian Gonzalez drilled a three run homer in the fifth, 6-1 Sawx.

Andruw Jone singled and Jayson Nix homered, 6-3. Martin and Ichiro singled and Derek Jeter had an RBI groundout, 6-4.

Mets vs. D-Backs

Murphy doubled, Wright doubled, and Hairston doubled, 2-0 Mets in the first.

In the fifth, Hairston had a single to score Wright and moved to second on the throw, 3-0 Mets.

Murphy doubled in the sixth to score Andres Torres, 4-0. Paul Goldschmidt doubled in the sixth, 4-1.

In the eighth, Josh Thole doubled to score Torres and the Mets had a 5-1 lead.

The Mets played very well and Dickey delivered another stellar performance.

Mets @ D-Backs

Tejada and Murphy singled and Scott Hairston doubled to score two, 2-0 Mets.

Rob Johnson had a sac fly in the fourth, 3-0.

Justin Upton had a sac fly in the eighth against Jon Rauch, 3-1.

Matt Harvey had 11 strikeouts and allowed just 3 hits in his major league debut while also going 2-for-2 at the plate! The bullpen was very good except for the lone run, and Parnell picked up a save.

Let's Go Mets!

Yankees @ Mariners

Derek Jeter had a solo home run in the first, 1-0 Yankees.

Ivan Nova loaded the bases in the first before walking in a run to tie the game. Carp grounded out to score another run, 2-1.


Clay Rapada replaced Nova in the sixth and struck out his only batters.

Josh Kinney pitched the seventh.

The Yankees loaded the bases with no outs in the eighth, and Curtis Granderson flew out. Pinch hitter Jayson Nix doubled, 4-2 Yankees! Russell Martin singled, 5-2!

Mets @ Nats

Espinosa and Morse homered in the second, 2-0.

Ike homered in the second, 2-1.

Thole's error in the fourth cost a run, 3-1.

LaRoce homered in the seventh, 5-1.

Valdespin had an RBI groundout, 5-2.

Nats beat Mets.

Yankees @ Mariners

Curtis Granderson homered in the first, 1-0 Yankees!

Michael Sanders homered in the first, 1-1.

Jesús Montero singled in the third, 2-1 Mariners. John Jaso had a sac fly, 3-1. Granderson singled, stole second, and moved to third on a single by A-Rod. Canó popped out, Teixeira walked to load the bases! Raúl Ibáñez struck out and Eric Chávez flew out to end the inning Hernandez struck out ARod in the sixth for his 2,000th career strikeout. Tex had a bases loaded single in the eighth, 3-2 Mariners. Raúl Ibáñez struck out. Seager had an infield single in the eighth, 4-2 Mariners.

Mets vs. Nats

Ronny Cedeno had an RBI single in the second, 1-0.

Danny Espinosa singled, 1-1.

Adam LaRoche homered in the sixth, 3-1 Nats. Then, Jesus Flores had a two-run single, 5-1.

Jordany Valdespin hit his fifth pinch hit home run to lead off the eighth, setting a Mets club record and making the score 5-2 Nationals.

Former Yankee Tyler Clippard came on and pitched a solid ninth inning. The Mets decline continued as the team suffered yet another loss to the Nationals and R.A. Dickey lost his second game of the season (first was on April 18 in Atlanta in the rain).

Ichiro singled in the third in his first at-bat as a Yankee, stole second, and moved to third on a groundout. John Jaso singled, 1-0. Tex had an RBI double, 1-1! Raúl Ibáñez singled, 2-1! Andruw Jones singled, 3-1! A-Rod hit a line drive home run to lead off the eighth, 4-1.

Mets vs. Nats

Bryce Harper hit a two-run homer in the first, 2-0.

David Wright drilled a solo shot in the fourth, 2-1!

Ike Davis hit a Pesky-esque home run off of the right field foul pole in the seventh and the Mets tied the game at 2!

The Mets lost 8-2.

SHOCKING TRADE UPDATE!

The Yankees have reportedly acquired veteran RF Ichiro Suzuki and cash from the Seattle Mariners. The Bombers are currently in Seattle for a three game set. The Yankees send minor league RHP DJ Mitchell and RHP Danny Farquar.

Playing in the House that Steinbrenner Built will only enhance his stats, as the New Yankee Stadium is a very hitter-friendly ballpark.

There Used to Be A Ballpark

There Used to Be A Ballpark

Stadiums' demises show carelessness, lack of appreciation for history.

We've all heard the stories of years gone by. Parents, grandparents, and other realtives relating the first time they visited their favorite team's home field.

Those stories now seem like ones out of a history book, as many of the venues that were so revered by bygone generations are now just memories and feelings.

Benjamin Kabak of riveraveblues.com wrote of the New Yankee Stadium: "For the Yankees, this new stadium isn’t about necessity, and it sure wasn’t about history. Say what you will about the renovations in the 1970s, but Yankee Stadium, man, it has some history. It had Gehrig and Ruth and DiMaggio and Mantle and Reggie and Mattingly and the late 1990s. Sure, the concourses were a bit narrow, but if the Red Sox can eke our more seats in Fenway, the Yanks could have found a way to make their current stadium more hospitable for the 4.2 million fans who made the pilgrimage up the Bronx last year. They could have improved the food offerings and renovated the bathrooms." He also put, "Unsurprisingly, this new Stadium really is all about the money."

I've been to the New Stadium. It was nice, it was beautiful. It was everything I expected, but no history.

Mets fans all over cried foul as they followed in the Yankees' footsteps and demolished Shea.

"Shea Stadium brings tears to my eyes, it was such a magical place with its own personality, so many awesome memories, I miss it…
Afraid to go to Citifield b/c I hate new stadiums, I’m even gonna to admit missing the Vet!!! [Veteran's Stadium in Philadelphia]
These New stadiums are cookie cutters, with so much going on in the park…At least the old ones…… served one purpose..to watch a ballgame, that is it!!!!"

"You can have historical things happen at Citi, like the Mets winning another Championship. But it will never be Shea. It will never be home."

On to Detroit.
"Comerica will never get the repect that historic Tiger Stadium has."

"There is so much history at the Corner. And it was there when Detroit was a great city, not part of the rebuilding process. It's seen the rise of the auto industry (and falling of it), the 68 riots, a couple world wars and the associated parades afterwards, various Chop Houses, and Sonny Elliott. Comerica has a long way to go, with a lot of winning needed, to be on the same level as Tiger Stadium."

Even the New Era commercial with the White Sox fan and Cubs fan arguing states "It [Wrigley Field]'s powered by tradition my friend, something you wouldn't know about at mobile phone park."

It's far too late to look back now. You cannot resurrect Tiger Stadium, Shea, Yankee Stadium, or Comiskey. But you can realise that the beginning of the Era of Expansion was bad for historical purposes. Only three teams have gotten it right.

"'It [Fenway Park] is a living room, it's a backyard. It is a temple. It is all those things,' said Janice Page, longtime Red Sox fan."

"I feel like I'm walking into a place where things happen, says Dan Shaughnessy of the Boston Globe "Something special may happen today. Babe Ruth played there, Ted Williams played there."

 "'We don't allow people to use the S-word. We fine people $5 if they use the word 'stadium,'" said Red Sox President Larry Lucchino.

[on April 20 2012], the Red Sox [faced] New York, just as they did on Opening Day in 1912, [in this same ballpark] when the Sox came out the victors.

Whether Red Sox fans end up celebrating or scowling, they'll be right at home - where they hope to be for the next 100 years."

"I believe the Cubs ought to play baseball at Wrigley Field forever and if there's anything I can do in the role of governor to try to guarantee and assure that the Cubs stay at Wrigley Field...than that's good for the people of Illinois." says Rod Blagochevic, former Illinois Governor.

Even the Los Angeles Dodgers have begun a program called Next 50, to prepare Dodger Stadium for the next half century.

"It [Dodger Stadium] might just be the best looking 50-year-old in the county." wrote Joe McDonnell of FSwest.com.

Yankees @ A's

Mark Teixeira singled with the bases loaded and no outs, 1-0. Canó lined out and A-Rod doubled, 3-0. Granderson homered, 4-0. Inge homered, 4-1. Kurt Suzuki homered, 4-2. Inge hit into a fielder's choice in the sixth, 4-3. Seth Smith homered in the ninth, 4-4. Crisp singled in the twelfth, 5-4.

Mets vs. Dodgers

Looking to avoid a sweep, the Mets turned to ace-in-the-making Jonathan Niese to stop the bleeding and save the season.

Juan Rivera drilled a two-run shot in the fourth, 2-0.

Josh Thole had an RBI single in the fourth, 2-1!

Andre Ethier singled, 3-1.


Ike doubled and Murphy singled, 3-2!

Ike hit a groundout to tie the game at 3. Daniel Murphy was intentionally walked and Lucas Duda grounded out to end the inning and force the game into extra innings.





Treanor singled in the twelfth, 5-3.




The Mets lost a pathetic game 8-3.

Hall of Fame Weekend 2012

Today in Cooperstown the National Baseball Hall of Fame will hold it's annual induction ceremony.

Joining the hundreds of great players in the Hall will be Cincinnati Reds SS Barry Larkin. Larkin played from 1986 until 2004 solely for the Reds and posted a .295 average, 198 homers, and 960 RBIs, along with 2,340 career hits.

A 12 -time All Star, 3-time Gold Glove winner, and 9-time Silver Slugger winner, Larkin was a member of the Reds 1990 World Championship team and was the 1995 National League MVP. Larkin was a fantastic player in his day, and his stats speak volumes considering A) He spent his career on many a mediocre Reds team and B) He shared the spotlight with Ken Griffey, Jr. for a few years.

Larkin slides home in Game 1 of the 1990 World Series as Paul O'Neill looks on.

The second person inducted will be the late, great, Cubs 3B Ron Santo. Santo played for the Cubs from 1960 until 1973 before leaving for one year with the White Sox in 1974. During his career, he hit .277 with 342 homers and 1,331 RBIs, and 2,254 hits. A nine-time All Star and 5-time Gold Glove winner, Santo was awarded the Lou Gehrig Memorial Award in 1973. On September 28, 2003, the Cubs retired his number 10 jersey. Unfortunately, Santo passed away on December 3, 2010 of diabetes and bladder cancer and will not be around to witness the greatest honor a baseball player can have.

Santo in the on-deck circle at Shea Stadium in 1969. The famed Black Cat is shown in the background.

The third person inducted, as winner of the J.G. Taylor Spink Award, will be longtime Canadian sportswriter Bob Elliott. Elliott has covered the Toronto Blue Jays since 1987. Prior to his work with the Jays, he covered the former Montreal Expos from 1978 until 1987.  He is currently employed by the Toronto Sun.

Elliot at the Baseball Hall of Fame

And finally, the fourth person inducted into the Hall of Fame, as winner of the Ford C. Frick Award, will be longtime broadcaster Tim McCarver. McCarver began is career calling Phillies games on WPHL-TV with Richie Ashburn and the late, great Harry Kalas, the Voice of the Phillies, in 1979. After briefly resurrecting his playing career in 1980, he returned to the booth, hosting HBO's Race For the Pennant and the Game of the Week for NBC, while also entering the booth for the Phillies. Following the 1983 season, he became a television broadcaster for the New York Mets, a position he held until 1998. After leaving NBC, he moved to ABC from 1984-1989, where he was on hand for the Loma Pieta earthquake in 1989. He then moved to CBS, where he called games with Jack Buck and Sean McDonough from 1990-1993. In 1994 he began calling games under The Baseball Network, the MLB's failed attempt at games rotating between major television networks such as Fox and ABC. In 1996, McCarver was hired by FOX Sports to call baseball alongside Joe Buck, the son of former broadcast partner Jack Buck, a position which he holds to this day.

McCarver in the Fox broadcast booth.

So once again, congratulations to Barry Larkin, Ron Santo, Tim McCarver, and Bob Elliot, the Baseball Hall of Fame Class of 2012!



Rebuilding!

The Mets have finally begun to take the advice of myself and the rest of the media and rebuild.

Today it was announced that 41-year-old RHP Miguel Batista has been designated for assignment (DFA'ed). This may be the end for the journeyman righthander, who has pitched very poorly in 2012.

Will this move signal the beginning of Matt Harvey in New York? Only time will tell.

Yankees @ Oakland A's

Ibáñez singled in the fourth, 1-0 Yanks. Cespedes homered, 1-1. Inge homered in the eighth, 2-1 A's.

Mets vs. Dodgers

Loney singled 1-0. Uribe doubled and Cruz singled, 4-0. Hairston singled, 4-1. Jason Bay singled, 4-2!! Kemp tripled, 5-2. Treanor doubled 6-2. Cedeño homered, 6-3. Murphy tripled and scored on a groundout, 6-5. Uribe homered in the ninth as the Dodgers won 8-5.

Fire Sale!

As the trade deadline rapidly approaches, the Mets are doomed for another second half collapse. Despite the pleas of fans, managment and broadcasters, the team is not ready to compete and will not make any moves to improve the team.

So, the New York Mets need to make a decision: Will they be ready to compete in three to five years? If they will be, which is very possible, they will need to hit the free agent market soon.

I cannot sit here and watch as the Mets let another season fall down the toilet. I've seen this before, last season, and it wasn't pretty.

Folks, if I have to watch Miguel Batista blow another freakin' game, I will go ballistic! I know that I was in full support of his return after his stellar season last year. He was great in the latter half of the 2011 season but looks washed up now. The Mets won't get much for him, but could try for a package deal with Andres Torres.

Torres, 34 years old, has been a terrible signing with the emergence of Captain Kirk Nieuwenhuis. If the Mets can lose Torres and Batista, not only will it clear payroll to sign free agents, but it will rid the team of a problematic starter and a washed-up outfielder.

R.A. Dickey enters next season as an impending free agent. The 37-year-old has earned an extension again, but if the team will not content, maybe letting him walk is better.

If the Mets decide to contend:

-They need a new bullpen. Package Ramon Ramirez and Jon Rauch in any sort of deal and get rid of Mike Pelfrey in any way. Pedro Beato is ready. Starter, closer, setup man, anything. Let him pitch.

Before the 2013 season
-They need to extend David Wright. NO EXCEPTIONS.
-Jason Bay needs to leave or improve massively!
-The team needs to get better pitchers.
-The team needs to COMPLETELY REVAMP their bullpen. Ramirez, Rauch, Batista, Parnell. Goodbye.

The Mets have something special this season, but as Mike Francesa said, it is fading fast. The team never addressed the bullpen issues, and signed unneeded free agents (Torres, Pelfrey), and disappointing free agents (Ramon Ramirez, Jon Rauch, Frank Francisco). They need help, now.

Yankees @ A's

Coco Crisp tripled and scored on a sac fly by Jemeile Weeks, 1-0. Moss doubled and Brandon Inge followed Sui, 2-0. Russell Martin hit a Pesky-esque homer in the eighth, 2-1! Canó homered in the ninth! 2-2 Yankees! Moss had an RBI single in the ninth to score Cespedes, 3-2. Ballgame over. Yankees lose a heartbreaker.

2012 Bills: A Preview

The Buffalo Bills enter the 2012 season with the longest playoff drought in NFL history, 12 consecutive seasons. However, this year is different. I will now break down the roster by position.

1) Quarterbacks-In 16 games last season, Ryan Fitzpatrick was 353/569. That is a 62% completion percentage, a career high for Fitz. The team also signed former Titans draft bust Vince Young to a one-year deal as a backup. Young last season posted a 57.9 completion percentage. Stellar, no. Solid, yes.

2) Special Teams-Rian Lindell was 6/6 from 20-29 yards, 2/3 from 30-39 yards, and 5/6 fom 40-49 yards before being shelved with  shoulder injury in November while trying to make a tackle. In my opinion he is a very underrated kicker. In any event, Dave Rayner is gone (hallelujiah!) and John Potter is being groomed as Lindell's successor. In 72 punt attemps, Brian Moorman averaged 48.2 yards/punt. Brad Smith, the wildcat, averaged 16 yards/game. This seems like a strength for the team now and going forward.

Lindell boots a game-winner against the Patrits in 2011! Holder Brian Moorman is seen in the background.

3) Wide Receivers-Rookie T.J. Graham seems like he is ready, and Stevie Johnson is fully healthy for the season after suffering a groin injury last season and being benched for antics. As long as he uses his head and avoids questionable or stupid moves, (such as mocking Plaxico's shootng himself after a touchdown against the Jets), he will be the same Pro Bowl-caliber player he has been these last few years. Last year, he had 76 receptions for 1,004 yards (his third 1,000+ yard season). Donald Jones, Namaan Roosevelt and David Clowney IV will only add to what is already incredible depth.

4) Running Backs-Star rusher Fred Jackson was going to the Pro Bowl with 934 yards before a fractured fibula cost him the season. Along with CJ Spiller and Tashard Choice, the Bills' running core can be the best in the business.

5) DEFENSE!-Before the season, the Bills released longtime cornerback Drayton Florence. Leodis McKelvin and Aaron Williams, Justin Rogers, Terrence McGee, and Stephon Gillmore will be just fine holding down the fort without him. Jairus Byrd and "Senator" George Wilson are poised for better seasons if they stay healthy. The offensive line of Chad Rinehart, Kraig Urbik, Eric Wood, and Chris Hairston can be great if it remains intact this season. This is Shawne Merriman's make or break year. Make and he can really help the Bills defense overall. Break, and he may find himself cut following the season.

It's now or never for Shawne Merriman.

GM Buddy Nix has beefed up the defense with big signings like DE's Mark Anderson and Mario Williams. With Marcell Dareus, Kyle Williams, Arthur Moats, and Dwan Edwards, this team has the potential for a top defense in the league. Nix has also retained the key cogs to continuing the team's success from last year by re-signing Stevie Johnson and extending Fitz and Fred Jackson. When Nix and Chan Gailey came on in 2010 I was skeptical, but they have proved me wrong.

Now, wth all of this joy, optimism, and jubilation over the 2012 Bills, there is one position that is readily up for grabs: Left Tackle.

The Bills lost very few free agents over the offseason, but one that they lost that I wanted back was tackle Demetress Bell. From all accounts that I have heard, including Bills radio voice John Murphy, Cordy Glenn seem like the man of the hour, but we will have to wait and see. Just another reason to keep up with the training camp reports and The John Murphy Show, which premires THIS THURSDAY and will run from 7:00 until 9:00 PM from Monday to Friday through the summer and throughout the season.*

*The show may be preempted by Sabres games.

I am in NO way affiliated with the Buffalo Bills, National Football League, or WGR-AM in Buffalo, New York. Just wanted to get that out there after a few articles with promotions of the show.

                                                                       Cordy Glenn, the job is yours for the taking.

Mets vs. Dodgers

Matt Kemp homered in the first, 2-0. Wright had a sac fly, 3-1. Ike had a sac fly, 3-2. Andre Ethier walked with the bases loaded, 4-2. Cruz homered, 6-2. Murphy doubled to score Tejada, 6-3. Scott Hairston had an RBI single in the sixth, 6-4! Juan Rivera doubled, 7-4. Jordany Valdespin homered, 7-6 in the seventh! Valdespin doubled on an error in the ninth, but the Mets lost.

Yankees @ A's

Yoenis Cespedes homered in the first, 2-0 A's. Failing Fred loaded the bases in the first and Seth Smith singled, 4-0 A's. Tex had a sac fly in the sixth, 4-1. Swisher singled, 4-2. Nick Swisher hit a home run in the ninth, 4-3! Raúl Ibáñez struck out swinging and Russell Martin grounded out. The Yankees lost a bad game because of a bad offense and Failing Fred.

Mets @ Nats

Wright homered, 2-0 in the first. Ryan Zimmerman homered in the bottom of the inning, 2-1. Ike homered in the second, 3-1! Tejada singled and Torres doubled in the third. Tejada scored on a double play. Ike singled, 5-1. Tejada singled, 6-1. Wright homered in the fourth, 9-1!! Morse had a sac fly, 9-2. Morse had an RBI double, 9-3. Morse scored on a botched throw, 9-4. Parnell pitched a bad ninth but the Mets won 9-5

Mets @ Nationals

Chris Young led offthe sixth with a double and Tejada flew out. Murphy grounded out to move Young over to third. David Wright flew out. Adam LaRoche homered, 2-0. Duda Doubled, Torres singled to score Duda, but was tagged out at second, 2-1 Nats. Lombardozzi doubled, 4-1. Wright homered in the ninth, 4-2. Jason Bay hit a Pesky-esque homer in the ninth, 4-3! Jordany Valdespin struck out.

Yankees vs. Blue Jays

Jeter doubled and Swisher singled, 1-0 Yankees! Tex homered, 3-0. Canó doubled, Andruw Jones singled, 4-0. Dewayne doubled, 5-0. Dewayne singled. 6-0. Hiroki pitched six and the Yankees picked up a six inning win.

This is Bull!

This Is Bull

Mets Bullpen Needs an Overhaul

The Mets need to get better or change their approach.

Bobby Parnell

Frank Francisco

Jon Rauch

Pedro Beato

Ramon Ramirez

Miguel Batista



What do all these men have in common?

They are all Mets relief pitchers who have blown at least one game this season.

The Mets need to improve, and that includes placing relievers on the market and getting better ones to replace them. I will now list points to help Sandy Alderson.

1) Bobby Parnell is NOT a closer!-Holy Cow! How many times can you promote a guy to closer and watch him suck each and every time. This year, Parnell is 2-2 with an ERA of 3.19. Maybe he can be a solid set-up man, but not a closer.

2) Jon Rauch is 3-7! Seven losses for a relief pitcher is atrocious, period.

These players need to go, now!

Yankees vs. Blue Jays

Andruw Jones drilled a three run shot in the second, 3-0 Yanks. Chris Stewrat tripled, 5-0. Jeter doubled, 6-0 and scored on a groundout by ARod, 7-0. Rasmus had a sac fly, 6-1.

Mets @ Nats

Moore homered, 1-0. Lombardozi homered, 2-0. The Mets put two on in the ninth before Hairston struck out. Jordany Valdespin homered, 3-2 Mets!!!!!!!!! Bobby Parnell pitched a rocky ninth but blew the save. 3-3. Murphy singles in the tenth, Kirk sac bunted, Tejada flew out and Thole doubled, 4-3 Mets!! Tim Byrdak allowed a leadoff single to Lombardozzi, a sac bunt, and a triple, 4-4. The Nationals won 5-4 after a pathetic game once again. Not only does this signal the end of the Mets season, but it also signals a need to trade players now. Among those who need to be traded are: -Anyone in the bullpen -David Wright -Johan Santana -Andres Torres -Jason Bay

Alright: Let's Start from the Top

Whenever you look at a troubled organization, be it a charity, government, or sports team, it is always wise to start by looking at the top people in the organization.

In this case, James L. Dolan.

Dolan is no stranger to doling out money, however. In 2001, Allan Houston was signed to a $100,000,000 contract for six years. After four years, Houston retired and the Knicks payed out the remaining $40,000,000 for a player who wasn't even on the team (Bobby Bonilla, anyone?) He surrounds himself with horrible front office staff, has hired some pretty bad coaches while firing good ones, and has brought the Knicks shame for seasons.

Dolan, who also claimed the Knicks would match any offer Jeremy Lin received, has now opted instead to let him walk as a free agent. All while he wasted $40 million dollars on a retired Allan Houston.

For years I defended Ralph C. Wilson, Jr., and it seems to be paying off, as the Bills look poised for a fantastic season. I've sided with Hal and Hank Steinbrenner, John Mara and Steve Tisch (as well as Wellington Mara and Bob Tisch if you want to go back that far). I've never had a complaint about Woody Johnson, and God knows I loved George Steinbrenner, whom I view as a model owner who should be in the Baseball Hall of Fame. But I have been longing for a change in the Knicks' ownership for years now. It needs to happen, it has to happen.

We struck out on Fred Wilpon and now must watch as Carlos Beltran continues an All-Star season. We must look at the Mets decrepit bullpen and know that K-Rod, Jason Isringhausen, and JJ Putz are out there having great years.

The bottom line is, the New York Knicks are an embarrassment to the NBA, and James Dolan is mostly to blame. It is high time this team got a new, better owner who knows about the game of basketball and who will help this team win. And when the Knicks get that owner, they will finally be back.

Back in the New York Groove!

Yankees vs. Blue Jays

Russell Martin homered in the second, 1-0 Yankees!! A-Rod doubled in the third and Canó doubled, 2-0 Yankees! Adam Lind homered in the fourth, 2-1. Edwin Encarnación doubled to score Bautista, 2-2 in the sixth. Adam Lind struck out as Encarnación moved to third. Yunel Escobar flew out to end the inning. Canó and Teixeira singled in the sixth and Raúl Ibáñez hit into a double play. A-Rod singled and moved to second on a passed ball. Robbie Canó singled and Mark Teixeira was hit by a pitch to load the bases for Nick Swisher again. Swisher struck out looking and Raúl Ibáñez drilled a a GRAND SALAMI into the right field seats! 6-2 Yankees!!!!!! "Raul be seeing you, in the right field seats! Raúl, so cool!" Rafael Soriano came on in the ninth. JP Arencebia singled in the ninth, 6-3. Other than that So pitched a solid inning and the Yankees won a good game.

Angels @ Yankees

Aybar and Pujols homered in the first, 2-0 Angels. Jeter singled and A-Rod homered, 2-2! Jeter singled to score a run but was tagged out rounding second. 3-2. A-Rod singled and Canó singled to move A-Rod to third. Canó and A-Rod were both tagged out to end the inning. Nova loaded the bases in the fourth but got a popup to end the inning! Morales singled and Trumbo singled, Morales scored on a flyout by Callaspo, 3-3. Maicer Izturis homered, 5-3 Angels. Granderson homered in the sixth,5-4 Angels!! Pujols hit into a double play, 6-4. Eric Chávez homered, 6-5 as Weaver departed. Wilson singled, 7-5. Trout doubled, 8-5. Wilson sac bunted, 9-5. Trumbo homered, 10-5. Tex homered in the ninth, 10-7. Swisher walked, Ibáñez singled, and Andruw Jones struck out, Russell Martin hit into an out at second and Derek Jeter walked and Granderson walked, 10-8.

Mets @ Braves

Bourn had an RBI single in te sixth, 1-0 Braves. Janish scored on a Prado sac fly, 2-0. Heyward RBI single, 3-0. Freeman homered, 6-0. Torres singled in the seventh, 6-1. The Mets once again lost a division series. I cannot stress enough how important it is the win divisional matchups.

Mets @ Braves

Ike led off the second with a double and took third on a Murphy groundout. Thole doubled, 1-0 Mets.

The Braves had the bases loaded in the second and Hinske doubled, 2-1. They scored on an RBI single by Bourn but a runner was tagged out. 3-1

Ike homered in the fourth, 3-2. Daniel Murphy singled, Kirk singled and Torres singled to score a run, 3-3.

Freddie Freeman doubled, 5-3 Braves.

Justin Turner had an RBI single in the fifth, 5-4 Braves! Ruben Tejada singled to score Andres Torres, 5-5!!! Valdespin singled, 6-5 Mets!!! Wright struck out. Ike struck out.

Josh Edgin pitched the sixth and Jon Rauch got into trouble in the seventh before retiring the Braves scoreless.

Andres Torres doubled in the eighth and Scott Hairston lined out. Ruben Tejada singled to score Torres, 7-5 Mets! Jordany Valdespin struck out and David Wright struck out to end the inning.

Tim Byrdak pitched to Brian McCann, who worked a walk. Byrdak departed for Pedro Beato, who allowed a single to Dan Uggla. Tyler Pasternicki struck out while attempting to bunt. Pinch hitter Juan Francisco faced Bobby Parnell and struck out looking. Michael Bourn had an RBI single, 7-6. Prado singled, 7-7. Jason Heyward singled, 8-7 Braves.

Yankees vs. Angels

Failing Fred surrendered back to back hits in the first but got a key popup and srikeout of Pujols before Mark Trumbo walked to load the bases for Alberto Callaspo, who singled, 2-0 Angels in the first.

Derek Jeter singled and Curtis Granderson flew out. A-Rod grounded out as Jeter moved to second. Cano homered, 2-2!!!

Curtis Granderson drilled a two-run shot in the third, 4-2 Yankees!!!

Wilson had an RBI groundout in the fourth, 4-3.

A-Rod doubled and Cano singled in the sixth, 5-3 Yankees.

D-Rob pitched the eighth for the Yankees and the Angels called on LaTroy Hawkins to pitch for them.

Rafael Soriano pitched the ninth and the Yankees won another well-pitched game by the bullpen.

Mets @ Braves

Tejada singled in the first and Wright was hit by a pitch to put runners on first and second with one out. Ike Davis hit into a double play to end the inning. Jason Heyward had an RBI single in the second, 1-0 Braves. Chris Young walked in a run, 2-0. Chipper doubled and Freeman singled. Uggla homered, 5-0. Hairston doubled, 5-1, and Captain Kirk had a two run single, 5-3. Josh Thole singled to move Kirk to third. Tejada singled, 5-4 but Murphy grounded out to end the inning. The Mets loaded the bases with no outs in the fifth, but Scott Hairston struck out, Captain Kirk struck out. Josh Thole flew out to end the inning. Batista loaded the bases in the fifth and departed for Josh Edgin, who got the Mets out of a huge jam! Chipper homered in the sixth, 6-4. Uggla singled, 7-4. Torres had an RBI single in the eighth, 7-5.

What Relief!

It's no secret that the Mets bullpen sucks. It never seems to get the job done and labors tremendously jus to get a single out. The relievers never capitalize on key outs and something needs to be done.

Ramon Ramirez-Out of contract following the season, Ramirez hasn't been a great pickup. Thou who cometh via trade shalt leaveth via trade.

Tim Byrdak-The greatest lefty specialist the Mets have had in years. Deserves a contract extension.

Bobby Parnell-Under a one-year contract, Parnell continues to excell in non-closing roles. Keep him around and stop making him close.

Miguel Batista-He cannot stick around to finish the season. The 41-year-old needs to be traded to enrich the future of the Mets with a quality prospect.

Jon Rauch-Seven losses for a reliever, really? Goodbye.

The Mets need new pitchers, badly. A trade or callup could work well. Hey, I hear K-Rod wants to be a full-time closer again...

Yankees vs. Angels

Erik Aybar homered in the second, 1-0. Tex homered in the third, 2-1 Yanks! Granderson tripled in the sixth. Mark Trumbo homered in the seventh, 4-2 Angels. Swisher botched a catch on a Pujols ball in the eighth, 5-2 Angels. Jeter led off the eighth with a double and Grandy walked. Tex homered, 5-5!!! The Angels got two outs but put two Yankees on for Russell Martin, who singled, 6-5 Yankees!!!! Rafael Soriano pitched a solid ninth inning and the Yankees started off their second half on a high note with a 6-5 victory! Russell Martin threw out the runner for the final out and had the game-winning hit, and he is my player of the game!

Siding With Selig

Siding With Selig

Why the All Star Game Should Count

It's hard to believe it was ten years ago that Commissioner Bud Selig made the controversial decision to call the All Star Game a tie. He made the argument that since both teams had run out of pitchers, and the game was nothing more than an exhibition, there was no other way.

The next year, Selig made the move to award home field advantage in the World Series to the winning squad (American or National League). Sportswriters and fans alike widely criticized the move then and continue to do so today.

But, let me present you this...What do you get when you take away meaning to an All Star Game?

The 2012 Pro Bowl.

Simon Samano of NFL.com wrote about the game, "Players love the trip to Hawaii but don't care for the game itself. They have no desire to risk injury in a meaningless game, which is why they don't play hard, which is how you end up with 59–41 as the final score. It's that lack of effort that caused fans to boo during portions of this year's game." Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers stated on his radio show, "I was just surprised that some of the guys either didn’t want to play or when they were in there didn't put any effort into it."

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, speaking a week after the game, stated that the 2012 Pro Bowl "wasn't the kind of football we want to be demonstrating to our fans, and you heard it from the fans, the fans were actively booing in the stands. ... We are going to either have to improve the quality of what we are doing in the Pro Bowl or consider other changes."

Making the game count for something is the answer to improving the game. Since the 2002 incident in the All Star Game, the quality of baseball played in the game has seemingly improved to a certain extent. If it worked for baseball, it can work for football.

You can take away the bonuses for players who don't want to play, but in the end, will athletes who make millions of dollars per year really care? The time is right to make the game count.

No matter what others say.

2012 Major League Baseball All-Star Game

From Pulchritudinous Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri, it's the Midsummer Classic! Melky Cabrera singled and Ryan Braun had an RBI double, 1-0 NL! Pablo Sandoval drilled a bases-loaded triple, 4-0 National League!!! Sandoval scored on an RBI infield single by Dan Uggla as Jeter's throw got by Prince Fielder. Rafael Furcal grounded to second to end the inning. Rafael Furcal tripled in the fourth and Matt Holliday singled, 6-0 National League. Melky Cabrera followed by hitting one deep to right, 8-0 National League! Ryan Braun tripled but Joey Votto grounded out to Canó to end the inning. David Wright came on in the fourth and Stephen Strasburg pitched a scoreless fourth thanks to a great play by Ryan Braun. David Freese took third, and Kershaw pitched the fifth. Ortíz singled and Hamilton singled on a mental error by Bryce Harper. Granderson chopped out and Asdrubal Cabrera walked to load the bases. Ian Kinsler flew out to Harper to end the inning. Chipper and Andrew McCutchen singled and Jay Bruce flew out. David Freese flew out to end the inning. R.A. Dickey pitched the sixth and Mike Trout singled and stole second. Cole Hamels pitched the seventh, Jim Johnson pitched a scoreless seventh. Craig Kimbrel pitched the eighth and Starlin Castro took over at shortstop. Aroldis Chapman pitched the bottom of the eighth and the National League went scoreless in the ninth. Joel Hanrahan recorded one out in the ninth and Papelbon got a flyout from Matt Weiters to give the National League another victory and home-field advantage in the World Series!

Yankees @ Red Sox

Jeter and Grandy singled and Tex doubled, 1-0. A-Rod popped out and Canó walked and Swisher singled, 2-0. Andruw Jones struck out to end the inning. The Sawx scored on an error by Jeter, 2-1. Nix doubled and went to third on an error. Stewart had a sac fly, 3-1. Ortiz had an RBI double in the third, 3-2. A-Rod drilled an RBI triple in the fifth, 4-2. Swisher singled and Jones singled, 5-2. Jayson Nix struck out and Chris Stewart flew out to end the inning. Andruw homered, 7-2. Aviles doubled in the eighth, 7-3. Rafael Soriano pitched a semi-rocky ninth as the Yankees won their final game before the All Star Break.

Meet the Mettle

Bringing back a former mascot is worth considering.

Back in 1979, the stubborn New York Mets, then owned by Bebe DeRoulet (before being sold), chose a new mascot for the team. Around this time, the team phased out Mr. Met and instead chose a different look, a live mule.

Really, the team mascot was a live mule, named Mettle. Fans were able to see the mule in the bullpens at Shea Stadium. In 1979, when Fred Wilpon and Nelson Doubleday purchased the team and almost immediately discontinued Mettle the Mule.

I've always liked Mr. Met and mascots in general. From Mr. Met, the Phillie Phanatic, and even Wally the Green Monster. In a recent "Tweet of the Game" on SNY, reviving Mettle was presented as a choice. I say, why not. They brought back Banner Day this year and Mr. Met in the 1990's. It would only be fitting to revive him as part of the franchise.

Mettle at Shea Stadium in 1979, one of the only known images of the mascot.

Mets vs. Cubs

Alfonso Soriano had an RBI single in the first 1-0. Baker had an RBI double, 2-0. Soto singled, 4-0. Scott Hairston tripled in the second but the Mets went down without scoring. Jon Niese singled and Tejada had a bloop single. The Mets failed to score, though. Murphy and Wright singled in the sixth and Ike Davis flew out. Lucas Duda hit into a double play. Starlin Castro homered, 7-0. The Mets were shut out on the last day before the All Star Break and the team once again disappointed against the Cubs.

Double Dip!

Derek Jeter doubled on an error and Granderson had a bunt single to put runners on the corners with no one out. Mark Teixeira homered, 3-0 Yankees!!! Robinson Canó grounded out. Nick Swisher, the first baseman, grounded out and Andruw Jones grounded out to end the inning. Gomez doubled and Ciriaco had a bunt single. Nava hit into a double play, 3-1 Yanks. Ciriaco scored on a sac fly by Nick Punto, 3-2 Yanks. David Ortíz singled and Salty Ciriaco had a three run double, 6-3 Sawx. Andruw Jones homered, 5-4. Logan departed in the seventh and was replaced by Cory Wade. Ryan Sweeney tripled, 6-4. Gomez doubled, 7-4 Sox. Ciaco stole home, 8-4. The Yankees loaded the bases in the eighth, and Andruw Jones flew out and Raúl Ibáñez popped out to end the inning. Chavez homered, 9-5.

Mets vs. Cubs

Valdespin homered in the second, 1-0 Mets. Ike socked a homer, 3-0 in the third. DeJesus singled, 3-1. Parnell came on in the ninth and surrendered a leadoff double to Rizzo. Alfonso Soriano flew out, LaHare flew out to Tejada in left-center field!!!!! Steve Clevenger was punched out and the Mets had a well-needed 3-1 victory!

Thoughts on the Trade Deadline (Yankees Edition)

How the Yankees are over .500, and in first place nonetheless, is a mystery in itself. They've lost Mariano Rivera, Joba Chamberlain, Brett Gardner, and their savior, Andy Pettitte. Their offense struggled but has found it's momentum.
But, the team has expendable parts that could be used to attempt to lure a key player to New York to help continue their success.

5) Freddy Garcia-Coming off his only good starts of the year, Garcia's trade value, although still somewhat low, is higher than ever. In my opinion, there is a 100% chance he is NOT a Yankee in 2013, so getting what you can now is highly reccomended.

4) Eric Chavez-A good player whose career has been hampered by injures, the 34-year-old is certainly in the home stretch career-wise. Eduardo Nunez is ready to help, and if he can cut down on the errors, he will be an everyday third baseman within the next few years.

3) Andruw Jones-Jones sits in a crowded outfield with Swisher, Granderson, Gardner (when ready), DeWayne Wise, Darnell McDonald, and a plethora of minor leaguers. Whether he is traded or not, he is unlikely to return in 2013.

2) Jayson Nix-He's been a solid outfielder and pinch hitter this season, but the Yankees have minor league outfielders and are in need of help.

As good as these choices are (or aren't), there is one man whose trade value is very high now and, per Hank and Hal Steinbrenner will likely not return following the season...

1) NICK SWISHER-Swisher is having another solid year for the Yankees, though not his 2010 numbers. As I stated before, the Steinbrenners have indicated that in an effort to cut payroll, he may be let go following the season. In his fourth season, three postseasons of mediocre numbers will just not do. If he cannot hit in October, he will NOT return, at all.

Thoughts on the Trade Deadline

It is well known that July 31 is the baseball trade deadline each and every year. Contending teams trade away players, prospects, or cash, for players to help them win now, whereas non-contenders trade for prospects to help them win sooner rather than later. Here are my thoughts on how the Mets should handle this year's trades.


5) Andres Torres-The 34-year-old outfielder has a history of being plagued by injuries and this year is no exception. He went down on Opening Day with a calf injury and missed a considerable amount of the first months of the season. He doesn't bring a ton to the table but could be used in a package deal. With Duda, Hairston, and Captain Kirk as well as Jason Bay in the wings, the Mets should try and get what they can for him before he departs as a free agent.


4) Miguel Batista-Still going (semi)-strong at age 41, Batista is certainly in the latter phase of his career. In the midst of a disappoining year, the Mets may want to cash in before he retires.

3) Jon Rauch-Olympic Gold Medal in 2000, tallest man to hit a home run (off of Roger Clemens no less), first win at Nationals Park, blah blah blah. The man has a 3-7 record, an ERA over 4, and oh yeah, turns 34 in September. GET HIM OUT!

2) Jason Bay-Quite possibly the worst signing in the last few years. In all likeliness we will be stuck with Bay until July of next season, when his contract reaches it's last few months. If Bay leaves, Mets fans all over will rejoyce.

All these men are good choices, but none, not even Bay, can trump the #1 choice...

1) MIKE PELFREY- He's out for the season, he's been an okay pitcher at best in his Mets career, he's coming off Tommy John surgery, and he's the most overpayed player on the team for what you get out of him. Why the Mets wasted nearly $6 million on him is way beyond me.

Anyone here that shouldn't be, anyone I left out? Sound off below with your choices.

Yankees @ Red Sox

Nick Swisher drilled a three run shot in the first, 3-0 Yankees!! Andruw Jones homered into the .406 club, 4-0! Andruw Jones homered again, 5-0! Jayson Nix homered, 6-0. Ortiz singled off the Monster and Gonzalez singled. Gomez singled, 6-1. García departed in the seventh! The Yankees won 6-1.

Yankees @ Red Sox

Coming in with a chance to bury Boston, the Yankees kick off a four-game series from beautiful Fenway Park in Boston! Derek Jeter singled and Granderson followed suit. A-Rod was hit by a pitch to load the bases with no outs! Robbie Canó walked and the Yankees led 1-0! Mark Teixeira singled and the Yankees took a 3-0 lead! Nick Swisher had a sac fly, 4-0! Raúl Ibáñez singled and Eric Chávez had a sac fly, 5-0 Yankees! Russell Martin grounded out to end the inning. Daniel Nava doubled off of the Green Monster and moved up on a wild pitch. Ryan Kalish had a sac fly, 5-1. David Ortíz singled and Cody Ross singled on an error. Adrian Gonzalez doubled, 5-2. Saltalamacchia homered, 5-5. After a 43 minute inning, the second was upon us... Granderson tripled in the second and A-Rod grounded out as Grandy scored, 6-5 Yankees! Canó had a ground rule double. Ortíz had an RBI single, 6-5 Sawx. Nick Punto doubled and moved to third on a groundout. A-Rod and Cano singled and pulled off a double steal! Nick Swisher singled as A-Rod was thrown out at home. Gomez singled, 7-6 Sawx. Granderson singled and A-Rod followed suit. Canó struck out. Mark Teixeira tripled, 8-7 Yankees! Ibáñez doubled, 9-7 Yankees!! Chávez had an RBI single, 10-7. Cody Ross homered in the seventh, 10-8. Rafael Soriano collected a four-out save and the Yankees defeated the Red Sox on an electric offensive night at Fenway Pahk.

Cubs @ Mets

Reed Johnson led off with a solo homer, 1-0 Cubs. Lucas Duda homered, 1-1! Mather had a sac fly, 2-1. Anthony Rizzo drilled a three run homer, 5-1. Baker homered, 6-2. Valbuena had an RBI single, 7-2. Nickeas had a sac fly, 7-3 Cubs! Captain Kirk grounded out to end the inning. Soriano singled, 8-3. Justin Turner had an RBI single, 8-4. Valdespin homered, 8-5. The Mets loaded the bases in the ninth and Ike singled, 8-7!!!!! Lucas Duda hit into a double play. Ballgame over.

Mets vs. Phillies

Shane Victorino had an RBi single in the first to score Juan Pierre, 1-0. Rollins had an RBI double in the second, 2-0. Dickey singled and Murphy followed suit. Wright singled to score Dickey and tie the game at 2-2! Scott Hairston walked and the bases were loaded! Lucas Duda grounded out to end the inning. Hunter Pence had an RBI single in the fourth, 3-2 Phillies. Tejada doubled and David Wright homered as the Mets took a 4-3 lead!!! Hamels singled and Rollins tripled to tie the game at 4. A squeeze bunt allowed them to take a 5-4 lead. Antonio Bastardo came on to pitch the eighth and set the Mets down scoreless. Bobby Parnell came on and pitched a 1-2-3 ninth. Papelbon on came on in the ninth and Ike doubled to lead off! Thole laid down a sac bunt to move Ike to third! Kirk struck out and Valdespin was hit by a pitch and stole second. Rubén Tejada walked and Daniel Murphy singled off of Papelbon to tie the game at 5!!!! Wright had a bloop single and the Mets won a walkoff 6-5 victory!!!!!! The Mets won a dramatic, clutch victory scoring twice off of Papelbon!!! "Put it in the books!"

Yankees @ Rays

Zobrist doubled and scored on an RBI single by Sean Rodriguez. 1-0. With runners on the corners in the fifth, but failed to score. Mark Teixeira tied the game with a solo shot in the seventh!!!! A-Rod followed with a double and Canó flew out. Nick Swisher walked. Andruw Jones flew out and A-Rod stole third but Russell Martin grounded out to end the inning. Carlos Peña homered, 3-1. The Yankees loaded the bases in the eighth with one out before A-Rod walked, 3-2 Rays. Kyle Farnsworth departed and Robbie Canó lined a two run single to center, 4-3 Yankees!!!!!!!!!! Andruw Jones singled and the bases were re-loaded! Russell Martin flew out. Rafael Soriano pitched a 1-2-3 ninth!

Mets vs. Phillies

Scott Hairston homered in the fourth, 1-0 Mets! Wright had an RBI single, 2-0 Mets! Utley homered, 2-2. Ruiz homered, 3-2. The Phillies scored on a ground rule double, 4-2. Chooch singled, 5-2. The Mets lost 9-2.

Mets vs. Phillies

David Wright's RBI groundout scored a run, 1-0 Mets. Carlos Ruiz homered, 1-1. After three straight singles, an the bases loaded. Jon Niese singled to score two runs as Thole was tagged out at third, 3-1 Mets!!!! (NL baseball rules!) Rubén Tejada singled and Murphy doubled to score Niese before Tejada was tagged out at home, 4-1 Mets! Thole and Tejada doubled in the third and scored a run, then moved up to third on an error. Murphy singled, 6-1. Niese and Tejada singled and Murphy walked and Wright homered, 9-1. Rollins singled and stole second, Polanco flew out on a great play by Wright. Daniel Murphy drilled a two run double in the eighth, 11-1!

Yankees @ Rays

Derek Jeter doubled and Granderson doubled to score Jeter, 1-0!! A-Rod struck out looking and Canó singled to score Grandy, 2-0! Swisher flew out and Cano, leaning way too far, was doubled up. DeWayne homered, 3-0! The Rays scored on a double that Martin dropped the ball on, would have been an out, 3-1. Keppinger singled, 3-3. Ibáñez doubled in the fourth and Chávez doubled to score Ibáñez, 4-3 Yankees!! Sean Rodriguez homered, 5-4 Rays. Upton tripled and Jennings stole home, 6-4. Zobrist followed with an RBI single, 7-4.

Yankees @ Rays

Derek Jeter led off with a double and moved to third on a groundout by Grandy. Mark Teixeira hit a fly ball to right that Matsui missed, and was given a double to score Jeter, 1-0. A-Rod singled, Canó singled, 2-0. BJ Upton homered, 2-1. Carlos Peña homered, 2-2. Stewart walked and stole second in the seventh. He moved to third on a flyout by Jeter. Granderson had a sac fly, 3-2 Yankees! D-Rob entered in the seventh, and Sean Rodriguez, whom Logan walked and then stole second,scored on a double by Brooks Conrad, tied the game at 3. An error by Tex allowed a run to score, 4-3 Rays. Desmond Jennings popped out to end the inning. Fernando Rodney closed out the game and the Yankees' decline continued as they fell 4-3.

Mets @ Dodgers

Scott Hairston had an RBI single, 1-0. Rivera doubled and Ellis scored a run, 1-1. Scott Hairston doubled on an error, 3-1 Mets. Uribe walked and the Dodgers put two men on before Kershaw laid down a sac bunt. Gordon singled and a run scored, 3-2. They tied the game on a sac fly from Ellis. The Dodgers put runners on second and third with no one out in the sixth. A groundout allowed the Dodgers to lead 4-3. Adam Kennedy was tagged out at the plate on a grounder by Uribe! Adam Kennedy grounded out to end the inning. The Dodgers loaded the bases and Miguel Batista releived. Two runs scored on a wild pitch, 6-4. A sac fly, 7-3. Loney doubled, 8-3. The Mets need to start improving their defense and bullpen. Period.

Yankees vs. White Sox

Deaza doubled and scored on a single from Youkilis 1-0. Rios singled, 2-0. Jeter and Grandy singled, putting runners on the corners with no outs. The bases were loaded and Canó struck out. Chávez homered, 2-2. Paul Konerko and Alex Rios singled in the third with two outs, but AJ Pierzynski popped out to end the inning. Robinson Canó homered, 4-2. DeWayne doubled and moved to third on a groundout. Tex popped up to end the inning. Soriano pitched an easy ninth and the Yankees won 4-2!

Old Timers' Day

Bernie Williams had a sac fly to score Henderson, 1-0. Pat Kelly singled to score Homer Bush, 2-0 Clippers. Bernie singled to score Mickey Rivers from second, 3-0. Matt Nokes threw Pat Kelly out at third. Matt Nokes had "Old Timers Indifference" (OTI) on a passed ball, and Bernie scored, Charlie Hayes doubled and scored Henderson, and Nokes, 6-0 Clippers. Doyle scored on a double play, Fielder singled, 6-2. A great game and a great tradition! I cannot wait for next year!