A National Treasure

A National Treasure

Baseball Needs to Keep the Tradition

I am a longtime Yankees fan, who for my entire 20 year life has watched the team play game after game under the American League's 1973 rule 5.11.

A hitter may be designated to bat for the starting pitcher and all subsequent pitchers in any game without otherwise affecting the status of the pitcher(s) in the game. A Designated Hitter for the pitcher, if any, must be selected prior to the game and must be included in the lineup cards presented to the Umpire-in-Chief. If a manager lists 10 players in his team’s lineup card, but fails to indicate one as the Designated Hitter, and an umpire or either manager (or designee of either manager who presents his team’s lineup card) notices the error before the umpire-in-chief calls “Play” to start the game, the umpire-in-chief shall direct the manager who had made the omission to designate which of the nine players, other than the pitcher, will be the Designated Hitter.

Year after year, CBA after CBA, the debate rages on: Should the National League adopt the designated hitter? Should the American League drop it? Fans of both styles of play have very strong opinions about it. As a fan myself, so do I. 

We need National League Baseball.

Pure baseball.

Please understand that I am not suggesting that the American League should eliminate the DH. I enjoy the extra offense and the chance to see power hitters and offense in the lineup. But National League Baseball is real baseball. The game the way Babe Ruth played it. The way Don Larsen played it. The way Walter Johnson played it. The way it was meant to be played.

Why is it that pitchers, whom some people consider the best athletes on the field, can't hit their way out of a paper bag? Or successfully bunt their way on base? These people are obviously amazing athletes or they wouldn't be playing in the major leagues, so why can't they compensate? Managers have to make tough decisions on whether to leave them in the game and for how long? Bench players get more playing time as pinch hitters for pitchers. The game is overall better with National League baseball staying the way it is. 

Yes, pitchers will get hurt. Yes, pitchers will continue to strike out. Yes, fans, owners, and others may complain. 

But in the end, Bartolo Colon, Carlos Zambrano, and Madison Bumgarner should be allowed to continue to hit. There is an option for pitchers to go to the American League as free agents if they so dread wielding the bat, but for those pitchers above, as well as countless others who at least enjoy trying to get that elusive hit or occasional home run, why ruin the game? 

Critics argue there are two leagues, playing by two sets of rules. And they are right.

That's what makes the MLB the best sports league. The NFL, NBA, and NHL have a unified set of rules, making their conferences and leagues identical, and therefore just for show. Don't turn the MLB into that as well. Don't cater to the "casual fan", who would probably be watching or doing anything else besides baseball were the option open. Don't cater to the generation of people too spoiled by an era of steroids and cheating, desperately begging for more offense. 

Cater to the tradition and strategy that actually makes the game different, and makes the game interesting. Eight other players go up ready to clobber home runs over the fence, Make it so one actually has to bunt, has to swing the bat and barely get that blooper over the second baseman's head. Make Inter-League play more entertaining by letting the fans see pitchers hit, like we do now. Because in the end, baseball made a great decision in 1973 to adopt the designated hitter.

And the National League countered with an even better decision to stay out of it.

http://m.mlb.com/video/v138948683/mianym-colon-drives-in-recker-with-a-double

Rocket Man!

Rocket Man

It's Been A Long, Long Time

With all of this controversy surrounding the resurgence of disgraced Yankees slugger Alex Rodriguez, as well as the upcoming number retirement of Andy Pettitte, the time has come for the Yankees to ask a very important question.

You see, every year I sit and wait, like so many other fans, to see who the Yankees invited to their annual Old Timers' Day. It is a time to celebrate and commemorate the great moments of past Yankees, especially, as Yankees radio announcer John Sterling says, World Champions, All Stars, and even a few Hall of Famers. While I am well aware that he will never be the latter, it is time to bury the proverbial hatchet and invite Roger Clemens to the 2016 Old Timers' Day festivities.

Clemens, seen here with the Yankees, has been absent from team functions since his retirement in 2007. Photo courtesy of RealClearSports

Clemens spent six seasons with the Yankees, during which he amassed an 83-42 record and a 4.01 ERA, good for a .664 winning percentage. Not to mention a 7-4 postseason record, coming through when it counted most.

Full disclosure: I loved Roger Clemens. As a kid, I practically worshiped the man for all of the "super-human" success he had. Well, time has passed and I have lost that childlike innocence. I'm not stupid. I know full well that the reason for his success was more than likely caused by some form of performance-enhancing drugs, and as much as it pained me to learn, we all need to look ahead as well as what's past.

Last year, the San Francisco Giants hired Barry Bonds, Major League Baseball's home run king, as an advisor. The St. Louis Cardinals hired Mark McGwire as hitting coach in 2010, though he is now with the Dodgers. The Chicago Cubs hired Manny Ramirez as a hitting consultant.

The Yankees have embraced A-Rod, arguably the biggest cheater of all-time, as one of their own again. Never mind that Rodriguez, who has a career .263 postseason batting average, has been a perennial playoff choker, and the only player in baseball history to end his team's season two consecutive years with a strikeout. Yet Clemens remains locked out. Clemens, the two-time World Series Champion. 

On a hot summer day in 2016, John Sterling (or Michael Kay) will call out his stats. "He was the ace of the Yankees staff..."; "His 20-1 start to the 2001 season..."; or even "His intense demeanor on the field..." will be remembered. But most of all, he will be back in the one uniform where he belongs, Yankee pinstripes.

So I'm calling for Hank and Hal Steinbrenner, Randy Levine, and Debbie Tymon, (who organizes the annual event) to end the boycott! You let A-Rod back in after he wronged you several times.

It's time to give Clemens the same treatment.

(Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) Courtesy of CBS Cleveland

All Star Announcement

It's official, the 2014 Major League Baseball All-Star Game will be held in...Target Field!

This caught me off guard, as I was expecting either Wrigley Field or the New Yankee Stadium. Target Field is a huge ballpark, definitely built for pitchers, so the scoring may be affected by the dimensions.

I've never shied away from my distaste for the "Era of Expansion", the time period that claimed such architectural masterpieces as Tiger Stadium, Shea Stadium, Comiskey Park, and eventually even Yankee Stadium. However, the Metrodome was not built for baseball, period. Retractable roofs are all the rage nowadays. The Twins had to leave, period.

Target Field is a better venue for baseball. With the Vikings moving in 2016, the Metrodome may meet a sad end.

But, consider this, the Metrodome was built in 1982, making it 34 years old at the time of its replacement.

The city of Minneapolis/Vikings/Twins spent $124,000,000 (million!) for a venue that lasted just 34 years. This total does not include any renovations, such as patching the roof after it collapsed in 2010.

In STARK contrast, the Red Sox spent $650,000 for a venue that has lasted 100 years, not including the $285 million spent to improve the park over the years, such as the added Green Monster seats (.406 Club).

New stadiums do not have HALF, not even HALF, of the craftsmanship, artistry, and care that was put into the old ballparks. After 34 years, the Metrodome is being abandoned. In 2011, cracks were discovered in the concrete at the New Yankee Stadium ($1.4 Billion). After just 13 years, rumors are surfacing that the Rays are thinking of leaving the Trop (please be true!).

New Stadiums are just that, stadiums. Built to attract fans and promotions, all about the cash and trying to entice people into visiting the park.

Case in point, Citi Field.

After New York, the Mets, and NYC spent $900,000,000 for the stadium, and playing three years in the venue, following the 2011 season, they spent an additional fortune (only stated as under the original $800,000,000 estimated for the renovations) to move in the fences.

Let this be both a warning and a lesson to future teams. Before breaking the bank to build a stadium that will last 30-40 years, think for just a few moments: Is it really worth it to spend all that money on a venue just to tear it down before it's 50th anniversary?

With that said, I will leave the taxpayers of America to ponder the very questions that I have posed and the evidence supporting or denying them. Leaving them with the writings that show the terrible quality of new venues...

...an this picture of the collpase of the Metrodome roof.

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.

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!

The Death of Detroit

How a Major League Team Contributed to a City's Decline

On October 27, 1997, the Detroit Tigers announced a plan to build a brand new stadium, Comerica Park, to be opened in time of the third millennium. The public (city of Detroit) paid $189,000,000 out of the $300 million allotted for construction of the stadium.

The city, deeply in debt, is now realizing the pain.

The "Era of Expansion" has taken Detroit as it's victim. The historic stadium, built in 1912 and demolished back in 2008, could have been restored instead, with the majority of costs for stadium restorations paid for by the Tigers.
We are entering a new phase in baseball. In this year alone, Fenway Park turned 100 and Dodger Stadium turned 50. In two more years, Wrigley Field will also reach the century mark.

Preserving history not only saves the culture of days gone by and presents it to newer generations; it also saves the money of the cities and organizations that would otherwise pay for these new ballparks.

The money that Detroit spent on Comerica Park could (and should) have been spent revitalizing the downtown area and helping the city, not wasted on a new ballpark that the Tigers' didn't need.

Tiger Stadium (top) and Comerica Park

 

My Trip to (New) Yankee Stadium

On June 10th for my 16th birthday I visited the New Yankee Stadium, (my first time in either venue). I was taken away by the beauty, the vistas and the overall atmosphere, (as well as the Martin walk off blast). It was a great experience.

However, there was one thing missing,

The history.

Watching the ceremonies, the centennial celebration that the Red Sox held for their home, Fenway Park, made even more of an impact on me. As does knowing of the impending celebration that the Cubs will hold at Wrigley in 2014 for it's centennial, as I was one of few who was not excited to here the Yankees were moving out of their home.

The Yankees have been host to some of the greatest players in baseball history: Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Joe Dimaggio, Mickey Mantle, Roger Maris, Ron Guidry, Reggie Jackson, Whitey Ford, Yogi Berra, Phil Rizzuto, Thurman Munson and Bobby Murcer among many, many more.

When you watch a game played at Fenway, you know that Carl Crawford is in the same spot Carl Yastrzemski played in. You feel the history as you see the same spot where Bucky "Bleeping" Dent's 3-run blast landed in '78. The site where the Impossible Dream team played in '67. The foul pole around which Johnny Pesky drilled a game-winning home run for Mel Parnell. The bullpen, named "Williamsburg", where Hall of Famer Ted Williams, "the greatest hitter who ever lived", hit numerous home runs. The Lone Red Seat where Williams drilled a home run estimated at 502 feet. You can look at the Red Sox retired numbers and know that all of those players (except 42, Jackie Robinson), played at the same ballpark that Jacoby Ellsburry, David Ortiz and Josh Beckett play in today. When you trek through Wrigley Field, you know that the same place where Randy Wells, Starlin Castro and Dawin Barney play is the same spot that Hall of Famer Ron Santo, Ernie Banks, Ryne Sandberg, and even Greg Maddux played in their day. You can see where Babe Ruth called his shot in the 1932 World Series, where Billy Sianis was ejected and the "Curse of the Billy Goat" began, and the booth where Harry Caray called games for years.

The Red Sox and Cubs combined will never have more World Championships than the Yankees, they will never retire more numbers, they will never have more Hall of Famers, and they will never be the most successful baseball team, the New York Yankees. But the Red Sox and Cubs will always have something which the Yankees will never have again,

A ballpark steeped in history and tradition for the last 100 years, and, as future Hall of Famer Pedro Martinez proclaimed,

The next 100 years.





                                                                              
                                                                                

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!

Mets Game #9

The Mets faced the Phillies on Sunday with a chance to sweep. In the first inning, Ike Davis hit a ball deep to right for his first home run of the season, scoring David Wright. 2-0 Mets! However, Mike Pelfrey immediately got himself into trouble, allowing three consecutive hits to start off the inning, including an RBI single from Jimmy Rollins to score Juan Pierre, but the Phillies only got one run out of it, 2-1 Mets. The second inning was scoreless and in the bottom of the third, Pelfrey set down the first two hitters before a wild pitch allowed Laynce Nix to move to first, but Carlos Ruiz grounded into a fielder's choice to Tejada, who promptly threw out Nix to end the inning. In the fourth inning, David Wright struck out and Ike Davis singled to centerfield and Scott Hairston struck out. Lucas Duda came up with two outs and singled, but Captain Kirk flew out to center to end the inning. Peter Orr grounded to second to lead off the home fourth and Cole Hamels, who had singled in his first at-bat, grounded out to shortstop. Juan Pierre singled to center before Shane Victorino walked, but Pierre was thrown out trying to steal third base to end the inning. The fifth inning began with a walk to Mike Nickeas. Mike Pelfrey bunted into a double play before Ruben Tejada struck out. In the bottom of the inning, Rollins grounded to short and Hunter Pence flew out to right field. Laynce Nix grounded to first to end the inning. In the sixth, Murphy grounded to second and Wright singled to right field, but was thrown out trying to steal, but Ike Davis struck out to end the inning. The bottom of the sixth began with a single by Carlos Ruiz, followed by Pete Orr's flyout to left field. Cole Hamels sacrified, moving Ruiz to second. Juan Pierre tapped a ball back to Pelfrey, who threw him out to end the inning. In the seventh, Scott Hairston singled and Lucas Duda grounded into a fielder's choice, forcing Hairston out at second, Duda struck out Captain Kirk struck out. Ramon Ramirez came on to pitch the bottom of the seventh, Victorino recorded an out, and Juan Pierre singled. Pence hit a single to right and the runners moved up on a wild pitch by Ramirez. Wigginton hit a sac fly and tied the game at 2. Laynce Nix doubled and the game was un-tied, 3-2 Phillies. Ruiz grounded out to end the inning. In the eighth, Chad Qualls came in to pitch and pinch hitter Mike Baxter grounded out. Tejada grounded to third and Daniel Murphy singled, but the Mets still could not score. In the bottom of the inning, Orr doubled off of Manny Acosta and pinch hitter Jim Thome struck out. Placido Polanco pinch hit and recorded a ground ball misplayed by Tejada, and he was safe at first. Pierre lined out and Rollins singled to load the bases. Hunter Pence worked a full count before walked to force in a run. 4-2 Phillies. Miguel Batista came on and allowed a three run double and the game was over as the Phillies led 7-2. John Mayburry, Jr. singled and Wigginton scored from second 8-2 Phillies. Wigginton grounded out to end the inning, but the game was essentially over by this point. In the ninth, the Mets loaded the bases with two outs, but Justin Turner struck out and ended an absolutely PATHETIC game but a solid series against the rival Philadelphia Phillies.

Not in the New York Groove

The Yankees are 0-2.

Yes, after Luke Scott singled which brought in Desmond Jennings and Matt Zoyce who reached on singles, the Yankees were down 2-0 in the first. Things got worse when Carlos Pena singled and brought home Jason Lobaton after the Yankees were set down in the first, and Matt Joyce homered to right field in the third after both sides were held scoreless in the second. In the fourth inning Curtis Granderson singled and scored on an Andruw Jones single to make it 4-1 Rays, followed by an Eduardo Nunez single that scored Jones.

Both teams were held scoreless in the fifth and Luke Scott doubled home Ben Zobrist in the 6th, followed closely by a Desmond Jennings RBI single.

The Yankees were held scoreless in the 7th before Evan Longoria hit what appeared to be a home run, but was ruled a fan interference after replay. Longoria was credited with an RBI double as Carlos Pena scored to make it 8-2 Rays and absolutely bury any hopes of the Yankees winning. Clay Rapada walked the lefties who faced him before being pulled for Cory Wade, who retired the Rays without allowing another run.

He's back, ladies and gentlemen...

In the eighth inning, Nick Swisher worked a leadoff, four pitch walk and Robinson Cano hit a long double to put runners on second and third with no outs. However, A-Rod popped out, and Teixeria grounded into "the shift", and the inning ended.

Cory Wade got Reid Brignac to line out to Swisher in right-center field and then followed up by striking out Dave Jennings swinging, and then struck out Carlos Pena to end the eighth inning.

The Yankees "last gasp" came in the top of the ninth when Curtis Granderson drilled a LONG triple to right-center field, and Raul Ibanez worked a full count before lining out when pinch-hitting for Andruw Jones. On the play, Granderson scored and made the score 8-3 in a meaningless effort. Russell Martin walked and Eric Chavez lined a single while pinch-hitting for Nunez.
Peralta came on to pitch and promptly struck out Derek Jeter before Nick Swisher launched a 3-run bomb into the right field seats with two outs! 8-6 Rays. Robinson Cano worked a walk to bring up A-Rod as the tying run. Fernando Rodney came on and retired A-Rod and the Yankees fell to 0-2, falling to the Rays 8-6.

The End of An Era

Former Giants RB Brandon Jacobs has signed a contract with the San Francisco 49ers. This marks the end of any possible respect I might have had left for GM Jerry Reese!

Do I even have to state my feelings on this? In just a few short moments, Jerry Reese went from being one of my favorite general managers to being one of my LEAST favorites!

The G-Men will NOT repeat as champions unless they learn a lesson. YOU CANNOT KEEP LETTING CHAMPIONSHIP CALLIBER PLAYERS WALK AS FREE AGENTS!

I have a feeling this will come back to haunt them in the end...

BREAKING!

The New York Giants have RELEASED RB Brandon Jacobs! He was due a $5.5 million bonus in 2012.

I am INFURIATED! This organization CANNOT expect to build a dynasty if they are continuously cutting their championship-winning players!

Jerry Reese is really PISSING ME OFF! How do you expect to keep winning if they keep cutting players!!!

Cash and Burn

I have finally come to the realization that the Yankees NEED to fire Brian Cashman.

Cashman hasn't had a successful offseason in quite some time and gets credit for the Dynasty created by Gene Michael. He constantly misses out on free agents that they need, while re-signing players that should have no place on the team:

Freddy Garcia sucked in 2011, constantly losing to playoff teams, good teams, or .500 teams. He's back.

Nick Swisher can't get a postseason hit to save his life. He's still here.

AJ Burnett is far too inconsistant. Still here.

And Jesus Montero has NO POSITION. Guess what? Still here.

Of these people, I feel that only AJ and Swisher are capable of improving for next season.

Cashman thusfar in 2011 has made NO effort to improve the decrepit bench, the overrated offense, or the inconsistent rotation.

And yet somehow, he is still here.

Why the Giants are Finished (And What They Can Do)

For quite some time, I was very optimistic, refusing to believe that the New York Giants were as bad as they seemed.

Today I revoke that defense.

They are not making the playoffs in 2011, (not that many people expected them to, although I did).

There are a number of personnel that are in danger of being let go or fired:

Kevin Gilbride
Perry Fewell
Brandon Jacobs
David Baas
to name a few.

The Giants need to sweep the remainder of the season (which they won't) in order to make the playoffs.

HOWEVER...

Throughout this season, there have been some constants:
*Eli Manning
*Special Teams
*Tom Coughlin

Coughlin has believed in this team since day 1. The team was ravaged early, fought back, but couldn't win enough.

The defense was SOFT, the offense was solid, and the coaching was great, but at the end of the day, the team was never built to win the division. It wasn't the offseason moves, it wasn't the players, it was in fact the injuries.

In 2012, the Giants will definitely have a new look, but the eternal question still remains,

Will they ever be good again?