My Nephew Quentin

Despite the hard times blogging from London, my nephew Quentin has made it all worth it. (Pretty soon he'll be ready to greet the Mets)

Rumor Has It From Jolly Old London

I'm back in the states tomorrow so this will be the last time I update the blog from this side of the 'pond'. Please forgive the poor quality of the blog and its errors since I've been over here.

Here are the rumors...

The Detroit Lions may deal Harrington to the Browns for an added draft pick.

John Clayton goes into the winners and loser of the draft here... http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/draft06/columns/story?columnist=clayton_john&id=2427335&campaign=rss&source=ESPNHeadlines

Ottawa knocked off the defending champs, Tampa Bay.

Don Banks has his own version of winners and losers from the draft... http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/writers/don_banks/04/29/winners.losers/
index.html

Carlos Beltran will return to the Mets starting line up. But that didn't stop Glavine from having the game of his life yesterday against the Braves...helping
them win their first series in Atlanta since 2003.

Finally...Rams GM Charley Armey has been hospitalized due to shortness of breath and a rapid heart beat.

Giant Mistake on My Part

I misreported the actuality of the Giants drafting yesterday. A wrap of went on yesterday is provided by Giants.com:

"The Giants today made trades in the first and second rounds of the NFL Draft to acquire players they had targeted.

"The defending NFC East champions traded down in the first round and acquired two additional choices in the process. The Giants traded their initial pick, the 25th overall, to the Pittsburgh Steelers, who sent the Giants their first-round choice (No. 32), third-round pick (No. 96) and fourth-round selection (No. 129). The Giants then used the final selection of the first round to take Boston College defensive end Mathias Kiwaunka.

"After moving down in the first round, the Giants traded up in the second round. They sent the 24th pick in the round (No. 56 overall) and their own third-round choice (No. 87) to Baltimore for the Ravens’ second-round selection (No. 44). They then took speedy Miami wide receiver Sinorice Moss."

The link updating their draft picks can be found here... http://www.giants.com/history/DraftCentral.asp

Giants Trade Pick

Giants 101 reports:

"The Giants traded their #2 pick (#56 overall) and their #3 pick (#87 overall) to the Ravens for their #2 pick (#44 overall).

"With their #2 pick in the 2006 NFL Draft the New York Giants select WR Sinorice Moss, WR - Miami."

Pujols Breaks HR April Record

Albert Pujols hit homerun number 14 in the month of April, with one day to go...setting the record for homeruns in the month.

The Devil Brooms...

...swept the Rangers aside. The Devils wound up winning the series 4-0 after taking a 4-2 decision at the Garden.

NFL: As for the Rest...

Follow the rest of the draft either here or here.

Giants Take Holmes...

...With their 25th pick in the draft. Santonio Holmes comes out of Ohio State and promises to be a nice fit with the Giants, filling their need for a week spot in their offense.

English Sport Update

Hey, I'm in bloody England, I can get away with this!

"Chelsea staged a Premier League title-winning party after a 3-0 rout of Manchester United on Saturday but it was doom and gloom for Midlands clubs Birmingham City and West Bromwich Albion who were relegated.

"Goals from William Gallas, Joe Cole and Ricardo Carvalho sealed a second successive title for Chelsea at Stamford Bridge and United's misery was complete when England striker Wayne Rooney was carried off on a stretcher with a foot injury.

"Liverpool kept alive their hopes of pipping United for second place, moving level on points with their rivals after Steven Gerrard scored twice in a 3-1 defeat of Aston Villa.

"Chelsea's joy was mirrored by Portsmouth's fans at Wigan Athletic's JJB Stadium where a 2-1 victory for the south coast side completed a remarkable escape from the drop."

Steve Howe Dies in Crash

"Steve Howe, the relief pitcher whose promising career was derailed by cocaine and alcohol abuse, died Friday when his pickup truck rolled over in Coachella, Calif. He was 48."

When I was a kid, my Dad took me to see the Yankees at their Spring Training facility. The only two people who signed my ball was Gene Michael's, who was then the GM of the Yanks, and Steve Howe. He was driving a van with his wife and kids and was nice enough to invite me over and sign my ball.

He was a troubled person, but a decent pitcher for the Yanks.

Arizona Steals Leinart

After the Bills picked Donte Whitner (the second SS to go in the first ten)...and Detroit drafting Ernie Sims, the Arizona Cardinals get the steal of the draft in Matt Leinart. Arizona will have a new quarterback, a new running back and a new stadium going into next year. Could next year be the coming of the Cardinals? Given that the Jets passed on Leinart as well as 9 other teams, perhaps this could be the beginning of a winning era in the land of the sun.

Leinart Dropping to 10?

Raiders pass on taking Leinart, taking defensive back Michael Huff instead.

This means Leinart may drop as far down as the tenth pick, possibly to Arizona.

English Sport Update

"Steve McClaren said on Saturday revelations that he had an affair should not affect his chances of becoming the next England national football team coach.

"The Sun newspaper said on Saturday that McClaren had an affair with a secretary during a trial separation from his wife.

With Luiz Felipe Scolari seemingly taking himself out of the running on Friday because of the press intrusion into his life, the Middlesbrough coach McClaren is the top candidate to replace Sven Goran Eriksson when the Swede steps down in the summer.

McClaren, whose side reached the final of the Uefa Cup this season, said: 'It happened a while ago while my wife and I were not together, and it's in the past.'

"'I feel this is a private matter, but in view of speculation about the England job, I felt I had to clarify the situation. I don't know why this has come out at this time but I want to clear it up.

"'I was separated from my wife a year ago and had a three-month affair. It ended at the end of August last year and I went back to my wife in September,' he said.

"Former Brazil coach Scolari appeared to be the top choice of the Football Association for the job. But the Brazilian, who is contracted to lead Portugal until July 31, said he was upset with the media, with 20 journalists camped outside his house."

Jet Fans Boo?

Although I'm in London I'm still able to hear the draft via WFAN Streaming...

Lots of boos from the Jet fans after the pick was announced. If Leinart goes on to be a star, well they'll be justified.

Packers New MLB

The Packers pick A.J. Hawk. He'll be a force on the frozen tundra.

Jets First Round Pick

The Jets pass up the chance to take Matt Leinart and instead pick offensive lineman D'Brickashaw Ferguson.

As for the rest of the draft?

The Houston Texasn take Mario Williams.

The Saints have a new band leader in Reggie Bush.

And Tennessee will replace McNair with Vince Young.

National Football League: Draft Day

Oh how I long to be in my home town of New York for the biggest day of the NFL off season. I'd like to be tucked in at Radio City Music Hall along side the Raider Fans, Cowboy fans...as well as Fireman Eddie, and the Giant fans.

Today we find out just what the Jets will do with their fourth pick. And will the Giants grab a defensive tackle or wide reciever.

Here the links to set you up for the 2006 draft.

http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/wcStory?contentId=5549618

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/draft06/news/story?id=2426003&campaign=rss&source=ESPNHeadlines

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=rivals-teamneeds-2006-19&prov=rivals&type=story_draft_team_needs

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/writers/peter_king/04/28/mock.draft/index.html

http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/5551356

Rumor Has It From Jolly Old London

Until I can link...

Bond ties Ruth with 1.356 extra base hits...next up...he'll tie Ruth with Homerun number 714.

Maddux improves to 5-0 for the Cubs, and so did Pedro Martinez for the Mets...but Bannister was put on the DL.

LeBron scores 41 in game winner against the Wiz.

The shoe size wonder Kevin Mench has it a homer in seven consecutive games....this site had reported on his amazing swtich of the shoe not to long ago.

Mets Return to House of Horror

Ben Shipgel of the New York Times has a great piece on the Mets returning to Turner Stadium...a place where many a Met dreams have become nightmares:

"By this time in past seasons, the Mets have needed a telescope to discern how far the Braves were ahead of them in the National League East standings. But as the teams open a three-game series Friday night at Turner Field, it is the Mets who hold a five-game lead...

"But considering the Mets' many miserable memories here, it may be more realistic for them to concentrate on playing smart baseball and not think about clinching a pennant in April...

"Since it opened in 1997, the Mets are 20-51 at Turner Field. They went 1-8 here last season, 2-7 in 2004, 3-7 in 2003. In all, the Mets have not won a season series against Atlanta since 1997, and they lost two of three games last week in a matchup of hobbled teams at Shea Stadium."

Link - - http://www.nytimes.com/2006/04/28/sports/baseball/28mets.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

Onion Article

This is very funny...can't wait till I can link like a normal blogger...

http://www.theonion.com/content/node/47925

Lets Go Wolf Pack

As the Rangers sink, the Wolf Pack are still swimming. The Hartford Wolf Pack, the AHL team affiliated with the New York Rangers defeated the Manchester Monarchs last night 3-1 to even the series at 3 a piece and force a game 7.

Rumor Has It From Jolly Old London

Bud Selig has put on his big boy shoes and declared that MLB will not celebrate Bonds passing Ruth. Way to go Bud, way to be defiant!

Broussard of the Indians drives in eight runs.

Duke accuser apparently was involved in a 1996 rape allegation as well.

Thank goodness for the Mets, as Bannister is only day by day with his injury.

13 year old Dakoda Dowd tees off in the LPGA Ginn Clubs & Resorts Open, her first professional event...shooting a 2 over 74, and all this while her Mom is terminally ill. Impressive, very impressive.

BALCO supplier of the "clear" substances will plead guilty.

And finally, the US Open will have the third number of entries ever.

Yanks and Mets Seek Tax Relief

This is from today's New York Times, reporting by Richard Sandomir. (I can't change the font to show its not my own work...lovely London at its best over here!)

"Yesterday was eight days after New York tax returns were due, but the Internal Revenue Service was still a source of chatter at the City Council. The members of the Council's finance committee weren't fretting about their 1040's, but wondering what would happen if the I.R.S. frowned upon the Yankees' and the Mets' stadium financing plans.

The issue is whether the government will let the teams use tax-exempt bonds issued by a city agency and make payments in lieu of taxes, known as Pilots. The more tax-exempt financing that is allowed, the lower the cost to the teams. The Yankees want 93 percent of their proposed $930 million in bonds for a new stadium to be tax exempt; the Mets want almost 84 percent of their $632 million financing proposal to be untaxed."

The link for the rest of the story is... http://www.nytimes.com/2006/04/27/sports/baseball/27sandomir.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

Kobe vs. Nash

If Kobe and the Lakers beat the Suns, it will be because of Kobe Bryant. If the Suns beat the Lakers, it will be because of the team work of the Suns, albeit, spearheaded by Nash. So who really is the MVP here? Kobe Bryant. Remove him, the Lakers are nothing. Remove Nash, they still make the playoffs.

Rumor Has It (From London)

Adjusting to the London Internet system, via a whole new PC will be a difficult process.

Seeing as how I can't link to anything, I'll have to start a new spot called "Rumor Has It" until I can link.

We'll begin with legendary broadcaster Keith Jackson who wil retire from ABC. Keith Jackson in his prime was the perfect play by play announcer. His voice emboddied the big game atmosphere. He made the sport of football and baseball fun. However, in his elder years he became more distracted, lost focused on the situation at hand. It detracted from his previous years as one of the greats. He may be stepping down a few years too late. I look forward to more gatorade commercials with him though...

USC has suspended QB Sanches after a sexual assault arrest...

Bonds hits number 711, and yet the Mets win again in 11! (If Bonds retires today, and was vindicated in the steroid scandal...does he become the office spokesman for 7/11? Laugh...but Joe DiMaggio after his 56 game hit streak ended was most upset about the promotional deal he was about to make with Heinz 57)

Nothing new with the Rangers...Brodeur and the Devs go up 3-0 in the series after winning 3-0.

Finally, early this morning, at the same airport I flew in too, Snoop Dogg was arrested at Heathrow. Go google it!

Your Daily Fix 4.26.06

• Barry Bonds hits 710 but the Mets win the ball game.
• Charles Robinson explains that transcripts tie Bush to sports agency.
• Jaromir Jagr likely to miss game 3.
• Los Angeles and its new NFL stadium design.

More to come from London...

Brett to Return in '06

Brett Favre has told the Green Bay Packers he will return to play this year.

Citing anonymous team and league sources, a sports website reported said Favre informed Packers general manager Ted Thompson and coach Mike McCarthy of his decision in a telephone conversation Tuesday morning.

Calls by the Associated Press to Thompson, McCarthy, team president Bob Harlan and Favre's agent, James "Bus" Cook, were not immediately returned.

Worries about Favre's future have become an annual rite of winter for Packers fans, as the quarterback has contemplated retirement during the past several offseasons -- only to return each time.

Poor Highlights

You know the Mets are in a rut when the best highlight Mets.com offers on its website is of Kaz Matsui breaking up a no-hitter...

Also...NYMJMan over at Mets Blog points out that since the Mets released the "Our Team, Our Time" rap attrocity, they have been 2-5. Why can't the Mets ever just be normal?? Its like when during the 2000 World Series, after having Tony Bennett & Billy Joel sing the National Anthem at Yankee Stadium...the Mets brought in the Back Street Boys. THE BACK STREET BOYS?

Don't get me wrong, I love the team, but the gimmicks at Shea! Please, enough already!

On the other hand, now I get to learn Espanol at Shea, so maybe its not so bad afterall....

Absent Tomorrow

I'm headed off to London tomorrow with my sister and nephew. I'll be able to update the blog from "over there", but not tomorrow. (I may be able to squeeze in a Your Daily Fix before I leave)

NFL to Williams: BANNED

Dolphins halfback Ricky Williams lost his appeal with the NFL for violating the substance abuse policy and will be ineligible for the 2006 season.

The appeal was of his fourth violation of the NFL's substance abuse policy, a ruling that places his football career in jeopardy.

Two sources said Williams was told of the ruling earlier Tuesday.

This will mark the second time in three years that Williams will sit out a full season. Williams missed the 2004 campaign when he abruptly retired days before the start of training camp that summer, following his third violation of the substance abuse policy.

"I'm disappointed with the decision but I respect it," Williams said in a statement issued through the Dolphins. "I'm proud of my association with the National Football League and look forward to returning to the Dolphins in 2007."

-------------------

My thoughts...

Growing up a Giants fan, my favorite player was Lawrence Taylor. who is a recovering cocaine addict. In the late 1980's Taylor was suspended for a third time for use of drugs. He had the sense to quit until he finally retired in 1994. As much as you can be critical of LT's addiction, his heart for football over came his addiction, even if for but a short period of time.

You can't say the same about Williams, which is why I couldn't be happier that a guy who seemingly could care less about football, is banned for a year.

Hair Coloring Just For Men Too

A friend reminded me that Keith Hernandez is the spokesman for the "Just for Men" company. Perhaps Saturday night's gaffe was a plug for his other job.

Half Shoe Mench

Kevin Mench entered Thursday night's game against the Seattle Mariners with zero RBIs in his first 10 games. Why? Perhaps because his shoes were too small.

The Texas Rangers right fielder has missed five games this season because of a sprain in the second toe of his right foot. He's had two cortisone injections into the toe, the latter coming last Saturday. Rangers team podiatrist Dr. John Crates sent Mench to see a Dallas-area orthotics specialist.

The specialist determined the sprain was caused by Mench's shoes being a half size too small.

Since changing his shoe size, he has been red hot hitting 5 homers, with 16 RBIs, and a slugging percentage of .672.

Suggested Reading

• Full Swing : Hits, Runs and Errors in a Writer's Life by Ira Berkow
• Clemente: The Passion and Grace of Baseball's Last Hero by David Maraniss
• No Medals for Trying: A Week in the Life of a Pro Football Team by Jerry Izenberg

100,000

Today my beloved 1992 Volvo 240 crossed the threshold of 100,000 miles.

Just for Mayors

The National Shooting Sports Foundation, a trade group for the firearms industry, wrote to Mayor Bloomberg yesterday asking that it be allowed to participate in his Guns Control Summit today at Gracie Mansion.

In a news release sent out yesterday afternoon, the foundation said it would "welcome the opportunity" to educate the 15 mayors from around the country who are scheduled to be at Mr. Bloomberg's summit about its crime reduction programs.

The overture did not fly with Mr. Bloomberg's office. The summit of mayors "is for Mayors," Mr. Bloomberg's chief spokesman, Stuart Loeser, said in an e-mail.

Your Daily Fix 4.25.06

• Red hot Albert Pujols smacks number 12.
• Peter King gives us the Texas two-step in relation to the draft.
• Nomah can still hit.
• Shaq dominates the Bulls.
• Tim Dahlberg imagines having women in the dugout.
• Sabres coach Lindy Ruff calls the flyers 'idiots'.
• BCS expands to five games with rotating title bowls.
• Reggie Bush: 'Pay us sooner'.
• Dan Pompei and his mock draft.

Settlement Reached in Vick's Case

A woman who charged in a lawsuit that Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick knowingly gave her a sexually transmitted disease has agreed to an undisclosed resolution of the case, his attorney said Monday.

Staten Island Yanks Owe City

The Staten Island Yankees owe the city more than half a million dollars for electricity, water and sewer payments on their stadium, plus late fees on bills that have piled up, according to an audit by City Comptroller William Thompson.

The team, which won its third New York-Penn League championship last season, is the Class A affiliate of the New York Yankees, whose value was recently estimated at $1.026 billion by Forbes magazine. Plans are under way to build the parent Yankees a new $800 million stadium in their home borough, the Bronx.

Ron Artest Suspended

Ron Artest's reputation might have caught up to him at a terrible time for the Sacramento Kings.

The NBA suspended Artest on Monday for Game 2 of the Kings' first-round playoff series against the San Antonio Spurs.

Stu Jackson, the league's top disciplinarian, said Artest's elbow to Manu Ginobili's head in the series opener was egregious enough to warrant another suspension for the man who missed 73 games and the playoffs last season after one of the most infamous brawls in sports history.

Bonds: No Chance of Passing Aaron

No kidding Barry. When your batting .229 with 1 HR, 2 RBI's....you don't need to spell out the obvious. But thanks for sharing.

Devils Take 2-0 in Series Against Rangers

If the Rangers still have a hope in the playoffs, they may need to bring in a excorcist to case off the Devils at Madison Square Garden. Otherwise they are well on they're way to a early first round dismissal.

(John) Madden tied an NHL playoff record with two man-down goals as part of his first postseason hat trick and led New Jersey to a 4-1 victory Monday night over the New York Rangers, who played without leading scorer Jaromir Jagr, defenseman Darius Kasparaitis and goalie Henrik Lundqvist.

The Devils won the first two games of the first-round, best-of-seven matchup on home ice and will carry a 2-0 advantage -- one they've never squandered -- into Game 3 at New York on Wednesday.

Jagr, the NHL's second-leading scorer, was forced to miss his first game of the season because of a shoulder injury sustained in New York's opening 6-1 loss on Saturday. The Rangers also were missing Kasparaitis, who aggravated a groin injury during the pregame skate.

Keith Hernandez: Reprimanded by Mets Network

Mets broadcaster Keith Hernandez was reprimanded by the team's television network for "inappropriate" remarks during a broadcast about a female member of San Diego's training staff.

Good for the Mets to try to distance themselves from the possible fury which may erupt over Hernanez (ie, Hootie Johnson). What is really puzzling about Hernandez is his apology. He had started off saying that only 'player personel' should be in the dugout. Does this rule out coaches, and reporters?

But then his apology was even stranger when instead of apologizing for the line about women in the dugout, he apologized for saying that he didnt mean to suggest that women belong in the kitchen. But he never said explicitly that women belong in the kitchen. Why apologize for something he never said, but only inferred? The apology should have been to women saying that A. women cannot be in the dugout, and that B. baseball is a man's game. (Tell that to the Silver Bullets)

It may have been just a gaffe, but if he's going to do over a 100 ball games a year, he better get used to watching what he says. And next time take the cue from Gary Cohen when he tries to give you a way out early.

Reggie Bush and the Estate

Charles Robinson doles out the latest details concerning Reggie Bush's parents, and the mystery surrounding their abode:

In this sprawling hilltop community with a breathtaking view of Sweetwater Lake, it was no secret who lived in the 3,000-square-foot house at the corner of Apple Street and Luther Avenue.

That home, residents would tell you, was where Reggie Bush's family lived.

That is, until this weekend, when the family abruptly packed up and vacated the residence – less than 24 hours after Yahoo! Sports approached Bush's mother about information linking the property to Michael Michaels, a man who is alleged to have tried to play a role in steering Bush toward an agent and who also has ties to a sports marketing company.

Days before Bush is expected to be the No. 1 pick in the NFL draft, unanswered questions about the residence and how his mother, stepfather and brother came to live in it within the last year have prompted the University of Southern California to refer the matter to the Pacific-10 Conference for an investigation.

Your Daily Fix 4.24.06

• Jason Ward of the Rangers will miss the rest of the series.
• Jarmoir Jagr's status is unknown for game 2.
• Len Pasquarelli offers up the latest on Dolphins RB Ricky Williams.
• Ricky Manning, Jr. arrested on assault charges.
• Pac-10 will investigate Reggie Bush's parents home.
• LaVar Arrington shows some love for his agent.
• Marcus Vick is just looking for a chance.
• Michael David Smith comments on the off-season defensive moves by the Giants.
• John Hollinger and the Pacers/Nets series.
• Tim Marchman offers up insight on the Atlanta Braves.

Keith Hernandez: Women Out of Dugouts

Mets broadcaster Keith Hernandez's comments that women "don't belong in the dugout" drew criticism Sunday from Padres manager Bruce Bochy, who supported the female member of his training staff and said he was surprised it even came up.

Hernandez made the remarks during the second inning of New York's 8-1 victory in San Diego on Saturday night. Mike Piazza homered for the Padres and exchanged a high-five in the dugout with Kelly Calabrese, a full-time massage therapist for San Diego.

"Who is the girl in the dugout, with the long hair?" Hernandez said during the broadcast. "What's going on here? You have got to be kidding me. Only player personnel in the dugout."

"I won't say that women belong in the kitchen, but they don't belong in the dugout," Hernandez said.

Uh, Keith? Why are you even broaching this subject? First off - your going to get killed in the press no matter how you spin this and secondly - maybe you should have kept drugs out of the Mets clubhouse when you played...or is that okay with you?

So far, Keith has been a great analyst, and has worked well with Gary Cohen on SNY, but Keith, please watch what you say.

Kazmir versus Zambrano

On July 30, 2004 John Manuel posted the following:

While the Devil Rays have had success developing everyday players, such as outfielders Rocco Baldelli and Carl Crawford and third baseman Aubrey Huff, they haven't had the same luck bringing pitchers to the major leagues. That trend could change after they pulled off a stunning trade on Friday.

Tampa Bay dealt its most effective starter, Victor Zambrano, and Triple-A righthander Bartolome Fortunato to the Mets for a pair of Double-A pitchers, most notably Scott Kazmir, one of the top lefthanders in the minors. The Rays also acquired righty Joselo Diaz.

Two years later, already into this young season, the difference between the two is stark. Scott Kazmir is 2-1, a 4.07 ERA, with a whip of 1.52. Victor Zambrano on the other hand is 1-2, with a 9.64 ERA and a whip well over 2.

Flat Sopranos

I realize this isn't a sports related topic, but just finished watching the Sopranos. This whole season has been nothing but a disappointment. Either David Chase and the rest of the Sopranos writers turn the ship around or people will be jumping off by the bushel.

The new low for the show came when they invited Lauren Bacall to guest star on the show only to be knocked down by Christopher in a mask. Who comes up with this?

The decline of the Sopranos is similar to what has happened to the Simpsons. Its as if they have dumbed the show to ween people off of it...so when the show ends people won't be clamoring for more...

00 ??

Arrington: A Giant Upgrade?

Michael Eisen says yes:

The Giants...sharply upgraded their linebacker corps and entire defense when they signed three-time Pro Bowler LaVar Arrington.

Arrington, the second overall pick of the 2000 NFL Draft, was one of the NFL’s most productive and exciting linebackers in his six seasons with the Washington Redskins.

The 6-3, 253-pound Arrington has played in 79 regular season games with 67 starts. He has been credited with 467 tackles (335 solo), 22.5 sacks, 11 forced fumbles, seven fumble recoveries and three interceptions. Arrington played for the NFC Pro Bowl team every season from 2001-2003.

"We needed a big, power player to add to our defense and LaVar Arrington is that," said general manager Ernie Accorsi. "He has a presence about him and he makes us a better football team. The agreement we came to is a fair deal for the player and a fair deal for the organization.

Giambi: He's Back

Jason Giambi and the rest of the Bronx Bombers figure to score plenty of runs this season, so even they know the biggest key to a big year stands 6-foot-10 and on the mound.

Randy Johnson rebounded from a poor outing and dominated Baltimore with ease and Giambi homered twice and drove in five runs Sunday as the New York Yankees cruised to a 7-1 victory over the Orioles.

"You look up and down the lineup at all the big hitters, but we're really going to ride the big fella," Giambi said. "That's what is going to take us into the postseason."

Zambrano's Fiasco

Victor's Numbers

IP H R ER BB SO HR PC-ST ERA
4.0 7 5 5 3 1 2 81-44 9.64

Photo of the Day: Cyclone's Park

Lessons of Arthur Ashe from the Post

On the idea of naming the new Mets sta dium after Jackie Robinson, former Mayor David Dinkins describes himself as "delighted, needless to say - and not just because I am a Jackie fan."

Dinkins cites precedent - Arthur Ashe Stadium at the National Tennis Center in Flushing, Queens.

That venue honors the first black man to win both Wimbledon and the U.S. Open. Plus, following his retirement in 1980, Arthur Ashe was a prominent social leader and educator. After contracting AIDS via tainted blood during a heart operation, Ashe became an advocate for research and chronicled his struggle in a memoir released shortly after his death in 1993...

Your Daily Fix 4.23.06

• Kentucky Derby hopeful With A City is euthanized due to unknown illness.
• BCS may expand at-large bids.
• Doug Mientkiewicz agreed to allow the Hall of Fame to have World Series ball.
• EJ Hradek reports on the mysterious nature of Jagr's injury.
• American Deena Kastor wins the London Marathon.
• Pedro Martinez and his gem.
• New York Jets running back, Cedric Houston, in car accident.
• Los Angeles wins a playoff game...the Clippers that is...
• NHL playoff capsule.
• Lebron James and his marvelous first playoff game.

709

The Bad, the Worst, The Ugly

Devils are up 6-1 now... I won't bother giving the minute detail of who scored.

The real disaster is that Jagr did damage to himself when he went after Scott Gomez. He hobbled down the corrider, towards the locker room. If it turns out his injury is severe, then the Rangers are in serious trouble and you can kiss the series goodbye.

I'm ending the blogging of this game now.

I'm off to the city to party down with Karol Sheinin. Happy Birthday Karol!

Oh great...its official...the game is over...Lets hope Monday is a different story.

Fight

Hollinger at least has some fight in him...

Only five minutes left of this game...

This is like poor episode of the Sopranos. You want to say it stinks, but its the Sopranos.

I'd turn the game off but its the Rangers in the playoffs...how often do I get to see them in the playoffs?

And hooray...the Rangers are short handed for the next four minutes.

Lundqvist

How much longer do you keep him in? This can't be good for his psyche.

Nail in the Coffin?

That would be Jamie Langenbrunner extending the Devils lead to what is now 5-1, or what you could otherwise call a blow out.

Patrick Elias (off his skate?) and Brian Gionta again with the assist.

Oh...by the way...it was a power play. Go figure. If your counting, thats four goals on the power play, but really five since one was only a second after the power play expired.

Penalty, Penalty, Penalty

Devils are on their 11th power play. The Rangers are gift wrapping the game....

Devils Now Up 4-1

Rafalski joins the fun on yet another power play goal!!! Patrick Elias (just give him a star right now) and Brian Gionta with the assist.

By the way...the NHL on NBC...the "Name that Squirt" bit...okay fine its cute...but could we change the name? Its revolting....

End of the Second

Scott Gomez and Patrick Elias are playing like all-stars, and the Devils as a whole are playing with tremendous confidence. They are handling the Rangers like the sixth team they are, not the third place team they almost were. One gets the feeling its boys against men...

Devils Score Again

Make that three to one Devils....Ken Klee gets the goal, Elias and Gomez assist....

At least now the Rangers are on a power play...and not the Devils....The Rangers are playing with the discipline of a amateur hockey team.

Five against Three

The Devils are constantly on the power play.. How much longer can this last?

And...as I write this...Straka almost scores, and what a save by Brodeur. Penalty on the Devils.

LETS GO RANGERS...lets go devils

Thats about the difference in the sound of the cheers at the Meadowlands. It would not surprise me if the Ranger fans out number the Devil fans.

Devils Retake the Lead 2-1

Scott Gomez scores on the power play at 7:48. Brian Gionta and Patrick Elias on the assist.

The Devils really are back to their Championship form. This is a far different team then the one from earlier this season.

The Rangers look more like the team from the previous eight years. Time to wake up the 1994 echoes.

Game One: End of Period One

Penalty's are all over the ice so far.

• 3:28 Dominic Moore: 2 Minutes for Holding Cam Janssen
• 6:39 Jason Ward: 2 Minutes for Elbowing Scott Gomez
• 9:01 Brad Lukowich: 2 Minutes for Hooking Steve Rucchin
• 12:16 Colin White: 2 Minutes for Boarding Jaromir Jagr
• 15:19 Brian Gionta: 2 Minutes for Slashing Darius Kasparaitis
• 17:56 Jed Ortmeyer: 2 Minutes for Interference of Jamie Langenbrunner
• 19:21 Sandis Ozolinsh: 2 Minutes for Tripping Zach Parise

Be that as it may, the game remains tied at one at the end of the first.

Fresh Start for the Rangers?

Perhaps a fresh start is in the making for the Rangers. Prucha just tied the game on a power play at one to one...Jagr and Nylander with the assist.

The earlier goal for the Devils was scored by Patrick Elias at 3:55.

[Update]

Jagr was hit against the board, but NBC hast learned that he'll be fine...lets hope so.

John Clayton: LaVar Arrington Signs with Giants

LaVar Arrington got everything he was hoping for -- a seven-year contract and a chance to stay in the NFC East.

Arrington reached agreement Saturday on a seven-year, $49 million contract with the New York Giants. Further details of the contract weren't available, but the Giants came close to the number he was hoping for. The Giants gave Arrington the chance to compete against the Redskins twice a year.

"He's really elated," said Arrington's agent, Kevin Poston. "He's going to an 11-5 team. He doesn't have to move too far. He gets to play with Michael Strahan and Osi Umenyiora. He's excited."

History Factoid: Polo Grounds

Early in the 1911 season, fire destroyed the main grandstand and part of the right field bleachers. Those sections were rebuilt in a steel and concrete double-deck, with the rest of the bleachers left as they were. The new 1911 structure is the point in time from which the Giants dated the opening of the final version of the Polo Grounds.

The stadium was damaged by fire and with in ten weeks its rebuilt. And we're waiting how many years for the new Mets stadium?

Yes, I know...the buildings now are much more complicated. But how much more complicated could say the Empire Stadium building be to build versus the Freedom Tower? The Empire state building was built in less then a year and is still standing! Its been five years since 9/11 and yet there is nothing standing at ground zero. What is slowing us down? Politics.

The Original Mets

Most people think that the New York Mets had their first season in 1961. This is not true...

The Metropolitan Club (the New York Metropolitans or the Mets) was a 19th century professional baseball team that played in New York City from 1880 to 1887.

The Metropolitans were founded in 1880 as an independent professional team by business entrepreneur John B. Day and baseball manager Jim Mutrie. Initially the team played its games in Brooklyn and in Hoboken, New Jersey as the other New York area clubs did at the time. However, by September, Day had arranged the use of a polo field just north of Central Park bounded by 5th & 6th Avenues and 110th & 112th Streets in Manhattan that became known as the Polo Grounds, the first professional baseball park on Manhattan.

Because of the Metropolitans' financial success at the Polo Grounds, and because each league knew that it needed a successful New York franchise to compete against the other, at the end of 1882 both leagues tendered franchise offers to the Mets. Unbeknownst to the leagues, though, the Mets accepted both invitations. To satisfy these commitments, owners Day and Mutrie acquired the Troy franchise that had been eliminated from the National League (along with Worcester) to make room for new franchises in New York City and Philadelphia. Day and Mutrie entered the Mets into the American Association and the newly created New York Gothams into the National League. The teams shared use of the Polo Grounds, which was reconfigured with two diamonds and two grandstands.

Initially, managed by Mutrie, the Metropolitans enjoyed greater success on the field than the Gothams. The Mets finished fourth in 1883, and won the 1884 American Association pennant. The Mets then faced Providence Grays of the National League in the 1884 World Series, but lost 3 games to none. Prominent Metropolitan players included Tim Keefe, Dave Orr, Chief Roseman, Jack Lynch, Candy Nelson and Dude Esterbrook.

Financially, though, the Gothams had more promise due to the National League's stability, quality of play, and higher ticket prices. Prior to the 1885 season, Mutrie shifted over to manage the Gothams and brought along star pitcher Keefe and third baseman Esterbrook. The rechristened New York Giants finished second in the National League in 1885, while the Mets slumped to seventh place in the AA.

Prior to the 1886 season, Day and Mutrie sold the Mets to Erastus Wiman who moved the team to cricket grounds on Staten Island in hopes of promoting ferry trade across New York harbor. This business plan did not succeed, though, and the Mets ceased operation following the 1887 season. The team was bought by the Brooklyn Dodgers to gain territorial protection and the contracts of several of the Mets' stars, including Dave Orr and Darby O'Brien. The current minor league Staten Island Yankees play in a stadium very near the cricket ground used by the Mets.

Drive to the Finals

Setting you up for the NBA Playoffs are:

• Howard Beck with the rise of the Clippers.
• William C. Rhoden talks Kobe.
• Sam Smith has a confession to make.
• David Moore fills us in on who rises and falls.
• Fran Blinebury lets us know the playoffs are up for grabs.
• Joe Overby and why the playoffs should be watched.
• Kevin Smith is geared up for the playoffs.
• Brian Mahoney with the unveiling of the stars.
• Brian Covert talks Lebron.
• Adam Thompson on Carmelo's new status.

NY Baseball: Late Night, Losses

• Mets lost 2-1 after 14 innings against the Padres.
• Yanks lose to the Orioles.

"Our Team, Our Time, Our Parody"

Many thanks to the Metsblog for the link to this video.

Updated Daily Fix 4.21.06

• Scott Burnside reveals the ten dark horse players of the NHL playoffs.
• Len Pasquarelli reports that the Texans and Reggie Bush have exchanged contract proposals.
• MLB officials declare that the Forbes financial analysis is flawed.
• Associated Press corrects itself, and realizes that Minaya is latino after all.
• NFL has hired a search firm to hire a new commissioner.
• Mayor Jerry Sanders of San Diego says city can't afford new football stadium. (comment --Leave what was once known as "Jack Murphy" stadium up...after all its named after Bob Murphy)
• Jayson Williams will be retried...so says the Appeals Court.

Riley Will Coach

As much as I love to hate him for bailing out on the Knicks, Pat Riley deserves respect for coaching his team tonight despite the loss of his Mom.

Irish Get Lucky with QB

But will Jimmy Clausen wake up the echoes? Tom Friends says yes, he can:

Jimmy Clausen, the most acclaimed California prep quarterback since John Elway, will verbally commit to Notre Dame on Saturday.

Clausen, a high school senior-to-be, will make his announcement at 8:30 a.m. local time at the College Football Hall of Fame in South Bend.

Clausen chose the Irish over USC so he could be mentored by coach Charlie Weis; he is now the front-runner to replace the graduating Brady Quinn as Notre Dame's starter in 2007.

NFL Draft: Don't Believe the Hype

Sports Illustrated explains why...

Another Charger Is...

...you guessed it...arrested! This time the honor falls to Steve Foley.

Duke Turmoil: The "Other" Stripper...

...says the Duke boys are guilty.

Mayor Speaks About Mets Naming Rights

This morning on the John Gambling show (an archive is available on the nyc.gov website) Mayor Bloomberg was asked about his thoughts on naming the new Mets ball park after Jackie Robinson.

The Mayor spoke highly of Robinson, and that the honor would be appropriate, but he laid out the simple fact that who ever is willing to pay for the rights to name the stadium will have the final word. Mr. Bloomberg ended the point by saying that if a newspaper felt so strongly about calling the stadium "Jackie Robinson Stadium", then perhaps they should put up the money for the naming rights themselves. Touche Mr. Mayor, touche.

Your Daily Fix: Quest for the Cup

• Lee Jenkins on how the Devils hope to follow their shadow.
• Ira Podell and the wide open hunt.
• Scotty Bowman's first-round picks.
• Kevin Allen talks about the goalies.
• Bob Foltman's predictions.
• Andrew Gross has ten questions and answers.
• Martin Renzhofer and the fans who welcome the return of the playoffs.
• Stephen Hart and why the Rangers should have optimism (Devils too).

Ex-Giant Pleads Guilty

Keith "The Hammer" Hamilton pleaded guilty to striking his kid with an electric chord. He will serve probation starting in August 2007 upon the completion of his previous probation due to cocaine possesion.

Ol' Man River: Julio Franco

Last night Julio Franco became the oldest player in baseball to hit a home run, helping the Mets rally from a 2-1 defecit to defeat the Padres.

Franco, at 47 years 240 days, is by far the oldest player in the major leagues, and Thursday night he jumpstarted the Mets' rally with a home run that again inscribed him in baseball's record books. Franco ripped a two-run, opposite-field blast off Scott Linebrink that launched the Mets' six-run eighth inning and propelled them to a 7-2 comeback victory against the Padres.

This was a significant win for the Mets because the offense had been slumping. For the first time since 1996, the Mets had had two pitchers throw back to back complete games, and were facing a third with Jake Peavy on the mound. But thankfully the Mets got to him, and almost out of no where.

But as the Times says, there was set back:

The victory was somewhat tempered by the loss of Carlos Beltrán, who left the game in the fifth inning after feeling discomfort in his right hamstring. Beltrán said he will have a magnetic resonance imaging exam Friday morning to determine the extent of his injury.

Kaz Matsui: "I Don't Believe It"

Two years ago in his first at bat, Kaz Matsui hits a homerun. Last year, in his first at bat, Kaz Matsui hits a homerun.

Tonight? In his first at bat, off a knee injury Kaz Matsui hits inside the park homerun! Unbelievable. Mets are tied with San Diego now in the top of the third.

Piazza vs. the Mets

Hard to believe, but tonight the Mets will be trying to strike out Mike Piazza, instead of relying on him for a clutch home run. The Padres website seem to be jumping at the story line.

Met fans can take comfort in knowing that Beltran and Floyd are both back in the line up. They can tremble at the thought of Kaz Matsui returning to the line up.

Baseball Injuries

• Derek Lee of the Cubs will miss eight to ten weeks.
• Bartolo Colon, AL Cy Young winner last year, and currently on my fantasy team is on the DL.

Knick Misery

Larry Brown will return to the sidelines next year so long as his health doesn't sideline him first.

The New York Knicks general manager, Isiah Thomas, had a press conference to mark the end of the Knicks worst season in decades. There was so much hot air coming of his mouth I was worried he might start to float away.

"We have a group that from everything that I've heard today like each other, want to stay together and want to play together and believe that they can get it done. However, I don't know if that will be the case.''

No kidding Isiah...out of curiosity, does this group include busts like Eddie Curry? Jerome James? Stephon Marbury? Is this the group that like each other so much and want to get it done? The same Curry who regressed this year? The same Jerome James who thought it might be fun to have a strangers baby in his lap during the final home game of the season? And then Stephon Marbury, believes he is the best guard in the league? (Stephon, do me a favor, please go to New Jersey and watch just one playoff game...watch Jason Kidd)

If this press conference was a sign of things to come, the misery may not end anytime soon.

Yanky Warbucks

The New York Yankees became the first baseball team valued at more than $1 billion in the annual estimates made by Forbes magazine.

Yankee Trajedy

New York Yankees minor league manager Oscar Acosta and team official Humberto Trejo were killed in a car accident in the Dominican Republic.

Acosta, the manager of the Gulf Coast Yankees of the Rookie League, and Trejo, the Yankees' field coordinator in the Dominican Republic, were killed after their car collided with an SUV on a highway outside of Santo Domingo on Wednesday night, said Carlos Rio, Yankees director of operations in Latin America.

"They were both fine men and great Yankees," owner George Steinbrenner said in a statement Thursday.

Your Daily Fix 4.20.06 [Update]

• Brett Favre criticizes the Titans for their treatment of McNair...what about his treatment of the Packers?
• MLS all-stars will face off against Chelsea...that oughta be a contest.
• LaVar Arrington has taken a physical for the Giants, although the team is staying silent.
• Lance Armstrong may take a swipe at winning the New York Marathon.
• Moe Williams, formerly of the Vikings (whats with those Vikings and crime?) is guilty of disorderly conduct.

Senator Backs "Jackie Robinson Stadium"

Senatore Charles Schumer (D-NY) supports the idea of naming the new Mets ball park after Jackie Robinson.

New York Sen. Chuck Schumer got it right yesterday when he urged the Mets to name their new stadium after baseball great Jackie Robinson.

Doing so, wrote Schumer to Mets owner Fred Wilpon, "will bolster a connection with the New York community, and with America, that will be worth far more than any corporate contract" for the rights to name the new park.

Schumer recalled Wilpon's emotional link to Robinson: "As a native Brooklynite who . . . was a witness to the special history made in that place by Jackie Robinson, I know you understand what this could mean for New York."

Meredith Vieira: Met Envy?

How could the baseball team and a soon to be Today co-host on NBC have to do with each other. Phil Mushnick of the New York Post reminds us...

In 2000, before Game 3 of the Yanks-Mets World Series, Vieira and a camera crew — both representing ABC’s “The View” —entered Shea Stadium and headed out on the field to track down some players.

The Mets were under the full and clear impression that Vieira and crew were granted access in order to conduct legitimate business, whether it be to interview players about any relevancy of the day, or to produce a feature about the intense, throwback baseball rivalry that had returned to grip New York in October.

But Vieira’s mission was strictly lowbrow, strictly from the bottom of the slop sink. Arriving at Shea in a Mets uniform, she had a burning question to ask of Met players: Which of you has the biggest penis?

Idol versus Giant

"AMERICAN Idol" loser Bo Bice's 15 minutes of fame are way, way over - especially at O'Brien's pub on West 46th Street. That's where witnesses say the half-in-the-bag Southern rocker took a cheap and ineffective swing at strapping ex-New York Giants football star Glenn Parker Sunday night.

Your Daily Fix 4.20.06

• George Vescey on why the Braves are still the same old team.
• Lee Jenkins on the Rangers being underdogs.
• Duff Wilson on the Duke Turmoil.
• Michael Rosenberg talking about Lebron in the first round.
• Michael Smith discusses QB's and the draft.

Duke Turmoil: Updates

• ABC News reveals the player's alibi.
• WRAL reports accuser ID'd players from scratches on their bodies.
• Police searched the dorms at Duke University.
• Steve Daniels links the photos to a timeline of events.

Soccer War Over a Bare Bum?

Unflattering pictures of German Chancellor Angela Merkel in a British newspaper have sparked a backlash from the German government and media...

One paper said Germany would take its revenge at the World Cup, promising the English team a "good thrashing."

*Warning: The link above contains nudity.*

Duke Turmoil: NBC Reveals Accuser Photo

NBC has obtained exclusive photos that defense lawyers for the Duke University lacrosse players feel will exonerate their clients of rape charges....

Dan Abrams, a Duke graduate and former lawyer who now hosts "The Abrams Report" on MSNBC, said he has copies of a series of photos lacrosse team players said they took at the party.

"You could argue that something might have happened in that period between 12:10 and 12:30. The defense would say, though, that because she's smiling in the photo taken at 12:31, it would be hard to believe that she had been brutally raped," he said.

Abrams said it was "certainly possible" that the woman had been given a date-rape drug by someone at the party. But he said there has been no evidence to support that claim.

The photos also bolster the defense claims by what they don't show, Abrams said.

Almost Ready

Vice president and general counsel Michael Bidwill talks about the new Arizona Cardinals football stadium before a meeting of the sportswriters Tuesday, April 18, 2006, in Glendale, Ariz. The defending Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh Steelers will face Arizona on Aug. 12 in the first preseason game in the new stadium.

NFL and the Law

Its simply wonderful that the NFL is cracking down on endzone celebrations. Meanwhile check out a sampling of today's headlines from around the league:

• Adam "Pacman" Jones of the Titans is being investigated.
• Viking's Willie Offord arrested for drunk driving.
• Larry Csonka fined by U.S. Forest Land Service.
• Viking's "love boat" trial begins.

Oh but those darn endzone celebrations...really need to put a stop to them...

Golf Hall of Fame

Larry Nelson and Henry Picard will be inducted to the Hall of Fame at the World Golf Village in St. Augustine, Florida on October 30.

NHL MVP?

ESPN sizes up the pros and cons between Jaromir Jagr and Joe Thornton as MVP contenders.

United States Soccer Ranked Fourth

The United States moved up one spot into fourth place in April's FIFA world rankings, the Americans' highest showing.

The U.S. ranking went up despite a 4-1 loss at Germany and a 1-1 tie at home against Jamaica last month.

But does anyone in this country care?

Your Daily Fix 4.19.06

• Nate Silver on baseball's most valuable properties.
• Darren Rovell about how Duke gear sales have soared.
• Matthew Cerrone after the Mets fell to the Braves 2-1.
• Matt Romig and his NHL power rankings.
• Frank Coyle on what the football Giants need in the draft.
• Frank Coyle again, but talking Jets.
• Dan Wetzel proclaiming that the thrill is back in the NHL.
• Chris Sheridan with the Lakers and the D-Team.
• Ira Podell and the Islanders off season of change.

Turning Pro

Adam Morrison and Rudy Gay have declared themselves eligible for the NBA Draft.

Duke Turmoil: The Mug Shot

From The Smoking Gun:

Two Duke University lacrosse players have been charged with the rape and kidnapping of an exotic dancer who claims that she was assaulted last month at a team party. Reade Seligmann and Collin Finnerty, both sophomores, were named in indictments unsealed today. Copies of the felony charges can be found below. Seligmann and Finnerty were arrested early this morning and subsequently released on $400,000 bond. According to the dancer, a 27-year-old North Carolina Central University student, she was sexually assaulted by a trio of men in the bathroom of a home shared by three of the lacrosse squad's captains. Her account of the March 14 incident is contained in this detailed search warrant application. The 19-year-old Finnerty (left) and Seligmann, 20, are pictured above in booking photos snapped this morning at the Durham County Detention Facility. A North Carolina grand jury voted indictments against the athletes during sessions last Wednesday and yesterday. A judge ordered the indictments sealed after District Attorney Michael Nifong filed motions arguing that there was a "substantial risk" that Seligmann and Finnerty would flee if given advance notice of the charges. If convicted, Nifong noted, Finnerty, from Garden City, N.Y., and Seligmann, from Essex Fells, N.J., would each face a minimum prison term of between 12 and 15 years.

Devil Stab in the Rangers Heart

The New Jersey Devils stunned the hockey world last night by winning their 11th in a row, and clinching the Atlantic divison, wrestling it away from the Rangers.

Just two weeks ago the Rangers were to be the 3 seed, the Devils the 6th. Now their roles will be reversed, and will face off across the Hudson in the opening round of the playoffs.

The schedule has been released, so let the games begin.

Ranger fans should take comfort in that in the beginining of the year, they were picked by SI to have the worst record in the league, and instead they wind up making the playoffs for the first time in 9 years. Anything can happen.

Scott Burnside of ESPN breaks down the match up of the bitter rivals.

Steroids Bonanza

• SF Giants trainer has been subpoenaed to testify in probe.
• Diamondbacks prospect Angel Rocha has been suspended for 100 games.
• Including Rocha, five minor leaguers have been suspended!

Rangers: Just Win Baby

If the NHL brass are to get their wish, then the Rangers must win tonight, beat the Senators, and take the bull by the horns.

Returning, and starting for the first time since his injury, Henrik Lundqvist hopes to be the anchor for a team reeling from a four game losing streak.

Mike Celizic of MSNBC writes of the possibilites may be in wait if the Rangers can win tonight.

It would be the perfect ending to a perfect comeback season. It would be New York’s mighty media machine and the Rangers, which isn’t just the most recognizable ice hockey team in the United Sates, but also a true Cinderella.

Less than two weeks ago, that scenario looked as likely as any other. That was when the Rangers, the one recognizable U.S. brand name in the game, was sailing along on top of the Atlantic Division, a veritable juggernaut of a hockey team with the league’s leading scorer and perhaps most spectacular player, Jaromir Jagr, leading the way.

But now the hopes of the Rangers are hanging by a thread. As Al Davis of the Raiders always said, they need to hit the ice and "just win baby".

Nats GM -- DUI

Jim Bowden, the Washington Nationals general manager has been arrested for a DUI.

Your Daily Fix 4.18.06 [Update]

Be sure to check out Harvey Araton piece on the Knicks, Murray Chase on the Mets, and Karen Crouse on the Rangers.

-----------

And Tom Verducci's piece on Barry Bonds.

Crosby, Points and Young

Sidney Crosby last night became the youngest player in the NHL to reach 100 points for a season.

Another E-mail...

...From another Mets fan friend: "Whatevah - by late July, I’ll be sleeping in my Upper Reserve (Shea) red seat hovel, eating sausage and peppers for breakfast and fending off hobos with foam fingers. Life will be good. Dangerous and riddled with Hep C, but good."

A True Hollywood Story

This may be the best thing Hollywood has done for a long time...

After hitting six 3-pointers in the final minutes of Greece Athena High School's home basketball finale, autistic team manager Jason McElwain was hoisted onto his teammates' shoulders, courted by the press, and feted by President Bush.

Now, the 17-year-old national icon is going Hollywood.

"Spiderman" producer Laura Ziskin will produce the film based on J-Mac's life for Columbia Pictures. Magic Johnson and Mary Martin are also attached as producers in some capacity, and two-time Oscar winner Alvin Sargent, who wrote the scripts for "Spider Man 2" and "3," is in talks to write the project.

Fan Arrested

A 23 year old man was arrested after throwing an object in the direction of Barry Bonds during the game between Arizona and San Francisco. Jesse Jackson to the rescue?

Down to the Wire for the Atlantic

New York Ranger fans will get to see just how tough their team is tonight as they take on Ottawa. The division is on the line. A win, and they are crowned division champs. A loss and either the Flyers, or the Devils will take the honor. This would rule out home-ice advantage for the Rangers at least through the first round. Dave Caldwell of the Times sets us up for whats in store.