Bensonhurst, Brooklyn; - In my travels Friday morning I had the pleasure of meeting two older gentlemen; neighbors and friends to each other; who were inspired to jeer me about a Red Sox jersey I was wearing. And that's when we got-a-talkin' about Baseball.
Gentleman Number One: ...A Veteran of the Korean War.
When he was a young boy, he jumped the local Trolley and made his way with friends over to Ebbets Field. With no tickets, they had every intention of sneaking in. For brevity sake, they made it in..... Just in time to see a guy named Johnny Mize of the N.Y. Giants, belt a home run to beat the Dodgers.
Later that same season, they had the same plan; no tickets and a plan to sneak in. They made it inside again just in time to see a guy named Johnny Mize belt a home run to beat the Dodgers...again!
When Johnny Mize started playing for the Yankees, that kid was hooked. He became a Yankee fan for life while living in Brooklyn during the NYC Hey Days. Mickey Mantle was his idol; of course.
He also had little, if anything good things to say about Joe Pepitone, whom he claims to know.
Gentleman Number Two: ...A little more elderly than the first Gentleman; he is a Veteran of WWII and stormed the beaches of Normandy on D-Day; piloting landing crafts while serving in the Navy.
He played Class-D ball (as they referred to the Minors back then) in the Yankees' system in Newark, and elsewhere; and once competed against a young prospect named Phil Rizzuto for a shortstop job.
He grew up as a New York Giants fan in Brooklyn. His favorite player; then turned manager; was Mel Ott. He said Joe DiMaggio was damn-near a perfect ball player and that Bob Feller could blow away any player today.
He said meeting his wife after the war, more than anything, ended his playing career.
Mike.BTB
Sunday, August 07, 2011
N.Y. Yankees ~ Red Sox Strike Back in Game Two
From the desk of: BLAME CARLOS MAY
THE SHOWDOWN ON LANSDOWNE STREET
As you know, keeping the American League's number one offense under three runs a game is a monumental task; - Just ask C.C. But let's be real on this one. After all he's done, doesn't C.C. deserve a pass regarding Saturday afternoon's thumping? Arguing your Staff Ace let the team down against your arch rival is your prerogative should you chose to go that way. I'm not a fan, remember?
But, in my thinking, this series was never about C.C. and I'd be willing to deal with his little dip on Pitch-O-Meter; especially after a seven game winning streak. This weekend is still about Bartolo Colon and Freddie Garcia, and how they were going to respond when the Yankees needed wins on demand; like if it was the playoffs. This series was and is a great test to see how they would respond in a short series. Because even Yankee fans have to admit, you have limited TRUST in the two pitchers. Before playoff rosters are set and players can no longer be passed through waivers, you need more assurances don't you?
Freddie Garcia is next. He'll throw his junk at the Sawx, opposing Josh Beckett Sunday night.
This isn't about winning two of three games this series. This isn't really about occupying first place on August 8th. This series is really meaningless in the grand scheme of things. The Wild Card watered down races like this; look there for reasons why this series is meaningless. That's why I wouldn't be too preoccupied with C.C.'s stinker against Boston Saturday. Instead this now becomes about Freddie Garcia and can he dial up a game that takes the onus off the offense and places it squarely on his right arm's ability to stymie the Red Sox regardless of how well or how badly Josh Beckett handles his business. Garcia is going to HAVE to do it eventually. So like I said, this is a test.
Bartolo Colon passed his.
THE SHOWDOWN ON LANSDOWNE STREET
New York Yankees (1-1)
vs.
BOSTON RED SOX (1-1)
GAME THREE
SUNDAY NIGHT
new york YANKEES: Two Pitchers Are Still Trying to Win Trust As Well As Games. Bartolo Colon Represented Well Friday. Now Freddie Needs To Master Sunday Night.
In my last NYY posting prior to the series start, I said a Hard Luck Loss; ...not a pounding loss, would still serve a Yankee pitcher's confidence well. Sabathia's day isn't exactly what I had in mind.
In the series that means nothing, I thought the Yankees' starting pitching was in need of dialing-up three rock solid performances on demand against the Red Sox. If for no other reason, I felt they needed to do it just so they know they can. After all, the Yankees haven't fared very well against Boston this season. As the season enters it's final third, the Yankees still have a rotation to figure out with numerous bodies and limited jobs. It's not a bad problem to have.
With two or three of them, it boils down to a matter of trust. And two of them for sure; Colon and Garcia; to a large extent, got the Yanks in this position atop the division. But did/do you trust them? Now that Friday's game is out of the way, did Bartolo Colon's 94 pitch/4.2 innings pitched effort provide you with any more confidence he will still be effective through the remaining Dog Days of Summer and into October?
I'm not a Yankee fan as you know, but I'd feel good coming off Friday's win. His performance is what you needed and it's what you got. It was a shorter outing than you would have liked, but your bullpen is a strength and they picked him up superbly Friday night. The point is, Bartolo dialed it up, and chipped in to keep the Red Sox under three runs for the game just when the Yanks needed him to; in game one of a series with both teams tied for first.
In the series that means nothing, I thought the Yankees' starting pitching was in need of dialing-up three rock solid performances on demand against the Red Sox. If for no other reason, I felt they needed to do it just so they know they can. After all, the Yankees haven't fared very well against Boston this season. As the season enters it's final third, the Yankees still have a rotation to figure out with numerous bodies and limited jobs. It's not a bad problem to have.
With two or three of them, it boils down to a matter of trust. And two of them for sure; Colon and Garcia; to a large extent, got the Yanks in this position atop the division. But did/do you trust them? Now that Friday's game is out of the way, did Bartolo Colon's 94 pitch/4.2 innings pitched effort provide you with any more confidence he will still be effective through the remaining Dog Days of Summer and into October?
I'm not a Yankee fan as you know, but I'd feel good coming off Friday's win. His performance is what you needed and it's what you got. It was a shorter outing than you would have liked, but your bullpen is a strength and they picked him up superbly Friday night. The point is, Bartolo dialed it up, and chipped in to keep the Red Sox under three runs for the game just when the Yanks needed him to; in game one of a series with both teams tied for first.
As you know, keeping the American League's number one offense under three runs a game is a monumental task; - Just ask C.C. But let's be real on this one. After all he's done, doesn't C.C. deserve a pass regarding Saturday afternoon's thumping? Arguing your Staff Ace let the team down against your arch rival is your prerogative should you chose to go that way. I'm not a fan, remember?
But, in my thinking, this series was never about C.C. and I'd be willing to deal with his little dip on Pitch-O-Meter; especially after a seven game winning streak. This weekend is still about Bartolo Colon and Freddie Garcia, and how they were going to respond when the Yankees needed wins on demand; like if it was the playoffs. This series was and is a great test to see how they would respond in a short series. Because even Yankee fans have to admit, you have limited TRUST in the two pitchers. Before playoff rosters are set and players can no longer be passed through waivers, you need more assurances don't you?
Freddie Garcia is next. He'll throw his junk at the Sawx, opposing Josh Beckett Sunday night.
This isn't about winning two of three games this series. This isn't really about occupying first place on August 8th. This series is really meaningless in the grand scheme of things. The Wild Card watered down races like this; look there for reasons why this series is meaningless. That's why I wouldn't be too preoccupied with C.C.'s stinker against Boston Saturday. Instead this now becomes about Freddie Garcia and can he dial up a game that takes the onus off the offense and places it squarely on his right arm's ability to stymie the Red Sox regardless of how well or how badly Josh Beckett handles his business. Garcia is going to HAVE to do it eventually. So like I said, this is a test.
Bartolo Colon passed his.
Mike.BTB
Saturday, August 06, 2011
Newark Bears ~ Trying To Claw Their Way Back Above .500
From the desk of: THE BRICK CITY NINE
NEWARK BEARS: Even Series With Quebec; Game Three Tonight.
The Bears have played the Quebec Capitales well this season. And they continued Friday night with a win against Quebec in game two of a four game series up in the Great White North.
After getting shut-out 4-0 Thursday night in the series opener, it took eleven innings to gain victory Friday. Three runs in the top of the frame sealed the deal for visiting Newark and spoiled things for the home crowd. Sacre Bleu! The game was a step in the right direction against a good team, as the Bears are struggling to get above .500 again. They are currently two games under the mark and perhaps they can get things going in a more positive direction during the rest of this trip in Canada.
I guess you can say; Bears' starter; Alex Smith did it again. He walked a bunch of batters; which is his custom; but yet, was relatively effective over 5.2 innings. Quebec scored one time in the second inning. The Bears staked Alex Smith to a 3-1 lead after five innings on RBI singles by Brad Jackson and Brandon Watson. Then Alex got into trouble in the bottom of the sixth and surrendered the tying runs.
Newarks' bullpen was stellar and kept the Capitales scoreless in relief of Smith until Quebec scored one time in the bottom of the 11th inning. Anthony Pluta; TJ Hose; and Matt Fitton; combined on four innings; no runs; two hits; 2 walks; and five strikeouts. Newly signed Gregory Lane finished the game for Newark. He allowed Quebec one run, but was credited with the win.
Back-to-back doubles by Brandon Watson and Paddy Matera drove home all three Newark runs in the top of the 11th inning to get the Bears on the winning side.
NEWARK BEARS: Even Series With Quebec; Game Three Tonight.
The Bears have played the Quebec Capitales well this season. And they continued Friday night with a win against Quebec in game two of a four game series up in the Great White North.
After getting shut-out 4-0 Thursday night in the series opener, it took eleven innings to gain victory Friday. Three runs in the top of the frame sealed the deal for visiting Newark and spoiled things for the home crowd. Sacre Bleu! The game was a step in the right direction against a good team, as the Bears are struggling to get above .500 again. They are currently two games under the mark and perhaps they can get things going in a more positive direction during the rest of this trip in Canada.
I guess you can say; Bears' starter; Alex Smith did it again. He walked a bunch of batters; which is his custom; but yet, was relatively effective over 5.2 innings. Quebec scored one time in the second inning. The Bears staked Alex Smith to a 3-1 lead after five innings on RBI singles by Brad Jackson and Brandon Watson. Then Alex got into trouble in the bottom of the sixth and surrendered the tying runs.
Newarks' bullpen was stellar and kept the Capitales scoreless in relief of Smith until Quebec scored one time in the bottom of the 11th inning. Anthony Pluta; TJ Hose; and Matt Fitton; combined on four innings; no runs; two hits; 2 walks; and five strikeouts. Newly signed Gregory Lane finished the game for Newark. He allowed Quebec one run, but was credited with the win.
Back-to-back doubles by Brandon Watson and Paddy Matera drove home all three Newark runs in the top of the 11th inning to get the Bears on the winning side.
TONIGHT
Canadian/American League of Baseball
GAME THREE of FOUR
NEWARK BEARS (1-1)
vs.
Quebec Capitales (1-1)
From
North of the Border, Canada
MIKE.BTB
L.I. DUCKS ~ This Series Is Possible Glimpse Into Future
From the desk of: THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE
LONG ISLAND DUCKS: In A Possible Playoff Preview,
Lancaster Comes Barnstorming Into Bethpage Park.
The League's One and Two teams over all this season; the two first-half champions of their respective divisions; will play three in Bethpage Park this weekend. They square-off in a possible playoff preview as the Atlantic League enters it's last month of the regular season.
After a fast second-half start by the Camden River Sharks, Long Island has recaptured first place in the Liberty Division and now lead a surging Bridgeport team by 1.5 games and Camden by two. Lancaster; the first-half Freedom Division Champ; trail the second-half first place team York Revolution by only one-half game.
Mike Loree is the scheduled starter for Long Island tonight. He enters the game looking to continue a dominant season while seeking his 14th win. So far, he leads the Atlantic League with 13 wins this season against only two losses, to go along with his League best 1.91 ERA.
Lancaster Big Man; Slugger; Tommy Everidge, leads the Atlantic League in home runs with 21. Then the Ducks round out a list of the top six home run hitters in the League with three players; Ray Navarrete (17); J.R. House (16); and Javier Colina (15).
LONG ISLAND DUCKS: In A Possible Playoff Preview,
Lancaster Comes Barnstorming Into Bethpage Park.
The League's One and Two teams over all this season; the two first-half champions of their respective divisions; will play three in Bethpage Park this weekend. They square-off in a possible playoff preview as the Atlantic League enters it's last month of the regular season.
After a fast second-half start by the Camden River Sharks, Long Island has recaptured first place in the Liberty Division and now lead a surging Bridgeport team by 1.5 games and Camden by two. Lancaster; the first-half Freedom Division Champ; trail the second-half first place team York Revolution by only one-half game.
Mike Loree is the scheduled starter for Long Island tonight. He enters the game looking to continue a dominant season while seeking his 14th win. So far, he leads the Atlantic League with 13 wins this season against only two losses, to go along with his League best 1.91 ERA.
Lancaster Big Man; Slugger; Tommy Everidge, leads the Atlantic League in home runs with 21. Then the Ducks round out a list of the top six home run hitters in the League with three players; Ray Navarrete (17); J.R. House (16); and Javier Colina (15).
TONIGHT
Lancaster Barnstormers (49-36)
vs.
LONG ISLAND DUCKS (56-28)
From
Bethpage Park, L.I.
Mike.BTB
BKN Cyclones ~ Bums Dump Staten Island In Game One
From the desk of: THE SURF AVENUE SLUGGERS
BROOKLYN CYCLONES: Seventh Inning Break-Out Gets the Coney Island Nine a Game Closer to Yanks.
...And then the Richmond County Baby Bombers' lead was 7.5 games.
The Seaside Sluggers opened the scoring in the fourth inning. Cole Frenzel and Travis Tiajeron drove in Brooklyn's first two runs. But Staten Island got one back in the bottom half of the inning, and scored the tying run an inning later to make it a 2-2 game after five.
It stayed like that till the seventh inning when Brooklyn busted out for five runs against the Yanks. Staten Island brought in pitcher, Robert Paullus, to pitch the seventh. A single; two walks; and a passed-ball; plated Brooklyn's third run. It got worse. He then walked his third batter; Javier Rodriguez. Richard Lucas then followed with a two RBI single. Robert Paullus followed that by hitting Cole Fenzel with a pitch; loading up the bases. And that was the end of Robert Paullus' night.
Travis Taigeron singled off the next Yankee pitcher; Philip Wetherell; driving in another run for Brooklyn; making the score 8-2. Philip then uncorked a wild pitched allowing Richard Lucas to score from third base with the fifth run of the inning for Brooklyn.
Staten Island scored two runs in the ninth. But their comeback efforts fell way short. Brooklyn won by a final score of 9-4 in front of a sold-out Staten Island crowd.
Mike.BTB
BROOKLYN CYCLONES: Seventh Inning Break-Out Gets the Coney Island Nine a Game Closer to Yanks.
FRIDAY ~ FINAL SCORE:
BROOKLYN...9
Staten Island....4
...And then the Richmond County Baby Bombers' lead was 7.5 games.
Game one in the third installment of the Battle of the Boroughs goes to Brooklyn. The division leading Yanks got sloppy with the ball; committing three errors; and Brooklyn busted out late to secure themselves a 9-4 victory to gain a game on the McNamara Division leaders.
The Seaside Sluggers opened the scoring in the fourth inning. Cole Frenzel and Travis Tiajeron drove in Brooklyn's first two runs. But Staten Island got one back in the bottom half of the inning, and scored the tying run an inning later to make it a 2-2 game after five.
It stayed like that till the seventh inning when Brooklyn busted out for five runs against the Yanks. Staten Island brought in pitcher, Robert Paullus, to pitch the seventh. A single; two walks; and a passed-ball; plated Brooklyn's third run. It got worse. He then walked his third batter; Javier Rodriguez. Richard Lucas then followed with a two RBI single. Robert Paullus followed that by hitting Cole Fenzel with a pitch; loading up the bases. And that was the end of Robert Paullus' night.
Travis Taigeron singled off the next Yankee pitcher; Philip Wetherell; driving in another run for Brooklyn; making the score 8-2. Philip then uncorked a wild pitched allowing Richard Lucas to score from third base with the fifth run of the inning for Brooklyn.
Staten Island scored two runs in the ninth. But their comeback efforts fell way short. Brooklyn won by a final score of 9-4 in front of a sold-out Staten Island crowd.
TODAY
GAME TWO
BATTLE of the BOROUGHS III
Staten Island Yankees
vs.
BROOKLYN CYCLONES
From
The Coney Island Seaside
in BROOKLYN
Mike.BTB
N.Y. METS ~ CITI No Help Against Tomahawk Chaps
From the desk of: HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET
NEW YORK METS: Amazin Hopes of Contention Just Got Scalped.
...And then the Braves' lead was nine.
On their return trip home, nothing the Mets brought to Citi Field Friday night was anywhere near capable of reeling-in the Braves a little bit closer in the standings. The Mets now stand one game away from a double digit deficit in the Wild Card standings.
The Mets are now 22-29 at home and one game under .500 for the season....again. All they managed were four hits on the night and only three off Tim Hudson over his seven innings pitched. One run was all the Braves would allow the Mets. And that directly leads to the matter of another R.A. Dickey quality, but yet again wasted start. Instead of posting a 5-10 record this season, he should be 10-5 with a little more help.
Be that as it may, finishing this series against the Braves 2-1, or 1-2, doesn't cut it either way. The Mets needed a sweep in order to be thought of as a credible contender. Alas, they are not.
Stranger things have happened in baseball; I cede any reader that. But excuse me if I start changing my tune these days. I'm officially interested in seeing other things from this Met team that may conflict with trying to win the pennant. I beg your pardon.
I'll start with Josh Thole. I want to see him catching every day; - Period! I want Bobby Parnell put into every closing situation realistically possible. And I do not want to see Johan Santana pitch for the Mets this season.
Then I need the following question answered; How the hell is Ike Davis' foot/bone condition absolutely the same after all this time; and how do the Met Doctors explain this one?
I'm waiting!
Do you think David Wright has nightmares about the dimensions of Citi Field? It's almost enough to drive a guy crazy. Or, just out of New York?
Mike.BTB
NEW YORK METS: Amazin Hopes of Contention Just Got Scalped.
...And then the Braves' lead was nine.
On their return trip home, nothing the Mets brought to Citi Field Friday night was anywhere near capable of reeling-in the Braves a little bit closer in the standings. The Mets now stand one game away from a double digit deficit in the Wild Card standings.
The Mets are now 22-29 at home and one game under .500 for the season....again. All they managed were four hits on the night and only three off Tim Hudson over his seven innings pitched. One run was all the Braves would allow the Mets. And that directly leads to the matter of another R.A. Dickey quality, but yet again wasted start. Instead of posting a 5-10 record this season, he should be 10-5 with a little more help.
Be that as it may, finishing this series against the Braves 2-1, or 1-2, doesn't cut it either way. The Mets needed a sweep in order to be thought of as a credible contender. Alas, they are not.
Stranger things have happened in baseball; I cede any reader that. But excuse me if I start changing my tune these days. I'm officially interested in seeing other things from this Met team that may conflict with trying to win the pennant. I beg your pardon.
I'll start with Josh Thole. I want to see him catching every day; - Period! I want Bobby Parnell put into every closing situation realistically possible. And I do not want to see Johan Santana pitch for the Mets this season.
Then I need the following question answered; How the hell is Ike Davis' foot/bone condition absolutely the same after all this time; and how do the Met Doctors explain this one?
I'm waiting!
Do you think David Wright has nightmares about the dimensions of Citi Field? It's almost enough to drive a guy crazy. Or, just out of New York?
Mike.BTB
L.I. DUCKS ~ Dancing to (J.R.) House Music
From the desk of: THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE
LONG ISLAND DUCKS: Sweep Somerset; Win Seventh in a Row. Duck Sluggers Lead League in RBI. Staff Ace Goes Tomorrow Against Lancaster.
Clearly the Somerset Patriots have had their share of struggles this season and it's starting to wear on them a bit. But that should in no way take away from the fact the Long Island Ducks, with their seventh win in a row, are starting to impose their will on the League now.
Friday's drubbing of Somerset completes a three game sweep of the five-time A.L. Champs. They increased their first place lead over Camden; who were in second place before Friday's games; in the second-half standings to two games as the River Sharks lost to Southern Maryland in the home ninth inning. But now Bridgeport has snuck in at 1.5 games behind the Ducks.
Friday night's win also improves Long Island's over-all record to a League best 55-28; and remain as the only team to breech the fifty-win mark.
As part of a seventeen hit barrage, J.R. House set a Long Island record with his fourth Grand Slam of the season. He and John Rodriguez combined to drive in nine of the Ducks' eleven runs against Somerset Friday.
The Ducks got busy right away against Somerset starter, Jim Magrane, who was making his second start for the Patriots this season. With two outs in the first inning, Javier Colina singled and John Rodriguez drove him home with a two-run blast for an early 2-0 Duck lead.
In the third inning, the Ducks added two more. With the bases loaded, Lew Ford singled to score Ray Navarrete from third. Then, Javier Colina scored on a sac-fly by J.R. House.
In the fourth inning, Long Island went boom on the Patriots. With the bases jammed, John Rodriguez drove in two runs with a single. Then Lew Ford walked to load the bases again. That's when J.R. House stepped up and pounded out his fourth Grand Slam of the season. It was his 16th home run of the season and fifth RBI of the night. Dan Lyons singled home Matt Padgett to cap off the inning and gave the Ducks an 11-0 lead.
Veteran pitcher, Shane Youman, was marvelous...again, in his latest effort against Jeff Nettles; Josh Pressley; and the rest of a very good Somerset Patriots' line-up. Over his six innings pitched Friday night, he allowed only three hits and no runs. He walked two batters and struck out six. Shane improved his record to a stellar 7-1 mark, while sporting a microscopic 0.66 ERA in 54.1 innings pitched this season.
Chris McCoy pitched three superb innings in relief of Shane Youman to complete the shut-out for Long Island and the three game sweep of the Patriots.
The Ducks are headed back to Long Island to start a series against the Lancaster Barnstormers on Saturday. Mike Loree is the next scheduled starter for the Ducks.
In a reversal from earlier in the season, Kraig Binick is clearly hitting better batting lower in the line-up as opposed to leading off. Before suffering an injury early in the season, he led-off and flourished with an above .400 average. Upon his return, he regained his stroke batting lower in the line-up. When moved up to the lead-off slot again, his hitting slipped. Coach Baez dropped him again and it seems to be where Binick is doing his best work. Kraig is currently batting .351, which is second in the League. In Friday's game, he went 2 for 5 batting in the eighth slot.
Mike.BTB
LONG ISLAND DUCKS: Sweep Somerset; Win Seventh in a Row. Duck Sluggers Lead League in RBI. Staff Ace Goes Tomorrow Against Lancaster.
Clearly the Somerset Patriots have had their share of struggles this season and it's starting to wear on them a bit. But that should in no way take away from the fact the Long Island Ducks, with their seventh win in a row, are starting to impose their will on the League now.
Friday's drubbing of Somerset completes a three game sweep of the five-time A.L. Champs. They increased their first place lead over Camden; who were in second place before Friday's games; in the second-half standings to two games as the River Sharks lost to Southern Maryland in the home ninth inning. But now Bridgeport has snuck in at 1.5 games behind the Ducks.
Friday night's win also improves Long Island's over-all record to a League best 55-28; and remain as the only team to breech the fifty-win mark.
As part of a seventeen hit barrage, J.R. House set a Long Island record with his fourth Grand Slam of the season. He and John Rodriguez combined to drive in nine of the Ducks' eleven runs against Somerset Friday.
The Ducks got busy right away against Somerset starter, Jim Magrane, who was making his second start for the Patriots this season. With two outs in the first inning, Javier Colina singled and John Rodriguez drove him home with a two-run blast for an early 2-0 Duck lead.
In the third inning, the Ducks added two more. With the bases loaded, Lew Ford singled to score Ray Navarrete from third. Then, Javier Colina scored on a sac-fly by J.R. House.
In the fourth inning, Long Island went boom on the Patriots. With the bases jammed, John Rodriguez drove in two runs with a single. Then Lew Ford walked to load the bases again. That's when J.R. House stepped up and pounded out his fourth Grand Slam of the season. It was his 16th home run of the season and fifth RBI of the night. Dan Lyons singled home Matt Padgett to cap off the inning and gave the Ducks an 11-0 lead.
Veteran pitcher, Shane Youman, was marvelous...again, in his latest effort against Jeff Nettles; Josh Pressley; and the rest of a very good Somerset Patriots' line-up. Over his six innings pitched Friday night, he allowed only three hits and no runs. He walked two batters and struck out six. Shane improved his record to a stellar 7-1 mark, while sporting a microscopic 0.66 ERA in 54.1 innings pitched this season.
Chris McCoy pitched three superb innings in relief of Shane Youman to complete the shut-out for Long Island and the three game sweep of the Patriots.
The Ducks are headed back to Long Island to start a series against the Lancaster Barnstormers on Saturday. Mike Loree is the next scheduled starter for the Ducks.
* * * *
In a reversal from earlier in the season, Kraig Binick is clearly hitting better batting lower in the line-up as opposed to leading off. Before suffering an injury early in the season, he led-off and flourished with an above .400 average. Upon his return, he regained his stroke batting lower in the line-up. When moved up to the lead-off slot again, his hitting slipped. Coach Baez dropped him again and it seems to be where Binick is doing his best work. Kraig is currently batting .351, which is second in the League. In Friday's game, he went 2 for 5 batting in the eighth slot.
* * * *
Tonight's game featured what is now, five of the top seven RBI leaders in the League. Somerset's Jeff Nettles lost his spot as the top dog. After Friday night, he was over-taken by the new League leaders in RBI. J.R. House, with his five RBI night, now has 65 on the season. John Rodriguez; even though he missed a little time with injury this season; now climbs into second place with 64 RBI. Jeff Nettled dropped down to third with 62 RBI. Javier Colina ranks fourth in the circuit with 59 RBI. And Patriots' Josh Pressley ranks sixth with 57 RBI.Mike.BTB
Friday, August 05, 2011
BKN Cyclones ~ Battle of the Boroughs III; Staten Island
From the desk of: THE SURF AVENUE SLUGGERS
BROOKLYN CYCLONES: Aim To Gain Ground On Staten Island and Shorten Yankee Lead.
The third installment of the Battle for the Narrows starts off in Richmond County tonight.
The Yankees have a firm grip on not just the McNamara Division, they are dominating the League. They are the only team in the New York-Penn League playing above .600 baseball. The fact is, they are playing to a .717 winning percentage. Quite simply, the Yankees are running away with the
NY-PL this season. Their 33-13 record is tops by a wide margin. The Auburn Doubledays and the Mahoning Valley Scrappers are next in wins, tied with twenty-eight each.
The Yankees have been slugging their way through the circuit with the League's #1 offense. Their over-all team pitching ranks 4th behind #3 Brooklyn. Brooklyn's offense ranks 6th in the League.
The Yankees have more RBI that Brooklyn; 209 to 194. Auburn is #1 with 241. But the Cyclones have a considerable edge in home runs; 31 to 21 for the Yanks. Lowell leads the League with 39. And it's the Yanks who have the advantage in runs scored over Brooklyn; 236 against 212. Auburn again is the League leader with 262.
In the hill, the Cyclones own a better team ERA than Staten Island does; 3.13 against 3.31. However, both are quite good. Staten Island has kept the opposition to a lower batting average against than Brooklyn has; .244 versus .256 for the Cyclones. Brooklyn sports a better WHIP than Staten Island does; 1.28 to 1.36. The Cyclones have even thrown twice as many shut-outs than Staten Island has; 4 against 2.
But alas, wins are all that really matter in the standings. The second place Brooklyn Cyclones (25-22) trail the Yankees in the McNamara Division by 8.5 games; with thirty-one games left in the regular season; including tonight's series opener.
Hudson Valley is right on the Cyclone's heals nine games back of first. While in the Wild Card standings, the Cyclones have three teams; all from the Pickney Division ahead of them. Mahoning Valley has twenty-eight wins; Jamestown and Williamsport both have twenty-six wins apiece.
It's been a scrappy kind of season for the Cyclones. The components for a successful finish are all in place. It's just been a strange season with hard-luck endings sometimes. I have loads of confidence in these guys as we head down the stretch.
Mike.BTB
Battle of the Boroughs III
BROOKLYN CYCLONES
vs.
Staten Island Yankees
From
The Ballpark at St. George
BROOKLYN CYCLONES: Aim To Gain Ground On Staten Island and Shorten Yankee Lead.
The third installment of the Battle for the Narrows starts off in Richmond County tonight.
The Yankees have a firm grip on not just the McNamara Division, they are dominating the League. They are the only team in the New York-Penn League playing above .600 baseball. The fact is, they are playing to a .717 winning percentage. Quite simply, the Yankees are running away with the
NY-PL this season. Their 33-13 record is tops by a wide margin. The Auburn Doubledays and the Mahoning Valley Scrappers are next in wins, tied with twenty-eight each.
The Yankees have been slugging their way through the circuit with the League's #1 offense. Their over-all team pitching ranks 4th behind #3 Brooklyn. Brooklyn's offense ranks 6th in the League.
The Yankees have more RBI that Brooklyn; 209 to 194. Auburn is #1 with 241. But the Cyclones have a considerable edge in home runs; 31 to 21 for the Yanks. Lowell leads the League with 39. And it's the Yanks who have the advantage in runs scored over Brooklyn; 236 against 212. Auburn again is the League leader with 262.
In the hill, the Cyclones own a better team ERA than Staten Island does; 3.13 against 3.31. However, both are quite good. Staten Island has kept the opposition to a lower batting average against than Brooklyn has; .244 versus .256 for the Cyclones. Brooklyn sports a better WHIP than Staten Island does; 1.28 to 1.36. The Cyclones have even thrown twice as many shut-outs than Staten Island has; 4 against 2.
But alas, wins are all that really matter in the standings. The second place Brooklyn Cyclones (25-22) trail the Yankees in the McNamara Division by 8.5 games; with thirty-one games left in the regular season; including tonight's series opener.
Hudson Valley is right on the Cyclone's heals nine games back of first. While in the Wild Card standings, the Cyclones have three teams; all from the Pickney Division ahead of them. Mahoning Valley has twenty-eight wins; Jamestown and Williamsport both have twenty-six wins apiece.
It's been a scrappy kind of season for the Cyclones. The components for a successful finish are all in place. It's just been a strange season with hard-luck endings sometimes. I have loads of confidence in these guys as we head down the stretch.
Mike.BTB
N.Y. METS ~ Dog Days Poised at the Gates of CITI
From the desk of: HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET
NEW YORK METS: Must Chop Down the Tomahawk Chaps at Home in Order to Remain a Viable Contender.
The Dog Days of Summer are poised at the gates of Citi Field as the Mets' season may literally boil down to these three games against Hot-Lanta. Terry's Kids are going to have to dig down a little deeper than they have before; or thought they could; in order to keep themselves in the Wild Card conversation late into August.
It's probably best the Mets had a day off yesterday. These last two series got ugly. And the last two games against Miami flat out sucked. Thankfully, the scheduling gods were with the Mets and us fans for at least a day. Thursday provided time to lick our collective wounds; heal a little; and get on with things. We'd better, because here come the Braves. The Mets trail the Wild Card leading Atlanta Braves by eight games with Arizona and St. Louis sandwiched in-between.
The Mets recently hoisted themselves up to five games over .500, but with play such as the likes of Wednesday night under-cutting this team, the Mets have dropped back down to .500 again like a piano out of the sky. Continued putrid play against teams like Washington and Miami have crippled this club for years. And the past just repeated itself......again; in spite of Coach Collins.
So here we are, limping back home to Citi Field to start a series against the Tomahawk Chaps. Is this three game set the best chance they have of getting into the Wild Card race? - Most probably...yes. If that be the case, they better start playing better at home right now. Or, they will fail to deliver their owner;
"...Meaningful games in September".
After all, it's all he ever wanted.
Let's Go Mets!
Mike.BTB
NEW YORK METS: Must Chop Down the Tomahawk Chaps at Home in Order to Remain a Viable Contender.
The Dog Days of Summer are poised at the gates of Citi Field as the Mets' season may literally boil down to these three games against Hot-Lanta. Terry's Kids are going to have to dig down a little deeper than they have before; or thought they could; in order to keep themselves in the Wild Card conversation late into August.
It's probably best the Mets had a day off yesterday. These last two series got ugly. And the last two games against Miami flat out sucked. Thankfully, the scheduling gods were with the Mets and us fans for at least a day. Thursday provided time to lick our collective wounds; heal a little; and get on with things. We'd better, because here come the Braves. The Mets trail the Wild Card leading Atlanta Braves by eight games with Arizona and St. Louis sandwiched in-between.
The Mets recently hoisted themselves up to five games over .500, but with play such as the likes of Wednesday night under-cutting this team, the Mets have dropped back down to .500 again like a piano out of the sky. Continued putrid play against teams like Washington and Miami have crippled this club for years. And the past just repeated itself......again; in spite of Coach Collins.
So here we are, limping back home to Citi Field to start a series against the Tomahawk Chaps. Is this three game set the best chance they have of getting into the Wild Card race? - Most probably...yes. If that be the case, they better start playing better at home right now. Or, they will fail to deliver their owner;
"...Meaningful games in September".
After all, it's all he ever wanted.
Let's Go Mets!
IN PURSUIT OF A WILD CARD:
Atlanta Braves
(SP-Tim Hudson)
vs.
NEW YORK METS
(SP-R.A. Dickey)
From Citi Field
Flushing, Queens
Mike.BTB
N.Y. YANKEES ~ Beantown Showdown
From the desk of: BLAME CARLOS MAY
NEW YORK YANKEES vs. BOSTON RED SOX
From FENWAY PARK
The Battle for the American League East starts now!
Both teams are tied for first place; go figure.
BOSTON RED SOX.............68-42 *
NEW YORK YANKEES......68-42 *
new york YANKEES: A matter of trust.
I gotta be honest with you; I don't know how the hell Bartolo Colon and Freddie Garcia have gotten the Bombers this far. I really don't. I've watched. But I don't get it. I don't trust them as far as I can throw them. But I'm not trying to understand either. When the post-season kicks in, I'd be terrified going into a short series with this consortium of hurlers. But then again, I'm not a Yankee fan; am I (?). However, to my dismay, even the Yankees are capable of capturing lightning in a bottle too.
C.C. is a horse. No worries for Bomber fans there. Now that Ivan Nova is back in the fold, he's your number two guy whether you like it or not. Winning his 10th game of the season against the ChiSox Thursday night kinda seals the deal; no? Then you got Phil of the future Hughes; Bartolo Colon; and steady Freddie Garcia. Maybe you guys aren't that bad off after all....? Oh..., that's right....; I forgot A.J.
Bwahahaha!
OK; but seriously. The Yankee staff has options and depth. It's a matter of trust that I'd be struggling with if I was indeed a Yankee fan. More so for the Yankees than the Red Sox, this series will provide three very telling appearances for these starters. It's a very timely test during the Dog Days of Summer.
Can the Yankee starting pitchers make this series more about them, and their ability to contain the BoSox line-up, rather than leaving it up to the Yankee line-up to out-hit Boston's line-up and/or outlasting their starters? Can they dial up shut-down performances on command? That's what I'd be looking for on August 5th because that's what it will take later in the year. Can they be the lead in this series? I'd like to know if they can pitch three shut-down performances over the weekend. Even a hard-luck loser would suffice. But, if nothing else than to gain mounds of confidence, go out and stymie Boston's bats this weekend regardless what the offense provides.
Losing two out of three this series isn't something that should concern either team. But for the Yankees, just as a matter of test, wouldn't you like to see them dominate the Sawx just so you know you can?
Alex Rodriguez: MIAMI VICE Gets His Cover Blown.
I don't care if A-Rod, or if any grown man or woman, plays poker for money. I'm just not interested in something like that, much less jumping all over A-Rod for it. And believe me, you know I don't need much of a reason to besmirch him.
But time and again, the player formerly known as Alex Rodriguez, is the perpetrator of his own device; chasing after his never ending quest for Vice; Miami style. Nothing more; nothing less. He gets himself involved in these situations where there's no victims in a manner of speaking; only satisfying his passions are involved. You know the word for someone like that.
Poker? C'mon. I get why Commissioner Selig would want to police something like that and I'm all for it. But I personally, just can't get on him for poker. I'll wait till he does something stupid again (he's like clockwork), and let him have it then.
Let's Go Red Sox!
Mike.BTB
Tuesday, August 02, 2011
Newark Bears ~ Big Inning Foils Newark.
From the desk of: THE BRICK CITY NINE
NEWARK BEARS: Lose second game to Pittsfield; Drop below .500 again.
Playing first base in place of the recently departed Daryle Ward, Burt Reynolds stepped in with power and helped Newark jump out to a quick 5-0 lead in the first inning with a three run home run.
Then, things went horribly wrong for the Bears two innings later. Starting pitcher, Chris Vasami, was made to endure a third inning onslaught by Pittsfield in which he was tagged for all nine runs the Colonials scored in the frame before Coach Raines pulled him for relief. In his 2.2 inning work, Chris additionally walked eight batters and allowed eight hits while striking out only one.
By the sixth inning, the score was 12-5 Pittsfield. The Bears made a game of it when they scored four times in the eighth inning, closing the deficit to 12-9. But the Colonials finished off the Bears with two more runs in the top of the ninth inning to put the game away by a score of 14-9.
Ryan Walsh hit the Bears second three-run home run of the game in that eighth inning.
The loss drops the Bears below .500 again with a 31-32 record. Thirty-one games remain in the regular season. Tomorrow they will try and salvage game three of this series against Pittsfield.
Mike.BTB
NEWARK BEARS: Lose second game to Pittsfield; Drop below .500 again.
Playing first base in place of the recently departed Daryle Ward, Burt Reynolds stepped in with power and helped Newark jump out to a quick 5-0 lead in the first inning with a three run home run.
Then, things went horribly wrong for the Bears two innings later. Starting pitcher, Chris Vasami, was made to endure a third inning onslaught by Pittsfield in which he was tagged for all nine runs the Colonials scored in the frame before Coach Raines pulled him for relief. In his 2.2 inning work, Chris additionally walked eight batters and allowed eight hits while striking out only one.
By the sixth inning, the score was 12-5 Pittsfield. The Bears made a game of it when they scored four times in the eighth inning, closing the deficit to 12-9. But the Colonials finished off the Bears with two more runs in the top of the ninth inning to put the game away by a score of 14-9.
Ryan Walsh hit the Bears second three-run home run of the game in that eighth inning.
The loss drops the Bears below .500 again with a 31-32 record. Thirty-one games remain in the regular season. Tomorrow they will try and salvage game three of this series against Pittsfield.
Mike.BTB
Newark Bears ~ Line-Up Suffers Major League Blow
From the desk of: THE BRICK CITY NINE
NEWARK BEARS: Daryle Ward's Contract Sold To Arizona Diamondbacks.
The Bears' line-up suffered a major hit yesterday. The contract of first-baseman Daryle Ward was sold to the Arizona Diamondbacks. Prior to the transaction, the Bears slugger appeared in 53 games. In 218 at-bats, he had 68 hits for a .312 batting average. He had 40 runs scored; 16 doubles; 12 home runs and 51 RBI for Newark this season.
This leaves a gaping hole in the middle of the Bears' line-up, who are trying to improve upon their .500 record and qualify for the playoffs with a month left in the regular season. That task seems a little more daunting now. The team's strength was it's ability to outscore teams; as their starting pitching has been the weakest part of their overall game.
Last night, the Bears started a three game series against the Pittsfield Colonials and lost 9-2 in front of the home crowd. Tonight, Chris Vasami pitches for the Bears as they try and even the series and avoid dropping below the .500 level.
Mike.BTB
NEWARK BEARS: Daryle Ward's Contract Sold To Arizona Diamondbacks.
The Bears' line-up suffered a major hit yesterday. The contract of first-baseman Daryle Ward was sold to the Arizona Diamondbacks. Prior to the transaction, the Bears slugger appeared in 53 games. In 218 at-bats, he had 68 hits for a .312 batting average. He had 40 runs scored; 16 doubles; 12 home runs and 51 RBI for Newark this season.
This leaves a gaping hole in the middle of the Bears' line-up, who are trying to improve upon their .500 record and qualify for the playoffs with a month left in the regular season. That task seems a little more daunting now. The team's strength was it's ability to outscore teams; as their starting pitching has been the weakest part of their overall game.
Last night, the Bears started a three game series against the Pittsfield Colonials and lost 9-2 in front of the home crowd. Tonight, Chris Vasami pitches for the Bears as they try and even the series and avoid dropping below the .500 level.
Mike.BTB
Nassau County Drops the Puck, and the Baseball
Nassau County Residents Vote NO!
Strike Down Spending Proposal On New Arena For Islanders and Baseball Field For New Team.
No arena for you. The residents of Nassau County said they're not footing the bill on a new home for the Islanders; nor a new park for Baseball. The County already has a $100 million dollar budget gap and refused to ante-up another $400 million (...and interest payments) for the dual project. Already paying some of the most ridiculous property taxes in the country, the people of Nassau said NO by a nearly 60-40 percent vote in what was reported as a very light turn-out. Rounded off, only 160,000 residents cast a vote Monday.
Charles Wang; owner of the Islanders and Long Island resident; went from willing to pay for the entire Lighthouse Project himself; needing only re-zoning approval from the County; to settling on County Executive Edward Mangano's proposal and referendum, to no deal at all. And while this development doesn't totally close the door on a new arena for the Islanders, it moves the Hockey Club one step closer to leaving the area. Seattle; Kansas City; and Quebec are all clamouring for NHL Hockey teams. And without any real hopes for a new arena, Charles Wang has maintained he'd seriously look into moving the team out of Long Island when his lease at Nassau Coliseum expires after the 2015 season.
Chances still exist to get a deal on a new arena done. However, that involves more local politicizing and State approval. But the sad reality this afternoon remains Hockey on Long Island is staring extinction in the face and the fans on Long Island aren't smiling.
Deciding not to pay for a new home for the Islanders now, either way means loss of revenue for Nassau County. If and when the Islanders move, Nassau County will have a huge hole in their revenues and they'll have to make it up somehow. Closing a future budget gap might require raising taxes or spending on revenue generating projects. No? Heaven forbid Bureaucrats learn how to cut extraneous spending.
Just remember, this was the County's plan to have Charles Wang be their tenant in a new arena. Charles Wang's original plan was to finance everything himself. But the County Board viewed Wang's plan for an entertainment; retail; residential; and hospitality center; as a land grab of some 77 prime acres in the important area they call "The Hub". Nassau County filibustered his original plan on LIGHTHOUSE long enough to render his financing plan impotent and dead.
In my opinion, it's clear the County is more concerned with controlling the land and making sure Charles Wang signs on as their cash cow instead of encouraging business growth and collecting tax revenues the traditional way. In the absence of their own viable plan, they're just interested in getting a very healthy piece of someone Else's pie. Otherwise, the County itself would have entertained bids for responsible development of the area long ago.
This may be loose and slipshod to say, but this is a classic case of Capitalism clashing with Socialistic principles; where local gov't wants to control the strings of business enterprise instead of encouraging business, by being relatively unintrusive and collecting proper taxes the business principles of capitalism generates for it's gov't. Or, you can side with the County and call Wang's plan for the Lighthouse, Entrepreneurship Gone Wild; and screaming for gov't intervention.
What this boiled down to for the residents of Long Island wasn't about the Islanders or a new arena. This was about Nassau County mismanaging their money for a very long time and the residents being sick of it.
Either way, I believe the Nassau County Board has now cornered themselves into a lose-lose situation. The LightHouse is looking pretty good to them today; isn't it?
Talks about the Islanders moving into Brooklyn's Barclays Center will no doubt intensify. Truth is, word out of Brooklyn originally said the arena could not, and would not host NHL Hockey because of the very limited seating capacity a reconfigured ice-arrangement would afford. But that has changed over the last year. Officials out of Barclays Center are indeed hinting the arena can host Hockey games. So the fact is, Hockey in Brooklyn remains as an albeit, conflicting option.
Charles Wang has indicated he will sell the team if necessary. And rumors persist, Mikhail Prokhorov; majority owner of the Nets; could be a possible buyer of the team and move them to Brooklyn himself. But as of today, I don't believe those rumors carry much weight. I think those rumors are more media creations than anything else and I ignore them.
The bottom line here is, yesterday's vote was not a good development for Charles Wang; the New York Islanders; their fans; and the residents of Nassau County.
...A Shame!
Mike.BTB
Monday, August 01, 2011
N.Y. METS ~ Mets Get Fish-Slapped
From the desk of: HEAD BUTTING MR. MET
NEW YORK METS: ...And The Big Shake-Up That Wasn't.
I like Sandy Alderson. I like the Front Office shake-up. In that respect, the Wilpons finally did something I can't criticize by going off campus for a change, and reinvigorating the organization with fresh, new minds.
As far as the Trade Deadline though, I myself had different ideas. But it looks like Sandy Alderson will be taking the more methodical approach in rebuilding the club. The July 31st cutoff point wasn't the fire-works extravaganza I hoped it would be. But that's fine. In Sandy I trust. That in itself is already a small victory for me.
There are always trades to be made in August after passing players through waivers. So, more deals may still yet develop. And the coming off season will probably be one where Sandy Alderson takes a few more liberties with his position than he did last winter after freshly being hired as GM. The way I see things, the Mets trading window opened right away this season when they started adding by subtracting players like Castillo; Perez; etc.
My thing is, once I commit to detonation, I like to blow things up. Disagree with me as much as you like; we're all free-range Met Fans here; but I was looking for total separation from the previous era. Of course I realize a purge doesn't take place with one wave of the hand. But I would have liked to have taken major steps in that direction during this trading period. I'm not hiding from the fact I would have traded Reyes and Wright with the right deal. I have my reasons most of which I have already shared here. I would have tried to move Angel Pagan (one of my favorites); R.A. Dickey; Daniel Murphy; and Izzy as well.
And so, Sandy didn't detonate the team. Francisco Rodriguez and Carlos Beltran were pretty big names to move. However, we were prepared those, and understood the moves.
I wasn't thinking playoffs in Spring Training. I wasn't thinking playoffs in April; May; June; or July either. So I'm not about to start now. I'd rather be wrong, than be a hypocrite by playing ping-pong with my opinions. I predicted the Mets to be a .500 team; nothing more; nothing less. So far, their record speaks for itself. But I think I stand with many when I say these guys are likable.
However, when I sit in the Man-Cave and watch the Washington Nationals and the Florida Marlins beat-us like dirty floor rugs, year in and year out, I look for things to throw at my TV. Then I start looking at some of the constants over that period of time for explanations.
After watching Izzy surrender a grand slam to the Marlins tonight..., I feel my blood pressure rising. Stop.
Mike.BTB
NEW YORK METS: ...And The Big Shake-Up That Wasn't.
I like Sandy Alderson. I like the Front Office shake-up. In that respect, the Wilpons finally did something I can't criticize by going off campus for a change, and reinvigorating the organization with fresh, new minds.
As far as the Trade Deadline though, I myself had different ideas. But it looks like Sandy Alderson will be taking the more methodical approach in rebuilding the club. The July 31st cutoff point wasn't the fire-works extravaganza I hoped it would be. But that's fine. In Sandy I trust. That in itself is already a small victory for me.
There are always trades to be made in August after passing players through waivers. So, more deals may still yet develop. And the coming off season will probably be one where Sandy Alderson takes a few more liberties with his position than he did last winter after freshly being hired as GM. The way I see things, the Mets trading window opened right away this season when they started adding by subtracting players like Castillo; Perez; etc.
My thing is, once I commit to detonation, I like to blow things up. Disagree with me as much as you like; we're all free-range Met Fans here; but I was looking for total separation from the previous era. Of course I realize a purge doesn't take place with one wave of the hand. But I would have liked to have taken major steps in that direction during this trading period. I'm not hiding from the fact I would have traded Reyes and Wright with the right deal. I have my reasons most of which I have already shared here. I would have tried to move Angel Pagan (one of my favorites); R.A. Dickey; Daniel Murphy; and Izzy as well.
And so, Sandy didn't detonate the team. Francisco Rodriguez and Carlos Beltran were pretty big names to move. However, we were prepared those, and understood the moves.
I wasn't thinking playoffs in Spring Training. I wasn't thinking playoffs in April; May; June; or July either. So I'm not about to start now. I'd rather be wrong, than be a hypocrite by playing ping-pong with my opinions. I predicted the Mets to be a .500 team; nothing more; nothing less. So far, their record speaks for itself. But I think I stand with many when I say these guys are likable.
However, when I sit in the Man-Cave and watch the Washington Nationals and the Florida Marlins beat-us like dirty floor rugs, year in and year out, I look for things to throw at my TV. Then I start looking at some of the constants over that period of time for explanations.
After watching Izzy surrender a grand slam to the Marlins tonight..., I feel my blood pressure rising. Stop.
Mike.BTB
Sunday, July 31, 2011
N.Y. ISLANDERS ~ Home Improvement?
The Referendum To Build The Islanders a New Home and Bring Baseball to Nassau County:
At 6:00am - Monday, August 1, 2011 - Residents of Nassau County, Long Island, can begin voting on a referendum to borrow up to $400 million dollars to fund construction of a new arena for the New York Islanders Hockey Club, and a secondary project to build a baseball park for an Atlantic League expansion team.
On the baseball team; it has already been announced the new team will be branded as Long Island. The expanding Atlantic League also has plans to have a team based in Texas and Virginia. Originally slated to start play in 2012, the League announced the teams will not be ready on time, and therefore will still maintain the ROAD WARRIORS for scheduling purposes until the League's expansions plans are satisfied.
Strictly speaking as a sports fan, I hope the voters get it done and vote YES on the project. I would gladly make my way to Nassau County for baseball games. And as a Hockey fan, I would love to see the Islanders get a new home and stay in the area so as to continue the rivalry with the New York Rangers.
But who am I to say how the people of Long Island should spend their own money. Knowing they pay one of the most onerous tax rates in the country, I would empathize should they decline to not fund the project. But I would say very simply, it would be a shame if the Islanders were faced with no other options but to move from Long Island.
We'll see how the vote goes and take it from there.
Mike.BTB
At 6:00am - Monday, August 1, 2011 - Residents of Nassau County, Long Island, can begin voting on a referendum to borrow up to $400 million dollars to fund construction of a new arena for the New York Islanders Hockey Club, and a secondary project to build a baseball park for an Atlantic League expansion team.
On the baseball team; it has already been announced the new team will be branded as Long Island. The expanding Atlantic League also has plans to have a team based in Texas and Virginia. Originally slated to start play in 2012, the League announced the teams will not be ready on time, and therefore will still maintain the ROAD WARRIORS for scheduling purposes until the League's expansions plans are satisfied.
Strictly speaking as a sports fan, I hope the voters get it done and vote YES on the project. I would gladly make my way to Nassau County for baseball games. And as a Hockey fan, I would love to see the Islanders get a new home and stay in the area so as to continue the rivalry with the New York Rangers.
But who am I to say how the people of Long Island should spend their own money. Knowing they pay one of the most onerous tax rates in the country, I would empathize should they decline to not fund the project. But I would say very simply, it would be a shame if the Islanders were faced with no other options but to move from Long Island.
We'll see how the vote goes and take it from there.
Mike.BTB
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