New York Mets: R.A. Dickey Becomes 7th Met Hurler To Win Eighteen

From the desk of:   HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

 

 

NEW YORK METS:

R.A. Dickey Becomes Only Seventh Met Pitcher

To Reach Eighteen Wins.

 

Tom Seaver - 6x

Doc Gooden - 3x

Jerry Koosman - 2x

Bob Ojeda - 1x

David Cone - 1x

Frank Viola - 1x

R.A. Dickey pitched well enough Wednesday afternoon in St. Louis to win his eighteenth game.  He now owns a stellar 18-4 record and is the first hurler in Baseball this season to reach such heights.  Dickey also ranks first in the National League with five complete games.  He then ranks second in WHiP, innings pitched, strikeouts, and earned run average.


Prior to Wednesday's game, a Met pitcher won eighteen games or better thirteen times in club history.  R.A. Dickey is now the fourteenth.  Robert matches Bob Ojeda's 18-5 record in 1986, and Tom Seaver's 18-12 mark in the 1970 season.  Tom Seaver led the league in ERA that year, and posted a 1.07 WHiP.  He struck out 283 batters in 292.2 innings pitched.  Bob Ojeda posted a nifty 2.57 ERA and a 1.09 WHiP.  In 217.1 innings pitched he came in at 148 strikeouts.  R.A. Dickey will fall somewhere in between.  He currently has 195 K's on the season.  At the moment, R.A. Dickey's ERA sits at a 2.64 mark, and falling.  Amazingly, at least for a knuckle ball pitcher, R.A. has issued a mere forty-five walks all season.  With respect to winning percentage, R.A. Dickey has them both beat with an .810 win rate.  Only Ojeda is close with a .783 mark.


R.A. Dickey is now coming down the home stretch on one of the Mets all time pitching seasons.  He may be able to fit in five more starts this season.  Tom Seaver's all time mark of twenty-five wins looks safe.  So does Doc Gooden's twenty-four win season.  Next on the list however are three nineteen win seasons authored by Doc, Jerry Koosman, and Tom Seaver.




Mike.BTB

Brooklyn Nets: 30 Pictures In 30 Days; Barclays Minus 24 Days

From the desk of:   THE HOOPS OF FLATBUSH

 

BROOKLYN NETS

 

 

 

BARCLAYS CENTER:

 

T-Minus Twenty-Four Days

 

"Unnamed"

 

 

 

 

SERIES: THIRTY PICTURES IN THIRTY DAYS

 

#30 - Thirty More Days Till Jay-Z Blows The Doors Wide Open

#29 - Barclays Center; T-Minus Twenty-Nine Days

#28 - Barclays Center - Crossbeams and Concrete

#27 - Barclays Center - They Came Out In The Tens And Tens

#26 - Barclays Center - Thank You For You Labor

#25 - Sidewalk Closed - Use Other Side

 

 

 

 

Nice view, isn't it....

 

 

 

APRIL 30, 2012

 

On this day, the New Jersey Nets ceased to be.  The organization officially became the Brooklyn Nets.

 

 

 

 

 

Mike.BTB 

Brooklyn Cyclones: Muckdogs Lose To Jammers; Coney Island Nine Clinch Wild Card

From the desk of:   THE SURF AVENUE SLUGGERS

 

BROOKLYN CYCLONES:

Batavia Bows To Jamestown;

Brooklyn Clinches WILD CARD!

The Cyclones benefited from few breaks down the stretch.  But early Wednesday afternoon, the Cyclones enjoyed their biggest.

After getting rained out Tuesday evening, the Batavia Muckdogs still found themselves in the same boat, as Brooklyn got abused by Lowell in Coney Island.  The Cyclones magic number to clinch the Wild Card remained at one.  Today, in a season ending, make-up game double header, Batavia could ill afford to lose either game or risk elimination from the Wild Card.  A win by Brooklyn Wednesday evening would have garnered the same effect.

When Brooklyn steps on the field tonight at Steeplechase Grounds, they will do so as the 2012 Wild Card champs.  The Jamestown Jammers threw a 1-0 combined shutout over the Batavia Muckdogs today in game one.  All the Muckdogs could muster against Jamestown starting pitcher, Drew Steckenrider, were two hits in four innings, and one more hit against the Jammers bullpen.

Batavia put forth an amazing playoff push, at one point winning nine consecutive games over the last two weeks.  They climbed up from being more than seven games behind in the Wild Card standings, to make the last day of the season matter.




Mike.BTB

New York Giants: In Defense Of A Championship; Game One

From the desk of:   DO IT FOR THE DUKE

 

 

 

2012

New York Giants Season Opener

 

 

Dallas Cowboys

vs.

NEW YORK GIANTS

FROM

GIANTS STADIUM !

 

 

Opening Pick ~ Tuesday Line:

New York Giants -4

NEW YORK GIANTS FOOTBALL:

Hey Jerry, We Got Your Glory Hole Right Here!

 

 

I can think of no better way to start the 2012 regular season than by playing the team we beat last season to qualify for the playoffs; the Dallas Cowboys.  In the 2011 regular season finale, Jason Pierre Paul's giant hand batted down Dallas' last attempt at defeating the Giants, and in turn, ended the Cowboys season instead.
 

 

The rest, as we New Yorkers say while reveling under a Broadway confetti shower, is history.  Jerry Jones might know something about that, as the three Super Bowls Dallas won back in the 90's are all ancient history.  His present reality is the same as the rest of the NFL's.  The New York Giants are defending champions.  And it is high time Jerry Jones got reminded of that.  So put that in your glory hole Jerry!
 

 

Why in the State of Texas would he say his team was going to kick Big Blue's ass the next time they met?  What is he.., ignorant?  Doesn't he know by now, Tony Romo will take his team nowhere?  And that serving as General Manager as well as being owner is a colossal mistake?  But there in lies his problem.  Jerry is his own boss.  So why would he question himself?


If you remember, the Cowboys talked a lot of junk last season also.  Prior to their first game together, the Cowboys called Brandon Jacobs a bully.  Jacobs went on to rush for 100 yards against them.  So no, with regards to the days leading up to Opening Night, I guess they haven't learned their lesson yet.
 

 

As a matter of fact, I said everything I ever wanted to say about this rivalry last season.


New tight end Martellus Bennett will make his debut as a Giants, as well as a starter.  He is free from Jason Witten's shadow in Dallas.  Tonight, he gets to play for a Super Bowl Champion against his former team.

Let's Go Giants!

 

Eli Manning Is Now Beyond The Coach

On Kevin Gilbride, And An Offensive Line Preview

Running Game Taking On New Persona

Wide Receivers: Life After Plaxico

 

Big Blue D - FENCE Preview

Mike.BTB

N.Y. Giants: Big Blue "D - FENCE" Preview

From the desk of:   DO IT FOR THE DUKE

 

Justin Tuck Salutes The Crowd

 

 

2012 OFFENSIVE PREVIEW:

Eli Manning Is Now Beyond The Coach

On Kevin Gilbride, And An Offensive Line Preview

Running Game Taking On New Persona

Wide Recievers: Life After Plaxico

 

 

NEW YORK GIANTS FOOTBALL:  Coach Perry Fewell Has A Greater Challenge On His Hands This Season.  And Of Course, The Defense Must Stay Healthy.

We pick up where we left off.  The Secondary is in trouble.  Coach Perry Fewell will have to be just a tad bit more creative this season than last.  From bad to worse, Prince Amukamara has a high ankle sprain.  Aaron Ross left town taking some very valuable experience and leadership with him.  And Terrell Thomas is out for the season...again.


Last season, Perry Fewell switched the Secondary off, then back on again.  If it seemed the Giants were routinely giving up thirty-plus points through the air, that because they were.  Then word leaked out through the Air Defense Corp themselves that Coach's newly implemented zone schemes confused the hell out of them.  When Coach scrubbed his idea and went back to more conventional methods, Corey Webster and Aaron Ross played shutdown football the rest of the way.  Those two had a great run together.  But that is now officially the past.


While Prince Amukamara heals, the Giants have a choice.  Do they go with an experienced Michael Coe?  Or was rookie Jeyron Hosely's pre-season good enough to warrant a few games at corner?  There is always Justin Tyron.  But if pressed to pick someone, I'd kindly ask Michael Coe to please stand up.


Expect teams to pick on the corners right away.  That means others need to pick up the slack.  Antrel Rolle never really found favor with me before.  But I admit now, he proved me wrong.  With the Secondary in its current state, Antrel Rolle is now invaluable.  He not only played hurt last season, he  demanded his team mates put their injuries aside, and get their posteriors on the field as well.  That turned out to be a bigger moment in the season than we initially thought.  Something about that clicked in Justin Tuck's head too, and away the Giants went.  Additionally, Antrel stepped in, and covered the slot receivers of the league, while never feeling comfortable doing it.  If Antrel's partner, Kenny Phillips, is going to be All Pro like some once projected him to be, this would be the season to step up and get it done.  He is a fifth year player now.  So with that, come higher expectations for him.


On the next defensive front, if the Giants linebackers stay healthier than last season; namely Michael Boley; the Giants should hold up much better during the meat portion of their schedule.  Those are the games Boley missed last season; see the 49ers game.  Right out of the box, Jonathan Goff and Clint Sintim both went belly up and never contributed.


This year, I have high hopes however, for second year Jacquian Williams.  I liked him a lot last season.  With Michael Boley on the field mentoring him, he played very well for a rookie.  And where the hell would the Giants have been without Chase Blackburn last season?  But having him, also shows the G-Men are a little thin at this position.  All the same, it's nice to see him back.  Greg Jones and Spencer Paysinger, like J-Will, are second year players, but in my opinion, have a little more to prove.  I believe Keith Rivers will surprise a lot of Giants fans, and quickly move up the depth charts if he can adapt to playing left, middle, as well as right.  I think there is still an ongoing tryout for middle linebacker.  It will take much on Rivers part to convince Coach Coughlin to start him over Blackburn.  I wouldn't rule it out though..., just not to begin the season.


Somewhere between being a linebacker and a defensive lineman is the Hybrid; Mathias Kiwanuka.  The guy is a freak isn't he?  And he finally seems to have injuries under control.  I want you to say this out loud - Matthias Kiwanuka - JPP - Osi Umenyiora - Justin Tuck.  They are like the Four Blue Men of the Apocalypse.  Chilling..., isn't it?


If anyone is going to help make the Secondary better, it's going to be these guys.  Where would the Giants have been had Jason Pierre Paul not carried the defense on his back for a significant portion of the regular season?  Your answer is - with the Jets.  He kept things going while Osi and Tucks ailed and required time to heal.  The Jets game and Dallas game wouldn't have even mattered if not for JPP.  It is only appropriate then, JPP blocked Dallas' last ditch field goal attempt in last year's regular season finale.  It goes without saying, as Osi and Tuck go, so go the Giants.  When they are hurt, the Giants suffer greatly.  Lastly, please, please - I can't allow myself to get excited about rookie Adewale Ojomo yet.


But while I'm at it, defensive tackle has suffered ever since Barry Cofield left.  Chris Canty going down is a big blow.  Linval Joseph is a three year guy now.  And for the moment, left tackle is his to keep or lose.  I'm not sure about him.  Just as I believe teams will pick on our corners, I also believe teams will try to run right up the middle on us.  Teams figured that out about the Giants too late last season.  Once Michael Boley returned healthy to plug the gaps, that notion kind of went away.  After a decade-plus of service, Rocky Bernard is also being depended upon to plug the tackle spot.  I do not like the Giants depth at tackle at all.  Although Marvin Austin can change my mind.


Let's wrap this up with Coach Perry Fewell.  Did he prove anything last season?  Do you like him now?  Are we collectively over Steve Spagnuolo now?  I'll say this about Perry Fewell regarding last season.  He contended with a lot of injuries to his unit, and proved himself to be very adaptable.  He was deceptive in his packages, but clearly not as devious as Spags was.  But Perry is his own man, and overall he ran a tight ship.  Bottom line, Perry was deceptive enough to win a Super Bowl.  But he had veteran leadership from Tuck, Osi, Webster, and Aaron Ross to help get it done.  Coach Fewell will have a greater challenge on his hands this season.





Mike.BTB

Brooklyn Nets: 30 Pictures In 30 Days - Barclays Minus 25 Days

From the desk of:   THE HOOPS OF FLATBUSH

 

BROOKLYN NETS

 

 

 

 

BARCLAYS CENTER:

 

T-Minus Twenty-Five Days

"Sidewalk Closed. Use Other Side"

 

 

 

 

SERIES: THIRTY PICTURES IN THIRTY DAYS

#30 - Thirty More Days Till Jay-Z Blows The Doors Wide Open

#29 - Barclays Center; T-Minus Twenty-Nine Days

#28 - Barclays Center - Crossbeams and Concrete

#27 - Barclays Center - They Came Out In The Tens And Tens

#26 - Barclays Center - Thank You For You Labor

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ONE YEAR AGO - SEPTEMBER 2011

 

 

 

As high as Barclays Center rises above Flatbush Avenue today, all construction ultimately starts down below street level - or in this case, sidewalk level.  One year ago in September, the sidewalk along Flatbush Avenue lay exposed.  Pictured above is what's involved in getting you to the arena, and making sure all the lights work, and everything else we will eventually take for granted once they close the sidewalk back up and finish off the pavement.  Part gas, electric and telecom, and part subway station transformation - even with the use of that CAT, I'm sure I'm only scratching the surface regarding work done here.  When completed, this will all be beneath our feet.  Directly above a lattice work of re-bar waiting to be encased in concrete, pedestrians will eventually walk the streets of Flatbush again.

 

 

 

 

Mike.BTB

Brooklyn Cyclones: Defeat Spinners; Take Lead In Wild Card Race

From the desk of:   THE SURF AVENUE SLUGGERS

 

WILD CARD STANDINGS:

Brooklyn.....45-29         *

Batavia.......44-30; 1 GB

BROOKLYN CYCLONES:

Back In Front With Two Games Left In Regular Season.  Seaside Sluggers Magic Number = Two.

Batavia finally lost for the first time in ten games.  Potentially, the Cyclones finally got the break they have been looking for.  In early Labor Day action, the Muckdogs lost to the Auburn Doubledays by a 5-3 score.  As a result, Auburn retakes a one game lead in the Pickney Division over Batavia.  That left the 'Dogs waiting around for the late game final out of Brooklyn.


Would the Cyclones take advantage of Monday's early development?  Under the threat of rain, the game in Coney Island started on time.  On the mound, Luis Cessa started for Brooklyn against Lowell's Francellis Montas.


Cyclones fans were hoping the first inning was not an omen of things to come.  Francellis Montas struck out the side, with all three batters swinging at strike three.  Back to back singles to lead off the second inning however, quickly calmed those fears.  The Brooks couldn't take advantage though.  Both base runners were stranded.


Each team scored in the fourth inning.  An RBI single by Jake Davies put Lowell on the board.  In the bottom half of the inning, Francellis Montas was pulled from the game after surrendering a single to Kevin Plawecki, and issuing a walk to Nelfi Zapata.  With two outs, the Spinners called on Francisco Tavares for relief.  A single by Juan Carlos Gamboa scored Plawecki from third to tie the game at one.


Brooklyn took a 2-1 lead in the fifth.  Kevin Plawecki's third hit of the game knocked in Dimas Ponce with the go ahead run.


Through eight innings, the Cyclones accumulated ten hits against Lowell pitching.  However, they only had the two runs to show for it.  That was okay, because Brooklyn's hurler, Luis Cessa, was still cruising late in the game.  He retired the side in order in the first, third, fifth, seventh, and eighth innings.  He allowed four scattered hits, and surrendered the one run back in the fourth.  Luis issued one walk and struck out one to that point


In the bottom of the eighth, Brooklyn increased their lead.  They loaded the bases with one out.  Brandon Nimmo's grounder forced the lead runner at home for out number two.  Lowell's Francisco Tavares, who was in his fourth inning of relief, then walked Dimas Ponce to force in Brooklyn's third run.  Phillip Evans followed, and delivered another insurance run with a single.


As he pitched so efficiently throughout the game, Coach Donnelly sent Luis Cessa out for the ninth inning.  The first batter he faced doubled.  After striking out his second batter of the game, and a 5-3 put out, a single set up a first and third situation.  That's when Coach Donnelly ascended from the dugout to go remove his starting pitcher.  In relief, Tyler Vanderheiden secured the last out of the game to preserve Brooklyn's 4-1 victory.


Vanderheiden earned his twelfth save of the season.  After a brilliant performance, Luis Cessa improved his won/loss record to 5-4, and lowered his ERA to a 2.49 mark.  The heart of Brooklyn's line-up; Phillip Evans, Jayce Boyd, and Kevin Plawecki; combined on nine hits in fourteen at-bats.


The Brooklyn Cyclones lead the Wild Card race again by one full game.  Two more remain on the schedule.  Their magic number is two.  Should Brooklyn defeat Lowell Tuesday evening, coupled with another Muckdogs loss, the Cyclones would clinch the Wild Card.  Otherwise, this race may very well get decided on the last day of the regular season.




Mike.BTB

New York Giants: Wide Receivers - Life After Plaxico

From the desk of:   DO IT FOR THE DUKE

 

N.Y. GIANTS OFFENSE

Eli Manning Is Now Beyond The Coach

On Kevin Gilbride, And An Offensive Line Preview

Running Game Taking On New Persona

NEW YORK GIANTS FOOTBALL:  Jerry Reese And Eli Manning Resuscitated The Position Of Wide Receiver After Plaxico's Gun Shot It.


The Giants signed Martellus Bennett right from under Jerry Jones' nose, and the tight end couldn't be happier about it.  Quite frankly, neither can I.  At present, it appears as if Dallas' All Pro tight end Jason Witten might be out for the season, or miss significant time anyway.  Too bad the Giants are now in possession of the Cowboys' next best thing.  Sweet!  Lets just hope he can stay healthier than the last few tight ends. Otherwise, I can't wait to see Martellus Bennett in action.  If Eli likes him, that's good enough for me.


Bear Pascoe is back for another season.  And I say good.  He is a gamer who has a good nose for football.  More importantly, in my opinion he is a capable blocker on the line.  I have no idea if Martellus Bennett will be a good two-way tight end.  His blocking ability is still yet to be revealed.


Why start with the tight ends?  As receivers go, tight end has been the most pressing position; not wide receiver.  The day Plaxico Burress busted a cap in his own leg, was the day Jerry Reese set out to never get shot again; not by a receiver anyway.  The after affects of that bullet bled into the 2009 season.  No pun intended.  But if there is one thing Jerry Reese has provided the Giants since then, it is depth at receiver.  I rarely hear him receive his due credit though.


At the time of the shooting, Eli was younger, and Plaxico was a player the Giants were dependent on.  Jerry Reese and Eli Manning changed all that.  Eli is older now, and his own man.  It took roughly a whole season for the Giants to fully really recover from Plaxico's wound.  Jerry Reese has since  supplied Eli with a steady flow of receivers since 2009, on.  With Plaxico gone, the position has also become more interchangeable as well.  Between 2009 and 2011, Giants fans moved on from dreading everything regarding wide receiver, to having confidence in anyone the G-Men threw out there.


Sinorice Moss and Steve Smith came in and out of the picture.  Fans were still lamenting Dominick Hixon's career.  Hakeem Nicks was a known commodity coming out of college.  But who the hell saw Victor Cruz coming?  In the widely touted era of quarterbacks, Jerry Reese does not get enough credit for keeping the position going after Plax.


Add Mario Manningham's name to the list of former Giants.  Eli trusted him.  Mario Manningham left for San Francisco and took a large degree of Giants depth with him.  That's where Domenick Hixon re-enters the picture.  This is also the season Ramses Barden needs to step up as well.  And whether Jerrel Jernigan impresses anybody remains to be seen.


As far as the two returning starters, A) - what the hell was Hakeem Nicks doing on the field recently against the Patriots?  And B) - will Victor Cruz suffer through the sophomore blues?  Remember how he started out as an all or nothing receiver?  He was either a heart attack or a touchdown waiting to happen.  He then learned how to control the ball and left defenders in his wake.  The big question is, can he do it again?


I have no concerns about a healthy Hakeem Nicks.  So I guess everything depends on how he comes back.






Mike.BTB

Brooklyn Nets: 30 Pictures In 30 Days - Barclays Minus 26 Days

From the desk of:   THE HOOPS OF FLATBUSH

 

BROOKLYN NETS

 

 

 

BARCLAYS CENTER:

 

T-Minus Twenty-Six Days

"Thank You For Your Labor"

 

 

 

SERIES: THIRTY PICTURES IN THIRTY DAYS

 

#30 - Thirty More Days Till Jay-Z Blows The Doors Wide Open

#29 - Barclays Center; T-Minus Twenty-Nine Days

#28 - Barclays Center - Crossbeams and Concrete

#27 - Barclays Center - They Came Out In The Tens And Tens

 

LABOR DAY 2012

 

 

To all those involved in the construction of Barclays Center - Thank You for all the work you've put in so far.  Enjoy a well deserved day off and Happy Holiday to you and yours.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mike.BTB

Newark Bears: 2012 Regular Season Finale

From the desk of:   THE BRICK CITY NINE

NEWARK BEARS:

The 2012 Regular Season Draws To A Close This Afternoon.  What Happens Next Is Any Body's Guess.

Autumn is almost upon us, and the Bears are still looking a little thin around the ribs.  Labor Day signals the end to yet another summer of scarcity in Newark.  Beyond the Fall, a hard, cold winter awaits.  And hibernating on a half filled tummy is not the ideal situation.


You know the old adage - Baseball mirrors Life, and Life mirrors Baseball.  There are hard cold realities in both.  Where real life is concerned, there are only two types of Bears on the planet that matter - the living, and the dead.  With regards to the realities of baseball business, that means being operational, or defunct.  In either case, it is one thing to live, and something wholly other to survive.


To live is to play, and forage on opposing pitchers.  The dead quietly and too often anonymously just fade from memory.  With any luck, someone might recall them in a school book or something as a long lost species who similarly bit the dust like 99% of all life on the planet before them.  That's being rough.  I know.  But such is the life of the resilient urban Brick City Bear.


Around this time last year, by their own word the owners were hopeful of turning a profit this season.  I wonder how that went for them.  Upon completion of their second season in full control, and considering the state in which their former partner/owner allegedly left the team, it's still not right to dump a fan's perspective regarding years of negligence on their laps.  There's been too much negative news emanating out of Bear and Eagles Riverfront Stadium over the last three years (plus) already.  On the outside, it is hard to tell how much, if any, progress the club made this season.  I just hope the new couple in charge made at least some strides, however large or small, towards turning the club's fortunes and image around.


I'll say this much for those in attendance against the Worcester Tornadoes.  The six-hundred or so cubs per game they've gotten over the last two days, are probably the same six-hundred die hard fans who've been there since Opening Day.  Chalk one up for consistency.  To you, that hardcore group of fans - nice job!  I sincerely hope to see you again next season.  For now however, another season is done.  Monday, September 3rd, the 2012 CanAm season comes to a close.


On Labor Day, the Newark Bears will play their one hundredth, and last game of the regular season.  Do not underestimate the significance of that last line.  Quite obviously, teams that can not financially afford to complete their schedules negatively impact the entire league.  In a five team circuit already downsized from years past, compromising the integrity of the schedule, and the  possible domino effect is very troublesome to other organizations of the CanAm League.  In the past, this league has been unfairly tagged as a circuit where teams go to die.  The Nashua Pride and Atlantic City Surf are two of the more commonly known teams which have gone extinct.  The Newark Bears are A) - eerily, and B) - perilously, walking in the same base paths their former Atlantic League brethren once did.


Relative to today's CanAm dilemma, the long struggling Pittsfield Colonials prematurely ended operations last season.  And lest we forget, the Brockton Rox did not participate this season.  Although, they claim they will be back.


The situation involving the Worcester Tornadoes just took everything a step further; and I do mean a drastic step further.  It was only a short time ago this summer when everything from the players equipment to the club's office furniture was in threat of being trucked-off into the night if someone didn't satisfy a court order, and immediately pay some grossly overdue bills before the umpire called Play Ball!  I do not believe the Bears' situation is as dire.  So here's to waking up next Spring in relatively good shape.


After today's game, join me for one last game recap.

Mike.BTB

Brooklyn Nets: 30 Pictures In 30 Days; Barclays Minus 27 Days

From the desk of:   THE HOOPS OF FLATBUSH

 

BROOKLYN NETS

 

 

 

 

BARCLAYS CENTER:

 

T-Minus Twenty Seven Days

"Protesters Came Out in the Tens and Tens.."

 

 

SERIES:  Thirty Pictures In Thirty Days

 

#30 - Thirty More Days Till Jay-Z Blows The Doors Wide Open

#29 - Barclays Center; T-Minus Twenty-Nine Days

#28 - Barclays Center - Crossbeams and Concrete

 

Groundbreaking Day ~ March 11, 2010

 

 

After years of delays and legal wrangling, Groundbreaking Day finally arrived.  Six years after Bruce Ratner announced his intention to move the New Jersey Nets to Brooklyn, the developer finally got to bask in his long awaited moment of inglorious satisfaction.  But to watch Bruce Ratner speak from the dais was to watch him savoring his finest day.  Even he admitted, for a time the project seemed doomed.  Interestingly, the major groups in opposition to Atlantic Yards expected to attend Groundbreaking Day ceremonies showed up numbering in the tens and tens of people.  That's right - the displeased and protesters alike never showed up to voice their discontent; not en mass anyway.  Pictured above is a rather small and harmless gathering of curious pedestrians and other intrigued passers-by along Sixth Avenue.  Back on Atlantic Avenue, the barricaded sidewalk closest to the tent where ceremonies were to be held was void of any clearly defined or coherent opposition to the project as well.  Meanwhile, inside the white tent pictured below, Bruce Ratner, Jay-Z, Borough President Marty Markowitz, New York City's Mayor and the Governor were all on hand to officially kick off construction on Barclays Center.

 

 

 

 

 

 

And now, a message from the other side.  Enjoy.

No Land Grab

 

 

 

Mike.BTB

Brooklyn Cyclones: Yanks Invade Coney For Last Battle Between the Boroughs

From the desk of:   THE SURF AVENUE SLUGGERS

BATTLE OF THE BOROUGHS - IV

 

The Final Showdown

 

 

CYCLONES LEAD SERIES 2-0

I - BK 5; S.I. 1

II - BK 3; S.I. 2

III - Sunday

 

Cyclones Lead Season Series 8-5

 

 

 

 

BROOKLYN CYCLONES:  No Division Title For You.

 

CYCLONES AND MUCKDOGS FANS GUARANTEED A WILD FINISH

 

 

Facing a must win situation with only four games left in the regular season, the Seaside Sluggers defeated the Yankees 3-2 Saturday evening, thus maintaining their precarious one game Wild Card lead over the hard charging Batavia Muckdogs.  For Brooklyn, the Wild Card is the only race left.  Despite winning Saturday night, the Hudson Valley Renegades also won; defeating the Aberdeen Iron Birds; to finally outpace the Cyclones and clinch the 2012 McNamara Division pennant.

On a slightly different front, Brooklyn also gained victory Saturday night in the Battle of the Borough's last engagement on Richmond County soil.  The season's final contest between the Cyclones and Staten Island Yankees will be played today, Sunday afternoon, in Coney Island.  The greater city face-off however, is already won.  To the Cyclones, go the spoils.  In thirteen games played to date, the Brooks own an 8-5 record over their outer Borough rivals.


In the Ballpark at St. George, a crowd just shy of 5,000 watched their Bombers get shutout over eight innings.  Cyclones starter, Julian Hilario, completed 6.1 innings of stellar work.  He allowed four scattered hits and only issued one walk.  He struck out seven batters before handing the ball off to reliever Beck Wheeler with one out in the seventh inning.  Wheeler secured the last two outs without harm.  Replacing Beck Wheeler, Matthew Koch kept Staten Island scoreless in the eighth inning.


Brooklyn scored single runs in the third, sixth and seventh innings.  Brandon Nimmo crushed his sixth home run of the season; a solo shot; in the third.  With the bases loaded in the sixth, Kevin Plawecki scored from third base on a wild pitch.  Malkis De La Cruz led off the seventh inning with a double, and scored on Phillip Evans' RBI single, giving the Cyclones their 3-0 lead.


Into the ninth they went.  Matt Koch returned to the hill and immediately surrendered lead-off back to back doubles.  Confusion on the base paths kept runners at second and third however.  But that mattered not.  Matt Koch was pulled in favor of closer Tyler Vanderheiden.  The first batter Tyler faced, Daniel Lopez, singled to drive both base runners home, and get the Yankees within a run.  Vanderheiden then surrendered a second consecutive single.  Then out came Coach Donnelly; there went Tyler Vanderheiden; and in came John Mincone to put out the fire.  With the tying run at third base, Mincone struck out his first batter, and induced a pop-up from the last Yankees batter of the game.


John Mincone chalked up his sixth save of the season.  Starter Julian Hilario improved his won/loss record to a 4-4 mark.  Overall, Brooklyn pitching limited Staten Island to two hits in twelve at bats with runners in scoring position.  For the game, nine Staten Island hits equalled Brooklyn.


Including today, Brooklyn will have the benefit of playing their final four regular season games on  Steeplechase grounds.  After today's series finale against the Yankees, the Boardwalk Bums will end the season versus the Lowell Spinners.  Batavia will stay home to host the Auburn Doubledays for two games, then end the season with a pair of home and home contests versus the Jamestown Jammers.


To reiterate, Brooklyn has a one game lead over the Batavia Muckdogs in the Wild Card race, with only four games remaining in the regular season.  The race for the McNamara Division title is over.  Hudson Valley clinched.

Let's Go Cyclones!

** Yankees Graffiti; The Smart Crew - Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Mike.BTB

Brooklyn Cyclones: Wild Card Or Bust

From the desk of:   THE SURF AVENUE SLUGERS

BROOKLYN CYCLONES:  After Talking Over First Place From Brooks In July, Hudson Valley Never Looked Back.  Renegades Clinch 2012 McNamara Division Flag.

 

BROOKLYN CYCLONES FORCED TO PROTECT ONE GAME WILD CARD LEAD

OVER BATAVIA MUCKDOGS

The margin of difference in Saturday's standings stayed as they ended Friday.  Brooklyn still trails Hudson Valley by five games.  The race for the division flag however, is over.  The Cyclones will not be division champs this season.  With four games left in the regular season, the math says not this time.  Despite the Brooks defeating their rival Staten Island Yankees Saturday evening, the Hudson Valley Renegades shutout the Iron Birds 2-0 in Aberdeen to clinch the 2012 McNamara Division title.


Brooklyn relinquished first place just prior to embarking on their great western road trip through Batavia and Mahoning Valley.  That last home stand concluded July 24th with a second consecutive loss to Aberdeen.  At the same time Hudson Valley was taking two from the Yankees.  The Renegades were in the midst of a seven game winning streak at the time, and slipped into the division lead.  Their play has not wained since.  After late July, the Cyclones never tasted first place again.  They got close.  Down the stretch however, Hudson Valley proved more consistent than did Brooklyn.  Hudson Valley at one point was 9-1 over a ten game stretch while Brooklyn was playing 5-5 baseball.


The division crown seemed lost a week ago.  Brooklyn was seven games out at the time. Then Staten Island intervened with a pair of wins over Hudson Valley.  Thanks to the Yanks, Brooklyn gained two games on the leaders and were newly afforded one last opportunity to make up five games with eight  left on the schedule.  With success unlikely, that quest finally ended Saturday night.


With a 44-28 record, and .611 winning percentage, the Cyclones must now invest all their efforts  toward protecting a precarious one game Wild Card lead over the Batavia Muckdogs.  This is a race the Cyclones once lead by seven games over the State College Spikes, before the Muckdogs bum rushed the competition.  The 'Dogs are now winners of eight consecutive games, and show no signs of letting up.  During their latest game in Williamsport, the Muckdogs and Crosscutters engaged in a thump fest won by the 'Dogs in a 12-11 final.


Brooklyn has one game left against Staten Island Sunday, before ending the season with a three game series against the Lowell Spinners.  Batavia will start a two game series against the Auburn Doubledays Sunday, and end the season with a two game series against the Jamestown Jammers.





Mike.BTB

Brooklyn Nets: 30 Pictures In 30 Days - Barclays Minus 28 Days

From the desk of:   THE HOOPS OF FLATBUSH

 

BROOKLYN NETS

 

BARCLAYS CENTER:

 

T-Minus Twenty-Eight

 

 

SERIES: THIRTY PICTURES IN THIRTY DAYS
"Crossbeams and Concrete"

 

#30 - Thirty More Days Till Jay-Z Blows The Doors Wide Open

#29 - Barclays Center; T-Minus Twenty-Nine Days

 

 

 

 

FEBRUARY - 2011

 

 

 

Mother Nature cooperated considerably over the Winter, as little to no snow kept work on Barclays moving at a spirited pace.  Pictured here, construction on Barclays Center was a month shy of its first anniversary.  Rising high above Atlantic Avenue, giant support columns erected in 2010 rose from the arena's foundation like California Redwoods.  The view from street level changed over the winter.  Construction went horizontal.  Connecting to the massive support columns, crossbeams began forming structure indicating the multiple decks and sections.  In this photo taken from Sixth Avenue at Pacific Street, the first deck above street level appears ready for its first pouring of concrete.

 

 

Mike.BTB

Brooklyn Cyclones: Battle Of The Boroughs Resumes

From the desk of:   THE SURF AVENUE SLUGGERS

BATTLE of the BOROUGHS:

 

 

 

GAME ONE FINAL:

Yankees   1

Cyclones  5

 

 

Staten Island Yankees

vs.

BROOKLYN CYCLONES

FROM

CONEY ISLAND

 

 

 

 

 

BROOKLYN CYCLONES:

Batavia Muckdogs Keep Pressure On Coney Island.

 

Brooks Defeat Baby Bombers

Preserve Their One Game Wild Card Lead.

 

 

The Brooklyn Cyclones defeated the Staten Island Yankees 5-1 Friday evening.  All they could do however was hold their ground, because both the Hudson Valley Renegades and the Batavia Muckdogs won their games as well.

 

With only five games now left in the regular season, the Cyclones trail the McNamara Division leading Hudson Valley Renegades by five games.  No room for error there.  So in the more pressing Wild Card race, Brooklyn remains a mere game ahead of the Batavia Muckdogs

 

Brooklyn starter, Hansel Robles, took care of the first five innings against Staten Island.  Three calls to the bullpen later, all Cyclones pitchers combined to limit Staten Island to a single unearned run.  Otherwise, the Yankees had six hits, and received three walks.  Brooklyn hurlers combined to strikeout eight batters.

 

The Cyclones did all their damage between the third and sixth inning.  Kevin Plawecki was 2 for 4 with an RBI.  Dimas Ponce knocked in two runs.  Brandon Nimmo and Alexander Sanchez also chipped in with an RBI each.

 

The Batavia Muckdogs refuse to lose, and therefore continue to force Brooklyn's hand.  The pressure is on the Boardwalk Bums to keep winning.  They have two more games against Staten Island before wrapping up the season against Lowell.  They will have the benefit of playing in Coney Island.  So the hope is they will not be the last home games of the season.

 

 

 

 

Mike.BTB