No Parking in Brooklyn: Don't Mistake The Message

Negotiating a vehicle through the the streets of Brooklyn requires the visual senses of a spider, with all eight eyes each simultaneously transfixed on the road, student and/or reckless drivers, clueless ear-plugged pedestrians with faces buried in their phones, entitled cyclists, cavernous potholes, idiots swinging open car doors, bouncing balls followed the kid undoubtedly chasing it, and the confusing menagerie of traffic signs advising motorists what they can and can not do.

I'll not bother with those who move out to New Jersey/Pennsylvania that upon returning to Brooklyn forget how to slow down and break-out in a rash at every stop sign and red light.  Otherwise, most people behind the wheel seemingly do a fairly decent job of processing the overwhelming stimuli offered by our streets ... some not so much.  

Of course, I'm being kind.

In any event - no matter their purpose; how short or long in duration - all road trips must come to an end.  Since we would all like to arrive at our destinations safely, perhaps the best way of achieving that end is by driving courteously and obeying the rules of the road.

But that's when one adventure ends and another begins.  Parking spaces are urban gold, and sometimes prospecting poses great potential danger.  In a city where the battle for space is fierce, sometimes boundaries aren't so clearly defined.  But make no mistake, as one surely exists and will be defended in Revolutionary-like manner.  It matters not what corner of the planet you come from, or what language you speak.  Through conditioning - like the universal red stop sign - Brooklynites have applied an international standard upon two specific words that when joined together form an indisputable message of the motor vehicular kind.  Some convey it better than others, but there is still no mistaking the intended interjection.  Of course, that still doesn't stop people from taking liberties.  They will, and do, but at their own risk.

This Means You!

Brooklyn Cyclones: Thor Drops Hammer on Pizza Rats

From the desk of:  THE SURF AVENUE SLUGGERS

VERRAZZANO NARROWS 

SHOWDOWN

BATTLE OF THE BOROUGHS

Season Series Tied 4-4

SUNDAY

Yankees    1

Cyclones   2

FINAL

Brooklyn Cyclones: Thor Giveth, and Thor Taketh Away.

We all know New York City rodents aren't skittish around people anymore.  But those Pizza Rats from Staten Island may have come off just a little too damn cocky during their most recent visit to Coney Island.

I'm sure Noah Syndergaard isn't too pleased with himself, either.

Making a rehab assignment start for the Cyclones, Syndergaard issues a walk to the first batter of the game, who then disrespectfully steals second base.  With one out, a solid base hit by Staten Island backstop Josh Breaux puts runners on the corners.  Syndergaard fans the next batter, but then unleashes a wild pitch allowing Pizza Rat Alex Junior to scurry home.

After which, Thor drops his hammer.  He allows the Rats just one more hit in the fourth, and fans six through his final four innings of work.  All told, Syndergaard pitches five innings, allows one earned run on just two hits, walks one, and strikes out seven.  He faces nineteen Pizza Rats, throwing 71 pitches with 46 (65%) going for strikes.

It's a good thing too, because the Cyclones were limited to a pair of runs on just five hits by Staten Island starter Roansy Contreras and reliever Shawn Semple.

JOSE MIGUEL MEDINA IS BIG MAN ON CAMPUSS

BUT SMALL BALL WINS THE DAY

• Brooklyn ties the game at one in the third.  Third baseman Brian Sharp draws a lead-off walk, and is advanced on a sacrifice bunt by Manny Rodriguez.  Sharp then scores on Jose Miguel Medina's double to left.

The game remains locked at one through the seventh.

• Catcher Nick Meyer leads off the bottom of the eighth with a single back up the middle.  Brian Sharp's sacrifice bunt successfully moves Meyer to second base.  After Manny Rodriguez looks at strike three, Jose Miguel Medina singles home Meyer with the go-ahead run.

Reliever Kevin Smith faces ten batters pitching the final three innings for Brooklyn.  He earns his second victory of the season after limiting Staten Island to no walks, just one hit, and striking out four.

With only their second victory in their last seven games, the Cyclones snap a five game losing streak, and avoid falling below par, instead improving to 12-11 on the season.  Although they remain three games back of the Hudson Valley Renegades, Brooklyn slides back into second place past Aberdeen.

Brooklyn also evens the season series against Staten Island at four games apiece.

The Staten Island Yankee Baby Bomber Pizza Rats Baseball Club fall to 10-13 on the season.

The teams head back to Richmond County and the St. George Rat Den for Monday's series finale.

Vintage Shades of Sprague: Eckford Base Ball Club Ride Express to Independence Day Victory Over Atlantics

From the desk of:  THE NEW YORK GAME

 *********  INDEPENDENCE DAY  *********

VINTAGE BASE BALL MATCH

Eckford of Brooklyn BBC

vs.

Atlantic Base Ball Club of Brooklyn

FROM

Old Bethpage Village Restoration

LONG ISLAND

BACKGROUND HISTORY: Founding and Evolution of a Rivalry

The Eckford of Brooklyn Base Ball Club was organized on June 27, 1855, and shortly thereafter on Aug. 14, follows the establishment of the Atlantic Base Ball Club of Brooklyn.

Two summers later on Sept. 15, 1857, they play their first head-to-head match very likely at the Manor House grounds in Greenpoint.  A more polished Atlantic club emerges victoriously by a compelling 26-17 margin.  The clubs meet again on Oct. 22 at the Bedford, Long Island grounds (vicinity of Bedford Avenue at Lenox Road, Brooklyn), with the Atlantic authoring a more convincing 29-11 outcome.

They meet just once during the 1858 season with the Atlantic achieving yet another 30-21 victory, and their third straight decision over gamely Eckford.

The 1859 season starts no less differently.  On July 8, Eckford are again outdone on their home grounds by the Atlantic.  But on Sept. 8, the Eckford Base Ball Club finally enjoy their day under the Brooklyn sun.  In their fifth ever match, Eckford wins 22-16 at Bedford grounds, thus marking their first ever victory over Atlantic.  But the celebration is short lived as their rival issues a season ending correction on Oct. 12, defeating Eckford in a 22-12 claw back.

They next meet in the final days of the 1860 season, staging three straight head-to-head matches in mid October.  Game One is a tightly contested albeit modest 17-15 affair won by the Atlantic on Eckford grounds.  A week later, Eckford seize Game Two at Bedford.  Game Three is played at Putnam Grounds (vicinity of Broadway, Greene, Lafayette), where the Atlantic clinch the series with a decisive 22-11 effort.

The Atlantic/Eckford rivalry is somewhat one-sided, to date, with the former posting seven victories against just two losses through their first four years of interplay.  Since their founding, the Atlantic Base Ball Club is known for consistently featuring adroit skill on the field of play.  By 1858 and 1859, along with a hotly disputed title run in 1860, the Atlantic are popularly considered champions of the New York City area, and thus in the midst of becoming base ball's first dynasty.

With the onset of Civil War in 1861, several base ball clubs are rendered inactive due to respective members serving in the Union Army.  The Atlantic/Eckford rivalry is likewise put on hold, however, both clubs press on with dissimilar success.  Eckford posts a club record seven losses in sixteen scheduled matches.  Atlantic, meanwhile, play just nine scheduled matches.  As summer transitions to autumn the Atlantic and Mutual Base Ball Club of New York play a two game set.  The underdog Atlantic are defeated 23-18 in Game One played at Manhattan.  Back at friendly Bedford grounds for Game Two, a resounding 52-27 triumph over favored New York arguably justifies Brooklyn's claim to yet another championship.

Back in April, the Continental Club (Brooklyn) had proposed an alternative method for determining a champion.  In lieu of the older and increasingly flawed Knickerbocker challenge system, it calls for teams to be paired by lot in a series of games leading to a home-and-home, best-of-three final, according to Craig Waff of SABR.  As part of the Continental effort towards promoting a change in format they also offer to reward the winning club and resultant champion with a Silver Ball trophy.

THE SILVER BALL GAME

The Continental suggestion finally grabs hold in 1862 when the Atlantic and Eckford agree to play a best-of-three championship series.  Game One takes place on July 11, at Williamsburg's new Union Grounds where Eckford gains an improbable 20-14 victory over the defending champions.  One week later on Friday, July 18, the Atlantic counter with their own conquest of sorts, expertly routing Eckford to an unapologetic 39-5 conclusion.

In facing Eckford pitcher Andy Mills through the first two games, the Atlantic more than double their opponent's tally by a 53-25 spread.  With the need for a third and decisive match, Eckford insist the series finale be delayed until September so as to coincide with the return of their usual starting pitcher and key player, Joseph Sprague, whom was serving a three month obligation in the Union Army.  The Atlantic apparently acquiesce, as the teams seem to play a non-binding match on Aug. 14 - listed on Protoball - which not coincidentally the Atlantic win 29-25 at Westchester County.

As such, the clubs finally convene again on Sept. 18, for the decisive third match.  Atlantic jump out to an early lead, scoring an ace in each of the first and second innings.  But an undeterred Eckford club strikes back with fury, plating five aces in the bottom half of the second, one in the third, and two more in the fourth.  As anticipated, their expert pitcher takes care of the rest.  The Atlantic are clearly stymied by the return of Joe Sprague, who limits the now former champions to just three aces all game.  With an astonishing 8-3 victory, Eckford becomes the first ever change-over champion, and the Continental club present them with a well earned Silver Ball as promised.  Despite repeating as champions in 1863, this little known victory with major historical impact stands all-time as the Eckford Base Ball Club's finest day.

VINTAGE BASE BALL: Eckfords vs. Atlantics, The Rivalry Take Two

As it were 156 years ago, the modern day Atlantic and Eckford are urgently skilled, and easily the finest Vintage Base Ball clubs toiling Long Island's fields of green - if not the entire Mid-Atlantic Vintage Base Ball footprint.  Through their respective efforts, spirit, and gamesmanship, the aforementioned pioneer-era rivalry remains very much alive and well.

It was my great fortune one decade ago to witness the vintage Atlantic Base Ball Club play at Brooklyn's present day Washington Park.  I've been an ardent ABBC bug ever since.  While many vintage clubs adeptly reveal the old pastoral and more kindly recreational aspects of this game, the intensely competitive nature of the urban game of base ball becomes most real to me when witnessing the Atlantic and Eckford clubs compete.

October 2016 - the vintage Gentlemen of Summer convene at Old Bethpage Village Restoration, Long Island, to decide its champion at the Mid-Atlantic Vintage Base Ball Festival.  As regular season top seeds Eckford and Elkton Eclipse earn spectator rights during the first round which features matches between the ABBC versus the New York Mutuals, and Diamond State versus the Providence Grays.  An Atlantic victory earns them a second round match against Elkton, while Diamond State moves on to challenge top seeded Eckford.  But the Atlantic would advance no further.  Holding true to their respective standings both Elkton and Eckford advance, thus creating an ideal match between the circuit's top clubs.  Eckford in turn defeat the Eclipse by a 13-3 final tally.

2016

ECKFORD BASE BALL CLUB of BROOKLYN

VINTAGE CHAMPIONS

On the Vintage ECKFORD

Eckford catcher, Sammy, is a game changer, a veritable weapon behind the plate.  His proficiency as a receiver frees Express from fear of passed balls.  Together, they personify the circuit's top battery,  imposing a faster, harder, more varied pitching repertoire upon opposing strikers.  I spoke with both gentlemen during the 2016 MAVBBL Festival.  They strive to create anywhere from 12 to 15 outs per game on foul tips alone.  Per 1864 rules, a pitched ball struck or tipped, if secured within one bound by an opposing fielder, the striker is ruled out.  I watched them employ this strategy with great success.  But in speaking with a few of their MAVBBL competitors I became aware of an underlying dissatisfaction with Express' delivery.  In question, an illegal pitch.  If Express indeed snaps his wrist, he disguises it well for it remains imperceptible to me.

On The Vintage ATLANTIC

I broach this very matter in 2017 with ABBC captain, Shakespeare, who also prefers pitching with speed when his turn comes around.  He and I almost did not speak at all, as the season nearly passes me by.  But I was finally able to catch up with the ABBC during their penultimate match against the Elizabeth Resolutes at Rahway River Park, New Jersey.  The topic draws a smile, and he admits to being aware of the rumors, but otherwise laughs the whole thing off.

I waste no time asking the Atlantic club captain, "Who is this year's champion of base ball?"

With obvious delight Shakespeare instantly replies, "We are!"

But he also laments the Maryland circuit's unwillingness to travel north for the sake of determining a unified vintage base ball champion.  I followed up asking who, then, wound up being their toughest competition?

Wide-eyed, the Atlantic third baseman declares with haste, "Eckford!"

For various reasons, the 2016 season proves problematic for the Atlantic who go on to post a 26-16 (.619) record.  Other clubs wish of struggling so well.  That's because for seven straight seasons spanning 2009 through 2015, the Atlantic club averaged a 46-9 (.839) record.  When I reminded
Shakespeare prior to the start of play how 2016 marked the first time in the previous eight years the Atlantic failed to win 40 games in a season, he gleams back, "We'll have 40 victories by the time this day is through!"  Needing two victories, the Atlantic Base Ball Club of Brooklyn achieve just that, taking both games against the Elizabeth Resolutes and improving their 2017 record to a more familiar 40-8 (.833) mark.

Back in 2016, the Atlantic lose three games against Eckford by a 37-7 aggregate tally.  It is no wonder, then, why Shakespeare so relished their 2017 series against Eckford in which he recalls playing six very spirited games, with each club claiming three victories apiece.

The Atlantic's last stop of the 2017 season was Salem, Massachusetts - a mere formality I wrote back then, as the Atlantic Base Ball Club of Brooklyn had already regained the vintage base ball high ground.

SHADES of JOE SPRAGUE: Eckford vs. Atlantic, July 4, 2018

This past Wednesday, Independence Day, the Atlantic and Eckford played their lone scheduled head-to-head match of the regular season.  A mid-morning affair eerily reminiscent of the famous Silver Ball match of a century and a half ago.  The clubs trade aces in the first inning.  But with an ace in the second, another in the fourth, and yet two more in the top half of the fifth, Eckford builds a 5-1 lead.  Atlantic answers with a lone ace in the bottom of the first, and another in the fifth, but would plate no more.  Eckford, though, is not yet done.  They add single aces in the seventh and eighth innings en route to a 7-2 victory.

Eckford pitcher Express faces just 35 batsmen while limiting the mighty Atlantic to a pair of aces on nine scattered hits.  He retires the Atlantic in order three times, surrenders just two fair strikes for extra bases, and only twice does the Atlantic club position two men on base.

Eckford fielders commit nary a miss, muff, or mishandle.  Express lauds his club for fielding all their chances surely and cleanly.  With Sammy behind the plate, Express is charged with just one wild pitch.  Express even snatches a hot corker out of the thick humid air in the eighth, then initiates a match ending 1-4-3 double-play in the ninth.

After the Eckford Base Ball Club's Silver Ball series opening victory on July 11, 1862, a Brooklyn Eagle reporter characterizes the Atlantic manner of play as, "only tolerable and hardly excusable from such players."

This past Independence Day, the defending vintage champions fared no better.

Oh, how Eckford revels in defeating the Atlantic.

Eckford Nine in the field.

Atlantic striker Old Soul leads off the sixth inning with a hit.

Shakespeare to the line expecting nothing less than low and fast from Express.

July 4, 2018

"Shades of Sprague"

• Society for American Baseball Research
• Eckford Club Protoball
• Playing First: Early Baseball Lives at Brooklyn's Green-Wood Cemetery by Thomas Gilbert; 2015 Green-Wood Cemetery.
• Eckfords wikipedia 
• Atlantics wikipedia
• Inspired by Eric Miklich.

Brooklyn Cyclones: Downward Spiral Continues Against Yankees

From the desk of:  THE CONEY ISLAND NINE

Staten Island leads season series 4-3

GAME ONE

Brooklyn    2

Staten Is.   3

FINAL

Don't look now, but that piano falling out of the sky has a Brooklyn Cyclones logo on it.  After jumping out of the gate with an 8-2 record, the Brooks have gone just 3-9 since.  On Saturday, they lose their fifth in a row, and their seventh in their last eight games.  It is also their fourth loss in seven games so far against Staten Island.

As a result, the Cyclones drop down to third place, three games behind the first place Hudson Valley Renegades.

The Cyclones enter today's action looking to even up with the Yankees and climb a game back over a .500 again.  Lose, and Edgardo Alfonzo's crew falls below par for the first time this season.  After losing the opener at Staten Island on Saturday, the series shifts back to Coney Island for today's Sunday afternoon game.  After which, teams head back to Staten Island for Monday's series finale.

On Saturday, Brooklyn second baseman Carlos Cortes collects three of Brooklyn's four hits.  Catcher Kevin Hall strikes Brooklyn's only other hit against Staten Island pitching.  Otherwise, the rest of the Cyclones line-up goes 0 for 21 with five strikeouts.

The Yankees rough up Cyclones starter Christian James for a pair of runs on nine hits and a walk in just 4.0 innings pitched.  But he escapes with a no-decision.

Staten Island holds a 2-0 lead after five.  In the the top of the sixth, an E-6 by Yankees shortstop Eduardo Torrealba clears the way for two unearned Cyclones runs.  The game remains tied entering the eighth.  But with one out in the bottom half of the frame, Yankees right fielder Junior Soto homers to left off Cyclones reliever Billy Oxford, whom sustains his first loss of the season.

SUNDAY

Staten Island Yankees

vs.

Brooklyn Cyclones

FROM

Coney Island

L.I. Ducks: Flock Suffering Through Major Limp in Their Waddle

From the desk of:  THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE

Swept by the Road Warriors?

Really?

Long Island Ducks: All is Not as Golden on Bethpage Pond as it Seems.

Sure, the Long Island Ducks are sending seven well deserving representatives to this season's Atlantic League All-Star Game, to be played on July 11, right here at Bethpage Park.  Such stellar individual play, however, is not necessarily helping Long Island much in the standings.

The Somerset Patriots are sending five players.  Yet, the first place Somerset Patriots lead the Liberty Division by two games over the New Britain Bees and four games over the Long Island Ducks.  But with just ten games remaining in the season's first half, the Ducks are faced with somehow overcoming the aforementioned four game deficit if they are to capture an unlikely first-half title.

They can certainly start Tuesday night by taking the first of three straight from the Bees at New Britain, then return to the Pond where they can hope to swat the Freedom Division leading Sugar Land Skeeters for three straight.  That's a tall order, but the Ducks have surprised before.  Unfortunately, the schedule makers seemed to have conspired against them.  The Somerset Patriots start a series against last place (Freedom) Southern Maryland, them take on the perpetual Road Warriors.

I suspect this is not where the Long Island Ducks expected to be - not with the number of major league experienced players on the roster; no slight intended towards Travis Snider whom is posting solid numbers ... just not necessary numbers.  Nevertheless, the offensive mediocrity, to date, speaks for itself:


ATLANTIC LEAGUE: Ducks Offense
Team Avg. - #7
Home Runs - #6
OPS - #5
Runs Scored - #3
Total Bases - #2

ATLANTIC LEAGUE: Ducks Pitching
ERA - #5
WHiP - #5
Earned Runs - #5
Avg. Against - #4
Base on Balls - 4th most
Strikeouts: #1


The Ducks were most recently and ponderously swept by the Road Warriors.  They actually started the month of June strongly.  Several times throughout the first half they won at least three straight games, and posted five straight wins in June.  But by the time the summer heat set in, they found themselves one game under .500 with a 14-15 record for the month.

Long Island opens Tuesday's action with a 29-31 record, with much to accomplish in a short time to get it done.


EXTRA INNINGS:

• The Sugar Land Skeeters have already clinched the Freedom Division first half title.
• Former Mets catcher Josh Thole signed with the New Britain Bees, managed by former Met Wally Backman.

Brooklyn Cyclones: Ross Adolph Leads Coney Island Over Staten Island Yanks

From the desk of: 

THE SURF AVENUE SLUGGERS  and  THE ST. GEORGE SAUSAGE RATS

BATTLE OF THE BOROUGHS

Series tied 1-1

I - SIY 3; BKC 1

II - BKC 7; SIY 4

GAME THEE

Staten Island Yankees

vs.

Brooklyn Cyclones

FROM

Ballpark by the Beach

CONEY ISLAND

Brooklyn Cyclones Even Series With Victory at Richmond County Yard.

After going down meekly in the first, the Coney Island bats ignited in the second inning against Staten Island starter Juan De Paula.  Leading off, first baseman Chase Chambers (fifth in the league in batting) squeezed a grounder through the infield.  Center fielder Ross Adolph then followed with a home run over the right/center wall.  Catcher Nick Meyer kept the hits coming with a triple to right, then scored on shortstop Manny Rodriguez' one-out base hit through the left side of the infield.  Second baseman Oliver Pasqual added a single, but the Yankees escaped further damage by turning  5-4-3 double play.

Monday Night Baseball

Cyclones     7

Pizza Rats  4

final

Leading off the bottom of the third, Staten Island center fielder Junior Soto homered off Brooklyn starter Christian James.  An inning later, the Yankees knocked James out of the box upon taking a 4-3 lead with three runs on three hits and a walk.  Coach Alfonzo relieved him with by Billy Oxford.

After Coney Island left fielder David Miranda drew a walk leading off the sixth, Chase Chambers put runners on the corners with a single to center.  After a pitching change, Ross Adolph delivered the game tying run with a hit to right.

Staten Island's bullpen struggles continued, surrendering three more runs through the eighth inning.  The Cyclones pounded Yankees pitching for twelve hits overall, five for extra bases.

After just 3.2 innings pitched, starter Christian James escapes with a no-decision.  Billy Oxford earns the win for his 2.1 innings of scoreless work.  He allowed three hits and fanned one.  Yeudy Colon pitched both the eighth and ninth innings for his first save of the season.

The Cyclones even the series against the Yankees; the series finale shifts back to Coney Island Tuesday.  With Monday's victory, they also avoid losing their third straight.  Instead they gain their eleventh victory of the season.  The Hudson Valley Renegades defeated the Iron Birds at Aberdeen, and therefore maintain their slim one game lead over the second place Cyclones.  Meanwhile, the Yankees remain anchored in last place of the McNamara Division with a 5-12 record to start the season.


New York-Penn League:

• Chase Chambers - #5 Avg; #5 OBP
• Jose Brizuela - #9 OPS
• Jose Miguel Medina - t-#2 Doubles

Brooklyn has struck for at least twelves hit in three of their last five games.  One night after stroking a season high fifteen hits against the Lake Monsters, they one-upped themselves, battering Vermont pitching for another record setting sixteen hits.

They're yet to play twenty games, but this year's Cyclones have easily distinguished themselves from last year's team, and the prior year's team for that matter.  Under manager Edgardo Alfonzo the Surf Avenue Sluggers are playing up to their name:


New York Penn League Team Offense:

• Runs - #1
• Hits - #1
• Doubles - #1
• Triples - #1
• Total Bases - #1
• Team Avg - #2
• Team OBP - #2
• Team Slugging - #3
• Walks - #7
• K - #6 most
• Home Runs - #10

When compared to the others, that last stat is quite telling, isn't it?  Something the Queens Mets should be paying closer attention to.

I digress ...

However, The Cyclones on the mound are doing themselves no favors.  In a pitcher's league, the Coney Island hurlers are lagging, to say the least.  In a fourteen team league, Cyclones pitching presently rates below league par.

New York -Penn League Team Pitching:

• ERA - #10
• WHiP - #10
• Earned Runs - Fifth most
• Hits Allowed - fourth most
• Home Runs Allowed - sixth most
• Base on Balls - sixth most  
• Strikeouts - sixth most

No Sleep Till Brooklyn

#LetsGoCyclones

N.Y. Yankees: The Red Sox Strike Back

From the desk of:  BLAME CARLOS MAY

Series tied 1-1

I - NYY 8; BOS 1

II - BOS 9; NYY 0

GAME THREE

RED SOX

vs.

YANKEES

FROM

River Avenue Grounds

BRONX

New York Yankees: Red Sox Counter With Left Hook.

There's a saying on the city streets: you do me bad, I'll do you worse.  A night after the Yankees felled the Red Sox with a flurry of big blows in Friday's series opener at the Stadium, Boston countered with one big left hook and a series of overhand rights of their own.

Red Sox southpaw Chris Sale climbed the bump Saturday at hot sun drenched Yankee Stadium and delivered a gem.  In increasing his record to 11-4 and helping even the series, Sale faced 24 Yankees batters, threw 101 pitches with 72 (71%) going for strikes.  He allowed the mighty Bombers but a single hit and one walk through seven full innings of work.  He struck out eleven batters, his final victim being Gleyber Torres during his last inning of work.

Yankees starter Sonny Gray was, in a word, terrible.  He surrendered six earned runs on seven hits and a walk in just 2.1 innings of work.  In the first inning he surrendered a grand slam to third Boston baseman Rafael Devers and the Red Sox never looked back.  Forced to cover the remaining 5.2 innings, the Yankee bullpen surrendered another five runs on ten hits and a walk.  Sonny Gray has now surrendered twelve runs in just 5.1 innings against the Red Son this season.

Catcher Sandy Leon also homered for the Sox driving in a pair, and designated hitter J.D. Drew went 2 for 4 with two RBI.

The Boston Red Sox are back atop the A.L. East by a full game over the Yankees.

A.L. EAST Standing

• 1)  Red Sox   56-28 (.667)  *
• 2)  Yankees   53-27 (.663)  1

The Red Sox own a 129+ runs differential.
The Yankees sit at 101+ Runs differential.

N.Y. Islanders: July 1st Deadline Leaves Isles in Limbo

From the desk of:  NO SLEEP TILL BELMONT

Exclusivity period expires; Capitalism now rules the day.

New York Islanders: Two Minutes To Midnight ... and Counting.

As I write this, optimistic Islanders fans might be well into their sleep, dreaming of their franchise player having signed an eight year extension, or, at the very least intending to sleep in late Sunday in the hopes of celebrating a market rate seven year deal by noon.

However, more pessimistic rooters are likely spending a long night sweating through nightmares of him leaving for another team and town ... like the Sharks, or worst yet, the Maple Leafs.  The fact John Tavares wheel-barreled these negotiations - or lack thereof - to its deadline is quite ominous.  It potentially means he's motivated to leave.

And why would that be?

I do not think he ever forgave Garth Snow for disappearing his friend Kyle Okposo, or other quality players of his liking.  Could it be the scars left by previous mismanagement run too deeply; is the trust gone; has the emotional damage of losing worn on him?

That said, I'm sure he is questioning the organization's ability to win in the very near future and whether the new Belmont Arena will be ready for operation in a timely manner.  He knows what every one else in the NHL knows: they still need defense and a goalie.  Where are they coming from, and when?  Otherwise, splitting time between Brooklyn and Uniondale only to miss the playoffs aren't the most ideal conditions to endure ... not compared to the West Coast weather or playing home in the Great White North.  Tavares made no secret of his desire for meeting with several teams before arriving at any decision.  Yet, only the Islanders owned the ability of offering him an eight year deal prior to the July 1st deadline.  Nevertheless, the franchise center and Captain has remained tight lipped like a clam throughout.  Apparently an eighth year of financial security proved unappealing.  It suggests he's seeking something more from his future years.

Despite nine seasons with the Islanders, he does not turn 28-years old until September which makes him a very worth while investment with only moderate risk regarding the latter years of the deal.
Considering the potential money and years involved, there's every reason to believe Tavares' best days are still ahead.  He's certainly been durable, playing in all 82 games last season, and in 323 of a possible 328 games over the last four seasons.  But at the end of the day, his record speaks for itself.  Tavares has scored at least twenty-four goals in each of his nine seasons with the Islanders.  He's topped thirty goals four times, most recently last season when he fell one goal short of his career high 38 goals set just three seasons prior.  Along with 47 assists, last season Tavares posted his third career 80-point season.  He has scored 272 goals with 621 points in nine seasons which averages out to thirty goals and seventy-four points per season - many of the clutch variety.

But what is clutch if not in the playoffs...?

In the waning years of the contract, sure performance tails off, but attention ultimately turns towards celebrating a long-time player, and the seasons him and fans spent together.  That's how clubs ultimately promote and advance their legacy, by endearing old and young fans alike and fostering future ones.  That's how they perpetuate their history.  Just ask the 1980s Islanders.

And that's exactly what new Islanders ownership is banking on.  And that's why they secured Lou Lamoriello, who in turn recruited Barry Trotz into the fold.  In fact, Lamoriello is earning raves for his 2018 Enrty Draft selections.  But after all John Tavares has been through with this franchise, can they convince him to stay?

If we're being fair about ranking the local sports elite, John Tavares is easily among the greater metropolitan area's top ten athletes among the town's Big Nine major league operations.  As a Rangers fan, it would be a shame should the Islanders fail to retain this elite talent.  Only great players make for great rivalries.

Granted the running joke in greater New York is that no one cares about hockey.  But it's just that, a joke.  Islanders need to get this done, or they'll hear from more fans than anyone ever thought existed.