Tag: sports

sports

Just End The Season Update #3

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Now the J-E-T-S are merely an afterthought in their own city. The first mention of the Jets on the main page of the NY Times.com’s sports section today was in an article not even about the Jets. It was about how the mighty Patriots have fallen this year, saying their 16-3 victory yesterday was “a dull, mechanical victory over a 2-10 shell of an opponent.”

There you have it. Football article #1: The Giants/Cowboys game. Football article #2: The Bengels/Steelers game. Football article #3: How Notre Dame are in a BCS bowl game. Football article #4: The aforementioned Patriots article. So where are the lowly Jets? They are buried down 3/4 of the way down the page under the “Pro Football” heading in an article titled “Patriots Rip The Seams of the Patchwork Jets.”

Now for the galling stats. Yesterday’s loss was the team’s 7th consecutive defeat and its 9th in a row on the road dating to last year. Their QB Brooks Bollinger has led the team to only 1 touchdown in over 40 something drives since becoming the starter. Then again, at least he hasn’t gotten knocked out. A reader Evan posted a comment to my first update and said, “We’ve been there through the days of glen foley and well you get my point. This year has been one of the worst to watch. It ruins my sunday to watch them.” My friend Justin, who has 1 of only 5 Browning Nagle Jets jerseys in existance, won’t even waste his time watching the games anymore. I for one still will and I am going to next Sunday’s Raiders game. In years past, the Silver & Black versus the Green & White in December meant something. Either its going to be a fun remembrance of things past or cold waste of time.

At least I’ll get to spend time with my Uncle Jeff and my cousin Josh.

In case you were wondering, my fantasy team finished 7-6 but will not make the playoffs due to losing a tie-breaker. On week 13, I either needed to win or have 1 of 3 different teams lose. Wouldn’t you know it – I lost and they all won. Somehow that is just so fitting this year.

sports

Just End The Season Update #2

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Another Sunday, another loss and they keep getting worse. One week removed from a total drubbing the J-E-T-S this week decided to dole out large scoops of hope (which tasted delicious). However, an hour or so later it was evident that the hope I had just eaten had spoiled months ago and that I was soon going to be very sick.

Like so many other Jets games that I’ve watched over the years, they fought gallantly only to come up nauseatingly short at the very end. Down by 2 points with only 10 seconds on the game clock, their rookie kicker, who already had made 4 field goals (the Jets had lots of trouble figuring out how to get into the end zone), came up about a yard short from about 53 yards out. Actually, it might have been a foot short. It was that close, but you know what they say though: close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades. This game featured neither, the Jets lost at home and they are now a disgusting 2-9. Yes, Houston is still worse as they blew a 21-3 lead at home to lose 24-21 in OT which dropped them to 1-10. Its like they both are playing a game of chicken and I pray the Jets swerve first. Having the first pick in the draft isn’t that big of deal to me. I’ll take dignity over Matt Leinart or Reggie Bush any day…

sports

Just End the Season Update #1

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Last week I issued my declaration that the New York Jets should just end the season. Yesterday, they validated my call by getting shut out for the first time in 10 years in losing to Denver 27-0. Lovely. They have lost all 6 of their road games and have been outscored in those games 151 to 44. Super lovely. They also lost 2 quarterbacks in 1 game for the second time this season, which isn’t half as bad as the fact that these 2 are different from the last 2, which means that the Jets are now on their 5th different quarterback this season. Super duper lovely. Did I mention that Brooks was vomiting on the sideline due to his massive concussion before he was escorted to the locker room? Did I mention that before Interceptaverde was knocked out he threw 2 more picks and fumbled the ball thrice bringing his total after only 4 and a half games to 6 interceptions and 5 fumbles? I think I’m going to stop now and just say I told you so.

Needless to say though I’m still watching and still hoping. Longtime Jet and future Hall of Famer Curtis Martin said “It’s about as low as it gets, to be honest with you, but you can never give up. We’re going to keep coming to work and we’re going to keep trying.” Actually Curtis, it could be worse. Houston is 1-9 and relatively healthy so their excuse is that they are just plain awful. Then again, who knows what will happen next week – the J-E-T-S may pass them by…

ramblings

Just End The Season

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The J-E-T-S suck suck suck this year and I believe that “Jets” should stand for “Just End The Season” because things have gotten pretty bad out there on the old gridiron. If you haven’t driven by the traffic accident that is the New York Jets 2005 season, let me tell you its pretty ugly and painful to watch.

I love American Football and will watch my beloved Jets regardless of how well or poorly they are doing. I have for almost 2 decades now but this season, one that started with so much promise, is especially disappointing. This is the season that my wife decided a December football game at the Meadowlands sounds like a good idea (keep in mind that she hates the cold). This is the season that she asked me to get her a Jets jersey. This is the season that the Jets were finally going to make it back to the Super Bowl. Now, with another 7 games to play, I’m simply praying for a good draft. At least I’m in a fantasy league and doing relatively well to boot. Ah fantasy – almost always better than reality…

sports

In a Ballpark, far, far away…

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The image below is totally real:

An actor playing Chewbacca threw out the ceremonial first pitch prior to a game between the Boston Red Sox and Toronto Blue Jays at Fenway Park in Boston, Wednesday Sept. 28, 2005. Chewbacca and Princess Leia were on hand to promote the Star Wars: Where Science Meets Imagination exhibit at the Museum of Science in Boston.

After this stunt, I swear if the Yankees lose to the Red Sox again this year I’m going to do something drastic, though I’m not sure what. Get Donnie Baseball his damn ring!

sports

Lipso Nava Fan Club

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Johnny Goodtimes (yes that is his real name), is the leader of a Quizzo bar game movement in Philly, PA. He is also a reporter who wrote an article titled “Down and Out in Lancaster” about the Camden Riversharks for the Philiapelphia City Paper. Mr. Goodtimes contacted me because after he interviewed and hung out with the team, he googled “Lipso Nava” because Lipso had made such a great impression on him.

Lo and behold, my site came up. Among other things, he told me that Lipso is called “the Living Legend” around the clubhouse and that many are convinced he would be a gold glover if he could just get a shot at playing in the majors.

The article talks about my favorite player quite a bit throughout the piece. In fact, right off the bat the article opens with this paragraph:

Lipso Nava has the best porn moustache in baseball. Catcher Travis Anderson informs me (and everyone else within earshot) of this fact shortly after I enter the clubhouse. “He’s the Peter North of the Dominican Republic,” the backstop says.

“He’s from Venezuela,” cries a voice in the back of the room.

“I know,” shoots back Anderson. “I was trying to protect his identity.”

Gotta love it. Makes me want to watch Major League in the worst way. The article itself is a good look at what life is like for minor league players. Enjoy.

One last thing. Johnny also said “If you decide to start a Lipso Nava fan club, count me in.” I’m thinking of doing so. Anyone else out there interested in joining?

sports

Lipso Snubbed

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It seems that while the Camden Riversharks will be sending five players to the Atlantic League’s All-Star game next week, Lipso Nava will not be one of them. To all those who snubbed my namesake, I say a pox on all your houses.

sports

Catch The Damn Ball!

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You know you are pretty bad when, as a fan, your ineptitude is so great that even the AP mentions it in their game recap: “Rob Marchese, a 41-year-old businessman from Queens sitting in a folding chair in the first row in the right-field stands, fumbled away both Rodriguez’s and Giambi’s homers.”

I was watching the Yankee game last night on the tele with my friend Dave.

In the first inning, A-Rod hit one that just cleared the right field fence, the kind of homer Donnie Baseball made famous. The ball went right through the hands of a middle aged guy wearing a gray tee shirt, hit him in his shoulder, then hit his chest, then went through his hands again and bounced onto the field. The second he dropped it he made the biggest commotion, slapping the wall and flailing about because he knew he blew it – he had an A-Rod homer in his hands and lost it. I have never been close enough to even try and catch a ball but I’m always aware of the ball when its hit. Catching a major league baseball is just one of many little things on my life’s to-do list that I hope to accomplish. You just don’t get a second chance on something like that.

Or maybe you do. Like the very next inning. Sure enough, in the bottom of the second Giambi hit one in the exact same place. Sure enough, the same gray tee-shirted guy was there, in the exact same spot. And yes, sure enough, it went through his hands, hit him in his chest, then his arm, and then bounced back onto the field. Again, he made a commotion except this time it was more rueful, as if he knew the Fates were conspiring against him so what are you gonna do, right?
If you’d like to see photo evidence, click here.

Rob: you have the privilege of being awarded 15 minutes of fame due to incredibly poor fielding skills. To that I say, “mazel tov.”

After the jump, you can read what the NY Times had to say about it. It seems that everyone is talking about Rob…

From the July 8th Edition of the NY Times:

It was Rodriguez’s 22nd of the season, and it seemed to delight all but one fan, who might have had the most exciting night of anyone at the game.

The ball hit the 41-year-old Robby Marchese in the chest and the hands, but it fell back to the field. Marchese was crestfallen, slumping his body on top of the wall, his head down, for several seconds.
“I didn’t get all of it, but I got enough,” Rodriguez said. “I think I hit it to the fan in the gray shirt who almost got two balls.”

Marchese’s next chance was just an inning away. Jason Giambi led off the second inning with a liner to right. Casey Blake chased after it, and the ball deflected off his glove – and onto Marchese’s chest. Again, he dropped the ball.

“It didn’t hit me where it was supposed to,” said Marchese, who had never sat in that seat before.

“I’m going to be on SportsCenter for the rest of the week.”

sports

By George, A New Stadium

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The NY Yankees have announced they are building a new stadium in a deal worth around $800 million that is being almost totally privately funded. That means its coming out of George’s pocket, not yours or mine, for the most part which is a breath of fresh air. In a nice bit of creative financing, the stadium will be financed by 40-year tax-free bonds issued by a local development corporation created by the city and state. The Yankees will have to shell out about $50 million a year in interest payments but that cost has the nice benefit of allowing the yankees to pay significantly less in revenue sharing each year to the rest of Major League Baseball. Why fund other teams when you can fund the construction of your own stadium? Very smart and shrewd move guys, I applaud you.

I for one am thrilled by the idea. I love the current stadium and have loved (though not necessarily enjoyed – losing games suck) every second that I have spent in it. The fact is though that its old, it needs to be updated and it needs to generate more revenue that it currently does, especially if the Yankees are to remain the Yankees. So, a new stadium at some point to me was a definite. It just was a matter of when, where and how. So, when the stadium proposal was publicly unveiled, I was very happy to see that it contained lots of good details, like how the current stadium will be kept for the use of local amateur, high school and college leagues and how “not only will the new house retain the feel of the current ballpark with identical field dimensions and bullpen placements, but many planned features will actually recapture some of the original features eradicated by the extensive renovation that was done on the old stadium from 1973-75.”

When I was a kid, when Steinbrenner would rumble and threaten moving the team to NJ, I quaked in my little sneaks and prayed that moving day would never come. Over the years it was been a nagging fear and now I don’t believe it will happen. The Bronx Bombers stay in the Bronx. Period.
After the jump, check out pics of the new stadium.

Aerial view of Yankee Stadium from southwest
View from behind home plate
View of the front entrance
View of Monument Park and the Batter’s Eye Club