An Unholy Alliance

We just read this on Peter Abraham's LoHud site and we're not liking it. The Yankees have gone into a partnership with the hated Dallas Cowboys in a scheme to, well, make more money. The greatest team in MLB history, and the team that thinks they are the greatest NFL franchise, are working with Goldman Sachs and CIC Partners to form Legends Hospitality Management, LLC.

Legends’ initial focus will be on operating catering, concessions, retail merchandising and other facility management enterprises for major sports and entertainment facilities.

Click here to read more

An Unholy Alliance

We just read this on Peter Abraham's LoHud site and we're not liking it. The Yankees have gone into a partnership with the hated Dallas Cowboys in a scheme to, well, make more money. The greatest team in MLB history, and the team that thinks they are the greatest NFL franchise, are working with Goldman Sachs and CIC Partners to form Legends Hospitality Management, LLC.

Legends’ initial focus will be on operating catering, concessions, retail merchandising and other facility management enterprises for major sports and entertainment facilities.

Click here to read more

A Ray of Sunshine

If you didn't get to see last night's game 7 of the ALCS, you missed out on a tense, well played nail-biter. The Rays emerged with a 3-1 victory to gain their first shot at a World Series title and in the process prevented the Red Sox from a possible World Series repeat.

Some big game performers emerged last night, both in victory and defeat. Matt Garza garnered the ALCS MVP after he won his second game of the series to go along with a 1.38 ERA. He allowed a first inning home run to Dustin Pedroia, but only allowed one more hit through 7 innings plus a batter in the eighth.

Then Joe Maddon mixed and matched his way through the final two innings. Jason Bartlett, who made a crucial error in game 6, committed another misplay on Alex Cora's grounder to start the eighth. Joe Maddon sent for Dan Wheeler, who gave up a single to Coco Crisp before getting Pedroia to pop out to left for the inning's first out. J.P. Howell came on to get David Ortiz to bounce into a force out for the second out, but Chad Bradford issued a walk to Kevin Youkilis to load the bases. Maddon then went to his stud rookie prospect, David Price, to go up against left-hander J.D. Drew. After mixing off-speed pitches with 96-mph fastballs, Price got Drew on a check swing strike three for the final out of the inning.

Price walked Jason Bay to start the ninth, but struck out Mark Kotsay and Jason Varitek, and induced a game ending ground out from Jed Lowrie. Second baseman Aki Iwamura snared the grounder and took it to the bag himself to send the Rays into celebration.

Lost in the game was another outstanding performance by Jon Lester, who was arguably the Red Sox best starter this season. He scattered six hits over seven powerful innings. But with Carlos Pena on first and two out in the third, he hung a pitch to Evan Longoria who smacked into the right field corner. It bounced around enough to get Pena home just ahead of the relay from J.D. Drew to tie the game at one apiece.

Willy Aybar led off the fifth inning with a double and Dionner Navarro reached on an infield single in the hole at shortstop. A field good story was then in the making when Rocco Baldelli singled in what proved to be the game winner. Lester beautifully worked out of a possible bigger inning to keep it a one run game.

Aybar struck again with a huge home run in the seventh that provided a much needed insurance run. Then it was all down to the bullpen, and unlike game 6, they were up to the task.

* * * * *

Don Zimmer threw out the ceremonial first pitch before the game.

There were 40,000 plus fans last night. We wonder where they were all year.

Now we can relax while watching the WS. Don't really care who wins, though we will probably root for the Rays.

A Ray of Sunshine

If you didn't get to see last night's game 7 of the ALCS, you missed out on a tense, well played nail-biter. The Rays emerged with a 3-1 victory to gain their first shot at a World Series title and in the process prevented the Red Sox from a possible World Series repeat.

Some big game performers emerged last night, both in victory and defeat. Matt Garza garnered the ALCS MVP after he won his second game of the series to go along with a 1.38 ERA. He allowed a first inning home run to Dustin Pedroia, but only allowed one more hit through 7 innings plus a batter in the eighth.

Then Joe Maddon mixed and matched his way through the final two innings. Jason Bartlett, who made a crucial error in game 6, committed another misplay on Alex Cora's grounder to start the eighth. Joe Maddon sent for Dan Wheeler, who gave up a single to Coco Crisp before getting Pedroia to pop out to left for the inning's first out. J.P. Howell came on to get David Ortiz to bounce into a force out for the second out, but Chad Bradford issued a walk to Kevin Youkilis to load the bases. Maddon then went to his stud rookie prospect, David Price, to go up against left-hander J.D. Drew. After mixing off-speed pitches with 96-mph fastballs, Price got Drew on a check swing strike three for the final out of the inning.

Price walked Jason Bay to start the ninth, but struck out Mark Kotsay and Jason Varitek, and induced a game ending ground out from Jed Lowrie. Second baseman Aki Iwamura snared the grounder and took it to the bag himself to send the Rays into celebration.

Lost in the game was another outstanding performance by Jon Lester, who was arguably the Red Sox best starter this season. He scattered six hits over seven powerful innings. But with Carlos Pena on first and two out in the third, he hung a pitch to Evan Longoria who smacked into the right field corner. It bounced around enough to get Pena home just ahead of the relay from J.D. Drew to tie the game at one apiece.

Willy Aybar led off the fifth inning with a double and Dionner Navarro reached on an infield single in the hole at shortstop. A field good story was then in the making when Rocco Baldelli singled in what proved to be the game winner. Lester beautifully worked out of a possible bigger inning to keep it a one run game.

Aybar struck again with a huge home run in the seventh that provided a much needed insurance run. Then it was all down to the bullpen, and unlike game 6, they were up to the task.

* * * * *

Don Zimmer threw out the ceremonial first pitch before the game.

There were 40,000 plus fans last night. We wonder where they were all year.

Now we can relax while watching the WS. Don't really care who wins, though we will probably root for the Rays.

Joba's Blood Alcohol Level Nearly Twice Legal Limit

Word out of Lincoln, Nebraska today is that Joba Chamberlain's blood alcohol level was 0.134 at the time of his arrest early Saturday morning, nearly double the state's legal limit of 0.08. A court date of December 17 has been set for the right-hander, who apologized over the weekend.

"I want to apologize to the New York Yankees and the fans for an error in judgment and for putting myself in a difficult situation," said Chamberlain in a statement released by his agent, Randy Hendricks. "I intend to properly resolve this situation, and do not intend to be in such a situation again. My goal is to focus on pitching for the Yankees in the 2009 season."

Perhaps Joba should be concentrating on driving drunk or having an open container in his car. You would think after seeing the Jim Leyritz tragedy unfold earlier this year, some brains would be used.

Hank Steinbrenner, for one, is behind is star pitcher.

“He knows he made a mistake, and he’s come out and said that,” Steinbrenner said Monday in New York. “We’ve always said we’re an extended family, the Yankee family, and will support him 100 percent.”

Wonder if Hank would feel the same way if it were Melky Cabrera or Cody Ransom.

Joba's Blood Alcohol Level Nearly Twice Legal Limit

Word out of Lincoln, Nebraska today is that Joba Chamberlain's blood alcohol level was 0.134 at the time of his arrest early Saturday morning, nearly double the state's legal limit of 0.08. A court date of December 17 has been set for the right-hander, who apologized over the weekend.

"I want to apologize to the New York Yankees and the fans for an error in judgment and for putting myself in a difficult situation," said Chamberlain in a statement released by his agent, Randy Hendricks. "I intend to properly resolve this situation, and do not intend to be in such a situation again. My goal is to focus on pitching for the Yankees in the 2009 season."

Perhaps Joba should be concentrating on driving drunk or having an open container in his car. You would think after seeing the Jim Leyritz tragedy unfold earlier this year, some brains would be used.

Hank Steinbrenner, for one, is behind is star pitcher.

“He knows he made a mistake, and he’s come out and said that,” Steinbrenner said Monday in New York. “We’ve always said we’re an extended family, the Yankee family, and will support him 100 percent.”

Wonder if Hank would feel the same way if it were Melky Cabrera or Cody Ransom.

Calling on the Ghost of the Bambino to Smote the Red Sox

Seriously, can we get a little help here? The Rays were seven outs away on Thursday night of reaching their first World Series. We already had the Red Sox obituary 90% written when Boston came back from a 7-0 deficit to force a game 5.

Then it was Josh Beckett last night, fighting off a strained oblique, to hold the Rays to two runs on four hits in five innings. Let us make this clear- we don't like Beckett, but he's gained our respect. Something his big mouthed teammate with the ketchupy sock will never get from us. Beckett says he's not hurt, but he clearly is. He doesn't have to point out to the media how much he aches and what he has to do to compensate for it or how big his bowel movement was that morning. He just goes and pitches, and he's become one of the best big game pitchers in baseball.

Another big veteran on this Sox team, which is John Sterling's words, "gutty" and "gritty", is catcher Jason Varitek. The Sox captain could very well be playing his last days in a Red Sox uniform. He's a free agent to be and wants a Jorge Posada like contract (5 years). But Varitek hasn't hit in a month of Sundays. He still calls a great game, but swings a wiffle ball bat against 95-mph fastballs. But last night Varitek reached into the past and hit a James Shields delivery into the seats in right field to put the Sox ahead for good 3-2.

A Jason Bartlett throwing error contributed to an insurance run and then the biggest difference, besides experience, between these two teams came to the forefront. The Red Sox were able to send out Hideki Okajima, Justin Masterson, and Jon Papelbon to combine for four hitless, scorelss innings to even the series up at three games apiece.

The finale is tonight at the Trop with Jon Lester facing Matt Garza. We don't have to tell you who we think will win tonight's game. Now if some spectral force could have an impact...

Calling on the Ghost of the Bambino to Smote the Red Sox

Seriously, can we get a little help here? The Rays were seven outs away on Thursday night of reaching their first World Series. We already had the Red Sox obituary 90% written when Boston came back from a 7-0 deficit to force a game 5.

Then it was Josh Beckett last night, fighting off a strained oblique, to hold the Rays to two runs on four hits in five innings. Let us make this clear- we don't like Beckett, but he's gained our respect. Something his big mouthed teammate with the ketchupy sock will never get from us. Beckett says he's not hurt, but he clearly is. He doesn't have to point out to the media how much he aches and what he has to do to compensate for it or how big his bowel movement was that morning. He just goes and pitches, and he's become one of the best big game pitchers in baseball.

Another big veteran on this Sox team, which is John Sterling's words, "gutty" and "gritty", is catcher Jason Varitek. The Sox captain could very well be playing his last days in a Red Sox uniform. He's a free agent to be and wants a Jorge Posada like contract (5 years). But Varitek hasn't hit in a month of Sundays. He still calls a great game, but swings a wiffle ball bat against 95-mph fastballs. But last night Varitek reached into the past and hit a James Shields delivery into the seats in right field to put the Sox ahead for good 3-2.

A Jason Bartlett throwing error contributed to an insurance run and then the biggest difference, besides experience, between these two teams came to the forefront. The Red Sox were able to send out Hideki Okajima, Justin Masterson, and Jon Papelbon to combine for four hitless, scorelss innings to even the series up at three games apiece.

The finale is tonight at the Trop with Jon Lester facing Matt Garza. We don't have to tell you who we think will win tonight's game. Now if some spectral force could have an impact...

NFL Picks - Week 7

We had a miserable week last Sunday, topped off the giant crap Big Blue took on Monday night. A 5-9 week puts us at 47-38-3 overall.

This week the Giants should be back on the ball against an inferior 49ers team. It definitely helps that it is a home game. The Giants will be without Antonio Pierce and his backup, Chase Blackburn, is a big banged up himself. Eli Manning has a bruised chest, but will play.
Giants -10.5 vs. 49ers Prediction: Giants 33 49ers 16

Jets -3 at Raiders
A decent playing Jets team has a good stretch of the schedule, including today's road game against a Raiders team that is in as much disarray as ever. Jets should romp.

Titans -9 at Chiefs
That's a big spread for a road team, but the Titans are unbeaten. Unlike the Giants-Browns game on Monday night, there will be no sudden turnaround for the Chiefs. They just plain stink.

Bills -1 vs. Chargers
The Chargers are completely unpredictable, especially when LT2 is banged up, but Tomlinson did take part in full practices on Thursday and Friday. That being said, the Bills defense should be the difference maker in this one.

Steelers -9.5 at Bengals
Another big road spread, but another feeble opponent. Carson Palmer is still sitting, as is Willie Parker, but the Steelers have enough weapons to make for another miserable day for Marvin Lewis.

Ravens +3 at Dolphins
Wildcat offense or not, the difference in this game will be Joe Flacco. We were going to go with the Dolphins and then switched. A choice we will probably regret.

Cowboys -7 at Rams
Not having Tony Romo shouldn't stop the Cowboys from blasting the Rams. Cowboys will bounce back from last week's upset at the hands of the Cardinals, and there is no way the Rams will beat an NFC East opponent two weeks in a row.

Bears -3 vs. Vikings
Should be a pretty good game, but the Bears are the better team.

Panthers -3 vs. Saints
Going with another favorite here. The Panthers defense should be a good match for the Saints offense. If Jake Delhomme is on, he should be able to pick apart the Saints secondary.

Lions +9.5 at Texans
Okay, this pick is crazy. Completely. But we'll commit point spread suicide.

Browns +7.5 at Redskins
No, we're not reading too much into last week's Browns win. They won't win this one, but we think they can keep it close...we hope.

Colts -1 at Packers
Peyton Manning looked healthy last week in throwing 3 TD's. He should replicate that feat this week.

Bucs -10.5 vs. Seahawks
We really don't like laying that many points with the Bucs, but we really don't like this Seattle team.

Patriots -3 vs. Broncos
This game could probably be a PK, but with the lack of Broncos defense, we'll go with the Pats.

NFL Picks - Week 7

We had a miserable week last Sunday, topped off the giant crap Big Blue took on Monday night. A 5-9 week puts us at 47-38-3 overall.

This week the Giants should be back on the ball against an inferior 49ers team. It definitely helps that it is a home game. The Giants will be without Antonio Pierce and his backup, Chase Blackburn, is a big banged up himself. Eli Manning has a bruised chest, but will play.
Giants -10.5 vs. 49ers Prediction: Giants 33 49ers 16

Jets -3 at Raiders
A decent playing Jets team has a good stretch of the schedule, including today's road game against a Raiders team that is in as much disarray as ever. Jets should romp.

Titans -9 at Chiefs
That's a big spread for a road team, but the Titans are unbeaten. Unlike the Giants-Browns game on Monday night, there will be no sudden turnaround for the Chiefs. They just plain stink.

Bills -1 vs. Chargers
The Chargers are completely unpredictable, especially when LT2 is banged up, but Tomlinson did take part in full practices on Thursday and Friday. That being said, the Bills defense should be the difference maker in this one.

Steelers -9.5 at Bengals
Another big road spread, but another feeble opponent. Carson Palmer is still sitting, as is Willie Parker, but the Steelers have enough weapons to make for another miserable day for Marvin Lewis.

Ravens +3 at Dolphins
Wildcat offense or not, the difference in this game will be Joe Flacco. We were going to go with the Dolphins and then switched. A choice we will probably regret.

Cowboys -7 at Rams
Not having Tony Romo shouldn't stop the Cowboys from blasting the Rams. Cowboys will bounce back from last week's upset at the hands of the Cardinals, and there is no way the Rams will beat an NFC East opponent two weeks in a row.

Bears -3 vs. Vikings
Should be a pretty good game, but the Bears are the better team.

Panthers -3 vs. Saints
Going with another favorite here. The Panthers defense should be a good match for the Saints offense. If Jake Delhomme is on, he should be able to pick apart the Saints secondary.

Lions +9.5 at Texans
Okay, this pick is crazy. Completely. But we'll commit point spread suicide.

Browns +7.5 at Redskins
No, we're not reading too much into last week's Browns win. They won't win this one, but we think they can keep it close...we hope.

Colts -1 at Packers
Peyton Manning looked healthy last week in throwing 3 TD's. He should replicate that feat this week.

Bucs -10.5 vs. Seahawks
We really don't like laying that many points with the Bucs, but we really don't like this Seattle team.

Patriots -3 vs. Broncos
This game could probably be a PK, but with the lack of Broncos defense, we'll go with the Pats.

Joba Busted for DUI

Word came down late last night that Joba Chamberlain was busted on suspicion of driving under the influence, as well as having an open container in his car, early Saturday morning in his native Nebraska. According to the Omaha World-Herald, Chamberlain was driving south on US highway 77 in Lincoln, Nebraska around 1 a.m. when he was pulled over in 2006 BMW 750i.

A Nebraska state trooper smelled alcohol and then saw the open container in the car. Police spokesperson Deb Collins said formal charges would be filed on Monday.

Note - Throwing 98 mph doesn't make you smart.

Joba Busted for DUI

Word came down late last night that Joba Chamberlain was busted on suspicion of driving under the influence, as well as having an open container in his car, early Saturday morning in his native Nebraska. According to the Omaha World-Herald, Chamberlain was driving south on US highway 77 in Lincoln, Nebraska around 1 a.m. when he was pulled over in 2006 BMW 750i.

A Nebraska state trooper smelled alcohol and then saw the open container in the car. Police spokesperson Deb Collins said formal charges would be filed on Monday.

Note - Throwing 98 mph doesn't make you smart.

Hank: Joba to Start

The Yankees began their annual post-season meetings today and the big news out of it wasn't really that big. Joba Chamberlain will probably start the 2009 season in the starting rotation. That per Hank Steinbrenner:

“The plan as of right now is Chamberlain is going to be a starter,” the Yankees co-chairman said Thursday after five hours of organizational meetings at the team’s spring training complex. “Everybody’s pretty much in agreement with that.”

“It was a productive day,” Hank Steinbrenner said. “We didn’t make any decisions today. We just covered all the things we need to fix. Everything is open. We’re willing to do anything that will improve us. It was more of a summary and quite a lot of discussion.”

In addition to the Steinbrenner boys and Brian Cashman, the meetings were also attended by Jean Afterman, Mark Newman, Lon Trost, Randy Levine, Gene Michael, Felix Lopez, Reggie Jackson, and Tino Martinez.

Why no Joe Girardi?

Hank: Joba to Start

The Yankees began their annual post-season meetings today and the big news out of it wasn't really that big. Joba Chamberlain will probably start the 2009 season in the starting rotation. That per Hank Steinbrenner:

“The plan as of right now is Chamberlain is going to be a starter,” the Yankees co-chairman said Thursday after five hours of organizational meetings at the team’s spring training complex. “Everybody’s pretty much in agreement with that.”

“It was a productive day,” Hank Steinbrenner said. “We didn’t make any decisions today. We just covered all the things we need to fix. Everything is open. We’re willing to do anything that will improve us. It was more of a summary and quite a lot of discussion.”

In addition to the Steinbrenner boys and Brian Cashman, the meetings were also attended by Jean Afterman, Mark Newman, Lon Trost, Randy Levine, Gene Michael, Felix Lopez, Reggie Jackson, and Tino Martinez.

Why no Joe Girardi?