Big Apple Sports

Derek Jeter Deserves a Pass

2011-07-12T07:17:00.002-04:00

Derek Jeter's year has been a rollercoaster ride so far. Coming into the season, all the talk was how overpaid he was and how he should of taken a lesser deal. Then as the season went on and he got hurt, the talk was how he should retire and go out now because he is through. Then all of a sudden, there was a need for Jeter again. With the young shortstops making errors every other inning, the fans and the Yankees were ready to welcome Jeter off the DL for his pursuit of the 3000th hit.

How did that go? Well he wound up getting his 3000th hit in only Jeter fashion. Hitting a homerun to get the special hit and going 5 for 5 that day. All of a sudden, Jeter was back and the fans were ready to embrace him again. The Yankees brass were happy because the fans were filling up all those expensive empty seats, just to see Jeter again. The fans were happy because their idol shower how clutch he is in big time moments.

But that was last week. This week Derek Jeter is the target again for skipping the All Star Game. Not only from the media and the fans, but even MLB officials are telling Jeter he is wrong. MLB wanted Jeter at the game so they could put Jeter in the spotlight and celebrate the 3000th hit. Staying out of the spotlight is something Jeter has tried to do his entire career. He never wanted or wants to be bigger then the game. So Jeter bowed out, and he has the right to do so.

With the way Jeters season has went, can you blame him for wanting to go to his new home, relax and celebrate his new accomplishment with his girlfriend and his family. Maybe instead of traveling across country just to tip his hat, he decided it was more important to get some rest and be ready for the second half of the year. He knows he will need to step up and produce, especially now that A-Rod will be out for a month. Jeter need to be the leader of this team.

Yes, players with injuries are at the game. Jose Reyes, Ryan Braun and Shane Victorino are all hurt but at the game. But they are all under 30, and in the prime is their careers. Jeter is 37, and been named to 12 all star games. That's two more then Reyes, Braun and Victorino combined.

Jeter has paid his due. He has given his time. If he wants to take the break and go home and just relax then good for him. Jeter has always given this game nothing but 110%. But I guess Major League Baseball, the Media and some fans have forgotten that.

Rangers Get Their Star: Richards Signs

2011-07-04T07:05:00.002-04:00

The New York Rangers have always been willing to spend money in free agency to improve their team. Thing is, in the past, the signing they have made haven't really worked out. From Lindros to Holik to Gomez and Drury, the Rangers have been looking for that true number one center, one that makes a legit top line.

Sadly none of those guys ever really worked out. Lindros was always a concussion away from retirement, Holik and Gomez proved to be a product of the Devils system and Chris Drury was never able to live up to the unfair hype he received due to his contract.

But the Rangers finally got it right. They brought in a real number one center, with signing Brad Richards. A guy who fits the Rangers system and understands the coaching philosophy of John Tortorella. Brad Richards is 31, but he shows no sign of decline in his play. He is a proven winner and also a proven leader.

Now whether or not Richards wears the Coveted "C" on his jersey has yet to be revealed. Tortorella has said he will make that decision in camp. Make no mistake, with or without the C, Brad Richards will be the leader of this young team. He will be the one who quarterback the power play, he will be the one the fans praise or blame. With that contract, comes a bullseye.

Brad Richards also has the responsibility to reviving Marion Gaboriks game. Richards was brought here to bring stability to that number one line and give Gaborik a true playmaker. Derek Stephan was not ready for that role and Brandon Dubinksky has become more of a power foward then centerman.

If Richards and Gaborik can co exist and become a true top line, then Callahan, Animisov, Stephan, Fedentenko and Dubinksky will fill out the next two lines. Giving the Rangers a whole new look. Not to mention, a fourth line of Rupp, Boyle and Prust. Add in Staal and the rest is the young defensemen, the Rangers look pretty good. Also can't forget they have one of best goalies in the world in Henrik Lundqvist.

So Richards has his work cut out for him. He got the big contract and the money he coveted. Now its time for him to lead these Rangers past the first two rounds. Making the playoffs is no longer the goal, the goal is to win the Stanley Cup.

Three Things Rangers Need To Do

2011-05-15T19:50:00.002-04:00

The New York Rangers made the playoffs last season on basically guts and goaltending. Sure they had their offensive stretches, but to be honest, their offense was offensive at times, and their power play was outright horrible,especially in the playoffs where you need to take advantage of other teams mistakes.

The first thing for the Rangers to do, is somehow get an offensive defensemen. I still believe Del Zotto and Eminger is a fine 3rd pairing, and Gilroy splitting time there as well if he signs for cheap. The best option would be trading Michael Sauer who is coming off a solid rookie campaign.

Marc Staal and Dan Girardi aren't going anywhere, and the same goes for Ryan Mcdonagh. So Sauer is the obvious choice for the Rangers to try and trade with. An offensive minded right handed defensemen would be a great pickup for this team.

The second thing the Rangers must do is release some players. They should release Wojtek Wolski, Seasn Avery and Captain Chris Drury. As Ranger fans, it is hard to say goodbye to Sean Avery, the guy is what New Yorkers love,but the fact is he doesn't fit the coaches system. Avery is a wild guy, who loves to antagonize, and sometimes will take a bad penalty. John Tortorella isn't a fan of players who are undisciplined and isn't a fan of Sean Avery.

Releasing Chris Drury and Wojtek Wolski are moves the Rangers have to make. For cap reasons, and space for younger guys who fit into the system they are trying to play. With releasing Drury, the Rangers should give Ryan Callahan and Brandon Dubinsky the Co-Captains for now.

The third thing the Rangers must do, coincides with the second thing. With releasing Drury, the Rangers need to sign a real number one center. Brad Richards is the only one available, and knows Tortorellas system. He would be a great presence for Gaborik, and also be a great point man for the power play.

The Rangers are still in a process, but this is a big offseason for them as in terms of growth. We have no idea on prospects being ready to come in, especially Chris Kreider, so the Rangers have to try and update their team in other ways until the prospects keep developing.

Time To Blow Up The Mets

2011-05-06T23:32:00.003-04:00

The New York Mets are four games under 500,they are in last place in the National League East, and sadly, they might be overachieving. It has been hard to watch these Mets, sure they show some fight, but they just seem to be out talented and skilled every night. They have no true ace, and their bullpen is very shaky at most.

That being said, I thought the Mets would be worse. But with Reyes, Beltran and Bay playing well, they are actually keeping afloat. That is why this is the best time to unload some of their players, and just start the inevitable.

I believe Carlos Beltran, Jason Bay, and Frankie Rodriguez are ones the Mets have to try to unload. They are all actually playing well, and could help teams looking to contend. Yes it is a little early, but who knows what will be out there come the trading deadline. So With all three being healthy, this would be the time to do it.

Another player that could be traded, is Johan Santana, who is said to be making great progress in his rehab. Sure he is ways ahead, and trading him in the next off-season or next years deadline would make the most sense, if a team gives you an offer, you can't just turn it down.

It would be hard to trade Santana, our only true ace. But we will never know if he will be a dominant, effective started again. So it wouldn't hurt to get the feel on the guy in the open market, especially if he returns this season.

Next is the elephant in the room, Jose Reyes. The guy has been hurt a lot in the past couple of years, but when he is playing, the Mets are a ten times better team. That being said, the Mets can not afford to pay Jose Reyes. It is a sin, and I don't understand how Bud Selig and baseball can let this happen, but they are friends with the Wilpons, and would rather see the Wilpons destroy the team, then sell it to a owner with money.

Reyes will demand $100 million, about $75 million more than the Mets can actually give out to all free agents combined. A trade is the only one. To get some young, promising MLB ready talent, that aren't close to free agency. Reyes would help any team he goes to with his enthusiasm and his talent. The Mets will never truly replace Reyes, well not in the near future at least.

That leaves the face of the franchise David Wright. Absolutely no fan wants to trade Wright to any team for any prospect. Even I would hate losing the homegrown Met, who grew up loving the Mets himself. But if the Mets do a complete fire-sale, and become the laughing stock in baseball, it wouldn't be fair to keep Wright around.

If the Mets trade most of their stars, it would be time to trade their most prominent one. Would receive the most talent back for Wright, and then could make Ike Davis the face of the franchise.

It hurts to even think this, but with the situation the Mets are in, these are the talks that are going on. So before any big injury or any big run, it's time for the Wilpons to unload who they are going to unload and start the process.

It's going to be a long summer and quite possibly, a long couple of years.

Rangers Season Ends, But Future Is Bright

2011-04-24T19:32:00.002-04:00

The New York Rangers season ended Saturday afternoon in Washington, DC in a rough way. The Rangers lost 3-1 but were over matched and over worked all game. Being over matched isn't anything new to these Rangers, but being over worked was kind of disheartening for any Ranger fan. This team prided themselves on hardwork and blue collar hockey, so to be out worked for an elimination game is not what the organization or its fans wanted to see.

But the hard fought series is over, and three of the games could of gone either way. The Capitals are a veteran team and it showed, and the Rangers are a young team, and that showed. Glen Sather and John Tortorella have built something here in New York, that could wind up becoming very special. To rebuild but continue to contend for the playoffs is a very hard thing to do, but the Rangers have done that. Thanks to John Tortorella's style of hockey.

I was glad to see Tortorella was given an extension. He deserves to continue what he has started. He deserves to see this all play out. In a sense, the Rangers could be the same next year, or maybe even worse if they continue to go younger. They have a few young prospects, that are starting to get ready to make the jump to the NHL, just like Derek Stephan and Ryan McDonagh.

The nucleus is their for these Rangers. Brandon Dubinsky, Ryan Callahan, Mark Stall, Dan Girardi, Michael Sauer, Ryan McDonagh, Artem Anisimov and Derek Stephan. Add some future young guns to that lineup, with Henrik Lundqvist, Brian Boyle, Brandon Prust and hopefully a bounceback year for Marion Gaborik, the Rangers could be dangerous.

Ranger fans have to be patient, their will be growing pains. Sure, you can get on Gaborik and the veterans, but the young guys are going to have bad stretches. They are going to look like young, typicl rookie and sophomore players. But be patient. Sather has finally did, what he should of done when he first got here, rebuild.

With Tortorella behind the bench, the Rangers have the right coach to bring them through this process. His style of play, will make-up for the lack of offense they might have, with hard for-check, solid back-check, and great goaltending. Not to mention the way the Rangers are willing to take the body and block shots from the opposing teams.

I am a die-hard fan and I hate losing, but this year was part of the process for these young Rangers. The future is bright, and it finally looks like the Rangers are actually on to something. Till next October, Let's Go Mets!

Rangers Are All Heart

2011-04-18T09:25:00.002-04:00

These aren't the 1994 New York Rangers, nor are they anything like the Rangers who made the playoffs two years ago. These also aren't your fathers New York Rangers. These are our New York Rangers. A team that has one mega star in their goalie, and a bunch of fowards and defensemen who grind and are willing to take the body, and sacrifice it.

Against the Capitals, the Rangers have far less size, skill and talent. The Capitals as a team are far superior to the New York Rangers. The only advantages the Rangers have are for one obviously is the goalie, Henrik Lundqvist who has been stellar. The Caps goalie has been solid, but until game three, he was never challenged. So what changed in game three? While the Capitals are all skill, the Rangers are all heart. They never give up, they never stop trying. As their head coach puts it, they aren't good enough to play any other way.

The Rangers playing their game is bad news for the Capitals. Having to deal with the forcheck, the hitting and all the block shots is not what the Capitals wanted. The Capitals wanted to go up 3-0 on the Rangers. They wanted to end this as soon as possible. Losing game three was a big loss, giving the Rangers any kind of hope and momentum is dangerous.

The Capitals were frustrated. Prust and Avery got to them, to their goalie. Dubinksky wouldn't be denied all game. They couldn't take the puck from him. Boyle and Fedentenko were giving their all every shift. The defense was blocking shots with their backs. The Rangers played for 60 minutes and got rewarded.

As a Ranger fan you got to feel good how the younger Rangers are playing. If your a Capital fan, you might be a little worried. History is not on their side. The Capitals have never won a series they lead 2-0 in.

Rangers lose Game One, Lack Edge

2011-04-13T23:03:00.003-04:00

What a great start to what can be a very long series for the New York Rangers and Washington Capitals. The Rangers finally made the first mistake late in overtime, and the Capitals took advantage. Alex Semin took a great pass from Jason Arnott, and Semin rifled it pass Henrik Lundqvist. Was a bad turnover by Marc Staal, who had a tremendous game, and logged over 30 minutes.

The Rangers played a very passive game. They played like they were looking for a point, and a shootout that would never come. Its Playoff Hockey, which means there are no shootouts, just continuous overtimes. Ovechkin brought everything to the rink tonight. He had a goal, plenty of shots, and plenty of hits. He brought the edge the Capitals needed.

The Rangers lacked that edge, they lacked the feistiness they brought all year. They missed Ryan Callahan truly in this game. But Callahan is not walking through the clubhouse doors Friday, and the Rangers still have a game to play.

With no shootout, and a lack of edge, there is only one thing the Rangers and Coach Tortorella can do. Bring in Sean Avery. Not the Sean Avery who plays scared to make a mistake, I mean the Sean Avery who got to Martin Brodeur every game he played against him. The Sean Avery who hit Tim Thomas with his stick "accidently." The Rangers need that Sean Avery.

It would be like the scene from Major League 2, when Ricky, The Wildthing, Vaughn returns with the black skull glasses and the leather jacket. Though when Sean Avery plays "his" game, he makes the new Charlie Sheen look normal. That's the edge Avery brings. He isn't Callahan, but he could be a factor. Getting under the skin of Ovechkin,rookie goaltender Michal Neuvirth, and the rest of the Capitals.

Sure Tortorella should keep him in check, but let him go out there. Without shootouts, there is no reason to have Zuccarello in the lineup. Avery brings much more to the table.

Even if Rangers lose Friday, this series is far from over, but its time to change the vibe. The Rangers aren't an offensive team, they are a team of hard workers, with spunk. They aren't going to score more then three goals a game in these playoffs, so why even try adding offense. They got to go with the spunk and the dirty goals, and just play their game.

It's time for the Real Sean Avery to come out and play.

Hall of Fame Shouldn't Become Hall of Shame

2011-04-12T14:57:00.002-04:00

Manny Ramirez retired this past week after MLB notified him that he failed another drug test. Rather then having all the information come out and face the 100 game suspension, Manny walked away. It was another classic moment of Manny being Manny.

His antics on and off the field shouldn't of taken away what a great hitter he was. For years he was the best right-handed hitter in the game. But now we know why. It wasn't just the hard work he put in, but also the drugs he put into his body. The fact he got caught twice tells us he couldn't do without. His antics might not of been enough to keep him out of the Hall of Fame, but his drug uses defiantly should.

It's not just Manny who shouldn't be allowed into the Hall of Fame. It is every known player who used performance drugs that should never be recognized in the Hall. Yes that means Big Mac, Barry Bonds and Alex Rodriguez. Mark Mcgwire might of brought baseball back after dull year, but now we know he wasn't clean.

As for Barry Bonds, the man was simply amazing. The all time home run king, the single season home run king, the guy did it all in his career. But even if he keeps saying he didn't knowingly take steroids,he still took them. Knowingly or not, he had help. His career might of been Hall of Fame worthy without steroids. Bonds got jealous of Mcgwire and Sosa. He wanted the fame and the money. Well the money he got, but he should never be given the fame.

As for Alex Rodriguez, possibly the next holder of the all time home run record. We learned he took steroids in Texas because he wanted to live up to his paycheck. I don't believe that, I believe he took them before Texas and most likely after Texas. His personal life drama would lead you to believe he has always been a cheater. Home run record or not, he shouldn't be rewarded in the Hall of Fame.

We might lose a whole era of stars that brought baseball back. That made it Americas Favorite Past Time again. And we thank them for all the home run chases, the anticipation and the excitement. But to reward them and put them in the Hall of Fame would be wrong. What about the guys who didn't take steroids. The guys that with performance drugs, might of been able to reach 500 home runs or 300 wins. What about those players. Those are the ones we should be rewarding. The guys who turned down more money and fame so they could play the game the right way. Those guys had honor and integrity. Those are the men I applaud.

As for the cheaters, they deserve the same treatment Pete Rose has been given. They deserved to be banned from the Hall of Fame. The moment we let these known cheaters into the Hall of Fame, that's the same moment we start devaluing the guys who are already in. That's something no baseball fan should live with.

Rangers Are In The Playoffs

2011-04-10T13:10:00.004-04:00

They didn't hold their own destiny, they didn't control whether they were in or not, all they could do was go out and get a win on the possible last game of the year at the Garden. Well the Rangers took it to the New Jersey Devils yesterday afternoon, and were rewarded big time. Seven hours later, they got to watch Tampa Bay steam roll past Carolina, 6-2, and in part giving the Rangers the 8th and final playoff spot in the east.

My last post I really ripped into the Rangers and the Coaching staff. And I won't retract anything I said. I still think it was a disgrace the way they came out and played that game against Atlanta. But as they have done all year, they bounced back.

The Black And Blueshirts really took it to New Jersey. In the first period, it seemed like here we go again, when Kovalchuk ripped a shot, that was deflected by Palmieri past Lundqvist. Luckily, a minute later, Captain Chris Drury, got his first goal of the year to tie it up.

Kovalchuk would get a goal of his own, late in the first period, that took the air out of the Garden. But whatever was said by Coach Tortorella and Vinny Prospal must of hit home, because the Rangers went on to dominate the rest of the game. Scoring three goals in the second and one in the third, for a 5-2 victory over the New Jersy Devils, and an aging Marty Brodeur.

Many fans didn't like this match-up. The Devils, no playoffs this year, a chance to knock off the Rangers, would likely come out strong. The fact is the only player that came out strong is Kovalchuk. The rest of the Devils were already thinking about their off season plans. As for their goaltender, Marty Brodeur. He is truly one of the greatest, or maybe its time to say he WAS truly one of the greatest. Brodeur looked old, and slow. The fact that the rival Rangers season was on the line you would think he would of been on his game. The fact is, his game might be what yesterday was. Few shines of greatness, but mostly mediocrity.

So the Rangers did their job, they came out and took it to the Devils. Then they had to wait. For Carolina at home, to take on Tampa Bay who had nothing to play for. The odds were against the Rangers, until the drop of the puck. Tampa Bay took it to Carolina all night. They took pride in eliminating them. Giving their former coach, Tortorella, the last playoff spot over Carolina. It was great to see a team care, even when nothing on the line.

So the Rangers are in. It wasn't easy, it wasn't pretty, but thats been this team the whole year. Fight until the end, and if a team gives them a little life, the Rangers will fight more. Now its on to Washington, a team the Rangers have beaten three out of four times this year. Washington might be playing their best hockey of the season, but there is no way they wanted to see the Rangers in the playoffs. A young team, that doesn't quit.

It's an intriguing match-up. Washington needs to go deep this year, or questions will be asked about their coach, and star player Ovechkin. The Rangers, have to prove they belong, prove that they can contend. They have fought all year, and now its time to fight again.

And hey, what do we know, maybe the Captain has some more clutch goals left for the Rangers this season.

Rangers: No Heart Performance

2011-04-07T21:51:00.003-04:00

The New York Rangers had an easy road ahead of them. Two home games, against two teams out of the playoff race. Well on Thursday night, you couldn't tell the difference between which team was fighting for a playoff spot and which team has been eliminated. That Atlanta Thrashers dominated the Rangers all night.

The only Ranger player you can't bash is Henrik Lundqvist. You absolutely can not point a finger at him. If the Rangers would of for-checked, and back checked, Atlanta would of never had three goals, they might of not even had one. This falls on everybody else.

The coaching has to be questioned, and I like John Tortorella. But how many times in big games have the Rangers come out flat. Sure they usually turn it around in the second and third periods, but not tonight. No, in the biggest game of the year, the Rangers were flat, lazy and careless.

To blame all the Rangers would be too long, but there is one who must be singled out. Our star player, our goal scorer, Marion Gaborik. He was eventually benched after the 3rd goal for the Thrashers, but that was even to late. He looked very lost out there. He was not skating hard at all. On the power play, twice he missed shots off a pass from McCabe. He was flat out embarrassing. On the third goal, he showed no hustle in the back check. Just like last year, when the games are on the line, Gaborik is showing he is not clutch.

Now the Rangers need help. Hopefully that comes tomorrow night from the same team that just embarrassed them tonight. The Thrashers are home tomorrow to take on Carolina. If Carolina loses, then all the Rangers have to do is win on Saturday. Against a rival New Jersey Devils Team. A team that would love to end their disappointing season on a high note. If Carolina wins or gains a point tomorrow, then the Rangers need to win Saturday, and hope for a Carolina loss Saturday night.

It's not over, not by a long shot. But the Rangers no longer hold their own destiny. Hopefully that changes tomorow night. But for now, it will be a long 24 hours for this Ranger club and their fans.

Rangers: Stars need to be Stars

2011-04-07T09:26:00.004-04:00

When you look at this Ranger team, you see mostly grit. Dubinksky, Callahan, Sauer and Girardi. You have Marc Staal who is a defensive force, and Derek Stephan who is hopefully an All Star in the making. But when other teams look at the roster, they only see two stars. Two guys they have to truly worry about each night. Henrik Lundqvist and Marion Gaborik.

Lundqvist has been awesome. He has been on his game for the past month. He isn't allowing any bad goals and is coming up big when his team needs him. Now the Rangers need him to do it for two more games. Tonight against the Thrashers, and Saturday against rival Devils with Martin Brodeur. Can you imagine the drama Saturday afternoon at the Garden, if the game is a must win. Rangers vs Devils, the Devils would love to play spoilers. To ruin the Rangers season in front of the Garden Faithful. Not to mention Brodeur would love to outside Lundqvist to prove he is still the man around here.

With Parise back and Kovalcuck playing well again, the Rangers will need Lundvist to be better then ever. It's hard to ask your goaltender who has played in 24 straight games to be better. But he will have to be. For the next two games, he will have to look to increase his league leading 11 shutouts to 13.

The other star the Rangers need is Marion Gaborik. Last year in the last game of the year, a must win, he was invisible. Tortorella called him out then and has called him out during this inconsistent year. But now with Ryan Callahan out, the Rangers need Gaborik to be Gaborik. To play like a top five player in the world for the next two games and hopefully the playoffs if they get there.

He has to use his legs and those long strides to start beating defensemen to the puck. He needs to take the puck and start shooting it on the net consistently. He needs to become a threat again, on 5 on 5 and the powerplay.

If the Rangers can get Lundqvist and Gaborik to play their best hockey of the season, then they will win out. If one doesn't play their game, well it can be the final two games of the year for the Rangers.

Time for the Stars to shine.

Mets: Never Too Early To Believe

2011-04-06T10:42:00.002-04:00

All you need to know about the New York Mets is nobody picked them to finish higher then fourth place in the National League East this year. No expert predicted they'd win over 78 games this season. They supposibly have over-rated hitters and a pitching staff that is more fragile then glass. Their bullpen is only makeshift bullpen, with one over-rated closer and a bunch of no named arms. How could they ever compete. Everybody is taking shots at them,even their own network. There is no way the Mets can compete in Major League Baseballl because no experts picked them. Ya know the same experts that picked last years World Series, the Yankees and Phillies.

Too bad last years World Series were two teams nobody picked. Who saw Texas beating the Yankees or the young Giant arms defeating the high powered Phillies in the NLCS. So as Met fans forget what the experts say, forget the predictions of the baseball gods saying the Mets are doomed. Forget about Madoff and the Wilpons.

That's right forget about the Owners problem. Nothing Met fans can do about it. The Met fans should be behind Sandy Alderson and Terry Collins. Get behind the new regime and the new attitude. They have done everything Met fans have asked. Change the attitude in the clubhouse and bring in team players. Guys like Willie Harris, Chris Young, and Capuano. Release the dead weight that was Luis Castillo and Oliver Perez.

The fans should be begging Jose Reyes to stay. When healthy he is the best leadoff man in the game. The fans got their way with Perez and Castillo, now its time to get their way with Reyes. Show Wilpon and Alderson we want him here. That the Mets need him here. Show the owners this is your team, that even when they screwed up as owners the Met fans still went to the ballpark and believed.

Maybe the Mets will be a last place team like the experts predict. Or maybe just maybe the New York Mets make it interesting. They compete,that they buy into the us against the world saying. Maybe these Mets prove to their fans that it is alright to "Still Believe."

How to Replace Callahan

2011-04-05T18:52:00.002-04:00

You can't replace what Ryan Callahan brings day in and day out. I know the title of this article is how to replace Callahan, but looking at the man, the intangibles that he brings, you just can't do it. Ryan Callahan is listed at 5'10 and a 190 pounds, but plays like he is 6'4 and 250. He hits hard, and clean. He isn't afraid to go in front of the net and stand with the big guys. And as we know know, he isn't afraid to step in front of the hardest shot in the league. He has done it all year to Chara, but the last one finally got him in the ankle. Ending a great season, to a great player.

You can't replace all that with one guy. Nobody from the fourth line or the minors is going to come in and provide you with what Callahan brings. The entire team is going to have to chip in. Just like they have done all year, the team is going to have to grow closer, stand up for each other and give 200 percent, just like Callahan does.

How do you replace Callahans leadership? That might be the easiest one, look to his linemate, Brandon Dubinsky. Everyone has said, either Dubinsky or Callahan would become captain of the New York Rangers, with Callahan getting the upper hand. Well without Cally in the lineup, Dubinsky will have to step up in every way. He will have to block more shots, score more goals, throw more checks,and when this team is down in a game, he will have to be the one to gain energy back, to pump up the crowd. He has done it before, now he has to do it again.

Replacing Callahan goals are tough, because most of them are gritty dirty goals. The whole team, will have to hit the net, and charge the net and hope for dirty goals, and favorable bounces. But if your looking for the best solution, well that would be Marion Gaborik. He has had an inconsistent season, and there is no better time to get going then now. Gaborik needs to have the games like he had last year, when teams couldn't get the puck off his stick without taking a penalty. Were Gaborik, could use his legs and his quick hands, to shoot off a wrister into the glove side of the goalie. He needs to step up, the team needs him more than ever now.

On the penalty kill it will be hard to replace Callahan. He is so fearless and quick, he just doesn't hesitate to block a 100mph slap shot. Boyle and Prust will continue to do their job, but somebody has to play with Dubinsky. Stephan will do what he can, but the real guy the Rangers need is Chris Drury. For the faceoffs, and if there is anyone else on this team, that is willing to sacrifice himself in front of Charas blazing slap shot, its Chris Drury.

Yes he has underperformed as Ranger, and has been hurt all year. But what a great chance for Drury to earn back the name Mr. Clutch. To come through now, and help this team get into and go further into the playoffs. He might not be the true leader that Callahan is for this team, but he still is the Captain, and as long as you wear the C on your jersey, your entire team will look at you in times of desperation It's time for Chris Drury to do what he did in the past Olympics and pass playoffs, be Mr. Clutch.

As for Callahan's energy, and his ability to throw a hit and go to the net, well there is one guy that is perfect for that job, one guy that Tortorella himself knows is the guy that can do it, if he can stay out of the penalty box. Yup, you guessed it, Sean Avery. Avery hasn't had a great year, and hasn't played much, but maybe now its time. Maybe now its time for Avery to hound the other teams goaltender. Maybe its time for Avery to throw bodychecks at Alexander Ovechkin or Jeff Carter. When Avery plays his game, the game Tortorella took away from him, he his careless, but effective.

Tortorella needs to get Avery to continue to play smart, but to regain the high octaine style that other teams hate. Henrik Lundqvist gets hit every game, and sometimes it feels like the Rangers are never near the other teams goaltenders. With Sean Avery that can change, he might also be able to contribute some dirty goals if he goes back to how he should play.

As you can see, it will take a lot to even try to replace Ryan Callahan. It would take a miracle, for Dubinksy, Gaborik, Drury and Avery to all step up and bring what Callahan brings every night. This team has overcome adversity all year, its time for them to do it again.

The Garden is Rocking

2011-04-04T22:30:00.002-04:00

The New York Rangers fans were booing, and getting bored watching the Rangers tonight. Their team was flat for the first 30 minutes of the game, going down 3-0. The Rangers couldn't for-check, nor could they back check. Let Boston Bruin Players hang out in front of Lundqvist for the first period and half. Then something happened, the Rangers decided to finally throw the puck on the net and play their game. That was when the momentum changed.

The Rangers got their first goal from Vinny Prospal, who would then score their second goal with under two minutes left in the second. The game changed, the Rangers were thriving. But then came the third period, and for much of the period the Rangers couldn't do much against Tim Thomas and Boston. Until The Dubinsky, Callahan and Anisimov line got on the ice.

With about four minutes to play, the line picked up their for-check and Callahan threw a puck into the front of the net, standing there was Brandon Dubinsky who received it and put it into the back of the net. Just like that it was 3-3, and over time was in the cards. Until a minute later, Michael Sauer pinched in and put one between the pads of Tim Thomas, who was way to far out of the crease. The never say die Blueshirts were up 4-3 with three minutes to go. Hold on and magic number is down to 3, and all pressure on Carolina.

Then with less then a minute, with an empty net, Derek Stephan took the puck to center ice, and buried his 21st goal of the year. Sealing a Ranger comeback and victory, and more importantly making sure the Rangers destiny stayed in their hands.

What a great comeback against a good hockey team. Lundqvist out played Thomas at the end. The Rangers outplayed Boston. Carolina plays Detroit on Tuesday, if can lose that game in either regulation or overtime/shootout, then all the Rangers have to do is beat Atlanta at home Thursday night in front of the Garden Faithful.

This team doesn't give up, and if all goes well, this game was a very big message to the rest of the NHL, if the Rangers get into the Nhl Playoffs, they will not be an easy out. If I was the rest of the East, I would be rooting for Carolina and Buffalo.

Time for Some Home Cooking

2011-04-04T06:58:00.003-04:00

The New York Rangers got out of Philly with two points yesterday afternoon and thanks to a Carolina loss in overtime, the Rangers hold a two point lead on the Hurricanes for 8th place. The Rangers are also just one point out of 7th place. All three teams have three games remaining, and the Rangers can put pressure on the other two with s win tonight against Boston.

The one positive is the Rangers play the next three games at home, which also could be a negative for them. The Blueshirts have been a better road team this year. The Garden crowd will have to get going early, and so will the Rangers if they want to gain a homefield advantage. If the Rangers play like they did yesterday, the crowd will be into the game all night. If they play like they did against the Islanders, well that can ruin the Mojo at the garden for tonight and the next two.

For the Rangers its simple. Win two of the next three games and your in. They still hold their own destiny. With Boston tonight, Atlanta on Thursday and then a Saturday showdown with the recently eliminated New Jersey Devils. Any Ranger fam would admit that they would prefer the Blueshirts have the playoffs locked up before that game. Even though the Devils are finally eliminated, they would relish the opportunity to knock the Rangers out of the playoffs at the Garden.

So its make or break week. Three teams in the race, three games left, but only two can make it. Now it depends which Rangers team shows up, the blue collar team that we saw beat Boston and Philly, or the lazy, tired team that got blown out by the Islanders. Their destiny is in their hands, just like last year.

Rangers Begin Huge Roadtrip in Buffalo

2011-03-30T07:41:00.000-04:00

Tonight the New York Rangers are in upstate New York to face off against the Buffalo Sabres. As of this morning, both teams have played 76 games with the Rangers holding a slim two point lead. If the Rangers were to win tonight, they would separate themselves a little bit from Buffalo and also either gain ground on Montreal or separate themselves from Carolina who are in ninth place, 5 points behind the seventh place Rangers. Montreal and Carolina play each other tonight, so a Rangers win would guarantee gaining a point or two on one of those teams.

A win tonight won't be easy. The Sabres are coming off a huge loss last night and need a bounce back game. The game will have two of the worlds top goalie, Lundqvist vs Miller. The Rangers goalie is playing out of his mind right now and will have to continue the mojo tonight. Miller is a fantastic big game goalie and tonight is the biggest game of the year. For a team that struggles with scoring, the Rangers are going to need Lundqvist to aim for his 12th shutout of the year.

The Rangers will need to win this game on special teams. The powerplay will have to suceed tonight in order for them to win. Lately the Rangers have been very discipline and will need to keep that up against a very fast Buffalo team. If they take penalties, their penalty kill will have to be sharp.

Lundqvist and his Rangers just have to play like they did Saturday against the Bruins. Get the lead, and play smart defensive hockey. Keep up the forcheck and block as many shots da you can. The Bruins had plenty of shots, but most came from the point, anything closer and the Rangers were there to block it.

After tonight, the games don't get easier for Lundqvist and the Rangers. They are in Long Island tommorow to face off against their long time rivals, the Islanders. Then on Sunday their are in Philly for a matchup with the Flyers. Then they start a three game home stretch, against the Bruins, Thrashers and for the final game of the year, the Devils.

So a win tonight would guarantee some breathing room, but a loss. And the Rangers could be in 8th place, with just a three point lead. Just Win.

Knick Fans Must Relax

2011-03-29T08:26:00.002-04:00

The Knicks won last night, but is you checked Twitter, Facebook or any message boards you would is thought the Knicks list again. The Knicks beat the Magic in overtime 113 - 106 but to many it was like they lost their seventh straight and got blown out. Some fans were saying the win doesn't matter, that the team still has issues. Or that the referees giftwrapped the Knicks the win. Sure the officials were bad but for both ways.

Fans must remember this team wasn't that good before Carmelo. And to be honest it isn't that good now. Look at the roster, besides Amare and Carmelo who really stands out. Billups is a big name, but he is having a hard time running Dantonis system. Fields has been a blessing surprise but still just a rookie. Douglas has been great off the bench, but he his very erratic. Everybody else on the roster, forget about them.

The team needs to get better. They need a premium inside defensive threat and help off the bench. They also need Carmelo and Amare on the same page. That's been the biggest problem for the team, is their chemistry. Hopefully Carmelo can start having these big games and Amare can join him. They both have to be on the court together. Carmelo has to run the pick and roll a lot mor for Amare. If Billups can't do it,then Carmelo has to do it himself. It would be a step in the right direction, those two running the pick and roll together.

Knicks fans should relax, last night was a good win against a good team. Was also a great Melo effort. Hopefully a winning streak is coming. Would be nice to clinch playoffs sooner than later. Then, you just never know.

Met fans for Yankees!

2011-03-28T07:54:00.002-04:00

I am a die-hard Mets fan and will always be. But ever since Carlos Beltran looked at strike three in game 7 of NLCS, it has all been down-hill. We have seen two managers fired, one general manager fired and our owners involved in one of the largest ponzi schemes ever. The Wilpons are in such bad shape they are already looking to sell 25% of the team, if they lose their case against other investors in the Madoff Scheme,they could possibly have to sell the entire franchise.

To some Met fans the Wilpons selling would be their third win in last three years. The other two? Releasing Oliver Perez and Luis Castillo. A move the Mets had to do, but are paying dearly for. The Wilpons will have to either sell the franchise or sell some players. Jose Reyes, a player who can change the game with his speed, power and defense, is most likely the first of many to go. He will not be on this roster after the trading deadline.

It's going to be a long season for us Met fans, but why shouldn't we watch exciting baseball. Why watch the Mets were the only good thing that has happened is the releasing of two players. Why watch the Mets to see the Wilpons try to save everysingle penny they can, even if it cost them Jose Reyes and maybe David Wright. I won't, I refuse to watch this go down his way. I will always be a Mets fan, and will watch some of the games, but I want exciting baseball, so I will be switching from SNY to YES a lot this season.

I know, this goes against everything. What about all the war of words in high school between Yankee fans and myself. You know, when all we did was argue over anything and everything. Or what about the intense rivalry. Two teams in separate divisions playing 6 games, man what a rivalry. A Yankee vs Red Sox pre season game has more of a rivalry feeling then Mets vs Yanks.

I will always admit that their are a lot of Yankee fans I can't stand. But I respect the team. They are well-built, and well coached. They don't have the everyday drama the Mets have and well their roster is full of Major Leaguers. Heck their Minor League triple a team has more major league talent then the Mets.

I love the Mets and will always root for them. But maybe its time to root for NY. Maybe its time to put aside the stupid fan rivalry and root for a team that you can watch everyday. Instead of choosing a team out West for the year or stop watching all together. I will still follow the Mets, but if the Mets are playing the Pirates with Dillion Gee on the mound and the Yankees are playing the Rangers with Sabathia on the mound, I know what ok watching.

Met fans for Yankees. New York fans for a New York team. It's time us Met fans got to watch a winner anyway.

Rangers Win Again

2011-03-26T15:50:00.002-04:00

The New York Rangers responded Saturday afternoon with a very strong win against a stron Bruins team. Rangers won 1-0 on a deflection by Derek Stephan, that probably should of never happened. The play before, the Rangers looked to be offsides, the Refs missed it, and the faceoff stayed in the Bruins end. On the facebook win, a shot by Dan Girardi was deflected in by Stephan in the first period,

Besides the controversial goal, the Rangers dominated this game for the first two periods. Their forecheck was tremendous, and the Bruins never really tested Lundqvist from anywhere but the outside. The Bruins were able to bump Lundqvist a couple of times, especially a nasty one late in the second. But he got up and stayed strong.

The Thrid period was all Bruins. They outshot the Rangers 12-1 in the third, but still, most came from the outside. When they did have their chances below the circles, Lundqvist was there and stepped up.

The Rangers played great defensively,by taking the body and blocking shots. They were 0 for 4 on the power play, but had great chances. Just couldn't seem to bury one past Rask.

Rangers are now tied for 6th place with Montreal, Montreal plays later tonight and still owns the tiebreaker. So if somehow the Rangers can past Montreal, they would see this Bruins team in the playoffs, and you have to think the Rangers would prefer seeing Boston or even Tampa then Washington, Philadelphia or Pittsburgh.

Either way the Rangers put the pressure on all the teams they are chasing and all the teams chasing them. The Devils play the Sabres, so as a Ranger fan, would want the Devils to prevail. The Capitals are playing the Canadians, so hopefully the Ovechkin less Caps can steal a win.

Also Carolina is playing Tampa, and even though Rangers could still catch Tampa, you would rather see the Hurricanes not gain any points tonight. Also the red hot Maple Leafs are in Detroit, would be nice to see them be cooled off.

Hopefully some go in the Rangers favor, but one thing we all know, is Rangers hold their own destiny, and have put pressure on the other teams to keep winning. Rangers are in Buffalo Wednesday with a huge two points and playoff positioning on the line. Lundqvist vs Miller will defiantly be the story.

Then it doesn't get any easier for these Blue Collar Rangers, games against the Islanders, Flyers,Boston, Atlanta and New Jersey. All teams in the playoffs or even still fighting for a spot.

Got to take it one game at a time, next up, Miller and Buffalo, need to get two points.

Rangers vs Bruins, Possible Playoff Matchup

2011-03-26T01:11:00.004-04:00

A New York team is in Beantown this weekend and things could get feisty. And this time its not for Yankees vs Red Sox. The Rangers, currently the 7th seed, and only 2 points out of the 6th spot in the East, are going up against the Bruins, the 3rd seeded team in the East. Bruins are trying to get back on the winning track, while the Rangers are still fighting to even make the playoffs.

If the Rangers were to get into the 6th spot in the playoffs, they would have a playoff showdown with these same Bruins. The Boston Bruins know this and surely want to stay away from the Rangers never quit attitude. The Rangers aren't the most talented team, but to play them in a seven games series, with their forcheck and never die style, they are a horrible first round matchup for any team.

The Rangers are a lot like the Flyers of last season, fighting all year to just be in Aprils tournament, and once they do get in, their style of play is too much for some of these all offense teams.

So tommorow, the Bruins will try to set the Rangers back a game, while the Rangers will try to get into a tie for 6th, and make a statement to the Bruins that they are ready if those two teams match up in the playoffs.

Yeah, its not Yankee- Red Sox, but it could add onto the rivalry of New York and Boston.

NFLPA Makes First Mistake

2011-03-15T07:03:00.002-04:00

Now through this whole NFL cba negotions, I agreed with the players union on every point. I believed that the owners are being way to greedy, and that there is no way team owners are losing money with they way football tickets are over priced. I mean you have to pay money for a psl just to then pay money for your season tickets. I agree with the players, that the union should be able to see the teams financial books if the owners complain about net losses. Show it to the union, prove that you need an extra billion dollars to cover your loss.

I also believe that an 18 game schedule is to much for these players. Athletes are involving in all sports, and injury totals are climbing to all time highs. Adding two more games to a grueling sport is not the answer. Maybe cutting the preaseason games in half would be smarter. Considering star players rarely take snaps in the exhibition games, might as well cut them down to prevent injury. Also for the preseason games, owners shouldn't be charging full price to their fans to these games. I mean, $150 dollars for a ticket and $20 dollars for parking to see a third string quarterback throw a touchdown pass to a practice squad wide receiver. But if you want regulations season tickets, must purchase the preseason ones also.

The One billion extra dollars the owners are asking for is a bit much. That "extra" money should be put into a fund for players who didn't make millions playing football, and have to spend what they made going to doctors for head and other injuries. The union is asking for this, obviously not for the full extra billion,but for some of it. Which is a good start.

I have agreed with the NFLPA on all their stances, except one. Telling the college kids who are about to be drafted to boycott the NFL draft is a disgrace. As a player, if you earn yourself a top pick selection, you earned the right to walk on that stage, shake the commissioners hand, put on your hat and jersey and do all the interviews and photo ops you can.

First off the union decertified, meaning it doesn't represent any players. Also means as of now, there is no union for these players to go into. Sure, if they played through a lockout, then they would be scabs, but that's not what's going on here. All it really is,is an induction to a job. To start their career as a NFL player. Once the draft is over, they can't sign any contracts or get any early practices in, so its not like they are working outside the union.

I believe that even though the Union and Owners are about to fight it out in court, that these rookies can still shake Roger Goodells hand. No matter what, still work together. When the cba is worked out, everybody goes back to working for the same company. So let them shake hands with the commissioner,let the fans see that not all is a fight. That their is still respect from players to owners/NFL. Don't take this memory away from a young kid who one day will be representing the union for future cba negotiations.

Hey New York, what about the Die Hards?

2011-03-14T07:56:00.003-04:00

Now I am not implying that rich people aren't diehards, but if your a New York fan, you know the difference between a real fan and a suit. The real fan is the one that lives day by day, the one with real team apparel, the guy who knows when to stand up to go to the stands or restrooms,or to wait for a stoppage to go back to your seat. A real fan will cheer when their team is going well, and pout,complain and boo when their team is losing. A real fan is someone who goes for the experience, whether its one game or a full season, its all about the experience of the present game. A real fan is a hardworking father bringing his son to a game after working ten hour days. Or a father who would go from work in the city, to Jersey to pick up his son, back to the city for a game, and then back to Jersey to go home, all in about six hours time.

Now a suit, are the guys who goto the game to make an appearance. They go with their five hundred dollar suits, sit as close as they can just to show off. They won't remember the score, they won't remember the experience. Some don't even cheer and stand up when something good happens. But they will remember how much the tickets were, or how close they sat. Now some die hards do have jobs that require a suit, but on game day, the ones I know always carry a jersey or a shirt to support their team. The suits can't even do that, it doesn't go with their wardrobe.

New York use to be the biggest sport city in the world. Yankee Stadium, The Garden, Giant Stadium and even Shea, always rocked when their teams where good. These places use to be filled with home teams being fed energy from the home crowds that gave such a homefield advantage that it wasn't fair. The fans were rowdy, creative and sometimes rude and nasty,but hey, were New Yorkers, that's us at a game.

But not as much anymore, sure you get the occasional Boston Sucks chants and the Potvin whistle at the Garden, but those are normal. Now Yankee stadium still rocks in middle and upper decks, but take a look at the bottom. Its so expensive that if you see a seat filled, its with a celebrity or a couple of guys in fancy suits. The hardworking father and his die-hard fan son are nowhere to be found. They are up higher, paying over Sixty-five dollars to sit in the nosebleeds with obstructive views. And why do they still go? For the experience, for a memory. For the chance to see something special, to catch a foul ball(even tho the chances are slim to none.)

Whose to blame? Well the owners and greedy players of course. Look at what Madison Square Garden is doing to their fans. The Knicks are raising prices 49%, for a team that hasn't done anything for a decade and still isn't a championship caliber team. But somebody has to pay for Carmelo. Now the Rangers, sure have been competing for the last two spots in the playoffs for past couple years, even making it to the playoffs two out of past three years. So what is the owner doing, raising prices 26%. For a mediocre team,in a rebuilding stage that will finish between the 7th and 12th spot in the East this year. Truly Amazing.

The Garden used to be the Worlds Most Famous Arena. It actually still uses that nickname, even though it isn't true. The die-hard Knicks and Rangers fans have been moved either up to the higher sections, or out of the arena to their living rooms or sports bars. Sure the Garden is always soldout, so why do the owners care what type of fans are there. They'd prefer the ones with the bigger wallet, to the hardworking blue collar guy. Now a days, its the Worlds most Quietness Arena.

It is a shame that these owners can push out the little guys, the true diehards. And its more of a shame that the players can care less. Anyway they can make more money is fine by them. They would rather get paid 10 million and play in front of a empty arena, then take a paycut and play for 6 million in front a loud and energetic crowd.

So the diehards have to settle for other things, either take out a loan to goto a game, head down to the local bar to watch their favorite team or buy a HD TV and watch every game at home in HD. Sure might cost you $400 for the TV, but better them spending $400 for a day out to the ballpark with the family.

Mets are Back!

2011-02-15T07:08:00.001-05:00

The New York Mets are back! They are finally Omar-less and have a new regime running the show. Sure the Wilpons are still here, but who knows for how long. Sure we still see Oliver Perez and Luis Castillo suiting up but that's just for competition. Luis Castillo will not be our starting second basemen. Alderson and Collins are way to smart for that. Perez will be given a look because the Mets need a left specialist out of the pen and he might be just the guy to do it.

This isn't the greatest team ever and nobody is saying playoffs or even winning record. But why not. Why can't this offense be good enough to carry a pitching staff that we know nothing about yet. If Young and Capuano have solid years and Pelfrey and Niese continue to mature, who can't they compete. Then throw in a surprising Dickey and adding am ace like Santana mid season and hey, why not.

It's up to Wright, Reyes, Davis and Bay to produce some runs. Up to Pagan and Beltran to stay healthy and provide some spark. The bench seems to be the right amount of veterans and guys who are hungry and want to prove they can still play in the bigs. As for the bullpen, Carrasco and Parnell have to step up and me stoppers in the late innings. Then maybe Ollie will win that lefty spot out of the bullpen to give us a solid three in front of our closer K-Rod, who needs a bounce back year.

So why not, everyone is picking against the Mets, and giving the title to Philly already. But what if the Mets stay healthy, what if the Phillies have injuries, why not the Mets? Why not.

Knicks at a Crossroad

2011-02-10T07:23:00.002-05:00

It's very simple, this Knicks team is average. Sure they are fun to watch and that's a huge change from the past years. But to be honest, they aren't that good. They will win some big games and lose some bad ones. They rarely get blown out and always show heart, even if too late. But now comes the time, how to get better, to make it to the next step. Is that step Carmelo? I think so, but getting him doesn't make the Knicks a contender, not even close.

The Knicks should trade anyone but Amare, Felton and Fields for Carmelo. Get him here and get him signed, but that's only a third of the way to being a contender. The Knicks already average 100 points a game, so scoring isn't the problem, its defense. They need to replace Gallinari with a winger who can come off the bench and spell Fields and Carmelo. Someone who can be a lockdown defender and disrupt other teams shooters.

Also,the Knicks need a center that will contribute every night. Turiaf is to banged up and well isn't that good to be starting. Mosgov seems like a decent player, but still is very unseasoned and cam benefit by coming off the bench and watching a veteran center who defends, rebounds and block shots. Don't need a guy that scores, if got Carmelo and Amare, then no reason for an offensive guy. Just someone that can be a presence on the defensive side of the ball.

It's been a fun year, due to what Knick fans have been witnessing in previous years, but this is New York and fun years just don't cut it. Us fans want a championship caliber team. Time for Dolan to extend Walsh and let him continue what he started. Time to give Amare his partner in crime, go get Carmelo, go get him today.

Rangers Need Patience

2011-02-09T22:45:00.002-05:00

Sure it would be great to add a big time center like Brad Richards, or a guy with a booming shot like Bryan McCabe, but at what cost? The New York Rangers can not go back to selling youth for aging veterans, especially when they are playing well. Yes the Rangers are on a five game skid, but if you have been watching these games, you would see that they are playing well, and just have to continue the pace.

They have to stay the course, be who they are. Continue to block shots, get the puck deep, keep up the forecheck. Can't get into a offensive shootout because the power play and offense is too thin. Without Gaborik taking charge, two to three goals a night is a premium for this team. That is okay, as long as our goaltending steps up, and our defensemen continue doing what they have all year.

Hit the net, is all they have to do. Keep it simple and throw pucks toward the goalie, get the ugly goals again. Drive the net, bump the goalie, and just throw everything plus the kitchen sink at the opposing team. Hopefully Prospal, Gaborik and Del Zotto start clicking and our power play starts scoring some goals and winning us games. Until then, we are going to need Callahan, Dubinksy, Avery, Boyle and Prust to do what they have all year, pick us up. The younger kids will have their ups and downs, but its our young veterans who are going to have to step up.

Last year, the Rangers team hit a wall, started showing their conditioning was off for Tortorellas offense, this year, the hard work and conditioning is still there, they are just in a funk. Rather then dismantle the team, they have to have patience, go back to the simple things, and start playing Ranger hockey again. They can start Friday night in Atlanta, against a Thrashers team that is in a place the Rangers know too well, ninth place and out of the playoffs.

Mets Ready To Open Season and New Stadium

2009-03-31T21:56:00.001-04:00

The New York Mets are ready to come back to New York for the final spring training games. The games will be held at the new digs for the Mets, Citi Field, and will be against the Boston Red Sox. The Mets and Red Sox will play two games starting Friday and then will be heading out to Cincinnati, then Florida and then finally back home to New York for the real home opener against the Padres.

Jerry Manuel has announced the 25 guys who will be joining him to start the season and there is no surprise with the starting lineup or the rotation, unless you still believed Pedro Martinez was coming back to beat out Livian Hernandez. The bench is very similar to last year, with Castro, Tatis, Anderson and Evans,who is only there until the Mets need the fifth starter.

The two new guys to the bench are Alex Cora, the defense specialist and the name you might here very quickly if Luis Castillo doesn't get off to a hot start. The other spot belongs to the defensive specialist in the outfield, for the past two years, Met fans where use to Endy Chavez coming in and making the big play and igniting the team. This year it will be Jeremy Reed, a speedy, left handed hitter from California. He has spent his entire career in Seattle, so coming to the National League, and especially New York will be new for him.

The bullpen was defiantly addressed this off-season and is the main focus going into the season. The two guys the Met fans will remember from last year, are Pedro Feliciano, one of the best situational lefties in the game, and Brian Stokes, the long man out of the pen who did a fantastic job last year.

New to the Mets middle relief, are Sean Green,the righty ground ball specialist who needs to lower his era to be effective for the Mets. Next the Mets have submarine pitcher Darren O'Day to replace Joe Smith. O'Day hopefully will be more consistent then Smith was, and become that piece the Mets have missed since Bradford departed.

Also a guy that few Met fans might remember from that miserable September is young hard throwing Bobby Parnell. This is the guy that should excite Met fans, he has a huge arm and throws a hard ball. He use to be a starter, but he is best off being in the bullpen and becoming that 7th inning guy for the Mets and future closer hopefully. The Mets hope he can bring them what Joba Chamberlain brought to the Yankees in relief.

And finally you have the two big off season aquisations. First the new set up man for the Amazings, JJ Putz. The Former closer turned set up man will defiantly be an upgrade over Duaner Sanchez, and will help take a load off current closer, Fransico Rodrigues. K-rod is ready to take the ball and get the Mets over that hump. He is very cocky and always shows it. We can expect 40 saves from the guy, but nothing will be bigger then the games he will save in September.

If the Mets had Putz and K-rod last year, they probably wouldn't of blown so many games after the seventh inning. It will be mostly on those guys out of the bullpen so it doesn't happen again. Though Delgado and Church will need big seasons again, as will Perez and Pelfrey. John Maine needs to regain the form from 2007 and Santana just needs to be himself. Look for Wright, Reyes and Beltran to compete for the MVP awards this season as Beltran is due for 30 home-runs and 100 RBI and Wright and Reyes will continue to grow into perennial All Stars.

The Mets need to get off to a hot start, especially in a new ball park and especially after another September collapse. But as Met fans know, its not how you start, but its how you finish, and this is the year the Mets need to finish better then the Phillies. The new Stadium needs it, the players need it, the manager needs it, and most importantly, the die-hard fans need it. Here's to a great 2009 season, Go Amazings!

Sean Avery: Enough is Enough

2009-03-30T22:50:00.000-04:00

Let me guess, you saw the title and figured another NHL fan angry at Sean Avery for his antics. Well if you guessed that, then you would be wrong. Before I step on the wrong toes, I never condoned his quotes earlier in the season with the sloppy seconds or anything like that. But on the ice I have always loved watching this guy play. He is a pest, he is an annoyance, and he gets under you skin in ways that might upset people.

But I see nothing wrong with a little trash talk, or going to the net and getting in front of a goalie, heck they have more pads on then the regular players, so what if they get hit a little, its hockey. But what I don't understand, is anything this man does now is a penalty, the referees jump right in and throw him to the box. But when people go after him, the referees let play go on, and let him get taken down. That's why I say enough is enough.

Saturday in Pittsburgh, Sidney Crosby, the so called face of the NHL, was awarded about four penalties do to being cross-checked, hooked or interferred with. Sean Avery, no where near the puck was interferred with twice, from behind, knocked down to the ground, and nothing called. And it was seen, because the referee was right there, and didn't even attempt to blow his whistle, twice. So, the NHL got their payback to Sean, the suspension wasn't enough, they got their cheap shots on him on the ice. So enough is enough right, well, I guess not.

Tonight, the Rangers were home against Martin Brodeur and those feisty Devils. Well once again, without doing anything wrong but going to the front of the net, it was Brodeur who used his stick at the crotch of Avery, but nothing called. And that was fine, and then once again, had some nice cheap shots on Avery, and no whistles blown.

Then there was David Clarkson, the one Avery called a nobody. Clarkson went after Avery, dropped the gloves and wanted to fight. Avery decided not to, wanted to draw a penalty, and he did, on himself. Clarkson wound up taking Avery down twice, even though Avery decided not to, Clarkson grabbed him and took him down, the single referee finally jumped in, but went to grab Avery. The guy who wasn't doing anything but the referee went for him, allowing Clarkson to be free and to get another shot at Avery, as he took him down again, and could of really hurt him. What did Clarkson get, another two minute roughing penalty and a ten minute misconduct. Of course not a game, that would of suspended Clarkson, can't suspend Clarkson for something the NHL wanted to happen.

So I ask you this, if Avery went after Clarkson, and Clarkson just sat there, to draw the penalty, would the referees been so hesitant to jump in? Would they allowed Avery to take Clarkson down twice without jumping in? I think we all know the answer to these questions, the referees would of jumped in and threw Avery out. And then the NHL would tried suspending him and possibly banning him. You can think I am a upset Ranger fan and that's fine, but my proof is on the tapes, and the way the officials have called games with Avery. Even the announcers on Versus couldn't stop talking about the Shenanigans of Sean Avery. But when Clarkson acted like a good, or how Rupp came off the bench to attack Avery, nothing was said, not a single word.

That is how it's going to be for Avery. It's him against the NHL, for the rest of the season and maybe for rest of his Career. But there is one thing Sean Avery has on his side, that not even Gary Bettman has on his side. He has the fans and the people of New York City behind him, sure he has his teammates, but he has the fans. The same crazy New Yorkers that embraced Reggie Jackson, David Wells, Latrell Spreewell, and Lawrence Taylor. Ranger fans specifically always cheer for the tough guy like Matthew Barnaby, Joey Kocur and of course, Tie Domi.

Sean Avery is one of us, he is a true New Yorker at heart. He goes to work with a chip on his shoulder, he isn't afraid to fight back and most importantly, he wants to be the best. If the NHL and Bettman are smart, they would leave Avery where he is. Being The center of attention for the NHL with games on Versus and NBC. And being the center of attention in New York, because the Rangers are better with him and when the Rangers are better, so are the ratings.

The NHL tried suspended him, and it made it worse, now he got back to where he wanted to be all along, he beat Gary Bettman and the NHL. He got under their skins so bad, they had to suspend him, but it only made it better for him because now he can be a hero to Ranger fans, again. But it did prove one thing.

So enough is enough Gary Bettman, you need Sean Avery.

Citi Field: A new Beginning

2009-03-29T14:52:00.000-04:00

The New York Mets open up the season on the road April 6th against the Reds. They play three games in Cincinnati and then three games in Miami. Then finally coming home against the San Diego Padres for the their long awaited opener. This home opener is a big thing for the Mets and their loyal and die hard fans. The Players and the fans use this for a new beginning, to forget the past 2 seasons that can only described as major letdowns and disappointments. But for the Organization, and the younger Met fans, the home opener is bigger, its a start to our own team.

The Mets will forever have a shadow over them casted by those Yankees until the day the Mets can build their own dynasty. Both teams are opening a new stadium, and of course a new Yankee stadium will always be a bigger deal because they are the Yankees. But for us younger Met fans, this could be our start of something big, something real. The Mets now have the younger stars, with Wright and Reyes, alongside all star veterans Santana, Beltran, Delgado and K-Rod. The Yankees will always be there, they got the 26 World Championships, and well they got the resources to spend 250 million even when the economy is at a low. But its time for the Mets to make a name for themselves.

For Met fans, Shea was home, for baseball fans and other teams, Shea was ugly, and a horrible place to play in due to the wide opening that let the wind do whatever it wants. Citi Field changes that, its a beautiful stadium, and sure its open, but not as much. It also doesn't have the ugly colorful seats that Shea had. Yes they are all green and thats no where close to the Mets color, but Wilpon but its best saying "the guys on the field are the ones that will bring out the blue and orange in Citi Field."

So the Yankees have their championships and of course have their new stadium the same year as Citi Field. And im sure its a masterful piece of art, because it is the Yankees. But finally the Mets have their own to really compare. They put their money into it and really did a heck of a job. But it can't stop there, now the job has to be winning at Citi Field, and have that become the new home of the World Series. To take that away from the Yankees, and maybe, just maybe, the shadow of the Yankees won't cast over Citi Field, like it did with Shea. Maybe New York can finally be, a two team city. But that's only if Citi Field doesn't carry the September ghost from Shea Stadium with it.

Schilling: Hall of Famer in my Book

2009-03-28T23:47:00.000-04:00

How come a guy who did it clean and played the game the right way, doesn't get the credit for it. When names like Bonds and Clemens come up, we immediately say they cheated and can't be hall of famers. Heck, Pete Rose is still banned for cheating on the game, and hes one of the best hitters to play the game. But when it comes down to Curt Schilling, the media and the fans just don't give him the credit he deserves just because his REGULAR season stats just don't match up to players already in the hall.

Some people say that he was just a solid pitcher, that is famous do to a controversial bloody sock (which was awesome). That bloody sock is already in the hall of fame, it ended years of misery for Red Sox fans. People forget who pitched that game, it was Curt Schilling. The guy who just might be the best post season pitcher to ever play the game. Giving him the ball in the post season is like giving Mariano Rivera the game in the ninth inning, its over.

So the regular season stats aren't that good, well lets see. He has 216 career wins and a .340 era. He only won 20 games three times in his 20 year career. He only had double digit wins in 10 of those years. He ranks 15th in strike-outs with 3116, only one behind the great fireball pitcher Bob Gibson. He also has completed 83 games with 20 shut outs, he has always been a workhorse.

He never won a Cy young award, though he finished close multiple times. Yes, he has his own blog and it annoys a lot of people, but the hall of fame isn't a popularity contest, well it might be, but shouldn't. Also, it shouldn't be about stats on a paper. He has won 10 post season games, with a 2.30 era. He shared a World Series MVP with Randy Johnson in Arizona. He also has been apart of two other World Series teams, and lets face it, when it came down to it, Curt Schilling was the guy you wanted to pitch the big game. He has that aura about him, that mystique that only some guys have.

So he might not have 300 wins, but lets face it, reaching 300 wins is over besides Randy Johnson going for it this year. The pitchers today don't show the stamina or durability to go long enough in games or careers to reach 300 wins. It is getting harder and harder to have multiple 20 game winners in the season, due to pitch counts and season count limits.

What I see is one of the most dominant pitchers in the game from 2001 to 2006. Also remember that he does have 216 wins and three World Series rings, with a World Series MVP to go with that. Not to mention he is one of the best post season pitchers in MLB history.

Put those things with the bloody sock and his controversial blog and interviews, and I think you got a guy that everyone wants to watch, when he finally is inducted. We will all want to hear what he has to say, and to see what his final words will be because if we all know Schilling... he isn't a bloody fool.

Remembering the Super Sub

2009-03-28T23:46:00.001-04:00

His stats aren't superb and his name isn't a household name, but Johnny Blanchard is a guy we should all remember.

He passed away Wednesday of a heart attack, the former Yankee Outfielder was 76. He isn't in the Hall of Fame and he is not even a Yankee Great. But for old time Yankee fans, they will always remember the Super-Sub.

Blanchard, an outfielder who also learned how to play catcher, played alongside Yankee greats such as Mickey Mantle, Yogi Berra, and Roger Maris. He had his best year in 1961, when he had a batting average of .305, 21 home runs, and 54 RBI. He played 48 games as a catcher that year, and 30 in the outfield positions.

While he only had a life time batting average of .239 and only 67 home runs, Johnny Blanchard isn't remembered for his stats. He is mostly remembered for his versatility and his post season numbers.

In five World Series, the Sub batted .345 including two home runs in the 1961 World Series matchup against the Cincinnati Reds. The Yankees won that World Series in five games. They also won another one with Blanchard on the team, in all, Johnny Blanchard appeared in five World Series in his Career.

Blanchard is also one of four Yankees to hit a home run in four consective at-bats.

I might of never got to see him play, and learned everything I know about him from stories from my father and baseball books, but Johnny Blanchard will always be a true Yankee to Yankee fans.

Why are the Devils so Damn Good?

2009-03-28T23:45:00.001-04:00

To start off, I am a die-hard New York Ranger fan, and due to the heated rivalry with the Devils, I rarely talk about them.

The reason I don't isn't because I have nothing to say—it's that there is nothing bad to say about the New Jersey Devils.

For the past 15 years, the New Jersey Devils have not only been a thorn to Ranger teams and fans, but a thorn to the entire NHL league.

The former Colorado Rockies moved to New Jersey in 1982, and were frequently referred to as the Mickey Mouse Organization thanks to the great Wayne Gretzky.

From 1982 to about 1993 the New Jersey Devils were a joke of an organization, and were at or near the bottom of the league. This all changed wheb Lou Lamoriello made a bold move and brought in Jacques Lemaire.

Since that move, the Devils have qualified to make the playoffs in all but one year, 1995. They also have won three Stanley Cups, while the Rangers have only won one since 1993. So who is the man or men to thank for this?

First, you have to start with Lou Lamoriello. He has put quality talent on the ice for 15 years, and has had very good draft picks—including Zach Parise, who is only second in goals this year and was passed by the New York Rangers and Islanders.

Unlike most Metro Sport teams, Lamoriello will not give out big contracts. He believes in fair, reasonable salaries. Take a pay cut and win with his team, or go get your money and fall flat on your face.

If you don't believe me, just ask Bobby Holik, John Maclean, and Scott Gomez—and that's only the ones the Rangers tried to steal and use for their own dynasty that never worked.

Lamoriello is defiantly one of the sources of the success in Jersey, but is he the main guy?

Next, you have to give it up for coach Jacques Lemaire. Not only did he change the Devils history, he changed NHL history. Due to his style of play, the trap, the NHL had to make rule changes to negate the trap, because it was too effective and made hockey boring.

The Devils and their fans didn't care. they won three Stanley Cups with that style. The coach defiantly changed the Devils and hockey forever, but is he the one to thank?

Of course you can't play the trap unless you have the right guys. Fortunately for the Devils, they had stellar and Hall of Fame-type defensemen. First, one of the best in the history of the game, Scott Stevens. He was the leader of the team, the forever Captain of the Devils, and he could hit like a truck. Paul Kariya and Eric Lindros still have nightmares of trying to skate with their head down when Stevens was on the ice.

Then you had Kenny Daneyko, the heart of the New Jersey Devils. He played with a mean streak and would fight anyone that dared to fight him. He was never an offensive threat, but you were not getting by Daneyko without being pummeled first.

They also had Scotty Neidermeyer and Brian Rafalski, the two offensive-minded defensemen that just knew how to carry the puck. They all balanced each other it out, and made it much easier for Lamoriello and Martin Brodeur—who may be the biggest reason for the Devils' fortune.

Martin Brodeur is one of the best ever, period. He is right up there with Sawchuck, Plante and Dryden. In my personal opinion, he is downright better then Roy and Hasek.

He just has that presence about him. You have to think where to shoot on Brodeur, because he is so good glove side, but then so dominant blocker side.

He isn't a butterfly goalie, but he doesn't stand straight up. He got the most wins ever as a goalie and still has at least three dominant 30-win seasons left in him.

When a team has this many factors to why they are great, it's easy to figure it out. The New Jersey Devils are a dynasty. Yes, they only have three Stanley cups, and probably a fourth this year, but they are still getting better.

Even after 15 years and rule changes, the Devils still are on top—thanks to Lamoriello, Lemaire, Stevens, Daneyko and Brodeur.

The Devils are right up there with those Red Wings, and maybe,probably, just a little bit better. I hope the Rangers can see what good ownership and coaching can do, and not just spend money.

Mets need to make Phils eat Crow

2009-03-28T23:42:00.000-04:00

Cole Hamels and the Philadelphia Phillies are talking again, and its right at the Mets, "Last year and this year I think we did believe that they were choke artists." You can't argue that Hamels shouldn't be talking or its not appropriate because he is a World Series Champion, and has all the right to talk.

The Phillies have grown to really dislike the Mets and have no problem telling the media what they really think.

But Hamels did say something interesting to finish off his interview. "But, yeah, that's kind of what we believed and I think we're always going to believe that until they prove us wrong," Hamels said. "For the past two years, they've been choke artists."

The part where he goes on to say until they prove us wrong. Well, this is the year for the Mets to finally stand up for themselves. Two years ago, the collapse was new, the Phillies talked, but did nothing once they won so they couldn't talk for long. Last year though, Beltran was the one to trash talk with Jimmy Rollins, the thing is Carlos and Mets just coughed it up again, but this time Philly went on to win it all and now have all the reasons to gloat and trash talk.

The Phillies will be cocky, arrogant, and confident all year. It will all come down to September, no matter if Philly is in first or behind the Mets, because the Mets will have to prove they aren't choke artist. And that can only happen in September, where they must win games and show Philly whose the best team.

But before September the Mets have to show the Phillies that each game will be a fight. Each game will be played as a playoff game, each game will be a rivalry game.

Frankly, the Mets have to hate the Phillies. They have to hate the Phils and Hamels for talking this winter like the Phillies hate Jose Reyes and all his salsa moves. They have to despise the Phillies and fans. There is no question that the Philadelphia Players, Organization and fans hate everything about New York and the Mets.

Chase Utley has cursed off the New York fans even in the All-Star Game.

The New York Met fans hate the Phillies for sure. They want to be where the Philly fans are, fans of World Champions. We have all year to see if that will happen, most importantly, next September.

But that doesn't mean the Mets can take this rivalry to the next step and maybe show Hamels a little love the first time he steps up to the plate. And then follow that up by doing the same to Rollins, and then maybe, just maybe this rivalry will become as big as it should be.

Players, managers, owners, and fans that just don't like each other and that each game will have its own story. The ball is in the Mets court, the Phillies have started it,now time for the Mets to talk the talk, and then walk the walk.