Credit where credit is due: Illinois State professional athletes

262188 When you think of powerhouse colleges that produce prominent professional athletes, I’ll be the first to admit Illinois State University is not usually considered one of them. While ISU doesn’t come close to producing the amount of athletes that schools like Michigan or Ohio State do – listed as the first and second ranked schools respectively that have produced the most professional athletes by Forbes – they have produced some impressive talent. Admittedly the majority of the talent that ISU has produced has been athletes that this generation of students may not recognize, but it’s been some remarkable talent nonetheless. Two ISU athletes went on to win Super Bowls in their NFL careers, Dennis Nelson won Super Bowl V with the Baltimore Colts and Mike Prior had an interception in Super Bowl XXXI and went on to win that game with the Green Bay Packers. The most notable current Illinois State alum playing in the NFL today is Laurent Robinson who is unfortunately playing for the St. Louis Rams, so don’t expect much production let alone another ISU athlete winning a Super Bowl anytime soon courtesy of him. One of the more prominent, successful ISU professionals was Buzz Capra. He was a Major League pitcher in the ‘70s who won a pennant in 1973 with the New York Mets and recorded the best ERA in baseball in 1974 with the Philadelphia Phillies earning him an All-Star spot that season. A former Redbird, Neil Cotts, currently pitches out of the bullpen for the Chicago Cubs – although most Cubs fans would agree it’s unfortunate that he does – and also formally played and won the 2005 World Series with the Chicago White Sox. While with the Sox he was actually quite successful being voted by the fans as Setup Man of the Year in ‘05 and even got the win in Game 2 of the World Series. Another significantly successful ISU alum with an interesting story is Steve Fisher. Fisher played college basketball at ISU and let the Redbirds to the Division II Final Four in 1969. After graduating he became a coach, which eventually led to him becoming an assistant coach at the University of Michigan. At the end of Michigan’s 1989 regular season their head coach accepted a job at a different school and Fisher was named head coach of the Wolverines. The Wolverines then went on to the win the National Championship under Fisher that season. He also put together the famous “Fab Five” at Michigan a couple seasons later.  Lastly, Illinois State’s most prominent and well-known athlete is Doug Collins; yes the Doug Collins of Doug Collins Court in Redbird Arena. Collins played basketball for the Redbirds and went on to represent the United States, as ISU’s only Olympian, in the 1972 Summer Olympics. He had a long, successful playing career in the NBA being named an All-Star four times. After suffering injuries later on in his career he retired from basketball and took on coaching. In the late 1980’s Collins coached Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls to the playoffs multiple times but was eventually replaced by assistant Phil Jackson. So, although Illinois State may never be mentioned in the same breath as other big-time universities as far as professional athletes go, you’d by lying to say that our historic school has never created any professional talent. While us ISU students should pride ourselves in the great academics this school provides and for the talent in the professional world in general this school produces, don’t forget to take pride in our athletics and the previous, current and future star athletes that ISU will undeniably continue to produce as well. true

2009-11-19T06:30:57Z

99479 0 Credit where credit is due: Illinois State professional athletes

2009-11-19T06:31:21Z

http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/owenjs33/blog/posts/99479

2008-05-11T00:55:46Z

262188 owenjs33's Blog

2008-05-11T00:55:46Z

2098049

http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/owenjs33/blog owenjs33 http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/owenjs33 1223524 Since I have read numerous posts that state the Yankees > buy their > championships and always have a huge payroll advantage > versus any of the teams > they meet and defeat in the World Series and are therefore > not deserving of > being called champions. I decided to delve a little deeper > into what advantages > if any other teams like the Red Sox and the Phillies have > had in their recent > championship seasons. I also wanted to see if the financial > level of WS > competition for the Red Sox and the Phillies was on par > with the New York > Yankees level of financial competition. Please keep in mind > that 15 of the past > 21 World Series winners had a higher payroll then their > opponents... Did all of > these teams buy their World Series championships? > As always the numbers listed below are just the facts no > opinions. > Let's look at the Red Sox first:: > The 2007 World Champion Boston Red Sox versus the > Colorado Rockies... > 07 > Boston Red Sox Payroll: $143,026,214 > 07 Colorado Rockies Payroll: > $54,424,000 > Percentage: 38.05% (The Rockies spent 38.05% of what the > Red Sox > spent in 2007) > Ratio: 2.628 (Red Sox spent $2.63 for every dollar the > Rockies > spent) > In the last 22 years (1988 to 2009 - No WS 1994) the > ratio listed above is > the highest by a large margin. Should the Red Sox be bashed > for the unfair > financial advantage they had over the Rockies? > The 2004 World Champion Boston Red Sox versus the St. > Louis > Cardinals... > 04 Boston Red Sox Payroll: $127,298,500 > 04 Colorado Rockies > Payroll: $83,228,333 > Percentage: 65.38% (The Cardinals spent 65.38% of what > the Red Sox spent in 2004) > Ratio: 1.530 (Red Sox spent $1.53 for every dollar > the Cardinals spent) > Should the Red Sox have their championship taken away > because of the unfair > financial advantage they had over the Cardinals? > Okay Red Sox Fans lets combine the totals listed above > to see if you should > be bashing the Yankees or anybody else about fiscal > advantage in the World > Series: > Boston Red Sox 2 World Series Victories (04 & > 07)... > Boston Red Sox > Total Payroll: $270,324,714 > WS Opponents Payroll: $137,652,333 (04 Cardinals > + 07 Rockies) > Percentage: 50.92% (The Red Sox WS opponents spent 50.92% > of > what the Red Sox spent in 2004 & 2007 combined) > Ratio: 1.964 (Red Sox > spent $1.96 for every dollar their opponents spent in their > 2 World Series > victories) > So to be fair the Red Sox pretty much spent twice as > much as their 2 world > series opponents. Should we call this competitive balance? > > Since Phillies fans have been complaining so much about > the Yankees payroll > advantage... Let's look at the Phillies next: > The 2008 World Champion Philadelphia Phillies versus the > Tampa Bay > Rays... > 08 Philadelphia Phillies Payroll: $98,269,880 > 08 Tampa Bay Rays > Payroll: $43,820,597 > Percentage: 44.59% (The Rays spent 44.59% of what the > Phillies spent in 2008) > Ratio: 2.243 (Phillies spent $2.24 for every dollar > the Rays spent) > In the last 22 years (1988 to 2009 - No WS 1994) the > ratio listed above is > the 2nd highest (Red Sox of 07) by a large margin. Should > the Rays fans be > complaining about the Phillies payroll that was over twice > as high as their > own? > Now last but not least let's look at the New York > Yankees 2009 WS > victory: > The 2009 World Champion New York Yankees versus the > Philadelphia > Phillies... > 09 New York Yankees Payroll: $201,449,189 > 09 Philadelphia > Phillies Payroll: $113,004,046 > Percentage: 56.10% (The Phillies spent 56.10% > of what the Yankees spent in 2008) > Ratio: 1.783 (Yankees spent $1.78 for > every dollar the Phillies spent) > This is the highest ratio in Yankees history... However, > it is still far less > than the ratios for the 2008 Phillies and the 2007 Red > Sox. > Let's look at the Yankees World Series Victories > during the Jeter Years (96 > to 09) 14 years... > 1996 Yankees: $52,189,370 versus Atlanta Braves: > $47,930,000 (Ratio: 1.089) Pretty much even. > 1998 Yankees: $63,159898 versus > San Diego Padres: $45,368,000 (Ratio: 1.392) > 1999 Yankees: $88,130,709 versus > Atlanta Braves: $75,065,000 (Ratio: 1.174) Again very close > to even. > 2000 > Yankees: $92,938,260 versus New York Mets: $79,759,762 > (Ratio: 1.165) Close to > even yet again. > 2009 Yankees: $201,449,189 versus Philadelphia Phillies: > $113,004,046 (Ratio: 1.783) Less than Sox & Phils last > 2 championships > Okay Yankees fans lets combine the totals listed above > to see how your ratios > and level of financial competition compare to the Red Sox > and the Phillies: > New York Yankees 5 World Series Victories (96, 98, 99, > 00 & 09)... > New > York Yankees Total Payroll: $497,867,426 > WS Opponents Payroll: $361,126,808 > (96, 98, 99, 00 & 09) > Percentage: 72.53% (The Yankees WS opponents spent > 72.53% of what the Yankees spent) > Ratio: 1.379 (Yankees spent $1.38 for every > dollar their opponents spent in their 5 most recent World > Series victories) > As you can see from the numbers above both the Red Sox > and the Phillies have > had a far greater financial advantage in their championship > years versus their > World Series opponents then the Yankees have had in their > recent World Series > victories. > true

2009-11-11T03:06:20Z

98250 2 YANKEE SPENDING VS. RED SOX and PHILLIES... FACTS... NOT OPINIONS

2009-11-11T15:40:57Z

http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/Mercenary1177/blog/posts/98250

2009-04-15T21:46:08Z

1223524 Mercenary1177's Blog

2009-04-15T21:46:08Z

6949406

http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/Mercenary1177/blog Mercenary1177 http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/Mercenary1177 1403987 Where to even start on this is hard to say. Most people are ether happy or upset about the New York Yankees winning their 27th Would Series. People complain about NYY buying their championship I'm not going to say they did or didn't because I see a bigger issue.   I know allot of Yankee fans when  you say to them they buy their championships and their answers are something like. "They earn all that money", "The owners are good with money", "The city has the best money market" things like that. I'm not saying thats not true but I have a problem with the way MLB runs the sport.   MLB is said to be Americas big sport. The one everyone should want to watch, play and talk about. Right? I'm starting to think it's big yes but not near as good as it could be. The problem people see and talk about is the New York Yankees. You have an arguement to a point but then it stops. The real problem is MLB it's self.   MLB has 30 teams on the salery budgets this year alone (2009) the NYY spent almost 63 million dollars more then the 2nd place team of the Mets. The amount of money listed at $208,097,414 is around as much as 5 MLB teams put together at the bottom of the list.   With that being said what does the MLB do? Nothing. It sit's the same way year in year out with an uneven sport. I've have said all year MLB needs to add something like the NFL salery cap. If there was a max ammount spent by all teams think of how the sport would change? There would be 2-4 teams in every divion trying to win to make the playoffs, tight Wild Card Races and amazing playoff games probably allot of wins would be 3 or less runs every game. It would make the sport better and add allot more intrest.   This is my opions of MLB as a sport and the problems I see in it. You can agree or disagree but what I've said I will stand by 100%.     true

2009-11-05T16:15:35Z

97930 1 The Problem on MLB

2009-11-05T16:21:19Z

http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/The_MadGeniuz/blog/posts/97930

2009-11-05T15:52:41Z

Just Another Fan Profile Blog 1403987 The_MadGeniuz's Blog

2009-11-05T15:52:41Z

8441258

http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/The_MadGeniuz/blog The_MadGeniuz http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/The_MadGeniuz 137382 Pagar 1300$ por una butaca para ver ganar a los Yankees y ser coparticipe de un mundo perfecto, hace que el costo de esa entrada sea una ganga, o por el contrario es mucho con demasiado??? He ahi el Dilema! Yankees justos Campeones... Una vez mas queda claro que en la MLB la mayoría de las veces seran Campeones los que mas gastan... Claro, hay que saber gastar, sino pregunténle a los fanaticos que pagaron mas de mil $$$ por la butaca e invierten muy bien el dinero en su felicidad o pregunténle  a los Mets que derrochan miles de $$$ en aras de hacer mas rotundo el fracaso, respecto al ano anterior... Las nóminas más elevadas de la MLB estaban en postemporada. 5 de las 8 nominas mas elevadas de la MLB tenian chances de campeonar, equipos como Cubs, Mets y Tigers tambien gastaron pero son la antitesis de equipos como Twins y Marlins que hacen equipos competitivos sin participar en esa carrera mercantilista... Estas son las nominas el 2009: New York Yankees $201,449,189 New York Mets $149,373,987 Chicago Cubs $134,809,000 Boston Red Sox $121,745,999 Detroit Tigers $115,085,145 Los Angeles Angels $113,709,00 Philadelphia Phillies $113,004,046 Los Angeles Dodgers $104,414,592 La nómina de los Yankees casi dobla a la de los Filis, en el papel no lucia tan amplia la diferencia pero en el campo si se notó y bastante... Para muchos, establecer un límite salarial más estricto y con un techo real (no un límite umbral que solo sirva para elevar las arcas de la oficina del Comisionado), se hace urgente en pro de favorecer la competitividad de la Liga, como sucede en otros deportes... Eso, no garantizará titulos a equipos como los Royals pero al menos balancearía la competencia... <div class="conversation-item-body"> Pero vamos a estar claros, las Grandes Ligas sin los Yankees y sus excesos al puritano estilo de la vida estadounidense no seria lo mismo... Los Yankees son a la MLB lo que el ovoide es a la NFL... Todos los que cubren estos eventos caen sumidos ante el Yankee Stadium, es una especie de paraiso terrenal, donde segun la gente que ha ido, tiene un aura mistica que te hace olvidar todos tus problemas y sin remordimientos, porque tambien tiene la capacidad de inhibir la parte del cerebro que se encarga de administrar tus finánzas, asi que una vez adentro, no te queda de otra que seguir gastando para, en gesto de reprocicidad hacer feliz a los duenos de esa organizacion que gastan hasta lo impensable por hacer tus suenos realidad! Hacerte sentir ganador no tiene precio, ese debería ser el lema de los Yankees... Aunque la vida a diario intente demostrarte lo contrario, eres un Yankee y solo tienes que comprate una gorra blanca y negra que haga contraste con tu realidad... Anoche, miles de fanaticos del BEISBOL autentico durmieron embriagados de felicidad y hartos de triunfo... Lo malo es que esa sensacion es efímera y cuando comience la nueva temporada esos 27 anillos solo serviran de escudo simbolico para protegerse de cualquier fracaso circunstancial... Ganaron los Yankees, y todo el universo beisbolístico lo celebra, tal como lo hicieron a finales del siglo pasado, la mística sigue intacta y la durabilidad del beisbol también.... Gracias Yankees una vez mas! </div> true

2009-11-05T13:06:53Z

97920 0 Ganaron los Yankees, ganó el Beisbol!

2009-11-05T13:06:53Z

http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/manuhel/blog/posts/97920

2008-04-26T14:40:44Z

137382 manuhel's Blog

2008-04-26T14:40:44Z

2010098

http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/manuhel/blog manuhel http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/manuhel 22047 The Red Wings. The Pistons. The Lions. Even the Tigers. Each of Detroit’s major sports team had a powerhouse player in the locker room that ended up leaving for another team over the last couple of years. An arguably big-name player who at times was instrumental to Detroit’s performance, only to be traded away. But how well did they do with their new teams. Did we trade away damaged goods without even knowing it? It all started with the Lions. Obviously. On October 14, 2008 - between week six and week seven - the Lions traded wide receiver Roy Williams to the Dallas Cowboys for three picks in the 2009 NFL Draft. Eight weeks later, Williams had a broken foot. The very same day that Williams was traded, starting quarterback Jon Kitna was placed on injured reserve for the remainder of the 2008-2009 season, due to his chronic back pain. Dan Orlovsky took over as QB. We all know how well the next ten weeks went. At least the 1976 Bucs could breathe a little easier. You’re welcome, guys. Then came the Tigers. On March 31, 2009 they traded Gary Sheffield to the New York Mets while Sheff was just one run shy of 500. How did 2009 work out for you boys? True, the Mets didn’t make it to the post season, but neither did the Tigers. Yes, they gave it the good old college try, but a ball hitting your jersey won’t get you into the post season no matter how much you wine and cry about it. Not blowing seven-game leads WILL get you into the post season. Write that down, Leyland. The 2008-2009 season was not what the defending Stanley Cup champion Detroit Red Wings envisioned. The addition of Marian Hossa seemed to be our golden ticket. The season wasn’t a complete failure. After all, it took all seven games in a rematch with the Pittsburgh Penguins to declare a winner. Rumors ran rampant that Hossa would return to Pittsburgh upon completion of his contract with Detroit. Silencing the championship-chaser buzz, Hossa signed with the Chicago Blackhawks on July 1, 2009 for 12-years/$62 million. Shortly after signing Hossa, the Chicago Blackhawks disclosed that Hossa was still rehabilitating a shoulder injury he sustained during the previous postseason. Could this have been a sign of what was to come out of Detroit trading away (apparent) superstars? When the Detroit Pistons signed Allen Iverson in 2008, there was a collective gasp around the city. Was this the move that would get the Pistons to the post season and eventually the finals? Did we have to trade away hometown favorite Chauncy Billups to Denver for the new bad boy of the NBA? Questions were everywhere on this move. In the end, it proved to be a pretty good one for Billups, who with Carmello Anthony led the Nuggets to their first post season where they advanced past the first round since 2002. So how did A.I. do with the Pistons? Well, on September 10, 2009, Iverson signed a one-year contract with the Memphis Grizzlies, so clearly he did not have a stellar performance in Detroit. What made this trade interesting was that Detroit was set to play their season opener against Memphis on Wednesday October 28th. However, Iverson was unable to play due to a partially torn left hamstring he sustained early in the preseason, making the Pistons win far less dramatic than most had hoped. What have we learned here? Play for Detroit and you can be a superstar or twinkle dimly on the bench. Get traded, and things may not get better. Granted, these four teams have made worse decisions and even some better ones, but in the eyes of the fans, these are the ones that stand out the most. In the end, that matters more than anything else. true

2009-10-30T04:56:24Z

97585 0 Expensive yet Ineffective // Damaged Goods?

2009-10-30T04:56:24Z

http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/xbrunettexbombshellx/blog/posts/97585

2008-04-10T03:52:21Z

22047 xbrunettexbombshellx's Blog

2008-04-10T03:52:21Z

1412719

http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/xbrunettexbombshellx/blog xbrunettexbombshellx http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/xbrunettexbombshellx 1200907 You'll have to forgive Andy Pettitte if he "misremembered" his last two potential series clinching Game Six starts against Boston and Arizona.  Pettitte was much more focused on what he came back to New York for.  For moments like this, to pitch at the "New Stadium," to win the first clincher in this ballpark. So Pettitte who started the last World Series game at the old Yankee Stadium (also a Game Six) was on a mission to pitch the New York Yankees into their first World Series in the new house, improving their playoff record in the new joint to 5-0.  Pettitte was also gunning for some personal milestones as well, postseason win number 16 and his fifth series clinching victory, both good enough for best all-time. After a routine first inning, Vladimir Guerrero picked up a hit.  Then in what was a microcosm of who had the better pitching and fundamentals all series long, Nick Swisher on a shallow fly ball hit by Kendry Morales, doubled up Guerrero who looked a bit like his counterpart on that other L.A. team for a moment. In the third the Angels struck first, as catcher Jeff Mathis remained in the zone with a soaring double off Pettitte to get things going.  With two down and Mathis moved over to third, Pettitte left a hanging breaking ball for Bobby Abreu to deposit into right putting the Halos on top, 1-0. After getting out of some early jams Angels starter Joe Saunders got touched up in the fourth.  Robinson Cano drew a walk.  Nick Swisher who initially faked a bunt on the first pitch, which may have influenced where Chone Figgins was playing him, ended up getting a base knock to left setting up first and second with no outs. Melky Cabrera bunted both runners into scoring position and turned the order around.  Derek Jeter coaxed a walk and Johnny Damon with the bases loaded was primed to do some damage.  Damon sliced a liner to left-center plating Cano and Swisher to put the Yanks on top 2-1. Mark Teixeira reached on an infield hit to short and A-Rod was walked with the bases loaded scoring Jeter for what ended up being the eventual game winning RBI to give the Yanks a 3-1 edge. In the sixth Pettitte continued to make big pitches when needed.  After getting Figgins to foul out by hitting the ball off himself in fair territory and retiring Abreu on a grounder to Cano, Pettitte got into a little jam.  Torii Hunter singled after he should've been punched out on a "check swing."  Guerrero hit a double to right and L.A. was in business with two in scoring position and Morales representing the go-ahead run at the plate.  However Pettitte induced Morales to chop back to the mound and the lefty recorded the out at first to retire the side. After Pettitte was lifted from 6 1/3 solid innings and six strikeouts, Joba Chamberlain came on to hold down the fort. So with Mariano Rivera on in the eighth to attempt a two inning save, things got somewhat tenuous for Rivera who hadn't pitched since Thursday.  Figgins set the table with a flare to left.  Abreu advanced Figgins on a diving fielder's choice play made by Teixeira.  Following Hunter's ground-out, Guerrero picked up another knock to right scoring Figgins and pulling the Angels to within one, 3-2.  Yet Rivera and the Yankees were able to solve Morales again, getting him to ground to second to end the threat. In the bottom frame the Angels lack of fundamentals likely made Manager Mike Scioscia go mental.  Cano walked and Swisher trying to advance him on a sac-bunt, reached safely after Howie Kendrick covering first dropped the throw from Morales.  So it was time once again for Cabrera to lay down a sac-bunt.  That's when Scott Kazmir showed off the new ephius pitch he'd worked on with Rick Peterson, on the throw to first and didn't even give Kendrick a chance to drop it this time.  Cano came around to score and Brett Gardner, running for Swisher, moved over to third.  Jeter grounded out to Kazmir who this time threw a strike to the bag at first.  Damon walked to load the bases for Teixeira.  Teixeira lifted one to center deep enough to drive home Gardner on a sac-fly and expand the lead, 5-2. Moving to the ninth, Rivera was back in his element with more breathing room.  After Mo had dispatched of Kendrick and Juan Rivera, the Angels surprisingly sent out Gary Matthews Jr. to extend their season.  Yet it was the last Yankee to pitch in a World Series game in the old yard in relief of Pettitte in 2003, who would pitch them into the World Series in the new one for the first time.  Rivera made Matthews Jr. his final victim of the 2009 ALCS with a strikeout and his postseason record 37th save for the Yankees record 40th American League Pennant, 5-2. Hence the Yankees will take on the National League and defending World Series Champion Philadelphia Phillies in the Fall Classic.  The last time the two clubs met was in 1950, when Casey's Boys took on the Whiz Kids and the Yankees swept the Phillies, 4-0.  To give some perspective, much like Joe Girardi it was Casey Stengel's second season managing the Yankees, though Casey already had won the World Series the previous year.  The first three out of four were decided by one run.  In Game Two in Philadelphia, Joe DiMaggio hit the go-ahead game winning homer in the tenth off Robin Roberts for a 2-1 victory.  And much like these Yankees, those Yankees had a walk-off win of their own in Game Three in New York, when Jerry Coleman facing native New Yorker Tom Ferrick, knocked in Gene Woodling for the 3-2 win.  And Game Four saw New York native Whitey Ford winning the clincher at home in his rookie season for his first postseason win and Yogi Berra homered as the Yanks beat the Phils 5-2. This marks the seventh time the Yankees will face a defending champion, going 5-1 in the prior six.  It also makes for the third straight time the Yankees will open a new carnation of Yankee Stadium, also against a defending champion.  In 1923 the Yankees beat the New York Giants for their first title in six and in 1976 they were swept by the Big Red Machine in four.  Their last World Series against a defending champion, New York beat Atlanta in six in 1996. Between the Yankees, Phillies, Giants and A's, New York and Philadelphia have met in the World Series four times, with each city meeting winning twice.  1950: Yankees over Phillies 4-0.  1913: Athletics over Giants 4-1.  1911: Athletics over Giants 4-2.  1905: Giants over Athletics 4-1.  Interestingly enough those two transplanted teams also met exactly 20 years ago in 1989 for the Bay Area Earthquake Series, with the Oakland Athletics sweeping the San Francisco Giants 4-0. In other sports the New York Islanders won their first Stanley Cup over the Philadelphia Flyers in 1979-80 in six games.  While the Yankees have Joba and the Phillies once had Wes, the then Philadelphia Warriors Wilt Chamberlain scored 100 points on the New York Knickerbockers in a 169-147 win in 1962.  And in football the New York Giants and Philadelphia Eagles who play in Philly this Sunday are 2-2 against each other in the playoffs, New York winning the first two and Philadelphia the last two including last season. Other miscellaneous facts, Eric Hinske ties Don Baylor's obscure record of being the only two players to reach the World Series three years in a row, each year with a different team.  Both "Subway pitch-men" NLCS MVP Ryan Howard and ALCS MVP CC Sabathia will face off.  As will former Cleveland Indians teammates Sabathia and Cliff Lee, the last two American League Cy Young Award Winners in Game One, much like they did in the first regular season game ever at the New Stadium with Lee picking up the first victory.  Jim Konstanty and Mariano Duncan are the only players to have ever played in a World Series with the Phillies and Yankees. The Phillies are the first team to make it to the World Series in consecutive years since the 1998-2001 Yankees, first NL club to do it since the 1995-1996 Braves, both of those clubs lost in their last attempt.  Additionally the Phillies will try to become the first team since the 1998-2000 Yankees to win back-to-back titles and the first NL team to do so since the 1975-1976 Cincinnati Reds. The short season series in New York went to Philadelphia 2-1.  But figure this, both Jorge Posada and Jose Molina were out for the Yankees.  Jose Veras (no longer on the Yankees) picked up their only win, while A.J. Burnett and Brett Tomko (no longer on the Yankees) lost.  For Philly Brett Myers (no longer in the rotation) and Clay Condrey won and Brad Lidge lost. So here it is folks, Broadway meets Broad Street, the Statue of Liberty meets the Liberty Bell and the City That Never Sleeps meets the City of Brotherly Love. Of course for New York Mets fans, there's always the Boston Celtics and Cleveland Cavaliers Tuesday night.   true

2009-10-26T10:42:24Z

97314 1 Broadway Meets Broad Street: Yanks Clinch 40th Pennant!

2009-10-27T04:49:14Z

http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/Mike%20Gwizdala/blog/posts/97314

2009-03-19T06:14:14Z

1200907 Mike Gwizdala's Blog

2009-03-19T06:14:14Z

6440093

http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/Mike%20Gwizdala/blog Mike Gwizdala http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/Mike%20Gwizdala 1200907 Thankfully for the Los Angeles Angels Mike Scioscia didn't listen to Tim McCarver Monday afternoon or he and not Joe Girardi would've made the worst managerial move on the day.  Had backup catcher Jeff Mathis been pinch run for for Reggie Willits in the bottom of the tenth, we might still be playing.  In a game where the New York Yankees took a booming 3-0 lead on the verge of gaining a 3-0 lead in the ALCS, it was the little things that mattered most. Derek Jeter jumped on Jered Weaver in the first for his 20th career post-season homer putting the Bombers on top 1-0 with the Yankees scoring first for the third straight time this series. Both squads squandered opportunities in the second hitting into double-plays. In the fourth Alex Rodriguez led off with a bomb to left in the vicinity of Jeter's off Weaver for his fourth of the playoffs.  Yet beyond that the Yanks once again failed to put the Angels in a world of hurt, stranding runners at the corners once again. Andy Pettitte continued to cruise along and Johnny Damon hit a solo shot of his own off Weaver in the fifth.  A-Rod barely missed his second homer of the contest but the Yanks increased their lead to 3-0. Then there was a #### in the armor the bottom half of the frame for Pettitte and the Yanks when Yankee killer Howie Kendrick smoked a homer to left.  Kendrick's solo shot was the first allowed by Yankees pitching all post-season. In the sixth Bobby Abreu notched his first hit of the series and with two outs the Yankees questionably pitched to Vladimir Guerrero and got burned.  Vlad woke up and jolted one to left to tie the contest at 3-3. Kendrick and the Angels were back for more in the seventh.  With one out Kendrick tripled off Joba Chamberlain, leaving some to question whether Pettitte with 95 pitches should've been allowed to finish the frame.  Scioscia pinch hit Macier Izturis for Mike Napoli and he lifted a sac fly to deep right scoring Kendrick and giving the Angels their first lead of the day 4-3. Following that thing got tenuous for the Yankees.  Hideki Matsui drew a walk off reliever Kevin Jepsen in the eighth.  Brett Gardner and not Freddy Guzman was used as a pinch runner.  Which is bad, not because Guzman is faster but since that's his only role of usefulness on the team, putting Gardner out there for defense would sacrifice the DH.  I really have to question why Guzman and not Eric Hinske was added to the roster for this round, but I digress. Gardner ended up getting caught stealing on a pitch-out and conversely Jorge Posada homered to center to tie the game at 4-4.  Perhaps Jepsen let his guard down and throws a different pitch there but it makes one wonder what could've been.  After that Robinson Cano singled and Nick Swisher walked, but with one out once again the Yanks couldn't capitalize with runners on base. Then the over-managing of the bullpen commenced.  Damaso Marte a lefty who got Chone Figgins for the final out of the seventh was pulled in favor of another lefty Phil Coke to face the left-handed Abreu to start the eighth.  Abreu promptly doubled but rounded too far as an alert Jeter on the cut-off throw from Melky Cabrera turned to gun down Abreu who was diving back to second as an equally alert Mark Teixeira applied the tag.  Phil Hughes was brought on and kept the Angels at bay. Moving on to the bottom of the tenth, after being lights out his first inning and two thirds, Hughes was rocked for a leadoff double by the light hitting catcher Mathis.  So with Mathis on Girardi smartly made a move his predecessor Joe Torre failed to make in Game Four of the 2003 World Series and called on Mariano Rivera.  Erick Aybar laid down a bunt attempting to move Mathis to third when Rivera wheeled slipped and bounced the ball into left where an alert Damon was backing up the play.  Figgins grounded out to Teixeira moving Aybar to second.  With runners in scoring position and one out, Abreu was walked intentionally.  Then in a move that showed why taking up the DH spot with Gardner and pinch hitting for him with Jerry Hairston Jr. ironically came back to bite them in the field and at the plate as Hairston was placed in left removing the DH. Rivera then induced Torii Hunter into a fielder's choice as Teixeira fired home to Posada recording the second out.  With bases still jammed and two down Rivera got Guerrero to bounce one to Teixeira in what was another brilliant effort by the great Rivera. In the top of the eleventh the Yanks were caught short-handed.  After two quick outs and Rivera's spot due in the order, Girardi didn't want to march Rivera out for the bottom of the frame.  However his options were very limited wtih only Guzman, Jose Molina and Francisco Cervelli on the bench as opposed to say Hinske.  Cervelli was called upon and subsequently struck out against Ervin Santana. On the game went to the bottom of the eleventh where Girardi went to David Robertson.  Robertson continued his solid playoff pitching, quickly retiring Juan Rivera and Kendry Morales.  With two down, Girardi gave all New York fans watching a head scratch-er putting in Alfredo Aceves.  Aceves who was once the Yanks eighth inning bridge to Rivera pre-Hughes this season, but hasn't been as dominant since being asked to throw a spot start in place of Chien-Ming Wang in Minnesota in July was brought on to face the ever annoying Kendrick.  Kendrick singled up the box and the collective groan could be heard 3,000 miles away.  So with two away and Kendrick on it was up to Mathis once again.  Mathis playing the role of a light hitting Mike Scoscia playing for the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 1988 NLCS against Doc Gooden and the New York Mets, Mathis crushed another one to deep left.  If Damon had still been out there or had the Yankees been able to put Gardner in center and Cabrera in left, whether the ball would've been caught we'll never know.  Yet the ball fell in and Kendrick came around to score the winner 5-4. Girardi who has been excellent all season in handling the pen, clearly over-managed in this spot and for the first time this post-season the Yanks got burned.  But one could also question why the Yanks couldn't win after hitting four homers and will need to start finding a way to manufacture some more runs. Game Four will be the biggest test yet for these Yankees, who've played their best baseball with their backs up against the wall.  This feels so reminiscent of the 1998 ALCS when El Duque hurled a gem in that series' Game Four for the Yanks against the Cleveland Indians in hostile territory.  The Yanks lost a tough one and were reminded just how equally of a tough out the Angels truly are, but they have to be confident in knowing "The Dude," CC Sabathia will be toeing the rubber in his backyard Tuesday night. true

2009-10-20T10:48:08Z

96942 2 Angel Pie: Halos Stage Walk-Off Win In Extras

2009-10-21T15:59:19Z

http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/Mike%20Gwizdala/blog/posts/96942

2009-03-19T06:14:14Z

1200907 Mike Gwizdala's Blog

2009-03-19T06:14:14Z

6440093

http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/Mike%20Gwizdala/blog Mike Gwizdala http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/Mike%20Gwizdala 1200907 Starting in 1995 the New York Yankees have made the playoffs 14 out of 15 times.  With Yankee Stadium II having ended operations after 2008, I felt it fitting to reflect and list my top 12 playoff moments at The House George Renovated before they christen the new yard with post season baseball for the first time.  With apologies to Reggie Jackson and Chris Chambliss, I'm naming the moments I've seen in my lifetime.  Here's part two. # 9.) 2000 World Series Game 1, New York Mets @ New York Yankees: The first Subway Series, World Series game since the New York Yankees defeated the Brooklyn Dodgers in game seven of that series at Ebbets Field. This was a game in which the Mets mental errors cost them dearly.  In what was the first of two great pitching duels between Andy Pettitte and ex-Yankee Al Leiter, the game was ultimately decided with the team having better concentration.  In the top of the 6th the Mets had Pettitte on the ropes, when Todd Zeile doubled off the top of the leftfield wall.  With Timo Perez loafing around the bases, David Justice picked up the ball fired it to Derek Jeter who cut across and gunned it to Jorge Posada who tagged out Perez at home plate. Sparked by this the Yanks notched two in the bottom half of the inning making it 2-0.  The Mets however struck right back with 3 in the top of the 7th.  In the bottom of the 9th Paul O'Neill worked the biggest walk of this dynasty this side of Wade Boggs, off of Armando Benitez.  Consecutive singles by Luis Polonia and ex-Met Jose Vizcaino set the stage for a bases loaded game tying sac fly by Chuck Knoblauch, making it 3-3.  Vizcaino would comeback to haunt the Mets once again in the bottom of the 12th with a bases loaded single to left, driving in Tino Martinez for the 4-3 victory.  # 8.) 1995 ALDS Game 2, Seattle Mariners @ New York Yankees: Sure the Yankees eventually lost this series but for Buck Showalter's boys this was the biggest, craziest post-season win Stadium fans had seen in a long time.  It was a seesaw affair between the two clubs with the M's leading 2-1 in the 6th.  In the bottom half of the 6th Ruben Sierra the homered to tie the game up at two a piece.  Then it was bedlam in the Bronx as The Captain Don Mattingly smacked his first post-season HR to put the Yanks in front 3-2, sending the Stadium crowd into a frenzy, showering the field with debris and prompting manager Lou Pinella to pull his team off the field.  After the back to back HR's in the 6th, Seattle struck back with two runs in the 7th to take the lead 4-3.  That didn't last for long, when in the bottom of the 7th, Paul O'Neill took Norm Charlton yard making it a 4-4 game.  Each team would trade runs in the 12th and played on until the 15th.  In the home half of the 15th Jimmy "The King" Leyritz took Tim Belcher deep with a two-run blast in the late night driving rain to cap off a late October win in the Bronx.  This of course was only a precursor of clutch October HR's to come in the career of Leyritz. # 7.) 1999 World Series Game 3, Atlanta Braves @ New York Yankees: Upon getting roughed up in first two games down in Atlanta, the Braves were primed to do what the Yankees had done to them in 1996, come back and win the series in four straight after dropping the first two.  After knocking around Andy Pettitte early, just as they had in game 1 in 1996, the Braves had jumped out to a 5-1 lead through four innings.  The Yankees as they did on numerous occasions in the 1990's started to chip away.  Chad Curtis homered off of starter Tom Glavine, cutting the lead to 5-2 in the 5th.  In the 7th Tino Martinez added a solo shot of his own off Glavine, slashing the deficit to 5-3.  Then Chuck Knoblauch who'd tormented the Braves in the 1991 World Series as a member of the Minnesota Twins, also tagged Glavine with a two-run game tying blast to rightfield.  Finally in the bottom of the 10th, Curtis clocked his 2nd HR of the game for the winner off Mike Remlinger to deep leftfield, circled the bases and on behalf of Pete Rose, promptly told reporter Jim Gray to stuff it. Coming up in part three of four, some guys who unlike Pete Rose actually found some atonement. true

2009-10-06T09:23:15Z

96017 1 Yankee Playoff Memories: Reflecting On The Old Yard Part 2 of 4

2009-10-06T09:23:23Z

http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/Mike%20Gwizdala/blog/posts/96017

2009-03-19T06:14:14Z

1200907 Mike Gwizdala's Blog

2009-03-19T06:14:14Z

6440093

2009-10-06T08:59:15Z

96015 1 Yankee Playoff Memories: Reflecting On The Old Yard Part 1 Of 4

2009-10-06T09:17:35Z

http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/Mike%20Gwizdala/blog/posts/96015

2009-03-19T06:14:14Z

1200907 Mike Gwizdala's Blog

2009-03-19T06:14:14Z

6440093

http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/Mike%20Gwizdala/blog Mike Gwizdala http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/Mike%20Gwizdala 529340 AL MVP <ol> <li>Joe Mauer-Minnesota Twins</li> <li>Mark Teixiera-New York Yankees</li> <li>Ichiro Suzuki-Seattle Mariners</li> </ol> NL MVP <ol> <li>Albert Pujols-St. Louis Cardnials</li> <li>Ryan Howard-Philadelphia Phillies</li> <li>Troy Tulowitzki-Colorado Rockies</li> </ol> AL LVP (Least Valuable Player) <ol> <li>Alex Rios-Chicago White Sox (was Toronto Blue Jays)</li> <li>Delmon Young-Tampa Bay Rays</li> <li>Pat Burrell- Tampa Bay Rays</li> </ol> NL LVP <ol> <li>Milton Bradley-Chicago Cubs</li> <li>Brian Giles-San Diego Padres</li> <li>Bill Hall-Seattle Mariners (was Milwaukee Brewers)</li> </ol> AL Cy Young <ol> <li>Zach Greinke-Kansas City Royals</li> <li>Felix Hernandez-Seattle Mariners</li> <li>Roy Halladay-Toronto Blue Jays</li> </ol> NL Cy Young <ol> <li>Chirs Carpenter and Adam Wainwright-St. Louis Cardinals</li> <li>Tim Lincecum-San Francisco Giants</li> <li>Dan Haren-Arizona Diamondbacks</li> </ol> AL Cy Yuk <ol> <li>Daniel Cabrera-Arizona Diamondbacks (was Washington Nationals)</li> <li>Oliver Perez-New York Mets</li> <li>Brad Lidge-Philladelphia Phillies</li> </ol> NL Cy Yuk <ol> <li>Chien Ming-Wang-New York Yankees</li> <li>Fausto Carmona-Cleveland Indians</li> <li>Daisuke Matsuzaka-Boston Red Sox</li> </ol> AL Rookie of the Year (Batters) <ol> <li>Gordon Beckham-Chicago White Sox</li> <li>Nolan Reimold and Matt Wieters-Baltimore Orioles</li> <li>Elvis Andrus-Texas Rangers</li> </ol> NL Rookie of the Year (Batters) <ol> <li>Garrett Jones and Andrew McCutchen-Pittsburgh Pirates</li> <li>Adam Coughlin-Florida Marlins</li> <li>Casey McGehee-Milwaukee Brewers</li> </ol> AL Rookie of the Year (Pitchers) <ol> <li>Rick Porcello-Detroit Tigers</li> <li>Jeff Niemann-Tampa Bay Rays</li> <li>The Baltimore Orioles Rotation(Jason Berken, David Hernandez, Brian Matusz, Brad Bergesen, Chris Tillman-A for effort)</li> </ol> NL Rookie of the Year (Pitchers) <ol> <li>J.A. Happ-Philladelphia Phillies</li> <li>Tommy Hanson-Atlanta Braves</li> <li>Kenshin Kawakami-Atlanta Braves</li> </ol> AL Mangaer of the Year <ol> <li>Mike Scioscia-Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim</li> <li>Joe Girardi-New York Yankees</li> <li>Don Wakamatsu-Seattle Mariners</li> </ol> NL Manager of the Year <ol> <li>John Tracy-Colorado Rockies</li> <li>Charlie Manuel-Philadelphia Phillies</li> <li>Tony LaRussa-St. Louis Cardinals</li> </ol> true

2009-10-03T21:20:46Z

95835 0 My End of the 2009 MLB Season Awards

2009-10-03T21:20:46Z

http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/pnthrsfn1012/blog/posts/95835

2008-07-20T08:19:19Z

529340 pnthrsfn1012's Blog

2008-07-20T08:19:19Z

3055826

http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/pnthrsfn1012/blog pnthrsfn1012 http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/pnthrsfn1012 590741 Well for all my friends or just anyone that wants to read anything i have to say. Well i guess ill start off with telling you a little about me. My name is Scott and my favorite sports would be football basketball and baseball in that order. My favorite teams would be THE Nebraska Cornhuskers, Tennessee Titans, Denver Nuggets, Syracuse Orange, New York Mets also in that order. Sports are my life completly thats all i am interested in thats all i like to watch or play on video games. Well with that out of the way i guess ill start with saying i am very excited about the Husker season being 3-1 with a 1 point loss to Virginia Tech that still burns a little. I can see good things in the Future for my team. But on sad news my Titans are 0-3 some say its not Kerry Collins fault but i think diffrently. Think about it the first game against the steelers the second to last drive they were all pass plays and EVERYONE he threw out of bouds so how is that not his fault i watched the videos and there were open recievers down field. Game two against the Texans. one of the last drive of the game fumbles the ball and cost us the comeback, yes some of you will say well they had 31 points but most of them came from the beast Chris Johnson. Finally game three he throws a pick when they were on the move on the last drive. He is not bringing the titans win he is hurting our team and we need Vince out there at least he knows how to win. Well thats all i have to say in my blog this time around i hope i did not bore you guys to much. true

2009-09-30T19:13:24Z

95624 0 My first blog

2009-09-30T19:13:24Z

http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/huskersrule2008/blog/posts/95624

2008-07-27T19:57:24Z

590741 huskersrule2008's Blog

2008-07-27T19:57:24Z

3118375

http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/huskersrule2008/blog huskersrule2008 http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/huskersrule2008 2891 Several broken ribs, bent fingernails, partially torn labrums, several knee injuries, etc etc etc...anyone else notices a large number of preseason and early season injuries in the NFL and college football? Fans and critics mocked the New York Mets and wondered if they were cursed or under-trained because of how many injuries and mishaps they had. This year, it seems like the entire football world is having the same problem. From Troy Polomalu to Brett Favre to Donovon McNabb to Matt Hasselbeck to Justin Tuck to Sam Bradford to Tom Brady(maybe) to Percy Harvin to LT to Wes Welker, to me, to you, to the lucky fan in Section 12, Row 5, Seat 1...a LOT of players seem to be more dinged up than usual. This makes me wonder...is the sport becoming more brutal, or are the players being made softer? How can multiple players miss time due to broken ribs in the same week? Are the players trying to be pretty by using smaller pads, making themselves more vulnerable in the process? Are players overpracticed and overplayed, so that their bodies are breaking down because of a lack of recovery time? I'm just curious because I don't think it's normal that so many players, many of them of budding star, current star, or superstar status, are going down with so many weeks of brutality to go. I really think this is a problem that needs to be checked, especially if the injuries continue to pile up in the long run. Hopefully it's just because it's the start of the season and the players aren't used to 100% full speed gameplay. Am I just overreacting to these injuries, or is there really a bad trend going right now? true

2009-09-26T04:45:51Z

95283 2 Bandages Not Included

2009-09-28T17:37:12Z

http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/jdebose004/blog/posts/95283

2008-03-24T16:35:57Z

I'll randomly write about various topics, trying to sound smarter than I really am(example: couldn't even come up with a good title). No hockey/soccer/anything like that here, though. 2891 DeBo's Sports Stuff

2009-10-10T04:42:48Z

140569

http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/jdebose004/blog jdebose004 http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/jdebose004 9618 Has looked good. Joba needs to have a big game in order to solidify a playoff spot. As of now, the Yankees weakness heading into the post season will be the starting pitching. If Joba, and Burnett can turn things around and CC continues his Cy Young candidate season, I think this team will be alright in October. But back to Joba. , listening to sports radio, half awake and half dreaming of being a super CIA agent saving America, there was a discussion on how the Yankees have handled Joba this season. Many, as I felt in the past, believe that Joba belongs in the bullpen and that the organization has done a poor job at handling Joba's development. Limiting Joba's innings this season could hurt his future development as a major league starter. After hearing an animated back and forth, someone on the radio, I don't know who it was brought up the name Bill Pulsipher. If people do not remember the name Bill Pulsipher that's ok, I hardly remember what happened 5 minutes ago. But if you do remember the name, then you see why the Yankees are handling Joba with kid gloves. Bill Pulsipher was supposed to be the second coming of Dwight Gooden for the New York Mets. In 1995, Pulsipher the leading pitching prospect for the Mets, along with Paul Byrd and Jason Isringhausen, were supposed to give the Mets a future one, two, three punch ala Maddux, Glavine and Smoltz. The future looked bright, but in 1996, Pulsipher started to develop arm problems and had season ending Tommy John surgury. Byrd and Isringhausen also had arm problems and missed considerable part of their young careers. Even though Isringhausen went on to have a good career as a reliever for the Cardinals, Pulsipher and Byrd's collective careers never took off. The reason many say for that is this. In the minors, Pulsipher and Byrd pitched way too many innings. In a two year span, from 1994 to 1995, Pulsipher pitched 292.2 innings. The Mets blew out this guy's arm by making him pitch a ridiculous amount of innings. The result was ligament damage and surgery from which he never recovered. Not only was it bad for Pulsipher, but it was also bad for the Mets, who bankrolled their future on these 3 arms and they never got to see these 3 pitchers perform to their potential. The Mets have certainly learned from this and so have the Yankees. Joba has the stuff to be a dominant big league pitcher for years to come, which is why I now understand why the Yankees are doing what they are doing. true

2009-09-26T00:36:50Z

95270 0 Joba so far...

2009-09-26T00:36:50Z

http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/Goldbrick4/blog/posts/95270

2008-03-24T16:56:36Z

9618 Goldbrick4's Blog

2008-03-24T16:56:36Z

124191

http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/Goldbrick4/blog Goldbrick4 http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/Goldbrick4 19983 Well, I got home in time to watch another pitiful ending to a game for the 2009 version of the New York Mets. At this point when they've been mathematically eliminated from the playoffs, I won't even call it painful. Heck, I admit I was the first one laughing when Daniel Murphy bobbled a grounder hit to him at 1st base by Ryan Church not just once, but twice! The second bobble ultimately allowed pinch-runner David Ross to score the winning run from 2nd base to give the Atlanta Braves an important 6-5 win over the Mets. Sadly, this isn't just a one time occurrence with this team in the 2009 season. It's more like at least the 10th time (and probably more) they've lost a game because they don't have a clue when it comes to executing simple fundamentals. Not only that, but with maybe 3 or 4 exceptions, there isn't one hint of heart on this team. None whatsoever. It's a perfect reflection of their manager, Jerry Manuel. Any time I watch a Mets game, and I did watch most of them until these past couple weeks or so when the team has obviously folded up shop, you can see Manuel just sits there on the bench and does nothing. The team is exactly the same way on the field. They're bored and just going through the motions. To get away from the bottom of the 9th for a second, let's go through other points in the game which points out how incompetent this team is when it comes to simple fundamentals. Twice in the first two innings, Daniel Murphy comes up with runners in scoring position and instead of looking to work the count, he takes the first pitch and grounds out to second base on the very next pitch. Also in the top of the 2nd inning after Jeff Francoeur and Jeremy Reed reached base, Wilson Valdez comes up and strikes out on three pitches. Pretty pathetic. In the top of the 3rd after Francoeur leads off the inning with another hit, Reed comes up swinging at the second pitch and pops out to 2nd base. These at bats helped account for 6 of the 14 guys the team left on base in this game. To start off the top of the 5th, Murphy led off and once again, couldn't wait to swing the bat. He swung at the first pitch and pathetically popped out to the catcher. After the team loaded the bases, Josh Thole is another one who is up there swinging at the second pitch instead of working the count and the result is predictable, a grounder to 2nd to end the inning. Don't even get me started on the top of the 8th inning. Even though Omir Santos did hit a home run to give the team a 5-4 lead which they ultimately blew, they ended up blowing it in that inning as well. After the Santos homer, David Wright hit a single and Carlos Beltran doubled to put runners on 2nd and 3rd. For some reason, the Braves did walk Murphy intentionally even though he would have predictably made an unproductive out. Not to worry though, Jeff Francoeur came to the rescue of his old team! He comes to the plate swinging out of his shoes and strikes out on 5 pitches. Than Gary Sheffield comes up and like many others before him, he can't wait for the at bat to be over and is retired on the second pitch. Even the top of the 9th bothered me. Angel Pagan didn't want to work the count. Instead, he thought swinging at the first pitch was a good idea and he weakly grounded out to short. But I guess swinging at the second pitch wasn't working for his teammates, so Pagan wanted to try something different and swing at the first pitch instead. Same result. After a walk to Anderson Hernandez on 7 pitches, Luis Castillo seemed to love the approach Angel Pagan took and grounded into an easy double play on the very first pitch. Now to get to the bottom of the 9th. If the team still had a chance to make the playoffs, there's no doubt the bobbles from Daniel Murphy would have bothered me a lot more than they did. Yeah, they do bother me, but I've just seen this team invent so many ways to lose this season that it's really gotten comical. However, the one play that did bother me was the very first at-bat. Garrett Anderson hit a hard grounder down the 1st base line. Murphy was covering the line  and it was a close call on whether or not the ball was fair, so you'd think he would dive for the ball to try knocking it down so that if the ball was indeed called fair, that at least Anderson would be held to an infield single. But no chance of that happening. Instead, Murphy just lets the ball go despite the fact that he was guarding the lines playing a no doubles defense. The ball was fair, Anderson wound up at 2nd base and the Braves eventually won the game. With the way Francisco Rodriguez was pitching, it's very possible Atlanta wins anyway, but when I saw Murphy not dive after the ball hit down the first base line, I wonder why he didn't at least try helping K-Rod out. If he dives, maybe he can knock the ball down and at the very least, hold Anderson to an infield single like I just said. What I'd like to see happen with this team is to see Jerry Manuel go as well as Omar Minaya, who has no idea of what he's doing and also Razor Shines, who probably leads the league in having runners thrown out at home plate this season. After that, hire a GM who has a good, long-term plan that will blow up this disgrace of a team and start from scratch. I think anybody on this team can be traded if the right deal should come across. Bring in a bunch of players who might take their lumps over the next 2 or 3 years, but at the same time, won't give up outs, will fight until the very end of the game and be able to execute such simple fundamentals the 2009 Mets can never seem to do. As for the manager, hire a guy or heck, at this point, even a woman who won't accept anything other than a full effort on every single play and at-bat during the game. Send these guys a message that if they fail to give that full effort, they'll be pulled off the field and not just benched for the remainder of that game, but also for the very next game as well. This team needs someone to light a fire under their butts and Jerry Manuel is not the guy to do that. They also need a GM who is competent and unless you've been living under a rock, Omar Minaya is well known for being incompetent. The Philadelphia Phillies have gotten the better of the Mets now for the last 3 years. A big part of why is they don't give up in a game. You always have to earn the full 27 outs against them. Not so much with this Mets team. If they get behind by enough runs, that's usually enough for them to fold up the tents and give up. Time for a change in the New York Mets organization. Actually, it has been for a year and a half now. true

2009-09-17T06:15:29Z

94484 1 Game in Atlanta Perfectly Personifies the 2009 New York Mets

2009-09-17T14:07:16Z

http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/bball4life578/blog/posts/94484

2008-04-18T18:32:38Z

19983 bball4life578's Blog

2008-04-18T18:32:38Z

1609946

http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/bball4life578/blog bball4life578 http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/bball4life578 1173676 A bit better day as I went 2-1-0 on my Streak picks. Started out with a last second loss with Greece, France made the go-ahead basket with 0.2 seconds remaining though they had led most of the game. I picked up my first win of the day with Real Madrid scoring a couple of goals late to win 5-2 while Chelsea defeated a very tough FC Porto 1-0. My second win came with Cliff Lee pitching a complete game. I might have thought twice about that pick but the Nationals on the road are usually bankable for mediocrity. Some interesting picks up tomorrow, some easy, some not. If it looks like a lopsided matchup it probably is and so on to the picks. <hr /> 1) Poland vs. Spain - 153 points or more 2) Florida Marlins @ St. Louis Cardinals - Florida 3) FC Barçelona @ Inter Milan - FC Barçelona 4) Debrecen @ Liverpool - Liverpool win by 3 goals or more 5) Slovenia vs. Turkey - Turkey 6) New York Mets @ Atlanta Braves - 1 or more runs scored in the 1st 7) Los Angeles Angels @ Boston Red Sox - Boston 8) Atlanta Dream @ Detroit Shock - Detroit 9) Sue Bird points and assists vs. Candace Parker points - Parker points 10) Colorado Rockies @ San Francisco Giants - San Francisco true

2009-09-16T05:40:36Z

94401 0 September 16th Picks

2009-09-17T02:48:04Z

http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/zombidwee/blog/posts/94401

2009-02-04T01:27:01Z

Every pick, every day. http://bleaklookatcash.blogspot.com for previews of selected matchups. Overall performance of the past two weeks is tracked there as well. And there's some additional goodies such as a Hulu portal and an mp3 player. 1173676 zombidwee's Blog

2009-06-29T12:46:10Z

5320940

http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/zombidwee/blog zombidwee http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/zombidwee 1109827 From http://hollywoodsworld.blogspot.com It was eight years ago today that the most tragic day in America happened with 9/11. A lot of things were effected by 9/11. Our airlines, our businesses, and even our faith. One of things that felt effects of 9/11 was sports. For me as a sports fan it was so hard going a week and in some sports going two weeks without watching sports. I can remember all that was on TV were stories of victims and survivors. I will always remember the day time stood still and nothing else mattered. Now lets look at how 9/11 effected sports. Lets talk about facts, ironies, and mere coincidences of what has happened in sports shortly after 9/11 and since it happened. One of things that happened is baseball and football seasons were behind schedule and resulted in baseball's playoffs being in the middle of November. Football had a tight schedule and the date of the Superbowl even got changed. Two weeks after 9/11, Michael Jordan came out of retirement to play for the Washington Wizards and donated his salary to all the victims families of the attacks. Jordan played 60 games that year and played the following year. His last NBA Basketball game was at the United Center in Chicago against the Bulls. The New York Mets wore baseball hats with the logo's of the FDNY, and NYPD. All the baseball teams wore them but the Mets wore them for the rest of the year even though they were facing fines. Also in baseball that year Barry Bond's, weather you like him or not gave the country something to root for as he broke Mark McGwire's single season home run record by hitting 73 home runs. In NASCAR before 9/11, every lap 3 of every race was a silent tribute to Dale Earnhardt who died earlier that year at the Daytona 500. After 9/11 the tribute was for the fallen heroes of 9/11. In 2002, the silent tribute stopped. Three days after the attacks, WWE was the first sporting/entertainment event to take place in Houston, Texas. In wrestling you don't have much to cry about but I can tell you without a doubt I had tears in my eyes watching all the superstar tributes to New York. A lot of people criticize professional wrestling and it's antics but to me I will always remember that night as the greatest act in professional wrestling. Wrestlers and wrestling fans alike call it the greatest Smackdown in the 10 year history of the show. Since this time WWE goes over seas every year before Christmas and have a show called "Tribute to the Troops," that has taken place either in Iraq or Afghanistan. Now here some myths, ironies, and just mere coincidences of whats happened since September 2001. Before 2001 the Yankees won the World Series title three years in a row. Since then the Yankees have not won a World Series title. It was also in 2000 where New York sports was at it's all time with the Subway series between the Yankees and Mets. When you think of people who love America you usually call them patriots. Well the 2001 NFL season is when the New England Patriots' dynasty began and the won the Superbowl that season and they have been a dominant team since then. The year 2001, was the last time Jeff Gordon won a NASCAR championship. All these things could be mere coincidences or just a matter of fate and destiny but it makes you think. It really makes you think about superstitions, ironies, and that type of stuff. The final irony about all of this could take place tonight. Possibly the greatest New York Yankee of all time Derek Jeter has a chance to break Lou Gehrig's all time hit record as a Yankee. What is special about that, is that the game is in New York at the new Yankee Stadium. A lot of people consider athletes and celebrities as their heroes. The true heroes of this country are the ones who survived 9/11 and the ones who worked in New York to save the lives of others. On a personal note, I visited the site of where United 93 crashed in Shanksville, PA. The passengers on that plan are also heroes for giving their lives from preventing another attack on Washington D.C. September 11th 2001 is a day none of us will ever forget. It effected our lives, our faith, our safety and it changed the way we value our freedoms as Americans. God Bless to those who lost loved on ones eight years ago. God Bless to those who risk their lives to help out and save people from the rubble. Finally God Bless America. true

2009-09-11T15:25:34Z

93938 0 How 9/11 Effected Sports

2009-09-11T15:25:34Z

http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/HollywoodJW04/blog/posts/93938

2008-11-16T21:00:39Z

1109827 HollywoodJW04's Blog

2008-11-16T21:00:39Z

5090968

http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/HollywoodJW04/blog HollywoodJW04 http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/HollywoodJW04 1173676 Today was full of down to the last second props with Belgium scoring in injury time, the last shot of the game putting Poland/Turkey over, the Yankees going up 4-2 with 4 runs in the eighth though by now we're used to the Rays bullpen blowing leads. They're at 4 or 5 leads blown in a row now. I continued my streak with that Euro basketball over/under then picked up another win with an easy Nationals hitting Cliff Lee prop. Today looks like some decent picks but I'm still hoping we get some soccer on the board. So on with the picks! <hr /> 1) David Toms vs. Ernie Els - Toms cards a lower or equal front 9 score 2) Minnesota Twins @ Toronto Blue Jays - Toronto 3) Phil Mickelson's Score On The Par 5 15th: Birdie (4) vs. Any Other Score - Birdie (4) 4) Florida Marlins @ New York Mets - Florida 5) Fernando Gonzalez vs. Rafael Nadal - 4 or 5 sets played 6) Jonathan Dwyer's Rushing Yards (Clemson @ Georgia Tech): 114 Or Fewer vs. 115 Or More - 114 or less 7) Indiana Fever @ Chicago Sky - Chicago 8) Derek Lowe vs. Roy Oswalt - Oswalt allows fewer hits 9) Chris Johnson vs. Willie Parker - Johnson records more total yards 10) San Antonio Silver Stars @ Sacramento Monarchs - Sacramento 11) Seattle Mariners @ Los Angeles Angels - 8 runs or fewer true

2009-09-10T08:54:46Z

93792 0 September 10th Picks

2009-09-10T19:36:50Z

http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/zombidwee/blog/posts/93792

2009-02-04T01:27:01Z

2009-06-29T12:46:10Z

5320940

http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/zombidwee/blog zombidwee http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/zombidwee 1173676 I got to celebrate Labor Day with some manual labor, helped a friend move their furniture. Topped the day off with some curry and steak. As for my picks they went pretty poorly. I would have reversed my position relative .500 if I'd just stuck with my gut on tennis matches. So I'll stick with it today and on to the picks! <hr /> 1) Germany vs. Russia - 140 points or less 2) York City @ Barrow AFC - Barrow AFC win or draw 3) Marin Cilic vs. Andy Murray - Murray will lose 14 games or more 4) Tampa Bay Rays @ New York Yankees - New York 5) Florida Marlins @ New York Mets - Florida 6) Indiana Fever @ New York Liberty - New York 7) River Plate @ Rosario Central - River Plate win or draw 8) Gael Monfils vs. Rafael Nadal - 41 games or fewer played 9) Seattle Mariners @ Los Angeles Angels - Seattle 10) San Antonio @ Los Angeles - 147 points or more true

2009-09-08T10:44:25Z

93583 0 September 8th Picks

2009-09-09T01:54:27Z

http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/zombidwee/blog/posts/93583

2009-02-04T01:27:01Z

2009-06-29T12:46:10Z

5320940

http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/zombidwee/blog zombidwee http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/zombidwee 1173676 <a href="http://bleaklookatcash.blogspot.com">Click here</a> for previews on selected matchups. 1-0-1 today. I took Bohemians to win by more than Derry City but I was fairly sure both teams would lose. Neither team has been able to string together four wins in a row this season reliably. Then I took Manny Ramirez to make an out with his second plate appearance, which he did. Now I'm bearing down on a W10 once again. This time I'll just keep picking like I have been rather than skipping a day waiting for something nice looking but ultimately wrong to come along. A number of solid picks to extend your streaks are up on the board tomorrow. I'll try and throw out some quick rationale for each pick rather than posting lengthy-ish previews or nothing at all. Good luck and on to the picks. <hr /> 1) Jurgen Melzer vs. Marat Safin - Melzer 2) Chicago White Sox @ Minnesota Twins - Minnesota 3) Estudiantes La Plata @ San Lorenzo - Estudiantes La Plata win or draw 4) Richard Gasquet vs. Rafael Nadal - 28 games or more played 5) San Diego Padres (v. Nationals) vs. Oakland Athletics (vs. Royals) - Athletics have a larger victory margin 6) Los Angeles Angels @ Seattle Mariners - Los Angeles 7) Boston Red Sox @ Tampa Bay Rays - Tampa Bay 8) Serena Williams vs. Melinda Czink - Williams loses 5 games or fewer 9) New York Mets @ Colorado Rockies - 10 runs or more scored 10) How Many Earned Runs Will Chad Billingsley Allow (Diamondbacks @ Dodgers): 0 or 1 vs. 2 Or More - 2 or more true

2009-09-02T06:44:12Z

93083 0 September 2nd Picks

2009-09-02T20:56:50Z

http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/zombidwee/blog/posts/93083

2009-02-04T01:27:01Z

2009-06-29T12:46:10Z

5320940

http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/zombidwee/blog zombidwee http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/zombidwee 1326956 Omar Minaya, GM of the New York Mets, has continued the plague of bad Met GM's. Omar has only brought in a handful of good players. Beltran, Santana, K-Rod and Putz. Omar did not work to get D-Wright or Jose Reyes, They were in our farm system. Minaya also managed to mess up one of the best farm systems in the league by trading all of our prospects away for old hispanics who should have retired 15 years ago. The Mets have the 2nd highest salary cap in the MLB. WHY DOESN"T OMAR USE IT!! We had the room to get Roy Halladay, get rid of Brian schneider instead of Ramon Castro. I say its time to fire Omar Minaya and let a 3rd grader handle the Mets organization because that 3rd grader cold probably do a better job! true

2009-09-01T05:59:48Z

93000 2 Fire Omar already!!

2009-09-01T20:49:21Z

http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/EvanBrot/blog/posts/93000

2009-09-01T05:52:46Z

Just Another Fan Profile Blog 1326956 EvanBrot's Blog

2009-09-01T05:52:46Z

5718994

http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/EvanBrot/blog EvanBrot http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/EvanBrot