Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Baseball gets it right this time

I must give Major League Baseball a little credit.

While I think starting Game 4 of the World Series a little after 10 p.m. Saturday after a nearly two-hour rain delay was absurd, giving the Rays every opportunity to tie Monday night's Game 5 in a driving rain storm was probably the right thing to do.

Luckilly, the Rays did tie the game before the game was suspended in the sixth inning, so there would be no question as to whether the Phillies would be handed a World Series title without the final game going at least nine innings.

That would have been an unacceptable picture.

Thankfully it won't happen.

Let this Series be decided on the field, no matter how long it takes.

Monday, October 27, 2008

Laugh out loud

I just had to take a break from talking sports to tell you all about seeing Robin Williams performing at the Mohegan Sun.

Robin Williams was probably the first comic I ever watched on TV in the early 80s. I remember staying up late -- without my parent's permission (or knowledge) -- to see him. He was the funniest comedian I had ever seen as a teenager.

I hadn't seen much of his work recently -- from what I understand it has been a long time since he performed -- so I was very interested in seeing his new routine.

And boy did he deliver. I don't think I laughed that hard in quite some time and it brought me back to those days when I couldn't stop laughing whenever I saw him.

He is a true comic genius and if you ever get the chance to see him live, go and see him.

I'm so glad I did.

Friday, October 24, 2008

Series intrigue

So, after two games of the World Series, what do you all think?

I predicted the Rays winning in 6 games, and I stand by that. These teams are evenly matched and probably -- in the end -- Tampa might outscore the Phillies by less than 10 runs total.

Although it appears the country has almost completely tuned the World Series out, if you read the rating numbers for the first two games, this remains an intriguing matchup.

Although I am not a fan of either team, I can honestly say it's pretty nice to see a couple of new teams battle it out for the title.

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Who cares?

Is anybody out there totally shocked or completely appalled by recent events involving Brett Favre and the Detroit Lions?

In short, if I'm understanding what I've read and seen about this correctly, prior to the Jets' game at Oakland on Sunday, Fox Sports Jay Glazer reported that Favre spoke with the Lions a few weeks ago to give them tips on how to beat Favre's former Packers. (A game, by the way, Green Bay ultimately won).

When contacted by NBC (and Sports Illustrated's) Peter King (who by many accounts is a personal friend of Favre) the Jets QB said the report was total "BS." King went on to report that denial during the NBC pregame show for its Sunday night game. From what I gather, even ESPN refused to report on the allegation.

Since then, there seems to be a lot of backtracking by many, including Favre, who said he spoke with then-Detroit GM Matt Millen (a Favre friend) but that Millen called him and they really didn't speak much about that game that week.

Many in the media are making a huge deal of this.

For me, not only is not surprising, it's not a big deal. I wouldn't be surprised if that sort if thing happens quite a bit. You think Favre is the first person to feel jilted by his former team after a trade, release, whatever, who talked to players he knew on another team that played that former team to help them?

No, Favre's biggest mistake was that he wasn't up-front from the get-go.

But in the end, Favre may have lost some of his former Packer fans and probably has a little egg on his face regardless of how much -- or little -- his conversation with Millen revealed. But in terms of the attention it has received, I would think there are other stories that rate more important.

Monday, October 20, 2008

Getting serious about the Series

The Philadelphia Phillies and Tampa Bay Rays in the World Series?

How much money would you have put on that?

When the postseason began, you had the defending champion Red Sox, as well as the regular season's best team -- the Los Angeles Angels -- in the AL, along with the best regular-season team in the NL -- the Chicago Cubs -- and Joe Torre's Los Angeles Dodgers competing with Philadelphia for a World Series berth.

Pretty impressive resumes all around, but, in the end, these were two of the hottest teams down the stretch, so maybe it shouldn't be that big a surprise.

My pick -- Rays in 6.

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Lauding longevity

I just wanted to give my congratulations to a pair of area coaches who reached milestones.

Red Hook volleyball coach Carrie Spiegel recorded her 200th career victory, while Tom Miron picked up his 100th career win as Saugerties girls soccer coach.

In the world of sports today, whether it's in the professional ranks or the youth level, coaches come and go -- a lot of times not by their own choosing.

These two coaches have been around as long as I've been working here at the Freeman, so it's nice to see them rewarded for their success and longevity.

Congrats to both.

Monday, October 13, 2008

Giant opportunity

It was quite the weekend if you're an NFL fan.

Last-second, game-winning field goals; a blocked punt returned for a touchdown in overtime; as well as the usual close games and blowouts.

Heading into tonight's game in Cleveland (which, by the way should be an easy victory for Big Blue), you have to feel pretty good if you're a Giants' fan. Your two closest rivals -- Dallas and Washington both lost.

Plus, the Cowboys lost Tony Romo for four weeks with a broken pinkie on his throwing hand, which means he won't be available in three weeks for the first matchup of the season between Dallas and New York.

The division is there for the taking for the Giants and the season's not even halfway done.

Friday, October 10, 2008

Pause for politics

I think I need an intervention.

For the past few weeks, I've really been off my game in terms of keeping up with the sports landscape. I am a sports-lover by nature. In fact, I really don't think you could effectively have a job in this media (whether it's print, radio or TV) without having that passion running through your veins.

The baseball playoffs are in full swing; the NFL is more than a quarter way through it's regular season; the NHL season is underway; and the NBA season is right around the corner.

Right now, however, I am obsessed with politics. I've never considered myself political, but there's something about the election of our next president that has just made me sit up and take notice more than I ever have in the more than 20 years I've been eligible to vote.

But although, my love for sports has been put temporarily put on the back-burner, it's not completely out of my mind. I find myself watching these candidates with the same frame of mind that I watch my favorite sports teams.

Now it's not the purpose of this blog to offer my views or who I support. I bring this up only to ask everyone to get out and vote. My oldest nephew, who turned 18 in the spring, is eligible to vote in first election.

I encouraged him, as I am encouraging all who read this blog, to get out and vote. With all the challenges this country faces these days, the stakes are too high to sit on the sidelines.

Monday, October 6, 2008

Super start

Anyone out there surprised with the Giants' fast start?

To be honest, I'm not. Although they lost a future Hall of Famer in Michael Strahan as well as All-Pro Osi Umenyiora from their defensive line, this Giants team is loaded on both sides of the ball.

It has also helped their wins came against the Redskins (before they became the Redskins), the Rams, the Bengals and the Seahawks. But make no mistake, this Giants' team is legit.

Now, I don't think they'll finish the season undefeated because they're playing in the toughest division in football, but come playoff time, they might be the Super Bowl favorites.

I know, that makes you Giant fans cringe.

Thursday, October 2, 2008

Torre's LA story

So Yankee fans, how would you feel about seeing Joe Torre as the front man of a ticker-tape parade if the Dodgers win the World Series?

It could very well happen.

Now I'm not saying the Bombers made the wrong move in letting -- or forcing (how ever you choose to look at it) -- Torre to walk after last year in favor of Joe Girarid because the time was right to make the change.

But it would be kind of ironic if after 13 straight playoff appearances and four championships under Torre to have the Yanks miss the playoffs for the first time and the Dodgers win a title in Torre's first year.

For the record, I'm picking Boston to win it all again, but a Dodgers-Red Sox series would be quite entertaining. I'm sure Red Sox Nation can't wait to "welcome" back Manny Ramirez as a Dodger.