A Combo Portion

     There were a few notable events which happened  in the sports world in the preceding week. If Blogspot had saved my work a week ago, this blog would already have been published. I  have added some material to that failed blog to make it more current.

     The World Cup opened last week in Moscow. Host Russia overwhelmed Egypt, to the absolute joy of Vladimir Putin. They have since won their next game, undoubtedly to the satisfaction of Putin. Team Iceland, by defeating mighty Argentina, and Roberto with first a hat trick and then a lone goal in two games to lead Portugal may have stolen some of the headlines with their performances. Germany (Governor Murphy's first bet at Monmouth Park to inaugurate sports betting in NJ), Argentina and Brazil didn't win their first round games. Argentina looks to be headed home, while Germany rallied to stun Sweden to enhance its chances to enter the knockout round. So, too does Brazil appear to be back on track.  France, Russia, Uruguay and Croatia have all advanced. It gets trickier for Belgium, England, Spain and Denmark and a few other nations.

     Then there is Mexico. Now 2-0 in Group F. When Mexico scored its goal to defeat Germany, seismologists in Mexico City recorded an artificial earthquake in two sites. There must have a lot of celebration going on.

     There is no U.S.A. entry this time. But the triple-nation bid from the United States, Canada and Mexico secured the 2026 World Cup rights. Sounds great, but then again, a lot can happen geo-politically, even among friends.

     U.S. Open host Shinnecock Hills on Long Island became known for a lot of things. Most of it not too good. Located in Southampton, the traffic nightmares were evident on Monday through Wednesday, creating havoc for participants and others trying to reach the tournament.

     Smartly, Tiger Woods stayed on his yacht not too far away from the course. Bright idea, except his 42 year old remade body and swing plus some putting woes led to Tiger not making the cut. For those who seek to believe that Woods is going to regain his touch and dominate the P.G.A. Tour--forget about it already. The young lions he competes against are better than he is. That he is still out there is a testimonial to his fortitude and innate golfing abilities. Just because he is no longer the undeniable king of the golf course does not diminish his achievements. Which are all in the past.

     The course played hard. Dustin Johnson, the top-ranked golfer in the world, pulled ahead of the field on the first two days. The media virtually anointed him as the winner. Except a funny thing happened on the way to the trophy--he shot a 77 on Saturday and fell into a tie for the lead. By Sunday's end of the tournament, he was third.

     U.S.G.A. officials responded to the howls of the pros that this was an unconscionable course. So what--Brooks Koepka, last year's U.S. Open titlist, didn't think so when he won it. Golfers are too coddled playing the easier courses. When a difficult course comes in a major like the U.S. Open, they need to suck it up and play the damn course. Enough of the lame excuses. They are the best in the world. Act professionally and play like the top pros they are supposed to be.

     One last morsel from this U.S. Open. On Saturday, Phil Mickelson was so frustrated with his play on the 13th hole that, to celebrate his 48th birthday and his 27th Open, he hit a ball that was rolling backwards away from the green to save himself from further damage. He incurred a 2 shot penalty and shot 10 for the hole. Phil gave lame excuses about suffering "a moment of madness," while acknowledging he clearly knew the rule. His post-tournament apologies were also insubstantial and self-serving.

     I have never liked Mickelson's large ego (nor did I forgive him for getting away with insider information about stocks by only paying a fine). What he deserved was disqualification from the tournament AND a suspension. His actions were blatant and bad for the game. Justice should be harsh for those who willingly violate golfing rules and do so jokingly, as Mickelson did. This is competitive golfing for a lot of money, not a Saturday at the links with your buddies, drinking beer and having some laughs.

     I am tired of guessing where Lebron James is going to go next season. Obviously the writers aren't. Whatever decision he makes will be both applauded and derided. It is not on my sports front burner.

     Moreover, the NBA and NHL drafts did not make me think much more about basketball and hockey. With the NHL, the Devils' schedule and Taylor Hall winning the Hart Trophy as most valuable to his team was more important. Carmelo Anthony taking his $27 million to stay with OKC rather than test free agency was cute, if nothing more.

     The Yankees have now lost games on three consecutive Sundays. Horrors. That comes with the burden of winning 50 games before the halfway point of the season. They even were swept by Tampa Bay. It happens to all of the good teams--they do endure slumps. How this group reacts to a couple of losses will say more about the character of the Yankees than anything else. Starting in Philadelphia tomorrow night against a formidable Phillies team, and then into the weekend when division rival Boston comes to Yankee Stadium.

     GM Brian Cashman is looking for quality pitching to fortify a pretty talented trio of Luis Severino, Masahiro Tanaka (currently on the DL with hamstring issues) and ageless C.C. Sabathia, who has lost some hard luck games recently. Plus lefty Chasen Shreve has imploded lately--serving up homers every mound appearance including the game winner for the Rays this Sunday--creating an acute need for a lefty specialist in the bullpen.

     I had been thinking how the Yankees needed to coach Giancarlo Stanton and Gary Sanchez to have greater plate discipline. The duo was chasing balls away from the plate, low and outside pitches that are not fastballs. Stop the needless outs and they will perform better, thereby making New York that much tougher.

     Stanton must have read my mind, because he is on a tear, hitting homers and striking the ball with authority. Alas, Sanchez was still mired below a .200 average when, in running out a grounder today, he injured his groin. A DL stints is upcoming. Austin Romine, having a superb year for himself, will have to exclusively handle the catching duties, fortified by a minor league call up. To make up for the loss of Sanchez, players like Aaron Judge (a .185 road betting average) and Greg Byrd need to become more productive.

     Last Sunday, the Yankees held another Old Timers' Day. So many heroes from the past. Yankee fans have been blessed to see some of the best talent in MLB history. Watching the roll call of names is one of the highlights of any baseball season for me. The date coincided with Ron Guidry's 18 strikeout performance in a 1978 game--still the Yankees' pitching record.

     Once yearly, my buddies and I head to the Stadium for a Senior Citizen's Day. As we all know, the Yankees have the highest ticket prices in baseball. Some ticket costs surpass that of Broadway shows.  Or are on a par with NFL playoff games. Which is ridiculous.

     That is why we go to the Senior Citizen's Day games. Tickets are on sale for $5.00. Some others are on sale for $25.00. A bargain anywhere in MLB, but even more so in New York. We usually arrive between 11:00 a.m. and 11:30 and we have no problems getting in. Our seats have been in the shade in right field and in left field. One time we had the good fortune to sit downstairs in the last row behind home plate when a rain shower interrupted a game versus Cleveland.

     Did I say usually arrive between 11and 11:30? Thanks to the slowness of the MTA and NJ Transit, we got to the enormous line for the ticket booth at 11:25. Unfortunately, that wan't good enough this time.

     With the combination of a very clear and nice day in late June along with the aces pitching for the Mariners and Yankees and the chance for a three game sweep of Seattle, elder Yankees fans came out in droves. As did the younger ones, too.

     According to the man behind the glass, we could have purchased single seats ranging from over $100.00 up to $300.00. The game was going to be a sellout. One of us decided to stay, and three of us ate our sandwiches and plaintively asked others if they had any extra tickets in the park across the street from this stadium, where the old ballpark used to be.

     After we left the ticket booth area, our friend who remained was mysteriously rewarded with a $25.00 seat. He told us that the section he was in had plenty of empty seats.

     Instead, we watched the scalpers making exchanges of tickets for cash as droves of ticketed fans headed to the Stadium gates. Around the game time of 1:05, we made our way up to the ticket booth and there still was a long line--for what I could not fathom. We came upon a scalper by the subway entrance who would sell us 4 seats for $120.00 after fighting with another scalper for a fourth seat. The fact that he wanted our $ first led us to head forlornly to the subway.

     It was agreed that if we could have gotten 4 seats together, we would even have spent $100.00 per seat to go the game. Yet, it is the Yankees who have been known to play games with ticket sales.

     When the team was at the old Stadium, a friend had done legal work for an executive of the Yankees. Consequently, we would be able to get discounted seats in very good sections, close to the action.

     But once the Yankees headed to the new ballpark, with the advent of premium seats, the discount was gone. Which was why the allure of cheaper seats was so thrilling--a sort of revenge against the tactics of the Yankees to increase their revenue. Plus the fact that in so many other ballparks, prices are far more reasonable for good seats. In Baltimore, we have access to the club area, which proved to be a necessity while we waited out the 1:44 rain delay in comfort; this is along with 8th row seats behind the dugout costing far less than the Yankees would charge.

     Maybe it was fateful that we did not get seats this trip to the Stadium. Do I want to get up earlier and take a train around 9:00 a.m. to camp out in line to secure senior tickets? Is it really worth it? The trip is not an easy one and I am not getting any younger. If we had driven, we would have been out a lot more money for tolls and parking, with the added aggravation of the roads from the George Washington Bridge to the Stadium lots. The train and subway are the only option and there is no certainty that we will arrive on time.

     Moreover, if the Yankees continue to play at this level, tickets will indeed be harder to get. Perhaps sitting by my TV for Yankees games isn't such a bad idea after all. I have nothing against the team--I will continue to root hard for them. My wife thinks that it is karma that the Yankees haven't won a game since this debacle. I disagree--for now. She is vengeful.

     My ire is directed at management--again. So they may have won this one by their holding out by trying to sell us premium seats. The next move is up to me--if I do want to go Yankee Stadium--or will I be satisfied paying a far reduced price in Tampa. Chicago, Milwaukee, Kansas City and possibly in St. Louis as I end my stadium tours, along with trips to see the Orioles and Phillies. Forget about Boston; prices are on a par with New York.

     At least for this season, I am not headed back to Yankee Stadium. Thanks to the combination of factors which led to us getting back to watch the end of the game on TV in the coolness of my den--instead of seeing Judge and Miguel Andujar swat first inning homers.

     Finally, last Sunday was also Father's Day. For so many men, they reminisce abut their dads and look at their own children (and grandchildren) with tremendous fondness. I hope their memories are positive, although I recognize from experience that fathers are far from perfect.

     According to the 2014 Census, there are 72.2 million fathers in the United States. That is a lot of fathers out there with their own stories. To me, I look at my complicated relationship with my father and still have love for the great things he taught me and the places he took me. He gave me much, but he was hard man to understand.

     I have taken the experiences from our interactions and tried to correct the flaws while providing my children so much of the joy and laughter that is the best part of any father-child relationship. The tributes from my children are the reward for doing what I felt was correct.

     Sure, I erred enough, but there aren't too many men who haven't. In the end, what they have accomplished and who they are defines them and where they stand in their fields and with their friends. With all of that, my children still like me and trust me. Believe me, that is a feeling not only this dad can understand, plus hope that many other fathers and their children have similar scenarios.

     Belated Happy Father's Day from this retired baseball player turned blogger.
   
   

Celebrate

     What a time period!! The NHL Stanley Cup is decided. The NBA Finals concluded. The Triple Crown was attained. The middleweight title changed hands. The Women's and Men's French Open champions were crowned. Plus the Subway Series Part I was held. A sports fan's cornucopia of events from Thursday through Sunday. It doesn't get much better than that.

     In Las Vegas on Thursday night, the incredible happened. The Washington Capitals, long a bridesmaid, won their first Stanley Cup in 44 years by taking down the upstart Golden Knights in 5 games. Led by their Russian superstar captain, Alex Ovechkin and a supporting cast who ably complimented each other, the Caps defeated their nemesis, the Pittsburgh Penguins, who had taken them out of the playoffs 9 previous times, as well as the top-ranked Tampa Bay Lightning en route to the Stanley Cup Finals. 

     Ovechkin, a sure Hall of Fame inductee, has won the Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy, awarded to the leading goal scorer in the league,  7 times including this season. He has won the Hart Trophy, given to the Most Valuable Player in the N.H.L. 3 times and is the frontrunner for this season. Additionally, Ovi has won 3 Lester B. Pearson/Ted Lindsay Awards for the Most Outstanding Player as voted by the players. The 2006 Calder Trophy winner as the top N.H.L. rookie,  Ovi has been a 9 time All Star through 2017 while being the 4th fastest in league history to score 600 goals. This season he is certain to win the Kharlamov Trophy, emblematic of the best Russian player in the N.H.L--his 8th. Ovi has won the SuperSkills Competition "Breakaway Challenge" on 3 different occasions, and he recorded the hardest shot this year in that competition. And he holds the N.H.L. record for most season with 10+ game-winning goals (5).

     One of the greatest players ever to suit up, one thing had eluded Alex Ovechkin. Winning the Stanley Cup. The Capitals have won the Presidents' Trophy for the best regular season record in 2010, 2016 and 2017. Yet his Capitals squads had come up empty in the playoffs all three times.

     His head coach, Barry Trotz, went to Ovi's wedding last summer and issued him a challenge to be even better this season. Challenge accepted. The Capitals' captain led in the locker room and by example on the ice. He pushed himself and his teammates to previously unreachable heights. Which is why, when the Capitals went ahead in the third period of Game 5, Ovi could be seen anguishing on the bench as the seconds slowly ticked away until the nearly impossible happened--Washington was the Stanley Cup champion. 

     The weight, the unimaginable burden, had been lifted off of Ovi's shoulders. He cried, screamed in delight and was as joyous as a little kid getting the exact gift that he wanted at Christmas. Alex Ovechkin was finally a Stanley Cup champion. Moreover, he deservedly won the Conn Smythe Trophy as the M.V.P. of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, leading all players in scoring. The aforementioned great resume became even more well-rounded.

     During the telecast of Game 5, Ovechkin's achievements were questioned in relation to other great players. It was extremely unfair to compare him to Henri Richard's 11 Stanley Cup titles--there were fewer teams for his Montreal Canadiens to compete against in fewer rounds. Multiple Cup winner like Mark Messier (6), Wayne Gretzky (4), Bobby Orr, and Gordie Howe played in a different era. Chicago's Patrick Kane, on 3 Cup winning teams, had a better supporting cast. 

     So did Sidney Crosby, the contemporary Ovi is most compared with--his three Pittsburgh Penguins teams which won the Cup were just better. On the ice, it was like comparing Steph Curry of the Golden State Warriors (Crosby) with Lebron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers (Ovechkin). Both gifted players with multiple accolades, but entirely different styles of play.

     While I may have had my heart invested in the Golden Knights incredible first N.H.L. season, I could not exclude my admiration for Alex Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals. Ovis is one of he greatest ever to play the game; he finally reached the summit and had ample reason to exhale.

     Thus, I give Ovi a well-deserved pass with his awkward first ceremonial pitch at the Nationals' game on Saturday. He's a hockey player--from Russia, where baseball is not the National Pastime. His second left-handed toss to Nats' ace Max Scherzer found its mark. Good enough for a man who, with his teammates, has been lugging around the Stanley Cup wherever they go since just after 11:00 p.m. EDT on this past Thursday. 

     The parade is upcoming. I wonder, but for the summit in Singapore, this week, would Ovi and the team have been invited to the White House? Leave it to outfielder Adam Eaton, recently coming off the 60 day DL for the Nats to provide perspective: "This is my third picture with the Cup. I was in Chicago. I take full responsibility. I think the Cup follows me a bit. It makes sense. It's science." Washingtonians--your wait is over. Go delirious. You and the Capitals deserved this one.

     On Friday, the N.B.A. Finals mercifully concluded. Golden State, the far superior team, swept Cleveland and Lebron James. With some wacky Game 1 calls and reversals along with a mind-boggling dribbling out regulation time in a time game by J.R. Smith resulting in a Warriors overtime win, James and his team could not muster enough to overtake a roster with so many stars. James scored 51 points in Game 1 and lost. Then he broke his hand on a whiteboard in the locker room after the loss. By the time he reached Game 4, he was a tired and discouraged player playing superbly with a significant handicap and no true support. Game 4, with Steph Curry shooting so well after a mediocre performance in Game 3, was a coronation. 

     Sure, Golden State lucked out when guard Chris Paul of Houston went down with his leg injury. Had that not happened, Houston might well have vanquished the Cavs in four games, too. That does not detract from what the Warriors accomplished. Led by Curry in 3 games and Kevin Durant overall, this was a juggernaut that was ready for the fourth installment of the rivalry. Durant merited the 7-4 vote which awarded him the Bill Russell M.V.P. trophy for the Finals for the second straight year. His Game 3 performance was the knife in Cleveland's heart, capturing a come-from-behind victory, behind his 43 point effort when Curry and Klay Thompson were ineffectual. 

     Three titles in four consecutive years and an all-time record for regular season wins. Golden State is the ninth team to sweep its opponents in the Finals. They have won a road game in 19 straight playoff series, tying the N.B.A. record. Curry has hit a 3 point shot in 90 consecutive playoff games, a post-season record. Banged up and with hints of internal discord dropped by Shawn Livingston and David West. Head Coach Steve Kerr acknowledging that this was the toughest year yet for him to coach this group.

     They are a dynasty. Arguably, comparisons to the Chicago Bulls teams led by Michael Jordan and Scotty Pippen are tough to make, with the Bulls accumulating 6 titles. Nonetheless, this does not at all diminish how great the Warriors really are. They have defeated all challengers 3 times in 4 years and, but for a Kyrie Irving shot in Game 7 two years ago, we could be looking at a 4 for 4 showing. Curry, Duran and Thompson are Hall of Famers. Coach Kerr is, too. Draymond Green is a different kind of mercurial Dennis Rodman, and Rodman is in the HOF. Swingman Andre Iguodala has had an impressive career, which includes an Olympic championship in 2012; he will merit strong consideration for Springfield enshrinement.

     Golden State faces critical decisions on personnel--mega contracts to Durant, Green and Thompson must be strongly considered. Iguodala is 34 with one year left on his current contract--they must determine if he is in decline and move him. Curry is already inked long-term. Can the Warriors win it again? Let's talk in October, once the landscape is more settled.

     Which returns us to Lebron James. He is the best player in the N.B.A. Curry may be smaller and appear to be craftier. Durant is bigger and can shoot the lights out and make critical defensive plays. But neither one of these players could possibly have carried the Cavs to the Finals again, nor could they have made an 8th straight trip to the Finals, like Lebron has. He is a monster, even at age 33. 

     The next question in his superlative career is where will Lebron be playing next season? He does have a home in Los Angeles, which makes that a very intriguing destination. Houston, Philadelphia, Boston and a return to Cleveland has been predicted. While Golden State has been mentioned, that is not a good fit for salary cap and other reason.

     Two things for sure--James will be paid very well for his efforts--wherever he lands--and it will greatly affect the landscape of the N.B.A. for a while.

     One last thing about James--experts,please stop comparing him to Jordan. Can't we just say they were the two greatest players in N.B.A. history? Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Shaquille O'Neal, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, Jerry West, Wilt Chamberlain among others notwithstanding.  

     Justify justifiably won the Triple Crown with a victory in he 150th Belmont Stakes. The 13th horse to win the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness and at Belmont galloping to a convincing win. He was run in just 4 races total. His stud fees are now worth $75 million. Trainer Bob Baffert has won 2 Triple Crowns. A lot of rejoicing is going on with the ownership, Baffert and jockey Mike Sullivan, who, at age 52 became the oldest jockey to win the Triple Crown.

     Undefeated welterweight Terence Crawford dominated Australian champ Jeff Horn to capture the WBO title via a 9th round TKO at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Crawford now holds four different belts and is rated he number 2 pound-for-pound boxer in the world. This man is a tough hombre.

     Simona Halep won her first Grand Slam title in four tries by defeating American Sloane Stephens in the French Open. The number 1 ranked Romanian lost the first set 3-6, then captured 15 of the last 16 games to turn a defeat into a decided victory by outlasting Stephens in the long games, which were punctuated by hard hitting from both players. Stephens lost her first final after winning the previous seven, one of which was last year's U.S. Open.

     Roland Garros concluded this year's tournament with Rafael Nadal taking Dominic Thiem in straight sets to win his 11th French Open and 17th Grand Slam crown. Nadal is the greatest player ever to play on clay. Thiem had done the nearly impossible, defeating the Spaniard on clay in Rome in May, 2017 and in Madrid in May, 2018. The way Nadal played in this year's French Open, those two Theim wins would not lead to a third. Recently having turned 32, Nadal punished the Austrian at every turn, bringing his career record at Roland Garros to 86-2, with an astonishing 110-2 in all best-of-five marches on clay.

     Albeit Nadal did not have to face Roger Federer at any point during this tournament. Federer has not played since being dispatched from the Miami Open earlier this year by an Australian qualifier. What Nadal did reestablish was his dominance in a major tournament, keeping his top-ranking status while placing him at the forefront of the discussion for Wimbledon, where he should be installed as the top seed.  Will this translate into more titles for the now injury-free Nadal, when  so many of his contemporaries like Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray and Federer have their own issues in their own stellar careers? It certainly will be the talk of the tennis world as we have reached the halfway point in he quest for Grand Slam titles.

     One more thing--tonight the Yankees conclude the Subway Series at Citi Field against the reeling Mets, losers of 8 straight games. Going with ace Luis Severino, with his 9-1 record bodes well for the Bombers, who have won the first two games via key homers from their talented lineup. Winners of 33 of their last 42 games after a 9-9 start, the Yankees have surpassed the Boston Red Sox for the lead in the A.L. East, at least for now. The loss of number 2 starter Masahiro Tanaka with hamstring injuries suffered running the bases in an N.L. park where he had to bat because there is now DH like in A.L. stadiums, will cause some difficulty short term--Tanaka is expected back before the All-Star game in mid-July. This is a really good team; let's see how resilient they are.

     Yet a sweep of he Mets, while not on the scale of the other victories mentioned above, is as sweet as it gets for Yankees fans. Who can blame them?

     To quote Three Dog Night, the Australian rock group of the '60's and '70's: "Celebrate, Celebrate, dance with the music!" To the winners--Washington. Ovechekin, Golden State, Durant, Crawford, Baffert, Sullivan, Halep and Nadal--they will indeed be dancing to the music. 

Justify, I think, will be dancing to his own beat. If not now, then certainly later.

   


   

Many Happy Returns

     This writer return from a vacation interspersed with sports and a little education thrown in. I have seen 3 MLB games in 11 days--May 22 in Houston; May 30 at Yankee Stadium; and June 2 in the rain in Baltimore. I have seen 2 college campuses in Texas. We visited 1 Presidential Library. We were in the sports betting capital of the U.S. (at least for now)---Las Vegas---which is a big hockey town now that the Golden Knights have reached the Stanley Cup Finals. And yes, the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Golden State Warriors are meeting for the unprecedented 4th time in a row to establish who is the N.B.A.'s best.

     So let's start out with baseball. On May 22, we made our way to Minute Maid Park, home of the Houston Astros. With a retractable roof facility--which the roof was thankfully closed due to thunderstorms nearby--it was a spacious stadium. Although the ballpark was not filled, the Astros faithful and the scoreboard, music and interactive entertainment made it into a fun-filled, enjoyable night.

     Of course, the Astros dominated the visiting San Francisco Giants behind the pitching of Gerrit Cole, formerly the mainstay of the Pittsburgh Pirates. Cole, alongside Justin Verlander and undefeated Charlie Morton form a very formidable trio of top-flight pitchers. Besides Morton being unbeaten this season, Verlander has a minuscule  E.R.A. and Cole leads the American League in strikeouts.

     Then there is Jose Altuve, the fireplug second baseman who energizes the team. He is just so much fun to watch if you are a baseball fan. You just hope that he does not do too much damage against your team. With a loaded lineup and good pitching, the Astros will be there when the playoffs begin to defend their World Series crown.

     An aside to the Giants-Astros contest was the matchup between Cole and Brandon Crawford. Crawford is Cole's brother-in-law, having met Cole's sister at UCLA where she was on the Bruins' softball team. Cole went into this meeting ahead in the rivalry, allowing just 4 hits in 18 at bats by Crawford. While Cole did not have his top game, he was in good form except against Crawford, who had a single and a home run against his wife's brother. I wonder how that went over in the family?


     Eight days later, we were in New York to see the Astros take on the Yankees. It was a one-sided affair, as New York's top pitcher, Luis Severino out-dueled former Cy Young Award winner, Dallas Keuchel. Severino was dominant against Houston, striking out Astro after Astro. Despite the four strikeouts endured by first baseman Tyler Austin, New York asserted its dominance over Houston in this game and by winning the season series 5-1.

     For the Yankees, all everything rookie Gleyber Torres has become a potent force, capping last month with awards for Player of the Week and A.L Rookie of the Month for May. Aaron Judge is still among the strikeout leaders, but he is getting on base, clubbing homers and scoring or driving in runs. Brett Gardner is coming alive, coming out of a month and a half funk. Even though he has not hit his stride yet, Giancarlo Stanton is still clubbing homers while batting just below .250. First baseman Greg Byrd has rejoined the team after ankle surgery and he is a strong addition to an already potent lineup.

     While in rain-soaked Baltimore on Saturday, I saw the Yankees close up. I was impressed with the hitting of rookie third baseman, Miguel Andujar. Didi Gregorious appears to be regaining his form after a horrible May. Aaron Hicks played very well against the Orioles, collecting three hits.

     Only catcher Gary Sanchez is playing way below expectations.  Hitting just above .200, Sanchez looked awkward and lunging at the pitches. He failed to hustle down the line on a grounder, which the Orioles' second baseman threw the ball away trying to complete a double play. Sanchez's catching is getting more solid; his offense needs to take off.

     The difference between the Astros and Yankees comes down got pitching. Houston has exceptional starting pitching. New York has Severino; Mashairo Tanaka, who threw 5 1/3 inning versus the Orioles giving up 3 homers; and C.C. Sabathia who is pitching in some hard luck. Sonny Gray pitched well against the woeful Orioles on Friday night, but Gray has been inconsistent. The Yankees need for a 5th starter is there, but that is a minor concern.

     But what continues to separate the teams is the bullpen. New York can throw 7 capable relief pitchers in some form, capped by flame throwing lefty Aroldis Chapman. Houston's closer has been a bit inconsistent and their relief corps has cost Verlander 3 more wins. The edge remains with the Yankees until the Astros shore up their pen. Both may meet again in the post-season, which will produce riveting battles like the six games which concluded on Wednesday.

     Just a small postscript. The Orioles are horrible. I feel they are a bit better than the Miami Marlins, but not by much. Outside of shortstop Manny Machado, who has mashed 17 home runs, no one else can distinguish themselves in a real positive way. Kevin Gausman, who pitched on Saturday may have struck out 9 Yankees, but he left the game trailing 6-3. Adam Jones may have hit a homer on Saturday, but he looked to be a step slower in the outfield. Jonathan School is hitting .245 and he is not fielding too well. Why Chris Davis is still with the team bothers me--he is batting around .150, hitting for a little power while leading the A.L. in strikeouts by a wide margin. Someone in the farm system or via trade can do better. No wonder attendance is way down in Baltimore--it seemed like over 75% of the crowd on Saturday were rooting for New York. It is sad to see a proud franchise--the home of Frank and Brooks Robinson, Jim Palmer, Eddie Murray among other Orioles' greats--play this badly.

     Another thing worth watching are the increasingly frequent injuries for the Dodgers' Clayton Kershaw. Could the once-dominant ace of the LA staff be a mere mortal? Will all of his wins, accolades and awards be enough to overcome his rough post-season experiences and his failure in directing the Dodgers back to a World Series championship?

     Let's proceed to basketball. The N.B.A. Finals has a repeat performance--Cavaliers-Warriors IV. This matchup has already produced great theater just from Game 1. Game 2, while a blowout in favor of Golden State, produced more chippiness and some clutch performances by the Warriors. Lebron James has established himself as the greatest player now--and maybe forever if the Cavs can win it all. Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, Kevin Durant and Draymond Green are back at it, being forces in the overtime win on Thursday.

     However, I am looking at this as a contest between two teams that are fortunate to be where they are. Cleveland benefitted from James' almost inhuman performances against Indiana, Toronto and Boston, winning each in 7 games. I think that a healthier Boston team, one with Kyrie Irving, not withstanding a healthy Gord Hayward, would have easily handled Cleveland.

     Whereas Golden State beat Houston largely because Rockets' point guard Chris Paul, who had been eating up the Warriors defense, thus lessening the burden on James Harden, suffered a leg injury which sidelined him for Games 6 and 7. Otherwise, we might be seeing Cleveland versus Houston.

     Do I see Cleveland winning this version of the Finals? No. But Lebron will take his band of misfits to higher levels and winning the championship will not be very easy for the Warriors.

     The Golden Knights and Capitals are awaiting Game 4 in D.C. Washington, apparently the stronger team, is ahead by a 2 games to 1 margin. I look at the upcoming game as a do-or-die one for Vegas. Down 3-1, even at home, will be daunting for the N.H.L's expansion darlings.

     At least the T-Mobile Arena pre-game theatrics are far superior to D.C. bringing out season ticket holder Pat Sajak to announce the starting lineup. That's the best they can do inside the Beltway? He's not quite Michael Buffer, the famous ring announcer for so many championship fights with his signature call of: "Let's get ready to RUMBLE!!' If the Caps' management wanted a subdued approach, they could have brought in Mitch Mc Connell or Mike Pence. You want to have the house rock? How about Samantha Bee or Stormy Daniels? Even PTI's Washington homer, Tony Kornheiser would have brought the Caps' faithful to a big decibel fever pitch. But then again, Vegas knows much better how to present itself to the world than Washington.

     The biggest thing to happen recently is the Supreme Court's ruling in favor of New Jersey about legalizing sports betting throughout the country. I was in the Sports Book of the Mirage twice to see N.B.A. games on the big screens. That Sports Book was alive--abetted by the noise of the nearby slot machines. Celtics, Cavaliers, Rockets and Warriors fans overpopulated the room. Sorts betting was very much in vogue while we were in Las Vegas.

     On Monday, Delaware, a state who has been chomping at the bit to have sports betting and was one of four states to have previously enacted sports betting legislation (Nevada, Oregon & Montana are the others), will open doors at their racinos to take bets on games not played in Delaware. Which means almost every game.

     New Jersey is ready at Monmouth Park race track to open their Sports Book. But the New Jersey legislators have put the brakes on this, wanting to develop rules and regulations for oversight of this venture. Which I applaud.

     Moreover, the major sports leagues want a piece of the potentially huge sports betting action. I think that asking for 1% of the take is outrageous. Then again, it is not surprising when you think about the arrogance and chutzpah of the N.F.L., the biggest and baddest of all of the leagues. Who knows what the omnipotent N.C.A.A. will want--if they seek to profit from the Supreme Court's ruling and want part of he profits as an "integrity fee"---will they pay the athletes whose games are bet on? I hardly think so.

     The states want the tax windfall. New Jersey has legislation pending to devote up to almost 10% of the sports winnings to the state coffers. Certainly the states will want to impose similar taxes. Nobody should want to share the pot with the N.F.L. or MLB or the N.B.A. and the N.H.L. Do you think they will stop the sports if they cannot attach themselves to the state money derived from gambling taxes? Of course not. They play now and Vegas gleefully sets odds on the action without the worry of a tariff from the major leagues.

     I expect that some state will capitulate to the sports powers and give them a share of the profits. Other states will not have to do that, but once the barn door is open, I foresee litigation to make the rich richer. And the illegal bookies will always be there to rig games or provide a tax free alternative in sports betting. Such is the nature of the beast the Supreme Court unlocked.

     I am happy to be back writing. There is a lot of happiness in New York (at least for A.L. fans), Houston, Washington, Las Vegas, Cleveland and the Bay Area. And in the states who want to promote sports betting.

     In all, this sounds like a significant amount of happy returns.

On Vacation

RetiredLawyerSportsOp is on vacation. We will return around Memorial Day. Please stay tuned.

Thank you!!

With My Apologies

     I begin this blog with a couple of apologies. First, to Muhlenberg women's lacrosse defender Kate O'Connell, I glaringly left out the great anticipatory play she made in the second half to scoop up an errant throw by F&M and take possession in a critical point of the game. Although her steal did not lead to a score by Muhlenberg, it was a heady reaction by a woman who has not played that much defense in her career. It was well-received by the home crowd.

     To Sal Tromonda, yes, I know how to spell your name correctly. I cannot blame the computer for correcting the misspelling. That one's on me. I'm not going to make excuses. There are none.

     And to my readers, I apologize for the randomness in my schedule. Since I am not taking my laptop with me on some of the previously mentioned jaunts, I cannot always find the opportunity to write in a timely fashion. So know that, for at least this week, I will be back to my schedule. I can't guarantee next week and certainly there is a gap over Memorial Day weekend as I conclude my travels.

     What has happened in the last couple of days? The Yankees lost not one but 2 games in a row--surrendering a game-winning homer to league-leading hitter J.D. Martinez of Boston on Thursday night. Then Sonny Gray faced his old team and the A's took advantage of a bad Sonny Gray outing (again) to demolish the Bombers. Saturday the Yanks won in 11, regaining their winning ways at least momentarily.

     Brett Gardner seems to be coming out of his funk. Aaron Judge is slugging homers and amassing R.B.I's. Didi Gregorious finally smacked a baes hit to left field, ending an 0 for 30 slump for the A.L. Player of the Month for April. You can still sense that the Yankees aren't quite operating on all cylinders.

     Tiger Woods shot a 7 under 65 after two days of play that had him at -1 at The Players' Championship. It was brief glimpse of the magic of Tiger on a golf course. This superb round still left him a full 10 strokes behind leader Webb Simpson. Away from the dream pairing of Woods, Phil Mickelson and Ricky Fowler where the latter two did not make the cut, Tiger was the Tiger of yesteryear. You know that NBC was loving this. To me, I pose a simpler question--can he shoot that kind of round two days in a row?

     In Pittsburgh on Friday night, the San Francisco Giants visited PNC Park for a 3 game series . This represented the first trip back to the Steel City for outfielder Andrew McCutchen. Andrew spent 9 years in a Pirates' uniform, where he made five All-Star teams and he won the N.L. M.V.P. Award in 2013. He was the heart and soul of the Pirates' resurgence and led them to the playoffs three times. He was humble, hard-working, talented and adored by the Pirate faithful.

     The Pirates honored him with a tribute video in the bottom of the 1st inning. In the top of the 1st, McCutchen received a warm standing ovation prior to striking out. It was a tremendous moment. McCutchen was the subject of a lengthy replay when he threw out a Pirates' runner at the plate to end the 6th inning. According to the Giants' broadcasters, of course the call stayed--it was Mc Cutchen Night...

     Dwane Casey, the beleaguered Toronto Raptors coach, who is the presumptive N.B.A. Coach of the Year for leading the team to the Eastern Conference regular season title, was fired for not stopping  Lebron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers. Specifically, Raptors President Masai Ujiri's frustration with Casey boiled over when the Raptors did not double team James, who converted the game winning basket in Game 3. Ujiri went ballistic, which was heard by the team after the game. It was only a matter of time.

     Conversely, Brad Stevens did not receive a single vote for Coach of The Year. He has the Celtics in the Eastern Finals against Cleveland, despite losing Gord Hayward in the first game of the season and Kyrie Irving for the end of the season and the playoffs. Arguably, Stevens is the best coach in the N.B.A.

     He sure showed his talent by getting his team past the Milwaukee Bucks and the Philadelphia 76'ers. I wondered why he left the college ranks where he was a success. Danny Ainge, the Boston G.M., saw he was a great coach and plucked him away from Butler University. Ainge was right; I was so wrong. But then again, so were the voters for the Coach of the Year Award.

     David Price, the left-handed Boston Red Sox enigma, has done it again. Allegedly, he developed carpal tunnel syndrome from playing the video game Fortnite. The top flight pitcher, the number one draft pick for the Tampa Bay Rays out of Vanderbilt, with loads of talent, enough to win the Cy Young Award in 2012. Who inexplicably falls apart at inopportune times, Who surrendered Derek Jeter's 3,000 hit. Who came back tonight with a good performance against Toronto. And who has promised to stay away from the video games. Let's see how that goes...

     Third baseman Chase Headley, traded by the Yankees to his former team, San Diego, was designated for assignment by the Padres. Headley struggled last season in New York, coming alive late in the season and during he playoffs. The Yankees made the correct choice and have thus far prospered at third with rookie Miguel Andujar. I liked the switch hitting Headley. He tried very hard but his head was a mess at the plate and in the field. Still, I don't like to see such a likable player dumped like this. I hope he gets one more shot at redemption.

     The best story of the weekend goes to Anthony Lynn, the head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers.
Lynn left Texas Tech in 1992, six hours short of his degree. He played pro football until 1999, then went into coaching. When he was entering the NFL, Lynn promised his mother he would graduate. On Saturday, he walked the aisle at UNLV, receiving his degree in interdisciplinary studies. His wife, daughter, and team owner Dean Spanos and his wife were in attendance. As was his proud mother.

     To my readers, I say Happy Mother's Day. There is never a need to apologize for that.

Fandom--Redux

     I started a blog a couple of weeks ago. I liked the blog I was writing. I went to copy it, having thought that I had saved it, and it disappeared. I am going to partially recreate that blog and to add what has happened since April 17th, the date of my last submission. Hopefully I won't screw up saving and publishing this edition...

     The Mets started out ablaze in the first two weeks. They were pitching well and Mets batters provided timely hitting. It seemed like the Mets were going to run away from the NL East. Then disaster struck on many fronts--injuries, a lack of timely hitting and pitching in disarray--led to a horrible stretch of losses. Jacob de Grom, one of their front line pitchers, suffered an elbow injury swinging a bat. Matt Harvey, a brilliant young pitching star who suffered two debilitating injuries and was attempting a comeback, bombed out on a number of fronts and his histrionics and late night behavior could no longer be tolerated. "The Dark Knight" is now a member of the lowly Cincinnati Reds, having refused assignment to the minor leagues to work out his mechanical issues. It got so bad that yesterday in Cincinnati, the Mets were called out for batting out of order--in the first inning.

     Still, the Mets are over .500 at 18-16. This is despite losing 16 of their last 23 games with an 11-1 start. They are 1 1/2 games behind division leading Atlanta, a game behind Philadelphia, and 1 game ahead of the projected favorite, the Washington Nationals. It is a long season, but with the plethora of problems facing them, it will be an amazing turn about if they can return to their winning ways of early April.

     Conversely, the Yankees are on an absolute tear. Winners of 17 of the past 18 contests, the Bombers have amassed a 26-10 record, good enough to finally pass a Boston team that opened their season with a 17-2 run of their own. Another come-from-behind victory last night made that possible.

     What makes this run remarkable is that it nearly coincided with the debut of rookie phenom Gleyber Torres. Torres was picked up in a trade New York made with the Chicago Cubs to essentially loan closer Aroldis Chapman to the Cubs, which helped secure Chicago the coveted World Series win they had sought since 1945. Now the Yankees have both, and they are clearly impact players. Chapman is the Yankees' closer who throws his fastball at or over 100 m.p.h.; Torres is batting .333, picking up important hits, fielding nearly flawlessly and looks like he is here to stay.

     The Yankees actually have had three starters batting below .200. Their superstars, Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton have not really gotten hot.  It is the pitching of Luis Severino, Masahiro Tanaka and C.C. Sabathia, along with a solid bullpen which has given New York just enough to win close games they should not have won. During this stretch of playing some of the American League's best teams, the Yankees only lost a game to last year's champs, Houston, after playing a Sunday night game in Anaheim. Otherwise, they have found numerous ways to win in the late innings.

     What is scary for the rest of Major League Baseball is that unmistakable fact--the Yankees have yet to play their best baseball. When catcher Gary Sanchez and leadoff outfielder Brett Gardner finally awaken, and Judge and Stanton begin their slugging in earnest, the Yankees will be as difficult as any team to beat if the pitching continues to be as formidable as it seems to be. Reinforcements such as infielders Greg Byrd and Brandon Drury are nearly ready to join the club. This could be a historic season.

     Since we last checked in, the NBA semi-finals are now set. An epic battle looms in the West, as Houston and the defending champion Golden State Warriors are set to tangle. This marquee matchup is the one the fans have waited for. Two high-powered offenses, averaging over 112 points per game--the two highest figures ever to meet in the playoffs--with star power aplenty on both sides. James Harden, the bearded, presumptive M.V.P., and State Farm commercial diva Chris Paul lead the Rockets while a recently recovered Steph Curry, Kevin Durant, Draymond Green and Klay Thompson return for the Warriors, who are seeking their third title in four years.

     While upstarts Boston and Philadelphia entered Game 5 of their series with Boston in command 3-1, the Sixers' young team lost by 2 to Boston.  Who awaits for Brad Stevens' Celtics but Lebron James and the Cavs. Lebron has willed his team to victory over a tough Indiana Pacers team and then mowed down Toronto, the regular season Eastern Conference leaders, in four not-too-close games.

     When the playoffs began, almost every expert believed that the Rockets and Warriors would make it to this level. Given the woes of the Cavaliers, very few gave Cleveland much of a chance to be in the Eastern Conference finals. Which proves that Lebron can NEVER, NEVER be counted out.

     In hockey, there is a game 7 between the Nashville Predators and the Winnipeg Jets. Awaiting them for supremacy in the West is...surprise and a drum roll here...those first year wonders, the Las Vegas Golden Knights. What a story that may never be duplicated should the Golden Knights win then Stanley Cup. But there is a long way to go.

     The Washington Capitals dethroned the Pittsburgh Penguins and have followed Russian super star Alex Ovechkin to his first conference finals. The Caps have drawn the very tough Tampa Bay Lightning, victors over New Jersey and then Boston. For Ovechkin and his mates to win this series and then the Stanley Cup, it will take a lot.

     So what has your sports maven been doing since we last connected? Going to a lot of games, which is what he likes to do best, and watching TV sports when he cannot be there. Thus far, I have been to 2 MLB games in Miami and Washington; one college baseball game of my alma mater, Franklin and Marshall when they traveled to Drew University; a high school lacrosse match at Morristown-Beard; and a women's lacrosse game between F&M and Muhlenberg in Allentown, Pennsylvania. A rainout in late April cost me another game--this time a high school baseball game involving Columbia H.S. and Millburn H.S.

     As noted in a prior blog, the Mets defeated the Marlins in a lackluster game that hardly anyone attended. The Mets went on to win 2 more game to conclude that early season 11-1 run before the sky caved in. The Marlins have resided in the N.L. East basement, where they belong.

     F&M's baseball team weathered some cold and wet mid-April conditions to escape Madison, NJ with a welcome win. The offensive barrage F&M mounted that day against Drew in a 15-11 win carried over to Centennial Conference contests, which led to the Diplomats grabbing the last seed in the CC Playoffs. F&M managed to win 1 of 3 in the double-elimination tournament. Senior Dan Marano was named the CC Player of the Year as he led the league in a number of offensive categories.

     F&M's women's lacrosse team won a close contest on a sunny day in Allentown. While they were the superior team, one who won the CC regular season title, the 7th ranked Diplomat women did not demonstrate that they were an exceptional group. The goaltending was the difference behind the first team All-CC Danielle Harrington, although the Muhlenberg goalie acquitted herself very well that Saturday.

     The best player on the field that afternoon was senior Jordy Bonvini, an attacker from Livingston H.S, who was a second team All-American as a junior. Bonvini won face-offs, streaked down the sidelines, withstood stick checks and was a force throughout the game. She kept the Mules in the close contact with F&M.

     My interest in the game was two-fold. Rooting for F&M came first. Next, I was studiously following Kate O'Connell, a sophomore on defense for Muhlenberg. Kate had worked her way into the lineup during the latter part of the season and she played well, although she did commit a couple of turnovers. Her dad, Rob, my physical therapist for many years, was justifiably proud of her effort.

     F&M did lose the CC playoff title to a better Gettysburg team loaded for revenge after losing to the Diplomats in the regular season match. TheDiplomats did receive a bye into the second round of the NCAA Tournament. I do not see them reaching the Final Four this year, like they did last season. The bar has been set so high at F&M. What a nice dilemma to have.

     I went to see Mount Olive, a pretty good boys' lacrosse squad, take on the Crimson of Morristown-Beard.  Sal Tromonda, a personal trainer at Brooklake Country Club who I have known for over 10 years, is the Head Coach at Mo-Beard. Sal knows his lacrosse. Outside of family, lacrosse is his love and passion. He knows the sport so well and has a wealth of knowledge and insight. His young squad was no match for a tough Marauders team which has designs on winning a Group III championship. Mt. Olive's defense was stellar, repeatedly denying the Crimson attackers. On offense, Mt. Olive won almost all of the face-offs and solved the Mo-Beard defense by rotating the ball to the weak side. The 17-5 final score would have been worse had the Mo-Beard goalie not been as good as he was.

     I know Coach Tromonda suffered stoically on the sidelines. He is competitor, and competitors do not take losing very well. He will regroup with this young team and they will improve based on their coach's drive and knowledge of the game he loves so much. The signs are there--the youngsters just have to better implement what he is teaching them. Coach Tromonda is leader of impressionable teens and helps turn them into men of character and resolve. I have no doubts that success is not so far off for Mo-Beard in boys' lacrosse.

     In the odyssey of sports which I have undertaken, I even managed to see a bit of a softball game between Madison and Mo-Beard while walking to the lacrosse match. I was impressed with the speed of the Madison pitcher, but equally impressed with the quick swings of the Mo-Beard players. Mo-Beard ended up winning the game; softball did halt the lacrosse contest momentarily when an errant throw landed in the midst of the lacrosse field.

     Nationals Park is a beautiful edifice in SE Washington where a revitalized area is rapidly growing. In 1971, the area surrounding the Navy Yard was a grungy and not a very nice place. You drive in and you hoped that you would drive back out.

     Now there are loads of restaurants and shops, apartment buildings aplenty and hotels. On game days it is bustling. Even at night, the people walk the streets and patronize the establishments in the area of M Street.

     The day we went to the ballpark, it was Star Wars Day. The characters were everywhere and the 4:05 start catered to young kids coming to the ballpark. Unlike the tomb that Marlins Park has become, Nationals Park was alive and thriving. A welcome sight indeed.

     On this day, the first two Philadelphia batters essentially decided the game--a single and a homer put the Phillies up for good. Washington could not solve the Phillies pitchers that Saturday. It is apparent that the Nats are missing some key players and the fill-ins are doing as much as they can as attested by their recent 9-1 spurt.

     Friday night, behind two home runs from the Nationals' star, Bryce Harper, Washington was a winner. On Sunday, as we headed for dinner, we heard roars erupting from the stadium as the Nets authored a comeback to win in the bottom of the 9th inning.

     The park may not have been at capacity for any of the three game series, and there were a significant number of Phillies fans in town for the weekend. But there was a vibe that gave enjoyment for being at the ballpark--even when the game itself was over three hours long and had well over 300 pitches thrown. My emotions were much more positive than in Miami.

     Which is good because I have a number of games upcoming starting with the Giants in Houston on May 22, then a trip to Yankee Stadium to see the Astros and my annual road trip to Baltimore to see the moribund Orioles host the Yankees.

     For this sports junkie, I am in my element. Thankfully, I have an understanding wife who actually enjoys going to games and watching the NBA and the Yankees on television. She is quite the student  of the sports and her insight is incredibly correct. Remember--she beat me in the NCAA pool this year and has collected on her dinner. It certainly makes having fun much easier when it can be shared with another who loves the games nearly as much as I do.

     So there you have it--what I have been up to. I haven't been absent--you just haven't heard from me because I am still a neophyte with my new Apple laptop. My bad. I am in a good place as a fan.

   

   
   

   

   

Some Common Sense...Please?

     This week I thought I would write about the MLB scheduling nightmare created by this Spring's unusually harsh start.  ESPN covered that in a piece which noted the pros and cons of a 162 game format or returning to a 154 game schedule.

     The bottom line drives both the MLBPA and the owners. The players also want more time to rest their weary bodies. There may be additional playoffs heading our way, further complicating the problems inherent within a 162 game schedule which now begins in late March and concludes with a World Series that ends in November--many times with frigid temperatures for those night games in cold weather cities.

     Being the wuss that I have become with my advancing age, I try to limit how many cold weather football games I attend. I don't like to go to NFL games after mid-November, as the ritual of wearing thermals and layers and heating pads all over is more than I want to bear when I am locked into the Lehigh-Lafayette game the weekend before Thanksgiving. Sometimes I am invited to a late season Rutgers game, which also involves wearing the entire repertoire of clothing and devices to ward off the chill (which is only somewhat effective at best).

     The Jets schedule came out this week. Of course, there are a number of November and December games, many involving good teams like the Patriots, Texans and Packers. The Texans game is either going to start at 4:30 or 8:20 on Saturday, December 15, to accommodate network TV and the playoff chase. That sounds very frigid to me.

     I have scarring memories of a cold, windy day at RFK Stadium in 1971 when I was given a free ticket to the Philadelphia Eagles-Washington Redskins game. That was when I painfully learned about wearing layers and thermals. A few years later, I sat through a Dallas Cowboys-Jets game at Shea Stadium where the fierce wind coming off of Flushing Bay whipped up the hot dog wrappers and other debris into a mini-tornadic frenzy. It was unbearable. Yet the worst game was a Rams-Jets game at the Meadowlands with a stiff wind and temperatures hovering in the teens. I don't think I  ever recovered from that misadventure, no matter how many layers and heating pads I used.

     The Jets, Giants and Sheldon Silver did me no favors in reducing cold weather games. Silver, now imprisoned for his outright greed while a powerful New York politician, nixed a beautiful retractable roof West Side stadium which the Jets would have been primary tenants, because he could not make enough illegal gains from the project. The Giants, more than the Jets, could not agree on a roof for Met Life Stadium, citing the competitive advantage in a cold weather ballpark. Which is no big deal to intoxicated fans who feel no pain with the cold, but reduces me to a TV spectator.

     Moreover, there is the threat of a cold rain, or worse, freezing rain or snow. Try sitting through 3 plus hours in those conditions. I have been lucky enough to have escaped most of the rotten weather. But not the cold.

     Not that the Jets make the playoffs very much, but the prospect of a home January playoff game sends chills throughout my body now--sitting in a heated home on a mid-Spring morning. In my now 42 year history with the franchise, the team has not hosted an AFC Championship game. As much as I would like to add that to my resume, the prospect of spending top dollar for a late January contest is less than enthralling.

     I harken back to a game that San Diego and Cincinnati played in the old Riverfront Stadium were the wind chill was near minus 50 degrees. Why, now in my later years, would I want to subject myself to frostbite if similar conditions were to happen in New Jersey? My loyalty and rabid level of fan worship only goes so far.

     The NFL was lucky with its only cold weather Super Bowl at Met Life Stadium in February. The next day, it snowed heavily. I have seen treacherous conditions evolve in Philadelphia, Atlanta and Dallas, the latter two being warmer weather sites with domed stadiums, because the fans had tremendous difficulties reaching the parking lots and entering the arena.

     Football is a cold weather sport even if the season begins right after Labor Day. It is expected that cold temperatures and precipitation are the norm as the games head into winter. Expanding the season to 16 games doesn't help either, bringing about more untenable contests in January.

     I am not saying I wouldn't go to a late season football game. But there would be a lot of trepidation and checking and re-checking The Weather Channel forecasts and comparing them to the local TV meteorologists. Plus some good old praying that the conditions break right for the game.  Simply put, it would have to be an important game with the most favorable weather given the time of year. Otherwise, I'm not inclined to go. Somebody else can have my ticket.

     Which brings me back to baseball. I realize that there are contractual obligations which extended the season to a 187 day span.

     However, that does not preclude the parties from being creative. There are enough warmer cites and enclosed parks which can be utilized to reduce the number of cold and snowy postponements we have seen thus far this season. Recently, there was a day which had 6 games not played due to inclement weather.

     Put the cold weather teams on the road for the first 9 games--so what if the Mets and Yankees have games played simultaneously a few more times during the course of the rest of the year--they have different fan bases. For instance, Boston and New York could start out with a West Coast swing--the competitive advantage would not be diminished. Both could play some games in St. Petersburg and Toronto, where there are domes. Divisional rivals could have doubleheaders, so that if there is a mid-April game that falls to the weather, there is a greater chance that an off day in that time frame might avoid the use of a necessary off day in September to make it up. More inter-league games could also help, if held in places like Anaheim, San Diego or Arlington, Texas.

     The past 2 years, I have gone to April games in Phoenix and Miami, places with domed stadiums. While the weather was warm in both cities, they had the ability to play the games if bad weather threatened. I would not venture to Yankee Stadium in April or early May unless it was a Senior Citizen Day afternoon contest with temperatures above 70 degrees.

     I begrudgingly freeze my body for a couple of times a year. There is no necessity to see the Yankees when it is cold outside. I look at the number of empty seats at Yankee Stadium to confirm my belief that a lot of other people share my sentiments about cold weather games.

     F&M played at Drew on Thursday. The open playing area in Madison was a perfect place for a howling wind to significantly drop the temperatures after some intermittent showers. Those in attendance were dressed like it was an Arctic expedition. I lasted one whole inning. I immediately had thoughts of those games I froze while playing for F&M in the late '60's.

     My mind then wandered to warmer July Yankees and Orioles games when I sweated for 9 innings. Same thing on Friday night when I watched the Blue Jays and the Yanks shiver through a forgettable contest.

     Come on MLB and the MLBPA!! Get your thinking caps on and schedule better. If you think the younger generation is unhappy with the pace of the game no matter how you seek to speed things up, be more concerned by the generations of fans who are turned off by games in cold weather areas in March and April.  That way, maybe we can avoid cold nights in Minnesota, Cleveland or Chicago for a World Series ending in November.

     That, as I have said previously, is football season. Where the onset of cold weather is the norm.  I can live with being indoors for 4 to 5 months in the Northeast. I only have to drive a short distance when it is cold or snowy to see a basketball game--which is in a warm, comfy arena.

     Call me that wuss that I am. I value comfort. I don't think that MLB nor the NFL shares my opinion. Maybe they should. It can't hurt like frostbite. Especially when it affects the bottom line.