So Long Dave Tollefson

ESPN
Dave Tollefson is joining the Raiders.  At some point, I'm going to get worried about all the free agents leaving the NY Giants.  This guy had 5 sacks in mostly a reserve role last year, and I understand with all the depth at DE that he might not be needed.  In my mind, every team needs solid role players as much as any team needs A guys, B guys, and C guys in order to be successful.  The Giants are going to have to make some moves or have a solid draft to replace some of the people that are leaving for elsewhere.

Also, getting rid of a guy who's sack dance pays homage to Patrick Swayze in Road House only adds to the pain of the loss.  This guy did his job well in NY.  So long Dave Tollefson.

Get Off My Course : Tiger Woods Edition

NY Post
You're Tiger Woods.  You're solely responsible for driving PGA Tour ratings over the past decade and are arguably the most recognizable sports figure on the planet.  You're life has been completely torn apart by poor decisions and you begin the long road back to greatness.  On the most beautiful stage in America, in a Major Championship, you're caught cursing and kicking clubs around like a temperamental pre-teen.  For everyone watching Golf around the country, including grandfathers, fathers, sons, and daughters everywhere, Tiger is now a downright disgrace to the game.

This is just another bad decision in a series of really bad decisions by Tiger.  The man has literally lost it, and should no longer be seen as a role model to young golfers.  (Pretty sure Nick Faldo said the exact same thing during yesterday's broadcast).  He's playing terribly this week, and kicking and screaming his way to an above par finish.  Even more, he's now taking away valuable TV time from great players like Luke Donald, Lee Westwood, Bubba Watson, and Jason Dufner.  Stand up guys who are exemplary both on and off the course.  Even up and comers like Rory McIlroy and Jason Day deserve better than Tiger Woods.

Everyone has a bad day on the course.  I'm happy to break a 100 and I have had my fair share of meltdowns.  Tiger is a professional and clearly has not learned that he is held to a different standard.  At this point, he's competing with Rory Sabatini (another tour gem) for guy I'd invite last to join my foursome.  Tiger Woods - You can get off our beautiful golf course.  Let the world know when you've relearned the ways of the game and are truly back from you're 'mid-career crisis'.  The PGA should begin announcing disciplinary action right here - and should start With Tiger Woods.

All that said, anyone think Hank Haney's book is having an impact on his performance?  I'm not going to blame him for all of this, but releasing a book right before the first major of the year is pathetic.  Perfect example of someone trying to profit off someone else's popularity.

And Here We Go

Ladies and gentlemen the wait is over.  It's been roughly six whole months since the Yankees last walked off the field in a disappointing fashion.  Today marks the start of a new season and an opportunity to start something great.  Will it be easy?  Absolutely not.  The AL is stacked with Anaheim, Texas, Detroit, Boston, Tampa Bay, and the Yankees all competing for playoff spots.  Each team is more than capable of winning 90+ games and anything less would be considered a disappointment across the board.

Today the Big Fella CC Sabathia will take the hill in Tampa against James Shields in what I would expect to end up being a pitchers duel.  It's time to throw any preseason stats out the window, as CC will no doubt kick it into gear and rise to the occasion, because well, that's just what he does. 

It's also fitting Derek Jeter should be leading off the season.  He's getting up there but you sense there's plenty of gas left for at least one more title run.  ARod's finally at peace with being an awkward person and the New Guard: Cano, Granderson, Swisher, and Texeira all need to be on top of their games to make it happen.

All that said, every Yankees Opening Day should be a national holiday.  Nowhere in America is a there a better organization that represents this country.  Losing is not an option, and everyone should be able to witness this without having to decide which window to keep open from the cubicle - the Masters or the Yankees. 

Hope everyone has their favorite coozie out, has access to both the Masters and the Yanks, and enjoys both displays of greatness.  The quest for 28 gets under way in 10 minutes, and I'll be watching every damn minute of it.  Cheers.

First Bonehead Move of the Season

NY Daily News
I'm not buying the whole 'catching depth' excuse or Austine Romine's back being the reason why the Yankees punted Franky Cervelli to AAA today.  Just a couple months ago the Yankees had more quality catchers in the program than the entire AL Central.  This is definitely a bonehead move.  Francisco Cervelli is a guy who takes nothing for granted.  He plays every single games like it's his last.  Celebrates every hit, walk, bunt, win like it's game 7.  The Yankees are a team full of MegaStars and you need a guy like this.  From the concussion issue, to the goofy batting helmet, to making even AJ Burnett feel like he could actually throw strikes, Franky has given his heart and soul to the Yankees organization. For some reason, you just sense that Joe Girardi never really had his back, except that one time in spring training when he broke his ankle.  No idea why, but you just never got that 'I really like this guy' vibe.  And now this 3 days before the opener.

This new guy is apparently an awful hitter.  I know Cervelli wasn't going to belt 10 home runs or maybe even hit .250 (Lifetime BA of .272 btw) but when something mattered, you actually didn't mind he was batting when future hall of famers, All Stars, and speed demons are all around him.  He also is pretty good at handling a pitching staff.  Unless Cervelli was a pain in the clubhouse, which I highly doubt, there's got to be an alterior motive here.

Hope you go down there, hit .300, and are back in the Bronx by May Frankie.  You're welcome on my team in this town any day.

Get Off my Radio : Bobby Valentine Edition

ESPN Boston
Is this an April Fools Joke?  Isn't that supposed to end on the first day of April?  I'd personally like to know WTF Michael Kay, ESPN, and Bobby Valentine are all thinking.  Like right now, I want to ask all of them.  There's no way Michael Kay should be interested in talking to this guy on a weekly basis if he's an actual Yankees Fan.   Is this really a good look for you Michael?  Bobby - Can you not get enough press in Boston?  I know you're a narcissistic wind bag but this in no way is good for your ball club.  Don't get me wrong, I love that you're burning down the house up in Boston, but this is not a good move.  You already got Curt Schilling slamming you on you're old show - is that not the writing on the wall?  What are they even going to talk about?  If Kay goes all Rick Reilly on this weekly discussion between two people who put headphones on at night re-running podcasts of their own voices - I'm through.  If they start talking about golf, and life, and other garbage I'm calling for Kay's head.  Only way this is good is if Kay grows a set and crushes Sideshow Bobby for his on the field decisions and comments to the media and asks him every week why he is 8 games out of first.  Anything else, and they can both get off my airwaves.

3 Days till Opening Day : Get out Your Brooms 1999 Championship

1999 was the 2nd Year OD.  A number of big free agent resignings in typical Steinbrenner fashion and the addition of alleged roid head Roger Clemens made the team a lock to repeat as champs.  They're such a lock, they barely even change the World Series Logo.  Derek Jeter hits .349 in the regular season and the Yanks sweep the Braves in 4, winning their 8th consecutive World Series Game in doing so.

Clinching game 4: Alleged Roid-O Roger versus John Smoltz.  Jimmy Leyritz hits another huge homerun in a pretty uneventful Game.  Mariano Rivera gets the save, and wins the MVP honors.  The Yankees repeat as Champions and have won 3 of the last 4 world Series.

What Else?  Derek Jeter has an MVP Caliber year.  The Yankee Clipper - Joe Dimaggio passes away during the season and the Yankees wear a special arm band for him.  David Cone throws a perfect game.

Napster is absolutely awesome and I'm personally downloading at least 20-30 songs a night over my 56K modem.  Y2K is a big deal but ends up being a total waste of time.

4 Days Till Opening Day : 1998 Title Season

1998 should be forever known as the 1st year OD (Of Dynasty).  This really is the season where the Yankees hit their stride and the core 4 takes form complimented by true champions: Bernie Williams, Paul O'Neill, and Tino Martinez.

Game 4 Clincher: Andy Pettitte outduels eventual Yankee goat Kevin Brown and the Yanks complete a sweep of the Padres.  Mo earns the save and Scott Brosius is dominant at the plate, earning MVP honors. 

What else?  The 98 season was arguably the best in MLB history for the Yankees team.  They won 114 regular season games, and steamrolled through the playoffs and eventually, Tony Gwynn and the lowely San Diego Padres.  Derek Jeter is hitting his stride as one of the best shortstops in MLB and the core 4 is really taking form.  This also marks the 24^th World Championship for the Yankees, tying them with the Canadiens for most in all sports.  They would smash this record just 12 months later.  David Wells tossed a perfect game and Chuck Knoblauch is the gritty second basemen.  Shane Spencer is electric in his first season with the club, and only further adds to the Yankees dominance of the league. El Duque Hernandez also goes 12-4 and is dominant on the mound with his high socks and crazy leg kick.  Tino Martinez is a offensive force at 1B and even Daryl Strawberry hits over 20 dingers.  1998 is also the 75^th anniversary of Yankee Stadium. 

The stock market is pure gold with the S&P returning 28.6%.  You could turn 10 grand into 100 in no time in the tech IPO bubble.  Life is good in NYC.

MLB Ban on Tins is Pointless

NBC Sports
So wait, players are now completely banned from carrying tins on their person while playing the field or batting.  They can, however, still throw in a fat lip before they get to plate or take the field as long as there is no 'circular tin' impression anywhere on their body.  And now, there's a way crazy people can rat players out online for it?  Carrying a tin and playing baseball is like playing basketball and wearing high tops.  You start out with big league chew, move on to seeds (BBQ was always my personal favorite) and you ultimately throw in your first lip and vomit.  After the first time, it's not that bad, and the buzz is reasonable.  Certainly not a hobby of mine, but a favorite past time of nearly every college and professional baseball player.  I can only imagine a thousand crazed soccer moms out there logging online and calling out sonny boys favorite player for having a fat skoal tin on his butt while batting.  This is just too much.  They going to ban basketball players from stupid tattoos?  Ban hockey players from smashing in each others skulls and knocking out teeth?  The worlds got bigger issues than a 30 year old grown man packing a lip.  This needs to go away.

This Will Look Good Salsa Dancing

So this whole uniform unveiling was a bit of a dud.  The Seahawks look like they're the biggest winner here.  Naturally teams such as the Giants (teams generally referred to as the Old Guard) didn't change much.  If those are the spikes that Victor will be Salsaing in in endzones across America than that would mean the NFL is letting up slightly on their cleat policy.  The gloves are pretty sexy too.  I'm looking forward to more Nike Creep into the league and seeing some teams make some more drastic changes over time.  One important thing to note is, there is an NFL rule that doesn't allow teams to change their uniforms in a certain manner more than once every five years.  Thats pretty stupid but I can role with it.  Certainly not leaving my cube for another 5 so I can sit here and wait...

Is This Quite Possibly the Best Week in Sports?

This has to be arguably one of the best weeks in Sports.  The weeks kicks off with the NCAA National Championship.  If you're like me, you're a couple hundo richer when it's over.   Today you get the NFL Nike Uniform unveiling at 11AM, which is long overdue.  I can’t even remember the last time I owned something by Reebok (Except my mint Eli Manning Super Bowl 42 jersey).  I am actually really pumped for this, and I don’t even know why.  I know, I know, we’re not going to see a uni change as sweet as the above, but we can hope for it.

 Then Thursday through Sunday, you get 4 days of uninterrupted, real time streaming Masters Golf.  Is there any better time in cubicle monkey world than streaming the greatest golf tournament of all time to your desktop and getting away with it?  Everyone knows the guy who actually spent hours figuring out a way to get live shots of Amen Corner while working (hah!) and everyone secretly crowns him monkey of the month for making their lives that much better.  Typical conversation usually goes something like this: "Do I use IE?  How about Chrome?  No?  FireFox is where it’s at?  Should I type HTTPS instead of HTTP?  Do I need to download Quicktime?  How about Flash?  What the hell are Admin rights?" The guy who figures this out is an instant celebrity.

Then it’s Good Friday.  The Yankees get the Rays at 3:10 PM.  Pretty much the perfect post hangover time - right after you wake up still drunk on your day off, hammer down the greasiest seamless gourmet grub of your choice,  and flip on YES with your now filthy, near lifeless paws for 3+ hours of Yankee Baseball while the commercial-less Masters streams to your laptop directly in front of you.

Sunday still counts as the same week to me, and you get to spend all day drinking scotch and crushing beers with your pops and grandpops while you know every single Masters stat because you’ve secretly been watching it all week.  Brilliant.  

So yes - this is absolutely one of the best weeks in sports.

Ahmad Bradshaw has Procedure : Will Miss OTA's

NY Post
Sir Shifty had himself another procedure on them feet of his.  Seriously this guy has got to be 80% terminator.  The other 20% is talking about how he misses Brandon Jacobs (which I find incredibly difficult that anyone will really miss him, despite two rings and memorable audio clips.)  It's April, I'm not that worried, but yea, I'm a little worried.  Ahmad's had so many problems with these feet of his that at some point they're just going to go and he's not going to be able to walk anymore.  Dude probably needs a note when going through the airport with all the nuts/bolts/screws he's got in there as it is.  Don't get me wrong,  I love seeing him stiff arm people to the floor and break out, but this could be a problem.  DJ Ware and Darelle Scott are reasonable #2 backs but aren't goal line or 3rd down guys.  Hopefully, the Giants consider a big, bruising RB in the draft.  They typically go with the Best Player Available, so if a solid RB is on the board at the end of round 1, it would be pretty nice to see them step up and potentially find Ahmad's future replacement that he can be a big brother to.  In the meantime, Get Well Soon Ahmad Bradshaw.  It's your turn to carry the rock full time.

Eli Posts up In South Beach with a Couple Smokes

SocialiteLife
Just kidding.  Everyone's favorite 2 time Super Bowl Champion, and 2 Time Super Bowl MVP took some time to hit the beach with wife and child while waiting for his second Super Bowl ring to be forged. (Don't worry - there are no nude child images) Is that a starfish bathing suit?  Sure hope so.  At least it's not a pair of cut off 20 year old Zubaz pants ala Gronk.  Although I can not tell a lie, I had an epic pair of of Jr Zubaz pants I used to rock with a Starter Jacket and a neon cap.  90's to the max.  After a long day chasing all the girls on the block and making all the dudes look silly in street ball, I'd post up and watch Inspector Gadget and drink milk and eat Chips Ahoy till I was drunk.  Pretty sure I had swag before it even existed. 

In other exciting news today, the Giants brought on another Free Agent safety, Stevie Brown.  This guys got wheels and can compete for a job on special teams with the departure of Devin Thomas.  From Michigan Big Blue to the real Big Blue.  Welcome on board Stevie Brown.

And in Jets Land, Woody Johnson admitted he would seriously consider bringing back Hard Knocks, officially confirming he is the worst owner in the NFL.  Adding to it, the Jets are trying to sign a free agent rugby player to play Tight End.  Something they would obviously do since they already have the more than competent Dustin Keller.  Keep up the good work in Jet Land!

Yankee Media is Bored : If Kentucky Wins it Does Not Mean a Championship

ESPN NY
I'm sitting pretty in my bracket having both Kentucky and Kanas in the National Championship.  Just casually swiping a couple hundo from Fraternity brothers turned Cubicle Jockeys like myself.  Then I come across this correlation between the Yankees and the Kentucky Wildcats.   Whomever actually recognized this fact and told Cashman and the Yankees Media, should get a hobby.  Correlating basketball National Championships to World Series Championships makes zero sense.  The fact that Cashman is biting on this is also pretty awful. I hate when Cashman tries to be cool and pulls publicity stunts like this. He should be following Michael Pineda around the cafeteria and weight room and shaking his head in disgust.  'No Michael - mac and cheese does not contain protein', 'Sorry Mikey, even ARod's GF can bench 135' and on and on.  Anyway how could you not have Kentucky going all the way?  These dudes are HUGE.  Men amongst boys out there.  Even Bill Self knows he's in for it.  Called this team possibly the 'best' he's ever seen.  Writing's on the wall people.  When an elite caliber Kansas coach says something like this and you've got the greatest uni-browed baller out there in Anthony Davis, you're going to win the National Championship- or at least be playing for it.

5 Days of Championships Before Opening Day : 1996

We're 5 days from opening day.  I'm going to pull together a little throwback summary of each clinching game, and some information on the run to the Championship.  We'll start in the first year BD : 1996.(BD = Before Dynasty).  Hope this brings backs some memories for some, and enlightens some of you younger whippersnappers who still couldn't spell your own names when this went down.

Game 6 Clincher: Jimmy Key against the Braves' Greg Maddux in the Bronx.  1996 Greg Maddux is not 1995 Maddux, but is still sporting a 2.72 ERA.  Nobody wants to face Greg Maddux. Not even in Ken Griffey Jr. baseball for SNES.  He's that good.  Jimmy Key on the bump for the Yanks.  This would hands down be the most important moment of Jimmy Key's career.  He's lights out against Maddux, and wins the game.  John Wetteland was still the Yanks closer and would win the series MVP.  Mariano Rivera is the setup man.  Vintage Mo is not yet a term, but he shuts down the Braves.  Joe Girardi, is the man who breaks the tie with a flukey triple. This is still pre-Jorge Posada.

What else? Derek Jeter is the 22 year old ROY after hitting .314.  Chicken wing eating beer pounding Wade Boggs held down 3B, but it was Charlie Hayes who made the final out down the 3B line in foul territory.  Jim Leyritz, in his heydey and before the whole manslaughter rap, hit that bomb in Atlanta to keep the Yankees hopes alive when down 2-1.  A kid from Jersey, Jeffrey Maier, who I actually played against when he was @ NVOT HS in Jersey (he was overrated), catches the most controversial home run in MLB playoff history as the Yankees get by the Orioles (yes they were good) en route to the pennant.  Everyone in NY knew it was a Home Run, no doubt about it.  Bernie is in Center and Paul O'Neill is the RFer.  He is an absolute fan favorite for hating on Gatorade coolers and snapping baseball bats against dugout walls. He probably has the best non-self given nickname of all time.  The Warrior.

Finally - George Costanza dragged the Trophy behind his car in order to get fired.  Seinfeld is still funny and new episodes are being made when this all went down.

Cowboy CB Thinks He Will Stop Cruz : It's a Little Early For This?

NY Post
Brandon Carr, a 6 foot 200 lb corner for Dallas (formerly KC) thinks he's going to stop Victor Cruz in his tracks.  Napoleon here just inked himself a fresh 5 year $50m deal with Dallas and now he's going to stop Victor Cruz and Hakeem Nicks. Thinks both will have to go 'through him' to score.  Pretty confident both could literally go over him, but I'll leave that for opening night.   At the end of the day, it's just too early for this. This is just silly.  I'm just going stick by my guns and keep staring at the Super Bowl Ring posted a couple days back.