Get Your New York Sports Here!

                                               

   When it comes to New York sports, what the first thing that comes to your mind? The Yankees? The (Brooklyn) Dodgers? The Knicks? New York is so rich with sports history, it’s so hard to discount any of it. The Yankees have 27 World Series Championships. The Knicks and Jets have not won in over 40 years, but they are the lovable losers of New York. The history is so rich people still talk like it’s the 1940’s and 1950’s in baseball, like we’re still in the 80’s and 90’s for football. You may be wondering, why is he writing about New York sports? Great question! New York is one of few cities/states that sports is relevant 365 days a year and why not honor that.

   Over the course of the past 100 years, New York City(the 5 boroughs), as well as Long Island(Islanders) has had 4 baseball teams, 2 football teams, 2 basketball teams, and 2 hockey teams. That’s a total of 10 teams, can you honestly believe that? What is more amazing each borough that has hosted a team(Staten Island has never hosted a professional team), has seen a world championship. Whether its 27 of them in the Bronx, 2 in Queens, or 1 in Brooklyn. Surely, all New York teams have had their down years. Even during those down years, winning in New York is expected in some form. If the Yankees and Jets weren’t winning during the 80’s, then the Mets, Giants and Islanders were winning. If the Mets and Giants weren’t winning in the 90’s, the Rangers and Yankees were winning. New York City was always “Winning” as Charlie Sheen would say.

   Besides for the winning, New York teams have the greatest fans in the country (I know I may sound biased here). You will always see fans supporting their teams no matter what. I am a huge New York Football Giants fan. After beating the Patriots in the 2011 Super Bowl(SB 46), they have not been to the playoffs, let alone had a winning record. Regardless of those situations, fans, myself including, have stuck with them knowing they will come back from this rocky road. Can you imagine being a Jets or Knicks fan(I am a Knicks fan) right now? They have both had many spectacular seasons, but haven’t won it all in over 40 years. No matter the game or the season, fans have always showed up to support their team. 

    There are two things New York has that I feel go hand in hand, that is the abundance of great players and moments they have brought to the City. What do I mean? Do you think there will ever be a “Called Shot” without Babe Ruth”? A guaranteed Super Bowl Victory without Joe Namath? What about “The Catch” by the “Say Hey Kid” Willie Mays? Mark Messier all but guaranteed the Rangers would win the Stanley Cup in 1994. Do you get my point here? Moments that have mattered are because the players have created them. Just in (New York) baseball alone, there are more great (and Hall of Fame) players that I can count on all of my fingers and toes together. The Giants and Knicks have had just as many great players in their rich histories. Between Earl “The Pearl” Monroe, Walt “Clyde” Frazier, Lawrence Taylor, and Frank Gifford, these guys have not only greatest to their teams, but also class.  Many of great players in all sports have said if they can even play 1 year in New York, their careers would be complete. Wayne Gretzky played with the Rangers or Wade Boggs with the Yankees.

   In my opinion, the Yankees are the greatest North American sports franchise. Everyone either loves or hates New York sports. The city and its people carry such pride in their teams, we often refer to the teams as “us” not “them.” New York, in my opinion, is the greatest sports town in North America. It’s winning, fans, pride and most importantly, tradition, is what makes it so great. Let’s go New York!

 

Living Legends

             

    

    Every sport has its legends and superstars. Whether its Babe Ruth, Ted Williams, or Sandy Koufax in baseball, Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, or Larry Bird in basketball, or Joe Montana, Jim Brown, or Emmit Smith in football. The greatest about every sport is that all of their players are so different it’s what makes each sport so special. The difficult question I have is who is the greatest living retired player of each sport? Tough question. As much as I am about the present and future of all sports, I am also about honoring its past. If it wasn’t for the players of the past, what present or future would each sport have now?

    Baseball, in my opinion, is the hardest to choose. It is so rich in history that all living (retired) players know the impact they have had on the game. Last year, when the All-Star game was in Cincinnati, they honored the 4 greatest living players. They had Johnny Bench, Sandy Koufax, Willie Mays, and Hank Aaron. At the time, I had a major issue with what transpired. Yogi Berra was still ALIVE at the All Star game. He should have been there over Johnny Bench!! No disrespect to Johnny Bench, but how do you disrespect a 10 World Champion, 3 time MVP who was overshadowed by both Joe DiMaggio and Mickey Mantle?  This why baseball is so tough. Today, on August 10, 2016, I feel that the best living baseball player is Willie Mays. He was a five tool, all-around player. If it was not for him, we would never have the likes of Ken Griffey, Jr. or Barry Bonds.  Willie Mays really knew how to stick it to his opponents. If it wasn’t for the Yankees, he would probably have just as many rings as Yogi has now. He was also one of the most athletic ball players in history.

     The difference between baseball, football, and basketball is that baseball has a longer history than both football and basketball. With that said, that is why it is tougher to choose for either sport. Football has such a rich history, especially when it comes to quarterbacks. Guess what though? My best living legend in football is Jim Brown! He retired at the age of 30 and on top of his game! He won the MVP in his last season! Even though he never won or played in a Super Bowl, but did win a championship, is irrelevant. When the Cavaliers won the NBA Finals, guess who was right there. . . you were right, Jim Brown! Jim Brown tore down defenses, broke (and held) rushing records(until Barry Sanders came along), and played the game really smart. Joe Montana, Jerry Rice, and Terry Bradshaw are all-time greats, but no one compares to Jim Brown.

  Basketball, similarly to football, has a shorter history. I believe that Michael Jordan is the greatest basketball to ever play the game, but with all due respect, Bill Russel is 11-0 in championships. If it was not for him, there would be no Michael, or Magic or Larry. He is the greatest living basketball player. He transcended the game for everyone else. You may be thinking, “How can you say that Russell is the greatest living basketball player, if you think Michael Jordan is the best ever?” Michael Jordan forever changed the game once he played, but Russell knew what he was doing in the game and his overall game was not to be questioned.

  As much as I am not a huge hockey fan, this is probably the easiest one of all the 4 major sports. Wayne Gretzky was by far the best hockey player to play the game. Even though it was towards the end of his career, I was excited when he came to play for the Rangers. He just knew how to play. Wayne Gretzky changed the dynamic of all the teams he played for, no matter what part of his career. Wayne Gretzky will go down as the best hockey player of all-time. 

    No matter who the athletes are, no matter what sport or city they played for, these ballplayers I mentioned above really transcended their sports, cities, and teams. Are each one of them the greatest athlete/player of their sport? With the exception of Gretzky and Brown, Russell and Mays are not the GREATEST to ever play their sport. I remember meeting Earl Weaver on a cruise. He was one of the greatest managers of all time! When he passed away a few years later, my heart dropped. He was such a nice guy(and a legendary manager). Everyone should take advantage now of who we have around. For all of those who think there was no basketball before LeBron or football before Brady, look again. Watch the footage. If you so happen to luckily run into anyone, take advantage.

What happened Alex?

 

   Sunday came, Sunday went. What happened Sunday? Olympics in Rio were happening, baseball was being played, and football season was in reach. O Yea. . . Alex Rodriguez announced he will be playing his last game for the Yankees (and maybe baseball) this coming Friday. With all of the transition the Yankees are going thru, I find it only fit that this happened. Even though this was right to happen, why is his last come on Friday? Why not take the Mark Teixeria path and wait until the end of the season? There are so many questions to ponder. Let’s get some popcorn and dig into this topic.

   We all know that A-Rod is not the player he was 5 years ago, or even 3 years ago. He has had 2 hip surgeries (thanks to PEDs), which limited him to the DH role. There was a whole debacle that happened 3 years ago when everything with Biogenesis occurred. He was on a mission at that time. He was suing the Yankees, their doctors, and MLB. When he realized there was no fluidity, the suspension was finally accepted. Come spring training of last season, he said and did all the right things. He had a monster come back year hitting .250 with 33 home runs. During the World Series, he had critical acclaim while being an analyst for Fox. What a comeback of a season right?

  Now let’s fast forward to the 2016 season. He comes into spring training assuming the DH role. He starts out the season not really hitting so well. If you had someone of A-Rod’s caliber on your team, wouldn’t you give him a chance regardless of age and health? I certainly would. Carlos Beltran gets injured and is limited in the field, so after his DL stint he starts at the DH role. Beltran becomes red hot and Joe keeps him there. The question then became, “What happens to Alex?” Joe was trying to put the best team on the field in order to contend. Something like that is very understandable.

   Coming out of the All Star Break, Yankees seemed like they were still on fire. Then they played the lowly Rays and got swept. This is when Hal gave Brian Cashman the go ahead to start selling before the trade deadline. First came Chapman, Miller and then Beltran. It was obvious the team was in transition. Even after trading Beltran, Joe still did not start Alex. What is going on here?? Rumors started circulating that maybe the Yankees would release him.

  After all of this, we find out this past Friday that Mark Texeira is going to retire at the end of the season. He felt like his body betrayed him. As much as he loved baseball, he could not handle it. I remember putting my son to sleep on Saturday night and a report comes out that there will be a press conference with A-Rod on Sunday. The speculation really began to fly around the media. Low and behold, we find out on Sunday that Friday against Tampa will be his last game and he will become a “Special Advisor” to the Yankees. This is when all the questions started flying.

  Here’s my first and most important question, why not wait until the end of the season? Why now? I understand that he has not been playing much, but the rosters expand on September 1^st. Wouldn’t it be beneficial for the younger players if he was on the roster until of the end of the season. He can continue to mentor Didi, Starlin Castro, and Gary Sanchez. More importantly, what is the FREAKIN difference between A-Rod and Tex taking up a roster spot? When Tex announced his retirement, how come they didn’t ask him to step away now? They could have brought up 2 players to the Majors instead of 1.

   Yesterday, I was listening to the Michael Kay Show and Hal Steinbrenner was on the show. He said that it was mutual and gave A-Rod as many as 4 or 5 days to make a decision. He said if A-Rod came back and said no, he would go to Cashman and Girardi and go to the drawing board again. I know A-Rod has been a headache for the Yankees over the years, even though he won 2 MVPS and a World Series ring, but wouldn’t you be doing him and your team an injustice with this release now?

   I don’t agree with everything that A-Rod has done to enhance his career, but if you’re going to this to him why not everyone else? I am a huge Yankees fan and overall I love the direction they are going in with the team. My only issue is that management needs to be on the same page on how to execute everything. After seeing everything unravel, the Yankees should have let A-Rod play the season out, like Tex, and then do this at the end of the season. As well, if they are doing this with Alex, Tex is retiring, I will not be shocked to CC next on the chopping block! Can we say officially say the New Young Yankees and not New York Yankees? Let us see if this works.