METS – YANKEES DISAPPOINTING

A month into the major league baseball season and neither the Yankees or the Mets look like champions-chumps-maybe but not champions. CC Sabathia-who has a history of poor April’s, may turn things around as the season progresses. Lets just hope the Yankees haven’t dug themselves too big a hole by then. Right now, he looks like a batting practice pitcher. Nick Swisher has been a pleasant surprise and with his quirky personality, has become a fan favorite. The Mets look like last year’s team- but Willie Randolph isn’t here to fire so maybe a countdown should begin on how long Jerry Manuel keeps his manager’s job. Whos do you blame for this mess? Minaya, Manuel, who is a good salesma but that hasn’t translated into victories. Hard to believe this squad was one game away from the world series.

It’s about time!

For several years, I wouldn’t watch the NBA Why? Because the level of play dropped dramatically to the point where it wasn’t any better then playground ball. Lately, especially in the last two seasons, the NBA has rebounded not to where it was in the 1980’s when Bird and Magic Johnson ruled, but it is close to where comparisons can be made. It is about time-basketball can be a breathtaking sport when it is played at such a high level.

New stadium, same old Yankees

 

$1.5 billion new stadium, same old Yankees. It is getting a bit tiresome. I love the Yankees but they look like the 1980’s teams instead of those great championship squads under Joe Torre. Time to rake the scouting system over the coals and start signing good, solid young talent to replenish its farm system or all Yankee fans we’ll have to look forward to are highlight tapes of past glory. Manager Joe Girardi has been dealt a poor hand and he will be the fall guy if the Yankees fall short. Too bad, he deserves better.

WHATS UP, BLUE DEVILS?

It is getting late in the baseball season and the Blue Devils are looking like also rans-losing four of its last six games-all to non-conference opponents. The swagger they had early in the season has all but vanished. Time to step up men or you’ll have a tough time making  it out of the District.

CONGRATULATIONS, LADY DEVILS!

With a 4-0 shutout win over Elizabethton April 22, the Lady Devils earned another Watauga Conference title. Congratulations, one and all!

Lost in the shuffle!

Prior to the passings of Mark Fidyrich and Harry Kalas, a former NY Yankee, Johnny Blanchard, passed away in mInnesota from a heart attack at age 76. Blanchard didn’t have a Hall of Fame career but was a member of one of baseball’s greatest teams: the 1961 Yankees that won 109 games, hit 240 home runs. Mostly remembered for the tandem of Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris-who combined for 115 home runs. Maris, of course, broke Babe Ruth’s single season record of 60 home runs by hitting 61. Mantle finished with 54. Blanchard was one of three catchers who hit 20 or more home runs- the other’s being Yogi Berra and Elston Howard. It was quite a team and Blanchard made a big contribution. Thanks, Johnny.

SO LONG HARRY, BIRD.

For life long baseball fans, the names Harry Kalas and Mark Fidyrich evoke many memories. For me, Kalas evokes a deep, distinctive voice that was as much a part of the Phillies as any player. Fidyrich was a quirky character was liked to manicure the mound between batters and talk to the baseball. He was a national sensation in 1975. We lost both of them this week. They have left behind more then a few memorable moments.

35 YEARS AGO!

I plum forgot that this past Wednesday, April 8, was the 35th anniversary of Henry Aaron hitting his 715th lifetime home run-surpassing Babe Ruth-to become then all-time home run king in big league history(since surpassed by Barry Bonds). But, for over 30 years, Hammerin’ Hank was the all time home run leader. That was a magical night. It was a monday evening- a national broadcast on NBC-with Curt Gowdy at the microphone, against the LA Dodgers. Al Downing-who had a good major leagu career-threw the fateful pitch that Aaron hit into the Braves’ bullpen in left field and was caught by Braves’ reliever Tom House.Nonbody thought that record would be surpassed but it was and by a classy man/ballplayer. It was disgraceful the taunts/hate mail he received during his pursuit of Ruth’s record. That shouldn’t be forgotten! Nor should the way Aaron conducted himself throughout his noe legendary career. He, along with Willie Mays and Roberto Clemente were the three best ballplayers Ihave ever seen.

CONGRATULATIONS, LADY DEVILS!

Well, a spectacular team effort by Unicoi County in the 13th annual Eastman Invitational Tournament earned the Lady Devils a Tournament title as they defeated Cherokee 4-2 in an epic, 12 inning game. Timely hitting, defense and great pitching were the ingredients for victory. Congratulations to the entire team, Grady Lingerfelt and his staff. P Kara Woods and C Whitley Hensley were selected to the All-Tournament Team. Again, congratulations one and all.

BEARS GOT ITS QB!

The price may have been steep, but the Chicago Bears have resolved its QB position by acquring Jay Cutler from the Denver Broncos. Unless derailed by injuries, Cutler should be the Bears QB for eight to 10 years and he is just coming into his prime. Will it shift the balance of power to Chicago in the NFC North? Not yet, but the gap has been closed and it will make for an interesting football season in the Windy City.