Maybe A-Rod Doesn't Need to go on Holiday with Madonna

A-Rod certaintly doesn't need to go on Holiday with Madonna in Toronto.  The fans had that covered last summer, oh that was special!

The stud third basemen's pressence has helped Mark Teixeira to no end offensively.  The Yankees are on cruise control heading into the playoffs.

Since A-Rod is hitting over .300 for the month of August and getting his batting average up maybe Madonna can help him in other ways to keep him from choking in October.

Limited Jets Tickets Now Available via Ticketmaster

Just in from the New York Jets:

"Limited Jets Tickets Now Available via Ticketmaster - Season tickets are sold out for the 2009 Jets season - but limited single-game tickets are now available via Ticketmaster.  Quantities and locations vary on a game-by-game basis so buy now before your tickets are gone!  Use this link or go to http://www.ticketmaster.com/ and search 'Jets' to see available tickets."

What doesn't make sense is how tickets are available if they are sold out to season's subscribers?  I was offered season's tickets in the 300s a few weeks ago after have a waitlist position just over 10,000 fifteen months ago.  I inquired about a half season and it wasn't available, until they made it so two weeks ago.  Now they're are offering individual games to fill in the gaps.  I buy seats from my friend for the past five seasons from a friend whom is a season's subsubscriber. Looking forward to home opener on September 20th vs. the cheaters from New England.

New York Rangers Preseason Tickets on Sale Tuesday at 10:00 AM

New York Rangers preseason tickets on sale Tuesday, September 1, 2009 at 10:00 AM.  Rooting for the Mets at Citi Field may be a bit rough so this could be a happy diversion.  Preseason hockey is not exactly playoff push hockey in March or April but it's something to do.  Save money and get a free ticket from a friend or buy on Stub Hub on the cheap.  They host the Bruins, Red Wings and Capitals.

I was in Chicago last year on business and caught the first Blackhawk preseason game.  I liked the United Center a lot but too bad the regulars weren't on the ice.  I wish I was there later in the season.

Will Brandon Dubinsky sign with the Rangers? Is Phil Kessel coming to the Blueshirts?

The Rangers have not signed restricted free agent Brandon Dubinsky yet. Dubinsky turned down their qualifying offer of $698,000. There's a lot of chatter about signing Phil Kessel from Boston who wants a lot of money, about $5,000,000 per year. The Rangers don't have the cap room unless they move another big contract like Wade Redden's. They did a good job moving Gomez to Montreal and getting Higgins in return should work out. Too many times Gomez would get hit right off the puck crossing into the offensive zone and was too ineffective last year.

The Rangers need a legitimate first line center and I'm not sure if it will be Dubinsky. I'm curious to see how September works out.

Mets Win One in a Row

The Mets won today at Wrigley behind the strong pitching of Nelson Figueroa.  He pitched 7 innings, giving up one earned run, 10 strikeouts and 2 walks.  Angel Pagan had the best day at the plate going 3 for 5 and a run scored.  Luis Castillo continued his excellent offensive year by going 2 for 5 with a run scored.  Seven other Mets had base hits, totaling 12 for the team.  Winning today saved the Mets from the sweep in Chicago.

Great Outing for Somerset Patriots

The Somerset Patriots defeated the Camden Riversharks at home today 5-1. It was a beautiful day to attend the game and pay tribute to our Armed Forces in the pregame ceremony.

Jim Magrane pitched 8 strong innings for the win only giving up 1 earned run.  Elliott Ayala made a tremendous Endy Chavez type catch over the top of the fence in left center field for the last out of the game.

Atlantic League Independent Baseball in New Jersey

There are alternatives to paying top dollar at the new Major League ballparks in Queens and the Bronx. You can watch the Atlantic League's Somerset Patriots and Newark Bears. The Atlantic League is an independent league made up primarily of former Major and Minor League players.

The Somerset Patriots play at TD Bank Ballpark in Bridgewater, NJ and are managed by ex-Yankee Sparky Lyle. They won the league championship last year and are looking forward to another playoff run this year.

The Newark Bears play at the Bears & Eagles Riverfront Stadium and are managed by Tim (Rock) Raines.

Cost of tickets range up to $12.50 for excellent seats. The stadiums are family and fan friendly.

Jets defeat Giants 27-25 at Giants Stadium

The Jets defeated the Giants 27-25 last night at the Meadowlands.  This is the last preseason game between the two cohabitants of Giants Stadium with the new stadium opening for the 2010 season.

Sanchez played into the 3rd quarter and went 13 of 20 for 149 yards and 1 TD.  His scrambling pass on the run to Stuckey for a 31 yard TD was his best play of the game.  He looked less like a rookie on that play by following Stuckey come across the field to the right sideline.  The Jets took the lead 14-13 and kept the lead for the rest of the game.  This Giants helped the Jets with two turnovers.  Bart Scott lost his hat and stripped the ball right out of Jacob's hands for one of the turnovers.

The Jets were going backwards in the first quarter by giving the Giants the ball on their 40 yard line by kicking off out of bounds and committing 7 penalties.  It could have been 14-nothing if Smith didn't drop a bomb from Manning.  It could have gone for a 90 yard TD completion.  Lito Sheppard got burned and had tough game for the Jets at corner.  If he plays like that it will be a short season for Sheppard.

Manning went 9 of 21 for 91 yards, but had numerous drops by his receivers.  Jacobs scored on an 8 yard pass from Manning, burning Scott.

Leon Washington ran well for the Jets in the second half.  Cotchery made some nice catches as well.

Both teams are 1 and 2 in the preseason with one more game to go.

The Hockey News (Adam Proteau) Takes Shots Once Again at the New York Rangers' UFA Signings

The Hockey News takes shots once again at the New York Rangers' offseason free agent signings.  Ales Kotalik and Marian Gaborik make two of the top four spots.  Mr. Proteau's always fun to read.

I'd love to see Gaborik light it up this year at the Garden and prove Proteau wrong.  Gaborik's electric but of course needs to stay healthy and on the ice.  I wish the deal were for 2 years but he's here and I'm looking forward to watching him play regularly.  Maybe he will wear one of the A's as alternate captain of the Blueshirts.

I don't know if Torts will play Ales Kotalik on Drury's line like old times so we shall see.

New Jersey Devils Mini-Pack and Ticket Promotions

For the Devil fans here are the offerings for Mini-Packs and ticket promotions.

Jets vs. Giants tonight at 8:00 PM on WNBC-TV Channel 4 for annual preseason game

The annual preseason Game 3 NY football showdown is scheduled for tonight at 8:00 PM. I attended the first preseason NY Giant game against Carolina on Monday, August 17th. Eli looked just okay, playing almost the entire first quarter. He should go for at least the first half tonight.

The Jets need to get Vernon Gholston going as a starter, rather then just on special teams. With Calvin Pace sitting for the first four games due to his NFL league substance abuse suspension Gholston needs to be visible from game 1. Rex Ryan said Gholston is his project on defense this year. Let's see if the head coach can get him motivated.

On Wednesday Rex Ryan named Mark Sanchez the Jet starting QB. Sanchez is talking up the game tonight as the battle for NYC. It should be a good test against a solid defense. Let's hope both teams show up, for at least the first half.

Can the Met injuries be to lack of conditioning and not the medical staff's fault?

Can all the Met injuries this season be due to lack of conditioning? There has been a lot of blame by fans and talk show hosts given to the Hospital for Special Surgery and I don’t think that’s the case. HSS has an excellent reputation. The New York Giants football team use HSS and don’t seem to have any of the issues the Mets have with rehabbing their players.

Maybe it's a crime of omission where the front office isn't coming clean with real information.  I’d like to see the Mets give at least a weekly update to all players on the DL. They owe it to there fans.

Season Ticket Holder Somerset Patriots Batting Practice on the Field Postponed until September 19th

The Somerset Patriots postponed Season Ticket Holder Batting Practice on the Field until Saturday, September 19th from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM.

NY Rangers Season Subscriber Fan Fest Postponed until September 5th

The Rangers postponed their Season's Subscriber Summer Fan Fest due to the tropical storm Danny until next Saturday, September 5th.

What would Casey Stengel say about the 2009 New York Mets?

What would Casey Stengel say about the 2009 New York Mets? I wish he was here to tell us. I'm sure Casey would be a lot wittier then the offerings by Manager Jerry Manuel or GM Omar Minaya. I like to call Omar by his new nickname, Nomore Goodbya. I lifted that from callers to the late night Schmooze on WFAN a couple of weeks ago. I love it. I hope Fred Wilpon inventories the organization from top to bottom and starts fresh with a new GM in the offseason.

This blog is dedicated to all the sports we watch and love in the NYC area.