"I'm not a Yankee fan by any stretch, but I do like Derek Jeter".

No no - don't be mislead by the title; I AM a Yankee Fan. That quote however, was heard this morning on the radio. I live outside the NY market and therefore am subject to insidious Yankee hatred. You know what I'm talking about "Of course Yankees have the most World Series wins, they just buy championships". Blah blah . . .I always respond in my head "You would be thrilled if your team did the same".

Anyway - Derek Jeter's 3000th Hit over the weekend was the subject of much discussion, facebook activity, tweets and sports talk radio chatter regardless of where you live I suspect. Obviously this was a huge accomplishment. He's one of 28 men who've crossed this particular line, but he is the FIRST Yankee to do so. Even the most ardent Yankee haters (or dislikers) have to respect Derek Jeter.


Coincidentally - in the days leading up to his 3000th hit I read an article comparing A-Rod and Jeter and how Jeter is the consummate professional, the true Yankee. This article contended that A-Rod defrauded the Yankees into that massive contract, selling them on years of steriod induced performance which has never quite gelled in NY. A-Rod worked the system, lied and cheated his way into stardom, and Jeter, he's just the opposite. Sure, we've only ever seen him in pinstripes, which helps see him as the "true Yankee". But as I see it, Jeter is not boastful, he's not obsessed with turning himself into a brand (hear that LeBRON!), he embodies the celebrity of NYC and the Yankees without diving into unseemly relationships and off the field antics. The man has never had a whiff of scandal around him. And the best - he's been a key player in championship seasons, and stepped up when the moment needed him to. In a city that revels in power, celebrity, money and the Yankees - he could have taken a very different path all these years and lived a very "good" life. But he has chosen to play his game well and earn every ounce of respect he's being given. Even by Yankee Haters.

Age is cruel and no - he's not having an All Star season, despite this past weekend's achievement. But moments like that - being only the second person to achieve 3000 hits on an HR AND being the only Yankee to do so at all, makes him an All Star even if he's only having an average year.

Derek Jeter makes me still have hope for professional athletes, even amid the Tiger Woods', the Pacman Jones', the Cam Newtons' who care far more about their brand, their payday and themselves than the blessing it is to be where they are.

Congratulations Mr. Jeter.

(PS - WATCH THE US WOMEN's WORLD CUP SEMIFINAL ON WEDS AM. And if you haven't seen the highlights from yesterday's win over Brazil - go spend the time. It's worth it! They were amazing!!!!!!!!!!)

I like a good competition . . .

Really, I do. It's fun to see new and different teams rise to the top of their field all the time.
That said of course, Yankees should always be in the post season. I mean really - is there anything better than baking an apple pie while watching the YANKEES play baseball in October?
Let me answer that for you.

No. There is not.

Now - with that out of the way.The NFL this year is proving to have a pretty exciting season. I was saying this afternoon that you just don't feel like the Patriots and Colts of years past are really the same as the Pats and Colts of '10. And even the Steelers who continue to top the ESPN Power Rankings - there hangs in the air a feeling that just about anything could happen, be it Superbowl Championship or 10 straight losses. I think nothing would surprise us with the Steelers this year.

Frankly - this year has turned into a huge surprise for lots of teams.
- Cowboys cannot win a game. Or - ahem - have only one ONE game
- Packers were touted early for being definite contenders and are suddenly forgettable after a couple injuries
- Despite all the star power, the Bengles are NOT having the season they expected they would
- The Jets are turning into a better team than I think a lot of people might have guessed at the start of the season
- The Vikings are turning into a much worse team than I think a lot of people might have guessed at the start of the season
- The glow of the Chargers has dimmed and it just doesn't seem it's clicking
- Finally the Redskins appear to have the makings of a solid team - despite all the Haynesworth drama
- The Eagles have TWO awesome quarterbacks that apparently can be interchanged!!?? (Careful Kolb and Vick - they turn on the qb's there - even if you're good)!

Don't get me wrong - I want the Steelers to win the Superbowl. I imagine it will be much like seeing the Yankees win the World Series while living in NY, but MAN it's fun to approach every Sunday with the sense that all games matter. All teams matter (well, maybe not for Detroit, SF or Cleveland - but hang in there. Someone's gotta lose), and the race to the ring is really up for grabs.

THIS is why having a championship decided by games and records, not votes and favorites - makes the NFL better than college football. Sure - a practical person would say the Lions should aim for last to get the first draft pick...but truly at this point ANYTHING can happen. In college - you lose twice and you're done. Forget it.
Not in the pro's baby. Anyone can get that ring. And that couldn't be any truer than it is this year.

Forgive me - it's been a bit . . .

I haven't posted this week - I have been distracted by life things . . .job things . . .and the Chilean Mine Rescue

So you know, the Steelers are still number 1 in the power rankings. Sadly #'s 2 and 3 are also AFC teams. Booo. This makes my hopes for attending the Steelers v. Jets game in December all the more exciting all of a sudden. Who would have guessed back in August when I placed my ticket wishlist!!?? We shall see what happens Sunday, but I'm pretty sure if Ben doesn't win Sunday #7 jerseys will be burned in effigy. This town's patience is short.

Other things that remain:

• Brett Favre is a pig, like Tiger.
• Yankees rule and begin their quest for AL supremacy tomorrow night.
• If the Penguins don't start winning at home there will be a riot in Pittsburgh.

A Case of Same Old, Same Old

Today the fine world of football is a case of two stories that seem awfully familiar.

Brett Favre has "apologized" to his current teammates for being a distraction. That distraction my friends is because allegations have surfaced that he inappropriately texted, voicemailed and naked pic'ed a super hot employee of the New York Jets when he was their QB. This former Maxim and Playboy model has not made the allegation - and somehow clips of his voicemails have made the news. In addition a massage therapist employed by the team has come forward saying he was texting her as well. In summary, he was trying to get into this hot girls pants.

Mr. Favre - you should have learned from Jerry Seinfeld and quit while you were ahead. All you've done in the last three years is beat up your reputation, turned many of your former die hard fans against you and now you've apparently grotesquely embarrassed yourself, violated the trust your wife had in you, and made yourself look like an aging former 'once-was'.
Welcome to club, says Tiger Woods, Ben Roethlisberger and Kobe Bryant (while we're at it, Elliot Spitzer says Welcome to you too).

Brett - you're gross.

Next on my list today is the DALLAS COWBOYS. I don't know if I could guess how many years now the Dallas Cowboys have been pre-ordained Superbowl contenders. Let's just say, this year was one of them. Again. And here they are now at 1-3 and I can't help but wonder WHY!!!!?????
Isn't the definition of insane doing the same thing repeatedly, expecting a different outcome? Why oh why sporting pundits - does this team earn your respect when they've not yet earned it! It's kind of like paying a rookie who's never taken an NFL snap many millions of dollars over the promise of what they might achieve.

I have always disliked this team. I take issue with them being called America's Team. I am an American and they are NOT my team. It's been a while since they actually were contenders. Until they actually make the Superbowl - how about we go ahead and stop waving the magic wand in ther direction.

Cowboys - you're overrated.

October is awesome

I love October. . .

• the weather has started to turn so it's cooler at night but the sun still feels warm
• sometimes you want a sweater
• harvest time means awesome baking/cooking options
• Football is in full swing
• Baseball is in the playoffs
• Hockey is getting starts
• (I officially don't care about the NBA)
  
  I have made my signature apple pie in honor of my beloved Yankees and look forward to making another as they make it to the World Series.
  
  Ok, this was more about food than sports, but something I feel like sharing!

When a team sucks - someone loses their job . . .

This my friends is a fact of life. Two recent cases in point:
1. The Monday Night Meltdown of the Miami Dolphins cost their special teams coach his job. Sure, the Pat's scored off various special teams failures - but should he have lost his JOB over a signle loss? I would hope there was more to it than just one embarrassing loss (to a division rival on national television). Yes it stings but to fire him?? I think it's a bit rash. I don't know if Dolphins fans out there have another spin on this. Maybe he'd sucked for years and was bungling things all the time. Maybe last night was the proverbial straw. It seems unwarranted.

2. The opposite however is true for old John Russell - the beleagured manager of the crappy Pirates. He was part of the (most recent) 5 year plan for the Pirates to turn things around. He was in year 3 of that 5 year plan. You simply cannot LOSE as much as he did and not pay a price.
I'm sure some of the Pirates faithful (or perhaps John Rusell's mom) would say that he should have had the chance to complete the 5 year plan. Or one could make the very valid point that not even the greatest manager in the game could make this a winning team. No talent is no talent, no matter how hard you try to coach them.

BUT - when you're averaging about 100 LOSSES A SEASON (that's right Yankee fans, take that in - 100 LOSSES A SEASON) with absolutley ZERO trend upward - I'm sorry you gotta go. I don't expect a coach to take this team and make them playoff contenders in one year but please - in THREE years - show me SOMETHING.

Now here's the question Pirates management - does this restart the 5 year plan??? Gosh I hope not . . . I sure would like to live in a city with a winning team once again. (Love ya Yankees!)

T.W.I.S - v.4

Oooooooh yeah. This Week In Sports is SOOOO cool now - it's abbreviated to T.W.I.S. I am making an effort to have this post be a touch shorter since I think some of the past T.W.I.S. posts have been a little lengthy.

1. Way to go A-ROD!!! It's a very cool milestone and I can't help but remember that I was AT the 500th homerun on one of the most hilarious flukes. My esteemed co-bloggers parents decided 'hey, let's go to a Yankee game before Yankee stadium closes!'. We, a coupla New Yorkers at the time said 'GREAT! let's do it'. So we went on StubHub or some ticket outlet and paid a whole mess of money to go to a game several months down the road thinking,"Oooooh, we'll go in August which will be pretty close to the end of season so it will be cooler to be at the 'old Yankee Stadium' RIGHT before it closes"! Smart right? Trouble was - we were off by a year. The summer of 2007 was NOT in fact the last summer of 'old Yankee Stadium'. Feeling like a bunch of dolts when we figured that out, we decided to carry on, it's still a Yankee game right? Well wouldn't ya know it - we witnessed history that day. By accident. Wish I coulda been there today A-Rod! Good for you.

2. Brett Farve - retired??? or not??? Bottom line is this - back in the day when he was in his Cheesehead glory, I thought he was a down to earth, regular guy who just loved to play football. Now I think he's a down to earth, regular guy, who loves to play football, but doesn't realize that this flip flopping and holding his team hostage while he 'waits to decide' is making him look like a total A$$. You're being selfish Brett. You say, 'I will play this season if my ankle gets better'. Well guess what old man - the season has started. It's time to ____ or get off the pot. I wear my "Judas Farve" t-shirt with pride.

3. Hi GILLES!!!! Glad to know you're out there even if you can't figure out how to post a comment.

This Week In Sports

Hey!! Look at me!! Two weeks in a row. Go Me.

Ok, now down to business.

1. I know this was last week (and in last weeks T.W.I.S. post) but George Steinbrenner died. No, not news any more but it's been pondered quite a bit on sports talk radio. Was he good for baseball? Well as a Yankee fan - YES! But as a current resident in a much smaller much less wealthy market whose baseball team suffers for both those qualities, PERHAPS. Before moving to Pittsburgh, all I knew about the Pirates is that they sucked. Now I know that they suck and despite a rather focused effort on building and growing young talent, as soon as they are able - a wealthy team like the Yankees will just swoop in and buy them. Again, as a Yankee fan. Hahahahahah. But as the current resident of a city whose team sucks due in part to the Yankees, this kind of sucks. But in the wise words of my co-blogger - Football is Socialism and Baseball is Capitalism. So players go where the money and opportunity is best. Can you really blame them? I suppose not. Does this mean baseball is suffering because of its captialism??? Dear readers - you tell me!

2. Serena Williams may miss the US Open because of a hurt foot. Not just a hurt foot - but a foot that needs surgery because she stepped on a broken piece of glass at a restaurant (????? That no one has investigated THIS seemingly unlikely story further is beyond me). In any event - to this I say HOOOORAY! After last years' ANTICS I thoroughly thought she should be banned this year. That was pathetic and not to be tolerated. Moreso though - I am SO SICK OF THE WILLIAMS SISTERS. Add to it, I'm sick of Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. Tennis us become such a sport of 5-7 athletes, it's terribly boring. I want new stories, new people, new anything. PLEASE. So Serena, stay home and rest your foot. I will watch the US Open and not miss you one bit.

3. Tiger sucked it up at the Brisith Open. Tiger, you're a jerk.

I probably shouldn't title this post "This Week In Sports" as it indicates I will posting every week and don't want to make any such promise - but in any event, I just did. There is much on my mind as it relates to sports this week so here goes . . .

1. George Steinbrenner - love him or hate him, you GOTTA admit he was a character and a leader and made the Yankees the dominant force they are today. For that I love him. And he dies on All-Star Game day - a headline stealer to the end. R.I.P George.

2. LeBron James - there was much bandied about on that other website we won't mention (but it's intials are FB) a few nights ago. Half the people were cheering his move (these people all lived in Florida I think) and the other half were mad that it was getting this much attention. There are probably a few shades of other thoughts in between (like those who were just commenting on how much everyone was commenting). Here are my thoughts - while I admit the NBA means absolutely NOTHING to me and I cannot stand watching basketball, I do NOT understand why such a fuss was paid to this whole thing. It's like they were covering an election night!! Yes, I could wax poetic about how asinine it is that 10 MILLION people stopped what they were doing last week to watch this HOUR LONG special when there are 'real' issues in the world like the oil spill, wars, etc etc. I won't be that holier than thou - I spend lots of time watching equally silly crap on T.V. What REALLY boggles my mind is why he's been named "The King" (no offense Elvis) and is getting bajillion $$ to play his game when he is NOT proven to be a winner. AND WORSE, appeared to give up during the playoffs this year. I don't get it . . .I don't like it . . .I'm over it.

3. THE WORLD CUP!!!!!! I adore global sports; I think most of you know how giddy I get over the Olympics. I love the World Cup and watched as MUCH as possible, even with those pesky restraints of oh, say a job and a baby and a house to care for. But I got to thinkin about the World Cup and the state of soccer in general in this country, and here's where I landed. - Soccer will never reach the popularity of football or basketball. Even though I contend that more kids in the U.S. play soccer when they are little, it just doesn't hold enough power to overcome the big two. Even tho every World Cup year, the commentators talk about the growing popularity in the US and whether "this" will be the World Cup year that really establishes soccer in the US. It ain't gonna happen. Not to say it's not a great sport or great to watch, it's just not going to happen. Our good players go to Europe where the payday is good and there simply aren't enough 'stars' to make it a league with intriguing enough stories for people to get excited about. (Though Landon Donovan and his love child is fairly interesting). - "Club" soccer is confusing . . .there are so many leagues and players that play for multiple teams at different times of year; players go on loan to other teams (which I TOTALLY don't get)...we Americans like it simple. Baseball begins in April and ends in October. Football begins in August and ends in February. Hockey just goes on forever. A player is on one team until officially traded at prescribed points during the year. These are rules we understand . . .if Soccer is ever going to pick up around here, I think it needs clearer 'rules'! - REGARDLESS of the aforementioned - I STILL will cheer for US and hope they do well in the W.C. And I WILL watch the W.C. because it's FUN. Someone recently chided "World Cup Fans" for being a bunch of posers alleging that if we don't go to MLS games then we are just bandwagon hoppers 'for a few weeks every 4 years'. To this I say - WHO CARES!!! I don't go watch Track and Field events, Swimming Events, Beach Volleyball events, XGames or really ANY of the Olympic sports that I COULD go watch inbetween Olmpic years and I still love watching the Olympics. Should I go to an MLS game? Sure, why not. But I don't (and the 'burgh doesn't have a soccer team anyway). But there is NOTHING wrong with enjoying this sport once every 4 years to cheer on your country. If you think the game is boring, just give it a try in 2014 - I think you'll enjoy it - - - if for nothing else, all the delightful acting!





4. British Open - Tiger Woods, you're a jerk.