For Sports Fans, October is the Happiest Time

Games in October are the promise of glory.  They are the death of dreams.   It is the beginning of seasons; the final sprint at the end of a marathon; and the point at which reality sets in. 

October is the only time of year when all four major sports in the United States are active at the same time (sorry soccer).  For Major League Baseball it’s the end of a six-month chase, as ten teams are quickly reduced to eight, four, two and one over the course of the month.   

In the National Football League, reality sets in during October, when about half the league is virtually eliminated (sorry Jets fans).  In the National Hockey League, teams are completing their training camps, playing exhibition games and dropping the  puck on a season that could potentially last until June (except for you, Islander fans).  The National Basketball Association is tipping off training camps all over the country, getting back to work after the mini-vacations that are known as the off-season (maybe the Knicks can get an extension?).

The Yankees had their October calendar cleared after an injury-plagued, offensively

inconsistent season, which saw them fall four games short of a wildcard spot.  Since this is only the third time since 1995 that the Yanks have missed the post-season, they can have a pass.  But this is also the second consecutive season without playoff baseball in the Bronx.  That leaves some of us who remember the dark ages of 1982-1994 (or even 1965-1975) wondering if we’re back to the future.   The Yanks are entering their first year of the post-Jeter era filled with question marks that will occupy everyone’s attention until Spring Training.

The Giants are entering the month filled with promise after recovering from their 0-2 start to win their last two games.  This included a 45-14 drubbing of the Washington team (I’m being politically correct by not using their nickname and just to spite their weasel of an owner).   The offense seems alive with possibilities, and new weapon Odell Beckham, Jr. will be joining the team for week five.  Given their late season schedule and the parity (mediocrity) of the NFC East, there is hope for a Big Blue playoff push come December.

The Rangers, coming off a trip to the Stanley Cup Finals, are hoping to maintain their momentum while infusing the team with youth.  Gone are stalwarts Brad Richards and Brian Boyle (free agency) and Derek Stepan (broken leg).  In their place, they’re hoping that youngsters Anthony Duclair (19), Jesper Fast (22) and Kevin Hayes (22) can provide enough consistency to support all-stars Rick Nash and Martin St. Louis.   The defense also improves with the addition of veteran Dan Boyle to work with Ryan McDonaugh, Dan Girardi and Mark Staal who should be entering the prime of their careers.   Of course, the team’s foundation is goalie Henrik Lundqvist, who returns for his tenth season with the Rangers between the pipes.   As he goes, so goes this team, who should be ready for another deep playoff run.

With West Point as the backdrop, the Knicks begin training camp determined to forget the 2013-14 season.   Team President/Guru/Zen Master Phil Jackson and new coach Derek Fisher inherit a team of question marks that severely underachieved last season.   Re-signed perennial all-star (and underachiever-in chief) Carmelo Anthony, shooting guards Tim Hardaway, Jr.  and (felon-in-waiting) J.R. Smith, and new point guard Jose Calderon will try to convert the Knicks to a stronger defensive team running a triangle offense.   We can expect growing pains as the team (and first-time coach Fisher) learns on the fly. 

But it’s October, so there’s always hope.

Just Sayin’

My fearless predictions for the World Series are my hometown Nats vs. Detroit  (although I can’t recall a year when the American League was so wide open). 

Carmelo has said that he’s the “most underrated superstar in the NBA.”  Sorry, but if you’re a great scorer who has never been to a conference final (and has only advanced out of the first round once), you’re “barely” a superstar.  

Giant safety Antrel Rolle says the reason for CB Prince Amukamara’s increased level of play this season is due to the fact that he is now having sex.  Prince was famously saving himself, and is now a happily married man.   If anything bad happens, you know he’s going to blame her as well.

Fantasy Football Update:  I’ve decided to take the Costanza approach to setting my lineups.  Anything I think I should do, I’m going to do the opposite. 

Don’t forget to check out the latest Yankee news on YanksGoYard.com.

With Four in the Books, the Giants Feel Positive

With a quarter of the season in the books, the New York Giants seem to have finally gotten their act together.   After fans suffered through five weeks on ineptitude through the pre-season and embarrassing play against the Lions and Cardinals to open the season, things are starting to work.

The newly installed offense of coordinator Ben McAdoo, meant to shake up QB Eli Manning from his mid-career doldrums, shook up the fans as nothing worked through training camp and the first five quarters of the season.  Then, in the second quarter against the Cardinals, came the drive that woke up the sleeping Giants. 

Establishing the run with Rashad Jennings, finding WR Victor Cruz (who had been MIA in the first game) and completing a bobbled touchdown pass to WR Rueben Randle ignited the offense.  Despite Cruz’ drops which led to two quick special team blunders and a lost opportunity, Giant fans caught of glimpse of what was to come against the Houston Texans and Washington Redskins.

With Head Coach Tom Coughlin stressing positivity, the Giants built on the good things that worked in the Cardinals game.  A balanced attack, with the much-maligned but suddenly solid offensive line leading the way for 193 and 154 rushing yards, Manning throwing for 234 and 300 on 73% passing efficiency (and the revelation that is TE Larry Donnell), led the way to two blowout wins.  The defense turned into turnover machines, forcing opposing quarterbacks Ryan Fitzpatrick and Kurt Cousins to three and four interceptions respectively. 

Now at 2-2 and peaking, the Giants now step up in class as the Atlanta Falcons come to MetLife before the Giants hit the road against the Philadelphia Eagles, Dallas Cowboys and (after a bye) the Indianapolis Colts.  Another 2-2 record would be acceptable considering the competition, with the most important games coming in Philly and Little D. 

But if the offense keeps clicking, the defense keeps piling up turnovers, and the special teams just play solid, not spectacular, we could be looking at something special.

Post Note:

I appreciate all the positive response to these posts from you readers.  I wanted to let you know that I’ll be writing all my Yankee posts for Yanksgoyard.com, a Fansided website associated with SI.com.  You can catch my first article on there later today (Tanaka Finish Raises Yanks’ Anxiety Level).  You can always follow me on Twitter @allevy18 as the new Yankee articles go up.  I’ll still be tracking the Giants, Rangers and Knick (notice the order) on View form the Upper Deck.  Thanks!

Meditations on a Season Lost

Like an early spring day, the Yankee season provided some light and hope, but not much heat.  From my seat in the stands, I can look back and find some interesting items to make me smile, gasp, and finally breakdown and cry.

The Smiles
Dellin Betances
Forget the Yankee reliever strikeout record.  Forget the 1.34 ERA and .76 WHIP.  Just remember what 1996 was like watching a young Mariano setting up for John Wetteland and remember in a few years that Betances was setting up David Robertson.  I think next year, the roles get reversed.

Brett Gardner and Jacoby Ellsbury
Anything from right center to the left field foul line better be hit

on the button (or over the fence) or these two are going to get it.  There have been no communication problems, no ego issues and nothing but love from their pitchers.  Next year, these two could be hitting 1 and 2 in the batting order versus right handed pitching.



Shane Greene and Brandon McCarthy
Greene has been a staff saver going 5-3 with a 3.24 ERA in 75+ innings.  He has a live arm, plus fastball, plus slider and plus age - he's only 25.    McCarthy doesn't have the age benefit, but this mid-year pick up has a 2.54 ERA and seven wins since coming to the Bronx.  These two can be the healthy counter-balance to next year's pitching staff risks of Tanaka, Pineda, Nova, Sabathia and Kuroda. 

The Gasps
Mark Texieria
We have two more seasons of suffering before finally getting out from under this contract.  At $22.5 million per year, no one will pick up even half of this deal for a physical liability who has lost his power and his batting stroke.

Middle Relief
Someone needs to step up between Shawn Kelley, Adam Warren, David Phelps, and David Huff.  Kelley has become a walking definition of throwing in the towel,  Warren and Phelps need to realize this is their role and stop dreaming of being starters, and journeyman Huff has the ability to stake his claim and become the lefty this staff desperately needs.  Otherwise, they'll all be pitching somewhere else next year.

Alex Rodriguez
Remember him?  The Yanks are on the hook for $64 million guaranteed over the next three years and an additional $6 million if he hits six more homers (which should be attainable).  He also gets $6 million if he gets to 715 and 755, but all the drugs in Miami won't get him that far.  If they bring back Chase Headley, Martin Prado and Carlos Beltran (who has one year left on his deal), where does he play?

The Crying
Ichiro
We will say sayonara to Ichiro Suzuki.  Simply one of the greatest hitters ever to play the game.  I'm sure Pete Rose would be in second place if this guy had started in the MLB.  He has been the definition of a professional since joining the team, showing no ego, delivering in tight spots, and playing any outfield position at any time.

Jeter
He is now the proud owner of kayaks, cupcakes, cufflinks, bases, bats, boots, chairs, and

crabs.  Not to mention the hundreds of thousands of dollars to his foundation.  There will be no captain (in name) and no player in our hearts like him for a while after he leaves. 

One of the nicer things to come out of this year has been the leadership of Joe Girardi.  he's done a great job balancing a team of mega-egos, Jeter's farewell tour, injuries that would drive lesser men to lose their minds and owner/fans expectations to stay competitive.  Sure, he'll sometimes leave you scratching your head at some strategic issue, but I don't think anyone can doubt that that he's the leader for this team, and a convenient tie to the successes of the Torre era.


Now it's time to start a new era.  Let's just hope it's not like Ralph Houk's.

Just Sayin'

Thank you Gatorade and Nike for those great Jeter farewell commercials.  Even though I use neither of your products (I don't like the taste of Gatorade, and Nikes are too narrow for my feet), I sincerely commend your ad staff for knowing how to have one of your main endorsers go out in style.


Monday Night Football in Detroit and you get a choir from Annapolis to sing the National Anthem?  I guess Motown is dead. 

Fantasy Football Note:  Yes, that was me trading for Josh Gordon.  In week 11, my team will be unstoppable.  Of course, I'll be 0-10 . . . 

Living the Fantasy Life

"Hi Guru, I'm in a 12-team super-flex, PPR and I've got the sixth pick, but can keep two players drafted after the tenth round last year and I've got a keeper question," begins almost every ride home if you're in your car listening to the Fantasy Sports Channel on Sirius/XM radio. 

That is if you "play" Fantasy Football.

For years, I resisted the siren's call of Fantasy Football.  I played in various Fantasy (or "Rotisserie") Baseball and knew it was an addictive, all-consuming, hell-on-earth (unless you won).  I explained to my pusher/friend that it was like sending an alcoholic to a bar.  But, like all good pushers/friends, he was persistent, promising me fun and good times.  But, in this case, the first taste wasn't free (there was a $190 league entry fee).  I relented and joined one league, and was immediately immersed in the lifestyle.

I found myself avoiding non-Giant players from the NFC East; I tried to maintain my dignity by rooting for or against certain teams; I paid fleeting attention to the waiver wire; then a funny thing happened - I didn't make the playoffs.  

I came back the next season having spent countless hours reading ten different web sites; getting daily email updates; and running about 200 mock drafts to get an idea of how to react on draft day.  I drafted Tony Romo.  Then a funnier thing happened - I was the leading money winner in the league. 

I was in for good. 

I stressed out about fourth wide receivers; joined a second league; spent more time watching the gazillion fantasy sports shows on ESPN and the NFL Network then I spent with my kids; joined a third league; started giving other people advice(!); and became one of the 33 million people who are hooked from August through December. (Quick question: what are the other 7+ billion doing?)

I do find myself pondering the larger, existential questions about Fantasy Football: 

• Is Fantasy ruining the fan experience by diluting team allegiances or growing the sport by getting fans actively engaged? 
• Can players really be hosting their own shows about this (Maurice Jones-Drew is a huge Fantasy participant, but no longer a Fantasy "stud")?
• Will my home life survive or will my wife start her own "Fantasy Husband" league?
• Will I go over or under 5,000 on the number of times I scream "f you" at certain players during the season? (I think I'll be over by Week 5.)

Regardless of the answers I may find to these and other questions, I find that the real fantasy lies in the chase for the perfect draft pick or waiver wire selection; getting together with the guys at the draft; begging for players in trade proposals; and sitting there right before kickoff on opening Sunday, hoping you get it all right.

Just Sayin'

Please, someone tell me the Giants' offense is sandbagging us.

I'm ready for Johnny Manziel to retire already. Never has someone gotten so much out of so little.  

Are the Yankees playing with our hearts?  They have not missed the playoffs in consecutive seasons since Derek Jeter started - now is not the time to start.

Jeter Farewell Tour Offsets Summertime Blues

My family's summer tradition of going to a Yankee game reached a crescendo this year, as we made our way to visit family in the Dallas area, just in time for the Rangers to say farewell to Derek Jeter.  Globe Life Park is an amalgam of various stadiums.  It has the right field upper deck from old Tiger Stadium, a mock Yankee Stadium facade, a shorter version of the Green Monster from Boston, and even some Camden Yards brickwork.  But what the stadium lacks in individuality, it more than makes up for in food.

Everything is bigger in Texas.

This is Michelle Obama's worst nightmare.  Calorie counts with commas; not a salad to be

seen; fried everything for the asking.  There is a hot dog that's about two feet long and weighs three pounds.  If you add the condiments, we're talking about something you can work out with.  Helmet ice cream sundaes do not come in those cute little cups, but in REAL HELMETS!  (This meets fantasy status for me.)  Being in the heart of Texas, they had the obligatory barbeque restaurant, but they need a little marketing help when my 18 year-old daughter asks me if there's something wrong with wanting to go eat "Nolan Ryan's Meat."


But back to baseball.  During the Jeter farewell tour, every team is providing gifts and donations to his charity organization.  We were lucky enough to witness the Rangers' going away party, which included running out a bald Pudge Rodriguez and fit-looking Michael Young to represent the team.  Of course they couldn't come up with anything original and gave him a pair of cowboy boots and a check (they should have given a little more considering he only hit .279 against them in the postseason).  They did pull out one surprise - former President (and former Rangers owner) George W. Bush came by to personally present Jeter with a plaque. 

The most interesting thing was witnessing the reaction to the ceremony.  Even though the crowd was about 30% Yankee fans, everyone was on their feet, cheering and saying goodbye (and for die-hard Rangers fans, I'm sure it was "good riddance").  This scene was repeated for every at bat, especially the last one where Jeter unceremoniously popped up to first to end a mild threat (is there any other this year) in a one run game.  As a lifelong Yankee fan (and someone who has had a notorious man-crush on Jeter since 1996), I found a new appreciation being able to witness this in person, seeing Jeter being celebrated on the road - transcending the sport a la Ripkin.  I just hope that we can count on Mike Trout, Andrew McCutchen or Clayton Kershaw to pick up the baton and become a worthy "face of baseball."

Just Sayin'

You know times are tough for Tony Romo when a rodeo clown at the Ft. Worth Stockyards is mocking him during a show.

When did a baseball pitcher's career expectancy get shorter than the life expectancy of a1970's era rock band drummer?

If Doug (Muscle Hamster) Martin has a comeback year for the Buccaneers, then Giant GM Jerry Reece will have to answer for getting out maneuvered in the first round of the draft two years ago.

Fantasy Football Update: I've got the fourth and ninth pick in two of my drafts this year - looks like I'll be feasting on leftovers.

Why We Root, Root, Root . . .

All the excitement of the FIFA World Cup led many of my non-soccer friends to come to me (as the resident soccer expert at work) to ask what all the excitement was about.  I tried to explain the cultural differences between most of the world and the US; that we have an embarrassment of riches in the sports we can follow that dilutes our fanaticism.  Most US cities or regions have multiple sports the local residents may attach themselves to.  Most of the world does not.

In the New York area, I grew up with two baseball, football, basketball (yes, I’ll count the ABA Nets who were led by Julius Erving at the time), and hockey teams.  We even had niche sports and regular events with four horse tracks (before Roosevelt Field became a regular Flea Market), the US Tennis Open, and (for a short time) major league soccer.  

In most other countries, soccer is like college and pro football and the NBA combined.  It’s sounds simple, but it’s the only way that Americans can understand it.  There are two teams you root for: your local club team (no matter the league level) and the national team.  Loyalty is passed down through families.  As I learned more about the game and the “football” culture, I identified with it completely.  

As I grew up in New York, I rooted crazily for my teams (Yanks, Giants, Rangers and Knicks); played and attended tennis matches; spent way too much “time” at the tracks.  I followed them all with the intensity of a zealot.  There were many times I was asked to calm down as every missed shot, home run or first down resulted in screams, thrown items or, one time, a slightly dislocated shoulder.  I’ve been asked if I had any brothers on the team (by my mother-in-law) and been yelled at (by my wife) for waking the baby when the Yankees inexplicably won the World Series in 1996.  I’ll take all the blame because this is who I am.  I’m a sports fan.

(Post Break: One former girlfriend played amateur psychologist with me and said I was so invested in sports because I was missing something integral from my “self.”  I told her the only thing I would be missing was her – goodbye.)   

I’m extremely grateful for the love and understanding of my family – they know what they’re dealing with.  During football season, I’m unreachable on Sunday mornings prepping for football; October, May and June nights are spent watching playoff games; and “daddy language” was never to be repeated outside the house.

As summer vacation beckons, my family gladly incorporates a sporting event (it’s a Yankee road game this year).  Past adventures have included Giants training camp, Fenway Park, and old and new Yankee Stadium.  My daughters have incorporated sports into their life – as athletes and fans (and even some “daddy language”).  As time goes on, I feel this love and passion for the games are among the best (and most consistent) things I can pass on.

It’s funny how love and passion lead to becoming a fanatic– you know, that’s how you get the word “fan.”

Just Sayin’ 
In the spirit of this post, I’ll refer you to Tom Verducci’s tribute to writer (and awardee of the J.G. Taylor Spink Award, the highest honor given by the Baseball Writers Association of America) Roger Angell in Sports Illustrated (http://www.si.com/mlb/2014/07/22/roger-angell-tom-verducci-hall-fame) and a section of a 1975 piece from Mr. Angell: 

It is foolish and childish, on the face of it, to affiliate ourselves with anything so insignificant and patently contrived and commercially exploitative as a professional sports team, and the amused superiority and icy scorn that the non-fan directs at the sports nut (I know this look—I know it by heart) is understandable and almost unanswerable. Almost. What is left out of this calculation, it seems to me, is the business of caring—caring deeply and passionately, really caring—which is a capacity or an emotion that has almost gone out of our lives. And so it seems possible that we have come to a time when it no longer matters so much what the caring is about, how frail or foolish is the object of that concern, as long as the feeling itself can be saved. Naïveté—the infantile and ignoble joy that sends a grown man or woman to dancing and shouting with joy in the middle of the night over the haphazardous flight of a distant ball—seems a small price to pay for such a gift. 

Amen.