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.

In Building Up, Knicks and Yanks Go Their Separate Ways

We're so shortsighted or too distracted as fans to see what's directly in front of us, and we're always looking for the next big thing.  So let's spend the summer  . . . giving all our attention to NBA free agency!  New York fans have been getting a front row seat to team building on several levels for several teams. 

The "Melo-drama" (sorry about that) which was pretense for Carmelo Anthony getting a max contract in the neighborhood of $120 million for five years from the Knicks is only worth paying attention to if your baseball was doing nothing (Hello, New York fans!) or you don't have a beach house.   Phil Jackson's master plan started with the acquisition of Jose Calderon and Samuel Dalembert, drafting Cleanthony Early, developing Tim Hardaway Jr. and signing Anthony as the centerpiece.  As a Knick fan, you have to ask the next question - how does this make you a contender?

It's been 42 years since the Knicks last won an NBA championship.  Three eras of basketball - (Kareem, Magic and Bird, and Jordan) that have blown by with the Knicks only seriously contending in about four of those seasons.  Even in 1999, the last time they were in the finals, they were the eight seed and constant overachievers - but not really contenders. Phil is betting on these kids to develop and for Melo to provide the leadership (which he has never demonstrated).  While I'm sure Phil would like to add another free agent body (buenos dias Senor Gasol), salary cap limitations look like they will force the Knicks to develop a team internally.  It's a gamble, but at least it's a strategy. 

The Knicks issues compare favorably to what is facing the Yankees.  As the Yanks progress from the
Core Four to Sore Four (my new nickname for their "starting" pitching staff),they are forced to revise their team building strategy.  In spite of a lack of salary cap, it's practically impossible to build an effective baseball team through free agency.  Baseball general managers have shifted tactics to locking up younger players at the first sign of success, buying out their arbitration and early free agency years.

In the past, the Yankees would sit and wait for players to become eligible.  Now their patience is netting them a beat-up Brian McCann; a game, but inconsistent Jacoby Ellsbury; and a used-up Carlos Beltran.  There are no pitchers to be had as stars like Kershaw, Cueto and Hernandez are locked up through their prime years and others like Wainwright and Verlander are getting on in years (despite Wainwright's outstanding success this year, he is 32 years old).

Do the Yankees become sellers as they approach the trade deadline?   Since they're only five games out and in a weak division, I think they will double-down and become buyers.  The trouble is, there's not much left to bargain with.  Any young, pro-ready talent would already be up with the team (sit down, Yangervis) and some highly touted talent has not panned out (I'm looking at you Mason Williams and Manny Banuelos). With all the papers talking up Rob Refsnyder in the last month, we'll sit back and watch if he becomes the next core star.   There's no chance that Tampa will trade David Price to the Yanks and that's not necessarily where the problem lies.  They need an everyday player to be the main cog in their lineup.  A centerpiece.  You know - a Carmelo Anthony.

Just Sayin'

I just paid for two of my Fantasy Football leagues - so its time to study!

With Tanaka-san on the shelf, it would be nice if Shane Greene turned out to be the real thing and not a tease (like Chase Whitely).

As a sports fan, the last three months have been riveting between the Stanley Cup playoffs and World Cup.  But now it's time to dedicate myself to catching up on the TV I've missed.

I can't recall a year where so many baseball players have been hurt.  It seems like I'm reading about some out for weeks and months every day.  Yadier Molina, Brandon Phillips, Tanaka - when did these guys become so fragile?

The Yankee Outlook Could Make for a Long, Hot Summer

I've been distracted by several things over the past few weeks.  Since mid-May, the Rangers had an exhilarating climb to the Stanley Cup Finals; the World Cup (we have a family pool since we're all soccer junkies) captivates us and the US Men's team surprises us as they walked through the Group of Death; the Knicks rebuilding process is taking shape as Phil Jackson learns on the job and makes a nice trade with Dallas for point guard Jose Calderon and draft picks that turn into athletics forwards; it's always fun following Giants mini-camp and the NFL as I prepare for my three fantasy football drafts; and personal stuff, as we lost a close friend and my daughter graduated high school.  But now I'm ready to get back into some Yankee baseball!

But the Yankees suck.

Maybe that's a little harsh.  They just can't hit, field or (sometimes) pitch, but aside from that, I'm sure they're OK.

They've just cut their April and May MVP, who picked a bad time to hit less than my IQ for the past month and field like he's just discovered he has hands.  (I no longer feel compelled to learn how to spell "Yangervis".)  The veteran off-season pick-ups that would make up the offensive loss of Robinson Cano (I'm looking at you Beltran, McCann and Ellsbury) are hitting a combined .247 with 22 combined home runs - which basically makes them Mark Teixeira.  Brett Gardner and (I can't believe I'm typing this) Ichiro Suzuki have been the only consistent producers in the lineup.  Even the great Jeter (hallowed be His name) is showing that taking a year off to injury and coming back at 40 years old can make you an average ballplayer.  There is absolutely no consistency in the lineup due to injury, maintenance, or lack of production.  Which subsequently affects the team in the field. 

The outfield has held up well as Gardner is able to become one of the best defensive left

fielders in baseball and Ellsbury has been better than we remember in centerfield.  However, the infield looks as if it would take me running to first to enable them to turn a double play.  With Kelly Johnson and the forementioned Yangervis Solarte playing third base - which neither of them had done before this season at any level - there is no stability.  Jeter, whose range has been suspect for most of his 30's, is playing like a 40 year-old shortstop (the last time I saw a 40 year-old shortstop, I was playing third base on a softball team).  General Manager Brian Cashman is under the gun to find a third baseman (and no, Alex Rodriguez is not available) who can hit and field.  Actually, any hitting would do since the Yanks are 12th in the AL (20th overall) in hitting and were just swept by the team ranked 13th. 


Incredibly, the optimistic side of the team is the pitching staff.  This group suffered from the loss of CC Sabathia and Ivan Nova (my pre-season pick for Cy Young) but have been stabilized by the revelation that is Masahiro Tanaka.  Tanaka has led the league in ERA for the past two months (he was pitcher of the month in May) and has provided something (the only thing?) that Cashman can point to as a success.  Typical performances from Hiroki Kuroda and David Phelps have helped and Chase Whitely started a strong 3-0 but has stumbled in his last two starts (just as CC begins his rehab assignment).  The bullpen is still finding its rhythm as David Robertson has taken over for Mariano Rivera and done a serviceable job (welcome to the new reality Yankee fans - no more "automatic" feelings when the gate to the 'pen opens in the ninth).  Delin Betances seems to be the Tanaka of the bullpen, showing almost unhittable stuff in his outings.  However, he had to take a couple of days off already, which does not bode well for his second half longevity. 

The results so far have been as consistent as the weather.  Hot one week, cool the next, with no chance at getting a prediction better than 50% correct.  Without a change, or upgrade in the lineup, they're mired in mediocrity.  With the lack of offense, the Yankees are playing a brand of completely un-entertaining baseball, that makes even the most chauvinistic baseball fan long for a good soccer game.  


Just Sayin'

With Cleanthony Early, Thanasis Antetokounmpo, and Louis Labeyrie the Knicks win the "coolest names" category of the draft.

If the Giants offensive line is a puzzle, I'm glad that we have OL coach Pat Flaherty to put it together.  

Thank you Brian Boyle for doing all the dirty work over the past few years.  I hope we don't miss you too much. 

Fantasy Football Update: If I have the first pick, I might go completely outside the box and pick a kicker.  At least they have a better chance of making it through the season.  As my granfather would say, "Running backs, feh!"

With eight teams left in the World Cup I have Brazil, Holland and Belguim still alive in my pool - but I have a hunch that Columbia might take it all.