Wednesday, April 27, 2011

What the Puck Happened?

Ok, I was having Yankee withdrawal on Saturday. With no game since Wednesday, I needed a fix. Unfortunately, that night's game was a 7:00 start time. Now, to convince my husband to abandon our original plans and go out to watch the game.

Knowing he is a sucker for good pizza, we headed to Regina's in Allston. As the former Sports Depot, I knew that there would be an abundance of large flat screens and the Yanks/Orioles' game would be showing on at least one of them.

So, let me take you there.

Scene: Pizzeria Regina

Me: Hi. There's two of us and I would like to watch the Yankees's game. It's on 631 on Directv.

Pizza Hostess: No problem. Just tell your server and she'll change the channel by your table.

(We are seated.)

Pizza Waitress: Do you know what you'd like to drink?

Me: Yes, a Stella Artois and can you please put on channel 631?

Waitress: Sure. It will bs right on.

AND THEN...

The Yankees show up on our table-side TV, and eventually on EVERY TV in the ENTIRE restaurant.

Instead of Game 5 of the Bruins/Canadiens Playoff game, Derek Jeter was on every screen grounding into a double play.

Derek Jeter, that hated Yankee here in Red Sox Nation, had usurped the beloved Bruins.

I cannot repeat the angry words of my fellow patrons, but they were not very pretty.

The bartender tried to difuse the situation by yelling "April Fools!"

Due to a Directv glitch, they were unable to broadcast multiple programs simultaneously. And quickly, every TV was changed back to this all-important playoff game. I asked my waitress to not tell a soul that it was me that was responsible. I didn't want to be tar-and-feathered before I had a chance to eat my pizza.

Sunday, April 24, 2011

Rain, Rain Go Away!

I was out in the North End having dinner on Friday night, got home at about 10:30 and decided to watch that night's Yankee game that I had recorded on DVR.

Much to my 10:30 dismay, the game was postponed due to rain. In Baltimore, no less.

Not a big deal for me, I much prefer to watch a game in real time.

But it is a big deal for the Yanks who saw their third game of this very young season rained out. In less than three weeks, that's three games that did not happen.

And so I have to wonder, what is going on with the weather?

MLB has had 16 rainouts so far this year, compare that to a total of 21 during the entire 2010 season. Seems excessive to me.

And at this rate, if these games are tacked on to the end of the season, then there is the real risk of World Series' games being snowed out!

Thursday, April 21, 2011

Issuing an Apology to Bartolo Colon

My very first post, way back in January, during our first week of class, was a mean-spirited and sarcastically written lament about Bartolo Colon.

Today, after Colon's brilliant pitching performance last night, I must eat crow.

Who, really who, would have ever thought that Colon would ride in on his white horse (albeit a big horse), and rescue the Yankees -- damsels in distress -- from their pitching woes.

There he was, on the mound, having missed the last two seasons, never missing a beat.

And so, Bartolo Colon, let me say how sorry I am for poking fun at you back in January and doubting your ability to pitch. You sure made this doubter a believer and this vegetarian a crow eater.

Less-than-Face-Value is a Terrific Value!

With attendance down across the board for the 30 teams that make up Major League Baseball, both teams and those greedy ticket brokers with storefronts are stuck with more tickets than customers.

So what happens when supply exceeds demand? The customer wins.

StubHub, that breeding ground for sellable tickets at a premium, has become the primary source for buying tickets below face value.

While these deep discounts cannot and will not be found for a Yanks-Sox game at either Fenway Park or Yankee Stadium, I have found amazing tickets for a Saturday game at Yankee Stadium. Tickets for Next Saturday's Blue Jays-Yanks game can be had for about $25, normally priced at $75.

While not the best seats in the house, they are an amazing bargain for $25. And in my opinion, any ticket that is substantially less than face value really is a terrific value!

Welfare for the Rich

The latest MLB team to take a handout is the Los Angeles Dodgers. Because of a messy divorce between the team owners, the Boston MCCourts, MLB has stepped in and taken over day-to-day operations of the team.

Not unlike last year, when the Texas Rangers were also rescued and cash was infused into the organization, which ironically enabled them to make some good mid-season acquisitions and landed them in the World Series.

And then there's the Mets, who are in the middle of a $1billion dollar lawsuit filed by the trustee for some Madoff victims. The Mets are looking for their second $25million infusion in less than one year.

The amazing thing is that these MLB team owners that are asking for and taking this money are very rich men. Which leads me to label these bailouts as "Welfare for the Rich."

Friday, April 15, 2011

Was Manny Just Being Manny?

I was a Manny fan until I heard a story from a friend who golfed with Luis Tiante. Manny, that fun-loving clown of a guy, apparently made a habit of conveniently forgetting his wallet on cab rides to Fenway Park.

Why? He was Manny being Manny. Money isn't important to Manny. (really, then why was he making $20million dollars per year?) The Red Sox front office would be forced to bail him out by paying a multi-millionaire's cab fare.

Really, Manny? Trying to stiff a hard-working cab driver? You forgot your wallet?

I don't buy it, just like I don't buy your "they weren't steroids, I was taking medication." Female fertility drugs, Manny? Why? Thinking of having a baby?

So, we bid a fond adieu to you Manny Ramirez, on behalf of all the Boston- based cab drivers who are glad to see you go!

A.L. Least

Two weeks into the young season, and there have been plenty of surprises thus far.

Players galore are already on their way to the D.L.; from the reigning AL M.V.P. - Josh Hamilton -- to the Yanks' touted young pitcher, Phil Hughes.

We have witnessed the despicable Barry Bonds get his just due (sort of), as he was found guilty of one charge in his steroids trial.

The Mets are on the market, this time not as a buyer, but as a seller -- of part of their team. Word is that "the Donald" is looking for a piece of the action, and maybe a chance to tell their manager "you're fired!"

But, the biggest surprise of this young season is occurring in the best division in baseball, the home of the team with the worst record in baseball. Yes, the AL East, normally the division most emulated, is home to the team with the least wins. By far, the biggest surprise of the young season.