On Saturday, I attended a screening of Knuckleball! at the Tribeca/ESPN Sports Film Festival. The documentary, by award-winning filmmakers Ricki Stern and Annie Sundberg, follows knuckleballers R.A. Dickey and Tim Wakefield during the 2011 season. Stern and Sundberg also tell the story about how both pitchers came to embrace and master this unique pitch. Charlie Hough, Phil Niekro, Jim Bouton and long-time White Sox […]
On the second night of Passover, a simple dinner discussion that evolved into an argument between the Matzo Ball Soup and the Brisket was the impetus for this list. Going through the Internet to find any definitive list, this wonderful piece by the ubiquitous Jonah Keri from 2007 was discovered listing the Top 18 Jewish […]
All reports indicate that MLB will expand its playoff system this year to include a second Wild Card team. MLB continues to be the only sport that doesn’t get it. What I mean by that is they don’t have the understanding or ability to create an economic system where the disparity in local revenues between […]
Spring camps open this Sunday and the Yankees hope to have their Designated Hitter in tow. We have been debating the topic since the Jesus Montero/Michael Pineda deal. A month later, where does it all shake out? Johnny Damon, Raul Ibanez, Hideki Matsui and Vladimir Guerrero are names connected to the position. There is also a possibility that Brian Cashman could import […]
You need pitching depth to get through a 162-game schedule. I recently spoke to a big league pitching coach who told me it was important to leave camp with about 18 pitchers that could realistically contribute at the big league level. Of those 18, you probably need 10 that could start a ballgame. Knowing how important […]
I return to the airwaves after the Super Bowl hiatus to a content-packed show. Matt Cerrone of Metsblog joins me to discuss Sandy Alderson’s debut on Twitter, the NYBD Mets Hall of Fame results, and the Mets handling of the media. I will give you my thoughts on why trading A.J. Burnett just for salary […]
Since the deal that sent Jesus Montero to Seattle for Michael Pineda, we have been discussing which free agent DH makes sense for the Yankees. Names like Johnny Damon, Hideki Matsui, Vladimir Guerrero, Raul Ibanez, and before he signed with Tampa, Carlos Pena all were debated. There is an internal option such as Jorge Vazquez […]
I had an opportunity to chat with Steven Travers last night, author of a new book called “The Last Icon: Tom Seaver and His Times,” on my radio program. Never before has someone delved into the career of the man known as “The Franchise.” You all know about his accomplishments on the field, but Travers […]
The terms “Cincinnati legend” and “lifetime Cincinnati Red” were used to describe Barry Larkin yesterday after his election into the Hall of Fame. He also became the 48th member of the Hall to spend his entire career with one team. Born in Cincinnati, Larkin won the 1990 World Series, MVP in 1995, and become the first shortstop […]
Back in the 40s and 50s the United States was facing a huge threat - communism. During this era, thousands of Americans were accused of being Communists or communist sympathizers and became the subject of aggressive investigations and questioning before government. Wisconsin Senator Joe McCarthy led the brigade with the “Hollywood Blacklist” and investigations by the House […]
The Mets financial problems have brought endless jokes and ridicule. If the Miami, don’t call me Florida, Marlins aren’t outspending them this offseason, there is the New York Times piece from earlier in the week about the perks given to a potential minority owner. Not only does $20 million dollars give you a 4% stake […]
It’s been nearly 15 years since the BBWAA elected to not enshrine someone in Cooperstown. During the 1996 election, Phil Niekro received 68.3% of the vote, followed by Tony Perez (65.7%), and Don Sutton (63.8%). Ironically, all three would be enshrined by 2000. I believe there is a good chance no one will be inducted by the […]
Former Braves pitcher John Rocker joined me on last night’s radio program to discuss his new book “Scars and Strikes.” It’s been over a decade since his infamous Sports Illustrated interview with Jeff Pearlman that published on December 27th, 1999. If Mets fans are expecting the same brash and cocky individual they remember from the 1999 NLCS, think again. Rocker […]
In talking to someone in the Yankees organization, I was told they prefer Cuban defector Jorge Soler over Yoennis Cespedes. Soler is a 19-year-old outfielder who defected earlier this year. Mike Silva adds: In doing research about Soler, Adam Kilgore of Nationals Journal described Soler as “an athletic, 6-foot-3 outfielder who can play center field but will likely […]
It came as no surprise that Andy Martino of the Daily News reported the Mets unhappiness with catcher Ronny Paulino. According to Martino, “the team did not view him as a diligent worker, adequate defensive catcher, or offensive force off the bench.” He also shared a story where Paulino annoyed Terry Collins with a near act of insubordination. […]
