Yankee Talk: The Yo-Yo that is Robinson Cano

NOTE: Next week, I will have a full critique of the Yankees as we come down the final few weeks of the season. I would have written it this week, but their ugly play this week might mar my objectivity.


I had mentioned in a story I wrote on MLB Talk that discussed that nothing was worse than seeing a player of immense talent unable to play up to their potential because of factors that the person himself can control.

Injuries are a freak occurrence. But playing with a lack of mental focus, intelligence and a willingness to play 100% are quite another.

One Yankee player has exemplified all of these qualities and his effort this season has been an image of everything wrong with the team this season.

His name: Robinson Cano

The reason for his mysterious regression is unknown. Over the past two seasons, he had emerged as one of the league’s best second baseman. His ability to hit to all fields, show power, drive in runs and play outstanding defense at such a young age was making him one of the younger cornerstones for a transitioning roster filled with veterans.

During the 2007 offseason, Joe Torre departed for Los Angeles. Coming with him was third base coach Larry Bowa, who was in essence “Cano’s mentor”, who worked with him on a near daily basis. The feeling was that Cano needed to be monitored to prevent drifting and that having a proactive, intense coach such as Bowa would keep him on the right path to success.

Biggest of all was the contract extension he received from the Yankees for 30 million dollars over the next four seasons.

His performance over the previous two years warranted the deal:

2005 - .297, 14 HR, 62 RBI
2006 - .342, 15 HR, 78 RBI
2007 - .306, 19 HR, 97 RBI

Only Chase Utley of the Philadelphia Phillies was putting up numbers more prolific than that of Cano. The production was rising and there was little reason to believe that his ascension would not continue.

However, this season has been anything but that. For the first three and a half months, it appeared has if he had been sleepwalking. His batting average was below .250, and because of his lack of walks taken (or inability), he had become useless to the lineup. The fact that his OPS was hovering below .650 (Julio Lugo’s OPS -.685 - is higher by comparison) should have justified his place on the bench.

For almost two weeks after the All Star break, Cano had appeared to rediscover himself. He was 18 for 35 and playing great defense. Once again though, his plate struggles would resurface along with numerous memory lapses during the games.

His fluid style of playing defense gives off the impression that he not emitting full effort out in the field. This would not be a problem if he was hitting like has the previous few seasons. But when the average is what it is (as of Aug 15 - .263), that type of play comes off as loafing, especially when you consider that his lack of focus on numerous plays (see: his play at second base on a DP in Minnesota Wednesday) this season.

These instances, along with the continued rumors of his consistent late night partying in New York and lack of focus (which could be attributed to his new contract and departure of Bowa) and dedication to his craft must have the Yankees concerned as to whether Cano is essentially a head case.

Jose Reyes of the Mets underwent a similar situation that started last season and spilled over into this year before Willie Randolph was fired in June. While I have yet to go as far as to suggest that Cano is “dogging it” out there, enough supporting evidence is building for this case.

Joe Girardi does not appear (or simply does not want to) do anything about the situation. Who knows if he simply does not see what is going on. Maybe he is in fear having Cano further drift if he is reprimanded much like Reyes did after Randolph did when Reyes did not run out a ground ball in Houston last season.

If Cano’s play does not show market improvement over the final weeks of the season, the organization is going to have to make a very difficult decision. Do they conclude that Cano’s 2008 season is nothing more than an aberration? Or do they think that a combination of the contract, no guidance counseling, and his mental approach will continue to be factors in him not reaching his full potential?

This is not a Josh Hamilton situation. If Cano needs to essentially have a caddy follow him around everywhere and stay on him each day to make sure he is fully concentrated on baseball, then the Yankees should investigate trading him. He is going to be entering his fifth season next year and needs to grow up.

Is he going to go through his entire career needing a babysitter? At what point does not he not take the responsibility for himself and be accountable? The fact that he is only attributing his poor season to “bad luck” is simply ridiculous.

Swinging at the first pitch is not bad luck. Swinging at pitches near your head or shoe tops is not bad luck. The inability to work a count is not bad luck. Losing track of how many outs there are on the bases is not bad luck.

The problem in attempting to trade him is that getting full value is going to be difficult considering the season he is having. When the Yankees traded Alfonso Soriano after the 2003 season, the team was able to get Alex Rodriguez.

Getting a player (or players) of that caliber in a trade back is not going to be possible. Perhaps a prospective team will be enamored so much with his potential that they will ignore all the other issues that appear to go with him and give in to what the Yankees will be looking for.

For now, we will all just have to sit back and hope that Cano comes around. It appears as if more “Robbie being Robbie” moments are coming to a baseball diamond near you for the foreseeable future.
The last question I want to ask myself a few years down the road about Cano not reaching his full potential is the following:

“What if?”


Surprising Sidney

I must give credit where it’s due and praise Sidney Ponson on his nice job of pitching this season.

When he returned in June for his second tour of Yankee duty, I referred to him again as “Tub of Goo”. His first stint in 2006 lasted only three starts. Bringing in him back seemed to smack of desperation from a team who came into the season without adequate insurance for youngsters Ian Kennedy and Phil Hughes.

His stay was supposed on only last a few starts, but instead, Ponson has been around much longer due to injuries. During that time, he has provided stability in the rotation to amazement of everyone.

Though his numbers (nine starts, 3-2, 4.50 ERA) do not jump off the page, the fact that he has not been vomit inducing is impressive.

Of Ponson’s outings, six times he has thrown at least six innings. In four August starts, he has thrown into the eighth inning twice and has an ERA of 2.96.

Good job. Keep it up.

Random Yankee Thoughts


If Mike Mussina doe not win 20 games this season, look no further than last Tuesday nights game in Minnesota as the reason.

Leading 6-3 going into the eighth, the bullpen could not hold it. Mariano Rivera gave up a three-run homerun to Delmon Young to tie the game.

There may be no pitcher more snake bit than Mussina.

Melky Cabrera needed to be sent down to the minors (as he was on Friday). He had no business being in the lineup.

The arm in center cannot cover up the fact he has only driven in nine runs since the beginning of June.

Help Wanted: A center fielder that can hit and play defense – willing to pay – can start beginning April 2009.

I find it funny that other Yankee fans are formulating their trades in the offseason by starting with Cabrera and Ian Kennedy as a part of any package.

Yeah, I am going to trade you a good player for a potential mental head case and a fourth outfielder at best.

Who is the dumb GM that is going to make that trade? It is not as if every GM is like the one from the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Hank Steinbrenner essentially “punted the season” without actually using those words this past week.

It was something that his father would never do, but perhaps he is simply providing a commentary that a lot of us very quietly believe.

Hell, I have nearly said as much since the beginning of the season.

Rivera 10 times this season come into a game tied and eight times, he has given up a run. How fluky is that?

Quietly, Alex Rodriguez has been able to dodge any criticism of his play this season.

But it is difficult not to look at the fact he is hitting less than .240 with runners in scoring position.

It seems like we have had this conversation in three of his five seasons here.

Why does it seem like the lead the Red Sox have over the Yankees in the Wild Card is higher than the current number it stands?

If Brett Favre could find another team to play for in his career, it is farfetched that Derek Jeter and the Yankees cannot part ways after the 2010 season?

He would be 36 and if his production continues to drop, would the team still resign him just because he is the face of the team?

It is very tricky decision. Something that I never thought could be possible.

On The Road: Flying the long, uncomfortable, annoying and unfriendly skies

Flying back to Chicago from New York was supposed to be a simple ride home. A two-hour flight was not a Herculean task. With the airlines now, anything can happen and usually does. Add being stuck on the plane, diverted to another city and some bad flight attendants, it is (or was) enough to almost go crazy.

My confidence in the airline business is eroding.

Soon, the airlines are going to be approaching Congress type approval ratings.

And you thought the oil companies were the most hated industry in America.

Flying the once friendly skies has gone from once enjoyable to downright bad. We are talking the movie “Gigli” bad. Like minus 30 wind chill with eight inches of snow bad. Even as far as 1962 New York Mets bad.

It cannot get much worse anymore.

Monday, my four-plus day weekend “Carl-apalooza” in New York reached the end. Packed up and ready, Delta Airlines (my carrier) called. The message left was that there was a flight time change and departure time now was 5:50. Great! I was in no rush to get home (well, there was that “work” thing the next morning) More time to spend without feeling time constricted.

I got to LaGuardia at 4:30 and checked in. When I got to the gate, people were sitting down and restless awaiting the flight. It appears they did not get the message. Now I know why they ask for a phone number when you order a ticket. This one time it comes in handy.

At 6:05, we boarded and were ready for take off. Problem was, before we could leave, the captain informed us that we were 22nd in line, with one plane taking off every two minutes.

Do the math...two minutes multiplied by 21 planes equal 42 minutes!

How exciting is that?

This before I realized the air conditioning on the plane ranged from “some” to “non-existent”. Everyone had better taken a shower I hoped.

As we were finally in the air and, I figured if the flight lasted less than two hours, I could get home in enough time to watch the last three or four innings of the Yankees game against Texas. My iPod had some podcasts that should last me that should have lasted me the trip.

Later, Delta actually decided to feed us on the flight.

Yes! Airplane gods do exist.

Breakout the champagne.

Stunned by this development, I considered internally doing the “Happy Dance”, but I was sober. Back in the day (see: two years ago), getting a snack was expected on a flight. Now, you are lucky if you do not have to pay for a pillow and blanket.

(SIDE NOTE - This was before I had read this story on what Jet Blue was going to do. Weeks ago, I suggested that airlines do that in this story. Maybe they are reading.)

Airlines have cut costs on everything and raised its rates on everything all at the same time. I am still waiting for that eventual bathroom fee (which I have also suggested the airlines do for those exceeding a one-minute time limit) that should be upon us shortly.

The flight attendant gave me my Sprite and peanuts and I just stared at it. Wait, this was it? What happened to the rest of the can?

It appears they no longer give you a can of soda anymore. You are lucky if you get six ounces, and even that is spotty because they load up on the ice as if you are at the bar on a Saturday. It reminded me of that “Saved by the Bell” episode when the group was at “The Max” and ordered food only to get servings that resembled the toys (designed like food) you would get at McDonalds with the Happy Meal.

30 minutes later, we all heard this announcement.

“Ladies and gentlemen, this is the captain speaking. We are having some trouble with our coordination into the Chicagoland area. We do not have an estimated clearance time, so we are just going to stay up here for a while until we hear anything.”

A collective groan was heard throughout the plane. Think of those old 1980’s television shows with crowd sound effects (think Silver Spoons). Only this was real.

The flight was now reaching past the three-hour mark. Suddenly, it hit me that their really was no air conditioning on the plane. Looking around, people were using magazines and whatever in order to create circulation for themselves (I thought in grade school it was said that doing that makes you hotter). Pressing the little fan button was doing nothing. That was like giving a fat person one slider from White Castle on an empty stomach and calling that dinner.

After all the delays, the lack of food, stopping and starting, it appeared the next shoe would drop at any moment.

Minutes later, it did:

‘Ladies and Gentlemen, this is the captain again speaking. We are getting word that there are severe tornado warnings in the Chicagoland area, and both O’Hare and Midway airports are closing flights leaving in and out. We are going to have to divert our flight to Indianapolis to refuel and hopefully be able to resume our flight. We apologize for this inconvenience and we do appreciate your patience.”

“Are you f----n serious? Tell me this is not a joke,” I said.

Most of us looked at each other in disbelief. If someone had uttered, “Let’s riot”, about 90 percent of the plane would have acquiesced.

“Flight from Hell” had now taken a new twist. No word was given as to how long we would be there as we landed in Indianapolis. Last thing I wanted was to consider spending the night. Sleeping in those old kindergarten style cots with a generic pillow and a blanket for a five year old was not going to do it for me.

Luckily, the flight crew allowed us off the plane to get some fresh air, which in the plane was reaching Beijing, China levels. Being a moron, I had not eaten any sustainable food during the day. The first thing in my crosshairs was finding food that I could hold down.

The closest thing Indianapolis’ airport could offer was a Pepsi and ice cream machine, a far cry from the McDonalds and Subway I was hoping. A chocolate éclair was not going to do it for me. Even the bar was closed along with the little shop where you can buy candy. It was only 10 PM! Looks like the city shuts down and if you are looking for anything, you are screwed. No wonder I have yet to visit that town.

The wait lasted nearly an hour. In that time, I decided to listen to the Yankees game on my phone (MLB Gameday Audio for Sprint is the greatest invention ever!) and turn the sound up so a group of us that were sitting close could hear. As we were waiting for an announcement on when the weather was good enough for us to leave, I hear John Sterling (voice of the Yankees) say that pitcher Joba Chamberlain is pointing to his shoulder and needs the medical staff to come out. Seconds later, he is exiting the game.

How much worse can this night get?

I may not get home tonight and the Yankees season is now set to have a funeral procession. Is this some cruel joke being played on me? The old saying goes “karma is a bitch”. Perhaps I have been an asshole with some people lately and it is coming back to roost.

Bored as hell, I decided to venture off from the gate and paid for six holes of Golden Tee. Thank goodness, one of the passengers alerted me that they were re-boarding for the flight while I was at the fifth hole to get back in line. Had it played out, I would have been able to play all the golf in the world because my ass would be at the Indianapolis airport indefinitely.

Frustrated as we sat back in our seats, the male flight attendant, who really looked like he was about 12 years old, went back and forth instructing us to turn off our electronic devices. He had been pushing the bounds of customer service all night. Reaching his boiling point, he came to the microphone and uttered the following:

“I don’t know how many times I have to instruct you all to turn off all of your portable electronic devices….

We can stay here all night if we have to. I have the time.”

Whoa!

Homeboy was not really looking for a fight was he? Here we all are, angered that the flight has lasted nearly six hours, and now we are going to be instructed by boy wonder (who looked to be tipping the scales at about 150 pounds dripping wet), who wanted to play the role of teacher and us as grade school kids? The hot girl sitting in the same row to our right said she was three seconds away from choking the guy out. I would have made her a slight favorite in the sportsbook if she decided to throw down with him.

The Yankees were trailing 5-4 in the eighth inning as the flight was preparing for takeoff. I snuck the headphone back into my ear to listen to the inning. To hell with air traffic safety for the next few minutes. Just as the plane is making its way to the runway, Xavier Nady had just hit a homerun to tie the game. When I told the others, a loud cheer took place. No one else had any clue as to what the hell was going on.

Just past midnight central time, the flight arrived at Midway. It was finally over. Most people, already upset by the experience we had went through (in addition to the poor service the attendants provided), did not even acknowledge them on the way out. It was like those “Date from Hell” episodes of ‘Blind Date” where the guy and girl will not even shake hands or hug. Rather, they just say, “Let me get the hell out of here” to themselves.

We all could not get out of there fast enough. On the walk to baggage claim, I saw those kindergarten cots with the blanket and pillow and some people sleeping in them (to think, I had thought of this possibility just an hour ago). It could have been worse I guess.

For eight hours, I had been through the worst. All I could do is hope that I never experience this again.

The way the airlines are going, the next one is not that far away.

MLB Talk: Manny lights up LA…the re-emergence of Oliver Perez…and random thoughts

After a two week absence, MLB Talk returns. They will return in two week installments through the rest of the season, but returning in force for the postseason.

Manny being Manny in Hollywood

Was their any real surprise that when Manny Ramirez was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers at the trading deadline from the Red Sox that he begin to light it up again?

He was hitter near .500 before he was traded, but that was lost in all the injury and off the field issues. Still, when he steps into the batters box, only Albert Pujols and Alex Rodriguez rival him in terms of the best right-handed hitters in baseball.

Since his arrival, he has energized the Dodgers. They are poised down the stretch to run down the division leading Arizona Diamondbacks. From August 1 (Manny’s first game) through today (August 15), Ramirez is hitting a blistering .438 in 48 at bats, with 5 home runs and 16 runs batted in with OPS of 1.355.

Considering that he has trimmed some of his hair (took three weeks), is consistently running out of the batters box hard on home runs (as opposed to his famous “pimping”) and not sitting out games against tough pitchers, it becomes more obvious that he had “mailed it in” in his final days in Boston. Desperately looking to be traded in order to become a free agent at the end of this season rather than have the Red Sox in control of picking up the 20 million dollar option that existed on his contract over the next two years.

Now that he is in LA (it is still strange seeing him in the new uniform), the Dodgers become “ex-Red Sox West”, as he joins former teammates Derek Lowe and Nomar Garciaparra. His bat in the lineup already deepens an order featuring Russell Martin, Jeff Kent and youngsters Matt Kemp and Andre Ethier. Just have a presence like him in the starting nine on a daily basis provides protection for the other hitters and allows them to shine, which they have done so far

Their pitching is a mixture of high potential youth and veterans. While Chad Billingsley and Clayton Kershaw continue to develop into top-level pitchers, Derek Lowe and Hiroki Kuroda try to provide veteran stability.

Brad Penny is the wild card. Perhaps burned out by weight issues or simple lack of performance, he has pitched below yearly levels. If is able to rebound, they have a great chances of passing Arizona and making the postseason.

Oliver Perez’s “switch" goes on

Nothing is more infuriating than watching a pitcher who has incredible talent not being able to harness it, and be focused on his task enough to pitch to the level of his capabilities.

Enter Oliver Perez.

Since his early years as a Pittsburgh Pirate, he has had the talent be a top starting pitcher in the league. His mid 90’s fastball and great slider makes for an uncomfortable at bat.

However, over the last four seasons, getting that talent out of him has been easier said than done. Inconsistency has plagued him. So much so that in 2006, fed up with Perez and his performance, the Pirates dealt him to the New York Mets as a throw-in.

While his inconsistencies continued, injuries to other rotation members forced him to pitch Game 7 of the 2006 NLCS against the St. Louis Cardinals. Though the Mets lost the game, Perez’s performance was not forgotten.

This season, his struggles again continued. After winning 15 games with a 3.5 ERA, he was again losing focus and saw his performance dropping. Nothing signified the word “enigma” in pitching terms than Perez. How could this still be happening?

But a funny thing happened after manager Willie Randolph was fired in the middle of this past June. A new manager and a new pitching coach apparently had the key to unlock to his full potential.

The last nine weeks has seen a different Perez. His reemergence has allowed the Mets to makeup for poor start to the season and are back in the NL East race.

In nine starts, Perez is 4-2 with a 1.97 ERA with 63 strikeouts in 59 1/3 innings.

With Perez set to be a free agent at the end of this season, the Mets are going to be faced with a very difficult decision. Does the team invest significant dollars in this pitcher knowing his past? Or, do they conclude that they have finally “fixed” him and will be pitcher he has been over the last seven weeks?

Either way, Perez stands to command big dollars from a team after the year if he keeps up. For the Mets, it is a decision that they probably do not mind facing.

Random Baseball Thoughts

After seeing him in person and during numerous instances this season, it is strange to say that Daisuke Matsuzaka is the most unimpressive 14-2 (2.74 ERA) pitcher in all my years of watching baseball.

Very quietly (or not so quietly), Jon Lester is emerging as one of baseball’s best left-handed pitchers.

To open his career, Lester is a remarkable 22-6. Comparisons to a young Andy Pettitte are very valid.

Would you boo a player consistently for striking out despite the face the player leads the National League in both home runs and runs batted in?

Philadelphia Phillies fans do for Ryan Howard and I cannot understand it.

Sure, he has struck out an incredible 155 times in 460 at bats (one in three AB’s), but he is at least producing major numbers.

It is not as if he were Andruw Jones.

Speaking of Jones, he is coming in hitting a cool .161 in 205 at bats, and is booed after every out while stealing…err, earning 18 million both this season and next.

Now he is worth booing.

I wonder how Roy Halladay’s career is going to be viewed after he retires in a few years if he remains with the Blue Jays.

For a couple of seasons, he was arguably the game’s best. But pitching in Toronto has given him limited to no exposure.

He throws over 220 innings a year and would be a multiple 20 game winner if not for some better offense and relief pitching.

Makes you wonder how he would be viewed if he were on either the Yankees or the Red Sox.

Think CC Sabathia (7-0, 1.55 ERA since joining Milwaukee) is having fun pitching in the National League?

I told you this would happen.

You mean to tell me a simple position of hands on the bat is the reason Carlos Delgado has suddenly discovered his ability to hit?

Explain to me why Jason Varitek and Kosuke Fukudome were chosen as All Stars again.

Congratulations go out to Oakland Athletics reliever Brad Ziegler, who went 40 consecutive scoreless innings to begin his career.

The Washington Nationals are a sorry excuse for a baseball team, while wasting a gem of a ballpark.

Let’s be honest, the suits over at FOX Sports are not going to be excited if the Milwaukee Brewers and Tampa Bay Devil Rays happen to meet in the World Series.

Good to see instant replay coming at the end of the month.

Will that change several key plays that will not be reviewable such as non-tags or close plays at the bases? No.

The New York Mets have lost an incredible eight games when leading after eight innings. It appears no lead is safe with them.

If you are a Mets fan, how would enjoy this scenario:

Game 7 of the NLCS at Wrigley Field - Mets leading by a run and needing to get three outs from Billy Wagner to go to the World Series.

What percentage of confidence would you have in that situation?

The Los Angeles Angels have left no doubt in my eyes that they are the best team in baseball.

However, in a five game series, anything can still happen.

Political Talk: McCain keeping in striking distance of Obama

As I have been watching the race for president play out through the summer, I cannot help but notice that for all the attention surrounding Barack Obama, he has had a problem pulling away from John McCain. As my eyes watch and ears listen, only being few points behind should be looked as positive for McCain and troubling for Obama.

NOTE: Carl is a registered independent.

If you simply heard people on the street, or you are a listener and watcher of the rhetoric on some of pundit shows and were an unbiased observer, you would come away wondering just two months ago how John McCain could even be competitive in a general election race again Democratic nominee Barack Obama.

Unfortunately, the election is not played out on television, radio talk shows or internet blogs.

The “thought police” known as these pundits (also known as the political media) try to steer their specific agenda onto the public. If you are naïve, you will listen and choose a side. If you are rational, you will take their views for what they are.

Meaningless.

This brings to the presidential race between senators McCain and Obama, where Election Day is less than 90 days away. Obama, widely viewed by many as having essentially locked up the presidency when he defeated Hilary Clinton (with a little help from John Edwards) in June, does not have the pronounced lead that most people widely believe.

In most polls, it shows that Obama holds a lead of anywhere between two and five percentage points (within a polls margin of error). An absolute stunner when you consider this election season was supposed to be a death march for any Republican who dared to run for the vacant presidency left behind by George Bush.

You would think that everything would be against McCain in this election, and it is. From the sluggish economy, to the meteoric rise of oil prices. The housing crisis to unemployment. From the rising cost of living to the war in Iraq.

Facing those type of hurdles and also the Democratic machine that has had four years (in reality, eight) to build up their forces in addition to Obama’s unbelievable fund raising machine (to reach $500 million shortly), you would figure that McCain would not be able to compete and would lose in a landslide.

Somehow, through everything so far, he has stayed afloat. Early projections in each state show the election will be very close, which is all McCain could ask for going into the election.

In 2004, John Kerry was not running on his own merit, but rather tried to make it a referendum on incumbent President Bush then about anything relating to him.

Here in 2008, McCain is implementing a similar strategy. Though I personally am a McCain supporter, this election is not about him whether he likes it or not. It is about Obama and his meteoric rise to rock star persona and celebrity in contrast to “the old fart”.

The media has played into this as well. Watch the news or read the papers and one would think that only one person is running in the race unopposed. Is their media bias to favor Obama? Of course. To suggest otherwise is to not be paying attention, blind, or just ignorant. We all know he is the new face on the political scene. It was only four years ago when no one knew him and he made that dazzling speech in Boston at the Democratic National Convention.

This is why the media fawns over him. There is no shame in admitting that. He is a young, energetic man who is a terrific orator and has been able to put his talent to good work. Does the fact that he is biracial (yes, his mother is Caucasian for those who conveniently ignore that - including sometimes Obama himself) help him immensely? Absolutely. There is a lot of “getting to know you” with Obama that is still going on.

For the most part, many people know about McCain. He has been in the Senate for over 20 years and is a Vietnam veteran who was a POW for several years. He ran for President back in 2000 and lost to Bush. In reality, he is “old news”.

He has been universally accepted by both parties during his time in the Senate. Suddenly, when he ran for the country’s highest office, something changed. A vocal minority in the GOP did not think he was “Republican enough” for some fringe bases of the party, and thus voiced and put their support in protest towards Mike Huckabee, a loony dressed up in a suit and tie. And also Mitt Romney, who’s best attribute was being able to seamlessly flip flop positions on a dime, talk his way out of it and actually get people to believe him.

As it became clearer that McCain would be the presumptive nominee, the Democrats and media that referred to him as a “maverick” took a different tune. No longer was he that guy. Now, he was being lumped in with President Bush as if to suggest he has been his right hand man all these years. The “playbook” for beating him has been to suggest that by electing him would be to in essence give a third term to Bush. While the last four years of Bush have ranged from bad to downright awful, to compare the two would be like comparing Lindsay Lohan and Rosie O'Donnell and finding their only similarity is that they are women.

Think about this for a second…

If the approval ratings for the President are so low right now (less than 30%), and McCain is supposed to be dubbed as “another Bush”, ask yourself the following question:

Why he is only trailing Obama in most polls by such a small margin?

This is not just in national polls, but also in individual “battleground” states. It appears that a large percentage of people are either strictly voting the party line, do not believe in Obama, or many people really believe in what McCain is saying.

It was funny four years ago when President Bush defeated John Kerry and received the most amounts of votes ever in a presidential election (Kerry received the second most). As I would hear people talk about it, they would each say to each other and in group sessions the following:

“I don’t know anyone that voted for Bush”.

Well, 62 million people did.

Perhaps you may want to get out more and expand that circle of friends.

A similar scenario is likely to play out again in November. If McCain were to win, echoes of “who voted for him?” are set to rain down. Cries of racism and fear mongering are in reserve in the event that he actually pulls this off.

Back in the spring, I suggested if McCain were win the election this year in the worst year ever for a Republican to be running for president, it would be the greatest presidential election upset since Harry Truman beat Thomas Dewey in 1948 (known for the infamous “Dewey Defeats Truman” front page Chicago Tribune headline).

Listen to Obama very carefully and you will see a replica of Dewey. See McCain and you will see similarities to Truman. That election was 60 years ago. Here we are in 2008 and the same type of situation may be playing out.

Nothing else has come close since.

To use a football analogy, Obama is at the one-yard line with four chances to get into the end zone. All he has to do is push ahead thirty-six inches to score a touchdown and win the game (in the case, win the election) without turning the ball over.

McCain is looking to make an improbable goal line stand to pull off the upset.

Everything has been lined up for Obama to win and McCain not to have a chance. As of right now, he is running nearly neck-in-neck with the media anointed candidate as we go into the conventions and upcoming debates.

He realistically never could have expected that scenario.

You think that does not scare his opponent?

Giants Talk: Retrospective Edition: The "All Joe's" send Jerry Jones’ All-Pro Boys home

Though they had lost to them twice during the regular season, there was a sense of confidence in the air as the Giants went to Texas Stadium for their third meeting with the Dallas Cowboys. As it played, out, the third time was the charm with the team accomplishing one of their most memorable triumphs.

Originally written January 14, 2008

"I think we just upgraded from a battle to a war."

Grady Little, manager of the Red Sox during the 2003 American League Championship Series against the Yankees.

When it was over, as Eli Manning was at his own 20-yard line, under center in an alignment known as the "Victory Formation", I thought of those words that I had heard several years ago and applied it in the week leading up to and throughout this game.

The animosity that had grown inside over the last three years for Dallas Cowboys was starting to reach a "Red Sox" type level. No longer were these games just about two long time rivals going at it on field. It was personal.

The Cowboys, (self-proclaimed) America's Team had beaten the Giants the last three times. In the process, mocking them. Claiming they were inferior and threatening that the beatings they were handing out could have been worse, as if they were sparing them in some way.

76 points scored in the two meetings. They sported the NFC's best record, including twelve Pro Bowl players. Surely, the Cowboys had reason to think that on their worst day and the Giants best, they would still win.

All I was looking for was to get one more chance. Somehow, someway, we were going to make the third time the charm.

When R.W McQuarters intercepted Tony Romo’s fourth down and 11 pass in the end zone, that vision was realized.

Final Score: Giants 21, Cowboys 17

Historical context is not something I can put this victory into yet, but this certainly is a top five all time choice. Who knows where this magical ride will lead. Perhaps it will all end next Sunday night in Lambeau Field against the Packers. For years to come though, you will always reminisce with your friends that day when the Giants, dubbed as "All Joe’s" by Antonio Pierce during the week, went into Dallas and conquered the Cowboys on a Sunday evening in January.

I can watch this game 100 times and I will still come away wondering how they pulled off this upset. Seeing the first half and then watching the fourth quarter as the defense, playing on fumes and few quality defensive backs, turned the offense of Tony Romo, Terrell Owens and Jason Witten back time after time.

The first four minutes could not have started better. Amani Toomer took a routine curl route, eluded two defenders and saw Roy Williams’ horrendous attempt of tackling for a 52-yard touchdown.

For 15 of the next 19 minutes, the Giants essentially were without the ball. Dallas scored on a nine play, 96-yard drive in less than five minutes. Marion Barber looked like a man possessed. Bouncing off tackles and finding large seams in the middle of the defense.

Dallas would follow that up with a 20-play, 90 yard drive that lasted over ten minutes. Over six different occasions, there was a chance on third down to get off the field. Each time the Cowboys would find a way to get the necessary yardage. It was looking like a carbon copy of the last two games.

Frustration was mounting, as it appeared the defensive could do nothing to gain control of the line of scrimmage against their mammoth offensive line. You could see that the defense was tiring. The Cowboys had run 29 of the last 34 plays. Hands were on hips and exhaustion was setting in.

There was less than two minutes remaining in the half and the Giants needed to answer in some way to stop the way of what was appearing to be a second half Dallas onslaught that they had been noted for all season. A field goal would not be acceptable in this situation.

Who knows how this drive will be looked at month or even years from now. If the Giants go on to the Super Bowl next week, or even be lucky enough to win this thing, one would be able to reference the final 53 seconds of the half as the moment when Eli Manning officially took control as leader of the New York Giants and made it “his team”.

It took seven plays and 71 yards. With seven seconds on the clock, it was Toomer again the recipient of another Manning touchdown throw to tie the game.

It was inspiring to say the least. Young rookies Kevin Boss (stabilizing the tight end spot since Shockey’s injury) made a pivotal catch to set up a first-and-goal. Steve Smith, finally healthy and a contributor with those two big catches in the first half in Tampa that led to scores, once again proved why the Giants made him a second round pick. He made a catch for 22 and 11 yards. Then, he was able to draw Jacque Reeves (which is a code term for “Practice Squad”) into a 15-yard personal foul penalty.

Manning, showing the calm and collected poise that he had against New England and last week in Tampa, was able to take his team down for this important touchdown and you could sense the surreal silence inside Texas Stadium.

There was hope.

Halftime: Giants 14, Cowboys 14

For all that the Cowboys had done, they were no better than tied. It was puzzling, but there was belief (albeit slight). Anyone watching could draw the conclusion that the Giants were playing on borrowed time. The last two games saw Dallas leading at half by one and three points before seizing control.

The defense was back on the field at the start of the third quarter. Romo would lead his team down the field again into the red zone. Aaron Ross, who inured his shoulder in the second quarter but returned, attempted to make a take on Barber head on. Ross would re-injure his shoulder, throbbing in pain as he quickly ran to the sideline. The team already was without missing Madison and now this. How could this be happening?

On third down, Romo had Owens wide open for a touchdown but threw the pass behind him. I did not think about it at the time outside of thinking it was a lucky break. A field goal was all they got out of a drive that should have put them up by a touchdown.

Towards the end of the third quarter, R.W McQuarters returns a punt 25 yards inside the Dallas 40. Here was the chance to grab the lead. All it took was 6 plays and 38 yards for the Giants to stick it in the end zone. Brandon Jacobs stormed in from two yards out and proceeded to break a bulb in the play clock in the process.

Giants 21, Cowboys 17

Upset was in the air now. Over 13 minutes remained in the game. Could this possibly happen? How fast can the time tick away? It would end up being the longest 13:29 I have ever had watching football.

Both teams traded punts on their next two possessions. Time was ticking away. Manning and the offense are unable to generate any offense the entire half. Quality defensive backs were in short supply. Geoffrey Pope, who was on the practice squad, was now seeing a sizable percentage of plays. R.W McQuarters found himself with him on numerous plays. Lindsey Lohan was thinner than the Giants secondary now. This was not good.

It was in these moments that you thought back to all of the memorable meltdowns that the Giants defense has had the last 17 years. The Vikings game in ’97 at home, to the collapse in San Francisco five years ago. Regular season games that could and have been won if not for one stop on defense.

As the offense once again went three plays out and punted the ball back to Dallas with 1:50 to go, the game was now in the hands of this same defense to prevent them from going 48 yards for the potential winning score. All the history was there and not to ignore. The unit has been on the field for an incredible amount of the game and had been holding them off the entire quarter. Could they do it one final time?

Prior to that drive, it was becoming obvious that the Giants defense had started to frustrate and penetrate through the Cowboys offense. Osi Umenyiora was getting tremendous pressure on Romo. The timing between him and his receivers was off. Only dubious penalty calls by the referees was bailing Dallas out. Steve Spagnuolo was dialing up different blitzes and his throws were being rushed. If Romo had time, he would have noticed all the open receivers that were running free in the secondary during the second half.

Now, needing to make it work with a trip to the NFC Championship at stake, the defense would attempt to summon whatever energy they had left.

It took three plays for the Cowboys made it to the Giants 22 yard line. After a false start (which the referees refused to call for most of the game) made it first-and-15, Romo hit Witten for a short four-yard gain to the 23.

One down, three to go. 26 seconds left.

On second down, Romo try to connect with a pass to Witten. The pass fell incomplete as Umenyiora brought pressure and hit him as he was throwing the pass.

Two down, two to go. 21 seconds left.

Romo tried to hook up with Patrick Crayton down the right sideline on third down and the pass was overthrown. Crayton, for whatever reason, stopped for a split second on the play, then restarted, not in enough time to catch up with the pass.

Three down, one to go. 16 seconds left.

One more stop was needed. Jerry Jones had mysteriously made his way to the sideline and had his arms crossed and his face looking more and more pale as if he was a few seconds away from dropping dead on sight. The Giants and us as fans had come too far now to see this be taken away. The defense needed one more stop and time was working against the Cowboys, who were out of timeouts.

Romo took that snap from the shotgun. He stepped up and lofted a pass toward the end zone. The ball hung up for what seemed like forever. When it was coming down, Terry Glenn was the intended receiver. Instead, the ball found the hands of R.W McQuarters for a game clinching interception.

Game over.

Final: Giants 21, Cowboys 17

Because I was out watching the game, I was unable to listen to the radio call of the play until later that night. Hearing Giants play-by-play voice Bob Papa describing the final play brought a smile to my face.

Papa: Here we go… fourth and 11 at the Giants 23…16 seconds to go…Giants leading by four…Romo takes the snap…back to throw…has time…to the end zone…INTERCEPTED BY THE GIANTS! Intercepted by the Giants in the end zone…R.W. McQuarters!…and the Giants bench goes wild!

Jubilation ensured on the Giants sideline. The 20 people I was watching the game with along with myself were ecstatic. Dallas was now dead and the Giants were advancing to the NFC Championship Game this coming Sunday.

Who could have dreamt this? The All Pro’s of Dallas had been eliminated by the All-Joe’s from New York. Seeing the look of shock on the faces of Jones, Romo, Owens and Head Coach Wade Phillips were images that will last a long time.

Everything that I had thought about Dallas before this game was confirmed. The video I saw was not a mirage and that the Cowboys could be beaten. Six weeks of mediocre play was not a fluke. An initial fantasy had found reality in the most inspiring way possible.

The Giants did what no one said they could do. Now, they are one win away from playing for the sports ultimate prize. A season that was just a few weeks ago on the brink in Buffalo is now 60 minutes away from sunny Arizona and Super Bowl XLII.

Maybe I look back on this game and wonder how the hell they pulled out this victory.

Maybe I will not care. Dallas has been derailed.

Next stop: Lambeau Field on Sunday night.

Bundle up.

Yankee Talk: The Great Youth Experiment Gone Bad

To hear the Yankees organization tell it before the start of the 2008 season, it was supposed to be a year of “transition”.

It was to be a year where the older, veteran pitchers would be phased out and a new trio of younger pitchers with tremendous upside.

Phil Hughes, Joba Chamberlain and Ian Kennedy were supposed to be the nucleus of a new future. They were to take their lumps this season and show the team the future would be secure in the hands of these three.

Unfortunately, the 2008 season has brought about more questions than answers.

While Chamberlain has emerged as a potential star, Injuries, underperformance and questions of mental toughness surround Hughes and Kennedy and have the Yankees wondering what the future holds for each of them.

GM Brian Cashman rolled the dice this past offseason when the Minnesota Twins asked for both Hughes and Kennedy in a trade for lefty ace Johan Santana and turned them down. While Santana has continued his success with the New York Mets, neither pitcher has won a game this season.

Here is an illustration of the difference between Santana and Hughes and Kennedy combined:

Santana: 9-7, 2.85 ERA, 161 IP
Hughes and Kennedy: 0-8, 8.51 ERA, 61 1/3 IP

The logic behind not making the trade was sound. Why one would trade two-fifths of a potential starting rotation for one pitcher and then on top, pay him $137 million (his eventual contract extension with the Mets) made terrible financial and baseball sense. It is compounded by the fact that you would then have to spend money on another pitcher to replace the additional one you just traded.

So the Yankees decided to take their chances. Last September, Kennedy was impressive. Hughes, after missing nearly three months with injury, pitched very well down the stretch in 2007 and in Game 3 of the Division Series against Cleveland, showed all the potential the team thought he had despite only being 21 years old.

When the 2008 season began, they both were different pitchers. For whatever reason, the confidence that each of them had the previous season had evaporated. Throwing strikes proved difficult and when their pitches did find the plate, they were hammered.

By the start of May, neither pitcher had a victory. Added insult was that Hughes was making another trip to the disabled list. It was explained that strained his right oblique muscle while sneezing too hard in a rain-shortened start in Chicago against the White Sox, but he never disclosed it.

Prior to that, he had problems finding the strike zone consistently. Though he showed glimpses of good, deep counts and high pitch counts worked against him. In his 22 innings, he allowed 47 baserunners an amassed an ERA of 9.00. The Yankees had set him on an innings cap of 150 for the season. Hughes certainly was not going to reach that cap now and this has a ripple effect into next season if happens to be a part of the rotation.

Kennedy’s struggles appeared to be mental. When asked of his performance, he complained about the pressure and scrutiny that existed pitching in New York and for the Yankees. By the end of May, he too would find himself on the disabled list with a shoulder strain. It was coincidental that his DL stint came one day after again being pounded in a three-inning start against the Orioles.

As I watched him closely, I could not help but to suggest that perhaps he was a “AAAA” type pitcher. Someone could dominate hitters at the minor league level, yet have an inability to get major league hitters out consistently. This was made clear after the Yankees sent him down to AAA after a terrible outing against Detroit on May 1. Somehow Kennedy found the strike zone in his one start there giving up one hit in seven innings, and was immediately called back up.

For two months, neither pitcher was seen or heard from. This past Friday against the Angels, because of the injury to Chamberlain’s shoulder on a Monday night in Texas, Kennedy was called up from AAA (by necessity) and was again given another chance. Two innings, five runs and nine hits later, he was out of the game, showing no progression from his time in the minors. It again left more questions about his ability to pitch at this level and whether he is mentally capable of being successful.

Though his innings cap was 180 before the season, his performance this year, his immaturity issues and with the Yankees potentially eyeing free agent pitchers CC Sabathia and/or Ben Sheets, and his future with the team is very much in peril.

Chamberlain is the only one to have broken out and emerged as a star. Transitioning beautifully from the bullpen in May to the rotation, he has absolutely sensational. In 12 starts, he was 3-1 with an ERA of 2.71. His intimidation on the mound was so pronounced that on two occasions, he forced Manny Ramirez to ask out the lineup in the two meetings between the Yankees and the Red Sox.

Everything was going great for him before he heard a mysterious "pop" in his right shoulder last Monday against Texas. Originally diagnosed as a stiff shoulder, the team went to the extreme sending him to popular sports surgeon Dr. James Andrews for a second opinion. Though Andrews said he would not need surgery, the fact the Yankees sent Chamberlain there should signal danger. He is on the disabled list right now and set to resume throwing in a few days. While he will pitch again this season, warning signs are up that at any point, injury and another trip to the DL is not that far away.
Adding it all up, all three pitchers have spent time on the disabled list. Two of them have pitched horribly. One of them appears to have mental problems. One of them has all the makings of a great pitcher if he can stay healthy. For this season, the great experiment has blown up like a volcano made by a third grader at a science fair.

“Generation Trey” as they were dubbed in Spring Training is currently down to “Generation Joba”, with the rest trying to make up serious ground. If this were a horse race, Chamberlain would be like Secretariat in the Kentucky Derby.

While youth may be on their side, this season has been rough for the young kids and has had a ripple effect on the team and organization as a whole. Time will tell if the faith that was put into them genuine, or lip service as a means to curb spending on high priced free agent pitchers.

To this point, it is a transition gone wrong.


Random Yankee Thoughts

Seeing Brian Bruney pitch in Texas the last week, I noticed that he was wearing long sleeves. Mind you, the temperature was 97 degrees! Was he trying to lose weight?

I do not understand it.

On Tuesday night in the eighth inning, I was referring to Richie Sexson as a “Tall Mountain of Strikeout”. One pitch later, he deposited a pitch into the left center field stands for a grand slam.

Coincidence?

A RIP to the Jason Giambi ‘stache. Once a phenomenon that spurred on a near two month hitting streak, he was 12 for his last 60 and decided to shave it.

It will be missed.

Since then, he has gone on to hit three home runs in a week.

Who knew?

I wonder if he changed his "lucky thong" too.

Despite Giambi’s good season, he was hitting an abysmal .204 with runners in scoring position. Perhaps that means that his statistics this season are somewhat inflated.

When Xavier Nady came in the trade from the Pirates, I suggested that his .330 average was a mirage. That he would come to the Yankees and revert to a .260 hitter.

Since his arrival (through Sunday), he has done this:

15 games: .365 AVG, 1.162 OPS, 5 HR, 13 RBI

Maybe I was wrong about him. Slowly he is becoming one of my new favorite players.

Of course, hitting near .365 will do that for you.

I am trying to think of what could be on the Wilson Betemit hitter’s scouting report.

Can hit fastball very well - Cannot hit breaking pitches to save his life.

End of scouting report.

Watch the games and that is exactly how it plays out.

I am hoping that Damaso Marte is not this season’s version of Eric Gagne circa 2007.

Do not allow me to think that.

Anytime I see Robinson Cano take a base on balls, I am just stunned.

Watching Melky Cabrera at the plate is like being at a funeral. Just a sad two-minute procession before the inevitable pop up or ground out.

Ivan "Pudge" Rodriguez in a Yankee uniform looks weird.

Carl “American Idle” Pavano is apparently rehabbing in the minors. No, seriously he is.

I still give him two weeks before one of his “injuries” appears.

Angels Stadium is where Yankee dreams go to die.

Are this season’s offensive struggles simply an aberration? Does anyone really believe that simply signing Mark Teixeira is going cure the ills of not being able to get “the big hit” with men in scoring position?

In one word: No.

On The Road: Paying my homage to Yankee Stadium on my birthday

Carl made the journey on his birthday to Yankee Stadium to see the Yankees take on the Angels. While he took in a great game (despite the loss), this night was about more than just a game. It can be considered a historical field trip that will never be forgotten.

NEW YORK - You are taking the number 4 train just past 149th Street and Grand Concourse when you hear the voice address announcer say the following:

"The next stop is "161st Street-Yankee Stadium".

You hear that and you know what is coming next. Through the tunnel and into the sunlight (assuming it is not cloudy); you see the old ballpark in The Bronx staring right at you. Only yards away from it, you can sense the excitement that not only you, but the people around you have.

Some make the trek daily. Others have been to it enough to where they are not fazed. And there are those who are visiting the place for the very first time who look at the place in awe.

For me, I have been to The Stadium numerous times not to be fazed. This time it was different. I knew that there was the real possibility that this could be last time I may ever step foot inside Yankee Stadium.

It was my birthday and there was no better present I could be given than to take in a Yankees game on this night. Take all other gifts and ideas and just throw them away. Nothing else was going to top this.

I went on Craigslist early in the morning and within 30 minutes, there was a guy named Victor who had seats out in the right field bleachers for $50 each. Great deal. Mind you, the original face for those seats is $12, but those seats have always been underpriced. Headed down into Times Square around lunch hour to meet him to pick them up and I was set for the night.

Of course, getting there was part of the equation. For some reason, the subway was going unusually slow from 59th Street heading up. Was this Chicago here? I rarely see slow zones in New York, but this was a first. The conductor mentioned there were trains ahead, but the first pitch was minutes away and I had little patience.

My long time college friend Denis and I got to the game in the middle of the second inning. We were not trying to mimic the fans in Los Angeles; at least we had a legitimate excuse.

I looked around the place for a bit and took in the history that was not going to be there any longer. There is sign right behind us that informs not just me but everyone else how many (regular season) games are remaining in the park (on that night - 21). What started at 81 when Opening Night began has now dwindled to a precious few. With the Yankees currently out of the playoff race, those would be the only games left to be played.

My camera was going to work overtime on this night. I was not going to miss anything. What I noticed early was that I was at an angle that was going to affect my picture.

Since I was facing home plate, getting the panoramic shot of the stadium was out of the question. My zoom was causing some shots to come out blurry that brought the anger level up a few notches. But watching Sidney Ponson on mound evading trouble in several innings put a smile back on my face.

Both he and Los Angeles Angels starter Ervin Santana waged a game long duel. Each inning, we all waited and held our breath in the expectation of what we thought would be the eventual Ponson Breakdown, usually making its appearance no later than the fifth inning.

This is what it has come to over the last few years. Optimism has been replaced by pessimism and doubt. Expecting the worse almost all the time.

What have we become, Red Sox fans circa 1919-2004?

However, on this night, it was different. Ponson worked his way out of trouble like a crafty veteran. Bending at times, but never giving in. For seven innings, he dealt shutout baseball to shock and awe of all of us.

Who knew?

A performance like that would be good enough to earn a victory on most nights. Despite the four walks, he had only given up two hits. The problem was that Santana was equally as good, if not more dominant. Blazing fastballs inside and out to overpower Yankee hitter s, and throwing his hard slider and other breaking pitches to make them look foolish at the same time.

Damaso Marte held the fort down in the eighth inning and Santana did the same. It was on to the ninth.

Enter Sandman.

You hear the theme music and the Stadium erupts. Mariano Rivera steps out of the bullpen through the door and slowly makes the jog to the mound.

Cameras flashed everywhere (including my own) trying to capture the moment seeing number 42 with the interlocking "NY" on the cap, wearing white with navy blue pinstripes, no name and just the number on the back, as he makes his way to the pitchers mound.

When he came in, a sense of worry filled my mind. The stats were there to be seen. Of all the runs Rivera had given up during the season (eight), all but two came in games where the Yankees were either tied or trailing. It has to go as the oddest baseball query in this generation. How can a pitcher this great mysteriously struggle in these types of situations.

Mark Teixeira led off the inning with a walk and the crowd and I began to groan. We all knew the stats were in play again. Vladimir Guerrero then followed with a base hit to right field and pinch runner Reggie Willits motored from first to third base. Runners were now on the corners with no one out and the feeling of dread had taken over the Stadium.

On a 1-0 pitch, Torii Hunter took Rivera's pitch back up the middle for a base hit to give the Angels the lead 1-0. The only sounds you could hear were that of the Angels fans that found their way to The Bronx cheering. The rest of us were simply resigned to shaking our heads in disbelief. Rivera had once more struggled and gave a run in a tie game. By count, it has to be the fifth time this has happened this season.

There is something about the Angels to where this more often than not seems to happen. On Thursday, they clubbed the Yankees for three homerun and scored 12 runs. Now tonight, they were on the right side of this duel. Whether it is lucky bounces, great plays or clutch hits, the team with the red Halo on the hat seems to get it against them. For the last seven years, it has happened like this.

Rivera would eventually get through the inning not giving up another run, but the damage had been done. Now the game was in the hands of their closer, Francisco Rodriguez. As I looked around, many denizens choose to either beat traffic or subway congestion and headed for the exit. 35 other times the team had scored two runs or less. Facing their closer and this suddenly unbeatable team, it felt as if the Yankees were down by more than just run.

Alex Rodriguez struck out looking on a changeup for the first out. Jason Giambi (under going a 'stache correction at the plate) flied out to left field for the second. Robinson Cano ended it with a groundout to second base.

Final: Angels 1, Yankees 0

It was not the greatest birthday celebration I could want. Perhaps a little luck would rub off on the team tonight, but Santana, Rodriguez and the Angels took all of that away.

The strange thing was that I was not ready to leave yet. I looked around and knew that this reality of never seeing the place again could exist. I made sure I took some pictures of myself overlooking the field and the scoreboard. Even though the NYPD was ushering all of us to head out, I told one of them that I just wanted to savior the moments just a minute or two longer, which they allowed.

I just wanted to say goodbye, in case it really was for the last time.

As we exited and made entry to board the 4 train to head back into the city, I got a look at the outside of the New Yankee Stadium.

There is no doubt that the new place is going to be great, but things just will not be same. The bleachers, as we know it now, will no longer exist. More luxury boxes will be built. The price of the tickets are going up to where a good portion of people will either be priced out or will have to spend a larger amount than ever.

Times do in fact change. For one night though, they all stayed the same.

It was fun. Just hoping it will stay the same a little while longer.