tonytalkssports My Take on Sports, particularly the Yankees, Maple Leafs and Browns

Tuesday’s Thoughts

While wondering if Hank Williams Jr. realizes that his mouth has sent him back to irrelevance, here's what is on my mind this morning:

* If you happened to watch last night's league championship games, you saw how big stars are suppose to deliver. Albert Pujols helped drive that free agency price tag up by going 4 for 5 and leading his Cardinals to a 12-3 shellacking of the Milwaukee Brewers in Milwaukee evening the series at 1-1. Meanwhile, Nelson Cruz delivered a game-tying home run and then a walk-off grand slam home run to lead his Rangers to a 7-3 extra inning win over the Detroit Tigers. Cruz' granny was the first walk-off grand slam in post season history and it came with no outs. Hmmmmm....and the Yankees couldn't get a fly out from their clean-up hitter.

* Rumors began circulating in the New York dailies over the weekend about the Yankees possibly moving Jesus Montero for a starting pitcher with Matt Cain of the San Francisco Giants being mentioned. Somehow I don't see it happening.

* Yesterday, Mike Francesa defended Brian Cashman and Joe Girardi like he was on the Yankee payroll. He attacked a caller who was questioning Cashman, screaming that the guy all Yankee fans wanted, Cliff Lee, blew Game 2 of the NLDS by coughing up a 4-0 lead. Francesa went on to say that everyone would have said that the Phillies were built for October and they got bounced so what does it mean to be "built for October". Mike's logic is skewed though because the Phillies were bounced because of a classic pitcher's duel between Roy Halladay and Chris Carpenter. As the caller pointed out and I agree, we knew that the Yankees were going to have a tough playoff run because of the pitching. I would still take the Phillies starting rotation over the Yankees any day.

* Not only did Francesa defend Cashman he praised him, saying this was one of his best years as a General Manager. Really, Mike. Could the Yankees have used Doug Fister, Mike??? How about Delmon Young, Mike??? Francesa also atacked a caller for questioning Joe Girardi and the manager's stubborness in keeping the same lineup intact. There were moves that Girardi could have made and I will critique Girardi tomorrow. It looks like Francesa wanted to make sure that his YES gig would continue for another year. C'mon Mike wake up!!!!

* The NBA cancelled the first two weeks of its season. Other than the people who work in the arenas and surrounding restaurants and bars does anybody really care??

* College athletics are in complete chaos as everyday we hear about this school going to one conference or another. The Air Force athletic director said it best when he said that his fellow ADs have sold out the student-athlete for the ability to earn more money by going to a higher profile conference. He's right and its flat out disgusting.

* If I ever pick the Atlanta Falcons to win another games as one of my weekly selctions, I should be punched right in the head. They should be ashamed of themselves and a trendy pick to make it to the Super Bowl will be lucky to win 10 games this year.

* And finally, R.I.P. Al Davis, President to the General Partner of the Oakland Raiders.