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

Tuesday’s Thoughts

While thinking about whatever happened to the "Tiny Tot of the Killowatt", here is what's on my mind this morning:

* CC Sabathia and the New York Yankees reached an agreement that would keep the big lefty as a Yankee for the next 5 years. In the end, Sabathia did not want to leave New York and loves the idea that the Yankees are always in the hunt to win a championship. Sabathia joins a small group of pitching free agents that have actually succeeded in Pinstripes.

* I am truly amazed at Yankee fans who have such a hate on for Nick Swisher. The way I see it, Swisher has one year remaining on a $10.25 million contract. He has been productive in the regular season and is a great clubhouse presence. At the end of the 2012 season the Yankees can let him go. The refrain is that Swisher hasn't performed in October. I can't deny that but what about Mark Teixeira, who has 5 years remaining on a no-trade clause contract earning $22.5 million per year. By the way, Swisher's numbers as a Yankee in October: .160 BA 4 HR's 5 RBI's. Teixeira's numbers as a Yankee in October: .170 BA 3 HR's 12 RBI's. You tell me who needs to be held responsible???? Oh and by the way, Teixeira was batting third for the most part with plenty of opportunities for RBI's.

* The Toronto Maple Leafs dropped a 3-2 decision to the Ottawa Senators Sunday night. The Leafs seemed to be sluggish though they did have opportunities to tie the game late in the third period. It's apparent that the Leafs really need James Reimer back as Jonas Gustavsson misplayed a shot that resulted in the game winning goal that had Leaf fans thinking about the infamous Vesa Toskala's misplayed goal against the Buffalo Sabres. This game was also the first game that the Phil Kessel line did not register a point and was held in check fairly well. Clarke MacArthur did score both of the Leaf goals and that is obviously a good sign for the Mikhail Grabovski line. Once again the Leaf penalty killing was terrible. It allowed 2 power play goals and it is becoming increasingly frustrating to watch. The Leafs are next in action Wednesday at New Jersey against the Devils.

* Watched Browns Coach Pat Shurmur's press conference yesterday and I just get the feeling that he is in over his head. The Browns seriously need to hire an offensive coordinator next year. As for this season, Shurmur needs to be held accountable for not creating a gameplan that can help Colt McCoy and this offense to succeed. He needs to take advantage of McCoy's ability to throw on the run and once again I will ask the question: why not run the hurry up offense???

* Notre Dame is facing a difficult decision as to whether or not they want to remain a part of the Big East for all of their sports teams except football. There are rumblings that they may head to the Big 12 and develop their own television network similar to Texas. What has college athletics come to??? What a disgrace!!!

* Tony LaRussa announced his retirement yesterday. He goes out on top and baseball loses one of it great managers of the modern era.

* Buffalo sports fans never cease to amaze me. First, the constant cry from some that Jhonas Enroth should be the starting goaltender and Ryan Miller should be traded for some top line scorer. Ryan Miller is one of the best goalies in the world, not just in the NHL but in the world!!! Enroth is a nice backup and it may at some point make sense for the Sabres to look to move Enroth. Miller is the man and I will laugh like a hyena when at the end of his contract he bolts to Detroit to win a Stanley Cup a la Dominik Hasek.

* Secondly, I'm tired of the whining and crying about the Bills games being played in Toronto. This move was what was needed to keep the team in Buffalo. It increased season ticket sales by getting more Canadians to purchase them and it put more money into the pocket of the decrepit owner, Ralph Wilson and that is the bottom line for Mr. Wilson. I find it incredible that these so-called die hard Bills fans refuse to drive up the QEW to watch their beloved Bills play. Is it because they can't get stone cold drunk before the game up in Toronto???? Is the problem that Chester Cheektowaga can't get enough Old Milwaukee into his pie hole before the game. Maybe Louie Lackawanna can't get a passport?? I know it has to be that Danny Depew doesn't like the fact that he can't pick a fight with Mikey Marilla over who spilled the last bottle of Labatt's.

*It looks like Tebowmania is short-lived. I have never thought that Tim Tebow was a good quarterback. It has nothing to do with his religious beliefs. What it has to do with is that he is nothing more than a running quarterback and it won't play against NFL defenses.

* And finally, the Alabama-LSU game on Saturday night should be a good one to watch as it pits number one against number two. Do you think the geniuses at WGR 550 will spend one minute talking about it?? Hardly. I'm sure they will be more concerned with how many Egg McMuffins Howard Simon can down in 5 minutes.
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Yankee fans if you haven't already check out Yankee Rumblings Part I. Tomorrow morning Yankee Rumblings Part II will be posted