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.
**********************************************************************************************************
Yankee fans if you haven't already check out Yankee Rumblings Part I. Tomorrow morning Yankee Rumblings Part II will be posted

Tuesday’s Thoughts

While wondering when Donald Trump became a political godfather that every Republican candidate for President needs to have an audience with him, here's what is on my mind this morning:

* The Leafs lost a tough one last night to the Philadelphia Flyers 4-2 at the Wells Fargo Center in the City of Brotherly Love. Jonas Gustavsson had a strong game in goal for the Leafs easing the worries of Leaf Nation after his shaky relief appearance on Saturday night. The Flyer line of Jaromir Jagr-Claude Giroux-Scott Hartnell accounted for all of the Flyer goals as Hartnell had 2 and Jagr scored 2 on 3 breakaways against Gustavsson. Phil Kessel continued his hot start with his ninth goal giving the Leafs an early 1-0 lead. David Steckel scored with about 8 minutes left in the third period to close the margin to 3-2. Unfortunately, the Leafs were pressing for the tying goal and John-Michael Liles got caught in his own zone which led to Jagr's third breakaway and second goal that put the game away.

* The Leafs close out their road trip against the New York Rangers on Thursday night and it is being reported that James Reimer should be back along with Tyler Bozak and the long-awaited debut of Tim Connolly. What is amazing is how Phil Kessel and Joffrey Lupul have been able to perform quite well while having a different centers. I hope that Connolly will be able to kick-start the Leaf power play which has been less than adequate.

* While in Cleveland on Saturday night was at a sports bar called The Winking Lizard in downtown Cleveland to watch the Maple Leafs-Canadiens game. What was amazing was the number of Leafs fan in the bar. When Mikhail Grabovski scored the game winning goal in overtime, the place erupted with the chant of "Go Leafs Go". It was funny looking at the faces of the other bar patrons who were there watching college football or the World Series. Leaf Nation is everywhere and it was in full force in downtown Cleveland on Saturday. By the way, if you are in Cleveland and you want to watch a game go to the Winking Lizard. Good food, drink specials and plenty of TVs.

* John Kruk is the biggest blowhard on ESPN. The former Phillie first baseman tries to be outlandish making strong comments and being real authoritative. Sunday morning Kruk boldly stated that Albert Pujols' 5 for 6 three home run night was the greatest feat in World Series history. It surpassed Babe Ruth's two-3 home run games and Reggie Jackson's 3 home run night in Game 6 of the 1977 World Series. Kruk is way off base here . While I can't speak to Ruth's games, Jackson's 3 home runs were in the World Series clinching game. Jackson had 5 RBI's and the Yankees won the game 8-4. Reggie's home runs were the margin of victory. Pujols' home runs were not and it was in Game 3 in a World Series that finds his Cardinals one game from the brink of elimination. Once again Kruk has shot his mouth off. His anti-Yankee bias is disgusting.

* This NFL season has been a roller coaster ride as each week's designated super team stumbles. Last night on ESPN Sportscenter, Mike Greenberg anointed the Baltimore Ravens as the team to beat in the AFC. Lo and behold, on their way to the Super Bowl the Ravens were defeated by the Jacksonville Jaguars 12-7. You can say whatever you want but Joe Flacco does not inspire me as a franchise quarterback. He's a good quarterback but I don't believe he is a Super Bowl winning quarterback.

* The Mike Francesa-Darrell Revis flap has been really entertaining to follow. It appears that Mike has backed off a little by saying that there are others who believe that there was no pass interference on the play that involved Revis and Brandon Marshall last Monday night. One of those who thought it was a clean play was Phil Simms. It will be interesting to see if anything is brought up when Simms appears on Mike's NFL Now show on Sunday.

* Notre Dame's disappointing performance against USC Saturday night at South Bend makes it hard to consider the Irish back as a top football program. It is amazing that Notre Dame has killed itself throughout the season with self-inflicted wounds by committing turnovers in the red zone. If they were able to hang onto the ball, they could really only have one loss this year.

* And finally, this weekend the Buffalo Bills will be playing the Washington Redskins in Toronto and I'm sure we will here the yearly whining about having a game at Rogers Center. What people in WNY don't realize if it wasn't for this arrangement, Ralph Wilson would have been attempting to move the team years ago. With the Bills doing much better this year, I wonder how many Louie Lackawannas will make the trip up the QEW.

Tuesday’s Thoughts

While wondering if Herman Cain becomes President, if we will receive a piece of pizza with our tax returns, here's what is on my mind this morning:

* The Maple Leafs were lucky to earn a point last night against the Colorado Avalanche as they lost 3-2 in overtime. While he made some nice saves, James Reimer let in two softies and the young netminder wished that he could have those two shots back. In addition, the Leafs power play continues to struggle as they have only score 2 goals with the man advantage. It sure would be nice if this can catch fire before they hit the road on Thursday.

* Phil Kessel continued his hot hand scoring the Leafs first goal last night. It was nice to see the Grabovski line finally get on the score sheet as Nikolai Kulemin scored to tie the game late in the third period. It was a great effort by Kulemin as he held the puck in the zone and then headed to the net to slam a rebound home past J.S. Giguere. The Leafs will need the Grabovski line to start scoring if they are to be successful this season. Toronto is back at it Wednesday against Winnipeg. A Leaf win will end the homestand at 4-0-1.

* The Jim Schwartz-Jim Harbaugh confrontation Sunday was all on Schwartz. After watching the replay numerous times, Schwartz went back at Harbaugh and was looking for trouble. Schwartz has a chip on his shoulder and apparently was yelling at Harbaugh during the game when the rookie coach challenged a scoring play. This year in the NFL, you can't challenge scoring plays as all scoring plays are automatically reviewed. Schwartz was yelling, "Know the Rules." The guy is classless and I would love to see his Lions spiral out of relevancy. He is a punk.

* The state of the Cleveland Browns continues to perplex long-time fans. Most Browns fans had no illusions of playoffs or even a winning season this year. But it would be nice to see some growth and progression particularly with the offense and that has not been the case. Maybe it has to do with having a rookie coach and basically a rookie quarterback. The defense seems to be adjusting well to the 4-3 defense. It is headed up by veteran coach Dick Jauron. Hmmmm....sounds like it could be the offensive coordinator which also happens to be Head Coach Pat Shurmur.

*The World Series begins tomorrow with the St.Louis Cardinals hosting the Texas Rangers. FOX must be sick as this Series will generate hardly a blip in the major media markets like New York, Chicago and Los Angeles. In fact, not sure how much buzz it will generate over the weekend in Dallas with the Cowboys and Longhorns in action. I'm rooting for the Cardinals, hopefully in 7 games.

* Jon Lester admitted that he was a part of the beer and fried chicken triplets. I found it amazing that Lester was outraged that the source wasn't man enough to identify himself. How about being outraged that you are a professional athlete who acted as if you were some beer league softball player??

* Not sure if the Cubs are making the right move with hiring Theo Epstein. Hopefully, he can turn things around. The Red Sox had to be joking if they thought the Cubs were going to give them Matt Garza as compensation for hiring Epstein. It will be interesting to see what the Cubs do with Prince Fielder and possibly Albert Pujols on the free agent market.

* I was watching the Kansas State-Texas Tech game Saturday and I was thinking to myself how entertaining Big 12 football is as most teams can really light up the scoreboard. The president of the Big 12 should be hammered for allowing the Texas Longhorns to have their own television network which has in effect destroyed one of the most entertaining conferences in college football and the NCAA should be ashamed for allowing it.

* And finally, the bandwagon got a little lighter Sunday night as the Buffalo Bills lost to the New York Giants. Bills fans need to get a grip. If someone told them before the season that the Bills would be 4-2 at the bye week they would have been ecstatic. The fact remains that they have been opportunistic and that has resulted in their wins. Cincinnati and the Giants limited turnovers and the Bills lost. The Chester Cheektowagas of the world need to enjoy the ride. As one Bills fan told me yeaterday, at least this year the games are entertaining.