Paper links!

I’ve come back, with a new thing I’m trying out. I’m going to post some stories from both local and national papers I enjoyed so that you may have some links to enjoy. Yes, I am trying to get more people to read newspapers!

Here goes local:

http://www.newsday.com/sports/baseball/mets/ny-sphow0413,0,1339592.column?track=rss

For some reason, Met fans like to boo, even Santana. I get the fact that they are weary about having last season repeat itself, but I worry about the way that these boos are coming out and really giving up on the team so quickly. New York is definitely a tough place to play, but if the fans are just going to boo, then I suggest they NOT come to the stadium at all. I can understand in a 10-2 game in the fourth inning, but when a rally starts, Met fans can be really quiet and not so loud, which is what I don’t understand. If they are so quick to boo, shouldn’t they be quick to cheer and applaud their team to help them rally?

http://www.newsday.com/sports/basketball/knicks/ny-spknix0414,0,1354712.story?track=rss

Another good article in Newsday about our beloved Knicks. I guess this should tell you all about the story “For his final act, Isiah Thomas directed a rarity this season: a long, hard practice. And afterward, he praised his thespians for a spirited performance on the fourth-to-last day of the season. "They really came out and busted their tails today," he said.”

Ahh, sarcasm can be such a powerful tool in the writing world. But sincere Knick fans are not only looking for Donnie Walsh to do something quickly, they are wanting a complete purging (sans David Lee). Be that as it may, I think Knick fans are going to see a pretty familiar roster next season, and they shouldn’t be surprised about that. Taking names off the cap or magically having teams want these players in a trade for draft picks is not going to happen, so Mr. Dolan may have to eat some contracts, which means he loses money, which coincidentally might be the only way to get through to him.

I don’t see the Knicks as a completely useless team because there is most definitely talent there, and Isiah for all his incompetence has done a fairly reasonable job of hording the talent boards to find good quality guys, but character must be of utmost importance. Somehow, through the crap storm came David Lee, Nate Robinson and some other guys they can retool around, but don’t expect major changes for 2008-2009 Knick fans. Saving will come, but that will come with some major decisions still yet to be played out, such as hiring of a head coach, GM and someone to figure out how to get to our fans other than the Garden’s idea of giving out free drinks and food for its last home game like they will tonight against Boston.

http://www.nypost.com/seven/04142008/news/regionalnews/a_yankee_hexcavation_106446.htm

As if it were the greatest thing dug up since Indiana Jones was on the trail of the Last Crusade, the Yankees finally dug up the Bosox jersey that was stuck in the visitor’s locker room by a very passionate Red Sox builder who wanted to put a hex on the Yankees new stadium. Of course, there is a few troubling things about this:

1. The construction workers who uncovered this, knew the exact location of the jersey and were able to dig it up precisely where it lay. Now, how would they know that unless they knew of the original spot prior to them making this shocking discovery? Lucky guess? I think not!

2. The jersey that was laid in the ground? David Ortiz. Ortiz’ batting average currently as it stands? .070 avg, with one homerun and three RBI’s. Hmm, who was this curse supposed to affect?

Of course this does give us a chance to get a quote from Uncle Hal Steinbrenner, you know the weird uncle that you worry about because he looks like he just came back from a weekend bender and he hangs out with too many college kids even at his age. He hoped that they kick the expletive out of the guy. The Yankees however did decide to donate the jersey to a Boston charity, which does bring me to the uncomfortable position of applauding them for doing an honorable thing.

http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/story.php?id=181432&ac=PHspt

Speaking of that curse on Ortiz.

http://www.nypost.com/seven/04142008/sports/mets/mota_hears_boos__then_closes_door_106403.htm

This story welcomed back our favorite Met reliever from last season, Guillermo Mota. He came in and threw a scoreless eighth inning, which shouldn’t surprise Met fans at this point, who have seen former Mets go on to do big things (see Brian Bannister).

http://www.dailynews.com/sports/ci_8858286

Cross Country, the LA Times columnist Kevin Modesti runs down the Golden rules of LA Sports which I found to be a fun column since the Dodgers are celebrating 50 years since they were stolen from Brooklyn, I mean left.

http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080414/SPORTS02/804140372/1048/sports

I’m wondering when we will see Detroit actually score some runs. They got blown out again in shutout fashion for the second straight game, and guess what, Jim Leyland is wondering where all the offense has gone as well.

http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080414/SPORTS02/304140002/1048

But have no fear Detroit, your pitching messiah may be coming up soon. His name is Rick Porcello, and he has a .064 ERA does the 19 year old. He’s a first round draft pick of the Tigers who in recent years are willing to deal with Scott Boras’ not yet major league ready clients than his major league ready clients, which is smart because at $7 million, they seem to be a lot less expensive.

http://www.star-telegram.com/sports/columnists/randy_galloway//story/552381.html

Atleast there is hope for your team Detroit, John Galloway from the Star-Telegram says there is none for those Texas Rangers.

http://www.star-telegram.com/sports/columnists/randy_galloway//story/550044.html

Mr. Galloway returns with a story on Jerry Jones spending his money wisely and not giving in to the rumors of trading into the top five for his alma mater’s favorite son, Darren McFadden. Its funny, because the Cowboys with their two first round draft picks are the only ones that can trade into the top five and yet, they will not because of the increasingly difficult financial position of paying these guys huge guaranteed contracts. Of course, Mr. Jones has not commented on paying Pacman yet, and guess what Jerry, Chris Henry wants to join you guys too!

Have fun folks!