New Jersey is a state used to being thrown in the middle of sports debates. Where do the Jets and Giants actually call home? Will the Nets (yes they are still in the NBA) be playing in the Garden State the next 5-7 years? Tony Soprano, Rutgers fan extraordinaire. New Jersey native, Jack Nicholson and his red Yankee hat. Yes, we are no strangers to being in the middle but most people don't realize that New York is not the only city upon which Jersey residents bestow their sports love.
For those of us living in the upper half of the state, when it comes to baseball, our hearts typically belong to the Mets or Yankees. But the southern half of New Jersey has been more exposed to the Philadelphia teams and proudly roots for them with just as much passion.
The Turnpkie World Series puts these split allegiances on display for all to see. The Phillies have done a good job fostering New Jersey bonds by implanting their highly successful single A affiliate team, the Lakewood Blueclaws in the heart of Ocean County. Many fans have been able to see Philadelphia stars, Cole Hamels and Ryan Howard grow right in their own backyards. And the Yankees, no strangers stellar marketing moves, invade Southern Jersey too with their AAA team in Trenton.
No matter what side you're rooting for this year, the Series is sure to stir up some heated local passions. Try to keep it clean tri-state area!
Go Yankees!
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Little League Yankee Dreams
The MSG crew chats with some of our favorite past and present New York Yankees. Check it out as they share stories and words of wisdom about their Little League days.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Happy Birthday Robinson Cano
Happy Birthday Mr. Robinson Cano... go out there and give yourself the gift of a World Series!
Friday, October 16, 2009
Modell's Steals From Bald Vinny: Yankee Fans Hope To Steal Game One
"Fans are the only ones who really care. There are no free-agent fans." ~Dick Young
Tonight kicks off the ALCS when the Yankees face those pesky Angels at the Stadium. Despite the outrageous ticket prices... cold temperatures, windy skies and heavy rain will not keep Yankee fans away from showing their Pinstriped Pride.
In fact, while on the road many Yankee players have expressed their gratitude at being serenaded by familiar faces donning the latest in creative Yankee fan-gear. The Yes Network created three years of original programming around this very passion and I was blessed to be a part of it. But there's more to all of this than meets the eye.
When a fan takes the time to purchase a hat or jersey - we are saying just as much about ourselves as the player or team we choose to don and nobody knows this better than Vinny Milano. His creative tee-shirts have spoken the very slogans and mantras us fans can relate most to. He's captured the essence of Yankee culture, time and time again. But what's even more is that "Bald Vinny" is out there every day, every night...doing his thing as business man. He's turned his passion into a career...something we all aspire to do.
So the fact that Modell's felt compelled to rip of his Swisher Salute slogan is not surprising. Big business has its way with us so often and it's something we can rarely control. After hearing from Nick Swisher's people that not only did Nick pass on the idea when it was pitched to him but that Swishalicious endorses Vinny's shirt wholeheartedly...I headed to Modell's to return some Jets' merchandise that I purchased earlier in the week.
Yankee fans will not stop loving this team even though the organization takes itself way too seriously. Especially since we know the players appreciate us in the most amazing ways. When all of this went down, I was reminded of a conversation that I had with a very popular Yankee during filming Ultimate Roadtrip for the Yes Network. He'd been trying to get his agent to have him appear on the show but the organization shot it down (three times). Funny, that a show about fans' devotion to the team would so rarely include on camera expressions of that wonderful ride.
Fans are the most essential element to this whole professional sports thing, yet so often we are the lowest on the totem pole. We know that we aren't appreciated by the suits who saunter down to their expensive seats once a year, we know the advertisers love to exploit us every chance they get. But we also know none of that matters because we are in this For Love of the Game and not the show of things.
Keep your ripoff merchandise...we'll take the authentic path.
Tonight kicks off the ALCS when the Yankees face those pesky Angels at the Stadium. Despite the outrageous ticket prices... cold temperatures, windy skies and heavy rain will not keep Yankee fans away from showing their Pinstriped Pride.
In fact, while on the road many Yankee players have expressed their gratitude at being serenaded by familiar faces donning the latest in creative Yankee fan-gear. The Yes Network created three years of original programming around this very passion and I was blessed to be a part of it. But there's more to all of this than meets the eye.
When a fan takes the time to purchase a hat or jersey - we are saying just as much about ourselves as the player or team we choose to don and nobody knows this better than Vinny Milano. His creative tee-shirts have spoken the very slogans and mantras us fans can relate most to. He's captured the essence of Yankee culture, time and time again. But what's even more is that "Bald Vinny" is out there every day, every night...doing his thing as business man. He's turned his passion into a career...something we all aspire to do.
So the fact that Modell's felt compelled to rip of his Swisher Salute slogan is not surprising. Big business has its way with us so often and it's something we can rarely control. After hearing from Nick Swisher's people that not only did Nick pass on the idea when it was pitched to him but that Swishalicious endorses Vinny's shirt wholeheartedly...I headed to Modell's to return some Jets' merchandise that I purchased earlier in the week.
Yankee fans will not stop loving this team even though the organization takes itself way too seriously. Especially since we know the players appreciate us in the most amazing ways. When all of this went down, I was reminded of a conversation that I had with a very popular Yankee during filming Ultimate Roadtrip for the Yes Network. He'd been trying to get his agent to have him appear on the show but the organization shot it down (three times). Funny, that a show about fans' devotion to the team would so rarely include on camera expressions of that wonderful ride.
Fans are the most essential element to this whole professional sports thing, yet so often we are the lowest on the totem pole. We know that we aren't appreciated by the suits who saunter down to their expensive seats once a year, we know the advertisers love to exploit us every chance they get. But we also know none of that matters because we are in this For Love of the Game and not the show of things.
Keep your ripoff merchandise...we'll take the authentic path.
Monday, October 12, 2009
Yankees Sweep Twins: Advance to the ALCS
Last night the Yankees earned a full week off when they swept the Minnesota Twins thanks to the stellar pitching magic of ever faithful, Andy Pettite. In fact, if that old addage about pitching winning championships is true....the Bombers are sitting pretty. In a short series anything can happen and often does but the Yankees pitching staff held it down from start to finish. While we all know there are stilll 8 big wins needed to nab World Championship number 27...right now, it's hard to imagine that anyone can stop them.
Alex Rodriguez seems to have taken a maturity pill and a long look in the mirror. After last night's clinching win, in which he was clutchy-clutch, the slugger said, "I am content both on and off the field." (Possibly, the understatement of the year?) AJ Burnett and CC Sabathia gave the Yankees an edge that had been missing these last few years in the starting rotation. And of course, Derek Jeter was Derek Jeter. But the most positive sign in all of this is that the series win was a total team effort, offering shades of those great Yankee teams of the late 90's.
And so, with a push from Destiny, the Yankees are on to the next round but the quest for 27 certainly won't be easy. Up next for New York is the troublesome Angels of California or Anaheim or Los Angeles. (It matters not what we call them because, until recently they have had the Yankees number.) But these are not the same Yankees. There is no Kyle Farnsworth or Sidney Ponson ready to get knocked around. A-Rod has confidence (Watch out now)...and Mark Teixeira is lurking with his Golden Glove and MVP caliber bat. And for the first time in a long time, the Yankees have role players ready to play their part...hello, Nick Swisher.
One point of concern is Joe Girardi's tendency to "over-manage" when it comes to the bullpen. He made some decisions that could have easily led to a rapid undoing but winning certainly disguises those flaws. The Angels are a smart team and they've mastered the art of small ball so they're not likely to make the same mental base running errors that Minnesota did. Everything is kicked up a notch in the ALCS, the pressure and the prize will be greater.
But even with all the challenges ahead, this team is on a mission and it doesn't seem to matter what is in their way. Plus, I can't think of a better way to christen the inaugural season of the new Stadium than with some World Series glory, can you?
Alex Rodriguez seems to have taken a maturity pill and a long look in the mirror. After last night's clinching win, in which he was clutchy-clutch, the slugger said, "I am content both on and off the field." (Possibly, the understatement of the year?) AJ Burnett and CC Sabathia gave the Yankees an edge that had been missing these last few years in the starting rotation. And of course, Derek Jeter was Derek Jeter. But the most positive sign in all of this is that the series win was a total team effort, offering shades of those great Yankee teams of the late 90's.
And so, with a push from Destiny, the Yankees are on to the next round but the quest for 27 certainly won't be easy. Up next for New York is the troublesome Angels of California or Anaheim or Los Angeles. (It matters not what we call them because, until recently they have had the Yankees number.) But these are not the same Yankees. There is no Kyle Farnsworth or Sidney Ponson ready to get knocked around. A-Rod has confidence (Watch out now)...and Mark Teixeira is lurking with his Golden Glove and MVP caliber bat. And for the first time in a long time, the Yankees have role players ready to play their part...hello, Nick Swisher.
One point of concern is Joe Girardi's tendency to "over-manage" when it comes to the bullpen. He made some decisions that could have easily led to a rapid undoing but winning certainly disguises those flaws. The Angels are a smart team and they've mastered the art of small ball so they're not likely to make the same mental base running errors that Minnesota did. Everything is kicked up a notch in the ALCS, the pressure and the prize will be greater.
But even with all the challenges ahead, this team is on a mission and it doesn't seem to matter what is in their way. Plus, I can't think of a better way to christen the inaugural season of the new Stadium than with some World Series glory, can you?
Tuesday, October 06, 2009
Wake Up The Ghosts: Yankee Playoff Preview
Yankee fans have long suspected that October’s air turns cold because of all those great ghosts swirling around, blessing each magical moment with their Mystique and Aura but the last few seasons have been void of such luxuries. There was that distracting Joe Torre drama and the never ending follies of Alex Rodriguez to consider. There were pitching problems and bullpen blunders. Surely, the goal has always been the same, to win the World Series but in this inaugural season of the New Stadium – the Yankees are undeniably heading into the playoffs with a renewed sense of purpose and a playful spirit absent these last few years.
For the Bombers, the 2009 season has been colored with dramatic comebacks on the field and punctuated with a youthful chemistry reminiscent of days past. The impressive play of free-agent pickups Mark Teixeira and CC Sabathia combined with the unmatched reliability of Derek Jeter and Mariano Rivera has fueled each victory with an almost uncanny distinction but everyone knows the playoffs are a completely different animal….Here are five things that must happen for the Yankees to make the Canyon of Heroes its Autumn Home for a mind boggling 27th time… (-more- for the full post, please visit www.jetnation.com)
For the Bombers, the 2009 season has been colored with dramatic comebacks on the field and punctuated with a youthful chemistry reminiscent of days past. The impressive play of free-agent pickups Mark Teixeira and CC Sabathia combined with the unmatched reliability of Derek Jeter and Mariano Rivera has fueled each victory with an almost uncanny distinction but everyone knows the playoffs are a completely different animal….Here are five things that must happen for the Yankees to make the Canyon of Heroes its Autumn Home for a mind boggling 27th time… (-more- for the full post, please visit www.jetnation.com)
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Most Important Joba Rule: Don't Stink!
The kids are back to school, the season is winding down and the Yankees just won a series in Anaheim for the first time since 2004 but even the most optimistic fan knows nothing is guaranteed. There's no doubt Yankee/Red Sox match-ups in autum can get the juices flowing but aren't we are all wondering, exactly which Joba Chamberlain will take the hill tomorrow in the Bronx? Will it be the fist-pumping, trash-talking, confident flame-throwing Joba or will the rule be that Mr. Chamberlain continues to wither under the weight of great expectations?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
