Bleacher Report - Articles by Brenden Monroe

Mo Money Mo Problems? Not If You're Eli Manning

Brenden Monroe — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 17:32:26 -0400

Eli Manning has recently signed a record six-year, $97.5 million dollar deal.

Now that Eli Manning can make it rain on some chicks in the club (or anywhere else), there will be a lot of pressure on him to perform well this year, especially coming off a terrible end to the 2008 season.

Sure, making a lot of money in New York puts a ton of pressure on you to produce (just ask A-Rod), but Eli is in the perfect situation to succeed.

Yes, losing their biggest weapon (pun intended) at wide reciever hurt them last year, but the Giants have had a full regimen of OTAs and training camp drills that will have this offense flowing again. If Eli struggles in a game, he has a Mack truck named Brandon Jacobs who can carry the load and force single coverage on the wide receivers.

When it comes to the defense, there may be no better in the NFC. With Osi Umenyiora and Justin Tuck anchoring the line, the opposing quarterbacks will need to take out a life insurance policy before the game.

As the saying goes: Defense wins championships.

If Eli struggles, he can just pull a Trent Dilfer and ride the defense's coattails into the big game. The bottom line is, Eli will usually not have to win the games; he will only have to avoid blowing them.

When you combine a Super Bowl-winning quarterback with a great running game and stellar defense, you have the recipe for a Super Bowl ring. Winning another championship would make Eli's contract worth every penny.

Who knows? Maybe with all his new money, Eli can stop doing those stupid Oreo commercials.

Captain Amazing: Is Derek Jeter the Greatest Yankee Of All Time?

Brenden Monroe — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 02:13:05 -0400

This past Saturday, Derek Jeter passed Louis Aparicio to become the all-time hits leader at the shortstop position.

With the Yankees on a tear this year, the Derek Jeter Era is still going strong. He is a constant professional and the captain of arguably the most recognized franchise in all of sports.

Since every sports fan likes to debate with one another, I decided to ask this question:

Is Derek Jeter the greatest Yankee ever?

He has some stiff competition:

Babe Ruth-

The Sultan of Swat, The Colossus of Clout, The Great Bambino.

If there are baseball gods, then Ruth is their Zeus. He is the greatest baseball player of all time and christened the original Yankee Stadium. Long home runs are now refered to as "Ruthian Blasts", and the reason why the Yankees wear pinstripes is because it made him look slimmer.

Off the field, he was said to never have turned down an autograph request from a kid and he was featured in a few feature films (he played himself in Pride of the Yankees, a biopic about fellow Yankee Lou Gehrig).

The only strike against Ruth is that he did not play his entire career with the Yankees, but I am not really holding that against him.

Yogi Berra-

This man has a World Series ring for every finger. All of his 10 championships came as a Yankee. He is the most revered living Yankee and is the greatest catcher of all time.

Great Yankee players are defined by their skills, their heart, and by how many rings they wear.

Yogi may be one of baseball's great characters, but he is also baseball's ultimate champion.

Lou Gehrig-

Gehrig was the cleanup hitter for the famed Yankees lineup "murderer's row". Although a humble and quiet person, on the field, his bat and glove did the talking. In seven World Series, he hit .361 with 10 homeruns and also won two regular season MVP awards.

The Iron Horse also played in 2,130 consecutive games and spent his entire career in a Yankees uniform.

Everyone knows about his tragic death; he carried himself with dignity and grace throughout the whole ordeal.

Don Mattingly-

Donnie Baseball was one of the hardest workers day in and day out. He was a great fielder and has a batting title and an MVP trophy to his name. When he finally made the playoffs in 1995, he belted a clutch home run against the Mariners that sent the Stadium into a frenzy.

The only thing going against Mattingly is that he never won a World Series, or even played in one. He only made the playoffs once, but the fans' love for him could be the reason why he may be the greatest Yankee.

He is the only player on this list (other than Jeter) that is not in the Hall of Fame. If Yankee fans had their way, he would be.

Joe Dimaggio-

The Yankee Clipper. Dimaggio once said, "I want to thank the good Lord for making me a Yankee".

The Yankees should thank the good Lord for whatever scout found him playing for the Seals in the Pacific Coast League.

Dimaggio played in 10 World Series and the Yankees won nine of them. Surprisingly, Dimaggio only hit .271 in 199 at-bats.

The bottom line is he won, and his 56-game hitting streak is one of those baseball records that will never be broken.

Mickey Mantle-

Mantle was a part of seven World Championship teams, but injuries really hampered his World Series statistics; however, he did hit an amazing 18 home runs in 230 at-bats.

He has three MVP awards and one Triple Crown in his long list of accomplishments.

Talking about his career usually leads to the question: What if?

If Mantle had taken better care of himself, he could have easily been the greatest player in baseball history.

Now, we return to the main subject of this story: Derek Jeter.

As mentioned earlier, Jeter has the most hits of any shortstop ever and barring any injuries, is a lock to be the first Yankee to reach 3,000 hits.

"Mr. November" has been to six World Series and he has won four of them. His postseason accolades are up there with the greats, including the epic home run he hit in 2001 against the Diamondbacks. His play "the flip" against Oakland in the 2000 ALDS saved their season and is considered to be one of the most iconic plays in Yankee history.

He has been to ten All-Star games and is the only player to win the All-Star and World Series MVP in the same year. Other awards include three Gold Gloves and three Silver Sluggers.

Jeter also holds the record for the most hits in the Original Yankee Stadium. When he retires, he will no doubtedly be a first-ballot Hall of Famer.

Off the field, his Turn 2 Foundation has helped thousands of children. Jeter is also the gold standard of player interviews; he never says the wrong thing.

My personal favorite Jeter quote is: "there is a difference between being hurt, and being injured." He shows up to play everyday.

So now I turn it over to you:

Who is the greatest Yankee? Is it Jeter?

Lights, Cameras, Baseball! The Top 10 Baseball Movies of All Time

Brenden Monroe — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 23:58:49 -0400

With the Yankees on a West Coast road trip I had to come up with something to do between the hours of 7 to 10 pm. Why not watch a movie about baseball? Here are the best: One note: The documentary “Baseball” by Ken Burns isn’t on the list because it is so well made that it blows away anything on this list. Just missing the cut- Eight Men Out, For the Love of the Game, Cobb Write a comment, tell me your favorites.

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MLB Trading Deadline: Team Grades

Brenden Monroe — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 13:15:56 -0400

Well the MLB trade deadline has come and gone and I have finally been able to digest all of the moves. Some big names like Martinez and Peavy moved, but others like Halladay did not. Sometimes, the big names aren't the ones who bring the results and the aquisition of a role player is the reason why a team ends up on top. How did your team do? Please comment with what you think!

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Memories May Fade, But Legends Never Die: Old Timer's Day 2009

Brenden Monroe — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 23:53:22 -0400

Old Timer's Day 2009

Sunday, July 19 proved to be great day in the Bronx. It wasn’t just beautiful weather, it was the gathering of the memorable names and legends associated with the most successful franchise in sports.

As mentioned, the weather was perfect; it was the definition of a perfect day for baseball. This was very good news for me because I had already tried to go to two Old-Timer’s day games in the past, unfortunately both of those had been rained out.

This Old Timer’s Day main theme was the homecoming of two recent Yankee greats: Mike Mussina and Don Zimmer.

Moose’s return was weird to see because many fans believe he could still be pitching right now (The Yankees definitely miss his arm). I overheard a few creative fans yell out to him “What are you doing this Tuesday?” referring to the news that Sergio Mitre was starting in place of Wang. Mussina said he was happy being retired, and that he was glad ended his career on a good note by winning 20 games.

Popeye’s return was long overdue, and it was great to see Torre’s right hand man return to the Bronx. After leaving the Bronx under bad terms, Zimmer became an advisor for his hometown Tampa Bay Rays and had vowed never to wear a Yankee uniform again.

His mind had definitely changed Sunday when he said “Coming back here and seeing your friends, it’s special.” It was definitely special for the fans, who gave Zimmer a loud, standing ovation; Zimmer’s ovation was the kind usually reserved for Don Mattingly or Yogi Berra. The warm welcome visibly moved Zimmer as it brought tears to his eyes.

The usual names appeared: Bucky Dent, Mickey Rivers, Roy White, Rick Cerrone, Goose Gossage, and of course the oldests greats being Don Larsen, Yogi Berra and Whitey Ford.

The biggests cheers were reserved for Yogi, Whitey Ford, Don Larsen, Bucky Dent, Don Zimmer, and another welcomed face, Mel Stottlemeyer.

Although it was a great day for baseball, the reporter and Yankee fanatic in me found some flaws.

Where were the players from the recent dynasty?

David Cone, Jeff Nelson, Chad Curtis and Joe Girardi (where else would he be?) were there, but guys like Paul O’Neill, Tino Martinez, and Scott Brosius were not. I know they aren’t that old, but Old Timer’s day is about seeing your pinstriped heroes. Those guys were just that for many fans around my age (21) as we grew up in late 90’s and early 2000’s. Every former player has circumstances that may keep them from attending, but let’s hope we see them all back there in the future.

Where were Dave Winfield and Rickey Henderson?

I am sure they both got invitations, but it would have been nice to see Hall of Famer Dave Winfield and the soon to be inducted Rickey Henderson on the field. They have both been there in the past, so I am sure they both got invites.

What the hell was Keith Olbermann doing announcing the game?

Don’t get me wrong, it was a great idea to have two people announce the game, especially when one of them is hall of fame announcer Bob Wolffe (he called Larsen’s perfect game). I know Olbermann has done it the past few years with him, but what connection does he have to the Yankees other then probably a friend high up in the organization? He got a standing boo from the Yankee faithful when introduced to the crowd.

I don’t know how it was on the YES Network, but I was there and could barely hear them over the loudspeakers.

Speaking of loud-speakers, Susan Waldman needs to retire.

Her on field interviews almost ruined the day for me. The game would be rolling smoothly and then all of the sudden a high-pitched, out of placed voice would come over the loudspeakers. I’m talking about the same voice that was screaming about how Roger Clemens was coming back.

If Bob Shepard has the voice of God, (which he does) then Susan Waldman has the voice of….well, I can’t write what I want to, because that would be slander. Then again it isn’t slander if it’s true, right?

Old Timer’s day is truly a one of a kind, remarkable event that only happens once a year in the Bronx. Although I listed some flaws, it turned out to be a great day for Yankee fans in the Stadium, and those viewing it on television. I just hope the recent Yankee greats that I mentioned earlier show up on a more consistent basis, because if they don’t, Old Timer’s day will become just another memory.

For more on the Yankees please check out www.smokingwithhank.wordpress.com

John Henry Declares War on The Yankees

Brenden Monroe — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 01:55:03 -0400

Just when you thought the race in the AL East was heating up, the flames just got some gasoline poured on them.

Here’s the scoop from Peter Abraham’s LOHUD Blog:

"Red Sox owner John Henry is a smart guy. He played hedge funds to make a fortune, picked Theo Epstein to be his GM and put seats on top of the Green Monster. He just married a woman half his age.

So why was he on Twitter (John_W_Henry) posting this tonight?

News from Yankees’ Universe. Big upsurge in membership. Apparently coming mostly from Pluto. Not doing nearly as well on Mars.

Seriously? Your team is in first place (for now) and you’re making cracks on the Yankees for having a fan club they modeled after Red Sox Nation?

Note to Hal Steinbrenner: Leave Twitter to Hank. Take the high road."

You hear that John Henry? We aren’t sending out our negotiator Hal; prepare yourself for the one man wrecking crew we Yankee fans like to call Hank Steinbrenner.

This is your time Hank, we have been waiting all season for you to speak and there is no better time than now.

I also hope John Henry realizes the “Yankees Universe” T-shirts are sold to raise money for the Sloan-Kettering Cancer Foundation and most Yankee fans have never uttered the phrase “I am a member of the Yankees Universe.”

Back down now John, Hank’s coming out with guns ablaze.

Life of Luxury: An Inside Look at Yankee Stadium's Legend Seats

Brenden Monroe — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 02:26:44 -0400

View from directly behind the dugout in Yankee Stadium Legends Seating

Billed by the Yankees as a “once in a lifetime opportunity”, the legends seats at Yankee stadium are among the most expensive in sports with prices on Stub Hub ranging from $600 up to a whopping $6,000 per ticket.

With prices like that, it truly is a once in a lifetime opportunity for the average fan with an average income.

Those prices are the reason why you see a lot of empty seats near the field when you turn on the TV or go to the Stadium.

I am lucky enough to have a friend, John “Big Dog” Nemec, who is my connection to sit in the Legends seats. Of all the stadiums I’ve been to, and all of the places I have sat, they are the best seats in sports.

Big Dog on left, my Dad on right

First of all, there are four restaurants just for Legends seats owners, including the Kettle Lounge and two restaurants right in the entrance to the Legends seats. Each Legends restaurant is all you can eat, and everything other than alcohol is included in your ticket.

Where else do you get to walk through the bar and say “What's up” to Brandon Jacobs and the rest of the NY Giants (yes I did)?

Let’s face it, being around celebrities is pretty cool.

Right now, you are probably saying “Why do I want to keep reading this article written by some spoiled college kid?”

I drive a 1998 Toyota Camry and go to a State College. I don’t pay for these tickets, and if I paid for tickets, I would probably only be able to afford an obstructed view in the bleachers.

OK, now back to the fun stuff.

Fun like right after Castillo dropped the ball

The seats themselves are great, with lots of leg room, even for yours truly (I am 6′6″). The padded seats are nice, but on a hot summer day those things will burn a hole in your shorts (I’m sure you feel really bad for everyone that sits there now).

Unless you’ve got to use the bathroom, you never have to leave your seat. Each section has their own server who gets you anything from cheesecake on a stick to Philly Cheese Steak, and even Sushi.

Nobody should be allowed to eat Sushi at a baseball game.

Just like the old stadium, many people who sit down there have no idea what’s going on. Surprisingly, there are people who could actually name the Yankees' starting lineup down there.

My rough estimate is something like this:

60 percent of the people are there just to say they sat there and have no idea what’s going on.

25 percent of people actually know what’s going on.

15 percent of people kinda have some idea of what’s happening but don’t care enough to pay attention.

The bottom line is:

If you have the money, the seats are worth every penny. If you are the die-hard Yankee fan like me, you will love being close to the players, but you will yearn for the atmosphere of the bleachers.

If you ever get the chance to sit there, take it. It is an experience like no other.

I hope you got a little taste of what it is like to sit in the Legends Seats at Yankee Stadium.

Also seen at www.smokingwithhank.wordpress.com

The Top 10 Presidential Pitches

Brenden Monroe — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 02:23:31 -0400

Barack Obama made headlines this week, not in the White House, but on the mound in St. Louis. This got me thinking...what are the greatest Presidential pitches of all-time? Democratic and Republican Presidents alike have thrown out the first pitch to mark Opening days, All-Star, and World Series games since 1910.

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Problems Looming in the Bronx: The Second Half Concerns of the New York Yankees

Brenden Monroe — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 02:46:45 -0400

The Yankees have had a very promising first half, but they have also had their share of problems. This slideshow will profile some of the major concerns facing the team from the Bronx. There are still a lot of games to be played. The Yankees need to prove that they can beat playoff caliber teams, but the biggest thing for them is to stay healthy. Here are the second half concerns of the New York Yankees: Please comment with any other concerns that you think they may have!

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Missing "The Boss": Where Is George?

Brenden Monroe — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 23:18:54 -0400

Yankees owner George Steinbrenner just celebrated his 79th birthday this past fourth of July, and it got me thinking: Where is George?

Steinbrenner is more than an owner—he is an icon. Name another owner who has hired/fired 20 managers in a 30 year span.

How about fire one of those managers five seperate times?

What other owner has been parodied on one of the highest rated shows of all time? Hosted Saturday Night Live?

How about win six World Series titles?

Up until a couple years ago, baseball fans could expect to hear a Steinbrenner quote at least once a month. Now, things are very different.

When you think of Yankees owner George Steinbrenner, you think of a man who is not afraid to voice his opinion.

George voicing his opinion to Torre

Due to what is most likely health problems, his opinion hasn’t been heard in a long time.

Steinbrenner’s health came into question a couple of years ago when he fainted at a friends’ funeral. Since that time, he has made less trips from Tampa up to the Bronx, with the most notable apperance at last year's All-Star Game and the opening day of this year.

Yogi and George during the last year at Yankee Stadium

Hank and Hal are now at the helm of the Yankees empire and have taken the same ownership style as their father. Hank is definitely the quote machine that his father was, while Hal does his work behind the scenes.

A few years ago, if the Yankees played a bad game like they did on Saturday, George would be the first person quoted in the next morning’s paper. Now, even Hank doesn’t say anything to the press after putting his foot in his mouth more than once last year.

George has wanted a new stadium for years and he finally got to see his new stadium host it’s first game this past April. Let’s hope he can see his team win one more championship as well.

The reason why I am writing this is because love him or hate him, you have to respect George Steinbrenner. He is an owner who has done everything in his power to try to help the Yankees win championships.

What more can a fan ask for?

Brought to you by www.smokingwithhank.wordpress.com

What If?: Moments That Could Have (not) Defined Baseball As We Know It

Brenden Monroe — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 00:30:57 -0400

What if....

Boston never traded Babe Ruth?

There would never have been any "1918" chants. Yankee Stadium may have been built differently. The Yankees would have still been good, but there would be no murderer's row. This could have possibly changed the entire Yankee organization as they would have not have had the greatest ballplayer of all time.

Boston needed the money, so maybe Ruth would have been traded somewhere else. Would the Yankees have created such a majestic original stadium? I doubt it.

The Yankees traded Mariano Rivera before 1996?

Believe it or not, the Yankees almost traded Mo before the 1996 season because they weren't sure Jeter was ready to play SS full time. There is no way the Yankees have their dynasty, Rivera is the most irreplaceable player from those teams. I'll give them one World Series win instead of four.

Rivera could still be a starter right now on some other team.

Weird to think about, isn't it?

Baseball players never took steroids?

Our most cherished records would still be intact. Sad thing is, most of the guys who took them (A-Rod, Manny, McGuire, Bonds) would still be Hall of Fame caliber players without them. Jose Canseco would be irrelevant.

The Minnesota Twins were contracted?

Remember when the Twins were on the chopping block? They have been consistent winners since then. Where would Mauer and Morneau be?

The All-Star game didn't count?

It would make sense again. Seriously, that is the stupidest thing in sports...other than Bud Selig.

Buckner fielded that grounder?

The curse would have been reversed earlier and Buckner would be allowed to stay in Boston. Mets fan would have nothing to fall back on when their team lets them down again...and again.....and again.

The 1994 strike never happened?

The two best teams at the time, the Yankees and the Expos, may have been in the World Series. The Expos may have kept their great young talent and could still be around today. Baseball would not need to have been saved in '98.

Players didn't lose some of their best years to WWII?

Ted Williams, Yogi Berra, Jackie Robinson, and Bob Feller, just to name a few. Their stats would be better, but this country is safer because of them and all other players who have served.

Mickey Mantle treated himself better?

Could have been the greatest player of all-time. May have broken Ruth's home run record.

The Dodgers and Giants stayed in NY?

No Mets, which would have saved a lot of broken dreams over the past few years. We could be heralding Ebbets field and the Polo Grounds as one of the great old ballparks along with Fenway Park and Wrigley Field.

Pete Rose didn't bet on baseball?

He'd be in the Hall of Fame as one of the most revered players of all-time

Ken Griffey Jr. wasn't injury prone?

I can honestly say he would be nearing 800 home runs. Still the greatest player his era, he could have possibly been the greatest of all time.

There was no Wildcard?

Boston would have not broken the curse in 2004 and the playoffs would not nearly be as interesting as they are.

The Cubs let that goat into the stadium?

The perennial losers may have actually won a World Series...which is something they will never do.

Chicks didn't dig the longball?

There wouldn't be a DH.

Who Are Those Masked Men?: Fake Umps Invade Evil Empire

Brenden Monroe — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 21:53:23 -0400

Yankee fans may have experienced deja vu when they turned on the game today, because two men dressed as umpires were right behind home plate mimicking the calls made on the field.

The umpires made their original appearance this past May when the Yanks played in Toronto.

Joe Farrell and Tim Williams from Toronto are beginning to make the rounds as this is the third Major League Park they have visited. Last month, they were spotted in Washington, where they signed autographs, along with getting a chance to participate as judges in the Presidential mascot race.

The Fumps (I need a better nickname) normally mimick everything the home plate umpire does; clean the plate, throw the ball back to the pitcher, call balls/strikes, punch the guy out on strike three.

Their routine is usually reserved for when the Blue Jays are in the field, but they showed respect for Mariano by wearing their masks and making the calls while he was on the hill as well.

They are two die-hard Blue Jays fans, but they have brought some fun to the game that all fans can enjoy.

They must have some money—look at where they were sitting. Unless they have a good connection, they paid a pretty penny for those seats.

The Umpires made their first appearance on the Yes Network a couple months ago.

Brought to you by www.smokingwithhank.wordpress.com

It's My Birthday: 21 Athletes I Want to Have a Beer with

Brenden Monroe — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 00:26:45 -0400

So I am turning 21 in this month (July 20th...mark your calenders) and I will finally be able to go into a bar. (legally) (gotta love going to college in a small town) These are the 21 athletes that I want to sit down and have a brewski (or two or three...) with. *some people are retired but who cares...it's my list

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The Next Match.com? A Guide for Dating on Bleacher Report

Brenden Monroe — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 01:36:16 -0400

Many people don't realize that Bleacher Report can be used for more than just writing. This site can not only fufill your need for sports, but it can spark your love life as well. The hardest thing to do when looking for a significant other is approaching them, so I am here to help.

The following are the ultimate pickup lines to post on your crush's wall:

Have you ever written a bad article? Cause I haven't seen one.

Reading your articles is like getting to watch my favorite player hit a walk off home run.

You are the exact opposite of the NY Mets season.

You complete me like a pass from Romo to Witten.

Wanna bump-draft?

I would hold out halfway through training camp for you.

You must be related to the Bills' tight end, because you are Fine.

Getting with you would be like winning the Super Bowl.

If you were a quarterback, I would be your right guard.

You're like Tiger Woods's swing: Perfect.

If I charged into the lane, would you foul me?

God you're gorgeous, you just struck me out looking.

Every day with you would be like Super Bowl Sunday.

Getting a comment from you is like winning the Super Bowl, twice.

You and me go together like Jeter and pinstripes.

If you write one of those, you'll be getting more wall posts Lindsey Lohan's Facebook Page.

Here are some Bleacher Report dating etiquette tips:

The "Great Comment" button might as well say "wink" or "hey hot stuff"

Don't write too much on your crush's wall...always leave them wanting more.

Don't comment on everything they write, and when you do, keep it short.

Who knows? Maybe if you hit it off, you'll co-write some stories together. Then if it gets real serious, you and your new lover will start a blog together.

Good Luck!

A Diamond In The Rough: Pittsburgh's PNC Park

Brenden Monroe — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 22:20:34 -0400

Pittsburgh, the Steel City.

One of the most blue collar places on the planet, home of the hardest hitting football team, and the Stanley Cup winning Penguins. With two championships this year, Pittsburgh is arguably one of the best sports cities in the country. As their motto goes "Ice or Grass, we'll kick your ass".

The sport that has recently been left out of the winning is baseball. The Pirates have been the hitting post of the NL Central, and although they are playing decent ball this year, they are perennial losers.

The Pirates are an easy team to overlook, but their stadium is not.

PNC Park opened in 2001, and was showcased when it hosted the All Star game in 2006. With the Pirates playing in very few nationally televised games, PNC Park has been the most overlooked ball park in baseball.

As a baseball fan who has already been to Tampa, both Yankee stadiums and Citi Field in New York, Baltimore, Cleveland, Philadelphia, and Montreal, I was looking forward to see if Pittsburgh had a great stadium of their own.

The Pirates boast a very fan-friendly atmosphere with very nice ushers and concession workers. Speaking of the concessions, there were more food stands than I have ever seen at a stadium. It felt like that Lewis Black "Starbucks" joke, I turned around from a hot dog stand and saw another one across from it.

PNC has what could be the best view in baseball. I had a seat for twenty seven dollars which put me about thirty rows behind home plate. Those same seats in Yankee Stadium go for over 300 bucks. Going to a game with a 7:05 p.m. start gave me a chance to see that view during the day and night, with each being equally as good.

Although the baseball team hasn't won, the fans in the city still support the team, with tons of people wearing Pirates gear. The game I went to was a near sell out, but I was told by a local that it was only because it was fireworks night.

They shut down a couple of city blocks, including the famous yellow bridge that is directly behind the center field wall, just so people could walk to a game. With my hotel being only a couple of blocks away, I took full advantage of the walk.

The only negative I could find was the lack of vendors in the crowd. I only saw a couple of vendors for beer and soda, but no food in my section, which probably sat a couple hundred of people.

I attribute this to the above average crowd, but it is still something the Pirate organization should be prepared for. It really wasn't a big deal, and maybe the fans there are used to it. I suppose not every stadium is run the same way.

PNC Park offers a small-time feel in a big city. It has beautiful views, a great river walk, plenty of vendors, and just an all around great atmosphere. Once the Pirates get back on the map, their stadium will as well. Until then, it will be a diamond in the rough.

For pictures of PNC Park visit:

www.smokingwithhank.wordpress.com (pictures will be up within a couple of days)

If anybody has been to PNC please leave a comment about your experience.

Vinsanity Is Heading Home: Breaking Down the Vince Carter to Orlando Deal

Brenden Monroe — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 17:18:55 -0400

With Shaq headed to Cleveland, the most over-looked event on draft day had to be the trade between the Nets and Magic that sent Vince Carter to Orlando for Courtney Lee.

Carter is now an hour away from where he grew up in Daytona Beach, Florida, and is a big addition to an already great Orlando Magic team.

Here's the full trade:

Magic Receive:

G/F Vince Carter

F Ryan Anderson

Nets Receive:

G Rafer Alston

G Courtney Lee

F/C Tony Battie

First, let's start with the Magic. Before the trade, the Magic were going to be limited in the amount of money they could offer Turkoglu, which meant that they would not be able to participate in the bidding war that will occur in a couple weeks.

Hedo actually turned down a contract offer from the Magic prior to him opting out of his contract. They were hoping for the hometown discount, but by opting out Turkoglu nullified that idea. The Magic were looking at a huge hole in their offense; Hedo could not only shoot, he also acted as a point guard on many plays by bringing the ball up the floor.

Hedo was one of the best closers in the game; he stepped it up in the fourth quarter and hit some huge shots for the Magic last year.

By acquiring Carter, the Magic may lose some size, but that is all they lose. Carter can do it all—clutch three's, handle the ball, basically fill all of the Magic's needs. Yes, Carter is close to the end of his career, but he can provide some veteran leadership and help mentor Dwight Howard in handling NBA superstardom.

The other piece of the trade, Ryan Anderson, is young, but he has a lot of upside. He brings size and a jump shot to the table, which Orlando would miss with the losses of Turkoglu and Battie.

Everyone knew Alston was on the trading block, but Courtney Lee was a surprise. Lee had a solid season and, other than the two big missed shots in game two of the finals, he really picked his game up in the playoffs.

The Magic could either start Pietrus and put Carter at the two, or go a route and start JJ Redick at shooting guard and leave Pietrus as a sixth man. Redick is another player who really picked his game up in the playoffs, especially on the defense end of the game, which is a place he had struggled his entire career.

What's next for the Magic?

Nothing really. This trade solidifies their starting rotation and bench. The only need they have is a backup for Dwight Howard with Gortat heading for a bigger paycheck through free agency. Expect the Magic to once again be one of the teams to beat in the Eastern Conference.

Now let's move on to the New Jersey Nets. Vince Carter was a veteran player on a young team and there were trade rumors floating around last trading deadline, so this was not a surprise. With the addition of first round pick Terrance Williams, the Nets could afford to move Anderson.

As mentioned before, Courtney Lee had a solid season last year. Lee is a budding all-star and is a great addition to a young team. He brings a good jump shot, quickness, and playoff experience. He, Lopez, and Harris could be the be the beginning of a fast paced, slashing Nets offense.

Battie and Alston bring some veteran leadership and playoff experience as well. In the days leading up to the draft, Devin Harris was pleading that the Nets get some help at the point guard position. Well, they got it in Rafer Alston. Alston proved that he is still a good point guard last season by leading the Magic into the Finals. He can play an upbeat offense and can slash to the basket when needed.

What's next for the Nets?

Growing up. This is a young team that showed a lot of promise last year. Vince Carter will be missed, but Devin Harris, Courtney Lee, and Brook Lopez are three solid players to build a team around because they are only going to get better.

With a lottery draft pick in Terrance Williams, and added depth with Alston and Battie, the Nets are primed to make the playoffs this year. Expect the Nets to squeak in as the eighth seed in the East.

The Almost-Midseason WTF!? Awards

Brenden Monroe — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 22:21:09 -0400

For those of you not down with the cool kid lingo, WTF stands for "what the F&%k?" So we have almost made it almost halfway through the season and some unbelieveable things have happened. Baseball is the most unpredictable sport in the world, and this season proves it. Everything written is current as of Saturday, June 20.

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The Most Embarassing Moments In Recent Yankees History

Brenden Monroe — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 01:34:48 -0400

After losing two out of three to what could end up being the worst baseball team in history, I got to thinking... What are the most embarrassing moments in Yankees history? Since I am 20 years old and have been following the Yankees since 1994, I decided to keep the list recent. Enjoy, unless you are a fellow Yankee fan, in which case I am sorry for bringing back bad memories.

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For the Good of the Team: Time to Put Joba Chamberlain in the Pen

Brenden Monroe — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 22:35:24 -0400

I have been wrestling with this issue for the entire year now and I have finally decided to pick a side and stick with it.

Joba Chamberlain should be in the bullpen.

Although they have been winning, the Yankees have been covering up some serious issues.

We all know about the struggles of Chien Ming Wang, but did you know Phil Coke is on pace to appear in over seventy games? That is a lot of stress on a young arm.

Speaking of stress, when hasn’t CC thrown 120 pitches? I am dreading the end of September when he needs a big win and he can’t get anything behind his fastball.

Another problem is that the Yankees do not have a clear set-up man while their rival Red Sox have three or four guys on their staff that can do so. Sure, Bruney is back, but he has never proven himself to be reliable for an entire season, let alone half of one.

Right now, Joba cannot consistently pitch deep into games.

Yes, he has shown flashes of brilliance (12 Ks against Boston), but right now Phil Hughes is a better option at starter than Joba. In his last 20 innings, Hughes has been lights out. It’s time for the Yankees give their number one pick a slot in the rotation.

Now on to Wang, who showed some improvements in his last outing against the Nationals. Sure it was the Nationals, but Wang consistently kept his sinker down and threw his slider a lot more. Wang is a proven winner and I would take him as a fifth starter any day. He can’t be sent down to AAA, and the bullpen wouldn’t do anything to help his confidence.

He is a starter and he deserves to keep starting.

Joba could eventually be a good starting pitcher, but he could step in and be an elite set-up man for the Yankees. With Coke, Bruney, Chamberlain, Aceves, and Rivera in the pen, they could make it a six inning ballgame.

The Yankees need to make decisions that will benefit the entire team, and not just a single player. If they don’t make the right decisions soon, they could once again be on the outside looking in when the leaves start changing.

Sammy Sosa Tested Positive For Steroids

Brenden Monroe — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 16:54:04 -0400

Yet another baseball superstar has been outed.

This time it is Sammy Sosa who is guilty of cheating the game of baseball. Sosa is the second known player (behind A-Rod) to have failed a performance enhancing drug test in 2003. Just like A-Rod, Sosa's test results were supposed to be anonymous, but were leaked.

This is no big surprise, with Sosa being called before Congress and stating that he never took steroids. Suspicion has always surrounded Sosa, which is one of the reasons he had trouble finding teams to play for after leaving the Cubs.

How are the test results being leaked? Who is leaking the results? Those are among the many questions coming out after yet another player has been outed.

Sosa may also face repercussions from the law for lying in his testimony to Congress.

Raising a Kid As a Mets Fan Now Considered Child Abuse

Brenden Monroe — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 17:40:51 -0400

After the recent Luis Castillo incident, New York State Law makers went into action. After an emergency state senate and assembly meeting Saturday morning, a new law was passed.

Raising a kid as a Mets fan is now illegal in the state of New York. The new child abuse law is being heralded as a groundbreaking law.

The reasons for the law are the following:

Losing the Subway Series in five games.
Timo Perez not hustling and getting thrown out.
Blowing a 14-game lead in 2007
Blowing a 14-game lead in 2008
Losing the NLCS after Endy Chavez made what should have been a game saving catch
Signing Mo Vaughn
Needing an error to win the 1986 World Series
Firing Willie Randolph while he was sleeping
Not signing Raul Ibanez to a cheap deal before 2009
Not signing any other outfielders before 2009
Having Steve Phillips as a General Manager
Having Omar Minaya as a General Manager
Letting that guy named Brian Schneider catch
Signing Luis Castillo
Having Fred Wilpon as an owner
Trading Scott Kazmir for Victor Zambrano
When Carlos Beltran called out his team in Pittsburgh and then didn't hustle and getting thrown out at third
Only winning the season series against the Yankees twice since 1997
Getting rid of the original Home run apple
Building a ridiculous outfield wall in an otherwise beautiful stadium
Luis Castillo's mess-up that is now just referred to as: "The Drop"

Lawmakers agreed that no child should have to endure that form of pain and suffering, with some senators even comparing the Mets to that European guy who tortured his children for 20 years.

New Yorkers under the age of 18 will no longer have to root for the Metropolitans.

"I am so happy," said Vinny Bobarino of Brooklyn. "It is hard to hold back the tears right now...I have been through so much; I always told my dad I didn't wanna root for them anymore but he kept telling me 'You gotta Believe'....It was awful."

Lawyers for the Mets plan to argue the constitutionality of the law, but as one Mets lawyer put it, "there is too much evidence against us."

The cities of Pittsburgh, Miami, and Toronto are also said to be drawing up laws similar to this one.

The Best Seats in Baseball

Brenden Monroe — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 23:09:51 -0400

When someone asks if you want to sit in the luxury seats in Yankee Stadium you would most likely say, “You mean the those empty seats that cost an absurd amount of money?”

Yes, they are expensive, but they are amazing seats.

They are even better when they are free.

Thanks to a connection (I Know a guy who knows a guy who knows a rich guy) I was able to sit two rows away from the field for last Sunday’s comeback win over the Rays.

Here are a few pics from the game; expect a full report and more pictures soon.

(Brought to you by www.smokingwithhank.wordpress.com)

It was a beautiful day for baseball. These were not my seats but security lets you roam around the luxury area right up until the first pitch.

That's me in my unbelievably cool t-shirt. I would have smiled but I didn't see Hank. If you look closely at the restaurant, Hank is perched (like a falcon ready to strike) at the top smoking a cig.

This is my view from two rows behind the camera well as Aceves is in the process of striking out the side.

These are the best seats in baseball—except for the price.

Sarah Palin thought she was at a hockey game until she saw a player throw the puck to another player who was swinging his stick.

Five Players Who Will Reach 300 Wins

Brenden Monroe — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 21:33:26 -0400

Randy Johnson has become baseball's latest member of the 300 win club. When asked about who would win it next, ESPN's Tim Kurkjan said that the next 300 game winner is either a kid in the third grade or not even born yet. Following Tim's advice, I decided to bring you the next crop of 300 game winners. I hope you enjoy a look into the future..........

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11 NFL Players Whose 2009 Season Will Make or Break Their Career

Brenden Monroe — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 17:18:54 -0400

If you didn't read the title, these are eleven players at a turning point in their careers. If they have a solid season, they get to stick around for a while. However, if they have a bad one; it's goodbye spotlight, hello mediocrity. Please comment on any other players you think should be on this list.

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LeBron James: King James Becomes King Baby

Brenden Monroe — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 20:57:01 -0400

So we all know what happened the other night with LeBron James. Now the backlash has begun, so I have decided to jump into the conversation.

What James did was inexcusable. If Delonte West or Ben Wallace did this, nobody would care, because they are role players. King James is the face of the league and a superstar.

James' quote, "I am a winner...," bothers me. What exactly have you won LeBron, an MVP award? I know he won an Olympic medal and believe me, I am not taking away from that. But he hasn't won anything in the NBA, and nobody cares about whatever he might have won in high school.

As I began writing this, Michael Kay brought up a good comparison during the Yankee game. After blowing game seven of the World Series, Mariano Rivera stood in front of his locker and fielded every question the media threw at him. I am sure the last thing Rivera wanted to do was talk about it, but he did because it was part of his job.

I was an athlete, and the hardest thing to do after a game is to shake hands with the people who just beat you, so I imagine dealing with the media is tough as well. As I mentioned with Rivera, dealing with the media is part of your job when you are a professional athlete.

LeBron James did something unprecedented a few years back when he created his own marketing firm to handle his image. He has the final say on any endorsement that he does. LeBron doesn't have a PR firm handling his image, so any statements made after the incident will be his words.

Let's be real here, this will not help his image, but it won't hurt it in the long run either.

The problem that I have with this is that LeBron is a role model, and he knows it. When kids are told to go shake hands after a loss, I am sure more than a few coaches will hear, "LeBron doesn't do it."

LeBron needs to man up and admit his mistake. He is only 24 years old, but he is the face of the league. The NBA has trouble enough with their image, it doesn't need one of its most talented players to hurt it even more.

Baseball's Under the Radar Team

Brenden Monroe — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 18:10:13 -0400

These are the guys having great years that nobody is talking about. Each deserves some All-Star votes but probably won't make the team. Here is a position-by-position look at who makes up the Under the Radar team so far: Batters stats are listed as: Batting Avg./ Homeruns/ RBI/ On-base + Slugging Pitching stats are listed as: W/ Strikeouts/ ERA/ WHIP (Stats are through May 30th)

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Why the Yankees Are Going To Win It All

Brenden Monroe — Thu, 28 May 2009 01:20:26 -0400

I am normally very objective, but I am about to throw that all out the window.

The Yankees are going to the World Series.

We have the best first baseman, the best third baseman, and the best shortstop in baseball. We have an all-star second baseman in Robinson Cano, a great hitting left fielder in Johnny Damon, and a solid DH in Hideki Matsui.

Melky Cabrera has become "Mr. Walk-off" with clutch hits coming whenever the Yankees need it.

Not only that, but these guys can play some defense, being among the leading teams in fielding percentage. Defense wins championships, and adding in their hitting and pitching makes you want to start getting ring sizes.

CC Sabathia anchors the staff, AJ Burnett is going to be his dominant self, Phil Hughes is a great up-and-coming pitcher while Joba Chamberlain is shutting up all of the critics who say he should be in the pen. Andy Pettitte also provides solid veteran leadership and innings every five days, as well. The Yankees expected Wang to come up big this year, and, so far, he hasn't, but they are still in first place.

We have the best closer in baseball history. For how bad the bullpen had been, they have turned it around.

Posada and Molina get hurt? No problem. Let's call up a AA catcher in Francisco Cervelli. He promptly calls a great game helping CC who can get a shutout as well as hit over .350.

The chemistry on this team is better than it has been years, and that will only help the winning continue for the rest of the year.

I am sick of the "Yankees Suck" chants, especially when the Yankees are kicking the snot out of your team. I'm talking to you, Rangers fans.

So have fun facing this lineup the rest of the year: Jeter, Damon, Teixeira, Rodriguez, Cano, Posada, Matsui, Swisher, Cabrera

That is the 2009 version of Murderer's Row. The Bronx Bombers are back.

Go ahead, leave a comment about how the Yankees only win because they spend the most money. At least they spend the money they make.

www.smokingwithhank.wordpress.com

What Do You Mean Lack Of Viewers? Hockey Rating Soar

Brenden Monroe — Thu, 14 May 2009 11:17:17 -0400

The NHL could not be more happier this morning, receiving some great results from last night's games.

Ratings doubled.

Yes, the NHL got twice the amount of viewers last night with a whopping 30 people watching their games last night.

With their golden boy Sidney "please for the love of God become Wayne Gretzky so people watch" Crosby moving on, and some of the original six teams going forward, the NHL has created a dream scenario for itself.

"We are still celebrating here at our headquarters, getting those ratings last night was more epic than the battle at the end of the third Lord of the Rings" said commissioner Gary Bettman.

With their dream scenario in full swing, the NHL has a lot to look forward too; but the American public doesn't.

"I'd rather watch 2 hours of Brett Farve coverage than watch a single minute of the NHL," says the Average American.

If you are an average American looking for two hours of Brett Favre coverage, don't turn to Craig's List, just put on Sportscenter in the morning.

Sure the NHL is in trouble, but the only way they can go is up.

An Open Letter to Stan Van Gundy

Brenden Monroe — Wed, 13 May 2009 00:46:00 -0400

A letter to Orlando Magic head coach Stan Van Gundy, based on the Eminem song, "Stan."

Dear Stan,

I meant to write you sooner but I've been busy,

You said your team is in the playoffs, you made it out of the first round?

Look, it's really cool that you've made it this far,

and with your man Dwight Howard,

there should be no way you're going down.

I'm sorry I didn't see your game, I didn't mean to miss you.

Don't think I did that intentionally just to try to dis you.

Do you remember what Shaq said, to try to get into your head?

He said you would let your team down in the playoffs.

You've got some issues Stan, I think you need some counseling,

to help your mouth from blaming your team when you get down some.

You know I just saw something crazy on the news,

some coach was calling out all of his players for no reason,

he will definitely get fired real soon.

His superstar came out and dissed him too...

Come to think of it,

that coach—it was you.

The Ugliest Guys in Recent Baseball History

Brenden Monroe — Sat, 09 May 2009 19:46:27 -0400

Now let me start off by saying that I am no looker myself. I have a self-proclaimed face for radio. Seriously, look at my profile picture....on second thought, you might not want to do that. These players are may be great or terrrible, but either way they are some very ugly people. Hopefully none of them have the swine flu.

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