Best Of The Decade

The beginning of the new millennium was filled with many famous and infamous moments. Through it all, there was one constant that continued to bring us all together. Sports. So, as we get set to turn the page on the first decade of the twenty-first century, let's take a moment to look back at the best Sports had to offer during the past ten years.

Major League Baseball:

Team- New York Yankees (965 Regular season wins; Four 100 win seasons; 2 World Series Titles; 3 AL Pennants; 9 Playoff Appearances; 52 Playoff Wins, the most of any team in the Majors)

Players-
1) Mariano Rivera (397 Saves; 2.10 ERA)
2) Albert Pujols (.334 Avg; .427 OBP; .628 SLG; 1.055 OPS; '01 Rookie Of The Year; 3 Time NL MVP: '05, '08, 09)
3) Manny Ramirez (1,106 RBI; .317 Avg/ .600 SLG)

Moment(s)-
1) 2001 World Series; Most notably games 4 (Mr. November),5,7- Not just for Baseball, but for America. In the wake of 9-11, Baseball helped America heal, particularly the Yankees and the city of New York. Also in '01 was "Flip Play", but, now I'm just showing my Yankee bias.
2) 2004 Red Sox- Boston reversed "The Curse of The Bambino" in high fasion, becoming the only team in MLB history to overcome and 0-3 defecit. What made it even sweeter for Red Sox Nation was that history came at the hands of their fiercest rival.
3) Barry Bonds 73 Hr in '01- The debate can go on forever about the "Steroid Era". But a record is a record. And, steroids or not, this is an impressive feat.

National Hockey League:

Team- Detroit Red Wings (457 Wins, least amount of wins in a season was 48; 5 Presidents Trophies; 2 Stanley Cups; 3 Finals Appearences)

Players-
1) Nicklas Lidstrom (3 Times a +/- rating of 40; 6 Norris Trophies; 1 Conn Smythe Trophy
2) Martin Brodeur (4 Vezina Trophies; 308 Wins; .914 Save Percentage; 59 Shutouts)
3) Sidney Crosby (Three 100 point seasons; Art Ross Trophy; Hart Memorial Trophy; Youngest player to 200 career points) & Alex Ovechkin (Three 50+ goal seasons; Calder Memorial Trophy; First player to win Ross, Hart, Richard, and Pearson Trophies all in same season- '08)

*NOTE* I know both Crosby and Ovechkin started half way through the decade, But never have two players captured the sport of Hockey the way these two have. So, I had to make an exception.

Moment(s)-
1) Keith Primeau's 5OT Goal- Defeated Penguins in game 4 of '02 Playoffs allowing the Flyers to climb out of an 0-2 hole. The goal swung momentum in the Flyers favor, and they went on to defeat the Penguins in 6 games.
2) Ray Bourque finally winning the Stanley Cup- In 2001, the Bruins traded Bourque to the Avalanche to give him a chance to win. He did. And in a move as classy as the man himself, Bourque took the Cup back to Boston that summer for a tour.
3) '07 & '08 Stanley Cup Finals- For two consecutive seasons, the Deroit Red Wings and Pittsburgh Penguins put on a display that showcased everything that is good about the sport of hockey.

NFL:

Team- New England Patriots (3 Super Bowl Titles; 1 perfect regular season; 102 Wins)

Players-
1) Peyton Manning (41,967 Yds; 98.7 QB Rating)
2) Randy Moss (763 Receptions; 11,549 Yards; 15.2 Yards per catch)
3) Brett Favre (37,574 Yards; 86.7 QB Rating)

Moment(s)-
1) End of Super Bowl XXXIV- On the last play of the game, Kevin Dyson is tackled on the 1 Yard Line, preserving the Rams victory over the Titans in what was one of the greatest Super Bowls ever played.
2) David Tyree's "CATCH" in Super Bowl XLII- This is, essentially, the play that ended New England's bid for perfection. It catapulted the Giants to a championship and turned Tyree into a legend.
3) Music City Miracle- It is still debatable that Frank Wycheck's lateral to Kevin Dyson was, indeed, a forward pass. What's not debatable is that this is one of the most exciting plays in NFL history.

NBA:

Team- San Antonio Spurs (523 Wins; 3 championships)

Players-
1) Kobe Bryant- (28.6 Points Per Game; 19,580 Points)
2) Tim Duncan- (11.4 Rebounds Per Game; 21.2 Points Per Game; 2.3 Blocks Per Game)
3) LeBron James- (Perhaps the most recognizable figure since Michael Jordan. And in a show me League, that means a lot; 27.6 Points Per Game; )

Moment(s)-
1) Robert Horry's Winning Basket in Game 4 of '02 Conference Finals- With the Lakers down 2-1 in the Series, and by two points in the game, Horrylifted his team out of a nearly insurmountable hole and into a Series tie. The Lakers would go on to win another NBA Title.
2) Allen Iverson over Tyrone Lue in Game 1 of '01 Finals- The crssover, and the shot, may have put the Lakers on Notice. The 76ers didn't win the Title that year, but that shot is an exclamtion point on how AI plays basketball... All out and in your face.
3) Tayshaun Prince Blocks Reggie Miller in Game 2 of '04 Eastern Finals- After a Pacers steal, Reggie Miller seemed to have a clean layup. Until Prince came out of nowhere and blocked the shot.

These are just some of the memorable moments from the past ten years. I know there are countless more, but these were my best. Here's to hoping the next ten years give us just as many magical moments.

-MIke Tursi

A Look Into The Winter Of Mike

For those of you familiar with Seinfeld, the Term "Winter of Mike" was borrowed from an episode called "The Summer of George". The premise is that George was going to have the greatest summer ever. Thanks to the Yankees defeating the Phillies this past fall. This Philly native, and Yankee fan, is in the midst of having the greatest winter ever.

During the past month, Yankee fans have kept a close watch as the Hot Stove blazed and the 2010 edition of the legendary franchise began to take shape. And, in the coming months, fans will watch that team go out into the sunny Florida spring and prepare to defend their World Series Title. So, I'd like to take a look back, once more, on the fantastic story that is, The Winter of Mike.

The 2009 Season was just a prelude to The Winter of Mike. As the teams became set for the 2009 World Series, I knew I was going to take a lot of heat from family, friends, and even strangers. But, I was ready. And, as the 27th out was recorded on that glorious November night, The Winter of Mike officially began.

First was a phone call to my brother, whom, until that night, I had never beaten in anything my entire life. He would soon have to don a Yankee Jersey while his infant son would where his cousin's (my son) Yankee outfit for a picture to be proudly displayed in both of our houses (Well, mine would be proudly displayed anyway).

The Winter of Mike continued on through the fall. I wore Yankee apparel everywhere I went, even work. I drew scorn from some, disbelief from others. I enjoyed every minute of it. I am not one to gloat, but I took a huge measure of satisfaction with these quiet statements. Because, I knew, had this gone the other way, no one, and I mean NO ONE, would ever let me live it down.

Christmas brought a time to reflect on the joy of the Yankees winning this Title at the hands of the local baseball team. My wife, though it pained her, was kind enough to allow me this joy with presents that will ensure that The Winter of Mike will continue forever. A World Series DVD, Yankees World Series Champions tee shirt, And pub Glasses commemorating this special victory. These all have been adorned and used daily since Christmas Day.

And so, The Winter of Mike rolls on. And, whenever anyone sees me, they are reminded that this winter is mine, not theirs. Because my team defeated theirs to win the World Series!

So, Yankee fans, before we turn all of our attention ahead to what 2010 has in store. Take a look back, and join me in celebrating the greatest winter a Yankee fan living in Philly could have. Celebrate The Winter of Mike.

- Mike Tursi

Looking Back on the John Stevens Era in Philadelphia

The following post can also be found at The Hockey Herald (www.thehockeyherald.com).

It wasn't a long tenure, but it was marked with some of the organizations highest highs and included some of it's lowest lows. It began on October 22, 2006 when Stevens was called upon to replace Ken Hitchcock after the Flyers, who entered the season with high expectations, stumbled to a 1-6-1 start. That start not only cost Ken Hitchcock his job, but GM Bob Clarke as well.

New GM Paul Holmgren appointed John Stevens his head coach, and immediately set out making trades to improve the team. Despite the Flyers finishing the 2006-07 season with the worst record in the NHL, and worst record in franchise history, Holmgren made significant moves to allow John Stevens to get this team back on the right track.

Stevens did just that, as the Flyers reached the Conference Finals in 2008, the biggest turnaround in NHL history. But it wasn't all roses, even in the best of times. dispite the teams success that year, a late season winless streak put the team in jeopardy of missing the playoffs. They were able to turn it around in time and went on to make an improbable run. A run that may have started the ball on Stevens dismissal.

So, was John Stevens a victim of his own success? Maybe. After the 2008 season, expectations for the Flyers shot through the roof. Young, talented, and led by young Captain, Mike Richards, who reminded so many of the team's eternal face, Bobby Clarke, the Flyers seemed poised to do great things. But that's not how it turned out in the end.

Stumbling again at the finish line in April 0f 2009, the Flyers lost Home ice to the resurgent Pittsburgh Penguins, they're first round opponent. That turned out to be the season's penultimate moment. The end came in Game 6, with the Flyers blowing a 3-0 lead on home ice. It was a disappointing end to what was supposed to be another promising spring. The expectations started to turn into pressure.

As they do every year, the Flyers front office made sure that the team would have the best chance to meet the fans lofty expectations. They went to work quickly in the offseason. Making a low risk-high reward move signing ostracized goaltender Ray Emery and they pulled off a Draft Day blockbuster trade for Chris Pronger. This caused many prognosticators to pick the Flyers as Stanley Cup contenders again, which meant more pressure.

The 2009 season started out well. The Flyers jumped out to a 12-5-1 start. They owned the leagues number one power play. But there was trouble. Injuries, to both role players and stars, took their toll. And, the undisciplined penalties, a mainstay of the Stevens era, continued to put games in jeopardy. A west coast trip that started with a game saving performance by backup goaltender, Brian Boucher, soon dissolved into a prolonged stretch of losing, which also featured eight scoreless periods. The stretch of futility combined with the high expectations led to Stevens dismissal while the team still had a winning record (13-11-1), but out of the playoff picture. They are currently tenth in the Eastern Conference.

And so, the book is now closed. John Stevens career record in Philly is 120-109-34. Not bad considering that in his first year he inherited the worst team in the NHL. But, the expectations proved to much for the top brass who felt Stevens message was being lost on the players.

Now begins the Peter Laviolette coaching regime. An intense coach who led the Carolina Hurricanes to the 2006 StanleyCup. A fresh voice to get a message across to players who may have stopped listening. It hasn't started out like the Flyers wanted, an embarassing loss at home vs. Washington and a lackluster 3-1 defeat in Montreal. But, on day 5, they pounced on the New York Islanders for a 6-2 win. Led by their scoring stars, the Flyers looked better than they have in weeks.

The page has been turned. It's time to move on. There were some really good times. But, in the end, it just didn't work out.

-Mike Tursi

Famous Philly Sports Quotes

Yesterday's press conference marked the official return of Allen Iverson to the 76ers. But the buzz surrounding his return has lit up the city for days. And, as with the return of any famous athlete, there was a lot of reminiscing done in the various media outlets. But the single event brought up most never occurred on a basketball court. It wasn't his crossover of Michael Jordan. Or his stepping on Derek Fisher after making a clutch basket in the 2001 NBA Finals. No, the most reminisced moment of AI's first tour of duty here was the "Practice?" press conference.

So, this got me to thinking about some of the other famous quotes uttered by Philadelphia Sports figures. I came up with five of my all time favorites. They are in no particular order, so rank them as you please. And, if you think there is one that should be on here that isn't let me know.

We'll start with the inspiration for this list; "Practice?"

1) "We're sitting here, and I'm supposed to be the Franchise Player, and we're talking about practice. I mean, listen, we're sitting here talking about practice. Not a game, not a game, not a game, but, we're talking about practice."- Allen Iverson

This exchange took place in a 2002 press conference after the Sixers were eliminated by the Boston Celtics in the playoffs. When Iverson's practice habits were called into question, he and the reporter got into a heated exchange that has since become legendary.

While this may be the most famous quote, the next one is my personal favorite.

2) "For who? For what?"- Ricky Watters

If you want to endear yourself to the blue collar fans of Philadelphia, this is the best example of how NOT to go about it. In his first game after signing with the Eagles in 1995, Watters "Alligator armed" a pass over the middle from Randall Cunningham, for fear of getting hit pretty hard by a Tampa defender. When asked by a reporter about the incident, Ricky replied, "For who? For what?". While he went on to enjoy moderate success in Philadelphia, he was never able to live that moment down. It didn't end all bad for Watters though. He used the quote in the title of a book he later wrote about his career.

3) "All he does is catch touchdowns."- Buddy Ryan

Thanks to ESPN's Chris Berman, this quote has also taken on a life of it's own. It was Buddy's response to a reporter who asked why Ryan was releasing the talented Chis Carter. It was later revealed that the real reason Carter was released was due to his ongoing drug problem. Chris Carter says the move saved his life. He got cleaned up, became a Born Again Christian, and went on to have a Hall of Fame career as a wideout for the Minnesota Vikings.

4) "It is basically a choking situation that I call it right now."- Terry Murray

In 1997 the Flyers stormed through the Eastern Conference Playoffs, but were met by a road block in the Stanley Cup Finals in the Detroit Red Wings. After falling behind 3-0, coach Murray hoped to "inspire" his team to a comeback for the ages. Instead, the Flyers played listless in being swept and a domino effect of epic proportions rang throughout the organization. Beginning with Murray's firing and the eventual much publicized feud between Eric Lindros and Bobby Clarke.

5) "I can't wait for it to end"- Cole Hamels

While this is a fresh quote, it is on here due to the circumstances that surrounded it. With his team locked in a 1-1 tie heading into game 3 of the 2009 World Series against the New York Yankees, Cole Hamels took the mound looking for some redemption for what was, to that point, a forgettable season. Staked to an early lead, Hamels proceeded to give up a 2-run Home Run to Alex Rodriguez and an RBI to Yankees pitcher Andy Pettite. The Yankees went on to win that game, and eventually, the World Series. Hamels never got another shot to pitch in '09. When asked by a reporter about his troubles, Hamels said he needed a fresh start. Many Phillies fans were ready to give him that start right then and there.

So there's my five. I thought to include the many quotes of the Bob Clarke/ Eric Lindros saga, but that would have grown into it's own story. There is also T.O. working out on his lawn for the press, but I didn't think that was necessarily better than any of these, so to speak.

-Mike Tursi

Is Donovan McNabb a Hall of Fame Quarterback?

Earlier this week Eagles head coach Andy Reid suggested that his quarterback, Donovan McNabb, is a Hall of Fame type player. This fueled a heated debate across the Delaware Valley and it culminated with a lit up message board throughout the day on the local sports radio scene. 97.5 The Fanatic & 950 ESPN Radio were at the epicenter of this debate.

I decided to do a little of my own research to see just where McNabb stands now, where he projects to be at the end of his career, and how he ultimately stacks up with other Hall of Fame quarterbacks.

McNabb's current stats, when compared with the 23 Hall of Fame quarterbacks of the modern era, would put him roughly in the middle of the pack. His 31,249 yards are better than 10 of the current members. If he plays 5 more years, averaging 2,000 yards per year, which is about 800 yards below his current average. He'll retire with over 40,000 yards. That would put him in an elite class. Only 7 current members have over 40,000 yards. It should be noted that 40,000 yards does not constitute an automatic bid into the Hall. Both Drew Bledsoe and Vinny Testaverde are career 40,000 yard passers and they are not in the Hall of Fame.

If you are a believer in the Passer Rating statistic, then this is where you will find the first fatal blow to McNabb's chances of reaching the Hall of Fame. His current 59.0 Passer rating is the fifth lowest when compared to the Hall's quarterbacks. Further damaging evidence is that the four quarterbacks below him all played part of their careers in the 1940s and '50s, hardly a passing era. You would have to think, after 11 years, this number isn't going to move to much one way or the other.

McNabb currently has a career total of 208 touchdowns. Using the same career longevity projection that we did for career yards, McNabb has another 95 touchdowns in his arm. Bringing his projected career total to 303. Which would put his total number of touchdowns ahead of 20 of the current quarterbacks in the Hall.

Aside from his passer rating, one can certainly make a strong argument for the case that, one day, McNabb should be elected to the Hall of Fame. But, why does the debate go on with so much fire. Because of the intangibles. Whether it's winning NFL Titles as Joe Montana, Terry Bradshaw, and Troy Aikman have. Or delivering huge upsets like Joe Namath and Len Dawson. Each of the 23 quarterbacks currently in the Hall of Fame are known for doing something "amazing". This is where McNabb might fail the most. His record in big games is suspect. He is 1-4 in NFC Championship games, 1-3 as the favorite and 0-2 as the underdog. Also, he is 0-1 in the Super Bowl. He had chances to orchestrate winning drives in both Super Bowl XXXIX and last year's NFC Championship game, but failed both times. McNabb always seems to deliver against the teams he is supposed to defeat, but seems to come up empty when all of the chips are on the table.

Certainly this doesn't disqualify him for the Hall of Fame. Jim Kelly reached the Super Bowl in four consecutive seasons and never won a title. Fran Tarkenton is also winless in his three trips to the big game. Finally, Dan Marino reached the Super Bowl in his rookie year, but never got a second chance during the rest of his prolific career.

You could argue that John Elway may have been looking at a somewhat similar scenario during the latter stages of his career. Prior to winning both Super Bowl XXXII and XXXIII, Elway was 0-3 in the NFL's ultimate game. But, Elway had something, even before the Super Bowl wins, that McNabb doesn't, the "intangible" factor. Elway was known for his fourth quarter comebacks, a record 47 to be exact. He has single handidly delivered the Broncos to the brink of a championship.

One day we will have an answer to Philadelphia's latest burning sports question. But there is a lot to be compiled before that day comes. So where do you stand on the topic today? Is Donovan McNabb a Hall of Fame quarterback? Yes or No?

-Mike Tursi

The Jeter/ Teixeira Debate

A huge debate sprung up today at the announcement of the AL MVP. No, it wasn't that Joe Mauer won, that was a bit of a foregone conclusion. Rather, the debate was about who finished second and third in the voting. Many Yankee fans were upset that Mark Teixeira finished ahead of Derek Jeter in the MVP race.

So, before this turns into Mantle/ Maris II, I thought I'd take a look at some numbers. Now, I'm no Bill James but what I found is pretty interesting.

It's no secret that Derek Jeter had a renaissance year of sorts in 2009, especially in the field, where he earned his first Gold Glove since 2006. But the player who won the Gold Glove at 1st base also wears pinstripes. coincidence? Maybe. Maybe not.

Jeter's fielding percentage for 2009 was .986, up from .979 in 2008. His errors also dropped from 12 in 2008 to 8 in 2009. But how much did the change in players at 1st base help this trend? Afterall, Mark Teixeira is known as one of the best fielding 1st baseman in the game. Jason Giambi and the resident platoon of 2008 certainly don't compare.

Turns out, not so much. Lets look around the infield to see fielding comparisons from 2008 to 2009. The players didn't change, with the exception of first base. So the comparison will be fair. Here's the breakdown:

2nd Base, Robinson Cano- 2008: .984%/ 13 Errors & 2009: .984%/ 12 Errors

Short Stop, Derek Jeter- 2008: .979%/ 12 Errors & 2009: .986%/ 8 Errors

3rd Base, A-Rod- 2008: .970%/ 10 Errors & 2009: .967%/ 9 Errors

1st Base, Jason Giambi/Richie Sexson- 2008: .994%/ 11 Errors & Mark Teixeira- 2009: .997%/ 4 Errors.

Cano and Rodriguez had similar fielding years despite the marked defensive upgrade at 1st base. So, it seems that's Jeter's resurgence had more to do with himself than with the glove of Teixeira inserted at 1st base for the 2009 season.

Now onto the offense. Jeter finished the 2009 season with a .334 average. His 212 hits were second only to perennial hts leader Ichiro. He acounted for 107 of the Yankees 915 runs. That's 11% of the Yankees total offense. Comparatively, Mark Teixeira drove in 122 runs, good for 13% of the teams total offense. Also, Jeter's run total is good for 4th in the AL, tied with teammate Johnny Damon. Conversely, Teixeira's RBI total was best in the AL, as was his 39 home runs (tied with Tampa's Carlos Pena). Those power numbers are the stats that the BBWAA fall in love with. Also, you can argue that Teixeira didn't get untracked until Alex Rodriguez came back from hip surgery in May. But Teixeira is a notoriously slow starter, and he finished with numbers that you would likely find on the back of his baseball card.

This argument comes down to intangibles and affection. Maybe this is already like Mantle vs. Maris? Mark Teixeira is already and will continue to be a beloved Yankee figure, especially if the Yankees keep winning World Series Titles. But Derek Jeter resides in the rare air of the Yankee Hierarchy. And, at least in the fans minds, no one is better.

I will say this. Jeter does have those "Intangibles" that everyone always talks about. The problem is, unless it's October, you're a die hard fan who doesn't miss a game, or a member of the media who covers the Yankees on a daily basis, you don't get to see it in action. The intangibles don't make it on Sportscenter. But, the home runs and RBI do.

In the end, I think that both Jeter and Teixiera were mutually beneficial of each other's abilities in garnering consideration for MVP. I'm sure both are much more concerned with the hardware they did receive in 2009 that the hardware they didn't. Namely, the World Series Trophy.

-Mike Tursi

Does The Hammer Really Belong In The Flyers Hall Of Fame?

I'm risking making a lot of enemies among Flyers fans with this post. But I don't believe that Dave "The Hammer" Schultz belongs in the Flyers Hall Of Fame. There, I said it. There is no doubting that The Hammer is a powerful figure in Flyers lore. But should that equate to Hall Of Fame status? I say no and I'll lay out my reasons why below.

The Hall Of Fame, a team's personal Hall or a League's, is a place reserved for those of the most elite statistical import to a franchise or a league's success. There are many kinds of successful players who come in all forms, but not all are worthy of the status "Hall Of Famer".

Dave Schultz is one of those players. He was what players and media today define as a character player. Good for team morale and providing a spark, but his numbers are hardly worthy of Hall Of Fame status. First of all, he only played four seasons for the Orange and Black, the least amount of tenure of any of the other forwards in the Flyers Hall. But he was fortunate enough to play in the Flyers golden era. And he became the face of that era, The Broad Street Bullies.

But, he was the face the league put on the Flyers image. A tough guy, a goon. A guy who would rather just deck you instead of making a nifty backhand move around you. But this wasn't the trademark of The Bullies from inside the Philadelphia city limits. For that, just look at the forwards who have entered the Flyers Hall before this night. Bobby Clark, Barber, Rick MacLeish, Gary Dornhoefer, and Reggie Leach could, and would, intimidate you. But they could also put the puck in the net. So much so that three of these players, Clark, Barber, and MacLeish, rank in the top four on the Flyers all time scoring list.

Bobby Clarke, forever the face of this franchise, was as tenacious as they came. His 1,453 penalty minutes are only surpassed by Rick Tocchet and current GM Paul Holmgren. Both of them have more than double the points of Schultz, but are not in the Flyers Hall Of Fame.

The Hammer ranks 50th among Flyer forwards on the teams all time scoring list, tied with Scott Hartnell, who will pass him with his next point, Justin Williams, and Peter Forsberg, who spent two injury plagued seasons with the Flyers.

You may argue that it's not fair to compare Schultz to Forsberg, because the latter is a superstar. But, that's exactly my point. He shouldn't be compared to Hall Of Famers. He's just not in that class.

Here are the Hammer's lasting stats during his four years in Philadelphia. He led the league in penalty minutes in three of those years. He still holds the NHL record for time spent in the penalty box in one year, 472 minutes in 1974-75. Again, hardly stats associated with a Hall Of Famer.

Don't get me wrong, Schultz played an important role in helping the Flyers win back to back Stanley Cups in the mid 70's, often antagonizing the opponents best player and taking that player off the ice with him after fighting majors or match penalties. But I think the odds would still be on those Flyers teams winning if Schultz was playing somewhere else. I'm not so sure that would be the case without some of the other players elected to the Flyers Hall Of Fame.

To further prove my point, the Flyers of the mid 80's had great teams the reached the Stanley Cup Finals two times. There are three forwardsfrom those teams, Brian Propp, Tim Kerr, and former Captain Dave Poulin, in the Flyers Hall. Those teams had a beloved enforcer too, Dave Brown. But I don't think he's getting into the Flyers hallowed circle anytime soon.

Championship caliber teams across all league's and all times have credited "character" players for their roles in the teams successes. But, that doesn't mean they need to be placed among the games elite talents.

-Mike Tursi

Note I: I only compared Schultz to other Flyer forwards because I wanted the statistical analysis to be on a comparable basis.

NoteII: I originally wrote this post for the Hockey Herald. It can also be viewed there by going to www.thehockeyherald.com

Emery Faces His Old Team As Flyers Roll

Here is the link to my recap of the November 12th matchup between the Senators vs. Flyers, written for The Hockey Herald.

http://bit.ly/36UxNS

-Mike Tursi

# 27 By The Numbers

1-As in 1st. 2009 was the inaugural season for the New Yankee Stadium, and the Yankees delivered a championship. Just like 1923.
2- Stolen bases (on 1 play) by Johnny Damon in the 9th inning of Game 4 of the World Series. Many say this play was the deciding factor in the Series.
3- Possible clinching games started by Andy Pettite. He was the winner in all three.
4- The Core Four. Veterans of the most recent Dynasty who played a major role on this team (Posada, Pettite, Jeter, and Rivera).
5- Rings for each member of "The Core Four".
6- Outs recorded by Mariano Rivera in Game 6 of the ALCS. Taking no chances, Girardi went to The Sandman early to secure the Yankees 40th American League Pennant.
7- Wins by the Yankees in games they trailed in the postseason.
8- Hits by Hideki Matsui (in only 13 at-bats) in The World Series. He also had 8 RBI, cementing his being awarded the MVP.
9- Pitches David Robertson threw to get out of a bases loaded, no one out jam in the top of the 11th inning of ALDS Game 2 vs. Minnesota.
10- Games Joba Chamberlain got in as a reliever, rebuilding the postseason bridge to Rivera as he went along deeper into October (and November).
11- Wins by the Yankees in the postseason.
12- Games without an error by the Yankees defense in the postseason.
13- Strikeouts of Ryan Howard by Yankee pitching in The World Series. A record for strikeouts by one player in The Fall Classic.
14- Double plays turned by the Yankees in the postseason, which Mark Teixeira's glove was on the back end of, snuffing out rally after rally.
15- Consecutive games Derek Jeter reached base in the postseason, that's at least one hit in every postseason game the Yankees played in 2009.
16- Innings pitched by Mariano Rivera, the only closer who didn't falter in the postseason.
17- Total number of Twins base-runners stranded by Yankee pitchers in Game 2 of ALDS (at least one every inning).
18- RBI by A-Rod, 6 in each series, shattering any doubt about his ability to perform in October (see also: Kate Hudson)
19- Innings pitched by 3 starters in The Division series (out of possible 27). That starting dominance allowed the Yankees to end their four year absence from the ALCS.
20- Home Runs hit by The Bronx Bombers in the postseason.
21- Strikeouts in The World Series by Yankee starters not named CC Sabathia. Not bad for a guy who was "too erratic" and another who is "Not the pitcher he used to be".
22- 1st pitch strikes thrown by AJ Burnett in Game 2 of The World Series. His performance was brilliant and allowed the Yankees to tie the Series at 1-1.
23- At-Bats by Melky Cabrera in the 2009 ALCS. He hit .391, second only to A-Rod among Yankees with at least 5 at-bats. Truly, an unsung hero in the Yankees return to The Fall Classic.
24- Calendar days it took to play out the magical 2009 postseason.
25- Number Joe Girardi wore as a player for the Yankees. Also, his last season as a player in Pinstripes ended in the teams 25th Championship.
26- Number of Yankee players on the 2009 World Series Roster.
27- Number of outs needed in Game 6 to secure the 2009 World Series Championship. And when Shane Victorino's ground ball was fielded by Robinson Cano, who fired to 1st baseman Mark Teixeira for the final out of the 2009 season, the Yankees did indeed have Championship number 27.

Ant that's #27, By The Numbers.

-Mike Tursi

The Waiting Is The Hardest Part

The alarm clock goes off and your eyes shoot open. There's no need for the snooze button today. You're awake and ready to go. The morning routine is completed with purpose. There is something waiting out there, on the horizon, something big (Game 6).

As you settle into the day, you find that purpose and focus begin to shift somewhere else (Game 6), shifting to baseball. The match-ups fill your head. An endless stream of scenarios, both good and bad, begin to grow exponentially in your head. Slumps, pitching, hot bats. A celebration? A Game 7? Work seems harder to concentrate on, it seems so distant from where your mind is. The worries grow a little. The hope, a little bit more.

Your routine is the same as it always is, but as the day lengthens, the routine seems to grow more tiresome and old (Game 6). You don't want to think about it anymore. You'll worry about it when it gets here (Game 6). But you can't escape the thoughts. But you're forced to be patient.

And so, you wait. And it's hard. It's hard because this World Series has consumed you. And, though you have no control over the outcome, you just want it to start. You want to just be in that moment, to live with the game.

You tell yourself; "It will be here soon." Game 6 is no longer a whisper on the horizon, it is visible. And it's possibilities are limitless. You can feel it, it's close. But it's not here yet. And so, you wait...

-Mike Tursi

Things To Like If You're The Yankees Heading Into Game 6

OK, so it didn't go as you had hoped. AJ was terrible. It was 6-1 half way through the game. But we knew this might happen. That's why Game 4 was such a pivotal win. It allowed the Yankees to play this game with house money. And, they almost broke the bank. Despite the loss, there were some positives in Game 5, and they could carry over into tomorrow's Game 6.

The Yankees hit Cliff Lee, which shows that their offense continues to gain momentum. They climbed back into a game they appeared to be out of against a dominant starter and a bullpen that still has a lot of questions.

The Left handed portion of the Yankees starting staff has dominated the Phillies lineup. Even on short rest, Andy Pettite should do well as long as he can stick to the game plan. Jack Morris through a 10 inning shutout in Game 7 of the 1991 World Series against the Braves, so it can be done.

More on pitching. Even though he gave up the home run in Game 4, Joba has looked good. He has assumed the role as the bridge to Rivera. Speaking of Rivera, he didn't pitch last night. If the Yankees have the lead in the 8th, we could see The Sandman for another 6 out save. This also shortens the game for the Yankees.

If October Baseball is about pitching and clutch hitting, the again, one has to like what they see from the Bombers. Damon has now jumped into consideration for MVP, A-Rod, while not hitting much, is hitting when it counts. Same for Jorge Posada. Also, being back in an American League park allows Matsui to be in the lineup again. If Hitting Coach Kevin Long can get Teixeira to stop swinging at breaking balls and Cano & Swisher find their bats, this could be a long night for Martinez. Also, you can now bat Gardner 9th. This turns the lineup over more quickly for Girardi and he can employ more hit and runs with Jeter, who is swinging a hot bat.

One final thought why the Yankees should like their chances... The are 3-0 this World Series in games not started by Cliff Lee.

-Mike Tursi

A View From Behind Enemy Lines

It all looks familiar, and yet it looks strange. I recognize the streets and the buildings. The people too. But they don't seem to recognize me. It has been a strange October for me in this place, it is a city I embrace, but now it is cold. I guess it's my own fault. The chill in the air means it's World Series time, and while this never mattered to most people here before, the past few years have created a tornado of activity. I've celebrated my Octobers in this city in obscure anonymity. My joyous screams rising into the night sky unanswered. You see, I'm a Yankee fan. And, before this year no one seemed to mind that. Friends or strangers.

But this year is different. This year, a line has been drawn in the sand. The people look at me differently. The strangers give me dirty looks. I welcome it, to an extent. For years I wished I could spend my Octobers in New York. But that's not possible when raising a family. So now I get to be a part of the buzz. Actually, I'm more like the Buzz's adversary. My Family is against me, friends too. One went as far as calling me a Traitor. It's all in good fun. Mostly, this is Philly after all.

Regardless, I plow on. Proudly displaying the Pinstripes. It's interesting. Even though they are the Defending World Champs, there is so much venom spewing my way about the Yankees. "We have an inferiority complex." someone told me. Really? Inferior to New York? News Flash... The whole world is inferior to New York! And, no, the Phillies will never be as popular as the Yankees. They're the New York Yankees! The most recognizable franchise in all of sports. Why can't they just be proud of their baseball team. After the Game 1 loss, my phone lit up like a Christmas tree. Text messages, emails, & Facebook. All of them telling me to get ready, cause it's over, the Phillies are so much better, and I must pay them their dues. My response simply was "tip of the cap to Lee, but it's still just one game." Today, I had to check my phone to see if it was on. The silence was deafening. Why can't this city admit it has a good fight on it's hands between two quality combatants. I guess there is a complex. If they don't crush the opponent, the possibility looms large that it might not end well for them, or that the team is not worthy of Championship status. I gave the Phillies their do, why am I still getting spit on. By my friends mind you. Again, I know it's all in good fun, but come on.

This brings me to my final point. I know the city of New York has felt more pressure from other series, most notably the 2000 Subway Series. I felt that pressure to, but from a distance. This is my pressure series. My wife said I was miserable to watch the game with. She asked me why, told me this was supposed to be fun. I told her she didn't understand, I'm in a no win situation here. These people hate the Yankees. If I win, it's "Oh, they bought another title and cheated Philly of it's rightful place.". And, if the Yankees lose... Well, I'll never live it down. It'll be how the underdog (by the way, the idea of the defending champion being some kind of huge underdog is preposterous) slayed the mighty favorite.

Rocky was a great underdog, and Philly thrives on him. The '93 Phillies were Rocky. This is nothing like Rocky.

So I sit, I try banter with the local folk. I wait. For the pressure gets ratcheted up again soon for Game 3. I feel the cold coming back. I'll be an alien again soon. But I'll watch and cheer my Yankees, loudly and proudly, here behind enemy lines.

-MT