Clemens is back and all is well, or is it?

The Yankees make a big splash, lots of money, 1 million per start. Can he go 7 with 2 runs each time out. That is what they need, no losing streaks save the bullpen, play defense, steal, oh wait he only pitches, is 45 and needs to go three weeks to the minors before we see if he is the same guy from the national league. Switching leagues is tough but he knows what the AL East is like and Clemens will drive Ortiz and Manny off the plate.

If Clemens can go 7 each time, then a rotation of Wang, Clemens, Petite, Mussina, and Agent Chippy can get to the playoffs and that is all that matters. Mussina might not pitch in a first round series, meaning they will have someone to go in the second round. If the pitchers stay heatlhy and we don't have a Kie Irabu sighting, than the Yankees should be fine, especially now that Melky is hitting and Arod is still driving in the runs.

In NY we are already waiting for football - because the Rangers and Devils are out and on one watches the Nets (well a few people do) but they won't get past the might morphin Pistons. Make Webber a supporting player and watch out.

This side of the country missed some mighty good basketball, but don't blame the NBA or TV. It is the fault of the GMs, Owners, and coaches. Defense is easy to coach - good players with offensive games take longer to learn, but with win now, we lose hall of fame coaches after one year. Anyway who cares we have Francis and Marbury the back court of the future, past, ever?

Oh my Hamstring & Dallas WHAT?

Miller was fired and that is okay, but Phillip Hughes was in Triple A until his call up. I don't think a trainer can change a routine in 5 to 6 days and impact him that much. How about the fact they don't have a chirpractor in NY. Damon flew (on a plane) to get his back fixed. We are in NY - find someone local. Either there is a plan to save money, like a few years ago when the Yankees were getting rid of Dental insurance, or something else is wrong in the overall fitness and health plan. Some of the players were hurt in domed or warm weather stadiums and by the time someone is in the majors for a few years, or played for 10 including Japan, they should have some routine that works for them. I can't believe it is all the trainers fault. How about the fact that the Yankees are an old team and most of the injuries are to older players.

Man, 2-0 against Miami last year and now they can't get out of there way, but if Dallas decides to trade Nowitski, maybe Isaiah can actually find a real star to build around. I will take a first round loss if we make the finals the year before. How about they get a real power forward or center to play with him. Also, maybe Dallas shouldn't have let Nash go, or won't have to play the coach (Nelson) who trained Dallas's coach and players (inside info rocks).

The Rangers may be the only team that can get United States media markets outside of local areas excited. That means the NHL and the NHLPA wants them to win (more money is good for all) so I don't want to hear about conspiracy theories.

When do football minicamps start? How long until the Madden Curse hits Vince Young?

The Weekend that Was (and Monday)

Football:

Brady "Freefall" Quinn should have been taken by the Miami Dolphins at worst. What does Ted Ginn give you when the only guy throwing him the ball is Culpepper who was benched last year. The Raiders could have gotten a quaterback last year and ended up with Calvin Johnson this year. Instead he is the fourth first round receiver Matt Millen chooses. Can I get his job security...The Patriots can have the trophy, we want character. BS, we will take Moss too. How the mighty (Moss and Culpepper) have fallen. Great move, no risk, high reward. Too bad it came to this. Jets look good, but Revis better be great. J - E - T - S, Jets! Jets! Jets!

Baseball:

Only in New York can fans get nervous that a first place team has a 57 year old El Duque on the DL. Of course he is injured. Livan is the horse, El Duque is the playoff ace. That is why he is on the team. April/May mean nothing in NY unless the Yankees fall further behind the Sox. Let some pitchers go 7 and then see how the team does.

Other Sports:

Funny, but both Hockey (just because) and Basketball (no Knicks) are afterthoughts here in NY except for fans of those teams still alive (Devils/Rangers/Nets). Yes so the NBA Eastern conference is all about the sweep and the Western conference is about Don Nelson owning his old team, the Mavericks - Read Mark Cuban's blog for fun.

3 NY area or state teams are alive and the ratings barely make a blip - blame the NHL, Vs., or the fans, it doesn't matter, you want to see ratings go up, then hope Devils and Rangers both win. The games will be in primetime in NY just for them and all sports are better when NY teams have a good postseason - large market and Madison Avenue.



Our prayers go out to Josh Hancock's family and

his friends around the major and minor leagues.