Football is Here!

The Jets opened camp yesterday, the Giants open Sunday.

The NFL is BACK, baby!

Not that I want to wish the baseball season away, but nothing compares to football Sundays.

So what's the latest scoop?

New Jets coach Rex Ryan announced that Kellen Clemens is, for now, the team's #1 quarterback. With Mark Sanchez waiting in the wings, we'll see how long that lasts.

Jets running back Leon Washington did not report to camp yesterday but is there today. He is unhappy about his contract (c'mon guys, he's "only" making $535,000, that's not fair) but it looks like he will play through negotiations.

As for my Gmen, all but one of their 2009 draft picks are now signed. However, there is one Giant whose focus is not on camp (more on that later).

Let the insanity begin!

Quote of the Day

"You guys could be asking a question about (Mark) Buehrle throwing all those innings and we've got to face him, the pennant races, the trade deadline...Instead, we're talking about this again."

-Derek Jeter, to the media, about steroids being back on the forefront.

Today Saw the Obvious...

Well color me surprised.

The latest ballplayer taking up residence on 2003 Cheater Street is none other than Boston's David Oritz.

What does Big Papi have to say for himself?

"I've just been told that the report is true," Ortiz said after Boston's win (ugh) this afternoon. "Based on the way I lived my life I'm surprised to learn I tested positive."

Ha.

"You know me — I will not hide and I will not make excuses," he added.

Um, I think you just did.

So Boston fans, what do you have to say for yourselves?

And when is the rest of the damn list going to be released? Enough of this little-by-little BS. Give us the names so the sport can finally move on from this ridiculous saga.

Today Saw the Surprising...

While I didn't think his wife had the physical strength to take him down, I thought a third party was responsible for the death of boxer Arturo Gatti. But this came out of no where.

Brazilian police have ruled Gatti's death a suicide.

Gatti's wife, Amanda Rodrigues, has been released from custody.

Let the conspiracy theories begin.

Originally, police said Rodrigues had strangled him with her purse strap while he was asleep. But their story changed once the coroner's report said Gatti may have killed himself as he was found "suspended and hanged."

While some in Gatti's circle still suspect Rodrigues, she maintains her innocence.

"We had an argument in the street," she said. "Then he pushed me and I hurt myself. I believe that when we got home and he saw that he hurt me, he thought I would leave him, that I would tell him to just let me go, that I would separate from him. He did that in a moment of weakness. He was drunk, maybe he didn't know what he was doing, maybe he thought I would leave him the next day."

Do you believe Rodrigues, or do you believe she bought her way out of jail?

What a Day in Sports

Who else's head is spinning?

Wow.

Plaxico Burress Appears in Court

Former New York Giant Plaxico Burress appeared before a grand jury today.

Plax's attorney, Benjamin Brafman, described the sob story his client fed to the courtroom. "[He] asked the grand jury for compassion and understanding. I think it took a big man, not just physically, but a big man to come here today and acknowledge his responsibility and ask for the compassion of the people who he testified before."

Uh huh.

Plaxico addressed reporters, saying that "I was truthful, I was honest, and I'm truly remorseful for what I've done and for what happened."

Right.

Meanwhile, former teammate Antonio Pierce has been summoned to testify Thursday to give his side of the messy story.

Giants President John Mara rushed to Pierce's "defense" and released this statement. Mara "cannot understand the DA's position that Antonio is subject to criminal charges."

This is about to get very interesting.

While I think Antonio handled things the wrong way, the only time he should see the inside of a jail is when he goes and visits his buddy Burress.

When that fateful night in November happened, Plaxico was already on thin ice with the team. I believe he didn't want to see Plaxico get into even more trouble, so he did everything he could to protect him. He freaked out; he wasn't thinking straight. But he didn't do anything that warrants a prison sentence. Just give him some mandatory community service hours and be done with it.

At least this isn't all happening during the Giants season!

Another Reason Why Fox Rules

Today on their homepage they have a top ten list they "wish would just go away." By default, I agree 100% with who they picked, but I really only have a strong opinion on 80% of them.

Don't let the door hit you on the way out!

Jim Johnson, 1941 – 2009

Jim Johnson, defensive coordinator extraordinaire, died yesterday after a battle with cancer. He was 68.

Jim, who worked in the NFL for 22 years, spent the last ten as defensive coordinator for the Philadelphia Eagles. His defenses were always ranked among the best in the NFL, and he helped the team to five NFC Championship Games and a Super Bowl.

Said St. Louis Rams head coach and former Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, who worked under Johnson for eight seasons: "He was a dear friend and a special person...Our prayers and thoughts go out to his wife Vicki and their family. Jim meant the world to me, both personally and professionally. I am very blessed to have had the privilege to work for him and with him. The NFL has lost a good man."

Eagles head coach Andy Reid echoed that sentiment. "This whole Eagles-Andy Reid regime here that's taken place wouldn't have been possible without Jim. I'm not sure there's a person that I've met that isn't a Jim Johnson fan. He really represented everything this city is all about with his toughness and grit. That's the way he fought this cancer."

Johnson was diagnosed with a cancerous tumor in his spine after the Eagles' win over the Giants in the playoffs earlier this year. The team announced his illness after their loss to Arizona in the NFC Championship game. Despite his condition, he continued coaching, all the way up to the team's mini camp in May.

Sean McDermott will replace Johnson.

Our prayers go out to the Eagles and the Johnson family.

[Image via Football's Future]

Brett Favre to Remain Retired!

Wooooohooooo!

In the smartest move he's made in a really long time, Brett Favre is opting not to join the Minnesota Vikings.

Coach Brad Childress confirmed the news, saying "I just think it was a rare opportunity to explore a Hall of Fame quarterback who had background in the NFC and in this division...He knows our system inside out ... This doesn't change anything about how I feel about our football team."

Translation: Praise the Lord!

The Yankee Princess Debuts On "The Game!"

Check out the Princess on "The Game" with Russ Cohen and Nikco Riesgo as we talk about the latest going on in baseball. Log onto www.cardcornerclub.net, go to the podcast page and sign up for free to listen!

Kim and Reggie Are No More

It is not a good time to be a girlfriend of a footballer.

First Jessica and Tony, now Kim Kardashian and Reggie Bush.

The reality star and the Saints running back are said to be "very sad", according to one source.

"They love each other a lot and hope someday they can make it work. But for now, he starts his football season this week and Kim starts filming season four of Keeping Up With the Kardashians, and they just need this time apart."

[Image via Egypt Said So]

Omar Minaya Flips Out

At a press conference announcing the firing of an employee that showed inappropriate and reckless behavior, the former employee's boss showed...inappropriate and reckless behavior.

You honestly can't make this stuff up.

The Mets have gone from bad to laughingstock thanks to GM Omar Minaya's bizarro rant against New York Daily News sportswriter Adam Rubin.

You can view the video here.

But basically, Minaya said that the reports were hard to believe at first because Rubin, who broke the Tony Bernazard story, had inquired about a front office job with the organization. Minaya hinted that he felt Rubin was trying to push Bernazard out the door for his own personal gain. Obviously Rubin freaked out, and a heated back-and-forth ensued.

So now what?

As of now, The News' editor-in-chief is standing by his guy. "This was a well-reported, well-researched, exclusive story, and it's a shame that the Mets deemed fit to cast aspersions on our reporter instead of dealing with the issues at hand...We stand by Adam 1,000 percent."

That may be true, but it looks pretty damn impossible for Adam to cover the team as it is today.

But then again, if the drama boosts sales, Adam's job may be safe.

As for the Mets, they have reached a new low, despite their 3- game winning streak.

Can it get any worse?

[Image via Omar Minaya's favorite NY tabloid]

Bobby V Coming Back to the States?

Bobby Valentine is one step closer to a Major League Baseball comeback.

He will not be manaing the Chiba Lotte Marines next season, saying that it is best for the franchise.

How does he figure that? His fans love him so much, they staged nightly vigils at Chiba Marine Stadium and submitted a petition to Lotte's front office with more than 100,000 signatures when they heard of his departure.

And it's not like he hasn't had success- he lead the Marines to the Japan Series championship in 2005.

Whatever. The stars are aligned for him to come back to New York. The Mets are more than terrible, and fans have been begging for his return pretty much since he left. He would inject some much-needed life into Citi Field.

What do you think?

[Image via AMNY]

If You Have Time...

Check out the MLB Standings. It brings a smile to my face.

Ok, byeeeeee!

Excerpts from NFL letter to Vick

The AP got their hands on Roger Goodell's letter of reinstatement.

"My decision at that time will be based on reports from outside professionals, your probation officer, and others charged with supervising your activities, the quality of your work outside football, the absence of any further adverse involvement in law enforcement, and other concrete actions that you take that are consistent with your representations to me."

Read the rest of it here.

Pete Rose To Be Reinstated?

MLB commissioner Bud Selig is said to be seriously considering lifting Pete Rose's lifetime ban from baseball.

The New York Daily News says that it was Hank Aaron's interview session up in Cooperstown Saturday that got the ball rolling.

In declaring for the first time that he would want an asterisk put on the achievements of any steroid cheats elected to the Hall of Fame, Aaron brought up
Rose, who, in August of 1989, was given a lifetime ban for gambling on baseball,
saying: "I would like to see Pete in. He belongs there."

In an era where our superstar athletes lie, cheat, abuse drugs, abuse women, shoot themselves, shoot others, drive drunk, kill animals, kill humans, etc., what Pete did seems like child's play. It wasn't right, but it pales in comparison.

Let the man into the Hall!

[Image via Master Procrastinator]

Michael Vick No Longer in the Dog House

Michael Vick has been granted conditional reinstatement by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell.

He could be back in action as early as October.

If he could find a team that will actually sign him, he can immediately participate in preseason practices, games, workouts and meetings.

Goodell has said that Vick must show remorse and signs that he has changed before he would consider reinstating him. (I don't know if going out to a strip club on your first night of freedom positively reinforces that change).

At least one person is in favor of Vick coming back.

"The Michael Vick situation, I think, is unfortunate," Buffalo Bills wide receiver Terrell Owens said. "I think the way the commissioner is handling it is unfair to Michael Vick. I think he's done the time for what he's done. I don't think it's really fair for him to be suspended four more games. It's almost like kicking a dead horse in the ground.

"A lot of the guys around the league need to speak up. I think the players' union needs to step in because the guy's already suffered so much, and to add a four-game suspension onto a two-year prison sentence, I mean, that's ridiculous.

"Michael Vick is a guy that really hasn't had any character issues besides [what] he got a prison sentence for, so why not."

Leave it to T.O. to be the "voice of reason."

[Image via Constitution Club]

Tony Bernazard Finito

Today, the Mets fired Vice President of Player Development Tony Bernazard amid rumors that he treated his players like crap, and everyone else around him even crappier.

A press conference should be starting at any moment.

Kiss Kiss! A-Rod and Kate Get Cozy

I guess the car drama is ancient history.

Alex Rodriguez and Kate Hudson decided that the Yankees' annual family picnic would be the appropriate place to go public with their love.

As his daughters Natasha and Ella looked on, the duo smooched it up for the cameras.

Kate was even grabbing onto his arse while the cameras were rolling.

Good 'ol fashioned family fun!

[Image via The New York Daily News]

Plax Will Be Jailbait, But For How Long?

Manhattan District Attorney Robert Morgenthau is finally speaking out about the Plaxico Burress case- and it looks like the fallen Super Bowl hero is doing some time. But for how long?

"We've always taken the position that he's going to have to go to jail, whether by trial or by plea," Morgenthau told the New York Post, adding that his office would announce the grand jury's vote within four weeks.

Prosecutors wanted the former Giant to be locked up for two years and accept a lesser charge, but Plaxico's lawyers were "shooting" for only a one-year term.

Why is this negotiable? Just put him away!

The New York Post also reports that Antonio Pierce is not home free in all this mess. He can still face charges and some jail time for hiding the evidence.

EXCLUSIVE! Old Yankee Stadium Pictures

One Yankee Princess reader submitted these pictures of the old Yankee Stadium being dismantled, one seat at a time.

As of June, when these shots were taken, 90% of the seats had already been removed.

So sad.

[Photos taken by Chuck Sherman]
[Special thanks to Roger Wierbicki]

Joe Namath Movie in the Works

Broadway Hollywood Joe Namath is coming to the big screen.

According to Moviefone, Jake Gyllenhaal will star "as legendary quarterback Joe Namath in this Universal Pictures biopic that will follow the Hall of Famer from his college football days through his celebrity days as quarterback for the New York Jets." It will be released sometime in 2010.

Would you go see a movie based on #12? And do you think Jake will do a good job in the role?

[Image via NY Mag]

Tim Tebow: "I'm a Virgin"

Florida Gators QB Tim Tebow is in the minority...in a good way.

He is the complete opposite of the womanizers that he shares his position with- see Tom Brady, Tony Romo, Matt Leinart, et al.

In a world where he can get any young female he wants (I mean, look at him!!!), he is choosing to stay true to his God and his morals and not engage in any of the risqué behavior that his peers indulge in regularly.

That's right. Tim Tebow has never had sex, and is not afraid to share it with the world.

"Although there has been a backlash, oh well," Tebow said. "I'll deal with it if I have to. It's not a big deal to me because of the kids and the people that have been encouraged by the stories that we have had to tell and the life I've tried to live."

Bravo to you, T.

ChiSox's Mark Buehrle throws MLB's 18th perfect game

The game has just ended, history has been made!

Congratulations!

Big Ben: "I would never, ever force myself on a woman"

During this afternoon's press conference, Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger declared that "the allegations against me are reckless and false."

"I'm not going to discus my private life or this civil case in the media," The two-time NFL champion said. "I'll respond to her outrageous allegations in the appropriate forum."

"As much as I'd like to answer everyone's question, I'm going to respect the legal process. And I'm confident the truth will prevail."

And there you have it.

You know, after Ben won his first Super Bowl, he came under fire for not wearing a helmet when he was seriously injured in a motorcycle accident.

Maybe he should stop winning Super Bowls and he would have no more drama in his life!

A-Roid Ragin' Over Car

Strike 1, Kate!

Kate Hudson and her girlfriend smashed up Alex Rodriguez's Suburban on Wednesday.

Once A-Rod saw the damage, it got ugly.

According to witnesses, A-Rod was “visibly upset. The crash was so bad the license plate was obscured. He was ranting and raving while she [Kate's friend] stood their sheepishly.”

What do you think A-Rod said to Kate's friend? Will Kate's friend, her constant companion at Yankee Stadium, be banned from attending games? Or do you think Kate and A-Rod will just break up altogether over "Car-Gate"? And will A-Rod actually bring the car to an auto body shop and get it fixed like a normal person would do, or will he just get 5 new ones to compensate for this travesty of imperfection?

So many questions, I can't deal!

[Image via Deadspin]

[Special thanks to Andrew P.]

Health Nuts

All you Colorado Rockies fans with celiac disease and wheat allergies, listen up!

On Thursday, the team is debuting their gluten-free concession stand at Coors Field.

Food vendor Aramark says it's believed to be the first such stand in the major leagues.

The stand will include gluten (aka wheat)- free hot dogs, burgers, chicken, sandwiches, brownies and even beer!

New York and Los Angeles doesn't have this? I'm surprised. New York's stadiums offer every type of food imaginable. And aren't carbohydrates banned in LA?

Everybody, Calm Down!

Just as I suspected and feared, the press is going crazy over the Yankees' fantastic play since the break.

Talk about a jinx! Let's beat the Red Sox first before making any bold statements, ok?

Roethlisberger Press Conference at 2pm

Big Ben wants to clear the air- and his name- to the media later today.

This morning, it was reported that Nevada officials will not go ahead with a criminal probe into the case, citing that "the accuser would have to file a criminal complaint to trigger an investigation."

But how can you report something that didn't happen?

Andrea McNulty's 15 minutes are tick-tickin' away...

ESPN/New York Post Relationship Dunzo

You will no longer see your favorite New York Post columnists on ESPN, the network announced Wednesday.

This ban comes after the tabloid published photos Tuesday of a naked Erin Andrews getting ready in her hotel room.

"While we understand the Post's decision to cover this as a news story, their running photos obtained in such a fashion went well beyond the boundaries of common decency in the interest of sensationalism," ESPN senior vice president of communications Chris LaPlaca said in a statement Wednesday night.

The five-minute video was taken without her knowledge, and she vows to "bring both civil and criminal charges against them and against anyone who has published the material," the sports reporter's attorney, Marshall B. Grossman, said.

This story is creepy, scary and gross. (But damn, she's got a great bod!) Unfortunately, the media sometimes doesn't know when enough is enough.

Do you think The Post crossed the line?

Rich Behm: I Will Walk Again

Dallas Cowboys scouting assistant Rich Behm, who was paralyzed from the waist down when the team's practice facility collapsed this spring, vows to get his life back to normal.

"[I'm] still going to walk again," Behm said in his first public comments about the accident. "It's no big deal. That's a goal, and so I'm sticking to that.

"I'm still trying to learn how to deal with what's happened to me right now in terms of getting on with my normal life...I can't even drive a car."

Cowboys coach Wade Phillips hopes Behm's return will inspire his team.

"You know, the players can't say they are tired and can't get back when a guy like Rich shows all the heart he's shown," Phillips said.

Hatred for the team aside, here's hopeing Rich Behm achieves his goal very soon!

The Mets are a Train Wreck

The woes of the big-league club have now infiltrated into their farm system.

According to the New York Daily News, Mets VP for player development Tony Bernazard removed his shirt and challenged the Double-A players to a fight during a postgame tirade.

What got him so aggravated? Besides the fact that he works for the Mets organization, the team went 1-6 in an early July homestand and he suspected many of his players were drinking underage.

But what really put him over the top was when prospect Jose Coronado used a slang term associated with a woman's anatomy.

This isn't the first time "sources" are talking smack about Bernazard.

On Tuesday, the Daily News reported that that Bernazard, one of GM Omar Minaya's top lieutenants, recently erupted at the organization's manager of baseball operations.

During a game at Citi Field, scouts took their customary seats in a row behind home plate. Bernazard showed up during play and wanted a seat occupied by a D-Backs scout. Bernazard's deputy, already seated in the row, suggested to the Mets VP that he wait until the half-inning ended, to minimize the disruption. Bernazard ripped into his deputy with a profanity-laced tirade as scouts and patrons watched in disbelief.

In other Mets news, they got shut out by the Nationals last night 4-0 and are now 10 games out of first place. This was the fifth time they were shut out in 13 games.

AL East Flip-Flops Yet Again

Are you just waking up? Have you gotten a chance to read the MLB standings?

All I'm saying is, this better be here to stay!

More Details Emerge in Big Ben Case

We have a name- Andrea McNulty. We have a face...see her picture above. And we have more info.

Here it is:

According to TMZ, when Andrea tried filing a report, Guy Hyder, the chief of security at Harrah's in Lake Tahoe, told her she was "over-reacting" and that "most girls would feel lucky to have sex with someone like Ben Roethlisberger."

Um, not really. But moving on...

McNulty also claims Hyder told her that John Koster- the president of the hotel- will "personally fire you for starting rumors about Roethlisberger's personal life."

The icing on the cake? McNulty also claims Hyder told her that Koster would be impressed by the sexual encounter, allegedly saying "Koster would love you even more if he knew about this ... Koster would suck his d*ck if Roethlisberger let him."

Cla$$y on all fronts!

[Picture via TMZ]

David Beckham went at it with a fan over the weekend. He's saying that isn't the case, but the videotape doesn't lie. What do you think?

Big Ben Charged with Sexual Assault

A woman is accusing Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger of raping her in his penthouse room at Harrah's Lake Tahoe...last summer.

Is this woman a close personal friend of Katelyn Faber's?

I mean c'mon. If this really happened, why would you wait A YEAR (which happens to include a Super Bowl victory by Ben and his team) before reporting it to the authorities?

The woman's lawsuit explains that the delay was due to her fear that she would be fired and that she expected the casino to side with Roethlisberger.

She is asking for least $390,000 in damages, and that hotel officials for the casino went to great lengths to cover up the incident.

"Ben has never sexually assaulted anyone. The timing of the lawsuit and the absence of a criminal complaint and a criminal investigation are the most compelling evidence of the absence of any criminal conduct. If an investigation is commenced, Ben will cooperate fully and Ben will be fully exonerated," Big Ben's lawyer, David Cornwell, said in a statement.

Ya think?

"The T.O. Show" Review

Click here to read my review with Sportsology's Russ Cohen!

Tony Romo Confirms Split

To People: "The more stuff you've got in your mind, probably the less successful you're going to be...So the only thing I think about is the task at hand. When you let your mind wander or think about other things, you're setting yourself up for failure. So I just try to stay focused. I've done a pretty good job of that this week."

And there you have it.

Must-See TV: "The TO Show"

The reviews are in for Terrell Owens' new show, and while some ain't pretty, most people are actually intrigued by the controversial star.

"The TO Show" follows TO to Los Angeles where he tries to rebuild his reputation with the help of his two best friends, publicists Monique and Kita.

One scene in tonight's hour- long series premiere (at 10pm on VH1) shows how TO parted ways with the Cowboys after last season:

Owens is lounging in his Miami home with his bodyguard, Pablo. Owens unfolds a
white tablecloth scrawled with black marker. He had swiped it after dinner the
night before with his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, and Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and son Stephen.

The elder Jones had written "Jerry" and "TO" on the tablecloth, connected the names with arrows, and written "100%" as if it say, "I'm for you."

Then Jones drew a short, thick line cutting through the open space between their names and said, according to Owens, "We've got to part ways."

That is actually very amusing. While I despise most reality TV (and TO even more) I may have to check this out tonight.

Will you be watching?

Speaking of Quarterbacks Nobody Wants Back....

Minnesota Vikings coach Brad Childress recently watched a video of Brett Favre working out in Mississippi.

Childress said that Favre "looked fine" and that he "liked his throwing motion, the little bit that I saw on tape."

But Hall of Fame wide receiver Jerry Rice is speaking out against Favre's "comeback."

"You have to look at the scenario that happened in New York," Rice said. "If he pretty much distances himself completely from the players, then all of a sudden you're going to divide the players...You don't want this to divide the team. So this could really backfire."

"I know towards the latter part of my career, even though I still wanted to be out on that football field, it was like things became a little bit more difficult," Rice said. "But my job was different. It consisted of a lot of running and stuff like that.

"With Brett, the thing for him is dropping back, planting himself and throwing the
ball down field so it might be a little bit different for him. But he's a competitor. I think if he still wants to play, I think he should. But I really thought this team would be moving and looking down the road instead of trying to look for the one-year miracle."

Agreed on all fronts.

Who Lets the Dogs Out? Michael Vick a Free Man

Former NFL star Michael Vick was released from federal custody Monday. He was under house arrest for the last two months of his 23- month sentence.

Now that he's a free man, he wants to stage a comeback!

Sources say that Vick is expected to hire renowned performance trainer Tom Shaw to prepare for his return to the gridiron "in the near future."

Woof woof.

[Image via Constitution Club]

The Weekend in Sports

If you were out and about like I was this weekend, you may have missed what's been going on.

Here is the latest:

*The Yankees swept the Detroit Tigers this weekend and is one game behind Boston for the top spot. The Yankees were clicking on all cylinders. Let the good times roll!

*On Sunday, the Yankees celebrated their 63rd Old Timers Day. First-time participants included Mike Mussina, Doc Gooden, and the lovable Don Zimmer. It was nice to see Zim back in pinstripes!

*The Mets bad luck continues. Pitcher Fernando Nieve strained his right quadricep and was forced to leave the game. The Mets also lost three of four to the Braves and fell to nine games out of first in the NL East. Brutal.

*The British Open finished in unfair fashion, according to many. Fan favorite Tom Watson was in the lead the final three days and came within an 8-foot putt of winning over Stewart Cink, but it was not meant to be.

That's all folks!

NFL Coaches Meet the Troops

During the week of Independence Day, some A-list NFL personnel got a crash course in the meaning of the holiday.

New York Giants Head Coach Tom Coughlin, Former Pittsburgh Steelers Head Coach Bill Cowher, Tennessee Titans Head Coach Jeff Fisher, Former Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Oakland Raiders Head Coach Jon Gruden and Baltimore Ravens Head Coach John Harbaugh deployed to the Persian Gulf as part of a week-long USO/Armed Forces Entertainment tour.

“We come to these kids, and so many look like kids I could be coaching, from a world where guys in sports are called heroes,” Coughlin said. “Only now we’re the ones in the presence of real heroes. Wherever we’ve gone this week, I’ve reminded the guys in uniform that when we were winning the Super Bowl, they called us ‘road warriors,’ because we won all those games on the road. But then I tell them we weren’t the real warriors, they are.”

Click here for the all the official media from the tour.

[Image via New York Daily News]

Want a Piece of Giants History?

This lovely graphic above greets you when you enter Giants.com.

For only $499, you can get a pair of Giants Stadium seats shipped to you before they knock the (semi) old place down.

Get them while supplies last!

Mets Getting a Little Help

And they sure do need it.

Enter the Bristal Senior All-Stars.

On Wednesday, men that have had more than 1,400 years of baseball experience taped a video to teach their favorite team the fundamentals of baseball.

"What could we send the Mets that would express our concern?" Howard Cannon, spokesman for the assisted living company that funds the league and participating teams, said. "They wouldn't let us come out and work with the players, so why don't we send them a highlight reel?"

"We're not angry with the Mets, but you know everybody could use some help," said the league's commissioner, Joe Friedman, 73, of Oceanside. "We are not doing it to embarrass anyone, we are doing it because we care about them."

At this point, the Mets should take any help they can get and invite these boys in for a tryout!

[Images via Newsday]

McNair Conspiracy Theory

Was the Steve McNair death caused by a third party and not his jilted lover? Read here for an interesting analysis.

In other McNair news, it turns out that he did not leave a will. His wife Mechelle's request to administer the estate was granted. She named herself and her two sons with McNair heirs to his fortune.

But what about his other two sons from a previous relationship? Talk about an evil stepmother...

Richard Jefferson is an Ass

Just days before they were to be married, former New Jersey Nets star Richard Jefferson told his fiance, Kesha Ni'Cole Nichols, that the wedding was off...IN AN E-MAIL!

"There was a lot of stress and tension in the relationship. We've been through a lot -- but we just couldn't continue," Jefferson told the New York Post, sounding upset during a telephone interview.

Ok, he can pick up a phone to call the tabloids, but he doesn't have the decency to do the same in breaking up his wedding?

"I won't say a negative word about Kesha. She is one of my best friends," continued Jefferson.

Here's more from the Post article. I will let the douchery speak for itself:

He said things came to a head when they celebrated July 4 in LA, a week before their planned July 11 wedding at the luxurious Mandarin Oriental on Columbus Circle.

After Nichols boarded a plane back to New York the next day, Jefferson said, he sent her the devastating e-mail.

"Sometimes you might write an e-mail to get your thoughts down right," he explained.

After Nichols -- and the message -- arrived in New York, the couple spoke by phone for two hours, Jefferson said.

"It was a conversation Kesha and I had," he said, adding only that it was "a combination of things" that led to the split.

Jefferson said they haven't spoken in a week.

"It's been an emotional time for both of us," he said. "I know she's hurt. I'm hurt, too."

The couple had planned to top off their $500,000 wedding with a honeymoon in London, where they had tickets to one of the Michael Jackson comeback shows.

Of the money he's giving Nichols, Jefferson said, "I'm not trying to buy her off. She has a lump sum to help her move on." [Jefferson gave Nichols a 6-figure lump sum to help her "get on with her life."]

He added, "I've made my mistakes in this relationship, 100 percent. But at the end of the day, there were some people who were responsible for the demise of it."

He insisted a rumor he's gay had nothing to do with the breakup.

"I'm not gay," Jefferson said. "That couldn't be any further from the truth. I have nothing to hide."

Nichols could not be reached.

On July 6, Jefferson told his family the wedding was off.

Kesha told her family and friends the next day, he said.

Because some out-of-town guests were already in, or en route to, New York, they decided to go through with a dinner that was supposed to have been part of the wedding celebration, Jefferson said.

The jilted bride, a former Net dancer, checked into the Mandarin and spent what would have been her wedding night in a luxury suite. A fellow dancer pal of Kesha, Keltie Colleen, wrote on her blog that Nichols was "going through some serious grief."

None of Jefferson's family made the trip. "My family didn't take this well. I'm the last one not to have married," said Jefferson, the son of Christian missionaries. "My family was looking forward to me starting a family of my own."

Jefferson flew to Paris last week with some basketball buddies. He went "only because I care about her so much that I didn't want to change my mind after those emails were sent," he said. "I didn't want to start missing her and decide, 'let's do this."' "It's so crazy, the divorce rate out there," Jefferson added.

"If you aren't 100 percent certain about something, you shouldn't do it."

Amanda Rodrigues Wants Out of Jail

Amanda Rodrigues, wife of killed boxer Arturo Gatti, is asking to be released from jail, where she is currently being held on accusations that she strangled Gatti in his sleep.

Her lawyer, Celio Avelino expects the court in Recife to rule Wednesday at the earliest.

Police say she is the only suspect.

Understandably, the boxing world is very shaken up by these turn of events.

"What I've been hearing is that him and the girl fought a lot," said Buddy McGirt, Gatti's one-time trainer. "Whatever it is, it's crazy. If they fought that much, leave the person. You don't kill them or have someone else kill them."

Exactly.

One of the biggest stories of the All-Star Game is the fact that Derek Jeter and Mariano are both celebrating their 10th appearance.

Everyone...EVERYONE...is bowing down these two living, breathing, cornerstones of baseball royalty.

And rightly so. If I was lucky enough to be there, I would be too. (Maybe next year!)

Click here for the endless amounts of articles singing their praises.

If Looks Could Kill...

Whatever you do, do NOT call Mr. Jeter old!

No Yankees?! What Are We Supossed To Do?

Watch the Home Run Derby at 8pm, of course: http://wap.mlb.com/asg/hr_derby/

My money is on Prince Fielder to take home the prize.

What about you?

Yoko Romo No More

Tony Romo broke up with Jessica Simpson the night before her 29th birthday, according to People.com.

Classy.

Sources said that their careers are getting in the way. Tony is training for the season (by hitting up Hollywood hotspots...keep it up Tone!) and Jessica is getting ready to film her new reality TV show.

Hopefully these two crazy kids will get back together in time for the season. I'm rootin' for them!

If a Radio Host Goes on a Rant When No One is Lisening, Does He Make a Sound?

Chris "Mad Dog" Russo is not a happy camper.

Nearly a year after cutting ties with Mike Francesa and WFAN to sign a very lucrative deal with Sirius Satellite Radio, Mad Dog had an on-air breakdown Thursday.

He fired his news director, Steve Torre, ON AIR. He called his entire staff "horseshit." (For more, listen to the video above).

The clincher?

This happened on Thursday. Deadspin broke this story on Saturday, and the New York media waited until Sunday to publish it. If Chris went on the air and blasted his staff on the AM dial like the way he just did, it would have been a back page headline.

In other words, NO ONE IS LISTENING!

Look, I did promotions at the FAN for over four years. I got to know Mike and Chris, and when I heard they were separating, I was depressed for days. I've been listening to them since I was a toddler. In the Octobers when the Yankees were kicking ass and taking names, I would put my life on hold so I could listen to the two of them bicker like an old married couple. It was the best act around.

Chris, Mike, this experiment is over. Can you kiss and make up and bring the magic back over to 660?

What's Happening Right Now

Here's the latest in the world of sports:

The Yankees continue to suck against the Angels. They lost again last night to them, 14-8. Our pitching couldn't do squat. Let's hope CC has a better outting today.

In other Yankee news, Alex Rodriguez is now *tenth on the all-time homer list. *Congrat$!

Very good article in the Star-Ledger today about Ted Williams. Check it out.

Could the Mets be turning a corner? At least for one night, maybe they are. Their fans can dream.

David Beckham responds to teammate's criticism. I seriously forgot that he still plays soccer. I thought he was a full-time model now.

Haven't had your fill of the Steve McNair saga? Good, neither have I. The New York Post has yet another story that looks at his affair and the events leading up to his killing.

That's all for now kids. Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

RIP Arturo Gatti

Here we go again.

The sports world lost another one of its stars yesterday. Retired boxing champion Arturo Gatti was found dead in his rented apartment in Brazil.

Arturo's wife, 23-year-old Amanda Rodrigues, has been taken into custody due to contradictions when she was being interrogated.

A spokeswoman for the Pernambuco, Brazil state civil police says Gatti was apparently strangled with the strap of a purse- which was found with blood stains at the scene- and that he also had a head injury.

Was this a case of monkey see monkey do?

We obviously don't know all the details yet, but I find it hard to believe that his wife could take down a bad-ass like Arturo with a purse strap. But we shall see...

[Image via Sports Illustrated]

Yanks Back in Second; Joba Very Ordinary

Well that didn't last long.

I was proven very wrong.

The Yankees blew a 5-1 lead and lost to the Angels, 10-6. This loss puts them back in second place in the AL East.

Joba Chamberlain, who cruised through four innings, self-destructed in the fifth.

It all started when Bobby Abreu hit a RBI single. Then Alex Rodriguez committed a throwing error, which lead up to Kendry Morales' three-run, game-tying homer.

The Angels took the lead for good in the sixth against reliever Mark Melancon and went up 7-5.

The victory was sealed in the seventh, when Derek Jeter dropped a popup and the struggling Brian Bruney gave up a three-run bomb to Erick Aybar.

"It's frustrating- I'm letting my teammates down," Chamberlain said. "It's kind of embarrassing, too. At the end of the day, we've got the second half to get better and I still can't change the past. I can learn from it and just continue to grow."

"It's important," Manager Joe Girardi added. "We need [Chamberlain] to pitch the way he's capable of pitching, because our fifth spot is up in the air. We want him to be successful so we can have options."

The only option here is to send Joba back to the 'pen. Many, many Yankee fans (this one included) were oppossed to this experiment in the first place. The Yankees need to put their pride to the side, admit their mistake, and right it. This has been going on for way too long.

A Look Into Sahel Kazemi's Life

Click here for an in-depth article about Steve McNair's affair with the Dave & Buster's waitress and the events leading up to his murder.

In 'n Out

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Donte' Stallworth is a free man (sort of).

He was released from prison today after serving 24 days of a 30-day sentence for DUI manslaughter.

He was released early for "good behavior".

Now the multi- millionaire will now begin his two years of mansion house arrest, eight years of probation, and 1,000 hours of community service. The NFL has "indefinitely" suspended him, and Stallworth will never drive again.

Just to refresh your memory, Stallworth struck and killed 59-year-old Mario Reyes while under the influence of marijuana and alcohol.

What do you think? Does the punishment fit the crime?

I don't think having to hide out in the lap of luxury for two years does enough justice to what Stallworth did to Reyes and his family.

[Image via BeyondCOnline]

Yankees Back on Top

It's been a long road, but the Yankees are finally back on top of the AL East.

While they share 1st place with the Red Sox (who the Royals beat last night to force this tie) this triumph is a testament to how gritty the Yankees have been, considering they have yet to beat the Red Sox this season. (They are currently down 0-8 in their season series).

There's a lot of baseball to be played, and this race will go down to the wire. But right now, my money is on the Bombers. Love 'em or hate 'em, it's hard to deny that the Yankees have a certain magic about them this year. Eventually they have to beat the Red Sox, and if we keep up this level of play, it's in the bag.

Now go out and beat the Angels this weekend and prove me right!

All-Star Game Entertainment Round-Up

The MLB All-Star game rarely fails to disappoint (at least in their pre-game ceremonies) and this year's 80th installment will be no different.

Sheryl Crow, a Missouri native, will sing "The Star-Spangled Banner" before Tuesday night's game in St. Louis.

Country star Sara Evans, also a Missouri native, will sing "God Bless America" during the seventh-inning stretch.

President Barack Obama is throwing out the ceremonial first pitch.

As for the events leading up to the big game, "American Idol" winner David Cook will perform two songs before the Home Run Derby on Monday. Nikko Smith, a 2005 "American Idol" finalist and son of Cardinals Hall of Famer Ozzie Smith, will sing the national anthem.

(If they wanted proven American Idols to do the job, they should have tapped the girl who sang the National Anthem at the opening of the New Yankee Stadium. The pipes on her...wow!)

Derek, Mo, Tex and everyone else will be showing their greatness to the world on July 14 at 8pm on FOX.

Bruce Smith Busted for DUI

I swear, sometimes this blog reads like a criminal rap sheet.

The latest sports star to get in trouble with the law is (very near future) Hall-of-Famer and all-time NFL sacks leader Bruce Smith.

Bruce was driving home from dinner in May when he was pulled over for driving on the shoulder and was clocked at going 73 mph in a 55 mph zone.

During today's trial, Smith and his lawyers testified that 11 knee surgeries during Smith's career made it difficult to complete sobriety tests that included walking a straight line heel-to-toe and standing for 30 seconds on one leg.

The judge didn't buy it, and gave the former Buffalo Bill a 90-day suspended jail term, $350 fine for DUI, a suspended drivers license for a year and a $90 fine for speeding.

This isn't the first time Smith has gotten in trouble for his penchant for drinking and driving- he has had two previous DUI arrests.

Think he got the message this time?

Nah.

Twittering During Gamedays? NFL Says No Way

Chad Johnson Ochocinco wants to Twitter during games.

Of course he does. That makes total sense! Why should he concentrate on winning games? That's asking waaaay too much.

Unfortunately for #85, the NFL put the kaboosh on his plans right away.

"We already have a rule that prohibits the use of cell phones or other handheld devices in the bench area during games," NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said.

What does Ocho have to say about that? (Via Twitter, of course).

"Question? If I tweet during the game and they suspend me, would I get paid during my suspension since it's not a legal issue?"

I don't know, why don't you find out and let us know.

Yankees/Cablevision Team Up to Make History

Last night's Yankees/Twins game was the first live, in-market streaming product in professional sports to include games with local broadcast television deals.

Huh?

In other words, if you have Cablevision, and you subscribe to the Family Cable (expanded basic) and Optimum Online, you can watch Yankee games from your office, your bathroom, your roof, wherever!

Obviously, this isn't a free service. You can pay a one-time fee of $49.95 for the remainder of the season or $19.95 for any 30-day period.

Remember back in 2002 when Cablevision and the Yankees were at war, and Yankee fans in the Cablevision area were blacked out the ENTIRE season? Now they're in bed with eachother.

Just find that funny, that's all.

Isn't It Ironic?

Steve McNair taped a youth suicide PSA, according to Tennessee state officials.

The 60 second spot, taped in April and currently in post-production, was due to air sometime this year.

The Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities issued a statement Thursday, saying "broadcasting it now is not only inappropriate but doesn't serve the community."

Maybe Sahel Kazemi should have come to the taping and taken some notes.

I Like It When He Gets Frisky

When Derek Jeter gets angry and wants to talk about it, we are all supposed to sit up and take notice.

It's not too often that DJ shows his cards to the press. In fact, as much as I love him, Derek is one of the most boring interviews ever.

So for him to still be fuming about being tagged out on third during Monday's game, and to be airing out his frustrations to his sworn enemies (the media), it speaks volumes.

Foster told Derek that Minnesota Twins third baseman Scott Rolen didn't have to tag him because the ball beat a sliding Jeter to the bag, Jeter said.

"I was told by the umpire that I didn't have to be tagged to be out," Jeter said.

But on Tuesday night at Citi Field, Foster told crew chief John Hirschbeck something else.

"The ball beat you, and I had him tagging you," is what Foster told Hirschbeck he said to Jeter.

Hell no.

Asked if he heard Foster say, "I had him tagging you," Jeter was quick to answer.

"He didn't say that," Jeter told The Post in a firm voice. "He knows exactly what he said and he didn't say that." He reiterated "he didn't say that" several times.

(Ok, I know Derek isn't exactly being over-the-top here. But he showed emotion and body language to the outside world. Believe me, the boy is mad!)

Joe Torre Couldn't Care Less

I mean, can ya blame him?

Nevertheless, the only way Joe Torre would be interested in seeing the new Yankee Stadium is if his Los Angeles Dodgers have a few engagements there come October.

"That would be all right", Papa Joe said.

That would be more than all right...That would be like Christmas morning!

It just sucks that the rift between him and the Yankees is still deeper than ever. He deserves to be immortalized in Monument Park. The #6 should never be worn again.

Can't we all just get along?

The McNair 9-1-1 Tape

Thanks to Bob's Blitz

The Sahel Kazemi/Steve McNair DUI Police Video

Thanks to Bob's Blitz

McNair Tragedy Officially Ruled a Murder-Suicide

Police have officially solved the mystery surrounding Steve McNair's death.

According to the Associated Press:

Former NFL star Steve McNair was shot dead in his sleep last week by a 20-year-old girlfriend distraught about mounting financial problems and her belief that he was seeing someone else, police said Wednesday.

Sahel Kazemi "was spinning out of control" when she shot McNair four times as he dozed on a sofa early Saturday, then turned the gun on herself, Police Chief Ronal Serpas said.

Interviews with friends revealed that she was making payments on two cars, her rent was doubling and she suspected the married McNair was having a second affair with another young woman.

She told a friend on Friday that "My life is a ball of s--- and I should end it," Serpas said.

McNair, 36, a quarterback for the Tennessee Titans most of his career, met Kazemi six months ago at a sports cafe where she was a waitress and his family often ate. She seemed happy and eager to build a life with him, but something went wrong.

"We do know that she was clearly sending a message during the last five to seven days of her life that things were going bad quickly," Serpas said, though there was no indication she told anyone she planned to harm McNair.

Serpas said detectives learned that Kazemi recently found out about another young woman she thought McNair was romantically involved with and had even followed that woman home, though she did not confront her.

Serpas said police believe McNair was asleep when he was killed because there were no defensive wounds. After shooting McNair in the head, Kazemi apparently shot him twice in the chest before shooting him again in the head.

Before shooting herself, she sat next to his body and "tried to stage it so she would fall in his lap," Serpas said. She did, but her body slid to the floor and ended up at McNair's feet. The gun was found underneath her.

Because of his job title, bank account and status, Steve McNair could have had any woman he wanted. Why would he choose to have an affair with someone who had interaction with his wife and kids? Cheating is hurtful no matter how you slice it, but he should have shown his family more respect.

Sahel Kazemi was obviously a tortured soul (who apparently read too much Shakespeare in high school). McNair couldn't save her, and he ultimately paid the price.

This doesn't mean that I think his murder was well-deserved. All I'm saying is, if he had stayed true to his vows, McNair would have (more than likely) still been with us today.

Guess Who's Back, Back Again?

Well if it isn't baseball's proverbial ray of sunshine, Manny Ramirez.

Has it been 50 games already?

Maybe that suspension should have been doubled.

Manny's 2009 re-debut came in, of all places, New York against the Mets. And the drug abuser did not disappoint.

Manny went 2-for-4, and knocked in three RBI's before being ejected for throwing his bat, helmet, batting glove in frustration after a strikeout.

"He's human, he makes mistakes,'' Ramirez said of [Umpire John Hirschbeck]. "That's a ball (on the fifth inning strikeout). But he's a good guy. I just threw my bat and I was walking to left field, and then he saw my bat close to him and he threw me out. But I was coming out in the fifth anyway, so it wasn't a big deal.''

Oh Manny, it's like you've never left!

Can't live with you, can live without you.

Roy Halladay a Goner?

There is a chance that the Toronto Blue Jays may be dealing pitcher Roy Halladay before the July 31st trade deadline.

"He's open to at least listening," said Jays GM J.P. Ricciardi. "He's not going to be a guy who will let you do all the work [preparing for a possible trade], and then he's not willing to listen. If it makes sense, he will listen."

Hmmmmm, where could Halladay possibly go...The Yankees perhaps?

Hee-hee.

Boley Suspended

Not that he was really going to be ready to play anyway, but new New York Giant Michael Boley has been suspended for the first game of the 2009 season.

The suspension stems from "a domestic incident" that occurred on May 3, 2008, when Boley was still with the Atlanta Falcons.

Boley was arrested and charged with one count of domestic battery for allegedly beating his wife, Chantelle. Supposedly, Boley pushed her against a wall, threw her over a couch, and shoved her into a kitchen cabinet door, leaving bruises on her upper back.

Classy.

But why was this suspension just handed over now? This happened before the start of last season. He should have served his time while in Atlanta. The case was resolved in November 2008, so a suspension should have happened shortly after, no?

Seems like Goodell & Co. were behind the 8-ball on this one.

[Image via NY Post]

More Bad News for Phil Mickelson

Less than two months after Phil Mickelson's wife, Amy, was diagnosed with breast cancer, the Mickelson's were jolted with another shock- Phil's mother, Mary, was diagnosed with the same disease.

How much more can this family seriously take?

Tina Mickelson, Phil's sister, said Monday that her mother was diagnosed a week ago and will undergo surgery Friday at the MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. Amy Mickelson had surgery for her breast cancer at the same hospital Wednesday.

Insanity.

Double the prayers go out to Phil and his family.

[Image via Time]

Steve McNair: 1973-2009

While most of the country was out celebrating Independence Day, this bombshell stopped some of those festivities dead in their tracks: Steve McNair, former quarterback for the Tennessee Titans and Baltimore Ravens, was found shot to death. He was only 36 years old. Also found dead in McNair's Tennessee condo was 20-year-old Sahel Kazemi.

McNair suffered four bullet wounds, while Kazemi was killed by a single bullet to the head. Her body was found on top of the murder weapon, a gun which she had purchased only days before.

Authorities believe it was a murder-suicide.

Steve was known to fans as one the classier players on the gridiron. However, the details coming to surface since the tragedy portrays him in a different light.

Detectives for the Nashville PD said that McNair and Kazemi "had been in a dating relationship" for several months. Kazemi's sister said that the Dave & Buster's server had expected McNair to marry her eventually. McNair's wife, Mechelle, supposedly found out about the affair after his death.

McNair is survived by him and Mechelle's four children.

So this begs the question: How does Mechelle feel about all this? Devastated by her husband's death, infuriated over her husband's infidelity or joyous that the affair, um, blew up in his face? Either way, it's still a tragedy that four kids are without their father, but if Steve had been faithful this wouldn't have happened. I'm just sayin'...

[Images via ESPN and TMZ]