Santana Done for the Year

Just when you think it couldn't get ANY worse for the New York Mets, it has.

Their star pitcher, Johan Santana, is dunzo.

Santana will have surgery for bone chips in his left elbow and will join fellow teammates (take a deep breath) David Wright, Carlos Delgado, Jose Reyes, JJ Putz, Carlos Beltran and John Maine on the disabled list.

Damn. And there may be another player joining them! Oliver Perez is has discomfort in his right knee. And while there is a chance that he may make his next start, Mets manager Jerry Manuel isn't getting his hopes up.

"I'm very doubtful," Manuel said. "I'm tired of being optimistic."

Hmmm...that has a nice ring to it. Maybe that can be the Mets 2010 ticket campaign slogan.

In other Mets news, Billy Wagner has been traded to Boston (which I'm not too happy about) for two players to be named later.

Sanchez To Lead Gang Green

Jets fans, meet your new starting quarterback!

According to Jay Glazer, head coach Rex Ryan has informed Mark Sanchez and Kellen Clemens that Sanchez is the winner in the QB competition.

Rex made the hot right choice.

E: 60 Interview with Plaxico Burress

Did you see Plaxico's pre- jail interview last night? Check it out here, and tell us what you think!

More Shameless Self Promotion...

Check out my interview with Tiki Barber!

Jim Rice Needs a Reality Check

Can you spot what's wrong with the following quote?

"You see a Manny Ramirez, you see an A-Rod, you see [Derek] Jeter. Guys that I played against and with, these guys you're talking about cannot compare. We didn't have the baggy uniforms. We didn't have the dreadlocks. It was a clean game, and now they're setting a bad example for the young guys."

Come again?

Hall of Famer Jim Rice made quite the ass of himself on Friday while talking to Little Leaguers about what's wrong in baseball today.

More pearls of wisdom from Rice, a former Boston Red Sox'er:

Asked later at a news conference to list current players worthy of the Hall of Fame, Rice suggested Seattle Mariner outfielders Ichiro Suzuki and Ken Griffey Jr., and the Chicago White Sox's Jim Thome.

At that same press conference, Rice flexed his muscles and said, "That's all the steroids you need . . . It's called God-given talent."

What planet is this guy from? Who would have the audacity (and the stupidity) to lump Derek together with the game's most notorious cheaters?

The only similarity that DJ shares with Manny is that they both had Joe Torre as a manager.

Him and A-Rod? They share a uniform. It stops there.

Derek was not too happy when he heard the news.

"I didn't know I was like that," #2 said.

Burn!

Rice played the "I-was-misquoted" card, saying that because the Yankees and Red Sox are playing this weekend, he was in the center of their rivalry.

Bottom line, if Loudmouth Rice knows what is good for him, stay clear of Derek at any future MLB events, especially Derek's Hall-of-Fame induction ceremony sometime towards the end of next decade.

You Can't Make This Stuff Up, Part 56

The New York Mets are really "Amazin'". Unfortunately for their fans, it's for all the wrong reasons.

Their latest folly? They lost today's game to the Philadelphia Phillies on an unassisted triple play.

Here's how it went down:

After rallying from a six-run deficit, the Mets had the tying runs on with no outs in the ninth inning against Phillies closer Brad Lidge.

Jeff Francoeur lined a screamer down the middle, but Eric Bruntlett snared it at second base, stepped on the bag for the second out and tagged Daniel Murphy for the final out.

Pedro Martinez and the Phillies won 9-7.

What other ways will the Mets manage to lose this year?

From the Highest of Highs to the Lowest of Lows

It really is a shame to see how far Plaxico Burress has fallen.

You think I wanted to see my Super Bowl hero get in all this trouble? You think I'm truly happy that he will be behind bars for the next two years?

Of course not. But such is life.

Reports are now saying that Plaxico is prepping for his sentence by hiring a prison coach.

"We are consulting with an expert in the field who will address and advise us, Mr. Burress and his family, on what to expect while incarcerated, and how to use his period of confinement as productively as possible," said his attorney, Benjamin Brafman.

I wonder what goes on in those coaching sessions. Lessons on how to peel potatoes?

You really had to bring that gun out with you, huh?

Yanks/Red Sox on Twitter!

I'll be tweeting throughout the whole Yankees/Red Sox finale. Check me out! @TYankeePrincess.

PS- Nice Home Run #2!!

Jerry Jones Left Hanging

Oops.

Jerry Jones and the Dallas Cowboys have a little problem with their new 1.2 billion dollar stadium.

Ok, more like a 72 x 160 foot one.

It turns out that the video board that hangs down in the middle of the field is too low-- it's so low, that punts are hitting it.

"It is an issue," Tennessee Titans Coach Jeff Fisher said. "Both of our punters [A.J. Trapasso and Craig Hentrich] hit the scoreboard, so something needs to be worked out."

(Of course) Jones thinks this is a non-issue, and blamed the punters for purposely trying to hit the board.

"If your desire is to punt the ball straight up and hard, I can do that," Jones said. "The height that we've got it wouldn't [affect] normal kicks unless somebody just wanted to hit it."

Riiiiiiight.

Currently, this issue is in the process of being reviewed by the NFL.

My Two Favorite NFL'ers Are Back!

I've been out of the loop physically, but I've been very much here in spirit. This past week was a pretty huge one in the NFL, and now that the dust has settled, I want to share my views.

Brett Favre- Everyone's worst nightmare came true: Favre is back in a NFL uniform. I cannot figure this guy out. Does he stage all this drama just to dodge training camp? I have yet to figure him out. That being said, the Vikings' October 5 battle with the Green Bay Packers will be pretty interesting.

Michael Vick- Watch the video above. It sums up my feelings of him better than words. As for the Eagles signing him, I'm still shocked, but excited to see how Vick will be received on the road ("Keep Vick and the Eagles Away From Your Beagles!")

I would add more, but I'm emotionally spent. These two stories have been so played out. I'm done with them.

Next!

Big Fan The Movie

This movie looks siiiiick!

On Friday, Big Fan, the directing debut of the writer from The Wrestler, comes out in New York and will have a limited release across the country come September.

Big Fan is about the life of a crazed New York Giants nut. The trailer is very dramatic, and this is a must-see for all Giants- and sports- lovers.

Will you go see this movie? Submit a review!

PS- Speaking of the Giants, have you had a chance to check out my interview with Tiki Barber?

The Yankee Princess Interviews Tiki Barber!

On August 13, I spoke with Tiki Barber at the Yogi Berra Museum and Learning Center in Monclair, NJ. See what he had to say about life after football, missing out on the Giants' Super Bowl XLII victory, and how he thinks Eli Manning will handle the pressure of his monster contract.

Enjoy!

Missing: Princess

Can ya say "chaotic?"

I'm sorry Yankee Princess'ers that it's been so long between updates. But when blogging isn't your "real" job, and your 9-5 is craaaaazzzzy, I can't bring it like I want to.

But I have a treat for you! It's the debut of The Yankee Princess Interviews!

Stay tuned!

I'm Rich, Bitch!

Elisha Nelson Manning is officially dirty, rotten, filthy rich.

This morning, he finally signed his six-year, $97.5 million contract extension.

Mazel tov!

Most Annoying Commercial of the Decade

The dialouge...the delivery...just everything about the C.C. Sabathia & Johan Santana Subway commercial is wrong wrong WRONG! I cringe everytime it comes on. (And that's a lot of cringing since it's basically on repeat during games). Please make it stop!

Pitino in Major Off-Court Drama

It sucks to be Rick Pitino (and his wife).

On Tuesday, the Louisville men's basketball admitted to police that in 2003 he had sex (in a restaurant!!!) and paid for an abortion for Karen Sypher, who is trying to extort him for $10 million.

Wowowow.

The New York Post has an exclusive interview with Sypher in today's paper, in which she talks about their sexual trysts and how Rick paid her $3,000 to get an abortion after he knocked her up.

The most bizarre part of the story is Karen's relationship with Tim Sypher. Tim, Pitino's equipment manager, drove Karen to the abortion clinic, and the two married a mere 8 months later. But now the two are getting a divorce, because Paranoid Karen thinks that the marriage was all just an evil plot hatched by Pitino so Tim could "keep an eye on her."

What planet are these people from?

As of now, Pitino's job is still intact. Marriage, not so much. Reputation, it will never be again.

DJ and A-Rod: Battle of the Girlfriends

Their men aren't exactly the best of friends, so why should they be?

The New York Post reports that Derek Jeter's girlfriend Minka Kelly and Alex Rodriguez's girlfriend Kate Hudson are "frosty".

"There's been visible coldness between Minka and Kate," an "insider" said. "I don't know if it's a personal thing, or just an extension of the ongoing A-Rod-Jeter rivalry."

But while Derek trumps A-Rod in popularity among fans and teammates, A-Rod's girl is stealing the hearts of the other Yankee wives.

Kate's been hanging with Amber Sabathia and Karen Burnett in the family section and has gotten the "early thumbs-up" from Michelle Damon and Laura Posada, "whose stamp of approval is crucial, a source said.

Um, "stamp of approval?" What the hell is this, Mean Girls?

However, there was one brilliant idea to come out of this laughable column. Kevin Spence, who ranks player wives and girlfriends on WAGrankings.com, suggested filming a reality TV show around the drama!

How amazing would that be? I can picture it now. "Yankee Wives: The Women Behind the Pinstripes" on VH1. DO IT!

But until then, which Yankee girlfriend do you prefer? Sunny & cheerful Kate or dark & mysterious Minka?

Michael Phelps In Trouble Again

Michael Phelps was involved in a car crash last night, when he collided with another driver in Baltimore. No one was hurt, but the driver of the Honda Accord was (understandably) shaken up and taken to the hospital.

Police were quick to note that alcohol was not a factor, but was this a case of reckless driving?

According to sources on Perez Hilton, Phelps ran through a red light while going 50 mph. He was talking to police while barefoot (?), and freaking out on gawkers who were snapping pictures of the scene. (And who can blame him?)

We'll see today when the police report comes out.

[Image via The Daily Mail]

Listen to "The Game!"

Part 1:


Part 2:


Part 3:

Um, Why?

I'm back, bitches!

Michael Vick is officially a Philadelphia Eagle.

And I am officially stumped.

PETA/NFL fans better start getting creative! I expect a major showing during all Philly road games.

But seriously, this makes no sense on so many levels. If it was the attention-loving Cowboys I could understand, but why the Eagles? Why would they willingly pay millions for such a walking PR nightmare? This is going to be such a huge distraction, especially when the Eagles (while presumably in the middle of a playoff race) visit Atlanta (Vick's old team) in Week 13. And Donovan McNabb aside, they have two capable backups in Kevin Kolb (who is slightly injured, but nothing crazy) and A.J. Feeley.

A press conference is scheduled tomorrow to announce the signing. Hopefully the team will provide deep insight on their wacky decision.

Wow, just wow.

Pedro Makes Phillies Debut

On "The Game", I had said I didn't expect Pedro Martinez to do much in his first start for Philadelphia.

While he wasn't horrific, he definitely wasn't Cy Young. Petey went 5 innings, gave up 7 hits, 3 runs, struck out 1 and walked 5.

Lucky for him, the Phils put up 8 runs in the fourth and cruised to an easy victory.

Who's your grand-daddy?

Stallworth, Plaxico and Vick Should Do Lunch

Donte' Stallworth has been suspended for the entire 2009 NFL season.

Good.

Youkilis, Porcello Suspended Five Games

Kevin, you seem so testy..so moody..so full of angst. Is everything alright?

You came after Rick Porcello like a rabid dog.

There are ways to combat stress other than attacking the oppossing pitcher, you know.

Like, you can do yoga..go for a jog..win an important game or two. Things like that.

At least you know your punishment is justified.

Have fun on "vacation!"

xoxo

The Pies Just Keep On Comin'!

Robinson Cano and the New York Yankees are the winners of yet another thrilling game in the Bronx, this time beating the Toronto Blue Jays 4-3 in 11 innings.

Kelly Clarkson's biggest fan drove in the winning run, and had homered earlier in the game.

The Yankees had a major scare when Derek Jeter left the game after the third inning. However, X-rays on his foot were negative.

Now it's off to Seattle for the Bombers. Hopefully their good luck and hot play will follow them across the country!

[Image via NJ.com]

"Goodness Gracious!"

I just came across this hysterical video from WFAN's "Boomer & Carton" radio show.

Craig Carton does off-the-wall impressions of Yankees radio color analyst Suzyn Waldman and former WFAN personality Chris "Mad Dog" Russo.

I'm sitting hear crying, I'm laughing so hard. It's a funny way to start out your day!

The Yankee Princess Returns to "The Game!"

This episode of The Game talks about MLB's broken economic system, the Stephen Strasburg situation, Troy tulowitzki hitting for the cycle and much, much, more.

Join Russ Cohen, Nikco Riesgo, and Lisa Marie Latino, here:

http://www.cardcornerclub.net/?q=node/38

Remember Him?

Here's a name we haven't heard in a while.

Yankees pitcher Ian Kennedy is slowly recovering from a May 12 surgery to remove an aneurysm from beneath his right biceps.

Kennedy threw 25 pitches during a bullpen session Tuesday. His goal is to throw in a minor league game before the season ends.

Good luck, and hope you come back to your 2007 form!

Yankees Winning Streak Comes to an End

The Yankees proved that they aren't perfect (and that they are in dire need of a 5th starter) as they fell to the Blue Jays last night, 5-4. This was their first loss in 8 tries.

The Red Sox, meanwhile, beat the Tigers and are now 5.5 games back.

See, I told you it was too early to be making any bold proclamations!

Turtle 1, Brady 0

Did anyone see Tom Brady on Entourage this weekend?

You gotta love Turtle giving him a hard time about the Giants!

As for Tom's acting, well, not so much.

Have the Giants Found Burress' Successor?

According to many at Giants camp, it looks like it.

Ramses Barden, the Giants' third round draft pick, is making waves. And everyone, from his coaches to his quarterback, are noticing.

"Ramses is doing really well," Eli Manning said. "He's a big target, he's made some plays and he seems like he's got a pretty good feel for what's going on."

If anyone loves a big target, it's Eli. I mean, how many of his bad throws did Plaxico turn into gold?

Click here to read NJ.com's in-depth article on the former Division 1-AA star.

[Special thanks to YP reader Bart Oliva! Keep 'em coming!]

Oh How "Sweep" It Is!

5-0 Saturday.

5-2 Sunday.

This weekend was truly a thing of beauty.

However, I see a lot of puffed out chests, proclamations, and arrogance going on.

Yankee fans: It's only August. The World Series is not ours, not by a long shot. Everyone needs to calm down. While it's obviously OK to celebrate this joyous occasion, be responsible about your gloating. As 2004 unfortunately taught us, anything can happen.

That being said...Boston Sucks!!!!!

Love, the Princess

A-Rod: Coming Clean Saved Me From Myself

Ok, on my Facebook last night I said that I will not say anything bad about A-Rod for a while.

I swear, I will do my best to keep my promise.

Alex spoke- very deeply- about how he can relate to David Ortiz as Big Papi goes through his own steroid saga.

"David's a good friend. I've been there, done that and lived it. Whatever he did, I hope he feels better about it, because I certainly did once I had my press conference."

After he got that out of the way, Alex started doing what he does best...he talked about himself. And he did not disappoint:

"I'm so proud of the way things came out. I took a lot of things off my chest, and since that press conference, I feel like a new man. I feel like I've been embraced by not only the city of New York, but my teammates, my coaches and my manager. I feel liberated by the way I came out and did things."

Really Alex? You are publicly patting yourself on the back for this? And this?

A-Rod says that his month rehabbing his hip in Colorado was "a blessing in disguise" and helped him reflect on his sins.

"It gave me a chance to refocus, rethink things and basically take a time out from all the white noise I created for myself over the last year and a half."

I guess all that Kabbalah was good for something.

During his time away, he also had an epiphany on the importance of teamwork and how his selfishness got in the way of Yankees' success.

"I think I'm able to play better in key situations because I'm at peace with myself and I'm freer. I'm enjoying the game at a level that I really haven't enjoyed it before, because it's simply 100% about my team and winning games. In the past, I was so consumed with trying to do special things, but now I'm only worried about one thing and that's winning."

I'm sure his teammates really appreciated that last line.

"That's helped me go out and be an integral part of this team, make noise with big hits that I get and just helping the team win. Our team is playing well, there's music, there's apple pies and there's belts, so the energy has changed on this team, too."

Wait, what? Apple pies and belts? Has he lost his mind?

"This is the best I've ever gotten along with my teammates and the most at peace I've been in New York. The humiliation of spring training, how embarrassing and hard that was for me, it allows me to sit here now and just move forward and play baseball. That's what I'm good at. When I have to talk, I'm not good at that - we all know that."

Yes, we do. We certainly do.

Josh Hamilton Admits to Falling Off the Wagon

This makes me sad.

After tugging at the nation's heartstrings last season with his harrowing tale of addiction and triumph, Josh Hamilton confirmed that he fell off the wagon last offseason.

The picture above, along with many others, were posted on Deadspin earlier this weekend.

Instead of denying it or making excuses like many of his peers tend to do when faced with controversial situations, he admitted his mistakes.

"Obviously I'm embarrassed about it personally. For the [Texas] Rangers, I'm embarrassed about it and for my wife [Katie] and my kids. Obviously it was one those things that reinforce that I can't have alcohol.

"Maybe this will show people that if they are recovering and make a mistake, it's not the end of the world. You can get back on the right track. Hopefully I can use God's glory to show that I do have struggles. This just lets me know that I need Christ more than ever."

Hamilton said, after a day of training in Tempe, Arizona, he went out to dinner and decided to have a drink. Before he knew it, he was intoxicated. He does not remember what happened that night, including if he used drugs. But his drug test came up clean two days later (he is tested three times a week, even in the offseason).

To his credit, instead of sweeping it under the rug, he immediately took care of his business. He called his wife Katie, Rangers general manager Jon Daniels and Major League Baseball the next morning.

Calling Katie Hamilton was the hardest part.

"That stirs up a lot of feelings. It's tough. Obviously Katie and I have a strong relationship and I hate that I put her through this."

Hopefully this is just a blip on the radar, and Josh will continue living a clean and healthy life.

[Image via Deadspin]

The Ortiz Press Conference

Unbeliveable.

The latest excuse from MLB is that not all the players listed on the 2003 steroids list actually tested positive for steroids.

Michael Weiner of the MLBPA said in a statement:

"There are more names on the government list [104] than the maximum number of positives that were recorded under the 2003 program [96]...And, as the Mitchell report made clear, some of the 96 positives were contested by the union. Given the uncertainties inherent in the list, we urge the press and the public to use caution in reaching conclusions based on leaks of names, particularly from sources whose identities are not revealed."

As for David Ortiz, he started things off by saying, "I never used steroids" and took a page out of the Barry Bonds/Gary Sheffield book of excuses by lying admitting he was "careless" when “buying supplements and vitamins over the counter.”

Ortiz also mentioned that he hasn't slept this week, and that all this has been a "really major distraction."

Oh really? Are we supossed to feel sorry for you?

What a disgrace.

New York Giants: Read This

Today, NJ.com has a sad yet heartwarming story about Giants wide receiver Taye Biddle. Check it out.

Also, thanks to Yankee Princess reader Bart Oliva for submitting this column about why Eli Manning is worth the big contract. Do you agree with their equation?

Andrea Loved Her Time with Big Ben

What do we have here...a contradiction to the Ben Roethlisberger/Andrea McNulty story?

You don't say!

Andrea's coworker, Angela Antonetti, said in a sworn statement that McNulty "did not appear to be upset, stressed-out or nervous" regarding her hotel rendezvous with Roethlisberger.

Instead, McNulty "appeared happy and boastful," and later said she thought she might be pregnant from the encounter, according to Antonetti.

The only thing Big Ben should be ashamed about is his choice in women. But for nothing else!

Get this quack out of here!

[Image via The Hollywood Gossip]

Quote of the Day

"He's got a smart-ass mouth. Tonight was ridiculous, really. A lot of calls not good. He had a bad night. He doesn't probably think so, because he's God as umpires go. Not good. Really not good. I was really disappointed. There was no reason for me to get thrown out."

-Minnesota Twins manager Ron Gardenhire on being tossed out of last night's game by home plate umpire Hunter Wendelstedt.

So You Had a Bad Day...

Yesterday was not a good day for baseball's former elite/wannabe elites:

*After his horrific performance against the Yankees, John Smoltz has been designated for assignment by the Boston Red Sox.

*Smoltz should call up Jason Giambi- The former Yankee was also cut by the Athletic A's.

*Another former Yankee, the infamou$ Carl Pavano, was traded from Cleveland to the Minnesota Twins.

[Image via Newsday]

Game Two: New York 2 - Boston 0 (15)

WowowowowowWOW!

It's official: The ghosts are back. Maybe they wanted to take up residency on the new stadium's grounds a couple years before everyone else got there.

This is official too: Last night was one of, if not THE best, regular season game I've ever seen.

And it pains me to say this, but this also became official last night: Alex Rodriguez is now a real Yankee.

Wait, what am I talking about? I must still be tired from last night's marathon.

I kid. I kid.

Here we go...

The Highs

*A.J. Burnett- What a start! My man gave up 1 hit in 7 2/3 innings. Fingers crossed that he stays healthy the rest of the year, because he's going to be huge for us come October.

*The Bullpen- Top to bottom, the bullpen was superb. They showed we can really hang with the big boys. Everyone, from Alfredo Aceves to Brian Bruney and on and on, came up big for us.

A-Rod- What more can you say? He did not shy away from the pressure and mercifully magically ended the game with one swing.

The Lows

*Derek Jeter- DJ went 1-7 and wasted three at-bats with runners in scoring position. Why did he swing at Josh Beckett's first pitch in the 5th inning when he had the bases loaded?

*The Rest of the Yankee offense- Before A-Rod's bomb, the team went 0-for-14 with runners in scoring position and left 12 runners stranded.

Thoughts

*The Yankees are 4.5 games up. Let's put an end to all the drama and claim the division. Yes, we have won the last two games in grand fashion, but I want more!

*Unfortunately, the next two games are on national TV. Lately, doesn't it feel like the Yankees stink in front of the nation?

*As we were leaving more and more runners stranded, I couldn't help but think about our recent playoff failures. This is exactly why we could never get out of the first round. This trend needs to stop.

Today

Clay Buchholz goes up against C.C. Sabathia.

Will both teams be sleepwalking, or will we have ourselves another classic?

First pitch is at 4:10 on FOX.

Can't wait!

[Image via NY Daily News]

Ortiz to Tell His Side of the Steriod-y

This makes me scratch my head.

Of all the places for David Ortiz to publicly deny his steroid use talk about the steroids scandal, why the hell would he do it in New York?

Could it be because we made him feel comfortable enough in our home?

"Actually, this time, it [Yankee Stadium] wasn't like it used to be," Ortiz said. "I expected something worse. I come out early to the field and you see the fans come right at me. Even Yankee fans: 'Hey, you're the best. You're a good guy. Just hang in there.' Sort of the kind of stuff that you want to hear."

He must have selective vision and hearing, because I didn't think we made him feel welcome.

Can't wait to hear his lies on Saturday!

[Image via NJ.com]

Game One: New York 13 - Boston 6

The monkey is finally off our backs.

After losing eight straight to Bah-ston, we gave them the beating they deserved.

Let's sort it all out, shall we?

The Highs

*The Fourth Inning- The game was tight until we had our coming-out party. Melky Cabrera, Jorge Posada and Mark Teixeira all homered to blow the game wide open.

*The Rest of the Yankee Offense- Johnny Damon also went deep. Derek Jeter and Hideki Matsui had a combined 4 RBI's. The boys were clicking on all offensive cylinders!

*The Bullpen- With the exception of Anthony Claggett, the bullpen did what they had to do. Dave Robertson, Phil Coke, and Mark Melancon (who hit Dustin Pedroia in the eighth and almost started a war) all combined for no runs and no hits. Efficiency at it's best!

The Lows

*Joba Chamberlain- This isn't really a "low", but Joba had his worst outing since before the All-Star break. He gave up 4 runs, 6 hits, and SEVEN walks in 5 innings. While he got the win, it's hard not to be a little worried that the out-of-control Joba we saw earlier in the year is back.

Hey buddy, just because you didn't get traded at the deadline, doesn't mean you should stop pitching for your life.

*Jorge Posada- He definitely redeemed himself as the game went on, but there is no excuse for his 2nd inning baserunning blunder. Why didn't he slide into home? Scared that he would fall and not get back up? Things looked bleak for a while there.

Thoughts

*Yes, it was a great win. But look who we went up against. John Smoltz is the bottom of the pitching barrel. It's not going to be so easy from here on out.

*While watching Matsui last night, all I could think of is how I really want the Yankees to win a World Series for him. He's so clutch and seems like such a good, hardworking guy. Can this please be the year?

Tonight

Josh Beckett takes the hill vs. A.J. Burnett.

Will the Red Sox rebound, or will the Yankees continue to kick them while they're down?

We'll find out tonight. First pitch is at 7:05.

See you then!

Prince Fielder Is Outta Control

Milwaukee Brewers first baseman Prince Fielder lost his marbles Tuesday night, and it has landed him in the MLB doghouse.

Fielder tried storming into the Los Angeles Dodgers clubhouse to confront pitcher Guillermo Mota, who hit him with a pitch during the game.

MLB is figuring out how to punish Fielder for his actions. I'm sure it will cost him a couple dollar and a few games.

Watch the insanity above!

Jonathon Niese Done For the Season

Mets pitcher Jonathon Niese needs season-ending surgery to repair a torn hamstring tendon.

Niese becomes the 17th Mets player to go on the disabled list this season.

Gary Sheffield also departed yesterday's game with a cramp in his right hamstring.

Hey, at least they won yesterday!

[Image via NJ.com]

It's Show Time!

The Red Sox are in town, and the Yankees better be out for blood.

Currently, New York is 2.5 games ahead of Boston and coming off a sweep of the Toronto Blue Jays.

Meanwhile, the Sox are limping, having dropped both games in their short series against the Tampa Bay Rays.

But the Yankees recent successes take nothing away from the fact that they have yet to beat their bitter rival in 2009. Boston leads the season series 9-0.

The long road to even up the score starts tonight.

Game 1: John Smoltz vs. Joba Chamberlain

Let's do this!

It's Not Even Funny Anymore!!!!!

ANOTHER New York Met is injured!

Rookie pitcher Jonathon Niese strained his right hamstring this afternoon while covering first base!

Niese then collapsed when he tried to throw a practice pitch and had to be helped off the field!

WOW!

The Curse of Kim Kardashian

Did Kim put a hex on Reggie Bush?

It sure looks like it. He had to leave Saints' practice early today to get his surgically repaired left knee wrapped up. He was also walking with a noticable limp.

Tony Romo, you better watch your back!

[Image via The Birds of North America]

Mets Get Another Few Blows

Mets fans, at this point, is it better to laugh or cry?

Luis Castillo is listed as day-to-day after spraining his left ankle last night...tumbling down the dugout stairs on his way back to the bench. I'm not kidding.

If his ankle doesn't heal, he will join Jose Reyes, Carlos Beltran and Carlos Delgado on the disabled list.

Speaking of Reyes, he has had a setback in his rehab. He had to fly back to New York on Tuesday to be examined after he complained of tightness in his hamstring. Although no one's talking, it looks like the shortstop is done for the season.

How about on the field? Well last night against the Cardinals, Francisco Rodriguez blew the lead and allowed two runs to score in the ninth. In extra innings, Albert Pujols whacked a grand slam and the Cards won, 12-7.

They are now nine games behind Colorado for the wild-card spot.

I have some tissues for you guys if you need some...

Yankees Up 1.5 Games

The Yankees got a cool win over Roy Halladay and the Toronto Blue Jays yesterday, beating them 3-5.

Johnny Damon, Mark Teixeira and Hideki Matsui all homered against the best pitcher in the American League to seal the victory.

What's even cooler is that the Red Sox lost to the Rays, thanks to Evan Longoria's walk-off, two-run homer in the bottom of the 13th inning.

Just a friendly reminder, the Yankees host the Red Sox this Thursday-Sunday.

If there ever was a must-sweep for the Bombers, this weekend's series is it.

Case Closed

Antonio Pierce talked to the media yesterday about not being indicted in the Plaxico Burress gun case. However, he does not apologize for the way he reacted.

Ok, great. Can we now get on with our lives already?

Amani Toomer Catches On With Chiefs

Former New York Giant wide receiver Amani Toomer is now a Kansas City Chief.

The 13-year veteran, who made no secret that he felt the Giants were pushing him out the door, is happy to be back on the field.

"If you look at the situation here, with a new coach, a great quarterback, it's just a good situation for me to be in and I'm happy to be here," Toomer said. "It's like you can feel the excitement coming through in how the coaches are trying to change to environment."

Toomer and the Chiefs will welcome the Giants to Arrowhead Stadium on October 4 in what now sets up to be one interesting matchup.

The Highest Paid Player in the NFL is.....

Three-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady?

Nope.

Two-time Super Bowl champion Ben Roethlisberger?

Try again.

Three-time MVP Peyton Manning?

Close, but no.

New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning is the recipient of a six year, $97.5 million contract, with $35 million guaranteed.

As Jay Glazer put it, the deal will make the 28-year-old the highest-paid player in the history of the Giants organization as well as the highest paid quarterback (per year) in NFL history, "a figure Giants fans would probably not argue with."

Jay, I'm not too sure about that last line.

Ok, the 2007 Super Bowl run was nothing short of amazing. Eli has proven to be an outstanding 2 minute drill QB, and has staged many a 4th quarter comeback. He has navigated through and survived the rough waters of New York, which is a victory in it of itself.

But find me a Giants fan that hasn't had severe agita or anger issues over Eli's play over the past five years. Most of the time, he wins ugly and loses even uglier. His interceptions and very questionable playmaking decisions have even led some Big Blue diehards to throw their TVs across the room (trust me, I've seen that happen).

What do you think? Is Eli worth that much money, or should the green go to more deserving players? Or are you just fed up with the insane amount of money these athletes are getting today, especially in this economy?

Vent away!

Xanadu Delayed Indefinitely

That disgusting piece of multicolored architecture off of Route 3 in New Jersey, known as Xanadu, will continue to collect dust for at least another year.

Cabela’s, a Nebraska-based hunting and outdoors store which is a huge part of the Eyesore Xanadu project, announced today that they do not expect to open its doors until “late 2010.”

Tom Millner, the chief executive officer of Cabela, explained that "this [Xanadu] project has been delayed a number of times...Since this is a leased facility, we do not have a material investment in the site, and we have significantly slowed our planning to match progress of the development.”

Xanadu, when and if it opens, will have an indoor snow dome, a 2,100-seat concert hall, a 17-screen movie complex and a 286-foot-tall Pepsi Globe Ferris wheel.

Jets Get Down and Dirty

While the Giants are reveling in their new found peace, the Jets are out for blood.

Today at camp, multiple fights broke out.

There was Thomas Jones taking a swing at James Ihedigbo.

There was Howard Green getting heated at Brock Christoher.

And there was Ahmad Carroll shoving Nevin McCaskill.

New head coach Rex Ryan's reaction?

"Hey, we had a little rock 'em, sock 'em robots out there. It always happens in camp this time of year. You've been through a few days and you're tired of getting hit and you're tired of doing all this kind of stuff," Coach Ryan said with a big smile.

Whatever works, man!

Pierce Free From Charges; Plaxico Not So Lucky

A grand jury agreed that Antonio Pierce is not at fault in the Plaxico Burress gun case, and now life can resume back to pre- November 20, 2008 normal for the Giants. You know, when they were kicking ass all over the NFL and winning huge playoff games.

The same definitely cannot be said for Plaxico.

That same grand jury has indicted him on two charges of criminal possession of a weapon and one count of reckless endangerment. If convicted, those charges carry a maximum of a 15-year prison sentence.

The sun just got a little brighter today in Albany.

Said Giants President John Mara: "We certainly agree with the grand jury's decision. We said last week we felt strongly that Antonio's actions did not warrant criminal charges, and obviously the grand jury, having heard all of the testimony, felt the same way."

Said Coach Tom Coughlin: "We are anxious to start the new season, nobody more than Antonio. Today's decision allows him and this team to move forward and focus on our preparation for the season."

Yes, let's all move on! Please!

Weekend Roundup

Hello everyone!

I hope your weekend was as fantastic as mine was!

In case your travels left you out of the sports loop (like mine did), here is what you missed:

*Tiger's Back- Woods wins the Buick Open by 3 strokes.

*The Melk Man Delivers- Cabrera hits for the cycle and ended the Yankees otherwise horrific weekend on a high note.

*Yankees Still In First- Although the Yankees have been sucking as of late, the Red Sox are still .5 game behind.

*Giants Open Camp- The defending 2008 NFC East Champs opened camp on Sunday.

*Michael Phelps Ends On A High Note- Michael Phelps wins another gold medal and helps make history yet again.

Happy Monday!