New York Mets Big,Tall T-Shirts,Jackets,Apparel 2x,3x,4x,5x

Do you love to show your team support for the Mets, but every time you go to a store you are disappointed to find that all of the Mets t-shirts, sweatshirts, and jackets sizes don't go past 2x? Fortunately we have a nice selection of Big and Tall New York Mets apparel that you simply can't find in a brick and mortar store.

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New York Mets Big and Tall Jackets

Spring nights in New York still have a chill in the air, and hopefully you can be wearing this Mets Jackets in October rooting on the Mets in the World Series!
 

New York Mets big and Tall Jackets 3x, 4x, 5x, 2xt, 3xt

We also carry New York Mets apparel for women, infant, toddler, youth, and smaller men's sizes

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New York Mets Agree to Terms with R.A. Dickey on Two-Year Deal

When a baseball franchise signs a 36-year-old pitcher who has a career record of 33-37 with a 4.70 ERA, it usually doesn’t qualify as making noise in the offseason. But, relatively speaking, this is the second-biggest splash the New York Mets have made since the end of last season.

According to a source privy to the negotiations, the Mets avoided salary arbitration with right-handed knuckleball specialist R.A. Dickey by agreeing to terms on a two-year deal with a club option for a third year. The deal is pending a physical scheduled for Monday.

Dickey, an eight-year MLB veteran, filed an arbitration request to earn $4.7 million during the 2011 season, with the organization countering at $3.35 million, prior to coming to terms.

After being called up from Triple-A Buffalo nearly two months into the 2010 season, Dickey went on to have the best season of his career, posting highs in wins (11), ERA (2.84), strikeouts (104), starts (26), complete games (two), innings pitched (174.1), opponents’ batting average (.251) and WHIP (1.19).

In addition, among Mets starters, Dickey finished first in ERA, tied for second in wins (Johan Santana), and second in quality starts (19).

So, in a brutal New York winter, where the Mets have made non-descriptive transactions such as the signings of catcher Ronny Paulino, second baseman Russ Adams, left fielder Scott Hairston, and pitcher Boof Bonser, Dickey’s return to the starting rotation is one of the team’s best offseason moves to date.

Thus far, the Mets’ top move was agreeing to terms with Mike Pelfrey, the team’s best starting pitcher last season, to a one-year, $3.925 million contract to circumvent the arbitration process.

Click here to read the original article at SportsHaze.com.

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NY Islanders Play By Play Man Doesn't Care Too Much About The Islanders

The New York Islanders have had a pretty rough season so far in the NHL and it only got worst after their 13th straight loss versus the Islanders.

MSG and Islanders play by play man Howie Rose thought that the game was sent to a commercial and decided to air out how bad the team has been playing along with the fact that he would rather be covering spring training for the New York Mets.

The major problem for Howie, someone in the production truck didn't send it to commercial:



Rose apologized during the 2nd period intermission of the MSG telecast and it's possible that this rift might cost him his job.

(Courtesy of Bob's Blitz)

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New York Mets’ David Wright honors and instructs All-Stars of the future

After a season that saw the New York Mets miss out on the playoffs for the fourth consecutive year, third baseman David Wright got the baseball juices flowing for next season by conducting a clinic at Chelsea Piers Saturday afternoon.

Sponsored by Pirate’s Booty Snacks, the event featured the presentation of “Do Wright” Awards to four children from the After-School All-Stars (ASAS) New York Program, who were selected to participate in the clinic based on excellence in academics, athletics and community service.

ASAS provides free comprehensive after-school programs to nearly 80,000 children on over 450 school sites in thirteen different cities from New York City to Hawaii.

The programs incorporate academic support, enrichment opportunities and health & fitness activities in concerted efforts to address America’s high school dropout, youth obesity, and student disempowerment crises.

Ranging in age from 11-12 years-old, the students honored by the Mets five-time All-Star attend I.S. 192 The Linden (Malik Ba, Jonathan Jovin) and MS 217 Robert A. Van Wyck School (Christian Marinez, Nikolas Vasquez) in Queens.

In addition to athletic participation, the enterprising young men were noted for their continuing work on learning projects whose themes include preserving the environment, making healthy diet decisions and serving the community by providing much-needed clothes and nutritious meals to homeless people.

The afternoon’s festivities culminated with Wright teaching the four award recipients, as well as over fifty children from the New York metropolitan area, the baseball fundamentals: fielding, hitting, throwing and how to stay in shape and eat right.

“Anytime I get a chance to talk to young kids, it’s about hard work”, Wright said when asked about the most important messages he wanted to impart to his young pupils. “Not just baseball, but school, whatever that these kids have a desire to do when they get older; try to be the best at it.”

The 28-year-old Wright, a native of Chesapeake, Virginia, also briefly shared how his upbringing helped translate a solid work ethic in the classroom into what has been, thus far, a successful baseball career.

“I was fortunate where I had parents that pushed me growing up to make good grades, that helped me study, helped me do my homework”, Wright continued. “I always challenged myself to try to make A’s, to try to make the best grades that I possibly could, and I think a lot of that translated on to the baseball field where it taught me a lot of life lessons about hard work and being dedicated to something.”

“That’s the kind of message that I want to relay to these kids”, Wright added. “You don’t want to be average; you don’t want to be a follower. You want to be a leader and go out there and do what you want to do and make sure you accomplish it.”

Speaking of leadership, among the myriad of topics he addressed during his time with the media, Wright tackled the issue of his responsibility to be more of a team leader as the Mets enter a brave, new world going into the 2011 season.

“I think each year you kind of mature more into that kind of role”, Wright said. “I think this team; we need more from the guys that have been here for a while and that’s including me. I plan on this year just kind of getting into that role a little bit more just like last year and the year before.”

“We do need more leadership in the clubhouse”, Wright went on to add. “And I do need to be part of that solution as well.”

Click here to read the original article on Examiner.com, which includes relevant links and exclusive video footage of David Wright's Q & A session with the media.

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The Magnificent Seven: The Most Important Players in NY Sports Today

As the fiercest hurricane in twenty years prepares to slam the East Coast with winds in excess of 130 miles per hour, another storm is brewing which fans of the major professional sports leagues will embrace with open arms.

Between September 9 and October 26, the 2010 regular seasons for the National Football League (September 9) and the National Hockey League (October 7), as well as the 2010 postseason for Major League Baseball (October 6), will monopolize the airwaves with their respective opening acts.

However, on October 26, the ‘perfect storm’ ensues when the National Basketball Association lifts the curtain on a new season to give rise to that ecliptic moment on the calendar where sports fans can have their pick of meaningful games to watch, at home or in-person, among the four major sports in North America.

And with the steady approach of this annual confluence, player performance, prospectively and retrospectively, is broken down, dissected, and examined ad infinitum like at no other time during the year; especially in New York where the demands for success can overwhelm those with the strongest of resolves.

In light of this information, there’s no time like the present to enumerate the seven players in New York sports who had and/or will have the most significant impact on their teams as baseball’s postseason looms on the horizon and the NBA, the NFL and the NHL prepare for the dawn of their new seasons. One player per team will be named.

CC Sabathia, New York Yankees

It can never be overstated how valuable Charles Carsten Sabathia has been to a New York Yankees starting rotation that has been beset by inconsistent performances from A.J. Burnett and Javier Vazquez throughout the season, hampered by shoddy post All-Star break showings from Phil Hughes and decimated by an injury to Andy Pettitte.

Sabathia leads the Yankees in wins (18), ERA (3.14) and strikeouts (160), which place him in first, eighth and ninth in the American League in those respective categories.

And although second baseman Robinson Cano may receive more consideration and support for the American League MVP Award, Sabathia’s candidacy should be taken as seriously as his bid to win the Cy Young Award.

Hitting may rule the day in the Bronx but, ultimately, pitching wins championships. And of the current postseason contenders, no starting pitcher has been nor will be more crucial to their team’s success than CC Sabathia.

Angel Pagan, New York Mets

New York Mets third baseman David Wright leads the team in home runs (21) and RBI’s (86), but Angel Pagan has given the Mets hope for the future.

In an outfield where Carlos Beltran’s best days are behind him and their search for another steady corner outfielder is ongoing, Pagan has quietly emerged as a star in his own right.

Pagan leads the Mets in batting average and, among all National League outfielders, he is first in stolen bases (32), sixth in hits (137) and seventh in batting average (.294), all while playing a Gold Glove-like centerfield for the majority of the season.

So along with first base (Ike Davis), shortstop (Jose Reyes) and third base, Pagan has given the Mets’ front office one less position to concern with reloading this coming off-season and opened up intriguing trade possibilities involving Carlos Beltran.

Amar’e Stoudemire, New York Knicks

Prior to the beginning of the 2005–06 NBA regular season, Amar’e Stoudemire underwent microfracture surgery on his left knee and, as a result, ended up playing only three games for the Phoenix Suns during the campaign.

Surprisingly though, the Suns would go on to post a 54-28 record and reach the Western Conference Finals before gallantly falling to the Dallas Mavericks in six games.

The New York Knicks won’t even come close to achieving similar results if their $100 million man misses any significant time due to injury this coming season and beyond.

In the most talent-laden free agent market in NBA history, Stoudemire became the cornerstone in plans to resurrect one of the marquee franchises in the league as well as the best big man the Knicks have had on their roster since Hall of Famer Patrick Ewing.

Fresh off a season in which he averaged 23.1 points and 8.9 rebounds per game and played all 82 games in the regular season for the first time in his career, the 27-year-old Stoudemire appears primed to lead the Knicks into an era where mediocre basketball is a thing of the past.

But if Stoudemire’s shoulders aren’t broad enough to carry that burden, the Knicks will have to look to the NBA Lottery for answers.

Eli Manning, New York Giants

When starting quarterback Eli Manning left the New York Giants’ preseason opener against the New York Jets after suffering a three-inch laceration to his forehead, fans of ‘Big Blue’ held their collective breaths knowing full well they could ill afford to lose the Super Bowl XLII MVP.

However, twelve stitches and one missed preseason game later, Manning was back in the saddle again, accompanied by an enormous sigh of relief.

Over his six-year career, Manning has proven to be extremely durable. After starting in 87 consecutive regular season games through last season, Manning has the third longest active streak among NFL quarterbacks; behind only Brett Favre (285) and Peyton Manning (192).

This distinction bodes well for the Giants, who need Manning to play all sixteen regular season games for the sixth straight season more than ever.

With back-up signal caller Jim Sorgi on injured reserve and third-stringer Rhett Bomar still waiting to take his first regular season snap, New York’s depth at the position is severely compromised; which is why the Giants have started to make inquiries about Arizona Cardinals disgruntled quarterback Matt Leinart in a classic demonstration of desperate times call for desperate measures.

Therefore, New York’s hopes for a successful 2010-11 season ride largely on the health and well-being of one Eli Manning.

Darrelle Revis, New York Jets

Click here to read why the Jets’ Super Bowl talk means absolutely nothing without Darrelle Revis.

John Tavares, New York Islanders

Last season, New York Islanders rookie center John Tavares finished first on the team in points (54), second in goals (24) and third in assists (30). Among rookie skaters, Tavares finished second in points, tied for first in goals and third in assists.

Islanders captain Doug Weight said that “John’s going to be a big piece (of an Islander rebuilding effort)” after Tavares’ first NHL game last year, which is why the 19-year-old was taken with the first overall pick by the Isles in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft.

In his sophomore season, Tavares will be expected to continue the steady progression toward becoming one of the elite players in the league while elevating the play of his teammates in the process.

Tavares has also been a huge draw at the box office for the Islanders. After winning the Draft Lottery, the team’s ticket sales department reported a "300% increase in phone calls and e-mail inquiries” from 2008-2009 and were "on pace" to renew 90% of its season tickets in 2009.

Henrik Lundqvist, New York Rangers

Behind a porous defense, Henrik Lundqvist single-handedly carried the New York Rangers to the brink of making the playoffs last season.

Lundqvist faced the third most shots of any goalie in the NHL, but yet finished eighth in the league in goals against average (2.38) and save percentage (.921).

And no one in the Rangers’ locker room took losses harder, as well as take the most responsibility for those defeats, than Lundqvist did.

Entering the 2010-11 season, the Rangers will once again rely heavily on Lundqvist to keep their anemic offense in games and cover for their glaring defensive liabilities.

There it is, folks. Agree? Disagree? Your voice is welcome to be heard.

Click here to read the original article on Examiner.com, which includes relevant links and a special video presentation featuring one of the most important players in New York sports today.

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Where the New York Mets Went Wrong This Season

With a 3-0 victory over the first-place Atlanta Braves on July 11, the New York Mets entered the All-Star break with a record of 48-40; leaving them four games back in the National League East race and only one game behind the Colorado Rockies and the Los Angeles Dodgers in the Wild Card standings.

But since that particular point in time, the Mets proceeded to drop 24 out of their last 40 contests to fall to fourth in the division, nine games south of the front-running Braves, and seven games behind the Philadelphia Phillies for the National League Wild Card.

And even though there are still 34 games left in the season, there isn’t a preponderance of evidence demonstrating that New York can make a miraculous run to their first post-season appearance since 2006.

As with last season, there are many factors attributable to the Mets’ failure to be in the thick of the playoff hunt going into September; and the burden of blame can be placed squarely on the shoulders of front office and player personnel alike.

5. The mid-season meltdown of Mike Pelfrey

In the first half of the season, ‘Big Pelf’ appeared to be a viable National League Cy Young candidate as he emerged as the anchor of New York’s starting rotation.

But in five July starts, Pelfrey went 0-3 with a 10.02 ERA in a month where the Mets lost 16 of 25 games. During that span, the Mets went from second in the division race to fourth and from 2 games behind the Braves to 6.5.

Although Pelfrey has regained his form in recent weeks, going 3-2 with a 1.82 ERA in August, his July swoon was a significant contributor to a Mets’ free fall that has essentially taken them out of playoff contention.

4. Home is where the victories are

The Mets have pulled a Dr. Jekyll/Mr.Hyde-like performance at home and on the road this season.

New York is tied for seventh in home victories (38) in the National League while tying for fourth (40) in road losses.

If the Mets had simply broke even away from Citi Field at this juncture, translating to a 33-33 record, they would trail Atlanta by only two games in the division and would be tied with Philadelphia in the National League Wild Card standings.

3. The unfulfilled promise of Jason Bay

After a 2009 season that saw him earn a third All-Star selection, hit 36 home runs and 119 RBI’s, and be named one of the 50 greatest current players in baseball by the Sporting News, Bay signed as a free agent with New York to the tune of $66 million over four years.

And as the biggest fish they landed this past off-season, the Mets were expecting Bay to infuse significant power into the lineup that rivaled his previous six seasons where he averaged 26 home runs and 99 RBI’s per year.

Instead, Bay, a career .278 hitter, has seen his average dip to .259 and his home run (6) and RBI (47) production plummet to their lowest levels since 2003. In addition, Bay’s slugging percentage (.402) is the lowest it’s been in his entire career.

Bay has been on the 15-day DL since July 30 after suffering a concussion in a game against the Los Angeles Dodgers and Mets’ manager Jerry Manuel doesn’t expect his starting left fielder to return this season.

2. Team hitting has been offensive rather than on the offensive

Out of the 16 teams in the National League, New York is 13th in runs scored (517), 14th in hits (1,069), 13th in doubles (209), 13th in home runs (96), 13th in total bases (1,636), 14th in RBI’s (492), 14th in batting average (.248), 14th in on base percentage (.314) and 14th in slugging percentage (.379).

This is a crying shame considering the Mets’ pitching staff is fifth in the league in ERA (3.65) after being looked upon as a team weakness entering this season.

1. Mets’ front office watches the trade deadline come and go

There are certain points during a baseball season where the action or inaction of the front office can mean the difference between a team playing meaningful baseball in September and October or merely playing out the string.

And when the Mets’ front office decided to stand pat with the trade deadline (July 31) looming, they essentially gave up on the season while New York still had the chance to become one of the surprise stories of the 2010 season.

Instead, all that remain are questions about exactly where the organization is headed. And for a demanding baseball market like New York, this is simply unacceptable.

Click here to read the original article on Examiner.com, which includes relevant links and a special video presentation to lift the spirits of Mets' fans.

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Mets Fan Takes A Tumble, Acts Like Nothing Happens

When going to a sporting event, most fans do their best to try and get their 15 seconds of fame on camera.

One Mets fan was just minding his own business when he accidentally trips over a guy shoe and faceplants on the Citi Field concourse.

Sadly for him, a television camera was there to capture it.



(Courtesy of NY Sports Dog)

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The 10 Most Valuable Sports Franchises in the World

In retrospect, with the 2010 FIFA World Cup in the books, there is absolutely no questioning the influence and the power the sport of soccer has both nationally and, on a larger scale, internationally; a fact further evidenced when teams are ranked according to value across all sports.

On Wednesday, Forbes.com released its list of the world’s fifty most valuable sports franchises and the Manchester United Football Club of the English Premier League led the way with an estimated value of $1.83 billion; and with 139 million core fans and 333 million followers worldwide, it’s not hard to see why the Red Devils produce a revenue stream of approximately $459 million for the Glazer family.

Manchester United’s fellow international football club, Real Madrid ($1.32 billion), the most successful team in Spanish football and voted by FIFA as the most successful club in the 20th century, came in sixth on the list due largely in part to generating $225 million annually from broadcasting fees, the most in sports.

The Arsenal Football Club ($1.18 billion), the only team to have completed an English Premier League season unbeaten, was the third football club to rank in the top ten, finishing eighth on the list. The Gunners’ $102 million operating income was second to Manchester United among English Premier League teams in 2009.

Domestically speaking, American football rules the roost as National Football League teams accounted for 50% of the top ten and more than half of the top fifty with the Dallas Cowboys ($1.65 billion) leading the way, ranking second overall; no doubt due to the new Cowboys Stadium landing the 2010 NBA All-Star Game, Super Bowl XLV in 2011 and the 2014 NCAA Men’s Basketball Final Four.

The only Major League Baseball team to make the list, not surprisingly, were the New York Yankees ($1.60 billion), who ranked third on the list and owe a huge debt of gratitude to their recently deceased front office patriarch, George Steinbrenner, for taking one of the most valuable brands in sports to the next level with an unparalled commitment to winning and the creation of the YES Network.

Although the Yankees were the only baseball club to crack the top ten, they weren’t the only the New York team to rank among the fifty most valuable franchises in sports.

The New York Giants ($1.18 billion), who are close to selling out season tickets for the new Giants Stadium, and the New York Jets ($1.17 billion) were the seventh and ninth most valuable teams in the world respectively. The New York Mets ($858 million) ranked #38 after inking a 20-year, $400 million stadium naming rights deal with Citigroup in 2006.

Conspicuous by their absences from the top forty were teams from the National Basketball Association and the National Hockey League. In fact, the only NBA teams to appear in the top fifty were the Los Angeles Lakers ($607 million) and the New York Knicks ($586 million) at #49 and #50 respectively, while no NHL team appeared in the top fifty.

Including the teams in the top ten, 36 NFL teams made the top fifty. The next closest sport was international football/soccer with six teams. The national pastime featured four teams in the top fifty.

Here are the ten most valuable sports franchises in the world according to Forbes:

1. Manchester United Football Club, soccer ($1.83 billion)
2. Dallas Cowboys, football ($1.65 billion)
3. New York Yankees, baseball ($1.60 billion)
4. Washington Redskins, football ($1.55 billion)
5. New England Patriots, football ($1.36 billion)
6. Real Madrid Football Club, soccer ($1.32 billion)
7. New York Giants, football ($1.18 billion)
8. Arsenal Football Club, soccer ($1.18 billion)
9. New York Jets, football ($1.17 billion)
10. Houston Texans, football ($1.15 billion)

Click here to read the original article on Examiner.com, which includes relevant links and a special video presentation featuring the ten most valuable sports franchises in the world today.

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Who Are The Ten Most Marketable Players in Major League Baseball?

As stated in a previous article, New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter is the most beloved New York professional athlete of this generation and now there is even more compelling evidence to justify this claim.

According to Street & Smith’s SportsBusiness Daily, in an exclusive survey of media personalities and sports business executives, Jeter was the unanimous choice as the most marketable player in Major League Baseball.

The survey, conducted by SportsBusiness Daily, was distributed to corporate brand managers, marketing and branding executives, agencies and baseball media, who were asked to list, in order, the top five most marketable players in MLB. Points were awarded on a five-point scale, with a player awarded five points for a first-place vote, four points for second place, etc.

With no other player receiving more than three votes for the top position, Jeter earned an overwhelming 80% of first-place votes and was included on 47 of 49 ballots. St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols, who appeared on 39 ballots, finished a distant second, receiving only two first-place votes.

Although recently finishing in the top ten of the most disliked people in sports, Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez ended up ninth on the list, receiving one first-place vote, finishing right behind his Queens counterpart, New York Mets third baseman David Wright, who didn’t garner any first-place votes.

Also noteworthy is Washington Nationals phenom Stephen Strasburg receiving three first-place votes, second behind Jeter, to finish fourth in the survey after less than two months in the big leagues. A clear indication that the 21-year-old is well on his way to becoming baseball’s next biggest superstar.

For the Yankees captain, this was the third year he topped the list as baseball’s most marketable player, earning the same honor in 2003 and 2005.

"Derek is so marketable due to his likability, passion, hard work, leadership and most of all, his humility,” Premier Partnerships President & CEO Randy Bernstein said. “He is a proven champion and has led his one and only team to multiple championships while also building up exceptional Hall of Fame statistics."

At the age of 36 and having just played in his 11th All-Star Game, it is crystal clear that Jeter is at the tail end of his career; so Yankees fans and baseball fans would be best served to appreciate him while they still can because a player of Jeter’s talent and stature comes along once in a lifetime.

Babe Ruth, Joe DiMaggio, Lou Gehrig, Mickey Mantle and George M. Steinbrenner, III would certainly be proud of how Jeter has represented himself and the New York Yankee organization.

Here is the complete listing of MLB’s most marketable players for 2010:

1. Derek Jeter, New York Yankees
2. Albert Pujols, St. Louis Cardinals
3. Joe Mauer, Minnesota Twins
4. Stephen Strasburg, Washington Nationals
5. Ryan Howard, Philadelphia Phillies
6. Evan Longoria, Tampa Bay Rays
7. Tim Lincecum, San Francisco Giants
8. David Wright, New York Mets
9. Alex Rodriguez, New York Yankees
10. Dustin Pedroia, Boston Red Sox; Torii Hunter, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

Click here to read the original article on Examiner.com, which includes relevant links and a special video presentation featuring Derek Jeter.

Credit SportsBusiness Daily

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Snub of NY Mets Mike Pelfrey Should End Stephen Strasburg All-Star Campaign

As with All-Star selections in any sport, the announcement of the players chosen to participate in MLB’s 81st Midsummer Classic on July 13 has stirred debate all across the country; particularly among those who have supported and opposed the inclusion of pitching phenom Stephen Strasburg on the National League squad.

But although the 21-year-old Strasburg has had the baseball world buzzing since his major league debut last month, the decision by Philadelphia Phillies manager Charlie Manuel to leave Strasburg off the National League roster was the wisest one because it was based on merit rather than hype.

“I looked there and I felt like, in my opinion, and I'm not his manager, but at the same time he's a young kid,'' Manuel said. “I say let him pitch and let him get his feet on the ground in the major leagues and kind of let him earn his way.''

This is a concept that seems to be lost on those who strongly feel that Strasburg should be one of the pitchers taking the mound next week in Anaheim after only six starts in which he has compiled a record of 2-2 with an ERA of 2.45.

And, believe it or not, there is a growing contingent that actually has the unmitigated gall to view Strasburg’s exclusion from the All-Star Game as some sort of snub or lack of consideration for what the baseball public wants to see.

What it really is though is a disrespectful slap in the face to fans of the New York Mets who are continuing to wonder why starting ace Mike Pelfrey isn’t headed to southern California next week. The same Mike Pelfrey who has posted a record of 10-2 with an ERA of 2.93 in 16 starts and been the anchor of a pitching rotation that has the Mets in playoff contention this season.

Despite the fact that Pelfrey would not have been available to pitch since he’s scheduled to start two days before the All-Star Game, he could have still attended and been replaced on the active roster.

"I think the biggest thing is I would have liked to have gone and sat there and watched the Home Run Derby with my kid," Pelfrey said after learning of his snub. "But, you know, it was a tough decision. I guess there were a lot of guys that were qualified.”

With no equivocation, Stephen Strasburg is not one of those guys that were qualified.

So in spite of Manuel’s glaring oversight in regards to not selecting Pelfrey, Mets fans can take some measure of comfort in Strasburg being left off the roster by the Phillies skipper because, if baseball’s newest sensation did make the National League team, additional roster spaces would have had to be created for more deserving hurlers like Pelfrey, his teammate R.A. Dickey (6-1, 2.62 ERA, 9 starts) and San Diego Padres right-hander Mat Latos (9-4, 2.62 ERA, 16 starts). Like Charlie Manuel poignantly said about Strasburg being left off the National League All-Star team, “Let him earn his way.”

Without a shadow of a doubt, Strasburg has All-Star potential but, after less than a month in the big leagues, he’s far from being an All-Star; and Major League Baseball would best serve Strasburg and themselves by tempering their anointing of him as the savior of the sport at the tender age of 21.

Click here to read the original article on Examiner.com, which includes relevant links and a special video presentation featuring Stephen Strasburg.

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Yankees GM sets record straight on Lady Gaga; Mets to host 'Go Gaga for Wright' Night

As reported here, New York Yankees co-chairman Hal Steinbrenner permanently banned top-selling recording artist Lady Gaga from the team clubhouse Friday evening for unauthorized access and unladylike behavior following a 4-0 loss to the New York Mets.

However, according to ESPNNewYork.com, Yankees general manager Brian Cashman refuted the NYPost.com report and clarified the team policy on celebrity access to the clubhouse.

"She's not banned," Cashman said on Sunday afternoon. "Celebrities aren't banned. If Michael Jordan showed up here he would have access, but not after a loss."

Following the aforementioned loss to the Mets, Lady Gaga reportedly smooth-talked her way past Stadium security for a 30-minute visit in the Yankees clubhouse, where she met six players including second baseman Robinson Cano and third baseman Alex Rodriguez.

"That was the wrong time and the wrong place," Cashman further added. "It's been taken care of."

As reported by NYPost.com, during the unauthorized visit, a scantily clad Gaga, wearing a half-buttoned Yankees jersey exposing her black bra, fishnet stockings and bikini bottom, proceeded to fondle her chest over the jersey while drinking whiskey.

Upon hearing about the incident, Hal Steinbrenner, described as “fuming”, permanently banned Lady Gaga, a self-professed Yankees fan, from the team’s clubhouse.

But according to ESPNNewYork.com, Cashman downplayed this description of the incident and added that the Yankees have other locations in the Stadium where the players can interact with celebrities.

"There is just a time and place," said Cashman. "It is not her fault."

In addition, Lady Gaga was reported to have met with six players, which included Robinson Cano and Alex Rodriguez, but the Yankees All-Star second baseman says he was the only player to see her.

"She can sing, I'll tell you that," Cano said.

Across town, the Mets are turning Lady Gaga’s now infamous double-middle finger salute to the crowd on June 10 into a marketing opportunity by designating this Wednesday’s game against the Detroit Tigers as ‘Go Gaga for Wright’ Night.

The first 20,000 fans through the gates will receive a blue foam hand with the index finger extended, "the best finger" according to a television advertisement for the promotion, and the words "Make Wright #1" printed on it as part of the campaign for third baseman David Wright’s election to the National League All-Star team.

Currently, Wright is second in National League All-Star voting for third baseman behind Philadelphia Phillies left corner infielder Placido Polanco.

Click here to read the rest of this article on Examiner.com, which includes relevant links and a psychoanalysis of 'The Fame Monster' also known as Lady Gaga.

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Lady Gaga Banned from New York Yankees Clubhouse

In less than two weeks, pop sensation Lady Gaga has become an unwelcome presence at the baseball stadiums in the city where she was born and raised.

On June 10, after arriving at Citi Field in the fifth inning of the game between the New York Mets and the San Diego Padres, Lady Gaga made a spectacle of herself by launching a profanity-laced tirade at photographers in the vicinity, which forced the team to relocate her to Jerry Seinfeld’s luxury box.

Once situated in the suite, for the coup de grace, an inebriated Lady Gaga stripped down to her bejeweled bra and panties and gave the Citi Field crowd a double-middle finger salute.

Eight days later, on the evening of the commencement of the season’s second Subway Series between the Mets and the New York Yankees, unLadylike Gaga was at it again, this time at Yankee Stadium.

According to NYPost.com, following the Mets’ 4-0 victory over the Bronx Bombers, Lady Gaga, whose real name is Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta, and two girlfriends smooth-talked their way past Stadium security for a 30-minute visit in the Yankees clubhouse, where she met six players including second baseman Robinson Cano and third baseman Alex Rodriguez.

During the unauthorized visit, a scantily clad Gaga, wearing a half-buttoned Yankees jersey exposing her black bra, fishnet stockings and a bikini bottom, proceeded to fondle her breasts over the jersey while reportedly drinking Jameson Irish Whiskey.

Upon hearing about this incident, Yankees co-chairman Hal Steinbrenner, described as “fuming”, permanently banned the songstress, who claims to be a lifelong Yankees fan, from the team’s clubhouse.

NYPost.com sources said Steinbrenner, who is co-chairman with brother Hank, club president Randy Levine, general manager Brian Cashman and manager Joe Girardi all had no idea Lady Gaga was planning a visit to the team clubhouse.

In light of Lady Gaga’s clubhouse antics, one has to wonder if she captivated the attention of Yankees lothario Alex Rodriguez, who has been linked to similarly eccentric pop star Madonna.

Either way, it’s become crystal clear that the 24-year-old ‘Fame Monster’, alcohol and baseball are a combustible mix that New York baseball fans don’t need nor want any part of.

Click here to read the rest of this article on Examiner.com, which includes relevant links and Lady Gaga's '20/20' interview with Barbara Walters.

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Mets, Yankees urged to boycott 2011 All-Star Game by NY Political Party

As reported here, in response to the recent passing of the controversial and divisive Arizona immigration law, United States House Representative Jose Serrano, a Democrat from New York, wrote a letter to Major League Baseball (MLB) Commissioner Bud Selig urging him to pull the 2011 All-Star Game from Phoenix.

And although the Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA) has issued a statement voicing its opposition to the legislation, in addition to subtly threatening further action if the law is not modified or repealed, Selig and MLB have declined to comment on the matter.

However, if nothing else, Selig will have to take careful note of the latest development in the immigration battle, as it pertains to MLB's stance, because it involves the teams in baseball’s biggest market.

The Working Families Party (WFP) , New York’s “liveliest and most progressive political party”, has begun circulating a petition it plans to deliver to New York Mets owner Fred Wilpon and New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner.

The petition, which has a goal of 10,000 signatures and a current tally of over 9,600signers, urges the owners to “take a stand for your players, immigrants and all Americans by publicly pledging not to participate in the 2011 All-Star Game unless it is moved out of Arizona or Arizona repeals its anti-immigrant, anti-American law.”

In a letter to the party’s 130,000 supporters, WFP Executive Director Dan Cantor wrote:

“Will Yankees pitcher Mariano Rivera have to show ID to take the mound next year?

Major League Baseball’s 2011 All-Star Game will be hosted in Arizona, where a harsh new immigration law requires police to detain anyone they “suspect” might be an undocumented immigrant unless they can prove their legal status on the spot.

If Mets or Yankees players attend the All-Star Game, they could be subjected to the same suspicion, profiling, and harassment now threatening thousands of Arizonans — both immigrants and citizens. But if New York’s baseball teams say they won’t go, they could become leaders in a national push to move the All-Star Game out of Arizona unless this law is repealed.”

Cantor goes on to say:

“Jackie Robinson and the Dodgers made civil rights history right here in Brooklyn. It’s time the Yankees and Mets live up to that legacy by forcing MLB to move the All-Star game out of Arizona.”

Formed in New York twelve years ago, by a grassroots coalition of community organizations, neighborhood activists, and labor unions, the Working Family Party is no stranger to immigration law battles as they played a critical role in defeating anti-immigrant legislation in Suffolk County in 2007.

Will a petition be enough to convince the Mets and the Yankees to join the fray in Arizona? That remains to be seen. According to NYDailyNews.com, the teams have not responded to requests for comment.

Click here to read the original article on Examiner.com, which includes relevant links and a video of a protest of the law at an Arizona Diamondbacks-Chicago Cubs game.

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The 2010 New York Mets, "BELIEVE"

The one thing that I always find interesting about the world of sports are the promotional commercials that a team makes to tell fans to come out for next season.

Well, the New York Mets believe that 2010 will be their year. (Clearly, last year wasn't)

Man, Mike Pelfrey just wanted to be in that commercial, huh?

(Courtesy of Mets Underground)

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The Mets find new ways to lose

The New York Mets have probably had one of the strangest seasons in MLB history from dropping fly balls to lose games, endless errors, and a disabled list that might be longer than the current health care bill.

Well, yesterday they found a way to lose a game that has not been done since 1925. They lost on an unassisted triple play. The score in the bottom of the 9th was 9-7 in favor of the Phillies however the Mets had two men on base with no outs.

Then Jeff Francoeur stepped to the plate and lined a ball that landed in Phillies infielder Jason Bartlett's glove where he subsquently recorded the final two outs. Yep, that's the Mets season in a nutshell and I guess not even the new Citi Field cannot make the loss look any better.

(Courtesy of The 700 level)

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Fan Fight!, Fan Fight!, Fan Fight!

During last night's Philadelphia Phillies/New York Mets game, a fight broke out into the stands between Phillies fans and Mets fan. A Phillies fan poured a full beer over a Mets fan, giving him the Shane Victorino treatment.

The one positive was that it was the first time that the Mets have shown fight for the past couple weeks of the season.

My Network in Philadelphia caught all the action in the clip above.

(Courtesy of Deadspin)

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Play Luis Castillo off "Keyboard Cat"

During last night's game of the Subway Series between the New York Yankees and the New York Mets, The Yankees won off of a Mets error by 2nd baseman Luis Castillo by the score of 8 to 7.

The batter with the game winning hit, A-Rod, went from slamming his bat down in disgust at home plate to his teammates mobbing him at first base. However this was made even more hilarious by someone mashing in "Keyboard Cat" along with the error.

Play Luis Castillo Off, Keyboard Cat.

(Courtesy of the Sporting Blog)

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Wheeling and Dealing

So the offseason has arrived in MLB and the trades/acquisitions are onnnn. K Rod to the Mets, CC to the Yanks as I said, the Nationals apparently just offered Mark Texiera 160 million...but right now I want to discuss the JJ Putz three way deal.
Mets get: Putz (RP), Jeremy Reed (OF), Sean Green (P)
Mariners get: Franklin Gutierrez (OF), Aaron Heilman (P), Endy Chavez (OF) and 4 minor leaguers
Indians get: Joe Smith (RP), Luis Valbuena (2B)

The Mets obviously did well. But I think the Mariners did too with Heilman...he's a potential starter in the making. And in the meantime Gutierrez matches well with their tons of potential but little to show for it so far talent, Wladamir Balentin. As for the Indians...I don't know. A 2B who isn't really as good as Cabrera and may only be a little better than Barfield and a decent reliever. Looks like another long season for the Indians.

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