5/28/10

The Newest Met: Hisanori Takahashi

Ladies and gentlemen, I'd like to introduce you to an absolute welcomed addition to the Mets bullpen family, Mr. Hisanori Takahashi of Japan. The 35yr-old pitcher (#47) was signed to a minor league contract by the Mets in February, but his spring training performance quickly earned him a spot as a starter (especially since that knucklehead Oliver Perez got DEEE-moted!).

In his earlier career, Takahashi pitched in college and in Japan's Industrial League before landing a spot in the Nippon Professional League in 2000 for the Yomiuri Giants. He remained there until 2009 when he became an international free agent, scouted by teams like the Giants, Dodgers and Red Sox, but TOO BAD, SO SAD, we nabbed him!

So far, Takahashi has been doing the damn thing on the mound. In his 17 appearances (two starts), Takahashi has 4 wins and only one loss, a 2.13 ERA and 44 strikeouts.

This is pretty impressive considering he was not doing as well in Japan. Listen, whatever it is that's making him perform better *coughDRUGScough* I really don't care as long as he keeps those batters at bay. Is that wrong of me? Ask me if I care. WE NEED A CHAMPIONSHIP, DAMMIT!

Besides, it's nice to see some new talent on the mound; Santana can't do it all, and he's still recovering from his surgery. Takahashi- you have the Jaded Seal of Approval; BIENVENIDOS!!!

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MetsWatch '10: W25-L23-GB2
Next game: 5/28/10 VS. MIL @ Miller Park, Johan Santana (#57, 4-2 for the season) pitching

5/23/10

NBA Player Turned R&B Singer??


I've talked immensely about how much I hate the athletes that try to rap. To date it still hasn't been a good idea or a good look for any of them. I think this might be the first time where an athlete has decided to pursue a singing career. Kareem Rush definitely isn't the best singer, I kinda get a Montell Jordan vibe when I listened to this song and that's probably not a good thing since on most songs I wonder why he wasn't a ball player, considering his height. You take a listen for yourself though and hit me in the comments with whether or not you feel this ex-baller has a voice that the R&B world wants and needs to hear.

5/20/10

The Mets' Fan Guide To Enjoying The Subway Series

Ever since 1997 when interleague play was made a part of the regular baseball season, baseball fans in NYC have had the pleasure of watching their beloved Yankees and Mets go head-to-head at least six times per season. For me it is both invigorating- just the thought of being able to say IN YO' FACE to a Yankee fan pumps me up- and exasperating- knowing deep down inside that the cards will most likely be in favor of those Bronx dudes.

But that's okay, because part of being a Mets fan is having that child-like hope and wonder and anticipation and FAITH in our Amazin' team. Win or lose, we're there for them.

I have a certain ritual for watching the Subway Series these days, just to save myself the agita of dealing with those obnoxious Yankee fans (because lets face it- no one os MORE obnoxious than a Yankee fan) and figured I'd do my fellow Mets' peeps a solid and share the tricks of the trade:

1- Ignore the previous years' stats. SO WHAT if the Yankees have won significantly more of these interleague games than the Mets have. Who cares? Just keep telling yourself: This is the year we will knock them on their ass.

2- Try and forget the 2000 World Series. Don't let this psych you out of your zone. Think only GOOD THOUGHTS during the game or you'll f*ck it up for the whole team!

3- DO NOT WATCH WITH A YANKEE FAN. Or in the Bronx. They will ruin the whole experience for you with their taunting and pointing and laughing, and next thing you know you've been arrested for manslaughter because that idiot in the Jeter jersey would not shut the hell up.

4- Choose a Mets-friendly establishment. Try some of the new places in and around Citifield, or Bobby V's Bar & Grill at the Ramada Inn in Corona. I also hear that Mudville9 in Manhattan, Ann Reilley's in Flushing and Mooney's in Brooklyn cater to our ilk, too.

5- Join a Mets fan Meetup Group. I used to be a member of meetup.com and one of the groups I joined right away was the Mets one. They got together on a regular to watch the games together decked out in full team colors from head-to-toe. It truly felt like home!

If none of these tickle your fancy then please, invite some Mets-friendly folk over to your house, queue up the 1,000" flat-panel plasma, put out the chips n salsa and enjoy the victories from the comfort of your sofa. Just please don't forget to send me your address; I make a killer pasta salad :)

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May Series: 5/21-23 at Citifield
June Series: 6/18-20 at Yankee Stadium

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MetsWatch '10: W19-L22-GB6
Next game: 5/20/10 VS. WSH @ Nationals Park, John Maine (#33, 1-3 for the season) pitching

5/18/10

Lingerie football changes it's focus


I was extremely skeptical when this whole "thing" started to erupt being a huge fan of football, it even took me knowing a couple AFL players before I could watch Arena. I don't like football being poked fun at, changed, imitated, and the Lingerie football league seemed to be a perverted man's dream. Chicks with barely any clothes on running up and down a field and whining if they broke a nail. I really couldn't see anyone that was a true fan of football watching this mess and that it would be popular for a couple years and then lose interest just like the AFL did. Founder, Mitchell Mortaza has now changed it's focus:
"Last year we had models trying to play football. This year we're gonna have athletes that happen to be beautiful playing football."

Check out video of their recent try outs for the upcoming season.

5/12/10

Ballers make good TV outside their sport


Are ballers on TV the new black? The time when we wondered what athletes did off the field (that doesn't include them on the news for a DUI or shooting themselves in the leg at a club) is over. We are now seeing our favorite athletes on the tube more than ever. From the T.O. Show to Shaq vs. to D'Hani Tackles the Globe to Pro's vs. Joe's you now get to see them in so many different elements and really get a close-up look at their personalities off the field. Even shows that take them out of their element with the many ballers that have participated in Dancing with the Stars. Ocho Cinco, who is on the season that is airing now even inked a deal to have his own dating show on VH1. I can't wait until The Tournament airs in July because he really has the energy and personality to make great TV. 

VH1 is really becoming the mecca for these athletes even when the show is about ballers indirectly. Prime example "Basketball Wives" which I prefer to call " I boned a baller" since only 1 of them is married to a baller and they look like they are headed for divorce. Even though these chicks are beyond a train wreck, there association still makes good TV.

The newest athlete to catch the bug is NBA All-Star Carmelo Anthony. Anthony and long time girlfriend Lala have signed on to let VH1 follow them as they prepare for their wedding. I hope the show ends up like the best possible episodes of Bridezilla imaginable. The show premieres September 13th.

Athletes have not only looked to television for entertainment purposes only, they have also looked to TV for redemption. I definitely feel The Michael Vick Project helped his career out immensely. People were able to really see his story, and the fact that he didn't make excuses, was remorseful, and ready to move on made me want everyone to let the man move on.

There are so many different athletes and so many different sports but I want the SistaSports readers to let me know what athlete you would like see get a show and what type of show would fit them best??? Hit me in the comments!

5/5/10

The Pressure in New Orleans

The New Orleans Saints have a colorful past, which only makes sense for one of the most eccentric cities in the country. New Orleans has great food, music, shopping and festivals second only to Chicago (but of course I'm biased). New Orleans is by far the strongest, one serious blow after another, the city continues to rebuild and transform. Being at the bottom of the map has exposed them to hurricanes, none more devastating than Hurricane Katrina. And now the city is back in the spotlight due to a severe oil spill that is paralyzing the seafood industries, wildlife and family-owned businesses. Through it all, the sports world keeps it ticking and even the beloved Superbowl champions have found themselves in an unfavorable light...again.

Over the last few days, reports of drug abuse have come seeping out of the doors of the Saints camp. Former Saints security director and ex-FBI agent, Geoffrey Santini, filed a lawsuit Friday stating he left his position with the Saints because he didn't want to get caught up in a drug scandal involving the team. Santini didn't specifically name individuals, only naming them as "Senior Staff Member A" and "Senior Staff Member B". However, his detailed description of a break into the Saints drug locker pointed towards assistant head coach Joe Vitt. The former security director also insinuated that head coach Sean Payton, who has always been Mr. Good Guy, abuses Vicodin.

For a team and a city still high, no pun intended, off of winning the Lombardi trophy, this scandal is certainly not welcome. Under normal circumstances the adrenaline rush before, during and shortly thereafter the Superbowl tends to wear off by mid February. However, when your team has a history of fans decked out on paper bags and having never been to the Superbowl, the bragging rights clearly last well into the warmer days of spring. Louisiana natives are still wearing championship paraphernalia, and watching highlights of the game. But it seems as though the needle on the record has been scratched, the nails have traced the chalkboard, and the party seems to be over.

These allegations are new to the general public, but the Saints organization has been dealing with this issue since last summer, and turned over all evidence to authorities in June of 2009. After the allegations leaked on Friday, Saints officials said the lawsuit had no merit. The organization also stated Santini shopped the lawsuit to them before filing, seeking $2 million to keep it to himself. Coach Payton came forward Saturday and said, "I have never abused or stolen Vicodin or any other medication."

There are many, many questions and statements have been more than vague. The 13-page lawsuit highlights the existence of videotape showing Vitt stealing Vicodin pills, a possible cover-up by team general manager Mickey Loomis, and coach Payton taking Vicodin without a prescription. Every prescription drug, in every NFL locker room is accounted for and requires a written prescription from a team doctor. Therefore, missing pills ending up in the hands of those not intended would ultimately result in federal charges. Every Saints fan, and really every football fan that has been charmed by the Cinderella team, that rose out of the Katrina waters with a discarded and presumably broken quarterback wants a happy ending. The Saints became America's team, the underdog that everyone found himself of herself rooting for. As a newly inducted passenger on the Saints bandwagon, I certainly hope the allegations turn out to be false.

We, yes I said we, already have to deal with quarterback Drew Brees being voted onto the cover of Madden 2011. Whether you believe in the curse or not, Madden 2010 did effect Troy Polamalu and just barely escaped Larry Fitzgerald. Maybe someone in New Orleans can whip up some voodoo magic and make all of this go away (call it a stereotype if you want, I'm just offering suggestions).