Sweeeeet Sweeeeep Blog Hog

After an 0-8 start against the Red Sox, the Yankees went on to win 9/10 last games to finish 9-9 against your boys, then swept the last series and won the AL East, all at the expense of your team, Dear Roxy! How sweet it really is.

I missed this kind of celebration. I knew they had it in them to do something like this. Look how happy they are :)

With one of the "best offensive infields" ever(?) in Alex, Jeter, Cano, Posada and Mark, the Yankees are back to play in October, along with the newbies like Nick. I can't wait for the postseason, Rox.

BTW, Congrats to both Jeter and Cano for being the first SS/2B combo to get at least 200 hits each in the same season! Woo-Hoo!!!!

And in football, tough Miami losses for the Canes and Dolphins. Ouch.

-Criss

Photos: AP

Here We Go Again

I was hoping you had a comment on Schilling, Dear Roxy. He's a man with a huge ego - I mean, what makes him think he has the expertise and knowledge to take over such a Seat?

The Yankees made it to the playoffs after a one-year hiatus. I'm sure they were extremely happy although their "celebration" showed otherwise. Gosh, I think I was more excited about it! Kids, it's alright to smile and celebrate!

It's on this weekend for Red Sox-Yankees game #32,456,978. I guess I won't be seeing you this weekend either.

Going back to your comment, I rooted for the Dolphins so I am not taking the blame for their loss. Peyton is just that good! You give him enough time, he'll find a way to score. And by the way, the game was pretty cool. The first MNF game of the season didn't disappoint, except for the loss, of course, oh and the half-time celebration.

Plaxico is in prison now... I still think he got the short end of the stick. And in the meantime, I believe Vick will play his first game this season. Here's to second chances.

Go Dolphins, Go UM, although I like VTech. Kick some as*!

-Criss

2004, 2007

So, Dear Criss, people are already asking the tough questions, like, "Who should we go with for the playoffs? Varitek or Martinez?" Seems to me that you put in the guy with the most experience who has come through for you and pulled the team through two World Series. You go with Varitek.

Oh goodness, Martinez is good. I have no beef with him. But all of a sudden we're unsure if Varitek can handle the playoffs. Who was catching for Embree, Foulke and Schilling in 2004, and Lester, Beckett and Papelbon in 2007? Who caught the endless innings in NY? I don't get it. I know he's not batting .300, yes. But let's not put him in a home.

And don't get me started about last weekend. BYU lost, the Pats lost, the Steelers lost, the Dolphins lost in a Monday-Night heartbreaker. You jinxed them because you love that Peyton Manning. It's all your fault because deep down, you wavered. And the Sox lost some games to Kansas City?! Are we just goofing off now?

I'm like you. I'm not looking forward to the October playoffs. We're not going anywhere. Mercy rule.

Roxy

P.S. Schilling's not running for Kennedy's seat. No comment.

Photos:
2004 'Tek/Embree - Jim Davis, The Boston Globe
2007 'Tek/Paps - Barry Chin, The Boston Globe

Wake Me Up When September Ends

There’s a 99.99999% chance the Yankees will take the AL East and make it into the playoffs, but that doesn’t mean I’m not a little frightened, Dear Roxy. They haven’t been playing great ball lately, and they’re playing on the West Coast, which always causes problems, AND they’ll be playing your stinky Red Sox this weekend. And with only a 5-game lead in the East, is it possible that we could just get in the playoffs with the wild card? I hope not!

This cannot be happening. I think I’ve been saying that a bit too much lately.

I think it’s time to change the subject. Tomorrow is the first day of fall and I can feel the seasons changing in sunny south Florida. NOT! Can it be any hotter?

But the season changing means only one thing – FOOTBALL!!!

The Dolphins lost their first game but I think they’re more than ready to play the mighty Colts, my good ole’ Colts. And guess who’s going to the game tonight? You guess it – me! My friend got tickets and invited me and I couldn’t be happier. Although I’m a Peyton and Colts fan, I am a Floridian who really likes the Dolphins so I’ll be rooting for them tonight. To tell you the truth, I think they need it more than the Colts.

Ask me how happy I am that the Jets beat your boy Brady and that the Giants won (last minute) against that Romo kid =) hehe.

Speaking of football, I think I drowned myself in the game this weekend. I watch so much of it, including college, you think I’d be tired of it, but I’m not. I guess I missed it that much.

College football is not something I look forward to watching, but I did watch the Nebraska-Virginia Tech game, and all I can say is that the Canes have their work cut out for them this weekend. However, the Canes totally dominated Georgia. The U is back!

-Criss

PS: To tell you the truth, that whole Posada incident is just dumb. He should've know better. But hey, he got to relax for three days. I think that's a good thing come the playoffs!

Blog Hog: Same Old Story Outta NY

What happened to your thugs last night, looking for trouble? Looks like Posada took a play outta A-Fraud's book with his little elbow jab (true, it was no hand slap), then your manager comes out to get in the mix. What a mess. "Umpire Jim Joyce said after the fight that Posada's elbow shove of Carlson was 'very unsportsmanlike' and a 'cheap shot,'" reported ESPN.com. You people get away with a lot! I'd like a full explanation from you, Dear Criss.

By the way, did you see Dice-K is back? Six good innings. We'll take it. Paul Byrd tonight - a little shaky against the Angels. But somehow our guys pulled this one off. We were behind, we were ahead, we were tied, we were behind, we were tied, and Alex Gonzalez hits a walk-off RBI. Game summary. Four hours. Oh, and while we discuss pitchers, let me say that I do like Schilling, but seriously - is he gonna run for Kennedy's seat?

Before I forget, count down to a BIG game this weekend. BYU-FSU. Oh yeah, watch out. BYU is number nine and looking good. Let's not forget Steve Young came from there. Yes, this is why I like them, but I wouldn't possibly like FSU, hello? And neither would you, so just agree with me on this. What if BYU shocks the college football world this year?

Roxy


The Slap: Mike Hansen, BostonDirtDogs.com illustration
The Elbow: Charles Wenzelberg, New York Post

Legends

Pull out a lighter and sway back and forth to the Jeter good times. Wake me up when you're all done. Thanks.

Well, what a weekend, Dear Criss. Serena goes loony. (Absolutely loony.) The Sox didn't embarrass themselves with the Rays. And then my favorite basketball player of all time, John Stockton, got inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame. But no, what did you cover? Michael Jordan with a little, teeny mention about the rest of the outstanding class. We couldn't be more different.

Tonight the Patriots are falling behind in the third quarter, but I LOVE the throwback uniforms. I'm curious as to how this game will turn out. I think it will determine how the rest of the season will go. My feeling is, Tom will pull out a late-game victory - for every game this year. But he looks good. Moves well. Ran well.

Finally, a sad goodbye to everybody's favorite dancer, Patrick Swayze. Nobody will forget him.

Roxy


Getty Images

Record-Breaking Night

Yes, 2,722 and counting...

Derek Jeter has surpassed Lou Gehrig's all-time Yankee hit record. And it happened on a wet 9-11 night. Magical indeed.

Yankee owner George Steinbrenner was quoted saying,
"For those who say today's game can't produce legendary players,

I have two words: Derek Jeter."
Enough said.

Congratulations, Derek!!!

Photo: AP

9-11-09

Eight years later and we haven't forgotten. We Will Never Forget.

9-11-01

Photo: Musadeq Sadeq/Pool, Reuters.

- 2,721 -

He's done it, Dear Roxy! Dere Jeter tied the Iron Horse for most hits ever(!) by a Yankee!!! How great of a feat that is. I even got a little teary eyed, I won't lie.

He'll try to break that long-standing record tonight. The record that has stayed untouched, until Wednesday, since 1939. To think of all the great players that have put on a Yankee uniform and to have Derek Jeter be the one standing with most (almost) hits says a lot about him. Congrats, Derek! Looking forward to many more records broken - starting tonight!

What I love most about his record-tying feat is what people are saying about him. How much respect they have for him (except for Rice. Weirdo.) Even a Red Sox player/fan can see that (except for Rice).

Anyway, speaking of baseball, I went to a Brewers game in Milwaukee this past weekend! The game in which the Brewers turned their first triple-play in 10 years! It was exciting and fun to watch. I left in the 8th inning so I couldn't see the game-winning home run by Prince Fielder. But I watched SportsCenter and saw the way the celebrated at home plate. It looks like those guys really know how to have some fun!

Oh, you know what's fun about Miller Park? The sausage and mini sausage race! And not to mention the great atmosphere and great ballpark. Sort of reminds me of LandShark Stadium - NOT!

And a big Congratulations to Michael Air Jordan for his induction into the NBA Hall of Fame! He is truly the best player this sport has ever seen! They should've enshrined him the day he retired! And we can't forget about David Robinson, John Stockton, Jerry Sloan and Vivian Stringer. What a great class!

I'm still sad about all the speculation surrouding South Africa runner Caster Semenya who pulled out of a race amid her gender speculation. Truly sad.

-Criss

Photos: Bill Kostroun, Morry Gash, Stephan Savoia .

New Kid on the Block

We barely survived the White Sox, Dear Criss. But that Lester did magic again. The end of the season is sputtering to a conclusion, and it kinda feels like politely clapping for a group's routine during a terrible talent show.

So does it seem like lately we see less and less of Varitek? I think so. Bringing Victor Martinez on board has kinda been like the Eagles bringing Michael Vick. Should McNabb be worried? Definitely. Should 'Tek? For sure. And even one of my favorite blogs pointed this out, with some interesting player commentary that scared me. Reality check: Before we sign up Varitek for AARP (a la Criss), how about the team hitting better as a whole and pitching more consistently? What a concept!

I'm ready for football, but now the Pats traded Seymour. Is there anyone left on the team?!

Roxy

(This is a bad time for me to blog because motor vehicles just doubled their license renewal fees, and their computer system kept crashing so you couldn't renew at the old fee. And days later, it's not letting me renew online because they're saying I changed my address when I didn't. ARRGH!!!)


Photo: nkotb.com

No Need to Call a Search Party

This is why I enjoy our blog, Dear Roxy. Where elso would I hear about Penny possibly going to New York and being sent to San Francisco? Not that I care.

And speaking of not caring, I care about Bruschi's retirement just as much as Wakey's injury. These guys are about 49 going on AARP. Althought I do like the way the Yankees hit Wakefield's knuckleball so I might take that back. Might.

I am glad, however, to hear that Aaron Boone is back on the field after having heart surgery.

The Yankees are truckin' with their 6.5 game lead in the East. Posada made me laugh while watching SportsCenter this morning. He first started walking toward the dugout after "taking" strike three when it was just his second strike, and in another inning he lost track - again - and had to be told to take first on ball four! Anything on your mind, Jorge?

And is America's most famous bachelor tying the knot in the offseason? I heard a rumor that Jeter might be off the market pretty soon. One word of advice on that: Prenup.

-Criss

Photo: Rob Carr

I take back anything nice I ever said about Jim Rice (if I ever did) because he's talking out of his you know what! How dare he say anything bad about a player who's carried himself better than anyone else in the game? He could learn a thing or two from Umpire John Hirschbeck!

Hey Rox, did you enjoy hearing all of those great things the commentators were saying about Jeter during those Red Sox-Yankees series? Well, here's more for your enjoyment.