The "Old Man" Still Has It

Seriously, you went to watch polo, Dear Criss? And some guy called Nacho Libre? You're in pretty bad shape.

Well, my Sox are starting to turn the ship around. There was a b-a-d losing streak there, but we're waking up. My only concern is that now we have to play NY. The schedule is gonna get a little more difficult. I was really surprised that we beat Toronto. Shocked, actually. But 'Tek is playing a bit and is doing well. Four RBI in one game. Come on. I'm excited and happy for him.

Can we please discuss the Dolphins asking Dez Bryant if his mother was a prostitute? An irrelevant, irrational, inappropriate and disrespectful question. Unbelievable. I didn't realize the answer to that question could impact his ability to score touchdowns. I know it's sorta old news now, but it still irks me.

Roxy


Photo: John Wilcox, Boston Herald

Nacho

The World Champions visited the White House on Monday, Dear Roxy. President Obama had a great speech for them. I'm sure you're dying to hear it so here it is.

And the Yankees have picked up where they left off last season. Unfortunately, they lost Sunday's game, giving them their first series loss of the season. But all in all, I couldn't be disappointed in their performance. What about you, Rox, how are your boys doing nowadays?

The Heat are alive thanks to Wade's unbelievable performance in the second half. If only the supporting cast could do the same. If only...

Last but not least, I went to the Miami Beach Polo World Cup 2010 on Saturday! And although I had no idea what to expect, I loved it! And can you say Nacho Figueras? He's called the "David Beckham of Polo." Wowzers!

Crazy dunk by the Milwaukee Bucks' mascot!

-Criss

Photo: Saul Loeb, AFP & Vanity Fair.

Jorge Posada Was Right

You read that right, Dear Criss. The Boston Globe's Nick Cafardo did a great story on Varitek, who hit another home run last night. He referred to something your darling Jorge Posada said:

"'You watch,' Posada said.' Jason Varitek will play a lot more than you guys think. He’s the leader of that team. They’ve depended on him for a lot of years.'"

Love, love the headline for his story: "Rumors of catcher’s demise are squat." That says it all for me.

But really, the highlight of last week was the NFL draft. How cool was it for Tebow to end up in Denver and not some dreary, awful team? He's lucky. But I think Coach McDaniels has something up his sleeve. You don't coach under Belichick and not learn anything. Can't wait to see the plan.

And that video you had of the college runner leaping over the catcher was nuts! I played it three times.

Roxy


Photo: Getty Images

Hughe(s) Performance

The Yankees' Phil Hughes flirted with a no-hitter, Dear Roxy. His no-nit bid ended in the eight inning with a comebacker. He seemed disappointed, but Phil, there's nothing to be disappointed about. Your performance was nothing short of extraordinary.

Speaking of extraordinary, did you see this leap over the pitcher? If this baseball thing doesn't pan out, he can always join Cirque du Soleil .

And the Heat were battered during Tuesday's game. I think they forgot they were in the playoffs. Ouch.

-Criss

Photo: AP

Sources Say

Oh my! NFL rumors are juicy today. Let's forget about your New York daydream and hot dogs with the Yankee logo on it. Did the toilet paper have logos on them?

1) Jason Taylor to the Jets?! Oh, the fan reception in Miami and New York will be very interesting. ESPN recently rolled all his Jets insults over the years, and that is going to be hard to backtrack on if it is true indeed that he's putting on that green uni.

2) McNabb may be trying to get T.O. Seems he has "encouraged" the team to do so. Look at that smile. The Redskins play the Eagles this year. It couldn't get better that.

Fact:
3) The Vikings play the Dolphins at Miami. If Brett Favre is still on there, we're going, Dear Criss.

Roxy

Photo: Getty Images

The New Home of the Yankees

I am back from my wonderful trip to New Jersey/New York and wonderful Yankees Stadium, Dear Roxy.

What an amazing place. The old Yankees Stadium was home, classic, a shrine, and a landmark all rolled up into one, but this stadium is insane and awesome! I loved it... the subway ride, the atmosphere, the fans, the food, and even the cold rain. In other words, everything!!!

Even with rain delay in the 6th inning, and eventually an early finish, I was able to breathe in all Yankee! Ha, can't wait to do it again.

If the pictures or reading this don't make you barf, I don't know what will.

No worries, when we go to Fenway, I promise to keep it together.

In other non-exciting news, the Heat lost to your dirty Bostonians. You see, Rox, your guys always play dirty! Let's see how the Heat react tonight.

-Criss

Photos: Criss

Tampa Slay (as my sister says)

Hold on, Dear Criss, I need to go get some disinfectant spray to clean out this Yankee SHRINE that you created.

So the Rays ate us up, because that's what we've been letting them do these last few years. Yankees and Rays coming to town? Lie down and give up. Don't even show up. I don't get it. And the Twins?! I mean, just give them the win. Don't even play! This team's a mess, except clearly Beckett played well again with Varitek, and Varitek is hitting home runs, which is encouraging. Not every game, but better.

And Heat-Celtics? That first game was tense - or the last 10 minutes I watched. I just can't handle the NBA. Not my cup of tea. Did you see the fight?

What about that Coach Gruden QB Camp special with four of the top QB picks, including Tebow? It was really good. If you can catch it, do so. They've been showing snippets here and there. I'm really excited about the draft now. I would say I'd take two of the four on the show. I won't jade you before you see anything. Wish the Pats would manage to get Tebow.

Saw rocker and arena football team owner Bon Jovi and his crew last night. Lots of fun, but some people in the crowd needed to get energized.

Roxy


'Tek: Elsa, Getty Images
Bon Jovi: Roxy

Blog Hog Deuce: Cantu

Florida Marlins Jorge Cantu became the first player in MLB history to have at least one hit and one RBI in each of his team's first nine games. George Kelly of the 1921 Giants had held that record for 89 years.

What a great feat! Congrats, Cantu!!!

Blog Hog: No. 42

Did you know Mariano Rivera is the only player to be wearing No. 42? I didn't.

What a great story. And, Roxy, you don't have to be a Yankees fan to appreciate it, just a baseball one. Enjoy!

Yankees Stadium, here I come!!!

-Criss

Photo: Regina Fleming

Dreams do come true

You can ask Alex Rodriguez and the rest of the Yankees staff as they received their 2009 World Series rings, Dear Roxy.

Alex looked like a 10-year old on Christmas Day. And he couldn't have said it better when asked if he'd be wearing his ring, "I know a lot of guys are talking about they’re not going to wear it because they’re too cool. I’m going to wear it every day. Heck, if they let me wear it to third today, I would have done that.”

And what an amazing reception Hideki Matsui received. Not only from the fans, who gave him the loudest cheer, but from the Yankees players themselves. They all huddled around him and hugged him when he received his ring. To tell you the truth, I got teary-eyed, and I'm not ashamed to say it.

Oh, and in case you're wondering, Jeter homered, Pettitte pitched and Rivera closed the game.

In other fantastic news, the Miami Dolphins traded for the Broncos' Brandon Marshall! I know you join me in celebrating. The Dolphins FINALLY got a lucrative wide receiver and a great caliver player. Hopefully this will turn the Dolphins seasons around.

I'm so excited and I just can't hide it.

PS I purchased my wonderful Yankees ticket for $19.99 and I'm sitting down, unlike the $80 plus standing room only tickets. But I will join you in Fenway, with my Yankees gear of course!

-Criss

Photos: Richard Perry and AP

Hello, Joe

Wait a minute, Dear Criss. You blew me off for a Yankees game this summer?! You won't go with me to Boston but you'll go to NY?! Great. How much cheaper were the tickets? Are you serious? You probably saved $40 for something that could never beat the Fenway experience. You people knock down your own stadiums! I'm gonna go mope and pout now.

Yes, Ben is amazingly lucky. I don't know if he realizes this. He needs to and also needs to turn his ship around. All the way around. Looks like the commissioner will be meeting with him. Gulp.

Did you see any of the Red Sox-Twins game yesterday? I watched the end as Joe Mauer and Co. won the game. I looked at him and wondered what the future would have been like in Boston if we picked him up. No one will ever know because he'll me in Minnesota for the rest of his life. Every time I see him, I wonder. For the rest of his career, I'll wonder.

Roxy


Photo: Hannah Foslien, Getty Images

Here I Come!

Guess who will be watching the Yankees from the nosebleed section this Friday night, Dear Roxy?
YES, ME! I will be in hand to watch the Yankees play the Texas Rangers. I was able to get tickets (a lot cheaper than those Yankees-Red Sox tickets we were looking at) yesterday and will be there with my Yankees cap to root on my boys! So excited!!!

But today is special as well, as the Yankees will be presented with their World Series rings before they play Matsui and the Angels. Matsui will look so weird in red, but I'm so happy he'll be there to receive his well-earned WS ring!

In other news, Roethlisberger won't be facing criminal charges but where there's smoke, there's fire. Stay away from trouble, Ben.

And last but not least, congratulations to Phil Mickelson for winning the Masters and earning his third green jacket. Very well deserved. Tiger tied for fourth; not too shabby.

-Criss

Photos: Big League Analysis Blog and Kathy Willens, AP

Homering on Your Birthday Weekend - Not Too Shabby

I know you join me, Dear Criss, in wishing Varitek a very happy birthday today. Doesn't hurt that his first time playing this season resulted in two home runs yesterday. (Old Marlin Hermida didn't play to badly either) And how interesting that Beckett did so much better playing with 'Tek behind the plate. Hmm. I think the Boston Herald stated it best:

"If it means that he can get something close to an outing like the one Josh Beckett delivered - seven innings, three runs, four strikeouts, one walk - with every start, then the Red Sox should just go ahead and declare Varitek to be the right-hander’s personal catcher and end the suspense."

And according to The Boston Globe, looks like Lowell is thinking of retiring after this season.

Oh, I forgot to ask you your thoughts on Tebow meeting with the Pats. Yes, he met with other teams, but this is more interesting.

Roxy

AP Photo

Curtis Greatderson!

The Yankees took two out of three in Red Sox nation and this girl couldn't be happier, Dear Roxy.

Granderson once again came through. What a beautiful thing. Good job, boys!

And can you tell your boys not to hit mine? Dirty, dirty, dirty.

Oh, and tell Ortiz to keep his cool. No one should go crazy on the reporters who were just doing their job. heheeh.

In other news, congratulations to the Blue Devils for winning the NCAA Championship. And without a doubt, congrats to the Bulldogs for an amazing game, and an even better season! Keep your head up, guys.

The Heat are officially in the playoffs. Yes, Rox, the Miami Heat.

PS What's with Umpire Joe West talking smack about the Yankees-Red Sox games? I mean, I get it and I totally understand it, but I don't think that's his place to say anything. Like an announcer said yesterday, "Expand your strike zone and the game will be a lot shorter." Enough said.

-Criss

Photo: Adam Hunger, Reuters

GO SOX!

It was incredible, Dear Criss! I gave up early, then held on when it got tied at 5-5. Then you guys got in front, THEN my boy Pedroia took over! Wow. I would have loved to see local coverage from the very beginning to the end. Steven Tyler sang "God Bless America" and Neil Diamond sang "Sweet Caroline." Cool.

But wait, the best part was our darling new favorite five year old, Joshua Sacco giving the pep talk in character as "Miracle's" Herb Brooks. Please, go watch it, now. Go. Forget what I'm writing here. Go.

It really is great to have baseball back. Wish I could have stayed up to watch it all.

Roxy



Photos: Bill Greene, The Boston Globe
Jim Davis, The Boston Globe

Baseball is Back!

What a great weekend in sports, Dear Roxy. So yes, the Yankees lost; apparently someone forgot to tell the relievers this wasn’t spring training anymore, but MLB is back! These past two months were boring, but all is good now.

As I was watching the game last night, I was reminded of how high my heart rate can get when watching this series. You would think my heart would get used to it, but no.

Did you hear that Jeter, Posada and Rivera are the only trio to have played together for 16 straight years in any of the major sports? That defies logic.

Congrats to Curtis Granderson for his awesome Yankees debut! Keep at it!

And thanks again for inviting to watch the Henin-Clijsters match, Rox. Who would have thought we’d be watching the eventual winner? Hehe. Thank goodness for Clijsters.

And how about our boy Roddick? Even after playing his exhibition game for Chile’s earthquake relief, he had enough in him to win the championship. Congrats, Andy!

Ok, boys, time to play some ball. This is no spring training. Let’s get to it!

-Criss

Photo: Gretchen Ertl, Reuters

FINALLY, It's Back

Finally, we can talk about what we know how to talk about: baseball. It's back, and in what a way. The annual torture of Red Sox vs. Yankees is here. Beckett against CC Sabathia. For some reason, I kinda feel like you guys are gonna win tonight, which would be a shame since it's Fenway's opener. But I'm happy to have the season get going.

To add to the love this year, we've got Curt Schilling joining the Baseball Tonight crew and doing some radio work over at ESPN. This is gonna be fun.

Roxy

P.S. Donovan McNabb to the Redskins?! No way.


AP photo

Easter Morning

Happy Easter!

-Sporting Gals

Photo: Gulfstream at weatherchannel.com