It's safe to say that Freddie Coupon, also known as Mets chief owner Fred Wilpon, has lost his freakin' mind.
For Freddie Coupon to go on the record and blast his three best players like that in an article written by Jeffrey Toobin in the New Yorker means one thing to me.
He wants to devalue all three, namely Jose Reyes, Carlos Beltran and David Wright for the sole purpose of making true-blue Met fans believe that they weren't really that good in the first place and it won't be so damaging once all three are sent packing before the trading deadline.
That's the only justification to it. I've been trying to figure out why he would do such a thing in print, unless he's totally lost his mind (quite a possibility for a man in his mid-70s) or he's looking to begin the fire sale.
However, Mr. Coupon forgot one thing. In doing so, he has totally damaged their trade value. If he thinks they're no good _ and he's the owner _ then why would any other team in their right mind give up anything of value in return?
"Hey, Freddie, you said they all suck. So here's some mid-level Class A players and a bag of used balls for them. Hey, you don't want them."
I have no problem with coming to grips with the fact that Beltran is playing in his last few games with the Mets. He's in the last year of his contract and he's not going to re-sign with the Mets. That's a done deal.
But I still can't comprehend the fact that Coupon and Coupon Jr. are going to let Reyes walk. He's a 27-year-old electric shortstop. He's a franchise player. You don't trade franchise players in their prime, not when you're in the biggest market in the universe. You build around him. You make him the cornerstone.
No team is going to give the Mets a top-flight prospect for Reyes now, not after Freddie's insanity. So it's better to re-sign him and keep him.
And if any Met fan thinks we're better off without Reyes, saying that Reyes always gets hurt anyway, take a look at his production when he's healthy. He's the best shortstop this side of Troy Tulowitzki. We're not better off without him. He's the lynchpin of the entire franchise.
So Freddie has opened up his mouth and inserted his penny loafer...Ah, penny loafer, what a perfect name for the Coupon.
We can only hope that the guy who shelled out $200 million today, David Einhorn, can make some suggestions and the first would be to keep Reyes.
If not, my favorite team will be in the state of ruins, if it isn't already. Congrats, Freddie. You said Bernie Madoff wouldn't take you down. Guess what? He most certainly has.
------------------------------------------------------
To all the people who have come out and said that baseball rules should be changed because of the nasty injury to Giants' catcher Buster Posey, guess again. The rules have been in place forever, giving the catcher the right to block the plate.
It was a freak injury, the way Posey was bent back, snapping his leg. It wasn't intentional. It was a clean baseball play. It's a shame he's injured and lost for the year, because he's a great player _ and he was my second round draft choice in what has evolved into a fantasy season to forget.
But accidents happen. Injuries happen. If this was Biff Pocoroba who got hurt, no one would be asking to change the rules. But because it's an All-Star on the World Series champs, everyone is up in arms. Rules are rules.
======================================================
Congrats to the Hoboken Red Wings, who won their NJSIAA North 2, Group I state playoff game today against Brearley Regional, 8-2. The Red Wings now advance to Tuesday's sectional semifinal in what is turning out to be a storybook run. First the county title, now a state run. Pretty impressive.
=====================================================
In closing, former Met catcher and Hall of Famer Gary Carter received some bad news today, that his brain tumors are malignant. Brain cancer is nothing to sneeze at. It's going to be a tough go. It's what destroyed good baseball men like Tug McGraw and Bobby Murcer in the past.
Let's all take a moment to say a little prayer for Carter, who was the final piece to the Mets' puzzle and brought us all back to a World Championship in 1986. A lot of people hated Carter, because he was always smiling and having a good time, but one thing was for sure. He was a gamer who played hurt and led the Mets to the Promised Land.
I got to know Carter a little when he was the manager of the Long Island Ducks a few years ago and he was always a delight to see when I had to go get the starting lineups. It's sad news. My thoughts go out to Carter and his family.
=====================================================
You can read more of my work at www.hudsonreporter.com, www.theobserver.com and www.dailyrecord.com.
Newer head shot
Friday, May 27, 2011
Thursday, May 12, 2011
Loss of a dear friend
I vivdly recall the day one of my dearest and longest friends, Glenn Gardner, introduced me to the woman who would eventually become his wife, Patti Crocco.
It was the day of the Jersey City St. Patrick's Day parade and it has been a long tradition of mine and my friends to hit our favorite watering hole, the Park Tavern, on the day of the parade.
Glenn brought Patti with him to his favorite joint to meet his friends. And she fit in like a glove, with her beauty, her vibrant smile, her incredible personality and her fanatical devotion to the Mets. She was perfect. She was one of us from the get-go.
As it turned out, Patti was even better than perfect. She was brilliant, knowing so much about a variety of topics, ranging from entertainment, music, Broadway shows and of course, sports.
She loved my friend, a divorced father of two. She married him and gave him two more sons. She accepted his friends like they were her own family. She was loving, caring, giving. A perfect package, someone who provided a sense of stability for my friend, who has been like a brother to me since sixth grade.
As time went on, Patti and I became close friends, talking on the phone constantly about anything and everything. We chatted online almost on a daily basis, either on Yahoo Messenger or later Facebook, which Patti encouraged me to join.
We would share our tales of woe about the Mets or what happened on "Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew." One thing is for sure. Patti was definitely the biggest fan of reality television. She gobbled up all those shows and say, "Oh, Haguey, you have to watch Real Housewives of New Jersey." To which I would reply, "Yeah, right."
There were so many instances of laughter and love. Definitely a mutual admiration.
Almost two years ago, we spent an afternoon at CitiField together, watching the Mets beat the Cardinals and Chris Carpenter. Carlos Beltran hurt his knee diving to make a catch that day. We had beers together and shared a glorious summer afternoon with her two sons.
A week later, I called Glenn just to say Hi. He said he was in the hospital, that Patti was sick. I said, "What's wrong?" He said, "It's serious." I insisted he tell me.
"Patti has leukemia," he said.
My heart sank to depths I can't even imagine. He then handed the phone to his wife and said, "Here, tell Hague."
And her first words were typical Patti.
"I guess there must have been something pretty powerful in that beer you bought for me last week," she said.
Amazing. She's been given that kind of diagnosis and she's still cracking jokes.
It began an almost two-year odyssey for Patti in her battle against leukemia, a journey that had its high moments, but were mostly low.
But what the battle against this hideous, nasty, horrendous disease didn't do is diminish Patti Gardner's incredible spirit.
Never did she waver on what she wanted, which was simply to go home and spend time with Glenn and sons Eddie and Johnny. That was always the goal and she was determined to have that happen.
She went through two bone marrow transplant surgeries, thanks to the generosity of her two brothers. The first transplant was believed to be successful. In fact, she called me in January of 2010 to tell me the news.
"The doctor said, 'Mrs. Gardner, you no longer have cancer,'" is what Patti said to me as we cried tears of joy.
I think we all hoped and prayed that it was gone and that Patti was going to get a chance to watch the boys grow up.
She was indeed cancer-free for a time in 2010, but when the cancer returned in August of last year, it came back with a vengeance.
But she endured the countless hours of chemotherapy and treatments. She had to have stent put to her head in order to receive treatment to stop the spread of a chloroma that formed in her brain and she kept going, kept fighting, never giving in.
Cancer is a tough opponent and it usually has a high winning percentage, but Patti wasn't about to let it beat her. I don't know if there was ever a more courageous, a more determined, a more ferocious competitor against cancer than Patti Gardner.
Even when I last spoke to her Sunday to wish her a Happy Mother's Day, she told me of the plans to get home care and a home nurse, provided she had a wheelchair to tool around in.
We spoke of how the boys came to see her earlier that day and how Johnny, her favorite little Wildcat player, showed up at the hospital wearing eye-black for his Tee-ball game later that day.
I said, ``Six year old kids all need eye-black."
She laughed and said that he looked so cute. The kid is definitely one of the cutest things ever produced and proves it every time he's in front of a camera.
We talked for about 10 minutes or so.
"Once I get the house in order, we'll have you over for a visit," she said.
She was not giving in. A day later, the leukemia came back even more and she slipped into a coma.
Patti Crocco Gardner died this morning. She was 45 years old. It's just so unfair that she is no longer with us. She deserved better. She deserved to see her little Wildcat player hit his first homer or to watch Eddie swing like Darryl Strawberry.
Cancer is never fair and doesn't fight fair either. But one thing's for sure. Patti never once gave up that fight. Not for a minute.
The sadness of her passing will remain for a very long time. I can't remember when I've grieved more for someone passing, including my own parents and brother. It's because of the senselessness of it all. She was young, vibrant, alive. She was a loving and caring mother and wife. She was so much fun to be around all the time.
I've cherished getting to know her as well as I have the last 14 or so years, since Glenn brought her into my life that fateful St. Paddy's Day Parade day.
I'll miss the nearly daily chats, the calls, the laughter, the love. I won't know who to call when I needed info on Ozzie Osbourne or Jose Reyes. It's a painful empty ache that has no rhyme or reason.
And I ache for my friend and his little boys. They suffered a far greater loss than anyone else.
I applaud the courage and the strength that Glenn showed through this ordeal. I actually marvel at it. I don't know if I could have done the same.
But I will always remember the courage and the strength that Patti showed in facing her mortality. It was like no other battle I've ever experienced. God, she was so determined to get better.
I'll cherish knowing and loving that remarkable woman. Anyone who ever met her or knew her was much better off having that experience. I thank her for being my friend, not just being the wife of my good friend, but a good friend herself.
It was the day of the Jersey City St. Patrick's Day parade and it has been a long tradition of mine and my friends to hit our favorite watering hole, the Park Tavern, on the day of the parade.
Glenn brought Patti with him to his favorite joint to meet his friends. And she fit in like a glove, with her beauty, her vibrant smile, her incredible personality and her fanatical devotion to the Mets. She was perfect. She was one of us from the get-go.
As it turned out, Patti was even better than perfect. She was brilliant, knowing so much about a variety of topics, ranging from entertainment, music, Broadway shows and of course, sports.
She loved my friend, a divorced father of two. She married him and gave him two more sons. She accepted his friends like they were her own family. She was loving, caring, giving. A perfect package, someone who provided a sense of stability for my friend, who has been like a brother to me since sixth grade.
As time went on, Patti and I became close friends, talking on the phone constantly about anything and everything. We chatted online almost on a daily basis, either on Yahoo Messenger or later Facebook, which Patti encouraged me to join.
We would share our tales of woe about the Mets or what happened on "Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew." One thing is for sure. Patti was definitely the biggest fan of reality television. She gobbled up all those shows and say, "Oh, Haguey, you have to watch Real Housewives of New Jersey." To which I would reply, "Yeah, right."
There were so many instances of laughter and love. Definitely a mutual admiration.
Almost two years ago, we spent an afternoon at CitiField together, watching the Mets beat the Cardinals and Chris Carpenter. Carlos Beltran hurt his knee diving to make a catch that day. We had beers together and shared a glorious summer afternoon with her two sons.
A week later, I called Glenn just to say Hi. He said he was in the hospital, that Patti was sick. I said, "What's wrong?" He said, "It's serious." I insisted he tell me.
"Patti has leukemia," he said.
My heart sank to depths I can't even imagine. He then handed the phone to his wife and said, "Here, tell Hague."
And her first words were typical Patti.
"I guess there must have been something pretty powerful in that beer you bought for me last week," she said.
Amazing. She's been given that kind of diagnosis and she's still cracking jokes.
It began an almost two-year odyssey for Patti in her battle against leukemia, a journey that had its high moments, but were mostly low.
But what the battle against this hideous, nasty, horrendous disease didn't do is diminish Patti Gardner's incredible spirit.
Never did she waver on what she wanted, which was simply to go home and spend time with Glenn and sons Eddie and Johnny. That was always the goal and she was determined to have that happen.
She went through two bone marrow transplant surgeries, thanks to the generosity of her two brothers. The first transplant was believed to be successful. In fact, she called me in January of 2010 to tell me the news.
"The doctor said, 'Mrs. Gardner, you no longer have cancer,'" is what Patti said to me as we cried tears of joy.
I think we all hoped and prayed that it was gone and that Patti was going to get a chance to watch the boys grow up.
She was indeed cancer-free for a time in 2010, but when the cancer returned in August of last year, it came back with a vengeance.
But she endured the countless hours of chemotherapy and treatments. She had to have stent put to her head in order to receive treatment to stop the spread of a chloroma that formed in her brain and she kept going, kept fighting, never giving in.
Cancer is a tough opponent and it usually has a high winning percentage, but Patti wasn't about to let it beat her. I don't know if there was ever a more courageous, a more determined, a more ferocious competitor against cancer than Patti Gardner.
Even when I last spoke to her Sunday to wish her a Happy Mother's Day, she told me of the plans to get home care and a home nurse, provided she had a wheelchair to tool around in.
We spoke of how the boys came to see her earlier that day and how Johnny, her favorite little Wildcat player, showed up at the hospital wearing eye-black for his Tee-ball game later that day.
I said, ``Six year old kids all need eye-black."
She laughed and said that he looked so cute. The kid is definitely one of the cutest things ever produced and proves it every time he's in front of a camera.
We talked for about 10 minutes or so.
"Once I get the house in order, we'll have you over for a visit," she said.
She was not giving in. A day later, the leukemia came back even more and she slipped into a coma.
Patti Crocco Gardner died this morning. She was 45 years old. It's just so unfair that she is no longer with us. She deserved better. She deserved to see her little Wildcat player hit his first homer or to watch Eddie swing like Darryl Strawberry.
Cancer is never fair and doesn't fight fair either. But one thing's for sure. Patti never once gave up that fight. Not for a minute.
The sadness of her passing will remain for a very long time. I can't remember when I've grieved more for someone passing, including my own parents and brother. It's because of the senselessness of it all. She was young, vibrant, alive. She was a loving and caring mother and wife. She was so much fun to be around all the time.
I've cherished getting to know her as well as I have the last 14 or so years, since Glenn brought her into my life that fateful St. Paddy's Day Parade day.
I'll miss the nearly daily chats, the calls, the laughter, the love. I won't know who to call when I needed info on Ozzie Osbourne or Jose Reyes. It's a painful empty ache that has no rhyme or reason.
And I ache for my friend and his little boys. They suffered a far greater loss than anyone else.
I applaud the courage and the strength that Glenn showed through this ordeal. I actually marvel at it. I don't know if I could have done the same.
But I will always remember the courage and the strength that Patti showed in facing her mortality. It was like no other battle I've ever experienced. God, she was so determined to get better.
I'll cherish knowing and loving that remarkable woman. Anyone who ever met her or knew her was much better off having that experience. I thank her for being my friend, not just being the wife of my good friend, but a good friend herself.
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Saying goodbye to a legend
A group of people will gather at the Abbey on the campus of the Delbarton School Monday afternoon at 12:30 p.m. to pay farewell to the greatest high school baseball coach the state of New Jersey has ever known.
There will be a memorial service for the late Harry Shatel, the former Morristown baseball coach who won a state record 752 games during his tenure with the Colonials from 1969 through 2006, culminating in the NJSIAA Group III state title in his final year.
Shatel died in his Florida home earlier this month. He was not supposed to leave us all this soon. Although he had retired from coaching baseball, he was still active in Morris County athletics, as the PA announcer and official scorer for hockey games at Mennen Arena and at Aspen Ice for Delbarton games coached by his son Bruce.
And it's the second time in the span of a few weeks that New Jersey lost a baseball titan. First, it was my friend, Ed "The Faa" Ford and now Shatel. It's too much pain and anguish for one sportswriting warhorse to endure in a few weeks.
But in the case of Harry, I won't get a true chance to say goodbye. I'm in Myrtle Beach right now, wishing I could be in attendance Monday to hear all the tributes to Shatel.
I owe a lot to the man. In 1983, I was a 22-year-old sportswriter working for the Daily Record in my first job. I didn't know my left hand from my right, but I tried to learn about Morris County baseball.
I introduced myself to Shatel, who was already a legend by that point. He had won countless state titles and even more Morris County championships by then. He was someone I respected before I knew him.
I thought he might not want to be bothered with some snot-nosed kid learning the business. But it was so the contrary. He appreciated the knowledge I had for the game (especially my knowledge of his best player ever, former Minnesota Twin Rick Sofield.
Harry Shatel embraced me like I was one of his own family and he scolded me when I was wrong, told me when ''you did a good job, Jimbo,'' and was always on my side.
The last time I saw him in January, it was after one of the many snowstorms we had during the winter. I walked over to get the lineups for the Delbarton hockey game. I found myself plucking dog hairs off his fleece sweater.
But I can never forget the warmth, the consideration, the true joy for high school athletics that Harry Shatel had. He was an absolutely joy, a class act every step of the way.
So today, when they gather at Delbarton to say goodbye and fittingly play the Delbarton-Morristown baseball game afterwards, I won't be there. That makes me sad. It also makes me sad that I won't see Harry again.
But just like people who passed in the past year like his friend John Chironna and others who helped me learn my craft, there will never be enough words to thank Harry for what he meant to me.
I was proud and happy to be at the old Harter Road Field dedication last year to honor him with renaming the field after Harry. It was a fitting tribute and now, we'll never forget him.
But I didn't need some field to remember Harry Shatel. He was one of a kind and he will be so sorely missed.
===================================================Congrats to Harrison coach Sean Dolaghan for guiding the Blue Tide to a win over St. Peter's Prep in the newly renamed Ed Ford Memorial Baseball Tournament. No one could have ever imagined that Harrison could beat the Prep in any sport other than soccer. It's a great accomplishment.
===================================================
As a Met fan, if the owners of the team can't find the money to re-sign Jose Reyes, I'm going to really reconsider being a Met fan. Reyes is the lynchpin who makes the team go. We have to find a way to get his name on a contract for a very long time.
===================================================
You can read more of my work at www.hudsonreporter.com, www.theobserver.com and www.daily record.com
There will be a memorial service for the late Harry Shatel, the former Morristown baseball coach who won a state record 752 games during his tenure with the Colonials from 1969 through 2006, culminating in the NJSIAA Group III state title in his final year.
Shatel died in his Florida home earlier this month. He was not supposed to leave us all this soon. Although he had retired from coaching baseball, he was still active in Morris County athletics, as the PA announcer and official scorer for hockey games at Mennen Arena and at Aspen Ice for Delbarton games coached by his son Bruce.
And it's the second time in the span of a few weeks that New Jersey lost a baseball titan. First, it was my friend, Ed "The Faa" Ford and now Shatel. It's too much pain and anguish for one sportswriting warhorse to endure in a few weeks.
But in the case of Harry, I won't get a true chance to say goodbye. I'm in Myrtle Beach right now, wishing I could be in attendance Monday to hear all the tributes to Shatel.
I owe a lot to the man. In 1983, I was a 22-year-old sportswriter working for the Daily Record in my first job. I didn't know my left hand from my right, but I tried to learn about Morris County baseball.
I introduced myself to Shatel, who was already a legend by that point. He had won countless state titles and even more Morris County championships by then. He was someone I respected before I knew him.
I thought he might not want to be bothered with some snot-nosed kid learning the business. But it was so the contrary. He appreciated the knowledge I had for the game (especially my knowledge of his best player ever, former Minnesota Twin Rick Sofield.
Harry Shatel embraced me like I was one of his own family and he scolded me when I was wrong, told me when ''you did a good job, Jimbo,'' and was always on my side.
The last time I saw him in January, it was after one of the many snowstorms we had during the winter. I walked over to get the lineups for the Delbarton hockey game. I found myself plucking dog hairs off his fleece sweater.
But I can never forget the warmth, the consideration, the true joy for high school athletics that Harry Shatel had. He was an absolutely joy, a class act every step of the way.
So today, when they gather at Delbarton to say goodbye and fittingly play the Delbarton-Morristown baseball game afterwards, I won't be there. That makes me sad. It also makes me sad that I won't see Harry again.
But just like people who passed in the past year like his friend John Chironna and others who helped me learn my craft, there will never be enough words to thank Harry for what he meant to me.
I was proud and happy to be at the old Harter Road Field dedication last year to honor him with renaming the field after Harry. It was a fitting tribute and now, we'll never forget him.
But I didn't need some field to remember Harry Shatel. He was one of a kind and he will be so sorely missed.
===================================================Congrats to Harrison coach Sean Dolaghan for guiding the Blue Tide to a win over St. Peter's Prep in the newly renamed Ed Ford Memorial Baseball Tournament. No one could have ever imagined that Harrison could beat the Prep in any sport other than soccer. It's a great accomplishment.
===================================================
As a Met fan, if the owners of the team can't find the money to re-sign Jose Reyes, I'm going to really reconsider being a Met fan. Reyes is the lynchpin who makes the team go. We have to find a way to get his name on a contract for a very long time.
===================================================
You can read more of my work at www.hudsonreporter.com, www.theobserver.com and www.daily record.com
Saturday, April 30, 2011
News from the Penn Relays
Congrats to both the Dickinson and North Bergen track and field teams for reaching great plateaus at the prestigious Penn Relays Carnival at Franklin Field in Philadelphia over the weekend.
For Dickinson, the legacy of the brilliant Jose Veras continues to grow and grow. Veras guided his 4x800 relay team to a berth in the championship final against some of the best programs in the country. With all Veras has done during cross country season, then indoor season and now outdoor, he's carving his permanent place in Hudson County track and field history.
In fact, you could already argue that the multi-talented Veras might be the best all-around track and field talent the county has ever produced.
North Bergen's relay team ran a 3:26.8 to win their heat, bringing home a prestigious plaque for the first time.
Needless to say, it's something just to compete at the Penn Relays. It's another to earn some prestige and in some cases, a plaque.
==========================================================
Here's the best news I can report this weekend.
Before my friend Ed "The Faa" Ford passed away two weeks ago, he had one last request.
The Faa wanted the son of his guardian angel, Anne Marie Costello, to attend Rutgers-Newark and play baseball there.
Ryan Houghton , who had a close relationship with the Faa and the reason why his wonderful mom Anne Marie took a special liking and care for the Faa, expressed his interest to attend Rutgers-Newark to study criminal justice.
But when Houghton first applied, he was denied acceptance. The Faa was upset and wanted to do whatever he could to get Ryan into R-N and play for coach Mark Rizzi, someone the Faa liked and respected.
As a lasting tribute to the Faa, a few phone calls were made and Houghton's academic credentials were reviewed once again. Thursday, Rutgers-Newark sent Houghton an acceptance letter. He's headed to become a Scarlet Raider in the fall.
That's the greatest tribute to the man who gave his entire heart, soul and being to helping kids. His legacy now in passing is young Ryan Houghton getting a chance to go to the college he so desired.
Congrats to Ryan, but a special thanks goes out to R-N athletic director Mark Griffin, who personally saw to it that Houghton's application received a proper review and subsequent acceptance.
Ryan will be a credit to the R-N baseball program and the Faa's legacy lives on in young Ryan. It's a great story.
==========================================================
I don't know who did the seeding for the Hudson County softball tournament, but Secaucus being the 10th seed and Kearny the 13th seed is nothing short of criminal.
Secaucus should haven been at the worst the No. 4 seed behind North Bergen, Union City and Hoboken. The Patriots played the beginning of the season without standout senior pitcher Shannon Waters, who was nursing a shoulder separation. But the Pats get a No. 10 seed? There's no way that there are nine teams in Hudson County better than the Patriots.
As for Kearny, the Kardinals do have a 3-8 record, granted, but they lost six of their games by a total of 10 runs. The Kards were seeded below some truly putrid squads who wouldn't have a chance to beat Kearny if they played every single day between now and Thursday, the 12th of never.
There has to be a better way of seeding that tourney, because this is now the second straight year that teams got absolutely screwed in the seeding.
==========================================================
Who was a bigger Prince this weekend? The newly married Prince William? Or the Giants' top draft pick Prince Akanamara? I'm going with the DB from Nebraska. He hits harder.
==========================================================
Just when the Mets lure me in by winning six straight, they go right back into the crapper by losing three in a row.
It's very disconcerting when the so-called ace licker Mike Pelfrey shows no guts whatsoever every time out. He's supposed to be the leader of this staff and he's afraid more than he licks. He's facing the immortal Lance Worley, the son of Joanne Worley (not really), and he can't get out of the fifth inning. Pelfrey is 1-3 with a 7.59 ERA. Lick that. It's disgusting...
==========================================================
I think Boston beats Miami in seven games in this NBA series, ending King James' disappointing first year in South Beach.
==========================================================
I paid $4.04 per gallon of gasoline today. More than four bucks a gallon?????
Remember when we had the gas shortage in the late 1970s and we were all upset when gas went over a buck a gallon? It's now more than FOUR BUCKS a gallon. That's a complete disgrace.
==========================================================
You can read more of my work at www.hudsonreporter.com, www.theobserver.com and www.dailyrecord.com. There's a good feature this week in the Hudson Reporter about the passing of Jersey City basketball legend Boo-Bee Richardson who passed away last week. Check it out.
For Dickinson, the legacy of the brilliant Jose Veras continues to grow and grow. Veras guided his 4x800 relay team to a berth in the championship final against some of the best programs in the country. With all Veras has done during cross country season, then indoor season and now outdoor, he's carving his permanent place in Hudson County track and field history.
In fact, you could already argue that the multi-talented Veras might be the best all-around track and field talent the county has ever produced.
North Bergen's relay team ran a 3:26.8 to win their heat, bringing home a prestigious plaque for the first time.
Needless to say, it's something just to compete at the Penn Relays. It's another to earn some prestige and in some cases, a plaque.
==========================================================
Here's the best news I can report this weekend.
Before my friend Ed "The Faa" Ford passed away two weeks ago, he had one last request.
The Faa wanted the son of his guardian angel, Anne Marie Costello, to attend Rutgers-Newark and play baseball there.
Ryan Houghton , who had a close relationship with the Faa and the reason why his wonderful mom Anne Marie took a special liking and care for the Faa, expressed his interest to attend Rutgers-Newark to study criminal justice.
But when Houghton first applied, he was denied acceptance. The Faa was upset and wanted to do whatever he could to get Ryan into R-N and play for coach Mark Rizzi, someone the Faa liked and respected.
As a lasting tribute to the Faa, a few phone calls were made and Houghton's academic credentials were reviewed once again. Thursday, Rutgers-Newark sent Houghton an acceptance letter. He's headed to become a Scarlet Raider in the fall.
That's the greatest tribute to the man who gave his entire heart, soul and being to helping kids. His legacy now in passing is young Ryan Houghton getting a chance to go to the college he so desired.
Congrats to Ryan, but a special thanks goes out to R-N athletic director Mark Griffin, who personally saw to it that Houghton's application received a proper review and subsequent acceptance.
Ryan will be a credit to the R-N baseball program and the Faa's legacy lives on in young Ryan. It's a great story.
==========================================================
I don't know who did the seeding for the Hudson County softball tournament, but Secaucus being the 10th seed and Kearny the 13th seed is nothing short of criminal.
Secaucus should haven been at the worst the No. 4 seed behind North Bergen, Union City and Hoboken. The Patriots played the beginning of the season without standout senior pitcher Shannon Waters, who was nursing a shoulder separation. But the Pats get a No. 10 seed? There's no way that there are nine teams in Hudson County better than the Patriots.
As for Kearny, the Kardinals do have a 3-8 record, granted, but they lost six of their games by a total of 10 runs. The Kards were seeded below some truly putrid squads who wouldn't have a chance to beat Kearny if they played every single day between now and Thursday, the 12th of never.
There has to be a better way of seeding that tourney, because this is now the second straight year that teams got absolutely screwed in the seeding.
==========================================================
Who was a bigger Prince this weekend? The newly married Prince William? Or the Giants' top draft pick Prince Akanamara? I'm going with the DB from Nebraska. He hits harder.
==========================================================
Just when the Mets lure me in by winning six straight, they go right back into the crapper by losing three in a row.
It's very disconcerting when the so-called ace licker Mike Pelfrey shows no guts whatsoever every time out. He's supposed to be the leader of this staff and he's afraid more than he licks. He's facing the immortal Lance Worley, the son of Joanne Worley (not really), and he can't get out of the fifth inning. Pelfrey is 1-3 with a 7.59 ERA. Lick that. It's disgusting...
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I think Boston beats Miami in seven games in this NBA series, ending King James' disappointing first year in South Beach.
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I paid $4.04 per gallon of gasoline today. More than four bucks a gallon?????
Remember when we had the gas shortage in the late 1970s and we were all upset when gas went over a buck a gallon? It's now more than FOUR BUCKS a gallon. That's a complete disgrace.
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You can read more of my work at www.hudsonreporter.com, www.theobserver.com and www.dailyrecord.com. There's a good feature this week in the Hudson Reporter about the passing of Jersey City basketball legend Boo-Bee Richardson who passed away last week. Check it out.
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Here once again, ready for the Knicks' death knell to toll
Instead of enjoying Easter dinner and chocolate bunnies and Easter eggs and Peeps with my peeps (honestly, I really hate peeps), I'm back at Madison Square Garden to witness the final blow delivered to the already bruised and battered carcass of the New York Knicks.
The Knicks are down 0-3 to the Celtics in the series. More than likely, the Celtics will deliver the final blow this afternoon.
People inside the Garden already have the funereal feel to them. Employees are hugging each other, saying ''see you next year.'' A sign outside the press room dining quarters featured another ''Thanks, see you next year'' written note.
Everyone seems to know that this is pretty much it. The Garden, a place that had so much life before tipoff Friday night, is virtually dead Easter Sunday _ with no resurrection in sight.
The only excitement will come from the 18,000 orange T-shirts that are being distributed. Everyone seems to love the T-shirts, although they're going up to the ushers giving them away and asking for different sizes.
"What sizes do you have?" the women are asking.
"Extra large,'' the usher says.
"Anything smaller?" the woman responded.
"Extra large,'' he said.
I guess that means they have extra large.
The Knicks are holding on to hope that All-Star Amar'e Stoudemire will give them some sort of emotional lift. Stoudemire announced about 20 minutes ago that he will start and give it a try, despite the bad back that kept him out of the second half of Game 2, made him virtually invisible in Game 3 and left him out of practice all week.
Is it a moot point? Who knows? But things don't look good. The Knicks can save a little face with a win today and extend the season a few more days going back to Boston. It's the best that they can do for their fans, who have been starving for a home playoff win for an entire decade. That's true. The Knicks have not won a single playoff game in the Garden since 2001.
In any case, the game begins in 25 minutes. It should be interesting if anything. But there's definitely not the same buzz and excitement as there was Friday night.
There's also a lot less media people here today. I have a conventional seat at a big boy table. I'm not relegated to the kids' table, a folding collapsable coffee table, like I was Friday night.
Adam Horowitz of the Beastie Boys is slated to do the National Anthem. That won't exactly pump up the crowd. Actors Jason Schwartzman and Zach Galifiniakis are in attendance, as is Matthew Modine, who had the lead in Vision Quest with Linda Fiorentino, which makes him my hero. He played a high school wrestler who had sex with Fiorentino. Funny, I don't remember any of my wrestling buddies getting that sort of takedown.
I could report that Star Jones is also here, but who really cares? She drinks beer through a straw and there's just something wrong with that.
The sports celebrities include Giants defensive end Osi Yumeniora (whose name I know I misspelled for the 2,315th time in my career), D'Brickashaw Ferguson of the Jets and Brandon Dubinsky of the Rangers, who with his teammates began their own private golf tour yesterday.
Steve Schrippa, namely Bobby Baccala from "The Sopranos," is also here. I like him.
So there it is, my pre-game report from The Garden on Easter Sunday. I'd much rather be eating jelly beans at home right now.
==========================================================
You can read more of my work at www.hudsonreporter.com, www.theobserver.com and www.dailyrecord.com.
The Knicks are down 0-3 to the Celtics in the series. More than likely, the Celtics will deliver the final blow this afternoon.
People inside the Garden already have the funereal feel to them. Employees are hugging each other, saying ''see you next year.'' A sign outside the press room dining quarters featured another ''Thanks, see you next year'' written note.
Everyone seems to know that this is pretty much it. The Garden, a place that had so much life before tipoff Friday night, is virtually dead Easter Sunday _ with no resurrection in sight.
The only excitement will come from the 18,000 orange T-shirts that are being distributed. Everyone seems to love the T-shirts, although they're going up to the ushers giving them away and asking for different sizes.
"What sizes do you have?" the women are asking.
"Extra large,'' the usher says.
"Anything smaller?" the woman responded.
"Extra large,'' he said.
I guess that means they have extra large.
The Knicks are holding on to hope that All-Star Amar'e Stoudemire will give them some sort of emotional lift. Stoudemire announced about 20 minutes ago that he will start and give it a try, despite the bad back that kept him out of the second half of Game 2, made him virtually invisible in Game 3 and left him out of practice all week.
Is it a moot point? Who knows? But things don't look good. The Knicks can save a little face with a win today and extend the season a few more days going back to Boston. It's the best that they can do for their fans, who have been starving for a home playoff win for an entire decade. That's true. The Knicks have not won a single playoff game in the Garden since 2001.
In any case, the game begins in 25 minutes. It should be interesting if anything. But there's definitely not the same buzz and excitement as there was Friday night.
There's also a lot less media people here today. I have a conventional seat at a big boy table. I'm not relegated to the kids' table, a folding collapsable coffee table, like I was Friday night.
Adam Horowitz of the Beastie Boys is slated to do the National Anthem. That won't exactly pump up the crowd. Actors Jason Schwartzman and Zach Galifiniakis are in attendance, as is Matthew Modine, who had the lead in Vision Quest with Linda Fiorentino, which makes him my hero. He played a high school wrestler who had sex with Fiorentino. Funny, I don't remember any of my wrestling buddies getting that sort of takedown.
I could report that Star Jones is also here, but who really cares? She drinks beer through a straw and there's just something wrong with that.
The sports celebrities include Giants defensive end Osi Yumeniora (whose name I know I misspelled for the 2,315th time in my career), D'Brickashaw Ferguson of the Jets and Brandon Dubinsky of the Rangers, who with his teammates began their own private golf tour yesterday.
Steve Schrippa, namely Bobby Baccala from "The Sopranos," is also here. I like him.
So there it is, my pre-game report from The Garden on Easter Sunday. I'd much rather be eating jelly beans at home right now.
==========================================================
You can read more of my work at www.hudsonreporter.com, www.theobserver.com and www.dailyrecord.com.
Friday, April 22, 2011
Live from the world's most famous arena
Well, this has definitely been the experience of a 28-year career as a sportswriter, but I write this now sitting inside Madison Square Garden, covering Game 3 of the NBA Eastern Conference quarterfinal between the Knicks and the Boston Celtics.
I was able to secure the assignment and there's definitely a hum and a buzz around the Garden like we haven't seen in ages.
I covered my fair share of Knick playoff games dating back to 1984 and there's nothing like the buzz going on right now here.
However, I don't exactly have a prime location in the makeshift press room. I'm sitting on top of a stage area, tying away on a collapsable table that I had to put together. It's definitely the most unique working situation I've ever had for a pro sports contest.
It almost meant giving the laptop its true meaning, with the laptop sitting on my lap, but I found this table and laid claim to it. It's pretty wild.
In any case, I wanted to send out the mood of the city and it's definitely hopping, much like former Knick sharpshooter Allan Houston predicted at Knicks' practice at the team's facility in Greenburgh, N.Y. Thursday.
"I think Madison Square Garden is one of the few places in the world that can bring it up to a different level in the playoffs," Houston said. "As exciting as it is to play there in the regular season, it's at a different level in the playoffs. It's really hard to describe unless you've experienced it."
Houston was asked if he shared those experiences with the current Knicks, many of whom have never played in a single playoff game before last Sunday.
"It's one of those things that as a player, you can get so amped up and lose focus," Houston said. "You have to stay focused on the task at hand. I know that I had trouble sleeping about this game. I am just as excited as the players are. I know what they're going to experience and it's like nothing else."
Houston was asked if the Amar'e Stoudemire situation was going to resemble Willis Reed's dramatic performance in Game 7 of the 1970 NBA Finals, when an injured Reed walked through the tunnel and the crowd let out a deafening roar.
"I think with today's social media, with Twitter and Facebook, people will know if he's going to play," Houston said.
Guess what? Houston was right. Everyone knows Stoudemire's status.
Houston said his favorite Knick-Garden playoff moment came in the 1999 NBA Finals, when the Knicks faced the Spurs.
"You could actually feel the building move," Houston said. "It was memorable for me, because my daughter was born the next day. It doesn't get any better than that. But it really felt like the floor lifted up that night. I just remember looking into the crowd that night and taking it all in."
Maybe there will be a similiar memorable moment tonight.
"It's definitely going to be crazy and crazy is an understatement," Carmelo Anthony said.
"The whole city is excited. The place will be exciting. I hope to match the crowd's energy and excitement."
We'll see in about 15 minutes. The Garden hasn't hosted a Knick playoff game since April 22, 2004. The Knicks haven't won a home playoff game since beating the Raptors on April 22, 2001. And today's date? April 22. Pretty ironic, no?
We'll check back later.
I was able to secure the assignment and there's definitely a hum and a buzz around the Garden like we haven't seen in ages.
I covered my fair share of Knick playoff games dating back to 1984 and there's nothing like the buzz going on right now here.
However, I don't exactly have a prime location in the makeshift press room. I'm sitting on top of a stage area, tying away on a collapsable table that I had to put together. It's definitely the most unique working situation I've ever had for a pro sports contest.
It almost meant giving the laptop its true meaning, with the laptop sitting on my lap, but I found this table and laid claim to it. It's pretty wild.
In any case, I wanted to send out the mood of the city and it's definitely hopping, much like former Knick sharpshooter Allan Houston predicted at Knicks' practice at the team's facility in Greenburgh, N.Y. Thursday.
"I think Madison Square Garden is one of the few places in the world that can bring it up to a different level in the playoffs," Houston said. "As exciting as it is to play there in the regular season, it's at a different level in the playoffs. It's really hard to describe unless you've experienced it."
Houston was asked if he shared those experiences with the current Knicks, many of whom have never played in a single playoff game before last Sunday.
"It's one of those things that as a player, you can get so amped up and lose focus," Houston said. "You have to stay focused on the task at hand. I know that I had trouble sleeping about this game. I am just as excited as the players are. I know what they're going to experience and it's like nothing else."
Houston was asked if the Amar'e Stoudemire situation was going to resemble Willis Reed's dramatic performance in Game 7 of the 1970 NBA Finals, when an injured Reed walked through the tunnel and the crowd let out a deafening roar.
"I think with today's social media, with Twitter and Facebook, people will know if he's going to play," Houston said.
Guess what? Houston was right. Everyone knows Stoudemire's status.
Houston said his favorite Knick-Garden playoff moment came in the 1999 NBA Finals, when the Knicks faced the Spurs.
"You could actually feel the building move," Houston said. "It was memorable for me, because my daughter was born the next day. It doesn't get any better than that. But it really felt like the floor lifted up that night. I just remember looking into the crowd that night and taking it all in."
Maybe there will be a similiar memorable moment tonight.
"It's definitely going to be crazy and crazy is an understatement," Carmelo Anthony said.
"The whole city is excited. The place will be exciting. I hope to match the crowd's energy and excitement."
We'll see in about 15 minutes. The Garden hasn't hosted a Knick playoff game since April 22, 2004. The Knicks haven't won a home playoff game since beating the Raptors on April 22, 2001. And today's date? April 22. Pretty ironic, no?
We'll check back later.
Saturday, April 16, 2011
A fitting farewell for ''The Faa''
About 700 people or so gathered at St. Aloysius Church in Jersey City today to bid farewell to the one-and-only Ed
''The Faa'' Ford, who died last Tuesday.
And it was a funeral that even the Faa himself would have enjoyed and appreciated, because it was filled with funny Faa stories, touching moments, some tear-jerking sentimental moments, but most importantly, nothing but love and admiration for the most unique and colorful character Jersey City has ever produced.
I was asked to be one of the speakers, along with another long-time friend, Tom Shine to say a few words about the Faa before the services began. It was an honor to be able to share some of my finest Faa moments.
I was able to tell the audience on how I first met Ed Ford, long before he was "The Faa." I was a Babe Ruth baseball player at age 14 and he noticed me, telling me that he thought I could hit pretty well. We struck up a conversation. He said he remembered by father from working for the Jersey City DPW. We became friends.
A few years later, when I first tried out for the Senior Babe Ruth and Build Better Boys teams, he always promised me a spot on his teams because he thought I could do two things. One, was hit. I couldn't catch a cold. And two, he knew I could keep score.
"I'll always keep you around as long as you can keep the book," he said.
It was a relationship that lasted 35 years. He might be gone now, but the love and admiration will continue forever. He was as loyal as a friend could be. Even through our countless arguments and altercations, I knew he loved me and he told me so in our last conversation last Monday, the day before he died.
The church was packed with so many people that loved the Faa and people he loved as well. His good friend Mike McNally played "Amazing Grace" on the bagpipes with other members of the Jersey City police department. Not a dry eye was spotted in the place.
My long-time friend and spiritual mentor, Fr. Anthony Azzzarto, S.J. from St. Peter's Prep, was brilliant in performing the Mass, along with help from Fr. Lawrence Miller, who was the heart-and-soul of Our Lady of Mercy athletics for ages, and Fr. Warren Hall, who currently resides at St. Al's.
It really couldn't have been a better sendoff, with the emotions of the day, with the beauty of the ceremony, with the outpouring of love and affection for my beloved friend.
Thanks to News 12 New Jersey, with reporter George Falkowski in attendance, for doing a nice feature/tribute on the Faa that aired last night. It enabled some who didn't get a chance to attend the funeral to have a feel of the warmth and love that took place.
At the wake Friday, Jack Curry of the YES Network, who once played for the Faa in 4B baseball and wrote a great column on the Faa on the YES Network website, put an idea into my head.
"With all the stories you know, you should write a book about the Faa," Curry said to me.
And that will be my goal this summer. I will compile a host of funny tidbits, entitled "Faa Stories," and will publish it on my own, complete with pictures and memories. I will then donate a portion of the proceeds of the book to the Edward "Faa" Ford Memorial Fund, which will benefit the Jersey City Sharks baseball program.
If anyone wants to share their ''Faa Stories," they can send them to me via e-mail at OGSMAR@aol.com.
That is the least I can do to honor the legacy of my good friend. Again, he may be gone, but he certainly won't be forgotten. And after I'm done writing, others will have "Faa Stories" to last a lifetime.
==========================================================
My tribute to the Faa will appear on www.hudsonreporter.com beginning Sunday AM. More of my work can be read at www.theobserver.com and www.dailyrecord.com.
''The Faa'' Ford, who died last Tuesday.
And it was a funeral that even the Faa himself would have enjoyed and appreciated, because it was filled with funny Faa stories, touching moments, some tear-jerking sentimental moments, but most importantly, nothing but love and admiration for the most unique and colorful character Jersey City has ever produced.
I was asked to be one of the speakers, along with another long-time friend, Tom Shine to say a few words about the Faa before the services began. It was an honor to be able to share some of my finest Faa moments.
I was able to tell the audience on how I first met Ed Ford, long before he was "The Faa." I was a Babe Ruth baseball player at age 14 and he noticed me, telling me that he thought I could hit pretty well. We struck up a conversation. He said he remembered by father from working for the Jersey City DPW. We became friends.
A few years later, when I first tried out for the Senior Babe Ruth and Build Better Boys teams, he always promised me a spot on his teams because he thought I could do two things. One, was hit. I couldn't catch a cold. And two, he knew I could keep score.
"I'll always keep you around as long as you can keep the book," he said.
It was a relationship that lasted 35 years. He might be gone now, but the love and admiration will continue forever. He was as loyal as a friend could be. Even through our countless arguments and altercations, I knew he loved me and he told me so in our last conversation last Monday, the day before he died.
The church was packed with so many people that loved the Faa and people he loved as well. His good friend Mike McNally played "Amazing Grace" on the bagpipes with other members of the Jersey City police department. Not a dry eye was spotted in the place.
My long-time friend and spiritual mentor, Fr. Anthony Azzzarto, S.J. from St. Peter's Prep, was brilliant in performing the Mass, along with help from Fr. Lawrence Miller, who was the heart-and-soul of Our Lady of Mercy athletics for ages, and Fr. Warren Hall, who currently resides at St. Al's.
It really couldn't have been a better sendoff, with the emotions of the day, with the beauty of the ceremony, with the outpouring of love and affection for my beloved friend.
Thanks to News 12 New Jersey, with reporter George Falkowski in attendance, for doing a nice feature/tribute on the Faa that aired last night. It enabled some who didn't get a chance to attend the funeral to have a feel of the warmth and love that took place.
At the wake Friday, Jack Curry of the YES Network, who once played for the Faa in 4B baseball and wrote a great column on the Faa on the YES Network website, put an idea into my head.
"With all the stories you know, you should write a book about the Faa," Curry said to me.
And that will be my goal this summer. I will compile a host of funny tidbits, entitled "Faa Stories," and will publish it on my own, complete with pictures and memories. I will then donate a portion of the proceeds of the book to the Edward "Faa" Ford Memorial Fund, which will benefit the Jersey City Sharks baseball program.
If anyone wants to share their ''Faa Stories," they can send them to me via e-mail at OGSMAR@aol.com.
That is the least I can do to honor the legacy of my good friend. Again, he may be gone, but he certainly won't be forgotten. And after I'm done writing, others will have "Faa Stories" to last a lifetime.
==========================================================
My tribute to the Faa will appear on www.hudsonreporter.com beginning Sunday AM. More of my work can be read at www.theobserver.com and www.dailyrecord.com.
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