My Thoughts

Every year I patiently wait for my favorite sports time of the year. I watch every game and critique almost every move leading up to the fall classic. This year, however, is slightly different.

With the World Series now tied one a piece heading back to Philadelphia it made me think. Watching Pedro Martinez return to the Bronx and pitching in the World Series was an image I have been visualizing for the last couple of years. With one exception: I thought his long curly hair would be pushing out of a Mets cap, rather then a red Phillies hat as he walked off the mound with a gutsy pitching performance pointing to the sky.

As a die hard New York Mets fan I am torn this October. This is a position that I do not like being in nor am I familiar with it.

Do I root for the Yankees? A team that every Mets fan dislikes. The empire that has taken the back tabloids from the Metropolitans almost every day. Or do I root for the Phillies? A team that comes out openly and speaks about how they love beating the Mets. The Phillies are public enemy number one in Queens.

Yankees? Phillies? Such a tough decision, especially because I still find myself rooting for Pedro Martinez, despite him wearing red pinstripes.

After a couple of weeks, I have finally made my verdict. Even though I cannot see myself rooting for Derek Jeter or Jorge Posada I will be pulling for New York to win the series. Deep down I just cannot stand to see the Phillies, the team I hate most in professional sports, win another World Series. Last year was heart wrenching and I can only imagine what could be.

Once again, this is a position no Mets fan should be in. I will watch the rest of the World Series and do my best to try and root the Yankees on, but by no means necessary am I going to get used to this. Personally, I like to say I am rooting against the Phillies rather then rooting for the Yankees.

-Greg

Leon Washington lost for year

First Kris Jenkins. Now Leon Washington. Many fans may even start to think the New York Jets have become the New York Mets.

For the second week in a row, the New York Jets received disastrous news. During the first quarter in Sunday’s blowout, Washington suffered a broken right fibula and underwent surgery immediately. The injury was very horrific as teammates said they could see the broken bone poking through the skin.

Washington, who made the Pro Bowl last season, is New York’s most explosive player on offense. Last year, he led the league in all purpose yards. The Jets were able to use Washington in many different ways to try and get him in the open field. Washington excelled as a kick returner, change of speed running back and leading the Seminole formation.

Like Jenkins, Washington will be extremely tough to replace.

Fortunately, the Jets saw some promise from rookie running back Shonn Greene, who he had 144 yards and two touchdowns against the Raiders. Greene will be heavily relied on in Washington’s absence. Before Sunday, Greene only had eight career carries. Greene will immediately be placed into the fire as Thomas Jones’ backup.

-Greg

October 23rd Show

Show includes an interview with former Penn State basketball player and NIT Most Valuable Player Jamelle Cornley.

October 23rd Poll

Max Hall leads his #16 BYU team in a big Mountain West showdown against #8 TCU.

Ben Roethlisberger goes up against the 7-0 Minnesota Vikings.

October 23rd Show: Quick Hits

Games of the Decade: No. 9 – Kansas 75, Memphis 68, OT. 2008 National Title

Game of the Weekend: Angels at Yankees, Game 7 (if necessary)

Lock of the Weekend: Colts over Rams

Upset Alert: Dolphins at Saints

PICKS:

Devils-Penguins
AJ (13-7): Devils
Greg (11-9): Penguins

Penn State-Michigan
AJ: Penn State
Greg: Penn State

Giants-Cardinals
AJ: Giants
Greg: Giants

Eagles-Redskins
AJ: Eagles
Greg: Redskins

Weekend Warrior
AJ: Max Hall, BYU Quarterback
Greg: Ben Roethlisberger, Steelers Quarterback

Cuban Star ready for Majors

Not many people may be familiar with the name Aroldis Chapman. That is going to change relatively soon.

According to ESPN, Cuba’s top pitching prospect is ready to start meeting with MLB teams this week in New York to discuss his status as a prized free agent this winter. Chapman defected from the Cuban National team earlier this summer when he walked out of his hotel in the Netherlands and never returned.

Chapman, who is considered alongside Yu Darvish and Stephen Strasburg as one of the “three great pitchers in the world right now who are not in the majors,” has many teams drooling over his services. Chapman is a tall southpaw whose fastball has been clocked as high as 102 mph.

The 21-year-old is still raw and considered a project. In the 2008 World Baseball Classic, his performance was average posting a 5.69 ERA in 6 1/3 innings. However, many scouts saw how good Chapman can be.

Many teams are expected to enter a bidding war to obtain the best lefty prospect in the world. Along with his dominant fastball, Chapman also has good secondary pitches. I expect Chapman to receive around a six year deal in the $40 million range.

One ESPN expert considered him as the left handed version of Strasburg, who was picked first overall in the 2008 draft by the Washington Nationals.

The phenom will become the biggest defect since Jose Contreras signed with the New York Yankees earlier in the decade. However, unlike El Duque, Contreras and Matsuzaka the former Cuban ace is much younger and more talented. Chapman has a great personality and a lot of charisma that may translate well into the majors.

It’s safe to say Chapman will be pitching in the majors within the next two years.

-Greg

NFL Poll

Jenkins Out for Year

On Monday, the New York Jets announced that they will be playing the rest of the season without Pro Bowl nose tackle Kris Jenkins. Jenkins tore his anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee during a 16-13 loss to Buffalo.

At 6-foot-4 and 360 pounds the Jets will have huge shoes to fill. Jenkins commanded a double team on every play and was an essential piece in stopping the run. Expect Rex Ryan to use more four man fronts in the future with Sione Pouha and Howard Green to help replace Jenkins.

If there was one player the Jets could not afford to lose it would easily be Jenkins. The four-time Pro Bowler was the anchor on one of the top ranked defenses in the league. With Jenkins attracting two blockers, holes were able to open up for linebackers Bart Scott and David Harris to apply pressure on the offense.

The Jets have now lost three straight games since starting out the season 3-0. The loss of Jenkins may continue their losing streak. The Jets may have been able to lose Thomas Jones, Kerry Rhodes or even Mark Sanchez to an injury but not Kris Jenkins. He is simply irreplaceable.

-Greg

October 16th Poll

Kirk Ferentz takes his 6-0 Iowa team to Wisconsin this weekend. Wisconsin is the favorite despite being unranked.

Jimmy Clausen faces #6 USC this weekend in South Bend. USC has defeated the Irish seven straight times.

October 16th Show: Quick Hits

Games of the Decade: No. 10 — Cavaliers 109, Pistons 107, 2 OT. Game 5 of 2007 Eastern Conference Finals.

Game of the Weekend: Giants at Saints

Lock of the Weekend: Panthers over Bucs

Upset Alert: Chiefs over Redskins

PICKS:

Oklahoma-Texas
AJ(10-6): Texas
Greg(9-7): Texas

Southern Cal-Notre Dame
AJ: USC
Greg: Notre Dame

Bears-Falcons
AJ: Bears
Greg: Bears

Broncos-Chargers
AJ: Broncos
Greg: Broncos

Weekend Warrior
AJ: Kirk Ferentz, Iowa head coach
Greg: Jimmy Clausen, ND Quarterback