R.I.P. GEORGE

By Tony Mangia

THE STEINBRENNER YEARS: A VIRTUAL SOUNDTRACK FOR NEW YORKERS

If the death of Yankee's announcer, Bob Sheppard, was the demise of the Yankees' voice; the passing of Yankee owner, George Steinbrenner, was the elegy of the sports and social soundtrack of New York for the past 38 years. As a kid growing up in New York and its confines, I can relate parts of my life to sound bites of the Yankees during the Steinbrenner years. The death of The Boss wasn't as much of a shock---he was sick for years---as much as a reminder of how much of my life revolved around the New York Yankees.

I received two calls from childhood friends in Tampa and New Jersey today. "Steinbrenner died" were the first words from both. It was like they were somberly breaking the news of the death of a close relative or another comrade. "Remember that game when...," each continued with a different story. I remembered every moment.

FROM EMPTY SEATS TO FULL POCKETS

Being a Yankee fan in '70s New York meant mean streets, Horace Clark at second base, tons of empty seats at the Stadium, and a prized Roy White Edition bat from Bat Day. The Mets were still living off of their "miracle" years and were the toast of the town. All that changed when that Cleveland interloper, Steinbrenner took over. The arrival was as smooth as burlap and he cleaned shop with the same gruffness.

First came Catfish Hunter and then the Reggie Jackson. The big mouth who was pompous enough to diss our blue-collar hero, Thurman Munson. There were the battles between The Boss and dirt-kicking manager Billy Martin and the consequential hirings and firings. But with all that, there were the victories.

I remember listening to inimitable and nasally Phil Rizzuto. His "holy cow!" after a Ron Guidry strikeout or a Craig Nettles line-drive stab. Listening to the action on a sunny Jersey beach while Goose Gossage struck out three Red Sox players in row during an August pennant drive still resonates. WPIX broadcasts, with the Scooter, Bill White and Frank Messer didn't seem to last until past midnight. Maybe they did, but who cared. It was all a young Yankee fan could ask for.

It wasn't all winning and glory for the Yankees. The '80s provided nothing except the brilliance of Don Mattingly and series of suspensions for Steinbrenner, the feud with Yogi, a scandal that involved Dave Winfield and finally banishment---then re-instatement like only The Boss could have done--- from Major League Baseball by Commissioner Fay Vincent. The Yankee owner became a pariah, even among many of the Yankee faithful.

Then came the Jeter years. The Boss seemed to mellow---maybe it was the Joe Torre effect---and winning in the Bronx was as regular as the 5 train. The new, gentler Steinbrenner took wayward souls like Steve Howe, Darryl Strawberry and Dwight Gooden---who threw one of the most improbable no-hitters---and gave them second (and third) chances. Four championships in five years made the New York Yankees the longest-running class act in all of sports.

Then it seemed like The Boss wasn't around. He was occasionally spotted perched in the owner's box. There was the horrible sounds of Red Sox cheers in 2004. A strain so vile, it reverberated in Yankee fan's heads until last year's championship. Slowly, the feebler version (dare I say that) of the boss from hell quietly handed the reins over to his sons, Hank and Hal.

If Bob Sheppard was the opposite of the loud-mouthed, lights flashing stadium announcers of today, then George (New Yorkers can call him that) was antithesis of the current garden-variety " Look at Me" sports team owners. George did everything to win. Emphasis on win!

Now, New York City looks like a friendly mall, Yankee Stadium seats are full---and $2500---All-Star, Robinson Cano turns the double play at second, and I think the bats on Bat Day are the size of pencils. The more things change...the more they...change.

STEINBRENNER CHANGED SPORTS FOREVER

Love or hate the Yankees and/or Steinbrenner; he was one of a kind. He introduced sports to the high-priced free-agent and the option of owning your own network. Opposing teams, owners, and MLB brass lambasted him. Heck, even pinstripe fans had love affairs, then threatened to break his kneecaps or just tolerated the bluster and arrogance of the man. If you were lucky enough to be a Yankee fan for the past thirty years, you've enjoyed one of the great New York stories.

I hope Derek Jeter is given a moment during tonight's All-Star Game to express the feelings of Yankee fans like only the humble shortstop can, "Thanks and Rest in Peace, Mister Steinbrenner."

You Can't Always Get What You Want

By Tony Mangia

New York's LOST Weekend

The annoying buzz of vuvuzellas has been replaced by the even more irritating whine of New York sports fans. In one giant middle finger to NYC, the Rangers, Warriors and Pat Riley took pitcher Cliff Lee, Knick David Lee, and some Cavalier player named LeBron James from the spotlight of Broadway. Hey New Yorkers, suck it up. For once, the Yankees and Knicks know how Pittsburgh and Kansas City have felt for two decades. Welcome to the world of small market teams.

The only ones who should be heartbroken are the downtrodden Cleveland fans. LeBron treated those poor souls like a star jock who breaks up with his high school girlfriend at the prom. He's having a menage a trois with the homecoming queen AND the valedictorian and shoving it down the exe's throat. Stringing the naive Cleveland faithful along for months was disrespectful, but dumping them in front of 8 million was deplorable. James didn't owe the fans a contract; in fact he owed nobody, but he should have shown a little more class.

The only other thing missing, besides contrition, from The Decision: LeBron James on ESPN Thursday night was a line up of James' suitor's team caps in front of his highness, and that which one will he put on his head moment. Pity the off-spring of champion-starved fans who named their kids LeBron or LeBron and James who, after that night, face a childhood of schoolyard bullying and beat downs on Cleveland playgrounds.

The New York Knicks didn't stand a chance of bagging LeBron---especially after they sent Isiah Thomas as some kind of mercenary to lure him to Madison Square Garden. I thought there was a restraining order against him filed by the city of New York. Doesn't he a a coaching job at Florida International anyway? Shouldn't he be recruiting high school players for his real job instead of mucking things up in New York? He is---and always has been---the kiss of death for the Knickerbockers.

AND IF YOU TRY SOMETIMES, YOU TRADE WHAT YOU NEED

The Knicks betrayed their own fans by trading David Lee. Lee who has been their most consistent and popular player since Patrick Ewing was given the bums rush to San Francisco. How's that for loyalty? They get a 21 year-old unproven to compliment Amar'e Stoudemire. Stoudemire has no defense and doesn't rebound. Two things Lee does good...all-star good. There has to be some reason the Phoenix Suns didn't fight for Amar'e. Could it be they know something about his bad knee the Knicks don't know or is it that the D'Antoni system is really better suited with Steve Nash?

Even those bumbling Russian spies could have figured out that King James was headed to "South Beach" and the Knicks still crossed their fingers on landing LeBron. Speaking of those hapless Reds; I have the feeling it won't be the last we see of Anna Chapman---the sultry redhead. She has all the qualifications to become a media success in this country---good looks and a scandal. First, comes the nude spread in Playboy, then film and movie deals, a reality show and finally, a cooking or talk show. How long before this inept traitor is a contestant on Donald Trump's The Apprentice. Get 'em while they're hot baldy.

I Teardrop NY

It makes me laugh when I hear the New York media and sports radioheads claim LeBron isn't tough enough for their city. First, they went begging for the man, next they cried when he chose Miami and lastly, they gripe about it like Jersey housewives. Way to woo free-agents. A courtroom date with Lindsay Lohan has less drama. Now Knick fans and their poster boy, Spike Lee, have their eye sighted on Denver star, Carmelo Anthony next year. James showed up for Anthony's wedding on Saturday at Manhattan's Cipriani's and was jeered by the crowd. Sunday's New York Post headline blared Welcome to N.Y., Jackass next to James' photo. While Miami gloats, New York City shows its thin skin.

New Jersey (which had no chance), Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, and Cleveland can stamp their feet as much as they want about James not choosing their city, but there really isn't any merit to their temper tantrums. There is one thing they can all complain about---tampering. Mavericks owner, Mark Cuban, gets fined for suggesting it would be nice to have a LeBron in Dallas, but Bosh, Wade and James can meet for breakfast and joke about forming the threesome weeks ago? I bet Pat Riley was the waiter. LeBron didn't look the least embarrassed when he said he didn't make up his mind until the morning of his television announcement. Yeah, riiiiiight.

THERE'S A-ROD & FAVRE

Has anyone been more entitled than Lebron James? Starting with his high school games being broadcast on ESPN? In the end, James owed no one nothing. He had every right to go where he pleased. Ohio has no lease on his talents and the future of the Cavaliers isn't exactly bright. The team had won nothing with James. Hell, Ron Artest has more championship rings.

Still, LeBron came out looking like two other James---Jessie and Jessie. Channeling motorcycle James, LeBron has traded his long-suffering wife for a bombshell bimbo and a role as a third wheel on a custom-made trike; while robber James was a legendary outlaw. Not nice. LeBron would have been better off in the Second City. Carlos Boozer played with James and is better than Chris Bosh. James would still be the man in Chicago, while Dwayne Wade has the ring in Miami. No matter where LeBron James is, he's still Akron's own...and you'll never change that.

YANKEES LOSE TOO!

New York teams are used to getting what they want. They think its their god-given right to land every sports star on the market. In every match up against other cities, the New York media always plays the Us vs. Them angle. From culture---we have the Met---to entertainment---Broadway---to cuisine---Junior's cheese cake, whatever. New York loves to compare and conquer. Hey LeBron, I would take a Joe's Stone Crab platter in Miami over a Katz's pastrami anytime! Now, the New York Yankees, who are not used to losing---on the field or in the backrooms---get beaten to the punch by a relatively small-market team. The pinstripers get a taste of their own pine tar.

The Texas Rangers snatched Cliff Lee from the Yankees bankroll after the Seattle Mariners balked at a minor-leaguer the two teams had verbally agreed to. The only people happy about the results are the Boston Red Sox, Tampa Bay Rays and Phil Hughes---who won't be banished to the bull-pen to make room for another starter. The Rangers starting rotation has been good, but the acquisition of the all-star Lee gives them a stud for the playoff run.

The Yankees starters have been dominating teams over the past few weeks. They will survive the loss of Lee and could possibly land him in the off-season. It's Joba Chamberlain who has been killing the team. He failed to protect a one-run lead against Seattle on Saturday wasting another great effort by Javier Vazquez. No wonder GM Brian Cashman vied for Lee, the Yankees need someone who can get three outs in the eighth inning.

SHORT JABS

THOSE DIRTY DUTCH

One good thing about the Netherlands losing the World Cup---besides a long-awaited come-uppence for the settlers of South Africa---is that wooden shoes will not become a fashion staple here in the U.S.. The thought of hipsters adding clacking oak Sketchers to their wardrobes and tapping up and down the sidewalks of the Lower East Side makes me yearn for vuvuzellas.

THE VOICE OF GOD GOES HOME

This weekend saw the passing of NYC legend, Bob Sheppard. The Voice of God,as Reggie Jackson once anointed him, was the announcer at Yankee Stadium for over fifty years. His sterling voice introduced the names of all Yankees from Joe DiMaggio to Mickey Mantle to Derek Jeter. Jeter recorded Sheppard's intro and still uses it to this day. I remember Sheppard announcing games at St. John's University---where he taught. If you grew up in NYC and went to a Yankee, Giants or Redmen/RedStorm game, you were a fan of Sheppard, even if he wasn't on the field. "Now batting for the Yankees, the shortstop, number 2, Derek Jeter, number 2," in Sheppard's baritone will be used at Tuesday's All-Star Game to honor the great enunciator.

Taking the L Train

By Tony Mangia

Yanks Must Regroup After Lost Week

Thousands of Yankee fans watched the Lost finale last night; only it wasn't on ABC. They watched their team drop the rubber game against their cross-town rivals, the Mets on ESPN. The three game series ended with Mets closer K-Rod on the mound, arm raised in victory, and Yanks slugger A-Rod standing at the plate swinging at strike three with two men on. It ended a hell week that saw the Yankees lose 5 of 7 against the AL East leaders, Tampa Bay Rays, the hated Mets, and blow a 5-0 lead against their arch-enemies, The Boston Red Sox. Like the television series, the Yanks answered some questions, but left a lot of mysteries, too.

It's really bad week for the Yankees, when they call Javier Vasquez the best pitcher during that spell. He pitched a masterful one-hitter for six innings in the first game of the Subway Series until he left the game with an injured finger. "Masterful" and Vasquez sure haven't been used in the same sentence all season. Maybe the Yankees should have him pitch every game against the National League. Only now, after bruising his digit, he joins a long list of injured pinstripers---Jorge Posada, Nick Johnson and Alfredo Aceves won't see action for a few weeks; while Nick Swisher and Marcus Thames are "day to day." Now, the return of Curtis Granderson looms larger than the reported return of Paula Abdul to American Idol.

The week started with a wild come-from-behind victory over the Red Sox at Yankee Stadium. The four hour game (a nick in time for these two teams) battled back-and-forth until the Yanks pulled out the walk-off win. Yeah, there was a pie-in-the-face. The breakdown appeared devastating to the Bostonians. The next night, the Sox looked ready to concede the season, after falling behind 5-0, until bungling plays by the Yankees' fielders allowed the visitors to win. Next, the Tampa Bay Rays rolled into town. They completely out pitched New York, outhit them and finally ran all over them. Six stolen bases in the first game, alone. They made the two-game sweep look easy. They seem like the real deal and made the veteran Yankees look old and tired.

Catch Some Rays

The Rays also made the home team's younger players look stale and showed the Yankees future who the real up-and-comers are. They are 32-12 and lead the rest of the majors by 6 games! Their record is no fluke, but winning this division isn't automatic. The Red Sox looked punch drunk seven days ago, too. The Yankees may be banged up and the top of the lineup is slumping badly, but fill-ins have performed admirably. The starting pitching on the Yankees is still good, even after the past few losing scuffles, but the Rays staff is even better. Tampa Bay is young and can go deep into the game. They are not the upstarts of two seasons ago; so sneaking up against anyone won't happen. The Yankees had beaten Tampa Bay seven straight at Yankee Stadium, and took two of three in April, until last week. That is, until they got a real look at this peaking club. It remains to be seen if they have staying power---a few injuries here... There's still 120 games left to play, so its too early to crown the Rays champs yet.

The Good Things

The Yankees have survived, despite all of their injuries. They still have the most potent offense in the league. They lead the majors in runs scored and on-base percentage. Andy Pettitte and Phil Hughes looked mortal last week, but are still having good seasons. As a whole, the Yankee starters are 18-7 without Vasquez. Even with batting free falls by Mark Teixeira, Derek Jeter, Robinson Cano and A-Rod, the Yankees can still grind out plays and score. They did have 38 runs cross the plate in six days---too bad the other teams scored more.

The Bad Things

The major off-season moves aren't panning out. Vasquez, Granderson, Johnson, Randy Winn and Chan Ho "Out of the" Park haven't played well or have been nicked up. Joba Chamberlain and Mariano Rivera both had bad weeks and the bullpen has struggled on-and-off all season. The injured list is growing faster than C.C.'s ERA.

The American League East is no longer a two-horse sprint to win--maybe its a three way trot to place. Yankee manager, Joe Girardi's yappings about Josh Beckett's extra warm-up pitches and then Cervelli's non-home run call against the Mets might be out of frustration--not desperation-- but he doesn't have to hit the panic button--yet. Last week's botched game against the lifeless Sox, let another team back into the playoff picture. Toronto is nipping at the Yankees' heels while the Detroit Tigers and Minnesota Twins are formidable opponents from the Central Division. All five of these teams are legitimate wild cards if Tampa Bay doesn't cool off. If anything nice came from the losses to the Mets, its the benevolence of Girardi's team. It probably saved Mets' manager, Jerry Manuel's job.

SHORT JABS

EXIT 16W, YA MOOK!

Looks like the 2014 Super Bowl is coming to the Meadowlands. Oh hell, it's still Giants Stadium! Last year, during the Super Bowl game, nighttime temps in the swamps of Jersey hit 5 degrees--without the wind chill! Lots of things to keep the players and fans warm and busy all week. Visit the club where Plaxico shot himself and the hotel where L.T. got busted. If it snows, Mayor Bloomberg says 800 workers will be available to clear the roads. Security is another thing, last year during a blizzard, the NYC F.B.I. offices closed down, when only one agent showed up for work, because all the others called in a snow day.

WATCH WHERE YOU AIM THAT, GUV'NOR, IT'S ME FACE

Love the new mascots the 2012 Olympics unveiled in London last week. They look like deformed Teletubbies with urinals as heads. Makes me pine for Izzy in Atlanta.

I.B.S.? I THOUGHT IT WAS THE NEW DEVELOPMENTAL LEAGUE?

According to The New York Daily News, an ESPN staffer was canned in 2009 for repeatedly using the garbage can as a toilet. The worker is suing because of irritable bowel syndrome caused by stress. Maybe she thought it was the in-box for the Fill-in-the-blank show.

THE SORE FOUR

By Tony Mangia

BIG WEEK AHEAD AT YANKEE STADIUM

The past week or so has been a busy time for our elders. Betty White got the Ensure Tour rolling on Saturday Night Live. Then the Rolling Stones got it rocking, on Friday, with a re-issue of the classic album, Exile on Main Street. Now, the world prepares for the release of another"Sex and the City" movie this weekend. Oh, those four fashion-obsessed ladies-- Carrie, Samantha...and the other two. Anyway, those four central characters have carried the SATC franchise for over a decade--and maybe now a little cellulite is bubbling out from under their wind-blown skirts. The movie will still draw legions of fans and high grosses. It's called staying power. This leads me to another long-standing New York foursome with a penchant for pinstripes---the Core Four. Now, Yankee fans think this group's slip is showing after one blown game.

Yankee fans, shouldn't panic over Mariano Rivera's first blown home save since 2007. The grand slam he allowed against Minnesota was a long-time due. Minnesota has been New York's punching bag for too long---12 losses in a row. The Twins are a good, scrappy team and Mariano has owned them for years. Look at the Stones' Keith Richards. Don't stare too hard; it could hurt your eyes. He looked ancient four decades ago and he's still stumbling around, making good music. Richards really has nothing to do with baseball, but he fits my "old" theme. Twins manager, Ron Gardenhire, even addressed Rivera's bad pitching (let's say It looked like Richards threw them) and said, "It's not something that you will often see." Yankee fans---all cocky with the title and good showing so far---might overreact at their star closer's one inning breakdown. They hear Metallica, see his trot and figure its automatic---especially against the Twinkies. Rivera had to get his first blown save at the new stadium some day. Worse, it could have come against the Sox or Rays.

The past week has been an eye opener for the Yanks. There was the power outage against a tough Tigers team last week. Good Detroit pitching quieted most of the Yank's bats. The Core Four's leader, Derek Jeter, continues to slump but always regroups in a big series. Jorge Posada seems to have overcome his nagging injuries and pounded the ball pretty good over the weekend. Andy Pettitte is still defying nature and improved to 5-0. I wouldn't compare him with Golden Girl White, yet, but 37 is pretty old for a starting pitcher. Outside the core, Mark Teixeira continues to bash his way out of an April swoon. He leads the American League with 16 RBI's during the month of May.

The upcoming week will be a good barometer of where the Yankees are headed. Boston comes to town with a chip on its shoulders. They are 7 1/2 games behind the East-leading Tampa Bay and 5 1/2 behind New York. A pair of loses could knock the Sox out of contention, even at this early stage of the season. The Rays have a young pitching staff, look strong and aren't going to fade like last year. The Yankees, themselves, can't afford to drop two and let Boston back into the race either because they face-off against Tampa for two games after the Sox leave town. Boston has an even rougher path after New York--upcoming road series against the Phillies and Tampa Bay. Finally, later in the week, the Yankees leave the stadium for a three-game series against pesky, cross-town rivals, the Mets. By weeks end, the Yankees could easily be north of the Rays in the standings or nipping at Boston's heels for third place in the east.

SHORT JABS

Say Hello to the Second City, LeBron

Know how I know LeBron James isn't coming to New York? Because Mayor Bloomberg threw his two cents into the ring. Look at his sports recruiting record with the Olympics and the west side stadium fiasco. The city is dealing with terrorists and getting money from Homeland Security and our mayor is worried about the Knicks' salary cap. New York, begging for anything, ain't right.

Belmont Bust

Belmont will be without the Kentucky Derby and Preakness winners and now the New York Racing Association says the Belmont Stakes on June 5 could be the end of New York horse racing because they have run out of money. Now they know how I feel at OTB.

Try Some Tiger Balm

Tiger Woods says he is taking off for an extended period while his neck injury heals. Doctors have recommended "soft tissue massages and medication" for his "bulging disk." Wasn't that exactly what he was doing all those years with his bimbos and Ambien?

It's Called 'Four a.m. Memories'

The new scented candle that smells like White Castle hamburgers will go great with my gym socks cologne. Does the candle come with a scowling burger flipper in a hairnet?

YANKS AT THIRTY

By Tony Mangia

THE KIDS ARE ALRIGHT

So how's that trade-off with the Detroit Tigers working out for the Yankees? I wasn't missing Johnny Damon until this series started last night. The former 'Idiot' showed some of that Yankee-killer flair he had in Boston by hitting a home run in his first game against his old team. It's not too bad. Compare it to running into an ex with a downgrade as a companion.

The Yanks are in fine shape though, after winning nine of ten series they've played, and are still running are neck and neck with Tampa Bay for the AL East lead. Last year at this time , they were 6 games out. The new members of the Yankees--- Curtis Granderson(the replacement for Damon from Detroit), Nick Johnson, and Randy Winn---have been mediocre, at best, but still have knocked in 20 runs between them. The real story is the long-awaited emergence of Yankee trade-bait: Phil Hughes and Brett Gardner. GM Brian Cashman hung on to both, even when fans were clamoring for them to be packed off. Francisco Cervelli and Marcus Thames have also filled in admirably as role players.

Gardner is batting .344, Cervelli is hovering around .400, and Thames is up to .390 after a slow start. Gardner is one of the league's leaders in stolen bases and is an defensive improvement over Damon in the outfield. Gardner's speed is something the Yankees haven't had since Rickey Henderson and before his "bad hammy" days. Hughes has been sensational as the fifth starter and will probably be moved up unless Javier Vasquez turns it around---quickly! Fill-in players, like this gang, sure eased the slow starts of Mark Texiera and A-Rod while covering up nagging injuries to Jorge Posada and Granderson. The starters---combined and minus Vasquez---are 16-2, while ,amazingly, the bullpen has consistently pulled its own weight.

Tex Heating Up

When all is said and done, the Yankee infield could hit 160 home runs. Jeter and a part-time Posada are good for 25 each. A blossoming Cano could smack at least 30 while a slow-starting A-Rod should hit 40. Tex and his April hitting drought have parted ways and once he really heats up, 40 jacks is a low-ball total. This is one of the most complete infields, offensively and defensively, in the modern era. The Big Red Machine and the 80's Phillies teams are a couple of barometers, but this pinstripe five are all potential Hall of Famers too.

Think a Red Sox fan designed the Sports Illustrated cover two weeks ago? The bubble wrap mailed to Derek Jeter should be wrapped around injury-prone Nick Johnson, STAT! I think that means fast and put him in storage bin. Speaking of the Sox---and I know its early---they look deader than Josh Beckett's arm. The only time his fastball shows life, is when its aimed at a Yankee's head. And what about David Ortiz? Big Papi sure hasn't been the same size since he came out last year about his "careless use of supplements and vitamins?" He's smaller than Oprah.

EYE ON THE PRIZE

There aren't many players I would pay to see before they retire---Jeter, Tim Duncan, Peyton Manning. I wouldn't hesitate to fork over some beer money to watch Ichiro just shag flies and take BP. They are all clutch and make plays that make your jaw drop. Now, even without being a big NBA fan, Steve Nash becomes a must see. I've always liked his play making and running style but his performance, while beating the Spurs in game four last week, was a classic. LeBron James can dominate and can put on a show; but doesn't seem to make his teammates any better. The other day, after getting inadvertently elbowed by Duncan, Nash took six stitches to the eye and returned to the game with his right eye swollen shut. He looked like Rocky after his fight with Apollo Creed. Its not the first time he became a bleeder. Last year, Tony Parker of the Spurs popped Nash and busted up his nose during a playoff game. He was an even bloodier sight that time.

This time, Nash strutted out of the locker room and, without missing a beat, drained a three-point shot from six feet beyond the arc! Nash's slashing lay-ups and "half-look" passes that night helped the Suns sweep the playoff-hardened Spurs. Even Duncan paid his respects to Nash after the game. Well, that's kind of expected from the classy Duncan. Dallas owner, Mark Cuban must be kicking himself for letting Nash go. He'll really regret it when Dirk Nowitzki opts out of his current contract and goes to Phoenix to be with his running buddy.

Short Jabs

Does this thing between A-Rod and Cameron Diaz mean we'll have to watch her blow kisses at him from the $2500 seats all season? Kate Hudson was bad enough.

Please baseball, stop with the shaving cream pies after a walk-off victory. It's like this Betty White over-exposure. It's old, tired, white and in-your-face.

Manny Pacquiao (who I will call Pacman from now on because its too hard to spell his name) seems to be getting over his 'True Blood' and 'Twilight' fears. His camp says he will take a blood test 14 days before the fight now.

When did Ken Griffey Jr. turn into Grandpa Simpson? Falling asleep during a game, by his locker, when he was supposed to be pinch-hitting. Money well spent, Mariners. Sadly, this could become another Willie Mays farewell tour.

Ringing in Yankee Stadium

By Tony Mangia

HANGING WITH THE CREATURES

It all felt so familiar but, at the same time, so different. It has been nine years since the New York Yankees last hoisted a World Championship flag. It is banner number 27 for the Yankees but the first for this Yankee Stadium. The new structure can now, almost unarguably, be called "The House that Jeter Built."

The old stadium's partial grandstand lurks to the south. The rubble is a reminder of past glories of Ruth, Gehrig, DiMaggio and Mantle, as well as, the lean years of Horace Clarke and Jerry Kenney. There are two physical links between the two arenas--the Core Four (Jeter, Petite, Posada and Rivera) and the Bleacher Creatures.

Chicago has the Bleacher Bums. Cleveland lays claim to the "Dawg Pound. The Redskins have the Hog Pit, or whatever it is called, and the Oakland Raiders have the local psych ward. The Yankees Creatures are one of a kind. Think of 'Jersey Shore' with more tattoos and more Yankee blue than spray tan. The real tans start arriving after Belmar beaches open in May. The hair gel ratio is a push.

Starting your day with a Creature means having 11 a.m. beers at Stan's Sports Bar across the street, under the 4 train--that is if you can squeeze in the door. You exit Stan's with a morning buzz and into a sea of Yankee souvenir vendors. Sadly, down-on his luck, ex-Yank, Dwight Gooden was giving autographs for $45 a pop. I'm sure it was true because the hand-drawn signs pointed to paltry line outside another bar. A guy's gotta make bail somehow and Yankee fans are softies when it comes to no-hitters.

It's easy to find the bleachers; just listen for the "Boston sucks" anthem, and follow that crowd. Once in the bleachers, you know you're not in Flushing anymore. No pocket protectors, calculators or score sheets. Its about the party--not the stats. It is loud, rowdy and the nine-dollar beer lines never end. Hopefully, you won't end up in front of a giant, suds-guzzling screamer. The kind of guy who yells the same obnoxious rant over and over. And over. There's nothing you can do. It's part of the bleacher culture.

You can always count on the loudest jeers and cheers coming from the aluminum planks split by Monument Park--which looks more like a bronze graveyard. Celebrities, be wary of that noise amongst the giant video screen in centerfield. The opening day roster of the famous attendees included Paul Simon--accompanied by his hit song "Call Me Al"--who got his closeup and a loud applause. Martha Stewart's mug was blown up to three stories on the giant screen and the bleachers erupted into boos and other expletives. Bleacher Creatures just don't travel in her table arrangement and horse-set crowd--unless that pony is running at Belmont. Matt Lauer just got a lot of "who cares." Fame is but in the eye of the beerholder.

You might get lucky and sit near an extreme sport participant--a Boston Red Sox fan with the cojones to wear a 'Sawx' jersey. A lone red shirt surrounded by pin stripes and blue--think Nancy Pelosi strutting through a Tea Party rally. Of course, one of these dolts showed up to rile the pot. It always goes the same way; playful kidding at the start, friendly jabs in the second act and then...the beer runs out. The 7th inning beer stand cutoff and the creatures are milling around, looking for something...anything to pass the last two innings. Lo and behold, the loud mouth Red Sox fan. You can guess the final act and it usually ends with staff intervention and an police escort out for a couple of guys. That's entertainment and yesterday's game didn't disappoint.

GODZILLA PART II

High expectations were in the chilly air. Today was not only about opening day; it was a celebration continuing from last Fall's playoff run. Yankee legends, Yogi Berra and Whitey Ford, handed out the Championship rings. There was a tribute to ailing trainer Gene Monahan. I can't remember a game, in my lifetime, where he was not in the dugout--literally. He has been the Yanks caretaker since 1973 and I always thought there was a Gene Monahan II carrying on. Fan favorite, Bernie Williams, tossed out the first ball. The day began had all the trappings of a George Steinbrenner Farewell ceremony. Oh yeah, The Boss--behind sunglasses--was there and got a standing O. The Yankee players all got rousing cheers, culminating with, who else, the Captain, Jeter.

Johnny Damon, now in Detroit, couldn't make it and Jerry Hairston Jr., currently on the Padres, made a twelve hour round trip to the stadium on his day off to get his ring but, the biggest ovation of the day was for a player on the visiting team, Hideki Matsui. He sure looked odd in a red uniform. Every ex-Yankee does. Matsui's introduction couldn't have been more rousing and the smiles and hugs of his ex-teammates showed their admiration. Godzilla's clutch-hitting and professionalism is sure to be missed this year.

THE CORE FOUR

Not lost on this jubilant opening day crowd was the value of their seasoned veteran quartet. Andy Petite may have a touch of gray on his face. Jorge Posada runs the bases like a drunk rhino--a drunk 38 year-old rhino--and critics still try and find faults in Jeter's game. Only Mariano Rivera still continues to defy nature. He freakishly still has the body he had ten years ago and the cutter still cuts like no one else's.

Think of it. These three (Posada, Jeter, Rivera) have been teammates for 14 seasons; more than any trio in modern sports history. Any sport! If Petite didn't take a few years off, as an Astro, back home in Houston, it would be all four. Five championship rings each and nine years in-between. It says a lot about them and the organization.

Yesterday's game didn't go against type either. The standard script goes like this: Petite pitches six innings of shutout ball, Jeter homers and makes plays, Posada gets three hits and Rivera comes in and saves the day. It's as conventionable as a 1930's western but it's a formula that didn't hurt Gary Cooper. Hey, isn't he the guy who played Lou Gehrig in that movie?

Only reliever, David Robertson's meltdown and grand slam to Bobby Abreu smudged a perfect day. It only lent to the most spectacular intro in sports--Rivera and Metallica's 'Enter Sandman.'

The Yankees opened the year by winning two of three from both division rivals the Sox and the Tampa Bay Rays. They are off to their best start in seven years. They have a good mix of veterans and youngsters, speed and power, and a smattering of good pitching. The Creatures have another year of bragging rights. Nothing could look better from the bleachers.

First Pitches, Final Fours and Second Chances

By Tony Mangia

JETER'S FADE AWAY

A jam-packed weekend of sports began with CBS's over-hyped version of "Hoosiers" at the Final Four in Indianapolis, continued with the best sports rivalry in Boston, and ended with apologies and adulation in Augusta, Georgia.

The New York Yankees began the defense of their 2009 World Championship against the Red Sox on Sunday. Some new faces on both squads and some missing on the Yankees. The face of the Yankees--Derek Jeter-- and probably the entire league--even Boston fans find it hard to criticize him-- has finally ditched his infamous "fade' haircut. The Yanks will miss Hideki Matsui's bat but, I doubt the same can't be said about Jeter's coif. It's the same style he brought into his rookie season in 1996 and the same one he displayed winning five championships and the hearts of thousands of adoring women and teenage girls. The non-threatening hairdo came straight out of "The Cosby Show" and, while everyone else was shaving or carving names on the side of their heads, Jeter had the same thatch of hair on top that was slowly pruned away before it reached the top of his ears. It never seemed to change and was always perfect in shape--much like the man himself.

This is the same consistency that Jeter has displayed throughout his career. While slumps and scandals dog other elite players, the 'Captain' collects hits and pushes on towards Cooperstown. How he performs so magnificently and still shows quiet restraint in the soap opera that is the New York Yankees belies the modern professional athlete. I mean the guy is in a contract year and has not turned it into a personal crusade. There hasn't even been a peep by his agent. It's a sure bet the shortstop will end his career in pinstripes.

Jeter is the thinking man's player. Another player I would categorize as "Jeteresque" is Ichiro in Seattle. Both men make the game fun to watch; throwing out runners, stealing a base and slapping singles and doubles around American League stadiums. Don't let their batting averages fool you, both can easily jack one out too. How great would it be if the Yanks had landed the Mariners centerfielder a few years ago. The future hall of famer deserves a championship too.

One other constant the past few years has been the bullpen. It's ugly presence reared its head again at Sunday's opening night against the Boston Red Sox. A tired C.C. Sabathia was left in for the sixth and couldn't hold on to a 5-2 lead. Last year's familiar relief shuffle started and the World Series ticker-tape parade was a foregone memory.

Jorge Posada's passed ball--boy, is it gonna be fun for Jorge catching A.J. Burnett's late-breaking throws this season--cost the Yanks the game. They are but one of the Yankee's odd couples. The other odd duo and festering controversy is between Joba Chamberlain and Phil Hughes. Chamberlain is the most over-rated pitcher in New York. He has been babied from the start. For every great outing--sometimes he's earned a fist pump--Joba throws a couple of stinkers. Phil Hughes has taken everything he's been handed and should be the eighth inning set-up man. His relief record proves it--in 44 appearances, Hughes is 5-1 with a 1.40 ERA. Compare that with a 8-9 record and 5.22 ERA as a starter. Use Alfredo Aceves as the fifth starter and stick Hughes in the all important set-up position. Chamberlain and Chan Ho Park could be the the answer.

It's a long season. Manager Joe Giraldi has plenty of time to tweak the team. Center fielder, Curtis Granderson, looks like an improvement over Melky Cabrera and, combined with Jeter and Brett Gardner's proven speed, it looks like the the Yanks will run on a lot of teams. Speed and power--what a combination!

RELEASE THE KRACKPOTS!

Another week, another dozen Tiger Woods stories. First, it began with his Kindergarten teacher accusing him of lying about a racial incident almost 30 years ago; then it was a rumor of Tiger possibly changing his name back to the less threatening Eldrick, and now sporting a Malcom X goatee. It continued with the announcement that the Masters has hired 90 extra security guards to protect Woods from his wild and crazy mistresses. There is always the chance that one of those harpies might swoop down on their star attraction. Wouldn't that be a photo op? Finally...whew... Tiger held his mea culpa in front of the press on Monday. All this before anyone teed off.

A new alias might confuse some people but it could be one of the great name changes in sports history. Think of the religious ideals that led NBA star, Lew Alcindor, to forever be known as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar or the anti-war and anti-slave statement made by boxer Muhammed Ali after changing his name from Cassius Clay. Now comes PGA golfer and sex addict, Woods, monumentally dropping the first name, Tiger, and changing it to the less predatory and way less sexual--and his given name--Eldrick. Funny, you can't spell "dick' without Eldrick.

Tiger's, um, Eldrick's(?) press conference went pretty smoothly--as would be expected within the cozy confines of Augusta. Woods, who sounded like a pubescent boy as his voice cracked, "Sure", to the the opening question, "Are you ready?" He opened the Q and A with a uneasy smile and shifting eyes.

Woods pretty much summed up what everyone already knew or could figure out. "I had a busted lip," he answered about the November crash and, "I did everything to the letter of the law," he claimed when asked about driving under the influence of the drug Ambien. He bristled when asked about his wife. " Elin will not be here this week," he snarled at a reporter and quickly turned his frowning face to another question.

On the golf course, there would be "less negative outbursts," he smirked. Those grins disappeared when asked why he used an unlicensed Canadian doctor, Anthony Galea, to help with his rehab. "There was no HGH or PEDs," Woods said, "Only PRP injections."

Lots of illegal substance's initials were mentioned but there was no real substance for the first thirty minutes. Finally, Woods spent the last four minutes happily answering questions about the tournament. He'll play to "win this thing." Afterwards, Woods walked outside to practice in front of 20,000 giddy fans. He actually smiled, reached out and shook hands--maybe he thought some of the women were handing him text addresses? Amazing how 45 days of therapy and three months of bad press can change a surly, entitled adulterer into Mother Teresa. Tiger Woods seemed unscathed in front of his adoring gallery and army of security guards but, he still has a long way to go in his personal life.

CLOSE BUT NO CLASSIC

The NCAA Basketball Championship game between the upstart Butler Bulldogs and, perennial Final Four participant, the Duke Blue Devils was an exciting match-up of similar team styles--fundamentals and shooting-- but to call it a 'classic' is a little overzealous unless you are from Indiana or CBS. It was a close game that could have been won by the underdog, Butler, if the final three-pointer didn't bounce off the rim. That's all. I have to admit that the Bulldog's Gordon Hayward is a fun player to watch--running the floor, shooting and grabbing boards like he was rabid. He reminds me of a bigger Steve Nash; only with defense. Butler makes it to the Final Four next year. Not as Cinderella.