2012: The Year in New York Sports

Who would have thought on January 1st that the team closest to a championship on December 31st would be the Knicks? 2012 was a crazy up and down year for our local teams, including a Super Bowl win, two overnight superstars who rose and fell in the Big Apple, a New York Cy Young winner, and a $30 million superstar riding the pine in the playoffs.

MLB

Yankees: The Yanks got business done again in the regular season, winning their 17th Division Title. This was the first time in 16 years though that they did it without future Hall of Famer Mariano Rivera, who missed almost the entire season with an ACL tear. Andy Pettitte was having a good comeback season before injuring his leg on a comebacker. However, once October came around the Bronx Bombers' bats went silent. After squeaking out of the ALDS in 5-games against the Orioles (with some heroic late-game homers from Raul Ibanez), the Tigers swept us in the ALCS. Derek Jeter was injured in the first game of the ALCS, and adding insult to injury, A-Rod was benched in the playoffs after he hit on some female fans when he was in the dugout. 

Mets: The Mets had the best bad season a team has maybe ever had. Despite the continued financial troubles from the Wilpons stemming from the Bernie Madoff scandal, Citi Field was jumping for the first half of the season. The high point for the Mets season occurred on June 1st when Johan Santana, coming back from a serious shoulder injury, pitched the first No-Hitter in Mets history. The knuckleballer, RA Dickey had a season for the ages as well. The Dickster went 20-6 with a 2.73 ERA with 230 strikeouts and won the Cy Young Award, becoming the first Met since Dwight Gooden (1985) to win the award. The Mets locked up David Wright through the 2020 season, ending 2012 on a good note.

NY MVP: RA Dickey

Breakout Star: RA Dickey

Biggest Disappointment: Alex Rodriguez

Predictions: The Yankees will always be playoff team, but don't have the talent to be considered serious World Series contenders anymore (especially with the Angels and Blue Jays stocking up). The Mets are in a rebuilding mode, and will be playing small-market ball in the Big Apple. Mets fans have to hope for meaningful games late in the season 

NBA

Knicks: Perhaps no team in any sport had as much of a roller coaster year as the New York Knicks. After starting off the year poorly, including a 1-9 stretch, the Blue and Orange gave a point guard out of Stanford a chance. Jeremy Lin took the NBA by storm winning eight-games in a row and scoring over 20 points a game. After things went south, the Knickerbockers fired Coach Mike D'Antoni, and promoted Mike Woodson on March 14. The team finished the season with an 18-6 record, and a date with the Heat in the first round of the Playoffs, where they were defeated in five games. After a 3 month Cinderella run, the Knicks made the unpopular decision to let Jeremy Lin leave and go to the Rockets (replacing him with a combination of future Hall of Famer Jason Kidd and the former Knick Raymond Felton). The decision hasn't hurt them so far, as they have started the 2012-2013 season on 

fire, and currently have the 2nd best record in the Eastern Conference.

Nets: On April 23rd the Nets played their last game in New Jersey. Between then and November 3rd, their first game in Brooklyn, the team made a lot of changes. Owner Mikhail Pokhorov emptied out his pockets to re-sign Deron Williams, Brook Lopez, and Gerald Wallace, as well as acquiring Joe Johnson from the Hawks. Aside from changing cities, he team also changed their color scheme to black and white and moved into a new arena, the Barclays Center. Despite an early-season win against the Knicks, the team has been on a downfall, leading to the firing this week of head coach Avery Johnson. 

NY MVP: Carmelo Anthony

Breakout Star: Jeremy Lin/Brook Lopez

Biggest Disappointment: Amare Stoudemire

Predictions: Both local teams should make the playoffs. The Knicks at the very least have to make it out of the first round of the playoffs for the first time since 2000 or the season would be considered a huge disappointment. I see them making it to the Eastern Conference Finals. The Nets are going to try and bring in a high-profile head coach, and will likely be around a 6 seed. How much fun would a Brooklyn vs New York playoff series be? 

NFL

Giants: The Giants started 2012 with a must-win game against the Cowboys for the rights to be called NFC East Champions. After beating Dallas in the Meadowlands, the G-Men caught fire beating the Falcons, Packers, and 49ers to earn another chance to beat the Patriots at Super Bowl 46. Being known for their 4th quarter comebacks, the Giants scored the last 9 points of the game, including a 6-yard scamper by Ahmad Bradshaw with 2:49 left to give them the lead and their 4th Lombardi Trophy. After starting off this season 6-2, the team has collapsed, losing 5 of their last 7, and are hanging on to slim playoff hopes going into the final week of the season. 

Jets: The Jets hands down have had the strangest year of any sports franchise. After a on and off field collapse ended their 2011 season on New Years Day, the franchise made a headline-stealing move by trading for Broncos QB Tim Tebow. Despite Rex's continued boasts, the franchise is now one of the worst in the sport. Our big money franchise quarterback Mark Sanchez has had a nightmare season with 25 turnovers, including the infamous butt-fumble on Thanksgiving. Rex Ryan has refused to use Tim Tebow, opting to bench Mark Sanchez for 3rd string quarterback Greg McElroy last weekend. Now it has come out that McElroy has a concussion, and Mark Sanchez is back in as starting QB for the season finale against Buffalo. I'll have a lot more to say about this in next week's post. 

NY MVP: Eli Manning

Breakout Star: Victor Cruz

Biggest Disappointment: Tim Tebow/Mark Sanchez

Predictions: Both New York football teams will be coming into the 2013 season significantly different.  I wouldn't be surprised if Tony Sparano, Kevin Gilbride, and Perry Fewell are looking for new jobs. The Jets are in a complete rebuild, but the Giants just need to tinker a couple things to compete for a title again in 2013. 

NHL

I'm not much of a fan of hockey, but I got into the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The Devils and Rangers met in the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since 1994, with the Devils getting the upper hand. The run ended with the Devils losing to the LA Kings in the Finals. A lockout is threatening to cancel the entire 2012-2013 season.

I started this blog in February and wasn't sure if I would keep up with it, but I have a lot of fun writing every week. I like to wish all of you a happy and healthy new year. I'll see you back here bigger and better in 2013.

Yankees Stay Warm While the Stove is Hot

R.A. Dickey, Josh Johnson, and Jose Reyes are now Blue Jays, Josh Hamilton traded in his Rangers blue for Angels red, Zack Greinke is crossing town to the Dodgers, and B.J Upton is now playing for the Bravos. It has been an exciting offseason so far for baseball (something that can't be said about the Jets offense). However, the team that usually is in the middle of everything has taken a back seat in December.

Sure the Yankees brought in Kevin Youkilis (whoopee!), and resigned Andy Pettitte, Ichiro, and Hiroki Kuroda. However, the small market Yankees let Eric Chavez become a D-Back and Russell Martin join AJ Burnett in Pittsburgh. October hero Raul Ibanez, Nick Swisher, and Rafael Soriano are still on the market.

Fear not though Yankee fans, because I am in the Christmas spirit, and am writing a letter to Santa for our Bronx Bombers.

Dear Santa,

I am worried about my favorite baseball team, the Yankees. While other teams are wheeling and dealing this offseason, we have taken a backseat on the Hot Stove. Here is my wishlist for next season:

Catcher

Losing Russell Martin leaves a hole in our backstop. If Austin Romine is fully rehabbed from his 2011 back surgery than I wouldn't mind seeing him and either Francisco Cervelli or Chris Stewart split time this year. Mike Napoli and AJ Piezynski are the only everyday catchers left in free-agency, but they come with a high price tag.

First Base

Mark Teixeira is due a little over $18 million this season, so there really isn't much wiggle room here. Last season was the first time since 2007 that he played in under 150 games, and he isn't getting younger. I don't see Nick Swisher resigning, so we are on the market for a solid backup. I wonder if Lance Berkman is looking for a part time job in the Bronx again?

Second Base

We are set here, exercising our option on Robinson Cano for the 2013 season.

Shortstop

Brian Cashman expects Captain Jeter to be ready for Opening Day following his ankle surgery. Eduardo Nunez and Jayson Nix are suitable replacements to relieve Jeter early in the season.

Third Base

The Yankees have over $40 millon invested in third base between Alex Rodriguez, who is possibly out until the All-Star break following hip surgery, and new signee Kevin Youkilis. Signing the former hated Red Sock was met with expected uproar from fans, not only because of his past, but because is another veteran with declining stats. Youkilis' average has dropped from .307 in 2010 to .235 in 2012 (a drop of .072). I would have liked to see us bring Eric Chavez back, but he didn't even want to hear the Yankees offer.

Left Field

The Yanks signed Brett Gardner to a one-year deal worth $2.85 million, so he is likely the incumbent to left field, following an injury that derailed his 2012 season. Reports are that we are talking to Raul Ibanez, who was excellent for us in October.

Center Field

Curtis Granderson's option was exercised for 2013, so the 40+ home run hitter will be back in pinstripes.

Right Field

The Yankees locked up Ichiro to a 2-year, $13 million deal this week, almost insuring him the starting right field job.

Starting Pitchers

Right now the Yankees rotation is projected to be CC Sabathia, Hiroki Kuroda, Andy Pettitte, Phil Hughes, and either Ivan Nova or Michael Pineda. I wouldn't mind taking a flier out on a guy like either Rich Harden or Jonathan Sanchez because you can never have enough starting pitchers.

Bullpen

It looks like Rafael Soriano is as good as gone after a great 2012, closing for the injured Mariano. I wonder if the Yankees would look into adding Jose Valverde who was released by the Tigers, to be the potential heir to throne of Mariano Rivera.

Game Over

I'm sick and tired of it all. I'm tired of Rex and Sanchez making excuses and giving canned answers in the post-game press conferences. I'm sick of watching #6 keep going out on the field as our starting quarterback, and making the same stupid mistakes of throwing off his back foot into double coverage. I'm tired of Tony Sparano's offense, who has proven to be even worse than Brian Schottenheimer. And finally, I'm sick of this defense that talks a big game, but can't make the big play and stop the other team when our putrid offense finally gives us a lead.

After that abortion of a game last night, the Jets season is thankfully over. Rex Ryan has given the Jets fans an early Christmas present by announcing today that Greg McElroy will be our starting quarterback for Sunday's game against the Chargers.

It makes you wonder if Rex had stuck with his gut (which isn't as large as it used to be) than maybe we would be talking about Greg McElroy in the midst of a 3-game winning streak with the Jets are only a game out of the Wild Card. Instead, he went back to Sanchez, and now for the first time in Rex's tenure as head coach Gang Green is out of the playoffs before play begins on Week 17.

According to Jets beat reporter Rich Cimini, the franchise wants Tim Tebow to dress so they don't have to deal with more backlash about the league's most popular backup quarterback. So does that mean that Mark Sanchez will go from starting back-to-back AFC Championship Games, to being a healthy scratch in less than two years? Also, if Woody and Rex are so worried about what people think about Tebow, is that why Greg McElroy wasn't dressed, and possibly given a chance to come into the game last night when it was clear that Mark Sanchez didn't have it?

I would love to be a fly on the wall in Rex Ryan's office to know what really goes on behind closed doors in Florham Park. The quarterback carousel is almost hard to fathom, and unfortunately only 3 men know the truth (Rex, Woody, and Mr. T). That is what makes being a fan of the Jets and writing this blog increasingly difficult. Everything we read about this is pure speculation.

I would like to wait and see how the final two games of the season play out before giving my opinions on the quarterback situation, as well as the rest of the team, for next season. The facts the way I see them are that Sanchez is owed too much money to just be cut, and no team is going to want to trade for him. Tim Tebow came here and said all the right things, but Tony Sparano and Rex Ryan either didn't know the right way to use him, or flat out just didn't want to play him. Greg McElroy has a chance in these final two games to impress the Jets front office and secure at least a roster spot and maybe be embroiled in a legitimate starting quarterback competition for next year,

For now though, pack up the clowns, elephants, and trapeze artists. The circus is closing, and it will be significantly different the next time it comes to town in July in Cortland.

UFC on Fox 5 Preview

Tomorrow's UFC show is potentially a make or break show of the company's early run with Fox. After the first show, Velasquez vs Dos Santos, averaged 5.7 million viewers, the following three cards averaged less than half of that, with around 2.5 million fight fans tuning in. This card is huge in keeping   a good relationship with Fox, and Dana loaded it up with stars and an intriguing title fight. Shogun Rua, making his second free-tv fight, and Octagon legend BJ Penn, who is fighting for the first time in over a year, will bring in the casual MMA fans. The Lightweight Championship fight between Ben Henderson and Nate Diaz (who earned his #1 contender shot by beating Jim Miller on Fox in May) is almost guaranteed to be an entertaining fight. Fox did their part too, by heavily promoting the show during football this past Sunday, and producing a great countdown special.

Mike Swick vs Matt Brown

With his back against the wall, coming off a two-fight losing streak as well as an 18-month layoff, Mike Swick pulled off what was the feel-good story coming out of UFC on Fox 4 by knocking out DaMarques Johnson in the second round. This time he is matched up with the man with the "iron chin", Matt Brown. This is a fight seven years in the making. When Swick was on the first season of The Ultimate Fighter, a young Matt Brown looked up to him, and wrote to him on Myspace. Swick never responded, and now they open a nationally televised card facing off in the Octagon.

Swick is a kickboxer who goes for the knockout, 8 of his 15 wins came via knockout. While Matt Brown has never been knocked out in 26 professional fights, he has been submitted nine times. Both fighters match each other stylistically, and this fight should provide good fireworks to start off the main card.

Shogun Rua vs Alexander Gustaffson

Mauricio "Shogun" Rua is a mixed martial arts legend, dominating in the Japanese promotion Pride from 2003-2007, before coming to the UFC. Rua has beaten a who's who of the sport, including Lyoto Machida, Chuck Liddell, and Rampage Jackson, with a strong right hook. The 25-year old Gustaffson is trying to get the first big win of what looks like a promising career. Gustaffson is coming in on a 5-fight winning streak, most recently beating Thiago Silva by unanimous decision. This looks like another can't miss fight, with the winner being in contention for Jon Jones' Light Heavyweight Title (along with the winner of February's Dan Henderson-Lyoto Machida matchup).

BJ Penn vs Rory MacDonald

This is another fight where a UFC icon is going up against a young up-and-comer looking to knock him off of his thrown. "The Prodigy" BJ Penn had his first UFC fight in 2001, when Rory MacDonald was still in middle school. Throughout his legendary career, Penn has held both the Welterweight and Lightweight Championships. MacDonald has made a name for himself, training with fellow Canadian Georges St. Pierre.

Instead of showing respect to a legend, like Gustaffson has, MacDonald has taken every opportunity to take a shot at the future Hall of Famer. After Rory called out BJ on Ariel Helwani's podcast, Penn agreed to fight his rival GSP's protege. After their fight, scheduled for September, was canceled because of a cut MacDonald suffered in camp, the two began trash talking. Penn said that Rory was scared, MacDonald responded that he's going to wind up killing Penn. BJ Penn took offense to Rory's comments on the preview show that "I am fighting to hurt him... not someone else's opinion", perhaps taking a veiled shot at BJ's UFC legacy.

With a lot of pent up frustration between these men, this is going to be a war. Even at this stage in his career, BJ Penn is one of the best strikers in the welterweight division, but his cardio is going to be questioned against the younger MacDonald. Penn has only been knocked out twice in his UFC career (by GSP and Matt Hughes), with his other six losses coming via decision.

Nate Diaz vs Ben Henderson

The Championship Main Event, has been overshadowed by the MacDonald-Penn drama, but it should be the best fight on the card. Coming off of two questionable decision victories against Frankie Edgar, Ben Henderson is trying to cement his legacy as UFC Champion. Nate Diaz, one half of the infamous Diaz brothers, is fighting just because he loves to kick people's asses.

Ben Henderson, the former WEC Lightweight Champion and current UFC title holder, is a good fighter in all-aspects of the sport, with a blackbelt in Taekwondo, a brown belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and an NCAA All-American wrestler. Henderson's last six fights have ended in decision (5-1 record). Nate Diaz on the other hand is Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt, training with Cesar Gracie.

This is going to be a fun cat and mouse game, with Diaz looking for the submission (11 of his 16 wins have come via submission), but Henderson is an expert on the ground as well, not being submitted since his 3rd professional fight back in 2007.

With the Pacquiao-Marquez 4 fight later on Saturday, it's going to be a great night to gather your buddies up, order some pizza's from you favorite pizzeria, bring a case of beers, and enjoy a great night of fights. I'll be back to wrap it all up on Monday.

McSanBow

We've created a monster. By benching Mark Sanchez for Greg McElroy during the 3rd quarter of this past Sunday's game against the Cardinals (which set football back 50 years by the way), Rex Ryan made a decision that could potentially change the course of this franchise. With a returning Tim Tebow, the Jets now have a 3-headed monster at quarterback, but unfortunately neither of them are very good.

Mark Sanchez may have sealed his fate after another multi-turnover game, bringing his turnover total to 20 (13 interceptions, 7 fumbles). Sanchez led the offense to 162 yards an 0 points in 10 drives on Sunday. With McElroy running the show, the team gained 150 yards and a touchdown on four drives. It seems to me like the former 5th overall pick has lost all self confidence, and actually looked relieved when he began to jot notes down on a clipboard. Maybe this benching will finally be a wake-up call to Buttfumble and he will start to play with some passion again, or his Jet career is ticking down.

Greg McElroy didn't light the world on fire, going 5/7 for 29 yards with a 1-yard touchdown pass to Jeff Cumberland. However, McElroy did seem to ignite the team and energize the JetLife crowd (without Fireman Ed for the first time in years), who was lifeless for most of the game, except for when they were booing the offense. I don't expect McElroy to be the next Tom Brady, be maybe he could be another Chad Pennington. A quarterback that won't put up huge numbers, but will be smart with the ball and win you football games. In fact, McElroy has said that he hasn't lost a game that he started since Middle School.

Where does all of this leave Tim Tebow? The man who led Denver to the playoffs last year, before miraculously beating the Steelers in the first round before Tom Brady ended his Cinderella season. After the Jets made a blockbuster trade in the offseason to bring him in, to say he's been used sparingly is an understatement. Tebow is 6/7 passing on the year, and is averaging 8.7 yards per game running the ball. Does Rex even dress Tebow on Sunday against his hometown Jaguars, or is Robert Malone's punt protector not worth a roster spot? 

Rex is keeping his poker face so far, and isn't giving any of the three guys a vote of confidence in the media. Personally, I'd like to see McElroy play a whole game. Despite the win on Sunday, the Colts, Steelers and Bengals all walked away with W's also, leaving us 2 out of the Wild Card. Maybe we can strike fire with McElroy, and he could give us Jets fans something to look forward to in 2013. With games against the 2-10 Jaguars and 4-8 Titans, now is the best time to give a young quarterback some starts under his belt and help gain some confidence. If he struggles against the dredges of the NFL, then maybe you see if Sanchez learned anything, and worse case scenario, if all else fails, you still have Tebowmania.