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Post by Allen Wiener on May 1, 2012 15:55:57 GMT -5
Lou - I've only just begun watching a bit of hockey, so I don't know much about the fine points of the game. It is very exciting, fast moving, and no-nonsense. These guys pretty much go all-out for a solid hour. Since the Caps are in it this year, there's increased interest around here (and, of course, we are up against another NY team!). I plan to watch more of it.
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Post by Allen Wiener on May 3, 2012 12:39:16 GMT -5
Well you coulda' knocked me over with a feather when I saw the O's hand the Yanks their second whipping in 3 days, coming out of the Bronx with their first series win there in two years! They actually look for real and got some stunning pitching. What's goin' on here? Meanwhile, no sooner had that happened then the Nats pulled one out in the bottom of the 9th to break a five-game losing streak. Bryce Harper looks like the real deal. As I say, I'm no hockey fan, but maybe someone who is can tell me whether or not last night's Caps-Rangers game was one of the great ones?? I could not believe what went on there or the endurance of those guys. Isn't 3 OTs the equivalen of playing two games back-to-back? They actually put in around 115 minutes of playing time over those many hours.
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Post by Hiram on May 3, 2012 13:09:16 GMT -5
I'm cautiously optimistic about the Birds of Baltimore. Every "W" counts, even more so for a team that has been down and out since 1998. The front office is on the right track (finally) and trying to rebuild from within the organization, developing the farm system. We will see how things look come All-Star break.
Great game last night between the Rangers and the Caps. Historically, there have been a handful of five OT and 4 OT games in Stanley Cup play with a few more three OT games like last night's.
Of the major sports, hockey is the most physically demanding; and the Stanley Cup gets my vote as the best trophy in sports. In what other sport do you see guys taking the trophy to parties, on boats, at cook-outs? Oh yeah, and everybody's name is engraved on the Cup...how cool is that?
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Post by loucapitano on May 3, 2012 13:47:54 GMT -5
The 2 day whupping the O's gave to my Yankees was really humiliating. If I could, I'd spank every one and send 'em to bed without supper. I know, you can't do that to adults, especially sports millionaires, but it would be ever so satisfying. That's baseball.
On the bright side, after the Yankee drubbing, I got to surf to the Rangers and "What a Game!" Normally, I don't watch hocky because these old eyes can never keep up with the puck. But last night was different. Both teams played their guts out and it's a shame someone had to lose. Of course, I'm glad it was the Capitols, but still what a game! The Rangers really put on the pressure and seemed to play most of each overtime on the Capitol's end zone, whose defense was lock-tight. The goal was well played, but the Ranger pressure was relentless. Both teams need two days off so they can do it again.
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Post by Allen Wiener on May 3, 2012 15:32:03 GMT -5
I dunno, Lou; those O's wins looked mighty sweet down here (and very unexptected!) Gotta agree on the hockey game; I just can't imagine how anyone can be in shape to play a game like that; unreal. I read this morning that there were no uniforms without at least some blood on them. Those guys weren't fooling around. I wonder how many more games like this either of them can take. The series may end up an endurance test. I know less than nothing about hockey, but they seem like pretty evenly matched teams. Hiram - I don't watch it much, but I really enjoy it when I do and I have to agree that it sure looks like the most physically demanding sport I've seen.
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Post by Allen Wiener on May 3, 2012 22:17:12 GMT -5
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Post by Allen Wiener on May 4, 2012 6:21:42 GMT -5
Well, the news is much, much worse this morning. Rivera's injury will definitely have him out for the season, a devastating blow to the Yanks, and his career may well be over too, which would be a great loss to baseball. It seems he routinely shagged flies in center field during BP all the time and actually fantasized about playing center field (Imagine a guy like that fantasizing about anything!). He was doing that before the game in K.C. last night when the knee suddenly caved under him and he tore the A.C.L., which, as Giardi said, is as bad as it gets. Rivera is 42 and the outlook can't be good for a guy that age with such a serious injury. Still, I'm hoping he bounces back next year.
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Post by Allen Wiener on May 4, 2012 6:33:04 GMT -5
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Post by Hiram on May 4, 2012 9:58:00 GMT -5
As fans of the game, we appreciate and respect the talents of great players. The loss of Mariano Rivera is a loss not only to the Yankees, but to the game of baseball. On and off the field, Rivera has been a peerless example of good sportsmanship, good citizenship, and physical ability. Mariano is also a man of faith. His faith and his family, friends and teammates will sustain him.
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Post by Allen Wiener on May 4, 2012 11:05:58 GMT -5
That's it, Hiram; period.
Let's hope that, somehow, he pulls through this. There's nothing I hate to see more than Rivera coming out of the bullpen in the 9th with a one-run lead. Now, I'm hoping I get to see some more of it.
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Post by loucapitano on May 5, 2012 11:00:03 GMT -5
I can't believe what happened to Mariano. The way his knee buckled, it almost looked like he stepped into a gopher hole or some odd piece of outfiled turf. Mickey Mantle tripped over a sprinkler cover in the Yankee Stadium outfield as a rookie. Who knows what he might have achieved with a healthy knee. All the New York papers today are full of Rivera staying calm and vowing to return. With his faith and the support of the entire baseball family around the world, he'll be back sooner rather than later. No doubt, the Yankees will struggle without their MVP. Soriano and Robertson have the skill to fill in, the only question is, do they have the heart? When the Yanks are hot, they used to bring Mariano into non-save situations just to give him some work. The offense has to step up, which given the slumping heart of the batting order, is troublesome.
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boba
Full Member
Posts: 36
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Post by boba on May 5, 2012 23:26:11 GMT -5
I think Robertson will be fine as Marianos "heir"He has a good fastball which gets on top of the batter very quickly and a outstanding curve ball.His command is good and he's always around the plate.Soriano ,I'm not really confident with,he has to show me that he can deal with the pressure.As far as hockey goes,the Ranger-Ottawa series and the current Capital-Ranger had me biting my nails.Having been a Ranger fan since 1962 and having watched hundreds of games,I've never seen such effort ,tenacity and a willingness to sacrifice themselves for their respective teams.I have to praise both teams for their effort.Go Rangers!! .....bob
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Post by Allen Wiener on May 6, 2012 0:19:34 GMT -5
Sports have not been this exciting or interesting in the Balto-Wash area since --- EVER! Caps evened the series today while the Nats and Os kicked the Phillies' and Red Sox' butts, respectively. What fun! What a total sea change! No idea if, or how long, it will last, but the ride is great for now!
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Post by loucapitano on May 6, 2012 11:05:16 GMT -5
I agree with you boba. Robertson might be the one. I was especially impressed by the character he showed last year during those tragic tornados in Alabama. Soriano seemed to get off to a bad start through no fault of his own. But I don't think he'll get the fan support he seems to need. Yankee fans are brutal. (Not a brutal as Boston, but still brutal.) He's got the physical talent, now he has to toughen his mind and hide. I'm pulling for him.
Congratulation to the Maryland teams! Maybe it's their turn to shine.
Go Rangers!
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Post by Paul Sylvain on May 10, 2012 19:45:10 GMT -5
Good grief! In a word, the Red Sox suck worst than a mega-sized Hoover. I regret to say I was one who welcomed Tito Francona's departure at the end of last season, but now I'm wishing they could reel him back in. Bobby Valentine couldn't manage a Little League team, and he's now leading the team on its way to its 19th loss against 12 wins. And people 'round these parts wonder why I'm such an avid Texas Rangers fan.
Paul
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