Favre To Jets Still Alive? Favre To Stay Retired?

From the NFC North Blog on ESPN.com, the Brett Favre to New York Jets trade may not be dead as previously thought earlier in the day.

According to the Green Bay Press Gazette, the Jets have had serious talks with Favre's agent James Bus Cook.

This is a contridiction to a report from ESPN this morning that said that Favre had no interest in the Jets or Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Then again, there was a report on SportsCenter that said Favre could consider staying retired and take the $20 million offered to him by team president Marc Murphy.

Clearly there are tons of rumors. Don't know if any are legit, but this is getting more interesting by the minute.

Angles Spank Yankees As Usual

ANGLES 12

YANKEES 6

With Manny Ramirez gone to the Dodgers, and the Yankees stocked up on All Star talent after the trade deadline, one would think the Yankees would begin their march to overtake the Red Sox for the wild card. Then the Angles came.

The LA Angles of Anahiem have always had their way with the Yankees, and it didn't change tonight as the Halos spanked the Bombers 12-6 at the Stadium, Thursday night.

The Angles got it going in the third. Chone Figgins, who was a pest for the Yankees all night long, led off with a single to center. A batter later, Mark Texeria singled up the middle to put two on with one out. After Vladamir Gurrero flyed out and Texeria stole second, Torri Hunter blasted a three run homerun to right to give Anaheim a 3-0 lead.

Things wouldn't get better for Yankee ace Andy Pettite. Garrett Anderson singled up the middle, and Howie Kendrick singled to right. Finally, Juan Rivera homered to left to give Anahiem a overwhelming 6-0 lead.

The Yankees really never answered. In the sixth, the Angels added four more runs to all but end this ballgame. Joe Mathis doubled to right with one out. Figgins again singled to center, good enough to drive home Mathis to make it 7-2 Angles. Figgins then stole second, Eric Aybar walked, and Bad Vlad was really bad as he homered to left to give Anahiem a 10-2 lead.

The only highlight for the Yankees was a solo homerun by Xavier Nady to make it 10-3. And in spite of some sloppyness by the Angles in the ninth, the Yankees never had a chance in this game at all.

BTW, the Yankees have nine more games vs. the Angles this season. Ouch!!

Manny Heading to LA LA Land

Well somethings don't always go the way you want. In fact, maybe we should start to suspect that the next time a trade is talked about 'most likely' happening we should interpret it as it is a deal doomed for failure.

That was the case with rumors that said that Boston slugger Manny Ramirez was heading to Florida in a three team deal involving the Pirates. Then around 1:00 it was annoucned by ESPN that the deal was dead. By 4:00 nothing had been said about any deal involing Ramirez and it appeared that Manny was going to stay a Red Sox. Until 4:30 pm.

At that time it came across the wire that Manny Ramirez had indeed been traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers, not the Florida Marlins, in a three team deal involving Pittsburgh. Boston got in return Jason Bay of the Pirates, an All Star outfielder to plug into left.

This deal is terrible for all sides except for maybe the Pirates. At least Pittsburgh gets promising prospects in Craig Hanson and Brandon Moss from the Sox.

Manny will be add to the headache that has been a first year for Joe Torre in LA. Torre was brought there to manage an insane clubhouse with pompous stars like Jeff Kent and Nomar Garciaparra. Now he has Manny. Oh Joy! The Dodgers are a .500 team, and don't expect them to catch the D'Backs for the division because Manny is there. There are too many egos for this club to take off. This will be a total circus and don't think Manny and the Dodgers will work well together.

As for Bay, he is a nice player. Gives you 25 homers and 95 RBI, but he is not Ramirez, who was good in the clutch. Bay has never been in the postseason, and with him batting behind David Ortiz, people will look to get around Big Papi to get to Bay or any one behind Papi. There will be no more fear that if you walk Papi, Manny is will coming to the plate to teach you a leason. The Red Sox have doomed themselves, and expect them to miss the playoffs entirly.

Favre to Jets or Bucs Likely Dead

It appears that any trade involving Brett Favre going to the New York Jets or Tampa Bay Buccaneers is dead, as a report from ESPN.com reports that Favre has not spoken to either ball club. It appears he has no interest whatsoever to play for either team.

Favre is still presistent on playing in Green Bay or somewhere else in the NFC North, and it seems that the Packers will have to succumb to his demands.

The Packers are still holding firm on not welcoming Favre to camp. Yesturday, team president Mark Murphy offered Favre $20 million over 10 years, a little more than $2 million a year, to stay retired and away from the Packers.

The Packers have also threatened that if Favre does show up to camp, then he would be limited to individual drills, not team drills.

Also, the Packers are considering trading Favre to the Vikings or Bears. It sounds ridiculus, but the Packers may be in a situation where Favre will not ok a trade to the Jets or Bucs, and will only go where he wants if the Packers want some semblence of peace.

Of course there won't be any peace if Favre is in a Viking or Bear uniform. There will be more discontent and media attention when the Packers play one of these teams twice a year.

As for the Jets and Bucs, the Bucs really don't need Favre to win; they have Jeff Garcia, who is solid enough to get the Buccaneers into the playoffs and stay in contention all year long. But the Jets are in big trouble, they are now stuck with Chad Pennington and Kellen Clemens. Now they have to prey that one of them actually does something positive in camp and show that they can lead the club. So far both Pennington and Clemens have been awful in camp, prompting the Jets desire to have Favre, but he doesn't want to come to New York.

Mets Lose Hold on 1st Place

MARLINS 7

METS 5

So much for good carma eh? The Mets good carma may be falling off, and maybe it is time for GM Omar Minaya to start considering trading for some top talent before 4:00 PM ET tomorrow, when the trade deadline ends.

Tonight the Mets dropped a crucial game to the Florida Marlins 7-5, losing the series 2-1 and putting the Mets a half a game behind the Philadelphia Phillies for first in the NL East. The Marlins are just a game back of New York for second place.

This latest disaster saw Mike Pelfrey, who has been an ace in every sense of the word, finally have a bad night. It all felll apart for Pelfrey in the fourth, as Florida put up a five spot in the inning. Jorge Cantu singled to bring home Jeremy Hermida to tie the game at one. Later, Cody Ross, who has killed the Mets in this series, trippled to right field to drive home Cantu and Josh Willingham to give Florida a 3-1 lead. John Baker doubled in Ross to make it 4-1.Finally the pitcher Josh Johnson doubled home Baker to make it 5-1 FLA.

The Mets appeared to be dead in the proverbial water, until the Mets finally got to Johnson in the seventh inning. With two on base, Damion Easley blasted a three run shot to deep left field, high over the out of town scoreboard to get the Mets to within one, 5-4.

Still, it wasn't enough. In the eighth, Carlos Delgado came up to the plate an narrowly missed a game tying homer; hitting the ball to the warning track in center field.

Florida added insurence, as Dan Uggla, who has had an ugly series, hit a two run jack to deep left center to make it 7-4.

But, the Mets fought back. Marlon Anderson and Brian Schnieder both got on base with base hits. Then, Ramon Castro squeezed a single to third base to drive home Anderson to make it 7-5. However, in the end Jose Reyes skyed to left to end any hopes of a complete turn around.

Manny May Come to NL East

Bad news Met fans. :( Not only is your team doing nothing to improve itself at the trade deadline, making the stupid argument that injury prone Fernando Martinez is an untouchable commodity, the Phillies or Marlins could land unhappy Manny Ramirez before tomorrow's deadline.

In a story by Ian Browne on MLB.com, there is a strong possiblity that Manny Ramriez could end up in Florida. The Red Sox would want eitehr Jeremy Hermida or Josh Willingham in the deal, and the Sox would have to give some cash to the Marlins to pay off Ramirez.

The Phillies were also rumored to be interested, and they would send Pat Burrell to Boston in exchange for Manny.

I think the Philly deal is the best deal for Boston. Burrell, while not Manny, still has 30 homerun power, and has been Philadelphia's most consistent hitter the last two seasons, outside of Chase Utley.

The Red Sox are fed up with Manny, after pushing around a staff member of the Red Sox clubhouse, and raising a roucus about his contract status - feeling that he is being screwed over, and faking a knee injury to show his displeasure as a protest. Rameriez has a team option for 2009, but it probably won't be picked after the season - so Manny is in his final days as a Red Sox for sure. This should make Yankee fans quite happy!!!:)

Yankees Fleece Tigers of Pudge

The Yankees have, once again, fleeced another ballclub for top talent a few days before the non-wavier trade deadline. The victim: The Detroit Tigers. The player: Ivan Rodriguez.

Rodriguez, who is better know as Pudge, and has made a career as a Yankee killer, beating the Bombers in the 2003 World Series as a member of the Florida Marlins, will join the Yankees as their primary catcher replacing the injured Jorge Posada, and pushing the hard working Jose Molina to backup catcher again.

I - Rod is not the player he used to be with the Texas Rangers and Marlins when he was belting 30 homers and 100 RBI a year. He was once the second best hitting catcher of the 1990's behind Mike Piazza. But, Pudge has lost a lot of power in his bat, maybe becasue he is no longer on steroids, but is still a solid hitter. He is batting .295 this year with five homers and 32 RBI for a Tiger team that was expected to win 110 plus games this year and has been a complete disapointment. The Tigers are in third place five and a half behind the Chicago White Sox and Minnesota Twins.

The player going to the Tigers: Kyle Farnsworth. The Yankees finally rid themsleves of the terrible and arrogant Farnsworth who do more bad than good for the bombers. Some could say this is a steal just like the Xavier Nady deal was last Friday, but the Yankees lose another arm in their bullpen, which is desperate for some pitching help.

The Yankees are still trying to pursue Seattle's Jarod Washburn for a starting spot in the rotation. Maybe the Yankees should inquire about Arthur Rhodes, the Seattle set-up man as well - they need both, if they want to get back into this thing.

Orioles Outlast Yankees, Bearly

ORIOLES 7

YANKEES 6

The Yankees failed in their attempt at an ninth inning rally to drop their third staright ballgame, and fall to four games behind the first place Tampa Bay Rays, with a 7-6 loss to the Balitmore Orioles at the Stadium.

It appeared that Baltimore would be on its way to another blowout, having destroyed the Bronx Bombers 13-4, Monday night. With two on in the first, Melvin Mora singled to center, to bring home Nick Markakis to make it 1-0 O's.

Later, in the fourth, Kevin Millar homered for the second time in this series. This one a solo shot made it 2-0 Baltimore.

Finally, in the sixth the Yankees got back into it, as Alex Rodrigeuz went yard for the 22nd time this year to cut the deficit to one. But the Orioles would figure out Darrell Rasner and newcomer Damaso Marte in the seventh. First Brian Roberts singled, and Adam Jones was hit by a pitch. Rasner was then taken out in favor of Marte, who completely imploded.

Markakis singled to center to load them up, and then Aburey Huff cracked a double to left to clear the bases to give Baltimore a 5-1 lead. Mora came up next and doubled in Huff to make it 6-1. Finally in the ninth Huff hit the deciding run, as he homered to deep right to make it 7-3 Orioles.

Still, the Yankees fought back. With two on, Bobby Abreu doubled off of All - Star George Sherrill to drive home Johnny Damon to make it 7-4. Now with one out Jason Giambi singled to center to drive home Jeter and Abreu to cut the Oriole lead to a single run. But, Sherrill was able to strike out Robinson Cano and Wilson Betimet swinging to end the ballgame.

Mets Will Themselves to Win

METS 4

MARLINS 1

The Mets had to really fight in order to win this one tonight in Florida, as they continue to struggle in this roadtrip in Miami.

Things, seemed to get off to the right foot, when Jose Reyes lined a double to the left field corner to start the game, but he was tagged out at third as he tried to extend himself for a tripple. It was a stupid baserunning mistake, and it cost the Mets a run, as Nick Evans followed Reyes with his own double. David Wright then doubled in Evans to give New York a 1-0 lead, but it should have been 2-0 if it weren't for Reyes.

Florida tied it quickly; in the bottom of the first, Josh Willingham doubled to center to bring home Jorge Cantu, but that was all the Marlins would get tonight. Oliver Perez was brilliant yet again for New York, and this time in quite fashion. He pitched six innings, surrendering the one run, while walking three and striking out five. Perez is now 7-6 on the year.

The Mets grabbed the lead in the sixth as the struggling Carlos Beltran singled to left to drive home Evans. Still the Mets held on to this small 2-1 lead going into the eighth, against a fiesty Florida Marlin team that could comeback at a moments notice.

Then Carlos Delgado golfed a homerun to centerfield in a terrific at bat to give the Mets a 4-1 lead, and all but ice the ballgame. The Mets maintaim their 1/2 game lead over Philadelphia, and extend their lead over Florida to two games.

Favre is Back in the NFL

Brett Favre has officially reinstated into the NFL, sending a fax of the nessecary paperwork to Commisoner Roger Goodell in the NFL offices in New York City.

Now Favre and the Packers have to come to a resolution in 24 hours in how to proceed. There are three options: 1) Favre and the Packers kiss and makeup and Favre returns to the Packers as a backup and soon to be starter over Aaron Rodgers. Rodgers is then traded in August to end any controversy.

2) Favre returns as the backup and is quickly traded to either the Jets or Buccaneers, or some other darkhorse that we don't know about like the Redskins, Ravens, Bills, Chiefs, or Panthers.

3) Favre is granted his release and he gets into a bidding war between Minnesota, Chicago, and Detroit for his services. He will most likey chose Minnesota, since they have the best chance to go to the Super Bowl from the NFC North division, other than Green Bay.

Prediction: In The End Favre Will Be With Pack

As the Brett Favre saga enters its final 24 hours of drama it is becoming quite clear that the longer Favre and the Packers make us wait, the more likely it is that he will return to the Packers.

Just listening to the press conferences of Coach Mike McCarthy and GM Ted Thompson, and niether ruled out the possiblity that Favre could have a future with the franchise. Even McCarthy said out flat that Favre could have his future in Green Bay as a backup. But do you really believe that a quaterback who has started and played every single game for the Green Bay Packers since 1992 will be a backup to Aaron Rodgers on opening night?

Give me a break.

This much is clear, the Packers are angry that Favre didn't unretire in March or April and June; missing all of spring minicamps and forcing them to design a playbook for Rodgers, hence signifying that the club was moving forward. During this time, the Packers pleaded with Favre to unretire but he refused. This is where the stalemate is.

So, when Favre changed his mind after the 4th of July weekend, it was too late, the Packers were pissed off. The trades to the Jets and Buccaneers are what they are rumors. I believe the reports that the Jets were really interested and talked to Favre's agent, but Favre has no desire to play in an offense that has an aging Thomas Jones, and two third down recievers as the top two recievers in the Jet lineup in Laverneous Coles and Jerrhico Cothery. Donald Driver and Gregg Jennings can run circles around Coles and Cothery, and Favre knows it.

So Favre will report as planned tomorrow afternoon, and he will be the "backup" and Ted Thompson will continue to say that 'we are working it out with other teams' and all that jazz, but the fact is that the Packers will probably be looking for takers for Rodgers, not Favre.

Favre will be the backup to start, so the Packers feel safe that he is caught up physically, after missing all the spring camps and workouts. Once they feel confident that Favre is up to par by mid-August, he will be the starter once again, and Rodgers will be traded.

Don't by it that the Packers don't want Favre - they want him badly, but they just want him to make up his mind once and for all. Once he shows up tomorrow, Rodgers should start packing his bags. The Packers will have no trouble releasing Rodgers and see him go to Minnesota or Chicago or Detroit. They could care less, becasue they have and will always have Brett Favre.

Yankees Spanked By O's

ORIOLES 13

YANKEES 4

Well, I guess that eight game winnings streak means little now. The Yankees have lost two in a row, and got totally spanked by the happless Baltimore Orioles, Monday Night.

Even with the loss, the Yankees didn't lose any ground in the AL East and Wild Card race, as the Red Sox lost to the Angles and the Rays lost to the Blue Jays today as well.

The Orioles knocked around Mike Mussina all night long; it was the veteran right-hander's worst start of the year to date. Mussina was charged with six runs and two homers in just five innings. His ERA is now 3.56 and is now 13-7 on the year.

In the second inning, former Red Sox Kevin Millar blasted a three-run jack to left to give the Orioles an early 3-0 lead. A few batters later, Ramon Hernandez blasted a solo shot to make it 4-0.

Later, in the fifth Baltimore blew the doors wide open. Adam Jones, whom the Orioles got in the Eric Bedard trade with Seattle, laced a tripple to right to bring Brian Roberts to make it 5-0. In the sixth, Jones, added to his big night, blasting a grand-slam to deep left field to make it 11-0 O's. It was a total disaster for the Yankees, but I guess they were do for one of these.

Mets Slapped By Fish

MARLINS 7

METS 3

Once again John Maine could not complete a ball game due to arm stiffness, and once again the Mets bullpen imploded in a terrible 7-3 defeat to the energetic and for real Florida Marlins.

In case you are still doubting the fish, you better stop and start believing in them. They are getting big crowds, today over 23,000, and are playing inspired baseball. Pretty good for a young team, and this one may be the team the Marlins keep around for more than a year or two.

With the Mets already up 2-0 in the fifth, Maine started to give up huge hits. He gave up a homerun to John Baker to cut the Met lead in half, and then pitcher Ricky Nolasco nearly missed a homer himself, hitting to the warning track in right field. That was enough for Jerry Manuel, who pulled Maine with arm stiffness. This is the second time this month Maine has been pulled becasue of his arm - with the lack of arms out there on the market, the Mets will have to put up with Maine for the long term.

In the eighth things got really zany. With David Wright on third and Carlos Beltran on first, Fernando Tatis grounded into a sure double play, but it was muffed by second baseman Dan Uggla, who threw the ball away, allowing Wright to score the lead run.

But, the Marlins came all the way back on the leaky Met bullpen. Josh Willingham doubled, and then Uggla made up for the error by driving Willingham home with a single to right. The Mets brought in Scott Schoenwies and it didn't get any better, as the scored again and loaded the bases before an out was recored. Cody Ross put the Fish on top for good with a single to center to bring home Uggla to give Florida a 4-3 lead. Finally with Florida up 5-3, Robert Andino doubled to center to drive home Ross and John Baker.

It was a total disaster for the Mets, who now lead Florida by a game and Philadelphia by a half a game.

Favre May Prefer Vikings Over Jets & Bucs

In a story from ESPN's Chris Mortenson, who has been the one breaking all of the Favre stories, reported Sunday night, that Brett Favre HAS SIGNED HIS REINSTATEMENT PAPERS, but will not send it to the NFL until Monday or Tuesday. Why? Becasue that is when the Packers are willing or maybe hoping to end this drama.

In the article, Favre has admitted that he had illegal discussions with the Minnesota Vikings, and has told NFL commisoner Roger Goodell that he has done so.

"'Roger is willing to help but he has to be careful," said Favre. "I told him I could easily send in this letter [of reinstatement] but they really don't want me there and it'll be a big circus. They play this both ways. Privately, they don't want me there. Publicly, if I sent in the letter but didn't show up right away, they could always fine me or say, `See, why isn't he here? He really doesn't want to play.' Give me my release and see if I want to play or not."
It appears Tuesday is Favre's soft deadline to report to camp or possibly be traded. According to Favre, Thompson asked him if he was interested in a trade. "Yeah, but not just to the teams you want me to go to,' Favre said." Qtd in Mortenson.

Favre doesn't want to just be traded to the Jets or Buccaneers. He wants other teams to be in the mix, and it sound he would prefer the Vikings, since he knows their offensive system, and is buddy buddy with the offensive coordinator.

The Jets who have been saying all weekend they have no interest in Favre, apparently have talked to Favre's agent, according to the story.

This drama will be over Tuesday, and I think, personally, he will be wearing green in 2008. That is green and white, not green and gold. Why? because the Vikings are in the NFC North, and the Packers are not going to trade him to a division rival and live with a unforgivable PR nightmare that will spell the end for GM Ted Thompson and Head Coach Mike McCarthy. Can you imagine if Favre beats the Packers on Opening Night in a Minnesota uniform???

It would be a huge mess for the Packers, they have no choice but to trade him to the Jets or Buccaneers. Favre is going to have to accept it.

Favre could live with Tampa Bay, because he knows Gruden; but the Pack, again, may fear having to live with a PR nightmare, since the Buccaneers are on the Green Bay schedule. The Jets are not, and won't be for at least three more years. Unless they meet in the Super Bowl, the Packers will not see the Jets at all, and can survive a smaller PR hit if Favre is in New York.

Mike Lupica's take on Brett Favre

Read this fantastic article by New York Daily News columnist and legendary writer Mike Lupica, on the Jets and Brett Favre.

Lupica takes a stance that I totally agree with: that the Jets should go out and trade for Brett Favre, no matter how high the price.

It is time for a frachise that has had mediocre quaterbacks like Richard Todd, Browning Nagle, Neil O' Donnell, Glenn Foley, Ray Lucas, Boomer Esaison, and Rick Mirer to name a few to make a move at the a legendary quaterback in Brett Favre!!!

Here's a quote: "You don’t bet on the Jets, because they’re the Jets. But they have to try. They have to try because right now they are as much the Other Team as they have been in all the years since Joe Namath won them the one and only Super Bowl in which they ever played. They have been in operation for almost 50 years.

The Giants are bigger than ever because they were the best finishers we’ve ever had around here, ... And the Jets are supposed to fight back with Mangini’s system and Kellen Clemens and Chad Pennington?"

READ LUPICA.

Yankee Express Hits Eight, Red Sox Collapse Continues

YANKEES 10

RED SOX 3

Times are good to be a Yankee fan. The Bombers bombed Tim Wakefield and the rival Red Sox 10-3 on the FOX Game of the Week today, extending the Yankees winning streak to eight games. The Red Sox meanwhile continue to tumble, having lost five of their last eight ball games, and are just a game ahead of the Yankees in the wild card and sill a game back of Tampa Bay for first place.

It looked good early for Boston, as the built a 2-0 lead, thanks to a David Ortiz RBI single, and a Manny Ramierez ground out, but it was not enough to keep the Yankees at bay.

Typical of the Yankees, they put on their hitting shoes in the middle of the contest, and kept pounding until the final out was recorded.
In the fourth, Robinson Cano, who went 3 for 4 today, blasted a solo homerun to right to tie the game at two. Later Johnny Damon drove home Melky Cabrera with a single to center to make it 3-2 Yankees.

In the sixth the Yankees exploded all over Wakefield and the Sox. With the bases loaded, Damon grounded into a force play to bring home newcomer Xavier Nady to make it 4-2. Later Derek Jeter singled to bring in Cabrera; Bobby Abreu doubled to bring in Damon and Jeter. It has been an amazing year for Abreu and he has not recieved any recognition. He has 66 RBI this year, and has been in the middle of every Yankee rally since they began to turn things around in late June.

Finally in the eighth, Cano added to his day, as he doubled to left field off of the monster, to drive in Abreu and A-Rod, and move Richie Sexson to third base to make it 10-3.

With the log jam at the top of the AL East between Boston, Tampa and New York, and considering the free falling Twins, A's and Rangers, it is clear that two teams will make it to the postseason from the Eastern Division. If I had to venture a guess, the Yankees and Rays will make and the Red Sox will be out. The Sox have been playing inconsitent and erratic baseball for over a month. When they had a chance to overtake the Rays in first, they fell apart, and now can't hold off a Yankee team, that they should be better then.

Also, consider that the Red Sox have been having internal turmoil. Manny Ramirez punched a team security guard, and is starting to stew over his contract status, as he faked a knee injury the last two days. David Ortiz has been on the DL almost all season, and it will take time for him to get back, plus the Red Sox don't have enough pitching. After Josh Beckett and Jon Lester, there is no reason to trust Diaskee Matsusaka or Tim Wakefield. Oh yeah, Yankees fans will like this, Jonathon Papelbon is having a terrible season.

The Yankees will make it, becuse they are tougher. They have shown it all year, falling as far as 10 games out of first place just a month ago, and even though they have had injuries, the Yankees have managed to get by.

The Rays will also make it, because they are just too good of a story not to.

Oh! the Drama! Oh! the Yankees & Red Sox!

YANKEES 1

RED SOX 0

This Rivarly just brings out the best in everyone doesn't it?!?! ;)

Once again fire works were flying in Fenway Park for another redition of Yankees/Red Sox, or better know as baseball's World War.

This time Joba Chamberlin did his best immitation of Roger Clemens, as he just missed drilling Red Sox first baseman Kevin Youklis in the head with a 95 mph fastball. The ball barely missed Youklis's head, and apparently, hit his edge of his bat instead for a foul ball. Youklis got up and yelled profanities at Chamberlin, and vice versa, but there was no melee that resembeled the fight in 2004 when A-Rod and Jason Varitek went WWF on us, and Pedro Martinez sacked Don Zimmer.

It appears that Chamberlin has taken some cues from Clemens who had him under his wing last year. We all remember Clemens drilling Mike Piazza of the Mets in the skull in 2000; this was very reminisent. Lets hope Joba isn't using roids too!

Anyway Joba was fantastic tonight, going seven brilliant innings, giving up only three hits to a lineup that didn't have numskull Manny Ramirez in the lineup. It was his longest outing of the year; his record is 3-3 and he has a sparkling 2.30 ERA.

The only run came across to score in the Yankee third, when Jason Giambi continues to rake, as he laced a single to right to score Bobby Abreu.

In the ninth there were more fireworks. Mariano Rivera was able to get David Ortiz to pop up to shallow right. He then gave up a single to Youklis to make things interesting. Rivera beared down and got Mike Lowell looking at strike three. Lowell hated it, as he threw his bat and helmet to the ground and was screaming at the home plate umpire. He was tossed from the game, and don't be surpirsed if he is suspended for tomorrow's game - because his outburst was uncalled for, the pitch was down the middle of the plate!!!

Anyway, the Yankees win a big game, and are only two back of Boston for the Wild Card. Tampa Bay is winning in Kansas City, so the Yankees may not gain ground here.

Cohen's Corner 100th Post: Mets Beat Up Cards

METS 7

CARDINALS 2

The New York Mets continue to rock and roll in the month of July. Call a block party summer why don't you?

Behind another stellar performance by Mike Pelfrey, as well as the hot bats of Carlos Delgado, and Angenis Reyes, the Mets beat up the struggling St. Louis Cardinals 7-2 tonight at Shea Stadium.

Pelfrey continues to be the master of his domain. He went seven more strong innings, giving up one one run, while striking out five and walking none. There is not much you can say about Pelfrey, other than that he has clearly been the Mets ace for the last two months. He is completely in command of his pitches and is confident about what he brings to the table every fifth day.

As for the Mets offense, they continue to stay on the offensive. In the fourth inning, Fernando Tatis led off with a single and was later followed by a single by Brian Schnieder. Three batters later, Jose Reyes crushed a pitch to center field that fell in front of the wall; Reyes legged out the two-run tripple to give the Mets a 3-0 lead.

Next in the fifth, with a runner on, Carlos Delgado delivered yet again; this time he blasted a two run jack to right field to give New York a 5-0 lead. The homerun was Delgado's 20th of the year, which leads the team.

Finally in the seventh, Argenis Reyes cracked his first major league homerun to right to give New York a 7-1 lead. It will be interesting to see what the Mets do with Reyes, since Louis Castillo is expected to come off the DL next week. The Mets should keep Reyes, since he has provided a steady bat, he's hitting .333, and is the best friend of short stop Jose Reyes. Castillo is old and crippled - get rid of him!

Still there was some drama. Duaner Sanchez, who has been just awful this season since coming off the DL in mid-April, loaded the bases with a walk and two singles, without recording an out. Pedro Feliciano had to come in to get one out, and then Aaron Heilman was brought in to face Ryan Ludwick and Albert Puljos. Heilman was able to get Ludwick to fly out to right in an intense 11 pitch at bat. He then got Puljos to ground out meekly to third base to end it for the Mets.

BTW. THIS IS COHEN'S CORNER's 100th career post since joining the bolgosphere world!! Thank you for reading!!!!

Yankees Get Nady for Nothing

The Yankees have made a splash, and a big one in the non-wavier trade period that is less than a week away from expiring.

The Yankees sent Russ Olendorf, and minor leagueres George Kontos, Phil Coke and Jose Tabata to Pittsburgh for Xavier Nady and reliver Damaso Marte.

This solidifies the Yankees in two spots of need: middle relief and outfield. Nady, a former New York Met, is having his best year, a free-agent year, hitting .330 with 13 homers and 57 RBI. If he didn't get injured he probably would have close to 20 homers, and 75 RBI. He provides the Bombers with a needed right handed bat, and a glove in left field. Now the Yankees can leave Johnny Damon as a DH, or make Melky Cabera a DH on occasion.

As for Marte, he give the Yankees a needed middle reliever. This season Marte is 4-0 with five saves and 15 holds. He has a 3.47 ERA. He may not be the best guy to find for the eighth inning bridge to Mariano Rivera, but considering the prices for Colorado Rockies closer Brian Fuentes, this is the best the Yankees could do.

Great job by the Yankees, they are completely solidified, now they have to start winning on a consistent basis in division play.

Tannenbaum Mum on Favre Deal

Mike Tannenbaum had to bite his tounge and played the party line in a rather uncomfortable interview with Mike Francesa on the "Mike and the Mad Dog" show on WFAN at 6:06 pm ET.

Francesa asked Tannenbaum if he had successfully signed all of his rookies to contracts, in which Tannenbaum gave two answers that there were some players who haven't signed, and later backtracked that everyone was in camp and accounted for.

Francesa soon got to the meat - Brett Favre.

Tannebaum refused to say that the Jets were talking to the Packers and Favre, saying that they "have had numerous discussions with every team about trades," but "they were private discussions" meaning they do their typical trade talk with all teams as a standard proceedure.

Tannebaum said that he and coach Eric Mangini usually talk about different players at every position everyday, but they are "private conversations."

Tannenbaum also talked to quaterbacks Chad Pennington and Kellen Clemens, but did not reveal what the discussions were about.

Francesa asked if talking about Favre to Tannenbaum, would get the Jets in trouble with tampering charges, something the Vikings are already guilty of, and Tannebaum said maybe, and tried to change the subject.

Finally, Francesa asked if anyone is wearing number 4 on the team now, with a hearty laugh. Tannenbaum seemed to gag at the question, and said that rookie punter Joe Smith is wearing it and hung up quickly.

Favre to N.Y. Jets? Looks Possible

A report from ESPN earlier this afternoon stated that Brett Favre plans to file the nessecary paper work for reinstatement into the leauge to play football. He will then try to report to Green Bay training camp as he disscussed two weeks ago.

Still, the Packers have stood firm to their belief that life will be better off without Favre, and will trade the Hall of Famer, before he makes training camp into another reality TV show.

Therefore, as expected the New York Jets are one of the frontrunners for Favre. They have thrown their hat into the ring, and have been granted permission to talk to Favre about his contract status, his desire to play at least two more years, and his taste for the New Jersey/New York area.

Don't be surprised if the deal gets done. I think it would be a great fit for the Jets, as they free themselves from the missery of Chad Pennington, once and for all, after eight years of mediocrity.

Keep in mind this summer is the ten year anniversy of the Jets bringing in another aging quaterback with big career numbers to replace an inconistent and irratic starter. His name: Vinny Testaverde. Testaverde wound up spending the best six years of his life in New York, leading the Jets to numerous playoff appearances and a berth in the 1998-1999 AFC Championship Game.

READ THE STORY.

Delgado & Perez Propel Mets to 1st Place

METS 3

PHILLIES 1

The Mets have officially come full circle. After months and months of turmoil, the Mets find themslves in sole possession of first place in the NL East for the first time since April 18.

The Mets have taken two out of three against Philadelphia and have won each of the last four series against Philadelphia.

The game was a real classic pitchers duel, as Oliver Perez and Jamie Moyer both went the distance for their respective clubs. Perez was fantastic striking out 12 batters and seeming totally unhittable until a Jayson Werth homerun in the sixth inning. Perez got into some trouble in the seventh loading the bases, after he hit Ryan Howard on a 3-2 pitch. Aaron Heilman then came in and was able to get Werth to fly out to Carlos Beltran in center field.

As for Moyer he was great as well. Moyer went seven innings, and gave up only two hits and a run. At one point he retired 14 Mets in a row. It seems fitting that neither pitcher figured into the decision.

Finally, in the eighth inning, the Mets broke through on reliever J.C. Romero. First Robinson Cancel singled to left to start things off. Three batters later, the Phillies walked David Wright to get to Carlos Delgado. Delgado had struggled against Romero in the past, going only 2 for 17 against him in his career; but today was a different day.

Delgado took a 2-2 pitch on the outside corner of the plate, and flicked into left field to drive home the surprisingly speedy Cancel and Wright to give the Mets a 3-1 lead.

Billy Wagner came in a shut the door with a 1,2, 3 ninth inning.

The Mets are in first place in the NL East; amazing considering all the problems with this club, from the firing of Willie Randolph and Rick Peterson, from the struggles of Johan Santana, from the injuries to Mosies Alou, Ryan Church and Louis Castillo, from the personal disasters in Pedro Martinez's life. It is incredicble where this team is right now, and it appears that the show will just keep rolling on.

Yankees Keep Rollin'

YANKEES 5

TWINS 1

Theeeeeeeeeee Yankees Win AGAIN!

For the sixth straight time the Yankees find a way to win yet again, this time blowing away and sweeping the Minnesota Twins in a Wednseday matinee at the Stadium.

Mike Mussina was brilliant again, going eight strong innings giving up only six hits, walking none, and striking out seven. He threw 105 pitches.

Offensivly, it took five innings for the Yankees to figure out Minnesota's Glenn Perkins. In the fifth a smoking Robinson Cano singled to start things off. He was followed up with a Melky Cabrera single. But it was a Justin Christian double that brought both runners home to make it 2-0 Bombers.

In the sixth, the meat of the Yankee order got a chance to play around with the Minnesota right hander, tacking three more runs on the board. Derek Jeter doubled, and Bobby Abreu walked. This was followed by a double for Alex Rodriguez to make it 4-0. Later newcomer Richie Sexson drove in his second RBI as a Yankee with a Sac. Fly to center field to bring home Rodriguesz.

The Yankees are now just three and a half behind Tampa Bay for first place, and two back of Boston for the Wild Card. Oh, BTW, the Yankees and Red Sox meet up Friday night in Boston, as Joba Chamberlin takes on Josh Beckett. First pitch is at 7:10.

Mets Lose In A Familiar Fashion

PHILLIES 8

METS 5

Once again the Mets found a way to lose, and this time it was earily similar to their disaster's in the 2006 NLCS and the final 17 games of the 2007 season.

With their ace on the mound, Johan Santana, who pitched a fantastic game, eight innings, scattering seven hits and allowing only two runs; with huge homeruns by Carlos Delgado and Ramon Castro, and still the Mets found a way to lose.

With the Mets up 5-2 going into the ninth inning it appeared that the Mets were on their way to winning the game, and taking sole possesion of first place in the NL East, and the bottom fell out, as usual.

Billy Wagner could not pitch because of arm trouble, and as a result, his bullpen mates could not pull the team out of the fire. Duaner Sanchez came in and gave up singles to Jayson Werth, Greg Dobbs and Shane Victorino to load up the bases with no one out. Jerry Manuel had to make a move and brought in Pedro Felicano.

Then a familiar face to Met misery came to the plate: So Taguchi. Taguchi tortured the Mets two years ago when he hit a game winning homerun in Game Two of the NLCS for the Cardinals. Today with the bases loaded, Taguchi laced a double over the head of an NLCS foe, Endy Chavez, to drive home the tying runs.

Next, Jimmy Rollins stepped up, and delivered again, with a double of his own to give Philadelphia a 7-5 lead.

This was the most demoralizing loss of the year for the Mets; like in the past, they had everything in front of them, the world was their oyster and they blew it! Sometimes seasons can be judged upon perfomrances like this. This loss could be the loss that spells the doom of the 2008 Mets, a team that has made a reputation of not coming up big in the clutch.

Yankees Dominate Again

YANKEES 8

TWINS 2

The Yankees are hot! Red HOT! They continue to chop away in the AL Wild Card and AL East race, as they seem determined to overcome all of the injuries and misfortune that plauged them in the first half.

Tonight the Yankees dismantled the Minnesota Twins 8-2, disparaging any thoughts that this offense is still struggling. They are not.

Down 2-1 in the sixth, the Yankee bats exploded.

First, Johnny Damon led off with a single to center. Two batters later, Bobby Abreu blasted his 11th homer of the year to give the Yankees a 3-2 lead. A-Rod later singled, Jason Giambi walked and Robinson Cano drove in A-Rod with a single of his own to make it 4-2.

Finally, in the seventh the Yankees put it away, as Derek Jeter doubled to bring home Damon. Later Abreu who had a big night with three RBI, doubled in Jeter to give the Bombers a 6-2 advantage. Finally, Giambi singled home Abreu to make it 8-2.

It was a fantastic comeback for the Yankees, who are clearly playing their best baseball of the year. They have destroyed Oakland and Minnesota, two teams that were ahead of them in the wild card race, and now they are on the presipous of another backyard barn-burnner with the Boston Red Sox. Bring it on!!!

BOXSCORE.

Packers Are Shopping Favre

The Green Bay Packers have reportedly begun shopping the rights to Brett Favre to other NFL teams that do not appear on the Packers schedule.

This means that the Vikings, Bears, Lions, Buccaneers, and Panthers are probably out of the Favre sweepstakes since they are all on the Packers schedule in 2008.

However, this means that the Jets, Bills, Ravens and Redskins are probably the four teams that are the best fit for the Packers and Favre. All four, except for really Washington, have quaterback problems. The Jets have no leadership at the position, with oft-injured Chad Pennington and Kellen Clemens set to battle for the starting job.

The Bills have Trent Edwards as their future QB, but if they are not convinced with him, Favre could be a fit, since he worked with Head Coach Dick Juron in Green Bay.

The Ravens have issues at quaterback. Like the Jets they have an unreliable veteran in Kyle Boller and an inexperienced rookie in Delaware product Joe Flacco.

All three teams would be a perfect fit.

The Redskins on the other would take him because Dan Snyder likes trophies, and Favre would be his latest trophy after picking up Dolphins reject Jason Taylor earlier in the week.

What would they have to give up? Mike Francesa on his daily radio show in New York spoke to some people in the leauge and he thinks that Green Bay is asking for a second round pick for the future Hall of Famer.

Yankees Beat Up Twins

YANKEES 12

TWINS 4

The Yankees continue to beat up their AL Wild Card competition as they destroyed the once hot Minnesota Twins 12-4 at the Stadium.

The Bombers got it going early and often against Minnesota starter Nate Blackburn, touching him up for six runs, three earned, in just one and two thirds innings.

It started with a two - run homer by Alex Rodriguez to give the Yankees a 2-0 lead in the first inning.

In the second inning, with the bases loaded, Johnny Damon, who has returned from the DL, reached on a fielders choice to bring home Melky Cabrera to make it 3-2. Derek Jeter than singled to bring home Jose Molina. Later, Bobby Abreu grounded into a fielders choice to plate Brett Gardner. Finally A-Rod did it again with a single to left to bring home Damon. 6-2 Yankees.

In the third the Yankees added on, as Robinson Cano continues to turn around his season with a solo homerun to right; it is his eighth homer of the year.

Finally in the sixth, Jeter homered to right field to make it 10-3. Cano later singled to bring home A-Rod making it 12-3.

The win is the Yankees fourth in a row, and they are only a game behind Minnesota for second place in the Wild Card race.

Shockey Traded to Saints

Well thank God Almighty, Giant fans, fianlly some good news!

The Giants finally traded frustrated and cantackirous tight end Jeremy Shockey to the New Orleans Saints for a second and fifth round pick in the 2009 NFL draft.

This ends what has been a long and tourtured stay for Shockey, who made a reputation bad mouthing teammates and coaches, especially Eli Manning and Coach Tom Coughlin, on the field and off the field.

The Giants had no use for Shockey during their postseason run in the final five weeks of the year last year, as Kevin Boss delivered clutch catches almost every week, including a big third down conversion in the Super Bowl. Shockey in case your wondering was seen sitting in the Giants suit during the Bowl drinking a Budweiser - nice job!

Shockey isn't a terrible player, he does have 57 career grabs for 619 yards, and would add a needed passing weapon for the Drew Brees and the Saints, but it is his bad attidute that will make many wonder what the Saints will get from the former Miami U. product. Will Shockey dare cause the same rucous he did in New York in New Orleans? Will he trash Drew Brees, a two time Pro-Bowler, like he did Manning - a Super Bowl MVP? We will have to wait and see. I think he will have a solid year in New Orleans, but like many pampered stars who need media attention who leave New York (Keyshawn Johnson comes to mind) will eventually disappear into oblivion.

Mets Fall Hard

REDS 7

METS 2

Earlier in the day, the Philadelphia Phillies lost 9-4 to the Florida Marlins, giving the Mets an opportunity to once again tie the Phillies for first place. All they had to do was beat the Reds and Josh Fogg with his 7.50 ERA.

Well, as baseball would have it...the Mets got blasted.

The Mets never took adavantage of their opportunities, and whenever the Reds gave them an inch, the Mets never took it.

Already up 1-0, the Reds tied it, when Ken Griffey Jr. doubled in Fogg from second base. This was a rough night for pitcher Oliver Perez, who was given two leads and reliquished both of them.

The Reds finally took the lead in the sixth when David Ross singled in Edwin Encarnacion to take a 3-2 lead.

The Mets had a chance to really do some damage in the top of the seventh. Nick Evan led off with a single, and was followed up by a single by Jose Reyes and a clutch single by Angenis Reyes to load them up for the big boys.

As a result, David Wright was caught looking at a nasty curveball for strike three on a 3-2 pitch. Minutes later Carlos Beltran was caught looking to end the inning and waste a huge opportunity.

The Reds then blew the door open in the bottom of the seventh, teeing off of Pedro Felicano. Jeff Keppinger, who has killed the Mets throughout the six games these two clubs have played this year, doubled to right center, after Carlos Beltran missplayed the ball, allowing the runner to score from first to make it 4-2.

The Mets then walked Brandon Phillips to get to Adam Dunn, and he made them pay with a single to right to bring in Keppinger. Finally, Joey Votto, who is having a marvelous first season, tripped to right filed, clearing the bases.

The Mets are still a game out of first, but only a half a game ahead of the Florida Marlins for second place. Photo above is of Joey Votto.

Yankees Fall Backwards Into Win

YANKEES 4

ATHLETICS 3

It was not pretty Saturday afternoon, as the Yankees had to take a hit batter in order just to win a game, that they should have won easily.

The Yankees got out to a quick start, as Melky Cabrera singled to right to bring home Robinson Cano for a 1-0 lead. Later Brett Gardner doulbed to center for his seventh RBI. 2-0 Bombers.

Against the light hittting A's, one would think that this would be enough with Joba Chamberlin on the mound, but the oppisite was the case. Chamberlin was good, going six innings, scattering six hits and surrendering only one run, but the bullpen gave it up.

First Jose Veras's wild pitch allowed Wes Bankston to score from third to tie the game. Later in the ninth, Mariano Rivera continues to struggle with tied games, allowing Oakland to take the lead as Ryan Sweeney drove in Rajai Davis; 3-2 A's.

But the Yankees charged back. With two out in the ninth, Robinson Cano hit a double, and was followed up with a single by Wilson Betemit to tie the game at three.

Now in the twelfth, the Yankees loaded the bases with Derek Jeter, A-Rod and Richie Sexson, and what won the game? A hit batter. Jose Molina, who came in for a struggling Jorge Posada, took a pith off of his left knee, allowing Jeter to score the winning run.

The Yankees are getting hot, watch out for them to stick around for the wild card and divisional races. Also don't expect much from the A's, they have no offense and no pitching now that Dan Haren and Joe Blanton are gone.

Reds Snap Mets Streak

REDS 5

METS 2

This time there was no comeback by the Mets; finally for the first time since July 4 the Mets lost a ball game, this time by a score of 5-2 to the Cincinnati Reds.

John Maine for the third striaght start was just awful, throwing tons of pitches and walking the ballpark. There must be something really bothering Maine, who earlier this month complained of arm stiffness. Maine walked five and gave up five runs on five hits in just four and two-thirds innings.

In the fifth Paul Bako singled with one out; then Maine walked Jay Bruce, and gave a single to Jeff Keppinger to load the bases. Ken Griffey Jr. walked to bring home a run to tie the game at two. Moments later Brandon Phillips singled to right to bring home Bruce and Keppinger to give Cincinnati a 4-2 lead. Finally Edwin Encarnacion was hit by a pitch to bring in Griffey, and that was it for the Maine and the Mets.

The Mets are no longer in first place now that Philadelphia won their game tonight against Florida.

The Laydown on Giants PSL's

Ok, as many of you know by now, the New York Giants are putting into place a PSL (Personal Seat Licenceing) system that will basically force the fans to help the franchise pay off it's debt for building a bigger stadium, as well as other buildings, such as a stupid looking ski lift and the Xanadu Amusement Park.

The Giants feel that in order to make up the difference for a $1.6 billion dollar stadium located at the major eye sore that is Route 3 in East Rutherford New Jersery, loyal fans should sacrifice their mortgage and college education in order to be a season ticket holder.

Here are some of the prices: If you are ticket holder in the lower level, you would be forking over $700 a ticket. Multply that by two tickets for two people and your already paying $1400 for a single game. Multilpy that by 10 games, which is the entire season package of games, and you're paying $14,000 dollars just on game tickets. Add this to the fact that you will have to pay $20,000 to hold each of your seats in the PSL system, and your are already spending between $34,000-$45,000 on eight fall afternoons in the entire calendar year. And this is not including parking, consession food, and suvoniers.

If you have a seat in the upper tear it's no relief. You will spend between $105 - $85 a ticket. Multiply it all out, with the PSL's and your spending close to $4,000 on the seat licence, and $3,400 on tickets, or over $7,000.

See the moths coming out of your pockets?

With an economy that is terrible; where the standard of living for an American, who is not a multi-millionaire, is going down; where a college education is worth almost nothing nowadays, where baby boombers refuse to retire from their jobs, forcing companies to layoff most of the 20, 30 and 40 somethings who work for them; where the disparity between rich and poor gets steeper and bigger - one would think that the Giants would be good businessmen and give the fans a break.

Not the case - John Mara is no better than those who ran ENRON into the ground, and those who run a half dozen media outlets across the country. He is a corrupt businessman, who took a franchise owned by his father, Wellington, who always gave back to the people, and told the same fans to take out a loan, or a mortgage, or their college education to come see his team play football. That is really sick.

Don't let Mara tell you, as he did this afternoon on WFAN with Chris Carlin and Kimberly Jones, that he is willing to work with the fans. Think Mara will negotiate the price of tickets with each individual fan? That's a rethorical question.

And don't think for a minute that Woody Johnson, who owns the Jets, the team that will share the stadium with the Giants, will not do something similar to his fans. Johnson has built a reputation as a cheapskate, and one who treats his fans like total garbage, putting an underperforming and untalented product on the field.

He is also moving the team completeing away from its original fan base in Queens, Brooklyn and Long Island, when the Jets permantly move their training facility to Florham Park in Morris County N.J. later this year. He doesn't care about the fans, and will likely offer prices that are even steeper than the one's the Giants are offering; and that's pretty steep.

This is a total disgrace, thousands of fans, who have been going to Giant games, and Jet games for forty, some fifty years will be out on the street, forced to watch every game at home on TV, (which if you ask me is the best seat in the house). And as they are watching, more and more seats will be empty, because the name of the game, and good business is not to sell the most tickets at the highest price, but to put out a winning product on the field.

Mets Hang 10

METS 10
REDS 8

The Mets had to comeback twice in a wild, wild night in Cincinnati, beating the Reds 10-8, earning their 10th straight victory, which is their longest winning streak in a season since 1990!

The Mets thought they would not need 10 runs to win this one, with Johan Santana on the mound, but the lefty, once again, underperformed putting his club in another large hole.

With the Mets up 2-0 in the fourth, thanks to a Carlos Delgado two-run jack in the top of the inning; Santana surrendered back to back homers to Adam Dunn and Edwin Encarnacion to tie the game at two. Then it got really wild. With two more men on base for the Reds, Jay Bruce doubled to right to bring home David Ross to give the Reds a 3-2 lead. Moments later ex-Met Jeff Keppinger laced a tripple to left center to bring home two more runs, giving Cincinnati a 5-2 lead. This chased Santana out of the ballgame.

Still the Mets chipped away. In the top of the fifth with Brian Schiender and Nick Evans on base with singles, David Wright, who has been struggling with runners in scoring position this year, singled to right to bring in both Schiender and Evans to get New York to within one, 5-4.

Then in the sixth, New York grabbed the lead. Delgado led things off with a single. Later Fernando Tatis hit a two run shot that just cleared the right field wall to give the Mets a 6-5 lead.

But the Mets leeky bullpen gave it right back.

Pedro Felicano, Aaron Heilman and Scott Schoenwise combined to blow the lead for the Mets, loading the bases and surrendering a bases clearing tripple to Javier Valentin to give Cincinnati an 8-6 lead. All three runs were charged to Heilman, but it was Schoenwise who gave up the back breaking hit.

One would think that the Mets would be down and out here; rarely this season have they showed that they can come back from adverse situations. But tonight was a different script.

In the ninth, Angenis Reyes singled to right center. Later David Wright cleared the right field wall with a two run homerun to tie the game at eight. Next Carlos Beltran singled to left, and Damion Easley singled to center. Finally Carlos Delgado singled to left-center to give New York the lead as Beltran scored from second and Easley moved to third.

Tatis, then put the nail in the cofin driving a double to the left field corner to bring home Easley. 10-8 Mets.

Stars of the night: David Wright 2 for 5, four RBI and a homerun. Carlos Delgado 3 for 4, three RBI and a homerun; Delgado is now batting .254. Fernado Tatis 3 for 4 with three RBI and a homerun.

The Mets (52-44) are now tied atop the NL East with the Philadelphia Phillies, who aquired Joe Blanton, tonight, from the Oakland Athletics.

Packers File Tampering Charges on Vikings

The Green Bay Packers have filed a tampering charge against NFC North rival the Minnesota Vikings, after it was reserached and discovered that the Vikings were in contact, over the phone, with controversial and unhappy quaterback Brett Favre. STORY ON NFL.COM

Favre was in discussions with Vikings offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell, who spent five years with the Packers coaching staff.

Favre is still under contract with Green Bay for three years and $39 million. The Packers will not release Favre with the fear he will go to either Minnesota, or Chicago, or Detroit. Favre wants his realease, and has hinted that he will attend Packers camp to spite Aaron Rodgers and the ball club.

It's getting to the point that the Packers have to trade the former pro-bowler to an AFC team that the Packers do not see on the schedule.

BTW, in case your wondering the Packers and Vikings meet on to open the season on Monday Night Football at 7:00 on ESPN on September 8.

WATCH VIDEO.

Sexson to Yankees is a Dumb Deal

Desperate for a bat since Hideki Matsui and Johnny Damon are on the DL, the Yankees signed the awful, dispicabile, and pathetic Richie Sexson today to a tentative contract, ESPN.com is reporting.

The signing of Sexson is totally stupid! Jason Giambi may not be a great defensive first baseman, but he is having a renissance season with 17 homers. There is no need for the Yankees to add another first baseman, since they could easily live with Giambi's defense in favor of his red hot bat.

The Yankees true needs are in the outfield, speicifally left and center fields. Hideki Matsui is gone for the year with his injury; Johnny Damon is on the DL, and is no longer the player he was in Boston and Oakland, and Melky Cabrera is too small to play center field, and he has been batting around .240 all season. Logical tells you the Yankees should try to trade or aquire an outfielder.

Don't tell that to Brian Cashman, who out of desperation brings in Sexson, who was released from the last place Seattle Mariners, because he was batting .218 this season with 11 homers and 30 RBI. Last year, Sexon batted .210 and struck out 100 times. Also, the rap on Sexson is that he is a lazy player - not exactly the type of guy you want in the clubhouse.

This is a terrible aquisition for the Yankees, who bring in a guy who has failed, repeated times, to fulfill the expectations; now they expect him to fulfill those lofty expectations for them - really dumb.

Wow! What an All Star Game!!!

AMERICAN 4
NATIONAL 3

FINAL 15 INNINGS

This was arguably the craziest, zaniest, and possibly, the greatest All Star Game ever played!

Michael Young, who won the All Star Game in 2006, won it again, with a sacrifice fly in the 15th inning to bring home Justin Morneau of Minnesota to give the AL home field advantage once again for the World Series.

Unfortunately, that is not the whole story.

This was a classic night that started with Hall of Famers from all ages, standing at their respective positions with the All Star starters. Hall of Famers included Whitey Ford, Ralph Kiner, Gary Carter, Reggie Jackson, Willie Mays, Hank Aaron, Cal Ripken Jr., Wade Boggs, George Brett, Willie McCuvey, and many more.

However, it was the emotional tribute to Yankee Stadium that was most memoriable, as an visibly ill George Stienbrenner was driven on a golf cart around the park to meet Ford, Jackson, Goose Gossage, and Yogi Berra, handing them baseballs to throw out the first pitch to A-Rod, Derek Jeter, Manager Joe Girardi, and Mariano Rivera.

As for the game it was a tight contest from start to finish. It was scoreless until the fifth when Matt Holliday of Colorado went yard to give the NL a 1-0 lead.

In the sixth Justin Duchscher of the Oakland A's got into really big trouble, giving up three hits to load the bases, and finally gave up a sacrifice fly to Lance Berman of the Houston Astros to give the NL a 2-0 lead.

But this game quickly turned, as J.D. Drew of Boston hit a two-run homerun off of Edison Volquez of Cincinnati to tie the game. The homerun drew cheers from a Yankee Stadium crowd, which was kinda wierd to see - considering the great rivarly between the Yankees and Red Sox.

Suddenly the game became a game about the closers. Jonathan Papelbon of hte Red Sox, who questioned his manager's decision to use Mariano Rivera in the ninth and not him, blew it up. He gave up a single to Miguel Tejada of Houston, and later allowed Adrian Gonzalez of San Diego hit a sac. fly to bring Tejada home - drawing boos from the crowd, all aimed at Papelbon.

But the NL gave it back as Billy Wagner of the Mets exploded once again in the spotlight, surrendering a single to Grady Sizemore of Cleveland, and a double by Evan Longoria of Tampa Bay to tie the game at three. The NL staff was so nervous to have Wagner on the mound, that they made two visits to the mound to check on the erratic closer.

The game stayed tied for the rest of the night basically. Mariano Rivera pitched two terrific innings in front of his delighted home crowd.

It got to a point that AL and Red Sox manager Terry Francona had to use Scott Kazmir of Tampa Bay on a strict pitch count, with the fear that he would have to conceed to a tied game. Yes another tied game!!!

Yet the AL was able to load the bases up again, and finally get the run home, on a Michael Young sac. fly, something they had trouble doing all night in the extra innings. Boxscore.