Miserable New York Baseball Season Finally Ends

 It's been a while, a long while, since I wrote or discussed anything related to Major League Baseball, the Mets or the Yankees. 

It pains me to even admit that, but considering the Mets waived the virtual white flag at the Trade Deadline on August 1, and the Yankees have been toiling in fourth place since July, the season has felt over for months. 

Now it officially ends. 

And not a moment too soon. 

Pete Alonso breaks a bat over his knee. Getty Images.

 

Now we can get on with an off-season that is sure to answer as many of our lingering questions as possible. It will be an off-season that could carry the fates of both New York franchises for the rest of the decade. No, I am not being facetious either, it is liteary one of the most important off-seasons in the history of both the Yankees and Mets. 

For the Amazin's we know that David Stearns is taking over as President of Baseball Operations, and that General Manager Billy Eppler will remain as his underling. The big question is will Buck Showalter stay? Will he get fired? Will he retire? If Buck is no longer the Mets skipper, who will it be? Craig Counsel? 

Counsel has been rumored to be a potential replacement for Showalter mainly because of his connection to Stearns, the former GM and President of Baseball Ops in Milwaukee. Counsel is in the midst of a playoff race with the Brewers. He is a free agent once Milwaukee's season ends, and there is not 100 percent certainty that Counsel even wants to manage in 2024. Some suspect he might take a year off. 

Then there is Pete Alonso and his contract. 

Will Buck be back? Getty Images.

We know via reports from Sports Illustrated that Alonso and the Mets have had discussions on an extension. They are apart of the years, if you believe that story fully. Eppler tried to put cold water on the story after it published. 

Bottom line is the Mets can ill afford to lose Alonso. He has one year left on his deal. If the don't sign him this off-season, and it drags deep into Spring Training, Alonso's future will be the topic of the 2024 season. Nobody wants that. I don't care who the manager is. Nobody wants that hanging over the team. 

Signing Alonso, as flawed as he is as an overall ballplayer is a must. He provides plenty of pop (46 homers and counting) and, despite rumors to the contrary, many have confirmed that Alonso is a great teammate. 

Aside from Alonso, the Mets must fix their starting rotation. They need to sign at least two guys to bolster the rotation. They need to add to a bullpen that will welcome back Edwin Diaz. 

They also need to answer the Ohtani question. Shohei Ohtani is the biggest name on the market. However he won't pitch next year due to Tommy John Surgery. He can still hit in 2024. Do the Mets want to hand out a $500+ million deal to a two-way player who will be a DH for a year? 

Then there are the recent rumors the Mets might jump back into the Juan Soto sweepstakes. A move that would not only cost the Mets prospects, who would have to go back to the San Diego Padres, but could affect them in the Alonso sweeps. 

It's something to watch, because the Mets were heavily linked to Soto before he was dealt at the 2022 trade deadline last year. 

Meanwhile over in the Bronx, the Yankees have a lot of questions to answer. How is that a team with the Yankees pedigree not make the playoffs? 

Hal Steinbrenner is bringing in outside auditors to help figure that out. What that means for Brian Cashman and Aaron Boone is the biggest question of all. The assumption is that Cashman is safe. Boone is up in the air, but recently there seems to be a push for Boone to stay. 

The players like Boone. They play hard for him, and he always has his players backs. That has to account for something. 

An animated Aaron Boone. Getty Images.

I know the fans don't like Boone, but a lot of the problems that hit the Yankees in 2023 was not his fault. 

Nobody expected Aaron Judge to miss 50 games in the middle of the year when the wheels came off the 2023 season. 

Not to mention, the Yankees have been unable to keep their rotation healthy. Nestor Cortes missed most of the season; Domingo German was a headcase and sent to rehab for alcohol abuse just weeks after tossing a perfect game in Oakland. Carlos Rodon has been a total disaster pitching to a 6.80 ERA; another free agent signing indictment of Cashman. 

The Yankees tried to break in some of the young kids. Anthony Volpe, despite hitting a lot of homers has struggled mightily this year. He's batting only .207. 

Oswald Peraza and Oswaldo Cabrera have had minor contributions. Austin Wells has shown pop, but his average is down since getting called up. Jasson Dominguez is out until at least next August. 

In short it doesn't look good right now for the Yankees heading into the off-season. 

That is why many want the Yankees to make wholesale changes. That might be easier said than done. If the Yankees can add to their rotation; maybe even find someone to take Giancarlo Stanton off their hands, it would be a step in their right direction. 

 So good bye to this miserable baseball season. Steve Cohen and Hal Steinbrenner, you are both on deck.

Talyor Swift-Mania Coming to Jets-Chiefs Game

 Brace yourselves Jets fans. Swiftie mania is coming to MetLife Stadium Sunday night when the New York Jets host the Kansas City Chiefs. Of course, the only reason she is coming is to show her support behind her new beau, Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce. 

As I cited in my story on such a topic on Fox Sports Radio New Jersey:

"Even though she won’t be crooning any of her hit singles, ticket prices to the Sunday night game are skyrocketing on the secondary market according to multiple reports.  Rich Cimini, a Jets beat writer for ESPN reported Vivid Seats saw an 173 percent increase in traffic for tickets to Jets-Chiefs."

So we are going to see a whole bunch of "Swiftie" fans flood into MetLife Stadium to see someone who will never touch the field, never sing and, more than likely, will be holed up in a suite.  There was even rumors that the NFL would hand out Swift's signature "friendship" bracelets, a story that was quickly debunked by SNY's Connor Hughes. Whew!

Nothing could be more ridiculous, but it just adds to the fire  that has been the Jets season thus far. 

Jets fans have been busy pummeling quarterback Zach Wilson for being exactly who we thought he was: a barely mediocre NFL quarterback. Wilson has been bad. He continues to make the same mistakes he made  three years ago, and fans have had enough. 

Even Joe Namath went out of his way to blast Wilson on an interview on the Michael Kay Show. 

And to think when this game was scheduled back in May for Sunday night football, the thought was that it would be a match-up between Aaron Rodgers and Patrick Mahomes. How wrong were we. If we aren't seeing video of Swift in a suite, we will be hearing Jets fans boo the heck out of Wilson, who not only needs his team to help out, he might need a change of scenery altogether.

Colin Kaepernick Makes Appeal to Join Jets Practice Squad

 If things weren't already wild and crazy in Jets-land, after Joe Namath bashed Zach Wilson and the Jets front office and coaching staff on the Michael Kay Show on Monday, here is a story that also has social media asunder.

Former NFL quarterback - turned activist, Colin Kaepernick has written a letter to Jets General Manager Joe Douglas, making an appeal to join the team on the practice squad. 

The two-page cover letter, outlines Kaepernick's training regime, and makes the case that he could be an asset to the organization. Give Kaep credit, it's a well written letter. 

That said, the chances of this happening are next to zero. The Jets have had enough media attention this year from Hard Knocks, and the trade for Aaron Rodgers that adding what amounts to a political pariah in Kaepernick would be inviting a whole other world of trouble the Jets don't need. 

   If the Jets even signed him to the practice squad, every media outlet would descend on the Jets. Everyone would take a side that is dipped so heavily into left vs. right politics that it would be nauseating.

Don't get me wrong, when he was at his best back in 2012, Kaepernick was a heck of a talent. He was fun to watch. But that was at least nine years ago. And he hasn't played in a game in over seven years. 

You can talk about and take sides about Kaepernick's kneeling during the National Anthem, his protests against police and the NFL all you want, the facts are nobody knows what he has left at this point. He hasn't played in a game in so long.

The Jets need realistic options. They think they have one  -- a stop gap in Trevor Siemian. We'll see if there is another move to be made. 

Jets Ink Siemian as Veteran Back-up Quarterback Insurance

 The New York Jets finally brought in a veteran quarterback. 

Just not the type of veteran that is going to make Jets fans click their heels, and scream "hallelujah!" 

Nope. Not at all. The Jets have re-signed veteran journeyman Trevor Siemian to the practice squad since it will take him time to acclimate to the Jets offense schemes run by offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett. 

For those who forgot, Siemian was once a member of the Jets back in 2019 -- the first year of the Adam Gase error ... I mean ... era. He started one game, week 2 against the Cleveland Browns and suffered a season ending knee injury in the first quarter of that game when Myle Garret rolled over the back of Siemian's leg. 

Siemian was starting because Sam Darnold was out battling mononucleosis. It all comes back to Sam Darnold's mono, doesn't it? 

While many have pointed that he can't be any worse than current starter Zach Wilson, Siemian is no great shakes either. 

He's been an journeyman throughout his career with stops at Denver, New Orleans, the Jets, and Cincinnati. He is 13-17 as a starter, and has more touchdowns (42) to interceptions (28) in his career. 

He could be serviceable, but let's be fair here, unless Siemian steps in and has a Vinny Testaverde ala 1998 kind of effort in him, this is not a move that will excite many, and it won't necessarily move the needle. 

If anything, the addition of Siemian underscores the Jets point that they are committed to Zach Wilson for the duration. How much longer they can keep saying that is the question.

Zach Wilson, Jets Sloppy Against Patriots

 PATRIOTS 15 - JETS 10 

It is starting to feel like Groundhog Day when it comes to the New York Jets and their quarterback Zach Wilson. 

It has been three years and the results are very much the same. Happy feet in the pocket. Zeroing in on one target downfield. Holding the ball too long. The offensive line breaks down, and either a turnover happens or a dreary incompletion. 

The Jets have lost Zach Wilson, and in turn are about to lose their season as a result. The funny thing is, this wasn't supposed to happen. The Jets say they believe in Zach Wilson, but, in fact they never did.  Why else would they bring in Aaron Rodgers into town, other than to hide Wilson on the bench for the foreseeable future as Rodgers wins games with the Jets plethora of young, talented weapons. 

 

With Rodgers now out for the season, it is the Zach Wilson show, and the results are the same. 

A 15-10 loss on Sunday afternoon with Tropical Storm Ophelia dropping a misty rain on everyone in MetLife Stadium as the Jets and Patriots slipped and slid through 60 minutes of sloppy football.

The thing is, Mac Jones was good enough for New England. He threw a touchdown pass. He was steady in the pocket. Took his licks and kept coming back. 

Wilson was the opposite. Either he threw passes into the ground, or over his intended receivers heads. Or he was sacked for huge loses as he missed his reads on open receivers. He was putrid. 

It's the same mistakes he made two years ago. 

 

How much longer can the Jets keep this up? If reports are true from FOX's Jay Glazer that the Jets received calls from Matt Ryan and Carson Wentz expressing interest in joining the team despite a horrible offensive line, than shame on the Jets. 

The Jets need a spark. They need a leader who can make a difference. It was supposed to be Rodgers, but he is gone now, until at least next year, if not for good. 

Ryan is 37-years old. Some say he's washed, but at least he is a Pro Bowler, and border line Hall of Famer. Wentz, was once a MVP candidate in Philly about six years ago during Philly's Super Bowl season before he got hurt, and Nick Foles did the rest that 2017 season. 

Either would be an upgrade over Wilson. But don't tell that to the Jets who refuse to even go to back-up Tim Boyle, who knows Nathaniel Hackett's offense. 

It's a damn shame. The Jets mustered just over 200 yards of offense. They were 2-of-14 on third down. Breece Hall demanded the ball, and wound up with 18-yards on 12 carries. Garrett Wilson was yelling at Zach. Michael Carter had to be held back from his position coach. 

It's all unraveling as we speak. 

Rodgers Injures Achilles Out for the Season

JETS 22 - BILLS 16

Only the Jets. 

Only the Jets could make what turned out to be a joyous come-from-behind victory into an evening of mourning. This is life of a Jets fan. The highs and lows, sometimes both at the same time. 

The Jets experienced all of that on Monday night. The night kicked off with great promise as Aaron Rodgers came running out of the tunnel with the American Flag in his hand; a spotlight draped over him as he ran through the conga line of teammates.  

The wait. The anticipation. The buildup was all going to come to fruition. Then, as quickly as Rodgers ran onto the field in introductions, was as quickly as the season stopped with a thud. 

On the fourth play of the game, Rodgers was sacked by Leonard Floyd who came in and twisted the quarterback around into the ground, a blown assignment by --- guess who -- left tackle Duane Brown who fell on the play. Rodgers got up, then felt the back of his legs, and sat back down. He knew something was bad. 

Eventually he walked over to the sideline, then into the blue tent as a cart came rolling by to take him into the locker room. 

The flashbacks to Vinny Testaverde's rupturing his Achilles tendon were real. Fans groaned and winced at the very thought of it. They knew deep down, that the season was over back in 1999. And it looks like it is over again in 2023. 

The only glimmer of hope that the Jets have in 2023 is this defense, which was again fantastic. They forced four Buffalo turnovers, and picked off Josh Allen three times. They forced the fumble that set up a go-ahead field goal late. 

Then the special teams took over when Xavier Gipson returned the punt 65-yards to the house to give the Jets a thrilling 22-16 victory. 

Hats off to Robert Saleh and his staff for keeping the Jets focused and positive. They players were into the game even if the fans had mentally checked out as they watched Gang Green trail 13-6 for most of the night. 

They fought back. Now they must keep fighting up hill for the rest of the season if they want to stand a chance. 

As Robert Saleh said, you ain't got no haters if you ain't poppin. Now everyone will be jumping off the Jets bandwagon. Will that play into the Jets favor? We'll have to wait and see, but for the time being it doesn't look good. And the Jets will have to roll offensively with the guy they tried to replace: Zach Wilson.

Giants Get Dominated by Dallas in Opener

 COWBOYS 40 - GIANTS 0

The NFL season kicked off on Sunday, the New York Giants apparently didn’t get that memo. The G-Men had no answer whatsoever for the Dallas Cowboys who won going away 40-0 in one of the most lopsided losses to open a season in Giants history.

The previous mark for the most lopsided loss in Big Blue history came against the Cowboys in 1995, that score was 35-0.

For a few minutes in the opening of the contest, it appeared the Giants had something cooking. Daniel Jones had two long runs; the Cowboys were flagged for unnecessary roughness on a tackle of Jones at the end of a scramble. Then when rookie center John Michael Schmitz snapped the ball past Jones on third and seven at the Cowboys’ 13-yard line, it was a sign of trouble.

On the next play, the Cowboys blocked the field goal, which Noah Igbinoghene scooped up and ran coast-to-coast for a touchdown to give the Boys a 6-0 lead.

All the air came out of the Giants’ sails after that. MetLife Stadium went totally quiet and would remain that way for the rest of the night, except for a group of Cowboys fans who were chanting “Let’s Go Cowboys” by the third quarter.

Giants fans watched in horror as a 6-0 deficit quickly snowballed into a 26-0 hole with 8:03 to go before halftime.

The Giants’ offensive line was ravaged by the Cowboys, who sacked Jones seven times and held Saquon Barkley to just 51 yards on 12 carries.

Perhaps the back-breaker came with 2:22 to go in the second quarter when Jones’ pass to Barkley bounced in and out of the running back’s hands and floated into the grasp of DaRon Bland who ran it back 22 yards for a touchdown to make it 16-0.

Things got so bad that fans were filing out of the stadium in the second quarter.  

(As I wrote for Fox Sports New Jersey).

Derek Jeter Returns for Yankees Old Timer's Day

 

One could say that if the original iteration of Yankee Stadium was the "House that Ruth Built," the third iteration of The Stadium is "The House that Jeter Built."

Derek Jeter returns to Yankee Stadium. Sept 9, 2023. Getty Images.

 

The Captain marked his return to the Bronx in Yankee pintstripes for the first time in nine years (NINE YEARS?!?! Where does it go?) as the 1998 New York Yankees were honored at the 75th annual Old Timer's Day in the Bronx.

 Of course,the crowd went nuts as Jeter was introduced by play-by-play announcer Michael Kay. Yankees fans were so loud they drowned out Bob Shepherd's always chilling, "Now batting. Number 2. Derek. Jeter. Number 2."

 The Yankees former Captain later reflected on celebrating 25 years since the Bronx Bombers famed 1998 squad that won a record 125 games including the World Series, a sweep of the San Diego Padres. 

There was even this cool moment when Jeter met Milwaukee Brewers' short stop Willy Adames, who grew up idolizing Jeter as a kid. To say Adames was excited would be an understatement.

Of course Jeter also gave time to current Yankees Shortstop Anthony Volpe, taking a photo op with the rookie, who is completing a solid rookie year in 2023. 

"He's gonna get better, it comes with experience," Jeter said of Volpe who is completing his rookie year in the Bronx. "Have fun. What I told young players when they come up, it's just more people in the stands. Enjoy yourself and get better everyday. Bottom line is you gotta win."

Rutgers Opens 2023 Season with Dominantion of Northwestern

 RUTGERS 24 - NORTHWESTERN 7 

Rutgers opened up the 2023 season with a total team effort against Big Ten rival Northwestern, dominating the Wildcats to the tune of 24-7 as the Scarlet Knights racked up close to 300 yards of offense, and held the football for 46 minutes.

"It's body blows. Kinda kept hitting them in the gut. They are good up front, and we knew it would be a challenge to run the ball, but we kept doing it," Head Coach Greg Schiano said.

Greg Schiano celebrates - photo Michael Cohen

Body blows indeed. Rutgers ran the ball 44 times for 122 yards, and it was all via running back by committee on a scorching hot afternoon at SHI Stadium.

Kyle Monangai's 15-yard run to paydirt cemented a 24-0 lead for Rutgers, all but icing a contest that had been thoroughly dominated by the guys from Jersey.

Of course, a lot of eyes were on quarterback Gavin Wimsatt, who made his first start as the undisputed starting quarterback of this Rutgers team.  Poised, and playing more the role of a steady pocket passer, Wimsatt was 17-of-28 for 163 yards and a touchdown with no interceptions.

"I thought he played a clean game," Schiano added.  "Relaxed, because of his preparation, so he was very decisive. He let the bad plays die, and that is a sign of maturation."

Perhaps the play of the day came early in the first quarter when Wimsatt hit Ian Strong in the the far corner of the end zone on a back-shoulder fade. Strong came down with ball, kept one foot in-bounds, while dragging his back foot for the score.

The touchdown completed an impressive keynote by Rutgers, 16-plays, 75-yards that ate up nearly seven minutes of clock.

Rutgers answered the bell again, when Wimsatt engineered another lengthy drive, this one eating up eight minutes, and taking 16-plays for 80 yards. The drive culminated in Wimsatt using his legs when he burst through the seams for a touchdown run some six yards out to make it 14-0.

At this point Rutgers had all but ended the competitive nature of this contest. They out-gained Northwestern 155-45; had 32 plays to the Wildcats 10. And, recorded 11 first downs to just two by Northwestern.

While it was the fourth straight season opener that Rutgers has won, it was their first in that stretch against a Big Ten opponent.

Rutgers faces Temple on Saturday.