EL BARRIO, DE BRONX – So this week, I started to try and eat healthy. According to the scale, I am closing in on the double bill and I can’t have that. Have to slim down for the wedding, Old Boy’s rugby season and my self-respect. So I started running (well fast walking, if you were to watch me do it) and working out. I also made sure to find time for this week’s column which covers the Minor League Mets, Junior Seau’s HOF Induction and Gold Cup news.
Minor-League Mets: I went to visit an old client and my friend-the security guard Mini-Matt calls “LaDeSean” aka Brian. Anyway, the guy noted that I had my Mets hat on and the conversation went this way:
Brian: I didn’t know you liked minor-league baseball!?!
Me: Hey Now!! We got legit major league arms on that squad.
Brian: Yeah but ‘ya got double A bats, at best!
Me: True, we need to trade Dillion Gee, Jon Niese and Bartolo for some bats:
Brian: I would keep Bartolo.
Me: If possible sure, he can eat up innings as the 5th starter
Brian: Exactly, though that cat eats everything else, he might be handy. Ya’ll pinch hit for an outfielder with a pitcher. That says it all right there.
Me: I know bro. I don’t understand how there are 7 billion people in this world and we can’t someone that can hit better than Wilmer Flores!!
Brian: Word!! You got Lagares batting behind the pitcher-that thing is a shame. Maybe like in that movie when the Pirates traveled to India in search of some sacred pitching, you guys can find a hitter or two.
Me: Probably right. One or two of those cricket guys could be useful.
This is the kind of conversation I am reduced to as a Mets fan now. I hope Sandy and the Wilpons are happy.
Junior Seau’s HOF Induction: Always prone to sweeping things under the rug, the NFL has decided that Junior Seau‘s daughter, Sydney Seau, and the rest of the Seau family will not be permitted to speak during his hall of fame induction ceremony. Once the Seau family called their attorney after Junior’s self inflicted death the whole clan became persona non grata to Roger Goodell (who moves more slowly than Bartolo Colon in deciding anything incidentally). Seau likely died as a result of playing the game so long and so hard he suffered crippling brain injuries.
The Seaus are currently in the middle of a lawsuit with the NFL. However, young Sydney says her dad always wanted her to give the speech in Canton (which has been confirmed) She never had any intention of making a speech about anything other than her dad’s on-field achievements. This moment is about him. Goodell knows how to create an unnecessary distraction like no one else.
Gold Cup: I know you guys don’t give a flying rat’s tail about the CONCACAF Gold Cup but the semifinals were insane.
USA lost to Jamaica 2-1. The USA played like crap in the last 10-15 minutes of the first half and Jamaica took advantage. Some weird and rare call was made on USA Goalie Brad Guzan for releasing the ball past the pen box. His feet though were still in the box. The ensuing free kick was brilliantly taken by Jamaica.The USA scored in the 2nd and hit the goalposts twice and threatened to score but could not.
Highlights – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hUzzbY0kgP8
The Mexico v Panama game was chaos. A soft red card was shown to a Panama striker in the 25th minute. Panama still went up 1-0 thanks to a corner. In the 90th minute a ref called a pen for Mexico to make it 1-1. In the 105th minute, another pen to Mexico. 2-1 game over.
Highlights
Red Card – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Uh9OofEcDg
1st pen – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7vxU7-EBw5g
2nd pen – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FACcgS5SSGs
That’s it for now, come back tomorrow for Cheesy Bruin!
