We knew it was coming. There was no way it could go down any differently then it did and now that it's happened we have to wonder if this is the end, or just the start of something bigger. I am of course talking about the Eliot Spitzer sex scandal - the law and order governor of New York was caught funnelling a ton of money into a prostitution ring - I hear there are already a few studios calmoring for the movie rights and I'm sure there will be a Law & Order episode or three dedicated to it - if there haven't been already.
Oh, and in sports the Yankees and Tampa Bay had a bit of a fiesty afternoon. In the first inning, Yankee pitcher Heath Phillips grazed Tampa prospect Evan Longoria earning himself an ejection and Longoria at least a bruise. Later in the game Shelley Duncan went into 2nd base hard with his spikes up and took out Akinori Iwamura. Duncan was then tackled by OF Jonny Gomes. The benches cleared. Someone accused someone else's parents of not being married, there were references to female dogs and the like. In the end, no punches were thrown but Duncan, Phillips, Gomes, and Yankee coaches Kevin Long and Bobby Meacham were tossed from the game. It appears no one was seriously injured.
Here are some comments by those involved, courtesy of Newsday's Kat O'Brien:
Jonny Gomes "I just thought he tried to inflict some pain on Aki. ... I was taught all the way up from T-ball to always have your teammates' back."
Akinori Iwamura "Probably Duncan himself knows that it wasn't a fair play at the time."
Heath Phillips (on hitting Longoria) "Nothing was intentional. ... I was trying to throw a fastball inside and it got away from me."
Shelley Duncan "There's no malicious intent at all. ... I play the game the right way. I play hard every day."
Joe Girardi "The code is play hard, and you play the game the right way."
If you read the comments of Duncan and Girardi they seem identical to the ones made by Zimmer and Maddon - perhaps a not so subtle shot at the two men who have been a little disinterested, if not critical, of the Yankee response to the take out play of Cervelli.
A BIT of a feisty afternoon? That's like saying Roy Jones, Jr. can box. I'd have no problem with Phillips drilling Longoria in the ribs with a fastball as part of payback. I'd expect Phillips to have his teammates' backs. Duncan going in high, I DO have a problem with. IF he takes Iwamura out with a hard, clean slide as part of preventing a double play, no problem.
Hello readers:
Born in New York in 1978 I was raised as a fan of the Yankees, NY Rangers, NY Giants and Knicks. I've stuck with them through the lean years and celebrated in the glory years. My sports knowledge is not just limited to the above teams however. Friends used to comment that if I were willing to spend half as much time on sports and use that time for work it would not have taken my five years to get through college and I would be a billionare by now.
I've taken to writing a blog because it gives me the chance to share wild and outside the box ideas with others - rather than just friends who are tired of hearing my propsals.
Hope you enjoy.
