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The Steinert boys soccer team displays the plaque it received at Monday night's Board of Education meeting, which honored the Spartans for their drive from 14th seed to Central Jersey Group IV finalists (Photo by Steve Paragone).
Steinert's John Powers tries to outhustle East Brunswick's Joseph Gudzak to the ball during Friday's CJ IV championship game (Photo by Mike Dill/purchase photos at www.michaeldillphotography.com).
EB halts Steinert's Cinderella Express in CJ soccer final
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According to coach Todd Jacobs, Derek Shearer has gotten down to business of taking command on the soccer field in helping Steinert into Friday's CJ IV Championship game at East Brunswick (Photo by Mike Dill/purchase photos at www.michaeldillphotography.com).
Steinert tries to complete miracle CJ IV soccer run at EB
Steinert's Pat Remboski tries to get a head on a cross while Rancocas Valley 'keeper Ryan Sanders smacks the ball away during Tuesday's CJ IV semifinal game. Remboski got his goal later in the game as the Spartans won 2-0 (Photo by Mike Dill/purchase photos at michaeldillphotography.com).
Nov. 8 CJ IV Boys Soccer
Steinert tops RV to reach finals for first time in a decade
Spartans amazing run a tribute to sticking together during tough times
CJ Harvell's growing comfort level at sweeper has been a key to Steinert's solid run in the CJ Group IV tournament (Photo by Mike Dill/purchase photos at michaeldillphotgraphy.com).
Nov. 7 CJ IV Boys Soccer
Steinert meets Rancocas Valley in very unlikely semifinal
Steinert senior goalkeeper Devon Downs displays his Fish4Scores t-shirt while being presented with a gift card from waitress Jamie Jones after Downs was named the JoJo's/Fish4Scores Athlete of the Week (Photo by Ken Weingartner).
Nov. 6 JoJo's/Fish4Scores.com Athlete of the Week
Downs denial of goals has Spartans eyeing a CJ IV title
Just as they're doing with goalie Devon Downs (red shirt), the Steinert boys soccer team is turning the Central Jersey Group IV tournament upside down as the 14th-seeded Spartans celebrate a 2-0 win at sixth-seeded South Brunswick Friday. And remarkably, Steinert gets a semifinal home game against 15th-seeded Rancocas Valley (Photo by John Blaine/purchase photos by e-mailing jbsportsphoto@aol.com).
Nov. 4 CJ IV Boys Soccer
14th-seeded Steinert earns itself a home semifinal game
Nottingham's Luca deStasio (10), who unfortunately played the final game of his outstanding high school career, battles Allentown's Anthony DeRisi for the ball during Friday's CJ III tournament game in Allentown (Photo by Mike Dill/purchase photos at michaeldillphotography.com).
Nov. 4 CJ III Boys Soccer
Shootout shoots down 'Stars in yet another tournament
Nottingham's Shiek Bangora tries dribbling past a Wall defender during Nottingham's CJ III victory on Tuesday (Photo by John Blaine/purchase photos by e-mailing jbsportsphoto@aol.com).
Nov. 1 CJ III Boys Soccer
Fulvio deStasio's three goals help 'Stars climb Wall
Ryan Lamarca had the Spartans jumping for joy as he set up one goal and scored the other in Steinert's 2-1 upset win at Monroe Tuesday in the CJ IV Tournament (Photo by John Blaine/purchase photos by e-mailing jbsportsphoto@aol.com).
Nov. 1 CJ IV Soccer
Steinert boys spring huge upset, Spartan girls ousted
Zach Gates (10) and Pat Remboski (2) celebrate Gates' first career goal, which proved to be the game-winner in Steinert's 2-0 MCT consolation win over Robbinsville Tuesday night (Photo by Mike Dill/purchase photos at michaeldillphotography.com).
Oct. 25 MCT Consolation Soccer
A night of firsts lifts Spartans to thrilling win over Ravens
Nottingham goalie Mike Conte plucks the ball away from the head of Pennington's Paul McWhirter for one of his eight saves in the Northstars shootout loss in the MCT quarterfinals Monday night (Photo by John Blaine/purchase photos by e-mailing jbsportsphoto@aol.com).
Oct. 24 MCT Soccer
Nottingham, TCA boys; Steinert girls are all eliminated 
Steinert's John Powers (8) is congratulated by his teammates after scoring a first-half goal against Hopewell in Saturday's Mercer County Tournament first-round game (Photo by Mike Dill/purchase photos at michaeldillphotography.com).
Oct. 22 MCT Soccer
Steinert girls win, boys lose, 'Stars boys win, girls lose
Oct. 20 Boys Soccer
Cards top Hornets in MCT shootout, Nottingham edged
All three township teams suffer shutout losses
Oct. 18: It was a tough day for the township boys’ soccer teams, as Steinert fell to Allentown, 1-0, Hamilton lost to Notre Dame, 6-0, and Nottingham fell to Princeton 2-0.
In the Northstars lost, the Little Tigers scored on a rebound with three seconds left in the first half.
“We had a great first half and some nice opportunities but couldn’t get one in,” Nottingham coach Mike Braender said. “We hit the post and crossbar and hung with them the entire game but couldn’t pull it off.”
TCA tops Westhampton, Florence after defeat
Oct. 14: Coming off a loss to Pennington, its first of the year, Trenton Catholic's boys soccer team rebounded with a 3-0 win over Florence Thursday and 4-1 win over Westhampton Tech today.
Peter Hall had two goals and Seun Yinka Kehinde had a goal and assist against the Flashes, while Lendee Henry and Charles Wheaton had assists and Simeon Donzon made six saves.
Against Westhampton, Emmenuel Temeh had two goals and an assist while Hall and Henry had one goal each for the Iron MIkes (15-1). Yinka Kehinde had two assists and Winstone Cephas one. 
Pat Remboski (2) is congratulated by teammates Connor Moffat (left), Gilmer Davila (12) and Joe Paragone (3) after scoring a first-half goal against Notre Dame Thursday (Photo by Mike Dill/purchase photos at michaeldillphography.com).
Oct. 13 Boys Soccer
Spartans shine in tie with ND, West falls, 'Stars stunned
Boys Soccer
Steinert freshman Fornaro named to Region 1 ODP team
Underneath this pile of Northstar humanity is Luca deStasio as he is mobbed by happy teammates after scoring the game-winning goal in overtime against Steinert Tuesday (Photo by John Blaine/purchase photos by e-mailing jbsportsphoto@aol.com).
Oct. 11 Boys Soccer
Northstar comeback stuns Spartans, West falls to WWPN
Oct. 10 Boys soccer
Hornets play undefeated Princeton tough
Oct. 10: Kyle Rogers made 15 saves to keep things close, but winless Hamilton could not generate an offensive attack in a 3-0 loss to undefeated Princeton (8-0-2) today.
Oct. 7 Boys Soccer
Hornets gain tie with Burlington Twp, TCA tops Paul VI
Oct. 6 Boys Soccer
'Stars rebound, Hornets score but fall, Spartans zipped
Temeh has hat trick, Donzon scores goal in TCA win
Oct. 5: Emmanuel Temeh had three goals and three assists and Seun Yinka Kehinde had two goals and two assists as Trenton Catholic rolled to an 8-1 win over Medford Tech today. Peter Hall and Lendee Henry each had a goal and an assist, while Simeon Donzon came out of the nets to tally a goal of his own. Frank Hernandez-Morales had an assist. Tom Tom Johnson had three saves in goal.
With Arinze Iloka looking on, Luca deStasio tries to head one into the Trenton goal during Nottingham's 1-0 setback Tuesday (Photo by Wes "The Media Mogul" Kirkpatrick).
Oct. 4 Boys Soccer
Spartans and Northstars lose 1-0; Hamilton blanked
Oct. 3 Boys Soccer
TCA routs Riverside to improve record to 10-0
Sep. 30 Boys Soccer
Steinert uses three second-half goals to beat Lawrence
Donzon authors another shutout as TCA moves to 8-0
Sep. 29: Simeon Donzon turned yet another shutout as Trenton Catholic Academy’s boys soccer team stormed to a 3-0 victory over Burlington City today.
Charles Wheaton popped in two goals, while Emanuel Temeh had a goal and an assist and Seun Yinka Kehinde added an assist. The Iron Mikes raised their record to 8-0 while BC slipped to 3-3-1.
Nottingham's Sebastian "Sea Bass" Gallego nails a headball on goal during Wednesday's 8-0 win over Hamilton (Photo by John Blaine/purchase photos bye e-mailing jbsportsphoto@aol.com).
Sep. 28 Boys Soccer
Nottingham unloads on Hamilton,Steinert falls in OT
Xavier Ceballos, shown during an earlier game with Trenton, set up Joe Paragone for the golden goal in overtime as Steinert took a 2-1 win over Ewing Monday (Photo by Mike Dill/purchase photos at michaeldillphotography.com).
Sep. 26 Boys Soccer
'Stars lose showdown, Steinert wins, West falls, TCA wins
Uzo Iloka, who had the game's lone goal in Nottingham's 1-0 win Thursday, dribbles through Hopewell's Tyler Jones and Jack Parker (Photo by John Blaine/purchase photos by e-mailing jbsportsphoto@aol.com).
Sep. 22 Boys Soccer
'Stars win again; Spartans tie; another 1-0 loss for West
Temeh, Wheaton score two each as TCA moves to 6-0
Sep. 21: Emmanuel Temeh and Charles Wheaton both scored twice to lead Trenton Catholic Academy’s boys’ soccer team to a 5-2 victory over Westhampton in a game marred by controversy. Lendee Henry also scored for TCA.
Wheaton added two assists and Temeh had one, while Peter Hall and Winston Cephas had assists. Simeon Donzon made six saves in goal for the 6-0 Iron Mikes.
Steinert freshman Mike Fornaro (upper left) gets a foot on the ball between Hamilton's Sebstian Cwalina and another defender, then turns to celebrate his goal (lower right) before hugging Derek Shearer, who delivered the corner kick that led to the game's lone goal during Tuesday's game at Steinert (Photo by Mike Dill/purchase photos at www.michaeldillphotography.com).
Sep. 20 Boys Soccer
Steinert nips West, 'Stars remain perfect, so does TCA
TCA continues to roll with 6-0 win over Hun School
Sep. 16: Trenton Catholic Academy is running roughshod through the preps.
Emmanuel Temeh and Lendee Henry each had two goals and an assist as TCA’s boys soccer team took a 6-0 win over Hun today. That makes the Iron Mikes 2-0 against Mercer County preps and 4-0 overall. Charles Wheaton had a goal and two assists, and Peter Hall had a goal, while Derrick Phillips had an assist and Simeon Donzon made four saves for his third straight shutout.
* * *
Jackson Memorial erupted for six second-half goals in a 7-0 win over Hamilton. Kyle Rogers had 16 saves in goal.
Sep. 15 Boys Soccer
Nottingham holds off Pirates, Spartans fall, West loses
Sep. 14 Boys Soccer
Temeh's four goals leads TCA past Medford Tech
Steinert's Ryan Lamarca (top photo, No. 5) is in the process of getting past Trenton's Arthur Tartee and over goalie Edin Lopez, where he sent a ball toward the empty net. Below, John Powers (8) bangs it into the goal as Lopez tries to get back in goal (Photos by Mike Dill/purchase photos at michaeldillphotography.com).
Sep. 13 Boys Soccer
Northstars roll, Spartans open with a win, Hornets edged
Sep. 9 Boys Soccer
Hornets can't sustain quick start as Hornets rally to victory
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Rene LaRagione had his head in the game along with the rest of Nottingham's defenders as the Northstars enjoyed a rousing start to their season with a 6-0 win at WW-P North Thursday (Photo by West "Media Mogul" Kirkpatrick).
Sep. 8 Boys Soccer
Taylor-made shutout lifts 'Stars past WWPN in opener
Sep. 8 Girls Soccer
WWPN uses five-minute blitz to overcome Nottingham 
Victor Franco is one of three captains Hamilton's boys' soccer team hopes will lead the way this season (Photo by Jim Jenkins).
Sep. 7 Boys Soccer Previews
Hard working Hamilton seeks to make strides this year
Click here for video interviews with Hornet head coach and players
Nottingham looks to turn the corner with veteran team
Click here for video interviews with 'Stars head coach and players
Experienced Steinert team confident entering season
Click here for video interviews with Spartan head coach and players
Hamilton Township schools were well represented at the annual Hibernian Senior Soccer 11 Banquet on Apr. 17 at the Hibernian Club in Hamilton. Honorees included (from left) Hamilton West’s Kyle Nuel, Steinert’s Matthew Wherley, Dave Strama, Kira Dudeck and Melissa Koster, Hamilton West’s Lauren Puliti and Nottingham’s Francesca Massari (Photo contributed by H. Rossi). 2.jpg)
Steinert's Matt Wherley is one of eight players from a township school or who lives in the township that will be honored at Sunday's Hibernian Soccer Senior 11 dinner at the Hibernian Club. (Photo by Mike Dill/purchase photos at www.michaeldillphotography.com).
Apr. 15 Boys/Girls Soccer
Hibernians to honor five girls, three boys from township
Nottingham midfielder Luca deStasio was one of four Hamilton Township players to be named first team at Thursday night's CVC All-County Banquet (Photo by Wes "Media Mogul" Kirkpatrick).
Dec. 9 Boys Soccer
Township has 12 honorees at CVC All-County Banquet
Doug Johnson, shown holding off Nottingham's Gary Rojas during a regular-season game, had Steinert's goal in regulation today to enable the Spartans to go into a shootout. But it was a heart-breaking ending for the Green & White in the state tournament (Photo by Mike Dill/purchase photos at michaeldillhotography.com).
Nov. 5 CJ IV Boys Soccer
Steinert season ends after 100 minutes and eight PKs
Buried within a pack of happy Spartans is Connor Moffat after he scored the game's lone goal to give Steinert a 1-0 win over Montgomery in Monday's Central Jersey Group IV first-round game (Photo by Dennis Symons Jr./purchase photos at www.dennissymons.com).
Nov. 1 CJ IV Boys Soccer
Moffat's goal propels Steinert into the second round
Five township teams gain states in soccer, field hockey
Nottingham drops MCT consolation game to Ewing
Oct. 26: Trailing 3-1 at halftime, the Nottingham boys’ soccer team tried to rally but dropped a 4-3 verdict to Ewing in a Mercer County Tournament consolation game today. Luca deStasio led the way with a goal and two assists, while Fulvio deStasio and Aaron Stovall also scored. Arley Casteneda made eight saves.
Oct 25 Boys Soccer
Spartans stunned by 11th-seed WW-P North in counties
Nottingham sophomore soccer player Fulvio deStasio sports his Fish4Scores cap while accepting his JoJo's gift card from waitress Lauren Mulryne after being named the Fish4Scores/JoJo's Athlete of the Week for the week ending Oct. 23 (Photo by Ken Weingartner).
Oct. 24 Fish4Scores/JoJo's Athlete of the Week
Fulvio deStasio's week reflects his season for Nottingham
Nottingham goalie Arley Castaneda had his eyes wide open Thursday when he saved a penalty kick in a shootout to spark Nottingham to an MCT play-in win over Hamilton West (Photo by Michael Dill/purchase photos at michaeldillphotography.com).
Oct. 21 Boys Soccer
'Stars top Hornets on PKs in MCT play-in, Spartans win
David Strama has had some pensive moments this season after starting out injured, but none of them occurred today as the Steinert sweeper scored two goals in a win over Notre Dame that gave the Spartans a CVC Colonial Division title. Photo by Mike Dill purchase photos at michaeldillphotography.com).
Oct. 19 Boys Soccer Round-Up
Spartans win Colonial title, 'Stars win, Hornets blanked
Goalie Alex Jenkins and his Hamilton teammates will take on Nottingham in a play-in game for the upcoming Mercer County Tournament.
Boys Soccer - Mercer County Tournament
Township showdown will decide who plays Princeton
As Steinert's Kishan Shah (above left) flicks David Strama's free kick into the back of the net for the golden goal, Nottingham's Iloka Obinna (11) looks on along with Spartans Patrick Remboski and Gilmer Davila. Seconds later, the rest of the Spartans rushed in to join the celebration (Photo by Mike Dill/purchase photos at michaeldillphotography.com).
Oct. 14 Boys Soccer Round-Up
Spartans recover to top Nottingham in OT, West falls
'Stars can be proud of effort in pushing Spartans to limit
Hamilton's Harold Francis tracks down a loose ball ahead of his Lawrence counterpart
during the Hornets frustrating defeat to the struggling Cardinals Tuesday. (Photo courtesy
of Jim Jenkins).
Oct. 12 Boys Soccer
Spartans win in OT, Nottingham falls, so does Hamilton
Oct. 9 Boys Soccer
Moffat's goal helps Steinert slip past Lawrence
Oct. 9: Connor Moffat converted a feed from Zach Gates for a second-half goal as Steinert beat Lawrence, 1-0, today. The Spartans (5-2-3) were coming off a 3-0 loss to Princeton, and got eight saves from goalie Matt Wherley for their seventh shutout of the season.
Oct. 8 Boys Soccer
Nottingham wins by holding off Hamilton's late surge
Steinert's Brendan Moffat goes up for a header along with Princeton's Pablo Arroyo during Thursday's battle between two hot CVC teams (Photo by Mike Dill/purchase photos at michaeldillphotography.com).
Oct. 7 Boys Soccer Round-Up
Hornets win again, Steinert streak snapped, 'Stars fall
Oct. 5 Boys Soccer
'Stars fall to Rams, Hamilton rained out, so are Spartans
Steinert senior goalie Matt Wherley wears his complimentary Fish4Scores baseball cap while accepting his gift card from JoJo's waitress Kim "Peyton" Korchick after being named the Fish4Scores/JoJo's Athlete of the Week for the week ending Oct. 2 (Photo by Rich Fisher).
Oct. 2 Fish4Scores.com/Jo'Jo's Tavern Athlete of the Week
Wherley whirling with shutouts for surging Steinert
It finally stopped raining on Mark "Goose" Laurenti and the Hamilton West soccer team's parade, as the Hornets got their first win of the season Saturday, which gave Laurenti his first career win as a varsity coach (Photo by John Blaine/purchase photos by e-mailing jbsportsphoto@aol.com).
Oct. 2 Boys Soccer
Hornets, 'Goose' celebrate first win in convincing fashion
Coach Mark "Goose" Laurenti felt that midfielders John Lansing (left) and Ludwilenz Phildor both played strong games in Hamilton's scoreless tie with West Windsor-Plainsboro South (Photo by Jim Jenkins).
Oct. 1 Boys Soccer
Hamilton plays spirited match in scorless tie with WW-PS
Click here for September, 2010 boys soccer stories/photos
Click here for November 2009 boys soccer stories/photos
Click here for October 2009 boys soccer stories/photos
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Victor Franco is one of three captains Hamilton's boys' soccer team hopes will lead the way this season (Photo by Jim Jenkins).
Sep. 7 Boys Soccer Previews
Hard working Hamilton seeks to make strides this year
Click here for video interviews with Hornet head coach and players
Nottingham looks to turn the corner with veteran team
Click here for video interviews with 'Stars head coach and players
Experienced Steinert team confident entering season
Click here for video interviews with Spartan head coach and players
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FISH TALES
(Also known as
Rich Fisher's blog)
Feb. 5 2012
Former GAK player
fondly remembers
coach Nick Wiener
Feb. 5: Hamilton Township and Mercer County soccer lost one of the most influential men in their rich history this past week when Nick Wiener passed away at age 73.
The Yardville resident coached German American Kicker teams for over 40 years and was responsible for not only winning championships, but for making better players.
Chris “Buzz” Barlow, a producer for NFL Films, played for Hightstown High School and the University of Pennsylvania, but learned much about the game playing for Nick on the GAK.
Chris was kind enough to share his memories of the legendary coach, which are as follows:
Mercer County lost a great man last Sunday with the passing of Nick Wiener, and the Mercer County soccer community lost a legend.
In the late 80s and early 90s I was fortunate to play for Nick on his German American Kickers team. I had been playing for the GAK youth team for a few years when Nick decided he wanted me to join the men’s team. I don’t remember how that conversation went, but I’m sure it was something like this:
“Chrissy…” (Yes, he called me Chrissy. No one else did but for some reason it didn’t bother me when he did it. Of course, I would come to learn that Pete became Petey, Ed became Eddie, Jim-Jimmy, Dave-Davey, and even Nick’s two sons on our team, Nick and John were Nicky and Johnny). . .
“Chrissy, we have a game Sunday at 2, you’ll be there.” I wasn’t sure if it was a question or a command, and even though I was living in Philadelphia at the time going to school, I made sure I was at the game. I couldn’t say no to Coach Nick, but then again, why would I want to? I would be playing for a coach with a masterful knowledge of the game, and be playing with guys whom I’d admired and emulated for years.
Nick was a coach who trusted his players and treated them like men. He saw no need to run up and down the sidelines yelling (unless he was after an official). And Nick could say just as much with a glance or a look as with a phrase. But either way, he was going to get his point across, and if personnel changes needed to be made, he didn’t hesitate to make them. It was so obvious how much the game meant to him and how much he cared. You couldn’t let him down.
When you played for Nick, you would play anyone, anywhere. And for many years, it seemed like we did--from Farcher’s Grove in Union, (which did not have a blade of grass on it) to Perth Amboy—where we played underneath the Outerbridge Crossing, from Kearny to Newark to East Orange. It seemed like we spent most weekends going up and down the Jersey Turnpike.
But there was nothing like a home game at the GAK club on Uncle Pete’s Road. It was soccer Camelot, and with Nick serving as our King Arthur, we hardly ever lost there. But there was so much more than just the game. After each win we’d be treated to dinner inside the club. We’d replay the game, tell tall tales, and think about the next time we’d be lucky enough to play there.
My most vivid memory of playing for Nick came the year that we made a deep run in the State Cup and found ourselves in the final at Thompson Park in Lincroft. We gave up an early goal and then had a player sent off with a red card, so we had to play the remainder of the game a man down. Nick never panicked though, and because he didn’t, we didn’t. We managed to tie the game and won in penalty kicks.
Eventually, Camelot had to end for me. Real world responsibilities like a job and family took precedent over soccer.
But I’ll never forget what I learned from Nick Wiener and how much fun I had playing for him with GAK.
And I’m sure that right now, Nick is in a perfect place, preparing a side to play a game on the perfect pitch. In my mind, that place looks exactly like GAK, and Nick is standing at midfield ready for kick off.
Rest in peace, Coach Nick.
Jan. 6, 2012
Here’s to those
who never quit
Before getting to the headline item, I just want to wish a Happy Birthday (two days late) to my wonderful mom, Dianne Fisher. Love ya mom! Good luck in your Super Bowl pools. From what you tell me, they can’t get any worse than the regular season!
* * *
I have some new heroes.
They are athletes I’ve come to respect after a couple of years covering high school swimming (which I never did before this website). You will probably never hear of them by the time they graduate.
At least not for their swimming exploits.
My heroes are the boys and girls who will never be listed in the Top 3 when (if) the results are printed in the paper. Heck, even if they printed all top-five place finishers you wouldn’t see them.
They’re the ones who finish dead last.
By a lot.
Believe me, I am not trying to be witty or sarcastic or smart-assy about this.
It’s one thing for a swimmer at the top of their craft to bust a gut trying to break a record, win a race or, in some cases, win a meet. There’s plenty of adrenaline to push them and the crowd is cheering wildly, whether they can hear it or not.
It’s an entirely different matter when the race is over where points are concerned, and there is just one swimmer still in the pool. Everyone is waiting for that person to touch out so they can get on to the next event.
I’m talking mostly about a distance event since that’s where a swimmer can get behind by a really lot.
And some do. It would be sooo easy for them to just say ‘Heck with this’ and climb out of the pool before their last lap. What the heck, whether they finish or not, they still get the same zero points.
But you know what. They don’t do that. They churn and churn and churn, determined not to give up.
They have the pride and the guts and the conviction to see it through. What doesn’t matter one iota in the grand scheme of the meet, matters to them. They’ve done all the work in practice, they’re sure not going to just give up on it when the actual meet takes place.
To me, there’s something darn heroic about that. I admire the heck out of it.
So next time one of you swimmers is dragging along in last place, thinking no one is watching and that no one cares, just know it's enough that you care.
And keep it up.
It will serve you well later in life.
(Feel free to re-read this during track season, as it is applicable then as well).
* * *
How about Jeff Lurie saying Andy Reid isn’t arrogant?
During his silly Tuesday press conference Lurie said the Eagles season was unacceptable. Well Jeff, nothing in the world is more unacceptable then the ludicrous comment that Reid is not arrogant.
All that was left was for Lurie to say "And he's not overweight either, that's just your perception."
Some day I’m gonna find out just what incriminating pictures Reid has of Lurie.
* * *
Of course, there’s arrogance, and then there’s arrogance.
Tony Mack wants more money.
Seriously? I mean. . .seriously?
There weren’t enough LOLs, ROFLs, LMAOs or LMFAOs in the world to describe how hard I laughed when I read that.
And there won’t be enough oceans in the world to hold Trenton residents’ tears if they actually give it to him.
More money?
Seriously?
* * *
So, the Miami (formerly Florida) Marlins got Carlos Zambrano.
Yikes!
As a Phillies fan, I should fear the Marlins with all the moves they have made.
But I can’t wait to watch how that whole situation blows up down there.
With everyone making their (pick one – bold, fearless, outrageous) predictions for 2012, I’ll give you one that I feel pretty good about. That entire Marlins scene will be the second coming of the chaotic Bronx Zoo made popular by Yankees of the late 1970s.
Only the Marlins won’t win back-to-back titles.
Just look at the recipe for disaster they’ve concocted.
First you have Hanley Ramirez, who’s not the most grounded guy to begin with and who is already upset that he has to move to third base so Jose Reyes can take over.
Ah yes, Jose Reyes. We know about him in these parts. For all we know, he may get a leadoff single on opening day then ask to be removed from the lineup that day and ask to be used only as a ninth-inning defensive replacement or pinch-runner in order to become the first guy to ever bat 1.000 while playing 162 games.
Now they add Zambrano to the mix. Here’s a pitcher who hits teammates with more regularity than he hits the corners. What happens when Reyes has a bad day at the plate and dogs it in the field when Zambrano is pitching?
Ding, ding, ding! There's a right to the jaw, and Reyes is down!
One of Zambarno’s most recent fights with a teammate came against the White Sox, and he and Guillen went out to dinner afterward. Guillen calls Zambrano his friend and several articles state he was a major player in getting the pitcher.
Of course, we’ve all seen how stable Ozzie has been over the years. He has had more bleeped out post-game press conferences on Sports Center than, um, well than anybody! Managerial skills aside, Guillen is about as loose a cannon as there is among managers.
This, my friends, is gonna be a wild scene.
* * *
Sticking with Fish’s Hot Stove Blog for a moment, I’m going to set an over-under number for local baseball announcers.
The number is the same for all three of them – 200. What that means is, I think they are going to do/say the following things once each game, and more than once in at least 38 others.
Here we go:
--John Sterling will make non-Yankee fans puke.
--A bad play will be made by either the Mets or their opponent, and Keith Hernandez will groan and say “You just can’t do that” and be sincerely offended when the game isn’t played correctly. He will do that a lot, cuz the game’s not played correctly a lot.
--Chris Wheeler will note that it was very important that the eighth hitter in the lineup got on base with two outs, assuring that the pitcher won’t have to lead off the next inning. I’ve also set the over-under at 300 that Wheels will discuss the importance of two-out hits; the benefits of getting them and the emotional distress of allowing them.
I’ll take the over on all of them.
Moving onto the national scene, I’ll set the over-under at 3 for FOX’s crack team that no one seems to like:
--Joe Buck will make an exciting call.
--Tim McCarver will make an observation without trying to make it sound like it is the most important thing ever uttered in baseball history.
I’ll take the under on both of them. By a lot.
* * *.
NFL playoffs baby. Love ‘em!
The next two weekends are awesome. Championship Sunday is good too, but it’s cool to know you have two playoff games on Saturday and Sunday the next two weeks. And besides, Championship Sunday is starting to bug me with the lavish halftime shows that stretch the game out forever, but not quite as long as the Super Bowl.
I'm sure that now I've made my grievance public, the NFL will quickly move to change things.
* * *
Must have been a wild night in Morgantown Wednesday. About 90 minutes after West Virginia’s basketball team torched Rutgers for 85 points, the Mountaineers football team scored a bowl record 70 against Clemson.
Having been to Morgantown before, I’m willing to bet there were more than a few guys (and girls) doing a shot for every point scored by each . . .and nobody passed out.
I actually covered that basketball game and had to laugh at coach Mike Rice, who I think is doing a nice job and will turn things around if given the chance.
Someone asked Rice how far away the win over No. 10 Florida felt after two straight losses. Rice looked at him and said "That's a good question."
Then he had an expression as if he were going to give a well thought out answer, and he just kind of muttered on word: "Far." Sometimes less is better. That pretty much told the tale.
