Mike'd Off

Martin Luther King Jr. once uttered the words "I have a dream." Well, we here at Mike and the Mad Blog also once had a dream. Unlike Dr. King however, our dream was a bit easier to ascertain - to create a community where fans of the Mike and the Mad Dog radio show could turn to for clever and interesting commentary on the personalities that are Mike Francesa and
Christopher Russo.

Initially, we would like to say that we succeeded in doing so. One commenter at a time, we slowly built up this blog and even garnered some legitimate recognition across the web-o-sphere. We received a plug for the blog on air with Chris Russo. We got an exclusive interview with Neil Best when rumors of the break-up dominated talk. We had Mike and Chris breakdown Wilt's 100 point point game and last year's American Idol Finale. We had the Babe Ruth of body language experts analyze one of Mike and Chris' heated arguments over the bathrooms at the old Yankee Stadium. We turned to our good friend Colonel Nathan Jessep from time to time to make sense of the Mike and the Mad Dog landscape. There was the infamous and the Bucket List. We persevered through the end of the Mike and the Mad Dog era. We suffered with everyone through the start-up of the Mike'd Up era. We're still not sure what the new bells and whistles are, or whom the talent is. We tried our best to follow Doggie on a National level. As boring and bitter as Mike Francesa has been post break-up, Dog has been every bit as irrelevant, often trying too hard to cover too many events.

We invited a few new commenters to contribute as life got in the way for us. In short, it's been a memorable and interesting journey. But all good things must come to an end. For us, the writing has been on the wall for the past few months. This blog has become something less than what we once created. And because of that, we feel it is time to shut down. Kbilly and
Awesome Sean, thanks for writing fresh material but it's time to take back the keys to the car. And since we are still tied up with life, we are going to be shutting down the site for good.

We would like to thank everyone who has visited this blog and has enjoyed the insight we have provided. Consider this a farewell post. We'll leave the comments section open for the day and then we will be shutting it down.

First Time, Long Time & GMan26

NY baseball is like the McDLT

Anyone remember the McDonald's McDLT from back in the '80s? "Keep the hot side hot, and the cool side cool." Well the Yankees are the red-hot burger and bacon side and the Mets are the ice-cold lettuce and tomato side.

In NFL, the talk will be be about rookies. Mark Sanchez is the next Joe Namath. The Giants' WRs couldn't catch a cold in a polio ward, except for Hakeem Nicks.

But of course Mike is off this week, so its Joe and Evan for ya. Not sure if Dog is in this week, but he seems to take less time off than the Fat One.

LOBSTER

No Dog and no Mike today. So all I have to say is...

<~LOBSTER

Your Anus

I know it is juvenile and that Gman26 or FTLT will probably delete this post, but this van is parked on my block right now. I couldn't help but snap a picture and send it to everyone I know. That includes you folks. Enjoy.

Joba Chamberlain - A Daring Fellow

Not for driving from a strip club with, what was it again, Henny? No, for giving Mike 5 1/2 hours of free airtime to do nothing but bash him all day. Let's just see what he did wrong, shall we? Bear in mind, Mike GUARANTEED he'd be in the 'pen by August. Remember that folks. All season long he, "Mark my words" this and "I'm telling you right now" that that he'd be pitching the 8th. For some reason, Mike doesn't like Joba outside of 2007 Joba. He wants Joba to be the heir apparent so badly that he's not even happy when the kid goes out there and pitches well. Oh Joba, you've really done it this time...Let's just see:

- Staked to a 4-0 lead (can't pitch to score)
- Too many pitches, not enough strikes (100 pitches of fun)
- Too many base runners (12 base runners in 4.0 innings; thats a 3.0 WHIP folks!!!)
- Doesn't switch hit like Bernie Williams
- Bets exactas (sucker bets, folks)

Oh Joba, do yourself a favor tomorrow and keep it tuned to 1050. I'm sure Michael Kay and SP40 will have plenty of glowing things to say about your performance. Keep it off the FAN though. Mike is coming for you.

Joe Morgan - Still Dumb

They just showed a split screen with Tex and ARod. Morgan babbled about weight shifting and front feet while showing why ARod hit one out and Tex popped up. First, it's one AB out of 600. Next, ARod is built like a NYG LB. Holy hell that boy is big.

Matsui just turned Beckett into Trachsel. Awful.

In Summary....

Well, I think that truly defined the Mets season. Bruntlett goes 10-10 and turns a triple play to end this game. Mets catch a break when the dreamy Chase Utley took a break and his replacement played like Robbie Alomar on steroids.

So, whatever. 10 games under and everyone should be put on waivers.

For Big MiKe tomorrow he can talk about the Mets "luck.". Plus, the series in Boston. Weird so far, no?

For me, I'll take Beckett to keep those Yankee bats asleep. I guess he's -6 1/2 or so but I have yet to check.

Sunday Funday boys.

PS - KBilly, we just effing with you and your horrible taste in music. Chill out.

Touch of Gray

Keep your tie dyed shirt on KBilly. I am not glorifying any of that hippie BS music you like. Rather, I am expressing my amazement that there's a men's product that dyes your hair gray, slightly. I'm serious. I am watching the Sawx ritualistically dismantle the Yanks as I wait to watch the Phils gain their redemption on my punchless Mets when the commercial was aired. I'm still serious. This product grays your hair. Where are Hernandez and Clyde when you need 'em?

Will we see "Kinda Bald" or "Slight Paunch" soon?

Happy Saturday M and MB readers.

Complain about Suzyn Waldman's balls and she'll show you!

I know that I heard it out of context, that the ump was probably telling a pitcher not to complain about the strike zone, but as I walked into my bathroom to give back some beer on Friday at 8:12 pm, all I heard was Suzyn Waldman say: "Don't complain about my balls or I'll show you."

I literally did a double-take at my bathroom radio (always on) and ended up hitting the floor with my stream. Then I thought for a second and figured out what she meant...AND then I laughed my ass off.

A zillion thoughts ran through my head. Does Suzyn have balls? Is she willing to show them? Are Suzyn's bigger than Sterling's? Is Suzyn actually Loki's secret, long sought after, taco? The possibilities are endless with a quote like this.

Somebody please tell me they heard it and/or recorded the radio broadcast. It was said in the top of the 4th inning with no outs between 8:12 and 8:15 pm.

Let's face it...the Mets stink!

Ugh, I was torn last night with the Mets playing the archrival Braves in a meaningless late-August baseball game and the Philthy Iggles playing Eli's brother in a meaningless preseason game. I mostly watched the latter. Sad time for Mets fans when scouting the Iggles is more fun then watching the Mets. Yanks were off.

This being Friday, Mike will dedicate a little time to NFL. Texiera or Jetah for MVP will get some play too. Yanks are 31 games over .500. And, sadly, the Mets will get some time. No real reason though, they belong on the Stinks List.

Friday's Over/Under: Tom Brady getting hit hard - 5 mins; Brady being fine for 2009 5 mins 1 second; OchoCinco's game winning XP - 8 mins; Peyton being fine for 2009 8 mins 2 seconds; Mike calls Chad OchoCinco, Chad Johnson on first reference - 2-1; Mike laughs at the name OchoCinco - 1-1; U of Florida being 73 point favorites over Charleston Southern - 980,000-1.

New topic du jour...

Sorry AwesomeSean, but judging from the top headlines on every New York area news outlet as of around 10:00 am Thursday - as well as a quick listen to Joe and Evan - the talk today won't be about baseball. Fist Vick, then Favre and now Plax. From the New York Post:

In a stunning move, former Giants wide receiver Plaxico Burress pleaded guilty today to attempted criminal possession of a weapon and agreed to spend two years behind bars.

So get ready for Mike's thoughts on gun control, mandatory minimum sentencing, judicial treatment of athletes, how this compares to the Vick and Stalworth situations, Goodell's suspension policy, Where, or if, Plax will ever play again.

Baseball Discussions to Round out the 2009 Regular Season

It's a weird day for Mike...Yanks are off today as they fly cross country to (hopefully not) twist the dagger in the Sawx season. Mets (I guess, I wasn't watching) got smoked last night and Rangers relinquished their lead in the WC. That's about it. I mean, he'll be able to speak about the consequences of the upcoming series in Beantown, playoff postitioning, the NYY rolling and the Mets ending the year on some kind of upswing but that's about it. So, he'll be forced to field calls on the MVP race. From New York Yankee fans. Who are only vaguely aware that baseball is played outside of the Bronx. Who are pretty sure Captain America invented baseball. This is going to be fun. Hyperbole and exaggeration will be plentiful.

Now, I know this board isn't especially fond of stats so I won't bore you with the actual numerical breakdowns between the top 3 (my top 3, anyway) AL candidates. Any posted stats I'm sure will be drowned out by recounting of the flip play or the face-first-in-the-seat-while-Nomar-cried-on-the-bench-play. Instead, I'll just say that the writers often get these awards wrong anyway. This year, I suspect will be no different. I mean, if they get it wrong (Tex or The Jeter), we won't be surprised and if they get it right (Mauer) it will not be because of far and away superior offensive production but because he's a good kid, with a lot talent, surrounded by less than stellar talent. The bottom line is that in nearly every important statistical category Mauer dwarfs both NYY.

The more compelling discussion might be the Cy Young. Who are we thinking? There is no run away winner this year, right? Maybe we should give it to Wang as like a lifetime achievement award. I think I heard on the radio once that he won 19 games, 2 years in a row!!!

Fans, Fans, Fans; Good Fans, Bad Fans and Electric Fans

My next door neighbor growing up, Kenny, always described someone who followed the "hot" team or the winning team as an electric fan. I was young at the time but that always struck a chord with me. That is, you're a fan of a team through thick and thin. If you're lucky enough to be a NYY fan or a NYG fan, great. If you grew up a NYJ fan or a NYM, well, tough luck. Those are your teams and that's it. Each one of us has ups and downs. That's part of the fun (to me, anyway). Anyway, while I was learning this lesson from Kenny I was also getting smoked daily in wiffle ball, Intellevision boxing and football. He was 10, a NYY and NYJ fan and I was 8 and became a NYM and NYG fan. To the best of my knowledge, he's still the same and so am I...So, why am I writing this? Because on WFAN, "fans" aren't called out nearly enough. That's why I'm here.

Look, we're lucky as NY sports fans. We have 5 pro teams to root for in 3 different sports (sorry Buffalo and sorry hockey). If you don't like baseball, there's football or basketball. Don't like football? Try baseball, etc. We're not limited to deciding between the Hawkeyes or the Cyclones. We have choices. Good choices too. Time and again, however, some idiot calls into the station and professes their love for the Cowboys, the Raiders, the ChicagoeffingCubs for f*cksake. I mean, c'mon, dude, you're from NY, you've never even been to Dallas or worn cowboy boots! What is your major malfunction?

Seriously, I cannot stand people that root for teams outside of their state/region. If I were on one of these shows and someone called in to say, "Hey, I'm a huuuuuuuuuuge Vikings fan! RIP Korey Stringer!!!" I'd berate them for selecting a team in a state they can't even find on a map. Then, I'd hang up on them.

So, anyone out there fall into this category? Loki, are you a closet Chicago Bulls fan? JD, do you have a Romo jersey? Let's hear it and let's hear who we call think are the WORST of these types of fans.

I got F'king octopuss coming out my F'king ears Mang.

Tony Montana: "Jou know I eat octopuss tree times a day? I got F'king octopuss coming out my F'king ears mang."

This is how I feel about the Mike Vick situation. Two-and-a-half years of this debate for a guy who went from the boardroom to the mailroom, taking a backup job at 1/13th of his previous salary after serving almost 3 years in the can.

Evan is on a soapbox over this indignity to humanity. He claims that if he were ever arrested, WFAN would never welcome him back. What he forgets is that some other station would, for the overnight shift.

I'm not a fan of Mr. Vick, and I lost some serious $$$ on him in the National Championship game against FSU, but he's a football player and he's been cleared to play after six weeks, so get over it.

This has caused me to turn off sports talk for the remainder of the day and watch Scarface.

Sosa needs to send a hit squad into the WFAN studios ASAP.

Eli, Tiger and Cano...Maybe some Pedro

Mike is celebrating the one-year anniversary of his final show with Mad Dog with a trip to Albany for the NY Football Giants training camp. As WFAN is the flagship station for the Giants, Mike will be able to get GM Jerry Reese, Head Coach Tom Coughlin and Super Bowl XXII MVP Eli Manning. He'll also probably get RB Brandon Jacobs, rookie WR Hakeem Nicks, LB Antonio Pierce, and either DEs Justin Tuck or Osi Uminyora, with a couple other players sprinkled in.

Here are my Over/Unders: Replacing Plaxico - 8 1/2; D-Line rotation/depth - 6 1/2; Ernie Accorsi name drops - OTB; Replacing Derrick Ward - 2 1/2; Eagles revamped offense - 1 1/2

Also sure to highlight the show is Tiger at the PGA Championship, where he is currently tied for 5th at 2 under par through 10 holes, as is Padraig Harrington. Lefty doesn't tee off until about 3:00, so he'll be watched in the second half of the show.

Even though he's at Giants camp, Mike will have to dedicate some time to Robbie Cano's extra-inning game winning hit last night and Pedro's 5 innings of 3 run ball in a Phils win.

But it will be a football-dominated show today. Even though I'll only catch the first hour, knowing NFL is right around the corner is a godsend for us Mets fans who also happen to be Giants fans.

UPDATE: After learning Ernie Accorsi is at Giants camp today, the O/U on Ernie Accorsi name drops has been pulled off the board.

First Time in a Long Time

It's been a while but it's time for me to dust off the keyboard and insert some life back into this blog. Kbilly, AwesomeSean, you've done an admirable job in keeping things going but I had an epiphany (Loki, look up this word on the internet) this morning. How about a post dedicated to one Mike Francesa? Imagine that. Instead of gossiping about real estate on the Jersey shore or weekend softball games, it's time to talk a little shop around here.

So Mikey finds himself in quite the conundrum today. This year has been a very strange Yankee season for Francesa. He has gone against everything he has always stood for. In years past if the Bombers got off to a listless start, as they did this season, invetitably Mike would field Yankee panic calls throughout April and May.. And in typical Francesa fashion, Mike would tee off on those calls "It's April!!!!, Talk to me in August!!" In short, Mike would never press the panic button. Doing so would be likening himself to the common folk, the Mike from Montclairs, the Bruce from Baysides. Instead, Mike would draw a line in the sand and he would always be on the "It's the Yankees, they will turn it around and make the playoffs" side.

However, this year has been a complete reversal. For whatever reason (leftover Torre bitterness, the absence of Russo to mock him), Mike took a completely different approach this season. Throughout April and May, Francesa continuously buried the Yankees. He told us of how they had no heart, that Arod's return wasn't going to help this team, that they didn't play with grit, that their bullpen was a mess, that Joba belonged in the pen, that Hughes was a joke, that Melky was not a starter, that Gardner would never hit in the big leagues, that he was against the Burnett signing, that Sabathia was not in Santana's class, that Girardi was coaching himself out of the Bronx. And to add insult to Yankees fans injury, Mike then jumped on the Red Sox bandwagon and has marveled all season at the names Beckett, Youkillis, Pedroia, Lester and those minor leaguers that they call up and throw in the '90s. Sure, he has gotten his customary "Theo wanted no part of the Lowell/Beckett trade" comments in, but for the most part, WFAN from 1-6:30 has become WEEI.

In years past, Mike would clamor for the Yankees to go after every big player available ("the kid McCluth from Pittsburgh", Marte, "Heath Bell could set up for Mariano" and so on and so on.) But this year when the big fish, Halladay was available, Mike wanted no part. All of a sudden, Francesa was pining for parity.

And a funny thing started to happen throughout this tumultous time. The Yankees defied Francesa. They started winning and haven't stopped. Meanwhile, the Sox all of a sudden look like the team that resides in Flushing. And in a weird way, The Yankees shocking sweep of Boston is exactly what Mike did NOT want. He wanted to sing the praises of Youk and Beckett and lament the sad state of the Yankees when it comes to winning big games. He has been on that train all season long and now that it has derailed in the most horrific way imaginable, how will Mike respond? What will his take be? Surely he will say that we haven't seen the last of Boston yet. It's been a "bizarre" year for sure. It's Mike move now and it's going to be fascninating to watch...

Big Papi has a bridge he'd like to sell you...

So David "Big Papi" Ortiz holds a press conference Saturday to claim he never did steroids. I don't believe him as far as I could throw him. And with my bad back, I shouldn't be throwing anyone.

David Ortiz says he only took supplements and vitamins. Didn't Palmero blame his positive test on a Vitamin B-12 injection? Additionally, all the over the counter supplements are basically amino acids and I learned in high school that amino acids become protein, which become muscle mass, which become home runs.

From Wikipedia:
Anabolic steroids, or anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS), are a class of steroid hormones related to the hormone testosterone. They increase protein synthesis within cells, which results in the buildup of cellular tissue (anabolism), especially in muscles.

So Big Papi, who said on the record that steroid users should get a one-year ban hasn't missed a game since it became known that he was a steroid user. He isn't giving back any money. And he sure as all hell isn't giving back any of his World Series rings.

And now the Red Sawks are taking a Mets-like dive in the standings. Karma's a bitch, Papi. A-Rod at least came (kind of) clean and took a month off. How's that working for him?

Now, Real Baseball Begins

I expect a vociferous outpouring of emotion from Yankee callers today and rightly so. Mike will be sure to warn against burying the Boston Youks but Yankee fans will be unyielding in their praise and arrogance. Good for them. Boston is fielding a subpar team and pitching corpses and the Yanks are fielding a team that's clicking right now. From where I sit, this race could turn very ugly, very fast if Beckett can't hold down that offense tonight.

What I want to know is, if Youk had taken a HR away last night with a dazzling defensive play, would Mike proclaim him to be the best player ever? Would he have been fanning himself with a hot dog wrapper because it made him hot?

I heard Tim McCarver on M & M this AM. In "analyzing" the NL playoff teams he mentioned that the best thing the 2009 Phillies have going for them is that they won the World Series in 2008. Not Cliff Lee, not Hamels, not the 4 monsters in the middle of the line-up. No, none of that. Best thing is that the 2008 Phillies are the reigning world champs. Better analysis could be gotten from Tim Russo.

Happy Friday boys. Weather is perfect for good baseball. Enjoy.

Tim McCarver on Mad Dog Unleashed

Tim McCarver was on Mad Dog's show today.

I like Tim McCarver as a MLB analyst, BUT the best quote about Tim McCarver I ever heard was from Cardinals pitcher Bob Gibson: "The only thing Tim McCarver knows about pitching is that he can't hit it."

Ouch, that's a smack to the face...From probably the best pitcher of the 20th Century. MLB changed the rules because Gibson was so dominant.

I plan to call in later today to point this out. KD From Manhattan.

Dog: Giants overpaid for Eli Manning

Dog thinks Eli Manning is a 6-10 NFL QB, not top 5. He loves Jerry Reese, but Ben Cheeseburger and Phillip Rivers are both much better. Eli is in the 2nd tier. But "Eli has that intangible, which is very, very big."

What Dog doesn't get is: inflation. In three years Eli won't be in the top 10 highest paid players in the NFL, especially if the NFL goes uncapped.

Apparently Bart Starr is the standard benchmark to which all NFL QBs should be held.

On a related note, would someone give me $97.5 million (35.5 million guaranteed)???

Requiem for a Team

I had a (I thought, anyway) really great idea for a smashing post today. I was cultivating it in my limited brain last night as I waited for KRod to come in and lock down the W. I don't know if you heard but that didn't exactly happen. No, instead of the Mets picking up a subpar Johan and beginning this short series with a win, all hell broke loose and they wound up with, possibly, the worst loss of the season. My rational mind knew that the Mets weren't playoff bound but my irrational mind still held out some hope. Both sides of my mind are now utterly defeated and have hoisted the white flag high and for all to see. It's been a bad year and last night was essentially a summation of the season. They can now be assured to play out the string of the final 56 games in anonymity. The only way they'll be back in the news is if someone on the team marries Mike Piazza.

Good for the Yanks to get a win against the always tough Roy Halladay. They're now assured to go into the Boston series in first place. I'll still be rooting against them but they seem primed to make a big time run this year. By the way, there is no chance at all that Joba gets "shut down." They might reduce the workload a tad but that boy will be out there every 5th day from now until the Yankees' season ends.

Blackout

No Mike on WFAN this week. No Dog on Sirius this week. We are stuck with Joe and Evan on WFAN and The B-Team on Sirius for Afternoon sports talk. They both take off the week after the MLB trading deadline and the same week that Giants and Jets camp starts up. That's just weak.

Since I can't deal with that Cars 4 Kids commercial, you know where I'll be. I swear that this weekend I was sleeping with the radio on and at 4 am that stupid jingle woke me up like a 21 gun salute was in my bedroom.

So, since we pretty much know where we all stand on Mets/Yanks fandom. Let's take a poll to figure out where we stand on Giants/Jets. I am firmly on the Giants side of the fence, and I'd bet that Gman26 is as well. But I root for the Jets, as long as their interests don't conflict with my interests. Let's get the party started.

The Sissification of NY Sports Fans and Omar's Slumber

Do you think Omar set his alarm clock for tomorrow morning? Do you think he even knew the trading deadline was today? I mean, seriously, for all the garbage that was traded for useful players over the past few days, Omar couldn't snag one player? I mean, the Frenchy trade was a trade for the sake of making a trade. I liked it, for that reason and it's worked out well for the Mets. At the time, however, it was panned across the interwebs as a horrible trade. Still, I didn't care and Omar appears to have lucked out. I have to say, I was terrified that I was going to hear something like Wright and Pelfrey for Halladay so I'm glad that didn't happen. But, I mean, he couldn't grab a LaRoche, V. Martinez, Hairston or someone like that? He sucks.

Now, I was listening to Richard Neer this morning (cure for insomnia) and all I heard all morning was a repeat of the following:

- Tiger throws his clubs. I can't watch him. Boo hoo. My kids, bad example, etc.
- Big Papi, boo hoo, steroids, boo hoo, media ripped Alex, boo hoo

I am so glad the rest of the country can't see and hear what a bunch of sissies NY area sports fans have turned out to be. It's a GD embarrassment.

REALITY CHECK(for the MMB mothafuckas)

Since this blog has evolved into a free for all where Mike's diet soda habits might be as likely discussed as a Frank Zappa song(and for the record, I do have the Valley Girl album on vinyl. But strictly for that one song. 'oh my gosh. Like, totally.'), I figured I'd delve into this post-modern discussion.

Tonight was a great lesson in that the more things change, the more they stay the same.

As I was preparing to clean the dishes, I decided to spin some vinyl(Loki, that is a record, in case you don't know). So being the sort of current lad that I am, I pulled my favorite MJ album...Off the Wall, of course. I had barely played Can't Stop til you Get Enough when my wife pleaded for Thriller. I admitted that I also owned Thriller on vinyl. But I remembered that my daughter was going with my mother to Mamma Mia this weekend in the Queen City. So I pulled The Magic of Abba on vinyl(stay with us Loki). I put on Dancing Queen. Any reader of this blog who defames either the Boss or Hippie music will admit that the aforementioned ABBA song is a classic. Fuck. ABBA outsold the Beatles for Chrissakes.

I couldn't get through Dancing Queen before my wife repeated her cry for Thriller. At this time, my son said, "Michael Jackson? You mean Michael Phelps?". So I threw on the record(sic) of Thriller. Then, a light bulb went off in my head. What is Thriller w/o the video? So I grabbed a laptop, punched up Thriller on youtube and hooked it up to the 46' Sony Bravia using a VGA connector. As my kids watched Thriller, then Beat It, then Eat It(Loki - Weird Al Yankovic made a bunch of parodies of 80's videos. Some say Eat It is his finest. After watching it 18 years later, I concur.), I realized a few things:

1) Michael Jackson wouldn't have been half as popular w/o his videos.
2) I appreciated the idea of transitioning from vinyl to internet. Why is it a generation gap? We can appreciate both. Right?
3) MJ was quite talented. My wife is not from this country, which means she loves MJ w/o all the pretense. His relationship with Americans is tricky at best. But watching his old videos, you can't deny his talent. His originality. He lost me after Thriller, but that's neither here nor there. He was a great entertainer. And along with Sports, that's what we Americans do best. That and growing wheat and cows.

I was inspired to post, not because of Mike nor Chris(both as stale as bags of rotten Fritos) but because there had been some cross-generational debate on this site, which included music. I don't like Bruce, but I respect him(speaking of which, there is a great story which illustrates this point. Rolling Stone spoke to Prince back in the day and he talked about how he was backstage for a Bruce show and remembered when a band member missed a note and Bruce shot a look at that person in disgust. Prince appreciated that.) I prefer lots of bands that no one here knows(Brian Jonestown Massacre, Deerhunter, Slant 6, Les Thugs, etc), but I appreciate when a lot of other people appreciate someone. Like Bruce. Or the Spin Doctors. Or Live. Even when it's against my instincts. And after having seen my kids marvel at MJ, through vinyl and the internet, you have to realize that a lot of things transcend time. You may not like it, but you have to semi-respect it. And isn't that we have done on this site?

Man Rammer and Big Sloppy on "The List"

Whoops, todays news that Manny and Ortiz tested positive in 2003, has the Beaneaters crying in the World Series trophies. My advice, don't worry, there were probably a few juicers on Colorado and St. Louis. Needless to say, this is the hot topic on sports-talk radio across the country today.

I think we all knew Manny was juicing all along and after his failed test for female fertility drugs typically used to follow a juicing cycle, that was pretty much confirmed. But Ortiz had been adament that he was clean and been a staunch supporter of stiff penalties for player who test positive. So let me share some quotes from Ortiz on the subject.

"You can test me, All you gonna find is rice and beans"
"I think you clean up the game by the testing," Ortiz said. "I test you, you test positive, you're going to be out. Serious. I know that if I test positive for using any kind of substance, I know that I'm going to disrespect my family, the game, the fans, and everybody. I don't want to be facing that situation, so what I will do, I won't use."
And before today's game against the Oakland A's (where all this steroid stuff began in the first place), Ortiz had this to say: "I'm not talking about that anymore. I have no comment

And then Ortiz hits a 3 run, go-ahead homer..

Pete Fornatale's Woodstock top 5

Here's Pete Fornatal's Top 5 Woodstock performances (off the top of his head):
1 The Who
2 Jimi Hendrix
3 Sly & The Family Stone
4 Joe Cocker
5 Santana

Tough to argue since it is personal taste and this is a neverending type debate...BUT No CSN? That's crap. If you don't get goosebumps from this, you have no taste in music. I'm talking to you Loki. And Sha Na Na needs some love too...I would bump The Who for CSN. I think they stole the show.

Dog seems shocked that there was recreational drug use at Woodstock - on behalf of the entertainers AND the audience! Stop the presses. New headline: Hippies smoked pot and tripped on LSD 40 years ago at Woodstock!

ps: I have a buddy with a Cocker Spaniel pooch and he named her "Joe" just so he could say he had a "Joe Cocker Spaniel"

Who kidnapped Mike?

So I heard a split second of WFAN at 1:15 and I heard Evan Roberts yabbering on about Omar and San Berdino (Zappa reference, can anyone out there name the album?).

I thought Mike just had a week off this month. So for those of you cheap bastids that refuse to shell out $150 a year for (almost) commercial-free radio, enjoy the punk kid who thinks he knows stuff but really isn't old enough to sit at the adult table for Thanksgiving...As opposed to the curmudgen who sits at the head of the table and demands the turkey leg and choicest white meat cuts.

I get a feeling that Dog is going to be on a Woodstock kick today. 40th anniversary coming up and he's reading Pete Fornatale's book on the subject. Of course, Dog has never even seen the Woodstock movie, but in his defense, it was released after 1965 so why would he bother...?

The Bore that is Bernazard

Quick! Name one other VP of Player Development in MLB...Come on now, just one. Can't do it, huh? Me neither. Is no one concerned that we hear more about Tony Bernazard than we do half the players?

This is just another sign of the dysfunction that is the NYM. Not the 2009 NYM, specifically, the entire franchise, all-time. What a horribly run franchise. Never, and I mean never, do they make the right move. Personally, I think this ridiculous story (and it is ridiculous; I mean, who cares what a minor league exec says or does to a bunch of also rans in Binghampton) and the ridiculous trade rumor for Halladay are simply smoke screens originated from the Wilpons to keep the attention of the horrible team trotting out there daily. It's political and it's bad form.

Turn on either of the sport stations and within virtually every segment some idiot, caller or host, is calling for Bernazard's head. Why? Why this outrage? Who cares? You think the Mets have 52 HR's for the year because of Tony Bernazard? Think Ollie is walking 7/9 innings because of TB? Think you put TB in the NYY system that ARod and Tex will stop hitting 4 HR's per game? No way. Leave Bernazard alone and let's put the blame where it belongs: Players, GM and manager, in that order.

Joe Posnanski: My Top 100 Players

SI.com put together a list of the top 100 players in MLB. I don't really agree with most of Posnanski picks. Let's flood Mike and Dog with our opinions.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/joe_posnanski/07/21/top.100/index.html?eref=sihpT1
1. Albert Pujols
KBilly thinks this is a no-brainer.

2. Joe Mauer
Um, no.

3. Hanley Ramirez
Not quite.

4. Zack Greinke
No freaking way.

5. Chase Utley
Hard to argue. But, as a Mets fan, I still hate him. I think Rollins is better all around.

6. Alex Rodriguez
Roids, enuff said.

7. Tim Lincecum
A little too high for a kid having only his second good year.

9. Johan Santana
He's great but doesn't go deep enough and doesn't turn it on until July.

10. Roy Halladay
Are you kidding? He's the best starter in MLB (slight edge because of his complete games).

11. Prince Fielder
I think Ryan Howard gets the slight edge here.

Click the link and add further comments.

Talk Show Host - Mad Dog Radio

Talk Show Host - Mad Dog Radio
About the Job
Company Overview: SIRIUS XM Radio is America's satellite radio company delivering The Best Radio on Radio TM to more than 18 million subscribers, including commercial free music, and premier sports, news, talk, entertainment, traffic and weather. SIRIUS XM Radio has content relationships with an array of personalities and artists, including Howard Stern, Martha Stewart, Oprah Winfrey, Jimmy Buffett, Elvis, Jamie Foxx, Barbara Walters, Frank Sinatra, Opie & Anthony, The Grateful Dead, Willie Nelson, Bob Dylan, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Tom Petty, and Bob Edwards. SIRIUS XM Radio is the leader in sports programming as the Official Satellite Radio Partner of the NFL, Major League Baseball, NASCAR, NBA, NHL, and PGA TOUR, and broadcasts major college sports. SIRIUS XM Radio has arrangements with every major automaker. SIRIUS XM Radio products are available at shop.sirius.com and shop.xmradio.com, and at retail locations nationwide, including Best Buy, RadioShack, Target, Sam's Club, and Wal-Mart. SIRIUS XM Radio also offers SIRIUS Backseat TV, the first ever live in-vehicle rear seat entertainment featuring Nickelodeon, Disney Channel and Cartoon Network; XM NavTraffic® service for GPS navigation systems delivers real-time traffic information, including accidents and road construction, for more than 80 North American markets. Position Description: Position Summary: Prepare and host daily talk program for MAD DOG RADIO Duties and Responsibilities:
Prepare and execute talk program on a daily basis
Present topics in an entertaining way; with passion and opinion
Preparation to perform program with or without guests and callers
Work with Senior Director, Sports Programming to design overall sound and image of program
Do research necessary to conduct interviews and present topics effectively
Performs other duties as assignedMinimum Educational Qualifications:
BS/BA Degree and/or equivalent combination of education and experience preferredMinimum Years of Relevant Experience:
Minimum five to ten years experience as major market talk show hostRequirements and General Skills:
Thorough knowledge of MLB culture, MLB players and PR contacts.
Ability to prepare and execute entertaining program on a daily basis
Ability to work on a team and be flexible as opportunities arise
Good public speaking skills
Interpersonal skills and ability to interact and work with staff at all levels
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Ability to work independently and in a team environment
Ability to pay attention to details and be organized
Ability to project a professional image on the air, over the phone and in person
Ability to handle multiple tasks in a fast paced environment
Willingness to take initiative and to follow through on projects
Strong organizational skills and attention to details
Strong interest in current events and pop culture, as related to assigned channels / programs
Comfortable working with talent, artists and high profile individuals
Excellent time management skills, with the ability to prioritize and multi-task, and work under shifting deadlines in a fast paced environment
Must have legal right to work in the U.S.Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer M/F/V/D
http://jobview.monster.com/getjob.aspx?JobID=82045983&brd=1&q=pr&cy=us&where=new+york&rad=20&rad_units=miles&pg=3&pp=25&dv=1&re=4&AVSDM=2009-07-09+04%3a23%3a00&seq=12&fseo=1&isjs=1&re=1000

Mets passed on Halliday???????????????????????

If Hayman's report is correct, and Omar and the Mets passed on the best pitcher in MLB, then someone needs to get Steve McNair'd.

Screw the bat, this year is toast. To have the two best pitchers in all of baseball at the top of the rotation for the next five years - while simultaneously preventing Halliday from going to the top division rival - should be kind of paramount. F-Mart, a couple of mid-level pitchers and a SS that the Mets don't need for the BEST pitcher in baseball, one who rests the bullpen with his 44 complete games?

Why am I not a GM?

Omar, PLEASE get that deal done. Take on the Wells contract. Don't be myopic.

Mike wants Halliday on the Mets, NOT the Yanks

Mike thinks that Halliday plus Santana would be a pretty good 1-2 punch. YaThink? But on the Yanks, Halliday would just be Conspicuous consumption, despite the fact that the Yanks have had the highest payroll in all sports for the past 32 years.

Also, the Mets aren't winning any more games this season, Carlos Beltran hates the team and the team hates Jose Reyes.

That's a lot for the big guy to spew in 45 minutes plus commercials.

Baba Booey to you all!

I'm bored, so let's start a debate

Top 5 pitchers in the past 20 years:
1. Clemens
2. Maddux
3. Unit
4. Mo
5. Pedro

If you want to throw Clemens out for his alleged steroid use, Glavine is on the outside looking in. Think I'm missing anyone? Sound off.

Pair of Aces

So, Saturday we get C.C. Sabathia at 1 p.m. and Johan Santana at 4:00.
I don't even want to talk about Pelfrey last night. Tex rescued the Yanks.
Both Mike and Dog return Monday, so I guess the summer is over.
This post brought to you courtsey of Kars 4 Kids...Yes, I am a sell out. That song is just so catchy.

KBilly Gets Some Play

Didn't see this posted or noted yet but I thought you might like to see this.

If you read the BTF thread you can see M & MB mentioned.

I'm ready for Mike to come back. I mean, I did prefer Mad Dog to Mike an always preferred Chris's Saturday solo show to Mike's NFL Now show (even though it was the NFL, c' mon) but Chris has lost his way. Or, never had it. Here is why I think Chris is doomed:

- Satellite radio is a luxury. Times are bad
- He knows very little about sports, including tennis
- He's not a fan of any teams, except the SFG
- He's compelling, not too dumb but still, nationally unmarketable
- He refuses to acknowledge legit stats
- His book(s) are laughably stupid
- He needs Mike

So, that's why I never subscribed. Take heart MD, a job awaits you in NY. No way you get as crushed as Kay is getting right now. That man probably lays off his pisspoor ratings on the fact that he's never there. Also, you'll never, ever be as creepy as Rich Cuttino (spelling?; I'm not looking it up) when he interviews Mets players. I just get this picture of him sliding his chair closer and making his voice a little a lower and inviting them for an after game drink at the Super 8 Motel. Creeptastic, he is.

You know things are going poorly for your team when:

- Julio Lugo might be your 3rd best player behind Frenchy
- The announcers are waxing poetic about Walter Cronkite (RIP) in the 3rd

Good weekend boys.

Back to baseball

Now that Black Wednesday is over, we can get back to baseball. Mets in Atlanta and Yanks have Thursday off. Ollie Perez toes the slab for the Mets, so it should be interesting. Pedro signed with the F--king Pilthys and I would be worried if I didn't see him over the last 3 seasons. Yanks are trying to get Halliday, which would give them a sick rotation. But why on Earth would Toronto trade him to the Yanks?

Tom Watson is leading the British Open with a 5 under 65. Tiger is 6 back at 71. Vijay is 2 back at 67. Sergio is five back at 70. Padreig and Daly are still playing.

But I can't listen to Joe and Evan on WFAN or Gary Williams on Sirius.

For those of us that are Mets fans, they are hiring:
Fan Photos Staff Photographers
Amazin’ Fan Photo staff photographers take photos of fans (not coaches, players etc.) during games and events, which are then made available via mets.com for purchase.
We require our photographers to be here 2 hours prior to game time to shoot the pre-game crowds. We usually shoot until the 7th inning, after which you are free to watch the rest of the game in the standing room only sections.
http://baseballjobs.teamworkonline.com/teamwork/r.cfm?i=24795

All-Star Game hit pool

Ok everyone. Here is the ONLY way to enjoy the MLB All-Star game...

You get together with at least 4 friends. Everyone puts $1 per batter in the kitty. Point man rotates clockwise. Every time there's a hit the point man takes the pot. No hit and it rolls over to the next person in the rotation, and everybody re-antes up.

I hope that makes sense, but it is pretty simple if you think about it.

Worst Sports Week of the Year?

Trivia Question: What are the only two days of the year with no American sporting events scheduled?
Answer: The day before and the day after the MLB All-Star Game.

Maybe you consider tonight's Home Run Derby a sporting event. But then again maybe you consider the Second Ammendment a privlege and not a Constitutional Right (Sorry, gman26).

So that leaves Mike aboslutely nothing to talk about until Friday. Dog, wisely, took the week off after last week's meltdown.

Mike has some fodder for today, Yanks getting swept by the Los Angeles Angels of Ananheim Sounthern California, United States but catering to the Mexican market by pretending that Ananheim isn't over an hours drive from L.A....and the Mets winning two of three from the Small Red Machine, including back-to-back HRs and the Apple failing to recognize either until after the inning was over.

A Swoon?

Yanks could head to the break on a 3 game losing streak if they don't bounce back today. They've also relinquished their 1st place tie in the meantime. What does it mean? Probably nothing but we'll get legions of fans, burning up the airwaves in the coming week, miserable that their team cannot beat the good teams.

Personally, I don't think this Anaheim team is very good at all. I put them on the same level as Minny, without the star power.

So, looks like Gatti was murdered by his wife. What a joke. Maybe he had some issues and maybe he wasn't the best husband. Whatever. He didn't deserve to go like that and we've been robbed of his future and he'll never re-visit some of his classic fights like Ruelas, Rodriguez and Robinson. I am interested in hearing Micky's take so if anyone finds it, please pass info along.

Nice day for the Mets yesterday. Johan went Johan and they have a chance to go into the break on an upswing. Careful optimism, right JD.

Sunday Funday fellas.

This Goes Up Before I Know Details

Mike will NEVER, EVER, EVER, NEVER put this on his stupid show with his ridiculous jingle. Arturo Gatti, the man who created a generation of fight fans is dead. What the eff? Guys like Pacman Jones, Shawn Kemp and Jim Leyritz still roam this earth and Gatti does not. Where is the GD justice?

I don't wanna get too insightful here or I'll cry all over my wife's expensive Mac, but:

1. I rooted for Gatti in every fight he ever fought except for three
2. He always seemed humble and cool
3. He was often the show, even as the undercard
4. He lived hard and settled into life; I hope his soul is not damned

Thanks to KB and the rest of the M & MD family to bring this up. It's a sad MF day here at M & MB and our thoughts and prayers go to his family.

Goodgoddamotherfuckingbullshit. Take the cast of Oceans 13. Gimme back Gatti

RIP my man. You gave us all everything.

The End of the World as We Know It?

That's great it starts with an earthquake...

Yeah, that's what they think. Shoot, I was happy when I heard Church was heading south and Frenchy coming north. Now, not so sure. You have to click that link and read the comments. Some of them are downright hilarious.

Would've been a perfect day for Mike as the NYY lost one to the ANA Angels. He loves to pontificate on their ineffectiveness against these guys. Plus, Joba <>

Yeah, Mike had 3 of his favorite arguments made for him in one singular night. If only Inge had hit a walk off grand salami Mike might have done his show and retired immediately. Oh well.

Back to Frenchy: I know ATL hated him and the intelligent baseball crowd thinks he's borderline worst every day player in baseball. Me, on the other hand, thinks this was a good move since we get a righty bat and a youngish RFer. If he can OBP .350 or so, I think he'll add some value. The roster is punchless right now with Wright being a singles machine so any hint of power is a plus. Maybe in a week I'll change my mind but for now I am kinda happy.

Enjoy the weekend boys. If anyone out there is throwing 'em back today, I wanna hear about it.

Mutiny on the Bounty

So Doggie's firing of Program Director Steve Torre and threats to fire everyone else on Mad Dog Radio has triggered a mass negative reaction by all the hosts on his station - even the fill ins.

Today's morning host, Casey Stern (filling in for the regular host and with a job on XM MLB station) ripped Dog over the phone on the air. Now, his afternoon guys, The B-Team, just basically called him an antiquated has-been. "[Dog] is in a time warp," one of the guys said. "He should have been born in the 1940s. He wants to talk about the 1946 all-star game and he thinks the best movie ever is 'The Best Days of Our Lives.'"

Not only is Dog getting ripped by his employees/hosts on the air, but callers have generally stuck up for them too.

"I want you to fill up every line on Dog's program and tell him he's a moron. Ruin his show. Then ask him about the Quebec Nordiques," said one of the B-Team guys.

Editorial note: The Quebec Nordiques moved to Denver and became the Colorado Avalanche in 1995. Maybe Dog is onto something here.

Neil Best is on vacation, but I am here for y'all.

UPDATE: The B-Team just compared Dog to Mile Holmgren as a General Manager.
UPDATE #2: Rich Ackerman just reccomended that - in protest - nobody call into Dog's show today.
UPDATE #3: Gresh is ripping Dog now and making good points.
UPDATE #4: Mario from Minnesota just compared Dog's firing of Steve Torre to Saddam Hussein shooting a soldier in the head in front of his troops.
UPDATE #5: Maybe it was all a big publicity stunt. Dog just said he'll invite Torre back next week while Dog's on vacation and then threw Mia under the bus, saying "she stinks anyway."

BREAKING: Erin Andrews in ball on chin action

During last nights Mets game, sideline-reporter hottie Erin Andrews took a ball to the chin. And not the way gorgeous blonde University of Florida grads usually take a ball to the chin.

From TMZ:
"Andrews — who serves as a sideline reporter for ESPN — was struck in the chin by a foul ball hit by New York Mets player Alex Cora during the 4th inning."
http://www.tmz.com/2009/07/09/erin-andrews-takes-one-on-the-chin/

Reports are that she is just fine. Let's hope she recovers quickly, so she can resume the more normal (although illegal in Georgia) ball to chin activity.

UPDATE: Suzyn Waldman has never had a ball near her chin.
UPDATE #2: Kim Jones has.
UPDATE #3: There is a ball on Kim Jones' chin RIGHT NOW.

All Kinds of Wrong and Some General Nitpicking

I didn't hear much of the Fan today so I can't really comment on much of what was said earlier. I missed the Johnny Franco experiment along with nearly all of Joe and Evan. I'm sure there was some doozies, but alas, I cannot mock much of it. If you can, please do. In the meantime, I wanted to speculate on what Franco probably said. I am sure it included phrases like:

- leader

- clubhouse presence

- orange T's

- Brooklyn boyz

- intangibles

- playing the game the right way

He's a broken record and he's not alone. It's just his turn to get picked on. The above phrases, of course, are in reference (mostly) to his analysis of the Mets season.

OK, now, there is an article (does she write with a Baaastaaaan accent, too?) from Suzyn Waldman which is just puke. The mocking of said article can be found at Baseball Think Factory. Enjoy.

Couple more things since I am really feeling nitpicky.

Heard a few seconds of Donnie Pucks interviewing Larry Bowa today (ex-Phil, ex-Phil manager and ex-NYY 3rd base coach; big fav of mine) and he asked him whether he was surprised about ManRam's heroes welcome over the weekend and whether or not he thought he'd receive same welcome if he played on the East Coast. Larry responded by saying that he wasn't surprised and that he'd not get that reaction in NY, Bos or Philly. Which of course, is an outright lie. Does he think if Utley got a 50 game ban, came back and homered Philly wouldn't cheer? If the same thing happened to Wright, Citi Field wouldn't cheer? Is he mental? Brain tumor for breakfast, or what?

Lastly, I want to introduce a name that I don't think we've discussed here at M & MB: Seth Everett. Has anyone here listened to him? Well, I caught his opening monologue today and the steady barrage of nonsense is staggering. First, he's wondering why no one is making a big deal about Torre's "return" to NY since "the book." Here are some reasons:

1. We all forgot about the stupid book

2. He can't hit the ball 450 feet and stare into the Queens night

3. He can't throw 98 MPH to David Wright

4. He was never that important

5. Mets fans don't care and never did

6. Yankees fans moved on Opening Day 2008

Then, he goes on and on like Torre wanders the Earth curing the blind and ruining bullpens. Oh yeah, he also said that Manny Ramirez is now on his "No Interview" list. Nothing like a little self-importance when 90% of the listening audience is tuned into 660 or 880. Idiot.

Bulls and Dogs

With Mike out this week it looks like this site will be slow for all non-Sirius subscribers. But as Jerry Garcia said: "If the horse don't pull, you got to carry the load." That's why I'm here.

The lineup on WFAN this week is Adam the (wanna be Francessa) Bull today and Beningo and Roberts the rest of the week. We don't even get a Mets day game (is that a good thing or a bad thing?).

So, it was a pretty eventful long Halliday weekend. Yanks won three against the Jays (Game 4 at 1:05 pm on 880 AM), beating a top-5 pitcher in the process. If Mike were on air today, Joba to the bullben would be a hot topic after he gave up 8 runs yesterday and was bailed out by a Who Dat reliever, who's name I can't spell.

Mets looked like magic elixer for struggling teams, getting swept by the Phillies, depite throwing out their own top-5 pitcher. David Wright went 0-22 in the two series against the Yanks and Phils, including the one-out, two-on double play he hit into yesterday.

Former Titans and Ravens QB Steve McNair cheated on his wife and caught the bullet train for it. McNair is a married father of four, who (in my opinion) was under kicking his coverage with that sour-puss chick (the dude is a multi-millionaire and if he's gonna cheat on his wife, he should do it with something nicer than a Dave & Buster's waitress).

JKidd turned down the Knicks. 'Sheed is heading to the Celtics. Tiger won some stupid golf tournament.

But for those of us with Sirius...Get ready for a mind numbing dose of Roger Federer and his "epic" match against Andy Roddick yesterday morning, which took place as I was nursing a July 4th hangover. The Wimbledon championship gave him one more Grand Slam victory than Pete (I married a hottie and my game fell off the table) Sampras. Whooptee freaking doo!

The 4th

Well, no real surprises yesterday. Mets made the collective fan base turn the game off by the 4th and the Yanks won a well pitched, efficient game. ARod went Arod and Mo went Mo on the Jays. Nothing shocking. I was thinking, however...

- Do you think Toronto's in town for a little more pro-American sentiment? Not that it's needed but maybe, right?

- Will Ronan Tynan be a part of the festivities today? If so, I mean, can't they find, you know, like an American to do it?

Anyway, as a patriot, I am a little embarrassed to admit that I am rooting for Kobayashi to win back his crown and Federer to topple Sampras tomorrow. I know, I know but I can't help it.

Happy 4th and be safe kids.

A Day Off for Mike

I am not working today and am BBQ'ing the backyard. It's my birthday, after all. Anyway, wanted to try and figure out what the rest of the M and the MB crew were up to on this fine Friday. I listened in to Richard Neer who is snoozalicious although, he seems like a nice guy. There is no doubt, however, that if you met him out for a beer or two, he'd wax poetic about Simon and Garfunkel and order a glass of Pinot Grigio.

Watching the Yanks of course and put a little 10x action on the Jays. Few things:

1. Is it me or did Texeira stop hitting? Not a Yankee fan here so I need some help.

2. When I said I'd take Wells contract if I had to give up nothing I obviously didn't know he was OBP'ing .300. I may need to reconsider that.

3. Burnett is really good or really bad. Is that worth $82MM? Not to mention, the $50MM the Jays already paid him?

4. Michael Kay just suggested that Damon may bunt Jeter over in the 7th with no outs. I wonder if he understands baseball at all.

Well, as I sit in my backyard and watch the game I am assuming the following:

- gabagool is trying to figure a way to pull a Nancy Kerrigan on the big fella

- loki is cutting people off and flipping them the bird

- kbilly is camped outside Mad Dog's studio dying for an autograph

- jd is secretly happy about the Mets 2 game winning streak and is cautiously optimistic about the Philly series

Enjoy the 4th y'all.

Quick Hits for Discussion

I guess there is no Mike again today as the Mets give Pit the opportunity to complete the 4 game sweep that was interrupted due to rain. I am sure Pit will oblige them and put Mets fans out of their misery sooner rather than later. In the meantime, here are some topical items. Some would've been included on Mike's show and some, not so much:

- To Larry from Massapequa...Thanks, from all of us, that squirmed uncomfortably in our seats while you gushed all over Kim Jones this morning. Kim has now hired a bodyguard and entered the witness relocation program. Kudos to you stalker.
- To all Monday Morning Quarterbacking Mets Fans...Please shut up about Dunn. The Mets could've SIGNED him, not traded for him, 3 months ago. SHUT UP! I missed the clamor for the big bat in March from you idiots and I don't want to hear it in July.
- To Donnie Walsh and Mike D'Antoni...Put the name Jason Kidd out of your heads. He's a shell of his former self, a malcontent and a waste of a 3 year contract. He will get brutalized on the defensive end and is not the offensive player he once was. Live with Duhon and Nate and wait for another option. JKidd should turn off every Knick fan.
- To Me...Luis Castillo is not approximating Orlando Hudson's season. Stop trying to convince yourself that he is.

It's Christmas in July

At least, that's what I think Mike is thinking today. Don't be surprised if Mike brings in a case of the Diet Coke and commandeers the station all day. Yesterday, was a perfect sports day for one, Mike Francesa. Observe:

1. Joba has pedestrian outing. Throw him and his sideburns back in the pen

2. Boston blows 10-1 lead to Baltimore. Theo is overrated.

3. Mets continue to play exactly like the Mets. Johan continues his transformation to Shawn Estes.

The chuckling and fake laughing and teasing and bragging and grandstanding will be at an all time high today. Add in that the Mets are playing before Mike comes in and when Milwaukee completes the sweep, Mike cannot add that to his aresenal. The only way the show could get better for Mike was if St. John's hired Carnesseca back.

Now, I did not watch the Yanks and I know Joba's line was less than perfect. I'd still leave him in the rotation. Good SP provides much more value than good RP. Mets loss will be blamed on FMart for dogging that fly in center. That's BS. This game and that inning falls squarely in Santana's shoulders. Walking the pitcher? Giving up the big hit to Braun on 0-2 count? C'mon, you're Johan "6 Inning" Santana. These things should not happen. Let's see if Mike takes him to task for these things.

I turned the game off after the bases clearing double from Braun. Did Jerry go all Jerry on us and get Daniel Murphy up in the pen? Or, maybe tried a sac bunt with 2 outs? What managerial miscues did he bring to the table last night after the game had gotten out of reach?

A Tuesday Show

Well, Mike's show will mainly be to talk idiot Mets fans off the ledge today. I hope it works too since I don't want to miss my birthday on Friday. Then, he'll take some calls on the Yanks so that the entire theme isn't wasted on jackass Mets fans pining for Mark "Are you Guys All Crazy" DeRosa. The Yankees are a good team and I hope Mike spends some time congratulating himself and the callers on their impeccable team selection.

Now, what I am wondering from my fellow Mets fans out there...Since this season is very much hanging in the next few weeks, what would you do? Would you go and take on a God-awful contract like Vernon Wells? Would you give up some talent for a Dunn-type player? Would you stand pat and ready your team for a 2010 run? What is the best course of action right now?

I think the Wells idea is intriguing...If you can get him without giving up talent (young or otherwise) it may not be a terrible idea. He's overpriced, for sure, but there is a lot of money freed up in 2010 and beyond with Wagner and Delgado contracts going away. You'll probably never get equal value since the contract is so back loaded but you may be able to get a good player for nothing more than money.

They could've had Dunn in the offseason and I am furious that they let him, Burrell, Abreu and Ibanez get away. Now, I hate giving up a prospect for someone you could've had without losing talent or draft picks.

The other option is obviously packing it in this year. Let Beltran get surgery if needed, bring Reyes back when he's good and ready and let Delgado play September if he can. Come into 2010 with a healthy "core" with a few added pieces and take your chances then.

None of the options are good. Which is the least bad?

RIP Good Jokes and the Subway Series

Mike Jackson's death rid us of a prime joke source. As a memorial, I thought I'd share some jokes that I got yesterday...Some are old and receycled, but still good:

- When is it bedtime at the Neverland Ranch? When the big hand touches the little hand.

- Jockeys at todays races will wear black armbands out of respect for Michael Jackson who successfully rode more 3 year olds than anyone in memory.

- Due to the fact that Michael Jackson was 99% plastic, he'll be melted down and made into Legos so kids can play with him for a change.

- In honor of his passing, the school chancellor of NY ordered all childrens pants be held at half mast

So, circulate and enjoy.

Well, I have to give the NYY fans a chance to sound off. It was a merciless drubbing and I honestly think Mets will be lucky to get a win this weekend. Burnett can be had and so can Wang so we'll see. Excellent defense by the Mets last night, especially in the 2nd. I can see Mike chortling to himself as he recalls that debacle on Monday. Really, have you ever seen anything resembling what Evans did on that grounder from Texeira? That was unique, you must admit.

Mike drops ball in Donnie Walsh interview

With Doggie off today, taking his dreaded children to an amusement park, I was forced to listen to Mike Friday. He featured interviews with N.Y. Knicks President/GM Donnie Walsh and N.J. Nets President Rod Thorn. He basically asked both the same exact questions and they gave basically the same exact answers.

So imagine my surprise when ESPN.com reported this at least two hours after Mike's interview with Mr. Walsh:

Walsh: Knicks will contact Wolves about Rubio
June 26, 2009, 4:21 PM ET
GREENBURGH, N.Y. -- The New York Knicks are curious whether Ricky Rubio will wind up in Minnesota or Spain next season, curious enough that team president Donnie Walsh was planning to contact Minnesota by the end of the day Friday. "There is such a thing as drafting assets. I don't know if that is what he's doing," Walsh said of new Timberwolves general manager David Kahn.

Not once did Mike ask either Mssrs. Walsh or Thorn about any interest in post-draft trades.

Rhinestone Glove, Stupid Bracelets and Baseball

I heard a bit of the Big Fella today and I was really moved by his Michael Jackson eulogy. Trust me, not to be outdone, Michael Kay practically wet his pinstriped drawers fawning over Wacko's "greatness." I mean, c'mon, at least Francesa brought up the child molestation issues. Kay acted like he died, made horrible songs and videos and then cured cancer. Kay, quick note...It's why you're losing to a drone dude. Get rid of Donnie "Pucks", get a clue, lose the Billy Joel quote and maybe you got a shot. If not, no.

We all know I am pro-Mets and anti-Yankee. Still, Girardi, do we need to see the Lance homage around your wrist? Pretentious dude. Think you're alone in not liking cancer? Think again. Anyone who wears a livestrong yellow bracelet is begging to be made fun, daily. Welcome to the populace, Joe.

I was thinking today of great baseball players...Not all time great but great in the last 20 years. I removed the greats: ManRam, A-Rod, Pujols, Bonds, Belle, Sosa, McGwire, Griffey, etc. and tried to focus on the 2nd tier. I am trying to identify the best player I've ever seen, excluding

those above and excluding pitchers. Funnily enough, neither Inge, McLouth or Youk made my list. Guess I am not not paying enough attention to King Clutch a Diet Coke himself, huh?

My Pick: Chipper

Remember, it's a 20 year window and I am looking for 4/5 tools. There are a lot of great guys out there but I'd select Chipper.

What do you think? Who's your best player in the past 20 years?

Rough day for Girardi, Jeter, A-Rod and Cashman

Both Mike and Dog are on the Yankees collective jocks today, looking for answers for why the Yanks are 5 games back of Boston and pointing fingers at Girardi, Jeter and A-Rod.
Both seem to agree that A-Rod isn't 100% and that Jeter is hitting into too many double plays (53 since opening day 2007, according to Dog). Neither Mike nor Dog have much sympathy for Girardi and think Joe Torre would have the Yanks playing better. Joe Torre to be on Mad Dog Unleashed later today.
Yanks have the same record, 38-32, as the SF Giants despite more than double the payroll. Dog wouldn't trade Lincicum for Walter Johnson (who died in 1946), or for Johan Santana, David Wright AND Jose Reyes.
Mike and Dog have both turned up the heat on Girardi...

For Father's Day:Ramblings from Daddy Dog, AKA Tony Russo

2nd biggest Yankees Fan, Tony from New Mexico...Didn't know it was 0-8 vs Red Sox; Calls Mariano Rivera: Mariana; Doesn't think Wang is the answer; Swisher is overrated "that's true"; He didn't think about A-Rod stealing the other night; He doesn't know about Girardi, he is so-so; Red Sox have a better pitching staff than the Yankees; Posada "absolutely" is not a HOFer; Yogi, Dickie, Munson and Howard were all better than Posada; In Tony's eyes, DiMaggio was the greatest ballplayer ever, but Ted Williams was the greatest hitter; Yanks have to win 7 of the next 9 games...Tony was "all over the map today."
He isn't as "sharp as he usually" is...
And does not answer the phone when he should despite getting paid.

Mike ain't steamed, he's BBQ'd

Heard about five minutes of Mike today. He was on a tirade. On his list are: Joba should be in the bullpen. Joba is babied and the only reason his ERA isn't over 5.00 is because he's pulled in the 5th inning. Yanks are lucky to win 2 out of the last 8 and the two they won were due to errors.
"Who takes credit for this mess?"
"The Yankees mailed in this series!"
"Girardi gets no effort out of this team, and I'll ask him about it at 5:00" (note the plug)

Mike is STEAMED!!!

I got into the car after work to meet my wife and kids for a 6:45 PM showing of "Up" and got to hear Mike's conclusion to his Thursday show. Wow! Mike was mad. Really mad. Like the soda machine gave him a Diet Pepsi mad. The USGA has decided to not refund people for the washout at Bethpage today OR allow them to attend tomorrow to get their money's worth. For shame, opined Mike. He wore out the thesaurus on expressing his disdain for their practices which I have to assume were printed clearly on the back of said non-refundable tickets.

Look, I know the economy sucks. Nearly every person I know has taken a sizable financial hit over the past 12 months. I'd love for there to be a way for each and every person to get value or enjoyment equal to what they spent. Few things, though:

1. This is a 4 day event, not a 162 game season

2. The arrangements must be carried out precisely to maximize convenience for all involved while also satisfying TV so ratings will be good

3. The hosts still had to do all that was needed today whether there was golfing or not. That means, it still cost them money and they lost gobs with the loss of concessions, merchandise etc.

4. For the most part, this is not an event that caters to the poor or destitute.

5. Walking around after golfers, staying within designated areas and yelling, "Get in the hole!" is stupid.

During his tirade, Mike told them to get off Long Island. Loved that little bit and was immediately reminded of this little idea. How dare they! Take your fancy golf games and get the heck outta here!

I liked the fire Mike showed, however. I like when he plays the "everyman advocate." Who doesn't? I love when he empathizes with his listeners and takes a stand against the corporate giant. I like how he takes his shots here and there. Not all of this paragraph is sarcastic either. He does have less of an agenda than his "competition."

So, tomorrow is gonna be a fiery Mike at the helm. He can take the USGA to task, bellow for Joba to return to the bullpen, deride the Yanks for losing 2 of 3 to the Nats, make fun of Jerry Manuel and his undying love for the sac bunt...Wait, I need to hit on that too:

With a depleted offense why is Manuel so willing to give up an out with a 1 run lead? Why does he think a 1 run lead against a potent offense is a sure win? If Castillo is on 1st and he has speed and Cora's at the plate and he can handle the bat, isn't the sac bunt completely redundant? Why is it so far from the realm of possibility that a team with a good offense can score a run against a closer that sometimes can't find the plate?

OK...Back to Mike's topics: discuss how much the NY crowd loves Phil if only they were allowed to re-use their Thursday tickets and how disappointed he was to learn that Jacqueline from the Real Housewives of NJ had implants.

Yesterday Re-Cap and Today's Opening

Can some kind soul update me on what happened yesterday? Did he jump on Wright dogging it? Did he pick a US Open winner? How was the love-in with Nantz?

As far as today's opening is concerned...

Me: What's NYY line?
Book: -330
Me: Nats 20x please
Book: Sure you don't want 40x? Francesa just locked it up for you.
Me: Later

On this day...

1994 – Following a police chase along Los Angeles freeways and a failed suicide attempt, actor and former American football player O.J. Simpson was arrested for the murders of his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ronald Goldman.

Raise your hand if you were watching the Knicks vs. Rockets in the NBA finals when they cut in to follow OJ down the freeway.

Ancient History v. David Wright

Since no one ever, ever drops pop-ups it's really not a big deal that D. Wright ended up on first base after Huff's drop last night. I mean, when was the last time you saw THAT happen?

It really makes you realize that Texeira scoring from 1st the other night, with $180MM contract and slow legs all the more impressive. The fact that Beltran never even came close to scoring on essentially the same play is all the more pathetic.

I really hope this doesn't get lost in the throes of a win BUT Wright dogged it out of the box TWICE last night. Each time, Gary and Keith glossed over it completely. Beltran got outrun by Texeira and the Mets got lucky to put one in the "W" column.

Look, Jerry Manuel is a godawful manager...One of the worst ever, I'd say, and this is absolutely his last shot at a managing position on this level. Why not publicly bench Wright? In light of all that transpired over the weekend, why not take a stand? I am not one that thinks chemistry or unity wins games or anything but what Wright and Beltran did last night could lose games. I love Wright as much as the next Mets fan. I defend him vociferously and realize his value as a baseball player. This year, however, he's shown spots where running has been unimportant or too important as he's shown a habit of making outs on the bases.

I hope Mike and the Mets fans don't miss this point today. I certainly hope Manuel and Wright don't miss it either.

ARTIE LANGE WITH CHRIS RUSSO

Artie Lange's appearance with Chris Russo on Mad Dog Unleashed yesterday was very informative on different levels. I'm sure Chris was asked(or forced) to have Artie on, since he is a staple of Sirius XM's flagship show, Howard Stern. Chris was up to the task, although he was none too happy about Lange's performance on HBO. He told Artie that he wasn't funny with Joe Buck. Artie came back with "you don't know a fucking thing about comedy."

This spot was so entertaining because hearing Artie Lange fire f-bomb after f-bomb at the prudish Russo was amusing. Chris, for his part, never cursed. But he stood in there amongst comments like, "how's that motherfucker!?" and argued with Lange about the necessity of the language on HBO. Russo didn't win this argument in the long run, but he did expose Lange as an overeager opportunist. And Lange for his part contradicted himself at times. But Lange got to the heart of Russo's naivete. Whether it's the clean language or the fact that he doesn't understand the handshakes in showbusiness, Russo is in essence a child. He will always be that enthusiastic kid that loves sports and gets excited by it.

Artie Lange did compare himself to Lenny Bruce, which is fair. It is surprising to see all this hubbub about his off-color appearance on Buck's show. Maybe he was funny, maybe he wasn't. But why are people put off by this stuff? It's nothing that hasn't been said before.

At any rate, enjoy the interview. I was a little late in hitting record, so you miss the first few minutes of the interview. But you get the picture.
http://www.imeem.com/people/AmQTmSq/music/eaFUObLE/mad-dogwav/
Let me know if it doesn't work. If not, it is embedded on the right side of the page below contributors.

Dog's top 10 NBA players

Mad Dog listed the top 10 NBA players EVER just now and I thought it deserved a post.
In his order:
Jordan
Magic
Bird
West
Big O
Kareem
Wilt the Stilt
Russell
Elgin Baylor
Kobe
Apparently last night Kobe snuck into the top 10 ahead of Dr. J, Olajuwan, Tim Duncan, Mallone, Stockton, Shaq, Havlicheck, Pistol Pete, George Mikan...and Derrick Coleman.

Burney vs K-Rod

My first post. I kept hearing that Burney got in K-Rod's face over some comments. Has either been on their teams for more than 3 months? I think I could kick both of their asses.

Anyway, today's game will be the opening segment for both Mike and Dog, so I hope your are all watching. Meanwile the Stanley Cup Final Game 7 was awesome and Cotto fight rocked...But we won't be hearing about either on Monday.

Redemption

So, Sunday will tell the tale.  Will Mike bemoan the Bombers inability to pummel a downtrodden bunch or will the pinstriped bunch salvage a series win?  Will Mike drone on and on about the lack of fortitude in a playoff atmosphere or will the boys from the Bronx come through in a big spot?

If you really love Mike and huge bowls of popcorn, you'll know tomorrow night.  For the rest of us, we'll get the gist at 1:07 PM on Monday.  For now, the Yankees can be happy that they can justify their lack of production on facing an unknown.  Let's erase the fact that the man was a 10 year minor leaguer and focus on the fact that Jetes had never faced him, right?

As for me...Well, I see Burnett giving a sub-$820000000000000000000000 effort and I see Johan throwing a gem.  

Come Monday, Mets fans are happy and Loki is kicking himself in the shins.

Luis Castillo...MVP?

That's all I got...Your thoughts?

Subway Series and the Idiots in Charge

Johnny Damon and the 2004 Sawx team were famously dubbed, "The Idiots." Catchy and self-deprecating, yes and memorable since that team whooped the Yanks 4 in a row in the ALCS and went on to bury the Cards in the Series. "The Idiots" were subsequently dismantled and the term of endearment was threatened with extinction. I am bringing it back now as I offer to you:

Joe Girardi and Jerry Manuel - The "New" Idiots

I was in a big hurry as a Mets fan to jettison Willie. I thought it was a bad hire and was happy to see him go. Jerry was a welcome change. My patience and the patience of all Mets fans is growing thin. A sac bunt in the 2nd last night? With Redding on the mound? Against Jamie Moyer? It's like hitting on 18 against a 7. Just when you think he's maximized his stupidity he pushes against all odds and hits a new level.

Girardi is no better...I am no Yankee fan so I need to hear from Loki and the other Texeira jersey wearing, A-Rod booing boys out there. How has Girardi screwed your season?

Now, what will Mike's take be on this weeks respective debacles? He will point to the Mets and their overall lack of clutchness. He'll discuss the merits of having 2 MVP's playing in the same infield with an obvious MVP type year from the left fielder and why this bodes poorly for the Mets in the coming months. He'll definitely touch on the Yankees bullpen deficiencies and the emergence of Youk as the best player since Bonds retired.

It's a grim day for NY baseball fans and Mike will do all he can to keep that fire raging. He'll promise hard interviews for "The New Idiots" but let's see if he delivers.

For me, I just pray that the Mets can squeak out a win this weekend. A sweep is gonna be tough to take.

Calling All Bloggers

We here at the Mike and the Mad Blog are holding our own versions of the infamous Bar A Auditions. Except in our case, we're looking for more contributors to this blog to write original posts. And we're not trying people out. And we don't have Southside Johnny. But If you are a reader of this blog and feel like you have some original content to add, drop us an email at: mikeandmadblog@gmail.com and we'll pass over a spare set of keys to the car. I am going to be unable to blog for the upcoming month or so and Gman is a bit burnt out on the big man. So we're looking for some fresh blood to keep this blog going.

Where Will Mike Start?

While some may feel that today is a tricky day for Francesa on the Fan, I disagree. Some might contend that with the Mets beating the Phils last night, that takes some heat off Mikey's fastball as he can't go too crazy about the Phillies lineup of gamers off a loss. And because his boyfriend Johan pitched a spotty game, he can't go on and on about Mr. Santana. But, that gives Mike the perfect opening to lead with the Yanks. And even though Mike's beloved pinstriped heroes lost last night, some (myself included) would argue that Mike took some joy in this defeat. First off, his other boyfriend Beckett came up huge in a big spot. Next, Mr. Pie face himself, AJ Burnett, came up small. On days like today, Mike will remind viewers that he was never a fan of the AJ signing. Now if Burnett had pitched a big game, he would just point out that "Burnett always pitches well against Boston.." But the bigger issue here is that over a month ago, Mike put the Yankees season on the brink of collapse. He argued that Arod coming back would not save this team - that they were old, Mariano needed a new pitch, something was missing, the seats need to be filled, the economy was bad, blah, blah, blah. But a funny thing then happened. The Yankees started to dominate and Mike avoided giving them praise. Instead, he turned guns blazing towards the Mets and just sort of avoided Yankee talk. When he was forced to commend the team that plays in Coors Field East, Mike pointed to an easy schedule. But today with the Mets beating the Phils and the Yanks losing yet again to Boston, this gives him the perfect opening to go off on the Bombers. "This is why Boston is better!! You can take your pies in the face, I'll take Beckett!! This team is missing something!! This is why Boston is better!!! Joba needs to be in the bullpen!! The Yankees have no heart when it comes to Boston!! Melky's a fourth outfielder!! Their lineup is old!! Bring it on Mike....

Remotes Remotes Remotes

Mike just announced a lot of upcoming remotes on the way in the month of June. He announced this as if he was excitedly reading the winning lottery numbers on a million dollar ticket. He was flat out giddy..."Folks, we're gonna have lots of remotes in June." Here's something for Mike and WFAN to ponder: YOUR REMOTES SUCK. And here are a few reasons why:

1. If it's a Met or Yankee remote at either of their ballpark, you never get the guests to sit beside you. Instead they talk to you from the clubhouse, making your existence pointless.

2. You are typically given the most dreary looking backdrops imaginable. Anyone remember Mike's remote at the start of last football season from Jets camp the first day Favre reported? Mikey was broadcasting from the woods.

3. You rarely take calls. I'm sorry but there's only so many guest interviews where you are answering your own questions that I can take.

4. You typically encounter some sort of technical difficulties or simply show up late for your own show. Exhibit A: The Bar A Audition Disaster that shall never be spoken of again.

So with all these things going against you, why in the world are you so happy to announce all of these remotes? Do you think people make sure to plan their listening experience around the fact that you are going to be on location somewhere? The only reason it's at all entertaining to tune in to these shows is because something will go wrong with your microphone and you will flip out on the tech guys on air. I just can't go too crazy about WFAN Remotes.

FRANCESA GLOSSARY

We all know the terminology that Mike Francesa uses on a regular basis, but sometimes we need to stop and make note of it. We think this is especially important since he has been solo for 9 months now. Without a partner, there is a good chance his vocabulary has changed, with new words entering the mix and others fading into obscurity. Here are entries into the Francesalingua:

Bizarre – Francesa has been using this a lot recently, especially after the Mets win a game. Using 'bizarre' is his way of diminishing the Mets, but it also is an admission that he is at a loss for words at how they can defy him.

I understand – I don’t remember this as much when Dog was around. He must use this because he has no partner to argue with him. So he has to create a phantom debater, eg. "I understand the economy is bad." The usage is very similar to ‘this whole idea’ or 'the whole notion'(See the glossary on the right for 'whole notion' definition).

No question - When Mike asks a question of an interview subject, then answers it himself, then waits for subject to agree and finishes with "no question" cementing the fact that there indeed was no question ever asked ("absolutely" is another form of "no question")

Canonize - This term is applied to the Mets solely when they are high on a young prospect - as in "the Mets canonized Murphy". However, this term will never be applied to the Yanks. You will never hear "the Yanks canonized Hughes and Kennedy."

Folks - Folks is used to address the callers and listeners of Mike'd Up. If you listen closely the way mike says it, it sort of has a condescending tone to it.

Gamer - These are guys Mike would go to war with any day and divorce Roe for in a heartbeat...Youk, Jeter, the entire Phillies offense, etc. Sorry. No Mets allowed.

We welcome more entries into the updated Francesa lexicon.

(Editors note: This is a joint joint between FTLT and gman26)

Francesa Cleansing

These past few days I have been away and unable to listen to "Mike'd Up, Francesa on the Fan, show that used to be compelling with Chris Russo" or whatever you'd like to refer to it as. And I must say, removing myself from Mikey for this short period of time is really a breath of fresh air. I don't find myself constantly having to get into a car by 1:04 or pause my TIVO when I need to take a piss. In short, my life doesn't quite seem to revolve around tuning in for the big man's take on the day's events. I'm not going to lie - there have been times the past two days where I sat around thinking "I wonder what Mike is saying right now." But with the passage of time, those moments are few and far between. I would imagine this is much like doing some crazy colon cleansing procedure. It rids your body of unnecessary toxins. And so now that my body has been rid, I am ready to poison it once again. So fill me in on what has gone down the past few days on America's #1 rated sports talk show on the planet...

FRANCESA THE STORYTELLER

While we hammer away at Mike for his consistent arrogance and one-note drudgery, we sometimes miss the forest for the trees. If you really get down to it, Mike is an underrated wordsmith. On a daily basis, Francesa adroitly uses a potent mix of imagery, idioms and descriptive language. I've typed up some of his words from the first two segments:

'stand tall', 'crawling', 'swept aside', 'hammered', 'on the shelf','big thumpers', 'thunderbats', 'bloom is off the rose', 'full to the brim', 'red carpet invitation in solid gold', 'take him for a spin', 'double him to death', 'three ring circus'

I'm not saying he's Oscar Wilde or anything, but the fact of the matter is that he's very good at painting a picture of the day in sports. Sometimes that picture is a little crooked and potentially fraudulent. But it is interesting to look at nonetheless.

Please add any other turns of phrase uttered by the Pope of Letters today.

New Starts

We here at Mike and the Mad Blog are happy to announce a relationship with the newly formed themikefrancesa.com. Don't confuse them with mikefrancesa.com. These guys split from the latter site and created their own message boards. They reached out to us today asking if we'd like to cross promote each other. And they have sent a good deal of traffic our way today. So we would like to return the favor. They differ from us in that they are a message board site. These guys seem like good dudes looking for a fresh start. Who doesn't like new beginnings? If Mike and Chris can start over, why can't we? Check them out at themikefrancesa.com.

MIKE AND CHRIS REUNITE FOR AI POST

Chris: Anddddd Gooood Afternooon Everybody on this beautiful May day. ROW in Albany piggybacking. And how are you today Mike?

Mike: Fine.

Chris: Well Mike lots to talk about today. The Mets continue to be an enigma. You want to get excited about the

Yanks? Okay, but can they play a few good teams first? Where do you want to start Mike?

Mike: Wherever.

Chris: This idea that the Orlando Magic could win this series.

Mike: Dog, we got to start with the finale of American Idol.

Chris: Excellent point Mike!

Mike: Listen, they put on a great show last night, with Rod Stewart and Queen and Lionel and...

Chris: Ahh could ya please with the cursing Fergie? Come on.

Mike: Ryan, as always, does a great job hosting.

Chris: Excellent job Mike, excellent job.

Mike: Folks, if you think that Kris Allen is our American Idol then you're kidding yourself. Now I understand America was in a tricky spot with the rumors of Adam being gay and no question that hurt him a little. I understand the economy is bad. I understand Kris had more votes last week. But folks, Adam is a gamer.

Chris: TERRIBLE JOB by America Mike. TERRIBLE JOB! I mean this whole idea that Krissy is somehow better than Adam is absurd.

Mike: Listen folks, before we canonize Kris Allen, remember these guys who have fundamental flaws like Reuben Studdard and David Cook. Adam should have won this thing. And then we have to listen to the new golden boy sing that awful song that Kara wrote.

Chris: Pipe down Kara. Timmy could write a better song than that. And another thing Mike, do I need these girls running around naked on stage? I mean could ya please? I got Jeannie and the kids watching and I got these girls with nothing on.

Mike: Kris Allen cannot beat Adam Lambert. I'm sorry folks but that just can't happen. But listen FOX did a nice job with the show. Roe and I got a kick out of it. And listen they did a nice job with the broadcast so I'm not going to kill them, but how in the world do we NOT hear from the judges after the results! I mean COME ON FOX!!!! How do I not hear from Simon Cowell what he thought! Where's the postgame show?

Chris: Excellent point Mike. Excellent point.

Mike: I mean c'mon FOX! And listen I know Simon has been on a nice run, but how does he NOT come out to argue that CALL!!! Folks, they didn't just take a point off the board here, they robbed Lambert. How does Simon not protect his guy!!!! And there are reports of individuals making up to 100 text votes by themselves? If Fox doesn't clean up this competition, then it's going to be as relevant as the NHL. I already have to put up with Matt Vasgersian and Jeannie Zelasko. Now I have to put up with a voting system that is corrupt?