SU is back from Houston and hosting a variety of pro sports teams representatives at Minute Maid Park. Great venue, cool roof and a smoking hot team. I even got to listen to the end of last night’s Yankee game after flying into 3rd world country LaGuardia Airport and getting stuck in grid lock traffic at 1 am outside the terminal. John Sterling was in rare form calling the game. SU says he must actually close his eyes and describe the game based on crowd noise. It’s hard to say if the grid lock traffic was worse or listening to him and his delayed calls on the action. The Yankees lost another painful game after coming from behind several times and even taking the lead. SU’s observations on the Yankees:
- First of all, I preface all comments on the fact that they are ahead of schedule this year and it’s all been gravy so far. I will not get down on this team.
- Tyler Clippard needs to go. There is a reason he has been on so many teams in his career. He is the 2nd coming of Paul Quantrill – trying to lose every game he pitches now.
- The injury to CC’s hamstring is huuugggeeeee. SAD! This will linger as he is older, out of shape and over-weight. Four weeks is conservative and he has been oh so consistent all year. Now Gary Sanchez has tweaked his hammy as well.
- SU just read that Greg Bird has stopped his rehab and is seeing Dr. Ahmad. Not good. You just know something is broken in that leg and he will miss the rest of the season.
- Pineda is starting to come back to earth after a strong start and Tanaka is still feeling his way. The bullpen features a number of youngsters – none of whom are taking advantage of the opportunity (see Rob Refsnyder and his book on not taking advantage of your opportunities).
SU is a firm believer in that you are not as good as you look when you are red hot and you are not as bad as you look when you lose 3 in a row. But these have all been winnable games. Gardner and Hicks are cooling and this is probably a good time for Ellsbury to get back in action. But if they really want to do something here, start moving up some more youngsters and make some moves with players who are not on the 40-man roster. They are limiting themselves right now and it’s time for some reinforcements – especially to play first base.
Meanwhile, it’s time for the Mets to become sellers in July. Harvey is the latest pitcher to go down. They have some chips to move for young talent. Start the fire sale.
Question: if Golden State had not picked up Kevin Durant, would they have beaten the Cavs? I am not so sure. And does Cleveland look to move Kevin Love? He really couldn’t cover anyone in the finals. Note to long-time SU subscriber D. Green: I will not suggest that Cleveland is going to acquire Carmelo Anthony now but I do think they could use his offense. Kyrie is terrific but if Love is a non-factor in this match-up, you do not want to have to rely on JR Smith for offense. Just sayin.
Sports Update Intergalactic 
How does Justin sign up for SU? Are you still giving away fleece jackets?
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As long as we are in doom and gloom mode, Hicks came out of the game in the 9th with what is being called an Achilles injury (we both can identify with that)- no further details yet.
And Warren to the DL as well
Love looked really good in the three series up to this one and it is too bad he did not deliver in the Finals. Would have been fun to watch a 2-2 series going into Game 5. I think it is a real possibility that Anthony or George (first names for last names) go to the Cavs. Griffin (not so much a first name but it has become more popular in the past 10 years) could be a dark horse to go there instead – but I don’t think he would fit unless he was willing to change his role.
As for the Yankees… unfortunately not too much information on their season does not make it to Atlanta. Braves may have already been mathematically eliminated, which is possible with a median starting pitching age of 49… and an average weight of 275 (both courtesy of Bartolo Colon).
Funny SU should mention that. I was just thinking that Melo might finally be going to the Cavs. Not in a trade, but signing for the veterans minimum after he gets his buyout from the Knicks. It won’t cost him to take the minimum.
Love might get traded for Paul George.
Interesting about the trade for Paul George. You get a much younger and more athletic player who can be much more effective in a series with the Warriors. Although I have always felt that George was a high shot volume scorer which may not fit into the Cavs model for success. Knick fans should only be so lucky that Melo would take a contract buyout deal.