Bring Home the Gold

redemption

So I am sitting in the quiet confines of Club Gato Sunday night in the aftermath of the victory that was USA 5 Canadia 3....and the phone rings, it was an exhuberant Member of the Swetaer Nite Executive Committee.....none other than Donn E Beisbol calling to state that this victory extracted a slice of Revenge for the Canada Cup Incident of 1991.....that was the night the Royal Mounted Police fabricated tales against me and requested that I leave the Montreal Forum "and never return" ....something silly about tossing an icey cold delicious Cup of Molson Golden towards the ice , but hitting the wheelchair section.....twice....we all know that would be considered alcohol abuse.....Thanks Donnie for the support as always....now how do I get to Wicked Wandas?

The Ghost of Sweater Nite Past

the goal that changed the world

30 years ago today, in the sleepy village of Lake Placid, Mike Eruzione crept in from the right point, took a pass and found the twine.....the world would never be the same.

Saturday Recap

I myself was in Leggetts of Manasquan for the Mid-Winter run and so i did not get to see any of the preps yesterday , below is the recap that appeared on ESPN , sound like Todd Pletcher has a few more good ones on the hunt at this stage.

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. -- A 3-year-old division lacking a breakout effort so far in 2010 got one on Saturday when Eskendereya walloped the highly-regarded Jackson Bend and Buddy's Saint while turning in a tour de force performance in the Grade 2, $250,000 Fasig-Tipton Fountain of Youth Stakes at Gulfstream Park.

Eskendereya ($9.80), the third choice, turned back a bid by Jackson Bend going around the final turn and then bounded clear to win by 8 1/2 lengths under jockey John Velazquez. Jackson Bend, the 5-2 second choice, held on for second, three-quarters of a length in front of third-place Aikenite.

"We've never gotten to the bottom of him," Pletcher said. "He finishes very strong in all his works."

Buddy's Saint, the 9-5 favorite, was clobbered along the fence when heading into the first turn, moved up down the backstretch but then bottomed out, beating only early pacesetter Lost Aptitude, who stopped to finish last in the 10-horse field.

Eskendereya and Aikenite are trained by Todd Pletcher, who also won the Risen Star Stakes at Fair Grounds with Discreetly Mine.

"That's the longest two minutes in sports, the stretch run there," Pletcher said after watching the race on a television at Oaklawn.

Eskendereya, a son of Giant's Causeway owned by Ahmad Zayat's Zayat Stables, has now won three times in five starts. He has won two straight at Gulfstream, and Pletcher said he would come back next month here in the Grade 1 Florida Derby

Pletchers Time ?

it's sooooo early, but still you have to wonder if 2010 is the year Mr. Todd Pletcher and the Great John Velasquez finally breakthrough and win the Kentucky Derby. Yesterday beneath the warmth of the Floridian sun at Tampa Bay Downs this duo took a broad leap towards that goal. RULE , son of Roman Ruler, looked as good as a three year old on Valentines weekend could look, strong , strong effort in capturing the Sam Davis Stakes. An obviously pleased Pletcher hinted after the race that his next step with this colt will be downstate in Gulfstream Park for the Floriday Derby as his final prep for KY2010...

Bob Baffert who expects to take favorite LOOKIN AT LUCKY to the May 1st Ball also saddles MACAIS winner of the Baffles Stakes and now a derby hopeful.

TIZ THE ONE , a half brother to Dermotts filly TIZACLANCYGIRLNOW looked strong winning a prep race at Gulfstream with Alan Garcia uptop for trainer Chad Brown.

The feel good story of the day had to be WOW WOW WOW charging to victory from the 10 slot and looking strong in doing so for none other Horse Racing Legend and Hall of Famer D Wayne Lukas.......this year since I am going to the Derby I am hoping that all my lifetime Favorites have entries...how special wold it be to see Mr Lukas, Baffert, Zito, Hardy, Jenkins and Pletcher, going toe to toe for all the mint juleps in Dixie.

75 days is an eternity in Horse Racing , but at least at this juncture it is shaping up to be an All Star Cast.....keep those fingers crossed and don't tear up your tickets until it's official.

Road to the Derby

in case you missed it, the first nominations for the Kentucky Derby were announced on Friday....366 horses in total , there is a link on ESPN if you wish to view the horses, their pedigree , trainer and ownership.....Mr Baffert has 13 so far , of which our early fave "Lookin At Lucky" is one. his also has one of Tiznows offspring Tiz Chrome.......today there are 5 races sprinkled across the map for these same 3 year old hopefuls, The Bob Lewis, the Sam Davis and the baffle Stakes highlight the card.......pay attention out there......real money is at stake.......check back here periodically for a sure fire guide of whom NOT to bet.

today we love an exacta of Tiz Chrome and American Lion...

we tip our caps to Hunter S

He became a man the day of the greatest game he ever played. Everything he ever knew about common decency and morality he learned that day in December from Alan "The Horse" Ameche; and today in the Superbowl he would earn his wings. The crowd had assembled; a crowd of America's elite. Toyata salesmen from all around the country -- orientals and even those suspected of being orientals -- stacked on the thirty yard line watching him sweat and wipe caked blood from his face. The Gallow brothers -- Ernest and Julio -- party guys who had skinned a few Mexicans and forced them to carry them on their shoulders down to the pre-game tailgate parties at the colosseum. The Pepsi and Coka Cola bottlers of America -- Coke adds life; It's the real thing -- bombarded by missiles; flying flaming matchbook covers. The waterheads from General Motors up in the top seats where they belong; getting the worst of the pollution. All sorts of weird mother****ers were at the game.
Super sunday. Dawn. My recollections of the last twelve hours are very dim. All that I know for certain is that shortly after I checked in, two third-world drug abusers dressed as hotel employees forced their way into my room; ransacked it, drank all my liquor, did all my drugs, stole my dinner. The security precautions aren't beefed up at this hotel; I'm looking for safer accomodations. It's a sad state of affairs when this reporter has to go heavily armed to breakfast

Super Sunday

I believe the Colts are better in every way.....I love to take points and root for Dogs....but not this year.....this year w lay the 5 1/2 ......Colts win 35-24...My Team Has NEVER Lost a Super Bowl when I have dusted off the Old Club Liev Jersey.

Sweater Nite 12...the grand finale?

everyone should have received their letters ( except Dano...rumor has it that Jonesee has dano's letter)......This year the festivities start early... 3:00 the puck drops in PC's for the USA Vs Russia semifinal....just like 1980....Friday Feb 26th...which is the anniversary of Big Bob Mclarens passing ( keep Kevin and the Mclaren Boys in your prayers that day especially) it is also the anniv of the First World Trade Center Bombing....

Salty Dog Bayridge Brooklyn

well i must say that when i heard a pack of city workers were brawling in the Salty Dog last week , my first thoughts turned to the Dept of Sanitation....i figured those crazy sanmen got liquored up at their funeral and were taking out their aggressions on the unsuspecting public.....imagine my surprise when the sordid details of the FDNY emerged....one can only hope that the innocent firemen are exonerated and the truly guilty are punished....

Rip Torn

it warmed my heart to read such a charming story as the one making the rounds about Rip Torn....if you missed it, he broke into a bank at 3:00 A.M. completely hammered and was rummaging around with a loaded pistol.....when the Police arrived he told them to " Get out of my house".......God bless him.....to a certain degree we have all been there....your living room, Gerry Graney's Car, Casa Calamaris basement, blue seats at MSG, a bank in CT, the security station at the Garden state Arts center, backseats of taxi cabs ....they all look the same after a case of cold ones.

whats the buzz?

Welcome to Casa Calamari......please watch your step ! ! !

The Jets...

The problem as i see it....and this won't play well in Hempstead, is none other than Joe Willie Namath......take a moment and think about it......for 40 years his enormous shadow has loomed over this team, and for 40 years newcomers to gang green try to emulate his legacy....NO TEAM in the history of any sport has talked as much nonsense without winning anything as this franchise....nobody....Hockey, baseball basketball, nothing comes close.....they have played in as many Superbowls as the Detroit Lions over the past 4 decades....could you imagine if every two or three years since the early 70's some new group of Lion Players were boasting about "Their" year, destiny, the team to beat, guarenteeing victory....it's laughable....and it all comes back to Joe.....everyone wants to be the next Namath, the Fans still were his jersey and parade his drunk ass onto the field on big occasions....it has to stop , but it probably won't until he dies....this organization should have moved to Los Angeles 10 years ao and started fresh, the could have built a legitimate contender by now.....and I hate to bring reality into the conversation, but THIS team? they won't even make the playoffs next year.......sound crazy? look at the facts honestly....they were 4-6 when suddenly the schedule and the breaks went there way....it happens, but rarely two years in a row....first off, next year they will be playing in prime time, on Monday-Sunday or Thursday Night Football, no more sneaking up on teams, every team will take them seriously and circle that game on their schedule.....this year they snuck in as wild card, but realistically if the schedule makers had them play Indy and Cincy in October or November when the games still mattered they probably loose both and miss the playoffs.......secondly , while they were running their mouths in San Diego and indy , the Steelers, Titans, Broncos, Dolphins and Pats were back at the drawing board....examining what went wrong and adressing it....I expect all of these teams to get in the playoffs ahead of the Jets next year....entitlement, the Jets always feel it, but never deserve it.....Rex already has them playing the Colts in the AFC title game at home next year, but History tells us....if we dare pay attention, that most teams that enjoy a tatse of success like the Jets just did, take a step back the following year....the Jets ALWAYS do......remember Herms first year, and Mangenius......Jet Nation was sold on those guys....Their Moses had arrived to take them to the promise land......and now these players want to be paid like Champions and that's always bad.....tough payroll decisions, prima donnas like Braylon Edwards, it all leads to downfall.......just remember it all goes bac to Namath and you heard it here first....the reason the Jints were able to sneak up on the world two years ago was because they did not tell EVERYONE they were coming....

so dam close

it was 14-6 gangrene......the colts had just coughed the ball up on their own 25, less than 5 minutes to go in the half, and with the Jets set to receive the 2nd half kickoff this game was on the verge of being salted away......run the ball down their throats, kill the clock and add 7 to the deficit, get the kickoff and then kill the better part of the 3rd quarter with a time consuming run oriented drive of a champion.....it worked for the Jints against the offensive juggernaut Bills that year....keep the best QB in football on the sidelines idling......but suddenly phones began to buzz.....a congratulatory text was sent out to all those jets fans, see you in Miami, the rout is on....itz over.......and just as suddenly they settled for a field goal and more importantly, they left Mr Manning enough times to cruise the field in 58 seconds, 80 yards against the BEST DEFENSE in the NFL.....the rest as they say is history.

but it was nice while it lasted, and good for the economy, who knew that so many JET jerseys where even in existence, WOW, they crawled out from under rocks for this game, even casual fans were buzzing, making plans, and joining the hoopla....they should have no problem selling out that big stadium next year, now that a superbowl title is eminent......a new generation of suffering has just begun, the curse of Richard Todd lives forever.

the streak

Cal Ripken, Roll and Mac better start sweatin....I have not had a brew since beantown....that's 15 days and 13 pounds ago, I'm wasting down to nothin......the streak may die today, time will tell, time will tell........best part of being sober, I haven't used in ATM since Boston Either.....I geuss I know where my money goes.

my predictions.......Colts pull away in 2nd Half and cruise 34-17.
Saints win a nail biter by a filed goal at the buzzer 38-35.....but I have been wrong before.

Teddy saves the world

Can't you feel that sun a-shinin'?
Ground hog runnin' by the country stream
This must be the day that all of my dreams come true
So happy just to be alive
Underneath the sky of blue
On this new morning, new morning
On this new morning with you.

in death, Teddy Kennedy did more for this nation that he ever could do alive, Bob Dylan is right, this is a New Morning in America, the people of the great Bay State have spoken, even slimey democrats like anthony weiner now admit out of self preservation fear, that it is time for a "timeout" on healthcare.....you simply can't buyout everyone ( see Nebraska and the AFLCIO) just to get their votes....if everyone is exempt that beggs the question of just whom does this legislation apply to?......you had a nice run barry....365 days exactly, now hit the brix and go get your shinebox,

if your just waking up and have not heard the joyous news, in a state where registered democrats outnumber registered republicans by 3 to 1 , a REPUBLICAN has won the seat vacated by the hell confined Teddy Kennedy........EVEN after barry hussein personally stumped for the democrat candidate as recently as this past Sunday.....now THIS is change even I can believe in......

just deserts

well it would be sweet justice for the Colts, the team that laid down like dogs in week 15 and let the Jets up off the canvas, to get their ass whooped by said team......The colts could have driven the final nail into the 2009 Jets, but choose to take the foot off the gas.......how ironic that the same team comes to Indy now....on a side note, you know the networks are loving this....in the NFC they have #1 vs #2 matchup and a side order of Brett Favre......and in the AFC they have a #1 vs NY ...ratings should be an all time high for the Championship Sunday...and if you look at the 4 possible Superbowl matchups there is not a clunker in the group.......we already that Karma is coming to play a visit to the colts, is it possible the Jets and Brett have a Karma matchup in February down in Miami , site of Superbowl 3 ........sweet biscuits they whole world is watching now.

2010 Olympics Team USA Schedule

it's never to early to stat planning a sick day or alert the boss to a phantom doctors appointment etc etc......below is the schedule for team USA...the most important thing to note is that when we advance to the semifinals we are slated for the early game....3:00 NY Time on the precipice of Sweater Nite , all hail the Algonquin Chieftans , we shall drink like savage injuns that day.

it goes without saying there will be a very special viewing of the Gold Medal Game on Sunday in Club Gato.


2010 Olympic Winter Games U.S. Men's Schedule

Date Opponent Time (Local/EST)

Tues., Feb. 16 Switzerland 12 p.m./3 p.m. this game will be played in the NEUTRAL zone

Thurs., Feb. 18 Norway 12 p.m./3 p.m. atta boy Ronnie

Sun., Feb. 21 Canada 4:40 p.m./7:40 p.m. i say bomb em if we loose

Tues., Feb. 23 Qualification Games+ 12 p.m./3 p.m.
Wed., Feb. 24 Quarterfinals+ 12 p.m./3 p.m.
Fri., Feb. 26 Semifinals+ 12 p.m./3 p.m. SWEATER NITE
Sat., Feb. 27 Bronze-Medal Game 7 p.m./10 p.m.
Sun., Feb. 28 Gold-Medal Game 12:15 p.m./3:15 p.m. Sweater nite Recap Club Gato



+game time listed is when USA will play if qualified for game

from CBS news :
A desperate citizenry combined with an absence of police forces has led to increased looting in Port-au-Prince in the wake of a massive earthquake that is estimated to have killed tens of thousands.



As Jackson Browne would say....."someones gonna have to explain it to moe, i'm not sure i understand"

so the president acted swiftly, promising aid to Haiti, sending in the US Navy IMMEDIATELY , pledging billions in food, medical services and financial aid, there were no reports of US troops dynamiting hospitals or levees or wanting to use a crisis to takeover a country for natural resources.......and yet there is looting in the streets....obviously this must be the lingering effects of resentment towards the previous administration.....oR...dare I ask, is nature running it's course?
Good to see there was no sign of the Haitian Police who no doubt took an oath to serve at all times....not just sunny days....similar to New Orleans, where those who are paid to protect the citizenry , up and ran out of town....May God be their Judge when they burn down in hell.


Video footage from the city showed bands of Haitian youths armed with machetes wandering the streets looting, as the local police were largely invisible.

Again if I may steer worthy donations to the one group you can Trust, no agendas, no politics, just help.

You can send in a donation via the mail. Mail your check to: Catholic Relief Services P.O. Box 17090 Baltimore, MD 21203-7090