It's A Great Day for Hockey

Well its official. The Phantoms are coming to town. I think we should have a big bonfire at East Field and burn any old Redwings, Icehawks or Frostbite apparel and move on. At the same time we should keep some memory of the rich history of the Wings around. Now that we have the team, believe it or not, the real hard work begins. The team received 1,700 season ticket deposits. The people who weren't sure they wanted to buy tickets until the committment was made to play here should do so and we can reach that 2,500 ticket goal. Local business in Warren, Washington, and Saratoga counties who'll benefit economically, it's time for you step up and buy advertising on the dasher boards and in the game program. When the AHL schedule comes out, the Phantoms should work with area hotels and reach out to the booster clubs from other teams and the Philadelphia Booster Club to do weekend trip packages that include discounted game tickets and hotel rooms. The late Ned Harkness made Redwings games a distination and the place to be. It's like Saratoga in August. You go because everybody's there whether you like horse racing or not. We need to do that again. People going to the Phantoms games because everybody's going and you don't want to be left out.
I can't wait for opening night. Hopefully Dave Strader can convince the Coyotes to give him the night off so he can be there. Maybe AHL Commissioner Dave Andrews will show up to. There's plenty of room for both of them and a few more of their friends.
Finally nice job everybody for coming through in 22 days and making this happen. I'll see all of you in October. To quote the legendary Badger Bob Johnson, "It's A Great Day for Hockey!" Glens Falls is back in the AHL.

Mel Kiper, Jr draft expert I'm not and other weekend thoughts

Hi There. Well I managed to sit through another first round of the NFL draft. It's hard when your team is picking 29th and you know you could be off doing other things and not miss a thing of any importance. It's gotten better. If you remember teams had 15 minutes to make their first round choice instead of 10. As a Giants fan I liked the Hakeem Nicks pick and going linebacker and offensive line in the second round. When you're picking low you go for the best athlete available and look to add depth at positions. One more draft note. A salute to Ryan Succop a kicker from South Carolina. He was this years' Mr. Irrelevant.
Speaking of college football, 95 thousand people showed up for the spring scrimmage game at THE Ohio State University. We're talking a scrimmage! You people need to get a life. There's another reason to hate the Big 10 conference.
Talking about getting kicked in the groin when your down. The Yankees got swept by the RedSox. Mo Rivera blew a save Friday night. They give up 16 runs Saturday, and then Sunday Jacoby Ellsbury stole home on Andy Pettite. Then to top it off the Bronx Bombers earlier in the week got ripped by Don Garber head of Major League Soccer. We have a big time soccer league in this country? Did the Cosmos come back? What's that Don? The New York team is called the Red Bulls? You're kidding me right, Don? Oh you're not. They really are called the Red Bulls. If you're gonna pick on someone Mr.Garber, the Yankees aren't the team. Going against the Yankees is about as fair a fight as Dubray in a jump ball against Shaq. Try someone your own size, like say Arena Football.
Baseball and football lost one those play by play giants of the game I loved to listen to. Harry Kalas. Football fans knew him as one of the voices of NFL films, but find a tape and listen to him and Richie Ashburn doing Phillies games. They don't get much better than that. Favorite Harry Kalas call. Mike Schmidt's 500th home run against the Pirates.
Want to know a difference between Dan and Pete? Pete's in mourning over the passing of Marilyn Chambers, while Dan is in mourning over the passing of Bea Arthur. Bea Arthur was one talented, funny actress. Loved her in "History of the World Part 1." I've known Dan 20+ years and I don't get the Bea Arthur thing.
From the "Mommy, I'm Scared!" department. A fast food restaurant has a commercial promoting its kids meal with Sponge Bob toys using a parody of Sir Mixalot's "Baby Got Back." Very disturbing images.
Got on the scale Saturday and was at 213 pounds. Yes I reached 30 pounds lost and how did I celebrate? By putting 2 pounds back on with a well made bacon cheeseburger and a piece of cheesecake (no toppings of course) for dessert.
Keep buying those Phantoms tickets...Leccese out.

One Last Final Push for the Phantoms

Hi There.
Well time is running out and and if you haven't put down your season ticket deposit for the Phantoms now is the time to get it done. The deadline is MONDAY AT 3PM. If you can't make it over to the Civic Center box office before then, here's what you can do. Go to http://www.glensfallscc.com/. Then click on the Phantoms logo that will be on the front of the home page. You can place your ticket order online.
Everything is in place and if you listened to Rob Brooks talk with Dan and Pete Friday morning he said if sales didn't pick up, the opportunity to return the AHL to our city may not happen! Remember it was you fans wanted the AHL to come back to the Civic Center after the Redwings left. You couldn't except a lesser minor league like the UHL. Hello McFly. The Phantoms and the AHL want to play here! The Flyers are a class organization with a rich hockey tradition run by the Snider family who has owned the team since its inception. The Brooks group know how to run a hockey team and make it work. The tickets are more than affordable. Partial season ticket plans are available. You'll be able to arrange a payment schedule if you can't pay for your seats all at once. Don't let this last chance get away and slip out of our hands. Too many people in hockey, business, and political circles have gone to bat for us here in Glens Falls and Warren, Washington, and Saratoga counties. DON'T LET THEM DOWN by blowing it.
I mentioned on the air Friday that 20 years ago the Redwings were down 3 games to nothing to the Hershey Bears and rallied to win the series in 7 games and go on to win the Calder Cup. Lets pull off another miracle and bring hockey back! I firmly believe we can get this done. I don't want my 50 dollars back. I want to be at the home opener in October with 5,000 more of you celebrating along with every tv station from Albany to Plattsburgh doing live cut ins during the 6pm newscast.
One more time go to http://www.glensfallscc.com/ and get your tickets before the deadline Monday at 3pm. Do you want the Rats back here playing 4 home games next season? I didn't think so. To use one of Dan's favorite quotes, "Just Do It."

22 to 4 and other observations of the New Yankee Stadium and CitiField

Hi There. After watching Saturday's Yankee game, the Browns wished their offense scored as much as the Indians did. 22 to 4? 14 runs in the second inning? The Yanks also gave up 15 to the Rays and 10 more to the Tribe earlier in the week. So much for that great pitching staff. Rumor has it that Delaney is throwing from a mound and will beg Joe Girardi for a tryout by claiming he's C.C. Sabathia's older brother or cousin. They're about the same size and Brian looks thinner. In the first four games in the new stadium, the Yankees and Indians hit a combined 20 home runs. Is the place that much of a hitters ballpark or is it bad pitching? A-Rod must be chomping at the bit to get healthy and back in the line-up. One more thing, why would you put a butcher shop and farm stand in a ballpark?
On to CitiField. It's nice to know I'm in the majority of Mets fans who thought the biggest problem with it and I've been preaching this forever: THE PLACE IT ISN'T METS ENOUGH! The exterior and rotunda reminds you of Ebbetts Field. The color of the seats are the same as the ones in the Polo Grounds were. The color of the outfield wall and I heard this from Howie Rose driving home last Monday night is "soot." When did "soot" become a color? Where are the tributes to Bill Shea, Joan Payson, Gil Hodges, Tom Seaver, and the others who played a part in the history of the Amazin's. The only 3 things that the Wilpons took from Shea and brought over to CitiField were the following. Orange foul poles, the Home Run Apple (in a survey the team did with its fans the number 1 thing they wanted from Shea brought over was the apple), and the skyline that was on top of the scoreboard which now adorns concession stands. How about having statues of some of the people I've mentioned placed around the ballpark. They talk about the ghosts of Yankee Stadium. Well after seeing Monday's home opener against the Padres the ghosts of Mets past were in CitiField. O.K. so it was the inept ghosts who showed. Only the Mets could give up a home run to the first batter in the history of the place and then actually lose the first game played on a balk that brought home the winning run. As for on the field. The Mets have left over 100 runners on base through the first 12 games. The team is so screwed if that keeps up.
This weeks sign of the apocalypse comes from our nations capital where the Nats fined outfielder Elijah Dukes for showing up 5 minutes late. His excuse. He was representing the team at a Little League parade and stayed for the whole thing instead of leaving early. One more stupid thing from the Nationals. Did any of their clubhouse attendants notice that on a couple of players jerseys that Majestic who makes them spelled "Nationals" wrong.
The NFL draft is Saturday and the Lions are officially on the clock. Now that Matt Millen is long gone as GM, is there less of a chance the team will screw the pick up?
Speaking of the NFL, John Madden announced his retirement from the broadcast booth. I'll admit I'm not sorry to see him go. I said to Dan over the years I thought Madden had become a caricature of himself. He'll be remembered more for a video game then being a great analyst and one heck of a coach. If you think of the great coaches of the 70's, Madden belongs up there with Chuck Noll, Don Shula, Tom Landry, and Bud Grant.
Go to YouTube and check out this ad from the Boston Bruins. Type in "Boston Bruins Date." Funny spot. I couldn't agree more. Don't date within the division no matter how pretty she is.
Got your Phantoms tickets yet? Come on now. What are you waiting for? We need about 1,600 more tickets. Lets make it happen. They've put out the prices. They are more than reasonable. I put my $50.00 down for a pair of seats and I'm leaning towards sitting in Section P or V. However, I can't decide whether the team name should be Glens Falls or Adirondack.
Saw a picture of newly crowned Miss USA Kristen Dalton who was surprised that she won wearing a turquoise evening gown. Talk about stunning! Trust me Kristen, you'd look good wearing a soot colored evening gown and still win hands down...Leccese out.

Thoughts from the broadcast tower overlooking Amen Corner

Hi There. Hope you had a great Easter and after I leave the radio station tonight I'm making a mad dash to find Russell Stover chocolate coconut nests at a discount.
We'll open with The Masters. I was rooting for Kenny Perry to pull it out. After that tee shot on 16 and he tapped in for that 2 shot lead, you thought he had it. I know most people were hoping for Eldrick and Phil to make some amazing charge and they almost did, but Phil starting putting like I do and missed too many easy ones. The other guy I was rooting for was Jim Furyk. Two more observations on the Masters. I wish David Feherty would take that week off. He's like Gary McCord. You expect him to be funny and the Masters doesn't believe in funny. The other is Verne Lundquist. There is no one better during this time of year that starts with the NCAA tournament and ends with the Masters than Verne Lundquist. I would love to pick his brain about doing play by play.
The Stanley Cup play-offs begin Wednesday and the Eastern Conference has 2 great first round match-ups that will be wars. Bruins/Canadiens and Penguins/Flyers. It doesn't get much better than those two. Is there any way Versus or NBC could talk to the folks at Bristol Tech about borrowing Gary Thorne to do some games? I watched him call 2 of the 3 games at the Frozen Four this past weekend. That's what I miss the most about Bristol Tech doing the NHL.
The Mets officially open CitiField against the Padres and Tom Seaver will throw out the ceremonial first pitch just like he threw the last pitch at Shea. Nothing against Mike Piazza, but the only former Mets catcher who should be on the receiving end of a pitch from number 41 is Jerry Grote.
As for the Yankees, Nick Swisher reminds of that Paul O'Neill/Scot Brosius type player that the Bronx Bombers have been missing in their line-up the last couple of years.
Two must watches. Tuesday night Bristol Tech brings back E-60 and Jeremy Schapp does an in depth interview with Vince McMahon from the WWE. Hard to believe but they can do some intelligent stuff over there. The other must watch is a documentary that is currently airing on HBO on the "Thrilla in Manilla." I watched part of it and its brilliant.
One more note from Bristol Tech. Was it turn back the clock night over there Easter Sunday? I saw Chris Berman and John Saunders doing Sports Center.
Big deal, the President got his kids a dog. What's even more disturbing was the furor over VP Joe Biden getting his dog from a breeder. That's right, a certain animal rights organization was upset that the Veep didn't get his new puppy from a shelter. Seriously, some people need to get a life.
This weeks sign of the apocalypse has nothing do with Hannah Montana. Miley Cyrus seems harmless. I'd be more worried if "Achy Breaky Heart" started charting again. No, the latest sign comes from Bravo who brings you "The Real Housewives of New Jersey." I'm not kidding. I am so grateful I escaped when I did. Thanks Dan. I knew a lot of that type growing up and if I had stayed, I might have ended up being married to one of them. I'm getting scared just by the thought of it.
Unfortunately, we have to end on a sad note and that being the loss of Angels pitcher Nick Adenhart. Some idiot who drove with a suspended license gets behind the wheel drunk for the upteenth time, ran a red light and killed three innocent people. Enough is enough. No more lives lost please. When are we as a society going to our tell our fine law enforcement people to finally put the screws to these morons, lock them up and throw away the key. I don't want to read anymore stories about DWI arrests on riding lawn mowers, horses, motorized bar stools or motorized coolers. Its not funny. Its repulsive that's what it is...Monday night comedies on CBS tonight...Leccese out.

2,496 Season Tickets to go and other observations from a fun, busy weekend

Hi There. What a great weekend! You name it, it had it. Let's get the downers out of the way first and those being the shootings in Binghamton and Pittsburgh. I really feel for the families of those people who lost their lives and it's a shame in most cases the freaks who do these despicable acts kill themselves so we don't get a motive, only lots of speculation. 12 people in Binghamton and 3 of Pittsburgh's finest police officers gunned down. It's just wrong, plain wrong.
Now onto to some good news. Ladies and Gentleman, for the first time on Glens Falls Civic Center ice...Here are your Adirondack Phantoms! I can't wait to hear that from Dan or whoever the P.A. announcer will be. Alright, so I don't what the team name will be, but being there Friday night and hearing Senator Schumer tell us the news that the AHL is coming back to the building at the foot of the Glen Street hill has me pumped up. The Brooks Group wants 2,500 season tickets. Tell Mr. Brooks that Ken Leccese is pushing his chips to the center of the table and he can deal me in for 2 season tickets. With Dan thinking of buying 2 as well we need 2,496 more. I told my Dad my plans and I'm looking forward to renewing a certain father/son ritual. The two of us going to a hockey game together just like we did at Madison Square Garden. My Dad shared Rangers' season tickets with two of his friends. Nothing was better than a night in the green seats. At first we'd go on Sunday night and drive into the city to see the games. When I was in high school and college I would take the train on a weeknight from NJ to MSG and meet him for dinner at this one sports bar. The best french fries I've ever had anywhere was at this place. Combine that with the killer bacon cheeseburger I always got; I was in heaven and if the Rangers won, that made for one hell of a great night.

I want to thank everybody for another great Bowl For Kids Sake. Team 'CKM and Dan's family combined to raise over 2,200 dollars. We had a blast and we always do. It's a fun event and we get to relax and let loose. If you want to know, my high game was 161 so I raised an extra 161 dollars for Big Brothers/Big Sisters. I knew I could get a 150, but it didn't come easy. I was sweating bullets toward the end of that second game. Mikey found his groove and was spanking me big time. I'd keep looking up at the scoreboard and getting more nervous. He ended up bowling a 167 for that second game. Nice going Ladies Man. Well back to me. A bowlers' ultimate frustration is throwing a great first ball, and not getting that extra pin carry and always leaving a 1 pin spare because the pin seemed nailed to the lane. I had a lot those. I get to the 10th frame needing 8 pins for 150. I appealed to the bowling gods claiming they owed me one and they delivered with a strike and 9 count to put me over the top.

I managed to watch some of the Mets and Yankees exhibition games over the weekend partially out of curiosity to see what the new ballparks look like and I'd rather go to the new Yankee Stadium than Citi Field. At least Yankee Stadium honors the history of the team that plays in it. Remember, I'm a loyal Mets fan who is true to the orange and blue, but I've also written on more than one occasion that I'm not a fan of the Amazin's new digs. I truly hate it. Citi Field is a waist of the 800 million dollars it cost to build the place.

Speaking of the Yankees, Hal Steinbrenner admitted that the Bronx Bombers might have over priced some of the seats in the new ball orchard in the South Bronx. When did that conclusion finally occur? After you got hit in the head by a stray foul ball off the bat of Cody Ransom?

Another revelation occurred Friday when the Giants finally released Harris Smith, I mean Plaxico Burress. My brother-in-law Mike was right about Plax.

Note to Jay Cutler. Hope you enjoy playing in Soldier Field in November and December when its cold and the wind starts howling off Lake Michigan and your only weapon is Devin Hester. All you had to do was make nice with new coach Josh McDaniel and instead you cried saying you were disrespected and wanted a trade. Who'd you consult with on the tantrum? Terrell Owens.

Has there really been 25 Wrestlemania's? I stopped counting after "Rowdy" Roddy Piper fought Mr. T.

Finally onto the Final Four. Impressive wins for both Michigan State and North Carolina. I'm going with the Spartans to win it in 30 years after Earvin Johnson and Greg Kelser were too much for Larry Bird and the Indiana State Sycamores. CBS does a great job with the tournament and Greg Anthony has done phenomenal job working with Greg Gumbel, but I miss Billy Packer working with Jim Nantz.

One more thing, the Kentucky Derby is about a month away and I've already got a horse that I like. I Want Revenge. He won the Wood Memorial Saturday. I'll have to get in touch in Kyle Brownell to see if he's legit...Leccese out.