Talk about a crazy 48 hours and other observations

Hi There. Lets see in the past 2 days the Mets manager got canned along with 2 coaches. Tiger Woods has major knee surgery and is done for the golf season, and if anyone cares the Celtics beat the Lakers by nearly 40 points last night to win the best of 7 series in 6 games to claim the NBA title. I think the carousel is going a little too fast. I better get off before motion sickness takes over and I have to...well you get the idea. First the Mets. Did someone spike the water in Flushing? Talk about no class. Did Willie Randolph deserve to be fired? No he didn't. Despite the injuries to Moises Alou and Ryan Church, the mediocre play for the first 70 games of the year; and the lack of a true team leader. Unfortunately some one had to take the fall and sadly it was Willie Randolph. It didn't help that the team also blew a 7 game lead in the final two weeks of last season causing them to lose the division and wild card spot. Don't cry for Willie though. He's always been winner, a class act and a gentlemen so he'll get another shot. There's still plenty of blame left to go around so if you think Omar Minaya and Tony Bernazard are breathing any easier...Wrong! With the economy in a downward cycle and plenty of unhappy fans, Fred Wilpon knows he has to do something to regain their confidence so they'll show up at CitiField. Sorry, but the "guru" and I use the term loosely Rick Peterson had to go. For all his progress with John Maine and Oliver Perez, he messed with Aaron Heilmann's delivery early in his career and I'll always blame him for the Scott Kazmir to the Rays for Victor Zambrano trade. Stud left handed pitchers don't grow on trees you know. His crazy obsession with pitch counts and his psycho b.s. A rhesus monkey could do a better job as pitching coach. The Mets should have canned him last year especially with Mel Stottlemyre and Leo Mazzone available. So what's next? I have no clue. I do know that the Mets should go with new blood to manage them next year, someone like the Royals Trey Hillman. Don't bring back Bobby V, Lee Mazzilli or some other manager with previous experience. On to Yankees for a minute. Hank Steinbrenner please shut up! Telling the National League they should adopt the DH and join the 21st Century because your best pitcher had to bat and run the bases. Injuries are a part of the game. If you're so adamant about abandoning tradition, let's see names on the back of the sacred pinstripes. Sorry Hank, I can't hear you. That's what I thought. The baseball gods were not happy Monday afternoon in Cooperstown. If you didn't know, the Cubs and Padres were set to play in the last Hall of Fame Game at Doubleday Field, but the heavens opened up and everything got called off. Somebody tell Bud Selig to re-instate it. It's good for baseball, good for the fans and the players actually like it although it's an inconvenience for them. I had the opportunity to broadcast the Hall of Fame Game for 2 years on WWSC and it was awesome! They hold a parade through the town. The kids get the day off from school. Plus there's a home run derby before the actual game. Getting to see David Ortiz and Ken Griffey, Jr. up close was so cool. My favorite moment came when Brian and I were hunting for souvenirs in this store, and a sign says, "Welcome Bronson Arroyo and David Wells." We turn around and guess who followed us in. Finally I'm trying to choose which movie to see Friday night. Either "Get Smart" starring Steve Carell and Anne Hathaway or "Love Guru" with Mike Myers and Jessica Alba. If you have any suggestions on which way I should go, let me know...Leccese out.

Earnhardt, Eldrick the Gimp, and other weekend observations

Hi There. Hold on I see two people that look very familiar, wait a second its my parents. Retirement is treating them very well thank you. The world is in perfect harmony because Tiger won the US Open and Dale Earnhardt Jr won his first cup race almost 2 years. Very rarely is the US Open set up fair, they actually got it right at Torrey Pines. Rocco Mediate has a whole new set of fans the way he played. He handled himself with class and he had fun. If one more person tells me that this was Eldrick the Gimps' greatest triumph, I may pull a Tonya Harding and whack them on the knee. He should have worn a sleeve on it. Tiger would have won by at least 3 strokes if he left the driver out of the bag. The way he hits his 3 metal combined with his iron play. Yes he is that much better than everyone else. The other thing that drove me nuts was the way they were describing it. It was way over the top. I was waiting for Suzyn Waldman to chime in and compare it to Roger Clemens return to the Yankees last year. One more thing on Eldrick. People do watch hockey and if he saw the TV ratings in Detroit and Pittsburgh and the national ratings he would have not caught foot in mouth disease. I don't what was making me more happier today. Receiving my economic stimulus check from the government or the rumor Rick Peterson maybe out as the Amazins' pitching coach. I'm starting to believe that I maybe the only one who is upset that Shea Stadium is a goner after this year. I became a little depressed after reading an interview with Tom Seaver and he said he wanted to push the button that would bring Shea down. Growing up, my friends and I would play catch and pretend to be Tom Seaver, Jerry Koosman or John Matlack pitching to Jerry Grote. I was saddened to hear about the passing of NBC announcer Charlie Jones. If the west coast AFC teams like the Broncos, Chargers, Raiders or Chiefs were playing on TV, most of the time Charlie Jones would call the game along with Len Dawson. Great set of pipes and a class act. Same could be said about Tim Russert, even though he was a Bills fan. I guess we can't all be perfect...Leccese out.

Seeing a color that isn't found in nature and other Midweek Musings

Hi There. There is nothing better than a simple trip to the grocery store to pick up a few necessities and discover what new products companies are trying to entice the American consumer to try. I was shopping the other day when two things caught my attention. One was a color of Mt. Dew that I know nature never intended. It was kinda sorta a blue/teal combination. Very strange indeed. The other product was Kraft Macaroni and Cheese Crackers. I'm not kidding you on this one. Cheese crackers shaped liked the macaroni found in the unmistakable blue box. Anyway I bought one of the sample sizes and I have this feeling the product is meant for little kids like my niece and not middle agers like myself who are looking to bring back childhood memories. I've written a lot about of my drink of choice, VitaminWater. Well it seems Men's Health magazine named it the most unhealthy healthy drink around. The culprits. The usual two: sugar and calories. Is there anything left out there to eat or drink that is actually good for me anymore? Even bottled water supposedly is getting a bad rap. I'm starting to believe the word organic means grown safely, but still tastes like c--p. Take it from the Garden Boy. When you buy fresh produce, organic is good but also look for heirloom varieties. They may not be as pretty looking as a hybrid variety, but they taste better. Speaking of tasting, last night's Top Chef finale was kind of bland. Stephanie deserved to win, she was the most consistant throughout. I was rooting for Richard and he summed it up the best when they asked him how he did before the final decision was made, "I choked." I thought there would be a better build up to the announcement. Padma should have at least told Richard and Lisa told pack their knives and then say the congrats to Stephanie. As a Giants fan, I'm not surprised by Michael Strahan's decision to retire. They've got enough depth on the D-line. I am worried though about Plaxico Burress and Jeremy Shockey trying to upset the apple cart. I don't who has got it worse: Roger Clemens, David Stern or Hulk Hogan. Boy when you're down they just keep on kicking hoping sooner or later you'll break. On to something more pleasant. Saturday is June 14th and besides being Flag Day, it's also the 14th anniversary of the Rangers winning the Stanley Cup and I will pop in my DVD of Game 7 and watch. Don't forget Dad on Sunday...Leccese out.

Spanning the Globe to bring you an appropriate tribute to Jim McKay and other weekend observations

Hi There. In describing the weather over the weekend, I can only think of the movie "Good Morning Vietnam" and this quote from Roosevelt E. Roosevelt, "It's Hot! It's Damm Hot!" Well we're all trying to figure out why Big Brown couldn't complete the Triple Crown. Kent Desormeaux said he had no horse that day. Here's what I'm thinking. Big Brown headed out in the paddock area at Belmont before he being saddled saw the thermometer and the 90 plus degree temperature. Then as he was lead out for the post parade it hit him and he started thinking, "I got run a mile and a half in this heat! I don't think so, not today" "I've won the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness." "Just lead me to breeding stall with some cute filly, get the Barry White or Marvin Gaye music playing and let start making some future champions." Seriously though, missing 3 days of training did effect his performance and if you saw him coming out of the starting gate heading into the clubhouse turn he didn't seem focused. Now onto Jim McKay. We lost someone who was bigger than life itself. He set the bar so high and the way he did it with class and humility. The Olympics wouldn't be the television event it is now if it weren't for Jim McKay and Roone Arledge. I never met him but I had the chance to see him in person twice. Once was at Monmouth Park, the second time was in Saratoga at the Sheraton. I was at something and he walked through the lobby heading to his room after broadcasting the Travers. He loved horse racing. So Paul Pierce of the Celtics hurts his knee during game one, makes a miraculous recovery and Boston wins. People were comparing him to Willis Reed. No way, no sir, no how! I didn't see any of the Lakers stop what they were doing to see Paul Pierce come back on the court. Blue Jays are stupid birds. I've got this one who lately has been pecking on a window at my home. I'm thinking it sees its reflection in the glass and is looking to pick a fight. Fine go ahead, just don't do it at 6 in the morning. I can wake up on my own thank you very much. Leccese out.

Every once in a while I'm right and other midweek musings from the Garden Boy

Hi There. Well Lord Stanley's silver cup is headed to Hockeytown, and if you remember reading an earlier edition I thought the Wings would win in 6. Bow to my greatness. I know many people are still upset about Detroit abandoning our fair city for the Shangri-la of Grand Rapids, but you got to be happy for Kris Draper, Chris Osgood and Darren McCarty. Also Ken Holland is a great guy. That's one thing I miss about the AHL not being here. Seeing the scouts and other management types. You watch games from the press box and over time you got to know them and compare notes and talk hockey. If the rumors are true that Barry Melrose is returning to coaching and taking over the Lightning, does that mean Bristol Tech will completely drop all of its hockey coverage? I'm betting they will. Now on to the Belmont Stakes and Big Brown. I'm really torn about him running the mile and a half. Part of me wants him to win the Triple Crown, while the other part is afraid that the crack in his left hoof will cause him to breakdown and that will only put more gasoline on the embers and fan the flames that those freaks who attacked the horse racing industry after Eight Belles went down lit. The other thing I find fascinating is that people are comparing Big Brown to Secretariat. What's in the water they're drinking? Seattle Slew maybe, but Secretariat I don't think so. Did anyone see the latest "Top Chef" last night? Lisa has more lives than a cat the way she's avoided elimination the past 3 weeks and all season long. She tried last night to be more likable, however the producers are making her out to be the one everybody loves to hate. They're doing a good job, cause I can't stand her and the lousy attitude. Richard Blais had the line of the night when he said, "Congratulations on winning the bronze medal." I'm rooting for you Blais. Padma was also looking real good last night. The hot weather is supposedly coming this weekend, so stay cool...Leccese out.

June brings bikers and other weekend observations

Hi There. Since I drive through Warrensburg to get to work everyday, its hard not to notice all the tents being set up along Route NIne. I thought garage sale week wasn't until October? Did anyone catch the mixed martial arts/extreme fighting show on CBS Saturday night? I caught parts of it flipping back and forth between the Wings/Penguins game and I thought it was kind of pathetic. Reminded me of NBC and the WWE's "Saturday Night's Main Event" only the wrestling was more believable. I think Kimbo Slice and his fifteen seconds of fame are up. So "Sex in the City" bested "Indiana Jones" at the box office. Personally my favorite is Samantha, followed by Charlotte. I have this gut feeling that "The Dark Knight" will be the summer box office champ. Well Emporer Stern at the Association got the finals match up he wanted between the Celtics and Lakers and you know what, I DON'T CARE! I didn't like either team when basketball mattered to me a long time ago, and even now I still hate both teams. Eventually the clock will strike midnight and the Fuzzy Cubbies and don't call us "Devil" anymore Rays will comeback to earth and the cosmic order of baseball will be returned back to normal. Let's see Ozzie Guillen has a meltdown, the White Sox get hot and are in first place. Willie Randolph is on the verge of one and the Mets start playing better. I'm seeing a trend here. On to NASCAR, what's going on at Joe Gibbs Racing? Joe Gibbs is back running the operation instead of answering to Dan Snyder and coaching the Redskins, that's what's going on. Kyle Busch is racing out of his mind and Denny Hamlin is solid. Toyota's have made incredible strides in their second year of cup competition. However it would be a big mistake to let Tony Stewart go. When Tony Stewart gets going good, he is scary good. Happy Birthday Pete and Mikey...Leccese out.

Mission Control the garden has been planted and other weekend observations

Hi There. I hoped you remembered to clean the grill before you refilled or exchanged your propane tank or got some nice new charcoal before starting it up. Hard to believe that its been 27 years since I first came up here as weekender from NJ. Mom, I'm so glad you hated the beach so Dad couldn't buy a place in RI by his aunts and we ended up buying lakefront property. I would have begged and pleaded with you each weekend to just drop me off at Aunt Pat and Uncle Rome's house and get me on the way home. I am not a beach person. I remember the day of the closing Memorial Day Weekend 1981. It was at an office somewhere in downtown Glens Falls and the red, white, and blue bunting was still up because the day before their was a parade celebrating the Redwings first Calder Cup Championship. If you wanted to visit, you just had to show up. We always had room. Have the times changed. Now a days its a rarity if any of my family comes. There is nothing better then waking up in the morning and seeing the sun rise on the lake and the water's glistening. Well for once I'm actually talking about the garden. Just got to plant some green beans and squash this weekend and I'm done. The tomatoes, eggplant, peppers, lettuce, potatoes, and herbs are in. Now the real work starts. For a change there was no experiments with different varieties. I kept it simple. Is it just me or is the Indy 500 becoming insignificant or am I just a NASCAR fan who thinks open wheel racing has become boring. Danica Patrick maybe attractive, but she is starting to get on my nerves the way Kobe, LeBrun, and Sid the Kid do. When it comes to Danicas, I'll take Danica McKeller from the "Wonder Years." I'm starting to feel like that weird guy who did the "Leave Brittney Spears Alone" video, only I want to look in a camera and say, "Leave Willie Randolph Alone" and go on a crying rant and put it on "You Tube." The black flies and mosquitos are hungry, be careful...Leccese out.