puppetmaker | A Sports Entry

Baseball is winding down and Football is ramping up. I can't remember where the NBA is doing right now. Hockey's Mark Messier retired yesterday which does not surprise me. The WNBA playoffs have started. Yes the woman's league is still going.

I know that the die-hard Mets fans are hoping for a turn around and a playoff berth in the Wildcard. For the Mets to even have a hope of that, they have to start to support their starting pitchers. There have been a lot of low scoring games that have been lost by a run on a error or just bad fielding. That is not the pitcher, that's the rest of the team. Some of us are starting to talk about next season and the positions that they need to look at very carefully. Right now it comes down to second, first, and catcher. They need a full time catcher and there is not one on the team. Second base has been a mess for most of the season. First base needs to have a regular player. They have had some good ones in there but then one of the high paid bad move players comes off the DL and the first base player has to leave to make room. I am hoping they can dump either some of these salary heavy players or contracts on the off-season. Again my hope for the Mets is a 500 season, which they have been close to most of the year. Right now they are one behind.

The Yankees are playing the Devil Rays for three. I think this is the make or break for them this year. It amazes me how fast boos have turned to cheers for Giambi. I assume that his increase in shirt size is due to working out a lot because he can't be THAT stupid. He is under the microscope and is probably being tested almost daily.

My beloved Orioles have yet again tanked. After one of their stronger starts, they slipped down the standings to their usual level. The Braves are looking good but can they take it all the way? I think they will win their division but most Braves fans expect them to do so. It is that final step that seems to elude them.

In football I feel sorry for the Jets fans. You have been had by Chad. Every year I hear the reason why he isn't doing well and this year there is less to pick from besides he stinks. I think Edwards will get this team moving in the right direction but his hands are tied until the Quarterback can really play the game. Giants fans, it was only one game. I'll agree it was a blow out of epic proportions, but it is only one game in a season. Don't pin your hopes on this win. I don't think you'll get so many gimmes from other teams.

The Falcons won but they usual win the first game and then tank the rest of the season. The Saints won their first game but out of all the teams they have the toughest season so I have hopes for them but I am not holding my breath. I think the Packers have a chance even after losing in the first week and the Steelers are showing a lot of heart.

Messier made the right move. He went off as Mark Messier not the guy who overstayed his welcome. He has been playing professional hockey for 25 years and that has got to take a toll on the body. Also consider that when he started, the players were not as well protected or padded. I wish him the best of luck in his future ventures.

Since watching Green Street Hooligans I have been keeping an eye on West Ham. They are doing not badly and have gone up in the standings. Liverpool is the team I usually follow and I can't say that I am thrilled right now with the team. The problem is that I can find tons of Manchester United gear in the US but not Liverpool or West Ham.

I am grateful for the variety of sports played.