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Articles by Steve Contursi
Napa Valley Boutique Wine Producers Offering Collective Tasting Experience
Napa Valley Boutique Wine Producers Offering Collective Tasting Experience The initial collective tastings experience at Napa Valley’s Arrow&Branch Winery will offer pours of five different boutique wines from limited-production vintners B True, Gallica, Arrow&Branch, and Coronet. Napa Valley’s new Arrow&Branch Winery is located at 5215 Solano Avenue, just south of Yountville, California.
Black History Month: Deacon Jones & Bernie Smith Make History
The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers continue Minor League Baseball’s celebration of Black History Month with a pair of history making minor league managers. The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers continue Minor League Baseball’s celebration of Black History Month with a pair of history making minor league managers. The Danville Warriors rallied from a 7-2 deficit to defeat the Appleton Foxes 10-7 in a game at Danville Stadium on April 25, 1973.
What's the difference between the Mets and the Brewers?
Jeff Wilpon, the New York Mets chief operating officer, actually made some sense the other day when he pointed to payrolls being separate from winning. The Milwaukee Brewers got the message, and they’re showing the Mets how it’s done. In 2017, the Mets final payroll came in at around $155 million. The team won 70 games last season, meaning they paid just under $2.25 million for each win.
Don't believe a word the Yankees say about Gleyber Torres
For reasons they’ve earned, this column is almost always positive when it comes to how the New York Yankees ownership and front office handle themselves. Not so, though, when it comes to a very distressing situation with their prized rookie. Over the offseason, it’s been fun to juggle the openings in the Yankees infield at both second and third base.
Mickey Callaway will be New York Mets' biggest game-changer in 2018
Mets fans already know there is no help coming from ownership or the front office that’s going to jettison the team to challenge for a playoff spot. But there’s Mickey Callaway in the dugout. and he just might be able to do more than both of those entities. Along with others, I’ve been arguing all season for the organization to change not only the players they have but the culture surrounding the franchise as well. I give up.
Entertainment over excellence won't appease Mets fans
The Mets are making a huge mistake if they think substituting entertainment for quality play on the field and winning is going to appease their fan base, or what’s left of it. Reports of a reunion with Bartolo Colon aside (don’t worry, it’s not likely), the Mets announcement that Tim Tebow has received an invitation from team brass to Spring Training says more about the nature of this organization than their inaction this offseason ever will.
New York Mets Amazin' News, 1/22/18: Bartolo Colon rumors, John Smoltz's surprising pick
Hall of Famer John Smoltz went on MLB Tonight to boldly pick the New York Mets as the team representing the National League in the World Series. This is the best news Smoltz has given the Mets since the day he retired, as he tortured the team throughout his career. He pitched to a 3.44 ERA against them while picking up 24 saves and 18 wins. He spent most of his career with NL East rival the Atlanta Braves.
New York Jets: Breaking down the most underrated need heading into 2018
It’s the most underrated need for the New York Jets this offseason. Over the last two years, the Jets have finished in the bottom five in sacks: (28th, 2017) (29th, 2016). More importantly, the Jets haven’t had a singular edge rusher opponents have had to gameplan for since John Abraham. His last season for the Jets was back in 2005, so let’s just say it’s been a while. You can’t blame the Jets for a lack of trying.
CC Sabathia has the beat drumming Yankees to the World Series
Last season, the New York Yankees came to know that wins and losses, earned run average and strikeout-to-walk ratios are all overrated when it comes to the character of the person occupying a locker in the clubhouse. Intangibles and what a player brings to a team like the Yankees, who are on the precipice of jumping into a World Series for the first time in nine years (yes, it’s been that long), outweigh the all-important “numbers” baseball analytics will shower upon us.
Quarterback guru Pat Shurmur and the New York Giants are a perfect fit
Pat Shurmur will reportedly be the new head coach for the New York Giants when the 2018 season comes around. New York was interested in other names, including New England’s Matt Patricia and Josh McDaniels, but they reportedly have decided to go elsewhere. Shurmur seemed to be the Giants third choice. However, he should have been their number one choice the whole time.
Yankees, MLB and the demise of the indispensable baseball scout
The New York Yankees begin this piece as the subject with an excerpt from an article written by Jim Kreuz for the Society for American Baseball Research (SABR) reads as follows: “When the last out was made, Mickey, his dad, and I got in my car behind the grandstand, and in 15 minutes the contract was signed. We agreed on $1,500 for the remainder of the season, and the contract (Independence of the K.O.M.) was drawn calling for a salary of $140 per month.
2017 NFC Divisional Playoffs: New Orleans Saints at Minnesota Vikings
History: Saints head north to the Twin Cities for the second time this season as franchise clash in postseason for fourth time…Four months ago on a Monday night at Minnesota (Week 1), Vikings managed a 29-19 win – snapping a four-game overall losing streak in this series…Including playoffs, Saints own 3-13 lifetime road record in series dating back to ’70… HISTORIC NOTE: Fourth postseason meeting between teams (Vikings, 2-1), Vikings posting 44-10 win in ’87 NFC Wild Card Playoffs at New...
A behind the scenes look at Rob Cucuzza, Yankees equipment manager
Did you ever wonder where all those bats, balls, uniforms, gloves, buckets of Gatorade, boxes of bubble gum, and sunflower seeds come from when the New York Yankees play their first spring training game on Feb. 23 against the Tigers at George Steinbrenner field 2200 miles from Yankees Stadium?
New York Knicks to waive Ramon Sessions to sign Trey Burke
The New York Knicks waived guard Ramon Sessions on Saturday so that they can sign Trey Burke. Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer was the first to report that Sessions was getting waived. In the offseason Sessions signed a one-year, fully guaranteed $2.33 million contract with the Knicks. The Knicks are responsible for $300,478 of Sessions remaining salary while the NBA will pick up the remaining $857,270, according to Ian Begley of ESPN.
New York Yankees Buzz: Hot Stove trade rumors, caveats, and prayers
With Spring Training only six weeks or less away, boardrooms around the major leagues are beginning to get a bit edgy about filling out their rosters. Not so much with the New York Yankees, though, a team that is one or two moves away from completing what is sure to be a competitive pennant-bound team. Here’s the latest chatter coming off the Hot Stove surrounding the Bombers.
Greg Bird is hosting a 2018 Yankee Stadium party and we're all invited
Including the postseason, Greg Bird has experienced a modest 348 at-bats in a New York Yankees uniform with 23 home runs. He hits a bomb every 15.1 at-bats. Take note, as only Aaron Judge and Gary Sanchez are better than that.
New York City Teams: When, if ever, will they be held to task?
We all know the recent and painful history of our New York City teams. The New York Giants just finished their worst season ever. The New York Jets are still searching for their next Joe Namath. The New York Knicks tease us and then fade. The New York Mets continue to flounder with no visible plan of recovery. And the Brooklyn Nets – do they still play in Brooklyn? My question is this: Why are we so kind to these bumbling franchises?
Catching up on the New York Yankees AL East competition
For the New York Yankees, competition in their division has always been severe and rarely a walk in the park. For instance, over the last three seasons, Baseball Reference shows the Yankees dominating only the Tampa Bay Rays in head-to-head competition (35-22). They hold a slim margin of three games on the plus side against Boston and Baltimore, but they’ve been manhandled by the Toronto Blue Jays (22-35).
Mets' season hinges on Noah Syndergaard and Matt Harvey coming up big
The New York Mets are fortunate to have two starting pitchers with something to prove in the 2018 season. For instance, I can’t think of a pitcher who has more on the line this season than Matt Harvey as he reaches his free agency in 2019. Noah Syndergaard is similarly challenged, though he is more a question of pride after he self-imploded last season due to ill-advised medical decisions and an off-season training program that backfired. Of the two, Harvey remains the most enigmatic.
Is Didi Gregorius poised to become the Yankees next Derek Jeter?
When you think of the 2018 New York Yankees, names like Giancarlo Stanton, Luis Severino, and Aaron Judge are most likely to come to mind. But lurking in the background is bound to be one of the steadiest and most upward rising Yankee of them all: shortstop Didi Gregorius. At 27-years-old, Gregorius has plotted for himself an ever-rising series of numbers during his brief three-year tenure with the Yankees.
New York Yankees planning makes future payroll brighter than ever
At some point, the New York Yankees will be forced to pay their Baby Bombers fair market value when they reach free agency. But between now and then, the organization has created a financial juggernaut that should send chills down the spines of their competitors. Beginning in 2019, as recorded by Baseball Reference, the Yankees will have 10 of the 25 players currently on the active roster in arbitration eligibility status.
For survival, the Mets need to follow the wave set by the New York Giants
The New York Mets are so much of easy pickings these days; sometimes, I wonder whether it’s even worth it. But then, I sit mesmerized by the moves the New York Giants have made in the last few days to correct their horrendous 3-13 season, marked significantly by a victory over the Redskins today, and I wonder why not the Mets? Dave Gettleman comes in like a house on fire, firing guys, cutting guys, and sending out an unmistakable message that no one is safe here.
What if the 2018 New York Mets and Yankees managers roles were reversed?
Mickey Callaway and Aaron Boone both enter the 2018 season as untested and unproven major league managers. But each is taking on a decidedly different set of circumstances surrounding the team they are inheriting. Boone follows Joe Girardi who surprised everyone by taking his team to within a hair of reaching the World Series for the first time since 2009, only to be judiciously fired, while Callaway inherits the legacy of a much-maligned reign of (but I don’t know why) Terry Collins.
Yankees Dilemma: With $19 million to burn, how should they spend it?
By now, most Yankees fans have become reticent regarding the Yankees commitment to fall under the $197 million luxury tax threshold for at least the 2018 season. The Washington Post and several other sources are reporting the Yankees payroll following yesterday’s formality adding CC Sabathia‘s $10 million to be at around $178 million. Which, in turn, means Brian Cashman has between $18-19 million left to spend, depending on how close he dares to be to the magic number when MLB totals things up.
A Harri competition: Can New York Mets snag Josh Harrison despite multiple suitors?
The New York Mets have been all over the baseball landscape this offseason, throwing names out there almost every day as players they are interested in acquiring. The trouble, of course, has been that interest isn’t being transformed into execution, and the team sits pretty much where they ended the season last year.
New York Yankees: Three players holding the keys to No. 28 in 2018
When you look at the New York Yankees probable lineup and starting pitching for the 2018 season, it would be fair to say that we pretty much know what we’re going to get from players like Didi Gregorius, Giancarlo Stanton, Luis Severino, Brett Gardner, Aaron Judge, and a few others. After that group, though, there are the holes at both second and third base that might not be holes after all if Gleyber Torres and Miguel Andujar can win the jobs during Spring Training.
The lure and lore of Yankee Stadium: Still the best of the best
Yankee Stadium is one of the last vestiges of inner city ballparks. The Atlanta Braves moved to suburbia, 10 miles northwest of downtown Atlanta in the Cumberland neighborhood of Cobb County. The Miami Marlins build a brand new stadium only to find it sits in the middle of nowhere with no supporting infrastructure (restaurants, bars, hotels, etc.). The Milwaukee Brewers have one of the best venues in all of baseball in Miller Park.
Whether he stays or goes, Juan Lagares is not a New York Mets answer
I’m still trying to let it sink in, but it looks like it’s true. The Mets will be cutting payroll by around $20 million before the 2018 season begins. Similar to last season, this will place the franchise in the middle of the 30-team pack of 40-man roster payrolls among major league teams. According to Cot’s Baseball Contracts, the Mets have been all over the place when it comes to team payroll. From 2003 to 2009, the team ranked no lower than fourth and as high as second in payroll.
The New York Knicks are starting to resemble last year's squad
This year’s New York Knicks, despite expectations, are in the thick of the Eastern Conference playoff race. However, these expectations can quickly become fantasies over the next couple of weeks as New York embarks on the toughest stretch of their schedule yet. Of the Knicks’ 17 wins, 15 have come at home. While this leads the NBA, this statistic is a tad bit misleading.
New York Mets: Three prospects that could bring good cheer in 2018
Sandy Alderson told us all we needed to know about the Mets farm system at the Winter Meetings in Florida, courtesy of the New York Post‘s Mike Puma: Yeah, that about sums up the Mets prospect pipeline entering 2018. Few blue-chip prospects remain, but that can be attributed to the 2017 promotions of top prospects Amed Rosario and Dominic Smith. So even though the Mets don’t have the next big thing waiting in the wings, they do have players that can make contributions in 2018.
How Jack Morris' Hall of Fame election opens door for Andy Pettitte, others
If Jack Morris had to wait for Homer Simpson’s induction to the Baseball Hall of Fame (HOF), so be it. And if players like Andy Pettitte, David Cone, and Dwight Gooden had to wait for Morris to be inducted…no, wait a minute here. Pettitte, Cone, and Gooden alongside Bob Gibson, Sandy Koufax, and Whitey Ford? It’s not so much of a stretch, though, when you consider what Morris’ election, in a very compelling way, represents.
Cheer up, New York Mets fans: The days are becoming longer again
The Mets, when you glance at their roster, have some pretty good ballplayers, all of whom have an upside that could, if all the stars are aligned, translate into a pennant contending team in the National League East. That bit of wavering is necessary since the Mets happen to play in the same division as the Washington Nationals.
Is there anyone the New York Yankees won't be linked to this winter?
The Yankees and I did the work for you, are interested in acquiring via trade or as a free agent signee: Yu Darvish (the latest), Manny Machado, Michael Fulmer, Patrick Corbin, Gerrit Cole, Eduardo Nunez, Alex Cobb, Todd Frazier, Mike Moustakas, and Adam Lind. And those are the names appearing on only the first two pages of Google’s summary. Each rumor is adequately sourced, and the accompanying stories appear in reputable media publications.
New York Mets: What Happened To Sandy Alderson?
Despite reports that Jay Bruce is turning his attention away from the Mets and, according to his agent, would be “thrilled” to play for the Giants in San Francisco, the Wilpons have found enough money to cough up for Alderson‘s extension. Team sources tell Kristie Ackert of the New York Daily News that the extension is for two years. On the same day, ESPN reported that the Nationals have agreed to one-year worth about $4 million with first baseman Matt Adams.
Derek Jeter's house of cards rapidly comes tumbling down
Presumably, most of us felt pretty good when we first learned that Derek Jeter’s dream of owning a major league team was coming true. In the beginning, the accolades pointed to the first black owner as a breath of fresh air among what is mostly a staid and conservative group who own teams these days. Everything since then, however, shows Jeter in mostly a negative light. And when you think about it, that development shouldn’t surprise us at all. Derek Jeter could afford to be aloof as a player.
Mets' Sandy Alderson must override sentiment and trade Matt Harvey
The New York Mets hiring of Mickey Callaway to replace Terry Collins remains as the highlight of this offseason. Callaway’s youth and inexperience is a jolt and contrast to the Mets usual complacent way of doing business, and the energy he brings to the team is welcome and needed. Callaway’s push to make Matt Harvey his reclamation project is misguided, even with the help he’ll get from Dave Eiland, the Mets new pitching coaching replacing Dan Warthen. Matt Harvey is a mess.
The day Mickey Mantle came to life for one New York Yankees fan
A half-century later, that moment is ingrained in my head, never to be lost. Here’s the story behind it: By 1968, Mickey Mantle was a memory of himself. The glory of what was had caught up to the icon who regularly patrolled the streets of New York City with his posse Billy Martin and Whitey Ford.
Who's a better fit with the New York Yankees: Gerrit Cole or CC Sabathia?
Conceivably, the New York Yankees could pursue free agents Yu Darvish or Jake Arrieta to fill out their rotation and still fall under the luxury tax threshold. Either one, though, goes beyond “filling out” the rotation and would raise ego issues about who the Yankees ace is and the order of the rotation itself.
Yankees fans await that strong uppercut from the Red Sox
The Red Sox, despite holding off the charging New York Yankees last season to win the AL East, have not been the same team since David Ortiz retired. The threat Ortiz posed in their lineup, especially as a Yankee killer in head-to-head contests, tipped the balance to the Red Sox whenever the two teams clashed. The Yankees quite easily disposed of the Red Sox in 2017, winning 11 of the 19 games played between the rivals.
New York Knicks 113, Los Angeles Lakers 109 OT: Kristaps Porzingis leads the way (Highlights)
Kristaps Porzingis once again proved he was the best player on the floor, scoring 37 points on 14-of-26 shooting, 11 rebounds and five blocks, leading the New York Knicks to a 113-109 overtime victory against the Los Angeles Lakers at Madison Square Garden. A lot of people complain about the NBA being top heavy and having too many non-competitive teams. They should have watched this game.
More Stanton fallout: How Bryce Harper's free agency plans take a hit
The tremors following the Yankees earthquake signing of Giancarlo Stanton are underway, and they are bound to reach epic proportions, especially when the much-anticipated appearance of Bryce Harper as a free agent reaches its conclusion at about this same time next year. Back in June, legendary baseball scribe Peter Gammons appeared on The Rich Eisen Show, making it clear he thought the Yankees would be the slugger’s ultimate destination.
Clueless: New York Mets, Sandy Alderson, continue to embarrass themselves (Video)
Don’t you dare ask Sandy Alderson about the New York Mets payroll for 2018. Don’t. You. Dare. Because Sandy isn’t feeling too dandy when it comes to talking about the amount of money the team is willing to spend on the on-field product, as MLB.com’s Anthony DiComo caught on film Tuesday. “Yeah, I would spend a little less time thinking about our payroll,” Alderson barked to a reporter who dared ask the question that, apparently, we aren’t allowed to ask—ever.
Road Warriors? Rangers face tough test in January away from MSG
The National Hockey League did the New York Rangers a favor in regards to the schedule. Traveling has been light as has the frequency of back-back games. The team has played a large part of their schedule at MSG, but that will change as the team enters the New Year. January is going to be a huge month for the Rangers. They have a big West coast trip, three sets of back-back games, only four games at Madison Square Garden and another special event called the Winter Classic.
Cole for Christmas? New York Yankees express interest in Gerrit Cole (Report)
Once a New York Yankee, always a New York Yankee. It seems as though the Yankees have an interest in bringing starting pitcher Gerrit Cole home to the Bronx. The 27-year-old was first drafted by the Yankees right out of high school in 2008 before agreeing to fulfill his promise to attend UCLA for baseball. He was then selected in the first round of the 2011 MLB draft by the Pittsburgh Pirates.
New York Giants' Sterling Shepard has fallen short of a go-to WR
Sterling Shepard is looked upon as a bright spot for the New York Giants‘ future. At 24-years-old, the second-year receiver has plenty of room for growth and is looked upon as a core piece to the team’s future. Simultaneously, he hasn’t been able to serve as a legitimate and consistent go-to option for the Giants’ offense. On Sunday afternoon, the New York Giants fell to the Dallas Cowboys, 30-10, falling to 2-11 on the season.
New York Yankees Bomber Buzz, 12/11/17: One final act for Starlin Castro
Monday mornings are for endless amounts of coffee and good news. So we’ve got some good news for you in terms of the New York Yankees! In that trade for Giancarlo Stanton, the Yankees lost a solid second baseman in Starlin Castro. However, despite his trade, he still did one last thing for the city that took care of him for the last two years. It was announced yesterday by Steiner Sports that his signing was postponed in the midst of the Stanton deal.
The New York Mets are listening to offers for Matt Harvey (Report)
Former Mets ace Matt Harvey is suddenly a subject of interest at the Winter Meetings. Kristie Ackert of the New York Daily News was the first to report that the Dark Knight could be on the move. Per Ackert, the Mets have talked to at least two teams about a potential deal involving Harvey. “They are willing to move him,” one source told Ackert, “and they said they wanted to try and flip him for a reliever.
New York Jets Daily, 12/11/17: Monday blues, playoff hopes extinguished
For those who got the reference, I tip my hat to you. For those who didn’t, you’re uncultured swine and you should leave this site immediately. For those of you still here, I have a spoiler alert for you; the New York Jets will not make the playoffs in 2017. That is the harsh reality after one of the most putrid offensive performances in team history on Sunday in Denver (23-0 loss to send the Jets to 5-8 on the season).
Yankees' Giancarlo Stanton takes parting shots at Miami Marlins
Giancarlo Stanton took to Instagram to bid farewell to Miami prior to his introductory press conference with the Yankees. While mostly grateful, Stanton wasn’t afraid to deal some parting blows to the Miami Marlins organization. Thank you to the Marlins Organization & the amazing city of Miami! The city that adopted me at 17 with open arms. I’ve loved this place over the years and it will always be special to me.
Ondrej Pavelec steals a point from Dallas in Rangers' 2-1 SO loss (Highlights)
“Welcome to the Ondrej Pavelec show” – Sam Rosen. That was the description of tonight’s game. The Dallas Stars outplayed the Rangers for the first two periods of the game. In the third period, the Rangers found their game, tied it up late on a Rick Nash goal, but lost in the shootout 2-1. Pavelec made 44 saves. The Dallas Stars dominated the first period outshooting the Rangers 16-5. The only things stopping them from getting the scoreboard was the outstanding play of Ondrej Pavelec.
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