Thursday, October 7, 2010

HOLDING SERVE...

The MLB playoffs kicked off yesterday with three great games, two of which involved phenomenal individual efforts while the third game involved a comeback team effort.  In the first game, the TEXAS RANGERS served notice that they would be making some noise in the playoffs, dominating Game 1 in their series, thanks to their ace, CLIFF LEE. After an initial shaky start, LEE settled down quickly and proceeded to mow down the home team RAYS, with 10 strikeouts in a statement-making performance.  Very impressive.

If that wasn't good enough for you, then how about ROY HALLADAY and the PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES? HALLADAY, playing in his first playoff game, served up only the second no-hitter in MLB playoff history.  The PHILLIES shut down the CINCINNATI REDS, holding serve at home,  4-0. Simply a masterful performance.

Then there were the NY YANKEES. Finding themselves down 3-0 in Game 1 on the road vs MINNESOTA, the Pinstripers clawed their way back into the game, eventually taking a 4-3 lead.  Things got testy when the TWINS tied the game 4-4, but a two-run home run by MARK TEIXEIRA sealed the game for the YANKEES, allowing them to steal Game 1 on the road, much to the delight of Yankee fans both at the game and in the bar.  Talk about capping a great day of  baseball!

And if that wasn't enough for you, the big talk around the bar taps revolved around the big NFL trade involving the NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS, MINNESOTA VIKINGS and one stud player by the name of RANDY MOSS.  MOSS was on the last year of his contract and apparently unhappy with the way he was being treated.  Instead of working out a new deal for the future Hall of Fame WR, the PATRIOTS instead, traded him to MINNESOTA (his original team) for a 3rd round draft pick. The big question surrounding all of this: How will this affect both teams?  Will MOSS adapt to his old team?  What are the fantasy football implications?  Stay tuned...

The NHL drops the puck on a new season today with five games on tap, including one game being played in Europe.  CAROLINA vs MINNESOTA kicks off things with a 12 noon game in Helsinki, Finland.  There are four other games later in the evening, including PITT vs PHILA, MTL vs TOR (7pm), CAL vs EDM and CHI vs COL (10pm).  Of course, we'll carry all NHL games along with the MLB playoffs, all season long!

ON ANOTHER NOTE: Over a year ago I bragged to you about a great deli based out of Brooklyn called MILE END.  A Montreal-style deli noted for its smoked meat sandwiches and poutine, I gushed over how this place is good enough to make me leave Manhattan to check it out.  Of course, most of you laughed it off and attributed it to me being pro-Canadian.  Well, it looks like I'm not the only one who feels the way I do about MILE END.  Zagat's just listed MILE END as "Best Deli" in their recently released list of "Best of New York".  Read more about it HERE.  Boom!

My head is spinning from all of this information overload so I'm signing off for now.  I think I'm almost over my bout with the flu and not a moment too soon as the weekend is almost upon us.  Timing, my friends, is everything.

"SUDS and SANGRIA" rules the night with $4 domestic drafts and $5 glass of sangria (5-10pm).  Also note that we serve up $4 Labatt Blue/Molson Canadian during all NHL games!


That's it.  That's All I Got.