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.

Prohibition Night at Third and Long

Channel your inner "Godfather" as we go back, WAY back in time! A time where cash, booze and influence ruled the day! Stop by Third and Long on Halloween Eve as the bar is transformed into a Speakeasy for one night and one night only!  With gangsters, flapper girls, beer barons and hangers-on in tow, the night will remind folks of scenes of HBO's "Boardwalk Empire".  We request that you get into the spirit of the night by dressing in costume reflecting the theme of the event!

This event will be limited in guests so act quickly and secure a spot in what should be a memorable and fun night! Call the bar (212).447.5711 or email thirdandlongnyc@gmail.com for more information!

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

LET THE REAL SEASON BEGIN!

The road to the Fall Classic begins today with three pivotal games: Tampa Bay vs Texas (1pm), followed by Philadelphia vs Cincinnati (5pm) and finally, the NY Yankees vs Minnesota Twins (w/audio).  It's a big day if you're a baseball fan.  New Yorkers, of course expect nothing less than another World Series trophy to return to the Bronx.  However, if you were to listen to the "experts" here in NYC, most of them aren't feeling that confident in the Pinstripers this year.  The pitching is suspect, most of the core players have moved past their born-on-date, and the other teams in the playoffs appear to be younger and hungrier.  Will the Yankees be able to prove the nay-sayers wrong?  I think they will somehow find a way to get through.  Probably some unsung hero will make his mark and he will join the legends that make the New York Yankees the team they are.  This is why they play the game.  Stay tuned.

My Prediction?  Yankees over Twins.  Texas over Tampa Bay.  Philadelphia over Cincinnati.  San Francisco over Atlanta.  I'll predict the second round when it arrives.

In the meantime, I'm trying to fight off the nasty flu bug and it sucks ass having to do so.  So excuse me if I'm out of sorts the next day or so.  Definitely something going around...

BTW, because of the Yankees/Twins telecast, there will be NO trivia tonight.  But swing by for the game and enjoy the same drink specials we always offer on Trivia Nights ($4 Mixed Well Drinks for ladies, $5 Kopparberg Cider & Flying Dog Dogtoberfest Ale and $15 Miller High Life buckets)!

That's it. That's All I Got.

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

FISH FILLET..

An enthusiastic crowd of Miami Dolphins fans braved the torrential rain to support their team on Monday night against the New England Patriots.

And at first, they had reason to be happy as the Dolphins took it to New England, taking an early lead and giving their fans reason to celebrate.  However, the second half brought about bad news for the DOLFANS NYC club as their team self-destructed and New England went on a tear, ultimately producing a mind-numbing 41-14 win over the 'Fins.  Nevertheless, the turnout was great and they raised a lot of money for charity through the sales of raffle tickets and autographed Miami Dolphins items.  So even though the team had a bad game, everyone had a good time regardless.  Check out the photos on our FACEBOOK page.

Next week is a bye week for the Dolphins, but they will be back in action in two weeks!

More to come....

Monday October 4, 2010

I HATE MONDAYS....

That always seems to be the popular phrase I hear each week and today I understand why.  The weather is crappy, I feel like crap (both mentally and physically) and everywhere I turn everyone I see seems to be wearing the "stink-eye" face.  One of my friends even tried to "unfriend" Mondays on her Facebook page.  Talk about someone who really hates Mondays! When you're coming off of a weekend (good or bad), it's simply hard to get back into work (or school) mode. So I guess in the real scheme of things, it's understandable to hate the first day of the week.  But you can't avoid it as there will always be Mondays.  So we grumble, throw out the stink eye and deal with it.  Which is what I will do today... doesn't mean I have to like it.  You know who else hates Mondays?  The U.S. Ryder Cup team as they choked out the last hole to lose to the Europeans in Wales, 14 1/2 to 13 1/2, in the first Ryder Cup final round to be played on a Monday (or so I'm told).

The past weekend for me was a total blur as I worked the whole time.  It was a mini-reunion of sorts as I came across many faces from the past, which is always a cool thing.  We also hosted a mini-reunion of members of the Fairfield University women's basketball team as well as a post-bachelor party for THE COOLER, as he prepares to march down the aisle next weekend.

Brew Crew Sunday was a mellow affair as the Miami Dolphins fan club had a day off (they will return in full force tonight vs New England).  That brought the bar back to the old days of relaxing football and fun times for the Corner Boys and the Sunday Brew Crew.  I personally enjoyed myself as I got to celebrate Christmas early:  The Cleveland Browns actually won a game, beating its rival, the Cincinnati Bengals 23-20.  And to add icing to the cake, I also got to see the Pittsburgh Steelers lose at the same time!  Christmas in Cleveland!  Woo-hoo!

As I said before, it was a pretty relaxing day for Brew Crew football!

 

ON ANOTHER NOTE: If you haven't seen BOARDWALK EMPIRE on HBO yet check it out and tell me what you think.  It's really growing on me. And EASTBOUND and DOWN is simply hilarious.

Congratulations to the NY YANKEES on making the post-season again.  They start out on the road this Wednesday against the Minnesota Twins.  Join us for our Yankees/Twins Viewing Party (8pm) as we will air Game 1 (w/audio)! $15 Miller High Life buckets and $4 Mixed Well Drinks (for ladies) ALL NIGHT LONG!

TONIGHT: Monday Night Football tops the bill as the New England Patriots face off against the Miami Dolphins. The house should be a full one as the DOLFANS NYC will surely invade 3 & L!  It's also Mug Night Mondays, featuring $1 Bud/Bud Light mugs and $2 mugs, all other Domestic Drafts, all night long!

That's it.  That's All I Got.

Friday, October 1, 2010

HIGHLIGHTS FROM A GREAT NIGHT...

Last night turned out to be a fun night with a good cause in mind.  Family and friends of MATT LONG gathered together at the Sky Lounge on the West Side of Manhattan to celebrate the release of his forthcoming book "The Long Run".  There were a number of athletes and celebrities in attendance to help support the release of the book and a capacity crowd enjoyed themselves while raising money for the I Will Foundation, Matt's charitable organization.

FRENCHY and NICOLE POWELL of the NY LIBERTY

NY Rangers' BRANDON PRUST and MICHAEL DEL ZOTTO pose with Author MATT LONG

(from l to r). Chris Long and his fiancee,  Carrie Maceda, Katie Early, Danielle Diaz and Rob Long

The Long Family

FRENCHY and BABY GIRL

 From what I hear, it was a very successful night; a lot of money was raised for the Foundation and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves.  The book officially comes out next week so please be sure to pick up a copy of "The Long Run" and enjoy a truly inspirational story.  Well done, MATT!

While this was taking place on the West Side, yours truly was tethered at the bar, overseeing a party.  The party itself turned out to be smaller than expected, thanks to the threat of a tropical storm (which, by the way, didn't show up until well after we closed).  So instead of having a full house, we had a scattering of a party, and the individuals who weren't part of the party, were more often than not, weirdos.  It was that kind of night at the bar.  Maybe the threat of a tropical storm brings out the strange ones.  Who knows?

Speaking of which, what in the heck is the deal with all of these Hasidic youth running up and down 3rd Avenue last night?  They kept chanting, singing and holding hands, up and down the block, for what seemed like F-O-R-E-V-E-R!  Strange.

Oh, and for the guy with the REALLY LOUD and ANNOYING LAUGH:  May a pox fall upon your house. This guy had a laugh that seriously made you want to to walk over to him and fit him with a muzzle.  WTF?

I just hope that the rest of the weekend doesn't turn out like tonight.

It's 5am and I think we're FINALLY about to get hit with the storm that everyone on TV has been raving about the last couple of days.  Please grab your umbrella and galoshes.  You, my friend are going to need it.  

More to come.