Yankees Roll Call

First Spring Training Game 3/1
Let's get in the mood!!!!

MAVERICK ABOVE THE LAW
ONE HUNDRED PERCENT PURE 2005 SHIRAZ
BAROSSA VALLEY - SOUTH AUSTRALIA




IT'S DELIGHTFUL, IT'S DELICIOUS, IT'S
AUSTRALIAN FOR GOOD WINE MATE!!


HERE IS A TASTY FERMENTED GRAPE JUICE THAT CAN BE HAD FOR LESS THAN TWENTY SEMOLLIANS! YES FOR TWENTY SMACKERS OR LESS YOU CAN ACQUIRE A MIGHTY FINE DRINKIN WINE! THIS WINE IS PRODUCE BY JAYSON WOODBRIDGE OF THE CULTY HUNDRED ACRE WINERY OF NAPA VALLEY. THE HUNDRED ACRE 2003 KAYLI MORGAN CABERNET SAUVIGNON WENT FOR $300 ON RELEASE. THESE WINES ARE MUCH IN DEMAND AND VERY EXPENSIVE. THIS CAB RECENTLY WAS LISTED AT CRAFTSTEAK LAS VEGAS'S IMPRESSIVE WINE LIST @ $795 FOR 750 ML & $1450 FOR A MAGNUM!!! NOW THAT'S SOME EXPENSIVE GRAPE JUICE! YOU CAN ENJOY A REALLY GOOD TASTY WINE MADE BY BASICALLY THE SAME FOLKS FOR AN AVERAGE OF $13.99 - $17.99 PER BOTTLE.




YES THAT'S RIGHT ORDER NOW AND WE WILL SEND A YOU AN EXTRA SET OF GINSU KNIVES FOR FREE!! JUST KIDDING, HOWEVER I AM NOT KIDDING ABOUT THIS WINE. THE MRS JIMITHEGREEK, WHO PREFERS CHAMPAGNE & WHITE WINE HAS ALREADY GONE THRU THE SECOND BOTTLE OUT OF THE THE CASE I HAVE RECENTLY ACQUIRED. BY THE WAY BIG PROPS & KUDOS TO THE BIG BALD GUY WHO INTRODUCED US TO THIS VERY FINE AND VERY RIGHTLY PRICED WINE ON SUPER BOWL SUNDAY.



MAVERICK COMES FROM THE FAMOUS BAROSSA VALLEY IN SOUTHERN AUSTRALIA. IT IS ONE OF THE FOUR WINES PRODUCED BY PURE LOVE WINERY. THE OTHERS ARE ALSO SHIRAZ WINES UNDER THE LABELS, LAYER CAKE, BAROSSA JACK & DESERT EAGLE. FOR MORE INFO ON THE WINERY & WINEMAKER YOU CAN CHECK OUT VINTAGE POINT. AS FOR ME I GOTTA GET SOME BEFORE THE MRS DRINKS IT ALL!


** THIS WINE COMES WITH THE JIMITHEGREEK MONEYBACK GUARANTEE. IF FOR ANY REASON YOU DO NOT LIKE THIS WINE, YOU MUST IMMEDIATELY LET ME KNOW. I WILL GLADLY DRINK IT FOR YOU! **

SPRING IS AROUND THE CORNER AND HERE COMES MR SOFTEE!!

IS THE MILKMAN CURSED? DOES HE HAVE BAD LUCK? DOES HE HAVE A BLACK CAT AT HOME? DOES HE WALK UNDER LADDERS? YES FOLKS BELIEVE IT OR NOT, MR CARL "THE MILKMAN" PAVANO UNDERWENT MRI, X-RAYS AND WHO KNOWS WHAT TESTING ON SUNDAY FEBRUARY 25, 2007. THIS WAS NECESSITATED AFTER ALBERTO GONZALEZ HIT A LINER RIGHT AT PAVANO'S FOOT DURING SATURDAYS PRACTICE SESSION. HE NOW MAY HAVE A HEAVY FOOT. IF YOU ASK ME IT'S STINKFOOT!!!

PRELIMINARY RESULTS REVEAL THAT HE IS SOFT, VERY SOFT. THERE IS AN ICE CREAM TRUCK WITH HIS NAME WAITING FOR HIM AROUND THE END OF APRIL. YES , MR PAVANO WILL HAVE HIS VERY OWN MR SOFTEE ICE CREAM TRUCK TO TOOL AROUND IN TAMPA BAY WHILE HE IS RECOVERING FROM HIS LATEST INJURY DU JOUR. IT IS RUMOURED THAT HE SPRAINED HIS WRIST WHILE APPLYING ICE TO THE WRONG FOOT??

OK, OK MAYBE THE MEDIA HAS BLOWN THIS OUT OF PROPORTION. PERHAPS THE REPORTERS IN YANKEE CAMP HAVE EMBELLISHED THIS STORY. IT COULD BE A SLOW DAY FOR NEWSWORTHY STUFF IN SPRING TRAINING CAMPS. I COULD BE OVERREACTING. I MEAN I DID PREDICT RIGHT HERE ON MY IDIOTIC BLOG THAT CARL PAVANO WOULD "WIN AT LEAST 15 GAMES AND BE IN CONTENTION FOR THE AL CY YOUNG AWARD"

MY MIND IS A TERRIBLE THING TO WASTE!!!!

FRIDAY NIGHT FIGHTS @ THE MOHEGAN SUN













YESSIREEE BOB, BACK AT THE FIGHTS! THIS TIME WAS EXTRA SPECIAL WITH MY FAVORITE TWENTY SIX YEAR OLD BLUE EYED BEAUTIFUL DAUGHTER!! I THINK THAT MY WATCHING SO MANY FIGHTS OVER THE YEARS MAY HAVE RUBBED OFF SOMEWHAT, EH? ANYWAYS I GOT SOME FREEBIE TICKETS FROM THE GOOD FOLKS AT MOHEGAN SUN. I THOUGHT THEY WERE FOR ESPN2 FRIDAY NIGHT FIGHTS BUT THEY TURNED OUT TO BE FOR BOXEO TELEFUTURA. ITS ALL GOOD BOXING LATIN STYLE! THE FEATURED FIGHT FRIDAY THE 23rd OF FEBRUARY WAS CT LOCAL ELVIN AYALA TRYING TO AVENGE HIS ONLY LOSS AGAINST OREGON NATIVE DAVID BANKS AT 160LBS.





I SNOOKERED OUT OF WORK EARLY TO AVOID THE HIDEOUS TRAFFIC ON I95, BUT IT STILL TOOK ALMOST THREE HOURS TO GET UP TO UNCASVILLE, CT. I CHECKED INTO MY $29 ROOM AN THEN MADE RESERVATIONS AT BIG BUBBAS BBQ FOR DIN DIN AT AROUND 7PM. MY LITTLE GIRL HAD TO WORK AND THEN FIGHT THE I95 TRAFFIC THRU HARTFORD AND WAS TO GET IN AROUND 7PM. WHAT WAS I TO DO? OH WELL MIGHT AS WELL LOOK AROUND AND MAYBE DO A LITTLE GAMBLING.








BAD IDEA, ENDED UP GETTING SPANKED AT THE TABLES. YIKES , DECIDED TO JUST PLAY SOME SLOTS TILL THE GREAT OFFSPRING OF JIMITHEGREEK ARRIVES! BINGO BANGO HIT A LITTLE JACKPOT FOR ABOUT 800 BUCKAROOS! GOTTA LOVE THAT DOUBLE DIAMOND DELUXE MACHINE. WAS GETTING HUNGRY NOW, VERY HUNGRY! I GET CRANKY IF I DON'T EAT EVERY COUPLE OF HOURS OR SO!

SHE ARRIVED A BIT LATE ( BUT THEN AGAIN WOMEN ARE NEVER ON TIME). WE MET AT BUBBAS AND ORDERED THE TRASH RIBS TO SHARE. THEY WERE QUITE TASTY, WE BOTH AGREED. I HAD THE PULLED PORK SANDWICH , WHILE SHE HAD THE HEALTHY GRILLED CHICKEN SANDWICH. MINE WAS TASTIER, PORK IS ALWAYS TASTIER THAN CHICKEN! A GOOD MEAL AND THEN OFF TO THE FIGHTS.

WE STAYED FOR ALL THE FIGHTS AND EVEN HAD SOME TREATY ICE CREAM. DAVID BANKS OUT HUSTLED, OUT PUNCHED AND OUT BOXED ELVIN AYALA FOR A CLEAR & CLEAN UNANIMOUS DECISION. AYALA HAS NOW LOST TWICE TO BANKS AND NEEDS TO GO BACK TO THE DRAWING BOARD AND DEDICATE OR DISSIPATE!

THE OTHER MATCHES WERE DECENT. IN A FLYWEIGHT BOUT, GABRIEL CRUZ LOST A 4 ROUNDER TO ICENDER BEAUCHAMP DESPITE FLOORING HIM IN THE FIRST ROUND. WE BOTH THOUGHT GABRIEL WON THE FIGHT. HE GOT JOBBED IN A HOMETOWN DECISION, NO DOUBT ABOUT THAT. THESE THINGS HAPPEN IN BOXING. IN OTHER MATCHES UNDERDOG CASTULO GONZALES SURPRISED BARARO ZEPEDA IN AN EIGHT ROUND UNANIMOUS DECISION.

THE LAST FIGHT OF THE NIGHT WAS LOCAL HARTFORD HEAVYWEIGHT TONY GRANO VS BOSTON POLICEMAN TYRONE SMITH. GRANO WAS A CROWD FAVORITE AND CLUMSILY PUNCHED AND CHASED A GAME BUT OUTMATCHED SMITH ALL OVER THE RING FOR A UNANIMOUS DECISION. THE CROWD HAD A GREAT TIME AND IT WAS THE LOUDEST IT WAS ALL NIGHT. GOOD FUN FOR ALL.

IT WAS ALREADY PAST MY BEDTIME WHEN I WALKED THE HEIR TO THE JIMITHEGREEK EMPIRE TO HER CAR AND SAID GOOD NIGHT. I WAS GOING TO MY ROOM FOR A LITTLE SPORTSCENTER AND SOME WELL DESERVED SLEEP!

THIS WAS A WONDERFUL FATHER DAUGHTER NIGHT. LIFE IS GOOD

Angelo Tsarouchas - It's All Greek

Funny Fat Greek Guy Fron Canada!!!!!!!!

VEGAS FIGHTS VEGAS FIGHTS SO NICE I GOTTA SAY IT TWICE!!



WOWSERS, ANOTHER FIGHT NIGHT IN VEGAS, TWO NEW HOTELS, TWO MORE DARN GOOD RESTAURANTS AND A FREE COACH BAG FOR THE MRS!! AFTER A ROUGH WEEK LIFE IS MUY BUENO.


TWO ROUND TRIP TICKETS ON US AIR USING FF MILES.........FREE

THREE NIGHTS HOTEL IN MANDALAY BAY & HARRAHS USING PROMOS.....FREE

TWO GREAT SEATS AT FIGHT NIGHT IN MANDALAY BAY ARENA.......FREE

REAL COACH BAG FOR THE MRS AT HARRAHS.....FREE

WIFE'S TWO SPA MASSAGES, FACIAL ETC..........&%$#@) $380

SEEING DON KING SLIP AND ALMOST FALL OUT OF HIS LIMO......PRICELESS

FIRST LET ME SAY THAT I AM TRULY FORTUNATE & THANKFUL THAT WE ARE ABLE TO GO AND ENJOY THESE TRIPS TO ATTEND A DISPLAY OF THE SWEET SCIENCE IN ACTION. NOW IF I COULD SEE A BASEBALL GAME AND A FIGHT..........

SO I GET THIS NOTICE FROM US SCARE (US AIRWAYS) THAT IF I DO NOT USE OR ACCRUE MILEAGE BY MARCH 07 THAT I WILL LOSE MY ACCRUED MILEAGE! WELL I HAVE NOT FLOWN US AIR IN YEARS? THEN I NOTICE THAT USA SCARE AND AMERICA WORST HAVE MERGED THEIR MILEAGE PROGRAMS! AHH....NOW I CAN USE MILEAGE AND GO TO VEGAS!!! MEANWHILE THE WONDERFUL KRISTIE DIETZEL FROM MANDALAY BAY CALLED TO OFFER UP TWO NIGHTS AND TWO SEATS FOR THE MOSLEY - COLLAZO FIGHT ON FEB 10TH. THIS ALONG WITH THE POSTCARD FROM HARRAH'S OFFERING UP TWO FREE NIGHTS AT THE HOTEL AND A FREE COACH BAG SEALED THE DEAL. I CHECKED WITH THE MRS JIMITHEGREEK AND SHE SAID SURE WHY NOT AND OFF WE WENT!

WE WERE SCHEDULED TO LEAVE AROUND 8PM ON THE NEW US AIR. A COMBINATION OF AMERICA WORST AND US SCARE = US WORST SCARE AIRLINES. BUT NOOOO THE FLIGHT WAS DELAYED FOR NO APPARENT REASON AND WE LEFT AROUND 10:30 - 11 PM. EVEN THOUGH I MANAGED TO WIGGLE MY REMAINING MILEAGE TO GET US INTO FIRST/BUSINESS CLASS, THEY STILL MANAGED TO SUCK. GET THIS, SINCE WE WERE LATE THEY WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO SERVE/SELL ANY FOOD ON THE FLIGHT!!! NOW I AM NOT SAYING I RELISH AIRLINE FOOD AND WE DID EAT GOOD FOOD BEFORE GETTING TO THE FLIGHT BUT WHAT ABOUT THE FOLKS WHO WERE WAITING OR GOT THERE A LITTLE LATE. HEY AIRLINE IDIOT EMPLOYEES, HOW ABOUT AN ANNOUNCEMENT TO THE CATTLE WAITING TO GET ON THEIR FLIGHT??? IT IS NO WONDER THE VERY NEXT DAY THE CEO OF US AIRWAYS DOUG PARKER WAS ARRESTED UNDER A DUI CHARGE. NO WONDER CREDITORS AT DELTA REFUSED THE DRUNKS BID TO BUY THAT LAME AIRLINE.

NEEDLESS TO SAY WE GOT IN LATE, APPROXIMATELY 1:30 AM LOCAL TIME. WE RUSHED OUT TO GET A CAB AND THE LINE WAS FRIGGIN 2 MILES LONG. APPARENTLY THERE WAS A COUPLE OF BIG CONVENTIONS IN TOWN. ME N THE MRS STARTED ROLLING TO THE LIMO / BUS SIDE TO MAKE A THE DEAL (AS THEY SAY IN NYC) AND WE SAW A HAWKER/HUSTLER OFFERING A RIDE. TWENTY FIVE BUCKAROOS LATER WE WERE AT THE HOTEL. A NICEY NICE HOTEL I MIGHT ADD. THE MANDALAY BAY HOTEL IS A STYLING HOTEL. CHECK IN WAS A BREEZE AND WE WENT UP TO OUR ROOM. THE MRS WENT TO SLEEP AND I WAS ABOUT TO GO TO THE CASINO FOR A LOOK SEE BUT I WANTED TO TAKE A LITTLE REST. SO I WOKE UP ABOUT 7:00AM.... A WINNER! WHICH MEANS I DID NOT GAMBLE OR LOSE ANY MONEY!! I AM AHEAD THE GAME SO FAR! WE WENT O THE SPA /GYM EARLY. AFTER A BRISK WORKOUT I CHECKED OUT THE STEAM ROOM WHICH WAS EUCALPTAMINTY SCENTED. THIS OPENED UP THE SINUSES PRETTY DARN WIDE! VERY REFRESHING AND MADE ME READY FOR A NAP!

THE WIFEY WAS EXCITED BECAUSE SHE SAW SUGAR SHANE MOSLEY AT THE GYM AND KNOW HE HAS A KOREAN WIFE. SHE IS NOW RECOGNIZING FIGHTERS, I HAVE CREATED A MONSTER!!!!

WE THEN WANDERED ABOUT THE HOTEL / CASINO FOR AWHILE AND TOOK SOME TIME TO CHECK OUT SOME OF THE STORE AND THE HOUSE OF BLUES. I GOT EXCITED WHEN I NOTICED RUSSELL PETERS WAS APPEARING BUT ALAS & EGADS, IT WAS THE SAME NIGHT AS THE FIGHTS. WE CHECKED OUT THE RESTAURANTS AND PICKED THE CHINA GRILL FOR DINNER BEFORE THE FIGHTS. YES IT IS A BRANCH / OUTPOST OF THE NEW YORK CHINA GRILL! SO THE WIFEY WENT FOR A SPA TREATMENT AND I DID A LITTLE GAMBLING AND WON A COUPLE OF BUCKAROOS!

I HAD TO GO TO HARRAHS TO CHECK IN AS WE ONLY HAD TWO FREE NIGHTS AT MANDALAY BAY. SO I GO OUTSIDE TO GRAB A TAXI AND LO & BEHOLD WHO DO I SEE? WELL YOU CANT REALLY MISS HIM, IT IS THE ONE & ONLY ORIGINAL KING OF BLING, DON KING GETTING OUT OF A LIMO! WAIT IT GETS BETTER, HE STUMBLES GETTING OUT OF THE LIMO &ALMOST FALLS ON HIS ASS. ONLY HIS POSSE SAVED HIM FROM COMPLETELY FALLING DOWN. IT WAS VERY AMUSING. I HAD A GOOD LAUGH FOR ABOUT FIVE MINUTES TILL MY CAB ARRIVED! YES IA M ONE OF THOSE PEOPLE WHO HAS UNCONTROLLABLE FITS OF LAUGHTER AT OTHERS MISFORTUNES! ANYWAYS, WENT TO HARRAHS, CHECKED IN TURNED AROUND AND GOT BACK TO THE HOTEL IN TIME TO PICK UP THE TICKETS AND GO TO DINNER. THE MRS TOLD ME ABOUT HER FACIAL AND WAX GLOVES THINGY. I WAS AFRAID TO ASK HOW MUCH IT COST!! ON TO DINNER!

WE GOT TO THE RESTAURANT A LITTLE EARLY AND HAD TO WAIT ABOUT 15 MINUTES. THE WIFEY WAS A LITTLE ANTSY HAVING NOT EATEN ALL DAY AND PROBABLY THE FACIAL THINGY HAD SOMETHING TO DO WITH IT? I WAS VERY CLEVER HAVING STOPPED THERE AND TOLD THEM IT WAS OUR SECOND OR THIRD HONEYMOON AND ORDERED A BOTTLE OF CHAMPAGNE TO BE BROUGHT TO THE TABLE AS SOON AS WE SAT DOWN. (BIG POINTS FOR ME!!) WE STARTED OUT WITH THE "CRACKLIN CALAMARI SALAD". THIS WAS A LARGE PORTION TASTY DISH OF LIGHTLY FRIED CALAMARI MIXED IN WITH ORGANIC SALAD MIX & A LIME MISO DRESSING. WE THEN HAD THE LOBSTER PANCAKES WITH MUSHROOMS, CHILI, SCALLIONS & COCONUT MILK. MRS JIMITHEGREEK WAS NOT FOND OF THE PANCAKES ( MORE LIKE CREPES) WHICH MEANT MORE FOR ME!!! THE MAIN DILL WAS A SIZZLING WHOLE FISH AND AN ORDER OF FIVE VEGETABLE FRIED RICE. THE WAS KINDA LIKE A TEMPURA STYLE CUT UP FISH FRY THING. IT WAS PRETTY GOOD BUT NOT WHAT WE EXPECTED. OH, BEFORE I FORGET THIS RESTAURANT HAD THE MOST BIZARRO BATHROOMS. THEY WERE LIKE A BUNCH OF PORT-O-POTTIES ON STEROIDS! THAT IS THE BEST WAY I CAN DESCRIBE THEM. NOW ON TO THE FIGHTS DARN IT!
WE HAD SUPER GREAT, REALLY GOOD, AWESOME, BRILLIANT SEATS FOR THE FIGHTS THANKS TO THE WONDERFUL KAREN DIETZEL!!!

THE FIRST FIGHT WAS A 140 LB MATCH BETWEEN TEXAN "VICIOUS" VIVIAN HARRIS & JUAN "HISPANIC CAUSING PANIC" LAZCANO. THIS FIGHT WAS A PERFUNCTORY SORT WITH AN APPARENT HARRIS WIN. THE PERPLEXING PART OF THE FIGHT WAS REF TONY WEEKS TAKING POINT FROM LAZCANO FOR LOW BLOWS WITHOUT ANY WARNING IN THE 12TH ROUND?? THAT KIND OF SEALED THE DECISION. IT WAS KIND OF COOL TO SEE THE GREAT FREDDIE ROACH WORKING LAZCANO'S CORNER. FOR MORE DETAILS OF THIS FIGHT CHECK OUT BOXING TIMES.

IN THE MAIN EVENT "SUGAR" SHANE MOSLEY PUT ON A BOXING CLINIC CLEARLY DOMINATING A GAME AND MORE THAN CAPABLE NEW YORKER LUIS COLLAZO. MOSLEY LOOKED LIKE HE WAS 25 ISO 35 YEARS OLD. HE WAS QUICKER, FASTER AND CLEARLY OUTBOXED THE MUCH TATTOOED TOUGH LEFTY. COLLAZO MANAGED TO GET A FEW GOOD SHOTS IN AND HE DID MANGED TO THROW OFF MOSLEY WITH HIS UNORTHODOX LEFTY STYLE A COUPLE OF TIME. THE PROBLEM FOR COLLAZO WAS THAT MOSLEY CAME TO FIGHT WITH GREAT FOCUS AND WAS IN TIP TOP SHAPE. HE REALLY PUT ON A BOXING SHOW AND GAVE LESSONS ON HOW TO GIVE RAPID FIRE COMBINATIONS. IT WAS A JOY TO WATCH. FOR MORE DETAILS BOXING TIMES.

ON A SIDE BAR, ME N THE MRS FOUND THE TWO GUYS NEXT TO US WATCHING THE FIGHT VERY AMUSING. THEY WERE SOME LA FELLAS GETTING BLASTED WHILE ENJOYING THE FIGHT. ONE OF THE BOYS WAS DRINKING TWO DRINKS AT A TIME. JAGERMEISTER & JOHNNY WALKER BLACK. ALSO AT RINGSIDE WERE THE DONS OF AMERICAN HAIR DON KING AND DONALD TRUMP. ALL I CAN SAY IS GOD BLESS AMERICA!!!!!!!!

SO AFTER THE FIGHTS THE MRS GOES TO BED AND I AM STILL JUICED FROM THE BOXING SO I GO TO THE CASINO. BIG MISTAKE!! TH LONGER YOU PLAY THE LONGER YOU PAY!!! AFTER A QUICK SPANKING, I WANDER ABOUT DOING A LOOK AROUND. THERE ARE LOTSA OF YOUNGINS OUT PARTYING ABOUT THE VARIOUS BARS IN THE CASINO. I RUN INTO THE GREAT FREDDIE ROACH BY THE BURGER JOINT. HE WAS JUST LOOKING TO GET SOMETHING TO EAT. I JUST TOLD HIM I ADMIRED HIS WORK AND DEDICATION, SHOOK HIS HAND AND WISHED HIM WELL. HE IS REALLY A NICE GUY AND IS SMALLER THAN HE LOOKS ON TV!! ALSO WANDERING ABOUT I SEE HBO BOXING COMMENTATORS JIM LAMPLEY & LARRY MERCHANT IN THE OASIS BAR HAVING A DRINK CHATTING. I JUST SAID HELLO TO THEM AND SHOOK THEIR HANDS. IT WAS KINDA NEAT AS THEY SAY. JUST FRIENDLY REGULAR GUYS. LARRY MERCHANT DOES LOOK LIKE HE IS UP THEIR THE YEARS DEPARTMENT. I DID WONDER WHERE MANNY STEWARD WAS. THE LATER ON THE HOTEL WAS PAGING EMANUEL STEWARD AND I HAD ANOTHER FIT OF LAUGHTER WITH MYSELF. HEY THIS WAS VEGAS NOBODY EVEN NOTICED! AHH ENOUGH EXCITEMENT FOR ME AS I GO TO THE ROOM TO PASS OUT!

THE NEXT DAY WE GET UP EARLY TO GO TO HARRAHS HOTEL. NOW HARRAHS IS A BIT WORN BUT THE PEOPLE THAT WORK THERE ARE VERY FRIENDLY AND HELPFUL. THE SERVICE IS GREAT AND THEY JUST TREAT EVERYONE WELL. I LIKE THE PLACE.

WE GOT THERE PRETTY EARLY AND WENT TO THE GYM. THE MRS WENT FOR A MASSAGE AND I WENT FOR A RUN AND A STEAM. THEY ALSO HAD THE EUCALYPTAMINT STEAM. I GOTTA GET ONE FOR MY SHOWER! WE THEN HAD A LITTLE SNACK AND WENT FOR A WALKABOUT. THIS IS ALL GOOD AS IT KEEPS ME FROM GAMBLING AND SAVES ME MONEY. ( EXCEPT FOR THE FRIGGIN SPA STUFF)


AFTER MUCH WANDERING ABOUT WE ENDED UP AT THE VENETIAN AND DECIDED TO EAT AT A FANTASTIC ITALIAN RESTAURANT NAMED ZEFFIRINO. FIRST WE EACH HAD A $12 DRINK AT THE NIFTY BLUE BAR AT THE AQUAKNOX RESTAURANT. WE LOVE ITALIAN FOOD AND THIS ZEFFIRINO WAS THE REAL DEAL. THE WAITER WAS A REAL ITALIAN McCOY FROM THE OTHER SIDE AS MY DAD USED TO SAY. THEY HAD AN EXTENSIVE WINE LIST BUT I WAS AMAZED THAT MY FAVE LA SCOLCA GAVI WAS NOT ON THE LIST. WHEN I ASKED THE WAITER ABOUT IT HE LOOKED SURPRISED AND IMMEDIATELY ASKED IF I WAS FROM NEW YORK? OKAY I ADMIT I DID GET NERVOUS THERE FOR A MOMENT. HE JUST SAID THAT SINCE HE WAS STUCK IN THE DESERT IN LAS VEGAS ALL THE EAST COAST RESTAURANTS ESPECIALLY IN NYC GET ALL OF THE LA SCOLCA WINES FIRST AND THEY NEVER MAKE OUT WEST. OH WELL, I SAID THAN WE GOT SOME CHAMPAGNE SINCE THE WIFEY REALLY LIKES IT. ( MORE POINTS FOR ME). THE FOOD AND SERVICE WAS AWESOME. WE HAD A BUNCH OF APPETIZERS INCLUDING TUNA TARTAR WITH ONIONS, VINEGAR, OLIVE OIL & BUTTER & BAKED OYSTERS WITH SEASONED BREADCRUMBS WITH CHEESE & WATERCRESS SALAD WITH OLIVE OIL, VINEGAR, GARLIC, MINT & SHRIMPS WITH SCALLOPS IN BUTTER, WINE, GARLIC ALL WITH THIS GREAT CRUSTY SEMOLINA BREAD. THE MEAL WAS FINISHED WITH FRESH HOMEMADE CANNOLIS AND SOME ESPRESSO. WE WERE GOOD TO GO.





NEXT DAY OFF TO AIRPORT EARLY. IT TOOK US + ONE HOUR TO GET THRU SECURITY. WHAT A NIGHTMARE!!! AT LEAST FLIGHT WAS ONLY LATE ABOUT 1/2 AN HOUR. IT WAS GOOD TO GET HOME TO THE FRIGGIN FREEZIN NY WEATHER!!!



OH WELL AT LEAST SPRING TRAINING IS HERE AND IN FULL YANKEE GEAR!!

The Chinaman and a Greek: Gone Bananas

Two of the world oldest cultures?

Cashman The Great....

It has been FRIGGIN FREEZIN in the NYC area this last week. I have been thinking about warmer spring weather. Ah, spring training cometh and with it hope springs eternal for legions of Yankees fans. Is this the year we regain the crown, the 27Th championship? Dare I say it......YES!!!! Ballgame over, world series over, the Yankees win, the Yankees win. There I said it , write it down, print it and mail it. We have Brian "The Great" Cashman to thank for this. I believe that Mr Cashman's off season moves are some of the best that the Yankees have done in a long, long time. It kinda looks like what the consummate baseball guru Gene "Stick" Michael was orchestrating way back when the Boss was exiled. Let's take a looky see wha happen?

November 2006;

1) Mike "Moose" Mussina was signed to a reasonable two year extension. Say what you want about the moose but he has been one of the few pitchers that had been signed to a long term contract and actually performed well winning 92 games during his 6 year contract. That's an average of +15 wins a year folks. This was without any disastrous seasons or devastating injuries. He is still a solid no 2-3 starter who can get you 15 wins.

2) Jaret "4-5 innings" Wright was traded to Baltimore for RHP Chris Britton. I initially thought that the Yanks could have gotten more for a starting pitcher but as they say in the NFL on further review they made a great deal! They got a 6'3" 280 lb 25 year old hard throwing reliever who's opponents batted a combined .228 BAA. This was with the Orioles no less. He will be a fine addition to the bullpen. He pitched almost 54 innings which was about 11 starts for Jaret Wright!!! Getting rid of Wright probably saved half the bullpen for 2007. You knew Torre would pull him out after 5 inning max! This put some serious strain on the bullpen every 5 days contributing to the wearing out of Scott Proctor & Ron Villone.

3) Gary "I AM NOT APPRECIATED" Sheffield was traded to Detroit for RHP's Humbert Sanchez, Kevin Whelan & Anthony Claggett. A brilliant move by The Great Cashman. We received 3 pretty good RHP's for a no longer needed outfielder / DH. I will admit that I liked to watch Sheff's violent swings at the plate but you look at his record and he really did not do much in the playoffs. Not so clutch indeed. This also gives us a full season with Matsui, Damon & Abreu patrolling the outfield with the Melky as backup.

4) Don Mattingly named bench coach. Yes Donnie Baseball takes his place next to Mr Torre in 2007. The question is will the beloved Mr Mattingly need more than one year of seasoning under Torre to take the reins in 2008? We shall see!!


December 2006

5) Kei Igawa signed a five year deal to be a LEFTY pitcher with the NY Yankees. All I will say is that the whispers are that this kid will turn out to be a better MLB pitcher than the $50 million dollar guy up I95 in Boston! He has the confidence and the right stuff to make here in NY. Yup mark it down, I said here first. He will be a better pitcher than the other Japanese lefty playing for Boston. True that!


6) Andy Pettitte... What can I say that has not been said. Check out my comments from my blog on December 12, 2006. Christmas comes early for all ye faithful Yankee fans.

7) Josh Phelps.......Josh Phelps??? I do not know why but I think this guy may be a sleeper. He is a Rule 5 draft pick. He is only the second player ever chosen by the Yankees in this type of draft. He is a righty first baseman. I think he may be one of those role type player the Yanks had back in the mid to late'90's days .
he may compete with Andy Phillips and Doug Mientkiewicz for first base. Lets see what happens in spring training... I could be wrong I could be right!! I mean he did play for the famous Toledo Mudhens and was born in Alaska? Boy, am I reaching ?

January 2007

8) Miguel Cairo is back again. He is the Luis Sojo of this Yankee team. A good luck guy who is a tough, gritty, reliable back up infielder. The bonus is that he is capable of getting some clutch hits as well.

9) Randy Johnson clicked his heels three times and went back to Arizona for Luis Vizcaino, Steven Jackson, Ross Ohlendorf & Alberto Gonzalez. Another brilliant move by The Cashman. Lets face it "The Unit" was "The Big Disappointment" in the Bronx. The Yanks got another three young arms in return. DO you notice a pattern here? The stockpiling of valuable, coveted young pitching. Some are ready for the majors some will go to the farms system. This is a good thing, this is how you win! Vizcaino had 72 K's in 65.1 innings. Another hard thrower for the bullpen.

10) Doug "The Glove" Mientkiewicz signs as a free agent. I am not sure about this one. After watching The Giambino & Sheffield bungling at first, The Cashman must have decided that we must have a bonafide glover at first. I think there will be an interesting spring training for the battle at first base. Regardless any of the contenders will be a defensive improvement over last years pretenders. This will also help our fine 3rd baseman!


The Great Cashman has strengthened the starting pitching, bullpen, defense and stockpiled some young talent in the minors. There is some depth in the starting rotation and some strong arms in the bullpen...both keys to October baseball. I am sure there will be some surprises on the along the way.

YANKEE BASEBALL 2007 PREDICTIONS

A-Rod will have a great year and like Peyton Manning and finally get his ring......ahem,cough, ugh, cough

Carl Pavano will win at least 15 games and be in contention for the AL Cy Young Award if he does not get hurt.........cough, aargh, cough, gag, choke

Jason Giambi will become the Yankee's version of Big Poppy, we will call him Big Sweaty

Bernie Williams will retire a Yankee and have his day at Yankee Stadium.
He deserves to be in the Baseball Hall of Fame just on his post season records alone. Remember these record were attained with his hard work, skill and dedication and sans any steroids or drug use.

Todd Pratt will not make the team

The Mercenary Roger Clemens will be in Pinstripes to get a another ring yet again

Kyle Farnsworth will get traded to a NL team

Mo will have another great year

Cashman will make at least 2 more great deals

The Boston Red Sox will still suck

Yanks beat the Mets in six games to clinch their 27th world championship!!

Jose Feliciano - Zorba The Greek

friggin amazin!

FOUR DAYS,ONE ROUND TRIP FLIGHT, THREE HOTELS, TWO PRIZE FIGHTS, TWO GREAT RESTAURANTS, TWO NFL PLAYOFF GAMES & A SPOT OF TEA!!! Jan 12 - Jan 15



VEGAS BABY , VEGAS BABY...... VISIT ALL THE CASINOS, SIGN UP FOR THEIR FREQUENT FLYER CARDS AND THEY JUST SEND YOU STUFF & STUFF & MORE STUFF. IN MY DAILY OBSESSION OF SIFTING THROUGH THE MAIL , THERE WAS AN INVITATION TO ATTEND THE RICKY"THE HITMAN" HATTON VS JUAN "IRON TWIN" URANGO BOXING EXTRAVAGANZA & MAIN EVENT AT THE PARIS HOTEL & CASINO. THE INVITATION INCLUDED HOTEL STAY & TWO TICKETS TO THE FIGHTS FOR FREE.
IF ITS FOR FREE, YOU KNOW ITS FOR ME!! SO DISCUSSED IT OVER WITH THE WIFEY & SHE SAID SURE LETS GO! AND OFF WE WENT DOWN THE YELLOW BRICK ROAD! OK SO ME BEING THE COUPON CUTTING CHEAPO THAT I AM.....

TWO ROUND TRIP TICKETS ON DELTA TO VEGAS USING FF MILES....FREE

THREE NIGHTS HOTEL RIO,VENETIAN , & TI USING PROMOS.............FREE

TWO FIGHT TICKETS AT PARIS CASINO ....................FREE

WATCHING THE BEARS BEAT THE SAINTS................FREE

WATCHING THE COLTS BEAT THE PATS....................PRICELESS!!

WIFE'S SPA & MASSAGE TREATMENT AT RIO ............$310??????????????

ORDERING CAVIAR AT THE AQUAKNOX RESTAURANT ........$165 ^#@&%*


SO WE LEFT FOR THE AIRPORT FRIDAY NIGHT AND OF COURSE DELTA WHICH IS AN ACRONYM FOR DONT EVER LEAVE THE AIRPORT WAS DELAYED AT JFK WHILE WE WERE ON THE PLANE SITTING FOR ABOUT AN HOUR!!! THE STEWARDESSES COULD NOT HAVE BEEN MORE DISINTERESTED AND PERFUNCTORY. THIS JUST CONFIRMS MY REASONING NEVER TO FLY THE US LEGACY ( DELTA, AMERICAN, NORTHWEST, UNITED, US AIR) CARRIERS IF THEY CAN BE AVOIDED BECAUSE THEY ALL SUCK. GIMME JETBLUE OR SOUTHWEST OPTION ANYTIME AND I'LL TAKE IT! IT'S FUNNY THAT THE TWO CHEAPEST AND BESTEST AIRLINES DON'T SHOW UP ON ANY OF THE BIG TRAVEL WEBSITES SUCH AS TRAVELOCITY, EXPEDIA OR ORBITZ? ANYWAYS THAT RANT IS FOR ANOTHER DAY.

WE GOT IN LATE AND STAYED THE FIRST NIGHT AT THE RIO ALL SUITES HOTEL & CASINO. THE PEOPLE THERE AND THE HOTEL WAS GREAT. WE WANDERED ABOUT LOOKING AT THE SHOPS & RESTAURANTS FOR AWHILE. PRINCE PERFORMS THERE ON WEEKEND SINCE HE GOT HIS NAME BACK! WE STOPPED AT ONE OF THE CASUAL BARS AND HAS SOME DRINKS. I ALSO HAD A TASTY BURGER AT THE ALL AMERICAN BAR & GRILL AS WELL. THE WIFE HAD A FABULOUS SPA ( see above) THINGY ON SATURDAY MORNING WHILE I DID A FEROCIOUS 2 HOUR WORKOUT. UNFORTUNATELY THE CASINO WAS NOT SO KIND TO ME! WE LEFT THAT AFTERNOON TO PICK UP THE FIGHT TICKETS AND CHECK INTO THE VENETIAN HOTEL. NOW THE VENETIAN IS A LUXURY STYLING & PROFILING HOTEL. VERY NICEY NICE. IT'S GOT ALL THE TOP STORES AND GREAT RESTAURANTS. WE WALKED AROUND THE GRAND CANAL SHOPS LOOKING FOR A PLACE TO EAT BEFORE THE FIGHT. WE WERE TORN BETWEEN ZEFFIRINO & AQUAKNOX. AFTER SOME MORE WALKING AROUND & SOME DELIBERATION, WE FINALLY SETTLED ON AQUAKNOX BY ME MAKING THE MANLY (YEAH RIGHT) DECISION!

WE WERE A BIT EARLY SO WE HAD A DRINK AT THE REALLY COOL LOOKING BLUE BAR AND ORDERED THE SMOKED FISH PLATTER, A DARN TASTY SMOKED FISH PLATTER I MIGHT ADD. THE PLATE HAS SMOKED SALMON,SABLE & TROUT WITH SOME OF THAT CREME FRAICHE STUFF ANS SOME CRISPY CRACKERS. NOW ON TO THE DINNER TABLE. AS WE ORDERED MORE DRINKS AND PERUSED THE MENU, I HAD AN INSPIRATION TO ORDER THE CAVIAR! WE VERY VERY VERY RARELY HAVE IT AND SINCE THE HOTEL & OTHERS WERE FREE I FIGURED WHAT THE HEMP. I HAVE TO SAY IT WAS PRESENTED PROPERLY WITH ALL THE TRIMMINGS...BLINIS, CHOPPED EGG, ONION ETC. IT ALSO WENT QUITE WELL WITH MY 3RD & 4TH VODKA I MAY ADD! ME N THE WIFE REALLY ENJOYED. WE THEN ORDERED A WHOLE GRILLED BRONZINI FISH & A MUSHROOM RAGU OR RAGOUT OR RAGDOLL THINGY TO SHARE. BOTH WERE FANTASTIC AND WE GOBBLED 'EM UP. NO ROOM FOR DESERT BUT WE HAD SOME FRESH FRENCHY PRESS COFFEE WITH BAILEYS. THE MRS HAD THE NEW CARAMEL FLAVOR WHICH TASTED REALLY GOOD BUT A BIT TOO SWEET FOR MY TASTE. OH AND THEY GIVE YOU THESE LITTLE KEY LIME TART LIKE COOKIES THAT ARE KILLER, JUST KILLER. THE SERVICE WAS NOT JUST GOOD BUT IT WAS EXCELLENT. I DID ALMOST GAG WHEN I GOT THE CHECK AND SAW THE CAVIAR WAS $165 BUCKAROOS. WHAT THE HEMP, IT'S ALL GOOD. NOW ON TO THE PARIS CASINO & THE FIGHT. AFTER WAITING ABOUT TWENTY FRIGGIN FREEZIN MINUTES TO GET A CAB WE WERE ALMOST THERE.


IT WAS VERY EXCITING GETTING INTO THE CASINO AND WALKING THRU TO THE LARGE BALLROOM AREA WERE THE FIGHT WAS BEING HELD. YOU COULD SPOT THE BRITS ALL OVER THE PLACE. WE MISSED THE PRELIM FIGHTS BUT GOT THERE JUST IN TIME FOR THE CASTILLO
VS NGOUDJO. NOW I THINK CASTILLO IS A PRETTY GOOD IF NOT A LIKABLE FIGHTER. IT LOOKED LIKE HE WAS TRYING TO COAST THROUGH THIS FIGHT. THE KID FROM CAMEROON , HERMANN "BLACK PANTHER" NGOUDJO CAME TO BATTLE. IT WAS PROBABLY ABOUT THE FIFTH OR SIXTH ROUND WHEN JOSE LUIS "EL TEMIBLE" CASTILLO STARTED THROWIN TO GET IN THE FIGHT. CASTILLO IN PERSON WAS JUST AS DIRTY A FIGHTER AS HE IS ON TV. THE CROWD LOUDLY BOOED THE DECISION AS MOST THOUGHT THE " BLACK PANTHER" WON THE FIGHT. FOR A GREAT REVIEW AND RECAP OF THIS FIGHT CHECK OUT THE BOXING TIMES ARTICLE FOR MORE ON THIS FIGHT.


ME THE MRS JIMITHEGREEK WERE CRACKING UP WITH ALL THE BRITS THAT WERE AT THE VENUE. THERE MUST HAVE BEEN AT LEAST TWO OR THREE THOUSAND. EVERY TIME RICKY HATTON'S NAME WAS MENTIONED OR THEY SHOWED HIM GETTING READY THE PLACE ERUPTED INTO CHEERS, CHANTS, CAROUSING AND CAROLING. THE CASINO MUST HAVE MADE MONEY TO COVER THEIR EXPENSES FOR THE NIGHT JUST ON THE BEER THAT WAS PURCHASED AND CONSUMED WITH MUCHO GUSTO! THE FIGHT ITSELF WAS A SHOWCASE FOR MR HATTON. HE CAME OUT AND PEPPERED "IRON TWIN" URANGO WITH SOME RAPID FIRE SHOTS. HATTON PRETTY MUCH DOMINATED THE FIGHT BUT DID NOT REALLY HURT URANGO. THE CHEERS, SINGING AND CHANTS WERE LOUD AND FUN. IT WAS LIKE A CROSS BETWEEN A UK SOCCER MATCH AND A ROCK CONCERT. THEY WERE SINGING SOME RENDITION OF WINTER WONDERLAND ( AT LEAST THAT WHAT IT SOUNDED LIKE!) A BLOODY GOOD TIME WAS HAD BY ALL. I THINK HATTON GOT A BIT TIRED OF SMACKIN URANGO AROUND AND COASTED THE LAST FEW ROUNDS TO A UNANIMOUS DECISION. I WAS SURPRISED THAT RICKY DID NOT KNOCK HIM OUT BUT LATER FOUND OUT THAT THE FIGHTERS IN VEGAS ARE NOW REQUIRED TO USE TEN OUNCE GLOVES INSTEAD OF EIGHT. DOESN'T SOUND LIKE MUCH UNLESS YOU ARE GETTIN HIT WITH THEM ...BELIEVE YOU ME!

AGAIN CHECK OUT THE BOXING TIMES ARTICLE ON THE FIGHT. THEY ARE THE PROS WRITING ABOUT BOXING. WE JUST LIKE WATCHING IT LIVE , ON TV OR ON TAPE! AFTER A TWENTY MINUTE WAIT IN THE FRIGGIN FREEZIN DESERT TO GET A CAB BACK TO THE VENETIAN HOTEL, ON TO THE NEXT DAY. BY THE WAY WHEN THEY SAY ITS A DRY HEAT AND ITS +NINETY DEGREES , IT'S FRIGGIN HOT, SAME AS WHEN ITS TWENTY DEGREES, BUT IT'S A DRY COLD....................ITS FRIGGIN COLD!!

SUNDAY ME N THE MRS, SLEPT IN A LITTLE BIT THEN WENT TO THE FITNESS CENTER/SPA AND HAD A REALLY GOOD & LONG WORK OUT.TOOK SEVERAL STEAMS / SAUNAS UNTIL I WAS PRUNE LIKE AND THEN SOME. WE THEN WATCHED THE BEARS PUT AN ASS WHOOPIN ON THE SAINTS , WHILST PLANNING DINNER. ON TO CAESARS SHE SAYS!!! SO OFF WE WENT ON A BRISK (BECAUSE WE WERE FRIGGIN FREEZIN) WALK.

NOW CAESARS PALACE IS A VERY OPULENT PLACE AS WELL, MO MONEY MO MONEY MO MONEY.
THERE IS BOOO KOOO BUCKS IN THAT PLACE TOO! THE FIRST ENTRANCE WAS THRU THE FORUM SHOPS, WHICH IS ANOTHER HUGE SHOPPING PLACE TO PART YOU WITH MORE OF YOUR MONEY. THEY HAVE EVERY HIGH END STORE YOU CAN THINK OF AND THEN SOME! WE STOPPED AND HAD A DRINK AT JOE'S STONE CRAB (MIAMI ORIGINAL). I HAD A $15 VODKA AND THE WIFEY HAD A $12 GLASS OF WINE....EGADS...SURE NOW WE WERE READY TO GO THRU THE SHOPS TO GET TO CAESARS. JUST WHEN I THOUGHT I WAS GONNA GET A CLEAN GETAWAY WE WENT INTO A PRETTY COOL SOUTHWESTERN STORE CALLED WEST OF SANTE FE. THEY DID HAVE SOME REALLY NIFTY STUFF. MRS JIMTHEGREEK GOT A NIFTY AND REASONABLY PRICED WALLET! WE GOT TO CAESARS, LOOKED AROUND AND PICKED BOBBY FLAY'S MESA GRILL TO EAT AT. I HAVE EATEN THE MUCHO EXCELLENT PORK TENDERLOIN AT MESA GRILL IN NYC AND YOU CANNOT HAVE A BAD MEAL AT THIS RESTAURANT. WE MADE RESO'S FOR 7PM. UNFORTUNATELY WE HAD A COUPLE OF HOURS TO GO. I FOUND THE PERFECT PLACE, A WPT TABLE WITH A TV SCREEN SHOWING THE COLTS - PATRIOTS GAME. DOES IT GET BETTER? YES IT DOES, I ACTUALLY WON A COUPLE OF HUNDRED BUCKS . THE MRS WAS OFF LOOKING AROUND BUT I FOUND OUT LATER SHE WAS ALSO WATCHING THE GAME AT THE SPORTS BOOK. (WE WILL MAKE HER A FOUR SPORT FAN YET!) WE MET UP, CAUGHT THE END OF THE GREAT GAME AND HAD A FAMOUSLY FABULOUS MEAL. WE SHARED THE SHRIMP & GROUPER CEVICHE AND THE TIGER SHRIMP & ROASTED CORN TAMALE APPETIZERS WHILE THE COLTS FINALLY BEAT THE PATRIOTS. (FOR MORE ON THE FOOTBALL & OTHER RIGHTEOUSLY WRITTEN STUFF, CHECK OUT THE LATEST, GREATEST WARDENSWORLD) WE THEN BOTH ORDERED THE ROAST GROUPER SPECIAL AND THE SIDE OF CORNMEAL CRUSTED ANAHEIM CHILE RELLENO WITH WHITE CHEDDAR CHEESE, BLACK BEANS & RICE. DON'T YOU LOVE THE WAY THE MENUS DESCRIBED THE FOOD? OF COURSE THIS WAS ALL WASHED DOWN WITH A BOTTLE OF VERY FINE AND REASONABLY PRICED CAYMUS CONUNDRUM WINE. IN FACT THE WHOLE MEAL WAS A BARGAIN AS I USED UP ALL MY TOTAL REWARDS POINTS FOR A FAMOUSLY FABULOUS MEAL!! OH AND THE SERVICE WAS FLAWLESS!


AAHH A GOOD DAY BY ALL MEASURES......BUT AGAIN WE HAD TO WAIT FRIGGIN FIFTEEN MINUTES FOR A FRIGGIN CAB IN THE FRIGGIN COLD TO GET BACK TO THE HOTEL. I SHOULD WENT TO BED EARLY LIKE THE MRS BUT NOOOOO, I HAD TO GO DOWNSTAIRS TO THE VENETIAN CASINO AND GIVE BACK ALL THE MONEY I WON AND THEN SOME!! THE NEXT MORNING WE WAITED TWENTY FRIGGIN MINUTES FOR A FRIGGIN CAB IN THE FRIGGIN COLD TO GET TO THE AIRPORT! THE FLIGHT HOME WAS UNEVENTFUL EXCEPT FOR THE DIRECT TV NOT WORKING ON THE DELTA FLIGHT. WE ENDED UP PAYING $5 EACH TO WATCH THE DEPARTED. YOU THINK DELTA WOULD HAVE COMPED THE MOVIES SINCE THE TV WAS NOT WORKING BUT ..NOOOO. THIS IS ANOTHER REASON WHY THEY SUCK AND THEY WILL EVENTUALLY GO THE WAY OF PAN AM (SOME OF WHOSE ROUTES THEY ACQUIRED), TWA ETC. WE HAD SUCH A GREAT TIME WE ARE GOING TO DO THIS AGAIN THIS WEEKEND FOR THE MOSLEY - COLLAZO FIGHT AT MANDALAY BAY!!!

Muhammed Ali

The Greatest and the Lamest!