I don't ever want to see Aaron Heilman throw another pitch as a Met. Pure disgrace

BIG PELF TO THE RESCUE

Is there anything Big Pelf can't do these days? He pitches like a Cy Young award winner, he's growning quite a nifty little beard, and now he's saving people's lives!!!

That was a pretty bad fall for the little fella' and big Pelf (who I am sure has no kids of his own) did a nice job comforting the kid. I bet that little Philly fan is going to be a Met fan from now on.


http://view.break.com/562764 - Watch more free videos

A STEVE FRANCIS KNICK JERSEY? REALLY

Does this poor kid even know what he's wearing? Is he that huge a fan that he wears the blue and orange no matter what, or is he just drinking the MSG kool-aid with a serious splash of Absolut in it.

Steve Francis and the Knicks aren't quite synonymous with one another. Francis played a grand total of 68 games (I was stunned it was even that many when I actually looked it up) for the Knicks between 2005 and 2007. He averaged a hearty 11 points or so a game and between Dec 9th and Feb 6th (about 30 games) he saw action in all of 3 games...not exactly a fan favorite, or a great Knick.

The real question is what's stranger, that Rebook (or whoever actually makes Knick jerseys) would say, "Hey, make sure we a bunch of those Stevie Francis #1 jerseys out to Modells" or that a parent would be in the store (these days I'm betting you'd be lucky to find these gems at Marshall's) and say..."nice, a Francis #1 jersey, little Johnny will love this"...or, wait, yes there's even one more level to this..the kid wakes up and thinks "Nice, I've got basketball camp today, where's my Knick Stevie Francis tank?"

THE METS AND THE BULLPEN (updated)

Simply put, it's been unacceptable.

This pen has blown way to many games. No one feels comfortable when we see the starting pitchers pitch count nearing 100 with a 2 (or even a 5)run lead, because we know here comes the awful tandem of Heilman, Sanchez, Feliciano, Smith and Schoeneweis. They gotta go. Every last one of them.

There's still 2 weeks left in the triple A season...I DEMAND they all be sent down, and bring up Eddie Kunz, Al Reyes, Ivan Maldonado, Willie Collazo, and Nate Field.

This has to be done, I can't sit on my couch with a nifty 3-1 lead after 2 comfortable hours of baseball thru 7, then have to endure 1 hour of 5 awful pitchers trying to get the last 6 outs....AND FAILING!!!!

Faithful readers...have I let you down yet? No, I have not..Willie had to go, he went...I offer solutions, Omar needs to act right now, send them down and let them remember what it's like to ride the bus and play in front of 3,300 fans who care most about the sausage race (pardon). We play 2 key games against the Phillies today and tomorrow, in Philly...we know that band box is a nightmare to bullpens, and withthe worst pen in the game I see nothing good happening. I WANT COLLAZO TO GET OUT UTLEY TONIGHT NOT SCHOENWEIS. WHEN BURREL SOMES UP TONIGHT IN THE 8TH WITH 2 MEN ON AND THE METS UP BY 2 WE NEED NATE FIELD TO GET HIM OUT.

Omar...this is not negotiable.

Am I being extreme? Hell yea I'm being extreme, and that's because I was the same guy last year who stayed calm and said, "we have 17 games left to play, all we have to do is go 8-9 and then Philly has to go 15-2 just to tie us"...well guess what, we didn't even go 8-9 and Philly not only tied us but passed us...I WILL NOT SIT BY IDLY THIS YEAR AND FAIL. Wake up Omar, bring up the reserves, and let's win this thing!!!!

Caylee Anthony Update

According to sources close to the investigation, DNA tests that were conducted on a stain and hair samples found in the trunk of the car Casey Anthony was driving indicate that her daughter, 3-year-old Caylee Anthony, is dead.

This latest news comes as little shock after yesterday's revelation that test results of air samples that were taken from the car allegedly show that a decomposing human body had been inside the trunk.

Meanwhile, the state prosecutor's office has refused to comment on the partial immunity deal that has been offered to Anthony. Yesterday, it was reported that the deal would expire in 24 hours; however the deadline is now being reported as Tuesday. Anthony did meet with her attorney today but they have yet to comment on whether they are considering the deal.

As a result of these most recent developments, bounty hunter Leonard Padilla and his nephew, Tony Padilla, have announced that they intend to revoke Anthony's bond. According to published reports, the Padilla's have already started working on revocation paperwork, which could result in Anthony being placed back behind bars later today.

Tests Confirm Decomposing Body Was In Casey Anthony's Car

The University of Tennessee has provided investigators with lab test results of air samples that were taken from Casey Anthony's car, which allegedly show that a decomposing human body had been inside the trunk.

Prosecutors have now offered Anthony partial immunity, in exchange for her admission that Caylee Anthony died as a result of an accident. The deal is set to expire in 24 hours.

Meanwhile, Leonard Padilla and his nephew, Tony Padilla, are now telling reporters that they regret getting involved in the case.

"Maybe we got duped a little bit. Maybe we overestimated her," Tony Padilla told

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J E T S jets jets jets

EXERCISING THE DEMONS

How to Win at Tournament Poker, Part 2

by Chris Ferguson

Last week I talked about not adjusting for tournament play, answered three specific tournament questions, and stressed that there is little difference between tournament strategy and ring game strategy. This week, I would like to expand on that by answering a fourth question, and address the two situations where it's right to deviate from simply playing your best game.

The fourth question: Surely the different payout structure between ring games and tournaments means something, doesn't it?

Yes, tournaments differ from live action in that you are rewarded for how long you last, rather than for how many chips you accumulate.

In ring game poker, the chips you save by folding are just as valuable as the chips you win by playing. In tournament play, the chips you save are actually more valuable.

Consider a typical $1,000 buy-in tournament with 100 players, where first place is worth $40,000 out of a total prize pool of $100,000.

At the beginning of the tournament everyone has 1,000 in chips with a value of $1,000. The eventual winner will have 100,000 in chips and, in live action, would be entitled to a prize of $100,000. In a tournament, that same $100,000 is worth only $40,000, meaning that, at the end, each 1,000 in chips is only worth $400. As your stack grows, the value of each additional chip decreases, which means you want to be slightly more averse to taking unnecessary risks in tournaments than you might be in live action. (And if you are at all averse to taking risks in live action, you're probably playing over your bankroll.) Don't overcompensate for tournament play. Most people would be better off making no changes at all, rather than the changes that they do make.

Having said all this, there are two cases where adjusting will help:

1. When you are just out of the money.

If you are short stacked, you need to be very careful when committing your chips, especially with a call.

If you have a large stack, look for opportunities to push the short and medium stacks around - especially the medium stacks. These players will be a lot less likely to want a confrontation with you, and it should be open season on their blinds and antes.

If you have a medium or small stack, you need to be a bit more careful. Remember, though, that the other players - even the larger stacks - don't want to tangle with you. They just want to steal from you without a fight. Be prepared to push them around a little, and even to push back occasionally when they try to bully you. This often turns into a game of Chicken between the bigger stacks to determine which large stack will let the other steal most of the blinds.

2. At the final table.

Very little adjustment is necessary until you are one player away from the final table. Here, again, you should tighten up slightly because this is the next point where the payout structure handsomely rewards outlasting other players.

Look for opportunities to push around the other players, and the smaller stacks in particular. This is good advice throughout the final table.

What about heads up?

There are no more tournament adjustments necessary. You are essentially playing a winner take all freeze-out for the difference between first and second place.

Remember: Tournament adjustments should be subtle. It is rare that your play would be dramatically different in a tournament. When in doubt, just play your best game. And if you never adjust from that, you've got a great shot of winning, no matter what game you're playing.

CLASSIC FRANCESA

WFAN's Mike Francesa likes Detroit Tigers backup thirdbaseman, Brandon Inge. He likes Brandon Inge. A lot.

Mike and the Mad Dog Glossary

(THANKS TO THE MIKE AND THE MAD DOG BLOG)


Be careful: Mike and Chris' way of telling sports fans not to fall in love with a player or team ("Be Careful about falling in love with Pagan")


Let's be fair here: Russo's counter-argument to callers that attack someone ("Let's be fair here. If you are going to knock Rick Peterson, you gotta give him credit for John Maine")

This whole notion: When Francesa or Russo declares something to be fact when in actuality, they are making it up themselves ("This whole notion that Mike D'Antoni is going to make the Knicks a playoff team is a joke")

Pipe Down: Russo's way of telling a player to shut up ("Pipe down there Figueroa")

Tough Spot: This is usually a negative. 'Tough spot. Aaron Heilman. Can't trust him.' They rarely say, "I really like Chauncey Billups in a tough spot." Even though Mike and Dog don't trust a lot of athletes in a tough spot, you can earn your way out of this label. For example, they couldn't trust Eli Manning in a tough spot until the Super Bowl. Now he can basically retire and still be a legend. He proved he can perform in a tough spot. This phrase is used by both Mike and Dog.

Tricky Spot: This really means an awkward position. For example, Ian Eagle running into Marv Albert at the Garden. Or I'm sure that the Giants last game of the 2007 was a tricky spot. "Coughlin wants to get ready for the postseason but you have to try to end the Patriots' undefeated season. Tricky spot, Mike." And for clarification. This phrase is used primarily by Russo.

Timmy: Russo's son. ("I mean, let's be fair here Mike, Timmy can throw harder than Igawa")

Say Something Funny Mike (When Russo can't control himself and breaks out into laughter and tries to egg Francesa on to keep it going. Picture Russo hysterically laughing followed by "Say Something Funny Mike")

First time, long time (this term is announced by a fan calling to the show, who has been a long time listener of the show, but is making his first ever call in - hence, first time (caller), long time (listener)

I can't go too crazy - This is a Mad Dog special. Dog uses this phrase to throw cold water on enthusiastic callers("I can't go too crazy about the D-Rays in May. Talk to me in September.") or admit that he doesn't have strong feelings about a subject("I can't go too crazy about the Olympic torch protesters.").



A-Game - This is Mike's new terminology that he applies to a Yankees win in which the starter goes 7 innings, Joba pitches a perfect 8th and Mariano closes it out. "The Yanks need an A Game tonight."


Bad Job: This is Mad Dog's way of criticizing something. It can be applied to players, coaches, general managers, fans - even networks, as in "That's a bad job out of NBC on the Derby Broadcast."

I'm not a big believer in: This is mainly a Mike comment. It means he doesn't have much confidence in something. And just like other comments, this is mainly used in negative, eg. 'I'm not a big believer in starting someone on 3 days rest.'

The whole bit - Russo's phrase when he is alone and wants to keep the conversation moving along. Without Mike there to add any details, Russo will use 'the whole bit' to sum up a person or issue. 'Selig will make it into the Hall of Fame. Steroids, the whole bit.'

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAnnnnnnnnnnnd good afternoon, everybody! How are you today?"

MIKE AND THE MAD DOG

1:04-6:25pm will never be the same.

THE END OF A GREAT ERA

WFAN announced today it has signed a multi-year contract with Mike Francesa making him the sole host of afternoon drive (1:00-6:30PM) on the nation’s first and most listened to all-sports station. Mike began his career at WFAN in 1987 and has been heard in afternoons on the station since Sept. 5, 1989.

At the same time, Mike’s longtime on-air partner, Chris Russo, is leaving the company.

"Mike and Chris pioneered the genre more than 18 years ago and have shaped the sports talk format into what it is today,” said WFAN’s Operations Director Mark Chernoff. "As we embark on this next step in WFAN’s history, we wish Chris nothing but the best and look forward to all that Mike will do in a role in which he has excelled at for years."

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Caught in the rain

Caylee Anthony Update

There have been several new developments in the case of Casey Anthony and her missing 2-year-old daughter, Caylee Anthony.

On August 5, Casey was formally charged with a felony count of child neglect and another misdemeanor offense.

Read the court documents
The following day, investigators executed a search warrant at Casey's home and removed several articles of clothing from Casey's closet.

According to the search warrant, Casey's mother, Cindy Anthony, recently told investigators that she had found clothing inside the vehicle Casey had been driving before she made her first 911 call. Cindy "removed the pants and washed them due to the fact that they smelled like the car," the report said.

Read the search warrant
Also on August 6, Bryan Crews, the attorney for the parents of Jesus Ortiz, a young man who some armchair detectives suspect is Caylee's father, held a news conference and said that his parents had never heard of Casey Anthony.

"This is the first they were ever told that Caylee might be a grandchild of theirs," Crews said. "They became interested in that, because that's all they would have left of their son, who died at age 20. This is a real surprise to them. I think another news station broke the story to them as a 'hello, big surprise' at their front door, and that was a very shocking event for them. Since that time, they've gotten unwanted media attention."

Crews said that the Ortiz family does not believe that Jesus is Caylee's father. Casey's parents also deny that he has any relation to Caylee. Despite both families' beliefs, the Orange County Sherriff's Office is investigating the allegations and has requested a copy of the police reports regarding the accident that killed Jesus.

During an interview on Fox News, Casey's father, George Anthony, admitted, despite previous denials, that his daughter had in fact stolen the gas cans from his shed. George said he found the cans in the trunk of the car Casey was driving when he went looking for a tire tool.

In addition to the gas can revelation, Cindy Anthony has come forward and told investigators that she has been receiving death threats via phone calls, e-mails and letters. Investigators are currently looking into the incidents.

On August 7, Mark Fuhrman spoke with Fox TV host Greta Van Susteren and said that he had met with investigators from the Orange County Sheriff's Office and was told about a "flurry" of calls Casey had placed to her parents on June 16. However, when questioned about Fuhrman's claim, Capt. Angelo Nieves had no comment on the alleged calls.

"We didn't discuss anything official with him," Nieves told Orlandosentinel.com.

While Nieves had little to say about the calls, sources close to the investigation have revealed that investigators have gone over every page of Casey's cell phone records and have not found a single call or text message to or from anyone named Zenaida Gonzalez, the woman Casey claimed was Caylee's babysitter.

Another interesting development occurred on August 8, when Casey refused to see her brother when he arrived for a previously scheduled jail visit.

"I've just been informed by the visitation supervisor that when the visitation session started, Casey Anthony was not at the visitation unit over in her housing area. A correctional officer came on over the screen and told Mr. Anthony that Casey did not wish to have the visit occur, and then he left," Allen Moore, public information officer for the Orange County Corrections Department, told WFTV.com, adding, "She did not wish to have the visit. No reason was given for this. It's the inmate's right not to conduct a visitation if they choose to."

Later that night, supporters and members of the community attended a vigil for Caylee Anthony.

"Your prayers and support means more than you can even imagine," George said, addressing the small crowd. "Thank you for giving me some strength."

On August 8, WFTV.com reported that investigators suspect Caylee may have drowned in the family swimming pool on June 16, the day Fuhrman said Casey had made a "flurry" of phone calls to her parents.

"A possibility being considered is Caylee could've gotten into the backyard pool on her own and was discovered too late," reads the article at WFTV.com.

The article also revealed that investigators are conducting further tests on Casey's car to determine whether there is evidence of decomposition.

The most recent development in this case occurred yesterday, one day after Caylee's third birthday, when Casey declined a scheduled visitation with her parents.

"Orange County Corrections does not inquire as to why an inmate decides to decline a visitation," Moore told Myfoxorlando.com, adding, "Cynthia and George Anthony were notified by phone that their daughter had declined today's scheduled visit."

Casey is scheduled for two more visits this coming week with her brother and parents. It remains unclear whether those visits will take place.

How To Win At Tournament Poker

by Chris Ferguson

People often ask very specific questions about how to be a winning tournament player:

How many chips am I supposed to have after the first two levels?
Should I play a lot of hands early while the blinds are small, then tighten up later as the blinds increase?
I seem to always finish on the bubble. Should I tighten up more as I get close to the money, or try to accumulate more chips early on?
Surprisingly, all three questions have the same answer:

Stop trying to force things to happen. Just concentrate on playing solid poker, and let the chips fall where they may.

In fact, that's the best answer for almost any specific tournament question. Here is a more useful question:

How much of a difference is there between ring game strategy and tournament strategy?

The answer: Not as much as you think.

Before you worry about adjusting for tournaments, concentrate on adjusting for the other players. The most important skill in poker is the ability to react to a wide range of opponents playing a wide range of styles. Players who can do this will thrive in both ring games and tournaments alike.

Many of the most costly tournament mistakes are the result of players over-adjusting for tournament play. Let's look at these questions again:

How many chips am I supposed to have after the first two levels?

The short answer is: As many as you can get.

Play your cards. Play your opponents. Do not try to force action simply because you think you "need" to have a certain number of chips to have a chance of winning. You should be thinking about accumulating more chips, while trying to conserve the chips you already have. The more chips you have, the better your chances of winning. The fewer chips you have, the worse your chances.

Forget about reaching some magical number. There is no amount below which you have no shot, nor is there any amount above which you can be guaranteed a victory. A chip and a chair is enough to win, and enough to beat you. Getting fixated on a specific number is a good way to ensure failure. Next question:

Should I play a lot of hands early while the blinds are small, and then tighten up later as the blinds increase?

Your play shouldn't change much as the tournament progresses. Gear your play to take maximum advantage of your opponents, irrespective of how far along the tournament is. Most players are too loose in the early stages of a tournament. Rather than become one of these players, adjust for their play instead:

Attempt to steal the blinds less often
Call more raises
Re-raise more frequently
Likewise, when opponents typically tighten up later on, you should steal more often and be less inclined to get involved in opened pots. Again, this should be a reaction to the way your opponents are playing, not an action based on any particular stage of the tournament.

Last question: I seem to always finish on the bubble. Should I tighten up more as I get close to the money to avoid this, or try to accumulate more chips early on?

Usually the people asking this question are already tightening up too soon before reaching the money. In other words, they are over-adjusting to tournament play. Not only is it incorrect to tighten up considerably before you are two or three players from the money, doing so is the surest way to finish on or near the bubble. Just play your best, most aggressive game, and try not to let your stack dwindle to a point where you can't protect your hand with a pre-flop all-in raise. If you do, your opponents will be getting the right pot odds to call, even with weak hands. Look for opportunities to make a move before you let this happen, even if it means raising with less than desirable holdings.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

See sniff sip savor

6 blown saves for Santana so far

My favorte Artie Lines

When Howard asked William Hung the name of his group and Artie said "Chink Floyd".

Jew broad

To Jackie during Gary Roast- "But now Jackie you have your own time slot on the channel... That is until I tell Howard I want a show."

What kind of a fag would hire a guy to dress him.

"I would go, but I'll be too busy not giving a s**t."

Howard: "let's go to the phones and see what people think about this"
Artie: "yeah, I'm sure that they will be real helpful."

wahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

BE WELL BABY GORILLA

Howard Stern's sidekick is finally in rehab. Artie Lange, who's long overindulged with drugs and drink, was scheduled to attend close pal Bob Saget's Comedy Central roast on Sunday night, but never made it to LA. Instead, he checked himself into an intensive outpatient rehab program. A source said Lange "felt awful for not being there for Bob, but needed to make his health a priority." Lange also canceled his stand-up shows this weekend, but plans to return to his regular gig on Stern's Sirius radio show when it returns from hiatus. Lange's rep, Lewis Kay, confirmed the news.

STUNING STORY OF CASEY ANTHONY

I'VE BEEN FOLLOWING THIS STORY SINCE I FIRST HEARD ABOUT IT OVER 3 WEEKS AGO. I'M SHOCKED BY THE ACTIONS OF THIS "MOTHER" AND I JUST CAN'T GET MY ARMS AROUND WHAT TYPE OF PERSON THIS WOMAN IS.

WHEN I SAY I CAN'T GET MY ARMS AROUND IT, I DON'T MEAN DO I THINK SHE IS JUST CONFUSED, OR SHE IS REALLY PROTECTING SOMEONE, I MEAN CUMON, REALLY WHO HONESTLY BELIEVES THAT TALE THE MOTHER IS TELLING.

AS SAD AS IT IS, I HAVE TO BELIEVE THE MOHTER KILLED THIS POOR BABY SO SHE COULD GO OUT AND PARTY AGAIN AND NOT HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT WATCHING HER BABY.

SO WHEN I SAY I CAN'T GET MY ARMS AROUND WHAT IT GOING ON WITH HER, I MEAN WHAT TYPE OF WOMAN ACTUIALLY ACTS LIKE THIS AND DOES THIS. IF YOU HAVEN'T HEARD THE STORY, HERE IT IS:



Is 22-year-old Casey Marie Anthony a habitual liar who is purposely misleading Florida investigators in their search for her missing 2-year-old daughter, Caylee? On the contrary, is she secretly protecting her daughter as her family claims? Whichever is the case, no one has seen Caylee in over a month, and her mother has been unable to provide investigators with any solid information as to her daughter’s whereabouts.

According to police, Caylee was last seen by her grandparents on June 9. Over the course of the next month, Casey reportedly made several excuses to explain her daughter's absence, including telling friends and family members that Caylee was with her "nanny." The stories allegedly varied, with Casey claiming that her daughter was at various locations with the nanny, including Disneyland, Universal Studios, and the beach.

"Mommy kept making up excuses as to where Caylee was, and the grandmother finally located [Casey] and was insistent in seeing Caylee," Deputy Sheriff Carlos Padilla of the Orange County Sherriff's Office told ABCNews.com.

At the urging of her mother, Cynthia Anthony, Casey allegedly stated that she had dropped Caylee off at a babysitter's house on June 9. She reported that when she returned to pick her daughter up, Caylee and the babysitter were gone. Cynthia convinced her daughter to contact police, and a missing child report was filed on July 16, 2008, five weeks after Casey allegedly dropped her daughter off at the babysitter's house.

When questioned by police, Casey allegedly reported that she did not notify them sooner because she had been busy conducting her own investigation. After providing the same story that she told to her mother, Casey identified Caylee's babysitter as Zenaida Fernandez-Gonzalez. Casey stated that she had known Fernandez-Gonzalez for four years and that she had employed her as a babysitter for approximately one and a half years.

Investigators were anxious to speak with Fernandez-Gonzalez. However, when Casey led them to the woman's house, they discovered that it had been vacant since February 29. Of further concern to investigators were several other statements Casey made to police that turned out to be false.

According to the police report, Casey told police that she was an employee of Universal Studios. However, the contact information she provided for her supervisors proved to be false, and a department head at the company told police that Casey was not an employee.

When questioned about Caylee's father, Casey told police that he was dead and allegedly refused to provide them with his name.

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Old timers day at the beer pong table

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

if the mountains are too high to climb it pays to take the subway