A New Era, the Last Opening Day at the Old Stadium

BAMBINO: Well, here we go with another baseball season. A marathon of titanic proportions. 162 games over 6 months. Can the Yanks get back on top with a new skipper at the helm? Will the young arms be a factor? Will the veterans remain great? Joba Rules? We shall see. I love Opening Day. I went once in 1993 vs KC, and it was a blast.

Watching Opening Day on TV has been my mainstay. I always manage to have a "day off" and watch the game with a few beers. The New York Yankees host the Toronto Blue Jays in the final opening game in the Old Yankee Stadium.

Next season, the Bombers will move into their new digs next door, but one more WS Title in the House that Ruth Built, would be the cherry on top. I already saw computer generated pics of the House That Jeter Built, and it looks like the Yanks will spare no expense to make the baseball experience in the Bronx, one to remember.

PLAY BALL!!

SEASON PREVIEW:

http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080324&content_id=2456102&vkey=news_nyy&fext=.jsp&c_id=nyy

Malaysian GP: Kimi Brings Ferrari Back to the Winner's Circle!

RAIKKONEN SHINES FOR FERRARI

FROM F1-LIVE.COM

It may not have been the most entertaining of races for the fans, but for Kimi Raikkonen and Ferrari his dominant Malaysian Grand Prix victory is just what he needed following the disappointment in Melbourne a week ago.

Starting second, the defending champion was happy to shadow pole-sitter and team-mate Felipe Massa until the first round of pit stops and then put in a quick lap to ensure that he exited the pit just ahead. With the race lead in his hands, Raikkonen quickly pulled a four second advantage on Massa who then spun his Ferrari into retirement.

Starting fourth, Robert Kubica made best of Jarno Trulli’s bad start to run a comfortable third for the first half of the race before taking over second position when Massa retired. The BMW Sauber driver took the chequered flag just under 20 seconds behind Raikkonen and a similar margin ahead of third placed finisher Heikki Kovalainen in the McLaren Mercedes.

Kovalainen drove an error free race but to take the chequered flag 40 seconds behind the winner. After their Melbourne performance, the result will be a shock for McLaren who by their own admission have struggled this weekend.

Jarno Trulli started third but he and Nick Heidfeld found themselves squeezed out of the pack through turns one and two at the start of the race. The Toyota driver recovered and took a comfortable fourth in the much-improved TF108, despite late race pressure from Lewis Hamilton.

For Hamilton, the race was always going to be about damage limitation but surprisingly he opted to run the softer type in both the first and second stint. In the third and final sting when it was effectively too late to make any further progress, the Melbourne winner was much faster as he chased Trulli across the line, just 0.7 seconds adrift.

Hamilton also lost ground in his first stop when his front right wheel insert slowed the wheel change by an additional ten seconds, so it was a case of lost opportunity for the championship leader who heads to Bahrain with a three point advantage over his nearest rival.

After losing out at the start of the race as Trulli pushed him wide, Nick Heidfeld was unable to regain the lost ground as he took the chequered flag in sixth position ahead of Mark Webber who will feel he and the team deserved more than two points from this event. The second round of stops saw the Red Bull Renault driver lose out to both Hamilton and Heidfeld but the Australian battled hard to keep Fernando Alonso behind to the flag.

http://en.f1-live.com/f1/en/headlines/news/detail/080323100122_1.shtml

FINAL RESULTS:

1) Kimi Raikkonen - Ferrari

2) Robert Kubica - BMW

3) Heikki Kovalainen - McLaren - Mercedes

4) Jarno Trulli - Toyota

5) Lewis Hamilton - McLaren - Mercedes

6) Nick Heidfeld - BMW

7) Mark Webber - Red Bull - Renault

8) Fernando Alonso - Renault

Australian GP: Hamilton wins chaotic season opener down under.

BAMBINO: 22 cars started. only 7 finished. Lewis Hamilton, with his rookie season behind him, cruised to an easy victory from pole bringing his McLaren to victory. Heikki Kovalainen had a good drive in his 1st year with McLaren finishing 5th.

Ferrari had a very poor start to the 2008 campaign. Both red cars did not qualify well and both cars did not finish the race. Massa after a first turn scrum with David Coulthard had to pit for a new nose cone, and desperately tried to make his way through the field. But his F2008 developed engine trouble and had to retire. Defending World Champion Kimi Raikkonen, who qualified a dismal 15th, managed to get to 9th place during the frantic first lap, easily outclassing the back markers. The Ice Man made his way through the field and eventually was in a duel for 7th with Rubens Barichello in the improved Honda.

After the 1st round of pitstops, Kimi who was on a one stop strategy, was on pace to wind up battling for the lead. But he made two key errors underbraking and wound up in the gravel trap. He managed to get his Ferrari back on the track, but he could not catch up the field. Kimi eventually retired with engine trouble, but did receive 1 point as Rubens Barichello was disqualified for running a red light out of the pit lane.

BMW, had a fabulous qualifying and Grand Prix. Robert Kubica qualified second, and Nick Heidfeld 6th. Both drivers were never too far back from Hamilton. Heidfeld finished second and Kubica was forced to retire late with gearbox trouble.

Williams also had a good weekend. Nico Rosberg finished on the podium third and Nakajima took 6th after he retired on the last lap.

Honda has improved their engines, and it showed in the Australian GP. Barichello had the pace to battle with the top of the field and would have finished 6th. But he ran a red light in the pit lane with the Safety Car out and was subsequently disqualified. Jenson Button crashed on that chaotic first turn, but had the pace in qualifying and practice.

Fernando Alonso had a good drivc back with his old team Renault, finishing 4th. And Toyota, is back with the rest, with yet another dismal GP. Sebastien Bourdais in his F1 debut, retired his Toro Rosso with three laps to go, but the former CHAMP Car driver had the pace. He took two points for 7th place.

FINAL RESULTS:

1) Lewis Hamilton - McLaren - Mercedes

2) Nick Heidfeld - BMW

3) Nico Rosberg - Williams - Toyota

4) Fernando Alonso - Renault

5) Heikki Kovalainen - McLaren - Mercedes

6) Kazuki Nakajima - Williams - Toyota

7) Sebastien Bourdais - Scuderia Toro Rosso - Ferrari

8) Kimi Raikkonen - Ferrari

The New York Football Giants 2007 Season Review

BAMBINO: It's been a week since the Super Bowl victory by the Giants and I am still on a high. It was a great moment in NFL History and another jewel in the legacy of the New York Football Giants.

All the great Giants in history can be proud of this team. They hung together and they protected each other on and off the field. Tom Coughlin held this team together and they ran the table in the playoffs. Amazing season, amazing Super Bowl, amazing team. Below is a game by game review of the 2007 season. Enjoy!

WEEK 1: Cowboys 45, Giants 35
Irving, TX: An inauspicious beginning to the season for Big Blue. They played well at times, but the Cowboys' offense was clicking on all cylinders and won the game easily. Game Recap below:

http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/recap?game_id=29208&displayPage=tab_recap&season=2007&week=REG1

WEEK 2: Packers 35, Giants 13
East Rutherford, NJ: After allowing the Packers to score first, the G-Men put up 10 points and went in at the half up 10-7. Problem was, the Giants had no answer for Brett Favre in the second half. Favre threw for 296 yds and 3 TD's to rally Green Bay past the Giants to drop Big Blue to 0-2. There was grumbling among Giants fans and the NY Media following this ugly loss. Game Recap below:

http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/recap?game_id=29214&displayPage=tab_recap&season=2007&week=REG2&override=true

WEEK 3: Giants 24, Redskins 17
Landover, MD: In the 1st Half it looked like the Giants would definitely begin the season 0-3. The Redskins totally dominated and took a 17-3 into the locker room. Whatever Tom Coughlin said to the team at the half, must have worked. The Giants rallied for 3 TD's in the second half and the defense shutout the 'Skins culminated by a 4th and goal defensive stand with :58 left to give the Giants their first win of the season. The second half of this game was the early turning point of this season as the Giants reeled off 6 straight wins. Game Recap below:

http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/recap?game_id=29240&displayPage=tab_recap&season=2007&week=REG3

WEEK 4: Giants 16, Eagles 3
East Rutherford, NJ: The Giants defense battered Donovan McNabb like a rag doll, sacking him a franchise record 12 times. Osi Umenyiora had a team-record six sacks in game where McNabb was just flat out punished by the Big Blue Wrecking Crew. The Giants offense did just enough in scoring 16 points against a stingy Eagles defense. But the Giants D was the story of the game. The win improved the Giants to 2-2. Game Recap below:

http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/recap?game_id=29255&displayPage=tab_recap&season=2007&week=REG4

WEEK 5: Giants 35, Jets 24
East Rutherford, NJ: The battle of NY began pretty good for the "other" tenant of Giants Stadium, the New York Jets. They manhandled the Giants with Chad Pennington leading his squad to a 17-7 halftime lead. Tom Coughlin must have had one of those famous talks once again, because Big Blue woke up and spanked Gang Green in the second half with the Jets scoring only on a 98 yd kick return after the Giants scored seven to get back in the game. But the Giants offense came through with Eli Manning connecting with Jeremy Shockey and Plaxico Burress. Aaron Ross then sealed it with a 43 yd interception TD as Pennington and Jets had a nice drive going. The Giants won the 3rd in a row to go to 3-2. Game Recap below:

http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/recap?game_id=29261&displayPage=tab_recap&season=2007&week=REG5&override=true

WEEK 6: Giants 31, Falcons 10
Atlanta, GA: A Monday Night Affair where the Giants simply dominated a very bad team. They bitch-slapped the Falcons who laid down after a pretty good 1st quarter. Eli Manning threw for 303 yds and a pair of TD's to give Big Blue their 4 straight win in a game where they easily cruised. Game Recap below:

http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/boxscore?game_id=29283&displayPage=tab_box_score&season=2007&week=REG6&override=true

WEEK 7: Giants 33, 49'ers 15
East Rutherford, NJ: Defense, defense, defense. The Big Blue Wrecking Crew made easy work of Trent Dilfer and the hapless 49'ers sacking him 6 times with Osi Umenyiora and Michael Strahan leading the way. The Giants once again steamrolled a team they're supposed to beat. Eli Manning threw 3 TD's and Brandon Jacobs caught a TD pass and ran one in for Six. Big Blue's win over the 'Niners was their fifth straight. Game Recap below:

http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/recap?game_id=29289&displayPage=tab_recap&season=2007&week=REG7

WEEK 8: Giants 13, Dolphins 10
Wembley, England: The English Rains made for a muck it up gridiron battle in the 1st NFL game played in the UK. The New York Giants held off the Miami Dolphins 13-10. The G-Men scored 13 in the 1st half and the Giants D held off a late charge by Miami to win their 6th straight heading into the bye week. After beginning the season 0-2, the Giants now stand at 6-2. That's gettin' off the deck! Game Recap below:

http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/recap?game_id=29301&displayPage=tab_recap&season=2007&week=REG8

WEEK 9: Bye Week

WEEK 10: Cowboys 31, Giants 20
East Rutherford, NJ: Since the Bye Week has been introduced in the NFL, the Giants probably have the worst record coming off the bye. Big Blue became Big Red with the Jints wearing their red throwbacks. They were seeing red after the game. The Cowboys played a perfect game, and the Giants at times looked like they were going to hang with the 'Boys, but Big-D got the plays they needed and ended the Giants' 6 game win streak. Game Recap below:

http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/recap?game_id=29335&displayPage=tab_recap&season=2007&week=REG10

WEEK 11: Giants 16, Lions 10
Detroit, MI: A costly win for the Giants. They lost Brandon Jacobs for a few games with a hamstring, and lost Mathias Kiwanuka, who was having another solid year, for the season with a broken leg. The Giants did just enough to win and Sam Madison's INT with 1:25 to go sealed the deal for the Football Giants. It was a big win because it broke a 3-way tie in the NFC Wild Card Standings. Game Recap below:

http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/recap?game_id=29351&displayPage=tab_recap&season=2007&week=REG11

WEEK 12: Vikings 41, Giants 17
East Rutherford, NJ: Just when you thought the Giants would reel off a few more in a row, they pull off an El-Stinko. Eli Manning who struggles mightily agains the Vikes, had his worst game as a pro. He threw 4 interceptions and 3 of them were returned for TD's. It was a Rolaids game for the Giants fans and tough to watch. Game Recap below:

http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/recap?game_id=29364&displayPage=tab_recap&season=2007&week=REG12

WEEK 13: Giants 21, Bears 16
Chicago, IL: Eli Manning's second pass of the game, after a horrid 4 INT game the week before, landed in the arms of the Bears' Brian Urlacher. The Bears, then march down the field and score an easy TD. The Giants responded with a solid TD drive to even things up. Robbie Gould booted two long FG's to give Chicago the 13-7 edge at the half. Gould added another FG in the 3rd and you thought the Bears would clamp down. But Manning had other plans. He engineered two TD drives including a two yard run by Reuben Droughns with 1:33 remaining. Tom Coughlin was thinking TD all the way instead of killing the clock and attempting a FG. The win gave the Giants an 8-4 record with 4 to go. Game Recap below:

http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/recap?game_id=29384&displayPage=tab_recap&season=2007&week=REG13

WEEK 14: Giants 16, Eagles 13
Philadelphia, PA: The Giants continued their excellent play on the road as they held off the Eagles with Philly's Kicker David Akers clanging a last ditch FG attempt off the uprights in the final seconds of the game. The Eagles did a better job protecting Donovan McNabb this time around, but Umenyiora got to him for a big sack in the 3rd quarter. It forced the Eagles to punt. The Giants need just one win to get in the playoffs. Game Recap below:

http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/recap?game_id=29395&displayPage=tab_recap&season=2007&week=REG14

WEEK 15: Redskins 22, Giants 10
East Rutherford, NJ: Whatever momentum the Giants had after two solid road wins, was quickly dashed by the Redskins defense and a brilliant classic running game. The swirling winds of Giants Stadium did not affect the 'Skins as they dominated Big Blue to hand them their 3rd loss in a row at home. Clinton Portis ran all over them and Shaun Suisham booted home 3 FG's for the win. Game Recap below:

http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/recap?game_id=29417&displayPage=tab_recap&season=2007&week=REG15

WEEK 16: Giants 38, Bills 21
Orchard Park, NY: The Bills scored TD's in their first two possessions and put the Jints into a 14-0 hole in game that would clinch a playoff spot if they win. The Giants then ran wild and outscored Buffalo 38-7 the rest of the way. The game was played in high winds, rain, sleet, and snow. But in the end, the Giants clinched a playoff spot making the upcoming Week 17 game against the Patriots a non event, maybe. Game Recap below:

http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/recap?game_id=29421&displayPage=tab_recap&season=2007&week=REG16

WEEK 17: Patriots 38, Giants 35
East Rutherford, NJ: In a brilliant strategic move, Tom Coughlin, with everything sewn up in the NFC Wild Card for Big Blue, has his team play the game of their lives. The Giants came out and played in New England's face. They fell short in the end, but the game sets the tone for the Football Giants moving forward into the playoffs. Game Recap below:

http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/recap?game_id=29435&displayPage=tab_recap&season=2007&week=REG17

NFC WILD CARD PLAYOFF: Giants 24, Buccaneers 14
Tampa, FL: The Bucs scored a TD on the opening possession of the game, but Eli Manning and the Giants scored the next 24 en-route to a playoff win. Tampa would score a late TD in garbage time when the game was already in the bag for Big Blue. The Giants had a balance of offense and defense and won the battles in the trenches. Game Recap below:

http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter?game_id=29518&displayPage=tab_gamecenter&season=2007&week=POST18&override=true

NFC DIVISIONAL PLAYOFF: Giants 21, Cowboys 17
Irving, TX: Third time's the charm? For the New York Football Giants it sure is. After the Cowboys swept Big Blue in the regular season, the Giants with their renewed momentum, went down to Big-D and sent the Cowboys into the offseason. This one was sweet. The look on Jerry Jones' face said it all. Game Recap below:

http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/recap?game_id=29523&displayPage=tab_recap&season=2007&week=POST19

NFC CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP: Giants 23, Packers 20 F/OT
Green Bay, WI: With bone chilling sub zero temperatures, and the ghosts of Curly Lambeau and Vince Lombardi swirling about, the Giants defied history and beat Brett Favre and the Packers in overtime with Lawrence Tynes making amends by drilling the game winner from 47 yds out. The win sent Big Blue to their 4th Super Bowl in franchise history. This was a classic game played by two classic teams. Game Recap below:

http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/recap?game_id=29525&displayPage=tab_recap&season=2007&week=POST20

SUPER BOWL XLII: Giants 17, Patriots 14
Glendale, AZ: Well, it comes down to 60 minutes of football. 60 minutes to glory, or failure. The New York Football Giants, who never gave up, who always answered the call, who came to play every game, every player, every coach, upset the previously undefeated New England Patriots in one of the best football games you will ever see. Congratulations to a storied franchise. Game recap below:

http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/recap?game_id=29526&displayPage=tab_recap&season=2007&week=POST21

Super Bowl XLII: Giants 17, Patriots 14

Patriots nearly perfect, but the Giants are Super Bowl champions

Associated Press

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- The Giants had the perfect answer for the suddenly imperfect Patriots: a big, bad defense and an improbable comeback led by their own Mr. Cool quarterback, Eli Manning.

In one of the biggest upsets in Super Bowl history, New York shattered New England's unbeaten season 17-14 Sunday night as Manning hit Plaxico Burress on a 13-yard fade with 35 seconds left. It was the Giants' 11th straight victory on the road and the first time the Patriots tasted defeat in more than a year.

It was the most bitter of losses, too, because 12-point favorite New England (18-1) was one play from winning and getting the ultimate revenge for being penalized for illegally taping opponents' defensive signals in the season-opener against the New York Jets.

But its defense couldn't stop a final, frantic 12-play, 83-yard drive that featured a spectacular leaping catch by David Tyree, who had scored New York's first touchdown on the opening drive of the fourth quarter.

"It's the greatest feeling in professional sports," Burress said before bursting into tears.

"That's a position you want to be in," said Manning, who followed older brother Peyton's MVP performance last year with one of his own. "You can't write a better script. There were so many big plays on that drive."

And now the 1972 Miami Dolphins can pop another bottle of champagne in celebration of a record still intact, the only perfect season in the Super Bowl era.

The Patriots were done in not so much by the pressure of the first unbeaten season in 35 years as by the pressure of a smothering Giants pass rush. Tom Brady, the league's Most Valuable Player and winner of his first three Super Bowls, was sacked five times, hurried a dozen more and at one point wound up on his knees, his hands on his hips following one of many poor throws in New England's lowest scoring game of the season.

"They played well," Patriots coach Bill Belichick said. "They made some plays. We made some plays. They just made a few more. We played as hard as we could. We just couldn't make enough plays."

Hardly a familiar position for the record-setting Patriots and their megastar quarterback. And a totally strange outcome for a team that seemed destined for historic glory.

Oddly, it was a loss to the Patriots that sparked New York's stunning run to its third Super Bowl and sixth NFL title. New England won 38-35 in Week 17 as the Patriots became the first team in 35 years to go spotless through the regular season. But by playing hard in a meaningless game for them, the Giants (14-6) gained something of a swagger and Manning found his footing.

Their growing confidence carried them through playoff victories at Tampa Bay, Dallas and Green Bay, and then past the mightiest opponent of all.

Not that the Patriots were very mighty this day. They even conceded with 1 second on the clock as coach Bill Belichick ran across the field to shake the hand of jubilant Giants coach Tom Coughlin, then headed to the locker room, ignoring the final kneeldown.

That it was Manning taking that knee was stunning. He not only matched his brother's achievement of last year with the Indianapolis Colts, but he showed the brilliant precision late in the game usually associated with, well, Brady.

Peyton Manning was seen in a luxury box jumping up and pumping both fists when Burress, who didn't practice all week because of injuries, caught the winning score.

"We just hung in there on offense, kept executing," said Burress, who wasn't far off on the 23-17 prediction he made a few days ago. "It came down to one play and we made it."

RECAP:
http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/recap?game_id=29526&displayPage=tab_recap&season=2007&week=POST21&override=true

Giants 23, Packers 20 F/OT

Third Tynes a charm: Kicker boots Giants into Super Bowl

Associated Press

GREEN BAY, Wis. -- Eli Manning has arrived, and just in time to take his New York Giants on an improbable trip to the Super Bowl.

A suddenly matured Manning guided the Giants to their 10th straight road win Sunday, a frostbitten 23-20 overtime victory over Brett Favre and the Green Bay Packers for the NFC championship.

Now comes Mission Impossible: playing the unbeaten New England Patriots in two weeks for the NFL title.

Manning wasn't the only Giant who came through. Lawrence Tynes kicked the winning 47-yard field goal after two earlier misses. He missed a 36-yarder at the end of regulation following a bad snap, and also was wide left on a 43-yarder with 6:49 to go.

But he got a reprieve in overtime after Corey Webster intercepted a struggling Favre. He nailed his kick, then sprinted directly to the locker room while the rest of his frozen teammates celebrated on the field.

"I screwed it up twice," Tynes said. "Thank God we got another opportunity."

The Giants grabbed their first NFC championship in seven years, capping a monthlong surge that reversed a trend of mediocrity built around Manning's inconsistency. He has been a revelation in the playoffs, however, and his calm leadership keyed New York's turnaround.

Manning shook off below-zero temperatures and a wind chill that would make a Siberian husky shiver. He repeatedly put the Giants (13-6) in position to win in the third-coldest championship game ever -- and certainly the most frigid of his young career.

RECAP:

http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/recap?game_id=29525&displayPage=tab_recap&season=2007&week=POST20

Patriots 21, Chargers 12

Patriots knock off hobbled Chargers, advance to Super Bowl

Associated Press

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- Perfection comes down to one game now.

Despite a shaky Tom Brady, the New England Patriots were still too much for the banged-up San Diego Chargers in the AFC championship game Sunday, pulling out a 21-12 victory that sent them back to the Super Bowl for the fourth time in seven seasons.


"I think there will be a time to sit back and reflect," Patriots coach Bill Belichick said. "We'll certainly enjoy this for a few days."

Brady made several stunningly poor throws that fluttered in the chilly wind, Randy Moss was a non-factor for the second straight game and the highest-scoring team in NFL history sputtered all afternoon. Instead, the Patriots (18-0) relied on Laurence Maroney's spins, cuts and helmet-rattling runs.

With injured Chargers star LaDainian Tomlinson reduced to mostly watching in a parka, the Patriots moved on to a Feb. 3 matchup in Glendale, Ariz., against the winner of the NFC title game between the Green Bay Packers and New York Giants.

"Now we're going someplace warm, because I'm freezing my you-know-what off," Brady said.
Yet for all the Brady Bunch has accomplished -- they're the only team in NFL history to start out with 18 straight victories -- the Patriots are well aware they must win that final game to avoid being relegated to a footnote.

No matter, New England took care of the nuts and Bolts. The sellout crowd at Gillette Stadium chanted "Super Bowl! Super Bowl!" in the closing minutes, anticipating the Pats' first appearance in the big game since the 2004 season.

Belichick's team eclipsed the 17-0 mark of the champion 1972 Miami Dolphins, and he'll soon try for his fourth NFL title. The Patriots beat the Giants in a 38-35 thriller to close their regular season; New England did not play the Packers.

Brady earned his 100th career victory and advanced without a hint of girlfriend drama -- taking notes, Tony Romo? The dimpled Patriots quarterback will bring true glam to Super Bowl: Imagine the paparazzi buzz if Brady is sighted with Gisele Bundchen.

RECAP:
http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/recap?game_id=29524&displayPage=tab_recap&season=2007&week=POST20