Albany Events

Major League Baseball players that have multi-year, million dollar contracts don't often play winter baseball. The ones that do have a purpose. Usually, that purpose involves recovering from an injury. The smart players know that live-game action against top competition is the only way to know you are ready.

We all have our opinions on the criminal justice system, one way or another. However, when it comes to living in a democracy like the United States, some things should be non-negotiable, like getting out of jail after trying to kill the President of the United States. To me, that seems like a no-brainer.

Philadelphia fans are known for being tough. Whether you are on the visiting team or a home player, Philly fans can be a bit rough. Remember when they booed Santa Claus at an Eagles game? Prior to the New York Mets falling apart in the 8th inning of Monday's game against Philadelphia, it was one of the Phillies own that was directing his ire at the fans.

What is that saying about first impressions? How about one made by a person that is not even sure they are going to be around? It's awesome when you see college and professional athletes do great things in their communities. When they are random acts of kindness with no cameras focusing in, those are character revealing.

Many New York Mets fans had a tremendous problem when the team's former owners failed to pay homage to the Amazin's franchise when they constructed Citi Field prior to 2009. The atrium is dedicated to Brooklyn Dodger star Jackie Robinson, the seats are New York Giants' Polo Grounds green but there was a bigger problem. Something, rather someone was missing.

In 2022, every American League East victory is going to be crucial for the New York Yankees. That's why Sunday night was so important. Even though there are 159 games left for the Pinstripes, manager Aaron Boone knows this division will decided by a few games or less. A three game sweep would have been sweet but Boston showed that they too plan to stick around this season with their 4-3 victory in series finale.

The colors and the name across the chest were new. The long blonde hair on the 6' 6" frame was all too familiar. Former New York Mets right-handed pitcher, Noah Syndergaard threw his first regular season pitches for his new team on Saturday. He wore number 34, like he did with the Mets. However, an Angels player had not worn that number in 13 years, exactly.

Call me harsh but I have little sympathy for professional athletes that turn down fairly valued hundred million dollar contracts. Then, when circumstances or injuries prevent that player from ever earning the amount of money that they turned down, you want to say I told you so.

New York Mets first-baseman Pete Alonso is never afraid to get his uniform dirty. In the fourth inning, the burly Home Run Derby champion tried to score from first on a double to the wall by new teammate Eduardo Escobar. Fleet of foot, Alonso is not. He was gunned down by Washington shortstop Alcides Escobar on a perfect throw to the plate. But that wasn't the worst of it in Game 1 of 2022 for the Polar Bear, as he is nicknamed.

His loyal followers wear number 99 for a reason. In the physical and satirical sense, Aaron Judge is larger than life. For many 2022 New York Yankees fans, the 6' 7" right-fielder represents the greatness of this storied franchise.

Thursday afternoon, barring rain, Buck Showalter will take the helm as manager for a New York based Major League team for the first time since 1995, when he was the manager of the New York Yankees. That year, Showalter led the Bronx Bombers to the American League Division Series against the Seattle Mariners.

The simple answer is, yes. Many golf historians will tell you that the legendary Walter Hagen was the best golfer ever to come out of the Empire State. Hagen's 11-major championships put him in third place on the all-time list behind Jack Nicklaus with 18 majors and Tiger Woods with 15. However, the Rochester, New York native only played in one Masters tournament in 1936 and tied for 11th place.

Camping isn't your thing but you love the outdoors? What if you could camp with king size beds, private bathrooms, flat-screen TV's? Sounding better? Maybe you'll like "glamping." And, how about if it is all less than an hour from the Capital Region?

Opening Day of the Major League Baseball season is a few countable hours away. New York Yankees general manager, Brian Cashman, is tweaking the final undecided spots on his roster. Surprisingly, Cashman parted with a valuable left-handed reliever in Joely Rodriguez in his rare exchange with the Mets for righty reliever Miguel Castro on Sunday. It seems like a move that should benefit both teams.

The New York Yankees and Mets play each other each year in a regular season Subway Series. The two met for the only time in the World Series with the Pinstripes prevailing in 5 games. On a daily basis the two New York Major League Baseball franchises beg for attention from the nation's biggest media market.

Back in November, when New York Mets owner Steve Cohen and general manager Billy Eppler decided on Buck Showalter as the next Mets manager, deciding on who would be the Opening Day starter for the New York Mets, seemed like a problem for a later date. Well, the day has come and circumstances not foreseen a week ago, have clouded the skipper's choices.

Growing up near New York City, performers that played Radio City Music Hall were given instant prestige. My first rock music show at the historic venue was October 29, 1980. The Grateful Dead were on their historic 8-night tour in New York City prior to 8 nights in San Francisco, from which they made two live albums, "Reckoning" and "Dead Set."

There have been plenty of great April Fools jokes played on sports fans throughout the years. Prior to web access and social media, it was harder to debunk some of these pranks. The greatest April 1st hoax in New York sports history came courtesy of Sports Illustrated almost four decades ago.

It's been five years since #2 has been back home at The Stadium. Things have certainly been tumultuous for the Hall of Fame shortstop over the last month, following his resignation as President of the Miami Marlins. However, some home cookin' in September will probably make things a little better.

No one will argue the fact that Robinson Cano's best years were in New York. The 39-year-old represented the Yankees 5 times out of his 8 trips to the All Star game. Cano was part of the Pinstripes last World Series team in 2009. At the time, I would have bet that Robinson Cano would have been a Yankee for life. Then he left for a big contract.

New York Jets fans can only laugh when these circumstances happen. We'll get to that in a moment. On Wednesday evening, the bizarre off-season of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers continued. This time it wasn't Tom Brady in the news.

It's the time of year that Major League pitchers in Spring Training are amping up for their first start of the season, very much like Gerrit Cole is getting set to do on Friday. Cole will be the Yankees starting pitcher on April 7th at Yankee Stadium vs. Boston. The pitcher that Aaron Boone had slated to climb the hill for his team the next day, is now skipping Wednesday's Grapefruit League start vs Toronto.

The New York Yankees and Mets are stacked with All Stars...right? Well, when you want to find out who are the most productive players in the game, just ask the fantasy sports experts. So, USA Today Sports released their Top 200 MLB Fantasy Baseball Players on usatoday.com. Here are New York's top 10 players and there are certainly some surprises!

In his first year as manager of the New York Mets, the experienced and deliberate, Buck Showalter will certainly being doing everything in his power to assemble a World Series worthy team. Given the roster and the financial support courtesy of Mets billionaire owner Steve Cohen, the new skipper really couldn't ask for much more. However, Buck has a decision coming up that may be tough for even a billionaire to swallow.

Baseball coaches will tell you that young players will often struggle offensively, if they are not comfortable at their defensive position. Even in the Major Leagues, strong offensive players that are bounced around to unfamiliar positions in the field can encounter simultaneous difficulties at the plate. Jeff McNeil of the New York Mets is a prime example. The Yankees have their own case in point and they hope to fix that in 2022.

Many people that live in the Empire State think that taxes are too high. Especially, following the pandemic, the average taxpayer is tapped. Well, New Yorkers about to get another tab put on their bill by the Bills, no less!

This past weekend, the New York Yankees pitchers were once again subject to Major League Baseball umpires checking for foreign grip-aiding substances. The practice had not been enforced so far in spring training games and there is a new procedure in practice. Ironically, Gerrit Cole was on the mound Sunday for the Pinstripes.

Aaron Judge is arguably the New York Yankees most popular players. His All Star performance mixed with a million dollar smile help make 99 a true fan favorite. After this season, Judge is a free agent. Obviously, Yankee fans don't want to lose him and they shouldn't.

He has been on the radar of New York Yankee fans since the age of 17, when he signed with the team and played in the Dominican Summer league. Seventeen is a young age to determine if someone is going to be a Major League Baseball player. That's why they call them prospects.

New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman has not gotten his bosses a World Series ring since 2009. This is the franchise that holds the Major League record for the trophy with 27 of them. So, the pressure may be building. This offseason Cashman overhauled his infield and got a few healthy players back. Now, some are questioning if Cashman is really finished tinkering.