Ok, that might be a little extreme, but kudos to ME on winning Newsday.com’s official playoff pick ‘em contest.

In the blogging world we call that “street cred!”

Your fearless blogger beat out 31 other hopefuls (nerds) on Newsday football writer Bob Glauber’s blog by correctly picking the winner of 8 playoff games.

In fact, YOURS TRULY was so spot on, when asked to pick the final score for last night’s game, I nearly nailed it:

MY PICK – PITT 31, AZ 24
ACTUAL – PITT 27, AZ 23

Not Bad. Umm. So what do I win?

Matt Estreich for The Huddle

The early returns are in, and though that was one heck of a game, I say that the Giants’ win against New England a year ago tops the Steelers’ last minute comeback over Arizona.

I think we’ll be hearing a lot of comparisons in the coming days between Super Bowls 42 and 43, but for my money, Big Blue’s win was just a bit sweeter given the Patriots’ previously unblemished record.

Lost in all the hoopla of Super Bowl Sunday, and let's face it it was pretty darn good, two performances from champions that don't get a lot of pub around here but should not be forgotten.

Well that's the rumor...Mr. Rough and Tough, in your face, I am scared of you former Giants outside linebacker Lawrence Taylor will be a contestant on the new season of "Dancing with the Stars". That's the NOTION you get from reading Ashton Kutcher's Twitter message from this past weekend. Take a look and check out how he's "dealing" during the economic recession. The rich get richer. That's another blog all together. Check out the message:

The Classy Rangers Winger Adam Graves is the 6th player to have his number retired by the Blue Shirts. I caught up with Graves and 3 of his 1994 Stanley Cup Champion Rangers teammates. They told me how much they appreciated Graves efforts.. on and off the ice... Listen in.

Joe Torre made his first public appearance since the release of his new book, 'The Yankee Years.' We have video of Joe at his book signing in Manhattan and reaction from former Yankee Bernie Williams and current Yank Johnny Damon. Lolita spoke to Bernie and Damon the Thurman Munson Award Dinner tonight in Manhattan.

Watch all 3 video interviews after the jump.

Michael Phelps spoke out to our sister-newspaper The Baltimore Sun today, telling the paper he “clearly made a mistake” smoking pot and that “this was stupid and I know this won’t happen again.”

Phelps’ damage control is in response to critics from all arenas – the media, athletic circles, schools, etc. – weighing in on his decision to do drugs in light of his position as a role model.

Other Phelps/Bong-related topics thoroughly being covered include:
-How he allowed himself to be photographed
-His previous DUI
-The status of his many endorsement deals

But what amazes me is THE ONE TOPIC I HAVE YET TO HEAR DICUSSED, and to honest, it was the first thing I thought about when this story broke….

Let me be clear: The above title doesn't refer to Barry Bonds' possible jail time, but rather that he just go away-out of the public eye for good. Sadly, that won't happen. Bonds' trial for lying to federal investigators about using steroids starts next month. It's just best for baseball if Bonds never saw another TV camera.

We think that makes sense. Spend an afternoon around a bunch of pro snowboarders and you start to pick up the lingo.

16 of the best snowboarders in the world came to New York Thursday for the Red Bull Snowscrapers Big Air competition. Top prize was $50,000 and the total purse was worth $100,000.

Organizers spent the past three weeks transforming Manhattan’s East River Park into a snowboarding facility, complete with a custom 90-foot ramp and landing area.

The Huddle team made it out to Snowscrapers Thursday during the afternoon practice session to talk to some of the premier boarders in the sport.

We think you’ll find these guys refreshing compared to the typical tight-lipped athletes of the day. They’re honest, thoughtful and funny. Check out what they had to say.

Michael Phelps... suspended... dropped by Kellogg's... and black-balled by soccer moms everywhere ... Really!? Really? Seriously!? Really?

He's an exceptional athlete who has garnered more gold than any other Olympian in history. He has broken record after record and has done this - as far as we know - with his own God-given strength and endurance. And now he's apparently publicly getting stoned... for privately getting "stoned." I just don't get it.

Actually, she's been there for awhile. Women's college basketball doesn't always get a lot of play in the NY area, but in this case, we must tip the cap to the best college basketball coach ever-male or female. Last night, Pat Summitt became the first Division 1 hoops coach-of either gender-to reach 1,000 wins.

What I like best about Summitt is, she hasn't tailed off with age.. Eight national titles in more than 30 years at Knoxville, including the last two in a row. She hasn't coached or played past her prime for the sake of reaching a milestone or staying in the public spotlight. Ask fellow coach Bob Knight and undeserving baseball Hall of Famers Don Sutton and Phil Niekro what I mean.

Summitt just coaches, and has stayed true to herself and her hard driving style all these years. This season's Lady Vols have 7 freshmen and only 1 senior on the roster. Yet, they're 17-5, and Summitt feels they can win the whole thing if they just stay focused,

Love her (like they do in Knoxville) or hate her (UCONN coach Geno Auriemma wrote the book on all things anti Summitt) she is the best at what she does. If the Knicks had wanted to end the Isiah Thomas Error by having Summitt coach at the Garden, I'd have been all for it. If you gave her team three months to prepare, they'd be able to beat most if not all, of the WNBA teams. Some of her past teams would slice through the hideous ladies' pro game like a knife through butter.

Here's the best thing: Summitt has a 100% graduation rate. That just DOES NOT happen in college athletics. As we prepasre for March Madness next month, they'll be media reports on the low percentage of kids that get a degree. People will roll their eyes and say, "What a shame." Instead, they should just look to the example of the best coach in the history of college basketball.

Figure we’d have some fun with Saturday’s bombshell Alex Rodriguez/steroids news.

You know the papers are going to have a field day tomorrow with their headlines, so why not try your hand at beating the tabloids at their own game!

See if you can predict a headline or two that will appear on tomorrow’s newsstands. Winner gets a high five and chest bump.

I’ll get it started:

As the years go by and more and more (once) sure-fire Hall of Famers are proved liars and steroid-cheats, it appears the one person telling the truth this whole time was…Jose Canseco??!!

In two different books - 2005’s Juiced and 2008’s Vindicated - Canseco took heat for calling out some of the game’s greatest sluggers and identifying them as steroids users.

With each book Canseco was nearly universally dismissed as a sleaze out to make a buck. Granted, Canseco was no boy scout, and his reputation definitely preceded him when he made these allegations.

Knowing what we know today, it turns out Canseco was right all along. Jose was the first to identify the following players as users*:

Newsday's National Baseball Writer Ken Davidoff joined us on set to talk about A-Rod’s steroids fiasco.

A Hall of Fame voter, Ken shares his thoughts: Is Alex still a sure thing? We also discuss what tomorrow and beyond will be like for Alex and the Yanks.

Take a listen:

Like my old man is known to say, baseball is the only sport where statistics really matter.

So to that end, can we analyze Alex Rodriguez’s stats to determine whether he’s telling the truth about using steroids for ONLY three seasons?

I took a look at A-Rod’s career stats from his “Texas Era” and put them against the numbers he’s compiled since joining the Yanks in 2004.

Texas AVG HR RBI
2001 .318 52 135
2002 .300 57 142
2003 .298 47 118

Yankees AVG HR RBI
2004-08 .303 41.6 123.2 (Per season averages)

It’s pretty clear when you look at the stats that A-Rod’s numbers from 2001-03 were inflated. If you remove THOSE THREE SEASONS from his career stats, A-Rod’s average numbers should look something like this:

- .305 AVG/36-40 HR/115-125 RBI

With 2001-03 removed, A-Rod’s ADJUSTED career averages jive pretty well with the numbers he’s put up during his Yankee tenure. On the surface, they support Rodriguez’s claim that he’s been clean since coming to the Bronx.

However, there is one aberration during A-Rod’s Yankee Years: 2007.

Rodriguez while with the Rangers in 2003

In an interview with Peter Gammons of ESPN, Alex Rodriguez admitted to using Performance Enhancing Drugs in 2001-2003. Now what? Rodriguez will most likely face no disciplinary action because afterall, the names on this list of 104 players were SUPPOSED TO BE confidential. The results were from a time when there were no penalties for using these substances although they were clearly wrong. So the fallout from Rodriguez will sort itself out in the coming days and weeks. If it comes to light that A-Rod did drugs anytime after 2003 things will change. But if things stay status quo, Rodriguez will have to repair his image. An image which has clearly taken a hit in the last year or so. The Madonna thing, the divorce, the stripper scandal... now this. It has not been a good year for the Yankee slugger. But I ask again... What's Next??

As A-Rod came clean to ESPN’s Peter Gammons earlier tonight, we were watching it all unfold alongside Newday’s national baseball writer Ken Davidoff.

After Rodriguez’s interview, we chatted with Davidoff to get his initial reaction to A-Rod’s admission.

As usual, Davidoff did not disappoint. The opinionated scribe – AND Hall of Fame voter – gave us his take.

As our Chris Jacobs rightly told us yesterday, Alex Rodriguez' positive test for PED's in the 2003 survey testing was supposed to be secret-conducted only for the sake of 'information.' The Major League Baseball Players' Association, the strongest supposed 'union' this side of the Teamsters, allowed its arrogance to get in the way of common sense. While A-Rod is to blame for his own actions, if I'm a team union rep, Don Fehr and Gene Orza would be looking for jobs post haste.

Now that we are finding out who has taken steroids, we can begin to put that term "greatest player of a generation" into perspective. A-Rod had it all but was apparently helping himself illegally along the way. He says he was only on the juice for those three seasons in Texas,but how am I supposed to trust that he had this emphany and boom, "no more drugs for me"!?! (Quick side note: I do believe players have stopped taking performance enhancing drugs since the testing became stricter in 2005)

The "greatest player of a generation", THAT generation (90s to the present), to me has to be Ken Griffey Jr. His consistency (even with his injuries) during his 19 year career is outstanding: 611 homeruns (5th on the All Time List), 1772 RBI (18th on the All Time List), a career .288 BA...they keep going and going. As for his defense remember this, the centerfielder won Gold Gloves every season from 1990-1999. WHAT?! Junior has been hiding behind all those superhyped "moments" (i.e. Slug Fest '98 between Sosa and McGwire), in the shadows of all the hoopla, ultimately emerging as a bright light season in, season out. Currently a free agent, the 39 year old can still perform. Skeptical as I am, I can only hope he holds up to his nickname, "the Natural".

Who is your greatest player? ....Lolita

Now that we can close the book on Brett Favre’s tenure in New York, how would you grade Favre’s lone season with Gang Green?

I took the liberty of breaking down Favre’s impact on the franchise into five categories and assigned a grade to each. Check ‘em out and see if you agree:

Dear Bud:

Here I am with another letter. You remember last year’s? Well old pal, I’m afraid this one may stir even you into some mode of activity. I have some ideas that may help you straighten out America’s Pastime. While your combined leadership and administrative skills fall somewhere between Isiah Thomas and Neville Chamberlain (Kids: Read a history book), you must take action-even a lockout if necessary-before you lose the game for good.

Mets fans who were hoping to see the Home Run Apple and Top Hat move from Shea Stadium to Citi Field got their wish, Workmen spent a good chunk of the day moving the Apple piece by piece. Check out the video Courtesy of the New York Mets.

Carlos Beltran, David Wright and GM Omar Minaya tell us how they prepared for the upcoming season and how the World Baseball Classic helps or hinders getting ready for 2009!

Several weeks back a NY tabloid foolishly wondered whether sports was needed in a local newscast. If anything, sports is big news in the Big Apple. Joe Torre, A-Rod and Michael Phelps have shown that. Many newscasts, ours included, see these items as eye catchers, more important than our nation's economy or President Obama's first four weeks in office.

Foolish? Sure! Part of what I and a friend in Fairfield call 'The Dumbing Down Of America?' You bet. Folks, when you see stories like why Jason Giambi wears a thong in the first block of a newscast (like last May) rest assured its assumed the average viewer doesn't have the attention span to pay attention to hard news.

We'll see more over hype and overkill from the newsies when Alex Rodriguez has his say in front of the NY press corps tomorrow. What a circus that will be! But unlike Ringling Bros, which is staged to the last detail, we have NO idea what Rodriguez will say Tuesday afternoon.

Carlos Beltran arrived in Port St Lucie, FL, a day before position players are set to report to spring training. He looks great and says he feels "200% Better" than he has during previous preseasons (bum knees NOT so bum anymore). Beltran is open and honest about any potential changes in the lineup, ARod's steroids admission, and best of all, Cole Hamels. If you remember, the Phillies pitcher called the Mets, "choke artists". That's not sitting too well with Beltran. Check out the interview in our video player!

February 17, 2009:
The atmosphere down here is extremely relaxed. The players are loose and comfortable; they are interacting nicely and concentrating on the basics. The pitchers broke up into groups and moved around from field to field, participating in various drills. One group including Francisco Rodriguez, JJ Putz, Oliver Perez and Johan Santana took 40 pitches each in a bullpen session. With all the drama across the state in Tampa, the Mets are relishing in the fact they are not the lead story today. Alex Rodriguez's press conference at Yankees Camp took center stage, and even the guys here watched intently on the TVs in the locker room as ARod spoke. Nick Evans and Angel Pagan also showed up today and hit in the batting cage. They were joined by Daniel Murphy who has some swing! Jose Reyes, Carlos Delgado et al. report tomorrow.

I have to say... It wasn't enough for me... Alex Rodriguez faced the media at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa this afternoon to put this steroids issue behind him. But in actuality, he didn't. There are still remaining questions that may or may not ever be answered.

The atmosphere in Port St. Lucie with the Mets is a slight bit more relaxed that across the state in Tampa with the Yankees and A-Rod. Our Lolita Lopez caught up with Carlos Beltran who reported to camp on Tuesday. Listen in.

Like most of us, I've had time to digest Alex Rodriguez' mea culpa press conference from yeaterday. Yeah, I still think he was fighting crocodile tears during that 37 second pause before thanking his teammates fior their support. I still think this 'cousin' is the fall guy. I still think there is a lot more here than meets the eye regarding A-Cheat. But whether it was a PR ploy or a genuine comment, Rodriguez brought home a point that everyone should hear.

While most of us were swept up in the A-Rod nonsense, this story flew under the radar, and it’s one that arguably should leave you MORE outraged.

Turns out women’s tennis player Shahar Peer was barred from competing at the Barclays Dubai Tennis Championships (which began Monday) because she is Israeli.

The United Arab Emirates denied Peer, the 48th-ranked female tennis player in the world, a visa to play in their lucrative ($2 million) tournament despite Peer qualifying as per ATP/WTA standards.

The UAE government cited concerns for Peer’s safety, saying local fans would boycott the tournament given Israel’s military involvement in Gaza. Meanwhile the tournament has gone on as scheduled.

From where I’m sitting, this is an OUTRAGE and the WTA missed a huge opportunity to take a stand against outright racism.

We all know about the Mets bullpen woes during the collapses of ’07 AND ’08, and what the Amazin’s did to rectify the situation.

The Mets brought in significant help on the back end with a pair of All Star closers; JJ Putz, and single-season saves record holder Frankie Rodriguez.

In K-Rod the Mets have added a proven winner, World Series champ, and a pitcher with one of the funkiest deliveries the game has ever seen.

So what’s the deal with K-Rod’s signature herky-jerky motion? Our Lolita Lopez is down in Port St. Lucie with the Mets and spoke with the man himself to get his take on all that movement.

What to do with Luis Castillo?

That’s the question plaguing the Mets at spring training in Port St. Lucie.

Castillo is coming off a dreadful 2008 and is hoping the Amazin’s will give him a fresh start in ’09.

To help Castillo along the way, Jerry Manuel is considering batting the 2nd baseman in the leadoff spot, moving Jose Reyes to either the two or three-hole.

Will that make the difference for Castillo, who has drawn the ire of Mets fans in recent seasons?

Our Lolita Lopez sat down with Castillo, Reyes and Manuel to find out.

February 18, 2009:

I have been struck by how relaxed the Mets have come into training camp. Manager Jerry Manuel keeps it light, joking with his players and even us media. Our access to the players and coaches has been tremendous. It has allowed us to really get some great information about what the guys did in the offseason, what they are hoping to get from the Spring and details about playing in PR or working out in the DR, having to drive to and from the Mets Academy there to have a four and a half hour workout with former major leaguer Rafael Landestoy. The latter describes Luis Castillo's regiment. You can tell he worked hard to get in shape. He dropped 17 pounds (same as Marlon Anderson). In November, Castillo met with the Mets and asked to let him stay in NY so that he can prove, he is better than last year's performance. His words were sincere and I loved the humbleness of his remarks.

All position players arrived today and went through a multitude of tests: a broad jump, a high jump (Angel Pagan has ups--he says it was his former volleyball career that helps with that), a short sprint and a 300 yarder that had most guys panting (Jose Reyes clocked the fastest time-no shock there). Watching it all made me appreciate the real work that is behind the play we see for 162 games. Jose Reyes seemed kind of peeved about discovering he might not be the leadoff hitter from TV and his friends. He spoke about not getting as many steals in the third spot. Manuel says when the changes happen, if they do, guys will be sat down and conversations will occur. My personal take is that Manuel is making this season a challenge for ALL players. Nothing is set in stone. If you don't produce and don't contribute (which is more than just fielding and hitting) you'll be held accountable. Here here...Off to Tradition Field

A group of local sports stars came out to Harlem Thursday afternoon to cut the celebratory ribbon at the unveiling of the refurbished Harlem Dowling Center for Children and Family Services.

Knicks players Al Harrington and Wilson Chandler, Rangers Aaron Voros and Brandon Dubinsky, the Liberty's Tiffany Jackson and MSG legends John Starks and Adam Graves were all on hand to commemorate the event.

We caught up with many of the stars and some of the staff to get their take on the new-look facility.

The Mets broke out the lumber for the first time as a team Thursday down in Port St. Lucie, Florida.

Our Lolita Lopez was there as D-Wright, Carlos Delgado and Luis Castillo (among MANY others) took their hacks.

Lolita caught up with skipper Jerry Manuel and Delgado to get their thoughts on day one of "Operation Offense."

Check it out:

We began the day with a live interview for the PIX Morning News. JJ Putz was our guest and told us about his role to "close it out in the 8th." He expressed his affinity for pizza. Sorry Suki, I didn't get an answer to "boxers or briefs?"

The team had an hour long meeting where they watched video of the last pieces of Shea going down. Then there was a music video of Citifield. It seems they were trying to impress upon the guys all the history that was made at the old stadium and bringing some momentum to Citifield. Jerry Manuel uses video a lot. After his 80 pitches in 6 minutes drill yesterday (batters must swing at all 80 pitches--going opposite field only), every monitor in the locker room had Mets "At bats" from 2008 where an opposite field led to a successful play. There is a constant push to instill the fundamentals to all his players.

On the field, the guys teamed up with infielders working together and outfielders, pitchers, etc...we noticed Carlos Beltran, Ryan Church, Daniel Murphy and Fernando Martinez taking batting practice (the 80 pitches drill with machine again). It was not lost on us how Murphy seems to be with the core outfielders in all the drills. Martinez's shoulder is not ready for throwing but he got in some hits in the cage.

Taking ground balls by position were: Nick Evans and Carlos Delgado at 1st, Luis Castillo and Ramon Martinez at 2nd, Fernando Tatis and David Wright at 3rd, and Jose Reyes and Alex Cora at SS.

Catchers hit off live pitching, going opposite field only. Robinson Cancel was very consistent and looked solid. Brian Schneider and Ramon Castro are both really physically fit and better than I have seen them.

We ended the day with an Interview with the Skipper. Manuel's relaxed nature makes it so easy to do my job. His precise responses come after much thought. He takes the time to think about the question being asked and not simply answer....much appreciated on my part! He spoke about the focus he must have to go to the post season this year and also about enjoying the ride. Stay tuned for our Mets Preseason Special (air date tentatively set April 4, 12:30PM), there will be so many more good tidbits about this team that we learned from being down here.

Off to a cold NYC...Lolita

Dear Larry –

We’ve nearly got this team the way we like it, with character guys taking the floor each night. We’re well aware of your reputation – six teams in 11 seasons – so get your act together by the time you step in that locker room!

The past couple years here have been brutal at times. Just look at some of the rotten apples that have infiltrated the Garden: Steve Francis, Isiah Thomas, Stephon Marbury, Zach Randolph, etc.

It was impossible to root for that ghastly bunch, and we feared the harm they’d caused to this franchise’s reputation would follow us for years.

Move on! The guy may be a liar, but that's on him. Alex Rodriguez has dug himself into such a deep, deep hole, it'll take a back-hoe and a World Championship, this year, just for him to be able to stretch out his arm and hope someone will pull him up from the depths. Who that someone is, still remains to be seen. It sure as heck isn't going to be Derek Jeter!

Collecting 10 hours of video and interviews from Mets Spring Training and bringing some of them to you would have been impossible without "my guys". Here's a heartfelt thank you to Eric, Tony (PIX Photographers) and Tracy, Brendan (Mets Staff) for helping us get on air every night and even one bright and early morning.

Eric and Tony really captured who the Mets '09 are this year, and I can't wait to tell all the stories in just a few weeks. I have been part of many projects but am totally pumped for this one!! Stay tuned...Lolita

Welcome back John Tortorella! Once an assistant coach with the Rangers (1999-2000), he served as interim head coach for four games. He is the real deal now coming in to replace Mr. Calm and Collected Tom Renney. Renney took the Rangers to the playoffs his four seasons as head coach, but the laid back approach was not enough to spark life back into a free-falling team this year. (10 losses in last 12 games) Instead the spark seems to be a louder and bolder Tortorella.

Tortorella spent seven seasons with Tampa Bay, leading them to the Stanley Cup in 2004, but was dismissed last summer by the Lightning. Tortorella has spent the time off the ice in a Canadian TV studio working as an analyst. He hasn't missed any action and is said to be just as boisterous as ever. On Monday, following a team meeting with Renney and GM Glen Sather, Goalie Henrik Lundquist said "Sometimes you have to accept that you need a change and you have to do it." The Rangers aren't out of it yet, tied at 5th place with Montreal, two points from 9th in the Eastern Conference (as I write this). I am all for Tortorella who can bring life to a team that desperately needs to play defense and score on the power play.

Devin Harris hits game winning shot vs. the 76ers

This is why I love sports... Last night at the Izod Center, Devin Harris of the Nets hit an incredible 47 foot shot from just behind the halfcourt line at the buzzer to beat the 76ers 98-96. That heave capped a 39 point night for Harris. The Nets snapped a 5 game losing streak. An unbelieveable way to end the game. For a moment, I was able to forget about all that's wrong with sports.

Question, hockey fans: If YOUR team had the same GM the last eight full seasons (discount the lockout that Gary Bettman used to destroy one), missed the playoffs the first four years and had only two series wins in the postseason since, would YOU be upset? I sure would. I say that with confidence because that's the Rangers, and that's Glen Sather. Yet, Slats still has his job, even after Tom Renney, the coach that got the club into the playoffs four straight years, is gone. Explain why that is, again? That's RIGHT, Jim Dolan runs the Rangers and MSG.

It's not Paul and Heather, Madonna and Guy or Brad and Jennifer, but Stephon Marbury has his freedom tonight-and so do the Knicks. The buyout from hell is complete. No matter who is at fault: Jim Dolan for letting Steph hang around after showing Isiah Thomas the door; coach Mike D'Antoni and GM Donnie Walsh for not being upfront with Starbury, or Marvury himself for not seeing the writing on the wall and getting out when he had the chance. WHATEVER. The deal is done. Marbury loses over 2 million of the 21 he's earning this season. The Knicks get some cap space and (to them) one damn big distraction. The team? After all the necessary questions before tomorrow's game, Marbury will be long forgotten.

He was possibly the most talented guy Thomas brought in here, but playing in his hometown, Marbury never quite fit in-WHERE have we heard that before? Within a few days, Marbury will probably be a Celtic. Let's see if he tries to fit in a little better with K-G then when the two were in Minnesota. There is a distinct possibility that Marbury could possess in about 4 months what he never came close to in 5 years at MSG:a championship ring.

The post-Super Bowl/pre-March Madness period we’re currently mired in is traditionally known as the “February Blahs.”

Meaning mid-season NBA, NCAA, and NHL games are best summed up – not with a word or phrase – rather a primitive grunt (and for me, full-extension tongue stick-out).

While true for the most part, TODAY is the exception. Just take a look at the lineup we have in sports tonight:

(***Picture Explanation: This is how all primates should cope with the February Blahs.)

Now that Brandon Jacobs has re-signed with the Giants, he's made it clear that he wants wideout Plaxico Burress back too. That decision, however, isn't 'Earth's' to make. There's plenty of room ahead of him in the decision making process.

The first time it was hilarious. The next couple of times it still got a chuckle. But now, it’s enough already.

Loud, obnoxious golf fans screaming “get in the hole” when a player tees off on a par four or five HAVE TO GIVE IT UP. It’s not funny anymore. Instead it’s distracting and annoying.

And I’m just speaking from a fan’s perspective. Imagine how bothersome it is for the pro actually hitting the ball; knowing that EVERY time he tees off on a 400+ yard hole, some Budweiser-fueled dummy will shout at the top of his lungs for the ball to (impossibly) go in the cup.

My personal feeling on this issue changed when I saw my first golf tournament in person two years ago.

The Rangers might need some help on the ice but they certainly don't let that deter them from giving back. Scott Gomez, Henrik Lundqvist, and Chris Drury among the Rangers who will be at Rangers Casino Night on Monday, March 2, 2009. The event raises funds for the Garden of Dreams Foundation which aids kids in crisis. Listen to Scottie speak about the night.

For more information including the opportunity to be among the fans placing your bets with the team, check out the following link.

http://www.nyrangers.com

One final note, I do believe the Rangers can come out of this no scoring mess and secure a playoff spot...have faith.

You all know by now that the Rangers and Avalanche game is tomorrow night, right here on Channel 11, at 7 pm. Question is, will it be a continuation of the slumping Blueshirts that you'll see on PIX? Wednesday is the NHL's trade deadline, and the Garden faithful need something to boost their spirits and sagging position in the Eastern Conference playoff chase.

This team DOESN'T score. Getting Steve Avery, if he's ready to play quickly, will help in some ways. But Avery isn't a sniper per se, and they need a goal scorer. The guy closest to that fit may be Nik Antropov of the Maple Leafs. He can score, but he can be streaky. Do the Blueshirts take a chance on him to see what they can cash in on him for a little less than a quarter of the season, hoping new coach Tortorella can get consisitent play out of him?

The Blues Keith Tkachuk would help on the power play, but he may be going to his native Boston. Jason Spezza is a great player but the Senators will want a lot back and Spezza makes big bucks. WHO would YOU like to see Glen Sather bring in? I have to ask, since we know Jim Dolan won't fire Slats any time soon.

Rangers fans have been tortured lately with all the losing and as a result the chants for Tom Renney's head rained down on the ice at the Garden the last month.

Well, Glen Sather pulled the trigger this week, firing Renney and replacing him with former Tampa Bay Lightning coach John Tortorella.

Mired in a major February slump, the Rangers chose tonight’s game against the Avalanche – aired right here on PIX 11! – to play arguably their best game of the season.

The night started with Rangers color analyst Joe Micheletti saying during the pre-game show that “the guys at PIX promised us FIVE goals, so the Rangers better get going early.”