This isn't just a ballpark-it's a monument-to baseball and Yankee history. This week the media, and season ticket holders, had their chance to check out the club's new home.

Let me tell you, this place is big. It's 63 percent bigger than the park that was remodeled for the 1976 season. With all the amenities in the place, Paris Hilton may want to move in. Our Lolita Lopez gives us an inside tour at the House That George Built.

The New Yankee Stadium is open for business!

The Bombers worked out in their new home for the first time this afternoon; running, stretching and taking batting practice.

We noticed an abnormal amount of balls leaving the yard, and had to find out for ourselves if the new yard is kinder to hitters than the park across the street.

We sampled a rather diverse group of Yanks; in the piece you’ll hear from Jorge Posada, newcomers Mark Teixeira and Nick Swisher, and we even asked a pitcher, fireballing-favorite Joba Chamberlain.

So is the new Yankee Stadium – with it’s open slots in left and right field – a better place to hit than the old building? Can we expect the place to be a launching pad like it was this afternoon, or was today the exception rather than the rule?

How about that new batters eye in center field? Will the players prefer to hit against the backdrop of the new glass-enclosed restaurant as opposed to the famed “black seats” in the old park?

Take a listen to how the guys scouted out their new digs.

Usually the Yankees and Mets compete for our attention, ticket dollars and fan allegiance…BUT WE’VE NEVER REALLY SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THIS BEFORE.

The team’s two biggest stars, David Wright and Derek Jeter, will duel throughout this entire season … the player with the higher batting average earning $100,000 for his charitable foundation.

Delta Airlines is sponsoring the “Jeter/Wright Batting Challenge.” The runner-up receives $50,000.

The two players were on hand this morning to talk about the challenge and give their thoughts on the upcoming season.

**Also, in case you were wondering, Wright would have won this challenge two out of the last three seasons.**

Take a listen.

WPIX will air “2009 Mets: A New Era” a 30-minute original special previewing the much-anticipated 2009 New York Mets baseball season. “2009 Mets: A New Era,” airs April 4th right after the PIX broadcast of the Mets pre-season game against the Boston Red Sox at Citi Field, with an encore on Sunday, April 5th at 10:30pm.

“2009 Mets: A New Era” will be hosted by PIX Sports anchor Lolita Lopez and two all-time Met fan favorites, Darryl Strawberry and John Franco.

Among the program highlights:

• Lolita and John Franco take a look at the Mets’ two major off-season acquisitions, Francisco Rodriquez and J.J. Putz, and the plans to rebuild the team’s bullpen;

• "Pitchers on Pitchers" features Johan Santana, Mike Pelfrey, John Maine and Oliver Perez analyzing the other’s performance as members of the starting rotation;

• Lolita and Darryl Strawberry take a look at the Mets’ starting lineup (including interviews with Carlos Beltran, Jose Reyes, David Wright and Carlos Delgado) with a special look at Daniel Murphy's "little green book" of pitchers;

• Lolita gets a sneak peek at Citi Field and explores the locker room and the areas rarely seen by fans;

• A feature on new Met Tim Redding and his famous relative (a legendary TV star with ties to Channel 11!)

• Plus: a behind the scenes look at Spring Training with manager Jerry Manuel. Manuel wore a PIX mic and allows viewers to see Spring Training through his eyes in his first Spring Training as manager.

The tenth Mets baseball season on PIX swings into action on Sunday, April 19th when the Mets face the Milwaukee Brewers at their new home, Citi Field, the first of 25 regular season Mets games airing in HD on PIX.

WPIX, the place for Mets baseball since 1999, has won three Emmy Awards for live sports coverage of the Mets. For a complete schedule, coverage and photos visit www.wpix.com

“2009 Mets: A New Era” is sponsored by Infiniti.

PIX Sports anchor Lolita Lopez chats with two all-time Met fan favorites, Darryl Strawberry and John Franco AFTER THE JUMP...

So the first two of 324 just-about-daily soap operas is over. For the Mets, a win. The Yankees, meanwhile, had their hands full with the usually all hit, no pitch Baltimore Orioles and dropped their opener. It was a tale of two different days for the lefty aces.

Basketball fans have a heck of a 2009 Hall of Fame class. Rutgers coach Vivian Stringer, Utah Jazz guard John Stockton, his coach Jerry Sloan, San Antonio Spurs center David Robinson and His Airness, Michael Jordan. All of these people are very deserving of this honor. Stringer has coached in the women's game for 38 years, won 825 games and guided her teams to 3 Final Fours. The Admiral David Robinson played 14 years with the Spurs and won 2 NBA titles. John Stockton played his entire career with the Jazz and is the NBA leader in assists and steals. His coach Jerry Sloan, guided the Jazz to 2 NBA Finals and is the only NBA coach to win 1000 games with the same team.

I had the chance Saturday to go to the Mets' exibition game against the Red Sox. Once I got past Oliver Perez' hideous 2/3rds of an inning (which, after all didn't count) I came away with some impressions of the ballpark:

So I come across an AP report late tonight about a tour some Yankees players ,coaches and other personnel received today on their day off. (Yanks play the Orioles 7PM Wednesday) Joba was there as was Xavier Nady, Phil Coke, Edwar Ramirez and Cody Ransom. Okay... no offense...okay, maybe some a little... but what have these guys done to deserve a tour of the White House?? I guess its always "who you know" and in this case, someone knows Former White House press secretary Ari Fleischer pretty well. (He put together the tour.) Seriously... they are not World Champions or winners of anything!! Even my good friend, a die hard Yankees fan, is fuming over this news.

Get to a playoff, get a WS ring... and then, you can go to the White House. Coke, Ransom, Nady...how about some highlights from the field before getting the honor to visit the home of our Nation's President and his family. I mean, there are men and women, doing incredible things all across this country and overseas (do I have to mention our servicemen and women? I would think that was a given) and THEY don't get tours of the White House. Yanks, have some respect...who's with me?

This is a week that every American should take to remember and reflect. On April 4, 1968, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr was assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee. To this day, his impact on our nation cannot be overstated or under-appreciated.

Today, April 8th is also a day of history and social significance for Major League Baseball. 35 years ago tonight, Henry Aaron broke Babe Ruth’s home run record, homering off Dodgers’ lefty Al Downing in Atlanta. 715 was greeted with a rousing ovation and congratulations throughout our country. That was a far cry from Jackie Robinson’s reception through the National League. Robinson broke baseball’s color barrier in April of 1947.
Listen as Aaron discusses Robinson's influence on his life and American society.

Monday, the world of sports broadcasting lost one of its greatest voices. Longtime Philadelphia Phillies broadcaster Harry Kalas passed away at the age of 73. He called Phillies games since 1971. But even if you weren't from Philadelphia, you knew his great, rich voice. He did voiceover work for the sports themed Chunky Soup commercials. He also was the voice of NFL Films. He worked right up until the end.

We are professionals but speaking for Jim here...opening day at Citi Field was great! We had a blast! Despite the final result of the game, we had a great time walking around and taking in all the activities (on the field and off).

Jim and I were at the food court with stage manager, Terry, and photographer Ian, when David Wright hit the game tying homerun in the 5th. It was ridiculous! People yelling, laughing, chanting...the excitement was contagious! (Below are some members of the crew: Matt, Ian, Jim and me but special thanks to all out there!!!)

I know there are many fans unhappy with several aspects of the Mets new ballpark. Yes, there are obstructed views...yes, there are lines at the concessions...yes, there is a lack of orange and blue and a lack of some history section (Give me a museum, with some artifacts please!)....but I feel (and I have been at both new stadiums) this ballpark will lead to a good game experience. Look past the company logos (what's not sponsored? the toilets?) and realize that you can enjoy the action in a variety of ways. For the most part, you will "feel" close to it. I like that!

My moment of the day: interviewing Tom Seaver. I am still in awe of him! I had the pleasure and honor of working with him early in my Sports reporting career (he was an analyst; I was the on field reporter for the Mets). He taught me so much and as soon as he saw me yesterday, gave me a great bear hug and began speaking with me. Listen to the interview on our video player...thanks to Jim for these cool pics!

The brand new Yankee Stadium opened this afternoon. From all reports of media and fans, it truly is a jewel that fans of baseball and Yanlee history will enjoy. You walk into the Great Hall and you know right away where you are and who you're watching. Let's hope the Mets start getting that right at Citi Field.

But, for all the pomp and circumstance, the opening result at the Stadium was much the same as the Mets' first game at Citi Field-a bummer. C, C. Sabathia labored but kept the Yanks in the game. It was 1-1 in the 7th before Demaso Marte and Jose Veras stunk out the joint. Grady Sizemore's grand slam is still going.

Let's not forget either that the Yanks stranded 8 runners in the first 4 innings. That didn't help. Cliff Lee and the Tribe bullpen was better than the Bombers when it mattered. Yanks lose 10-2. FYI: A-Rod can't get back soon enough. Despite a great diving stop and throw to get a man at the plate, Ransom looks bewildered at the plate

So, what's it like to have a 1.5 BILLION dollar home? I'm not talking Tiger or The Donald, but the New Yankee Stadium. Hey, if I had a Hard Rock Cafe at my house, I'd be thrilled too. Not only do the Bronx Bombers like their new home, even the opponents love it too.

Check out Matt Estreich's piece for WPIX.COM on our video board.

I'm always raking the Mets and Yankees overr the coals for the high prices at the new ballparks but now you can buy souvenirs and make a difference. THe Boys and Girls Clubs of the Tri State area have partnered with Nicko Sports to create baseball commemorating the opening of Citi Field and Yankee Stadium.

The balls are being sold individually or as a set. $40-what a paid for a hat at Cit Field-gets you one ball. $70-a sweatshirt and a Pepsi in Flushing-gets you both.

ALL PROCEEDS will go to the Boys and Girls Clubs of, NY, NJ and CT. Here's your chance to make a difference. Go to nikcosports.com or call 800-345-2865 to help a terrific charity.

Here we are two weeks into the baseball season, with two new ballparks in town, and I hear, "The Jackie Robinson Rotunda (at Citi Field) is great", or "When will I see Keith Richards at the Yankees Hard Rock Cafe?" How 'bout, "Can I REALLY order a leg of lamb from the Stadium butcher shop?" Yes, boys and girls, you can and do hear such things in Flushing and the Btonx.

So, I ask all of you and seek YOUR thoughts: What about the game itself? Can you go to a game just for the game ITSELF, or do you need/want restaurants, museums, dunk tanks and the like to get you to the park?

If you read our blog regularly, you know that I LOVE the idea of a team, particularly my Mets and because of their legacy the Yankees, allowing fans to watch BP, go to Monument Park, or visit a Great Hall or Rotunda-BEFORE a game. Once the game starts, unless I am physically hurting, I'm there to watch. For me, baseball is a great game to learn, study and watch for strategic moves. From the time I was about 6 or 7 years old, I could watch a game-even knew how to keep score-and that was it.

Now, I understand a few things:

1. Our society is faster paced
2. There's more "stuff to do."
3. People-kids and grown ups, aren't as interested in taking the time to learn. We don't read as much as a society. We don't have time, and baseball is the one major sport with no time limit. Last Saturday, the Indians scored 14 runs in 1 inning against the Yankees. That half inning took 37 minutes alone. Meanwhile, the Mets-Brewers game that started at 1:10 was over just before the Yankee game started-2 hours and 33 minutes later. That's baseball.

I'd like to hear YOUR thoughts. Put aside for a moment crowded trains, parkways and high ticket prices. If the 'amenities' weren't there, could/would/do you still go to a game? Are you a person content with a hot dog and a drink, or do you want filet of sole at a 5 star restaurant overlooking the field-even though you already have good seats to watch the action?

If you have to have extras just to get into a game, why? The pace of the game? The dearth of pitching? Do you not know the game? Do you prefer offense or a pitcher's duel? Does baseball NOT do enough to market the game? I want to know. If you DON'T go to games (assuming for a moment you can afford to go)-and that is TOUGH in today's world) what could MLB/the Yankees and Mets do to grab your interest?

Finally, a VERY happy 5th birthday to Karis in Seaford. Karis, TODAY you are OFFICIALLY my favorite 5 year old. I love you Please hug Daddy and Mommy (aka Tony and Theresa) and big sister Aliya (my favorite 7 year old) All of you are awesome. I can hardly wait for the Imagination Movers Birthday Party Sunday :)

I have yet to go to either of the new stadiums just yet, but I will in the coming months. I've been hearing a lot about each place. At Citi Field there are a lot of great attractions to hold your attention such as the Jackie Robinson Rotunda, the Acela Club and the Caesars Club. The same for the new Yankee Stadium with the Hard Rock Café, Monument Park and the like. If you'd like a debate on whether or not we need all these new ammenities, Bob Taute's blog is just below. Check it out!! But what I'm wondering is: Have the stadium architects and builders dropped the ball?

At Citi Field, some fans have complained about the sightlines. If you sit in a certain part of the stadium, does that prevent you from seeing the action? If it does, shouldn't that have been discovered before the stadium opened? Also at the New Yankee Stadium, the balls have been flying out of there like crazy. In the first 4 games there, there have been 20... Yes 20 homeruns hit!! People wonder if there is a wind tunnel... Maybe there is, but we should also look into the horrible pitching. I say relax. It's been just 4 games. We definitely need more of a sampling before we can say that there is a different wind pattern that helps balls (especially in right field) go over the wall... But in the interest in thoroughness, our own Lolita Lopez spoke to Meteorologist Jim Kosek from AccuWeather.com. His group is conducting a season long study on the wind at the new Yankee Stadium. Check it out.

The last few weeks we've heard about how corporate Citi Field is. There's no link to the Mets in the ballpark, there's no team Hall of Fame at the Mets' new digs in Flushing and very little mention of the team's history outside of the banners that adorn the outfield entrances. Fans and bloggers like me have complained. The team doesn't display championship banners inside the park. I have it from no less an authority than my buddy Sal in Fairfield that the team mysteriously tries to distance itself from its history, seeking instead corporate bucks and building on the 'here and now.'

Fortunately for all us Mets fans, one of the franchise's greatest names may have unknowingly nudged the team in the right direction.

I am in a newsroom with probably the biggest Mets fans around...sports producer, Bobby, coordinating producer, Saul, photographer, Eric and man, are they upset! They already see the Mets at the bottom of the NL East, the team missing the playoffs, and more heartache for them and other fans. I understand the pain but implore them to be patient. It's hard; I get it; I know what happened the past two years. BUT we are still in April. While the starting pitching (minus Johan) looks like Little League, you have to give the team time.

I think John Maine is trying to find his groove. He looks rough like he needed some more game time before the season. He was still "raw" when we were at Spring Training and you could tell that while he "felt" good, his arm was not yet 100 percent. (Plus I didn't like the fact that they were trying to get him to work on a curveball too). Oliver was always a gamble and will continue to be all year BUT I think if a person like Johan is standing behind him and speaking up for him, there's got to be something ready to burst out. Johan seems like a person who would not lend his support unless he believes in whatever it is. He has been forthcoming to say Oliver is a GOOD pitcher. Pelfrey needed time last season and will probably do the same this year, peaking at the right moment. Livan is what he is...a fill-in but not a bad one.

Give them until the All Star break. There is no way this team will be SOOO far behind that making the playoffs would be a miracle. At that point maybe some in the minors are ready to come up (i.e. Jonathan Niese) or other teams are ready to give up their folks (and we will have seen what those pitchers have done) or Pedro Martinez could be in fine shape and ready to accept a small deal to pitch just one more year.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT ON ANY POSSIBLE FUTURE ADDITIONS:

*Niese will need time. Niese is 0-2 in three starts in Triple-A Buffalo. He hasn't gotten past the 5th inning and has amounted a 8.76 ERA having given up 22 hits, 12 earned runs, 6 walks, and 13 Ks)

*Check this out from the blog entry from, www.halosheaven.com (Angels):
Martinez's agent Fernando Cusa about Pedro wearing Angels' red. He didn't want to go "on the record" as to the last time he had talked with anyone from the Angel front office, but he could say he had at least talked to the Angels. He mentioned the Angels were the sort of team Pedro would be interested in signing with and pointed out that Vladimir Guerrero was one of Pedro's best friends from their days together in Montreal and recently Martinez had played for Angels' first base coach Alfredo Griffin during the WBC.

Cusa stated, "Pedro's worked hard all spring and is in great shape. He brings intangibles like veteran leadership to a team. He makes it fun."

When asked how long after Pedro is signed would the pitcher be ready to start, Cusa replied, "A week."

Back to PIX:
I know for the boys here it's easier to be pessimistic because then they feel they won't be let down. Be patient friends! (Not likely but they are trying and actually Bobby recently purchased a partial season plan) They aren't ready to give up just yet!

You wonder what Rangers coach John Tortorella was thinking yesterday sitting up in the luxury ssuite rather than behind the bench as the Blueshirts dropped Game 6 to the Capitals at MSG. Tortorella, the supposed master motivator and disciplinarian, sat out for his own misdeeds in Game 5.

If you've red our blog since its inception over a year ago, you know that Gary Bettman is the WORST commissioner of the four major sports-YES, worse than Bud Selig. Time to bash Clueless Gary for his latest foolish faux pas.

Seems that Bettman and the people at Versus, that sports broadcasting powerhouse, have two

Game 7''s going on at essentially THE SAME TIME. The Rangers and Capitals start at 7. The Devils and Hurricanes at the Rock in Newark drop the puck a little after 7:30.

Here is hockey, CRAVING TV ratings, with two good series-and the league has these games IN THE SAME MEDIA MARKET going on OPPOSITE each other? Think MLB would allow the Mets and Yankees to do that? How 'bout the NBA with Knick and Nets-of course the hoops locals have to make the playoffs one day for that to happen. You know darn well the money/image conscious NFL would have the Giants and Jets set in different time zones, on different days, whatever. But Bettman and the NHL? They demonstrate-again- why they are lapped by the other sports when it comes to interest and exposure. What do you expect from Bettman, a non hockey fan who let an entire season be lost for the sake of a salary cap? My two year old niece would do a better job running the NHL.

Will the real Jayson Williams please stand up? Is Jayson Williams the gracious, playful, comedic, NBA Star that I met 11 years ago when working on a story? Or is he the guy who shot and killed a limo driver in 2002? He's probably both. When Williams played in the NBA he wasn't known for being overly talented. But he worked hard and played hard and made himself into an All Star forward for the New Jersey Nets. But before his NBA career and after his NBA career, Williams has had a lot-- and I mean a lot of problems. The latest happening early Monday morning when a drunken and reportedly suicidal Williams was tasered by police at an NYC hotel.

Mexican medical and government officials are telling people to avoid congregating in any areas , from restaurants (most are only doing take out) to sports fields across Mexico. Soccer tournaments all over that country are canceling games, and currently soccer's governing body for North and Central America and the Caribbean regions are evaluating what to do next.

Many of these tournaments are for young people. The remainder of the under-17 championship in the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup is done..for now. The decision leaves many teens, trying to further their athletic careers, on hold. I feel for them. I played for Puerto Rico throughout my high school and college years and the summer was the perfect time to hone my skills (which eventually led to a scholarship). I traveled to so many different cities, meeting people from various backgrounds, and I truly feel this helped me develop into an open minded individual. I also believe sports is a unifier when times are bad and to not have that option is upsetting.

I am not demeaning the more significant consequences of swine flu. My heart goes out to the hundreds who have succumbed to the disease and their families. Let's hope swine flu can be contained and then wiped out so we can get back to "playing ball" and living without THAT fear.

Yankee fans...I know y'all have been fuming! I don't blame you guys and ladies either. For those who may not know, Yanks' brass decided to lower ticket prices to sell their empty seats at the stadium. The argument for many season ticket holders who had already purchased their seats is that they end up paying MORE for their tickets than someone who decides to buy the season long plan NOW.

The Yankees have heard your woes (somewhat) and put in place price adjustments and benefits, including refunds and credits to those with full season Suite Seats in certain "premium locations", plus free tickets in some Field Level sections. (Spending $300-$2000 per ticket is crazy to me, but I guess if you love the team...) Keep reading and see if you qualify and if you like what the Yanks are offering:

21 games into the season, and very rarely have the Mets got a full game-pitching, defense, hitting come together. Sure looks like 2007 and 2008. This team just cannot afford to miss out on Johan Santana games. Johan wasn't awesome today, but he left with a lead.

I was a little surprised that Jerry Manuel let Onir Santos hit in the 9th. Ramon Castro had two hits, and with the bases loaded Santos is called FROM THE BILLPEN to pinch hit? That's silly. We know the Mets don't love Castro-he's overweight and slow earning 2 million dollars. BUT-he was in the game, on the bench, ready to go. Santos wasn't 'into the game'-the action was delayed for about 5 minutes so he could be ready to hit. Unless I see Carlos Delgado swinging a bat, Castro has to have the AB.

Not that it mattered. The Mets had plenty of chances to tie the game and go ahead. The biggest culprit-David Wright. He's REALLY struggling, honestly 'rightfully' being booed for his hideous defense AND his struggling offense. Wright hasn't been the same since that Home Run Derby a few years ago.

The buillpen craps out-again. Last night Sean Green, today, J.J. Putz, who just walked another batter. He took the loss today, and Santana has a no decision.

Somewhere Willie Randolph is chuckling. Different year, same underwhelming team.

The folks at Facebook aren't the only ones benefiting from the bad economy. Lawrence Frank is too. He'll be back for the last year of his contract after two 34 win seasons. THAT'S more surprising to me than the Spurs being knocked out in the first round.

Rod Thorn's decision comes a few days after guard Devin Harris told reporters he likes Frank but that some of the veterans had tuned out the coach. Great. Let's see. The last point guard to make such a claim about a Jersey coach was Jason Kidd-and Byrion Scott was out of a job.

Thorn said the economy 'would be a factor' in the decision. So it was. The Nets don't want to burn 4 and a half million on a guy that's NOT coaching, So Frank stays, with another chance to motivate the underachieving Nets.

Rangers and Devils fans normally can't stand each other. Today, they can share sad stories over a stiff drink at the local bar. the Blueshirts blew a 3-1 series lead and lost to the Capitals last night, 2-1 in DC. The Rangers MUST get a sniper. This season, the team did not have a player in the TOP 60 in scoring. That makes it tough when Henrik Lundqvist has to stand on his head. For the first time in 12 series, the Rangers lose when leading 3 games to 1.

The Devils? Oh, the pain, as Joe B might say on WFAN. To give up 2 goals in less than 80 seconds and lose to the Hurricanes in Game 7. Fans at The Rock may want to stay away from sharp objects for awhile. BUT-New Jersey will be back-you may not be able to say that about the Rangers.

See ya in the fall, guys.

Tonight we brought you the story of Adame and Lori Dunnavant: Married Extreme Cage FIghters. More than counseling or "sexy time" if you will, the Dunnavants think duking it out (only sparring-they don't fight each other competitively) keeps their marriage healthy and strong. It got me thinking: what would happen if you put our little happy family (Jim, Kaity, Mr. G and myself) in a cage? I mean, Kaity and Jim already act like a married couple and Mr. G and I are the kids trying not to get in trouble. I got imput from my fellow peers but would like to know from your vantage point, who goes home with the championship belt?!?

Kaity:
First of all, let me just say I know who would LOSE. Me.
In fact, I'm telling you guys right now, I'm not even getting into that cage! You can't MAKE me!!! I cried during dodgeball in school, okay? I am a big wuss and I'm not ashamed to say it.
Lolita would win. Come on! No contest! Agile, cunning, ruthless. That's my Lolo! GO LOLITA!

Lolita:
Well thank you Kaity but I actually think you have the upper hand. I mean, who can really touch Kaity?!? Mr. G would pay us off not to hit him; Jim is too nice too throw any punches (plus he wouldn't want us to mess up his hair) and then there's me. I forfeit and Kaity wins.

Mr. G:
TOUGH CALL ...NOT ME...... I'LL PAY PEOPLE NOT TO HIT ME.....NOT JIM...TOO GENTLE AND TOO FRAGILE.......KAITY AND LOLITA IN A MARATHON FIGHT.....I'LL TAKE KAITY AND GIVE THE POINTS...

Jim:
First, what are we wearing for this match? I suggest something in spandex for Kaity and Lolita, but definitely not for Mr. G. I'd wear a Speedo, but you have to promise not to point at my tattoos. They're prison tattoos, actually. I'm not going to tell you what I was in for. What matters is that the D.A. never proved anything.

What was the question? Oh, right, who would win... I'd have to say it would be Mr. G. After using up all my energy trying to pin the Spandex Twins, I'd be easy pickins' for the G-Man. But only if he'd be willing to wrestle a man who's wearing a Speedo. Which I'm guessing he would be. Maybe.

(Footnote: Anyone else notice Mr.G wrote in all CAPS...passive aggressive...maybe I will switch my answer...NAH, I think even if Kaity fights, her stature would certainly give her the advantage. She'd go for the knees and we would all be done!)

With Selena Roberts’ new A-Rod/steroids book about to hit book shelves, new allegations against the slugger were leaked alleging Rodriguez used steroids in high school and possibly while with the Yankees.

I say “BIG WHOOP!” And I’ll tell you why.

Kia is so cool! The 22-year old is pleasant, fun and has such a good head on her shoulders. I love her relationship with her family and how important her mother has been to her career. It was Mom who pushed Kia to continue with basketball (despite a lot of "I hate this"--we've all been there). I love strong women coming from strong women... She was thrust into the national spotlight during that "Imus incident" concerning the Rutgers basketball team. Kia was completely honest when we spoke about that time in her life and what she has learned from the experience. This is truly the beginning for this young lady! We wish her the best! FYI, go see her and the other Liberty ladies at the Garden. Tickets are as little as $10...how can you lose?