Liberty Stumbles Out of the Gate

The New York Liberty definitely did not open the season the way it wanted to at the Garden Sunday.

Jason Horowitz and I discuss the performances from rookies Essence Carson and Erlana Larkins, as well as second-year player Tiffany Jackson in New York's 77-63 loss to the Sun.

Watch what coach Pat Coyle, Shameka Christon and Essence Carson had to say after the game by CLICKING HERE.

MORE:

• What Did You Think About the Game?
• Send a Question to Mary Murphy
• Liberty Players Show That the WNBA Cares

Red Bulls Gut Out Draw with Kansas City

The Red Bulls extended their unbeaten streak to five with a hard-fought 1-1 draw against the Kansas City Wizards Saturday night.

My broadcast partner Steve Cangialosi and I explain why this point was well earned.

Watch the postgame reactions of coach Juan Carlos Osorio, Danleigh Borman and Dave van den Bergh by CLICKING HERE.

MORE:

• Is Bulls' Middie Dane Richards Good to Go?
• Red Bulls Neutralize David Beckham to Beat L.A.
• Becks Sets the Example

Mitch at Large: Triple Brown

Big Brown did today in the Preakness what most horses who are destined for greatness -- chew up the competition and make it look easy.

This horse is scary, and when the cocky trainer tells you even he is worried about the potential of his horse "bouncing" (a term associated to not performing well after a great race) and the horse ends up running like Pegasus on high test, then, ladies and gentlemen, get ready for the Belmont!

Thirty years and a half-dozen 'almosts' have gone by since we crowned a Triple Crown champion, and not since Smarty Jones has there been a buzz in the air in the racing world like there is now.

A date with destiny awaits Big Brown. When you look at all the competition he's faced so far, as well as the new shooters that will line up to play spoiler in June, all that is left is racing luck as the only thing that can stop him. Is Brown big enough to even beat that? Regardless, it is his Triple Crown to lose.

What a horse!

MORE:

• Nothing Middling About Big Brown
• What Brown Can Do for You
• Full Spectrum Horse Racing

Mets Draw First Blood; Defeat Yankees 7-4

Despite a hot start by Andy Pettitte and the New York Yankees, the Johan Santana led New York Mets were able to weather the storm and draw first blood in game one of the 2008 subway series.

As has become the norm, Pettitte was on fire for the first three innings before falling apart in the fourth. And thanks to a steady performance by Santana and a few base running blunders by the Yankees, the Mets were able to ride out the initial wave, shift momentum and coast to a 7-4 victory.

Surprise of the game: Yankees bullpen

It may seem odd that Yankees fans are surprised by a poor performance courtesy of Kyle Farnsworth, but after dominating in his last six appearances, it was strange to see him struggle. Even more baffling was the shaky outing by Joba Chamberlain -- a player known for turning it up a notch in big situations.

Player of the game: Carlos Beltran

Beltran had a big day and it's looking more and more like his early season slump has come to an end. He went 3-5 (1 HR) with 1 RBI and two runs scored this afternoon. If that weren't enough, he also stole his fifth base of the season.

Bust of the game: 7-9 in the Yankees batting order

Including the pinch hitters, the bottom of the Yankees order went a combined 0-11 with eight men left on base. Does that sound like they're earning their paycheck to you?  Yeah, I didn't think so.

MORE:

• Mlicki-Out (1997)
• Paul Bunyan (1998)
• The X-Files

MSG, NY Hot Topic: Will Big Brown Win the Triple Crown?

Want to speak your mind about the big issues in the world of sports? Here's your chance!

TODAY'S HOT TOPIC:

Will Big Brown win the Triple Crown this year?

Post your thoughts in the comments section below and tune in to MSG,NY to see if your response is featured.

MORE:

• Middle Child of the Triple Crown
• Ten-Count for Eight Belles
• Horse Sense & Nonsense

Memorable Subway Series Moments: Mlicki-Out

Friday night's game was postponed because of rain, so the New York Yankees and New York Mets will rekindle their infamous crosstown rivalry in the annual Subway Series Saturday afternoon. Although neither team is doing particularly well at the moment, you can bet that the desire to own New York bragging rights will be enough to motivate each team to give it their all ... and then some.

Over the next few days, I'll be taking a look back at some of the more memorable and historic events that have occurred during the Subway Series.

Memorable Subway Series Moment No. 3: Mlicki mows 'em down.

June 16th, 1997 was a huge day in the city of New York. It marked the very first time in Major League Baseball history that the New York Yankees and New York Mets would meet in the regular season. It also marked a huge day for baseball, as their marquee interleague matchup would be the one that took place in Yankee Stadium.

For the Yankees, Andy Pettitte (8-3) would be taking the hill, while the Mets would be sending up Dave Mlicki (2-5). On paper, the Bronx Bombers appeared to have the decisive advantage, but that's why they play the game.

In the top half of the first inning, the Mets jumped all over Pettitte, scoring three runs and giving Mlicki a lead he would never relinquish.

In one of his best performances as an MLB starter, Mlicki tossed nine shutout innings, striking out eight batters, while walking only two in the Mets' historical 6-0 victory. It was his first career shutout and a game that would spare him a tremendous amount of angst at Shea Stadium as he went on to become a bit of a disappointment for the Mets.

MORE:

• Paul O'Neill Sends 'Em Packing
• Hot Topic: More Disappointing?
• Clemens Infuriates Piazza

Memorable Subway Series Moments: Paul Bunyan

Friday night's game was postponed because of rain, so the New York Yankees and New York Mets will rekindle their infamous crosstown rivalry in the annual Subway Series on Saturday. Although neither team is doing particularly well at the moment, you can bet that the desire to own New York bragging rights will be enough to motivate each team to give it their all ... and then some.

Over the next few days, I'll be taking a look back at some of the more memorable and historic events that have occurred during the Subway Series.

Memorable Subway Series Moment No. 2: O'Neill sends 'em packing.

The New York Yankees and New York Mets met at Shea Stadium for the very first time in June of 1998. The game was hyped nationally and the five boroughs were in an uproar. And as only New York sports franchises can do, they lived up to every bit of the hype.

The game went back-and-forth for six innings before Paul O'Neill came to the plate in the top of the seventh. Trailing 4-3 with two men on base, Mets coach Bobby Valentine opted to bring in reliever Mel Rojas to face the left-hander -- something that seemed like a smart decision at the time, since lefties were batting .182 against him on the season.

However, hopes were crushed almost immediately. On the very first pitch of the at-bat, O'Neill took a hanging forkball deep to left-center field. The Yankees bench quickly jumped to the top step and as the ball barely sailed over the wall, they began celebrating as only the Bronx Bombers can.

Almost simultaneously, large crowds of Mets fans began to leave the stadium as the Yankees fans in the upper decks showered them with song.

Na, na, na, na! Na, na, na, na! Hey, hey! Goodbye!

MORE:

• Does X Mark the Spot?
• Clemens Spitballs Broken Bat at Piazza
• Picture Memorable Moments

Liberty Ready for Season Opener

It's been almost a year since the Liberty pounded The Garden hardwood, but they're locked and loaded and ready for Sunday's season opener.

MORE:

• The WNBA Cares
• Let the Games Begin
• Rookies Get Their Chance

MSG, NY Hot Topic: Disappointing New York Baseball

Want to speak your mind about the big issues in the world of sports? Here's your chance!

TODAY'S HOT TOPIC:

Which team has been more disappointing this season: the Mets or Yankees?

Post your thoughts in the comments section below and tune in to MSG,NY to see if your response is featured.

MORE:

• Willie's on the Hot Seat
• Yankees in a No-Lose Situation
• MSG, NY Hot Topic: Which Joe?

Debating Joba's Antics

On the eve of the first leg of the 2008 Subway Series, I sought out my Met-loving friend, Ricky Vaughn, for some rival banter.

Rabinowitz says: you ready for the Yankees to trounce your Mets? It's Joba's first Subway Series and he's gonna mow you guys down

Ricky says: joba is a hack

Rabinowitz says: yeah, so that's why he just struck out the side the other night and is one of the most, if not THE most, dominant setup men in the majors

Ricky says: oooo, let me convulse around the mound after getting a meaningless out in a 6-3 game

Rabinowitz says: you're just jealous because most of your relievers have been horrible ... you wish you had Joba on your staff

Ricky says: i wish i had his talent, not his antics

Rabinowitz says: yeah, like his celebrations are so awful

Ricky says: what has Joba ever really accomplished anyway ... go ahead, use bugs as an excuse

Rabinowitz says: all I'm hearing from you is, "joba, joba ... blah, blah, blah ... i'm jealous"

Ricky says: i don't have any pipe dreams about Joba Chamberlain being the best JC since Jesus tho

Rabinowitz says: as long as he's as intimidating as Joba the Hut setting up for Rivera, then closing when he retires, I'm fine with that

Rabinowitz says: i can't say he'll be an ace pitcher ... but then again, johan started as a reliever

Ricky says: but joba the hut was a fat mess who choked to death

Rabinowitz says: so what, he was intimidating, and that's the point

MORE:

• Which Team Has Been More Disappointing?
• Billy Wagner Rips Into His Teammates Again
• Yankees Have No Choice But to Win