JETER THE CHEATER

By Tony Mangia

YANKEES "ACT" LIKE WINNERS

Much is being made of a Yankee not being "hit-by-a-pitch" last night against the Tampa Bay Rays. All the fuss about the phantom plunk would be a moot point if it wasn't for the fact that it was between two teams battling for supremacy in the AL East and more importantly that the incident involved Mr. Plays the Game the Right Way and The Captain, Derek Jeter.

Jeter's acting job highlighted the play-off atmosphere down in St. Petersburg and almost won the game for the reeling Yankees and did cause Rays' manager Joel Maddon to get tossed from the game for rightfully arguing the call! It would've been a real point of contention if a two-run homer later in the seventh hadn't won the game for Tampa Bay. Let the instant replay debate begin...again.

Jeter admitted after the game that ball didn't hit him and all the histrionics were caused by "vibration and acting." The ball actually hit the knob of the bat as Jeter spun away from the pitch. "He (the umpire) told me to go to first; I'm not telling him I'm not going to first," said Jeter. "It's part of the game. I've been hit before and they said you weren't hit. It goes both ways."

What Jeter did get hit with is criticism. The player that kids look up to had finally shown a chink in his armor. The high-profile Yankee dates celebrities, plays in the world's biggest media center and had not, up to now, shown any blemishes. This incident showed a blackhead on his character and Jeter Haters have jumped all over it. It's like the day Joe DiMaggio showed fans he had emotions and, after popping up with the winning run on base, kicked up dirt while approaching second base in the 1947 World Series. Everyone found out later that "Mr. Coffee" was just a grouchy old man inside the frame of a young, talented ballplayer.

Jeter might have gone all DeNiro last night after flexing his acting chops in last summer's movie "The Other Guys". Oh...you didn't see the latest Will Ferrell romp? If you've seen "Old School" you've seen them all. Others say the shortstop's batting slump has Jeter so desperate to get on base he would shame himself and his reputation just to see what standing on first base is like again.

I say Jeter took one for the team. The ball brushed his uniform, the umpire saw that and Jeter took his base as instructed. Outfielders get away with scooped-up balls all the time. Nobody turns it into sports talk fodder. Let's all learn from the lesson here. The next time a snotty cashier at the Duane Reade register forgets to swipe your Axe body scrub...don't tell them!

Gang Green Feeling Blue

By Tony Mangia

RAVENS PUMMEL JETS

All of the trash talking in the world doesn't win games. The New York Jets learned that the hard way after the team--a watered-down version of their opponents-- took it hard on the chin and lost to the Baltimore Ravens 10-9 last night. Don't let the final score fool you. They were completely dominated in every category--including walking the walk.

The Jets smash mouthed their way into the new Meadowlands Stadium with Super Bowl expectations and a stadium they could call their own. Three decades at Giants Stadium and the organization's pathetic attempts to cover up the Giant blue facade with Jet green on game days made the team feel like sub-lettors. Now, the Jets were the home team thanks to the $1.6 billion stadium's color-changing light system.

First the good news. LaDanian Tomlinson gained 62 yards...um...that's it. What can you say about a team that has more than twice as many penalties as first downs! New cornerbacks Antonio Cromartie and Kyle Wilson were responsible for six first downs alone--on penalties! Newly signed Derrelle Revis held his own but for the rest of the defensive backfield it was a nightmare. All Ravens QB Joe Flacco had to do was toss up the ball and if Anquan Boldin didn't snatch it chances were good a Jets DB would get an interference call.

FROM HARD KNOCKS TO TOUGH NOOGIES

The Jets joined last season's summer training camp television stars the Dallas Cowboys as the new, over-hyped media darlings. Head coach Rex Ryan and his obscenity-laced speeches can't hide the fact that the Jets are undisciplined on defense and the offense is suspect. Fourteen penalties and 1-of-11 on third down conversions don't tell the whole story. It was fitting that any chance for some Jets last minute heroics ended after Sanchez hit Dustin Keller who timidly stepped out of bounds a yard before the first down marker. It was as if he was mercifully putting the Jets out of their misery.

Even the loud-mouth Ryan was humbled after the mauling and said little about the game at his press conference. He did comment about the controversy with Mexican television reporter Ines Sainz. "We never want anybody to feel uncomfortable around our team," the coach said regarding the locker room antics of some Jet players and the sexy reporter. He could have been talking about Jets fans as well. It's a good thing Sainz doesn't do her reporting on the tower ramps leading into the stands. Just imagine what hundreds of beered-up, angry Jetsies would say to the demure correspondent--in Spanish and English.

J-E-R-K-S! JETS! JETS! JETS!

By Tony Mangia

Jets Players Get Offensive With Reporter

A female sports reporter for TV Azteca of Mexico has complained she was harassed with catcalls and sexist remarks at the New York Jets training camp by team players. Now NFL Commissioner Roger Goodall has stepped in and demanded answers from the players and coaches accused of the improper conduct.

Ines Sainz, 32, a former Miss Universe was at the New Jersey camp to interview quarterback Mark Sanchez. Sainz accused some players of throwing footballs at her feet and making rude comments so nasty she wanted to "cover my ears."

The reporter who calls herself "the hottest sports reporter in Mexico" and has appeared in numerous bikini photo spreads tweeted "I am in the locker room of the Jets waiting for Mark Sanchez while trying not to look anywhere." Another female reporter backed up Sainz and said Nose tackle Kris Jenkins yelled, "This is our locker room!"

Players were allegedly throwing errant passes in her direction and they whistled at her as she walked away. Linebacker Jason Taylor reportedly asked if he could join in the passing drill to get closer to her. She said she was leered at and blocked as she tried to walk away.

Sainz claims she was dressed conservatively in a button-down shirt and blue jeans and emphasized that they are "in no way inappropriate." She posted a photo on Twitter of herself on the sidelines to prove her point.

Jets' owner Woody Johnson contacted Sainz to get her side of the story and said the team will take "steps necessary to maintain a respectful environment for the media." The Association for Women in Sports Media has contacted the NFL and complained that, "Women in sports media should be treated equally and professionally while working in the locker room."

The Jets prepare for tonight's opening game against the Baltimore Ravens and a team spokesman said the issue was addressed at a team meeting.

NFC East: It's Gonna Be A Bumpy Ride!

By Tony Mangia

BIG BLUE D GETS REVENGE

Last December the New York/New Jersey Giants said goodbye to the old Giants Stadium with an unemotional and uninspiring performance that brought back all the worst team memories of the '60's and '70's. Fans were one Eli Manning incompletion from fond memories of Joe Pisarcik and another one yard gain by Brandon Jacobs from going back to the highlight films of Ron Dayne. Yesterday, the Giants exacted revenge on last years party-crashers, the Carolina Panthers, and if the other division games are any indication, this could be a wild season for the NFC East.

The Giant defense held the vaunted running of Carolina to 89 total yards. Last year the Panthers ran roughshod over the Giants in a 41-9 win while shutting down any life in the Giants offense. This time around it was the Giants who manhandled the opponent for their first victory in the new Meadowlands Stadium. The Giants can now wipe the stench of last year's final game at the old stadium off their uniforms. Head coach, Tom Coughlin called it a "historic first win."

"IT WAS FUN"

Quarterback Manning--who faces his brother Peyton next week--was erratic at first. He finished the game completing 20 of 30 passes for three TDs but his high throws slipped through his receivers hands and produced three interceptions. The sloppy start by the offense almost gave away the game to the Panthers. Only a key end-zone interception by safety Deon Grant saved the G-men before halftime---a tribute to new defensive coach, Perry Fewell's "read and react" coverage plan. The defense held the Panthers to three field goals in which they could have easily scored touchdowns.

Justin Tuck said the "second half was truly fun." The Panthers hapless quarterback, Matt Moore, was pressured all through the final two quarters by the Giants linemen and played catch-up by tossing floaters over the heads of anyone in the team's white jerseys and into the arms of the blue ones. Rookie backup Jimmy Clausen had to come in and clean up for the battered Moore.

WHAT CONTROVERSY?

Giants running back Ahmad Bradshaw showed some flashes of brilliance and spooned some water on the running back brush fire conundrum. Brandon Jacobs jawed all week about being the backup but did nothing to solidify his position. The way the Houston Texans' running game zig-zagged all over the Colts yesterday, next week's game should be a good audition for both backs.

PLAXICO WHO?

The biggest surprise was the three TD catches by wide-out Hakeem Nicks. Manning was able to spread the offense and the wealth to his young receivers. Last season's stud, Steve Smith and Mario Manningham caught 5 and 4 passes respectively. The only stumble for the Giants was the neck injury to Kevin Boss. The tight end is a go-to on third downs and a reliable blocker and the team carries only one replacement TE on the roster.

The new stadium was filled with empty seats. Whole sections were empty. The mezzanine section behind the 50-yard line was sprinkled with a few fans. Who could afford it--PSLs for $12,000 and game tickets at $500. The team announced a paid attendance of 72,245 meaning that over 5,000 tickets were unsold. Unheard of and embarrassing for Giants fans.

WORST THING THAT COULD HAPPEN?

The Philadelphia Eagles got themselves a little problem--a QB controversy. After starting QB Kevin Kolb--who was anointed starter after the team traded longtime Philly QB Donovan McNabb-- got his bell rung, backup Michael Vick finished the second half and almost beat the favored Green Bay Packers. Vick finished his first meaningful game, since being released from prison, with 175 passing and over 100 on the ground. He was tackled a yard away from continuing a game-winning drive. Kolb's injury won't be fully assessed until the NFL doctor's check his concussion. The NFL doesn't play around with those types of head injuries anymore. This could lead to more time for Vick to prove himself. Can't wait for the first Eagles/Redskins game.

The Philadelphia menage a trois saga only gets better after McNabb beat division rival the Dallas Cowboys in a Redskins uniform this time. Something he had a hard time doing in the City Of Brotherly Love. The over-hyped Cowboys imploded on their own. Twelve penalties--including one on the winning score--and a bone-headed fumble led to an unbelievable Redskin touchdown right before the half. Tony Romo seems to be in Jessica Simpson mode again--high expectations, low results.

Football's toughest division--sorry AFC East--does battle again.

Jeter Puts Manhattan Apartment on Market

By Tony Mangia

What Does It Mean?

Yankee fans might be sinking too much thought into Derek Jeter putting his 5,425 square-foot apartment on the market. The listing of the 88th floor penthouse of the Trump World Tower in Turtle Bay has some people wondering if this is the end of the Yankee's captain bachelor days or if the aging shortstop is actually contemplating the possibility of signing on with another team after this season.

Much has been made of Jeter's slide in productivity this season. He's at the end of a 10-year contract and the 36 year-old serial celebrity-dater has not only shown signs of slowing down on the playing field but playing the field as well.

Rumors have been swirling about a wedding to his long-time (for him) girlfriend "Friday Night Lights" actress Minka Kelly, 30 since the Yankees won the 2009 World Series. Last November, some busybody saw the name "Jeter" listed under upcoming events at a prestegious Long Island reception hall and the 'genius' falsely speculated it was the Yankee and gave the paparazzi wet dreams . The only aisle Jeter has walked down yet goes from the locker room to the dugout at Yankee Stadium.

Jeter purchased the high-rise apartment in 2001 for $12.6 million and, according to Trump officials, has it listed for an asking-price of $20 million--or about one year's salary to Jeter.

Chances are slim that Jeter will end up crashing on Mets third baseman David Wright's Flatiron couch or sharing a bachelor pad with Rangers forward Sean Avery. In the off-season he lives in Florida and is building a 30 thousand square-foot waterfront home near Tampa known to the locals as "St. Jetersburg." Jeter also owns homes in Marlboro, N.J. and Greenwood Lake, N.Y.

Fans can probably relax. Jeter will probably be a Yankee for five more years even after this seasons ups and downs. He is probably getting ready to make the big move into the quieter and more comfortable digs of Kelly's West Village place. Gossips predict nuptials in November. Whether or not he stays in the city, Derek Jeter will always be a New Yorker who resides in Florida for tax reasons.

ROAD TRIP

Photos by Tony Mangia

Catchin' Up With New York

By Tony Mangia

New York Sports Recap

A lot can happen over the span of ten days in New York City--and especially when you have not read a newspaper or seen one of the talking heads on ESPN for that time span. I just got back from hiking and rock-climbing in California. In other words, I've gone from the quiet, pristine valleys and waterfalls of Yosemite to the smelly, concrete alleys and tourist-flowing sidewalks of Manhattan. Guess where I'd rather be?

Yosemite's 3000 foot wall of granite called El Capitan is a marvel to behold and the athletes who conquer it are as crazy as they are daring. Speaking of captains, what's up with Derek Jeter? Skeptics are jumping all over the Yankee shortstop's recent slump. He is batting around 50 points below his career average of .314. He is having by far his worst statistical season ever and the 36 year-old is in the final months of his contract. Last week he had four hits in 38 at bats. The player's popularity--with teammates and fans alike--could be tested this winter and create a chasm between Hal Steinbrenner and the aging player wider than, well...a Yosemite canyon. Jeter is, after all, the face of the Yankees and maybe all of baseball.

Optimists expect Jeter to return to clutch form when the playoffs begin and others suggest that the streaky hitter will soon enough start another tear. GM Brian Cashman might be giving thought to moving Jeter to another position or using him as the future DH during contract talks, but has only said "That's for another day, for after the season." Yankee players refuse to discuss the situation as well. There is plenty of talk about moving him to a lower spot in the lineup. Look at it this way, the Yankees have the best record in baseball and Derek Jeter is still a good player. Why change now?

Thanks Boston

One thing I learned about scaling rocks is that it's a lot easier going up than coming down. Ask the Tampa Bay Rays. The weak bats of the Rays continue to haunt the team and a couple of losses to the injury-plagued Red Sox combined with last week's eight game win streak by New York helped the Yankees inch up to a 2 game lead last week.

Meanwhile, Alex Rodriguez made his return from the DL to the team a memorable one. An sacrifice RBI gave the third baseman 100 RBIs for the season. He is the first players to have 14 seasons reaching that total. Pretty impressive considering A-Rod spent a lot 0f games on the DL and hiding from the paparazzi with Cameron Diaz.

Fantasy Island Meets Hard Knocks

The New York Jets, with the recent signing of cornerback Darrelle Revis, have anointed themselves Super Bowl contenders. Owner Woody Johnson and head coach Rex Ryan actually flew down to Revis' Florida home and persuaded the all-pro to sign a 4 year $46 million contract. Word has it that Woody threw Rex out of the meeting and sent him to Revis' hot tub. Revis Island has six days to get into game shape. Hope he's got a life preserver because the first three wide receivers he has to cover are Anquan Boldin, Randy Moss and Brandon Marshall.

When Did The Giants Become Contenders?

Last week's Sports Illustrated scouting report had the New York Giants winning the NFC East Division. Where did this come from? A month ago most pundits had the team looking up at the Redskins. The keys to the season are apparent. On offense the Giants must regain their running game. Ahmad Bradshaw is coming off feet surgery and looked good in the pre-season and Brandon Jacobs must return to his old bruising style. The O line is getting old and one or two injuries could be the team's Achilles Heel and young receivers like Steve Smith must come up big again.

Defensively, look for Justin Tuck to have a big year. Osi Umenyiora seems to gotten over his diva complex and if Linebacker Keith Bulluck and safety Kenny Phillips can return to form after knee surgeries count on solid improvement on the defensive side.

The new Meadowlands Stadium (Giants Stadium) can expect about a dozen home victories this season between the Giants and Jets.


SHORT JABS


Save It For The Video

I'd rather have bedbugs than sit through any match with Maria Sharapova and her porn-style grunting. It's a weird mixture of annoyance and being turned on by her loud bursts of exertion...no, wait...I'm annoyed by it and I'm glad she got bounced from the U.S.Open by Caroline Wozniacki.

I missed the drunk at the Open who started a fight with a woman and her 65 year-old father in the stands. The jackass was loudly cheering the 180th ranked tennis player he bet on. Betting on tennis in the first round? Here's another sure thing--- Angola with 54 points against the USA basketball team.

Cupcake Cities

Everyone likes the mini-treats but when did this cupcake phenomenon begin? Cupcakes are the stars of a dozen television reality shows and their delectable goods seem to dot every block of Manhattan with their $4 red velvet and frosting goodness? Give me a Hostess Snowball any day. The only cupcakes I want to see are Chicago, Jacksonville and Detroit on the New York Giants schedule.