Game Face

(Photo by AP)

My, what a short memory NFL fans and analysts seem to have. As Brett Favre dominates headlines and talk radio, it seems everyone is blinded by his great 2007 season -- a perfect point, I thought, for No. 4 to make a graceful exit.

It seems many assume that with Favre at the controls, the Packers would be assured a return trip to the playoffs – maybe even a Super Bowl berth. But being widely overlooked is the fact that during the two seasons prior to 2007, Favre looked like an aging, declining quarterback.

That is something the Jets, too, should consider if they are indeed serious about trading for the three-time MVP.

In 2005, Favre threw the most interceptions of his career, 29 – that was 12 more than any other quarterback that season. He also posted a career-low quarterback rating of 70.9 – 31st best in the NFL.

In 2006, Favre’s QB rating improved only slightly, to 72.7. To put that into perspective, he was ranked 25th among NFL quarterbacks – just behind Chicago’s Rex Grossman, whom Bears fans clamored all season for the team to bench, and just ahead of Charlie Frye, who the Browns discarded last year in a trade with Seattle. That season, Favre also had his lowest completion percentage since becoming an NFL starter – 56 percent.

In those two seasons, the Packers were a combined 12-20.

Yes, Favre rebounded with a remarkable 2007 season, and it was a great story. But common sense says that quarterbacks don’t get better with age. His plunging production in 2005-06 was probably more indicative of the direction Favre’s play is headed, while 2007 was a shining aberration.

The Packers likely realize what most of the country seems to be ignoring: there’s too great of a chance that Favre will return to his 2005-06 form and statistically rank among the worst starting quarterbacks. So why not invest in their future (Aaron Rodgers) instead of living in their past (Favre)?

My weekly fantasy football column returns to amNewYork on Wednesday. This week's topic: Young players who are likely to be selected in the second half of fantasy drafts and who might be ripe for a breakout season. Basically, a very specific group of sleepers.

Here's the column: http://www.amny.com/sports/am-fantasy0730,0,586182.story

Of the six I mentioned, I most like Steelers running back Rashard Mendenhall (pictured at right carrying veteran players' equipment this week). If he indeed gets 40 percent of Pittsburgh's workload and goal-line carries, he'll make a nice No. 3 running back on your team or an excellent No. 4 back.

Here are a few other late-round sleepers I like that didn't make the article:

Aaron Rodgers, QB, Green Bay -- He knows the offense well, seems very mature, has looked good in limited action and has a good cast of supporting characters around him.

Felix Jones, RB, Dallas -- He's not expected to see as many touches as Julius Jones did, but he should be a significant part of the Cowboys' offense, making him a legit No. 4 running back.

Steve Smith, WR, Giants -- Amani Toomer will soon be 34, Plaxico Burress always seems to be battling some injury, and Smith has plenty of upside.

Keep checking Game Face throughout the season for fantasy "extras" that don't make the paper, including this Friday, when I post my player rankings. Also, I would love to make the column and these blog posts more interactive, so if you have any questions or comments, please feel free to e-mail them to me at ryan.chatelain@am-ny.com (or post a comment below).

(Photo by AP)

(Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images)

The Knicks just announced that a 2010 second-round draft choice, guard Taurean Green and guard/forward Bobby Jones have been acquired from Denver for forward Renaldo Balkman and cash considerations.
Somebody explain this to me.
It doesn't seem plausible that the Knicks feared what Balkman, a versatile, energetic reserve, would demand from the Knicks once his contract was up in 2011. Perhaps the Knicks see more in Green and Jones — two sub-mediocre NBAers — than I do. Perhaps the 2010 second rounder will turn into a Nick Van Exel steal.
Somebody explain this to me.

— Max

Oliver Perez is on fire.
Today, the lefty helped the Mets leapfrog Philadelphia in the NL East by allowing one run in 7 2-3 innings and striking out 12 in the Mets 3-1 win over the Phillies at Shea.
In his last five starts, Perez has allowed just five earned runs over 33 2-3 innings, while striking out 39.
The Mets might want to consider resigning him after all.
— Pete Catapano

Who didn’t see this coming? Despite what was said publicly, it’s been obvious for at least six months that the Giants and Jeremy Shockey wanted to sever ties from each other.

A deal to send the disgruntled tight end to New Orleans would have been completed by draft day, but general manager Jerry Reese refused to let the Giants sell Shockey at a bargain-basement price. For all his faults, Shockey, after all, is still among the most talented tight ends in football when healthy.

This is the kind of trade that could work out well for both sides.

Shockey will be reunited with former Giants offensive coordinator Sean Payton, now head coach of the Saints. He gets a fresh start and will instantly become an integral part in one of the NFL’s most explosive offenses.

The Giants, meanwhile, receive New Orleans’ second- and fifth-round draft choices in 2009. Even more important, they rid themselves of a locker-room cancer and an on-field crybaby, one who many blame for stunting the development of Eli Manning.

But one major question lingers for Big Blue: Is Kevin Boss truly a starting-quality tight end? Looks like we’ll find out.

Photo by Getty Images

If you turn on the tube right now, all you'll see is cars going in circles:

-ABC: IndyCar racing
-NBC: LeMans racing
-FOX: Formula 1 racing

3 different car races, and none of them are even NASCAR!

The major network holdout is CBS, which at the moment in NYC is showing an informercial for... bicycles.

Our buddies over at ESPN seem to wanna get in on the ratings-killing trend for the day, they're showing bowling.

How many days till NFL preseason games?

The skies are blue, birds are chirping, and everything seems to be clicking for the New York Mets, winners of their last 10 games and now co-leaders of the National League East.

But all is not as well as it appears. Here is what their starting lineup looked like last night in their win against the Cincinnati Reds:

Jose Reyes SS
Endy Chavez RF
David Wright 3B
Carlos Beltran CF
Damion Easley 2B
Carlos Delgado 1B
Fernando Tatis LF
Brian Schneider C
Johan Santana P

This has pretty much been their lineup, with a few exceptions, during the entirety of their win streak. While their pitching has been lights out, their offense certainly hasn't let them down either. Let's compare this lineup, however, to the one they fielded on opening day:

Jose Reyes SS
Luis Castillo 2B
David Wright 3B
Carlos Beltran CF
Carlos Delgado 1B
Angel Pagan LF
Ryan Church RF
Brian Schneider C
Johan Santana P

Luis Castillo is currently rehabbing an injury. Angel Pagan, who was replacing an already injured Moises Alou, is also on the DL and shows no signs of returning soon. Alou has been on and off the disabled list all year; his season and quite possibly his career are over. Ryan Church has suffered from several different injuries, including a serious concussion, and it remains to be seen how much, if anything, he can contribute to this team. Not even Trot Nixon, signed mid-season, is healthy enough to play right now.

While losing Castillo is certainly not a positive thing, Easley (and more recently Argenis Reyes) has filled that gap in nicely. Fernando Tatis and Endy Chavez have both performed well above expectation, but with their recent run to the top of the division, the Mets have a decision to make in regards to their outfield.

-- Tim Fiorvanti
(click below to continue)

By Emily Ngo

At 74 and 77, Hank Aaron and Willie Mays are far too old to play nine innings of baseball.

But at a town hall edition of “Costas Now,” filmed last night at NYU's Skirball Center, the two legends proved they are never too old to talk baseball ... for hours.

Aaron and Mays, arguably history’s greatest athletes, shared stories of their Negro league days, the blatant discrimination they faced in the major leagues and even admitted they can’t keep track of this generation’s young players. (Mays didn't recognize the Phillies' Jimmy Rollins.)

Aaron said he had no problem with the controversial Barry Bonds overtaking his home run record, but asked that Bonds carry the honor “with dignity” as Aaron had.

Workers spray the Yankee Stadium field Wednesday morning. The reset scoreboard tells the time: 2:08 a.m. Several on-air media members were on the field recording live hits and standups.

The floor of the AL dugout at Yankee Stadium just after 2 a.m. Wednesday morning. (Photos by Max)

The long National nightmare is not over.
Far from it. If anything, it’s more scary than ever.
Texas’ Michael Young hit a sacrifice fly to right in the bottom of the 15th inning, scoring Minnesota’s Justin Morneau to extend the American League’s unbeaten streak to 12 years with a 4-3 win All-Star game at Yankee Stadium last night.
The game was the longest All-Star game ever at 4 hours, 50 minutes.
Good night ... or good morning.

— Max

Maybe if I write a blog entry someone will score and break this 3-3 tie. It nearly happened here in the bottom of the 11th — at 12:23 p.m. EST — but adroit Pittsburgh outfielder Nate McClouth threw out Evan Longoria at home plate.
That's not to say this game hasn't been exciting. We've just seen a great deal of missed opportunities.
Now we go to the top of the 12th inning with no end in sight. I would curl up here with cup of cocoa and settle in with my media friends in the loge seating area, but I already did.
Mmm.
3-3 is the score ... for ever more?

Here is my amazing game story, if this ASG were to end right now, after six quick innings.

By Max J. Dickstein
amNewYork
The long National nightmare is over.
Matt Holliday slapped a home run to right field in the fifth inning and Hanley Ramirez scored on a Lance Berkman sacrifice fly in the sixth to stake the National League to a 2-0 win in Yankee Stadium's grand swan song last night.
The National League had not beaten the American League since 1996, and now its World Series representative will have home field advantage this October.
The scoreless tie through four innings came despite five total hits. The last All-Star Game that was scoreless through four innings was in 1990 at Wrigley Field in Chicago.
Derek Jeter singled in the first and then stole second — the Yankee shortstop’s first steal in nine All-Star appearances.
Alex Rodriguez left via substitution after four innings.

I'm binoculating tonight. I brought my lovelies and they're affording me enhanced views of tonight's game. The impressions of a television camera are probably better visually, but at least the points of view I choose through my binoculars are self-generated. Like when A-Rod and Derek Jeter were playing a very long-range game of catch from backstop (Rodriguez) to behind first-base (Jeter) before the game. Through my binoculars, I watched the ball snap from their hands, hang and drift in the stadium's pocket of air and then reach glove.
Dustin Pedroia just hit a deep fly ball to center to end the second inning. Joe Saunders is relieving Cliff Lee (2 innings, 1 hit, no walks, three strikeouts, 20 pitches, 16 strikes) to start the third inning. Scoreless tie.
Sarah Jessica Parker — SJP — up in here to announce an MLB cancer initiative. She's in tight black pants and she keeps swinging her left foot behind her right heel in an adorable way. I do not need binoculars to see this sweet motion, but I choose to use them.

New Line Cinema Premieres "Sex and the City: The Movie" - Inside Arrivals
NEW YORK - MAY 27: Actors Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick attend the premiere of 'Sex and the City: The Movie' at Radio City Music Hall on May 27, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images)

Damn you, Broderick!

— Max

An august assemblage if ever there was one. Forty-nine baseball Hall of Famers, on the pitch of Yankee Stadium, and paired with tonight’s starters. Even to a casual baseball fan such as myself, words fail, my friends. Yogi Berra, Ryne Sandberg, Willie Mays, Dave Winfield, Wade Boggs up in this piece.

NBA's 50 Greatest Players
CLEVELAND - FEBRUARY 8: The Fifty Greatest NBA players poses during a photo shoot during the 1997 NBA All-Star Weekend at Gund Arena on February 8, 1997 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Copyright 1997 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)

There hasn’t been assemblage like this since the NBA turned 50 in 1997 and everyone had one those unforgettable white leather-sleeved jackets. Except Shaq —he missed the event because of some film promotion in Los Angeles, as I recall. Maybe he got a jacket. But he didn't deserve it. He'd only been in the NBA for like five seasons by then and was a serious stretch for the team. Then he lows off this historic event in Cleveland to promote "Shazaam" or some such thing.
By the way, I'm back in the loge press area tonight, and I'm entering blog news and views as I did last night for the Home Run Derby.
First pitch was a 8:47 p.m. American League starter Cliff Lee mowed down the first three NL batters, then NL starter Ben Sheets stranded Derek Jeter at second (single and a steal) by getting A-Rod to tip a ball up and into the catcher's mitt for the third out. Second inning, 82 degrees, Yankee Stadium.

— Max

NEW YORK - JULY 14: Justin Morneau of the Minnesota Twins holds the trophy for the 2008 MLB All-Star State Farm Home Run Derby at Yankee Stadium on July 14, 2008 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)

NEW YORK - JULY 14: Josh Hamilton of the Texas Rangers reacts after comming in second place during the 2008 MLB All-Star State Farm Home Run Derby at Yankee Stadium on July 14, 2008 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

The greatest thing Josh Hamilton gave the crowd tonight was his soaring first-round performance in the Home Run Derby at Yankee Stadium.
Never mind that Hamilton came up nearly empty in the final round, following his 32 first-round home runs with just 3 blasted souvenirs in the final and losing to Justin Morneau.
Minnesota's Morneau had 17 home runs in the first round — barley more than half of Hamilton's total. But Morneau needed just five home runs in the final round to earn the trophy, which he accepted before only the sparsest remainder of the hordes that had thrilled to Hamilton, the golden runner-up.
"I was lucky it got reset after the first two rounds," Morneau said sort of sheepishly of Hamilton's gripping 28-run outing. "That was one of the best performances I've ever seen."
So congratulations Justin for hanging on for a credible win, and, Josh, thanks for the thrills. See you in a Yankee uniform in about three years. Who cares that you lost?
Okay, that's probably all for the blogging tonight. I hope I offered you as few links as possible.
Now I'm going to go ride my bike home to north Brooklyn. It was great to spend an evening in the Bronx, when our fine northerly borough took a night to really shine on the city.
See you back here tomorrow night.
I'd better leave before a broom-wielder comes and sweeps me under the seat.
Night.

— Max

(Getty Images)

Even before the finals, which begin after the State Farm "Call Your Shot" promotion, Josh Hamilton has accomplished five things I'd like to note:

1) He pretty much locked up a 2008 Home Run Derby title in one towering round.
2) He’s made himself and excellent candidate for the Yankees to target and somehow pry from Texas, as the Bombers did with Alex Rodriguez when they traded for A-Rod on February 15, 2004.
3) He has turned in one of the top All-Star skill event performances in the history of any professional American sports league (up there with Dwight Howard and Vince Carter’s Slam Dunk performances, or Larry Bird's 3-point contest, for example).
4) He has made Justin Morneau, a pretty good slugger and his opponent in the final, pretty much an afterthought.
5) Finally, Hamilton has made the Home Run Derby worthy of the high cost for tickets to this pre-All-Star Game event.

— Max

(Courtesy bhphotovideo.com)

What’s far out is knowing that I own a terrific pair of binoculars.
I’m going to throw a link right up here for you: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/488933-USA/Nikon_7253_7x35_Action_Binocular_Black_.html . So I guess Click Here to go to that web page.
I own those puppies. Bought them at B&H several months ago.
If, say, Texas Ranger Josh Hamilton were to scorch a tightly spun vessel up into the night and down quickly into right field for his fourth home run against only 3 outs (out of 10), it’s cool to see that action through a great set of glasses like those.
Now it's 10 home runs and still just 6 outs made!
He's the outright first-round leader now!
Now, he's friggin' taken over the all-time home run hitting mark for this event.
Bobby Abreu hit 24 home runs in 2005, in the first-round.
Now Josh Hamilton, with a constant grin and a stadium crowd in his corner, has belted 28 home runs before making his ninth out. He hit a bunch in a row with 8 outs. I'll find out how many.
Hamilton is already in 10th place all-time in the Home Run Derby home run list.
But the point is, hey, bring your binoculars.
I DID NOT FOLLOW THAT ADVICE.
I am without binocs.
Aaaah.

— Max

Welcome to Monday evening at Yankee Stadium.
With amNewYork's sports editor, Max J. Dickstein.
That's me. I'll be observing and writing this evening.
The first four big batters have not abused the ball much yet in the first round.
Lance Berkman was just up at No. 5. He just passed Dan Uggla and Grady Sizemore with his 8 big flies. Those first two hitters had set the standard at hitting in the No. 1 and No. 2 spots, slugging 6 home runs each. Chase Utley (5) and Evan Longoria (3) are pretty much goners now.

— Max

Okay, okay. Here's the A-Rod news you're starving for:

Alex Rodriguez sooo amused while practicing fielding today at Yankee Stadium (Getty Images)

By RACHEL COHEN
AP Sports Writer
NEW YORK (AP) — The first Madonna reference came about 10 minutes in.
Alex Rodriguez didn't snarl or duck away. He answered with the same relaxed expression and casual tone he used to describe the honor of playing in the final All-Star game at Yankee Stadium.
His personal life has been splashed across the local tabloids in recent weeks, but Rodriguez insisted he doesn't resent such intrusions, that he has learned to embrace "the gift and the curse" of sports stardom.
"You have to take the good with the bad and not take yourself too seriously," he explained later. "I think that's the one thing that over the first four or five years (in New York), I kept knocking myself over the head, and trying to re-explain myself.
"If this gentleman asked me that question, I probably would've been here for three or four hours trying to explain my personal life — and kind of made an ass out of myself, really."
Rodriguez appeared determined to not make a, um, fool of himself Monday when the All-Stars met the media, each seated at podiums scattered across a hotel ballroom. Nobody drew as many reporters and cameras as the Yankees third baseman, who had about two dozen people pressed around him for the entire 50-minute session.

It's the final countdown to tomorrow night's All-Star game at Yankee Stadium, and in just one of many events around town to help you pass the time until the starting pitch - former Yankees captain Don Mattingly will be in Manhattan today to take a group of NYC kids on a tour of the
Sports Museum of America at 26 Broadway at 11:15 a.m.

Other events today:

Yesterday was an interesting day for the Cowboys QB. He fell into a pond on the first hole at the American Century Celebrity Golf Championship at Lake Tahoe.

Maybe he was distracted by the gallery, which looked like this as he was teeing off:

He can't even escape the critics in Nevada. Probably a good thing that it wasn't held in New York.

-- Tim Fiorvanti

With the All-Star game just 6 days away, voting for the final member of each league's team has seen an overwhelming turnout.

23.2 million votes have already been cast, but it's not too late to vote one more representative each to your hometown teams.

Mets third baseman David Wright is up against outfielders Corey Hart, Pat Burrell, Aaron Rowand, and Carlos Lee on the NL side. Yankees slugger Jason Giambi is trying to beat out Rays infielder Evan Longoria, White Sox outfielder Jermaine Dye, Brian Roberts of the Orioles and Jose Guillen of the Royals.

You can vote here, and there is no limit to the amount of times you can cast your ballot for your favorite players.

-- Tim Fiorvanti

Since the Yanks are playing this afternoon, the YES network will be taking a step back in time to show the last midsummer classic played in the stadium in 1977, tonight.

Taking a look at the box score from the game, here's some observations:

• NL starter Don Sutton pitched three innings. Nowadays, pitchers throw one at the most

Rich Gossage

• The game ended in a duel between Yankee closers. Then-closer Sparky Lyle and Rich Gossage, who was at the Pirates at the time but would be on the Bombers the following season.

• AL starter Jim Palmer got rocked, allowing five runs and three HRs in just two innings.

• Yankee 2B Willie Randolph played the whole game, going 1-for-5 with one RBI

— Pete Catapano

Yankee great Don Mattingly will be sitting on Joe Torre's side in the Dodgers' dugout as hitting coach, the Los Angeles Times reports.

Mattingly signed for the job in the off-season, but resigned before the season started because of marital problems.

The deal isn't done yet, and he likely wouldn't start until July 17.
— Pete Catapano

Despite the ’stache, Jason Giambi is still behind on the web vote to be named the last player added to the AL All-Star roster.
According to MLB.com, Milwaukee outfielder Corey Hart and Tampa Bay third baseman Evan Longoria were holding slim leads, while fans turn out in record numbers. Yankee fans, there's till time to get the ’stache in the game. You can vote at MLB.com.
— Pete Catapano

Olympic trial season always makes me think back to the 1992 Dan and Dave Reebok commercials, which ended up being one of the most embarrassing ad campaigns ever after Dan O'Brien failed to qualify for the Olympic team. Doh!

30 statues of Lady Liberty splashed with paint have popped up all around town, but it's not random acts of vandalism.

With the All-Star Game coming to Yankee Stadium July 15th, Major League Baseball commissioned artist Stephen Holland to create replicas of the Statue of Liberty, adorned with the colors of each MLB team.

Check out all the photos and find your favorite team here--our faves are the Pirates and the Oakland A's.

See where all the statues are