Colin Linneweber's New York Yankees fan blog

Washington Nationals right-handed pitcher Stephen Strasburg made his spring training debut Tuesday in a 9-4 loss to the Detroit Tigers in Viera, Fla. 

Strasburg, who was selected by the Nationals with the number one overall pick out of San Diego State University in the 2009 Major League Baseball (MLB) Draft, fanned two batters in two scoreless innings before the was relieved. 

Despite his solid statistics, the former Aztecs standout struggled a tad with his command. 

In total, Strasburg managed to throw only 15 of his 27 pitches for strikes. 

“Command really wasn’t there, but I think a lot of that had to do with the adrenaline going on,” said Strasburg, 21, who signed a record four-year contract worth $15.1 million with Washington this past August. “It’s something that happens to me every time – even in college, even in high school. That first outing, there’s all this excitement and it’s really difficult to control the adrenaline and make sure you’re staying nice and relaxed.” 

Continue reading "Stephen Strasburg Will Be a Top-Ten Pitcher This Season"

Baseball Hall of Famer Goose Gossage claimed this past weekend that New York Yankees icon Mariano Rivera is not the best relief pitcher in the history of Major League Baseball (MLB).

“I think he (Rivera) is a tremendous relief pitcher,” said Gossage, a nine-time All-Star who played his last game for the Seattle Mariners in 1994. “He’s the best, current-day, modern reliever. When I was inducted into the Hall of Fame, I was told that I had 53 saves with seven-plus outs. I was told that Mariano had one and Trevor Hoffman had two. So, I think that says it in a nutshell.”

Gossage, who retired with a record of 124-107 and a 3.01 ERA, is an utter “nut” to even insinuate that he is a better pitcher than Mariano Rivera is.

Rivera, a 10-time All-Star selection and instrumental piece of five championship teams, has recorded 526 saves with a miniscule 2.25 ERA since he made his professional debut for the Yankees in May 1995.

Continue reading "Goose Gossage Wasn't Half The Pitcher That Mariano Rivera Is"

WBO world welterweight champion Manny “Pac-Man” Pacquiao will defend his crown versus former IBF welterweight titlist “The Hitter” Joshua Clottey Saturday at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington.

Pacquiao (50-3-2, 38 KOs) was initially scheduled to fight “Pretty Boy” Floyd Mayweather (40-0, 25 KOs) on the identical date.

Unfortunately, the two childish camps were ridiculously unable to agree to terms on a matchup that was expected to pay both prizefighter’s in excess of $30 million.

So, after the Pacquiao-Mayweather showdown disintegrated, Top Rank boxing promoter Bob Arum quickly arranged a fight for his client versus Clottey (35-3, 20 KOs).

Pacquiao, 31, the first boxer to win seven world titles in seven different weight divisions, deserves his rating by

Continue reading "Joshua Clottey will be a worthy adversary for Manny Pacquiao"

WBC light welterweight champion Devon Alexander defeated Juan “Iron Twin” Urango by an eighth round TKO to successfully defend his crown and capture the IBF title Saturday night at the Mohegan Sun in Uncansville, Connecticut.  

Alexander (20-0, 13 KOs) was narrowly leading Urango (22-3-1, 17 KOs) on the judge’s scorecards before he rocked “Iron Twin” with a thunderous uppercut in the eighth round. 

Urango, 29, courageously managed to get off the canvas despite being obviously dazed. 

However, Alexander landed yet another vicious uppercut on Urango moments later and the referee halted the contest with a tad more than a minute remaining in the fateful round. 

“Our whole training camp we practiced that uppercut,” said Alexander, 23, a three-time PAL national champion who hails from the gritty streets of St. Louis. “Speed kills. I had too much speed for him.” 

Continue reading "Devon Alexander Will Be the Best Pound-For-Pound Boxer within Five Years"

Former WBO heavyweight champion Tommy “The Duke” Morrison was arrested on suspicion of marijuana possession Thursday evening in Wichita, Kan.  

Morrison (48-3-1, 42 KOs), who defeated George Foreman (76-5, 68 KOs) in June 1993 to capture his title, previously served 14 months in the pen after he was convicted on drugs and weapons charges in 1999.

Morrison, the owner of an impressive combined professional and amateur record of 343-24-1, was an enormously powerful puncher and he seemed destined for greatness as a prizefighter during the formative stages of his career. 

“The Duke,” already popular among fans because of his entertaining fighting style, gained even more prominence once he starred as Rocky Balboa’s opponent in the 1990 film

Continue reading "Former Rocky Balboa Opponent Busted For Reefer"

The New York Jets acquired San Diego Chargers cornerback Antonio Cromartie in exchange for a third-round pick in the 2011 draft Thursday evening. 

In order to make room for Cromartie, the Jets released disappointing cornerback Lito Sheppard. 

Cromartie, 25, who the Chargers selected with the 19th overall pick in the 2006 NFL Draft out of Florida State University, was an All-Pro selection in 2007. 

At his best, Cromartie is an elite shutdown corner who can easily blanket any receiver in the league with his blazing speed. 

Unfortunately for Jets fans, Cromartie is also a pathetic tackler who has more personal issues than Lindsay Lohan. 

Cromartie reportedly has fathered seven children in five different states and he has been named in a minimum of five paternity suits. 

Continue reading "On March 4, the New York Jets managed to get closer to playing in Super Bowl XLV at Cowboys Stadium on February 6, 2011"

WBO world welterweight champion Manny “Pac-Man” Pacquiao will defend his crown versus Joshua “The Hitter” Clottey March 13 at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington. 

Pacquiao (50-3-2, 38 KOs), the first boxer in history to win seven world titles in seven different weight divisions, made it clear this week that he is not overlooking the formidable Clottey (35-3, 20 KOs). 

“Joshua Clottey is taller and bigger than me, and you can not underestimate him,” said Pacquiao, 31. “Because he is a former world champion also.” 

Nevertheless, Pacquiao and members of his camp couldn’t resist the urge to chastise “Pretty Boy” Floyd Mayweather, Jr. (40-0, 25 KOs) for the disintegration of their proposed March 13 showdown over drug testing protocol for the fight. 

Continue reading "Manny Pacquiao would never "wipe the ring with Floyd Mayweather""

WBA welterweight super champion “Sugar” Shane Mosley is scheduled to battle undefeated “Pretty Boy” Floyd Mayweather May 1 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
 
However, the two pugilists nearly fought Tuesday during a publicity tour for their bout at the Nokia Theater in New York City.
 
Granted, the dustup between Mosley (46-5-1, 39 KOs) and Mayweather (40-0, 25 KOs) appeared to be staged and as authentic as Pamela Anderson’s breasts.
 
Nevertheless, it is quite evident that there is genuine animosity between Mosley and Mayweather.
 
“He may be the champ, but we all know belts don’t do nothing but collect dust,” said Mayweather, 33, the winner of six world boxing championships in five different weight classes. “I’m in the check-cashing business, baby.”

Continue reading "The Mayweather vs. Mosley fight was as real as Pam Anderson's breasts"

WBO world welterweight champion Manny “Pac-Man” Pacquiao’s adviser said Wednesday that his fighter does not have an injured leg and he is prepared to battle Joshua “The Hitter” Clottey March 13 at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington. 

“It’s nothing serious, just cramps,” said Michael Knocz. “Relax, don’t worry. He’ll (Pacquiao) be ready for the fight.” 

Pacquiao (50-3-2, 38 KOs), Ring Magazine’s number one pound-for-pound boxer in the world, has long been regarded as one of the elite prizefighter’s in the sport. 

However, Pacquiao’s recent demolitions of solid scrappers Miguel Cotto (34-2, 27 KOs), Ricky Hatton (45-2, 32 KOs), and Oscar De La Hoya (39-6, 30 KOs) have elevated his status to a newfound level of superiority. 

Continue reading "Manny Pacquiao's injured leg is "nothing serious" and "he'll be ready" to fight Joshua Clottey"

The 2010 NFL Draft will commence on Thursday, April 22, at Radio City Music Hall in New York City. 

In tribute to the upcoming draft, below are the five best  number one overall selections made by franchises over the course of the past quarter-century.  

1)      Peyton Manning (Quarterback)- The Indianapolis Colts chose Manning out of the University of Tennessee with the top selection in the 1998 draft. 

Manning, a four-time AP NFL MVP and five-time First-Team All-Pro selection, led the Colts to a 29-17 victory over the Chicago Bears in Super Bowl XLI. 

Manning, who was voted onto the NFL 2000s All-Decade team, was named the game’s Most Valuable Player after he completed 25 of 38 passes for 247 yards and a touchdown. 

Continue reading "The Five Best NFL First Overall NFL Draft Picks"