Maybe Warden Samuel Norton said it best in “The Shawshank Redemption” when he saw Andy Dufresne’s cell was empty and uttered the phrase, “Lord, it’s a miracle.” The Knicks pulled off one of the greatest comebacks in their playoff history as they scored the last 8 points of the game in the final 27 seconds to stun the Philadelphia 76ers with an incredible 104-101 win in game two of their first round series at a frenzied Madison Square Garden last night. The World’s Most Famous Arena shook like it felt the earthquake that hit the tri-state area 17 days ago. “There’s been some pretty wild finishe ..read more

The Philadelphia 76ers’ best chance to get past the New York Knicks in the first round of the NBA Eastern Conference playoffs is probably to force other Knicks besides New York’s top star Jalen Brunson to try to beat them. If Brunson is leading the way (as he usually does) with other Knicks chipping in, it will likely be a short series. However, if Brunson is mostly kept in check as he was during the Game 1 meeting between New York and Philadelphia at Madison Square Garden on Saturday evening, the seventh-seeded 76ers may still have a decent prospect of pulling off a series upset over the seco ..read more

Francisco Lindor could not have picked a better time to get his first extra base hit as a left-handed batter. Lindor snapped a 4-4 tie with a huge, two run home run in the seventh inning as the Mets scored a 9-4 win over the Dodgers at Dodger Stadium Friday night for their fifth consecutive win. The Mets have won 11 of 14 since their 0-5 start. They also have five wins in their last six games at Chavez Ravine and are now 5-2 on the road. This game would not qualify for web gems as the teams combined for five errors and it was a throwing error by Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts that helped set u ..read more

Apparently, Mets fans are not believing in this team. The Mets completed 5-1 homestand at Citi Field before thin crowds that was capped Wednesday afternoon with a 9-1 win and a three-game sweep of the Pittsburgh Pirates. Also taking two-of-three from the vastly improved Kansas City Royals shows their resilience and an ability to come from behind. Perhaps a Mets 9-1 win will carry over with a six-game road swing against the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Francisco Giants. Visits to the West Coast have been notorious over the years for killing any early season momentum the Mets may have had at the ..read more

I had my transistor radio and listened to the first of sports talk radio programs when they originated many years prior to the current trend heard today. Then, this young sports fan from the Bronx made sure to hear the golden voice of John Sterling on WMCA radio. Persistence, late at night and I dialed on the old rotary phone with a constant busy signal. Finally a voice of the producer asked,“What do you want to talk to John about.” I waited in line and there was John. I was hesitant as a first time caller, his golden monotone and abrupt answer to my question about the Mets. I vowed to never t ..read more

Bobby Gene Smith was the first.  Travis Jankowski was the last.  Over two dozen Mets have worn the number 16 over the years.  But that big disc bearing the number 16 now hanging from the left field rafters at Citi Field will forever be retired in honor of the Man of the Hour, Mr. Dwight Eugene Gooden, forever affectionately known as “Doc.” A light rain fell during the ceremony on Sunday when Doc was officially honored, but that didn’t dampen the spirits of the fans and guests who attended. Gooden was gifted with a framed version of his jersey and a golden covered pitcher’s mound ..read more

Sad today.  Very sad.  Almost at a loss for words.  Losing Jerry Grote over the weekend at the age of 81 is a painful loss, to his family and friends, to all Mets fans, and to a degree, a personal loss as well. That’s what kind of effect Grote had on everyone he met, whether it was at a ballgame, or at a baseball function, or at a baseball card show, any kind of function, at church, or just about anywhere. Over the years, Grote met thousands of baseball fans, thousands of Mets fans (including this fan), and surely they all share that feeling. We’re losing too many, just too many ..read more

This is the Carlos Rodon that the Yankees thought they were getting when they signed him to a six-year, $162 million dollar contract last off season. Rodon made his third straight solid start as the Yankees edged the Miami Marlins, 3-2 at Yankee Stadium last night for their fourth win in a row. The win gave the Yankees a Major League best 10-2 record. It’s the fourth time in franchise history that the Yankees have started a season with ten wins in their first 12 games. The previous three times occurred in 1922, 1949 and 2003, all pennant winning seasons. “You can’t take ‘em off the board and t ..read more

This Sunday, the Mets will honor Dwight “Doc” Gooden by retiring his #16. Before his big day, I spoke with Gooden by phone to get his thoughts on some of his memorable games.  Gooden burst on the scene in 1984 and had Shea Stadium rocking every time he took the mound. Armed with an electric fastball and a curveball that was coined with a nickname of “Uncle Charlie,” Gooden earned 1984 Rookie of the Year honors behind one of the most incredible debut seasons by a pitcher (17-9, 2.60 ERA, 218 IP, 276 Ks). In 1985, he won the National League Cy Young Award with one of the best individual sea ..read more

At 9-2, the Yankees have matched the best 11-game start in franchise history. The Yankees put forth a team effort that propelled them to a 7-0 win over the Miami Marlins Monday evening in the Bronx. Compared to last season, there is a distinct difference with left-handed presence in the lineup. Juan Soto is a difference maker with his second home run of the season and first at Yankee Stadium in the fourth inning, while also reaching base three times. Anthony Volpe is off to an MVP type start with a go-ahead three run homer in the fourth inning, his second of the young season. Starting pitcher ..read more