tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86752239334318409202011-12-05T17:14:04.882-08:00News & Views on Long Island, New York, and the NationRaymond J. Keatinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08803360812725657487noreply@blogger.comBlogger881100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8675223933431840920.post-77811519526687196692011-12-05T17:13:00.000-08:002011-12-05T17:14:04.899-08:00

by Raymond J. Keating December 5, 2010 On and off the ice, it could be worse for the New York Islanders. Couldn’t it? Well, in theory, maybe. On the ice, the Islanders have won three of their last four games. Still, it’s probably best not to get too carried away if you’re a fan… Read the rest of this NY Sports Business Examiner column here. ________________ Raymond J. Keating, the publisher

Raymond J. Keatinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08803360812725657487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8675223933431840920.post-65701973726815704272010-10-06T05:27:00.000-07:002010-10-06T05:27:16.619-07:00

by Raymond J. KeatingOctober 6, 2010 The baseball playoffs start on Wednesday, October 6. The New York Mets, of course, will be playing golf and/or watching the games on television. In fact, in the cases of Omar Minaya and Jerry Manuel, the Mets just-fired GM and manager, respectively, they might be sending out resumes during the postseason. One of the baseball business lessons that the Mets

Raymond J. Keatinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08803360812725657487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8675223933431840920.post-6460975405706945772010-09-20T20:31:00.000-07:002010-09-20T20:35:23.129-07:00

by Raymond J. KeatingSeptember 21, 2010New York Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis wanted more money – a lot more money. Hey, who doesn’t?And Revis got it.That’s unfortunate…Read the rest of this NY Sports Business Examiner column here.________________Raymond J. Keating, the publisher and editor of Keating Reports and the Long Island Sentinel, writes the NY Sports Business Examiner column. He can be

Raymond J. Keatinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08803360812725657487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8675223933431840920.post-37807449423602861802010-08-16T15:30:00.000-07:002010-08-16T15:34:07.315-07:00

by Raymond J. KeatingAugust 16, 2010Yankee fans have it easy. No I’m not talking about 27 World Series championships. As if that’s not bad enough, they have this closer named Mariano Rivera.When the Yanks take a tight lead into the ninth inning, Rivera is nearly automatic. It’s been that way for years. And despite Rivera being 40 years old, it’s no different this year. Through Sunday (August 15),

Raymond J. Keatinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08803360812725657487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8675223933431840920.post-21001745045779629422010-07-16T05:15:00.000-07:002010-07-16T05:18:46.203-07:00

by Raymond J. KeatingJuly 16, 2010They once were the Houston Colt ‘45s. Now, that is a wonderfully politically incorrect name for a baseball team. But since 1965, it’s been the Houston Astros.As for their home field, at first, it was known as Enron Field. But we all know what happened to Enron. So, ten years after it opened, the home of the Houston Astros is known as Minute Maid Park.My first

Raymond J. Keatinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08803360812725657487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8675223933431840920.post-70093606145120867182010-04-26T08:51:00.000-07:002010-04-26T08:54:08.103-07:00

April 26, 2010Raymond J. Keating had an opinion piece in Monday’s New York Post titled “Racing’s Big Losers: Why NYRA & OTB Are a Mess.” The piece starts out:Corruption, shady jobs, payola, cooked books, wise guys -- and oceans of red ink. For many, that's what comes to mind when they think of horse racing. In New York, much of the industry's woes can be traced to one source: government. Isn't it

Raymond J. Keatinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08803360812725657487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8675223933431840920.post-22216542755159265012010-04-23T11:33:00.000-07:002010-04-23T11:34:26.341-07:00

by Raymond J. KeatingApril 23, 2010After listening to analysis leading up to and after the first round of the NFL draft, I discovered another nice job where you can be dead wrong and it just doesn’t matter.Allow me to note the previous three I already knew about.First is being a television weatherman. That’s perhaps the classic job where a person can be regularly wrong, yet still earn a tidy

Raymond J. Keatinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08803360812725657487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8675223933431840920.post-9975797472919054762010-04-07T07:52:00.000-07:002010-04-07T08:03:56.693-07:00

by Raymond J. KeatingApril 7, 2010The weather turned warm on Monday (April 6). Buds and blooming flowers were spotted. Birds were chirping. And since the pros tee off at the Masters this Thursday, my golf clubs were calling from their dark corner of the garage.So, it was time to start the slow process of getting the game in shape. And that meant swearing off the big hero for lunch, and instead

Raymond J. Keatinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08803360812725657487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8675223933431840920.post-21270578662595194612010-03-05T09:55:00.000-08:002010-03-05T09:57:23.390-08:00

by Raymond J. KeatingMarch 5, 2010When exactly did starting pitchers become such wimps? Of perhaps more accurately, when did they start getting treated like wimps?The issue of innings and pitches tossed by starting pitchers drew my attention, once again, when I read a piece on MLB Fanhouse about Cincinnati Reds manager Dusty Baker. The question: Does Baker mistreat his starters and get them

Raymond J. Keatinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08803360812725657487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8675223933431840920.post-9898498905408468762010-03-03T05:28:00.000-08:002010-03-03T05:30:16.049-08:00

by Raymond J. KeatingMarch 3, 2010Losing is never fun. But some losses are harder on fans than others. But which is worse – the long, inevitable defeat, or the sudden loss when so close to winning it all?This year’s Olympics provided another lesson that all losses are not felt equally.Two sports grabbed my attention over those 17 days in Vancouver. One was curling. Go ahead and laugh. Get it out

Raymond J. Keatinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08803360812725657487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8675223933431840920.post-76926996679990171652010-02-24T05:55:00.000-08:002010-02-24T05:57:06.228-08:00

February 24, 2010On his Reds Views site, Raymond J. Keating writes:The Reds' big investment in Aroldis Chapman has created some buzz about the team's pitching staff. But much of the buzz seems focused on 2011. What about 2010? …Read the rest of this piece here.________________Raymond J. Keating is the publisher and editor of Keating Reports and the Long Island Sentinel. He can be contacted at

Raymond J. Keatinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08803360812725657487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8675223933431840920.post-71004399747322941752010-02-21T21:19:00.000-08:002010-02-21T21:20:17.900-08:00

by Raymond J. KeatingFebruary 22, 2010The Yankees prepare for the 2010 season as reigning World Series champions for the first time since they won the 2000 Series. With a 2009 record of 103-59 (best in baseball), leaving the Red Sox eight games behind, and earning their 27th championship, the only question is: Are the Yankees better off or worse heading into 2010?First, one has to deal with who

Raymond J. Keatinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08803360812725657487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8675223933431840920.post-49538207782439494522010-02-21T21:17:00.000-08:002010-02-21T21:20:36.576-08:00

February 22, 2010On his RedsViews blog, Raymond J. Keating writes:As a team, the Cincinnati Reds hit .247 in 2009. Ugh.That was second worst in all of Major League Baseball. To make things worse, it must be noted that Great American Ballpark is anything but heaven for pitchers.So, at the plate, the Reds have nowhere to go but up in 2010 ... right? …Read the rest of this piece here._______________

Raymond J. Keatinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08803360812725657487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8675223933431840920.post-25370646588239283742010-02-17T10:44:00.000-08:002010-02-17T10:45:40.772-08:00

by Raymond J. KeatingFebruary 17, 2010The New York Mets were the only team in 2009 with fewer than 100 homeruns. The Mets’ 95 homers trailed the 29th ranked San Francisco Giants by 27.Some fans and analysts have blamed the Mets’ lack of clout on moving into Citi Field last year. But the numbers reveal that the Mets cannot blame the ballpark.First, according to HitTracker.com, Citi Field yielded

Raymond J. Keatinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08803360812725657487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8675223933431840920.post-56831331513502393892010-02-16T07:59:00.000-08:002010-02-16T08:01:49.627-08:00

February 16, 2010On his RedsViews blog, Raymond J. Keating writes:The Reds’ pitchers and catchers report to Goodyear, Arizona, on Thursday, February 18, followed by position players on February 23. There might be snow on the ground outside my home office, but spring always arrives early with pitchers and catchers – even if only in spirit.While hope and optimism serve as the prevailing rules this

Raymond J. Keatinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08803360812725657487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8675223933431840920.post-32515954621930610962010-02-15T11:31:00.000-08:002010-02-15T11:32:18.771-08:00

by Raymond J. KeatingFebruary 15, 2010Finally, pitchers and catchers report this week, and we can get focused on the 2010 baseball season.But before diving into forward-looking thoughts, opinions and analyses, let’s review what 2009 says about the New York Mets’ needs for 2010.The big story for the Mets in 2009, of course, was the injury report. Too many big names went down for too long –

Raymond J. Keatinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08803360812725657487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8675223933431840920.post-51877716714291801322010-02-05T07:45:00.000-08:002010-02-05T18:35:56.229-08:00

by Raymond J. KeatingFebruary 5, 2010The question is: Who is going to win the Super Bowl?Quite frankly, I could not care less.Many New York Jets fans probably are uninterested. Their season was cut just short of the Big Game in the second half of the AFC Championship by Peyton Manning and the Colts.But the reality is the Jets were a Cinderella story. They weren’t supposed to be where they were.On

Raymond J. Keatinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08803360812725657487noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8675223933431840920.post-81173228466329532632010-01-24T14:13:00.000-08:002010-01-24T14:15:02.896-08:00

January 23-24, 2010Raymond J. Keating opens his latest column for Long Island Business News as follows:Super Bowl XLIV will be played in Miami on Feb. 7 to determine this season’s National Football League champion.But the NFL was involved in a very different contest on Jan. 13. It was a legal battle before the U.S. Supreme Court. The case – American Needle v. NFL – could help clarify how

Raymond J. Keatinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08803360812725657487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8675223933431840920.post-48845065884828289202010-01-21T12:51:00.000-08:002010-01-21T12:54:18.477-08:00

by Raymond J. KeatingJanuary 21, 2010So, which teams are going to the Super Bowl?Before I try to answer that question, in the name of full disclosure, I must confess that I am a longtime, long-suffering fan of the Minnesota Vikings. It has been 33 years since my team last reached the Super Bowl, only to lose for the fourth time without any Super Bowl victories. That dismal 0-4 record is only

Raymond J. Keatinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08803360812725657487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8675223933431840920.post-62964362130360544272010-01-20T06:10:00.000-08:002010-01-20T06:11:52.588-08:00

by David WhitleyNFL.FanHouse.comJanuary 20, 2010Frank Sinatra said the best revenge is massive success. In deference to The Chairman, let's strike up the band for the best Super Bowl imaginable.Brett Favre vs. the New York Jets.The emotional well-being of billions of New Yorkers, Cheeseheads and Favre Bashers would be at stake. They'd rather get run over by Favre's tractor than see him win The

Raymond J. Keatinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08803360812725657487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8675223933431840920.post-68189935177497645622010-01-15T06:22:00.000-08:002010-01-15T06:24:10.978-08:00

by Raymond J. KeatingJanuary 15, 2010We’re down to the final eight NFL teams. Here’s my rundown on this weekend’s games.• Arizona Cardinals at New Orleans Saints on Saturday at 4:30 ET on FOX. It’s getting very difficult to go against Kurt Warner and the Arizona Cardinals. Warner’s performance last week was off-the-charts great. Of course, the Saints are no slouches, holding the top NFC spot with

Raymond J. Keatinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08803360812725657487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8675223933431840920.post-80087140606558024292010-01-11T09:41:00.000-08:002010-01-12T11:50:30.583-08:00

by Raymond J. KeatingJanuary 11, 2010Football. The NFL’s Wildcard Weekend ended … well … wildly. The first three games turned out to be routs. The Jets, Ravens and Cowboys all played smart, tough football, and wound up trouncing their opponents.But the Packers-Cardinals game was a high-scoring nail-biter. The Packers defense was nonexistent for the entire game, and the Cardinals defense took the

Raymond J. Keatinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08803360812725657487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8675223933431840920.post-8479317467443595222010-01-08T11:13:00.000-08:002010-01-08T11:15:18.331-08:00

by Raymond J. KeatingJanuary 8, 2010What’s clear about the NFL’s Wildcard Weekend is that the games are wide open. No big favorites are in the mix.Interestingly, three of the games are rematches from the last week’s season ending contests. Weird. • New York Jets (9-7) at Cincinnati Bengals (10-6) on Saturday at 4:30 ET on NBC. The Jets come into this game having won five of their last six regular

Raymond J. Keatinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08803360812725657487noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8675223933431840920.post-3861623772980461502010-01-06T13:00:00.000-08:002010-01-06T13:01:49.093-08:00

by Raymond J. KeatingJanuary 6, 2010My love-hate relationship with golf gets rekindled tomorrow (January 7). The SBS Championship marks the kickoff of the 2010 PGA Tour season. Last year’s winners of PGA Tour events will gather on The Plantation Course at Kapalua on the Hawaiian island of Maui.Golf in Hawaii in January? My schedule has not allowed a round of golf since July. Long Island is frigid

Raymond J. Keatinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08803360812725657487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8675223933431840920.post-83098406843457528532009-12-16T05:54:00.000-08:002009-12-16T05:56:25.261-08:00

December 16, 2009What is it like being a longtime Minnesota Vikings? One word: Anxiety.After beating the Cincinnati Bengals by a score of 30-10 this past Sunday, the Vikings locked up a playoff spot with an impressive 11-2 record.The New York Times, however, ran an article this week that explains why fans of the Vikings have reason to worry. The opening paragraph of the Times piece sums it up:

Raymond J. Keatinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08803360812725657487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8675223933431840920.post-5546042829467980212009-12-09T15:23:00.000-08:002009-12-09T15:25:11.263-08:00

by Robert BenneDecember 9, 2009It’s getting more and more difficult for me to watch professional football on TV, and this fan has been a devoted viewer since the late 1940s. It’s been a long time since I have listened to NFL games; I long ago shut off the inane, ceaseless chatter coming from the over-staffed box of commentators. Besides, almost everything going on is understandable by watching

Raymond J. Keatinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08803360812725657487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8675223933431840920.post-75827565749354337172009-12-06T21:07:00.000-08:002009-12-07T07:05:55.274-08:00

by Raymond J. KeatingDecember 7, 2009Who says there are no golf stories in December? Well, normally, there aren’t. But Tiger Woods has changed all that this year.There is no argument, of course, about Woods being the greatest pro golfer in the world today. If he adds five more majors to the 14 already won, he will have surpassed the record held by Jack Nicklaus with 18 professional majors. That

Raymond J. Keatinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08803360812725657487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8675223933431840920.post-80057308622354232222009-11-05T11:25:00.000-08:002009-11-05T11:27:03.553-08:00

by Raymond J. KeatingNovember 5, 2009Halfway through the season, the Minnesota Vikings are 7-1. Before the season kicked off, many sports writers and talking heads were questioning the Vikings’ decision to sign soon-to-be-40-year-old-quarterback Brett Favre. Indeed, some proclaimed that the Vikings would suffer due to the decision.It’s time for me to say, “Told you so.”From the start, my simple

Raymond J. Keatinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08803360812725657487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8675223933431840920.post-77956839564921370932009-10-20T05:51:00.000-07:002009-10-20T05:53:00.561-07:00

by Raymond J. KeatingOctober 20, 2009The losing ways of the New York Islanders continued late last week. On Friday night (October 16), the Buffalo Sabres issued a 6-3 beat down of the Isles, and then the San Jose Sharks slapped Long Island’s sad excuse for an NHL team by a score of 4-1.Through six games, the Islanders remain winless.Nonetheless, the New York Islanders hockey team is in demand. Go

Raymond J. Keatinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08803360812725657487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8675223933431840920.post-83407493784529817602009-10-15T06:17:00.000-07:002009-10-15T08:04:49.820-07:00

by Raymond J. KeatingOctober 15, 2009As is often repeated in the “Star Wars” universe: I have a bad feeling about this.OK, the New York Islanders are only four games into the new NHL season. So, maybe it’s not quite time to officially panic. But the Isles are only one of two teams – the other being the Toronto Maple Leafs – without a win. The team is 0-1-3. In the NHL, even when you lose, you

Raymond J. Keatinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08803360812725657487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8675223933431840920.post-19063749274963972202009-09-19T09:56:00.000-07:002009-09-19T10:12:50.068-07:00

by Raymond J. KeatingSeptember 19-20, 2009I mentioned to a friend that for the first time in a very long time (ever?), I had watched a NASCAR race – the Chevy Rock and Roll 400 at Richmond International Speedway – on television from start to finish this past Saturday (September 12) night.His response: “On purpose?”My retort: “No, I lost the remote, and was to lazy to change the channel.”We find

Raymond J. Keatinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08803360812725657487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8675223933431840920.post-45273766377092034342009-09-14T05:45:00.000-07:002009-09-14T05:46:36.067-07:00

by Raymond J. KeatingSeptember 14, 2009Coming into Saturday’s game in “The Big House” in Michigan, Notre Dame and the Michigan Wolverines had nothing but questions. On the other side of Michigan’s dramatic 38-34 win, it’s not clear how many of those questions were answered for either team.The big question for each: Were they for real after opening week victories? Notre Dame had trounced the

Raymond J. Keatinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08803360812725657487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8675223933431840920.post-69817624250332717412009-08-21T12:33:00.000-07:002009-08-21T12:34:22.145-07:00

by Raymond J. KeatingAugust 21, 2009OK, it’s time to take off the commentator/analyst hat, and don the horns, the purple and the gold of a Minnesota Vikings fan.It’s been a long, lonely road as a Vikings fan living in New York. As a youngster, I became a Purple rooter because of Fran Tarkenton. While the Vikings have had some good quarterbacks since Tarkenton hung up his spikes after the 1978

Raymond J. Keatinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08803360812725657487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8675223933431840920.post-90132527770100342602009-08-14T05:50:00.000-07:002009-08-14T13:23:48.161-07:00

by Raymond J. KeatingAugust 14, 2009The PGA Championship kicked off on Thursday at the monster, 7,674-yard Hazeltine National in Minnesota. And the first round went according to script.Coming off two wins in the previous two weeks – at the Buick Open and the Bridgestone Invitational – Tiger Woods shot a five-under-par 67. Woods had a one-shot lead over Padraig Harrington, the defending champion,

Raymond J. Keatinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08803360812725657487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8675223933431840920.post-90161481154254237172009-08-01T17:34:00.000-07:002009-08-01T17:39:20.411-07:00

by Raymond J. KeatingAugust 1-2, 2009Last weekend, most of the attention in Cooperstown focused on two of the inductees to baseball’s Hall of Fame – Ricky Henderson and Jim Rice. Henderson, who played for a long list of teams (A’s, Yankees, Blue Jays, Padres, Angels, Mets, Mariners, Red Sox and Dodgers) from 1979 to 2003, is, of course, the all-time Major League stolen base leader with 1,406. He

Raymond J. Keatinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08803360812725657487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8675223933431840920.post-74695272433536358892009-07-31T06:31:00.000-07:002009-08-01T19:00:13.431-07:00

July 31, 2009Should Pete Rose be in the Hall of Fame? Given baseball’s steroids revelations in recent years, does this change your thinking on Rose and Cooperstown? Can you imagine some kind of compromise?____________________RAYMOND J. KEATINGWhat should be done about Pete Rose, baseball and the Hall of Fame? It’s simple. For what he accomplished as a player, Rose should be in Cooperstown. For

Raymond J. Keatinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08803360812725657487noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8675223933431840920.post-3057629351494523012009-07-29T09:12:00.000-07:002009-07-29T09:13:35.704-07:00

by Brian NoackJuly 29, 2009Last week, I was invited by a friend to play Rolling Oaks Golf Course in Rocky Point. Without hesitating, I agreed even though I had never heard of the course before he mentioned the name.The day before playing, I pulled up the website only to find that it was an “executive course”—a par 65. Past experiences have found similar courses to be less than thrilling: a good

Raymond J. Keatinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08803360812725657487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8675223933431840920.post-29404534368242114082009-07-22T13:05:00.000-07:002009-07-22T13:09:50.782-07:00

by Raymond J. KeatingJuly 22, 2009Who says there’s no NASCAR racing on Long Island?OK, so it’s not the Sprint Cup series. Or even the Nationwide Series or the Camping World Trucks. Instead, it’s short-track racing in the NASCAR Whelan All-American Series and on the NASCAR Whelan Modified Tour. And it’s all right here – at Riverhead Raceway.This past Saturday evening turned out to be ideal for

Raymond J. Keatinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08803360812725657487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8675223933431840920.post-65246069114361205192009-07-20T11:01:00.000-07:002009-07-20T11:03:16.289-07:00

by Raymond J. KeatingJuly 20, 2009With three majors down and one to go, 2009 is turning out to be the “Year of Disappointment” in golf. At Augusta National in April, the 48-year-old Kenny Perry had a two shot lead with two holes to play in the Masters. He went bogey-bogey on seventeen and eighteen, and wound up in a playoff with Angel Cabrera and Chad Campbell. Campbell was out after a bogey on

Raymond J. Keatinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08803360812725657487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8675223933431840920.post-76421295861745103772009-07-17T11:58:00.000-07:002009-07-17T12:13:25.356-07:00

by Raymond J. KeatingJuly 17, 2009After the first two rounds of the British Open at Turnberry in Scotland, Tom Watson is tied with Steve Marino for the lead at five under par.Of course, what makes this truly amazing is that Watson, who has won the British Open five times, is 59 years old.Let’s briefly consider the history. The oldest to win a major tournament was Julius Boros. He took the PGA

Raymond J. Keatinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08803360812725657487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8675223933431840920.post-22577958156429989652009-07-16T10:43:00.000-07:002009-07-16T10:49:45.085-07:00

by Raymond J. KeatingJuly 16, 2009Playing golf at West Sayville Country Club is largely about the wind. When it blows, it’s a very different, and more interesting golf course.West Sayville, a Suffolk County facility, sits south of Montauk Highway, with a stretch of marsh running between the course and Great South Bay. Fire Island can be seen across the water. The course opened in 1970, and sits

Raymond J. Keatinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08803360812725657487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8675223933431840920.post-67590398055360942832009-07-13T06:37:00.000-07:002009-07-13T06:39:43.445-07:00

by Raymond J. KeatingJuly 13, 2009On Sunday (July 12) afternoon, I visited a bit of Brooklyn located in Queens.Where was this borough confusion or overlap? The Cincinnati Reds were in town for the last game before the All-Star break at the new Citi Field, home to the New York Mets. Citi Field, of course, is located in Flushing, Queens. But the first thing that grabs you about the new stadium is

Raymond J. Keatinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08803360812725657487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8675223933431840920.post-90380629439820549342009-07-08T12:52:00.000-07:002009-07-08T12:55:33.636-07:00

by Raymond J. KeatingJuly 8, 2009The Yankees are back on the winning track. The team is a 11-2 over the last 13 games, with an overall record of 49-34. They are just a game behind the Red Sox, and lead the A.L. wild card race by 2.5 games.All is well, once again, in Yankee Land.In fact, there isn’t even much griping any more about the new Yankee Stadium. The place is still a launching pad to

Raymond J. Keatinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08803360812725657487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8675223933431840920.post-75092214363440571782009-06-22T10:52:00.000-07:002009-06-22T10:53:40.650-07:00

by Raymond J. KeatingJune 22, 2009The last three U.S. Opens in New York have turned out to be huge disappointments for the fans. And it’s been Phil Mickelson at the center of that disappointment each time.In 2004 at Shinnecock Hills, Mickelson three putted for double bogey on the 17th hole, and handed the tournament to Retief Goosen. Fans were streaming off the grounds before Goosen even finished

Raymond J. Keatinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08803360812725657487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8675223933431840920.post-15589194284979555322009-06-20T14:38:00.000-07:002009-06-20T14:40:08.125-07:00

by Raymond J. KeatingJune 20-21, 2009OK, I admit it. Among the factors that attract me to the U.S. Open are pain and suffering. Now, I am not making light of true suffering that people struggle with in their lives. I’m also not some kind of sadist. But I do play golf. And in playing golf, one is required to deal with pain and suffering. For me, the suffering usually starts once the ball is on the

Raymond J. Keatinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08803360812725657487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8675223933431840920.post-11971619439901271402009-06-19T09:27:00.000-07:002009-06-19T09:28:41.908-07:00

by Raymond J. KeatingJune 19, 2009Before arriving this week on Bethpage’s Black Course, the U.S. Open was not a stranger to Long Island. In fact, the Open had been played on the Island eight previous times.It started with the second U.S. Open in 1896 at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club in Southampton. It was a 36-hole tournament then, and James Foulis, a Scottish professional, earned a three-shot

Raymond J. Keatinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08803360812725657487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8675223933431840920.post-86262767799192156252009-06-18T06:22:00.001-07:002009-06-18T06:23:19.169-07:00

Raymond J. Keatinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08803360812725657487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8675223933431840920.post-67673667947176427602009-06-18T06:14:00.000-07:002009-06-18T06:17:01.093-07:00

by Raymond J. KeatingJune 18, 2009Industrial Development Agemcies, or IDAs, are part of New York’s bankrupt economic development strategy.To sum up: Tax and regulate individuals and businesses to death, and then set up agencies full of political appointees to distribute handouts, subsidies and targeted tax breaks to the politically favored.While that’s dumb economics, handouts, subsidies and

Raymond J. Keatinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08803360812725657487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8675223933431840920.post-4953964285846506092009-06-17T10:04:00.000-07:002009-06-17T10:06:49.851-07:00

by Raymond J. KeatingJune 17, 2009Glaring inconsistencies in the way people think and view the world always fascinate me – often, however, in a frustrating way.For example, many golfers talk about government being too darn big, and wasting too much of their hard-earned money. And they particularly can’t stand getting taxed so someone else can get government handouts or subsidies.But many of these

Raymond J. Keatinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08803360812725657487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8675223933431840920.post-12259089983823635782009-06-16T12:58:00.000-07:002009-06-16T13:02:08.720-07:00

by Raymond J. KeatingJune 16, 2009OK, so you don’t have a ticket to this year’s U.S. Open. Maybe you even have a job that needs tending. But you’re a golf fanatic, and want to stay on top of who is doing what as the best players in the world take on Bethpage Black.What are your options?Most obvious: television. Here’s the TV schedule:• June 18/ThursdayESPN, First Round - Part I, 10:00 A.M.-3:00

Raymond J. Keatinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08803360812725657487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8675223933431840920.post-21368409591846963172009-06-16T06:05:00.000-07:002009-06-16T06:57:53.690-07:00

by Raymond J. KeatingJune 16, 2009Why are big sporting events always billed as being good for local business?That’s certainly the case when taxpayers get suckered – or forced – into subsidizing new stadiums, ballparks and arenas. However, it turns out that, while team owners and players certainly benefit from taxpayer handouts, regional employment, incomes, business and economic growth are left

Raymond J. Keatinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08803360812725657487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8675223933431840920.post-25634887484143425732009-06-12T10:25:00.000-07:002009-06-12T10:31:17.659-07:00

by Raymond J. KeatingJune 12, 2009Bethpage State Park’s Black Course hosted the 2002 U.S. Open – won by Tiger Woods – and is hosting the 2009 Open on June 18-21.The Black was the first muni – that is, government-owned golf course – to host the Open. As a result, there was much fanfare seven years ago about it being the “People’s Open.” Sounds a bit communistic, if you ask me.Anyway, while “the

Raymond J. Keatinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08803360812725657487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8675223933431840920.post-72461620609919204562009-05-30T18:05:00.000-07:002009-05-30T18:14:26.464-07:00

by Raymond J. KeatingMay 30-31, 2009The next big day in horse racing comes on Saturday, June 6, at Belmont Park in Nassau County.The Belmont Stakes is the third leg of the Triple Crown. Unfortunately, though, two different thoroughbreds won the first two legs this year. Mine That Bird took the Kentucky Derby on May 2. Two weeks later at the Preakness Stakes, Rachel Alexandra held off a charging

Raymond J. Keatinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08803360812725657487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8675223933431840920.post-72360963094348775862009-05-27T03:42:00.000-07:002009-05-27T03:43:29.738-07:00

May 27, 2009The Dowling College Golden Lions made the Division II College World Series for the first time this year. How are they faring so far at the USA Baseball Training Complex in Cary, North Carolina?In a double elimination tournament, they have won one and lost one.Here are the game summaries from the official site of the NCAA Division II World Series:• Sunday, May 24: Dowling 3, UC San

Raymond J. Keatinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08803360812725657487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8675223933431840920.post-45165804672799738762009-05-22T05:30:00.000-07:002009-05-22T05:35:27.195-07:00

by Raymond J. KeatingMay 22, 2009For the first time, the Dowling College Golden Lions have made the Division II College World Series. Their opening game at the USA Baseball Training Complex in Cary, North Carolina, will be against UC San Diego at 1:00 on Sunday, May 24.According to CollegiateBaseball.com, as of May 19, UC San Diego is the top ranked Division II team in the nation, with a record

Raymond J. Keatinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08803360812725657487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8675223933431840920.post-48601338269176860682009-05-14T06:44:00.000-07:002009-05-14T06:46:01.327-07:00

by Raymond J. KeatingMay 14, 2009The 134th running of the Preakness Stakes – the second leg of thoroughbred horse racing’s Triple Crown – happens at Pimlico Race Course in Maryland on Saturday.The obvious question: Can Mine That Bird – the long shot winner of the Kentucky Derby – grab the Preakness, and therefore have a chance at becoming the first Triple Crown winner in 31 years at the Belmont

Raymond J. Keatinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08803360812725657487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8675223933431840920.post-87050400560576431502009-05-09T20:13:00.000-07:002009-05-09T20:14:21.194-07:00

by Raymond J. KeatingMay 9-10, 2009Former Boston Red Sox centerfielder Dom DiMaggio died at the age of 92 early Friday, May 8. DiMaggio played his entire Major League Baseball career with Boston. With glasses and a small build, he was known as the “Little Professor.” DiMaggio also was overshadowed by the fact that he played in the same outfield as Ted Williams, and was the brother of Joe

Raymond J. Keatinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08803360812725657487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8675223933431840920.post-6976087499609126622009-05-07T05:56:00.000-07:002009-05-07T05:59:15.950-07:00

by Raymond J. KeatingMay 7, 2009I’ll find almost any excuse to watch a baseball game. And that includes the Long Island Ducks, who have launched their tenth season with a roaring 8-4 start, tied for first place with the Camden Riversharks in the independent Atlantic League’s Liberty division.On Friday, May 1, Suffolk County and the Ducks announced an extension of the team’s lease for the 6,000-

Raymond J. Keatinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08803360812725657487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8675223933431840920.post-71462969230910285452009-04-27T06:01:00.000-07:002009-04-27T06:41:21.163-07:00

by Raymond J. KeatingApril 27, 2009Though it opened last year, and I had driven past countless times on William Floyd Parkway, I finally took in Dowling College’s outdoor sports complex on Sunday (April 26).It’s an excellent facility, featuring artificial turf baseball, softball, and soccer/lacrosse fields. Making the experience complete was a 15-inning battle between Dowling’s Golden Lions and

Raymond J. Keatinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08803360812725657487noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8675223933431840920.post-38614186634151748672009-04-24T11:50:00.000-07:002009-04-24T11:57:34.599-07:00

April 24, 2009The debate over soccer’s popularity, or lack thereof, in the U.S. is engaged by two avid sports fans. It’s soccer aficionado Brian Noack versus the anti-soccer Ray Keating. Let’s hear what you have to say as well.__________________For Soccer: Why Not A New Major?by Brian NoackSince 1996, Major League Soccer has been underway here in the U.S. It has been yet another attempt to put

Raymond J. Keatinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08803360812725657487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8675223933431840920.post-92086117547219654052009-04-09T05:07:00.000-07:002009-04-09T05:10:35.517-07:00

by Raymond J. KeatingApril 9, 2009The Masters gets under way today (April 9) at Augusta National Golf Club in Georgia.It is arguably the most special moment in professional golf. But why is that? Why do we love the Masters so darn much?Well, as one of golf’s majors – along with the U.S. Open, British Open and PGA Championship – the Masters stands as one of the four peaks of the golf season. But

Raymond J. Keatinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08803360812725657487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8675223933431840920.post-21125303188458355662009-04-08T12:15:00.000-07:002009-04-08T12:17:02.717-07:00

by Raymond J. KeatingApril 8, 2009Wow. A 9-0 loss.The Carolina Hurricanes handed the New York Islanders their worst loss in franchise history on Tuesday (April 7) night. The Hurricanes had 11 power plays, scoring on four, and a whopping 57 shots on goal.It was fitting that this horrendous game by the Isles came at the end of the team’s horrendous season.With one more loss in their three remaining

Raymond J. Keatinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08803360812725657487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8675223933431840920.post-26070243668687955852009-04-04T12:31:00.000-07:002009-04-04T12:36:41.431-07:00

by Raymond J. KeatingApril 4-5, 2009The Mets open the 2009 season in Cincinnati on Monday, April 6, and April 8-9. What should be expected from the Reds?The days of the trying to out slug their opponents are over. So are the days of Ken Griffey Jr. being plagued by injuries, and Adam Dunn either walking, striking out or hitting a homerun farther than the eye can see.The Reds are now about youth

Raymond J. Keatinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08803360812725657487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8675223933431840920.post-31799965888987929802009-04-04T12:28:00.000-07:002009-04-04T12:31:22.283-07:00

by Raymond J. KeatingApril 4-5, 2009Nothing builds confidence for a new baseball season like opening against a team with lousy starting pitching. The Yankees do just that by playing in Baltimore on Monday, April 6, and April 8-9.In 2008, the Orioles were in the middle of the American League pack in terms of team batting average, homers and runs scored. The Orioles pitching, however, was

Raymond J. Keatinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08803360812725657487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8675223933431840920.post-50396263962106609432009-04-03T09:02:00.000-07:002009-04-03T09:43:48.829-07:00

by Raymond J. KeatingApril 3, 2009The Mets’ bench heading into Opening Day can be only be classified as adequate – with one player in particular being the big plus for manager Jerry Manuel.Ramon Castro backing up Brian Schneider at catcher is less than ideal, though his right handed bat off the bench could be a plus.The new backup middle infielder Alex Cora offers adequate defense.In the outfield

Raymond J. Keatinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08803360812725657487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8675223933431840920.post-70778795487251911962009-04-02T11:30:00.000-07:002009-04-02T11:32:01.676-07:00

by Raymond J. KeatingApril 2, 2009The Yankees have a deep bench. In fact, at the start of the 2009 season, the Yankees’ bench probably makes a few managers across the majors salivate as at least two players riding the Bombers’ pine could be in their starting lineups.Jose Molina will do a solid job as back up to Jorge Posada behind the plate, especially from a defensive standpoint. Molina could be

Raymond J. Keatinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08803360812725657487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8675223933431840920.post-34646450398436332292009-03-31T10:02:00.000-07:002009-03-31T10:05:29.660-07:00

by Raymond J. KeatingMarch 31, 2009Well, the Mets settled yesterday on Livan Hernandez as their fifth starter. That wasn’t a surprise, since none of his competitors were left due to injury or even less impressive efforts than the middling performance put in by Hernandez this springThat means the Mets starting rotation will be made up of a high-quality ace in Johann Santana, hope for nice bounce

Raymond J. Keatinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08803360812725657487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8675223933431840920.post-26764176092766143912009-03-24T06:19:00.000-07:002009-03-24T06:20:48.697-07:00

by Raymond J. KeatingMarch 24, 2009The New York Mets earned the second best team fielding numbers in the National League last year. The team also tied with the Yankees for second fewest errors in all of baseball. Nice – and the Mets look to be just as good in 2009.If you consider the key positions up the middle, the team’s defense looks tight.Catcher Brian Schneider is strong behind the plate,

Raymond J. Keatinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08803360812725657487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8675223933431840920.post-34229757068496194652009-03-23T05:24:00.000-07:002009-03-23T05:26:40.657-07:00

by Raymond J. KeatingMarch 23, 2009Defense and pitching win championships. That’s what they say – whoever “they” are.Is it true?Well, the World Champion Philadelphia Phillies ranked fourth best in the National League in team pitching and tied for fifth in fielding last year. Meanwhile, the team hit a mere .255, which ranked tenth out 16 in the NL. Of course, it didn’t hurt that the Phillies

Raymond J. Keatinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08803360812725657487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8675223933431840920.post-50328726284749127342009-03-10T09:25:00.000-07:002009-03-10T09:26:50.059-07:00

by Raymond J. KeatingMarch 10, 2009These days for the New York Yankees, it’s all about questions regarding Alex Rodriguez.Did his arthroscopic surgery to repair his right hip labrum go well? A-Rod’s doctors gave thumbs up on Monday.When will A-Rod return? The expectations are he will be back in the Yanks’ lineup in late April or early May.How might this surgery – and the need for follow up

Raymond J. Keatinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08803360812725657487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8675223933431840920.post-34096934348825250192009-03-07T11:40:00.000-08:002009-03-07T11:43:20.522-08:00

by Raymond J. KeatingMarch 7, 2009In 2008, the New York Mets had an impressive offense. The team was second in runs scored, fourth in batting average, and seventh in home runs.What about this year?Let’s go around the horn in terms of the expected starting lineup in 2009.• Brian Schneider serves as an adequate hitting catcher. He’s a lifetime .253 hitter, with a .325 OBP.• First baseman Carlos

Raymond J. Keatinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08803360812725657487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8675223933431840920.post-57931741599253145862009-03-02T07:00:00.000-08:002009-03-02T07:01:10.407-08:00

March 2, 2009What are the pros and cons, not to mention the likelihood and impact, of the pitiful New York Islanders staying in Nassau County or leaving for Kansas City? David Reich-Hale offers an excellent report on the topic in the Long Island Business News, including the options for owner Charles Wang.

Raymond J. Keatinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08803360812725657487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8675223933431840920.post-51294535184141474332009-02-28T06:36:00.000-08:002009-02-28T06:38:23.647-08:00

by Brian NoackFebruary 28, 2009In what was one of the most anticipated comebacks in sports history, Tiger Woods returned to the links this week for the first time since winning the U.S. Open in June of 2008 on a broken leg. Unlike many other comebacks the sports world has had, Tiger did not take time to settle back into the game, but came roaring back in typical Tiger fashion.Tiger was

Raymond J. Keatinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08803360812725657487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8675223933431840920.post-6156114895355278382009-02-23T11:13:00.000-08:002009-02-23T11:15:21.876-08:00

by Raymond J. KeatingFebruary 23, 2009With the Alex Rodriguez’s steroids admission and spring training gearing up, an AP-GfK poll was released last week looking at the steroids issue and baseball.The poll of adults was taken over the period February 12-17. Asked if they were baseball fans or not, 31% said they were fans, while 64% said they were not.Among those saying they were baseball fans, the

Raymond J. Keatinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08803360812725657487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8675223933431840920.post-35238069876050113712009-02-21T18:30:00.000-08:002009-02-21T18:32:34.818-08:00

by Raymond J. KeatingFebruary 21, 2009According to the dashboard readout in my SUV, the temperature outside was 33 degrees early Friday (February 20) evening. Opening the door, I got hit with a nasty wind whipping across the Nassau Coliseum’s parking lot. The wind chill obviously made it feel much more brisk.So, why the heck was I wearing a pair of tan and white Hawaiian-style shorts? Had I

Raymond J. Keatinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08803360812725657487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8675223933431840920.post-83464170889860804032009-02-17T21:55:00.000-08:002009-02-17T21:57:10.302-08:00

by Raymond J. KeatingFebruary 18, 2009What are fans, the media and those in baseball supposed to do with Alex Rodriguez and his attributing steroid use from 2001 to 2003 to the stupidity of youth?At his press conference on Tuesday (February 17), A-Rod took responsibility for his actions. He spoke of making “a stupid mistake,” apologized, and acknowledged that he had to work at “earning back trust

Raymond J. Keatinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08803360812725657487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8675223933431840920.post-84989912292229637392009-02-17T08:34:00.000-08:002009-02-17T08:36:29.706-08:00

by Matthew CarolanFebruary 17, 2009For the last several years, Major League Baseball has been part of the summer air in my home. Busy as I was, the Yankees games would be on every night in my living room, with the broadcast providing a comforting backdrop to whatever else I was doing. It was also a way to bond with my young sons.Of course, during those times we all invested a lot of emotional

Raymond J. Keatinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08803360812725657487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8675223933431840920.post-21016994295311995752009-02-10T05:56:00.000-08:002009-02-10T06:00:36.541-08:00

by Raymond J. KeatingFebruary 10, 2009The Yankees arguably have the best starting rotation in the American League, perhaps in all of baseball. But the bullpen story is different.Of course, Mariano Rivera still amazes as the best relief pitcher in the history of baseball. At age 38 in 2008, his ERA was 1.40, with 39 saves. And while he had 9.81 strikeouts per nine innings, Rivera only walked six

Raymond J. Keatinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08803360812725657487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8675223933431840920.post-82004654141949519882009-02-09T04:08:00.000-08:002009-02-09T08:19:33.411-08:00

by Raymond J. KeatingFebruary 9, 2009The Mets bullpen probably cost the team the division in 2008. Barring injury, that’s not likely to be the case in 2009. If the Mets are going to blow it this year, they’ll have to find a way to do it other than the bullpenMets GM Omar Minaya made two big moves in the off-season that transforms the relief corps from nothing but questions and doubt to perhaps

Raymond J. Keatinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08803360812725657487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8675223933431840920.post-59805607637632128362009-02-03T05:26:00.000-08:002009-02-03T05:28:39.677-08:00

by Raymond J. KeatingFebruary 3, 2009It’s a gross understatement to say it’s been hard to find a professional athlete who your kids could safely look up to in recent times. Sean Casey, however, is just such a person.After 12 very good seasons at the major league level – his best being eight with the Cincinnati Reds – Casey announced his retirement last week at age 34. He has signed on as a

Raymond J. Keatinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08803360812725657487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8675223933431840920.post-69102059352876949592009-02-02T05:56:00.000-08:002009-02-02T05:58:05.989-08:00

by Raymond J. KeatingFebruary 2, 2009Well, the Pittsburgh Steelers won their record sixth Super Bowl, and it turned out to be, arguably, the most exciting Super Bowl in history.Super Bowls tend to be remembered for one player’s performance, or for a particular moment. Super Bowl XLIII provided several moments for the annals of football history.The first came at the close of the first half. The

Raymond J. Keatinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08803360812725657487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8675223933431840920.post-74870301956067443292009-01-31T05:16:00.000-08:002009-01-31T05:21:49.467-08:00

by Raymond J. KeatingJanuary 31, 2009When it comes to the Super Bowl, three groups of people exist.The first simply doesn’t care about Super Bowl Sunday at all. Of course, given the status it’s reached in our country, with family and friends coming together around food and television, ignoring the Super Bowl is almost like ignoring Thanksgiving. Well, sort of.The second group also is not all that

Raymond J. Keatinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08803360812725657487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8675223933431840920.post-48460410987965921422009-01-29T03:23:00.000-08:002009-01-29T03:24:56.512-08:00

by Raymond J. KeatingJanuary 29, 2009If your one of their opponents in the American League East, one word should come to mind when you look at the New York Yankees starting rotation for 2009: Yikes!As the Yankees are known to do, they threw around a bunch of money this off-season to land free agent starters CC Sabathia and A.J. Burnett. And this week, Andy Pettitte returned by signing a $5.5

Raymond J. Keatinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08803360812725657487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8675223933431840920.post-64424752573399568812009-01-26T03:47:00.000-08:002009-01-26T03:50:36.583-08:00

by Raymond J. KeatingJanuary 26, 2009When it comes to the PGA Tour, I have a soft spot for the Bob Hope Classic. Let’s face facts, the tournament usually does not present the world’s top golfers struggling to survive against a monster course. Instead, the Hope is about how low can their scores possibly go.So, why the soft spot? Well, Bob Hope, along with his buddy Bing Crosby, have long

Raymond J. Keatinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08803360812725657487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8675223933431840920.post-22288141384783032492009-01-24T06:15:00.000-08:002009-01-29T08:51:18.271-08:00

by Raymond J. KeatingJanuary 24, 2009There’s a flourish of talk right now about the possibility of Manny Ramirez signing with the New York Mets.We’ll leave speculation on the outfield slugger for another day. The question for this column is: Do the Mets have the starting pitching to reach the playoffs this year? After all, it’s really about pitching and defense.The number one slot, of course,

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by Raymond J. KeatingJanuary 20, 2009Does it really matter to Long Island if the Islanders stay, move to Kansas City, or relocate to some other North American city where politicians long for achieving so-called “big league” status?Kansas City officials obviously longed to become “big league” via pro sports. In 2004, a proposition was put to the voters to hike hotel and car rental taxes to help

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by Raymond J. KeatingJanuary 16, 2009Envy is a sin. But I succumb pretty much every year from January through a good chunk of March.While worrying about the pipes in my house freezing with temperatures dipping below 20 degrees, I masochistically watch the PGA Tour from Hawaii on the Golf Channel.Last week, it was Geoff Ogilvy cruising to a comfortable win in the Mercedes-Benz Championship at

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by Raymond J. KeatingJanuary 15, 2009Are the New York Islanders really that bad?During Tuesday (January 13) night’s game against their bitter rivals, the Rangers, the Islanders didn’t look like the worst team in the National Hockey League. But they still lost 2-1, further solidifying the reality, however, of being the worst in hockey.The Islanders played hard against the clearly superior Rangers.

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