The Bronx Is Burning Again

The Phillies were gone from the playoffs so fast you didn’t even know they were in them and the Yankees have exited in the opening round for the third straight year. With the exception of the Red Sox the teams left in baseballs postseason can’t thrill network TV officials with major markets like New York, Chicago and Philadelphia out of the picture.

Speaking of being out of the picture, Joe Torre’s 12-year run as Yankees manager may be over if owner George Steinbrenner follows through on reported statements he made the other day. Many seem to feel sorry for Torre but before you shed a tear be aware that he made $7.5 million this season and became filthy rich and a major celebrity while wearing the pinstripes. If he never works a day again Torre can sit back and sip the green tea he endorses and smell all the roses he wants.

I would be remiss if I did not mention Southern Regional’s football upset of Toms River East, who many (including myself) were ready to coronate as the best team at the shore. The win was the most significant in Rams history and gives them a clear path to the American Division title with the November 2nd game against Toms River North possibly a winner-take-all showdown. Southern visits Brick on Friday Night, a team they have lost to in 33 of 36 meetings all-time.

I’m sure some of those who jumped on the Rutgers bandwagon are looking to jump off after consecutive home losses to Maryland & Cincinnati. The truth is the Scarlet Knights are not as good as last year and miss Brian Leonard as well as several defensive players. What’s probably most concerning to fans of the Red and White is that after playing Syracuse Saturday they have back-to-back games with top ten powers South Florida and West Virginia. It’s not easy being the hunted all of a sudden.

Toms River East and South may be rivals on the baseball field but they certainly can co-exist off of it. For the third straight year the parents clubs of both programs ran a golf outing at the Lakewood Country Club and last night I helped out by serving as Master of Ceremonies for the dinner and awards program. Of course the coaches of the teams are brothers Ken & Bill Frank so that has to help when it comes to working together.