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04/30/2018

Everyone Is A Winner....

[Posted Sunday evening]

NFL Draft Quiz: In the end, five quarterbacks were selected in the first round of the just-completed draft, falling short of the record six taken in 1983, when the picks included Hall of Famers John Elway, Jim Kelly and Dan Marino. But three others selected in the first round back in ‘83 went on to Hall of Fame careers.  Name ‘em. [Hint: a running back, guard, and defensive back.] Answer below.

NFL Draft

1. Baker Mayfield, QB...Cleveland
2. Saquon Barkley, RB...Giants
3. Sam Darnold, QB...Jets
4. Denzel Ward, CB...Cleveland
5. Bradley Chubb, DE...Denver
6. Quenton Nelson, G...Indianapolis
7. Josh Allen, QB...Buffalo
8. Roquan Smith, OLB...Chicago
9. Mike McGlinchey, T...San Francisco
10. Josh Rosen, QB...Arizona

As Andrew Beaton of the Wall Street Journal put it: “The four quarterbacks could have gone in any order without any apocalyptic cries that any team did something completely blasphemous.  Mayfield, just a couple months ago, seemed likeliest to go last out of this group. Darnold was long the favorite to go No. 1. At times, the rocket-armed Allen seemed like his best competitor. Rosen, to some, was the best pure passer in the draft. Then Rosen wound up being taken after the other three and falling to No. 10.

“ ‘There were nine mistakes made ahead of me,’ Rosen said.  ‘I’ll make sure over the next decade or so that they’ll know they made the mistakes.’

“Rosen could be right. And nobody would be shocked. That’s because as big as the differences were between these players in terms of style and pedigree, there was zero consensus on which one was best.”

As a Jets fan, we are pinching ourselves.  Yes, I was in a minority, at least among those dropping me notes, in thinking Mayfield was the best fit for New York among the four QBs.

But that was because I thought there was no way Darnold would be available at 3!  Forget all his turnover issues, this was the consensus No. 1 pick had the draft been held in September.  He’s an immense talent...and my team got him.  You aren’t hearing a single Jets fan complain today.

Now, as Mike Vaccaro notes below, we just wait and see...Darnold is not under any pressure to start right away.  For all we know his snaps the first season could be limited, which would mean the two QBs now ahead of him are doing a good job. Fine.

As for the Giants and Barkley, Dave Gettleman said all along that when you are picking No. 2, you need to come up with a future Hall of Famer, and the Giants just didn’t feel any of the Big Four were HOF caliber.  So the choice became a simple one.  If I’m a Giants fan, you can second-guess just a little...but Barkley and Beckham make a pretty potent tandem for Eli Manning, who doesn’t have to be great, just good.

Mike Vaccaro / New York Post

“This was the moment when the conversation surrounding football in Fun City changed forever:  It was 7:21 p.m., Central Time, and Roger Goodell, the most-booed man on the planet, had just emerged from backstage at AT&T Stadium for the second of what would be 32 thorough mud-showers of venom and vitriol.

“The hate subsided just enough for the folks in Jerry’s House to hear the news officially: The Giants really weren’t playing possum all these weeks. Penn State’s Saquon Barkley, talented enough that Dave Gettleman’s mother could see the running back’s extraordinary gifts, was clearly OK with Mrs. Gettleman’s son, too.

“And so it was on. For good.  For real.  For keeps.

“It took six minutes for the P.A. announcer to declare that the Jets’ pick was in, and that the Browns were back on the clock (and haven’t the Browns been on the clock, pretty much continually, since 1964?), and another minute after that for Goodell to re-emerge...

“ ‘BOOOOOOOOOOOO’

“...from backstage. And as one hopeful, leather-lunged fan wearing an old Wesley Walker jersey up in the 400 level at AT&T shouted after the hooting had subsided: ‘Even the Jets can’t [screw] this up!’

“The Jets didn’t screw it up. They picked USC’s Sam Darnold. And a new clock was suddenly clicked on, one that ignites a shared history now and for the coming years, one that will link the Giants and the Jets and their fans and their fates and their fortunes. All because Dave Gettleman defied convention (and, some might say, common sense) in favor of a rare football talent.

“Good for the Giants.

“Good for the Jets.

“Better for...well, that’ll be the fun part of the next decade, won’t it?”

The Giants are betting Eli Manning can give them two more solid seasons (far from a guarantee) and that Davis Webb can continue to learn from the sidelines.  Within the next two years, maybe another QB will emerge, too, either through free agency or the draft.

But as Mike Vaccaro put it, regardless, “We have our Sundays back. And September can’t possibly get here fast enough.”

[By the way, the Jets now have five quarterbacks, including Josh McCown, Teddy Bridgewater, Bryce Petty, and Christian Hackenberg.]

--Among the steals in the draft was Baltimore being able to select quarterback and former Heisman winner Lamar Jackson at No. 32.  It’s a perfect spot for him, too, as he can sit and develop for a year behind Joe Flacco, who isn’t owed any guaranteed money after the 2018 season. A succession plan is now in place for the Ravens.

--Due to character issues, LSU running back Derrius Guice, once thought to be a sure-fire first-round selection, ended up going in the second round, No. 59 overall, to Washington, who picked up a potential steal of major proportions. Speaking to reporters after he was selected, Guice denied a rumor that he had been in an altercation when he visited the Philadelphia Eagles. Earlier he made headlines in an interview with SiriusXM when he said that in interviews with certain teams at the NFL scouting combine, they asked inappropriate questions about his sexuality and his mother’s professional life.

The NFL launched an investigation but later issued a statement that said it could not find any credible evidence of the questions taking place.

--D.J. Moore out of Maryland was the first wide receiver selected at 24 by Carolina, a mild surprise to yours truly, with Alabama’s Calvin Ridley then going to Atlanta at 26.

My man Anthony Miller (Memphis) didn’t go until No. 51, selected by Chicago.

The Steelers pulled a coup at 60, getting Oklahoma State stud James Washington.  Pittsburgh did well to draft quarterback Mason Rudolph, also of Oklahoma State, too at 76 (third round), the first QB selected outside the top five.

--I was shocked Seattle took San Diego State running back Rashaad Penny with the 27trh pick in the first round...ahead of Sony Michel (Georgia) who went 31 to New England.

The Browns screwed up royally in not taking USC’s Ronald Jones in the second round, instead picking Michel’s Georgia teammate Nick Chubb.  Jones went three picks later, No. 38, to Tampa Bay.

Staying on the topic of running backs, I also thought Denver got a steal with Royce Freeman (Oregon) at 71, while Detroit foolishly selected Kerryon Johnson (Auburn) at 43.  Man, Freeman, guaranteed, is far better than Johnson!

--Shaquem Griffin became the first one-handed player to be drafted by an NFL team after being selected by Seattle in the fifth round.  The 22-year-old’s twin brother, Shaquill, is a cornerback in Seattle.

Shaquem played on the unbeaten University of Central Florida team last season and was conference defensive player of the player in 2016.

He gained attention at the NFL Combine in March when he ran the fastest 40-yard time for a linebacker since 2003.  Plus Griffin bench-pressed 225lb, 20 times, having attached a prosthetic hand onto the bar.

Before the draft, Shaquem said, “I want to show the entire world, no matter (if you have) one hand, two hands, if you’re a ball player, you just play ball.”

Jim Abbott, the former major-league pitcher born without a right hand, sent out congratulations to Griffin.

“Thrilled for you@Shaquemgriffin. Beyond words...”

--As for Wake Forest, safety Jessie Bates III was selected in the second round by Cincinnati, the fourth safety taken overall, which is damn impressive.  He rocketed up the draft board after a great performance at the Combine.

And boy, Houston got a steal in the sixth round with Wake’s Duke Ejiofor, an edge rusher either from defensive end or linebacker.

But I was a little shocked Demon Deacon tight end Cam Serigne didn’t get drafted.  He will be playing in the NFL next season. Book it.

--Meanwhile, Daniel Carlson of Auburn was the only kicker selected in the draft, fifth round by Minnesota.

Miami kicker Michael Badgley, fellow Summit High School alum, signed as an undrafted free agent with Indianapolis.

--Pittsburgh linebacker Ryan Shazier provided the best moment of Thursday night when he walked on stage to announce Pittsburgh’s first-round pick, after his spinal cord injury in a game in December.

--Dallas tight end Jason Witten is apparently retiring after 15 years to become the color commentator for “Monday Night Football,” unless Cowboys owner Jerry Jones can convince him to change his mind. The team was blindsided by the move.

Witten, 35, auditioned for the “MNF” gig, which came open after Jon Gruden returned to coaching, and should he take the job he’ll be paired with new play-by-play announcer Joe Tessitore. ESPN also considered Kurt Warner, Rex Ryan, Matt Hasselbeck, Booger McFarland and Louis Riddick for the analyst role, according to reports.

Recently, Witten told reporters that he intended to play in 2018.

MLB

--As I go to post, the surging Yankees, 17-9, eight in a row, are playing the 16-11 Angels in Anaheim, the Bronx Bombers with 62 runs over this winning streak.  Didi Gregorius is a Triple Crown candidate. [More on him next time.]

--But when it comes to my Mets, the vaunted starting staff is down to two studs, Jacob deGrom and Noah Syndergaard; deGrom throwing 7 1/3 of shutout ball on Friday night in a 5-1 Mets win over the Padres.  This came a day after Syndergaard went 7 1/3 (one earned) against the Cardinals, but shoddy defense did the Mets in in a 4-3 loss in 13 innings.

After these two you have the likes of Jason Vargas, who made his first start of the season Saturday night in San Diego and was shelled for 9 earned in 3 2/3 in a 12-2 loss.  Yuck.

But at least today they received five innings of two-run ball from Zack Wheeler and the dormant Mets bats finally erupted, 14-2 over the Padres.  It’s funny. The Mets are now 17-9 (same as the Yankees, by god), but it feels so mediocre. That’s what an 11-1 start will do.

Hell, if they are 8 games over .500 entering September, they’ll be in the wildcard hunt...that’s the bottom line.  I would have signed up for that in March.  You too, Johnny Mac and Phil W.  [And Big Bro.]

--Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Nick Kingham had his big-league debut today, and all the 26-year-old did was retire the first 20 batters to face him, seven innings of one-hit ball in all, nine strikeouts, as the Pirates beat the Cards 5-0.  As Ronald Reagan would have said, ‘Not bad, not bad at all.’

--The Giants are suddenly 14-14 after a 4-2 win at home against the struggling Dodgers (12-15).  Clayton Kershaw (not involved today) is just 1-4 in six starts, though with a 2.84 ERA.  However, his last two starts, both losses, are worrisome.  He sucked, including six walks in five innings the other day against the Marlins.

--It’s said White Sox reliever Danny Farquhar continues to recover at a Chicago hospital after collapsing in the team’s dugout during a game against the Astros Fri., April 20. According to Chicago Manager Rick Renteria, Farquhar has taken a few “light walks” with his wife, Lexie.

Farquhar, 31, suffered a ruptured aneurysm.

--The average ticket price is a Major League high at Wrigley Field, $58.57, followed by Boston ($56.97), Yankees ($47.62) and Washington ($42.02). The league average is $32.44.. [This does not consider the cost of luxury seats and suites in determining average ticket price.]

--How big was Rusty Staub, who recently passed away?  At a memorial service last week at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, presided over by Cardinal Dolan, you not only had baseball’s leadership, including Commissioner Rob Manfred and Players Association chief Tony Clark, but New York City’s police and fire commissioners past and present.

“There are three groups of people here,” Dolan said.  “One, our Lord and savior who died and was resurrected – Rusty believed that. Two, Rusty himself, who we thank for all the good things he did in his life, and three, all his family and friends who loved him. We miss him.”

Cardinal Dolan recalled March 29, the day Staub died.

“It was Holy Thursday and Msgr. Sullivan and I were up in the Bronx with the Franciscan Sisters, when all of a sudden a big truck came by full of meals with a sign on it: ‘Rusty Staub Foundation,’” he said.

Msgr. Sullivan summed up Rusty’s life in his eulogy.

He lived in the likeness of God,” Sullivan said. “He taught you that being a celebrity was no excuse for failing to being a human. He understood that being a professional was no excuse for not being human.”

Then in a subtle swipe at the baseball writers for never electing Staub to the Hall of Fame, Sullivan apologized for using a baseball cliché: “Rusty has made it on the first ballot to God’s Hall of Fame in heaven.”  [Bill Madden / New York Daily News]

It bears repeating, Staub’s New York Police and Fire Widows’ and Children’s Benefit Fund has distributed $140 million to the families of first responders.

NBA Playoffs

--LeBron James headed to a first-round Game 7 for the first time in his career, after Indiana annihilated the Cavaliers 121-87 on Friday.  It was Indiana’s largest playoff win in franchise history, as Victor Oladipo had a triple-double, 28 points, 13 rebounds, 10 assists.

Wednesday, Cleveland had taken a 3-2 series lead on a LeBron 3-pointer at the buzzer, 98-95, in a dramatic game.  James had blocked Oladipo’s possible go-ahead layup the play before – which the Pacers felt was goaltending.

So on to today...and it was another classic performance by LeBron.  43 minutes, 45 points on 16 of 25 from the field, 9 rebounds, 7 assists, 4 steals...Cleveland takes it 105-101.  Tristan Thompson’s 15 points and 10 rebounds were big as well.

--Boston took its Game 7 against Milwaukee in Boston on Saturday night, 112-96, as Terry Rozier and Al Horford each scored 26.

Incredibly, Milwaukee has advanced from the first round of the playoffs just once since 1989, losing nine straight playoff series since Ray Allen, Glenn Robinson and Sam Cassell brought George Karl to the Eastern Conference finals in 2001.

Boston is now 23-8 all-time in best-of-seven clinchers, and 20-4 at home.

But now the Celtics square off against the 76ers on Monday.

--There was justifiable concern in Golden State as their semifinal conference series with New Orleans commenced on Saturday, but the Warriors, still without Steph Curry, rolled anyway, 123-101.  Curry, who has been out with an MCL sprain since late March, is expected to play in Game 2 on Tuesday.

--Utah took its series with Oklahoma City on Friday, winning Game 6, 96-91, and the series 4-2.  Russell Westbrook had 46 in defeat for the Thunder, but this was all on Paul George, just 2 of 16 from the field, 5 points, while Carmelo Anthony chipped in just 7.

Anthony said after, “I think the player (the team) wanted me to be and needed to be was for the sake of this season. Everything was just thrown together and it wasn’t anything that was planned out. Wasn’t no strategy to me being here, me being a part of the actual system and what type of player and things like that.”

Anthony, 33, was traded to the Thunder in late September, just days before training camp, and things never truly clicked for him playing alongside Westbrook and George.  His scoring average (16.2) was the first time in his 15-year career he didn’t average 20 points per game.  His field goal percentage, just .403, was the worst of his career as well.

As for Paul George, he heads into free agency on July 1.

Utah, by the way, was nine games under .500 in late January, led by relative unknowns like rookie sensation Donovan Mitchell, big man Rudy Gobert, and point guard Ricky Rubio.

But the Jazz lost Game 1 of their semis, 110-96, to the Rockets, with James Harden scoring 41.

--Toronto closed out Washington Friday night, 102-92, taking the series 4-2, as the Raptors outscored the Wizards 29-14 in the fourth quarter.

--The Knicks have interviewed eight candidates for the head coaching position, but they wanted to talk to Villanova’s Jay Wright, who as we all know would be crazy to jump to the NBA just for a few extra bucks.

But in a Q&A in The Athletic on April 10, Wright did say: “The NBA does intrigue me. That challenge is appealing, but it’s not worth giving up working with these guys....Would I like to coach in the NBA? Yes. But I have to give this up in order to do that, and I don’t see that happening.”

So he’s left the door open, slightly.  That said, ‘Nova is preparing to give him a boost in his salary, which is currently a reported $2.5 million to $3 million per year.

--LaVar Ball pulled his sons LiAngelo and LaMelo from their Lithuanian basketball team over a dispute with the coach.  LiAngelo had previously declared for early entry in the NBA draft after leaving UCLA on the heels of the shoplifting scandal in China, but he is not expected to be among the 60 picks in the two-round draft on June 21.

--The first recommendation in the Commission on College Basketball’s anticipated report in response to charges of corruption, was one that everyone knew was coming from the moment the commission was created: the elimination of “one-and-done.”

The committee’s report called the environment surrounding college basketball “a toxic mix of perverse incentives to cheat,” adding the responsibility for the current mess goes all the way up university presidents.

The commission wants 18-year-olds to again be eligible for the NBA draft, allowing a path to the pros directly out of high school.

The commission, headed by former secretary of state Condoleezza Rice, also recommends college players should be able to return to school if they go undrafted, as long as they don’t sign a professional contract.

The report acknowledged it isn’t in college basketball’s power to change one-and-done.  Instead, the NBA and the players’ union would have to agree on removing the age restriction on players declaring for the draft.

But that appears to be where we’re headed, as the NBA’s developmental league, the G League, has grown to 26 teams, each tied to an NBA parent club.  Next season that increases to 27. That will leave Portland, Denver and New Orleans without G League teams, and no doubt they will get them, giving the NBA its first true minor league, a la baseball and hockey.

So as the Washington Post’s Tim Bontemps adds: “The NBA is in the business of making money. If it has a fully developed minor league, the best way to make money on it is to increase the talent pool. The best way to do that? By having more talented collegiate players decide the G League is a better career path.”

But, change isn’t happening in terms of the draft rules for 2018 or 2019, though both Commissioner Adam Silver and the Players Association agree the draft-eligibility rules need to.

Currently, either the player must turn 19 before or during the calendar year of the draft, or the player must be one year removed from high school graduation unless he met the criteria for international players.

The age requirement was implemented in 2006, after eight of the top 19 picks in 2004 were high schoolers.  Seven were drafted out of high school in 2005, the final year they were eligible to do so. Three of them – Lou Williams, Amir Johnson and Gerald Green – remain in the league.

Back to Condi Rice, she said at a news conference in Indianapolis after the 60-page report was released: “We need to put the college back in college basketball...

“Our focus has been to strengthen the collegiate model – not to move toward one that brings aspects of professionalism into the game.”

NCAA president Mark Emmert has said he wants reforms in place by August.

Stanley Cup Playoffs

--The Bruins whipped the Lightning in Tampa Bay 6-2 Saturday in their conference semi opener, with former Ranger Rick Nash scoring two.

Earlier, Boston beat Toronto in their Game 7 on Wednesday, 7-4, scoring four straight goals to overcome a 4-3 second-period deficit.

--San Jose evened its conference semi series with Las Vegas at 1-1 with a 4-3, double overtime win on the road; Logan Couture netting his second at 5:13 of the second OT.

--Today, Washington evened its semifinal series with Pittsburgh at 1-1 with a 4-1 win at home.

Premier League

The season is winding down...and there were some big developments on the Relegation front this week, as Southampton had a huge 2-1 win over Bournemouth, while  Stoke picked up a point with a 0-0 draw with Liverpool (which is clearly more focused on the Champions League and its second-leg semi at Roma), and West Brom defeated Newcastle 1-0.

[Southampton travels to Swansea May 8 in their next to last contest.  Swansea’s last game then is against Stoke.]

Meanwhile, Chelsea is applying the heat on Tottenham, winning its third straight, 1-0 over Swansea.  Chelsea is now just two points behind, depending on Monday’s critical Spurs game against Watford at Wembley.  If Tottenham loses this, look out.

Standings after 34 to 36 of 38....

1. Man City 35 (games) – 93 points
2. Man U 35 – 77
3. Liverpool 36 – 72
4. Tottenham 34 – 68 ...Champions League line
5. Chelsea 35 – 66
6. Arsenal 35 – 57
7. Burnley 36 – 54

17. Swansea 35 – 33 ...Relegation line
18. Southampton 35 – 32
19. Stoke 36 – 30
20. West Brom 36 - 28

Mike Francesa

WFAN officially announced the news of Francesa’s return on Friday morning, calling it a partnership among the station’s parent company, Entercom, Francesa and CAA Sports.

Friday morning, Francesa went on sister station 1010 WINS – not WFAN – to say that WFAN has been in  a “bit of a slump,” a shot mostly at the ratings of the program he is replacing in the afternoon, Chris Carlin, Bart Scott and Maggie Gray, who barely lost to 98.7 FM’s “Michael Kay Show” in the last ratings book.  It was also a dig at the morning show, “Boomer and Gio,” whose ratings were a little down as well.

Francesa “retired” in December after three decades on the air and an 18-month celebration of himself.  But not finding any substantial offers, he went begging to the FAN, apparently end-running their executives and going right to the top at Entercom, who took him back at a discount to his previous $3 milion per. The contract will run until 2020.

So Francesa’s new show begins on Tuesday.  Thus far there is no local interest by any regional TV networks to broadcast the show, as YES turned to the “Michael Kay Show” years ago and MSG and SNY want no part of The Pope.

Francesa will run from 3 to 6:30 p.m. on weekdays, while “The Afternoon Drive” will need a new name as CMB run from 1 to 3 p.m.  Evan Roberts (my personal fave at the station) and Joe Benigno are back to their old 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. gig.

Phil Mushnick / New York Post

Here we thought freak shows, long before circus elephants, were deemed socially taboo, insensitive, cruel and, finally, obsolete. But with the return to WFAN of Mike Francesa – Step right up! See Jo-Jo, The Two-Faced Dog Boy! – they’re back.

“As the late Dan Hicks sang, ‘How Can I Miss You When You Won’t Go Away?’

“Trying to make sense of it, all I can come up with is a slightly cleansed version of a crude expression. Begging your pardon in advance, Francesa’s return proves that both frauds and feces often float.

“Or maybe he’s doing it for ‘Julio, my driver.’ Say, what’s your driver’s name?

“Some suspected he’s too deceitful to have been sent a retirement gift during his 18-month on and off-air Farewell Tour. I did.  I never sent that bouquet of forget-me-nots.

“Consider his self-important exit from WFAN, four months ago. First he said he was ‘retiring.’ That was a lie. He soon began to boast of all the extraordinary offers he was considering, but wasn’t allowed to discuss or disclose, as per his FAN contract.

“That, too, was a lie, as evidenced by his return to WFAN at what has been reported to be a pay cut.

And so, for 18 months, he publicly, shamelessly conned listeners while apparently trying to con and leverage his station.

“So why is such a repugnant slug given the opportunity to return? Because it takes one person – the boss – to make that decision. So Francesa hopped over his longtime WFAN boss and apologist, Mark Chernoff, who was at the wheel when Francesa’s 9/11 tapes disappeared, and lobbied David Field, head of FAN’s new parent company, Entercom.

“It’s no coincidence Francesa’s return comes when the Yankees are hot, thus Aaron Boone’s job is safe. Last year, after Joe Girardi’s dismissal, Francesa declared himself a candidate to become Yankees’ manager – provided, he warned, ‘the money’s right.’

“He was serious! He’s that delusional, that self-bloated!  His countless demonstrable lies – from being contacted by the Pentagon for his advice, to his brilliance as a gambling tout, to his proven fabrication of his sources in law enforcement – all have been a matter of unbridled conceit and lies in service to his transparent self-aggrandizement and delusional superiority....

“He overplayed his hand, an 18-month bluff of the station and its audiences, then, desperate, he crawled back and then over Chernoff.”

Bob Raissman / New York Daily News

“Friends and foes of Mike (Sports Pope) Francesa won’t have to wait long. He will walk (on water, no doubt) back onto his WFAN Balcony to launch his second reign of pomp and pomposity.

“Waiting to greet him – probably on bended knee – will be FAN boss Mark Chernoff, who desperately wanted Francesa to return to the Papal Power Chair* and, when given the opportunity, dropped dime on CMB, giving them absolutely no chance to succeed....

“Make no mistake. This will be easy for Francesa.  History shows he has no problems lying. He is also delusional. For him, the only opinion that counts is the one from the guy who is staring back at him in the mirror....

“So he knows he back-stabbed Carlin, his former producer. He knows he is now responsible for driving Carlin’s, Gray’s and Scott’s radio career into a ditch. No sweat off Francesa’s back.  He’s already satisfied his mammoth ego.  Like our president, Francesa is a narcissist for the ages. When someone thinks he is always right, why sweat the little things – like destroying someone else’s career(s)?....

“He will say this: ‘I knew I would be ridiculed but I came back for you, the loyal callers. I returned for Mongo Nation. And I returned because of my love for this radio station. I realized this is my home.’

“Half the audience will be left in tears, the other half vomiting.”

*I disagree with Raissman’s take Chernoff wanted the Pope back.

Stuff

--The PGA Tour held a team event this week in New Orleans, the Zurich Classic, and Billy Horschel and Scott Piercy ended up the winners, a stroke ahead of Pat Perez and Jason Dufner.

I just couldn’t get into this, and it didn’t help the field was weak.  But I did like the alternate shot final round format...you just need some authentic stars.

--Joey Logano ended a long winless streak at Talladega in taking this week’s NASCAR Monster Energy Cup race...his 19th career win. It’s always nice to see the Monster Energy Girls in the winner’s circle...a highlight of every weekend....cough cough....cough.....

But I finished virtually last with my DraftKings lineup...four of my six cars crashing out; not a winning formula, sports fans.

--This is kind of bizarre.  The world’s oldest known spider has died at the age of 43, outliving its nearest rival by 15 years. 

Henry Bodkin / Daily Telegraph

“Affectionately known as ‘Number 16,’ the female trapdoor spider had been under observation in the Australian wild since its first moments in 1974.

“The arachnid is believed to have survived for so long by sticking to one protected burrow its entire life and expending the minimum of energy.  [So much for the theory we all need to exercise.]

“Previously the oldest known spider was a tarantula in Mexico, which died at the age of 28.

“The research is the life’s work of Barbara York Main, now 88, who first set eyes on Number 16 shortly after its birth.”

The trapdoor species is poisonous.

Top 3 songs for the week of 4/26/69: #1 “Aquarius / Let The Sunshine In” (The 5th Dimension) #2 “You’ve Made Me So Very Happy” (Blood, Sweat & Tears)  #3 “It’s Your Thing” (The Isley Brothers)...and...#4 “Hair” (The Cowsills)  #5 “Only The Strong Survive” (Jerry Butler)  #6 “Twenty-Five Miles” (Edwin Starr)  #7 “Galveston” (Glen Campbell)  #8 “Time Is Right” (Booker T. & The M.G.’s)  #9 “Dizzy” (Tommy Roe)  #10 “Sweet Cherry Wine” (Tommy James and The Shondells)

NFL Draft Quiz Answer: Aside from future Hall of Famers John Elway, Jim Kelly and Dan Marino, the other three selected in the first round of the 1983 draft who went on to Canton were Eric Dickerson, RB (Rams), Bruce Matthews, G (Houston), and Darrell Green, DB (Washington).

Next Bar Chat, Thursday...maybe...still immense time constraints for yours truly due to caring for my parents. Dad, however, is improving, but there will be time issues going forward.



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-04/30/2018-      
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Bar Chat

04/30/2018

Everyone Is A Winner....

[Posted Sunday evening]

NFL Draft Quiz: In the end, five quarterbacks were selected in the first round of the just-completed draft, falling short of the record six taken in 1983, when the picks included Hall of Famers John Elway, Jim Kelly and Dan Marino. But three others selected in the first round back in ‘83 went on to Hall of Fame careers.  Name ‘em. [Hint: a running back, guard, and defensive back.] Answer below.

NFL Draft

1. Baker Mayfield, QB...Cleveland
2. Saquon Barkley, RB...Giants
3. Sam Darnold, QB...Jets
4. Denzel Ward, CB...Cleveland
5. Bradley Chubb, DE...Denver
6. Quenton Nelson, G...Indianapolis
7. Josh Allen, QB...Buffalo
8. Roquan Smith, OLB...Chicago
9. Mike McGlinchey, T...San Francisco
10. Josh Rosen, QB...Arizona

As Andrew Beaton of the Wall Street Journal put it: “The four quarterbacks could have gone in any order without any apocalyptic cries that any team did something completely blasphemous.  Mayfield, just a couple months ago, seemed likeliest to go last out of this group. Darnold was long the favorite to go No. 1. At times, the rocket-armed Allen seemed like his best competitor. Rosen, to some, was the best pure passer in the draft. Then Rosen wound up being taken after the other three and falling to No. 10.

“ ‘There were nine mistakes made ahead of me,’ Rosen said.  ‘I’ll make sure over the next decade or so that they’ll know they made the mistakes.’

“Rosen could be right. And nobody would be shocked. That’s because as big as the differences were between these players in terms of style and pedigree, there was zero consensus on which one was best.”

As a Jets fan, we are pinching ourselves.  Yes, I was in a minority, at least among those dropping me notes, in thinking Mayfield was the best fit for New York among the four QBs.

But that was because I thought there was no way Darnold would be available at 3!  Forget all his turnover issues, this was the consensus No. 1 pick had the draft been held in September.  He’s an immense talent...and my team got him.  You aren’t hearing a single Jets fan complain today.

Now, as Mike Vaccaro notes below, we just wait and see...Darnold is not under any pressure to start right away.  For all we know his snaps the first season could be limited, which would mean the two QBs now ahead of him are doing a good job. Fine.

As for the Giants and Barkley, Dave Gettleman said all along that when you are picking No. 2, you need to come up with a future Hall of Famer, and the Giants just didn’t feel any of the Big Four were HOF caliber.  So the choice became a simple one.  If I’m a Giants fan, you can second-guess just a little...but Barkley and Beckham make a pretty potent tandem for Eli Manning, who doesn’t have to be great, just good.

Mike Vaccaro / New York Post

“This was the moment when the conversation surrounding football in Fun City changed forever:  It was 7:21 p.m., Central Time, and Roger Goodell, the most-booed man on the planet, had just emerged from backstage at AT&T Stadium for the second of what would be 32 thorough mud-showers of venom and vitriol.

“The hate subsided just enough for the folks in Jerry’s House to hear the news officially: The Giants really weren’t playing possum all these weeks. Penn State’s Saquon Barkley, talented enough that Dave Gettleman’s mother could see the running back’s extraordinary gifts, was clearly OK with Mrs. Gettleman’s son, too.

“And so it was on. For good.  For real.  For keeps.

“It took six minutes for the P.A. announcer to declare that the Jets’ pick was in, and that the Browns were back on the clock (and haven’t the Browns been on the clock, pretty much continually, since 1964?), and another minute after that for Goodell to re-emerge...

“ ‘BOOOOOOOOOOOO’

“...from backstage. And as one hopeful, leather-lunged fan wearing an old Wesley Walker jersey up in the 400 level at AT&T shouted after the hooting had subsided: ‘Even the Jets can’t [screw] this up!’

“The Jets didn’t screw it up. They picked USC’s Sam Darnold. And a new clock was suddenly clicked on, one that ignites a shared history now and for the coming years, one that will link the Giants and the Jets and their fans and their fates and their fortunes. All because Dave Gettleman defied convention (and, some might say, common sense) in favor of a rare football talent.

“Good for the Giants.

“Good for the Jets.

“Better for...well, that’ll be the fun part of the next decade, won’t it?”

The Giants are betting Eli Manning can give them two more solid seasons (far from a guarantee) and that Davis Webb can continue to learn from the sidelines.  Within the next two years, maybe another QB will emerge, too, either through free agency or the draft.

But as Mike Vaccaro put it, regardless, “We have our Sundays back. And September can’t possibly get here fast enough.”

[By the way, the Jets now have five quarterbacks, including Josh McCown, Teddy Bridgewater, Bryce Petty, and Christian Hackenberg.]

--Among the steals in the draft was Baltimore being able to select quarterback and former Heisman winner Lamar Jackson at No. 32.  It’s a perfect spot for him, too, as he can sit and develop for a year behind Joe Flacco, who isn’t owed any guaranteed money after the 2018 season. A succession plan is now in place for the Ravens.

--Due to character issues, LSU running back Derrius Guice, once thought to be a sure-fire first-round selection, ended up going in the second round, No. 59 overall, to Washington, who picked up a potential steal of major proportions. Speaking to reporters after he was selected, Guice denied a rumor that he had been in an altercation when he visited the Philadelphia Eagles. Earlier he made headlines in an interview with SiriusXM when he said that in interviews with certain teams at the NFL scouting combine, they asked inappropriate questions about his sexuality and his mother’s professional life.

The NFL launched an investigation but later issued a statement that said it could not find any credible evidence of the questions taking place.

--D.J. Moore out of Maryland was the first wide receiver selected at 24 by Carolina, a mild surprise to yours truly, with Alabama’s Calvin Ridley then going to Atlanta at 26.

My man Anthony Miller (Memphis) didn’t go until No. 51, selected by Chicago.

The Steelers pulled a coup at 60, getting Oklahoma State stud James Washington.  Pittsburgh did well to draft quarterback Mason Rudolph, also of Oklahoma State, too at 76 (third round), the first QB selected outside the top five.

--I was shocked Seattle took San Diego State running back Rashaad Penny with the 27trh pick in the first round...ahead of Sony Michel (Georgia) who went 31 to New England.

The Browns screwed up royally in not taking USC’s Ronald Jones in the second round, instead picking Michel’s Georgia teammate Nick Chubb.  Jones went three picks later, No. 38, to Tampa Bay.

Staying on the topic of running backs, I also thought Denver got a steal with Royce Freeman (Oregon) at 71, while Detroit foolishly selected Kerryon Johnson (Auburn) at 43.  Man, Freeman, guaranteed, is far better than Johnson!

--Shaquem Griffin became the first one-handed player to be drafted by an NFL team after being selected by Seattle in the fifth round.  The 22-year-old’s twin brother, Shaquill, is a cornerback in Seattle.

Shaquem played on the unbeaten University of Central Florida team last season and was conference defensive player of the player in 2016.

He gained attention at the NFL Combine in March when he ran the fastest 40-yard time for a linebacker since 2003.  Plus Griffin bench-pressed 225lb, 20 times, having attached a prosthetic hand onto the bar.

Before the draft, Shaquem said, “I want to show the entire world, no matter (if you have) one hand, two hands, if you’re a ball player, you just play ball.”

Jim Abbott, the former major-league pitcher born without a right hand, sent out congratulations to Griffin.

“Thrilled for you@Shaquemgriffin. Beyond words...”

--As for Wake Forest, safety Jessie Bates III was selected in the second round by Cincinnati, the fourth safety taken overall, which is damn impressive.  He rocketed up the draft board after a great performance at the Combine.

And boy, Houston got a steal in the sixth round with Wake’s Duke Ejiofor, an edge rusher either from defensive end or linebacker.

But I was a little shocked Demon Deacon tight end Cam Serigne didn’t get drafted.  He will be playing in the NFL next season. Book it.

--Meanwhile, Daniel Carlson of Auburn was the only kicker selected in the draft, fifth round by Minnesota.

Miami kicker Michael Badgley, fellow Summit High School alum, signed as an undrafted free agent with Indianapolis.

--Pittsburgh linebacker Ryan Shazier provided the best moment of Thursday night when he walked on stage to announce Pittsburgh’s first-round pick, after his spinal cord injury in a game in December.

--Dallas tight end Jason Witten is apparently retiring after 15 years to become the color commentator for “Monday Night Football,” unless Cowboys owner Jerry Jones can convince him to change his mind. The team was blindsided by the move.

Witten, 35, auditioned for the “MNF” gig, which came open after Jon Gruden returned to coaching, and should he take the job he’ll be paired with new play-by-play announcer Joe Tessitore. ESPN also considered Kurt Warner, Rex Ryan, Matt Hasselbeck, Booger McFarland and Louis Riddick for the analyst role, according to reports.

Recently, Witten told reporters that he intended to play in 2018.

MLB

--As I go to post, the surging Yankees, 17-9, eight in a row, are playing the 16-11 Angels in Anaheim, the Bronx Bombers with 62 runs over this winning streak.  Didi Gregorius is a Triple Crown candidate. [More on him next time.]

--But when it comes to my Mets, the vaunted starting staff is down to two studs, Jacob deGrom and Noah Syndergaard; deGrom throwing 7 1/3 of shutout ball on Friday night in a 5-1 Mets win over the Padres.  This came a day after Syndergaard went 7 1/3 (one earned) against the Cardinals, but shoddy defense did the Mets in in a 4-3 loss in 13 innings.

After these two you have the likes of Jason Vargas, who made his first start of the season Saturday night in San Diego and was shelled for 9 earned in 3 2/3 in a 12-2 loss.  Yuck.

But at least today they received five innings of two-run ball from Zack Wheeler and the dormant Mets bats finally erupted, 14-2 over the Padres.  It’s funny. The Mets are now 17-9 (same as the Yankees, by god), but it feels so mediocre. That’s what an 11-1 start will do.

Hell, if they are 8 games over .500 entering September, they’ll be in the wildcard hunt...that’s the bottom line.  I would have signed up for that in March.  You too, Johnny Mac and Phil W.  [And Big Bro.]

--Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Nick Kingham had his big-league debut today, and all the 26-year-old did was retire the first 20 batters to face him, seven innings of one-hit ball in all, nine strikeouts, as the Pirates beat the Cards 5-0.  As Ronald Reagan would have said, ‘Not bad, not bad at all.’

--The Giants are suddenly 14-14 after a 4-2 win at home against the struggling Dodgers (12-15).  Clayton Kershaw (not involved today) is just 1-4 in six starts, though with a 2.84 ERA.  However, his last two starts, both losses, are worrisome.  He sucked, including six walks in five innings the other day against the Marlins.

--It’s said White Sox reliever Danny Farquhar continues to recover at a Chicago hospital after collapsing in the team’s dugout during a game against the Astros Fri., April 20. According to Chicago Manager Rick Renteria, Farquhar has taken a few “light walks” with his wife, Lexie.

Farquhar, 31, suffered a ruptured aneurysm.

--The average ticket price is a Major League high at Wrigley Field, $58.57, followed by Boston ($56.97), Yankees ($47.62) and Washington ($42.02). The league average is $32.44.. [This does not consider the cost of luxury seats and suites in determining average ticket price.]

--How big was Rusty Staub, who recently passed away?  At a memorial service last week at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, presided over by Cardinal Dolan, you not only had baseball’s leadership, including Commissioner Rob Manfred and Players Association chief Tony Clark, but New York City’s police and fire commissioners past and present.

“There are three groups of people here,” Dolan said.  “One, our Lord and savior who died and was resurrected – Rusty believed that. Two, Rusty himself, who we thank for all the good things he did in his life, and three, all his family and friends who loved him. We miss him.”

Cardinal Dolan recalled March 29, the day Staub died.

“It was Holy Thursday and Msgr. Sullivan and I were up in the Bronx with the Franciscan Sisters, when all of a sudden a big truck came by full of meals with a sign on it: ‘Rusty Staub Foundation,’” he said.

Msgr. Sullivan summed up Rusty’s life in his eulogy.

He lived in the likeness of God,” Sullivan said. “He taught you that being a celebrity was no excuse for failing to being a human. He understood that being a professional was no excuse for not being human.”

Then in a subtle swipe at the baseball writers for never electing Staub to the Hall of Fame, Sullivan apologized for using a baseball cliché: “Rusty has made it on the first ballot to God’s Hall of Fame in heaven.”  [Bill Madden / New York Daily News]

It bears repeating, Staub’s New York Police and Fire Widows’ and Children’s Benefit Fund has distributed $140 million to the families of first responders.

NBA Playoffs

--LeBron James headed to a first-round Game 7 for the first time in his career, after Indiana annihilated the Cavaliers 121-87 on Friday.  It was Indiana’s largest playoff win in franchise history, as Victor Oladipo had a triple-double, 28 points, 13 rebounds, 10 assists.

Wednesday, Cleveland had taken a 3-2 series lead on a LeBron 3-pointer at the buzzer, 98-95, in a dramatic game.  James had blocked Oladipo’s possible go-ahead layup the play before – which the Pacers felt was goaltending.

So on to today...and it was another classic performance by LeBron.  43 minutes, 45 points on 16 of 25 from the field, 9 rebounds, 7 assists, 4 steals...Cleveland takes it 105-101.  Tristan Thompson’s 15 points and 10 rebounds were big as well.

--Boston took its Game 7 against Milwaukee in Boston on Saturday night, 112-96, as Terry Rozier and Al Horford each scored 26.

Incredibly, Milwaukee has advanced from the first round of the playoffs just once since 1989, losing nine straight playoff series since Ray Allen, Glenn Robinson and Sam Cassell brought George Karl to the Eastern Conference finals in 2001.

Boston is now 23-8 all-time in best-of-seven clinchers, and 20-4 at home.

But now the Celtics square off against the 76ers on Monday.

--There was justifiable concern in Golden State as their semifinal conference series with New Orleans commenced on Saturday, but the Warriors, still without Steph Curry, rolled anyway, 123-101.  Curry, who has been out with an MCL sprain since late March, is expected to play in Game 2 on Tuesday.

--Utah took its series with Oklahoma City on Friday, winning Game 6, 96-91, and the series 4-2.  Russell Westbrook had 46 in defeat for the Thunder, but this was all on Paul George, just 2 of 16 from the field, 5 points, while Carmelo Anthony chipped in just 7.

Anthony said after, “I think the player (the team) wanted me to be and needed to be was for the sake of this season. Everything was just thrown together and it wasn’t anything that was planned out. Wasn’t no strategy to me being here, me being a part of the actual system and what type of player and things like that.”

Anthony, 33, was traded to the Thunder in late September, just days before training camp, and things never truly clicked for him playing alongside Westbrook and George.  His scoring average (16.2) was the first time in his 15-year career he didn’t average 20 points per game.  His field goal percentage, just .403, was the worst of his career as well.

As for Paul George, he heads into free agency on July 1.

Utah, by the way, was nine games under .500 in late January, led by relative unknowns like rookie sensation Donovan Mitchell, big man Rudy Gobert, and point guard Ricky Rubio.

But the Jazz lost Game 1 of their semis, 110-96, to the Rockets, with James Harden scoring 41.

--Toronto closed out Washington Friday night, 102-92, taking the series 4-2, as the Raptors outscored the Wizards 29-14 in the fourth quarter.

--The Knicks have interviewed eight candidates for the head coaching position, but they wanted to talk to Villanova’s Jay Wright, who as we all know would be crazy to jump to the NBA just for a few extra bucks.

But in a Q&A in The Athletic on April 10, Wright did say: “The NBA does intrigue me. That challenge is appealing, but it’s not worth giving up working with these guys....Would I like to coach in the NBA? Yes. But I have to give this up in order to do that, and I don’t see that happening.”

So he’s left the door open, slightly.  That said, ‘Nova is preparing to give him a boost in his salary, which is currently a reported $2.5 million to $3 million per year.

--LaVar Ball pulled his sons LiAngelo and LaMelo from their Lithuanian basketball team over a dispute with the coach.  LiAngelo had previously declared for early entry in the NBA draft after leaving UCLA on the heels of the shoplifting scandal in China, but he is not expected to be among the 60 picks in the two-round draft on June 21.

--The first recommendation in the Commission on College Basketball’s anticipated report in response to charges of corruption, was one that everyone knew was coming from the moment the commission was created: the elimination of “one-and-done.”

The committee’s report called the environment surrounding college basketball “a toxic mix of perverse incentives to cheat,” adding the responsibility for the current mess goes all the way up university presidents.

The commission wants 18-year-olds to again be eligible for the NBA draft, allowing a path to the pros directly out of high school.

The commission, headed by former secretary of state Condoleezza Rice, also recommends college players should be able to return to school if they go undrafted, as long as they don’t sign a professional contract.

The report acknowledged it isn’t in college basketball’s power to change one-and-done.  Instead, the NBA and the players’ union would have to agree on removing the age restriction on players declaring for the draft.

But that appears to be where we’re headed, as the NBA’s developmental league, the G League, has grown to 26 teams, each tied to an NBA parent club.  Next season that increases to 27. That will leave Portland, Denver and New Orleans without G League teams, and no doubt they will get them, giving the NBA its first true minor league, a la baseball and hockey.

So as the Washington Post’s Tim Bontemps adds: “The NBA is in the business of making money. If it has a fully developed minor league, the best way to make money on it is to increase the talent pool. The best way to do that? By having more talented collegiate players decide the G League is a better career path.”

But, change isn’t happening in terms of the draft rules for 2018 or 2019, though both Commissioner Adam Silver and the Players Association agree the draft-eligibility rules need to.

Currently, either the player must turn 19 before or during the calendar year of the draft, or the player must be one year removed from high school graduation unless he met the criteria for international players.

The age requirement was implemented in 2006, after eight of the top 19 picks in 2004 were high schoolers.  Seven were drafted out of high school in 2005, the final year they were eligible to do so. Three of them – Lou Williams, Amir Johnson and Gerald Green – remain in the league.

Back to Condi Rice, she said at a news conference in Indianapolis after the 60-page report was released: “We need to put the college back in college basketball...

“Our focus has been to strengthen the collegiate model – not to move toward one that brings aspects of professionalism into the game.”

NCAA president Mark Emmert has said he wants reforms in place by August.

Stanley Cup Playoffs

--The Bruins whipped the Lightning in Tampa Bay 6-2 Saturday in their conference semi opener, with former Ranger Rick Nash scoring two.

Earlier, Boston beat Toronto in their Game 7 on Wednesday, 7-4, scoring four straight goals to overcome a 4-3 second-period deficit.

--San Jose evened its conference semi series with Las Vegas at 1-1 with a 4-3, double overtime win on the road; Logan Couture netting his second at 5:13 of the second OT.

--Today, Washington evened its semifinal series with Pittsburgh at 1-1 with a 4-1 win at home.

Premier League

The season is winding down...and there were some big developments on the Relegation front this week, as Southampton had a huge 2-1 win over Bournemouth, while  Stoke picked up a point with a 0-0 draw with Liverpool (which is clearly more focused on the Champions League and its second-leg semi at Roma), and West Brom defeated Newcastle 1-0.

[Southampton travels to Swansea May 8 in their next to last contest.  Swansea’s last game then is against Stoke.]

Meanwhile, Chelsea is applying the heat on Tottenham, winning its third straight, 1-0 over Swansea.  Chelsea is now just two points behind, depending on Monday’s critical Spurs game against Watford at Wembley.  If Tottenham loses this, look out.

Standings after 34 to 36 of 38....

1. Man City 35 (games) – 93 points
2. Man U 35 – 77
3. Liverpool 36 – 72
4. Tottenham 34 – 68 ...Champions League line
5. Chelsea 35 – 66
6. Arsenal 35 – 57
7. Burnley 36 – 54

17. Swansea 35 – 33 ...Relegation line
18. Southampton 35 – 32
19. Stoke 36 – 30
20. West Brom 36 - 28

Mike Francesa

WFAN officially announced the news of Francesa’s return on Friday morning, calling it a partnership among the station’s parent company, Entercom, Francesa and CAA Sports.

Friday morning, Francesa went on sister station 1010 WINS – not WFAN – to say that WFAN has been in  a “bit of a slump,” a shot mostly at the ratings of the program he is replacing in the afternoon, Chris Carlin, Bart Scott and Maggie Gray, who barely lost to 98.7 FM’s “Michael Kay Show” in the last ratings book.  It was also a dig at the morning show, “Boomer and Gio,” whose ratings were a little down as well.

Francesa “retired” in December after three decades on the air and an 18-month celebration of himself.  But not finding any substantial offers, he went begging to the FAN, apparently end-running their executives and going right to the top at Entercom, who took him back at a discount to his previous $3 milion per. The contract will run until 2020.

So Francesa’s new show begins on Tuesday.  Thus far there is no local interest by any regional TV networks to broadcast the show, as YES turned to the “Michael Kay Show” years ago and MSG and SNY want no part of The Pope.

Francesa will run from 3 to 6:30 p.m. on weekdays, while “The Afternoon Drive” will need a new name as CMB run from 1 to 3 p.m.  Evan Roberts (my personal fave at the station) and Joe Benigno are back to their old 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. gig.

Phil Mushnick / New York Post

Here we thought freak shows, long before circus elephants, were deemed socially taboo, insensitive, cruel and, finally, obsolete. But with the return to WFAN of Mike Francesa – Step right up! See Jo-Jo, The Two-Faced Dog Boy! – they’re back.

“As the late Dan Hicks sang, ‘How Can I Miss You When You Won’t Go Away?’

“Trying to make sense of it, all I can come up with is a slightly cleansed version of a crude expression. Begging your pardon in advance, Francesa’s return proves that both frauds and feces often float.

“Or maybe he’s doing it for ‘Julio, my driver.’ Say, what’s your driver’s name?

“Some suspected he’s too deceitful to have been sent a retirement gift during his 18-month on and off-air Farewell Tour. I did.  I never sent that bouquet of forget-me-nots.

“Consider his self-important exit from WFAN, four months ago. First he said he was ‘retiring.’ That was a lie. He soon began to boast of all the extraordinary offers he was considering, but wasn’t allowed to discuss or disclose, as per his FAN contract.

“That, too, was a lie, as evidenced by his return to WFAN at what has been reported to be a pay cut.

And so, for 18 months, he publicly, shamelessly conned listeners while apparently trying to con and leverage his station.

“So why is such a repugnant slug given the opportunity to return? Because it takes one person – the boss – to make that decision. So Francesa hopped over his longtime WFAN boss and apologist, Mark Chernoff, who was at the wheel when Francesa’s 9/11 tapes disappeared, and lobbied David Field, head of FAN’s new parent company, Entercom.

“It’s no coincidence Francesa’s return comes when the Yankees are hot, thus Aaron Boone’s job is safe. Last year, after Joe Girardi’s dismissal, Francesa declared himself a candidate to become Yankees’ manager – provided, he warned, ‘the money’s right.’

“He was serious! He’s that delusional, that self-bloated!  His countless demonstrable lies – from being contacted by the Pentagon for his advice, to his brilliance as a gambling tout, to his proven fabrication of his sources in law enforcement – all have been a matter of unbridled conceit and lies in service to his transparent self-aggrandizement and delusional superiority....

“He overplayed his hand, an 18-month bluff of the station and its audiences, then, desperate, he crawled back and then over Chernoff.”

Bob Raissman / New York Daily News

“Friends and foes of Mike (Sports Pope) Francesa won’t have to wait long. He will walk (on water, no doubt) back onto his WFAN Balcony to launch his second reign of pomp and pomposity.

“Waiting to greet him – probably on bended knee – will be FAN boss Mark Chernoff, who desperately wanted Francesa to return to the Papal Power Chair* and, when given the opportunity, dropped dime on CMB, giving them absolutely no chance to succeed....

“Make no mistake. This will be easy for Francesa.  History shows he has no problems lying. He is also delusional. For him, the only opinion that counts is the one from the guy who is staring back at him in the mirror....

“So he knows he back-stabbed Carlin, his former producer. He knows he is now responsible for driving Carlin’s, Gray’s and Scott’s radio career into a ditch. No sweat off Francesa’s back.  He’s already satisfied his mammoth ego.  Like our president, Francesa is a narcissist for the ages. When someone thinks he is always right, why sweat the little things – like destroying someone else’s career(s)?....

“He will say this: ‘I knew I would be ridiculed but I came back for you, the loyal callers. I returned for Mongo Nation. And I returned because of my love for this radio station. I realized this is my home.’

“Half the audience will be left in tears, the other half vomiting.”

*I disagree with Raissman’s take Chernoff wanted the Pope back.

Stuff

--The PGA Tour held a team event this week in New Orleans, the Zurich Classic, and Billy Horschel and Scott Piercy ended up the winners, a stroke ahead of Pat Perez and Jason Dufner.

I just couldn’t get into this, and it didn’t help the field was weak.  But I did like the alternate shot final round format...you just need some authentic stars.

--Joey Logano ended a long winless streak at Talladega in taking this week’s NASCAR Monster Energy Cup race...his 19th career win. It’s always nice to see the Monster Energy Girls in the winner’s circle...a highlight of every weekend....cough cough....cough.....

But I finished virtually last with my DraftKings lineup...four of my six cars crashing out; not a winning formula, sports fans.

--This is kind of bizarre.  The world’s oldest known spider has died at the age of 43, outliving its nearest rival by 15 years. 

Henry Bodkin / Daily Telegraph

“Affectionately known as ‘Number 16,’ the female trapdoor spider had been under observation in the Australian wild since its first moments in 1974.

“The arachnid is believed to have survived for so long by sticking to one protected burrow its entire life and expending the minimum of energy.  [So much for the theory we all need to exercise.]

“Previously the oldest known spider was a tarantula in Mexico, which died at the age of 28.

“The research is the life’s work of Barbara York Main, now 88, who first set eyes on Number 16 shortly after its birth.”

The trapdoor species is poisonous.

Top 3 songs for the week of 4/26/69: #1 “Aquarius / Let The Sunshine In” (The 5th Dimension) #2 “You’ve Made Me So Very Happy” (Blood, Sweat & Tears)  #3 “It’s Your Thing” (The Isley Brothers)...and...#4 “Hair” (The Cowsills)  #5 “Only The Strong Survive” (Jerry Butler)  #6 “Twenty-Five Miles” (Edwin Starr)  #7 “Galveston” (Glen Campbell)  #8 “Time Is Right” (Booker T. & The M.G.’s)  #9 “Dizzy” (Tommy Roe)  #10 “Sweet Cherry Wine” (Tommy James and The Shondells)

NFL Draft Quiz Answer: Aside from future Hall of Famers John Elway, Jim Kelly and Dan Marino, the other three selected in the first round of the 1983 draft who went on to Canton were Eric Dickerson, RB (Rams), Bruce Matthews, G (Houston), and Darrell Green, DB (Washington).

Next Bar Chat, Thursday...maybe...still immense time constraints for yours truly due to caring for my parents. Dad, however, is improving, but there will be time issues going forward.