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sports
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THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2012
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3 In the news
Valentine calls Red Sox season ‘miserable’ Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine’s seasonlong spat with the Boston media continued yesterday in an interview with WEEI Radio. After calling the season “miserable,” Valentine was asked if he had “checked out.” Valentine responded by calling it an “embarrassing” question and saying if he was in the studio he’d “punch you right in the mouth.” METRO
In the news
NFL deaths A study released in the journal Neurology yesterday reported that deaths among former NFL players were unusually high due to brain diseases like Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s disease. The study looked at more than 3,400 former players and showed 334 had died of long-term brain diseases. The NFL announced a $30 million donation to medical research yesterday as well.
Steinbrenner not happy with slide
DON’T PANIC* (*yet) Yankees have lost 10-game lead in division But don’t tell Derek Jeter anything about needing to panic Team keeping cool with month to play It was one week ago that the Yankees were facing a threegame set with the Orioles holding a three-game lead in the division. Manager Joe Girardi was steadfast in his belief that things would turn around. “It’s business as usual,” Girardi said moments before taking the field Friday night in what would be the first loss in a string of four-of-out-five. “The thing about a season is you’re
“It’s hard to win if you don’t hit. We’ve had a tough time scoring runs the last couple weeks.” GIRARDI
going to go through ups and downs. This isn’t the first time we’ve had this in the course of the season. We’ve
responded and we’ve bounced back, and that’s what I expect.” They haven’t. And as of yesterday, that AL East lead was all gone. For the first time since 1997. the Orioles are tied atop the division with the Yankees in September. Last night’s starter, Hiroki Kuroda, was a 22-year-old rookie ... for the Hiroshima Carp. Baltimore’s best player, Adam Jones, was in sixth grade.
Dickey wins No. 18 In a year filled with little other than disappointment, R.A. Dickey has been the lone bright spot for the Mets. He continued his amazing season yesterday, becoming the first pitcher in the majors to win 18 games. The Mets won 6-2 over the Cardinals to close out a nine-game road trip in which they went 6-3 overall. Dickey outdueled Adam Wainright, allowing two earned runs over 6 2/3 innings.
2.64
Dickey’s ERA now stands at 2.64 — second in the National League to Cincinnati’s Johnny Cueto. He is scheduled to go for his 18th win on Sunday vs. Houston. “It was a battle for me,” Dickey said. “I didn’t necessarily have a good feel for [the
knuckleball] early. I threw a couple more fastballs than I normally would have because we had a lead.” Dickey’s brilliance continues to put him in leading contention for the NL Cy Young. “I’d be thrilled for him,” manager Terry Collins said. “We all hope he wins it, but if he doesn’t, he’s certainly had a storybook season.” Ike Davis hit his 26th home run in the fifth inning to extend a 2-1 lead to 5-1. METRO
101
The Yankees were in sole possession of first place in the AL East for 101 days — including off days — before Tuesday.
But the captain of the Yankees, never known to give any insight into his emotions, is steadfast. “Nothing changes. We play
It wasn’t exactly a decree from the Boss, but Yankees managing partner Hal Steinbrenner spoke on his team’s slide for the first time yesterday. “We’re all frustrated,” Steinbrenner told the New York Post. “The fans are frustrated. I know that. We all expect great things out of these guys. We’ve had injuries all year long. We’re not the only team, but we’ve had our share. Each time, they push through.” Hal’s father George famously lit into his teams whenever they were underperforming, but the new ownership group has always taken a lighter approach. Hal told the Post the mounting injuries were largely to blame for the slump. “Look, you start to get back into it, and someone else gets hurt,” Steinbrenner said. “They’ve got to keep pushing. They will.” METRO
everybody,” Derek Jeter said after Tuesday’s loss to Tampa Bay. “How many games do we have left? If we win all of them, we’re good, right? If that’s the case, you don’t have to worry about anyone else.” For the record, the Yankees have 26 games left. Don’t worry about anything else. MARK OSBORNE
mark.osborne@metro.us
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Dickey and the Reds’ Johnny Cueto appear to be the leaders for this year’s NL Cy Young.