Now that you have a good visual, we may begin.

Tiger Woods: Why does this shock people? Why is the fourth woman shocking people? Why did the first, second, or third woman shock people? This guy makes a ton of money, and he is one of the most powerful athletes on the planet. Michael Jordan once held that distinction, you think he was faithful to one woman? You think Julius Caesar was monogamous? How about John F. Kennedy? Bill Clinton? The line from Spiderman from Uncle Ben to Peter Parker needs to be amended, “With great power comes great responsibility, and a conga line of women.”

Mark Mangino: The Kansas Jayhawks coach agreed to resign late last week amidst an investigation to see if he was too rough on his players. A football coach too rough on his players? A football coach getting too personal with his players? This is news? Where did these guys grow up? Why did they sign to play for Mangino? Why not transfer if he was too rough on them? He may have been a complete another word for donkey, but last time I checked football coaches get edgy sometimes. This is the product of kids growing up and always winning, even if they come in last place. As the late great George Carlin once said, “You aren’t the last winner, you lost.” Losing teaches you a lot of things. Trust me, I can speak from tons of experience in that department. It makes you appreciate the work you have to put in to actually win something. By the way, no one seemed to mind his coaching ways when the team went 12-1 and beat Virginia Tech in the Fiesta Bowl in 2007.

Nets first win: The New Jersey Nets finally won a basketball game. Kiki Vandeweghe took over for Lawrence Frank and will try to develop the Nets’ young talent the rest of the way. Frank got a raw deal. He’s a good coach and a great human being. He will land on his feet somewhere else. As for the Nets, they are headed for a lottery pick, and according to Rod Thorn they have a shot at being close to $27 million under the cap when the season ends.

Roy Halladay: The Blue Jays right-hander said he would approve a trade to the Yankees, and why not considering his former co-pilot A.J. Burnett will be sporting a very big ring with lots of diamonds in it come April. Halladay told the Jays he would not accept any trade after Spring Training starts though. Yankee fans who want Halladay at his cost need to stop the insanity. He is going to command CC Sabathia money or more and a multi-year contract. You want the Yankees to spend $23 million or more five years down the road on a 37-year-old starter? Twenty-three million? If you do, don’t complain about the price for tickets. Would the Yankees be ridiculously stacked with starting pitching, YES! But at what cost? Mortgaging the future for what a guy has done in the past makes no sense. See the Don Mattingly years.

Premature Celebrations: First quarter – Cowboys vs. Giants 12:37 left – Marion Barber rushes for a first down and celebrates like he just won the Super Bowl. I have no issue with a big sack celebration to take a team out of field goal range at any point in the game. I have no problem with celebrations after first downs to seal the game. Too many times though guys, even when they are losing by 17 points, will get up after a tackle and act like they just won the game. STOP! ENOUGH! What happened to making a routine play and just acting like you’ve been there before. Barry Sanders, I miss you.

“Cleatus” The Fox Robot: Does FOX really need to continue with this thing? Does the NFL need to be sold by an animated graphic of a robot named Cleatus? Or can it stand on its own by the ratings it gets and the excitement that the most watched league brings to the table year in and year out?
Dear Fox,
Please take Cleatus out back and disassemble him. Yes that is a Short Circuit reference.
Sincerely,
Chris Shearn

Jersey Shore: Does it bother anyone else from New Jersey, besides me, that their is just one person on this show, just one, FROM NEW JERSEY?! Yet this is the stereotype branded onto people from New Jersey. Take a look at the cast. Take a look at where they are from. Maybe call the show the “Ferry hits the Shore” – nuff said. Thank you MTV, thank you for proving that the shore has plenty of bennies and the stereotypes could be deflected to other parts of the tri-state area.

Vantage Point: When you have a year old baby it’s tough to watch movies when they come out. I wanted to see “Vantage Point” with Dennis Quaid in 2008, but couldn’t get myself to the movies. Well recently, as luck would have it, during nap time, I found it on DirecTV and got the chance to check it out. Great movie. Interesting premise. Deserving of the Golden Globe for Best Thriller.

Well another week is upon us. What will transpire? What will filter through my noggin and be spit out in another Off the Wall Weekly? Tune in next week. Same Chris time, same Chris channel.

Later

Here’s some food for thought Yankees fans. The only Phillies starter to have W’s in this series isn’t pitching tonight. Pettitte is going up against 37-year-old Pedro Martinez. No one is talking about Pedro’s age, Why? Why is Pedro getting a pass here and Andy Pettitte the most winningest pitcher in post season history being underestimated because he is on three days rest?

Some more food for thought, I hope your hungry. This will be just the fifth start for Pettitte in the last month. He has thrown four postseason games in 30 days. That is plenty of rest. That means on average he has had over seven days of rest if you factor in all the off time. You may think I’m crazy or weird, but it’s fact. I know he has only had three days of rest between his last start and this start tonight, but it’s not like Pettitte has been on a regular workload. He has had ample rest. He clinched in Game 6 of the ALCS on October 25th, then didn’t pitch again for six days in the World Series. That’s an extra day of rest and Pettitte wasn’t sharp. He said he didn’t have it, so you can sit here and argue and try to make a radio show on this topic, but I am calling you all out.

By the way, Pedro is 37.

Also as far as the decision to go with the Three Horseman who got the Yankees to the game clincher here tonight, Joe Girardi absolutely made the right decision. Why put Chad Gaudin in to start against Cliff Lee and basically forfeit a Game 5 when you can have A.J. Burnett on the mound? No one knows his players better than the manager. If he didn’t think Burnett didn’t give the Yankees a chance to win Game 5, he wouldn’t have been on the hill.

By the way, Burnett was hitting 95 on the gun. He had problems locating. If you followed this team all year, Burnett had problems locating on regular rest. Why didn’t these guys on sports radio just tell Girardi to have Derek Jeter go up to bat in the top of the first with a white flag tied to the top of his bat?

By the way, Pedro is 37.

One more thing before I punch out. Was Nostradamus a Yankees fan? Check this out:

Quatrain 23? Don Mattingly’s number. What number did Mattingly wear when he began his Yankee career? 46. It ends tonight.

Johnny Damon continues to be my new BFF because whenever we ask this guy for an interview he is, dare I say, Johnny on the spot. Joe Auriemma is busily editing it and it will be up on the site later, as well as my interview with Kenny Singleton.

I asked a lot of beat reporters, radio hosts or just people here working for various media outlets what their gut feeling was for tonight — about 80-85 percent of the people I asked thought this Series was going back to New York for Game Six. This is not exactly a Quinnipiac or New York Times poll, but still a good one.

Brett Gardner starting in center field tonight. Melky is done. Ramiro Pena is now on the roster.

Kenny Singleton’s 1983 Baltimore Orioles were the last team in World Series history to lose Game One and then win the next four. They did it about 300 yards away from where we are sitting right now, at Veterans Stadium.

Four times a team lost Game One and went onto take the next four games.

1983 Orioles (vs. Phillies)
1969 Mets (vs. Orioles)
1942 Cardinals (vs. Yankees)
1915 Red Sox (vs. Phillies)

Will this be the third time the Phillies surrender that fate?

Also interesting to note: the Yankees have been up 3-1 in the World Series eight times. They are 8-0. They have won Game Five six times and Game Six twice.

Year       Opponent     Game 5 Result 

2000       Mets           Won 4-2
1977       Dodgers       Lost 10-4 (Won Game 6)
1961       Reds           Won 13-5
1949       Dodgers       Won 10-6
1943       Cardinals     Won 2-0
1941       Dodgers       Won 3-1
1937       Giants         Won 4-2
1936       Giants         Lost 5-4 (Won Game 6)

Lee’s only postseason experience has been this season with the Phillies and he’s made the most of it. He is 3-0 in four starts with a 0.54 ERA and the opposition is batting just .171 against him. Those are the best numbers by a pitcher with at least 30 innings in the postseason.

The lefty has proven to be a playoff sure thing so far, but can he can be due for a clunker? Over his last seven starts of the regular season Lee was 2-4 with an ERA over six. In fact, his last loss came in his last start of the regular season against Houston back on October 1. Lee hasn’t tasted defeat since. Cue fictional Indians manager Lou Brown from the Major League movies, “I have a hunch he’s due.”

The series may not end tonight, but if the Phillies do extend the Fall Classic their patchwork pitching staff after Lee will come into question in the next two possible games.

Game six, if necessary, at Yankee Stadium will be Pedro Martinez. Game 7 if necessary will be putting three names in a hat and seeing who Charlie Manuel picks out of it. All hands would be on deck in a Game 7 we know that, but the starters would be a choice of J.A. Happ, Joe Blanton on three days’ rest, or Cole Hamels (who said he can’t wait for the season to end). Hamels by the way was loudly booed in his Game 4 introduction for those postgame comments after Game 3. What competitor begs for the season to be over when his team is down 2-1 in the World Series after he implodes on the mound?

By the way, this is how quickly “The biggest game in your life” is overtaken by the next “biggest game of your life” as A.J. Burnett will toe the rubber in the possible clincher here in Philadelphia. Like Lee, it’s also Burnett’s first postseason experience on the mound. He does have a ring with the 2003 Marlins; he was injured during that time though. How about that? Beating the Yankees in 2003 with the Marlins, but not playing, and Burnett tonight could pitch the Yankees to their 27th World Series Championship. If Burnett indeed pitches well in the next biggest game of his life, he can walk away with the World Series MVP.

The Lighthouse is beaming with confidence. The Yankees are just 27 outs away from their 27th Championship. Glass half empty Yankee fans get your cups ready. They are just one win away from overflowing with champagne.

Whether it be monsoons, tsunamis, hurricanes, or water spouts half full of hope, the Lighthouse has remained sturdy and hasn’t faltered. The Lighthouse is always here to flip the script from negative to positive. Even in times of despair and deficits, the light always shines through. Through the fog, through the choppy waters, through a critical Game 6 tonight. Can I get an amen?!

As fans, this isn’t a time to be timid and shake in a corner. As fans, this isn’t a time to think of 2004. No, brothers and sisters, as fans this is a time to stand up as one. This is a time to stand up and have confidence in a team that won 103 games. A team that has 52 comeback victories. A team that exorcised their Red Sox demons. A team that always seems to come through when it needs to get the job done. A team that has lost just eight games at home since the All-Star break.

Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, tonight is the night where you take pride in your pinstripe affiliation. Tonight is the night where instead of worrying about the past, you concentrate on the present and future. Tonight is the night where you all stand as one, stand as one collected and confident group, and watch as the Bronx Bombers go after their 40th trip to the Fall Classic.

Let us Pray. And let’s go Yankees.

Today in Postseason History:  The New York Mets rally from three runs down with two outs in the 10th inning to win Game 6 of the World Series.
 
Karma is on New York’s side on this night.

Yankees                                                                    Opponent

Wins                       6                                               2

Runs                     43 (5.4 /G)                                  23   (2.9 /G)

AVG                     .257 (76-296)                              .241 (71-295)

HR                          14                                               4

ERA                       2.52 (22 ER – 78.2 IP)                   4.60 (39 ER – 76.1 IP)

You should all know A.J. Burnett’s story by now. Last year he was in bed with his wife watching postseason baseball wondering what it would be like if it were him pitching in a big game. Tonight, Burnett doesn’t have to wonder. Tonight, Burnett can pitch his team to his second and the teams 40th World Series appearance.

So far in the postseason, with the exception of being a little wild, Burnett has given the Yankees two solid starts. He’s pitched 12.1 innings, allowed a combined three runs on six hits, and the Yanks have won both games by the final of 4-3. As fans you would probably like to watch games without wearing out the leather on the edge of your seat. However, regardless of how they did it, they won both starts and are just one win away from baseball Shangri-la.

Five more wins. Coincidentally for Derek Jeter, Andy Pettitte, Jorge Posada and Mariano Rivera, five more wins equals FIVE GOLDEN RINGS! Calling birds, french hens, turtle doves, and partridges in pear trees sold separately. Christmas is just a little over two months away you know. I couldn’t help myself.

Did you know you can almost count to six on one hand. If you’re Antonio Alfonseca, you actually can count to six on one hand. Google him if you don’t know him, or if you’re too lazy, he was a relief pitcher in the bigs and he has six fingers on his right hand. Much like Count Rugen from “The Princess Bride,” but Alfonseca didn’t kill Inigo Montoya’s father.

“HELLO, MY NAME IS INIGO MONTOYA, YOU KILLED MY FATHER, PREPARE TO DIE!”

Sorry couldn’t help myself.

So just six more wins and the Yankees will be parading down the Canyon of Heroes. It won’t be easy though. If the Yankees get past the Angels, they will have to deal with the Dodgers or Phillies. By the way, let me just say right now, I am hoping the Phillies win the NL pennant. Are you asking, “Why Chris?” Well if you are, here’s why. If the Dodgers and Yankees make the World Series, it’s not going to be about the Dodgers and the Yankees. It will be about Joe Torre and his return to the Bronx, and if he can be beat the team who let him go.

I don’t want that.I want the games to be the story. I don’t want Torre being the story. So “Access Hollywood,” “Inside Edition” and all you entertainment shows drooling over the possibility of this happening, I boo you. Stick to Jon and Kate, it’s what you do best. Leave sports to the people who cover it all season long. Leave the Yankees to the people who are there for Baltimore in April and the Nationals in June. Thank you.

Now, even with a 2-0 lead over the Angels in the ALCS there is still some cause for concern. This is a good team. They have a great manager. The Angels aren’t going to just let the Yankees walk in to their house and let them walk right over them.

The temperature in Anaheim is much more baseball friendly; the forecast is 71 degrees and sunny. There won’t be any ski masks, or any hats with ear flaps, unless Elmer Fudd decides to make an appearance. That’s his normal wardrobe. The next three games are on the left coast. Game 3 this afternoon, Game 4 tomorrow night, and Game 5, if necessary, on Thursday.

I’d rather not see pinstripes again until October 28th.

7 W + 7 OL = 27 WS.  I think you can figure it out if I made it up, but for those of you who need me to break it down, seven more wins plus seven more opponents’ losses will equal the Yankees’ 27th World Series title. 

Seems like an easy equation, but to get too geeked over one win, especially my rollercoaster fans on Twitter, who live and die with every pitch in the Yankees season. I give you guys all the credit in the world for being the fans you are, but you are certifiable. Case in point, against the Twins, CC Sabathia gave up a leadoff double to Denard Span, and all of my Twitter Chicken Littles thought the sky was falling.

The Angels are better than what we saw last night. They’re not going to go down without a fight. Even if the Yankees take Game 2, the next three games are in LA, or Anaheim, or in LA of Anaheim, I don’t know ask them. 

Hopefully Mother Nature cooperates with us and we get this in because we have Giants football tomorrow. We’ve gone from rain, to no rain, to chocolate rain, to rain again. It must be nice to be a forecaster. Nostradamus they are not. Hopefully Nostradamus isn’t Nostradamus. However, I have been looking through quatrains to see if the Yankees will beat the Angels. So far, nothing to report. I’ll let you know.

Update:  After reading some of Nostradamus’ Quatrains I found this:

The Royal scepter will be forced to take
that which his predecessors had pledged.
Because they do not understand about the ring
when they come to sack the palace.

Century 7 Quatrain 23

Ring?  Sack the Palace?  Was Nostradamus a Yankee fan?  I know its a stretch, but it’s pretty cool.