Sheffield On A-Rod, Ortiz, Retirement & Baby Bombers

Gary Sheffield. Photo courtesy Turner Sports.

Gary Sheffield, who played for the Yankees and Mets in his illustrious career, will once again be in the studio for TBS' coverage of the Major League Baseball Postseason, with Pedro Martinez and Casey Stern.

TBS is the exclusive TV home of the 2016 American League Postseason, starting with the AL Wild Card Game on Tuesday, Oct. 4 and continuing through the ALCS. This is TBS’ 10th season of MLB Postseason coverage, which began in 2007, and the network is completing its’ ninth regular season slate of Sunday game coverage.

Sheffield caught up with reporters recently at MLB on TBS Media Day. Here's a sampling of that conversation:

Books: Bolling's "Wake Up" Call For America

Wake Up America: The Nine Virtues that Made Our Nation Great - and Why We Need Them More Than Ever
By Eric Bolling
St. Martin's Press

Eric Bolling, one of the hosts of the highly-rated show The Five on FOX News Channel, wants to see America be great again.

Bolling was brought up in a struggling blue-collar family in Chicago. His parents showed him that hard work and firm values can get you far in life.

The nine virtues his parents taught him and that which Bolling extols are: grit, profit, manliness, thrift, individuality, dominion, merit, pride, and providence.

Bolling sees these as the values that America was built on and which shaped the character of our country. He notes that, at one time, our nation was the embodiment of greatness and always strived for exceptionalism.

Red Bulls Advance in CONCACAF Champions League

Courtesy Red Bulls

The Red Bulls advanced out of Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League group play for the first time in club history after winning Group F with a 0-0 draw on Tuesday night against Guatemala Antigua FC.

New York finishes group play with a 2-0-2 record, clinching a spot in the Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League Quarterfinals early next year. The Red Bulls earn the club milestone just days after clinching a seventh-straight berth in the MLS Cup Playoffs with a win over the Montreal Impact on Saturday.

Books: Ann Coulter Makes The Case For Trump

In Trump We Trust: E Pluribus Awesome!
by Ann Coulter
Sentinel

Leading conservative commentator Ann Coulter makes the case for Donald J. Trump, the Republican nominee for President.

Coulter lays out the reasons conservatives fell in love with Trump when he declared he would run for the Presidency in June 2015.

In Trump We Trust opens by saying that "until June 16, 2015, every conservative felt four things:
1. We're losing.
2. The fight wasn't fair - it was over before it began, and the rules were rigged.
3. Our allies have abandoned us.
4. This loss is permanent. We're not getting it back.

Books: Who Shot Sports

Who Shot Sports: A Photographic History 1843 to the Present

By Gail Buckland

Alfred A Knopf

Who Shot Sports, which is also an exhibit at the Brooklyn Museum until January 8, 2017, brings together 165 extraordinary photographers who have captured some of the most famous images ever, but the person behind the camera is unknown.

Buckland is a former curator of the Royal Photographic Society of Great Britain and Benjamin Menschel Distinguished Visting Professor at Cooper Union.

For Who Shot Sports, Buckland draws upon the work of more than 59 archives, from the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, to Sports Illustrated, Conde Nast, Getty Images, the National Baseball Hall of Fame, L'Equipe, The New York Times, and the archives of the International Olympic Committee in Lausanne.

Israel Wins WBC Qualifier

Israel players rush the field after the final out. Photo by Jason Schott.

Israel beat Great Britain 9-1 in the World Baseball Classic Qualifier Championship Game on Sunday night at MCU Park in Coney Island.

This is first time Israel will be part of the 16-team field in the World Baseball Classic. In March 2017, they will compete in Seoul, South Korea, in Group B, along with South Korea, the Netherlands, and Taiwan.

Israel got amazing pitching, led by Jason Marquis, and they got home runs from Blake Gailen, Ryan Lavarnway, and Cody Decker.

Red Bulls Win Puts Them (And NYCFC) In MLS Cup Playoffs

Photo courtesy Red Bulls.

The New York Red Bulls clinched a playoff spot with a 1-0 win over the Montreal Impact on Saturday night at Red Bull Arena.

This is the seventh straight year the Red Bulls are in the MLS Cup Playoffs.

The Red Bulls improved to 13-9-9, 48 points and are now in first place in the Eastern Conference. new York City Football Club and Toronto have the same amount of points, but the Red Bulls have the edge on goal differential, +13.

Israel Advances To WBC Qualifier Championship Game

Israel and Brazil exchanged caps before the game, continuing a tradition in international baseball. Photo by Jason Schott.

Israel beat Brazil in a thriller, 1-0, on Friday afternoon at MCU Park in the World Baseball Classic Qualifier.

With the win, Israel advances to the WBC Qualifier Championship Game on Sunday at 6:00 pm. for a spot in the World Baseball Classic next March.

Brazil will play Great Britain on Saturday night for the chance to reach the final game the following night. Great Britain beat Pakistan 14-0 on Friday night.

NYCFC On Doorstep Of Playoffs After Double From Villa

David Villa. USA Today Sports.

David Villa scored two goals to lead New York City Football Club to a 4-1 victory over the Chicago Fire on Friday night at Yankee Stadium.

NYCFC improved to 13-9-9, 48 points, and currently sit in first place in the Eastern Conference. They extended their home unbeaten streak to seven games, with six wins and one draw.

This weekend, NYCFC can earn a spot in the 2016 MLS Audi Playoffs with either an Orlando City SC tie against D.C. United Saturday, a New York Red Bulls win over the Montreal Impact Saturday or a New England Revolution tie or loss against the Columbus Crew Sunday.

NYC Connections at WBC Qualifier In Coney Island

Pakistan and Brazil in the opening game of the WBC Qualifier on Thursday afternoon. Brazil won 10-0. Photo by Jason Schott.

The World Baseball Classic Qualifier is taking place this weekend at MCU Park in Coney Island. Great Britain, Israel, Pakistan, and Brazil are competing for the right to play in the WBC next March.

There are plenty of New York City connections to these teams, including former Mets Ike Davis and Josh Satin, and Staten Island native Jason Marquis, who are all playing for Israel.

Ron Darling On The Upcoming MLB Postseason

Ron Darling. Photo courtesy Turner Sports.

Ron Darling will be on the call for TBS, along with Ernie Johnson and Cal Ripken, for the 2016 Major League Baseball Postseason.

TBS is the exclusive TV home of the 2016 American League Postseason, starting with the AL Wild Card Game on Tuesday, Oct. 4 and continuing through the ALCS.  This is TBS’ 10th season of MLB Postseason coverage, which began in 2007, and the network is completing its’ ninth regular season slate of Sunday game coverage.

Daring spoke at MLB on TBS Media Day and here is a sampling of the conversation:

How impressive has this late run by the Mets been, considering all their injuries?

NYCFC Earns Draw With Dallas

Khiry Shelton celebrates his late goal. USA Today Sports.

New York City Football Club earned a 2-2 draw with FC Dallas on Saturday night at Yankee Stadium in a battle of the two of MLS' best teams.

Dallas leads the Western Conference, and has the most points in the MLS, 52, with a record of 15-7-8.

NYCFC is in second place in the East, with 45 points (12-9-9), just one point behind Toronto for the top spot. Toronto hosts the Red Bulls, who are in third with 44 points, in a pivotal matchup on Sunday afternoon.

Red Bulls Get Champions League Win

Sacha Kljestan after his goal. Photo courtesy Red Bulls.

Sacha Kljestan scored in the 90th minute to give the Red Bulls a 1-0 win over Alianza FC, a club from El Salvador, in their CONCACAF Champions League match on Thursday night at Red Bull Arena.

Gonzalo Veron, coming down the left side, whipped a pass into the box to Kljestan, who buried it in the right corner of the net for the only goal of the game.

Nets Unveil Brooklyn Remix Uniform

A lot about the Brooklyn Nets will be new this season. They have a new head coach, Kenny Atkinson, and a revamped roster with a lot of new faces, including star point guard Jeremy Lin.

On Wednesday, the Nets continued the fresh feel of the 2016-17 season when they unveiled the Brooklyn Remix uniforms.

The Nets will debut the new uniforms at its home opener on Friday, October 28 vs. the Indiana Pacers at Barclays Center. They will wear the alternate uniforms for an additional three home games and 8 road games.

Designed in collaboration with adidas, the new look is inspired by the Nets’ uniforms worn from 1984-1990, remixed to pay homage to the team’s current home in Brooklyn. The graphite color, a blend of the Nets' signature black and white, represents the grit and tenacity of Brooklyn and its passionate young team.

Reminiscent of the ’84-‘90 uniforms, the jerseys have a white NETS word mark across the chest and BROOKLYN down the left side. This marks the first time the team has worn both ‘Brooklyn’ and ‘Nets’ together on its jerseys.

The uniforms also feature five graphite stars on a white background, three down the side of the jersey and two down the side of the shorts, dually representing the team’s fifth season in Brooklyn, and the five decades of the franchise.

“The Brooklyn Remix uniforms represent a fusion of the past and the present,” said Brett Yormark, CEO of Brooklyn Sports & Entertainment. “By combining elements from the team’s most iconic uniforms, we’ve created a modernized look that emphasizes our heritage and defines today’s lifestyle brand.”

Brooklyn Remix Nights:

Friday, Oct. 28 Nets vs. Pacers 7:30 p.m.

Wednesday, Nov. 9 Nets @ Knicks 7:00 p.m.

Friday, Nov. 25 Nets @ Pacers 8:00 p.m.

Thursday, Dec. 22 Nets vs. Warriors 7:30 p.m.

Wednesday, Dec. 28 Nets @ Bulls 8:00 p.m.

Friday, Dec. 30 Nets @ Wizards 7:00 p.m.

Thursday, Jan. 5 Nets @ Pacers 7:00 p.m.

Friday, Jan. 13 Nets @ Raptors 7:30 p.m.

Monday, Jan. 23 Nets vs. Spurs 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, Feb. 5 Nets vs. Raptors 12:00 p.m.

Tuesday, Feb. 7 Nets @ Hornets 7:00 p.m.

Thursday, March 30 Nets @ Pistons 7:30 p.m.

Books: My Father & Atticus Finch

My Father & Atticus Finch: A Lawyer's Fight For Justice in 1930s Alabama

By Joseph Madison Beck

W.W. Norton & Company, Inc.

When one thinks of an intrepid lawyer defending a black man accused of rape in the South, one thinks of Atticus Finch in the landmark novel To Kill a Mockingbird. 

The thing is there were figures in real life in the South during the time Mockingbird was set, including Foster Beck.

Joseph Madison Beck tells the story of his father's courageous defense of a black man in South Alabama.

Madison Square Garden College Hoops Schedule

The 2014 NCAA East Regional at Madison Square Garden.

Madison Square Garden is known as the Mecca of Basketball, and the schedule they have put together this season proves it.

On Tuesday, The Garden announced their jam-packed college basketball schedule for the 2016-2017 season, highlighted by the return of the NCAA Tournament.

For the second time in four years, the road to the Final Four runs through The Garden.

Madison Square Garden will again be the last stop for one team before heading to Phoenix to compete for a national title. On March 24 and 26, The Garden will host the 2017 NCAA East Regional, which has the Sweet 16 and Elite 8.

St. John's Full Schedule Released

St. John's in action last season against Villanova at Madison Square Garden.

The St. John’s Red Storm men’s basketball team’s 2016-17 schedule was finalized Tuesday, with the Big East’s public release of the upcoming conference slate.

The league’s broadcast schedule was also revealed, confirming all 31 Red Storm regular-season contests will be televised with 30 delivered to a national audience. As part of the league’s landmark partnership with FOX Sports, the Red Storm will appear on the broadcast network’s signature sports station FS1 17 times.

DC United Comes Back Late To Tie Red Bulls

The Red Bulls honored victims of the September 11th attacks in pregame ceremonies. Photo by Jason Schott

The Red Bulls were cruising on their way to another victory on Sunday afternoon at Red Bull Arena.

They got goals from Gonzalo Veron, off a feed from Sacha Kljestan, in the 30th minute, and Bradley Wright-Phillips in the 54th minute on a slick pass from Daniel Royer to make it 2-0.

NYCFC Falls In New England

New England's Diego Fagundez gets a step on NYCFC. USA Today Sports.

New York City Football Club got another goal from Frank Lampard, but it was not enough, as they fell to the New England Revolution, 3-1, Saturday night at Gillette Stadium.

Juan Agudelo was played behind the NYCFC defense and put the Revolution in front in the 21st minute. Lee Nguyen made it 2-0 New England in the 42nd minute.

Lampard pulled NYCFC a goal back four minutes into the second half when he knocked in RJ Allen's cross at the edge of the six-yard box. This was Allen's sixth assist of the season, and Andrea Pirlo also had an assist, his 10th of the year.

CBS' Jim Nantz On The Upcoming NFL Season

Jim Nantz and Phil Simms.

Jim Nantz will be entering his third season calling Thursday Night Football with Phil Simms for CBS and the NFL Network.

I caught up with Nantz at NFL on CBS Media Day, and he discussed last year's Super Bowl, Peyton Manning, the Broncos' prospects this season, and Tom Brady and the Patriots.

Jason Schott: What are your memories of last year's Super Bowl, with Peyton Manning going out on top?

Jim Nantz: That was a thrill. To have the responsibility of broadcasting Super Bowl 50, I don't know, it's going to rank up there when my career many, many years down the road comes to a close. I will always treasure that on the short list of things I've had a chance to do.  Very special.

Luke's Lobster Provides An Authentic Taste of Maine

Lobster, shrimp, and crab rolls.

If you want a taste of Maine and an authentic lobster roll here in Brooklyn, Luke's Lobster has what you need.

The summer heat might still be in full affect, but football season is here. The new NFL season kicks off this weekend, which means football fans across the country are already picking their fantasy draft names and planning their first tailgate.

A celebrated American tradition, tailgating brings friends and family together for a pre-game feast. 

NYCFC's Lampard Named MLS Player of the Week

Frank Lampard salutes the fans - USA Today Sports.

New York City FC midfielder Frank Lampard was voted Major League Soccer Player of the Week by the North American Soccer Reporters (NASR) for the 26th week of the 2016 MLS season.

Lampard was named MLS Player of the Month for July, a month in which he scored six goals and added one assist

Since making his debut on June 18, Lampard has been on a tear, now ranking in the top 10 in goals in the MLS after scoring all 11 of his tallies in the previous 13 matches.

S.I. Yankees Announce New Team Name Finalists

Richmond County Bank Ballpark At St. George.

Earlier this summer, the Staten Island Yankees announced they they would have an online contest to re-brand the team for the 2017 season.

After receiving more than 2,000 fan submissions during their “Name the Team” Contest, the Staten Island Yankees have narrowed the new name of the franchise down to five finalists.

Granderson Mets' Nominee For Clemente Award

Curtis Granderson - @Mets

On Tuesday, Major League Baseball announced that Curtis Granderson was named the New York Mets 2016 nominee for the prestigious Roberto Clemente Award, the most prominent individual player award bestowed by MLB.

Granderson will be recognized on the field prior to the Mets’ home game on Tuesday, September 20

The Roberto Clemente Award is the annual recognition of a player from each MLB Club who best represents the game of baseball through extraordinary character, community involvement, philanthropy and positive contributions, both on and off the field.

Each Club nominates one current player to be considered for the Roberto Clemente Award in tribute to Clemente’s achievements and character.

Wednesday, September 7 marks the fifteenth annual Roberto Clemente Day, which was established by Major League Baseball to honor Clemente’s legacy and to officially acknowledge local Club nominees of the Roberto Clemente Award.

Lampard's Late Goal Gives NYCFC Big Win Over DC United

Frank Lampard gets the step on DC's Rob Vincent. USA Today Sports.

Frank Lampard had a night dreams are made of Thursday night at Yankee Stadium.

New York City Football Club honored Lampard before the game for reaching 300 career goals, and he followed that up with two goals on the night to give NYCFC a huge 3-2 win over DC United.