-Nice response by the Mets this weekend in Arizona taking two of three. Ya don’t think Billy Wagner had something to do with it? Jose Reyes had a real good series going 5-for-11 with three extra base hits including two triples, three runs scored, two RBI’s and a  stolen base in each game. It’s the first time all season he’s had steals in three straight.

-Ryan Church continues to impress with four hits and his fourth homer in the series opening 7-2 win. The 29 year-old right fielder who was acquired with catcher Brian Schneider from the Nationals for Lastings Milledge is looking like a steal. He leads the team in hitting with a .318 average, four home runs, 22 RBI’s and 23 runs. Church also boasts a respectable .382 on-base percentage and has played solid defense which included a key toss out of Chris Burke, who was trying for third in a tie game with nobody out in the eighth Sunday. It was Church’s fourth assist of the season.

-How about Melky Cabrera’s sudden power boost. With a two-run dinger in yesterday’s 8-2 Yankee win over Seattle to complete their first three-game sweep of 2008, the 23 year-old center fielder now has six homers in 103 at bats. Last season, the Melk Man hit only eight in 545 ABs. The switch hitter had a very good Spring Training and has carried it over so far. You just wonder if it’s legit. In this day and age, that’s what it’s come to sadly.

-The Yanks also have to be pretty happy with Darrell Rasner’s first start. He went six strong permitting only a two-run Adrian Beltre homer in the first while scattering five hits and striking out four to pickup his first win. Most importantly, he didn’t issue a walk.  Just maybe the 27 year-old from Nevada can give the staff a boost. 

-Roger Clemens is sorry because his personal life is in ruins and there’s virtually no way to recover that no matter what statements he makes.

-It’s amazing how well Oakland is playing. Despite retooling by unloading stars Dan Haren and Nick Swisher, here they are playing solid ball winning 19 of their first 33 games with the third best record in the American League. I criticized him but it turns out that GM Billy Beane does know what he’s doing. Greg Smith, who was one of the players acquired in the Haren deal from Arizona is off to a 2-1 start with a 2.54 ERA allowing 27 hits in 39 innings with 13 walks and 31 strikeouts. As evidenced by their 18 homers, the A’s don’t hit for much power which is why reclaiming veteran slugger Frank Thomas could be a wise move. He’s had success there before.

-Even with some questionable calls and non ones, the younger Pens were the better team. They just had too much speed, size and skill for the Rangers even if Jaromir Jagr turned back the clock with 15 points (5-10-15) in only 10 postseason games. If this was the last of him in the NHL, he’ll be sorely missed. No.68 truly is one of the most fun players to watch. He never complained about how many times he was hacked and didn’t take Oscar Award winning dives to draw calls unlike a certain superstar. He just played the game which is how it’s supposed to be. Too bad the NHL doesn’t seem to think so.

-Evgeni Malkin was the best player in the series and dominated the puck. The no-look backhander he scored on to beat Henrik Lundqvist was ridiculous. It’s the 21 year-old Russian who deserves all the accolades along with some endorsements. Though his slewfoot of Paul Mara was uncalled for. Pull that in the next series against a tougher Flyer team and he could pay the price.

-Has anyone ever complained more than Michel Therrien despite winning the series in five games? Apparently, he learned well how things are done on his club.

-He doesn’t always do the right things on the ice but we’re wishing Ranger Sean Avery the very best as he recovers from a lacerated spleen. The NHL needs more Averys in the game who are willing to mix it up. They’ve become a bland league with boring intermission segments and blah quotes from even their best players. That doesn’t get ratings. They need more colorful analysts who will speak their mind instead of being afraid of their shadows like the hypocritical league. Sucking up to stars doesn’t work. Neither does being serious all the time. We suggest they watch TNT’s NBA coverage cause it doesn’t get much better.

-He can say whatever he wants but until Roger Federer beats Rafael Nadal in the best three-of-five at Roland Garros, the No.1 ranked Swiss player isn’t as good on the red surface.

-Anyone who doesn’t watch Spurs/Hornets will be missing a great series. Even if Bruce Bowen bitches about every call against him. Tony Parker against Chris Paul is worth every penny. And could someone please explain to me why the Spurs are boring? Why? Cause they execute in the halfcourt and play solid D unlike teams such as the Nuggets and Suns. Parker and Manu Ginobili are fun players to watch. Tim Duncan might not show a lot of emotion emulating a robot but he’s one of the game’s greatest players.

-Unless he performs up to expectations against the Pistons, Dwight Howard doesn’t deserve to be tossed around with the Duncans, LeBron’s and Kobe’s.

-It’s okay now to tell the Avalanche to cover Detroit’s Johan Franzen. Oops. Too late!

-Ditto the Canadiens and finding the Flyers’ R.J. Umberger. After the way Carey Price performed, maybe Canada really is jinxed.

-That four overtime epic between San Jose and Dallas was as good as it got. You talk about great hockey and awesome goaltending from Evgeni Nabokov and Marty Turco, it was the kind of game which anyone could enjoy featuring great skating, hitting and awe inspiring battles. So much for that magic 33 theory. Maybe next round!