Brian Baisley gets ready to bat for Staten Island Yankees.

STATEN ISLAND, NY- All summer long, Brian Baisley has had the magic bat. The 25 year-old elder statesman was money again driving in three of the Baby Bombers’ four in a 4-1 triumph over the Verrazano rival Cyclones before an 11th sellout crowd of 7,171 at Richmond County Bank Ball Park in St. George Saturday night.

“I’m just trying to be productive. Get good pitches to hit and be productive,” the Staten Island first baseman modestly explained after finishing with a two-run double and a bizarre inside the park home run which took Brooklyn center fielder Kirk Nieuwenhuis to the track where it appeared he hauled it in. However, the ball jarred loose and fell underneath the wall.

Meanwhile, a hustling Baisley never stopped running rounding the bases and headed into the dugout before plate umpire Shea Gipson ruled that it was indeed a homer giving the Bombers a 4-0 lead in the home sixth. Not surprisingly, Cyclones’ skipper Edgar Alfonzo came out to get an explanation with Gipson actually taking him all the way to the scene to describe what happened.

“Hell. I don’t know. I wasn’t watching. I was running. … I was talking to one of the guys on the team and they said he caught it and then it went off the scoreboard. I’ll take them anyway I can get them,” Baisley chuckled. “I’ve never seen a home plate umpire go out there. … I’ve never seen something like that.”

In any event, it didn’t matter how his third dinger of the season resulted which supported the strong pitching of winning starter Brandon Braboy, who followed up a solid performance last week with a season best six innings of scoreless ball scattering three hits while walking a pair and fanning five for his first victory.

“It felt pretty good today. I got them to swing at a lot of first and second pitches. Didn’t go too much in the hole. So it felt good today,” he said.

“My pitching coach [Pat Daneker] is teaching me how to pitch. Before, I was trying to throw as hard as I can. Now, I try to pitch and not worry about how hard I throw. My change up worked good my last two starts and tonight I had a slider. All my pitches worked real good.”

“Braboy did very well today. He stayed low in the zone and got guys to swing at some bad pitches. Put the ball in play for our defense to go to work,” added battery mate Mitch Abeita, who contributed with a pair of hits and run scored.

Following a scoreless seventh, Drew Shetrone ran into trouble giving up three straight singles loading the bases to start the eighth forcing Staten Island manager Pat McMahon to bring in Brad Rulon into a hairy situation. The move paid off as he limited the damage getting Jordan Abruzzo to hit an RBI ground out to Baisley. With runners in scoring position, Sean Ratliff lined right to third baseman Mike Lyon and Eric Campbell flied out to center fielder Ray Kruml allowing the Staten Island Yankees to take a three-run lead to the dugout.

“Bases loaded, I just came in and threw strikes and had some good plays behind me. The first two guys hit the ball hard and got lucky that they snagged them. So, good defense right there,” Rulon pointed out.

With closer Pat Venditte unavailable, the right handed setup man got to close the deal pitching around a one out Jose Jimenez double by getting Nieuwenhuis and John Servidio swinging to notch his first save.

“Yeah. Pat was down and had a lot of saves lately. Just another outing. Not really worried about the end of the game. I’ve been in that situation before in college like a couple of inning saves like I came in the eighth and threw well. Then finished up. I haven’t done it here but kind of have been in that situation.”

The game started with both starters tossing zeroes but the Bombers finally broke through against Brooklyn’s Pedro P. Martinez with a three-run third. Abeita and left fielder Taylor Grote had consecutive one out base hits putting runners at the corners. Following a Kruml RBI ground out to short which scored the first run, second baseman David Adams kept it going with a bloop single to center. That brought up Baisley, who laced a two out deep drive off the right field sign for a two-run double making it 3-0.

“We fell behind last night and scored four in the ninth. We came out and battled. To come out and jump on them like that was good for the team,” Baisley noted.

“Brooklyn always plays us tough. They’re a good team and lately we haven’t scored until the ninth inning. So, it was good to get some runs early in the game. … Nice to get an early lead on them and then hold it,” Grote indicated after following an RBI in Friday’s late bid with a 2-for-3 night. “I had been struggling for quite a while but I’m starting to see the ball better. Just some minor adjustments. Trying to cut down. See the ball a lot better. So swing better.”

“We’ve been losing a lot of games lately to them,” added Rulon. “So it was good to get a win against them.”

Notes: The three RBI’s allowed Baisley to pass Dan Brewer for the team lead with 19 knocked in. His three homers are tied with Lyon, Addison Maruszak and Melky Mesa for a share of the club lead. … Seven Bombers have at least 10 RBI’s. … Servidio and J.R. Voyles each had a couple of hits in a losing effort for the Cyclones. … Some early defense prevented Brooklyn from grabbing the lead when Brewer started a 9-2-6 putout with Abeita finishing it off by pegging Voyles at second. … Martinez fell to 0-2 allowing all four earned on seven hits while K-ing three. … With two more scoreless and three K’s, Rulon lowered his ERA to a team best 0.36. … The win improved first place Staten Island to 23-15- four better than both Aberdeen and Hudson Valley with Brooklyn (18-20) trailing by five. … The third game of four is later today at Keyspan Park in Coney Island set for 5 PM with the clubs returning to the Ferry Terminal Monday for the series finale.

A day later, the trade which sent Xavier Nady and Damaso Marte to the Yankees became official. As it turned out, neither former Staten Island Yankee George Kontos nor Trenton teammate Phil Coke were in the deal as reported late last night.

Instead, both Double-A starters are staying put while Triple-A SP’s Jeff Karstens and ex-Baby Bomber Daniel McCutchen are going to the Pirates to complete the trade which also sent outfield prospect Jose Tabata and reliever Russ Ohlendorf the other way.

In 12 starts this season for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes Barre, the 25 year-old Karstens was 6-4 with a 3.80 ERA while striking out 55 in 68 and a two thirds. He made his final start last night picking up the win going five and two thirds on three runs, nine hits while walking a couple and fanning five. The former Texas Tech star was selected by the Yankees in the 19th round of the 2003 Draft.

During an injury riddled 2007, he made one appearance with Staten Island tossing five innings of one-run ball while fanning eight for a victory during a rehab stint. Thus far, Karstens has seen limited action in the majors having little success going 1-4 with over an 11.00 ERA.

The 25 year-old McCutchen had a great 2007 pitching extremely well for both Tampa and Trenton combining to go 14-4 with a 2.47 ERA in 23 starts (24 GP). In 142 total innings, the former University of Oklahoma star who the Yanks grabbed in the 13th round back in 2006 allowed just 116 hits and nine long balls while walking 33 and striking out 103. Opponents hit just .227 against him. For his outstanding performance, he was tabbed a Florida State League Mid-season and Post-season All-Star.

Oddly enough, he was originally taken by the Yanks in the 2003 27th round but didn’t sign. Tampa selected him the following year in Rd. 28 but he didn’t sign. The Cards also took him in 2005 in Rd.12 but failed to sign him as well allowing the Yankees a second chance to get him. He saw limited action here in Staten Island going 1-0 in two starts with a 1.13 ERA. In eight innings, he struck out 11 before progressing to Charleston.

In his first season at Triple-A, McCutchen had mixed results posting a 4-6 mark with a 3.58 ERA in 11 outings. Two of those four victories were shutouts. In 70.1 IP, he’s allowed 73 hits (10 HR) while walking only 11 and K-ing 58.

Now, the older McCutchen will team with Pirates’ outfield prospect Andrew McCutchen hoping to impress enough to make the bigs. Interestingly enough, both were busted for steroids with the latter serving out a 50-game suspension before bouncing back.

So, now the deal is done and Nady and Marte will be in Pinstripes probably in 20 minutes as the Bronx Bombers aim for eight straight with Andy Pettite opposing Tim Wakefield in Fenway.

If there’s one criticism of how the trade changed, it’s that it put bloggers like myself and even writers who cover the sport at a disadvantage. MLB writer Jennifer Langosch’s original story which appeared on milb.com last night still is up giving analysis on both Kontos and Coke even though they wound up staying.

Heck. It wasn’t even fair to Coke, who after one scoreless frame where he K’d the side was pulled from the game last night.

Such is the nature of the business where sometimes, things change. I’m very happy that Kontos will be staying put. Must’ve been a roller coaster of emotions over the past 24 hours for the former Northwestern star. We’ll see if he and his teammate make the most of it in the Yankee organization.

Blake dealt to Dodgers: In other MLB news, Casey Blake was dealt from the Indians to the Dodgers in exchange for two minor leaguers. The 34 year-old veteran utility man was hitting .289 with 11 homers and 58 RBI’s. He’ll go to LA and play mostly third. He also can play first and the outfield if needed. Solid pickup for Joe Torre’s club.

Today’s edition features one of my fave tracks from the new Lil Wayne Tha Carter III album appropriately entitled, “Mr. Carter” featuring Jay Z where the 25 year-old rap star fires back at his cynics with some cool lyrics and also with Brooklyn’s own Jay Z which always helps.

It’s been played over and over on Hot 97 and for good reason as it’s just the bomb. The beat and words are kicking. I never really was into Weezy but he’s pretty good. That rant near the conclusion where he says, “Hector Camacho Macho Man Randy Savage far from average,” is pretty deadly.

Lil Wayne fea Jay Z: “Mr. Carter“-song with cover

Lil Wayne fea Jay Z: “Mr. Carter“- official video

love the end too with the kids singing as a chorus in the background. pretty cool stuff.

Lil Wayne fea Jay Z: “Tha Carter 3-Alternate“

-The Yanks just had a huge win over the Red Sox holding on for a 1-0 shutout in the first of three at Fenway to pull within two of the defending world champs for the wild card. Pending the result of Tampa-KC will determine if they’re within a couple for the division. At last check, the Rays led the Royals by a run in the seventh.

Joba Chamberlain went a career high seven innings baffling the Red Sox on just three hits while walking only Mike Lowell in the fourth and striking out nine on 103 pitches to pickup his third win (second as a starter). Just how brilliant a performance was it for the 22 year-old out of Nebraska? He retired the final 10 batters against one of the best hitting lineups, who even without Manny Ramirez (sat out) are lethal. David Ortiz returned tonight finishing with one hit in four at bats.

The story was Chamberlain, who outdueled Boston ace Josh Beckett, whose only mistake was a Jason Giambi infield single to short with the shift on allowing Bobby Abreu to come in from third for the game’s only run back in the third. The Yanks got plenty of base runners getting nine hits off Beckett but couldn’t tack on any insurance runs putting the pressure squarely on Joba’s shoulders. He was up to the challenge getting stronger as the night wore on mixing a filthy 87 MPH slider with his high 90’s heater and curve. He finished strong striking out rival Kevin Youkilis, Lowell and then got All-Star Game MVP J.D. Drew to fly out to right before departing for Kyle Farnsworth.

Farnsworth entered on a roll having tossed nine straight hitless innings but Red Sox rookie shortstop Jed Lowrie halted that with a leadoff single to right. After the Yankee setup man got struggling catcher Jason Varitek to harmlessly pop out to Derek Jeter, he had some tough luck when Boston center fielder Coco Crisp hit a roller up the first baseline. With first baseman Richie Sexson charging, a hustling Farnsworth beat him to it trying to pick up the ball and tag Crisp but instead missed him allowing for an infield hit.

With two runners on, skipper Joe Girardi didn’t mess around immediately signaling for Mariano Rivera for a five out save against the future Hall of Famer’s toughest foe. Even with a chaotic atmosphere, it didn’t matter as Mo did the job getting rookie Jacoby Ellsbury looking at a perfect outside cutter and then getting pesky second baseman Dustin Pedroia on a comebacker to end the threat.

After the Yanks went in order against Boston’s Hideki Okajima, Rivera still had to pitch to the heart of the order. First, he won the battle against Big Papi getting the big slugger to pop out to Abreu. It wouldn’t come easy though as Youkilis lined an inside heater through the hole to left. But with the tying run on, the Yankee closer buckled down against Lowell winning a classic battle.

After the World Series hero had foiled four cutters by fouling them off, Rivera finally came in and got the benefit of the doubt from plate umpire Marty Foster, who rang up the furious veteran third baseman. An animated Lowell protested getting in Foster’s face before getting the heave ho. Judging from the replays, it looked like he had a beef as the ball seemed to be just off the inside edge but catcher Jose Molina framed it to get the call.

Rivera still needed one more out and got it by dialing up two picture perfect outside cutters freezing Drew to give the Yanks their seventh win in a row out of the break. They’re now 57-45 and trail Boston (60-44) by just one in the loss column.

In Game Two tomorrow afternoon on Fox, the red hot Andy Pettite takes on veteran knuckleballer Tim Wakefield. The third game on Sunday Night Baseball features Sidney Ponson against Jon Lester.

-Meanwhile, the Bronx Bombers also were making headlines off the field as well. Those rumors according to WCBS’ Suzyn Waldman proved true about Brian Cashman finally going out and addressing two needs by acquiring outfield slugger Xavier Nady and lefty reliever Damaso Marte from the Pirates in exchange for four minor league prospects including OF Jose Tabata, SP George Kontos, SP Phil Coke and RP Ross Ohlendorf.

The move makes plenty of sense, especially with Hideki Matsui and Jorge Posada likely going under the knife ending their seasons. No question the Yankees needed to add another big bat and acquiring the 29 year-old Nady is a good move. The one-time Met who was packaged for Oliver Perez a couple of years ago was hitting .330 with 13 home runs and 57 RBI’s in 88 games with the Pirates this season. The former Padres’ 2000 second round pick has developed into a solid right handed hitter, which was exactly the Yanks’ need. He should fit right in supplying more pop as a five or six hitter.

Marte, 33, was originally a Yankee farmhand before going onto a solid eight-year MLB career with three other teams including as a key late inning reliever for the 2005 World Series champion White Sox. In his second stint with the Pirates, the Santo Domingo native was doing the job. In 47 games this season, he’s 4-0 with a 3.47 ERA recording five saves while fanning a batter per-inning (47 K’s in 46.2 IP).

Marte will be asked to fill the void as the lefty reliever for the Yanks further solidifying an improving pen which has seen Farnsworth flourish in a more distinguished role while Jose Veras and Edwar Ramirez have been steady contributors.

As for who went the other way, the 19 year-old Tabata was once considered to be one of the Yankee jewels in their system believed to have five tools. After a solid 2007 hitting over .300 with five homers, 54 RBI’s and 15 steals, he struggled in Trenton this season falling to .248 with three dingers, 36 RBI’s along with 10 steals in 79 games. In fact, his early season struggled were so bad that he went home for a couple of days to regroup. He hadn’t played since the beginning of July. Now, the Pirates get him as the centerpiece along with solid Double-A starters Kontos and Coke.

The 23 year-old Kontos is a Northwestern product who the Yanks tabbed in the fifth round in 2006. In fact, I covered his first pro season out here with the Staten Island Yankees where it was pretty apparent why they liked him. He possesses a low-90’s fastball along with a nasty curve and slider. He was one of the top Penn-League pitchers helping the Baby Bombers repeat as champions with an outstanding Game 3 performance which saw him escape a bases loaded jam to toss six shutout innings while fanning an impressive 11 for the team’s fourth championship.

After making some negative headlines for an off field incident prior to last season, Kontos battled an injury plagued 2007 in Tampa making 17 starts while posting a 4-6 record with a 4.02 ERA while fanning more than a batter-per-inning (101 in 94 IP). Elevated to Trenton this season, Kontos has pitched in bad luck posting a 3-9 record with a 3.77 ERA in 20 starts. In 107 and a third, he’s allowed 97 hits while walking 43 and fanning 103.

If there’s an area he needs to improve on, it’s not giving up the long ball. Last season, he served up 15 while this summer he’s given up 11. It couldn’t have helped that he struggled this month going winless in four outings with a 6.05 ERA. Part of the issue was his walks were up issuing 10 in 19-plus while permitting 21 hits and K-ing 19. Before this month, Kontos had three good months.

For the most part, his control was an issue in college but the Yankee staff helped fix the problem which has seen him continue to strikeout batters at a high ratio. If he continues to develop, there’s little doubt that he’ll make the majors. As someone who covered this former NYPL All-Star, he was fun to watch pitch and always a good quote in the locker room.

I’ll definitely miss Kontos and be pulling for him with his new organization.

The other SP the Pirates got was 26 year-old Coke, who has had a solid season with the Thunder posting a respectable 9-4 mark with a 2.60 ERA in 19 starts. That included a complete game shutout- a rarity in the minors or even baseball itself. So, the Sonora, California native who’s allowed 103 hits in 114.1 IP while walking 38 and striking out 109 bears watching as he’s closer to the majors than Kontos.

The prior season in Tampa, he went 7-3 with a 3.09 ERA in 16 starts fanning 76 in 99 frames while also notching a shutout. Coke’s a former 2002 26th round selection. It’s worth noting that Pirates’ All-Star center fielder Nate McLouth was selected in the 25th round in 2000. So, there is such thing as late bloomers to the cynics who believe if a player doesn’t make it by a certain age, they never will.

Also included in the deal was the 25 year-old Ohlendorf, who originally was part of the Randy Johnson deal. The former Princeton star never distinguished himself struggling mightily with the Yanks with over a 6.00 ERA while allowing 50 hits in 40 innings, walking 19 and serving up seven long balls before getting sent back down to Triple-A Scranton-Wilkes Barre. Maybe the Pirates will be a good change for the Austin, Texas native. If not, chalk it up to overhype.

-Update: Tampa prevailed over Kansas City 5-3 to pull a game up on Boston remaining three ahead of the Yanks. Carlos Pena’s 16th homer in the ninth (2-run variety) proved to be the difference as the Rays won for just the fourth time in their last 10.

-The Mets are now in first place in the NL East after scoring two runs in the home eighth to beat the Phillies 3-1 at Shea on Kids Day. Carlos Delgado continued his resurgence by knocking in the two go-ahead runs delivering a clutch two out two-run double down the left field line plating both Robinson Cancel and David Wright, who was intentionally passed over to get to the first base slugger. Though Delgado was only 2 for his previous 17 against Phils’ lefty reliever J.C. Romero, that really couldn’t be factored into pitching to the Mets’ hottest hitter in such a crucial situation. Honestly, I think I would’ve walked him also and gone after switch hitting center fielder Carlos Beltran, who doesn’t have the best reputation deliver in big spots and frequently keeps the bat on his shoulder. Not surprisingly, the numbers bare it out:

Beltran 2008 Situational Splits

Particularly with men on base and two outs, the $16 million man is not doing much. Not only would it have been a more calculated move but Beltran hardly has any power from the right side with only two of his 15 home runs and 17 of 70 runs knocked in coming from that side. Sure. He doesn’t face as many lefties but who would you rather have beat you? A sizzling Delgado or a fragile Beltran, who seems to always fail in these situations? It’s a no-brainer.

-The Amazin’s had to also be extremely pleased with Oliver Perez, who has continued to dominate lately. This time, he went seven and two thirds permitting just Jayson Werth’s seventh inning tying dinger on six hits, intentionally walking one and fanning a season best 12 with half that impressive output coming against Chase Utley and Ryan Howard (three apiece). Perez did a good job pitching out of a couple of jams getting Howard swinging to end one threat. He also got some help from winner Aaron Heilman, who came in and got Werth to fly out harmlessly to Beltran leaving the bases loaded in the top half of the eighth.

-The Phils did a poor job with runners on base stranding double the amount the Mets had: Phi-12, NYM-6. Early in the contest, Utley and Howard failed to get a runner in from third both whiffing. Left field slugger Pat Burrell also didn’t get the job done in another frame popping out to shallow left with one out. It’s no wonder manager Charlie Manuel wasn’t pleased with his club’s performance as they have now dropped all four series to the Queens club posting a 4-9 record with a couple of series left:

“Something’s not in tune. We have to pick it up. I don’t know if it’s hungry enough. I haven’t put my finger on it, but we have to get after it more. We don’t now have that extra kick, the kick we used to have.”

-By contrast, Jerry Manuel gave high praise to his resilient club who not only battled back from a seven and a half game deficit but bounced back in a big way taking the next two games responding to Monday’s debacle:

“I’m very proud of the way this team bounced back after that game the other night. We’ve been resilient for a long period of time.”

Under the new skipper, the Mets boast a 21-12 record and have won 13 of 16 to lead the Phillies by a game and the Marlins by two after Florida fell to the Cubs 6-3 at Wrigley.

-One other disturbing note from the Phils was that Jimmy Rollins was scratched by Manuel due to arriving late at the ballpark for the early 12:10 start. That’s inexcusable and not the first time the 2007 NL MVP has been sat down. Replacement Eric Bruntlett had a solid game finishing 3-for-4 with two doubles off Perez. It’s hard to comprehend why J-Roll would be late for such an important game. Perhaps Manuel’s onto something in his assessment about his team not having that extra edge as they did last year.

-Also lost in the defeat for Philadelphia was an outstanding performance from veteran southpaw Jamie Moyer, who allowed just a run on two hits while walking three and striking out six in seven innings of work on 91 pitches. What more could they have asked for from the crafty 45 year-old out of Pennsylvania who continues to defy logic? I realize he’s pretty old but don’t you think the decision to have Romero start the eighth was a mistake? Moyer had baffled the Mets all day. You’re telling me he couldn’t get a couple of more batters? Sure. Romero’s been a reliable late game reliever for Manuel. Just maybe Moyer should have remained in this one time. Always easy to second guess here.

-Condolences go out to Mets’ starter Pedro Martinez, who lost his Dad Pablo Jamie to brain cancer at the age of 79. The three-time Cy Young winner arrived back home in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic yesterday to pay respect to his old man, who he said was “a great support to me from the beginning of my career.”

Martinez was tonight’s scheduled starter versus the Cards but obviously won’t return to the mound for the first time since July 12 with instead Mike Pelfrey going on regular rest.

-The Warriors signed guard Monta Ellis to a six-year $66 million deal. No shock here as the 22 year-old former 2005 second round steal is finally ready to assume a leadership role with Baron Davis gone to the Clippers. After improving leaps and bounds in his second season, Ellis continued his emergence averaging a career high 20.2 PPG along with five boards, 3.9 assists and 2.1 steals. He also shot a very efficient 53.1 percent from the field.

-How is signing former Florida Gator long range bomber Anthony Roberson going to make the Knicks any better?!?!?!?!?!

-Now that he’s lost early in Toronto in three sets to Gilles Simon, should Roger Federer be concerned about his top ranking? If Rafael Nadal figures out the hard courts, look out.

I kind of felt like linking up some Mobb Deep videos. I’ve been listening to their old stuff lately blasting it in the car from the classic The Infamous. I swear it’s one of the tightest hip hop albums. Period. Everyone song is dope. You can FEEL it. Every word is coming in loud and strong right at ya.

Anyway, let’s roll it up and look at some of their best stuff:

Mobb Deep: “Quiet Storm“-original track

how in the world could this be under related while the remix featuring Lil’ Kim isn’t?!?!?!?!?! Unlike most, I don’t hate the remix but the original is just better and where it’s at!

Mobb Deep: “Got It Twisted”

i love the beat in this but it’s nothing like their old stuff. just not enough words going on. if this were done back in the day, this could’ve been so much better.

Mobb Deep: “Survival of the Fittest”

now this right here is from The Infamous and is the real deal. everyone always talks about Shook Ones I and notoriously II which is off the hook but this is a classic in your face track which comes at you with words and action in the video itself. it’s hardcore!

Mobb Deep fea. Nas: “It’s Mine”

another winner off the 1999 Murdah Muzik featuring the one and only Nas. how could you go wrong with that killer combo? the video’s shot great and is super hot.

Mobb Deep: “Hoodlum”

this is a little different but with a cool beat and awesome throwback Godfather scene befitting of the track. it’s also coming from the heart. what’s not to like?

Mobb Deep: “Shook Ones II”

the best ever track from Infamous featuring the second part of the one and only Shook Ones. One of the best rap songs ever made.

I’m only 19 but my mind is old

And when the things get for real my warm heart turns cold

Mobb Deep: “Shook Ones I”

the original debuted in 1994 a year following their debut album Juvenile Hell. i got to agree with what one YouTube user said referring to the beat and the song as “like a shotgun through your speakers.” talk about a heavy beat and delivery. this is the one we never hear but just mesmerizes you. if you like hardcore rap from the inner city streets, then this is your deal. it’s just dope. i have always loved II but there’s something about the original which just registers making you go, ‘Wow.’ teenage geniuses.

Mobb Deep: “Hell On Earth (Front Lines)”

from the self-titled 1996 album coming straight at ya from the streets with that epic Infamous feel from dynamic duo Havoc and Prodigy telling it like it is.

Mobb Deep: “Street Life”

a classic track about survival of the streets with a killer beat and lyrics to go with it.

Mobb Deep: “We Up”

it’s from their 2004 album Amerikaz Nightmare and has that old feel to it which made them so special.

Hot 97’s Peter Rosenberg interviews Prodigy (before he goes back to jail earlier this year)

worth watching as he asks Prodigy about how he and Havoc met and got started in the industry and how they rose to fame. he credits Q-Tip for their early success as he listened to it and gave them instant feedback. interesting to note too that celebrities such as Nicole Kidman, Lindsay Lohan and Mariah Carey are all huge Mobb Deep fans. most interesting were Prodigy’s political views on the upcoming election. i really respect what he said. a great interview.

I’m going to try to put up some more later. Hope you enjoyed this special video feature.

edit: any Mobb Deep video review would be incomplete without this next track from Juvenile Hell. Their first ever single.

Mobb Deep: “Peer Pressure”

they look so young in it, it’s scary. the scene and song is about the peer pressure of the urban ghetto with the lyrics taking on a very strong meaning and sending a powerful message. a classic.

-The Mets rebounded with a 6-3 win over the Phillies thanks to Jose Reyes game breaking three-run homer in the home sixth off reliever Ryan Madson grabbing a share of the division lead with the rubber match this afternoon on Kids Day with Oliver Perez opposing Jamie Moyer. Twice, the Phils rallied from early deficits against John Maine, getting back-to-back homers from Shane Victorino and Geoff Jenkins plus a Jimmy Rollins RBI double. Maine settled down to go seven permitting just the three runs on six hits with two walks and five strikeouts for his ninth victory- first since June 25 versus Seattle.
The Mets got a lift from closer Billy Wagner, who returned from a stiff shoulder after a night off retiring his former team in order for his 25th save in 31 chances. Met fans who might get a little nervous when he takes the mound for the ninth, please not what tonight’s hero Reyes said of the veteran:

“He makes it easy.”

As for Billy The Kid, he was happy to get back out there despite some aching:

“Of course you feel it, but I was able to stick with it. If I can compete, I’ll be out there. The training crew, they deserve a lot of this credit. They were fantastic. They deserve a lot of the credit just to get me out there.”

Nice to see the chatty lefty who’s closed out 383 games pay due respect to the trainers as they play a key role in any locker room.

If the Amazin’s can get today’s game which starts a little after 12, that will be four consecutive series from their nemesis. It should be fun to see what happens.

-Props to second baseman Damion Easley, who at age 39 continues to defy logic by hitting the ball well. In fact, as WFAN talkie Steve Somers pointed out during an interview, “You had to set a record with those three infield hits for oldest player.”

The Schmoozer has to be right. How in the world are the Mets a better team with Luis Castillo, who’s here another four years as DL fodder? Plus rookie Argenis Reyes has been a solid defensive backup who boasts much better range.
-Down in South Florida, the Marlins were routed by Atlanta 9-4 preventing a three-way first place tie. Gregor Blanco and Yunel Escobar each drove in three runs and Tim Hudson tossed six shutout frames striking out a batter per inning before leaving with an injury. Chipper Jones also left early due to a left hamstring strain. The veteran third baseman was 0-for-2 with an RBI but is still pacing the Senior Circuit with a .369 average. Remarkable.

-C.C. Sabathia continues to dominate for Milwaukee this time going the distance in a 3-0 blanking of St. Louis to pull the wild card-leading Brew Crew two games ahead of the Cards. J.J. Hardy and Ryan Braun hit solo shots and the former Cleveland southpaw who won the AL Cy last year three-hit St. Louis walking a pair while K-ing seven. He tossed 106 pitches with 71 going for strikes. In four starts since switching leagues, he’s a perfect 4-0 with a 1.36 ERA completing three games and even hitting a home run. Is there anyone who still believes this wasn’t the right move for the Brewers even though they parted with a package which included top prospect Matt Laporta???

-Matt Holliday drove in a pair as the Rockies defeated the Dodgers 5-3 for their sixth win in seven making much traveled veteran southpaw Glendon Rusch a winner for the fourth time this season. I didn’t even know he still pitched. Brian Fuentes closed it out for save No.17 as Colorado improved to 45-58 which is now good enough to trail first place Arizona (50-51), who fell at home to the Cubs 10-6 by six games. The Dodgers meanwhile at three under (49-52) remained a game out. What a division. Who thinks I’m still crazy for believing the Rockies will comeback to take it?!?!?!?!?!?!

-The Red Sox got three runs in the 12th highlighted by a two-run Mike Lowell single in a 6-3 triumph over hapless Seattle sweeping the series to remain three up on the Yankees for the AL wild card. In a big series, Boston now gets a day off to travel back East to Fenway where they’ll host those red hot Yanks for three beginning tomorrow.

-Don’t look now but the Brewers have won seven in a row and sit just a game in back of the Cubs for the NL’s best record.

-Man. I don’t know about you but what the heck did the Hawks do so wrong after taking the eventual NBA champion Celtics seven to watch valuable sixth man Josh Childress leave for Greece?

-Final thought. Who decided that Wendy Williams should become a TV host? Just saying.

-The Yanks continued to roll earlier today defeating the Twins 5-1 at the Stadium sweeping the three-game set improving to a perfect 6-0 since the break. Rookie left fielder Justin Christian broke a scoreless tie with a two-run fifth inning double. That was enough support for veteran righty Mike Mussina, who continued his bounce back season tossing eight scoreless scattering six hits walking none and striking out seven to improve to 13-6 lowering his ERA to 3.26. The Yanks added three more runs in the sixth thanks to a two-run double by Alex Rodriguez plus a Richie Sexson sacrifice fly. After relief failure LaTroy Hawkins permitted Minnesota’s only run in the ninth, Mariano Rivera came on to get the final out striking out Jason Kubel looking for his 25th save.

-The Yankees couldn’t gain ground on the Rays, who edged the A’s 4-3 in St. Pete thanks to a solid eight and a third from James Shields allowing three earned before veteran Troy Percival got the final two outs for his 20th save. Johnny Gomes his his eighth home run and shortstop Ben Zobrist drove in a pair with a solo shot and RBI single which proved to be the difference.

-AL WC leader Boston is scoreless with Seattle in the second inning. They lead the Yanks by two and a half pending today’s outcome.

-The AL Central division leading White Sox got a multi-homer game from slugging first baseman Carlos Quentin, who slugged No’s 25 and 26 including a go-ahead three-run job in a five-run eighth as Chicago came back to defeat Texas 10-8. Quentin now leads the AL homers and his 76 rank second 22 behind major league leader Josh Hamilton, who took the collar in four trips whiffing three times. Chicago leads the Twins by two games.

-John Maine looks to get the Mets back on track against Brett Myers in a couple of hours at Shea after last night’s ninth inning debacle. It’s no secret that Johan Santana should have been in there to start the ninth. Though he only has six career complete games, yesterday was a situation which called upon the 29 year-old Venezuelan to go the distance. It didn’t sound like he was out of gas based on his answers following the game but Santana wouldn’t second guess Jerry Manuel. Most great pitchers want the ball in that spot. He threw the same amount of pitches (105) that a 10 year older Moose tossed earlier today in eight. The Mets needed to go for the jugular there.

-The base running mistakes by Endy Chavez getting tossed out at the plate twice thanks to faulty third base coaching from Sandy Alomar didn’t help which wasn’t the first time the latter erred. How does he still have a job? Neither did Phillies’ All-Star second baseman Chase Utley’s diving snag of a Fernando Tatis line drive to help his team escape a bases loaded jam in the seventh, which turned out to be the play of the game.

-If the Rockies can win again over the Dodgers, they’ll put even more pressure on Arizona. Who thinks the Cubs are getting swept?

-Update: Kevin Youkilis’ two-run third inning double has Boston ahead 2-0 over the Mariners.

-Listening to WFAN’s Tony Paige in his monologue of one of the worst Met losses and the overnight host is absolutely dead on about Johan Santana not being left in to start the ninth inning against the division rival Phillies. The Mets led 5-1 at one point until the former Twins’ AL Cy winner gave up a solo shot to Philly center fielder Shane Victorino in the seventh. Still, the Met ace on this night pitched like one getting through the eighth with a three-run lead intact. In fact, he had thrown just 105 pitches. You had to figure he had something left to maybe even finish what was the biggest game of the season at a packed Shea with first place up for grabs. Instead, on a night when he didn’t have Billy Wagner available (shoulder tightness), Jerry Manuel opted to pinch hit for Santana. Instead, he turned it over to Duaner Sanchez.

Paige took note of the intro of the AP game recap. One which is worth repeating:

When Jimmy Rollins saw New York reliever Duaner Sanchez come out to pitch the ninth inning instead of starter Johan Santana or closer Billy Wagner, he went straight to the batting tee to stay loose.

It didn’t matter that he was due up sixth and the Philadelphia Phillies trailed by three runs. He thought they had a chance.

The ever optimistic NL MVP was right.

You’d think by now some managers would learn. Especially when Wagner wasn’t around to close it out which meant Manuel was banking on Sanchez to come through in a different role. Instead, the setup man failed miserably giving up three straight base hits loading the bases forcing the interim skipper to pull him for second-year reliever Joe Smith. Smith closed games for the Single-A Cyclones a couple of years ago. Truthfully, it wasn’t his fault that Jose Reyes on a grounder missed the second base bag allowing a run to score and everyone to be safe. Still, he was out of the game replaced by lefty Pedro Feliciano. He’s been a fixture in seventh and eighth situations usually against lefties. Don’t believe me? Check the splits entering last night:

vs left .222

vs right .324

-The Yanks made it four straight out of the break last night cruising to a 12-4 win over the Twins. It was their eighth consecutive victory at the Stadium and kept them on pace with the first place Rays and Red Sox, who both also won. The Bronx Bombers hit three home runs including No.21 from Alex Rodriguez- a two-run shot in the home first. Robinson Cano continued his second half revival clocking his eighth finishing with a couple of hits, a couple of runs and two knocked in raising his average to .260. Team captain Derek Jeter even belted a solo shot for his sixth also driving in a pair as the Yanks knocked around the Twins tying them in the wild card standings with each now 55-45. It all came in support of Sidney Ponson, who went five and two thirds of three-run ball walking and fanning a couple en route to his fifth win.

-In other team related news, Jorge Posada’s season could be done as the veteran catcher who’s been battling a rotator cuff problem all year might need to go under the knife which would end his season. If both he and outfielder/DH Hideki Matsui both have surgery, it would further hurt a lineup which has struggled this summer lacking consistency. Though they did get back valuable leadoff man Johnny Damon, who went 1-for-4 with a double and run scored last night. If Posada is out, Brian Cashman might need to explore picking up another backstop to backup Jose Molina. Add that to a long list of needs which include another big bat, a starter and a lefty reliever.

-The Mets and Phillies get ready for their three-game series which begins tonight at Shea with Johan Santana taking on newly acquired Joe Blanton. Both are tied atop the NL East a game ahead of the Marlins, who got shutout 4-0 last night by Atlanta. Not many have given the south Florida team a chance to win the division yet they continue to hang around with roughly 10 weeks to go. If they continue to stay afloat, that young ballclub could start believing they can shock many and pull this off. The lineup is certainly potent enough with big bats Hanley Ramirez, Dan Uggla, Mike Jacobs and Jorge Cantu. The question is do they have enough pitching? We’ll find out if the organization is willing to do what it takes to win.

-Mets closer Billy Wagner underwent an MRI which showed that he has a muscle spasm in his left shoulder. He felt the tightness while warming up the other night to close out the Reds by K-ing the side. If he misses any time, expect Jerry Manuel to give the ball to Duaner Sanchez.

-Do we really need to know that A-Rod signed with William Morris agency for his off the field stuff? When is enough enough?

-I liked Jeremy Shockey as I’m a huge Hurricanes fan and enjoyed what he brought to the Giants. However, all the tight end’s childish antics got tiresome and that’s why he’s no longer playing in New York. They probably won’t miss him much in that locker room but it remains to be seen if that will be the case on the field when they begin their Super Bowl defense.