KFDM COOP

They should have a good team this year!

Groundbreaking on new Yankee Stadium begins New $1 billion Yankee Stadium is on deck (by KAREN MATTHEWS, Associated Press Writer) NEW YORK (AP) -- No tears were shed Wednesday for the historic stadium where Babe Ruth, Mickey Mantle and Joe DiMaggio played out their storied careers. Politicians and Baseball officials who gathered to break ground on a new Yankee Stadium shared memories of the old ballpark but said the new one would be even better. "Yankee Stadium is an iconic stadium, a place where Ruth and (Lou) Gehrig played, where popes and presidents have spoken," Gov. George Pataki said. "But so, too, will the new Yankee Stadium be an iconic stadium." Pataki joined team owner George Steinbrenner, Mayor Michael Bloomberg and others for the groundbreaking ceremony at the site of the new stadium, just north of the existing 1923 ballpark. The billion-dollar Bronx stadium is set to open in 2009. Baseball commissioner Bud Selig said he remembered going to Yankee Stadium as a teenager. "I can still feel the joy and excitement as I stared in wonder at the field, perfect in every way," he said. "And there in center field stood the hero of my boyhood, the great Joe DiMaggio. ... Yankee Stadium is an American monument that has endured for 84 years. Today we are breaking ground on a new Yankee Stadium, a new monument and new memories for the coming generations of fans." Steinbrenner, who complained of the heat, was brief. "It's a pleasure to give this to you people," he said. "Enjoy the new stadium. I hope it's wonderful." The Yankees displayed a congratulatory message from President Bush on the center-field scoreboard during the second inning of Wednesday night's game against Baltimore. There were some boos from the crowd. Before the game, Yankees manager Joe Torre talked about the old ballpark, and the one being built. "This is a special place. There's no question. But all the renderings I've seen of that new ballpark, it's going to be exciting," he said. "The guys who are going to play in these next couple years and go over there, I'm sure it's going to be a big change for them." Yankees legend Yogi Berra, superfan Billy Crystal and 81-year-old stadium fixture Freddy Schuman, who patrols the stands with homemade signs, attended the 90-minute ceremony but did not speak. Schuman, who banged on his trademark frying pan during applause, said later he approved of the new ballpark. "I feel about the old stadium, but this is progress," he said. The groundbreaking came a day after a state Supreme Court judge denied opponents a temporary restraining order that would have blocked construction. He found there was no legal bar to cutting down trees to permit a project that benefits the city and the local community. A few dozen demonstrators carried signs and chanted, "Save our parks," during Wednesday's ceremony, but police kept them far enough away that they could not be heard by the participants. In Mullaly Park, most of which will be lost to the new ballpark, tennis instructor Sam Fumi said he hoped the politicians would keep their promise to move the tennis courts to a new park nearby. "We will relocate somewhere, but right now we don't know," he said. "It's sad." Manuel Perez, a lifelong neighborhood resident who was playing with his two children in the park, said the area's resurgence had meant only higher rents and other costs of living and a new stadium was unlikely to help. "It's not going to do anything for my community," he said. "Whether we say yes or whether we say no, they're going to do it anyway." The 53,000-seat open-air ballpark will replace one of the most famous sports arenas in the world, christened with a Ruth home run on Opening Day. Designers plan to restore several elements of the original stadium, including the frieze that hung from the roof, that were lost in a 1970s remodeling. Yankee Stadium is the third-oldest ballpark in the major leagues, trailing Boston's Fenway Park (1912) and Chicago's Wrigley Field (1914). The city and state are contributing more than $200 million to the project, including infrastructure improvements. The Yankees will pay the rest, financed through taxable and tax-exempt bonds. Until a dozen years ago, Steinbrenner had denigrated the neighborhood as dangerous and threatened to move the team to Manhattan or northern New Jersey. But the Yankees expect to draw more than 4 million fans to the stadium this year, making it the eighth consecutive season topping 3 million. The new stadium will have fewer seats than the current capacity, 57,478, but more luxury boxes. Chief operating officer Lonn Trost said the ballpark would continue to be called Yankee Stadium rather than be named for the highest corporate bidder, though parts of the park would be sponsored. Construction of the new stadium will involve paving over large portions of Macombs Dam Park and Mullaly Park and cutting down about 400 mature oak trees. The Yankees are to offset the loss of the parks by building new parkland, including three ball fields at the site of the current Yankee Stadium, which will be dismantled. Backers say the project will create an estimated 3,600 construction jobs and 900 permanent jobs. But the plan met with opposition from some South Bronx neighbors and parks advocates. Geoffrey Croft, president of New York City Parks Advocates, said the stadium foes would appeal Tuesday's ruling and file a federal lawsuit. "The Yankees were never required to consider practical alternatives to the taking of parkland," he said.

Bruce Bowen the last cut on the Team USA Roster SEOUL, South Korea -- Bruce Bowen was the final player cut from the U.S. basketball team, which begins play in the World Championships in Japan on Saturday. The final 12-man roster was announced Wednesday by USA Basketball managing director Jerry Colangelo and coach Mike Krzyzewski and included Carmelo Anthony, Shane Battier, Chris Bosh, Elton Brand, Kirk Hinrich, Dwight Howard, LeBron James, Antawn Jamison, Joe Johnson, Brad Miller, Chris Paul and Dwyane Wade. When Bowen, who plays for San Antonio and is one of the top defensive players in the league, was selected to be part of the national team roster, Colangelo and Krzyzewski singled him out as the type of role player the U.S. squad had been lacking in recent poor international showings. But Bowen scored just four points while playing four of the five tuneup games and had been outplayed by Battier, another defensive-minded small forward who made the cut. After Gilbert Arenas dropped out with a strained groin earlier in the week, that all but assured a spot for Chicago's Hinrich because the team needed another point guard behind rookie of the year Paul. Bowen and Arenas remain part of the national team program and are still in the pool of players who will compete for spot on the 2008 Olympic team. "This has been a great process. It's difficult especially when you get down to the end because you get so attached to the last members of the team. Gilbert and Bruce are every bit a part of this team as the 12 others guys. It's just we can only go forward with 12," Krzyzewski said. The average age of the 12 U.S. players is 24½ years old, with the 30-year-old Miller the oldest member of the team. Howard, at 20, is the youngest. Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press

Rangers Upset With Padilla Make sure you catch the quote by Angels manager Mike Scioscia where he says beanballs wouldn't be part of any retaliation. ARLINGTON -- The Rangers have been in communication with the Commissioner's Office and are preparing for a suspension for pitcher Vicente Padilla after being ejected from Tuesday's game against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. A decision from MLB vice president Bob Watson is expected in the next day or two. The Rangers aren't happy about the situation and almost all of their displeasure is being directed at Padilla. "I was disappointed with how things unfolded," general manager Jon Daniels said. "We've got a lot on the line here. Our guys have put themselves in a position to contend and for something to get in the way of that is disappointing." The situation started unfolding Tuesday when Padilla hit Vladimir Guerrero with a pitch in the third inning. One inning later, he faced Guerrero again and came high and inside with a pitch that drew a warning from home-plate umpire Hunter Wendelstedt. Guerrero then hit a three-run home run. Padilla got Garret Anderson to line out but then hit Juan Rivera with a pitch and was ejected along with manager Buck Showalter. Showalter, who expects a one-game suspension for himself over the incident, met with Padilla before Wednesday's game and made it clear that he was not happy with what happened. "Believe me, we're not casting anything lightly," Showalter said. "Our conversation was pointed. One thing is we needed him out there pitching. "Obviously, everybody from the Angels to the Yankees, everybody has to pitch inside. That's part of his success, but sometimes you can go over the edge." Padilla does not talk to the media, but his teammates weren't happy with him either. Catcher Rod Barajas said he had no idea what Padilla was doing. "I don't know; that's my honest-to-God answer," Barajas said. "There was nothing that was talked about beforehand. I know you guys can't do this, but you have to go ask him. "I'm disappointed because I know there will be repercussions. You would hope people would think what the consequences are before they put their team in jeopardy, especially at this time of year. We're fighting for our life and now we won't be at full strength." Showalter talked to Angels manager Mike Scioscia before Wednesday's game about the situation. But the Angels were still upset about the second incident between two teams in less than two weeks. Adam Eaton was ejected from the last game in Anaheim for throwing behind Anderson. Asked about his players, Scioscia said, "They're disturbed as we're disturbed. But we're going to play baseball. I don't know what message was trying to be conveyed, but it's something that there's no need for." Asked about retaliation, Scioscia said, "Retaliation with a baseball is not part of our package. There are other ways to express things. But our resolve is firm that we are not about beanballs."

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Curious to see how many people go after these screens now that LC-M has one?

I believe Nederland's has the scroll on it to where you can run score updates from across the area during the game. Couldn't remember if PN-G's did or not?

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Thanks SHLY

Hopefully soon. I thought kogt would have them by now but they don't.

I'm still looking around for pictures of it to post.

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On our webpage Saturday at 7 PM we'll announce it. You'll be able to listen to it via webcasting.

I agree. They will improve now that they have a new leader but sometimes it takes time.

It doesn't matter how many Sr's they lost they just reload!

That is quite possible to, let's hope it happens.

There will be a button on the webpage to click on to listen!

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Come on now, TVC be nice..

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Yes it would!