Game Face - am New York

10/15/09
nfl
By Ryan Chatelain

NFL's aging running backs prove to be risk to fantasy football teams

Brian Westbrook at practice. (AP Photo)
A friend of mine this year drafted LaDainian Tomlinson, Brian Westbrook and Larry Johnson on his team.
Ouch! If only there were some way he could have predicted their downfalls. There was — their birth certificates! (No, I’m not an Obama conspiracy theorist.)
All three of my friend’s picks hit 30 this year,...
8/4/09
fantasy football
By Ryan Chatelain

Fantasy football: Spotting the next great tight end

Life is all about options.
For instance, I wouldn’t normally buy chicken nuggets out of an office vending machine. But when the other choices are bland energy bars and economy-size packs of Twizzlers, I’ll roll the dice on some poultry jerky every time.
Believe it or not, similar thinking applies to NFL tight ends.
Ask yourself this: What do the top fantasy football...
7/30/09
fantasy football
By Ryan Chatelain

Fantasy Football: Playoff heroes often overrated

Any time a player has a big game in the playoffs, you can bet he will emerge as the next hot item — like iPhones or Tickle Me Elmos — in the following season’s fantasy football drafts.Fantasy owners love trendy players and big names. That’s why playoff heroes, including the following, often see their fantasy stock become inflated — going a round or two earlier than...
7/14/09
baseball
By Jason Fink

Mets have a long way to go in second half

Mets ace Johan Santana needs to regain his dominant form in the second half
By Jason Fink
Ravaged by injuries to three of their four tops hitters, 40 percent of their starting rotation and their marquee set-up man, the Mets could be in worse shape at mid-season.
However, there are huge question marks about when the Mets' star players will return and how well they will be able to...
7/14/09
baseball
By Pete Catapano

New York's hometown All-Stars

Derek Jeter is making his 10th All-Star appearance tonight. (AP Photo)
By Pete Catapano
The second place Yankees will be sending three players tonight for the mid-summer classic: perennial All-Stars Derek Jeter and Mariano Rivera along with Mark Teixeira, who’s making his second trip.
Just as noteworthy is who didn’t get picked for this year’s game; the biggest...
7/13/09
pedro martinez
By Pete Catapano

Pedro close to signing with Phillies: Report

Pedro Martinez could sign with the Phillies as soon as Wednesday (AP Photo)
By Pete Catapano
Former Met ace Pedro Martinez is inching closer to joining the Amazin’s top rival, reports say.
Martinez, 37, is expected to take a physical with the Philadelphia Phillies today and sign with the team as early as tomorrow.
The...

7/9/09
nfl
By Ryan Chatelain

A glance at Giants' receiver battle

Domenik Hixon (Photo by Getty Images)
By Ryan Chatelain
It’s one of the burning questions heading into training camp: Who will emerge as the Giants’ starting wide receivers?
Plaxico Burress and Amani Toomer are now gone, leaving five wideouts legitimately vying for two starting jobs.
Here’s a quick look at what is sure to be one of the league's more intriguing...
7/8/09
roger federer
By Max J. Dickstein

Column: Too soon to be Fed up

By Max J. Dickstein
Roger Federer won his record-breaking 15th major title at Wimbledon, but his work is not necessarily done. (Getty Images)
Now that Roger Federer clinched tennis immortality with his record-breaking 15th Grand Slam victory on Sunday, what next?
The achievement at Wimbledon quieted the fever pitch of Federer’s story, but the 27-year-old has more to accomplish....
7/5/09
roger federer
By Max J. Dickstein

Grand Slam Man: Roger Federer beats Andy Roddick for record 15th Grand Slam title

Roger Federer and his sixth Wimbledon trophy. (Getty Images)
By Max J. Dickstein
Roger Federer no longer need chase history; future players will chase him.
The Swiss completed his rise to the apex of tennis yesterday, turning back American challenger Andy Roddick in a wrenching five-set final at Wimbledon, 5-7, 7-6 (6), 7-6 (5), 3-6, 16-14.
Federer’s 15th...
7/5/09
carlos beltran
By Pete Catapano

Mets continue to unravel

Mets catcher Omir Santos, front, watches Philadelphia Phillies' Paul Bako scores on a single by Shane Victorino on Saturday. (AP photo)
By Pete Catapano
It may be only the halfway point of the season, but Mets fans are fully frustrated.
The team entered the season with a shiny new ballpark and great expectations, but the Mets are coming...