Did You Even Visit Your Nephew? Yes I Did....Don't Break Up My Family!

Tonight was the long awaited first half of a 2 part reunion of the Real Housewives of New Jersey. If this post seems choppy or unclear, it's because the reunion left me numb, speechless, and wide-eyed. Let's dig in. As we all know, this season has been a whirlwind and as the 4 women sat down to talk about what has happened, the first 4 minutes of the sit down dictated how the rest of the night would go. Andy Cohen had bought up Jersey Shore to see how the women felt about another show representing Jersey but this time in a negative light. Teresa said she didn't approve of Sammi "The Sweetheart" sleeping with Ronnie a week after they met. Teresa then went on to compare this act to what Danielle had did with her ex-Steve at Teresa's shore house a year ago. The gloves were off and we all knew that there would be trouble for the rest of the night.

After things settled from the comment, Andy went on to talk about Teresa and Jacqueline becoming mothers again. Andy asked a question from a viewer about why Danielle didn't call Jacqueline after her son was born and Danielle noted that she wasn't allowed to say anything but offered her congratulations then and there on the reunion. Teresa interjected and commented on how disgusting of a friend Danielle was to Jacqueline and boy oh boy did Danielle ever say the mother of all comments to Teresa "Did you even visit your own nephew?" Teresa answered "Yes I did". Just when I thought it was over...no...Teresa got up off the couch and went balls to the wall insane. She wagged her finger in Danielle's face and screamed "Don't break up my family! You bitch!" Things went haywire shortly after with Andy being pushed, the cameras running backstage, hairdressers consoling the women, pure insanity. A commercial break was needed.

After the commercial break, the reunion proceeded with talking about what the Jersey kids had accomplished this season, the off handed comments made about each other's children and of course Teresa's finances. While she does admit that she is in debt, she still remains in denial that she has serious spending problems and that foreclosure of her home is a possibility. Moving from the awkwardness of money talk, the show focused on Caroline and her amazing mothering this season and how she opened up her life and her children's lives a little more this season. I was pleased and touched by her being so brave once again. Caroline you rock.

Coming towards the end, the subject moved from Danielle's involvement in porn to her rude behavior at The Brownstone. Caroline and Danielle exchanged words and after Caroline said "We're in the OK Corral so buckle up", we fans were left with a cliffhanger...

Until next Monday, RHONJ fans...keep watching and keep your heart rate down.

XOXO,
Whitney

Ivan Nova Is As Hot As The Sun. Hello Super Nova

When a stellar explosion decides to become extremely luminous, it causes a burst of radiation that can outshine an entire galaxy. During this occurrence, energy is released as bright as the sun. This is called Supernova. And just when we thought that there wasn't anyone or anything that could compete...along comes Ivan Nova.

Nova is the 23 year old phenom from Scranton/Wilkes-Barre who secured his first major league career win today against the Chicago White Sox. Nova went 5 2/3 innings in what was an amazing outing for the rookie.

Nova is someone who goes on the mound and plays with passion and intensity, and intensity we all saw against the Blue Jays a few games back when he and Jose Bautista exchanged words. It's the "ice" in Nova's veins that will help him continue to be an unstoppable force as the season rolls on.

In the words of Nova's mother and brother "Don't feel pressure, it's just baseball" and Nova looks as if there is no pressure and...with 32 games left in the season Nova has to remind himself that it is just baseball but, when you play for the New York Yankees, it's baseball and a World Series championship.

Congratulations Ivan Nova.

XOXO,
Whitney

You're The One With Red Hair Caroline...You're The Clown...

Tonight was the season finale for Season 2 of the Real Housewives of New Jersey and from the clip shown above, this was the ultimate showdown between Caroline Manzo and Danielle Staub and when I say that Caroline Manzo is loyal to her family, I mean she truly lives by the motto "blood is thicker than water".  Let's dig in.

Caroline agreed to meet with Danielle to talk about dropping charges made against Ashley. Caroline's family pleaded with her to avoid Danielle as well as Danielle's children pleading with their mother to avoid Caroline. Both women decided to meet and after a few agreements on incidents, Danielle put up her wall and proceeded to make Caroline look like the bad guy. It didn't work because Caroline is a woman of integrity and doesn't back down from a fight, even if she's cornered. Danielle on the other hand unravels when cornered....she lies.

After Caroline called Danielle garbage twice and because she knew she was losing to a woman who was ready for anything, Danielle mustered up something after Caroline called her a clown. She replied: "Caroline, you're the one with the red hair...you're the clown". Caroline came back with venom and Danielle was unprepared and walked out. Typical of someone losing a fight, they walk away. Nothing was resolved.

We'll see more of the ladies next week for Part 1 of the reunion show. I know I can't wait...

XOXO,
Whitney

Adieu Adieu Sweet Lou...

Where were you when Joe Torre decided he wasn't returning to the Yankees? I remember sitting on my couch watching ABC 7 and Scott Clark making his announcement. This was in 2007. Where were you yesterday, August 22, 2010, when Lou Piniella announced that this was his last day/time ever managing the Cubs? I was glued to my television like everyone else.

Lou Piniella's long, illustrious career in baseball which spans 48 years has come to an end. From the sharp-tongued, talented outfielder to the highly successful manager who threw tantrums and bases at umpires, Piniella has left and indelible mark on baseball that will never be forgotten.

Like so many of you, the early announcement came as a shock because we were all waiting for the end of the season to say our farewells...not in August. However, for a man who has put his family and team in a tie for first in his heart, his retirement yesterday only seemed fitting because he wants to spend more time with his ailing mother. "My mom needs me home and that's where I'm going", Piniella said before the start of the Cubs/Braves game yesterday.

It's an emotional time for Cubs fans as their beloved Lou moves on and for the rest of baseball as we say goodbye to the man who's lit up our highlight reels with his unique personality.  Wait...let me scratch that...it's not goodbye Lou...more like see you soon.



XOXO,
Whitney

Robinson Cano...MVP?

As August is slowly coming to a close and we await September, fall weather, and the playoffs, MVP talks are on the rise. The most talked about candidates this season are Josh Hamilton, Miguel Cabrera, and Robinson Cano.

We've all heard this question multiple times and have even asked our friends this question, "If the season were to end today, who would win the AL MVP Award?" and the answers and explanations have all been different..."Josh Hamilton because he leads the AL in average and nearly everything, Miguel Cabrera because his numbers are outstanding and he's on pace to win the Triple Crown Award, and finally Robinson Cano because he's really stepped it up this season and his numbers are amazing."

From that array of answers, how can we narrow down just who the MVP should be? Well, when looking at a player and seeing just who has the total package, it would have to be Robbie.

Since his appointment as the cleanup hitter, No. 5 spot, after Matsui left the Yankees, Cano has stepped up to the challenge and produced. As of late, with Alex Rodriguez out due to a calf injury, Cano has settled into the No. 4 spot quite comfortably....so comfortably that in the No. 4 spot, Cano has had 4 homeruns and 13 RBIs. Not bad for Cano.

Today, the hits kept on rolling  as Cano hit a monster grand slam to give the Yankees a 5-0 lead after Mark Teixeira was intentionally walked. Once the rain settled, Cano would go on to bring 2 runners home capping off a stellar day with a grand slam and 6 RBIs...a career best. The Yankees would go on to win 10-0 against the Mariners.

We'll continue to watch as the season moves on and we'll all be glued to our televisions to hear the debates over the MVP candidates. I wish nothing but the best of luck to all of these men because each player brings a unique essence to the game that is so effective we're constantly talking about them.

XOXO,
Whitney

Welcome To The Bronx Eduardo Nunez!

After yesterday's DEBACLE against King Felix, Felix Hernandez, the Yankees started fresh against Vargas and the Mariners....and boy did the bats come alive today.

With hits from the usual guys, Jeter, Cano, Teixeira, and Posada, just to name a few, the game rolled along until both New York and Seattle were deadlocked in a 4-4 tie. The game seemed to move slowly after this.

What changed the mood of the game was when newcomer Eduardo Nunez came to the batter's box and garnered his first major league hit. Nunez had been robbed of hit earlier in the game and on Thursday as well so today was the ultimate icing on the cake. With that single, Nunez also gained his first RBI and the Yankees would take a 5-4 lead.

One could say that Nunez opened the flood gates for Yankee hitting because the bats remained hot and the Yankees would go on to dominate the game.

Mariano would come out and work his magic as usual  and the Yankees would go on to win 9-5.

It is only fitting that I extend warm congratulations to Nunez and close by saying: Eduardo...WELCOME TO THE  BRONX!

XOXO,
Whitney

The Rocket Has Fizzled Down To a Firecracker

Remember in 2008 when Roger Clemens appeared before a House committee and was adamant that he had never taken HGH or steroids? Well, it seems as if a federal grand jury is adamant that they've had it with Clemens and his lying and have indicted him for making false claims to Congress.

What started this firestorm was the fact that Clemens was mentioned in the Mitchell Report and had went to Congress to clear himself of any wrongdoing. From 2008 until today, Clemens still sticks to his story about how he never took steroids. Likewise, since 2008 Clemens and trainer Brian McNamee have been side by side in trying to prove the Mitchell Report wrong. Sadly, it would be McNamee who confessed that Clemens had taken steroids.

One would think that with McNamee's testimony, the possibility of serving a maximum of 30 years in prison,  and having to pay a fine of $1.5 million, under U.S. sentencing guidelines Clemens would serve 15-21 months in jail, that Clemens would change his tune.

So, how does this affect Clemens' chances of going to the Hall of Fame? His career stats of 354 victories made him a definite for the Hall of Fame. Now, the question is up in the air. As noted by former teammate Lance Berkman, "In my opinion, he's a Hall of Famer. Period,"  who played with Clemens in Houston. "Whatever you want to say about the guy, he belongs in the Hall of Fame. In my opinion, legacy-wise, I guess that's up to -- I mean, 200 years from now, who cares? "But in the short term, I guess, he may have some things to address," Berkman said. "He's a big boy. He'll face up to whatever it is. But it doesn't change my opinion of him at all."

I feel bad for all involved in this situation from Clemens down to his family, the game, and the fans. I hope others take heed to what has happened today and that they begin to live by the old adage, "what you do in the dark always comes to light".

XOXO,
Whitney