As 2018 comes to a close, I find myself reflecting about a lot of things that took place this past year in my life, especially when it comes to sports. It’s been an interesting year to say the least but it’s exciting to anticipate what the new year will bring. So as we turn the calendar towards 2019, I’ve decided to come up with some sports related New Year’s resolutions that I’m hoping to stick to.
If you root for the same teams as I do, you may relate to some or all of these!
Stay level headed about the Islanders: It all seemed like gloom and doom for the Islanders when John Tavares left the team in free agency to sign with his hometown Toronto Maple Leafs, but it’s been fun and exciting to watch this team play so far this season. Thus far, General Manager Lou Lamoriello has put a competitive team on the ice and Head Coach Barry Trotz is getting the most out of what he has and what he has is a team that is competing for a playoff spot. The reality is that Islanders fans just have to enjoy what they’re seeing so far but remember this is year one of a new regime and there’s more good things on the way. Having games at the Nassau Coliseum again has been a blessing and there are some more good young prospects on the way to join Anders Lee, Mat Barzal and company. A playoff berth would be great, but the bottom line is that the team is in good hands now and there’s hope for the future especially with a brand new arena on the way!
My Islanders New Year’s resolution….to be cautiously optimistic and to get a ticket plan so I can be part of the Isles’ great future!
Exciting times for the Jets: It might be silly to say that a team that is 4-11 should have their fans excited, but I think that’s the case with the Jets. I’ve been a fan of this team since I was a good but I’ve also had the opportunity to cover them for a number of outlets over the years. While I tend to not want to get overly enthused when there is a chance of something good happening, I also have to put my reporters hat on from time to time and when I do that, the objective point of view is that the Jets really have a chance to do something special if they can get this off-season right. Todd Bowles is expected to be fired on Monday so the team has to make the right call on a new Head Coach. I would bring back General Manager Mike Maccagnan, let him hire his own coach and hope he can use that $100 million in cap space to give franchise quarterback Sam Darnold some protection and weapons as well as some playmakers on defense. I believe it’s appropriate for the Jets fan to be excited about what lies ahead.
My Jets New Year’s resolution…to get new Jets jerseys for my family and I, enjoy the off-season, and be pumped up to watch this team evolve into a winner!
Can the Yankees unseat the Red Sox? I’ve always felt that all a franchise can do is to give their fans hope and to try and put a competitive team on the field with a chance to compete for a championship. The Yankees have won 27 World Series titles with their last one coming in 2009. But while they don’t win every year, although some Yankees fans feel that should be the case, what the Yankees do is give their fans hope. They have a good team and while there’s still work to do in the off-season, the belief is that this team will be in the mix for a wild card spot and if things break right maybe even challenge the Red Sox for the AL East penthouse and ultimately compete for a championship.
My Yankees New Year’s resolution…To enjoy some good baseball, relish what they’ve already given me in my life, and hope that World Championship #28 is not too far away!
Will the Knicks ever be good again? I’ve always been transparent with the fact that I’m not a huge basketball fan, but it would be nice to see the Knicks be relevant again. It seems as if they have a competent Head Coach in David Fizdale and that there are some good pieces in place like rookie Kevin Knox and when Kristaps Porzingis returns from injury. It’s natural for Knicks fans to be pessimistic and really the bottom line is that the feeling won’t change until the team can improve and/or attract top level free agents.
My Knicks New Year’s resolution…To not worry about this and focus on the Islanders, Jets, and Yankees!
My other sports interests count too! Those of you who know me or have ready my past work and listened to the podcasts are well aware that I spend a lot of time watching and covering some of the other teams in town like the Red Bulls, Cosmos, and Lizards. There’s even a new indoor lacrosse team on the way next year and the NY Streets Arena Football team will begin play this April. These teams are fun to follow because they provide quality sports entertainment and they give fans some great access that you don’t see in the major sports.
My alternative teams New Year’s resolution…to hope the Red Bulls can finally win an MLS Cup, for the Cosmos to make a triumphant return to the pitch and for the other teams to enjoy success a crowded marketplace.
Oh and one more thing…this has been a pretty challenging year for me personally and physically after suffering a broken hip this past July. It’s been a tough recovery and rehab process but I’m getting better every day. There’s no way that I could have made it to this point without the love and support of my wife Sheryl and my sons Bradley and Jared as well so many well wishes from family members, friends, and those of you who follow my work. I suffered my injury playing football with my sons and I don’t regret it for a second.
However, my personal sports New Year’s resolution is to simply talk and write about football and not run anymore routes. I’ll have a catch with my kids and do things like that, but I think I’m going to be smart about things going forward. Another part of my resolution is that when I get deeper into my recovery the plan is to go back to the spot where I got hurt, have a football in my hands, and walk across the goal line to complete the play that we started.
Happy New Year everyone!
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