NEW YORK (1010 WINS) -- The dynamics of power in New York are changing in one sport, while the best team that plays at MetLife Stadium will be determined by whether the Jets' latest young QB can live up to the hype. Here are the stories New York sports fans have been talking about:
CLEARED FOR TAKEOFF
The Jets moved to 2-0 in the preseason this weekend. The records don't matter whatsoever, but what happened on the field did.
Zach Wilson tossed nine passes for 128 yards and two touchdowns vs. the Packers, and with that brought hope, but also some fear. Fear because this same excitement came and went for Sam Darnold — who is now with the Panthers — but hope because the guy seems truly good, and very likable!
Jets fans should tread lightly with their excitement, just for their sake. Ten seasons since their last playoff appearance, and the amount of times in that decade that fans thought they were “back,” only to be let down, has to make you feel bad. But it does look promising for the future. We’ll ignore their injury woes.
They finish their preseason Friday against the Eagles and get to see how the team gels in real action Sept. 12 against Carolina -- where their ex-QB Darnold could be starting.
KING OF NEW YORK
The Yankees haven't lost in 11 days, and easily took care of the Twins over the weekend. The Mets just missed a sweep thanks to a decent win vs. Los Angeles on Sunday.
There was a time this season when the Mets were easily on top of their division and the Yankees were playing brutal baseball. But everything has returned to its natural order.
The Mets are fresh off a 2-8 run where the offense was, to put it lightly, very bad. They now sit seven games back in the division after starting the month up 3.5. Their new owner couldn’t help but tell them they weren’t doing very good, either.
Over in the Bronx, they’re 17-4 this month, swept the Red Sox in impressive fashion, and now sit atop the American League Wild Card standings, and aren’t too far back of Tampa in the AL East.
And when everything’s going your way, you bring some fuzzy feelings with it too:
BRONX BOMBER
Losing Gleyber Torres was another injury that the Yankees could ill-afford. But Andrew Velazquez has hit his way into everyone’s hearts in just a few games.
He’s from Morris Park in the Bronx, went to Fordham Prep, and was signed by the Yanks this offseason. He told the New York Times that he attended many Yankee games as a kid, but never against Boston because they were too expensive.
So instead he knocked in four runs against Boston from the best seats in the house.
Then this weekend, the dream situation: his first MLB home run, in his hometown, with his family in attendance.
The man known as “The Squid” has struggled in his time in the majors, and his future is unclear once Torres returns. But for now, he’s enjoying the ride.
A TRIBUTE TO ‘MR. RANGER’
The loss of Rod Gilbert at 80 over the weekend led to an outpouring of tributes for the man so beloved by Rangers fans, and all hockey fans, frankly.
He spent his entire career with New York, and took plenty of players under his wing in his time.
“He was such a likable person that he left an immediate impression on you,” said Ron Duguay, who spent eight season with the team, to the New York Post.
ESPN’s Linda Cohn said “He always had a smile on his face.” WCBS 880’s Howie Rose said “Rod was the Rangers.”
The reaction came in from everyone from those in the organization to those who played against him, putting on display how much he meant to so many, on and off the ice.