Let me just open by admitting how absolutely, unbelievably fortunate I am to not only have a job at KNBR, but to have the chance to take an all-expenses paid trip to New York City to see the San Francisco Giants face the Mets at brand-new Citi Field.

I’m constantly aware of my good-fortune and I take nothing for granted. Even as I enjoyed the four-day extended vacation in NYC, I was acutely in-tune and self-aware at how lucky I am.

With that on the table, here is a 10-point recap of the festivities, in a descending order of general randomness.

10. Margaritas in Manhattan-I had a great lunch on my 41st birthday on the Upper West Side that included a couple of the coldest blended margs I’ve ever had. I had the chest-freeze so bad I almost called 911.

9. Central Park walkabout-Spent about 3 hours with the statuesqu wife strolling through NYC’s amazing park. Saw all kinds of people from this great world city and listened to a ton of street music. Just an amazing way to spend a summer day.

8. Subway system- Even though it’s now $2.25 for a ride on the underground train system, it’s the most convenient system in the world.  Everywhere you go, there’s a train that leads to another train and eventually to your destination, 24 hours a day.

7. Le Parker Meridian-  This is the hotel where we stayed and it’s very nice, located next door to Carnegie Hall. If I was paying there’d be no way I’d stay there (too expensive) but it was real nice nonetheless.

6. Recipe- My good friend is a co-owner of a new restaurant on 82nd and Amsterdam in Manhattan called Recipe. Reasonably priced and very good food, in case you’re in the neighborhood.

5. Krukow over breakfast-Mike hosted a breakfast for those travelling with Giants vacations and he was AWESOME. Told great stories and did a solid Q&A with Nate Schierholtz and Joe Martinez in front of 100 over eggs and coffee.

4. Citi Field-  While not as majestic as our beloved ballpark in SF, Citi Field is a very nice, modern place to catch a ballgame. Our seats down the left field were great (normally $50) and the crowd was large and knowing.

3. Virgin America-While they overcharge for beers ($6) and even charge for snacks, having a TV on the seatback in front of you is incredible. Really makes the time fly by (pun intended).

2. Giants post-game wrap-I was pegged to do the post-game show Friday night, live from Citi Field so I headed up to press row at the end of the 3-0 loss. I was able to stand in the background while Kruk, Kuip, Jon Miller, and Dave Flemming did their radio wrap and I cherished being able to see how they interract. Very cool moment for me.

1.  Manhattan- You’d be hard pressed to find another city in the world as diverse, electric, and totally fulfilling than NYC, specifically the island of Manhattan. I enjoyed the bustle of Times Square Friday at midnight, the quiet class of the upper West Side by day, the urban pride of Harlem, and much more. It’s a trip that never disappoints and this weekend was no different.

It’s always very convenient to use the phrase “Best Ever” when talking about a playoff series or championship event but I shy away.

That said, this NBA conference championship season has been incredible and maybe worthy of the “Best Ever” moniker.

Denver hosts the Lakers tonight in Game 6 and if form holds, the Nuggets will win and force the all-important game 7 Sunday back in <Los Angeles.

I fully expect the Nuggets to handle the on-again, off-again Lakers tonight in Game 6 to force the series back to L.A. I have become a bandwagon Nuggets fan, even donning my Earl Boykins Nuggets throwback jersey at work on two occassions.

I’m calling a 112-105 Denver win in Game 6 but I’m standing by my earlier prediction of Lakers in 7, despite my hopes that the lakers get knocked out.

The Eastern Conference finals have been even better than the West, with all six games being hotly contested down to the wire affairs.

Lebron found a way to get his teammates involved last night in the must-win game 5 and he’ll have to get the same amount of help if they’re to win Game 6 in orlando Saturday.

Even though I had Cleveland winning in my earlier post, I think their dream ends tomorrow in orlando. The Magic have become a really good team; using as many as 10 players in a balnced fashion to stun the Cavs and the league at large.

If Cleveland and Denver force game 7’s then maybe this conference championship season is the best ever.

CAIN GETTING JUST DESSERTS

Really glad to see Matt Cain pitching so well and actually getting some personal rewards for it. He’s 5-1 with a great 2.40 ERA and he’s finally getting some run support that has him and the team thriving.

The past few years have been futile for Cain from the standpoint of wins. the team offered little to no run support and despite his good outings, he had a losing record.

Suddenly the team is delivering for him and he has a good chance of earning his 6th win of the year tonight. Thanks to his solid pitching and the enlivened offense, he has a chance for a spot on the All-Star team.

It took five games and almost 20 quarters to happen but the Los Angeles Lakers big men finally woke up and stepped up.

Lamar Odom, Pau Gasol, and even Andrew Bynum all played like tough, grown men in the Lakers huge come-from-behind 103-94 win over Denver in Game 5. The trio combined for 42 points and 26 rebounds, most of which came from a rejuvenated Odom.

This was a tight game throughout (tied after each of the first three quarters) that was broken open by the big-time play of Odom in the fourth. He actually dunked off a contested play (over BirdMan) and played with a passion not yet seen in this series.

That said, this is setting up for a big time Game 6 letdown for Los Angeles. I’m not hating, it’s what the Lakers have shown all postseason. They have been alternating a good game with a stinker, setting the Nuggets up nicely for a Game 6 win at home.

I called a Lakers in 7 endgame for this series so for that reason, I’m quietly pleased with what has taken place. In my heart though, I’ve been pulling pretty hard for the Lakers to gag this away.

CLEVELAND’S LAST STAND

Really, really surprised at the fact that Cleveland is down 3-1 in their best of seven with Orlando. I was one who was expecting the Magic to put up a good fight but this is far better than anyone could have expected.

Considering it’s the NBA and the Cavs have the game’s biggest star, you have to expect Cleveland to win Game 5. For some reason I can’t see the refs, the league office, or the great state of Ohio letting the Cavs bow out after just 5 games in the Eastern Conference finals.

I fully expect the Magic to finish this improbable run on Saturday in Game 6.

ROWAND ROLLING

Just about to hit the sack, watching the Giants-Braves game and I can’t help but notice the old Aaron Rowand back in the mix.

Ever since he had that great day at the leadoff spota couple weeks ago, Rowand has been on fire. His two-out RBI double in the sixth hopefully is a harbinger of things to come for him.

I’ll be asleep before this one ends but I hit the pillow with the hopes that the Giants will finish a sweep of Atlanta and the Big Unit will have career win #299.

Wednesday has become one of my favorite days of the week. Well, that’s not entirely true. Choosing between Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, Hump Day is clearly my favorite.

Now that Wednesday is properly ranked behind Friday, Saturday, and Sunday (Thursday TBD), I can enjoy what is a veritable cornucopia of sports on the slate.

MICHAEL VICK RELEASED FROM PRISON

The embattled, felonious quarterback of the Atlanta Falcons has served his time after being convicted of heinous crimes related to a dogfighting ring.

The details surrounding this case are beyond grisly and some people will not be able to forgive Vick for the things with which he was connected and involved.

He must show genuine remorse and a willingness to atone for his crimes and actions. If he does that, I’m all for allowing him to return to the NFL in 2010.

I think that denying him the chance to play football would amount to double prosecution for the same crime. I realize that playing football is an honor and not an inalienable right but if he’s truly been rehabilitated then I say let him play.

ALL EYES ON SANCHEZ

With the exception of Randy Johnson, the Giants starting staff has been down right awesome this year. That is, aside from Jonathon Sanchez.

Will he ever be consistent? That is the eternally burning question surrounding the left-hander. He has had good innings but not many good starts.

With Joe Martinez getting ready to come back and young studs looming in the bullpen, it’s time to deliver or go to the ‘pen for Johnny.

LEBRON MVP CREDENTIALS ON THE LINE

King James clearly deserved the Most Valuable Player award for his performance in the regular season, but that’s a thing of the past now.

It’s all about being the postseason MVP, and that quest starts tonight against Orlando.

I think the Cavs roll tonight but the Magic will not go quietly in the series. I like the Cavs in 6.

SANTA CLARA COURTING NINERS

The city council of Santa Clara met regarding the Niners stadium plans in their city and resolved to meet again.

Nothing makes the needle move like a meeting to set the stage for a future meeting. The PTA at my kids’ school has more political muscle that that.

Wake me when the moving vans arrive.

I’ve taken a new approach to watching the Giants play this year, and it’s not unlike the way I view futbol (soccer).

The Giants offense has been so mild, each run they score is greeted in my house by a long and explosive shout of GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAALLLLLLL!!!!!!

They’ve managed just 88 runs in 24 games (3.66 runs per game) and are in the midst of a stretch where they have just 7 runs in four games.

Credit to the great pitching staff for the fact that they’re 12-12 (2-2 over the last four) despite a glaring lack of offense.

Much like a free kick in soccer, when the Giants get a runner to third with less than two outs I hope for a goal (run).

But like in soccer, it usually results in disappointment and a big zero on the scoreboard.

Lead-off doubles are like corner kicks; a good scoring chance but a situation that needs further action, like a header (yes) or in this case, an actual timely hit.

We all knew the offense would be docile but the fact that they’ve scored 2 runs or less 11 times this year is downright unacceptable.

BIRDIES FOR THE BRAVE

Just wanted to take a few graphs to talk about an incredible charity I was lucky enough to be a part of yesterday.

KNBR held a golf tournament at TPC San Francisco Bay at Stonebrae to benfit Birdies For The Brave.

This organization raises money for military personnel injured while defending our country. More than $2.5 million has been raised since 2005 by this organization.

I’m a steadfast supporter of our troops and deeply appreciative of what they do on a daily basis to keep us safe and provide us freedom.

All politics aside, our troops MUST be supported and helped as much as we can and I’m happy to have been a small part of this yesterday.

126,000,000 has become a stigmatic number, not only in the Bay Area but in the world at large.

That figure of course relates to the gigantic contract signed by Barry Zito just a few short years ago. He’s being paid that much money over seven years to throw a baseball for the San Francisco Giants, regardless of how well he does.

Therein lies the biggest problem with the deal; he doesn’t  have to perform well to “earn” the money. He’ll be paid 126 million dollars no matter how many times he gets shelled, bombed, roughed up, or knocked around.

Zito is on display today as the Giants face the Padres in a matinee at AT&T Park in San Francisco. Today’s performance is a big one for Barry because the rest of the rotation has dominated over the last four games.

Already relegated to the #4 spot in the rotation, expectations for Zito have plummeted. At this point, most fans would take a 6 inning, 3 earned run performance anytime, a sad fact considering how high hopes were when he signed.

Just for perspective, here are the past four pitching efforts by Giants’ starters. I’ll give the numerical line score (IP, H, R, ER, BB, SO) for each.

Sanchez 6.2 2 0 0 4 4 WIN

Lincecum 8 5 0 0 0 13 No Decision

Johnson 7 1 0 0 2 7 WIN

Cain 6 9 2 2 0 5 WIN

The four horsemen of the Giants rotation have yielded just 2 earned runs over 27 and two-thirds innings over the last four starts.

If this was bowling, Zito would be staring down the barrel of a beer frame. This happens when all players on a lane bowl a strike and one player does not. This guy must then buy a round of beers.

Judging by the size of Zito’s contract, he’s able to buy a round of beers for the entire stadium.

Assuming there will be 30,ooo fans in the house today, multiplied by the cost of a beer (approximately 9 bucks at the yard), Zeets is looking at a bill of $270,000 for a bad outing.

That’s chump change. Zito probably has that much in his car’s ashtray or couch cushion.

I would consider myself a hypocrite if I did not venture down to San Jose to the Sharks in Game 2 of the Western Conference Quarterfinals.

After all, it was me who theorized that this could be the final home game of the 2008-2009 season.

For me to sit back and wait for San Jose to return home before I went out to a playoff game would go against the very urgency that I implored Sharks’ fans to have.

Therefore, I’m on my way out the door to make the journey south. I’ll be enjoying the game from the highest possible vantage point; in the auxillary press box.

This perch is across from the regular press box, which is up a couple flights of stairs from the upper deck seating area.

I’m nor complaining about this seat location; it’s actually a pretty good place to see all the action. I wanted to give some perspective as to where I’ll be for those of you following on Twitter.

Despite the Sharks being highly motivated and the better team overall, I’m seeing at least one overtime and a Sharks 2-1 win. San Jose will outshoot the Ducks nearly 2-1 again but it will take OT heroics, thereby limiting my Sunday Night Sleep.

I’ll go ahead and call a Pavelski game-winner.

GIANTS WIN BEHIND R-J

A very big outing from the pitcher-formerly-known-as-the-Big-Unit.

Just one hit allowed and a super-quality start was enough as the Giants bats were uber-quiet again. It took a great outing (and a good close from one of Twitter pals Brian Wilson) to nurse a 2-0 win as the offense failed to erupt for anything. They’re averaging 2 runs a game over the last 10.

Basically, the formula for 100 I laid out is looking pretty cogent in the early going.

There has been a tremendous amount of “early hope” surrounding the 2009 San Francisco Giants, cloaking a somber reality.

As much as we all are hoping for a prolonged pennant-sniffing run for this like able bunch, we must be realists.

The blueprint exists for a dreadful 100-loss season.

I’m pulling for this team to hit, field, and pitch at the highest possible level and I have a lot invested in this team personally and professionally. That said, the possible shortcomings need to be recognized.

Here then are the Top 10 reasons the Giants will lose 100 games. Each of these items is worth 10 losses (plus/minus 2) and all are potential scenarios that we must be prepared to face as the summer unfolds.

1. TIM LINCECUM LETDOWN

It would be nice if the reigning Cy Young award winner could replicate last season’s success but that’s not likely. Even if he has a solid year, the threat of the Verducci Effect is real.

2. THE BIG MILESTONE

Randy Johnson is two bad starts in and still an eternity from the magic 300 win plateau. Hard to win when you get knocked around and they’ll trot him out all year in search of the hallowed milestone.

3. 126 MILLION REGRETS

Full disclosure here, I’m a fan of Barry Zito. A good guy and a philanthropist. He just can’t get outs consistently. Already “demoted” to the #4 slot you have to wonder what happens next if he keeps getting shelled?

4. EDGAR’S INTEREST

Off to a terrible start at the plate, he has shown defensive malaise as well. With a two-year deal intact, can’t see him over-exerting in August.

5. YOUNG GUNS GET SOME

As the season slips and slides down and down, the team will turn to the young stars to get some experience. Buster Posey and Madison Baumgarner lead the charge as wins no longer matter.

6. CATCHING A COLD

The best example of a Gamer is Benjie Molina but he’s the only catcher on the squad right now. He’s already getting nicked up and could be in for a long year.

7. STUFF BUT NO STUFF

Current fifth-starter Jonathon Sanchez has been a letdown. He’s got electric stuff but struggles to win.

8. DIMINISHING DEFENSE

Renteria is a big downgrade defensively at shortstop and Pablo Sandoval has a long way to go at third base. Eugenio Velez is atrocious off the bench and this turns close games into losses.

9. BETTER WEST

Even after just a handful of games, the NL West is looking far better than most experts thought. The Padres have already demonstrated that they’re at least competitive and Arizona and the Dodgers are superior.

10. POWER OUTAGE

In order to avoid protracted losing streaks, it helps to have the threat of the long ball. This Giants team will not have a 20-homer player nor will it hit 100 as a team. Yikes.

For those of you who happened to catch me on KNBR 680 this past weekend doing Giants pre and post game , this is old news.

I love fractions.

I’ve always been a big fan of mathematics, especially the application to sports. I think there is incredible truth in the “math of sports”, especially as it pertaines to baseball.

I am trying to use the applied math to assuage my growing concern about the 2009 Giants.

Even though they are only 7/162nd of the way into the season, this year’s edition of the Giants does not look good. Not at all.

Suffering through a four-game losing streak and fresh off an 11-1 beat-down by the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Giants are reeling. Cy Young winner Tim Lincecum has had two rocky starts and the suspect hitting lineup has not produced in its four-game road trip.

In fact, the only starting pitcher that has done quality work to date is Matt Cain. Randy Johnson, Jonathon Samchez, and of course the enigmatic Barry Zito, all had rough outings.

From a hitting standpoint, only Fred Lewis, Benjie Molina, and Randy Winn appear locked-in. Emmanuel Burriss looks overmatched and Edgar Renteria looks disinterested.

Add to the mix the fact that the defense has been dubious and you have the recipe for a very long season. All of a sudden, the Giants look like the team with 100-loss potential.

BALLS APLENTY FOUND

I am many things to many people but there is one thing I have never been and I hope to never be.

Mr. Fix It Yard Guy.

**disclaimer** I have nothing but respect and admiration for this person; the one who can handle the maintenance, landscaping, construction, etc. I don’t have the skills necessary nor do I have any interest in doing this work.

That said, my brother-in-law Devon and his crew came over yesterday and did an amazing cleanup of the weeds that circle my humble abode. They pulled major amounts of crap from the yard and made it look incredible and there was a great hidden bonus.

The crew retrieved 33 sports/games items that had been lost amid the jungle in our yard. The list includes…

13 tennis balls…3 stomp rockets…4 wiffle balls…5 foam footballs…1 plastic trowel…2 plastic horseshoes…3 super balls…1 percussion instrument…and 1 flying disc.

unbelievable.