The Sports Insanity Network

BELGIUM DESTROYS USA HOPES

BY MARK HALPERN

Well, the World Cup will go on but, without team USA as they were beaten by Belgium 4-1. In their final group match U.S.A star Folarin Balogun was given a RED CARD, which was a controversial call. To be fairly honest it looked nothing intentional and their feet got entangled but, the Official who gave him the penalty did review and stood by his call. Receiving such a penalty would have had him suspended and would have made him ineligible to play in the game against Belgium. Well President Donald Trump called FIFA and asked them to review the play. FIFA did and rescinded the card giving Balogun the opportunity to play. I had made a special appearance on the S.I.P. broadcast with Dan Ryans and we spoke about this briefly and the consensus was team USA looked flat. Belgium got on the board in the first 9 minutes of the game. The U.S.A fought back and got the game even at 31 minutes to just see it go away a minute later and eventually losing 4-1. Even with Balogun the team looked unprepared and Belgium took advantage of it. Their passing was crisper and whatever the game plan was it fully worked as the USA really couldn’t put up another goal or even put up a fight.

Their were glimpses of hope with this team USA. US Men’s soccer has never won the World Cup. The Men’s national team is not on par with what the Women’s national team has done, maybe in 2030 that changes with some legends of the game leaving.

NOW, HERES AN IDEA

BY : MIKE RIFKIN

Two of the biggest disappointments in Baseball are the New York Mets and the San Diego Padres. Both teams currently sit outside of the playoffs (SD :4.5, NYM 12) and both are in the top 10 in payroll for the season.

Steve Cohen appeared on “THE SHOW” Podcast with Joel Sherman and Jon Heyman last week, and said that Francisco Lindor and Juan Soto are “getting along much better.” Meaning their relationship last season wasn’t as good as people want to perceive. Now, I will take Cohen at his word about them getting along, but this got me thinking, Soto is younger and signed long term and is in his prime. Lindor, will be 33 in November and is signed through 2031. Lindor is still an elite player at shortstop, but because of injury hasn’t had the best season.

I like to consider myself an optimist and I want to believe the Mets will turn the season around, but I am more likely to win the lottery. I blame David Stearns for a lot of the Mets issues, and according to Cohen he’s not going anywhere. Stearns has already gutted the roster and fired the manager, why not go all the way David and trade Lindor too?

Now this is New York David, so either you go big or you go home. And when I say big, it means big. Now both the Mets and Padres are in win now mode, despite the fact the Mets can’t even win when they score 12 runs. So, here’s the blockbuster idea (keep in mind I am not a salary guru) the Mets receive Fernando Tatis Jr. and Mason Miller from the Padres in exchange for Lindor, Freddy Peralta, Luke Weaver, Mark Vientos and Ronny Mauricio. If the Mets have to take on another contract like Jake Cronenworth, or Xander Bogaerts to make it happen so be it.

The Padres could kick Xander Bogaerts over to second with Lindor in the picture, Weaver, who has been fantastic for the Mets could slot into the Padres bullpen, which has a plethora of big arms coming out of it, Vientos and Mauricio are both young and change of scenery guys but are limited on where they can play, and Peralta, who will be a free agent after the season gives the Padres a top of the rotation arm, despite what’s he shown with the Mets.

The Mets would be getting younger with Tatis, who is 27 and signed through 2035. Remember Tatis came up as a shortstop, so maybe they kick him over and do the Mets consider making Juan Soto the DH?Miller is still arbitration eligible, but with how dominant he has been Stearns should sign him, and having Miller and Devin Williams at the backend of the bullpen would be a nice fit for the Mets. Now this move could be considered in the winter as well, but we don’t know how long the CBA talks are going to take. But if the Mets pulled this trigger at the deadline what it could do is make a very passionate and hungry fanbase happy about the future. In the short term this is basically a punt, but long term this could be an exciting deal for the Mets. It would also be the biggest blockbuster since Blockbuster went out of business. Now I want to make this clear I AM NOT IN FAVOR OF MOVING LINDOR, but if something like this proposal comes along the Mets have to listen.

HAVE A FEEL

BY MIKE RIFKIN

Sunday in Sacramento fans had history ripped away from them. Marlins Pitcher Eury Perez pitched seven perfect innings against the Athletics. He was pulled at 92 pitches, so he didn’t even hit the 100 pitch threshold teams love to use. Lake Bachar came in and gave up five runs, without recording an out, the Marlins did hold onto win 9-8. But taking out a starter with an 8-0 lead and a chance for a perfect game feels wrong to me.

We are a week away from the All-Star Game, they could’ve found a way to potentially push his next start back. Guys like Nolan Ryan, Pedro Martinez, Randy Johnson they don’t give the ball up, they try to finish the game. Now maybe it’s the era we’re in now but too often pitchers are being taken out of games with a no hitter or perfect game intact. Yes, I understand the arm injuries that can occur, but this is a chance at history. There is the possibility of long term issues look at Johan Santana with the Mets after his no hitter, but at least Terry Collins had the guts to leave his guy in to finish the job.

We all know where this comes from, it comes from front offices and whether it’s analytics or something else the fact that people don’t appreciate potential history is beyond parody. Have a feel for the game or for the moment. The Marlins are one of the biggest surprises in baseball, you give them this moment and it will always be special. That was taken from the fans on Sunday and unfortunately it’s happening too often across the sport we love.

AND HERE WE GO

BY MIKE RIFKIN

Yes, NHL Free Agency starts on July first, but prior to Wednesday’s flurry we’ve seen a bunch of movement through trades. There have been some teams I absolutely love what they’re doing and others that have some questions as we get deeper into the summer.

TEAMS I LOVE

NASHVILLE PREDATORS – Yeah, we said the same thing a few summers ago when they added Steven Stamkos, Jonathan Marchessault, and Brady Skjei. But I like the approach new GM Chris MacFarland has gone with. Nashville was busy on Wednesday after poaching Alex Kerfoot from MacFarland’s former team the Colorado Avalanche. Kerfoot became the third Avs regular to join the Preds this summer joining Jack Drury and Ross Colton. The Preds also plucked from another division rival, this time the Dallas Stars, where they acquired the rights to restricted free agent Mavirik Bourque and defenseman Ilya Lyubushkin. So, the Preds have impacted their future with Bourque, once he’s signed. Kerfoot, Drury, and Colton will help the bottom six and the penalty kill for Nashville.

SAN JOSE SHARKS – The Sharks are the future and the apple of everyone’s eye with what they showed last season. Macklin Celebrini is a star, Will Smith is more than the Fresh Prince Of Bel Air, and there’s so much more. But the one thing the Sharks lacked was some beef on the Blue line, and boy they added to it, they added Jacob Trouba and Darnell Nurse to lead this group of young players. They also added Mason Marchment on a big contract, so the Sharks not only have skill, but now they added some physicality to their game. And everyone can thank Connor McDavid who called the Pacific a “pillow fight” last season.

WASHINGTON CAPITALS – When you try and prove to one of the greatest of all time that you can win now, you have to do it. Chris Patrick is doing exactly that, the Caps have added Jordan Kyrou, Alex Tuch and Boone Jenner to their forward group. Now, I’m not going to say the Caps have closed the gap on the Hurricanes, but with what the Metro could look like right now the Caps are a top three team.

TEAMS I LIKE

TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS – Let me be honest it’s not about Sergei Bobrovsky or Darren Raddysh, it’s the minor pieces the Leafs added that put them here. Colton Sissons is a Swiss Army knife, he can play on any line, help the PK and maybe even some second power play time. Jack Roslovic is a major x factor, personally I would play him with William Nylander, to see if they can unlock the player. But the thing I like the most about what Toronto has done is most of these moves are short term, so if they don’t work, they can make changes quickly.
VANCOUVER CANUCKS – The Canucks are trying to rebrand themselves after a tumultuous last couple of seasons. We’ll see if they move Brock Boeser or Elias Pettersson, but they’re trying to stabilize and set a culture with the acquisitions of Brendan Gallagher, Jamie Oleksiak and Luke Schenn.

NEW YORK RANGERS – Hand up, I didn’t think Chris Drury had this in him. But so far the offseason on Broadway has been solid, added some much needed scoring punch with Pavel Dorofeyev and Oliver Bjorkstrand. But most importantly reshaping his Blue line, the additions of Sean Durzi and Marcus Pettersson help solidify that. Now they have a hole in the middle with Vincent Trocheck gone, but maybe they expect a young player to fill the void or does Drury have something else up his sleeve.

I DON’T GET IT

CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS – I’ll be honest the Blackhawks could bring back Patrick Kane tomorrow and they’d still be here. The Blackhawks traded the fourth overall pick in the draft Friday night for Bowen Byram and then gave him six years with an AAV of 12.5 million dollars. Byram was good in Buffalo last year, but man they needed someone to play with Bedard (who still needs a deal). They also added Cole Smith and Ian Cole, so they might be tougher to play against, but that Byram contract is something.

EDMONTON OILERS – If you have one year to impress the best player in the world and your answer would be to sign Freddie Andersen, you have to do it right? As good as Andersen was in the Hurricanes run to the Stanley Cup, let’s not forget the Canes have a great Defense core, something the Oilers really don’t. Also with his injury history along with Tristan Jarry’s I can’t say I love this from the Oilers, although I like the Devon Levi add.

LA KINGS – Erik Haula (35), Scott Laughton (32), Mats Zuccarello (38), and Corey Perry (41) these are the players that Ken Holland brought in to help the Kings. The LA Kings are an older hockey team, they could’ve changed their identity after Anze Kopitar retired, but they’re still trying to go for it. The problem is I don’t think this helps them in either the short or long term. This is just bad business.

OH CAPTAIN MY CAPTAIN

BY MARK HALPERN

What is a captain? A captain is defined as a person who commands, leads or is the head of a group. There are many types of captains. A ship has a captain, there are captains of industry, of course captains in the military. There is no secret that Fransico Lindor is admired by his teammates (even Soto, although the media doesn’t want to tell you that) and the team feeds off his energy. So, then why hasn’t Lindor been given the title yet?

When Steve Choen was asked this same question, he dodged it a little but, in the end, Cohen said “No one will be named Captain.” The question of why will fill anyone’s mind but, it also has to be looked at in another way, In the history of the Mets they have only named four Captains. Gary Carter, Keith Hernandez, John Franco and David Wright are the only players to ever been given this prestigious title. Lindor was the first major acquisition in the Steve Cohen era. Since coming over Lindor has embraced New York and vice versa. Lindor besides being an incredible ball player, is a loving caring Husband and Father of three. His walk-up music is “My Girl” by the Temptations a tribute to his wife, Lindor has multiple charity and humanitarian organizations that spreads all over his home country of Puerto Rico. Lindor is admired by all of his teammates, which in today’s world of sports is difficult. When Lindor talks to the team they listen, Lindor is one who is first to greet a player coming in for a run or making a great play in the field. To have an entire team show that in front of the heads of the organization kind of makes you scratch your head a bit.

The last Met to dawn the title was David Wright and he did all the right things and Lindor has mirrored him on and off the field. If you look back at the Mets run to the NLCS in 2024, Lindor was a big piece of the puzzle and he even got some MVP votes. But, with where the Mets are currently, I can understand the hesitation of naming a captain, maybe next spring training (if there’s baseball) we could see something.

In my humble opinion you have to kind of look past that because when a true named leader on the field who the team already looks up to then this is an easy decision in my eyes.

MISSING THE MARK

By MIKE RIFKIN

One of the things fans loved about the 2024 Mets was the fact that young players were key contributors to the lineup. The “Baby Mets” as they were called, Brett Baty, Francisco Alvarez, Mark Vientos and Ronny Mauricio. Fast forward a year and a half later and the latest edition of the “Baby Mets” are AJ Ewing and Carson Benge and boy are they fun to watch.

One of the reasons I think the Mets let Pete Alonso walk (which was a mistake either way), was to get consistent at bats for Mark Vientos. But over the last year and a half I’m starting to wonder if 2024 was just the year for Vientos. Vientos hit 27 homers and drove in 71 runs with a slash line of .266/.322/.516. Last season Vientos hit 17 homers and drove in 61 with a slash line of .233/.289/.413, and so far this season Vientos has a slash line of .209/.249/.378 with 10 homers and 33 RBI’S. Vientos’ defense isn’t helping either, when he has played first base he has six errors in 58 games.

So Vientos is struggling defensively, when David Stearns talked about run prevention, he’s struggling to drive in runs, so what do you do with Vientos? You don’t want him rotting on the bench and what would sending him to Triple A do for his confidence? Vientos might be a perfect change of scenery candidate. He’s going to be 27 in December, but let’s be honest what’s his position with the 2027 Mets, because the 2026 Mets are fried (I just can’t see a turnaround). ‘

Do I love the idea of getting rid of a former second round pick, who will be 27 in December? Not really, but Vientos hasn’t looked like his 2024 version of himself offensively and if that’s an outlier, so be it. And let’s be honest he’s a man without a position, eventually the Mets will give Ryan Clifford some run at first base, Brett Baty, say what you will about his offense, but he’s a much better defender (especially when playing his natural position.) and way more versatile than Vientos. And Vientos’s numbers don’t even warrant him being a DH, so maybe around the deadline use Vientos in a package for futures to help the 27 Mets, because right now I have a hard time envisioning Vientos being on the roster.

IT WAS WELL WORTH THE WAIT

BY MARK HALPERN

If you’re a sports fan there is one thing you want to witness, that team win a championship, there’s nothing like it. The last time the New York Knicks won the final was 1973, I didn’t get to witness that, as I wasn’t born yet. As a child, you’re born into rooting for specific teams, my father made me a Knicks fan. He worshiped the Knicks and my mother worships the Mets, so that’s where two of my teams fall in. Throughout the years I have had the privilege of seeing one horrible playoff moment and one amazing playoff moment. I saw Reggie Miller do the unthinkable and I was there when LJ hit the famous 4 point play. In 1999 the Knicks were in the finals and I decided to go to Vegas to be there betting (honestly, I lost my ass and then some) and watched them go down 4-1 to the Spurs.

This begun the 27-year journey, between 1999 and 2026 I got to see many different forms of the Knicks line up. The Knicks over this Final’s drought had players of elite caliber such as Amar’e Stoudemire, Carmelo Anthony, Stephon Marbury and Julius Randle. During this time the Knicks made the playoffs but didn’t have the horses to go the distance. Former Knicks player and current assistant coach Rick Brunson convinced the Knicks to sign his son Jalen (who was drafted by Mavericks) so this team would have a floor general. Jalen Brunson’s performance outshined all the talking heads. Even when paired with Julius Randle they were better but, just not good enough. Brunson was coming up for a new contract in which he had earned the max contract but, instead left 113 million dollars on the table for the Knicks to make trades for Josh Hart and O.G. Anunoby and then have the flexibility to trade for Mikal Bridges. In an era where we talk about how much money players make, Jalen Brunson spreading the wealth to win a title says a lot about him and that’s why New York loves him. There was still the problem of a true big man. Julius Randle was good, but was too inconsistent. At the end of the 2024 season the Knicks made an aggressive three team trade that brought the final piece. Karl Anthony Towns (known as KAT) was brought in, in a 3-team trade with the Timberwolves and the Hornets. I loved and hated this trade. KAT is one of more versatile big men in the league with the ability to grab rebounds and play in low and can stretch the floor from the outside. The reason that I hated the trade was because is it took one the best sixth men in the league in Donte DiVincenzo. Good News is that every Knick from fan to player wants him back so you never know there. Over the past three seasons the Knicks climbed the ladder from playoff birth to winning the finals.

The 2026 season had its moments of concern especially during that horrible 8 game losing streak. Dan Ryans and myself had a podcast this season called “The 6^th man up.” ( CHECK IT OUT ON THE SIN YOUTUBE PAGE) We did 27 shows and let’s face it our new podcast didn’t make them win but, I am sure someone saw it and it got them in gear. The trade deadline brought in Jose Alvarado who plays bigger than he is. Alvarado has re-signed and will be with the Knicks for three more years..

I had become accustomed to making the playoffs, but I wanted to envision holding that trophy just like every other Knick fan and player. When the Knicks got their act together after falling behind 2-1 to the Hawks, New York witnessed greatness. The Knicks won 13 consecutive games and the vibes were as high as ever. The Spurs won a classic Western Conference Finals over the Thunder, creating a 1999 rematch. I was nervous. Either Western team they were going to face was gonna be an up-hill battle more of a mountain if it was the Thunder. The Knicks came out and stole both game one and had a huge comeback and stole game two brining it back to the most loyal venue Madison Square Garden. The Knicks Lost game three (I didn’t expect them to sweep them) with the Knicks Being up by two it’s okay to lose one. Game 4 will always (In my opinion) be known as the tip. Besides the greatest comeback in Finals history, with under a few seconds left Brunson shot a desperate three that just came up short but since Wemby was outside to contest his shot they had no real big man under the net and as the ball hit the front of the rim O.G. Anunoby comes flying in and jumps up with about four other players and tips the ball in and knicks win game 4.

Game 5 we all know what happened. It was an up and down Battle but the Knicks seemed to own control throughout the game. I had my daughter record the last ten minutes before the Knicks win so I could have my reaction recorded. The last 20 seconds of the game I was running on pure adrenaline. Once the final desperation 3 went up and hit the back board and the time ran out, I went absolutely nuts and you can view the video on our X page @SINREAL (I dedicate my final moments to the great Richard Dreyfuss as his movie Let It Ride is one of my favorites) also it is a bit explicit at the end so ear phones if little ears are around. This moment is so special to me, for the Knicks to win their first title in 53 years, to have redemption from 1999, but most of all to share this moment with my kids, that’s what makes this title special.

RIFKIN REACTS : CARLOS MENDOZA FIRED

BY MIKE RIFKIN

On Friday Morning the New York Mets announced that Manager Carlos Mendoza had been relieved of his duties. Mendoza was in his third season as Mets manager and compiled a record of 206-199. The Mets got within two games of the World Series in his first season, but it’s been downhill ever since. The Mets missed the playoffs last season after the Marlins swept them on the final weekend of the season, and this year the Mets are 34-47 and have the third worst record in the National League.

Yes, something had to give, the Mets are the biggest disappointment in Baseball and fans have reached another boiling point. The Mets are coming off a four game sweep at the hands of the Chicago Cubs, and were just dreadful, including a game where they had six errors. But was all of this Carlos Mendoza’s fault? The answer is no, Mendoza is just the fall guy or the scapegoat. The real people to blame are David Stearns and the players. Stearns gave Mendoza a very flawed roster and players he counted on to help this team just haven’t come through.

In 2024 the Mets went on this magical run that was reminiscent of 2015, but since everything that could go wrong has gone wrong. Part of that is injuries, but another part has been regression on the part of the players.

We can sit and talk about who the manager of the 2027 Mets (if there’s a season) should be. I don’t want to sit here and act like this season is a lost cause, there’s still half a season to be played. And while the playoffs seem unlikely most players are under evaluation and so is David Stearns.

FAILED

BY MIKE RIFKIN

Tuesday was another night at the office for the New York Mets, who lost 9-6 to the Chicago Cubs. For the Mets this is their third consecutive defeat after dropping the final two games in Philly over the weekend. In those three games the Mets have been outscored 30-11 and now sit 10 games under .500.

Prior to the game Mets President David Stearns spoke to the media, as he does prior to every homestand. The most telling thing Stearns said was on the trade deadline and he said “I think we’re going to continue to give this team time to prove we can get back in this.” With Francisco Lindor on the way back, Stearns wants to give the team he put together a chance to fight back in the Wild Card race (they’re not catching the Braves). I know a lot of people have discussed the thought of letting Stearns go with what has transpired. How many of David Stearns moves since he took over have worked? The answer might just be Juan Soto and let’s be honest here, that was more about Steve Cohen’s checkbook.

Two years ago the Mets were two wins away from going to the World Series, and now they have the third worst record in the National League and yet are only seven out in the Wild Card. Now, if you’re a fool like myself you say there’s a lot of baseball left, only to have these guys break your heart.

I’m an optimist at heart and wanted to believe in this team. But David Stearns failed in one particular area, I’m not sure he realizes: there’s no connection with the fans. Look at what the Knick parade looked like, and you saw what they did over the course of the playoffs. Now, you look at the Mets and it’s just such a difference between watching a team and watching a collection of individuals. I’m not going to yell about Ewing, Benge, McLean and the young guys. Stearns gambled and thought a contact lineup was the way to go and that’s why he let Pete Alonso walk away, and he wanted to go Moneyball and play Polanco, Vientos and Bichette to basically combine to have Alonso’s numbers. Well, outside of this recent hot stretch for Bichette, that’s been a failure. Vientos is an absolute change of scenery candidate and Polanco has been as productive as me in the Met lineup.

David Stearns better hope that Lindor can get hot like he did in 2024, or if the Mets continue to freefall what happens? Or has Stearns been given a heads up that he’s safe? Either way if the Mets are at home in October and right now there’s a good chance of that and Alonso is raking for the Orioles, David Stearns gamble will have failed. And even if he’s back next season, his clock is ticking.

A NEW PHENOMENON

BY MIKE RIFKIN

Sunday was Father’s Day and for Keith Tkachuk he got the ultimate present. On Sunday it was announced that the Florida Panthers and Ottawa Senators agreed to a trade that would send Senators Captain Brady Tkachuk to the Panthers for draft capital including numbers nine and twenty five in the first round of the NHL Draft on Friday Night. Brady being sent to Florida will give him the opportunity to play with his brother Matthew, who has already won two Stanley Cups in Florida.

Brady Tkachuk had a No Trade Clause in his contract with the Senators, and apparently when the two sides discussed the deal, Brady would only go to four teams : The Panthers, Minnesota Wild, Vegas Golden Knights, and the Carolina Hurricanes. Now the Hurricanes just won the Cup and that makes sense, but Florida, Minnesota and Vegas what do they all have in common outside of they want to win? Oh, they’re also the three teams that Red Wings Captain Dylan Larkin told the organization he would go to when he requested a trade. Now both Larkin and Tkachuk were both members of Team USA, who took Gold in the Olympics and with their open trade requests would be joining other players from that team. If they were to join Florida Brady’s brother Matthew played for Team USA as did defenseman Seth Jones, if they were to join Minnesota defensemen Quinn Hughes and Brock Faber along with forward Matt Boldy, and if they were to join the Golden Knights they’d team up with forward Jack Eichel and defenseman Noah Hanifin. So, why only give three teams that you’d actually play for?

Could it have to do with Team USA?, Sure. Could it have to do with the fact that the Wild, Golden Knights and Panthers are all in to win? Definitely, but there’s something else here. And it’s something the NHL and its fans will either love or hate. It’s the fact that these No trade clauses are being given out like candy on Halloween. Even if it’s not a full no movement clause, there are a lot of players who have partials. Now, if the NHL wants to embrace a superteam era like the NBA has done in the past, that’s fine everyone loves a good villain. The NHL has already ratified a new CBA that’ll start in September and run through 2030. You have to wonder that in the next CBA they discuss the possibility of limiting the number of trade clauses per team.

Is it cool that the Tkachuk’s want to play together? Sure. But limiting the amount of teams you’re willing to go to and handcuffing the current organization is mean. Now, I get it every competitor wants to win, but in the eyes of Sens fans now Brady Tkachuk is viewed as a villain and across the league in fans eyes he’s viewed differently. These are guys in the prime of their careers and limiting where you want to go hurts the team they currently play for, because if you limit yourself to one or two teams, the return won’t be as good because nobody wants to bid against themselves.