Joe Ticket comments on the NBA, MBL, and even life itself.

To all the folks who wrote and called me while I was laid up with a broken collarbone (don’t worry, Lipshitz, Levine and Cohen are making sure I get my just compensation), I thank you..when your hurt (and miss work)it makes you think about how lucky it is to be unhurt , healthy , and normal. Everyone has aches and pains, I guess that’s normal, but when you have a heart attack and die at age 58 like Tim Russertthat really makes you think. So today think about taking a walk and listening to the birds sing. Think about going to a ballgame with you dad. Think about bringing home some fresh cut wildflowers to your wife. Think about how lucky you are to even have your life in this day in time, in this wonderful free country. We are all annoyed at the price of gas, at political boondogles, the lack of healthinsurance for everyone, the decline in our homes values or even the prospects of maybe losing our homes..but keep the faith, hang in there, it could be worse, you could live in a repressed society, you could be very ill.. All too often we take these days we are blessed with for granted and we bitch about traffic and curse about spilled coffee on our new shirt..big deal, get real..start thinking about what really matters. Its your relationships to your friends and family and how you treat people that you don’teven know. Its about your communications in that private space reserved for you and the lord, its about helping others and in that way you help yourself to a much richer life..what does it have to do with tickets, with sports, with music entertainment..that’s the question for you to ponder today. 

I am not going to say I told you so but the Celtics are on the verge of their 17th world championship leading LA 3-1 in the NBA finals. Doc Rivers has established himself as a top flight coach skillfully employing his deep and talented bench to take advantage of matchups and tempo all season long. Danny Ainge managed to assemble a group of players that have bought into the “Celtics “style of selfless team ball playing. One piece brought another as key contributers Eddie House, PJ Brown, Ray Allen all came to Boston at the beheast of Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce who were on a mission for a ring befor the final bell sounded on their brilliant careers. The fact that Rajon Rondo emerged as a fine creative point guard capable of defending and rebounding and knocking down clutch junpers when left alone cannot be ignored. This is what happenns in championship seasons in all sports for the winning teams, things just come together perfectly. This nucleus will be back again next year, Perkins and Davis and Rondo and Tony Allen all a year more mature, so I see the Celtics and the Lakers, if Andrew Bynum regains his mobility, back at it in 09 for one more time. While Kobe Bryant is certainly great he is no Jordan, not now anyway. Obviously I am assuming that the Celtics can win one of three from Lakers and if you want to bet me otherwise please email me , I can use the extra money! Beantown is getting ready for another parade and the hits just keep on comin..Next up The Red Sox, and then The Patriots on this victorious merrygoround., Round and round she goes when it ends nobody knows..

As for baseball, the word is out that instant replay is coming soon to a ballpark near you. I am in favor of it on one condition that it not be used for balls and strikes that it only be used when the umpires have a consensus that maybe the call needs to be reviewed like on a homer down the line or a play at the plate when the ump isn’t in good position. It should not be on demand by the managers, those guys always think the ump blew the call when it goes the other way. Surprise teams The Florida Marlins and The Tampa Bay Rays continue to play exciting ball in front of sparse crowds wilst having the lowest payrolls in the game, proving that you cant buy love and happiness or guarantee victory between the lines. In a sign of the times both clubs developed superior young talent often acquired form other clubs in trades of their emerging stars who would have commanded salaries exceeding their teams capacity to pay for them. They also are signing their young players to longer contracts in essence tying them up for the extra one or two years when they will be hitting their prime..its a winning formula and to the clubs that overspend on aging, questionable talent..smarten up and yes that includes the Yankees, the Red Sox and the Mets and in fact it appears that those clubs are taking the hint. The Red Sox best production on the hill has been from Lester, Buckholz, Papelbon, etc and this kid Masterson looks real good too. On paper the Sox seem to have the best ballclub and manager Tito Francona usually knows how to play his cards by now.  JD Drew is finally comfortable at the plate and playing great all around ball in right. Coco Crisp is the best 4th outfielder in the league, Ellsbury is the real deal if .285, 70 stolen bases and an acrobatic catch a game wets your whistle and Manny is well Manny and even though Ortiz is on the shelf they wont miss a beat. I will not insult my Yankee readers( although my Sox readers want me too, ) with a beat down, lets just say SEE YA…there are a few other good ballclubs in the AL for sure- the Angels are solid as long as Vlad gimps it out and the Ozzie whipped White Sox come to mind..I still want to see the Tigers take batting practice but a theoretically thumping lineup doesn’t translate to wins. Good pitching beats good hitting in the long run. The Phillies, the Cubs and the Diamondbacks are all playing well and even though the slugging stick thin Soriano is out for 6 weeks, I see them going all the way in the National League, setting the stage for what would be a historic Championship Series between the Red Sox and the long overdue Cubbies. I for one will be trying to make it to at least one game in each city and of course with my connections I’ll in the front row as Uke would say. It will be chilly in October in Boston and Chicago but I think everyone should be sufficiently fueled up to stay warm.  But for now you can satisfy your urge to see the best baseball on the planet by going to National Ticket Agencies MBL page and clicking on your team and picking out your game…and psssst take your dad!

Well its time to put down the pen and do my rehab in the pool down here in sunny South Florida. I should mention that the NFL season is right around the corner and tickets to all games for all teams are allready on sale and actually moving quite well. Baseball is the national pastime but football is king..at least in the ticket industry. Get your sports and concert tickets at the lowest priced ticket agency on the internet, National Ticket Agency. Cheers – and I promise to write more often as I feel up to it..

MLB National Baseball League West Division Preview

Spring training is well under way in Florida and Arizona though most regulars still haven’t played more than a few innings in their games. Pitchers are working out the kinks and working through sore muscles and hope does spring eternal in the daily papers of almost every home cities team. Today’s topic, the National League West is a darn good competitive division and the one race that is sure to go down to the wire with the runerup probably taking the wild card. 4 out of the 5 teams in the west seemed to have improved if that’s possible, the one exception is the Giants who will play the season without superstar slugger Barry Bonds. Bonds, possibly blackballed, seems to be out of baseball for good, despite the general consensus that the man can still hit and produce runs at a very high level. Irregardless of my thoughts on his legal issues and steroids, I will miss the excitement that he generated by standing in the batters box, staring out at a usually over-matched and jittery hurler. Bonds in the last several years exhibited prodigious and frequent power and was so often pitched around that his on base percentage was about 1 out of 2 times up or .500, unheard of. He was that good!

Countdown to Major League Baseball opening day! 17 days 8 hr 51 min 33 sec

The Colorado Rockies are my pick to win the division. They may not make it to the World Series but they sure do have a good young team led by young superstar shortstop Troy Tulowitski and slugging left fielder Roy Holliday. Helton with Hall of Fame like numbers and Atkins at 3rd make for solid corner men and if Marcus Giles has a good year and the decent but not great pitching comes through it will be all good at Coors field this summer. Pass me another frosty one please. Rockies tickets.

The Arizona Diamondbacks added an AllStar pitcher in Dan Haren and if Randy Johnson can come back and be a big winner along with ace Brandon Webb this could be the year for the D Backs. A possible question mark is Brandon Lyon now entrusted with the closers role. I like him though and with kids Juston Upton and Chris Young patrolling the outfield with sparkplug Eric Byrnes and a decent infield the pitching and defense should help offset the lack of power. Diamondbacks tickets.

The San Diego Padres have potentially a great starting pitching staff of veteran proven winners and so far this spring they have looked sharp. The problem is new center fielder Jim Edmunds is hurting allready and he isn’t getting any younger. Additionally other than slugging first sacker Adrian Gonzalez there isn’t much pop anywhere else unless you want to count  star shortstop Kalil Greene’s bat. Peavy, Young, Maddox, Prior, Wolf and pray for rain I mean hits. Padres tickets.

The Los Angeles Dodgers are going to be great and alot of fun to watch but it will take them a year to mature and meld under new manager Joe Torre. However if phenom Clayton Kershaw comes through and the veterans like Kemp, Garciaparra, Pierre and 20 million dollar man Andruw Jones have great years which is conceivable,( I mean really now do you think Jones is a 226 hitter,) and  then AllStar catcher Martin, and kids Loney and Kemp etc perform like expected these guys are the sleeper team of the whole league! But thats alot of buts and ifs.. Dodgers tickets.

The San Francisco Giantshave a new center fielder in Aaron Rowland and 2 young stud pitchers in Tim Lincecum and Matt Cain to go along with Barry Zito. umm Randy Winn is ok and Benji Molina of the flying and famous Molina catching brothers is terrific for sure but Durham and Vizquel are getting older and they need to replace Bonds in the lineup and because that’s impossible this team will settle into the cellar at some point before June and probably that’s where they will stay..Giants tickets.

So that concludes my Major League Baseball preseason preview. If your in Florida or Arizona support your team and see the kids up close and personal. Gets some autographs, get some sun and get into baseball mode. It’s a timeless and true game, baseball now and then is much the same. That there is occasionally problems is a shame, but all is fair for fortune and fame!

Step right up and get your red hot tickets for wherever you want to sit at any park in the nation at National Ticket Agency. Joe Ticket is always standing by ready to assist you in your purchasing with advice and tall tales of men and mice and stories that yearn to be told of ballparks and players of old.

MLB NATIONAL LEAGUE CENTRAL BASEBALL PREVIEW

Yesterday I saw the Mets play the Marlins at Roger Dean Stadium, Jupiter, FL and got a good look at everyone close up. I had a free ticket from ESPN and sat practically on the Mets dugout for a few innings before heading for my favorite spot amongst the scouts behind the plate. I never have a problem sitting wherever I want. I stride confidently to my desired seat like I really belong,  sometimes even pulling out a cheapie grandstand stub, looking at the seat number  and smiling approvingly as I sit in my new primo digs. I learned how to do this expertly at Fenway Park, competing against the most opportunistic fanatical fans in baseball. There is an art to it and it involves both timing and attitude. But that’s a subject for my next book today I will look at the interesting National League Central Division.

The Chicago Cubs will probably edge the upstart Brewers to take their second consecutive divisional title. I have yet to see Fukudome the left handed hitting right fielder from Japan, but I will assume he is a solid ballplayer well drilled in fundamentals and adds to an already decent lineup featuring D. Lee, Aramis Ramirez and the great Soriano. The staff is led by hard throwing hard headed Carlos Zambrano. The manager is a good one, Lou Pinella. They’ll win 86 games but don’t have the horses to make it past the first round. For the best Cubs tickets to venerable Wrigley Field.

The Milwaukee Brewers were a surprise team last year and basically revived baseball in Suds city. They have a nice park and a nice team led by young and rotund slugger Prince Fielder and ROY Ryan Braun. They added Mike Cameron a veteran smooth outfielder and with Billy Hall moving to third, Hardy, and Weeks they have talent all around the infield. Now if they get pitching from Sheets, Suppan etc they will and can beat out the Cubs for the top slot, but that’s a big if. Be there in good seats. Brewers tickets.

The St Louis Cardinals sorry to say have slipped a notch. LaRussa is still a fine manager but he’ll have to pull rabbits out of his hat to lead this degraded team to the post season. The pitching just seems to thin and losing a sparkplug like Eckstein has to hurt. Hey, hey, hey Big Albert Puljos though is still the most feared right handed hitter in the league, just awesome year in and year out. They need newly aquired Troy Glaus to come up big like 35 homers  and for Ankiel, Duncan etc to play over thier heads or it will be a long hot summer in Missouri. The good fans in St Louis still show up dressed in Red. Best Cardinals tickets.

The Houston Astros will compete if newcomer and slugging shortstop Miguel Tejada has a strong season but steroid use allegations and age may have put his best seasons behind him, never the less he should still hit 25 and knock in 99. Add that to Carlos Lee’s guaranteed 35 and 110 and Berkmans 32 and that’s formidable. The rest of the lineup is lacking though and unless “Rocket” comes back (and that to say the least is very, very  doubtful) I can’t see this team reaching 500. Always a great time at Minute Maid Park. Astros tickets. 

The Cincinnati Reds might surprise me and make a limited run if Griffey still is The Natural and can stay healthy and Freel, Phillips, and Dunn come up really big but they could use another stick and starter or two with more kick. They spent a ton of money on Cordero to close but will the starters allow him to save 40 or so. NOTE: I would still pay to see the graceful Griffey, he is one of the all time greats. For nice Reds tickets.

The Pittsburgh Pirates used to be a  successful smaller market franchise. Through mismanagement and an unwillingness to acquire talent due to financial restrictions they are a shell of their former proud selves. At least the Marlins produce a steady stream of good young talent year after year, ( that they can’t afford to keep them is a shame.) What’s the Pirates excuse. That’s said Jack Wilson is a solid hitting shortstop, Freddie Sanchez is a lifetime 300 hitter and LaRoche is decent enough but all in all they ain’t got the stuff. It’s the cellar again. But Bucs fans, if I lived in Pittsburgh I would still go the park anyways, just like I do in Miami, because it is the Big Leagues. And Baseball is Baseball.  For great front row Pirates tickets.

With all the madness that surrounds us in these troubled times, with society breaking down, the planet in decline, and countries at war, isn’t it nice to know that a game as simple and elegant as baseball can offer a brief respite over 7 or 9 innings of joyous play whether it be at your local high school or Little League field or at the Major League ball park of your choice. For tickets to the best that the Big Leagues has to offer go to National Ticket Agency and have some fun and get away from it all if only for the time it takes to play our game.

Baseball spring training American League West preview

This post concludes the pre spring training , pre season baseball pre view and isn’t that a mouthful. No doubt that I will update my sentiments as the regular season begins, guys may get hurt, there may be trades etc. Normally one would think that since we are in the thick of the NBA basketball season,the NHL hockey season and the NCAA winter sports seasons,  and seeing as it is still basically winter everywhere north of the Mason Dixon Line that I should be commenting on those tight races and the hard to get tickets to the arena of your favorite winter team…but I like baseball better than anything else and so do you most likely as you have clicked on one of the tags here,  so that’s what I will write about. Any Major League Baseball tickets are found here by clicking on this link!

In some ways now is the best time to talk baseball and baseball tickets because if your lucky you might still be able to get some decent seats for face value rather than the after market broker price.

Baseball means spring. Spring brings  life and hope and all that…baseball despite it’s ongoing problems is still our national pastime and in great shape. The worse the economy the more people need this relaxing wholesome escape. And it is a wholesome and  simple enjoyment, guy throws the ball, guy tries to hit it. Forget about the ridiculous salaries, the truth is the owners can afford them, well most of the owners anyways. These athletes are entertainers, much like movie stars and popular musicians, and they are our great diversion from life’s problems  and for that I am grateful. That they make human errors and act like dummies sometimes is all part of the show.

The American League Western Division  is the weakest of the three divisions. The Angels though should take first place easily but will bow out in the first round of the playoffs so says swami. Here is a capsule view of each club in the order of there finish.

The Los Angeles Angels added top flight center fielder Tori Hunter. He is a great all around outfielder and now the Angels have 4 studs out there to rotate. Guerrero is just a dynamic slugger and with their better than average pitching staff led by Lackey, new comer Garland, and J Weaver they should win 90 plus  games. The Angels routinely sell out all the good seats so you will want to click here to grab off yours. Angels tickets.

 The Seattle Mariners picked up the left handed pitcher who was statistically the best in the league last year, better than Santana in Erik Bedard. Ichiro is still great but older and alot depends on whether Richie Sextan hits 40 homers but I see this team as matching last years total of 88 wins but I don’t think they have the horses to eak into the playoffs. Felix Hernandez is another horse in the rotation that’s fun to watch. Tickets for the Mariners are hot and available here. Mariners tickets.

The Texas Rangers are in a flux. While they have some good young talent like Ian Kinsler and Saltalamachia (Salty), and they Young, Bradley and Josh Hamilton now, there are too many holes and question marks in the order and not enough punch. The pitching is even more uncertain which adds up to a dog fight to keep out of the cellar with the always rebuilding A’s. Great Rangers tickets here. Rangers tickets.

Speaking of the Oakland A’s, it is a testament to good scouting and shrewd General Management led by Billy Beane that these guys always field a young and surprisingly competitive team. They unloaded everyone in a house cleaning salary purging rebuilding effort though and it’s doubtful that they will win more than 80 games however they can beat you on any given night as Rich Harden is a big time starter. Now if they dump him…..as always too with the A’s give the kids in their system a couple years to mature and they will be trouble again. Front row A’s tickets are available here. A’s tickets.

So that concludes the American League East preview. Our next order of business is to outline the National League and then after that I will come back to update the NBA and NHL before I give my annual spring/ summer concert preview. As always, please remember to visit National Ticket Agency for all your premier and sold out ticket needs. Personalized service and a real understanding of fans needs is what makes them the best ticket brokers in the business.

Major League Baseball American League Central Preview

Between me and you this is a division to watch and follow because there are 2 legitamate contenders to the throne here. The Indians won 96 games last year and the Tigers won 88. That will translate to about 91 apiece this year. Both teams are good but the Tigers may mash their way to the title and may even set some records along the way with the White Sox edging the Twins again for second. The Royals are ummm a joke. Some credit to the A’s and the Marlins who managed to win with no payroll in years gone by but these Royals just seem to have given  up! Get tickets for the big matchups at National Ticket Agency. In the order of their finsish after a long hot dusty mid western summer..

 Oh do I want to see these Tigers in batting practice. Renteria, Polanco, Granderson, Guillan, Cabrera, Ordonez ,Jones, and  Rodriguez , who did I leave out.. Sheffield - oh lord..If they get pitching and stay healthy they will play in the postseason. Verlander and Bonderman ,Wilis and Rogers not bad. Tickets for the Tigers in the up and coming city of Detriot are here. 

The Tribe need a couple more sticks. Sizemore, Hafner, Galko, and even Peralta can hit but who are the corner outfielders? Dellucci and Gutierrez? Sabathia and Carmona are good but the rest of the staff is another question. Victor Martinaez is a sluggger behind the plate and all and all they could fight with the Yankees for the wild card. Indians tickets are available here.

The White Sox also need another outfield stick and I am not sure that Swisher can play a good center field. They may be forced to deal for Coco Crisp. Cabrera is a spark plug at short but this all doesn’t add up to a contending team. I don’t have much to say about the pitching either..Tickets to the see the White Sox here.

The Twins unloaded the best left hander in baseball, Johan Santana. And they didn’t sign Tori Hunter one of the premier center fielders and genuine great guy in baseball. They are telling us they have no money to compete. These Twins, despite slugging catcher Joe Mauer and first baseman Justin Morneau are rebuilding the way poorer franchises do..good luck. But baseball heads, and there are great fans in the twin cities, will come to see the better matchups and Twins tickets can be had here.

The Royals are a baseball team. They play in Kansas City. They used to be good 25 years ago. George Brett played for them. End of story.. Jose Guillen is the big hitter now. Tehan and rookie Gordon will be good eventually  but if these guys don’t lose 100 games I will eat my shirt. Their new ace Gil Meche was 9-13 last year ,  tickets to see the Royals play are available here.

Tomorrow I will finish up with a look at the American League West. I bet you can’t wait !!   

Major League Baseball American League East Preview!

Most of the teams seem to be pretty well set now so I feel comfortable writing this tonight. It’s possible that a few more player transactions will occur such as the Sox dealing Coco Crisp, but it’s safe to analyze the teams and predict their successes or failures now. Incidentally, I believe that the Sox should keep Crisp as he is a late game defensive replacement for Manny and he is also a switch hitting bat off the bench and a speedy pinch runner. The perfect # 4 outfielder in other words. If Crisp yaps his mouth about not starting I would tell him he needs an attitude adjustment, be a good teammate and chances are his time will come. Statistically it is quite conceivable that between injuries and everything else he could get in 100 games. Oh yes he get’s paid pretty well too… Oh ok, your sick of the Red Sox talk well then let’s see who here can knock them off. They are the defending champs. For tickets to all Major League Baseball games go to National Ticket Agency the best source for affordable seats to all the hot sold out games from sea to shining sea. Or if it’s not sold out and you just want to sit in sweet field box seats give NTA a call at 877-222-3940.

East Division

 Since I am going in the order that they will finish,that makes the dynamic Bosox the first team to review. However since I am from Boston and read the sports sections of The Globe , The Herald, The Providence Journal, and The Brockton Enterprise  I am way over informed and thoroughly saturated with Sox Stuff coming out of my ears and I would never lay it all on you at this time. Suffice to say that the pitching staff even without Schilling is extremely strong and deep. If Lester and Buckholz are for real and a guy like Hanson contributes they may even be the leagues overall best. Watch for ex brewer Dan Kolb to win a job and with Beckert and Dice K at the front of the order and Paplebon at the back end of games this team will win 100 games. As for the offense, Ellsbury should be an ideal leadoff man and then with a fired up Manny and and a healthy Ortiz and Drew having a normal year, even if Lowell and Varitek slip a bit they have the pop. Oh let’s not forget about rookie of the year Pedroia and the bald eagle eye on base machine Youkilis. For tickets to Fenway Park to see the Red Sox without spending an arm and a leg, ( well maybe just an arm) click on any Red Sox link.

 What you say The Blue Jays coming in ahead of the Yankees? Absolutely and I realize that this might piss off some of you Yankee fans but oh well..the truth hurts. Look it will be close and probably come down to the last week or so but the Jays really improved themselves this year. Scott Rolen is healthy and happy and that means that the American League has a new best third baseman. Eckstein brings spark to the infield and team, Overbay can hit and Wells and Rios are studs. If AJ Burnett finally matures to match his stuff and Haliday and McGowen do their things and Ryan closes things out this club wins 90 games but alas won’t make the playoffs. You definitely want to secure good seats now though for all the big games at this Blue Jay ticket link.

Don’t underestimate the impact of losing Joe Torre. Don’t minimize the difficulty Joe Giradi will have. That being said this Yankees team is still  deep and talented. They screwed up and should have gotten Santana, the Sox played them perfectly on that. This staff is a little more suspect than usual. It’s hard to imagine that Wang is the #1 but he has earned it, the guy is steady. Petite is simply a great lefty proving it year after year however he may be a little rattled from all the BS he’s endured this off-season and it ain’t over yet. You assume Mussina will give you 13 or 14 wins but he’s hittable now, and then Hughes and Chamberlin have to do it all year sort of like Lester and Buckholz and it may come down to that too. The offense is potent with the amazing Arod and his 45 dingers, Giambi I believe will hit, he always does, Cabrera, Cano,  Damon and Abreu are just plain damn good and don’t forget about Posada and Jeter , like how can you..Ok maybe this team wins 90 also and ties for second..Yankees tickets are hard to get at reasonable prices as there are too many New Yorkers vying for them but if you click this Yankees link you’ll find your seats.

This is the team that everyone hates to play and when and if they spend a few more bucks and pick up the missing pieces they could contend. They dropped the Devil but kept the Rays in an attempt to change their image and luck. The talent that they have aquired over the years of dumping budding stars like the Marlins do, has made for a bountiful farm system and a dearth of young major league talent led by the old timer 28 year old All Star Carl Crawford who is a pleasure to watch. BJ Upton hit 300 and is in center and Roco Baldeli is healthy ( I think) making this one hellofa speedy outfield. Pena at first can rake and Langoria is supposed to be a can’t miss at third. Scott Kazmir can be, no is,  a lights out lefty and then it starts to get funky..They will improve on last years 66 wins and beat you when you can’t afford it and it will hurt..And they are in a success mode now so they figure to hang onto these guys for a while and give it a shot. For tickets to the Rays games click here

Oh Lord what hath you done..this once proud franchise of yesterday decimated and dismantled. And Baltimore has always been a baseball town. This must hurt long time faithful Orioles fans. Where have you gone Cal Ripkin , our city turns it lonely eyes to you…. boo hoo hoo..They traded their two best players. I happen to agree with dumping the slumping Tejada and I do think he was a ” user” but anyways that’s for another day. Bedard was arguably better than Santana last year and they traded him, ouch. By the way The A. Jones in center field isn’t Andruw. Markakis , Scott and Mora are decent enough and Millar is a great dude but this team is physically as in ability challenged. The back end of the staff is young and the front ain’t got enough. They might lose 100 games which balances off against the Red Sox. Camden Yards is still the bomb though so if you are planning a road trip this summer include it on your east coast swing. Hey all you Yankee and Red Sox fans for Orioles tickets click here. 

Check back for the AL Central preview over the weekend and by all means don’t be shy please leave a comment if you feel like it. All comments and opinions, in good taste of course are appreciated.

How To Write A Sports Blog That Draws Readers In

Now that I have your attention the first rule is that the title has to be compelling…Naw I’m just kidding around, the purpose of my Joe Ticket blog is simply to let off some creative steam, my personal sports juice. Surprisingly even to myself I have some lucid and worthwhile insights to impart occasionally. I have been told in order to gain a following and to have this blog become a useful tool for my business National Ticket Agency, I need to post fresh content much more frequently than I do, perhaps as often as 3 times a week. I have found that when I do post and tag with relevant keywords that I get decent traffic and some of it even swings readers over to NTA and every once in a while converts into a sale of tickets or of products advertised on the site. So I am hereby committed to giving it a shot, not a three pointer but a 12 foot jumper which I know I can hit with regularity. In order to do this and have it be not full of rubbish I will have to type out my thoughts on a variety of issues in the sporting arena. It won’t be hard I read 3 or 4 newspapers a day and go to several other blogs or other sports sites frequently. I also of course get proprietary news and info from my sports and concert ticket networks and they have given me the green light to relay this information to you Joe Public.  From Joe Ticket to Joe Public, nice.

So we begin this journey into sports land with a comment about the upcoming baseball season and what baseball means to me. When I was younger and living in the frigid northlands of New England, ( I can only imagine it being worse in Buffalo, Milwaukee, or Canada) I used to dream about the snow melting away and giving way to puddles of mud which eventually dried into a surface suitable for dry sneaker footing and thus playing catch. Then eventually the grass grows , the jackets come off and just like that it’s baseball season! And no one has to remind anyone that the summer time is endless and that baseball is timeless, from my grand dad to my dad to me. Every day we play catch and hit grounders and this is how I got my strong and it also why my arm now is dangling and shot. Of course I like football, basketball, hockey, and anything sporting but I really love baseball, only baseball. And being from New England I root root root for my home team the Red Sox. Tony C  is forever my favorite, for when he came to the plate in those first couple years before his tragic encounter with fate, you held your breathe, he had a bat speed and hand to eye long before anyone coined those phrases. Back then I used to get tickets for single admission twi night double headers, that was my favorite,  and right from school hop on the bus from the suburbs to Mattapan Square, where I would catch the trolly to Ashmont then get onto the green line to Kenmore.  A kid of 10 could actually safely do that back in the late 60’s, imagine! Then I would maturely step up and buy my Reserved Grandstand el cheapo ticket for maybe 7 bucks and enter the hallowed grounds of Fenway Park, aware that my dad and your dad and his dad did this very thing and felt the very same way, so excited to be in the presence of greatness, the big leauges, my heroes just inside and already on the field loosening up. I go up the ramp behind home plate and am happy that no-one is here yet. In those days they were lucky to draw 15,000 fans and for the first game most of them were still at work so I had my pick of any seat. Naturally I sit in the first row behind the Red Sox dugout and watch the visitors batting practice. Boog Powell, Frank Robinson, Harmen Killabrew, Tony Oliva, Frank Howard…wow…when Robinson connects the bat sounds like a combination of a lihgtening strike and a bell chime. It rings, and he launches line drive after line drive still rising as it clears the net in left. Oh Lord I have never seen to this day a man hit a baseball that way, not even Manny.  So that was my indoctrination and the basis for this life long affair. My own background is Little League catcher and pitcher on alternate days, same in Babe Ruth league, winning 5 championships in 6 years,  then settling on catching in High School, playing some second base and outfield in local semi pro leagues and absolutely going to the wrong colleges and thus not playing any more than fall ball.  Like any good catcher, I am a student of the game.  I can analyze the hell out of a swing, can pick up a tipped off curve ball, pontificate on strategy, and basically spot a good ballplayer from a mile away.. I was Theo Epstein before Theo Epstein was Billy Bean..Now I love to go to Spring Training  games down here in always sunny and warm Florida and scout the rooks and then I go to the Class A games in the broiling summer heat  and pick all these young pros apart..Deep down I know that with the proper coaching and conditioning that it could have been me.. To be continued………..I must eat something soon or pass out…..

Beantown Rundown

WARNING! Do not read if you are anti Boston (or from NY. ) By now most of you know that I grew up in the burbs, South Shore, and have a bias for Beantown and even though this blog is national in scope as the official blog of National Ticket Agency, I’m going to allow myself to bask in the glory of our time for no one knows what tomorrow may bring, right now I feel like a king.

I must admit that I have been so caught up in the Beantown mania that it’s effecting my work , my marriage , my lawn etc. It’s the greatest of times for all who hail from New England. The Sox, Pats, Celts , Bruins and BC Eagles are all riding high at once. I have incredible satsfaction in the Boston College Eagles success, being currently solidly entrenched (well at least till next saturday, lol) in the number 2 slot in all the national rankings for NCAA Division 1A football. They have always been good and do indeed  produce great offensive lineman like Penn State produces linebackers but now they are great. We all remember the magic of Flutie and it looks more and more especially after Thursday’s  come from behind win at VT that Matt Ryan has an inside shot now at the Heisman trophy and that if the Eagles run the ACC table they could be in line for a National Championship. WOW! My next source of elation is the Boston Red Sox, who after drubbing the Colorado Rockies last night in Colorado are but one game away from sweeping their way to a  second World Championship in 4 years. As a longtime sufferer, someone who took the green line to Kenmore on those days of twi-night doubleheaders to be able to sit behind the Sox dugout for 5 or 6 innings, hoping to get a glance from Hawk Harrelson or Yaz or Rico,  I am so proud to be a member of Red Sox Nation. See baseball is special to New England kids who stare out the window at the snow and dreamed of the green grass of early spring and first days we could play catch without a heavy jacket on. Praise and glory to Theo Epstein the boy wonder from Brookline who learned his math well and knows that to work a count deep gives you the chance to see a good fat pitch to hit and also runs up the pitch count getting you into the opponents bullpen earlier in the game. Theo couldn’t hit a lick but he knows his sh_ t and he  took the heat when Pedroia didn’t hit and Lugo didn’t hit and Drew looked like a bust and Manny a clown and Lowell past his prime. He rolled the dice with Matsuzaka effectionatly know as Dice K and stay chill with Schill who pitches now on guts alone , had faith in Lester who battled cancer, and Ellsbury who injected speed. And my thanks to Coco for being cool, Big Papi for raking the yaaad with creaky knees and to Varitek the captain who steers the ship. Lest we forget the Okie from Muskogee , Japan Okijima who was practically perfect and to Papilbon for putting out the lights and putting the opposition to sleep. This isn’t quite the impossible dream but this is truly a great team. Ok so get out the brooms it looks like a sweep and if not then it will be a street paarty when they wrap it up in Kenmore square.

Let’s give some credit here to the Boston Bruins whom I have lambasted with regularity for many years I mean how to you bring a kid ( Joe Thornton) up at 17, wait for him to mature into an AllStar center and then just trade him and about 10 other screwups but heck Tim Thomas has been lights out in the net and Phil Kessel is a snifty as it gets. Keep up the good job boy’s and maybe someday another flag will fly from the rafters. i should live to see the day!

Not to forget the New England Patriots, I mean how could we that’s all anyone anywhere is talking about. Today the try and mow down the Washington Redskins. The Pats have firepower the Redskins have toy bow and arrows Patriots 28- Skins 10, they beat the spread yet again.

Finally we get to the Celtics, the new and improved Boston Celtics that is with the big 3,  of Allen, Pierce and KG. Garnet is showing why he is a perenial all star of the finest magnitude, he’s a monster on the boards and a natural shot blocker and possibly the finest passing big man in the game with 20 foot jumper range. Last week I said they would win 60 and I was scoffed at but I stick to that as I see now that Glen Davis aka Big Baby is a valuable board banging inside scorer and Posey looks goods and Rondo is kicking it around. This team has depth and plays team ball like the Celtics we all remember. The season starts this week and I need to give you the rest of the league briefs but thats on hold till tomorrow as I must run to ABC’s and grab a bottle of champaign glee to pop the top on that baby when Paps sets them down tonight 1, 2, 3.

Don’t forget to support your favorite ticket supplier Joe Ticket the man behind the goalie mask at National Ticket Agency who promises you personal service and vows to get you the best seats at the best price. Let me do all the dirty work of sorting the seats and compairing the prices as I am an All Pro at this. (Or is that Old Pro.) Call me at 877-222-3940 and I’ll hook you up with good seats and hot tickets to every concert and sporting event in the country. And folks if your not from New England, don’t sweat it, your day will come too – I don’t know when but heck we’re all friends and we all love live music and watching sporting events in person because that’s the best! Remember , National Ticket Agency has you covered!

MLB Ticket Update

My focus today is to give you a brief summary of the MLB tickets that are still available for the rest of the season. Today we will cover the American League East. As you are aware sports seasons ticket holders have a lock on all the best seats at every ballpark. The only tickets that would be left now probably anywhere except for the Florida Marlins would be grandstand , bleachers, standing room and ubstructed seats. Who wants that! ( Actually I would pay to get up close and see Miguel Cabrera, Hanley Ramirez and Dan Uggla cuase they can light it up). The facts are that many teams like the Red Sox and the Cubs are sold out way in advance and most of the contending teams like the Yankees, Braves, Dodgers, etc  have little in the way of good seats available even from the first moments that the tickets go on sale to the public. The simple math is,  take stadium capacity minus tickets allready sold and whats left = “slim pickens”. Now whats a real baseball fan to do, sit home and contend with bitchy wives, wild kids and nagging mother in laws, go to the local bar and deal with the Nascar guys and extremely loud music, cigarette smoke and cheap beer (well cheap beer sounds good actually) or deal with it, suck it up, anti up and call me- Joe Ticket at National Ticket Agency for great seats to the game you want at a fair price. Granted the tickets are in excess of the face value, that’s due to supply and demand, the cost for us to aquire them and to hold them, processing and of course a small profit for the service (and believe me it’s pretty small!) The following represents the actual tickets that are currently on the market for all MLB teams.     First  The American League

The American League East

Boston Red Sox Tickets     Baltimore Orioles Tickets    

                                                              

                             Toronto Blue Jays

                               

 Tampa Bay Devil Rays                New York Yankees

                                 

In a nutshell the Red Sox for most of the season had the Major Leagues best record and continue to sport a decent but not quite as comfortable lead over the second place NY Yankees. The Yanks are red hot and smashing the ball up and down the line up and closing in on the Sox. I see this going down to the last week as the Sox starting pitching isn’t quite as strong while the Yanks has improved. The Blue Jays have a good ballclub but not enough horses to make the palyoffs I am afraid. The Orioles are just not that good period but Camden Yards is a great place to take a weekend trip to and watch some ball. In fact the ideal would be to hit Camden Yards first, go to Shea Stadium and or Yankee Stadium, and then branch off to see the Phillies or the Pirates or up north to Fenway. September is the perfect time too as the weather has cooled off a bit by then. Rounding out the East are the Devil Rays and if your heading to Florida you’ll be able to get good seats in Tampa and the Devil Rays can be a nice treat, as they are young and fun and play hard enough to cause problems to teams like the Red Sox who still have 12 games against them.

Boston Red Sox Tickets!

Boston Red Sox have been strong and continue to play like they will make it to the big show.

Get your Boston Red Sox Tickets NOW!

But look out for the Yankees as they are breathing down their necks!

Get your New York Yankees Tickets NOW!