Quick Hits: Curtis Martin Done for Season, if not Career; Youth Golf in Bklyn; Baseball News
- Curtis Martin gave the Jets notice that he won't be playing this year. On the physically unable to perform (PUP) list since the start of the season, Martin and the Jets had until Tuesday to determine if he would be coming off that list. The all-time leading rusher for the Jets now moves to the reserve PUP list and his future playing prospects look doubtful. While he didn't explicitly say that he was going to retire, Martin is without some cartilage in his right knee, resulting in a bone-on-bone condition. Sounds delightful! If he retires, Martin would leave as number 4 on the NFL's all-time leading rushers list behind Emmitt Smith, Walter Payton and Barry Sanders with 14,101 yards. Gothamist once heard a story that Martin dropped a deuce in a urinal at his old high school in Pittsburgh (Taylor Allderdice). Does that detract from his accomplishments? Of course not. If anything, it makes them even better.
- The nation's first junior golf course will open in Brookyn as the city announced a $6 million project today. The public six-hole park with sand traps, a driving range, and clubhouse is scheduled to be complete by September. The course will be adjacent to Dyker Beach Golf Course. Dyker Beach is where the late Earl Woods first gained an interest in golf.
- The Daily News is reporting that Tom Glavine and the Mets are nearing a two-year contract for $25 million. Barring injury and two disastrous seasons, Glavine would likely pick up his 300th victory while with the Mets. The 40 year-old lefty currently has 290 career wins and will turn 41 before the 2007 season begins. Glavine has previously hinted that he would retire after getting his 300th win, but the News says there is a reason he would want to continue into 2008 - to avoid going into Cooperstown with Greg Maddux. Glavine will be a welcome face for Mets fans as he was their best post-season starter (if not all season) and will help anchor a rotation that is yet to be filled.
- After this weekend's hospital stay, George Steinbrenner is reported to be feeling fine. The Yankees' principal owner was hospitalized Sunday and released Monday morning. The 76 year-old Steinbrenner was visiting UNC Chapel Hill to watch his granddaughter perform in "Cabaret". The theater where the performance took place did not have air conditioning and some audience members later said that it was warm in the theater. Is it not possible that The Boss felt faint because of the outfits worn in "Cabaret"?
- Guillermo Mota has been suspended for 50 games by Major League Baseball for failing a drug test. MLB didn't say what Mota tested positive for, but the suspension will start at the beginning of next season. Earlier in the week Mota filed for free agency. We can't see this as an incentive for a team to sign him for next season. Mota played a crucial role with the Mets this season once he was acquired from the Cleveland Indians. Any speculation that the drugs he was using helped turned his performance around would be pure speculation at this point...right?
