When faced with the daunting task of buying a birthday present for a tiger cub, you may feel overwhelmed—would they really use a Waring blender? Have they seen Breaking Bad season 3 already? But when it comes to the Bronx Zoo's tiger cubs, no need to worry about which Stephen King novel to hastily giftwrap, since they can tell you exactly what these cubs really want: a delicious meatsicle! Or a knucklebone! Or...Calvin Klein Obsession! more ›

With the Yankees in the Windy City to play the White Sox, Yankees manager Joe Girardi has been the much speculated-about possible choice to manage the Chicago Cubs. He said, "I've said all along my responsibility is to the Yankees. I was hired to do a job; we're in a pennant race. I've never worried about next year. I'm worried about right now.... I have a responsibility to the Steinbrenners, who have treated me great and my family...and to [GM] Brian Cashman and to my players." more ›

The triplet African lions born at WCS’s Bronx Zoo earlier this year, and romping around in the spotlight for the first time just last week, still need names. Their mom Sukari and father M’wasi (or rather, their handlers) have turned to the Daily News for help, and the paper has asked readers to submit names. Now they report back saying it's turned into a battle between boroughs. Some want the names to be Bronx-based, one man suggesting, "Belmont for the male, Morrisania and Melrose for da goils!" Others are simply suggesting their favorite boroughs, with names like: Brook-Lyn, Bronxie and Queenie. more ›

The near-capacity crowds watching the Yankees break in their new stadium may have only been seeing a couple of exhibition games before the season starts up tomorrow, but the team made sure to give fans some real bang for their buck, hitting a total of seven home runs between the two games. Yesterday's homers in the 10-1 win over the Cubs were exceptionally sweet since they included the first ones in the new park from Derek Jeter and the big off-season bat the Yankees added, Mark Teixeira—who hit two out of the park yesterday. more ›

Yesterday's heavy fits of rain weren't enough to keep over 48,000 fans from heading up to the Bronx and watching the Yankees pick up their first (unofficial) victory in a 7-4 win over the Cubs. Robinson Cano got things started with a two-run homer in the second, one of three for the Yanks, who also got home runs from Hideki Matsui and A-Rod's replacement, Cody Ransom. The team's big new bat Mark Teixeira was still getting his bearings in more ways than one. On top of going 0-for-3 with two strikeouts, he said of the new building, "I've gotten lost two days in a row on my way to the stadium and I don't want that happening Opening Day. We'll work on that." Returning fan favorite Hideki Matsui shared his take on the new ballpark: "I feel like they brought the field from the old Yankee Stadium and brought it here." more ›

Former Mets pitcher Don Cardwell died yesterday at the age of 72 in North Carolina. Traded to the Lovable Loser Mets in 1966, Cardwell's performance during 1969 mirrored that of the team itself and helped the Mets win the their division title on the way to their first World Series Championship. Like the Mets, Cardwell started the '69 season in a lackluster manner, posting a 3-9 win-loss record through the first four months of the season. The Mets were 10 games behind the Chicago Cubs heading into August. more ›

This week, Phillyist saw the waters of a landmark fountain run red for a Showtime marketing stunt, the Phils pull ahead, and some serious nostalgia. They also got a chance to review an awesome tribute album, reminded folks to see the King, and appreciated their beautiful skyline. more ›

There was very little else for Londonist to be concerned with when the threat of a Tube strike became a very unpleasant reality. The inconvenience was extreme: there aren't many alternatives to the Tube in London despite the best efforts of the Londonist team to get everyone from A to B. Brighter news came in the form of the first ever female Yeoman Warder, or Beefeater as the position is more commonly known, and several smiles as well as lots of cash were raised by some plucky urban ironing. London is apparently full of lies and whales: one of these things is true. We leave that up to you to figure out. more ›

Last Sunday, Mets pitcher Tom Glavine finally won his 300th career game with a victory over the Chicago Cubs. To honor Glavine, Mayor Bloomberg presented the 41-year old lefty the Key to the City on Wednesday. This was enough to upset at least one New Yorker. more ›

• Mets 8, Cubs 3: The pitcher's win is among the most overrated stat in baseball. When you pick up 300 of them, however, you probably don't stink. Surefire Hall-of-Famer Tom Glavine fits that description, though he was a legend long before he reached an arbitrary cutoff point. He went 6 1/3 innings to pick up his 300th career win in Chicago as the Mets took two of three from the Cubs. The veteran lefty was economical and showed good control until he tired in the seventh. Then he watched the bullpen hold the lead. A three-game showdown with the Braves looms.
• Yankees 8, Royals 5: With all due respect to Hideki Matsui and his 100th career homer, the only milestone the Yankees care about is being a half-game out of a playoff spot. Not bad for a team that has been written off time and time again this season. They haven't accomplished anything yet, of course, but their chances seem good considering how wild-card foes Detroit and Cleveland have looked of late. Mike Mussina's improvement has been a major part of the Yankees'. He controlled the Royals' sometimes-dangerous lineup to pick up the win.
• Staten Island 13, Hudson Valley 8: What can make you feel better an 8-0 lead in the final three innings? Scoring five in the top of the 10th to avoid the embarrassing loss. They cost Jason Stephens the win, but in the end, they'll breathe a sigh of relief and move on.

• Yankees 16, Royals 8: It was bound to happen and it took a little while, but Alex Rodriguez became the 22nd player in Major League history to hit 500 career home runs and the youngest player to reach that mark. A-Rod got it done early in the game, hitting a three-run shot in the 1st inning of yesterday's win against the Royals, which is the same team he hit #499 off of on July 25th. For future trivia usage, A-Rod hit the first pitch he saw from Royals starter Kyle Davies into the left field stands and he becomes the 3rd player to reach the milestone in a Yankees uniform (Babe Ruth and Mickey Mantle). Like the first inning, the rest of the game was a run-fest, with the two teams combining for 33 hits. The Yankees are now 10 games over .500 for the first time this season. Nationally, #500 for A-Rod is overshadowed by Barry Bonds tying Hank Aaron's career mark of 755 in San Diego, a mark that Rodriguez should break if he stays healthy and continues to play. Bonds had 180 fewer home runs when he was Rodriguez's age.
• Cubs 6, Mets 2: Perhaps John Maine didn't get enough work in his last outting when he pitched a rain-shortened 5-inning complete game. He didn't even last that long in yesterday's game. Maine was pulled after only 2 2/3 innings as he allowed 6 Cubs runs in the 3rd inning, all with two outs. That was all the Mets would give up, but it was also all the Cubs would need. In the inning, Maine hit one batter, walked three, and gave up four hits. It was his first loss in three starts. Ted Lilly held the Mets to only two runs, both on Moises Alou solo home runs, over 7 2/3 innings.
• Cyclones 7, Tigers 2: The Cyclones avenged an extra inning loss Friday night with an easy win Saturday. They broke open the tie game, scoring 5 total runs in the 5th and 6th innings.

• White Sox 4, Yankees 1: Despite entering the day leading the Major Leagues in runs scored, the Yankees offense hasn't looked great of late. White Sox starter Jon Garland became the latest opponent to shut down the Yankees bats, which were the main culprit on this 2-4 start to the road trip. Fans can't decide what to make of this team. Should they be glad their team is finally pitching better, or should they be upset the offense is wasting the newfound success on the mound? Probably the former. The Yankees and Mets square off for three games at Shea this weekend, and there's little doubt the Yankees need them more. more ›

Coming into the game, Zambrano had been a mess, but Tuesday he was back in form, striking out three while allowing six hits over eight innings. The Cubs backed that up with 15 hits, including three by Cliff Floyd and a monster home run by Aramis Ramirez. Shawn Green homered to give the Mets their only run and Carlos Delgado left the game after being hit in the finger, he is day-to-day. Jorge Sosa faces Rich Hill tomorrow night (weather permitting). more ›

Tom Glavine wasn’t at his best and Chicago jumped out to a 4-0 lead. David Wright cut that in half with a home run that barely cleared the fence in right. In the sixth, the Mets tied the game off of a LoDuca double and an Easley sacrifice fly. more ›

In the 9th inning, with former Mets closer Armando Benitez on the mound, David Wright stepped to the plate with bases loaded and one out. Any long-time Mets fan knows what comes next. Not because of what Wright can do, but of the torture that Benitez put fans through while he was with the Mets. Wright hit a two-run double, giving the Mets the go ahead runs. Oh Armando, how we missed you so. more ›

So, A-Rod worked up a very creative denial to that rumor by telling the Daily News, "Besides loving the Yankees, I love the American League. It's where I've played my whole career. So whoever writes that couldn't be more wrong." more ›

After a man suffered fatal injuries during this New Year's swim, the Coney Island Polar Bear Club has announced it will not be accepting new members. Further, the membership of Bears-in-training (the "Cubs") will be frozen. Polar Bear club president Louie Scarella explained to the Daily News, "I closed the membership just to cut down the number of people in the water. It has broken my heart and the heart of the board to do this" more ›

Perhaps the best news so far this off-season for the Yankees is the hiring of Lou Piniella by the Chicago Cubs. While that has no direct consequence on the Yankees right now, there are reports that Piniella wants the Cubbies to "aggressively pursue" the beleaguered Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez. While A-Rod has a no trade clause and says he wants to remain with the Yankees, moving to the Cubs (who are accustomed to losing), would put Rodriguez in a less pressure laden situation for the $25-million man. Plus moving to the friendly confines of Wrigley would help the future hall of framer's numbers and Rodriguez could probably move back to shortstop. more ›

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-Mets 1, Cubs 0: It took ten innings before Jose Valentin's RBI single plated the game's first, and deciding run. With the win, the Mets avoided a sweep at home to the Cubs, which would have been harmlessly embarassing. Instead, they saw John Maine pitch another dominant outing (even if the Derrek Lee-less Cubs don't send up a credible lineup) and make a case for a prolonged stay in the starting rotation. With Orlando Hernandez and Steven Trachsel struggling, Maine could be the third starter in the playoffs. Or he could be looking in if these two starts against weak lineups are flukes. more ›

-Yankees 7 Rangers 4: It was an unusual night in Texas. The Yankees managed only four hits, but still won the game thanks to some wildness on the part of the Rangers’ pitchers. In the fourth inning, New York scored three runs thanks to three walks, a hit batter and a single that could have been ruled an error. In the fifth they added three more runs thanks to Aaron Guiel’s home run. more ›

-Yankees 6 Rangers 2: This time last year, Melky Cabrera was back in Columbus after failing a six-game audition in centerfield. Now, he has become an integral part of the team and one of the main reasons that New York is still in the pennant race. Monday, Cabrera went 3 for 4, hitting a single, double and triple, stealing a base and throwing a runner out at second. more ›

-Mets 13 Cubs 7: New York fell behind 5-0, not a problem when you hit not one, but two grand slams in a single inning. The Mets erupted for eleven runs in the sixth thanks to home runs from Cliff Floyd, Carlos Beltran and David Wright plus two errors by Todd Walker. more ›

- Yankees 14, White Sox 3: It's always encouraging when you can beat one of the best teams in baseball. Even better when you beat them comfortably. At the end of the day though, a win is a win and the Yankees remain 1.5 games behind the Red Sox for the AL East lead and only 4 games behind the White Sox for the Wild Card. Who says the Wild Card has to come out of the AL Central? In drubbing the White Sox, every yankee starter reached base more ›

-Yankees 6 White Sox 5: Don’t let the score fool you, this game was a pitchers’ duel. For the first seven innings, runs were at a premium as Jose Contreras and Randy Johnson both made really only one mistake each. In the eighth, New York appeared to have blown the game open with three runs against the Chicago bullpen, but Mariano Rivera gave up three consecutive singles and the White Sox loaded the bases with no outs. After giving up two runs, Rivera came out on top of a great battle with A.J. Pierzynski to save the game and bring the Yankees within 1 1/2 games of Boston. more ›

What the heck? The Crain's reports that Rudy Giuliani and a team of other investors may make a bid to buy the Chicago Cubs. Hall of Fame Cubs shortstop Ernie Banks ("Let's Play Two!") is interested in buying the team, though current owner, the Tribune Co. claims the team is not for sale (in spite of other scuttlebutt that Mark Cuban may be interested in the Cubs as well). And Banks says Giuliani Partners and LA-based Comstock Capital approached him about the deal, but neither firm would confirm that much. more ›

The weeks starts out right when a sucker punch on the field lands Chicagoist in the middle of a Sox/Cubs throwdown and the fists continue to fly in the comments. Despite suburban resident Ms. Pinney's best little try no books will be banned anytime soon and the El is really really gross. more ›