How 2008 Will Be--A Newsday writer's guess

• (Hold on--he has Paul Byrd pitching a complete game in the post season...)

"Roger Clemens, taking advantage of Bud Selig's general amnesty agreement, signed with the Yankees on Aug. 30 and made a surprise appearance in Hank Steinbrenner's box at Yankee Stadium. Broadcaster Suzyn Waldman, overcome with emotion, passed out. She recovered with the aid of a B-12 shot from an unnamed former athletic trainer, who happened to be in the press box taping a segment for "60 Minutes." Her first words were "Oh, your gracious goodness" (a phrase that was included in every article about Clemens the rest of the season).

• A season-ending 17-game losing streak cost the Mets a playoff berth. They finished a game behind the Braves, who clinched when Tom Glavine pitched a no-hitter on the final day.

The Yankees lost in the first round to the Indians. The turning point was Game 3, when Joba Chamberlain, in relief of Johan Santana, seemed a little unnerved by a swarm of locusts.

• Cleveland clinched in Game 5 as Paul Byrd, hurriedly returning from a dental appointment in Florida, pitched a complete game."

From Newsday article by Mark Hermann, "2008, The Year About to Be," 12/29/07

Tweet Stumbleupon StumbleUpon