Gamblers Anonymous: #27 and Week 9 in the NFL

During the 7th inning Wednesday night as the Yankees were bringing in Damaso Marte to face Chase Utley with 2 runners on, I began to reflect on the last 9 years of the Yankees. Well first, I was freaking out about bringing Marte into the game. He was actually a member of my American League only fantasy team until he gave up 6 earned runs opening day, which I was also in attendance for. And despite the fact he pitched well during the playoffs, I really haven't shaken that stink bomb from him all season.

But after that panic attack, I started thinking about the heartbreak vs. Arizona in '01...the early round loses to the Angels and Tigers...the HR by Boone in '03, but losing to the Marlins...and finally, the crushing, catastrophic collapse in '04 to the Red Sox. As most of my Red Sox friends would tell you, I literally lost my mind that night. I had a few chardonnays, what of it?

I kept saying to myself Wednesday night as Marte warmed up – this was it. We get through Utley and we are home free with Mariano for the last two innings. Up until this point in the game, even with a 7-3 lead and before that, 7-1 lead, I really wasn't enjoying myself. I simply couldn't relax the entire game. Finally living in New York allowed me to attend 7 of the 8 home games. While it has been an amazing to witness this playoff run in person for all these memorable games, being at the ball park for so many high energy, high anxiety games simply had me burnt out, over-tired and stressed. I was ready for it to end.

When Marte got Utley down on strikes swinging - I finally began to soak it all up - a Yankee team for the first time in years that legitimately liked each other and most important, wanted to win. You can say what you want about the Yankees being bad for baseball - the payroll, the free agent spending, etc. - but to a Yankees fans none of that stuff matters - only championships.

And now that I've finished the self-indulgent tear jerker portion of the article - I've been on a bender for 2 straight days. I smell like a mixture of Irish car bombs and tequila and I'm in a part of the Bronx I've never seen before. I believe I torched a vehicle on River Ave this morning, but that might have just been a dream. Hard to tell at this point.

Luckily, they have internet and running water here in the Bronx (who knew!) and I was able to take 10 minutes to brush my teeth and post my NFL bets this weekend for my loyal readers. Oh and anyone sitting around waiting for these picks to place bets, I just hope you don't own any major credit cards. Top 5 casinos next week when I sober up:

You won’t care about this game unless you bet it! – KC +7 over Jacksonville – the logic for this bet is in the title.

What do you know about Ray Finkel? – Dolphins +11 over Patriots – way too many points to give a Dolphins team that has proven they are good.

Phillies Suck! - Eagles -3 over Cowboys – consolation prize for Jimmy Rollins whose ego is too big to admit that the better team won.

MNF - Broncos +3 over Steelers - Denver at home on Monday night…got to take the points.

-Steve Lugerner