The first Thumbs Up Award for 2009 goes to Mets third basement David Wright who brought some joy to kids at Schneider Children's Hospital in New Hyde Park. His words and his presence brought warmth to hospitalized children.

The first Thumbs Down Award of the year has to go to former Yankee Manager Joe Torre whose excerpts from his newly released book, "The Yankee Years" were released in January which made Joe sound bitter about his Yankee release by throwing Brian Cashman, David Wells, Kevin Brown, and other players under the bus and divulging comments that were apparently made by A-Rods team mates in which they would refer to him as "A-Fraud". For this book to come out while Joe is still managing is surprising and stains Joe's image as a class act.

The Thumbs Up award for December goes to  the New York Rangers who resumed a 15-year tradition with their annual Toys for Tots Toy Drive at The Pond at Bryant Park.
Partnering with the United States Marine Corps’ Toys for Tots program, the Rangers collected toys for needy children in the tri-state area.

 The December Thumbs Down Award goes to the Jets Shaun Ellis who was charged over one weekend with possession of marijuana, driving without insurance, and speeding after a highway traffic stop. And he wasn't even suspended by coach Mangini. Nice way to send a message. The NFL should start intervening in these kind of cases with a zero tolerance policy and make mandatory suspensions for these type of bone head actions.  When will these guys ever learn?

1998 Yankees Team who reunited to Honor Joe Torres Safe At Home Foundation.

"We would like to express our sincerest gratitude to everyone who supported the Joe Torre Safe At Home Foundation’s Gala event on November 7th.   Over $1 million was raised, which will be used to advance our mission and to expand our educational initiatives."

Over 50 celebrities and sports stars gathered to honor the tenth anniversary of 1998 New York Yankees who reunited to show their support for ending abuse.

"Our 575 guests included Derek Jeter, Yogi Berra, Penny Marshall and Mariano River to name a few.  The night was hosted by Bob Costas and the guests enjoyed a memorable performance by Jon Bon Jovi to end the evening." Way to go.

The Thumbs Up Award for the month of Octobergoes to the New York Giants for hosting their annual breast cancer awareness day on October 5. They will work with ZTA to distribute free pink ribbons and donations will be made by The Giants Foundation for Breast Cancer initiatives to any special guest who can kick a field goal. Keep up the good work.

The Thumbs Down Award for the month of October is shared between troubled Mets relief pitcher Ambiorix Burgos who struck and killed two women in a hit-and-run accident in the Dominican Republic. He was driving a 2009 Hummer that hit the two women near his north coast hometown of Nagua, the hid like a coward rather than turn himself in. 

And Isiah Thomas, who after a failed suicide attempt in his home, he can't even get that right, throws his own daughter under the bus by telling the media that it was not his body that was carried away in an ambulance, rather, it was his daughter. This claim was shot down by the police, who affirm that it was indeed Isiah and not his sibbling. The incident was labeled as an "accidental overdose". Yeah...sure...who accidently swallows 15 sleeping pills? 

The Thumbs Down Award for the month of September goes to Hank Steinbrenner for not having the name of former Yankee manager and future Hall of Famer, Joe Toerre mentioned in audio or video (since Torre obviously could not attend while managing the Dodgers) during the last day at the Yankee Stadium festivities, a classless act. And if that weren't enough, he runs his mouth during a recent interview in which he belittles Joe Torres Dodgers by implying that they would not have made the playoffs if they were playing in the American League, and goes on to call the whole baseball playoff system a mess. Did Hank forget that the Yankees made the playoffs in 2000, and won the World Series, while winning just 87 games during the regular season? Due us a favor Hank, put a sock in it.
The Thumbs Down Award is also shared with Giants wide receiver Plaxico Burris who did not attend Giants practice during the first day of their by-week, did not return repeated phone calls, and claimed through his agent that he had a "family emergency". This got him a 2 week suspension.
Come on Plax, you and your teammates just won a championship, you were just given a new contract after moaning about it during camp, and this is how you reward your team? Get a grip, and I'm not talking about the ball.

The  Thumbs Up award for the month of June goes to Ex-Giant George Martin  who  completed his "Walk Across America" from New York to San Diego and raised 2 million dollars toward awareness and  health care for 9/11 rescue workers. Nice Job. You can find out more and donate at journeyfor911.info

The Thumbs Down Award for the month of June goes to none other than Omar Minaya and Fred Wilpon for their sloppy and classless handling of the firing of Willie Randolph. The two missed their opportunity to do so following last seasons collapse. Instead they opted to do so in the middle of a west coast trip following a Mets victory. How classless can it get?