The Final Score

For this week's where-are-they-now, we catch up with former Yankees third baseman Scott Brosius. He's in his first year as the head baseball coach of Linfield College in McMinnville, Oregon.

That's the Division III school he played for two decades ago, and his family still lives there. So it made perfect sense when he retired to return to school, finish his degree, become an assistant coach and now the head coach. He's loving it.

Here's the Brosius story.

And here's our past where-are-they-nows:

Gary Carter ... Lake Erie Midges ... Patrick McCarthy, the boy A-Rod saved in 2005 ... Jason Fraser, local basketball star ... Ron Hunt ... Walt Szczerbiak ... Davey Johnson ... Brian Mahoney ... Mike Stanley ... Matt Bahr ... Jeff Hostetler ... Leonard Marshall ... Y.A. Tittle ... Ottis Anderson ... Barry Lyons ... Bruce Harper ... Mackey Sasser ... Ken Phelps ... Kenny "Sky" Walker.

I just spoke with the guy. The story goes online tomorrow, so you have time to guess.

Here's your hints:
-a former Yankee position player.
-has a seven-letter last name with three different vowels in it.
-he hit 65 home runs during his Yankee career.

Also, a shoutout to longtime On the Yankees Beat commenter Alvaro, who will be making his second trip to Yankee Stadium later this summer. The first time was in 1999 when his most memorable moment was chatting with Luis Polonia for a few minutes.

Oh, I'll give you another hint. It's not Luis Polonia.

The person I was hoping to find isn't returning my messages. His loss.

So, Final Scorers, what long lost New York sports figure would you like me to find?

All of these guys will be invited to our one-year anniversary party in December of everyone's favorite Newsday feature, Where Are They Now?

Maybe next week I'll do Where-Are-They-Now: Anthony Rieber.

Where has he been?!?

* Gary Carter
* Lake Erie Midges
* Patrick McCarthy, the boy A-Rod saved in 2005
* Jason Fraser, local basketball star
* Ron Hunt
* Walt Szczerbiak
* Davey Johnson
* Brian Mahoney
* Mike Stanley
* Matt Bahr
* Jeff Hostetler
* Leonard Marshall
* Y.A. Tittle
* Ottis Anderson
* Barry Lyons
* Bruce Harper
* Mackey Sasser
* Ken Phelps
* Kenny "Sky" Walker

Can you envision Gary Carter pulling a Carlos Delgado and turning down a curtain call?

Nooooooo way.

Newsday's Barbara Barker caught up with the Hall of Fame catcher and they talked about curtain calls, Delgado, Carter's bitter divorce from the Mets and his current gig as a manager in an independent league.

Here's Barbara's story: Carter wasn't shy about curtain calls.

Remember this game? It's been a while.

I didn't actually write this week's where-are-they-now column. My colleague, Barbara Barker, did the honors. But sources have told me who she spoke to, and it's going to be posted on Newsday.com real soon. You won't have much time to guess, so hurry up!

One major hint: On curtain calls, he's the opposite of Carlos Delgado.

I know. I gave it away. Oh well.

* Nationals lefthander John Lannan has not allowed a run in 19 consecutive innings. And Wil Nieves has been the catcher in all of those innings. Lannan, if you don't know by now, is from Long Beach and went to Chaminade HS.

* North Carolina's Danny Green has entered the NBA draft, but won't hire an agent. That way he can return to college if he wants. Green is from North Babylon and went to St. Mary's. His father also has been in jail.

* I read in the business pages of Newsday today you can pay $30 to have breakfast with Ducks owner Frank Boulton and talk baseball. I have no further comment about that...

I am going to count the story in today's paper about the Lake Erie midges as a where-are-they-now entry. Why? Because I make the rules. If you have a problem with that, you should file an appeal with the judges who oversee my where-are-they-now rules. That's me, too. Anyway, here's the story that ran in today's newspaper.

And here's our growing list of where-are-they-now subjects, whom I intend to invite to a one-year anniversary party next December. Unfortunately I think this year's midges will be dead by then, so they'll have to tape a video acceptance speech.

* Lake Erie Midges
* Patrick McCarthy, the boy A-Rod saved in 2005
* Jason Fraser, local basketball star
* Ron Hunt
* Walt Szczerbiak
* Davey Johnson
* Brian Mahoney
* Mike Stanley
* Matt Bahr
* Jeff Hostetler
* Leonard Marshall
* Y.A. Tittle
* Ottis Anderson
* Barry Lyons
* Bruce Harper
* Mackey Sasser
* Ken Phelps
* Kenny "Sky" Walker

As I was eating my lunch before heading out to Shea, which is where I am now, I scanned the transactions in my Newsday and was surprised to see the following:

NFL: Kansas City Chiefs - signed John Paul Foschi to two-year contract.

WNBA: New York Liberty - signed Kia Wright.

Long Islanders, represent!

Foschi is from Old Brookville, went to Chaminade and played at Georgia Tech. His sister, Jessica, was an accomplished swimmer who is now practicing law.

Wright is from Copiague, one of the best women's basketball players to come from Long Island. She signed to go to UConn, transferred to St. John's and had a strong career.

It's been such a busy stretch that I regrettably haven't had time to continue the where-are-they-now feature. We're going to count the story on young Patrick McCarthy - the boy A-Rod saved from a speeding truck in Boston three years ago - as a where-are-they-now. So here's who we've done so far:

* Patrick McCarthy, the boy A-Rod saved in 2005
* Jason Fraser, local basketball star
* Ron Hunt
* Walt Szczerbiak
* Davey Johnson
* Brian Mahoney
* Mike Stanley
* Matt Bahr
* Jeff Hostetler
* Leonard Marshall
* Y.A. Tittle
* Ottis Anderson
* Barry Lyons
* Bruce Harper
* Mackey Sasser
* Ken Phelps
* Kenny "Sky" Walker

It happened in April, 2005 - the three-year anniversary passed last Friday. Here's the short version: Light turns green. Kid's about to run across the street. But A-Rod reaches out his long arms and pulls the kid out of the way of a speeding truck. All that was missing was the comic book drawings of A-Rod in action.

I spoke with the kid yesterday by phone. He's 11 years old now, in the sixth grade, and he's very well spoken for his age. He ran through the incident again for me, probably the 500th time he told the story. Here's how it happened, in the words of young Patrick McCarthy.

Jason Fraser, formerly of Amityville now living in Brentwood, says he correctly predicted his alma mater Villanova to make the Sweet Sixteen.

But now we'll see how good Fraser is at making predictions: he says the 12th-seeded Wildcats will pull off the upset of the tournament and beat top-seeded Kansas tomorrow night.

As for Fraser's career, he still has NBA ambitions despite his ongoing knee problems.

He's one month into a three-month rehab program in the city and is still in contact with some NBA teams about his progress.

So he's still holding out hope.

Spoke to my where-are-they-now subject for 20 minutes last night. I'm going to post the story today, instead of tomorrow, just because. How's that for a reason?

Here's my hints:
** A former Long Island high school star.
** Played hoops at a school still alive in the NCAA Tournament.

This shouldn't be too hard.

In the meantime, here's our past Where Are They Now participants:
Ron Hunt ... Walt Szczerbiak ... Davey Johnson ... Brian Mahoney ... Mike Stanley ... Matt Bahr ... Jeff Hostetler ... Leonard Marshall ... Y.A. Tittle ... Ottis Anderson ... Barry Lyons ... Bruce Harper ... Mackey Sasser ... Ken Phelps ... Kenny "Sky" Walker.

Ron Hunt was the first Mets player to get a hit, score a run and hit a home run at Shea Stadium.

Today in my where-are-they-now column, he says, "I would hope since I was there to open Shea, I hope I will get an invitation to put it away, too. And then an invitation to open the new one, as well."

Don't worry, Ron. The Mets say you will be invited.

Speaking of invites, if we throw a where-are-they-now one-year anniversary party next December, here is who we'll be reaching out to: Ron Hunt ... Walt Szczerbiak ... Davey Johnson ... Brian Mahoney ... Mike Stanley ... Matt Bahr ... Jeff Hostetler ... Leonard Marshall ... Y.A. Tittle ... Ottis Anderson ... Barry Lyons ... Bruce Harper ... Mackey Sasser ... Ken Phelps ... Kenny "Sky" Walker.

Okay, you won't have much time to guess. I just got off the phone with him. And I have to turn this around pretty quickly. I bet the story is online by 1ish. A little later than normal, but it's a good one. Anyway, Mets fans will enjoy it. (There's your first hint).

Here are some more hints:
* Former Met.
* There are four letters in his last name.
* His wife told me they are sad to see Shea Stadium go.

Just spoke with this week's subject. It's going to be a hard one to guess. But I'll give you the hints and I'm sure you guys will give it your all. Or not. Anyway, here goes:

*he's a former pro basketball player who has lived in the same L.I. house since '80.
*his son and daughter were high school basketball stars on L.I.

For your reading pleasure, past where-are-they-nows: Davey Johnson, Brian Mahoney, Mike Stanley, Matt Bahr, Jeff Hostetler, Leonard Marshall, Y.A. Tittle, Ottis Anderson, Barry Lyons, Bruce Harper, Mackey Sasser, Ken Phelps and Kenny "Sky" Walker.

Just spoke to the longtime great Isles goaltender. He was the only player to miss the Isles' "Core of the Four" event this past Sunday, so I figured he would be a good where-are-they-now story.

A story in the Palm Beach Post said he missed the event because he was playing in a Legends of Hockey exhibition. But he hasn't been back much since he was let go as goaltender coach a few years ago, so I wanted to get to the bottom of it.

He's living in Ottawa and working as a salesman for Magna Stainless Steel, and the receptionist there was kind enough to give me his cell phone number. When I called Smith, he said he was in with a client but was interested why I was calling.

I explained, and he replied, "I'm out of the loop these days and I'd like to stay that way, okay? Thanks a lot." I tried my best to change his mind, telling that him Islanders fans always are interested in hearing from their past legends, but he wanted no part of it. Oh well.

I didn't know until yesterday that Bill the Baker was known by more people other than just the reporters in the press box. While in the car yesterday I heard Joe Benigno and Evan Roberts talking about how Bill the Baker was hospitalized after a car accident.

Here's the story Newsday ran on the accident, which happened two Saturdays ago in Brentwood. Sad. It was a hit-and-run. (UPDATE: I spoke with a spokesman for Southside Hospital, and he said Bill the Baker remains in critical condition.)

William Stimers is his real name. I can't even tell you why he is called Bill the Baker. I just know him as an older man who presumably long ago had gained press-box access to Mets and Yankees games, and he's there without fail for every home game.

According to Joe and Evan, he is a regular caller to WFAN as well.

UPDATE: Wikipedia writes about Bill the Baker in the Steve Somers page. It's in the caller's section. (Amazingly, Somers has an incredibly detailed Wikipedia page.)

Here's this week's installment of everyone's favorite feature on Newsday.com, "Where Are They Now?" Former Mets manager Davey Johnson talks to Newsday about leading the United States baseball team to the Beijing Olympics this summer.

And here's our invitation list to our Where-Are-They-Now one-year anniversary party that I hope to host next December: Davey Johnson, Brian Mahoney, Mike Stanley, Matt Bahr, Jeff Hostetler, Leonard Marshall, Y.A. Tittle, Ottis Anderson, Barry Lyons, Bruce Harper, Mackey Sasser, Ken Phelps and Kenny "Sky" Walker.

*Programming note: I'm taking this weekend off. So unless Roger Clemens announces that he did take steroids, the blog will be silent until Monday morning. See ya.

Yes, I'm working well ahead this week. Thanks for noticing.

Anyway, this week's person is a former manager in the majors with ties to New York.

I know that's not much for you to go on, but you've got remember today is Monday and I need to keep this going until Friday!!! Anyway, I'll give more hints as the week goes on.

No one guessed it right, though in fairness I didn't give people much time. I only posted the question yesterday afternoon, after I spoke with former SJU coach Brian Mahoney over the phone.

Anyway, Mahoney is employed at St. John's as a fundraiser, and he's currently working with Lou Carnesecca and Ron Rutledge trying to raise money for a "major renovation" to Carnesecca Arena, aka The Arena Formerly Known As Alumni Hall.

Maybe one day Newsday will publish a book of where-are-they-nows and pay me a huge sum. Here's my list: Brian Mahoney, Mike Stanley, Matt Bahr, Jeff Hostetler, Leonard Marshall, Y.A. Tittle, Ottis Anderson, Barry Lyons, Bruce Harper, Mackey Sasser, Ken Phelps and Kenny "Sky" Walker.

If you have any suggestions for future where-are-they-nows, post here...

With all this snow still falling, I assume many of you are sitting inside your homes drinking hot chocolate and trying to figure out who is this week's where-are-they-now.

My hints:
former college hoops coach with strong ties to NYC and Long Island.

Your incorrect guesses:
Lou Carnesecca
Mike Jarvis

Just spoke with this week's subject of everyone's favorite Newsday feature, Where Are They Now?

This week we talk to a former college basketball coach who has very strong New York City and Long Island ties.

Start your guessing.

And here's our Where-Are-They-Now roll call: Mike Stanley, Matt Bahr, Jeff Hostetler, Leonard Marshall, Y.A. Tittle, Ottis Anderson, Barry Lyons, Bruce Harper, Mackey Sasser, Ken Phelps and Kenny "Sky" Walker.

Mike Stanley, the former Yankees catcher who was once beloved by fans, is now an assistant high school baseball coach in Orlando.

Stanley said fans have asked to see his Yankee World Series rings, which he views as a cruel joke. No player (short of Don Mattingly, of course) was closer to the Yankee championship teams of the late '90s yet never was part of a World Series team.

You also might recall Joe Girardi had a tough time winning over Yankee fans in '96 because they didn't want Stanley to leave. Look at Girardi now!

Where-are-they-now roll call: Mike Stanley, Matt Bahr, Jeff Hostetler, Leonard Marshall, Y.A. Tittle, Ottis Anderson, Barry Lyons, Bruce Harper, Mackey Sasser, Ken Phelps and Kenny "Sky" Walker.

The hints:
A former Yankee player
Has a connection to Joe Girardi
Initials are RMS
Pay attention to middle initial

Your incorrect guesses:
Gary Tuck
Jimmy Key
Jon Lieber
Ruben Sierra
Roy Smalley
Rey Sanchez
Rafael Santana
Russ Springer

The column goes up at noon. So you have until then. I think next week I'll start giving out prizes. Random stuff like media guides and stuff I'd probably just file away and never use again. (Disclaimer: As long as Newsday and boss Sam Zell approves this.)

It's still anyone's guess who the focus of my next where-are-they-now Web column, which will appear on Newsday.com around noon tomorrow.

This guy is a former Yankee player who has a direct connection to new Yankees manager Joe Girardi.

So far you've guessed Jimmy Key, Jon Lieber and Gary Tuck. All wrong.

Here's another hint: his initials are R.M.S.

Here are your hints: First, it's not a Giant. We've done enough of those the last few weeks.

This guy is a former Yankee player who has a direct connection to new Yankees manager Joe Girardi.

Go ahead and start guessing.

The poster by the name Prof G has won two straight.

And in the meantime, read our past where-are-they-now stories: Matt Bahr, Jeff Hostetler, Leonard Marshall, Y.A. Tittle, Ottis Anderson, Barry Lyons, Bruce Harper, Mackey Sasser, Ken Phelps and Kenny "Sky" Walker.

(The where-are-the-now feature runs on the Web every Friday afternoon.)

For our Super Bowl special preview section - which hits newstands in mere hours (!) - I did a where-are-they-now story on Matt Bahr. Turns out Bahr had quite a lot to say about our troops, our children, obesity, Lawrence Tynes, etc. Here's the story.

For those of you who are new to this blog, I write a where-are-they-now feature every Friday on the Web. At the one-year anniversary I hope to sell Sam Zell on the idea of throwing a big bash and inviting all of our previous story subjects. Here's our constantly growing list: Matt Bahr, Jeff Hostetler, Leonard Marshall, Y.A. Tittle, Ottis Anderson, Barry Lyons, Bruce Harper, Mackey Sasser, Ken Phelps and Kenny "Sky" Walker.

I need to do a where-are-they-now column for Friday, as usual, and for the special Super Bowl section. I'll give you a sneak preview...

Finally spoke with former Giants kicker Matt Bahr. He'll be arriving in town for the Super Bowl later this week, but mostly we talked about his many charitable efforts. In short, Bahr is a big supporter of our troops and veterans, and he wants to improve the life of kids. He works with Fight On Foundation, which pushes kids to be active, and he supports the Henry T. Nicholas Foundation, which sets out to "improve the quality of life through investments in education, youth sports, medicine, technology, law enforcement and national defense."

The other column will be on Bart Oates, whom I mentioned below is the chairman of the New Jersey Hall of Fame. I'll never again forget he played for the '94 49ers.