PICTURES: Vacation on the West Coast

Click here for the Facebook album.

RRS AUDIO: Lady GaGa In The Wrong For Wandering In To Yanks Clubhouse

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IMHO, it wasn't a good look on Lady GaGa's part to enter the clubhouse at Yankee Stadium last Friday, after the Yankees lost the opening game of the Subway Series to the cross-rival Mets. The three main reasons:

- GaGa wouldn't approve if someone simply talked their way in to the backstage area of her concert.
- Media access is much more broad and not as controlled at a sporting event as opposed to most concerts.
- The players aren't singers or musicians with seperate, closed off dressing rooms. Everyone is in the same room - you also have family and children there.

I love the Yankees, I love GaGa, but the simply put, the singer is in the wrong on this one. For my full opinion, download the segment at the top of the thread.

EXCLUSIVE: Susan Finkelstein Speaks Before Sentancing On Craigslist/WS Tix Scandal

The evening before she was to appear in front of a judge for sentencing on the conviction of attempted prostitution, Craigslist user and diehard Philadelphia Phillies fan Susan Finkelstein said she had no regrets about the situation.

“I feel really comfortable with my body and with my sexuality,” Finkelstein said via telephone in an interview which aired Wednesday on “The Ralphie Radio Show.” She was referring specifically to the topless photos she sent to an undercover police officer who responded to her ad on Craigslist last fall.
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Susan's side of the story can be read here.
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The post read, “Diehard Phillies fan -- gorgeous tall buxom blonde -- in desperate need of two World Series tickets. Price negotiable -- I'm the creative type! Maybe we can help each other!” After sending the pictures and meeting at a bar with the officer – Finkelstein was arrested and charged with prostitution. The police department held a press conference on the matter – and sent the press in to a frenzy – with Finkelstein’s mug shot appearing across the globe. A jury found her not guilty on the charge but did pass an unprecedented guilty verdict on attempted prostitution.

“That’s actually the first time anyone in Pennsylvania has been charged with it, let alone convicted of it,” revealed Finkelstein. “It really makes no sense because attempted prostitution is prostitution.”

The conviction carries a maximum sentence of one-year in jail. With the way things have played out, Finkelstein is preparing for anything.

“My lawyer and some other legal advisors that we’ve talked to have basically said it’s probably going to be probation,” she said. “But given the craziness of this situation since last October, I’m not taking anything for granted.”

While some things in her life have changed drastically since the incident made international headlines, you might be surprised to hear that other aspects haven’t: yes she was fired from her full-time job, but she’s still happily married to a husband that she says has been “very supportive” through the entire process. Finkelstein has also attended a few Phillies games this year, at the urging of close friends.

Thank You For The Birthday Love

Had such a great birthday weekend... I officially turned the big 2-5 yesterday - and I spent the day with my girlfriend in New York City, taking in the Yankees game at the Hard Rock Cafe at the stadium (the team played in Toronto), then doing a little shopping and walking around - the weather was gorgeous.



The number of calls, texts, Facebook messages, and Twitter at replies were overwhelming. Thank you so much, means a lot.

Oh, and because I just received this from the label (thanks Bobbi!) here's a shot of me and Orianthi from last week:

PR CONSULTANT RICK CERRONE: Tiger Woods Statement on Friday

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Rick Cerrone manned what Sports Illustrated called, "The Hottest Seat in Sports." As the Yankees' Senior Director of Media Relations from 1996 through 2006, he worked side by side with some of the biggest names in sports and entertainment. Cerrone checked in to "The RRS" to offer his thoughts on Tiger Woods' planned appearance with select media on Friday.

Visit Rick's official website here.

The Most Unique Defense Used In A Prostitution Case...

Remember the Philadelphia Phillies fan who posted a Craigslist ad last October offering, well, "services", in exchange for World Series tickets? William J. Brennan, the attorney for Susan Finkelstein, used quite the defense while attempting to protect his client in court last Friday.

What exactly did he say? I'd rather not repear... click here for more.

EXCLUSIVE: Former Yanks PR Head Rick Cerrone on Tiger Woods

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Rick Cerrone manned what Sports Illustrated called, "The Hottest Seat in Sports." As the Yankees' Senior Director of Media Relations from 1996 through 2006, he worked side by side with some of the biggest names in sports and entertainment. Cerrone checked in to The RRS to offer his thoughts on Tiger Woods' indefinite hiatus from golf.

Visit Rick's official website here.

Lady GaGa Relates To Yankees Closer Mariano Rivera

As if I didn't need another reason to play her music more on the show...

MTV Shows

EXCLUSIVE: NKOTB's Danny Wood Talks Future Plans, Jesse McCartney, Red Sox/Yankees

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Danny Wood didn’t think it would last this long.

“We thought we’d do like 20, 30 shows at best probably, and be home,” Wood confessed. “But we’re very happy it’s gone this long and we’re happy to now be doing the ‘Full Service’ tour.”

New Kids On The Block released The Block in September 2008. The LP marked the boy band’s first studio release in 14 years. After the CD debuted atop the Billboard Pop Charts, NKOTB embarked on a North American tour – then extended the trek to dates overseas. A “fan cruise” last month took the guys with supporters from Miami to the Bahamas. Now, New Kids find themselves on the “Full Service” tour – playing outdoor amphitheaters throughout the summer with opening act Jesse McCartney.

The Boston-born singers themselves didn’t expect this reunion to last in to the summer… but now some are wondering not when will it end, but if it will cease at all?

“We have some plans for next year. I think a new record will probably come in 2011, if we all agree to do that. But, we’re pretty much all on the same page right now. I don’t see this being the last time to see us.”

Wood joked that someone in the group “acting like an asshole,” could prevent the CD release. But, according to him, everyone in the band agreed on that plan for the time being. Still, Wood noted that family situations could play a factor.

“It’s different this time around, so you never know. I mean, I know I never thought my kids would get to see me back on stage. My daughters are with me so, it’s always perfect when they’re here.”

Also with the group is McCartney, a 22-year old pop star that wasn’t alive when NKOTB released its self-titled debut LP in 1986. But apparently, that doesn’t mean the former All My Children actor is seeking out Donnie Wahlberg or anyone in the group for advice.

“You want me to be honest?” Wood asked. “I haven’t seen the dude once. I don’t know… I don’t know. He does a mad dash or he’s hiding or I don’t know.”

Wood seemed a bit bothered, perhaps even offended, in his tone and body language, but insisted that is far from the case.

“I don’t give a shit. He can do whatever he wants, I don’t care,” Wood insisted. “We’re pretty accessible… if you walked around here you’d probably run in to all five of us.”

Give the man credit – I did in fact run in to all the guys at one point or another while backstage. Donnie chatted on his phone. Joey McIntyre walked his puppy. Jordan Knight snapped a photo with me before a Boston Herald phone interview. His brother, Jonathan, attempted to chat on his cell, but of course, coverage can be spotty up on the mountain.

And as for McCartney – Jesse told me later that earlier that day he finally met all five of the guys. The singer blamed a hectic schedule – which even forced him to jet back to Los Angeles at one point – as the reason for his notable absence backstage.

Thank You.

This will be quick. I'll be inundating you with posts soon... "The Ting Tings live", "Bam Margera shows up to 97 BHT Summer Jam", "I ignore The Veronicas", "Gossip Girl's Taylor Momsen talks new album", "Jada Serenades Me for my Birthday" - and many more stories.

But first, thank you. 24 isn't usually a birthday heavily celebrated, but because of you, and a few national recording acts, this by far has been one of the, if not, the best birthday.

I'm headed to cap off the weekend, Yankees game followed by a meet and greet with Mariano Rivera. Enjoy your Sunday, talk soon.

Ralphie

SWB YANKEES SHELLEY DUNCAN!

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Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees outfielder Shelley Duncan calls up The Ralphie Radio Show on Friday, as the Yanks ready to open their home schedule and defend the Governor's Cup!

Click Here to visit the Yankees' official site!

The Bronx Is Burning... With Bitterness.

Considering this story won't really resonate with most of my loyal readers, I'll attempt to keep it brief. However, the following exchange affected me so profoundly that I'd be remiss not to share.

Reggie Jackson is known in baseball as "Mr. October" for his clutch play in the most important month of the baseball season. He once hit three home runs in a World Series game... on three consecutive pitches. ESPN even made a mini-series about that team, the 1977 New York Yankees, entitled, "The Bronx Is Burning."

Last Saturday, I traveled to the swamps of Secaucus, NJ for "Yanks For The Memories." The event featured mostly former and a few current Yankees baseball players, and for nominal fees, you could meet the stars and obtain autographs and inscriptions on pre-purchased items. I went essentially to meet Jackson, who I look up to as a professional, although I also paid to meet Bucky Dent, Mel Stottlemyre, and David Wells.

I arrived at the event with about an hour left in the Jackson autograph session. My friends, including Cousin Tony, already met the Hall of Famer - and warned me about his terrible demeanor, especially compared with the other Yankees players. Nonetheless, I was unfazed, as I'm used to dealing with these types of people on a daily basis.

Fast forward to meeting Jackson. I wanted him to sign "The Straw That Stirs The Drink" underneath his famous cursive autograph. The quote was allegedly misattributed to him by a reporter in the late 70's - although two sources lay the statement to Jackson at one point or another. The phrase, no pun intended, stirred up a controversy amongst the team, which though of it as overzealous.

Jackson refused to sign "The Straw That Stirs The Drink" or "The Bronx Is Burning" on the photo.

"I don't want to be associated with that stuff," the Hall of Famer told me. "A lot of people come up to me and say that they loved The Bronx Is Burning. But I was embaressed by it."

He eventually relented to offering me two inscriptions for the price of one. So the photo reads: "To Ralph - Reggie Jackson, #44 - Mr. October."

I offered up the original requests for two reasons: "The Straw That Stirs The Drink" is a quote I live my career by. Who doesn't want to be "the man"... "the go-to-guy"... "Mr. Clutch"? 

Second, I wanted my autograph to be different, unique - something that carried more than just a monetary value.

But at the end of the day, Jackson satisfied my second reason. Now whenever I look back on the photo and experience, I'll think about the man that I thought epitomized "swagger" - and how it was all manifested by the media. 

my crazy weekend...

from joba to the jonas brothers - my weekend never stopped. click here for the facebook album.

this week's ralphie report...

catch it tomorrow in the weekender.
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As Alex Rodriguez gears up to play as an all-star this weekend, he’ll do so knowing that his marriage is all-but-gone.

Cynthia Rodriguez, the New York Yankees third baseman’s wife of almost six years filed for divorce on Monday. The papers end speculation of a marriage that has been on its last life since Us Weekly broke the story about A-Rod’s latest extra-marital affairs.

It’s fitting that the highest paid player in baseball would be tied to the ultimate “Material Girl.” Doormen at Madonna’s Manhattan apartment blabbed to the media about A-Rod’s late night excursions to Madge’s pad, leaving as late as midnight.

Murmurs about the Rodriguez rocky marriage began less than a year ago, when photographers snapped A-Rod hanging out with a buxom blonde in Toronto, wining and dining her before taking in the sights at one of T-Dot’s more prominent strip clubs.

But the extensive media coverage did not faze the Bronx Bomber then. A-Rod earned MVP accolades for the third time in his career that year. Meanwhile, his wife packed up and left their New York apartment, only to join her hubby on the road, while the Yankees were in Boston playing the Red Sox.

Cynthia again packed her bags after the latest front-page scandal, but she didn’t run to her husband. Instead, Lenny Kravitz opened the doors of his Paris home to the estranged wife. Kravitz then vehemently denied rumors that he and Rodriguez’s wife were any more than friends.

The situation is surely a complicated one for all parties involved, as well as Guy Oseary. He manages Rodriguez, Madonna, and Kravitz.

Alex and Cynthia signed a pre-nuptial agreement before their November 2002 marriage. In the divorce papers, Mrs. Rodriguez claims her soon-to-be ex is worth $250,000,000. She seeks custody of their two daughters, child support, debt-relief, and their six bedroom home in Coral Gables, FL.

GYM CLASS HERO GETS DETENTION

Here’s a bit of advice for anyone thinking about checking out the Gym Class Heroes later this month. The group from Geneva, NY headlines this year’s Vans Warped Tour, which rolls through the Toyota Pavilion at Montage Mountain on Sunday, July 27.

Don’t yell a racial slur at GCH front man, Travis McCoy. Of course, that’s also assuming McCoy makes the date.

At a recent Warped Tour stop in St. Louis, a fan in the front row called McCoy, “an ignorant n----r.” The lead emcee tried to bring the person on stage, so he could embarrass him in front of the audience. As the fan climbed on to the stage, he hit McCoy on his knee, which apparently has a brace on it. Travie responded by smashing his microphone on the guy’s head.

St. Louis police put their own “Cupid’s Chokehold” on the Gym Class Hero, booking him on third-degree assault charges. Authorities released McCoy on $500 bail, but TMZ reports that police have issued a warrant for his arrest.

Gym Class Heroes released a statement calling the incident unfortunate. McCoy issued a half-hearted apology, claiming the kid got what he deserved for the comment. No word from Katy Perry. The “I Kissed a Girl” singer and Warped Tour-mate is dating McCoy.

thank you thank you thank you.

mucho gracias to everyone who made my 23rd anniversary of existence on this earth an enjoyable one. it was great seeing you friday night at the woodlands - lots of laughs and fun times, not to mention a nice mix of stogies, beverages, and some trademark woodlands cuisine. even one of my former roommates from syracuse made the trip up, and sam enjoyed his time inside the woods.

i owe a few people for the experience i had saturday. angela, will, and johnny damon all have drinks coming on me. okay will doesn't, he just accompanied me to the game - but ang picked out two amazing seats, and damon decided to turn in his best performance of the season, hitting a perfect six for six, including a walkoff single. the yankees trumped the royals 12-11 in the four-hour slug fest.

as tony would say, i boogied back to nepa in record time to continue the celebration with club bht inside colosseum night club. again, great times, thank you for showing up.

much love to my fellow staffers - adam, marino, a.j., and d-dubs danny waters. my boy anthony from afc media also covered some of the festivities. i couldn't have asked for two better venues and hosts than mitch & the woodlands and rob dale & colosseum night club. as always, the best.

and of course, if you were one of the hundred or so that left a facebook wall post or myspace comment, i appreciate it, and by now i've responded.

believe it or not, we don't have too many photos from the weekend-long extravaganza. i'm not sure if that's a good thing or not...

t-love visits nepa...

and i still can't believe we ran into friggen kei igawa...

click here for the facebook photo album.

feint-rod... is this a sign?

a few weeks ago, alex rodriguez, disabled-listed third baseman for my yankees, welcomed a second daughter in to this world. however apparently, as she entered, a-rod exited... consciousness.

btw, that's a-rod & wife cynthia in sports illustrated not too long ago. anyways, all the details on feint-rod are here.

first trip to camden yards!

click here for the facebook album.

ha! i knew it!

according to a new study, the couple that watches baseball together is more likely to last longer.

need i say more?

dceezy for the weekend...

so i was in DC for the weekend... pictures to come, but for now, here's this week's portion of the ralphie report that describes some of the randomness that occurred...

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The Green Apple Festival is billed as the world’s largest Earth Day celebration. This year’s festivities were scheduled in eight cities in landmarks across the U.S. Sites included Central Park in New York City and The Golden Gate Park in San Francisco.

Another location – The National Mall in Washington D.C., did not party with scheduled acts The Roots, Ne-Yo, and will.i.am. Despite a celebration of Earth, Mother Nature did not cooperate. Downpours brought thunder, lightening, and damage to the sound equipment. The day-long concert began at noon, but would not last much after. The only big act to perform a quick music set was American Idol runner-up Blake Lewis.

In yet another sign that this world is smaller than we all think, I ran into Lewis at the bar inside The Marriott on Pennsylvania Avenue later in the night. Turns out the Seattle-born singer did not find out that he would perform at the festival until 48 hours before hand. Of course, Lewis was disappointed that the dismal weather cut the event short.

“Like literally, right when I stepped on (stage), the rain started,” he told me over a beer. “It’s too bad, because there was a nice crowd too, and by the time I finished there was about 6,000 people there.”

Officials ended the event just after 3 pm. The large crowd never saw The Roots jam with will.i.am. or Doug E. Fresh. Even Lewis planned on jumping in on the action – but instead relegated back to his hotel room.

Meanwhile the lead emcee of The Black Eyed Peas packed his bags and hopped on the next first class flight to Los Angeles. After spending a mere few hours at home, will.i.am would jet off to London, supporting his CD, Songs About Girls, which is still receiving copious amounts of love overseas.

Lewis planned on spending the night in our nation’s capital – as unsexy as that might seem. After all, this was a Sunday night in a city filled with weekday warriors working the 9 to 5. A flight home awaited the Idol contestant in the morning.

And me? Well the weekend was a far cry from a disappointment. After an eventful Saturday evening in D.C. with one of my college roommates, I spend the early part of Sunday watching my Yankees defeat the Orioles in Baltimore.

Of course, the evening wasn’t so shabby either.