Sports

The Rumble

Gary’s Big Apple

SNY host discusses NYC sports

He is the apple of the New York sports fan’s eye at SNY.

“I said the first words on the network. It’ll be a trivia question one day,” Gary Apple said proudly.

It is nearly seven years later, and after watching him host “Geico SportsNite” and Mets pre- and postgame shows filling in for Chris Carlin, and Big East basketball studio and now UConn women’s basketball shows (with Kara Wolters), the Rumble decided to let Apple dish on NYC sports:

SUPER BOWL: “I think it’s gonna be 49ers-Broncos.”

BIG EAST: “I think the Big East at the top is better than a lot of people thought it would be. … As somebody who went to a Big East school [Syracuse], I believe the Big East tournament is one of the great sports events in our town. To see that going in the direction it is I find sad and unfortunate.”

KNICKS: “I’ve always contended Carmelo [Anthony] is the third-best player in the world behind LeBron [James] and [Kevin] Durant. … The No. 1 thing Carmelo doesn’t have, he doesn’t have that second banana, so to speak. That’s my one reservation. I still think Amar’e [Stoudemire] can be a decent piece. … If they can keep their older players healthy … I think the Knicks have a legitimate chance.”

PHIL JACKSON TO NETS: “My guess is no. I know [Mikhail] Prokhorov will open up the checkbook for him, but is that what he really wants to do in his later years, coach the Nets? I think P.J. [Carlesimo] deserves a real good shot at the job. If he doesn’t get it, I think [Jeff] Van Gundy would be a great choice. … A couple of more pieces and they can be contenders.

REX RYAN: “I want to know his thoughts on Mark Sanchez. They cannot win moving forward with Mark Sanchez. I really want to know what happened with Tim Tebow. Did he get him here and realize he can’t play quarterback in the NFL? And if so, shouldn’t they have done that homework before? I think he deserves one more year to see if he can make the sort of adjustments a head coach needs to make. But I think it creates a very precarious situation with a new GM coming in.”

METS TRADE R.A. DICKEY: “With his trade value at its zenith and the fact that he’s 38 years old, how could the Mets pass on acquiring the best catching prospect in the majors and a potential middle-of-the-rotation starter down the road?”

YANKEES: “I think the Yankees are getting to a place where it’s a very slippery slope. When … you’re counting on a 40-year-old Andy Pettitte, and we know what [Alex Rodriguez’s] situation is — he’s breaking down right in front of our eyes , it’s so apparent — and then you’ve got Mariano [Rivera] coming off [knee surgery] at his age … and Derek [Jeter], who’s been the consummate New York athlete, but again, he’s not a kid.”

Rivera, Randall have Visual chat

Mariano Rivera will join Ed Randall for a comprehensive one-on-one-conversation about his legendary career at the School of Visual Arts Theatre on Jan. 22. A limited number of tickets for the event are priced at three different levels in honor of Rivera’s historic career statistics:

DUGOUT: $111.90 (for Mariano’s 1,190 strikeouts). Includes exclusive “meet & greet” with Mariano, an autographed baseball, a collectible baseball card, plus an exclusive gift package

GENERAL ADMISSION: $60.80 (for Mariano’s 608 saves). Includes a collectible baseball card, plus an exclusive gift package

CHILDREN UNDER 18: $22.10 (for Mariano’s 2.21 career ERA). Includes a collectible Mariano baseball card, plus an exclusive gift package. All proceeds will benefit the nationwide prostate education programs of Randall’s Fans for the Cure, which was established in 2003 as a 501 c3 charity. Its mission is to increase the awareness of prostate cancer in men and their families and loved ones, and educate them about the life-saving advantages of early detection. For more information, call (888) 220-4618.

Pros show muscle at gala & auction

Muscular Dystrophy Association’s (”MDA”) 16th Annual Muscle Team Gala & Benefit Auction is Tuesday night at Chelsea Piers, Pier 60. The 2013 Muscle Team consists of the following top athletes from the Giants, Jets, Knicks, Nets, Red Bulls and NYRA, including: Iman Shumpert (Knicks), Antrel Rolle (Giants), Shonn Greene (Jets), C.J. Watson (Nets) and jockey Maylan Studart.

MDA’s Muscle Team is expected to exceed the $13 million mark this year. The auction is expected to raise more than $1 million for those living with muscle-wasting diseases. The Muscle Team will be led by coaches Frances LoMonaco of WPP and John McGinley of JP Morgan Chase. Vincent DeLazzero of Port Morris will receive the 2013 Champion of Spirit Award for his tremendous passion, drive and commitment towards making a difference in the lives of people living with neuromuscular disease.

For tickets to the Gala & Benefit Auction or information about MDA’s services, call Caity Connolly at (212) 682-5272 or visit http://www.nymuscleteam.org.