Mike Vaccaro
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About the Columnist
Mike Vaccaro has been the lead sports columnist for the New York Post since November 2002. In that time he has written about every important sporting event and sports figure in New York City and covered 18 Super Bowls, 12 World Series, 10 Final Fours and 10 BCS Championship Games. He has been recognized three times as New York Sportswriter of the Year by the National Sports Media Association and was recognized in 2017 by the New York Press Club for his deadline work. A 1989 graduate of St. Bonaventure University, Vaccaro previously worked at newspapers in Newark, Kansas City, Middletown, N.Y., Fayetteville, Ark., and Olean, N.Y. He is the author of three books: “Emperors and Idiots,” about the Yankees-Red Sox rivalry; “1941: the Greatest Year in Sports;” and “The First Fall Classic,” about the 1912 World Series. He also makes frequent television and radio appearances. A native of West Hempstead, N.Y., Vaccaro now makes his home in Hillsdale, N.J. with his wife, Leigh, and two rambunctious terriers: a 12-pound Westy named Fiona and Desmond, a 12,000-pound (or so it seems) Airedale. He is a terrible golfer and undefeated in all games involving “Godfather” trivia.
The Archive
Knicks have to find way to put this choke job behind them — and fast
April 30, 2024 | 11:51pmThere were fewer than 30 seconds left. The Knicks led by six in Game 5 and seemed on their way to the second round. Until they weren't.
It took one week for Joel Embiid to become legendary Knicks villain
April 29, 2024 | 2:44pmIn Games 1 and 2, Joel Embiid was simply an elite player toying with the Knicks and torturing the fans, scoring 63 points in those first two games, making it...
Versatile Knick proves vital in slowing down Joel Embiid in win
April 28, 2024 | 7:44pmhe played a brand of suffocating fourth-quarter defense on Joel Embiid that allowed the Knicks to sneak out of town with a two-game Philly split, a 97-92 win and a...
Jalen Brunson earns place in Knicks lore with legendary performance
April 28, 2024 | 6:34pmBrunson was hellbent on making sure he wouldn’t be receiving what, to him, is the worst kind of basketball noise: being lauded for a noble effort in a losing cause.
Nyack graduate, ex-Montclair State baseball player finds niche with TikTok fame
April 27, 2024 | 8:24pmNick Cassano was bored out of his skull. We all were. Remember? Remember the very middle of the pandemic: no place to go, nothing to do, an endless blur of...
Knicks have too much at stake to get caught up in lingering Joel Embiid silliness
April 27, 2024 | 4:49pmThe Knicks, by reason and by reputation, are too smart to get caught up in this.
Knicks-76ers series got real with one heated moment
April 26, 2024 | 2:03pmJalen Brunson did an exaggerated on-the-way up fake – anyone could see he was mimicking Joel Embiid’s signature move, even all the way up in the last row at Wells...
76ers refused to let Knicks land a final uppercut
April 26, 2024 | 12:16amIt felt like the Sixers were one punch away from going down, maybe going away, one 10-2 run away from surrender. Then a funny thing happened.
Knicks' mop celebration after 1989 76ers sweep is bold statement current team wouldn't dare try
April 25, 2024 | 8:06pmNever was there anything so audacious as what happened a week shy of 35 years ago, the last time the Knicks played the 76ers in a road playoff game.
As 76ers fans whine over Villanova tweet, Knicks' trio can deliver series dagger
April 24, 2024 | 3:19pmTwo notable Villanova alums noticed the kerfuffle. They were, in a word, bemused.
Where epic Game 2 finish ranks in dramatic MSG Knicks' playoff moments
April 23, 2024 | 8:41pmHere are 20 moments to put on that shelf forever, ranked in order — 11 Knicks wins, nine Knicks losses:
Knicks' unwavering belief produced win that will never be forgotten
April 23, 2024 | 12:56amYou won’t forget the way the Garden's foundation shook when Donte DiVincenzo hit his shot, or how it shivered again when Joel Embiid’s shot missed.
76ers veteran remains Knicks tormenter decade after James Dolan killed trade
April 22, 2024 | 7:33pmKyle Lowry wanted the Knicks. The Knicks wanted Lowry. The Raptors were pondering a full rebuild
Why Knicks should have confidence they'll see best of Jalen Brunson in Game 2
April 21, 2024 | 7:56pmThe problem with having the kind of season Jalen Brunson had is that excellence becomes expected.
Knicks fans, this is just the start of wild playoff rollercoaster ride
April 20, 2024 | 10:48pmBe at the ready. Be prepared. Make sure you hydrate before these games, no matter how many of them are to come in the weeks and months ahead.
Knicks-76ers have chance to beef up lackluster New York-Philly playoff history
April 20, 2024 | 6:22pmSpeaking candidly, we don’t much care for Philadelphia.
John Sterling not first local broadcast legend to leave behind massive shoes to fill
April 20, 2024 | 3:29pmMike Breen knows the feeling, believe that.
Raucous Knicks fans will be pivotal X factor in 76ers showdown
April 19, 2024 | 7:38pmIn a series like this, you start looking at X factors. And this is where Madison Square Garden kicks in.
Jalen Brunson gets chance to slay Joel Embiid in David vs. Goliath playoff showdown
April 18, 2024 | 7:13pmThis will be the most compelling matchup of the Knicks-76ers playoff series, Jalen Brunson versus Joel Embiid, Embiid versus Brunson.
76ers star still presents daunting Knicks playoff challenge
April 17, 2024 | 11:55pmSaturday night at the Garden Joel Embiid likely tug at his shorts, he’ll sigh, he’ll stretch out his leg Joe Embiid was playing at maybe 65 percent efficiency, putting his...