tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21104060532637636822024-03-13T23:51:37.074-04:00Yes I'm A Yankee FanUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger103125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2110406053263763682.post-56617349742837238262010-07-13T21:38:00.003-04:002010-07-13T21:40:42.506-04:00RIP George M. Steinbrenner<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fqCkToaPEl8/TD0VfIAGxPI/AAAAAAAAAVQ/LI93E2uenUk/s1600/Steinbrenner.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493570744929928434" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 343px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fqCkToaPEl8/TD0VfIAGxPI/AAAAAAAAAVQ/LI93E2uenUk/s400/Steinbrenner.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2110406053263763682.post-25163035488708220932010-07-13T14:55:00.001-04:002010-07-13T14:58:31.065-04:00George SteinbrennerGeore Steinbrenner changed sports. His two good qualities as a owner was he demand of excellence and his treatment of sports as a business. While Steinbrenner did a lot of good for baseball, he did more wrong. <br /><br />He was not the most successful Yankee owner. The Topping/Webster Era (20 years) in the between 1945 and 1964 was the most successful, bringing home 15 American League Championships and 10 World Series Championships Ruppert Ownership , second to that was the Ruppert Era (30 years) resulted in 14 American League Championships and 10 World Series Championships. The George Steinbrenner era only resulted in 10 American League Championships and 7 World Series Championships in 37 years<br /><br />Modern sportswriters are praising George Steinbrenner today. Those writers like the athletes that benefitted from Steinbrenner’s ownership of the Yankees rose in salary structure from his management. But his management also impacted on the fans. As Steinbrenner forever changed sports with higher and higher salaries, media also paid their best sportswriters and sportscasters to cover those athletes. Baseball has no salary cap because of George Steinbrenner’s influence. Steinbrenner would prefer to spend what he could afford.<br /><br />The passing of George Steinbrenner is an end of a Yankee Era, however Steinbrenner while the most infamous owner is not in the top 100 Yankee people. He pales behind Hall of Famers, and two more successful owner groups who actually enhanced baseball.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2110406053263763682.post-39045824774530693522010-07-11T12:36:00.005-04:002010-07-11T13:21:21.514-04:00Bob Shepard<div><div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;">Bob Sheppard was the voice of my Yankees, when retired in 2009, he was replaced by Paul Olden, but Bob Sheppard’s voice can never be replaced. His voice was truly one of a kind, but his voice was not his only achievement. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492698304072389538" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 250px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fqCkToaPEl8/TDn8AYigE6I/AAAAAAAAAUo/MXSYg0g5VU8/s400/Bob+Shepard.jpg" border="0" />Bob represented the true American, a person who just did the right thing but being a regular American was not his calling. Bob Sheppard became an international recognized regular American Joe.<br /><br />Sheppard long nicknamed the voice of God, never sought the limelight. He took a job as sports announcer to bring extra income to is family, never realizing it would bring him international notoriety.<br /><br />Sheppard could have been anything he became a teacher. He served his country in World War II, and. In 1951 he became a Yankee Stadium announcer, announcing for both the Giants and NY York Yankees, but it was his baseball role that pushed him into public address immortality.<br /><br />Sheppard worked for the Yankee for 58 years to, during double duty with the New Giants until 2005, when his health started to catch up with him. He devoted the rest of his time to the Yankees. His microphone was retired, it is enshrined in Cooperstown. A Bronze plaque sits in Monument, placed there by the Yankees in May 2000.<br /><br />Sheppard witnessed some of the greatest athletes play baseball, hall of famers: Joe DiMaggio, Yogi Berra, Mickey Mantle, Bill Dickey, Whitey Ford Goose Gossage, Phil Rizzuto, Catfish Hunter, Dave Williams, Ted Williams, Wade Boggs, and Casey Stengel. He announced and witnessed the Yankees winning 13 of World Series and 22 American League titles.<br /><br />There will never be another Bob Sheppard, but we can strive to be like him. Not necessarily the voice of the Yankees, but a good person, who does well for all. </span></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492699522572528258" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 303px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 328px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fqCkToaPEl8/TDn9HTzkqoI/AAAAAAAAAU4/KN6DooWYerM/s400/Memorial+Wreath.jpg" border="0" /></span></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2110406053263763682.post-73555361801287490062010-04-16T15:25:00.003-04:002010-04-16T15:39:18.003-04:00A NYY Fan In Red Sox LandSince December I have been on the I-95 NJ to MA shuffle. I still am on this project, and now it is baseball season. Its one thing to be in Boston for a NYY-Soxs game; there are dozens, hundreds of other Yankee fans. However its another to be there during baseball season when the Yanks are not in town:<br /><br />Some notations about living, albeit temporarily in Red Sox Nation:<br /><br /><ol><li>There are plenty of stores selling Red Sox stuff, the closest location to find anything NYY is the rest stop on the Mass Pike. There you can find a NYY decal for your car, enabling the National to find you easier and harass you more frequently. Even teh local CVS and Staples is pandering to the Red Sox fan.</li><li>The Subways sell large plastic drink cups emblezzaned with the Red Sox logo, forcing me to negotiate for 2 regular size paper cups so I don't have to drink out of Red Sox cup. The Dunkin Donuts sells Red Soxs travel mugs.</li><li>The News did show the highlights of opening day at Yankee Stadium, not to humor NYY fans, but because it was Opening Day for the World Series Champs.</li><li>Anything Yankee on you draws the attentionof others, as if you were walking down the street naked.</li><li>Yankee baseball, if they are not playing the Soxs is limited to MLB TV on your PC.</li></ol><br />I am hoping this project is over soon, so I can get back to my NYY life.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2110406053263763682.post-45332655443558281892009-07-07T20:15:00.004-04:002009-07-07T20:35:35.926-04:00And the Circus Came to Town - Twice<span style="font-family:verdana;">While basically a baseball blog which I have been to busy to regularly post to; I do at times feel the need to comment on news notes.</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Like many I was surprised at the death of Michael Jackson on June 25. However I did not drop to my knees and cry hysterically. He was another death of a celebrity. In death like in life Michael courted the bizarre. As a child he was truly gifted, a prodigy for his advanced musical and performing talents. As an adult he seemed disturbed. Whether he reverted mentally to be a child as an adult or was suffering from the drugs and other mental health issues, he was still talented beyond most performers.</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Drugs can change the addict's behavior and personality. I have witnessed that firsthand with members of my own family. Clearly much of the bizarre that surrounded the adult Michael Jackson can be credited to his drug addiction.</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">In the end, the talented performed died of drug overdose. No one can deny he was talented, but not many have brought to light that had he not been abusing drugs, he mights still be alive.</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">In death as in life Michael was the showman. Fitting his funeral and memorial turned into a circus, Michael's last 20 years were also much of a circus, often overshadowing his accomplishments and talent. Even more fitting as the wer holding Michael's memeorial today in the Staple Center, tomorow they will opening the real circus. Ringling Bros's opens Wednesday at the Staple Center.</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Michaell had talent, but what I tell my young relatives, is all the talent in the world can't help you when you are on drugs. He was a genius and he was a drug addict; and in the end the drugs killed him. Another talented life wrecked by drug abuse.</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2110406053263763682.post-73865521246503163672009-06-15T20:56:00.004-04:002009-06-15T22:14:42.636-04:00Batting A, Pitching C<span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;">Alright Yankee fans, stop applauding the Yankee position in the AL East and start looking at pitching. While there has been a slight improvement in pitching, that improvement is from a grade of C- to a C. C pitching won't get you to the big show in the Fall.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;">Don't believe Me Observe the grades for the regular Yankee Starters. Pitiful!!!</span><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347741638173269810" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 146px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fqCkToaPEl8/Sjb-r7XiHzI/AAAAAAAAAUg/6H4XxKnsNF4/s400/01-Pitching+Grades.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;">One interesting fact these number say that Joba should be kept a starter.</span></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;">No matter, the Yankees are winning with smoke and mirros and not the pitching staff.</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2110406053263763682.post-14818832134674394392009-06-12T04:59:00.002-04:002009-06-12T05:27:43.435-04:000-8 and Off to Interleague We GoThe only thing I like about interleague is the Yankees-Mets and Cubs-White Soxs series. The rest of Interleague could be cut for all I care. What makes those games interesting, cross town rivalries.<br /><br /><br /><br />As for Interleague, I predict highs and lows. The NY Mets actually have a decent team compromised by bouts of illness and injuries. Last year they had the Yankees number, and this year this year they could do the same. The Yankees also play the Atlanta Braves, another team that will give them trouble. Fortunately to balance this off the Yanks face the Nats and the Marlins.<br /><br /><br /><br />No back to the the Yankees inability to beat Boston.......<br /><br /><br /><br />I want all of the Red Soxs tesetd for HCG, and yes their is a blood test. I doubt the Red Soxs are stupid enough to be on steroids, then again they are a team know for their idiots; but all that Red Sox bulky power did not come from the weight room. Come on guys roll up your sleeves and fill the marble top tube.<br /><br /><br /><br />Why do I thin the Soxs are on drugs? I am not a sore loser, I am just a careful observer. The Soxs have bulked up, that bulking is stopping the Yankees from garnering one win in 8 games. Statistically for the Yankees this is not probable. Time to drug test Boston.<br /><br /><br /><br />While the season is more than a 1/3rd over, for all intents Boston is on its way to be the clear American League East winner. Why, because the Yankees can't beat them.<br /><br /><br /><br />Boston is 20-8 in the East, 10-4 in the Central and 5-10 in the West. The Yankees are 12-16 in the East, 13-5 in the Central and 8-3 in the West. Do the math, if the Yankees don't start beating Boston, they will again start vacation in 104 games.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2110406053263763682.post-59289676302481619602009-06-10T21:18:00.004-04:002009-06-12T04:57:47.547-04:00Can We Beat Boston?<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I<span style="font-size:130%;">'ve been quiet lately, I was busy and the Bombers weren't really worth talking about. Yes they won and A-Rod was back, but look back at the wins. Not much to get excited about.</span></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">The Yankees who have been playing .660 ball the last 3 weeks are facing the acid test, the Boston Red <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Soxs</span>. So far they are failing the test. Last night shut out 7-0 and tonight they working toward another loss. </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">The Red <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Soxs</span>, the rival, the nemesis, have the Yankees number so far this year. The Yankees if they continue are down 6-3 in the 6<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">th</span> and on their way to loss # 7 this year out of GAD, 7 games played.</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">So explain those Yankee wins away, right. Wrong The Yankees played AA teams disguised as Major League Clubs. Of the Twins, Indians, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">O's</span> Rays, Jays and Rangers we have this:</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">Twins - pitching mediocre due to loss of star talent in Off season, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Mauer</span> can't bat the team to victory</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">Indians - <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">MLB</span> Team with pitching staff on life support due to injuries and infectious disease.</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">Orioles - Can't bat as well as the Yankee......yet</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">Rays - Yankees saw their lesser pitchers who are no use to pitching in rain.</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">Jays - It's still Hockey season, it's hard to play to an empty house.</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">Rangers - Not back on <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">roids</span>...yet</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">The only hopefully win the Yankees managed was against the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Phillies</span>, the hope of a team improving.</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">It's now the top of the 7<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">th</span> and the Yankees have closed to 6-5. Phil Hughes is pitching and if he <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">continues</span> we could pull out a win. I am hopeful <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">because</span> Hughes can go long and Boston is <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">out</span> of solid relief except for <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Papelbon</span>. IF stupidity does not descend on Joe G and his staff I <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">could</span> go to sleep a happy lady.</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2110406053263763682.post-86251024047510359952009-05-12T07:14:00.006-04:002009-05-12T07:36:59.009-04:00No Joy In Yankee Land<span style="font-family:verdana;">Amid the news of an investigation by Curtis Sliwa into ticket sales and ticket pricing, the Yankees are away in Toronto. In this day of satellite TV and radio it is doubtful that they have not heard of the and investigation; the question is whether it will add to the Yankee woes as they face the first place Blue Jays.</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Tonight should be billed as a pitcher's ego battle with A.J. Burnett going up against Roy Halladay, his former Blue Jay teammate. Unfortunately while Halladay is 6-1 in 7 starts, while Burnett is 2-0, with 4 no decisions, in 6 starts. Burnett's best outing was April 14 against Tampa Bay and it has all been a a roller coaster ride since. </span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">The Yankees still appear to have gotten hosed in the Burnett deal as they appear to have gotten a 12-10 pitcher and not an 18-10 pitcher. The pitching deals for several years have been called by Brian Cashman; and the current state of the Yankees tell me it is time for change from the top down. Cashman need to go!</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">The consistent overspending of the Yankees has only had two positive results, Derek Jeter and Mariano Rivera. Cashman can be credited for Carl Pavano, Kevin Brown, as well as other lackluster pitching and batting dogs; and not resigning Bernie William when he still had a good numbers left in his bat. Instead Cashman has shopped for hired guns; and the Yankees are still sitting at # 26; with escalating ticket prices and fans finally flipping the team the bird on overpriced seats.</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Wake up Tampa, it is time for a change!</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">I anxiously await what this Curtis Sliwa investigation into Yankee ticketing will unvail. Sliwa is not like other talkies in radio is not all mouth. While the News, Post and most of sports talk radio covered the ticket issues earlier this year; it was all talk. Sliwa apparently has been digging and obtaining facts. Another reason the Yankee organization should be concerned is that Sliwa has political pull. </span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Will the Yankee win tonight; probably not. Will they be embarrassed in the ticket investigation, probably so. The Yankee woes are not over, and the only route to fixing them is to make a lot of changes, changes in management, changes in ticketing. The Yankees are sucked dry of positive energy and about to go into negative numbers.</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Add to Yankee woes the dominating Red Soxs and the rapid maturity of the Blue Jays, Ray, and O's. It's only May, and without change, the Yankees are becoming a third place contender istead of the leader.</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2110406053263763682.post-20800749455988601592009-05-10T18:39:00.003-04:002009-05-10T18:56:57.448-04:00More Bird Problems<span style="font-family:verdana;">The much anticipated arrival of A-rod was as predicted, useless. Yes he homered on the first pitch of his first at bat and put the Yankees in the lead; but he has not done much since Friday night.</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Friday night's win was all about pitching. A complete game shutout by C.C. Sabathia, finally something to justify his $23,000,000 a year salary. Friday was what the fans anticipated since the C.C. signing.</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">However Saturday was ugly. Hughes didn't last and when he was finally pulled in the 2nd, it was too late. The Yanks were down 8-0 and would never come back.</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Sunday got interesting with the Yanks down 3-1 at the end of the first Inning. However great plates performances by Johnny Damon took the Yanks to a 5-3 victory and allowed them to escape to Toronto with a winning series in Baltimore.</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">This leads to the next series with the Blue Jays. The Yanks are in Toronto for 3, with shaky but adequate catching, and players who notorious play poorly on the artificial surface in Toronto, A-Rod being one of those players.</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">A-Rod who is now batting 0.143; despite the crowning of his godliness by the Yes Network's Michaela Kay and many other sportswriters after his home run Friday night. A-Rod, who I have watched careful this past series is not playing defenses at MLB level. He should be sent to Trenton or Scranton for more work. His presence in the lineup does not add numbers to the boards, and impairs the Yankees ability to play an effective 3rd baseman. He clearly is not aggressively fielding, and was lucky to have Derek Jeter as the shortstop. Jeter clearly was playing both his and A-Rod's postion all weekend.</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Heads up A-Rod, Rogers Centre is bigger than Camden Yards, and Jeter won't be able to carry you on his back fro another series. Move it or lose it.</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2110406053263763682.post-85470145467201851812009-05-07T12:08:00.002-04:002009-05-07T12:57:51.871-04:00A-Rod Can't Solve Yankee Woes<span style="font-family:verdana;">There has been nothing proven from his performance so far in Tampa that Alex Rodriquez is the same player. Granted he is more experienced than Ramiro Pena, but Pena is a rookie, so a little slack should be given to him as such.</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">First off Alex can't heal the bullpen. Secondly, if he truly is rehabbing, why has not worked the minor league circuit of Tampa to Trenton to Scranton. that typically is the route of rehab for Yankee sluggers. Instead Alex has been left in Tampa, where he performance has been less than A-Rod like. Is that to give the Yankees an out if he is brought back "too early"?</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">As of now Alex's return is anyone's guess. Rumors have in in the Friday lineup in Baltimore. In regards to those rumors Joe Girardi takes a wait and see attitude. Brian Cashman wants the mythical A-Rod backk, thinking that will forgive the bullpen problem. However A-Rod has yet to prove he can still bat well or play at major league caliper; but he is being touted by many as the savior of the Yankees.</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">The saviors of the Yankees will be Chien-Ming Wang, Brian Bruney and Dimaso Marte. </span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">What also needs to be addressed is s permanent closer. Mariano Riviera cannot go on forever. At best, I might even guess this could be the sundown of his career. No solution to a permenant closer, outside of Joba Chamberlain has been presentted that was a success. I hate to say this, but starters are easier to find than effective closers, and the only solid prospect is Joba.</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">As for the Yankees, they have are in the middle and can up or down in the standings. Yes A-Rod may add a run or two, but that will not help with the current chaos of pitching.</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2110406053263763682.post-15115747919442843202009-05-07T11:56:00.004-04:002009-05-07T12:04:47.850-04:00Manny Ramirez Suspended for 50 Games<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fqCkToaPEl8/SgMGhlhyBDI/AAAAAAAAAUQ/Xy7Ecn8wUto/s1600-h/Ramirez.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333113557816050738" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 248px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fqCkToaPEl8/SgMGhlhyBDI/AAAAAAAAAUQ/Xy7Ecn8wUto/s400/Ramirez.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;">Manny being Manny will be absent from baseball for the next two months. Ramirez was suspended today for 50 games for failing the performance enhancing drug test. An appeal will not occur.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;">Manny's suspension may prove that a little bit of wisdom is still held by Yankee Management who refused to discuss his coming to the Bronx in the off season; resulting in Manny staying with the Dodgers.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;">The question remains what the Dodgers will do with his $45,000,000 / 2 years contract. You could make an argument the contract was offered under false pretenses. If when Manny returns on July 3 he fails to perform without PE drugs; what will the Dodgers do? I say if that becomes the case, severe the contract.</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2110406053263763682.post-78134579977059444262009-05-05T18:54:00.008-04:002009-05-05T19:51:52.147-04:00Fan Energy & Empty Seats Add to Yankke Malaise<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fqCkToaPEl8/SgDQbAvbZOI/AAAAAAAAAUI/ls47b5LNMqc/s1600-h/01-Empty+Seats2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332491121280640226" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 250px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fqCkToaPEl8/SgDQbAvbZOI/AAAAAAAAAUI/ls47b5LNMqc/s400/01-Empty+Seats2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><div><div><div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;">It's hard to put a direct cause on the Yankee blues. However I tend to still stand by my bad karma theory. State of the art new surroundings have not helped, only hindered. I think the big problem may be a lack of fans.</span></div><br /><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;">Throughout the Torre years a steady growth of fans in seats came with each each successive year of ticket sales and Yankee success. The construction of the new stadium resulted in luxury seating. Most of the seating, even though prices have been halved, remains empty. </span></div><br /><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;">The Yankees in their most dismal displays of talent could feed off the crowd. Crowds in the past typically numbered between 50,000 to 56,000+, depending on the opponent. Yes there have been an average of 46,000 at the home games, the the seating capacity of the new stadium is 52,325, which means roughly 6000 unsold seats. The vast majority of those seats as one sees on TV are closest to players. The rest of the fans are there, quarantined in the more baseball priced seats, rows back from the field between 1st and 3rd base.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;">I think the emptiness has gotten to the Bronx Bombers.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;">There is lot to be said for the effect of fans on player performance. Players can feed on fan energy; the Yankees have done that often. But even with large crowds what effect does that block of near empty rows of seat alter the player's energy?</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;">The players could not have been blind to the controversy over the luxury seating. Coverage extended over national and international media. Who knows what feedback they have gotten of the Yankee management's refusal to eliminate the luxury seats. Could that be part of the player blues?</span></div><br /><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;">Guilt trips can have serious negative impacts. Although the players are not responsible for ticket prices directly, high salaries resulted in high concession and ticket prices. Seeing those empty seats at field level cannot help. Has the guilt of their owners' greed altered the psychological mindset of the players.</span></div><br /><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;">Look at the losses in Detroit. Granted Yankee pitching was so-so, but Comerica, despite having baseball's premier draw in house, the New York Yankees, could only help fill an average of 27,000 seats of 67% of the capacity.) Past years, despite Tiger performance would see a 90-95% of the seats filled, mostly with patrons wearing Yankee shirts.</span></div><br /><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;">The economy has certainly hit sports, as one can see from the empty seats at home and away Yankee games. Even still if you watch other teams on TV in other markets, people are going. Baseball which was not impacted in the post 1929 depression has now hit the wall. The current economic situation along with enhanced TV coverage is keeping fans home. the question remains what will baseball do to turn it around.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;">Among the many Yankee ills is the economy. Add to the lackluster multimillion dollar pitching, erratic offense, and injuries. Player talent can be fixed, but how do you fix the player psyche? Well for one thing, I would start upgrading people who come to the games. If those sweet comfortable seats are unsold, move fans down. Think of it as good PR. And if the Bombers play better, well that may be the road to a cure.</span></div><br /><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;">In regards to the Yankee Stadium personnel who misinformed fans to leave last night, I hope they are identified and fired. In regards to the woman who was arrested for assault on a police officer. You were wrong. I assume the woman was highly intoxicated, another issue associated with extended rain delays at Yankee games. However the police were doing there job and you certainly weren't acting like a civilized person or a lady. Assault on an officer deserves lockup, even if the reason for you protest was to to a miscommunication by Yankee employees and enforcement of the no re-entry policy.</span></div><br /><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;">In last night's rain delay melee there were wrongs on all sides, baseball, the fans who left and the Stadium employees who told them the game was postponed. It causes me to believe that weeknight rain delays should be limited to 90-120 minutes. If the games cannot be started after that time, it should be rescheduled. No consideration is given on these weeknight games that most fans have been up all day and then have to go home, catch some sleep and go to work the next day.</span></div></div></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2110406053263763682.post-58724168530320122072009-05-01T19:47:00.004-04:002009-05-01T19:55:25.763-04:00A-Rod Book a Must Not Read<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fqCkToaPEl8/SfuLafH-B0I/AAAAAAAAATg/APRJSw4Dghc/s1600-h/ARod+Book+Cover.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331007871070897986" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 260px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fqCkToaPEl8/SfuLafH-B0I/AAAAAAAAATg/APRJSw4Dghc/s400/ARod+Book+Cover.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;">Last Friday I had outpatient surgery; before, during, and after surgery my IV included Mefoxin. Mexofin is a very potent antibiotic that basically wipes out any GI bacteria. It left with an irritable, gassy and colicky bowel. I would rather endure that pain again then read <span style="color:#ff99ff;">Selena Roberts’</span> book on Alex Rodriquez.</span></div><span style="font-family:verdana;"><br /><div><br />Because of her book, Ms. Roberts has gotten a lot of pre-launch publicity. She has begun to appear frequently on “<span style="color:#cc0000;">The Sports Reporters</span>”, must be some deal her publisher has with <span style="color:#ff0000;">ESPN</span>, because as sports reporter I find her lacking.</div><br /><div><br />I read the <span style="color:#ffcc33;">New York Times</span>, one of Ms. Roberts’ employers (she also writes for <span style="color:#3366ff;">Sports Illustrated</span>). As a literate and educated person take what I read in The Times or any other newspapers context as either news or journalism. Ms. Roberts is a journalist. She has played second fiddle in the New York Sports community, and lacking a real TV job as a color commenter with a New York or New Jersey team, she has chosen the fast route to fame, writing a book. However she seems to be taking lessons from Jayson Blair, another New York Times reporter who was didn’t report the truth. Blair was eventually fired, as maybe Ms. Roberts might also be if she keeps on.</div><br /><div><br />As much as I despise what A-Rod has done, I don’t condone a book with no substantive truth. Even Game of Shadows had legitimate documentation. Ms Roberts either does not have real documentation fro her A-Rod story or overly protective of her sources. I tend to believe she is just full of unsubstantiated innuendos.</div><br /><div><br />A-Rod has made his life a shambles. Ms. Roberts’ book is just another cheap shot at him. A-Rod does not need cheap shots, he can, as he has proven many times; make a big mess of his life all by his self. He doesn’t need a second rate liberal feminist sports reporter doing it for him.</div><br /><div><br />It is unfortunate that many great players often end up with soap opera / tabloid tale lives. The Yankees have had their share. Next to A-Rod, the one Yankee with the biggest talent and soap opera had to be <span style="color:#6633ff;">Mickey Mantle</span>. Mantle’ the hero of the Bronx lead a playboy lifestyle. Fortunately in those times, little was done to attack heroes in the press. The world however is different 40+ years later. </div><br /><div><br />I won’t be reading Ms. Roberts’ book. It like her Times tales is like my bowel, colicky and full of hot gassy air.</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2110406053263763682.post-44702539483096770342009-04-30T09:04:00.003-04:002009-04-30T09:24:58.256-04:00The Swisher Game<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fqCkToaPEl8/SfmmW-LVt_I/AAAAAAAAATY/BoRst4VwW3A/s1600-h/Swisher.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330474547547584498" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 237px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fqCkToaPEl8/SfmmW-LVt_I/AAAAAAAAATY/BoRst4VwW3A/s400/Swisher.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;">I hope baseball owners are paying attention to TV. The series between Detroit and New York reflects on the economy. Comerica Park, normally sold out when the Yankees come to town was virtually empty.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;">Last night was another Nick Swisher show. Swisher's switch hitting makes you not want Alex Rodriquez back. Last night also appeared to part of a turning point. The Yankees after be so-so for most of April, getting beaten down by the Red Sox over the weekend seem to finally be start to playing to their potential.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;">Of course there was the 9th inning Jonathan Albaladejo mistake which lead to people moaning about Mo giving up a run. I don't know what the thinking of Eiland and Girardi was about putting in Albaladejo. The 9th inning is MO's lead or not, not a time to experiment. Mo did great, he's Mo, he's turning 40 this year, you show me another 40 year old closer in the majors who can still do the job as well. Jonathan Albaladejo on the other hand clearly need to be sent down for work. Maybe to the same guy who fixed Phil Hughes.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;">If Joba is turning back to Joba and Phil Hughes takes no advice from Dave Eiland, the Yankees may just have a better may. I still want Eiland fired and seat prices lowered. However since clearly the reduction in seat prices the other day indicates the common sense of Yankee management, I think we are stuck with Dumb Dave for the duration.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;"><strong><span style="color:#cc0000;">Note To Lonn, Hal and George</span></strong> - <span style="color:#3333ff;"><em>Lower the ticket prices back to 2008. No one is buying the reduced ticket and you are closing baseball fans out of live games. I hope there is a special place in the center of hell for you all.</em></span></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2110406053263763682.post-71196023223501779152009-04-28T11:11:00.004-04:002009-04-28T12:04:20.491-04:00Struck Out!<span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;">While Boston continues to win, the Yankees continue to lose. The secret to the Red Sox success is everyone is hitting well at the same time, and of course their ultimate weapon Jason Papelbon. </span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;">The reasons for the Yankees continue average effort are many:</span><br /><ul><li><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;">Dave Eiland is not a qualified major league pitching coach</span></li><li><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;">C.C. Sabathia has turned out to be more fame than game and another victim of Dave Eiland's coaching.</span></li><li><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;">Mark Texeira is suffering from an early season injury and still not hitting to his game potential.</span></li><li><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;">In 19 games, the Yankees have an on base percentage of: 0.246; a slugging percentage of 0.311 a team batting average of 0.194; and 50% of the team is batting poorly.</span></li><li><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;">Jason Verlander is not a pitching ace but last night against the Yankees he shut them down and struck 9 out holding the Yankees scoreless in 7 innings.</span></li></ul><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;">This New York Yankees habit of starting poorly is one I want the Yankees to break. I didn't like in 2007, it repeated itself in 2008 and in 2009 it like indigestion is unpleasant.</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;">I am hoping Phil Hughes breaks the streak tonight. On the plus side he has been in Scranton for weeks, aways form the bad influence of Dave Eiland; and Edwin Jackson has never been much of a pitcher.</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;">Lets Go Yankees!</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2110406053263763682.post-79271528251241577652009-04-27T12:33:00.001-04:002009-04-27T12:38:00.816-04:00Swine Flu Paranoia and Common Sense<span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#ff0000;"><strong>A Brief Public Safety Post</strong></span></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">The outbreak of swine flu in Mexico and subsequent public and political reaction in the United States and The European Union just goes to show how misinforming our press media can become. </span></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Yes swine flu is a point of concern. However the risk group would the extremely old and extremely young and most people born after 1962. </span></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">The Swine Flu Pandemic of 1918-1919 left residual immunity to the disease in the survivors. That immunity was passed to the next generation and slightly downgraded immunity to their grandchilden. While that will not prevent those people from coming down with swine flu; it will in person with immunity and of good health, lessen the severity of the disease. </span></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">There is an excellent book on the 1918 pandemic, <a class="" href="http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/results.asp?ATH=Gina+Kolata" foo="bar">Gina Kolata</a>'s "Flu: The Story of the Great Influenza Pandemic of 1918 and the Search for the Virus That Caused It by." Everyone having flu paranoia should read it. </span></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong>Facts:</strong> </span></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span></span><br /><ul><li><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Not traveling will not prevent flu infection. Yes, staying out of highly infected countries is smart; but don't assume the flu is not in your own backyard already. Our age of internal travel assures flu is already on the 7 continents. </span></span></li></ul><p><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span></span> </p><ul><li><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Hand sanitizers are ineffective against influenza and other viruses, their effective claim is based on reduction of gram positive bacteria. Wash you hands, bath regularly, clean you household and use Lysol or another strong antiseptic on commonly handled household items, like keys, phones, etc. </span></span></li></ul><p><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span></span> </p><ul><li><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Flu is a warm weather disease. We see more of it in the winter, because we are closed up inside with no circulating air. Open some windows, air out the house and get fresh air indoors. Do not hide in the air conditioning and think will escape infection. It will increase it. </span></span></li></ul><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Take the disease seriously even if you are a baby boomer. Above all don't let the media scare you. </span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2110406053263763682.post-65541590895236903392009-04-27T07:44:00.003-04:002009-04-27T08:18:00.851-04:00The 2009 Boston Massacre<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fqCkToaPEl8/SfWiYFiE6vI/AAAAAAAAATQ/vE9NqDMhpcQ/s1600-h/Green+Monster.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329344268748516082" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 253px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fqCkToaPEl8/SfWiYFiE6vI/AAAAAAAAATQ/vE9NqDMhpcQ/s400/Green+Monster.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;">Andy Pettitte was doing just fine until the 5th when he came out and walked Jason Varitek. Now whether that was directed before he walked out, non one knows. However telling Pettitte to intentiallay put on Kevin Youkalis ranks as the dumbest move by Dave Eiland and Joe Girardi. Pettitte should have been allowed to pitch to Youkalis.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;">One characteristic of this weekend's massacre of the Yankees by the Red Sox's is the number of times Soxs were intentionally put on base. You never put a Red Sox on base intentionally. You pitch to them, no matter how dangerous.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;">My only consolation to this catastrophe is that the Indians and Red Soxs are going at each other in Cleveland, which could result in a few Red Soxs losses. The Yankees however have flown into Detroit.; where the Tigers have been mauling the competition and sit surprisingly in first place; playing 0.600 baseball and have a 4-1 record at home. The Yankees on the other hands are playing 0.500 baseball, and have a 5-9 road record.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;">One thing the records don't reflect is the Tigers are not playing anyone of real power. This is the time for the Yankees to turn it around, especially in Comerica Park which takes the long ball out of the game. The Yankees have to play basic baseball; hit, get on bases, steal when you can, and score in each inning. If they don't they will rapidly be sinking into the AL East cellar and hearing George roar.</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2110406053263763682.post-80408972740040393362009-04-26T20:33:00.002-04:002009-04-26T20:36:00.633-04:00No Pitching Plan<span style="font-family:verdana;">It took 3 games of Wang not being Wang for the Yankees to realize Wang was not ready. Chamberlain got yanked too early Friday night, resulting in Rivera being unavailable and the Yankees folding again to the Red Sox on Saturday evening.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Bruney and Wang are now in Tampa for medical tests, and no one has yet to fire Dave Eiland. I guess the new approach of the Yankees is not have a pitching plan and just let the cards fall where they may. Clearly there is no pitching plan; and whose fault is that….Dave Eiland.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">It’s the responsibility of the pitching coach to calm his pitcher when they are stressed or in a jam. Eiland allowed Chamberlain to come out and pitch in fear of hitting a Red Sox after Ortiz’s mouth off in the New York Post. He should have told Chamberlain to pay no mind and just go out and do his job.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Again on Friday he allowed Rivera to come in relief of Ramirez and finish the out, even though Marte was available which had catastrophic effects. A pitching change that will always be questioned and never be understood.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">On Saturday, after Burnett was done , pitchers were brought in for specialty out. No one was told to go long, and again, catastrophe.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Fast ball strike out pitchers are not pitching striker, specialists are not pitching to their specialty, and Dave Eiland still is part of the staff. Wake up Cashman, fire him before he continues to wreak the pitching staff.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">There is no reason with the talent on the pitching staff that the Yankees have, they should be in this pitching mess. What is unforgivable is that the pitching coach can’t sense trouble in his pitchers, and nothing is being done about it.</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">All hopes of Yankee fans turn tonight to Andy Pettitte. Andy is his own man, he won't need bad advice from Eiland. Hopefully Andy can stop the Boston bloodbath, because clearly Eiland can't</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2110406053263763682.post-82767814043042521382009-04-25T16:56:00.003-04:002009-04-25T17:06:00.178-04:00Pushing the Rivalry Over the Edge<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fqCkToaPEl8/SfN647PLnvI/AAAAAAAAATA/yy1_xSl9pUk/s1600-h/Joba.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328737902502059762" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 288px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fqCkToaPEl8/SfN647PLnvI/AAAAAAAAATA/yy1_xSl9pUk/s400/Joba.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:verdana;">David Ortiz’s comments in the New York Post on Friday were uncalled for and unneeded. The one thing they did seem to do is intimated Joba Chamberlain. Who pitched poorly. I am not sure whether Joba was afraid of starting a brawl of hitting a Red Sox, but instead of pitching inside he tossed at the corners, resulting in Red Soxs on base and a Yankee loss.<br /></span><div><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">It speaks poorly of Joba’s maturity, which has been questioned. Joba has exhibited bad judgment, speeding with an open container of alcohol in his car. His son remain in Nebraska with the boy’s mother’s while Joba Chamberlain, enjoys the single life with the Yankees. </span></div><br /><div><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Maturity often seems lacking among people under the age of 30. Many of that age , the “X” generation think life should be handed to them on a silver platter and they have a right to do what they want. Life is yours for the taking, but you have to earn what you get. Joba didn’t earn his pay Friday night when he backed off his pitching because Ortiz sais something in the press.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;">The Yankees have a plethora of injury issues, one of the more critical being what could be wrong with Chien-Ming Wang. Joba has no right to resign his pitching because he was afraid of David Ortiz. Fear does not make a great pitcher, unless the pitcher is inspiring the fear in the batter. Great pitcher are feared, Roger Clemens, Pedro Martinez, Mariano Rivera are just a few. Fear does not mean you need to be a a standoffish person, it just means that you need to take command of your talent. Joba has too much talent to pitch like a sissy, especially with Wang’s status unknown.</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2110406053263763682.post-9767389920703132942009-04-16T19:40:00.004-04:002009-04-16T19:57:25.520-04:00Note to Lonn - You Forgot Lou's Bat<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fqCkToaPEl8/SefFi3rrDwI/AAAAAAAAAS4/nTxhXLY71z8/s1600-h/123.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325442287242252034" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fqCkToaPEl8/SefFi3rrDwI/AAAAAAAAAS4/nTxhXLY71z8/s400/123.JPG" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-family:verdana;">I lot of pagan like rituals went on today before and during the game. Baseball players tend to be superstitious. The best was the presentation of Babe Ruth's bat at home plate before Jeter took the first Yankee swing in the 2009 regular season.</span> <div><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;">However among all of today's baseball blessing rituals, including the presence of the newly envested New York Archbishop, one key element was forgotten, Lou Gehrig's bat.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;">Lou's bat has sat a top the American flagpole at Yankee Stadium for an unknown amount of time. It no longer sits atop the pole but may have disappeared into the Yankee museum or Cooperstown. Anyway it is not where it should be. Maybe that explains the scalping the Yankees took today.</span></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span></div><br /><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;">Gehrig as much as Ruth was responsible for the success of the Yankees in the depression era. Not relocating his bat is breaking a Yankee tradition. They can try and conjure as many spirits as possible with their other superstitious rituals, but until Lou's bat goes back to it's place of honor, I think the Yankees will be visited by evil spirits.</span></div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#3366ff;"><strong>PS note to Joe G.: <em>Take CC off the pitch count that is one reason you lost today!</em></strong></span></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2110406053263763682.post-11660589091694688532009-04-16T09:42:00.008-04:002009-04-16T10:19:50.565-04:00Re-Grand Opening Day<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fqCkToaPEl8/Sec-VmfVVII/AAAAAAAAASo/9nBSTmZzuOk/s1600-h/2009Tickets.jpg"></a><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fqCkToaPEl8/Sec9NsOhg_I/AAAAAAAAASg/Yxhh4XPUd5w/s1600-h/2009+Home+Opener1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325292389808571378" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 209px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fqCkToaPEl8/Sec9NsOhg_I/AAAAAAAAASg/Yxhh4XPUd5w/s400/2009+Home+Opener1.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:verdana;">You can never have a second <strong>Grand Opening</strong>. Despite the pomp and polish the New York Yankees will put forth this afternoon, they lost the shine of Opening Day when they played a few pre-season games against the Chicago Cubs.</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Today when fans enter the stadium it will be previously used. Another faux pax by the Management of the New York Yankees. It will be like having a house warming after you lived in the house a few years. Call it what you want, but it is just going to be Opening Day for me.<br /></span><br /><div><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;">The Yankees are still having trouble selling ticket plans for the new digs. I still continue to get calls and emails from Greg and Dave in the ticket office, offering me plans that are overpriced. Obviously I am not the only sane rationale fan who believes in fair market value. I guess the weak economy is finally catching up with the New York Yankees.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;">The real trick today will be to establish whether <strong><em><span style="color:#ffcc00;">Magic</span></em> </strong>and <em><strong><span style="color:#33ffff;">Mystique</span></strong></em> have decided to cross the street. Unlike everything else in <span style="color:#3333ff;">Yankee Stadium</span> they couldn't be crated up and shipped over. They have to want to go. </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;">Playing the Cleveland Indians, is not a sure Opening Day win. The Indians have have best team in the Central, and the Yankees have not had such a difficult opponent in many years. The Opening day win streak surely is in danger this year. Tune in and find out if the Yankees can continue the streak or get scalped by the Indians.</span></div><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325292120092713634" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 62px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 163px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fqCkToaPEl8/Sec89_dQIqI/AAAAAAAAASY/nuvr3uriAuc/s400/2009+Home+Opener2.jpg" border="0" /></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2110406053263763682.post-83296234903168692842009-04-14T08:51:00.005-04:002009-04-14T09:04:04.589-04:00Wang Woes<span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;">Chien-Ming Wang was 1-2 in Spring Training games, and typically not a lot of stock is put in those numbers. However now down 0-2 with a 28.93 ERA, it is time to take a harder look. Is Wang still not recuperated from his leg injury or has he developed a new affliction, Eilanditis.</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;">While I am concerned that Wang is not healed. I am also concerned that Dave Eiland still does not qualify as a major league pitching coach and he remains in the NYY organization at the Major League level. When you fail in majors as a pitcher, you don't belong being brought back to coach pitching.</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;">The Yankees have a multifuctional pitching staff and a pitching coach who only knows how to toss tricks to get a player a to take a swing. Pitching on the corners is well suited for anyone but Mariano Rivera. At this point I would like to see Mo take the role of coach/player and take over the pitching staff, as he has been turning the youth movement and done wonders. Eiland has only harmed the club's talent.</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;">It been a season and 7 games, <span style="font-size:180%;color:#ff0000;"><strong>fire Eiland now</strong></span>!</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2110406053263763682.post-7144293043810829412009-04-07T08:40:00.007-04:002009-04-07T09:32:36.459-04:00CC Fizzles in the Yard & Tex Can't Cowboy UpThe Daily News and New York Post said it all this morning:<br /><p align="left"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fqCkToaPEl8/SdtUq0D9e3I/AAAAAAAAASI/uaG7VuEhh24/s1600-h/Opening+Day+2009NYPost.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321940479174867826" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 251px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 210px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fqCkToaPEl8/SdtUq0D9e3I/AAAAAAAAASI/uaG7VuEhh24/s400/Opening+Day+2009NYPost.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fqCkToaPEl8/SdtUqxlqtQI/AAAAAAAAASA/LIj8p4jTYbg/s1600-h/Opening+Day+2009NYDN.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321940478510937346" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 180px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fqCkToaPEl8/SdtUqxlqtQI/AAAAAAAAASA/LIj8p4jTYbg/s400/Opening+Day+2009NYDN.jpg" border="0" /></a> <div><span style="font-family:verdana;">Not everyone can come out a Yankee, it takes time for some to get over their stage fright. I am hoping this was stage fright for CC and Tex and not another set of Cashman duds.</span></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;">Hopefully being chided this morning will be the cure for C.C. Sabathia. Sabathia while a great arm is not someone who deals with negativity well. He will either react and improve or regress and be another Brian Cashman overpayment. Maybe a through psych exam should be given to these pitcher before contract negotiations begin. </span></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;">I quote the great rabbit psychologist, the eminent Bugs Bunny when I say: <span style="font-size:180%;color:#ff0000;">"<em>Snap out of it Sabathia</em>!"</span></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;">What happened yesterday was CC (6 runs, 5 walks, less than 4-1/3 innings pitched) throwing balls and not strikes and Jeremy Guthrie (3 runs, 3 walks, 3 strikeouts, and 6 innings pitched) proving he is a good pitcher stuck on a so-so team. </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;">As to that other overpaid import, Mark Teixeira, his onbase percentage was 0.200, his slugging percentage was 0.000 and his batting average was 0.000. He had a lot in common yesterday with Cody Ransom yesterday, however Cody Ransom is not an All Star and potential Hall of Fame player and Mark Teixeira is; also Ransom makes $455,100 this year while Tex is hauling in $22,000,000.</span></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;">So what we had yesterday was a <strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;">$45,000,000 loss</span></strong> and fans still can't get a good seat in the new stadium without mortgaging their house. Thanks a lot Brian, Lonn & Hal.</span></div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Personally I am hoping George saw the game and is mentally able to place a phone call to the duds and kick some Yankee pride into them. Losing to Baltimore on Day One is a hitter friendly park is not the way to start off. Then again the 1998 Yankees lost their first 20 and then went on to win 114 and the World Series. However this is not Torre's team and Joe Girardi doe not have Torre's coaching staff.</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2110406053263763682.post-72413551523832162532009-03-10T20:18:00.009-04:002009-03-10T20:48:52.086-04:00The American League West- Pitching 2009<span style="font-family:verdana;">The pitching in the American League West is in one word…………<strong><span style="color:#ff99ff;">Abysmal</span><span style="color:#ff0000;">!</span></strong> A train wreck is a prettier site. The 2007 Yankee pitching was a better group of dysfunctional talent. Yankee & Boston fans shouldn't waste time staying up when the teams go on the road to the West, road trips will be predictably successful.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">ERAs are high and pitching staffs consist of aging veterans with issues and youngsters with something to prove. Starters have lots of mileage and no one has a real closer. If I had to guess right now who would win the West, I couldn’t say. One thing for sure, the Wild Card is unlikely to come from the West this year. It will be a fight of the worst to win the Western Division.</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"><br /><br /><strong><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fqCkToaPEl8/SbcFvly3khI/AAAAAAAAARo/p-9VQjQj98s/s1600-h/Angels.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311720600664248850" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 110px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 110px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fqCkToaPEl8/SbcFvly3khI/AAAAAAAAARo/p-9VQjQj98s/s400/Angels.jpg" border="0" /></a>Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim:</strong><br />My parents said if you can’t say something nice, say something positive, Kelvim Rodriquez will make NY Mets fans ecstatic. As to Angels fans, gone are the good ole days.<br /><br />The Angels starters are aging. I hope for a glimmer of light in the minor league invitees, otherwise Angel games with AL East and Central times will just result in even higher ERAs. The brightest hope is Jose Arredondo who could be the up and coming closer.<br /><br />The winning potential of the starters is 0.757; relief is 0.616 and that makes for a potential winning percentage of 0.710 or 115 games. That would work fine if they confine play to the West, but they have to face the East and Central, making them a 92 game winner and the probable champ.<br /><br />If you live in LA, just root for the <span style="color:#ffcc00;">Lakers </span>or <span style="color:#33ccff;">Dodgers</span>.<br /><br /><strong><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fqCkToaPEl8/SbcFviIJAII/AAAAAAAAARg/QsijH9XsiVo/s1600-h/Oakland.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311720599679729794" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 110px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 110px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fqCkToaPEl8/SbcFviIJAII/AAAAAAAAARg/QsijH9XsiVo/s400/Oakland.jpg" border="0" /></a>Oakland Athletics:</strong><br />The Oakland Athletics consist of a lot of kids recently brought up from the minors. This team could end up with the best pitching. They have youth and leadership on t heir side. The pitching staff reminds me of the 1996 Yankees. Justin Duchscherer and Josh Devine have great potential and are the best starter and closer in the West, despite their youth.<br /><br />The winning potential of the starters is 0.443; relief is 0.601 and that makes for a potential winning percentage of 0.513 or 88 games.<br /><br /><br /><strong><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fqCkToaPEl8/SbcFvlXmI2I/AAAAAAAAARY/WdHYO9rixdw/s1600-h/Mariners.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311720600549860194" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 110px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 110px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fqCkToaPEl8/SbcFvlXmI2I/AAAAAAAAARY/WdHYO9rixdw/s400/Mariners.jpg" border="0" /></a>Seattle Mariners:</strong><br />The Mariners have a problem, they have plenty of starters, but no one can get out of the fifth. What makes that worse is they have some solid relief, but not enough to cap the gap and give the bullpen rest. They too will have to experiment with the youth o fill in the holes. I like Carlos Silva, I think he will be in Seattle a while.<br /><br />While the pitching is shaky, pitching instruction even shakier; Rick Adair has taken over from Mel Stottlemyre. Adair didn’t do much as a pitcher, he never made it out of the minors, and did less at Texas. There will be crying over baseball in Seattle this year.<br /><br />The winning potential of the starters is 0.323; relief is 0.327 and that makes for a potential winning percentage of 0.354 or 53 games.<br /><br /><br /><strong><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fqCkToaPEl8/SbcFv6EMU7I/AAAAAAAAARw/eAE7rHeuXWg/s1600-h/Rangers.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311720606105621426" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 110px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 110px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fqCkToaPEl8/SbcFv6EMU7I/AAAAAAAAARw/eAE7rHeuXWg/s400/Rangers.jpg" border="0" /></a>Texas Rangers:</strong><br />The worst pitching in the division! Texas will be a good place for Boston and Yankee road games. The cowboy in the white hat will be Mike Maddux. Maddux came to Texas this year with a proven track record. If anyone can rope in those ERAs it will be him. But he has his work cut out for him.<br /><br />The winning potential of the starters is 0.478; relief is 0.357 and that makes for a potential winning percentage of 0.424 or 69 games.<br /><br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#33ff33;">AL East Winner: Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (90 wins or better)</span></strong><br /><br /><br />Also rans: Oakland (85 wins or better), Texas (70 wins or better), Seattle (60 wins or better).<br /></span><span style="font-family:verdana;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311723564053235922" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 243px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fqCkToaPEl8/SbcIcFR3CNI/AAAAAAAAAR4/agXdASKiHuw/s400/AL+West.jpg" border="0" /></span> <span style="font-family:verdana;"><strong>Up next, offense.............</strong></span><br /></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1