More Bird Problems

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Chapter 10 in the A-Rod Saga

For those who came in late I will recap:

Chapter 1: A-Rod opens mouth and disses Derek Jeter, causing the first of many controversies.

Chapter 2: A-Rod comes to New York Yankees from the Texas Rangers, bringing his all about me personality into the team oriented New York Yankees clubhouse; the Yankees begin a down turn.

Chapter 3: A-Rod admits to frequenting poker clubs, reviving the Pete Rose question about gambling issues associated with sports players.

Chapter 4: Mrs. A-Rod appears at the stadium in a controversial T-Shirt, making the front pages of the Daily News and New York Post, all his money can't buy good fashion sense.

Chapter 5: A-Rod seen with mystery blond in Toronto during the Yankees stand against the Blue Jays.

Chapter 6: Mrs. A-Rod institutes divorce proceedings after A-Rod and Madonna are linked as having extramarital affairs with each other.

Chapter 7: Madonna dumps A-Rod and divorces husband Guy Richie.

Chapter 8: Joe Torre talks extensively about "the A-Rod problem" in his new book, confirming A-Rod's self centered selfish attitude.

Chapter 9: A-Rod admits to steroids, receives many invitations to discuss this from the United States Congress, the US Attorney regarding DEA Issues and Major League Baseball. A-Rod's defense: "My cousin made me do it."

Chapter 10: A-Rod develops hip cyst which could end his career, and so I begin:


Chapter 10: The Hip Cyst:

• Hip Cysts typically are sign of osteoarthritis. Not necessarily a true cysts, they are weakened areas in the bone plate; and a weakened hip joint is never a good thing, once you have pain, the damage is done.
  
• Oh by the way, Osteoarthritis is one of the indicators of intravenous drug abuse and a documented side effect of HGH abuse. By screwing around with the body's normal metabolism by taking pharmaceuticals not prescribed for your condition, bad stuff happens.
  
  Never mind not playing in the world baseball classic, something I want moved to November and not the middle of Spring Training; A-Rod has bigger issues. He could be looking at surgery to fix his hip. Quite easily depending on the size of the area, he has potential for permanent injury, ending his career. While I would like to see A-Rod and his story banished from the Yankees, you don't want a career ending injury to befall anyone.
  
  In the end he only brought it upon himself. Using illegal obtained, non prescribed, performance enhancing substance can cause health problems, just ask Jason Giambi. A-Rod could be looking at early retirement from baseball, a life with an artificial hip, walker or in a wheel chair.
  
  So here you go boys and girls, a lesson, never cheat, especially in sports, because:

Paybacks are a Bitch!

Is the New Yankee Stadium Cursed?

Lately, I am beginning to wonder what ghosts the Yankees may have disturbed by moving across the street. Unexplained incidents, scandals and unYankee like behavior have occurred since ground breaking including the following:

• Steinbrenner became semi-retired with rumors surrounding his health and weight loss.

• Bobby Murcer was diagnosed with brain cancer and subsequently passed away after a brave battle.

• The youth squad of pitching prodigies, Kennedy, and Hughes, along with staff ace Wang all succumbed to injuries that sent all to rehab and left the pitching in disarray.

• The Yankkes didn't even make the 2008 playoffs.

• The NY Attorney General and the US Attorney are investigating the financing and land appraisal for the new stadium.

• Leon Trost flipped the bird to the Yankee ticket licensees and relocated most to subpar seats so he can have plenty of expensive great view empty seats for his kind of people, rich.

• Jason Johnson, a pitcher with good potential acquired from the Red Soxs was diagnosed this past week with cancer of the retina, a career ending injury.

• And now of course in the latest saga of the A-Rod Steroid drama, Alex has been subpoenaed to testify before Congress and also before US Attorney regarding international trafficking in controlled dangerous substances. And of course A-Rod's admission means the drug dogs will be all over the Yankee charter for the next year. Maybe one of them will pee on Leon Trost's pants and luggage.

It makes you wonder if some Indian chief is buried in the Bronx or is it just a protest from the ghost of Yankee greats. Maybe Magic and Mystique don't want to move.

Anyway I am hoping the new Archbishop brings plenty of holy water to his first game, there seems to be something ominous lurking in the soil of the new digs.

A-Rod is a Goner

This morning on ESPN’s The Sports Reporters, there was more fallout on A-Rod from his latest set of lies. Clearly, the press has had enough of his excuses and of steroids. Old Time baseball writers like Mike Lupica and Bob Ryan have had enough. Clearly the Baseball Writers are rebelling, the drugs have to go and out with those who took them and their associated records.

The last element of integrity in baseball is with the baseball writers, those men and women who determine a player’s immortality in Cooperstown.

Clearly the writers are leaning to the right, only true immortals belong in the Hall of Fame. Bob Ryan went so far as to suggest a special wing for the steroid era players. However it appears the vast consensus is they don’t want to vote for any of them when they time comes. The writers are calling for action from Bud Selig. I think they will be waiting a long time.

If Selig does anything, like roll back the records books to Hank Aaron and Roger Maris, I will be amazed.

If Pete Rose won’t get into Cooperstown because of his gambling, then why allow all the steroid and HGH users into the Hall? At least this, Rose’s gambling only hurt him. It didn’t alter historical records or put Alex Rodriquez on par with Babe Ruth and Hank Aaron.

More so, the Baseball Writers seem to want A-Rod gone. The Yankees, the most respected team in baseball because of tradition and talent is stuck with him. The only way to get him out of NY is by permanent injury or paying his salary. He is however an ugly stain on the Yankees.

New York and Boston are the ultimate baseball towns. Fans in those cities may follow other sports, but baseball is special. To those fans, and maybe hat has spread elsewhere, baseball is religion. And the religion of baseball has sinned. The biggest public sinner is A-Rod, so naturally the deacons of the religion, the baseball writers want him exorcised.

Will the Yankees toss A-Rod, not unless he does not perform. As long as his offense holds up, he will stay in pinstripes. We are stuck with him until his contract runs out, or his body breaks down. But even if he lasts, the writers will not let him into Cooperstown. There minds are made up; no one will enter Cooperstown in pinstripes who has stained the Yankee legend and those Yankees who are already enshrined in Cooperstown.

As for Alex, I mailed him a roll of duct tape to apply to this mouth. Taping it shut is better than continuing to lie unconvincingly. He needs not to talk anymore. Anyway even if he does, not one will believe him. He’s like the boy who cried wolf. At least Aesop told a better fairy tale.

A-Rod, Disappointment, Cheat, Liar and Fraud

Yesterday on ESPN's "Sports Reporters", Michael Kay, Yankee broadcaster and Alex Rodriquez cheerleader admitted he was not shocked but disappointed to hear A-Rod had done steroids. The question remains is how that will alter, or will it alter Kay's perception of of A-Rod from this point on.

Disappointment is when you don't get your toy from Santa, when your parents cancel a planned outing. It is a an emotion generated from the loss of something we look forward to in life. Like it or not, personality and all, we all enjoyed watching A-Rod play. He has talent. Talent that will most likely be overlooked going forward in his baseball career. He will forever be tainted by steroids.

Personally I am neither shocked or disappointed. I blame A-Rods' agent, Scott Boras. An agent is supposed to bolster his client when he or she is insecure. A-Rod requires constant ego maintenance. An agent is supposed to furnish that to his client to keep him from stupid things, like steroids. A-Rod for all his natural talent is highly insecure. He is also image focused. Using steroids and thinking it would not come out is image suicide.

This morning, A-Rod used the lame excuse, I didn't do steroids. Later int he day he recanted, using the I dind't know defens. Alex, Alex, Alex, how stupid do you think people are? They got the records from the Baseball Player's Union. Lying about it intinally only made you look like an ass.

Was I surprised A-Rod went to denial? No, because once again it's his image. If he believes it, it won't be true. Well Alex you can deny it to yourself, but then their is the lab test that says you are a liar. Which would you rather be a fallen legend or an example of a liar and cheat? I personally would take the hit on my reputation for being stupid then for being a liar, then an idiot by admitting it and saying he didn't know. I will admit my mistakes. I have enough self-confidence in myself to admit my many faults; apparently Alex Rodriquez does not. He still believes the A-Rod fairy tale; and this fairy tell has an unhappy ending.

When Andy Pettitte got named in the Mitchell report, I was upset. However Andy came out and admitted to his nasty deed. It proves Andy is a mature person and can handle his own stupidity. When Roger Clemens was accused, he lied, of course, that didn't change my opinion of Roger either, watching him pitch for 20+ year,s you knew it was all about him. And unlike A-Rod, Roger will not be denied Cooperstown, he holds too many records, before he loaded up on the steroids to keep pitching. Alex on the other hand can probably kiss the Hall of Fame goodbye.

Had A-Rod fessed up today and been honest the first time, he might have got a pardon from the Baseball Writers. But Alex initially denied the truth, the truth that is plain in a printed lab report. Lying is something the Baseball Writers will not forget. Honesty and open dialog is the basis for their craft. Alex is not honest or open unless it benefits. Why then would they place him one day in the shrine of the immortals? Lying removes his reward for immortality. Had he gone with unknowingly stupid at first, he might have at least gotten an invite.

My parents always said, honestly is the best policy. In this day of tainted role models, what example does A-Rod's no, then maybe I didn't know defense teach our youth. It teaches them to lie, cheat and sneak to be successful. The fast track to disaster.

The biggest thing about this latest A-Rod Drama is the example it sets for those who want to be like him. And that is something we cannot allow. No matter how much talent, how much ability or success you attain, you should not be rewarded for attaining it unfairly.

As Kellogg's and USA Swimming stripped Michael Phelps of his rewards, the same should be done for all athletes who attain their success through cheating. Why it will not upset me if a talent like A-Rod is denied the Baseball Hall of Fame.

It is time to draw a line in the sand, the line of setting a good example. Those who cheated set bad examples, and bad examples requires punishment.

The moral of this tale, stupidity should never be rewarded and honesty is always the best policy.

The Smoking Steroid Gun

Much has come out of the Balco investigation by the DEA and US attorney. Now that discovery is over and trial time is near, the real evidence is available to the press, and they are like kids at Christmas, much to the dismay of to other than Messrs Barry Bonds and lawyers, the US Attorney and now Alex Rodriquez.


Hence a plethora of "shocking" steroid related stories.


Get real, anyone who believes A-Rod and Bonds weren't using roids prior to 2006 must have had vision impairment. Photos don't lie and at the end of 2002, A-Rod's face has the distinctive roids shape: round and pregnant looking. I don't think A-Rod was preggers. That would have been bigger news.


You would think that with A-Rod's money he could have done PEDs in the privacy of his home, much like Roger Clemens.

A-Rod in 2000 Oval Face, no rounding

A-Rod End of 2002 -Roid Use Rounded Face

A-Rod at NYY Announcement 2004, drug free oval face

To pass the NYY physical, A-Rod would have need to be roids free. Or dear old King George would have not signed on the dotted line.

I have no doubt that in the days and weeks to come their will be other shocking announcements. Even some unsuspected players, one not linked to Balco and the Mitchell Report.

As for Alex, his life is in the toilet, let the poor man alone. He's a multi-millionaire, deep in divorce proceedings, and living in the shadow of Derek Jeter and the 32 pages Joe Torre devoted to him in the "The Yankee Years" (By the way I have not gotten there yet, I cannot wait to get to Chapter 8., so far nothing new)

But one last dig, Alex, I would like to congratulate you on your induction into Club Asterisk *. Somehow I think Babe Ruth's record as the All-Time American League Home Leader will never be in jeapordy from you.

C.C. Sabathia Deal is not Penny Wise but Pound Foolish

Every few years the Yankees get stung in pitching. I predict that the rumored deal with C.C. Sabathia will sting worse then any before. To spend $160 million for a 7 year deal on Sabathia is pure stupidity. Yes he can pitch, but for how long?

Sabathia has a weight issue. He has talent, but the extra baggage around his middle will eventually wear on his talent and his body. I would not have made the deal. I would offered him 3 years at $15 million a year and NutriSystem.

When the Yankees made a "great deal" with Jason Giambi, it backfired on them. In the end, amid Jason, PHD issues, the Yankees got stuck with s mediocre player. No one would touch the contract to acquire Giambi. I see similar issues coming down the road for C.C, only not steroids, cardio meds for when his CHF kicks in from his weight issues.

The Winter Meetings this year are in Las Vegas. The Yankees are acting like they are already there. They are gambling big money on someone who does not value health.

There are many things I can say about the money given to Alex Rodriquez, Derek Jeter or Roger Clemens, but come their due, they were fit and looked like baseball players. C.C. looks like he should be doing a stint on ABC's "According to Jim" Come to think of it Jim Belushi looks to be in better shape than C.C. Sabathia.

Sabathia is too unfit to even be in the NFL.

Here we go again, can anyone say Kevin Brown.............................. Really Cash haven't you learned anything yet?

Roger Who?

Anyone who believes baseball players or any celebrity, athlete or any overly compensated person is a saint is also a believer of the tooth fairy. That said I still admire Clemens, for the same reason I can respect, Jeter, Pettitte, A-Rod, etc. They give back to the community, mainly to make a better life for the the future of this nation.

Hell if I was good looking and a 20 something I would sleep with Roger. That does not make him a leaper.

I am not the biggest A-Rod fan, and he has documented himself as a two-timer to the then pregnant Mrs. A-Rod. But despite that Alex has donated millions to the Boys/Girls Club of America, not to be memorialized, but because he is where he is in MLB because of that organization.

Alex recognizes what is important in molding the future of America to be good citizens.

I like Angela Jolie as a talented actress, as a persons she is misguided. She reaches out to Africa to adopt children and donate money, a chic Hollywood/celebrity fad. I don't' care, I hope the UN and WHO feed and cares for them all, but Angie baby there are thousands of children here in the US who need love and sustenance also. Start here. When you concur our children ,t hen go global. Be like Alex, Derek, Roger and all, Do for our children first set the example then you can help the billions.

My personal opinions about A-rod aside, he gives back here first. We have problem here, the baseball athletes give back to where they came form, the US, Central America, South America, Asia. Mo helps the the kids in Panama, Abreu in his native land, Posada in Puerto Rico with Bernie William, part of the reason I love baseball. Jeter provide to children through the US, first starting in Michigan, New York and New Jersey. But he message is clear. Help the kids be good citizens and you will improve society.

Hollywood goes and adopt children from foreign lands, it's chic. What have they down for the 4 year old child in Newark who has no one to love her or him? the child who's life is set to be a dud? Fix our problems with poverty and unwanted children who need loving homes first, then go and deal with another continent. Athletes aren't ignoring our unwanted unloved kids, but Hollywood is.

That is part of my love of baseball, even if they aren't saints, the players give back, back to the kids, help them achieve, aspire, be better. Roger could be a polygamist for all I care, he gives back. Judge him or A-Rod as you feel, but first account for all the good they have done with the money they have earned as super athletes. That goes a long way in my book.

Don't judge me wrong, the kids in Africa need help too, but start here, fix here first, then go global. The USA is the great bread basket tot he world, but we cannot ignore our own. Our basbeall players rarely do. My reason for if they sin greatly I can forgive. They give back to make better life.