How bout them Yankees!? (2008)

This is a continuation of How bout them Yankees!?...

...they still suck!

The sucking sound has begun to reach South Jersey. The biggest payroll. What a farce that is. Baseball players should get paid like golfers - current performance. If golfers don't earn, they go back to the minors (the Nationwide Tour, or the Hooters Tour, or whatever Tour) and have to qualify again. Giambi should go back to the minors.

You can tell how bad they suck by the way the Yankee fans don't post. But wait....
answer #1
It is early yet.
answer #2
Just wait till the fall...they will be there like every other year.
Answer #3
They still have more rings then Boston!
Answer #4
They need better pitching.These guys are so young.
Answer#5
If Joe Torre was here, we would be on top

and the best answer so far
Answer #6
The thong is in the cleaners!

....and A-Roid is coming back tonight (and I'm a Yankee fan)

(Hey, MC, Seg 3 of Best Ball is starting this week if you wanna join in)

Not if this rain keeps up. Let it rain now, as long as the weather's good on Friday night.

Baltimore - Top of 1st	SCORE
Mike Mussina pitching for New York	BAL	NYY
B Roberts walked.	0	0
M Mora grounded out to third, B Roberts to second.	0	0
N Markakis struck out swinging.	0	0
A Huff singled to right, B Roberts scored.	1	0
K Millar singled to center, A Huff to second.	1	0
L Scott safe at first on throwing error by shortstop D Jeter, A Huff to third, K Millar to second.	1	0
R Hernandez walked, A Huff scored, K Millar to third, L Scott to second.	2	0
A Jones doubled to deep right, K Millar, L Scott and R Hernandez scored.	5	0
F Bynum singled to right, A Jones scored, F Bynum to second advancing on throw.	6	0
F Bynum to third on wild pitch by M Mussina.	6	0
B Roberts tripled to left, F Bynum scored.	7	0
R Ohlendorf relieved M Mussina.	7	0
M Mora grounded out to third.	7	0
7 Runs, 5 Hits, 1 Errors

Check out the GOODFELLAS reference in today's Daily News Yankee article.

Yankees hit rock bottom

Well, so much for Alex Rodriguez’s return to the Yanks sparking success for the team. As Ray Liotta said in “GoodFellas,” this is the bad time.

Just when you think the Yankees can’t sink any lower, they do. It’s like when Dylan on “Beverly Hills, 90210” would hit rock bottom every week.

It was such an awful night, what with Mike Mussina stinking up the joint and Derek Jeter getting hurt, that I couldn’t even enjoy Tom Glavine spanking the Mets!

Things are so bad for the Bombers that even Hank Steinbrenner has been rendered speechless, and had the Yankee manager upset in the postgame:

“That’s as ugly as it’s been,” manager Joe Girardi said. “I’m hoping this is rock bottom.”

I had other plans last night, so I didn’t get to see most of the game. Thank goodness for small favors.

My brother teased me that I jinxed Mussina by praising him in yesterday’s Squawk. He also said that when you pin your hopes on Mussina, they’re going to be dashed. Sad but true. And all it took was an error in the infield for Moose to get distracted and fall apart.

On the bright side, I did like what LaTroy Hawkins did last night, in retaliation for Jeter getting knocked out of the game, and at least A-Rod looks like he’s healthy again. Oh, and it looks like Derek is going to be okay. But that’s about the only good things I can say about last night’s game.

What has happened to the Yankees?

From a UK pont of view,they and the Red Sox are the only team we ever hear about!

It's just their turn to be mediocre. It's the nature of baseball . . . of sports in general. But their run was mind boggling.

OMG!! It was a horror show! It was like one of those nightmares that you can't wake up from! And that was just the first inning!

That said, hope does spring eternal for Yankee fans. As FS correctly pointed out, they have been in last place in their division every year for the past 3 that I can remember (and maybe more), and yet they always pull it out in the end. Sigh. We'll just have to keep our fingers crossed.

Gee, Hank, I guess getting rid of Joe Torre wasn't the strategy you needed, was it??

A couple of things, Yogi. First, age is factoring in. Pettitte, Mussina, Posada, Abreu, Damon and Giambi are past their prime seasons, and don't have the talent to match their salaries. Jeter is still productive, but has lost a little something in the field perhaps, and his best seasons may have already been played.

The commitment to the young arms may work out okay, but Hughes and Kennedy haven't lived up to the hype that was poured on them. Rivera and Chamberlain have done well, but the team needs to be leading in the seventh inning to take advantage of them.

Also, the Yankees have not come close to the team chemistry that allowed them to win championships in the late 90s. The big name/big money players they reeled in with cash that only the Yankees were willing to pay, like Giambi, Mussina, Sheffield, Rodriguez and Damondidn't provide the cohesiveness that slightly less heralded players, like Brosius, Martinez, O'Neill and Williams, provided.

Finally, some of the other teams in the league improved. While it is not unusual for the Yankees to be 6 or 7 games out of first place this time of year, it is odd for them to be in last place on May 21. Reaching the top of the division when you're 7 games out is much harder to do when there are 4 teams in front of you than one.

I still expect the Yankees to contend for the division or play-offs. Four of fourteen teams advance and about 5 teams don't have a realistic chance. Their payroll alone should keep them above .500.

It's too bad that you are pretty much limited to Boston and New York as there are some very exciting and interesting teams in the league. But here too the national media focus on the Yankees and Red Sox, and to a lesser extent, the Mets. American sports coverage in general has adefinite east coast bias, and the Yankees and Sox tend to be the biggest draw.

Would someone bring me up to speed on that one?

Jason Giambi wore a thong to help get him out of his hitting slump

Joba begins process of joining rotation

NEW YORK -- The process for Joba Chamberlain's transition to the rotation officially began on Wednesday, but the seeds were actually planted eight months ago, two decks above the playing field at Yankee Stadium.

It was then that Yankees general manager Brian Cashman leaned over to his companion for two days, the suspended right-handed reliever, and asked a question that would soon fuel countless Big Apple bar debates: "What do you think of this bullpen thing? What do you like better?"

With 35 pitches over two scoreless innings facing the Orioles, the clock officially began on Chamberlain's metamorphosis into a big league starter, with a schedule of appearances to follow in helping get the right-hander to the proper endurance level.

"This is the timetable that we had set," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. "It's going to take him a while to get to where he can give you 100 pitches, but this is what we had planned all along. It's our plan that we talked about over the winter and in Spring Training, and you saw the first of it tonight."

It wasn't that Chamberlain didn't relish his role as a dominant flame-thrower and game-shortener, trotting out of the bullpen and setting up for closer Mariano Rivera. If it was best for the team, Chamberlain told Cashman, he'd stay right there.

But the Yankees believe Chamberlain can and will be more than that, a valued piece of their starting rotation for years to come and perhaps their answer to the Josh Beckett-type ace the Red Sox wield. Chamberlain welcomed the challenge.

"We've seen what he's done in a short period of time as a starter at the Minor League level," Cashman said. "We see the ability that he has with the four pitches, and we want to test the theory. We need to find out, and it takes time. It's certainly going to take opportunity."

The Yankees had preset the general area of the second week of May as a time to explore a move for Chamberlain, who is 1-2 with a 2.66 ERA in 18 appearances for the Yankees, walking nine and striking out 25 around 14 hits over 20 1/3 innings.

Chamberlain will still continue to see duty in the late innings, but now it may come at different times. For example, when his pitch count bumps to 50, he could pitch innings six through eight; right now, he could pitch the seventh and eighth or, as he did Wednesday, the eighth and ninth.

"I explained to him that I believe he can be a very successful performer in the rotation, and I know he can be a very successful performer in the bullpen. It was time, really, to make him a part of that process. I needed him to tell me what was in his heart."
-- Brian Cashman

"I don't want to be specific in how or what we're trying to do," Cashman said. "I know this is New York and you don't hide anything very well on any issue. We're going to stretch him out and start preparing him, and we're going to do that at the same time as our schedule's coming up against us every day."

Though much of his big league success has come on the strength of two pitches -- a high-90s fastball and a biting slider -- Chamberlain exposed a little more of his repertoire in his second inning on Wednesday.

He started Aubrey Huff off with two changeups to open the ninth and also tossed a pair of offspeed offerings to the third batter in the inning, Luke Scott. His three strikeouts came on sliders and fastballs, though.

"It's not going to be a different Joba," Chamberlain said. "It's not like I'm transforming into a different person. The stuff in the eighth inning, you're going to see that from the first inning on. You're going to see a few more changeups, a few more curveballs and a few more two-seamers. That's about it."

The Yankees' reaction was one of anticipation. Third baseman Alex Rodriguez, who homered for a second consecutive game on Wednesday, said he was "very excited" by the decision to move Chamberlain.

"We all know how valuable and important starting pitching is, and Joba has great talent. I love it," Rodriguez said.

Chamberlain was informed of the plan by Cashman before the Yankees' game on Tuesday against Baltimore, pulled into the trainer's room out of earshot of the media, just a few yards away from his clubhouse locker.

"I explained to him that I believe he can be a very successful performer in the rotation, and I know he can be a very successful performer in the bullpen," Cashman said. "It was time, really, to make him a part of that process. I needed him to tell me what was in his heart."

The answer, Cashman learned, was that Chamberlain not only wanted an opportunity to start, but he was ready for it to happen now.

Girardi was then called in to confirm that all parties were on the same page, though word of the decision was not leaked until after Chamberlain's appearance on Wednesday.

"I'm excited about the opportunity, but first and foremost, we've got to win ballgames from here on out," Chamberlain said. "Tomorrow starts another day of getting my legs and getting back on the mound to see what happens."

The most Girardi would reveal of the plans is that Chamberlain would not pitch on Thursday against the Orioles. Chamberlain will stay with the Yankees for the immediate future and stretch out at the Major League level.

Though the club has not ruled out a Minor League assignment at some point, Chamberlain said he'd like to feel his way out in the big leagues.

"There's no better place to be than here to learn and to take your licks and to get better," Chamberlain said. "The plan is set to be that way and I'm going to continue to mix things in when I have the opportunity, and understand that I still have to go out and do my job."

Chamberlain's anticipated move to the rotation has become even more of a mysterious topic in recent weeks. Girardi may have thrown a misdirection to the press over the weekend when he hinted that Chamberlain might not even start at all in '08, setting off a hubbub.

Cashman -- caught off guard by a media horde on the field during batting practice -- downplayed those comments, saying that the Yankees continued to have a plan for Chamberlain and that it had not been altered.

The major concern of Chamberlain's development were his innings, having thrown just 88 1/3 Minor League innings last season before tossing an additional 27 2/3 -- including playoffs -- in the big leagues.

"Our plan all along has been to make him a starter," Girardi said. "There were some limitations on innings, because really he's pitched one year of professional baseball. You can't jump guys up too quickly, because it can lead to injury or it can lead to a second year where they struggle. It's what we've talked about all along internally."

Cashman said that team ownership had no part in pushing Chamberlain's plan into action, and also said that the Yankees' recent struggles -- 21-25, last in the American League East -- did not affect the timetable.

Earlier Wednesday in a telephone interview with MLB.com, Yankees co-chairman Hank Steinbrenner again pushed for Chamberlain's entry to the starting rotation.

"What I've learned over 35 years of all of this from baseball people is that you can talk all you want about bullpens, but starting pitching is what gets it done," Steinbrenner said. "If you have two great relievers in the bullpen, it doesn't do us any good."

Steinbrenner also later dropped a hint, saying, "If he can stretch out while he's in the bullpen, that's great. Would I like to see him as a starter right now? Yeah, but that's not what's happening. He just doesn't have the innings that [Phil] Hughes and [Ian] Kennedy have or had."

Soon, if the Yankees' plan proceeds as expected, Chamberlain will be able to boast that same stamina late into games. As he continues that process, Chamberlain said he expects to lean upon the Yankees' veteran starters like Andy Pettitte and Mike Mussina for helpful tidbits of advice, the same way he soaked up offerings from Rivera during their bullpen downtime.

"I'm going to be able to learn from these guys that have been there," Chamberlain said. "I've never done it, but all of these other guys have. I'm going to continue to lean on them, and I'm also in the bullpen. I need to make sure I get outs in the role I'm in."

Source: Yankees

ARod was cheated out of a home run in last night's game. He hit a ball that cleared the wall but due to a bad umpire call it was not creditted as a homer.

This is a sign of how things are going for them this year (even though they won handily last night).

I'd be willing to bet that in the next couple of years we will see instant replay used to review homerun calls in baseball. I only hope that it is not used to review safe/out calls on the bases.

My brother-in-law is taking my sons to the Yankee/Oriole game on Memorial Day. I may tag along.

Delgado's fair/foul pole home run the other night was the worst non-home run call I've ever seen.

Replay on home runs is essential.

Yes, when seen 42 times on replay from 16 angles of 10 cameras and the scuff marks on the ball and pole AND not to mention Joe Morgan's incessant ranting.

I would venture to guess that in live action that homerun call was very difficult for an umpire. Visually there are many objects and colors in the corner, not to mention angles. If the umpire saw the ball veer off to the foul side of the pole, he probably did not see it strike the top of the wall and the pole. He was following the flight of the ball and it clearly went into foul territory. I didn't see the A-Rod non-HR, but I would agree that replays should be used for a limited number of situations and homeruns are one. Luckily for the Mets they didn't lose by a run or two.

Hey! The Yankees won two in a row! And Cano actually was responsible for tonight's win! Has his bat FINALLY woken up??

Not only that but Ian Kennedy actually had a decent start

That's because I dropped him from my fantasy team.

Thank you. Going to the game tonight, and can't wait!

Enjoy the game tonight, SB, although the Yankees plan to sit Jeter tonight to give him a rest.

(Just kidding)

You're killing me, Klyd!! You're killing me!!

It's my daughter's birthday (18!) and we were going to take her out to dinner and to the game. Now I hear that parking is so bad there because of the construction, that you have to get to the game two hours early. Happy Birthday! Here's a hot dog!

Happy Sweet 18 to Miss Junior Babe. How's mama Babe doing now that she has an 18 year old?

I've usually parked in the big garage next to the stadium. The only problem is that you sometimes have to wait forever to get out. I can only imagine what it's like to get there now.

I didn't find that to be the case when I went there a couple of weeks ago. I arrived only an hour early and we had no problem finding a parking spot in the parking garage by the Stadium (it just cost an arm and a leg at $17).

Oh, just park in Woodlawn and jump on the 4 train. I think suburbia is spoiling you, Miss Babe.

No shit!

She's very excited about her birthday and is donning her Jeter shirt and Yankees hat as we speak.

And Mama feels OLD, Beth, that's how she feels.

Did she graduate yet? That day will really hit you. Nicole had a large class, and she was the next to last person to get her diploma. And they didnt' even do it alphabetically.

Happy 18th birthday to your daughter. I'm sure you're all going to have fun. i hope you catch a foul ball.

SB, give your daughter my happy birthday wishes!! Hope she has a very special day and that you guys have a blast at the game!

My brother in law gets a lot of tickets for all Orioles games through church because he's a deacon. He just tole me to ask Nicole if she wants go to to the August 23rd Yankee game. I wonder what her answer will be. I think he said he gets about 30 tickets. Their nosebleed seats, but hell for free that's good.

Looking at the score I think it's safe to say The Babe family had an awesome time at the game tonight.

Remember that line from the movie Gung Ho?:

"They look like the Yankees. I hate 'em already."

WOW! What a great game! That 5th inning was unbelievable. We had a terrific time, plus it was hat day! However, because Budweiser sponsored the hats, they wouldn't give them to the girls. You had to be 21 to get a hat!!

Our seats were field level by the right field foul pole. It felt like we were so close to Bobby Abreu that we could've counted the stripes in his uniform.

We had a terrific time! Thanks for all the good wishes. Beth, her graduation is not until the 29th, but she's having a combination 18th birthday/graduation party on the 14th. We've been referring to it as The Coronation, because she's making such a huge deal out of it.

It was really a great time all around.

Will it include a 3 tier cake with fountain?

That's only for Sweet Sixteen, silly!

I still have to get you a picture of that damned cake! My former nanny gets the cakes, and they are unbelievable. This year, when my younger daughter made her confirmation, the cake was in the shape of a giant bible.

How did you handle the graduation, mom?

Sorry, June 29th. However, The Coronation is only two weeks away!!!!

June 29th? Man, that's late. Graduations here are all in end of May, or 1st week of June at the latest, so I assumed.

I know, what happens when you "assume".

I'll leave you to your work, Madam hostess. Coronations take a lot of work.

Well Joba's gonna make his first start on Tuesday:

Joba's first start to come Tuesday

MINNEAPOLIS -- Joba Chamberlain is set to join the Yankees' rotation on Tuesday, starting against the Blue Jays at Yankee Stadium and completing his transition from the club's bullpen.

Yankees manager Joe Girardi officially announced the move on Friday prior to the team's game against the Twins in Minnesota. Chamberlain will be permitted to throw 65 to 70 pitches in the outing, his first professional start since he was converted into a dominant setup reliever and promoted to the Major Leagues last season.

"I'm excited just for the opportunity to continue to help the team win ballgames," Chamberlain said. "It's been fun continuing to extend and get lengthened out. I'm excited for the opportunity. It feels like it started about forever ago, but it came about real quick. I know I've got to continue to get better and keep getting stronger in my legs and keep throwing good bullpens."

Girardi said the Yankees set their rotation to allow Andy Pettitte to pitch on regular rest on Monday at Minnesota, setting Chamberlain up for Tuesday's start. Chamberlain is now considered a member of the five-man rotation and, in each outing, Chamberlain will add 10 to 15 pitches until he reaches the neighborhood of around 100 pitches.

"After a lot of consideration, we just thought Tuesday was best," Girardi said. "It's the way our rotation kind of shakes out."

Chamberlain is 1-2 with a 2.28 ERA in 20 relief appearances for the Yankees this season. In 23 2/3 innings, he has allowed 16 hits and six earned runs while walking 11 and striking out 30. In his last outing on Thursday, Chamberlain struck out three in 1 1/3 innings of relief at Baltimore, earning a hold in New York's 4-2 victory over the Orioles.

Source: Yankees

Thank God for the unlimited Bloody Marys and Mimosas being served. I'm going to need them.

Hey, the Yankees won tonight! I see a pattern emerging - I don't watch the game and they win.

It's WAY too soon for Jaba to be starting... this is ridiculous! F Hank and the horse he rode in on! When he ruins Jaba's career -- which he will -- then as a true Steinbrenner he'll blame someone else, right? Girardi somehow, I'm sure. This is so not right that we have to now rely on FarnsworthLESS in the 8th???? Hank fucked the team. And luckily for him, he can't get fired.

(I hope I'm wrong of course! )

I think you just answered your own queston.

Here is my question....who's worse off at the moment, Mets or Yanks?

No difference right now... they both suck. ...but Yanks at least have infinite potential if they can get healthy...

Yeah, I think I agree with you as well.

Can we please have somebody ELSE in their but Farnsworthless? If this is a sign of things to come now that Joba's in the rotation

Um, yes.

Moving Chamberlain to the starting rotation may cause two problems. First, the only thing the Yankees have done consistently well this season is close out games when leading in the 6th or 7th. That may be compromised without their top set up guy. Secondly, there is a possibility that Chamberlain may not get to or through the 6th or 7th innings consistently, which will increase reliance on middle relief, which isn't a strength of this team.

Chamberlain may have a good outing, but the test will be how he handles the rigors of throwing 90-100 pitches every fifth day throughout the summer. Time will tell.

By the way, this may be time for the Yankees to gain ground on Boston as the Sox are without Matsuzaka and Ortiz for a while. Problem is that TB and Toronto may stay in the race longer than they have in the past.

I was listening to a sports talk show yesterday on the way home from work. The Cleveland host was talking to some NY reporter about a trade rumor involving Cleveland and the Yanks. Here is the rumor: Indians trade C.C. Sabathia, Franklin Guitierrez and Astrubal Cabrera for Cano, Melky Cabrera, and Phil Hughes. We'll see if there ends up being any truth to it.

WTF? Cano AND Cabrera? Although their contribution to the team this season hasn't been spectacular, they contributed a youth and energy that I think helped turn the team around last year. We could've done this trade for Santana, and they didn't want to. Why would they want to now??

The Yankees are looking hard at Brian Fuentes, the Colorado reliever, to take the set up role. With the Rockies floundering this season, they are expected to move players, and Fuentes has sparked interest from a few teams. He will be likely traded before the deadline.

By the way, the Rockies may also put Matt Holliday and Garrett Atkins on the block.

I agree with SB. If they didn't trade Melky or Phil for Johan Santana (who IMO is a better pitcher than C.C.) then I don't see them trading for C.C. Plus, C.C.'s a free agent at the end of the year, so why trade for him now when they could keep their players and just sign him (New York can outbid Cleveland).

Now I did read about this yesterday and this is more realistic. I just wonder what they'll have to give up for Brian?

WHO CARES??? GO RAYS!!!!

Hey, I'm just sharing - I never said the trade would happen. I will say that I guarantee that C.C. will not sign in NY this offseason, so do not plan on him being a free agent acquisition. He hates the city and the media pressure. Sabathia is going west, probably to SF, the Dodgers, or Anaheim. But the idea of renting him is nothing that Steinbrenner has not done in the past, so it could happen.

I couldn't imagine that any of the Steinbrenner's would be content to just sit back without trying to improve before the trading deadline. NY was utterly foolish for not pulling the trigger to give up the players you mentioned for Santana, who is one of the best pitchers in MLB. Santana is better than any starting pitcher they have had on their roster in the past 10 years.

I think those "renting" days of the Yankees are over with this new management and with Cashman's new approach which I don't disagree with at all. This season will be a lose. I realize that. But when Hughes, Joba, and possibly Kennedy come around they could finally have a triple-threat in the rotation the likes of the 90's Braves (Smoltz, Maddox, Glavine) or early 2000's A's (Zito, Moulder, Hudson). So I'd rather hang onto those guys and see them develop and help us win for the next decade then get a quick fix to get us through just this season.

As for Santana, only time will tell with this trade but looking back, I'm glad the Yankees didn't trade for him. First there's the money AND prospects issue. Not only would the Yankees have had to trade about 3 or 4 players but they also would have had to make a $120+ 7-year commitment to this guy. Granted the Yankees can afford it but they could also use that money this offseason on other players rather than just sinking into one guy who goes out every 5 days. Also, Santana is no spring chicken. He's 29-years-old right now and by the time his contract expires he'll be 36. I believe his prime is already past and so do others as his velocity has been down since moving to New York. I think Minnesota overworked him and now unfortunately for the Mets, they could have a broken down pitcher (see Pedro Martinez). However, after the Mets historic collapse last season, they HAD to do something and on paper the Santana trade looked great for them and a number of people (including myself) picked them to represent the NL in the World Series. So far it hasn't worked out for them but it is still early and they have plenty of time to turn it around. And one more piece of fact, Phil Hughes is only 21-years of age. He hasn't even begun to reach his potential so I believe the Yankees did right by hanging onto him.

I admire your optimism, but Smoltz, Glavine and Maddux are first ballot hall of famers. So far with Hughes, Kennedy and Chamberlain you have a guy, who hasn't been healthy, a guy, who hasn't shown anything in the big leagues, and a guy, who is going to start his first game tonight. I think all three will have major league careers, but wouldn't them in the claass of the three Braves. They still have some proving to do.

I actually think the Yankees should have made the deal for Santana. Pitchers of his caliber are rare and he's still young and in good shape. He can be the anchor of a staff for years. I was disappointed the Mets got him. He's 7-3 and is keeping the Mets in the race.

I think believing that Santana, at 29 years of age, has already peaked is wishful thinking. There is not one MLB team that would not be better by having Santana on its roster. He will be a force, barring injury (which can be said about any player), for the next 5-7 years. Granted we know he cheated, but some of Clemens' best days were in his mid-to-upper 30s. Age, particularly in baseball, is much less a factor than in football or basketball. Baseball players primes tend to be about 27-34 and can still be very good as an older player (see Schilling, Clemens, Smoltz, et al).

The three pitchers you mentioned being the cornerstones of NY's rotation is debatable. Let's see them do what Maddux, Glavine & Smoltz did for 2-3 years consistently before making that comparison. Not only were Atlanta's big 3 kicking ass in the regular season, they gained tons of playoff experience every year early in their careers. The Yankees guys are blue chip prospects, but the jury is still out whether they'll be big time starters.

I cant wait to see Joba pitch tonight. My prediction 8 innings no runs.

I won't get to see the game. Unfortunately ESPN aired last night's game and not tonights! And Joba's on a 65-70 pitch count so I predict 5 no more than 6 innigs.

Well, you weren't even close.

None of us were close but it was his first start. He can only get better from here

Perhaps, but how can they survive in the meantime? Ramirez, Hawkins? They were a disaster! Yes, they still have Mo, but without anyone to get them to the 9th, what good is it?

The Yanks are doing some promotion now, and they're selling a video collection of their best ballplayers by position. I haven't heard who the official winners are but I'd like to weigh in with my 2¢:

1b - Lou Gehrig. A no-brainer.
2b - Tony Lazzeri. Bobby Richardson crossed my mind but I give the nod to Lazzeri based on his overall performance.
SS - Derek Jeter beats out Phil Rizzuto.
3b - ARod. He doesn't have the total years of Graig Nettles but based on his short term (with awesome numbers) Rodriquez wins out.
RF - Babe Ruth. The game's number one player.
CF - Joe DiMaggio. My toughest pick; Mantle had better numbers overall, but Joe D's stats were more intense (judged by the years he played).
LF - Dave Winfield. Another tough pick, Big Dave gets my nod over Bob Meusel.
C - Yogi Berra. Yogi wins out over Bill Dickey and Thurman Munson by virtue of his hitting prowess. He won three MVP's!
SP - Whitey Ford. Clemens was considered, but I think Ford was a true Yankee, and most of Clemens' greatest years were with other teams.
RP - Mariano Rivera.

Tough picks.

Comments?

I'd make a fantasy team outta them!

...but I hope Cockcroft wouldn't so I'd have a chance...

Could you imagine a 3-4-5 lineup of Ruth, Gehrig and DiMaggio???

I do... after every inning that Farnsworth(less) pitches...

Jeter? Who is he??

I missed the game last night. Could someone please explain to me how the hell they lost to Kansas City????

Simple. KC scored twice; the Yanks only once.

Thank you, SC, for explaining that very complex concept. Freaking Kansas City!!!

Anybody watch the game? Did they see Mr. Babe catch a foul ball? I was at my niece's stupid baby shower and totally missed it, but he sent me a text message that he caught a foul ball!

And what a game it was! Really exciting to the end.

He didn't have to go to the hospital for stitches, did he??

No, but his hand still hurts like hell. I thought of you immediately when he sent me that text message! I can't believe I missed seeing him on TV!! It was Guillen's ball, the foul he hit right before the Grand Slam.

They'll be showing the game again at 7:00 on YES.

And we're going out for dinner tonight! Damn!!!! Oh, wait, I have a DVR. Damn! My daughter's not home to show me how to use it!!!

Mr. Babe caught a foul ball? How cool. I didn't watch it, but they showed highlights on the Red Sox game. What a different game from last night.

You can't work a DVR? Heck, I still can't program a VCR. If I want to tape something it's because I'm watching it an only have to push the record button.

It was destined for me to see that foul ball. I went out to the store for a few minutes and just as I got back home Guillen hit the foul ball (it was quite a rip into the stands). The camera followed the ball into the stands but it didn't stay on the crowd long enough for me to make out Mr. Babe.

Mr. Babe managed the DVR. We had to advance frame by frame in order to see him. Every other foul ball, they show the person who caught it.

That figures, right?? It's like every time I streak across the outfield, they NEVER show it on TV!!

I guess they figure they see enough balls.

Silly Beth! You can never see too many!

Anyone see Wang get hurt today?? We were listening to the game in the back yard today. The last I heard was that it was a sprain, but they'll know more after his MRI tomorrow. If he's out for an extended period of time, that's going to REALLY suck.

Did the Yanks win?

The game was on and I saw him being helped off the field. He was able to put weight on the ankle. I haven't heard anything, but it didn't look like a serious injury.

Yup, they swept the Astros

They did win, Mig, but at what cost? If Wang is out for any extended period, that will really hurt them.

Klyd, on the news they are now referring to it as either a sprain or strain, whatever that means.

I heard on ESPN Radio this morning that he can be out for an extended period. I guess the tests today will determine the severity of the injury. The Yankees need him in the rotation.

That may be the greatest understatement of the year.

I read in the paper that he heard a "pop" when it happened, which is not a good sign.

Wang will miss at least 6 weeks with a partially torn tendon and sprained foot. So much for my amateur diagnosis that it didn't appear serious.

It's a tough break and I imagine the Yankees will try to secure a veteran starter soon.

I'm hearing they made trade for C.C. Sabathia since he'll be a free agent at the end of the year and all predictions are that he's not going to resign with Cleveland.

6 weeks, 42 days, divided by 5 days between starts....maybe 8 starts....maybe 6 wins. With Boston cruisin' and the Baltimore Urinals and Toronto Blue Balls playing tough.....the bats will have to carry them.

This is saying Wang will be out until September:

Yanks ace shelved until September

NEW YORK (AP) -- Yankees ace Chien-Ming Wang is expected to be sidelined until at least September after injuring his foot running the bases, prompting club co-chairman Hank Steinbrenner to chastise the National League for playing without a designated hitter.

An examination in New York on Monday showed Wang partially tore a tendon and sprained his right foot Sunday during the Yankees' 13-0 interleague win at Houston. He will be on crutches and wear a protective boot for a minimum of six weeks, the latest blow to the team's banged-up pitching staff.

"My only message is simple. The National League needs to join the 21st century," Steinbrenner said in Tampa, Fla. "They need to grow up and join the 21st century.

"Am I mad about it? Yes," Steinbrenner added. "I've got my pitchers running the bases, and one of them gets hurt. He's going to be out. I don't like that, and it's about time they address it. That was a rule from the 1800s."

Making a rare appearance on the bases at an NL park, Wang pulled up rounding third and hobbled home on Derek Jeter's single. Wang doubled over after scoring, pointed toward his right foot and was helped off the field.

"This is always a concern of American League teams when their pitchers have to run the bases and they're not used to doing it," Steinbrenner said. "It's not just us. It's everybody. It probably should be a concern for National League owners, general managers and managers when their pitchers run the bases. Pitchers have enough to do without having to do that."

Wang is 8-2 with a 4.07 ERA in 15 starts after winning 19 games each of the last two seasons. The right-hander will join injured Yankees starters Phil Hughes and Ian Kennedy on the disabled list.

New York reliever Brian Bruney has a similar injury to Wang's and it is uncertain when he will return.

Steinbrenner said for now, the Yankees probably will have to look within the organization to find a replacement in the rotation for Wang. Right-hander Dan Giese is one possibility.

Several attractive pitchers, including Cleveland ace C.C. Sabathia, could become available as the July 31 trade deadlines approaches.

The Yankees were off Monday and start a series Tuesday night at home against San Diego. Their win in Houston kept them six games behind first-place Boston in the AL East.

The sinkerballing Wang has been the most consistent Yankees starter over the last couple of years.

Mike Mussina and Andy Pettitte remain in the rotation, and Joba Chamberlain recently was converted from relieving to starting. Right-hander Darrell Rasner has been in a slump lately.

Wang was well on his way to helping the Yankees finish a three-game sweep in Houston when he was hurt. He'd pitched five strong innings, and scored during an eight-run burst in the sixth that put New York ahead 11-0.

Wang is 5-0 in seven road starts this season.

"It's a manager's worst nightmare when a pitcher's on a basepath," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said after Sunday's victory. "It's unfortunate."

After the game, Mussina summed up the problem that AL pitchers sometimes face at NL parks.

"We don't hit, we don't run the bases," Mussina said. "You get four or five at-bats a year at most, and if you happen to get on base once or twice, you never know. We run in straight lines most of the time. Turning corners, you just don't do that."

Source: Yankees

These quotes are hilarious. A manager's worst nightmare? I could think of scarier things than getting on base. How about not getting on base. I'm actually hard pressed to remember the last time a pitcher became disabled fron running the base path.

And Mussina's comments are ridiculous. Many of these pitchers earn millions of dollars, and are professional athletes. Yet they are only able to run in straight lines? They can't turn corners.

Wang's injury was a freak occurrence. He was jogging home. I think the comments, especially those of Hank, who chastised the entire National League for the injury, are misplaced.

Gee, a Steinbrenner making misplaced comments??? SHOCKING!!!

Since MLB might be going to the replay, maybe they should consider some rule changes for pitchers, like....when pitchers have to run to a base, or bases, they are not required to actually touch the base. Their foot must touch within 8" of the base on the inside. This will be similar to the "phantom tag" that umps award infielder.

They must not have asked SB...

PLAYER POLL: JETER OVERRATED

By BRIAN LEWIS
New York YankeesNew York Yankees player Derek Jeter

June 20, 2008 --

Derek Jeter was voted the most overrated player in baseball in a Sports Illustrated poll of over 495 major leaguers. Not surprisingly, both the Yankees captain and his manager could not care less.

"I ain't talking about that," Jeter said after helping lead his Bombers to a 2-1 victory over the Padres, the seventh straight for the Yankees. "I ain't talking about it. You guys can have fun with it."

In the survey to be released in the June 23 issue, the Yankee shortstop got 10 percent of the vote. Teammate Alex Rodriguez was tied with Boston outfielder J.D. Drew for third with 7 percent.

But in a clear case of opinions-are-like-you-know-what, when Sports Illustrated did a survey of "Whom would you pick to build your team around" just a week earlier, Rodriguez finished first and Jeter second. Make up your minds, fellas.

"I don't really have a comment about it. I love our guys, and I'll keep them," Joe Girardi said, with a smirk that barely hid his contempt for the topic. "I'm not going to comment on it. I worry about beating the Cincinnati Reds (tonight), not what's in the papers."

The players can't claim Jeter isn't a winner, with the highest winning percentage of any active player. And yesterday the Bombers captain helped keep his team on a roll, going 2-for-3 with a walk, a stolen base and a run scored.

With the game tied 1-1 in the sixth inning, Jeter worked a full-count against starter Josh Banks and eventually singled to left-center. Then he swiped second, his fifth steal of the year, and took third on Bobby Abreu's groundout. He scored on Rodriguez' clean single to left, and it turned out to be the game-winner.

Jeter has hit safely in 16 of 18 games this month and is batting .276 with 38 runs scored. His .600 winning percentage (1,140-759-2) is the best among all players (min. 1,000 games) according to Elias Sports Bureau.

I heard this story too and immediately thought of SB. I didn't have the heart to post it.

I'm not surprised that Jeter and ARod made both lists. It was just a different 10% that voted. They are two players, for whom there is no middle ground of opinion. Kind of like the Yankees, Red Sox, Dallas Cowboys and Notre Dame. They evoke the most passionate responses whether you're for them or against them.

Most ridiculous poll ever. Derek Jeter gives 200% in every, single game he plays. The nicknames Captain Clutch and Mr. November weren't plucked from thin air. He will go down in history as one of the greatest players ever, so if that's overrated, then I must not understand the meaning of the word. Besides, they're all just jealous.

(cough) BULLSHIT (cough)

OK, STOP THAT!! This is my Jeter you're talking about!! Did you see me making fun of a certain pitcher from Boston who may or may not have squirted ketchup on his sock in order to relive the ending of The Natural?? Puh-leeze.

All just jealous....

C'mon, SB... get serious. One of the greatest ever???

Put your hormones in check and get real!!

I'd put him on MY team - who else at shortstop? No one.

Sorry, but I do believe that, and hormone's have nothing to do with it. Whenever I've seen a show about the greatest plays in the history of baseball, at least two of Jeter's are always shown. He plays with his heart, and he plays consistently. He comes through when his team needs him most, and he gives it his all every single day.

That doesn't do it for you??

Umm.... Hanley Ramirez. Jimmy Rollins. Jose Reyes. All better hitters and better fielders.

I'm going to have to disagree with some of your statement. I agree that certain players like certain teams "evoke the most passionate responses" but why lump Jeter into that category? A-Rod, Curt Schilling, Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens (now), even Pete Rose I can understand. But what has Derek Jeter even done? Why does he deserve the same treatment as these others?

You really have to stop watching those shows produced by the Yankees. He's a mediocre fielder, at best, and only a fair hitter.

Jeter as among the best ever?? Hell, he doesn't even make the ten best Yankees' list!

There's a difference between day-in-and-day-out production for the benefit of the team as opposed to fastasy sports points.

You really gotta get out of your fantasy world.

Jeter is FAR from being considered among the best ever.

I wouldn't say among the "best ever", and never said he was, but "mediocre" fielder with a career .975 fielding percentage??????? "Fair" hitter with a career .316 batting average?? What are you talking about?

He had three or four big (batting) seasons, otherwise he's mediocre. To me, that totals "fair" (and he's lousy in the clutch).

His fielding is no better than the others I mentioned. He has limited range in the field and he's not a particularly fast runner.

You're right. Julio Lugo and Nomar are superior to Jeter in every way

Oy... look who crawled out of the woodwork.

Did I even mention the Red Sox here?? Did I "diss" your Yankees? Take your Boston-hating crap and shove it where the sun don't shine.

No, you didn't diss the Yankees but you did diss our Captain. I cannot allow that without a rebuttal

Lousy in the clutch? Is that why they call him Captain Clutch? C'mon, SC, even YOU can't completely believe what you're shoveling.

Why do I even bother arguing against Jeter with you?

(He really ISN'T a good clutch hitter).

As of 2006, Jeter has a career .314 postseason batting average with 17 home runs and 48 RBIs as well as reaching base in 105 of 119 postseason games. The Yankees have been to the playoffs every year since Jeter joined the team. He has a Major League Baseball record 150 career postseason hits, and also holds records for most postseason singles (108), at-bats (478), runs scored (85) and strikeouts (92).

Not a clutch hitter?? I'd hate to see what kind of records he would hold if he was.

You may be misunderstanding what a clutch hitter is, but since you want to bring numbers into this disagreement, consider this:

In the more important post season games (the League Championships and the World Series) he's batting way below his usual average (.262 in the League Championships and .302 in the World Series).

The "total" numbers you provide are in large part due to the Yankees making so many appearances in the post season (although why you'd point out all his strikeouts is unclear to me).

He doesn't produce when it's needed. A good clutch hitter does.

SC, I feel he does. He's made some of the greatest plays of his career when a game or a championship are on the line. To me, that defines "clutch".

We'll just have to agree to disagree on this one.

Don't wait for an argument from me there.

Just saw Babe Ruth's daughter on TV. She gave the best quote I've ever heard:

The only time she ever asked for his signature was on a check.

Can you imagine what it'd be like to be his child? Aside from the fact that he may not have been a good father, he was one of the biggest names to come out of the 20th century. He was like a god.

That's one of my favorite lines about Babe Ruth from The Sandlot. I need Gina's memory, but it's something about Babe Ruth being more than a man, but more like a god.

Forgive me if this has been overly-discussed and I don't frequent this thread so I want to know... how do Yankee fans feel about the Steinbrenner's? Since I live on the other coast I don't hear the daily stuff that is said by them. So I always thought George was the half(if not completely) crazy one. After Hank's comments about Wang's injury while running the bases...

"My only message is simple. The National League needs to join the 21st century. They need to grow up and join the 21st century. Am I (mad) about it? Yes. I’ve got my pitchers running the bases, and one of them gets hurt. . . . I don’t like that, and it’s about time they address it. That was a rule from the 1800s."

Now I'm convinced the Yankees are in the hands of crazy people for centuries to come. Doesn't Hank realize the American League changed 100 years of tradition by adding the DH? Maybe the National League should be revolutionary and join the American league by adding the DH, and then also adding designated runners because, God forbid, any "athlete's" should injure themselves running the bases.

Hell, why not have designated fielders and designated throwers. The infield might look crowded, but God forbid the freakin' athlete's should injure themselves by doing something athletic like running the damn bases!

The Yankees drive me nuts and it's because of two things. One, they buy their way into the playoffs, and two MLB won't do anything to stop it.

Long live the Steinbrenner's and their revolutionary comments.

P.S. forgive me for the negativity, I didn't intend this message to end that way, but I love baseball so much and the Yankees symbolize everything that is "great" and evil about the sport.

Personally, I think that the George Steinbrenner was an arrogant p**ck and that, judging from his comments made over the last year or two, Hank is a chip off of the old block.

And while many accuse the Yankees of buying their way into the playoffs, while I acknowledge that they have the highest payroll in baseball (you'd have to be a complete idiot not to), the Mets have the highest payroll in the NL, and that strategy certainly hasn't worked for them.

The reason I'm a Yankees fan? I think that they are one of the most exciting teams to watch. They've often pulled off the unexpected with a terrific come-from-behind win. Just look at the 2001 postseason! Even though they ended up losing the series, it was beyond exciting. Plus, it was right after September 11th, and I believe that it gave NY something else to think about and talk about, something of a return to normalcy if you will, even if you aren't a fan.

As a Yankees fan, at times I shake my head and feel like telling George or Hank to put a sock in it (Hank more than George). However, as owners of my beloved team I love them for the simple reason they will do whatever it takes to win. Money is no object. They actually put their own money back into the franchise. How many other owners do that? Just look at the Florida Marlins, Kansas City Royals, and Baltimore Orioles as examples. They care about their team deeply and I believe they do what is in the best interest of the organization and it's fans.

As for your dislikes of the Yankees, yes they have the highest payroll in baseball but I love how everyone focuses just on them. No one had a problem when Boston bought their World Series title last year. Yet the Yankees do it and immediately there's a problem. And as SB said, what about the Mets or even the Cubs in the NL? They have some pretty high payrolls and the Cubs are at least in first place. Granted I'm happy for them because they haven't won the series in 100 years but no one's bringing up the money issue. It's none other than good ol' fashion Yankee-hating. As such, I'm tired of the Yankees getting the short end of the stick. Granted I know it's to be expected as their's no middle ground when it comes to the Yankees, you either love them or hate them. But even though the Yankees have had the highest payroll in baseball for years, how many titles have they won since 2000? Regretfully none, so what's the problem really?

As a fan of the Marlins I respect the hell out of George Steinbrenner and can't fault him at all for doing what MLB's system lets him do.

But Hank should've kept his mouth shut on Wang's injury. If a Red Sox pitcher got injured in the same fashion I doubt he would've said anything.

As a baseball fan, I find the Steinbrenners' to be big, rude, mean drama-queens. I hate their attitudes that their money is better than other's and I think they're disgusting.

But you know what? Fuck the big-league players today! We all prostitute ourselves in some manner, and these players are getting well paid, so let them put up with the bullshit from owners like the Steinbrenners.

If the Marlins had the Yankee payroll, the talent gap between them and the rest of the league would be mind boggling. I don't think that there is an organization that evaluates talent and plans for the future with limited resources as well as the Marlins.

They're doing it the right way.

Freaking Farnsworth! What an idiot!! He tried to catch a ball with his pitching hand!!! He just walked off the mound holding his hand out in front of him like he was hurt. WTF was he thinking????? Now Mo is in.

I disagree. Right now people have the same negative feelings towards Boston as they do towards the Yankees. When the Red Sox finally won a championship in '04 I think most fans were happy because they were the underdogs as well as the rivals of the long hated Yankees with a long history of failing to win a World Series while the Yankees won so many.

When the Sox won again most fans were tired of it already because they were buying championships like the Yankees. In fact, with the success of the Red Sox, Celtics and Patriots most fans have had enough of that entire city, but we don't need to get into the other sports.

If the Mets and Cubs and any other high payroll team were to win other people would be just as upset, especially if they were to make the playoffs every single year.

However, I believe it's fair to say that it's tough for other high payroll teams to do as well as the Yankees because New York sucks up most of the best talent while the other teams settle for what's left. Proof is in A-Rod. Why isn't he a Cub?

The Yankees can out-pay any other team.

There's something about playing in New York, with all the media attention that goes with it. The big talent stars are looking to make mega bucks with endorsement deals that seem to go hand-in-hand with New York.

FWIW - As a Red Sox fan, I agree that a lot of their hardcore fans are somewhat disenchanted with them now (for being a "corporate" entity rather than just a baseball team). I know I am.

Believe me, if the Giants could buy a championship I'd be the happiest fan ever. I would also get sick of it quick though if it were every year.

I wish it were a level playing field. Then teams, such as the Marlins, might be in contention each year because they are so good at evaluating young talent and bringing those players to the big league. There needs to be a set salary cap for players and the teams, like in the NBA.

But MLB won't allow it, and ESPN will continue to milk the New York/Boston angle as much as they can even though most of the country has been sick of it for years. It's sad.

Given some years I think a team like Florida will be in contention because of their minor leagues and how they bring talent up. Sadly, a few years down the road after that, some of their talented players might opt to leave them for "greener" (i.e. cash) pastures.



I think the rivalry is still one of sports' best and I look forward to watching them go head-to-head. With that in mind, I can't stand to see the personnel changes in the teams' lineups ... like Johnny Damon or Wade Boggs playing in pinstripes. Whatever happened to team loyalty? (I know... I know.... it's all about money now). THAT'S what is sad!!

I agree with you that people are tired of the city of Boston constantly winning with the Celtics, Sox and Patriots. However, from where I sit, people aren't tired of the Red Sox winning. When they won the series in October all I heard about was dynasty, how great Beckett/Schilling were in October, another sweep, blah blah blah (and never once did I hear anyone bring up Boston's payroll). From my viewpoint, people are happy to see Boston win as long as it's not the Yankees (maybe it's different on the West Coast?).



I disagree with you on this point because Alex was acquired through a trade. If he's signed as a free agent then sure, the Yankees just outbid everyone else. However, in trades, other teams have the opportunity to either match or beat the Yankees offer. And remember, he was almost a Red Sox before he was a Yankee. The same thing can be said about Curt Schilling and Josh Beckett, they both were trades. The Yankees could have made a play for both. They actually did for Schilling but he took Boston due to his personal vendetta with the Yankees. I never heard the Yankees name brought up in the Beckett talks which means they totally missed their opportunity with that goose.

And yes, the Yankees do suck up a lot of the best players but how many have actually worked out for them? Just look at Carl Pavano who's been injury plagued for his 4 seasons in the Bronx. Or what about Jason Giambi who, while having a great season this year, hasn't been productive since 2006 but had horrible 2004, 2005, and 2007 seasons. Not to mention Johnny Damon last year or Hideki Matsui the past two years. And yet again I bring up the question. If the other teams are "settling" for what's left in the talent pool, it certainly hasn't kept them from winning the Series because the Yankees haven't won since 2000. So what's the problem? I understand that they spend, spend, and spend. Trade away top prospects to "rent" veterans for half a season but to what end? So they can make the postseason and lose in the first round?

Yeah, probably for the next few years the Marlins will be the Oakland A's of the National League (which is a big compliment in today's baseball world).



I agree, loyalty in sports is dead and it's a two-way street. The players have no loyalty to the organization and in turn the organization has no loyalty to the player (like why did Emmitt Smith not play his ENTIRE career in Dallas?). As Vince McMahon always says, "it's all about the mon-ayyyy!)

No team has produced more major league talent through their system than the Montreal Expos, but sadly they knew there was no way to keep it. They and several other teams were essentially glorified minor league teams whose stars would leave once ripe.

It got to the point that these teams could not even draft the best amateurs available, knowing they didn't have the money to sign them.

Q: What do Derek Jeter and I have in common?

A: We both spent our 34th birthday in Pittsburgh. Jeter turns 34 today, SB.

Today also marks the 15th anniversary of the death of Hall of Fame catcher, Roy Campanella, whose career was tragically cut short by an auto accident in the late-50s.

Yeah, but 34 years apart J/K

It would probably seem like 34 years. Actually, it's almost 10.

There is another major leaguer born on 6/26/1974. Do you know who it is?

I cheated: Jason Kendall

34?? That makes me feel a little bit like a dirty old lady. Not too much, just a little. Happy Birthday, Derek, on behalf of all the women who wouldn't mind giving you a little birthday love.

I have to admit that I was against making Joba a starter. I thought he should be kept as the set-up man and take over for Mo when he retires, which I'm pretty sure will be after next season. However, Joba has improved with each start, and he just may prove invaluable this season.

Congrats to Joba on his first win as a starter! Here's to the many more to come

Johan, who?

ESPN came up with a hilarious mini-headline after the Yanks' assault of the Rangers after their dismal offense lately:

Yankees slugger reportedly separating from wife

NEW YORK -- Yankees slugger Alex Rodriguez and his wife have split less than three months after the birth of the couple's second daughter, according to a report in the New York Daily News.

The story on the newspaper's Web site comes amid reports linking Rodriguez to Madonna. Rodriguez refused to address the topic on three occasions Tuesday, once saying "no" when asked if he had any comment.

Yankees co-chairman Hank Steinbrenner also criticized the team's lack of hitting before an 18-7 win over the Texas Rangers on Wednesday night, suggesting "a little less outside distractions and a little more concentrating" might help the team at the plate.

The Daily News reported Wednesday night, citing an anonymous source, that Rodriguez and wife, Cynthia, have separated after having "problems" for about three months.

Cynthia Rodriguez's mother, Evangeline Scurtis, also denied a gossip Web site report that her daughter had gone on a romantic getaway with rocker Lenny Kravitz to Paris.

"She is not! I know that," Scurtis told The Daily News.

Scurtis repeatedly declined comment when asked about her daughter's relationship with Rodriguez.

The couple was married in November 2002 and has two children, Natasha Alexander and Ella Alexander, who was born April 21.

Rodriguez went 2-for-3 Wednesday night with his 17th homer of the season and also scored four times. It also was Rodriguez's 535th homer, moving him past Jimmie Foxx for 14th on the career list.

Source: ESPN

Why does this always turn into a TMZ affair? I, for one, don't give a shit about who Yanks are currently (and I use that term, perfectly) married to...

Yes, he got his 535th home run when the Yankees were scoring a ton of runs. Where was it the night before last, when they lost 3-2??? Jerkoff. He just can't get out of his own way.

And it would have been nice if the Yankees had spread those runs over a few games rather than scoring them all in one game.

Tell me about it. A couple of weeks ago, the Phillies won 20-3 in St. Louis and then they lose 5 straight series and couldn't score runs.

It's just going to be a long summer here in NY. On the other hand, my friends who are Mets fans will finally shut up. Last summer, the gloating was unending. That is, until the postseason.

This week is gonna make or break it, and I'm not very optimistic about it

The thing is, we're not playing horribly. We're comfortably above .500. It's just that there are some teams in the AL who are playing really, really incredibly well. Tampa Bay, Boston, Oakland, LA, even Baltimore is only 1 game behind us. I would actually liked to see Toronto do better this season. I think that they have some good pitching, but it just isn't coming together for them.

That makes the two of us SB, although there's still hope. The Jays only have to play at like a .666 clip the rest of the season to make the playoffs. Difficult, not impossible.

Disgusting start to this important series.

...and WTF Manny??? You fucking assaulted a 50-something year old man because he couldn't get your fucking retarded friends tickets to a sold out game???? Go fuck yourself!!!

What's that all about??

That makes sense that you would have to sell your soul to the devil in order to make the playoffs in the East. Either that or drop the "Devil" out of your name like the Rays did.

YES reported during tonight's broadcast that when the BoSox were in Houston, Manny went to the guy (forget his title) [Sox traveling secretary Jack McCormick] who handles tickets cuz he wanted 16 of them for a sold-out game. Players are normally just given 4. The game was sold out, and he was told he couldn't get that many tickets, so (supposedly) Manny put his hand on the guy's shoulder and pushed him to the ground!! OF COURSE this is being kept quiet. He should be suspended for months!!!! maybe enough time for him to grow the fuck up!!!!

[link]

That's just Manny being Manny! Okay, sorry. I just hate when people say that.

And don't get me wrong... it's not me just picking on a Sox player after they kicked our ass tonight. That has nothing to do with it. There's a difference between CLASS (eg, Jeter) and CLASSLESS (eg, Ramirez). Doesn't matter what team he's on. Manny is just a classes piece of shit. Always was.

Same thing happened to Shawn Chacon and look what happened to him (he's in the unemployment line)

Manny always was a piece of trash, unlike Big Papi, who seems like a totally cool guy. I mean, didn't he go after Youklis in the dugout not too long ago??

Yes, your right SB. But again, they have an answer to that, "Manny being Manny!"

WTF Rivera??? This is NOT the game to blow your first fucking save!!! Bases loaded, NO outs... 2 hit batsmen... WTF...

*whew!!*

Easy JG, easy. Hank needs to give them a speech every day or do something outlandish like the old man.

Yeah, that's Hanky being Hanky.

JG will have an Aneurism at this rate

Man arrested for beating New Yorker who wasn't a Yanks fan

FALMOUTH, Mass. (AP) -- A man was ordered held without bail Monday for allegedly beating a New York man with a baseball bat because he thought the man was a Yankees fan.

As it turned out, the New Yorker allegedly beaten in the land of the Red Sox isn't even a big baseball fan.

Police say Robert Correia, 20, and others spotted a car with New York license plates leaving a fireworks display Saturday. The group approached the car driven by William Nestor, of Northport, N.Y., and began yelling about the Yankees, according to the police report.

"When they saw the plates, they came at me," said Nestor, 29, whose family was traveling in two cars and stuck in heavy traffic after the fireworks on Cape Cod.

The police report said after Nestor confronted the group of men, Correia went to his nearby apartment in Falmouth and got an aluminum baseball bat, then struck Nestor three times.

Correia pleaded not guilty to charges of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and malicious damage to a motor vehicle. He was ordered held without bail until a hearing Wednesday.

During Correia's arraignment Monday, his lawyer, Robert Nolan, said Correia was in his apartment when an altercation erupted between a New York man and one of Correia's friends. Correia picked up a bat and ran outside to break up the fight.

When the man charged Correia, he struck him with the bat, Nolan said.

Nestor said he's not a particularly big baseball fan and didn't know the Red Sox were playing the rival Yankees over the weekend. He was treated and released from Falmouth Hospital.

Source: SI

Who's doing worse....Yanks or A-Rod off the field?

The Yanks win streak is at 4. They took the last two from Boston and just took two from the first-place Rays. Only 4 1/2 behind Boston and 6 1/2 behind Tampa

I'm sure Hank will take the credit, like his old man did.

No doubt, MC. Tonight they play against Pittsburgh (think it's a makeup for a rain out) and then off to Toronto. One of my coworkers planned a vacation in Toronto/Niagara Falls around their schedule, so he'll be at Saturday's game.

I heard on the radio the other day that Abreu's game-winning RBI in the 10th inning was his first game-winning RBI as a Yankee. Hard to believe. He's had a lot of big hits.

I saw him with the Phillies beat the Giants in the bottom of the tenth with a game-ending inside the park homerun in August, 2001. He had tied the game late with a homerun too (I think).

I'm surprised no chatter over Cashman wanting to sign the just-released First Baseman Richie Sexson, with the stats of:

BA: .218
HR: 11
RBI: 30
OBP: .315
SLG: .381

I'm sorry, but do the Yanks REALLY need another over-the-hill, strikeout machine?

It's stupid, especially since we seem to have an abundance of first basemen!

One of my friends is at the game today, so I'm glad to see that they're winning so far.

With those stats from RR re: Sexton, the Yanks should have just kept Andy Phillips.

A young Curt Schilling in the making?

Papelbon says he should close, then defers to Rivera

Confidence is a key element in a relief pitcher's mental make-up. And Boston's Jonathan Papelbon and the Yankees' Mariano Rivera, two of the game's best closers, don't lack for it.

Consider Papelbon, who on Monday suggested -- before toning down his comments -- that he should pitch the ninth in Tuesday night's All-Star Game rather than Rivera, even though the game is at Yankee Stadium.

"We've both earned that right; us, by winning the World Series and having the opportunity of having our manager there and our team being represented, and Mariano by what he's done for this role, we're in Yankee Stadium and blah, blah, blah," Papelbon said. "It's not that easy. Everybody thinks it's a cut and dry answer, but it's not."

"If I was managing the team, I would close," Papelbon said. "I'm not managing the team, so it don't matter."

But Rivera feels the same way about taking the mound for the ninth. "It's definitely tough, but we're here in Yankee Stadium. I think I should get the shot," Rivera said. "I definitely would love to. Knowing [Red Sox manager] Terry Francona, I have a feeling he'll put me there if we have the opportunity to close the game."

Francona, who is managing the AL thanks to Boston's 2007 World Series triumph, was mum when asked who would pitch the ninth. "Out of the spirit of the game and competition, and having a little bit of fun, we're not going to announce the rest of our rotation yet," Francona said.

In additional comments on Monday, Papelbon lessened the suspense, saying Rivera should get the nod.

"I'm making a statement right now, saying I don't want it, I want [Rivera] to have it. I said all that earlier, but that's the way I feel about it," Papelbon said.

"This is what I think, of course I want to close the game out. I wouldn't be Jonathan Papelbon if I didn't want to close the game out," he said. "But at the same time, there's also things within this game I have to understand and people have to understand. It doesn't always work out that way.

"I feel I owe a lot to this game and that's one of the things I owe to this game, to let an elder statesman go ahead of me."

Source: ESPN

I knew it'd be extra innings...

AL wins again!

Are any parts of the old Yankee Stadium being incorporated into the new one?

You mean besides a mediocre clubhouse?

Let's keep the responses to people who may actually know WTF they're talking about... stick with your B- and C- and D- movies

Monument park I know for sure. As for the Babe's bat outside and other statues around the stadium, I couldn't imagine them doing away with them.

I thought they might include some of the turf or part of a wall.

I'm not sure what will be carried over.

Part of the allure of Yankee Stadium was looking at the field and thinking, "That's where Babe Ruth stood when he walloped record breaking homers; that's the spot where Maris' 61st homer landed; that's the spot where Gehrig stood when he gave his emotional speech." None of that can be brought into the new park.

In Atlanta after the destruction of Fulton Co. Stadium, the exact spot where Aarons record breaking homer was caught, was located and a plaque was installed. I think it is on a sidewalk.

Question to Yank Fans aabout "The House that Ruth Built"?

My New York uncle ahs been a season ticket fam for like 500 years or so it seems. I see talk to him maybe once in a blue moon and can't remember the last time I talked to him before last week. Anyway, he said I am tired of everyone wringing their eyes out about tearing donw "Ruth's House". He said it hasn't been Ruth's House since the major overhaul in the 70's -- Now it is the "House that Lindsay Built" -- Mayor John Lindsay fame. He continued and said it never lookd the same, the integrity gone, and definitely does not feel the same. Said the Yanks might as well continued to play in Shea LOL.

So for those of you that went to games pre and post overhaul -- what do you think? Does it feel or look the same? Whose house is it

The old stadium (pre-"overhaul") was better. The field was bigger to straightaway center (461') and the monuments out there were out in the open. With such a big outfield the game was played a lot differently (defensively). I remember the right field line use to be something like 296', so I guess they extended that somewhat, but it was always fun to see a short homer go down the line.

The big improvement came in the stands.... I remember getting seats in the "old" stadium that were behind posts that held up the second level. You'd miss half the game sitting behind one. They eliminated most of the bleacher seats (I used to sit out there with my friends because that was all we could afford in those days... I think a ticket cost about a buck).

Nobody has ever hit a home run out of the park. Mantle came within inches of doing it when he hit a shot off the right field roof (IF it was hit about a foot higher it would have cleared and probably would have travelled over 600 feet). (I heard a story once that Josh Gibson hit one out in an exhibition game).

Anyway, just knowing that the likes of Ruth, Gehrig, DiMaggio and Mantle ran its bases is enough to assure its place in history but it was RUTH'S house!!!

A win today for Mike Mussina - number 13. That's great. For a lot of years the Yankees screwed him with run support. I hope he reaches 20 wins, which he never has attained. A Cy Young would be sweet too.

I hope he gets 20 too MC. He should have had it in 2001, 2002, 2003, and 2006. I know he won't win the Cy Young this year (that'll more than likely go to Cliff Lee) but I'd like to see him get 20 wins.

Watching Michael Kay interview Snoop Dogg is just about the funniest thing I've ever seen. You know, being that he's the whitest guy EVER.

BTW, anyone else want to see them bring back Willie and dump Bobby "Wave 'Em Home" Meacham?

As per PeteAbe, the Yankees have had 13 runners thrown out at the plate, among the most in the game. Seven have been gunned down going from second to home, which is tied for the most. That’s on Bobby Meacham.

DJ! What is up our long lost brother?

Theeee Yankees win! The Yankeeeees wiiiiiin!!!

Honestly?

I was rooting for SC's team tonight.

Wow, what a performance by my main man Joba! His first trip to Boston and he outduels Beckett in his home park:

7 innings, 3 hits, 0 run, 1 walk, 9 strikeouts

Love the Marte/Nady trade. We gave up virtually nothing except Tabata (who is underperforming and has serious attitude problems in AA) and Ohlendorf who looked like a AAAA player at best. Nady is one of the hottest hitters in the league right now, and even if he regresses to his statistical average, his fielding and insane numbers against left handers more than make up for his .280's ish average lifetime. Plus, I'll take anybody in Right Field besides Bobby Abreu. If Abreu declines arbitration next year we'll get two compensatory draft picks, which should be great. I wouldn't be surprised if Minaya picks up Abreu for the Mets.

Marte is just an added bonus, he has sick stuff and will be a nice way to keep Farnsworth out of close games (see last night). Considering we once traded him when he was a farmhand for Enrique Wilson, I'm glad we got him back as part of this deal.

Also, for those who are upset we didn't get Bay...Bay is below average outfielder defensively, and Nady is 29 and seems to (hopefully) hit his prime. Bay's price tag probably would have been Hughes - he and McClouth basically ARE the Pirates at this point. Hopefully Nady has found his niche and will be a nice Scott Brosius type as the Yankees make this second half push, and possibly someone who could be our right fielder for the next few years.

Yanks take the first 2 from Boston and look for the sweep today

Please don't jinx them!!

I guarantee the sweep tonight. In fact, I would say it is impossible for the Red Sox to win tonight.

That's just mean, Klyd! Stop trying to jinx my Yankees!!

Wow, Ponson had a bad outing. Oh well, we still took 2-of-3 from Boston in Beantown

You did it you jinxer! But honestly, how long did any Yankee fan think Sidney Pondscum would last. He was throwing meatballs in the first two innings....then I switched to Animal Planet. But as another Meatball - I mean Meatloaf - sang, 2 outta 3 ain't bad.

I12, when are you going to learn your lesson? A bragging, boastful fan will always get the equivalent of a bitch-slap.

I think the Yankees are a lock for the playoffs. In fact, I think it's impossible to keep them out of the postseason.

OK, Klyd. Keep it up. You have obviously never faced the wrath of an angry Sicilian Yankees fan, or you would not be walking such a dangerous line.

I wasn't impressed with the starting Yankees pitcher last night!!

I am possibly not alone in this opinion....?

You shouldn't be. It's Sidney Ponson.

We pulled him off the junk pile, and he has been the luckiest pitcher in the AL (as the stat showed last night, he has the best run support of any pitcher right now).

Don't get fooled by Washburn's start yesterday, he's still a #4 starter at his best. While I don't have much faith in him, Ian Kennedy has been tearing up the minor leagues, and it sounds like Rasner is going to have one last chance to prove himself before they bring Kennedy back up.

Unfortunately, because of his track record this season, Ponson is certain to get at least one more start.

I know you mean Pondscum...,but when is Wang due back? When he does come back Fat Sid will be cut loose...if not sooner.

Good observation Yogi. Most Yankee fans groaned when they signed him, remembering his last go round. He was signed to fill the Chien Ming Wang departure to the DL. Please get better quick Wanger.

Wang's not due back until September, which translates to "rest of the season".

Hughes and Pavano are suppose to make rehab starts this week though so help "could" be on the way

Did you just seriously mention Pavano as possible pitching help?

Seriously, I bet he pulls a muscle just putting his uniform on tonight. He and Hughes will be rehab starting in Class A.

If all goes well, I'd say both of them (theoretically), with at least a start in AA and AAA (probably more for Pavano), could return in August. Hughes has never had a problem dominated MiLB pitching, but the question is whether he can regain the marks of brilliance we saw in the playoffs last year.

Hughes hasn't been right since that hamstring tweak last year. Let's hope he's used this time to diagnose what's wrong with his windup.

Also, Ian Kennedy should be back within the next week or so too. He's tearing it up in AAA, although his last MLB tour soured me on his skill level. I really see him as a trading chip at this point, but I guess you can't give up on last years MiLB pitcher of the year so quickly. We'll see what happens.

Well, he certainly made the Blue Jay bats look silly yesterday which admittedly, hasn't been a hard thing to do this season.

Pavano??? Pavano??? I didn't know he was still around!! OMG!

And what the hell happened to Moose last night? It was a disaster. Watching that game was like watching a car accident. You don't want to look, but you can't tear your eyes away.

It's all Klyd's fault for putting his voodoo on the team.

Moose has those moments. Klyd should just stick to the Phillies. He keeps sending those Pennsylvania vibes across the Delaware. Go back, Go back! BTW, Klyd, I shot a 90 at the Noname.

It made you remember that if this team is counting on Mike Mussina down the stretch, or even in their next year plans, it would be a colossal mistake. He's going to get back to the mean sooner or later. The best possible option would be to let him go after this year and getting two compensatory draft picks. With his great year this year, I suspect Mussina would be a Type A and net us some very nice draft picks.

Incidentally, to briefly give an example of how important these compensatory picks can be, we got Joba Chamberlain as a compensatory pick from Tom Gordon when we didn't resign him and he went elsewhere.

While I don't have a lot of faith in either right now, I'm hoping Hughes has fixed his mechanics and Kennedy regains his confidence so that we will have two more arms to add down this second half run.

Great job at the Noname, MaryCas.

I may get my punishment soon if Manny Ramirez comes to Philly. Actually, I don't think it'll happen, but I'd take Manny for Burrell and Meyers. Charlie Manuel doesn't coddle guys or put up with crap, like Francona. Then again, Francona has two championships and has gotten a lot out of Ramirez, who is one of the most offensively productive and consistent players the game has ever seen. The Red Sox would be crazy to get rid of him.

That said, there is no way in hell that Mike Mussina will lose another game this season. I think the Yankees should hang on to Ponson, so Mussina is no longer the most miserable and surly person in the organization.

Also, how about those Angels? And now they have Texeira.

OH NO - SB, another Klydon1 curse - "there is no way in hell that Mike Mussina will lose another game this season".

Manny being Manny. What a cop out. Manny is just a nut,...who can hit. Do the Phillies really need him? or want him? He'll disrupt the chemistry (there is chemistry, isn't there?)

Meh, I'd take Manny on the Yankees. In fact, I'd be ecstatic. Especially since he's going to ask for the moon contract wise, and I'm not sure how many teams could afford to give it to him outside of the Red Sox or Yankees.

Besides, this is probably the standard garbage it always is with the Sox/Manny. How many times in the last 3 or 4 years have we heard that Manny was "out" so to speak and was close to being traded/released? The Sox aren't dumb. They can't let him go until after the season at least, and I'd honestly be surprised if they let him go at all.

The Orioles have just been giving the Yanks fits for the last couple of years.

Klyd has only cursed the Yankees because he wants to see his Phillies succeed!

You can't blame him for that?

Some good news at least

---

Wang has cast removed

NEW YORK -- Yankees manager Joe Girardi laughed when he said he offered to cut pitcher Chien-Ming Wang's cast off.

The right-hander didn't take him up on the offer, but he did have his cast removed on Tuesday afternoon, and Girardi wasn't the only one smiling. Wang broke into a wide grin when asked if he was happy to have the cast off his right leg. He also had an X-ray taken, and he said the results looked good.

The Yankees ace injured his right foot running the bases during an Interleague game in Houston on June 15. He was placed on the disabled list on June 17, retroactive to June 16, with a ligament sprain and a partial tendon tear.

Wang, who now wears a black protective boot and still uses crutches, said he did not have a clear idea of when he would be able to start pitching again, and Girardi said the timeline for Wang's rehabilitation could be similar to the Spring Training process -- about six or seven weeks.

"He just got out of a cast, so, obviously, you've got to think there's somewhat of a weakness there," Girardi said. "You've got to build him up to where you feel like he's strong enough to get off a mound, and that's going to take time."

Wang was examined at New York Presbyterian on Tuesday by Dr. Justin Greisberg and will be reevaluated in one week. Wang hopes to lose the crutches and receive what he described as insoles with air to cushion his foot as he begins to walk again. His rehab will follow shortly.

New York originally hoped that Wang might be able to return as soon as Sept. 1. Girardi said on Tuesday that date may be pushed back, but he will watch Wang's rehab closely and is optimistic the Yankees could have their starter back before the end of the season.

"I still believe there's a good chance we're going to get him back in September," Girardi said. "Whether it's Sept. 1, that might be stretching a little bit. But I still think we're going to get him back."

Source: Yankees

Exactly. Every year since 2003 they talk about getting rid of him, and he comes up big at the big time and carries the team. He is the Reggie Jackson of his era, only a much better pure hitter. Reggie too was frequently accused of dogging it, and he didn't get along with his teammates or management either, but he was indeed the straw that stirred the drink.

I agree that if the Sox ever let Manny go, they would deeply regret it. It would be almost as dumb as selling Babe Ruth.

Yes! A new curse could begin.

Breaking News!!!!

The Tigers have traded catcher Ivan Rodriguez to the Yankees for pitcher Kyle Farsnworth. [sic.]

You're Yankin' My Doodle! If that's true, there really is a God (well, I know that, but you know what I mean). Holy Freakin' Mackeral and Cow. I don't care if his better years are behind him. JG, what does that (sic) mean....it's a joke? Please don't say that.

Wow, someone else was actually stupid enough to take Farnsworthless!? Good riddance!

[sic.] means "as written" (they misspelled his name, but since it was in a quote, I kept it that way and didn't want anyone to think it was *my* blunder!)

If "Fars-n-worth" was a misspelling, maybe it was sub-conscious...as in Farce n' Worth-less.

The yankees need some geritol.

Throw in a little Glucosemine and Condroitin (sp.?), and "Gimme the Balm, Tiger Balm!"

Well, at least they split with the Angels. They had a great come from behind win today to be proud of. But still, that 1-0 lose a few days ago was tough

Just what we need, Joba going down with an injury

Not good at all. Just when he was beginning to hit his stride. Mussina and Pettite can't carry the starters. I guess they will have to score double digits every game.

If Joba's injuried for an extended period of time, pack it in because it's O-V-E-R

I12, I agree with your estimation of how critical Joba is to the team; however, it's August and we're 6 1/2 games out. I think it already is O-V-E-R.

What happen to the die hard Yankee Fans that use to hang out here?....

Hey, what does admitting the truth have to do with being a fan or not? I would rather watch the Yankees than any other team because there is always that magical possibility that somehow they manage that come from behind miracle that eludes other teams.

The difference between a die hard fan and a fickle one is that the true fan persists in watching even when they ARE losing. And that I will continue to do.

So what ever happen to...it's not over to it is over?....
It is only the sixth of August...from what I see.

6 1/2 games in the beginning of August is not a lot, especially when you factor in the wild card race, which is just beginning. Many teams have made the playoffs from greater deficits in less time, and they didn't have the resources of the Yankees.

Tampa Bay is young and unproven, and struggles on the road. Boston has lost its best player, and several of the 14 AL teams have been out of the race two months ago.

If Chamberlain comes back soon, I think they'll have to watch him closely. He hasn't thrown a lot of innings this year and whenever big, young hard throwers develop shoulder pain, it's something to monitor.

I again gotta agree with klydon1. The Yankees can come back from 6 1/2 out on August 6th (how many games were they back at this point last year?). And if they can't win the division, then they have a shot at the wild card. All I'm saying is with Pettitte's last two starts, Rasner now moved to the bullpen, Ponson blowing up in Boston last week (followed by a great performance against Anaheim), without a dominant ace who can stop the bleeding like Joba, the Yankees just won't be able to turn this thing around. I mean, they've just lost 2 straight games to the Rangers for crying out loud!

Well Joba's on the 15-day DL and Ponson had another good outing

Where is A-Roid on the stat sheet for BAvg. with men in scoring position. I know there was a time last year when he was 2nd to last.

2008 Situation Stats:

.315 AVG

.354 Bases Empty
.276 Runners On
.238 RISP
.222 RISP w/2 Outs
.143 Bases Loaded

Mr Clutch.

And Jeter with bases loaded?? .333 this season and in 2007, his average with the bases loaded was .500, so he must be slipping. Yet some people think he's not clutch and overrated. Yeah, sure.

I dunno, I'd go ahead and take Alex on my team if you guys hate him that much. I get that he hasn't delivered in the post season...but no one on that team has in almost a decade.

He's definitely one of the best bases-loaded and full-count hitters in the history of the game - many scouts consider these two statistics perhaps the most important for hitting.

While situational batting statistics can be used to gleam important data on whether a hitter can perform when the pressure is on, on base percentage, slugging percentage and OPS are much better indicators of a hitter's productivity and importance to the team. The number one job of a hitter is to get on base and thus prevent an out from being made. Although Jeter looks to be having a bit of an off year by his standards, his career OBP is .386, his career slugging percentage is .459 and his career OPS is .845 which are quite solid numbers.

You're right, of course, DJ. But I assure you that many, many scouts value what a guy does in the clutch (bases load and full count) more than any other statistic.

Performing in the clutch is what sports is all about. It's what separates a guy like Michael Jordan from Kobe Bryant and Vince Carter types - those guys might be able to show M.J-like greatness in spurts, but it's what they do in the playoffs and clutch situations that is the truest gauge of greatness, IMO.

If you need ONE crucial hit, in ONE crucial game,.. Derek Jeter is about as good as it gets.

Manny wants to be a Yankee

---

Having successfully orchestrated his divorce from Boston and his landing in with the Dodgers, Manny Ramirez would like to make life miserable for the Red Sox during the next few seasons. According to people who have spoken to the eccentric outfielder since he was dealt to L.A. on July 31, Ramirez wants to sign a free-agent deal with the Yankees this offseason and get 19 chances a year to punish Boston. "He wants to play for the Yankees so he can get at the Red Sox," a close friend of Ramirez's told The Post.

Source: SI

---

I'd probably take him over Abreu next year. What do you guys think?

then he will become just another guy who went to the Yankees and became a piece of shit. A-Rod was the greatest thing that had ever happened in baseball, and then he goes to the Yankees and becomes a chokejob-son of a bitch. plus, Manny is not that great of a guy either and that is not the Yankees' problem. their lineup should be enough already. Abreu is a HOF caliber hitter. but alright, in theory, that 3-4 punch with A-Rod and Manny could be this century version of Ruth/Gehrig.

also from SI.com - MLB investigating Manny exit

I've seen people saying that what he did in his final days in Boston is just as bad or even worse than using steroids, and that teams should give him the Bonds treatment next year. anyway, what would be of this guy if he couldn't hit?

Manny cut those dreds?? Never happen. The man is a nightmare. He's a poor team player, to make an understatement. In this season alone, he took HIMSELF out of the lineup and attacked a member of his own team in the dugout. Unless Torre can work a miracle with him this summer, I wouldn't want him.

Abreu's been an important contributor this season. I wouldn't want to see him replaced with that sloppy pain in the ass. They don't need to shell out big money for another bat. Let them invest in some pitching instead.

Cosnidering that Cashman picked up Richie Sexson this year.....you just know that's not gonna happen unless Cashman is canned.

4 days and no posts. Why? Because they suck. 9 games out. They are closer to last place than first place.

They still have a shot at the wild card but if they continue to struggle as they have recently, they won't. I'm not worried about Boston this year. I think it'll be the Angels and the Cubs in the World Series and I'm pulling for Chicago!

No, they don't. Seriously, pack it in this year. This team not only doesn't want it, it would be ridiculous to think we could even compete right now with Boston, Tampa, or the White Sox.

Although I still find it hilarious that on most blogs and sports news, the biggest concern/complaint is that our #9 hitter is terrible. Seriously? I mean, Melky Cabrera is the entire reason this team fails? Really? Are you guys watching the same games I am?

Look at it this way. Hank's going to open up the warchest and go for Sabathia and another FA pitcher. Teixiera has already said he's going to opt for FA (he's a Boras client after all). Manny wants to come to the Yanks, as per his own lips. Hopefully Jeter rebounds a bit, Posada will be pseudo-healthy (who's an idiot now for being against the 4-year-deal? I took so much heat for wanting to let Posada go). Matsui or Damon can be moved to free up space. Abreu will be gone, hopefully declining arbitration, netting us two draft picks. Similarly, we'll offer Pudge arbitration, which he won't accept since Posada will take back the starting role. Hopefully Nady has matured into the player people hoped he'd be when he was a Mets farmhand.

Unfortunately, we still have A-Rod...I heard the best idea the other day, in regards to replacing Bobby Meachem @ third base:

"Why not replace Meachem with Madonna? She waves everybody home."

Not a bad idea.

Manny is far from a nightmare. He's one of the top 5 hitters in the league, and future Hall of Famer. He'd be a great addition to the Bronx Zoo. I'd take him in a heartbeat, and hope Cashman does.

Give me Manny over A-Rod in a big spot at the plate any day of the week.

Incidentally, Abreu is absolute shit in the outfield, so I don't think you'd lose much. Nady is his replacement anyways. Abreu should be gone, he wants too much money and years for his age. While I wouldn't be adverse to seeing him come back, we desperately need to dump one of our DH's, and I suspect Giambi is the odd man out.

We absolutely need to shell out money for another big bat. This lineup is so vastly overrated it's not even funny. This is the worst Yankee lineup I've seen with RiSP since I can remember watching as a kid in the early 90's.

Things the Yankees need to address in the offseason:

• A true leadoff hitter with a high OBP
• A true #3 hitter (Nady?)
• A decent-hitting first baseman who can play defense (Teixiera?)
• A player to protect A-Rod in the order (Manny?)
• Two *starting* pitchers (Sabathia and perhaps Sheets/Garland/Burnett/Wolf)
• Retain Molina
• Lose two from this list, preferably by trade or arbitration decline: Damon, Matsui, Giambi, Abreu
• Retain the core of the bullpen

Example of how much better the 2009 Yankees could be simply through FA acquisitions:

Damon
Jeter
Teixiera
Manny
A-Rod
Nady
Posada
Matsui/Giambi
Cabrera

Sabathia
Wang
Chamberlain
1 of: Sheets/Garland/Burnett/Wolf
1 of: Pettitte/Mussina
Hughes

I thought you'd be rooting for the Mets if the Yanks were out of it? Keep your story straight.

Shit, you're going to end up making me root for the Red Sox, just to see you go bald from stress even faster.

And for the record, Manny is the most feared hitter in baseball. Yes, he's a jerk. And yes, A-Rod has the numbers. But in the clutch? It's not even worth arguing about.

^ This.

Hopefully you're right. This is what I keep thinking of. If the Yankees lose enough, Steinbrenner will do something BIG in the offseason to prevent this from happening again in 2009. I hope they go after Yu Darvish from the Japanese league who they're claiming will be the next Dice-K. But yes, just pick him or CC up along with Teixeria and K-Rod and I'll be happy for 2009

I am going for the Mets if the Yankees don't make it but the Mets have to make it first too And if there bullpen keeps costing them games, it'll be just as cold in Queens as it is in the Bronx. But I'd be happy to see this Chicago team lift the curse. So much was made about Boston that the White Sox were barely even noticed as 2005 World Series Champs. It's the Cubs turn now.

First place this morning, son.

Still a lot of baseball left and I'm sure the Philies aren't going anywhere fast. Need I bring up the Mets at this point last season? I didn't think so, and yes they're a different team but until the regular season is over and the Mets have secured a spot, then I'll breathe a sign of relief.

I honest to God hope they stay away from Darvish because right now he's a pipe dream, and he has said he doesn't even want to come over here. We should learn from Igawa and Irabu - Japanese pitchers that can succeed in the West are rare. Dice-K looks like the obvious exception, and he may go the way of Nomo within another 2 seasons...the league figured out Nomo fairly quickly. Japanese league pitchers just don't seem the be able to adapt to MLB hitters.

And K-Rod will not come to the Yankees, he wants to close, so he wouldn't sign with us. Meh, his delivery is a recipe for arm problems anyways, and he's building up some mileage on that frame of his. I'd be hesitant to sign him for a long-term deal beyond 3-4 years.

On the plus side, Melancon in the ML is predicted to be the next "Joba" and is the anticipated closer. He dominates the ML just like Joba, and sacrifices a little less speed (still in the mid-90's) for more control. They're babying him like it's nobodies business. Otherwise, I'm pretty happy with the bullpen as constructed. Ramirez and Veras are developing nicely into two above-average relievers, Bruney when healthy should be fine, Giese has been terrific, Robertson looks like a stud, and anything they can get from Marte is a bonus. Mo is pitching like he's 26 years old.

But yes, I agree, I think it is vital that the Yankees make a huge, perhaps unprecedented FA splash this offseason, with priorities in this order:

1.) Sabathia
2.) Manny
3.) Teixiera
4.) Sheets/Garland/Burnett/Wolf

You really think they should go after Manny harder than Teixiera? Mark's not as feared a hitter (yet) but he does have the youth over Manny. Also, the guy who they should have picked up 5 years ago instead of Gary Sheffield will be a free agent (and yes, I'm talking about Vladimir Guerrero). But if the Angels win the World Series this year (which more than likely they will) I think he'll stay put

If you watch A-Rod this year, you see why we need Manny more than Teixiera in the short-term. Yes, it's basically another albatross, but A-Rod has nobody in the lineup to protect him. You can't pass up a talent of Manny's caliber. He would give us a deadly 3-4-5 threat if Nady has finally matured; even more if Teixiera arrives.

Teixiera is a *nice* player but I don't overrate him, I think he's a very-good-but-not-upper-echelon first baseman (i.e. a step or two behind Pujols). I'd still love to have him though. Give me Teixiera over someone like an Abreu any day as my #3 hitter.

I agree with this entire statement. What do you think of Vlad? I know he's had his share of injuries, but really who hasn't on the Yankee roster this year?

I don't think Vlad would leave LA, but I'd take him in a heartbeat. The guy hits everything. Reminds me of the scene in Mr. Baseball when Jack reaches across the plate to hit a ball when they're intentionally walking him. Vlad is sick.

I just doubt he'll leave LA, especially if the Angels go deep in the playoffs this year (which I think they will, they're hot at the right time).

I just checked. Vlad, like John Lackey, is subject to a club option in 2009, which I'm sure the Angels will pick up.

Gotcha, wasn't aware of that, thanks.

No worries. If I knew he was hitting the market I'd be salivating.

How do those Yankees like sniffing Tampa Bay's ass?

Ask Tampa. They've been doing it for the last 10 years. They should know by now.

BTW - I forgot that the Rays have already won the World Series. I wouldn't be surprised if the injuries to Longoria and Crawford now allow Boston to snatch them up and take the division.

It's also funny DJ how this Rays fan comes outta the woodwork 120 games into the season Let's not pat them on the back too hard though, they just set a franchise record with 71 wins But hey, at least it's not Boston right

Yeah, the Rays fans are pretty hilarious, but I guess we'll see how much they care once the Bucs are in full swing...besides, I still want to see whether these injuries will derail the Ray-train.

Also...our Freddie Sayz and the Bleacher Creatures > their wannabe cowbell artist and the gay heckler behind home plate.

Damn straight I'm coming out of the woodwork! Boston may catch the Rays, but the Yankees will be home for the playoffs. And its a good thing. I heard their equipment manager has run out of Depends.

Well, thanks for keeping the seat warm for us. It must have gotten a little stale from sitting there for 11 years.

Still, it will be interesting to see what happens in the next month, Longoria and Crawford are cornerstones and out. Boston should catch them as long as their pitching stays healthy. Tampa does currently have winning records against Boston and LAA.

Again, I'm happy for the Rays, I have no problem with them. In fact, I think they're the only legitimate team who can knock Anaheim out of the playoffs.

I didn't keep the seat warm, I just didn't pat any attention. The only expectation they had this year was to finsh above .500, so anything better than that is a bonus. Next year was supposed to be the breakout year. I think the Yankees-Red Sox-Rays prettty much end the season playing a round robin.

As for the Sox, I may be wrong on this but I think neither team has won an away game against the other. Looks like Crawford is gone for the season, but Longoria may be able to come back.

Funny thing is, I saw Even Longoria come up through the minors sorta. I work for the Hudson Valley Renegades, which is the single-A affiliate to the Tampa Bay Rays. Josh Hamilton also played a few games for them when he started his comeback. So since they were kinda "local boys" I root for them and am happy for their success

I do. Maddon is a putz. That whole bullshit from Spring Training turned any positive feelings I used to have from them to instant hate. His "hard baseball" got one of our catching prospects out for the season, and then Shelly Duncan had to go and even the score, and it was the same old bullshit of "oh noes! unclean baseball" all over again.

Sexson was just released (no bid deal) but they also optioned Melky to the minors. Cody Ransom (a name I know is going to strike fear into the hearts of opposing pitchers) and Brett Gardner (aka Yankee bloggers second coming of Christ) will be coming up to replace them on the 40-man.

It's not secret I'm a big Melky fan. I hope that this team enjoys watching Johnny Damon attempt to play center. Gardner, in his brief time up with the big club, wasn't hitting any better than Melky was. He's a pinch runner at best imho.

Oh well. Not sure why I care, other than I continue to wonder why the Yankee #9 hitter is still the scapegoat for an entire team of underachievers.

It is kind of ironic, that after 13 straight playoff appearances, they'll more than likely miss them in the final year of Yankee Stadium. Probably not the sendoff they wanted.

FYI---11 games out in the loss column this morning, 7 in the loss in the wild card. I'm not saying they can't do it (look at the Mets last year), but realistically, probably not.

Nah. If you watched last nights game vs. the Royals, it follows the old adage: bad teams find ways to lose games.

That pretty much sums up the season.

I can't remember the last time Mariano threw a wild pitch. Period. Let alone one that blew the game. You're right, DJ. When it rains it pours.

Look at his stats in save situations vs. non-saves. He is a totally different pitcher when he has to keep it close than when he is shutting people down in the 9th inning.

Well, to be fair, that's his job (the 9th inning). I mean, how much can you ask the guy for? He's at least 40 years old (although he claims to be 38 or 39), and he's still one of the top 5 closers in the game.

Speaking of missing their set up man; how many net wins has the Jaba move cost them?

Probably less than the number of wins he's earned as a starter.

...again, bad teams finding ways to lose. Horrible RiSP "production," including an 8th inning that saw the bases loaded with Nady and Cano having opportunities to put the ball in play and take a lead. Rivera blows the hold again.

"Turn the lights out, the party's over..."

I told ya so

---

Steinbrenner willing to open wallet

It was music to the ears of free agents, and their agents. With typical Steinbrennerian certitude, new New York Yankees owner Hank Steinbrenner indicated his team is ready to open its wallet in the offseason, especially if the current downturn is not corrected and the team misses the playoffs for the first time since 1995. "We're going to win it next year," Steinbrenner said. "If we need to add a top veteran pitcher, we'll do that. We'll do whatever we need to do. Next year we'll be extremely dangerous." CC Sabathia looks like the best starter in the free-agent market that includes Derek Lowe, Brad Penny and Ben Sheets next winter, and his price appears to keep shooting up as he pitches Milwaukee toward the playoffs. Then there is Adam Dunn, who seems perfect for Yankee Stadium. Bobby Abreu's contract is up after this year, Jason Giambi is owed a $22 million option the Yankees seem unlikely to pick up, and Hideki Matsui and Johnny Damon will be in the last year of contracts in 2009. With all that left-handed power leaving, it seems like a hole Dunn could plug.

Source: SI

You predicted that Steinbrenner would spend some money?

Irish, you really are clairvoyant.

No, I predicted he'd "open up the wallet." We all knew he was going to spend money but I predict a BIG offseason for the Yankees if they miss the postseason (almost like a blessing in disguise). Hopefully he gets what DJ and I were saying: CC, Teixiera/Manny, Sheets and I'd still love to see K-Rod if they could convince him to come and setup Mo for a few seasons.

Hey, PB, go back to your Mets thread!!

Why do I get the feeling that Hank will do something very stupidly "Steinbrennerish", like shell out money for an aging superstar (see Manny) over a several year contract?? I hope that I am wrong, wrong, wrong, but I wouldn't be completely shocked.

They've poured big bucks on Giambi, Mussina, Sheffield, Randy Johnson and A-Rod and that didn't work out the way they had planned.

It's kind of odd for Steinbrenner to announce this. The world knows that the Yankees overspend and will continue to overspend, more than doubling the payrolls of most teams.

Don't forget, George had it planned that Swindal,his drunken son-in-law, was going to run the team before his own flesh and blood. I think he realized his son had some shortcomings.

Let's not rewrite history. Swindal had his DWI and also had marital issues with Jennifer Steinbrenner, which is why he was "out." It wasn't like a crazy drunk was given the reigns, or that he was drunk beforehand. People make mistakes.

Similarly, the Steinbrenner brothers didn't want to take part in baseball operations. Actually, I'm glad that Hal is there, as he seems to balance Hank out.



Giambi has been productive but injured. Sheffield was also productive. Johnson was also injured, but he did have a bunch of wins. A-Rod has been MVP. Out of all of them, I don't know how you can say Mussina hasn't worked out - since acquired, he has been absolutely fantastic, carrying the rotation at times.

The difference between signing guys like Sabathia and Teixiera is that a.) they are still young enough so that they will not be in a Giambi situation when they're contracts are up and b.) these players will be signed at their peaks, not after they have exhausted the 'magic'.

Manny is the only question mark. First, the Dodgers will have to decline their option years on him. Second, Manny will want a monster deal, but I say give it to him. We're cutting a whole lot of dead weight (and payroll) off of this team by waving goodbye to Giambi, 1 of Pettitte/Mussina, Pavano, trading 1 of Matsui or Damon, and Abreu. Heck, as you know, I didn't want to resign Posada either, but meh.

That alone will not only create roster space, it means there is more flexibility in the war chest. Frankly, Sabathia/Teixiera (or Burrell, frankly)/Manny is much more viable than Johnson/Giambi/Sheffield ever were simply because of their ages and current talent levels.

Adding Sabathia means we will finally have an elite pitcher (two if Joba continues to pan out), with Wang a notch below. Adding Teixiera means we've solved the problem at first base, as he's young and hits like a champ (he doesn't have to be a silver slugger). Adding Manny means we have arguably the most dangerous hitter in league in the heart of our order.

You can't tell me that the below roster wouldn't have a little more "punch" than what we've had this year:

Damon/Gardner/Christian
Jeter
Nady
Manny
A-Rod
Teixiera
Posada
Cano
Melky/Gardner/Christian

Also, another name I'd honestly be interested in as a sort of "freak" candidate is Rocco Baldelli. If he ever sorts our his medical issues - and apparently, he does have some whacked out things going on with his body - he's young enough and the Yankees have enough CF candidates where giving Baldelli a minor league contract would be low-risk high-reward.

Wow!

Who knew that deep down DJ had the forgiving heart of a liberal?

I swear, that must be the first time that Double J's name and the word "liberal" ever appeared in the same sentence!!!

Giambi wasn't given a hundred million dollars merely to be productive. He was a league MVP in 1999 and drove in 120 runs with a .342 avg. for a small market team not known for offense, and signed by a team that had just won three consecutive championships that was expecting more. And since then, the Yankees haven't won a championship and Giambi hasn't sniffed an MVP. In fact midway through his contract, as Giambi hadn't sniffed .300 since his first year in the Bronx, the very guy who signed him amid all types of hype was looking for technicalities to jettison him from NY.

Sure, ARod has been an MVP. He was MVP before he came to NY. He wasn't brought in to help them get to the playoffs (or bed strippers and aging pop stars); the Yankees were more than capable of getting to the post season before he arrived. Sure, he should win MVPs in NY, surrounded by a loaded offense. What didn't work out for the Yankees is the fact that he'd be a deer in the headlights during the postseason (Hey, Scott Brosius won a WS MVP).

Mussina has had a nice career in NY, but please, re-read my post. I never said he didn't work out; I said the big dollar signings didn't work out the way they had planned. I didn't even mention Hideki Irabu, Kei Igawa and some others. My point is that this decade there has always been hype and spectacle about all of these signings and it hasn't been nearly as successful as the days of far less heralded players, like Paul O'Neill, Tino Martinez, Bernie Williams and Jim Leyritz.

Kly, I re-read, and keep getting stuck.



Giambi also hasn't been horrible either. They haven't won a championship with Mike Mussina either, but I don't think that was a bad signing. Giambi's contract was one of poor foresight, I agree, but I don't think individually that Giambi, Sheffield, Mussina, or Johnson were specifically the reasons why this team hasn't won since 2000.



A-Rod is a class a-choker. I have no excuse, other than some guys can handle the big spotlight, and he seemingly can't. That being said, the Yankees don't even touch the playoffs last year without his monster run. He carried the team for an entire season.



The problem is that those hype and spectacle signings were never followed through with either a better supporting cast or restocking of the farm system. Kei Igawa may be a total piece of garbage, but he didn't cost anything other than money. Those signings I don't care about so much.

The Yankee team, as composed for the last 5-7 years, has not been well-constructed. They lack a true leadoff hitter. They lack a true #3 hitter. Their cleanup hitter has stage fright. The back of the order is always mending some sort of injury. More egregiously, the pitching rotation has been woefully unaddressed, even up to this year, despite the addition of Chamberlain and (a couple of years ago) Wang, who was a total surprise.

Cutting the dead weight is key. But signing prized free agents - the three of whom I've mentioned - is only going to help bring some more composure to a team that sorely needs direction. With Sabathia, a rotation that might finally be able to compete in the AL East. With Teixiera/Burrell, a true first baseman and #3 or #5 hitter. With Manny Ramirez, the feared bat and clutch ala Reggie Jackson.

This merely complements what is a core that while good, requires the trimming of the fat. At least 5-7 starting players (pitchers and position players) need to go this offseason. They have to be replaced with better quality.

All I ask is this:

Does the addition of C.C. Sabathia help to stabilize a fragmentary Yankee rotation?

Does the addition of Mark Teixiera bring stability to a position that has been lacking both offensively and defensively for the past 3 seasons?

Does the addition of Manny Ramirez provide a significant offensive boost to a team that is anemic with RiSP?

If the answer to all these question is yes, then with the money and players coming off the books, I see no reason why these are not viable options for improving the team. If they aren't, then I'd like to hear what would be your recommendation to improve the 2009 Yankees?

So, after watching the game gift-wrapped and given to Toronto last night, I admit that I scratched my head and asked myself, "Johnny Damon in Center Field? When everyone knows that his arm is gone, gone, gone? Why was Melky Cabrera not in center field? Who made THAT decision? Where is he again?? Oh, that's right! He's been sent to the MINORS!!!!!!!!"

Yeah, pretty much. I can't really reconcile that, other than the Yankees (and many bloggers) basically think their #9 hitter is the problem with their order.

Incidentally, A-Rod says it's time for the Yanks to start pressing...

Yeah, A-Rod has always had a grasp for the obvious.

Yes, Melky is to blame that ARod and Damon are the pretty much the only batters hitting over .300 this season. Ridiculous.

I haven't paid much attention the past few days... are you SERIOUS??!! Melky??!!! W-T-F is going on over there??!

I wonder what Torre's thinking about it, if anything. I mean, we still have a better record than the Dodgers, but they're only 1 game back in their division. We're freakin' 11 (6.5 Wild Card) -- in AUGUST?!!

I have nothing against Girardi, and I know that the Yankees have had their share of injuries and problems, but I can't help but feel that Torre would have found a way to win DESPITE the problems. He always did in the past.

I dunno, Babe. I love Torre, but this team is just too OLD in too many places. If they get younger (and I'm certain they will), they'll win 95 games next year with Girardi at the helm. Back to the playoffs.

Joe was a great motivator. C'mon, like the team was YOUNG last year?? Torre's talent is that he can wring a performance out of a player that they didn't think they were capable of giving.

No, they weren't young last year, which is pretty much my point. They're even older this year.

Let them get younger in the outfield next year and you'll be raising the division flag before you know it.

You mean an outfield that can actually catch and throw?? Silly man. Do you want everything???

Let's also not try to compare the AL East with the NL West

I was watching the ninth inning last night, and A-Rod should have been pressing last night. After three Ks he hit the blooper down the right field line, got a late break from the plate and didn't bust it until he rounded first. He was out easily.

He's a great player, one of the best in the league, but he combined poor judgment with lack of hustle in a critical point in the game.

It was a waste of good pitching.

The season isn't over yet, but NY has to make the most of the head to head games left with Boston, and they have to sweep a few series.

I can tell by the way they've looked dead the last three years of the playoffs in a row...what a motivator.

Someone figured out the Elias sports bureau rankings...

...which is pretty nifty. That's the mathematical formula used to determine Type A or B free agents. Type A free agents require that whichever team signs that player must send two draft picks to the players former team; Type B is the same, except only 1 draft pick must go the the old club.

If Kyle Farnsworth - who still sucks as a Tiger as much as he did a Yankee - comes out to be a Type A and Pudge is a Type B, that's fucked up.

Well, at least they MADE the playoffs under Joe Torre. And won an impressive number of championships, too, if I remember correctly. And he managed to do it with injuries and no pitching.

Hmmmm...sound familiar? Except this year, they're 10 games out in the 3rd week of August.

I'm not saying that Girardi's the problem. Not at all. But perhaps those who were on the "Fire Torre" bandwagon were chanting the wrong name.

Do you honestly think that Torre could get this team in the playoffs with the injuries, poor RiSP production, and lack of quality pitching?

How can you say that they had no injuries and no pitching? I seem to remember hearing names like Key, Wells, Cone, Pettitte (in his prime), Clemens, Wetteland, Rivera, etc.

The team is just a.) old and b.) overrated. While I don't think that Girardi is the whiz "kid" some of us thought he'd be, there isn't much he can do when the heart of the order has a sub-.250 batting average with RiSP.

If I had to choose between making the playoffs and getting embarrassed in the first round (like we have under Torre now for the last 3+ years) by trading away talent for short-term fixes or not making the playoffs and then coming back with a trimmed and expanded roster next year, I'd take the latter every time.

I'm talking about the last 4 or 5 years. They lost both Clemens and Pettitte to Houston, and who did they have? They haven't had decent starting or relief pitchers in years. Wang has done a great job, but he's also been injured at some point every season. Moose has been hit or miss. And that's been the extent of it. One or two reliable starters isn't enough.

I think that both Torre and Girardi have had to play with whoever they've been given. And that SUCKS. But, as I said earlier, Torre's main talent is to squeeze a performance out of a player that he didn't even know he had in him.

If anything, I think that Cashman should have been fired last year, for the reasons that we both gave. Torre wasn't the problem, and neither is Girardi.

If the next year or two have to be rebuilding years, then so be it. Perhaps that what's needed.

I disagree with this statement, Cashman's not to blame. Torre, Girardi, Cashman, no one could have predicted the amount of injuries the Yankees would sustain this year or lack of offense the roster would give. If Cashman was gone, so would Phil Hughes and either Ian Kennedy or Melky Cabrera. Sure we would have Johan but let's give the deal some more time to see what was the wise course of action.

Well at least we'll get our monies worth at least one more time before his contract expires at the end of the year

---

Injury-prone Pavano to start for Yankees this weekend

[quote=Irishman12 If Cashman was gone, so would Phil Hughes and either Ian Kennedy or Melky Cabrera. Sure we would have Johan but let's give the deal some more time to see what was the wise course of action. [/quote]

I think if the Yankees had the chance to go back in time to make the deal, they'd jump at it.

Torre has also had the benefit of some absolute pure luck, ala Shawn Chacon and Aaron Small in 2005, A-Rod's surge last year, etc.

Girardi doesn't have that this year outside of Pettitte and Mussina. Wang has been hurt down the stretch, Hughes and Kennedy have been atrocious, and Joba has only been here recently.

Two reliable starters aren't enough, but you can't blame that on Girardi. Torre had the benefit of a lot of luck, and you saw the *real* Yankees when they got booted by real teams like the Angels, Tigers, and Indians.



Squeezing out performances by riding out favorites even though they were terrible (ala Miguel Cairo) and ruined the arms of pitchers again with Papa Joe's favorites (laundry list starts with Scott Proctor, Paul Quantrill, etc.). Torre can't manage a bullpen to save his life.

And for all this talk of squeezing out performances, I must be missing all this clutch awesomeness oozing out of his Bigelow Green Tea when we looked like trash against Anaheim, Detroit, and Cleveland.



Cashman is the only one who has protected the farm system, cultivated talent, and brought some sort of sensibility to deals. The best thing that happened to the Yankees in the last couple of years is Hank started drooling out of his mouth and now the Tampa group has lost control.

I think if the Yankees had the chance to go back in time to make the deal, they'd jump at it. [/quote]

I wish people would get the terms of the deal correct. It wasn't just Kennedy and Melky, it was:

Hughes
Kennedy
Melky
Prospect

for Santana

or

Chamberlain
Cabrera
Prospect

for Santana

or

Hughes
Kennedy
Austin Jackson

for Santana.

The question is whether Hughes ends up doing something with the Major League career. Kennedy is a wash at this point, and Melky is now in AAA because the Yankees feel the #9 hitter is what is holding them back.

Carl Pavano pitched a win for the Yankees yesterday.

In other news, hell has frozen over, Jimmy Hoffa's body was found, and Elvis really is alive.

DJ, I was thinking the same thing last night! He actually pitched moderately well. I mean, it was Baltimore, but still. I thought that Girardi was going to take him out in the 5th, but he hung in there, and they actually won.

And he didn't get injured during the game!!!!

It kind of makes you wonder if he actually gave a shit and didn't let a sore ass keep him from pitching, what he could have been for the Yankees when they signed him to that big deal.

Alas, I think Mike Francesca has the right idea...offer him the league minimum for a 1 year deal this year and see if he takes it.

I wish people would get the terms of the deal correct. It wasn't just Kennedy and Melky, it was:

Hughes
Kennedy
Melky
Prospect

for Santana

[/quote]

I knew Hughes was one of the guys mentioned in the trade.

As I said, if the Yankees could go back in time, they'd jump at this trade.

No they wouldn't. Hughes is still untouchable. If it had been just Kennedy and Melky, I think that would have been an instantaneous deal. Unfortunately for the Yankees, the Twins played hard ball and in the end, tried to hornswaggle the Sox and the Yanks. I would say the Twins got the short end of the deal considering three of the four players in that deal will likely never make an impact at the major league level, but the Twins are playing great baseball in spite of losing Hunter (who everyone called me retarded for saying the Yankees should sign but now regrets not signing) and Santana. In my opinion, at this point in the season, Hunter would have had a bigger impact than Santana, considering the dismal run support the Yankee offense has given pitchers.

3 a-level prospects (the "Prospect" in question was allegedly either Austin Jackson, the Yankees #1 AA outfield prospect, or Mark Melancon, the Yankees #1 AA-AAA relief prospect and planned heir apparent of Rivera) and your starting center fielder for a player asking for a $100-million plus pitcher is too much, especially when you look at what the Mets gave up in the end, which was a "nice" player in Gomez who could be an average-to-good outfielder and three no-name prospects.

Joe Torre
Part of Speech: verb
Etymology: Early 21st Century English, from the Italian “Joe Torre”
Definition: To beat like a rented mule
Use: Poor Scott Proctor was never the same after 2 years of getting Joe Torried.

See also: Quantrilling, Sturtzing, Proctoring

The Sox beat the Yanks and a down here in Philly land the local paper just capsulizes the other games; the Yanks being one. BUT they did have a headline over the capsules that read "A-Rod comes up small...."
He hit into two double plays, one with the bases loaded and he whiffed in the ninth. What an expensive dud. I never liked the deal. They should have spent the money on pitchers and picked up a servicable 3rd baseman. I should've been the GM too.

[quote=MaryCas]"A-Rod comes up small...."

Was there a picture underneath that headline of Madonna looking disappointed, holding her forefinger close to her thumb?

Actually, there's a reason why there was no interest from any other team when A-Rod and Boras interrupted the Red Sox's World Series win and boldly proclaimed his free agency and that he was looking for $30 million a year. He's not worth it.

His BA with RISP is dismal. But he doesn't offer excuses, I'll certainly give him that.

The Yankees need the remaining games in this series. There's a big difference between trailing by 6 and trailing by 4 this late in the season.

DoublePlayRod. What a shock. And twice in one night, no less. And we have him for another 10 years. What a joy.

I used to call Paul O'Neil: G.I.D.P.O'Neil

My brother (a huge Yankee fan) went to the game last night. He told me the crowd REALLY let A-Rod have it last night; more than any time last year.

He said one kid, who couldn't have been more than ten years old, held a sign that said "We don't want you, Alex." And that upon seeing it, A-Rod pretty much had tears in his eyes. Man, I never really liked him, but that's just cold.

I mean, you just know the kid's father made him the sign. What the hell are we teaching our kids?

Yeah, really. By giving his son that vile sign to hold, how does the father expect him to learn how to give the finger to the players?

When the Yankees were playing poorly, wasn't it also a ritual of yours to refer to a certain player as "Bernice Williams"??

Yeah -- Bernice Williams, Paula O'Neil, Tina Martinez, Alexis Rodriguez, and just thought of Ivana Rodriguez... and good ol' Michelle Pussina.

You should see the A-Rod apologists out in full force (see River Ave. Blues; LoHud Yankees blog; etc.) who claim RiSP is a fluky stat anyways, or that Derek Jeter is having a shitty year, or that opposing teams still have to gameplan around A-Rod because they fear his bat, or some other bullshit.

Maybe he could use the emotion when he's at the plate whiffing at pitches out of the zone...

Oh, that was just....awful. It was like a train wreck in slow motion, where the cars of the train just keep hitting into one another. Maybe like the one in The Fugitive.

Mr. Babe was invited to today's game, so he promises that his presence in the stands will guarantee a win. What the heck? Nothing else has worked for them this season.

It's O-V-E-R! Oh well, let's look forward to the offseason to who we'll get under the tree this Christmas

Oh, yeah. Stick a fork in the Yankees.

It must have been Posada all along! Georgette Posada.

We have friends who are die-hard Mets fans. Their son, who just turned 17, is one of those obnoxious know-it-alls (not just about baseball, pretty much everything). We were watching the Mets-Yankees play last year and Posada hit a home run and I referred to him by his nickname "Georgie". The son looked at me, rolled his eyes, and said, "It's pronounced Hor-hay."

I wanted to smack the crap out of the kid.

0 for 4-Rod.

The Yankees Win!!!! The Giambino comes through!!

It's funny, but at physical therapy last night, I was talking to another patient and the therapist about the Yankees. The question was posed - If the game was on the line, who would you rather have up at bat? ARod or Giambi?

Both men said ARod. I said Giambi. It's so hard to be right all the time!

As a Sox fan, Giambi is the one I'd least like to see come up with the game on the line.

Still, it's been a good couple of days.... The Sox took 2 out of 3 in their final games at the Stadium and Mrs. Obama spoke eloquently at the convention.

Life is good sometimes.

SC, it's really great to see your familiar avatar again.

Thanks, klyd.... I missed your avatar too.

I met 5 or 6 Sox fans this morning down at Grand Central. They were looking for the 4 train. Good think I'm not a Yankee fan. I might have put them on the 5 train out to Flatbush.

Actually, they were very friendly.

SC, as I told you, Mr. Babe was going to guarantee a win for the Yankees today. Actually, he called me about two hours ago, and he seemed to be slurring his words a bit. I'm sure he was drunk with victory.

I'm just glad they got to Papelbum!

Papelbon is a darned good closer. Why would you call him that? I'm glad they won, but no reason to call him that. Plus, he looks pretty cute in a skirt.

Because I thought it was cute when a New York paper called him that after he ran his mouth off at the All-Star game saying he and not Mariano Riveria should be the closer in the House That Ruth Built.

Yeah, you can savor that memory in October.

I will when Boston gets knocked from the playoffs, if they even make it Beckett could be heading to the DL and that will put a damper in their postseason push

I12, I understand the whole Boston-NYY thing. I wanted the Yankees to beat them this year, as I do every year. But I wouldn't be running my mouth about Boston after the way that the Yankees have dropped the ball (pun intended). Here's a team that should be doing much better. We haven't been able to hit the side of a barn this season.

Oh what do you understand, SB?? You don't even know how to pronounce Hor hay.

I'm with you SB. I hope A-Hole was watching how to do it.

Hip Hip Hor Hay!!!

I agree, SB. You are a true fan of the game and of good sportsmanship in general.

I like you, Irish. You're a nice and respectful young guy, but when it comes to sports, you still have some growing up to do. The idea that a Boston loss is as good as a Yankee win is ridiculous. Especially since, as Babe said, the Sox have owned the Yanks these last few years. So far the Sox, not the Yankees, are the team of this century. So just sit back, hope for some good off season moves, and hope for the best next year.

Like I said, I'm not too worried about Boston this year, ESPECIALLY if they lose Beckett. Tampa's got the division and Boston only has a 2 game lead over the Twins. So, they're no "lock" yet. Personally, I think it'd be funny if they missed the playoffs and a bigger story than the Yankees missing the postseason, since they won the World Series last year and all. But even if they do make the playoffs, Anaheim owns them and would probably sweep 'em.

How is it a bigger story than the fact that the Yankees haven't won a series since 2000? ESPECIALLY since they've made the postseason every year?? Look, I don't want to run down the Yankees. They're my team. But the truth is, the BoSox have been a better team.

There's no reason that we should be doing this poorly. We've had decent starters. However, the bats haven't given them the support they deserve.

I think it's funnier that the team with the biggest payroll didn't make the playoffs. The Yankees payroll is ALMOST double that of Boston's.

Well, it's not VERY funny.

How is it a bigger story? Well, let's see. Not even 12 months ago they swept the Colorado Rockies to win the World Series and they could miss the postseason this year with pretty much the same roster. The Yankees not winning the World Series was a story a few years ago. I don't think many picked the Yankees to win it this year because of their rotation going into the season (a lot of people picked either Boston or Detroit to win the AL). And speaking of big stories, what about the Tigers? Not even playing .500 ball with all of that talent. Talk about under-performing!

What do the shortcomings of other teams have to do with the Yankees? The Yankees have sucked this year. There are other teams that have sucked, too, but that doesn't make the Yankees suck any less.

I'm not saying the Yankees don't suck. I'm just tired of hearing how big of a story the Yankees not making the playoffs is. Yes, they've done it 13 straight years which shows their consistency in winning. But we all knew it wasn't going to go on forever. To me, the defending World Champion Boston Red Sox not making the playoffs the following year with essentially the same roster would be a bigger story

I think that's a pretty big story. And they lost again today. This is not good.

I think it's funnier that the team with the lowest payroll in the division is kicking both of our teams' asses.

Incidentally, 2007 Red Sox were the most expensive World Series champion team of all time.

Just saying...

(Awaits responses of "2008 Yankees - Most Expensive Team To Ever Miss Playoffs...")

It ain't funny, but it's ironically true.

I won't argue against the Sox becoming something I hate... a big payroll corporate entity... I liked them a whole lot better when they were struggling (albeit with good personnel) to finally win.

I've too much "history" with them to switch allegiances, but Tampa is gonna be an exciting team to watch. (Still, I'd like to see the Sox get into the Series, and win, of course).

Tampa was fun to watch, but since I hate Joe Maddon with a passion, I can only root for some of their players now.

If anything, I'm rooting for the Cubbies. I won't pull a Giuliani.

I would LOVE to see a Red Sox/Cubs Series!

The Red Sox have to make the playoffs first...

Details.....

I'd still love to see it, though.

Hmm, Cubs and Twins.

I'd love to see the Cubs win it all this year. I'm really pulling for them or the Mets

I don't dislike the Mets, but I think that the Phillies still will surpass them as long as Rollins can put the hammer down.

^ At least Nady looks like he realizes these games are do-or-die. A-Rod and Abreu look like it's early April.

While he was playing for the Phillies and when they dumped his contract, I had always said that Bobby Abreu never really cared about winning. Larry Bowa echoed the sentiment while managing the Phillies.

Abreu used to put up really good numbers, but he never put forth the consistent effort, both at the plate and in the field, needed for a first place team. His approach to the game is terrible despite his talent.

I'm glad he'll be gone after this year. Whether or not Nady can maintain his overall performance from this year, at least he gives a shit and will be a welcome change in right field.

What is wrong with Robinson Cano? I really like the young man but he seems to rub me the "Bobby Abreu way," his lack of hustle/caring really disturbs me. This young man is only 25-years of age and could be a league batting champion. Just 2 years ago he hit .342, last year .306, and this year a BIG drop off with .268. Not only that but his defense. Could someone PLEASE show this guy how to dive for a ball? It really just burns my a$$ to see these guys with all this potential and not utilize it fully.

1-pitch JOBA! It's great to see you back

Cano needs someone to motivate him. He's just one of those players that could be great but needs somebody to light a fire under him. It's pretty sad, actually. Fuck, Girardi should be doing it, but he seems to be worried about how to keep A-Rod and Giambi together in mediocrity in the batting order.

Exactly my point. Yes, Larry Bowa's gone. He shouldn't need someone to motivate him. Jeter doesn't, Nady doesn't, Damon doesn't, etc.

Larry Bowa was the guy, who I thought should have been manager if Torre had to be replaced. I agree that motivation should come from within at this level.
I think the primary external source of motivation comes from teammates, particularly veterans.

Guys like Paul O'Neill, Tino Martinez, Bernie Williams and Scott Brosius were no hall of famers, but they came to the park every day and played hard and played to win. Jeter, Posada and otheryounger players in the mid-90s grew up in this environment. When all your teammates show up and take BP seriously, then you take it seriously; when your teammates dive for a ball or run into a wall; then you do the same.

The best I ever saw at setting the example was Pete Rose. He set the tone and work ethic of the Big Red Machine. He came to Philly and also won a championship. Mike Scmidt hit the nail on the head when he later said that Rose told him and others that the Phillie team was the most talented in the league, but couldn't be the best until they learned to be the best every inning of any game.

I'm not sure if this ties into the Cano thing, but if he sees Bobby Abreu avoid the wall and play as fly into a triple or A-Rod getting thrown out at second on a hit where he didn't go full speed, complacency might pass for acceptability.

Get rid of Rasner already!

Yanks GM to consider other offers?

Brian Cashman again refused to discuss his future. While Hank and Hal Steinbrenner want the GM to return, Cashman says the situation will be resolved following the season. The Phillies will have a GM opening since Pat Gillick is retiring, and there could be vacancies in Seattle and Washington. Cashman is in the final season of a three-year deal worth $5.4 million.

Source: SI

I wouldn't object if Cash goes, but he won't go to Washington (it's a mess) or Seattle (funky ownership and mediocre team core). I think the Phillies would be the likely destination.

I don't know...honestly, I think that perhaps Damon Oppenheimer (if they promoted him) might be a nice candidate. They could also bring back Gene Michael.

I agree with that. Cano seems to always get called a "lazy player" but to be honest, the only guy on the team who always seems to run plays out is Jeter.

Its going to be a long off season.

ds

BJ Upton is the poster boy for zoning out of games. There's a guy with Hall of Fame talent, but he needs to learn how to commit himself before he can be a great player.

Yankees scouting Japanese righty

In a sign that the Yankees could be involved in some overseas bidding this winter, Gene Michael was sent on a scouting mission to Japan, although it is unclear whether the Yankees have their eye on a particular player. That Michael was sent to Japan for the first time signifies a shift for the Yankees, who have relied on their Pacific scouts for several years. Following the disastrous signing of Kei Igawa, however, the Yankees aren't taking any chances, sending one of their most trusted talent evaluators to look at potential acquisitions. Among the potential free agents is Koji Uehara, a 33-year-old righthander who was Hideki Matsui's teammate with Yomiuri for four years before the Yankees lured Matsui to New York in 2003. Uehara, who is 109-61 with a 2.96 ERA since making his debut in 1999, has made it known he intends to pitch in the majors next season. He spent eight seasons as one of the Giants' top starters before moving into the closer role in 2007, although he is expected to be a starter in the majors. Two other players who could make the move from Japan to the U.S. are righthander Kenshin Kawakami, a righthanded starter, and Hitoki Iwase, a lefthanded reliever, both of whom play for the Chunichi Dragons.

Source: SI

WTF are they thinking?

They're thinking it might be a good idea to send a real scout (Gene "The Stick" Michael) to Japan if they actually hope to find good players...

The Yanks let me down big time this year. Hopefully next year they will do better.

ds

Like I've been saying, this could be a blessing in disguise. A poor year will force management to go out and make some major moves which will hopefully keep the Yankees contenders for the foreseeable future

It's been AWESOME not having Cock Schilling around all year and he just needs his 15 minutes again (as usual)

---

Schilling throws brushback at N.Y.

BOSTON (AP) -- A shoulder injury has kept Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling sidelined all season, but his mouth is in good enough shape to take on New York.

Schilling blasted New York sports fans, calling them "bitter and mad and miserable" for their apparent glee over New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady's season-ending knee injury.

Schilling talked about Brady's injury Tuesday during his weekly appearance on WEEI radio.

"The euphoria in New York is palpable," he said. "I mean, the Yankees suck this year. And they're bitter and mad and they're making excuses over that. And now, you know, now they got Tom going down, so, you know, New York's excited."

He later added: "They want us to be as bitter and mad and miserable and they are. And, unfortunately, it's not going to happen. The sad part is going to be when [the Patriots] beat the Jets next week."

Schilling has taken shots at New York in the past, and Tuesday acknowledged he's not a favorite there. But he said that's fine with him, recalling Boston's rally from three games back to beat New York in the 2004 AL championship series. Schilling famously forced a seventh game, pitching as blood seeped through his sock from a suture on his ankle.

"I was front row and center when their quote/unquote dynasty ended, so I'm OK with that," Schilling said.

Source: SI

Schilling isn't even relevant. This is his sad attempt to get airplay.

Hopefully this will help:

---

Plan in motion to overhaul Cano's swing

NEW YORK -- Robinson Cano hears the whispers, even if he refuses to look over his shoulder. To do so would only compound the disappointment the Yankees second baseman fights each day.

Playing through the final month of a frustrating season, Cano has been stung by criticism labeling his on-field effort as nonchalant. Yet those adjectives have been meaningless compared to the cold splash of reality Cano feels each time sees a batting average hovering in the .260s, wondering why it belongs to him.

"I don't want to say this is a bad year, but it's at least a year that I'm going to learn from and not be back in this situation again," Cano said. "This is a year that you can just say, 'OK, this is not happening again.'"

The Yankees hope so, and they are preparing steps to move in that direction. Yankees hitting coach Kevin Long plans to travel to the Dominican Republic to work with Cano in November. The work there will be extensive and represents a complete overhaul of the infielder's swing.

The promise is of a completely revamped player in advance of Spring Training. Long outlined pieces of his blueprint for Cano by eliminating excess action, while putting him in a better position to hit, squaring up more with the pitcher. Addressing Cano's strike-zone discipline is also high on the to-do list.

"You're going to see a huge difference visually," Long said. "You'll see less movement, an explosive, compact swing, and you'll probably see more home runs. I think his average will go way up and I think his walks will go way up."

Cano completed the Yankees' 10-game road trip batting .261 with 13 home runs and 61 RBIs in 143 games. His .295 on-base percentage is among baseball's lowest for regular players, and after Cano went hitless on Wednesday at Anaheim, he had not walked in his last 99 plate appearances, a sure sign that his plate discipline has gone backward.

"At a point there, it was moving in the right direction," Long said. "I'll take blame for it, but he's got to take blame for it, too. You can't go up there and continue to expand the zone and swing at pitches that you can't drive."

The Yankees were aware of the storm clouds brewing with Cano, even when New York placed a four-year, $30 million wager that the 25-year-old would continue to improve. Even if Cano wasn't going by the book mechanically, Long said, he was still able to achieve great results in the batter's box, leaving no options to do but watch and wait.

"You can't [overhaul] a guy that's had that much success," Long said. "I think he's still going to be a real good player. He's got to make some changes with the mechanics of his swing, but coming in with all the success that he'd had doing it that way, there's really not much anyone could do other than just let him go with it."

Source: Yankees

Hank Steinbrenner says Yankees made mistakes

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) -- Hank Steinbrenner is disappointed the New York Yankees could be eliminated from postseason play during Yankee Stadium's final homestand.

"We're going to have to look at what has been done wrong over the last five years, which I've had one year to try and figure out," he said Thursday at the Yankees' spring training complex. "Clearly, a lot of mistakes were made."

Hank and his brother Hal took over most of the Yankees' day-to-day operation last fall. Their father, George Steinbrenner, bought the Yankees in 1973.

"I'm going to be reviewing the entire organization," said Hank Steinbrenner, a team co-chairman along with his brother Hal.

New York opens a 10-game homestand Friday night against Tampa Bay. The Yankees, fourth in the AL East, are 8 1/2 games behind AL wild-card leader Boston with 16 games left.

"We're going to do everything we can to win next year. We're not going to wait," Steinbrenner said. "Do everything we can that makes sense. "We're going to fix what we have to fix."

New York is expected to be active in free agency. Pitchers CC Sabathia, Ben Sheets and A.J. Burnett, and first baseman Mark Teixeira are among the players whom the Yankees might be interested in signing.

Steinbrenner has already said that manager Joe Girardi will return next season, but the contract of general manager Brian Cashman ends this year and extension talks won't take place until after the season.

In addition to the GM spot, Steinbrenner is looking at setting up an advisory group, such as the one his father established before the Yankees' run of four World Series titles from 1996-2000.

"If Brian stays on as GM, that doesn't mean he won't be the No. 1 guy," Steinbrenner said. "But the fact is, the more opinions the better. I think that's probably the best way. It worked in the 90's, and it can work again."

Injuries and offensive struggles have been key factors this season, which will likely end with New York missing the playoffs for the first since 1993.

"Our offense was a major disappointment," Steinbrenner said.

The Yankees lost more than 30 combined starts due to injuries to Chien-Ming Wang (foot) and Joba Chamberlain (shoulder).

"Where would we be if we weren't down two-thirds of our top three starting pitchers?" Steinbrenner said.

Source: SI

Steinbrenner says he'll call the shots from now on

If Johan Santana was a free agent this year, you can bet Hank Steinbrenner would not have taken ‘no’ for an answer.

The Yankees only have a bittersweet 16 games remaining in their lost 2008 season, but their course for ’09 is about to begin. And when it does, the co-chairman plans to be at the wheel.

“Suffice to say, there’s not going to be any more, on my part, of trying to keep everybody happy. If I want somebody, I’m going to go after him,” Steinbrenner told The Record by phone this afternoon.

Immediately after the season, Steinbrenner plans to review the entire organization. “Just as my dad would have,” he said, adding that George Steinbrenner has equally been dismayed by the Yankees’ fourth-place standing. “It’s been a very disappointing year for both of us.

“Other people might tend to look at [the Yankees] more like a business, and as long as business-wise [the club is profitable] everybody’s happy. But we don’t see it like that.”

To restore the Yankees into a World Series contender, “We’ve got major work to do, there’s no question,” Hank Steinbrenner said.
Asked if general manager Brian Cashman would continue to spearhead the baseball operation beyond his contract expiration next month, Steinbrenner said, “I think both parties still have to decide.

“I don’t think any of us expected this to happen this year,” Steinbrenner said of a 77-69 club that — barring a baseball miracle — will become the first Yankees team to miss the playoffs since 1993.

“Even besides injuries, certain players didn’t perform. Certain things didn’t get done,” Steinbrenner said. “It was somewhat the result of things that had been done over the last five years, and now I plan on fixing them.

“I’m very disappointed in this team. But at the same time, there’s no question injuries were a huge factor.”

Because of those injuries, the major league roster “might not be as difficult to fix as you’d think,” said Steinbrenner, whose chief concern is at the root level.

“The biggest mission, for myself, is making sure the farm system is stronger than it’s been the last few years,” Steinbrenner said. When it comes to prospects, “I want more.”

Within the AL East, the Yankees have seen the Red Sox replenish, and the Rays rebuild, by developing their own stars. But there’s room for a dynamic starter, and CC Sabathia could expect to receive a full-court, pinstriped press as a free agent.
Steinbrenner would not discuss names, and would not reveal if he intended to bring back his own two major free agent starters — Mike Mussina and Andy Pettitte.

The Yankees have four other free agents coming off the books this year — Bobby Abreu, Jason Giambi, Ivan Rodriguez and Carl Pavano — for a net savings of $84.25 million (not including $6.95 million in buyouts).

Potentially, the Yankees would have to replace their No. 3 hitter, fill the first base opening (possibly internally with Jorge Posada), and bolster the rotation. But money won’t be an obstacle for any player Steinbrenner desires — even with the inherent, long-term risks for a veteran pitcher.

“The Mets did it with Santana, and I came damn close to doing it with Santana,” Steinbrenner said of the trade he advocated last winter with Minnesota. “You look at it on a player-to-player basis, and you look at the market.”

The injury histories of Ben Sheets, and A.J. Burnett, two top potential free agent starters, complicate a long-term commitment. Steinbrenner believes he already has two top starters in Chien-Ming Wang and Joba Chamberlain, and was extremely complimentary of Mussina’s 17-win season at age 39.

“You look at what [Mussina] did, and if everybody else had been healthy ... you get an idea of what we could have had,” Steinbrenner said.

A part of Steinbrenner still wonders whether he should’ve insisted on Santana, too.

“[Would] Santana have made enough of a difference with all our injuries [this year]? I don’t know,” Steinbrenner said. “It certainly would have made us a lot closer.”

Source: North Jersey

Report: Bernie to return for sendoff

NEW YORK -- Bernie Williams is coming home to Yankee Stadium, one last time.

Williams told the New York Post that he plans to be in the Bronx as part of the pre-game festivities on Sept. 21, when the Yankees and Orioles will play the final regular season game in the Stadium's rich history.

A Yankees mainstay for 16 seasons and a key component of New York's four World Series championship clubs in five years from 1996 through 2000, Williams has not been to the ballpark since the end of the 2006 season, when he went unsigned as a free agent.

"It will bring me back to my first time in 1991, when I played my first game," Williams told the Post in Friday's editions. "It will be amazing. The fans are going to be great. I'm obviously very sad to see the Stadium go -- you have a lot of great memories -- but you move on."

The Yankees have not made an official announcement on Williams' appearance. Steve Fortunato, Williams' marketing representative, said, "Right now, there's nothing to report on anything to do with Bernie for Sept. 21."

A .297 career hitter, Williams has not officially retired and had hoped to be signed to a contract for the 2007 season.

The Yankees offered only a Spring Training invitation, which Williams did not accept, believing that his performance in 2006 -- when he batted .281 with 12 home runs and 61 RBIs in 131 games -- should have warranted a guaranteed deal.

In the two years that have passed, Williams, who turns 40 on Saturday, has used his free time to pursue a musical career that sparked during his active playing days.

Williams spoke to the Post at a musical performance that benefited Robinson Cano's Foundation Fundraiser at Frankie & Johnny's Pine Restaurant in the Bronx.

Williams was not present at the Yankee Stadium All-Star Game festivities in July, though he did make an appearance related to the MLB All-Star FanFest at the Javits Center in New York, leaving no question about his affiliation while wearing a striped Yankees polo shirt.

"I check the games once in a while," Williams said in July. "I like to check the guys that I built relationships with. I like to see them do well. I talk to Derek [Jeter] and Jorge [Posada] a lot, and Mariano [Rivera] and Joe [Torre]. I still consider myself a Yankee still. I don't think that will ever go away."

Williams was also conspicuously absent from the final Old-Timers Day at Yankee Stadium; the club explained that Williams had a long-scheduled vacation that prohibited him from attending. He told the Post that he did not want to discuss his baseball future.

"I wouldn't want to talk about that right now," Williams said. "I'm doing my music right now. I'm having a great time with my time off. I'm still training, so you never know."

The Yankees have not released details of the final plans for the Sept. 21 finale at Yankee Stadium. A source said that a memorable sendoff celebration will be held, involving many former Yankees greats and Hall of Famers.

Source: Yankees

Who honestly wouldn't have rather had Bernie available to come off the bench these last two years than fucking Wilson Betemit?

The way the Yankees handled Bernie was pretty bad. We certainly could have used him down this stretch run. It's a shame that we've lost our core and replaced it with overpriced and overhyped non-talent.

I've certainly missed Bernie. He was a great contribution to the team, and we certainly could have used him since they treated him like crap.

I agree with you both.

Here he is again, grasping for a spotlight

---

Manny says he doesn't deserve to be NL MVP, as Schilling calls him out

The media called Manny Ramirez's quirks "Manny being Manny." Curt Schilling sees it differently.

In an interview Wednesday on Boston radio station WEEI-AM, the injured Boston Red Sox starter took his former teammate to task, saying Manny's "level of disrespect to teammates and people was unfathomable."

Ramirez was dealt to the Los Angeles Dodgers at the trade deadline after complaining the team had tried to turn the fans against him and that the Red Sox no longer deserved him. Ramirez was in the last year of his contract, with the team holding two one-year options for $20 million each.

There were times when you had players who were on like fire duty, 'Show up tomorrow, I'm not sure if you're playing or not, we've gotta find out what [Manny] wants to do.' That's not fair to anybody.

In eight seasons in Boston, Ramirez's quirks were widely seen as harmless, or dismissed as a small price to pay for having such a gifted hitter in the lineup. But Schilling, speaking with "Big Show" host Glenn Ordway and former Red Sox players Brian Daubach and Lou Merloni, said Manny's antics disrespected his teammates.

"The guy got to dress in a locker away from the team for seven years," Schilling said. "And then [when] he's on this crusade to get out of here, all of a sudden he's in the locker room every day, voicing his displeasure without even having to play the game that night."

Manny's behavior was hardest on Red Sox manager Terry Francona, Schilling said.

"Nothing makes a guy that respects the game and respects human beings like Terry Francona feel worse than looking at a guy and saying, 'Go ahead, [mess] with me, [mess] with your teammates, I'll put you in the lineup,' and then turn around to a guy who's there every day early working his [butt] off who gets 110 at-bats a year and saying, 'You know what? Yeah, I can't put you in there tonight,'" Schilling said.

"There were times when you had players who were on like fire duty, 'Show up tomorrow, I'm not sure if you're playing or not, we've gotta find out what [Manny] wants to do.' That's not fair to anybody."

Ramirez, who hit .299 with a .529 slugging percentage and 68 RBIs in 100 games in Boston, has seen his production skyrocket since joining the Dodgers. In 44 games in L.A., he's hitting .400 (64-for-160) with a .738 slugging percentage and 44 RBIs entering Thursday's games. He's batting .330 for the season overall.

Schilling said his teammates are not angry that Ramirez's power numbers have spiked dramatically since he donned Dodgers blue.

"I wouldn't say [they're ticked], I'd probably say disappointed more than anything," Schilling said. "Because the one thing about Manny is that he was … he was very kind, and well-mannered, but there were spurts and times when you didn't know who he was. You know, he was always kind and nice for the most part, but he'd show up the next day and say, 'I'm through with this team, I want out now.'"

Perhaps it was one of those kinder moments that came through, when Ramirez demurred about talk that he should be voted the NL MVP.

"It's nice that some people think I deserve it," Ramirez said, according to the Los Angeles Times. "I'd like to win it. But I have to be realistic. Someone who was only here for two months doesn't deserve it. It should go to someone who played the six months of the season."

Ramirez also said he knows there's a chance he might never be named MVP. "I've played 16 years, I've been a pretty good player and I've never won it," he said in the Times. "It's not a big deal. I'll go on with my life."

Schilling acknowledged that it was awkward for him to speak out on Ramirez, given the fact that he has missed the entire season with an injury. "I'm the last person in the world who should be telling you who's right and who's wrong in this," he said.

"But I was a teammate, a member of this family, and I saw it … And to me, it was always those guys, the guys who played a crucial role on teams that weren't the marquee players, are the ones that were disrespected the most."

Addressing Merloni, who was a role player in Boston, he said, "Lou, you're in Seattle, and if you refused to get on a team plane, you know what they'd do? They'd give you an Air France ticket home."

Source: ESPN

I don't like Manny, but I can't stand Schilling either, what with that whole Country Boy/John Wayne thing he tries to convey.

EXACTLY PB! I can't wait 'till he retires. Hopefully I'll never have to hear from him again, but I highly doubt that

I'd take Manny in a heartbeat.

Schilling is just trying to be relevant, and unfortunately for him his team has moved on and clearly doesn't need him anymore.

Schilling usually opens his mouth and gabs a lot of shit. However, for once I agree with him. Manny may be talented, but he is arrogant and one of the worst team players ever.

If he were on your team, you'd love him. He's one of the best big game pitchers of our era.

Sports Illustrated has a cover story this week on Yankee Stadium. I haven't read it yet.

...have you bothered to look at the NL West? Manny has basically recharged the entire Dodgers team and turned them from a bunch of Torre-led robots who were floundering into a loose clubhouse with a drive to win, and it shows as they're going into the playoffs.

I pray the Dodgers don't retain him and we can pick him up in the offseason, but the Dodgers are experiencing such a revitalized fan base that I suspect they'll try to open the warchest and keep him. I don't blame them.

He was. I'm pretty sure this last batch of injuries have sealed the deal on Schilling.

Nah, he'd probably cry about the team's performance and we'd have to trade him to the Diamondbacks.

I don't like him. I agree that he's talented. I agree that he's a great hitter. However, he's a sloppy, arrogant bastard who would rather make it personal, and decide at the last minute whether he's going to play that day or not. That's not a good team player. And all the public pissing and moaning? Aw, poor Manny!! That mean team in Boston wanted to pay you millions and millions and put up with your whiny crap for years! Let's all have a pity party for YOU.

Shut up and play ball.

I'm pretty sure he has shut up and play ball - take a look at the change from pre- and post-Manny LA. It's pretty obvious. For not being a team player, he's energized his teammates and carried his team to the playoffs.

I tell you what - let's compare this Manny '08 vs. A-Rod '07. Both guys are going to carry their team to the playoffs. But you tell me who you'd rather have on your team: A-Rod, the hard-working, likable guy who despite his flaws off the field is considered to be a character guy, or Manny, the goof-off and lazy player who, despite on-field antics, has uplifted his team and, more importantly, is clutch?

I think I'll take the guy with the dreads, and I'll go win me some championships.

I hate to say it but you're right DJ, I'm with you

Big Stein Will Not Make Stadium Finale

Teh sad. He must be in terrible health.

Here is George from the ASG:



He didn't look terrible at the ASG or Old Timers Day, but it's also terrible that not only will we miss George, we'll be missing the Voice of God, Bob Sheppard, as well, who still hasn't recovered from his year+ long battle with pneumonia.

I realize I just used terrible a lot in the last post.

To make it slightly more humorous, substitute Charles Barkley's voice and "turrible" when you read it.

Haha, using that method makes just about any post funnier!

Why the hell haven't the Yankees played this well all year? Is it only now because the pressure is off??

The Joe Torre curse?
The Hanky Panky Steinbrenner curse?
The Bambino curse?

They screwed Babe Ruth when he retired. He was promised a management spot (not necessarily a field manager, even if that's what he wanted) but they just cut him loose.

Injuries?
Apathetic players?
Mediocre management?

While I agree that there should have been some sort of deal in place to keep Ruth as a Yankee alumnus pro-tempore, you don't just dump Joe McCarthy, one of the greatest Yankee managers of all-time (#7 all-time in wins, and leading Yankee manager in wins all-time, and tied with Casey Stengel in World Series wins), no matter how much Babe wanted to manage. It means something that at that time, Jacob Ruppert's attempts to reach out and find a suitor for Ruth's managerial services turned up empty except for the Braves.

If anything, it was the Boston Braves who screwed Ruth over; Ruth was supposed to have Bill Parcells-esque control over the team, and quickly discovered that he was pretty much a powerless figurehead.

Age
Front office
Maybe that Torre guy brought something to the table

I don't blame it on injuries. Every team gets injuries, and with the financial resources of the Yankees, you should weather the storm.

I agree with the apathetic players. The tone of the season was set in the preseason when the unheralded small market Rays drilled the Yankee catcher, and the response was a complaint that you're not supposed to play all out in the Spring.

Every team gets injuries, but not every team loses their 3/5ths of their starting rotation and has to start Sidney Ponson and Darrell Rasner for long terms; in contrast, I don't think the Rays had a starter on the DL the entire year. Damon has been lost sporadically through the year. Matsui gone for most of it. Posada gone for nearly all of the season.

I don't see how you can lose that much of your starting 9 and not expect problems. And I don't think that Torre would have been able to change that, imho.

How great was it to see Bernie Williams back in pinstripes! And some of the others! Whitey Ford, Yogi Berra, Goose Gossage, Graig Nettles, Paul O'Neill, Murcer's family, David Cone, Reggie Jackson! You could just go on and on.

What a fitting ceremony and how fitting to have Posada to catch the ceremonial pitch and Babe Ruth's daughter to throw it. Really nice.

I was blown away seeing David Mantle (Mickey's son) run out to center field. He runs EXACTLY like his dad did.

Quite fitting to see Babe Ruth's daughter throw old the first pitch.

And your boy just got a crystal bat and ball... (no further comment )

I missed most of the ceremony, though. But I'm sure they'll replay it forever...

I gotta listen to these ESPN assholes for the last home game??

It'd be fitting if someone like ARod hits the last home run in the Stadium.

Oh, JG, you didn't DVR it?? It was really amazing. Even if you're not a Yankee fan, if you love baseball, then you had to love that ceremony. I couldn't believe how many greats were on that field at once.

And as John Sterling said, it was the fans' chance to say goodbye to Bernie, something that they never had a chance to do.

At least it's not Joe Buck.

Yankees eliminated yet?

It'd be ironic if Johnny Damon hit the last homer in the Stadium. The first one was hit by a former Red Sox player who moved over to the Yanks, and the same for the last homer.

Yes, from the divisional title but they're still in it (barely) for the wild card spot.

If the Yankees lose tonight, Boston clinches the wild card. If the Yankees win tonight, I believe it will simply be postponing the inevitable.

Molina just killed that by scoring a 2 run home run.

The last month has been postponing the inevitable...put a fork in them, they're done, and have been for awhile.

Man that was a really hard game to get through knowing it was the last ever in that Stadium

It was a great tribute. I missed seeing Torre there, though.

FIRST homer hit in Yankee Stadium... The Babe
LAST homer hit in Yankee Stadium... wow, not Damon... but Jose Molina! A record that will never be broken.

Joe Torre is busy getting ready for the playoffs.

Oh, that's right, the Yankees aren't.

Oh, of course, if the Yankees were in the NL West, they'd still be crushing the rest of the division. Hell, most of the AL could crush the "best" of the NL.

Have fun with the Rays and the Angels, Red Sox. Should be fun to watch.

Must we be so petty ("your team sucks!") on the night The House That Ruth Built is no more?? Show some respect for the last great sports venue.

You just gave me an idea for a separate thread.

Meh, our park has seen so many playoff games, it's time we let some of the vultures have their shot at the proverbial corpse.

DING*DING*DING*

We got a winner! The funniest post of the year.

Boy, those grapes are sour.

Anyone else think the absence of Roger Clemens - both in person and on the highlight reel- was conspicuous?

It was less than a year and a half ago, the stadium was whipped into an orgasmic frenzy when he stood arm in arm with Steinbrenner and announced that he was coming back to pitch a half season with the Yankees.

Was it the Mitchell Report? Heck, Pettitte and Giambi were featured in it and they were treated like kings.

Petitte and Giambi have been somewhat contrite. Clemens has been the same defiant jerk he's been his whole life. I really think that's all there is to it. It's just as well; Clemens might have been a distraction on this great night.

Hell, I'm not even a Yankee fan, but I'm a New Yorker (more specifically, a Bronx guy), and a baseball fanatic. I've seen Yankee Stadium with my own eyes (be it on the Major Deegan on the way to work, or attending a couple of games a year when a good visiting team is in town), basically every day of my life. When it's no longer the first thing I see when I get south of the Cross Bronx every day, it's going to be quite a shock to my system. As it was, last night's ceremony got me very emotional.

Yankee Stadium is part of Americana; not just baseball, not just New York City. It is, pardon the cliche, truly the end of an era.

Not as conspicuous as the complete absence of both Joe Torre and Don Mattingly...

So, hope springs eternal. Boston lost last night. The Yankees didn't play. Mathematically, it's still POSSIBLE for the Yankees to get the Wild Card. It's not PROBABLE, it's not even realistic, but it would be so exciting if it came down to those three games in Boston this weekend.

They have other commitments gearing up for the postseason. Remember the postseason?

I didn't realize divorcing your drunk wife counts as the "postseason." Care to share Mattingly's key steps to preparation?

I didn't realize divorcing your drunk wife counts as the "postseason." Care to share Mattingly's key steps to preparation? [/quote]

Wow, how soon they turn on Donnie Baseball. It's funny that a reference to Stevie Swindal's drunken escapade behind the wheel at 2 AM (I didn't even mention the alleged mistress) that coincided with his divorce brought a reprimand of "everyone makes mistakes."

To answer your inquiry, I can not explain the steps to Mattingly's preparation to make the playoffs, but I would suppose it would resemble those of similarly situated hitting coaches in mlb.

Actually, it wasn't so much turning on Mattingly as I didn't realize he was an active hitting coach; I thought he had resigned for the year because of "family issues."

Ah, well, and so it ends. Anyway, nice win for Moose.

There's always next year.

It's funny, as much as I don't like the Yankees, I feel weird going into the playoffs without them there.

I'm a bit speechless actually.

First time in 13 or 14 years. It IS strange.

He's been the only real bright spot besides Joba with Wang out. Let's hope he gets #20. He's certainly put in the effort.

Maybe he was the only bright spot for YOU, but Jeter's always a bright spot for me.

Seriously, they interviewed Jeter last night. This is the first time in his career that the team haven't secured a spot, and the reporter asked him how it felt. His response (and I'm paraphrasing): It sucks, but we sucked.

Jeter did not have a very good year this year. I'm hoping he's not on the accelerated decline. With Posada the Albatross stuck to us for another 3 years, and Ghey-Rod for another 9, it's going to suck if the captain can't get back in the swing.

Honestly though, I think he's going to have to get with Girardi and take some Dale Carnegie courses. These guys looked like shit at times, and I'm not sure if the Jeter ala Torre approach of "awe shucks" is working anymore with this group. It's like they were waiting for the big turnaround like last year that never came. Too complacent.

I'm not sure what everyone thinks of Hank Steinbrenner, but Ray Ratto has an entertaining column. Of particular interest is his Godfather analogy.

Hank's Yankee whine tasting crowns week of absurdities
Sep. 24, 2008
By Ray Ratto
CBSSports.com Columnist
Tell Ray your opinion!



In a week that is only half over and already weirder than weird, it is hard for a body to know where to turn.


George Steinbrenner at least kept the blame inside the organization unlike son Hank. (Getty Images)
The Lane Kiffin story is now verging on the Favrian -- told and overtold. Omar Minaya's four-year extension in the face of another potential tanking is a classic what's-the-hurry tale. The rumor out of Australia that suggests that Lance Armstrong might be part of a group that may buy the organization that runs the Tour de France is either too cruelly ironic or too amusing to believe. The O.J. memorabilia trial has its own warm moments as you struggle to find a rooting interest.

But then you have the Yankees out of the playoffs, and the self-consciously overwrought reactions from the uniformed personnel. And then you have Hank Steinbrenner ... as always.

While the other Yankees complained only of psychic nausea and crippling emptiness, the team's designated gasbag decided to rail against his enemies -- namely, the existence of other teams.

In a pity party held through the auspices of Pete Abraham's Sporting News column, Steinbrenner surveyed the soot at his feet as he held forth on a number of topics near and dear to his pancreas. Like revenue sharing.

"That's a system I don't particularly like. It's a socialist system, and I don't agree with it. Does it work? It depends on your point of view. But is it right? Is it even American? I'd argue no on both of those points."

So the Yankees are out of the playoffs because of socialism. Check.

Now to the divisional structure itself.

"The biggest problem is the divisional setup in Major League Baseball. I didn't like it in the 1970s, and I hate it now. Baseball went to a multidivisional setup to create more races, rivalries and excitement. But it isn't fair. You see it this season, with plenty of people in the media pointing out that Joe Torre and the Dodgers are going to the playoffs while we're not. This is by no means a knock on Torre -- let me make that clear -- but look at the division they're in. If L.A. were in the A.L. East, it wouldn't be in the playoff discussion. The A.L. East is never weak."

So the Yankees are out of the playoffs because Major League Baseball isn't one 30-team division. Interestingly, this morning the Yankees would be tied for the eighth and final spot with Milwaukee, which presumably would be disqualified on the basis of being Milwaukee.

And then there are the playoffs, period.

"Go back to the 2006 season. St. Louis winning the World Series -- that was ridiculous. The Cardinals won their division with 83 wins -- two fewer than the Phillies, who missed the postseason. People will say the Cardinals were the best team because they won the World Series. Well, no, they weren't. They just got hot at the right time. They didn't even belong in the playoffs. And neither does a team from the N.L. West this season."

So the Yankees are out of the playoffs because the playoffs are stupid and a violation of the divine right of kings, or something like that.

Now in some places this preening "we're great because we're us" argument plays. Say, like in and around the Bronx. But in the wake of the Yankees' first non-October in 15 years, the last guy to snivel about the system is Hank Steinbrenner. I mean, he didn't like the playoff system as a teenager, and that's supposed to be a compelling reason to disband it?

Even his dad, who could complain in outer space, always found a way to delegate blame within his employee lists. As near as we can tell, Hank believes that he was first screwed by the decision to expand to San Diego, Montreal, Kansas City and Seattle in 1969.

Basically, there is an art to bitching in defeat, and Steinbrenner doesn't have it. Like many sons of privilege, he sees the world in terms of "I'm on third base, and I'm just waiting for the limo to pull up and take me home." Mark Cuban, who is often mocked for his intermittent tantrums, knows how to bitch -- thought-provoking and entertaining at the same time -- but Hank just sounds like an old guy on a park bench who wishes the Austro-Hungarian Empire had never dissolved.

This is sad in a 51-year-old man, to be nostalgic about times he barely remembered. Frankly, he'd look more dignified if he sued someone.

But he'll learn, because at some point his father will call him over and give him some pointers on how to be a sore loser. It'll be kind of like the Vito-meets-Michael-in-the-garden-to-plot-the-killing-of-the-heads-of-the-five-families scene in The Godfather. Right now, Hank is more Fredo than he is willing to admit, and bordering on outright Connie. If he keeps this up, Hal is likely to decide to be Michael, and we know how the movie ended for Fredo and Connie.

In the meantime, though, the ungrateful and disrespectful swine that is baseball goes on despite Hank Steinbrenner's earnest entreaties, and of all the hilarious nonsense so far this week, this one takes the lead at the top of the stretch. The field is crowded, though, and you never know when the Raiders might have another press conference.

Ray Ratto is a columnist for the San Francisco Chronicle.

I love Hank. He says most of the shit none of the other owners are willing to say in such a PC/diplomatic era. He says the revenue sharing is crap - and in some perspectives, it is. He says the two leagues are totally unequal - they are. And he says that it's not necessarily the best team but rather the hottest team who wins the world series - also true.

Sorry, DJ. You're a great kid, but Hank Steinbrenner is an asshole. His father's arrogance was endearing, because it was original and it was real. Junior's is contrived and not the least bit entertaining.

The idea of Torre playing the Red Sox in the World Series (while the Yanks watch from home), is eating him alive.

Oh, the hot team winning the World Series? Well, duh! It's always been that way.

Hank may be an asshole, but he's OUR asshole.

Even if Torre makes it to the World Series, I don't think any of the NL teams can stand against the competition from the AL this year.

Like the Cardinals two years ago?

The Tigers did, and do, suck my left nut.

Fox Sports: A-Rod Will Be Traded Within 5 Years

We can only hope.

Thanks. I'll never get that two seconds of my life back.

If wishing only made it so. His knickers are totally twisted over Torre making the playoffs. Hee!!!

That is the exact impression I get. His comment about it not being fair that Torre and the Dodgers are going to the playoffs because their division isn't as competitive is childish, at best.

But true.

I love Joe Torre a lot and have no ill feelings towards him or his success in L.A. But let's be realistic, the Dodgers are making the playoffs because of one reason and one reason ONLY: Manny Ramirez

Let's hope Manny hits the FA market and we can snag him. He said he wanted to play in pinstripes. Let's make it happen. Trade either Damon or Matsui, and put Manny in left field.

Immediately it solves a lot of the offensive woes this team has. His defense, while below average, can't be any worse than Matsui's was with his knee problems.

I'm more concerned with our two albatrosses and how they'll play next year - Posada and A-Rod. As you know, I was vociferously against resigning Posada, and as it is signs are he may never play catcher again, which means we just inked a DH for the next 3 years. With Manny, it could help relieve stress off of A-Rod, because we know his fragile ego can't handle hitting with RiSP.

If you do that, I'm assuming you put Nady in right? Also, we know the Yankees are going to go after CC hard but if they sign CC and Manny, you think they still go after Teixera?

I've also heard rumblings that the Mets may go after K-Rod. They need it as their bullpen has blown I believe 29 games this year (most coming as of late which is when they can afford it the least).

Nady is going to be in right field no matter what. The Yankees will not bring Abreu back, 100%, guaranteed. He wants too many years and too much money for absolutely abhorrent defense and a questionable work ethic. He did manage to perform well on offense but I think Nady, with a full year in pinstripes, should be able to better that.

And I think the Yankees are going to unload the warchest. Clearly, they'll go hard after Sabathia, no doubt, he's their biggest target. They'll offer him substantially more money than any other team. They want him bad. If Sabathia - who really wants to play on the West Coast - does not sign, they go down a notch to Sheets and Burnett. The problem is that obviously both are injury prone and thus, don't really solve the problem of having a durable ace.

I don't think Teixiera is hitting the market in earnest. The Angels are having too much success to let him get away. Even though he will, with Boras as his agent, end up as an FA, I think the Angels are going to snag him back.

If the Angels get to the World Series this year, K-Rod will stay with Los Angeles. But I would not be surprised to see Minaya go apeshit on another Latin player and sign K-Rod for an exorbitant deal. Not only would he be someone who is not named "Billy" or "Wagner," he'll be uber-effective in the NL East.

And irrelevant. And silly. And embarrassing.

When you finish third in your division, you have no business crying about not making the postseason.

Well, I just referred to Hank as an asshole, but I'm not quite the gentleman that you are, Klyd. Still, I think we fundamentally agree on this topic.

Too bad that it proves his point - the third place team in the AL East still has a better record than the division champs of the NL West...and most of the other clubs in the other league.

It's not embarrassing at all. It's great.

Greater than making the postseason?

I agree that the AL East is more talented than the NL West, but differences in talent among divisions and leagues are subject to change. The goal of winning championships is not.

By the way, I don't think the Yankees would have any success in the NL. They wouldn't have a pitching staff left if the pitchers had to run bases.

Let's watch Wang run around the bases! Oops! There goes our pitching ace - out for the season!!

Klyd, I'm a big fan of the Yankees, and I have to agree with what you've said here. The Boss was known for blasting away in the press, but he was at least honest about putting the blame on the team. Hank and Hal just seem like snotty whiny crybabies.

How long has there been AL dominance in interleague play? Since it began? The point is that teams in the NL are getting into the playoffs with mediocre records. He's just qualifying it for all the folks who inevitably will pull out the "Torre magic" card.



Hal barely talks to the media. I'm wondering where you got this asinine impression from, considering it's obvious he's the one behind the scenes running the team.

Wow, Chris Britton sucks. I watched the final 3 outs because I knew with a Boston lost they'd be playing the Angels in the first round. Britton went 1 inning, gave up 3 hits, 3 runs, 2 walks, 1 strikeout and threw 37 pitches against Boston's B team!

I hadda laugh.... even though the Sox were down by 11 runs, the Yanks had to get somebody warming up in the bullpen. Britton didn't look good at all.

I posted this in June on interleague play. As I recall, the NL had an advantage in IL play until about 2002. I can't be sure.

My only point is that Hank is so hung up on Torre that he feels the need to try to diminish the accomplishments of the Dodgers to justify his team's failure this year.

I don't have the final stats, but the AL certainly won the lion's share this year. The AL had a bigger gap between their top teams and bottom teams whereas I thought the NL had a larger middle class, if you will.


Originally Posted By: SC
Originally Posted By: klydon1
The team with the best interleague record this year? The Kansas City Royals at 10-3.


And the team with the worst interleague record? (First place) Philadelphia.

EDIT: I take that back... it's the Giants. Never mind.

[/Emily Latella]



A couple of other Interleague facts:

Through 2007 the AL has an advantage of 1387-1317. The NL won the head-to-head in 1997 (the first year), 1999,2002 and 2003.
Coming into this season, the Yankees have the best interleague winning pct. overall at .589, followed by the A's .582, the Marlins .565, and the Twins and Mariners at .552.
The Pirates (through 2007) have the worst interleague pct. at .377 while the Orioles have been worst in the AL at .409.
Also, after the 2007 season the best batting avg. in interleague belongs to Michael Young (.347), Thome leads in homers with 53 and Ramirez led with 139 RBIs. The overall RBI lead may have changed as Delgado finished 2007 with 138 career RBIs and ARod had 137.
Mussina led in wins with a 20-12 record and Johann Santana had the best ERA at 2.27 through '07. Rivera had a big lead in saves with 53.

Wow, congrats to Moose. 39-years-old, he finally gets 20 wins in a year and he had a 3.37 ERA all-year in the mighty AL Where would the Yankees have been without him this year?

Fourth place.

True, but it's ok. I'm so glad Tampa won the AL East because now Anaheim will knock Boston out of the playoffs

Cashman wants to return to Yankees

While Brian Cashman remained mum about his future, the buzz smothering the Yankees' universe yesterday focused on the GM telling the Steinbrenner family he wants to return. An announcement could come as soon as tomorrow. "Sooner than later," Cashman said with a smile when asked about reaching a decision. Hal Steinbrenner, who wants Cashman back, hasn't made an offer. However, there are indications Cashman could tell Steinbrenner he wants to return and negotiate later. With Hank Steinbrenner fading from the picture, Hal has been in touch with Cashman more than his older brother. Cashman and Hal work very well together and Hank hasn't been involved in meetings with Hal and Cashman and his involvement has decreased.

Source: SI

Yankees agree to three-year deal with GM Cashman

NEW YORK -- Brian Cashman figures he has more work to do with the New York Yankees. After a sustained run of success, he wasn't about to leave on the heels of a failed season.

Cashman is staying on as general manager of the Yankees, agreeing Tuesday to a three-year contract that runs through 2011.

"I've got a job to finish here," Cashman said in a statement. "That's the bottom line."

New York missed the playoffs this year for the first time since 1993. Cashman took over as GM in 1997 and his current deal was set to expire at the end of October.

He was expected to re-sign, especially after Yankees co-chairman Hank Steinbrenner told Cashman earlier this season that the team wanted him back. But there had been rumblings that Cashman might be interested in running another club -- perhaps one without such a vocal, hands-on ownership group.

"I consider coming off a season where we didn't reach the playoffs for the first time since 1993 as a personal challenge. I've never been one to run from a challenge, and I look forward to having the chance to go after this thing again," Cashman said. "It's an incredible opportunity and honor to hold the title of general manager for the New York Yankees. With it comes a great responsibility to ownership, the people who wear the uniform and our fan base."

He has plenty of work to do. Beset by injuries, a mediocre pitching staff and a disappointing offense, New York (89-73) finished third in the AL East this season, six games out of playoff position.

Cashman was criticized for turning down a deal that could have brought ace Johan Santana to the Yankees last winter. He chose instead to stick with a plan of valuing young players, but it backfired when pitchers Phil Hughes and Ian Kennedy combined to go 0-8 and failed to stay healthy.

New York is expected to make a strong push for several stars who can become free agents, including ace CC Sabathia. First baseman Mark Teixeira and pitchers Ben Sheets, A.J. Burnett and Derek Lowe could be targets, too.

"Before we could move forward as an organization this offseason, we needed to come to a resolution on the person who would hold the important position of general manager and allow us to make another run at a 27th world championship," co-chairmen Hank and Hal Steinbrenner said in a statement. "We are thrilled that Brian has accepted to renew his commitment to this organization for at least three more years."

The Yankees could have nearly $90 million in salaries coming off the books. Mike Mussina, Andy Pettitte, Jason Giambi, Bobby Abreu and Ivan Rodriguez are unsigned for next season, and center field is an uncertainty.

"Brian has shown throughout his Yankees career that he has the dedication, integrity and know-how needed to perform -- and succeed -- in this environment," the Steinbrenner brothers said. "Having him in place allows us to begin an offseason of hard work, and we are pleased he will be working hand-in-hand with us to bring the New York Yankees back to the postseason."

A news conference was planned for Wednesday morning at Yankee Stadium.

Souce: ESPN

Good news, as far as I'm concerned. Teixiera isn't leaving LA - he needs to find another option at first base. They can carry Melky in center field if the rest of the team produces - he's still a stellar defensive player. Dump either Damon or Matsui and sign Manny if he is available. Sign two of Sabathia, Burnett, and Sheets. Sign another lower tier veteran pitcher. Bring back Mussina.

It's not a hard formula. It just requires balls.

Brian Hasn't-Won-a-Thing Cashman. Maybe he'll bring in some more good pitchers like Randy Johnson or Kevin Brown. Oh yeah, and who can forget Carl Pavano and Mr. Statistic Compiler Alex Rodriguez.

He hasn't done a thing, except (just this year alone) Joba Chamberlain, Phil Hughes, Xavier Nady, Damaso Marte, etc. etc. etc.

It's amazing the quality of talent that is allowed to grace the team when Cashman actually gets control.

I'll give Cashman this, he got A-Rod from Texas and still had them pay a sizeable portion of his contract until he opted out of it last year. Plus as DJ said, Nady, Marte, etc.

Not only that but when the Diamondbacks wanted Jorge Posada included in a trade for Randy Johnson he didn't budge and still got the Big Unit. Now, how affective he was is left for interetation but the man can make good trades and usually not give up a lot in return.

Time will still tell whether holding onto Hughes, Kennedy, and Melky instead of getting Johan Santana was a wise decision or not.

It wasn't, in my opinion. But that's because of hindsight. Hughes is still going to develop into a decent pitcher (whether he'll be the ace as projected, I doubt. I think he could be a solid #3 or #2 at best, which isn't bad...he can be the next Pettitte I'd take that). Kennedy is done. The kid just does not seem to have the mental/physical capacity to convert his game from the minors. It's like he loses all faith in his stuff, dances around the corners, and then throws a meat pitch.

Melky I like a lot but I know he is not a favorite with the organization. To an extent, I think he earned the role of scapegoat for the offensive woes, but in my opinion, nobody should expect Melky to be more than a decent #9 hitter (which he is). His defense in center - something we haven't had since Bernie in his prime - balances the scales. So I'm glad we kept him.

Also, don't forget that part of the deal also included Austin Jackson, the Yankees #1 outfield prospect. If he is any good, we might see him next year; he should be playing AAA ball this season and if he stays on his current path, could really make some noise.

Even with his injuries, Randy Johnson was still a very good pitcher for this team. His wins totals were definitely something we could have used since he's been gone. And considering that one of the parts we dealt for him was Dioner Navarro - aka our former stud catching prospect who was the heir to Posada and is now on the playoff Rays - it is one of those deals where it's a shame we didn't hold onto him, imho.

How about Humberto Sanchez? You think he could make an appearance at the major league level next season? I know they used him late in the season in the bullpen but I wonder if they'll make him a starter next year?

Bullpen. He'll be a setup man. I don't think his conditioning is going to let him be much more than a reliever, in my opinion.

You think they'll permantely leave him as a reliever or they'll try to work him into a starter a la Joba?

He had Tommy John. I think they'll try to build up his arm and stamina by seeing how he deals with a reliever role. He has the body of a starter (6'6, 235+) but the problem is whether he has the conditioning and arm strength to play starter after so much time on the shelf.

Who was the dopey first baseman they got in the middle of the season. That was a great move. They had a good defensive 1st baseman in Andy Phillips and they let him go.

The problem with Cashman and the Yankee brass is that they tie themselves up with long term contracts with aging players who don't deliver. Then they waste time, money and talent trying to get rid of them, or be stuck with them.

MC, I couldn't remember his name either, perhaps because he was on the team for about 20 minutes, or so it seemed. It as Richie Sexson (or is it Sexon?). And, yes, he sucked. And what happened to Duncan, as well as Andy Phillips? And Miguel Cairo? Didn't they used to have like six first basemen, then all of a sudden it was down to Sexson (or Sexon) and Giambi??

Wow. I can't believe people honestly think that Andy Phillips or Miggy Cairo could be good players.

Andy Phillips was let go in Spring Training because he sucks. He's a AAAA player.

Miggy Cairo sucks.

Shelly Duncan sucks.

Richie Sexson lost his swing, and now sucks.

Want to know who they shouldn't have let go?

Nick Johnson, the Yanks best position prospect since Derek Jeter and unfortunately dealt for (useless) Javier Vasquez.

Incidentally, Cashman said today that Matsui will DH, Damon will play the outfield, and they're going to get a first baseman.

Coincidentally, Giambi's option was (thankfully) not picked up.

Well, DJJ what it all comes down to, no matter who you think sucks, or I think sucks.......Cashman sucks.

How does Cashman suck? He protected the Yankee youth that would have been spent on overpriced aging hipsters. Explain to me how he sucks.

I'm put him in the 8th inning spot to cover for Joba so he can move to the rotation (problem solved hopefully)

The problem is already solved. Phil Coke is going to be decent and a lefty. Damaso Marte showed why they traded for him in the last month and a half - he's been lights out. And Mark Melancon, the heir apparent to Mariano Rivera, should be hitting the Majors at some point next year.

The Yankees bullpen, for the first time since the Nelson-Rivera-Wetteland years, is solid.

But of course, Brian Cashman sucks.

I advocated picking him up when Boston cut him loose. Now, who thinks he'll make a better back-end guy than Ponson or Rasner?

Ah, I'd use him as a #4 or 5 but I wouldn't care either way if we got him or not

Lowe is a big game pitcher. He doesn't get rattled. He's one of the main reasons I picked the Dodgers over the Cubs.

I really wished we picked him up when he became a FA a few years back after he was done with the Sox.

Alas, we took Johnny Damon.

Padres have Peavy on the block, but I doubt he'll go for anything less than Hughes, Cano, and another top prospect.

Although I have also heard Ichiro and Bedard are available. Who would do Matsui, Kennedy, Igawa (they still want him, for some undetermined reason) and a prospect for that Seattle salary dump?

In a heartbeat! I heard a rumor last night that the Red Sox may go after Peavy. The person who wrote the rumor thinks the Sox have the trade chips to make the deal happen.

Red Sox covet Padres' Peavy

If Jake Peavy does indeed become trade bait in San Diego, watch the line form out the door for his services. Peavy, 27, is precisely the type of pitcher the Red Sox covet. And considering the close relationship between GMs Theo Epstein and Kevin Towers, don't rule out the Sox. The Padres would want a Dan Haren-type deal, and the Sox have the chips to do it.

Source: SI

That's fine. I'd rather let Peavy go and go after Sabathia and Burnett. My problem with Peavy is that a.) he'll cost too much ala Haren b.) his home/away splits aren't very good, and c.) he's been routinely lousy in big-game situations.

I really hope CC goes to New York but the more I read about it, the more I get the feeling it's not going to happen. To me, he doesn't seem to want to go their unless the Yankees throw enough money at him to make him come. I don't know if the Yankees will want to overpay for him, it depends on how desperate they feel.