Today in the Journal News
Posted by: Peter Abraham - Posted in Misc on Feb 19, 2007 
Print This Post
| 
Email This Post
The Yankees are waiting to see what Bernie Williams does as the position players report to camp.
Chris Britton had a good season with the Orioles in 2006, but he has no guarantees of a spot with the Yankees. This notebook also includes the news that one of the pitchers bailed out of practice because of “heavy legs.” One guess who that was.
unbelievable. when i read that guidry was impressed with Pavano’s stuff the other day, after burying the hatchet with Moose, i thought he might have finally turned the corner.
maybe i’m alone when i say i really want to try and give Pavano a chance, considering what he means to the future of the rotation moving north from camp… But for a professional athlete to whine about heavy legs less than a week into preseason is just asking for it; from the writers, the fans, and most importantly for him, his teammates… come on carl, get with it already!
Bernie’s not exactly covering himself with glory in this situation. If he really wants to play why doesn’t accept the guranteed deal with another team that he and Boras have been hinting at? It would in no way damage Bernie’s legacy with the Yankees if he decided to play a season for anopther team. Of course the likliehood is that Bernie really has no other offers.
Was he whining or did they just shut him down because he looked sluggish? It’s normal to have heavy legs working out early on and I’m sure the Yankees aren’t going to put themselves in any situations where they have to ask themselves “maybe we should have done this or that?”
Turn Two – you aren’t/weren’t alone.
I too was on the Pavano bandwagon.
I still am, in spirit… but he’s giving every fan almost every reason to just give up.
c’mon, Carly… suck it up.
if you don’t now… it’s going to be a long year.
for you, really. Everyone else will move on rather quickly.
Pete – a little help please:
I know you’re friendly with Feinsand, but is this hack job his work or the editors at the News?
http://www.nydailynews.com/spo.....0570c.html
Those quotes are clearly out of context in making a story of how his ‘friends’ (love the quotes!) aren’t backing him. It just seems like such a silly perspective, and a made up story, and I wonder if we can really blame the writer or his employer.
Thanks.
Pete,
All I had to do was open up your article and hit Control+F…. type in P-A-V-A-N-O
….I say you just don’t report on the old hag until he starts a game during the season…. FOR ANY TEAM.
I can’t take it anymore.
I believed that Pavana was finally turning the corner. What is next – heavy finger nails or a sore tongue?
Eric, I assume you are a poster at pinstripes plus, calling him pavana?
:-p
Sorry about that one
Eric
I really want to give Pavano a chance because he can be a pretty good pitcher when he’s rolling. I’m not going to knock him for “heavy legs” just yet. Alot of guys go through this sort of fatigue early on during spring training, and he hasn’t pitched in over a year. That said, I’m almost at the end of my rope with this guy. He’s not going to win back any trust from his team, or support from us fans, by whining about his “heavy legs”. He needs to just pitch and keep his mouth shut in order to accomplish that.
Maybe he has mistaken his “area” for his legs, and he is finally growing some balls. This could be good news folks!
See what Carl does to you. You finally think he’s turned a corner, Talks with Mike after his comments, Ron thinks he looks great, Jorge says his ball was heavy (a very good sign). Than he comes up with heavy legs? what the hell are heavy legs??? Was he sore from working out so much? I thought he spent the last few months in AZ working out!! Does this guy keep a medical book in his locker looking for new excuses to get out of practice and pitch?? When he goes back to out to practice all we should hear is how good he looks, even if he looks like shit. Try to sell a bad bag of goods to another team and cut our loses at this point. Get rid of him!! I’d much rather see a hungry Phil Hughes, than a whiny Carl Pavano!!!
Ill give him the benefit of the doubt on the heavy legs.If he has a hangnail tomorrow its over with.
I read the Feinsand article, and it does cast Bernie a little unfavorably and is consistent with Mark’s POV on the topic. Mark has stated repeatedly that Bernie should bow out gracefully and just state his retirement with dignity. But even with that POV maybe tinting the article a little, it’s a hot topic because you’re dealing with a Yankee legend here.
Is Bernie right is believing he should be guaranteed a roster spot? I dunno. Should he be treated with more respect? I think so, but I don’t know how. I don’t believe the team should give up valuable roster positions based solely on loyalty. You have to out the best possible team on the field realistically. We currently have 3 healthy OF, and one excellent 4th OF in Melky. We don’t have a full time 1B (like a Mattingly or Tino) so we’re trying to find one. I mean who knows, maybe Mienkiewicz has a bounce back year and can play full time 1B all year and we release both Phillips and Phelps, and have room for a 5th OF/PH in Bernie, but you can’t get it unless you’re in camp. I dunno. Is proving himself something Bernie should have to do? No. Does he mean more to the team than just an OF/PH? Absolutely. But given the situation surrounding the team and what position players we have, I don’t see how Bernie fits in. I think that Bernie should play the hand dealt to him and come and fight for it.
You have to PUT out the best possible team on the field realistically.
About Bernie. Signed 21 years ago at age 17, never a problem to the team on or off. Holds multi Yankee records, many post season. Is the ultimate team player and team mate. Despite what many think, the game is not all about the money. Sometimes it’s about the heart and soul.
If he is not on the field on opening day, you will hear 50,000 plus fans calling for him.
The worth in general of the 25th man on the roster is debateable, in itself. I see no need to carry a 4th man to handle 1B. To me it’s more
It sucks asking Bernie to come down to camp without a guaranteed roster spot, but I think its been made pretty clear, at least from my perspective, that if he shows up, and demonstrates that he’s still healthy and ready to compete, he’s gonna make this team.
If he’s serious about wanting to play, he needs to just swallow his pride here and show up and make this team; yankees fans like me are hoping he’ll finally get over it and do it already.
The Feinsand piece is about Bernie’s ‘friends’ deserting him. That’s what seems to be the hack job especially when you consider the title and the liberal use of the ellipses (…) in quotes. I’m just curious if it’s Feinsand or his editors…
Shouldn’t be surprising in the News, but making up stories? That goes too far for any form of journalism.
Today’s conversation between Pav and Moose-
Moose: “Pav, there is no room for weak,heartless pitchers in New york.”
Pavano: “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never…Ahh my arm!
(Cash walks in)
Cash:”Pav,duct tape that arm back on and pack your bags. Your headed to KC where you can be long forgoten”
Could happen.
I expect the piling on Pavano. He’s gonna get dumped on no matter what so he’s a lot smarter ending an exercise or throwing session before he actually tweaks a muscle and misses time. Everybody in that camp will come up with some nick or pull or cramp but he can’t afford to have anything go wrong or he’ll hear crap like this. A no-win situation which may cause him to cover up stuff that will lead to more serious trouble again – and the only thing I care about – scare off trading partners.
“If he is not on the field on opening day, you will hear 50,000 plus fans calling for him.”
I dont know about that. A lot of people on here seem to understand that he might not be there and accept it.
Heavy legs.
Heavy legs? On a guy who allegedly spent all winter working out in an extensive training program?
The man has spent more time on his back than Miss America.
Maybe Cash can issue Mussina and Pettitte each an electric cattle prod to help our recalcitrant rehab project.
The number of firstbasemen the Yankees plan to carry is irrelevent to Bernie’s situation. He’s an outfielder and the Yankees already have three durable All Stars plus Melky in the OF. If Bernie comes back, Torre isn’t going to treat him like a 5th OF — last year, Bernie started 23 games in CF while Melky started just one. I appreciate everything Bernie’s done over the years, but at this point it’s more important that Melky gets as much playing time as possible so he can develop into the Bernie of the future. Bringing back Bernie for the sake of sentiment will just get in the way of that.
Have you guys seen the ESPN A-Rod article? On the one hand I hate that this is an issue again, but on the other hand, A-Rod seems to be doing exactly what Pete said he should: sit down and tell the truth. Everyone knows he and DJ aren’t great friends, but as long as they want each other to do well on the field, that’s all I care about. Alex also said he wants to be a Yank for the rest of his career, which is great to hear. I think he’s primed this year.
Thanks for the heads up, Jeff.
I have no problem with what Alex said. I just wish he would have done it a few days ago because now this is going to drag on for a few days. espcially because they couldn’t ask Derek about it today. Tomorrow all Derek should say is yeah Alex and I aren’t as close as we used to be that is no secret, now don’t ask me anymore!!
Finally. I’m not a big fan of Alex Rodriguez cuz he was always insecure and in denial. Now if he really means what he says and says what he means, then maybe he can move on. If he’s not a headcase this season, I’ll root for him to the bitter end (when he moves on to greener pastures lol.)
Jennifer,
I doubt that Jeter will be that candid.
If A-Rod is open and says what he thinks, it will go along way to getting people off his back. He is always so reserved when talking, when I think he should just open up. Shaq let Kobe know he didn’t like him and they still succeeded. It has happened b4 in sports. They don’t have to like each other, just respect each other. I think I’m going to like the new A-Rod.
having a 4th 1B has everything to do with Bernie’s place on this team. If they don’t platoon 1B, the roster spot is there; if they platoon Mink with someone, then there isnt.
Melky was not as proven last season as he will be coming into this season; Bernie got starts last year because Torre wasnt sure what to expect out of Melky, and needed a veteran he could trust. Melky is clearly the 4th OF on this team, and while Torre backs his veteran players, he knows what is best for this team, and would not take away ABs from Melky.
Having either Phillips or Phelps brings nothing to this roster that Bernie doesnt… neither of them would defensively replace our defensive 1B already in the game, neither of them have proven themselves to be true MLB players, and neither of them are young anymore (meaning at this point, they are what they are- journeyman bench players). Phillips couldnt hit a fastball last year, and he’s going to be our bat off the bench?
I am not saying the Yankees owe Bernie anything, or that Bernie needs to be on this team no matter what… but if you are going to replace him on the roster, you better replace him with someone who is clearly a better option than Bernie, and I dont see that from either Phillips or Phelps.
I’m glad A-Rod said what he said. Yes, they will have to ask Derek about it, but hopefully it will be less of a “story” this season.
Basically, Chris Britton’s two pitch pitcher. He has straight Fastball between 96-97mph and good curveball. He has great numbers against right handed batters, stuggles against lefties, give him trouble. Do you think He can improve his changeup and adding 2 seamer on his arsenal.
http://www.battersbox.ca/artic.....1516574168
Chris Britton -decent scouting report on the 278-pounder who wears #52 (wait a second…): “You can be a two-pitch pitcher and do something like that, but if you’re a straight fastball guy and you’re not throwing more than 96 or 97 mph, then you better have something else to get them off your heater.” … His ratios look solid, but he’s been a homer-lucky flyball pitcher thus far …
The problem is that if Phillips or Phelps stink, they can be DFA’d. If Bernie stinks, he will stay on the roster, no matter what. Couple that with Bernie’s inability to play the field, and putting him on the roster makes little sense.
Libby,
Just by being up front, Alex has defused the situation. Now everyone can move on. Good move. Now if Alex can only teach himself to not stick his foot in his mouth. lol.
http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com.....8;c_id=nyy
Tres cool article on the Posada’s relationship with Nike. Not bad for an old man.
Bernie can be DFA’d just the same. That’s the risk he takes in coming back. But all things considered equal, putting Bernie on this roster as a 5th OF/part-time DH makes just as much sense as keeping a 4th 1B on the roster.
and if anyone thinks Arod just speaking to the media today will diffuse the situation, they are mistaken.
we can hope it will, but only his play, and more specifically his play in September and, hopefully, October can silence the media; that, and when he comes out and says with certainty that he will not opt out of his contract… saying he wants to remain a Yankee for the rest of his career is his way of talking around the issue that will keep the questions coming.
Hows that? How much clearer does the have to be?
Saying he wants to be a yankee for the rest of his career, well you can’t get much clearer than that, lol. Is he supposed to be more specific than that?
ARod sounded fine. I’m more concerned with where his weight is.
I can’t see the Yankees DFA’ing Bernie during the season unless he was batting under .200.
for you and I, it’s clear, but even I’m skeptical. for the rest of the media world, it’s not.
ARod admitted that wanted to play with the Mets, but he signed with the Rangers. Boras has already said this new market needs to be reset for the exceptional ballplayers like ARod.
Arod needs to come out and say “i’m not opting out of my contract. i will honor my contract as is, and finish my career as a yankee.”
that paints a clear picture. and even if he said that, there would still be people would still question his sincerity.
A-Rod would be nuts to do that.
I beleive Carl Pavano is a soft baseball player. Most athletes work through the types of minor obstacles that seem to affect this guy.
But I will say this…there’s a huge difference between riding a stationary bike and running on grass, or running on pavement for that matter. I can see if he was working out all offseason on a statinary bike, he’d still have difficulty running on grass surface. He probably felt like he was running in quicksand.
Still, he’s a professional athlete and most of them play through this sort of stuff. Some even play with broken bones. Dave Dravecky’s arm fell off and returned to baseball in less time than Pavano has required.
The guys’s soft. End of story.
The idea that the Yankees should be finding a roster spot for Bernie is misplaced. Let me address it in two ways, first the “loyalty” issue. Bernie was originally supposed to retire two years ago, he did not and we brought him back. He then chose not to retire again and we brought him back with a 1-year deal. Now, he doesn’t want to retire again even though his skills are clearly greatly diminished. Do we keep putting him on the team as long as he wants to play? What happens next year when he decides his .250 BA was good enough and wants to come back again? I love him, but its time to move on.
Next, his use on this team. The complication with Bernie is that as a bench player he is completely unable at this stage to either pinch run or be a defensive substitute. He was simply awful in the field last year, and I can only expect him to be worse this year. So Bernie basically is only useful as a PH against lefties (he was much worse against righties last year), and once he PH you’d likely have to take him out of the game for a defensive replacement. If you want to carry another OF, then Kevin Thompson or Kevin Reese are much better options as they can hit about as well as Bernie could be expected to at this point and can play the field and pinch run much, much better.
lol, thats very true.
I admit I was reading that the way I interpret it, but youre right in that just because I see it that way doesn’t mean that everyone is going to see it that way too.
Any player would be a better option than a Bernie who can’t hit, run and field.