Today in The Journal News
Posted by: Peter Abraham - Posted in Misc on Jun 22, 2007 
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The Yankees got swept at Coors Field. Scoring only five runs had something to do with that.
Now it’s off to San Francisco to face Barry Bonds. This notebook also has news on Kei Igawa, Steve Swindal, Derek Jeter and Joba Chamberlain.
Jason Giambi agreed to meet with Sen. George Mitchell. MLB should charge admission for this dog-and-pony show. Didn’t everybody already know Giambi took steroids?
——
If you find yourself in Denver, check out the Buckhorn Exchange on Osage Street.
It’s an old, rambling restaurant that serves up an assortment of exotic food including bison, rattlesnake, ostrich and alligator. We had a rattlesnake appetizer that was very tasty. I went with the buffalo prime rib and some salmon.
My buddy Mark Feinsand had some elk that I tried. Radio legend Sweeny Murti had the Colorado lamb. The people were very nice and if you can eat with literally dozens of mounted deer heads staring at you, you’ll have a good time.
Gulp!
Now I know how Stephen King came up with “Pet Cementary”
Arrived in SF Thur afternoon with tickets for Friday night and Sunday’s game. Looking forward to finally seeing AT&T Park. Disappointed I’ll miss the Wanger on Saturday though.
What’s on the menu for SF Peter?
Pete,
you guys probably hit this when the Yanks are in oakland – Chez Panisse in Berkeley (that’s Alice Waters’ joint). And the subway is quick jump from MaBell Park.
I don’t have any restaurant recommendations – does that mean I can’t post here? There’s an irony in the fact that Giambi is testifying and Bonds will be standing at the plate with a bat in his hand – makes me sick to my stomach when he poses after a home run – don’t worry Henry, baseball fans know who really holds the record.
are the yankkes an elite team of the a.l. ?
my answer is no .
great analysis chris in fairfield
I’m picturing a sitcom featuring Pete, Murti, and Feinsand
great name Rocco- are you a garbage collector?
Far East on the radar
Lucchino sizes up China possibilities
http://www.boston.com/sports/b.....the_radar/
“Quote from Larry “Lucifer ” Lucchino Copycat From Boston GLobe
“Before, sports was seen as a political device, to demonstrate the prowess and efficiency of the Chinese system by winning sporting events,” Lucchino said. “It was a tool of the state.”
“But do I think the commissioner is dedicated to developing the market and expanding the presence of baseball in China? Yes. Will there be Chinese ballplayers in the major leagues? Inevitably, but not imminen
“if you can eat with literally dozens of mounted deer heads staring at you,”
Haha, thats describing almost every steakhouse around here. One of them even has deer antlers incorporated into their chandaliers.
I like lamb alot, and i’ve tried elk and buffalo. What does rattlesnake taste like?
Giants GM Sabean helped find Yankees cornerstones
[quote]
http://www.mercurynews.com/gia.....ck_check=1
Too bad Bonds slowed down, I’m imagining him breaking the record at Yankee Stadium and getting lustily booed by a house full of NYers. Welcome to NY, Barry.
I find it interesting how quickly a lot of baseball fans will change their views and perspectives. Just a few days ago most of the Yankee fans were very optimistic, but now with the sweep in Colorado everything is doom and gloom. As a Sox fan I will readily admit that Sox fans are the same way.
The truth of the matter is that there is an awful lot of baseball left to be played and I would venture a guess that just about anything could happen during that time. Clemens could get hurt or conversely Schilling may be ineffective the rest of the season. No one really knows.
Both the Yankees and the Sox both have enough quality players to make the remainder of the season most interesting and we are a long ways from anything being settled for this season.
Season starts over tonight. We are 35-35.
Strangely I feel better about yesterdays loss than I do about Wednesdays loss. We got swept, we (and they) need to get over it quick. Anyway I have a good feeling about this weekend, plus it’s Friday, nice day. All is good in the world right now.
Keep the faith, let’s go Yankees!
Did everyone see the poll up on espn.com yesterday. It asked if Roger was worth his salary for yesterdays game. Well they changed it today and it now asks if the poll maker is worth their salary of 10,000 dollars a year.
Did anyone hear Sterling’s call on the Melky “homer?�
He actually called it gone and said the Melk Man Delivers!
It wasn’t even close.
Marc,
Sterling has done that a few times this year. It’s so freakin annoying. Plus the fact that we have to listen to Suzyn Walderman makes me want to rip my hair out.
Funny article in the SacBee Sports about The Yanks as villains, how unusual but they gotta write this chit when the Yanks are in town. The jealousy just drips.
http://www.sacbee.com/100/story/236017.html
Mark and Marc
I cannot stand to listen to Sterling. In addition to miss calls balls a homeruns, he can’t ever tell if someone is out or safe. Every play is “THE GREATEST PLAY YOU WILL EVER SEE”. He is very fatalistic, “The Yankee deserve to be swept for the baserunning mistakes”. I am seriously considering sitting down and writting a nice email to the Yankees about him.
The Rocket said he was gassed by the 5th yesterday. Excuse me for questioning a guy who who asked for and got 28mil.02 and certainly knows the ropes but I really thought he would be working out in a big way all spring to be ready when he signed, to be in top physical condition. He’s admitted that his legs aren’t there yet, think that was the previous outing.
Is this the inspiration the Yanks were hoping for from an all time great?
Sterling’s been a problem for a while. He’s just so full of himself. It is imperative for the radio people to be accurate, because you cannot see the action for yourself, and he’s just too far off the mark on an almost daily basis. Suzyn doesn’t bother me as much, but that’s because she’s pretty generic.
But I think overall the Yankees broadcasters (both radio & t.v.) are at a loss as to how to deal with a team that’s not doing as well as it has for the last 11 years.
Don’t you think the change in elevation has something to do with it? You are one mile further up, maybe it effected him.
I used to think Sterling screwed up the calls because he was calling it gone before the ball actually cleared the wall or the umpire’s ruling but yesterday he spent about 10 seconds after the play was over if he actually caught it! He can’t see! Then, Suzyn backs him up saying that it was 2 feet from being a homer, when actually it was 5 feet from the wall, let alone the couple of feet it takes to clear it.
Tune in to Mike & the Dog, they will destroy Sterling’s call!
Jennifer, I was just going to post the same thought. And the Rockies are used to playing there, so that’s somewhat of an advantage. I’m not giving the Yankees excuses, because while the altitude can explain getting winded or tired, it doesn’t explain the brain lapses.
Marc, when you think about it, he has no need to rush his call. Most of the time, the people listening are not also watching. So if he delays just a bit, he might actually make a more accurate call. I rather have accuracy than false excitement any day.
The Yankees broadcasters suck. I hit a boiling point yesterday when yet again, John “I’m Blind as a Bat” Sterling blew yet another home run call. Yesterday was the worst as it would have tied up the game at 4-4 but instead it was a sac fly and it took the guy over 30 seconds to realize he blew it.
http://simononsports.blogspot......rible.html
bear in mind there’s a delay in radio broadcasting,hence why you can’t watch the game on mute and listen to the radio for the play by play. he might be calling it gone early, but that delay makes it sound like 10 seconds after the play, he finally realized it wasn’t a homer. I’m not defending him, just throwing something out there.
Doreen’s point is that most people are listening and not watching, so Sterling should take his time to get it right because as a listener we have to wait for his call anyways. Since he rushes and gets us excited, like yesterday, its even worse when it turns out he’s wrong and then we feel even worse!
Can you imagine if John Sterling was announcing the arrival of the Hindenburg?
It is not a once in a while thing with John. It is every single game!! He can’t ever call it right. Thankfully I only have to listen to it on the radio when they have day games, and i’m at work. Like others have pointed out, how would we know if the play happened 5 seconds before he broadcast it? He could wait to see if it clears the wall! How long does it take for a ball to leave the park anyway? Not very long!
What gets me more angry than anything is how he is always negative. The other team gets a runner to second and it is automatically a run in his mind! If we don’t do something right, than we deserve to lose! That is not what I want to hear! You can say they didnt’ do the correct thing, but he harps like a hammer!
Sterling and Kay deserve to be together again. That way Sterling could go overly nuts when the Yankees almost hit a home run and Kay could jump up and down for joy when the other team homers, just to prove he is impartial (by leaning towards the other team).
So much for Fat Boy saving the Yankees. What a mess! What a disappointment!
i put the radio broadcast on in my car just after that missed home run call. i’m just now finding out that we didn’t get robbed of a home run by an amazing play.
i listen to games a lot on friday’s when i drive to my parents. i find myself calling my dad a lot just to see how legit the radio broadcasts reactions are. and i’ll never forget how they made igawa out to be just having a lot of bad luck in his first start against the orioles…
Anyone still on the bandwagon? Anyone? Oh you!
Yankees going after Carlos Pena for Sean Henn:
http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/ru.....=mlb,37089
Please do this deal ASAP.
The Yankees are playing in San Francisco. You’re going to have to hold your welcome to NY for Barry for maybe a little bit down the road????
Interesting deal. One of the better ones floated, I’d think.
The only downsides to that deal is he’s a lefty and hes probably not going to hit like that all season(projecting 40 HR and 120 RBI).
He has the potential to slump mightily in the 2nd half. I say do it anyway, Henn is nothing to give up.
how’s his defense?
Pete,
You can’t go wrong with Town Hall. Saw Roger Craig (former 49er) there for lunch a couple months ago or it’s sister Salt House. Grab a SF burrito almost anywhere in the 2300-2400 block of Mission or you’re doing youself a disservice. I like Cortez (tapas) and the food/service at Scala’s (Union Sq.) and ask for Roberto. Swan Oyster Depot is a good walk up lunch.
And then there’s Joe DiMaggio’s. Hang in North Beach too. Can’t go wrong with #5.
I’d rather have Wiggington and I’d trade Henn for him.
Pena has always been a boom or bust hitter. It wouldn’t surprise me if he hits .220 the second half. Plus, he’s LH and they don’t need another LH stick in the lineup.
I’ll go one further. I’d take Wiggington and Dukes for Henn and another minor league arm, of the “B” variety.
I’d shut Dukes down the rest of the year and get him into some type of therapy program and try to help the guy out.
Gary Sheffield, who comes from Dukes’ hometown and was as much trouble as Dukes was at the same age, has come forward and said he would mentor him.
Shef may have a big mouth but, he has really turned his (off-field) life around. That can only help Dukes.
I don’t know all the particulars of Dukes’ issues other than wire service stories. However, its pretty clear he has to get out of Tampa.
If and its a BIG if, he wants help and wants to turn his life around, somebody is going to take a chance on him. You don’t see a lot of 22 year olds with his talent everyday.
Why not the Yankees? Its not for this year. I wouldn’t play him again this year. Its for the future.
If its not possible, I’d do a Wiggington for Henn deal straight up. Ty is a RH hitter, can balance out the lineup, and can play multiple positions.
Pete,
Two SF restaurants to check out if you can. Zuni Cafe, great place. Best Burgers and Caesar Salad in the city.
Delfina’s. Best Italian restaurant in SF, IMO. Its a small place so, you may need somebody from the Giants PR department to see if they can hook you up because reservations are tough to come by.
You shouldn’t have a problem getting into Zuni. Its a bigger place than Delfina.
Our Minor League hitting prospects are wretched, embarrassing, Outrageous!
Saying that, I’d definitely take a shot at Dukes and try to groom him. Excellent idea, too bad the Yankees(Cashman) would be too scared to do it. Bad PR.
Watch Los Angels grab him and groom him into an All Star…
Since we’re on restaurants, anyone know of a good greek take out place in midtown manhattan? I can’t figure out what to do for lunch and no one at work is of any help.
tic toc diner
SJ44,
I love the idea of ending up with Dukes. Do you think it’s a realistic possibility?
Tic toc isn’t Greek. I’ve been there that place is okay.
I think its more of whether Tampa wants to trade him within the division than it is Cashman’s scared quotient.
The DRays aren’t the easiest team in baseball to deal with re: trades and its pretty clear there is huge downside for them to trade Dukes to the Yankees.
If that happened, and the Yankees straighted out Dukes, the DRays could be facing him 19 times a year for the next 10 years.
If he becomes a star, that would be pretty tough for them to take. You know they would get raked over the coals by their fans and media if that ever happened.
Its probably why they would resist any overtures from the Yankees, if any took place.
i think i meant Skylight Diner
i’ve been to tic toc, but not the one in manhattan
Pete,
Your blog is running ads for Manny’s blog.
http://24homers.com/
Is this legitimate?
Does this guy really know how to use a computer?
I second Town Hall, although it probably will be hard to get in there on short notice on a weekend. But the fried chicken is absolutely ridiculous. Everything is great there.
Wiggington would be great, can play almost any position. By the way, I heard yesterday that Andy Phillips had been playing almost exclusively at 2nd base at Scranton this year, so now he can back up 3 out of the 4 IF positions, that could come in handy in a backup role if we get a new 1B.
How many guys have played 1B for us this year, let’s see Minky, Phelps, Giambi, Cairo, Damon, Posada and Phillips. I forget anyone?
How sad!
The Yankees season is so depressing that people on this board are reviewing restaurants instead.
saucy-
I love Manny. He’s got a great sense of humor.
check out this video clip.
http://tinyurl.com/2t9ohy
I can’t believe you guys are so high on getting Dukes. He’s the Pacman Jones of baseball. You want to know how Dukes will turn out? See Milton Bradley. I personally don’t want to root for team of thugs and potential felons, which is the road we’ll have started down if we get Dukes. What happened to the idea of team chemistry?! You know, get some good guys who play the game right (i.e. Tino, Bernie, Scott Brosius, Paul O’Neill, etc., etc.). Seemed to work just fine for the Yankee (championship) teams of the late ’90s…
No, instead let’s get Dukes and Bradley and then start holding open tryouts at every correctional facility in the country. Let’s go, “Mean Machine”!!! Please, lay off Dukes… We’ve got enough to deal with/worry about without that clown.
So Pete went for the “Surf & Turf”…I couldn’t live without Sterling and Waldman. I hope they’re together for years to come. I have XM and have listened to most other teams’ radio
guys with dismay. The first problem is their high pitch tone of voice, perhaps to sound peppy or lively, but the decibel level fluctuates so much it’s impossible to listen. Sterling has the easiest voice to listen to and speaks in a conversational tone.
Doreen-
I don’t know if the thin air directly causes mental errors, but it’s sure produces fatigue.
I mention this when it happened. Jeter was bent over “gassed”:http://tinyurl.com/2gt89a lookin’ like one of the three bad woofs at brick house.
And when ya exhausted, you’re techincally in a state of diminished capacity.
SF Giants are on 7 game losing streak. The Yanks have Wang for this series, Igawa is back after his mechanics got fixed and Mussina going for them and the SF Giants really stink. The yanks will sweep the series Vs Giants and then the Orioles are a mess. The yanks should sweep Orioles as well to go on a 6-0 run to get backk in the AL East race. 6-0 run is definetly possible for the Yanks.
Dwight Gooden, Darryl Strawberry, Glenallen Hill and Cecil Fielder, just a sampling of the guys who played during the Dynasty Years that had significant off-field problems. There have been others.
Nobody is saying they have to have a team full of bad characters.
But, if you think everybody that plays for the Yankees is a choirboy, they are not.
There is nothing wrong with investigating the possibilities of adding a troubled player if they believe they can help that particular player.
The Yankees have given a lot of troubled players second chances. Some have worked out. Some have not.
The door shouldn’t be closed to it just because it makes folks uncomfortable.
Sometimes, new surroundings can work wonders for people.
Chicago Dave-
_No, instead let’s get Dukes and Bradley and then start holding open tryouts at every correctional facility in the country_
Not a bad idea, at all (seriously)!
Billy Martin discovered former all-star Ron Leflore in a lock-up.
http://tinyurl.com/2l6rjv
Rest in Peace, Billy.
SJ44-
right on.
I mean, who can forget Steve Hoowe.
Dr Ac
I have nothing against him, other than who he plays for. But I can’t believe some of the broken english typed out there. Seems overdone and there’s been some phony athlete blogs lately (bledsoe, pavano)…
“Is cool, mang, People no think I is an athlete. “
Forget C. Pena. He’s got “fool’s gold” written all over him. Pencil him in for 75 strikeouts and 3 months of batting .220.
I’d do Henn for Wiggington in a heartbeat. Consistently decent right-handed bat, scrappy, had success in NY before, and he’d be a legitimate back-up at 3rd base/2nd base if something better developed at the deadline.
Henn will always be an up-and-down type until he gets hurt and then goes away.
“it doesn’t explain the brain lapses”
I’m with you in not excusing them for their performance based on altitude. They’ve played there before and performed. But rapid ascent to altitude without acclimatization (and even then thats not a guarantee) most certainly does impair brain function. Likely not, at mile high altitude but its well documented that people climbing mountains suffer ataxia and slowed brain function if they don’t acclimate slowly to the changing altitude. Going from sea level to the summit of Mt Everest, for example. Hypothetically, if you were taken in a plane and dropped on the summit, you’d be dead within minutes. Doesn’t explain the Yankees, but it might explain Sterlings brain farts yesterday, although he makes them so often, perhaps not, lol.
if you think thats actually manny’s blog, ive got a certain bridge to sell you
NYY,
I see a tiny speck on your rose-colored glasses…go wipe it off.
First, they have to deal with Cain tonight. Then the lefty on Sunday – we all know how well the Yankees destroy lefties (hint of sarcasm)!!!
The O’s have actually been playing good baseball as of late, so a sweep of that series isn’t definite either. Of course, anything is possible, but going 6-0 is a little much.
saucy-
its not easy picking up a 2nd language.
my family is 1st generation Italian. My aunt was considered the smart one cuz she was a legitimate book worm, and while she had no problem what so ever reading and writing, she had a terrible time “speaking” english. My mom who was a party girl and not a reader, spoke four languages perfectly; picking up French in her mid-50s. As a new yorker, I’m sure you’ve met Jewish immigrants, circa WWII, who never grasped the king’s language.
I’m not saying there’s no loafers. But when greats like Tony Perez, Luis Tiant, and Roberto Clemente fail to picked up a 2nd language, then you know it not for a lack of trying.
Much luv, saucy.
Saucy, you’re right-on, that Manny “blog” is a crude Chico Escuela rip-off.
SJ44 – Fair enough, but I think there’s different levels of “bad” when it comes to so-called “troubled” ballplayers. From all I’ve read, Dukes basically threatened to kill his wife. Who else of the guys you mentioned ever did something like that? They had drug problems and various other issues (some othem temper-related), but, to my recollection, they were never seen as a physical threat to the mother of their children.
Besides, who have the Yanks ever permanently “fixed”? Again, not any of the guys you mentioned…and several of those guys went back to their bad habits while they were still playing for the Yanks.
I would never, ever root for a guy like Dukes. I don’t care if he wears the pinstripes – he’s a waste of space.
”
I was up late one night and I saw a commercial for this SUPERPLEX machine that increases your musclea a huge amount. I figure, I work out my arms, mang, my lats, I get chicks AND I throw people out at home. So I bought this SUPERPLEX for a bunch of money and I only used it twice! It was a piece of CRAP. I got frustrated with it real fast, mang. So I threw it out my freakin’ window, OK? But one of the straps got hooked around my arm! I said OH CRAP and I fell out the window into all these bushes and onto the Superplex, mang. Two stories! Was ridiculous. They took me to the hospital for X RAYS! They said Manny, they said, joo need surgery now. They put some plastic ligaments inside Manny’s arm, or something like that. Like I was the 6 Million dollar man or something. Well next thing you know, Manny throwing like gangbusters.
”
right
16 games left till the all star break. I would like to see the Yankees go at least 10-6 to close out at 45-41, that won’t be easy.
After the all star break the schedule has 28 games that fall in the easy category: TB for 8, Tor for 7, KC for 7, Bal for 3, Chi for 3. The Yankees better get fat on that on stretch, say 20-8 leaving them at 65-49.
P.S. – And the idea that Sheffield would “mentor” Dukes…God, that makes me almost pee myself with laughter! Like we really need a mini-Sheffield back on this team. Another self-obsessed hothead who thinks the world revolves around him…Yep, that would be great! Not so much…
Come to think of it, though, Dukes and Sheffield should be slumming it together…They’re two sides of the same coin. Maybe Tampa could get Detroit to trade Sheff to them…so the boys could finally be together. That would be heartwarming.
But this is the time to to slash of that 10.5 margin as the Sox will face the team with best starting pitching and best bullpen in the whole League. Yanks have to sweep Giants no 2 ways abt it. And I think the yanks will take out all the anger and frustration from the sweep at the hands of Rockies into motivation to sweep Giants.
k – That “Superplex” story was absolutely hilarious! Did Manny really post that on his blog?
Check out Cecil’s history. Very “Dukes-like” with regard to family issues.
His son Prince doesn’t want anything to do with him.
Some of the guys on that list I put up stole for drugs, stole from teammates, stole and hurt family members, and stole from the Yankees. They were not good guys.
I am not saying “get Dukes at all costs”. I am saying, just check it out. Lots of people do crazy things when marriages end. Even non-athletes and non-public figures. Its a very difficult and emotional period for people.
If the guy is more trouble than its worth, or Tampa doesn’t want to trade with the Yankees, you pass. No big deal.
All I am saying is, if there is a belief they can acquire him and help him, it shouldn’t be foreclosed.
Given all the possibilities, its probably a longshot. But, its worth a shot.
K-
_They put some plastic ligaments inside Manny’s arm, or something like that. Like I was the 6 Million dollar man or something. Well next thing you know, Manny throwing like gangbusters_
I gotta tell ya, that’s pretty funny.
Ask Derek Jeter and the guys in the Yankees locker room about Sheffield. He was one of the most well liked and respected guys on the team.
Gary Sheffield straightened out his life. Yes, he has a big mouth. However, he lives a very clean life. No drugs, no booze, no cheating on his wife, none of the stuff that hurt him early in his career.
He is a born again Christian and a guy who has helped a lot of troubled kids in the Tampa area.
Don’t confuse the Sheffield that pops off in the media with the man he has become. In the early 1990′s he was that era’s Dukes.
Fifteen years from now, if Dukes turns out to be the kind of person Sheffield has become, he would have turned his life around for the better in the areas that matter.
Jeff NJ,
Out of the 16 games before the All star break
3 Vs SFO(Away)
3 Vs Orioles(Away)
3 Vs Athletics(Home)
4 Vs Twinkies(Home)
3 Vs Joe Torre’s all-time Favorite Opponent(including Sox) the Angels(Home)
10-6 is definetly possible but first they have to sweep Giants and Orioles then the next 3 series before the break r tough ones.
SJ44 – Most of the time I agree with your posts 100%…This time, however, I’m afraid we will just have to agree to disagree. In my view, if the Yanks end up getting Dukes it will end badly, both for him and the team. To take a young guy that’s this messed up and put him under the New York media microscope (as well as exposing him to all the seedy and potentially nefarious pleasures that New York has to offer)…well, let’s just say I don’t think any mental health professional would argue that that would be the “ideal atmosphere for change,” if you will.
In the meantime, I’m not sure his on-field performance would be all that great. Again, all of the guys you mentioned had short, and not always all that good, careers in a Yankee uniform. Granted, they were older to begin with, but their inability to contribute to the team for a longer period of time invariably had as much to do with their personal issues as it did with their age.
I just don’t think this is the kind of reclamation project the Yanks should be looking to take on. It would be a much taller order than with Gooden, Strawberry, etc., and, again, I don’t think this kid is the second coming of A-Rod.
Thanks for all the restaurants recs in SF but I have been here, oh, 12 times. One of my best friends went to Stanford and got married out here. I’m a big fan of Michaelangelo’s Cafe in North Beach. Great city, love coming here and the ballpark is terrific.
SJ44 – If Sheffield was so universally loved and admired, don’t you think Torre and Cashman would have picked up on that? In other words, if he fit in that well, why would they have been so desperate to get rid of him? You might know the Yankee players personally and have some inside info. that I don’t…but, if you’re like me and you’re just a fan with no personal connections, you’ve really got to wonder why smart men would be so willing to get rid of such an all-around “great guy.” After all, the Yankees are always looking for guys that will promote the classic Yankee image – i.e. the clean shaven power hitter who loves team, fans, family and media alike. So, again, why would they have gotten rid of Sheffield for (primarily) a pitching prospect with a bad arm?
The Yanks r 13-6 so far this month and the Sox are 10-9 so far.
One more thing…Sheffield was bragging this past offseason (right after the Yanks got rid of him) that he was basically A-Rod’s protector, confidant and mentor, and that A-Rod would really go in the tank once he left. That prediction really came true, didn’t it? Guess A-Rod was so sad to see Sheffield gone that he just had to start hitting homeruns and driving in runners at an epic pace…
Sheffield loves himself and loves to think he is many (good) things that he is not. I can’t comment on how he treats his wife or how often he goes to church…but all this “greatest teammate ever” crap is just so ludicrous.
JeffNJ and NYY,
You guys obviously have it figured out. The way you tell it, it should be a snap to get to 15 games over .500. It’s just a matter of “channeling the negative energy.” Sure, whatev.
10-6? During any 16-game stretch this season, the Yankees have played .625 baseball ONCE. That was last week, during the streak.
You know what the Giants and Orioles are saying right now?
“We get to play the slumping Yankees. At home. MWUUAAAHAHAHAHA.” And Oakland, Minnesota, and LAA? Forget it — Yanks will be lucky to go 5-5.
Look at the lineup. Do you really have confidence that this Yankee team can defeat ANY opponent? They’re ice cold.
Reliability: zero.
And in the last ten, both teams are 6-4, but only one has momentum.
Its very simple why the Yankees got rid of Sheffield. Keeping him would have required a 40 million dollar, 3 year commitment.
It wasn’t just picking up his option. It was extending him and the Yankees, rightly IMO, didn’t want to go to 3 years for a 38 yr old DH, since they already had a DH in Giambi. He doesn’t play the OF anymore, except for a few times in NL ballparks.
You don’t think it was telling last year that Torre blew apart his entire lineup, the one that got him to the playoffs, to try and get Sheffield into the mix? That’s how much Torre wanted Sheffield on the team. If he didn’t, he could have just sat him. He chose not to do it.
I am sure Pete can verify the fact the players and Torre felt Sheffield was an excellent teammate. It was a question of how many years they were willing to commit to him. Not whether or not he was a good teammate.
The guy acts as his own agent. He is going to pop off to try and improve his situation. Seems to have worked. He got a trade to the team of his choice and a contract extension. Pretty good considering he is 38 and coming off wrist surgery.
That’s better work than a lot of agents could have done for him in his situation.
hey nyy….refresh our memories of the yankees record and the sox record for the last five games
Angel & Dr. Acula –
After reading your posts and thinking about it, I’ll concede that it is possible for fatigue to cause mental errors. (Heck, that happens to me all the time!)
As far as why Cashman chose to deal Sheffield, I think it had less to do with his character or likeability in the clubhouse and more to do with his history of being a pain-in-the-neck when it comes to contracts, more specifically, how to Sheffield it comes down to respect. If the Yankees didn’t extend him, it was disrespect. If I were Cashman and I had a chance to eliminate that headache, I probably would have, too, especially given that I had a Bobby Abreu (who at the time seemed to fit in very, very well).
Carl Pavano is the laziest porch monkey jiggaboo to ever fall from a tree.
SJ44 –
Your post regarding Sheffield is more to the point than mine.
Chicago Dave
Sheffield said ARod would have the best year of his career this year.
If Sheffield was such a good guy and team player he wouldn’t have said the things he did about Joe Torre. Torre put the team first and Sheffield was more concerned about Gary Sheffield.
The Yanks were trying to win the series against the Tigers and buy some time for Sheffield to get back in the swing of things. They needed Gary Sheffield to be Gary Sheffield, not Gary Sheffield doing his impersonation of Ken Phelps at first base. Sheffield wanted no part of first base and let his pettulant attitude get the better of him.
Gary definitely has become a better man than the thug he was in his youth. Unfortunately, the chip on his shoulder is so big that he’ll never be the man he could be. His “me against the world” attitude always ends up getting the best of him.
Chicago Dave, let me rebut something you said about Sheff. I don’t recall him braggin that A Rod would fall apart, in fact when they played Detroit in their first preseason game, Sheff said he thought A Rod was going to have a monster year. So far he’s right.
Look I thought he was a clubhouse distraction and a malcontent on the Yankees and I thought it would be addition by subtraction getting rid of a guy with no spot. His play so far and our injuries have proven that to be untrue. If I could undo the deal to trade him and even if I had to extend him with 20/20 hindsight I would. No regrets on the Big Unit or Jaret Wright trades.
How about we get some pitching.
Our offense is great. Just because it wasn’t spectacular for three nights doesn’t mean we have to start hitting the panic button and picking up the kind of attitudes that would hurt this team even more.
Keep what we have. We can win with this. Additions may actually hurt us rather than help. I think we could bring up Joba to pitch a game or two this season. Against an easy opponent, say the Royals. Just to get his confidence up and see what he can do.
From the New York Times, article written by Jack Curry:
“In Sheffield’s still unreleased book, “Inside Power,â€? he called Manager Joe Torre “an enigma.â€? Sheffield was disappointed when Torre benched him in the third game of the American League Division Series against the Tigers.
“We had a good relationship,â€? Sheffield said. “Most people think we had a bad relationship because I speak the truth. Basically, if it was Jim Leyland and he did that, I’d say the same thing.â€?”
Sheffield did a bad job at first, and perhaps he did not want to play that position going forward, but from the way outside looking in, it looked like he was at least trying. Not succeeding, but making some effort anyway. It was a bad experiment all around, however.
It would seem Joba would be a better option if someone were to get hurt than any of the reamining Scranton pitchers, but hopefully everyone stays healthy and Hughes recovers for the stretch run.
Joba isn’t pitching in NY this year.
He’s not ready and he isn’t on the 40 man roster. He is still learning his craft as a professional pitcher.
He also needs to build up his innings and stay healthy. He hasn’t finished a season healthy in 3 years.
He has zero chance of being a pitching option for the Yankees this year.
As far as Sheffield, folks get too caught up in his quotes. He could sound like the angriest guy in the world on Monday and be Mr. Nice on Tuesday. He’s a real moody guy.
Everybody thinks he and Leyland are close and they are. However, in Florida, the two almost came to blows on a few occasions.
That’s Sheffield. That chip on his shoulder, although frustrating to hear at times, is his fuel. That’s how he keeps going at his age.
Everybody needs something and for Sheffield, its anger and the “everybody is against me” mentality.
As far as the trade, Cashman had no choice. If Sanchez comes back healthy that will be a very good deal for the Yankees.
Doreen… kinda funny Gary Sheffield calling anyone an “enigma” isn’t it? Sheff is a great player but for some reason he could never stick with a team for longer than 4 years.
Buying into the hype about Humberto Sanchez, I thought Cashman made a good trade with Detroit. It turns out that Cashman knew Sanchez had health issues and took him anyways. Let’s hope Sanchez recovers in a year or 2 and Kevin Wheelan turns out to be useful in the pen. Otherwise, Cashman traded one of the most feared hitters in baseball for absolutely nothing.
A thought just occurred to me… will Kei Igwaw bat with his sunglasses on?
Sheffield was let go for (3) reasons; Abreu 2006 success,
contract demands and inability to play 1B as hoped, so no position.
It was definitely not an issue of being a malcontent.
Inquiries into Dukes and Wiggington, (and Bradley) should be made regardless of their choir boy status, one of them (Dukes)has a boatload of physical tools, the other (WIGG) is a decent ML player who has managed to thrive in a garbage organization. Forget Carlos Pena.
A prudent GM needs to do the job and inquire. If the answer is no, he moves on. Nothing gained, nothing lost.
Isn’t it a little strange that Pete’s Lohud blog has an ad for… The New York Times?
http://pagead2.googlesyndicati.....MP1xAUBNc6
We need “gamers” on this team. People who get down and dirty and play the game hard. Players like Mike Lowell and Kevin Youkilis. Are Lowell and Youkilis great? Hell no. They’re not really even that “good” as far as talent goes. But they give it 110% and their statistics show. If the Yankees all gave that same effort (Posada Jeter and Arod do for sure), we’d be unstoppable. Our talent level is so much higher than any other team, it’s ridiculous. If only we had the effort, day in and day out, from each and every guy out there on the field.
More sox hatered!
Two boys are playing hockey on the pond on Boston Common, when one is attacked by a vicious Rottweiler.
Thinking quickly, the other boy took his hockey stick and managed to wedge it down the dog’s collar and twist, luckily breaking the dog’s neck and stopping its attack.
A reporter who was strolling by sees the incident, and rushes over to interview the boy.
“Young Bruins Fan Saves friend from Vicious Animal…” he starts writing in his notebook.
“But, I’m not a Bruins Fan,” the little hero replied.
“Sorry, since we’re in Boston, I just assumed you were,” said the reporter and starts again.
“Red Sox Fan Rescues Friend from Horrific attack…” he continued writing in his notebook.
“I’m not a Red Sox fan either!” The boy said.
“I assumed everyone in Boston was either for the Bruins or the Red Sox. So, what team do you root for?” the reporter asked.
“I’m a Yankees fan!” the child beamed. The reporter starts a new sheet in his notebook and writes:
“Little Bastard from New York Kills Beloved Family Pet.”
Uh, Kevin Youkilis is 8th in the AL in on-base percentage. He’s really, really good.
Mike Lowell sucks. Anyone who wants him on our team (playing at 3rd, where we kinda have someone there) over A-Rod is insane.
I never understood why we think that just because guys don’t get 4 hits ever night means they aren’t giving effort. Sure, they could play smarter, but they’re all giving effort.
BTW- manny ramirez’s real website…
http://www.mannyramirez.com/
I have a bit of a quibble with people who say that certain players do not give effort day in and day out. I don’t know how you judge effort. You can judge the results of their work, and for some Yankees this year the results have not been what’s expected. But you can’t really speak to the effort someone’s putting in. From what I can tell from watching on t.v. there is not one Yankee who doesn’t run full out to first base (a way to perhaps judge effort).
I’m not saying you can’t criticize those results, by the way. To say, for example, Robinson Cano sure seems to swing at too many first pitches, and it looks like it’s not helping him any,” is a valid observation. To say that because he’s swinging at too many first pitches his proof he’s not giving full effort is not a valid criticism.
Youkilis and Lowell are playing better than theyre supposed to be. That’s what I’m trying to say. They’re truly not as good talent wise as their statistics show. But because they play hard, they are performing above what’s expected of them. If our players played as well as they are supposed to, given their track records, we’d be far ahead of the Red Sox in the standings. Their talent would be mostly utilized if they gave it all they had every night.
Youkilis is annoying and has a funny stance, but there is no question he is a good player. Many chapters on him in Moneyball. Billy Beane loved him.
On a dark, rainy night 2 cars get into an accident.
The driver of the first car is wearing a Red Sox hat and the driver of the second car is wearing a Yankees hat.
The 2 fans are so relieved that no one was hurt in the accident that they decide to put their baseball differences aside and have a friendly chat.
The Yankee fan says ” You know what? I’m actuallly glad this happened.I was getting to the point where I thought a Yankee fan and a Red Sox fan could never get along.”
The Red Sox fan says “Me too!”
The Yankee fan goes into the trunk of his car and pulls out a bottle of whiskey. He says “Let’s toast our new found friendship”
The Yankee hands the bottle to the Red Sox fan and says” You first..” as he watches the Red Sox fan take a big hit off the bottle. The Yankee fan then takes the bottle, caps it and reaches for his cell phone.
The Red Sox fan asks ” Who are you calling?”
The Yankee fan responds ” The police”.
Drive 4-5,
Yankees fans aren’t trusted with driver’s licenses.
Yah- Are you saying you and I can’t get along? Let’s have a drink and talk about it…. here … it just so happens I’ve got a bottle…
Mine is Real Story.. Drive 4-5 is fake one, He just made it ip. It’s bs
Kevin
Just a thought about your statement that Lowell sucks. Lowell has 50 RBI so far this season. Considerably more than any Yankee other than Arod and is consistently among the league leaders in doubles. With how many runs you guys have been scoring lately I guess you would be a lot better off if your players “sucked” like Lowell.
Sorry to disillusion you Espando, but both are VERY old jokes.
ray…are you also Yah!? How ’bout that drink?…
It’s Friday..you guys need to lighten up!
has anyone else heard that Clemens and Pettitte were some of the names blocked out from the Grimsley testimony? Along with Tejada and Brian Roberts. I heard the AP just released this article
http://www.usatoday.com/sports.....7984_x.htm
Drive 4-5
I’m not Yah, but you are right…it is Friday afternoon…time to lighten up!
Ray,
Upon checking baseballreference.com, I’ll concede that Lowell’s having a very solid year so far.
That being said, why would I want a “gamer” like Lowell at 3rd when I can have A-Rod hitting a million homers? That was my main point.
The alleged implication of Pettitte and Clemens came out in October of ’06. A federal prosecuter said that there are a lot of innacuracies in the report and it’s not valid.
According to the NY Times, in dramatic grand jury testimony Jason Grimsley stated, “Rocket always took two parking spaces and Andy borrowed my shampoo and didn’t return it.”
Hey Kevin, in the spirit of easing up on a Friday I will readily admit that if I was putting a baseball team together I would put Arod on third over Lowell. I will just add that no matter how well Arod does in the regular season if he does not produce in the playoffs even Yankee fans will boo him like they did last year.
Both the Yankees and the Red sox have interesting questions regarding 3rd base after this season is over.
Do the Yanks renegotiate A Rod’s deal?
Do the Sox give Mike Lowell a multi year deal at age 35 or do they let him hit the free agent market?
A Rod is a superstar, but Lowell is rock solid. I chalk it up to his Yankee roots.
Pete,
I know this is well into the posts for the day, but I had a hard time linking to that restaurant this morning. Actually looks like a really good menu. I’d have tried the rattlesnake because the preparation sounds really good.
Did anyone get adventurous?
Re: Dukes …. I understand that he went into his wife’s classroom and threatened to kill her in front of her students; something more than a marriage gone bad. Caveat Emptor.
Re: Sheffield….. I don’t know if he was moody or a jerk, but I do know that he was the Yankee batter that we feared the most …. and there was no one in second place. We were thrilled when the Yankees moved him (but WHY to an AL playoff contender???).
Re: Lowell …. he says that he’d prefer to remain in Boston, and that the occasional trade rumor disturbs him a lot. I sense that if the Sox want to keep him, he wants to stay. But the Sox are pondering moving Youkilis to third (he’s solid there) and getting Texeira or Helton for 1B, especially if it hurts the Yankees. If nothing else, the sox will lurk in the background to make the Yankees give up a premium in young arms for Texeira.