The Sunday Links
Posted by: Peter Abraham - Posted in Misc on Aug 26, 2007 
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Chien-Ming Wang threw eight strong innings as the energized Yankees beat the Tigers.
The Yankees rested up after Friday’s long day. This notebook also reports on a favorable switch for Placido Polanco and Doug Mientkiewicz’s rehab.
The Sunday Baseball Notes ponders why Red Sox fans are so nervous. Plus we touch on the Mets, the Marlins, soccer-loving Billy Beane and other matters.
One thing I mentioned in the notes was how the Red Sox have their minor-league teams play a game at Fenway Park every summer. I think this would be a great idea for the Yankees. A doubleheader featuing Scranton and Trenton would draw, no?
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Golf’s FedExCup is being contested in Westchester. Sam Weinman has a report from the Barclays Classic.
Journal News columnist Rick Carpiniello was in the house as well. Well, on the course anyway. He reports on Hunter Mahan’s 62.
I miss covering golf. The touring pros are generally good guys, the PGA staff treats reporters well and you usually get to hang around a ritzy clubhouse that would normally throw the likes of me out.
Red Sox fans are nervous for the same reason that the Yankees (and their fans) became nervous during the 2004 playoff series. It is human nature to contemplate the media and fan fallout from blowing a big lead. The 2004 Yankees played tight, tentative baseball from the moment Dave Roberts stole 2d base in Game 4. They wanted to put a stake in the Red Sox heart as soon as possible, and wilted when the Sox refused to go away.
As a Sox fan, I’m equally concerned about having to suffer the slings and arrows of the media and Yankee fans should the Yankees overtake us. To give the Sox players their due, they have reacted to the Yankee run by throwing a counterpunch of their own.
But the upcoming series will tell a lot about the mental makeup (and physical depth) of the respective teams. Should be fun, in a tortured kind of way.
Pete- you covered golf? Was that as a diversion from having to watch the Mets??
Come on then, who was the best/worst pro to interview?
so glad I found your blog via a link from Tyler Kepner of the NYT a few weeks ago. I read you daily now – very informative and fun too.
RE the Joba Rules: it seems there is real tension brewing between Cash and Torre here. Recall Cash’s angry comments ( after widespread publicity and several stories about the “rules” in the media, about how “that stuff needs to stay in house” and the “rules” should never have been made public. Now we have Torre looking for some rules wiggle room and continuing to discuss the issue in public.
I read in a diff paper the other day that Posada might be inclined to sign elswhere next year (possibly even the Mets!) if the Yankees don’t bring Torre back. Is Posada really saying that his loyalty and feelings for Torre would outweigh those he feels toward the organization itself and the fans? Is playing for Torre more important than staying a Yankee in Posada’s eyes?
Do you think the Yankees might really have a problem resigning Posada (and Rivera for that matter) if Cash decides to change managers?
Or – was this simply a case of a reporter looking for a story angle and sort of “leading the witness” so to speak.
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Joey Bagadonuts–Nice user name. Anyway, I can’t imagine Posada and Rivera playing in another uniform. That would be weird. They have posturing all season about their contract and will continue to do so. I don’t think they will go anywhere.
I keep reading that Torre doesn’t seem happy with the ‘Joba Rules.’ Personally, I hope the Yankees stick to them, or at least don’t stray far from them. The last thing they need to do is turn Chamberlain into Kerry Wood.
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Hi Pete, I read your blog everyday, and – like 90% of your readers – I’m very frustrated that Britton is not in our ML bullpen. Do you have any info on why, and does anyone ever ask Torre/Cashman this question? It seems like some writer must have asked this by now.
a double header between Scranton and Trenton would be a good draw. Even if it wasn’t, it would certainly be a rush and some additional motivation for those players. It’s hard to believe the Stadium used to host a college football game every year. Anyone remember when that ended? I’m guessing early 90s.
Pete–how was the food in the PGA clubhouses?
That little story about the Sox was pretty funny. Murry Chass would be proud of you..seriously.
Todays line up
Damon
Melky
Rico
Arod
Matsui
Jason
Cano
Betemit
Molina
I went to that minor league double-header at Fenway. It was a BIG draw, and a lot of fun. It gave me a chance to go to Fenway–I’ve never been–without the hassle of it being an actual Red Sox game. I’m from right around Beacon, so I went with the Hudson Valley Renegades fan club (yes, it exists) to see them take on the Lowell Spinners (winning 1-0 until the bottom of the 9th. tough loss
). It was a lot of fun!
We were talking about how the Yankees should do something like that. All the concessions did slightly discounted food (by $1 or so) and all the souvenier stands did tax-free (all prices included taxes, so it just brought all the prices down by that much). I think maybe Yankee Stadium wouldn’t sell out, but it would get a lot of families out to Yankee Stadium for just a nice, fun day.
Hi Pete –
I think it would be great to have the minor leagues play some games at the Stadium – and what a thrill for the kids! I do think that tickets, food, etc. should all be at minor league prices, though.
I’m an amateur golfer, played in USGA women’s events all over the tri-state area. It’s a sport for a lifetime, but it requires some discipline and knowledge of the rules. Many people are surprised to learn that in a USGA tournament, you are responsible for playing by the rules – and knowing them – and you call any infractions on yourself. (if you don’t another member of your foursome will) There are marshalls all over the place who can help with the interpretation of the rules, but it is the player who must know them. The USGA issues a new rule book to it’s members every year, and boy, you’d better read it and carry it!
As for the Joe and Brian feud, I expect either one or both will be gone by next season, however I think the ‘Joba Rules’ will live on for all new, young pitchers and that they are a good thing.
BillyJoBob inclines his head slightly in the direction of Brian (Red Sox Fan) and thanks him for his intelligent insight and politeness on a Yankee blog.
May the best team win.
Pete, if saying that Red Sox fans are nervous helps you or your readers get through the season, tnen go for it — whatever works.
From my persepective this Red Sox team has the potential to be the best edition in my lifetime. The viability of Schilling and Gagne are the issue and I don’t mind in the least that the Sox have used some of their cushion to try and go for it all this year. If Schilling and Gagne can be key contributors in the postseason, then the Sox will be the clear favorite to win the tournament of eight in October.
Having that opportunity, or responsibility, if you will, is what puts the pressure on Red Sox fans. Let’s face it, this year, the Yankees are playing with house money. They were dead and almost buried, but still turned the season into a competitive one.