Goose throws heat at Joba
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- May
- 13
Now Goose Gossage thinks Joba celebrates too much. “When I broke into the big leagues, I didn’t say two words all year,” he said.
That was in 1972. Obviously baseball players should act like they did nearly 40 years ago.
There are few things more tedious than old ballplayers saying that things were better in their day. Reggie Jackson was a model of unselfish decorum, right Goose? Your old manager, Billy Martin, always a class guy, right?
The kid turns around, pumps his fist and yells and people act like he chases the hitter back to the dugout and smacks him in the head like one of the Three Stooges. Joba does nothing different than 100 other players in the majors.
Here is all you need to know: Nobody is more old school and straightlaced than Joe Girardi. He has a crew-cut, goes to church and never curses. His idea of a wild time is giving his kids extra ice cream.
Joe Girardi thinks Joba is just fine. That should be good enough for anybody.
Congrats on the Hall of Fame, Goose. But leave the kid alone. 1972 was a long time ago.
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on Tuesday, May 13th, 2008 at 9:47 am by Peter Abraham.
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I doubted if it’s even true in old school. When you realy have no reason to say and you are old enough, you get the “right” to say “back in good old days …….”
Agreed Pete. Good post. Since I always was a fan of the Goose I always forgot he was part of the whole Bronx Zoo where there was SUCH class. Heck even Thurman said he would make a good Captain becuase he was “…too belligerant and I cuss too much.”
Amen. If Girardi starts to think it’s excessive, he’ll talk to Joba about it. If it comes to that and Joba ignores him, then it’s an issue. Though he may have ignored Mo’s suggestions after he did it the first time last year, if that was true.
well said, Pete!!!
Sparky Lyle, who was Goose’s set up man, was known for sitting on birthday cakes bare @ssed.
I guess Joba should act more like that.
Amen Pete!!
Nice post! I say all the time that I wish some other guys on the Yankees showed his emotion.
Buckner - LOL I forgot about that too!!!!
Goose GOOSage may be the best name ever.
i LOVE extra ice cream day!!!!
this really is going to be the never-ending debate huh? Seriously though, Joba could do worse things this pump his fist and twirl around. People are just jealous of him I think, not to mention people love to make up petty arguments.
I think that Gossage is right. Unless Chamberlain wants to get shown up by hitters every time they get on base, he ought to tone it down. Why stir guys up like that? It’s bush league, especially since Chamberlain is likely to bat only a handful of times in his whole career.
Since when is going to church and not cursing “old school”? That’s just lame. Do you think Casey Stengel was like that? Or Joe McCarthy? Or John McGraw? Or Leo Durocher? Which old school are we referring to?
In thinking about all this silly swiping at Joba, the one thing that I keep coming back to is that these fools who harp on it are envious of what he has shown.
This whole matter is about taking Joba down a few pegs. Goose is one who shouldn’t talk. He was crying like a baby over not being selected to the hall earlier. Where was his class with that? Honestly, when he complained about it he lost a lot of respect from me. So, who is he to say a word about a kid who shows some excitement over his accomplishments in a few of his appearances?
Since when did baseball become a sport where you are not supposed to show emotion? Where is the national outcry against K-Rod or Papelbon when they react emotionally? Where is the headline news against Manny when he poses after hitting homeruns? Where was the outrage over CC pumping his fist during the game he was losing to the Yankees? Heck, CC should be executed for doing that if Joba is garnering so much flack over showing some excitement over striking out a batter who beat him hard.
This is about envy and the hopes of those people to tear down a kid who has shown moxy. Heaven forbid.
Personally, what Joba does (or Papelbon, KRod, or countless other relievers do) doesnt bother me because its not showing someone up, its showing emotion.
I hated when Derrick Lowe gave the A’s the crotch chop in the PS a couple of years ago or when Eck pointed at people he K’ed.
Joey Porter leg kicks, Shawn Merriman does his thing, most in the NBA show emotion after a dunk or a block. Why cant a bb player show emotion after what they consider a big play?
Gossage said “it’s not the Yankee way” what is the “Yankee way”? Acting like zombies? showing little emotion? acting like robots? Not looking like they having no fun but more like it’s their job to play baseball?
I’m tired of hearing that the Yankees should be above that and they should conduct themselves in a different manner then other ML teams.
This is a baseball team not corporate america. Why should they act differently then any other baseball team?
I am really getting sick and tired of people calling out Joba. Enough is enough. WHy didn’t Goose call out K-rod? Or Paplebon, Or CC. Or the dozens of other players who do more and worse than Joba?
Funny side note, now I didn’t see video of what was done, but the met pitcher from last night took exception to the celebrations in the dugout by the Nats, said if thats what a last place team needs to do to motivate themselves?… Um those in glass houses….
Bryan, if that is the case, then there is one way to stop Joba from doing that. Beat him.
You see worse stuff from Papelbon and K-Rod all the time and nothing gets said.
Why the double standard for Joba?
I watched a game the other night and Nathan did a fist pump against the Red Sox, and in that case he was looking right at the batter. Joba doesn’t do that. Yet, Joba is the one to grief for this?
A-Point,
It’s bush league no matter who does it. It’s especially bush league, though, when I guy does it in the 8th inning, when the game isn’t even over yet. Papelbon and K-Rod don’t pitch in the 8th.
A-Point
I think you hit the nail on the head. People are jealous of him, and how much success he has had in such a short period of time.
Word. Well said Pete.
Bryan, when should players celebrate? Since you seem to be the commissioner of the Bush League. It’s Bush League to show emotion when you’re playing a sport?
Now that’s the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard in my life.
i posted this yesterday from Rob Neyer’s blog, looks like it’s worth a repost here:
http://www.bugsandcranks.com/new-york-yankees/not-the-yankee-way-phooey
someone might need to define “the yankee way” or being a “true yankee” etc so that the rest of us understand, looks like it’s pulled out at their convenience.
and Papelbon and K-Rod may not have fathers who “fist pump” too…
Bryan, you are bush league to think this way about it.
CC was pumped up and it wasn’t the 9th inning, and he was losing and ultimately lost that game.
What non-sense to talk about bush league. Frankly the kids who play in the bush leagues play with heart. I’d rather see more of that in baseball, not this mind dead emotionless play of corporate baseball.
“You see worse stuff from Papelbon and K-Rod all the time and nothing gets said.”
To be fair, I think plenty of Yankee fans, myself and plenty of other people on here included, have certainly complained about K-Rod and Papplesnot before… I’m as guilty as anyone, Joba’s celebrations have just put it in perspective for me. Pap and K-Rod, whom I hate, can do whatever they want. I hate them because they beat us, not because Paplebon looks like he’s sucking on sour patch kids when he looks in for the sign or because he celebrates when he beats us.
I think there is a lot of enviousness involved here. Especially from other teams fans. Particularly Sox and Met fans. I heard some crazy stuff on the radio from those two team fan bases about Joba.
Goose should enjoy his HoF nod and shut up about Joba. Let’s not forget that Goose is the same person that likes to “remind” everybody that Mo Rivera is overrated because “back in the days” relievers pitched more than 1 inning. Yada, yada…times have changed, Goose. Move on & get over it.
gossage mouthing off about joba is old news.
didn’t old school retired players players used shut the hell up about present day star players on their old team? these new retired hall of famers just don’t know their place like the good old days when newly minted rookie hall of famers quietly went into the hall of fame with humility.
some veteran hall of famer is going to have to sit down gossage and let him know how a hall of famer is expected to act.
The phrase “bush league” is bush league…..
I really wish at this point that he not only doesnt stop with his fist pump, but he exaggerates it even more… and in fact, builds off of it to form more elaborate, in your face celebrations just to continue to screw with these people who couldnt handle a kid showing a little emotion.
these people need to get a life.
randy, lol.
Touche Randy
well done, randy
Randy,
I agree. It’s Bush League the way Gossage is acting.
I love that Rob Neyer blog. True Yankee and The Yankee Way are 2 of the most annoying phrases in baseball to me. They are swords that are only swung when someone wants to criticize or mock.
Has Joba become the new A-Rod? Everything he does is held up to a level of scrutiny that no other player is subjected to.
Pete, we can always count on you to bring everyone back to their senses. Is Goose kidding or what? I hate to think he’s just saying this to get in the news? Who knew ballplayers say or do stuff just to get attention…
Everyone needs to get off Joba’s case!!
Chris, while yes, there are plenty of comments on Yankee blogs about Papelbon and K-Rod, you don’t hear any of it on national sports shows. When was the last time you hear ESPN talking about their antics over a win?
Its also the amount of it done. CC fist pumped a few times, right on the mound and then again while he was walking off. Yet, not a word was said by any TV or Radio personality about that.
K-Rod never gets called out for it. Though he does get some giggles at times.
What right does Goose have in saying anything about this? None. His comments about it is showing a lack of class, yet he doesn’t see it. His complaints about Mo, his complaints about not getting into the hall earlier, all show a decided lack of class.
Those who are complaining are those who are so green with envy they can’t think straight.
Good post Pete and I agree 100%. Like others have said, I have no problem with Joba pumping his fist, no matter what inning it is. I can’t understand how people will complain about this when in football a LB makes a tackle for a 1 yd gain and dances around like he won the Super Bowl. Now THATS ridiculous. Good job Goose bringing this back to the sports pages. First he moans about the HOF and now this, shut up already.
You know you’re famous when a silly fist pump that occurred 6 days ago STILL makes headlines.
Amen, Scorpio.
when CC was “fist pumping” he was also screaming obscenities…what’s the “years of service” requirements to be allowed to do that?
“I think there is a lot of enviousness involved here. Especially from other teams fans. Particularly Sox and Met fans. I heard some crazy stuff on the radio from those two team fan bases about Joba.”
I’ve heard more from Yankees fans on this than anything else. Some are caught up in this mythical “Yankee Way” thing. They are ones making the most noise. Honestly don’t think fans of other teams care, especially up in Boston where Papelbon does the same thing.
Bottom line is that it’s the old schoool Yankee fans (not to mention old school Yankees) who take the greatest issue with this. Like someone said earlier, this ain’t the 70’s. Baseball is fast becoming a young man’s game and if these young men want to bring emotion and personality to the table, so be it.
Goose can hand out advice to a lot of other teams too - since he spent the first 5 years of his career with the ChiSox he can lecture Crazy Cursing Ozzie G. about tirades and blow-up dolls.
He spent 1977 in Pitt so he can lecture them too.
Then 6 yrs. with the Yankees, then 4 years as a Padre.
My point it that this guy is not a life-long Yankee even though he was great with the Yanks, so he and Cone and O’Neil can please just defer to Jeter and Posada who have said nothing negative about Joba at all.
Hopefully this is something that just fades away quickly.
As others have pointed out, goose talks about class this and class that. How classy is it calling out the Yankees current closer and saying he isn’t as good as you were. Or calling out the set up man and complaining about a fist pump. Or crying for years about no being inducted, and complaing about who was. Goose I think you are the classless one here.
Some dude from Detroit fist pumped during the Saturday game when they were down by 3 runs. WHERE WAS THE OUTRAGE?!?!
Beckett actually SCREAMS at hitters yet nary a word is said because he’s fiery! A gamer! Unreal.
We can name a lot of players that show-up the other team(player), but why even go there? Joba is Joba, he has great talent and a very good fast ball. As one pitcher put it; I think most pitchers would love to have his fastball, if they say different…oh, well, or words to that effect. Let’s face it, if he were on the tigers…nothing would be said. Go Joba, go kid, enjoy the time you have on the field playing for the greatest baseball team in the world. 27/08.
Please, like hitters are going to be able to hit him better because they are “fired up.” That’s retarded. This is not football. Joba’s nasty and not many are going to hit him whether they are fired up or easy breezy. Personally, I like seeing him do it and I like messing with other teams.
just when i thought this topic had died…
it rises.
Good point, A-point… I wasn’t considering the media aspect and you’re right, few have said anything about the other guys. Some I think have lately, as a point of comparison when they’re discussing it. But some of the idiots (Francessa) I think actually said things like, it’s ok for them to do it because they’re closing, or some nonsense like that.
Do people who make the 8th inning vs 9th inning think those guys don’t celebrate when they come in to get some outs or get out of a jam in the 8th?
Goose Gossage is starting to sound a bit like Andy Rooney…
“You know, I remember back when a pitcher just stood on the mound like a mannequin, back in the old school we thought emotions were a sign of weakness”.
Until Girardi makes an issue out of this, this case should be closed.
“That’s just not the Yankee way, what Joba did. Let everyone else do that stuff, but not a Yankee,” Gossage told the Record on Saturday. “What I don’t understand is, the kid’s got the greatest mentor in the world in Mariano [Rivera]. He’s one of the leaders of the team, so you’d think it wouldn’t happen on that team.”
wait a sec…is goose taking an indirect shot at mariano??? maybe the papers should blow that out of proportion and we’ll all see how goose likes it.
“gossage mouthing off about joba is old news.
didn’t old school retired players players used shut the hell up about present day star players on their old team? these new retired hall of famers just don’t know their place like the good old days when newly minted rookie hall of famers quietly went into the hall of fame with humility.
some veteran hall of famer is going to have to sit down gossage and let him know how a hall of famer is expected to act.”
absolutely, and I respect my elders but Goosage needs to shut the hell up
I love Joba, but agree with the Goose. It is bush. We’d all think it was bush if it was a Red Sox pitcher doing it. Why is it any different when it’s Joba? I don’t care if he does that when he gets out of a huge jam, gets the last out in a playoff game, etc. But with a three-run lead, to strike out David Delucci in the eighth and nobody on base? Bush as it gets.
Hey Bryan stop stealing my name you pansy
Let’s see what the Joba defenders have to say the next time Dellucci fist-pumps his way around the bases after a 3-run HR.
Because that wouldn’t be classless at all.
This is great for Joba. Let hitters go up there worrying about how he might show ‘em up IF he strikes them out. Any added concern.anger, what have you is a distraction and a distraction is “advantage pitcher”.
Dennis point is they do it reguardless, see there are too many unwritten laws in baseball, the only thing Yankee fans really ever took offense to was Manny’s stare at his HR off Proctor, that’s pretty much the only thing that ever offended us, if another pitcher does Joba’s antics ? are you watching baseball ? they do it all the time and there hasn’t been a peep about it from our end until they started talking about our players.
Yankee fans right now are just pointing the obvious, it’s not the other way around, we stayed shut until they started talking about our players. This issue has been over blown, he’s done it all his life, it’s not going to stop.
Fist-pumps his way around the bases? Did I miss the part where Joba did it 35 times after the strike-out? Or did he do it 2, 3 times? Pretty sure a large majority of MLB hitters flip the bat or pump their fist or some sort of celebration the moment the hit the HR.
I miss the days when sports was about the game on the field and not all this other nonsense.
He pumps his fist. So what?
For crying out loud is it really that big a freaking deal that all this media nonsense has to go on and on and on?
Rich Gossage is a Dick
After all the stuff that has been said and debated, I’m glad that Joba still chooses to be himself. I wouldn’t change for anybody at my job unless my boss actually came to me and said he thinks it wouldn’t be such a good idea I continue to do what I was doing. If hitters think that Joba is showing them up, come to the plate the next time and show him up by getting a hit. Seriously, lets preach what we’ve been taught all along….that there’s no crying in baseball. waaaaaaaaah
Couple of things:
I’ve never seen Gossage put down Rivera. He has only pointed out that in his days, he and guys like Sutter and Fingers, were not one-inning specialists. Everything I’ve read said by Gossage about Rivera has been complimentary. In fact, he has called Rivera the best reliever of all-time. I think his comments were more of a defense of guys from his era than anything negative.
As for his comments about Joba, I think Pete is right that they’re a bit much. But in fairness, if he’s asked that question, what’s he suppose to say? Sounds like the reporter thought he had a nice little angle, the hard-nosed great of years past talking about the new kid on the block. I think Goose believes what he says: he wasn’t one to show up other players. But a lot of guys from his era certainly were (anyone remember Al Hrbosky?)
It’s not as if Gossage put out a press release saying this. A reporter wanted a story, and got a story.
IMHO, there’s nothing to see here. The story is being flamed by M&MD and others. It’s a non-story.
So many pitchers do it. While Joba’s may be a little more pronounced, he is far from the only one. And Pap gets pretty over the top, too. I’ve seen CC and Beckett both get pretty out of control out there with their cursing and fist pumping also. I seem to recall Jeff Nelson being pretty nuts with it, but there was no big controversy back then. Obviously there just isn’t enough drama out there for ESPN and Mike & the Mad Dog type media outlets, so they have to act like this is a new thing and make something out of nothing.
Brandon, I’ve been watching baseball for more than 30 years. I’m not saying a show of emotion is bad. But Joba overdoes it with the 360 degree turn and the giant roar. It makes you think he just wants to get on Sportscenter. Show some class in victory. What’s with all the in-your-face stuff? It’s like what they say about guys who over-do the end zone celebrations — don’t act like it’s the first time you’ve been there. Joba’s a good kid and a great pitcher, but part of sportsmanship is not showing up the guy you just vanquished. I don’t like when Papelbon does it. I didn’t like when Eck did it. And I don’t like when Joba does it. I may be old (41) but I think just saying that this is the way players act now, doesn’t cut it. There’s a right way and a wrong way to go about your business in sports. Joba saying “That’s just me” doesn’t excuse it any more than it excuses Manny (or Reggie Jackson for that matter) for admiring his homers.
Pete,
Can you please let Joba know us fans want to see Joba continue to fist pump. It brings an energy and a fire that lights up The Stadium.
The point is it’s not pre-meditated. It’s reactionary. And showing emotion or not is personal. For Joba it’s his natural reaction and if he tries to curb that it will affect the way he pitches because he won’t be natural out on the mound.
Please let Joba know that us fans want him to continue to fist pump.
When we go to a game my two young sons, ages 4 and 7 just keep askng me when Joba is going to come in. He excites them.
He shouldn’t change.
The other side of this story is, who cares what David Delluci thinks? Seriously, some mediocre outfielder journeyman has a problem with a shooting star- who cares?
People can have their opinions about th e fist pump so be it. Whether I agree with them that is a different story. My issue is where were all these people complaining about the fist pump LAST YEAR.
It’s not like he just started doing it last week. He did it last year during the regular season as well as in the playoffs and I didnt read an outcry from former players or even current players to be honest.
Someone said this morning on ESPN when did baseball all of the sudden become the only sport where one is not allowed to show any emotion whatsoever. Maybe this is part of the reason why young kids dont want to play this game so much anymore and are going for the sports like basketball and football. This game needs some emotion and some personality or (and please i do not want to sound like a xenophobe and do not mean it that way) we will be left with the great american game without any great american players.
New Rule: The Yankee away is DiMaggio, 24/7.
Yeah, we live the Clipper for being the Clipper, but there is only one. Hall of Famer Goose Gossage was certainly not that.
To tell Joba to stop pumping his fist is to tell him to not be as emotional.
He uses his emotions out on the mound to stay focused and pitch. He can’t be as focused if he has to worry about keeping himself in check.
Just let him be who he is. It’s not hurting anybody.
I do a gree with Pete, but Joba should calm it down just a notch. When he gave up the homerun to Delucci & when he struck out the same batter the next day, I think he kinda overreacted during both events. After he gave up the homer, he looked like he just caused World War 3. And when he struck out Delucci, he acted like it was a crucial out in some game 7.
I don’t mind Joba’s fire, but it should be exhibited during the right time.
Amen Peter. Amen!
There is a difference between what Joba does and Manny does. It is funny how a pitcher can get away with certain things and for a batter it is bush league… indeed. For a pitcher to scream or pump his fist after an outing out of emotion is fine. Are you going to criticize the guy for getting excited or sympathize with the batter for :hurt feelings:. Maybe the batter shouldn’t have gotten owned.
Then again, maybe the teams should respectfully walk off the field after the last pitch of the world series. Don’t want to show the other team up.
For Joba, getting a strikeout is as big a deal to him as winning the world series… because he hasn’t been there yet. Let him get fired up all he wants.
Manny has been in the league for long enough to know if you hit a homerun and stand at home plate with your hands in the air staring at the other team, you are going to face criticism. Yet, if he ran around the bases and pumped his fist I wouldn’t see anything wrong with his excitement.
Joe Girardi had an interesting fact on his YES show this week. Joba’s dad fist pumps too. They showed clips of Harlan watching Joba pitch and he fist pumps after outs.
Could fist pumping be hereditary or is it a learned behavior? The old debate of Nature vs. Nurture possibly being put to the test right before our eyes.
Didn’t Goose think at one time he had a better career then Mariano.Goose is a good guy but he needs to except his Hall of Fame party and shut up.Or at least shave.
Dennis he’s done it all his life, in Nebraska when no cameras were watching he did that, In Tampa, in Charleston, in Trenton, in Scranton he did that I don’t see a problem, if anything the criticizers are the ones making this too big an issue, a 2-3 sec fist pump should not offend you or anyone. I notice it’s always the scrub players that first draw attention to things like this. I mean McDonald on the Ha ! play, Pedroia on the elbow, Dellucci and yesterday Figueroa, I mean give me a break.
I just finished reading the ESPN article and you know what Goose? If you are such a great guy & all into the Yankee tradition and you say that you love Joba & that Joba’s a good kid, why not YOU go and sit down and chat with Joba behind closed doors instead of saying all this anti-Yankee this, that to ESPN?!?!
Like talking behind people’s backs is a “classy” move.
A “Joba’s a good kid” will suffice for those reporters who want nothing more than to harp about a kid’s fist pump.
Where is this “Bush League”? It sounds like they have a lot of fun games to watch.
I must have my Yankee colored glasses on again, but I really can’t believe this is an issue and getting so much attention.
Back to baseball. NoMaas had these starts posted today. Depressing to say the least. Like I said last night, you know the outcome of the game by the 2nd or 3rd inning every night.
The Yankees record when trailing after specific innings:
When trailing after the 1st inning, the Yankees are 2-8.
When trailing after the 2nd inning….2-8
3rd inning….1-12
4th inning….1-16
5th inning….4-17
6th inning….1-18
7th inning….0-17
8th inning….0-18
The problem with reading Gossage’s comments is that you can’t hear his tone of voice. Was he highly critical or was he just lightly stating a difference between players “back in the day” and now?
I personally don’t have a problem with anyone’s fist pump so long as it’s not a show-up. I supposed that at times that line might be a little foggy.
I’ve heard a lot of “old-timers” talk about the difference between rookies then and now, including Al Leiter. Rookies were seen and not heard from too much. They had to “earn” the right to be themselves. But that was then. And it was fine for then. But the game has evolved to where a rookie feels that by making the team, he’s already earned something important. Today’s crop of rookies has grown up with ESPN and its highlight reels. They’ve practiced their “fist-pumps” from little league on up — in a way it’s part of the fantasy or the dream of that little leaguer who wants to play in the ML one day. It’s not disrespect.
If Joba was a different type of person, it might not sit so well. But he represents the Yankees very well, both on and off the field. He is soft-spoken, and he seems to have a handle on what’s truly important in his life. That’s what counts.
Obviously baseball players should act like they did nearly 40 years ago?
Pete, you get very snippy when people say or do things you don’t like. He’s just asserting a certain level of respect for the game, a game that’s been played for over a century, and a game in which Joba has all of 20 innings of experience. The fact that his frame of reference happens to be 40 years ago, shouldn’t be a reason to trivialize his point of view. And comparing criticism of Joba, 3 years removed from his teens, to a lack of criticism of Reggie Jackson and Billy Martin is off base from the point goose was trying to make.
I happen to agree with you, but your sarcasm in this instance comes off as a cheap shot.
Joe DiMaggio, by many accounts, was not that warm a person. Don’t know if I want an entire team of that.
and I don’t wanna hear Goose saying he loves Joba but instead of talking to him like a man he goes to the press to mouth off his concerns like a coward. If I were Joba as great as Goose is I would have lost my respect for him right there. This doesn’t help anything, if anything was Bush League it was Goose running for public exposure to this.
1) Gossage was a great pitcher in his day. But getting voted into the Hall of Fame does not turn Jethro Bodine into a philosopher and prophet. Hey Goose: Why not convey your thoughts in person if you are only trying to help?
2) If this is the worst controversy that ever befalls Joba in his baseball career, he’s a lucky guy. Get over it already.
3) If the Yankees could win a few games instead of having to wait for A-Rod and Po to come back nobody would be talking about Joba’s fist.
I just heard James Shields interviewed on ESPN. He was one “dude” short of being mistaken for Spicoli from Fast Times At Ridgemont High.
didn’t goose say that he thought Joba should stay in the pen?
Sounds like he’s been listening to too much “sports talk radio”…
brave Knight of the Keyboard..lets see you say that to the Gossage in person
“3) If the Yankees could win a few games instead of having to wait for A-Rod and Po to come back nobody would be talking about Joba’s fist.”
murphydog -
Ain’t it the truth??
you are SPOT ON, again, Pete.!!! Thanks again for all that you do !
why dont we all pick on Goose for his disgusting moustache? A grown man should walk around with that ridiculous thing on his upper lip, who does he think he is WB Mason?
” The kid turns around, pumps his fist and yells and people act like he chases the hitter back to the dugout and smacks him in the head like one of the Three Stooges.”….I missed that the first time I read your post. Pete, you KILL me !…That would be funny. Maybe we can pull an April Fool’s day joke on the world. Get an opposing batter to be IN on it, and have Joba do EXACTLY THAT right after he strikes him out ! ROLF LOL
!!!
saucY it sounds like Goose is butting in way too much. Tommy John is another person who can’t stop being a philosopher of where Joba goes, his one track mind of keeping him in the bullpen and not considering the other side is completely laughable, one would think if he were so smart at this he’d be a GM by now. Gee I wonder why no team has asked for his expertise on running a franchise but that doesn’t stop him from throwing his 2 cents everytime.
I hate talking about these guys in this way but it goes from respecting your elders to quite the opposite w/ these two. Oh lets not forget Roy White..see these are guys who just can’t shut up.
i like the fist pumps…it’s no different than when a batter celebrates after a homer by throwing his bat and looking at the dugout or crowd. It’s no different than a basketball player pounding his chest, a Tiger Woods fist pump, or a football player celebrating a touchdown….I like Mo’s quiet, classy walk, off the mound, it’s his thing. Joba’s fist pump and celebrations are his thing. Why don’t people say anything about Papelbon??? ( When he’s not blowing saves) GO JOBA!!! KEEP THE INTENSITY, nobody else on the team brings any…
Go Yankees
“Could fist pumping be hereditary or is it a learned behavior? The old debate of Nature vs. Nurture possibly being put to the test right before our eyes.”
good point, and if it was learned behavior, will it be passed on, as the lemarkians say, to joba’s offspring?
This is the stupidest debate ever. Who cares? If it’s that big of a deal, let the other teams decide it and handle it. These people act like Joba is the first to do this. Try watching other games, alot of pitchers do this. Hitters stand at the plate after homeruns too, did you catch that or did I ruin next weeks story?
I saw those stats as well Bob, goes back to what you posted last night. Last night after the 4th inning I started flipping channels because I just knew I wasn’t going to miss anything. I know that sounds bad, but I haven’t seen any sort of comeback fire at all from this team this year. Just floundering around at the plate, hitting into DP’s when a runner is on, just more of the same old, same old. Not like the bullpen hasn’t done it’s job. The offense has just been, for lack of a better word, pathetic.
I always loved the Goose. Great pitcher, maybe he’s listening to Fatso & fruit loops too much.
As a matter of fact I seem to remember Goose being a little firery out there also.
That’s the really sad thing Frank. For the first time in a long time we actually seem to have a bullpen that is pretty decent and it’s pretty much worthless at this point.
The approaches at the plate up and down the lineup are just awful.
It is just unbearable most nights to try and sit through a whole game without getting completely frustrated and having to walk away.
people have nothing else to iscuss so they waste there time on this.. Joba is not even in the top 10 of over the top pitching nonsense talk to ; Krod, papelbon, Cincinnatti’s closer, and the list goes on.
Why do the Yankee players have to behave differently then everyone else? They should be held to the same standard….
You have fatboy and giant fan on the radio spouting nonsense on a daily basis, Manny ramirez how about his gyrations.. I forgot that is manny being Manny that is acceptable because???
again people have nothing else to talk about so let’s talk about nonsense….let’s talk about if and when giabi, cano, and others are going to hit!!!The thing killing the Yanks after 39 games is not there pitching but there inept offense, they are bottom 10 in baseball in offense!!!!!!!!!!!!!
they have no come from behind ability, not working counts, there OBP is way down, that is what they need to improve on..
If things do not pick up in the next few weeks they need to go to plan B, bring up some young energy(Gardner) move one of the dinosours and go for it.. Tampa’s speed last night caught hits and made bloops much more painful, look at the game, they blooped and ran the yanks to death and caught at least 2 doubles and had 3 DP’s..IF the Yanks were mashing like usual that would be OK but they are not and may not……..
Fruit loops, now there’s a delicious breakfast. Haven’t had that in a long time.
LOL I know it’s off topic but did anyone hear Sue Simmons drop the F’Bomb last night on live telecast
that’s hilarious! did she know she was on camera?
The only thing I can think of when we talk about Joba and the fist pump is when Kenny Rogers pitched against us in the playoffs and screamed and pumped his fist in every single inning when he’d get a strikeout or a key out.
Sure, it’s the playoffs, sure, he was using some odd substance to cheat, but nobody said a thing. The man was screaming obscenities, pumping his fist, every inning.
Nothing said.
Maybe it’s the yelling that Joba does that bugs people so much. The only people who really complain are hitters who are really angry that they struck out against him only to have it rubbed in by a thunderous roar and a firm fist in the air.
Other pitchers should have no problem with it and shut their @%$%^ mouths about it. I know if I was there I’d celebrate much, much more in the 8th inning role. I might even injure myself in the celebration. To me, he’s showing restraint.
On this issue I totally agree with you Pete. I respect Goose like heck but ENOUGH already! Let it go already, and leave Joba alone.
Brandon I heard about that, I didn’t actually hear it myself though.
Sue Simmons
I always want Joba to be himself on the mound. He shows all that energy on the mound and that’s great. He pumps up all the players around him. Youth should not be wasted on only the youth. Guys who are 10-15 years older than these kids can relive some of their youth and maybe give them a little motivation.
That said, when Joba gets out of a BIG mess with a big K, I certainly like to see him show his emotion. When the Yankees are up by 3 runs and Joba puts the side down in order, there isn’t a HUGE need for all that. I think that is what Delucci was angry about. It wasn’t bases loaded, Yankees up by 1 and a K there saves the day. It just wasn’t as much of a dramatic situation.
Sue Simmons video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O3elN2fHWGU
2008 - It was revenge. They guy did double Joba’s ER total in the majors with one swing in the previous game. I’m all for him pumping both his fists, kneeling on the mound and pointing up to the sky in that situation.
Ok, maybe not. But the pump and yell, certainly appropriate.
“It just wasn’t as much of a dramatic situation.”
Definitely scored about a 2 on the drama scale, but in Joba’s eyes, it may have meant more simply because he set down the same guys (Sizemore and Dellucci) who had beaten him two days before.
Oh that Sue. She said a bad word.
Took the words straight outta my mouth Peter
I’m not putting down Goose, in fact, I was a big fan of his years ago and still appreciate him - but, so what? I mean, he’s entitled to his opinion just like anyone else, but why give it more weight? There’s a difference of opinion on emotional displays, not just here on the blog but among the players and coaches themselves. Goose’s opinion is just one more on the subject.
I bet when Goose comes to the Stadium for Old Timers’ Day, he and Joba get along fine. They both seem like characters.
Most of us have seen the shot of DiMaggio kicking the infield dirt in frustration ( another human emotion) after Gianfrido caught his drive at the (old) bullpen fence in the 1947 series. It is usually offered as an out-of-character act by Joltin’ Joe but it serves to show that even the greatest players react emotionally at one time or another. Someday Joba’s fist pump will be shown as a memory of a great Yankee player just as Jeter’s fist pump rounding first and Berra all over Larsen after the perfect game seem to be part of their legacy !!
It doesn’t matter that Joba did it as 3rd out of the eighth. DiMaggio’s out was not a game ender either, nor did Jeter’s homerun win that WS.
speaking of youtube clips, is there anything online anywhere of shelley duncan announcing the line up from saturday’s game? finding this clip will make my life!
Pete, I agree with you, but the thing that concerns me is when I see something like the Seattle/Texas game last night where there was a verbal confrontation between batter and pitcher following one of those fist pumps. Now I believe that Joba and Farnsworth could be one of the best tag teams in a bench clearing brawl since Strawberry and Wells, but the last thing I want is an injury due to a fist pump altercation. Batters do it all the time, so pitchers should be able to do it without batters taking exception, but when things get heated there is no rationale sometimes.
Cashman is on the Max Kellerman show right now
Here’s the Yankees virtually at the quarter pole mark and the starting pitching has been so-so, the bullpen far better than expected and then there’s the dismal part.
- lack of run production.
- squandered scoring chances.
- no fire or pep in their steps.
- waiting for things to happen opposed to making things happen.
Wait, let me get this straight. It was bad for Joba to be happy and excited to shut down the Indians because they were ahead three runs? Why? If Dellucci got another home run then the deficit would be 2 runs. A three run game is still pretty close, and with the Yankee bats as quiet as they are not insurmountable. I’d say that along with the wins being so premium at this point that would give enough cause to be joyous.
Steve Phillips was talking earlier on the radio, though, and he actually made a good point. The long season that baseball has helps create the lower swings between highs and lows. If a player gets real emotional over the season it can wear them down. Its why we generally don’t see so much emotion either way from the veteran players.
I can see that point, but then, its not like Joba does it every pitch, every out, or even every game. I have seen that emotional rollercoasters can sap energy. Over all though, I don’t think showing emotion after striking out someone to end an inning in a close game is that bad.
Sounds like the Mets are holding Santana back a day so he can throw this weekend.
Oh that Sue Simmons… She sounds like a real joy to work with.
There is no way Girardi ever gives his kids ice cream!
“I can see that point, but then, its not like Joba does it every pitch, every out, or even every game.”
If he ends an inning with a K, the fistpump seems automatic. Otherwise, not so much.
Brandon
What did Cash have to say?
“waiting for things to happen opposed to making things happen.”
Agreed. I know they are missing two big bats, but for crying out loud.
Did Cash say anything? I just turned it on and he is already off.
my god Max Kellerman did the most pathetic interview w/ Brian Cashman that I’ve ever heard in my life, how he didn’t get into the farm system or what the next step will be, just pathetic.
that is kind of surprising, because Kellerman is really very good about his knowledge of the yankees system.
Cashman doesnt really do good, informative interviews ever, though.
” no fire or pep in their steps.”
Should they dance like Diddy on the way to the batters box?
Pat, it consisted of talking about what Ian Kennedy worked on , Brian said it was the change up, that lasted for 2 mins. but between Max’s long ramble of how gutsy a GM Cashman is and how it is like walking a tight rope for you Brian between Hank and Hal and the Yankee FO, Brian’s response was about keeping the farmsystem together and not reaching out for solutions when it might be under his nose.
The most concerning thing when he was getting off the phone he said how Igawa is part of the future plans of the season, or something like that, I nearly nodded off there.
What’d they talk about? Eye cream?
Yanks definitely shouldn’t go after Yu Darvish if Joba’s fist pumps are causing such a fuss. Darvish looks like he does an Ultimate Warrior scream and muscle flex when he’s coming off the mound.
http://espn.go.com/
The only things I’ll agree with is missed scoring opportunities and seeming to wait for things to happen (although, it could be argued that those big swings and misses are actually trying to force things to happen, which apparently is not working).
I really haven’t seen any of them “dog it.” They’ve been off-balance at the plate, but I don’t agree with those who say they’re giving up. Why they are so over-matched lately, I don’t really understand. And even with pitchers being very aggressive with them, I don’t really understand why they can’t foul off more pitches to force more “mistakes” or a few balls in the count. But I never played myself and I do understand that a lot of things we would like for them to do, that seem like no-brainer type things, are really easier for me to say than for them to do.
I think the “unwritten rules of baseball” need to be written and distributed to every fan.
This way, we will know what’s right or wrong.
If folks have a problem with Joba or Papelbon or anybody else, when it comes to emotions during the game, then beat them. Its that simple.
I don’t see what the big deal is about Joba’s emotional reactions.
I’m a huge Goose fan but, he’s off on this one.
As far as the team is concerned, its simple. Half the lineup can’t hit and the other never hits in the clutch. Not a formula for offensive success.
Aside from Wang, the starting pitching borders between average and awful. With awful getting more and more run each day.
The good news is, nobody has run away from the pack. The bad news is, if Arod and Posada are both out another 3-4 weeks (not inconcievable) somebody has to step up or the gap will widen.
Personally, I’m more troubled by the pitching than the hitting. The hitting is what it is. Its not going to change until Arod and Posada get back. Even then, they may end up being a bat or two short. Too many older everyday players. Not the direction the game is going in these days.
Its why I have said all year they won’t come to last years offensive output. Their pitching is going to have to carry a heavier load this season. If it can’t, its a rebuilding season.
Three of Pettitte’s last 4 starts have been awful. Igawa? What can you say?
Of all the moves this team has made the last 5 years, the Igawa move is the most unexplainable to me. That guy can’t pitch in AA, let alone the majors.
Its just amazing they gave him a shot and are “too worried” about McCutchen’s development to put him in that spot.
On an off day, McCutchen is a better pitcher than Igawa. Plus, he’s 25. He can’t stay in the farm system for 2 or 3 more years. At some point, you are going to have to try him in that spot.
Is Cash delusional? Kei in our plans? Maybe he can be the new batting practice coach. Make him do something to earn his money. He lives high in the zone, you can’t live like that here, not with a 90 mph fb.
They have to act like they still believe Igawa can add value. Can’t trade a guy it you flat out admit he sucks, badly….. Should’ve traded him last year when San Diego or whoever it was wanted him.
next up: How many times D’Otoni inserts his foot in his mouth
SJ ! welcome back where have you been
The most concerning thing when he was getting off the phone he said how Igawa is part of the future plans of the season, or something like that, I nearly nodded off there.
There’s no way he ever pitches in a major league game for the Yanks again is there?
If so, we’re in a lot more trouble than I think we are already.
“The most concerning thing when he was getting off the phone he said how Igawa is part of the future plans of the season, or something like that, I nearly nodded off there.”
Igawa? Still? Oh hell to the no!
Maybe they will use Igawa in blow out games so he preserves the other arms in the bullpen.
Great post.
I do hope Joba reads this stuff or his agent does and passes it on to him how much we all want him to keep doing what he’s doing.
I saw the link for the Cano/Cabrerra high-5 at the end of the games and I can honestly say I never gave it a 2nd thought about them celebrating either. I mean, who cares? If you win, then be happy and show it. Period.
If you strike someone out - be happy. We certainly are as fans!!
Keep it up Joba and Melky & Robby!!
SJ I need an answer to this, who was more responsible for Igawa’s purchase ? Jene Afterman (that’s my choice btw), Cashman, George or somebody we haven’t heard.
off topic,but i found it really interesting watching minnesota sit on buchholz’s breaking ball and off speed stuff and mash them when they came in as expected. he’s had two bad starts in a row. has the league already caught up to his pitching backwards?
the red sox are letting the yankees off the hook by not winning and creating a bigger gap between the teams while the yankees are at low ebb.
“Personally, I’m more troubled by the pitching than the hitting. The hitting is what it is. Its not going to change until Arod and Posada get back. Even then, they may end up being a bat or two short. Too many older everyday players. Not the direction the game is going in these days.”
100% agree. The notion that all will be well when the Arod and Posada come back is at least slightly misguided. The liklihood of this team running off 3 months of .700 ball like last year is near zero. The pitching is probably not quite strong enough and more importantly, the AL offers very little in the way of easy outs for the 1st time in years. There isn’t anything close to a great team in the AL, which is why nobody is running way, but the top to bottom competitiveness will make playing more than .600 very difficult to do.
Not for anything, but Goose didn’t have the success in his first couple years that Joba has already shown. I think Goose is jealous of Joba, and being that he can’t put him down for his pitching he is using this non-issue fist pump to do it.
After getting the third out of the third inning, Figueroa turned toward the Nationals dugout and made a mock clapping gesture into his glove in response to what he perceived was the Washington bench’s rhythmic clapping for his walk and error during the inning.
Figueroa was not happy afterward.
“They were cheering in the dugout like a bunch of softball girls,” he said. “I am a professional, I take great offense to that. … They won tonight, but in the long run, look who they are, a last-place team.”
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/recap?gameId=280512121
I think 92 wins gets you in the playoffs this year. There aren’t any great teams out there.
So from here on out I say the Yankees need to go 74-51 to make the playoffs.
What is perplexing is that Cashman seems to be hanging his career on Kei Igawa. Not to be too dramatic, mind you, but why not cut bait right now? Admit it was a failed experiment and move on. Instead, people are just shaking their heads not knowing what to make of this. All teams make expensive mistakes. The Pavano situation is quite different in that no one could have expected the unending injury parade to one pitcher, plus other teams besides the Yankees wanted him.
Igawa is a Japanese import and I think that most people in baseball understand that these players are not sure things. So, Igawa’s been coached and he’s been given minor league opportunities and major league opportunities, and it sure seems like he is not able to do what the Yankees are asking him to do. He just does not translate. It doesn’t mean he wasn’t a talented pitcher IN JAPAN; it simply means his style of pitching is not working here. In addition, he does not seem very coachable. Not in a lasting way anyway.
For all the progress the Yankees have made in building their minor league system, and for all the talent that is being amassed there, Cashman is stuck on this one failure.
Unless I’m totally misreading this situation, that is.
“Nobody is more old school and straightlaced than Joe Girardi.”
lol,Thanks for the laugh, Pete.
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/eticket/story?page=darvish
I didn’t get a chance to read this article. But please tell Cash he is out of his MIND if he bids on another Japanese pitcher.
Brandon,
LOL. Marchand opens up with, “How much attention will be paid to defense?”
No Darvish. That Ultimate Warrior thingy he’s doing walking off the mound is far worse than a Joba fist pump.
Jenn I think the Yankees will go for Inoa & Rodriguez stronger than Darvish
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3394247
.
SO if A-Rod says Tuesday…add a day, as per Joe G….then we do see him on Weds ( NEXT weds ! )…sah-weeet !
Yes Darvish….it takes the heat off Joba ! LOL
oh god O’toni already lieing he’s saying in PHX he never had a problem w/ Marbury ..insert foot in mouth
mel do you blame Marchandt after last season, and did you hear the response he made.
Amen Pete,
When reading Goose’s comments, I thought he sounded like a bitter old man.
He has always been ornery, and in the past has made comments that indicated he thought he was getting a raw deal on the HOF (for the record I agreed with him).
But this is a case of him having selective memory of the past.
Anybody remember AL Hrabosky?
The guy would work himself into a frenzy behind the mound before pitching. It was quite entertaining but didn’t do him much good as he wasn’t effective for very long.
What Joba does is mild compared to that.
The media interest in Joba’s actions is yet another example of Anti-Yankee bias.
I dunno about D’Antoni..
I guess we will see..
Brandon,
Vacation time. Still on vacation for another week so I won’t be around much.
The vacation will include a stop in Trenton. Gotta check out the Thunder before June.
The friggin “yankee way”
Everyone else can do whatever…but if the Yankees do something..Oh God forbid!
Oh please
have fun on your break SJ
Well said.
The most interesting thing is we are now seeing what a lineup without Arod and Posada looks like. Can you imagine if as free agents both went elsewhere.
Brandon,
Re: Igawa, I don’t know. Never been given a straight answer on that one.
Some say it was an overrecation to the Dice-K signing. Others say Pags and Afterman recommended him (he denies it) and they went with their recommendation.
Others say the Yankees honestly thought he was a good pitcher.
I think its one of those issues in which we will never know the entire truth as to who screwed up so royally.
In sports today, very, very few executives will admit to this kind of screw up.
As far as Cashman’s public comments re: Igawa, what do folks expect him to say? He’s not going to trash the guy publicly.
This is an instance (as with all instances in sports these days) in which you follow the actions and not the words.
The guy is not starting another game. That’s all you need to know about how they feel about him.
Brandon,
Breathe in, breathe out.
in response to defense question D’Otoni: “I averaged 58 wins over 4 years….so for 58 games a year we are the best defensive team”
OH YEAH BRING THE EXCITEMENT ! CHUCK ALL DAY BABY !
I think the most we will see of Igawa is out of the pen. Even that role looks “dicey”.
Opps, maybe not.
“The guy is not starting another game. That’s all you need to know about how they feel about him.”
Exactly. They wouldn’t bring IPK right back up based on one good game in AAA if not for Igawa’s failures. They need a starter and Igawa’s not their guy. Gave him one last chance to prove something and he did, proved that he sucks.
too much nervous laughter from D’Antoni in the press conference. Making me nervous
I guess we will see.
oh look at that Q-Bit…. is at the conference
S.A.
Does he remind you of a snakeoil salesman?
He cries a lot to the refs and I didn’t like some of the things he did in the Pacific Division, BUT he is a good coach. Top 3.
He may not be perfect, but it really is the best thing that could happen. The Knicks need someone to give them instant credibility. It’ll be rough from the start, but what were the other options?
mel IDK rebuild a defensive identity, some grit. AND WHAT THE F.. IS STEPH DOING THERE !
i am bored
Mel-true
I’m gonna keep an open mind with D’Antoni. It’s all we can do.
Hell, the Knicks have reached the lowest of lows…they can only go up…right?
I understand Igawa’s value is probably between an empty bag of doritos and used toilet paper right now, but is there any chance of finding a team willing to trade for him? Padres? Giants?
“I’m running in the mountains” - Marbury.
“mel IDK rebuild a defensive identity, some grit. AND WHAT THE F.. IS STEPH DOING THERE !”
His contract expires after this year. I imagine the 20mil that’s coming off the books after the year is the reason he’s still there.
ray,
Expiring contracts are worth a lot in the NBA. Got us Gasol. Who the hell thought it was a good idea to give Starbury $20M? Never mind, the Knicks will be stuck with that one.
Pete (or anybody),
What’s Posada’s activity right now? You’ve said he’s playing catch. That means he’s catching the ball right? Not throwing it back to the tosser? I don’t want Posada to rush back and push himself back even further.
D’Antoni hiring makes no sense. This a organization trying to get under the cap and rebuild. Makes more sense to bring in Mark Jackson. Instead Walsh brings in a win now type of coach.
There’s already rumors surfacing about Marbury being traded for more long-term expensive contracts.
Are the Knicks going backwards?
Wow!
Much to do about nothing. Joba has emotion…..let him show it. The team needs it.
i loved goose, and reggie and bob gibson and all. im just guessing but ill bet the yankees barely drew 1 million people that year. sorry, goose, but the people have spoken.
Jax it’s what they always do. It always is this way they are the equivalent of square peg in a round hole
“He cries a lot to the refs and I didn’t like some of the things he did in the Pacific Division, BUT he is a good coach. Top 3.”
Top 3? Top 3 in the Pacific Division? Top 3 among those available??? Surely you don’t mean Top 3 in the NBA???
mel
It was reported yesterday that Jorge is making throws from 60 feet. He is taking BP and will travel with the team back to NY rather than remaining in Tampa.
The fact that this story is still going on in discussion (main headline on espn.com for goodness’ sake!) is dumber than having a pitcher punch a concrete wall right before the playoffs, and no one would be stupid enough to do that!
wait a seco
sunny615
May 13th, 2008 at 1:44 pm
I understand Igawa’s value is probably between an empty bag of doritos and used toilet paper right now, but is there any chance of finding a team willing to trade for him? Padres? Giants?
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Agreeable Sunny. If Hank S. were to tell Cashman that he wants no part of Igawa and to be rid of him the best way possible with $$$ not being the factor, then Cashman has to do it.
As long as he understands that scouting in Japan must be done under closer scrutiny in the future to avoid any more Igawa’s.
im not much of a basketball fan but it seems to me that the hiring of the head coach has alot more to do with public relations than a straight basketball decision. dantoni has a stellar reputation as a nice guy, just the kind of guy you need when your reputation is in tatters. i think they realize that they arein for a total rebuilding and are probably years from contending again. this was a P.R. move.
Y’s Guy I hope you’re right because it certainly appears by hiring D’Antoni that the plan might have just changed.
“ray,
Expiring contracts are worth a lot in the NBA. Got us Gasol.”
Mel,
They are worth a lot but I think Walsh’s main concern right now should be clearing enough cap space for 2010 when Lebron and Wade become free agents. At least that’s what I’d be doing if I were him. The Knicks should in no way be trying to trade Marbury’s expiring contract for any players with long term deals.
as far as Im concerened D’Antoni is a championship winning coach. If it werent for the NBA’s love of the San Antonio Sperms and Robert Whorey, the Suns would have been the team that trounced the Cavs in the finals.
Fredo,
LOL. Yes, I said Top 3. I thought about Top 4, Top 5 but really only Jackson and Pop came to mind.
Since you’ve forced me to think about it. Here goes: You can throw in Sloan (I will not speak ill of him at this time, don’t want to jinx my team), and Byron Scott’s on the rise. Avery’s good, not great. Nelson’s old news. Riley’s retired. Don’t know the East coaches too much, but Flip Saunders was given a great product but hasn’t exactly lit a fire under that bunch. Doc Rivers has admitted that the pressure is getting to his squad in the playoffs. What kind of coach admits that to the media? Larry Brown is a HOF’er back in the game. I’d put him above D’antoni. So D’antoni is Top 4, maybe Top 5. We’ll see what he does without Nash and Stat, but he did produce when he was with the Suns.
Doubt Lebron ever leaves Cleveland, Ray. Cleveland will always be the team that can pay him the most money and he doesn’t need NYC because he’s already world wide.
Wade on the other hand seems a logical target.
Fredo,
IF LeBron goes anywhere it’ll be NYC. He loves New York more than his own hometown.
I saw the highlights from yesterday’s game and I saw LeBron yelling at someone after the tackle by Pierce (did you see LeBron drag him out of bounds?) Pictures show LeBron was yelling at his mother to stay off the court. She was ready to defend her baby! Pierce and Garnett were holding LeBron back from his own mother.
Pete said: “The kid turns around, pumps his fist and yells and people act like he chases the hitter back to the dugout and smacks him in the head like one of the Three Stooges. Joba does nothing different than 100 other players in the majors.”
Personally, I wouldn’t like Joba’s demonstration, if he were on my team. That being said, this is why I don’t think his antics are appropriate for the Yankees, or any OTHER team.
#1: I kinda doubt that you can count as many as 100 other players in the majors who display such antics at the plate or on the mound that they engender discussions like this. Also, there’s 650 OTHER players in the majors — would we rather have THEM acting like Joba Chamberlain, or like Mariano Rivera?
#2. To a player who doesn’t succumb to such antics, a player like David Delluci, I’d guess that it DOES feel like Joba Chamberlain has chased him back to the dugout with a smack upside the head. He’s just been humiliated by this gyrating set of antics, instead of the normal retreat after a strikeout — after all, the two of them may be teammates at some future date, why humiliate the guy?
another thing is that dantoni’s problem seem to be getting a team over the top. the knicks wish that was thier big problem.
its like buck showalter, he primed the yanks for the success they had under torre and the dback for thier success under brenly. buck may not have been the guy to bring a championship, but in both towns, he took over at the ground floor and made postseseason success a posibility, then got replaced before they got there. if the knicks can rise to the level where the coache’s ability to put them over the top is a real consideration, they will already have succeeded tremendously under dantoni.
Keeping Igawa in the pen as a mop up man is a complete farce. It’s a absolute waste of a roster spot.
The Yankees have a wasted spot already with Giambi who should have been at early optional batting practice yesterday to work on slapping pitches down the 3rd base line to give teams thoughts that he might actually try it but no, just keep pulling pitches and swinging for the fences or hitting into the shift.
Fredo,
I don’t know the likelihood of Lebron leaving Cleveland, but if the Knicks clear cap space at least they can be in the discussion about acquiring him. Being able to be in the discussion at all greatly improves their chances of acquiring him.
YanksRule57 said: “The guy would work himself into a frenzy behind the mound before pitching. It was quite entertaining but didn’t do him much good as he wasn’t effective for very long.”
But he didn’t do it in such a way that it humiliated the batter. He did it to pump himself up emotionally BEFORE the strikeout, not afterwards. Big difference, not the “mild compared to that” you say.
CP3 is the 2010 FA Id want the Knicks to get….he’d be the new Clyde