A morning buffet
Posted by: Sam Borden - Posted in Misc on Feb 05, 2009 
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If I had to rank them, I’d probably put my all-time favorite breakfast foods in this order:
1. French toast (as a kid, my dad used to take me to the diner after Saturday morning 6 a.m. hockey practice and that’s what I got every week for like five years)
2. Pancakes (my father-in-law, who was a wonderful man, used to always get an order of pancakes “for the table” in addition to what we all got on our own; my wife and I still do it)
3. Waffles (the big Belgian kind with whipped cream in the center and maybe some fruit)
Some of the best days, though, are the ones where you’re at a breakfast spot that offers all of these things (and some others, too) in a fresh buffet. A nice omelet, some turkey sausage and a bagel? Fantastic.
In that spirit, here’s a start-your-day buffet of thoughts:
· Great guest post to finish the series: Bob Sheppard is a legend. He is also the best at beating game traffic that I’ve ever seen. Sheppard would literally move to the back of the press box with two outs in the ninth and as soon as the final out was made, he was out the door and on the elevator down to the parking lot so he could beat the masses home to Long Island. (In another random stadium operations note, I was at a Rangers-Islanders game recently and Paul Cartier, who plays the organ at the Stadium, was playing the organ at Nassau Coliseum.)
· Who goes on my Yankees Mount Rushmore? Ruth, Gehrig, Mantle and DiMaggio for sure. For a more modern version I’d probably go: Reggie, Jeter, Rivera, Mattingly. The problem is, where does Yogi fit in? Not exactly on the modern list but who do you bump off the older one?
· Speaking of Yogi, one of my favorite things about the start of spring training was seeing Yogi’s golf clubs in the corner of Joe Torre’s office. Joe would always make some comment about how “Yogi’s clubs are here but he isn’t yet,” and the bag was always just about as tall as Yogi himself. He’s the best.
· For anyone interested, my LeBron James column is here. He’s really an incredible star and he’s got a sense of the moment as good as anyone’s (very Jeter-esque). If really does come play in New York, it would be an incredible show.
· I appreciated the dialog yesterday on my Torre column. Lots of feedback and emails from people, many who disagreed (though there were some who were with me) but it was all done respectfully and civilly. There’s nothing better for a columnist than write something that inspires genuine and thoughtful debate. So thanks for that.
· Best war movie? I’ll have to beg off on that one. Pete is way better at movies than I am, though my wife would probably have an opinion. I did just see Frost/Nixon the other day though, and thought it was terrific. Langella should absolutely be right there for an Oscar for his portrayal of Nixon. Great stuff. I also loved Slumdog Millionaire – just great writing and a really compelling story.
· Anyone still want Barry Bonds? Now it seems there’s proof he failed a bunch of steroid tests and we can read the transcript of a conversation between his trainer and his buddy where they talk about the perils of injecting him the rear end. Congratulations, baseball – that’s your all-time home run king.
OK, put some syrup on all that. Back later
looks more like your all-time favorite breakfast food is maple syrup!
Morning Sam!
First off, I LOVE your father-in-law’s idea of pancakes for the table! Definitely going to do that next time we go out for breakfast. My personal favorite is french toast, but it does depend on the bread they use (challah is one of the best, and I’ve used panettone which adds a nice twist).
I think Yogi needs his own monument – he transcends it all. He’s been around so long and he’s been a physical presence on the Yankees for almost his entire adult life. It’s interesting that Mariano is the only pitcher anyone would put up there, isn’t it? I mean for all the success the Yankees have had, and all the terrific pitchers that have pitched for this team, only Mariano really qualifies for the Yankee Mt. Rushmore.
The Bonds story is just too sad, IMO. And there’s not much left to be said about it, is there? It’s a shame that he had such foolish pride to go down that path. I wish the steroid-infected part of his career wouldn’t diminish, or at least tarnish, all the accomplishments that he achieved beforehand, but tragically, it probably will. I know he brought the tragedy on himself, but it’s tragic nonetheless.
how can u do a list of the best breakfast foods and leave off bacon?
Got to add a head for Yogi. It’s a bigger better Mt. Rushmore that way.
1. Pancakes.
2. A yummy omelet with onions, peppers, mushrooms and cheese. 3. A nice, fresh and warm bagel with cream cheese is good enough for me.
I skipped breakfast this morning and now I’m hungry. I need some food now…
Band of Brothers tops any war movie or tv show or miniseries. I know its not a movie but its better than all the war movies out there.
I Love every bit of information about Yogi Berra. Thanks for the tid bit on his golf clubs during spring training.
It is remarkable that you have not become jaded and still appreciate the sights, sounds and everyday things that the average fan has interest in but no access to.
You are the average fans eyes and ears on the inside.
Thanks Pete.
Turkey sausage? Turkey sausage?? Yuck. Breakfast is for cloggers, plain and simple. Bacon. Bob Evans sausage. Dippy eggs, and toast.
Sam…did you ever notice if Yogi’s clubs are right or left-handed? I know Yogi batted lefty of course, but a lot of lefties play golf right-handed. Just curious.
Doreen,
Great job recapping the book. There is a book reviewer post in your future!
There is a place in South Florida (Lake Worth to be exact) called John G’s. They serve the best french toast I have ever had.
They have a variety of options. One is a stuffed banana/mascarpone cheese and another is granola crusted.
Both are must haves.
“apocalypse now!” and “from here to eternity” are my faves, honorable mention to my dad’s favorites, “the longest day” and “strategic air command”
Beanietown: Thanks, but my name is Sam. Pete is off this week.
Those who LOVE bacon: Sorry, but I’ve never been a pork guy. Also – and be still your beating hearts – I haven’t eaten red meat of any kind in nearly a decade. I know, I know – it’s nuts. You should hear my brother-in-law get on me at every family bbq. It’s non-stop.
A friend once called me and was whispering that he was standing 10 feet away from Yogi…it was some celebrity golf tournament somewhere in Florida. I said “You are in the presence of an American treasure.”
I agree with Patrick on “Band of Brothers”. Outstanding. I used to love “The Dirty Dozen”, but it seems kind of hokey now.
SJ44 -
Thanks for the compliment.
Those french toast options sound like dessert! But I like dessert for breakfast. Where is Lake Worth? East or west coast?
Obviously you’re not from NJ or number 1 would be a pork roll sandwich.
I always thought Eggs Benedict was a show stopper.
These days I’m on stone cut oatmeal with bananas.
sj44
John G’s ROCKS! my parnts live in west palm and we go there for breakfast the morning after i arrive every time. the people who work there are great and the food is awsome!
Turkey sausage? Dear Lord in heaven! Excuse me for saying wso, but you Yankees(culture, not team)are a strange bunch. Don’t ya’ll know the golden rule of a good breakfast is that, if it ain’t pork–preferably, Jimmy Dean’s regular link sausage–than it ain’t sausage? Turkey sausage, indeed!
Southron
yup, Porkroll, egg, and cheese on a roll.
Doreen,
Lake Worth is on the East Coast, just south of West Palm Beach.
John G’s is about 20 minutes from my house (yes, I’ve timed it! lol).
Its right at the Lake Worth Pier. Its been an institution down here for over 40 years.
During the season, if you aren’t there by 8 am, the lines to get in go around the building.
All of the food is great. They are also known for their omelets.
However, its the french toast that always brings me back.
This is only my second weekend home since Labor Day Weekend. I have some friends coming to town for a visit.
First place they said they want to go is John G’s so, we will be making a stop there Sunday morning.
John G’s is near West Palm????
I may be going to Stuart/West Palm sometime in the spring or early summer. Yay. I may actually have an opportunity to try out that French toast.
Bronx Jeers -
You make your breakfast sound like a prescription med!
My husband takes his with blueberries.
sinatra in ‘from here to eternity’ was awesome (so was ernest borgnine!) he never was able to pull out a performance like that again, he usually looked like he was just walking through his parts on the way to cash his checks, but for this once, he was brilliant!
his nathan detroit was pretty funny, but this was frank’s one piece of great acting imo.
I haven’t eaten red meat of any kind in nearly a decade.
====================================================
I stopped eating red meat in 1994.
I gave up pork a few years earlier than that. Love the small of bacon..yet I won’t touch it.
I stopped eating seafood when I was five
Hhmm…all I eat is chicken.
You’re all killing me as I sit here drinking a protein shake for breakfast now pretending it is granola crusted french toast.
And, then there’s this:
http://www.bbqaddicts.com/bacon-explosion.html
S.A.- Are you Wade Boggs?
seriously, can we really call a life withot bacon a life?
Anyone have a link to the Bonds convos??
Yogi should have his own memorial off to the side of the mountains like the Lincoln Memorial overseeing both old and new Yankee regimes.
Looks like Yogi plays righty
http://www.usatoday.com/travel.....=000000000
But putts lefty
http://members.tripod.com/tour.....utting.jpg
Down south it’s all about the biscuit. Biscuit and gravy, biscuit.. biscuit.. biscuit.
First time I went to a waffle house, I asked for pancakes. The waitress looked at me like I was crazy. I said Pancake House serves waffles, what’s your problem.
I guess thats why they hates us “Yankees” down here.
commision statues of the mt rushmore guys and put them at the 4 ‘corners’ of the new park. then name the field after yogi.
wasn’t it jim murray of the la times that started off his morning columns with what he had for breakfast. i always liked that column.
thinking of waffles, pancakes, and french toast make me want to go next door to the lighthouse restaurant right door to my business here on cape cod. i try to resist the smells that come drifting over every morning, but i may make an exception today.
in the summer there’s a huge line. half of wellfleet’s tourists are from the nyc area so you see the boston globe, boston herald,ny times, nypost,daily news etc under arms and dueling red sox and yankee hats on kids and adults alike with friendly banter going occasionally commenting on the poor choice of hats some people wear.
there’s a little mets fan from queens that has breakfast there named drew who first started harassing me when he was five insisting piazza was far superior to posada. i had made the mistake of teasing him about his mets hat. every point he would make he would pound the counter which lifted him up on his toes and almost in the air.
at five that kid could have easily handled himself on this blog. he had every met stat you could imagine in his head and how it made each met player better than their respective counterpart on the yankees.
wright was better than arod, reyes was better than jeter, beltran was better than damon, etc with the stats to back it up. i would tell his parents to cut down on his coffee. last summer ( he was maybe
i let him make his annual surprise ambush( i never know when he’s going to show up each summer) and go on for a few minutes before i handed him the 2007 standings i had printed out ahead of time, just for this occasion, which had the yankees 6 games better than the mets as i reminded him of the little wager we had made the summer before.
it was the one and only time ,i’ve seen him speechless as his family lost it. next year i’m sure he’ll show up with his own print outs. he usually comes in after breakfast with last night’s box scores fresh in his head. the generations may change , but reading box scores while having breakfast is a baseball tradition.
nice way to start a post , sam.
Great story, randy l. Reminds me of my brother when he was a kid. A real stat geek and super-passionate fan (of the Yankees, I should add).
BTW, if you want the “8″ to come out as an “8″ and not cool sunglass smiley, put a space between the 8 and the close-paren.
( he was maybe
for those who know the tricks, how did that smiley face pop up?
From previous thread:
GreenBeret7
February 5th, 2009 at 1:19 am
Just to get away from “The Book” controversy, I have to assume that everybody knows about the “Immaculate Reception” in football, but, hoe many have ever seen or heard about “The Holy Roller” play?
—–
But GB, that call had nothing to do with John Facenda. That call was the Raider announcer saying ” madden wants to know if it counts, the ref says yes, get your big butt outta here’ Classic play in NFL history.
doreen-
i should have read your advice first. lol.
i was wondering how to do a smiley face to take the edge off some of my comments.
you may have noticed that they could use a smiley face sometimes.
What ? Still no offers from teams for Barry “The Bashing Bulbhead” Bonds ?
He keeps saying he’s ripe and ready to go as A-Rod chases the asterisk.
Randy something I noticed is if you put your curser on the smiley face it shows you how to do it
randy l
Here’s a whole list of emoticons so you can express a full range of emotions when a smile just doesn’t do it for you.
Chart is about half way down the page.
http://codex.wordpress.org/Using_Smilies
I never realized how many of these stupid things existed
http://codex.wordpress.org/Using_Smilies
pat -
Thanks for posting that link. I think there were times when I could have used the “oops” icon
!
randy l -
There a few there that seem more suited to you that the simple Mr. Smiley Guy.
so i guess tonight is Torre’s “Superbowl” of interviews with Costas on MLB network. He did the news(CNN) and comedy (Letterman) circuit and now its nigh noon time facing the die-hard crowd. As Torre is the Jedi master of interviews, I’m sure he’s got his answers down cold especially after a week of practice.
I guess at this point it’s all just beating a dead horse but Betsy posted in interesting link last night of Tyler Kepners blog that sort of describes how Joe is backtracking on the AFraud stuff. Kepner quotes the book with all the Afraud stuff being said behind Alex’s back and points out that Joe is now saying in interviews how it was all tongue-in-cheek with Alex fully aware.
Yogi goes on the Mets Mt. Rushmore? I kid, I kid.
I think he should replace the bull on Wall Street. Or ride the bull.
But he definitely deserves his own monument.
Would he be Mr. Yankee? As far as being an ambassador, I’d say yes.
What about Jeter? Will he be hanging around the stadium when he’s 80? Will he be the new Mr. Yankee? You know he loved Scooter and adores Yogi, I wonder if what kind of “jobs” he’d do at the stadium.
Public announcer? Tour guide? Greeter? Owner? Broadcaster?
bacon is the greatest thing ever bestowed onto humanity.
I think I’m the only male on earth that does not like Bacon.
Or beer, for that matter.
But I love baseball.
jay,
Agreed. I always say, “Bacon is the food of the gods.”
It’s one of the few things that are worth the wait and trouble to make.
pat -
thanks
doreen-
you mean like those
Randy
Real men don’t need no stinkin’ smiley face icons anyway.
“I think I’m the only male on earth that does not like Bacon.
Or beer, for that matter.”
try them together.
that might help.
“Obviously you’re not from NJ or number 1 would be a pork roll sandwich.”
Pork roll is great for breakfast but not the best. Pork roll, kaiser roll, cheese, eggs, ketchup…delicious
“Or beer, for that matter.
But I love baseball.”
I cannot accept this. You do not exist.
m-
That’s what makes the pre-cooked variety so dangerous. Bacon was always something I made every once in a while because of the hassle of cooking it. Now, I fear I may not make it to 30.
I know the pre cooked isn’t the same-it’s like the crack, or boons farm, of bacon.
“Real men don’t need no stinkin’ smiley face icons anyway.”
i’m trying to get in touch with my inner smiley face.
NOW you’re talkin’!
lol Randy, carry on…
just don’t bend over and look around in back!!!!!!
Henry V, the 1989 version, with Kenneth Branagh directing and playing Henry (Oscar nominations both for best director and best actor) is the greatest war movie of our time. The scene in which he carries a fallen soldier from the field …
Bacon Flavored Beer?
I like your ideas and would like to subscribe to your newsletter.
Doreen,
Are you still here? I want to thank you again for yesterday. Good stuff.
Here’s a little sociological study (okay a lohud study):
Did you notice that the objections to Torre’s book ran almost down gender lines? I wonder if it has something to do with loyalty and betrayal. Hmmm…
Of course the fact that I saw only one woman say, “Let’s read it before we judge” and some men vocalize, “why now?” along with the nature of the responses to Sam’s column suggest that the book doesn’t pass the bs test.
Even Pete’s reaction was weird. No big deal, whoring out his story, mock outrage. But in the end, Pete will probably say what you (Doreen) said. “Good beginning, bitter ending. No big deal, hey, look! There’s Joba!”
But I’ll read the book, even if it hurts. Which is quite appropriate. I’ve been trying to pinpoint the time when I really started to follow the Yankees. And I’ve decided that it was in the 2004 postseason. That’s when I really fell in love with these loveable losers.
Tough to beat a good french toast. I’m really partial to a good biscuits and gravy myself as well. It would probably go #2 on my list, then a bacon/sausage/cheese omelet, then Belgian waffles (with strawberries), then pancakes. All of these with a side of bacon. Bacon is a breakfast must.
randy l,
The use of emoticons is a good idea to soften your edges, but I fear you’ll lose your ‘Old School’ card.
Just kidding.
so all this time its been some crazy hawaiian curse thats been keeping us out of the WS….
and randy thougt it was cashman!
m
Jeter strikes me as more the Whitey Ford type. He’ll show up for special occasions but isn’t showing up just to catch a game on a Tuesday.
bacon flavored beer
tom:
so do we form an llc or s corp
all lohud yankee contributors eligible for shares.
bacon flavored beer = one stop shopping
i do all my one-stop shopping at the liquor guns n ammo store myself!
…well they have jerky…
beaureguard
you musta died and went to heaven.
Ham Fighters,
What are you talking about? Please don’t tell me Torre took lava rocks off the islands. That’s a real no-no.
The post office gets stuck with lava rocks that people mail back because they’ve had bad luck. We tell people taking the lava rocks is bad luck, but do they listen? Noooo.
I’ve never known how to insert the icons. I’m struggling with the decision to start using them now.
Probably a good idea as I’m sure more than a few think of me as a moron when I post something off-the-wall and it’s taken as serious.
So, if anbody was up late last night, I actually don’t think it’a a good idea to drive 500 miles to see Hideki Irabu’s face carved on a mountain.
no, i meant SOMEBODY started being a fan, and what do u know, we never went back to the WS…..
Patrick
February 5th, 2009 at 10:00 am
“Or beer, for that matter.
But I love baseball.”
I cannot accept this. You do not exist.
——-
I can live with or without the beer but give me a bong hit and I’m ready for nine innings lol.
In fact it was the late inning bong hit rallies in 96 that gave us the championship if I can remember correctly.
lol Bronx
but better on the side of a mountain than atop a pitching mound!
Outside of Erie Penn. there is a store that sell Fire works, martial arts weaponry, beer and cigars. It’s total mandemonium in there…
Tom
Stopped there on my way through to Cleveland last year for a Yankee game. Considered relocating…
Tip on bacon -
Make it in the oven on a sheet pan. It doesn’t curl up as much and makes no splatter mess!
“Probably a good idea as I’m sure more than a few think of me as a moron when I post something off-the-wall and it’s taken as serious.”
I hear ya. I suggested moving Tex to 3b, Arod to SS, and Jeter to 1B because of Jeter’s “decling range issues” and dave took me seriously.
would have helped.
Along the breakfast line, Bloomberg is explaining why various parts of Manhattan have had a random maple syrup-like smell for the past year today at 11. I’m sure this will be blamed on excessive breakfasting or illegal dumping by a number of the city’s breakfast spots.
Ham Fighters,
Haha. Now I get it. But I’m not Hawaiian. So there.
Another tip on bacon,
If you’re a pork eater, you’ll be happy to know that the real thing – real bacon – is more healthy for you than turkey bacon (because of the sodium and whatever else they use to turn turkey into pork).
Wrote a post and am not trying to decipher which word(s) the censor didn’t like! Hopefully when I get it to post you won’t end up with ten versions.
Not that bacon is a healthy food, mind you. But if you’re going to indulge, might as well indulge in the real thing.
Doreen
February 5th, 2009 at 10:23 am
Tip on bacon –
Make it in the oven on a sheet pan. It doesn’t curl up as much and makes no splatter mess!
—–
Doreen, trying to dodge the splatter is half the fun when cooking it.
Is that baked or broiled?
am NOW trying to deciper!
Speaking of bacon, There is a gas station/grill in Chapel Hill that makes the best BLT’s ever.
I might have to buy one and a PBR and dunk it, as a taste test for the new corp.
perfect bacon can only come from a cast iron skillet.
i should’ve had breakfast.
damn.
“perfect bacon can only come from a cast iron skillet.”
- – - – - – - –
yes but unfortunately I had to remove those for my personal safety. guess I’ll try the oven method.
back to baseball, are the giants really in on manny? rumors of a 2 yr offer are floating but everybody seems to think that the giants will not offer as much as he turned down from the dodgers. the dodgers seem like they’re hoping someone back east will step in and take him away, but the yankees, mets and nats have all said no way.
boras said something yesterday about watch out when you’re playing chicken because you can really lose alot or something like that, which seemed to indicate that he has someone on the hook. could that be the angels? they still havent plugged the whole left by tex and although they said they’re not intersted, if there is a silent suitor out there, my money is on them.
“perfect bacon can only come from a cast iron skillet.”
ham fighters-
i’m not taking any bacon advice from any one as biased against ham as you are.
Frying, broiling and baking is reserved for special occasions.
Oscar Meyer nuked in the microwave between paper towels works in a pinch. No splatter, no wait, easy clean up. Gotta be Oscar Meyer though because other brands stick to the paper towel.
m -
Thanks. And I did notice a gender split. I do think it has to do with feelings about loyalty/betrayal.
There is so much to take from the book, but there is so much that could have (and I think should have) been left out. I would urge people to read it (not necessarily buy it – or buy it as a cooperative, you know find 10 friends who are interested and each chip in a couple of bucks).
In the final analysis, I have a little less regard for Torre than I did before all of this. I can’t wait until the people who I see and can sit down and talk with have read the book. It’s very difficult to really have a conversation about it here. I don’t think he’s a terrible person; I think he showed some questionable judgment with some of what he included, and I felt he and Verducci were particularly hard on ARod and Cashman.
It may be as Jeter and others have said, that Torre would not intentionally run people down. However, I think he is as human as the rest of us, and when you don’t like a person, or feel a person has disappointed you, you may not end up being as objective as you usually are, and what you think is objective means you only really toned down your dislike for public consumption.
Looks like a slow day. When do we stop serving breakfast and go to the lunch menu?
Hey all! Stopping by for a little brunch.
I’m not a breakfast eater, never have been. I think it’s because I’m a total night owl and probably eat dinner when most people are getting ready to go to bed! So by the time morning rolls around I’m still full.
While I can’t stand smugness in people (well, maybe just other people…) there are times when I just can’t help buy roll it out. And this is one of the times, with respect to Barry Bonds. As with Clemens, I was not here for any Bonds chatter, so this couldn’t be personal even if I wanted it to. But for all the posters I fought with on other forums, HELLL-OOOOO!!!!!
Yeah, as people will continually point out, people should be innocent until proven guilty. But to me only a total dolt – or someone who doesn’t given a crap about steroids and is willing to look the other way in order to have Bonds on the team – would have thought that Bonds wasn’t guilty. Sometimes the evidence is so overwhelming that you really have to just say “guilty, and you will be able to push me over with a feather if I am wrong.”
The same goes for Clemens. How many flippin’ lies did you need to catch the jerk in, in order to be able to say – wow, he’s lying his head off!!! Yet there were Clemens holdouts right to the end. In fact, there are still some who just don’t believe that good boy Roger is guilty. After all who would believe the word of a “drug dealer”?
As prosecutors will often tell you, you don’t always get to pick your witnesses. And some of your witnesses may not be very nice people. But it doesn’t mean that the defendant isn’t guilty.
Anyway, that’s my smug rant for the day.
Thank you!
Ham Fighters
February 5th, 2009 at 10:35 am
back to baseball, are the giants really in on manny? rumors of a 2 yr offer are floating but everybody seems to think that the giants will not offer as much as he turned down from the dodgers. the dodgers seem like they’re hoping someone back east will step in and take him away,
—–
No Comment
I have the title for the movie that will be made from the Torre book:
*SPIN IT LIKE TORRE*
pat –
Yes, microwaving between sheets of paper tower is the neatest way to go!
Yankeeray -
All I can say is you must have kitchen help!
And, I bake the bacon at 375 degrees. (And keep an eye on it)
Hamfighters -
I have a cast iron skillet, but hardly ever use it. I would think that if you use it for bacon and then fry your eggs in the bacon grease, that might be pretty hearty eating!
Doreen
Read Ken Davidoff’s baseball insider blog on Newsday.com
Seems like you both had similiar reactions to the book.
Breakdown on book opinions:
1. Torre-haters vs. the rest of the world: those who already hated Torre squeal like stuck pigs at the very idea of his co-writing a book about the team, the rest of the world waits to read the book to form an opinion.
2. Those who have read or are reading the book vs. non-readers: so far I’ve seen no report (by anyone, whether a reporter, a professional book reviewer, or just a fan) that rates it as anything less than a good baseball read with a small leavening of personal anecdotes.
So, if my agenda works out as planned I expect to get into the book no later than early next week. Meantime I’m interested in the opinions I see, but only those of readers. Knee-jerk squeals became too boring and repetitive to read by sometime in the middle of the first day.
Growing up my family would vacation in Lake Worth to visit my grandparents. We’d spend days at the beach and often ate lunch right there at John G’s. I wish I knew then about their apparent legendary breakfasts.
the name ham fighters was originally the name of my softball team of people who worked with me at a smokehouse in vermont. we butchered, hung, smoked and packaged bacon, ham, sausages, as well as deer, moose, elk and bear meat. since we spent alot of our time pushing huge racks of hams in and out of the smoker, we were the ham fighters.
i later adopted it for my fantasy baseball team and when i have 2 teams i call the other on the bacon fighters.
pat -
Thanks for the link to Davidoff’s piece. I could have written it myself. I had the very same impressions all down the line. I kept reading his points and saying, “Yes!”
Ham Fighters
The smokehouse still in operation? To many of them going to injection to make the process faster. Not as good.Imo
Joey’s Poodle -
The one thing I ask of a book is that when I’ve finished it (because I rarely stop reading a book even if I don’t like it) I don’t feel like I’ve wasted my time and/or my money. You won’t be sorry you read this book.
Doreen,
I think that’s a fair comment to make re: Torre.
I know this much. In his last few years as Yankee manager, quite a few players, even some of “his” guys, felt he was the most divisive figure in the clubhouse. That definitely got upstairs and that’s didn’t help him in his quest for a new deal.
He made it clear who his favorites were and everybody else be damned. That was not helpful for the clubhouse, IMO.
The book is an interesting read on many levels. However, like the 2006 SI story, of which Torre was a first person contributor (which REALLY divided the clubhouse) I too think some things should have been left out of the book.
The one thing that has struck me during his media/spin tour has been his comments as to how “relieved” he was because the job was “no longer fun” and how “tired” he was of being Yankee manager.
Seems like revisionist history to me. IIRC, if he was given the 2 year deal he requested, he has said repeatedly he would have stayed on as manager.
If we are to believe his own comments, the job would have been more “fun” and he would have been “less tired” if he got a 2 year deal.
Sometimes, you are better off saying nothing than saying things that can be easily discredited.
As far as the Jeter-Arod relationship is concerned, that has been the most mis-reported story I have ever witnessed following NY sports.
While they don’t hang out everyday in the off-season like they did when they were younger, they get along quite well.
They are different kinds of guys. Derek is VERY guarded. Its just who he is. He is also very loyal to those in his inner circle. He believes in the sanctity of keeping things in house and isn’t one to put his business on the street.
Arod is different. He has more diva in him than Derek and loves the attention that Derek shies away from in this business. That said, both guys are good people. They are just different. Last I checked, there is nothing wrong with that.
He is socially awkward, much moreso than Derek. IMO, that’s a byproduct of both guys upbringing.
In the end, they have more in common than not in common, spend a lot of time together during the season, and get along a lot better than they did 5-6 years ago.
I can understand Derek’s frustration with having the address this stuff every year. No matter how it comes up, it always seems to come up around ST. Conveinently so, IMO. It gives some in the media who feed on this stuff something to write about.
The good thing is, none of this stuff has or will hurt the team. It makes for some drama for some who feed off this stuff but, it won’t affect the team one iota.
Not now and not in the future.
Thanks for the book review Doreen. No surprise to me, I kind of felt that Torre’s trip to Tampa in 2007, his resignation were all premeditated, it gave him the opportunity he sought, to leave the organization as a victim. He knew looking down the road if he accepted the one year deal, he would be done in 2008.
IMO he knew the outcome of the meeting in Tampa 2007 on the plane ride down.
Sheep, squealers? My, my! We’re moving up the animal husbandry ladder!
“It may be as Jeter and others have said, that Torre would not intentionally run people down. However, I think he is as human as the rest of us, and when you don’t like a person, or feel a person has disappointed you, you may not end up being as objective as you usually are, and what you think is objective means you only really toned down your dislike for public consumption.”
Doreen, either Derek is being his usual politic self because he and Torre had the ideal relationship, or he is being an idiot.
It was well known that anyone who crossed Torre signed their own death knell. What about that type of personality could cause someone to say that he wouldn’t run people down? He ran Arod down to Verducci (see the earlier version of “everyone hates Arod in SI), he got rid of Jeff Nelson for talking to the press, he told Randy Levine to shut up in a conversation and never had the good sense to apologize, it was well known that he was a grudge holder.
That said, I have a lot of respect for the fact that you read the book. I won’t ever read it because I have no desire to hear about the “inner workings” through the eyes of two men with a singular agenda. (We all may remember that Verducci was incensed when Torre was “let go”.)
Anyway, I am very content to know the Yankees the way I have always known them – by observing them in games, by listening to the pre and post games, and by just loving who they are and what they represent. They are my team, good bad or indifferent. So not knowing any version of what goes on behind the scenes doesn’t bother me. In fact I like it better this way.
GO YANKEES!!!
I always took Ham Fighters to be pro-ham as in we fight for your right to eat pork!
“IMO he knew the outcome of the meeting in Tampa 2007 on the plane ride down.”
Probably true, but so did the Yankees. Shame on both of them for the charade.
Just read Davidoff’s recap of the book. High quality stuff and I think captures the feeling of those of us who would have preferred Torre kept some of his beefs in house.
maine i believe they are still in operation but they also do injection. they put out products under the “farmer’s diner” brand. the farmer’s diner itself in (now in queechee) that strives to serve locally grown wholesome and organic (where possible) food bought directly from local vermon farmers. the goal is 70% (annual basis) of all food served should come from farms within 100 miles of the diner.
i opened thier first diner as manager in barre, which failed but has risen again in queechee. highly recommended place to eat.
http://www.farmersdiner.com/
SJ
How Alex chooses to respond or not respond will be the issue.
He can take the high road and say let’s put this behind us and play ball or he can go on full blast with a “you can’t handle the truth” approach.
IMO, he’s earned the right to do either without anyone taking issue with it. I hope he takes the high road and puts the focus back on baseball but would also understand if he said “Joe said he was honest, well how’s this for honest…”
Sorry if this was posted in a previous thread, but Madoff’s client list has been released.
http://tinyurl.com/bn6345
There’s a link at the bottom which opens a PDF will all the names. Torre isn’t on it, so there goes that reason for writing the book. Some pretty big names on it.
pat, something makes me think that Arod will say something to the effect of “Joe has his opinion of things and he’s entitled to his opinion and I have my opinion, and I have nothing more to say about it”. I don’t see him getting into a shouting match with Torre.
Of course, that is the best way he can handle it. It certainly has to be good for him to be reading Jeter’s comments saying that all of his teammates are behind him and that nobody on the team ever called him Afraud.
You know, I absolutely believe that. I wouldn’t be surprised if Torre, is his rush to write a trash tome and get it out in time to disrupt the Yankees spring training (or so he hoped), didn’t mix up what he read on blogs with what happened in the clubhouse.
Pat,
I would hope he says as little as possible. Everytime he tries to expand on answers, he puts his foot in his mouth.
If I were to advise him, I would tell him to say, “I enjoyed playing for Joe Torre, he’s an excellent manager. I am more interested in talking about 2009. That’s my priority”.
That would be my talking point to him and if the media won’t let it go, politely excuse yourself and go about your business.
You don’t win a war of words with Joe Torre. He has too many friends in the media and all Arod can do is come across looking bad if he goes that route.
Take the high road, have a monster season, and help the team win a World Series.
If he does that, he will get the kind of “payback” that lasts a lifetime.
SJ could you please give me a link to Davidoff’s review? Thanks!
Trisha -
Jim Kaat, for one, said the same thing on MLB’s Hot Stove when the story first hit. I don’t think he or Jeter are idiots. I would allow that human beings have blind spots for the people they love. But in their experience, they can’t perceive that Torre would be that negative. He was, in the cases where he didn’t like or was disappointed by a particular person. This makes Torre human, not a monster. I never subscribed to the notion of St. Joe, but I thought overall he did a good job managing the Yankees while he was here. I did understand that if he didn’t like a player, that player was not around for long. I think that’s probably pretty standard in any sport.
I just think if a person is going to be so outspoken about something, he or she should take the time to investigate as many sides that possible, no? Which is not to say you have to take a different side than you started on, mind you. And the great thing with a book is you don’t have to contribute financially to the success of the book in order to read it if you don’t want to.
My perspective is that Torre’s book will be not frowned upon as it will be considered a historical documentation to the Yankee Dynasty…When the dust settles ( as it appears to have started ) it will be somewhat hailed for the insights from a Hall Of Fame mgr, and one of the great teams in Baseball history…..Even in tghe decline from World Championships, they still had a hell of a club…..Now I can only wait for the slayers to respond….This I expect, hopefully not as brutal as a few days ago….
My favorite breakfast, I would have this all day round if I had the time to make it:
Plain or Butter Flavored Eggo Waffle
Light Butter on top
One Slice American Cheese
Sunny Side Up Egg on top
Little Salt and Ketchup depending on my stomach
And make 3 of them.
Oh man, sooooooooo good. Dreaming about it right now at work.
SJ thanks for pointing out what was really well known about Torre’s favoritism and his isolating players who weren’t his favorites. That’s the mark of a GREAT manager and the perfect father figure.
The ultimate phony. But he sure has a way with words and the ability to schmooze. In fact I think he’d make a great snake charmer.
After reading Davidoff and Doreen’s reviews of the book, I’ve determined I must read it. If only for all the good stuff at the beginning. I’m not going to buy it, but I will definitely be checking it out from the local library when they get it.
Steve B -
I think it was more on the order of no one wanted to be the first to end the relationship, each for his own reason. Which may still end up being a charade, but a little less harsh.
Admittedly, I do tend to favor the brighter side of a situation.
Doreen, as I said before, I would feel dirty reading the book. I have that much disdain for his trashing players and giving away their secrets. And any respect I had for the man is gone.
Remember when you asked if I would root for Manny if he became a Yankee and I said i would and you said that made me a bigger person than you (or words to that effect?) I think it was you and I who had that conversation. Well now the shoe is on the other foot. You showed your humanness in saying you couldn’t root for Manny, I’ve showed my humanness in saying that I don’t want any part of reading a book written by someone I believe to be a fraud and a phony.
The thing in the Davidoff piece that always irked me was Jeter not really supporting ARod back in 2006 when the fans were crucifying him at the stadium.
I remember Jeter saying something along the lines of “can’t tell the fans not to boo” or something like that and I just thought it was wrong. Not very captain-like IMO.
Hands down best war movie ever as far as depicting the horrors of battle as accurately as moviemakers can:
“Saving Private Ryan”
Surprised you brainiacs left that one out!
Just started reading The Book – agree that it’s an historical perspective of that time – all of Joe’s opinions are sheer entertainment in the grande scheme of things.
I’m OK with the book now.
In retrospect, I’m just glad St. Joe was the Yankees manager and not the priest on the other side of the confessional at my church.
Pat M -
Most of the keen insights are not Torre’s but Verducci’s, oddly enough. The parts of the book that deal with the way baseball changed – sabermetrics and biomechanics influencing the ways teams are building their organizations and the parts and steroids – are 99.9% Verducci’s research. There are quotes in the book from Shapiro, Epstein, Beane and Verducci goes pretty in-depth about how and why these teams went in a more data-oriented direction. That stuff is fascinating.
I don’t really know why Verducci didn’t just write that book. Except for Joe Torre’s name lending a boost to book sales.
Torre’s stuff has to do with the evolution of the Yankees team from 1996 through 2007 (is devolution a word?) in the sense that player moves that were made were made as a reaction to not winning the WS, a feeling that they had to fix rather than enhance. (Some of this approach was necessary, though, in 2003 when 3 pitchers left the starting rotation).
PAT M
I agree but it also could have been all that without the salaciousness included.
Pat M do you have the ability to post without playing victim? The SLAYERS? The RANTS? (from a previous post of yours).
How about this? Your opinion is just that and we who disagree have the right to feel the opposite. And maybe since you are in the vast minority both here and in press reviews, maybe you will end up being the one who got it wrong.
But even if you’re not, I respect that you have the right to a different opinion.
What I will never get about some posters here is that if you say something negative about one of their favs, it’s like you’re putting a knife through their hearts. WHAT????? I couldn’t care less who agrees or disagrees with my opinion, and I have never lost any sleep over anyone showing disdain for a player I like. And I don’t feel the need to call people SHEEP if they are not of the same mind that I am. What a sad commentary on posters who need to have everyone on their side or belittle those who are not.
Trisha -
With Manny, I think I said I wouldn’t root for him personally, but in a situation where he could help the team, I would. But you obviously feel very strongly about not reading the book, and I do think, knowing how you feel, that there would be some parts of the book that would get to you. There was more to the book, and if you can avail yourself of some of the chapters that would be less incendiary to you, I think you’d appreciate them. However, I think you have more of a “conscientious objector” mindset here, right?
Oops-Hit enter by mistake.
PAT M
I agree but it also could have been all that without the salaciousness included.
If the goal was to write a best seller, job well done. If the goal was to write the baseball history, sounds like some of the extraneous stuff wasn’t necessary.
From A-Rod:
“I’ not really thinking about the book. I just want to earn a ring. And it is my dream to earn one with Derek, Mariano, Jorge and Andy. I’m just focusing on 2009.”
Ok Arod didn’t really say that but in the Yankee movie that plays in my head, he said it.
Li’l pat is correct. This volume of baseball “history” is highly selective.
SJ44, your take on it it’s interesting. I recall that you called it right off the bat. You said the book would make Torre look bitter. Which, of course, he denies. I’m curious how you had an advance copy, yet the newspapers who ran with the wild stories and speculations were only given excerpts?
Trisha,
Davidoff’s addy is in Pete’s blog roll.
Trisha, I don’t know of a manager, or football coach (the business I’m presently in) that doesn’t have his favorites.
I’m pretty friendly with Bill Parcells. Bill had “his guys” and everybody knew what it was going to take to be one of “his guys”. If you weren’t you were gone.
Doesn’t make him a bad guy. Just makes him a coach. That’s what these guys are about. They are solely focused on winning and nothing else. Anything or anyone they believe affects that goal is gone or, in the words of Tony Soprano are, “dead to them”.
Here’s my feeling about Joe Torre based on my observations and time spent around him over the years.
He came upon real success late in life. When that happens, especially to men, they handle it in very different ways. Yes, he had a successful major league career and was also a very, very good broadcaster.
He made a nice living but, wasn’t “wealthy” by the standards he is today. In fact, by 1995, he had some serious financial difficulties.
He, being a fierce competitor, had a hole in his career. No World Series. That ate at him bigtime. It ruined marriages, and caused him great personal hardship.
He interviews for the GM job with the Yankees in 1995 and ends up getting one last shot to manage.
It all falls into place for him.
He has the perfect mix of players, coaches, star alignment with regard to the game and where it was, etc, and he achieves his ultimate goal. Winning the World Series.
Lo and behold, it morphs into a modern day dynasty and he becomes GOD in his hometown.
He now has more money than he could ever spend. Fame, rings, a jet, a house in Maui, all of the things that he could have ever dreamed up, he got. All this late in life.
When that happens, you become REALLY set in your ways, and REALLY protective of what you have. ANYBODY you percieve as “getting in the way” becomes an enemy.
As it is with players, managers also lose their “touch” as they get older. I don’t think there is any question Joe did in his final years as Yankee manager.
The team always started slowly, mainly because they weren’t pushed in ST, had to come on late, and were always out of gas come playoff time.
Joe himself made several (IMO) key blunders that cost them some series.
In the end, a parting was necessary for both sides.
Joe has his feelings about it, which he is entitled to have. Some are legitimate, some not.
That said, it doesn’t color what he did as manager of the Yankees. He had a great, great run.
It also doesn’t make him a bad guy. He is, like most of us a human being with flaws. Some of his own flaws come out in the book. I don’t think that was the intention of the book but, they came out just the same.
Parting from a team when you have had success, whether you are a coach, manager or player, is rarely clean.
In this case, no matter how much Joe keeps spinning, the overriding feeling I had in reading the book was just how much he misses being Yankee Manager.
It was not only the crowning achievement of his career, it was the crowning achievement of his life. I know for a fact that Joe LOVED being introduced as Yankee manager at functions.
As much as DiMaggio loved (and required) being introduced as the “greatest living ballplayer”.
That’s gone now for Joe. He has his beliefs as to why that is. At this point, we can argue that until we are blue in the face and get no where. It is what it is.
For me, I’m more excited about this upcoming season than I have been in years. Can’t wait for it to start.
1) breakfast: have to agree with french toast being better than the other ‘add maple syrup to’ breakfasts.
i like a good omelet if i’m going out for breakfast.
as for breakfast meats, bacon > sausage links > sausage patties (which are weird, imo).
i get a bagel once or twice a week and must say that the bagels at the place here (ulster county) are better than the ones i’ve had in brooklyn. maybe i was going to the wrong bagel place in brooklyn, but the folks in the neighborhood seemed to love that place. bay ridge.
2) i would love for someone good at photoshop to make both a old and new yankee mt rushmore pic. could we have a 3rd? one to include guys like yogi and rizzuto?
3) Lebron James. i was lurking last night and saw a few back and forth comments over whether he’ll end up on the nets or knicks. someone pointed out that he won’t end up on the nets due to being friends with jay-z. this is correct. but he also won’t be going to the knicks due to madison square garden or the knick’s history. whether or not the nets move to brooklyn in time won’t have an effect on his decision either. whomever can give him more money will be his ultimate decision breaker. lets not be naive.
4) i’m tired of talking about joe torre. i made a semi-lengthy post on my opinion about a week ago and still stand by that.
5) i’m not a huge movie person, but think i’d have to go with full metal jacket for best war movie. definately not a fan of star wars.
Private ryan is great. but the best war movie ever. No APOCALYPSE NOW people cmon.
Davidoff’s column;
http://blogs.trb.com/sports/baseball/blog/
“SJ thanks for pointing out what was really well known about Torre’s favoritism and his isolating players who weren’t his favorites. That’s the mark of a GREAT manager and the perfect father figure.”
Trisha-
Casey Stengel himself said that on any team half the players hate the manager, and the other half aren’t sure. Casey said the key to managing is to keep the 50% who hate the manager away from the half who aren’t sure.
If Casey thought that, maybe you ought to at least consider cutting Torre a little slack.
the squeaky wheel always gets the grease.
I have yet to read the book (stupid snail mail), but look foreword to reading it (I may wait ’til the summer, it seems like a good beach book). I do suspect that Pat M is right. Once the anger dies down as more people read the book, it will considered the definitive history of dynasty.
“However, I think you have more of a “conscientious objector” mindset here, right?
”
D – I think you’re right.
I prefer reading the Heart of Darkness over watching APOCALYPSE NOW.
M,
My business gives me certain access to certain things. That’s how I was able to obtain an advanced copy.
Good Morning Tricia..You proved my point….You are a pistol no doubt…Only child syndrome ???
Wave, but here’s the difference to me. The Ole Case was known to be a gruff manager. Nobody called him saint casey, nor did he attempt to schmooze the press and pretend to be someone he wasn’t.
Torre successfully snake charmed the press and was the ultimate phony in what he portrayed himself to be as opposed to what he really was. And here was the kicker! Anyone who complained to the press found himself on a slow boat to China. So didn’t Torre just set up the ideal situation for himself? Play the patient and saintly father for all the world to see and do what he wanted to do once the clubhouse was closed since nobody would get wind of it – and if they did, it was curtains for the one who let it out. Quiet curtains perhaps, but curtains nonetheless.
My opinion.
1. An everything bagel at Dix Hills Hot Bagels in Long Island.
2. An egg, mushrooms and cheese breakfast taco at Polvo’s in Austin.
No Pat M., far from the only child. In my house we’d call it the integrity syndrome.
And the cyber insult, veiled or otherwise, hasn’t been invented that could shake me.
Yeah I’m a pistol. But unlike you I aim at the content of the post and not the poster. I like playing fair.
Y’all have a good day now.
SJ44, I met Joe Torre several times when he was doing color for the Angels, very knowledgeable baseball guy….He lived a few streets over from me…..Nice man, very soft spoken….
oh, i used to love bananas until last year, when i developed some type of banana allergy. i miss them
SJ,
Cool. Glad to know you didn’t bust in to a warehouse to grab it.
Very, very interesting piece you just posted.
I can’t help but think that his rough childhood has a lot to do with who he is. Even his brother Frank still comes to his defense.
Trisha,
Despite the public persona, a manager still has to manage. A manager isn’t a player’s father, and the players aren’t the manager’s sons. It’s a job, and the manager’s job is to win games.
If some of us bought into the “Saint Joe” persona, whose fault is that really?
Breakfast, best meal of the day by far…Love Bob Sheppard, I hope he gets back for Yankee Stadium opening day if even to only announce Jeter in person. I’ve got to put Yogi one the “old” Yankee Rushmore. He’s the man…
Is there a point where Torre became “Joe Torre the Yankees Manager” instead of the manager of the Yankees?
I think SJ alluded to the fact that he was delegating more and more stuff.
Was he not paying attention to what was happening on the field? I mean really paying attention.
While Torre was promoting and we were fighting about it, here’s what A-Rod was doing:
http://www.daylife.com/photo/0.....driguez%22
Cause in the end, it’s all about baseball and getting ready for the season.
What could they be talking about?
http://www.daylife.com/photo/0.....driguez%2C
pat,
Is that chiseled dude in the back (of the pack) Melky? That’s his nose, but where’s his chin?
And Veras is wearing his pinstripes, but Alex isn’t?
HYam Fighters
It sounds like a place to try if I’m over that way. I go thouugh WRJ at times so I have been near. Used to be a farmer and belonged to a co-op that provided product to Cabot.
Tom
February 5th, 2009 at 10:05 am
Bacon Flavored Beer?
—
i’ve had this. can’t remember the name, but it was a stoudt.
My main problem with the book and what Joe Torre decides to envail is that the information and who it concerns is extremely selective. Not only does it give information about mostly only players that are negatively perceived by yankees fans and the media, it also doesn’t touch his favorites.
There is no chapter talking about Derek Jeter and any stuggles he might have had during his career. What about when he was riding the interstate for the first half of the year batting 180 and getting booed. Are we to believe that he never went through a rough patch at anytime…nothing?? There is no talk about Mariano Rivera after his blown saves in 2001 and 2004. These two are the truest of yankees but how could there not be one chapter depicting some of the struggles they endured.
never mind. It’s Jose Guillen. What could I have been thinking?
Sam:
Shall we now discuss your favorite lunches???
m
that “chiseled dude” of who you speak I believe is Jose Guillen. I don’t see Veras in the picture.
Doreen
February 5th, 2009 at 10:23 am
Tip on bacon –
Make it in the oven on a sheet pan. It doesn’t curl up as much and makes no splatter mess!
—
doreen, you love your oven. thanks to you i never steam asparagus anymore.
pat,
I think that’s Veras in the forefront of the picture. I’m pretty sure. The puka-shell necklace confirms it.
MUNSON, not Reggie!!~!
And how is there even any debate that the person in front is Jose Veras?? that is 100% him wearing pinstriped pants!
“For me, I’m more excited about this upcoming season than I have been in years. Can’t wait for it to start.”
Me too. I have a great story about something that is going to be in the new Yankee Stadium. I work with a professor who has a tremendous background in the history of the Negro Leagues and especially as they relate to NY and things having to do with the Yankes. Well the curator of the museum space at the new Stadium is setting up a display that will be devoted to the Negro League. And the guy I work with is the one who is providing the information! He has already met with the curator several times and will be helping him set everything up! Bob (the professor) even showed me an email from the guy talking about the kinds of things he wants to do and asking Bob’s opinion about them. One of the things he talking about was “Bo Jangles” Robinson dancing on the roof of the dugout at Yankee Stadium! Reading the email actually gave me chills.
Well Bob’s mom has a tremendous history of all things Yankee. She grew up in NJ and I guess there was a point in time that the Triple A team was located there or near there? She dated some of the players and had great stories to tell. (She moved to RI after Bob’s dad died and Bob is going to take her in so I can have lunch with her and hear some of her stories!)
Bob’s favorite story to tell is about how his dad’s favorite player was Charlie Keller and how one day someone who was a friend of the family (and had some connection to the team) took Bob’s dad and one of his friends to a game. After the game they waited to get autographs and Joe DiMaggio came out. Without waiting for Joe Di’s autograph, Bob’s dad asked him if he could possibly get him Charlie Keller’s autograph. He said that Joe just said no and grumped away.
Sam great job covering for Pete. I don’t think we as fans could ask for better writers then the two of you. But come on no love for eggs (I know eggs are involved in all of your favorites but come on). To me theres nothing like scrambled eggs on a New York bagel (I go to school in Maryland, people outside of NY just don’t understand what a bagel really is) with some bacon and ketchup. Also I know this is a Yankees blog but since you mentioned Lebron, how excited are you for him to become a Knick in two years?
Just looked at the listing of Madoff clients and Kevin Bacon is on the list. How appropriate for this thread, no?
Okay, it’s finally breakfast time here. Of the 3 listed, I guess I’d like the crispy belgian waffles the best.
Though, nowadays I don’t usually eat a breakfast, I do enjoy a good ham and egg sandwich. A favorite side for eggs here is Portuguese sausage. If you haven’t had that, you haven’t been to heaven. (And yes, we loooove spam. I know, gross. But that’s all people ate during the war.)
John in Ohio -
Six degrees of Kevin Bacon!
m
Sorry. I was focused on the players behind Alex not in front of him.
Alex might not be wearing pinstripes for the same reason Jose isn’t wearing a Yankee cap. I don’t know.
saucy, where are you getting your bagels in ulster? iv maintiained for years that your area would be my favorite place to live in N.Y. (specifically around the ashokan resevoir area) IF ONLY YOU COULD FIND A DECENT BAGEL! (about 2 hours from fishing in esopus creek to sitting in YS!)
the place in hunter is not bad, but its a haul, theres a place near saugerties on 9W that makes about the worst bagel ive ever seen…
pat,
They switched caps? haha.
Have a great day, guys.
(go lakers!)
Alex looks very trim to me. Yes that was Jose veras in the front of the photo didnt even realize he was on the Dr team. He looks good as well.
“If some of us bought into the “Saint Joe” persona, whose fault is that really?”
Wave, it’s his since he’s the one promoting a phony persona.
Anyway, he lost his saint Joe status with me a long time ago. When he got Nellie unceremoniously kicked off the team for talking to the press I saw what he really was. After that I opened my eyes wide enough to really watch the man. He probably ruined the careers of more than one reliever by either letting him rust to death (Quantrill) or using him too much (Proctor). Quantrill obviously got his for mentioning to the press that relievers needed to get into games in order to stay fresh. (What a novel idea!)
Anyway, WOO HOO for the team we will be fielding this year.
And once again I have to agree with Cashman, SJ and any others who seem to think that the book will have a galvanizing effect rather than to have a disruptive effect.
So up with the Yankees and to hell with the rest!
m
They just debated Celtics Lakers on First Take. Very heated debate. Stephen A. and Skip.
hey, i know i don’t post here anymore but, along with being the board’s former resident condescending, cynical jerk, i also play music. i’m in new york finishing a record and have a gig at googie’s above the living room (154 ludlow) tomorrow – friday, feb 6 @ 930pm – if anyone who remembers me from the beginning of pete’s blog wants to swing by and say hey.
http://www.kaseyanderson.com
http://www.myspace.com/kaseyanderson
sorry for the shameless plug. gotta do whatcha gotta do.
I’m late to the party as usual, but was there a best war movie list going around? I hesitate to try to choose just one, but my top pick would be “The Bridge on the River Kwai.” If you haven’t seen it, please do.
Ham Fighters – i think it’s called ‘Sunrise Bagel and Deli’ in Kingston. someone recommended it when i first moved here. i tried another place once, but will never try another place around here again.
i’m about 10 minutes from the ashokan resevoir.
Two eggs, over easy, on top of buttered rye toast. Side of sausage and hash browns. Three cups of strong coffee, a tall glass of tomato juice. And two strips of bacon off of your wife’s plate. Doesn’t get any better.
Butterered Roll and Coffee
Taylor Ham, Egg and Cheese on a hard Roll
2 eggs over medium, wheat toast, saussage, well done home- fries
Apocalyspe Now, Lawrence of Arabia, Bridge on the river Kwai, The Great Escape, The Longest Day, Full Metal jacket -
I really think that now with Joe G in his second year as manager, his extreme endorsement of the theory of coming into camp already in shape and ready to play is hitting home with the team. You arent seeing anyone coming into camp overweight and even the players that are, are making an effort to get somewhat lean.
Under his regime its almost seen as embarrassing to come into camp looking like a fat toad so most of the players are now taking pride in how hard they work out over the offseason. This should definitely be a good thing for the team.
slumdog millionaire is ganster i loved that movie…and frost nixon was alright
Oh yeah. Davidoff’s LATEST review – and as he says probably not his last.
Not sure if this is what everyone was talking about but I don’t think so.
http://weblogs.newsday.com/spo.....ughts.html
Ham
I spent many a summer in Ulster county. Beutiful place.
Saucy/Ham Fighters
There is a place in High Falls called The Eggs Nest which had good breakfast a few years ago – not sure about the bagels.
Love your area.
Ditmars – Now thats living
Full-on Irish (Or English if you like beans)is awesome too.
Well we know in looking at Arods pictures that he has been skipping the waffles,pancakes and french toast breakfast. Not everybody can be as lucky as Michael Phelps and eat everything they want.
Burnett,
I agree with your point. But watching Jeter in the interview the other day, he seemed less chizzled in the cheaks than he did last year at this time. Maybe he decided to keep some weight on him for more gap power.
“Under his regime its almost seen as embarrassing to come into camp looking like a fat toad”
It’s embarassing under anyone’s regime. If a player shows up for camp out of shape, it’s a reflection on the player not the manager.
i’ve driven by The Eggs Nest…
http://www.theeggsnest.com/welcome.htm
i’ll have to check it out one of these days.
That area right by the creek is really nice.
What is the name of the Fancy Schmancy place that has sushi in the basement?
“As it is with players, managers also lose their “touch” as they get older. I don’t think there is any question Joe did in his final years as Yankee manager”
I think there is a big misconception about Joe Torre final years as opposed to his first years.
During the “dynasty years” (1996-00) the Yankees averaged a 97-65 record. Post dynasty they averaged a 98-64 record. And a player start to lose his “touch” when they start their decline, age 32 and beyond, because their physical body can’t keep up with the fast action of the game. That should not influence a manager unless he suffers from dementia.
Furthermore, if you look at each of those playoff series, each series could have gone either way. The 1996 Baltimore series could have been different thanks to the Jeffery Maier catch and whoever they had at shortstop that didn’t know how to handle a cutoff throw. That world series could have gone very different, that game 3 in Atlanta was huge, but it was a very close game, and game 5 was a 1-0 game.
1998 was truly flawless, but their only hiccup was the series with Cleveland. Im a firm believer that more than anything else luck influences the playoffs much more than the regular season. So if you were to judge Joe Torre’s regular season record during the dynasty years and the post dynasty years, one can conclude that he did not lose his “touch” as the Yankees seemed to argue.
Just for reference, Joe Girardi’s record 89-73
A post about breakfast? You cant leave Sam we have all taken a shine to you!
True Steve that it is embarrassing if they come in fat but knowing that everyone else will be in great shape not just good is enough to push players that don’t want to be that guy that is finishing last in sprints and out of breath during workouts.
S.O.S.
I agree completely but the fact that Jeter is the most excited about this season as any is a good indication to me that he is ready to go.
Another big contribution is that since Joe G doesnt play favorites especially in the bullpen, a lot more players are competing for spots more than in recent past. Even guys like Swisher and Nady know that they will most likely be competing for RF.
“What is the name of the Fancy Schmancy place that has sushi in the basement?”
not sure. not really a sushi guy.
trisha -
That is the article I read from Davidoff.
migames -
Good post. It’s why I can never really buy into the Yankees “demise” after 2004. They were not the same players, but they found ways to win games during the regular season even without having stellar pitching every year. Or maybe any year. I thought they were “grinders,” but Torre really makes a distinction between the players he had early and the players he had later and it’s not a kind distinction that he makes.
So many people have bought into the idea that no WS means a failure and I think that’s just wrong.
And you are 100% correct about needing to have a little bit (and sometimes a lot) of luck in the playoffs, in addition to a good starting staff with depth.
the next meal post is here
“They were not the same players, but they found ways to win games during the regular season even without having stellar pitching every year.”
Those 2005-2007 could bash with anyone. They absolutely crucified mediocre to bad pitching, which is what they see more often than not over a 162 game regular season. Those teams were built to win 95 games regular season games. Problem was they weren’t built to win 11 in the postseason. Pitching wasn’t what it had been and you don’t see mediocre to bad pitching in the playoffs.
My sense of the 2009 edition of the Yankees is that it’s built to win those 11 postseason games as much as, if not moreso, than it is to win 95 regular season games.
Doreen
February 5th, 2009 at 11:28 am
Trisha –
With Manny, I think I said I wouldn’t root for him personally, but in a situation where he could help the team, I would.
——
You two still talking about Manny? get over it , he’s not coming here and never was.
All you health food types need to get with the program. Some years back, I too was eating like a squirrel: No Meat, grenola bars,fruit, salads, and exercising obsessively. However, I finally came to the conclusion that I didn’t feel any better and I was still getting old; worse, I was missing out on such earthly delights as bacon, BBQ’d ribs, pork sausages, french fries, et al. So, I went completely off the health wagon and now eat whatever I want (I call it the Jack Nicholson school of dieting). This fall, I turned the big seven-0 and my doctor tells me I am quite fit, though he would like me to lose ten pounds (but they always say that). The truth is, boys and girls, we are all carrying around a genetic time bomb that can go off any time, and there is no way, no how we are going to get out of this whole deal alive. So, with some moderation, enjoy.
Southron
“I know for a fact that Joe LOVED being introduced as Yankee manager at functions.”
Interesting then, that he put all of it at risk for a few extra bucks. If that were so important to him, would he have risked tarnishing his legacy? Whether or not it is in fact tarnished isn’t important, it’s the idea that Joe knew it could be and did it anyway.
I wouldn’t put Reggie on Yankee Mount Rushmore. He wasn’t a Yankee long enough.
I know I am late for breakfast as usual. LOL I have only found it in parts of NC and SC. But Livermush is great. It is pork but I will not tell you how it is made. I normally dont like liver but if you ever get the chance try it. Breakfast is meant for pork. Bacon,Sausage, Boneless chops , etc. Also try Grits. A Southern staple.
Better than Scooter??? Shocking!
Interesting post. Thanks for share