Yankees sign Brett Tomko
Posted by: Peter Abraham - Posted in Misc on Feb 13, 2009 
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He got a minor-league deal with a spring training invite. Tomko was 2-7, 6.30 with Kansas City and San Diego last season. He pitched in 22 games, 10 of them starts. He will be 36 in April.
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Meanwhile, in an incredible case of bad timing, the University of Miami named its baseball field after Alex Rodriguez this evening. A-Rod donated $3.9 million to refurbish the facility. He had planned to attend Miami before signing with Seattle out of high school.
The stadium is now called Alex Rodriguez Park at Mark Light Field. How a park can be at a field, I’m not quite sure. But for $3.9 million, it doesn’t really matter.
A-Rod did not speak to reporters at the event.
UPDATE, 9:51 p.m.: He spoke afterward:
“I have been so fortunate to have received so much from a game I love so much,” Rodriguez said. “That doesn’t mean I haven’t made mistakes, and unless you’ve been in a cave under the ocean this last week, you know that I’ve made some. What it does mean is that I understand only in America can you dream big, work hard, and be rewarded beyond your wildest dreams.”
im guessing the reason for this is so that we can have 2 brett’s in spring training?
Why in God’s name would they do that. It’s not like they don’t have tons of depth at SP in the majors and minors. This only serves to block younger, up-and-coming player of a roster spot!
SoCalYankeeFan
Two brett’s in spring training LOL
How Do , Brett Tomko STINKS !!!!!!!!!!!!
does this mean he will report to camp tomorrow for the first workout?
Tons of depth at starting pitching? I don’t know about that.
You can never have enough pitching. Even if he’s released in spring training, this is a complete no risk move on the Yankees part. No harm in taking a look, it’s really not going to hurt anybody else’s chances of making the roster.
1. I was going to say, in the last post, that anytime Pete signs off, he seems to have to come back to report something. But I stopped myself. And now Pete has to come back to report Brett Tomko. Pete, if you want to have an evening off, don’t say “See you tomorrow”, or anything to that effect.
2. It’s a no risk signing. If he doesn’t pitch well, then it’s no loss. And if he does, and the big team doesn’t have a place for him, he gets dealt for players who are more usable for the Yanks. And you never know.
Suggestions for names of Miami’s new field:
Testosterone Zone
Asterisk Park
Hall of Shame Stadium
I Didn’t Even Know What I Put Into My Body Field
how about “4 Painfully Unfunny Suggestions Park”?
A-Rod PARK at Mark Light FIELD?
A-Rod Stadium at Mark Light Field would have been more sensible. How much longer before we start seeing stadium names like that with 2 sponsers in the MLB?
Let’s not get worked up over zero risk signings.
How about “My Screenname Aptly Sums Up My Station In Life” Field?
Ouch
block younger, up-and-coming player of a roster spot?
like who Ian Kennedy? The Yankee farm system is not as good as you probably think it is. Last year wasn’t proof enough?
It doesn’t matter as long as Tomko doesn’t eat up innings that a serious candidate should be getting in exhibition games.
If they like his bullpen sessions he can work with the AAA team when they start their exhibition games around March 20.
Leave him alone….the last thing he needs is Yankees fans turning on him.
Pete,
What time are the workouts tomorrow morning and this coming week?
Honest to God, stop overanalyzing Brett Tomko. He will be either released in spring training or a spot starter in Scranton. This is not remotely important.
It’s probably insurance for Scranton should they decide to keep Coke in the big league bullpen. We’ll never see him with the major league team in any game that counts.
i can’t wait too get a look at melancon & montero.
the m & m boys.
Pete could post that the Yankees signed Bernie Williams to a 1 day contract and people would complain.
“OMG Why won’t they let Bret win the CF JOB!1!!!#@!@!!!!”
NYY and every other team signs players like Johnson and Tomko every year. He’s not blocking anybody, and, if he should stay with Scranton, he’s a spot starter and long reliever, as will Johnson….or, they may get cut by mid-ST. He may make the Scranton team and pitch well.
How many times over the last five years has NYY needed an emergency starter and had to go to the low minors to get one because of injuries to the top prospects? At least 4 times. You whine about Igaw….you just spent two hours whining about Pettitte pitching while injured. Why do you think he was pitching injured? Because there was nobody to suck up a start. If you don’t think a pitcher like Tomko can’t help, just think back to Aaron Small (not exactly a household name) or recently…just how ugly would last season have been without a washout pitcher like Dan Giese coming in and doing what he did? He’s cheap insurance.
Do they have any uniforms left to give Tomko?
Tomko can tell his grandkids he played for the great Yankees.
Anyone watching YES? Princeton v. Yale. It looks like a high school basketball game. I didn’t realize how big the big basketball schools were until I saw this!
You know, don’t even know who Tomko is!
With all the talk of books the past few weeks I would like to highly recommend a book that I have been reading this week which is just fantastic. It is by Jane Heller who is a mainstream fiction writer but also a Yankee fan. She followed the 2007 team without press credentials (The Yankees would not give her any) and has written a great book from the fan’s perspective. SHe was ready to “divorce” the team and her fandom but before she did wanted to try and re-gain the joy and love of the tea. It is funny but really writes fantasically about the ups and downs of being a Yankees fan. While reading it it certainly brought back great and not so great memories from the 2007 season and the way she writes certainly has me remembering those exact thoughts as certain things were happening. So if you are looking for a fun, interesting and non controversil baseball book here you go
http://www.amazon.com/Confessi.....038;sr=8-1
um — I don’t even know who Tomko is. oops.
Agree it was a case of bad timing. But it’s good to know Alex is not receiving Clemens’ treatment.
About Tomko, agree with Pete. No need to over examine that sign. Every team make that kind of signs. Just for insurance. At least, we won’t see Ponson climbing the mound for the Yankees anymore.
If Tomko had signed with the Red Sox, people would be crying about how smart Theo is, and about how he made another low-risk, high-reward move.
No, Joe, they would actually be asking Theo what he was smoking.
That said, this guy looks like the number 3 starter for your Yankees.
I just saw the NY Post article about Jeter, Mo, Posada and Andy wanting to show up at Alex’ press conference to support him. I think that’s wonderful and it must be a tremendous relief to Alex. Now…..just speak the truth, be genuine and then back to baseball.
Today has been a great day – any day we can talk baseball is a great day, and then add on those fabulous pics..how can you go wrong? Just looking at AJ and CC, how happy they are and how well they appear to be getting along – I’m telling you, I’m just jumping out of my skin in excitement. Bruney looks fantastic – and good for him that he is doing whatever he can to get the most out of his talent. Some guys with enormous talent just never figure it out and their life is full of “what ifs”. Now, whatever happens, that won’t happen to Bruney….and the Yanks will be the beneficiaries. I really don’t think I can wait unti Tex gets into town. I almost wish he would arrive before Alex so he can get his share of the spotlight….It’s nice to see Swish as well – I really like him and hope he gets a chance to play.
LOL at David Robertson’s “two hillbillies” quote. How cool is it to be him, playing in the same city with his brother?
Anybody know what number Tomko will wear, and where I can buy a Tomko jersyey??
Betsy – with the real estate market like it is, the two Robertsons could probably get a good deal on two-bedroom.
Doreen
February 13th, 2009 at 8:55 pm
um —I don’t even know who Tomko is. oops.
————————————————————
Tomko was a pretty highly thought of prospect nd a 2nd round pck by Cinncy. Has a good rond he won some games ut, but because of great pitching after tha. Pretty much slightly below league aveage. He was parof the deal that sent Griffey Jr. to Cinncy. Has bounced around since teams). He has decent stuff, but just never does well.
Bud must be a firm believer that the best defense is a good offense. First the “Shamed the game” quote and now this. Everyone’s at fault for something except MLB?
http://www.nydailynews.com/spo.....nce_a.html
God, that was awful. Let me try that again.
Doreen
February 13th, 2009 at 8:55 pm
um —I don’t even know who Tomko is. oops.
——————————————————————————————
Tomko was a pretty highly thought of prospect and a 2nd round pick by Cinncy. Had a good rookie season and he won some games, but not because of great pitching after that. Pretty much slightly below league aveage. He was part of the deal that sent Griffey Jr. to Cinncy. Has bounced around since teams). He has decent stuff, but just never does well.
Anyone hear the latest on Leyritz? Kinda Pathetic.
Hyperbole. Everyone digs it.
Actually. I figure Sab and Wang should be reliable. Everyone else, meh. But still, hyperbole is claiming Burnett, Pettitte and whomver else will not be as successful as a guy like Tomko.
That said, I’d like to correct myself. I believe Tomke will become the Yankees number 4 instead.
Buddy – what’s up with Leyritz?
GreenBeret7
February 13th, 2009 at 9:30 pm
“God, that was awful. Let me try that again.”
Good evening GB. It’s ok, I just figured a number of those cans of Coors Lite were calling out your name this evening.
Im a student here at miami and waited outside the park/field for over an hour and had to leave before i could see or hear Arod speak. It is really bad timing but Alex was extremely generous in his donation, the new facility looks great. All character flaws aside he’s done a lot for the school and for South Florida.
Joe-
http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/s.....hter-trial
Pat, is there any chance that Selig and Rodriguez might have the same people advising him on what to say?
Brett Tomko > Kei Igawa.
ray (sox fan)
February 13th, 2009 at 9:33 pm
GreenBeret7
February 13th, 2009 at 9:30 pm
“God, that was awful. Let me try that again.”
Good evening GB. It’s ok, I just figured a number of those cans of Coors Lite were calling out your name this evening.
————————————————————
Evening, Ray. How’s the (sox fan) family, tonight? Hope all is well. You realize that you haven’t been a citizen of Yankeeland to dog me like that, tight?
I’m a fair guy, kind hearted and get along with everybody (just don’t ask anybody on this board), so, I’ll answer your question.
What was the questin?
I just wanted to comment on this:
http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/ne.....;type=lgns
That was a good job by Alex – at least he’s not hiding. I said before his interview with Gammons that he should not pretend that he doesn’t care – when of course he does. Anyone in his position would be upset – I think that most people almost automatically empathize with someone when they sense sincere, genuine emotion. I know I do – I didn’t watch the video of Tejada speaking because I feel uncomfortable when someone gets that emotional on camera; it makes me feel badly for that person, even if he/she did something wrong.
LMAO. ray, my last post wasn’t much better. That word ***tight*** was supposed to be ***right*** and ***questin*** is spelled ***question***. I guess that answes your question about the Coor’s Lights, huh?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v.....re=related
Something for this Friday the 13th. It gets better as it goes along.
$3.9 large is quite a donation.
Just curious The U of Miami has some incredible athletic programs…csn anybody comment on the University’s academic reputation?
Thanks
GB, what a riot! I thought you had intentionally spelled question that way for dramatic effect!
Joba is on 1050 ESPN radio now.
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Fsh7.....191581.jpg
look whose back
hahahaha
if johnson or tomko make any starts for new york, then we are in BIG DEEP trouble!
GB
“Pat, is there any chance that Selig and Rodriguez might have the same people advising him on what to say?”
Maybe A-Rod has hired better material writers this week because referring to the camera crews following him as his “dysfunctional family” tonight was a pretty good line for someone not known for his witty banter.
Pat what did joba say?
Whitey Ford (2009 version) > Igawa
Carl
Nothing big.
I think it was a taped interview from last year. He was talking about his first time meeting the team because he hadn’t been to spring training and just met up with the team on the road when he got called up.
Thanks Pat
I guess that answes your question about the Coor’s Lights, huh?
*************************************************
Spins the wheel, and buys GB7 an R-for-romeo.
Barry Bonds – Trial
NY Time reports – Scheduled to testify
Jason Giambi
Jeremy Giambi
Benito Santiago
Armando Rios
Randy Velarde
Marvin Benard
Bobby Estalella.
Kimberly Bell (former Bonds girlfriend)
Kathy Hoskins (Bonds’ former personal shopper, , is the sister of the home run king’s former business partner Steve Hoskins).
Bonds lawyers said in a court filing they may introduce the testimony and interviews from:
Brian Sabean
Jerry Rice
Terrell Owens
I’m sure that the people at the school want to call the field or park something else (now that Alex has been outed), but 3.9mil is a lot of cheese. Unless they were prepared to give Alex his money back, they had to go through with the naming ceremony.
As for Alex’s comments after the ceremony, I’m 100% sure that someone will find something wrong with it so I’ll leave it to them to pick it apart word by word.
“What it does mean is that I understand only in America can you dream big, work hard, and be rewarded beyond your wildest dreams”
And that’s why you’re thanking her by playing for her in the WBC, right?
sorry… I had to.
ray (sox fan)
February 13th, 2009 at 9:53 pm
GB, what a riot! I thought you had intentionally spelled question that way for dramatic effect!
————————————————————
No, Ray…that was all me. Honest. If it was intentional, I would have spelled (sox fan) wrong….like (yankee fan).
“if johnson or tomko make any starts for new york, then we are in BIG DEEP trouble!”
I wouldn’t mind seeing them get a shot when we’re 25 games up in August.
Angel – A tale told by idiots, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing
February 13th, 2009 at 10:30 pm
I guess that answes your question about the Coor’s Lights, huh?
*************************************************
Spins the wheel, and buys GB7 an R-for-romeo.
———————————————————–
Thanks Doll….I’m all your’s. By the way…do you have your own Marvis Bacon typing lessons on a disc and a dictionary. I hope so. That would make you the perfect catch for me. The girl who has everything.
Pete, you looked marvelous in the Cashman video interview on the New York Daily news website! That the same brown shirt from last year
Where’s SJ44? Is he back from the Univ of Miami event yet?
pat
February 13th, 2009 at 10:04 pm
GB
“Pat, is there any chance that Selig and Rodriguez might have the same people advising him on what to say?”
Maybe A-Rod has hired better material writers this week because referring to the camera crews following him as his “dysfunctional family” tonight was a pretty good line for someone not known for his witty banter.
————————————————————
I don’t know that Rodiguez is the “stick in the mud” that most tink him to be. I think he might be the type who likes a good joke or gag, even on him, but, just doesn’t know how to o them or tell jokes. Perhaps having people on the team kid him about A-Fraud and things like that is what makes him feel like part of the “gang”. Actually, Gehrig was like that, also.
Much of what gets put in print is BS or completely overblown. Unless Teixeira is lying about his relationship with Rodriguez in Texas, he said that Rodriguez was one of the 4 guys that called him about signing in NY. He said that there were no issues at all in Texas.
The remarks that he supposedly made in Texas about no having signed there if he had known was going to be him and 24 kids is possibly true. That’s not what he signed for. They were suppose to build around him. Michael Young said Rodriguez was one of the few on the team that really helped him and was friendly from the start.
Did I miss the Torre on A-rod talk? I only caught a snippet of it, but Torre used part of the conference to get on a soapbox.
And he also takes a subtle dig at Alex: “I know it’s important to him to continue to add to his numbers, because he has a chance to do a lot of special things numbers-wise, but now they’re going to be tainted, because people don’t forget.”
GMAN
U. Miami undergraduate school is average academically. They do have several very strong graduate programs and a very strong Ophthalmology department in the medical school. Their president – Dr. Donna Shalala- is the former Secretary of HHS and is highly regarded. She has been recruiting strong faculty to enhance strength of the University.
Tomko’s deal is just a minor league deal. That means they didn’t promise him a spot in the big league team, he has to try out for it.
As an insurance policy he might be of use eating innings out of the bullpen for a few weeks in May if there’s some serious injury depletion there and none of the the young guns are on schedule for the step to the big leagues yet. But otherwise I wouldn’t expect to see him in Da Bronx before they eventually release him.
Hey, maybe he’s a safety cushion the team needs to make sure they never have to use Kei Igawa on the big league team again.
SJ, what is your view on Andy Oliver winning his court case in Oklahoma to get his eligibility back and beating the NCAA on having and advisor/agent. College baseball players are now allowed to have advisors/agents that can talk money to MLB teams and still go back to play NCAA baseball. How do you think this will affect the baseball draft?
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29183210/
according to yankees.com brett tomko wearin number 53
and heres a pic of arod from tonight
http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com.....q8yz38.jpg
Skimming over the comments, I had to laugh when I came across the comments between GB7 and ray (sox fan) on the Coors Light. Why? Well I had just slammed a full 24 ouncer of that magic stuff before sitting down at the computer with a 2nd one to nurse slowly.
Soon I’ll be ignoring every spelling & grammar rule known to man, woman, child and beast.
I guess that means soon I’ll sound like half our posters on any given night.
m
I listened to some of it. Every question was A-Rod/Book/Yankee related for the first 25+ minutes.
Then the topic switched to Manny.
So about 35 minutes in, no one had asked about anyone actually on the Dodgers team.
Thanks Ansky……
Evening, PAT M. Hey, I just asked SJ about the andy Oliver lawsuit against the NCAA about college baseball players hiring advisors/agents to talk to mlb teams. What is your view on this about the affects on the draft and college baseball?
Ansky-
How about your best impression of dave? No copying & pasting either. Gotta be original.
I like dave, Buddy. Too tired to do an impression of him right now though. That takes finesse and tonight I ain’t got the stuff for it.
Haha, I like him too, just wish he had less to say or typed with 2 fingers like me.
But if Dave ever admitted to copying and pasting it’d kinda be like A-Rod’s steroid admission. His numbers would be less authentic, his rep would be sullied forever, and … good god … what kind of a message would that be sending our kids?
but what if he types with 2 fingers or less, Buddy?
(insert video clip of Dustin Hoffman from Rain Man)
Wait, whatta you mean? A Rod juiced? say it ain’t so!
Well he didn’t type anything here, that’s for sure.
Cool Tomko
You know what WOULD shock me? If Carl Pavano had recently tested positive for performance enhancers.
Hey I just had a stroke of genius … Kei Igawa needs to figure out how to free base a PED cocktail.
Missing post …. here goes again (abridged version)
What WOULD surprise me is if Carl Pavano tested positive for performance enhancers.
The guy’s never even tested positive for ‘performance’.
OK enuff about that guy. Sorry.
I understand Selena Roberts was not hurt when she fell from the catwalk onto the stage during ARod’s speech.
GB7,
The Oliver Case really helps the Yanks.
I haven’t seen her picture yet … is Selena Roberts a ‘cougar’ too? Maybe that was her motive: To screw A-Rod.
Ansky, google her picture and tell me if you think she’s a cougar.
So, I heard there’s a live chat here until P&C report for physicals tomorrow?
GB7, I really don’t know all the specifics, but if it helps a kid to make a better informed decision maybe it’s a good thing….I’d imagine it’ll trickle down to College Basketball as well as football…Too many times kids over estimate their value…Confused though, Boras I think advised Cole during the Yankee negotiations this past summer…Sadly he opted for the UCLA campus…..
I did just that, Phil.
I never saw what she looked like until I did.
I now stand corrected.
She is not a cougar.
She is a donkey.
The Oliver decision means the agents can really find out a price and know where they’re gonna get it from. It benefits the teams that are willing to go over slot, or over over slot.
Donkey is being generous.
I described someone as a “heffer” and my daughter gasped. I guess it means something else nowadays.
Here’s a running list of “scoops”. No Pete as he chose to recharge his batteries and spend time with Leah and the family.
I’m not sure if there’s a connection between Heyman & Boras…
http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/.....e-sco.html
Absolutely fantastic article by Maury Brown in a letter to the commissioner:
http://www.bizofbaseball.com/i.....;Itemid=39
Its definitely worth the read.
Hey, thanks for the input, PAT M and Phil. If this ever gets to college basketball and football, it could wreck a lot of programs.
m-
I read that earlier today, kind of annoying with all the Heyman mentions.
You are walking a fine line of violating the Kim Jones rule with the Selena/Cougar stuff.
Yea, I dont think the key to arods heart is by making everyone in NY despise him – just a guess but I dont think thats arod’s idea of a turn on.
I Just read these two comments in a row over on riverave from two posters Artist formerly known as the steve and thomas and both of them were just so fricken funny I had to repost them on here:
1. “From Joe Torre’s press conference, on Manny:
‘It comes down to satisfying both parties. You like to believe there’s a lot of romance, but he’s looking for length.’
. . . . are we still talking about Baseball?”
2. “That’s hilarious. It up there with this gem from the Boston Globe (via FJM):
‘So much for wearing these clothes home,” Francona cracked, the beer-and-champagne mix dripping down his bald head, into his eyes, past his chin, and onto the red underclothes that he still wore.
But that was nothing compared to the double dose of champagne Theo Epstein took from Schilling and Papelbon, an explosion of the sticky liquid sending him shooting across the clubhouse floor, with Schilling whispering a warning to reporters standing close to watch out.’”
Hank Aaron says the record belongs to Barry
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/.....id=3906864
Brown ommitted the the whole sale of the Red Sox/franchise swap weirdness that the Commissioner engineered for the Henry group and the owners of the Expos, a team that was abandoned and became wards of all the other owners for a period of a few years.
How many year did it take them to move to DC? Didnt the nationals start off with some of the same expos players or am I making that up?
Cashman has to start wondering how desperate a guy like juan cruz is getting for a job right about now. I mean it was fine with abreu, dunn and manny all still on the market but two of them signed and spring training is starting for pitchers and catchers. cruz must really be reconsidering his asking price unless he wants to take a year off or get some sort of pro-rated nonsense midseason. If i were cashman, I would keep my eye on what that guy will take. At some point, even if we dont need pen help you have to take a bargain when it falls on your lap. Lets say you had a tv in every single room in your house and some to sell in the basement. If someone came to your door asking you if you wanted a flat screan 50 inch for 20 bucks would you turn him down? I know i wouldnt. Its not even about the tv anymore at that point its about the value and what you can get in return for it no matter how much you payed.
Selana, Joe, and Tom sleep fitfully as people continue to embrace Arod.
*At Miami, they’re still celebrating Rodriguez*
CORAL GABLES, Fla. (AP) — Saying he had a responsibility to give back, Alex Rodriguez briefly addressed the drug scandal that has enveloped his life for the last week Friday night when Miami formally renamed its baseball field in his honor.
With his name affixed to the scoreboard in left field, *Rodriguez – who was greeted by a 45-second standing ovation* – spoke in public for the first time since acknowledging he took banned substances as a member of the Texas Rangers from 2001-2003.
“I have been so fortunate to have received so much from a game I love so much,” Rodriguez said. “That doesn’t mean I haven’t made mistakes, and unless you’ve been in a cave under the ocean this last week, you know that I’ve made some. What it does mean is that I understand only in America can you dream big, work hard, and be rewarded beyond your wildest dreams.”
The New York Yankees’ third baseman spoke for about seven minutes, opening his remarks by acknowledging the dozens of cameras there for his appearance – his “dysfunctional family,” Rodriguez called that group – and closing by mentioning the scandal that shook baseball.
He asked this year’s Miami baseball team to stand, and had a brief message for them.
“There will be adversity along the way,” Rodriguez said. “But regardless of the challenges that lie ahead, move forward, address your errors and right your path.”
Even after the dramatic week, which began with a Sports Illustrated report that Rodriguez was on a list of 104 players who tested positive in 2003, the Hurricanes’ annual baseball banquet had a festive air.
Miniature bats and popcorn centerpieces adorned the round tables scattered around the infield dirt, and tiny bags of Cracker Jack were at each placesetting.
The way Miami coach Jim Morris saw it, there were no shortage of reasons to celebrate.
“For me, it’s a great night,” Morris said. “It’s a great day for our program because we’re getting a beautiful ballpark, of course named after Alex Rodriguez. … For me, it’s been a long time waiting and a great day.”
The event was built around the $3.9 million gift for stadium renovations that Rodriguez made to the program in 2003, and having the field renamed “Alex Rodriguez Park at Mark Light Field” in his honor.
In 2004, government officials seized the list of 104 names who tested positive and they remain under seal, but Rodriguez’s name was leaked.
“It’s not fair to Alex to pinpoint one guy,” Morris said. “I’m afraid I wouldn’t want to see the list, but at the same time, I don’t think it’s fair to pinpoint one guy.”
Rodriguez did not speak with reporters at the $75-a-seat event.
School officials said a few alumni have complained about Rodriguez’s name attached to the park, but Morris said the overwhelming majority of boosters and others support the gesture.
“It’s obviously a hot issue right now. It’s been a hot issue in baseball for a while,” student body president Brandon Gross said. *”But what’s different about Alex Rodriguez is he came out and admitted that he did something wrong and took personal responsibility for his actions. So I think the university is still as proud as when he made the announcement in 2003 to have his name up here.”*
The 12-time All-Star selection has a long relationship with Miami, even though he never played for the Hurricanes.
Rodriguez committed to Miami when coming out of South Florida’s Westminster Christian High, but didn’t enroll. Only a few hours before fall classes began at Miami in August 1993, Rodriguez signed his first professional contract with the Seattle Mariners, who lured him away from the Hurricanes with a $1.3 million deal.
A decade later, Rodriguez gave three times that much back to Miami, and has been close with Morris and the program for more than 15 years. He worked out at the school several times this week, including Friday morning.
“He’s the hardest worker I’ve ever seen,” Morris said. “The guy’s out here every day, running, lifting, taking ground balls, hitting, trying to get ready to be the best player he can. I know, ultimately, what Alex represents and how hard he’s worked.”
One of Morris’ favorite stories is how Rodriguez acknowledges sneaking into Miami games as a kid, a tale A-Rod also told Friday night, pointing to the left field fence he used to scale to see Hurricane games on Friday nights.
“I think he’s probably overpaid a little bit for back admission,” Morris said.
His donation, the largest ever to the Hurricanes’ baseball program, aided in the building of a new clubhouse, weight room, training room, team meeting room, academic center, video room, press box and four VIP luxury suites. Most of the work is complete.
Other improvements in recent years included new dugouts and improved stadium lighting, restrooms and concession areas.
Miami’s first game in the renamed park is Feb. 20 against Rutgers, the start of a four-game series. Through a spokesman, Rutgers coach Fred Hill declined to say Friday whether having Rodriguez’s name on the stadium added any significance of the trip to his team.
yea trisha,
Thats what its like when people actually like and respect a sports figure – they actually get up a clap for them even when and maybe especially when there life is in the toilet bowl. And they dont go on and on and harp endlessly about arod destroying the game and baseball never being the same because I dont know … I guess hey have some modicum of intelligence elsewhere. Maybe they dont overreact 100 fold to something that the public has already gone through with numerous other players 2 of which were the best in history before their respective scandals.
i KNOW – it must be so hard for fans and reporters alike to actually be decent, forgiving people. I dont know how they do it and in such a simple and unified way too. What are these people thinking?? I mean didnt arod break the law and violate human rights so badly that he might as well committed a double homicide. I mean is there really that big of a different between using steroids and killing people. He might as well have killed the hundreds of thousands of fans who all broke their hearts this week. Didnt arod know they come to the park to boo him only because they love him.
And i know it was six years ago but it might as well have been a week ago time has flown so fast these past years and i know he did it on texas but he might as well have done it in NY because it was only a year before he came here. And I know baseball was not even against the rules of baseball and probably over 40 percent of the players were using but this really is all arods fault for not stopping, addressing the union and his fellow teammates and telling them how bad it was (even though it wasnt a rule).
And then, he could have advocated for selig and the mlbpa to work out some way to implement testing into baseball. i doubt he was too busy for that because he has entire off seasons for it and dont tell me it wasnt his responsibility because clearly he destroyed the entire game for the fans and players at this point and as a player himself he should have taken the initiative to clean it up. And it is really irrelevant that he was probably five years old by the time this was already rooted in baseball because five year olds could be very pro-active if they want to be.
pat
February 14th, 2009 at 12:39 am
Hank Aaron says the record belongs to Barry
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/.....id=3906864
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Henry Aaron has always had style.
It had to be more than 50% who were doing it, otherwise people like Heller could have rallied support and voted for testing.
I think it could have easily been more than half of baseball at one point, Thats why its so sad that people feel the need to come down so hard on arod. If he was one of thousands of players to do it, why not take that into account when criticizing him instead of acting like he was the only culprit. He was just the only one that people felt the need to dig deep to catch him. To me, that means nothing – if that many players used, why should we publicly crucify one guy? It doesnt make sense to do so as we are basically just rewarding those who were obscure enough or lucky enough to not get caught. Thas why this whole no HOF vote for outed users should be re-evaluated. Whats the point of condemning the ones who were caught while voting others who used but didnt get caught in.
Brett Tomko:
Brings a delightful addition to New York sportsfans with the lovely & talented ….Julia Schultz.
http://www.wagrankings.com/wag.....a-schultz/
Very nice, very very nice !!!
Similiar to Selena Roberts ???
yes / no
lol at the down playing of steroid use. Pathetic.
“be rewarded beyond your wildest dreams”
I think that was a fantastic quote.
great, outlaw u loves a cheater. big suprise there.
but, were they outlaws before he almost enrolled there?
Tomko was horrible as a starter last year, but his relief work showed some promise.He has major league skills as a reliever. He could fit into the bullpen either in NY or Scranton.
hey man we’re ranked 51st in the country among top universities so ya I’d say we’re a bit above average…just a bit