Bruce pays tribute to Harry Kalas
Posted by: Peter Abraham - Posted in Misc on Apr 30, 2009 
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It is always great when the worlds of baseball and music come together like they did last night at the Spectrum in Philadelphia.
Bruce Springsteen was playing the vaunted old arena for the last time before it is torn down. Old-time Bruce fans know that some of his best shows have been in the Spectrum and that Philadelphia has some of his most passionate fans.
When Bruce came to Philly as part of the Born In The USA Tour 25 years ago, a sports talk radio guy named Rob Charry had Harry Kalas record play-by-play of Bruce hitting a grand slam off Clarence Clemons.
Bruce dug up that recording and played it last night before dedicating Thunder Road to Harry, who passed away earlier this month. Bruce is a big baseball fan — Yankees, of course — and knew how much Harry meant to the people in Philadelphia.
The Philly Inquirer has the story.
You can listen to the recording here
Bruce and the mighty E Street Band also played London Calling by request. This sounds like a must-have bootleg.
I was at the show. Good stuff. The Harry Kalas bit went over huge, as did London Calling. I was shocked how many people knew all of the words.
peter!
about A-rod now because she got the good story on arod with the steroids in texas means that everything she says now is true????!!!! come one you are smarter than that!!!!!!!!!! Especially with out no proof!!!!!
Very nice of Bruce to honor a great man. Man I want to see him sometime, gotta get to stubhub or something.
Pete, did you have to mention that it was 25 years ago? I feel so old now. HaHa.
If tipping 15% is now an insult, what is satisfactory and what is generous; trying to get to the meat of the story…
celebrities should always tip 50% or more regardless of service or bill size, because they are famous and they should definitely be loose with their money.
Jerkface -
I love your screenanme.
Roberts should be ashamed to call herself a “Journalist”
I agree A-Rod signed that huge contract and that means that everyone else deserves a piece from the Hooters waitress to all the other leeches who make their careers off A-Rod’s problems. He’s rich so f him, oh he’s a strange guy I’m gonna make fun of him that’ll show everybody. This TMZ style reporting is working its way into baseball, soon we’ll have all these chumps following ball players around with cameras trying to tell us where everyone spent their off day.
Why would anyone want Molina to play over Posada?? Haha so ludicrous..
Patrick – how about showing a little respect for someone who might differ from you. A number of us who prefer Molina don’t think it’s ludicrous. We’ve given our reasons why. Nobody said you have to agree with them. Again, we don’t think it’s ludicrous.
I am not trashing you or anyone else for preferring Posada.
Thanks.
Pete – What’s the chance of a rainout tonight?
I dont know if anyone saw this from foxsports.com
Tigers’ Joel Zumaya: ‘I can’t stand the Yankees’
Joel Zumaya pitched two shutout innings Wednesday night against the New York Yankees, allowing one single to Robinson Cano and striking out Johnny Damon on a sharp breaking ball. It was Zumaya’s second shutout relief appearance since returning from the disabled list with shoulder problems, and he reached 100 mph with a fastball. He didn’t care about that, but was excited about handling the Yankees. “I think Skip (Detroit Tigers manager Jim Leyland) wanted me to show the Yankees I still have something in the tank,” Zumaya said. “I wanted to go at ‘em. I can’t stand the Yankees, man.” — Booth Newspapers Ben’s Take: Not smart. If Zumaya should ever get really good and become a free agent, he won’t hate the Yankees money then. That said, its nice to read passion.
Going to a meeting so if you respond please don’t think I’m ignoring the response.
Later.
Sadly it seems like the Roberts book is really just a novel-length version of the National Enquirer.
Does anyone remember what David Cone said last night? Some one posted it on youtube…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q1KCLC29D1c
Andy (LA): You really aren’t going to talk about A-Rod today, are you?
Keith Law: (1:41 PM ET ) What the hell do I want to talk about A-Rod for? He’s not playing. A writer who has been after him for years put out more allegations, some serious and some absolutely absurd (he’s not a great tipper????). It’s not a baseball topic, and if I’m doing non-baseball topics, let’s talk food or books or something that’s actually worth the expenditure of electrons.
Pete – My comment is going back a couple threads, sorry.
IMO, if the stadium turns out to be Coors Field that doesn’t necessarily mean you go into the bullpen earlier and subsequently depelete it. You’d just end up with even higher scoring games if you did.
If 5 runs (just for example) turns out to be the normal score for each team through 6 innings, then that’s what it is. If you’d normally give the starters 3-4 runs through 6 innings before you pull them, you’d have to adjust your ‘hook’ for the park (if it turns out to be the park of course) so you don’t bring the bullpen in too early and deplete them. If you did, then your average 7-run game becomes a 9-run game or more.
The other team’s dealing with the same conditions too. It’s no big deal if Joba’s got a 4.2 ERA at home and a 2.8 ERA on the road if every other team’s ERA at the stadium is also 1.4 runs higher than everywhere else. Just for example.
This is one of the few times in the English language where its gramatically correct to say ‘its the same difference’.
“Tigers’ Joel Zumaya: ‘I can’t stand the Yankees’”\
Quite frankly the opinion of a guy who can’t keep himself off the DL holds very little meaning.
hahaha gotta love Coney. Not the first time hes made that type of remark during a game.
i coudlnt even care about this new book. its like finding out a girlfriend cheated on u. spare me the details i dont care, its irrelevant. The bottom line is that there was cheating and nothings going to change that. Whether arod used in high school, seattle, texas or new york it doesn’t change a thing: he cheated.
Nevertheless Roberts has gone from a well respected top line journalist to a gossip reporter. I don’t care who is reading this, red sox fan, yankees fan whoever, This content is no better than the trash being reported on E! or access Holly Wood. She got the story of her career earlier this year and it was an important one. She went from uncovering arguably one of the most important sports stories of our time TO REPORTING ON TIPS GIVEN AT A HOOTERS!!!! SHE ACTUALLY TALKED TO HOOTERS EMPLOYEES AND FELT IT SOO IMPORTANT TO INCLUDE IN THIS BOOK. give me a break, pathetic.
Pete, your mention of Bruce bootlegs is one more moment of awesomeness on this blog. One day, it would be great to compare the Springsteen tracks on our iPods.
Love the story about the concert last night. London Calling was of course performed by Springsteen, Little Steven, Elvis Costello and David Grohl at the 2003 Grammys.
He also opened with “I walk the line” the night after Johnny Cash died. I wish I could have seen/heard him soundcheck “Strawberry Fields Forever” the night after Lennon was murdered.
Chip (NYC): Have we seen enough of Brett Gardner to conclude that he can’t hit major league pitching?
Keith Law: (1:54 PM ET ) Yes.
Keith Law said it all. Nothing more needs to be said.
Looking for Jose Molina to play over Posada is akin to believing Kyle Farnsworth is an effective setup guy and David Wright should be traded. The latest nonsense from Mets fans.
Its just not logical. Especially since Molina played all last year and we saw the results.
Great backup catcher. Not an everyday player.
Re Law’s comment….I was specifically referring to his comments re: Arod.
The Brett Gardner comments? About a month too early. Still may end up to be true though.
Nice gesture by Bruce to Harry but who gives a damn Bruce blows.
Bruce Springsteen also played London Calling along with Elvis Costello, Dave Grohl, and Little Steven at the Grammy’s in 2003, a couple weeks after Joe Strummer’s death.
According to EW:
“It was the right remake at the right time. As war in Iraq loomed, the music industry held the 45th Annual Grammy Awards on Feb. 23. After hours of backslapping, God thanking, and lip-synching, the show ended with a sight unimaginable a decade before: an old punk (Elvis Costello) and a seasoned grunger (Dave Grohl) sharing the stage with their seeming opposites, Jersey Shore vets Bruce Springsteen and Little Steven. Ostensibly, the group’s rough-diamond rendition of the Clash’s ”London Calling” was a tribute to Joe Strummer, who had died two months before. But the song’s references to a ”nuclear error” and ”zombies of death” had a chilling modern context, and the finale — a blast of feedback that resonated throughout Madison Square Garden — was perfect. For Springsteen, the performance kicked off a new period of political commentary that grew more explicit in the months ahead, culminating in his semiplayful calls to ”impeach the President” during his E Street Band tour. Rumors that he is being audited back to 1975 remain unconfirmed.”
See it here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2YI71v3DRHg
Rishi April 30th, 2009 at 2:11 pm
Andy (LA): You really aren’t going to talk about A-Rod today, are you?
Keith Law: (1:41 PM ET ) What the hell do I want to talk about A-Rod for? He’s not playing. A writer who has been after him for years put out more allegations, some serious and some absolutely absurd (he’s not a great tipper????). It’s not a baseball topic, and if I’m doing non-baseball topics, let’s talk food or books or something that’s actually worth the expenditure of electrons.
=================================================
I think Law said it best
So the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim of the United States of America, member of Planet Earth are coming to town. I hope we can win this series.
The Red Sox have shut down John Smoltz for at least a week.
“”I just think it’s in his best interest to slow down for a week,” Francona said after the Red Sox beat Cleveland 6-5 in 10 innings Wednesday night. “That’s the best way I can put it.”"
There’s surely more to this story.
As far as I know, Molina’s never complained about being a backup catcher. He’s got a career .238BA/.277OBP. He’d good behind the plate, but he’s not going to be an all-star or a have a shot at being a gold glove winner. That’s not a good starter, but rather a valuable backup. And so far it looks like Posada’s arm’s going to be alright. Molina would have to be about as good as Posada at the plate to even be considered as a platoon much less be a better candidate to start. Again … it sounds like Molina’s not complaining either. So … why all the hubbub?
… and people were worried when the Sox signed Smoltz.
Riiiight.
Joel Zumayais is a hater.
and i still believe in gardner. he didnt get much of a chance to ride it out with arod not being in the lineup, when brett gets his next chance i hope he makes the most of it.
It is a waste of precious blog resources trying to convince these people that think Molina should play over Posada of the error of their ways.
It’s just not logical to prefer Molina over Posada, so using logic to try to convince the Molina contingent otherwise is likely pointless.
Holtzman interviewed Alex after the scrimmage.
Says he’s feeling good, sliding and playing in the field are the upcoming hurdles, happy to see the team get the last 2 wins and looks forward to coming back to help the team win.
His responses to all book related and non baseball questions were, “I’m not going there.”
““Tigers’ Joel Zumaya: ‘I can’t stand the Yankees’””
——–
nobody says “I can’t stand the Astros or the Pirates”
you always hate the best.
When people say “yankees suck” or they hate the Yankees, it’s actually a compliment.
SJ,
could I get your insight on taking a flier on Ryan Freel to be the CFer if Gardner continues to flunk and Melky fell back to earth? Apparently Freel isn’t happy with the O’s due to lack of playing time.
SJ44, if you’re still around, do you mind entertaining a question about a topic from a few days ago?
FYI: “Believe it or not, the Yankees are averaging 44,502 fans — most in the majors.”
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/.....ings090430
Don Le Greca talking Arod nonsense.
Maybe some of the NY’ers on the blog can answer this question for me.
How did this guy get a job?
Talking “evidence” and using Selena Roberts book as “evidence” of continued steroid use.
Can someone explain to this moron that “evidence” isn’t third and fourth hand unnamed source material.
Those are “allegations”, not “evidence”.
Its the problem with talk radio. The hosts don’t know what they are talking about and communicate it to fans who know less.
When there is “evidence” that Arod used steroids in high school? If she has it, bring it forward.
Saying, “A guy told me”, or “I think…” is not “evidence”.
Wave Your Hat: someone coined the phrase “the Posada Truthers” so that’s what I’m going with.
What was Mike babbling about re: Melky?
“you always hate the best”
Does that explain why everyone hates the United States?
Someone once compared the Yankees to the US.
“Can someone explain to this moron that “evidence” isn’t third and fourth hand unnamed source material.”
———
be careful calling him a moron. Pete seems to think it’s enough to be considered factual.
Well in case you haven’t noticed, the captain of “Team Molina” doesn’t always follow the basic rules of logic.
Personally, I don’t understand the rivalry between Molina and Posada. I prefer to show unswerving loyalty to whomever dons the mask for the Yankees.
“Its the problem with talk radio. The hosts don’t know what they are talking about and communicate it to fans who know less.”
And that’s how we get repeated posts about how Posada’s game-calling skills don’t hold a candle to Molina’s.
Posada’s Catcher ERA vs. the Team ERA from 2002 to 2007
2007: +.01
Team ERA- 4.49
Posada CERA- 4.50
2006: -.04
Team ERA- 4.41
Posada CERA- 4.37
2005: +.15
Team ERA- 4.52
Posada CERA- 4.67
2004: -.04
Team ERA- 4.69
Posada CERA- 4.65
2003: +.11
Team ERA- 4.02
Posada CERA- 4.13
2002: -.07
Team ERA- 3.87
Posada CERA- 3.80
The only years Posada’s CERA was significantly above the team ERA was in 2003 and 2005. In 2005, Randy Johnson was the Yankees best pitcher and Posada didn’t catch him. If you take out Johnson’s stats, the team ERA is 4.65 compared to Posada’s 4.67 CERA. Not significant.
In 2003, Posada’s CERA was .11 higher than the team ERA. I’m not sure why that would be. At the same time, you could look at Jason Varitek’s CERA for 2005. He’s supposed to be one of the best game callers in baseball and his CERA that year was 5.03, much higher than the team ERA of 4.74.
Jose Molina’s CERA was 13.39 in 2007 when the team’s 4.49 ERA.
Posada has a career OPS 210 points higher than Molina.
The argument for Molina starting over Posada is that Randy Johnson and Mike Mussina didn’t like pitching to him, that Posada’s game calling ability has somehow fallen off, and that Molina’s numbers over a tiny sample size has been better than Posada, who has caught Wang’s terrible games.
Jeter once said it best …”When they stop booing us …we know we’re in trouble”
Go Yankees 2009 !!!
Did Holtzman really expect a response out of him? Arod should hold a press conference to explain why he only tips 15%. That is a disgrace and the biggest problem in this country. This TMZ stuff is such a joke. It is funny that anyone can come up with a bunch of crap, throw it into a book and make some money off of it. I hope no one buys that garbage.
SJ44
He’s a Football and Hockey guy and a cronie of Kay.
The years he spent at sportsphone are where he really learned his craft – he was a master of reading scores.
http://stations.espn.go.com/st.....ory?id=Don
“Patrick – how about showing a little respect for someone who might differ from you. A number of us who prefer Molina don’t think it’s ludicrous. We’ve given our reasons why. Nobody said you have to agree with them. Again, we don’t think it’s ludicrous.
I am not trashing you or anyone else for preferring Posada.
Thanks. ”
trisha –
Please respect my opinion that your opinion is ludicrous. Thanks.
“Arod should hold a press conference to explain why he only tips 15%.”
It’s because he bought a defective tip calculator from a street vendor. He thought he was getting the Wizard but he got the Willard instead.
SJ44-I know. I was listening to Le Greca and I had to turn it off.
So since the other story Selena had on Alex was true the allegations in this book are now totally true.
Maybe’s and unnamed sources are now concrete evidence.
I should write a book.
If posada doesn’t know how to call a game, one of the greatest* pitchers of all time has interesting choice for who he picks as the best catcher he ever had. The idea molina could start over a Healthy posada is a bit crazy to me and I love having molina on the team, just as a backup.
Back to earth for melky would be what now? 275-285 ave. at year end? Ryan freel is a streaky career 270 hitter, he’s no upgrade, imo he’s a wash with gardner, not that the O’s would deal with the yankees
“Posada truthers” is classic
I don’t think any are here right now so maybe it will go away – for a while
Nick,
The Joba to the bullpen stuff? Like I’ve said all along, given certain circumstances, they have to entertain it.
Do I think its in the best interests of Joba or even the Yankees? No, and I’ve said as such.
I also know how these guys think. They didn’t spend this kind of coin on the roster to get sunk by the bullpen.
In a perfect world, Joba stays in the rotation, becomes a horse, and life goes on.
But, the world ain’t perfect and stuff happens.
Last night was a classic night on the subject. Joba showed why he is needed in the rotation AND the bullpen! lol
Hopefully, the stuff works itself out for the best for everybody.
Um, didn’t Posada catch the majority of Wang’s starts when he finished third in the Cy Young voting?
Posada lost his ability to call a game? Really? Really?
And if that’s true, what’s the reason? Dementia? A lunar eclipse?
Seriously, take a deep breath and think. Hard.
This is absurd.
The loony Posada Truthers strike again.
So, did she like find the Hooter girls that waited on Alex to find out how much he tipped? Receipts?
Does anyone care?
I don’t want Molina to play in place of Posada, but I would love to see him catch more often with Posada as the DH.
Molina is not an everyday player, but he could be very effective playing three days a week.
“He thought he was getting the Wizard but he got the Willard instead.”
That mistake already cost one floridian an election of condo board president at Del Boca Vista
Thanks, no. 27.
I was going to refer the Molina contingent to your analysis of Posada’s CERA, which you also posted yesterday.
When you combine your CERA findings with the results of the Baseball Prospectus article which Tom in NJ posted yesterday, which said that if differences in catcher’s game calling skills exist, they are too small to be discovered in an analysis of catcher’s CERA vs. team ERA, it should put an end to this argument that, based on a few 2009 innings, Molina’s CERA vs. Posada’s CERA shows Molina to have better game calling skills.
It won’t, of course, because bad arguments here reappear over and over like some scenario out of 50 First Dates.
no. 27,
thank you.
I’ve wondered if anybody was ever going to give some stats to back up their claims.
I keep hearing Molina’s “ERA” is considerably better than Posadas but nobody could give the #s.
I’m sure there are some #s out there that dispute yours somehow but at least you didn’t make a hollow claim.
“I don’t want Molina to play in place of Posada, but I would love to see him catch more often with Posada as the DH.”
Worst of all possible worlds, IMO. When that happens, you can’t pinch hit for Molina because you lose the DH.
How is it that this is the conversation about Posada instead of the fact that base runners have tested his arm and Posada has looked good without any set backs.
Some of the biggest questions leading up to this season were how Posada and Matsui would rebound, and they’ve both been very good so far. The other question was whether or not Cano have a rebound year. That looks pretty good too.
The pitching hasn’t been great so far, but you have to believe that the rotation will get rolling soon. And when it does, I think the bullpen will fall into place.
SJ44: not related to Joba.
You recently cautioned people to temper their expectations about the impact of Arod’s return, which is wise counsel. You wrote that his return would have a marginal impact on the lineup. ‘Marginal’ is a subjective term here, of course, and games and divisions are often won or lost on the margins. But anyway, I think your point was, yes, Arod is hopefully going to help this lineup a lot, but people shouldn’t expect *too* much from the impact of his return.
You also wrote that, in your opinion, the Ransom/Berroa combination had cost the Yankees about three games that they could have won with Alex Cora or a similar player at 3rd base and in the lineup. That may be, I have no idea, but I would be happy if neither Ransom nor Berroa is seen again in pinstripes any time soon after Arod comes back.
But my question is, if you think an Alex Cora-type player could made a 3-game difference over the Ransom/Berroa combo, how would you quantify the upgrade to Arod? 3 or more games might be marginal, but 3 games in the AL East could be the margin of making the post-season, right?
I’ve been working on a case right now that is a pretty significant breach of contract case by a company against my client.
If I ever walked into a courtroom and said, “Your honor, my evidence is, a guy told another guy who told me, the contract was breached”, I’d get disbarred! lol
Some would say I should be already but, that’s another story for another day.
Do I KNOW Arod didn’t use steroids at any other time other than the times he said he used? No.
Neither does Selena Roberts and the book pretty much confirms that fact.
She got an ample advance and spent a TON of time in Miami and NY talking to just about everybody that hates the guy (and unfortunately for Arod, its a long list), as well as stalking him and his haunts, and what she wrote is the best “evidence” she could find.
The guy is a bad tipper in Hooters??? Really????
That’s what you want your publishers to put out to the media to support your position on the guy? That’s pretty funny.
Look, Arod’s rep is so trashed right now, she can’t say anything else that would make it worse. She really can’t.
That said, Arod CAN say things to make things worse on himself. Especially when he’s not trying to do just that!
I hope he continues to keep his mouth shut and say NOTHING about the book.
If he does that, its a non-story by Memorial Day.
SJ44
I like your style!!! The talking heads need to plug a mind into the equation before they start blabbering! I am so tired of people making up lies to prove an exagerated point that I find it difficult to listen to talk radio or even most sports talk.
The Yankees win & there are no problems. They lose one game and they are old or xxx is lousy or doesn’t hustle. Judgement requires reasoning! Opinions only require a rear end!
I still say the Yankees are destined for trouble but only because the Manager is not capable at this time. He is a control freak who is not honest with his players and I believe he has lost the respect of most of the players as well. This is just my OPINION. LOL!
Guys,
We’re all sort of preaching to the choir about this Molina-Posada stuff.
I don’t think the opposition is in here. We would have gotten an earful by now.
Well, SJ … once Joba can go 200+ innings, he’ll be shortening up the bullpen. If this was mid August 2011 instead of late April 2009, he’d have finished last night’s game with an 8-1 or 8-2 complete game win.
Does anyone want to ask me questions about my visit with Dr. Stuart Smalley?
Anyone else think Arod comes out smelling like roses after all this. Roberts book at this point is overkill. Arod’s absence defused the steroid issues as well as his admission of usage just like Andy’s and Giambi’s.
“The Joba to the bullpen stuff? Like I’ve said all along, given certain circumstances, they have to entertain it.”
No they don’t, and they shouldn’t. Joba’s situation shouldn’t be effected by anyone else in the organization.
If Molina is catching and Posada is the DH, that means that some superior hitter is sitting so that Molina is in the lineup. You’re basically replacing Matsui or Damon or (soon, hopefully) Nady with Molina. Not a good offensive trade at all.
I would like to be a Lieutenant for Team Molina every 5th or so game.
Nick,
What I meant by Arod’s return being “marginal” is two things:
1. Unless the rest of the lineup, specifically the guys around Arod in the order, hit, teams will just pitch around him, reducing his overall impact.
2. We don’t know what Arod will return. How healthy and how quick he will be to get up to speed.
If the lineup is struggling and he feels the burden to “carry it”? That’s when we have seen him press and not play well.
If the rest of the lineup is having good, consistent AB’s, his return obviously helps immensely.
However, if they aren’t, then his return is marginal in the overall scheme because teams will pitch around him and not make him beat them.
Probably didn’t explain as well as I should have earlier but, that’s my feelings on the matter.
“The guy is a bad tipper in Hooters??? Really????”
———
she only needed to find one Hooters waitress who got a 15% tip in order to make that claim.
maybe he always tips 15%. maybe he just happened to tip 15% one time.
who cares?
I do know that the Fenway Faithful have some new fodder for their chants and their posterboard signs.
“Worst of all possible worlds, IMO. When that happens, you can’t pinch hit for Molina because you lose the DH.”
Swisher can’t catch??
You make a good point. I just get frustrated watching Posada behind the plate sometimes and I think that Molina is a better defensive catcher overall.
When rosters expand I suppose you could bring up Cash to address the pinch hitter issue, but until then perhaps the Yankees have to maintain the status quo.
As for the Joba to the pen issue, is there any chance that Wang will go to the pen when he returns? I know that he is not a strikeout pitcher, but he does induce many grounders.
Patrick,
In a perfect world, you are correct. However, that’s not how it works with the Yankees.
Especially when it comes to Joba.
Ed,
I love Freel as a player. Unfortunately, he can’t stay healthy, and I don’t see the Orioles trading within the division. Especially with the Yankees.
“If he does that, its a non-story by Memorial Day.”
Ugh, that means we’ve got to deal with 3 more weeks of this garbage?! In a perfect world it would be a non-story by tomorrow.
Why does it always seem that every celebrity is a “huge Yankees fan”?
“This sounds like a must-have bootleg.” Isn’t bootlegging illegal?
Arod’s popularity can only rise at this point. Talking heads in the business will beat on him as long as it is popular but if he fits in and gets a few clutch hits the team will rally around him and they won’t have Arod to beat up on,including you, Pete.
People who most probably will line up outside of Barnes and Noble when Selena Roberts’s book goes on sale:
1) The author of this blog
2) Sully from South Boston
3) Selena Roberts
4) Jamie Moyer
Care to add any others?
SJ:
Assuming that A-Rod is a reasonable facsimile of his old self when he gets back, and that he bats behind Tex, isn’t it likely that Tex will see better pitches and get more hits as a result? It seemed as if Tex spent most of the weekend in Boston getting walked.
Its going to be a “story” for at least two weeks for a bunch of reasons.
Arod is coming back and they have been changing the release date of the book to time it to his return.
Selena Roberts will be all over airwaves hawking her book.
If Arod keeps his mouth shut, this goes away quickly.
If he tries to “explain things”, it makes the story last longer.
Just shut up and play. That’s what he has told a bunch of people what he plans to do. Hopefully, he means it.
wow – the YESNetwork re-tweeted Pete’s Blog tweet…
SJ
According to ESPN, Selena spoke this morning and said the “evidence” is “irrefutable” not may have.
She said he went from being able to bench 100 to 300 lbs and gained 20-25 lbs of muscle in 6 months between his sophomore and junior year. That in combination with interviews of high school teammates and coaches makes it “irrefutable” that he was using.
She said “Yankee teammates” (current or former?) based on physical evidence believe he was using PEDS in NY and still could be.
Is your judge buying that?
The release date of the book has been moved again. May 4 now to coincide with the Boston series.
SJ44: of course, the level of production that Arod brings will be the biggest factor in his impact. But if you thought that an Alex Cora-type player replacing Ransom/Berroa would have been worth an extra three wins already, after just 21 games, can we reasonably expect that the insertion of Arod into the lineup and onto the field could exceed that number?
SJ,
you right about the injuries. It seems very year, he gets into some kind of a weird freak accidents.
No question Tex will see better pitches.
I’m not worried about Tex. He will get it going.
Big thing I’m looking for is consistency from the offense. Not a couple of big innings, then nothing for a game and a half +, then a big inning, etc.
If the lineup can garner some consistency, then it becomes a weapon for the team.
Obviously, the potential is there. However, its a results oriented business. Produce the results and everybody is happy. Don’t produce the results? Then, changes take place.
Just the way it goes.
Ah… I remember bad Tipper… who could forget…
I’m actually having Darling Nikki flashbacks now.
Warning labels on rap music. Censorship. What can I say – it was a loosy goosy era.
I think Molina should start once a week, usually when there are back to back day night games, but they should also do their best to switch up which pitcher he is catching so that every pitcher is on the same page with Posada because he’ll be catching when the playoff race heats up.
Pat,
Weight lifting records for HS is “irrefutable evidence” of steroid use?
Has she ever worked out with Andrew Swasey at the University of Miami? Has she ever seen their weight room and the speed and strength program that has been in place for almost 20 years down there?
There have been exactly ZERO University of Miami football players who have ever tested positive for steroids.
They just had a 14 year streak of first round picks broken in this year’s NFL Draft.
That’s the program Arod has been on since he was 16 years old. That’s not evidence of steroid use, IMO.
Nick,
I see your point.
“In a perfect world, you are correct. However, that’s not how it works with the Yankees.
Especially when it comes to Joba. ”
Ahh I don’t think that’s true.
So far the Yankees have done everything they can to maximize Joba’s value (to himself and to the team). There haven’t been any reactionary moves made with respect to Joba.
I’ve spotted Bruce a few times at the old stadium.
He sat behind the visiting dugout about 10 rows back.
SJ44 and Nick… you are both so dreamy! Thanks for the insight.
SJ44, what’s wrong with you, you can’t use logic in a discussion like this. Some unidentified guy told the always reputable Selena Roberts something. Isn’t that proof enough for you.
SJ,
Le Greca is a moron and a disgruntal Met’s fan. I love Michael Kay but hate Don. He never makes any sense. He thinks i’m not a true fan because i where a Yankee jersey with the players last name on the back. Well i got news for him, I am a Tino fan and i where 24 with Martinez written across the back so people know Tino is my favorite not Robbie Cano. He’s as fat and stuborn as Fatcessa. Maybe they are bro’s separated at birth.
Springsteen helping Abe Lincoln.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XVkGH9KWGCk
Is there nothing he can’t do!!
Alex could probably bench 100 lbs when he was ten years old.
I weighed 115 my freshman year and benched 120 – not on any work out program.
Willing to bet Alex could come close to 200 lbs before he ever touched a weight program.
just sayin
Pete,
Could you please educate us “chumps” on the blog as to the exact meaning of “irrefutable” evidence. Was there a course on irrefutable evidence at the UMass Journalism Dept? I’m completely uneducated and cant think for myself. Irrefutable is irrefutable, right?
Thanks.
Has any other team played 15 of their first 21 games on the road? .500 on the road aint that bad with 4-2 at home. Next 7 at home vs top contenders then the schedule gets easier till June. At that pace we should win around 95 games. Not a bad start without your best hitter and #2/3 starter. Last year we managed to win 89 with Rasner and Ponson and without Wang and Posada. With any luck we can win 100 games with CC, AJ, Tex, Swish and Jorge back. This must be what Cash was thinking.
It’s silly to say that a kid in high school grew at an astonishing rate. That’s kind of what high school kids do.
Also, I think the whole “A-rod will only bring a marginal improvement to the team” is wrong.
Last year the offense was pretty bad and A-rod was the best hitter. He still produced at a very good rate. Maybe pitchers were pitching around him last year but it didn’t matter, A-rod still raked. The same thing will happen this year except Teix, Posada, Matsui and an improved Cano will also be in the lineup.
The fact is, A-rod will probably end the season above .300 with 30+ homers and 100+ RBI. That is a HUUUUUGGGGEEE (thanks paris hilton) improvement over whatever Ransom/Berroa/Pena could offer.
I still think it’s funny how its news that the guy tipped the norm at a Hooters.
“I still think it’s funny how its news that the guy tipped the norm at a Hooters.”
==========================
Dude, even I tip 20% minimum at Hooters…even in this economy.
I’d like to start the ball rolling and ask Pete if it’s possible to make May 12 an “A Rod/Selena Roberts Free” day on the blog. Anyone else interested?
Wow. Lots of hate in this thread.
La Greca was idiotic and so was Kay…..I turned him off – rather listen to Francesca (still no talk of Phil, after he went on and on about how big a game it was, or Joba).
The harpy isn’t even pretending to hide that she has an agenda, constantly moving the release date. My hopes are that there will be so many leaks that it will be a big “let down” for those that are looking for something shocking when the book is released. She’s got nothing on Alex – no proof, nothing but anonymous and unnamed sources. Alex just needs to clam up – just refuse to answer any questions. The same should go for the team – let the mediots get their answers elsewhere.
“You make a good point. I just get frustrated watching Posada behind the plate sometimes and I think that Molina is a better defensive catcher overall.”
Awww Chambliss. Nobody took you on. A lot of us feel the same way. Thanks. What you’ll notice of those who agree that Molina is a better defensive catcher, we don’t feel the need to make fun of the people who disagree or come up with a high-fiving catch-phrase for them or to belittle them. That kind of thing, prevelant though it may be here, is really only done by either highly self-righteous or highly insecure individuals. I will say that of the group who has disagreed, SJ will always present his argument and differences respectfully. Thank you SJ.
So we have a Swisher vs. Nady debate.
A Joba vs. Hughes debate
A Gardner vs. Cabrera debate
A Matsui vs. remaining DH debate
and now, emerging is the Posada vs. Molina debate.
Well, there’s no doubt in my mind that Molina calls a better game behind the plate. That’s hard to argue against. But Posada brings SO much to the plate offensively that it’s hard to say Molina throwing out, say, 5-10% more runners and calling a bit better game justifies benching Posada or Matsui.
I’m liking when Molina works with Burnett a ton. They have been a great team. And I’m liking when Posada is in the lineup every day.
Molina catching 1/5 days or 2/5 days is acceptable, but putting Molina in there 4/5 or 3/5 can’t be good for the team.
Patrick
April 30th, 2009 at 3:19 pm
It’s silly to say that a kid in high school grew at an astonishing rate. That’s kind of what high school kids do.
puberty?
m: please explain.
“Wow. Lots of hate in this thread.”
Arod and Bruce posts in the same day will do that
“Dude, even I tip 20% minimum at Hooters…even in this economy.”
I understand, 15% is not classy especially for a guy who makes 30 million a year. However it really isn’t worth the paper its printed on once you start bringing up stuff like that you are reaching. Especially when the real “content” you have is hear-say from Canseco and other dregs.
Saucy, I guess you missed the trashing of anyone who has the audacity of preferring Molina to Posada.
I never understand Bruce hate.
Nick,
I think you know what I mean. And it has nothing to do with A-rod or Hooters or Bruce even!
Hi:
If it’s not too much to ask — and sadly it is for some of you — please do not make comments with racist remarks about other people. Or sexist remarks. Or foul language. Or ridiculous charges. Or in one case, a rape threat. What is wrong with you?
I realize people are passionate about their baseball team and its players. But you do not have the right to check your humanity at the door when you comment on this blog. If you cannot act accordingly, you will not be allowed to post here.
Some of you have totally lost of sense of perspective. Just stop posting if you can’t act civilized.
“puberty?”
Uhh.. yeah that’s what I was referring to..
Saucy, I guess you missed the trashing of anyone who has the audacity of preferring Molina to Posada.
—
trisha, i just browsed a lot of the comments today. i can see where you’re coming from, but i disagree.
m: not sure I do. Hate? Who is hating whom?
Trisha: Judge not lest ye be judged? If you have a substantive response to some of the stats that have been posted and particulary to the BP article on the topic that has been posted twice, you could strongly bolster your argument and perhaps win some converts.
Sorry Nick this is just something we feel in our GUTS. Stats do no apply to the greatness that is Jose Molina.
SJ44 -
ARod played football as well as baseball in HS, no?
One benefit, the ONLY benefit of screwing up so much is, there really isn’t anything she can write about Arod that hasn’t been written already.
He has ADMITTED to steroid use.
He nailed Madonna. So has about 30% of what the overall Yankee attendance will be this year, as well as about a third of Miami when she lived down here. Not me. Not my type! lol
He like strippers. Breaking news!!! A professional athlete likes strippers!!! SHOCKING!!!
When I starting repping athletes many moons ago, my “satellite office” was a seedy strip club in South Florida. Why? Because that’s where the athletes, my clients, hung out! lol
When an unauthorized biography comes out on you, unless you have fondled little boys or committed crimes, there is NOTHING she can write that hasn’t already been said or written in one form or another.
That’s why I don’t see this book as a “best seller”.
Another reason why it won’t be a best seller? Because people don’t like Arod. People don’t buy books about folks they don’t like.
If all this stuff was written about Jeter? THAT’S a best seller because it goes against how Jeter is viewed.
Arod? Really, what’s being said here? Steroid user, womanizer, bad tipper.
Aside from being a bad tipper (I know shocking!!! Go figure), what’s new news here?
Looks like the Nats just sent the Attorney General (Alberto Gonzales, for those who don’t remember) back down to AAA.
“Irrefutable evidence” as used in the media, on the morning talk show, sportstalk show, in the coffee break room, or in the barber shop (i.e., a non judicial setting), is generally understood to mean something other than a legally defined term: it’s opinion, pure and simple. Most folks don’t see a need to be objective in these unofficial settings, rather they are seeking entertainment and get caught up on one side or the other. People use the phrase to win an argument and to make themselves sound more right. Oh and to sell more books too.
Here’s a poll, just because i’m curious:
most enjoyable post janet jackson superbowl halftime show:
A – XXXIX/2005 – Paul McCartney
B – XL/2006 – The Rolling Stones
C – XLI/2007 – Prince
D – XLII/2008 – Tom Petty
E – XLIII/2009 – Bruce Springsteen
Pete – you need to get down to the level of the grub if you want to communicate with trolls and haters.
Some will think “incendiary charges” are what happens when you bounce a check at Walmart.
Doreen,
Yes. He was a QB, and a good one, on his HS team.
Ironically, his dream was to be the QB at the University of Miami.
He just became a much better baseball player between the ages of 15-16, and that put him on a different level, skill-wise, from his football ability.
Saucy, and as always, I absolutely respect your right to disagree! But the nice part is that you don’t feel the need to trash people who feel differently or call them juvenile names because they have a different opinion.
Nick, I guess you don’t get that in stating my opinion I am not looking for converts. Those who feel the same way as I do, and you have seen I am sure quite a few, don’t need to be converted. I disagree with the group who prefers Posada, but I don’t feel the need to come up with a juvenile name to call the group, nor to discuss the group and take shots at them ad nauseum when they’re not around, or to keep negative discussion about them going. I’ll leave that to you to do to us.
The stats we mentioned were shot down by someone who disagrees about Molina. End of story. You jig your way and we’ll jig ours.
The Petty show was the best. Maybe because the game was too.
“I wonder if Bruce accepted the Walmart checks? Just a man of the people.”-Tantron Willoughby Wonders if Bruce pays half price
it’s amusing seeing someone who loves rush limbaugh rag on bruce springsteen.
new post
Trisha
I appreciate the fact that you are a passionate Yankee fan, but when people disagree with your point of view and explain why it is not trashing.
WE all have the right to disagree. Some of the teasing you get is because they know you’ll react.
Just happened to come up in my “recommended for you” section just after I read this…
Here it is: Bruce & the ESB @ the Spectrum for the last time with London Calling.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gGouM6xDYeU
Wait, so the “Posada Truthers” are now playing the victim card?
Am I missing this persecution of people who prefer molina? I just don’t see anything bad enough to merit constant posts of woe
We’re dopes for caring about A-Rod’s trials and tribulations because “they don’t amount to a hill of beans in this world.” (apologies to Rick Blaine, speaking words written by Theo Epstein’s grandfather and great uncle in the screenplay to the movie Casablanca. You can look it up).
Unfortunately the need to expose phonies and con artists is too deeply ingrained in our DNA. Pride goeth before a fall, my friends. Hubris and all that. It’s primal, ancient stuff.
saucey -
Well, I saw McCartney live, so nothing compares, BUT, of the rest, for me, Springstein. It was a mini-concert and it was obvious how much fun he was having.
“it’s amusing seeing someone who loves rush limbaugh rag on bruce springsteen.”
not really. bruce has been known to get into politics on and off stage. both guys are pretty much on opposite ends of the politcal spectrum.
AHHH! SpringSTEEN. I can’t believe after being a fan since the 70s that I spelled his name wrong! AHHHH. Take away my fanclub card!!!!
Isn’t that the height of bullying? Jump all over people and then put them down when then complain about it?
Have a ball children. Call us whatever you want.
And saucy – I realized I spelled your name wrong too. Sorry.
as for me, i’d have to say Prince followed by Tom Petty.
no worries doreen. i spell it wrong on purpose some times (saw-c). and it’s actually short for saucyflossy, which i’ve used for years on the internet.
Is it me or does it feel like God himself is talking to us when Pete posts a comment? lol
when Pete posts a comment, it kind of reminds me of road trips as a kid when we would act up in the back seat and dad would get mad and say “Don’t make me come back (or down) there!!!”…
I’ll play along Saucy –
1. – Bruce Springsteen
2. – The Rolling Stones
3. – Tom Petty
4. – Prince
5. – Paul McCartney
“when Pete posts a comment, it kind of reminds me of road trips as a kid when we would act up in the back seat and dad would get mad and say “Don’t make me come back (or down) there!!!”…”
I always pictured him rolling up the LoHud newspaper and preparing for a bad dog swat.
looking back, i think the wardrobe malfunction may be one of the best things that happened to half time shows, when you compare before and after acts…
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S.....time_shows
lol DT
Wow – Jorge catching tonight…. Seems like that they should try and give tex a night off soon… just to get away from the plate for a night, recoup and get back at it.
I think if the homers continue to fly out of the new yankee stadium, there is something that can be done to try to alleviate the problem this season that doesnt involve construction work and that is the humidor for the baseballs. I mean that did work in coors didnt it? Why wouldnt it work here? It may not solve the problem but it could curb it if it gets out of hand.
As for Ms. Roberts how convenient to have news of her “book” coming out as arod begins his ascent back to the majors. Selena is just a nightmare to yankees fans right now holding a black cloud over arods head and our heads as well. She can mess up arods play as he tries to return via his confidence level, the media can take the story and run with it (as im sure they will) once again making arod the focus of every ounce of negative attention which will end up overshading any yankee accomplishments/the entire team’s play in general except this time it will be during the actual season and/or she can really dig deep and this book can mess with the clubhouse atmosphere impacting the play of the entire team and transforming a great moment like the return of the best hitter in sports to our lineup into a friday the 13th like movie not seen since the off-season and the debacle of 2008.
Pete is right in that nothing selena said has proved to be false but the information was most certainly attained by illegal actions on one or multiple people’s parts and not only has no one tries to investigate how she got this information but perhaps even more importantly, not a single other name has been uncovered from that “anonymous” list of players showing a complete lack of interest in uncovering cheaters in baseball on selena and the rest of the media’s part and far more interest in destroying arods career and reputation and the yanks season right along with it.
If the media is doing this in an attempt to rectify their complete ignorance of the roids situation in the 90s, I dont think using arod for target practice is nearly as effective as actually uncovering the rest of the cheaters. I know that the media has to sell papers and get ratings but it would be nice to throw a little morality in there every now and again.
It serves no purpose for Alex to answer any questions unless they are purely baseball related toward the game in hand.
His standard answer should be “no comment” or “I’m not going there.”
Opening the door to be taken out of context can only be disastrous.
randy l.
April 30th, 2009 at 3:45 pm
“I wonder if Bruce accepted the Walmart checks? Just a man of the people.”-Tantron Willoughby Wonders if Bruce pays half price
it’s amusing seeing someone who loves rush limbaugh rag on bruce springsteen.
It’s amazing how Brucey gets a pass and a double standard considering he is the boss of the hypocrites. His mansion alone expends more carbon emissions in a month than your hovel does in a year. Get the point genius?
:thumbsup
:thumbsup: