Today in The Journal News
Posted by: Peter Abraham - Posted in Misc on May 01, 2009 
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Melky Cabrera, the comeback kid, helped the Yankees beat the Angels last night. Kevin Devaney has the story.
Controversy will follow Alex Rodriguez as he returns to New York. He and the Yankees are trying to move on. Kevin has that story as well.
Whoops….
http://www.dccomics.com/mad/me.....poster.jpg
Including a pair of wins over Jon Lester in the ALCS, Garza is 7-1 lifetime against the Red Sox. He also beat them at Fenway Park this season, allowing one run and four hits in seven innings on April 9.
“He was about as good as you could get,” Boston manager Terry Francona said.
“We’ve got to try to find a way to figure him out,” added Pedroia. – espn
this is an interseting development- garza as red sox killer. so what does he do that other pitchers don’t against them? it might simply be that he’s very good and that his attitude trumps their attitude.
anything the yankees can learn about shutting down the red sox is worth watching.
Man, that is funny. Pathetic, of course, but funny.
Can someone explain to me how this “controversy” is Alex’s fault? He didn’t write a book. This Ms Roberts did. She is the one stirring up and causing controversy.
I also think it is laughable that all the writers are protecting her. Calling her a well respected reporter. Really? I wonder what the kids at Duke think of her. Do you think they think she is ‘well respected’? But she is a member of that ‘club’.
ARod hate and medical misonformation are a potent brew of BS. ARod’s hip injury has to do with the structure of his hip, which he was born with.
The surgery he had this year corrects most of the problem. ARod should be stronger this year than any year in the past five.
The surgery he will have after the season corrects the rest of the problem permanently. There is nothing else in this guy to suggest that he will break down.
ARod is best understood as a baseball nerd who wants to improve his life, given the childhood that he had. Like most nerds, he lacks some social understanding.
He is a doofus, but he is our doofus as Yankee fans, forever. Haters, get used to it, please—you are starting to get boring.
In terms of the 15% tip, nobody has noted that ARod is good friends with Warren Buffet, and takes lots of financial advice from him. Anyone know how much Warren Buffet generally tips (and he is worth about 50 times what ARod is)? That’s right, 15%. Why doesn’t SI or ESPN mention that?
I posted this last night, and I’ll post it again. If ARod hits 50 HR this season, despite the month layoff, I challenge any of the haters to post a picture of themselves dressed in the one of the Stilleto and Lace outfits.
Easy, if he did it, it’s his fault. I think he is not as clean as we all think, but I don’t really care. I don’t intend to read the book. And becuase someone in MLB tipped her off about 2003 does not make her a respected journalist…i.e. Duke lacrosse case.
Jen, you should have heard Jon Heyman on with Francesca yesterday. He was singing hosanahs to her – it was sickening. He did question some of the sources (anonymous and unnamed), but he never placed any responsibility on her. Writers protect their own – ask any reporter (Verducci, etc…….) and they will circle around her.
it’s good to see that melky is proving everybody wrong over here.I hope he can keep it up.He’s just 24 years old…
No well-respected reporter would even bother writing a salacious book about a star athlete. This is a National Enquirer effect sans the alien love child.
Hopefully it will be “no-comment” across the board and the book will just be another play thing for the media to use to get in their cheap shots at Alex.
However there is one troubling allegation and that’s the one about tipping off opponents in blowouts. That bothers me a lot… if true, but a player would have to publicly make that claim before I took it seriously.
Good win last night… reall like what Melky and Pena hav done so far. Five straight decent-to-excellent starts means it’s time to get rid of one of the excess relievers.
shelldunc We won tonight and played Norfolk. Their team can hit! I’m Sick of the ARod stuff already. Tired. Gonna watch “Lost” and crash.
Hey, score one for us long time Melky backers! Btw, when watching clips of ARod hitting yesterday, it kinda looked like he had man boobs. Probably just the shirt, but still it was a little discomforting.
And you won’t hear any player calling her out on it for fear that she will set her sights on them. But you can bet they all think the book is a bunch of garbage.
You want to take a look in any ball players closets you will find skeletons. Any of them! Including our beloved Andy Pettitte.
Yes Alex has done a lot of stupid things, but he didn’t ask for a book to be written. So this notion that is perpetrated by many of the NY reporters that this is Alex’s fault is stupid.
Back in spring training, when Gardner was hitting .400 or so and Melky was hitting a more ordinary .300 or so, I said I thought Melky’s performance was more indicative of what he would be able to do on a consistent basis than what Gardner was doing.
I am glad that Melky continued to work, did not sulk, and hopefully that attitude continues to pay off for him.
Now, we all know that if he goes into a funk, Gardner will be ready and more than willing to jump in there. Plus, Gardner will still get some playing time, and he will find himself in the same position Cabrera was in (and still is, really): make the most of every at-bat.
http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/ne.....;type=lgns
Our Ole buddy Dougie to Alex’s defense.
DETROIT — A.J. Burnett warned Nick Swisher that doing a shirtless interview would cost him $20 in kangaroo court, but the exuberant Yankees outfielder didn’t seem to mind. It’d take more than a slap-on-the-wrist fine to bring him off his cloud.
Swisher nothing short of brilliant
By Bryan Hoch / MLB.com
JETER’S OWN BOX
By Richard Johnson
April 30, 2009
DEREK Jeter has so many friends and family who want to see him and his teammates play, the Yankee captain leased a luxury suite for the season in the new stadium. A team spokesman said the box was big enough for 12, but wouldn’t say how much it cost. But he said that Jeter, one of the highest-paid players in the Major Leagues, paid full price for a suite of its size, which range in cost from $600,000-$850,000 — and he didn’t even get an employee discount.
thanks, Jennifer – nice to see…a very strong defense
Jennifer, I’m sure the people that want to attack A-Rod will just ignore that defense in favor of a reporter with an agenda and a bunch of made up sources.
randy,
It’s simple. Boston now has trouble with right handed pitchers who throw hard and locate well. That’s how Garza, Burnett(with the exception of last Saturday), Felix Hernandez and even Joba has had success against them. If you have swing and miss stuff with location, you can beat Boston (and anyone else), and if your right handed that helps because it will neutralize their right handed bats, Pedroia, Youkilis, Bay and Lowell. With Big Sloppy not the power threat he used to be from the left side and no more Manny not only protecting him, but also supplying damage, that’s a team that righties can succeed against.
Question: What exactly did Selena Roberts write about the Duke case and can anyone post it on here? IMO, that was one of the biggest sham cases in American history and being a college athlete at a school that in considered “well off”, well it hit very close to home.
The reason I ask is because, if she actually accused the kids and gave “evidence”, it totally hurts her credibility as a writer and investigative journalist.
What happened to those kids was a complete and utter shame.
The A-Rod saga is old, tired, boring, repeated stories that only media vultures can love.
The first set of games that A-Rod is a big contributor will have the fickle media change their tune but waiting in prey for when he’s ordinary.
I love what Melky is doing too.
I also love how Pete’s game blog post last night ended just as Melky pushed ahead the go-ahead run. Pete always seems to do his best to ignore Melky (how’s gritty and gutty working out for you?), so that’s not unexpected. Oh, I’m sure he had newspaper work to do, so he couldn’t find the 30 seconds to do another post, especially one acknowledging Melky’s contribution. . .
I do like how the rest of the team responded:
http://myespn.go.com/blogs/swe.....eport.html
Dr. She smeared them, vilified them in print. And when it was found that the girl lied she never apologized.
She hated them because they were privileged boys.
“When told of the anonymous sources that some of the new allegations are attributed to, Yankees right fielder Nick Swisher said, “Where are the names? Anyone can have a friend that said they did stuff. The key word to know here is ‘alleged.’”
“My only thoughts are they are allegations,” Teixeira said. “This team is used to outside distractions. The only thing we care about is what happens between the lines.”"
http://www.timeswatch.org/arti.....14135.aspx
That’s blatant class warfare.
Roberts has no credibility, Pete. Get over it.
more from Rob Neyer:
Two things about this …
One: Prove it.
Two: I’m not near my books, so I can’t offer an examples. But the oral histories are loaded with examples of pitch-tipping. Usually it’s the catcher telling the batter what’s coming next — just like in Bull Durham — but sometimes it’s the pitcher telling the batter, and I don’t suppose that A-Rod would be the first fielder to tip the batter, either. Usually it’s a favor to the batter — to get him out of a slump, or help him hit his 500th home run, or whatever — with no expected reciprocation.
It’s all one of a piece, though. And when it’s an old story, everyone smiles and laughs and finds it all just so amusing. When it’s Alex Rodriguez, we ask the Commissioner what’s going to be done about it. I actually lean toward doing something about it — again, if you can prove it — but once again I’m struck by the double-standard.
http://myespn.go.com/blogs/swe.....;too-.html
The people who want to believe that Rodriguez is innocent will do just as they did when Roberts’s original story about his use of PED’s came out — attack the messenger. Like their hero did, making silly claims that she had broken into his house. But her information turned out to be good. He was the liar, not she. We don’t have to like her or buy her book to recognize that.
I won’t be buying it myself, or reading it. Partly because we already know what we need to know about Rodriguez — he’s a lying cheater with a sordid life and an appalling grandiosity. And partly because I just don’t care enough about the guy to read a book about him even if it was an adoring puff piece.
BUT — he wears our uniform and as long as he does so I’ll hold my nose and cheer his play.
If somebody has proof he used in HS, put your name behind the allegation and go public with it. Don’t hide behind being an “unnamed source”.
All this, “unnamed source”, “I think”, I determine, based on “evidence” that really isn’t evidence, is great for TMZ, talk shows, and brain dead people who believe what they want to believe.
However, “Truth” is not a word that can be uttered when discussing these allegations.
The defense of, “She has never been wrong before about Arod”, rings a little hollow here.
FACT: She has been working on this book for 2 years.
FACT: EVERYBODY in Arod’s inner circle, semi-inner circle, and those who used to be in either the inner or semi-inner circles, knew about the book, who she was talking to, and what they were saying.
Nothing in the book is new news. Nothing. Everybody knew what was coming and the fact is, had someone not leaking confidential information, she had NO PROOF of ANY of the allegations in the book. That’s kind of sad given how much she doggedly pursued the guy for years.
Also kind of amazing given how stupid Arod can be at times when it comes to not showing the world how dumb you can act in certain situations.
Bottom line, what NEW news has Selena Roberts uncovered on Arod?
He’s a philanderer? Not new news.
He’s a phony? Not new news.
He’s a diva? Not new news.
He used steroids? Not new news.
He’s a cheap tipper at Hooters? THAT’s new news!!
There you have it, all that advance money given to Selena uncovered what America has been waiting breathlessly to hear…..
Alex Rodriquez is a bad Hooters customer.
I’m so glad Selena Roberts was around to uncover this important fact.
Now, let’s get back to baseball.
is that how you feel about most professional athletes…because none are actually perfect people
http://select.nytimes.com/2007......html?_r=1
“I love what Melky is doing too.
I also love how Pete’s game blog post last night ended just as Melky pushed ahead the go-ahead run. Pete always seems to do his best to ignore Melky (how’s gritty and gutty working out for you?), so that’s not unexpected. ”
—————————————————————-
Chill out.
Pete was off duty last night. Kevin Devaney was doing the game blog.
tos- Pete had the night off.
TOS
I love what Melky is doing too.
I also love how Pete’s game blog post last night ended just as Melky pushed ahead the go-ahead run. Pete always seems to do his best to ignore Melky (how’s gritty and gutty working out for you?), so that’s not unexpected. Oh, I’m sure he had newspaper work to do, so he couldn’t find the 30 seconds to do another post, especially one acknowledging Melky’s contribution. . .
- – - – - – - – - – -
Pete wasn’t even at the game last night you fool, Kevin Devaney was and updated the blog. If you’re going to criticize someone, make sure you at least get the facts straight.
I guess I could have written a book too. I knew a few years ago from a friend of a friend that saw Alex going into one of these poker clubs. I can’t even remember who told me. But I heard it.
I heard the sound clip of Selena Roberts on Dan Patrick’s show. It was really pretty humorous. She says something like “he went from barely being able to bench 100 pounds to benching 310 pounds between his sophomore and junior years of high school. that along with the investigating i’ve done and the anonymous reports from other players is irrefutable proof. not ‘may have’, it’s irrefutable.”
She is obviously trying to promote her book and look more credible but how is that irrefutable? What a joke.
“It’s simple. Boston now has trouble with right handed pitchers who throw hard and locate well.”
joe l-
i just watched the condensed red sox/rays game. garza was commanding a 95-96 fast ball ( once touching 99). in addition to locating his good fastball well he had a sharply downward breaking pitch the announcers called a slider. the action of the pitch looked more like a sinker . this pitch in combination with the fast ball is what made garza almost unhittable last night.
Is this the best that selena can conjure up? This book is nothing more than smut. And when is enough…enough.
This isn’t about guilt or innocence.
Arod has NEVER committed a crime.
That’s the point in all this nonsense.
People in the media ACT as if he did.
Its comical to me how some columnists in the NY tear into this guy on a daily basis.
In the same breath, they tell the Giants or Jets to “sign Plaxico Burress”, a guy who has done a HELLUVA lot worse than Arod has ever done in his lifetime.
Its a complete double standard.
Look, nobody is defending the guy for some of the choices he has made. He has to live with those choices.
On the other hand, NOBODY is singlehandly keeping the newspaper industry afloat more than Arod.
He’s written about as if he is a serial killer. Its amazing the venom some in the media have for the guy.
Its almost like its a perfect storm. A phony diva and a desperate media eager to save their industry.
For nearly a year now, the Daily News has had a writer and photographer on “Arod Watch”, following the guy whenever they can. I don’t know, call me crazy but, that seems over the top to me.
When you strip away all the nonsense, what do we really have here? Do we have a guy who is committing crimes? Nope.
So, wouldn’t some argue the coverage is WAY over the top, given the subject?
Roberts really is better suited for TMZ. They would love to have her. Go dig into Tom Cruises past, JLO, etc. I’m sure she could come up with some good juice (no pun intended) on them. And the sheep would love it.
I get the writers have to protect their sources and she is not going to give them up, but if you are one of those sources…you are a jerk 0ff…
Because this is Selena Roberts pay-day book I reserve the right to be skeptical of what she has to say whether or not other people in the media that probably haven’t met her say she’s a stand-up journalist. People do crazy things for a large sum of money, and Alex has looked so bad lately that I could tell you just about anything and at least a part of you would believe it. Anyway, as I’ve said before, from what I’ve heard so far this book sounds like a really long tabloid focusing on one socially inept person and hardly worth the money. Besides, if there’s anything worth reading in the book it will be pasted all over the sports world for everyone to see for free.
“Now, let’s get back to baseball.”
Amen to that. The best way to handle a bottom feeding muckracker with a get rich quick scheme is to ignore her.
selenahilton.com?
“And you won’t hear any player calling her out on it for fear that she will set her sights on them. But you can bet they all think the book is a bunch of garbage.”
I know there is a desire to protect A-Rod from the sleaze that is this book, because most of us are decent folk and we hate to see this kind of thing happen even to those who have behaved foolishly.
But the real reason that you won’t hear many players calling Roberts out is because the book about A-Rod has nothing to do with them. It’s called minding your own business and it’s what 99% of people do when they really have no personal stake in an issue.
The other reason there won’t be a MLB A-Rod Defense Fund starting up anytime soon is that a lot, and I mean a lot, of players apparently don’t care for him or his personality. If you have nothing nice to say, the old adage goes, say nothing. So most players will say nothing.
I would also assume that most players understand there is a “there but for the grace of god go I” aspect to this book. Still A-Rod lives a much larger lifestyle than most of the other players, even the really rich ones, and I have to think that most players feel he really brought this on himself.
99% of this book is recycled chicken poop. So, there really is no reason for any other players to get involved and keep the story alive. IMO, ultimately it blows over and doesn’t amount to a knock-out blow to Alex’s career and it doesn’t really shed any new light on this physically gifted, yet personally challenged guy.
Selena doesn’t help herself, or her cause, when she does interviews like that.
If that’s her “proof” of HS steroid use, then there isn’t any “proof”. Its a fairytale.
But, she gets to do talk shows for two weeks. Whoopee!!1
Hopefully, this guy comes back next week, keeps his mouth, and hits the crap out of the ball.
If he does that, the book will be off the canvas pretty quickly.
I’m guessing though Selena will receive one of those Hooters VIP Cards sometime soon.
Jen, do you have the link to that? Thanks!
I wonder when the last time the Kangaroo court was in session? LOL More players should do their interviews shirtless….
“I’m guessing though Selena will receive one of those Hooters VIP Cards sometime soon.”
Maybe that’s what she was going for all along. Carton speculated that she had a problem with men this morning on WFAN. He also took issue with her going on Dan Patrick’s show which he considers a “safe zone” and invited her to come on the show for a good old fashioned grilling. I actually found him tolerable for a change.
I heard Roberts last night on MLB network or ESPN and she’s trying to play the sympathetic ARod card and is telling how he was treated like a commodity at a young age and how he’s been a meal ticket to so many blah,blah,blah which I find very hypocritical as she’s basically doing the same thing.
If she’s such a respected journalist then what is she doing spending 2 years writing a tell-all? Nice career move.
Good investigative journalism concerning steroids in baseball? See Mark Fainaru-Wada and Lance Williams.
Serena’s example is closer to Jose Canseco.
TOS
May 1st, 2009 at 8:55 am
I love what Melky is doing too.
I also love how Pete’s game blog post last night ended just as Melky pushed ahead the go-ahead run. Pete always seems to do his best to ignore Melky (how’s gritty and gutty working out for you?), so that’s not unexpected. Oh, I’m sure he had newspaper work to do, so he couldn’t find the 30 seconds to do another post, especially one acknowledging Melky’s contribution. . .
=====================
Wasn’t it his colleague that covered the game or something. I am also struck, however, with how a so-called reporter deliberately ignores Cabrera but makes a point to come into his own blog to call people off Gardner during a game after he strikes out.
In a word: bizarre.
I also am equally miffed by some posters here who keep insisting Cabrera WILL molt into oblivion at the plate, not so much as a prediction, but as a deep wish. Also, the blogger and these particular posters are in denial of what he’s actually accomplishing. Again, bizarre and deep.
As I am working on something about the perception of latino players as opposed to others by both media and fans, I have stored many of these posts during this whole Melky Gardner debate, and they are really eye opening, especially when you read them all in a row.
Well, it doesn’t
Betsy
http://mlb.mlb.com/news/articl.....Id=rss_nyy
I know me too!! More shirtless interviews!!
Too bad the Yes camera didn’t do a wider shot.
Swish should just go through the clubhouse and rip off the cover of the book…
Pauly
I heard that too. I agree she isn’t going to go on any show that will question her sources. She’ll only go to people who throw softballs.
As far as tipping pitches, I thought everybody in baseball hated Arod? If you can’t stand the guy, why are you going to make an agreement with him to tip pitches to each other?
The Hooters drama sounds just like when an athlete signs autographs for hours, then has to call it a day. The fan(s) who didn’t get one automatically think that guy is a jerk for the rest of their life.
I heard a Met fan call into wfan last night. Spoke about going to Yankee Stadium and how great it was. Loved Swisher, loved how he played and how he interacted with the fans. he wished the Mets had a player like that.
i think serena may be just ticked off because she was run over by the homely truck.
look , we all have own equivalent deficiencies . it doesn’t make her a bad person , but the length she goes to to prove her self worth by going after someone she could never get a date with raises questions about her motives.
it’s like the revenge of the kid who never got picked to play in sandlot games who becomes a reporter to bash athletes. it’s not right to exclude in the first place, but the over reaction in the other direction isn’t right either.
i think while my amateur psychology may be off on the specifics, i think roberts has some kind of deep rooted compensation over her own percieved inadequacies going on.
“Arod has NEVER committed a crime.”
To be fair he did take illegal drugs and hire prostitutes
That’s not really why he’s hated though. The media hates him because he is a bit weird, extremly rich/successful and he’s kind of a jerk.
Selena Roberts will sell far fewer books than Torre did and his book can be considered a total flop. Torre at least did the talk show circuit to promote his book. Selena Roberts is only seen as an occasional guest on ESPN’s Sports Reporters and little else. Who cares to have her autograph ?
It’s job security for some people employed at book stores. Somebody has to dust the stack of unsold copies.
The money spent on either book is better spent on a MetroCard.
Jennifer, that seems like from the excerpt of the book, all of the sources are “unnamed” and “anonymous” and Alex ” may have done something”. Seems the only real witness/ource in the book is the Hooters waitress!
bodhisattva
Is call racism thats what is call. Pete is and has always been racist. He loves white player. I have never in my life seen Pete write something positive about a latin player when he is not performing. But he doest for Swisher, Hughes and wang. I think Peter is a racist along with a lot of his readers. Sorry, but is the truth.
First off, her opinion that Arod was “taken advantage of at a young age”, is catagorically false.
She should go back and do some research on that subject.
Rich Hoffman, his HS coach, is one of the finest human beings I know.
Eddie Rodriquez (no relation) used to run the Boys and Girls Club in Miami that Arod spent a great deal of time at growing up. Again, another top of the salt human being.
The FACT is, those guys did a GREAT job practically raising him.
Arod’s issues began in Texas when he tried to be something he wasn’t and it spiraled from there.
It had NOTHING to do with the folks in Miami when he was a kid. If she is saying otherwise, that is a lie.
In fact, he was handled better and treated better by those folks than anybody since. Those folks NEVER had their hands in his pocket. They FORCED him to make good choices and FORCED him not to take the easy way out of things.
As he grew up, things changed. That happens.
All that said, the guy isn’t a criminal. Yet, he’s covered like one. That’s something that still boggles my mind in all this Arod Mania.
Regardless, if the guy just keeps his mouth shut and play baseball at a high level, all this stuff won’t matter.
bodhisattva please let me know where I can read this, I will be delited to read it.
Oops, nevermind Jen – thanks!
Selena Roberts has a twisted version of what proof is. Unnamed and anonymous sources? That’s what she calls irrefutable? The woman is clueless…….. and she has an agenda which she and her publisher aren’t even bothering to hide. She’s got nothing – and by the way, what exactly is wrong with tipping 15 % whether it’s at Hooters or another restaurant? If the service is lousy, why should Alex or anyone reward the waiter or waitress with a juicy tip? It’s no ones business what anyone does with their money. I truly hope this book tanks…..
I like Swish’s quote about how the media only knows one side of Alex – they don’t know the Alex that the players know. Whether the media wants to believe that he’s actually liked in the clubhouse is irreleveant – except that it shows that they are not interesting in the truth, only in perpetutating what they feel is a soap opera-ish storyline (like with the Jeter/Alex feud that they think is ongoing to this day).
I played minor league ball and as a hispanic you have no idea what i went through. It was not exactly a walk in the park.
My take on the A-Rod book, below the ***
http://www.puristbleedspinstri.....s-rod.html
Oh bullspit, Pete isn’t a racist.
Really, get over yourself and take that BS to other blogs.
Look, Melky had a great April last year and fell off the canvas the rest of the year.
That’s not a racist statement. Its a statement of FACT.
I hope the guy has a bounceback year because it will help the team immensely if they don’t have to go and get a CF during the season.
But really, can the “Pete is a racist” stuff because its a bunch of crap.
My last word on the topic and then I’ll not look back.
A-Rod is not intellectually challenged. He’s got the requisite mental horsepower even if he cannot harness it to stay out of trouble. So he knows there are people out there who are envious of him, who don’t like him or any other rich, talented, privileged man. Yet he is so interested in exploiting the media to his advantage that he hired Madonna’s PR machine to represent him and help make him the baseball equivalent of David Hasselhoff, a world wide demi-celebrity, in arenas outside of Baseball.
But when you shake the media tree to your financial benefit, you get all of it, the good, the bad and the ugly. (If you don’t want to get hit by a car I advise you not to stroll down the autobahn).
A-Rod put himself out there, and Selena Roberts saw a target. Roberts, avenging angel of arch feminism and class warfare, writes about the areas where society and sports collide, as she sees it – which is her right, guaranteed under the same Constitution we all agree to be bound by. All is fair in media and war, my friends. And like war, the first casualty of a media firestorm is often the truth, or at least the dispassionate evaluation of it.
Ignore it and it will go away.
I think this book might actually benefit Alex in a twisted way. If people actually pay attention to the ‘unnamed sources’ alleged, etc lines in the book, they might actually have sympathy for the guy. They’ll see the book for what it is, garbage, an attempt to get money, and a smear campaign.
SJ44- Please tell me which hispanic player does Pete love like he does the JOba, Swisher, Wang and Ian Kennedy. He loves those guys. Pete only underminds and throws away the good hispanic do on this team. PLease, either blind by choice or the just makes blind. I lived racism, I know one when I see one.
SJ44- Please tell me which hispanic player does Pete love like he does the JOba, Swisher, Wang and Ian Kennedy. He loves those guys. Pete only underminds and throws away the good hispanic do on this team. PLease, either blind by choice or the just makes blind. I lived racism, I know one when I see one.
“To be fair he did take illegal drugs and hire prostitutes”
who hasn’t?
The tip system is demeaning to workers. I’m sure A-Rod’s preset 15% limit is reflective of this philosophy.
That’s it, Pete: I’m a “fanboy.”
Pete hates A-Rod and has never said anything positive about these players, Ramirez, Melky, Cano, RODRIGUEZ, Berroa…….etc. This is not hard to see, unless you refuse to see it.
Pete speaks highly of Mo.
OK he’s not racist he likes white players more. Does that do it for you?….PETER IS NOT A RACIST.
“Bill
May 1st, 2009 at 9:42 am
Pete speaks highly of Mo”
Pete only speaks highly of Mo because it will be too easy for people to see who he really is if he doesn’t. I mean come on, Mo is perfect.
“who hasn’t?”
Haha well I’m not saying he committed SERIOUS crimes but he is a criminal. He is being treated like a murderer or something which is pretty ridiculous.
“To be fair he did take illegal drugs and hire prostitutes”
who hasn’t?”
That’s what Im talking about.
Man, if what I did from the ages of 14-24 were made public the way A-Rod’s life is I would certainly, more than likely be deported. Haha.
Good times.
Surely, the Hooters waitress had some sort of Julia Roberts ‘Pretty Woman’ fantasy in her head when Arod sat at her table. Of course she was upset over a couple of dollars. She was seeing 1/2 of 252 million in her head! Maybe if she had just worked out a little more to get more muscular it could have been a fairy tale ending.
All this discussion of A-Rod is doing exactly what Roberts and her publisher intend. It is stirring up interest in her book. The difference between her and A-Rod is that he makes a living using his talent as an athlete. Whether he cheated is of no relevance. It was the culture of the game at the time and he was far from the only one. Roberts on the other hand is trying to make her living writing about someone else. She will make her money because A-Rod is a big name, not because she is a talented writer. So you tell me. Who’s worse?
Pete has spoken negatively about Kyle Farnsworth yet he loves Mariano Rivera no matter what! Pete hates white people.
re: ARODIOTS
If I were a pro-baseball player and someone wrote a book about me, I would be all over it, especially if the author bent the truth and tried to discredit my accomplishments.
If somebody were trying to sabotage my career, I would not stand quietly with “no comment”. I have too much dignity and respect for myself to allow such a thing to happen or even begin to happen.
If a mediot was convincing great numbers of people of total lies, I would want to set the record straight and suit the living daylights out of her/him.
For example, if I were Arod and not a steroid user, I would suit her for defamation of character or at least shoot down her lies in anger and rage. I would expose her.
If I didn’t have a legal case against her I would go out on all the talk shows on every TV station and radio channel and defend my name and not take another breath until I exposed her for lying.
If the cost of preserving my name was the enrichment of my foe then so be it.
My name is what matters.
The truth about me trumps any monetary reward she receives from the exposure.
So then why doesn’t Arod turn this around on the so-called opportunist, charlatan mediot?
Because he DID
take Primobolan and testosterone…
use HGH while a Yankee…
start steroids as early as high school…
tip pitches…
Obvious. Obvious. Obvious.
“Pete only speaks highly of Mo because it will be too easy for people to see who he really is if he doesn’t. I mean come on, Mo is perfect.”
Wow its only 9:45 and you have already taken the title for the biggest moron of the day.
Where is Miggs when you need him?
” Roberts, avenging angel of arch feminism and class warfare, writes about the areas where society and sports collide, as she sees it – which is her right, guaranteed under the same Constitution we all agree to be bound by.”
murphydog-
of course we’re free to not read her or change chanels or respond ourselves. i agree the best thing to do is ignore her and she’ll go away.
Bret,
Just because YOU would do something doesn’t mean A-rod would do the same thing. Different people handle things in different ways.
OK yeah I’m a moron. DR. C*CK
Tl1125,
Can’t say I’ve noticed so much about the other players you mention and he does point out when Swisher is slumping etc. But I do agree with you in regards to ARod.
First off, the lawsuit argument holds no water.
The guy has already admitted taking steroids.
WHEN he took them, doesn’t help him in a lawsuit.
In other words, the defense of “I didn’t take them in HS, only in Texas” is not a winning legal action.
If you want to move on with your life, the LAST thing you do is file a lawsuit.
Find another argument to rip on Arod fans because the lawsuit argument isn’t a winning one.
re: Melky
Pete, you should’ve really taken the 30 seconds to acknowledge Melky last night on your blog. To omit the game winning hit is inexcusable. You’re supposed to be covering the team in depth. That’s what good beat reporters do on a consistent basis and I know you’re a good one.
It’s ok to be wrong about a player. It happens to all of us. Melky is a better ballplayer than Gardner. Say it with us. Set yourself free.
The “Pete is a racist” idea is idiotic. He criticizes and praises players of all creeds and races completely depending on their performance. There’s been alot to criticize in recent years when it comes to Melky or Cano or A-Rod, so by him pointing those things out it makes him racist? There has also been ample opportunity to criticize The Giambino or Mike Mussina or any of your other garden variety white guys on the Yankees, and I remember plenty of instances of Pete talking about their poor performance. Also, Brett Gardner jokingly being hyped up as gritty and gutty doesn’t mean that he is somehow Pete’s “chosen one” it just means that he’s going for a laugh and creating what we in the Internet business call a meme.
There are more important things to argue about than that garbage.
T 1125
I’m a Sox fan and even I am getting tired of your nonsense.
I am sure you will say that is because the Sox are racist too.
Either contribute good posts that encourage a discussion of baseball or get off the blog.
First of all, the Yankees couldn’t sign any hispanics because the Mets signed them all. And whatever was left the Mets stuck them in their minor leagues.
Secondly – Jeter is half black.
Thirdly – guys like Cano are quiet. Everyone you just described is young, an exciting prospect, or good writing material.
Fourthly – how come every time I see something stupid pop up on this blog it is from a name I have never seen before. Hmmmmmmmmm
Have I entered the Twilight’s Zone?
“OK yeah I’m a moron. DR. C*CK”
I mean, that pretty much sums it up right there.
Bill-
Bill the difference is that, when he points out that Swisher is slumping he’ll say, oh he’ll come around. But, if is a hispanic player, he’ll say oh wow the Yankees really did mess up on this one, is only two more years of this. You get it. The guy has it for hispanics. Giamby wasn’t the role model type, but if Pete had a vote he would vote for the to be MVP. Which is why I hate the fact that sports writers have this vote, but, thats a whole seperate issue.
Let’s face it. This A-Rod story is not going to go away anytime soon. There are too many people out there who would like to see him and the Yankees fail.
A-Rod needs to stop speaking to the media and let his bat do the talking. Forget about the image stuff. His image is forever tarnished.
Leading the Yankees to #27 should become his only concern. If he can do that, Yankee fans will forgive him for his transgressions and past postseason failures.
Ugh, Pete did not cover the game last night. Kevin Devaney did. And before you call him names, read the article he wrote about the game last night-it’s all about Melky’s hit.
Pete really needs to start requiring registration to comment on this blog. it’s not even 10:00AM and the amount of trolls on here spewing venom is sickening
RussW210-
Oh so Hughes, Joba and Petes Favorite Gardner is not young? Oh, ok.
Jabu-
Am not a troll, I’ve been reading this blog for 2years and love very much. Is just things That Peter says that get on my nerves.
Pete didn’t work last night.
Today, he’s busy polishing up Melky’s MVP Award and will give it to him prior to tonight’s game.
Really folks, some of you have to get a grip.
I think its great Melky is hot right now. But, do any of you remember last April?
How about we give it another month to see if Melky has really turned the corner before planning a Cooperstown trip for him.
He’s going to be in the lineup everyday. Girardi said as much last night.
If he can sustain it, he will remain the starting CF.
That’s where it stands right now. Why not leave it at that?
one reason i don’t like someone like selena roberts is that her trips down to the sewer tend to take both her supporters and her detractors into the pits too. i can feel my buttons getting pushed when i read about her unnamed sourses. you can see the hostility level index rising on the blog as we comment about her.
her reports are designed to stir emotions. no one has ever said she’s stupid. maybe it’s as simple as her seeing the direction sports jounalism is going and getting there first with a tabloid approach.
i suppose it is a way to make a dollar.at least we wont have to be paying her unemployment.
Ok ill leave at that. AM troll, a scumbag and everything else you want to throw in there.
C’mon people.
Pete is NOT a racist. That’s ludicrous.
He loves all New England Patriot players equally and unequivocally.
Tom in NJ: Melky’s missing hit
I apologize to Pete if he didn’t do blog updates last night. But if somebody else did, they should get their act together and update the game-winning hit.
I saw Alex Rodriguez as a junior and senior in high school and the notion that he was dramatically bulked up is pure nonsense. He was a tall slender kid with broad shoulders and you could see what he could grow into, but his game was more about speed than power.
I saw him many times in his first several seasons and he looked to be growing like a normal young man would. Hadn’t seen him in person for two years when I attended a Cleveland/Texas game in 2002 (front row) and was amazed at how big he was. I suspect if you compared photos of 2002-03 with photos of today Alex is smaller now and that makes sense.
When I was 16 I was 5 foot 4 125 pounds. At 18 I was 5 foot 9 160.
“Jabu-
Am not a troll, I’ve been reading this blog for 2years and love very much. Is just things That Peter says that get on my nerves.”
How about the fact that you have no clue what you are talking about, are probably 13 years old, are a complete idiot, a disgrace to Yankee fans, a bumbling fool, you have no basis or factual evidence of anything you are saying and you are giving an innocent man a racist stigma which in this day and age with the media and everything, is a very dangerous thing to do.
But back to my original point, you wouldn’t understand any of that because you are simply a moron.
Bret the Hitman:
You just described the route that Roger Clemens took in response to the allegations against him. How’s that working out for him?
Bret, read the article posted at the top of this very post. It’s titled “Cabrera making statement for Yanks”. Sometimes the blog stops getting updated because the writer-be it Pete of Kevin-have to start their newspaper stories because of deadlines.
What the heck is going on in here? Bellevue is now letting the patients use the computer early?
Dr. C*ck I tock you I took back the racist “stigma”, I later said I believe Peter likes white players more than he does Hispanics.
Dr. C*ck I tock you I took back the racist “stigma”, I later said I believe Peter likes white players more than he does Hispanics.
re: Arod and his body composition
I’ve been in the gym for 14 years and I can identify steroid users just by looking at them.
AROD appears to have used a ton of HGH in his career.
This is all pointless discussion though. He’s already blacklisted from the HOF just by admitting use of steroids (Boli – Primobolan)
told****
Yeah her book is stirring up emotions and getting people on here to talk about it. But how many people are going to waste their hard earned money to buy the book? I can tell you I won’t.
Bret the Hitman:
You just described the route that Roger Clemens took in response to the allegations against him. How’s that working out for him?
=================================
When you’re lying my plan doesn’t work. If you’re telling the truth, it should work like a charm.
Let me repeat.
If I didn’t have a legal case against Roberts I would go out on all the talk shows on every TV station and radio channel and defend my name and not take another breath until I exposed her for lying.
If the cost of preserving my name was the enrichment of my foe then so be it.
My name is what matters.
The truth about me trumps any monetary reward she receives from the exposure.
Tom in NJ,
Was it steroids, or was it HGH you took to get those amazing gains? I hope you didn’t go to school with any un-named people, or it will come back to haunt you 20 years from now.
‘I am sure you will say that is because the Sox are racist too.
Either contribute good posts that encourage a discussion of baseball or get off the blog.”
i think when anyone talks about racial issues they have to do it with the caution it takes disarming a bomb.
that said, the red sox selction of players is beginning to look a little odd. when you watch a team like the rays, you see a very different player mix. or the angels or the mets.
i’m not saying anything direct ray, but i’m just saying boston basebal has a long history to live down and the fan base is still very monochromatic.
i think it’s better to just leave the red sox out of it.
“Dr. C*ck I tock you I took back the racist “stigma”, I later said I believe Peter likes white players more than he does Hispanics.”
At least you admit you are a useless, scumbag, troll. Thats usually the first. Leaving the blog after calling the blog creator a RACIST is the next step.
How dare you label someone that, how completely stupid are you? Actually I should be so hard on children.
Dr. C*ck take a chill pill please.
randy I
You make some very valid points about both the make up of the Boston players and the fan base. I will grant you that.
At the same I would just mention that an issue that has been talked about some is that there really is a shortage of black players across the league in major league baseball right now.
I don’t know all the reasons for that.
“Oh so Hughes, Joba and Petes Favorite Gardner is not young? Oh, ok.”
You’re not making any sense. Hughes and Joba were among the two that you said Pete was in favor of. And I said they were young. R-E-A-D
This is a blog, I can say my opinions just like Pete does when ever he feels like bashing A-Rod.
I have heard some racist things in my time but nothing like when I went to Fenway back in 2007. I have never seen so many drunk frat white rich kids in my life.
I wieghed in at 5’8 185 as a High School Freshmen, on the fall JV Football Program. My senior year, 6’1″, 275lbs. I lived in the wieght room. It’s not that difficult.
According to the WFAN website, Brian Bruney is to be on with Benigno & Screech @ 10:45. In case anyone wants to listen in.
RussW210
You should go to Memphis. I was use to the racist comments. Is like I had no choice but to take them and be quiet. Take in to consideration that this was three years ago.
Racism is alive in the sports world. Not everyone and every town is. But it is alive.
Two quick things…
Last night was my third home game Ive attended this season and the crowd was by far the loudest and most into the game than the previous two. Hopefully all of the “real fans” have gotten their looks at the new digs and now us diehards can bring that place to life!
Secondly, is this Arod shenanigans ever going to end? It’s clear the book was delayed because he was on the DL and now that both he and the book are debuting roughly around the same day the circus is back. Now, by no means am I sympathyzing with a man who makes more many than God, but didn’t Ms. Roberts bury him enough in February? Is it really going to be a shock that he was juicing as a Yank? Probably not to many. She’s done enough, no need to absolutely ruin him.
Besides, we’re going to need the 300 million dollar man if we want to be raising number 27 next April.
Go Yankees!
Bret The Hitman – “I can identify steroids users just by looking at them.”
The Amazing Kreskin finds a new talent! Why does MLB waste millions of dollars trying to create and implement a steroids testing program when they could just hang out with Bret and learn to do it on sight? Oh, right, it’s impossible.
re: Ramiro Pena
I think he deserves to remain with the Yankees when Arod returns. He’s a better ballplayer than Berroa and Ransom. I also see his upside as utility player. I don’t think he’ll ever hit well enough to be a starter. So assuming his potential is backup infielder, I see no reason to give him AB’s every day in Scranton. I would use him as a defensive replacement late in the game @ 3b and ss. I would also give him the occasional start to rest Arod’s tender hip.
I blame Selena Roberts 100% for smearing ARod.
First, she made up that BS about ARod taking steroids. Alex only “admitted” to it because he felt sorry that people were attacking her so viciously, and he wanted to concentrate on baseball.
He tried to be nice, do a favor, and it backfired on him. Now people are just going off on him out of jealousy. He can’t win.
Alex never took steroids, everyone here knows that.
Don’t fall for the “mediot” lies!!!
Rob NY: Not difficult to tell the difference between Creatine and HGH for example.
According to Joe Torre’s new book, teammates of Alex Rodriguez called him ‘A-fraud’ behind his back.
Sounds like a cheap shot to me.
Oh wait.
RussW210
May 1st, 2009 at 10:16 am
I have heard some racist things in my time but nothing like when I went to Fenway back in 2007. I have never seen so many drunk frat white rich kids in my life.
……………………
Hence, look at the team the Socks put on the field. Add on a pile of drunks and visiting teams draw their wrath.
From what I’ve read and heard, gym rats, trainers and people with knowlage of such things can tell if a person is on something by looking at certain muscle groups.
“Alex never took steroids, everyone here knows that.
Don’t fall for the “mediot” lies!!!”
I hope you are being sarcastic.
Ray,
He was being sarcastic.
ray( red sox fan)
after i posted my last remarks , i realized i started off the day reading about a nice yankee victory and an amazing performance by garza against our main rival i then watched the mlb condensed game to see whta garza was throwing.
you’ll see that if you look at the beginning of the posts today. to me that’s what this blog is about for me- baseball. forget what i said in that last post. it’s off point of what’s really interesting and that’s baseball.
have a good one ray.
Bret the Hitman, you know what would happen if Alex responded the way you would? Selena would sell many more books than she would have otherwise. You know what happens next? Every muckracking paparazzi tmz slug starts to come out of the woodwork with a new allegation, a new tell all, or a new embarassing photo. Your willingness to respond makes you a worthwhile target because there’s a chance someone will make a fortune off your misfortunes, and before you know it, you’re not a ballplayer anymore, you’re Lindsay Lohan meets Roger Clemens.
I’d be curious to know how the service was at the Hooters where he tipped 15%. it’s a sad day because people feel that tipping is mandatory. if service is terrible, you should not feel required to give a 15% tip, or one at all, otherwise the terrible service will continue. before you jump on me, i typically never tip less than 20%, but I have never run into really bad service.
my mom told me a story about my grandfather that i think is hilarious…he was eating dinner at a restaurant and his waiter was just terrible…took forever to get his food, the guy was a jerk and had no manners…when my grandfather left his tip, he thought he was being generous based on the level of service when he only left a quarter. As he walked out of the restaurant his waiter came running out, flagged him down and said “Sir, I think you made a mistake with your tip.” To which my grandfather replied, “You’re right, I did,” as he walked back into the restaurant and took back his quarter!
I know the service industry is a tough place to work, but if you are a waiter/waitress and find that is an excuse to be lazy or provide terrible service to customers, than don’t expect to get jack, let a lone 15%…i know feeling the need to work for your money is long gone for many these days but I don’t need to accept that.
Tl1125, I think you’re a racist because you hate one white journalists…see how easy that is?
Angel Berroa IS Lou Rawls:
“You’ll never find…another bat like mine,
so put me in the game now…and I’ll make you say WOW!
You’ll never find…another glove like mine,
and when I get a chance…I’ll make Teixeira dance.”
Tl1125
May 1st, 2009 at 9:33 am
bodhisattva please let me know where I can read this, I will be delited to read it.
=======
It’s a long-term project, but I will be happy to give you a heads up on it when it gets published. I think it necessitates a trip to the Dominican Republic, so it’s going to be awhile – as in a couple of years, most likely. I’m planning something pretty comprehensive and have a publisher already interested.
Happy to keep you posted
Tl1125
May 1st, 2009 at 10:21 am
RussW210
You should go to Memphis. I was use to the racist comments. Is like I had no choice but to take them and be quiet. Take in to consideration that this was three years ago.
Racism is alive in the sports world. Not everyone and every town is. But it is alive.
==============
Of course it is. It hides under euphemisms. It’s telling that Cabrera, Cano and Abreu’s mettle has routinely been questioned on here, even Posada’s, but never Damon’s, for instance. If any of the latino players were openly talking about what they’re looking to do after baseball, I can just imagine what the comments would be like:
“Get your mind on the job you have now and focus, you lazy…”
And let’s not forget how on trial Cabrera and Cano have been for daring to have fun, for smiling, for God’s sake; ditto Abreu.
Does anyone even question Swisher’s happy-go-lucky nature, or interpret it as Nick “not caring”?
Please.
I can drag up all these ridiculous, unfounded posts that have nothing tangible to back them but a clear bias.
I’m not content with that, however. I want to hear from the players, coaches, instructors, scouts and see what THEIR experience is; not just rely on perception.
hokiehill
May 1st, 2009 at 11:45 am
Tl1125, I think you’re a racist because you hate one white journalists…see how easy that is?
===========
Except that there are literally hundreds of posts on here targeting Melky Cabrera and Robinson Cano as “lazy” “stupid”, etc: all stereotypes of people of color.
Instead of rushing to refute this – which is suspect in itself – how about opening your mind to the possibility that the fellow may have a point, after all? He’s not accusing YOU of being a racist, is he?
Well, is he?
I find the fact that all this junk about not talking positively about players like Melky as support for your argument pretty ridiculous, seeing as these comments are following a post from the Journal News PRAISING Melky’s performance so far this season and talking about how he has worked hard through the benching and made the most of his opportunities. I get that racism is out there and it should be fought hard against, but throwing around slanderous allegations when there is nothing to be up in arms about only hurts your cause (if in fact you are trying to quell racism as opposed to increase it)
I don’t have an argument.
I’ve noticed a trend on here of certain disparaging terms applied to Latino players. The poster isn’t inventing comments for those people.