A little clubhouse flavor from Berroa
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By now you have heard that the players all have IBM ThinkPad laptops installed at their lockers at the new Stadium.
Most of the guys have personalized the desktop. A.J. Burnett has an image from the movie 300, Johnny Damon has a photo of his wife, Jorge Posada the logo of his charitable foundation, etc.
Angel Berroa — I kid you not — has a photo of the rapper/reality television star Flavor Flav.
I don’t know why this made me laugh, only that it did. Favor Flav is 50, so maybe he and Angel grew up together. That’s the only explanation.
————
We asked Brian Cashman a few questions about the bullpen, injuries and A-Rod yesterday in the hallway outside the interview room. Once that was over, I stuck around to ask about Jorge Vazquez.
Vazquez is the big first baseman/DH at Trenton. He’s a veteran of the Mexican League the Yankees signed in December. The (supposedly) 27-year-old is hitting .250 with two homers and eight RBI in eight games.
Cashman got animated when talking about Vazquez. The Yankees, he said, tried to sign him a few years ago but the price was too high.
“The guy can hit,” Cashman said. “Good power. He’s intriguing, there is no doubt about it. If he lives up to the potential he showed in Mexico, he’ll put up big numbers. He stands out when he impacts the baseball. It catches everybody’s attention.”
Apparently Vazquez hit a homer against New Britain the other day that just landed. It’ll be interesting to see what progress he makes this season.
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One of the Yankees purchased a toy WWE championship belt and when the team wins a game, it goes to the hitter who had the best day. When Ramiro Pena went 3 for 4 on Friday, he found the belt in his locker.
The kid they call “El Nino” was thrilled.
“I don’t know what I’m supposed to do with it,” he said. “But I like having it.”
It went to Jorge Posada the next day for his four RBI. Posada displayed it proudly in his locker.
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A few links for you to peruse:
The Dodgers have a cool program where they build baseball fields for kids. According to this story, Don Mattingly attended the latest dedication of a new field and donated equipment from his baseball equipment company to the kids. Classy as always, that Donnie. Check out Mattingly Baseball for more on his gear.
As you know, we here at the LHYB are big supporters of the Kim Jones blog on YES.com. But don’t sleep on the Bob Lorenz Blog. There are a lot of entertaining insights there as well. When is the Al Leiter Blog coming out? The loquacious lefty could fill up the internet in about two weeks.
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Meanwhile, if you want to attend a game at the new Stadium, work the secondary markets and you can get a great deal. Just as an example, tickets for Thursday’s game against Tampa are selling for $50 for terrace suite seats or $11 in the grandstand.
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on Monday, May 4th, 2009 at 11:41 am by Peter Abraham.
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Chad Jennings
Sam Borden
Josh Thomson
Hahah what a great picture to compliment the story.
“One of the Yankees purchased a toy WWE championship belt and when the team wins a game, it goes to the hitter who had the best day”
has to be Johnny Damon, since he’s a wrestling fan.
“I don’t know why this made me laugh, only that it did. Favor Flav is 50, so maybe he and Angel grew up together. That’s the only explanation.”
Nice lol
They should make that player wear the championship belt onto the field in the next game.
1. That story about the WWF belt is great! Reminds me of my stepson, who is 21 (going on 12 sometimes!) – he and his roommates at school have a toy wrestling belt that they give to whomever has done some “tremendous deed”. I guess kids are kids, no matter what the age.
2. Great to hear about discount ticket prices on StubHub. Free enterprise and speculation is great – prices can go up or they can go down. Here’s hoping enough speculators lose enough money so that they get out of the way for the legit fans to get their rightful ticket packages next season.
Hey Pete, can we please have more jokes about Berroa’s age? The joke isn’t quite tired enough.
What is up with Bruney? He wont be ready on the 10th? and he said it would be longer? Any idea on how much longer?
In my opinion, once he gets back and is healthy, the Bullpen should look like MO,Bruney, Melancon, Coke, Jackson, Clagget, and Aveces/Tomko as the lolong man. But we shall see. There have been some puzzling choices made indeed.
I really hope this team makes it work, because personality wise, I like them more then some of the other teams in the last couple years.
They may have that, “We play today, we win today. Dats it,” mentality. Hopefully they work out the pen and the rotation steps it up a bit.
I believe most of the pieces are there for a really good run. Time will tell. I do know this, they have a top 5 offense W/O Tex giving them anything and ARod being out. Imagine the lineup when whole.
Odds of a game tonight?
Still dreary and rainy here in DC. I’m thinking of building an ark.
Why did they brong claggett back? why not a hitter like miranda or duncan, someone to come in and pinch hit with a bit of power???
15-year-old Dominican wunderkind SS:
http://www.globalpost.com/vide.....angel-sano
It s/b interesting to see who signs him.
Miranda is slumping, and I think they dont want to make a 40 man move when Alex is going to be back in days…
Also got an email from the Yankees.
$50 off Bleacher Cafe and Audi club seats. Still not sure on the money in comparison to StubHub or elsewhere, but if anyone ever wanted to try out the seats for less than face.
Seems like the crowd has been louder of late. Any thoughts? Have the real fans come back and less people walking around half the game just to see things? I honestly feel like it will be quieter as it is too open, but once fans get used to it and make it their own park again it will get much louder and invloved.
Love the wrestling belt tidbit. Sounds like it can be a real clubhouse “tightener.”
Need some health, though. Need some healing. And need some bullpen focus!!!!
I read Kim Jones’ and Bob Lorenz’ blogs regularly and can vouch that they are worth the time. Both have a good sense of humor and bring yet another dynamic to following the Yankees. We are getting closer and closer to being the flies on the wall thanks to Pete, Kim and Bob.
Two roster moves I can’t see them making in the short term I’ve seen suggested. Tomko and Duncan. Neither are on 40 man roster.
I think Christian Garcia is on the 40 man. I’m surprised he hasn’t been moved to the 60 day DL.
Marte may end up there if the injury is serious.
I’m so happy the Yankees kicked me out of my weekend ticket plan and strong armed me into buying a weekday plan. Now my $25 tickets are worth $11. Super.
As of right now, 90% chance of rain
http://www.weather.com/outlook.....amp;epc=be
I hate the idea of brining Brett Tomko up.
*bringing
bryanhoch 100 pages in, it’s a lot of hearsay and shaky sourcing. So this is about what I expected. Don’t worry, I’ll get reimbursed for the $28.
Leiter having a blog? A great idea Pete! It could coincide with the original bullpen catcher.
The photo of Flavor Flav will be short lived on Berroa’s locker when Alex returns and his age discussions will be of no consequence. Consider him a short timer.
“One of the Yankees purchased a toy WWE championship belt and when the team wins a game, it goes to the hitter who had the best day”
Probably Johnny Damon…maybe Nick Swisher..this is a nice story because it shows that the team is not as “business” like anymore.
Seriously, Tomko has MLB experience, why have they not used him? He has a .75 era down there. He could pitch long or short relief. Now having Hughes and Joba out there, the chances increase of having a 5-6 inning pitching performance and needing a long guy. Makes no sense. Or at least bring up Aceves. And Duncan off the bench would be nice. The issue with Duncan is though they are hamstrung by the Swisher injury and Matsui not being able to play the field.
Ahh El Nino… Spanish for The Nino
A thought related to the discounts on tickets … when will the concession stands start to offer bargain deals on beer?
My first guess on who bought the WWE belt would be Swisher.
yes, nevermind the 6+ ERA Tomko has had at the Major League level for the past 3 seasons….lets take the small sample size at AAA…..
Angel Berroa would often play loud techno or hip-hop music off his laptop in the Scranton clubhouse. I also saw him dance once. He seems like quite the funny guy.
I think it must be Damon, too – he apparently wrestles with AJ’s kids. What a fun idea……!
Tomko isn’t on the 40 man roster, so why on Earth would the Yankees put him on there when there’s a good chance he would get called up and start giving up home runs like crazy, which his track record in the majors would indicate?
The 40 man roster is already jammed up with way too many pitchers, why oh why would they add yet ANOTHER one, especially a guy that’s not even going to be around the organization for more than this year?!
I think Bob Lorenz’ blog is sort of weird, but I love Kim’s blogs. She always gives us neat little tidbits from the clubhouse – and I’m a sucker for that stuff.
What’s the best “secondary market” to find tickets?
William Buckner
May 4th, 2009 at 12:05 pm
Two roster moves I can’t see them making in the short term I’ve seen suggested. Tomko and Duncan. Neither are on 40 man roster.
I think Christian Garcia is on the 40 man. I’m surprised he hasn’t been moved to the 60 day DL.
=============
Garcia still in EST. He’s pitching 2 inns tomorrow, 3 on Saturday. Slowly building him up.
Also, Tomko is not going anywhere. He’ll be in Scranton for a while. Remember how long it took the Yankees to add Jim Brower to the 40-man roster? The Yankees will only promote Tomko if they really have to.
pete, any word on what it looks like for tonight? Will the game get in?
Joba probably has a picture of grey goose as his wallpaper
the yankees don’t want a long man
Check out A.J.’s home theatre.
http://www.electronichouse.com.....e_theater/
EvoLuTioN May 4th, 2009 at 12:31 pm
Joba probably has a picture of grey goose as his wallpaper
Joba is a Royal Crowne guy
Sweeney just gave a shot out to Pete and the blog on the fan.
Looks like the reviews are coming in from other journalists and this caught my eye
Need to read A-Rod book to get better handle on sourcing, but what I’m seeing now seems thin, especially re steroids. (via @ArmenKeteyian)
or should i say Crowne Royal….i hate monday…haha
I get the feeling AJ is “cruise director” in the clubhouse this year. It’s usually the quiet ones you need to look out for.
Sounds like they’ve got the kangaroo court going too with fines for shirtless interviews.
Good stuff Pete thanks for posting.
I, for one, am not tired of the Angel Berroa = old jokes. They are still funny
pat,
Where did you see that? It would explain Swisher’s comment during his shirtless interview.
clare- I read it as well. It said they are fined by the kangaroo court 20 bucks for doing shirtless interviews.
pat,
I hope that AJ pies Alex at his first meeting with the media when he gets back!
Reading in the thread and I’m laughing at the ones who thought Pete was treating Girardi fairly on his his comments, tirade, rant, lashing out, or whatever went on yesterday.
Good job by Pete to back off. I know he didn’t do it because of anything people said because Pete was firm in his convictions. Hopefully, Pete took a step back and realized Joe wasn’t attacking the beat writers themselves, who I’m sure try their best to honor the code.
I don’t know who said what when, and maybe Girardi was on his soapbox a bit. But the way that the media is treating him today is shameful. Joe G.’s not perfect, but he’s a good guy and deserves to be treated with some respect.
The latest promo scoop is that A-Rod motivated by insecurity?
Selena Roberts should be strapped down in front of TV and forced to watch re-runs of The Man Show 16 hours a day for a solid month. Her only non-bathroom, non-sleep breaks should involve switching The Man Show for MANswers. Her diet should consist of every item on the Hooters menu, served by a Hooters waitress.
Further, she should be forced to sit through the whole excruciating month, watching every episode Mystery Science Theater 3000 style WITH A-ROD while he recuperates from his next hip surgery.
If he misbehaves, complains, or rambles aimlessly (and insecurely) with Freudan psycho-babble, Angel Berroa should be told to join them with his Flavor of Love tapes.
Doreen -
Here is the take from the NY Times writer:
“Joe Girardi, the Yankees’ manager, spoke calmly and briefly, but his words were the most heated ones voiced publicly by a team official regarding the book about Alex Rodriguez that comes out Monday.
“I have some issues with it,” Girardi said. “It’s interesting that the book date got moved up now. And I get tired of answering these questions. I don’t understand why someone would write a book like this anyway.”
The sportswriter from the New York Times used the words CALMY AND BRIEFLY.
Hardly words to describe a rant or tirade, wouldn’t you say?
I’m tracking down the way to contact Girardi. I will let you know what I find out.
I can’t believe people are clamoring for Bret Tomko in here.
Have you ever seen him pitch in the major leagues?
He will get killed by the Red Sox and the Rays. The guy couldn’t make it in the NL West. What makes you think he’s a solution here? Good AAA numbers? Please.
I’d rather see Clagget and Jackson than Tomko.
“bodhisattva
May 4th, 2009 at 12:29 pm
William Buckner
May 4th, 2009 at 12:05 pm
Two roster moves I can’t see them making in the short term I’ve seen suggested. Tomko and Duncan. Neither are on 40 man roster.
I think Christian Garcia is on the 40 man. I’m surprised he hasn’t been moved to the 60 day DL.
=========
Garcia still in EST. He’s pitching 2 inns tomorrow, 3 on Saturday. Slowly building him up.”
But is he on the 40 man? And if so, why isn’t he on the 60 DL? He’s not going out for assignment for a while.
She’s not only a ‘journalist’ … she’s a shrink too!
Both are a stretch.
pat
May 4th, 2009 at 12:36 pm
I get the feeling AJ is “cruise director” in the clubhouse this year. It’s usually the quiet ones you need to look out for.
Sounds like they’ve got the kangaroo court going too with fines for shirtless interviews.
=========
Remember Don Baylor’s kangaroo court?
Pete, I saw the Selena Roberts interview with Kostas on the web — admittedly, excerpts. But she was incoherent, especially on the “tipping pitches” issue. Nothing on this issue makes any sense.
First of all, you have reported that A-Rod was “calling the pitches” at times from the shortstop position. When has this ever happened? With Pudge Rodriguez as catcher, they are gonna let a young shortstop call the pitches? Second, what would the mechanics of this be? The shortstop calls the pitch and relays it to the catcher, who relays it to the pitcher? Are even the Texas Rangers this insane? Did you question the logic of this before you reported it as fact in your blog?
Second, what Selena said in the Kostas interview was different than what you reported in the blog, but made just as little sense. She said that the shortstop “relays” the signs to the rest of the infeld, and that A-Rod was “tipping” pitches by relaying them before the windup — too early.
Now, I have never heard of the shortstop “relaying” signs, but I suppose its possible. Is that standard practice? But what sense would it make for the first and third basemen, presumably the two infielders who could not see the catcher’s signs, to be looking at the shortstop as the pitcher goes into his windup?
You have attacked A-Rod ad hominem, and seemed to have accepted all these anonymous and in some cases weird charges at face value (Pete: “everything Selena Roberts has ever reported about A-Rod has turned out to be true.”) This is a serious journalistic mis-step on your part.
Isn’t it your responsibility to try to investigate yourself whether the serious charges have any veracity? To try to figure out who these anonymous sources are? To see whether the charges hold water, simply on the basis of logic?
By not doing so, and choosing instead to continually drag A-Rod through the mud based on anonymous attacks, you are not fulfilling your journalistic responsibilities.
Just had a thought. What if Joe Torre said the same words with the same emotion?
They’d be elevating him to whatever level is above sainthood.
(speaking of it’s nice to see that Father Damian who lived in the leper colony on the island of Molokai will finally be elevated to sainthood)
“I have some issues with it,” Girardi said. “It’s interesting that the book date got moved up now. And I get tired of answering these questions. I don’t understand why someone would write a book like this anyway.”
That’s stepping on the first amendment? Yeah, right.
Yeah, asking for Tomko is like asking for a swift kick to the you know whats.
He has a ML track record and it is beyond awful.
You don’t want him anywhere near the mound wearing a Yankee uniform.
My guess for the make up game with the Angels would be Sept. 14th.
Angels have to come east for a series with Boston and the Yankees are at home with an off day.
There is substance to the story of tipping pitches in Texas.
Their pitching bit the big one so badly, especially back then, that the only possible explanation could be that Pudge behind the plate was getting the signs from his SS to give to the pitcher.
When Costas played the clip of Girardi’s comments for her, she replied with this snarky, “I don’t understand, he doesn’t think people should write books?” comment with a smirk on her face.
She’s a parasite.
Jeesh, I wish my life was so perfect that I could spend TWO DAYS harping on Pete’s use of the word “tirade.”
Trisha … this would be the same New York Times that once employed — Selena Roberts! So they are Ok when they agree with you. Otherwise, not. I get it.
Meanwhile:
Daily News: an unprovoked diatribe
Post: Girardi’s rant
Newsday: the manager became upset …
Journal News: Girardi became emotional
I was there. The guy was not calm. He literally stormed out of the room.
Now I think what he did was fine. Defend your player by all means. But it’s untrue to say he was calm.
With all these journalistic integrity charges flying around, I suggest everyone watch season 5 of The Wire . . . Fantastic. Best show ever.
“Second, what Selena said in the Kostas interview was different than what you reported in the blog, but made just as little sense. She said that the shortstop “relays” the signs to the rest of the infeld, and that A-Rod was “tipping” pitches by relaying them before the windup—too early.”
Good point. So Selena Roberts must think that several years ago, Andy Pettitte was tipping his own pitches to help all his friends on other teams raise their averages. It was something to do with the position of his hands in the stretch or something similar wasn’t it? Clearly Andy stepped over the line.
But it’s untrue to say he was calm.
——————-
As untrue as it was to say he launced into a tirade.
Kostas?
Um, OK.
Meanwhile, it’s a well-documented fact Alex was allowed to call pitches. He had permission from the owner. It’s not in dispute.
mel- agreed you are probably right. They’d be saying Saint Joe comes to rescue of beleaguered third baseman.
Instead it is Joe stepping on first amendment.
I don’t recall who suggested it. But I am going to write a note to Joe letting him know that the fans support him. I’ll try sending an email, not sure if it will work though.
bruce b.,
I do believe it is fairly accepted that Arod did call pitches for a while in Texas. Why they allowed him to do this, I don’t know. Certainly, it would have been in the two years before Showalter came there. No way that a legitimate ML manager would allow this. But it did happen. I think some of the things that Shane Spencer overheard may have been related to Arod giving the signs too soon, or not changing the signs which allowed the other team to pick them up easily. This is easily twisted by somebody looking for dirt into Arod giving away signs to get some back in return.
Pete,
why don’t you investigate the “tipping pitches” charges.
1) are all the allegations anonymous?
2) can you verify independently that A-Rod was “calling the pitch” from the shortstop position, as you reported?
3) can you verify independently what Selena said about the “timing” of A-Rod’s relaying the signs to the rest of the infield?
Your reporting on this on this blog, as far as I have read (and I think I’ve read all of it), has been ATTROCIOUS, and consist of:
1) “everything Selena Roberts has ever reported about A-Rod has turned out to be true” and
2) “A-Rod was calling the pitches from the shortstop position.”
point #2 was directly contradicted by Selena in the Kostas interview.
“Tipping of pitches” is a very, very serious charge. It goes to the heart of the integrity of the game. Before you start repeating the charge as most likely valid, shouldn’t you actually check YOUR sources with the Texas Rangers — the managers, the coaches, the other infielders at the time?
DOES THE STORY HOLD UP?
If it does — A-Rod is in big, big trouble.
And if it doesn’t (and so far, it seems pretty weird and counter-intuitive) — Selena is fundamentally discredited.
“it’s untrue to say he was calm”
I wouldn’t be either. Still, he has a valid stand on it. Being ticked off, I’d guess he just was being more emphatic about it. Nothing wrong with that as long as he’s not throwing chairs around the room & hurting people.
Well so far bryan hoch
100 pages in, it’s a lot of hearsay and shaky sourcing. So this is about what I expected. Don’t worry, I’ll get reimbursed for the $28.
Pete, you keep saying it was well documented that he was allowed to call pitches.
If this is the case why is it that none of us ever heard about it? We are obviously all pretty well informed baseball fans who follow the game diligently.
Not only here, but I know alot of die hard baseball fans and not one of them had ever heard this.
So if it’s so well documented, how come nobody seems to have known about it?
Everyone needs a little catharsis now and again. Yesterday was Girardi’s day.
I take more issue with the phrasing “unprovoked” than I do the word rant.
Joe gets a pass. It’s been a long spring and he had just sent his 400th player to the DL.
Futhermore, infielders frequently relay the signs to each other so they know who will cover second base on a steal, or to shade one way or the other. Ex: A shortstop would favor his right if a RH batter is being thrown a breaking ball, favor his left if it is a fastball, etc.
“tirade?” He launched a tirade?
Isn’t tir-ad-e Spanish for turd.
So did he really throw one? Where did he get it?
I’ve heard of the you-know-what hitting the fan but jeez…
Pete, you provided the audio for us. I don’t think you have a forum full of Girardi apologists here, but the vast majority didn’t find a tirade, rant, or anything else that seemed over the top. You said he was emotional when he left. I don’t know that anyone has questioned the accuracy of that. But emotion doesn’t equate to a tirade.
I understand Girardi was extremely emotional when he was talking about the death of that young Angel’s pitcher. He sat and cried. That is hardly a tirade or rant, but yes he showed emotion. If there’s one thing that an astute writer would have had to pick up on Girardi by now it is that he seems to be an extremely compassionate and emotion-filled guy. Emotion can also be a positive attribute.
About the NY Times. I am not sure whether Roberts left of her own accord. Therefore I cannot damn the Times for hiring her – and if they decided they had enough of her after the Duke debacle, more to their credit.
Pete’s still mad.
If Arod was giving out signs, doesn’t it mean someone was returning the favor?
Where is that outrage? I mean if Selena has a source tell her that, wouldn’t the next question be who gave Arod signs in return?
Citing two unnamed former Westminster players, and lacing it with speculation by Major League strength and conditioning coach Fernando Montes and Miami businessman Steve Ludt, Roberts details a Miami steroid culture in which she believes Rodriguez was enmeshed. She does not reveal what substances Rodriguez may have taken at Westminster, only that he became a part of a growing trend in sports circles.
http://mlb.mlb.com/news/articl.....Id=rss_nyy
wow just hard hitting stuff!!
we don’t look for counter-sources…
Poor Dante. He must be in tears reading those headlines about his daddy.
jen, I am trying to track down the best way to contact Girardi. If you find something out in the meantime, please let me know.
Snail mail may take longer than email but since players read their fanmail, I would have to believe Girardi gets snail mail and reads it.
In any event, no matter how we send it, I think it’s a great thing that we do. Too often in life people (myself included) espouse strong beliefs and opinions but given the opportunity to stand behind them in a meaningful way just get lazy.
Bob(The Original),
I do remember reading several times about Arod calling the pitches in Texas. I can’t quote the source, it was 6-7 years ago, sorry. But, it has been mentioned as an example of the power Arod had in Texas pre-Showalter, and Buck taking those things away may have begun the falling out they had. Arod was also in on personnel decisions and some other in-game strategy moves. These things have been written about a lot.
Pete – question: are you reading/have you read the book? any thoughts from your perspective?
chauncey (teaneck): did you read the A-rod book yet?
Buster Olney: (1:10 PM ET ) Chauncey: Yes. It left me needing more information, as a reader, before I was ready to subscribe to the allegation that he used PEDs in high school, or that he was pitch-tipping. That’s all plausible, of course, but there is not the level of detail in proof that we saw in the Pete Rose betting scandal, for example.
If you read the emails connected to Sherman’s article, you’ll see that the vast majority indicate that he’s way off base. For whatever that’s worth.
I was just going to try joegirardi@yankees.com or Joseph. Just take a shot in the dark.
I think Francesa now has a little crush on Phil Hughes.
Pete,
re: Tirade. I don’t know about Girardi, but I have read a number of ad hominem tirades by the author of this blog about A-Rod.
Pete says:
<>
1) Selena’s account of the tipping in the Kostas interview had nothing to do with “calling pitches” from the shortstop position, but rather relaying signs.
2) If it is “well-documented”, why don’t you get off your butt and DOCUMENT it, on the record. Call the owner. Call the manager. Under what circumstances was the JUNIOR SHORTSTOP “calling” pitches instead of the hall of fame catcher (Pudge Rodriguez)? And IF this weird act was true (wouldn’t it slow the game down to a crawl to have the SS “call” the pitches?), was their any circumstance where anyone thought it lead to “tipping pitches”?
You’re a damn reporter. Please REPORT.
Anyone looking to sell May 23rd tickets Phils/Yanks?
Okay, help me out here. I’m trying to get a visual. If Arod was allowed to call pitches, I am picturing him standing on base giving the signs to someone. If that is indeed true, could it be that the unnamed sources, if they exist, might have misinterpreted that for Alex tipping off hitters?
Good news from Swish
feeling good. start of a great 2-game series with Red Sox tonight. Go Yanks!
bruce b – wow, same question.
Fatcessa says he thinks the game will definitely be played tonight. What an idiot. Has he seen the weather report?
SA ofcourse he does, he’s trying to express Joba to the BP, it won’t work.
P.S. nice comments on Vasquez hope he learns to field better and I bet money that it was Nick Swisher that bought El Nino the WWE belt.
Technically, Pete’s not a reporter, right? He’s a beat writer.
I don’t think investigative reporting is part of Pete’s deal with The Journal. Although he did win an award for breaking the Torre Story.
Bob
It was reported 6 years ago and Michael Young said this week Alex was calling pitches for the catcher because the catcher was struggling.
Showalter found out about it and put a stop to it and that was what caused the rift with Buck and Alex. Alex said Hershiser wasn’t getting the job done with the pitchers and catchers and should be fired. Buck told him it was none of his business.
Brandon “Vote Robi Cano for MVP” “I LOVE ME SOME ME !” May 4th, 2009 at 1:14 pm
SA ofcourse he does, he’s trying to express Joba to the BP, it won’t work
===========================
LOL
Sending Jobber to the pen is now his main mission in life.
From Big Blue Interactive.com:
“In Alex’s Texas days, the closest thing associated with any of this involved a controversy that swirled around him in 2003. But it was pitch calling, not pitch tipping. Without informing manager Buck Showalter or pitching coach Orel Hershiser, Rodriguez told new catcher Einar Diaz he would call the pitches for him.
“Buck and Orel caught on in a hurry, and a big blowup happened, particularly between Alex and Orel,” said one person. “That story hit the papers, but it was bigger than even reported. Buck and Alex totally split because Alex wanted Buck to fire Orel and Buck didn’t.”
Michael Young: “I backed Alex on that. Heck, yes, I did. We had a catcher who was struggling. Alex was trying to help the team. He knew more about it than the catcher. If the pitching coach didn’t like it, he should have been on top of it.”"
I’m still curious. He called pitches from SS, so wouldn’t that mean that the hitter could see that too? It just seems that even calling the pitches would tip off the hitter even if that wasn’t the intent.
I’m looking at the radar, it’s raining now. But who knows what it’ll be 5-6 hours from now?
I think they’ve got to try and get this game in. We’ve already got 2 games to makeup and you know they’re not going to want to do a DH with Boston to make up any of these games. There are only so many free days.
Just need to take the early lead.
lol the Snr. Citizen grew up with flavor flav
mel, I actually think that a lot of those titles have cross-over in reality. I think Pete is definitely a reporter. I think anyone who provides news in an unbiased fashion (Pete doesn’t have to do it on his blog, but he does it when he writes a story) is a reporter. From what I can discern a “columnist” can blather about anything they want and put whatever spin they want on it. And they certainly do!
I think these are accurate depictions.
Dave, dallas, TX: What is up with with Sox and Yanks starting rotations?
Buster Olney: (1:11 PM ET ) Dave — Brad Penny’s outing actually wasn’t that bad, and CC Sabathia threw great into the seventh inning on Saturday. I don’t know why Beckett is having problems, but his missed-swing ratios are down 60 percent from two years ago, and he’s having a harder time throwing strikes. The Yankees’ real problem is in their bullpen — 6.69 ERA, 29th of 30 teams.
——————————————————————————–
Eric (NYC): Hi Buster, Have you noticed a decrease in Mariano’s velocity? Do you think it will come back and should the Yankees be worried?
Buster Olney: (1:12 PM ET ) Eric — there has been a decrease in velocity and movement, according to scouts. He looked bad a few years ago, as well, at the outset of the season. If he’s still having problems in six weeks, that’s when I think the Yankees ought to get concerned — and that all said, he’s been OK as a closer this year. Not great, but good enough.
M, “beat writers” are reporters.
Pete, at least in this blog (not, as far as I can see, in the paper), has made a number of statements that have lent credibility to Selena’s charges. Particularly the incredibly serious charge of “tipping pitches” to the opposition.
Pete has a responsibility to objectively look into this story, especially if he is gonna shoot off his mouth the way he has about A-Rod, basically calling A-Rod a lying scumbag. Those are pretty close to Pete’s exact words.
Does the “tipping pitches” story stand up to scrutiny? I don’t think it does. But maybe I am wrong. But I would like to see real reporting, not just repeating of slanderous innuendo.
sounds like michael young is defending a -rod. it seems to me that everyone who has come out has defended a-rod, yet somehow the ‘unnamed sources’ are somehow more credible?
i think it is time to a-rod to get back and tear the cover off the ball.
Looking at the radar they should be able to get the game in. It doesn’t look that bad and there is a window.
“Michael Young: “I backed Alex on that. Heck, yes, I did. We had a catcher who was struggling. Alex was trying to help the team. He knew more about it than the catcher. If the pitching coach didn’t like it, he should have been on top of it.”” ”
LOL damn and I thought Georgy was a bad game caller.
Seriously, enough with the Berroa age “jokes”. It has never been funny.
And can any other reporter do some independent reporting on any of this? There is a whole army or people that cover the Yankees and all anyone has done is regurgitate Roberts’ “reporting”. If she can get people to talk, why can’t others?
Or is it because the only people that are talking are disputing her claims and that doesn’t make for a good story?
The weather is calling for light rain all day, but it is supposed to become heavier right around game time and continue through the night
Of course… last night the rain was light and playable but the afternoon was bad
and this afternoon, the rain is light but the night will get heavier rain.
If we had flip flopped the times, we could have played both of these games.
James (NYC): Buster, while driving to work this morning I was listening to the guys and listeneres on WFAN hammering the credibility of Selena Roberts for not disclosing her sources for her book on A-Rod, especially regarding the allegations that he tipped off opposing players on pitches. My take on it is that while she wants to sell copies of her book, there is NO WAY that she (or Sports Illustrated, in their upcoming excerpt from her book) would print this stuff unless there is major evidences from reliable sources. And I couldnt believe how many callers have no idea how important it is for a journalist to remain off limits when it comes to any MLB investigation. Care to weigh in?
Buster Olney: (1:17 PM ET ) James — she cannot disclose her sources, and it’s not her responsibility to work for Major League Baseball. She works for S.I. and for HarperCollins, and that’s why she won’t lay it all out for MLB. But my own read on it, again, was that I wanted to see more information — more specific stuff tying him to steroids — before I am convinced he took PEDs in high school, or was tipping pitches. I don’t think an increased bench-press total (information that came from A-Rod, by the way, who is otherwise dismissed as someone who lies in most of the book) and weight gain for a teenager going through puberty is enough to convict, in the court of public opinion.
Even people Buck who disliked Alex came out in defense of him. Interesting.
And this business of him tipping pitches to his friends. Well according to many he didn’t have any. So who exactly was he tipping pitches too?
pat,
It wasn’t any of Alex’s business IMO. I know that Young backed him up, but my lord. Let’s pretend that Alex knew more about baseball than Buck & Orel. Was it really his place to take over the game without permission?
The old-school guys may have a different opinion, but you have to think that authority needs to be respected.
This is great
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn.....ortCat=mlb
“I’m still curious. He called pitches from SS, so wouldn’t that mean that the hitter could see that too? It just seems that even calling the pitches would tip off the hitter even if that wasn’t the intent.”
Exactly what I was getting at.
And unlike others who may believe that Alex’s best friend in life should be “no comment” I think he definitely needs to come out and make a definitive statement on this one. While nobody seems to care about how much he gives waitresses or whether or not he goes to strip clubs, plenty of people might care about whether or not he helped the opposition.
By the way, I don’t believe it for a minute. I was troubled by the way Roberts went about doing what she did, but from jump street I believed that her report about steroids was going to be accurate. I said so as soon as it hit the news (that she would be reporting such). I think this is a pile of hooey. And without some rock-solid evidence, I will dismiss it as such. Too much room for misinterpretation here given that he was allowed to call pitches.
And though she didn’t say one way or the other, you can bet your bottom dollar if she does indeed have “unnamed sources” none of those would have been an alleged receiver of the goods, for extremely obvious reasons!
Ben (Hanover, Pa): Can we get a mention somewhere about Selena Roberts and the Duke Scandal. That has to be some of the worst reporting ever and yet there is no mention anywhere. Where is ESPN’s journalistic integrity. After what she did to those kids, everything she says should almost have to be prefaced with mention of the Duke Lacrosse Scandal
Buster Olney: (1:22 PM ET ) Ben: I know only general details about it, and haven’t done research on it, and so unless I did that, I’m not qualified to offer an opinion as it relates to Selena’s work on the Duke thing. I have read the A-Rod book and made it clear here that I find it lacking in detail. `
That’s the main guy imo, Buck never liked Alex so for him to defend him on this has to mean something.
You need to seperate what Pete writes in his column and what Pete writes in the blog.
In his newspaper stories, he’s a beat reporter, he just gives you the 5 “W”s.
In the blog he is more of a columnist, and gives opinion as well as the who, what , where, when and why.
“I’m still curious. He called pitches from SS, so wouldn’t that mean that the hitter could see that too? It just seems that even calling the pitches would tip off the hitter even if that wasn’t the intent.”
- – - – -
Tex
If this was indeed done, of course the batter would not expect it or even begin to think about looking at the SS for the sign. No one would know he was doing it except those on his own team that knew he was.
Is that Ramon Ramirez who has been walking alone around the stadium in these YES shots?
lol he is the only person in the ballpark
I don’t think an increased bench-press total (information that came from A-Rod, by the way, who is otherwise dismissed as someone who lies in most of the book) and weight gain for a teenager going through puberty is enough to convict, in the court of public opinion.
————————–
So Alex gave the info about his increased bench-press. Anyone think he could have exaggerated? He does have a tendency to do it. I think a lot of people would too.
http://www.wfan.com/episode_do.....Id=3685818
listen to Boomer and Carton grill Selena
By the way, I have a ton of respect for Buster Olney. When he wrote for the Times he was an unabised a sports writer as you would find. I think he does his best to be objective. I don’t follow him as closely on ESPN, but I can’t imagine I would stop respecting his opinion or that he would have turned into some other person. (At least I hope he hasn’t!)
Ok Mike… we get it, the Sox are the model organization with these great young players and winning attitude and they embarrassed us last weekend.
do you need to keep reminding us?
bruce b,
Just saying that on top of his duties as a beat writer (follow the team and report what happens before, during, and after the games), I don’t think he has time to make calls, follow-up, fly down to Texas or wherever these witnesses live to confirm these allegations. Someone suggested he’s a reporter, so it’s his job to confirm the story.
My impression is that it’s his job to report what’s going on with the team, and that’s what he did. Reportedly, Girardi went into a tirade over the book.
Gates yes that was Ramon Ramirez checking out the new digs, he has finally started to work harder.
Yeah, Jen.
I’ve been known to exaggerate on some attributes too. lol.
What’s the big deal?
These millionaires can’t play through a little rain?
In my day, we played through tornados and lightening strikes. Now these players are afraid to get a little wet. Suck it up and play ball
“Tex’s Friend (CC, Phil, Joba, Pettitte and AJ are best starting 5 ever)
May 4th, 2009 at 1:20 pm
sounds like michael young is defending a -rod. it seems to me that everyone who has come out has defended a-rod, yet somehow the ‘unnamed sources’ are somehow more credible?
i think it is time to a-rod to get back and tear the cover off the ball.
”
+1
The problem with the book is, its incomplete.
For a guy that’s as unpopular among many of his peers as Arod, don’t you find it strange nobody is willing to go on the record over the pitch tipping episode? I certainly do.
His HS days…… I was around him more in HS than Selena Roberts was and there wasn’t any talk EVER of him using steroids in HS. That’s been confirmed by people who were around him more than I was in HS. Names ON THE RECORD, which does matter when you are trying to finger someone of wrongdoing.
Folks have to realize something. Miami is a big AND small town at the same time. Its pretty tough to keep secrets in the athlete community because its a tight knit fraternity.
Especially at the University of Miami.
By the time Alex was 16, he was considered by many at UM to be a budding baseball phenom. That’s approx 17 years ago (1992) and it was a widely known fact that Jose Canseco and his brother Ozzie were not only doing steroids but, turning other people onto them.
Yet, there wasn’t ANY talk of Alex doing steroids at that time.
Again, you can put nameless, faceless quotes in any book to sell books.
However, you need more PROOF.
Antecedotal information (”He looks bigger. He’s lifting more”.) is not proof.
If she can provide it, by all means do it.
If he she can’t, her book is a week-two week story and nothing more.
2:20 Joe G came on.
Buck wanted to come on but because he is associated with espn, doesn’t think he can.
Is Francesa aware the ball hasn’t carrying lately?
Man boston really thrives with that homegrown talent and player development. I mean the way they developed Jason bay and David Ortiz, JOsh Beckett and Mike Lowell, JD Drew and Dice-K, i mean wow. what an organization, perfect in everyway.
Well that made no sense.
Joe G is going to be on wfan at 2:20.
So if Arod called the pitches for the Texas pitchers…and the Texas teams stunk those years that Arod was there then why isn’t Arod the person to blame for them being so bad?!! I think he should take all of the blame for those last place teams..haha (being sarcastic)
so where is Francesa broadcasting from?
Wow at AJ’s theater – pretty cool. M, I’m still waiting for that first pie from AJ. The thing is, it’s kind of hard now because I think YES gets their interviews with the star player almost immediately after the game. Unless AJ has a pie at the ready, there’s no way he can pie someone on YES – I guess if it’s in the clubhouse, he can.
I think he may be the leader of the kangaroo court – he mentioned that to Swish when Swish did the shirtless interview, lol
Brad Pitt’s Brother,
So you’re not better looking than Brad?!
m
uh oh, my cover’s blown…
Why wouldn’t Buck defend A-Rod?
Buck is still a respected guy in the baseball community and is probably still interested in managing. He already has a reputation as a hot head… he doesn’t want to appear that he has an axe to grind with A-Rod. It will reflect poorly on his ability to deal with players.
It also reflects poorly on his managing that he allowed all this to go on under his watch (steroids, tipping pitches etc.)
From a pure PR standpoint, it is in his best interest to sugarcoat things. And he is doing so.
A Texas Teammate’s View of A-Rod
By Tyler Kepner
In “A-Rod: The Many Lives of Alex Rodriguez,” my former colleague Selena Roberts is quite specific about how Rodriguez allegedly tipped pitches to opposing hitters from shortstop with the Texas Rangers.
It’s right there on page 119, sourced to anonymous ex-Rangers. If Alex twisted his glove back and forth as his left arm hung by his side, a changeup was coming. If Alex swept dirt with his spikes, a slider would follow. Alex would also stretch his back and lean to whichever side – in or out — the pitch was going.
By doing this, the book says, Rodriguez expected the same courtesy from the payers he helped.
“It wasn’t like he did it to throw a game – that wasn’t it at all – but he did it to help himself,” a former Ranger told Roberts. “He probably thought: ‘Hey, it’s a few times, no harm.’ He didn’t care if it killed his own guys. It was about stats for Alex – his.”
I decided to ask one of Alex’s “own guys” on the 2002-03 Rangers, relief pitcher C.J. Nitkowski, for his reaction to the allegation. C.J., a friend of Bats who is pitching in Korea this season after two years in Japan, had this email reply:
“That accusation about tipping pitches seems pretty out there to me and I really hope it’s not true. I doubt it is but I guess you never really know. I certainly never heard anything about it until now. I don’t see how anyone steps forward and admits to being in on it unless they have an axe to grind.
“My experience with pitching and Alex was a positive one. My first time there in ‘02 he pulled me aside one day and told me my stuff was great but my pitch selection was awful. I had no problem with that coming from a hitter of his caliber.
“We talked pitch selection and he gave me some good insight as to what hitters are most likely thinking in certain situations. To me it makes sense to talk to good hitters about pitching — what they like don’t like, etc. I followed his advice pitch to pitch once in a while and saw some good results; he knows what he is talking about.”
“so where is Francesa broadcasting from?”
The TV broadcasting booth. He wanted to broadcast out on the bleacher concourses but it’s raining
What is Francessa on?
There is no way this game is being played, especially cause I have good seats. To top it off, my wife asked me to move out last night, so now i will really have nothing to do
so he’s at the stadium? I don’t usually watch him, but I’m doing other things and just wanted something in the background
Francesa is at Yankee stadium today.
According to him, today is the christening of the new stadium.
Did Mike mention Jobber to the pen yet today?
so he’s missed the last month or so?
OK, Tyler Kepner is starting REPORTING on this issue… a beat writer. He CALLED someone who was there.
Pete, put your money where your mouth is.
Shucks. Was kind of hoping Mike would drag his mic cord out to the bleachers and do his show from there.
http://www.kansascity.com/spor.....75681.html
This is Jason Whitlock’s take on Selena Roberts.
Just thought I’d post the link in case you haven’t read it yet.
phil hugher for nick green
Forntoso May 4th, 2009 at 1:36 pm
Did Mike mention Jobber to the pen yet today?
=============================
Not yet(unless I missed it). I think he’s about to go on another “break up the Mets core” rant
I’m sure AJ could tell Kim Jones that he wants to pie the person she interviews after the game so if she could stall for an extra minute or two while he gets the pie.
I’m sure it is time consuming to go inside the clubhouse immediately after the game to a fridge to get the pie and then come back out and pie the guy, when the on-the-field interview usually lasts 20 seconds.
Not yet(unless I missed it). I think he’s about to go on another “break up the Mets core” rant
============================
I love the “break up the core” rant. I dont agree with it, but I love it.
m
It was none of Alex’s business but Rangers management/ownership is as much at fault as anyone. They promised to build a team around him, couldn’t afford to do it after they paid him, gave him too much input to keep him happy and caused themselves and him problems in the process.
He was a 25 year old player at the time. Can you even imagine Cashman allowing Cano to have responsibility of player personnel decisions, draft decisions and helping the pitchers decide on pitch selection?
mi: Buster, do you think the Red Sex should consider moving Ortiz down in the batting order? One month into the season and O home runs? I think the Red Sox are the only team in the league where the DH hasn’t homered.
Buster Olney: (1:43 PM ET ) Mi: I’d give Ortiz another week, including these two games in the short right field porch in Yankee Stadium, to figure it out. And if it doesn’t happen, and if I had Terry Francona’s job (and I don’t and never will), I’d bat Ortiz sixth, behind Bay and in front of Lowell.
the championship belt gets passed to big papi tonight 4-4 with 2homeruns….. watch
I’m here right outside yankee stadium and it is raining petty hard
Whitlock’s piece is really on point when talking about the sports media “elite”, as he puts it, but when he veers off into making it a racial issue he kind of loses me. Still, though, it’s nice to see some high-profile sports reporters breaking rank and calling B.S. on the supposedly infallible credibility of this book and the media’s coverage of it.
I’m surprised Francona isn’t going to be on. Every time it’s RS/Yankees he has him on. Not that I’m complaining. Because I don’t need to hear from Francona. Nothing against Francona seems like a good dude but enough already. Most of the audience: Yankee/Met fans aren’t interested in hearing from the RS manager on a daily basis.
The pie will most likely be saved for a big game by Damon or Swish. I don’t imagine Jeter or Posada would let that fly. Hissy fit Posada would probably punch him if he did it to him.
“I am picturing him standing on base giving the signs to someone. If that is indeed true, could it be that the unnamed sources, if they exist, might have misinterpreted that for Alex tipping off hitters?”
i think it’s likely that the semantics of the word “tipping” is what this is all about.
pettitte tips pitches from time to time. it’s of course unintentional. arod could have tipped pitches in this unintentional way.
shane spencer rides into dodge and hears alex tipped pitches at some point. selena roberts asks shane spencer and he says yeah he heard stories about arod tipping pitches.
the problem is roberts has changed the word “tipping ” to mean intentionally tipping. totally different meaning.
i doubt shane spencer heard anyone say arod was intentionally tipping pitches, and unless we hear the tapes of roberts and spencer, we don’t know how she asked him the question.
for her it works that it can be misconstrued so she’s running with that ball. it’s not right, but that’s selena roberts .
lol Dice-K throwing in the rain
Rishi, thank you for actual baseball related comments. Much appreciated
Francona is about to be on with Francesa
I have ranted, and I have had tirades, tantrums and diatribes. Just ask my kids!
I know one when I hear one.
Pete, you can speak to the way he left the room – stormed out – I didn’t see that, so I cannot.
But to me, a rant is when a person goes on and on and doesn’t stop on a pretty much a single note. Girardi, on the audio that you provided, was answering questions. Each “paragraph” of his so-called rant was separated by a question. And the answers, while emotional, did seem to me to relate to the particular questions.
You can’t deny that the newspapers are going to sensationalize, particularly on the covers, whatever the story of the day is. That’s how they get attention to their newspapers and sell them. But usually the inside stories are bit more measured. And it didn’t seem so to me this time.
If a person did not hear any of the conference, they would certainly have the impression that Joe Girardi went off and blasted people. Which he did not. And he did not say people should not write this or any kind of book. He questioned why they would want to. And give the guy a little here – how frustrating it must be to have to deal with this. And he did say that if MLB investigates either the steroids or the pitch tipping that they will deal with it. I believe his more emotional comments were directed to the excerpts he’s read or heard about that had more to do with Alex’s “idiosyncracies,” shall we say?
Perhaps he could have said nothing more than, we’ll deal with what we have to if we have to. He didn’t. The written stories in today’s papers would have been enough to say that Girardi is obviously frustrated (and annoyed) with having to answer all these questions relating to Alex. But the stories go beyond that and I think mischaracterized his reaction.
I don’t like “these kinds of books,” either. Anyone is free to read them or not. Apparently they go over well with most people – they’re usually fluff pieces, easy beach reading. If they didn’t do well (make money), they’d disappear.
I am on record as saying there is a story that Selena Roberts could be writing about with regard to the culture of privileged athletes. I think it’s a compelling one and there is substance behind it. But in my opinion, she’s obscured her good instinct about this story by the way she handled the Duke story, and by not including all sides to the ARod story, she shows her bias and makes her motives questionable. Unless her sole motive is to make money. That is not questionable.
Sometimes when Francessa does these Yankees/Red Sox shows… you would think it was WEEI with his Sox-centric his coverage is.
Sorry Pete, I listened to the audio of the interview again and Girardi comes off as calm and patient. Maybe he did get emotional but a rant no. And how do you describe it as coming from left field when he answered about 6 or 7 repeats of the same question.
The whole tipping of pitches is completely insane…What ever she was trying to convey will be lost on that alone….She’ll suffer far more than Alex will when it’s all said and done with….The real question is why write this, what was the motivation beyond the dough that will set her up for life……She’s mud in every ballplayers eyes….She’s done, especially when she’s exposed……Pete certainly digs her though…..Be careful who you defend Pete, it’s a small world that puts food on your table ….
test
the championship belt gets passed to big papi tonight 4-4 with 2homeruns….. watch
=========================
Maybe you’re right Chowdaface, but if you’re wrong, can we officially call him “Big Pop-up”?
Terry’s on now
Wouldn’t be surprised if Joe starts Claggett today, knowing that there is a good chance we won’t get 5 innings in so we don’t have to waste Hughes. The conditions are going to be pretty bad too.
Wouldn’t surprise me if Mike secretly roots for the SAWX.
The WFAN podcast was awesome…they totally grilled Selena Roberts
Good to see censorship is alive and well in 2009 on The Lohud Yankees Blog.
Enough with these Francona interviews…As a Yankee fan I really don’t care what he has to say. Like I really want to hear Francesa and him go on and on how good there pitching is…Please…
“Wouldn’t be surprised if Joe starts Claggett today, knowing that there is a good chance we won’t get 5 innings in so we don’t have to waste Hughes. The conditions are going to be pretty bad too.”
I doubt they would move back the entire rotation back again so theres no point in holding Hughes back again
By the way, who cares if Girardi was calm or not during his discussion of A-rod’s book? We heard what he said, none of it was out of line. Why would being emotional have any negative bearing on Joe? Maybe the non-stop personal attacks on A-rod have struck a cord with Girardi.
honestly, I would not have a problem with a rain out
Yankee U,
I think Joe threw up his arms and left the meeting. Don’t know if he simply exited stage right, stormed out, or what not.
I guess I should go to YES’s site and see if they cut the video before he threw his arms up. I also heard he upended a table and kicked someone’s puppy, too.
Matt Lauer owned Roberts this morning on NBC too.
Alex (Scottsdale AZ): Whose hitting core would you rather have for the future? Jones/Markakis/Weiers/Robers, Longoria/Pena/Upton/Crawford, Arod/Tex/Jeter/Cano or Bay/Youk/Pedroia/Ellsbury?
Buster Olney: (1:54 PM ET ) Alex: Hmmmm, great question. I’d take the four Orioles, because I don’t think Crawford will be with the Rays past 2010, and I think we’ve seen the best years of A-Rod and Jeter in the past.
the Matt Lauer interview:
http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/30557785/
I have a feeling that Girardi and A-Rod will have a father-son relationship like he did with Pinella.
Joe looks like he genuinely cares for A=Rod and yesterday was like a father protecting his son. He didn’t have to speak his mind, he could have just spoken in generic terms like everyone else did. But good for him.
I thought I heard Roberts say in her interview this morning, when asked, that she had talked to the players who were tipped (and I guess tipped back?). She obviously was not going to name any of them, nor was he even going to narrow the field (all-star vs. scrub player). Her report is Alex tipped pitches in order to get tipped pitches in return.
So, if they are going to investigate Alex about this, they need to find his “partners in crime” and investigate them as well. And if there is punishment meted out, it needs to be of all players involved, not just Alex. So, I don’t think anyone’s going to be forthcoming on this “on the record.”
Mo (NYC): If Ortiz doesn’t come around, how much trouble are the Sox in? In other words, how important is he to their overall success or is there someone else more important to them making the playoffs?
Buster Olney: (1:56 PM ET ) Mo: If Ortiz doesn’t hit, there will be time for the Red Sox to figure out/find a solution. Internally, they’re hoping that Ortiz bounces back the way that Carlos Delgado did for the Mets after sleep-walking through April and May of 2008.
I’m starting to wonder if ESPN has some insite into Selena Roberts’ sources and finds them bogus…based on the reaction from Mike and Mike and The Herd about 30 minutes ago, it seems like there’s a memo out to the ESPN front line to distance the network from the book. Everything i’ve heard from them today has been along the lines of, “the book doesn’t really add anything new,” and “who cares what kind of tipper A-Rod is?”
Alot of people have said whoever “leaked” the tipping pitches info must have some kind of axe to grind with Alex…based on the way the saga played out in Texas, maybe it was Orel?
So has anyone actually supported Selena Roberts regarding this book?
Even guys like Joel Sherman says he needs more proof.
I agree with Olney. I’d take the Orioles 4 too. BUT if J.Montero works out and the Yankees add someone else I’d take the Yankee four: Teixiera Cano Montero ?.
Francona just said that Bay’s been getting big hits, none bigger than Mo. Way to rub it in, Frankie.
Doreen, if she says she did indeed talk to a player who said they were tipped by A-Rod and tipped back than this becomes even more unbelievable IMO. No way any player would admit to tipping pitches or even admit to being open to receiving the tips. Especially not to a sports reporter.
Y26 May 4th, 2009 at 1:58 pm
So has anyone actually supported Selena Roberts regarding this book?
================================
I think the various si.com peeps seem pretty supportive. Shocking..I know.
Could Austin Jackson be apart of the “core”, or will he not be that impact of a player?
PETE has supported Selena Roberts regarding the book.
S.I. has supported her how, by saying she’s a “respected/trust worthy journalist,” or saying they know her sources are reliable. If it’s the former than that’s worth nothing to me.
SI’s Tom Verducci joined the show to discuss the hot teams in MLB, the top pick in the MLB draft and A-Rod:
– Verducci said that his book with Joe Torre was different than the upcoming Selena Roberts book on Alex Rodriguez because the Torre book had nothing off the field.
– Verducci is willing to give Joe Girardi a pass. He thinks the Yankees manager was emotional and not thinking straight. Verducci said that Girardi has to understand A-Rod is more than his average player.
“[A-Rod has] crossed over from being a ballplayer to a celebrity,” Verducci said.
– Verducci said that Rodriguez has done the right thing by avoiding answering any questions. What does he have to gain by it? Dan thinks A-Rod’s non-answers are adding fuel to the fire.
– Verducci said if the “pitch-tipping” report on A-Rod is true, MLB commissioner Bud Selig has to do something about it.
================
Is Verducci off base? Torre’s book had nothing off the field? Is he saying that Selena’s book delved too deeply into Alex’s personal life?
Heyman and Verducci look a little out of place defending Selena Roberts, while the rest of the world is grilling her.
Even people who wouldn’t spend a second on baseball (or sports in general) are killing her.
the championship belt gets passed to big papi tonight 4-4 with 2homeruns….. watch
=====================
Maybe you’re right Chowdaface, but if you’re wrong, can we officially call him “Big Pop-up”?
=====================
no because big papi own yankees stadium no matter how bad of a start hes off too he loves too kill stankee pitching so officially pass the belt to the champ
Most of Torre’s juicy info was things that happened in the ballpark (being called A-Fraud, Alex having no friends, Kevin Brown crying in the clubhouse etc.)
It’s not like his book was tabloid stuff.
Heyman twitter:
AL exec on phil hughes, tonight’s pitcher: “he still has a chance to be a No. 1.” (and that’s from a non-Yankee exec)
http://twitter.com/SI_JonHeyman
“Alex (Scottsdale AZ): Whose hitting core would you rather have for the future? Jones/Markakis/Weiers/Robers, Longoria/Pena/Upton/Crawford, Arod/Tex/Jeter/Cano or Bay/Youk/Pedroia/Ellsbury?”
For Baltimore, I would also add Nolan Reimold. The guy doesn’t get the pub other Oriole prospects get and was overlooked by the Baltimore Sun but they guy can mash. He’s hit at every level and this year at AAA is no exception.
Her litmus test is if the person was consistent in their story and had no axe to grind, she believed them. So, if I’m understanding this right, if she asked a person the same question in 10 different ways, but got the same answer, that would be consistent, correct? What about if it was a consistent lie? And how did she determine whether someone had an axe to grind. You see, these would be good questions about her “litmus test.” Don’t you try and find people to refute the “allegations” about Alex? If you’re fascinated by a person and by the way he seems to have “many lives,” where is the other side?
And she is very much making the point that since she was right about the 2003 steroids test, that proves she is right about everything else, because they used the same “litmus test.” I want to know how she got supposedly off-limits information. No one is asking her how she got the results of the 2003 tests. That is relevant. Because without those results, she HAS NO BOOK.
Even if the pitch tipping or the use of steroids post 04 is true… nobody is going to come out and verify it.
They are just going to inconvenience their own life and put themselves through more trouble than it is worth. Not to mention… nobody respects a snitch.
Makes no sense for someone to come out and verify these claims.
Olney on Selena Roberts:
“That’s all plausible, of course, but there is not the level of detail in proof that we saw in the Pete Rose betting scandal, for example.”
Was Buster this persnickety about the Mitchell Report? I don’t believe he was.
The Dowd Report http://www.dowdreport.com/ was the thing that put away Pete Rose. It’s head and shoulders above the Mitchell Report.
If that’s Buster’s watermark for truth, veracity and persuasiveness, Roberts doesn’t even get in the room.
Molina has good numbers against Lester. Wonder will he be in the lineup?
Girardi on the FAN after the break and Mink
http://bleacherreport.com/arti.....u-need-one
This, “crossing over to being a celebrity” is BS. That’s spin for writing an unauthorized, unnamed source bio.
Joe Torre isn’t a celebrity? He earns more off the field in endorsements now than Arod.
That’s just spin because people like Jason Whitlock, Mike and Mike from ESPN, Buster Olney and others have the “nerve” to ask for better sourcing before reaching her conclusions about the guy.
“Instead, Roberts has achieved one of the more incredible feats recently seen in the sports world—she’s made a sympathetic figure out of Alex Rodriguez.
I can’t believe it, but, Bob Costas’ interview with this atrocious troll actually moved me so violently, I started writing this at 5 AM in California (when I first encountered the Costas’ story). OK, so I fell back asleep shortly thereafter—I prefer to think of it as my passion burning too fiercely to be sustained than a short attention span.
Up until the clip, I was like the rest of the Major League Baseball watching world. I really didn’t like what little I knew of Alex Rodriguez—the man-child is nothing if not fabricated.
From his fake tan to his laboratory muscles to his canned responses to his cliched abandonment of family for a famous diva, everything about the man is calculated and concordantly stale (so is the diva). For those reasons, I was only watching the performance-enhancing drug snafu out of the corner of my eye.
But now it’s got the focus of both peepers and a good portion of my brain. I still don’t much like him, but compared to Selena Roberts?
Alex Rodriguez is an adorable, three-legged puppy that poops fragrant roses and plays for the San Francisco Giants.”
from the article linked above
and Joe’s there live
“—Verducci said if the “pitch-tipping” report on A-Rod is true, MLB commissioner Bud Selig has to do something about it.”
I’m not sure how the pitch-tipping – where A-Rod was helping opposing batters in exchange for the same treatment – keeps getting reported as if it’s a valid allegation. Given the flimsiness of Roberts’ source – she admitted the story was based on hearsay from Shane Spencer – against the emphatic, on-the-record shooting down of the allegations from Michael Young & Buck Showalter, why is it even being treated seriously anymore?
I’m also curious why she didn’t talk to Young or Showalter when she got that info from Spencer. If you’re researching a book on a MLB player and you get a lead like that, isn’t it irresponsible not to talk to the 2B who played next to A-Rod and his manager prior to presenting it as fact?
Will they play tonight?
Go, Joe G.
Some other tidbits Heyman’s tweets
“i get girardi sticking up for arod. but my northwestern friend should understand the value of books and the 1st amendment”
“im the only SI person who didn’t get an ackowledgement in arod book. this keeps personal streak alive. do i need to be more helpful?”
“got a mention in arod book! it aint much, but since i write only 140 characters at a time, it’s as close as ill come to authordomabout”
Here’s Girardi on with Francesa
Pete: Sweeney gave you a nice name-check on Beningo’s show today. Glad to see him give some props to the Yankees’ premier beat writer.
Keep up the great work!
As is the case with most people, some folks go too far.
She went too far with this book.
The rest? That’s up to Arod.
He can redeem himself in a big way by producing on the field and acting like a functional human being off it.
He does both, he makes her and this book look VERY small.
If he doesn’t change, by extension, it props her up.
Its all up to Arod now. Hopefully, he makes the right choice.
Did I miss the part where Girardi condemns the first amendment or are all these comments from sportswriters made up?
Swish is planned to be in the lineup today
Mike: “You got no Bruney, no Marte, -no Joba-.”
This whole 1st Amendment thing is a red herring.
Joe Girardi NEVER said he was against the First Amendment, book burner or anything else.
He said that he “doesn’t understand why people write books like this”.
He wasn’t CENSORING it. He was saying he “doesn’t understand why people write books like this”.
Is that really out of line?
Is the media that sensitive that Girardi’s stance is a problem to them?
If it is, then they are not in sync with over 80% of the country who shares Girardi’s views.
The book caters to the lowest common demoninator of people. Folks who are into reading this kind of stuff.
It isn’t the MAJORITY of people. So, if people like Verducci, Sherman, et al, are that upset, perhaps they should think a little before opening their mouths because their complaints on this issue fall on deaf ears.
Theres no way they are playing today.
And you know who to thank.
Patrick -
They making a giant leap. Girardi said he didn’t understand why someone would write this kind of book, and they’re – stretching would be a polite way to say it – stretching that to write that he doesn’t believe people have the RIGHT to write these kinds of books. Not what he said by any means.
Patrick -
He didn’t even say they “shouldn’t” write this kind of book. He simply wondered why people do write this kind of book. I’ve wondered the same myself. And I don’t buy ‘em.
big papi never did steroids form what my sources tell me but posada?
I’m still trying to figure out this First Amendment whine journalist are crying. Its right up there with “blame the messenger” when you dare to not believe any and everything a journalist reports.
For a journalist to cry 1st Amendment because Girardi stated he doesn’t see the need for such a book is asinine. Heyman, Sherman and any other reporter who speaks such a thing should give back their degrees.
I don’t care how much you want to rip Joe for his comments (that were wrapped in common sense IMO) just don’t whine First Amendment.
Hughes is better than Lester.
Nice to see school is out early in Boston and the place is filled with Red Sox trolls again.
It always humors me how many of these folks hang out here and post gibberish.
You have guys like Ray and Dennis that actually contribute to the blog.
Then, you have the trolls. Quite a concept to troll on a blog of a team you don’t like to talk smack.
The “joys” of the internet.
Good Lord
Girardi said nothing out of line.
Gimme a break!
Lara08, are you sure that they have degrees?
If you can twist Girardi’s statement that he doesn’t understand why books like Roberts’ are written into a statement that Girardi thinks such books don’t have the right to be published, can’t you also twist an attack on Girardi’s statement into a statement that Girardi doesn’t have the right to say such things?
Then look who’s attacking the First Amendment!
People need to stop and think before injecting the First Amendment into these controversies.
I hope they don’t have IBM ThinkPads–they haven’t made those in years. I think you mean Lenovo.
“Could Austin Jackson be apart of the “core”, or will he not be that impact of a player?”
Not for awhile at best this season he works as a 5th OF and next season starts fighting for the starting CF job.
Yankee U
May 4th, 2009 at 2:38 pm
Lara08, are you sure that they have degrees?
—————————-
Oops, did I assume? Speaking of…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tKlWGZHEO7Q
Glad Swisher back in the lineup. Don’t have to see Berroa at third tonight.
“Hughes is better than Lester.”
======================
I hope to one day say that and believe it at the same time, but right now the only pitcher on that Sox staff who scares me is Lester. I know his numbers are mediocre at best this year, but the kid is an absolute stud. He’s having trouble with location right now, but that might be due to his increased velocity now that he’s stronger. Once he gets location figured out, he’s gonna be scary.
Can’t wait foe Francessa to come on with his Red Sox jersey. Enough already with how superior they are to us. Guess he’s just setting up his primo seats at Fenway.
“Is that really out of line?”
Nope it’s not. I guess this is just another example of the media overreacting.
OMG JOE GIRARDI IS A NAZI AND I THINK I JUST CAUGHT SWINE FLU
Joe G. looks sheepish in his interviews with Francessa. More friendly with buddy Kay IMO.
And who called it a rant or a tirade!!??
Whoever did has their own creditbility issues.
So how many journalists have asked for more proof?
whos keeping that list?
“Hughes is better than Lester.”
Right now ? No.
I missed the Costa interview ( is there a link ? ) However I did watch Matt Lauer this morning and he had her on the ropes with his counter punches but he didn’t knock her out…She was saved by the ( segment ) bell….Lauer is a big Yankee fan and an Alex fan as well….He opened agreesively and set the tone as she backpeddled the entire interview……This is my last comment on the crap, however if someone has the link to the Bob Costa piece please post it….
Uncle Ellsworth =
The best description was “unprovoked diatribe,” as if no one asked any questions. A report was the first to mention “the book.”
check mlbnetwork.com – they probably have the link posted…makes sense that they would…
Oops, make that a REPORTER was the first to mention the book. Sorry for the typo.
Here is a link for the Costas interview with that person:
http://mlb.mlb.com/media/video.....id=4409345
The Senior Citizen better be in the lineup tonight
Really who cares. So Lame. Overkill to sell a book. Buy it and be a fool.
The belt’s been around a while. I remember reading about it. I remember smiling when I read about it the first time, and this one is no different. I’m glad to see they still have it kicking around
I think I found the original article.
Exceprt:
In the clubhouse, a toy wrestling belt with a plastic gold champion’s buckle was draped across Cabrera’s equipment bag. It was a gift from Johnny Damon, who had gotten it from his wrestling buddies — A. J. Burnett’s sons.
Original link: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04.....nkees.html
Girardi said Arod will play 3B today for 7 innings and tomorrow then DH on Wednesday and then they will see where he is… In Girardi talk that meant if he feels good on Wed. then he could return Friday in Baltimore.
So when does this game called? Because this weather is ugly.
new post ————>
Tipping pitches ?
Anybody that understands the games knows that it’s a game of an intricate network of signals. The catcher is not necessarily giving the final signal to his pitcher and it can change from inning to inning as to who will give it. It can start in the dugout and stream from there.
The same applies on offense with the 3rd base coach. No guarantee he gives the full signal. It could be the 1st base coach or the on deck hitter.
At the start of every series, the manager and coaches go over a whole new series of signals.
Books have been written on the subject.
“If Ortiz doesn’t come around, how much trouble are the Sox in? In other words, how important is he to their overall success or is there someone else more important to them making the playoffs?”
Maybe they need to find a new source of ‘Dominican Milkshakes”? Maybe Selena Roberts or one of her ’sources’ can point them in the right direction?
Agreed with SJ (and 80% of the population) – “I don’t understand why people write books like this” is just a simple statement of his thoughts.
What the heck’s wrong with me saying I don’t understand why someone would write a book like this other than revenge, money and/or blackmail? I really don’t understand why. What’s wrong with that? What’s wrong with SAYING that?
IMO it’s less of an infringement on the first amendment than any person (or journalist) trying to twist it into one. I mean, if they’re to get/coerce Girardi to say something other than his valid opinion (or lack of seeing any sense in her motive) by implying his view undermines our constitution and therefore letting Girardi know they’ll make him out to be a bad guy when he doesn’t give them the right answer in their opinion, aren’t they doing it themselves to an extent?
Wait .. there I went and did it.
SJ there are plenty of good Sox fans on the blog. There are just as many Yankee fans that act like idiots on here as Sox fans.
This SoxChowdah guy does, in fact, take it to a whole new level though.
who else thinks papi will have a huge game face it hes so do for it and lester is better than hughes right now and forever
He stands out when he impacts the baseball?
If it was widely known that ARod had approval to call pitches, then a lot of people would know exactly how he did it. The information that Selena said she “Verified” with other sources were only about how he did it. How did she “verify” through her great investigative work that there were players that he was tipping to for quid pro quo?
On top of that, I can see a lot of misconstrued information coming from other players like Shane Spencer that “overheard” something about a quid pro quo. I can’t believe this was even reported on.
I finally realized why Selena Roberts is so unhappy and hateful. Unfortunately, I accidentally saw her on TV.