Knoblauch opens up: “I went through the wringer”
Posted by: Chad Jennings - Posted in Misc on Sep 22, 2011 
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Fascinating story coming out of Minneapolis this morning. Amelia Rayno caught up with Chuck Knoblauch, who finally opened up about his trade to New York, his throwing issues in the Bronx, his ugly return to Minnesota, his inclusion in the Mitchell Report and his quiet life outside of baseball.
“Something obviously went wrong, but I have no idea what it was,” Knoblauch said of his throwing problems. “I couldn’t overcome it. I got to thinking too much, and I couldn’t shut it off.
“I was bright lights, big city and I was having this serious issue, in front of millions of people, and I had to wake up every day and face it. And I faced it. If you care so much about something, it’s hard not to make it a life and death thing. I feel like I went to New York as a boy and I left it a man. Because I went through the wringer.”
There’s a lot of good stuff in the story. It’s a well-written profile of a key part of late-90s Yankees dynasty. Check it out.
You know what, he doesn’t come off as a particularly nice guy. Dismisses his HGH use because he felt it didn’t help him. There are a lot of people, myself included, who wanted to root for him, but he didn’t make it easy and evidently little has changed.
Suffice to say I don’t think he’ll be coming to Old Timer’s Day anytime soon.
Great article
Knoblach was a nice player in his time. I’ll always remember him as the guy arguing with the first base ump in the 98 series against the tribe as the runner scored.
Warning Track Power September 22nd, 2011 at 12:00 pm
Just learned about Posada thought his hit was actually in the bottom of the 9th, not
the bottom of 8th, LOL!!
No wonder he was celebrating halfway down the 1st base line last night-HILARIOUS!
Very interesting article on Knobie.
Foolish me thought both he and Jeter were still buddies to this date.
Clearly I was terribly wrong about that.
I’m no Dr., but the kid obviously has some “mental” issues that are related to his failures
in NY(throwing the ball from 2nd base to 1st base).
Going by the what was written in the article, he is doing all he can to “erase” his past.
Very strange!
Repost from previous thread:
yankeefem,
I would guess day-night doubleheader on Sunday? I hope so because if that happens will try to go to both. You are right, day-night doubleheaders are the best! reminds me of my childhood (which was, unfortunately, a long time ago, LOL).
Who wants to guess the starting line-up for the game tonight?
BIG AL September 22nd, 2011 at 11:58 am
Tom -
If they wind up in a 3 way tie, MLB will have a draw to see which team gets the bye. The others will play at the home of the team with the best division record, or head to head. If it were that way today RS would play in tampa, or Angels in Tampa.
—————–
Where and when would the second game be played?
tucker – I will never forget the “Blauch-head” headline the Daily News went with.
Big Al,
Found the answer: http://www.boston.com/sports/b.....orts_links
I never met Chuck, but I knew someone who was sleeping with his wife… and heard about some crazy stories about both he and his wife. I guess they were married on paper only.
Not sure what was going on there – but my impression is that he was one crazy dude.
Anyway….
I felt bad for Knoblauch at the time and for years afterwards, but subsequent revelations have made me far less sympathetic to him
# pat September 22nd, 2011 at 10:43 am
Yankees went Prosecco over Champagne last night for the celebration.
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Is Prosecco not Champagne. I looked it up, it’s like 10 bucks a bottle. Looked like pretty good stuff. ha
Unknown,
Prosecco is the Italian version of Champagne, as Cava is the Spanish version.
Prosecco is sparkling wine….only Champagne is can be called champagne. I’m sure prosecco is cheaper
They are both sparkling wines, but, the differences are:
http://www.wisegeek.com/what-i.....mpagne.htm
@DKnobler: I know this stat was out there yesterday, but still incredible. Since the hurricane, Red Sox are 1-17 when scoring fewer than 9 runs
@DKnobler: true RT @MichaelPawluk: lone (Bos) win came last Friday with those ridiculous strike calls the ump gave Beckett that got Maddon tossed.
I always liked Knoblauch when he was a Yankee; he was a hard nosed player, nice bat, always got on base and very good speed. Throwing issues were downright bizarre. But no human should be treated so badly by fans, especially the treatment he endured in Minnesota. I enjoyed watching Knoblach play, throwing issues aside. Don’t know and won’t pretend to know about his personal life. I wish him well.
JM, looks like you will have scattered T-storms tonight with clearing later. Hopefully, they will be intermittent with no delays. A Sunday day-night would be ideal.
Right now (although I know it is a bit premature to check) first two playoff games, the weather looks clear with a low of 55. I will take that.
No more double-headers this season-I beg MOTHER NATURE to leave the YANKEES alone
for the remainder of 2011.
LGY
is there some sabermetric correlation between hurricanes and wins?
I’d almost rather discussing the merits of throwing games to the Rays (which I hate, by the way) to sink the Sox than to endure the silence here. By the way, my favorite Cava is Crystallino, reasonably priced and very tasty.
Spoke too soon, submitted too late. Sorry.
I don’t believe in throwing games, but I would have no problem w/ sending some of the call ups into the mix to see what they could do, at least for the Rays games. I want the Yankees to crush the sox.
LGY is there some sabermetric correlation between hurricanes and wins?
——–
The hurricane foreshadowed the tears of a million Sox fans.
that sounds more poetic than sabermetric
Of course the silly meteorologists didn’t know the real reason for the hurricane.
Only us Sabermetricians knew the truth.
Kate,
Yes, their is a hurricane connection. The Yankees went to the series in 1960 when Hurricane Donna hit the northeast. It is a small sample size, admittedly, but I am relying on it.:)
of course, that explains everything
upstate kate September 22nd, 2011 at 1:14 pm
I don’t believe in throwing games, but I would have no problem w/ sending some of the call ups into the mix to see what they could do, at least for the Rays games. I want the Yankees to crush the sox.
************************************************************************
I have a funny feeling a lot of the call ups will be in the line-up tonight.
Laird, Pena, Romine, Montero, Golson, Dickerson, Nunez, etc
that sounds more poetic than sabermetric
—–
The douchey looking player plus (DB+) has a very strong correlation between wins post natural disaster.
As you can guess, Boston’s DB+ is through the roof.
Kate,
I don’t regard playing the kids as throwing a game. Play hard, doesn’t matter to the Yanks if we lose, but very may be of importance to a few young careers. Go, Yanks!
Peter Gammons made a deal with Mother Nature to make the Yankees’ September schedule as brutal as possible.
When the baseball gods got wind of this they sought retribution.
good one LGY
Tom
I didn’t mean to imply playing the kids meant throwing a game. Afte rall the Yankees won game 1 yesterday w/o a SP.
feminista,
Did you get your playoff tix yesterday? I actually had good success for the first time in many moons.
Kate,
It also means we’ve got fresh manpower tomorrow to crush the Sox.
http://www.sportslogos.net/blo.....redsox.jpg
——-
I am sure you all have seen that, but it’s funny. Some unfortunate country has some new clothes.
Pretty interesting on the Champagne discussion. Thanks.
@pgammo: MLB Network’s crack Nte Purinton reminds us that after the games of Sept. 3 the Angels were 9 1/2 games back of the Red Sox
???
Unknown,
Maybe they’ll donate them to Drob’s charity!
Bronx Jeers September 22nd, 2011 at 1:26 pm
feminista,
Did you get your playoff tix yesterday? I actually had good success for the first time in many moons.
_____
Good for you, Jeers! I split full seasons, so I had no password in the pre-sale this year, but I will try to pick up the games I lack in tomorrow’s sale.
My own theory on the demise of the red sox goes back to that construction worker attempting to put big Papi’s jersey in the foundation of new YS. Aura and Mystique got very angry.
’09 1st round exit
’10 didn’t make the post season
’11 ???
kate, lol, good point!
Heading to a celebratory lunch! Have a good day! Go Matt Moore!
I would really love to sweep Boston and put the final nail in their coffin this weekend.
Go Angels/Rays!
Say what you will about Knoblauch, but he hit two HUGE homeruns in the 1998 and 1999 World Series for the Yankees.
Tino never gets a shot at that Grand Slam had Knoblauch not tied it up with a 3-run shot.
And he tied a game against the Braves in 1999 as well.
A slideshow from Boston.com about “who is responsible for the Red Sox’ collapse”:
http://www.boston.com/sports/b.....pbox_links
yankeefeminista,
Oh I’ve been there. A couple of seasons of 4 dudes sharing two tix per series and it never ended pretty. Good luck tomorrow. The Yanks need fans like you there. Too many TV execs at these games.
Thanks, Jeers! We had the tix to ourselves for quite a few years, but it got too expensive. Especially now that I don’t live in the city. (Aside: I can’t believe the Bridge toll is now $12 from NJ!) Have a good one. Catch you all later!
Goose, QFT. Knoblauch was money. Loved watching him hit.
enjoy your celebratory lunch Yankeefem
Thanks, kate.
Maybe somebody posted this already… The Sox are 1-17 since the hurricane when scoring fewer than 9 runs.
Jeers
LGY posted that earlier. He was trying to make some sabermetric correlation between hurricanes and red sox losses.
yankeefeminista September 22nd, 2011 at 1:55 pm
Goose, QFT. Knoblauch was money. Loved watching him hit.
****************************************************
Where can I find some video evidence of
Knobie throwing the ball from 2nd base into the stands, LOL!!
Jeers
LGY posted that earlier
——————————
My laziness in here seems to progressing. Now I can’t even scroll through a few dozen comments.
But I have been on point with the last couple of magic number photos thanks to your interest.
yes, and I thank you for that
I clicked on that link above, the who’s to blame for the Boston collapse slideshow. At the end of it they let you vote.
I voted for Theo, but he’s going to need your help to overtake Lackey.
is there a bet involved Nick?
I also voted for Theo. I just think it will make him feel better if he wins SOMETHING this year.
I think Big Al said it earlier, but I agree with him that Phillies could have a lot of trouble getting through their play-offs. Too many left handed bats that can be handled.
Nick,
My vote’s in for Theo.
No bet for me, just the big bet that Theo made on John Lackey and Carl Crawford, among others.
I got my latest issue of ESPN magazine in the mail today…a total tribute edition to everything Boston sports…After I wipe the vomit off of it, I can let the new puppy wee wee on it..
Pretty funny that Lackey is winning that poll. Preposterous…but funny.
Just read that Sox tried to trade for Mets’ Chris Capuano to pitch vs us Sunday…
Nick in SF September 22nd, 2011 at 2:47 pm
I clicked on that link above, the who’s to blame for the Boston collapse slideshow. At the end of it they let you vote.
I voted for Theo, but he’s going to need your help to overtake Lackey.
**********************************************************************8
I voted for Theo also but a little surprised that Paplebum was not an option
“I voted for Theo also but a little surprised that Paplebum was not an option”
Paps is having a pretty good season closing, but you can vote for him on the ‘who is most responsible for the collapse of the Boston Riverdance Team’ poll.
“A slideshow from Boston.com about “who is responsible for the Red Sox’ collapse””
Thoroughly enjoyed that JM – thanks for the post.
I voted for Theo as well. Cash-money won this round, and it wasn’t close.
DocTodd September 22nd, 2011 at 3:07 pm
Just read that Sox tried to trade for Mets’ Chris Capuano to pitch vs us Sunday…
Shame they didn’t try for AJ…he’s due one good outing before next season.
Theo didn’t have the Red Sox as prepared for injuries as Cashman did the Yankees….especially in the rotation…..and he also has made some horrible signings in the last couple of years.
Anyone know what would happen if the Sox, Rays & Angels finished in a three-way tie for the WC?
# Jeff in Canada September 22nd, 2011 at 3:16 pm
I voted for Theo as well. Cash-money won this round, and it wasn’t close.
————
My oh my, how things have changed since the offseason.
The greatest team ever assembled is reeling so hard that they could be sitting at home watching October baseball.
I voted for Theo as well…..Let’s vote early and often.
Not really sure why Big Sloppy is in there, although it is true he basically threw his manager under the bus. So there is that.
arjay
there was a link earlier in the day. I think it was found on boston.com, but I could be wong.
I would have voted for ‘Agon’s Spray Chart’ if it had been an option.
I think it led to overconfidence.
blake,
if you owned the sox, would you change management? theo? tito?
i think i’d do something to change some of culture in the hub.
as a yankee fan, it would be fun to watch
Link to playoff rules:
http://www.boston.com/sports/b.....orts_links
# blake September 22nd, 2011 at 3:19 pm
Theo didn’t have the Red Sox as prepared for injuries as Cashman did the Yankees….especially in the rotation…..and he also has made some horrible signings in the last couple of years.
———–
That’s just it. That’s what many of us said from Day 1. Any casual baseball fan who wasn’t whining about Cashman not making the headline moves that Theo did could see it coming a mile away.
Their rotation was in huge trouble if any of those guys went down or didn’t perform up to par because they had nobody on the farm to step in.
And given the health issues Beckett and Dice-K had been dealing with the last few years in addition to Lackey’s general suckitude and Buchholz only having one good season, these issues are anything but shocking.
bruceb…you just know that if AJ were pitching for Boston, we’d be lucky to get a run off of him…
Blake, hat’s an interesting point. Lot of chatter among baseba geeks that the next frontier of baseball analysis will be injury prevention. Run prevention (theo’s alleged strategy last year) was so 2010.
I would vote for whoever came up wit the phrase “best team since the 27 Yanks..”
Sort of like I blame Leland and his “Murderer’s Row then Cano” for 2006.
Kd,
Definitely wouldn’t make a managerial change…..I don’t see how Francona can be blamed for any of this really.
Theo deserves some criticism though IMO…..most people saw the Lackey deal as bad from day 1…..most people saw the Crawford deal as a huge overpay from day 1…..many people recognized that their rotation was extremely thin 6-10 depth wise….and I talked at length in ST how moving Youkalis back to 3b ST his age and with his body type was probably a bad idea…..
Cashman has owned him over the last couple years to be honest
You can’t blame all of Boston’s woes on injuries. They have a good offense and have had games in hand that they wouldn’t otherwise have let go.
Beckett, Lester, A-gon, Pedroia, Ortiz, Ellsbury, Papelbon all having great years.
Credit the Yankees, Angels, and Tampa for not rolling over.
I think what might have happened is that the Sox looked at their September schedule and thought their ticket was punched.
Good for the Fighting Showalters for doing more than just playing out the string.
That poll is missing two choices:
-The Rays for beating up on Boston
-The Yankees for beating up on everyone else.
^^Basically, what I’m trying to say is they are choking.
And yes, the starter woes is affecting the bullpen.
But, it affected us, too.
Tucker,
The best predictor of future injuries is past history of injuries…..that’s why all these analysts that were positive Boston was going to be healthy all this year were fooling themselves.
by this time in the season, every team has suffered injuries
tomingeorgia September 22nd, 2011 at 3:26 pm
Link to playoff rules:
http://www.boston.com/sports/b…..orts_links
==========================
Thanks Tom. We should all be rooting for a three-way tie, what a shambles the eventual winner would be in.
kate,
Good point. Credit to Cashman for building up the farm system and for making the right FA pickups to deal with the injuries.
blake
I think some of the FA signings may have been ordered above Theo.
I heard Gammons on the DP show and he made it sound like Theo and Francona were not so close now.
He thought there could be a parting of the ways.
The Yankees have lost:
Joba for the season
Arod for half the season
Jeter for 6 weeks
Chavez for half the season
Garcia for 2-3 starts
Hughes for most of the season
Soriano for half the season
Colon for a month
Martin here and there probably a month total
Feliciano and Marte never played
Etc
They were prepared for these things and their depth has carried them……that’s why Cashman is getting the last laugh for those poking fun at him for signing every cheap starting pitcher he could get his hands on last winter.
arjay September 22nd, 2011 at 3:41 pm
tomingeorgia September 22nd, 2011 at 3:26 pm
Link to playoff rules:
http://www.boston.com/sports/b…..orts_links
==========================
Thanks Tom. We should all be rooting for a three-way tie, what a shambles the eventual winner would be in.
—————————————
Ehh I dunno about that.
If the Rays or Sox were to be the winner of a 3 way tie we wouldn’t play them anyway and I do not want to play the Angels in the first round.
Gimme Texas, payback would be sweet and no thanks to seeing Verlander twice in a 3 game series.
Maine….maybe so….but we have no way of knowing and thats Theo’s job….or should be
*5 game series that is
blake
I think it could be similar to Soriano.
I’m not excusing Theo by any means but I do wonder just how much control he has.
pk,
If you were the winning team in those playoffs, flying every night for four nights to open the REAL playoffs, I think you are at a real disadvantage, because you’d have to have used your best pitching up just to get to the ALDS.
Not sure when Raul Valdes was put on waivers by st. Louis and not sure why the Cards put him on the block, but, NYYs picked him up on 16 August when the Yanks had a half a game lead on Boston. Every team in baseball passed on him and in his 2 appearances with 2.2 innings, he could prove to be really valuable. We’ll see this weekend against Boston. 2 singles, 0 runs, 1 walk and 5 of the 8 outs that he’s recorded are strikeouts. Also valuable against Texas.