Last year, I wrote an article about Coffee, the Met fan dog who wore a David Wright jersey, a pipe, sunglasses, glasses, a bandana, and a Mets cap.
My scoop was that I was the first to notice that this dog, seen as a "Met fan" asking for money outside CitiField, was pawing both sides of the street -- he also showed up dressed as a Yankee fan asking for money during the playoffs! Click on my original article to see the pix. I thought it was funny that even a dog would change baseball alliances when it was convenient! I guess money talks.
Anyhow, a few weeks ago, I noted on our page view reports that we were getting a lot of traffic on that old story, and a whole bunch of new comments. I didn't understand why people were reading the piece. Then I saw that there was a Facebook group called Stop Abusing Coffee set up, with a link to my own article, among other stories about the dog. The page said that "coffee the dog that is forced to sit outside of Citi Field before, during & after EVERY Mets home game needs to stop being abused."
Anyhow, I didn't want to accuse the owner of abuse without hearing or seeing evidence of it, so I held off on writing something right away. Then the Gothamist site ran several stories last week, with photo evidence of Coffee having to wear a shock collar to stay in line. Yikes! Then they ran a photo of Coffee's owner, apparently holding the controls for the shock collar, a picture where it looks like Coffee does not have any teeth!
The latest news is that Coffee's owner had her pretending to be a Yankee fan outside Yankee Stadium during the Subway Series this past weekend, and some concerned folks took some more pictures. This story is now blowing up -- it's one of the lead items on today's Drudge Report.
A lot of people have called the Mets, the ASPCA, and other animal rights groups to get this stopped, to no avail. You can read more about this issue at the Stop Abusing Coffee page. Here's hoping for a happy resolution to this story.
What do you think? Tell us about it!
Showing posts with label New York Yankees. Show all posts
Showing posts with label New York Yankees. Show all posts
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Subway Series: Mets Can't Fight the Power
The world didn't end last night, so the Yankees moving into first place by beating the Mets will have to do. The Yankees got only seven hits, but four of them were homers, leading some to suggest that the Yankees are an all or nothing team.
But I wish the Mets had such problems. Brett Gardner has more homers than last night's cleanup hitter, Jason Bay. And while Bay clearly doesn't belong in that spot, nobody else on the active roster does either.
So the current Mets lineup goes only as far as their pitching takes them, and last night Chris Capuano didn't take them very far. Capuano had been pitching well as of late, allowing only two earned runs in each of his last three starts, but that only got his ERA down to 4.78, and it's now 5.36 after last night's homer barrage. And it's not as if he's that much better at home - his Citi Field ERA is 5.04.
Today's rubber game will be a good test for the Mets' pitching staff. Mike Pelfrey has a 5.11 ERA and 1.54 WHIP for the season, but after a disastrous start, his May ERA is 2.11 and his WHIP is 0.98.
But when Pelfrey pitched against the Yankees at the Stadium last June, he allowed homers to Mark Teixeira and Curtis Granderson. Not a good omen when Granderson is doing so well and Teixeira already has a homer in each game of this series (and a homer in the Baltimore game before that).
So Squawker Lisa, I hope I'm wrong about my prediction that the Mets would take just one of three, but it looks to be an uphill battle for the erratic Pelfrey and the Mets' makeshift lineup.
Lisa and I want to send our best wishes to Gary Carter and his family, and we are hoping and praying for a good outcome.
But I wish the Mets had such problems. Brett Gardner has more homers than last night's cleanup hitter, Jason Bay. And while Bay clearly doesn't belong in that spot, nobody else on the active roster does either.
So the current Mets lineup goes only as far as their pitching takes them, and last night Chris Capuano didn't take them very far. Capuano had been pitching well as of late, allowing only two earned runs in each of his last three starts, but that only got his ERA down to 4.78, and it's now 5.36 after last night's homer barrage. And it's not as if he's that much better at home - his Citi Field ERA is 5.04.
Today's rubber game will be a good test for the Mets' pitching staff. Mike Pelfrey has a 5.11 ERA and 1.54 WHIP for the season, but after a disastrous start, his May ERA is 2.11 and his WHIP is 0.98.
But when Pelfrey pitched against the Yankees at the Stadium last June, he allowed homers to Mark Teixeira and Curtis Granderson. Not a good omen when Granderson is doing so well and Teixeira already has a homer in each game of this series (and a homer in the Baltimore game before that).
So Squawker Lisa, I hope I'm wrong about my prediction that the Mets would take just one of three, but it looks to be an uphill battle for the erratic Pelfrey and the Mets' makeshift lineup.
Lisa and I want to send our best wishes to Gary Carter and his family, and we are hoping and praying for a good outcome.
Saturday, May 21, 2011
Subway Series: Mets Give Yankees a Knuckle Sandwich
Boo hoo, Squawker Lisa. The Yankees had to face a knuckleballer last night - that's not fair! Some Yankee excuses from last night's game:
"It's tough to hit whenever you go up against a knuckleballer." - Russell Martin
"There's just no rhyme or reason to it." - Curtis Granderson
"No one knows where it's going so it's kind of hard to have an approach against him" - Derek Jeter
Actually, this year it's kind of hard for Jeter to have an approach against most pitchers, but I digress. The Yankees can make all the excuses they want, but R.A. Dickey had a 5.08 ERA going into last night's Subway Series opener. In his last start, he gave up six runs and 11 hits to the weak-hitting Astros. Even most Met fans didn't think Dickey had a chance to pitch well in the Bronx.
But for one night at least, Dickey looked like the pitcher the cheap new front office was willing to give a two-year contract. It's great to see Dickey come through and Mets pitching continue to be on a roll. The Yankees got just four hits Friday after scoring 13 runs Thursday night. In the Mets' previous two games, they shut out the Nationals, who then scored 17 runs last night. It doesn't matter if half the Mets' lineup is from Triple A if the pitching is this good.
And by the way, for all the Yankees' complaining, Dickey only pitched six innings. While the Mets rotation still looks shaky, the bullpen could be the best the Mets have had since 2006.
Look on the bright side, Squawker Lisa. Maybe the world will end tonight before the Yankees have to think of excuses about why they struggled against Chris Capuano.
"It's tough to hit whenever you go up against a knuckleballer." - Russell Martin
"There's just no rhyme or reason to it." - Curtis Granderson
"No one knows where it's going so it's kind of hard to have an approach against him" - Derek Jeter
Actually, this year it's kind of hard for Jeter to have an approach against most pitchers, but I digress. The Yankees can make all the excuses they want, but R.A. Dickey had a 5.08 ERA going into last night's Subway Series opener. In his last start, he gave up six runs and 11 hits to the weak-hitting Astros. Even most Met fans didn't think Dickey had a chance to pitch well in the Bronx.
But for one night at least, Dickey looked like the pitcher the cheap new front office was willing to give a two-year contract. It's great to see Dickey come through and Mets pitching continue to be on a roll. The Yankees got just four hits Friday after scoring 13 runs Thursday night. In the Mets' previous two games, they shut out the Nationals, who then scored 17 runs last night. It doesn't matter if half the Mets' lineup is from Triple A if the pitching is this good.
And by the way, for all the Yankees' complaining, Dickey only pitched six innings. While the Mets rotation still looks shaky, the bullpen could be the best the Mets have had since 2006.
Look on the bright side, Squawker Lisa. Maybe the world will end tonight before the Yankees have to think of excuses about why they struggled against Chris Capuano.
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Post Publishes Juicy Tidbits From Ian O'Connor's New Book About Jeter/A-Rod Feud
Sorry I haven't squawked for a while -- I have been working on two real-life projects that have consumed almost all of my time. I knew I had better get back to squawking soon when I got this email the other day, with the subject line "Do You Know there are 2 teams in NYC?" Here's the email:
Anyhow, on a brighter note, Happy Easter! When I got online this morning and saw that the New York Post had information from Ian O'Connor's upcoming book, "The Captain" (you know, the one that he's been working on at the same time he's been carrying Jeter's water in his columns), I knew I'd better squawk, or some might think I was comatose!
This "exclusive" article has inside details on the feud (although, for some odd reason, the Post calls it an "unauthorized" bio), and has pretty much vindicated a lot of what I've said over the years. Some tidbits:
* Jeter, the modern day Joe DiMaggio in a lot of ways -- including holding grudges -- so intimidated one Yankee front office person who admitted to being afraid to talk to Jeter about burying the hatchet with Alex. "It would've been the last conversation I ever had with Derek," he said. "I would've been dead to him. It would've been like approaching Joe DiMaggio to talk to him about Marilyn Monroe."
* At the 2001 All-Star Game, according to the Post's account of the book, "a smitten Rodriguez introduced him to Latin songstress Joy Enriquez. Jeter wasted no time -- the singer and the shortstop began dating."
* Don Mattingly tried to get Jeter to make up with A-Rod. "I faked it with Boggs," he said. "And you have to fake it with Alex." Heh!
* Brian Cashman also asked Jeter to "fake it" with Rodriguez, after noticing Jeter's lack of defense when it came to other players and fans criticizing the third baseman. "You've got to lead them all, the ones you like and the ones you don't," he told Jeter. He asked Jeter to defend A-Rod to the fans. "I can't tell the fans what to do," Jeter countered. (Of course, Jeter did just that when it came to Jason Giambi and Chuck Knoblauch, although the article doesn't mention that.) I don't know how many times I wrote over the years that the captain's job was to stand up for all of his teammates, not just his buddies. So good for Cashman that he told him the same thing!
Then there's this tidbit:
It's funny -- people would tell me over and over how Jeter would do anything to win. Yes, except for making the peace with Rodriguez!
Even though most of the New York media mostly ignored the issue as it was happening, it was pretty clear that there was a huge issue here. And since I was one of the few people anywhere writing about it, I got a lot of "How do you know, you're not in the clubhouse" in response, and people insisting that Jeter would never be so petty. Oh, really?
What's funny is that O'Connor's book, written with the cooperation of the Jeter camp, has such tidbits which reflect so negatively on Jeter (although, to be sure, the information also reflects negatively on Rodriguez, saying that Jeter didn't like A-Rod acting as a diva as a Yankee, and that A-Rod obsessed over Jeter. IMHO, I think A-Rod could have been Mother Teresa as a Yankee, and it wouldn't have made any difference!)
After all, so much of Jeter's mystique has been on his vaunted leadership skills. But instead of embracing getting the best player in baseball at the time for the team, this article makes it clear that Jeter was "less than thrilled" when A-Rod became a Yankee. And that one of the reasons the Yankees gave CC Sabathia $161 million was to mend the clubhouse, From the article:
What do you think? Tell us about it!
Hey…do you guys know that there is another team in town. They are called “the Yankees.”Harsh, dude! Ouch!
Would think that there is only one team in NYC, to read your blog lately.
What’s the story???
Anyhow, on a brighter note, Happy Easter! When I got online this morning and saw that the New York Post had information from Ian O'Connor's upcoming book, "The Captain" (you know, the one that he's been working on at the same time he's been carrying Jeter's water in his columns), I knew I'd better squawk, or some might think I was comatose!
This "exclusive" article has inside details on the feud (although, for some odd reason, the Post calls it an "unauthorized" bio), and has pretty much vindicated a lot of what I've said over the years. Some tidbits:
* Jeter, the modern day Joe DiMaggio in a lot of ways -- including holding grudges -- so intimidated one Yankee front office person who admitted to being afraid to talk to Jeter about burying the hatchet with Alex. "It would've been the last conversation I ever had with Derek," he said. "I would've been dead to him. It would've been like approaching Joe DiMaggio to talk to him about Marilyn Monroe."
* At the 2001 All-Star Game, according to the Post's account of the book, "a smitten Rodriguez introduced him to Latin songstress Joy Enriquez. Jeter wasted no time -- the singer and the shortstop began dating."
* Don Mattingly tried to get Jeter to make up with A-Rod. "I faked it with Boggs," he said. "And you have to fake it with Alex." Heh!
* Brian Cashman also asked Jeter to "fake it" with Rodriguez, after noticing Jeter's lack of defense when it came to other players and fans criticizing the third baseman. "You've got to lead them all, the ones you like and the ones you don't," he told Jeter. He asked Jeter to defend A-Rod to the fans. "I can't tell the fans what to do," Jeter countered. (Of course, Jeter did just that when it came to Jason Giambi and Chuck Knoblauch, although the article doesn't mention that.) I don't know how many times I wrote over the years that the captain's job was to stand up for all of his teammates, not just his buddies. So good for Cashman that he told him the same thing!
Then there's this tidbit:
It all came to a head during a Yankee loss in August 2006 to Baltimore.I remember that well. And I remember how much grief I got from fans for pointed out that obvious dis. Believe it or not, readers used to argue me all the time when I said it was pretty obvious Jeter couldn't stand A-Rod. But It was pretty clear to me starting with the way Jeter mumbled and grimaced through A-Rod's introductory press conference in 2004 that the Captain didn't want him on the team.
An easy pop-up hung in the air between A-Rod and Jeter. Both players closed in and Jeter bumped into A-Rod, knocking the ball out of his glove. Jeter shot A-Rod a withering look.
The gesture did not go unnoticed. Cashman pulled Jeter aside and ordered him to knock it off.
"Listen, this has to stop," Cashman said. "Everybody in the press box, every team official, everyone watching, they saw you look at the ball on the ground and look at him with disgust like you were saying, 'That's your mess, you clean it up.' "
A-Rod also felt betrayed by manager Joe Torre, who players said added fuel to the fiery feud.
"He would never call Jeter on anything, but he'd have no problem doing it to Alex," one player told the author.
It's funny -- people would tell me over and over how Jeter would do anything to win. Yes, except for making the peace with Rodriguez!
Even though most of the New York media mostly ignored the issue as it was happening, it was pretty clear that there was a huge issue here. And since I was one of the few people anywhere writing about it, I got a lot of "How do you know, you're not in the clubhouse" in response, and people insisting that Jeter would never be so petty. Oh, really?
What's funny is that O'Connor's book, written with the cooperation of the Jeter camp, has such tidbits which reflect so negatively on Jeter (although, to be sure, the information also reflects negatively on Rodriguez, saying that Jeter didn't like A-Rod acting as a diva as a Yankee, and that A-Rod obsessed over Jeter. IMHO, I think A-Rod could have been Mother Teresa as a Yankee, and it wouldn't have made any difference!)
After all, so much of Jeter's mystique has been on his vaunted leadership skills. But instead of embracing getting the best player in baseball at the time for the team, this article makes it clear that Jeter was "less than thrilled" when A-Rod became a Yankee. And that one of the reasons the Yankees gave CC Sabathia $161 million was to mend the clubhouse, From the article:
"CC's main concern was our clubhouse, and how people got along," Cashman told the author. "I told him the truth. 'Yeah, we are broken. One reason we're committing [$161 million] to you is you're a team builder. We need somebody to bring us together.' "I guess it would have been too much to expect the team's captain to bring the Yankees together, eh?
What do you think? Tell us about it!
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Shocker! Joel Sherman Says Criticism of A-Rod Is "Unfair"
Will wonders never cease? I almost spilled my morning coffee on myself when I read that the New York Post's Joel Sherman wrote a column today entitled, "Continual digs at Alex unfair." Joel Sherman, who has taken as many cheap shots at A-Rod as any sports columnist in this town, has had enough? I can't believe it.
Sherman writes that while Rodriguez has often been his own worst enemy, he notes:
Sherman also criticizes Hank Aaron for taking potshots at A-Rod in the Post a few weeks ago (I wrote about the unfair criticism at the time.) Aaron said, among other things, that "Rodriguez has got too many irons in the fire, right now. I think his head's not level enough to the point where he can have the kind of year that it takes in order to go by all of the records in the book."
Joel responds:
Sherman also criticizes "Player X "in the upcoming ESPN the Magazine for disparaging Rodriguez when saying that Albert Pujols deserved to make more than him. Of course Pujols does -- he's been the most underpaid guy in baseball for years now. (An aside --Sherman has another piece on Player X firing at Scott Boras -- and Boras firing back.)
I think Sherman's column today is a good and fair one. But I wish he, and some of his brethren in the media, would take their share of responsibility for making Rodriguez a baseball punching bag. Sure, A-Rod did bring some of it on himself by saying and doing dopey things (there's an article in the Wall Street Journal about the Yankees' media training for players, where he wryly acknowledges that he "wouldn't be the ideal guy to ask" about how to handle the media.)
But the press also has a lot to do with it. There are a lot of fans who form their opinions on players based on what they read in the papers. And players know that they can pretty much say whatever they want on A-Rod, and get lauded for it in the press, no matter how unfair. Dallas Braden, I'm looking at you! The media should be more responsible with the power they hold, because the perceptions they make on players are hard to change.
Another example of the power of the press -- after the way the media has lionized Derek Jeter in this town, why should anybody be surprised that he topped a poll as New York's all-time greatest athlete and beat out Babe Ruth? The press has written about Jeter for years as if he deserved that spot. Heck, Mike Lupica didn't bat an eye when Jeter's agent Casey Close compared Jeter to Babe Ruth in an interview! Sure, blame the fans for being short-sighted in that poll. But the press deserves their share of blame for miseducating them, too.
What do you think? Tell us about it!
Sherman writes that while Rodriguez has often been his own worst enemy, he notes:
...at some point legitimate critique of Rodriguez has been usurped by something close to piling on. He is the fish in the barrel and shooting at him has become a hard-to-break habit. It feels like the fun, easy game that anyone can play.It's 2011, and Sherman just realized this? (I thought the criticism went over the top in 2006, when his paper blamed A-Rod sunbathing in Central Park for the Yankees losing a game to the Red Sox.) But better late than never, I guess. Of course, Sherman doesn't admit the obvious truth when it comes to the media -- that writing about A-Rod sells papers and generates page views. There's a reason sportswriters are addicted to yakking about him!
Sherman also criticizes Hank Aaron for taking potshots at A-Rod in the Post a few weeks ago (I wrote about the unfair criticism at the time.) Aaron said, among other things, that "Rodriguez has got too many irons in the fire, right now. I think his head's not level enough to the point where he can have the kind of year that it takes in order to go by all of the records in the book."
Joel responds:
Again, Rodriguez is an easy target on many things, but focus on baseball is not one of them. His harshest detractors would concede Rodriguez obsesses on preparation; that he has the mentality of a baseball gym rat. If you think Cameron Diaz, for example, is keeping him from being ready for the 2011 season, you are wrong.I agree with Sherman, but I wonder why it took three weeks for somebody else in the media to acknowledge that Aaron's criticism was unfair.
Sherman also criticizes "Player X "in the upcoming ESPN the Magazine for disparaging Rodriguez when saying that Albert Pujols deserved to make more than him. Of course Pujols does -- he's been the most underpaid guy in baseball for years now. (An aside --Sherman has another piece on Player X firing at Scott Boras -- and Boras firing back.)
I think Sherman's column today is a good and fair one. But I wish he, and some of his brethren in the media, would take their share of responsibility for making Rodriguez a baseball punching bag. Sure, A-Rod did bring some of it on himself by saying and doing dopey things (there's an article in the Wall Street Journal about the Yankees' media training for players, where he wryly acknowledges that he "wouldn't be the ideal guy to ask" about how to handle the media.)
But the press also has a lot to do with it. There are a lot of fans who form their opinions on players based on what they read in the papers. And players know that they can pretty much say whatever they want on A-Rod, and get lauded for it in the press, no matter how unfair. Dallas Braden, I'm looking at you! The media should be more responsible with the power they hold, because the perceptions they make on players are hard to change.
Another example of the power of the press -- after the way the media has lionized Derek Jeter in this town, why should anybody be surprised that he topped a poll as New York's all-time greatest athlete and beat out Babe Ruth? The press has written about Jeter for years as if he deserved that spot. Heck, Mike Lupica didn't bat an eye when Jeter's agent Casey Close compared Jeter to Babe Ruth in an interview! Sure, blame the fans for being short-sighted in that poll. But the press deserves their share of blame for miseducating them, too.
What do you think? Tell us about it!
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Michael Kay and Jodi Applegate Get Married -- But What About the Chicken Parm?
The New York Post had a big story today about Michael Kay and Jodi Applegate's wedding at The Plaza last night. And it just goes to show you the things people will do for love. There was a "giant seafood bar with six-foot mermaid ice sculptures," and "guests feasted on filet mignon and branzino" according to the Post. Seafood at Michael Kay's wedding? I'm shocked!
Kay is a notoriously picky eater. In 2007, Mark Feinsand was the first writer to talk about Kay's weird eating:
Ginger Adams Otis, who co-wrote the wedding article, wrote a piece last fall talking about Kay's wacky food habits, yet she didn't delve into them in the nuptials piece. Applegate told the Post last year that her fiance only really liked three foods: chicken parm, bacon, and steak. He's so devoted to chicken parm that he insisted on eating it when the two traveled to Italy for a 10-day trip last year.
So, did he get his slider bar? Or a special groom's table with his three favorite foods, the way Southerners have a groom's cake at weddings? This is what I want to know about!
The Post did have details about who attended the wedding; there were a reported 350 guests, including both Mr. G and Joe G(irardi), Darryl Strawberry and Danny Aiello (Kay's uncle), and a whole bunch of other Yankee broadcasters. (But what about John Sterling and Suzyn Waldman?) And Rudy Giuliani performed the ceremony.
Sports Illustrated's Jon Heyman tweeted from the reception that Lonn Trost danced to "Play That Funky Music." Heaven help us!
I've met Michael Kay twice, and he is a very nice guy and one of the friendliest celebs I've ever met. I wish him and Jodi all the best, even if his food habits are a little, well, wacky!
What do you think? Tell us about it!
Kay is a notoriously picky eater. In 2007, Mark Feinsand was the first writer to talk about Kay's weird eating:
As I enjoyed a bowl of clam chowder, Michael mentioned that he had never had soup in his entire life (he thinks the slurping sound associated with it is grotesque). I found this amazing. He then told me he had never had any fish or seafood of any type, either.So how the heck did Kay not say "see ya" to the interlocking crab legs in a seafood bar? Or not gripe about the branzino? What's the story here?
As the conversation went on, he informed me of several other things he has NEVER tasted in his life: bananas, condiments of any type (though he lost a bet on his radio show and had to eat a packet of ketchup, which made him sick), jelly, any cheese not on a pizza, veal, coffee, etc.
Ginger Adams Otis, who co-wrote the wedding article, wrote a piece last fall talking about Kay's wacky food habits, yet she didn't delve into them in the nuptials piece. Applegate told the Post last year that her fiance only really liked three foods: chicken parm, bacon, and steak. He's so devoted to chicken parm that he insisted on eating it when the two traveled to Italy for a 10-day trip last year.
"It was like being on a great chicken-parm search through Tuscany and Rome," Applegate said. "We couldn't find it on any menus. Apparently, it's an American thing. He actually lost weight. Who goes on vacation to Italy and comes home with their pants loose?"That article said that the news anchor had "given up trying to change her meat-loving man -- and has even agreed to serve sliders and mozzarella sticks at the cocktail reception for their winter wedding."
So, did he get his slider bar? Or a special groom's table with his three favorite foods, the way Southerners have a groom's cake at weddings? This is what I want to know about!
The Post did have details about who attended the wedding; there were a reported 350 guests, including both Mr. G and Joe G(irardi), Darryl Strawberry and Danny Aiello (Kay's uncle), and a whole bunch of other Yankee broadcasters. (But what about John Sterling and Suzyn Waldman?) And Rudy Giuliani performed the ceremony.
Sports Illustrated's Jon Heyman tweeted from the reception that Lonn Trost danced to "Play That Funky Music." Heaven help us!
I've met Michael Kay twice, and he is a very nice guy and one of the friendliest celebs I've ever met. I wish him and Jodi all the best, even if his food habits are a little, well, wacky!
What do you think? Tell us about it!
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
How much will Derek Jeter's Gold Glove help in his contract negotiations?
The fact that Robinson Cano and Mark Teixeira won Gold Gloves for the Yankees yesterday has been lost in the whole to-do over Derek Jeter also getting the award, even though advanced fielding metrics rank him as mediocre at best at shortstop these days. So why did Jeter win it? Is it his name, or something else at work?
Squawker Jon and I were talking about this last night. He joked that the MLB managers and coaches voted for Jeter to stick it to the Yankees in contract negotiations. Jon also noted that it's going to be harder for the Yanks to talk to the captain about eventually moving off shortstop in such negotiations, now that Jeter's agent Casey Close can point to Jeter winning his fifth Gold Glove.
While people like the New York Times' Richard Sandomir are still doing the Jeter gushing, suggesting in an article entitled "Without Lifers Like Jeter, Yankees Lose Their Aura" that Jeter not only is responsible for the five rings, but for the new stadium, I've noticed that when it comes to Jeter getting the Gold Glove, even some Yankee fans think it's a bit ridiculous.
What do you think? Tell us about it!
Squawker Jon and I were talking about this last night. He joked that the MLB managers and coaches voted for Jeter to stick it to the Yankees in contract negotiations. Jon also noted that it's going to be harder for the Yanks to talk to the captain about eventually moving off shortstop in such negotiations, now that Jeter's agent Casey Close can point to Jeter winning his fifth Gold Glove.
While people like the New York Times' Richard Sandomir are still doing the Jeter gushing, suggesting in an article entitled "Without Lifers Like Jeter, Yankees Lose Their Aura" that Jeter not only is responsible for the five rings, but for the new stadium, I've noticed that when it comes to Jeter getting the Gold Glove, even some Yankee fans think it's a bit ridiculous.
What do you think? Tell us about it!
On Jorge Posada switching from catcher to DH
I saw last night that Laura Posada announced big news on her Facebook and Twitter accounts. She wrote that Jorge Posada, her husband, was going to be a full-time DH next year. My first reaction was that I was glad Jorge came to that decision, and that was a good choice for him to make.
But then I heard the rest of the story, that Posada didn't exactly make that decision on his own. According to the New York Post, it turns out that Brian Cashman met with him earlier this week, and told him that he would be the team's DH next year.
Posada is also undergoing surgery today for a torn meniscus, the same operation CC Sabathia recently had.
George King of the Post seems to be trying to make a mini-controversy here, writing:
What do you think? Tell us about it!
But then I heard the rest of the story, that Posada didn't exactly make that decision on his own. According to the New York Post, it turns out that Brian Cashman met with him earlier this week, and told him that he would be the team's DH next year.
Posada is also undergoing surgery today for a torn meniscus, the same operation CC Sabathia recently had.
George King of the Post seems to be trying to make a mini-controversy here, writing:
According to a source with knowledge of the conversation, Posada was "fine" with the message that turns the 39-year-old switch-hitter into primarily a DH, a role he has struggled with and has shown no affinity for previously...The fact is, the Yankees can't keep throwing Posada out there at catcher, when he gets hurt all the time, and can't throw out runners anymore. And they have to hope that his hitting will improve next year if he doesn't have the wear-and-tear from catching anymore. Jorge ought to be glad that he got that fourth year in his contract, because I doubt the Yankees would have re-signed him for 2011.
What do you think? Tell us about it!
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Carl Pavano: Minnesota's own Che Guevara?
When I was in college at the University of Texas at Austin, the cool t-shirt to wear among a certain segment of the population was this Che Guevara one, where the revolutionary looks all iconic.
Nowadays in Minnesota, the hepcats are running around with this Carl Pavano shirt, an homage to the famous Che one, even though Carl can't help but look like the knucklehead that he is.
Instead of "Viva La Stache," the shirt should say: "Wanted for stealing $40 million from the Yankees." Not that I'm bitter or anything.
You know, maybe the two have something in common, after all, aside from famous mustaches:
* Guevara traveled to Bolivia, while Pavano spent tons of time in oblivion on the Yankee payroll.
* Che had "The Motorcycle Diaries." Carl could write the "Garbage Truck Diaries," the story about how he crashed his Porsche into a garbage truck, broke a few ribs, then lied to the Yankees about the whole thing.
At any rate, if Pavano manages to best the Yankees tonight (something I'm actually afraid of happening!), he really will be a cult icon!
What do you think? Tell us about it!
Monday, August 23, 2010
A-Rod, Roger Clemens, Javy Vazquez, and the latest in Yankeeland
Now that the Yankees have gone 13-0 without Alex Rodriguez this year, are we going to hear about how the Yankees really don't need him on the team? Just wondering.
Two summers ago, I had a similar calf injury to A-Rod's, so I know what he's feeling. Not fun!
I've been busy over the past few days with real-life obligations, so I haven't had much time to squawk. But I did watch some of the games this weekend. I feel sorry for Javier Vazquez -- he's been upfront about his velocity being down, but nobody in Yankeeland seems to be paying attention. Maybe now that Ivan Nova's up in the majors, the Yanks can skip a Javy start, and see what the heck is wrong with him.
Oh, and there's the whole Roger Clemens indictment. I know I probably shouldn't revel in other's misfortunes, but I can't help but snicker over him. He thought he was so clever in demanding to squawk before Congress and spin his phony tale. So much for that! The only thing that would have made his indictment more entertaining is if Suzyn Waldman had announced the charges against him!
Speaking of reveling in other's misfortunes, how about that whole Jay Mariotti story?
Anyhow, hopefully this week I'll get to write more. And maybe Squawker Jon will recover soon from the loss of Rod Barajas. But what do our readers think of what's been going on in Yankeeland?
Two summers ago, I had a similar calf injury to A-Rod's, so I know what he's feeling. Not fun!
I've been busy over the past few days with real-life obligations, so I haven't had much time to squawk. But I did watch some of the games this weekend. I feel sorry for Javier Vazquez -- he's been upfront about his velocity being down, but nobody in Yankeeland seems to be paying attention. Maybe now that Ivan Nova's up in the majors, the Yanks can skip a Javy start, and see what the heck is wrong with him.
Oh, and there's the whole Roger Clemens indictment. I know I probably shouldn't revel in other's misfortunes, but I can't help but snicker over him. He thought he was so clever in demanding to squawk before Congress and spin his phony tale. So much for that! The only thing that would have made his indictment more entertaining is if Suzyn Waldman had announced the charges against him!
Speaking of reveling in other's misfortunes, how about that whole Jay Mariotti story?
Anyhow, hopefully this week I'll get to write more. And maybe Squawker Jon will recover soon from the loss of Rod Barajas. But what do our readers think of what's been going on in Yankeeland?
Monday, August 16, 2010
Yankees have HOPE Week, while Mets are just hopeless
I got up this morning to watch Alex Rodriguez, CC Sabathia, and Nick Swisher on "The Today Show" kicking off the Yankees' HOPE Week. That week of events was really inspirational, and I'm sure this year will be just as great.
But on the other hand, Mets fans have no hope. The latest debacle in your dismal season came today, with the news that Frankie Rodriguez tore a thumb ligament when beating up his baby mama's daddy. I am not the least bit surprised. Remember what I wrote last week:
This is yet another reason why the Mets' blase reaction about the assault was wrong. Don't you think the players' union will point out that the organization didn't think it was much of a big deal until the injury? Remember, Manuel downplayed the incident as being not baseball-related. Jeff Wilpon issued a one-sentence statement, and Omar Minaya refused to comment. None of them showed any outrage over it -- until now, that is.
Now, I'm no lawyer, but my guess is that this stance is going to hurt the Mets. Besides, as Squawker Jon points out, the only contract in recent memory that was successfully voided was Aaron Boone's. The Yankees weren't able to do it with Kevin Brown, or Jason Giambi. It's not an easy procedure.
At any rate, I think we might have seen K-Rod's last pitch for the Mets, even if it means the Mets dumping him elsewhere. Wonder if he's pointing to the sky now.
What do you think? Tell us about it!
But on the other hand, Mets fans have no hope. The latest debacle in your dismal season came today, with the news that Frankie Rodriguez tore a thumb ligament when beating up his baby mama's daddy. I am not the least bit surprised. Remember what I wrote last week:
...Rodriguez, who will get paid over $11 million this year to pitch, used the hands that the Mets pay him so much money for to pummel somebody so badly that he was sent to the hospital. And that he did it on Mets property, in front of Mets family members.Only now, after the news that K-Rod is out for the year, did Mets manager Jerry Manuel finally seem ticked off over the debacle, saying he was "disappointed, discouraged, frustrated." And there's talk that the Mets will be looking into voiding the closer's contract. Good luck with that.
What if Rodriguez had hurt his pitching hand in the fight? I wonder if the Mets would have punished him more for potentially missing games.
This is yet another reason why the Mets' blase reaction about the assault was wrong. Don't you think the players' union will point out that the organization didn't think it was much of a big deal until the injury? Remember, Manuel downplayed the incident as being not baseball-related. Jeff Wilpon issued a one-sentence statement, and Omar Minaya refused to comment. None of them showed any outrage over it -- until now, that is.
Now, I'm no lawyer, but my guess is that this stance is going to hurt the Mets. Besides, as Squawker Jon points out, the only contract in recent memory that was successfully voided was Aaron Boone's. The Yankees weren't able to do it with Kevin Brown, or Jason Giambi. It's not an easy procedure.
At any rate, I think we might have seen K-Rod's last pitch for the Mets, even if it means the Mets dumping him elsewhere. Wonder if he's pointing to the sky now.
What do you think? Tell us about it!
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Split Decision: Yanks, Red Sox win two each in series
Is it just me, or did this Yankees-Red Sox series seem just not as buzzworthy as previous matchups? I was happy that Dustin Moseley pitched so well Sunday (even if cynics think that, as one reader put it, A.J.Burnett was really suffering from Soxitis and not a bad back!) I was glad to see Derek Jeter pass Babe Ruth on the all-time hits list, and to get to Josh Beckett.
But I was disappointed that Curtis Granderson continues to struggle. And that the Bombers couldn't knock down Jonathan Papelbon in yesterday's game.
There's a lot of talk in the media today about how the Yanks should have re-signed Johnny Damon and Hideki Matsui. Damon I agree with, but was Matsui staying a Yankee ever an option? After all, he signed with Anaheim right after becoming a free agent, without even hearing an offer from the Yankees. And I've read several times that he didn't want to come back to New York. So, I don't think that was even on the table.
There's also a bunch of articles criticizing Granderson. New York Post columnist Joel Sherman writes:
What does Sherman want Grandy to do -- start sobbing on a writer's shoulder or something? If Granderson showed anger to the press, he's be called testy. If he acted upset, he'd be called too moody. But when he stays positive, he's called "delusional." Good grief.
Anyhow, I wish the Yankees had won yesterday - three games out of four would have felt a lot better than a series split!
What do you think? Tell us about it!
But I was disappointed that Curtis Granderson continues to struggle. And that the Bombers couldn't knock down Jonathan Papelbon in yesterday's game.
There's a lot of talk in the media today about how the Yanks should have re-signed Johnny Damon and Hideki Matsui. Damon I agree with, but was Matsui staying a Yankee ever an option? After all, he signed with Anaheim right after becoming a free agent, without even hearing an offer from the Yankees. And I've read several times that he didn't want to come back to New York. So, I don't think that was even on the table.
There's also a bunch of articles criticizing Granderson. New York Post columnist Joel Sherman writes:
For his part, Granderson has a Nickelodeon persona, never publicly showing anything but a smile and a positive bent. So he is unrelentingly upbeat, delusional or working on an acting career.
What does Sherman want Grandy to do -- start sobbing on a writer's shoulder or something? If Granderson showed anger to the press, he's be called testy. If he acted upset, he'd be called too moody. But when he stays positive, he's called "delusional." Good grief.
Anyhow, I wish the Yankees had won yesterday - three games out of four would have felt a lot better than a series split!
What do you think? Tell us about it!
Friday, May 21, 2010
Squawker Lisa's Subway Series Predictions
Squawker Jon has conceded that his Mets will be on the losing side of the Subway Series this weekend. He's predicting that the Yankees will sweep!
I think he's trying to do one of those reverse jinx thingies. Your weird sci-fi trick isn't going to work, Jon!
Speaking of sci-fi, Squawker Jon will be watching the series finale of "Lost" on Sunday. I quit watching that show after they finished the second season with that ridiculous Penelope-Desmond storyline (why should I care about their stupid love story? I watched this show for the plane crash on a remote island, not for silly melodrama!) But I digress.
Anyhow, here are my predictions for this weekend:
* The Yankees will win two of three, with Javy Vazquez having a good outing Friday. My guess is that the Yankees will lose Saturday, but I agree with Jon that the bullpen will decide at least one game.
* Citi Field a pitchers' park? Not with the Yankees in the house. I'm predicting homers from Jeter, A-Rod, Cano, and Cervelli!
* Met fans are going to continue to gripe about that "Jeter's got an Edge" commercial airing on SNY. Yankee fans are going to continue to gripe about hearing that commercial twenty times a night. (It's right up there with the My Mohegan for annoyances!)
* If the Yankees lose two of three (heaven forbid!), there will be panic in the tabloids!
* Number of times we'll see the Luis Castillo dropped play again - at least 100!
What do you think? Tell us about it!
I think he's trying to do one of those reverse jinx thingies. Your weird sci-fi trick isn't going to work, Jon!
Speaking of sci-fi, Squawker Jon will be watching the series finale of "Lost" on Sunday. I quit watching that show after they finished the second season with that ridiculous Penelope-Desmond storyline (why should I care about their stupid love story? I watched this show for the plane crash on a remote island, not for silly melodrama!) But I digress.
Anyhow, here are my predictions for this weekend:
* The Yankees will win two of three, with Javy Vazquez having a good outing Friday. My guess is that the Yankees will lose Saturday, but I agree with Jon that the bullpen will decide at least one game.
* Citi Field a pitchers' park? Not with the Yankees in the house. I'm predicting homers from Jeter, A-Rod, Cano, and Cervelli!
* Met fans are going to continue to gripe about that "Jeter's got an Edge" commercial airing on SNY. Yankee fans are going to continue to gripe about hearing that commercial twenty times a night. (It's right up there with the My Mohegan for annoyances!)
* If the Yankees lose two of three (heaven forbid!), there will be panic in the tabloids!
* Number of times we'll see the Luis Castillo dropped play again - at least 100!
What do you think? Tell us about it!
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Radio appearance announcement, Nick Johnson, and thoughts on last night's game
I'm going to be on Kenrick Thomas' "Real Sports Talk" radio show at 9:30 tonight. You can listen live at www.blogtalkradio.com/realsportstalk. Luis Polonia will also be on the show, in a separate appearance!
Anyhow, I found last night's loss painful - not just because the Yankees looked overmatched until the ninth inning, but because of the Jorge Posada injury news. Hopefully, he'll be back soon.
And, surprise, surprise, Nick (The Sick) Johnson, who underwent surgery earlier this week, is now on the 60-day DL. When Brian Cashman first announced that Nick was going to the DL, he said Johnson would be out "several" weeks, which set Joe Girardi scurrying to the dictionary to find the meaning of the word "several"! I guess "several" now means at least nine!
Oh, and I had to laugh about Cashman's assertion that Johnson would be a $15 million a year player if he could stay healthy. That's like saying that Lindsay Lohan could get an Oscar if she could keep from clubbing. While technically possible, it's not very likely at this point.
What do you think? Leave us a comment!
Anyhow, I found last night's loss painful - not just because the Yankees looked overmatched until the ninth inning, but because of the Jorge Posada injury news. Hopefully, he'll be back soon.
And, surprise, surprise, Nick (The Sick) Johnson, who underwent surgery earlier this week, is now on the 60-day DL. When Brian Cashman first announced that Nick was going to the DL, he said Johnson would be out "several" weeks, which set Joe Girardi scurrying to the dictionary to find the meaning of the word "several"! I guess "several" now means at least nine!
Oh, and I had to laugh about Cashman's assertion that Johnson would be a $15 million a year player if he could stay healthy. That's like saying that Lindsay Lohan could get an Oscar if she could keep from clubbing. While technically possible, it's not very likely at this point.
What do you think? Leave us a comment!
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Who is the "clutchest" Yankee this year? It's not who you think
Reporters and fans love to debate the question of which player you'd like to see up in a big spot. With the Yankees, most would say Derek Jeter, while others might say Alex Rodriguez or perhaps Mark Teixeira. I have a different answer for which 2010 Yankee I'd most like to see at bat with the game on the line. My choice - at least for this season so far - is Francisco Cervelli!
The young backup catcher is hitting .400 in 20 games this year, and has a .471 OBP and .987 OPS, which is crazy enough. But his numbers with runners in scoring position are through the roof. I told Brian Sinkoff of Albany's Sound-Off With Sinkoff radio show yesterday that it seems that Cervelli does something great every single time he plays. And my perception isn't far off the mark.
Check out Frankie's "clutch" numbers. With runners in scoring position, he hits:
.786 BA .824 OBP 1.071 Slugging 1.895 OPS
Make it two outs and runners in scoring position, and the numbers are even better:
.857 BA .857 OBP 1.000 Slugging 1.857 OPS
If Jonathan Papelbon had pitched to Cervelli, instead of plunking him last night, I have a feeling he might have done something great against the Red Sox. But in a way he did - he scored the winning run!
What do you think? Tell us about it!
The young backup catcher is hitting .400 in 20 games this year, and has a .471 OBP and .987 OPS, which is crazy enough. But his numbers with runners in scoring position are through the roof. I told Brian Sinkoff of Albany's Sound-Off With Sinkoff radio show yesterday that it seems that Cervelli does something great every single time he plays. And my perception isn't far off the mark.
Check out Frankie's "clutch" numbers. With runners in scoring position, he hits:
.786 BA .824 OBP 1.071 Slugging 1.895 OPS
Make it two outs and runners in scoring position, and the numbers are even better:
.857 BA .857 OBP 1.000 Slugging 1.857 OPS
If Jonathan Papelbon had pitched to Cervelli, instead of plunking him last night, I have a feeling he might have done something great against the Red Sox. But in a way he did - he scored the winning run!
What do you think? Tell us about it!
Thoughts on Dice-K, Phil Hughes, Chan Ho Park, and the rest of Monday's Red Sox-Yankees matchup
If the Yankees had been defeated last night, it would have been the worst loss of the season, without a doubt. But fortunately, that disastrous scenario was averted.
I'm rewatching the game right now, getting ready to bask again. Here are some more thoughts on the game:
* Dice-K is noticably thinner this year, but he's still terrible. Five runs in the first inning? Please. And given how well Tim Wakefield - the guy he replaced in the rotation - did in relief against the Yankees, no wonder Sox fans are grumbling.
* Phil Hughes had his first shaky start of the year, but still would have won the game if it weren't for the Yankee bullpen (more on that in a sec.)
* The New York Post's Kevin Kernan had a nice story on Javier Vazquez. Given the game situation he came into last night - runners on first and third with two out and Kevin Youkilis at the plate, it could have been another memorably ugly relief outing for him. But he got Youk out - and got the win! Kernan's piece details how much Yankee teammates are rooting for Vazquez, with many players happy for Javy!
* What's this about David Ortiz's career being over? He still can hit them out against the Yankees!
* Why did Joe Girardi leave Chan Ho Park in after the first home run to Kevin Youkilis (and I was yelling Fack Youk over that one!), only to have him give up a second homer to Victor Martinez (which, incidentally, was his second homer of the night.)
* Run prevention, eh? I swear, Manny Ramirez fielded against the Yankees better than the Sox's current outfield does!
* I've got a feeling that there's going to be a beanball - or two - thrown tonight, especially with Josh Beckett pitching.
What do you think? Tell us about it!
I'm rewatching the game right now, getting ready to bask again. Here are some more thoughts on the game:
* Dice-K is noticably thinner this year, but he's still terrible. Five runs in the first inning? Please. And given how well Tim Wakefield - the guy he replaced in the rotation - did in relief against the Yankees, no wonder Sox fans are grumbling.
* Phil Hughes had his first shaky start of the year, but still would have won the game if it weren't for the Yankee bullpen (more on that in a sec.)
* The New York Post's Kevin Kernan had a nice story on Javier Vazquez. Given the game situation he came into last night - runners on first and third with two out and Kevin Youkilis at the plate, it could have been another memorably ugly relief outing for him. But he got Youk out - and got the win! Kernan's piece details how much Yankee teammates are rooting for Vazquez, with many players happy for Javy!
* What's this about David Ortiz's career being over? He still can hit them out against the Yankees!
* Why did Joe Girardi leave Chan Ho Park in after the first home run to Kevin Youkilis (and I was yelling Fack Youk over that one!), only to have him give up a second homer to Victor Martinez (which, incidentally, was his second homer of the night.)
* Run prevention, eh? I swear, Manny Ramirez fielded against the Yankees better than the Sox's current outfield does!
* I've got a feeling that there's going to be a beanball - or two - thrown tonight, especially with Josh Beckett pitching.
What do you think? Tell us about it!
Enough already with the "A-Rod finally gets a big hit" story
I was waiting for the "A-Rod is finally clutch" piece about Monday's game - the media has the collective memory of a gnat when it comes to this issue. I swear, every single time he gets a big hit to tie or win a game, somebody acts as if it's the very first time it's happened.
And guess who wrote on that theme today? Joel Sherman of the New York Post, whose piece about A-Rod's game last night has all sorts of backhanded compliments about how Alex is finally clutch. While that may be a fair assessment about his postseason rep from 2004-7, it's not really accurate about the regular season, especially against the Red Sox.
The New York Post columnist writes about with A-Rod up in the ninth in a big spot, "think in the recent past how that might not have been a comforting thought for the Yankees and their fans. Now, though, Rodriguez embraces these moments. There is no hesitation." Sherman continued. "A big moment again found him -- don't they always -- and now that was a positive occurrence for the Yankees."
Please. Can we stop the "A-Rod was never clutch until October 2009" myth already? It's tired. Heck, even ESPN knows better - they ran a montage last night showing all the big moments A-Rod has had against the Red Sox in his career, including these three:
* The homer in the ninth inning against Boston "closer" Curt Schilling in 2005
* The homer in the rain against Papelbon in 2007
* The extra-inning homer last year to win the fifteen-inning game last year
To act like last night was the first time Rodriguez had a big moment against Boston is just silly.
So how many walkoff homers, or ninth-inning or extra-inning game-winning homers hit at Fenway, do you think Derek Jeter has hit against the Red Sox? The answer is one, against Keith Foulke in 2005 to win a game at Yankee Stadium after Mariano Rivera blew the save.
And incidentally, that home run is the only regular season walkoff homer of Jeter's career. On the other hand, A-Rod has nine walkoff career homers, with six of them coming as a Yankee. But you would never know that differential from their reputations - in no small part because of the Joel Shermans of the world insisting that it's only now that A-Rod is getting big hits.
I guess I should be glad that I didn't hear anybody suggest that Rodriguez finally became a "true Yankee" last night. Sheesh.
Coming later today - more thoughts on the game. But in the meantime, what do you think? Tell us about it!
And guess who wrote on that theme today? Joel Sherman of the New York Post, whose piece about A-Rod's game last night has all sorts of backhanded compliments about how Alex is finally clutch. While that may be a fair assessment about his postseason rep from 2004-7, it's not really accurate about the regular season, especially against the Red Sox.
The New York Post columnist writes about with A-Rod up in the ninth in a big spot, "think in the recent past how that might not have been a comforting thought for the Yankees and their fans. Now, though, Rodriguez embraces these moments. There is no hesitation." Sherman continued. "A big moment again found him -- don't they always -- and now that was a positive occurrence for the Yankees."
Please. Can we stop the "A-Rod was never clutch until October 2009" myth already? It's tired. Heck, even ESPN knows better - they ran a montage last night showing all the big moments A-Rod has had against the Red Sox in his career, including these three:
* The homer in the ninth inning against Boston "closer" Curt Schilling in 2005
* The homer in the rain against Papelbon in 2007
* The extra-inning homer last year to win the fifteen-inning game last year
To act like last night was the first time Rodriguez had a big moment against Boston is just silly.
So how many walkoff homers, or ninth-inning or extra-inning game-winning homers hit at Fenway, do you think Derek Jeter has hit against the Red Sox? The answer is one, against Keith Foulke in 2005 to win a game at Yankee Stadium after Mariano Rivera blew the save.
And incidentally, that home run is the only regular season walkoff homer of Jeter's career. On the other hand, A-Rod has nine walkoff career homers, with six of them coming as a Yankee. But you would never know that differential from their reputations - in no small part because of the Joel Shermans of the world insisting that it's only now that A-Rod is getting big hits.
I guess I should be glad that I didn't hear anybody suggest that Rodriguez finally became a "true Yankee" last night. Sheesh.
Coming later today - more thoughts on the game. But in the meantime, what do you think? Tell us about it!
Hey, Jonathan Papelbon, still think you deserve Mariano Rivera money?
Papelbum. Papelsmear. Never thought the day would come where I would hear Red Sox fans use those derogatory terms about their closer, Jonathan Papelbon! But it happened after Monday's game.
Last night was both the most exciting win of the year for the Yankees, and the most gut-wrenching loss for the Red Sox. So because I'm a believer in what Conan the Barbarian said about enjoying watching the lamentation of your enemies and all that jazz, I checked out what Boston fans were saying at Sons of Sam Horn and the Boston Globe's web site. Reading those comments was nearly as much fun as watching Alex Rodriguez and Marcus Thames go deep against Papelbon!
Needless to say, most Red Sox fans weren't very happy over Papelbon's performance. Lots of derogatory nicknames hurled his way (I was hoping for somebody to call him Cinco Dopo, but alas, it didn't happen!) Lots of talk about Daniel Bard needing to replace him. There was some criticism of John Henry - the Yankees have gone 14-3 against the Sox since his juvenile "MT Curse" tweet!
And there was even some grudging acknowledgments that Mariano Rivera is the better closer - many Sox fans mockingly brought up how Papelbon once suggested that he deserved Mo-type money, and how he didn't deserve it.
On Boston.com, some fans even blamed former Yankees beat writer Peter Abraham for cursing their team. One reader wrote, "The Curse of PA? Ever since he left the LoHud blog, the Yanks went on a roll and won the WS. The Red Sox have been sucking ever since." Heh!
Another Sox fan, Timmy15 was so sure of victory after the Sox came back against Chan Ho Park that he wrote this:
Papelbon looked more like Chan Ho Park out there than the elite closer who wanted to finish up the All-Star Game. Heck, Javier Vazquez, the game's winner, was more impressive than Paps was. (And how about Javy - he was even smiling in the postgame! Maybe he can build on this era of good feeling.)
Anyhow, when Papelbon plunked Francisco Cervelli after giving up the homer to A-Rod, he reminded me why he's my least favorite Red Sox. What a clown.
Remember how Papelbon said he worked out last season while watching his meltdown in the ALDS? Well, I guess the closer now has a new video to watch for motivation in the workout room! Snicker.
I'll be writing more of my thoughts on Yankees-Red Sox today, but in the meantime, please tell me what you think.
Last night was both the most exciting win of the year for the Yankees, and the most gut-wrenching loss for the Red Sox. So because I'm a believer in what Conan the Barbarian said about enjoying watching the lamentation of your enemies and all that jazz, I checked out what Boston fans were saying at Sons of Sam Horn and the Boston Globe's web site. Reading those comments was nearly as much fun as watching Alex Rodriguez and Marcus Thames go deep against Papelbon!
Needless to say, most Red Sox fans weren't very happy over Papelbon's performance. Lots of derogatory nicknames hurled his way (I was hoping for somebody to call him Cinco Dopo, but alas, it didn't happen!) Lots of talk about Daniel Bard needing to replace him. There was some criticism of John Henry - the Yankees have gone 14-3 against the Sox since his juvenile "MT Curse" tweet!
And there was even some grudging acknowledgments that Mariano Rivera is the better closer - many Sox fans mockingly brought up how Papelbon once suggested that he deserved Mo-type money, and how he didn't deserve it.
On Boston.com, some fans even blamed former Yankees beat writer Peter Abraham for cursing their team. One reader wrote, "The Curse of PA? Ever since he left the LoHud blog, the Yanks went on a roll and won the WS. The Red Sox have been sucking ever since." Heh!
Another Sox fan, Timmy15 was so sure of victory after the Sox came back against Chan Ho Park that he wrote this:
Under other conditions I would never start crowing here like I am but I see a switch; Paps will blow the Skanks away in the bottom of 9th - if we even need him by then. Does anyone remember last season when the Sox beat these guys the first 8 games and then took a vacation. Well something like that in reverse may be happening. Just as I predicted yesterday, V-Mart is heating up and he may be the dtraw that stirs this drink....if the Sox lose this game I will not post another remark for two weeks. That's how sure I am.So much for that!
Papelbon looked more like Chan Ho Park out there than the elite closer who wanted to finish up the All-Star Game. Heck, Javier Vazquez, the game's winner, was more impressive than Paps was. (And how about Javy - he was even smiling in the postgame! Maybe he can build on this era of good feeling.)
Anyhow, when Papelbon plunked Francisco Cervelli after giving up the homer to A-Rod, he reminded me why he's my least favorite Red Sox. What a clown.
Remember how Papelbon said he worked out last season while watching his meltdown in the ALDS? Well, I guess the closer now has a new video to watch for motivation in the workout room! Snicker.
I'll be writing more of my thoughts on Yankees-Red Sox today, but in the meantime, please tell me what you think.
Saturday, May 15, 2010
Gardy goes yardy: The worst (or best) John Sterling call ever?
John Sterling's call for Brett Gardner's home run last night is either genius - or dreck - depending on your point of view. "Gardy goes yardy!" Sterling shouted after the homer. Our friends at "It Is High, It Is Far, It Is Caught" captured the stylings of Sterling.
Squawker Jon thought it was one of Sterling's worst. I think it's so ridiculous, it's funny. What do you think?
Squawker Jon thought it was one of Sterling's worst. I think it's so ridiculous, it's funny. What do you think?
Friday, May 14, 2010
Look who's giving the Minnesota Twins a pep talk!
Uh-oh. The Minnesota Twins may have a secret weapon this time around. Somebody who will be giving them the confidence to beat the Yankees in the Bronx this weekend. Check out these quotes from somebody connected with the team who had success against the Yankees in New York in the past:
Incidentally, the American Idle hasn't had to spend any time in the Carl Pavano Memorial MRI Tube most recently used by Nick Johnson. Pavano's made seven (!) starts this year. His record is 4-3, with a 3.30 ERA and a 1.10 WHIP. Seems like those injury-ridden years are a thing of the past. Lovely.
In other news, the next six weeks or so are going to be filled with all the "Where's LeBron James going to end up?" talk; something only slightly less annoying as the "Is Brett Favre retiring" talk!
And I don't care if it ticks off Squawker Jon. Go Flyers!
"We were confident, we believed in ourselves, we didn't try to up our game because the other team had more hype. Baseball doesn't change anywhere you go. The bases are the same distance, the mound is the same distance. If you feel you have to do more than you're capable of doing, more times than not you're not going to be very successful."....
"Teams come in gunning for the Yankees. Some people take to the elements in New York, and some people don't. It's definitely a different animal."Give up? It's Carl Pavano!
Incidentally, the American Idle hasn't had to spend any time in the Carl Pavano Memorial MRI Tube most recently used by Nick Johnson. Pavano's made seven (!) starts this year. His record is 4-3, with a 3.30 ERA and a 1.10 WHIP. Seems like those injury-ridden years are a thing of the past. Lovely.
* * *
Yesterday's game was dull and depressing. CC Sabathia looked terrible, as did the Yankee bats. But at least the Bombers are finally playing some home games again - they've had 22 games on the road so far this year, and only 12 at home.In other news, the next six weeks or so are going to be filled with all the "Where's LeBron James going to end up?" talk; something only slightly less annoying as the "Is Brett Favre retiring" talk!
And I don't care if it ticks off Squawker Jon. Go Flyers!
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