Baseball’s free agency period is upon us, and with that comes the growing speculation of absurd contracts that will be offered to different players.  Unfortunately, those absurd contracts actually get signed, and in turn, cripple teams for years to come. So with that said, I often times find myself asking, why don’t these teams learn from past mistakes? In other words, just because you have the money to spend, doesn’t mean you actually have to spend it.

This point is a bigger issue for the small to mid-market teams because a mistake in the free agent market for them hurts a lot more than a mistake in the market for teams like the Yankees, Red Sox, Mets, Dodgers, etc., but with today’s economy, and the way teams are trying to build from within, it’s a problem for everybody, not the least of which are the fans.

Many small to mid-market teams say they have to spend on free agents in order to show their fan base that they’re making an effort to compete. While that may work to encourage the fans once or twice, eventually the fans catch on and realize these moves are just stupid, and actually cost them money because ticket prices in turn go up.

It is quite rare that a free agent signing by a mid-market team changes the culture of that team, and in fact helps lead them on the rebuilding effort. As a matter of fact, the only one that comes to mind in recent years was the Detroit Tigers signing of Pudge Rodriguez in 2003. Following Pudge’s signing, the team went out and signed Magglio Ordonez, Troy Percival, and Kenny Rogers, and combined those veterans with the young players they had in their farm system to reach the World Series in 2006.

But there are many more examples of teams spending lavishly on border-line free agents, and not getting much in return. The Colorado Rockies signed Mike Hampton and Denny Neagle to HUGE contracts in December of 2000, and how did those pan out? Or what about the Dodgers giving Darren Dreifort 5 years $55 million, or Seattle throwing money at Richie Sexson, Adrian Beltre, Jarrod Washburn, and Carlos Silva? How did all of those moves work out?

Let’s not stop there though. Carl Pavano getting 4 years and roughly $40 million from the Yankees, Edgar Renteria 4 years $40 million from the Red Sox, Julio Lugo 4 years $36 million from the Red Sox. The list goes on and on, and the players named aren’t bad players, but they’re not worth the money they were paid.
 
So again, why do teams feel the need to spend that type of money on them? Is it because they’re so scared of the player actually signing with a different team, and it may come back to haunt them? If that’s the case, let them sign with the different team. It will end up being their problem, not yours.

If you look at the recent history of big free agent signings, there have only been a few that have truly changed the fortunes of a team the next season. In the offseason prior to the 2004 season, the Houston Astros were able to sign both Andy Pettitte and Roger Clemens. Prior to that, the Arizona Diamondbacks signed Randy Johnson in 1998. Besides that, there really haven’t been any big free agent signings that have sent teams over the hump that following season.

So you may ask, what’s the solution to this problem? Well, if I’m not mistaken we just elected a President who ran a campaign on the idea of change, and the idea to build the economy from the bottom up. With that said, why don’t we take some ideas from President-elect Barack Obama, and change things in baseball?

It may not be popular among owners and players alike, but how about the teams show some restraint and not sign these players to the absurd contracts that, as we just mentioned, don’t actually produce? While players will say that’s not fair because the owners now pocket more money, well, there’s a solution to that too. Lower ticket prices.

If teams lower ticket prices, more and more real fans will be able to attend games. As more fans attend games, more money is made for all of baseball. Now I understand that baseball has enjoyed unparalleled success the past few seasons in regards to attendance, but trust me, it’s going to take a hit in 2009, and who knows how much longer.

In a time when the citizens of this country need something to boost its spirits, wouldn’t it be nice to turn to America’s pastime for that lift? Wouldn’t it be nice for a family of four to attend a game, maybe 2, 3, or even 5 in one season, and not have to sacrifice something else?

The players and owners alike will all make it through this recession okay. Maybe they won’t make as much money as they thought they would, but they definitely will not go hungry. The same cannot be said for the rest of society. Since the fans have given so much to the game, it’s time for the owners and players to give something back to the fans…an affordable game that they can enjoy. In the long run, everyone will benefit.

Happy Thanksgiving to all!

The New York Yankees are going to make a ridiculous offer to CC Sabathia in a matter of hours that they hope he can’t refuse. For my sake, I hope he does. Not because I dislike CC, and not because I dislike the Yankees, I actually like both. But when push comes to shove, I like baseball even more.

Sabathia is in a position right now to make a statement, a statement bigger than just about anyone has in a long time in sports. He has the opportunity to tell his agent, the Player’s Association, and the fans that he doesn’t care about the money, but instead wants to go to a team that he actually wants to play for, not the team that everyone else wants him to play for.

Alex Rodriguez had this same opportunity back in 2000 when it was known he wanted to play for the Mets, but instead took $252 million from the Texas Rangers. While A-Rod has won three MVP’s and put up great numbers, I for one believe his career would have turned out much differently had he gone to the Mets. Not so much statistically, but more in how he’s viewed by the media, fans, and his peers.

I’m not saying what Sabathia has the chance to do is not difficult. Let’s say, hypothetically speaking, that the Yankees offer $25 million more than the next closest bidder. That’s a lot of money to leave on the table, especially in today’s economy where who knows what’s going to happen. But let’s look at the other side. If the Yankees are offering $150 million, and the next team offers $125 million, is Sabathia going to starve? Heck, are three generations of Sabathias going to starve?

The point is that whether you’re making $125 or $150 million, either way you’re going to be ok. So if that’s the case, do what makes you happy. If you want to live in Southern California and like to hit, sign with the Dodgers. If you just want to live in Southern California, then sign with the Angels. Or if you truly enjoyed your time in Milwaukee, then re-up with them. Whatever the case may be, you have to remember that this is your life, not theirs. And for once, wouldn’t it be nice to hear someone say in their press conference that it wasn’t about the money, and it actually wasn’t about the money???

Back on October 26, 1996 I received a phone call from a family friend asking me if I wanted to join him for Game 6 of the World Series that night. After a bit of stuttering, I answered yes, and immediately jumped in the shower, and prepared myself for what I was hoping to be an incredible experience.

We arrived at the ballpark around 4:00pm on a crystal clear sunny day, with temperatures in the low 70s; I couldn’t ask for better weather. By the time the day was over it was certainly a memorable experience, as a matter of fact, it was the best day of my life.

Fast forward nearly 12 years, and I got another phone call, this time to attend the final game ever at Yankee Stadium with those same people. As I sit here to write this entry, there are a bevy of emotions running through my mind: joy, sadness, excitement, and depression.

The joy stems from being able to attend the final game ever at this incredible palace with three very special people, and watch the Yankees win and celebrate as if they had won the World Series.  It brought back memories to that glorious day in October of `96 when the Yanks won their first championship in my lifetime. So much of the two days were similar: the weather, the packed house, hours of anticipation, and then the team staying on the field to celebrate with the fans. The big difference though was back in `96 the players took a victory lap, here on September 21st the players took a thank-you lap.  

This lap brings about the sadness. The sadness of knowing that I will never get to see a game at the Stadium again. The sadness of knowing that I will never walk through a tunnel to the upper deck and look out to see the beautiful white façade again. Or thinking of what it must feel like for a guy like Derek Jeter, who grew up a Yankee fan, dreamed of being a Yankee, and then lived out that dream each and every day playing on that haloed field.

The excitement is from knowing that I got to witness history. That one day, when I have kids, I can tell them stories of how I saw the final game ever played at Yankee Stadium.

But then the depression sets in. It seems odd to me that a Stadium that witnessed so many October Classics hosted its last game in September. And the crowd on this night was different than the crowds on those October nights. There was an electricity in the Stadium, but a different type of electricity. People were more concerned about taking pictures to capture the moment as opposed to actually watching the game and cheering on their team. And how can you blame them? I mean, what exactly were we supposed to be cheering for? Cheering for a win? But what did the win mean? A win meant the Stadium would at least go out on a high note, and also that the Red Sox would have to wait at least one more day to clinch a spot in the playoffs. So on second thought, a win was very important!

Prior to the game my father asked me if I was going to cry. I said yes… and I was right. When the Yankees lost to the Red Sox in 2004, I felt as if a part of me had died. I felt as if things would never be the same. As I left the Stadium Sunday night, I felt as if another part of me had just died, and no matter how nice the new one is, things will never be the same. Thank you Yankee Stadium, I’ll miss you…

I have long been an advocate of New York Yankees GM Brian Cashman (as is evident by past posts), and I believe Cashman has done an outstanding job leading up to the trade deadline for the third straight year. While many people prefer the big splash, Cashman makes moves that enhance his team as opposed to radically changing it, and the trades for Xavier Nady and Damaso Marte, as well as today’s move for Pudge Rodriguez are further examples of that.

Without mortgaging the future, as the Yankees have been known to do in the past, Cashman instead strengthened his club for the stretch run and beyond. In Nady he acquired a right-handed hitting corner outfielder that he controls through 2009. In other words, not only did he address a weakness this year (right-handed hitting), but he secured a replacement for Bobby Abreu next year. In Marte he got arguably the top left-handed reliever on the market, and a guy who is the closest thing the Yankees have had to Mike Stanton since, well…Mike Stanton. A hard-throwing lefty who can get out righties as well as lefties. And then with Pudge, he not only secured a top catcher, but also improved his bench. Instead of having the tandem of Jose Molina and Chad Moeller, the Yankees now have possibly the best catching tandem in baseball with Rodriguez and Molina, something they were supposed to have with a healthy Jorge Posada.

For all of these players, who did he give up? Jose Tabata? Ross Ohlendorf? Kyle Farnsworth? While Farnsworth has certainly been pitching better, and seemed to have turned the corner working with Dave Eiland and Joe Girardi, he was never one that instilled confidence in you. Fair or not fair, despite his recent success, you were always waiting for him to implode. So instead of waiting for that, the Yankees not only get a top-flight catcher, but also the two compensatory draft picks next year when Pudge signs with another team.

Another move that Cashman made but wasn’t through a trade, was picking up Richie Sexson. For the minimum amount of money, how do you not take a flyer on this guy? He’s a right-handed bat that can provide pop off the bench, and he can fill in as a defensive replacement for Jason Giambi at first base. Much like Cashman’s moves last year when he acquired Molina, Wilson Betemit, and promoted the likes of Shelley Duncan, Edwar Ramirez, and Jose Veras, this was one that added tremendous depth to the roster. Also, the Yankees decided to keep Justin Christian with the big-league club as opposed to Brett Gardner, which is far and away the right move. Christian can steal a base just like Gardner could do, but he’s a superior defensive outfielder, has a stronger arm, and can hit better. In other words, he’s just what the team needed as a bench player.

So with an eye towards the future, and an eye on the present, Cashman has done exactly what he set out to do. He put together a team that has the chance to win now, and also one that can win next year, and the year after. Oh yeah, I forgot to mention, the best move the Yankees may make is seeing the Red Sox trade Manny Ramirez. If Boston does in fact deal Ramirez to Florida, or whomever else, that will be the best thing to happen to the Yankees since…well, I’ll let you figure that out. All I will say is maybe it will be known as the Curse of the Hair…

Let me preface this by saying that I am a big fan of Jorge Posada, was an advocate of the Yankees signing him in the offseason (and still am), and believe he still has some very good years left. Now, with that said, Posada going on the DL, and possibly having season-ending shoulder surgery could be the best thing for the New York Yankees at this time.

Posada has been a shell of his former self all season long due to this injury, and it seems to have affected him not only physically, but mentally as well. While his percentage of throwing out baserunners was expected to drop because of the in jury, his calling of games was not, yet that’s exactly what has happened. In recent starts behind the plate, he has mishandled games pitched by Joba Chamberlain, Andy Pettitte, and Mike Mussina, and you can see the frustration beginning to mount. When those pitchers throw to Jose Molina, there is a huge difference in a positive direction, and I believe that has really taken a toll on Posada mentally. It seems as if he’s pressing, and not playing with the ease of which he has in the past.

Furthermore, because of his injury, the Yankees have had to carry three catchers which has severely limited their options off the bench. With Posada on the DL, they can carry an extra outfielder or an extra infielder, depending on what they desire.

If I were the Yankees, I’d hope Posada has the surgery now. The last thing they need is another slow-footed first baseman/DH. Not to take anything away from Posada, but if he can’t catch, that’s what he is. So if Posada were to have the surgery now, he would have plenty of time to rehab the shoulder, get himself ready for the beginning of spring training, and come back as the player we all know he is. And frankly that’s the most important thing for both parties at this time. If the Yankees make the playoffs this year, it’s icing on the cake, but next year, and the year after are what they have to plan for. When they signed Posada to a four year deal, they envisioned him being their catcher for 2-3 years, not one before moving to first base.

Jorge Posada is a man with great pride, and he feels an obligation to the organization to try to play since he signed that big contract. But sometimes pride can get in the way. He has to take a step outside of the situation, and realize that both he and the team would be better off having him 100% healthy for three years of the contract, than for portions of all four. Posada has always been a great Yankee, and now is the perfect time to show just how great of one he truly is.

I have been lucky enough to witness first-hand some incredible sports moments at Yankee Stadium: The Yankees beating the Braves in Game 6 of the 1996 World Series to capture their first title since 1978, the fans giving a NYC firefighter an amazing ovation when he was introduced before Game 1 of the 2001 Division Series against the Oakland A’s, President Bush throwing out the first pitch before Game 3 of the `01 World Series, Tino Martinez and Scott Brosius hitting 9th inning-2-out home runs in back-to-back games of that same World Series, and Aaron Boone hitting the walk-off in Game 7 of the `03 ALCS against Boston. Thanks to Josh Hamilton, last night will be another moment that I will talk about for the rest of my life.

When Hamilton was first introduced, I gave him a standing ovation for obvious reasons. After everything he has been through in his life, to turn it around and do what he’s doing now is remarkable. Little did I realize that that would be the first of several standing ovations I would give him.

The first swing he took, he sent a ball soaring through the air that hit the UTZ Potato Chips sign on the back wall of the Stadium. In my life, I have only seen one other person hit that sign, and that was Darryl Strawberry in a game against the Boston Red Sox I believe in 1995 (if I’m not mistaken, Strawberry did it against the knuckleballer Tim Wakefield). When Hamilton did it Monday night, my reaction was much the same, “He just hit the UTZ sign!!!”

Well, a couple of swings later, he did something I have NEVER seen before, and that was hit the frieze in right center field. The place went crazy and rightfully so. People have often wondered if anybody could ever hit a ball out of Yankee Stadium, and with the exception of Mickey Mantle’s famous shot that hit the lights, Hamilton came the closest.

 It was at that moment I knew we were watching something special, something we would never forget. He followed that up with a couple of shots off the video board in right-center, and then majestic shots deep into the upper deck. But then he did something that I’m not sure people saw while watching on TV. Before the fans began chanting his name (which was awesome), and before Milton Bradley came out to towel him off, Hamilton stepped out of the batter’s box and looked around the Stadium. It was as if he was actually thinking to himself, “Is this really happening to me? Here I am at Yankee Stadium, hitting shot after shot in front of nearly 54,000 people, getting standing ovation after standing ovation.”

When Hamilton’s first round finally came to an end, he got another standing ovation, although this time it was from his peers. Players from both teams mobbed him at the plate in the ultimate sign of respect as they knew how lucky they were to witness that display.

Shortly thereafter my cell phone rang, and sure enough it was my father on the other end. “I haven’t seen a player hit home runs like that since Mickey Mantle. So high, and so far. That was unbelievable.”

When my dad said that, it got me thinking. Just a couple of weeks ago I read an article about Hamilton where a scout who watched him in high school, said that he was the best talent he had ever seen, ever! Well, many had said the same thing about Mantle.

Fast forward nearly 60 years, and in the final year of Yankee Stadium, we witnessed something that brought back memories of Mantle and Ruth thanks to a guy whose nickname is “The Natural.” After all the years of battling his drug addiction, and at the age of 27, Hamilton is beginning to make that scout look like a genius, and make us feel fortunate to have the opportunity to watch him play. Thanks Josh, for a night that I will never forget. We’re all cheering for you.

Where will Ken Griffey, Jr end up?

Ken Griffey, Jr. is one homerun away from 600, and yet much of the talk surrounding him is where will he finish the season. Many have speculated that he would ask for a trade back to the Mariners this way he could finish his career where it started, especially after his emotional return to Seattle last year. Others, though, have said he deserves the chance to play in a World Series which would therefore eliminate the Mariners from contention. So the question remains, where will he end up?

The Mariners idea is intriguing, although I see no reason why he couldn’t be a rent-a-player for the stretch run, and then sign with Seattle in the off-season. That would allow Griffey the chance to get back to the playoffs where he once flourished, and give Seattle a chance to recover and make a run next year.

So with that said which team is the best fit? Some have mentioned the Mets as they’re a team that is built to win now, but have been struggling to find the consistency of an elite team. They have a hole in the outfield with the constant injuries to Moises Alou and Ryan Church’s concussions, so maybe he would fit there. It is a possibility but I don’t think it would work out. They’re an older team that would just be getting older by adding Griffey. On top of that, the clubhouse is still in disarray, so why would Junior want to go there (remember, he has the right to veto any trade since he’s a 10-5)?

Maybe the Atlanta Braves? They are set in center field and right field, but left field could use some improvement. They’ve used Matt Diaz, Gregor Blanco, Greg Norton and Omar Infante out there, so Griffey would be an upgrade over them. With the loss of John Smoltz, Griffey could also be the jolt that Atlanta needs to make a run in the NL East.

There were rumors a couple of years ago about Junior being dealt to Atlanta which would’ve pleased him considering they train in Orlando (where he lives), and I think it would still please him as he wouldn’t be too far from his family.

The only other team in the NL that may make sense is the St. Louis Cardinals. With Rick Ankiel and Ryan Ludwick playing two of the three outfield spots, the Cards could use someone else out there. Furthermore, being in the same lineup as Albert Pujols could benefit Griffey in a major way. If he were to hit in front of Pujols he would see better pitches as pitchers don’t want to face Pujols, and if he were to hit behind him, then Griffey would have the chance to hit with runners on base. Either way, it’s a win-win for him. The question though is would Cincinnati trade within its own division?

Now that the NL is taken care of, the better thought for Griffey is the American League. It’s no secret that while we still love to think of Junior as “The Kid,” he’s not getting any younger. He has battled injuries for several years now, and they have certainly taken there toll on him. So while he can still be a very productive player and good outfielder when he’s healthy, getting the chance to DH a couple of days a week could benefit him greatly. With that said, there aren’t really too many teams in the AL that make sense for him, but there is one that could be perfect.

I know this sounds crazy, but the best fit for Junior could very well be the Tampa Bay Rays. They’re a young, up and coming team that could use his leadership and skill set. While the season is still young, this Rays team is for real. They already have one veteran leading the way in the Troy Percival, and adding Griffey to the mix would only help. Junior has the playful personality that young players look up to, and the Rays team is stacked with young talent eager to learn. In the outfield alone you have Carl Crawford and BJ Upton who I would venture to say grew up watching Griffey. Now imagine how they would feel playing in the same outfield with him 3-4 times a week.

On top of his impact on the field, Griffey would have a huge effect off it. Fans are just now beginning to show up at the Trop. Add Junior to the mix, and I think it’s safe to say their attendance would rise. For a team that is looking to build a new ballpark, this addition could be huge. Griffey once saved baseball in Seattle, and he could potentially do the same in Tampa Bay. Oh yeah, did I mention it’s less than 2 hours driving from Orlando to St. Petersburg where the Rays play?

John Smoltz to undergo season-ending surgery

Growing up my favorite players were Don Mattingly, Rickey Henderson and Ken Griffey, Jr, but over the past several years I have formed a tremendous amount of admiration towards John Smoltz. Ever since he lost Game 4 of the 1999 World Series to the Yankees, and gave a postgame interview by the clubhouse, I was overwhelmed by how classy and intelligent he was. I remember calling my father afterwards, and both of us had the same reaction, “What a nice guy. So articulate. A true professional.”

Nearly 10 years later, those words ring true again. Watching Smoltz’s press conference today, I couldn’t help but think how lucky we have been to watch a player like him. If this is in fact the end of his career, and I really hope it’s not, John Smoltz will go down as one of the greatest big-game pitchers of all-time. While he pitched on the same staff as two other future Hall of Famers in Greg Maddux and Tom Glavine, and got much less recognition than those guys, Smoltz is the one I would’ve wanted on my team.

I was in the Bahamas this past December on vacation, and was playing roulette when one of the guys next to me kept putting chips on 31. I asked him why 31, and he said, “I’m a huge Greg Maddux fan.”

We immediately struck up a conversation, and I asked him, “In a big game, who would you want pitching, Maddux or Smoltz?”

His response, “Smoltz. I said I’m a Maddux fan, I didn’t say I was stupid.”

John Smoltz will one day join his good friends in Cooperstown, and for anyone to say he doesn’t belong there, well…I guess they’re the opposite of the guy playing roulette.

Joba Joins the Rotation

Well it’s official, Joba Chamberlain is a starter. We all know how I feel about this issue so there is no point in debating if it’s right or wrong, and no I am not going to jump to conclusions after one start. What I do want to comment on though is what Joel Sherman wrote about in today’s New York Post. He said that it feels as if the Yankees are giving up on the season in order to transform Joba into a starter, and frankly he’s not wrong.

What I would like to add to that though is that giving up on this season may actually be a good thing. However, if you’re going to do that, go all out. Trade Hideki Matsui, Bobby Abreu, Jason Giambi, and maybe even Johnny Damon. Start planning for next year, and more importantly for 2010. Get the players you need in order to sustain a run, and if you end up making a run this year with those new players, then that’s gravy. There’s no problem taking a step back, as long as you know you’re setting yourself up to take two steps forward.

Celebrations

There has been a great deal of talk the past couple of weeks about Joba Chamberlain and his antics on the mound, particularly his celebrations. David Dellucci called them “bush league,” Goose Gossage said there is no place for that type of action in baseball especially with the Yankees, and many well-respected writers across the country have agreed. I, however, disagree with those people.

If Chamberlain pumped his fist after every strikeout, or yelled and screamed each time he did something positive, then yes, it would be too much and definitely “bush league.” But he doesn’t do it after every performance, or even every other. When Chamberlain pumped his fist after striking out Delucci, he did so because it was a big out for him. After giving up a pinch-hit three-run home run to Dellucci just two nights earlier, Chamberlain faced his “demons” and got the out. In all honesty, if it were me, I think I would have done the same thing.

Now for those of you who say he was showing up Delucci, and a pitcher should not do that, then I ask you why is it ok for a hitter to stop and stare at his home run ball, and that’s not considered “bush?” How come Manny Ramirez can stand at home plate for three seconds while watching his ball sail over the fence and people excuse it as “Manny being Manny?” Or how about when a batter flicks the bat and “pimps” it? This is not showing up the pitcher?

Now don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying that two wrongs make a right, but I am saying that if Chamberlain or other pitchers show some emotion on the mound, it’s not always a bad thing.

 Yankees Regret Not Trading For Santana

I know I write about this fairfly frequently, but I just can’t stand how people continue to say the Yankees regret not making the trade for Johan Santana. Obviously Phil Hughes and Ian Kennedy are not pitching the way people had hoped, but no offense, neither is Santana! The guy has a 3.00 ERA in the NATIONAL LEAGUE! If he’s in the American League, that’s more like a 4.00, and he’s making how much money??? On top of that, if the ace is all you need to win, how come the Mets are only a game above .500? I cannot stress this enough: do not look at the immediate results, but think about the future. Keeping Hughes, Kennedy, AND Melky Cabrera was the right move for the Yankees, regardless of how Santana does against the Yankees today.

The Mets in Disarray

Speaking of the Mets, it turns out their problems from last September did not end when the season ended. Rather, many of the same problems exist today including the clubhouse dissention. On Thursday Billy Wagner lashed out to reporters saying how ridiculous it was that he had to sit there and answer questions on a day in which he didn’t even pitch because the “other” guys got up and left. The “other” guys he was referring to were the Hispanic players, more specifically Carlos Delgado and Carlos Beltran. If you remember correctly, this was a similar issue last year with Paul Lo Duca.

On Friday, this issue was discussed on ESPN’s Pardon the Interruption, and Michael Wilbon, who I respect a great deal, made a statement that really upset me. He essentially made excuses for the “other” players by saying that maybe it’s time for the newspapers to start hiring bi-lingual writers in order to help the Spanish speaking players communicate to the media. What?!?!

A couple of years ago I had the opportunity to go to Beijing, China for work, and I remember getting frustrated the first couple of days I was there because many people didn’t understand what I was saying. I found myself getting angry that people didn’t speak English. Then I thought to myself, “Wait a minute. I’m in their country. It’s not their responsibility to know MY language, it’s my responsibility to know THEIR language. The same is true here. If these players come to the United States to earn millions and millions of dollars, then it’s their responsibility to learn the language of the country. No more excuses!

Bizarro World

Over the past couple of weeks we’ve seen small-market teams sign young stars to contract extensions years before they become free agents. The Marlins shelled out $70 million for Hanley Ramirez, the Brewers gave Ryan Braun $45 million, and the Rays gave Scott Kazmir $28.5 million only a couple of weeks after giving Evan Longoria an extension. While this is a great trend, and something I hope continues, it now poses another problem for baseball.

For several years now the large-market clubs have essentially used teams like the Marlins and Rays as another minor league team. When the players became too expensive, the large market teams either traded for them, or signed them as free agents. Now that those players will no longer be available, it’s going to put even more importance on developing one’s own talent, even for the Red Sox, Yankees, Mets, etc.

So how exactly is this a problem you ask? Well as much as revenue sharing and luxury tax have allowed these clubs to lock up their own players, it hasn’t solved the problem of the draft. While there are numbers slotted for each draft position, teams do not necessarily  have to abide by those numbers leaving players like Rick Porcello for the Tigers, and Andrew Brackman for the Yankees late in the first round last year. Therefore, the next step in creating a more level-playing field would be to incorporate a system like the NBA has for its draft, otherwise this trend will only continue…

NBA Playoffs

Has anybody else been as disappointed in the NBA Playoffs, specifically this second round, as I have? For so many intriguing matchups, the games have been, for the most part, awful. It’s amazing to think that two of the four series are going seven games, and none of the previous 12 has even been close as the home team has won each game. I have never seen anything like this before, and truly hope I don’t see anything like it again for a loooong time.

Kobe Bryant is the NBA’s Alex Rodriguez

Before you go crazy on me, let me preface this by saying that Kobe is an extremely clutch player, has three rings, and very well could get his fourth this year. So in that way right there he is nothing like A-Rod. Now that that’s out of the way, hear me out…

Kobe Bryant and Alex Rodriguez have the talent and work ethic to be among the top players to ever play their respective sprts. They are players who are so good that you want to cheer for them. You want to marvel at what they do, and think that you’re lucky to see them play each and every night. Yet something continues to hold you back from accepting them, and I think it’s their lack of authenticity.

When watching the two, you can’t help but think that their actions are phony. Whether it’s their interactions with teammates on the bench, or interviews they give, everything seems rehearsed. Maybe this is completely unfair for me to say, but it’s one of those gut instincts I get when watching them, and I don’t think I’m alone.

Barry Zito to the Pen

Barry Zito goes to the bullpen, and I know it sounds bad, but I love it. It’s not because I have anything against Zito, as a matter of fact, I’ve heard nothing but good things about him. What I love is that it further proves that just because you shell out a TON of money, it doesn’t mean a pitcher/player is going to perform to those standards.

All off-season I heard numbers thrown around for Johan Santana that I thought were nuts. People saying $200 million, or $150 million, thinking that if Zito got 7/126, then Santana certainly deserved more. As it turned out Santana got $147 million, so he did get more. But my feeling when hearing all of this talk is why did Zito’s contract have to be the benchmark? If a contract like this cripples a team, why should other teams want to, or even have to award similar contracts? Furthermore, and more importantly, why does the player have all the leverage in these negotiations? Just because someone else was able to take advantage of one’s stupidity (in this case the Giants), doesn’t mean every other team has to be dumb.

I know the players union will start complaining about collusion, but let’s be serious, good contracts should be the benchmarks, not stupid ones.

More Trouble for Roger Clemens

I’m not going to discuss Roger Clemens’ affair with Mindy McCready as we all know right from wrong. The only thing I will say about this is that it doesn’t bode well for Clemens, and not because of the hit his image will take. Rather, the fact that McCready told the New York Daily News, “I cannot refute anything in the story,” once again shows how evidence against Clemens seems to be legitimate.

Clemens and his joke of a lawyer, Rusty Hardin, continue to say that Roger is telling the truth. Yet if that’s the case, we’re then supposed to believe that Brian McNamee, Andy Pettitte, and McCready have all “misremembered?” Come on guys, you can’t be serious! The more you continue to stick to your story, the more dirt is going to come out, and the worse off you’re going to be. But, if that’s really how you want to play, ENJOY…

To the mailbag…

I would like to take this time to thank all of you readers for your extremely well thought out comments. I have an incredible amount of respect for both the amount of time you spent constructing your arguments, and for your overall knowledge of the game. With the said, here are some thoughts.

Tommyeagle - This is Dave Winfield era II...the same cronology that occurred in Dave Winfield era I. To say that the Yankees don't have too many lefties in their lineup is obsurd! You keep referring to the last dynasty as a road map to success but you refuse to look at the current team with a critical eye.

This current team in no way shape or form is even 20% close to the team that was designed in the 90's. The biggest mistake the Yankees made was taking on AROD...it distroyed the chemistry of this team. When one person becomes the constant focal point of the team you are in big trouble and those were the same conditions that existed when Dave Winfield played in New York. The desperate moves to create an instant winner existed then as they do now.

The rebuilding of this team is not a quick fix. The outfield is an aging mess. Matsui has no range...Damon has one of the worst arms in baseball and he plays centerfield, a weak bat with another DL stint weeks away...Abreu can't cover his patio let alone right field. First base is a joke!

The pitching is much farther away then you suggest. Hughes is not a proven ace and even if he achieves this level it will take a while. He has less than half a pitching season in the majors under his belt. Ian Kennedy is no wow pitcher and he has less than 40 innings in the majors. Pettitte will be gone next year if not the following year. Mussina is an absolute joke and Wang is a very good number #2 pitcher. The Chamberlain discussion is the same discussion that took place during Winfield era I when Dave Righetti became a closer.

If Cashman got fired or if he chose to leave the Yankees it would present a great opportunity to bring a real baseball mind on board with a proven track record. The move would refresh Yankee blood! Change is not always a bad thing.

Tommyeagle, thanks again for your thoughts. I have never had so much fun reading someone’s comments. It is quite apparent that you are a huge Yankee fan that is able to look at the team without blinders on. With that said, I couldn’t agree more with the comments I have pasted here. The rebuilding of the Yankees is not a quick fix at all, and that’s the reason I want to keep Cashman.

For the first time in nearly a decade the Yankees have a plan. No longer are they looking for a quick fix that will cost them several prospects, but instead they’re trying to stockpile those prospects in order to build a nucleus that will last for several years. If Cashman were to leave, I’m afraid Hank Steinbrenner will respond the way his father did, by signing every big-name free agent that is on the decline, and then lead us into that dreadful period we remember as the 80s (and yes, I do remember the 80s, they were my formative years).

I agree that change is not always a bad thing, and that it could very well be a good thing. That’s one of the main reasons I was in favor of brining in Joe Girardi as opposed to Don Mattingly, but in regards to Cashman, I think we’re just going to have to agree to disagree, because everywhere else we’re in total agreement.

Oh yeah, one more thing, and this further backs up what you said about A-Rod. If the Yankees stumble over the next two weeks it won’t be because they miss him. Instead it will be because they miss Posada. No one expected A-Rod to duplicate the year he had last year, however many people were hoping he would continue to hit in the clutch. Well, it’s an even numbered year, and he’s reverted back to his old ways. You don’t have to look any further than Sunday’s game against the Indians.

In the top of the 6th with the Yankees up 1-0, a runner on third, one out and first base open, the Indians and C.C. Sabathia decided to go after Rodriguez as opposed to intentionally walk him. What did he do? Struck out. If A-Rod is as good in the clutch as people believe he is, then there’s no way you go after him, not with Shelley Duncan on deck, sorry.

zdeane343 - saying chien-ming wang is a good #2 pitcher is a joke. back to back 19 game winner, only took him 85 starts to get 50wins, i think thats the 3rd quickest.

its an absolute joke that people say hes not an ace. people look at strikeouts and fantasy stats, the only thing that matter is wins, and chien-ming does that.

Zdeane343, thank you for your well thought out comments the last two posts. I think you are correct in that many people do look at fantasy stats to determine who an “ace” is, however I do not believe I’m one of them (especially since I don’t even play fantasy). One of my big criteria for judging whether or not someone is an “ace” is by asking yourself the questions, “Do you have the utmost confidence that he’s going to win each and every time he takes the mound, big game or small?” and "As a fan of the opposing team, does the thought of facing that pitcher scare you?"

In my opinion Wang is right on the cusp of becoming an “ace.” He definitely wins, as I believe he has more the last two seasons than anyone else in baseball, but I also believe his post-season last year is holding him back as did his game last September against Josh Beckett. Many people thought the CY Young would be decided in that game, and unfortunately Wang bombed there just like he did in the playoffs. Please don’t get me wrong, I love Wang. I think he is one of the best pitchers in the game, and that the Yankees are lucky to have him. But as of right now, he is still a borderline “ace.”

I apologize for not getting to everyone’s comments, but I really do appreciate all of them. Thanks again.

I would first like to thank all of you out there who posted comments. It’s always nice to see so many people passionate about a topic, and from all the feeback I’ve gotten, it’s certain that this is a subject that is near and dear to many hearts. With that said, it’s time to answer some of the emails and comments…

Mailbag

Gene in fl - Hank signs checks on the 1st & 15th of every month totalling over $17M for these underachievers. He has every right to speak his mind. I'm a Yankee fan who wanted Johan. Tell me what Hughes has shown in now 17 starts that gives any indication he could even remotely approach Santana? Ditto Kennedy.

Gene, there are a couple of things I’d like to point out in regards to the Santana deal. Many of the problems over the past 5-7 years for the Yankees have stemmed from them thinking short-term as opposed to long-term. With this trade however, it would have affected them in both ways.

Let’s say for instance that they make the deal, who plays center field this year? Johnny Damon? Do you really feel comfortable having Damon play center for 162 games? I know every other team in the league would, but not the Yankees. Damon was never a good defensive center fielder to begin with (that’s why signing him to a four year deal when you already had several other DH’s was a problem), and teams started taking advantage of his arm far too often. So if you trade Melky Cabrera, Phil Hughes, and Ian Kennedy for Santana, who do you plug into the other slots? The Yankees would’ve been a worse team this year, and in the future, had they made the deal.

Now in regards to Santana, people point to his age, 29, and say he’s not your typical stud pitcher to hit the market. Well, I understand he’s young, however he’s already had the burden of being a true ace in the game for four years, and if you look at the real aces in baseball over the last 15-20 years, their run of dominance does not last much more than 5-7. Take a look:

Pedro Martinez – Pedro’s run from 1997-2003 was arguably the greatest a pitcher has had since Sandy Koufax, yet if you add up those years, that’s a span of seven. What did Pedro win in those seven years? Three Cy Young Awards and nothing else. His World Series ring came after his run had ended.

Randy Johnson – Johnson’s run was 8-10 years, but how many pitchers come along that are 6’10 and can throw like him? Furthermore, during his run he won 5 Cy Young Awards but only one World Series, and that was when he joined forces with Curt Schilling, and was forced to close out Game 7 in order to get the victory.

John Smoltz – Had his run divided by injuries and a move to the bullpen. He won one CY Young and one World Series title.

Greg Maddux – Statistically he’s an anomoly as his run lasted roughly 14 years, however while he has been great in the regular season, he was never a pitcher I would want on the mound come postseason. And I’m sorry to say this, but if you’re an “ace,” you better exude that confidence in a must-win game. During Maddux’s run he won four CY Young’s, and one World Series championship.

Tom Glavine – Glavine had a run of seven years with a couple of others coming intermittently later. He won two CY Young’s and one World Series title. Oh, and by the way, the Braves had all of three of these “aces” on one team, and still won only one title!!! You know why? NO BULLPEN!!!

Roger Clemens – Clemens had a run of seven years, and then some other good years dispersed later in his career, but I guess that’s all in question now, eh?

What it comes down to is that while reputation may last longer, true dominance on the mound does not. And that’s the reason it would have been even more short-sighted for the Yankees to make the deal for Santana. Sure, he may have given them a good year, but I believe he’s on the decline now, and will only get worse over the next couple of years. Now don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying he’s a bad pitcher, I’m just saying he’s not going to be an “ace” for the duration, or even half of that contract they would’ve had to give him.

And one more thing, don’t be misled by the numbers he puts up with the Mets. By going to the NL, Santana could add another three years to his run as he’s taking advantage of a crummy league.

Zdeane343 - you really have no clue what you're talking about when it comes to red sox.
(1)Theo Epstein quit before the Red Sox traded for Josh Beckett! He did not want the trade, did not agree with it, and did not support it, he loved hanley.
(2) Jacoby ellsbury played in 35games in low a baseball in 2005, so don't tell me Epstein knew he was a star and that’s why he didnt pay Damon.

Yankees and the red sox have the same team. Both have an ace, a #2 pitcher, a veteran and two kids. Both have good setup man-closer combo. Both teams have speed and power. and both teams have health concerns, whichever team stays healthy wins.

Ellsbury is one of the most overrrated players. all of the scouts says hes johnny damon with less power. and pitchers have already adapted to him, they know he cant hit inside fastballs.

Zdeane343, you are correct in that Theo Epstein did not make the trade for Josh Beckett, thank you for pointing that out. He did, however, sign him to the extension, and helped build the rotation around him. As for Ellsbury, the Red Sox did have high hopes for him despite only playing in 35 games, but more importantly, saw that signing Damon to a four year deal for as much as the Yankees did would be a detriment and a burden to their team. Instead they made the deal for Coco Crisp, yet still knew they had a fallback option in Ellsbury.

With regards to Ellsbury, you make some valid points in regards to his deficiencies against the inside fastball, however I do not see him as being overrated. I think it all depends on how you’re judging him. Is he going to be a 25-30 homer guy? No way, but he will hit for average, probably in the .285-.300 range, get on base a bunch, and steal 50 bases a year. On top of that, he’ll play great defense wherever you put him in the outfield. Is his arm weak? Yeah, but its light years ahead of Damon’s. Frankly, and this is not meant to be a shot at Damon, but Ellsbury is a far superior natural baseball player than Damon, and that will only help him throughout his career.

Now in regards to the Yankees and Red Sox being similar, I couldn’t agree with you more. Entering the season the two staffs seemed almost a wash. Number 1 went to the Red Sox, 2 to the Yankees, and 3-5 totally up in the air. In the bullpen, I gave the edge to the Yankees with Joba-Mo compared to Okajima-Papelbon because I wasn’t sure Okajima would have the same effect he had last year. The biggest difference between the teams though is the Red Sox have Manny and Ortiz, and no matter how you slice it, the Yankees don’t have anything close to that. Those two guys are two of the most clutch performers I have ever seen, and probably will ever see in my life.

Tommyeagle – Zdean343 Either you have a short memory or no memory at all...or maybe you just don't have a grip on good baseball sense. Your claim that the only lefty that is a problem in the lineup is Giambi...you got to be kidding me! What post season play have you been watching? For the past 4 years the Yankees have been sitting ducks when it comes to producing late inning runs in any post season game...that was the trade mark of past championship teams. The Boston Red Sox realized this so much that they went out of their way to sign Hideki Okajima for late inning post season relief...he has murdered the Yankee lineup consistantly.

Cashman has not done anything during his tenure with the Yankees that says he is an elite GM...the Yankees can afford his departure. The Yankee lineup is overloaded with aging lefties who have not performed well in postseason play for years now. The Yankee outfield and first base defense is weak. The pitching staff is a couple of years away from championship caliber if all positive expectations play out. This year the Yankees will struggle to win 85 games.

Tommyeagle, the problem with the Yankees in the postseason the last 4 years has not been their lefty hitters, rather it’s been the lack of a balanced lineup, and I don’t mean lefty-righty balance either. When the Yankees won their championships they were a versatile hitting team, they could hit for power, could hit and run, sacrifice bunt, and score with two outs. Unfortunately, due to George Steinbrenner’s love of the home run, they got away from that balance, and thought they could bludgeon teams to death. Well, in the regular season you can, but come post-season, sorry, it ain’t gonna happen.

It’s the same reason that the Detroit Tigers could find themselves in trouble if they make the playoffs. While Curtis Granderson and Placido Polanco can play small ball, Magglio Ordonez, Gary Sheffield, Miguel Cabrera, and Carlos Guillen are not exactly known for that. All-Star teams don’t win championships, baseball teams do.

Now, in regards to Cashman, I completely disagree. Yes, he has made some bad decisions, signing Kei Igawa (which seemed like a total reaction move to the Sox getting Dice-K), signing Jaret Wright and Carl Pavano as opposed to signing Jon Lieber, however he has made smart moves when he was allowed to do so. Remember, from 2001-2005 he wasn’t calling all the shots, Steinbrenner and the Tampa people were, and I don’t think you’re giving him enough credit for keeping the dynasty alive.

Think back to 1998 when Randy Johnson was on the market. The Yankees were terrified that the Indians would get him, but Cashman was able to stay in the negotiations long enough where neither he nor Cleveland got him. Instead he switched leagues and went to the Astros. Brilliant.

In 2000 when Steinbrenner and the fans were calling for Juan Gonzalez and Sammy Sosa, Cashman made the trade for David Justice. Could there have been a better fit for that team than Justice?

In the 2000 offseason he went hard after Mike Mussina as opposed to going hard after Manny Ramirez. While it hasn’t worked out the way New York had hoped, it was absolutely the right move at the time. And honestly, if I had to do it over again, I would do the same thing.

In the 2003 offseason the Yankees were looking at Curt Schilling and Javier Vasquez. The Diamondbacks wanted both Alfonso Soriano and Nick Johnson for Schilling, so Cashman traded Johnson for Vasquez, and then later in the offseason, he dealt Soriano for Alex Rodriguez. Again, I think those were two pretty wise moves despite Vasquez not working out the way they had hoped.

With that said, a HUGE reason why Vasquez didn’t work out was because he was supposed to be in addition to Andy Pettitte, not instead of Pettitte. But because George Steinbrenner was so fixated on everyone else’s free agents, he never gave Pettitte the respect he deserved, and Pettitte bolted for Houston. To this day, that was the single biggest mistake the Yankees have made in the last 25 years (sorry, Mr. Costanza but it makes Jay Buhner for Ken Phelps look laughable). If the Yankees keep Pettitte there is no way they lose the ALCS to Boston in `04!

People don’t give Cashman nearly enough credit. Let him call the shots, and the Yankees will once again be on top of the baseball world.

William - This guy looks like he's 12 years old.

William, thanks for the compliment. I only wish I was still 12. That was a good year for me in Little League.

Cowboysnyankees - Funny thing is that the Yankees are not in trouble in the future for this team looks a lot brighter with loaded farm system. No need to win this year they will win at least 5 championships in the next 10 years.

Cowboysnyankees, I agree that the Yankees future looks a lot brighter than it has in years. My concern is that if Hank Steinbrenner runs Brian Cashman out of town, then all of a sudden, all the work Cashman and the other baseball people have done could go for naught. As for five championships in the next 10 years, well that’s a bit much, but I do believe they could win a couple.

Yankeesfan - Clemens, Pettitte, Cone, El Duque NO 2 starters I think that most people would agree in the mid nineties any one of these pitchers could have been the ace of a staff.

The Yankees at this point of the season don’t have a No 3 starter to go after Wang and Pettitte. Joba would give them some depth up front and allow the Yankees to make a move for bullpen help which is much easier to come by.

Yankeesfan, there is no question that any of those pitchers could have been the ace of a staff, however that doesn’t make them an “ace.” There are a lot of number one pitchers out there, as a matter of fact there are 32 of them, but there aren’t 32 aces. In my opinion there are five and maybe seven “aces” in the game today: Josh Beckett, Jake Peavy, Brandon Webb, Johan Santana, and Roy Halladay. C.C. Sabathia, Justin Verlander and Cole Hamels, have the stuff, but I need to see more than one dominant year before I consider someone an “ace.”

Thanks again to everyone for their comments, and the fantastic discussion. Keep the emails coming...

The New York Yankees are in trouble, serious trouble, and it’s not because of the way they’re playing on the field. Rather it’s what’s going on in the front office, and more specifically, with Hank Steinbrenner. How someone is removed from the game for 20 years, reappears, and suddenly feels he knows everything is beyond me, but that’s exactly what Steinbrenner has done.

First, it was his recommendation to trade Phil Hughes, Ian Kennedy, and Melky Cabrera plus another prospect for Johan Santana, and then sign Santana to a ludicrous contract. Now it’s him demanding that the team moves Joba Chamberlain to the rotation, telling the New York Times, “There is no question about it, you don't have a guy with a 100-mile-per-hour fastball and keep him as a set-up guy. You just don't do that. You have to be an #### to do that."

Well, there are so many problems with that comment I almost don’t know where to begin. I guess the first place is that if you look around the game, most pitchers who throw 100mph are actually in the bullpen. As a matter of fact, the only starters that come to mind who throw that hard consistently are Justin Verlander and AJ Burnett. There are others who can touch 100, but not who consistently hit it.

Secondly, if you have to be an #### to keep a guy with a 100mph fastball as a set-up man, why is Kyle Farnsworth in the bullpen? He throws 100mph, and no one has ever talked about him being a starter. I know, he doesn’t have the same stuff as Joba Chamberlain, but I’m just trying to make a point.

 On a serious side, the player Chamberlain most reminds me of is Joel Zumaya, the flame-throwing righty for the Detroit Tigers. I had the privilege of calling Zumaya’s games when he pitched in Double-A for the Erie SeaWolves, and what most people don’t know about him is that he, like Chamberlain, was a starter in the minors, and a pretty darn good one at that. He had a four-seam fastball that was 96-100mph, a two-seamer that was 91-94, a curveball, and a changeup, so if you’re counting at home, that’s four pitches, certainly enough to be a starter in the majors. And if you’re wondering was he able to sustain his velocity throughout an entire game, the answer is yes. Zumaya consistently worked into the 7th inning that year with his fastball registering 98 or higher time and time again. He actually had a no-hitter through 7.2 innings against the Indians Double-A affiliate where he struck out 15 batters, and had more than 30 pitches clocked at 97 or higher for strikes!

Yet when it came time for spring training in 2006, the Tigers had no room in their rotation, so Jim Leyland tried him out in the bullpen. Leyland didn’t do this because Zumaya was incapable of starting, he did this because he knew Zumaya’s stuff was too good not to have on his staff. How did it turn out for the Tigers? If you consider an AL Pennant good, then I guess it was a success.

Zumaya became the most feared reliever in the game, and there has never been even a mention of moving him back to the rotation. Zumaya’s demeanor completely changed when he moved to the bullpen, and he thrived on that adrenaline rush, much like Chamberlain has done with the Yankees. People have wondered what happened to the Tigers last year and then to start this year, and the answer is easy, no Zumaya. Without him, they are incredibly vulnerable late in games, therefore putting more pressure on the starters.

Taking Chamberlain out of the bullpen would have the same impact on the Yankees. He is a calming influence for the entire team, starters, relievers, and position players, and maybe more importanly, a scary prospect for the other teams. Knowing Chamberlain is lingering in the bullpen with Mariano Rivera puts even more pressure on the Yankees opponents to score runs early, otherwise they know their chances of winning become exponentially more difficult.

Beyond that though, Steinbrenner, like many fans, has this notion that you have to have an “ace,” a top five pitcher in the game, to win. If that’s the case, will somebody please tell me who the “ace” was for the Yankees from 1996-2000? Was it Andy Pettitte? David Wells? David Cone? Roger Clemens? Jimmy Key? El Duque? The answer is the Yankees didn’t have an “ace,” instead they had a bunch of number two starters who knew how to perform in the postseason, combined with a dominant bullpen. And what did that combination lead to? Four World Series Championships in five years.

In today’s game, teams that have a true “ace” typically do not win championships. It’s the teams that can combine solid starting pitching with a great bullpen that win championships. Don’t believe me? Look at the World Series Champions since 2002 (we’ll exclude the Diamondbacks since they were an exception with Curt Schilling and Randy Johnson forming the greatest combination since Sandy Koufax and Don Drysdale).

2002: Anaheim Angels – Ace anyone? John Lackey pitched Game 7… Instead it was the combination of Francisco Rodriguez (K-Rod) and Troy Percival putting a clamp on leads.

2003: Florida Marlins – Josh Beckett was the ace in the playoffs no doubt about it, but during the season he was not among the top five best pitchers in baseball, not even close. Instead it was the combination o####ood starting rotation (Beckett, Brad Penny, and Carl Pavano), and then Braden Looper and Ugueth Urbina in the bullpen.

2004: Boston Red Sox – Pedro Martinez was the “ace” in name only. But the combination of Pedro, Derek Lowe, Curt Schilling, and Tim Wakefield, combined with a strong bullpen and legitimate closer, Keith Foulke, helped lead the Red Sox to their first World Series title in 86 years.

2005: Chicago White Sox – Jose Contreras, Mark Buehrle, Jon Garland, and Freddy Garcia. None of these guys were aces, but they were all solid pitchers who pitched great in the playoffs, and then Bobby Jenks was lights out at the end of games.

2006: St. Louis Cardinals – Chris Carpenter, Jeff Suppan, Anthony Reyes, and Jeff Weaver. Yes, you could make a case for Carpenter since he was a CY Young Award Winner, but the rest of the staff pitched well, and then the surprising bullpen was great throughout the playoffs.

2007: Boston Red Sox – Josh Beckett was the “ace,” and as you have seen, it was the rare exception where one of the top three pitchers in the game won a championship. With that said, Beckett was around for the Sox in 2006 and what did they do then? Missed the playoffs. The addition of Hideki Okajimi, keeping Jonathan Papelbon in the bullpen as the closer instead of moving him to the rotation (as had been discussed and attempted in spring training), combined with Beckett’s performance helped lead Boston to its second title in four years. Do you think the Red Sox would have lifted that trophy had they moved Papelbon into the rotation? Two words…NO WAY!

The Yankees have not gotten off to the start they would have hoped for, but at the same time it’s not that surprising. People knew going in to this season that this year and next were transition years, much like 2005 and 2006 were for Boston. Red Sox fans were upset that the team did not re-sign Pedro Martinez and  Johnny Damon when both were free agents, but Theo Epstein and his people were weighing the effects the two would have on his team two and three years into the future as opposed to the immediate effect. In other words, they had a plan. Epstein pulled off a deal for Beckett after the `05 season, and then knew he had Jacoby Ellsbury coming up to play center field, so he felt his money could best be used elsewhere. As was stated above, I think it worked out pretty well. Not only did the Red Sox win their second championship in four years, but they have the making of a team that can contend for several years.

Many people forget that the Yankees built their most recent dynasty when George Steinbrenner was out of baseball. Gene Michael and Buck Showalter built a team from the ground up, and then Bob Watson and Brian Cashman made some key changes to improve its strength. When Steinbrenner returned, and allowed his baseball people to do their jobs, he was reveered as the greatest owner in sports. It seemed as if he had gone through this miraculous transformation from being a villain to a hero. That transformation though, didn’t last too long. Before you knew it, Steinbrenner was seeking the attention and credit for what his team was doing, and that’s when the Yankees began signing all of these high-priced free agents, and started on this downward spiral.

Like Epstein, Brian Cashman also has a plan, and if you look at the young players he has brought up, there’s no reason to think his plan won’t work. But Cashman is in the last year of his contract, a contract he signed only because he was given full autonomy of baseball decisions by the Boss. Yet with the emergence of Baby Boss, it’s looking less and less like Cashman will agree to a new deal with the team, and frankly, who can blame him. If Hank Steinbrenner wants to learn anything from his father as far as running a team, learn from what he did from 1991-2000, keep your mouth shut and let your baseball people do their jobs. It will do wonders for you and your ego because your team will win, and people will actually like you.

People often wonder what the best time of the year is, and in my opinion it’s right now. The NCAA Tournament is in full swing (and actually winding down with the Final Four this weekend), baseball season is just beginning with a full slate of games on Opening Day, and then in a little over a week it’s the Master’s. Needless to say, my social life comes to a screeching halt during this time.

While I’m certainly looking forward to both the Final Four and the Master’s, I realized tonight just how much I love and missed baseball. There’s something very special about the game. Maybe it’s that you see it as the unofficial start to summer, or maybe it’s because you remember those days growing up when you would go outside and play catch with your father. Whatever it is, tonight, as I was cooking dinner watching the Yankees game, I realized it’s that time of the year again, time for another season to start where you look forward to each and every game, and know that you have something good to watch every day.

Now as for the game, I couldn’t help but get a bit emotional at the beginning of the broadcast. Michael Kay and the production people at YES did a fantastic job putting together a tease that showed the importance of this Opening Day, the last one to be held at the 85-year old Yankee Stadium.

For the longest time I was adamantly opposed to the Yankees building a new stadium, whether it was right across the street from the current one, or in the Meadowlands as had been rumored in the early 90s. And while I have come to grips with the team moving, I guess I never thought that time would come, until tonight that is. All of a sudden, the magnitude hit me.

Some of the greatest days of my life have been spent at Yankee Stadium, and I guess some of the worst too.  But from that first time I walked into it as a little kid, and saw that beautiful green grass and amazing white facade, I knew it was a special place. How special? So special that when you say, “The Stadium,” despite all of the other stadiums out there, people know what you’re talking about. Yankee Stadium is the stadium. Sure, some parks are older like Wrigley Field and Fenway Park, but those aren’t stadiums, they’re great cozy ballparks.

I tried explaining to friends from Boston the feeling you get when you enter The Stadium for the first time, but they never got it. I tried telling them that The Stadium is a character all by itself, that it has its own personality and its own charm, but they still didn’t get it. And then I took them to a game there last season. Sitting in our seats on the first base side, I looked over to one of my buddies, and he said, “This is really cool. Honestly, it’s even better than I thought. It’s amazing.” As you have probably already figured out, that was coming from a Red Sox fan.

There are 80 games remaining at The Stadium, and I strongly urge each and every one of you to get there at least once if you’ve never done so. And for those of you who have been there, go again because there will never be another one like it. Hopefully, in addition to seeing this landmark, you’ll also hear The Voice of The Stadium, Bob Sheppard, because he is as much of the experience as anything else. When you hear him for the first time, you’ll again know what I’m talking about. One more thing, when you do go, please email me and let me know what you thought, I promise you won’t be disappointed.

 

 

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I just want to give all of you a heads up that this is a long one. With that said, here we go…

Before we get started I think we should agree to push aside the question of whether or not Congress should be spending its time on this subject. The fact of the matter is that it is dedicating time to this, and because of that, we are left to discuss what transpired today. Also, as we all know in this country you are innocent until proven guilty, however, with that said, I am on record (through different posts on this blog) for believing that Roger Clemens is guilty of using performance-enhancing drugs. Therefore, going into this hearing today, I was very interested to see how the events transpired, and how both Brian McNamee and Clemens would handle themselves.

Both began with opening statements, and right off the bat I did not like how Clemens started. He essentially “kissed-up” to Congress by expressing his condolences on the passing of Representative Tom Lantos. Obviously that was a very nice gesture, but to me, it just seemed like he was politicking for “votes” from the representatives, similar to the way he went and met with Congressmen individually throughout the week preceding this hearing. He was trying to play the good-guy card, and it just seemed phony to me. It was reminiscent of the way he began his personal press conference in December by saying how sorry he was to his college coach for missing the funeral of his son, but he instead had to be here (at his press conference) on that day (which is something that I still don’t understand. Why couldn’t he have just postponed the press conference for another day?).

On the contrary, I thought McNamee’s opening statement was very good. It was to the point, he admitted to doing wrong, and he made a strong case for himself by bringing up Chuck Knoblauch and Andy Pettitte, who both separately concurred with McNamee’s statements, before mentioning Roger Clemens.

And this brings up a couple of the only new events of the entire hearing…that both Knoblauch and Pettitte corroborated with what McNamee said, that Pettitte admitted to a later use of HGH, and the fact that Clemens admitted to him about using HGH.

So with that all said, let’s get to the congressmen and women. I could not believe how the two parties were so divided. It bothers me enough when it occurs during the State of the Union address, but to happen during this?? That’s just ridiculous! Furthermore, I’m not sure I could be more embarrassed by the lack of intelligence and professionalism displayed by many of these representatives (more so the republicans). I always believed that in order to work on Capitol Hill, and represent a state in Congress, you had to be intelligent. Apparently, I was as naïve about this as many of these people are about Roger Clemens and sports. And on top of that, I realize Clemens is a legendary sports figure, but people....please. Next time at least carry a towel with you so can wipe the saliva off your face. You’re supposed to be professional, not prepping for a photo and autograph session following the hearing.

Frankly, when it was all said and done, the group that looked the worst was not Clemens, McNamee, nor baseball, but instead it was Congress, and of all the people who asked questions, the worst was Representative Dan Burton from Indiana. He continually tried to beat down McNamee and point out all of his lies to prove his lack of credibility. The problem with Burton’s case though is that people already knew McNamee had lied in the past. What Burton continued to overlook was the fact that in this particular case, McNamee’s accusations have been supported by the sworn affidavits by Knoblauch and Pettitte. Now has McNamee been a standup citizen throughout the course of his life? Absolutely not. But in regards to this case, it sure seems as if he has spoken the truth.

Burton said he did not know what to believe, but one thing he did know was that he couldn’t believe McNamee. Well, if Rep. Burton was paying any attention at all during the hearing, he would have noticed that McNamee answered all of his questions with a “yes” or a “no,” or a pointed response if it was more than one word. Clemens on the other hand danced around several questions while fumbling words, and also leaned back on many occasions to get advice from his lawyers before giving his answer. My question then is if Clemens is telling the truth, why does he need advice from his lawyers? Why does he need any help at all? Telling the truth is not supposed to be a difficult thing, especially when someone is asking you a yes or no question, but Clemens repeatedly had difficulty answering with a one word response.

Another congressman who looked like a fool was Rep. Tom Davis from Virginia. Davis, following in Burton’s footsteps, kept on harping on the Canseco party to prove that McNamee was a liar. Davis referenced the game broadcasts following the party as well as Canseco’s affidavit to prove his point. My question then is why is the party such a big deal to these guys? There wasn’t any talk about steroid use during that party, so why do we need to continue to harp on it? As it turned out the problem for Davis, Burton, and the others who made this a big deal was that later in the hearing, it came out that Clemens’ nanny testified that not only was Clemens at the party, but his family spent the night there.

On top of that, Chairman Henry Waxman, who deserves credit for doing a phenomenal job with the hearing, pointed out how the committee had asked Clemens’ attorneys for the nanny’s name on Friday afternoon yet didn’t receive the information until Sunday evening. Furthermore, Waxman said the committee asked Clemens’ attorneys to refrain from contacting the nanny until the committee had a chance to talk with her first. As it turns out, Clemens went ahead, and not only spoke with her but invited her to his home in Houston, and then had his private investigators question her some more. When caught in a lie what did Clemens and his lawyers say? How about, “Mr. Chairman, just like through all