Another "exhibition" game is behind us, so now we can focus on a baseball game where the object is to win, not showcase your whole roster. The AL used 29 players, 9 of them pitchers, and every position player had at least one at bat. The NL used 31 players, including 10 pitchers and only catcher Miguel Montero was denied a chance to hit.
I read that the NL won, by virtue of having used more play-...excuse me, scored more runs. It's a good thing this game is very important or more stars will beg off.
Mr Perfect, Derek Jeter, is taking quite a hit for not showing up at the game. Okay, maybe he wasn't up to playing (yeah, right!), but the powers that be wanted him there to take a bow on his achievement. As one broadcaster said, he could have rented a private plane on Tuesday, showed up in uniform, took a bow and flew back home. He probably could have BOUGHT a plane and done that.
CC Sabathia has also come under fire for not playing because "he pitched on Sunday." Why him? First of all, he didn't make the rule and he doesn't decide when he's pitching. Secondly, what about Matt Cain or Justin Verlander or Cole Hamels? They weren't playing either because they also pitched on Sunday, but I haven't heard anything about them. Next, we'll probably hear that A-Rod should have gotten off the operating table and caught a ride with Jeter to Phoenix. Why not? They probably would have only made him play one inning.
***FIRST HALF SURPRISES***
Cleveland is still fighting for first place even though they're only 5 games over .500. Of course the AL Central is notoriously weak.
Somehow, Boston is still in first place with a pitching staff that doesn't need a catcher, they need a medical staff.
The Pittsburgh Pirates are 4 games over .500 and only one game out of first. One reason we like to go to Pittsburgh to see a game, is you can buy your seats on game day and still have a chance to sit where you please. Not anymore; they just had a crowd of over 37,000 fans.
Bartolo Colon is throwing 94-95 miles per hour and Phil Hughes is not.
***THEY SAID IT***
"A jury has been seated in the Roger Clemens trial. I’m not sure jurors grasp the seriousness of the matter, during open arguments they were doing the wave.
"Today in women’s World Cup, the U.S. plays France. Let’s hope the French women don’t get desperate and resort to the old "hidden ball in the armpit hair" trick." --Brad Dickson
{They didn't and the USA won 3-1. Hurray Abby Wambach! --Picasner}
"Police in Florida say a man who had his boxer shorts set on fire claims his landlord did it because he hadn't paid his rent. When reached for comment, his landlord said, 'Liar! Liar!'" --RJ Currie
Q: How can you tell it's seventh-inning stretch time at a Mariners game?
A: The fans sing, "For it's 1, 2, 3 balls you're on ... " --Dwight Perry
CP-
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Monday, July 11, 2011
YOU'RE DOING GREAT, JOE
For the second time in a week, a batter was awarded first base on a walk with only a 3-ball count. I think this is Joe Torre's plan to speed up the game.
CP-
CP-
Sunday, July 10, 2011
WE ALL NEED A LITTLE BREAK
***THE ALL-STAR GAME***
Actually, the best all-stars are probably all on the DL, but I'm sure they'll still play the game.
It's been a long time since I voted, and even when I did, I never voted for a Yankee. Ever since Pete Rose took out Ray Fosse in a collision at home plate (in what was then a meaningless game), and in effect, ended his career, I didn't want to see one of the Yankee players get hurt, so I hoped they wouldn't get in.
Good game today, if you like 1-0 games (I don't). CC looks more and more dominating as the season progresses. A lot of aggressive play on both sides, which I like to see. The one play that wasn't smart was trying to pick off Cano on third. It's a very difficult play because you usually have to throw to the third baseman while he's moving, and he has to find the bag on the fly. The bad throw wasn't that much of a surprise.
***THEY SAID IT***
"Under Wisconsin's new concealed weapon law, fans may be allowed to carry concealed weapons at Lambeau Field. Considering the mentality of sports fans nowadays, visiting teams will be allowed to dig fox holes in the frozen tundra."
"The Seattle Mariners lost to the Padres after a Padres hitter was awarded a walk after three balls. Umpiring has deteriorated to the point where the director of major league baseball operations said, “Hey, he was only off by one.” --Brad Dickson
"Brett Favre is like a piece of gum you've chewed too long and can't find a place to spit out. Once you finally do — thank God! — you accidentally step in it and can't get it off your shoe." --Greg Couch (Fanhouse.com)
"Many in the media are calling the guy who caught the home run ball that was Jeter’s 3000th hit an idiot for giving it back. They say he could have made $500,000. But the tickets the Yankees gave them are in the Championship Suites section for the rest of the year. Their face value might be over $500,000." --Janice Hough
Congratulations to the USA Women's Soccer team for their victory over Brazil today. They overcame a couple of questionable calls to eke out a last minute overtime win on a goal by Rochester native Abby Wambach.
CP-
Actually, the best all-stars are probably all on the DL, but I'm sure they'll still play the game.
It's been a long time since I voted, and even when I did, I never voted for a Yankee. Ever since Pete Rose took out Ray Fosse in a collision at home plate (in what was then a meaningless game), and in effect, ended his career, I didn't want to see one of the Yankee players get hurt, so I hoped they wouldn't get in.
Good game today, if you like 1-0 games (I don't). CC looks more and more dominating as the season progresses. A lot of aggressive play on both sides, which I like to see. The one play that wasn't smart was trying to pick off Cano on third. It's a very difficult play because you usually have to throw to the third baseman while he's moving, and he has to find the bag on the fly. The bad throw wasn't that much of a surprise.
***THEY SAID IT***
"Under Wisconsin's new concealed weapon law, fans may be allowed to carry concealed weapons at Lambeau Field. Considering the mentality of sports fans nowadays, visiting teams will be allowed to dig fox holes in the frozen tundra."
"The Seattle Mariners lost to the Padres after a Padres hitter was awarded a walk after three balls. Umpiring has deteriorated to the point where the director of major league baseball operations said, “Hey, he was only off by one.” --Brad Dickson
"Brett Favre is like a piece of gum you've chewed too long and can't find a place to spit out. Once you finally do — thank God! — you accidentally step in it and can't get it off your shoe." --Greg Couch (Fanhouse.com)
"Many in the media are calling the guy who caught the home run ball that was Jeter’s 3000th hit an idiot for giving it back. They say he could have made $500,000. But the tickets the Yankees gave them are in the Championship Suites section for the rest of the year. Their face value might be over $500,000." --Janice Hough
Congratulations to the USA Women's Soccer team for their victory over Brazil today. They overcame a couple of questionable calls to eke out a last minute overtime win on a goal by Rochester native Abby Wambach.
CP-
Saturday, July 09, 2011
JETER DOES IT
***THIS IS WORTH A 2ND POSTING***
Derek has always had a flair for the dramatic and in achieving his goal of 3000 hits, he even out did himself.
He got #3000 by hitting a home run.
He went 5 for 5 with a stolen base.
His fifth hit drove in the winning run.
Other than working the concession stand and personally selling his 3000-hit jerseys and caps, there can't be much more he could have done.
And Annie-O is in a state of ecstasy.
CONGRATULATIONS DEREK JETER
The Dodgers have fired former first baseman Steve Garvey from their Marketing and Community Relations Department. Considering his personal history, it's apparent Steve and the Dodgers had a different idea as to what 'Community Relations' meant.
***THEY SAID IT***
"Lawyers for Dominique Strauss Kahn now say that the maid in the ritzy hotel also worked as a hooker. A maid who is also a hooker. That’s like Arnold Schwarzenegger’s dream date."
--Jay Leno
Since the MLB precedent has been set for long names that accurately reflect a team's situation, wouldn't it be more appropriate to start referring to them as the "U. S. Bankruptcy Court Dodgers of Los Angeles"? --Janice Hough
"I don't know how an organization that sells a beer for $12 runs out of money, but they did." --Jimmy Kimmel
"The Daily Mail reports the Seattle Mariners are one of of several MLB teams who, in recognition of allergies, plan to have nut-free games this year. I thought they did that when they they released Milton Bradley." --RJ Currie
CP-
Derek has always had a flair for the dramatic and in achieving his goal of 3000 hits, he even out did himself.
He got #3000 by hitting a home run.
He went 5 for 5 with a stolen base.
His fifth hit drove in the winning run.
Other than working the concession stand and personally selling his 3000-hit jerseys and caps, there can't be much more he could have done.
And Annie-O is in a state of ecstasy.
CONGRATULATIONS DEREK JETER
The Dodgers have fired former first baseman Steve Garvey from their Marketing and Community Relations Department. Considering his personal history, it's apparent Steve and the Dodgers had a different idea as to what 'Community Relations' meant.
***THEY SAID IT***
"Lawyers for Dominique Strauss Kahn now say that the maid in the ritzy hotel also worked as a hooker. A maid who is also a hooker. That’s like Arnold Schwarzenegger’s dream date."
--Jay Leno
Since the MLB precedent has been set for long names that accurately reflect a team's situation, wouldn't it be more appropriate to start referring to them as the "U. S. Bankruptcy Court Dodgers of Los Angeles"? --Janice Hough
"I don't know how an organization that sells a beer for $12 runs out of money, but they did." --Jimmy Kimmel
"The Daily Mail reports the Seattle Mariners are one of of several MLB teams who, in recognition of allergies, plan to have nut-free games this year. I thought they did that when they they released Milton Bradley." --RJ Currie
CP-
THE MARCH TO 3000 HITS STALLED
***SORRY, DEREK***
Friday's game against Tampa was postponed because of rain, but the game won't be made up as part of a doubleheader today. It will be played on September 22nd, an off-day for both teams and Tampa already in NY for two games with the Yanks.
Doesn't playing the makeup today seem all too logical? With the All-Star game looming, a four day break for most of the players (more on that later), it seems they would be able to handle it. But no, Tampa Bay refused to play the twi-night doubleheader. So who ends up suffering here? Why it's the fans, according to the Yankees, the fans who paid good money and made arrangements to be in attendance when Derek Jeter reached the 3000-hit mark.
"We made every effort to do it [Saturday]," said Randy Levine, the team president. "But we only do what we can do. I just feel bad for all of our fans."
"People have made a lot of arrangements to try to see this happen on the day that they picked," Joe Girardi said. That was important to us because of what our fans have meant to our organization."
Said Brian Cashman, "...I can't control a decision that another organization has. We did our vote; they did their vote. Their position is their position, for whatever reason. That's their right."
Aren't those Tampa Bay Rays terrible? Well, maybe not. When you schedule a day-night doubleheader, according to the union contract, both teams have to agree. HOWEVER, if the Yanks had decided to play a straight doubleheader, two games for the price of one, the Rays would not have had a choice. Of course, that would mean the Yanks would have to give up a paid home game, which, at today's ticket prices, means the loss of millions of dollars.
"Our decision to do a split had nothing to do with Derek Jeter," Cashman said. "It had to do with business reasons. From all the baseball operations standpoints, it's fan-friendly, it's Jeter-friendly, it's team friendly."
As Wallace Matthews of ESPN,NY says, "Of course, it is none of those things. It is, however, bottom-line friendly..."
So, to heck with El Capitan, Derek Jeter, and to heck with the fans, but keep those cards and letters coming in, folks. There is a blog, sanctioned by the Yanks, called "It's all about the money."
It certainly is.
***WHEN IS AN ALL-STAR NOT AN ALL-STAR?***
It's when he's elected to start by the fans and he decides to skip the event. I understand if a players is injured and can't play, but when it becomes an epidemic, you have to wonder what's going on. First, Mariano Rivera opts out because of tightening in his arm. Upon hearing that news, Joe Girardi needed massive doses of Xanax until he was told that rest was all that was needed. Now Jeter won't play because he needs to rest his calf. A-Rod is not playing because of a balky knee. You will probably see all three of these guys play this weekend, but not in the ASG. What's the big deal? If they follow the usual All-Star Game form, A-Rod and Jeter would probably play three innings and bat once, and Mo wouldn't even need to pitch. I guess when you have been in as many all-Star games as those three, it's no big deal anymore. Try telling that to Nick Swisher, who did everything but hire a campaign manager to get in last year, or to a deserving David Robertson, who was dying to get called on. Maybe to "It's all about the money," we should add, "It's all about the ego."
***THE BRAWL IN BEANTOWN***
Baltimore reliever Kevin Gregg and Boston's David Ortiz exchanged haymakers last night. Luckily, neither player connected, but it wasn't for lack of trying, just lack of ability. Big Papi had homered earlier in a Red Sox blowout, but the real fireworks occurred in the eighth inning. After taking a couple of inside pitches, Ortiz hit a lazy pop fly to center and took his own lazy stroll to first. Pitcher Gregg took exception to that and gestured to Ortiz to run hard, which he did...but out to the mound. Nobody got hurt physically, but there are probably some bruised egos in both clubhouses. What Ortiz did, while shameful, seems to be standard practice for most major leaguers when the out seems obvious and Gregg was understandable frustrated just by being a member of the Orioles, who have been doormats for a while now. We may see more "action" today.
Our sympathies go out to the family of Shannon Stone, a Texas Ranger fan who died after a fall while trying to catch a ball for his 6-year old son, that was tossed into the stands by Josh Hamilton. It's a shame when an attempted good deed has such tragic results.
CP-
Friday's game against Tampa was postponed because of rain, but the game won't be made up as part of a doubleheader today. It will be played on September 22nd, an off-day for both teams and Tampa already in NY for two games with the Yanks.
Doesn't playing the makeup today seem all too logical? With the All-Star game looming, a four day break for most of the players (more on that later), it seems they would be able to handle it. But no, Tampa Bay refused to play the twi-night doubleheader. So who ends up suffering here? Why it's the fans, according to the Yankees, the fans who paid good money and made arrangements to be in attendance when Derek Jeter reached the 3000-hit mark.
"We made every effort to do it [Saturday]," said Randy Levine, the team president. "But we only do what we can do. I just feel bad for all of our fans."
"People have made a lot of arrangements to try to see this happen on the day that they picked," Joe Girardi said. That was important to us because of what our fans have meant to our organization."
Said Brian Cashman, "...I can't control a decision that another organization has. We did our vote; they did their vote. Their position is their position, for whatever reason. That's their right."
Aren't those Tampa Bay Rays terrible? Well, maybe not. When you schedule a day-night doubleheader, according to the union contract, both teams have to agree. HOWEVER, if the Yanks had decided to play a straight doubleheader, two games for the price of one, the Rays would not have had a choice. Of course, that would mean the Yanks would have to give up a paid home game, which, at today's ticket prices, means the loss of millions of dollars.
"Our decision to do a split had nothing to do with Derek Jeter," Cashman said. "It had to do with business reasons. From all the baseball operations standpoints, it's fan-friendly, it's Jeter-friendly, it's team friendly."
As Wallace Matthews of ESPN,NY says, "Of course, it is none of those things. It is, however, bottom-line friendly..."
So, to heck with El Capitan, Derek Jeter, and to heck with the fans, but keep those cards and letters coming in, folks. There is a blog, sanctioned by the Yanks, called "It's all about the money."
It certainly is.
***WHEN IS AN ALL-STAR NOT AN ALL-STAR?***
It's when he's elected to start by the fans and he decides to skip the event. I understand if a players is injured and can't play, but when it becomes an epidemic, you have to wonder what's going on. First, Mariano Rivera opts out because of tightening in his arm. Upon hearing that news, Joe Girardi needed massive doses of Xanax until he was told that rest was all that was needed. Now Jeter won't play because he needs to rest his calf. A-Rod is not playing because of a balky knee. You will probably see all three of these guys play this weekend, but not in the ASG. What's the big deal? If they follow the usual All-Star Game form, A-Rod and Jeter would probably play three innings and bat once, and Mo wouldn't even need to pitch. I guess when you have been in as many all-Star games as those three, it's no big deal anymore. Try telling that to Nick Swisher, who did everything but hire a campaign manager to get in last year, or to a deserving David Robertson, who was dying to get called on. Maybe to "It's all about the money," we should add, "It's all about the ego."
***THE BRAWL IN BEANTOWN***
Baltimore reliever Kevin Gregg and Boston's David Ortiz exchanged haymakers last night. Luckily, neither player connected, but it wasn't for lack of trying, just lack of ability. Big Papi had homered earlier in a Red Sox blowout, but the real fireworks occurred in the eighth inning. After taking a couple of inside pitches, Ortiz hit a lazy pop fly to center and took his own lazy stroll to first. Pitcher Gregg took exception to that and gestured to Ortiz to run hard, which he did...but out to the mound. Nobody got hurt physically, but there are probably some bruised egos in both clubhouses. What Ortiz did, while shameful, seems to be standard practice for most major leaguers when the out seems obvious and Gregg was understandable frustrated just by being a member of the Orioles, who have been doormats for a while now. We may see more "action" today.
Our sympathies go out to the family of Shannon Stone, a Texas Ranger fan who died after a fall while trying to catch a ball for his 6-year old son, that was tossed into the stands by Josh Hamilton. It's a shame when an attempted good deed has such tragic results.
CP-
Monday, July 04, 2011
HAPPY 4TH OF JULY
***RIVERA BLOWS HIS 4TH SAVE***
This may be the most telling sign of the beginning of Mariano's fade. Oh, he's not done, but he's not quite as overpowering as he has been in the past. He'll still get close to 40 saves this year and a bunch more next year to retire as the all-time save leader, and it's been a great run.
***THE ALL-STAR GAME***
For those people who don't get to see a lot of baseball's best players, here's your chance to see them all on the field in one game. Except for those stars not chosen. Even though they have increased the roster to 30 players, there are still a number of players that the media thinks it's a shame they aren't on the team.
Michael Kay is appalled that Sabathia wasn't named, even though by rule he wouldn't be allowed to actually pitch. He has the numbers, but hasn't David Robertson been absolutely overpowering? Well, it's just an exhibition game, anyway. Oh wait, no, it isn't.
***HERE AND THERE***
Bob Matthews came up with an interesting stat today. The Yanks and the Red Sox are a combined 43-11 in day games and 55-54 in night games and asks if there are any explanations. I think it's obvious: very few players with blue eyes.
The Seattle Mariners may not have one of the best teams in the league, but they sure are entertaining. In one week, they won a game on a wild pitch during an intentional walk, and lost one because an opposing player was walked with only three balls. It's hard to believe that with 4 umpires, 50 players and who knows how many fans, no one could keep track of the count.
If you happen to watch "Mike & Mike in the Morning" today, you got to see the play when Jose Reyes got the infield single on which he pulled his hamstring, 9 times in the space of twenty minutes. And you know what? The play never changed.
A question that has come up a lot in the last few weeks, is who has been more valuable during the Yankees run from 1996 to present, Mariano Rivera or Derek Jeter? Good question, and I would go with Rivera. One good argument is the Yanks record since Jeter has been out. Rivera's failure yesterday shows you how valuable the ability to close out the game is.
***THEY SAID IT***
"Kim Kardashian has set a wedding date — early August. She doesn't know who she's marrying yet, but between the NFL lockout and the NBA lockout, she knows there are plenty of available grooms." - Brad Dickson
"In 2011, Nathan’s will add a special “women-only” division for their annual hot dog eating contest. Maybe next year if they really want to get increased media attention they could add a “supermodel” category – the winner would be the first to finish a cocktail weiner."
- Janice Hough
"FC Rossiyanka, a Russian women's soccer power, announced it will play in bikinis to attract male fans. Which certainly answers the question: Who wants to be first string?"
"Yineth Varon, a backup goalkeeper for Colombia, failed a drug test at the Women's World Cup and was suspended by FIFA on Tuesday. Officials figured something was awry when her first goal kick came down on the 50-yard line — two stadiums away."
- Dwight Perry
***THE NAME GAME***
Continuing our tour of the alphabet:
Outfielders - Kosuke Fukudome (Be careful with that last name)
Shin Soo Choo (God bless you)
Brian Bogusevic (The first name almost disqualified him)
Catchers - Yorvit Torrealba (Consider that last name: Joe Torre and Jessica Alba?)
Jarrod Saltalamacchia ((The back of his uniform says, "Continued on next jersey)
Picasner's choice: Yorvit Torrealba (Vod doesn't like long names)
Pitchers - Chris Jakubauskas (Yea! another 11 letter name)
Yhency Brazoban (The first name looks for all the world like a typo)
Al Alburquerque (Twelve letters - he's the winner!)
[My spell-checker just went into overload]
CP-
This may be the most telling sign of the beginning of Mariano's fade. Oh, he's not done, but he's not quite as overpowering as he has been in the past. He'll still get close to 40 saves this year and a bunch more next year to retire as the all-time save leader, and it's been a great run.
***THE ALL-STAR GAME***
For those people who don't get to see a lot of baseball's best players, here's your chance to see them all on the field in one game. Except for those stars not chosen. Even though they have increased the roster to 30 players, there are still a number of players that the media thinks it's a shame they aren't on the team.
Michael Kay is appalled that Sabathia wasn't named, even though by rule he wouldn't be allowed to actually pitch. He has the numbers, but hasn't David Robertson been absolutely overpowering? Well, it's just an exhibition game, anyway. Oh wait, no, it isn't.
***HERE AND THERE***
Bob Matthews came up with an interesting stat today. The Yanks and the Red Sox are a combined 43-11 in day games and 55-54 in night games and asks if there are any explanations. I think it's obvious: very few players with blue eyes.
The Seattle Mariners may not have one of the best teams in the league, but they sure are entertaining. In one week, they won a game on a wild pitch during an intentional walk, and lost one because an opposing player was walked with only three balls. It's hard to believe that with 4 umpires, 50 players and who knows how many fans, no one could keep track of the count.
If you happen to watch "Mike & Mike in the Morning" today, you got to see the play when Jose Reyes got the infield single on which he pulled his hamstring, 9 times in the space of twenty minutes. And you know what? The play never changed.
A question that has come up a lot in the last few weeks, is who has been more valuable during the Yankees run from 1996 to present, Mariano Rivera or Derek Jeter? Good question, and I would go with Rivera. One good argument is the Yanks record since Jeter has been out. Rivera's failure yesterday shows you how valuable the ability to close out the game is.
***THEY SAID IT***
"Kim Kardashian has set a wedding date — early August. She doesn't know who she's marrying yet, but between the NFL lockout and the NBA lockout, she knows there are plenty of available grooms." - Brad Dickson
"In 2011, Nathan’s will add a special “women-only” division for their annual hot dog eating contest. Maybe next year if they really want to get increased media attention they could add a “supermodel” category – the winner would be the first to finish a cocktail weiner."
- Janice Hough
"FC Rossiyanka, a Russian women's soccer power, announced it will play in bikinis to attract male fans. Which certainly answers the question: Who wants to be first string?"
"Yineth Varon, a backup goalkeeper for Colombia, failed a drug test at the Women's World Cup and was suspended by FIFA on Tuesday. Officials figured something was awry when her first goal kick came down on the 50-yard line — two stadiums away."
- Dwight Perry
***THE NAME GAME***
Continuing our tour of the alphabet:
Outfielders - Kosuke Fukudome (Be careful with that last name)
Shin Soo Choo (God bless you)
Brian Bogusevic (The first name almost disqualified him)
Catchers - Yorvit Torrealba (Consider that last name: Joe Torre and Jessica Alba?)
Jarrod Saltalamacchia ((The back of his uniform says, "Continued on next jersey)
Picasner's choice: Yorvit Torrealba (Vod doesn't like long names)
Pitchers - Chris Jakubauskas (Yea! another 11 letter name)
Yhency Brazoban (The first name looks for all the world like a typo)
Al Alburquerque (Twelve letters - he's the winner!)
[My spell-checker just went into overload]
CP-
Proof. You Can't handle the proof.
Picasner is such a weenie whenever his opinions are even remotely questioned.
If the intent of professional baseball is to provide an audience (fans) with a product (game) they're willing to pay ($$$) for, thus making their product more desirable to a larger number of people, then interleague play is good for baseball. Picasner is right when he charactrizes this as "simplistic". It is. It's not complex...and it works. Why do you think it took the dumb-ass owners so long to figure that out? Now if some other hard-headed types could just recognize how simple it is and pipe down.
Now that may pale in comparison to Picasner's "proof", i.e. "In reality, the players don't like it and managers don't like it...". I'm so pleased to hear that Picasner has been in contact with with enough players and managers to make that assertion. How silly of any of us to think that the Yankees and Mets looked forward to the subway series, that the Brewers relished a chance to come to Yankee Stadium and play on a national stage, or that the White Sox and Cubs looked forward to a backyard brawl, or... . I'll just say "Thanks" for straightening me out.
As regards the managers, if what you say is accurate (proof, please) - so what and who cares? I'll bet dollars to donuts that the majority of fans (and a substantial number of the players) can't name the managers of half the teams in either league.
Reread the "proof laden" Lupica column. Notice his conclusions. Because baseball gets a spike in attendance out of them, that's why. I get it. Why do you suppose that is? It can't be because the fans like it, can it? Nope, just me and the owners.
And that concludes the 2011 hand grenade.
It's a great day for America everybody!
Sunday, July 03, 2011
YOU KNEW IT HAD TO END SOMETIME
***YANKS LOSE 3-2***
Normally reliable Ramiro Pena made errors in the 9th and 10th today and which directly led to the Yanks loss. Brett Gardner negated one error by cutting down a runner at the plate, but there was no way to prevent the other error from costing the game. Rivera looked fairly sharp but the Mets were not to be denied. Girardi again over-managed when he replaced Garcia in the 8th with Robertson. Robertson was his usual lights-out, but why bring him in at that point? Garcia had stifled the Mets all day, and had only thrown 82 pitches. If you question Girardi, I'm sure his answer would be, "Well, he's my 8th inning guy." Which is no answer except for being a good excuse if it turns out badly. It's called "Managing For The Post Game Interview." If Freddie got thru the 8th with a reasonable amount of pitches, let him finish the game. He doesn't throw hard enough to hurt his arm anyway.
I see the 'hometown' scorer was at it again on Saturday. With men on 1st & 3rd and no outs in the ninth and the Yanks up by 5 runs, Angel Pagan took off for 2nd while the Yanks basically ignored him. His run meant nothing. Normally, this is scored as "Defensive Indifference." Not tonight. With a chance to get a free statistic, the scorer credited him with a stolen base. He should be ashamed. This is another argument for having umpires be official scorers.
***PICASNER IS NOT ALONE***
Vod's argument in favor of interleague play is the simplistic "It's good for baseball." No proof, mind you, just the statement. In reality, the players don't like it and managers don't like it, mostly because of the inequities of the scheduling. For example, the Mets have to play the Yanks six times, while Philadelphia plays the Red Sox just three times. The only ones who like it are the owners...and Vod. From Mike Lupica, NY Daily News:
"There is this constant hand-wringing about protecting the integrity of the long season. It starts with bringing integrity to the short season of interleague baseball, which is already skewed, some teams playing 19 interleague games, some playing 15, most playing 18. Why? Because baseball gets a spike in attendance out of them, that's why. I get it. This is about business."
He also wants the DH official in both leagues. The Players Association won't let the DH get eliminated without hostages being taken, and baseball needs have consistent rules in both leagues, especially if interleague play is going to continue. American League teams are built around the DH and the NL is at a distinct disadvantage in the AL parks. And vice-versa without the DH in the NL parks.
***THE ALL-STAR TEAMS ARE ANNOUNCED***
Too many Yankee and Red Sox players on the team, but it doesn't make any difference. Most of them will probably only play an inning or two anyway. Here's a game that has such a huge effect on the series to determine Baseball's World Champion, and it's played like an exhibition game. Every team HAS to be represented and everyone gets to play. Now they've changed the rules so that the best pitchers probably won't be able to play. Another fine job, Bud Selig.
I see the Tigers have fired pitching coach Rick Knapp. What did he do? Try to talk to Justin Verlander? Let that be a lesson to all pitching coaches. Stay away from the guy with an 11-3 record.
CP-
Normally reliable Ramiro Pena made errors in the 9th and 10th today and which directly led to the Yanks loss. Brett Gardner negated one error by cutting down a runner at the plate, but there was no way to prevent the other error from costing the game. Rivera looked fairly sharp but the Mets were not to be denied. Girardi again over-managed when he replaced Garcia in the 8th with Robertson. Robertson was his usual lights-out, but why bring him in at that point? Garcia had stifled the Mets all day, and had only thrown 82 pitches. If you question Girardi, I'm sure his answer would be, "Well, he's my 8th inning guy." Which is no answer except for being a good excuse if it turns out badly. It's called "Managing For The Post Game Interview." If Freddie got thru the 8th with a reasonable amount of pitches, let him finish the game. He doesn't throw hard enough to hurt his arm anyway.
I see the 'hometown' scorer was at it again on Saturday. With men on 1st & 3rd and no outs in the ninth and the Yanks up by 5 runs, Angel Pagan took off for 2nd while the Yanks basically ignored him. His run meant nothing. Normally, this is scored as "Defensive Indifference." Not tonight. With a chance to get a free statistic, the scorer credited him with a stolen base. He should be ashamed. This is another argument for having umpires be official scorers.
***PICASNER IS NOT ALONE***
Vod's argument in favor of interleague play is the simplistic "It's good for baseball." No proof, mind you, just the statement. In reality, the players don't like it and managers don't like it, mostly because of the inequities of the scheduling. For example, the Mets have to play the Yanks six times, while Philadelphia plays the Red Sox just three times. The only ones who like it are the owners...and Vod. From Mike Lupica, NY Daily News:
"There is this constant hand-wringing about protecting the integrity of the long season. It starts with bringing integrity to the short season of interleague baseball, which is already skewed, some teams playing 19 interleague games, some playing 15, most playing 18. Why? Because baseball gets a spike in attendance out of them, that's why. I get it. This is about business."
He also wants the DH official in both leagues. The Players Association won't let the DH get eliminated without hostages being taken, and baseball needs have consistent rules in both leagues, especially if interleague play is going to continue. American League teams are built around the DH and the NL is at a distinct disadvantage in the AL parks. And vice-versa without the DH in the NL parks.
***THE ALL-STAR TEAMS ARE ANNOUNCED***
Too many Yankee and Red Sox players on the team, but it doesn't make any difference. Most of them will probably only play an inning or two anyway. Here's a game that has such a huge effect on the series to determine Baseball's World Champion, and it's played like an exhibition game. Every team HAS to be represented and everyone gets to play. Now they've changed the rules so that the best pitchers probably won't be able to play. Another fine job, Bud Selig.
I see the Tigers have fired pitching coach Rick Knapp. What did he do? Try to talk to Justin Verlander? Let that be a lesson to all pitching coaches. Stay away from the guy with an 11-3 record.
CP-
Saturday, July 02, 2011
A Happy 4th to All!
I haven’t dropped a hand grenade down Picasner’s shorts in a very long time so what better way to celebrate the July 4th weekend?
Never at a loss for inane decisions, the scions of MLB actually got one right with interleague play because it has proven, over time, to be good for baseball. If you’re not so sure, ask any NL owner, player, or fan lucky enough to get a home series with the Yankees or Red Sox how they feel about a guaranteed capacity crowd, the chance to play against the best in baseball, or attending a game with an electric atmosphere before making you’re decision.
Last night’s game in Citi Field, contrary to other reports posted here was a gem. After giving up three first inning runs Niese settled down and made the Yankee offense look less than ordinary. Nova, on the other hand, only gave up one run over five innings but threatened to blow up every time he took the mound.
What a pleasure to watch a game in a park that requires more than the three run, 320’ homer to win a game. I really enjoyed watching A-Rod’s I-hit-the-bejesus-out-of-that-pitch-home-run-bat-flip only to see the ball hit near the top of the wall in left center. I don’t want to see that every day but a little slice of humility for previously juiced sluggers is lovely.
And in the 6th!
I’m neither a psychotic Yankee fan (as is He Who Must Not Be Named) nor a Girardi apologist, but last night he got it all right, managing in a situation we never get to see in the DH dominated AL. Leading 3 – 1, getting Gardner in left for Jones is a no-brainer. Sending Posada up to pinch-hit right handed was a prayer and Jorge responded by watching three called strikes with the bases loaded. But it was interesting. Finally, Dickerson subbing late for Nick “The Dancing Bear” Swisher in right is hardly unusual. If that’s a case of using your entire team, I like it.
And the bullpen! Six Yankee relievers took a tour on the mound last night. Boone Logan got the one man he was intended to get and Robertson was, again, lights out. Ayala was wild, Wade was effective, and Noesi is not the guy I want to see on the mound in the 9th facing the heart of a hot hitting lineup. The fact that he got one out while only giving up one hit gave the Yankees and Mariano, who was already warm and ready to go, the chance to close this one out and still be available for Saturday. It took Mariano just eleven pitches to polish off Jose Reyes, a match up that every fan wanted to see, and Justin Turner who was 3 – 4 before facing Mo.
And there’s more! Gardner made two nice plays in right running down balls few others would reach. Robinson Cano turned a beautiful double play snagging a hot, short-hop stepping on 2nd and making a power throw to 1st. Mark Teixeira saved A-Rod from two throwing errors, flashing leather on A-Rod’s cruddy throws. And we saw a great dust-up at third when third base umpire Ted Barrett inexplicably took a stroll to left field and Jerry Lane had to run down the line to make the call on Reyes sliding into the bag. A call he missed, in part, because A-Rod sold the (missed) tag. A-Rod may not be able to throw but he sure can act. It’s nice to see the Jeter influence at work even as he rehabs.
Yeah, yeah, it was an interesting game. But what really sold me on interleague play? When the Yankees had Milwaukee at home while the Red Sox faced Cliff Lee in Philadelphia. How can you argue with that?
Have a great and safe 4th enjoying America's game in America's greatest city.
Vod
THE YANKS...AND MORE
***YANKS WIN THE OPENER***
The final score was 5-1, and I don't know if exciting was the best way to describe the game, unless you include the word tense. It seemed that both teams played like there was more at stake than just a middle of the season regular game. There were some good plays and some bad plays, with mistakes being made by the players, the umpires and even the official scorers.
The Yanks power played a big part in their win, but the huge expanse of Citifield was also a big part. A-Rod clobbered one in the ninth that should have gone out but only hit off the top of the wall deep in left-center. But that's only half of the story. Because of that size, the outfielders all had to play deeper than normal, which allowed balls to fall in front of them and any ball hit into the gap looks like a sure triple; just ask Jose Reyes, who has 15 of them.
Speaking of Reyes, everyone is praising his aggressiveness when he tried to take third on a muffed relay from Granderson to Nunez, but I don't think it was a very smart play. He was already in scoring position and the Mets were down TWO runs. Getting to third certainly increased his chances of scoring, but they needed two runs not one, and a rally was in the making. Instead, he took all kinds of pressure off Nova by making the 2nd out and leaving the bases empty. The Yanks were helped by a bad call by the home plate umpire, but that doesn't excuse Reyes. Aggressiveness is good, but you have to pick your spots more carefully.
The official scorer made some questionable decisions, too. Reyes threw a ball high to first base, which clipped the top of first baseman Dan Murphy's glove. He might have caught it if he jumped, but then he wouldn't have been able to stay in contact with the bag. They gave the error to Murphy instead of Reyes. Why? Reyes is the face of the franchise. You do everything you can to keep him from getting a negative stat. In the 4th inning, Jonathon Niese was initially charged with a wild pitch on a ball that scooted through the legs of catcher Ronny Paulino. The scorer came to his senses later and changed it to a passed ball, but Murphy's 'error' is still on the books.
Potential hard feelings were poised to erupt when Russell Martin slid hard into Ruben Tejada trying to break up a double play. You could see Martin checking on Tejada's health and Ruben didn't look too happy, but afterwards, both teams said there was no problem.
The only bad part for the Yanks was Girardi's over-managing style again. I don't disagree with his substitutions in the sixth with a chance to put the game away, but I saw no reason to bring Rivera in to get the final two outs. Of course, Al Leiter was thrilled with the National League style of play, where you "...get to use your whole team." What he should have said was you have to use our whole team. By having to make all those substitutions, sometimes you don't have you best players in the game in those crucial last innings, and Girardi was forced to use his whole bullpen except for Sergio Mitre (yes, he's back).
***OTHER NOTES***
## Matt Meyers, another writer with too much time on his hands, decided to come up with another statistic to determine what pitchers are "aces," calling it the Ace Barometer. Just what we need: another contrived, worthless stat. You can't argue with his top nine, but you didn't need his mathematical genius to come up with the same list without his new stat. By the way, his list didn't include names like Greinke, Lester, Beckett or Sabathia.
## Ben Duronio says that Mark Teixeira is poised to have a big 2nd half of the season as his history indicates. This is good because, according to Matthews, Tex's first half stats are not good. Excuse me? Leading the Majors in home runs and 2nd in RBIs is "not good?" Well, he says, that's because his BABIP is too low. That's "Batting Average for Balls In Play, for those of you who don't know. Rather than that stat indicating a true evaluation of a hitters production, I think it indicates that BABIP is no indication at all. I include all his other "true statistics," such as HR/FB rate (home runs per fly ball), wOBA (weighted On Base Percentage) and his ISP (Isolated Slugging Percentage). Ben says that since all these numbers are below Mark's career average, they're all due to improve for the second half. If they do, good luck to AL pitchers.
One final note to all the Yankee haters who claim the Yankees blow money on players without good results. The LA Dodgers, who recently filed for bankruptcy, still owe some $47 million to players no longer on the team or out of baseball altogether. There's some good financial planning.
The "Most Useless Money Spent" trophy, however, goes to that financial wizard, Fred Wilpon of the Mets. Starting July 1st of this year, the Mets are committed to paying Bobby Bonilla, who retired in 2001, $1.19 million per year for the next 25 years. That's the best pension plan I've ever heard of.
CP-
The final score was 5-1, and I don't know if exciting was the best way to describe the game, unless you include the word tense. It seemed that both teams played like there was more at stake than just a middle of the season regular game. There were some good plays and some bad plays, with mistakes being made by the players, the umpires and even the official scorers.
The Yanks power played a big part in their win, but the huge expanse of Citifield was also a big part. A-Rod clobbered one in the ninth that should have gone out but only hit off the top of the wall deep in left-center. But that's only half of the story. Because of that size, the outfielders all had to play deeper than normal, which allowed balls to fall in front of them and any ball hit into the gap looks like a sure triple; just ask Jose Reyes, who has 15 of them.
Speaking of Reyes, everyone is praising his aggressiveness when he tried to take third on a muffed relay from Granderson to Nunez, but I don't think it was a very smart play. He was already in scoring position and the Mets were down TWO runs. Getting to third certainly increased his chances of scoring, but they needed two runs not one, and a rally was in the making. Instead, he took all kinds of pressure off Nova by making the 2nd out and leaving the bases empty. The Yanks were helped by a bad call by the home plate umpire, but that doesn't excuse Reyes. Aggressiveness is good, but you have to pick your spots more carefully.
The official scorer made some questionable decisions, too. Reyes threw a ball high to first base, which clipped the top of first baseman Dan Murphy's glove. He might have caught it if he jumped, but then he wouldn't have been able to stay in contact with the bag. They gave the error to Murphy instead of Reyes. Why? Reyes is the face of the franchise. You do everything you can to keep him from getting a negative stat. In the 4th inning, Jonathon Niese was initially charged with a wild pitch on a ball that scooted through the legs of catcher Ronny Paulino. The scorer came to his senses later and changed it to a passed ball, but Murphy's 'error' is still on the books.
Potential hard feelings were poised to erupt when Russell Martin slid hard into Ruben Tejada trying to break up a double play. You could see Martin checking on Tejada's health and Ruben didn't look too happy, but afterwards, both teams said there was no problem.
The only bad part for the Yanks was Girardi's over-managing style again. I don't disagree with his substitutions in the sixth with a chance to put the game away, but I saw no reason to bring Rivera in to get the final two outs. Of course, Al Leiter was thrilled with the National League style of play, where you "...get to use your whole team." What he should have said was you have to use our whole team. By having to make all those substitutions, sometimes you don't have you best players in the game in those crucial last innings, and Girardi was forced to use his whole bullpen except for Sergio Mitre (yes, he's back).
***OTHER NOTES***
## Matt Meyers, another writer with too much time on his hands, decided to come up with another statistic to determine what pitchers are "aces," calling it the Ace Barometer. Just what we need: another contrived, worthless stat. You can't argue with his top nine, but you didn't need his mathematical genius to come up with the same list without his new stat. By the way, his list didn't include names like Greinke, Lester, Beckett or Sabathia.
## Ben Duronio says that Mark Teixeira is poised to have a big 2nd half of the season as his history indicates. This is good because, according to Matthews, Tex's first half stats are not good. Excuse me? Leading the Majors in home runs and 2nd in RBIs is "not good?" Well, he says, that's because his BABIP is too low. That's "Batting Average for Balls In Play, for those of you who don't know. Rather than that stat indicating a true evaluation of a hitters production, I think it indicates that BABIP is no indication at all. I include all his other "true statistics," such as HR/FB rate (home runs per fly ball), wOBA (weighted On Base Percentage) and his ISP (Isolated Slugging Percentage). Ben says that since all these numbers are below Mark's career average, they're all due to improve for the second half. If they do, good luck to AL pitchers.
One final note to all the Yankee haters who claim the Yankees blow money on players without good results. The LA Dodgers, who recently filed for bankruptcy, still owe some $47 million to players no longer on the team or out of baseball altogether. There's some good financial planning.
The "Most Useless Money Spent" trophy, however, goes to that financial wizard, Fred Wilpon of the Mets. Starting July 1st of this year, the Mets are committed to paying Bobby Bonilla, who retired in 2001, $1.19 million per year for the next 25 years. That's the best pension plan I've ever heard of.
CP-
Thursday, June 30, 2011
AS I WAS SAYING...
It's been a week since my last "confession," so let's start with the Yankees.
***LOVE THAT INTERLEAGUE PLAY***
Everyone knows I'm no fan of Interleague play, but it's nice that the Yanks get a week off from playing those tough AL teams. They're all playing well and even when they lose, it's hard to be depressed, because you just knew they would win tomorrow. In the meantime, Boston has had their problems, which just sweetens the pot for New York. As I'm typing, the Yanks are three outs away from sweeping the Milwaukee Brewers, a game which really seemed to end in the third inning when Sabathia struck out Prince Fielder with the bases loaded.
Milwaukee has looked intimidated the whole series, making a number of mental & physical errors. I was impressed when centerfielder, Carlos Gomez sprinted over to leftfielder Ryan Braun, when it looked like Braun had lost a fly ball in the sun. Faint praise for a team in first place in the NL Central.
***IS HE WATCHING THE SAME GAMES WE ARE?***
Writer Wallace Matthews says the Yanks are in trouble because they have too many weak spots including shortstop, starting pitching, the bullpen and Designated Hitter. Boston is by far the best team in the AL, he says, because they have no holes. Well, Matthews, how about their shortstop(s), outfielder Jason "No-Hit" Bay, DL Carl Crawford, who has yet to display his skills, a suspect bullpen and starting pitching with only two reliable starters. I forgot to mention the Yanks 2 1/2 game lead. Hard to believe this guy covers the Yanks.
Just heard the Red Sox have designated Mike Cameron for assignment. And they were so happy when they stole him from NY.
Michael Kay brought up an interesting point: what happens when Bartolo Colon and Phil Hughes join the team? The Yanks will have 6 legitimate starters vying for 5 positions. Quite a change from last March when the Yanks had nothing solid behind CC, Burnett & Hughes. Michael's suggestion to put Colon in the bullpen might be the best idea.
***THE NAME GAME***
I'm getting a kick out of some of the names of the ballplayers. I'm not making fun of anyone, but it is interesting. For example:
1st base - Justin Smoak (Great Baseball name)
Lyle Overbay (Sounds more like a dental problem)
Picasner's choice: Lyle Overbay (I have a good dentist)
2nd base - Macier Izturis (Love the first name)
Juan Uribe (Seems like a letter is missing)
Picasner's choice: Macier Izturis (Not a good name if you have a lisp)
3rd base - Yunel Escobar (A common last name, but Yunel?)
Emilio Bonifacio (Gotta love a guy with a "good face")
Picasner's choice: Emilio Bonifacio (Probably should have waited to see a picture)
Shortstop - Asdrubal Cabrera (Of all the Cabreras, this is best first name)
Tsuyoshi Nishioka (I'd hate to be the typesetter on this one)
Yunieski Betancourt (It just sings to you, doesn't it?)
And the winner is: Yunieski Betancourt (How can you go against a 7 syllable name?)
Designated hitter - Edwin Encarnacion
Picasner's choice: C'mon, an eleven letter name? Look no further.
More names in the next post.
From RJ Currie, Sports Deke:
"The website BetUs.com has released odds on how many University of Florida athletes will get arrested in 2011. What's the Gator's motto anyway? Tote that barge; post that bail?"
CP-
***LOVE THAT INTERLEAGUE PLAY***
Everyone knows I'm no fan of Interleague play, but it's nice that the Yanks get a week off from playing those tough AL teams. They're all playing well and even when they lose, it's hard to be depressed, because you just knew they would win tomorrow. In the meantime, Boston has had their problems, which just sweetens the pot for New York. As I'm typing, the Yanks are three outs away from sweeping the Milwaukee Brewers, a game which really seemed to end in the third inning when Sabathia struck out Prince Fielder with the bases loaded.
Milwaukee has looked intimidated the whole series, making a number of mental & physical errors. I was impressed when centerfielder, Carlos Gomez sprinted over to leftfielder Ryan Braun, when it looked like Braun had lost a fly ball in the sun. Faint praise for a team in first place in the NL Central.
***IS HE WATCHING THE SAME GAMES WE ARE?***
Writer Wallace Matthews says the Yanks are in trouble because they have too many weak spots including shortstop, starting pitching, the bullpen and Designated Hitter. Boston is by far the best team in the AL, he says, because they have no holes. Well, Matthews, how about their shortstop(s), outfielder Jason "No-Hit" Bay, DL Carl Crawford, who has yet to display his skills, a suspect bullpen and starting pitching with only two reliable starters. I forgot to mention the Yanks 2 1/2 game lead. Hard to believe this guy covers the Yanks.
Just heard the Red Sox have designated Mike Cameron for assignment. And they were so happy when they stole him from NY.
Michael Kay brought up an interesting point: what happens when Bartolo Colon and Phil Hughes join the team? The Yanks will have 6 legitimate starters vying for 5 positions. Quite a change from last March when the Yanks had nothing solid behind CC, Burnett & Hughes. Michael's suggestion to put Colon in the bullpen might be the best idea.
***THE NAME GAME***
I'm getting a kick out of some of the names of the ballplayers. I'm not making fun of anyone, but it is interesting. For example:
1st base - Justin Smoak (Great Baseball name)
Lyle Overbay (Sounds more like a dental problem)
Picasner's choice: Lyle Overbay (I have a good dentist)
2nd base - Macier Izturis (Love the first name)
Juan Uribe (Seems like a letter is missing)
Picasner's choice: Macier Izturis (Not a good name if you have a lisp)
3rd base - Yunel Escobar (A common last name, but Yunel?)
Emilio Bonifacio (Gotta love a guy with a "good face")
Picasner's choice: Emilio Bonifacio (Probably should have waited to see a picture)
Shortstop - Asdrubal Cabrera (Of all the Cabreras, this is best first name)
Tsuyoshi Nishioka (I'd hate to be the typesetter on this one)
Yunieski Betancourt (It just sings to you, doesn't it?)
And the winner is: Yunieski Betancourt (How can you go against a 7 syllable name?)
Designated hitter - Edwin Encarnacion
Picasner's choice: C'mon, an eleven letter name? Look no further.
More names in the next post.
From RJ Currie, Sports Deke:
"The website BetUs.com has released odds on how many University of Florida athletes will get arrested in 2011. What's the Gator's motto anyway? Tote that barge; post that bail?"
CP-
Friday, June 24, 2011
AROUND THE HORN
***GIAMBI RETURNS TO NY***
Yes, the Giambino, as Michael Kay used to call him, will be the DH for the Rockies in all three games at the stadium this weekend.Giambi says he expects a few cheers when he's introduced, but will be booed if he hits a home run. I just hope he's retired the leopard print thong.
***REYES NIXES BORAS***
There are two monster free agents coming up this winter, Prince Fielder and Jose Reyes, and Scott Boras has one of them: Prince Fielder. Reyes would have been perfect for Boras, pitting the Yanks and Mets against each other and the usual Scott Boras "Mystery Team." However, as the NY Daily News said, "JOSE, NO WAY." Unfortunately for Scott (I love being able to say that), Fielder won't be as easy. His two favorite suckers, NY & Boston, are set at first base, so this "Mystery Team" is going to get a workout.
***SHE'S GOT EYES OF BLUE...***
As my Dad's favorite song goes, "...and that's my weakness now." Well, it turns out that blue eyes are a ball players weakness. Josh Hamilton has said that the reason he doesn't hit as well during day games is, that he has blue eyes. Yes, and my dog ate my homework. Actually, the intense Mr. Buck Showalter said the same thing to Tim Kurkjian a couple of years ago. I'm not a good one to ask, since my eyes are blue and they're so bad, one doctor said they were off the chart. No wonder I never made the Majors.
***RIGGLEMAN QUITS***
Washington National manager, Jim Riggleman, gave his GM an ultimatum: "Pick up my option for next year or I'm done now." Threatening your boss is never a good idea, and GM Mike Rizzo's response was predictable: "I accept your resignation." I think Riggleman's career is over with. No other team is going to hire a guy who quits on his team in the middle of the season over money. Who does he think he is, Manny Ramirez?
***ANNIE-O IS ON PROBATION***
Some of you may have noticed that on yesterday's blog with the two lists, that the second list contained a misspelling in the title. Picasner was spelled "Pacasner". My own name, for crying out loud and my editor blew it completely. Oh, don't go back and look, I've done her job and fixed it now. We will hope for better quality work in the future.
CP-
Yes, the Giambino, as Michael Kay used to call him, will be the DH for the Rockies in all three games at the stadium this weekend.Giambi says he expects a few cheers when he's introduced, but will be booed if he hits a home run. I just hope he's retired the leopard print thong.
***REYES NIXES BORAS***
There are two monster free agents coming up this winter, Prince Fielder and Jose Reyes, and Scott Boras has one of them: Prince Fielder. Reyes would have been perfect for Boras, pitting the Yanks and Mets against each other and the usual Scott Boras "Mystery Team." However, as the NY Daily News said, "JOSE, NO WAY." Unfortunately for Scott (I love being able to say that), Fielder won't be as easy. His two favorite suckers, NY & Boston, are set at first base, so this "Mystery Team" is going to get a workout.
***SHE'S GOT EYES OF BLUE...***
As my Dad's favorite song goes, "...and that's my weakness now." Well, it turns out that blue eyes are a ball players weakness. Josh Hamilton has said that the reason he doesn't hit as well during day games is, that he has blue eyes. Yes, and my dog ate my homework. Actually, the intense Mr. Buck Showalter said the same thing to Tim Kurkjian a couple of years ago. I'm not a good one to ask, since my eyes are blue and they're so bad, one doctor said they were off the chart. No wonder I never made the Majors.
***RIGGLEMAN QUITS***
Washington National manager, Jim Riggleman, gave his GM an ultimatum: "Pick up my option for next year or I'm done now." Threatening your boss is never a good idea, and GM Mike Rizzo's response was predictable: "I accept your resignation." I think Riggleman's career is over with. No other team is going to hire a guy who quits on his team in the middle of the season over money. Who does he think he is, Manny Ramirez?
***ANNIE-O IS ON PROBATION***
Some of you may have noticed that on yesterday's blog with the two lists, that the second list contained a misspelling in the title. Picasner was spelled "Pacasner". My own name, for crying out loud and my editor blew it completely. Oh, don't go back and look, I've done her job and fixed it now. We will hope for better quality work in the future.
CP-
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Check for typos
Rain in Cincinnati is like Fair and Balanced News on Fox. It’s predicted, but never happens. After non-rain event, The Aged Ones (aka Yankees) were forced into a split double header, a clear advantage for the Reds. And what a surprise, a split!
I’ll leave any additional comments on this ugly affair to Chad.
In a completely astounding development, the Schilling Anointed Red Sox have inexplicably lost two straight to the hapless Padres. Red Sox starter John Lackey inflated his already bulbous ERA to 7.36 giving up five earned runs in four innings. The Sox gave new meaning to the phrase “timely hitting” scoring one run on ten hits. Throw in a couple of errors and a Mike Cameron sleepwalk off first and it adds up to heartburn in Boston. Curt, say it ain’t so.
Without a game tonight, Its time to continue the “Fair and Balanced” comparison of the Yankees and the Boston CommieSox.
DH: Posada vs. Ortiz
In spite of the resurgence of the Yankees main macho man, raising his average to a lofty .225, the nod goes to Ortiz who is having his best non-juiced year in a decade.
Pitching Staffs
Pick your poison on this one. As it stands at the moment, the Red Sox staff has a combined ERA of 4.00 vs. the Yankees 3.59. Advantage Yankees.
Starting pitching: The current numbers 1s are Sabathia (9 – 4, 3.39) and Becket (6-2, 1.86). I’m calling this a wash because while CC looks like a bag of laundry, Becket sports a really stupid soul patch and infantile chin fuzz.
Number 2s: Right now its AJ Burnet (7 – 5, 4.05) only because Bartolo Colon (5 – 3, 3.10) is on the DL and John Lester (9-3, 3.70). Advantage Red Sox, until Colon returns.
Number 3s/4s: Who knows? Garcia (5 – 5, 3.30) and Nova (7 – 4, 4.13) vs. Bucholz (6 – 3, 3.48) and John Lackey (5 – 6, 7.36). Take Bucholz over Garcia and Nova, who is getting stronger each time out, over Lackey. Again, a wash.
5th Starter? – Both clubs are scrambling but the Red Sox have two veterans who can find there way to the mound without directions, Wakefield and Aceves, while the Yankees are plugging in the helpless (Gordon) and the invisible (nobody else). Advantage: Red Sox
Bull Pen: Short relief and Closer
Robertson (14 Holds, 1.19) and Mariano (19 Saves, 1.89) vs. Bard (14 Holds, 2.55) and Papplebon (13 Saves, 4.03). Advantage: Yankees
Middle and Long Relief: Ayala (23 innings, 1.57) or Albers (28 innings, 2.86). Advantage: Yankees.
Jenks and Wheeler have 34 innings between them and both have an ERA over 6.00. That is really lousy.
The Yankees counter with Pendelton (2.25) and Noesi (4.12) with 31 combined innings.
The rest of both pens have been, to date, inconsequential.
Total Pitching Advantage: The Phillies
Bench
Take the aging Veritek over Cervelli. Catches more games, calls a better game, and hit 50 points higher.
I won’t waste your time with much discussion about the remainder of both benches. There’s no one on either bench I care to watch. Both teams have stronger DLs than their current benches.
Advantage: Anybody else
Summary: Curt Schilling is a dumb ass.
TWO LISTS
First, the games against the Reds.
They split the two games, with the Yanks taking the first game behind Freddie Garcia's 3-hit pitching and a clutch 2-run homer by Jorge Posada. Posada's homer might not have been so vital had 3rd baseman Ramiro Pena not made two throwing errors and let a ground ball trickle between his legs. Both of the runs Garcia gave up were unearned because of the miscues. The only offense Pena provided, was to get hit by a Mike Leake pitch. There is a rumor that Garcia hit him with a pitch in the dugout twice.
In the second game, Brian Gordon came back down to earth, giving up 5 hits and 4 runs in 5 innings, including 3 home runs. He was "helped" by some dubious calls by home plate umpire, D.J. Reyburn, whose strike zone was not only like a postage stamp, but also moved left and right every inning. I guess he was too busy staring into the Yankee dugout to be more accurate.
Brett Gardner continues to impress in Left Field, making some fine catches and throwing out another runner in the first game. His average is up to .286 also.
Jason Giambi leads the Colorado Rockies into New York for three games starting Friday. I hope Michael Kay remembers that he plays for the opposing team now.
***THINGS PICASNER LIKES***
## Curtis Granderson's swing
## Nick Swisher's smile
## Bartolo Colon's spill-over fastball
## Paul O'Neil's appetite
## David Ortiz's smile (& enthusiasm)
## Mark Teixeira's glove
## Pittsburgh's PNC Stadium
## Milwaukee Brewers' parking lot tailgating
## Kansas City's Kauffman Stadium ushers
## Wrigley Field bratwursts
## "Doc" Halladay's glare at the batter
## Baseball and beer on a sunny afternoon
## Annie-O's ability to make me laugh
***THINGS PICASNER DOESN'T LIKE***
## Joe West (This can't be a surprise)
## Jonny Gomes 'mohawk'
## Kevin Youkilis beard
## Francisco Cervelli's arm (or his aim)
## Inter-league play
## Baseball in November
## Division realignment
## Curt Schilling and his red marker sock (you'll never convince me)
## Umpires that look for a fight (like...well, you know)
## Left hander's balk move to first
## Tony LaRusso
## Parks and Stadiums named after corporations
## The seats at Wrigley Field
I'm sure Vod has his own list.
CP-
They split the two games, with the Yanks taking the first game behind Freddie Garcia's 3-hit pitching and a clutch 2-run homer by Jorge Posada. Posada's homer might not have been so vital had 3rd baseman Ramiro Pena not made two throwing errors and let a ground ball trickle between his legs. Both of the runs Garcia gave up were unearned because of the miscues. The only offense Pena provided, was to get hit by a Mike Leake pitch. There is a rumor that Garcia hit him with a pitch in the dugout twice.
In the second game, Brian Gordon came back down to earth, giving up 5 hits and 4 runs in 5 innings, including 3 home runs. He was "helped" by some dubious calls by home plate umpire, D.J. Reyburn, whose strike zone was not only like a postage stamp, but also moved left and right every inning. I guess he was too busy staring into the Yankee dugout to be more accurate.
Brett Gardner continues to impress in Left Field, making some fine catches and throwing out another runner in the first game. His average is up to .286 also.
Jason Giambi leads the Colorado Rockies into New York for three games starting Friday. I hope Michael Kay remembers that he plays for the opposing team now.
***THINGS PICASNER LIKES***
## Curtis Granderson's swing
## Nick Swisher's smile
## Bartolo Colon's spill-over fastball
## Paul O'Neil's appetite
## David Ortiz's smile (& enthusiasm)
## Mark Teixeira's glove
## Pittsburgh's PNC Stadium
## Milwaukee Brewers' parking lot tailgating
## Kansas City's Kauffman Stadium ushers
## Wrigley Field bratwursts
## "Doc" Halladay's glare at the batter
## Baseball and beer on a sunny afternoon
## Annie-O's ability to make me laugh
***THINGS PICASNER DOESN'T LIKE***
## Joe West (This can't be a surprise)
## Jonny Gomes 'mohawk'
## Kevin Youkilis beard
## Francisco Cervelli's arm (or his aim)
## Inter-league play
## Baseball in November
## Division realignment
## Curt Schilling and his red marker sock (you'll never convince me)
## Umpires that look for a fight (like...well, you know)
## Left hander's balk move to first
## Tony LaRusso
## Parks and Stadiums named after corporations
## The seats at Wrigley Field
I'm sure Vod has his own list.
CP-
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
WHAT'S HE DOING?
***YANKS WIN, BUT IT WASN'T EASY***
The final score was 5-3, but it shouldn't have been that close. There are times when I just don't understand Joe Girardi's thought processes. Using the word 'thought' in the same sentence with Girardi is a real compliment...to Girardi. Consider these situations:
1) The hottest hitter in the American League is sitting on the bench while 34-year old Andruw Jones lugged his weary body out to left field. That move looked okay for a while, when Jones singled to drive in a run in the first inning.
2) In the third, Jones hit a grounder to third, walked a few steps toward first and stopped. In the meantime, Russell Martin took out 2nd baseman Brandon Phillips, who got up and completed the easy double play. Okay, I thought, that's it for Jones. There is nothing, absolutely nothing, that he could say that excuses his behavior. (A)He thought the DP was a given, (B) He thought there were two outs, or (C) He twisted his ankle. If he uses A, he's lazy & goodbye, or B, his head's not in the game & goodbye. If it's C, he's not physically capable and goodbye. He used C and got sent out to left field. Why? The only reason I can think of is that Girardi wanted him as far away as possible before he hit him with a bat.
3) In the ninth, Joe brought in his 7th inning guy, Luis Ayala, the one he trusts the most after Robertson & Mo. That trust lasted just 5 pitches. Here comes Boone Logan, the 'lefty specialist' who can't get lefties out. One pitch later, he's out and he brings in Mo. Somehow, the Yanks won.
It's no fun watching a game while Annie-O is saying a rosary and lighting votive candles.
***HEEEE'S BAAACK***
In the White Sox-Cubs game, home plate umpire, James Hoye, suffered thru a kidney stone, also known as Ozzie Guillen. When a Sox batter was tagged out at the plate on what everyone in the ball park thought was a foul ball, except the Hoye and Cubs catcher Giovanni Soto, Ozzie took exception. When arguing did no good, Ozzie kicked Soto's mask towards the Sox dugout. That was also useless except Ozzie set a record for hang-time for kicked equipment. Goodbye Ozzie.
***AT LAST, A RULE IS ENFORCED***
Sorry, I don't remember the game, but a batter got hit with a pitch but was called back from his trot to first base, when the umpire invoked a little known, and even less used, rule that a batter must make an attempt to avoid a pitch. They never do, but this time the ump called it. The result: the manager argued to no avail, the batter then struck out, the hitting coach screamed at the ump and was booted. The manager then came out a second time and joined the coach in the clubhouse. That will teach that umpire to follow the rules.
CP-
The final score was 5-3, but it shouldn't have been that close. There are times when I just don't understand Joe Girardi's thought processes. Using the word 'thought' in the same sentence with Girardi is a real compliment...to Girardi. Consider these situations:
1) The hottest hitter in the American League is sitting on the bench while 34-year old Andruw Jones lugged his weary body out to left field. That move looked okay for a while, when Jones singled to drive in a run in the first inning.
2) In the third, Jones hit a grounder to third, walked a few steps toward first and stopped. In the meantime, Russell Martin took out 2nd baseman Brandon Phillips, who got up and completed the easy double play. Okay, I thought, that's it for Jones. There is nothing, absolutely nothing, that he could say that excuses his behavior. (A)He thought the DP was a given, (B) He thought there were two outs, or (C) He twisted his ankle. If he uses A, he's lazy & goodbye, or B, his head's not in the game & goodbye. If it's C, he's not physically capable and goodbye. He used C and got sent out to left field. Why? The only reason I can think of is that Girardi wanted him as far away as possible before he hit him with a bat.
3) In the ninth, Joe brought in his 7th inning guy, Luis Ayala, the one he trusts the most after Robertson & Mo. That trust lasted just 5 pitches. Here comes Boone Logan, the 'lefty specialist' who can't get lefties out. One pitch later, he's out and he brings in Mo. Somehow, the Yanks won.
It's no fun watching a game while Annie-O is saying a rosary and lighting votive candles.
***HEEEE'S BAAACK***
In the White Sox-Cubs game, home plate umpire, James Hoye, suffered thru a kidney stone, also known as Ozzie Guillen. When a Sox batter was tagged out at the plate on what everyone in the ball park thought was a foul ball, except the Hoye and Cubs catcher Giovanni Soto, Ozzie took exception. When arguing did no good, Ozzie kicked Soto's mask towards the Sox dugout. That was also useless except Ozzie set a record for hang-time for kicked equipment. Goodbye Ozzie.
***AT LAST, A RULE IS ENFORCED***
Sorry, I don't remember the game, but a batter got hit with a pitch but was called back from his trot to first base, when the umpire invoked a little known, and even less used, rule that a batter must make an attempt to avoid a pitch. They never do, but this time the ump called it. The result: the manager argued to no avail, the batter then struck out, the hitting coach screamed at the ump and was booted. The manager then came out a second time and joined the coach in the clubhouse. That will teach that umpire to follow the rules.
CP-
A Painful Anniversary
On this day in 1964 Michael Schwerner, James Chaney, and Andrew Goodman disappeared in Philadelphia, Mississippi after being held in the Neshoba County jail. Schwerner, Chaney, and Goodman were working in the 1964 Freedom Summer voter registration drives.
Sheriff L. A. Rainey, a burly, tobacco-chewing man, showed little concern over the report that the workers were missing. "If they're missing, they just hid somewhere, trying to get a lot of publicity out of it, I figure," he said.
Their bodies were found buried in an earthen dam six weeks later. Eight members of the Ku Klux Klan went to prison on federal conspiracy charges; none served more than six years.
Now, nearly 50 years after these young men were murdered for encouraging poor, rural minorities to register to vote, republican dominated legislatures across the south and midwest are pushing highly restrictive voting legislation. A grand old party, indeed.Monday, June 20, 2011
HERE AND THERE
The Yanks finally showed off some power last night by blasting a couple of homers in a 10-4 win over the Cubs. CC Sabathia continued his journey toward the strangest 20-win season by again lasting 7 innings and getting a win without overpowering stuff. He doesn't dominate, he just wins.
Phil Hughes was clocked at 95 MPH in a rehab start in Staten Island yesterday. Most of the Little Leaguers he faced said he had good movement on his pitches.
After their manager, Edwin Rodriguez, unexpectedly resigned, the Florida Marlins named 80-year old Jack McKeon as their new manager. He is not expected to take over the club for a few days while the Marlins install a handicap ramp from the dugout to the field.
Chicago White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen spent the night in a hospital after passing a kidney stone. That's funny, I thought Ozzie Guillen WAS a kidney stone.
From Bob Molinaro, The Virginia-Pilot: "South Carolina senior quarterback Stephen Garcia was recently reinstated to Steve Spurrier's team after his fifth suspension. That'll teach him."
More later today.
CP-
Phil Hughes was clocked at 95 MPH in a rehab start in Staten Island yesterday. Most of the Little Leaguers he faced said he had good movement on his pitches.
After their manager, Edwin Rodriguez, unexpectedly resigned, the Florida Marlins named 80-year old Jack McKeon as their new manager. He is not expected to take over the club for a few days while the Marlins install a handicap ramp from the dugout to the field.
Chicago White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen spent the night in a hospital after passing a kidney stone. That's funny, I thought Ozzie Guillen WAS a kidney stone.
From Bob Molinaro, The Virginia-Pilot: "South Carolina senior quarterback Stephen Garcia was recently reinstated to Steve Spurrier's team after his fifth suspension. That'll teach him."
More later today.
CP-
Sunday, June 19, 2011
YANKS WIN...0R IS IT, CUBS LOSE?
***YANKS EVEN SERIES***
The score was 4-3, but only because the Bombers made just enough mistakes to keep it close. Cano continues to indicate that last year's Gold Glove was a fluke. He's dropping throws, muffing ground balls and delivering errant throws. He doesn't even look like he's trying sometimes. Girardi better start getting on his case, and soon.
The Fox broadcasters (I can't call them announcers) continue to mess up. McCarver said Yankee baserunners would NOT run on the next pitch (They did), and his counterpart thinks a solo home run ties the score when you're two runs behind ("I didn't think there would be a math problem."). Tonight, we have ESPN guys in the booth. They can't be any worse. ...Can they?
***CHANGING THE PLAYOFF & LEAGUE ALIGNMENT SYSTEMS***
I was hoping that if it got ignored, it would go away, but apparently people are becoming more and more passionate about it. I'll give you my two cents and then not comment again...until they institute it.
## THE EXTRA PLAYOFF GAME: I actually have no problem with this. It allows teams the deserve to get in, a better chance. (It also increases the chance that the Yankees get in.)
## THE SCHEDULE: If they do this, they better shorten the season to 154 games. Sure, it means 8 less games for owners to drain the pockets of the fans, but it should be offset by the increase in attendance for teams with a chance to make the post season.
## INTER-LEAGUE PLAY: No, No and No. This system has been unfair since it started. The biggest argument supposedly was the "natural" rivalries. Bull! The Yankees and the Mets. That's all! Kansas City and St. Louis? No way. White Sox & the Cubs? It's like mothers watching their kids: "I know they're no good, but it's my son!" Florida and Tampa Bay? They can't get their own fans interested in them. The Dodgers and the Giants? That's a good one...wait, they already play each other.
The Yanks are going to play Cincinnati this week. No one has cared about this matchup since the 1961 World Series, and we all know how well those teams matched up.
Changing to two 15-team leagues, means we have inter-league play every day. That's a good idea: take a bad situation and increase it beyond belief.
## DESIGNATED HITTER: If we don't have inter-league play, leave it alone. If we do, install it for both leagues and be done with it.
Okay, I'm done.
***HAPPY FATHER'S DAY***
To all you Fathers out there and especially to those who are no longer with us. One of the biggest lessons my Dad taught me was that there is a big difference in being interested in good sports and BEING a good sport. I hope kids have learned this lesson, too.
CP-
The score was 4-3, but only because the Bombers made just enough mistakes to keep it close. Cano continues to indicate that last year's Gold Glove was a fluke. He's dropping throws, muffing ground balls and delivering errant throws. He doesn't even look like he's trying sometimes. Girardi better start getting on his case, and soon.
The Fox broadcasters (I can't call them announcers) continue to mess up. McCarver said Yankee baserunners would NOT run on the next pitch (They did), and his counterpart thinks a solo home run ties the score when you're two runs behind ("I didn't think there would be a math problem."). Tonight, we have ESPN guys in the booth. They can't be any worse. ...Can they?
***CHANGING THE PLAYOFF & LEAGUE ALIGNMENT SYSTEMS***
I was hoping that if it got ignored, it would go away, but apparently people are becoming more and more passionate about it. I'll give you my two cents and then not comment again...until they institute it.
## THE EXTRA PLAYOFF GAME: I actually have no problem with this. It allows teams the deserve to get in, a better chance. (It also increases the chance that the Yankees get in.)
## THE SCHEDULE: If they do this, they better shorten the season to 154 games. Sure, it means 8 less games for owners to drain the pockets of the fans, but it should be offset by the increase in attendance for teams with a chance to make the post season.
## INTER-LEAGUE PLAY: No, No and No. This system has been unfair since it started. The biggest argument supposedly was the "natural" rivalries. Bull! The Yankees and the Mets. That's all! Kansas City and St. Louis? No way. White Sox & the Cubs? It's like mothers watching their kids: "I know they're no good, but it's my son!" Florida and Tampa Bay? They can't get their own fans interested in them. The Dodgers and the Giants? That's a good one...wait, they already play each other.
The Yanks are going to play Cincinnati this week. No one has cared about this matchup since the 1961 World Series, and we all know how well those teams matched up.
Changing to two 15-team leagues, means we have inter-league play every day. That's a good idea: take a bad situation and increase it beyond belief.
## DESIGNATED HITTER: If we don't have inter-league play, leave it alone. If we do, install it for both leagues and be done with it.
Okay, I'm done.
***HAPPY FATHER'S DAY***
To all you Fathers out there and especially to those who are no longer with us. One of the biggest lessons my Dad taught me was that there is a big difference in being interested in good sports and BEING a good sport. I hope kids have learned this lesson, too.
CP-
Saturday, June 18, 2011
It seems Curt Schilling got under Picasner’s skin by anointing the Red Sox as the best baseball team in the known universe. Two well documented facts: 1) Chad has a very thin skin when it comes to the Yankees, so you need to be careful what you say, or write, unless you feel the need to take future meals through a straw, and 2) Curt Schilling has been, remains, and will always be an incorrigible gas bag.
In an effort to bring sanity to the conversation, as unlikely as that may be given the source, here follows a completely objective (ha!) analysis (ha, ha!) of their current rosters.
1st Base: Teixeira vs. Gonzalez
Both power hitting first basemen. Gonzalez is having a phenomenal year offensively and substantially leads Teixeira in BA, RBIs, slugging, runs scored, hits, and total bases. Teixeira has a 21 – 15 lead in HRs.
Defensively, Teixeira is a vacuum cleaner getting to balls others don’t and saving an erratic Yankee infield from piling up throwing errors. Nonetheless, while I don’t get to see Gonzalez play every night in YES-Mo, his defensive numbers are equally jaw dropping.
Advantage: Gonzalez, Boston
2nd Base: Cano vs. Pedroia
Even though Cano is having a down year offensively he is outperforming Pedroia by a substantial margin, hitting almost 30 points higher and with power Pedroia can never hope to match.
Defensively, in spite of 5 errors to Pedroia’s 3, Cano gets to many more balls and finishes more plays with a cannon arm.
Advantage: Cano, Yankees
SS: Jeter vs. Lowerie, Scuttaro, Whomever
No one in this group is going to excite you offensively. We all understand that Jeter is no longer the offensive threat he was several years ago. Lowerie has been sinking like a rock after a hot start and Scuttaro is, well, nothing special.
Defensively, while never having great range, Jeter still has the uncanny ability to make plays apparently only he can imagine, and most importantly, he provides a level of team leadership far beyond either Boston player.
Advantage: Jeter, Yankees
3rd Base: A-Rod vs. Youkilis
No discussion necessary. Even in a down year for A-Rod,
Advantage: A-Rod, Yankees
Catcher: Martin vs. Saltalamacchia
Statistically, there is little to choose between them, offensively or defensively, although Martin has more than twice the assists. The best measure may be how they each call a game and I don’t have the ability to determine that. Given the number of assists and because the other guy’s name is too long to write more than once:
Small Advantage: Martin, Yankees
Stay tuned for the outfield, pitchers, and bench.
Friday, June 17, 2011
HERE AND THERE
***LET'S START WITH THE YANKS***
They say the Kentucky derby is the "...most exciting two minutes in sports." Maybe it's just me, but yesterday's game was the most boring seven innings in baseball. I guess that, like Paul O'Neil, I prefer 12-11 games rather than pitching duels, but I couldn't get interested in the game. Innings eight thru twelve were pretty good, though. The Yanks have been really lucky with their K-Mart pick-ups this year and Brian Gordon carried on the luck with five plus innings of good pitching, holding Texas to two runs. The Yanks did leave 13 men stranded yesterday, so they were close to dealing the Rangers another pasting.
Josh Hamilton does not look right. I know he got three hits the other day, but sometimes he swings like his back is bothering him.
I don't care about lefty-righty platooning. I'd rather see Gardner in there against lefties rather than Andruw Jones. As my Dad used to say, he's swinging like a rusty gate.
***WRIGLEY FIELD TODAY***
Everyone is talking about how historic this is, but in my opinion, Wrigley only looks good on TV. Annie-O and I attended a game there about 20 years ago and I found the seats too narrow, the rows too close together and our seats down the 3rd base line faced the left fielder. I spent the whole game craning my neck to the right to see the plate. I don't think it's improved any. Two hours before the game, I walked up to the second deck to take pictures and was treated very rudely by the ushers because my tickets were for the lower deck. I got my pictures, but the ushers weren't happy about it.
Yankee pitching coach, Larry Rothschild, is going home. He spent 9 years in Chicago and worked with Kerry Wood, Mark Prior and Carlos Zambrano. I don't know if you really want to brag about those three, though. Two of them spend an inordinate amount of time on the DL and the third should spend a lot of time in anger management therapy.
***ODDITIES***
The Seattle Mariners are 1/2 game out of first, and the Pittsburgh Pirates are 2 games over .500 and only 3 games out of first. What's going on here?
Curt Schilling was the guest on ESPN's Cold Hard Facts, which, in his case, should have been called, Cold Hard Bull****. When asked if the Red Sox would win their division, he said they had the best lineup, the best starting pitching and, now that the relievers are doing better, they have the best bullpen. Well, I guess the season's over with. Thanks for saving us from watching the rest of the season, Curt.
The Mets lost a game when their pitcher balked with a runner on third in the 10th inning. ESPN, in a rare moment of lucidity, called it a "balk-off."
Speaking of balks, yesterday Al Leiter finally stated publicly, that ALL left-handers balk when they throw to first. Umpires allow them to step toward first at a 46 degree angle, when the rules specifically state that they "..must step DIRECTLY toward the base they are throwing to." Apparently, the umpires not only decide on their own what the strike zone is, they also have come up with a new definition of "directly."
The Yanks Andruw Jones and Jose Torrealba got into a little set-to a couple of days ago, when the Texas catcher accused Jones of stealing signs. First of all, there is no rule in baseball against stealing signs. Secondly, no one says you have to give signs, and if you do give signs, you do so at your own risk. As Jones says, " When you're getting blasted, you have to blame somebody."
***PERSONAL NOTES***
Picasner & family also congratulate Vod's #2 son on his achievement in medicine. Psychiatry would have been a good choice, since there is probably a career case study looking him in the face in the form of Daddy. Congratulations also go out to Chad's grandson, Andrew, who, in this week alone, took first place in the Scribner Road School Geography Bee and the Spelling Bee. (Must be the good genes)
CP-
They say the Kentucky derby is the "...most exciting two minutes in sports." Maybe it's just me, but yesterday's game was the most boring seven innings in baseball. I guess that, like Paul O'Neil, I prefer 12-11 games rather than pitching duels, but I couldn't get interested in the game. Innings eight thru twelve were pretty good, though. The Yanks have been really lucky with their K-Mart pick-ups this year and Brian Gordon carried on the luck with five plus innings of good pitching, holding Texas to two runs. The Yanks did leave 13 men stranded yesterday, so they were close to dealing the Rangers another pasting.
Josh Hamilton does not look right. I know he got three hits the other day, but sometimes he swings like his back is bothering him.
I don't care about lefty-righty platooning. I'd rather see Gardner in there against lefties rather than Andruw Jones. As my Dad used to say, he's swinging like a rusty gate.
***WRIGLEY FIELD TODAY***
Everyone is talking about how historic this is, but in my opinion, Wrigley only looks good on TV. Annie-O and I attended a game there about 20 years ago and I found the seats too narrow, the rows too close together and our seats down the 3rd base line faced the left fielder. I spent the whole game craning my neck to the right to see the plate. I don't think it's improved any. Two hours before the game, I walked up to the second deck to take pictures and was treated very rudely by the ushers because my tickets were for the lower deck. I got my pictures, but the ushers weren't happy about it.
Yankee pitching coach, Larry Rothschild, is going home. He spent 9 years in Chicago and worked with Kerry Wood, Mark Prior and Carlos Zambrano. I don't know if you really want to brag about those three, though. Two of them spend an inordinate amount of time on the DL and the third should spend a lot of time in anger management therapy.
***ODDITIES***
The Seattle Mariners are 1/2 game out of first, and the Pittsburgh Pirates are 2 games over .500 and only 3 games out of first. What's going on here?
Curt Schilling was the guest on ESPN's Cold Hard Facts, which, in his case, should have been called, Cold Hard Bull****. When asked if the Red Sox would win their division, he said they had the best lineup, the best starting pitching and, now that the relievers are doing better, they have the best bullpen. Well, I guess the season's over with. Thanks for saving us from watching the rest of the season, Curt.
The Mets lost a game when their pitcher balked with a runner on third in the 10th inning. ESPN, in a rare moment of lucidity, called it a "balk-off."
Speaking of balks, yesterday Al Leiter finally stated publicly, that ALL left-handers balk when they throw to first. Umpires allow them to step toward first at a 46 degree angle, when the rules specifically state that they "..must step DIRECTLY toward the base they are throwing to." Apparently, the umpires not only decide on their own what the strike zone is, they also have come up with a new definition of "directly."
The Yanks Andruw Jones and Jose Torrealba got into a little set-to a couple of days ago, when the Texas catcher accused Jones of stealing signs. First of all, there is no rule in baseball against stealing signs. Secondly, no one says you have to give signs, and if you do give signs, you do so at your own risk. As Jones says, " When you're getting blasted, you have to blame somebody."
***PERSONAL NOTES***
Picasner & family also congratulate Vod's #2 son on his achievement in medicine. Psychiatry would have been a good choice, since there is probably a career case study looking him in the face in the form of Daddy. Congratulations also go out to Chad's grandson, Andrew, who, in this week alone, took first place in the Scribner Road School Geography Bee and the Spelling Bee. (Must be the good genes)
CP-
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Moronic sportscasters and other confusing stuff
One day into Derek Jeter’s current stint on the DL and the blabbing heads on ESPN’s Around the Horn debated the question, “Are the Yankees better off without Derek Jeter?” A far easier question to answer is, “Would ESPN be better off without Around the Horn?” Absolutely.
Isn’t it more than a little unseemly to debate such a crass non-issue particularly when it involves a future HOF player who is closing in on 3,000 hits, who remains the face of the winningest franchise in baseball, and who has never sullied the image of his team and the game at large?
After Jeter collects his 3,000th hit and achieves baseball immortality, the talking heads will go back to their careers of inventing stories where none exist, chasing rumor and innuendo. (LeBron only needed to narrow his target a bit.)
At the beginning of the 2010-11 hockey season the Boston Bruins had to ask if they would be better without Tim Thomas, a 37 year old goalie nearing the end of his career and without the possibility of winning the starting job. The rest, as they say is history. Thomas played magnificently setting records for most shots faced, most saves, and best save percentage in playoff history.
Who do you want playing short if the Yankees make the playoffs? I’ll take another 37-year-old geezer.
Living with my family is a day at the circus. Clowns all. In fact, the sanest one of the bunch had two career aspirations; med school or rodeo clown college. Gratefully, he recently passed his final licensing exam and is a legit doc. Congratulations, son, but we all wish you had specialized in psychiatry.
The US Open without Tiger Woods is like NASCAR without Dale Earnhardt. Love them or hate them, they are irreplaceable.
When did Vancouver become Northwest Philadelphia?
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
THE GOOD, THE BAD & THE UGLY
***THE GOOD***
12-4 seems pretty good to me. The Yanks seem to do everything right last night: they hit, they pitched & they fielded. They also had three home runs among their 14 hits to increase their MLB leading total to 98. Justin Verlander is a power pitcher, who blows people away, whereas CC Sabathia is a pitcher, who just finds ways to win. Again last night, he didn't seem to have overpowering stuff, yet Texas couldn't seem to do much against him.
Oh, and Boston lost, which is always good news.
***THE BAD***
Jeter went on the 15-day DL because of a grade1 calf strain. He joins 10 other Yanks already on the list, among them:
Joba Chamberlain
Phil Hughes
Bartolo Colon
Rafael Soriano
Pedro Feliciano
Damaso Marte
Eric Chavez
...along with lesser known players like Colin Curtis, Amauri Sanit and Reegie Corona. I almost added Nick Johnson just out of habit. Not wishing anyone bad luck, but add a couple of outfielders and a catcher, and this team could compete in the AL West.
***THE UGLY***
Matt Meyers writes for ESPN. In his latest article, he says the Yankee pitching staff is suspect because, now stay with me, their swing and miss percentage is 7.6%, which is 26th in the Majors. The Giants are first with a 9.6%. How does this relate to anything? I can't see that it does. The Yanks currently have the 2nd best record in baseball and they strike out an average of 6.9 guys per game. Is that good? Well, here are the averages for some well-known pitchers:
Andy Pettitte - 6.2, Whitey Ford - 5.5, and Greg Maddox - 6.0.
Matt, please don't write too many more articles.
***THE FUNNY***
The best picture of the night occurred during a Nick Swisher at bat. The pitcher throws a pitch down at Nick's ankles and he fell on his stomach at the plate to avoid getting hit. In the meantime, Ranger catcher, Yorvit Torrealba, shifted over to stop the ball, got his feet tangled and ended up on his stomach, lying right next to Swisher. ESPN should have that one of it's Top Ten Plays.
As Vod noted, the NBA Finals are over and the NHL plays the last game of it's Finals tonight. That means that outside of a few major events in other sports, the Wimbledon tennis finals and golf's US Open, to name two, baseball will be the main focus of the sports page until August. That's when pro football will begin training camps. No, I don't mean the NFL. I'm talking about Ohio State and USC and the like. Car dealers across America eagerly await the influx of cash from the college boosters.
***IT AIN'T SPORTS, BUT...***
"Willie Nelson has been fined $500 after he was arrested for marijuana. Texas border guards smelled marijuana coming from Willie's tour bus. The bus was in Ohio at the time."
- Brad Dickson
CP-
12-4 seems pretty good to me. The Yanks seem to do everything right last night: they hit, they pitched & they fielded. They also had three home runs among their 14 hits to increase their MLB leading total to 98. Justin Verlander is a power pitcher, who blows people away, whereas CC Sabathia is a pitcher, who just finds ways to win. Again last night, he didn't seem to have overpowering stuff, yet Texas couldn't seem to do much against him.
Oh, and Boston lost, which is always good news.
***THE BAD***
Jeter went on the 15-day DL because of a grade1 calf strain. He joins 10 other Yanks already on the list, among them:
Joba Chamberlain
Phil Hughes
Bartolo Colon
Rafael Soriano
Pedro Feliciano
Damaso Marte
Eric Chavez
...along with lesser known players like Colin Curtis, Amauri Sanit and Reegie Corona. I almost added Nick Johnson just out of habit. Not wishing anyone bad luck, but add a couple of outfielders and a catcher, and this team could compete in the AL West.
***THE UGLY***
Matt Meyers writes for ESPN. In his latest article, he says the Yankee pitching staff is suspect because, now stay with me, their swing and miss percentage is 7.6%, which is 26th in the Majors. The Giants are first with a 9.6%. How does this relate to anything? I can't see that it does. The Yanks currently have the 2nd best record in baseball and they strike out an average of 6.9 guys per game. Is that good? Well, here are the averages for some well-known pitchers:
Andy Pettitte - 6.2, Whitey Ford - 5.5, and Greg Maddox - 6.0.
Matt, please don't write too many more articles.
***THE FUNNY***
The best picture of the night occurred during a Nick Swisher at bat. The pitcher throws a pitch down at Nick's ankles and he fell on his stomach at the plate to avoid getting hit. In the meantime, Ranger catcher, Yorvit Torrealba, shifted over to stop the ball, got his feet tangled and ended up on his stomach, lying right next to Swisher. ESPN should have that one of it's Top Ten Plays.
As Vod noted, the NBA Finals are over and the NHL plays the last game of it's Finals tonight. That means that outside of a few major events in other sports, the Wimbledon tennis finals and golf's US Open, to name two, baseball will be the main focus of the sports page until August. That's when pro football will begin training camps. No, I don't mean the NFL. I'm talking about Ohio State and USC and the like. Car dealers across America eagerly await the influx of cash from the college boosters.
***IT AIN'T SPORTS, BUT...***
"Willie Nelson has been fined $500 after he was arrested for marijuana. Texas border guards smelled marijuana coming from Willie's tour bus. The bus was in Ohio at the time."
- Brad Dickson
CP-
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
How To Go On?
LeBron James was right about one thing. I woke up this morning, just as he predicted, with the same problems that I had before his ignominious failure in the NBA finals. I’m still 66, certain that I’m single-handedly financing the Mercedes and the Jaguar that my dentist and doc are driving, still have three grown children that I worry about in spite of their strong marriages and success in their careers, and I have less hair and more wrinkles than yesterday. Alas. Woe is me. How can I make it through the muck and mire of the life of a nobody who never gets pandered to by guys like the lacquer-coiffed Pat Riley, a paid-for entourage of homeys and yes-dudes, and stroked by super cool super stars? Might as well sign up for one of those assisted suicide tours to Oregon.
There are a few things I might miss. My wife grows lovelier every day, my children always remember to call even when there is nothing new and exciting to talk about - and I can still beat them at golf -, my grandson always makes me laugh with his recent attempts at walking, I can still rip through the twisties on a motorcycle, and, eat your heart out, I get to hang with Picasner if and when we're awake at the same time.
So, LeBron, I’ll guess I’ll hang in there and bear the pain for at least one more day. In fact, if I can hang on until you either win a championship or grow up, I might live forever.
Finally, after all these years, everyone loves Dirk, including my wife who has been wearing her Dirk shirt non-stop throughout the playoffs. He has earned all the props with a fabulous and gutsy performance against the Heat. Of course, he didn’t do it alone. Jason Kidd proved that a cane, glasses, and hearing aid need not be a hindrance to playing championship basketball and JJ Berea demonstrated that you can’t defend what you can’t catch. Still, my vote for The Guy Who Talked the Talk and Then Walked the Walk goes to Jason Terry. After LeBron shut down The Jet in an early game he responded to reporters' questions with “Let’s see if he can do it for seven games.” Clearly, he couldn’t and Terry repeatedly dissected the Heat defense with huge baskets, penetration, and no look passes. And after Dwayne Wade hit that 3 from in front on the Mavs’ bench to run their lead to 15 in the 4th quarter of game 4, who got in LeBron’s grill and told him the game is not over so take your chest bumps and dance moves elsewhere? And who ignited the Mavs rally that turned both the game and the series? The Jet.
Welcome back to earth, Roberto. After suggesting that he, Roberto the Beautiful, would have easily stopped the winning goal in game five OT that bounced off the back of Boston Bruin goal tender Tim Thomas, Roberto was shelled for four goals on only ten shots last night as the Bruins evened the Stanley Cup series at 3-up. Roberto got to spend most of the game sitting on the bench, hidden by a ball cap, while his teammates absorbed another pounding. At least he got extra needed time to work on his post-game quotes.
Yes, America, there is still baseball being played. While hardly as engaging as the NBA finals and the Stanley Cup, it will soon be the only game in town, soccer (?) not withstanding. Derek Jeter’s inexorable march to 3,000 hits provides a much needed distraction from a .260 batting average and a Yankee season marked by mediocre defense, clutchless hitting, and a who-would-believe-it pitching staff. Unless the 200M BoobCrew turns this thing around, Boston might cruise away and hide for the rest of the season.
Sunday, June 12, 2011
WHAT? NO FIGHT?
***YANKS BEAT UP INDIANS***
It was easier than when we used to watch John Wayne do it in the movies. Teixeira was no factor, nor was Russell Martin. The other seven starters divided up 18 hits, led by Curtis Granderson's 4-4. And they did it without a home run. Cleveland is not going to win the AL Central, but they have some good young players.
One of the Yanks hits came on a ground ball that almost hit the first baseman in the face and Cleveland got a hit when a ball ate up Jeter. Maybe I'm just a grouchy old man (which Annie-O agrees with), but these guys are Major Leaguers and should be catching balls hit right at them, even if they hit a pebble or the edge of the turf. How can you justify not calling them errors? Annie-O has come up with a designation that I can live with: the F.A.H. - Field Assisted Hit.
I don't think Jeter is going to get his 3000th hit at home. Seven hits in four games is asking a lot, but it's possible.
Speaking of fights, the Yankee hitters have been plunked 8 times in this homestand, while retaliating only once. The Yanks are second in the Majors in hit batsmen with 33. Only the White Sox have been hit more often with 40, probably because opposing pitchers really want to hit Ozzie Guillen but he won't come out of the dugout. The Yanks are going to have to do more than just have the whole team waltz out onto the field to exchange pleasantries with the other side or this isn't going to go away. By the way, Boston pitchers lead the league, hitting 40 opposing hitters. I'm sure that's a surprise.
***IS REALIGNMENT IN THE WORKS?***
There are rumors that one National League team, probably the Houston Astros, will be moved to the AL, giving both leagues 15 teams. This means inter-league play will be a season-long event. Then there are two schools of thought on the league set-up: two 15-team leagues with the top five qualifying for the post season with a wild card play-in, or continuing with 3 divisions in each league with the additional wild card play-in. All this is supposed to correct the injustice of one or two teams in the AL East not getting into the playoffs because of the Yanks & the Red Sox. If that's the case, why not just assign Boston & New York to playoff spots and take the next four teams with the best record? That's what the networks want anyway.
***THEY SAID IT***
"Jordan Matechuk, a long snapper for the CFL's Hamilton Tiger-Cats, was arrested at the Canada-U.S. border packing 543 steroid pills, authorities day. Coincidence? His first practice snap split the uprights." -Dwight Perry
"LeBron James is opening a “luxury lifestyle” store called Unknwn. Someone needs to tell LeBron that while there is no “I” in team there is still an “o” in unknown." -Brad Dickson
" Mennonite-based Goshen (Ind.) College will no longer play "The Star-Spangled Banner" before games because of complaints it went against the school's pacifist philosophy.
As if the baseball team's 10-41 record left any doubt." -Dwight Perry
"After his confession Monday, Anthony Weiner announced Saturday that he has requested a leave of absence from Congress while he enters rehab at an undisclosed location. So congratulations to all those who had “five days” in the pool. And what made Weiner decide to enter rehab? Repairing his image, redemption, or the chance to meet and tweet Lindsay Lohan?" -Janice Hough
CP-
It was easier than when we used to watch John Wayne do it in the movies. Teixeira was no factor, nor was Russell Martin. The other seven starters divided up 18 hits, led by Curtis Granderson's 4-4. And they did it without a home run. Cleveland is not going to win the AL Central, but they have some good young players.
One of the Yanks hits came on a ground ball that almost hit the first baseman in the face and Cleveland got a hit when a ball ate up Jeter. Maybe I'm just a grouchy old man (which Annie-O agrees with), but these guys are Major Leaguers and should be catching balls hit right at them, even if they hit a pebble or the edge of the turf. How can you justify not calling them errors? Annie-O has come up with a designation that I can live with: the F.A.H. - Field Assisted Hit.
I don't think Jeter is going to get his 3000th hit at home. Seven hits in four games is asking a lot, but it's possible.
Speaking of fights, the Yankee hitters have been plunked 8 times in this homestand, while retaliating only once. The Yanks are second in the Majors in hit batsmen with 33. Only the White Sox have been hit more often with 40, probably because opposing pitchers really want to hit Ozzie Guillen but he won't come out of the dugout. The Yanks are going to have to do more than just have the whole team waltz out onto the field to exchange pleasantries with the other side or this isn't going to go away. By the way, Boston pitchers lead the league, hitting 40 opposing hitters. I'm sure that's a surprise.
***IS REALIGNMENT IN THE WORKS?***
There are rumors that one National League team, probably the Houston Astros, will be moved to the AL, giving both leagues 15 teams. This means inter-league play will be a season-long event. Then there are two schools of thought on the league set-up: two 15-team leagues with the top five qualifying for the post season with a wild card play-in, or continuing with 3 divisions in each league with the additional wild card play-in. All this is supposed to correct the injustice of one or two teams in the AL East not getting into the playoffs because of the Yanks & the Red Sox. If that's the case, why not just assign Boston & New York to playoff spots and take the next four teams with the best record? That's what the networks want anyway.
***THEY SAID IT***
"Jordan Matechuk, a long snapper for the CFL's Hamilton Tiger-Cats, was arrested at the Canada-U.S. border packing 543 steroid pills, authorities day. Coincidence? His first practice snap split the uprights." -Dwight Perry
"LeBron James is opening a “luxury lifestyle” store called Unknwn. Someone needs to tell LeBron that while there is no “I” in team there is still an “o” in unknown." -Brad Dickson
" Mennonite-based Goshen (Ind.) College will no longer play "The Star-Spangled Banner" before games because of complaints it went against the school's pacifist philosophy.
As if the baseball team's 10-41 record left any doubt." -Dwight Perry
"After his confession Monday, Anthony Weiner announced Saturday that he has requested a leave of absence from Congress while he enters rehab at an undisclosed location. So congratulations to all those who had “five days” in the pool. And what made Weiner decide to enter rehab? Repairing his image, redemption, or the chance to meet and tweet Lindsay Lohan?" -Janice Hough
CP-
Friday, June 10, 2011
I Can't Help Myself
In a stunning development in NewtWorld, all of Newt's senior campaign staff resigned in protest of Newt's decision to vacation in Greece with his current wife, Callista, rather than remain on the campaign trail. I, for one, wholeheartedly endorse Newt's decision. It is far safer for Newt to risk a four hour erection than an 18 month election.
In his defense, Newt said that policy breakthroughs require time to think. Again, Newt is correct in suggesting that very little thinking is occurring in the current GOP campaign.
Admittedly, I'm sad to see The Newt go down in flames, taking relevancy of the coveted NEWT's with him. Fortunately, there are so many Pawlentys, Bachmans, and Romneys to choose from.
And now for the Race That Matters -
NY Yankees 33-27 .550
Detroit 34-28 .548
Tampa Bay 33-29 .532
Seattle 33-31 .508
Toronto 33-31 .508
Thursday, June 09, 2011
Look For That Silver Lining
Despite last night's lost to the Red Sox that sets up a possible Boston sweep in Yankee Stadium there are several positives that the (Stein)Boob(er) Crew can take away from an otherwise shoddy performance.
1. After showing off his arm, we can rest assured that no one is going to even attempt to steal center field with Francisco Cervelli behind the plate.
2. Without a .280 plus hitter in the lineup no one in the Yankee order need worry about being pitched around. Won't that help there focus at the plate?
3. Yankee pitching found a way to neutralize Boston's dynamic offensive weapon, Jason Varitek. Flashing a gaudy .218 batting average, Yankee pitchers took his potent bat out of play, walking He of the Big "C" twice. Varitek scored both times.
A word of warning to Scranton/W-B fans. Given the state of Yankee pitching, if you want to see your guys pitch at home do it now or you might be taking a ride to New York.
Once again the boys in the booth gushed over Justin Pedroia. No one swings harder. Never gets cheated at the plate. Anyone notice a .247 batting average? Perhaps, he too, like Derek Jeter, has lost a little something at the plate with age. Now that Pedroia is finally old enough to grow a beard can retirement be far behind?
Wednesday, June 08, 2011
I'M BACK...
...and I'm bad. ...Or is it a "bad back?"
***YANKS LOSE ROUND ONE***
The score was 6-4, but it wasn't that close. A-Rod still isn't scaring anyone at the plate. He went 0-5 with two strike outs, and left six men on base, two of them in scoring position. The rumor is he went only 1-5 in batting practice. too. I'm no expert, but it looks to me like there is a "loop" in his swing that makes it hard to square up on the ball.
Posada, who took over at first for Teixeira, hit well, so maybe there is some truth in his belief that it's hard to go from an everyday player to a DH. We'll see tonight, because I don't think Teixeira will be in the lineup except maybe as a DH.
There is also some speculation that the Yanks may retaliate for Lester hitting two Yankees last night. Girardi also seems upset at that the way David Ortiz "flipped" his bat after hitting a home run. After watching Reggie Jackson power-flip his bat after homers, I have nothing to say about that.
Then there's Freddie Garcia. If he didn't have a different uniform on, the Red Sox might have thought it was still batting practice. To paraphrase an unknown source, you know your pitcher isn't doing well when the grounds crew drags the infield AND the warning track in the fifth inning. When the Yanks took the field in the 2nd inning, the bat boy came running out to give catcher Russell Martin his catcher's mitt. "I didn't forget it," said Martin. "I didn't think I'd need it."
***FROM MY LATEST HERO, JANICE HOUGH***
"Nationals prospect Bryce Harper, 18, blew a kiss to the opposing pitcher in Single A after hitting a home run. If Harper had done that to Nolan Ryan, we'd be discussing plans for his funeral."
CP-
***YANKS LOSE ROUND ONE***
The score was 6-4, but it wasn't that close. A-Rod still isn't scaring anyone at the plate. He went 0-5 with two strike outs, and left six men on base, two of them in scoring position. The rumor is he went only 1-5 in batting practice. too. I'm no expert, but it looks to me like there is a "loop" in his swing that makes it hard to square up on the ball.
Posada, who took over at first for Teixeira, hit well, so maybe there is some truth in his belief that it's hard to go from an everyday player to a DH. We'll see tonight, because I don't think Teixeira will be in the lineup except maybe as a DH.
There is also some speculation that the Yanks may retaliate for Lester hitting two Yankees last night. Girardi also seems upset at that the way David Ortiz "flipped" his bat after hitting a home run. After watching Reggie Jackson power-flip his bat after homers, I have nothing to say about that.
Then there's Freddie Garcia. If he didn't have a different uniform on, the Red Sox might have thought it was still batting practice. To paraphrase an unknown source, you know your pitcher isn't doing well when the grounds crew drags the infield AND the warning track in the fifth inning. When the Yanks took the field in the 2nd inning, the bat boy came running out to give catcher Russell Martin his catcher's mitt. "I didn't forget it," said Martin. "I didn't think I'd need it."
***FROM MY LATEST HERO, JANICE HOUGH***
"Nationals prospect Bryce Harper, 18, blew a kiss to the opposing pitcher in Single A after hitting a home run. If Harper had done that to Nolan Ryan, we'd be discussing plans for his funeral."
CP-
Tuesday, June 07, 2011
PICASNER BENCHED BY BAD BACK
Its a good news - bad news day.
The bad news is Picasner is getting treatment for a serious pain in the (not the neck) the back.
The good news - Michael Kay, Kenny Singleton, Al Leiter, (and Paul O'Neil) in the broadcast booth. What a relief after the west coast road trip crew.
But to the game. What would you like to hear about the series opener with the deserved-to-be-despised, dirtiest (actually grimey) team in baseball, the Red Sox?
That Freddie Garcia would finish the 2nd inning? Sorry.
That a Red Sox pitcher would refrain from throwing at Yankee key players? Get Real.
That A-Rod would carry the team on his back, for one game?
Nothing good to report from the Bronx. If your really into annoyance check the box score, read 'em and weep. Derek Jeter got a couple of game-meaningless hits. Oh yes. Jorge Posada got his average up to .195 with a 3-3 night, but filling in for the Mark Teixeira, the best fielding and 2nd leading home run hitter in the AL. Who would you rather watch?
Jon Lester put Teixeira out of the game with a hatchet job to the knees, and to prove it wasn't intentional, he drilled Russell Martin. If this were hockey, Lester would now be taking his meals through a straw.
But cheer up Bomber fans. Tomorrow A. J. Burnet takes the mound. Nope. That won't work. In seven career starts vs. the Red Sox A. J. has yet to record a win.
How 'bout those Mavs?
No, really. The Mavs pulled off another 4th quarter comeback to even their series with the Heat. LeBron James (3-11) made the same stupid face anytime he was called for a foul, or did not get a foul whenever he was within three feet of the ball, the basket, or Houston. Dwayne Wade got a five minute audience with any official who either called him for a foul or did not get a foul when he was within three feet of the ball, the basket, or Houston. And he played a tremendous game (13-20, 6-8 for 32 pts., one amazing block on a driving Chandler, and other good stuff).
Dirk Nowitski gutted it out with a 100+ fever scoring 21 and grabbing 11 rebounds, more than anyone else on the floor except team mate Tyson Chandler who worked relentlessly for 16.
The zeebs let Udonis Haslem pound Dirk to the point that even the confused and blabbering Jeff VanGundy was able to point it out. Actually, I was moved to tears of joy when VanGundy utterred the most insightful words I have heard from his lips, quote, "I really don't understand..." No kidding, Jeff, you make that clear every game night.
Saun Marion was an offensive catalyst and Jason Kidd showed how defense wins championships. (Try not to focus on that, Yankee fans).
Picasner, get a laptop so you can post while healing. I've got NEWTS to award and don't have time trying to do your job.
Saturday, June 04, 2011
Paul Revere's Ride, Reimagined by Sarah Palin
On Thursday, former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin passed through Boston as part of her totally-not-a-presidential-campaign-test-run, family-vacation East Coast bus tour. Because the purported mission of the trip is to help Americans "appreciate the significance of our nation's historic sites, patriotic events and diverse cultures," the former half-term Alaska governor did what most tour groups do when they come to the city: she checked out the Freedom Trail, which winds past historic landmarks like the Old North Church and Paul Revere's house. As she explained on her blog, "There's so much history here. It's amazing how much of our nation's history can be found in just two and a half miles on the Freedom Trail." There certainly is a lot of history to be found on the Freedom Trail, but Palin appears to have lost most of it.
Here's how she described Paul Revere's famous ride:
"…he who warned the British that they weren't gonna be takin' away our arms, uh, by ringin' those bells and, um, makin' sure as he's ridin' his horse through town to send those warning shots and bells that we're gonna be secure and we were gonna be free. And we we're gonna be armed."
This is actually the opposite of everything Paul Revere did. He wasn't sending any messages to the British soldiers who were about to move on the patriots' weapons stockpiles and arrest key leaders. According to history, Revere was warning the Minutemen that the Brits were coming so these militia members could prepare. He did not ring any bells. He instructed a friend to put either one or two lights in the tower of the Old North Church ("one if by land, two if by sea"). He did not fire any warning shots. His ride at the time was no act of symbolism; it was a stealth operation in support of a local resistance movement whose goals at that point remained largely undefined. (Tim Murphy at Mother Jones)
In nightly baseball news, the Yankees can’t hit and lost and the Red Sox can’t pitch and won. Look for Chad's post if you really need more detail.
Bob Lorenz just might be the first baseball broadcaster to make ESPN’s Top Worst Ten moments. Last night’s mind-numbers included this analysis of one of the Angels, “When he’s hot, he’s hot, but when he’s cold, he’s cold.” Stop the presses. Fortunately, Flash was in the booth administering another dose of “color” anesthesia and much needed sleep.
Could there be a YES job in Sarah’s future?
Wednesday, June 01, 2011
HELL HAS FROZEN OVER
You don't believe me? Check last night's Yankee box score. Mark Teixeira has stolen a base. No, really, he has stolen a base. Plus (are you sitting down?), he stole home! No, he didn't sneak out after the game with a shovel and dig up the plate, he actually stole home during the game. In all honesty, it was a fluke. The A's caught A-Rod napping at first base and during the rundown, Tex lumbered home. It counts, though. Next thing you know, Jorge Posada will get a hit off a left-hander. ....naw, never happen.
By the way, the Yanks won 10-3, with the win going to another Yankee retread, Freddie Garcia, who's last pitch finally reached home plate about 4:00 this morning, three hours after Girardi took him out.
A few observations watching the game.
**A-Rod leads the team in batting average with the sickest .287 average I've ever seen. He generates so little power that it looks like his bat is made out of balsa wood.
**Granderson, on the other hand, is hitting the ball so hard I'm waiting for them to test HIS bat for cork, steroids or flubber.
**I believe official scorers are getting tired of the "Jeter Countdown to 3000 hits," routine being practiced by the crack(ed) YES broadcast team. Last night, the scorer posted a hit on the scoreboard BEFORE the 2nd baseman had a chance to kick the groundball away. They changed it to an error when the scorer was reminded that the 3000th hit was "scheduled" to happen in New York.
**Jeter has ruined the hit-by-pitch routine for everyone. Last night, Gardner had to prove he got hit by showing the umpire the bone protruding from his hand before he let him take first.
**The game was so out of hand last night, that Girardi allowed Larry, Curly and Moe to finish up. Oops, sorry, Moe had the night off.
**The huge stadium looked empty last night. The first game started at 4:10, last night it was 10:05 and today it's 3:35. There's your problem. It Los Angeles they leave the game int the 7th inning because they don't know when it ends. In Oakland, they don't know when it starts. I think they have to change the name, too. "Overstock.com" certainly doesn't fit the attendance numbers here.
**Is it my imagination, or does David Cone look like he came to the game directly from a nightclub? It's possible: this is where his drinking buddy, David Wells, lives.
***IN OTHER SPORTS...***
Somebody just told me that the NHL and the NBA finals are starting this week. For what season? Football is over, though, right? Tennis doesn't count unless the Williams sisters are playing and with Tiger no longer a factor, Phil Michelson is going to have to sleep with some stewardesses if he expects me to watch. Golf on TV is as exciting as Bowling. Both sports are better enjoyed when you play them. ...and in bowling, the beer is colder.
From Janice Hough:
"Maybe once OSU ends up on probation, they can talk to USC about playing a charity exhibition game instead of a bowl game this year. The game could be sponsored by Aladdin Bail Bonds."
CP-
By the way, the Yanks won 10-3, with the win going to another Yankee retread, Freddie Garcia, who's last pitch finally reached home plate about 4:00 this morning, three hours after Girardi took him out.
A few observations watching the game.
**A-Rod leads the team in batting average with the sickest .287 average I've ever seen. He generates so little power that it looks like his bat is made out of balsa wood.
**Granderson, on the other hand, is hitting the ball so hard I'm waiting for them to test HIS bat for cork, steroids or flubber.
**I believe official scorers are getting tired of the "Jeter Countdown to 3000 hits," routine being practiced by the crack(ed) YES broadcast team. Last night, the scorer posted a hit on the scoreboard BEFORE the 2nd baseman had a chance to kick the groundball away. They changed it to an error when the scorer was reminded that the 3000th hit was "scheduled" to happen in New York.
**Jeter has ruined the hit-by-pitch routine for everyone. Last night, Gardner had to prove he got hit by showing the umpire the bone protruding from his hand before he let him take first.
**The game was so out of hand last night, that Girardi allowed Larry, Curly and Moe to finish up. Oops, sorry, Moe had the night off.
**The huge stadium looked empty last night. The first game started at 4:10, last night it was 10:05 and today it's 3:35. There's your problem. It Los Angeles they leave the game int the 7th inning because they don't know when it ends. In Oakland, they don't know when it starts. I think they have to change the name, too. "Overstock.com" certainly doesn't fit the attendance numbers here.
**Is it my imagination, or does David Cone look like he came to the game directly from a nightclub? It's possible: this is where his drinking buddy, David Wells, lives.
***IN OTHER SPORTS...***
Somebody just told me that the NHL and the NBA finals are starting this week. For what season? Football is over, though, right? Tennis doesn't count unless the Williams sisters are playing and with Tiger no longer a factor, Phil Michelson is going to have to sleep with some stewardesses if he expects me to watch. Golf on TV is as exciting as Bowling. Both sports are better enjoyed when you play them. ...and in bowling, the beer is colder.
From Janice Hough:
"Maybe once OSU ends up on probation, they can talk to USC about playing a charity exhibition game instead of a bowl game this year. The game could be sponsored by Aladdin Bail Bonds."
CP-
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