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Wednesday, February 28, 2007

Why the HOF vote will never change--BS in the NY Times

'Suspicious' quotes from NY Times article about latest HOF bust (amidst the flowers): "The committee was revamped in 2001 after suspicions of cronyism."
  • NOTICE THE PASSIVE WORDING, "WAS REVAMPED," DELIBERATELY CHOSEN TO WITHHOLD INFORMATION FROM YOU, THE INFERIOR, DROOLING READER. YOU AREN'T TOLD THE FASCINATING DETAILS OF WHO REVAMPED THE COMMITTEE, WHO STARTED THE SUSPICIONS, WHAT WERE THE SUSPICIONS, HOW LONG THEY'D BEEN GOING ON, ETC.
Next, Kepner, the article's author, gives you the drooler another ridiculous statement that's apparently supposed to flesh out his discussion of the voting. But he says the voter "believed" he voted for such and such. "Believed?" The guy just recently posted his ballot. If he doesn't want to tell you whom he voted for that's one thing. But to give us this quote with the source OBVIOUSLY saying he won't go on the record with his ballot--please.

"“A lot of guys think that if you don’t get in in 15 years, why should you?” the Hall of Famer Reggie Jackson said at Legends Field on Tuesday.

Jackson said he believed he had voted for..." (gives the list which is a waste of time because he's telling you he's not sure).
  • Then, Kepner gives us the truly cruel porridge of Joe Morgan, who like many others delights in being able to do and say whatever he wants. The biggest laugh from Joe is his emphasis on how "difficult" their job is. I'M SO SORRY FOR YOU, JOE, I REALLY AM.

"Morgan praised the Hall of Fame for providing ample information on the candidacies of each person on the ballot. But voting on the composite ballot can be challenging.

“It is a little more difficult for me to look at an executive and know how much he contributed to the game,” Morgan said. “It is difficult for some players to evaluate that performance on a Hall of Fame level. It’s much easier for me to evaluate the players.”

Still, Morgan said the veterans committee did not deserve criticism.

“The writers voted on these players for 15 years and they weren’t elected,” Morgan said. “Why are we being criticized because we haven’t elected someone in the last six years? I think it’s unfair.”"

  • THE CONFERENCE CALLS, INTERVIEWS, ENORMOUS PUBLICITY THAT ACCRUES TO THESE VOTERS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IN THEIR LIVES. AN ARTICLE LIKE KEPNER'S DOES NOTHING BUT MAKE MATTERS WORSE.

"Veterans Hall of Fame Vote May be Subject to Change," 2/27/07, NY Times, Tyler Kepner.

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Tuesday, February 27, 2007

ESPN SAYS IT WILL FINALLY NOTE MISTAKES--WE SHALL SEE

From USA Today,
"ESPN is formalizing its policy for editorial corrections across its various TV, radio and magazine platforms, executive editor John Walsh said in a statement Monday.

Under the policy, ESPN says it will correct "significant errors of fact" in a "clear and timely manner, with appropriate prominence."

The public is able to suggest corrections at a new corrections page on its website.

"Accuracy is of such importance that a well-discussed plan with a clear and consistent approach will benefit everyone," Walsh said.

ESPN will post "significant factual errors" from its various media for a period of time on its website."

  • We'll see what they consider "significant."(sm)
Story from USA Today, 2/27/07, by Michael McCarthy, "ESPN Unveils New Corrections Guidelines."

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Kei Igawa sports new Yankee hair cut today at Legends Field

Igawa talks with Guidry, Posada, & translator

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Monday, February 26, 2007

CHIEN-MING WANG TO START YANKEE EXHIBITION OPENER V TWINS--NY Times

"JOHNNY DAMON returned to camp after a two-day absence for personal reasons. Damon would not disclose why he left. “I feel a lot better than a couple of days ago,” Damon said. “Something was worrying me, and I took care of it.” ... CHIEN-MING WANG will start Thursday’s exhibition opener against Minnesota, JOE TORRE said, with ANDY PETTITTE, MIKE MUSSINA, CARL PAVANO and KEI IGAWA going the next four days. ... Magnetic resonance imaging tests on pitchers HUMBERTO SáNCHEZ (right elbow inflammation) and BRIAN BRUNEY (left side muscle strain) showed no tears, Brian Cashman said. Each will rest for a few days."

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WITNESSES: ADAM (PACMAN) JONES BEATS WOMAN'S HEAD ON FLOOR IN VEGAS-SANCTIONED NBA RIOTS

"Las Vegas authorities appear to be more interested in protecting Sin City's tourist trade and securing an NBA franchise than finding the gunman who shot former WWF wrestler Tommy Urbanski and two others after a wild brawl sparked by Tennessee Titans cornerback Adam (Pacman) Jones, according to Urbanski's pals."
  • BOYCOTT LAS VEGAS AND THE TENNESSEE TITANS. (sm)

""I don't have much confidence in the police department here," says Mark Mistretta, a retired New York City police officer who befriended Urbanski after he moved from Long Island to Las Vegas five years ago.

Urbanski, a Commack, L.I., product who moved to Nevada with his wife, Kathleen, in 1998, remains in critical condition at University Medical Center in Las Vegas following the shootings at the Minxx Gentlemen's Club and Lounge on Feb.19 in which Urbanski, bouncer Aaron Cudworth and a female customer were injured. Although hospital officials say he's expected to survive, he likely will be paralyzed from the waist down for the rest of his life.

According to authorities, the shooting was the climax of a brawl started by Jones, who has had multiple run-ins with the law.

  • According to a search warrant request filed by Las Vegas Metro Police, Jones threw cash on the club's center stage, but became irate when the club's dancers scooped up the money. A woman in Jones' entourage, Sadia Morrison, brawled with one dancer and when Cudworth intervened, she smacked him in the head with a Champagne bottle. Jones, the document says, interfered as security guards tried to break up the fight between the women, reaching behind his back as if he had a weapon.

Club co-owner Robert Susnar also told the Daily News the football player grabbed one of the strippers by the hair, smashed her head against the stage and punched her in the face.

Minutes after club security had pushed Jones and his entourage out of the club, a man Susnar said was part of Jones' posse returned with a handgun and began firing, hitting Urbanski, Cudworth and a female patron. Cudworth and the woman were treated and released at University Medical Center but Urbanski suffered life-threatening injuries.

If Las Vegas police had evidence that Jones had battled with bouncers and threatened them, as investigators indicate in the search warrant request, why wasn't the NFL star arrested and charged? Instead, Jones immediately left town after the incident."

BOYCOTT LAS VEGAS AND THE TENNESSEE TITANS. sm

From the NY Daily News article, 2/26/07 by Michael O'Keeffe

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Broadcasts of Exhibition Games on XM Radio begin Wed., Feb. 28, 3PM

Here is a link to the list of MLB Exhibition Games, dates & channels to be broadcast on XM radio.

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Sunday, February 25, 2007

Jim Leyland asks Sheffield to remove his earring--Bill Madden

I'm concerned about this since Sheffield recently told us "Joe Torre took the fire out of me," which I guess took just a few days. Sheffield was out most of the year and forced himself on the team for the glory of the post season, for which he was unprepared. Along with everyone else, Torre bowed and scraped to accommodate Sheffield's wish to torpedo the team with his butterfingers at 1B and other BS. Now, it's only spring training for Sheffield in Detroit, and Bill Madden reports Jim Leyland has politely and reverently asked him to remove his earring.
  • WILL THIS CALLOUS TREATMENT OF SHEFFIELD'S PERSONA, HIS BLING, "TAKE THE FIRE OUT OF HIM," AND IF NOT, WHY NOT?
Bill Madden's NY Daily News column, 2/25/07

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Saturday, February 24, 2007

Rats--I was hoping Rivera would stick it to the Yanks, but demurs on idea of Red Sox

Per the NY Times, "When Andy Pettitte, Rivera’s friend, was a free agent in 2003, he never considered Boston’s four-year, $52 million offer and signed with the Houston Astros for three years and $31.5 million. Pettitte said he could not pitch for the Red Sox because of his alliance with the Yankees. Now, apparently, Rivera feels the same way." (Searching for fodder, a reporter asked Mariano if he could envision being on the Red Sox, says the article).
  • “There’s too much between the teams,” Rivera said. “I like some of their players. They’re my friends. I just don’t think it would be possible.”
(Not saying the Red Sox have even asked, the media were pitching speculation). "Rivera, who has been a member of the Yankees organization since 1990, has known only wanting to beat Boston, and that mission appears unlikely to change."
  • The most recent electric moment was Sunday night, August 20, 2006, another 2 inning performance in Fenway Park, 2 days after the longest 9 inning game ever played in MLB history. NOW MARIANO RIVERA WAS ON THE MOUND. BASES LOADED (one was a passed ball). He got out of it and got the W. All they say over and over is Mo didn't have enough "saves."

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Sports Business Daily looks out for MLB, Inc. interests

"The fate of MLB’s Extra Innings package continues to be in question after the FCC confirms it will complete a full investigation of any exclusive deal between the league and DirecTV. FCC Chair Kevin Martin in a letter to U.S. Sen. John Kerry writes he is “concerned whenever consumers cannot purchase the programming they want.” Meanwhile, there are rumblings a deal could be announced very soon and that the length of DirecTV’s exclusivity could be shorter than originally anticipated. From Sports Business Daily, 2/23/07, Top Stories
  • God forbid the "public" should be informed and contribute to the debate.

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Friday, February 23, 2007

Egyptian Blogger Gets 4 Years in Prison

My favorite part: "Seconds after the door was closed, an Associated Press reporter heard a slap from inside the truck and a scream."
  • WHERE ARE THE ACLU, VARIOUS LAWYERS GUILDS, AMNESTY INT'L., WORLD COURT, THE GOVERNMENTS OF FRANCE, GERMANY, VENEZUELA, UNITED FOR PEACE AND JUSTICE, GEORGE SOROS AND EVERY OTHER SELF-SEEKING SANCTIMONIOUS PHONY?
ALEXANDRIA, Egypt(AP) -- An Egyptian blogger was convicted Thursday and sentenced to four years in prison for insulting Islam and Egypt's president, sending a chill through fellow Internet writers who fear a government crackdown.
  • The Committee to Protect Journalists, a New York-based media rights group, said Internet writers and editors are the fastest growing segment of imprisoned journalists, with 49 behind bars as of December.

"With this verdict, Egypt has opened up a new front in its efforts to stifle media freedoms," said Joel Campagna, the group's senior Middle East program coordinator.

Judge Ayman al-Akazi sentenced Nabil to three years in prison for insulting Islam and the Prophet Muhammad and inciting sectarian strife and another year for insulting President Hosni Mubarak.

  • Nabil, sitting in the defendant's pen, did not react as the verdict was read and made no comments as he was led to a prison truck outside. Seconds after the door was closed, an Associated Press reporter heard a slap from inside the truck and a scream.

Egypt, a top U.S. ally in the Mideast, arrested a number of bloggers last year, most of them for connections to the pro-democracy reform movement. Nabil was put on trial while other bloggers were freed -- a sign of the sensitivity of his writings on religion.

Nabil, who used the blogger name Kareem Amer, was an unusually scathing critic of conservative Muslims. His frequent attacks on Al-Azhar, where he was a law student, led the university to expel him in March, then push prosecutors to bring him to trial.

The judge said Nabil insulted the Prophet Muhammad with a piece he wrote in 2005 after riots in which angry Muslim worshippers attacked a Coptic Christian church over a play deemed offensive to Islam.

  • In a later essay not cited by the court, Nabil clarified his comments, saying Muhammad was "great" but that his teachings on warfare and other issues should be viewed as a product of their times.

From AP story in the Washington Post, 2/22/07, by Nadia Abou El-Magd

Have a nice day.

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Thursday, February 22, 2007

Mariano Rivera today at Legends Field

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Wednesday, February 21, 2007

Juan Uribe--In Spanish, I think it's good--2/21/07

Corte revoca medida coerción contra Uribe, mantiene caso abierto

Por Ramón González
SAN CRISTÓBAL.- "La Corte Penal de Apelación del Distrito Judicial de San Cristóbal, varió en la noche de este miércoles medida de coerción impuesta por una juez de Instrucción al pelotero Juan Uribe. Sin embargo dejó abierto el expediente acusatorio contra el jugador de Grandes Ligas por las heridas de bala al labriego Antonio González Pérez.
Los jueces presididos por la magistrada Norma Bautista tomaron la decisión tras una hora y 32 minutos de deliberaciones. La Corte también impuso una garantía económica de 500 mil pesos al pelotero. La audiencia comenzó a las 6:10 de la tarde y terminó a las 8:47. El tribunal rechazó el cierre del "archivo" que había solicitado la parte de la defensa, por lo que el caso por el que es juzgado el pelotero sigue abierto. Tras terminar la audiencia, Uribe dijo sentirse satisfecho por la decisi´ñon. "Yo lo que sé es jugar. Siempre he creído en la justicia", proclamó en la sala de audiencia ubicada en el ala este del Palacio de Justicia de Ciudad Nueva. Aunque Uribe viaje a los campos de entrenamientos deberá presentarse a la fase preliminar de juicio el 16 de marzo por ante la Juez de Instrucción, Regina Carvajal." From almomento.net, 2/21/07

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SBD: "RISE IN NBA ALL-STAR RATINGS;" BLOOMBERG: "NBA RATINGS WORST EVER"

The just-past NBA All-Star Riots, Murder, Spitting, Slobbering and Lobbing Contests in Las Vegas seems to have different Nielsen TV Ratings. It couldn't have anything to do with money or politics, could it? Who cares about life and death anyway when you're living in a toilet? SBD fails to mention the blood, death, suffering and disease that the NBA brought to Las Vegas. A compliant, apathetic electorate will easily accept this. From Sports Business Daily: Bloomberg News reports the following on the All Star Torture Chamber in Vegas:
  • Feb. 21 (Bloomberg) -- "Television ratings for the National Basketball Association All-Star Game fell to a record low on Turner Network Television. The Feb. 18 game in Las Vegas was watched in 4.2 percent of U.S. households with cable television, according to numbers compiled by Nielsen Media Research. That's down one percent from last year on the Time Warner Inc. cable network." Reported by Larry DiTore
Bloomberg only reported on the game, made no reference to "mixed" reviews from others. "Ratings for NBA All Star Game in Las Vegas fall to record low," Bloomberg News, 2/21/07
  • Thanks to Chris Russo, WFAN in New York for reading on the air one of the "vivid" accounts of what really happened in Las Vegas. This country is being run like a third world toilet. Thanks a bunch.

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Fred Meyer on Fantasy Focus with Jeff Erickson today re: Closers

Jeff Erickson asks Fred Meyer whom he'd name as the top 5 closers this year (with fantasy in mind, but in any case accurately). Fred of course names 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, then pauses...(so far, no mention of Mariano Rivera, same boilerplate as ESPN). Jeff finally says jovially, "Well, no list of closers would be complete without the mention of Mo Rivera!"
  • Meyer then says oh, yeah, Rivera and Trevor Hoffman are right up there (or 'tops' or words to that general effect.)
FRED MEYER'S ON BOARD WITH THE PROGRAM--FIRST, IGNORE RIVERA COMPLETELY IF AT ALL POSSIBLE. (Check). SECOND, IF FORCED TO ADMIT HIS EXISTENCE, PAIR HIS NAME AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS WITH TREVOR H. (Check).--This does a few things--it gets the subject off Mariano, it lowers his image to pair him with Hoffman since Rivera is light years better than he, and it RAISES Hoffman in the fan's mind to be told he's in the SAME category as Mo. People hear this or any lie enough and they'll believe it.
  • Then Meyer gives false information about Rivera. He says that he doesn't look at them at first because they've been pitching fewer and fewer innings. THAT MAY BE TRUE ABOUT SOMEONE ELSE, MEYER, BUT IT'S NOT TRUE ABOUT MARIANO. HE WAS WAY AHEAD OF YOUR OTHER PALS IN IP/AL LATE INNING RELIEVERS THROUGH MOST OF LAST SEASON, AND ENDED THE SEASON #2 IN THAT CATEGORY BEHIND ONLY JJ PUTZ.
Mo pitched 75IP Regular season 2006, 78+IP 2005 regular season, and 70+ IP the 2 years before. Did Meyer ever count how many IP Mo had in the post season in 2001 or 2003, or remember that he's expected to have enough left in the tank to pitch every year in the post season? He's not thrown little 'saves' cookies, no men on base, never more than 1 IP like the other guy.
  • There's simply no truth to what Meyer says, and how he says it is EXACTLY the way the baseball media mafia does. I understand that Fantasy guys look at strike-outs, but no one elaborates or distinguishes about Mo being a ground ball pitcher & what that might offer, instead he's mentioned in passing as someone who's pitching fewer innings, which is a lie. (Does Meyer ever look at Homeruns given up by late inning relievers?)
While I greatly appreciate Jeff Erickson's show, the world of baseball becomes depressing when I hear the constant lies and minimizing of Mariano Rivera. Granted, Mo has a terrible agent and a team that's never marketed him or appreciated him (see my many details and letters to the YES Network), but all these guys keep doing it because it's easy to get away with.
  • It's a full time job documenting this topic and an unpleasant one. Most turn to baseball for happiness and escape, and don't want to be burdened with the facts.

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Tuesday, February 20, 2007

I No Longer Feel Sorry for Brian Cashman

My validation for this change is, per usual, NY Daily News' Bob Raissman today. (Some of us want George back).

"Oh yeah, Alex Rodriguez showed up in Tampa yesterday just dying to confirm the status of his relationship with Derek Jeter. This was the official beginning of the 2007 A-Rod soap opera, which destroyed the chemical balance in the Yankee clubhouse last season."

***NOTE: Raissman sez A-rod soap opera destroyed balance of 2006 team.***

"All this is a reincarnation of the Bronx Zoo, albeit slightly less volatile. These are now Cashman's lions and loonies.

  • As the season progresses, and more "situations" present themselves, how will the media treat the Yankees' GM, the guy who finally got the control he wanted?

His decisions will be scrutinized more than ever. Cashman will be held accountable. Still, winning turns turmoil, perceived or otherwise, into footnotes. Winning freezes controversy. It makes negative headlines go away. It's not like Cashman hasn't dealt with this stuff before. He has spent his entire career working for George Steinbrenner.

  • Things have changed. Drastically.

Until recently, the media viewed - and portrayed - Cashman as a sympathetic figure. Steinbrenner's style fueled this perception. It provided ample cover for his GM. Not only was The Boss domineering - and often irrational - but he allowed his Tampa contingent to usurp Cashman's power. By regularly pointing out how Cashman was getting trampled, assorted commentators - print and electronic - cast him as Mr. Picked Upon.

The tables have turned. Whether it be age or health issues, Steinbrenner is the frail one. He is not likely to overrule Cashman on anything. This has caused some esteemed members of the media to become schizophrenics. Many of them, who made a cottage industry out of analyzing Steinbrenner, now are offended by the sight of reporters staking The Boss out looking for a quote.

  • Those who constantly complained about Steinbrenner sweeping in to seal a deal, and take credit for it, are now calling on The Boss to do just that. They want him to bigfoot his GM and sign Rivera to a lucrative contract extension before the closer's current pact expires at the end of this season. That won't happen."
(I'm going to send Mr. Raissman an email on the subject of Rivera, which isn't the media contrived "contract" flap. It's much worse than that).

"If (Bernie) Williams is finished, there will be some tears. Once they stop flowing, Torre will have preserved his St. Joe image. Cashman? In some media quarters he will be characterized as a cold, calculating businessman who finally slammed the door on Williams' illustrious Yankees tenure.

That reservoir of goodwill Cashman built with the media could dry up in a hurry. Those holding power become targets. However, even if the media, for whatever reason, turned on him, Cashman's future is not in their hands. Even if Torre's image remains intact, he will take the fall if the Yankees fail in October.

Cashman will be left to pick up the pieces. He will select the next manager. It truly will be his team.

And the media will be the least of Cashman's problems." Originally published on February 19, 2007

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Posada chats with Joe Torre today behind home plate, Legends Field, Tampa

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Sunday, February 18, 2007

Brian Cashman Dumps on Mariano Rivera Again via Bill Madden column

For all the world to see--Cashman's disrespect was noticed by cognoscenti of Baseball Think Factory, if you needed more proof. Bill Madden discussed starters v closers, relative value, etc., and hit the jackpot.
  • Madden got the San Diego Padres GM to say their closer was the reason for their recent success.
  • Then Madden gave the chance to Brian Cashman to cite value of starter v closer, and he immediately says, "Oh a starter." LEAVING MARIANO IN THE TRASH, TWISTING SLOWLY SLOWLY IN THE WIND. (Madden says he later admitted the closer was important, too).
I emailed Madden several weeks ago--before this current mess--about the lack of respect for Rivera. He emailed me back saying I was too sensitive, there were no problems and Rivera was a 1st ballot HOF'er.
  • BILL, ARE YOU STARTING TO GET THE PICTURE? MO GETS FEW VOTES FROM BBWAA VOTERS, NO VOTES FROM THE YES NETWORK, AND NOW REPEATEDLY DISRESPECTED BY YANKEE MANAGEMENT IN THE MEDIA. The people with all the power in baseball media live their lives looking for excuses to ignore Mariano Rivera. They're thrilled about this.
This is the issue, ahead of money, as I've documented exhaustively on this blog for well over a year. Last year, I heard Cashman say quite earnestly that Mariano was "irreplaceable," so I know his current behavior is to flesh out some other agenda he has going on.
  • First, I believe if anyone in the Yankees doesn't appreciate Rivera it's Steinbrenner--he has an aversion to nice guys who are open about their faith, are family men, don't get in bar fights, etc. (and DON'T GET PULLED OVER FOR DUI AT 2:30 AM IN ST. PETE). It's quite possible George is behind this.
  • 2nd, Brian may be using this situation to cement his stature as the boss. BIG MISTAKE, YOU PICKED THE WRONG EXAMPLE.
  • 3rd, I could be giving Brian too much credit. HE MAY JUST HAVE A NAPOLEON COMPLEX--and these are the worst bosses--I've had a few.
Comments following Madden's article on Baseball Think Factory:
  • "23. nictonjr Posted: February 18, 2007 at 05:20 PM (#2299750) I think Brian Cashman sings another tune if Kyle Farnsworth is his closer in 2008...."
and
The big issue, I think, is that it's difficult to find pitchers who can pitch in the typical relief role, successfully, year in and year out. Papelbon excelled for five months as a closer, sure; but then his arm fell off, and was advised thereafter that his body is better off pitching in a normal starter usage pattern than in relief. Plenty of other pitchers have had one, or even two, good years as a closer; but it's hard to sustain. That's why it doesn't make sense to go out and pay top dollar for the latest flash-in-the-pan.
  • Are starters as consistent in each 70 inning increment as they are over entire seasons?"
Items referenced from Bill Madden's NY Daily News column, 2/18/07, "Closers vs Starters"
  • PAGING SCOTT BORAS..PAGING SCOTT BORAS...MARIANO RIVERA NEEDS AN AGENT WITH A CLUE, ASAP.
RIGHT NOW I'M ONLY TALKING ABOUT COMMON RESPECT AND COMMON COURTESY. THE YANKEES HAVE A LONG WAY TO GO TO EVEN GIVE THAT MUCH TO MARIANO RIVERA.
  • P.S. In the same NY Daily News today, Mike Lupica follows up on his statement last year that "Mariano Rivera is the greatest money athlete of all time," by saying:

"Michael Jordan, at the end, got paid as much by the Bulls for the past as he did for the present.

  • And so should Mo Rivera, an even greater money performer than even Jordan ever was.

The Yankees got away with paying the guy retail for years, and that needs to change."

From Lupica's column today.

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"MO RIVERA AN EVEN GREATER MONEY PERFORMER THAN JORDAN EVER WAS"--NY Daily News

Mike Lupica states again the value of Mariano Rivera:

"Michael Jordan, at the end, got paid as much by the Bulls for the past as he did for the present.

  • And so should Mo Rivera, an even greater money performer than even Jordan ever was.

The Yankees got away with paying the guy retail for years, and that needs to change."

From NY Daily News column by Mike Lupica, 2/18/07, "Got to have a Ring to It"

P.S. If Mo had a decent agent, this conversation wouldn't be happening.

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Saturday, February 17, 2007

A-rod still has a big defender on the "Cirque du Pinstripes"*

I avoid A-rod topics and I'm only bringing this up because the NY Times left someone fairly big out of the scenario. From Selena Roberts' column, "Cashman is the Answer to Multiple Enigmas, 2/18/07: (*"Cirque du Pinstripe" is Selena Roberts' terminology):

"There was one Yankee who bridged the differences between A-Rod and the team captain. There was one Yankee who could support Rodriguez without alienating Jeter.

  • But Gary Sheffield is now a Detroit Tiger after an off-season trade orchestrated by Cashman. Out with the cantankerous Sheffield, in with fresh-faced options.

“Any time you play with someone for multiple years, you’re not just teammates, you become friends,” Jeter said.

“Shef was down here in Tampa, so we spent a lot of time together in the off-season. So, yeah, you’re going to miss Shef.”"

SELENA YOU MISSED ONE. A-ROD HAS ANOTHER WELL-PUBLICIZED BRIDGE ON THE TEAM--MARIANO RIVERA. This item was widely written about just 3 months ago. Or, is it the usual oversight of a long-time franchise player?

(From Newsday)'Speaking Thursday (11/2) at the upscale New Rochelle steakhouse that he co-owns, Yankees closer Mariano Rivera defended teammate Alex Rodriguez after another poor postseason by A-Rod and the team.

  • "I love A-Rod," he said Thursday at Mo's New York Grill. "I love the guy. He's done a tremendous job. It's not easy being himself ... It's tough. They don't give the guy a break ... New York doesn't give him a break."
Rivera added, "If you ask me who has hit in the playoffs, I will name two or three guys. That's it. Alex is not ... the team. It is 25 players. It's not just one guy. If you put the burden on one guy, we'll never win like that." Rivera said he doesn't know a harder worker than A-Rod. "I tell him sometimes you have to stop," he said. "It's too much -- to go hit and videos and hit and hit and hit. I think he wants to be here and he wants to do the job here." Rivera also praised manager Joe Torre for shepherding the team to the postseason despite injuries to key players. "He kept us together," he said. "He kept us believing." This item posted by me on this blog 11/3/06.
  • (Unless she believes Jeter doesn't like Mo. Anything's possible).
Article referenced is a Times Select article, NY Times, 2/18/07 by Selena Roberts.
  • (Chazz Palminteri's picture is here in case you didn't see the post just before this one, regarding his support of Mo).

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Friday, February 16, 2007

"Give Mo whatever he wants."--Chazz Palminteri

Mr. Palminteri called in to WFAN today with Mike and Chris.

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YANKS' TREATMENT OF RIVERA: "A DISGRACE"--Mike Francesa, WFAN--CHAZZ PALMINTERI AGREES

That the Yankees have allowed so much time to go by since Mariano's request, except to say they're doing nothing, is itself "A DISGRACE" said Mike Francesa on WFAN today. Mike happens to know a great deal about the subject's performance, and makes all the points I've made which should be obvious. It's no longer a matter of whether they'll offer him a contract and for how much. Mariano is unprecedented in the history of the game, not just the team, and they've publicly stated he's no special case, just one of a group. Chazz Palminteri called in and of course agreed--for those of you who think I'm the only one. 2 things:
  • Mike suggests Yankee fans call Legends Field for Steinbrenner's office and complain, or call his office in the Bronx.
I say Rivera must leave. The team even today spends money for unproven players, but they publicly humiliated this man who after 12 consecutive post seasons with the team has for the first time simply asked for respect.
  • P.S. At 6:55PM, the subject was still ALL Mariano on WFAN--in case you're under the impression this isn't a big deal.

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Thursday, February 15, 2007

Larry Bowa on the job today at Legends Field with Mattingly, Posada, et al.

Posted by Picasa And He struts and frets his hour upon the stage.

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Picture of me watching Yankee spring training today in my Rivera t-shirt

Posted by Picasa

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Yankees Ask to Play First Major League Baseball Game in China --Bloomberg News

Feb. 15 (Bloomberg) --"The New York Yankees want to play Major League Baseball's first game in China, team president Randy Levine said."

  • GREAT, MR. LEVINE, BY THEN YOU'LL NEED SOME NEW FANS. YOU TREAT YOUR FANS IN THE USA LIKE CRAP. I DON'T GIVE A FLYING FLIP ABOUT COMMUNIST CHINA, BUT SINCE THAT'S WHAT YOU CARE ABOUT, HAVE A GREAT TIME. I'LL BE ROOTING FOR THE RED SOX BY THEN. sm

"Levine and General Manager Brian Cashman were among Yankees officials who visited China last month to form a partnership with the Chinese Baseball Association that will help coaches and players learn about the sport.

The earliest a game might be played in the most populous country is 2009, because the stadium to be used won't be available until after the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, Levine said in a telephone interview yesterday. He said the Yankees want to play a regular-season game there, with a season-opener a possibility.

``We are open to going over and playing in China, whether it's opening or not,'' said Levine, who added he has informed MLB and the Chinese Baseball Association about the club's interest.

Paul Archey, baseball's senior vice president for international business operations, didn't immediately return a call for comment. Baseball spokesman Pat Courtney didn't immediately return a message on his mobile phone."

From the Bloomberg News article, 2/15/07

P.S. Mr. Levine, do me a favor and dump the YES Network over there while you're at it.

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Wednesday, February 14, 2007

Why doesn't the YES NETWORK just hire the Taliban?

More proof the YES Network is anti-Yankee. I've detailed on this blog how their decisions actually run counter to those of the Yankee fan and certain of the team's players. Today their webpage has an article mostly about Mariano Rivera by, who else--BRYAN HOCH THE MLB.COM MET BLOGGER/FAN (see my post on this imposter yesterday 2/13/07).
  • WHY IS THE YES NETWORK GIVING ME EDITORIAL CONTENT/PROPAGANDA FROM MLB.COM WHICH IS DEVOTED TO BRINGING DOWN THE FORTUNES AND SPIRIT OF THE YANKEES AND THEIR FANS?
IF YOU'RE INTENT ON KILLING YOURSELF, YES NETWORK/YANKEE ORGANIZATION, WHY NOT JUST HIRE THE TALIBAN TO DO IT?

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Tyler Kepner misses the point

Interviewed on Charley Steiner's show today on XM, Kepner & others forget a recent behavior pattern that's already been acknowledged as a mistake. In the case of Andy Pettitte, a long-time valuable Yankee, they could've made a 5 minute phone call in 2003 saying thanks, we're worried about your arm/elbow, so can only do such and such. But they didn't and let the 2 week window go by without a word. This kind of treatment has since been acknowledged by Brian Cashman as a mistake, but he's doing the same thing with Rivera.
  • If you have a long time valuable player who's already asked you for some indication of your plans, it doesn't mean you have to sign him or pay him anything. But the least you do is call the guy or his agent, say we don't know what we're doing yet, we'll get to it shortly, just wanted to give you the courtesy of a response. When you treat franchise players like this, why wouldn't they react negatively? You wouldn't treat a dog like this and still expect him to be part of a "team" and have a "heart."
  • Since the team can't even respect these guys with a phone call, they decide well, maybe this is a business and they don't especially like being allowed to "twist, slowly, slowly in the wind."

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Finally, the double door swung open, and "out stepped the Boss..." NY Times

"We were chasing what used to be. In a tunnel beneath Legends Field, out of Pavlovian reflex, dozens of reporters and photographers scrambled the instant a double door swung open a few feet away.

  • Out stepped the Boss in a blue jacket. It wasn’t hard to keep pace. As George Steinbrenner headed toward the Yankees’ clubhouse, he wobbled so much on a bad knee he seemed to be fighting rough seas."
From NY Times article by Selena Roberts, 2/14/07, "Sometimes, Moving On Has to Hurt." I usually don't post references to Mr. Steinbrenner's ill health, and Ms. Roberts does continue awhile about his pallor, short phrases, etc. But, I do like the 'theatre of mind' she conjures up with these many folks having waited all day for some news on any number of savory subjects. It's a good thing that when those doors opened it was actually George. In a fairly brief Times Select story she notes the team is now in purgatory--with Manager Joe Torre, the ghost of Bernie Williams, etc. on one hand, and a bunch of upstart squirts dashing through the door. Not that we won't eventually tolerate some of the upstarts, but there are 2 worlds needing to mesh.

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Tuesday, February 13, 2007

China seeks to reverse intellectual brain-drain

BBC reports 2/3 of those who've left to study abroad since the 1980's have remained abroad. The Chinese government seeks to reverse that.
  • What better way than growing baseball?
They'll have so many experts they won't know what hit them.

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The round-the-clock, big money still screams,"Hate the Yankee"

Now we have a fresh-faced Met fan with all the power--Bryan Hoch--the new so-called MLB.com Yankee beat writer, who knows his career will not advance unless he puts a negative spin on the most important Yankee points. His article today uses the word "insinuated"--a snide, nasty connotation, instead of a word like "stated" or "suggested" which would've been more ACCURATE. Do you think a catcher and a pitcher automatically have the same value? Bryan Hoch does good for Buddy Selig and all the baseball writers--he's hired to do a job, which is fabricate inaccurate stories about the Yankees. This negative publicity is countered by no one except WFAN on-air personnel (for example Mike Francesa today), Mike Lupica, and me. (That is, on a consistent basis--a few other phonies dip their toe in once and awhile, then jump back on the Gravy Train). No one else--no bloggers, etc. Oh yes, most of the callers this afternoon to WFAN spoke the truth as well. Thanks to all of them.

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Monday, February 12, 2007

MARIANO RIVERA IS RIGHT--YANKS DON'T RESPECT HIM

DISRESPECT FOR MARIANO RIVERA BY YANKEE ORGANIZATION-- FOLLOWING IS MY 2nd LETTER TO YES NETWORK OFFICIALS (Sept. 11, 2006) REGARDING THIS LONG-STANDING OBVIOUS OUTRAGE.
  • September 11, 2006
Mr. Woody Freiman V.P., Production and Programming The YES Network 405 Lexington Ave., 36th fl. New York, N.Y. 10174-3699
  • Dear Mr. Freiman:
Thank-you for your thoughtful letter of August 30 in response to my August 28th letter regarding the portrayal of Mariano Rivera. I’m aware of Yankeeography, and my issue isn’t with Jim Kaat, Michael Kay and the others. I’ve noted cameras show Rivera in the bullpen if he may be coming into the game. Yet, the other points I made remain. Assuming we have Rivera for 1 more year, that still leaves little time. Again Saturday 9/9 YES had a clip of LESS than 1 second of Mariano in the montage closing the post game show. This isn’t MTV, and this kind of thing doesn’t help the baseball fan.
  • The 3 issues are: 1) Pre and post game coverage, 2) What the Yankee fan wants or needs to see, and 3) A behind the scenes awareness that Mariano has never come close to winning any post season awards due to institutionalized bias; the votes are secret. The same people could easily deny him the HOF. If the YES Network chose to present Mo in the manner he deserves, they could be the lone voice in the wilderness (aside from SNY).
I enjoy general baseball news and noticed the emotional and glorious footage YES showed of Johan Santana at the end of the Yankee post game show on Sunday 9/10. This is exactly the kind of coverage Rivera should be getting from YES studio productions but doesn’t. As I mentioned in my earlier letter to Mr. Filippelli, a sad example of this is the YES version of game 7 of the 2003 ALCS, of which Rivera was MVP (3 scoreless innings in a tie game). At the end of the game he’s lifted onto the shoulders of his team mates and carried across the field. The edited version YES shows includes less than 1 second of this emotional scene (I saw the original, and it was much longer than that). Much of the frame you chose was taken up by a fan's hat.
  • There’s a constant media barrage deifying pitchers not named Mariano. There was a brief respite this year during the All Star break when Ozzie Guillen put Rivera in the news. Regarding Bob Lorenz, I’m glad he appreciates baseball, but much of what he says and how he says it on the air are directed by someone else, e.g. the length of time looking at a stat, what is said about it and in what tone. In the past year, I’ve chosen to take time to document in detail the efforts of mainstream baseball media to minimize Rivera including writers and contributors to ESPN.com, MLB.com, FoxSports.com, the largest baseball websites, and newspapers from around the country. The only outlet I’d logically hope to put his performance in correct context is the YES Network. Explicitly acknowledging the media bias might backfire, and has for the Yankees in the past when Hideki Matsui was overlooked. Mr. Steinbrenner’s unhappiness about this was reported in the press, and a writer who failed to vote for Hideki became an instant national celebrity and was delighted. Jon Miller said on the ESPN-TV game Sunday 9/10/06 that San Diego general manager Kevin Towers started a campaign last week to have Trevor named NL Cy Young. This isn’t the kind of thing I’m suggesting the YES Network or the Yankees do. It may even work in their case, but wouldn’t for the Yankees.
ESPN of course ignored the fact Ozzie named Rivera as his All Star game closer on July 5, and on Baseball Tonight, the host even said he’d only be his 4th choice for closer, behind Papelbon, Ryan, and Jenks. The Boston Globe wrote the day before the All Star game that the long game against the White Sox in which Papelbon was involved, must’ve been the reason he wasn’t named as the first closer, apparently unaware of the fact Rivera had been named on July 5.
  • The media’s goal is to put anyone they can in front of Mariano, and one of their picks is Trevor Hoffman (their long-time pal). His botching the All Star game sufficiently behind him, the campaigning for him is back in force, with recent articles on ESPN.com, Foxsports.com, and a 9/8 headline and article on MLB.com. Saturday 9/9, yet another on the ESPN.com page by one of their big writers, with headlines Hoffman should be in the Hall. He hasn’t done anything special, is still adamantly a 1 inning pitcher in a low pressure environment. Another site on 9/9 refers to the MLB article in a headline and puts forth the idea he should win the NL Cy Young. This is 4 front page headlines in about 10 days, plus probably the most widely read internet site. Even from this small sampling of what I’ve documented, you may see why I hope for fair portrayal from 1 media source, YES. The opposition is overwhelming, and most who recognize it just shake their head and say, what can you do? Well, not showing the total saves stat would be a start.
The Hoffman group sailed for years saying he’d go the Hall. But now they worry, what if voters consider who was dominant in his era? Their hope is to minimize Mariano. The best stat to choose for that is the one YES showed, total saves. Some may have seen it as you suggested, gee isn’t it amazing so many other guys are doing better than Mariano. But, first, that stat does not show they’re doing better. I mentioned in my last letter how many other factors go into the closer’s performance. Drawing attention to this stat (which was done again briefly on Monday, September 4 in either your pre or post game show) is strictly ammunition for the mass media.
  • As I mentioned earlier, in his 10 pennant winning seasons (possibly 11), Rivera has not come close to winning a Cy Young or MVP award (although he was 1999World Series MVP and 2003 ALCS MVP). Joel Sherman in the Sept. 1, 2006 NY Post, states, “Rivera deserves Cy Young and MVP but Will Not Win.” Last year, he was the clear statistical winner, #1 in the Bill James/Rob Neyer AL Cy Young predictor, but among award voters, he wasn’t even close. 6 of the 28 voters left him off their ballot entirely. Sheldon Ocker of the Akron Beacon Journal said, well, it was just another good year for him & he’s had so many good years, he’d “probably have to have 65 saves for anyone outside of New York” to notice. Ah, the total saves stat defense. (Mo saved or won 6 1-run games in September 2005, worked 3 days in a row twice in a 2 week period, 6 out of 8 days, allowing the team finally to tie with Boston, and become the technical winner of the AL pennant).
  • Mike Lupica recently wrote that Rivera could be the “most important Yankee of all time.” In the Sept.1 Sherman column, he also says Mo should’ve won these awards in other years. He doesn’t delve into why he’s been rejected by voters, although he probably knows. Sherman is a present or past member of the HOF board, and knows what’s going on. The ‘elephant in the living room’ is long-standing institutionalized bias. Those looking for an excuse not to vote for Rivera (this concept was presented in SI), could in some cases use a total saves stat. And, the YES Network of all places should be including his 34 post season saves (from 111+ post season IP) in any ‘career saves’ stat, which was not done or spoken of when he got his 400th regular season save. I don’t mean passing mentions by announcers, I mean produced video highlights of great moments.
Baseball writers, of course, should be removed from any voting on baseball awards, and a number of newspapers have already stopped their employees from doing so due to ethics concerns. Hopefully, more will join them very soon.
  • On August 10, Rivera and Ron Villone both made great contributions to the game, but little was said about their efforts on the post game, focusing mainly on Randy Johnson. The reply might be the oft-used, “well, everyone knows Rivera is great,” and change the subject.
Interesting torrent of media support this year to give as many as 3 post season awards to Boston’s new closer. He had maybe 8 weeks on the job when people starting handing these out. (A Washington Post columnist wrote about half way into the season that he could qualify for 3 awards). After 11 years of historic work, Rivera has never come close to winning a single one. Do you begin to see the bias here, Mr. Freiman, why I’m bothering with this? It’s not your job to run a personal campaign for a player, but that total saves stat and lack of ‘glory and majesty’ shots can be far reaching. Many could say a 6 out Rivera save is the same as someone else’s 1 out save. Aside from what the Yankee fan might appreciate seeing, awards voters will grab what suits their bias.
  • Saturday 9/9 was another example of the problem on the post game show,around 7:30 PM after the 3-2 win at Baltimore. I looked very closely, YES showed Farnsworth’s last out, but LESS than 1 second of a person clapping on the sidelines (Mo), who’d just put his head down in the clip you chose. I was again stunned. Why not give a few seconds of the guy? YES didn’t even allow the viewer to see who was clapping. This isn’t MTV. If the YES network doesn’t think it’s important to give him time, that’ll be fine with the opposition.
The YES studio staff no doubt work long hours in complex situations. But I see no evidence that Mariano gets more than cursory consideration, if that. Mike Lupica and Joel Sherman aren’t alone in saying he’s unlike any human being we’ve ever seen or ever will see, but on daily YES network studio shows (or replays of classics), this feeling is clearly absent. It won’t be taken care of by a Yankeeography, or passing mentions by the announcers. Something like the dramatic portrayal you gave Johan Santana on Sunday is what’s needed.
  • Incidentally, the Yankee radio people, John Sterling and Suzyn Waldman, have seen every pitch Rivera has thrown (Suzyn may’ve missed a few while preparing her interviews in the 9th inning). They are exactly correct in their portrayals of Mariano, and include references to him at appropriate times.
Lastly, on Monday, August 21, on either the pre or post game show, Bob Lorenz stated Mike Timlin gave up a sac fly in the 8th inning (to Giambi) the night before. It was Papelbon who gave up the sac fly. Sincerely, Susan Mullen
  • P.S. Those of us who are Yankee fans remember this about Johan Santana: in game 4 of the 2004 ALDS, he apparently took himself out of the game after 5 innings (Twins were leading 5-1). The game was finally won in 11 innings, 6-5 Yankees. Mariano Rivera was the winning pitcher.
****I've posted additional examples of the Yankee organization ignoring Mariano on this blog which you may find by inserting his name in the 'search' space. Also, I've posted superlatives by other people on MarianoRiveraHighlights.blogspot.com. sm

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Sunday, February 11, 2007

KEN DAVIDOFF HITS A NEW LOW--PLAYER INJURIES JUSTIFIABLE FOR BUD, INC.

Davidoff is OK with your favorite player being injured, possibly permanently preventing his ever playing again. Why? Because Davidoff is ON THE GRAVY TRAIN. He's decided Bud Selig is magical, possibly saintly, certainly president of the world-worthy. He thinks "Bud" has helped his career and/or will do so in the future. Today, disguised in the form of a back handed compliment (to Mr. Steinbrenner) Davidoff reveals his depths-- :
  • "And this space will always appreciate Steinbrenner's courageous fight against last year's World Baseball Classic. Bud Selig, not a fan of dissent, ordered all of his owners to support the cause, and Steinbrenner ignored that order. Just because the WBC turned out successful, and justified the injury risks, doesn't mean that Steinbrenner was wrong to raise his objections."
Get that? The WBC "JUSTIFIED THE INJURY RISKS." The WBC "turned out successful."
  • In what way was it successful, Davidoff? Yes, many but not all the players enjoyed it. Fans were into it, including me. But it was not successful, as I documented specifically on this blog. First, you couldn't see it on TV. ESPN lied numerous times, saying it would have the games on and just simply didn't. Did it sell tickets?
  • Yes, you got poor people's money, so in that regard, if that's your measure of success, fine. It was reported to have made a profit of $15 million, which might have been the sum of the contracts of players who lost time due to injury. There were numerous stories of pitchers with problems directly linked to the WBC. THIS IN TURN PLACED A BURDEN ON ALL OTHER TEAM MATES.
Another thing, Ken. The drug testing didn't take place with the international group that Bud, Inc. said it did. That's on this blog as well.
  • There was mass media condemnation and hatred of the Yankee players and Mr. Steinbrenner around the clock for weeks, which was inexcusable and about which you did nothing.
What about all the poor people who lost their jobs in Arizona because of the WBC, also on this blog. That was good, Ken?
  • I remember hearing you say on XM that you thought in the beginning the WBC wouldn't work out, was a bad idea. Toward the end, you said you'd been wrong, that it had been a great success. The fact that we were interested in seeing it doesn't deal with all the other things, some listed here, that were probably not legal, and at the very least ruined some or all of what remained a brief career for any player. Not to mention the many other people whose livelihoods were adversely affected.
  • INJURIES WERE JUSTIFIED, YOU SAY. WHAT EXACTLY IS OFF LIMITS TO YOU KEN? What's over the line--if someone dies, is that bad, but if he, his team, his family, his employer, and his fans lose him, that's OK? Ken, you're a slob and you should quit writing about baseball.
Comment on Ken Davidoff's Newsday column, 2/11/07, which ostensibly is about Mr. Steinbrenner's reduced visibility, and makes reference to the WBC in the body of the article.
  • P.S. IF THE YANKEES HAD A STRONG PR DIRECTOR, DAVIDOFF WOULDN'T BE SAYING THESE RIDICULOUS THINGS, I WOULDN'T HAVE TO WRITE THIS BLOG, AND THE WORLD WOULD BE A BETTER PLACE. BUT THEY DON'T.

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Bob Raissman agrees with my point about NY Times' shrill pitch

Race and gender are the only issues the NY Times cares about. On. Feb. 7, I posted that they even ignored Tony Dungy's own remarks about his religious faith being the most important part of his victory. Today, the NY Daily News' Bob Raissman acknowledges Dungy's words, awarding him "Dude of the Week." Bob notes Dungy's faith, not just his race.

'DUDE OF THE WEEK:

Tony Dungy

For finally coaching his team to a Super Bowl win. No need to recount Dungy's trials and tribulations, both personal and professional. Not only did he persevere, the Colts coach set an example along the way.
  • This was not just about him being the first black coach to win a Super Bowl. He proved faith, combined with positive thinking, can get you to where you want to go. It can also get you through the worst of times. A valuable lesson.'
From Bob Raissman's NY Daily News column, 2/11/07

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Friday, February 09, 2007

"Cynical Sports Blog a Hit--" Newsday on Deadspin

Best parts of Neil Best's article on Will Leitch,
  • "Beat reporters? To Leitch, they're mostly good for injury updates and recording the "occasional stupid things athletes say.
  • "Public relations people? "I don't want or need press passes or to have access to players. I don't find that interesting."
The tools of his trade are a laptop, a printer, an I-pod and a cell phone. (He's never had a landline.) On his wall are pictures representing three passions: Woody Allen, Kurt Cobain and the old Busch Stadium. He works from about 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., with a trip to the gym at 2:30. He gets 300 e-mails a day.
  • Leitch is having fun and is both amused and annoyed by the stereotype of the blogger as a shut-in. Yes, he gets out of the house, and he seems to be one of the cool kids of the New York media world.
Leitch, who grew up in the small town of Mattoon, Ill., is a relentlessly polite Midwesterner and the son of an electrician and a nurse. He has written two books, with two more on the way. The site in the end is a showcase for his writing, which usually is in what he called the "wisenheimer" style of a generation reared on cynicism. "We no longer believe that because Peyton Manning is great at throwing touchdowns he must be a great, heroic guy," he said." From Newsday article by Neil Best, 2/9/07

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YANKEES STILL HAVE NOT HIRED A PR DIRECTOR--NY DAILY NEWS

This folly explains in part the mis-handling of the Arod appearance at Barnes & Noble to which the cops were summoned (plus a bunch of other things--thanks, Bob Raissman):

"It is absolutely incredible that with a week until spring training, the Yankees have not hired a public relations director to replace Rick Cerrone. They are entrusting the handling of all the anticipated hot-button issues - A-Rod, Joe Torre, Don Mattingly/Joe Girardi, George Steinbrenner's health and even the potential arrival of Roger Clemens - to Cerrone's inexperienced lieutenants.

Media members will be dealing in explosives from the get-go. They should all have their blood pressure checked before heading to Tampa next week. When last they saw Torre, he was attempting to extricate himself from ax-wielding Steinbrenner's chopping block.

Make no mistake, The Boss had decided to fire Torre after that Detroit playoff debacle. Torre, who had no answers, simply watched stoically as most of the high-priced Yankees surrendered without a fight. But Steinbrenner, the only man in the organization breathing fire after this embarrassment, was talked out of dumping Torre by Brian Cashman."

  • From Bob Raissman's NY Daily News column, 2/9/07, (and he goes into the latest Arod flap), "Bombshells for Bombers." Of special note to me, this validates and vindicates my posts to this blog about the rogue nation-state, the YES NETWORK.

P.S. If we're going to get the stoic, "I can do whatever I want including sink this team," Joe Torre this year, I'll be elsewhere. sm

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Thursday, February 08, 2007

Mark Teixeira--3 toughest pitchers to hit

Teixeira breaks the toughest pitchers to hit into three categories: right-handed starter (Roy Halladay), left-handed starter (Johan Santana) and reliever (Mariano Rivera).

  • "I know what he's going to throw, and I know where he's going to throw it," Teixeira said of Rivera, against whom he is 1-for-9 lifetime.

"And every time I swing I either hit it 80 feet foul or break my bat."

From the Ft. Worth Star-Telegram, 2/8/07, by David Sessions, "Teixeira takes a few cuts."

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Wednesday, February 07, 2007

Yanks to Rivera: DROP DEAD.

"The Yankees are not seeking to enter discussions about extending Mariano Rivera's contract during spring training, according to a person familiar with the situation. In November, Rivera, 37, expressed hope "the Yankees will do the right thing," and extend his contract, which runs out after this season." This according to Pete Caldera from the Bergen Record, 2/7/07.
  • It's unfortunate Mariano has already stated his wishes. His so-called agent, Cuza, has done the same thing. Since the Yankees clearly don't appreciate Rivera, I suggest the following: The Red Sox should offer him 2 years at $50 million, and Mo should take it.
I'd expect this kind of treatment from Steinbrenner, but I thought Cashman was running things. Although Steinbrenner doesn't appreciate Mo (he doesn't beat his wife or get into bar fights), I believed that Cashman did. Maybe the YES Network is involved--to them, Mariano Rivera does not exist. I'm not exaggerating, I've documented it on this blog and my other blog, BaseballWritersAreUnsupervised.blogspot.com.

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George Vecsey's NY Times column today shows he didn't want to hear Tony Dungy's words

For days and weeks on end I've been held hostage by every detail leading up to the super bowl, with many outlets emphasizing the ethnic backgrounds of the 2 coaches. The media decide the daily discourse, what you should and shouldn't know.
  • (The NY Times in particular, puts 2 issues above all others from the first to the last page--gender issues and race, and they gave much space over the captive weeks to the race of the coaches).
Although feeling sick, I read the entire article to see if Mr. Vecsey had listened to Tony Dungy at all. He had not. Vecsey ignored Dungy. Vecsey no doubt considers himself very liberal, understanding and OPEN MINDED. But he is the reverse. He is a close minded, prejudiced person and wastes today's column on insulting clap trap about black coaches possibly leading to a black president.
  • NOW THAT THE DAMN GAME IS FINALLY OVER why not report the distinction that Tony Dungy himself made in his modest, low key championship acceptance:
  • He said he did it the 'Lord's way,' that both he and Lovie Smith did it the way the Lord (or God) would've wanted. The coach when prompted about the 'social' significance of the occasion by the post-game tv interviewer agreed and said he was very proud of that. BUT WITHOUT PROMPTING, COACH DUNGY SAID THE DISTINCTION FOR THE 2 COACHES WAS A CONNECTION WITH GOD. THAT'S WHAT HE SAID, MR. VECSEY.
Doesn't the NY Times report the news or sports news? It won't tell you if the coach volunteers that the Lord (one presumes the Christian Lord) was the most important distinction for him. The Times decided to make the article about a cultural or social issue--race. But the greater cultural or social issue according to the winning coach was religion or God. Why did George Vecsey deliberately withhold that?
  • Because he is close-minded, narrow minded, and prejudiced. He has inaccurately portrayed an outstanding social moment, cheating the coach, cheating the readers.
Vecsey says: "Now the question is whether whites and blacks would seek leadership from a black, right up to a vote for president." SAYS WHO? WHO SAYS THAT'S "THE QUESTION?" After all your biased, time-warped super bowl coverage this is supposedly the NEXT BIG QUESTION? Now he moves on to buying the spin-meisters of politics, web sites, people working 24 hours a day cranking out media images and you expect me to think that's what's really happening? YOU DON'T GET TO DECIDE THE GREAT ISSUES ANYMORE. YOU'VE PROVEN YOU CAN'T BE TRUSTED TO DO SO. POLITICAL PR IS MOSTLY BS--NOW I'VE GOT A SPORTS COLUMNIST TELLING ME I'M SUPPOSED TO THINK THAT'S REALITY? FORGET IT!
  • Mr. Vecsey, I loved your column last year summing up how the Yankee clubhouse power structure had evolved throughout the season, thought you were dead-on correct. On top of that, I still get laughs when I read that column--it was great.
(I realize you're a citizen of the world, love to remind us our sports aren't much compared with soccer, etc. You may have noticed there's so much violence at soccer games now they're considering having no spectators). Anyway, your article is in the NY Times sports section, 2/7/07, and I read it because I get the Times select for I think $7.95 a month. I canceled my home delivery several years ago due to the perverted editorial view throughout the entire newspaper.
  • To make matters worse, you even dragged in Jackie Robinson's daughter to try and build your case--she tried to get you off your point. Mr. Vecsey, the world has passed you by and your mind is closed like a steel trap.
I'll put the link here, but it will just get the registration page. "

"Racial Gains on the Sidelines, a Message for the Polls"(says the NY Times and George Vecsey, grasping, reaching for something that isn't there).

This is 2007!" From his 2/7/07 NY Post column.

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Tuesday, February 06, 2007

Juan Marichal was right about DR electricity gouging

12 Jan 2007

SANTO DOMINGO--The immortal of sport Juan Marichal gave notice today that he could leave the country if the violence levels persist and “the indiscriminate collection in the electrical invoice”. He said the measurer of its residence ...

XM MLB Chat - http://xmmlbchat.blogspot.com

"Government admits increases invoicing electrical to high consumers" 2/6/07

SANTO DOMINGO. - The Dominican government admitted east Tuesday that enlarge the invoicings of companies and families who consume more than 700 kilowatt-hour to the month to compensate those that they spend of between 300 to 400 kilos, that are those of smaller economic income.

The information offered east Tuesday in the morning, the superintedente of Electricity, Francisco Méndez. He said that the government materializes east increase to be able to compensate the losses generated by the energy robbery in the country. Méndez also admitted that the power service in the Dominican Republic is very expensive. But he attributed his high price to which he defined as bad electrical contracts, the deficiency in the distribution and to the high prices of fuels. from Almomento.net 2/6/07.

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Rise & Shout---"SAVES, NOT CLOSERS CAN BE OVERRATED." Rob Hurtt

Thank you, Rob Hurtt--you're unique. You haven't bought the ESPN, etc. hype about "Joe Schmoe is better because he has MORE SAVES." A closer NEEDS MUCH MORE THAN THAT TO BE BETTER. (Perhaps Rob is confident in himself and isn't a moron. He knows THERE ARE VAST DIFFERENCES AMONG SO-CALLED 'SAVES' (aside from a manager who CAN'T AFFORD TO HAND OUT "COOKIES:)" The pitcher:
  • enters with bases empty, bottom 9th, 2 outs, and a 3 run lead, gets final out= A SAVE
  • enters with 2 runners on, top 8th, 1 out, 1 run lead, gets final 5 outs= A SAVE
  • If you're looking for more work from ESPN, etc., have mental problems, are an alcoholic or drug abuser, or just have no conscience, you may say, "Oh, it's not that big a deal." Really? Then please answer this: If it's not a big deal, why don't all the closers do the 2nd version of the above SAVE examples?
Rob Hurtt in his Sporting News column (or blog) says as follows: "I firmly believe that anyone who does baseball mock drafts in January/early February either knows their stuff or has a horrible sickness. I must have been drafting with the sickos then.
  • How else can you explain stud closers Billy Wagner and Mariano Rivera falling into the sixth round? One drafter claimed closers are overrated. He said he couldn't pass up hitters who would hit 35 homers... for a "one-category player."
(He could find a 35-save closer in the middle rounds, or maybe he would get lucky and add this year's J.J. Putz from the wire during the season).
  • I almost agree with him on one of those points. Saves, not closers, can be overrated. But that doesn't apply if you're looking at a stud reliever who also will post an ERA below 2.00. Those closers are not one-category guys, despite what some people think about the limited impact of 70-75 innings of relief.

Let's say your pitching staff, excluding your top closer, allows 520 runs in 1300 innings (3.60 ERA). With Mariano Rivera in 2006 (15 runs in 75 innings), that ERA drops to 3.50.

  • With Bobby Jenks (31 runs in 69.2 innings), it rises to 3.62. That's a difference of .12 points in ERA from just one spot. Is that overrated?
From Rob Hurtt's Sporting News blog, 2/6/07, "Who are you calling a one-category player?"

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Monday, February 05, 2007

Yuck

Media cafeterias flunk inspection, featuring vermin, bugs, lack of sanitary conditions, unwashed employees, etc. But you still think they know everything. Right. From RadarOnline, 2/5/07, via Romenesko/Poynter.org.
  • (These include, Newsweek, Bloomberg, CBS, Hearst, ABC, and media favorite Michael's on W 55th Street. OK, filth doesn't matter to you.)

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Asta 1990-2007 Posted by Picasa

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Deadspin's Leitch brings new life to sports media

"Will Leitch seems totally too nice for his line of work. He retains a Midwestern aw-shucks openness from his childhood in small-town Illinois and sports a full, boyish haircut of a type rarely seen in New York media circles. Leitch landed his present job almost as a fortuitous accident. Online powerhouse Gawker Media approached him about heading a (soon to fail) gambling blog.

"I actually don't like sports gambling. I think it's against the spirit of the game," he says. "I'm too dorky and corn-fed."

Instead he pitched the idea of a sports blog - which sits far outside the classic Gawker sweet spot of media, gossip, and tech - and somehow convinced them to do it. Deadspin launched in September 2005 and can now tally more than 100,000 visitors in a single day with one hit posting, despite a near-total lack of a promotional campaign."

From PR Week, 2/5/07, via Romenesko/Poynter.org

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For baseball bloggers looking for press credentials

Be encouraged--a US District Court has awarded 2 press credentials to Media Bloggers Association enabling them to cover the Libby trial in Washington, D.C. What if you're a baseball writer WHO'S BEEN REFUSED MEMBERSHIP IN THE BBWAA! This NPR story shows progress--it's entirely up to you if YOU RUN WITH THE BALL OR DROP IT:

"For the first time in the admittedly brief history of the blogosphere, the U.S. District Court in Washington has given the Media Bloggers Association two press credentials. A rotating cast of association members claims those seats each day, posting commentary about the trial.

In Place of Television

  • Bloggers are allowed to sit in the nearby press room and relay their posts via a wireless Internet connection. Given that no cameras, video, or audio equipment are allowed in the courtroom,
  • play-by-plays posted on some blogs offer an alternative perspective on the trial. The bloggers insist that the posts not be read as transcripts. After all, they're not court reporters. Instead, they call the updates "liveblogs.""
Following are the names of your pioneers: (From NPR.org, 2/3/07) Bloggers Credentialed to Cover the Trial: John Amato Crooks and Liars Kevin Aylward Wizbang! LaShawn Barber LaShawn Barber's Corner Weldon Berger BTC News Eric Brewer BTC News Lorie Bird Wizbang! Robert Cox Words In Edgewise Lance Dutson Maine Web Report Clarice Feldman Just One Minute Aldon Hynes Orient Lodge James Joyner Outside the Beltway Tom Maguire Just One Minute Jeralyn Merritt TalkLeft Rory O'Connor Media Is A Plural Kim Pearson Professor Kim's News Notes Matt Sheffield Dean's World Mark Tapscott Tapscott's Desk Copy Murray Waas Crooks and Liars Emptywheel Firedoglake VIA Romenesko/Poynter.org

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Jeff Erickson back on XM with Fantasy Focus

Jeff is back with his daily show at noon eastern and hosts Will Carroll today. Known for his work on assessing injuries and risks, points out heredity can be a factor in tissue injuries. Cites JD Drew as a possible example & would look at brother Stephen Drew to see if any familial correlation. (Jeff notes JD has had a number of fluke or bad luck type injuries as well). Both are high on Justin Verlander but say he has risk this year. Will: delivery mechanics, too many innings pitched, playoffs, and history of nagging arm problems. General rule, 50% of all pitchers will break down within 3 years, even with seemingly small things like blisters or sore thumbs. Jeff mentions XM Sports Nation has a fantasy baseball show on daily 3-4PM, which he's hosting for the next week or 2 in its regular host's absence. Great to hear Jeff's show again.

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Sunday, February 04, 2007

Nick Cafardo took the bait at the BBWAA dinner and ran with it

If you attended the NY chapter BBWAA dinner a week ago you were set up. Dan Graziano? As I've documented in detail here, he has nothing but contempt for the Yankees and their players. If you knew that, you'd be ready for another orchestrated, grasping scene contrived to elevate a Red Sox player who'd already settled into a different role than that which people like Graziano desperately hoped he'd achieve.
  • The misguided portrayal of the evening by Nick Cafardo in the Boston Globe shows how deep the BBWAA bias is. You must understand this group's only function today is to vote on awards and each of them weeps at the thought of this. Since many news organizations are no longer allowing their writers to vote, these guys are in a panic. What could possibly keep them alive, lend credibility? Only 1 thing--to have major teams involve BBWAA in contractual language with a team's star players, like the Red Sox did with Matsuzaka.
There's a whole list of contingencies in his contract based on BBWAA voting--and not just if the player wins or loses. His contract includes express language about compensation for a variety of voting levels in a couple of different awards.
  • Have you checked out Mariano Rivera or Derek Jeter's contract? According to Cot's MLB contracts in public domain, each of them mentions the following BBWAA award levels: ZERO. So, aside from various voter/writers' personal agendas, they're about to fall off a cliff, lose these votes which are more important than life to some of them.
  • And the Red Sox give them life. Not the Yankees. So do you think there's a tiny chance in this life or death scenario these guys might favor a Red Sox player, deify him if necessary (as I've also documented in detail on this blog)? In case you forgot:
  • JON PAPELBON WAS PLACED IN CERTAIN "SAVE" SITUATIONS, OR "OPPORTUNITIES," AS THE BASEBALL TONIGHT GUYS LIKE TO REFER TO THEM WHEN SPEAKING OF MARIANO RIVERA. (YOU DON'T HEAR THEM USE THE TERM OPPORTUNITIES UNLESS THEY'RE TRYING TO DIMINISH MARIANO RIVERA).
  • BARELY HALF WAY INTO HIS FIRST SEASON, PRESS AND BROADCAST SCREAMED PAPELBON COULD EASILY WIN THE CY YOUNG, MVP, AND ROY.
WHEN SPEAKING OF RIVERA'S COMPLETELY UNRIVALED PERFORMANCES OVER 12 YEARS, FACING THE TOUGHEST SITUATIONS, TOUGHEST BATTERS, GOING 2 AND 3 CONSECUTIVE INNINGS IN REGULAR AND POST SEASON, NOT TO MENTION GOING AN ENTIRE REGULAR SEASON OF 107 INNINGS ONLY GIVING UP 1 HR--IF THEY EVER SPOKE OF MO AT ALL, IT WAS BRIEFLY AND DISMISSIVELY, WITH THINGS LIKE WELL, HE'S ONLY A 1 INNING PITCHER--A LIE--OR HE'S ON A TEAM OF SLUGGERS OR RICH GUYS, OR JUST THE GOD-FORSAKEN YANKEES.
  • NEVER DID A MEDIA CAMPAIGN SAY MO SHOULD GET EVEN 1 OF THOSE PRIZES, YET, THEY WERE DYING--DYING--TO GIVE IT TO A NEW GUY AFTER 6 WEEKS, WHEN BATTERS HADN'T EVEN HAD MUCH CHANCE TO FACE HIM.
  • DO THE YANKEES OR YES NETWORK HELP MO'S CASE AT ALL? ABSOLUTELY NOT, THEY'RE NOT AT ALL TUNED IN TO THE BASEBALL MEDIA GUYS, WHEREAS IN BOSTON, MINNEAPOLIS AND A FEW OTHER PLACES, THEY ARE.
DOES MO ALSO HAVE A CRAPPY AGENT? ABSOLUTELY.
  • THE ONLY REASON MARIANO'S NAME IS MENTIONED NOW IS FOR THEM TO SAY PAPELBON OR JOE BLOW OR ANYONE, GOD PLEASE, SOMEONE BE BETTER THAN MO.
  • UNFORTUNATELY, PAPELBON BECAME INJURED WHILE HIS TEAM ATTEMPTED TO USE HIM IN THE WAY THE YANKEES USE MARIANO--MULTIPLE INNING APPEARANCES ON AN AS-NEEDED BASIS--AND THEY FEEL HE'S NO LONGER SUITED FOR LATE-INNING RELIEF. THE ANOINTING OF A VERY TALENTED KID AFTER ONLY A FEW WEEKS, MILLIONS OF DOLLARS OF PUBLICITY AIMED AT DEPOSING RIVERA,
  • WHEN NOTHING EVEN CLOSE TO THIS HAS EVER BEEN DONE FOR MO WAS AN ENORMOUS MEDIA CREATION, INVOLVING PARTIES WITH OVERLAPPING INTERESTS--THE BBWAA, ESPN, FOX, THE LARGEST INTERNET STATISTICAL ANALYSIS SITES, AND THE RED SOX.
  • THESE PEOPLE HAVE YET TO ADMIT FOR ONE SECOND THAT MARIANO WAS EVEN MARIANO, HAVE NEVER SAID HE WAS THE BEST.
  • NY BBWAA writers showing again as I've documented countless times, they'll go to any length to keep Mariano Rivera from getting the recognition he deserves.

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"Bullpens lead to Championships" (Rick getting up to speed)

Another guy completely asleep at the wheel, somnambulant, with wisps he's overheard here and there finally giving him the picture. He's still way behind, just realizing the story of 1996--10 years ago. This guy, Rick Freeman, says:

"In the old days, you knew a team which was forced to use its bullpen wasn't very good. A manager who had to make calls to his relief corps early and often obviously was afflicted with poor starting pitching and a losing team, as well.

That was borne out to some extent in 2006, as the top three teams in bullpen innings -- Kansas City, Washington and the Chicago Cubs -- brought up the rear of their respective divisions. Royals relievers pitched 40.5 percent of their team's innings, while the Cubs' pen pitched 39.1 percent and the Nationals' 38.8.

However, to perhaps amplify how much the game has changed,"

  • What is it, Rick, that caused this "change" which you peg to 1996 and continues through today, 2/4/07, more than 10 YEARS? YOU AND YOUR PALS WILL NEVER SAY IT, BECAUSE HIS TEAM DIDN'T WRITE A CLAUSE ABOUT BBWAA AWARDS IN HIS CONTRACT UNLIKE OTHER TEAMS SUCH AS BOSTON, MINNESOTA, LA ANGELS, ETC. AND WITHOUT AWARDS, WHAT ARE YOU GUYS, RICK? Getting back to your article in the Trenton Times,

"five of the next seven ranked teams in bullpen innings are clubs which reached the postseason in 2006. The Mets bullpen ranked fourth, getting 1,628 (37.1 percent) of the team's 4,384 outs. The Dodgers, Yankees, Minnesota, San Diego and St. Louis all had percentages higher than 34 percent of their outs coming from relief arms.

  • One of the transaction areas an astute observer will look at when evaluating his or her favorite team's offseason moves is how the "bridge" is built from a starting pitcher to the closer. It was often said of Joe Torre's Yankees team a few years ago that they made it a six-inning game -- if the opposition couldn't get the lead after six innings, the game was over, because Torre, in 1996, would run in Jeff Nelson and Mariano Rivera to get to closer John Wetteland. Beginning the next season, when Rivera was moved to the back of the bullpen, Mike Stanton and Ramiro Mendoza were added to the mix, making the Yankees even more formidable"

Rick, I must tear myself away fron your teaching, your wisdom. RIVERA BECAME BOTH THE CLOSER AND THE SET UP MAN BLAZING A NEW ERA IN LATE INNING RELIEF. SOME PEOPLE KNOW THIS, AND HAVE STARTED HIRING AND USING THEIR GUYS IN A SIMILAR WAY. YOU MAY HAVE HEARD OF BJ RYAN, FRANKIE RODRIGUEZ, BILLIE WAGNER, KEITH FOULKE, JON PAPELBON, ETC. SOMETIMES THESE OTHER GUYS DON'T MAKE IT, BUT THEY TRY. Back to your cave, Rick:

  • The Mets last year used the same formula, getting serviceable innings from a starting pitcher and then running in a lights-out setup contingent which led to closer Billy Wagner. The importance the brain trust put in the bullpen was demonstrated near the end of spring training, when it was decided that Aaron Heilman, who most believe would be a better-than-average major-league starter, was slotted into a setup role in order to strengthen the bridge to Wagner."

(Rick doesn't mention specifically how Wagner was used--)

"The Twins had perhaps the best bullpen in baseball last year, with situational pitchers -- lefty Dennys Reyes (0.89 ERA) and right-hander Joe Neshek (2.19) -- leading to hard-throwing setup men -- Juan Rincon (2.91) and Jesse Crain (3.52) -- leading to the closer -- Joe Nathan (36 saves, 1.58 ERA). It may be blasphemous, but there are some baseball people who believe Nathan has surpassed Rivera as the best closer in the game today."

  • Blasphemous? Who ever said Rivera was the best closer in the game today? He's never come close to winning a BBWAA award in 12 consecutive regular seasons AND 12 CONSECUTIVE POST SEASONS WHICH YOU AND YOUR PALS IGNORE. ESPN DOES NOTHING BUT MINIMIZE RIVERA AND ELEVATE ANYONE ELSE THEY CAN, SO WHY WOULD YOU OR ANYONE ELSE THINK RIVERA WAS ANYTHING SPECIAL? AND WHY DON'T YOU EXPAND ON YOUR OMINOUS STATEMENT ABOUT "SOME BASEBALL PEOPLE." WHO EXACTLY IS A 'BASEBALL PERSON?' GIVE ME A FREEKING BREAK, FOR GOD'S SAKE. YOU AND YOUR SECRET, ALL KNOWING "BASEBALL PEOPLE"--IF THEY EXIST--ARE SMALL-MINDED, AGENDA DRIVEN POLITICIANS. PLEASE. Now, time for all of us dumb bastards to get back to the wisdom of Rick Freeman:

"Detroit's surprising success last year had much to do with new manager Jim Leyland, but also plenty of credit has to go the bullpen, where smoke-throwers Joel Zumaya and Fernando Rodney paved the way to Todd Jones, whose, shall we say, softer approach was a tough-to-adjust-to dilemma for hitters.

  • St. Louis, as we all remember, made a memorable postseason run in large part because of a bullpen which allowed one earned run in 29 innings. The Cardinals have Albert Pujols and a wonderful defense, but the ability to get the last 9-12 outs unscathed is the difference between hoisting the championship trophy and waiting until next year."
WOW, YOU'RE A GENIUS, FREEMAN. MAYBE YOU'LL GET INTO THE WRITERS WING OF THE HOF FOR GOD'S SAKE.

"For a high-octane bullpen, look no further than the south side of Chicago, where the White Sox fea ture power arms like right-handers Bobby Jenks, Mike MacDougal and David Aardsma, and southpaws Matt Thornton and Andrew Sisco. The Sox won the World Series in 2005 with a bullpen in which every member threw gas; the Sox are going with that formula again.

An underrated bullpen to watch this year is in Milwaukee, where closer Francisco Cordero is fronted by mid-90s throwers Jose Capellan and Derrick Turnbow, and specialists Matt Wise and Brian Shouse. The Mets feel they've improved their pen with the addition of lefty Scott Schoeneweis and hard- throwing but erratic Ambiorix Burgos, while Atlanta, as noted here two weeks ago, vastly improved their bridge to closer Bob Wickman by adding power arms Mike Gon zalez and Rafael Soriano. The Angels strengthened their bullpen by acquiring Justin Speier, who teamed with Scot Shields will be excellent setup men for closer Francisco Rodriguez.

Meanwhile, would-be contend ers like the Phillies (who may use one of their excess starters to obtain a veteran setup man), Boston (no proven closer) and Cleveland (not a hard thrower in the bunch) look solid everywhere but in the bullpen. Surviving today without relief is a pretty treacherous road.

  • These aren't the old days anymore."
  • Hey, Rickie, you're AT THE BEGINNING OF A LEARNING CURVE. WELCOME ABOARD. Beyond that, you show all the signs of a hack--that's as polite as I can be about you people.
From Trenton Times article by Rick Freeman, 2/4/07, "Building Bridges to Championships," via NJ.com.

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Saturday, February 03, 2007

"Super Bowl Is a Passage to the Joys of Baseball."--NY Times ("Clemens is the 1st robin of spring.")

George Vecsey--the best when he's talking about baseball (just avoid him when he strays to globalist NY Times weepy boilerplate). He says what I'm thinking: this 2-week intravenous drip of nothingness called the Super Bowl is over in 1 more day which means: BASEBALL!!! Mr. Vecsey:
  • "As this Arctic blast bears down on us, everybody has different dates circled on the calendar for the warmer months — April 8: “The Sopranos” begins its final season. Somebody gets whacked. July 21: The final Harry Potter book is published. Somebody gets whacked. April 6: Mets at Braves. We will gather at my family’s Southern outpost and buy a bunch of seats in the grandstand and talk about Lenny Dykstra and Tommie Agee, and observe the locals with their quaint hand-chopping ritual."

(Ain't that the truth. GUESS WHO'S THE 'FIRST ROBIN OF SPRING?' CLEMENS!)

"Meantime, I can already hear the first robin of spring, Roger Clemens, warming up down in Houston, waiting to auction himself to the richest contender. It’s nice that the old feller can wait until June for baseball, but what about the rest of us?"

  • Now, Bernie...

"A lot of baseball fans (pro-Yankees, anti-Yankees or just astute human beings) are upset at the precarious status of Bernie Williams, who has reportedly been offered a minor league contract. Williams is a top 10 in most categories in Yankees records, but he will surely be stuck in an awkward feng shui in spring training." (!)

"Bernie doesn’t run the bases or play the outfield as well as some kids making the minimum salary. In this age of specialists, the Yankees are going with 12 pitchers,

  • leaving no room for National League-style pinch-hitters and double-switch substitutes.

Bernie does not want to go to the Pittsburghs and the Tampa Bays, the Last Chance Saloons of baseball. This can only be uncomfortable."

  • Mr. Vecsey will watch the Super Bowl, saying, "Got to do something until pitchers and catchers report."

(One more day).sm

  • Items from the NY Times article by George Vecsey, 2/4/07, "The Super Bowl is a Passage to the Joys of Baseball." (I believe you have to subscribe to the Times to get the whole article).

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