What should be of greater concern

Rob Dibble discussing how players have the perceptions they do, case in point, Manny Ramirez. Dibble says,

• the newspapers are terrified of offending management.

(Meaning team management, in Manny's case, the Red Sox owners/management). He cites treatment of other players such as Clemens, Mo Vaughn, Nomar, Pedro and Damon, how their perception became what the team wanted it to be. Not to say some or much of it wasn't true, but was driven by the team. Dibble's comments at about 3:32 pm today on XM.

• Dibble has alluded to this fear before.

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Scenes from a marriage

Bottom photo from beloblogs

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Tim Marchman likes the Ivan Rodriguez addition

• Tim Marchman thinks Ivan Rodriguez is someone worth seeing.

"There are some things in baseball that you can't appreciate until you've seen them up close, some of them the sorts of things you know you'll tell your grandchildren about.

• Once you've seen the speed and violence of the break on Mariano Rivera's cutter or the level force of Albert Pujols's swing from field level, you get a visceral sense for just how hard baseball is that nothing else can give you.

• Watching Ivan Rodriguez warm up his arm before a game, literally snapping off fastballs in the eighties flat-footed, is one of those things.

As much as Rivera, Pujols, Greg Maddux, or Alex Rodriguez, Pudge is an outright freak. And even nearer the end than the beginning of his career, it's always a privilege to watch him play."...

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Marlins TV guys are easy to listen to

I happened to hear them a bit tonight on FSN for Mets-Marlins, Rich and Tommy I think, and they sound very likable. They spoke a bit about what a new stadium would be like, that the current one seats 70,000 people so is never going to be a good scene for baseball. And of course the retractable roof. Listening to these guys, I wish they'd hurry up and do it. The only problem is, MLB doesn't just deal in stadiums, it deals in city, state, and federal politicians.

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MLB umpires have carbon emissions per greenmail shakedown thugs

• Umpires actually have carbon emissions--that were "offset" by a Seattle Mariners carbon offset purchase according to an MLB press release (4/22/08) on Earth Day. For that game, cited were:
• "Hotel-related emissions for the Orioles and the umpires;"

• But Florida found 80% of a global warming/climate change "fund" was being wasted. (Miami Herald, 7/30/08) and RenewableEnergyWorld.com, 8/5/08

Under the guise of saving the planet, 80% of the money went for administration or was totally unaccounted for. The global warming business has layers of advisory and marketing companies which can be resistant to accountability (as in this case). Nevertheless, MLB is very involved with it, and the Florida Marlins even had a "carbon neutral game." But today came news that a big deal Florida geen fund associated with Green Mountain Energy (a 'marketing firm') has been a scam:

• (Miami Herald, 7/30/08): "For almost five years, Florida Power & Light trumpeted green energy, saying customers could help the environment by contributing as little as $9.75 a month to buy renewable power.

...In April, the U.S. Department of Energy called the program, Sunshine Energy, one of the top 10 residential green power programs in the country.

• On Tuesday, angry state regulators killed the program by a unanimous vote after a Public Service Commission staff

• audit found that about 80 percent of the contributions went for marketing and other administrative expenses.

The staff reported that about $1.8 million of the $9.6 million FPL customers contributed over a four-year span went to purchase renewable energy."...

• The program started in 2004. Since then, FPL kept about $1 million to administer the program

• and passed the rest along to a subcontractor, Texas-based

Green Mountain Energy, to purchase renewable energy.

• No Transparency

For about a year, PSC staffers have tried to get detailed information about how Green Mountain spent the money. The staff estimated about

• 80 percent went for nonenergy expenses.

Its report noted that FPL told the staff 75 percent of the money went for program management, marketing and administration,

• but the staff said it had a hard time proving

• where the money actually went."...(see also RenewableEnergyWorld.com story, 8/5/08)

Re: Green Mountain Energy and Native Energy share founder:

• (From 10/1/07 Human Events): "...the founder of Native Energy, energy industry veteran Tom Boucher, also founded a marketing company called

• Green Mountain Energy,

a CCX associate partner that describes itself as "the nation's leading retail provider of cleaner energy and carbon-offset solutions. Green Mountain offers residential, business, institutional and governmental customers an easy way to purchase cleaner, affordable electricity products, as well as

• the opportunity to offset their carbon footprint."

In other words, Green Mountain sells advisory services to energy users, alerting them to

• opportunities to contribute to or invest

• in groups like Native Energy."...

Native Energy, known to MLB as the Seattle Mariners purchased some "carbon offsets" from them. MLB.com press release on "Earth Day:"

• (4/22/08): "More than 230 short tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) pollution will be generated from these energy-use activities. To offset the impact of these emissions, the Mariners will purchase

• high-quality carbon offsets from NativeEnergy,

a leading carbon offsets company that helps build and support new renewable energy projects, and 58,000 kWh of "green power" credits from the Seattle City Light Green Up program. This is part of a much broader overall initiative, all posted on the club's Web site."

• The problem, as seen in the Florida P&L article, is no one knows where the money is going. If and when they're able to find out, the money can be wasted and gone. (sm)

• NativeEnergy has worked closely with Al Gore and his movie according to their report from Indian Country, 1/3/07:

"CANASTOTA, N.Y. - A privately held American Indian energy company has teamed up with Al Gore in delivering the former vice president's message of global warming to millions of people around the world.

• NativeEnergy has been majority-owned by the Intertribal Council on Utility Policy since 2005. NativeEnergy, Participant Productions and Paramount Pictures Classics were able to offset 100 percent of the carbon dioxide pollution from air and ground travel, production energy use, associated with the making of
• ''An Inconvenient Truth,'' according the NativeEnergy Web site.

NativeEnergy, whose logo can be found on the back of

• the recently released ''An Inconvenient Truth'' DVD,"...

NativeEnergy also boasts celebrity raw sewage dumper the Dave Matthews Band on their client list. (NativeWind.org). 9/15/05.

• The headline in the Chicago Tribune about the environmental crime says "the bus driver" of the Dave Matthews band dumped 800 pounds of human waste onto boat passengers and into a river. Near the end of the article it notes the driver had been a long-time employee of the band, and they were sorry "one of our buses was involved" in such a thing.

It was the Dave Matthews band's responsibility and judgment that was "involved" in this heinous act. Their guy also denied it at first, and

• only admitted the truth when video evidence emerged showing the crime.

The Dave Matthews band gets no more chances, no more pr after this display.

• More evidence that saying you are "Green" doesn't make you better, or even "progressive:"

• The company that supplied all generator power for the Live Earth Concert in July 2007 was fined for pouring poisonous chemicals in a river killing much animal life.
• The company Bio Tech Oils UK had previously won awards.

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Mark Cuban complimented by David Stern

Not that it will make a difference to Allan H. Selig and 23 of 30 owners, but when asked his views on Mark Cuban as a potential MLB owner, David Stern said in an e-mail message,

• "They should welcome him."

Bloomberg report.

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Phil Hendrie on Michael Savage

Phil notes it's not a bad idea to have discussion of a condition such as autism and the lack of uniform diagnostic standards. The main point however is:

• The group going after Michael Savage doesn't care about autism, they're only interested in making trouble for him because they don't like his political views. They want to get Savage off the air for political reasons.

(ie They state on their site they target 'conservatives' and name certain radio hosts. They don't state that they advocate misdiagnosed diseases or improperly prescribed drugs. It's years too late to claim at this late date that they do so). sm

• Phil: They tape his show and pick it apart like neo-Nazis, essentially libeling him.

This wealthy tax-free emailing group is Media Matters for America. If you're inclined to be convinced by hateful email mobs, this one's for you. They succeed by reaching people who are vulnerable to emotional response without much looking into the facts. I happen to know about mobs. One closed down my college in 1970 and I spent 6 weeks sitting on the grass with my friends. I never asked questions about it. Between then and now, I decided not to be passive.

• P.S. Regular listeners to Phil Hendrie's show know he is a longtime liberal democrat. I'm aware Hendrie and Savage have the same syndicator.

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Delgado will never shed reputation as a Dog

Marty Noble with Charley Steiner today said some people he knew thought Delgado deliberately dogged it while Willie Randolph was there. Examples such as not attempting to field a ball a few feet away from him, etc. This of course was in full view of the average person as you saw the guy standing still, refusing to even bend half way to get a ball rolling by, keeping his uniform spotless, chatting and smiling nonchalantly with an opposing team's runner at first base while fans were desperate to win the game. I also remember Delgado refusing to let Toronto trade him near the end of his contract when it would've helped them a lot and cost him nothing.

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Not generally attributed to Trent Lott

(NY Times, 6/14/07): "The Republican whip, Trent Lott of Mississippi, who supports the bill, said:

• “Talk radio is running America. We have to deal with

• that problem.”

At some point, Mr. Lott said, Senate Republican leaders may try to rein in “younger guys who are huffing and puffing against the bill.”

• (How pathetic, how detached. With all the money and power in the world, with the NY Times, ABC, CBS, NBC, CNN, MSNBC, Fox, etc. at his feet, he blames the relatively tiny world of talk radio). sm

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Doesn't expect D'back TV guys to go as far as calling balls and strikes, but...

(East Valley Tribune): "The mute button on my remote control generally is reserved for commercials, local news reporters who hyperventilate at the first sight of rain...

• Last week, however, I did something I rarely ever do when watching a game. I silenced the broadcasters.

The occasion was last Wednesday’s contest between the Diamondbacks and Chicago Cubs at Chase Field. Now, I’m not one who hates the broadcast team of Daron Sutton and Mark Grace. Nor am I president of their fan club....

• It was early in the Cubs-Diamondbacks game. The third inning, I believe. Anyway, Sutton and Grace were on one of their jags when they’re focused more on fans and signs than they are on the game.

Normally, the diversion lasts for a couple of minutes or so. But not this time.

They prattled on ceaselessly, it seemed, about the fans in the Redheads section — a promotional stunt started by Sutton and Grace earlier this season. Every other camera shot was of a fan holding up a sign or showing off his red wig.

• Pre-and post-game host Todd Walsh got into the act, interviewing fans in the section.

The game became so secondary that when Diamondbacks outfielder Chris Burke came to bat it took Sutton three pitches before he identified who was at the plate....

• To be fair, Sutton and Grace aren’t doing anything the Diamondbacks don’t want them to. The organization is in constant sell mode; the broadcasters are simply doing their part....

I’m not asking for Sutton and Grace to start calling out every ball and strike. They aren’t doing

• a radio broadcast.

But it would be nice if they’d spend more time talking about the players and less time about the Redheads."...

• (Moral of the story: Baseball is best on radio). sm

via BTF

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"A Digital Brushfire"--Wall St. Journal describes, 4/13/07

• For those who missed it, a passive public silently allowed a political group to take away its voice and culture--under the guise of tolerance and compassion. (The idea that someone should lose a job under these circumstances is of course insane). From the Wall Street Journal, 4/13/07 (which I originally posted at that time. KEY: An apology "made the story explode.")

"Behind the Fall of Imus, A Digital Brushfire

In a Blur, Watchdogs, Blogs, Email, Spur Radio Host's Firing

April 13, 2007

• "At 6:14 a.m. on Wednesday, April 4, relatively few people were tuned into the "Imus in the Morning Show" when Don Imus referred to the Rutgers women's basketball team as "nappy-headed ho's."

• Ryan Chiachiere was. A 26-year-old researcher in Washington, D.C., for liberal watchdog organization

• Media Matters for America, he was assigned to monitor Mr. Imus's program.

• Mr. Chiachiere clipped the video, alerted his bosses and started working on a blog post for the organization's Web site.

Yesterday, after eight days of dizzying activity, CBS pulled the plug on Mr. Imus's hugely successful radio show. One day earlier, MSNBC had canceled its broadcast of the show on cable TV. CBS had originally suspended Mr. Imus for two weeks, but succumbed amid an escalating national outcry and an exodus of big advertisers. "All of us have been deeply upset and revulsed by the statements that were made on our air," CBS Corp. CEO Leslie Moonves said yesterday in a written statement.

Mr. Imus, who didn't respond to repeated calls seeking comment, had for years been making outrageous and frequently crude remarks about risky subjects such as race, sex and gender, a style that millions of listeners had embraced. The media executives and advertisers profiting from Mr. Imus's popularity stood by him as protests occasionally surfaced. They usually subsided after a few days....

The group (Media Matters for America) is a Web-based nonprofit organization devoted to monitoring "conservative misinformation" in print, broadcast, cable, radio and Internet media outlets. It frequently complains about Rush Limbaugh and Bill O'Reilly. Although the Imus show isn't generally considered conservative, some of its guests are.

(NBC News President Steve) Capus called an emergency meeting with MSNBC's management team, the producers for the TV version of "Imus in the Morning" and the head of public relations for NBC News. Among other decisions, Mr. Capus asked his PR team to draft a statement apologizing on behalf of MSNBC but clearly pointing out that "Imus in the Morning" was a CBS Radio production. MSNBC and NBC are owned by General Electric Co.'s NBC Universal....

Friday morning, there was again scant mention of Mr. Imus's travails in the newspapers, although TV stations were beginning to pick up the story. Mr. Imus began his program, at 6:06 a.m., with an on-air apology. People close to Mr. Imus say he felt pressured to apologize by NBC and CBS executives. He also realized he needed to try to defuse the brewing storm.

• "Want to take a moment to apologize for an insensitive and ill-conceived remark," he said. "Our characterization was thoughtless and stupid, and we're sorry."

• It was Good Friday and many people already were off for the holiday weekend. News was supposed to slow to a crawl for several days.

• Instead, the apology made the story explode....
  • Mr. Imus's problems were compounded by a power vacuum at CBS Radio, which produced his show....

  Other controversial radio hosts have gravitated to satellite, where there are fewer rules governing on-air standards....

• From the Wall StreetJournal By BROOKS BARNES, EMILY STEEL and SARAH MCBRIDE

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Utay group among 5 Cubs bidders, Hindery part of his group

(Reuters) - "Marc Utay, a managing partner with New York-based private equity firm Clarion Capital Partners LLC, is leading one of the groups bidding for the Chicago Cubs baseball team, two sources briefed on the matter said on Tuesday.

• Utay leads the group that includes media investor Leo Hindery, said the two sources, who asked not to be identified because the sale process is ongoing."...

In a 1/6/08 Huffington Post article about Hindery's work with the John Edwards campaign, reference is made to his tenure at the Global Crossing Company.

• The New York Times notes Hindery was a founding donor to David Brock's Media Matters for America, the group that targeted Don Imus and is now focusing on radio host Michael Savage.
• (NY Times, 5/3/04): "Among Mr. Brock's donors is Leo Hindery Jr., the former cable magnate,"...

Affirming his faith in Media Matters for America, Hindery is quoted on 10/4/07 in NationalReview.com:

• "Leo Hindery Jr., a cable-television executive who contributes to Democratic causes, says he sees Media Matters as part of a coordinated action on the left. “I thought this was a piece of the puzzle,” Hindery says."

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9.6 billion fewer miles driven in May

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - "Soaring gasoline prices and a weak economy combined in May to reduce the number of highway miles traveled during the month by a record 3.7 percent, the U.S. Transportation Department said on Monday.

• The 9.6 billion miles less traveled was the biggest drop ever for any May, when traffic usually increases due to the Memorial Day holiday and the beginning of summer vacations."...

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The MLB Players Union needs Marvin Miller even today

Important 2 part series published on Dugout Central about Marvin Miller and what is really going on in today's MLBPA. Part 1, "Marvin Miller-Hall of Fame Shut-Out." They refer to a "conservative cabal" that controls the Hall of Fame. The word "conservative" is polite, but doesn't convey the emotion it must have taken to drastically restructure and handpick the voters to achieve a desired result.

• Marvin Miller himself accurately compared this behavior with a 2 bit dictator in a Banana Republic.

From everything I've read, it's a foregone conclusion Miller will never get in. The 2nd part of the series is: outlining the best way for selected individuals to lobby Marvin Miller's case for inclusion in the Hall. Tom Seaver was cited as an important player who thought Miller's exclusion was a "disgrace."

• Seaver was in the news recently for failing to show up at the All Star game in New York. I don't know if he's enough of a leader, ie someone who could organize and motivate a group to dethrone the influence of Bud Selig and Jerry Reinsdorf. (The article doesn't describe the job that way, but that's what it would entail).

One would need a strong stomach to go against them, need to be a risk taker, perhaps give up a lot of comfort. From my observations, no one related to baseball wants to do that. In other words, they are afraid.

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The absolute final straw--the PC Richards Whistle

I've been hearing the PC Richards whistle played from the stadium during games as I listen to Yankee radio (not related to a commercial). This particular whistle is annoying enough in the commercial, but having it play throughout the game at the stadium doubles my resolve to never go to another Yankee game. I found one other Yankee blog mentioning this intrusive whistle (I understand it's about money):

• Tuesday, July 22, 2008, Complete and Total Bisch blog

"Also, why does the scoreboard crew keep playing the

• whistling sound from the PC Richard's commercial when someone makes an out (I think it's during strikeouts,

but I'm not really paying attention since I'm eye deep in the novel)? Did I miss a sponsorship or something?"

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Need a catcher? Mariners commenter suggests one.

On news of Posada being out for the season, a Mariners fan on SportingNews.com,

• "take johjima, please!

racerscott on Mon Jul 28, 2008 07:31 pm

first off, here's hoping for a speedy recovery to jorge posada, a class player (can't believe i wrote something nice about the yankees!!!).

• secondly, new york, as a mariner fan, i ask you to help rid us of another stumbling player....kenji johjima. any offer accepted!

thanks for taking sexson so the front office wouldn't have had second thoughts and re-activated him"

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Bob DuPuy, Jerry Reinsdorf, Phil Niekro named Directors of Hall of Fame Board

(Bob DuPuy moves up the ladder)...(MLB.com) "At the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum's annual Board of Directors meeting on July 26, Bob DuPuy, Phil Niekro and Jerry Reinsdorf were elected to the Board, bringing the total number of directors to 18...

• Bob DuPuy is President and Chief Operating Officer of Major League Baseball, a position he has held since March 2002. DuPuy is responsible for all phases of

• baseball's Central Offices, including licensing, sponsorship, international, broadcasting, publishing, marketing, public relations, government relations, baseball operations, legal affairs, finance, baseball's internet operations and the labor relations committee.

Phil Niekro was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1997, following a 24-year career as a major league pitcher, spent mostly with the Atlanta Braves. Named for his prowess with the knuckleball pitch, "Knucksie" recorded 318 wins and 3,342 strikeouts, pitching for the Milwaukee Braves (1964-'65), Atlanta Braves (1966-'83, 1987), New York Yankees (1984-'85), Cleveland Indians (1986-'87) and Toronto Blue Jays (1987).

• Jerry Reinsdorf is Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Chicago White Sox. Since heading the limited partnership that purchased the White Sox in January 1981, Reinsdorf has been involved in Major League Baseball initiatives at an industry-wide level,

• as a member of the Executive Council, a past chairman of baseball's Ownership Committee and as a former member of the Player Relations Committee.

• Reinsdorf also serves as Chairman of the Chicago Bulls."

Other members of the Board in addition to Chairman Jane Forbes Clark:

• (MLB.com): "Vice Chairman Joe Morgan, along with four other Hall of Fame players including Robin Roberts, Brooks Robinson, Frank Robinson and Tom Seaver. Major League Baseball Commissioner Allan H. "Bud" Selig, major league owners Bill DeWitt Jr. (St. Louis), David Glass (Kansas City) and George Steinbrenner, former American League President and Hall of Fame executive Lee MacPhail, former MLB President Paul Beeston, minor league owner Bill Gladstone (Tri-City Valley Cats), Kevin Moore, president of the Clark Estates, Inc. and former Hall of Fame Chairman Ed Stack round out the list of Directors."...

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Baseball's 1922 Anti-Trust Exemption makes Sam Zell just conversation

(ChicagoSports): "Yet (Sam) Zell has to conduct the auction knowing that MLB's owners have the final say in approving the transaction.

• Unlike other sports,

• baseball can block sales and franchise moves because of a

• unique antitrust exemption created by the U.S. Supreme Court in 1922....

The Cubs, one of baseball's flagship franchises and also one of its most financially valuable despite its losing ways, won't be unloaded to just any wealthy individual, said Steve Stone, the former Cubs and current Chicago White Sox broadcaster....

• It also doesn't hurt if the new owner already has Selig's phone number
• on speed dial, Stone said.

Even if that individual or group is not the highest bidder. The winning bidder for the Boston Red Sox in 2002 was a group led by John Henry, who owned the Florida Marlins. His group included Tom Werner, a former owner of the San Diego Padres, and Larry Lucchino, former president of the Padres and Baltimore Orioles.

• Their $700 million offer was $90 million less than a rival offer, leading to accusations from the Massachusetts attorney general that the sale was rigged....

Three deals after the Red Sox sale also involved well-connected individuals. California real estate developer

• Lewis Wolff, who bought the Oakland Athletics in 2005, went to the University of Wisconsin

• with Selig where they were

• fraternity brothers.

In 2006, Cincinnati businessman Robert Castellini led a group that purchased control of his hometown team, the Reds. Castellini had previously been part of the St. Louis Cardinals' ownership group.

• That same year, the Washington Nationals were sold to Theodore Lerner, a prominent real-estate developer in the Washington, D.C., area. (Who) received a boost when Stan Kasten, the former president of the Atlanta Braves, joined his ownership group."...

From Chicago Tribune, 7/6/08

• (It's impossible to believe the 1922 exemption intended to protect what's going on today. Unfortunately, Doug Pappas is no longer living. When he was alive, one could actually imagine the exemption would be repealed someday (at least I could by reading his work). That is no longer the case). sm

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On Goose Gossage Hall of Fame day, MLB.com, AP, Fox Sports, and Newsday leave out his post season and all star stats

MLB.com: "Rich "Goose" Gossage. Gossage, who saved

• 310 games and won 124 during his 22-year career,"...

• Gossage actually 'saved' 318 games and Won 126 during his career.

He also had 1 All Star 'save.' I've yet to see MLB.com get the number right.

• Another example on 1/4/08.

From the AP, 7/27/08 by William Kates, around the world: "his 310 career saves,...with a 124-107 record..."

• Not according to Baseball-Reference. He had 318 saves. Gossage probably wouldn't like being cheated out of part of his Hall of Fame career.

UPDATE: Add FOXsports.com to the list, article by Tracy Rongolsby

• ALSO IGNORES GOSSAGE'S POST SEASON CAREER, listing his TOTAL SAVES as 310 ignoring his 8 post season saves. No media accounts so far today have it correct.

"on the all-time saves list, at the time of his retirement his 310 saves ranked fourth."...

• Update #2: Add Newsday to the list, article by Jim Baumbach:

"Gossage compiled 310 saves and posted a 3.01 ERA during his 22-year career."...

• Baseball Reference says he had 8 more 'saves' in his 31.1 post season innings. For a total in his '22 year career' of 318.

So far, baseball media are batting 1000 in eradicating the existence or importance of Gossage's Hall of Fame post season effort.

• Update to commenter Mark: I'm very well aware that certain things have become customary over time and of the 'penalizing' rationale. It is inaccurate and also penalizes players to ignore their record of work in Hall of Fame evaluation. It is of course not so big an issue if a player did perform in post season and all star but didn't have very good stats. I understand that the term 'career' refers only to regular season stats. I will continue to take note of these practices.

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Moral superiority in the dark

Greenpeace is lately bothering the Washington Nationals. A reporter from the Calgary Sun wonders:

• "How many Greenpeace activists does it take to change a light bulb?

• None.

• They'd rather sit around in the dark feeling morally superior."

Which is what NBC/GE did in November 2007 when in lectured us while deliberately going dark in their studios.

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Zell vs Selig: Zell may like highest bidder, but Selig doesn't run a democracy.

Crain's Chicago Business, 7/27/08: "In 2002, the Boston Red Sox sold to the third-highest bidder for $700 million (still an MLB record)

• in a deal critics claim was orchestrated by the league.

• The highest bid was $790 million.

In 1980, league owners shot down real estate developer Eddie DeBartolo's bid for the White Sox under pressure from then-MLB Commissioner Bowie Kuhn,

• clearing the way for current owner Jerry Reinsdorf.

• (Mr. Reinsdorf, who also owns the Bulls,

• voted against Mr. Cuban joining the ranks of NBA owners.)"

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Former Yankee TJ Beam pitches his case as Pirates reliever

(MLB.com): "Beam has caught the attention of Pirates manager John Russell.

• "Beam has done great," Russell said. "He really, really saved us on Saturday night and the great thing about him is he was very efficient -- four innings and less than 40 pitches --...

• With the recent trade of Damaso Marte to the Yankees, Beam sees an opportunity and hopes to seize it.

"When you lose a top pitcher like Marte, things are shaken up in the bullpen and you really put yourself in an opportunity to win a spot in the bullpen," Beam said. "The other side is you really want to show that the confidence of the coaching staff and the management is warranted."...

• TJ Beam, Baseball Reference; drafted in 2003 by the Yankees

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Great job, Andy

Pettitte in Fenway 7/26/08, 3rd inning, waiting for ball to be thrown back. photo by Newsday

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GREENPEACE OBJECTS TO EXXON-MOBIL BASEBALL ASSOCIATION

Simply because Exxon-Mobil hadn't lived up to Greenpeace standards in supporting

• MAN MADE GLOBAL WARMING.

Oops, sorry. They changed the language to man-made "climate change."

• NY Times: "The research director for Greenpeace, Kert Davies, said the oil company(Exxon-Mobil) had spent more than $20 million in the past decade to finance groups that question links between human activity and climate change, a strategy the company began moving away from in the past two years."...

(There is so much big money in 'green' business boondoggles, it easily controls the discourse on the subject). sm

• (Canadian Free Press): "The sooner people wake up to the non-science of ‘global warming’ and ‘oil is a fossil fuel’ and ‘burning coal and oil is an environmental sin’, the better off we and our children and our children’s children will be.....

If the US switched from being a net consumer in the world oil market to becoming a net supplier, the price of oil would plunge, perhaps to around $US30 per barrel, with the result that the world’s economies would boom as never before.

• Most importantly, people would have confidence to invest in their futures, safe in the knowledge that oil would never run out. An extra bonus would be that the US military-industrial-political complex would no longer feel the need to use military force to control the Middle East’s oil supplies, and neither would any other world power."

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Environmentalists clash with Washington Nationals over Oil Co. ads

• (I expected the oil company to be Citgo, but it was Exxon-Mobil. CITGO has been enshrined in the Baseball Hall of Fame since 2006).

(NY Times): "When the Washington Nationals’ season opened in March, the team unveiled a stadium any environmentalist could love —

• the country’s first certified green major professional sports stadium, with energy-conserving lights and water-conserving plumbing.

Now, the team is the focus of protests from environmentalists who say their issue is not with the stadium, but with the Nationals’ advertising relationship with the oil giant ExxonMobil.

• The company’s logo appears prominently on the left-field wall and is frequently featured on the stadium’s scoreboard.

Despite the stadium’s recognition for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design by the U.S. Green Building Council, ExxonMobil’s involvement has erased any good will, say the leaders of Strike Out Exxon, a combination of environmental, civic and religious groups.

• The groups want the Nationals to end their advertising arrangement with the company."...

From NY Times by Bernie Becker, 7/27/08

• P.S. Some recognition of MLB man-made global warming/climate change window dressing. (sm)

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Yankee fans evident in Fenway-Madonna seascape

Seen during an A-rod at-bat Friday night, 7/25/08. photo by Newsday.

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Dig this guy

(NY Times): "(Jarrod) Washburn told The Seattle Times on Saturday that he had discussed with his agent, Scott Boras, what he would want in exchange for waiving his no-trade clause."...

• (On top of the $14 million he's owed through next season, according to the article).

(NY Times): "The Yankees have made it clear they will not give Washburn a bonus, putting that burden on Seattle.

• As of Saturday night, Cashman had not discussed trade parameters with the Mariners. But that could change if the Yankees want Washburn in time to start Sunday night. For now, he is scheduled to start for the Mariners in Toronto on Sunday afternoon."...

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Warner Wolf chooses Imus over Mike & Mike--Neil Best

Imus made a reference to ESPN 1050's AM drive team with which their program director took issue. Warner Wolf had been doing sports reports for ESPN 1050AM in New York and for the Imus program and was asked to choose one:

• (Neil Best): "Warner Wolf, who since December has been doing sports reports for both 1050 ESPN and Don Imus on WABC,
• has left 1050 on weekday mornings effective Monday after being asked by ESPN to choose between the jobs."

Mr. Best reports Wolf will continue his Saturday morning ESPN 1050.

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Cubs final bidders may include Hindery-Chicago Tribune

Partnerships are still evolving so a name's absence from a newspaper article may not mean Hindery and others aren't still involved. July 26, David Roeder, Chicago Sun-Times (doesn't mention Hindery); July 26, Phil Rosenthal, Chicago Tribune, states Hindery is among the 5 bidders.

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Bud Selig's pal will get Cubs--no matter what Zell wants--Munson, ESPN

"Ask Cub fans who they'd like to win the auction, and the result is nearly unanimous – Mark Cuban, the owner of the Dallas Mavericks and onetime contestant on "Dancing With the Stars."

• While Cuban is clearly the peoples' choice, the people don't vote in this election.

"I don't believe that Major League Baseball will approve Cuban ever under any circumstances," said ESPN analyst Lester Munson. "Commissioner Selig knows what his owners want; they don't want Mark Cuban....

• Cuban is joined by two Chicagoans in that club: bond trader Tom Ricketts, and real estate mogul Hersch Klaff, along with two East Coast combines.

And the winner, Munson and others believe, is none of the above. "I'm still betting on John Canning," Munson said.

• Canning is a Chicago investment banker whose group was eliminated this week after an apparent low-ball offer.

• "He's gonna change his partnership, he's gonna add people, and he will be a contender probably sometime in the next two weeks," Munson predicted."...

(P.S. Bud Selig will say, "Chris, I agonized over this, I must tell you, I tortured myself, talked with the owners....) sm

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Giambi reprise--also had only RBI in 1-0 Yankees over Red Sox, 9/11/05

Tim Wakefield v Randy Johnson, Giambi HR in 1st inning was only scoring of the game, 9/11/05. Mariano Rivera with 4 out save.

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Damaso Marte, out of World Baseball Classic with Bad Shoulder, 3/15/06

• Damaso Marte cheers with crowd at World Baseball Classic playing for the Dominican Republic. ap photo

SAN JUAN -3/15/06- "Pirates left-hander and World Baseball Classic participant Damaso Marte traveled back to Pittsburgh on Wednesday to get treatment for a sore shoulder, and the Dominican Republic will have to name a replacement before the start of the Classic semifinals.

• Marte allowed three runs in 1/3 inning Sunday in the Dominican Republic's 7-1 loss to Puerto Rico. He did not pitch Tuesday night, when the Dominicans beat Venezuela to advance to the semifinals of the Classic in San Diego beginning Saturday.

"I have inflammation in the shoulder. We don't know what it is, but I'm going to Pittsburgh to be examined," Marte told the Associated Press before leaving Hiram Bithorn Stadium.

• Dominican Republic manager Manny Acta revealed the injury after his team's 2-1 win Tuesday night. He can choose a replacement from a pool of 13 pitchers listed on the Dominican Republic's provisional roster who were not included on the 30-man active squad.

The list includes Texas Rangers closer Francisco Cordero, who originally opted out of the Classic because of concerns about his right shoulder. Cordero watched on television as his countrymen held off a ninth-inning threat to beat Venezuela, but said no one had contacted him about participating....

• Marte made two appearances in the Classic and is 0-1 with a 20.25 ERA and two strikeouts in 1 1/3 innings.

• From MLB.com, 3/16/06

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Future of Marlins big dig may be known by mid-September

The future of an urban redevelopment plan that includes a Marlins stadium still has 2 judge rulings it must survive, the 2nd not expected until mid-September.

• (MLB.com): "The judge has two rulings pending. The one dealing with the claim by Braman's legal team that funding for a new park should be put on a ballot in a referendum.

• That decision isn't expected until the middle of September"...

• And second is..."the contention by Braman that a new ballpark serves no public purpose. The judge's ruling on the public purpose should be made in about two weeks." (End of article)

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Mike Francesa: 'I'd rather go home than see Bonds on the Yankees.'

In response to a caller asking his opinion, Francesa says under no circumstances would he want Bonds on the Yankees, would be heartbroken, crushed, would rather lose, doesn't want Bonds within 100 yards of Yankee Stadium, and he'd take the rest of the season off. For a variety of reasons. I agree with him.

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Spammer with Attention Deficit Disorder escapes, kills wife and child

*The judge cited A.D.D. (Attention Deficit Disorder) as a mitigating factor in her (light) sentencing.

• "When Davidson was sentenced, U.S. District Judge Marcia Krieger noted it was Davidson's first serious conviction, and that he was supporting three children, which documents did not identify. She noted Davidson had been
• diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. A condition of his sentence was that he undergo mental health counseling...

A convicted spammer fatally shot his wife and young daughter in an apparent murder-suicide Thursday while being sought after escaping prison last weekend, authorities said...

• The bodies of "Spam King" Edward "Eddie" Davidson, his wife and 3-year-old daughter were found in an SUV parked in a farmhouse driveway in a rural part of Bennett, about 25 miles east of Denver....

Authorities had been searching for Davidson since Sunday, when he and his wife

• drove away from a minimum-security federal prison in Florence, 90 miles south of Denver."...

(I guess the judge who used A.D.D. as an excuse for leniency wasn't one of those murdered. Someone who "spams" has a serious character defect to start with, although if you're dead you can't say much about it). sm. via Lucianne.com

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Howard Stern pro XM/Sirius merger, but will never vote Democrat again

"Sirius Satellite Radio host Howard Stern supports the merger of his network with XM Satelitte Radio and is fuming at Democratic opposition on the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) panel.

• After FCC commissioners announced they have reached a deal to approve the merger of Sirius (NASDAQ:SIRI) and XM (NASDAQ:XMSR), Stern ranted about Democrats’ ‘gangsterism’ and ‘communism’ and the obstacles to the merger"....

Said Stern: ""I don’t care if God becomes a Democrat.’ I said, ‘I backed Hillary Clinton, I backed Al Gore, I backed John Kerry. I am done with them.’”... via Drudge Report

• P.S. Stern is described here as 'ranting' but he's not uninformed on politics and was actually a Libertarian Party candidate for a brief time in the 1990's for a state office. (sm)

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Jimmy Rollins benched for key game v Mets due to tardiness

"Jimmy Rollins was yanked from Philadelphia's lineup after arriving late to Shea Stadium on Thursday, making the reigning NL MVP a spectator for much of the Phillies' 3-1 loss in a key division matchup with the New York Mets.

• Rollins, who was pulled from the Phillies' 5-0 win over Cincinnati on June 5 for failing to run hard on a popup that was dropped, said he got caught in traffic"...

AP report published on SportingNews.com

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Bidders for Chicago Cubs reduced to 5, Sun-Times

(Chicago Sun-Times): "The five finalists in the billion-dollar derby for the Chicago Cubs include two locally based groups and three from out of town, all with deep pockets and with different ideas for minimizing the deal’s tax impact on team owner Tribune Co.

• Sources said the local bids come from Thomas Ricketts, president of corporate bond dealer Incapital LLC, whose father founded the TD Ameritrade brokerage, and a group led by real estate investor Hersch Klaff. He’s known for buying distressed properties, often from failing retailers."

Report by David Roeder, Chicago Sun-Times

• UPDATE: 7/25/08, Reuters: "Real estate executive Hersch Klaff and media investor
• Leo Hindery are among the five groups Tribune Co approved to continue bidding on the Chicago Cubs baseball team, sources briefed on the matter said."...

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Neil Best--still thinks Mike and the Mad Dog will split

While the duo's future remains in limbo, Mr. Best notes he was "77%" sure, now "88%" sure they will soon be history, sees Chris going and Mike staying.

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Leo Hindery, Jr., supporter of David Brock, among bidders for Chicago Cubs

"At least 10 potential owner groups have been approved by Major League Baseball to bid on the Cubs, as well as its home ballpark, Wrigley Field, and a stake in a sports TV network"....

• Among those are:

"...a group that includes Leo Hindery, who runs private equity firm InterMedia Partners and previously ran Yes Network, the TV channel of the New York Yankees baseball team, and AT&T Broadband." (Reuters, 7/19/08)

• According to CNBC.com, Hindery was the founder of the YES Network in 2001.

In a 1/6/08 Huffington Post article about Hindery's work with the John Edwards campaign, reference is made to his tenure at the Global Crossing Company. At Global Crossing, Hindery made $250 million for less than one year's work according to Forbes.

• The New York Times notes Hindery was a founding donor to David Brock's Media Matters for America, the group that targeted Don Imus and is now focusing on radio host Michael Savage.
• (NY Times, 5/3/04): "Among Mr. Brock's donors is Leo Hindery Jr., the former cable magnate;"...

Affirming his faith in Media Matters for America, Hindery is quoted on 10/4/07 in NationalReview.com:

• "Leo Hindery Jr., a cable-television executive who contributes to Democratic causes, says he sees Media Matters as part of a coordinated action on the left. “I thought this was a piece of the puzzle,” Hindery says."

UPDATE, 7/25/08, Reuters: "Real estate executive Hersch Klaff and media investor Leo Hindery are among the five groups Tribune Co approved to continue bidding on the Chicago Cubs baseball team, sources briefed on the matter said."...

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Pa. Gov. Ed Rendell, backer of MLB global warming agenda, now backing off ethanol

• Ethanol was a global financial plank in the man-made climate crisis mantra.

On the Phillies big carbon-offset buy: (MLB.com, 4/30/08) Ed Rendell: ""This is such an important initiative and will benefit everyone involved," Rendell said. "It's so vital to preserve our environment and make it stronger.

• Think about all the ketchup and mustard packets, for instance, that people use and throw away into the containers

every night. We're going to replace those packets with dispensers. With 81 home games and all the food consumed, that will save so much. I think the Phillies are a shining example of how to step up and take the lead here.""

• 7/22/08, LancasterOnline.com: "Suddenly, corn ethanol is no longer the darling in the nation's desperate search for an energy alternative to oil.

• In recent weeks, presidential candidate John McCain, Gov. Ed Rendell and U.S. Rep. Joe Pitts have taken actions to slow what

• had been a corn ethanol bandwagon.

Locking up corn for ethanol production has driven up food prices for the poor around the world and hurt many farmers who can't afford the higher feed prices, they say."...

• (On to the next boondoggle) sm

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Without Willie Randolph to blame, Steve Somers chooses Johan Santana

I tuned in to WFAN to hear whom Steve Somers would blame for the Mets loss v Phillies tonight. Steve blamed everything on Willie Randolph when he was there, so I was curious whom he'd go to next. It wasn't going to be Jerry Manuel--Jeff Wilpon wouldn't have liked that.

• Steve said Johan Santana
• knowing the Mets were without their closer Billy Wagner,
• should have demanded the ball in the 9th.

(From a caller later in the evening, it sounds like the Mets 3B coach needs some blame. If so, it's getting closer to Jerry Manuel which gets closer to Wilpon).

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Who shall lead the Mets?--NY Times

The person won't be found in the clubhouse as long as Fred Wilpon and his son Jeff own the team in my opinion. The tone is always set from the top. After all this time, it's no secret the owner (Jeff) wants an off-kilter clubhouse, with the idea that he will always be the most important person. Add the other scattering influences of the modern day clubhouse, and voila, no leader.

• From NY Times' Rhoden: "For the last three seasons, the pivotal question on this team has not been who will catch or who will play second. The reoccurring theme for this team has been leadership. Specifically, where is it? Who are the leaders?...

• ...The high-payroll Mets have a crisis of leadership....

What constitutes leadership? All we know is that the Mets didn’t have it when they needed it last season, not from Randolph, not from the core of veteran players on the roster. The cast of characters is largely the same....

• For the last two seasons, the frustrating thing about the Mets — and probably what got Randolph fired — was the apparent lack of leadership.

•Manuel has been exhorting Beltrán to be more assertive on the bases, and

• challenging Wright to play much more of a leadership role, for the team’s sake."...

From NY Times column by William C. Rhoden, "Mets, Missing Leadership, Are Wise to Temper Joy," 7/23/08

• P.S. (Willie Randolph was the leader when he first got there). sm

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Show compassion and tolerance for China by sending MLB men and money.

"Thousands Injured by Toxic Gas from Chinese Sofas:""Thousands of people who suffered severe allergic reactions after sitting on their sofas were victims of a toxic gas emitted by an anti-mould agent, a study has concluded.

• Hospitals across northern Europe have treated thousands of patients with symptoms which appeared to range from skin cancer and chemical burns to severe eczema.

The British cases have been linked to an estimated 100,000 sofas sold by Argos, World of Leather and Walmsley Furnishing manufactured in China by a company called Linkwise"

• ''This is really going to take

• time,

• money

• and personnel."

• Sandy Alderson, CEO, San Diego Padres, on developing MLB in Communist China. NY Times AP article, 3/13/08, "MLB Starts Building Image in China."

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Seattle Mariners back to KIRO Radio in 2009

All game announcers are expected to return as well to the Bonneville station and all are Mariners employees:

• Dave Niehaus, Rick Rizzs, Dave Sims and Mike Blowers.

On the other hand, (Seattle PI): "The current pre- and post-game broadcasters -- including Shannon Drayer, KOMO's lead Mariner reporter and the station's Mariner blogger -- are employed by KOMO, so they could be looking for work if KIRO doesn't hire them."

• When I see the word "landscape" regarding baseball today I've learned it's a euphemism for Bud Selig:

(Seattle PI): "As part of the new radio landscape, radio stations don't have the exclusivity they

• once had over the audio of the game,

• which is available through satellite radio and through Major League Baseball on the Internet.

• Local radio stations are not allowed to stream the broadcasts they carry on the Internet.

(KOMO's owner) Fisher dropped out of the running for a new contract last month, the previous contract having both helped the station define itself in the marketplace and prove very costly over the six-year run."....

• (I still don't understand how every local station carrying a team didn't sue MLB when the satellite deal was made without their advance approval as it cost them millions. If they did they apparently lost). sm

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Despite environmental 'crisis'...Worldwide Draft back on table

Strange time to say a "worldwide" baseball draft is coming, as Bud did last week. This view is not compatible with Selig's imposed global warming/environmental crisis programs assigned to all MLB teams. Oil is scarce, and the pollution caused by new discretionary international air travel should make it off limits as MLB policy. The last 3 paragraphs in an MLB.com article with the title, "Report: Cubs Fined for Draft Violations."

• "At present, the Draft only includes amateur players from the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico. The mechanism for devising a worldwide Draft was part of the 2002 collective bargaining agreement reached between MLB owners and the Players Association.

But the concept was ultimately abandoned because the owners thought the scouting system involved would be too costly....

• Last week at the annual Baseball Writers' Association of America luncheon in New York only hours prior to the All-Star Game at Yankee Stadium,

• Commissioner Bud Selig said discussion of a worldwide Draft is back on the table.

"I don't think it's any secret that support for a worldwide Draft is growing amongst all baseball people," Selig said. "I've had a lot of people, including a significant number of general managers, say to me in the last couple of months that they wish we had a worldwide draft. I think that's something we will discuss in the future.""

• From MLB.com, 7/21/08

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A-rod signs with William Morris Agency

LOS ANGELES — "The William Morris Agency bolstered its sports management business Monday by signing Alex Rodriguez as a client. The New York Yankees star and frequent tabloid piñata will continue to use Scott Boras as his baseball agent and Guy Oseary as his manager."...

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Creator of "Save Stat," Jerome Holtzman passes

From AP report: "Jerome Holtzman, a longtime baseball writer who made the Hall of Fame, created the saves rule and later became Major League Baseball's official historian, has died. He was 82. Holtzman died Saturday in Evanston, (Illinois)....

• Holtzman also wrote six books, including "No Cheering in the Press Box," in which he interviewed other well-known writers."

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Overworked, bad knee, stressed Madonna resting in Hamptons

"This week medical experts ordered her to take her foot off the pedal on the punishing dance routines because her body simply cannot cope.

• She is now taking time out and resting in New York state’s Hamptons resort...

She has faced claims of a crisis in her marriage to GUY RITCHIE and allegations that she is a home-wrecker over her relationship with baseball star ALEX ‘A-ROD’ RODRIGUEZ"...

• From The Sun, via the Drudge Report

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Repeat anything often enough and people will believe it, eg. Email mobs run the country.

"(Kevin) Canessa (Jr) added, "And it's Francesa who should know best that in an instant, when a radio broadcaster goes too far,

• or is perceived to have gone too far,

• he could be searching for a new job.""

The author of the above statement references the Imus situation, and his assumption that our entire society is now run by privately funded email hate groups.

• Email mobs and the lack of authority at the time at WFAN/CBS Radio caused Imus exit.

He is correct that anything can happen in a "Lord of the Flies" environment, ie, no one keeping track of and putting a stop to hateful email campaigns.

• The only reason hateful email mobs have power is because human beings allow it.
• Falsehoods become accepted as truths if repeated enough times.
• This should be common sense even to the most braindead.

Via Bleacher Report and via Neil Best.

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Jorge Posada goes on DL, possible season-ending surgery

Newsday: "Jorge Posada went on the disabled list Monday afternoon due to his right shoulder, which has a partially torn labrum and possibly other injuries. Season-ending surgery is a distinct possibility for the Yankees catcher.

• Posada has been bothered by shoulder problems since spring training, and was on the disabled list from April 28 through June 3. Since his return, he had seen limited action behind the plate as his throws had not been at 100 percent. But on Saturday, he hit a breaking point with two poor throws to second base on which he felt significant pain."...

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Mike Francesa coy again on WFAN--Neil Best

Neil Best provides transcript of Mike Francesa's (solo) opening remarks today:

• ""Our next show together will be Aug. 5, to give somebody something else to debate about or muse about or to think about, come up with some scenarios for that one, on Aug. 5 up at Giants camp. Then we'll move it down to Bar A later in the month of August to give everyone a chance to debate about that one and kind of come up with some scenarios for that one. That one's been called the good-bye show by a lot of people I've noticed here and there. That has been termed that all summer. I have heard that referenced in different places. So stay tuned for that.""

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Email is the new atomic bomb. Group that ran email campaign v Imus now after Michael Savage

EMAIL is the new atomic bomb. Media who have taken great pains to ignore the existence of Dr. Michael Savage FOR YEARS are talking about him today because of an email hate group.

• The group is Media Matters for America, they are well funded, and spend much of their time trying to silence Savage and others.
• A passive, feminized America causes groups like this to succeed mainly by using email.

• This group succeeds by generating the 'hate' they mistakenly attribute to others. 'Hate' is easier to sell than thinking. Welcome to the totalitarian state of America. Where facts don't count. All you need is an email account.

P.S. They have brief resumes of 78 staff people on their website. They say they're a non-profit organization in the information business but don't post a list of donors. Which defeats their credibility both as an information source and a non-profit organization. Unless I missed it-I couldn't find a list of their funding sources. (sm)

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Hall of Fame includes post season, eg. Gossage has 318 'total saves' not 310

Hall of Fame evaluation is different from Cy Young evaluation. Goose Gossage's post season record is routinely excluded in media reports, eg Kevin Kernan in the NY Post recently wrote Gossage had 310 saves but that's only the regular season total.

• The article noted the upcoming Hall of Fame induction yet didn't mention Gossage's 8 post season 'saves' nor his 1 All Star 'save.'

With all the sources available today, it shouldn't be so hard to include the entire body of work of a player.

• MLB.com also leaves out post season in Gossage story, 1/4/08.

• If Cy Young and Hall of Fame are the same, cancel one of them.

P.S. Gossage also said pitchers today have it much tougher than he did. A sign of durability not mentioned in Kernan's report was the '2 saves in 1 day stat,' among others. If Gossage did have any of those, they could noted in the area of durability. In addition to regular and post season 'total save stat' compilations.

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