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

• "26. J. Michael Neal Posted: February 18, 2007 at 06:50 PM (#2299769)

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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