Babeled

Looking at the starting pitchers going into this weekend’s Subway Series; it is pretty woeful for the New York Yankees.

Take a gander at this unsightly match up:

Game 1 Friday: Giese vs. Pelfrey …edge Mets
Game 2 Friday: Ponson vs. Martinez …edge Mets
Saturday: Pettitte vs. Santana …best matchup by far, this one is a push.
Sunday: Rasner vs. Perez …edge Mets

Believe me, I know the games are not played on paper, but this is as one sided as it gets.  The Mets miss Mussina, Chamberlain, and Wang (due to injury) in what will be the final Subway Series played at Shea Stadium.  The Yankees can’t hit left handed pitching (Santana and Perez both lefties), Ponson is a headcase that was just picked up on waivers for being a detriment to his former team, and Giese is a career minor leaguer.  This is what I call a true recipe for disaster.

This is a big four game series for the Bombers, who have the Boston Red Sox rolling into the Bronx for a huge July 4th series just before the All Star break.  If the Yankees can somehow steal two games from the New York Metropolitans, this Babeler will be ecstatic.  I just hope the Yankee bats are up for this challenge!

Oh, and that Red Sox series is going to be HUGE!

Update: Look for updates throughout the series.

After a 15-6 drubbing at the hands of the Mets in game 1, there has been a Kei Igawa sighting in the Yankee Bullpen.  “In the name of the Father, and of the… ”

Game 2: Sir Sidney Ponson put up quite the pitching performance, holding the Mets scoreless over six solid innings of baseball.  To say that I am pleasantly surprised with his performance would be an understatement.  It was good to see the Yankees recover in the nightcap of the day-night doubleheader to beat the Mets 9-0.

Game 3: A solid pitcher’s duel, Andy Pettitte was able to outlast Johan Santana for the win as the Yankees took this game 3-2 despite two rain delays.  Mariano Rivera is perfect in his 22 save opportunities this season, and Carlos Beltran earned himself a Golden Sombrero.

Game 4: Mets take the final game 3-1 with a dominating performance from Oliver Perez.  He is 4-0, 1.21 against the Yankees as a Met.

Popularity: 3% [?]

What?  He can’t be serious?

Jason Giambi, the $22 million albatross, is in the final year of his monstrous contract that he signed prior to the 2002 season.  This binding agreement inauspiciously marked the beginning of a trend of obnoxious spending by the New York Yankees, who insisted on paying aging superstars for their past performance on other teams.  But that is the past now, and General Manager Brian Cashman has grabbed the organizational reigns from the Tampa brain-trust and is working to get the spending in check.

So why bring back Giambi?

The Big G, is due $22 million next year in an option that the Yankees will most certainly not pick up.  However, there is a $5 million buy-out that will free the organization of his contract rendering Giambi a free agent.  It is at this point that Cashman should work with Jason on re-signing him for one year with an incentive laden contract that would guarantee a second season if he meets carefully determined performance criteria.  Considering the enormous amount of money Giambi has made with the Yankees and his lack of production coupled with the controversy he has wrought; Jason should be more than willing to work out a fair deal.

Here are the terms I suggest:

• A one year contract at $7 million (which would be in addition to the $5 million buy-out) yielding a $12 million payout to Jason.
• There would be an option year for an additional $12 million in 2010 if Giambi meets any one of the following performance goals in 2009:
  • Minimum of 500 plate appearances (This ensures that he not only remains healthy but also productive at first base.  Healthy or not, if Jason fails to put up the requisite numbers at first base he will have his playing time reduced making the vesting of his contract hardly possible).
  • 30 Home Runs
  • 90 RBI

You still have not answered the freggin question! Why?

Let’s face it, after a very slow start in 2008 Jason Giambi is tearing the cover off the baseball.  He is providing a big bat in the middle of the Yankee order which functions as significant protection for the league’s best player, Alex Rodriguez.  Currently Giambi’s splits are quite impressive: .271/.403/.575 with an outstanding OPS of .978.  His OPS is third in the league and tops among American League first baseman. Even in his advanced age, Giambi continues to be an on-base machine that hits for tremendous power - true to the Moneyball philosophy of Billy Beane.  If you consider his dreadful start to the season where he was cruising the Interstates, hitting around .150 you can appreciate the prolific numbers he has put up in May and June.

What is even more impressive is that he has maintained his health despite playing first base everyday - something he has not done in years.  Of course he is no Don Mattingly at first, but he can pick it and is not as big of a defensive liability as people think.  He has average range, with his one major drawback being he cannot throw the baseball whatsoever.

The Alternative:

Naturally, most Yankee fans think the organization needs to sever the chord with Giambi and go after Mark Teixeira of Atlanta (2008 splits: .271/.365/.462 with an OPS of .827), who will be a free agent after this season.  That is all well and good, but Teixeira is a Scott Boras client that is reportedly seeking an 8 year deal in the ballpark of $160 million.  Of course the Yankees have a ton of money but here you go heading down the path of paying another player mega bucks who is going to start his contract as a 29 year old.  Which happens to be the same age Giambi was when he signed his enormous deal with New York.  Without question, the switch-hitting Teixeira who is younger (for now) and a major defensive upgrade, will be great for the first few seasons of his contract.  But remember, Giambi was great for his first few seasons with the Yankees too.

The End Result:

So instead of bringing in Tex, re-sign Giambi for what is my final and perhaps most compelling reason; Derek Jeter needs a place to play.  Jeter cannot play shortstop forever, and he can slide over to first base when Jason Giambi finally departs, ideally after 2010.  If Teixeira is here, making big money where can the Yankees move Jeter?  I’m sorry I don’t want to hear people say let Jeter walk when his contract expires in 2010.  I’m not even going to begin to entertain that argument, and if you think that is an acceptable plan you are clearly not a Yankee fan and may God have mercy on your soul.

Nevertheless, the man needs a place to play in another year or so.  Under this plan, Jeter plays shortstop in 2009 at the new stadium, and you begin the transition to first in 2010.  This way the Captain can attack 3,000 hits and his future monument in peace.

Popularity: 4% [?]

The Celtic’s won tonight in an outstanding game and an exclusive sport performance, here in the Garden Park, Boston. I don’t like to say it too often but I told you; It’s the Boston time!

Great game, great being in Boston and great job holding the lead all during the game. With 131 points for the Celtics vs. the 93 scored by the Lakers, I thought its couldn’t get better. The T-Shirt booth in Coply Mall was sold out earlier tonight of the Beat LA T-shirts, and conference attendees in the Hynes Convention Center couldn’t get enough of them. People wore a green tie, regardless of their entire appearance.

Go Green, I am heading to the bar…

Popularity: 4% [?]

This year Major League Baseball is witnessing a surge of young talented ball players that remind fans of the mid-90’s when greats like Jeter and A-Rod were phenomenal rookies. Baseball has been in one of its darkest hours the past couple of years due to the “steroid whirlwind” that unfolded resulting in government prodding and indictments. Nevertheless, “The Show Must Go On” and baseball adjusted to steroid-less homers and gave way to young talented players with speed and power.

Slowly as the steroid era is disappearing, baseball has seen the likes of young All-Stars like Hanley Ramirez, B.J. Upton, Jacoby Ellsbury, and Josh Hamilton excel on the Major League level.

Hanley Ramirez - In 2007, he stole 51 bases (for the second year in a row!) and hit 29 home runs. He scored 125 runs and had over 200 hits! He will turn 25 this December.

B.J. Upton - In 129 games in 2007, Upton smashed 24 homers, hit 25 doubles, stole 22 bases (he has 18 already this year), had 82 RBI, scored 86 runs . . . and he did all of this on the Tampa Bay Rays. He is having a better season than last year already and he will turn 24 this August.

Jacoby Ellsbury - In what is his first full year as the starting center fielder for the Boston Red Sox, Ellsbury has rekindled the Johnny Damon days with his speed and contact hitting. Ellsbury is on pace to steal over 70 bases (he has 28 already) and snag over 200 hits (he has 51 so far). He is 24 years old.

Josh Hamilton - As the everyday center fielder for the hot hitting Texas Rangers this year, Josh has excelled in the hitting department with his robust 67 RBI and 80 hits thus far. At the “ripe old age” of 27, he is not as young as others, but in his first full year in center Josh is making waves.

There are other young offensive talented players out there, such as Adrian Gonzalez and Ryan Braun. The newest addition to this list is none other than the highly anticipated and touted Jay Bruce, CF for the Cincinnati Reds. As a top prospect in the minors, Bruce quickly moved into Triple-A and was called up on May 27th. In his eight games as a starter, Bruce has had 16 hits, 3 homers, 12 runs scored, 7 RBI, 7 walks, and 2 stolen bases. I know I could be ‘jumping the gun’, but I am fairly confident that Bruce will be a baseball star far a long time. Oh yeah, he is 21 years old.

With players like these entering the MLB, the fans get a nice break from the hoopla, that is the “steroid whirlwind”, and can watch the games in peace. That is, at least, until Roger Clemens gets found guilty of perjury.

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I was thinking a lot before I wrote these lines mainly because I don’t want to mess up my relations with my Yankee fan friends (Next game tomorrow; is it Baltimore’s turn?). I am also getting a better understanding of the game believe it or not, and it is all from watching the kids playing in Boston Common on Saturday mornings.

I like Boston. It’s a great city and I am excited to start my new job there at the Sheraton Boston Hotel. I was amazed to find out how strong the baseball culture caught everyone. (During my tour with the Assistant to the Hotel’s Manager, he excused himself by checking his Palm, and went on and on with angry remarks, such as wishing Ramirez to go the hell). Yes, it is the home to many baseball fanatic fans, which will vote by their legs and come to the Fenway Park for any game and won’t leave you any chance to get a ticket less than week in advance. However, if you were chosen as an Employee of the Month, you could receive tickets to the game.

But the main reason I find Boston an attractive and cool city is because it is also a student’s city. Anywhere you go you see many young men and women, at the bars and restaurants or in the park, always up to having a good conversation. Yes, I do think people in New England are friendly and definitely filled with many intellectual students who have a lot of energy. I like to be around these kinds of people, refill my energy tanks and get inspired. Moreover, I invite all of you, my Southern Jersey friends, leave the Poker table behind you just for few days, and come here to visit Boston. It is definitely the time of the year to be around. Have a great summer!

Popularity: 7% [?]

Allan Huber “Bud” Selig, Jr., beleaguered commissioner of Major League Baseball, is at it again. The great overseer of the steroid era himself is advocating a special promotion which would feature David Ortiz of the Boston Red Sox, calling his home run a la Babe Ruth during the Home Run Derby. This proposed dog and pony show would be the marquee moment of the 2008 All Star celebration, in what is the final year of existence for Yankee Stadium.

Are you kidding me, the apex member of the arch rival Boston Red Sox pretending to be Babe Ruth at Yankee Stadium? Get the hell out of here.

Without question I truly respect the Boston Red Sox, their first-rate front office and all that the New England powerhouse brings to the sport. HOWEVER, this plan is an absolute joke for one very simple reason, this All Star game is intended to honor the rich history of the most hallowed stadium in sports - The Stadium of Sports. This All Star event must be singularly focused on paying homage to the stadium and Yankee tradition. In this sacred hall of legends, the majesty of what these grounds symbolize cannot be tarnished by bringing the focus of the moment on a prominent member of the arch rival Red Sox. That is outright stupidity.

The powers that be within Major League Baseball are completely off-base here, not that that should be a surprise considering Selig’s sparkling track record, and this plan must die now. The fact that genius executives sat in a board room and thought this was a good idea is bizarre at best. The love affair with the Boston Red Sox lately is understandable considering their dominant play after spending the better part of 8 decades playing second fiddle to the Yankees - but now is not the time to rub their nose in the face of the Yankees. I reiterate, this All Star game is about Yankee Stadium, NOT the Boston Red Sox.

One of three things must happen here:

1. Baseball scraps this idea altogether and just has the normal Home Run Derby - which is what I think it should do (remember Ruth hit that famous home run in Wrigley Field during the 1932 Fall Classic).
2. Allow Alex Rodriguez, the great Yankee Slugger, to replicate the Ruthian smash. Sure he is right-handed, but at least he is, well… you know,… a Yankee!!!
3. If David Ortiz is asked to go ahead and take this swing (which seems very likely at this point) a compromise should then take place - Ortiz should wear a Yankee uniform during the event. Plain and simple.

I cannot believe I even had to write about such nonsense. Often times I too am embarrassed by the legions of arrogant Yankee fans who are consumed with a sense of entitlement, but in this instance I too have to join my self-inflated cohorts. This idea should have never been hatched, and I’m sorry if the plan goes through every fan in the Stadium should turn to the luxury box, point at Bud Selig and boo him during Ortiz’s at bat.

Are there any other baseball purists out there?

Popularity: 9% [?]

So we are about a quarter of the way through baseball so far this year and what a season it has been thus far.

The American League

In the AL East the Red Sox are in 1st, with the Tampa Bay Rays a half a game behind. The powerful 1-2 punch of Beckett and Dice-K have overwhelmed opponents and the Rays are just playing as Ken Singleton would say “inspired baseball”. The Yankees are off to a bad start suffering serious injuries to major players (A-Rod, Posada, and Jeter) on their team, as well as their pitching rotation being anything but solid. In the Central the White Sox, Indians, and Twins are all pretty much at the top while the ‘always never good enough’ Royals and struggling Tigers are at the bottom. For the moment the Minnesota Twins own the #1 spot in the Central with outstanding pitching by Livan Hernandez (yes, thats right Livan Hernandez) and good ol’ hitting by Mauer and Morneau. In the AL West, the Oakland Athletics and the Los Angeles Angels are neck and neck for the top spot, both with 23 wins. Both teams have suffered major injuries this year with Rich Harden, SP of the Oakland Athletics, going down after the 1st week and John Lackey, SP of the L.A. Angels, being lost heading into the season for months. More recently the Angels suffered the loss of injury prone Chone Figgins, probably the scrappiest player in the Majors.

The National League

The Central in the NL pretty much is identical to the Central in the AL, with three teams vying for 1st place; the Chicago Cubs, St. Louis Cardinals, and the Houston Astros. The Cubs are looking very strong in the Central with the play of their powerful offense with Alfonzo Soriano, Derek Lee, Aramis Ramirez, and Japanese sensation Kosuke Fukudome. In the NL East, the Florida Marlins are at the top, with exceptional young players like Hanley Ramirez and Dan Uggla, beating out the under achieving NY Mets, with Santana and Reyes at their helm; the overachieving Phillies, with the batting power behind Chase Utley and Pat “the bat” Burrell; and the legendary Atlanta Braves, with Tim Hudson and Chipper Jones leading the way. The NL West is a different story with the highly anticipated Arizona Diamondbacks owning the top spot with a lead of four games over the L.A. Dodgers. The Diamondback off-season acquisition of Dan Haren really solidified their starting rotation, with other starting pitchers like Brandon Webb and Randy Johnson. There is still a lot to be seen from the L.A. Dodgers and Colorado Rockies who thus far have played below both of their potential. There is still much to be seen with 3/4 of the baseball season left, as to who will play better with the warmer weather, and edge out their competition for 1st place in their division.

Fantasy Baseball

In the beginning of the MLB season, I wrote “Fantasy Baseball is Real to Me” and 6 weeks into the season I am currently in 6th place. I think that the rankings are interesting, so I wanted to show you who the best MLB players are. In fantasy baseball, the #1 player is Lance Berkman, the 1st baseman for the Houston Astros. So far this year his stats are 42 runs, 13 homers, 38 rbi, 6 stolen bases, 22 walks, .393 AVG., 1.27 OPS. Berkman truly has exceptional numbers for playing on such an average team. The #2 player in fantasy baseball is the pitcher, Cliff Lee, the SP for the Cleveland Indians. His numbers: 6 wins, 0 losses, 44 K’s, .67 ERA, .67 WHIP, and 7 quality starts. Note: A quality start is considered 6 innings pitched and 3 earned runs. He beat out great starters such as Brandon Webb, Carlos Zambrano, and Tim Lincecum. The #3 best player in my fantasy league is Hanley Ramirez, the shortstop for the Florida Marlins. His stats are: 34 runs, 9 homers, 22 rbi, 13 stolen bases, 19 walks, .331 AVG, .987 OPS.

Here is a list of the Top 10 players in the Major Leagues, as per my fantasy Yahoo league:

1. Lance Berkman, 1B, Houston Astros
2. Cliff Lee, SP, Cleveland Indians
3. Hanley Ramirez, SS, Florida Marlins
4. Chase Utley, 2B, Philadelphia Phillies
5. Chipper Jones, 3B, Atlanta Braves
6. Derrek Lee, 1B, Chicago Cubs
7. Nate McLouth, CF, Pittsburgh Pirates
8. Rafael Furcal, SS, L.A. Dodgers
9. Dan Uggla, 2B, Florida Marlins
10. Josh Hamilton, OF, Texas Rangers

And they say that the AL has all the good hitters and the NL has all the good pitchers! Ha!

Popularity: 6% [?]

News Flash: The New York Yankees fan base is up in arms - yet again.

This off-season, the Yanks signed journeyman middle reliever LaTroy Hawkins in an effort to bolster the Yankees bullpen - a source of weakness for years. While I was not crazy about this move, I cannot deny the merit in bringing in a valuable arm to pitch the always stressful middle innings. Hawkins had a solid year last year, pitching well down the stretch during the Colorado Rockies improbable run to the World Series.

Unfortunately Latroy has been victimized by EYFD (Excessive Yankee Fan Drama). Before he ever even threw his first pitch of the season, Hawkins was booed mercilessly by the Yankee faithful on opening day. Why you may ask? Simply because he was wearing number 21. Blasphemy was what many offended fans cried out. How could anyone wear the number of the great Paul O’Neill?

Well the fact of the matter is that as of 2008 number 21 is not retired - nor should it be. Paulie was a tremendous Yankee, he was the hear and soul of the late 90’s dynasty run, but that does not change the fact that he deserves to have his plaque and number enshrined in Monument Park. The simple truth is that George Steinbrenner went overboard with retiring numbers back in the 80’s, to the point where 15 numbers are already never to be worn again by another Yankee. The sad part is that guys like Reggie Jackson (who was only a Yank for 5 years) and Ron Guidry (who was but a very good pitcher who had one very exceptional year) have had their numbers entrenched in Yankee lore. The problem is, if the organization keeps retiring the number of every very good player that comes along, future Yankees will be playing in triple digits thirty years from now.

Of even more significance, if the Yankees keep retiring fringe superstars it will cheapen the honor bestowed to the true Yankee greats. Now let’s be objective Yankee fans for once, Paul O’Neill was only a fringe superstar - but that does not change the fact that his popularity and legacy are legendary. The reason for this is clear, Paul O’Neill was the first glimmer of hope that came to a franchise that for 15 years had fallen into baseball’s equivalent of the dark ages. He was a hard nosed player that is attributed for igniting a renaissance in the Bronx. This coupled with his fierce competitiveness made him a hero in the eyes of New Yorkers, prompting the Boss to label him a Warrior. He was the first player other than Don Mattingly that fans could finally cling to and he represented hope for a beleaguered franchise.

Nevertheless his number should not be retired. Consider the fact that Derek Jeter’s (#2), Joe Torre’s (#6), Alex Rodriguez’s (#13), and Mariano Rivera’s (#42) are locks for retirement and the Hall of Fame - coupled with the strong possibility of Jorge Posada’s (#20) and Bernie Williams (#51) being retired, the Yankees are most likely staring at 21 retired numbers by 2020!

But enough about Paul O’Neill, the real victim in this mess is LaTroy Hawkins. Once again short-sighted Yankee fans have embarrassed themselves. These are the same clowns that booed Alex Rodriguez just because he did not hit a home run every time he came to the plate, the same morons that post on message boards that Derek Jeter is washed-up and should be traded. The audacity of fans to boo Hawkins for the crime of wearing a number given to him by the organization and in honor the late Roberto Clemente (#21) is disgusting. Whether you liked the signing or not is no reason to boo a man for the sole reason that he is wearing the number or your former favorite player. Paul O’Neill’s number belongs to future generations of Yankees, and just because his number is not retired doesn’t mean you should forget about the great contributions he brought to this franchise. And it also doesn’t mean you should boo the next person who wears it - get over yourselves.

Sadly, the bullies with EYFD were rewarded for their childish behavior. Two days ago Hawkins decided to switch to number 22 because he did not want to get off on the wrong foot with the fans. Of course this means that if they keep up these antics the Yankees will be forced into retiring O’Neill’s number just to keep the morons at bay. Where is this classy fan base that I hear so much about?

Popularity: 12% [?]

Folks I can’t take it anymore.  Joe Buck drives me INSANE.  I cannot even begin to explain how much this particular sports announcer makes my skin crawl.  Whether it is a football game or a baseball game, Joe Buck makes me want to bore my own heart out with a spoon (because it will hurt more you twit).  His pompous delivery, inability to make valid points, pink shirts and smarmy New York bias makes me want to scream.

This pencil necked nobody should not even be employed, let alone serve as Fox’s marquee play-by-play announcer.  If it wasn’t for his father, legendary Sr. Louis Cardinal broadcaster Jack Buck, stroker Joe would be forced into some stuffy office job where at least the American public would not be subjected his drudgery.  Just the site of him makes me sick.  If I could have things my way, I would get the honor of entering the Octagon with Joe for a steel caged battle to the death.

Popularity: 7% [?]

It’s been about nine years since the last time I was devoted to running on a regular basis. And let me tell you, today proved that it’s gonna take some hard work to get started again!

My rendezvous with running started in high school when I was told I wouldn’t be allowed to play soccer (my favorite sport) and play music in the marching band (yes I went to band camp) during the same season. This really pissed me off, and after some inquiry I was told the only sport flexible enough to fit my schedule was cross-country.

Needless to say, on paper cross-country looks like torture compared to every other high school sport. I mean who the hell would want to spend the entire Fall season running miles upon miles upon miles until sunset? Well for all its negative points, I was finally sold when I found out the girl I liked was on the team. Oh man, here was my chance to mack it and get some exercise at the same time.

Well to make a long story short, I never got the girl, but I did fall in love with running miles. It didn’t happen immediately - the first month was pure hell, and I threw up after my first practice. But slowly I developed my abilities, and by senior year I had maxed out at nine miles.

For those who have never tried long-distance running, I highly recommend it. Here are some of the positive results I guarantee you will gain from exploring this activity:

1. Endurance - Your experience of the relationship between mind and body takes on a much greater intensity when running. You will soon learn that your mind has a different threshold for endurance than your body. And the most awesome aspect of running is when you can tell your mind to shut up and you reach a new personal record.
2. Increased Lung Capacity - This is an awesome plus because increased lung capacity will enhance any other exercise routine you have.
3. Deeper, More Refreshing Sleep - You’ll be out like a light when you hit your bed. And when you wake up you’ll have more energy than usual. The fact is internalized stress messes with your sleep cycle, and running is great for burning off all that extra energy.
4. Running High - Things get real light and colorful after you run a couple miles. It won’t last longer than a couple minutes, but it does happen. There’s really nothing like experiencing your body at the peak of physical exhaustion.

For those of you who attempt to begin a long distance routine, always remember to hum the theme to Chariots of Fire when you begin and finish - it’ll make it that much more dramatic and awesome.

Image Used in this Post

EX2 Backyard Burn PSFP image courtesy of Brain Knight Photography.

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