Just two weeks ago we were writing the obituary for the Yankees - double digits behind the Red Sox and 8 games out in the Wild Card... who is hearing tip toes now. Though they still have an ERA for June closer to 6 than 5, their hitting is coming around. Abreu is hitting around .500 and Cano looks like the All-Star he was last year.
Clemens has one start and hopefully will get stronger and eventually Hughes will replace Clippard.
Stretching out Mussina to 7 innings will save the bullpen. With the consistency of a Wang and a fantastic Petite rounding out the rotation, we are in for the long haul.
The best move was putting Giambi on the DL. His lack of hitting and defense was draggin the team down. This also made the outfield defense better as Cabrera took over the centerfield spot while Damon moved to DH saving his legs and back.
The next two weeks are critical. The latest Yankee surge came against weaker teams. Now we have to see how they do against teams over .500. If they can keep it up, then everyone is in trouble, even the Boston Red Sox.
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
Monday, May 14, 2007
Around the League (s) and Boxing Too
Okay, if you read my last post you are caught up mostly on my thoughts on the Yankees, but here is the rest of Baseball and the other pro leagues, with some thoughts on the individual sports of boxing and golf too.
In Baseball news, beer is banned from the clubhouse, because if I get in an accident while drunk, high, and on the phone, it isn't my fault. Bad as I feel for the Hancock family we have to stop blaming others and take some responsibility. Besides he only wanted to be like his manager.
The Mets shave their heads and their 3rd baseman regains his power, they win two of three from the Brewers (speaking of beer) and look like the class of the NL (again). Can the razor be fedexed to Bobby Abreu. With Shawn Green and Moises Alou well over .300 and Pelfry being sent down, the only issue is Hernandez coming back healthy.
They have the best trades of the season coming when Mota's suspension is over and Martinez and Sanchez finish rehab. Even if these guys aren't 100% they give up nothing. Not even money since they already have to pay them. See Clemens ($28 million with luxury tax). If Martinez is close to himself, I will take him, Glavine, Maine, and Perez with Hernandez joining Smith and Wagner in the Bullpen over the Red Sox.
Too bad the Yankees can't get someone like Maine or King Felix or...wait Hughes. Never mind. Best pitching coming up in a generation all around the league. Way to go young guns. Other good news, the return of Ankiel (Still in Triple A) looking like a player again and comeback candidate Josh Hamilton of the Cincinnati Reds.
In the NBA, if anyone can stop the winner of the Spurs/Suns match up, Detroit looks ready. Oh wait, first you have to get past the Utah Jazz, hopefully you will learn from the Mavs loss to Golden State. Detroit is a complete team, and has the experience needed. Duncan vs. Weber is a throw back to when the NBA was about the big guy. Though Nash ain't so bad himself. As a Knick fan, I think we could find a place for him with Marbury or Francis.
Did the Stanley cup get awarded yet? Out here in NY without a team playing (sorry Sabres don't count) and the games on Versus, what is the NHL thinking - pay to put the games on public television and maybe, just maybe you can get some ratings and develop some fans.
See how good hiding your sport was for boxing. Over 2 million people saw Mayweather/De La Hoya and none of them may see another bout for years. Events are something you build on. Where are the young heavyweights and middleweights fighting Saturday afternoons on ABC or NBC. Develop fans and you can save the sport. Well maybe if Don King gets a hair cut. The other problem was the fight was good, not great, nobody is talking about a week later. Look at the Tyson fights, even Holyfield. These guys were rock stars in every strata of society. Not happening anymore.
Golf is getting more street cred these days, even without Tiger things can happen. Mickelson winning the Players was crazy. Now we can all pull an O'Hair if we screw up. He takes on the mantle of "Idiot" from Mickelson. Pass it around, let young guns come up and win and watch Golf finally grow.
Too much football for a short post, we will do that later.
In Baseball news, beer is banned from the clubhouse, because if I get in an accident while drunk, high, and on the phone, it isn't my fault. Bad as I feel for the Hancock family we have to stop blaming others and take some responsibility. Besides he only wanted to be like his manager.
The Mets shave their heads and their 3rd baseman regains his power, they win two of three from the Brewers (speaking of beer) and look like the class of the NL (again). Can the razor be fedexed to Bobby Abreu. With Shawn Green and Moises Alou well over .300 and Pelfry being sent down, the only issue is Hernandez coming back healthy.They have the best trades of the season coming when Mota's suspension is over and Martinez and Sanchez finish rehab. Even if these guys aren't 100% they give up nothing. Not even money since they already have to pay them. See Clemens ($28 million with luxury tax). If Martinez is close to himself, I will take him, Glavine, Maine, and Perez with Hernandez joining Smith and Wagner in the Bullpen over the Red Sox.
Too bad the Yankees can't get someone like Maine or King Felix or...wait Hughes. Never mind. Best pitching coming up in a generation all around the league. Way to go young guns. Other good news, the return of Ankiel (Still in Triple A) looking like a player again and comeback candidate Josh Hamilton of the Cincinnati Reds.In the NBA, if anyone can stop the winner of the Spurs/Suns match up, Detroit looks ready. Oh wait, first you have to get past the Utah Jazz, hopefully you will learn from the Mavs loss to Golden State. Detroit is a complete team, and has the experience needed. Duncan vs. Weber is a throw back to when the NBA was about the big guy. Though Nash ain't so bad himself. As a Knick fan, I think we could find a place for him with Marbury or Francis.
Did the Stanley cup get awarded yet? Out here in NY without a team playing (sorry Sabres don't count) and the games on Versus, what is the NHL thinking - pay to put the games on public television and maybe, just maybe you can get some ratings and develop some fans.
See how good hiding your sport was for boxing. Over 2 million people saw Mayweather/De La Hoya and none of them may see another bout for years. Events are something you build on. Where are the young heavyweights and middleweights fighting Saturday afternoons on ABC or NBC. Develop fans and you can save the sport. Well maybe if Don King gets a hair cut. The other problem was the fight was good, not great, nobody is talking about a week later. Look at the Tyson fights, even Holyfield. These guys were rock stars in every strata of society. Not happening anymore.
Golf is getting more street cred these days, even without Tiger things can happen. Mickelson winning the Players was crazy. Now we can all pull an O'Hair if we screw up. He takes on the mantle of "Idiot" from Mickelson. Pass it around, let young guns come up and win and watch Golf finally grow.
Too much football for a short post, we will do that later.
Time to Catcher Up and Pitch with the Yankees.
Okay, so we have lots to talk about and I will start with my NY Yankees, okay they are not mine, but in a few years they will be someone's team and who knows who that will be. Odds are Hank Steinbrenner will be next in line, now that Swindal is out.
Abreu should maybe take a seat for a few days, he is killing us. If his OBP was in his normal high 300s or low 400s Jeter could lead the league in RBI from the 3rd spot. Damon and Abreu on base and protection from HR and RBI leader AROD followed by switch-hitter .350 plus hitting Posada. Did that ab strain in Spring Training ever heal?
The pitching staff is finally getting healthy and some innings under there belt. The big find DeSalvo, add him and Hughes to the staff next year, see if Henn, Wright or some of the other youngs guys come through and drop 10 years off the age of the rotation and pen. Speaking of pen, Mariano still have velocity and movement on his cutter, he just needs some work. Every year his spring training innings go down and every year his April numbers get worse. Maybe Joe Torre needs to listen to his pitching coach the way he listened to Stottlemeyer, or he needs a new Pitching Coach.
The pitching youth movement is great, but you still need outfielders and a catcher. Posada is getting older and will be a DH or 1st basemen soon. Abreu is expensive, and not what he once was, and Matsui was good but never Godzilla. Even if Melky finds himself and shows last year was not a fluke, we will still need another corner guy.
Okay, now we are down to the nitty gritty. Clemens comes back and you hope to get 6 A+ innings out of him and I don't want to hear how he won't give you the same ERA as in the NL last year, so what. Add a run and it is still better than what you got most of the year. 10 starters, 4 homers in a row, bottom of the league in innings and ERA from the starters. By the end of the year, you could have Wang, Petite, Mussina, Clemens, Hughes with DeSalvo, Farnsworth, Vizcaino (if he finds himself) setting up Mariano. Not bad, just make the playoffs.
And that is where the Bombers can be in trouble. 8 games is a lot and if you look at ESPN or Sportsline, they all go into how many games you are down and when. The only issue is winning the division or at least the wildcard, but with improved play from the Midwest (Tigers, White Sox, Indians, Twins) you may miss the wild card, unless the Central beats each other up. The Red Sox have pitching in the Starting staff and the Pen. If Papelbon holds up and Beckett isn't really hurt (torn skin) and the second time through, Dice-K isn't figured out, they are the team to beat. Papelbon at this point might be the best closer, but can he hold up or will he falter (see Gagne). Epstein knows the trade market and will do what it takes.
The Yankees don't need a miracle, just Wang's nail to heal, Clemens to be ready, and guys like Cano, Abreu, and Mo to be themselve.
Abreu should maybe take a seat for a few days, he is killing us. If his OBP was in his normal high 300s or low 400s Jeter could lead the league in RBI from the 3rd spot. Damon and Abreu on base and protection from HR and RBI leader AROD followed by switch-hitter .350 plus hitting Posada. Did that ab strain in Spring Training ever heal?
The pitching staff is finally getting healthy and some innings under there belt. The big find DeSalvo, add him and Hughes to the staff next year, see if Henn, Wright or some of the other youngs guys come through and drop 10 years off the age of the rotation and pen. Speaking of pen, Mariano still have velocity and movement on his cutter, he just needs some work. Every year his spring training innings go down and every year his April numbers get worse. Maybe Joe Torre needs to listen to his pitching coach the way he listened to Stottlemeyer, or he needs a new Pitching Coach.
The pitching youth movement is great, but you still need outfielders and a catcher. Posada is getting older and will be a DH or 1st basemen soon. Abreu is expensive, and not what he once was, and Matsui was good but never Godzilla. Even if Melky finds himself and shows last year was not a fluke, we will still need another corner guy.
Okay, now we are down to the nitty gritty. Clemens comes back and you hope to get 6 A+ innings out of him and I don't want to hear how he won't give you the same ERA as in the NL last year, so what. Add a run and it is still better than what you got most of the year. 10 starters, 4 homers in a row, bottom of the league in innings and ERA from the starters. By the end of the year, you could have Wang, Petite, Mussina, Clemens, Hughes with DeSalvo, Farnsworth, Vizcaino (if he finds himself) setting up Mariano. Not bad, just make the playoffs.
And that is where the Bombers can be in trouble. 8 games is a lot and if you look at ESPN or Sportsline, they all go into how many games you are down and when. The only issue is winning the division or at least the wildcard, but with improved play from the Midwest (Tigers, White Sox, Indians, Twins) you may miss the wild card, unless the Central beats each other up. The Red Sox have pitching in the Starting staff and the Pen. If Papelbon holds up and Beckett isn't really hurt (torn skin) and the second time through, Dice-K isn't figured out, they are the team to beat. Papelbon at this point might be the best closer, but can he hold up or will he falter (see Gagne). Epstein knows the trade market and will do what it takes.The Yankees don't need a miracle, just Wang's nail to heal, Clemens to be ready, and guys like Cano, Abreu, and Mo to be themselve.
Tuesday, May 8, 2007
Clemens is back and all is well, or is it?
The Yankees make a big splash, lots of money, 1 million per start. Can he go 7 with 2 runs each time out. That is what they need, no losing streaks save the bullpen, play defense, steal, oh wait he only pitches, is 45 and needs to go three weeks to the minors before we see if he is the same guy from the national league. Switching leagues is tough but he knows what the AL East is like and Clemens will drive Ortiz and Manny off the plate.
If Clemens can go 7 each time, then a rotation of Wang, Clemens, Petite, Mussina, and Agent Chippy can get to the playoffs and that is all that matters. Mussina might not pitch in a first round series, meaning they will have someone to go in the second round. If the pitchers stay heatlhy and we don't have a Kie Irabu sighting, than the Yankees should be fine, especially now that Melky is hitting and Arod is still driving in the runs.
In NY we are already waiting for football - because the Rangers and Devils are out and on one watches the Nets (well a few people do) but they won't get past the might morphin Pistons. Make Webber a supporting player and watch out.
This side of the country missed some mighty good basketball, but don't blame the NBA or TV. It is the fault of the GMs, Owners, and coaches. Defense is easy to coach - good players with offensive games take longer to learn, but with win now, we lose hall of fame coaches after one year. Anyway who cares we have Francis and Marbury the back court of the future, past, ever?
If Clemens can go 7 each time, then a rotation of Wang, Clemens, Petite, Mussina, and Agent Chippy can get to the playoffs and that is all that matters. Mussina might not pitch in a first round series, meaning they will have someone to go in the second round. If the pitchers stay heatlhy and we don't have a Kie Irabu sighting, than the Yankees should be fine, especially now that Melky is hitting and Arod is still driving in the runs.
In NY we are already waiting for football - because the Rangers and Devils are out and on one watches the Nets (well a few people do) but they won't get past the might morphin Pistons. Make Webber a supporting player and watch out.
This side of the country missed some mighty good basketball, but don't blame the NBA or TV. It is the fault of the GMs, Owners, and coaches. Defense is easy to coach - good players with offensive games take longer to learn, but with win now, we lose hall of fame coaches after one year. Anyway who cares we have Francis and Marbury the back court of the future, past, ever?
Friday, May 4, 2007
Oh my Hamstring & Dallas WHAT?
Miller was fired and that is okay, but Phillip Hughes was in Triple A until his call up. I don't think a trainer can change a routine in 5 to 6 days and impact him that much. How about the fact they don't have a chirpractor in NY. Damon flew (on a plane) to get his back fixed. We are in NY - find someone local. Either there is a plan to save money, like a few years ago when the Yankees were getting rid of Dental insurance, or something else is wrong in the overall fitness and health plan. Some of the players were hurt in domed or warm weather stadiums and by the time someone is in the majors for a few years, or played for 10 including Japan, they should have some routine that works for them. I can't believe it is all the trainers fault. How about the fact that the Yankees are an old team and most of the injuries are to older players.
Man, 2-0 against Miami last year and now they can't get out of there way, but if Dallas decides to trade Nowitski, maybe Isaiah can actually find a real star to build around. I will take a first round loss if we make the finals the year before. How about they get a real power forward or center to play with him. Also, maybe Dallas shouldn't have let Nash go, or won't have to play the coach (Nelson) who trained Dallas's coach and players (inside info rocks).
The Rangers may be the only team that can get United States media markets outside of local areas excited. That means the NHL and the NHLPA wants them to win (more money is good for all) so I don't want to hear about conspiracy theories.
When do football minicamps start? How long until the Madden Curse hits Vince Young?
Man, 2-0 against Miami last year and now they can't get out of there way, but if Dallas decides to trade Nowitski, maybe Isaiah can actually find a real star to build around. I will take a first round loss if we make the finals the year before. How about they get a real power forward or center to play with him. Also, maybe Dallas shouldn't have let Nash go, or won't have to play the coach (Nelson) who trained Dallas's coach and players (inside info rocks).
The Rangers may be the only team that can get United States media markets outside of local areas excited. That means the NHL and the NHLPA wants them to win (more money is good for all) so I don't want to hear about conspiracy theories.
When do football minicamps start? How long until the Madden Curse hits Vince Young?
Tuesday, May 1, 2007
The Weekend that Was (and Monday)
Football:
Brady "Freefall" Quinn should have been taken by the Miami Dolphins at worst. What does Ted Ginn give you when the only guy throwing him the ball is Culpepper who was benched last year. The Raiders could have gotten a quaterback last year and ended up with Calvin Johnson this year. Instead he is the fourth first round receiver Matt Millen chooses. Can I get his job security...The Patriots can have the trophy, we want character. BS, we will take Moss too. How the mighty (Moss and Culpepper) have fallen. Great move, no risk, high reward. Too bad it came to this. Jets look good, but Revis better be great. J - E - T - S, Jets! Jets! Jets!
Baseball:
Only in New York can fans get nervous that a first place team has a 57 year old El Duque on the DL. Of course he is injured. Livan is the horse, El Duque is the playoff ace. That is why he is
on the team. April/May mean nothing in NY unless the Yankees fall further behind the Sox. Let some pitchers go 7 and then see how the team does.Other Sports:
Funny, but both Hockey (just because) and Basketball (no Knicks) are afterthoughts here in NY except for fans of those teams still alive (Devils/Rangers/Nets). Yes so the NBA Eastern conference is all about the sweep and the Western conference is about Don Nelson owning his old team, the Mavericks - Read Mark Cuban's blog for fun.
3 NY area or state teams are alive and the ratings barely make a blip - blame the NHL, Vs., or the fans, it doesn't matter, you want to see ratings go up, then hope Devils and Rangers both win. The games will be in primetime in NY just for them and all sports are better when NY teams have a good postseason - large market and Madison Avenue.
Our prayers go out to Josh Hancock's family and
his friends around the major and minor leagues.
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