"Was this deal absolutely necessary?"
"Necessary" is a dumb word to use to describe baseball players.
Derek Jeter is not "necessary." Mariano Rivera is not "necessary." Joe Torre is not "necessary." Teams keep winning World Series without any of them.
It's all cost-benefit analysis and nothing more.
"How much more refreshing it would have been had Cashman studied the cards already in his hand, taken a deep breath and said, 'I'll play these.' "
Wheee! Aaron Guiel is as refreshing as a summer breeze!
We can go horseback riding, swimming, and even bicycling.
I also like how Matthews thinks second place is refreshing. Losing 19-6 to the Devil Rays was like chewing on a freakin' Mentos.
Matthews is just tired of the Yankees winning. He wants them to lose. That's why he thinks the 2006 Yankees are so refreshing.
"Which means that right now, the notoriously prickly Sheffield probably is planning to move his rehab schedule to some tropical island. The acquisition of Abreu, signed through 2007, effectively ends his Yankees career."
Again with the dangling participles. Can't you writers learn how to write?
"Abreu's contract effectively ends his Yankee career."
Abreu's contract ended Abreu's Yankee career?
It's a shame it ended this way. Sheffield was awesome with the Yankees. But then he got hurt.
Of course, two months ago, Wallace Matthews already knew Sheffield's Yankee career was over, and Matthews seemed kind of happy about it.
"It also means that the Bernie Williams Farewell Tour, which was playing nightly to large and appreciative crowds, now will be relegated to part-time duty, as originally planned before the injury bug bit the Yankees' outfield."
The 2006 Yankee season is not the Bernie Williams Farewell Tour. The 2006 Yankee season isthe 2006 Yankees season.
The Yankees originally planned to play Bernie Williams part time -- you just said so! -- and now you're criticizing them for going back to the original plan?
So, baseball-wise, Matthews at least seems to understand that the deal doesn't hurt the Yankees. Four minor leaguers nobody ever heard of?
It cost the Yankees nothing in terms of talent, the contracts will basically replace the Sheffield contract, and the Yankees also got Corey Lidle, who, amazingly enough, goes completely unmentioned in the entire article.
Wallace, talk to me. What's your real gripe?:
"It reinforces the perception of the Yankees as a bloated, imperialistic organization, willing to do anything to ensure that the field they compete on is anything but level."
No!
Not that perception!
Not the perception that the Yankees are bloated, imperialistic, and willing to do anything to ensure that the field they compete on is anything but level!
Anything but that!
Quick! Before this perception gets out of control, let's trade Giambi and Posada and Damon to the Senators.
Monday, July 31, 2006
Andrew Marchand Looks Like a Girl.
"IN YANKEE ads Michael Kay voices for the YES Network he exclaims, 'Pride, Power, Pinstripes.' It may be time to officially add Propaganda."
The Yankees Entertainment & Sports Network is a 24-hour propaganda machine for the Yankees. The only time it's not a propaganda machine for the Yankees is when it's 3:00 am on Sunday mornings and they're showing reruns of Oregon Ducks football games.
"This weekend, when it came to the booing of Alex Rodriguez, YES - as if scripted by the Yankees - chose to either ignore the issue or accentuate the positive."
That's probably the worst example of Yankee propaganda I can think of.
This weekend, I suffered through a few minutes of the David Cone Yankeeography. David Cone only pitched for the Yankees for 5 1/2 years. The dude was 1-10 in 2000 when they sent him down to the minor leagues and John Sterling makes Cone sound like a returning hero. A parade of Yankee players explaining how David Cone was such a goshdarn great interview that diverted attention away from the other players, who apparently were more introverted.
People: He was 4-14, 6.91 ERA in 2000 and Torre stuck with him and this decision almost cost the Yankees a World Series title.
Where's the Denny Neagle Yankeeography?
"On Friday the YES-produced Ch. 9 telecast failed to even show the crowd's reaction as Rodriguez walked to the plate for his first at-bat in The Bronx since the epic 'To boo or not to boo' debate peaked with Rudy from Manhattan taking a moment from plotting a presidential run to call WFAN.
Despite the monumental buildup, Ch. 9 chose a pitch-by-pitch replay of a Jason Giambi strikeout instead of A-Rod and the fans."
Did you know about the monumental buildup to ARod's first at-bat on Friday?
Because I don't recall any monumental buildup to ARod's first at-bat on Friday. Andrew Marchand was the only person on Earth who thought there was a monumental buildup to ARod's first at-bat on Friday.
From what I can gather, the fans gave him a nice ovation, the announcers mentioned it in passing and then returned their attention to the baseball game.
The Baseball Game! With the three strikes and the four balls and the nine innings! It's why we're all here in the first place!
Andrew Marchand thinks the announcers on YES have ignored the booing of ARod? The announcers on YES have dissected this story for two months. The announcers on YES have discussed it endlessly. The announcers on YES are tired of it by now.
If Andrew Marchand seriously wants an at-bat-by-at-bat account of the fan's reaction, then he should be careful what he wishes for. I'd rather see the replay of the Giambi strikeout.
The Yankees Entertainment & Sports Network is a 24-hour propaganda machine for the Yankees. The only time it's not a propaganda machine for the Yankees is when it's 3:00 am on Sunday mornings and they're showing reruns of Oregon Ducks football games.
"This weekend, when it came to the booing of Alex Rodriguez, YES - as if scripted by the Yankees - chose to either ignore the issue or accentuate the positive."
That's probably the worst example of Yankee propaganda I can think of.
This weekend, I suffered through a few minutes of the David Cone Yankeeography. David Cone only pitched for the Yankees for 5 1/2 years. The dude was 1-10 in 2000 when they sent him down to the minor leagues and John Sterling makes Cone sound like a returning hero. A parade of Yankee players explaining how David Cone was such a goshdarn great interview that diverted attention away from the other players, who apparently were more introverted.
People: He was 4-14, 6.91 ERA in 2000 and Torre stuck with him and this decision almost cost the Yankees a World Series title.
Where's the Denny Neagle Yankeeography?
"On Friday the YES-produced Ch. 9 telecast failed to even show the crowd's reaction as Rodriguez walked to the plate for his first at-bat in The Bronx since the epic 'To boo or not to boo' debate peaked with Rudy from Manhattan taking a moment from plotting a presidential run to call WFAN.
Despite the monumental buildup, Ch. 9 chose a pitch-by-pitch replay of a Jason Giambi strikeout instead of A-Rod and the fans."
Did you know about the monumental buildup to ARod's first at-bat on Friday?
Because I don't recall any monumental buildup to ARod's first at-bat on Friday. Andrew Marchand was the only person on Earth who thought there was a monumental buildup to ARod's first at-bat on Friday.
From what I can gather, the fans gave him a nice ovation, the announcers mentioned it in passing and then returned their attention to the baseball game.
The Baseball Game! With the three strikes and the four balls and the nine innings! It's why we're all here in the first place!
Andrew Marchand thinks the announcers on YES have ignored the booing of ARod? The announcers on YES have dissected this story for two months. The announcers on YES have discussed it endlessly. The announcers on YES are tired of it by now.
If Andrew Marchand seriously wants an at-bat-by-at-bat account of the fan's reaction, then he should be careful what he wishes for. I'd rather see the replay of the Giambi strikeout.
Sunday, July 30, 2006
Batting Average Is Important. Except When It's Not.
It is almost impossible for Mike Lupica to compose a thought without instantly contradicting himself.
Even in this very article by Mike Lupica!
"If you use that kind of Yankee math, Jeter is already leading the league in hitting even though Joe Mauer's average is 17 points higher."
Well, not exactly. Batting average is an objective metric. "Value" is a subjective analysis.
Jeter is not leading the league in hitting, but he still may have been more valuable than Mauer. Maybe not, but maybe so.
In fact, most of the time, the guy who leads the league in batting average does not win the MVP.
Is Lupica sincere in his belief that batting average is important?
Ummm, no:
"I keep wondering what reason the voters will have for not giving Ortiz the MVP this time."
David Ortiz hit .300 last season.
Alex Rodriguez hit .321 last season.
So Ortiz was more valuable even though his batting average was 21 points worse?
"I keep hearing, especially during Yankee games on the radio, that David Wright and A-Rod are having the 'same' season so far.
So now one guy is having the 'same' season as the next guy even if his batting average is 36 points higher."
We've been through this before. Wright is having a better season, but not too much better. In terms of production, they're basically even. The stark difference is that while Wright is being heralded as an MVP candidate, ARod is the subject of trade rumors and consistently mocked by the ignorant NY press.Even in this very article by Mike Lupica!
"If you use that kind of Yankee math, Jeter is already leading the league in hitting even though Joe Mauer's average is 17 points higher."
Well, not exactly. Batting average is an objective metric. "Value" is a subjective analysis.
Jeter is not leading the league in hitting, but he still may have been more valuable than Mauer. Maybe not, but maybe so.
In fact, most of the time, the guy who leads the league in batting average does not win the MVP.
Is Lupica sincere in his belief that batting average is important?
Ummm, no:
"I keep wondering what reason the voters will have for not giving Ortiz the MVP this time."
David Ortiz hit .300 last season.
Alex Rodriguez hit .321 last season.
So Ortiz was more valuable even though his batting average was 21 points worse?
Thursday, July 27, 2006
You need me.
You can look down on me, you can scorn me, but you need me.
You need me to say the things you're thinking.
First, this news that Joe Torre's arthritic knee is in bad shape:
"It doesn't hurt when I'm sitting here, just the walking aspect of it."
Oh, the walking aspect of the knee. That's kind of like saying the walking aspect of walking.
What's the injection that would tell Joe Torre to not bring in T.J. Beam during the 8th inning of a close game in Texas?
Hey, doc: Do you have any injections for the brain?
Speaking of injections, Jason Giambi explains his recent slump:
"I just didn't have that snap, I just didn't have that that extra little 'oomph.' "
You need me to say the things you're thinking.
First, this news that Joe Torre's arthritic knee is in bad shape:
"It doesn't hurt when I'm sitting here, just the walking aspect of it."
Oh, the walking aspect of the knee. That's kind of like saying the walking aspect of walking.
What's the injection that would tell Joe Torre to not bring in T.J. Beam during the 8th inning of a close game in Texas?
Hey, doc: Do you have any injections for the brain?
Speaking of injections, Jason Giambi explains his recent slump:
"I just didn't have that snap, I just didn't have that that extra little 'oomph.' "
Wednesday, July 26, 2006
Some Yankee Fans Have Bad Memories.
Good Morning, Kids!
Let's play a game.
How many things can you find wrong in Joel Sherman's two paragraphs?:
"When the Yankees struck the deal in February 2004 to import reigning AL MVP Alex Rodriguez and his record $252 million contract from Texas in exchange for Alfonso Soriano, it seemed like a no-brainer.
But in recent months, public opinion has soured on under-performing A-Rod, inciting boobirds in the Bronx and leaving some Yankees fans ruing the day they relinquished Soriano, who continues to improve and mature, now with the Nationals."
1) The Yankees did not import all of Alex Rodriguez's $252 million contract.
2) In February 2004, I think most observers knew the Yankees gave up a lot to get a lot. How are you going to get the MVP without giving up a lot?
3) Having said that, I really don't think there are too many Yankee fans who rue the day they relinquished Soriano.
If these are the same people who are fixated on ARod's poor performance in the 2005 ALDS, let me remind these people of Soriano's benching in the 2003 World Series.
2003 ALCS: 4-for-30 (.133) with eleven strikeouts.
2003 WS: 5-for-22 (.227) with 1 hr and nine strikeouts.
Combined: 9-for-52 (.173), 1 hr, 5 rbis, 2 runs scored, and twenty strikeouts.
Overall playoffs: 34-for-146 (.233), 4 hrs, 18 rbis, 8 bb, 45 k, .287 ob%, .336 slugging%.
Don't make me come over there and compare these to Alex Rodriguez's playoffs stats, tough guy.
Oh, and if you think ARod is struggling in the field, well ... I don't know what to even say.
May I remind you of the play where Mike Mussina fielded a ground ball and threw to second base and Soriano forgot to cover the base?
May I remind you of the pop up near first base where Soriano ran all the way to the tarp near first base? He looked up, but the wind had blown the ball back towards the infield. The ball drifted back into fair territory, landed on the dirt near first base, and bounced into the stands for a ... ground rule "double."
The only person who should be ruing is Pedro Martinez.
Pedro rues no longer having the opportunity to strike out Soriano four times in one game.
Don't you remember? Tens of millions of people all across the country -- maybe even all across the world! -- pleading in unison, screaming at their televisions, imploring Soriano to not swing at the slider that is two feet outside.
It was the "What are you swinging at?" series.
Let's play a game.
How many things can you find wrong in Joel Sherman's two paragraphs?:
"When the Yankees struck the deal in February 2004 to import reigning AL MVP Alex Rodriguez and his record $252 million contract from Texas in exchange for Alfonso Soriano, it seemed like a no-brainer.
But in recent months, public opinion has soured on under-performing A-Rod, inciting boobirds in the Bronx and leaving some Yankees fans ruing the day they relinquished Soriano, who continues to improve and mature, now with the Nationals."
1) The Yankees did not import all of Alex Rodriguez's $252 million contract.
2) In February 2004, I think most observers knew the Yankees gave up a lot to get a lot. How are you going to get the MVP without giving up a lot?
3) Having said that, I really don't think there are too many Yankee fans who rue the day they relinquished Soriano.
If these are the same people who are fixated on ARod's poor performance in the 2005 ALDS, let me remind these people of Soriano's benching in the 2003 World Series.
2003 ALCS: 4-for-30 (.133) with eleven strikeouts.
2003 WS: 5-for-22 (.227) with 1 hr and nine strikeouts.
Combined: 9-for-52 (.173), 1 hr, 5 rbis, 2 runs scored, and twenty strikeouts.
Overall playoffs: 34-for-146 (.233), 4 hrs, 18 rbis, 8 bb, 45 k, .287 ob%, .336 slugging%.
Don't make me come over there and compare these to Alex Rodriguez's playoffs stats, tough guy.
Oh, and if you think ARod is struggling in the field, well ... I don't know what to even say.
May I remind you of the play where Mike Mussina fielded a ground ball and threw to second base and Soriano forgot to cover the base?
May I remind you of the pop up near first base where Soriano ran all the way to the tarp near first base? He looked up, but the wind had blown the ball back towards the infield. The ball drifted back into fair territory, landed on the dirt near first base, and bounced into the stands for a ... ground rule "double."
The only person who should be ruing is Pedro Martinez.
Pedro rues no longer having the opportunity to strike out Soriano four times in one game.
Don't you remember? Tens of millions of people all across the country -- maybe even all across the world! -- pleading in unison, screaming at their televisions, imploring Soriano to not swing at the slider that is two feet outside.
It was the "What are you swinging at?" series.
Monday, July 24, 2006
Trade Wright While He's Still Worth Something.
Trade David Wright. He had three errors in one game. David Wright can not handle the pressure of playing in New York.
The Daily Idiocy.
"The Yankees have less than a week to go before the MLB trade deadline, meaning they have less than a week to see if they can unload A-Rod, a prospect that once seemed ludicrous, but is now painfully legit."
Painfully illegitimate sports analysis.
It will be nice when Alex Rodriguez wins back-to-back World Series MVPs and everybody laughs at the notion that some observers really thought that the Yankees should trade him.
"A week that started badly and continued embarrassingly finished on an appropriate note: 0-4 with 4 Ks as a DH on Saturday, 0-4 on Sunday with 4 LOB."
Bad week for the reigning MVP.
However, he also did hit his 450th homerun. The youngest player in the history of baseball to hit his 450th homerun.
It was also his 2,000th hit.
He also turns just 31 years old this week.
Just for some perspective of the baseball player that Dan Shanoff wants to trade.
"Even Yankees coach Larry Bowa has said he thinks A-Rod's problems are in his head;"
Even Larry Bowa!!! Not Larry Bowa!!!
When Larry Bowa Talks, People Listen.
"while his trade value is still high, all but the most blinded Yankees loyalists can agree this is the time for the Yankees to unload him."
That means that almost every other person in the world is a blinded Yankees loyalist.
I also like that "while his trade value is still high." Like Alex Rodriguez is '05 Greg Maddux, or something like that. Like 31-year-old Alex Rodriguez, who's the reigning AL MVP, who's slumping to 40 hrs and 120 rbis, has fallen over the cliff and will never regain any value to a baseball team ever again. Like he's barely holding on to his job in the big leagues.
"How about my idea from last week to deal him straight-up (plus cash) back to his friendly hometown Miami for Miggy Cabrera? Not so crazy anymore."
Because Miguel Cabrera never had a bad week, either.
Crazy for a few more reasons:
1) ARod is a better baseball player than Miguel Cabrera.
2) ARod will not waive his no-trade clause.
3) The Yankees will not trade ARod.
Painfully illegitimate sports analysis.
It will be nice when Alex Rodriguez wins back-to-back World Series MVPs and everybody laughs at the notion that some observers really thought that the Yankees should trade him.
"A week that started badly and continued embarrassingly finished on an appropriate note: 0-4 with 4 Ks as a DH on Saturday, 0-4 on Sunday with 4 LOB."
Bad week for the reigning MVP.
However, he also did hit his 450th homerun. The youngest player in the history of baseball to hit his 450th homerun.
It was also his 2,000th hit.
He also turns just 31 years old this week.
Just for some perspective of the baseball player that Dan Shanoff wants to trade.
"Even Yankees coach Larry Bowa has said he thinks A-Rod's problems are in his head;"
Even Larry Bowa!!! Not Larry Bowa!!!
When Larry Bowa Talks, People Listen.
"while his trade value is still high, all but the most blinded Yankees loyalists can agree this is the time for the Yankees to unload him."
That means that almost every other person in the world is a blinded Yankees loyalist.
I also like that "while his trade value is still high." Like Alex Rodriguez is '05 Greg Maddux, or something like that. Like 31-year-old Alex Rodriguez, who's the reigning AL MVP, who's slumping to 40 hrs and 120 rbis, has fallen over the cliff and will never regain any value to a baseball team ever again. Like he's barely holding on to his job in the big leagues.
"How about my idea from last week to deal him straight-up (plus cash) back to his friendly hometown Miami for Miggy Cabrera? Not so crazy anymore."
Because Miguel Cabrera never had a bad week, either.
Crazy for a few more reasons:
1) ARod is a better baseball player than Miguel Cabrera.
2) ARod will not waive his no-trade clause.
3) The Yankees will not trade ARod.
Paging Clay Bellinger.
"Phillips gives you a lot. He gives you versatility, so there's a certain advantage that when you pinch-hit, you can do certain things."
Phillips certainly doesn't hit well enough to consistently play first base and, while I haven't seen Phillips too much at the other infield positions, I have to presume that he's not a particularly gifted infielder.
Because, if he was a gifted infielder, he'd have a lot more value and he'd be playing somewhere in the big leagues by now, rather than playing backup first base for the Yankees.
I mean, he's not the worst player in the world, but he's also not helping much offensively.
With the fact that it takes the Yankees a lot to score runs here, I think it's obvious that they have to put a premium on offense.
Isn't that right, Mr. Torre?:
"With the fact that it takes us a lot to score runs here, I think we have to put a premium on defense," the manger [sic] said.
Phillips certainly doesn't hit well enough to consistently play first base and, while I haven't seen Phillips too much at the other infield positions, I have to presume that he's not a particularly gifted infielder.
Because, if he was a gifted infielder, he'd have a lot more value and he'd be playing somewhere in the big leagues by now, rather than playing backup first base for the Yankees.
I mean, he's not the worst player in the world, but he's also not helping much offensively.
With the fact that it takes the Yankees a lot to score runs here, I think it's obvious that they have to put a premium on offense.
Isn't that right, Mr. Torre?:
"With the fact that it takes us a lot to score runs here, I think we have to put a premium on defense," the manger [sic] said.
Thursday, July 20, 2006
Yankee Planet.
Why is Mike Lupica even paying attention to Randy Johnson? Randy Johnson is old and decrepit and sad.
Anyway, wasn't it nice to see the Yankee GM defend ARod?:
"Brian Cashman said the other day that A-Rod is having the same season as David Wright. On what planet?"
I know Wright is having a better year than ARod. How do I know? The statistics tell me. But the difference is probably closer than you think, given the respective treatment by the fans and the press:
Let's just say it would be unwise to doubt the baseball skills of Alex Rodriguez.
You probably can't go wrong with either player. It's kind of odd that we're constantly asked to choose between them in a pointless mental exercise. I choose both.
It's also clear that 11 rbis don't explain why one guy gets booed out of his own Stadium and one guy gets "MVP" chants at his.
It's not the small difference in production, it's the huge difference in salary. Cashman is absolutely right about that. This is clear as day.
I'll answer Lupica's rhetorical question.
On what planet is ARod having as good a year as Wright? Yankee Planet.
On Yankee Planet, ARod is having the same season as Wright. On Yankee Planet, Yankee players are praised and defended.
Is Mike Lupica seriously questioning the baseball acumen of the Yankee GM?
The same guy who thinks the Mets are better than the Yankees. On what planet?
The same guy who thinks the Mets are better than the Tigers. On what planet?
The same guy who thinks Jonathan Papelbon is the AL MVP. On what planet?
The same guy who thinks David Wright is more valuable than Albert Pujols. On what planet?
Just like in Seattle, the MVP is Raul Ibanez. It's Seattle Planet.
On Mets Planet, Steve Trachsel is more reliable than Chien-Ming Wang and El Duque is a proven veteran and Soler is a promising young arm and Floyd didn't celebrate too much after his grand slam in Chicago while ARod celebrated too much after his grand slam in the Bronx and the bullpen is going to get better instead of worse because Duaner Sanchez and Darren Oliver have done a terrific job this year. If you don't believe me, just ask Omar Minaya.
I hope it's easy to see the difference. Brian Cashman is an employee of the Yankees. Brian Cashman is expected to be biased. In fact, he's paid to be biased. He's a walking, talking Yankee sales pitch 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
It's amazing that Cashman is forced to defend the reigning AL MVP and it's pathetic that nobody else in the Yankee organization seems similarly inclined. (Yes, Mr. Torre, I'm looking at you.)
Mike Lupica -- I think -- is supposed to be a relatively unbiased supplier of in-depth and insider baseball information.
He's not supposed to be the President of the He-Mets Yankee-Haters Club.
Anyway, wasn't it nice to see the Yankee GM defend ARod?:
"Brian Cashman said the other day that A-Rod is having the same season as David Wright. On what planet?"
I know Wright is having a better year than ARod. How do I know? The statistics tell me. But the difference is probably closer than you think, given the respective treatment by the fans and the press:
- Wright .317/.391/.576/21/79/62.
- Rodriguez .284/.388/.504/20/68/65.
Let's just say it would be unwise to doubt the baseball skills of Alex Rodriguez.
You probably can't go wrong with either player. It's kind of odd that we're constantly asked to choose between them in a pointless mental exercise. I choose both.
It's also clear that 11 rbis don't explain why one guy gets booed out of his own Stadium and one guy gets "MVP" chants at his.
It's not the small difference in production, it's the huge difference in salary. Cashman is absolutely right about that. This is clear as day.
I'll answer Lupica's rhetorical question.
On what planet is ARod having as good a year as Wright? Yankee Planet.
On Yankee Planet, ARod is having the same season as Wright. On Yankee Planet, Yankee players are praised and defended.
Is Mike Lupica seriously questioning the baseball acumen of the Yankee GM?
The same guy who thinks the Mets are better than the Yankees. On what planet?
The same guy who thinks the Mets are better than the Tigers. On what planet?
The same guy who thinks Jonathan Papelbon is the AL MVP. On what planet?
The same guy who thinks David Wright is more valuable than Albert Pujols. On what planet?
- Pujols .327/.442/.715/31/83/69. (But Wright has more stolen bases.)
Speaking of Albert Pujols, I direct your attention to one stat in particular. The Runners In Scoring Position split.
You know how great David Wright is with Runners In Scoring Position? Well, he is.
Albert Pujols has 70 at-bats with RISP. He has walked 28 times, so I'm assuming 98 plate appearances, more or less, without investigating sac flies and that kind of stuff.
I'll go slow so you can digest this Truth of the Universe I'm about to reveal. I hope you are sitting down:
- 70 at-bats.
- 32 hits.
- .457 batting average.
- 28 walks.
- .600 on-base percentage.
- 5 doubles.
- 8 homeruns.
- .871 slugging percentage.
- 53 rbis.
Just like in Seattle, the MVP is Raul Ibanez. It's Seattle Planet.
On Mets Planet, Steve Trachsel is more reliable than Chien-Ming Wang and El Duque is a proven veteran and Soler is a promising young arm and Floyd didn't celebrate too much after his grand slam in Chicago while ARod celebrated too much after his grand slam in the Bronx and the bullpen is going to get better instead of worse because Duaner Sanchez and Darren Oliver have done a terrific job this year. If you don't believe me, just ask Omar Minaya.
I hope it's easy to see the difference. Brian Cashman is an employee of the Yankees. Brian Cashman is expected to be biased. In fact, he's paid to be biased. He's a walking, talking Yankee sales pitch 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
It's amazing that Cashman is forced to defend the reigning AL MVP and it's pathetic that nobody else in the Yankee organization seems similarly inclined. (Yes, Mr. Torre, I'm looking at you.)
Mike Lupica -- I think -- is supposed to be a relatively unbiased supplier of in-depth and insider baseball information.
He's not supposed to be the President of the He-Mets Yankee-Haters Club.
Wednesday, July 19, 2006
Out & About with Jay Greenberg.
Item! Alex Rodriguez, Yankee third baseman and all-around latino hunk, caught sunbathing in Central Park with the missus and the baby:
"Then, just like the well-heeled idiots in the beer commercial, Rodriguez' next bright idea was to sun himself on a blistering Monday in Central Park, winding up not only shirtless in yesterday's Post, but with three throwing errors and a bases-loaded seventh-inning strikeout."
Shirtless and oiled up. Yummy!
"Go to his private club would be one suggestion. We mean the one with the pool, not with poker tables or a writer with a tape recorder running while Rodriguez tells the world how much harder it is to be A-Rod than it is to be Derek Jeter."
Champagne wishes and caviar dreams.
"The Yankees pay Rodriguez $25 million a year to come to the park prepared as possible, including on nights hot enough for the trainers to post reminders about hydration, diet and 'limiting workouts.' Whatever additional heat tolerance a guy from Miami can claim, he still leaves the Yankees tolerating needless supposition that their underachieving superstar played a game fried."
Item! The Yankees don't actually pay Rodriguez $25 million per year. (But the more knowledgeable readers already knew that.)
Not that it really makes a difference. Preparation is expected from every player on the Yankees, whether they make $20 million or league minimum. Even if he took an afternoon to relax and sunbathe in Central Park, we all know ARod is one of the most prepared athletes in the world.
What did Alex Rodriguez do that offended Jay Greenberg so much?
Did he crash his motorcycle without wearing a helmet?
Did he beat his wife?
Did he get arrested for driving drunk?
Did he suddenly quit and become GM?
He sunbathed in Central Park.
That's it?
That's why he made three errors in a game? Because he sunbathed, shirtless, in Central Park? Flashing his delish pecs and hairless torso?
" '[Sunday] was an incredible game, and you [media] weren't telling me about all the great plays. I looked like Brooks Robinson, then like I did last night. I don't like it, but that's the lesson for Little Leaguers.'
Now that's some serious, self-important spin, turning three errors and an 0-for-4 after an unnecessary ultra-violet broil into a toast of himself as a lesson in perseverance. Obviously, if Alex Rodriguez knew how that sounded, he wouldn't have said it. But until he understands, how can he help himself?"
Jay Greenberg, do you even know who Brooks Robinson is? No, you don't. Brooks Robinson s not a fashion designer for the stars.
How does ARod sound, Jay Greenberg? I don't understand what you're getting at. It sounds perfectly okay to me.
It sounds like ARod said that some days you succeed in baseball and somedays you don't. It's actually not a bad lesson for Little Leaguers. Don't get too high and don't get too low. Say No to Drugs and Stay in School.
"Then, just like the well-heeled idiots in the beer commercial, Rodriguez' next bright idea was to sun himself on a blistering Monday in Central Park, winding up not only shirtless in yesterday's Post, but with three throwing errors and a bases-loaded seventh-inning strikeout."
Shirtless and oiled up. Yummy!
"Go to his private club would be one suggestion. We mean the one with the pool, not with poker tables or a writer with a tape recorder running while Rodriguez tells the world how much harder it is to be A-Rod than it is to be Derek Jeter."
Champagne wishes and caviar dreams.
"The Yankees pay Rodriguez $25 million a year to come to the park prepared as possible, including on nights hot enough for the trainers to post reminders about hydration, diet and 'limiting workouts.' Whatever additional heat tolerance a guy from Miami can claim, he still leaves the Yankees tolerating needless supposition that their underachieving superstar played a game fried."
Item! The Yankees don't actually pay Rodriguez $25 million per year. (But the more knowledgeable readers already knew that.)
Not that it really makes a difference. Preparation is expected from every player on the Yankees, whether they make $20 million or league minimum. Even if he took an afternoon to relax and sunbathe in Central Park, we all know ARod is one of the most prepared athletes in the world.
What did Alex Rodriguez do that offended Jay Greenberg so much?
Did he crash his motorcycle without wearing a helmet?
Did he beat his wife?
Did he get arrested for driving drunk?
Did he suddenly quit and become GM?
He sunbathed in Central Park.
That's it?
That's why he made three errors in a game? Because he sunbathed, shirtless, in Central Park? Flashing his delish pecs and hairless torso?
" '[Sunday] was an incredible game, and you [media] weren't telling me about all the great plays. I looked like Brooks Robinson, then like I did last night. I don't like it, but that's the lesson for Little Leaguers.'
Now that's some serious, self-important spin, turning three errors and an 0-for-4 after an unnecessary ultra-violet broil into a toast of himself as a lesson in perseverance. Obviously, if Alex Rodriguez knew how that sounded, he wouldn't have said it. But until he understands, how can he help himself?"
Jay Greenberg, do you even know who Brooks Robinson is? No, you don't. Brooks Robinson s not a fashion designer for the stars.
How does ARod sound, Jay Greenberg? I don't understand what you're getting at. It sounds perfectly okay to me.
It sounds like ARod said that some days you succeed in baseball and somedays you don't. It's actually not a bad lesson for Little Leaguers. Don't get too high and don't get too low. Say No to Drugs and Stay in School.
Tuesday, July 18, 2006
Simmer Down Now.
When you see a site like this, you can dismiss it as a rantings of a 12-year-old kid.
Kind of funny, but not to be taken seriously. Trade ARod, I Hate Toyotas, Ninjas Rule!
There is no point in arguing the case point by point because it's just a waste of intellectual energy and you're not going to convince this type of person that ARod is a good ballplayer. It doesn't even matter, because ARod just isn't kewl.
The execrable Steve Phillips, a man who is paid by ESPN to provide cogent baseball commentary -- perhaps still reeling from his own infamous decision to keep ARod off the Mets -- has now decided that the Yankees Must Trade ARod.
But, as Steve Phillips warns, ARod makes a lot of money. So, it might not be so easy to trade him.
But, the Yankees absolutely have to trade him.
Of course, this is a nonsensical idea that normally shouldn't get past some drunken rantings on MySpace. But this idea is actually getting air time on ESPN.
Jay Greenberg similarly suggests that the Yankees trade ARod:
"Philly has performed the kind of love on Bobby Abreu that toughens him for New York, where he may arrive within two weeks. Maybe A-Rod needs to be farmed there or to Boston for more seasoning."
Right. Trade Alex Rodriguez to Boston. Good idea.
I almost wish it happens just to teach these people a lesson. Maybe the Yankees can get Mike Lowell and Mike Timlin in return. Then watch ARod bat right between Ortiz and Manny and hit 55 HRs over the Monster. I'd like to see Scott Proctor face that gauntlet with the playoffs on the line.
"And Damon, tied for sixth in the AL in runs scored, tied for seventh in stolen bases and delivering exactly what the Yankees projected for their $52 million over four seasons, can definitely play in New York.
But 2 1/2 seasons into Alex Rodriguez' time in New York, we can't say that about him, not even close, not even after an MVP season, as weird as that has become."
The war in Jay Greenberg's head:
ARod won the MVP while playing in New York.
ARod hasn't proved he can play in New York.
ARod won the MVP while playing in New York.
ARod hasn't proved he can play in New York.
ARod won the MVP while playing in New York.
ARod hasn't proved he can play in New York.
Kind of funny, but not to be taken seriously. Trade ARod, I Hate Toyotas, Ninjas Rule!
There is no point in arguing the case point by point because it's just a waste of intellectual energy and you're not going to convince this type of person that ARod is a good ballplayer. It doesn't even matter, because ARod just isn't kewl.
The execrable Steve Phillips, a man who is paid by ESPN to provide cogent baseball commentary -- perhaps still reeling from his own infamous decision to keep ARod off the Mets -- has now decided that the Yankees Must Trade ARod.
But, as Steve Phillips warns, ARod makes a lot of money. So, it might not be so easy to trade him.
But, the Yankees absolutely have to trade him.
Of course, this is a nonsensical idea that normally shouldn't get past some drunken rantings on MySpace. But this idea is actually getting air time on ESPN.
Jay Greenberg similarly suggests that the Yankees trade ARod:
"Philly has performed the kind of love on Bobby Abreu that toughens him for New York, where he may arrive within two weeks. Maybe A-Rod needs to be farmed there or to Boston for more seasoning."
Right. Trade Alex Rodriguez to Boston. Good idea.
I almost wish it happens just to teach these people a lesson. Maybe the Yankees can get Mike Lowell and Mike Timlin in return. Then watch ARod bat right between Ortiz and Manny and hit 55 HRs over the Monster. I'd like to see Scott Proctor face that gauntlet with the playoffs on the line.
"And Damon, tied for sixth in the AL in runs scored, tied for seventh in stolen bases and delivering exactly what the Yankees projected for their $52 million over four seasons, can definitely play in New York.
But 2 1/2 seasons into Alex Rodriguez' time in New York, we can't say that about him, not even close, not even after an MVP season, as weird as that has become."
The war in Jay Greenberg's head:
ARod won the MVP while playing in New York.
ARod hasn't proved he can play in New York.
ARod won the MVP while playing in New York.
ARod hasn't proved he can play in New York.
ARod won the MVP while playing in New York.
ARod hasn't proved he can play in New York.
Sunday, July 16, 2006
Let's just stop keeping score.
The results on the field don't even matter anymore. The only thing that matters is a good storyline:
"The Mets are winning now. They have been a better attraction, by a lot, across the first half of the season, a better story, than the Yankees ..."
While playing in the inferior NL, the Mets' record is one-half game better than the Yankees' record.
The Yankees have also drawn more people to their ballpark. By a lot.
"Not even the most ambitious of Mets fans thought they were going to win the Series this year or make the Series."
Oh, really?
Too late, Lupica.
You can't lower expectations now just to keep your Underdog story alive.
"The Mets are winning now. They have been a better attraction, by a lot, across the first half of the season, a better story, than the Yankees ..."
While playing in the inferior NL, the Mets' record is one-half game better than the Yankees' record.
The Yankees have also drawn more people to their ballpark. By a lot.
"Not even the most ambitious of Mets fans thought they were going to win the Series this year or make the Series."
Oh, really?
Too late, Lupica.
You can't lower expectations now just to keep your Underdog story alive.
Saturday, July 15, 2006
I know something you don't know.
Who has a higher ERA? Washed-up Randy Johnson or free agent phenom Josh Beckett?
Friday, July 14, 2006
Alex Rodriguez is Overpaid.
Get over it.
Acknowledge and move on.
I don't know why Tom Hicks paid ARod $25 million per year when he could have paid him $20 million per year.
Tom Hicks broke the market with that contract. No contract since has even come close.
I think Hicks was trying to rejuvenate baseball in Texas and he thought ARod Mania would increase the value of his nearby real estate.
I don't know why and I don't really care. Tom Hicks's lack of contract negotiaton skill does not hamper my ability to observe what happens on a baseball field.
Tihs contract was signed five and a half years ago.
Why are so many people still continually obsessed with this contract? Why do I read about this contract almost every single day in the sports pages? Why not talk about something more current, like Sarah Hughes battling Michelle Kwan for the gold medal?
It was shocking at the time. Now you've had five and a half years to absorb the shock. Now it's old news.
Besides being boring and misleading, there are other problems with Kieran Darcy's analysis:
I. It's rigged .
"David Wright makes $400,000 compared to ARod's $25,000,000."
Well, duh.
David Wright is not a free agent yet. Funny how all the young players make less money than the veterans. Because of this free agency rule, just about every young player is automatically a better value than just about every veteran.
When David Wright signs his $20-mill-per-annum contract, is Kieran Darcy going to expect him to hit 2,000 homeruns per season so he can maintain his relative value?
You know what I'm going to enjoy? I'm going to enjoy when David Wright sits down for his first contract negotiation.
Met fans everywhere proclaiming that their third baseman is better than Alex Rodriguez. Until it's time to pay him.
"You want $27.5 million per year? You've never even hit 40 homeruns, won a batting title, or stolen 40 bases! ARod goes 40-120 every year with 120 runs scored, too! You've came close in 2006, but that is only one time. Who hasn't done it once or twice? Oh, and can we get a $500k discount for every error? Jeez, Louise. Ty Wiggington had a better glove."
II. The Talent Pyramid.
There is nothing more expensive than a $1,000 car.
Yeah, yeah, I know ARod has had a subpar first half of 2006.
But the reason you pay for once-in-a-lifetime talent is because it only comes along once in a lifetime.
The statistical analysis of baseball players should not be linear. It's more like a bell curve or a pyramid.
Standard deviations? ANOVA? The Law of Diminishing Returns? Anybody know what that stuff is?
With ARod you've got a five-tool player who averages ... well, I don't need to go through this again.
ARod is one of the elite players of all time. The reason you pay a premium for this type of talent is because it is exceedingly rare and difficult to replace.
There are so many overpaid players who signed bloated contracts based on one or two good seasons. It's dopey to focus on a player who has consistently delivered.
III. For The Last Time...
The Yankees pay ARod $16 million, not $25 million.
Which means the Rangers pay ARod $9 million for 0 hits, 0 homeruns, 0 runs scored, and 0 runs batted in.
Again, I don't know what Tom Hicks was thinking.
But this contract fact is vital to this exact discussion. Elimination of this fact is misleading at best.
We're specifically discussing whether or not Cashman should have made this deal. The proposition is that ARod's $25 million salary makes him the worst bargain in baseball. Everyone who reads this article is forced to believe that the Yankees are paying $25 million for .282 ba and 65 rbis.
They're not. They're paying $16 million.
$16 million may still be too much for ARod's 2006 production, but it absolutely changes the parameters of the discussion.
Cashman paid $16 million for the AL MVP.
In two and a half seasons, Cashman's investment has returned over 100 homeruns and over 300 rbis.
If Kieran Darcy was expecting much more than that, then he simply does not understand the physical limitations of the human body.
Acknowledge and move on.
I don't know why Tom Hicks paid ARod $25 million per year when he could have paid him $20 million per year.
Tom Hicks broke the market with that contract. No contract since has even come close.
I think Hicks was trying to rejuvenate baseball in Texas and he thought ARod Mania would increase the value of his nearby real estate.
I don't know why and I don't really care. Tom Hicks's lack of contract negotiaton skill does not hamper my ability to observe what happens on a baseball field.
Tihs contract was signed five and a half years ago.
Why are so many people still continually obsessed with this contract? Why do I read about this contract almost every single day in the sports pages? Why not talk about something more current, like Sarah Hughes battling Michelle Kwan for the gold medal?
It was shocking at the time. Now you've had five and a half years to absorb the shock. Now it's old news.
Besides being boring and misleading, there are other problems with Kieran Darcy's analysis:
I. It's rigged .
"David Wright makes $400,000 compared to ARod's $25,000,000."
Well, duh.
David Wright is not a free agent yet. Funny how all the young players make less money than the veterans. Because of this free agency rule, just about every young player is automatically a better value than just about every veteran.
When David Wright signs his $20-mill-per-annum contract, is Kieran Darcy going to expect him to hit 2,000 homeruns per season so he can maintain his relative value?
You know what I'm going to enjoy? I'm going to enjoy when David Wright sits down for his first contract negotiation.
Met fans everywhere proclaiming that their third baseman is better than Alex Rodriguez. Until it's time to pay him.
"You want $27.5 million per year? You've never even hit 40 homeruns, won a batting title, or stolen 40 bases! ARod goes 40-120 every year with 120 runs scored, too! You've came close in 2006, but that is only one time. Who hasn't done it once or twice? Oh, and can we get a $500k discount for every error? Jeez, Louise. Ty Wiggington had a better glove."
II. The Talent Pyramid.
There is nothing more expensive than a $1,000 car.
Yeah, yeah, I know ARod has had a subpar first half of 2006.
But the reason you pay for once-in-a-lifetime talent is because it only comes along once in a lifetime.
The statistical analysis of baseball players should not be linear. It's more like a bell curve or a pyramid.
Standard deviations? ANOVA? The Law of Diminishing Returns? Anybody know what that stuff is?
With ARod you've got a five-tool player who averages ... well, I don't need to go through this again.
ARod is one of the elite players of all time. The reason you pay a premium for this type of talent is because it is exceedingly rare and difficult to replace.
There are so many overpaid players who signed bloated contracts based on one or two good seasons. It's dopey to focus on a player who has consistently delivered.
III. For The Last Time...
The Yankees pay ARod $16 million, not $25 million.
Which means the Rangers pay ARod $9 million for 0 hits, 0 homeruns, 0 runs scored, and 0 runs batted in.
Again, I don't know what Tom Hicks was thinking.
But this contract fact is vital to this exact discussion. Elimination of this fact is misleading at best.
We're specifically discussing whether or not Cashman should have made this deal. The proposition is that ARod's $25 million salary makes him the worst bargain in baseball. Everyone who reads this article is forced to believe that the Yankees are paying $25 million for .282 ba and 65 rbis.
They're not. They're paying $16 million.
$16 million may still be too much for ARod's 2006 production, but it absolutely changes the parameters of the discussion.
Cashman paid $16 million for the AL MVP.
In two and a half seasons, Cashman's investment has returned over 100 homeruns and over 300 rbis.
If Kieran Darcy was expecting much more than that, then he simply does not understand the physical limitations of the human body.
George King does not read my blog.
The headline is promising:
"YANKEES NEED TO TAME EAST"
Exactly! The entire AL East. Which includes the Toronto Blue Jays.
Finally! An overall view of the AL East. You can't miss the Blue Jays if you're talking about the AL East.
Followed by a disappointing sub-header:
"BOMBERS MUST FOCUS SOLELY ON RED SOX"
Sigh.
"Forget the schedule. Ignore the Yankees and Red Sox having just nine games remaining against each other. Starting tonight and lasting until Oct. 1, it's Yankees-Red Sox 24/7."
Alright, if you say so. The Blue Jays are 4 1/2 out of first and 2 games behind the Yankees. Somebody has decided that they've got no shot, so everybody should ignore them entirely.
"Each will play a game on the field wondering what their blood rivals are doing in another stadium. They can deny it but it will be hollow talk."
Don't deny scoreboard watching. Scoreboard watching should be mandatory.
I want my players, coaches, manager, GM, and owner to scrutinize every box score. I wany my players to know every 40-man roster in the majors. It's 1,200 players you've got to memorize, so stop practicing your swing in the outfield and get to work.
Are you ready for a sudden left turn down George King's Highway of Revisionist History and Illogical Reasoning?
Hold on, it's a bumpy ride:
"That's because you can make the argument that for the first time since the 1978 one-game playoff game Bucky Dent won with a homer, the stakes have never been bigger between the Yankees and Red Sox."
The stakes have never been higher.
Except for 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994 (well, not the strike year), 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, and 2005.
"Larger than consecutive Game 7s in the 2003 and 2004 ALCS?"
How could any regular season game be bigger than a Game 7 in a playoff series? The loser of the Game 7 goes home.
"Sure the winner went to the World Series but the second-place finisher in this year's AL East is going home."
The loser goes home. Just like the second-place finisher in a Game 7 of a playoff series. So, the stakes are the same.
George, seriously: Are you drunk?
"YANKEES NEED TO TAME EAST"
Exactly! The entire AL East. Which includes the Toronto Blue Jays.
Finally! An overall view of the AL East. You can't miss the Blue Jays if you're talking about the AL East.
Followed by a disappointing sub-header:
"BOMBERS MUST FOCUS SOLELY ON RED SOX"
Sigh.
"Forget the schedule. Ignore the Yankees and Red Sox having just nine games remaining against each other. Starting tonight and lasting until Oct. 1, it's Yankees-Red Sox 24/7."
Alright, if you say so. The Blue Jays are 4 1/2 out of first and 2 games behind the Yankees. Somebody has decided that they've got no shot, so everybody should ignore them entirely.
"Each will play a game on the field wondering what their blood rivals are doing in another stadium. They can deny it but it will be hollow talk."
Don't deny scoreboard watching. Scoreboard watching should be mandatory.
I want my players, coaches, manager, GM, and owner to scrutinize every box score. I wany my players to know every 40-man roster in the majors. It's 1,200 players you've got to memorize, so stop practicing your swing in the outfield and get to work.
Are you ready for a sudden left turn down George King's Highway of Revisionist History and Illogical Reasoning?
Hold on, it's a bumpy ride:
"That's because you can make the argument that for the first time since the 1978 one-game playoff game Bucky Dent won with a homer, the stakes have never been bigger between the Yankees and Red Sox."
The stakes have never been higher.
Except for 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994 (well, not the strike year), 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, and 2005.
"Larger than consecutive Game 7s in the 2003 and 2004 ALCS?"
How could any regular season game be bigger than a Game 7 in a playoff series? The loser of the Game 7 goes home.
"Sure the winner went to the World Series but the second-place finisher in this year's AL East is going home."
The loser goes home. Just like the second-place finisher in a Game 7 of a playoff series. So, the stakes are the same.
George, seriously: Are you drunk?
Thursday, July 13, 2006
Mike Lupica's Love-Hate Relationship With Facts.
"Randy Johnson and Alex Rodriguez need to pick it up now. They were brought here, at ridiculous prices, to make a difference."
I can defend Randy Johnson to some degree (27-15 NYY record), but I have to concede that his Yankee tenure has been a disappointment.
Johnson was brought here specifically to make a difference in the playoffs and, while ARod gets showered with endless criticism for his 2-for-15 in last year's ALDS, the Yankees planned their entire season (and off-season) in order to give Randy Johnson the ball in game three of a tied playoffs series.
He was set up. He was at home. The Yankees scored seven runs.
Johnson couldn't even keep his team in the game. May was well have sent Jeff Weaver out there.
Alex Rodriguez had a bad ALDS in 2005 (hadn't you heard?). But Unit deserves more of the blame.
While Unit has been an average starter being paid superstar prices, ARod has been a superstar performer and has lived up to his contract. Don't insult ARod by comparing him to Randy Johnson.
As for the prices, since Lupica brings it up, I think it's important to note that the Yankees pay ARod $16 million. Yes, it's ridiculous in a world where teachers make $30,000, or whatever, but I think we're all way past that particular discussion.
Paying the AL MVP $16 million is not "ridiculous" in a world where Darren Dreifort makes $13.4 and Chan Ho Park makes $15.
Last year, the Yankees paid Kevin Brown as much as they paid Alex Rodriguez.
In 2005, Steinbrenner paid the AL MVP less money than three other players on his own team.
"Randy Johnson wasn't brought here, at $16 million a year (it averages out to $19 million if you factor in what the Yankees paid off on Javy Vazquez's contract) to talk about how he can't pitch deep into games."
The man has no shame.
Just the nerve to bring up the Vazquez buyout without mentioning the Rangers' contribution to ARod's contract.
"This is about someone widely regarded as the best all-around player in his game going into the second half of the season leading his team in two significant categories:
Games played.
Strikeouts."
I am intrigued by Lupica's sudden headfirst plunge into the world of "baseball statistics," but it's also problematic for a couple of reasons:
1) In 2005, when ARod won the AL MVP and tore up the Yankee record books, Lupica ignored statistics. 48 homeruns, but they weren't theatrical enough. 130 rbis, but they weren't aesthetically pleasing to Mike Lupica.
It doesn't work that way. You can start using stats, but you need to apply them evenly to all players in all situations.
The Scientific Method does not allow cherry picking.
2) I swear, my favorite baseball stat is Total Runs Produced.
Kwik-N-EZ.
Runs + RBIs - HRs.
HRs are deducted because, when a player hits a HR, the player gets credit for a run and also an RBI. He drove in himself. This is somewhat misleading because only one run scored for his team. Therefore, only one run was produced.
I consider it a very significant statistic. One of my favorites.
Alex Rodriguez leads the Yankees in Total Runs Produced.
"Rodriguez is second on the Yankees in runs, second in home runs, second in total bases, third in hits."
I guess that is supposed to be an insult.
"In a season when David Wright, the kid who plays third for the Mets, has embraced not only his leadership role with the Mets (at the age of 23) but also the responsibilities of being a star of the city, we have watched Rodriguez produce subpar (for him) numbers, heard the constant booing from his own fans."
David Wright leads his team in batting average and rbis and that's it. His own team!!!
It's very easy to give David Wright the ARod treatment.
It's certainly sleazy, and it feels kind of unethical, but it's not difficult to do:
"Wright is second on the Mets in hits, third in runs, third in homeruns, second in slugging percentage, second in on-base percentage, second in strikeouts, and first in errors."
Wright is first on his team in Total Runs Produced. In fact, Wright might lead the entire NL in Total Runs Produced.
But Total Runs Produced is not a significant statistic.
I can defend Randy Johnson to some degree (27-15 NYY record), but I have to concede that his Yankee tenure has been a disappointment.
Johnson was brought here specifically to make a difference in the playoffs and, while ARod gets showered with endless criticism for his 2-for-15 in last year's ALDS, the Yankees planned their entire season (and off-season) in order to give Randy Johnson the ball in game three of a tied playoffs series.
He was set up. He was at home. The Yankees scored seven runs.
Johnson couldn't even keep his team in the game. May was well have sent Jeff Weaver out there.
Alex Rodriguez had a bad ALDS in 2005 (hadn't you heard?). But Unit deserves more of the blame.
While Unit has been an average starter being paid superstar prices, ARod has been a superstar performer and has lived up to his contract. Don't insult ARod by comparing him to Randy Johnson.
As for the prices, since Lupica brings it up, I think it's important to note that the Yankees pay ARod $16 million. Yes, it's ridiculous in a world where teachers make $30,000, or whatever, but I think we're all way past that particular discussion.
Paying the AL MVP $16 million is not "ridiculous" in a world where Darren Dreifort makes $13.4 and Chan Ho Park makes $15.
Last year, the Yankees paid Kevin Brown as much as they paid Alex Rodriguez.
In 2005, Steinbrenner paid the AL MVP less money than three other players on his own team.
"Randy Johnson wasn't brought here, at $16 million a year (it averages out to $19 million if you factor in what the Yankees paid off on Javy Vazquez's contract) to talk about how he can't pitch deep into games."
The man has no shame.
Just the nerve to bring up the Vazquez buyout without mentioning the Rangers' contribution to ARod's contract.
"This is about someone widely regarded as the best all-around player in his game going into the second half of the season leading his team in two significant categories:
Games played.
Strikeouts."
I am intrigued by Lupica's sudden headfirst plunge into the world of "baseball statistics," but it's also problematic for a couple of reasons:
1) In 2005, when ARod won the AL MVP and tore up the Yankee record books, Lupica ignored statistics. 48 homeruns, but they weren't theatrical enough. 130 rbis, but they weren't aesthetically pleasing to Mike Lupica.
It doesn't work that way. You can start using stats, but you need to apply them evenly to all players in all situations.
The Scientific Method does not allow cherry picking.
2) I swear, my favorite baseball stat is Total Runs Produced.
Kwik-N-EZ.
Runs + RBIs - HRs.
HRs are deducted because, when a player hits a HR, the player gets credit for a run and also an RBI. He drove in himself. This is somewhat misleading because only one run scored for his team. Therefore, only one run was produced.
I consider it a very significant statistic. One of my favorites.
Alex Rodriguez leads the Yankees in Total Runs Produced.
"Rodriguez is second on the Yankees in runs, second in home runs, second in total bases, third in hits."
I guess that is supposed to be an insult.
"In a season when David Wright, the kid who plays third for the Mets, has embraced not only his leadership role with the Mets (at the age of 23) but also the responsibilities of being a star of the city, we have watched Rodriguez produce subpar (for him) numbers, heard the constant booing from his own fans."
David Wright leads his team in batting average and rbis and that's it. His own team!!!
It's very easy to give David Wright the ARod treatment.
It's certainly sleazy, and it feels kind of unethical, but it's not difficult to do:
"Wright is second on the Mets in hits, third in runs, third in homeruns, second in slugging percentage, second in on-base percentage, second in strikeouts, and first in errors."
Wright is first on his team in Total Runs Produced. In fact, Wright might lead the entire NL in Total Runs Produced.
But Total Runs Produced is not a significant statistic.
Wednesday, July 12, 2006
Game on.
I am now obsessed with my new game.
An article specifically about the ultracompetitive AL and not a single mention of you-know-who:
"If you're an AL club like, say, the Red Sox, Minnesota Twins or New York Yankees, (or Toronto Blue Jays) the hardest part of winning the World Series might be simply making the playoffs."
"And the Yankees? They trail the Red Sox by three games in the AL East but are six games behind the White Sox for the wild card, which, barring a collapse from one of the Central powers, means that the team that finishes second (or third) in the East could be one of the top four (or five) teams in baseball and still be watching the playoffs from home."
"There are many theories to explain the AL's dominance this season, but Guillen believes the AL got better simply because of its clubs' need to compete with the Yankees and Red Sox (and Blue Jays).
'If you want to win,' Guillen said, 'you have to beat Boston or New York (or Toronto). The playoffs go through one of those two (or three) teams.' "
The Twins are given a lot of ink in this article, but the Blue Jays are not.
The Twins are 8 games over .500 and 11 games out of first place. The Blue Jays are 10 games over .500 and 5 games out of first place.
If you put a gun to my head, I probably wouldn't pick the Blue Jays to win the AL East or make the playoffs. It wouldn't shock me if they merely maintained and won about 84 games this season.
But it also wouldn't shock me if they put together a nice 10-1 streak and found themselves in first place. It wouldn't shock me if they came into Yankee Stadium next week with second place on the line and swept the Yankees.
An article specifically about the ultracompetitive AL and not a single mention of you-know-who:
"If you're an AL club like, say, the Red Sox, Minnesota Twins or New York Yankees, (or Toronto Blue Jays) the hardest part of winning the World Series might be simply making the playoffs."
"And the Yankees? They trail the Red Sox by three games in the AL East but are six games behind the White Sox for the wild card, which, barring a collapse from one of the Central powers, means that the team that finishes second (or third) in the East could be one of the top four (or five) teams in baseball and still be watching the playoffs from home."
"There are many theories to explain the AL's dominance this season, but Guillen believes the AL got better simply because of its clubs' need to compete with the Yankees and Red Sox (and Blue Jays).
'If you want to win,' Guillen said, 'you have to beat Boston or New York (or Toronto). The playoffs go through one of those two (or three) teams.' "
The Twins are given a lot of ink in this article, but the Blue Jays are not.
The Twins are 8 games over .500 and 11 games out of first place. The Blue Jays are 10 games over .500 and 5 games out of first place.
If you put a gun to my head, I probably wouldn't pick the Blue Jays to win the AL East or make the playoffs. It wouldn't shock me if they merely maintained and won about 84 games this season.
But it also wouldn't shock me if they put together a nice 10-1 streak and found themselves in first place. It wouldn't shock me if they came into Yankee Stadium next week with second place on the line and swept the Yankees.
Grading on a sliding scale.
There are various methodologies which may be utilized in order to analyze the performance of baseball players.
But you've got to wonder about the reasoning that grades Eli Marrero the same as Alex Rodriguez.
But you've got to wonder about the reasoning that grades Eli Marrero the same as Alex Rodriguez.
Tuesday, July 11, 2006
The More You Know.
The Blue Jays are a baseball team. They play in Canada. Canada is a country that is just north of the United States.
The Blue Jays are ten games over .500 and only two games behind the New York Yankees.
I only bring it up because somebody has to inform the doting public.
Play a fun game with me. It is a game that may continue for the rest of the baseball season.
Whenever somebody says "the Red Sox," you can add, "and the Blue Jays."
Let's see how this game is played.
Pick an article about the Yankees. Just about any article.
Here's an article about George Steinbrenner:
" 'I still think we've got a good chance,' Steinbrenner said after the minor league Tampa Yankees' game last night was rained out. 'We've got to battle Boston. It will be between Boston and ourselves.' "
This should read: "We've got to battle Boston and Toronto. It will be between Boston and Toronto and ourselves."
See? That's better!
Here is another Yankee article. This time, Alex Rodriguez discusses his team's postseason chances.
This time, I'll add the Toronto Blue Jays references directly into the article, demonstrating just how easy it is to play this game:
"The Yankees must beat Boston (and Toronto) or go home ... The Red Sox own a 53-33 record, three games better than the Yankees at 50-36. The Yankees are playing at a .581 clip. (The Blue Jays are playing at a .557 clip.) The Tigers are at .670, the White Sox at .648."
The Blue Jays are ten games over .500 and only two games behind the New York Yankees.
I only bring it up because somebody has to inform the doting public.
Play a fun game with me. It is a game that may continue for the rest of the baseball season.
Whenever somebody says "the Red Sox," you can add, "and the Blue Jays."
Let's see how this game is played.
Pick an article about the Yankees. Just about any article.
Here's an article about George Steinbrenner:
" 'I still think we've got a good chance,' Steinbrenner said after the minor league Tampa Yankees' game last night was rained out. 'We've got to battle Boston. It will be between Boston and ourselves.' "
This should read: "We've got to battle Boston and Toronto. It will be between Boston and Toronto and ourselves."
See? That's better!
Here is another Yankee article. This time, Alex Rodriguez discusses his team's postseason chances.
This time, I'll add the Toronto Blue Jays references directly into the article, demonstrating just how easy it is to play this game:
"The Yankees must beat Boston (and Toronto) or go home ... The Red Sox own a 53-33 record, three games better than the Yankees at 50-36. The Yankees are playing at a .581 clip. (The Blue Jays are playing at a .557 clip.) The Tigers are at .670, the White Sox at .648."
Monday, July 10, 2006
Making a difference.
"At the halfway point, the guy in the American League who has still been the biggest difference-maker is Jonathan Papelbon of the Red Sox."
Player A: 2-1, 0.59 ERA, 46 IP, 25 hits, 8 bb, 47 k, 26/29 saves/opportunities.
Player B: 1-0, 0.84 ERA, 42 2/3 IP, 21 hits, 9 bb, 54 k, 24/25 saves/opportunities.
The Red Sox are 53-33 after 86 games in 2006. The Red Sox were 49-37 after 86 games in 2005.
The Blue Jays are 49-39 after 88 games in 2006. The Blue Jays were 44-44 after 88 games in 2006.
Listen, I don't know, either.
I don't know why you could google "Lupica + Papelbon" and find fifty articles, but when you google "Lupica + Ryan," you'd only find references to Bob Ryan, the sportswriter, or maybe Nolan Ryan.
I don't know why Lupica suddenly chose the underwhelming Billy Wagner as his new love interest. (I just hope Theo Epstein can get over it.)
Halladay is healthy and already has 12 wins. Rios is the most improved player in MLB. Wells is an MVP candidate again. Johnson (Reed Johnson) is hitting .365 after 200 at-bats. Six of their starters are hitting over .300. They lead the league in batting average. They lead the league in slugging percentage. This is all occurring right in the AL East.
I don't know why the NY press is going to be caught off guard in early September when the Blue Jays have a better record than the Yankees. Mabye that's when the panic will set in. Maybe some Yankees fans will be surprised by this turn of events because some NY columnists are too busy sending Valentines to the Red Sox.
Player A: 2-1, 0.59 ERA, 46 IP, 25 hits, 8 bb, 47 k, 26/29 saves/opportunities.
Player B: 1-0, 0.84 ERA, 42 2/3 IP, 21 hits, 9 bb, 54 k, 24/25 saves/opportunities.
The Red Sox are 53-33 after 86 games in 2006. The Red Sox were 49-37 after 86 games in 2005.
The Blue Jays are 49-39 after 88 games in 2006. The Blue Jays were 44-44 after 88 games in 2006.
Listen, I don't know, either.
I don't know why you could google "Lupica + Papelbon" and find fifty articles, but when you google "Lupica + Ryan," you'd only find references to Bob Ryan, the sportswriter, or maybe Nolan Ryan.
I don't know why Lupica suddenly chose the underwhelming Billy Wagner as his new love interest. (I just hope Theo Epstein can get over it.)
Halladay is healthy and already has 12 wins. Rios is the most improved player in MLB. Wells is an MVP candidate again. Johnson (Reed Johnson) is hitting .365 after 200 at-bats. Six of their starters are hitting over .300. They lead the league in batting average. They lead the league in slugging percentage. This is all occurring right in the AL East.
I don't know why the NY press is going to be caught off guard in early September when the Blue Jays have a better record than the Yankees. Mabye that's when the panic will set in. Maybe some Yankees fans will be surprised by this turn of events because some NY columnists are too busy sending Valentines to the Red Sox.
Sunday, July 09, 2006
Mariano Rested For All Star Game.
Before today's game, John Sterling and Suzyn Waldman opined that Joe Torre could manage the game like it was Game Seven of a playoff series.
Their point being that the Yankees have an upcoming four-day break, so Torre didn't have to worry about saving the pitching staff for tomorrow. Or the day after tomorrow. Or the day after that. Or even the day after that.
With this in mind, maybe Suzy Baseball could ask Joe Torre some questions:
Do you ever get the feeling that Torre has played in so many "big games" with the Yankees that he can't shift the paradigm and recognize that a July Sunday afternoon game vs. Tampa Bay is, in fact, a big game?
Why isn't Joe Torre managing this game like it was a playoff game?
Then I remembered Jeff Weaver and Javier Vazquez.
Joe Torre did manage this game like a playoff game. That's the problem.
Their point being that the Yankees have an upcoming four-day break, so Torre didn't have to worry about saving the pitching staff for tomorrow. Or the day after tomorrow. Or the day after that. Or even the day after that.
With this in mind, maybe Suzy Baseball could ask Joe Torre some questions:
- Why didn't Jorge Posada start?
- Why didn't Mariano Rivera pitch?
- Why did Scott Proctor pitch?
- Why didn't Mariano Rivera pitch?
- Why did Kyle Farnsworth pitch?
- Why didn't Mariano Rivera pitch?
- What are you saving Mariano Rivera for?
Do you ever get the feeling that Torre has played in so many "big games" with the Yankees that he can't shift the paradigm and recognize that a July Sunday afternoon game vs. Tampa Bay is, in fact, a big game?
Why isn't Joe Torre managing this game like it was a playoff game?
Then I remembered Jeff Weaver and Javier Vazquez.
Joe Torre did manage this game like a playoff game. That's the problem.
The stench that won't go away.
Ever get a recurring mildew smell in your drain? The best way to solve this problem is to use a gallon of bleach, followed by a couple of gallons of boiling water, followed by some baking soda.
It also helps if you don't pee in the sink.
While the Best Li'l Team in Baseball was losing 2 out of 3 to the Yankees and 6 out of 9 to the AL East, Mike Lupica was nowhere to be found.
Now he's back to drop some baseball knowledge on you and I'm looking for some journalistic disinfectant.
This edition of "Shootin' From the Lip" follows a familar template. In summary:
In more detail:
"It doesn't mean that David Wright is a better ballplayer than Alex Rodriguez ..."
Phew. Because I'd definitely give the guy with 12 years of proven production the benefit of the doubt.
Kind of like I wouldn't say that Chien-Ming Wang is better than Tom Glavine. Even though, you know, if you take age and salary into account ... if you were a GM and you were starting a team today ...
"[Wright] has more hits than A-Rod, he has the same number of home runs, he has more RBI and a higher batting average and a higher slugging percentage, and has been the guy his team wants up there in the ninth inning when A-Rod sure hasn't been."
Okay, but you want ARod in the 12th inning, where ARod sports a 4.000 slugging percentage. (No, I didn't look it up. Yes, I'm just thinking of the HR vs. Atlanta.)
Actualy, I'm just shocked that Lupica even brought up slugging percentage.
I'm not sure Lupica has ever used a baseball statistic before, much less a SABER favorite like slugging percentage.
I like slugging percentage, too.
Did you know ARod has a career slugging percentage of .574?
With RISP this year, ARod has a slugging percentage of .577.
With bases loaded this year, ARod has a slugging percentage of 1.222. (I say bases loaded is the true measure of clutch, just because I say so.)
Oh, and against the Mets this year, ARod has a slugging percentage of 1.137.
"And [Wright] really has made you think long and hard about which left side of the infield in New York you'd rather watch."
Since I'm a Yankees fan, I choose ARod and Jeter. If I was a Mets fan, I'd choose Reyes and Wright. If I was a Cardinals fan, I'd choose Rolen and Eckstein. If I was an Orioles fan, I'd choose Mora and Tejada. If I was a Marlins fan, I'd choose Cabrera and the guy who plays shortstop for the Marlins.
"[Rodriguez] also hasn't come close to being his own team's MVP for the first half."
ARod has not been the MVP, but it's close.
"Jason Giambi - Yankee fans love him to death now, as if they have total amnesia about BALCO - has delivered some big shots, and might make a run at the home-run title of his league if he stays healthy. Giambi isn't the Yankee MVP, either, because Derek Jeter is."
Jeter is the MVP? So much for slugging percentage.
I don't even disagree. I think it's safe to say that Jeter is the Yankee MVP so far. But it's close.
I give Jeter the edge over Giambi mainly because of defense and baserunning.
Kind of the same reason ARod won the MVP last year over Ortiz. When Lupica had TOTAL AMNESIA about the importance of BASERUNNING and DEFENSE.
It also helps if you don't pee in the sink.
While the Best Li'l Team in Baseball was losing 2 out of 3 to the Yankees and 6 out of 9 to the AL East, Mike Lupica was nowhere to be found.
Now he's back to drop some baseball knowledge on you and I'm looking for some journalistic disinfectant.
This edition of "Shootin' From the Lip" follows a familar template. In summary:
- Wright is better than ARod.
- Wright/Reyes are better than ARod/Jeter.
- ARod has never carried the Yankees.
- ARod is not clutch.
- ARod is a phony.
- Billy Wagner is super-awesome.
- Everyone on the Mets is the bestest and everyone on the Yankees is lame. Well, anyone who joined the Yankees in the past five years is lame.
- Everyone on the Red Sox is the bestest and everyone on the Yankees is lame. Well, anyone who joined the Yankees in the past five years is lame.
- The inconceivable notion that Jonathan Papelbon has been a more of a "difference-maker" than Jeter, Giambi, Ortiz, Hafner, Thome, Liriano, Rios, Wells, Sizemore, etc.
In more detail:
"It doesn't mean that David Wright is a better ballplayer than Alex Rodriguez ..."
Phew. Because I'd definitely give the guy with 12 years of proven production the benefit of the doubt.
Kind of like I wouldn't say that Chien-Ming Wang is better than Tom Glavine. Even though, you know, if you take age and salary into account ... if you were a GM and you were starting a team today ...
"[Wright] has more hits than A-Rod, he has the same number of home runs, he has more RBI and a higher batting average and a higher slugging percentage, and has been the guy his team wants up there in the ninth inning when A-Rod sure hasn't been."
Okay, but you want ARod in the 12th inning, where ARod sports a 4.000 slugging percentage. (No, I didn't look it up. Yes, I'm just thinking of the HR vs. Atlanta.)
Actualy, I'm just shocked that Lupica even brought up slugging percentage.
I'm not sure Lupica has ever used a baseball statistic before, much less a SABER favorite like slugging percentage.
I like slugging percentage, too.
Did you know ARod has a career slugging percentage of .574?
With RISP this year, ARod has a slugging percentage of .577.
With bases loaded this year, ARod has a slugging percentage of 1.222. (I say bases loaded is the true measure of clutch, just because I say so.)
Oh, and against the Mets this year, ARod has a slugging percentage of 1.137.
"And [Wright] really has made you think long and hard about which left side of the infield in New York you'd rather watch."
Since I'm a Yankees fan, I choose ARod and Jeter. If I was a Mets fan, I'd choose Reyes and Wright. If I was a Cardinals fan, I'd choose Rolen and Eckstein. If I was an Orioles fan, I'd choose Mora and Tejada. If I was a Marlins fan, I'd choose Cabrera and the guy who plays shortstop for the Marlins.
"[Rodriguez] also hasn't come close to being his own team's MVP for the first half."
ARod has not been the MVP, but it's close.
"Jason Giambi - Yankee fans love him to death now, as if they have total amnesia about BALCO - has delivered some big shots, and might make a run at the home-run title of his league if he stays healthy. Giambi isn't the Yankee MVP, either, because Derek Jeter is."
Jeter is the MVP? So much for slugging percentage.
I don't even disagree. I think it's safe to say that Jeter is the Yankee MVP so far. But it's close.
I give Jeter the edge over Giambi mainly because of defense and baserunning.
Kind of the same reason ARod won the MVP last year over Ortiz. When Lupica had TOTAL AMNESIA about the importance of BASERUNNING and DEFENSE.
Friday, July 07, 2006
Anti-Anti-All-Star Team.
"Think you've got problems? When life gives you ivy, you're turning it into poison?
Well, then, you're the Chicago Cubs.
Ha. That was a joke."
Cue the doppler sound effect of a bomb falling out of a plane and exploding.
"Like today's Little League teams that award trophies to every single player, up to and including the fat kid who skips practice, spends more time picking daisies than fielding fly balls in the outfield and hogs the postgame pizza and Popsicles." ... and grows up to write a lame sports column for sportsline.com.
"First base: Richie Sexson, Seattle.
A bitter disappointment since signing with the Mariners before the 2005 season, Sexson swats the occasional home run and grabs an RBI here and there, but in between, oh, is it painful to watch."
55 "occasional" homers and 180 "occasional" rbis in a year and a half.
"Second base: Rickie Weeks, Milwaukee
Let's make this clear: We love the Brewers' young talent overall, and we truly believe that Weeks' stay on our team will be brief and that one day he will be a real All Star."
Who's "we"? When Miller says "we," doesn't he mean "I"? Is this column a collaborative effort?
In any case, let us make this clear: me no love him's selection of Rickie Weeks for the anti-all-star team.
"Shortstop: Clint Barmes, Colorado
The talk of baseball during the first part of 2005, things haven't been the same for Barmes since he tripped on the stairs while carrying venison and broke his shoulder."
This guy was "the talk of baseball during the first part of 2005"? I never heard of the guy.
I looked him up. He wasn't even on the all star team.
Was Barmes the talk of baseball because he tripped on the stairs? Then that was a singular event and hardly "the first part of 2005."
Or maybe some shortstop who hit .289 with 10 homeruns really was the talk of baseball during the first part of 2005. It was only a year ago. I must have been living under a rock.
"Left field: Barry Bonds, San Francisco .
Usually, Big Helmet is packing for the real All-Star Game at this time of year. And while there are those who argue he deserves to be there this year as a sort of lifetime award despite his appalling .246 batting average and miniscule [sic] 11 homers, there's no way that argument holds water."
"Minuscule" shares its root with "minute," not "miniature." It's a good rule of thumb for a commonly misspelled word.
.246 ba is pretty bad. I'm not sure if it's appalling, but it's still pretty bad.
Kind of amazing that a man with a .246 batting average can still manage a .478 on-base percentage, which would lead the league if he had enough plate appearances.
Of course Bonds is not an all star. But you could do a lot worse if you're trying to win a baseball game.
Well, then, you're the Chicago Cubs.
Ha. That was a joke."
Cue the doppler sound effect of a bomb falling out of a plane and exploding.
"Like today's Little League teams that award trophies to every single player, up to and including the fat kid who skips practice, spends more time picking daisies than fielding fly balls in the outfield and hogs the postgame pizza and Popsicles." ... and grows up to write a lame sports column for sportsline.com.
"First base: Richie Sexson, Seattle.
A bitter disappointment since signing with the Mariners before the 2005 season, Sexson swats the occasional home run and grabs an RBI here and there, but in between, oh, is it painful to watch."
55 "occasional" homers and 180 "occasional" rbis in a year and a half.
"Second base: Rickie Weeks, Milwaukee
Let's make this clear: We love the Brewers' young talent overall, and we truly believe that Weeks' stay on our team will be brief and that one day he will be a real All Star."
Who's "we"? When Miller says "we," doesn't he mean "I"? Is this column a collaborative effort?
In any case, let us make this clear: me no love him's selection of Rickie Weeks for the anti-all-star team.
"Shortstop: Clint Barmes, Colorado
The talk of baseball during the first part of 2005, things haven't been the same for Barmes since he tripped on the stairs while carrying venison and broke his shoulder."
This guy was "the talk of baseball during the first part of 2005"? I never heard of the guy.
I looked him up. He wasn't even on the all star team.
Was Barmes the talk of baseball because he tripped on the stairs? Then that was a singular event and hardly "the first part of 2005."
Or maybe some shortstop who hit .289 with 10 homeruns really was the talk of baseball during the first part of 2005. It was only a year ago. I must have been living under a rock.
"Left field: Barry Bonds, San Francisco .
Usually, Big Helmet is packing for the real All-Star Game at this time of year. And while there are those who argue he deserves to be there this year as a sort of lifetime award despite his appalling .246 batting average and miniscule [sic] 11 homers, there's no way that argument holds water."
"Minuscule" shares its root with "minute," not "miniature." It's a good rule of thumb for a commonly misspelled word.
.246 ba is pretty bad. I'm not sure if it's appalling, but it's still pretty bad.
Kind of amazing that a man with a .246 batting average can still manage a .478 on-base percentage, which would lead the league if he had enough plate appearances.
Of course Bonds is not an all star. But you could do a lot worse if you're trying to win a baseball game.
Monday, July 03, 2006
Torre's Got Your Back.
I wonder if Torre believes what he's saying when he says that Robinson Cano has had a more valuable first half than Alex Rodriguez:
"JOE TORRE was asked to identify the Yankees' first-half MVP before last night's Subway Series finale and unintentionally delivered one of the strongest blows yet against Alex Rodriguez - and as opposed to David Justice this was not delivered from a YES-man.
Giambi has been quite productive, but adds nothing in the field or on the basepaths.
Before last night's game (when the question was being asked), ARod had 58 runs scored and 57 rbis.
Robinson Cano had 34 and 27. Johnny Damon had 59 and 42. The Giambino had 50 and 63 -- not a clear cut choice over ARod, all things considered -- and ARod passed him with one big night.
I'm hoping this is just a motivational ploy by Torre. But I'm not sure. I'm not sure if the Manager of the New York Yankees, paid millions of dollars to oversee the ballclup with his keen understanding of the finer points of baseball, believes a stone-handed second baseman with no speed or power has been more valuable to his team than Alex Rodriguez.
He says it, but he can't really believe it. Can he?
But at least Torre always has ARod's back.
When ARod hits a grand slam against the Mets, at Yankees Stadium, and pauses at home plate for about two seconds it's nice to know that Paul Loduca can whine about it without getting a fastball in his ear:
"I could understand where Lo Duca was coming from. But knowing and living what's been going on here, I don't think Alex was trying to show anybody up."
Torre, you're my manager, and I love you. But don't ever take sides with anyone against the Yankees again. EVER.
"JOE TORRE was asked to identify the Yankees' first-half MVP before last night's Subway Series finale and unintentionally delivered one of the strongest blows yet against Alex Rodriguez - and as opposed to David Justice this was not delivered from a YES-man.
Torre not only picked Derek Jeter, citing the shortstop's seasonlong reliability, but named Johnny Damon, Jason Giambi and Robinson Cano as the rest of the pool from which he was choosing."
Jeter is probably the Yankee MVP of the first half, even though he hasn't hit a homerun in 150 at-bats.Giambi has been quite productive, but adds nothing in the field or on the basepaths.
Before last night's game (when the question was being asked), ARod had 58 runs scored and 57 rbis.
Robinson Cano had 34 and 27. Johnny Damon had 59 and 42. The Giambino had 50 and 63 -- not a clear cut choice over ARod, all things considered -- and ARod passed him with one big night.
I'm hoping this is just a motivational ploy by Torre. But I'm not sure. I'm not sure if the Manager of the New York Yankees, paid millions of dollars to oversee the ballclup with his keen understanding of the finer points of baseball, believes a stone-handed second baseman with no speed or power has been more valuable to his team than Alex Rodriguez.
He says it, but he can't really believe it. Can he?
But at least Torre always has ARod's back.
When ARod hits a grand slam against the Mets, at Yankees Stadium, and pauses at home plate for about two seconds it's nice to know that Paul Loduca can whine about it without getting a fastball in his ear:
"I could understand where Lo Duca was coming from. But knowing and living what's been going on here, I don't think Alex was trying to show anybody up."
Torre, you're my manager, and I love you. But don't ever take sides with anyone against the Yankees again. EVER.
Lupica Wept.
During last night's game, in the top of the second inning, with the Mets already leading 4-0, Met Matinee Idol and Merch-Mover David Wright came up with the bases loaded and two outs.
This was the moment Mike Lupica has been waiting for. This grand slam (or perhaps a sublime, bases-clearing double) was going to seal the deal.
The Mets would Officially take back the City.
This was the tipping point. The argument would finally be settled. New York City would belong to the orange and blue once again. This has always been an NL town, anyway. Nobody thinks the Tigers (now 30 games over .500) can beat Willie Randolph's team (now 15 games over .500) straight up.
Hunched over their keyboards, I'm quite sure the Met-Head writers in New York were salivating.
Even during the at-bat, as Wright was fouling off pitches, he did so with a certain elegance and a portentous swagger. Wright knew the grand slam was coming, you knew the grand slam was coming, Omar and Rickey knew the grand slam was coming, and the thousands of Met fans who had trekked to the Bronx -- 7 train to the 4 train (transfer at Grand (Slam) Central Station) -- and who wore their Mets paraphernalia with a little more sheen and pride these days -- they knew the grand slam was coming.
No more Yankees and their overwrought drama. Steinbrenner is so 20th Century. Nobody owns this city forever. New Kids on the Block taking down the Evil Empire.
I smell a Pulitzer.
On a 3-2 pitch, Wright popped up and the inning was over. (Unclear if Wright choked under the pressure of playing in New York, or if he'll ever be able to handle the pressure of playing in New York.)
In the next inning, ARod hit a grand slam.
A couple of innings after that, ARod hit a tack-on three-run hr.
(Don't look now, but Boo-Rod the Overrated has just two less RBIs than M-V-P Flavor-of-the-Month David Wright.)
Poor Mike Lupica. Now he'll have to write about Isiah Thomas instead.
This was the moment Mike Lupica has been waiting for. This grand slam (or perhaps a sublime, bases-clearing double) was going to seal the deal.
The Mets would Officially take back the City.
This was the tipping point. The argument would finally be settled. New York City would belong to the orange and blue once again. This has always been an NL town, anyway. Nobody thinks the Tigers (now 30 games over .500) can beat Willie Randolph's team (now 15 games over .500) straight up.
Hunched over their keyboards, I'm quite sure the Met-Head writers in New York were salivating.
Even during the at-bat, as Wright was fouling off pitches, he did so with a certain elegance and a portentous swagger. Wright knew the grand slam was coming, you knew the grand slam was coming, Omar and Rickey knew the grand slam was coming, and the thousands of Met fans who had trekked to the Bronx -- 7 train to the 4 train (transfer at Grand (Slam) Central Station) -- and who wore their Mets paraphernalia with a little more sheen and pride these days -- they knew the grand slam was coming.
No more Yankees and their overwrought drama. Steinbrenner is so 20th Century. Nobody owns this city forever. New Kids on the Block taking down the Evil Empire.
I smell a Pulitzer.
On a 3-2 pitch, Wright popped up and the inning was over. (Unclear if Wright choked under the pressure of playing in New York, or if he'll ever be able to handle the pressure of playing in New York.)
In the next inning, ARod hit a grand slam.
A couple of innings after that, ARod hit a tack-on three-run hr.
(Don't look now, but Boo-Rod the Overrated has just two less RBIs than M-V-P Flavor-of-the-Month David Wright.)
Poor Mike Lupica. Now he'll have to write about Isiah Thomas instead.
Sunday, July 02, 2006
Three-Run Homeruns Are Good.
"Proud of his National League heritage, Joe Torre never has been content with Earl Weaver's theory on AL managing: Wait for a three-run homer."
Torre still thinks it's the NL and it's 1971. You know what else happened in 1971 in the NL? Torre won the MVP. Hit over .360 that year. With no infield hits, because he was a slow runner.
Because Torre is proud of his NL heritage.
"Ninety-nine percent of the time, we're running in that situation," Jeter said. "We just haven't been able to have that big inning."
Ninety-eight percent of the time, it doesn't work.
Best part about the hit-and-run is that it forces the batter to expand the strike zone. Because if the Yankees have one advantage over other teams, it's their patience at the plate. Wouldn't want to capitalize on that.
Because Torre is proud of his NL heritage.
"Before the game, Torre said that 'our personnel dictates that we need to do the little things.' But above all, 'We have to pitch and play defense and limit the other team to 27 outs.'"
Pitching and good defense are always good ideas, regardless of the team's personnel. Littee things are always a good idea, regardless of the team's personnel.
(Memo to Torre: Put some actions behind your words and teach Robinson Cano how to bunt.)
But it still doesn't explain why anybody would think "little" when Jason Giambi is batting against a right-handed batter, at Yankee Stadium, in the first inning, with Alex Rodriguez on deck.
I know stats are for losers, but Giambi has 51 homeruns in the past calendar year.
Torre still thinks it's the NL and it's 1971. You know what else happened in 1971 in the NL? Torre won the MVP. Hit over .360 that year. With no infield hits, because he was a slow runner.
"So, with Giambi batting in the first inning, and runners at first and second, Torre put Johnny Damon and Derek Jeter in motion.
The Mets already were ahead in Saturday's game, 2-0.
Instead of walking or hacking, Giambi looked at a called strike three, and catcher Ramon Castro gunned down Damon at third -- with plenty of daylight to spare -- for a rally-killing double play."
If the Yankees get a runner on first base with no outs, and the pitcher gets an early strike, the best thing to do is to purposedly throw a couple of balls and get the count to 2-1. Then, throw a pitchout. I promise, Torre will call a hit and run on the 2-1 pitch. Even though the hit-and-run never works.Because Torre is proud of his NL heritage.
"Ninety-nine percent of the time, we're running in that situation," Jeter said. "We just haven't been able to have that big inning."
Ninety-eight percent of the time, it doesn't work.
Best part about the hit-and-run is that it forces the batter to expand the strike zone. Because if the Yankees have one advantage over other teams, it's their patience at the plate. Wouldn't want to capitalize on that.
Because Torre is proud of his NL heritage.
"Before the game, Torre said that 'our personnel dictates that we need to do the little things.' But above all, 'We have to pitch and play defense and limit the other team to 27 outs.'"
Pitching and good defense are always good ideas, regardless of the team's personnel. Littee things are always a good idea, regardless of the team's personnel.
(Memo to Torre: Put some actions behind your words and teach Robinson Cano how to bunt.)
But it still doesn't explain why anybody would think "little" when Jason Giambi is batting against a right-handed batter, at Yankee Stadium, in the first inning, with Alex Rodriguez on deck.
I know stats are for losers, but Giambi has 51 homeruns in the past calendar year.
Saturday, July 01, 2006
Go Write for People Magazine.
"The relentless parade of apologists insisting that these Yankees fans are wrong about Alex Rodriguez, that their feelings, their instincts -- their judgments -- aren't merely mistaken, but are out of line."
Yankee fans who boo Alex Rodriguez are mistaken and out of line.
Their feelings, their instincts, and their judgements are mistaken and out of line.
"Let's get something straight: When it comes to cheering and booing professional athletes, there is no fair and unfair. There just is. What you feel is what you feel."
Maybe there's no fair and unfair, but there's mistaken and out of line.
When the AL MVP plays for your team, you should "feel" grateful.
"For some reason, people love to frame the fickleness of fans with the example of how they could cheer Rodriguez for his 12th-inning home run Wednesday and be back to booing him Friday night in the 2-0 victory over the Mets."
Well, I could look up "fickle" in the dictionary if you want me to, but it's pretty much the perfect example of "fickle."
These so-called fans claim that ARod can't get a big, game-winning hit. Sure, he puts up obscene numbers, but not at the right time. It's a bogus claim, but that's the idea.
So his grace period after Wednesday's walk-off was two at-bats. Yankee fans are a pathetic embarrassment.
David Wright struck out three times. Mabye Met fans should boo him.
"The suggestion keeps coming that maybe Yankees fans aren't as good as people want to believe, that this disposition toward A-Rod -- the American League MVP, the most talented player in the sport -- is a black mark on the Yankees' fandom."
Yankee fans who boo ARod would cry if the Yankees traded him or if ARod went on the DL. They are booing the reigning AL MVP and one of the best players ever.
"They don't support him?"
Nope.
"They don't appreciate him?"
Absolutely not.
48 homeruns last year, most ever by a right-handed Yankee, and they didn't even appreciate him then. They didn't appreciate the historic nature of a player who hit .321 with 48 hrs and 130 rbis and 130 runs scored.
Yankees fans are so spoiled, they expect a World Series title every year. They are angry that ARod hasn't won a World Series title in two whole years.
Like I said: Spoiled and ignorant.
"Sorry, but they appreciate him in the most important way possible: They come every day to watch him play, to pay his wage, and they give him a constant current of feedback."
"Feedback" does not mean "appreciation."
Adrian Wojnarowski's performance review:
"You suck. You suck. You suck. You suck, Adrian Wojnarowski. You only wrote 100 articles last year. I want 10,000 articles and two Pulitzer Prizes."
"But there's only one Pulitzer Prize per year, and ..."
"You suck."
"As much as anyone, Rodriguez has brought his problems on himself. He's responsible for people's suspicions about his motives, his agenda, his priorities."
He has already hit 100 homeruns as a Yankee. That's his agenda.
"People see him as a carpetbagger, just the way they did Roger Clemens."
Idiots, right?
A carpetbagger who won a Cy Young with the Yankees and two rings. If that's a carpetbagger, this team needs 25 carpetbaggers. Thank God for carpetbaggers.
"They hold a referendum on Alex Rodriguez every day at the Stadium. Alex Rodriguez has something to prove here. He doesn't get to decide when it's done, they do. Sports takes more and more power away from fans, but this still belongs to them. Yankee fans don't owe Alex Rodriguez anything but this: honesty."
Honestly? You're all lame and hypocritical.
I don't care about their "feelings," anyway. I want the Yankees to win baseball games.
ARod plays hard, he plays smart, he respects the game, and he's ridiculously productive. He has more homeruns at his age than any player ever. Presumably, ARod never took steroids or drugs, he never hit his wife, and he never got a hummer in the bullpen.
At Old Timer's Day, the same people who boo ARod just cheered for degenerate mercenaries like David Cone and Darryl Strawberry.
You people really understand what Pinstripe Pride is all about.
Yankee fans who boo Alex Rodriguez are mistaken and out of line.
Their feelings, their instincts, and their judgements are mistaken and out of line.
"Let's get something straight: When it comes to cheering and booing professional athletes, there is no fair and unfair. There just is. What you feel is what you feel."
Maybe there's no fair and unfair, but there's mistaken and out of line.
When the AL MVP plays for your team, you should "feel" grateful.
"For some reason, people love to frame the fickleness of fans with the example of how they could cheer Rodriguez for his 12th-inning home run Wednesday and be back to booing him Friday night in the 2-0 victory over the Mets."
Well, I could look up "fickle" in the dictionary if you want me to, but it's pretty much the perfect example of "fickle."
These so-called fans claim that ARod can't get a big, game-winning hit. Sure, he puts up obscene numbers, but not at the right time. It's a bogus claim, but that's the idea.
So his grace period after Wednesday's walk-off was two at-bats. Yankee fans are a pathetic embarrassment.
David Wright struck out three times. Mabye Met fans should boo him.
"The suggestion keeps coming that maybe Yankees fans aren't as good as people want to believe, that this disposition toward A-Rod -- the American League MVP, the most talented player in the sport -- is a black mark on the Yankees' fandom."
Yankee fans who boo ARod would cry if the Yankees traded him or if ARod went on the DL. They are booing the reigning AL MVP and one of the best players ever.
"They don't support him?"
Nope.
"They don't appreciate him?"
Absolutely not.
48 homeruns last year, most ever by a right-handed Yankee, and they didn't even appreciate him then. They didn't appreciate the historic nature of a player who hit .321 with 48 hrs and 130 rbis and 130 runs scored.
Yankees fans are so spoiled, they expect a World Series title every year. They are angry that ARod hasn't won a World Series title in two whole years.
Like I said: Spoiled and ignorant.
"Sorry, but they appreciate him in the most important way possible: They come every day to watch him play, to pay his wage, and they give him a constant current of feedback."
"Feedback" does not mean "appreciation."
Adrian Wojnarowski's performance review:
"You suck. You suck. You suck. You suck, Adrian Wojnarowski. You only wrote 100 articles last year. I want 10,000 articles and two Pulitzer Prizes."
"But there's only one Pulitzer Prize per year, and ..."
"You suck."
"As much as anyone, Rodriguez has brought his problems on himself. He's responsible for people's suspicions about his motives, his agenda, his priorities."
He has already hit 100 homeruns as a Yankee. That's his agenda.
"People see him as a carpetbagger, just the way they did Roger Clemens."
Idiots, right?
A carpetbagger who won a Cy Young with the Yankees and two rings. If that's a carpetbagger, this team needs 25 carpetbaggers. Thank God for carpetbaggers.
"They hold a referendum on Alex Rodriguez every day at the Stadium. Alex Rodriguez has something to prove here. He doesn't get to decide when it's done, they do. Sports takes more and more power away from fans, but this still belongs to them. Yankee fans don't owe Alex Rodriguez anything but this: honesty."
Honestly? You're all lame and hypocritical.
I don't care about their "feelings," anyway. I want the Yankees to win baseball games.
ARod plays hard, he plays smart, he respects the game, and he's ridiculously productive. He has more homeruns at his age than any player ever. Presumably, ARod never took steroids or drugs, he never hit his wife, and he never got a hummer in the bullpen.
At Old Timer's Day, the same people who boo ARod just cheered for degenerate mercenaries like David Cone and Darryl Strawberry.
You people really understand what Pinstripe Pride is all about.
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