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July 31, 2006

Embrayage Eau De Toilette

The AP is reporting that.......

Avon Products Inc. has signed the New York Yankees shortstop to a deal in which it will create a men's fragrance called Driven -- "reflecting the unique personality of one of the most driven men in America," according to a news release from the company.

The fragrance, the first in a line of men's grooming products bearing Jeter's name, goes on sale in November.

The report shares that "The fragrance is a blend of chilled grapefruit, clean oak moss and spice."

A mix of cold citrus fruit, unadulterated fungus and aromatic flora, huh?

Oh, Derek, you had us at "hello."

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 09:55 PM | Comments (3)

You Can't Tell The Players Without A...........

With all the recent Yankees trade activity, I'm guessing that the Yankees roster will shape up like this for tomorrow's game:

Pitchers (11)

Mike Mussina - Starter #1
Worm Killer Wang - Starter #2
Randy Johnson - Starter #3
Cory Lidle - Starter #4
Jaret Wright - Starter #5
Mariano Rivera - Closer
Kyle Farnsworth - Mr. 8th
Scott Proctor - Mr. 7th
Mike Myers - The LOOGY
Ron Villone - Jack of All Trades
Sidney Ponson - Break Open In Case of Fire

The Regulars (9)

Jorge Posada - Catcher
Craig Wilson - 1B
Miggy Cairo - 2B (Until Cano Returns)
Derek Jeter - SS
Alex Rodriguez - 3B
Melky Cabrera - LF
Johnny Damon - CF
Bobby Abreu - RF
Jason Giambi - DH

The Bench (5)

Nick Green - Placeholder for Robinson Cano - then this is Cairo
Andy Phillips - Back-up CM/Emergency MI/Main Clubhouse Squeeze
Bernie Williams - In Charge of Green Tea
Sal Fasano - Beta Catcher
Bubba Crosby - In Trouble When Matsui Returns

When Hideki Matsui comes off the D.L., I could see Bubba Crosby getting kicked off the team and then Melky Cabrera becomes the best 4th OF in baseball.

When Sheffield comes off the D.L., no one will have to move because it will be after September 1st. (Although it will be interesting to see who is left off the post-season roster for Sheffield. It's between Bernie, Phillips, and Wilson. Knowing Torre, it will be Wilson.)

As a side note, for a while, all the Yankees starting OFers will have first names that end with "Y." Has that ever happened before?

Back to the roster, I hope that Nick Green and Aaron Guiel get to come back when the rosters expand on September 1st.

Torre and Cashman seem to like T.J. Beam. So, I expect Ponson will be gone soon. And, of course, the Godot Twins (Dotel and Pavano) will probably be after Ponson's spot on the team as well.

It's going to an exciting last two months of the season. I'm looking to see what this team can do now. If Randy Johnson can be decent, and everyone else just plays their normal game, this team can and should win the A.L. East - and has a very good shot at the pennant.

And, I would love to see this Yankees team play the Mets in the World Series - especially after the moves the Mets made and didn't make today.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 09:12 PM | Comments (7)

Chacon For Wilson

From ESPN -

The Yankees traded pitcher Shawn Chacon to the Pirates for infielder Craig Wilson, ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney reported.

Chacon is 5-3 with a 7.00 ERA in 17 games with the Yankees.

Wilson is batting .267 with 13 homers and 41 RBI in 85 games with the Pirates.

This is what I wrote about Wilson on May 12th:

Wilson is not a star - but, he's a useful player on the whole. Actually, against LHP he bats like a star - for what it's worth.

He's currently playing on a one-year deal that pays less than $4 million - so, he's cheap. Also, he can play a little 1B if needed there too.

Wilson will be 30-years-old at the end of the year. So, it's not like he's going to be someone to build around.

Nothing about Wilson has changed since I wrote that in May.

The question is: How will Wilson be used in New York? And, who leaves the team to make room for him?

I have to think Wilson will be used as a 1B when Giambi is a DH. So, what does this mean for Andy Phillips? He cannot be sent to the minors - so, do the Yankees just let Andy go? If yes, he will be missed in the clubhouse - the other players seem to love him.

Or, does this mean that someone like Bubba Crosby or Aaron Guiel is to leave the team? One of them was probably going anyway when Abreu joins the team. Does Wilson mean that they're both gone?

At the least, in terms of talent and contract, getting Wilson for Chacon is a steal - as Chacon was not helping the Yankees now.

It will be interesting to see how Torre will use Wilson and how Cashman handles the roster.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 04:25 PM | Comments (13)

Roy Oswalt

Out of nowhere, at least to me, the Astros are now shopping Roy Oswalt this season.

Since 2002, Oswalt, Brandon Webb, and Carlos Zambrano have probably been the best young starting pitchers in the National League.

Oswalt is currently only 28-years-old. If I recall correctly, he cannot be a free agent until after the 2007 season.

Yes, he had some injury problems in 2001. And, he's logged a lot of innings for someone so young and slight of build. But, right now, he's "ace" material.

Is Oswalt the type of pitcher that the Yankees should go after now - even if it means trading someone like Philip Hughes?

If New York does have an interest in Oswalt, they better hurry. There's just about 70 minutes left until the trading deadline.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 02:51 PM | Comments (5)

Bosox Reaction To Abreu

Looks like the Yankees were the talk of the town for the the Olde Towne team.

From the Boston Globe:

``What are we doing?" asked Boston designated hitter David Ortiz.

``Abreu is a great player. He can hit, man, and people forget he's a Gold Glove outfielder. Lidle is a good pitcher. When he's on, he can be nasty, man. What did they give up?"

When told, Ortiz's face dropped. ``That's all?" he said. ``Hey, that's a good deal."

``Abreu is an impact player," said the Sox' Terry Francona, who managed Abreu in Philadelphia. ``My hope is that he stinks. My concern is that he goes over there for a couple of months and that he's the best player in baseball. Because I think he has that in him. He's a good ballplayer."

From the Daily News Tribune -

"The Yankees got a lot better today," said outfielder Gabe Kapler. "And we all recognize that. Abreu's been one of the better players over the last five years. And their pitching is better with Lidle. I don't think you'd rate one over the other, but I think they both add a nice piece to their puzzle."

....

Even without the trade, Kapler is impressed with the Yankees.

"Talent aside, which I think is evident that they always will have, they always do have . . . You can't have injuries that are devastating and perform great unless you have a lot of superior character personalities in the clubhouse," he said.

Said right fielder Trot Nixon: "Abreu's a good ballplayer and Lidle is a good pitcher, and I don't know what else to say beyond that. I'm only worried about our team. I'm not going to worry about what other teams are doing.

"But obviously it makes them a better team," Nixon added. "They were a pretty doggone good team to begin with, even when they had all those injuries. This makes them that much better. Still, I'm worried about us, not what they did."

"Abreu can hit everything," said outfielder Wily Mo Pena. "A guy like that, hitting for average and power, there aren't many of those."

Pena, a teammate with Lidle on the 2004 Cincinnati Reds, said the right-hander "has some good stuff. I faced him in spring training and got a couple of hits off him, but he's good. He's a big pickup for them."

Curt Schilling and Bobby Abreu were teammates from 1998 through 2000. What did he have to say? From All-Headline News:

Schilling went on to tell the Globe about all the distractions surrounding the Red Sox.

"Today is one of those days where [the Yankees] make a huge deal, they win a game, I pitch like crap, we lose a game, and everybody is at the extremes," Schilling said. "As players, you just can't afford to do that."

No comment, yet, as far as I can tell, from Larry Lucchino.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 02:13 PM | Comments (1)

Better Mind Your O's & M's

Here's the Yankees record this year, to date, by month:

April: 13-10
May: 18-10
June: 14-12
July: 16-9

Back on April 26th, I made a prediction on how the Yankees would do each month, going forward.

I had them going 18-11 in May - which was very close to their actual 18-10 record.

I had them going 19-8 in June - but, they did much worse (14-12). I never predicted that A-Rod would disappear for a month. Oooops. My bad.

I had them going 14-11 in July - and they were near that (being 2 games better at 16-9).

Back in April, I predicted that the Yankees would go 16-13 in August and then 19-10 after August. Since I was good in May and July, in terms of my prediction, I'm sticking with my prediction for August.

There's many tough teams that the Yankees need to play in August: the Blue Jays, the White Sox, the Angels, the Red Sox, and the Tigers. In total, New York will play 21 games against this group next month.

What about the other 9 games in August? It's 6 games against the O's and 3 against the Mariners.

These nine games are key for New York in August. If the Yankees take 7 of 9 against the O's and M's combined, and then play .500 ball against the "tough" teams that make out the rest of the August schedule, it will be a good month for the Yankees.

But, if the Yankees look past the O's and M's next month, they're going to be hard pressed to put some distance between them and the rest of the A.L. East in the next upcoming month of play.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 01:26 PM | Comments (0)

Coco Woe-Woe

Via The Feeding the Monster Blog -

This year, Crisp seems to have taken on the mantle of the miserable moper convinced everyone’s out to get him, like Edgar Renteria in ‘05 or Nomar Garciaparra in ‘04. Twice in the sixth inning last night Crisp threw wildly off target–first when he threw up the first base line after a spectacular diving catch, later when he skipped a relay throw into the infield after an Orlando Cabrera sacrifice fly–and both times he was hanging his head, Linus-style, before his throws had even been gathered up. Now that Willie Harris (who had been Crisp’s best friend in the clubhouse) is in Pawtucket, Crisp is isolated, sullen and sulking, in spite of the fact that Boston fans have more or less given the guy a free pass. Someone who came in replacing a matinee idol/cult hero and has been a bust on both offense and defense could reasonably expect a lot worse. It’s almost as if Crisp is depressed in preparation for the Boston boo birds.

Interesting, Crisp was singing a different tune back in April when he signed a $15.5 million, three-year contract extension with the Sox:

Crisp said his short time in Boston convinced him it was worth giving up his first shot at free agency.

"I was able to hang out with the guys and the front office, and see what they were like," Crisp said. "I had fun with the guys. Being with the Red Sox made it easy. You want the security and having that, and playing for the Red Sox, is great. There's no better place to be."

On April 12th of this year, Red Sox G.M. Theo Epstein said:

"We think investing in Coco was a wise move."

Really?

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 11:39 AM | Comments (9)

There's More Than One

The above chart is the up-to-date Double-A stats for two pitchers that the Yankees currently have pitching for their farm team this season in Trenton.

Granted, "Pitcher A" is a year older than "Pitcher B." (He's actually about 16 months older. But, that's still just one-year in baseball circles.)

Noneteless, the numbers for these two pitchers are very close - in terms of hits and walks allowed, strikeouts earned, and their command of the strike zone. Also, they both give you a shade under 6 IP per start.

"Pitcher B" is Philip Hughes - the best pitching prospect in the Yankees organization.

"Pitcher A" is Tyler Clippard.

The Yankees had a situation like this back when Sterling Hitchcock and Andy Pettitte were coming up through their system. Two pitchers, about a year apart in age, and they both looked like good pitching prospects. But, in fact, one of them had a better career than the other one.

It will be interesting to see how it works out for Clippard and Hughes.

Personally, I hope they both go on to star in New York for the Yankees. That would be the best case scenario.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 09:59 AM | Comments (11)

July 30, 2006

The Trade For Abreu & Lidle

So, in the end, the Yankees gave up C.J. Henry, Matt Smith, Jesus Sanchez and Carlos Monasterios for Abreu & Lidle.

There's nothing there, lost, that's going to make mark on the Yankees farm system. Nothing at all, on the whole.

Better yet, the Phillies paid Abreu to waive his no-trade clause. And, the Yankees didn't have to pick up Abreu's option for 2008. New York will "only" owe Abreu $4.4 million this season, $13 million next season and a $2 million buyout for 2008.

Oh my stars and garters, this is sweet.

I've already gone on record that I believe Cory Lidle can help the Yankees. Put it this way, compared to Sidney Ponson, he's gold.

And, Bobby Abreu? I have a gut feeling about him coming to the Bronx now - and I see him having a "David Justice 2000" impact on the Yankees team this season. (And, I'm not worried about the "loss of power" thing for him. Actually, I buy into the theory that N.L. teams would rather walk him than give him a pitch to drive. Thus, he could sneak up on the A.L. pitchers for a few weeks here.)

I hope the Yankees bat Abreu ahead of A-Rod and Giambi (and after Damon and Jeter). I like the idea of the line-up going left-right-left-right-left. And, then, in the bottom four of the line-up you will have Posada, Phillips/Matsui, Cano, and Melky.

Yes, Melky. What about Sheffield? He's on target, now, to be available for the last 4 weeks of the season. He's going to want to play - because he's making a case for himself to get a contract, somewhere, next year.

To be honest, I think Sheffeild should only get a chance to play if Cabrera is struggling or if Matsui cannot come back. Otherwise, he should be used in spots - and not on a regular basis. If he tears the cover off the ball in those chances, then you reconsider the line-up.

That might not be fair. And, he's not going to like it. But, who ever said life was fair and that you're always going to like it?

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 08:59 PM | Comments (12)

July 30th vs. The Devil Rays

I missed this one today - we took the kids to go see the Staten Island Yankees play the Hudson Valley Renegades.

The starter for the S.I. Yanks, Edgar Soto, got torched today: 7 ER in 3.67 IP. The crowd was really on him. It's a shame. At this level, it's all about getting your reps in. Yes, it's nice to win. But, at the short-season A-ball level, it's about getting PAs and facing batters. The crowd wanted Soto out of the game in the first inning.

I got to see Colin Curtis play for the Yankees. Despite the fact that he's batting .342 for Staten Island, it looked like he needs work, still, against off-speed stuff.

Moving to the big team - it was nice to see Damon have a big day after he was one of the few brave enough to face the press after that mess on Saturday. Shame on the big boys who bolted out of the clubhouse as soon as they could yesterday.

You know, I hated Damon with a purple passion when he was on the Red Sox. But, boy, has he impressed me as a Yankee. Now I know why they loved him so much in Boston.

Looks like Moose had his A-game on today. After Unit's F-game yesterday, it was just what the doctor ordered.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 08:30 PM | Comments (5)

Stark: Abreu & Lidle For Henry & White

From Rotoworld:

ESPN's Jayson Stark believes the Yankees will acquire Bobby Abreu and Cory Lidle from the Phillies for 2005 first-round pick C.J. Henry and right-hander Steven White.

I have no beef with giving up Steven White. He's already 25-years-old and has had issues throwing strikes in the minors the last two seasons. At best, he's a back-end of the rotation guy someday. At worst, he never gets out of Triple-A.

C.J. Henry? He's toolsy - but, he has some holes in his game. And, at best, he's three years away from being able to help a big league team. A lot can happen in three years.

I see this deal as White for Lidle and Henry for Abreu. That's about right. I don't think the Yankees got taken to school on this one.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 12:53 PM | Comments (12)

Rosenthal: Abreu to Yanks

From Fox Sports:

The Bobby Abreu trade is likely to happen Sunday, and the Phillies are expected to send the right fielder to the Yankees even though the Red Sox are still in the mix, FOXSports.com has learned.

The Yankees would get Abreu and right-hander Cory Lidle in their proposed deal, while the Red Sox are negotiating only for Abreu. However, the Sox are working on several other fronts, and their primary motivation apparently is to muddle matters for the Yankees, according to a source close to the talks.

Abreu, 32, has given assurances that he will waive his no-trade clause for the Yankees, presumably in exchange for the exercising of his $16 million option for 2008. But due to the large amount of paperwork involved, a resolution likely is necessary by Sunday to ensure that the trade is completed by Monday's 4 p.m. non-waiver deadline.

If Melky Cabrera gets the shaft in this deal, I don't like it.

But, with Matsui, Damon, and Abreu under contract for the next two years, I don't see how this is good news for Melky and his fans.

Unless, the plan is to make Abreu a DH next year and play Giambi at 1B all the time. But, I don't think Abreu will go for that - and it's questionable as to whether or not Giambi can play 1B for 150 games and survive.

The more you noodle this, it doesn't look good for Melky.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 10:24 AM | Comments (5)

July 29, 2006

Bad Company

Mike Berardino talks about Philip Hughes and shares some scary stats about prior Yankees pitching prospects:

Besides Andy Pettitte, no drafted-and-developed Yankees pitcher has made more than 10 starts in a major league season since 1995.

That was the year Sterling Hitchcock and Scott Kamieniecki joined Pettitte in the same rotation for Buck Showalter. That's how long ago that was.

Of the other 10 pitchers the Yankees have taken in the first round since the June draft was instituted in 1965, only one has reached the majors with them. Bill Burbach, a high school righty from Dickeyville, Wis., was taken 19th overall in the inaugural draft and made 37 combined appearances (going 6-11) for the Yankees from 1969-71.

Among those who were either traded or sidetracked before they could reach Yankee Stadium: Dave Cheadle ('70 draft), Scott McGregor ('72), Steve Taylor ('77), Jeff Pries ('84), Rick Balabon ('85), Brien Taylor ('91), Matt Drews ('93), Eric Milton ('96) and David Walling ('99).

The Big Stein braintrust is on the hook for Steve Taylor, Jeff Pries, Rick Balabon, Brien Taylor, Matt Drews, Eric Milton, and David Walling.

That's not going to look good on a resume.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 11:11 PM | Comments (4)

July 29th vs. The Devil Rays

The week before you need to go out and get a new policy for your car insurance is the worst week to go out and get five speeding tickets. And, when you need pitching and it's the weekend before the trading deadline, it's the worst time to have four of your pitchers get undressed in a game.

Brian Cashman must hate answering his phone at this moment.

You know what? It's almost August. A legit playoff contender does not go out there at this stage of the season and gets it's clock cleaned by a team as lowly as the Devil Rays are at this junction.

This is embarrassing with a capital "E."

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 07:54 PM | Comments (13)

Turn, Turn, Turn

NoSenseWorrying.com shares a report on the fan reaction to A-Rod last night in the Bronx:

One of the more anticipated moments of the evening was how the Stadium would react to A-Rod. Well, I'm quite impressed with my fellow fans tonight. He received a nice ovation when he was announced his first time up. And that continued through the evening. Yeah, there were a couple of smart asses who still booed. But I saw people who I know dislike the man clap and cheer him on. They know that the Yankees need him to do well. I can't say for sure what brought the change of heart on. Maybe they were sick of the media attention. Maybe it was because he ended the road trip on a good note. Maybe the fans who weren't booing finally got tired enough of the other mooks and decided to do something about it. Who knows. But, I think the shift is happening.

And, for the record, it was a sellout in the Bronx last night - the 31st one this year, if I heard it right on the YES coverage. So, perhaps it's safe to say that the booing tide is turning.

What was it that The Byrds once sang?

To everything - turn, turn, turn
There is a season - turn, turn, turn
And a time for every purpose under heaven

A time to gain, a time to lose
A time to rend, a time to sew
A time to love, a time to hate
A time of peace, I swear it's not too late!

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 03:39 PM | Comments (0)

Book Giveaway Contest

There's a new one at the NetShrine Discussion Forum - if anyone is interested.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 03:32 PM | Comments (0)

90's, We're Living In The 90's

On Monday, July 31st, the FSN network will be airing an episode of In Focus detailing the "1990's New York Yankees."

Check your local listings for air-times.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 02:27 PM | Comments (0)

Pennsylvania To The Rescue?

From Newsday -

Yankees officials expressed optimism that some of the deals they have discussed recently have a good chance to get done. The most likely trade partners are the Phillies and Pirates.

If it's Philadelphia, the Yankees could enhance their starting rotation with the addition of former Yankee Jon Lieber and add some pop and patience to their lineup by acquiring rightfielder Bobby Abreu.

The Phillies continue to ask for high-level prospects, but the Yankees maintain they shouldn't have to give up major prospects because they would be assuming more than $40 million in contracts for the two veterans. The Yankees also are interested in starter Cory Lidle.

If it's the Pirates with whom the Yankees do business, the salaries of outfielder Craig Wilson and reliever Roberto Hernandez are relatively modest, though it might cost the Yankees more in legitimate prospects.

Hernandez is 41-years-old and Wilson is a free agent after this season. If the Pirates want very good prospects for them, I would tell them to go fish.

If I was a betting man, I think the Yankees-Phillies connection is more likely. Just guessing, I'm saying that it's going to be Lieber and Abreu for Marcos Vechionacci, Steven White, Jeff Marquez, and either Matt Smith or T.J Beam.

But, that's just a wild guess - based on no facts whatsoever.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 11:07 AM | Comments (7)

Gotham's Dynamic Duo

At this moment, both Chien-Ming Wang and Mike Mussina have winning percentages of at least .750 for the season.

When was the last time that the Yankees had two true starting pitchers go the whole season and end up with winning percentages of at least .750 for the season?

It was the magical year of 1998 when David Wells went 18-4 and El Duque Hernandez went 12-4. But, Hernandez only made 21 starts that season.

The last time that two Yankees starters went the full season and had winning percentages of at least .750 was 1963 - when Whitey Ford went 24-7 and Jim Bouton went 21-7.

If Wang and Mussina can keep up their pace, we might see something in New York that we haven't seen in 43 years.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 10:47 AM | Comments (0)

July 28, 2006

July 28th vs. The Devil Rays

OK, com'on, and sing along with me..........

"W" is for the way you WIN with ease.
"A" is for the bullpen ARMS you please.
"N" is NASTY, NASTY mega-ground-ball-master-sassy.
"G" is GREAT that you do, each time out, no-thin' new.

Thanks to Nat King Cole and "Worm Killer" for the inspiration.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 10:03 PM | Comments (2)

Pena & Posada

From Peter Abraham -

Posada is one of the main reasons the Yankees are 59-40 and leading the American League wild-card race.

"I don't know where we would be without him," Torre said. "It's like he discovered something."

More like somebody. When the Yankees hired Tony Pena as their first base coach, they also found a mentor for Posada.

Pena and Posada had only a nodding acquaintance before this season. But by the second week of spring training, they had become friends.

"He's been so positive with me," Posada said. "Tony is an old fox. He's seen everything, he knows everybody. He understands the position and he understands me. He knows how I'm feeling and what my point of view is."

Pena worked Posada hard during spring training, getting him to lose five pounds in the belief that it would improve his reflexes behind the plate. Posada had gotten heavier the year before, adding muscle during the winter to try and combat age.

"Looking back on it, I made a mistake," he said. "I'm better off when I'm a little lighter."

"I didn't know him until I got here but I look at him like he's one of my sons now," Pena said.

I guess Girardi couldn't connect with Jorge. I'm glad that Pena was able to make the connection. Posada has been huge for New York this year.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 04:38 PM | Comments (4)

Can't Wait Till Christmas

Now, this looks sweet!

Vintage World Series Films - New York Yankees: 17 Championship Seasons 1943-2000

It was just released 3 days ago.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 04:33 PM | Comments (0)

Clueless In Saint Louie

According to Jeff Gordon of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch:

A miserable defensive slump and disappointing offensive production rekindled trade speculation around A-Rod. The Chicago Tribune suggested the Cubs should make a play on him as a rebuilding block.

At some point, the Yankees may realize that Rodriguez and Derek Jeter is just an unhappy marriage on the left side of the infield and in the clubhouse.

Clueless.

"Rodriguez and Derek Jeter is just an unhappy marriage on the left side of the infield and in the clubhouse"?

What the......?

Oh, it's Jeter's fault that A-Rod is having a rough go of it this season - now I get it.

And people say that bloggers just make stuff up.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 04:18 PM | Comments (2)

Brattain On A-Rod

John Brattain recently penned an essay entitled A Tale Of Three Cities: The Saga Of A-Rod. It's a pretty interesting read.

It's worth checking out.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 03:02 PM | Comments (2)

Two Ducks Just Flew Off The Pond

The Brewers are trading Carlos Lee and minor leaguer Nelson Cruz to the Rangers for Francisco Cordero, Kevin Mench and Laynce Nix.

That's two that you can take off the "rumored to the Yankees" list.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 12:09 PM | Comments (3)

Eric Milton

The Yankees drafted Eric Milton in the 1st Round of the 1996 amateur entry draft. He was the 20th overall section in the draft.

In 1997, his first pro-season, Milton was awesome. Splitting the season between Single-A and Double-A, Milton threw 171 innings, allowing only 137 hits and 50 walks. That works out to a WHIP of 1.09. In addition, in those 171 IP, Milton struck out 162 batters - which is a K/9IP rate of 8.53.

At the end of the 1997, Milton was just 22-years-old and as blue-chip as a blue-chip pitching prospect could be in terms of potential.

What did the Yankees do with him at that point? On February 6, 1998, they traded Milton, Brian Buchanan, Cristian Guzman, Danny Mota, and cash to the Minnesota Twins for Chuck Knoblauch.

Eight years later, at the age of 29, Eric Milton was the second worst starting pitcher in the major leagues. Further, coming into this season, in 233 career major league starts, Milton's career ERA was 4.99 (compared to a league average of 4.57).

If the Yankees do end up trading Philip Hughes this season, before Yankees fans get too upset, they should think about Eric Milton.

Where you're drafted and how you pitch in the minors does not always mean that you will be a star.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 11:37 AM | Comments (21)

Juan Rivera

Given the way that Juan Rivera has developed this year, is the Yankees trade of Nick Johnson, Juan Rivera, and Randy Choate for Javier Vazquez (made on December 16, 2003) now the worst deal in recent Yankees history?

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 11:27 AM | Comments (9)

Theo? I Wanted Miss Cleo!

I saw this in an article about the Red Sox adding IP telephony to their organization:

Last season, Red Sox General Manager Theo Epstein's cell phone was posted on a New York Yankees fan Web site, resulting in so many calls to his phone that Conley had to quickly get Verizon Wireless to change Epstein's number.

Awesome. I missed this story last year. Does anyone know what site posted the number?

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 09:48 AM | Comments (1)

Jorge: 2nd Best Gunner In A.L.

From Newsday:

Thanks to a few tips from catching instructor Tony Peña, Jorge Posada has become one of the most difficult catchers in the major leagues to steal on this season.

Ramon Hernandez, Bal 39.7 (23-for-58)
Miguel Olivo, Fla 35.3 (18-for-51)
Jorge Posada, NYY 33.9 (19-for-56)
Kenji Johjima, Sea 29.8 (14-for-47)
Brian McCann, Atl 29.5 (13-for-44)

If you told me this, without showing me the stats, I would not have believed it. OK, now, seeing the numbers, I'm impressed.

Attaboy Georgie.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 09:34 AM | Comments (0)

Girardi Remembers

From the Palm Beach Post -

When he initially joined the Yankees in 1996, coming from Colorado to replace popular catcher Mike Stanley, fans did not even wait until he played his first game to voice their displeasure.

"I got booed the first month and a half, and I didn't even do anything,'' Girardi said. "I got booed before I got there.

"They loved Stanley, and he was a home-run hitter. I got booed at the FanFest. ... I got signs on opening day - 'Go Back to Colorado.' "

It did not let up until May 14, 1996, when Dwight Gooden took the mound with Girardi catching.

"I got booed until Gooden threw his no-hitter, and then it all started to change," Girardi said.

And, after that triple in Game 6 of the 1996 World Series, it's safe to say that Girardi will never be booed in New York again.

As bad as the fans can get on a guy in New York, all it takes is one huge play to win them over for good.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 09:17 AM | Comments (0)

Cash: No One Is Untouchable

From the Hartford Courant -

Labels might be imaginary, but Yankees general manager Brian Cashman removed all perceptions about his top minor league prospects.

"I don't have any `untouchables,'" Cashman said Thursday, with four days left before the deadline for non-waiver trades. "No one is untouchable."

Does this mean that even Philip Hughes, the Yankees' 20-year-old pitching prospect who has been dominating Double A, is available?

"Some guys are easier to get than others," Cashman said. "I'm more willing to talk about some guys than others. If some special circumstance came up, you might consider something like that, but no one has presented anything like that to me."

Hughes and outfielder Jose Tabata are considered the Yankees' hardest-to-get prospects, but that is as close as Cashman has come to saying he'd be willing to trade them.

Hmmmm. Is Cashman planting some seeds here?

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 08:47 AM | Comments (5)

Yeah, But Did He Clap His Hands?

From the AP:

Yankees owner George Steinbrenner is upbeat about his injury-depleted team that has taken the lead in the AL wild-card race.

“I’m very happy,” Steinbrenner said Thursday as he left the Yankees’ minor-league complex.

Keep those calzones coming Cash!

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 08:26 AM | Comments (0)

Inquiring Minds Want To Know

This question just occurred to me this morning - Did Chuck Cunningham appear in more episodes of Happy Days than Carl Pavano has pitched games for the Yankees?

I think it's close.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 08:07 AM | Comments (0)

July 27, 2006

23 or 51?

Aaron Moore, over at the YES Network site, has a feature posted entitled "Bernie deserving of a Hall plaque." (By the way, why doesn't YES ask me for some content?)

I covered that topic back in May 2005, so, I won't repeat myself now.

But, the timing of this is good - because it reminded me of something that I was thinking about the other morning.

When Whitey Ford, Yogi Berra, and Phil Rizzuto are no longer with us - and assuming that Derek Jeter and Mo Rivera are still playing - who will be the "greatest living ex-Yankee?"

When Rivera retires - and here I assume that he will retire before Jeter - it will be Mariano.

But, what about before-it's-Mo?

I always thought it would be Don Mattingly. But, looking at Bernie's rankings on the all-time Yankees lists, he's had a better career than Donnie Baseball.

So, who gets to be the last player announced at Old Timer's Day in 2009 - if Yogi, Whitey and Phil are gone? Is it Bernie or Donnie?

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 08:13 PM | Comments (5)

Aaron Cook

I wonder what the Yankees would do if the Rockies offered them Aaron Cook in exchange for Philip Hughes.

Basically, Aaron Cook is Chien-Ming Wang - just a year older.

Both Cook and Wang are extreme ground-ball machines. And, since Wang is doing so well in New York, it would make sense that Cook would do just as well.

Plus, Cook is under contract through 2008 - and cheap.

Would it be worth the potential of Hughes to get a pitcher like Cook, now, who would be another Wang in the rotation this year - and for the two that follow it?

Yes, Hughes can be a potential ace - but, he's yet to pitch in Triple-A.

Back in the early 1990's, the O's had a pitcher in their farm system named Jimmy Haynes. He did great at A-ball, Double-A, and Triple-A. Haynes was picked to be the "next Mike Mussina" by many - he was "can't miss."

Guess what? He missed. He missed really bad.

You never know with pitchers - until they prove that they can pitch at the big league level. Plus, there's the stress factor in New York for Hughes.

Aaron Cook, like "Worm Killer" Wang, has proven that he can pitch in the majors.

Of course, there's the question of "Why would the Rockies do this?" And, that's a fair question - maybe they wouldn't?

Still, it's an interesting question to me, still - if the Yankees could get a young, cheap, proven starting pitcher today, for a deal including Hughes, what would they do?

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 03:19 PM | Comments (22)

Cory Lidle

From Ken Rosenthal -

The three AL East contenders — the Yankees, Red Sox and Blue Jays — all sent scouts to watch right-hander Jon Lieber, who pitched Wednesday night, and right-hander Cory Lidle, who pitches Thursday. The Cardinals and Reds were among the other clubs represented.

I've already gone on record about Lieber.

So, I thought I would share some thoughts on Lidle.

When the A's had him, from 2001 to 2002, he was a good pitcher. He then went to the Blue Jays in 2003 and the Reds in 2004 - and stunk in both spots.

When he joined the Phillies, he became an average pitcher - not good but not bad. He'll get you about 6 IP each time out.

With the Yankees offense, if they picked him up now, Lidle could win 7 games over the next two months.

Basically, he won't kill you - but, he's not going to go 10-2 in New York over the remainder of the season.

For the right price, I would take him. But, I would rather have Lieber.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 01:52 PM | Comments (11)

Do I Hear Twenty-Three?

Remember when I was excited about 21,314 two weeks ago?

Check this out:

Date - Total Hits to WasWatching.com

July 21 - 22970
July 22 - 16398
July 23 - 15912
July 24 - 21852
July 25 - 22490
July 26 - 22153

Looks like 22,000 is now the going rate.

As always, thanks to all for making this happen - and for your interest in WasWatching.com.

Update, 7/28/06: This just in - yesterday, there were 24,303 hits to WasWatching.com. Do I hear 25?

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 01:31 PM | Comments (1)

1,000 Words

The Yankees should make T-Shirts for the team with this picture on it. On the back of the shirt, it can read "Getting The Job Done Beats Style Points."

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 12:26 PM | Comments (9)

The "Clutch" Yankees So Far This Season

Via Dan Smith's blog Clutchiness:

I can't pretend to tell you, in detail, how the stats work. But, I can tell you that these rankings do fall into the order that I would put together, this season, based on what my eyes and heart tell me.

It's very interesting to me when objectivity and subjectivity meet together in a harmonious fashion.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 11:12 AM | Comments (12)

Yankees WPA Rundown

There's a new Yankees-related blog that you'll want to check out. It's:

Yankees WPA Rundown

Stop by and tell them that WasWatching.com sent you.

(Hat tip to Dave Studeman.)

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 11:03 AM | Comments (2)

Don't Let The Door Hit You On The Way Out Fester

Kelly Stinnett's last words, via Newsday:

Stinnett received the bad news in a call to his hotel room from Torre at midnight Tuesday night, and said yesterday from his Arizona home he was "surprised."

"You're in a role where you can't really help yourself playing once a week," Stinnett said. "...It's probably just a shakeup where they're picking on the little guy."

Stinnett, 36, batted .228 (18-for-79) with a homers and nine RBIs. Fasano, 34, hit .243 (34-for-140) with four homer and 10 RBIs for the Phillies.

Fasano made an impression on the Yankees during 2004 spring training and that season at Triple-A Columbus.

Stinnett hopes another team wants him, and he has no plans of seeing Columbus. "I'll spend the summer with my kids before I consider that," he said.

I guess that Stinnett missed the memo that said 36-year-old back-up catchers with a career .395 OWP should be seen and not heard.

In any event, Torre called him with this news? Doesn't something like this warrant some face-to-face time? I'm surprised to hear that this is how Torre, the great communicator, handled this situation.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 10:48 AM | Comments (2)

Jeff Kennard

Yes, he's 25-years-old. Yes, this is now the 4th year in a row where he's spent time in Double-A.

But, and this is just a guy feeling, I think he could be a Scot Shields-type late bloomer. His sinker has been great for him this year.

I hope the Yankees don't give him away to pick up some dud before the trading deadline this season.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 10:02 AM | Comments (4)

Ouch, Another Yankee Record Soon To Fall

Here are the up-to-date career HBP leaders for the Yankees:

Rank- Player - HBP Total

1 Frankie Crosetti 114
2 Derek Jeter 110
3 Kid Elberfeld 81
4 Jason Giambi 74
5 Bert Daniels 70
6 Chuck Knoblauch 61
7 Don Baylor 60
8 Jorge Posada 52

Jeter just needs 5 more this season to become the all-time HBP king for the Yankees. There's no question that he's going to make it.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 09:43 AM | Comments (2)

Peter Abraham On Joe Torre

Peter Abraham has a guest column today at Baseball Analysts.

It's called Tales of Torre Tales. It's worth checking out.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 09:31 AM | Comments (3)

July 26, 2006

July 26th @ The Rangers

Personally, I had a very tiring day at work today. And, it caught up with me tonight - as I fell asleep in front of the T.V. around 10 pm ET.

When I woke up, it was right around 11 pm ET - and, the first sight I had upon opening my eyes was seeing Shawn Chacon on the mound for the Yankees, in the 8th inning, with the bases loaded and no outs, with the score 7-6 in favor of the Rangers.

I felt like the guy from The Godfather who woke up to find the horse's head in his bed.

And, then Chacon struck out DeRosa. That was good, but, I was still thinking "This is going to be bad." However, Chacon then got the "Look what I found!" DP-liner to end the frame. All of a sudden, I started to chuckle to myself and I thought "You never really know in this game, do you?"

When Jeter singled in the 9th and then Giambi homered to give the Yankees the lead, I was more stunned than anything else. I was still groggy and fuzzy from the unexpected nap. Was I dreaming? Did I really see Chacon work out of bases juiced with no outs and then see this huge homer?

I looked around the room to see if Pam Anderson was near with a serving tray full of chocolate chip cookies or if Ed McMahon was walking towards me with an over-sized check from the Publishers Clearing House. Since I didn't see either one of them, I knew that I could believe what I just saw.

Not too shabby.

But, when I saw the game recap, and how Texas took the lead in the 8th, I realized that Torre got lucky in this game. Bringing in Beam with a two-run lead is stupid. Asking Proctor to pitch for the 8th time in 12 days is criminal. Unless I missed something today, Farnsworth was well rested today and there's an off-day following this game. He should be in this game in the 8th inning.

If Farnsworth is hurt, and I missed the report, then I'm sorry to bring up this point. But, if Farnsworth was available, and Torre doesn't use him tonight, then he has no business making pitching moves.

Then again, if Chacon came into the game, maybe Farnsworth was not available for this game?

The whole thing is strange. Well, at least the Yankees won and now control the wildcard - - until Torre does something stupid to let it go.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 11:44 PM | Comments (8)

Wilson Betemit

From the Post today:

The Post has learned the Yankees and Braves have held discussions about the Yankees acquiring switch-hitting infielder Wilson Betemit and may be willing to give up reliever Scott Proctor.

The Yankees view Betemit as the ultimate utility man who can play second base in Robinson Cano's absence. Cano, who has missed a month due to a hamstring problem, is at least two weeks away and could be out longer.

Getting Betemit would allow the Yankees to entertain trade offers for Cano during the offseason, when they will be in the market for pitching.

First off, I'm always leery of Dominican middle infielders with "Wilson" in their name. That didn't work out too well, the last time, in New York.

Moving past that, Wilson Betemit is not a poor hitter - but, he's not a great one either. He's average.

You could do a lot worse for a back-up infielder on your roster.

Would I want him to play 2B and then trade Cano? I would only do that if Cano brings you a young Grade-A starting pitcher. Otherwise, it doesn't make sense to move Cano for Betemit.

Would I give up Proctor for Betemit? No.

I don't feel that comfortable turning "ProcFarnMo" ™ into "BeamFarnMo" (or something like that.)

Now, even if you told me that Octavio Godot was ready - and that he could pitch lights-out for the next three months - I would still not move Proctor to pick up a spare middle infielder.

Matt Smith? T.J. Beam? Sure - in a minute. But, not Proctor. Not now.

The Yankees need major-league-proven good arms at this moment - they don't need to be trading them away.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 01:49 PM | Comments (16)

How Alex Can Get Some Love

Bruce Jenkins has an interesting article in the San Fran Gate comparing Manny Ramirez to Alex Rodriguez. (Hat tip to BaseballThinkFactory.org.)

Some of the points made by Jenkins are:

No matter how strong the denials from players or general manager Brian Cashman, the Yankees are a painfully uptight team right now, strictly because of A-Rod's insecurity.

A-Rod isn't a bad guy, a malingerer or a clubhouse cancer; he's just a worrier. He desperately wants everyone to like him -- and they don't. Not in New York. They know he's a little bit soft, a tad of a pretty boy, and they know that unlike Jeter, he consistently has failed in crunch-time postseason moments since he joined the Yankees. Generally, great performances silence the boo-birds in the hotbeds of East Coast fanaticism, but a significant portion of Yankees fandom seems unwilling to cut A-Rod any slack for the rest of time.

The timing of this feature made me laugh - because, just this morning, I was also thinking of Manny and A-Rod - and where they are the same and not.

Alex Rodriguez plays the game the way that a model citizen should play the game. He runs hard. He doesn't show anyone up. He is serious on the field.

Manny Ramirez is a hot dog on the field. He doesn't always hustle. And, he has asked to be traded from his team on many occasions.

Then, why does A-Rod get killed in New York and Manny gets the "Manny being Manny" love-pass in Boston? Has Ramirez ever been booed in Boston the way that Rodriguez has in New York?

No. OK, why?

Is it the money? It should not be - see the following:

In 2004, Manny ($22,500,000) was the highest paid player in the game - A-Rod was # 2 (at $22,000,000).

In 2005, Manny was the 2nd highest paid player in the game - with A-Rod being the highest. There was just $4 million between them.

And, this season, Manny makes just $3.4 million less than A-Rod.

It's not about the money. There's almost no difference in what these two are being paid.

It's about the hitting.

In 2004, Manny's RC/G was 8.59 - compared to 7.02 for A-Rod.
In 2005, Manny's RC/G was 8.01 - compared to 10.22 for A-Rod.
This season, Manny's RC/G, to date, is over 9 - whereas A-Rod's RC/G number is around 6.5.

When I see all this, I think the answer is clear. If Alex Rodriguez would create runs this season, on a per game basis, at the rate near where he was from 1998 through 2005, he would be not be booed in New York.

For the record, A-Rod's 1998-2005 RC/G rate was 8.57. And, that's in the Manny range of the last three years.

Basically, if you hit like Manny, no one cares about anything else, and your fans will love you. It's always been that way in baseball.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 12:06 PM | Comments (10)

Sal Fasano

From the Post:

Looking to upgrade their backup catching situation the Yankees acquired Sal Fasano from the Phillies last night for an undisclosed minor leaguer, The Post has learned.

Fasano had been designated for assignment by the Phillies last weekend and immediately caught the Yankees' attention because he was with them in spring training in 2004 and spent the season with Columbus (Triple-A).

Fasano, 34, is expected to replace Kelly Stinnett.

Fasano plays with some emotion. But, offensively, to be candid, the difference between Kelly Stinnett and Sal Fasano is the same difference between the Oscar-worthiness of Howard The Duck and Can't Stop The Music.

Maybe Cash just likes guys who look like Rocky Balboa?

I think I'm going to like watching Fasano play. But, I'm not sure how this is an upgrade.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 10:21 AM | Comments (13)

July 25th @ The Rangers

The Yankees scored 7 runs on 4 hits in this game.

Did the Yankees win this one, or, did Texas hand it to them?

There's something about Aaron Guiel that makes me think of someone else. It's his body-type, swing, etc. It's still not coming to me. I want to say Don Mattingly - because he's a smallish LH-batter, and he's wearing # 46 (which was young Donnie's first number). But, the swing, while at times looks Mattingly-ish, also reminds me of Ken Phelps and/or Dan Pasqua. In any event, Guiel has some skills. He's not a bad part to have on your team. This was a good pick-up by the Yankees.

I spent most of the night clicking back and forth between this game and "Work Out" (on Bravo). And, I have to confess, I was more interested in Work Out.

Why?

I'm not sure. Maybe it was the lack of hits by the Yankees? Maybe it was just the pace of the game in general? Or, maybe it's because I'm on sorta-Yankees-overload? Or, maybe it's because this Yankees team, at this stage of the season, is not very interesting to watch?

Or, it's some combination of these reasons.

Right now, I'm not too concerned about it - I'd rather worry more about who Aaron Guiel reminds me of when he's hitting. It's a more pleasant problem to tackle.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 09:59 AM | Comments (9)

July 25, 2006

He's Not The Players' Star Chioce

I missed this from Tracy Ringolsby's Weekly Baseball Notes three weeks ago:

Look no further than Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez to understand that there are petty jealousies in the clubhouse that also taint the votes.

The fans voted Rodriguez, who was the AL Most Valuable Player last season, to the AL starting lineup. He's not having a banner season, but his numbers are still solid.

The argument - and a strong one - can be made for Joe Crede of the White Sox to have been given that honor.

But even the players themselves didn't vote for Crede.

In fact, in the players' voting, it became apparent the booing from the Yankee Stadium fans isn't the strongest anti-Rodriguez sentiment in the game.

Neither Rodriguez nor Crede finished in the top two spots among the players, an indication the guys in uniform have their own bone to pick with Rodriguez, the game's highest-paid player who is often criticized for being too polished and calculating.

Troy Glaus of the Blue Jays and Eric Chavez of the Athletics were 1-2 in the voting of their peers.

Check the stats.

Rodriguez is third among AL third basemen with a .292 average, second with 19 home runs and tops with 65 RBI and in the trendy OPS at .921.

Crede leads third basemen in average at .300, is tied for second with 57 RBI, is fourth with 16 home runs and ranks second with an OPS of .865.

Glaus, meanwhile, leads AL third basemen with 22 home runs, but he is tied for second in RBI with Crede, ranks 13th with a .241 batting average and is third with an OPS of .857. Chavez is 12th with a .246 average, sixth with 46 RBI, fifth with 14 home runs and fifth with an OPS of .809.

They picked Troy Glaus? That's strange.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 07:41 PM | Comments (1)

Nothing Up My Sleeve...Presto!

Alex Rodriguez' agent Scott Boras has recently said:

"Cheering and booing is part of being a good New York Yankee fan."

That's interesting. But, perhaps more interesting is something that I just realized......

Alex's baby daughter is named "Natasha."

And, his agent's name is "Boras."

Two of the most important people in A-Rod's life are "Boras and Natasha."

Now I know why "Moose" Mussina said what he did about A-Rod. He was just sticking up for him and Rocky.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 01:56 PM | Comments (4)

The Life Of Brian

Darien Magazine has a feature on Brian Cashman this month. Some highlights:

“My winter is harder than my summer,” Brian notes. “It’s all a lot of work, but the winter is that much more, going head-to-head on free agency, arbitration and trades.”

Cashman grew up in Lexington, Kentucky, the son of Nancy and John. His dad raised standard-bred horses for harness racing, and Brian and his four siblings were kept busy performing odd jobs.

“My father broke every child labor law,” Brian says with a shake of his head. Cleaning stables, he says, “gave me a work ethic and made me realize how tough it was to get by.” It also gave him a profound distaste for horses. He preferred basketball and baseball. His favorite baseball team was the Los Angeles Dodgers. Brian rejoiced when they beat the Yankees in the 1981 World Series.

“At that time I was one of the all-time Yankee haters,” Cashman admits.

Being GM would bring him much glory and stress, not to mention long work hours driven by his own fear of failure as much as by Steinbrenner’s fabled wrath. “Right now, while I’m talking to you, one of my competitors could be on the verge of completing something that will make the difference,” Cashman says.

“There are people who take some shots I don’t like, but then I go to the archives and find the same people have written some very positive things too,” he says. “I’m not saying I’m perfect at this, but I’ve gotten better.”

Late one evening in February 2004, Mary woke up to the sound of Brian talking excitedly on the cell phone in their bedroom. He was finalizing a deal that would bring Texas Rangers shortstop Alex Rodriguez to the Yankees. Now in his third season as the team’s third baseman, having changed positions at Cashman’s request to accommodate shortstop Derek Jeter, Rodriguez was 2005 American League Most Valuable Player and is considered one of the two or three best players in the game today.

“Alex was huge,” Cashman says.

“I remember telling George Steinbrenner, ‘Boss, this is a can’t-miss move.’”

Cash keeps an "archive" on what people say about him? There goes my chance of ever working for the Yankees. Bummer.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 01:27 PM | Comments (9)

Cashman On The Mets

From ESPN.com -

"The Mets -- and for that matter, the Phillies -- are part of the craziness of baseball in the Northeast," Cashman says. "But the Yankees and Red Sox, ESPN has totally surrounded our organizations. Put it this way: If you check the number of back pages [in the tabloids] between the Yankees and Mets in the last five years, you'd be shocked how far ahead we are.

"I don't say that as disrespect to the Mets; they're a great organization with great people and great ownership, but the focus on us is extreme. ... It's taken 100 years to build this situation. Same goes for Boston."

I have news for Cashman. He was 19-years-old and living in Lexington, Kentucky, when the Mets won in 1986.

I was in New York for 1976, 1977, 1978, 1986, 1996, 1998, 1999 and 2000.

When the Mets win, New York City is a Mets town. It's insane.

It's probably because the Yankees always win and the Mets hardly win.

But, I will tell you now - if the Mets make it to the World Series and win, the Yankees will become old news in a minute.

You can count on that.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 01:19 PM | Comments (13)

A-Good A-gust For A-Rod?

Thanks to Jeff Angus for bringing this data to my attention. Below are Alex Rodriguez' stats, as a Yankee, to date, on a month-by-month basis:

In all three seasons, May has been a huge month for A-Rod with the bat. And, in all three seasons, A-Rod has been a .280 hitter with power in July.

Prior to this season, A-Rod has done well in August as a Yankee. Let's hope that pattern continues this season.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 10:51 AM | Comments (2)

July 24, 2006

The Melk Man Delivers

On June 20th, Joe Torre sat Melky Cabrera down for a game.

From that time, coming into tonight, Cabrera has hit .311 (in 106 AB) with an OBA of .354 and a SLG of .453.

Tonight, Melky went 3 for 4 - just needing a homer to hit for the cycle.

Torre made a comment about Cabrera in the YES post-game tonight that went along the lines of 'He likes to be the one that you're counting on.'

Back on June 6th, I wrote:

You know, superstars post the sexy numbers - but, play-makers win games. Melky Cabrera is a play-maker. I'm so glad that he's on this team. So many play-makers from the recent ring-run are gone. And, it's good to see more come along.

I still stand by that statement.

In the YES coverage tonight, Ken Singleton said that the Yankees have the longest current streak of having a player start in an All-Star game: 2000 through 2006.

Think about that: 2000 through 2006. This is when the Yankees added Mussina, Giambi, Matsui, Sheffield, Johnson, A-Rod, etc. It's also the time where the Yankees have lost in the post-season every year (with the exception of 2000).

If the Yankees win another ring soon, it will be because of players like Melky Cabrera - just like it was because of players like Paul O'Neill, Tino Martinez, etc., during 1996 through 2000.

The "Team of All-Stars" didn't work in New York during the days of Winfield-Baylor-Smalley-Griffey-Kemp-Mumphrey and it's not working, with respect to rings, today either.

Scott Brosius might have had an OPS in the .700's, but, he was a winner in New York when it counted the most.

I'm looking forward to the day when the Yankees get back to having a "team" - where the Melky Cabreras on the team out-number the guys who have it in their contract that they get a hotel suite on road.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 11:24 PM | Comments (7)

July 24th @ The Rangers

On Saturday, I wrote:

"Worm Killer" Wang was not at his all-time best today - but, he was plenty good enough (with 15 grounders in 6 IP) to keep the Yankees in this game - until "ProcFarnMo" ™ slammed the door on the last three innings.

And, tonight, I can now write:

Randy Johnson was not at his all-time best today - but, he was plenty good enough (with 7 whiffs in 6 IP) to keep the Yankees in this game - until "ProcFarnMo" ™ slammed the door on the last three innings.

By the way, tonight and this past Saturday were the only two wins for the Yankees in their last six games.

I believe we have found the formula for a victory in 2006: A solid six from the starter and then go to "ProcFarnMo" ™ to close.

But, perhaps the biggest news today is the injury to Damon before the game and the injury to Jeter during the game. Without these two players, the Yankees are done. Cross your fingers for the both of them, if you're a Yankees fan.

Lastly - maybe I'm imagining this - or perhaps I'm just noticing it - but, has Jorge Posada switched to a new style of catching mask? Looking at him tonight, it appeared like he was wearing something that looked like Hannibal Lecter Meets Spiderman. In the past, I recall him wearing a mask that had two big handles on the side - something like what a Ferengi would wear during a masochistic escapade. Anyone else see this tonight?

Update, 7-25-06: Thanks to Jen for setting the record straight. Below, on the left, is Posada's mask this past Thursday. And, on the right was one that he wore on Saturday. Looks like it's just a matter of two different colored masks.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 10:40 PM | Comments (11)

I Guess They Usually Keep Them

This afternoon, I was trying to think of the greatest "superstar" player who was traded away from the Yankees while he was still in his prime. To the best of my research/knowledge, it has to be Rickey Henderson.

For those who don't know, on June 21, 1989, the Yankees traded Henderson to the Oakland Athletics for Greg Cadaret, Eric Plunk, and Luis Polonia.

Number two on this list would probably be Bobby Bonds.

On December 11, 1975, the Yankees traded Bonds to the California Angels for Mickey Rivers and Ed Figueroa.

In terms of impact on the team, the Bonds deal was great and the Henderson deal was not a winner.

These are the only two times that the Yankees ever traded away (what was then) a current offensive superstar.

Before looking, I would have thought that it happened more often.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 04:16 PM | Comments (11)

T.J. Beam-a-rang

From Scout.com -

Former Ole Miss pitcher T.J. Beam got the call back up to the New York Yankees Sunday night. He will be in Arlington, Texas, for tonight's Rangers-Yankees game.

Without knowing for sure, I think this is the end of Kris Wilson's New York Yankees career.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 03:08 PM | Comments (4)

Sori Returns?

From Jon Heyman:

Soriano is considered strictly a 10-week rental by all but one of the teams currently bidding on him. As one AL exec put it, "We all know where he's going to wind up eventually,'' meaning the Yankees.

Executives say Bowden requested the Yankees' only two bona fide blue-chippers along with "two more prospects."

Likewise, the Yankees are telling folks that Hughes and Tabata aren't going anywhere. Their strategy for now, like everyone else's, is to wait Bowden out and hope the price drops before the July 31 deadline.

Ten days ago, thereabouts, I offered my opinion on Alfonso Soriano.

Nothing has changed since then - so, obviously, I find this report to be upsetting.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 02:49 PM | Comments (10)

A-Rod Stats: They're Magically Delicious!

I was just looking at Alex Rodriguez' Yankees career, to date, via some of the advanced metrics that they track over at TheHardballTimes.com:

These numbers are very interesting to me.

First, A-Rod, this year, is doing what he's always done in terms of looking at pitches in the box (P/PA). And, his BA/RISP is the same this year as the year he won the MVP (2005). Also, Alex is hitting line-drives (LD%) this year at the same pace as last year. (Actually, it's a tick better this year.)

But, the results are not there this season for Alex - like in his Yankees MVP-season. A-Rod's Gross Production Average (GPA) and RC/G numbers this year are more like 2004 than 2005. Why?

If you look at Alex's Batting Average on Balls in Play (BA/BIP) this year, you will see that it's just like 2004 - and not like 2005. Also, Rodriguez' Home Runs as a percent of outfield flyballs (HR/F) this season is the same as 2004 - and not like 2005.

Basically, this season, the hits are not falling in for A-Rod and the flies are not going over the fence - like they did in 2005.

So, is Alex just unlucky this year?

Well, if you consider that the 2004 numbers here are in line with the 2006 numbers, it means one of two things (I suppose):

Either A-Rod was unlucky in 2004 and 2006 (to date). Or, he was lucky (relatively speaking) in 2005.

I don't know which is the answer. I will try and get another opinion (or two) on the interpretation of this data, from parties more versed in this type of analysis, to see if there's an answer here. Stay tuned.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 10:34 AM | Comments (8)

Andy Phillips Watch

From The Hartford Courant -

The Yankees' commitment to playing Andy Phillips is getting a big test. Phillips did not start Sunday, appearing at the end of the Yankees' 13-5 loss. He made the last out, extending his hitless streak to 15 at-bats.

"He's just antsy right now," manager Joe Torre said. "He doesn't have any patience at all at the plate." Phillips, 29, who had several strong seasons in Triple A, has had trouble getting to play regularly. But the Yankees' lineup was so shy of punch, especially from the right side with Gary Sheffield out, that Phillips became the everyday first baseman and Jason Giambi the DH.

"It takes so much for us to score runs that we have to put a premium on defense," Torre said. Phillips has committed only four errors.

Phillips, hitting .240 with seven homers and 23 RBI, had only 26 at-bats in April and 36 in May, but has played nearly every day since May 30, when Sheffield returned to the disabled list. Phillips hit .333 in June, but is only 11-for-73 (.151) in July. With two walks and 12 strikeouts, his on-base percentage for the month is .173.

Back on December 06, 2005, I wrote:

Another problem that I have here is the assumption where many believe that Andy Phillips can hit. But, can he? Well, the experts at Baseball Info Solutions think that he can - they project him to bat .269 with a slugging percentage of .517. But, that's based on what he's done in Triple-A, at Columbus, over the last two seasons. And, I'm not buying the house based on what someone did in AAA at ages 27 and 28.

Fernando Seguignol, Orestes Destrade and Steve Balboni come to mind in terms of Triple-A sluggers who had their weaknesses exposed at the big league level. And, I believe that Phillips' 13 whiffs in 40 ABs last year tell us that he has some holes in his swing.

This is no knock on the Phillips story. He's a great kid. I have no problem with him being a defensive caddy at 1B in 2006. But, if you're going to rely on him for 500 (or so) PA next season - you cannot do that without assuming great risk.

I like Andy Phillips. And, the Yankees players like him as well. The other day, I heard Mo Rivera cite him for the energy that he, and Melky Cabrera, bring to the clubhouse via their youth.

But, that risk that I wrote about 8 months ago did turn out to be a reality.

Giambi needs to play 1B now on a full-time basis and the Yankees need to find another answer for the DH slot. This is the best move for the team at this junction.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 09:30 AM | Comments (11)

July 23, 2006

Route 66

There are 66 regular season games left in 2006 for the Yankees.

New York is currently on pace to win 94 games this season. Presently, the Yankees are in 2nd place in the A.L. East - 2.5 games behind the Boston Red Sox. Further, in the A.L. Wildcard Standings, the Yankees are also in second - 2.5 games behind the Chicago White Sox.

It all sounds good, doesn't it? But, there are problems.

The Yankees 4th starter in their rotation now is a 5-inning pitcher at best. Additionally, New York's 5th starter in their rotation is, well, who? Right now, it's Sidney Ponson - and that speaks for itself.

Additionally, with the exception of one month this year, the Yankees have performed like a .500 ballclub. Note their month-by-month records this year:

April: 13-10
May: 18-10
June: 14-12
July*: 11-8

(* July is to date)

So, what happened in May? First, Alex Rodriguez had an OPS of 1.031 for the Yankees in May. From an offensive standpoint, he carried the team on his back. Secondly, Jaret Wright - one of the weak links in the Yankees starting rotation - pitched lights-out in May (making 5 starts and fashioning an ERA of 3.25 that month).

And, this will be the key to the Yankees success over their final 66 games this year. They're going to need someone in their line-up to hit the snot out of the ball - like A-Rod did in May - and be a major force who can win games almost single-handed. And, the Yankees are going to need one more starter (outside of Johnson, Mussina and Wang) to make Quality Starts on a consistent basis over the next dozen rotations of the Yankees starting pitching staff.

Who are the candidates to get this job done?

On the hitting side, there's not many choices. It's either Giambi or A-Rod.

Damon and Jeter are the table-setters. Neither are true power-hitters. It's going to hard for either of them to be a one-man wrecking crew over the next 60-something games. Everyone else on the team - Posada, Cano, etc. - are batters who help (and not the type who can carry a team).

The Yankees are paying Jason Giambi $18 million this season. And, they're paying Alex Rodriguez $20 million (to go along with the $6 million that he's getting from Texas).

Combined, these two players earn close to one-fifth of the Yankees payroll. They need to start hitting like All-Stars on a consistent basis.

And, yes, I know that Derek Jeter makes $19 million this year. But, when your SS hits .342 with an OPS of .885, it's hard to get on his case about his production and salary.

On the pitching side, there's even less choices. Either Jaret Wright pulls some more rabbits out of his hat - or Brian Cashman has to trade for a starting pitcher to help his team. The Yankees have tried all the immediate internal answers to help their starting rotation and none of them have worked. It's time to get someone from the outside.

If Brian Cashman cannot obtain a decent starting pitcher for the Yankees over the next week, then he will have no one else to blame (but himself) when the Yankees win 90 games this season and miss the post-season.

Just getting Rodriguez or Giambi to go on fire will not be enough for the Yankees if they don't get a pitcher to do for them what Wright did during May - meaning give a decent start on a consistent basis.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 10:53 PM | Comments (15)

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Posted by Steve Lombardi at 10:40 PM | Comments (0)

July 23rd @ The Blue Jays

I missed this game today. We took the kids to go see the N.J. Jackals play. It's not the greatest level of play, nor the most fun minor league park. But, the building where I work sits right behind CF - and, for $9 you can get a seat four rows behind the dugout as a walk-up. If you like watching live baseball, up close, and cheap - then the Jackals are your ticket.

So, now I'm three-for-three in terms of going to a minor league game this season and having the Yankees lose bad while I'm having fun at another park.

Looks like that object in the rear-view is getting closer still, huh?

You know, coming into this series, I mentioned that Damon, Melky, Jeter and A-Rod were the Yankees hot hitters in the month of July. And, I said that it would be helpful for them to keep it up in Toronto. So, how did they do? See below:

Damon: 5 for 16 (.313)
Jeter: 6 for 14 (.429)
Melky: 6 for 14 (.429)
A-Rod: 2 for 16 (.125)

Joe batting Alex Rodriguez in the clean-up spot during this entire big series did not help the team. Then again, I said a month ago that A-Rod, in New York, has never been at his best when batting fourth in the line-up.

It's just another piece in the Alex Rodriguez puzzle.

Lastly, Ponson's AL ERA this season is now 10.00. Think any G.M.'s of teams other than the Yankees will be quoting that number to Brian Cashman in phone calls this week?

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 07:20 PM | Comments (4)

The Succession That Never Happened

From Sam Borden in the News:

Little more than a year ago, Giambi was the black sheep of the organization, struggling at the plate so badly that the Yanks discussed sending him to the minors and even contemplated buying out his contract.

Sitting at his locker here late Friday afternoon, Giambi looked over at Rodriguez with some sympathy. "You have to develop a little bit of armor in (New York)," he said. "It's a little toughness you need here that you don't need other places. He needs to get that. I think he will. He just needs to know that you're never going to please everybody. You're just not. So you can't worry about it and let it stress you too much because that's when things get worse."

The question, of course, is was it ever this bad for Giambi?

Giambi just shrugs. "I took my hits at home, too," he says. "It wasn't easy. I can promise you that. But you have to work through it. "

For a split second there, it sounded like Giambi is hinting that A-Rod lacks the "toughness" that you need to play in New York. I'm still on the fence with that issue.

After all, Alex Rodriguez played in New York last season and had the best year, offensively, that he's ever had in his career - and one of the ten best seasons by a right-handed batter in the A.L. since 1973.

Then again, some might say that it's easy to handle New York when everything is going right - and, it's how you handle it when things are going poorly that is the test of your "toughness."

In any event, from December 2004 through May 2005, it's pretty safe to say that Giambi took a beating by many in the media and by the majority of the fans. Did he have it as bad as A-Rod now? It's probably close. After all, at it's worst, just about everyone wanted Giambi released or sent to the minors - and, no one is saying that about Rodriguez now.

All this makes me think about those who like to say that Giambi was the whipping boy in New York until Alex Rodriguez came to town. That's not really true.

From 2002 through 2003, the fans and media were not on Giambi in full force. And, the real spotlight on Jason did not start until after the 2004 season. In fact, in the late summer of 2004, Giambi had the sympathy of many when it was found out that he had a tumor.

Alex Rodriguez took some heat during the 2004 season in New York. But, it was nothing like Giambi experienced, at the worst, and it was nothing like A-Rod has seen this season.

Therefore, during the 2004 season, neither Giambi or Rodriguez were locked in the stocks down in the town square. And, A-Rod was a king in New York during 2005. Further, last season, Giambi regained the love of New York during the summer.

Where was the passing of the "Bad Boy" torch from Giambi to A-Rod? Yes, they both had their moments where life was not pleasant in Yankeeland. But, it was not the case that many like to state where Giambi was getting killed in New York until A-Rod came along and then he became the Blame King in the Bronx.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 08:21 AM | Comments (2)

July 22, 2006

July 22nd @ The Blue Jays

"Worm Killer" Wang was not at his all-time best today - but, he was plenty good enough (with 15 grounders in 6 IP) to keep the Yankees in this game - until "ProcFarnMo" ™ slammed the door on the last three innings.

It sure looks like the All-Star break was a good thing for Everyday Scottie Proctor, huh?

Just two days ago, I wrote about "Mmmmmmmm, Mmmmmmmm,"'s increasing K-rate (since he joined New York). And, what does he do today? He goes down on strikes four times - the first time he's done this in a game since June 22, 1995. For those scoring at home, that's a span of 4,048 days. (Really, I counted.)

Right now, Alex Rodriguez is playing so tight, that, if you stuck a Tyrannosaurus up his fanny, you would get gasoline.

And, at the current rate, that fuel would be worth about $1,400. (Really, I counted.)

In any event, this was a pretty big win for the Yankees - with them mounting a losing streak and with Boston losing today. The balk play that Jeter and Damon caused in the 6th just may have been the key to this one.

If you're taping the game tomorrow, set your VCRs and DVDRs for at least 5 hours. This is just a hunch, but, I think it's going to be a long one - given the pitchers starting on both sides and the hitting of these two teams.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 10:14 PM | Comments (6)

Future Yankeenomics

Ken Belson has an excellent feature on the Yankees and their new Stadium in the Times today. Some highlights:

Bankers, analysts and others familiar with the team’s finances say the franchise is now worth about $1 billion, nearly 70 percent more than the next most valuable team, the Red Sox, and nearly three times more than the average major league team is worth.

Making the most of a winning tradition and their home in the nation’s biggest city and media market, the Yankees generate nearly $300 million in annual revenue, according to an individual with knowledge of the team’s finances. He requested anonymity because of his continuing professional relationship with the team.

Yes, the Yankees earn the most money, but analysts say they also spend the most, giving the team razor-thin profit margins.

The Yankees’ haul is produced by its share of the No. 1-ranked regional sports network, YES, as well as the more than four million fans who flock to the Bronx in a season and pay top dollar for tickets, parking and food at the 83-year-old shrine known as the House That Ruth Built. The Yankees also get some of the highest licensing and advertising fees in Major League Baseball.

TO keep up with the escalating prices that it pays its players — a surge that Mr. Steinbrenner himself set in motion — the Yankees need still more revenue.

Meanwhile, the Yankees are trying to cut their payroll by using younger and cheaper players when possible and staking their financial future on a new megastadium.

Set for a 2009 debut, the stadium, including building costs and debt payments, will carry a $1 billion price tag. To pay for it, the Yankees will need to generate an additional $50 million to $60 million a year in revenue, according to analysts. Mr. Levine declined to discuss how much money the team expects to earn in its new digs, though he ruled out selling the naming rights to the stadium.

The challenges of financing the new stadium can be softened in some ways. The Yankees will be able to deduct some of the costs of building and operating the stadium from their contributions to other teams under the league’s revenue-sharing agreement.

The Yankees need the subsidies, tax breaks and new revenue not only to pay for the stadium, but also the team’s hefty payroll. Without that padding, the Yankees might find it harder to assemble a winning team. And without a winning team, it will be harder to raise tickets prices, broadcast rights and other fees.

I think it's going to be very interesting to see the Yankees payroll in 2008 versus what it's going to be in 2009.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 01:28 PM | Comments (3)

It's Still Not Wright

From Mark Feinsand at Yankees.com:

Compare these two stat lines:
Player A: .316 average, 21 home runs, 79 RBIs, 63 runs, .388 on-base percentage
Player B: .284 average, 21 home runs, 71 RBIs, 67 runs, .386 on-base percentage

The first? National League MVP candidate David Wright. The second? Rodriguez.

So although their stats are virtually identical, Wright (who has 11 errors vs. Rodriguez's 18) is having what is considered a terrific season because the Mets have a double-digit lead in the NL East -- and he makes less than a half-million dollars.

And let's not forget -- Rodriguez has put up these numbers in a "down year" where nothing has gone right for him.

I really wish people would stop making this comparison. As I pointed out there three days ago, A-Rod, offensively, this season is not even near Wright.

These two players play in different leagues. They play in different home ballparks. You have to adjust for that - as I did three days ago when I presented the boiled down stats.

Why not compare A-Rod's season to Lee Seung-yeop's season playing in Japan for the Yomiuri Giants? Oh, because it's different leagues, etc., right? Comparing Rodriguez to Wright, just using the raw numbers, is the same mistake.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 08:52 AM | Comments (7)

July 21, 2006

July 21st @ The Blue Jays

Tonight, it might be fashionable to look at the Reed Johnson grounder in the 1st that A-Rod boxed into a double - or the A-Rod missed pop-up on Vernon Wells in the 4th, which was then followed up by another throwing error by A-Rod (allowing Wells to reach in the inning).

But, the heart of the loss tonight centers on the Yankees bats doing nothing, on the whole, against A.J. Burnett- sans Rodriguez' 2,000th career hit (which was also his 450th career HR).

Even the poor pitching of Jaret Wright is meaningless, to some extent, today, because the meat of the Yankees order went 2 for 12 this evening (and the bottom of the Bombers order went 1 for 10).

OK, so, the Yankees have now faced the Blue Jays best two starters (in terms of stuff) and have lost two games - allowing Toronto to get back into the race in the A.L. East.

The games on Saturday and Sunday will be the test now for New York. The starters that Toronto will run out there are not over-powering. It's time for the Yankees bats to wake up and savage this series.

Back to A-Rod's yips in the field, I do not believe that this situation has reached the Steve Sax/Chuck Knoblauch level - yet. But, it is concerning.

Looking at The Fielding Bible tonight, I've noticed something.

According to the stats in the book, A-Rod was the best fielding 3B in the AL during 2004 - with Eric Chavez close behind him. But, in 2005, Alex Rodriguez, overall for the season, was just about league average at 3B, defensively - with about a half-dozen guys in the AL doing a better job than him (at 3B).

Perhaps 2006 is just the continuation of the decline in Alex's ability to play 3B? Personally, I would have guessed, at the start of this season, that A-Rod had, at least, another 4 seasons after this one before he would have to be moved off 3B. But, sometimes things happen quicker than you expect.

I'm not saying this decline, and need for a move, is a "sure-thing." But, it's something to keep on the radar this season - rather than ignore it completely - until A-Rod starts to show that he can be a good fielding 3B again.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 10:36 PM | Comments (9)

It's A Long Way From Long Branch To Aruba

The other night, watching Sidney Ponson pitch for the first time in the pinstripes, his number caught my eye. And, I wondered, who was the last Yankees pitcher to wear #24?

I guessed "Mike Torrez in 1977." But, after checking with "Now Batting, Number... The Mystique, Superstition, and Lore of Baseball's Uniform Numbers," I found that there was someone after Torrez and before Ponson:

John "The Count" Montefusco wore #24 for the Yankees from 1983 through 1984. (He switched to # 26 for 1985 and 1986.)

There's an Applebee's in Tinton Falls (NJ) that has pictures of Montefusco up on the wall - showing him back when he was playing at Brookdale Community College.

There's probably a few eating joints out there with Ponson's picture on the wall too.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 04:57 PM | Comments (3)

What's That Noise?

As much as I don't want to think about "Mmmmmmmm, Mmmmmmmm," today, it's the elephant game. You know, "Don't think about elephants for the next 30 seconds!"

When that order comes out, you cannot help but to think about elephants.

Within the last few hours, the "Conservation of Energy" physics principle keeps popping into my head as I consider the present situation with "Mmmmmmmm, Mmmmmmmm," - you know it:

"Energy cannot be created or destroyed, but can change its form."

I think we're about to see a shift in form with respect to the public reaction towards "Mmmmmmmm, Mmmmmmmm."

The critiques of "Mmmmmmmm, Mmmmmmmm," is about to zenith. And, when it does, there's no where for it to go but down - because energy cannot be destroyed.

And, I think what's going to happen with "Mmmmmmmm, Mmmmmmmm," is that the "beating" (for lack of a better word) that he's had to take now will result in a responsive swell of sympathy for what he had to endure (during this time).

Think of Bill Buckner. He went from good-guy to villain to poor-victim status in the eyes of many Red Sox fans. It's something like that. And, sure, some still want blood for Billy - but, it's nothing like it was when he first became the bad guy.

Dwight Gooden sort of falls into this pattern as well. He was a legend, then a bum, and later a sympathetic figure.

Of course, in the cases of Buckner and Gooden, we're talking about shifts that happened over the course of years.

Will it take that long for "Mmmmmmmm, Mmmmmmmm"? Boy, I hope not.

And, I don't think it's going to take years for "Mmmmmmmm, Mmmmmmmm."

If you clear your mind, and just listen, you'll begin to hear the shift - as it's starting now. At least, that's what I hear.

Then again, maybe I just need a Q-Tip or something?

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 03:00 PM | Comments (1)

Sox Fan: Gimmie My Baby Bibs Back

From KFMB in San Diego, California -

A Red Sox fan angry that Johnny Damon defected to the New York Yankees has fought off an attempt by his high-powered agent to stop her from selling baby bibs with a very grown-up insult.

Tucked among the "I Love My Mommy" bibs and "Pregnant Princess" maternity clothes, Ann Sylvia also offers bibs and onesies adorned with the ballpark epithet "Damon Sucks." Last month, eBay pulled the listings after the Scott Boras Corp. complained that they violated Damon's right of publicity, a legal claim that allows celebrities to control the products they endorse.

"I'm just a stay-at-home mom. I just want to raise my children, sell my stuff," said Sylvia, who works part-time at The Standard-Times of New Bedford, which first reported on her struggle. "It's all a little nerve-racking, a little scary."

If so, she didn't show it in her negotiations with Boras' staff. During an hourlong phone call, she pointed out to attorney Ryan Lubner that there are other baseball players named "Damon"; how did he know, after all, that she wasn't the world's biggest critic of Tampa Bay's Damon Hollins?

"Then I knew I had him," she gloated. "So I said, 'Let's make a compromise.'"

Lubner agreed to lift his objection _ and clear her eBay record _ if Sylvia agreed not to use "Johnny," "Boston," "Red Sox," "New York," or "Yankees" in the listing.

Now Sylvia's bibs are back on eBay.

So, does this mean it's OK for me to start selling stool sample receptacles that have "Schilling Speaks" printed on them?

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 01:17 PM | Comments (2)

Jason Armstrong

I was just looking at the stats for Jason Giambi, this season, by month:

Giambi was off the charts in April. During May, Jason didn't hit - but, he still got his walks. In June, it was homer-or-bust for Giambi - and nothing else at all. This month, to date, Jason has been MIA with the stick.

Besides the 4-month decline in OBA, each and every month, what I find interesting is the power trend here.

Power in April. None in May. Power in June. None in July.

It's almost as if Jason Giambi is on some sort of power cycle here.......hmmmmmm........naaaaaah, just a co-winky-dink, right?

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 12:15 PM | Comments (6)

I Heart A-Rod

In so many of the reader comments made at WasWatching.com, over the last two months or so, my "fandom" of A-Rod has been questioned. Therefore, to clear the record, I thought that I would do a special entry (that I can point to in the future) to address this question.

First of all, last season, I had the following things to say about Alex Rodriguez:

+ Why A-Rod's 2005 season was so special in Yankeeland
+ Two major reasons why A-Rod should be the AL MVP over Ortiz
+ Why those whining about A-Rod winning the AL MVP should shut up

If I didn't like Alex Rodriguez, would I have said any of those things?

Actually, my A-Rod "fandom" goes back to 1994. I drafted Rodriguez that year in the fantasy baseball league that I used to run. And, because it was a "keeper" league, I had him from 1994 through 2000 (when the league ended). Since Alex did so well for me in the league, naturally, I was a huge fan.

In fact, in 1997, I went out and bought an A-Rod autographed baseball - because I was such a fan of his game.

Three years later, I bought a 16x20 picture of A-Rod for my office at home. And, later that year, I also added an autographed bat to my A-Rod collection.

Now, let's keep in mind that I'm a diehard Yankees fan and the walls of my office are covered, for the most part, with Yankees stuff. Yet, still, for the last six years, if you come into my office, this is what you will see:

There's A-Rod, albeit as a Mariner, right up there on the wall with Bucky, Thurm, Reggie and Boone. (And, if the picture would have continued to the right, you would have seen Bernie and Torre too.)

But, in reality, again, this is not a six-year thing for me. Again, I've been an A-Rod fan going back to 1994 (as a start) and 1996 (in terms of being full-blown).

And, when the Yankees traded for Alex Rodriguez on February 15, 2004, I was thrilled. It was perfect - one of my favorite players coming to my favorite team. It was a total dream come true.

Therefore, personally, I want this dream to continue - as long as it's a happy dream and not a nightmare.

But, above all, as someone who is writing about the Yankees, I need to be objective when I talk about the team's play - and player performance in particular. It's just too bad that candid commentary then leads to my fandom being questioned.

If 15 months of me doing this blog has told anyone anything, it should be that I've never been one to wear Yankees Blinders.

I suppose that I should just ignore anyone who wants to label me an "A-Rod Hater" because of something that I've written about Alex Rodriguez. As, in my own heart and mind, I know the truth. Still, again, just as an attempt to clear the air on this question, I thought I would try and set the record straight today.

I "Heart" A-Rod.

OK?

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 10:24 AM | Comments (14)

July 20, 2006

July 20th @ The Blue Jays

There's an episode of "All in the Family" where the character of Edith Bunker dents a car with a can of "cling peaches (in heavy syrup)."

At one point in the story, the character of Archie Bunker orders Edith to not say the words "cling peaches" again. So, later in the episode, when Edith has to again describe how she dented the car with the can, instead of saying "cling peaches," she refers to the can as "Mmmmmmmm, Mmmmmmmm - in heavy syrup!"

Based on the harsh feedback that I have received lately from many readers of WasWatching.com, any time that I mention the recent play Alex Rodriguez, over the last 6 or 7 weeks, I'm at the point now where I feel as if I've been ordered, albeit more implied than clearly expressed, to never say the words "Alex Rodriguez" here again.

Therefore, herein, I'm pulling an Edith - just to be safe.

Kim Jones, in the YES post-game tonight, was asking everyone about the error that "Mmmmmmmm, Mmmmmmmm," made in the bottom of the 6th tonight (and the impact that it had on the game) - including Torre, Mike Mussina, and "Mmmmmmmm, Mmmmmmmm," himself.

Torre and "Mmmmmmmm, Mmmmmmmm," had the responses to Jones' questioning that you would expect. But, Mike Mussina, when reflecting on the play of "Mmmmmmmm, Mmmmmmmm," had the following to say:

"We need him back the way he's supposed to be."

I think that comment speaks for itself - in volumes.

It's sad that, in a game like tonight, coming off a bad loss in New York where a win today on the road against a tough pitcher would have been a lift (and needed as Boston has won four-in-a-row), the main talking point is "Mmmmmmmm, Mmmmmmmm," again