Results tagged ‘ New York Yankees ’
A-Rod, Selena Roberts, and Joba
What an incredible 18 hour period it has been for the Yankees. Feeling somewhat good about their victory last night which almost turned into another pissed away loss, Joba Chamberlain has bought himself at least another start. However, there are bigger concerns on the horizon for the Yankees, and it all begins with Mr. Alex Rodriguez, A-Rod, A-Roid, whatever you choose to call him these days.
A story that has reached every media outlet in the country this morning suggests that a new book from SI.com writer Selena Roberts is going to provide evidence that A-Rod not only used performance enhancing drugs and steroids while with the Texas Rangers, but also during his time in the Bronx, going all the way back to his high school days in Miami.
Do we have any of that evidence in front of us just yet? Nope. And just for the record, who the hell does Selena Roberts think she is, attaching herself to A-Rod like the blood sucking leech that she is? Is A-Rod at fault for his actions? Absolutely. Has he brought most if not all of this media scrutiny upon himself? Yes to that as well. But what we must remember, is that Selena Roberts also has the names of the other 100+ players on this list that failed the 2003 “random and annonymous” drug test that MLB sent out. Why is she not spewing her garbage about any of those players? Simply because she is a money grubbing, ladder climbing, making a name for herself on the fame and success of others, A-1 bitch! That’s why. Selena Roberts has no intention of helping to clean up the sport, and keeping the national pasttime clean from offenders of chemical alteration.
Don’t think for one minute that what Selena Roberts is doing has anything to do with saving the game and ending the “Steroid Era” in baseball. This is nothing more than a witch hunt, one in which A-Rod is indeed in the wrong for his actions, and should be punished for what he has done. I don’t look at A-Rod any different than I do Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens. A cheater is a cheater is a cheater. But, Selena Roberts is a dirtbag in the lowest form. Lower than pond scum, right there with any other type of amateur journalist trying to make a name for themselves and gain accolades and money off of the suffering of others. Selena Roberts, someone will be waiting for you in hell you two-faced, no moral conscience owning bitch!
Roberts goes as far as to accuse A-Rod of tipping pitches to opposing hitters that are his friends on opposing teams, primarily in blowouts with the hope that they would do the same for him. Where are the “named” sources and proof of that? I think Selena Roberts if throwing as much mud against the wall as she can, with the goal of completely destroying this man. Again, if she had exposed the other 100+ names on the list she “illegally” acquired from her source, you wouldn’t hear a peep out of me. But to simply pick the biggest name on the list, and do everything in your power to destroy that man’s life AND you get to make money on the whole thing turns my stomach. If A-Rod tipped pitches, shame on him. I don’t care how many goddamn friends you have on the opposing team, you play for the name on the front of the jersey, not the number on the back. Grow up A-Rod, you pansie!
Now onto my other target of disgust…something that has to do simply with on the field production-Joba Chamberlain. As I said yesterday, I hoped that he would prove me wrong, and last night he did. Kudos to him. The problem, is that Joba is still ptiching away from contact, and throwing an awful lot of pitches rather than letting his defense do the work. I know, I know, his line looked great, and from the box score, you would think that Joba was just as successful last night as Phil Hughes was the night before…WRONG!
Joba was working high counts, all over the plate, and was extremely fortunate that the Tigers hitters simply didn’t wait him out. I watched the game. I watched the game the night before. It was a night and day difference, so before all of you Joba loves start screaming about how I’m being unfair to the fat tub of goo, just remember this…the sun shines on a dog’s *** somedays. I’m sticking to my belief that Joba will continue to struggle, and that he will end up in the bullpen before the season is over.
As a sidenote, the original Fat Toad, Hideki Irabu is attempting to make a comeback in the Independent League. Perhaps he and Oil Can Boyd can make a comeback together!
As always, be good, take care of yourself, and take care of your buddy next to ya!
Feeling Sorry for Andy Pettitte? Grow Up!
The Two Faces of Andy Pettitte
I heard on the MLB Network yesterday that longtime Yankees’ hurler Andy Pettitte has rejected the one year, $10 million dollar offer to return to the Bombers for 2009. Those closest to Pettitte have said that his dream is to pitch as a Yankee in the New Yankee Stadium, which will be opening this coming spring. After reading several articles and blogs on the topic, I thought I should weigh in. Pettitte believes he should be rewarded for his loyalty to the Yankees. Pettitte feels he should be rewarded for years of hard work and service to the Yankee organization, and all of the big games he won for them through the years. Pettitte believes he is worth closer to his $16 million, 2008 salary than he is a pay cut to $10 mil. Really Andy? Are Yankee fans feeling sentimental over you? Do Yankee fans want to see you finish your final season in pinstripes in the new house, alongside your Dynasty mates Jeter, Posada and Rivera? Let’s take a closer look at what Andy Pettitte truly deserves…
To understand the Andy Pettitte situation is to understand recent Yankees history. Pettitte was a vital cog in the Dynasty that ran through say, oh the 2003 season. Some might argue 2001. but since they won the AL Pennant in 2003, I will add that one in too. If we rewind the tape to October of 2003, this is what would be happening…An unknown Josh Beckett beat Pettitte 2-0 in Game 6 of the World Series, and the Marlins clinched the title on the Yankees homefield. Roger Clemens announced he was done, and we as Yankee fans were questioning the heart and guts of Jason Giambi and David Wells, both of whom failed to perform when the Yankees needed them the most. With Clemens retiring, it should have been a no-brainer for Pettitte to re-sign with the Yankees. Instead, this is what occurred…
Clemens heads back to Houston, and the Astros throw ridiculous money in a crazy attempt to lure Pettitte out of the Bronx, back to his hometown. It worked, and shortly thereafter, Clemens decided he too wasn’t done. Pettitte didn’t even give Brian Cashman an opportunity to overwhelm him with the “Andy, you are a Yankee, and that should mean something” speech. Instead Pettitte, like most other free agents, forget loyalty, time served, and what it means to be a good teammate, and takes his act to Houston, where he blows his arm up, and helps the Astros get swept by the White Sox in the 2005 World Series. Now let’s fast forward to the offseason of 2006-2007. The Astros have blown their load, and there are rumors that Pettitte wants to return to the Bronx. I said it then and I will repeat myself. Pettitte was damaged goods, and shouldn’t have been given the chance to return.
Mr. Pettitte, you wipe your *** with the beloved pinstripes, walk away voluntarily, and then have the audacity to come back to town, pitch like a bum, and then get your panties in a wad when Cashman asks you to take a paycut to $10 mil? You Mr. Pettitte are an A-1 *******!
While the Swiss Family Pettittes and Clemens’ were enjoying themselves in Houston, the Yankees collapsed to the Red Sox, were embarrassed by Detroit, and fell yet again to the Angels. Thank you Andy Pettitte, we could’ve used your fire and competitive spirit then. Oh but wait, you were enjoying seeing your family everyday, and going to your local church every week. Grow up boy, baseball is a business, and when a franchise like the Yankees put faith in you, refuse to trade you (Joe Torre had your back instead of letting Cashman deal you to Philly), welcome you back for a second go around with open arms…now you think you deserve top starter money? Blow it out your *** Andy Pettitte. You are a piece of trash and you are a greedy, good for nothing, two faced, backstabbing bum!
You were supposed to be lights out after July 31st. Instead you were a portable hitting machine, one in which opposing teams took turns on you like you were the village bicycle. Don’t you dare sit there with the Hendricks Brothers and for one minute think you are deserving of last year’s salary. We paid for the pre-Houston Andy Pettitte, and instead got the post-Detroit Jeff Weaver. If it is indeed your dream to be a Yankee, and to pitch in the new Cathedral, put your greedy, inbred hands back in your pockets, shut your dumb, bible thumping mouth, and accept what the Yankees offer you, and be damn grateful that they want you back at at…
You are a greedy pig *******, just like Clemens. You lied about your drug use, you embarrassed the organization that drafted you, groomed you, and made you a star, and you wiped your *** with your reputation and your teammates…Should the Yankees even be considering bringing you back for one last hurrah in 2009? I think speaking for the rest of Yankeeland, I can wholeheartedly say, take a hike!
As always, take care, be good, and take care of your buddy next to ya!
The Weekend That Was…And The Week That MUST Be
Before I go into a much overdue entry about what took place in Yankeeland this past weekend, I have to send out some much deserved thanks and appreciations. A big thank you to Joe Riccio and his girlfriend Ash for having my wife and I over this weekend to partake in his live fantasy football draft. We had a wonderful time, and you both were great hosts, so thank you again!
Now, back to what has taken place, and what could be by Friday night’s matchup in the Bronx against the Blue Jays. Friday night opened in Baltimore, with the Yankees coming off of a severe whipping at the hands of the Blue Jays, to finish the first leg of their roadtrip at 1-2. Moose Mussina pitched well enough to win his 17th game en route to his first career 20-win season, but couldn’t get the run support he needed. The bullpen pitched extremely well, scoring more towards the end of the game, and the Yankees took a much needed game 1 of the three game set against the Orioles.
Saturday witnessed the much maligned return of Carl Pavano to the Yankees’ rotation, pitch 5 deent innings, and get his first win in well over a year. This coming in just his 20th appearance as a Yankee since signing his 4-year, $40 mil contract before the 2005 season. As I have questioned in earlier entries, is Pavano back because he is a free agent and wants to prove he can still pitch at the major league level? Or is he pitching out of guilt, in an attempt to save his reputation not only with his teammates, but anybody around baseball along with fans who believe he committed armed (or should I say disarmed) robbery? Bobby Abreu along with Robinson Cano continue to hit when the Yankees needed them both, and Hideki “Godzilla” Matsui drove in his 500th career run in the major leagues. Rivera came on for the second straight game to notch his 30th save in 31 chances this season.
Then came Sunday…the Yankees smelled blood in the water, knowing that a dent had been made in the AL Wild Card standings with the Angels handling the Twins over the weekend, Darrell Rasner showed his worst outing of the season, not making it through the 4th inning. Fortunately for the Bombers, O’s starter Daniel Cabrera didn’t fare much better, helping get the Yankees out to an early 7-2 lead. Before the ink was dry in the scorebook, Baltimore began to pound Rasner, helping him to an early exit, and the next 4 Yankee relievers got belted just as easily. To the Yankees’ advantage, they have the legendary Rivera, who came on and recorded his third save of the series, slamming the door after Robinson Cano drove in the winning run after Baltimore tied the score at 7 late in the contest. For all of the poor pitching, shoddy defense, and patterned bad baseball, the Yankees escaped Baltimore with a must have sweep in the series.
Heading into a well deserved day off on Monday, the Yankees are now only 9 1/2 games back in the east behind Tampa, and are 5 1/2 back before the start of the massive three-game set with the Red Sox in the Bronx. Suffering from numbness in his arm and pitching hand, the Red Sox have decided to pass on Josh Beckett Tuesday night in the series opener, opting instead to activate knuckleballer Tim Wakefield off of the 15-day DL to face Andy Pettitte.
Wednesday will see newly acquired Paul Byrd take the hill against Sidney Ponson. Both pitchers coming off of less than impressive starts their last time out.Byrd flat out shut down the Yankees last October, and we can only hope that it was an aberration at best. Byrd is a nice upgrade over Clay Bucholtz who is now back in Double-A Portland less than a year since throwing his no-no and keeping the Red Sox from getting Johan Santana from the Twinkies. This last outing by Ponson was truly his first TERRIBLE performance during his second stint in pinstripes.
The series finale is a matchup of season aces in Jon Lester and Mike Mussina. Moose will attempt to get back on track after struggling against his former team in Baltimore. Worse than Moose’s last outing was that of Jon Lester, who failed to make it through the 3rd inning against Toronto. The Blue Jays beat on Lester like a rented mule, en route to a double digit loss by the Red Sox.
What does all of this mean for the Yankees? It means that anything short of taking 2 of 3 from Boston in the Bronx will basically make the remainder of the regular season meaningless. If the Yankees take 1 of 3, and then welcome in Toronto, they will be suffering the usual Red Sox letdown, and could find themselves swept by the Jays come Sunday afternoon. This is the week the Yankees either put their stamp on the standings, and inform the rest of the American League that they are indeed in this thing until the bitter end, or come September 1st, it will be time to give the kids the entire month to get their collective feet wet at the big league level and prepare for next season. These next five to seven days will decide whether or not the 2008 Yankees will see yet another postseason, get on a roll, which could take them to their 27th and final World Series title to close out the House that Ruth Built. I know, I know, I am thinking if luck, and the ball bounces the right way, how things could be, but as I have said many times before…stranger things have happened.
Winning the World Series isn’t always about who the best team in the regular season is, but rather which team treats the month of September as if every game was a win or go home situation. Not because teams have wanted to in the past, but because they HAVE to. Look at last year’s Rockies…the ’02 Angels that shocked the Yankees, and yes, one could even say the ’03 Marlins, led by current Red Sox Beckett and Mike Lowell. Momentum is everything, and if the Yankees can find a way to break off a string of say 30 wins in their last 34, for once they could be the hot team heading into October…a place that has had many magical memories for this Yankees’ franchise over the last dozen or so years. Check back in later today and I am positive I will have plenty more to discuss as the next incarnation of the greatest rivalry in sports is about to get underway yet again.
As always, take care of yourself, be good, and take care of your buddy next to ya!
Another Day…Another Injury
Pudge came out the winner as he will be listed as day to day (aren’t we all), while David Murphy is out 2-4 weeks with a severely sprained knee ligament.
The good news is this…Pudge is a warrior, and will probably only miss a day or two to recover. The Yankees however, are in deeper water yet, as Joba Chamberlain’s visit to Dr. James Andrews produced the diagnosis of rotator cuff tendinitis. My question is, how can Joba be that worn out at only 22 years old, when he barely surpassed the 100 inning mark? ESPN announcer Rick Sutcliffe made a great point during last night’s Yankees/Rangers game when he stated that the reason Joba wasn’t drafted higher was because he has had a history of arm problems and injuries, and believes this could be a sign of things to come throughout the young hurler’s career.
As I stated in yesterday’s entry, the Yankees need to suck it up and move on. Yes, Joba will be back within a couple of weeks, but ESPN’s Steve Phillips believes that once he does, that his days as a starting pitcher (at least this season) are over, and that Joba will once again be placed back into the 8th inning role in front of Mariano Rivera (which is what I have argued should have been the case all season). The other good news, is that the Yankees finally won a game, beating Texas last night 5-3.
Sidney Ponson, who is pitching for his professional life, has been a godsend to the Yankees, moving his season record to 7-2. Will he ever be a #1 ace? Absolutely not, but if Pettitte can rebound and get back on track, along with the solid season Moose is having, the Yankees should be in pretty good shape if they can patch the other two spots together over the next few weeks. Ponson also had some extra motivation last night: stick it to the team who cut him loose earlier this year. I hate to tell Rangers’ fans, but Ponson, attitude problem or not, was probably your best starter-and yes that includes the 2008 bloated version of Kevin Millwood. I don’t want to hear about what a bad seed Ponson was, because this is the same organization that signed, promoted for the All Star team, and did next to nothing when Milton Bradley attempted to go after a Kansas City Royals play by play guy when he didn’t like some of the opinions portrayed about him during a Rangers/Royals telecast. Boo hoo. Talk about hypocritical.
Buster Olney reported yesterday, that Joba will rest for one week before starting a throwing program to regain strength in his shoulder. Here’s an idea: push yourself away from the clubhouse spread and spend a few more hours on the track running. Is it me, or does Joba literally look like he is blowing up like a Macy’s Thanksgiving Day balloon? Perhaps Pettitte can show him the advantages of taking care of your body and preparing all year around to pitch with success at the major league level. Olney also reported, as did Rex Hudler on FSN SoCal, that he heard in the Orioles clubhouse, that the Yankees were sending Ian Kennedy ahead of the team for a Friday night start in Anaheim against the Angels. Kennedy has pitched well for Triple A Scranton, and we can only hope that a strong performance Friday will go along way towards solidifying the rotation down the stretch.
Peter Gammons reported on ESPN’s Baseball Tonight, that the Yankees are still in pursuit of a waiver wire deal that could land them either Paul Byrd of Cleveland, or Jarrod Washburn of Seattle. Unfortunately as Steve Phillips pointed out during that same telecast, that because the pursuit for the AL Wild Card is so tight, that the Yankees would be hard pressed to be able to acquire either of the hurlers, as teams like the Twins and Rangers would probably block any move the Yankees attempted to make.
The Yankees head into the series finale needing to split before heading out to California to face the Angels. It was nice to see Ponson, the middle relief corp, and Mo Rivera slam the door on the best offense in baseball last night. A split would go along way towards re-motivating this Yankee team into going on one of it’s annual streaks (which at this point in the season, and given the standings situation is almost a must).
That’s all for now, I want to send my deepest thanks to all of you that have taken interest in my blog, and continue to spread the word about my sometimes over the top opinions of the Bombers. As I always say, I firmly believe I am the Yankees’ harshest critic, and it is only because after being a fan for so many years, I know what they are capable of. Please continue to check back in each day for the latest, and drop me a comment with a link for a blog, a website, or anything that might be of interest to the rest of Yankeeland.
As always, take care of yourself, be good, and take care of your buddy next to ya!
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