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Are the Yankees stealing the spotlight in 2012? I think not

Posted by on 9 May 2012, 2:49 am
New York Yankee closer Mariano Rivera before a...

New York Yankee closer Mariano Rivera before a game against the Baltimore Orioles on May 8, 2009 in Baltimore, MD. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

What MLB stories have hogged headlines so far in the 2012 season?

Shockingly, it is not the New York Yankees, as the Universe is in mourning and adjusting to life being Mo-less, which is about all they can handle now anyway.

So for those Yankees fans who have lived in a box since Opening Day; or if you need to make/fake an impression with some baseball knowledge; or maybe you decided to become a baseball fan yesterday…well, whatever it is you came to the right place.

So, in no particular order, here are the 5 biggest headlines from the first month of 2012 season. I included links to both the baseball blogosphere, and MLB experts/analysts under each subject line.

Enjoy!

Fragile closers.

MLB Analysis: It’s Not Easy Being a Closer These Days – Opposing Views

There’s only one Mariano Rivera – Baseball Insider; CBS Sports

Fragile bunch in high-risk job – Republican-American

Marmol likely out as closer – Cubs Den

Closer Turnover In 2012 – Beyond the Boxscore

Phillies Cole Hamels names himself president of MLB’s welcoming committee, just ask Nationals rookie Bryce Harper.

Spike Eskin Says: The Bryce Harper Incident Was Cole Hamels’ Free Agency Audition – CBS Sports Philadelphia.

Cole Hamels Pays a $468,750 Price for Honesty – Forbes Magazine.

The Juice: Bryce Harper steals home, Jayson Werth breaks wrist in Phillies win – Big League Stew

Charlie Manuel wishes Cole Hamels hadn’t been so honest – High Cheese Continue reading ‘Are the Yankees stealing the spotlight in 2012? I think not’ »

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New York Yankees: Bad news from Bombers camp

Posted by on 8 March 2012, 10:30 am
David Robertson steps

David Robertson steps (Photo credit: Dinur)

The first bad news out of New York Yankees camp came today, as it seems that All-Star pitcher David Robertson is scheduled to have an MRI on his foot.

This is the last thing any Yankee fan wants to hear, as Robertson was virtually indispensable in the team’s success last season.

Yankees beat writer Bryan Hoch broke the news just minutes ago on MLB.com that Robertson was diagnosed with a right mid-foot sprain after falling down a flight of stairs while moving boxes at his residence.

Robertson has already had an x-ray, which came out negative but that doesn’t explain why he is already wearing around walking boot.

Skipper Joe Girardi said that he thinks Robertson will still be ready for Opening Day on April 5th and that he should miss only two weeks of camp. But Girardi did add, “We’ll have to wait and see.”

Yikes! Continue reading ‘New York Yankees: Bad news from Bombers camp’ »

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New York Yankees: Alex Rodriguez the comedian

Posted by on 2 March 2012, 1:53 am
English: Alex Rodriguez

Image via Wikipedia

New York Yankees Alex Rodriguez has come along way since first donning the pinstripes in 2004, and not under the easiest of circumstances.

The self-inflicted bumps along the road seem to be behind the 36-year old, and I must admit that A-rod has given me a good laugh so far this spring.

Following an off-season with no popcorn incidents, no steroid admissions or opt-outs, A-rod seems more comfortable in his own skin now more than ever. And my guess is this will translate into a solid season for the slugger.

Hey and if after the baseball thing, A-rod should consider becoming a comedian with his recent quotes.

On all the Lin-sanity going on in New York surrounding Knicks emerging star Jeremy Lin, A-rod asked:

“If he’s still looking for a place to crash, maybe he can crash at my apartment? Imagine the tabloids then.”

And just a couple of days later, when the Red Sox new skipper Rex Ryan, I mean Bobby Valentine was asked about the pending retirement of now ex-Captain Jason Varitek, he couldn’t help but take another dig at the Yankees by adding “He was able to beat up Alex. All that stuff is good stuff.” Continue reading ‘New York Yankees: Alex Rodriguez the comedian’ »

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New York Yankees: Deja vu for Bobby Valentine

Posted by on 1 March 2012, 1:48 pm

Turning boozehounds and bad attitudes into competitive and team oriented baseball players will be no easy task, even for Bobby Valentine.

Happy Valentine's Day...

Happy Valentine's Day...Yankee Universe!!(Photo credit: Јerry)

It is no secret that the newly minted Red Sox manager will have his hands full in Boston. And the sports world will be watching as Valentine once again aims to clean up another mess of a team like he did with that other New York team, the Mets back from 1998-2000.

Back in his Mets days it was for New York bragging rights, at a time when the Yankees were the sports worlds favorite sons.

Now with Boston the odds are not as stacked against Valentine because the Red Sox have the talent to win but do they have the heart is the question.

Valentine does have one familiarity that relates to both his past and future tenure, and that is the New York Yankees.

The last time he was in an MLB uniform as the Mets skipper, he saw the Yankees win the World Series for the 26th time.

And now, in his MLB return, Valentine has signed on to wear a uniform that is about as anti-Yankee, a Red Sox one that still has beer on it from 2011.

So, all the recent comments out of Valentine’s mouth are expected, and understandably have pissed off a lot of Yankee fans for good reason, myself included. Continue reading ‘New York Yankees: Deja vu for Bobby Valentine’ »

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Maybe New York Yankees Alex Rodriquez respects Ryan Braun herpes

Posted by on 27 February 2012, 5:02 am
Ryan Braun

Image via Wikipedia

Let me be clear by stating that Alex Rodriguez has never said anything about Ryan Braun’s failed drug test having to do with him taking medicine for herpes.

Of course A-rod wouldn’t because he knows better, as Derek Jeter would have failed way before Braun… right?

Kidding again. But now to the point, as this Braun saga is getting annoying but I wanted to weigh in my opinion.

So, there are three things that bothered me after I heard that Braun’s 50-game suspension got overturned last Thursday.

Quick Summary of the Braun Saga (for the readers who live in a cave):

Last Thursday the news broke that Milwaukee Brewers Ryan Braun had beat the system.

Braun’s urine tested positive for a banned substance last October, but he will not serve one day of the standard 50-game suspension given to first time offenders.

It marks the first time an arbitrator has ever reversed a player’s appeal of the embargo set by MLB for a drug testing violation.

Braun’s legal eagles had the 50-game suspension overturned due to a loophole found in MLB’s Drug Treatment and Prevention Program Policies.

His lawyers made the case that the samples were wrongly handled by the authorized CDT Sports Collector, aka the test’s collector, which insinuates that there was possible tampering.

In the MLB Collection Procedures and Testing Protocols, the policy states that the sample is supposed to get to FedEx as soon as possible. Read policy HERE, page 18.

In Braun’s case the collector said that FedEx was already closed so he kept the sample in his fridge overnight and sent it out when FedEx reopened.

And that is the grey area that has won Braun his freedom from suspension, but what about his test results?

1) Braun you talk too much:

Braun finally addressed the matter for the first time last Friday, which was one-day post-verdict, at the Brewers Spring Training facility in Arizona.

To me Braun’s words sounded scripted and angry. He went on and on as if he was persecuted and unjustly framed due to a “fatally flawed” testing system.

He disclosed that the test’s collector did not follow the guidelines set under MLB’s Collection Procedure; there was no mention to whether Braun did or didn’t juice, or if the test was tampered with. He beat the system, but why does this seem to only happen in MLB?

The long-winded explanation triggered that feeling when you know someone is lying because they’re talking too much about why it is not their fault and in the end they come-off looking guiltier.

2) So ultimately Braun’s defensive team won citing incorrect protocol but what about his test results changed?

The answer is nothing.

Maybe you will find comfort in knowing that MLB Commissioner’s Office ‘vehemently disagrees’ by the outcome, but personally I find that a little hard to believe. Continue reading ‘Maybe New York Yankees Alex Rodriquez respects Ryan Braun herpes’ »

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New York Yankee fans: You want another reason to hate Curt Schilling

Posted by on 25 February 2012, 2:22 am

Earlier this week during an interview with Conan O’Brian, retired Diamondback and Red Sox pitcher Curt Schillingdecided to speak his

Curt Schilling - Philadelphia - 1997 Road

Curt Schilling - Philadelphia - 1997 Road (Photo credit: BaseballBacks)

mind about the 2013 Hall-of-Fame ballot, which his name will be on for the first time.

Along with Schilling as a newbie candidate are Roger Clemens, Barry Bonds, Craig Biggio, Mike Piazza, Sammy Sosa, David Wells, Kenny Lofton, and Julio Franco.

Conan asked Schilling what his opinion was on fellow candidates who were lined to steroids, specifically Sosa, Bonds and Clemens possible induction into the HOF.

Schilling started by saying:

“I think you get rid of [their records].” And continued to voice his opinion:

“If you cheated, you’re done. If characters and morals don’t matter, then I’m not sure what it stands for.”

Ok, so if Mr. Schilling really means what he says about all HOF candidates linked to PED/Steroids records should be thrown out, than should the voters not take into consideration his 2004 and 2007 World Series Championships? Continue reading ‘New York Yankee fans: You want another reason to hate Curt Schilling’ »

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New York Yankees: Who likes criticizing Mo cause I do not

Posted by on 22 February 2012, 1:00 am
New York Yankee closer Mariano Rivera before a...

Image via Wikipedia

Unfortunately it seems there’s always a first time for everything.

Good or Bad.

And criticizing New York Yankees closer Mariano Rivera will be a first for me.

FIRST, LET ME SAY HOW I FEEL ABOUT MO:

Rivera is not only the greatest closer to ever play the game; he is the paramount of a role model for the way he handles himself both on and off the field.

Baseball fans and players alike worship him, and you realize that this after hearing ex- Red Sox, now Phillies closer Jonathan Papelbon once told MLB.com Ian Browne:

“I owe a lot of gratitude to him because of what he’s done. I wouldn’t be here today if it wasn’t for him. I think everybody knows that. The closer’s role wouldn’t be as noted. More and more now, people and teams and fans are starting to realize, because of Mariano, how important it is to have that closer to win a World Series,” he went on to say, “When you look up closer, the definition, in the dictionary, that’s Mariano.”

Anyone who hears Rivera’s genuine humble demeanor after he just struck out the side in a one-run ballgame falls instantly in love with this man.

Never taking his job for granted, Rivera is a shoe-in, on a speed train heading straight into Cooperstown.

It is absolutely impossible to think of life after Mo, but at 42 years old his time to wave goodbye is coming but it just feels like it is too soon.

Having Rivera on the Yankees is the pride, power and the pinstripes.

MY CRITICISM:

It is no secret that Rivera’s contract expires at the end of 2012, but he does have the option to exercise a one-year extension, if he so wishes. Continue reading ‘New York Yankees: Who likes criticizing Mo cause I do not’ »

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