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 26^th 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.(...)
Read the rest of New York Yankees: Deja vu for Bobby Valentine

© Kate for Lady Loves Pinstripes, 2012. | Permalink | One comment | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Bobby Valentine, Boston, New York, New York Yankees, Red Sox, Valentine, World Series, Yankee

Feed enhanced by Better Feed from Ozh

Image via Wikipedia

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.(...)
Read the rest of Maybe New York Yankees Alex Rodriquez respects Ryan Braun herpes

© Kate for Lady Loves Pinstripes, 2012. | Permalink | 11 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Braun, Bud Selig, FedEx, Major League Baseball, Milwaukee Brewers, MLB, Prince Fielder, Ryan Braun

Feed enhanced by Better Feed from Ozh

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?(...)
Read the rest of New York Yankee fans: You want another reason to hate Curt Schilling

© Kate for Lady Loves Pinstripes, 2012. | Permalink | No comment | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Barry Bonds, Boston Red Sox, Craig Biggio, Curt Schilling, Kenny Lofton, Manny Ramirez, Roger Clemens, Sammy Sosa, Schill, Schilling

Feed enhanced by Better Feed from Ozh

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.(...)
Read the rest of New York Yankees: Who likes criticizing Mo cause I do not

© Kate for Lady Loves Pinstripes, 2012. | Permalink | 4 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Associated Press, Jonathan Papelbon, Mariano Rivera, New York City, New York Yankees, Rivera, Spring training, Yankee

Feed enhanced by Better Feed from Ozh