Andy Pettitte has talked to Dodgers manager Joe Torre, but early reports are that Andy wants to pitch in the new Yankee Stadium. It appears to be all about the benjamins at this point in time.
CC Sabathia, the Big Kahuna in the frree agent draft, is still kicking around various offers. Rumor has it that the Yankees, Brewers, and believe it or not, the SF Giants, are the main players.
The Giants? Holy cow. They have so many holes to fill, I can't imagine them coming up with the big bucks it will take to land CC. It is believed that the Sox aren't in the running because they generally stay out of the big money market.
Go Yankees
Saturday, December 6, 2008
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Giants win; Plaxico Burress a moron
The defending champion Giants looked great against Washington, and improved to 11-1. They used a balanced attack as Manning threw for 300+ yards and a TD as the 'Skins focused on stopping Brandon Jacobs. Eli simply used Boss as an out to slow down the charge, and hit his wideouts regularly. This team just has so many weapons, that even when a selfish moron like Burress is out, they kick butt.
Without going into anthing about the legal ramifications of Plax's actions, as he is innocent until proven guilt, one thing needs to be said concerning him and all professional athletes. We have high expectations for our athletes, some may say they are even too high.
But, what exactly, do we expect?
We expect them to show up and do their best all season long. We expect them to follow a certain code of conduct. Nothing out of the ordinary--pretty much the same rules every other law abiding citizen follows. Ok, maybe a bit more stringent, as it would probably be a good idea for athletes to NOT hang out in nightclubs as they are likely to have problems that come with being well known.
What do they get for this? They are financially rewarded with princely sums of money. And, they are treated like royalty everywhere they go. They are asked to pay a very small price for a huge reward, and dunderheads like Burress and Pacman Jones simply can't get it.
The NFL, all sports, in fact, step up and discipline players from time to time. But players continue to push the envelope. I wish I knew why. It is illogical. It's not like careers, especially in football, last a long time.
Go Yankees
Without going into anthing about the legal ramifications of Plax's actions, as he is innocent until proven guilt, one thing needs to be said concerning him and all professional athletes. We have high expectations for our athletes, some may say they are even too high.
But, what exactly, do we expect?
We expect them to show up and do their best all season long. We expect them to follow a certain code of conduct. Nothing out of the ordinary--pretty much the same rules every other law abiding citizen follows. Ok, maybe a bit more stringent, as it would probably be a good idea for athletes to NOT hang out in nightclubs as they are likely to have problems that come with being well known.
What do they get for this? They are financially rewarded with princely sums of money. And, they are treated like royalty everywhere they go. They are asked to pay a very small price for a huge reward, and dunderheads like Burress and Pacman Jones simply can't get it.
The NFL, all sports, in fact, step up and discipline players from time to time. But players continue to push the envelope. I wish I knew why. It is illogical. It's not like careers, especially in football, last a long time.
Go Yankees
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Giants and Jets win; Super Bowl in future?
The Giants now are tied for the best record in football following their hard fought victory over the Cardinals 37-29. The game was close, and the Giants needed to rely on Manning's arm more than they have recently as he completed 26 of 33 for 240 yds and 3 TDs. The usually powerful rushing game was hampered somewhat by the absence of Brandon Jacobs, coupled with a swarming Cardinals defense.
Meanwhile, the Jets absolutely put the smack down on the previously unbeaten Titans, 34-13. The Titans held everyone to an average under 13 PPG, but Brett Favre and the Jets must have missed that memo as they rolled up over 400 yds and controlled the ball for over 40 minutes.
Go Yankees
Meanwhile, the Jets absolutely put the smack down on the previously unbeaten Titans, 34-13. The Titans held everyone to an average under 13 PPG, but Brett Favre and the Jets must have missed that memo as they rolled up over 400 yds and controlled the ball for over 40 minutes.
Go Yankees
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Mussina retires; Hall of Fame awaits?
Today, Mike Mussina made it official as he announced his retirement following an 18 year big league career. He spent the last 8 with the Yankees following 10 with the Orioles.
Over that time, he managed to win 270 games. Moose was the model of consistency, as he strung together 17 years of 11 wins or more. In fact, only in his abbreviated first season, where he appeared in only 12 games, did he manage to not hit double digits.
He only won 20 games once, but 11 times he did register 15 or more wins. He even won 19 twice and 18 3 times.
300 has long been considered the magic number for a near automatic pass to Cooperstown, but with the introduction of the 5 man rotation, that number may be tougher to reach. Mussina's most starts in a year was 36. Back in the day of the 4 man rotation, he would have easily had another 4 starts per year. So, with the 70 or so extra starts he would have had over his career, it is reasonable that he could easily have won 300 games, or at least been close enough to consider one more year.
I never thought of Moose as the top pitcher in the league, but he was also one of the best. Is that enough, for the Hall?
I believe it is.
Now, this does affect the Yankees. Mussina was their top pitcher last year, and now they have to replace him immediately. It would be nice to do it from within, but could anyone expect a rookie to step up and put up those kind of numbers?
Joba or Hughes may one day do it, but could they be counted on after coming off injuries? It looks like the Yankees need to sign a free agent pitcher just went up substantially.
Go Yankees
Over that time, he managed to win 270 games. Moose was the model of consistency, as he strung together 17 years of 11 wins or more. In fact, only in his abbreviated first season, where he appeared in only 12 games, did he manage to not hit double digits.
He only won 20 games once, but 11 times he did register 15 or more wins. He even won 19 twice and 18 3 times.
300 has long been considered the magic number for a near automatic pass to Cooperstown, but with the introduction of the 5 man rotation, that number may be tougher to reach. Mussina's most starts in a year was 36. Back in the day of the 4 man rotation, he would have easily had another 4 starts per year. So, with the 70 or so extra starts he would have had over his career, it is reasonable that he could easily have won 300 games, or at least been close enough to consider one more year.
I never thought of Moose as the top pitcher in the league, but he was also one of the best. Is that enough, for the Hall?
I believe it is.
Now, this does affect the Yankees. Mussina was their top pitcher last year, and now they have to replace him immediately. It would be nice to do it from within, but could anyone expect a rookie to step up and put up those kind of numbers?
Joba or Hughes may one day do it, but could they be counted on after coming off injuries? It looks like the Yankees need to sign a free agent pitcher just went up substantially.
Go Yankees
Monday, November 17, 2008
Giants win again 30-10
As a long time Giants fan, I have no real complaints. Big Blue has been to the Super Bowl 4 times, and come home with the trophy 3 of those times, most recently last year. But usually, they were the Rodney Dangerfield team, they got no respect. Sure, the '86 squad was one tough bunch, and were known as the Big Blue Wrecking Crew. The '90 team was almost an afterthought, and considered lucky as Phil Simms missed much of the season and Jeff Hostetler led them to the Super Bowl.
The 2000 edition of the Giants fought their way into the Super Bowl, losing to the heavily favored Ravens. And last year's edition had to be the quietest Super Bowl team ever. They were off the radar, and were underdogs in every single playoff game, beating Brett Favre and the Packers, the sexy favorite Cowboys, and finally, in the Super Bowl, taking down the 18-0 and considered unbeatable, Patriots.
So, coming in to this year, most "experts" predicted the G-men would finish behind the Cowboys, Skins, and possibly the Eagles.
Imagine how happy I am to hear those same "experts" pronounce that the Giants are possibly the best team in football. And, of course, they are living up to the hype. Yesterday was the latest example. The Ravens came into the Meadowlands, and the pre-game made it sound as if it was going to be a fierce battle. The Ravens could not be run against, and had only allowed 1 rushing touchdown all year. In fact, teams averaged 60 yards or so on the ground against them.
I guess they forgot to tell the Giants how awesome the Ravens were, as Brandon Jacobs scored 2 rushing touchdowns in the first quarter, and both he and Jacobs each ran for more than 60 yards. Manning turned in a workman like performance, but the heroes were the defense. Joe Flacco, who had gone 4 games without an interception, was welcomed to the NFL with 2 by Aaron Ross, who returned one 50 yards for a TD to put the game out of reach.
In a strange story in the NFL, the Steelers beat the Chargers 11-10. You may think that seems unusual a score, and you would be right. First time in NFL history such a score was recorded in a game, according to the talking heads. To make it even more unusual, the final play of the game was a razzle dazzle type desperate play by the Chargers, which resulted in Polamolu somehow coming up with the ball, and sprinting in for a TD, making the score a more normal 17-10. However, there was a penalty on the play...no wait, it was an illegal play, penalty declined, and... no wait...a game can't end on a penalty. So, half the team was off the field, half was on the sidelines waiting for it to be sorted out, and eventually, the score was reversed to 11-10, and the game was declared over. I'm sure someone on ESPN will be able to explain, because I still have no idea. It was a crazy ending to a well played defensive battle in snowy weather.
The Skins had a chance to deliver a knock out blow to the Cowvoys season, but didn't. The 'Boys won 14-10.
In baseball news:
Mussina is still trying to decide if he will retire. He will announce it this week. I wonder if he is thinking about 300 wins? He is at 270, which means he is 2 years away, at best. While I personally hate when stars hang on just to hit milestones, Moose is coming off one of his best years ever, and his first 20 win season.
In more hot stove news, according to Yankees.com The Yankees made a record-breaking six-year, $140 million offer to free-agent starter CC Sabathia on Friday as the first part of their plan to overhaul their starting rotation, Hank Steinbrenner, one of the team's co-chairmen, confirmed.
The Yankees also confirmed that they will pursue Burnett and Lowe, and are looking to deal for Peavy with the Padres. If all of this takes place, they will have one of the greatest teams ever assembled. I wouldn't count on them getting everyone, but CC and one other pitcher would make them heavy favorites to win it all.
Go Yankees
The 2000 edition of the Giants fought their way into the Super Bowl, losing to the heavily favored Ravens. And last year's edition had to be the quietest Super Bowl team ever. They were off the radar, and were underdogs in every single playoff game, beating Brett Favre and the Packers, the sexy favorite Cowboys, and finally, in the Super Bowl, taking down the 18-0 and considered unbeatable, Patriots.
So, coming in to this year, most "experts" predicted the G-men would finish behind the Cowboys, Skins, and possibly the Eagles.
Imagine how happy I am to hear those same "experts" pronounce that the Giants are possibly the best team in football. And, of course, they are living up to the hype. Yesterday was the latest example. The Ravens came into the Meadowlands, and the pre-game made it sound as if it was going to be a fierce battle. The Ravens could not be run against, and had only allowed 1 rushing touchdown all year. In fact, teams averaged 60 yards or so on the ground against them.
I guess they forgot to tell the Giants how awesome the Ravens were, as Brandon Jacobs scored 2 rushing touchdowns in the first quarter, and both he and Jacobs each ran for more than 60 yards. Manning turned in a workman like performance, but the heroes were the defense. Joe Flacco, who had gone 4 games without an interception, was welcomed to the NFL with 2 by Aaron Ross, who returned one 50 yards for a TD to put the game out of reach.
In a strange story in the NFL, the Steelers beat the Chargers 11-10. You may think that seems unusual a score, and you would be right. First time in NFL history such a score was recorded in a game, according to the talking heads. To make it even more unusual, the final play of the game was a razzle dazzle type desperate play by the Chargers, which resulted in Polamolu somehow coming up with the ball, and sprinting in for a TD, making the score a more normal 17-10. However, there was a penalty on the play...no wait, it was an illegal play, penalty declined, and... no wait...a game can't end on a penalty. So, half the team was off the field, half was on the sidelines waiting for it to be sorted out, and eventually, the score was reversed to 11-10, and the game was declared over. I'm sure someone on ESPN will be able to explain, because I still have no idea. It was a crazy ending to a well played defensive battle in snowy weather.
The Skins had a chance to deliver a knock out blow to the Cowvoys season, but didn't. The 'Boys won 14-10.
In baseball news:
Mussina is still trying to decide if he will retire. He will announce it this week. I wonder if he is thinking about 300 wins? He is at 270, which means he is 2 years away, at best. While I personally hate when stars hang on just to hit milestones, Moose is coming off one of his best years ever, and his first 20 win season.
In more hot stove news, according to Yankees.com The Yankees made a record-breaking six-year, $140 million offer to free-agent starter CC Sabathia on Friday as the first part of their plan to overhaul their starting rotation, Hank Steinbrenner, one of the team's co-chairmen, confirmed.
The Yankees also confirmed that they will pursue Burnett and Lowe, and are looking to deal for Peavy with the Padres. If all of this takes place, they will have one of the greatest teams ever assembled. I wouldn't count on them getting everyone, but CC and one other pitcher would make them heavy favorites to win it all.
Go Yankees
Friday, November 14, 2008
Yankees start to rebuild
The Yankees acquired slugging switch hitting first sacker Nick Swisher in exchange for Wilson Betemit and a couple minor league pitchers.
Swisher turns 28 in a few days, so he should just be coming into his prime. While the Yankees have always been known for great centerfielders, first base in Yankee Stadium has been home to such great stars as Gehrig, Mattingly, and Giambi.
Swisher has shown good power, belting over 20 homers, and driving in 80 runs. He also walks 90 times or so. While his average hovers around .240, his OBP is .350 or better. So, he appears to have a decent eye, which makes his 130+ strikeouts interesting. I'm predicting that by working with Yankee coaches, along with the protection of the potent Yankee lineup, he could become more selective. It would not surprise me in the least to see him bump the average up while adding to his HR numbers.
I'm predicting right now that he will put up these numbers:
.280 avg, 30 HR, 95 RBI while dropping his strikeouts total to under 100. Better numbers than these wouldn't surprise me at all.
It is expected that Cashman will pursue some of the free agents who become available today. Early indications are that he will try to sign CC, and Lowe. No word yet on whther Moose or Pettitte will return. But the trade for Swisher pretty much ends the idea of a Texiera signing.
And, in football news--J*E*T*S Jets Jets Jets
The New York Jets, who play in Giants Stadium, in NEW JERSEY, won in OT against the Patriots to take over first place. It was a pretty decent game, as the Jets looked to run away with it in the first half, and held on in the second, eventually winning on a field goal in OT. It was significant for the Jets because it gives them a few advantages in tie breaker situations against the Pats. The Jets schedule looks pretty favorable the rest of the way, and last year's 4-12 team could wind up 12-4, although 11 wins is more probable.
And the other tem that plays in the NJ Meadowlands, the Giants have a big test this weekend as they take on the Ravens. The G-men are favored by 7. If I were a betting man, and if forced to place a bet, I'd put my money on the Ravens and the points. But straight up, I'm looking for the Giants to improve to 10-1.
Go Yankees
Swisher turns 28 in a few days, so he should just be coming into his prime. While the Yankees have always been known for great centerfielders, first base in Yankee Stadium has been home to such great stars as Gehrig, Mattingly, and Giambi.
Swisher has shown good power, belting over 20 homers, and driving in 80 runs. He also walks 90 times or so. While his average hovers around .240, his OBP is .350 or better. So, he appears to have a decent eye, which makes his 130+ strikeouts interesting. I'm predicting that by working with Yankee coaches, along with the protection of the potent Yankee lineup, he could become more selective. It would not surprise me in the least to see him bump the average up while adding to his HR numbers.
I'm predicting right now that he will put up these numbers:
.280 avg, 30 HR, 95 RBI while dropping his strikeouts total to under 100. Better numbers than these wouldn't surprise me at all.
It is expected that Cashman will pursue some of the free agents who become available today. Early indications are that he will try to sign CC, and Lowe. No word yet on whther Moose or Pettitte will return. But the trade for Swisher pretty much ends the idea of a Texiera signing.
And, in football news--J*E*T*S Jets Jets Jets
The New York Jets, who play in Giants Stadium, in NEW JERSEY, won in OT against the Patriots to take over first place. It was a pretty decent game, as the Jets looked to run away with it in the first half, and held on in the second, eventually winning on a field goal in OT. It was significant for the Jets because it gives them a few advantages in tie breaker situations against the Pats. The Jets schedule looks pretty favorable the rest of the way, and last year's 4-12 team could wind up 12-4, although 11 wins is more probable.
And the other tem that plays in the NJ Meadowlands, the Giants have a big test this weekend as they take on the Ravens. The G-men are favored by 7. If I were a betting man, and if forced to place a bet, I'd put my money on the Ravens and the points. But straight up, I'm looking for the Giants to improve to 10-1.
Go Yankees
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Jets and Giants win
The Giants won a battle against the Eagles Sunday night, while the Jets pounded St. Louis. The game was over by half time.
The free agent baseball market will be in full swing soon. Manny Ramirez is one of the stars seeking employment. It's kind of interesting that due to his attitude and the amount of money he is seeking, his options are severly limited.
I really am looking forward to the Yankees movement in the market. They need to retool, and are probably going to seek out some pitching.
Early reports are that Andy Pettitte will be back. I'm not sure about Mussina, but these are both back of the rotation pitchers now. Moose is coming off what was his best year as a Yankee, but this will be his 19th MLB season, and that is a lot of pitches. Andy, too, was always one pitch away from a career ending injury it seemed.
Not sure what is going to happen with Joba and whether Phil Hughes will return from his injury riddled season. Mo had another great year, but he is not getting any younger. Lot of question marks on a staff that had question marks last year.
CC Sabathia and Dempster are 2 big names that may be available. Giambi will be released, and that means Mark Texiera may be pursued. Posada will be back, but who knows what they will get with him. The 2009 team may take a few weeks to introduce themselves to each other.
Go Yankees
The free agent baseball market will be in full swing soon. Manny Ramirez is one of the stars seeking employment. It's kind of interesting that due to his attitude and the amount of money he is seeking, his options are severly limited.
I really am looking forward to the Yankees movement in the market. They need to retool, and are probably going to seek out some pitching.
Early reports are that Andy Pettitte will be back. I'm not sure about Mussina, but these are both back of the rotation pitchers now. Moose is coming off what was his best year as a Yankee, but this will be his 19th MLB season, and that is a lot of pitches. Andy, too, was always one pitch away from a career ending injury it seemed.
Not sure what is going to happen with Joba and whether Phil Hughes will return from his injury riddled season. Mo had another great year, but he is not getting any younger. Lot of question marks on a staff that had question marks last year.
CC Sabathia and Dempster are 2 big names that may be available. Giambi will be released, and that means Mark Texiera may be pursued. Posada will be back, but who knows what they will get with him. The 2009 team may take a few weeks to introduce themselves to each other.
Go Yankees
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About Me
- Da Old Man
- Downtown, New Jersey, United States
- Yankees fan. But the team hasn't been the same since Yogi retired. TV watching expert. Manly man.
