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The Yankees Win…Thhhheeee YankeeeeesWin! – John Q.- 4/22/05

The 2005 Major League Baseball season is underway and in full swing. Somehow the topic of steroids has been kept at bay, much to this fan’s surprise, and highlights are focused on the playing field, as opposed to inside of a Senate committee hearing.

Another big surprise in this early season has been the reversal of fortune for the two metropolitan teams – the Yankees and Mets. New Yorkers have grown somewhat accustomed to the annual routine of certain glory for the Bronx Bombers and certain despair for the Amazin’s. This year however – the tables are turned. Ha ha ha!

Oh, what could have happened to those poor Yanks? - How about the fizzle of the newly renovated, and very pricey, starting rotation? Let’s face it – it wasn’t the addition of Tony Womack that had fans eagerly anticipating the open of the season. The excitement in the Bronx was generated by the acquisitions of Randy Johnson, Carl Pavano and Jaret Wright. These three starters were to bolster a much-criticized rotation, and give that powerful line up a sure chance at yet another trip to the World Series.

Well it sure sounded good in theory. Not only have the Yankees not won every game, but they find themselves occupying the bottom of the American League East with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. And the root of this dismal start to the season - that $100 million starting rotation.

The only starter who has managed multiple wins thus far is Jaret Wright. At the same time, Wright has a hefty ERA of 10.05 to go along with those two wins, striking fear into the heart of nobody. Hell, I could hit this guy. What has Jaret Wright ever done in his career to justify anything more than a number five starter in a small-market town? One truly solid year, shrouded by years of incompetency, and now he finds himself in New York , hoping futility could somehow appease the fans of this great city. Alas, he’s not the only big arm disappointing this year.

Randy Johnson was brought in to guarantee the Bombers a shut-down, number one starter. This plan has not exactly come to fruition, as Johnson has been shaky, and has shown uncharacteristic vulnerability. The Big Unit, whose pitching prowess has always preceded him, has not had one single dominating performance yet in his 2005 campaign. Johnson’s performance to start the season has been dismal, certainly not justifying the $15.5 million he will be “earning” this year. Randy Johnson is a sure Hall-of-Famer, who has owned hitters for years, in both the American and National Leagues. But this year, Johnson is finally showing his age, and might try considering that trip to
Cooperstown a little earlier than scheduled.

The only other team in baseball to give up more runs than the Yankees is the Colorado Rockies, and everybody tees off at Coors Field, the Rockies home park. Not exactly the company you want to share when you pitching payroll bears a resemblance to the national debt. Offensively, the Yankees hitters are supplying their expected power, and producing enough runs to give the ballclub a chance to win every night. Now, they just need the starting rotation to start living up to the hype.

Out of respect for an accomplished franchise such as the New York Yankees, I will reiterate that it is still early in this 2005 baseball season, and they still have the most talented team on paper. However, there is no way in hell that I am going to pass up the chance to tear up the now last-place Yanks. Don’t worry fans of the Pinstripes, just grab your Metrocard and the 7 train, and check out what a real competitive baseball team looks like.

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February 25, 2005

I came home from work today and commenced the daily routine. Loosened the tie; fed the dog; and choked down a milky-white grav hit. As soon as the coughing ceased, the sifting through the mail began. Bills. Bills. What do we have here? 2005 New York Mets ticket schedules and information? Is it that time of year already? Sure is, and it should be quite the interesting year.
Unfortunately, this season will be drenched in steroid controversy and rumors. But, if you just look hard enough, there should be some great baseball being played. Though the biggest, and most covered, story of the year will be the quest for the sacred number 755, and the “motivation” behind getting there, some exciting things will be happening behind the inquisition. Whether it’s the annual Yanks-Red Sox rivalry, the explosiveness of the renovated National League East, or even following the Cubs from their realm of obscurity, it won’t be hard to find a suitable storyline to grab you.
While the records of old are being broken by the technology of new, your New York Mets will be battling it out in what will be the most compelling of divisions. Of course that beloved team from Flushing made the most impressive splash, with the additions of Pedro Martinez and Carlos Beltran, but they were not the only club opening up their checkbook this off-season. The Florida Marlins added to an already potent lineup by signing first baseman Carlos Delgado, and will keep in tact one of the most dangerous pitching staffs in the game. As for that other ****ing team down in Atlanta, they took huge steps in solidifying a tremendous starting rotation. Tim Hudson, who rivaled Pedro as the most sought after free agent hurler, was picked up and will add that number one starter every contender must have. To accompany him, the Braves made the move to bring long-time great John Smoltz out of the bullpen, and into the starting rotation, where he was once considered a prospect for Cooperstown. It will be quite a shootout in the NL East, especially if you throw in those hapless Philadelphia Phillies and their brand of pot luck baseball.
There will be that point in the season, if it hasn’t happened already, where one will become nauseated with every mention of BALCO and it’s supposed clientele. Fear not sports fan. The East will be the hot spot in the American League as well. With a disdain for both teams involved, I can’t help but get caught up in the New York Yankees-Boston Red Sox saga. The tension, drama, mind-numbing hype, what’s not to love. This season will offer no different, when they open up the 2005 campaign facing off on a day that’s already been grabbing headlines with a trivial event such as a World Series ring presentation. As far as on-field drama, both teams added to already overwhelming ballclubs, creating a tremendous display of talent with every regular season game. The Yankees made the most publicized move in the off-season signing future first balloter Randy Johnson, and then had the audacity to grab 2004 Cy Young candidate Carl Pavano, and all-star Jaret Wright, while George had his mighty wallet out. With an all-star lineup, and the strengthening of the starting five, the Bronx Bombers should be the favorite again in the division despite the breaking of an 86 year-old curse.. Boston, however, will be slugging it out to the end, and can do so because of a few additions of their own. The focus of the their off-season likened that of their hated rivals, starting pitching. David Wells decided that one year without having his name in the New York sports page was long enough, and signed up with the Red Sox, who were looking to lock in a successful pitcher with postseason experience. They also picked up solid starters Matt Clement and Wade Miller, who could easily be considered the steal of the year. Their lineup has remained intact for the most part, but acquisition of perennial all-star Edgar Renteria will give Boston a potent top of the order, one which they have been lacking for some time.
We will have no choice but to swallow the continuous news coverage regarding Club ‘Roid, and it’s notable guest list. Whether it’s Jose Canseco putting out a children’s book blowing the whistle on all little leaguers who were taking two Flintstone‘s chewables instead of one; or the numerous press conferences where no question is actually answered; there will be too much coverage on an issue that no one really cares about anymore. We’ve known for years, and the majority of fans have cared for none of those years. I, for one, will be making sure I turn on SportsCenter right after the baseball headlines are over, so I can find out what actually happened during the games. - John Q.

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Why Pete Rose should NOT be inducted into the Hall of Fame (HOF) By: Lou Siffer

With pitchers and catchers reporting to major league baseball camps, I figured the annual debate over whether one of the all-time great hitters, Pete Rose, should be inducted into the Hall of Fame (HOF). I am actually surprised that so many people fervently defend Rose’s place in the HOF. I think that I am in the minority when I say that Rose should not be inducted and here is why:

One of the first things a ballplayer learns is that you cannot bet on baseball. Ever since 1919 when Major League Baseball banned the players involved in the “Black Sox” scandal, baseball has made sure to post in EVERY minor and major league clubhouse that betting on baseball is prohibited. Not only does it say that it’s prohibited, it states that gambling on the game by either a player or a manger will lead to permanent expulsion from the game.

For this very reason I can’t understand that people fight for his induction. Yet most of these same people are crying bloody murder that Barry Bonds’ record for home runs in a single season should have an asterisk next to it. Steroids were never an actual BANNED substance, betting was and is the only action that can get you permanently banned. Just because Rose was a great hitter and he hustled shouldn’t change anything.

I read an article some years ago detailing how MLB officials spoke with Pete Rose, while he was still a player, at the All-Star game and told Pete to stop betting on baseball or he could risk suspension and even expulsion. He still wouldn’t listen. He thought he was more important than the game, always a mistake. Unfortunately, he was kind of right, baseball didn’t suspend him because he was such a big star. If baseball would have suspended him at that point and made him attend counseling for his gambling addiction, he may not be in the position he is in today.

If baseball had done something about his betting as a player, maybe he would not have continued betting as a manager. If your betting on your team as a manager, you can hurt your team even more ways than the more obvious ones. You can misuse and abuse players all in the hopes of winning your latest bet. Don’t forget, he was and is an addict. The guy has an illness, with that said, he may have only bet on his team to win, but he still probably hurt them in ways we really have no way of ever knowing. We already know we can’t take his word for it.

There has even been a precedent set for his complete expulsion from the game in another sport. During the Arizona State University (ASU) point shaving scandal, the basketball players on that team didn’t throw the game; they just didn’t win by as many points. Keep that in mind, THEY NEVER LOST THE GAME THEY WERE “FIXING”. I didn’t hear any groundswell of support for these kids who were trying to earn some money while they were in school. ASU, like all division 1 athletic programs, was taking advantage of these kids and the kids, in turn, were tempted to make some money. All they had to do was not win the game that they were favored to win by say, 15 points, and only win it by 8. No big deal right? That just meant missing a couple of free throws and 3 pointers. Now these kids will never get a chance to play basketball here again. They have unofficially been “Black balled” from the NBA.

For this reason, I don’t understand this country’s obsession with Pete Rose; he even looks like an asshole, not George Steinbrenner asshole (Although you know, if he played for the Yanks, he would be one of Steinbrenner’s “warriors”), but an asshole all the same. Maybe if he weren’t such an asshole, it would allow me to develop some sympathy for the ugly bastard. Has anyone ever heard about how he is in public? This, despite the HUGE amount of public support he receives to be inducted into the HOF. HE won’t speak to you, or sign an autograph for a little kid without the kid having to pay admission into one of his shows and THEN having to pay him an extra fee. Quite similar to Barry Bonds, except I ALWAYS hear how much of a pompous asshole Bonds is….and rightly so. The only thing is that Bonds has never, and will never, receive the amount of public support that Rose did. Remember, Bonds did not cheat. The only thing that determines cheating is whether or not there is a rule that outlines something as being illegal. Since steroids were not a part of the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the league and the Players Association, it cannot be considered cheating.

Commissioner Bart Giamatti went to his grave making sure that Rose wouldn’t go in the HOF. I, for one, think keeping Rose out of the HOF should be his lasting legacy.

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Feb 9.
Randy Meets New York City
by Handsome Dan
If you happened to miss the RAW, UNCUT, UNCENSORED footage of Randy Johnson throwing a stiff arm the likes of which would have made Joseph Heisman proud, you may have thought that the newest Yankee acquisition was caught red-handed in a sex scandal, doing drugs in some alleyway, or molesting small puppies. But no, no, no, you would be wrong and grossly mislead, the fact of the matter is that Randy Johnson doesn’t like having cameras shoved in his face.
Unless you are incredibly camera shy or ugly, it’s nearly impossible to not understand the reaction Randy Johnson had last Monday, sometimes you just don't want to be photographed. Think back to this Christmas, your Uncle Mike pointing his camcorder in your face. “SAY SOMETHING FUNNY!”, he exclaimed. Or the endless posing for pictures, smiling for minutes at a time while you technologically impaired cousin cried from behind the lens of her new digital camera, “I can’t work this stupid thing”. Think of that feeling you have in these situations and then add the fact the man has spent the last three weeks not knowing where his future would land him. I’ll never sympathize with a man who will be making 48-million dollars over the next three years, but as Chris Rock once said about O.J., “I can understand”. Before becoming a Yankee last week, Johnson had pitched for four cities, Montreal, Seattle, Houston, and Arizona, none of which could compare him for the media he will become very familiar with over the next three years. So the question that lingers now is, can Johnson handle the pressures of New York City? But in my opinion this incident was the good thing. This is probably the ugliest incident that has occurred to Johnson over his 17 year big league career, outside of hitting J.T. Snow in the head with a 99 MPH fastball and murdering that poor bird that got in the way of his heater a few Spring Trainings ago. This incident happening in his first hours on the island of Manhattan in early January gives the media and Johnson the opportunity to relax and let the smoke clear well before April 3rd at 8:15, when the Yankees face off against their arch nemesis from Boston. Because after all, stiffing arming a cameraman, sex scandals, and molesting puppies would be just fine to most New York fans, as long as he can beat the Red Sox three times in October.