N.Y. Yankees: The Curse of Bucky F. Dent

From the desk of:  BLAME CARLOS MAY

Red Sox win ALDS 3-1

I - BOS 5; NYY 4

II - NYY 6; BOS 2

III - BOS 16; NYY 1

IV - BOS 4; NYY 3

New York Yankees: The Curse of Bucky Effin Dent?

• Date: Monday, Oct. 2, 1978.
• Setting: Late afternoon, Fenway Park, Boston.
• Condition: Yankees and Red Sox finish the season tied necessitating regular season game #163 in order to decide the A.L. East title.  The winner moves on to the ALCS against the Kansas City Royals.

The Red Sox take an early lead on Carl Yastrzemski's second inning home off Ron Guidry.  Jim Rice drives home a run with a hit in the sixth giving Boston a 2-0 lead.  Mike Torrez pitches six scoreless innings, but with two outs in the seventh, he surrenders consecutive base hits to Chris Chambliss and Roy White.  Into the batter's box steps shortstop Bucky Dent.  He is 0 for 2 on the day with a fly to right and a pop-up to short.  Dent takes Torrez' first offering for a ball, then fouls the second pitch off his left foot.  The game is delayed as Dent receives attention from trainer Gene Monahan.  Dent also switches bats, then finally steps back in.  With the count at one ball and one strike, Mike Torrez delivers a fastball square over the plate ...

Here is Yankees WPIX announcer Bill White's call:

"Deep to left ... Yastrzemski will not get - It's a home run!  A three run home run for Bucky Dent!  And the Yankees now lead it 3-2!  Bucky Dent has just hit his fifth home run of the year, into the screen!  And look at that Yankees bench, led by Bob Lemon."

Catcher Thurman Munson shortly thereafter doubles home the Yankees fourth run of the inning.  However, it is Reggie Jackson's eighth inning home run to straight away center field which proves most pivotal, as Yastrzemski and Fred Lynn help the Red Sox rally for two runs off Goose Gossage in the bottom half of the frame, but no more.  Gossage closes out Boston in the ninth, and the Yankees clinch the A.L. East title.  They go on to defeat the Kansas City Royals in the ALCS, then for a second successive World Series defeat the Los Angeles Dodgers.

That historic one-game playoff takes place forty years ago.  Twenty-six years later the Yankees invite Bucky Dent to throw a ceremonial first pitch at Yankee Stadium during the 2004 ALCS against the Boston Red Sox.  We all know what happens next.  The Curse of the Bambino if finally and forever broken.  Fourteen years later, the Yankees again invite Bucky Dent to throw out the first pitch prior to the start of Game Four of this year's ALDS. 

I have a saying: Once is an occurrence; twice is a coincidence; three times is a trend.

Just saying ...

Now for the ALDS that was.

Dave Dombrowski is a highly regarded executive.  He develops a reputation towards the latter part of his tenure with Detroit for spending like a drunken sailor and receives criticism for leaving the Tigers in a state of financial crisis.  When in truth he operates according to the mission statement handed him by Mike Illich during the late great owner's latter years of life.  But there's also a case to be made for Dombrowski's continuing fiscal folly with the Red Sox.  Releasing Edgar Renteria ($$$) is merely one example that hardly scratches the surface.  However, owner John Henry appears copacetic with the state of his economy, and his team.

Once the Red Sox are eliminated by the Astros in last season's ALDS, Dombrowski fires manager John Farrell with haste and immediately requests permission to speak with and ultimately interview Houston's bench coach Alex Cora while the Astros are still in the midst of their post-season run.

With regards to modern analytics, the Red Sox recognize its value and embrace baseball's newest evolutionary mutation with three arms.  Like most managers these days, Alex Cora is handed reams of information.  Dombrowski, however, leaves its application in Cora's hands to manage as he sees fit, or deems necessary.

Unlike Dombrowski who very early set his sights on Alex Cora, Brian Cashman informs Joe Girardi his contract will not be renewed, but then remains strangely idle.  Meanwhile, other available, and (to varying degrees) desirable candidates begin finding employment elsewhere.  Aaron Boone's name is presented to Brian Cashman as a late, unexpected, and obviously inexperienced candidate.  But the two are far from being strangers.  According to most reports Boone overwhelms the Yankees general manager and is hired on the spot.  I would argue, though, Aaron Boone isn't signed until December - two months after the World Series ends - when the market for managers had already thinned considerably.

Unlike Alex Cora, Aaron Boone is beholden to a far more restrictive operating procedure.  Brian Cashman is addicted to analytics, and has on numerous occasions appeared on sports radio making no bones about it: he wants his manager(s) adhering with strict compliance to information provided by the front office's expansive analytics department.  For both Joe Girardi and Aaron Boone, deviation was/is not an option.

Despite a most disappointing outcome I still believe this is one of general manager Brian Cashman's finest seasons on record, if not his best.  He put one dynasty to bed, and is in the process of potentially building another.  He's done everything a fan base could ask for: revitalizing the farm system; graduating new major league talent and legitimate stars; making subtle and well received transactions; following through with off-season maneuvering; and procuring reinforcements by the trade-deadline.  Then there are his boss' requirements.  Cashman not only satisfies Hal Steinbrenner's desire for being under the salary tax threshold, but has the Yankees supremely positioned to spend big money again on free agency.

All that being said, the manner in which this team sets their on field priorities and go about the game of baseball - losing this year's ALDS included - fall on the general manager for what I believe is his flawed application of analytics driven baseball.  Additionally, by parting ways with Joe Girardi and his ilk, Cashman shifts away (IMO) from demanding player accountability.

Cashman once mandated that Joe Girardi follow a script set forth by his Ivy League info squad, and presently demands Aaron Boone follows suit.  Outside of Boone being more affable with players and the media, there is no philosophical difference to speak of from one manager to the next.  There's no change with regard to in-game approach.  In fact, what's new is actually old.  I would argue Yankee analytics are just a 21st century cover of Earl Weaver's school of thought: reliance on strong pitching and three run home runs.  Problem is, the Yankees in the ALDS got neither.  Thus, in this results driven business Aaron Boone fails to elevate last year's band of overachievers to the next level.  Despite a 100-win season, they effectively take one step backwards.

Aside from Masahiro Tanaka, the trio of J.A. Happ, Luis Severino, and C.C. Sabathia all struggle mightily.  Boone, however, appears unprepared to negotiate three early exits.  Thus his failure to act in a timely manner ultimately contributes rather considerably in all three Yankees losses.  There's something to be said for all-hands-on-deck.  In Monday's Game Three at Yankees Stadium, Mookie Betts hit Luis Severino's very first offering of the game 405 feet to straight away center.  The bullpen should have began stirring right then.  After all, the Yankees main strength in both quality and depth is their bullpen.  Instead, Boone plays right into Alex Cora's hands.

Otherwise, a general lack of execution should be blamed on players.  After all, Aaron Boone is just doing what he's told.

Alex Cora brings his bench coaching experience and a share of Houston's World Series winning sensibilities to Boston where one of his first acts is to let his new team know just how bad they've been, and exactly what they're going to do in order to change it.  He inaugurates sweeping changes to the extent both Houston and Boston rank top two in most key statistical categories.  Under Cora, the Red Sox win a franchise record 108 games.  He stresses throughout each and every game to play aggressively.  The ALDS proves no less differently.  Many of his positional moves are in conflict with analytical directives.  Not to mention he twice gambles with Rick Porcello and Chris Sale in relief.  And there's the rub.  Alex Cora abandons the book and goes for the kill.  If Chris Sale blows Game Four, he loses him for a decisive Game Five.  Rick Pocello is scheduled to pitch Game Three.  Instead, he becomes one of the heroes of Game One.  His relief appearance necessitates Nathan Eovaldi pitching Game Three, who winds up tossing a gem.  And that's how Alex Cora circumvents his precarious bullpen bridge to Craig Kimbrel.

From bench coach and friends to being opponents and adversaries, Alex Cora now faces A.J.Hinch; Grasshopper versus Sensei.

N.Y. Yankees: Chris Sale Silences Bombers and Critics

From the desk of:  BLAME CARLOS MAY

AMERICAN LEAGUE DIVISION SERIES

GAME ONE

YANKEES   4

RED SOX    5

FINAL

New York Yankees: Move to bring in Rick Porcello saves the day.

Chris Sale is arm weary; Chris Sale is fading; Chris Sale is just not a good second-half pitcher.  All these maladies are based in truth.  Sale's history as a starter says so.  He indeed suffered shoulder inflammation this season.  To what extent, we don't know.  But his regular season speaks for itself.  After making 18 starts from March/April through June, he is limited to just nine starts from July through September.  His velocity goes from upwards of 98-mph in the first half, down to the low 90's by September.

However, Alex Cora continually downplays Sale's condition throughout the second-half.  As I wrote yesterday, no one person understands his own team better than Cora - Dave Dombrowski included. He put both the Red Sox and Yankees through a comprehensive audit last season while serving as bench coach with the Houston Astros.  Last year's post-season experience makes him a veritable treasure trove of information with unique insight into his own club, the Yankees, and the defending champion Astros.

For as long as the Red Sox maintain a somewhat commanding regular season lead over the Yankees, Cora is afforded an opportunity to utilize Chris Sale sparingly, and massage him back into the post-season rotation.  Friday against the Yankees, Aaron Sale is charged with two earned runs on five hits through 5.1 innings pitched, with eight strikeouts for the victory.  He tops out at 96-mph.

The Red Sox lead the Yankees 5-0 through the fifth.  With two on and one out in the sixth, Cora removes Sale.  That's when the fun stops.  Boston's bullpen goes on to surrender four earned runs (two charged to Sale) on five hits and three walks.  Despite their overall inefficiencies, Cora's move to bring in Rick Porcello proves brilliant.  Utilizing him on his throw day, Cora gets fifteen pitches and two important outs from his Game Three starter.

Aaron Judge's home run off Craig Kimbrel leading off the ninth cuts the Red Sox lead down to one.  But Kimbrel regroups to strike out the next three Yankee batters and complete a four out save.

So much for J.A. Happ's career success against the Red Sox - the very reason why Brian Cashman acquired him in the first place.  Happ surrenders a three-run home run to J.D. Martinez in the first inning, and is removed before recording an out in the third.  For the record, Happ allows five runs on four hits and a walk over two innings pitched for the loss.

Giancarlo Stanton goes 1 for 5 with four strikeouts.  The bottom four of the line-up (Didi Gregorius, Miguel Andujar, Gary Sanchez, Glayber Torres) go 2 for 13 with four strikeouts.  Yankee batters total 13 strikeouts for the game; the Red Sox fan seven times (three by Ian Kinsler).  On that note, the Yankees leave ten runners on base, and go just 1 for 7 with RiSP.  The Red Sox are 3 for 6 with RiSP, and leave just six runners on base.

Yet, the Yankees out-hit the Red Sox by a 10-8 margin, and more importantly make Boston pitchers throw 182 pitches, versus just 127 pitches thrown by the Yankees.  They were able to piece together three runs before Aaron Judge's blast in the ninth, which is important for a team that generally lives and dies with the long ball.  Meanwhile, Judge appears healthy as ever, going 3 for 5 with an RBI and run scored.

The Yankees bullpen throws six scoreless innings of four-hit ball, issuing just two walks and fanning five.  Although called upon to pitch more innings than anticipated, Sunday is an off day as the series shifts to Bronx.  For the moment, Aaron Boone should be able to absorb the tax.

Overall, the margin of difference in this game proves very slim.

The move bringing in Rick Porcello to pitch the eighth saves the day.

But make no mistake, the Yankees can easily escape Boston with a split.  Masahiro Tanaka faces off against Yankees pinata David Price in Game Two, Saturday night at Fenway Park.

N.Y. Yankees: Into The Fire They Go

From the desk of:  BLAME CARLOS MAY

AMERICAN LEAGUE DIVISION SERIES

NEW YORK YANKEES

vs.

BOSTON RED SOX

FROM

Fenway Park

BILLY MARTIN vs. DON ZIMMER

JOE TORRE vs. TERRY FRANCONA

AARON BOONE vs. ALEX CORA

This ALDS is as much about these two first-year managers as anyone else.  The respective general managers clearly made off-season moves with the other in mind.  That said, each field manager knows it's out the frying pan and into the fire they go knowing full well a brutal post-series narrative awaits should either of them fall.

Entering the 2017 season, the Yankees are considered still in the midst of rebuilding and upgrading their overall minor league talent.  However, patience and pragmatism pay early dividends.  To the surprise of many, Joe Girardi's new Bombers finish the regular season in second place behind Boston.  Their 91-71 record earns them a Wild Card berth and the right to host Minnesota in the one game playoff.  The Yankees defeat the Twins despite an ineffective start by Luis Severino.

In the ALDS, the Indians win games One and Two, but the Yankees storm back with victories in games Three and Four at the Stadium, then seize the clincher at Cleveland.  After which, they face the Houston Astros in the ALCS and come within one game of reaching the World Series.  It is the Astros who advance, and go on to win their first World Series championship in franchise history.

During the ensuing off-season Brian Cashman decides a change of manager is in order, and informs Joe Girardi his expiring contract will not be renewed.  To the astonishment of many, Cashman hires Aaron Boone, whom has no previous coaching or managerial experience on his resume.

A segment of fans would argue throughout the regular season how certain players get away with things once deemed unacceptable by former manager Joe Girardi.  While visiting Boston back in April, I listen with great amusement as local sports radio accuse the Yankees of (paraphrasing) playing asleep and that Aaron Boone has no pulse.  Truth be told, for much of the regular season the Yankees do little in my opinion to change that narrative.  Yet, Aaron Boone leads his team to its first 100-win season since 2009 - which not coincidentally is the same year Girardi leads the Yankees to their last World Series championship.  This is their fifth 100-win season of the new century.  But once again, the only thing coming between the Yankees and the A.L. East title is the Boston Red Sox.

The Red Sox clinch last year's A.L. East with a 93-69 record, but fall to the Astros in the ALDS.  Boston in turn fires manager John Farrell, and replaces him with first time manager Alex Cora - who in 2007 played for and won a World Series championship with the Red Sox.  Unlike Boone who is tasked with elevating last year's overachieving Yankees to the next level, Cora is charged with leading last year's underachieving Red Sox up the same summit.

Aaron Boone is in the broadcast booth last season when the Yankees ultimately bow to Houston.  Alex Cora on the other hand is A.J. Hinch's right hand man in the Astros dugout.  Having thoroughly scouted both Boston and New York during last year's playoffs, Cora accepts the Red Sox job with an incalculable amount of information on all three clubs.  Knowing his club's weaknesses perhaps better than his own general manager, the Red Sox this season under Alex Cora go on to post the most victories (108) in franchise history.

The Yankees meanwhile set the MLB record for home runs, and in their 163rd game of the season show everyone they're wide awake, and quite well.  Like Alex Cora, Aaron Boone was born into a baseball family.  His pulse is in rhythm with the game.  It's just that up until and through Wednesday's Wild Card game against the A's, he never let you see him sweat.

N.Y. Yankees: Competition Getting High and Tight

From the desk of:  BLAME CARLOS MAY

Red Sox lead series 2-0

I - BOS 15; NYY 7

II - BOS 4; NYY 1

GAME THREE

New York Yankees

vs.

Boston Red Sox

FROM

FENWAY PARK

New York Yankees: Look What the Boston Red Sox Did to the Bombers, Again.

If not for Miguel Andujar's lead-off home run in the top of the fifth, Boston starter Rick Porcello throws a no-hitter.  No chance of pitching a perfect game, though, as Porcello plunks the very first batter of the game, coming in high and tight to Brett Gardner whom absorbs an errant 0-2 fastball in the arm.  Gardner glares at Porcello as he begins a deliberately slow stroll towards first base.

The rest of the Yankees seemingly do not take this lightly.

Or do they?

In the bottom half of the frame, Luis Severino with his very first pitch comes in high and tight to Red Sox lead-off batter Mookie Betts.  For a few fleeting seconds things move right along, that is, until neophyte home plate umpire Adam Hamari issues delayed warnings to both clubs.  Alex Cora comes darting out of the Red Sox dugout fuming at Hamari, whom immediately tosses Boston's irate manager from the game.  All the while, Aaron Boone remains docile in the Yankees dugout.

And so begins Game Two at Fenway Park.

When play resumes Andrew Benintendi's double to right brings up Steve Pearce who continues decimating Yankees pitching, this time launching a Severino offering high over the Green Monster for his fourth home run in his last six at-bats.  With two outs, Severino then issues a base on balls to Ian Kinsler.  The Red Sox continue running like thieves in the night, as Kinsler swipes Boston's fifth base of the series.  Eduardo Nunez singles Kinsler home giving the Red Sox an early 3-0 lead.

Miguel Andujar leads-off the third with a home run.  It turns out being the Yankees lone run and only hit of the game.  Rick Porcello retires the next 21 batters in order for a complete game one-hit victory over the American League's top slugging team.  Porcello pounds the strike zone, facing 28 batters; one over the minimum; throwing an incredibly economical 86 pitches with 68 (80%) going for strikes, including an unforgiving 23 first pitch strikes.  He issues no walks and strikes out nine Yankees en route to his fourteenth victory of the season against just four losses.

The Red Sox are presently having their way, not just against the Yankees, but with every team in baseball.  Now with two victories over the Yankees, they seem to have effectively sidestepped Chris Sale's missed start.  As I've eluded to twice over the last two games, perhaps the Yankees are presently too docile, too complacent, and third base coach Phil Nevins sensed this heading into Boston.  With Alex Cora banished to his office Friday evening, cooler heads did prevail.  But perhaps Aaron Boone is being too cool.  It's worth noting that at no time during the entirety of game one or two did the Yankees ever attempt to unsettle Steve Pearce at the plate with a purposeful pitch.

Boone's crew now enters Saturday's game trailing the Red Sox by 7.5 games.  Getting out of Boston with a split might have just turned into a matter of A.L. East survival.  With 54 games left in the regular season, the Yankees have time to recover.  Plus, they still have two more games left to play in this series, and six more games against the Red Sox still to come.  However, they are leaving themselves little margin for error.  The calendar reads dog days of summer, which means that time and wins are of the essence.

They are tasked today with slamming the brakes on a three game skid, and preventing any further damage to their widening second place standing.  Of course, easier said than done.  With Aaron Judge and Gary Sanchez missing from the line-up, Giancarlo Stanton is presently a one-man gang.  The rest of the line-up has gone missing.  The Yankees have been doubled up through their last three games by a 13-26 margin against the stripped down Orioles and Red Sox.

They're also facing a sudden lack of pitching, if only for a day, or so the Yankees hope.  Called up from Scranton, Chance Adams will make his major league debut in the heat of a pennant race against the Red Sox.  Between Sunny Gray's ineffectiveness, J.A. Happ landing on the disabled list, Lance Lynn being pressed into action during Friday's debacle, and the overall tax being extracted from the bullpen, the Yankees face little choice.  Adams will oppose veteran Nathan Eovaldi, Boston's trade deadline acquisition from Minnesota.

N.Y. Yankees: The Red Sox Are Coming

From the desk of:  BLAME CARLOS MAY

BOSTON RED SOX

vs.

NEW YORK YANKEES

FROM

The House That George Built

BRONX

New York Yankees: One of the American League's top three teams is not like the others.

Back in April, I spent the weekend in Boston just after the Yankees/Red Sox melee at Fenway Park.  The Yankees left town with a 6-7 record, while the Red Sox improved to 10-2, en route to a franchise record 17-2 start.  Local TV and radio seemed to have little to no interest in the weekend series at hand against the visiting Baltimore Orioles.  Instead, gloating was order of the day.  One particular sports radio personality said (paraphrasing) the Yankees were playing asleep and their manager (Aaron Boone) had no pulse.  His on-air partner concurred.

They still have reason for gloating.  Since that series the Red Sox have for the most part held on to first place of the A.L. East, posting a 44-25 (.637) record and a 54-27 (.667) record overall.

However, I thought it ironic the Boston media would accuse Aaron Boone of not having a pulse considering the devastation he once wrought upon Red Sox Nation with his 2003 ALCS Game Seven winning home run off Tim Wakefield.

Yeah, Boone has a pulse.

But is he a good manager?

Without any prior coaching or managerial experience, no one knew what to expect from Boone.  The baseball season is half through and his team is engaged in a fierce battle for first place against the Red Sox.  Whatever his deficiencies, if any, there's nary a critic nor contrarian among the NYC media presently promulgating loud concern.  That's because winning trumps all.  And so for the moment the Yankees style and standing are his narrative.

On that note, the Bronx Bombers are wide awake and kicking, again.  They lead the American League with 127 home runs, and rate third in runs scored and total bases.  They too started playing at their own franchise record setting pace soon after that April series at Fenway, but not before rain poured down upon Detroit, cancelling three straight games against the Tigers.  Since then, they've gone 46-19 (.707), and enter this upcoming series at Bronx County Grounds with an overall record of 52-26 (.667) in four less games played than the Red Sox.

Otherwise, given custody of Brian Cashman's creation Aaron Boone's resume is still a work in progress.

Meanwhile, Alex Cora has no more MLB managerial experience than does Aaron, yet his fingerprints upon the Red Sox are far more distinguishable than those of Boone's upon the Yankees.  Lest we forget Cora last year served as bench coach for the World Series champion Houston Astros, and the numbers suggest he's incorporated much of what they do at the plate into the Red Sox offensive stratagem.

American League 2017 rankings:

• The Houston Astros under manager A.J. Hinch led the American League in team batting average and fewest strikeouts, and finished second in home runs.
• The New York Yankees under manager Joe Girardi led the league in home runs, finished third in team average, but finished with the sixth most strikeouts.
• The Red Sox under manager John Farrell struck out the fifth fewest times, but ranked ninth in team average, and last in home runs. 

American League 2018 rankings: prior to Thursday Boston/Anaheim game

• Red Sox are second to the Yankees in home runs.
• Red Sox and Astros are tied with A.L.'s top team batting average; the Yankees rate sixth. 
• Red Sox are second to the Astros with fewest strikeouts; Yankees 13th.
• Red Sox are second to the Astros in runs scored; Yankees third.  
• Red Sox are tops in total bases; Astros second, Yankees third.

If you torture numbers long enough, you can get them to say anything you want.  At the end of the day, the New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, and Houston Astros are the American League's top three contenders, with the Seattle Mariners a close fourth.

Winning the American League East title this season is all fine and well, but it's safe to say both the Yanks and Sox are on course towards making the playoffs.  After this weekend series, they do not meet again until September.  And so each will be blazing their own paths with little interference from the other.

If the mid-season point of this season is any indication, the Yankees appear to be a (very good) starting pitcher away from overtaking the Red Sox or Astros come October.  I'll assume the Yankees will most likely address this as the trade deadline looms closer.  Even then, a pitcher offers the Yankees little relief for their chronic condition.  They need to cut down on those strikeouts.  It damn near cost them last year's ALDS series against the Cleveland Indians.  In turn, Houston's plate discipline helped earn the Astros a World Series title.

It's still difficult for me deciphering exactly what Aaron Boone brings to the Yankees.  But it has become clearly evident what Alex Cora brings to Boston.  This is precisely why it appears as if this year's Red Sox are in closer competition with the Astros than are the Yankees.


*written prior to Thursday Boston/Anaheim game.

Yankees and Red Sox in Beantown Brawl

From the desk of:  BLAME CARLOS MAY

Series tied 1-1

I- BOS 14; NYY 1

II - NYY 10; BOS 6

GAME THREE

New York Yankees

vs.

Boston Red Sox

FROM

Fenway Park

THE CENTURY OLD RIVALRY IS ALIVE AND WELL

ICYMI: Rivalry Has Two New Managers 

GAME ONE against Boston devolved into your typical blowout - nothing more; nothing less.  Both teams through the decades have taken turns being on each side of those.  No big deal, for the Yankees it was merely their turn.  It just so happened to come during this season's series opener at Fenway Park.

An otherwise great day for Boston locals, the Red Sox unleashed a 14-1 shellacking upon the invading Yankees, highlighted by a nine run barrage in the sixth inning.  They cranked out eleven hits off New York pitchers, eight against starter Luis Severino whom allowed five earned runs through five innings in a losing effort.  Sox starter Chris Sale allowed a run on eight hits and fanned eight through six innings for the win.  Although the Yankees nearly matched the Red Sox with ten hits, they came up an insurmountable thirteen runs short.  Aaron Judge accounted for the only Yankees offense of the night with a long home run to straight-away center field (his third of the season).  However, Mookie Betts was the big man on campus going 4 for 5, with a walk, home run, four RBI, and five runs scored.

GAME TWO The Yankees held on for a 10-6 victory over the Red Sox, but not before a pair of bench clearing incidents defined the night.  The first alarm occurred in the third inning when Yankees Tyler Austin came sliding into second base spikes high and clearly clipped second baseman Joe Kelly in the the right calf whom took immediate exception.  The two closed in on each other while exchanging words.  By then opposing team mates were on scene separating bodies and playing peacemakers.  The seventh inning - not so much.  Boston exacted their revenge in the seventh inning when pitcher Joe Kelly embedded a 98-mph fastball into Tyler Austin's left side.  Austin naturally charged the mound and the royal rumble ensued.  Once the punches stopped flying, manager Alex Cora appeared rather dismissive of his counterpart Aaron Boone and Yankees coach Phil Nevin in particular whom remain on the field engaged in heated exchanges with the various umpires.


GAME THREE  Boston Red Sox take rubber game for series win.

Yankees vs. Red Sox: Same Rivalry; New Managers

From the desk of:  BLAME CARLOS MAY

RIVALRY

LET THE GAMES BEGIN!

Don't look now, but the Boston Red Sox are off to an historic start.  They've jumped out in front of the American League East with an 8-1 record.  The Yankees, meanwhile, plod into Boston with a 5-5 record that actually smells worse than it looks.

In any event, the rivalry is off and running, again.

Both teams enter this season with new skippers at the helm, neither of which has any previous major league managerial experience.  However, one is undoubtedly more qualified than the other.

I would argue Boston beat Brian Cashman to the punch.  The Red Sox were the early bird and Alex Cora was their proverbial worm.  Within a day of the World Series ending New England was being introduced to their new manager.  The Yankees general manager took a much more deliberate, if not quizzical approach towards replacing Joe Girardi, waiting till early December before even interviewing Aaron Boone.

It certainly helped that Cora played for the Red Sox (2005-2008), and won a championship with them.  As it pertains to the present situation, he was also embraced by the fans.  His baseball acumen by then had been gaining widespread acclaim throughout baseball.  The same was being said of him during his brief stint with the Mets.

Upon his retirement as a player, Cora became an executive in Puerto Rico's professional baseball league.  He served as general manager of his hometown Criollos de Caguas, and in 2016 won the LBPRC championship.  He continued serving as general manager for Team Puerto Rico during the 2016-17 Serie del Caribe and captured his second championship of the winter.  Cora followed up again as general manager for Team Puerto Rico for the 2017 World Baseball Classic, in which his team came up one game short of winning a third winter championship within the span of just a few months.  Only Team USA prevented that.  He parlayed that resume into his first major league position, serving as bench coach last season with the World Series champion Houston Astros.

Aaron Boone obviously has baseball coursing through his veins.  His grandfather, father, and brother all played at the major league level.  From the cradle through the present day, the baseball life is all he knows.  In fact, the Yankees general manager was so impressed with Boone that he handed him the job on the spot despite his lack of any practical coaching/managerial experience.

He likewise owns a special place in the hearts of Yankee fans.  Aaron's extra inning home run off Red Sox knuckle ball pitcher Tim Wakefield clinched the 2003 American League pennant for the Yankees, and propelled them to a World Series match-up against the Florida Marlins.  His days as a Yankee were limited to just 54 regular season games, though, due to him busting his ankle while playing in a pick up basketball game during the off-season.  Boone missed all of 2004, then retired from playing in 2009.  After which, he has spent the last eight years with ESPN Sunday Night Baseball.

The next episode in the Yankees/Red Sox rivalry begins now.

Reggie Jackson once said: Fans don't boo nobodys!

Giancarlo Stanton got booed.  So what?!

Plenty of people get booed in this town.  Sometimes I condone it; sometimes not.  Most times I remain ambivalent.  Booing players is nevertheless a time honored tradition as ancient as the game itself.  Booing varies from instance to instance, but one thing boo-birds do not engage in is discrimination.  Every one from Babe Ruth to Mariano Rivera and Derek Jeter, to Carlos Beltran, Johan Santana and Mike Piazza, have been booed by New York City fans.  They say Mickey Mantle got booed all the time.  I'd even venture to say we're a docile lot when compared to crowds of Babe Ruth's era.

If that's going to bother Staton - which I do not believe it will - then he's got a much bigger problem on his hands than just striking out 20 times through his first 42 at-bats of the season.  Perhaps this isn't going to be his kind of town after all.  Although the Yankees are only ten games into their season, truth be told these were the ten most important games he's ever played in - if for no other reason than he plays in the Bronx now, not Coconut Grove.

But truth be told - he's self accountable and a well spoken man.  I believe he will ultimately stand up to New York City media and fan scrutiny.

N.Y. Yankees: Because Stone Cold Cashman Says So

From the desk of:  BLAME CARLOS MAY

Sun Sets On Joe Girardi's Career With Yankees

New York Yankees: If There Were Any Lingering Questions Before, There's No Doubt Who Runs The Evil Empire Now.

David Lennon quotes Brian Cashman in Friday's Newsday saying, "Everything this organization does is with careful and thorough consideration, and we've decided to pursue alternatives for the managerial position."

Sharp words ... cut like a knife.

I just finished putting the Jets on blast for what I believe is their general manager's lack of conviction.  So it would be hypocritical of me to harangue Brian Cashman after parting ways with Joe Girardi.

There's no escaping, however, he did after all tell a man who owns a 910-710 (.562) record in ten seasons as manager of the Yankees; who never even had a losing season; who led them to six post-season appearances and a World Series title in 2009; and who this year piloted a new batch of young Bombers over the defending American League champions; that his services are no longer wanted by the organization.

First, let's play along and suppose this was a financial move.  What they say about baseball and life mimicking each other is true.  If a manager is being made to merely comply with front office metrics, then there's no reason to pay multi-millions for practical experience and length of service, when they can just as easily employ a younger person to serve the same purpose at a fraction of the cost.  That is the epitome of corporate America.  Lest we forget, Hal Steinbrenner is an accountant by trade.  He signed off on this.  Even though he grew up witnessing George's wanton spending up close; and is proving himself a good baseball man in his own right; this kind of negative cost/return must make the back of Hal's head tingle.

Brian Cashman has said on numerous occasions, be it in print or on radio, that he prefers a manager utilizing all the information provided by the organization.  Which essentially means he does not necessarily want a manager thinking for her/himself, regardless of their baseball experience or intellect.  That, however, was not Cashman's issue with Joe Girardi, who played by the book just as the front office wished.

Who knows?  Managing with limits could have been a point of contention for Joe Girardi, but we may be waiting until he writes a book before finding out.

Being as I went there ... Joe Girardi had one shot at relying on his instinct and better judgement, and still blew it.  Game Two of the ALDS against the Indians at Cleveland, when he failed to challenge a potential foul-tip/strikeout.  He needlessly waited on his scouts in the sky for a determination; that came too late; when he absolutely should have asked for a replay post haste, not because Gary Sanchez implored him to, rather, just because(!) the situation demanded it.

Perhaps a packed Yankee Stadium raining down boos upon Joe Girardi during Game Three's opening introductions somewhat served as confirmation in Brian Cashman's mind that it was indeed time to move on.

I've always felt Joe Girardi is wound too tightly.  Many Yankee fans do too.  Even on the heels of success, it winds up being his downfall in the Bronx.  He means well, and maintained the respect of his players and opponents alike throughout his ten year managerial run with the Yankees.  But let's face it, time marches on, and Girardi's dogged/nose in the dirt/no-nonsense/grinding style is better tailored for the Boss' era, when veteran stoicism still ruled the day.  In fact, it's still the Yankees legacy.

But take a look at the post-George atmosphere today.  His own children christened the Judge's Chambers in right field.  There's open camaraderie and levity in the dugout.  As a result, Joe Girardi suddenly became an overly rigid square peg straight out of the 1960s, trying to fit into a round, younger, more hipper scene, man.

In truth, Girardi has been on the major league level for 26 years now.  To help put this in perspective, that's a full generation.  In Girardi's defense, what if his vast experience, and intensity, are what actually kept a young team in line?  Were it not for Girardi's tight grip on matters, could youthful exuberance have gotten out of hand?

We'll find out next season, won't we?

Regardless, this is Cashman's Yankees now, built according to his own specifications and by his own device, and he saw little sense in moving forward with a manager of Joe Girardi's vintage.

Sure, Steinbrenner money was still good enough to by a championship in 2009, but that was eight years ago.  I believe Brian Cashman knew he was doing himself no favors by spending nearly another half-billion dollars in 2013 (with only Masahiro Tanaka to show for it today).  At the time, Hal Steinbrenner may have had no choice but to keep feeding the machine.  And I think both knew this flew in the face of the very bones Cashman originally picked with George.  He and Cashman had a falling out in the mid-2000's that made him consider accepting the general managerial position in Washington.  But once the two reconciled their differences, Cashman has been slowly separating the Yankees from past practices ever since.

This is Brian Cashman's new world order.

He dictated the end of Bernie Williams' career with the Yankees.  He coldly handled the team's separation from Hall of Fame manager Joe Torre with the greatest of ease.  Also recall how Brian Cashman and Joe Girardi acting in tandem offered no quarter to Yankee legends, Jorge Posada, Alex Rodriguez, and Derek Jeter, in the last years of their respective careers.

Is it any wonder, then, despite his winning three rings as a player with the Yankees, then a fourth as their manager, that Cashman should end Joe Girardi's Yankees career in similar fashion?

He decides these Yankees, and future pinstriped talents to come, will march to a different beat.  Cashman now wants someone more affable, who will negotiate the team through this new age with more simpatico.

Oh, the irony!

You have to give it to him, though.  Brian Cashman successfully flipped this team on the fly without ever dipping below the .500 mark.

Now it appears as if the young Yankees and the young Red Sox have the American League East to themselves again.  That's why there's more to this than just trying to establish better communication with players.  Competition is the real impetus here.  This rivalry has been about managers as much as players, featuring the likes of Joe Torre and Joe Girardi, Grady Little, Terry Francona, and the recently excused John Farrell.

The Red Sox were first to act, and have already replaced Farrell with a well respected graduate of the new age school of baseball.  I have no doubt this factored in Cashman's decision.  He knows he needs to counteract, and oppose, the hiring of Alex Cora in Boston.

And on a completely different level, this is Brian Cashman's attempt at seizing his own enduring Yankee legacy.

Hear him.

Believe it.

N.Y. Mets: Meet The New Boss

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

The Great Communicator Has Spoken

New York Mets: Indians Pitching Coach, Mickey Callaway, Named 21st Manager in Club History.

I won't lie ...

I knew Mickey Callaway was pitching coach for Terry Francona throughout his five years with Cleveland, but not much else.

Joe McEwing, Kevin Long, and therefore Mickey Callaway, didn't even make my personal list of candidates. 

Yeah, I said it.

Alex Cora was my first choice.  I would have been agreeable with Ron Gardenhire, or Manny Acta, and I was slightly intrigued with Sandy Alomar Jr.

Callaway didn't make my list for the very reason he is/was a pitching coach with only five seasons of experience (and only a couple seasons coaching in the minors previous to that).  Otherwise, I was aware he was an active MLB pitcher from 1999 through the 2004.

The list of pitching coaches turned field manager is short, and the list of successful ones even shorter.  Roger Craig comes to mind.  Boston asked former pitching coach John Farrell to manage the Red Sox after the Bobby Valentine fiasco and returned them to prominence.  George Bamberger, former pitching coach of the once formidable Orioles pitching staffs, later served as manager of the (Brewers, and) Mets, but only as a favor to Frank Cashen.

Like football, I'm a believer in good coaching trees.  As noted, Callaway comes to the Mets having worked the last five seasons with Terry Francona.  That's gotta count for something.  He's also being widely reported in the tabloids as a great communicator.  Sandy Alderson going right for the hire, instead of conducting a second round of interviews speaks volumes.  The tabloids have been describing it as Callaway's "wow" effect - that once you speak with him, he wins you over.

Apparently, all was not well and good during Terry Collins' years as Mets manager.  Local tabloids characterized the end of season exit interviews as rather condemning of the former manager who retires with the second most career victories in the organization's history.  Trust, or lack there of, between Collins and younger players, favoritism and not holding veterans accountable, and an overwhelming lack of communication were chief among gripes.

That being said, I could have done without the introductory (paraphrasing) - these players are going to be the most cared about group of people in all of major league baseball.

Expressing a desire to establish an environment of fairness, with respect towards individuals, while emphasizing team precepts, would have sufficed.

On a separate note, Sandy Alderson has now twice handed over the reigns to a pitching coach; first with Bud Black in San Diego, and now with Mickey Callaway and the Mets.  On an executive level, he is therefore not breaking any new ground here.

Sandy Alderson also made it clear the Mets are a pitching oriented team, and so Callaway fits well into the team's present condition.  Alderson also seems satisfied with Callaway's willingness to incorporate new age metrics.

Mickey Callaway is also part of a younger class of managers, in their mid-40s or so, being hired in recent years.


My Concerns:

• Managing with conviction:  The last skipper sometimes let his players manage for him.  Being every one's friend is nice, but where it concerns managing, unpopular decisions usually turn out being the best decisions.  It's not a player's job to like it; it's a manager's job to manage nonetheless.
• Neutralizing the media:  The sharks were constantly circling Willie Randolph and Jerry Manuel.  For the most part, the media ate them up and spit them out.  Terry Collins handled the media very well.  Sometimes we didn't know that hell he was talking about, but at least he didn't take any crap from them.
• Managing and manipulating a 25-man (40-man) roster:  He'll be responsible for double the number of pupils he is normally used to.  That's a bit over-stated.  These coaches and players are together all the time.
• Managing in the National League:  Strategy; substitutions; a running game.  Pitching changes are not as straightforward in the National League than in the junior circuit.  Just ask Terry Collins.  If you mismanage the bullpen and bench, that's all on you, dude.
• Playing to team strengths:  The Mets set an organization record last year for most home runs in one season.  But where did that get them?  I want Mickey to also establish competency in manufacturing runs as a reliable back-up for when the long-ball goes dry.  Did Sandy Alderson ask him if he knew what a bunt was?

From what I've gathered, most Mets fans seem on board with Sandy Alderson's selection.

Now that I've had a few days to let it sink in, I'm warming up to the idea as well.  I'm not opposed to Mickey Callaway being manager.  I'm just a little more wait and see.

N.Y. Mets: All Eyes Are On Alex Cora

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

Terry Collins Ends Mets Career With 551-583 Record; 

Second Most Wins By Mets Manager Behind Davey Johnson

New York Mets: Front Office Will Interview Highly Recommended Alex Cora For Vacant Managers Position.

With the Astros in town to face the Yankees in the ALCS, it's being reported Houston bench coach Alex Cora will interview on Tuesday to potentially fill the New York Mets managerial vacancy.

It's also being reported Alex Cora has already interviewed for the vacant Red Sox position.  The former infielder has strong ties with Boston as a member of the 2007 championship team.

Drafted in the 3rd round of the 1996 draft, Cora spent the first seven seasons of his career with the Los Angeles Dodgers.  He signed as a free agent with the Cleveland Indians for the 2005 season, and was then traded to the Boston Red Sox midway through the season, where he continued playing through the 2008 season.

Like the Red Sox, Alex Cora is no stranger to the Mets.  He was a well respected, influential player in the Mets clubhouse during the 2009 and 2010 seasons, and was already being touted in baseball circles as a future coach/manager in the making.

He played his 14th and final MLB season as a 35-year old in 2011 with the Washington Nationals.

Since Cora's retirement, his widely recognized baseball acumen had long been sought after by major league baseball clubs.  His main priority during the years immediately following his retirement, however, lay in being close to home and raising his daughter.

Alex still remained active in baseball as an analyst for ESPN, and as general manager of his home town Criollos de Caguas of Puerto Rico's Liga Profesional de Beisbol Roberto Clemente.  

While still active, Cora, an eminently proud native of Caguas, Puerto Rico, played in three straight Serie Final for los Criollos from 2009-10 through 2011-12, and helped lead them to a league championship in 2010-11.  After retiring later that year, he accepted the position of general manager upon the resignation of Frankie Higginbotham.  With Cora at the helm, Caguas went on to win another league title (2012-13) in a rematch series against los Indios de Mayaguez.

Last winter, los Criollos de Caguas won their second championship in the last five years under Cora.

Alex and los Criollos de Caguas moved on to Culiacan, Mexico, for the 2017 Serie del Caribe, or, the Winter Leagues World Series, if you will.  It marked his second attempt at winning a Caribbean title as general manager of Team Puerto Rico.  This time, Cora and Puerto Rico did emerge victorious to capture the Caribbean Leagues crown.

As general manager of Puerto Rico in the 2017 World Baseball Classic, Alex Cora's bid at the trifecta ended against Team USA.

He has nevertheless since continued riding a personal wave of success into the ALCS as bench coach of the Houston Astros.

Many believe working along side Astros manager AJ Hinch has added the finishing touch to Alex Cora's resume.  To quote a line from NJ.com, the Mets are looking for someone younger ... and willing to adapt to new technology.  

That's exactly the type of experience he's presently gaining with Houston.

Is he the right man for the Mets?

Yes, without a doubt.  For all the reasons being discussed throughout media and print.

His baseball journey has taken him from the innocent fields of his native Caguas, where him and his brother Joey Cora both played as kids, to the University of Miami, then through several of MLB's largest markets.  

After Los Angles, he went on to play under the glaring lights of New York City.  He understands the role media plays here, and how intense the scrutiny can be.  The same can be said regarding his experience in Boston.  The media there is just as relentless, ruthless, and combative; sometimes even more so.  He nevertheless earned the media's respect and was embraced by them in both towns as the voice of reason.

Cora is completely bilingual, which also eliminates any potential miscommunication with Latin players.  That being said, he is known to be a uniquely well spoken communicator with all players.

Above all else, he is the best, and most appealing available candidate in my opinion.

After Cora, Gardenhire is second on my list.  He has the most managerial experience among the field of candidates, and was fairly successful during his years with Minnesota.

Kevin Long, is said to be the only person to have interviewed for the job so far.  He is not a top consideration of mine.  Nor is Joe McEwing, or Mickey Callaway.  Manny Acta is a blast from the past that I might be agreeable to.

For whatever reason, there seems to no longer be interest in the services of Robin Ventura and Brad Ausmus.  In turn, I have zero interest in Bob Geren and Chip Hale, but will admit to having a mild curiosity with Sandy Alomar Jr.

Joe Girardi's contract with the Yankees expires after the post-season, but I do not think the Yankees and him will part ways.  I also personally think Joe is wound up just a bit too tightly, and that him crossing boroughs wouldn't go over very well.

Cora is the best man for the Mets, but seems to be a better fit in Boston.

I hope that's just the Mets pessimism in me speaking out loud.

Criollos de Caguas win LBPRC Championship

From the desk of: Winter Leagues/Puerto Rico

LIGA de BEISBOL PROFESIONAL ROBERTO CLEMENTE

GAME EIGHT

Santurce  5

Caguas     6

12-innings

Criollos de Caguas defeat los Cangrejeros de Santurce,

five games to three

Game One   Game Two   Game Three   Game Four   Game Five   Game Six   Game Seven

Puerto Rico crowns new league champion; Santurce's two year run is over, undone by los Criollos de Caguas.  

Los Criollos de Caguas reclaimed their position atop Puerto Rico's LBPRC this past Wednesday with their fifth and final series victory over los Cangrejeros de Santuce.

Upon falling behind 3-2 in the Serie Final against the defending back-to-back champions, Caguas reeled off three straight victories to deny Santurce their bid for a third straight title.  

But by no means did los Cangrejeros go down easily.  Game Eight required 12-innings, with resilient Santurce threatening to shift the series back to San Juan for a decisive Game Nine.

After spotting los Cangrejeros an early run in the first inning, Caguas tied things up in the bottom of the fifth when second baseman Ray Navarro plated center fielder Henry Ramos (lead-off single) from third with a sac-fly.

Santurce promptly responded with a pair of runs in the top of the sixth off Criollos relievers Jose de la Torre and William Oliver (in relief of starter Orlando Roman).

Caguas then seemingly pulled away with a four hit, four run outburst in the bottom half of the frame.

Undeterred, and to the dismay of fanaticos Criollos, Santurce scored runs in the top of the seventh and eighth innings, both charged to reliever Miguel Mejia, forging a 5-5 tie and sending the game into extra-innings.

Through the next four innings, however, Caguas relievers Ricardo Gomez and Joel Pineiro combined to pitch four scoreless innings of no-hit ball, while fanning five.  Cangrejeros batters went 0 for 11 over that span, managing only a walk off Pineiro in the top of the 12th.

Parque Yldefonso Sola Morales

In the bottom half of the frame, Santurce's lone mistake proved costly.  With two outs and Frank del Valle on the mound, Criollos third baseman David Vidal gained second base on outfielder Juan Silva's error in right.  Center fielder Henry Ramos then followed with another base hit to right, scoring Vidal, and clinching a 6-5 victory in front of an overflowing crowd at Parque Yldefonso Sola Morales.

Shortly thereafter, it was party time in the valley ...

This is los Criollos second championship in the last five years under general manager Alex Cora, and their 17th league title in their 80 year history.  They are now one title shy of tying Mayaguez (18) for most in league history.

Alex Cora, an eminently proud native of Caguas, previously played in three straight Serie Final for los Criollos beginning in 2009-10 through 2011-12, and helped lead them to a league championship in 2010-11.  Later in 2011, Alex retired from MLB after completing his 14th season, then continued playing one last season with los Criollos.  He would accept the position of general manager the following season upon the resignation of Frankie Higginbotham.  With Cora at the helm, Caguas went on to win another league title (2012-13) in what became a rematch series over los Indios de Mayaguez.

Next stop for los Criollos de Caguas ... Culiacan, Mexico, for the 2017 Serie del Caribe, commencing Wednesday, February 1st.  This will likewise be general manager Alex Cora's second attempt at capturing a Caribbean title.  Caguas last accomplished the feat back in 1987. 

Since Alex Cora's retirement, his well respected baseball acumen has been long sought after by major league baseball clubs.  However, his main priority these last few years lay in being home and spending summers with his daughter.  But starting with the 2017 season, Alex will finally be back in an MLB dugout near you, having signed on to become the Houston Astros bench coach for this upcoming season.

Prior to the start of the regular season, Alex Cora will also be serving as general manager for Team Puerto Rico in the 2017 World Baseball Classic.

• Joey Cora, older brother of Alex, likewise won a championship with Caguas in 2000-01 while serving in the same capacity.

CRIOLLOS de CAGUAS

FOUNDED 1938

CHAMPIONS

1941   1974   1977   1979   1981   1987

2001   2011   2013

2017

CAGUAS/GUAYAMA

CHAMPIONS

1948   1950   1954   1956   1958   1960   1968

SERIE del CARIBE

CHAMPIONS

1954   1974   1987

Caguas Pitching Subdues Mayaguez in Semi-Finals

In defense of their back-to-back titles, los Cangrejeros de Santurce finished atop this year's regular season standings, nine games ahead of third place Caguas, and two games in front of los Indios de Mayaguez.  As the top seed, Santurce went on to have a predictably easy time eliminating los Gigantes de Carolina in the first round of playoffs, four games to one.  

Los Criollos' first order of business, however, lay in overtaking the second place Indios de Mayaguez, whom were vying for their sixth straight Serie Final appearance.  These two rivals squared off in the league finals for three straight years immediately preceding Santurce's now ended two year run.  And with their 2014 Serie Final loss to Mayaguez still fresh in the minds of fanaticos Criollos, payback was foremost on their minds.

But after posting a sub .500 regular season record, then falling behind 0-2 in the semi-finals against los Indios, the specter of elimination loomed large over Caguas.  That is, until designated hitter Randy Ruiz slugged los Criollos to a Game Three victory with what proved to be a decisive three run home run, and four RBI night.  

The sum of Caguas pitching then proceeded to dominate Mayaguez, limiting los Indios to a pair of runs on just 15 hits over the final three games of the series.

Caguas Bats Close Out Serie Final With a Flourish

Through their first 11 playoff games (six against Mayaguez, and through Game Five against Santurce) los Criollos had batted a sickly .148 (11 for 74) with runners in scoring position.  But Santurce had only outscored Caguas by a slim 9-11 margin to that point.  Los Criollos struggles at the plate nonetheless translated into consecutive loses in games Four and Five, and a 2-3 series disadvantage.  They had additionally failed to win at home in two previous attempts.

All that changed starting with Game Six at Sola Morales, as Caguas defeated los Cangrejeros in a 12-1 rout, going 8 for 16 with runners in scoring position.  They went 3 for 8 in Game Seven en route to a 4-1 victory at Hiram Bithorn, then 3 for 12 during Wednesday's clincher.  All told, Caguas batted .388 (14 for 36) with runners in scoring position, and outscored Santurce by a 22-7 margin over the final three games of the series.

Next stop for los Criollos de Caguas ... Culiacan, Mexico, for the 2017 Serie del Caribe, commencing Wednesday, February 1st.

Criollos de Caguas Retire Ivan Rodriguez #7 in Pre-Game Ceremony

Los Criollos de Caguas honored newly elected Hall of Fame member Ivan "Pudge" Rodriguez by retiring his #7 prior to the start of Wednesday's Game Eight at Parque Yldefonso Sola Morales.  He first wore the number for Caguas as an amateur during the 1989-90 season.  Pudge played 23 games for Caguas between 2008 and 2011 (his final years as a pro).

Ivan Rodriguez is the fourth player hailing from Puerto Rico elected to baseball's Hall of Fame, joining Roberto Clemente, Orlando Cepeda, and Roberto Alomar.

NEWS FLASH out of FLUSHING

Based on a 1050ESPN report this morning:

The New York Mets announced Ruben Tejada and Fernando Martinez will be joining the club in Philadelphia this weekend.

It's about time! 

The Mets have not made mention of what roster spots will be affected.  In the same report I heard the Mets are in discussions with the Seattle Mariners about a potential deal.

If we're speculating about names, I can only hope Luis Castillo has been bought out of his contract and will be released.  I can only hope Jeff Francoeur is part of trade discussions with Seattle.  Ollie Perez disappearing from the roster is a long shot.  But I can dream....can't I?

I'm not going to go "there" yet....but if I hear some of the wrong names in a possible trade, I'm going to flip.

I'm happy the Mets are at least concerned and are taking measures to improve (*sigh*) this team, and apparently this season.  But they better not touch the prospects. Not now...not yet.  I'm not saying don't ever.  I'm just saying August 7th is no time to start thinking about things that should already have been addressed.  That should have been done already or panic should wait till the winter at this point.

Let's see what kind of news comes down the pipe in Flushing today.

********************************************************************************

1 p.m. UPDATE: 

The Mets will release ALEX CORA.  No Mets...that wasn't the move to make. 

There is a role for Alex Cora on this team.  You think Jerry Manuel made mistakes before?   Pfffff!  Luis Castillo is the money that needs to be swallowed ~ Not Alex's remaining $2 Mill contract.  Cora can handle 4 infield positions very capably.  You just released a lot of bench flexibility and LEADERSHIP.  Remember it was Cora who cautioned a player or two about having such a good time right after a shamefully losing effort.  Remember is was Cora who reminded Manuel to walk Jeter because Mariano Rivera was on deck as the next batter in an Inter-League game.  He may not be re-writing the offensive record books but his glove work is and always has been stellar; he picks it with the best.  Is this move in any way getting us closer or farther from a playoff spot?  No; hardly.  But Luis Castillo is the issue at hand, not Alex Cora.  I'd rather have Cora on my bench if the Mets are going to call up Tejada.  I'd rather have Alex Cora in the head and mind of our kids, helping them along the way.

Now the Mets have Oliver Perez and Luis Castillo doing NOTHING but stealing Fred Wilpon's money because neither of them has a role here anymore.  One of those two needs to have that money swallowed and of the two Castillo is the more feasible.  Word is Tejada is joining the club and the intention is for him to start. 

Castillo is your problem at second base...not Cora!

Jeff!....  You're blowing it Jeff.  What are you doing?  I wanna know.  The roller coaster ride continues folks.



Mike.BTB

Tonight's Rubber Game; NY Mets vs. Phillies in Philadelphia

..early afternoon:
In tonight's big rubber game between the NY Mets and the Philadelphia Phillies, the Mets have announced Ike Davis and Angel Pagan will get the night off.  Gary Matthews Jr. will start in center field and Fernando Tatis will get the start at first base.

If anyone needs a day off today it's David Wright. He needs to clear his mind. Did you see that curve ball Halladay snapped off that David nearly broke his hip and his ankles getting out of the way from; the one that dropped in for strike three? Say what you will but getting beaned still presses on his mind. I've noticed it a few times this year with a good hook coming at him. He's not concentrating and recognizing the pitch. He's not picking up the signature dot on a curve ball at all.

If Ike and Pagan need a day off that's fine, but it's incumbent upon Omar to make upgrades from our current Matthews and Tatis off the bench situation. Omar needs to have that situation corrected by, if not before the trade deadline. I do not mean Beltran either. I'm talking bench upgrades here. Cora is a keeper. I know the return of Beltran puts Pagan back on the bench. But I am not counting on Beltran.
 
Tonight's Mets Line-Up:
CF ~ Matthews
2B ~ Castillo
SS ~ Reyes
LF ~ Bay
3B ~ Wright
1B ~ Tatis
RF ~ Francouer
C   ~ Barrajas
SP ~ Santana


Game Blog:

*Top 1st inning  ~  Castillo single.  Bay single.  David Wright hit a three run Home Run.  So much for me saying he needs a day off.  Tatis base hit.
*Bottom 1st inning  ~  Placido Polanco hit a laser to left on an 0-2 pitch for a Home Run...a high fastball out of the strike zone.  Against the Ryan Howard Shift, Ryan Howard hit an outside corner change-up to left field for another Philly solo Home Run.

After 1st inning  ~  Mets 3 - Phils 2

*Top 2nd inning  ~  Barrajas single.  Matthews fielder's choice.  Barrajas out trying to advance to 3rd. 
*Bottom 2nd inning  ~  a seven pitch inning for Johan Santana.  Phils out in order.

After 2nd inning  ~  Mets 5 hits - Phils 2 hits    score = Mets 3 - Phils 2

*Top 3rd inning  ~  3B Polanco makes nice bare hand pick-up and throw out of Jason Bay.  Jamie Moyer gets through Mets 3,4 and 5 hitters easily with his pitches topping out at 81 mph and averaging 78 mph.  A couple of pitches have come in at 71 mph.  I hate this guy!
*Bottom 3rd inning  ~  Moyer slaps a ball to short and hustles up the line but is thrown out by Reyes.  Moyer is on HGH!(not).  He's becoming the Minnie Minoso of pitchers.  Phils muster nothing this inning.
Phillies announce Joe Blanton will pitch for Philadelphia tomorrow.  I'm sure that's welcome news for Philly.

*Top 4th inning  ~  Tatis is punched out - caught looking at a high strike.  Moyer's first K.   Francouer hit by pitch.  Moyer hits 82 mph...game high!  Francouer steals second base.  Barrajas hits one off the foul pole in left field..Home Run Barrajas, his 6th of the year.  Moyer strikes out Johan.  Matthews just committed his third out of the night.  We only get 27 outs a game and he has mastered accumulating them as a Met.  Matthews produces outs at an astonishing 86% clip.
*Bottom 4th inning  ~  Utley lead-off double.  Ryan hits fly to warning track in left and Utley does not/can not tag up from second base.  Werth hits a dribbler.. out catcher to first, Utley to third.  Ibanez singles to right.  Utley scores Philly's 3rd run.  Single by Castro.  Ruiz walks on four pitches.  Bases loaded for Jamie Moyer and two outs.  Johan walks Moyer.  Run scores, bases still loaded.  GRAND SLAM HOME RUN by Shane Victorino on the first pitch.  Single for Polanco and the Phils have batted around.  Not so much as a visit by Dan Warthen or Manuel through-out this inning.  AND Chase Utley just smashed another HOME RUN to right.  Two more runs in.  Score now Philly 10 - Mets 5.  Eight runs this inning all coming with two outs.  Johan Santana's best pitch came in at 91 mph tonight but with no command and control tonight, the Phils were able to sit on the fast ball.  Johan is headed for an early shower.  Takahashi is the new Met pitcher.  Howard single.  Werth doubles, Howard scores.  Ibanez is out and inning finally ends.

After 4th inning  ~  Phillies 11 - Mets 5

*Top 5th inning  ~  Who Cares?!

Johan's line:
3.2 innings pitched
8 hits
10 runs all earned
2 walks, 1 strikeout
4 home runs allowed.

P.U.!!!

And that concludes tonight's broadcast.  I suddenly no longer feel the motivation to continue this post any longer.    *sigh*
  I'm back...just in time to announce this game just went final at 10:54 p.m. EST.

Philadelphia Phillies 11
New York Mets 5

The Mets are now 1/2 game out of first place.  It's not a bad place to be.  Good night all.

BTB
 
http://thebrooklyntrolleyblogger.blogspot.com/