n.y. Yankees ~ Jorge Forged His Pinstripes With Fire

From the desk of:   BLAME CARLOS MAY

new york YANKEES:  ADIOS JORGE; The Feistiest of the Core.


And then there were two.


Faced and charged with the most unenviable task of putting an Era to pasture, Brian Cashman effectively did to Jorge Posada what he did in similarly cold fashion to Bernie Williams and began instigating with Derek Jeter during last year's off-season.  It's official now; Jorge Posada will play Major League Baseball no more.


Only Andy Pettitte remained ahead of Simon Bar Sinister's plots ever since the Yanks unceremoniously let the lefty mosey-on back home to play for Houston.  Andy came back as shrewed towards Cashman, as the GM himself, and exited the game on his own terms.  Mariano Rivera appears destined to do the same.


Ultimately however, The Core is No More.  The modern day River Avenue Legends are increasingly being raided and signed by the Retirement Club.  Like Andy and Bernie before him, Jorge Posada has turned in his Pinstripes for civilian life again.


I have long stated my high regard for Jorge Posada.  I went through the BTB archives and pulled these two posts:


ONE: - was just a post of appreciation for the Yankee catcher and about his Hall of Fame potential.  January 30, 2010 - Jorge Posada; the Jack Morris of Catchers


TWO: - came on the heels of the infamous day Jorge "called-in sick".  Looking back on that incident now gets me to thinking Jorge left this game in perfect Posada fashion; ever resistive and defiantly. - May 15, 2011 - Posada Deserves a Free Pass




Brought to you by the magic of copy-and-paste, and with some minor editing, here's a summary:

ONE:  Jorge Posada will never get the true credit for being, in a most literal sense, the Yankees Back Bone.   Jorge has always been willing to stick his neck out for his team mates, when so many of them over the last 8 years have not.   He was always willing to do what needed to be done when so many wouldn't.  Even if it meant going against the Yankee way.   Who else I ask you, Who? - took it upon himself to send an occasional message to the American League, - Don't Mistake Yankee Kindness For Our Weakness!  I defy you to compile that list for me.   Jorge always had his team mates backs!   So many would never step their game up and bring to the game what, at times, the situation dictated.

Because he's in the shadow of Jete and ARod, and other players and contracts of yore..(Giambi et-al), Jorge is made to simmer inside.   Sometimes the criticisms leveled against him are warranted where it concerns defense, but I'm not here to speak of that today.


Casey Stengel used to say of Yogi Berra, "I never play without my Guy".   Whether Yogi was behind the dish, left field or first base, Casey always played with his Guy.  Torre treated Jorge much the same way with little outward conveyance.  But you knew it.  For long the Yanks remained reliant on their Guy's bat in spite of so many "other" significant players on the field.


He gets knocked, disrespected, barreled over, nicked and under appreciated for all of it.   Pitchers and their own issues with Jorge were no less guilty contributing to this phenomena.   But I will tell you those same pitchers loved him when he connected in clutch moments.   WHO'S Knocking Jorge Then?  And I'm Not Even A Yankee Friendly.


No catcher has more RBI over the last 10 years in baseball.   Championships?   He's moving on to the next hand.  As it stands today, no he is not a Hall of Famer.  He's kind of like the Jack Morris of Catchers for his work over a decade.   He's close...Real close.   He should be able to solidify opinions over the next 2 years if hopefully Father Time is good to him.   Let's see.




TWO:   The distasteful wrangling and public debate involved in determining when a career should end sort of becomes a pseudo-arbitration hearing that takes place in the last three to four years of a player's career. A player's waining years similarly engages player and club into a contentious confrontation.   A player sets out to justify his continued value to the team, while the club sometimes is looking for his career, or just their time together, to end.


Jorge Posada was wrong ("calling in sick") Saturday.   There's no getting around that.   But I'm not about to start bashing Jorge's actions prior to game time nor for his post-game follow-up.   If you have an understanding that most careers do not end on the greatest of terms, Saturday's incident would preclude you from criticizing Jorge.  Additionally, you're a Yankee Fan, a New Yorker, an astute baseball fan, or a Mets Fan like myself, we all know Jorge is a really, really proud guy.


There is a constant in sports and with players; - athletes almost never go out on top.   They're usually forced into retirement because a replacement arrived on the scene, or they don't heal/recover from injuries as well as they once did, or, their skills have eroded to the point where the club is forced to take action against said player.   Those are just a few of many reasons why careers end on less than positive notes and we see it more and more all the time.


Players rarely take the initiative and alleviate clubs from having to make unpopular decisions against them.   Millions of modern day dollars make players even more reluctant to exercise pragmatism when their skills, stature, and role on the team all come into question.   But when a team is ultimately compelled to take action, it's almost always a contentious situation.   Many times the player takes it as a slight and views it as a form of disrespect.   How much they decide to wear their emotions on their sleeves and share their displeasure with the Media is another matter.   But this is not a posting regarding Jorge Posada's issues of comportment.


In Baseball, retirement is now more often than not, an ugly, unsympathetic, adversarial process. Modern Baseball has made the decision to, retire or release, much more cut-throat because of the money involved.   It used to be, the waining days of a career were times fans as well as owners and their GM's knowingly looked the other way out of respect for their years of hometown play.   But with that accorded respect, a return of favor was somewhat expected.   A silent acknowledgement by the player often set in motion a plan to set a Date of Announcement.  Then on-field and on-going celebrations of appreciation could be properly planned.  An opportunity for the player to leave the game with dignity while in front of adoring fans and in a setting that also gave Clubs an honest and genuine opportunity to share their own warm sentiments and regard, used to be standard; once.


Bad Karma is brewing in the Bronx.  Brian Cashman, Joe Girardi, and Jorge Posada are three converging forces and it's not good.   Only Posada runs the risk of getting subducted.   Cashman is intent on being a schmuck the rest of his time in the Bronx.  Girardi still has a job to do and this will not be the last time Girardi and Posada bump heads this season.   There is no love between the two. Girardi has slighted Jorge once too many times as manager for his catching.   More of this is definitely on the way should Posada continue to struggle and chose not to retire.


Jorge Posada: His Pinstripes Didn't Bend.


Allow me to introduce you to whom I thought was your real/unofficial/un-named Yankee Captain; all along - Jorge Posada. 
 

Derek Jeter was named Captain of the Yankees because The Boss thought he exuded Yankee Class, Winning, the confident Yankee Stoicism in a hot bed like NYC, and a belief Jeter would never embarrass the organization.  That's cool with me.  I'm not going there.


But sorry, Jorge Posada was the Yankees' back-bone in a most literal sense.   For all his fire, passion, and grit, he never received his full share of respect.   He wasn't the best or flashiest player in Pinstripes.   He had flaws.., like fans; like regular people; like us!   But he provided the Yankees with something very few of his team mates over the years couldn't or wouldn't provide; - like I said - A Back-Bone, and a Response.
 

Over his years, Jorge Posada above all Yankee regulars was the one player who consistently relished facing the more dastardly aspects of Baseball head-on.   I simply remind you of the playoffs versus Boston and the verbal/visual exchange Jorge and Pedro Martinez engaged in.   That would probably be the most famous instance, but Jorge's edgy spirit was a nightly attribute.   During those Torre Years, the book was out on the Yankees.   They were capable of being PUNKED-Out.   If no one else, Jorge Posada was always the first to step up and make known that Wouldn't Fly.


Back in the days of the heated Mariners/Yankees Rivalries, tempers often flared-up causing both teams to empty dugouts and bullpens numerous times.   When A-Rod still played in Seattle, Derek Jeter was infamously criticized many times for conveniently finding Alex Rodriguez in the crowd and therefore, cancelling each other out, while also smiling and laughing along the way.


Once upon a time, a left fielder named Chad Curtis dared criticize the Captain for such cowardly acts. He was disappeared to the Island of Misfit and Outspoken Yankees.   Jorge Posada wouldn't have thrown Jeter under the bus like Curtis did to the Media.   But Jorge's actions on the field speak loud and clear.   Then after a game with the Media, he'd be the one to say what everyone was thinking, but speaking loudly so as to be heard.   That was Jorge.  And Hip Hip to that.


But here's something I'm not so Hip on.


I never did subscribe to the Big Brother-Little Brother cow-chip the Media always tried to throw at us in the late 1990's when discussing the relationship between Jorge Posada and Joe Girardi.   That's over-rated.   I remember Jorge chomping at the bit, dying to get Girardi out of the way so as to become the everyday starter.   And I'm just guessing and stabbing here - but why wouldn't Jorge be somewhat puzzled as to why Girardi received so much credit for Jorge's early successes?   Hmmm?   How ponderous is it Girardi gets too much credit for training his understudy and now finds himself as the guy trying to take him out?


It would seem to me Joe Girardi has been more of a hindrance to Jorge's early and late career like a recurring bout of herpes.   I remember Joe Girardi being signed to be their catcher to great ridicule.  And today, all Posada knows is that he just can't make him totally go away.  During the years Girardi spent out of Pinstripes, Jorge Posada went on to total more RBI than any other catcher in Baseball during the 2000's.   Ever since Joe flared back into Jorge's life a few years ago as manager, things have been going down hill for the embattled "ex-present-catcher" ever since.

*     *     *     *

Today, I just wish him well.  I'll leave the retiring his number thing up to Yankee Fans.

Mike.BTB

N.Y. YANKEES ~ When Empires Fall, They Crumble

From the desk of:  BLAME CARLOS MAY

**SUBWAY SERIES SPECIAL**


new york YANKEES:  Bomber Fans, The Beginning Of The End Is Upon You!

I've been thinking lately about the Yankees...; and their demise!   There's a ton of details to include in something like this.  So instead, here is my shorter version.

When the Boss was still involved with the Yankees, Brian Cashman gave George an ultimatum; either start changing the way this organization operates or he was outta here.  The short version is Cashman got his way and stayed on as GM of the Yankees.  His first order of business was to dismantle the meddling troop in Tampa; i.e.; George's Baseball People like Billy Connors..etc.  George always played them off Cashman until he finally told George, No Mas with those guys.

George gave him the centralized power he sought.  Or, so he thought.  And on the way out of the Boss' office, in typical George fashion, warned Cashman he better be right or else.  Cashman enjoyed a substantial increase in the size of his baseballs due to this break-through with George.  So he set about restocking his farm-system and passed on an opportunity to trade for Johan Santana.

I admittedly was already predicting the decline of the Yankees as far back as 2007 for the same reasons we've heard over the years - They were getting old; all the long term contracts were burdensome; and the farm wasn't supplying a steady stream of prospects just yet. 

I believe I would have been on course too.  I thought Brian Cashman was dying to rid the team of some of those long term contracts; like Giambi, Mussina, AND A-Rod's! - just to name a few.  And I believed Cashman was in no rush to sign-away the Yankees into another long-term situation like that again.  The Yankees had upwards of $80 million coming off their books.  Brian Cashman had always talked of his want to gain more financial flexibility in addition to wanting to bring payroll costs down.  The expiring contracts would have afforded him just that.  The team had not enjoyed such financial prudence since the earlier 1990's under Stick Michael.

But what happened?  The Yankees re-committed themselves to long-term, onerous contracts again.  They went out and spent almost half a Billion dollars on C.C., A.J., and TEX.  What that did (besides winning a Championship) was just stall the inevitable by a few years.  And now, we (actually more like you...) are there.  Things won't fall apart this weekend or this season.  Maybe next season is safe too.  But after that,  I want you to ponder all the following:


Brian Cashman:  He's Chosen Shock and Awe As An Exit Strategy.  His Attitude Betrays Him.
Brian may have succeeded in convincing George to let him call all the shots.  But it never stopped others, namely George himself and one person in particular, Randy Levine, from stepping all over him like a welcome mat.

We all know Cashman wanted no part in the re-signing of Alex Rodriguez to that ludicrous contract.  What's closer to the truth is Cashman wanted him gone.  But ARod secured a backroom deal with Levine and the Boss thus making Brian Cashman have to back track on an earlier comment or two he may have made.  Cashman was quite curt about things then.  But he was no where near the Samurai GM slashing his way through Derek Jeter this past off-season.  Why?  His own sense of empowerment and the knowledge he's leaving after this year has his current demeanor redefining the term DIVA.

But again, Brian Cashman was urged by higher-ups to get the deal done and to make it for more years and more money than was prudent.  Higher-ups uh..Randy Levine also told his GM outright, to secure the services of Rafael Soriano.  Brian Cashman wanted nothing to do with this pitcher but Randy Levine insisted.

With Posada, the Yankees' hand was forced when the Mets offered him a fourth year.  So the Yankees matched the years of the Mets' offer and kept their Catcher.  Today, the Yankees are paying dearly for that fourth year.

But the point here, there is little to no reason why Brian Cashman should want to re-up with the Yankees considering Randy Levine himself is tapping into his inner-George, but with a much more amateurish and derisive manner.  But on the way out, Brian Cashman has made it his business to whip a forked tongue at anyone withing hissing distance.

He'll also want no more part of putting these current Yankee legends to bed.  He ended Bernie Williams' career in a very cold, direct manner by offering him a minor league deal or nothing.  Brian Cashman likewise let Andy Pettitte leave to Houston (the first time) with a Don't let the door hit you on the way out attitude.

And then there was Derek Jeter this past off-season.  Brian Cashman operated with a lack of blood in his face; cold.  Most recently, Posada-Gate surfaced, but what followed was another passive-aggressive attack against Derek Jeter again for his stance taken with Posada as acting Captain of the Yankees.  And now it it seems as if Jeter, Posada, Cashman, and Girardi are all headed on a collision course of wills this season.

Someone is going to be left behind to tell these players they are no longer wanted.  But it won't be Brian Cashman.  He knows better.  Besides, he's been disrespected by this Front Office one too many times.  YankeeVille isn't big enough for both Cashman and Randy Levine without George around to be Supreme Allied Alpha-Male.  And slowly but surley, chaos is starting to take hold.  Players, managers, GM, and Front Office personnel are all acting out.

RANDY LEVINE:  The Phantom Menace

....Will look to replace Brian Cashman with a yes man - (not a YES Network Person); I mean a Yes Boss, Whatever You Say Boss - kind of person.  Why not?  If Randy Levine is stepping all over Brian Cashman's toes now, what makes you think he'll give the next GM more autonomy than Brian?

And this is when things will really start to get ugly in the Bronx.  Hal is just a numbers cruncher.  Hank is inconsequential in this operation.  That leaves Lonn Trost and Randy Levine calling shots in Bronx County Park.

In a very short span of time, Jeter, Mo, and Posada will join Pettitte and Bernie as all being retired.  By then, the Yankees will wish Tex and most of all, ARod would retire also.  Robinson Cano, if he's still here, will be hitting in a line-up, alone.

The Yankees are trapped in a vicious cycle they created for themselves.  They HAVE to spend $200 million on payroll.  They have no choice.  They are slaves to having to sell-out the Stadium to keep up with their own financial universe that is currently riddled with debt on the new park.  But the down-ticks in attendance nation-wide are all beginning to be realized.

The Yankee era that started in the late 90's will end any season now.  ALL good things come to an end.  Joe Girardi's drama with Jorge Posada will only be the first in a series of flare-ups as the careers of some of these greats wind down.  Joe Girardi will be in the unenviable position of having to make many more unpopular decisions.  Only next year, Cashman won't be around to have his back.

There will be little to no patience for another stripped down version of the Yankees while a new core is drafted and groomed through the system.  The Monster in the Bronx requires much more to feed on in order to sustain itself.

I envision Randy Levine and his puppet Front Office throwing bad money, after bad money, after bad money, trying to keep the momentum in the Bronx lukewarm at best.


The Steinbrenner Ownership:  How Much Is That Empire In The Window?
So...,  Let's face it, the children have never been overly fascinated by this aspect of Daddy's life.  For all intents and purposes, Hal Steinbrenner is the only real player here.  And he's already admitted to us all, the only things he's really good at in this Baseball enterprise is crunching numbers. 

I'm going to share a gut feeling with you.  I think as soon as the debt on the new park becomes a little more negotiable, the remaining Steinbrenners will look to sell their interest in the franchise and cash in on Daddy's Empire.

And what you may find even more incredulous of me to say, it can happen within the next five years.



Mike.BTB

N.Y. YANKEES ~ Posada Deserves A Free Pass

From the desk of:  BLAME CARLOS MAY




new york YANKEES: ...Because Breaking Up Is Hard To Do.

Jorge Posada was wrong Saturday.   There's no getting around that.   But I'm not about to start bashing Jorge's actions prior to game time nor for his post-game follow-up.   If you have an understanding that most careers do not end on the greatest of terms, Saturday's incident would preclude you from criticizing Jorge also.

There is a constant in sports and with players; - athletes almost never go out on top.  They're usually forced into retirement because a replacement arrived, or they don't heal/recover from injuries as well as they once did.  Or, their skills have eroded to the point where the club is forced to take action against said player.  Those are just a few of many reasons why careers end on less than positive notes and we see it all the time. 

It's the rare occasion when a player retires "on-time".  That in itself is an arbitrary and wholly subjective time-stamp though.   But big letters on a wall are easy to read when you don't ignore they're there.  Players rarely take the initiative and alleviate clubs from having to make unpopular decisions against them.  Millions of modern day dollars make players even more reluctant to exercise pragmatism when their skills, stature, and role on the team all come into question.  But when a team is ultimately compelled to take action, it's almost always a contentious situation.  Many times the player takes it as a slight and views it as a form of disrespect.  How much they decide to wear their emotions on their sleeves and share their displeasure with the Media is another matter.  But this is not a posting regarding issues of comportment.
The distasteful wrangling and public debate involved in determining when a career should end sort of becomes a pseudo-arbitration hearing that takes place in the last three to four years of a player's career as opposed to the actual Arbitration process that takes place after the player's fourth year in the Bigs.  The player's side makes their case for a chance at positive career advancement while the club issues a manifesto as to why said player does not deserve the player's asking price.  It forces negativity upon the situation.
A player's waining years similarly place player and club into a contentious confrontation.  A player sets out to justify his continued value to the team, while the club sometimes is looking for the career, or just their time together, to end.



Jorge Posada:  His Pinstripes Didn't Bend.
Ladies and Gentlemen; Yankee Fans of all ages....allow me to introduce you to whom I think was your real/unofficial/un-named Yankee Captain; Jorge Posada. 

That's Right!  I said it. 

Derek Jeter was named Captain of the Yankees because The Boss thought he exuded Yankee Class, Winning, and confident Yankee Stoicism in a hot bed like NYC.  That's cool with me.  I'm not going there. 

But Jorge Posada was the Yankees' back-bone in a most literal sense.  For all his fire, passion, and grit, he never received his full share of respect.  He wasn't the best or flashiest player in Pinstripes.  He had flaws.., like fans; like regular people; like us!  But he provided the Yankees with something very few of his team mates over the years couldn't or wouldn't provide; - like I said - A Back-Bone, and a Response. 

Jorge Posada above all Yankee regulars over his years here, has been the one player who consistently was willing to face the more dastardly aspects of Baseball head-on.  I simply remind you of the playoffs versus Boston and the verbal/visual exchange Jorge and Pedro Martinez engaged in.  That would probably be the most famous instance, but that protectionist spirit of his was a nightly attribute.  During those Torre Years, the book was out on the Yankees.  They were capable of being PUNKED-Out.  If no one else, Jorge Posada was always the first to say, That Wouldn't Fly.

Back in the days of the heated Mariners/Yankees Rivalries, tempers often flared up causing both teams to empty dugouts and bullpens numerous times.  When A-Rod still played in Seattle, Derek Jeter was infamously criticized many times for conveniently finding Alex Rodriguez in the crowd and therefore, cancelling each other out (even smiling and laughing along the way).

Once upon a time a left fielder named Chad Curtis dared criticize the Captain for such cowardly acts.  He was disappeared to the Island of Misfit and Outspoken Yankees.  Jorge Posada wouldn't have thrown Jeter under the bus like Curtis did to the Media.  But Jorge's actions on the field speak loud and clear.  Then after a game, he'd be the one to say what everyone was thinking; while only speaking for himself of course, but speaking loudly so as to be heard.  That's Jorge.

Hip Hip...to that!

But here's something I'm not so Hip on. 

I never did subscribe to the Big Brother-Little Brother cow-chip the Media always tried to throw at us in the late 1990's when discussing the relationship between Jorge Posada and Joe Girardi.  That's over-rated.  I remember Jorge chomping at the bit, dying to get Girardi out of the way so as to become the everyday starter.  And I'm just guessing and stabbing here - but why wouldn't Jorge be somewhat puzzled as to why Girardi received so much credit for Jorge's early successes?  Hmmm?  How ponderous is it Girardi gets too much credit for training his understudy and now finds himself as the guy trying to take him out?

It would seem to me Joe Girardi has been more of a hindrance to Jorge's early and late career like a recurring bout of herpes.  He doesn't know how he came across Joe.  All Posada knows is that he just can't make him totally go away.  And while Joe was in remission, Jorge Posada went on to total more RBI than any other catcher in Baseball during the 2000's.  Ever since Joe flared back into Jorge's life a few years ago, things have been going down hill for the embattled ex-catcher ever since.  Saturday night, Jorge's dilemma was clearly with his lips and it showed.



OLD CODES Need Not Apply:

In Baseball, retirement is now more often than not, an ugly, unsympathetic, character testing process.  Modern Baseball has made the decision to retire or release, that much more cut-throat because of the money involved.  It used to be, the last few days of a career were times we (fans and owners) knowingly looked the other way out of respect for their years of hometown play.  But with that accorded respect, a return of favor was somewhat expected.  A silent acknowledgement by the player often set in motion a plan to set the Date of Announcement; On-Field and on-going celebrations of appreciation, and an opportunity for the player to leave the game with dignity while in front of  adoring fans and in a setting that also gave ball clubs an honest and genuine opportunity to share their own warm sentiments and regard.

Bad times are a brewing in the Bronx.  I'm dying to get into this in my next post.  Meanwhile, Brian Cashman, Joe Girardi, and Jorge Posada are three converging forces and it's not good.  Only Posada runs the risk of getting subducted.  Cashman is intent on being a schmuck the rest of his time in the Bronx.  He's gone.  He's dishing out a bad attitude any chance he gets these days knowing he's leaving.  He isn't sticking around and putting up with Randy Levine anymore.  Girardi still has a job to do and this will not be the last time Girardi and Posada bump heads this season.  There is no love between the two.  Girardi has slighted him too many times as manager for his catching.  More of this is definitely on the way should Posada continue to struggle and chose not to retire.

And Jorge?  Jorge Posada Day at 161st Street and River Avenue this summer would be glorious for everybody.  Why risk a bad slip and fall when you can go out in the grandest of fashion?

Mike.BTB

BASEBALL ~ Meandering Around The Bases

New York Mets
New York Yankees
Atlantic League
Brooklyn Cyclones



NEW YORK METS ~ I didn't see the game tonight because I was in Yankee Stadium paying $9.50 for a bottle-o-brew, $6.00 for an ice cream, $12.00 for two sodas, $35.00 on a program and Yearbook, and $4.50 for a bag of nuts! 

A bag of NUTS I said! 

That's nothing.  My son bought a $7.00 bag of pop-corn and a $30.00 teddy bear for his girl.  Ugh! 
Whatever, ....it's his life.

But after winning six games in a row, there's not much I would have wanted to say about tonight's loss to the Nationals anyway.  And besides, Livan Hernandez was pitching.  That means we had no shot.  When ever he faces us he turns into Greg "freakin" Maddux.  I haven't seen anyone be more successful dealing junk since Sanford and Son was on TV.  He pitched eight innings; walked only one while striking-out five.  That's just another day in La Officina for Senor Hernandez when he pitches against us.  It's Amazin'.

But put the Nationals in the rear-view mirror now like I try and do with my son's girl.  Because we're headed to Philly for a weekend series.  Although he's finally coming off an impressive win his last time out, Mike Pelfrey hasn't been feeling at all well lately, but he said he's fine and ready for tomorrow's series opener.  He'll be followed by Jon Niese and Chris Young this series.  Jon Niese is still looking to find a groove.  But he and I are square.  Chris Young however, who is coming back from a passing arm situation, has looked quite good in his starts.  I'll definitely give him that.  But, I'll be honest with you.  I'm still indifferent to him.  He'll grow on me.

The Mets' win streak might be over, but it doesn't mean their hot-streak needs to take a hit along with it.  They've recovered nicely from a miserable start to the month and regained a large degree of respectability by the way they've rebounded when faced with rapidly mounting adversity.  Terry Collins is another individual who still needs to grow on me.  But just before they went on this latest streak, it looks now, like Panic Mode was just what the Doctor ordered.  Then stir in some wily early-April moves by Sandy Alderson and some late month clutch hitting along the way and.....

......Well, maybe now they can go into Philly and end this month on a most positive note.  They can't achieve a .500 record this month (11-14 with two games left in April), but they can change a lot of opinions about them with a strong showing against the Phillies.




NEW YORK YANKEES ~ As I mentioned, I was at the Stadium tonight for the final game of the Yankees/White Sox series.  It was Cousin's night out.  My cousin and I with our two sons made for a hilarious night.  Trust me on that one.  I was sporting a White Sox jersey.

The Yankees took the last two games of the series after dropping the first two.  Aside from the fun I had, tonight's game also turned into a laugher for the Yankees.  Ozzie Guillen didn't get tossed out this time but I'm sure he wanted to be somewhere else during a 12-3 Yankee undressing.

C.C. Sabathia (2-1) gave up three runs, all in the seventh inning, but non of them earned.  Before that, C.C. shut the ChiSox down over the first six innings he worked.  He only issued one walk and struck out six.  He did however commit a balk.

Brett Gardner hit his second homerun of the series and third of the season.  Nick Swisher also added a shot into the second deck in right.  Derek Jeter had the night off and Jorge Posada still can't hit.  Jorge was 0-4 tonight is now batting .130 for the season. 

Here's the nice part of that; I didn't hear not one person BOO Jorge.  That's a Good Job.

ATLANTIC LEAGUE BASEBALL ~ Friday is Opening Night for the fourteenth season of Atlantic League Baseball:

Road Warriors @ Lancaster Barnstormers
Camden River Sharks @ York Revolution
Somerset Patriots @ South Maryland Blue Crabs
Long Island Ducks @ Bridgeport Bluefish

After work tomorrow, I'll be Jumpin' the Trolley and heading up to Bridgeport, Connecticut, to take in Game One of the season.  The Bridgeport Bluefish will host the Long Island Ducks in the first Atlantic League ballpark ever built; Harbor Yards.



Lover Boy Pookie Bear might tag along because his girl gotta work.  That's fine, just don't hold me up.  When I say it' time to Trolley-up, I'm out.  I have zero problem going by myself; do it all the time.  I just make friends there for the night.

Play Ball!

BROOKLYN CYCLONES

CYCLONES 2011 TICKETS GO ON SALE SUNDAY MORNING!

Mike.BTB

N.Y. YANKEES ~ Brian Cashman Doesn't Mince Words

From the desk of:  Blame Carlos May




New York Yankees:  The GM laughs little, jokes less, and just doesn't play at all.


There's only one way I can classify Yankee GM Brian Cashman's comments regarding Pedro Feliciano.  First this is the Tweet by YES Network's Jack Curry:

@JackCurryYES   Jack Curry Feliciano led the major lgs in appearances with the Mets the last 3 yrs. "He was abused," Cashman said

 

Cashman's comments were a direct indictment levied against the New York Mets.  As for what I think of that comment? - It's completely comical and absurd.  And his increasing curt choice of words delivered with a smug matter-of-fact cockiness is an ongoing indication of how high Cashman's ego has skyrocketed over the last few years.

Why I think his comments are comical have nothing to do with his taking a jab and my team of choice; the New York Mets.  No; Cashman's choice words to describe the situation he and his off season bullpen acquisition find themselves in are a reflection of Cashman himself knowing full well the work load Feliciano has endured these last three years and signed him anyway.  Feliciano is the latest in a long line of horrible pitching acquisitions by Cashman.  Maybe I'll get into that more later.  But you know who they are. 

Going back to Mariano Rivera's first year as an understudy under John Wetteland...Now that was abuse.  I believe he had over 100 innings pitched as a reliever.  Every year Joe Torre had at least one mule that he abused and they were never the same again.  Because when Joe Torre didn't trust you, someone else's arm was going to get spent.

If Pedro Feliciano didn't break down he'd be a work horse and Cashman would have authored a savvy signing.  But because the "known to be overly taxed" reliever now finds himself on the Yankees DL, he suddenly became a victim of Met Abuse.  Forget that the Mets knew enough not to sign him.  How convenient for Cashman to say such a thing.  If Brian Cashman believes that to be so, then it's time for the Mets to set up a Hot-Line so as to prevent this from ever happening again.  How dare Brian Cashman sign a former Met who suddenly became damaged goods.  We owe him better than that.  Did we forget our lot in life?

But it's more than just Feliciano.  Brian Cashman has come a long long way since his days as a Yankee intern.  He now rules them with an iron fist and a tongue laced with a dismissive attitude to boot.  He was once the master of saying nothing.  Now-a-days what he says and how he says it, is an astonishing listen in SMUG - straight out of the School of Robert Moses for Effective Dismissive Speaking and Advancements in Elitism.

Working backwards, the most recent line in the sand he drew was with Jeter's off-season contract extension.  The General Manager's demeanor took an unusually disparaging approach in his negotiations.  A "be-lucky-you-still-have-a-job" Cashman gauntlet prevents Jorge Posada from "ever" being the Yankees' prideful backstop again.  Then there's Joba.  In my opinion, the Yankees, and Cashman in particular ruined this kid. And Brian Cashman seems so "Oh Well" about Joba's status.  The GM was very displeased with the apparent shape the young hurler came into camp in.  But in describing his lack of satisfaction with the situation, he chose to use some very cutting words.

Let's go further; - Back to when A-Rod and Scott Boras chose to use the World Series as their personal platform to announce they were opting out of the rest of their contract (signed with Texas) the Yankees were now in possession of.  Brian Cashman ever so matter-of-factly, basically told Alex Rodriguez to beat it.  I'd bet the word "scram" was even a thought.  If the decision were left solely to Cashman, A-Rod would not be a Yankee today.

There are more players; more instances.  Think Bernie Williams.  Think Andy Pettitte the first time.

But think back to the ultimatum he challenged George Steinbrenner with.  Brian was prepared to walk out the door but still offered advice on what needed to be done in order for the Yankees to maintain sustained success.  Some of Cashman's plans addressed the farm system, and other parts of his plan covered salary controls.  But most of all, Brian Cashman insisted George dis-ban the little gaggle of subversives in Tampa; Team Tamper as I used to call them.  George always played his GM's against his boys in Tampa; among them, pitching "guru" Billy Connors.  Cashman basically told George it's either them or me, but someone has to go.  So George said, OK Brian.  Stay, and you'll have full control.  But now your posterior is on the line.. - is basically the tone Boss held with his emboldened GM (almost former GM).

Ever since then, Brian Cashman has spoken with a tongue as shape as a Ginsu.

He now operates like someone who knows he's ready to leave and will walk on the edge just for fun because quitting or getting fired is something he can give less that two fungos about at this point in his Yankee career.

I'm not saying any of this is a bad thing; or good - I'm just saying.  It's interesting to remember where he came from within this organization, to the megalomaniac he's slowly growing into now.







Mike.BTB

NYY ~ Mystic & Aura Have Left the Building

Since the first of September the New York Yankees have had a certain "AURA" about them; but not a completely positive one.  As a result, the Bombers won a game and one additional inning to give their fans an indication they could repeat as champions.  Somewhere the message got lost in translation and the Wild Card winning New York Yankees, who dispatched the Twins, (the team with the best record in the A.L.) in the first round ALDS, got swept in "five" games by the Texas Rangers in the ALCS.

The Champions will not defend their title.

Girardi and his binder made many questionable moves not just in this series, but in the month in September; managing more with an eye on the play-offs and setting things up, getting role players some time and sacrificing an inning here and a game there, for the sake of forward thinking. I'm not going to say winning the division would have changed anything. What I'm pointing out was the sense of "settling" for a Wild Card, when everyone, Yankee fans and Haters alike, are accustomed to a radically different mentality when driving the Bronx Bus. Times are a changin'. There was no impending outburst or rant from the Boss for thinking anything differently than what a Champion should be thinking.  This time the Yankees seemed content driving in the middle lane down the stretch.


The Yankees seemed to have no pressing need to win the division title.  They seemed quite satisfied winning the Wild Card with the thinking all they have to do is make the playoffs and then it's a whole new ball game as if to imply there would be a switch Joe Girardi could flick-on once the post-season commenced.

Then, once in the playoffs, there was a willingness by the Yankees, in the face of elimination, to compromise their chances of winning game 4 by dredging through the ongoing swamp of extraneous factors mucking the relationship between AJ Burnett and Jorge Posada. The fact they seemingly escaped that dilemma up until an intentional walk and a blast, had more to do with Girardi's binder than Jorge playing or AJ's grapefruit belt-high pitch.  The fact AJ almost uncorked a wild pitch on an intentional walk just made it look ugly.

It's unfair however to come crumbling down on Joe Girardi though.  His binder is co-authored.  Joe Girardi is Brian Cashman's guy because of Brian's belief (not reliance) in new Sabermatrician(ism) (?) and Girardi's willingness to implement it.  Cashman by the way, is a "horse" of another Garage.  He needs a separate post all to himself.

The problems the Bombers faced this series ran deeper than questionable moves by Girardi or faulty starting pitching.  The fact the Yankees suffered from a shocking lack of situational hitting and clutch at-bats should surprise no one.  Some how this line-up has been, for some years now, susceptible to getting bogged-down in 2-1 games or shut-outs,and in 1,2 or 3 hit affairs.  When you populate a line-up with sluggers and cheap out on the little slap and scrap hitters, this is what happens.  What works against one GasHouse Gorilla, can be used on all GasHouse Gorillas.

For this series, Mark Teixeira (before his injury) and Alex Rodriguez were dreadful as the three and four hitters.  Derek Jeter was either "0-for" or struggling to achieve 2 for 5.  Without going through the whole line-up, Robinson Cano was the only Yankee slugger living up to the Bronx Bomber moniker.  The Millionaires Club was stifled in a manner reminiscent of the Florida Marlins locking down Yankee bats in 2003.  Last night's one run/three hit effort is a testament.

What also lends itself to the oddity which was the Yankees' 2010 season down the stretch and into the playoffs was the lack of electricity at Yankee Stadium.  The crowds had their moments but they were few and sporadic at best.  The frenzy of Playoff Baseball in Yankee Stadium was strangely absent this October.

Not only was the Stadium quiet, if not muted, it emptied in droves further highlighting the sporadic fans sitting in the Billionaire's Club seating.  Never once did the place stay packed in the hopes the Ghosts would help the Yankees to a comeback win.  That undying faith couldn't get a ticket to the game this year.  The obvious gaps of empty seats as viewed on TV still plays out as an embarrassment for the Yankees.  Sadly, so many of the zaniest and passionate fans; the ones who'd jump up and down, screaming their enthusiasm have been priced out and as a result there are less of those types in the park.

If the Yankees still had games to play this October this would all be constructive criticism.  But because they lost, this is more of an indictment.

And now all the talk of AGE and how it plays a part on this Yankee roster creeps back into the conversation with regard to all their veterans (and contract status'...Jeter).  Why?  Because they lost.  That's the way it goes.

I have been speaking to the Yankees increasing age and demise for a couple of years now within my circles (of course).  Last year was a total monkey wrench into my spokes in that line of thinking.  Championships can do that.  But who anticipated the Yankees spending half a billion dollars on three players (CC, AJ, and TEX) over the course of a month and a half.  They effectively paid to stave off the aging process and it's affects in the short term, but the problem obviously still persists.

One more year into an uncertain future with regards to Jeter's contract, Andy potentially retiring, Mo and Jorge's ability to endure and some other items of concern, means the Bombers are one year closer to the reality this Era of Yankee Baseball is almost at it's end.  The days of Jeter, Mo, Posada and Andy together are coming to an end sooner than later. They will take with them the memories and history of the Glory Years.

Alex Rodriguez in the fading and flickering years of this Era, will still be around to watch the door finally close and he'll be left as the poster child for the demise of this Bomber Era.  I don't believe ALL was forgiven with regards to ARod, for all his insecurity and oddities, once he won a Championship last year.  All the minutiae that revolves around him still will be viewed with polarizing goggles much in the same manner he watched a strike three end the Yankees' season last night; with apathy and/or disdain.  Just remember; Brian Cashman wanted Alex Rodriguez gone.  But instead he will be the Poster Child for the End.




The Laws of Baseball are universal like the Laws of the Universe.  As it pertains here, you can't win them all.  The Yankees' large expenditures allow them to sustain competitiveness on a yearly basis.  That however does not guarantee them Championships.  In that respect, all remains well in the Universe.

However, in Club Evil Empire things have taken a turn for the strange.  Something has been lost.  Perhaps Mystic and Aura, 9 years later aren't the vibrant, glittering glamour gals they were back in 2001.  Their hips just can't take the rigors of pole dancing anymore.  They're more the soccer-mom types now.

Age withers us all.



Mike.BTB

Jorge Posada...the Jack Morris of Catchers

 

 

 

Jorge Posada is one of my guys.  Let's be clear.  A comment I made to: http://southernbelle.mlblogs.com/   "Live, Eat, and Breathe Yankees"....it inspired me to pen this post.

Jorge Posada will never get the true credit for being, in a most literal sense, the Yankees Back Bone.  Jorge has always been willing to stick his neck out for his team mates, when so many of them over the last 8 years have not.  He was always willing to do what needed to be done when so many wouldn't, even if it meant going against the Yankee way.  Who else I ask you?  Who? - ...took it upon himself to send an occasional message to the American League, Don't Mistake Our Kindness For Our Weakness! (my words to express the sentiment).  I defy you to compile that list for me.  Jorge always had his team mates backs!  So many would never step their game up and bring to the game what, at times, the situation dictated.

Because he's in the shadow of Jete and ARod, and other players and contracts of yor..(Giambi et-al), Jorge has to simmer inside.  He often gets criticized.  Sometimes it's warranted when it concerns defense, but I'm not here to speak of that today.

Casey Stengel used to say of Yogi Berra, "I never play without my Guy".  Whether Yogi was behind the dish, left field or first base, Casey always played with his Guy.  The Yankees more than ever are reliant on their GUY!. Jorge Posada.  He gets knocked, disrespected, barreled over, nicked and under appreciated for all of it.  Pitchers and their issues are no less guilty contributing to this phenomena.  But I will tell you those same pitchers love him when he connects in clutch moments.  WHO'S Knocking Jorge Then?  You know who you are!! And I'm Not Even A Yankee Friendly!!  I'm talking to you "select" Yankee fans.  You know who alright.

No catcher has more RBI over the last 10 years in baseball.  Championships?  He's moving on to the next hand.  I'll say as it stands today, no he is not a Hall of Famer.  He's close...Real close.  He should be able to solidify our opinions over the next 2 years if hopefully Father Time is good to him.  Let's see.

(baseball almanac.com)

Until then he is like the Jack Morris of Catchers. 

That's not a bad thing. 

Jorge is still one of my Guys no matter what!

Hip-Hip  Jorge!!

Hip-Hip  Jorge!!

How's that Yankee fans?

(Jorge Posada pic: keeperleaguegm.com)

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