....Or should I say, The Almost All-the-Stars Game?
I’ll be honest; I haven’t cared about the All*Star Game since the early 90′s. But I'm a passionate Baseball fan who still cares enough that it be done right and players come correct. So in light of Derek Jeter getting his 3,000th hit, I thought he should go to Arizona if only just to tip his cap. It’s a simple matter of respecting the fans who foot the bill for everything; to include these parks and mega-million dollar salaries.
Baseball, more than any other sport lives in its' past as well as it’s present. And because Baseball clings so dearly to it’s history, I feel Jeter should have recognized the significance of his achievement and shared it on a grander stage by managing an appearance. Sometimes there’s a thing called living up to responsibilities even when we don’t feel like it. It’s called being an adult. If he was OK to go 5 for 5 the other day and tip-toe up the dugout steps for a curtain call, then he’s OK enough to say hello in Arizona.
But not so much with Jeter; he's generally cool with me. My ire really rests with players as a whole. I really put blame on the players (the guilty ones who ruin it for the others...like steroids did!) becoming bigger than the game of baseball itself, rather than the other way around. And yes, it's because of their salaries. Once, players wouldn't even think of missing the All*Star Game because of the bonuses involved. This year, an all-time high number of players missed or skipped out on the game. But players of the past also thought of it as a privilege to represent their respective cities; yes, back when players were bound, and yet in most cases loyal, to few teams in their careers and before agents decided what was in players' best interests.
But when I say they've become bigger than the game, it's because of the overall apathy the players feel towards the A.S. game itself. I see the All*Star Game as part of their work place environment and as such, attendance is of the utmost importance. But being a ballplayer is living a somewhat charmed life, and there is simply no structure when they don’t want structure. Structure is OK when they decide upon it. And so because the inmates are running the asylum in Selig's zany world of Baseball, we get stupid, impotent rules like making the All-Star Game decide home field advantage in the World Series. Why? Because there is no such thing as making a player feel guilty about not going as long as he's getting paid guaranteed money.
Being a player is hard work with long hours. They get days off only after every twenty-something consecutive days with grueling travel in between. I get that. But this is part of the job description and the fact of the matter is the All-Star Game is, or should be, above the player and more about the fan; just like it was originally intended to be back in the 1930's. Everything is great when it comes to taking our money. But the All-Star Game is about giving back.
So yes, because of the money ballplayers make, in the name of Henry Chadwick, humble yourselves and show up. I'm not asking them to do anything that hasn't been done before them, and by many who were genuinely happy to be there.
It’s a jaded view; I know. But it's also the truth.
Mike.BTB
Thursday, July 14, 2011
BKN/NJ NETS ~ Jay-Z Takes His Place Over Flatbush
From the desk of: THE HOOPS OF FLATBUSH
Over the last year, Nets' guard, Deron Williams, has been featured most prominently around downtown Brooklyn in the team's signage campaign. It now seems as if the Nets are entering a new phase in their billboard blitz.
In now, the second summer of construction on Barclays Center; which officially puts Barclays' opening at one year away as the arena is scheduled to hold events in the Summer of 2012; - the team's minority share owner, Jay-Z, is taking on a more visible role in his team's transition to Brooklyn; ....a much more visible role.
POST SCRIPT ~ NetsDaily.com via Twitter, told me the reson why Deron Williams was pulled from the billboard campaign was due to the Lock-Out. And added...,
"....Jay-Z was ideal and necessary."
Above Dean Street and Flatbush Avenue, and across the street from the construction site of the Nets' future home, Jigga Man himself now sounds the call...,
WELCOME TO BROOKLYN
BARCLAYS CENTER
July 14, 2011
Views from Flatbush Avenue.
Looking towards 6th Avenue and Atlantic Avenue from Dean Street.
View from 6th Avenue.
Mike.BTB
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
BKN Cyclones ~ Sandy Bobble-head Night; NYPD Appreciation
From the desk of: THE SURF AVENUE SLUGGERS
BROOKLYN CYCLONES: The Coney Island Nine dropped below the .500 mark tonight with a loss to the Auburn Doubledays.
The Cyclones are in the middle of a rough stretch as they have now dropped eight of their last eleven games. Auburn jumped out to an early first inning lead and never looked back. They only managed four hits for the game. A couple of errors and some bad base running by the Cyclones made their night look worse. And getting hit by four pitches made this game hurt. The final score was 9-3 in favor of Auburn.
The gang from SNY and WFAN were in Coney Island tonight to call the Brooklyn Cyclones game against the Auburn Doubledays. It was NYPD Appreciation Night and the home crowd was treated to a Sandy the Seagull Bobble-head adorned in full NYPD uniform.
BROOKLYN CYCLONES: The Coney Island Nine dropped below the .500 mark tonight with a loss to the Auburn Doubledays.
The Cyclones are in the middle of a rough stretch as they have now dropped eight of their last eleven games. Auburn jumped out to an early first inning lead and never looked back. They only managed four hits for the game. A couple of errors and some bad base running by the Cyclones made their night look worse. And getting hit by four pitches made this game hurt. The final score was 9-3 in favor of Auburn.
* * * * *
The gang from SNY and WFAN were in Coney Island tonight to call the Brooklyn Cyclones game against the Auburn Doubledays. It was NYPD Appreciation Night and the home crowd was treated to a Sandy the Seagull Bobble-head adorned in full NYPD uniform.
Visiting Auburn takes infield and batting practice.
Today's line-up and New York-Penn League stats.
SNY's Bob Ojeda during pre-game takes.
660 WFAN's Adam the Bull and John Minko were on hand to broadcast the game
with the help from John Franco.
Before the game, BROOKLYN BURGER sponsored a hamburger eating contest.
The winner was Gentleman Joe;
who surpassed his own record by eating 16 hamburgers in five minutes.
The Burger Champ showed off his team autographed jersey
during a photo-op with Pee Wee.
Tonight was NYPD Appreciation Night at MCU Park.
Sandy the Seagull bobble-heads, in full NYPD uniform were given out to the crowd.
Mike.BTB
N.Y. METS ~ Stealthy Alderson Strikes In The Night
From the desk of: HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET
NEW YORK METS: Sandy Alderson Has Now Purged $23 Million Dollars of Minaya Money in 2011. Rescuing the Wilpons From Their Closer's $17.5 Million Dollar Option Is His Biggest Save to Date.
Sandy Alderson may have just recorded the biggest Save of next season for the Mets' Front Office by finding a team willing to take on the albatross of Francisco Rodriguez' looming 2012 option for a whopping $17.5 million dollars.
Milwaukee, not averse to taking chances these last few years, will hide their best minor leaguers from a prospecting Sandy Alderson, who will be given a list of players to choose two returnees from. Or, in other words, this was a straight up salary dump and the Mets were less interested in getting players back than they were just ridding themselves of K-Rod and next years' salary. But the Milwaukee Brewers have drafted extremely well over the last five to seven years and I'm sure Sandy Alderson; DePodesta; and Ricciardi will find something of worth within Milwaukee's system to satisfy the trade.
I'm not calling this the official start of Cleaning House. This is a deal that needed to be done regardless of the Mets position in the standings. But the fact is with no trade rumors circulating and no hints or leaks this deal was in the works, it means Sandy Alderson is working the phones furiously and doing it smartly.
I guess the biggest question is... Is this really the start of the Grand Purge? The trading of Carlos Beltran will go a long way towards answering that question. In order to be in contention for a playoff spot, the Mets need Carlos Beltran in the line-up. And, they and need to supplement him with an additional bat. And quite honestly folks, I don't think that's happening; not when the Mets are paying people to leave Flushing.
It's no big stretch to say Money is dictating what the Mets do between now and the end of the season. The official purge of (Omar) Minaya Money is now up to $23 million dollars in 2011. The Mets sent $5 million dollars to Milwaukee as part of the K-Rod deal. When you factor in the $12 million they ate with Oliver Perez, and the $6 million dollars they swallowed on Luis Castillo, there is no smart way the Mets can justify taking on more salary now to supplement the team with a slugger. Besides, paying their way out of 2011 just might clear up enough dollars to resign Jose Reyes next year; however doubtful.
If anything, this should serve as notice; A Plan; ...The Plan is in place. I believe Sandy Alderson did his research upon being named Mets' GM and came to Flushing with a plan in mind but was open and willing to let events on the field perhaps reshape his vision of the team. But I'm afraid on July 13th, one game over .500 (46-45); isn't enough to reshape a lump of Play-Do.
Changes are coming for sure. But I don't think they may be as drastic as we all think. I said in my last posting, injuries have thwarted a full scale shake up of this team. Injuries may very well keep most of these players together heading into next season; save Jose Reyes and his pending free agency.
After a potential trade of Carlos Beltran, that's all the Mets can realistically pull off; unless other teams find value in some periphery players and are willing to part with raw minor leaguers for a player who can supplement their bench or serve a utility roll. But again, just like the trading of K-Rod, a trade of Beltran is being precipitated by other, more pressing factors than just being competitive or not.
In some far from blockbuster deals, I'm looking for teams to have interest in R.A. Dickey, Daniel Murphy; and Izzy. Izzy is already on the block per Sandy Alderson. But we need to come to grips that Daniel Murphy simple doesn't have a job on this team when Ike Davis and David Wright are on the field. And the results of his outfield play speak for themselves. I like Murph; who doesn't? We all know he can hit a baseball well. But perhaps he'd be better suited to play in the American League where he can DH more often. His bat can potentially garner a good prospect in return.
As good as R.A. Dickey has been for the Mets, they should consider selling high with him. Next years rotation will include a returning Johan Santana, and now young regulars, Niese and Gee. I'll assume the Mets still have loads of patience with Mike Pelfrey and so that leaves one starting spot left, which I think Sandy Alderson is content with promoting another arm from the farm. And there are a few arms to chose from.
The trade deadline is eighteen days away. Sandy Alderson just traded the first big name of the season. No one saw it coming although we all knew it would happen. That's a good GM move. Now we can officially expect more to come.
Mike.BTB
NEW YORK METS: Sandy Alderson Has Now Purged $23 Million Dollars of Minaya Money in 2011. Rescuing the Wilpons From Their Closer's $17.5 Million Dollar Option Is His Biggest Save to Date.
Sandy Alderson may have just recorded the biggest Save of next season for the Mets' Front Office by finding a team willing to take on the albatross of Francisco Rodriguez' looming 2012 option for a whopping $17.5 million dollars.
Milwaukee, not averse to taking chances these last few years, will hide their best minor leaguers from a prospecting Sandy Alderson, who will be given a list of players to choose two returnees from. Or, in other words, this was a straight up salary dump and the Mets were less interested in getting players back than they were just ridding themselves of K-Rod and next years' salary. But the Milwaukee Brewers have drafted extremely well over the last five to seven years and I'm sure Sandy Alderson; DePodesta; and Ricciardi will find something of worth within Milwaukee's system to satisfy the trade.
I'm not calling this the official start of Cleaning House. This is a deal that needed to be done regardless of the Mets position in the standings. But the fact is with no trade rumors circulating and no hints or leaks this deal was in the works, it means Sandy Alderson is working the phones furiously and doing it smartly.
I guess the biggest question is... Is this really the start of the Grand Purge? The trading of Carlos Beltran will go a long way towards answering that question. In order to be in contention for a playoff spot, the Mets need Carlos Beltran in the line-up. And, they and need to supplement him with an additional bat. And quite honestly folks, I don't think that's happening; not when the Mets are paying people to leave Flushing.
It's no big stretch to say Money is dictating what the Mets do between now and the end of the season. The official purge of (Omar) Minaya Money is now up to $23 million dollars in 2011. The Mets sent $5 million dollars to Milwaukee as part of the K-Rod deal. When you factor in the $12 million they ate with Oliver Perez, and the $6 million dollars they swallowed on Luis Castillo, there is no smart way the Mets can justify taking on more salary now to supplement the team with a slugger. Besides, paying their way out of 2011 just might clear up enough dollars to resign Jose Reyes next year; however doubtful.
If anything, this should serve as notice; A Plan; ...The Plan is in place. I believe Sandy Alderson did his research upon being named Mets' GM and came to Flushing with a plan in mind but was open and willing to let events on the field perhaps reshape his vision of the team. But I'm afraid on July 13th, one game over .500 (46-45); isn't enough to reshape a lump of Play-Do.
Changes are coming for sure. But I don't think they may be as drastic as we all think. I said in my last posting, injuries have thwarted a full scale shake up of this team. Injuries may very well keep most of these players together heading into next season; save Jose Reyes and his pending free agency.
After a potential trade of Carlos Beltran, that's all the Mets can realistically pull off; unless other teams find value in some periphery players and are willing to part with raw minor leaguers for a player who can supplement their bench or serve a utility roll. But again, just like the trading of K-Rod, a trade of Beltran is being precipitated by other, more pressing factors than just being competitive or not.
In some far from blockbuster deals, I'm looking for teams to have interest in R.A. Dickey, Daniel Murphy; and Izzy. Izzy is already on the block per Sandy Alderson. But we need to come to grips that Daniel Murphy simple doesn't have a job on this team when Ike Davis and David Wright are on the field. And the results of his outfield play speak for themselves. I like Murph; who doesn't? We all know he can hit a baseball well. But perhaps he'd be better suited to play in the American League where he can DH more often. His bat can potentially garner a good prospect in return.
As good as R.A. Dickey has been for the Mets, they should consider selling high with him. Next years rotation will include a returning Johan Santana, and now young regulars, Niese and Gee. I'll assume the Mets still have loads of patience with Mike Pelfrey and so that leaves one starting spot left, which I think Sandy Alderson is content with promoting another arm from the farm. And there are a few arms to chose from.
The trade deadline is eighteen days away. Sandy Alderson just traded the first big name of the season. No one saw it coming although we all knew it would happen. That's a good GM move. Now we can officially expect more to come.
Mike.BTB
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Atlantic League ~ Long Island To Get A Second Team?
Professional Baseball has committed themselves to Nassau County. Now the question is if Nassau County is committed to Baseball.
The Atlantic League has already struck a deal to expand to Nassau County, Long Island, pending approval of a $400 million dollar loan from the taxpayers in order to fund construction of a new baseball park, and a new arena for the New York Islanders Hockey Club. The vote to approve a tax hike will take place on August 1st. Raising taxes has always been a volatile subject on Long Island. The County's return will come from revenue sharing. But the project also needs approval from New York State as well, ever since they took over control of Nassau County's check book. So, a Yes Vote on this spending package isn't a sure thing by any stretch of the imagination.
Frank Boulton; Long Island Ducks owner; Founder and CEO of the Atlantic League; would own the new team as well. His group was approved by Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano over another group which included Sterling Equities; i.e. - The Wilpons (N.Y. Mets). This is the second time the Mets looked into relocating or placing a minor league team in Nassau County and failed. Just a few years ago they looked into relocating their AA-club to Long Island.
In the July 12th edition of the N.Y. Post, writer Kieran Crowley reported,
I'm not quite sure I follow. The Newark Bears are currently under new ownership and are participating in their first season in the Canadian/American League; coming after twelve years in, and being one of the original Atlantic League teams from 1998.
But that little perceived inaccuracy on my part, doesn't preclude the Bears from being sold again, or just moving the team to Nassau County under their current ownership. Except for all the rich tradition and history Newark Baseball represents, which they'd potentially be leaving behind, the move would actually make sense for them considering their poor attendance figures over the years. The reasons they switched over to the CanAm League in the first place were for cost-cutting purposes.
A new team in Long Island would of course create an instant rivalry between Suffolk County and Nassau County. It's already being dubbed, "the Expressway Series." The Ducks have been wildly successful out in eastern Long Island; routinely playing to near, if not sold out games. And Mr. Frank Boulton is assuring the County that success can be had in Nassau as well.
The people will decide on August 1st.
...And decide they will. Baseball aside, this is probably the last chance to keep the New York Islanders from moving out of the Metropolitan area. Islanders' owner; Charles Wang; is hemorrhaging cash and has had it with County officials. He went from proposing to build a privately funded Lighthouse project to waiting on the residents of Nassau County for a loan.
For Long Island; this is...ponderous! What were they thinking? They went from having someone looking to foot the bill on a new arena with an adjacent entertainment and retail destination, to polluting the plan with a baseball team and asking the residents to pick up the tab. But one thing is sure; the Islanders and Charles Wang can not remain NHL viable for much longer in the present Nassau Veteran's Memorial Coliseum. And if this loan isn't passed, kiss Hockey on Long Island good-bye. The best case scenario is Wang sells the team and the new owner then inherits the same migraine headache and problems. Sounds promising.
Brooklyn's Barclays Center has already been ruled out as a potential landing spot for the Islanders.
My personal opinion? I hope they get it right and approve the deal. Build it and they will come. I would definitely make the relatively short drive out to see a baseball team in Nassau County. And as far as the Islanders are concerned, I'd look forward to continuing the Ranger/Isles rivalry against a healthy and thriving Long Island team. But in the Islanders' case, that comes with a new arena.
Mike.BTB
The Atlantic League has already struck a deal to expand to Nassau County, Long Island, pending approval of a $400 million dollar loan from the taxpayers in order to fund construction of a new baseball park, and a new arena for the New York Islanders Hockey Club. The vote to approve a tax hike will take place on August 1st. Raising taxes has always been a volatile subject on Long Island. The County's return will come from revenue sharing. But the project also needs approval from New York State as well, ever since they took over control of Nassau County's check book. So, a Yes Vote on this spending package isn't a sure thing by any stretch of the imagination.
Frank Boulton; Long Island Ducks owner; Founder and CEO of the Atlantic League; would own the new team as well. His group was approved by Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano over another group which included Sterling Equities; i.e. - The Wilpons (N.Y. Mets). This is the second time the Mets looked into relocating or placing a minor league team in Nassau County and failed. Just a few years ago they looked into relocating their AA-club to Long Island.
In the July 12th edition of the N.Y. Post, writer Kieran Crowley reported,
"....Frank Boulton said he will bring the already-approved, but dormant, Newark team of the Atlantic League to Nassau...."
I'm not quite sure I follow. The Newark Bears are currently under new ownership and are participating in their first season in the Canadian/American League; coming after twelve years in, and being one of the original Atlantic League teams from 1998.But that little perceived inaccuracy on my part, doesn't preclude the Bears from being sold again, or just moving the team to Nassau County under their current ownership. Except for all the rich tradition and history Newark Baseball represents, which they'd potentially be leaving behind, the move would actually make sense for them considering their poor attendance figures over the years. The reasons they switched over to the CanAm League in the first place were for cost-cutting purposes.
A new team in Long Island would of course create an instant rivalry between Suffolk County and Nassau County. It's already being dubbed, "the Expressway Series." The Ducks have been wildly successful out in eastern Long Island; routinely playing to near, if not sold out games. And Mr. Frank Boulton is assuring the County that success can be had in Nassau as well.
The people will decide on August 1st.
...And decide they will. Baseball aside, this is probably the last chance to keep the New York Islanders from moving out of the Metropolitan area. Islanders' owner; Charles Wang; is hemorrhaging cash and has had it with County officials. He went from proposing to build a privately funded Lighthouse project to waiting on the residents of Nassau County for a loan.
For Long Island; this is...ponderous! What were they thinking? They went from having someone looking to foot the bill on a new arena with an adjacent entertainment and retail destination, to polluting the plan with a baseball team and asking the residents to pick up the tab. But one thing is sure; the Islanders and Charles Wang can not remain NHL viable for much longer in the present Nassau Veteran's Memorial Coliseum. And if this loan isn't passed, kiss Hockey on Long Island good-bye. The best case scenario is Wang sells the team and the new owner then inherits the same migraine headache and problems. Sounds promising.
Brooklyn's Barclays Center has already been ruled out as a potential landing spot for the Islanders.
My personal opinion? I hope they get it right and approve the deal. Build it and they will come. I would definitely make the relatively short drive out to see a baseball team in Nassau County. And as far as the Islanders are concerned, I'd look forward to continuing the Ranger/Isles rivalry against a healthy and thriving Long Island team. But in the Islanders' case, that comes with a new arena.
Mike.BTB
Monday, July 11, 2011
N.Y. METS ~ First Half Situational Report
From the desk of: HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET
NEW YORK METS: State Of METropolis at the Break.
Heading into the All*Star break, the Mets are a game above average. It's better than one game below to be sure, but it's not where they need to be. Over the next twenty days and nights, the Mets need to get in a position by where to leap-frog Atlanta in the standings for a Wild Card spot. That means they need to be no more than 2.5 or 3 games behind the Wild Card leader; be it Atlanta; Arizona; or whomever, by the time July draws to a close. Or, most people's thinking is that Sandy Alderson will blow the roster up. They are 7.5 games behind the Braves. So let's just say they need to gain five games on Atlanta before the month is through to prevent that from happening.
Over the first half of the season, pitching has kept the Mets in the position they find themselves in today. And that should be taken at face value. The Mets are a third place team in the N.L. East because of their pitching; not for a lack of. But no, they won't be over-taking the Phillies any time soon. However they've achieved a .500+ record without Johan Santana as their Ace.
Dillon Gee; the Buffalo call-up, has stepped in to surprise and mesmerize the opposition and is as responsible as any player on this roster for the Mets' modest success. He and Jon Niese have been given doses of tough love by Pitching Coach Dan Warthen, and they have responded. R.A. Dickey remains his own man and like all Met starters, could have stood to benefit from more offense in many games this season. He continues to serve as a steadying force in the Mets' young rotation. Additionally, I think any team would have taken what Chris Capuano has offered so far, running away. As a fourth or fifth guy, any team would be glad to have him.
And that leaves Mike Pelfrey. Let's just say with a reasonable progression in his abilities and skill from last season to this one; or even something along the line of last year's Pelfrey; with even the slightest expectations being met..... the Amazin's could in fact be a few games or three behind Atlanta as we speak. But even in spite of an inconsistent Mike Pelfrey, the starting pitching has been everything it's needed to be while carrying this club. To Pelfrey's credit, he did pitch a good game against the Giants Sunday, but was victimized by an impotent offense yet again.
As far as this team being buyers or sellers at the deadline; - If the Mets turn out to be buyers, will they be looking to secure another starting pitcher? They say you can never have enough pitching. But the Mets biggest problem has been a lack of overall power and low offensive production. So where the Mets, like any team, can always use another arm, they'll probably look to add some slugging to the
line-up first.
Should the Mets turn out to be sellers, I can definitely see R.A. Dickey being in demand. I think he's done enough to dispel any notions last season was a fluke. And at his age, he's not exactly pinned to the Mets' future like a diaper on the rest of the Met Kids. But the knuckleball is a forgiving pitch on aging rotator cuffs and so R.A. Dickey can dependably help any and all teams right now. Chris Capuano is another pitcher that a contender might have interest in. Just think in terms of movable parts in the event Sandy Alderson does blow this this up.
Dillon Gee; Jon Niese; and yes, even Mike Pelfrey are all most likely part of Sandy Alderson's future plans for Flushing. However, keep in mind, we've all seen pitchers like Mike Pelfrey test the patience of General Managers before, and lose in a test of wills.
The bullpen, as we've learned from Sandy Alderson, is an entirely different story. Whether the Mets are in contention or not, Sandy already announced he's having a bullpen garage sale and that everyone is welcome to take a look around. Just keep your eyes away from Bobby Parnell is all I ask.
If Francisco Rodriguez is a mosquito, that makes his 2012 contract option, Malaria. There isn't enough OFF in the Western Hemisphere the Wilpons can spray at KRod to make him go away and not suck the blood out of their books. The Wilpons have already broken out in hives as Coach Collins gets him steadily closer to the magic number that makes his 2012 option kick in. So it's easy to conclude the Mets want to get rid of Francisco at all costs, and regardless of their place in the standings. This expensive contract option is fair to dump back into the lap of Omar Minaya; which leads us right back to the reason why Sandy Alderson is here in the first place.
But to what extent can Sandy Alderson realistically transform this club..., this month, assuming we become sellers at the deadline?
In their present conditions, Johan Santana and David Wright aren't going anywhere. At one time, trading Jose Reyes seemed almost certain. Then that turned into unlikely. And now that he's injured yet again with a recurring bum leg, the prospects of trading him at current are remote. Jason Bay and that contract aren't going anywhere; at least not yet.
So of the Mets big ticket items, that leaves Carlos Beltran as the lone, realistic big fish a team might want to hook from out of the Mets talent pool. If the Mets drop out of contention, the scuttlebutt is Beltran lands in San Francisco. Where ever he winds up, getting something for him is better than getting nothing. The Mets can not offer him arbitration; therefore will get no compensatory draft picks in return should he sign elsewhere as a free agent. Knowing the Mets are motivated sellers, the return on Beltran might be minimal. Once again, thank Omar for that contract stipulation which brings us back to why Sandy Alderson is here in the first place. ...Right. Either way, Beltran comes off the books after this season which is what the Wilpons really want anyway. If Sandy Alderson trades Carlos Beltran sooner than later, then we'll know for sure the fire sale is on and that all bets on contending are off.
But if the Mets are in real contention, real soon, it's simple; Beltran stays. Then, the Mets will need all the offense they can muster. In that event, it means they'd be buyers. Where do the Mets need an immediate upgrade? Answer; - Left Field. Obviously, a player or players will have to be moved out. And what the Mets need in return is a power bat. Who would they target? What would it cost? They're the same questions we'd ask if the Mets wanted to solidify their pitching first.
Should guys like Justin Turner; Daniel Murphy; Angel Pagan; Lucas Duda; etc., be worried about getting packaged into a deal to improve the club? My answer is why?
If names like Reyes; Wright; Bay; Beltran; Santana; and Francisco Rodriguez aren't involved, then what are we really talking about here? Let's face it; we all knew about a possible scenario where if, Wright; Reyes; and Santana were all healthy, there would be a distinct possibility the fire sale would indeed be on. Reyes and Wright were and still are the two quickest and most effective ways to recoup high level talent in a trade. That fact has Met Fans divided. And of all things; injuries; this team's demise; may be the very factor that keeps them all together; as many of them have become un-movable just in time to thwart any plans Sandy Alderson might have had of blowing this up.
Amazin'ly the Omar Minaya Doctrine lives on. Outside of eliminating Oliver Perez; Luis Castillo; tinkering with second base and finally settling on Justin Turner; and signing Capuano; this is Omar's team and still runs according to his timeline.
The contracts of Reyes; Beltran; and Wright were all designed to come due roughly in order over a two year period. Concurrently, the acquisition of Delgado; and the revolving players at catcher, second base, and left field were all preventative measures, synchronized to last until the emergence of Omar Minaya's prospects from his first two years of amateur drafting hit the parent club.
Niese; Pelfrey; Gee; Parnell; Thole; Duda; Murphy; Tejada; Ike; Henrry Mejia; Nieve; Fernando Martinez; etc., were all part of the first wave of draftees and international/Dominican free agents to reach the big club. Others like Dylan Owen; Reese Havens; Kirk Nieuwenhuis; Jon Malo; and a few more from Omar's early drafts are still making their way up. There are more names worth mentioning which is good news. They may or may not pan out. But the point is, evidence of the Minaya Plan abounds. His problem was the Boss' son; bad luck; crippling injuries; a reliance on Glavine, Perez, and Maine; and a plan that came together too late; if at all. The signings of Bay and KRod were wholly reactionary moves that had their genesis in a Front Office state of panic.
However, now missing is the chaos which permeated this Front Office and the constant flipping, juggling and side shows performed by our three resident clowns; Omar Minaya; John Ricco; and Lil Jeff. Today there is one voice and one direction (though still yet to be unveiled, but in the planning none-the-less); or so we hope. And something very important in the Land of Perceptions, there is no cornering of the GM, nor the manager, into compromising situations by the Media. Back on June 1st, Terry Collins told them all what he thought of that tactic and advised them he wasn't the right guy for that. They haven't crossed him since. And Sandy Alderson? I don't think they'd be stupid enough to try.
Jose Reyes might be topic one in Flushing these days. But the uncertainty surrounding Jose Reyes' status as a Met has never been made an issue where-by it led to questioning Sandy Alderson's acumen. There is no inclination, even by the fan base, to start calling Sandy Alderson a fool, similar to when things of that nature came so easily to us in recent years under the old regime.
As a man practiced in the art of team building, I personally don't think Sandy Alderson is here to pick up where Omar Minaya left off. However, another round of debilitating injuries makes it seem so. To be fair, keep in mind this is Omar's team that is battling to stay above .500 and make a run at a Wild Card. Sandy Alderson just has to decide what to do with it. Unforeseen factors may have derailed Sandy's plans somewhat also; just like it seemed everything worked against Omar. But this time, it seems like half the Mets fan base is happy about it if it means keeping their favorite player.
We don't know what July 31st and Sandy Alderson have in store. But we do know this has been an enjoyable first half to the season.
To be continued....
Let's Go Mets!
Mike.BTB
NEW YORK METS: State Of METropolis at the Break.
Heading into the All*Star break, the Mets are a game above average. It's better than one game below to be sure, but it's not where they need to be. Over the next twenty days and nights, the Mets need to get in a position by where to leap-frog Atlanta in the standings for a Wild Card spot. That means they need to be no more than 2.5 or 3 games behind the Wild Card leader; be it Atlanta; Arizona; or whomever, by the time July draws to a close. Or, most people's thinking is that Sandy Alderson will blow the roster up. They are 7.5 games behind the Braves. So let's just say they need to gain five games on Atlanta before the month is through to prevent that from happening.
Over the first half of the season, pitching has kept the Mets in the position they find themselves in today. And that should be taken at face value. The Mets are a third place team in the N.L. East because of their pitching; not for a lack of. But no, they won't be over-taking the Phillies any time soon. However they've achieved a .500+ record without Johan Santana as their Ace.
Dillon Gee; the Buffalo call-up, has stepped in to surprise and mesmerize the opposition and is as responsible as any player on this roster for the Mets' modest success. He and Jon Niese have been given doses of tough love by Pitching Coach Dan Warthen, and they have responded. R.A. Dickey remains his own man and like all Met starters, could have stood to benefit from more offense in many games this season. He continues to serve as a steadying force in the Mets' young rotation. Additionally, I think any team would have taken what Chris Capuano has offered so far, running away. As a fourth or fifth guy, any team would be glad to have him.
And that leaves Mike Pelfrey. Let's just say with a reasonable progression in his abilities and skill from last season to this one; or even something along the line of last year's Pelfrey; with even the slightest expectations being met..... the Amazin's could in fact be a few games or three behind Atlanta as we speak. But even in spite of an inconsistent Mike Pelfrey, the starting pitching has been everything it's needed to be while carrying this club. To Pelfrey's credit, he did pitch a good game against the Giants Sunday, but was victimized by an impotent offense yet again.
As far as this team being buyers or sellers at the deadline; - If the Mets turn out to be buyers, will they be looking to secure another starting pitcher? They say you can never have enough pitching. But the Mets biggest problem has been a lack of overall power and low offensive production. So where the Mets, like any team, can always use another arm, they'll probably look to add some slugging to the
line-up first.
Should the Mets turn out to be sellers, I can definitely see R.A. Dickey being in demand. I think he's done enough to dispel any notions last season was a fluke. And at his age, he's not exactly pinned to the Mets' future like a diaper on the rest of the Met Kids. But the knuckleball is a forgiving pitch on aging rotator cuffs and so R.A. Dickey can dependably help any and all teams right now. Chris Capuano is another pitcher that a contender might have interest in. Just think in terms of movable parts in the event Sandy Alderson does blow this this up.
Dillon Gee; Jon Niese; and yes, even Mike Pelfrey are all most likely part of Sandy Alderson's future plans for Flushing. However, keep in mind, we've all seen pitchers like Mike Pelfrey test the patience of General Managers before, and lose in a test of wills.
The bullpen, as we've learned from Sandy Alderson, is an entirely different story. Whether the Mets are in contention or not, Sandy already announced he's having a bullpen garage sale and that everyone is welcome to take a look around. Just keep your eyes away from Bobby Parnell is all I ask.
If Francisco Rodriguez is a mosquito, that makes his 2012 contract option, Malaria. There isn't enough OFF in the Western Hemisphere the Wilpons can spray at KRod to make him go away and not suck the blood out of their books. The Wilpons have already broken out in hives as Coach Collins gets him steadily closer to the magic number that makes his 2012 option kick in. So it's easy to conclude the Mets want to get rid of Francisco at all costs, and regardless of their place in the standings. This expensive contract option is fair to dump back into the lap of Omar Minaya; which leads us right back to the reason why Sandy Alderson is here in the first place.
But to what extent can Sandy Alderson realistically transform this club..., this month, assuming we become sellers at the deadline?
In their present conditions, Johan Santana and David Wright aren't going anywhere. At one time, trading Jose Reyes seemed almost certain. Then that turned into unlikely. And now that he's injured yet again with a recurring bum leg, the prospects of trading him at current are remote. Jason Bay and that contract aren't going anywhere; at least not yet.
So of the Mets big ticket items, that leaves Carlos Beltran as the lone, realistic big fish a team might want to hook from out of the Mets talent pool. If the Mets drop out of contention, the scuttlebutt is Beltran lands in San Francisco. Where ever he winds up, getting something for him is better than getting nothing. The Mets can not offer him arbitration; therefore will get no compensatory draft picks in return should he sign elsewhere as a free agent. Knowing the Mets are motivated sellers, the return on Beltran might be minimal. Once again, thank Omar for that contract stipulation which brings us back to why Sandy Alderson is here in the first place. ...Right. Either way, Beltran comes off the books after this season which is what the Wilpons really want anyway. If Sandy Alderson trades Carlos Beltran sooner than later, then we'll know for sure the fire sale is on and that all bets on contending are off.
But if the Mets are in real contention, real soon, it's simple; Beltran stays. Then, the Mets will need all the offense they can muster. In that event, it means they'd be buyers. Where do the Mets need an immediate upgrade? Answer; - Left Field. Obviously, a player or players will have to be moved out. And what the Mets need in return is a power bat. Who would they target? What would it cost? They're the same questions we'd ask if the Mets wanted to solidify their pitching first.
Should guys like Justin Turner; Daniel Murphy; Angel Pagan; Lucas Duda; etc., be worried about getting packaged into a deal to improve the club? My answer is why?
If names like Reyes; Wright; Bay; Beltran; Santana; and Francisco Rodriguez aren't involved, then what are we really talking about here? Let's face it; we all knew about a possible scenario where if, Wright; Reyes; and Santana were all healthy, there would be a distinct possibility the fire sale would indeed be on. Reyes and Wright were and still are the two quickest and most effective ways to recoup high level talent in a trade. That fact has Met Fans divided. And of all things; injuries; this team's demise; may be the very factor that keeps them all together; as many of them have become un-movable just in time to thwart any plans Sandy Alderson might have had of blowing this up.
Amazin'ly the Omar Minaya Doctrine lives on. Outside of eliminating Oliver Perez; Luis Castillo; tinkering with second base and finally settling on Justin Turner; and signing Capuano; this is Omar's team and still runs according to his timeline.
The contracts of Reyes; Beltran; and Wright were all designed to come due roughly in order over a two year period. Concurrently, the acquisition of Delgado; and the revolving players at catcher, second base, and left field were all preventative measures, synchronized to last until the emergence of Omar Minaya's prospects from his first two years of amateur drafting hit the parent club.
Niese; Pelfrey; Gee; Parnell; Thole; Duda; Murphy; Tejada; Ike; Henrry Mejia; Nieve; Fernando Martinez; etc., were all part of the first wave of draftees and international/Dominican free agents to reach the big club. Others like Dylan Owen; Reese Havens; Kirk Nieuwenhuis; Jon Malo; and a few more from Omar's early drafts are still making their way up. There are more names worth mentioning which is good news. They may or may not pan out. But the point is, evidence of the Minaya Plan abounds. His problem was the Boss' son; bad luck; crippling injuries; a reliance on Glavine, Perez, and Maine; and a plan that came together too late; if at all. The signings of Bay and KRod were wholly reactionary moves that had their genesis in a Front Office state of panic.
However, now missing is the chaos which permeated this Front Office and the constant flipping, juggling and side shows performed by our three resident clowns; Omar Minaya; John Ricco; and Lil Jeff. Today there is one voice and one direction (though still yet to be unveiled, but in the planning none-the-less); or so we hope. And something very important in the Land of Perceptions, there is no cornering of the GM, nor the manager, into compromising situations by the Media. Back on June 1st, Terry Collins told them all what he thought of that tactic and advised them he wasn't the right guy for that. They haven't crossed him since. And Sandy Alderson? I don't think they'd be stupid enough to try.
Jose Reyes might be topic one in Flushing these days. But the uncertainty surrounding Jose Reyes' status as a Met has never been made an issue where-by it led to questioning Sandy Alderson's acumen. There is no inclination, even by the fan base, to start calling Sandy Alderson a fool, similar to when things of that nature came so easily to us in recent years under the old regime.
As a man practiced in the art of team building, I personally don't think Sandy Alderson is here to pick up where Omar Minaya left off. However, another round of debilitating injuries makes it seem so. To be fair, keep in mind this is Omar's team that is battling to stay above .500 and make a run at a Wild Card. Sandy Alderson just has to decide what to do with it. Unforeseen factors may have derailed Sandy's plans somewhat also; just like it seemed everything worked against Omar. But this time, it seems like half the Mets fan base is happy about it if it means keeping their favorite player.
We don't know what July 31st and Sandy Alderson have in store. But we do know this has been an enjoyable first half to the season.
To be continued....
Let's Go Mets!
Mike.BTB
Sunday, July 10, 2011
L.I. DUCKS ~ Enter Break as League's Top Team
From the desk of: THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE
LONG ISLAND DUCKS: ....and that makes Forty Wins for the 1st Half Champs as the League heads into the All*Star Break.
NOTE: This Posting Is In Between Games of a Double-Header vs. Somerset Patriots.
Except for one game scheduled to be played tomorrow, the Atlantic League has hit it's mid-point of the season. And while already having clinched a first half title, Sunday's win against the Somerset Patriots was the Long Island Ducks' 40th of the season.
Winners of their last three games, they wrap up the first half with an Atlantic League best 40-22 record and are the only team playing above a .600 winning percentage (.645); three games better than the Freedom Division winner; Lancaster Barnstormers.
As they enter the All*Star break, J.R. House is the new League leader in RBI with 47; while he and Ray Navarrete have crept-up on the League leader in home runs with 11 each.
Matt DeSalvo of York is the new League leader in strikeouts, but Long Island's Mike Loree still dominates the Atlantic League mound. He's leading the League in wins with 10 and is the only pitcher with an ERA below 2.00, claiming a 1.71 mark.
The York Revolution and the Ducks will have the most players representing their teams in the Atlantic League All*Star Game. They have seven selections each. Two teams comprised of twenty-two Freedom Division and Liberty Division players square off in the Atlantic League's Mid-Season exhibition.
From the Ducks, pitchers Mike Loree and Mike Parisi will be making well deserved trips to the Game. John Rodriguez was selected but has been hampered with a thumb injury and is unlikely to play in Wednesday night's game. The rest of the positional players selected to go to the All-Star Game are Matt Esquivel; Javier Colina; Kraig Binick (second in the League in Batting Avg.); and J.R House.
The season will resume Friday when the reset button starts the divisional races a-new for the second half. But then, the Ducks don't have to worry about that...., do they?
Mike.BTB
LONG ISLAND DUCKS: ....and that makes Forty Wins for the 1st Half Champs as the League heads into the All*Star Break.
NOTE: This Posting Is In Between Games of a Double-Header vs. Somerset Patriots.
Except for one game scheduled to be played tomorrow, the Atlantic League has hit it's mid-point of the season. And while already having clinched a first half title, Sunday's win against the Somerset Patriots was the Long Island Ducks' 40th of the season.
Winners of their last three games, they wrap up the first half with an Atlantic League best 40-22 record and are the only team playing above a .600 winning percentage (.645); three games better than the Freedom Division winner; Lancaster Barnstormers.
As they enter the All*Star break, J.R. House is the new League leader in RBI with 47; while he and Ray Navarrete have crept-up on the League leader in home runs with 11 each.
Matt DeSalvo of York is the new League leader in strikeouts, but Long Island's Mike Loree still dominates the Atlantic League mound. He's leading the League in wins with 10 and is the only pitcher with an ERA below 2.00, claiming a 1.71 mark.
The York Revolution and the Ducks will have the most players representing their teams in the Atlantic League All*Star Game. They have seven selections each. Two teams comprised of twenty-two Freedom Division and Liberty Division players square off in the Atlantic League's Mid-Season exhibition.
From the Ducks, pitchers Mike Loree and Mike Parisi will be making well deserved trips to the Game. John Rodriguez was selected but has been hampered with a thumb injury and is unlikely to play in Wednesday night's game. The rest of the positional players selected to go to the All-Star Game are Matt Esquivel; Javier Colina; Kraig Binick (second in the League in Batting Avg.); and J.R House.
The season will resume Friday when the reset button starts the divisional races a-new for the second half. But then, the Ducks don't have to worry about that...., do they?
Mike.BTB
N.Y. YANKEES ~ Jeter's Home Run Trot Into 3000 Club
From the desk of: BLAME CARLOS MAY
new york YANKEES: Deeds Speak Louder Than Words. It's Why Some People Get It. And Some People Don't.
Stop and think before you speak. The persona you save may be your own. Or, you can hope nobody reads GQ Magazine. "He doesn't hit home runs like me." Maybe not. He just knows how to rise to the occasion. But that was only the very beginning. And days like today are why silence; even cold, immature silence; is golden....(and smart).
I INTERRUPT THIS BLOG TO SAVE MYSELF FROM....ME:
I know. That's the direction I was headed. Most of what followed, I deleted. It wasn't what this should have been about. Read on.
DEREK JETER: Al Capone Would Have Been Proud.
Fairly or not, once upon a time he was a player who once stood in line behind two; three; and even four other shortstops around Baseball for his share of respect. Astonishingly, that came during the dynasty years and the prime of his career.
If you're old enough to have followed Derek Jeter's entire career, you'll know how his was never the first name to roll off the tongues of conversationalists debating the best shortstops of the game. Guys like Miguel Tejada; Nomar Garciapara; and present teammate Alex Rodriguez were almost always mentioned ahead of him. Even Barry Larkin often times skipped the line when they were issuing out props for the position's biggest stars.
He was routinely voted by his piers amongst the game's Most Over-Rated Players and in spite of Gold Gloves, was constantly being undermined by some defensive computation or NASA metric revealing how bad of an infielder he really was; - Or so they say.
"How many times do we need to watch him bounce into a double play?"
"Girardi should bat him ninth!"
"He's nothing but a glorified singles hitter!"
"If the ball isn't hit right to him, he's not fielding it."
Some of those shouts and criticisms are new; some are old. There's a little merit in them, but a lot of nonsense in all of them. Why? - Because you can't qualify everything in Baseball. And unfortunately, we now live in an age where we feel the need to quantify everything.
Even his Captaincy has come under attack at various times over his tenure. He felt compelled to back Jason Giambi during his steroids plight, but took a more ambivalent approach when A-Rod went through his. This isn't pick on A-Rod day, but Derek Jeter was equally criticized for pairing up with; at the time his good buddy; Alex during the most intense moments of the old Yankees/Mariners rivalry.
In practically always having the right thing to say, the Media sometimes felt cheated of something they wanted to hear from the mostly stoic Captain. During all those Yankee/Red Sox battles, the Media always wanted more from him and criticized The Captain when they didn't get it.
Outside of feeling slandered by Alex Rodriguez back in the day, and feeling slighted by Brian Cashman this past off-season, Derek Jeter has been a model of comportment. And what he felt about those respective situations still manifested itself in a high degree of; albeit passive-aggressive; professionalism.
That job description; Captain; was thrust upon him by the late George Steinbrenner. Captains; leaders; aren't necessarily appointed, so much as they are born? Derek Jeter pulled it off because his parents raised a fine young man. Nothing more; nothing less. But the Boss knew Jeter would never let down the brand. And till this day; this special day in Yankee History; he remains correct; - just as Derek Jeter has always stood correct and upright, in Pinstripes.
But when you've amassed a resume like Derek Jeter's, these may seem like paltry critiques and minor issues that come with the territory.
So be it then.
This afternoon, Derek Jeter took a bat to the doors of the Immortal Club and with five precision swings, bashed the doors open with a delight even Al Capone (Robert DiNiro/Untouchables) would have been proud of.
Today, Derek Jeter stands as the Godfather before all his contemporaries with more hits than Tejada; Garciapara; the guy who plays to his right; and any other shortstop who's ever played this game outside of Rogers Hornsby. And with five rings on one hand for them to kiss, and a wad of hits in the other, Derek Jeter hammered home the last word today on any lingering debate about who the era's Don of Shortstops is.
Derek Jeter has outlasted Nomar and Tejada. And let's be honest, Alex Rodriguez outgrew the body-type of a shortstop long ago and is probably in his rightful position anyway. But that's the price Alex paid to become a Yankee. He deferred shortstop to The Yankee Captain just as he should have.
Derek was never as slick a fielder as Omar Vizquel. But then again who was? But he outlasted him too. There was no living in the shadow of the great Cal Ripken Jr. and his breaking of The Iron Horse's consecutive games played record. Today, when you look around the landscape of Baseball, none of his contemporaries have sustained their careers like Derek Jeter has (save A-Rod). The Baseball Writers of America are currently struggling as to whether Barry Larkin is a Hall of Famer or not. When Derek Jeter's name comes up on the ballot for the first time, there will be no debate outside of by what percentage does he get in?
No. For Derek Jeter, starting in 1996, there were Championships and the matters of playing shortstop for a dynasty. And today, it was about accomplishing what no Yankee ever has; not even the great Lou Gehrig; or Babe Ruth. Joe D., the Mick; Yogi; ....no one; no Yankee ever.
There is Yankee lure; too much to capture here. There's also been famous tags. One is Mr. October; Reggie Jackson; esteemed and revered for World Series greatness on three pitches. And then there are players stuck with monthly monikers for more dubious reasons. Alex Rodriguez has a lock on Mr. March and of course, Dave Winfield was labeled Mr. May by the Boss back when....
But Derek Jeter is Mr. November. He is the owner of one singular moment no baseball player will ever get a chance to live out again; so help us God. But for the very solemn reasons that moment became possible, there is no better player in baseball to embody what those times meant and why Baseball always plays a part in our Lives.
Prior to 2:00pm this afternoon, one hit and ninety feet were all that separated Derek Jeter from the Immortal Club. In his second at bat, he introduced himself with a three hundred and sixty-foot trot around the joint. Career hit number 3,000 did not come on a single to right. Instead it came on a home run pulled to left and into the first row of the bleachers.
Jorge Posada was the first to hug him at home plate. Mariano Rivera was the last. The two exchanges were by far, the most noticeably heartfelt on-field embraces. And so in the manner in which Derek Jeter has gone about his career, his most notable achievement happened and ended with an expected correctness. Only in the world of Derek Jeter can it work out so perfectly; with a home run to boot.
The game of Baseball is grand and Derek Jeter reaffirmed it.
Mike.BTB
new york YANKEES: Deeds Speak Louder Than Words. It's Why Some People Get It. And Some People Don't.
Stop and think before you speak. The persona you save may be your own. Or, you can hope nobody reads GQ Magazine. "He doesn't hit home runs like me." Maybe not. He just knows how to rise to the occasion. But that was only the very beginning. And days like today are why silence; even cold, immature silence; is golden....(and smart).
I INTERRUPT THIS BLOG TO SAVE MYSELF FROM....ME:
I know. That's the direction I was headed. Most of what followed, I deleted. It wasn't what this should have been about. Read on.
DEREK JETER: Al Capone Would Have Been Proud.
Fairly or not, once upon a time he was a player who once stood in line behind two; three; and even four other shortstops around Baseball for his share of respect. Astonishingly, that came during the dynasty years and the prime of his career.
If you're old enough to have followed Derek Jeter's entire career, you'll know how his was never the first name to roll off the tongues of conversationalists debating the best shortstops of the game. Guys like Miguel Tejada; Nomar Garciapara; and present teammate Alex Rodriguez were almost always mentioned ahead of him. Even Barry Larkin often times skipped the line when they were issuing out props for the position's biggest stars.
He was routinely voted by his piers amongst the game's Most Over-Rated Players and in spite of Gold Gloves, was constantly being undermined by some defensive computation or NASA metric revealing how bad of an infielder he really was; - Or so they say.
"How many times do we need to watch him bounce into a double play?"
"Girardi should bat him ninth!"
"He's nothing but a glorified singles hitter!"
"If the ball isn't hit right to him, he's not fielding it."
Some of those shouts and criticisms are new; some are old. There's a little merit in them, but a lot of nonsense in all of them. Why? - Because you can't qualify everything in Baseball. And unfortunately, we now live in an age where we feel the need to quantify everything.
Even his Captaincy has come under attack at various times over his tenure. He felt compelled to back Jason Giambi during his steroids plight, but took a more ambivalent approach when A-Rod went through his. This isn't pick on A-Rod day, but Derek Jeter was equally criticized for pairing up with; at the time his good buddy; Alex during the most intense moments of the old Yankees/Mariners rivalry.
In practically always having the right thing to say, the Media sometimes felt cheated of something they wanted to hear from the mostly stoic Captain. During all those Yankee/Red Sox battles, the Media always wanted more from him and criticized The Captain when they didn't get it.
Outside of feeling slandered by Alex Rodriguez back in the day, and feeling slighted by Brian Cashman this past off-season, Derek Jeter has been a model of comportment. And what he felt about those respective situations still manifested itself in a high degree of; albeit passive-aggressive; professionalism.
That job description; Captain; was thrust upon him by the late George Steinbrenner. Captains; leaders; aren't necessarily appointed, so much as they are born? Derek Jeter pulled it off because his parents raised a fine young man. Nothing more; nothing less. But the Boss knew Jeter would never let down the brand. And till this day; this special day in Yankee History; he remains correct; - just as Derek Jeter has always stood correct and upright, in Pinstripes.
But when you've amassed a resume like Derek Jeter's, these may seem like paltry critiques and minor issues that come with the territory.
So be it then.
This afternoon, Derek Jeter took a bat to the doors of the Immortal Club and with five precision swings, bashed the doors open with a delight even Al Capone (Robert DiNiro/Untouchables) would have been proud of.
Today, Derek Jeter stands as the Godfather before all his contemporaries with more hits than Tejada; Garciapara; the guy who plays to his right; and any other shortstop who's ever played this game outside of Rogers Hornsby. And with five rings on one hand for them to kiss, and a wad of hits in the other, Derek Jeter hammered home the last word today on any lingering debate about who the era's Don of Shortstops is.
Derek Jeter has outlasted Nomar and Tejada. And let's be honest, Alex Rodriguez outgrew the body-type of a shortstop long ago and is probably in his rightful position anyway. But that's the price Alex paid to become a Yankee. He deferred shortstop to The Yankee Captain just as he should have.
Derek was never as slick a fielder as Omar Vizquel. But then again who was? But he outlasted him too. There was no living in the shadow of the great Cal Ripken Jr. and his breaking of The Iron Horse's consecutive games played record. Today, when you look around the landscape of Baseball, none of his contemporaries have sustained their careers like Derek Jeter has (save A-Rod). The Baseball Writers of America are currently struggling as to whether Barry Larkin is a Hall of Famer or not. When Derek Jeter's name comes up on the ballot for the first time, there will be no debate outside of by what percentage does he get in?
No. For Derek Jeter, starting in 1996, there were Championships and the matters of playing shortstop for a dynasty. And today, it was about accomplishing what no Yankee ever has; not even the great Lou Gehrig; or Babe Ruth. Joe D., the Mick; Yogi; ....no one; no Yankee ever.
There is Yankee lure; too much to capture here. There's also been famous tags. One is Mr. October; Reggie Jackson; esteemed and revered for World Series greatness on three pitches. And then there are players stuck with monthly monikers for more dubious reasons. Alex Rodriguez has a lock on Mr. March and of course, Dave Winfield was labeled Mr. May by the Boss back when....
But Derek Jeter is Mr. November. He is the owner of one singular moment no baseball player will ever get a chance to live out again; so help us God. But for the very solemn reasons that moment became possible, there is no better player in baseball to embody what those times meant and why Baseball always plays a part in our Lives.
Prior to 2:00pm this afternoon, one hit and ninety feet were all that separated Derek Jeter from the Immortal Club. In his second at bat, he introduced himself with a three hundred and sixty-foot trot around the joint. Career hit number 3,000 did not come on a single to right. Instead it came on a home run pulled to left and into the first row of the bleachers.
Jorge Posada was the first to hug him at home plate. Mariano Rivera was the last. The two exchanges were by far, the most noticeably heartfelt on-field embraces. And so in the manner in which Derek Jeter has gone about his career, his most notable achievement happened and ended with an expected correctness. Only in the world of Derek Jeter can it work out so perfectly; with a home run to boot.
The game of Baseball is grand and Derek Jeter reaffirmed it.
Mike.BTB
Saturday, July 09, 2011
BKN/NJ NETS ~ Talking Turkey As Barclays Center Rises
From the desk of: THE HOOPS OF FLATBUSH
BROOKLYN/NJ NETS: Deron Williams Off To Turkey?
If you're Nets' GM; Billy King; you can't be happy about your "meal ticket" potentially hauling off to Turkey to play basketball while the NBA lockout runs it's course back here in the USA. And if Billy King does have a problem with it, he should take it up with David Stern; not that it will help any.
Everything the Nets have done so far, as far as marketing and laying the groundwork for their relocation to Brooklyn has been presented high over the streets of the greater Flatbush Avenue area with Deron Williams as it's central theme. So much of their drawing power, it is hoped by the Nets Front Office, will hinge on him. Of course they still need to strike a contact extension with the star Guard. But so far, Williams seems intrigued by a future in Brooklyn.
For the Nets, there will be nothing but anxiety filled nights and daily worries regarding their star point-guard playing European Basketball. Obviously, the top concern is injury. Quite frankly, the Nets can't afford to have anything coming between them; a healthy and signed Deron Williams; on the court or in the pocketbook for that matter.
There's no doubt, the Nets are one of the twenty two organizations David Stern claims have lost money; and therefore why he is instigating this Lock-Out. The construction of a billion dollar arena; a re-branding in Brooklyn; and a Lock-Out ~ do not good bed fellows make. How a Lock-Out may trigger future apathy towards the League while trying to sell yourself to a semi-new fan base is something the Nets will have to negotiate very carefully.
Any and all players who opt to play in Europe put all parties; the League; Owners; and Players themselves; in precarious situations that can be avoided with a settlement.
As a fan, I wouldn't ordinarily be so preoccupied with injuries and players playing elsewhere; especially as it applies to Williams. As a baseball fan, I enjoy the World Classic and MLB players participation in Winter Leagues. So to say Deron Williams shouldn't play in Turkey would be somewhat hypocritical of me; No?
But I now, like the Club, am more concerned with building towards having the best Opening Night in Brooklyn possible. As of right now, that means having a healthy Deron Williams signed to a new contract. Turkey, to all concerned, is just undue stress and works contrary to everything the Nets are trying to achieve; all brought on by this very unnecessary Lock-Out.
Mike.BTB
BROOKLYN/NJ NETS: Deron Williams Off To Turkey?
If you're Nets' GM; Billy King; you can't be happy about your "meal ticket" potentially hauling off to Turkey to play basketball while the NBA lockout runs it's course back here in the USA. And if Billy King does have a problem with it, he should take it up with David Stern; not that it will help any.
Everything the Nets have done so far, as far as marketing and laying the groundwork for their relocation to Brooklyn has been presented high over the streets of the greater Flatbush Avenue area with Deron Williams as it's central theme. So much of their drawing power, it is hoped by the Nets Front Office, will hinge on him. Of course they still need to strike a contact extension with the star Guard. But so far, Williams seems intrigued by a future in Brooklyn.
For the Nets, there will be nothing but anxiety filled nights and daily worries regarding their star point-guard playing European Basketball. Obviously, the top concern is injury. Quite frankly, the Nets can't afford to have anything coming between them; a healthy and signed Deron Williams; on the court or in the pocketbook for that matter.
There's no doubt, the Nets are one of the twenty two organizations David Stern claims have lost money; and therefore why he is instigating this Lock-Out. The construction of a billion dollar arena; a re-branding in Brooklyn; and a Lock-Out ~ do not good bed fellows make. How a Lock-Out may trigger future apathy towards the League while trying to sell yourself to a semi-new fan base is something the Nets will have to negotiate very carefully.
Any and all players who opt to play in Europe put all parties; the League; Owners; and Players themselves; in precarious situations that can be avoided with a settlement.
As a fan, I wouldn't ordinarily be so preoccupied with injuries and players playing elsewhere; especially as it applies to Williams. As a baseball fan, I enjoy the World Classic and MLB players participation in Winter Leagues. So to say Deron Williams shouldn't play in Turkey would be somewhat hypocritical of me; No?
But I now, like the Club, am more concerned with building towards having the best Opening Night in Brooklyn possible. As of right now, that means having a healthy Deron Williams signed to a new contract. Turkey, to all concerned, is just undue stress and works contrary to everything the Nets are trying to achieve; all brought on by this very unnecessary Lock-Out.
BARCLAYS CENTER
June 16th through July 6th
Related Article:
Mike.BTB
Friday, July 08, 2011
Newark Bears ~ Scarce Wins Make Bears Hungry
From the desk of: GROWLINGS FROM BROOKLYN
NEWARK BEARS: Days of Plenty Seem Long Gone.
Eight games remain in the Newark Bears' first half run. Last night's loss to the Colonials in Pittsfield, Mass., dropped the Bears below .500 again; a 19-20 record, and back into fifth place; one half game behind Brockton.
The Quebec Capitales are well on their way towards clinching the CanAm League's first half title. They remain comfortably in first place with a 30-8 record entering tonight's games. They enjoy a 7.5 game lead over the New Jersey Jackals. The Bears' opponent tonight; Pittsfield; is currently in third place.
The game scheduled to start at 7pm this evening was delayed by rain and will reportedly start at 7:30pm.
Alex Smith; perhaps the Bears' most consistent starting pitcher this season, takes the hill for Newark tonight. He has a very respectable 3.76 ERA to go along with a 3-2 record this season. He is coming off two straight losses. His last victory came back on June 15th versus Worcester.
The Bears' starting pitching has indeed been a problem for Newark this season. Alex will pitch against Pittsfield having walked more batters than he has strikeouts. Like every game it seems this season, Coach Raines is looking for six quality innings from a starter; any starter. The bullpen can't consistently pitch four and five innings per game.
The Bears' early days of plenty seem long gone when they fattened their record to 18-11 and gained second place. They have been scratching around unsuccessfully for wins ever since and are now starting grumble with hunger.
Talk to you after the game.
NEWARK BEARS: Days of Plenty Seem Long Gone.
Eight games remain in the Newark Bears' first half run. Last night's loss to the Colonials in Pittsfield, Mass., dropped the Bears below .500 again; a 19-20 record, and back into fifth place; one half game behind Brockton.
The Quebec Capitales are well on their way towards clinching the CanAm League's first half title. They remain comfortably in first place with a 30-8 record entering tonight's games. They enjoy a 7.5 game lead over the New Jersey Jackals. The Bears' opponent tonight; Pittsfield; is currently in third place.
The game scheduled to start at 7pm this evening was delayed by rain and will reportedly start at 7:30pm.
Alex Smith; perhaps the Bears' most consistent starting pitcher this season, takes the hill for Newark tonight. He has a very respectable 3.76 ERA to go along with a 3-2 record this season. He is coming off two straight losses. His last victory came back on June 15th versus Worcester.
The Bears' starting pitching has indeed been a problem for Newark this season. Alex will pitch against Pittsfield having walked more batters than he has strikeouts. Like every game it seems this season, Coach Raines is looking for six quality innings from a starter; any starter. The bullpen can't consistently pitch four and five innings per game.
The Bears' early days of plenty seem long gone when they fattened their record to 18-11 and gained second place. They have been scratching around unsuccessfully for wins ever since and are now starting grumble with hunger.
Talk to you after the game.
Wednesday, July 06, 2011
N.Y. METS ~ The General Manager Is In
From the desk of: HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET
NEW YORK METS: Sandy Alderson Opens the Bullpen Doors to the Rest of Baseball. Say's Mets Have Twelve Days to Make a Move.
It wasn't me this time. Sandy Alderson did it. He said it was Show Me time.
tick...TICK...tiCK.
There's roughly 25 days left till the trade deadline. Sandy Alderson said he will judge this team in ten game increments (or something to that effect) from now till then. What he did say was "the next 10-12 days will be huge" ...in determining whether the Mets will be buyers or sellers. In the mean time, he called the Mets, "....Relevant."
TICK...tick....TiCk
But make no mistake, the General Manager is starting to plant the seeds of Change in our collective frontal lobes. I find it laughable when the Media asked questions in April and May, which called for our GM in particular, to publicly reveal his hand. Did they really expect something insightful or tangible; - like blueprints? He would have been a fool to say he planned on gutting the team (just sayin') at anytime this season for numerous internal reasons that we've all come to grips with. It's now, as the deadline looms closer, Sandy Alderson finally offers glimpses into the mind of our new GM.
So he said the Mets are more than open to dealing Francisco Rodriguez. We knew that. The Wilpons want no part of his 2012 contract option. But Alderson did say other members of the bullpen are also available. That was the illuminating part. Teams in playoff contention will be looking to shore up their pens down the stretch and the chances of Alderson getting a good prospect in return I believe are fair. The chances are fair because teams thinking they are a piece or two away always have a prospect to give. I like the thinking here. The GM said the Mets can deal relievers and still remain relevant and contend by supplementing the pen from within. I'll tell you the truth; as long as he doesn't trade Bobby Parnell, I could care less who Alderson moves from the bullpen.
But this was just Sandy Alderson's way of sticking our toe in the water. Soon he'll have us in the surf up to our knees; then waist. Before you know it, fifteen to twenty days will have elapsed and Sandy will be swimming in potential deals. The big question is which way will he swing? Buy or Sell? At two games above .500 entering tonight's game three against the Dodgers in L.A., as per their GM, the Mets better make the best out of the next two weeks.
The fact that things have remained this quiet surprises me to a small degree. But when looking across the landscape of Baseball, all is quiet on the transaction front. I thought there might be a team that would be looking to cash-in on an early bird special. But there have been no market makers out there. On closer inspection, parity owns a firm grip on MLB. The Phillies enjoy the largest lead of any division leader in Baseball; four games. Every other division is a one to two game spread. This may have given a GM or two pause from being a seller himself. But this will just add to the intrigue of the coming deadline. In the mean time, Alderson took a proactive approach and announced the bullpen doors were figuratively open.
Carlos Beltran; depending how well he and his teammates move away from relevancy and towards true contention; may be playing his last bunch of games as a Met. He's the most obvious to go should the Mets not make any headway in the standings. He's almost impossible to keep because there are no compensation picks should he leave the Mets as a free agent. Because the Mets would potentially be the motivated sellers, the return on a Beltran trade could be compromised. To what degree remains to be seen.
After Beltran and the bullpen, the Mets trade picture gets blurry. They have ten to twelve days to gain focus.
Mike.BTB
NEW YORK METS: Sandy Alderson Opens the Bullpen Doors to the Rest of Baseball. Say's Mets Have Twelve Days to Make a Move.
It wasn't me this time. Sandy Alderson did it. He said it was Show Me time.
tick...TICK...tiCK.
There's roughly 25 days left till the trade deadline. Sandy Alderson said he will judge this team in ten game increments (or something to that effect) from now till then. What he did say was "the next 10-12 days will be huge" ...in determining whether the Mets will be buyers or sellers. In the mean time, he called the Mets, "....Relevant."
TICK...tick....TiCk
But make no mistake, the General Manager is starting to plant the seeds of Change in our collective frontal lobes. I find it laughable when the Media asked questions in April and May, which called for our GM in particular, to publicly reveal his hand. Did they really expect something insightful or tangible; - like blueprints? He would have been a fool to say he planned on gutting the team (just sayin') at anytime this season for numerous internal reasons that we've all come to grips with. It's now, as the deadline looms closer, Sandy Alderson finally offers glimpses into the mind of our new GM.
So he said the Mets are more than open to dealing Francisco Rodriguez. We knew that. The Wilpons want no part of his 2012 contract option. But Alderson did say other members of the bullpen are also available. That was the illuminating part. Teams in playoff contention will be looking to shore up their pens down the stretch and the chances of Alderson getting a good prospect in return I believe are fair. The chances are fair because teams thinking they are a piece or two away always have a prospect to give. I like the thinking here. The GM said the Mets can deal relievers and still remain relevant and contend by supplementing the pen from within. I'll tell you the truth; as long as he doesn't trade Bobby Parnell, I could care less who Alderson moves from the bullpen.
But this was just Sandy Alderson's way of sticking our toe in the water. Soon he'll have us in the surf up to our knees; then waist. Before you know it, fifteen to twenty days will have elapsed and Sandy will be swimming in potential deals. The big question is which way will he swing? Buy or Sell? At two games above .500 entering tonight's game three against the Dodgers in L.A., as per their GM, the Mets better make the best out of the next two weeks.
The fact that things have remained this quiet surprises me to a small degree. But when looking across the landscape of Baseball, all is quiet on the transaction front. I thought there might be a team that would be looking to cash-in on an early bird special. But there have been no market makers out there. On closer inspection, parity owns a firm grip on MLB. The Phillies enjoy the largest lead of any division leader in Baseball; four games. Every other division is a one to two game spread. This may have given a GM or two pause from being a seller himself. But this will just add to the intrigue of the coming deadline. In the mean time, Alderson took a proactive approach and announced the bullpen doors were figuratively open.
Carlos Beltran; depending how well he and his teammates move away from relevancy and towards true contention; may be playing his last bunch of games as a Met. He's the most obvious to go should the Mets not make any headway in the standings. He's almost impossible to keep because there are no compensation picks should he leave the Mets as a free agent. Because the Mets would potentially be the motivated sellers, the return on a Beltran trade could be compromised. To what degree remains to be seen.
After Beltran and the bullpen, the Mets trade picture gets blurry. They have ten to twelve days to gain focus.
Mike.BTB
Tuesday, July 05, 2011
L.I. Ducks ~ Popping Corks in York
From the desk of: A QUACK FROM BROOKLYN
LONG ISLAND DUCKS: CLINCH 1st HALF TITLE!
The Ducks' victory over the York Revolution Monday, coupled with South Maryland's loss to Bridgeport means Long Island has clinched first place in the first half Liberty Division race. In League leading fashion, they assured themselves a spot in this year's post-season while also putting to rest last year's disappointment of not making the playoffs after an Atlantic League record six consecutive appearances from 2004 through 2009.
A pop-up just beyond second base was the last out the game and an inning Bubbie Buzachero couldn't help but put his stamp on. But when the popped-up ball landed softly in SS-Dan Lyon's glove, any anxiety of closing the game was now energy devoted toward celebration. All the jubilant Ducks assembled on York's infield grass between second and third base where they exchanged congratulatory five fives; low fives; hugs; and hand shakes.
But this win did not come with out a price. Starting pitcher Mike Lorre; having a dominant season; was pitching another strong game before he was pulled in the seventh inning with an undetermined injury. I later heard during the York broadcast he left due to a groin strain and should be fine. Hmmm; you know how that goes.
Mike Loree allowed a lead-off home run in the seventh inning. Two pitches later, he must have felt something and Coach Baez wasn't about to take any chances with his ace. He called upon his bullpen to finish the game for Long Island. In Mike Loree's six innings and two batters of work, he allowed the lone home run and a total of only two hits. Mike walked one batter and struck out six. The Ducks' clincher was Loree's League leading tenth victory of the season. He remains as the only Atlantic League pitcher with an ERA below 2.00, as he sports a 1.71 mark.
The Ducks clinched the division's first half race with a 37-21 record. They beat out the South Maryland Blue Crabs by five games as of Monday. Their 37 wins are tops in the League. The Freedom Division's top two teams; Lancaster Barnstormers and York Revolution; have 33 victories each; good for second overall in the Atlantic League thus far. This week (Friday) marks the end of the first half of the Atlantic League season.
Early season highlights include:
Kraig Binick batted over .400 for a substantial stretch beginning with the start of the season till right before suffering facial injuries that he's since recovered from. His batting average is still at a lofty .366 this season which ranks him second in the League.
As part of overall solid seasons, Matt Esquivel and Javier Colina presently round out the .300 hitters for Long Island. Matt is batting .314 and Colina is sporting a .311 average on the season. Matt Esquivel has seven home runs and twenty-eight RBI to go along with his .300 average.
John Rodriguez has been beset by a some nagging injuries. He missed a couple games at first with a sore thumb. He now seems to be battling a barking shoulder and has missed quite a few games lately. Before being side-tracked with ailments, he was leading the Atlantic League with 42 RBI. There's a new League leader (46) now, but John is still ranked fourth in the League despite missing time. JR House is third in the League with 43 and teammate Javier Colina has 41 to place three Ducks among the top seven RBI leaders.
Javier Colina and JR House are also creeping up on the League leaders in home runs. The Atlantic League leader has twelve. Colina is right behind with eleven and House has ten of his own.
The Ducks 359 runs scored lead the League.
On the mound, as mentioned, Mike Loree is quite the story this season. Mike was named Pitcher of the Month for June. He's the League Leader in wins and ERA and is also one strikeout short of being tied for the League lead in that category. As great a season he's having, somewhere in the back of Duck Fan's minds, the thought that maybe it's only just a matter of time before an MLB team steps in to purchase his contract has to be creeping into one's thinking. No?
While that would be very unfortunate in the Ducks' scheme of things, it's not today's reality. But in that event, the Ducks' pitching is still quite capable. Mike Parisi has been a fine Number Two guy in the rotation. He got roughed up a bit in his last outing. But has been nothing short of solid this season.
He's a League leader in strikeouts, and as I hinted, his ERA was inflated a bit due to his last outing.
After Loree and Parisi, it's fair to say the Ducks are lacking depth in the starting rotation. Shane Youman may still yet emerge and be effective in the second half. Joselo Diaz has had his problems on the hill this season.
But that's where the bullpen has come in so well this season. Guys like Jason Monti and Bob Zimmermann keep the opposition honest. But Coach Baez relies on Jeremy Hill; Ehren Wassermann for the stickiest situations. The Tennessee Thrilla' - Bubbie Buzachero closes things out for Long Island but not without stomach-churning excitement. He must be doing something right though, as he has a League leading 11 saves.
The Ducks continue their series tonight against the York Revolution, who are trying to overtake the Lancaster Barnstormers for first place in the Freedom Division before Friday. York is only 1/2 game behind Lancaster.
Check out the Long Island Ducks celebration picture in the locker room: LIDucks.com
Check out The Ducks Division Champs banner here: AtlanticLeague.com
Mike.BTB
LONG ISLAND DUCKS: CLINCH 1st HALF TITLE!
The Ducks' victory over the York Revolution Monday, coupled with South Maryland's loss to Bridgeport means Long Island has clinched first place in the first half Liberty Division race. In League leading fashion, they assured themselves a spot in this year's post-season while also putting to rest last year's disappointment of not making the playoffs after an Atlantic League record six consecutive appearances from 2004 through 2009.
A pop-up just beyond second base was the last out the game and an inning Bubbie Buzachero couldn't help but put his stamp on. But when the popped-up ball landed softly in SS-Dan Lyon's glove, any anxiety of closing the game was now energy devoted toward celebration. All the jubilant Ducks assembled on York's infield grass between second and third base where they exchanged congratulatory five fives; low fives; hugs; and hand shakes.
But this win did not come with out a price. Starting pitcher Mike Lorre; having a dominant season; was pitching another strong game before he was pulled in the seventh inning with an undetermined injury. I later heard during the York broadcast he left due to a groin strain and should be fine. Hmmm; you know how that goes.
Mike Loree allowed a lead-off home run in the seventh inning. Two pitches later, he must have felt something and Coach Baez wasn't about to take any chances with his ace. He called upon his bullpen to finish the game for Long Island. In Mike Loree's six innings and two batters of work, he allowed the lone home run and a total of only two hits. Mike walked one batter and struck out six. The Ducks' clincher was Loree's League leading tenth victory of the season. He remains as the only Atlantic League pitcher with an ERA below 2.00, as he sports a 1.71 mark.
The Ducks clinched the division's first half race with a 37-21 record. They beat out the South Maryland Blue Crabs by five games as of Monday. Their 37 wins are tops in the League. The Freedom Division's top two teams; Lancaster Barnstormers and York Revolution; have 33 victories each; good for second overall in the Atlantic League thus far. This week (Friday) marks the end of the first half of the Atlantic League season.
Early season highlights include:
Kraig Binick batted over .400 for a substantial stretch beginning with the start of the season till right before suffering facial injuries that he's since recovered from. His batting average is still at a lofty .366 this season which ranks him second in the League.
As part of overall solid seasons, Matt Esquivel and Javier Colina presently round out the .300 hitters for Long Island. Matt is batting .314 and Colina is sporting a .311 average on the season. Matt Esquivel has seven home runs and twenty-eight RBI to go along with his .300 average.
John Rodriguez has been beset by a some nagging injuries. He missed a couple games at first with a sore thumb. He now seems to be battling a barking shoulder and has missed quite a few games lately. Before being side-tracked with ailments, he was leading the Atlantic League with 42 RBI. There's a new League leader (46) now, but John is still ranked fourth in the League despite missing time. JR House is third in the League with 43 and teammate Javier Colina has 41 to place three Ducks among the top seven RBI leaders.
Javier Colina and JR House are also creeping up on the League leaders in home runs. The Atlantic League leader has twelve. Colina is right behind with eleven and House has ten of his own.
The Ducks 359 runs scored lead the League.
On the mound, as mentioned, Mike Loree is quite the story this season. Mike was named Pitcher of the Month for June. He's the League Leader in wins and ERA and is also one strikeout short of being tied for the League lead in that category. As great a season he's having, somewhere in the back of Duck Fan's minds, the thought that maybe it's only just a matter of time before an MLB team steps in to purchase his contract has to be creeping into one's thinking. No?
While that would be very unfortunate in the Ducks' scheme of things, it's not today's reality. But in that event, the Ducks' pitching is still quite capable. Mike Parisi has been a fine Number Two guy in the rotation. He got roughed up a bit in his last outing. But has been nothing short of solid this season.
He's a League leader in strikeouts, and as I hinted, his ERA was inflated a bit due to his last outing.
After Loree and Parisi, it's fair to say the Ducks are lacking depth in the starting rotation. Shane Youman may still yet emerge and be effective in the second half. Joselo Diaz has had his problems on the hill this season.
But that's where the bullpen has come in so well this season. Guys like Jason Monti and Bob Zimmermann keep the opposition honest. But Coach Baez relies on Jeremy Hill; Ehren Wassermann for the stickiest situations. The Tennessee Thrilla' - Bubbie Buzachero closes things out for Long Island but not without stomach-churning excitement. He must be doing something right though, as he has a League leading 11 saves.
The Ducks continue their series tonight against the York Revolution, who are trying to overtake the Lancaster Barnstormers for first place in the Freedom Division before Friday. York is only 1/2 game behind Lancaster.
Check out the Long Island Ducks celebration picture in the locker room: LIDucks.com
Check out The Ducks Division Champs banner here: AtlanticLeague.com
Mike.BTB
Sunday, July 03, 2011
Friday, July 01, 2011
Newark Bears ~ Roaring Back
From the desk of: THE BRICK CITY NINE
NEWARK BEARS: GM is Smarter Than The Average Bear. Changes Translate on the Field. Two Straight Wins Earns Split With Pittsfield.
It looks like a week of roster changes begot their desired effects. Bears' GM Mike Torrez spent the early part of this week shaking up the personnel on his team. The moves paid off towards the end of the week as the Bears won their last two games; including tonight's game at The Den. With these last two victories, they did well to salvage a split of their four game series against the Pittsfield Colonials after losing six games in a row.
Starting pitcher; Eric Eden didn't pitch past the fifth inning, but he did keep Pittsfield off the scoreboard. He allowed five hits; no runs; two walks; and struck out three. But as is becoming custom, Coach Raines looked to his bullpen to pitch the final four innings of the game.
The Bears opened the scoring in the second inning with an unearned run. Tim Raines Jr. drove in the Bears' second run of the game in the third inning with a single, scoring Ryan Walsh who led off the inning with a base hit. Pat Biserta led-off the fourth with a double and scored on an error by Pittsfield's catcher on a sacrifice attempt.
With the game turned over to the bullpen, Newark's Chris Rollins; relieving Eric Eden; promptly allowed Pittsfield two runs in the sixth, but did finish out the inning. Newark picked up their pitcher with three more runs in the bottom of the inning.
Pat Biserta reached on an E-5. Billy Alvino's attempted sacrifice resulted in yet another error (E-1). He reached first and Biserta reached third. Biserta scored on Eric McGee's single. A Brandon Watson sac-fly scored Alvino. And Juan Martinez doubled home McGee for a 6-2 Bears lead.
Newark tacked on two more runs in the eighth inning when Juan Martinez bopped a two run home run; scoring Brandon Watson.
TJ Hose kept Pittsfield quiet over the seventh and eighth innings. He allowed no hits and struck out one. Then Coach Raines called on Anthony Pluta to pitch the ninth inning for Newark. He allowed a lead-off single and got the second batter on a fly to left. Pluta got out number two via the swinging strikeout but walked the next for a first and third situation (lead runner advanced previously - WP). Finally, out number three came on a grounder to second base.
Final score: Bears 8; Colonials 2
Since hitting the frightful .500 mark, two consecutive wins gives the Bears a somewhat more eye-pleasing 18-16 record. They are now tied again with Pittsfield for fourth place overall in the first half CanAm standings.
The Bears will spend the Fourth of July Weekend in N.Y. playing the Rockland Boulders. Three games in their place will be capped off with a fourth game back in Newark.
Mike.BTB
NEWARK BEARS: GM is Smarter Than The Average Bear. Changes Translate on the Field. Two Straight Wins Earns Split With Pittsfield.
It looks like a week of roster changes begot their desired effects. Bears' GM Mike Torrez spent the early part of this week shaking up the personnel on his team. The moves paid off towards the end of the week as the Bears won their last two games; including tonight's game at The Den. With these last two victories, they did well to salvage a split of their four game series against the Pittsfield Colonials after losing six games in a row.
Starting pitcher; Eric Eden didn't pitch past the fifth inning, but he did keep Pittsfield off the scoreboard. He allowed five hits; no runs; two walks; and struck out three. But as is becoming custom, Coach Raines looked to his bullpen to pitch the final four innings of the game.
The Bears opened the scoring in the second inning with an unearned run. Tim Raines Jr. drove in the Bears' second run of the game in the third inning with a single, scoring Ryan Walsh who led off the inning with a base hit. Pat Biserta led-off the fourth with a double and scored on an error by Pittsfield's catcher on a sacrifice attempt.
With the game turned over to the bullpen, Newark's Chris Rollins; relieving Eric Eden; promptly allowed Pittsfield two runs in the sixth, but did finish out the inning. Newark picked up their pitcher with three more runs in the bottom of the inning.
Pat Biserta reached on an E-5. Billy Alvino's attempted sacrifice resulted in yet another error (E-1). He reached first and Biserta reached third. Biserta scored on Eric McGee's single. A Brandon Watson sac-fly scored Alvino. And Juan Martinez doubled home McGee for a 6-2 Bears lead.
Newark tacked on two more runs in the eighth inning when Juan Martinez bopped a two run home run; scoring Brandon Watson.
TJ Hose kept Pittsfield quiet over the seventh and eighth innings. He allowed no hits and struck out one. Then Coach Raines called on Anthony Pluta to pitch the ninth inning for Newark. He allowed a lead-off single and got the second batter on a fly to left. Pluta got out number two via the swinging strikeout but walked the next for a first and third situation (lead runner advanced previously - WP). Finally, out number three came on a grounder to second base.
Final score: Bears 8; Colonials 2
Since hitting the frightful .500 mark, two consecutive wins gives the Bears a somewhat more eye-pleasing 18-16 record. They are now tied again with Pittsfield for fourth place overall in the first half CanAm standings.
The Bears will spend the Fourth of July Weekend in N.Y. playing the Rockland Boulders. Three games in their place will be capped off with a fourth game back in Newark.
Mike.BTB
SUBWAY SERIES II ~ Citi Field Showdown
From the desks of:
HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET and BLAME CARLOS MAY
The Battle For Bragging Rites
Fourth of July Weekend
SUBWAY SERIES
Bronx vs. Queens
New York Mets: Stand Or Fall..
It's time for the Mets to play better at home. The Flushing Fighters are back from a good road trip; an outstanding road trip. And it's time for them to control their House. This series has aligned itself nicely for the Mets to start tonight against the Yankees of all teams.
July is upon us. That means hard, cold decisions will have to be made before the month expires. The Mets have avoided being broken up for at least two weeks now. The clock is still ticking though. In the mean time, they've seemingly done everything they can to convince the minds of those in the Front Office that this team is worth keeping together; if only for another three months.
So, Here's To Living In The Moment:
OK; - So we lost the last game to Detroit... I promise you, this isn't me speaking in hind-sight; but Mike Pelfrey's style versus the Tiger line-up is a really bad match-up for the Mets. I believe his start could have been worse.
But the Mets have done well to get to this point. After a loss, now we have to start the next two to three game burst of wins. That's the way it needs to be done. It's the way they've been getting it done. They may have lost Thursday, but it was the Mets' third series win in a row against good teams. Win two; lose one - that's manageable in the short term. When you project that, it's fun to think of the possibilities.
From a Met point of view, the starting rotation couldn't have been set-up any better for this weekend's Subway Series against the Yankees. Mike Pelfrey won't be facing the Yankees, which, for Met Fans, is a good thing. And C.C. Sabathia will also miss the series as both pitchers threw on Thursday. For Met Fans, not facing C.C. is also a good thing.
The Mets will have their three most consistent pitchers throwing against the Yankees. Jon Niese; Dillon Gee; and R.A. Dickey will all take their turns at the visiting cross town rivals. Those three must carry the Mets if they are to be carried at all.
I do think the Mets will rough up the Yankee pitchers they'll be starting against us this series. Nova; Garcia; and Colon? Bring it! I'll take my chances against them any day. But it all goes back to the pitching. The Mets starters, helped along the way with some timely hitting, must carry the club.
And Subway Series specific, it would be nice to jump out early against the Yankees' starters. It's their bullpen I'm more concerned with. I don't want to have to play catch-up against their reliever corps. And YES! - I do have a realistic expectation for the Mets winning this series.
At the mid-point of the 2011 season, I think there's a distinct possibility the Mets recent surge in hitting is more indicative of the Mets being a well-adjusted bunch that has finally meshed, than just being a freakish and transient phenomenon and a team that will not be able to over-come the loss of Wright; Ike; (and Johan). I stated the other day, there is something to be said for entering mid-season form. Maybe the Mets are hitting their own personal stride, with the line-up they are working with. This line-up has now been a relative constant for much of May and June. That's a huge positive and maybe that's why they are hitting so well together lately. Additionally, Terry Collins should be commended for his juggling act in handling catcher; third base; and first base.
Last season, the return of Carlos Beltran turned out to be more disruptive than the Mets bargained for. Many of the call-ups and some of the remaining regulars found a zone together and rose as high as eleven games over .500 in July. But I still believe as I did when he returned to the line-up last season, Carlos Beltran did more harm to the offensive chemistry than good. In truth, it had nothing to do with Beltran. The matter rested more as to what the line-up became in his absence and how they played once they were left for a time to gel.
With respect to Carlos Beltran this year, he's been busting it since Opening Day. There is no issue with him today. He's a 2011 constant. My point merely was to point out, with the lengthy absence of Ike and Wright this season, the line-up has grown on one-another over that time. They've adapted and have over-come the setbacks and the results are being displayed on the field and with their bats. That's my feel.
The fact is the Mets have proven their ability to string together hits, and manufacture runs in the absence of the long ball. They still had ten hits in their last loss to Detroit; seven against Verlander. Detroit aside, they aren't dinking and dunking their way towards wins. They're hitting the ball solidly and running the bases smartly. They also have shown they can score late in games and mount comebacks.
This is shaping up to be one hell of series. Both teams have an awful lot to play for. For the Mets, they need to stay above .500; - not at, or falling below that level. The Yankees are not without their problems, and no matter what they do, they'll never be able to shake the Red Sox. Therefore, look forward to a tightly contested series.
I'm breaking out for the weekend, and this was my post for the series.
Let's Go Mets!!!
TONIGHT
THE N.Y.C. SUBWAY SERIES RESUMES
"Old School"
THE N.Y.C. SUBWAY SERIES RESUMES
The Bronx Bombers
New York Yankees
vs.
The Flushing Fighters
NEW YORK METS
From the Willets Point Stop on the 7 Train
FLUSHING, NYC
HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMERICA!!
Have a safe and happy holiday everyone!
Mike.BTB
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