Daily Archives: December 19, 2003

The distinguished movie-maker Robert Altman once said that you can write a movie just by walking down the street in New York City. By catching a phrase or a sentence from each passing couple, you can invent an entire story around them. You just need to have a good ear, and an even better imagination. With that in mind, head over to Will Carroll’s blog and check out what he overheard at the winter meetings last weekend. When you are done, continue on to Jay Jaffe’s most impressive–not to mention thorough–write-up on his time in New Orleans. You won’t be sorry.

Not to be completey overshadowed by the Yankees and Red Sox, the Baltimore Orioles introduced Miguel Tejada at a press conference yesterday. Tejada’s first assist for the Orioles will be trying to recruit fellow Dominican Vladimir Guerrero, a demure country boy, to play with him in Baltimore:

“I’ve only had a couple of days here, and I can already see how the people here are,” Tejada said. “I’m going to tell him this is a great city, and if you have to make a decision, it’s the right decision for you to come to Baltimore.”

It might not be all that difficult. Oh yeah, it helps that Tejada’s agents also happen to represent Guerrero.

The Yankees traded left-handed relief pitcher Chris Hammond–he of the Bugs Bunny slow pitch–to the Oakland A’s yesterday for two minor leaguers. Hammonds didn’t love pitching in New York, but the move is reportedly motivated by the fact that the Yanks want to re-sign Gabe White, another left-handed reliever. (Incidentally, the A’s also signed southpaw Arthur Rhodes to be their closer.)

Meanwhile, Javier Vasquez spoke with the New York press for the first time as a Yankee via conference call yesterday. His agents and the Bombers are still working on completing a lengthy contract extension. And just to prove that there is never a dull moment in the Yankee-Red Sox season, Karim Garcia and Jeff Nelson were officially charged with assault and battery for their parts in the Game Three bullpen brawl during the ALCS between Boston and New York.

The 5:00 deadline came and went yesterday and Alex Rodriguez was still a member of the Texas Rangers. While the Red Sox proclaimed that the “deal is dead,” Texas GM John Hart, and Rodriguez’s agent Scott Boras said that just isn’t the case. I still believe the trade will get done, oh, just in time for Christmas (hey, timing is everything, right?). For the latest on the story that just won’t quit, check out the professionals: Bob Ryan, Joe Sheehan, Harvey Araton, John Donovan, Buster Olney, David Pinto, Jack Curry, and Tom Boswell.