Blog Archives

I’ve said this before, so excuse me if I repeat myself, but I think that Jay Jaffe’s Futility Infielder features some of the best baseball writing you can find anywhere. ‘Nuff said.

BATTLE IN BEANTOWN

The stage is set for an important three-game series between the Yanks and Sox in Boston tonight. Will the two teams engage in bench-clearing hostilities (the tabloids can only wish)? Will both offenses bash the opposing pitching into submission? Who will be the first Red Sox to homer off Aramando? Will Mr. Kim give up another game to the Yanks? Who will have the best quotes, and who will not talk at all? It will be interesting to find out.

I heard a report that “Moneyball” author, Michael Lewis will be throwing out the ceremonial first pitch tonight. Think the Yanks will have Max Frazee return the favor next month?

The Yankees and the Red Sox will play each other nine more times this season. The Bombers hold a 6-4 advantage thus far, and enter Fenway park tonight with a two-and-a-half game lead. The Sox need to sweep the Yanks in order to move into first place. Predictably, the papers in New York are hyping the series as a potential bean-brawl affair. The great Pedro Martinez will try to improve his career mark to over .500 against New York tonight; he faces Boomer Wells. (My spidey sense is telling me that Pedro will humble the Yanks proper tonight.) Mike Mussina goes against old man Burkett on Saturday, and Derek Lowe faces off against Jiffy Pop Weaver on the espn game of the week on Sunday night.

There isn’t much left to say really. The stakes are high and the tension is palpable. There hasn’t been much trash-talking yet, although Johnny Damon characteristically is making predictions again, though they are tame by his standards. The Sox have not swept the Yankees since 1999, and now would obviously be a good time to end that trend. If the Yankees can manage to win two of three, the weekend will be a success for New York.

Nick Johnson is due to join the big club over the weekend. I wonder if Sunday’s performance will determine Jeff Weaver’s future with the club? My feeling is that if he gets pounded, he’ll be gone by the trading deadline.

DON’T CALL ME NIGGER, WHITEY; DON’T CALL ME WHITEY, NIGGER

Barry Bonds caused a bit of a stir when he dissed Babe Ruth a few weeks ago. Of course, it’s hard to take Bonds’ arguement too seriously–try pitching dude—but I did find his anger revealing. Bonds grew up watching his father go through a difficult time with the media–which was in part because of his blackness, and I’m sure he was aware of how much racism Aaron encountered when he broke Ruth’s record. Ruth represented something sacred to white America, and many African Americans are sick of it. He also represents an era when black players weren’t allowed to play with white players, hence the resentment.

It is ironic then, to consider some of the taunts that Ruth endured during his playing days. He was called a monkey and an ape, and according to R. Creamer’s classic biography:

Beyond the simian insults were rougher epithets built around the word nigger. He was called nigger, nigger this, nigger that, all the vituperative changes on the theme that Jackie Robinson was to endure thirty years later. Ruth was called nigger so often that many people assumed he was indeed partly black and that at some point in time he, or an immediate ancestor, had managed to cross the color line. Even players in the Negro baseball leagues that flourished then believed this and generally wished the Babe, whom they considered a secret brother, well in his conquest of white baseball.

The subject of racism and sabermetrics has been a hot topic this week as well. Check out Mike C’s great takes on the subject, as well as David Pinto’s two-cents worth two. They link all the necessary articles to keep you up to date in Kansas City.

PARDON OUR APPEARANCE

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ANDY: DANDY

Andy Pettitte won his seventh in a row last night against the O’s, giving him at least 12 victories in his first 9 seasons. Ain’t nobody done that in a long time. (Pays to be on the Bronx Bombers, huh?) I’ve been down on Pettitte this year, saying that I have little faith in him from outing to outing. But he’s been keeping the ball down, and has been on a roll. Kudos to you, Andy. Robin Ventura had a couple of hits, and it seems as if the All-Star break gave him the rest he so sorely needed. Bernie Williams had two hits, and the two outs he made were hit well too.

After giving up a solo home run to lead off the eighth, Pettitte was replaced by Armando, who worked a perfect inning. Rivera got the save. The Sox, lead by dirt dog Trot Nixon—one of my favorite Bostonians—mauled the D-Rays and remain two and a half back. The Sox play the Rays this afternoon, at the same time the Yanks play Baltimore. Clemens will pitch today. It is raining this morning in New York, so if the game is called, Rocket will go against Pedro tomorrow night in Boston.

The Yanks were quick to call the second game against Toronto the other night; how long do you think they’ll wait today? Six o’clock?

HOW DO YOU SPELL RELIEF?

Score a victory for the Sox, as they acquired left-handed specialist Scott Sauerbeck from the Pirates last night. The Yankees have been after Sauerbeck for several weeks, but the Pirates reportedly told Brian Cashman that New York didn’t have enough to get the deal done. The Red Sox didn’t exactly give the Pirates the world. Think the Boss is upset? Think Theo and co. did a little dance?

The Yanks answered by picking up old man Jesse Orosco from San Diego for a player to be named later. So far this summer the Yankees have added Dan Miceli, Karim Garcia, Ruben Ruben, Armando, and now Orosco for their stretch run. Not exactly an imposing group of players.

Excuse me for sounding like a mope, but I just don’t get that championship feeling from this team. Which is not to say they can’t do it. But they have a rent-a-wreck quality about them that is hard to deny. Orosco’s theme music should be Quincy Jones’ theme song for “Sanford and Son.”

Last night’s game was rained out, so the Yanks avoided facing Roy Halladay. They start a two-game series against the streaking O’s today in the Bronx, but with more rain on the way, Roger Clemens could possibly pitch in Boston this weekend after all.

SWEET LOU

Pat Jordan is one of my favorite baseball writers, and I think he’s surely the best former-player turned writer. Jordan contributes pieces to the Times magazine several times a year, and his latest is on our man in Tampa, Lou Piniella. Worth taking a look at.

CLEARANCE CLARENCE

Me writeum blogging post. Me hopes me back in saddle.

BLUES

Blogger is killing me. It’s eaten my last four posts. So now, this is a test, of the nimrod blogging system. Does this thing work at all?

BLACK AND BOOED

The Yankees swept the Indians over the weekend to start the second half in fine style (check The Replacement Level Yankees Blog for all the details), but they were derailed last night by the Blue Jays, who are in town for a brief, two-game series. The Yanks lost 8-0, while the Sox beat up the lowly Tigers, 14-5. The Yanks lead is down to three over Boston. Jeff Weaver, who has pitched well of late (including his last outing against Toronto), faltered, and was pounded by the strong Jays offense. Weaver’s curveball was flat, and he got served, plain and simple. When Joe Torre came to get him, the Stadium crowd booed him lustily. John Harper is just one of the local columnists, questioning Weaver’s ability to pitch in the Bronx this morning. With the trading deadline fast approaching, and Boss George due in town today, who would be surprised if the Yanks give up on the moody Californian?

With Nick Johnson close to returning, it’s hard not to fantasize about the Yanks moving him and Weaver as part of a blockbuster package for Brian Giles. Hey, I love Nick Johnson, but a boy can still dream.

SCALPED

The Yanks swept four games from the Indians at the Stadium this weekend to start the second half in style. Of course, Armando was the talk of the town—would you believe there are some skeptics who think he’ll choke in the Bronx just like he did in Queens— and he pitched two effective innings on Friday. He was less than stellar on Saturday, so Joe Torre pulled him and Mariano got the Yanks out of trouble. Jason Giambi and Derek Jeter are hitting very well. Raul Mondesi and Alfonso Soriano also had good weekends, where they combined patience with power. David Wells is now 12-3. Talk about a Yankee Doodle Dandy. He is 64-24 as a Yankee.

BALLIN’

The interview I conducted with Jim Bouton for Baseball Prospectus Radio is now posted on the Baseball Prospectus website. You can download the mp3 and catch Bouton talking about his latest book, “Foul Ball.” He also talks about Old Timer’s Day and why the modern ballplayer is superior to the guys he played with in the ’60s; the prospect of a gay player coming out, as well how he ‘invented’ Big League Chew.

Check it out.

A CHUMP OF A DIFFERENT COLOR

[Note: Nice last post, huh? Holy errors. I think I started my vacation too early. Jeff Weaver gave up one run, and Jason Giambi has 26 homers and 73 RBI.

I watched the All-Star and have to admit, although it was a close game, I wasn’t so into it. I think inter-league play really kills the excitement for me. Anyhow, I was pleased that the AL won, for what it’s worth.]

Here’s another interesting wrinkle in the Yankees season (and the Mets season for that matter): Armando Benitez now wears pinstripes. The long-rumored deal which sent the Mets much-maligned closer to the Bronx finally went down yesterday. The Mets get three prospects in return for Benitez, who will serve as Mariano Rivera’s set-up man.

I must admit, I don’t know how to feel about this one. On one hand the Yankees just got more unlikable. They could start a club called The Moody Latin Mooks, what with Benitez joining Ruben Ruben and Raul Mondesi as card-carrying members. Hey, I know Jose Lima’s stock is soaring right now, how about trading Weaver for him? The club would be complete if the Yanks trade for Juan Gone.

I’ve never cared much for Benitez, especially after he drilled Tino square in the back in ’98. He’s easy not to like. A hulking, sulking fireballer with a million dollar arm and a ten cent head. I watched from a distance as he became public enemy #1 for Mets fans everywhere (with apologies to Roger Cedeno). But I also found myself defending him to Mets fans who treated Benitez like he was Skip Lockwood. He is a talented closer, just not an elite one. But he blew one too many ‘big’ saves for the Mets and they clearly needed to wash their hands of him.

Now, after rooting against him all these years, Yankee fans have to get behind Benitez. As hard as this may seem, we had to get used to Roger Clemens too, and that worked out pretty well. One thing that works in his favor is that he is not going to close, unless something happens to Rivera (in which case, all bets are off). Is Benitez better than what the Yankees have? Yes. Will he make Yankee fans suffer in a close game, late in the season? Yes.

Will the Yankee fans cut him any slack at all? I don’t know, but I wouldn’t count on it. If he can somehow manage to start off on the right foot, it might go a long way in saving him a trip straight to the doghouse. But just wait until he blows a lead against the Sox.

I do know that this is a win-win situation for Mets fans. Whatever happens, they have to feel confident that they will make out on this trade. If Benitez stinks they’ll be happy because the guy they hate is doing just what they expect him to do, plus he’s doing it for the Yanks. And if he wins, then they get to hate him and the Yankees just a little bit more than they already do.

I’m curious to see how the Yankee players respond to the big lug, and of course, how he’ll respond to a golden opportunity. Hey, at least this season hasn’t been dull.

BLUE JAY WAY

The Yanks recovered over the weekend to take two of three in Toronto from the Blue Jays. They finished the first half with their best record at the break since 1998; the Red Sox are just two games back.

Andy Pettitte was shaky on Friday night, but the Bombers’ bats covered for him, and he earned the victory. The bullpen (Hammonds, and welcome back Osuna) fell apart for Mike Mussina—who was out-pitched by “Doc” Halliday—on Saturday, but Jeff Weaver came back on Sunday with perhaps his best performance of the year, as the Yanks beat the Jays, 6-1. Weaver pitched eight innings, didn’t allow a run, struck out seven, and walked none.

The Jays are sliding, but they are a likable team. Blue Jays manager Carlos Tosca is a precocious old guy. He can hang with Joe Torre or Pat Corrales any day. He looks like the late Phil Hartman doing an impression of W.C. Fields.

Jason Giambi now has 26 homers and 72 RBI. He also leads the league in walks. Jeter is hitting over .300; Bernie is back. When Nick Johnson returns by the end of the month, the Yankees’ lineup should finally be back on track.

I’m on vacation this week, so blogging will be light to variable as they say.

Hello?

RUMOR MILL

I’ve heard that Pirates pitcher Kris Benson is likely to become a Red Sox. But are the Red Sox willing to move an outfielder to get some pitching? The Globe has an article detailing the latest rumors this morning.

SAY WHAT?

In the wake of Curtis Pride’s emotional home run against Boston last weekend, Bruce Markusen looks at the history of deaf players in his latest Cooperstown Confidential column.

NOTHING SHOCKING

It turns out Pedro Martinez will pitch against the Yanks in their next series after all. Tell me something I don’t know.

CRUMBS

The first fan letter I ever wrote to a ballplayer was to Jason Giambi during his first spring training with the Yankees. I don’t really know why—perhaps I was still smarting from the Game 7 loss in Arizona—but I felt compelled to welcome the big lug to New York. I ended up sending him a 7 page letter, warning him about the boos that would greet him, and the highs and lows New York would have to offer.

Several months later I heard Giambi naively tell one of the newspapers, “You know, fans actually lose sleep in New York when we lose.” No kidding, brother.

Well, count last night’s 3-2, extra-inning loss as one of those nights. Coupled with the fact that the Red Sox completed a three-game sweep of the Jays in Toronto to move two games out of first place, there was a lot of tossing and turning in the BX last night. The Yankees didn’t blow a seven run lead, but it was a game they clearly should have won.

Roger Clemens labored through seven innings, but only gave up two runs. The Yankees offense, which has been slumping for the last week (with the exception of their six-run outburst for Boomer), was asleep at the wheel again. Robin Ventura and Raul Mondesi are in terrible slumps. Mondesi didn’t start last night, and went kvetching to the press about it. Hey, Mondesi doesn’t want to return to the Yanks next year? Who says we want him here in the first place? Try knocking in 100 runs once, just once, and maybe you would feel wanted, papi.

While Jeter is starting to hit well, Alfonso Soriano inexplicably was picked off twice, killing potential rallies.

When Sterling Hitchcock came on in relief to start the top of the tenth, I knew the game would soon be over. Furious, I got on the phone to my friend Javier, and starting bitching and moaning. “Well, who would you rather see in this spot?” he asked.

That shut me up quickly. “Jeff Nelson!” was all I could muster.

The strangest play of the night came early in the game when Milton Bradley—who went hitless in the series—shoulder blocked Jason Giambi on a lazy play at first. So this is the redass special we’ve been hearing about. But late in the game Bradley reached first and appeared to clear the air.

The Yanks now head to Toronto, where the Jays will be waiting to break out a can of whup ass after getting swept by Boston. Meanwhile the Sox coast into the Motor City to play the Tigers.

SHAPE OF THINGS TO COME?

Doug Pappas, who covers baseball economics with clarity and depth, is also a Mets fan. He sees dark days ahead for the Yanks:

The new issue of Sports Weekly ranks the Mets’ farm system as the majors’ second best — that may be a stretch, but the trend is certainly positive.

The same can’t be said for their crosstown rivals, who have gutted their farm system (ranked 30th by Sports Weekly) for short-term fixes. It’s no coincidence that the foundation of the recent Yankee dynasty was laid while George Steinbrenner was under suspension: had he been running the early-90s Yankees the way he ran the mid-80s club, Bernie Williams, Andy Pettitte, Jorge Posada and Derek Jeter would have been traded for middle relievers or 35-year-old DHes while still in AA. Who can forget Willie McGee for Bob Sykes, Jay Buhner for Ken Phelps, Fred McGriff and cash for Dale Murray, or Doug Drabek for Rick Rhoden?

Now Steinbrenner’s growing impatient again. The Yankees have two 40-year-old starting pitchers, no help coming anytime soon from the farm system, and Jason Giambi, Derek Jeter and Mike Mussina due huge raises. By 2005 they’ll be a third-place club.

Aw man, say it ain’t so. But if history is an indicator, this is a very likely scenerio. Especially with Boston and Toronto already building for the future.