Quick note: I thought David Ortiz had a good response to reporters yesterday when questioned about steroids as long as he follows through.
That being said, hopefully Youkilis gets hit by a nice fastball on the elbow this week, it's been a while and I have a great picture to post when it happens.
Friday, July 31, 2009
Coming out of the woodwork
Expect a lot more admissions like This via ESPN.
I expect to see a few more players come forward who think they are on the list of 103 players to test positive in 2003. It is better to come forward with a calculated statement in the public eye than getting caught and scrambling for an excuse. That being said, I don't think the Yankees are pursuing Bronson Arroyo or any other former Boston Juice Box players.
The 70's had the Big Red Machine in Cincinnati. We have the Boston Juice Box.
I am only half kidding. I really do believe that something like 80% of players were taking some sort of PED during the very lax pre 2004 era.
I expect to see a few more players come forward who think they are on the list of 103 players to test positive in 2003. It is better to come forward with a calculated statement in the public eye than getting caught and scrambling for an excuse. That being said, I don't think the Yankees are pursuing Bronson Arroyo or any other former Boston Juice Box players.
The 70's had the Big Red Machine in Cincinnati. We have the Boston Juice Box.
I am only half kidding. I really do believe that something like 80% of players were taking some sort of PED during the very lax pre 2004 era.
Thursday, July 30, 2009
The Spy checks in
This from our favorite traitor, he will guest write often, I hope :
The following is my first attempt at a blog post. I do not hold any grand aspirations of blogging fame, and I do not believe that this will some day lead me to a life of sitting on a couch writing about the teams I love a la ESPN’s “The Sports Guy.” I’m writing this because my dear friend the editor has given me a forum, and who am I to pass up the opportunity?
This first one will largely be about me, but will not, and could not, cover everything. I’m sure most of my character, IE flaws, will come through my writings so I will not bore you with them here.
First and foremost, I have already lied to you. Twice. I mentioned earlier that I didn’t think this was going to lead to me writing about the “teams” I love. Well, that is based on the fact that I only truly love one team. I’m an NFL and NCAA football fan, I appreciate hockey, basically can’t stand basketball, and love the Yanks.
My second lie was of a more devious nature – I believe the editor of this blog to be nothing more than a conduit through which I can voice my opinion. He often refers to me as a “spy,” but only because Girardi knows me by name and he’s jealous. I’ll say it here for all to see – I’ll fight the editor. And win. Actually, fighting is rather barbaric. I challenge the editor to a decathlon of events. Much like ESPN’s Mike and Mike did last summer. We could sell t-shirts and tickets and give away prizes!
I digress.
On to me. As previously stated, I am a diehard Yankee fan. But, even with my diehard status largely intact, I refuse to refer to the team as “we.” I couldn’t hit major league pitching if my life depended on it, or catch a hot shot off the bat of papi at first… so I really have no business including myself in their victories or defeats. And, unless you get checks every two weeks signed by Trost, neither do you.
Politically, I have a largely libertarian sentiment. I believe the idea that more government involvement in ANYTHING (re: health care) is a bad one. More on things of this nature later.
Personally, I am a, largely sheltered, 22 year old with no idea what he wants to do with his life. While that may describe most 22 year olds, I feel the need to point it out every so often. I’m not sure how this blogging thing will work out for me, or the editor, but it could be fun.
bluebloodedduck
The following is my first attempt at a blog post. I do not hold any grand aspirations of blogging fame, and I do not believe that this will some day lead me to a life of sitting on a couch writing about the teams I love a la ESPN’s “The Sports Guy.” I’m writing this because my dear friend the editor has given me a forum, and who am I to pass up the opportunity?
This first one will largely be about me, but will not, and could not, cover everything. I’m sure most of my character, IE flaws, will come through my writings so I will not bore you with them here.
First and foremost, I have already lied to you. Twice. I mentioned earlier that I didn’t think this was going to lead to me writing about the “teams” I love. Well, that is based on the fact that I only truly love one team. I’m an NFL and NCAA football fan, I appreciate hockey, basically can’t stand basketball, and love the Yanks.
My second lie was of a more devious nature – I believe the editor of this blog to be nothing more than a conduit through which I can voice my opinion. He often refers to me as a “spy,” but only because Girardi knows me by name and he’s jealous. I’ll say it here for all to see – I’ll fight the editor. And win. Actually, fighting is rather barbaric. I challenge the editor to a decathlon of events. Much like ESPN’s Mike and Mike did last summer. We could sell t-shirts and tickets and give away prizes!
I digress.
On to me. As previously stated, I am a diehard Yankee fan. But, even with my diehard status largely intact, I refuse to refer to the team as “we.” I couldn’t hit major league pitching if my life depended on it, or catch a hot shot off the bat of papi at first… so I really have no business including myself in their victories or defeats. And, unless you get checks every two weeks signed by Trost, neither do you.
Politically, I have a largely libertarian sentiment. I believe the idea that more government involvement in ANYTHING (re: health care) is a bad one. More on things of this nature later.
Personally, I am a, largely sheltered, 22 year old with no idea what he wants to do with his life. While that may describe most 22 year olds, I feel the need to point it out every so often. I’m not sure how this blogging thing will work out for me, or the editor, but it could be fun.
bluebloodedduck
Papi
David Américo Ortiz Arias, more commonly known as Big Papi was included on the list of players who tested positive in 2003. This is no surprise to me just check the difference from 2002 to 2005 in these pictures. That's a difference of 17 homers to mid 40's if I have ever seen one.
Hey Big Papi...Remember when you said this:
"I would suggest everybody get tested, not random, everybody," he said. "You go team by team. You test everybody three, four times a year and that's about it."
And if a player tests positive for steroids?
"Ban 'em for the whole year," the slugger said.
Someone should have told him to eat a little better and drink less alcohol while on the juice, that's where that gut comes from. Not too much arroz con pollo y maduros.
Let's end this leaking of 1-2 names every month please. Either publish the entire list of 103 names or admit your mistake in letting these leak and move on. This is not fair to single players out one at a time, even big papi.
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Hit By Pitch
When Joba Chamberlain threw up and in on Evan Longoria last night didn't you just wish that was Kevin Youkilis standing in there? Me Too! Oh well Longoria can get a taste too just in case he thought his pesky Rays (who are still the Devil Rays to anyone who matters) would mix into this division race. Joba's intensity is back. He's not shaking Jorge Posada off anymore and has realized he's 23 with no rings and Posada is 63 with 4 rings. I thought it was commendable for Garza to come back at Teixiera, good baseball doesn't bother me at all.
Phillies land Cliff Lee: Become almost as powerful as an American League team.
Look for the Yankees to get Jarod Washburn here in the next two days. Arroyo was a nice thought but with the Ian Snell move that Seattle made I think they are poised to send Washburn to the Bronx. The Sox can go ahead and add Victor Martinez. I'm confident with things as they stand today and if it were a Washburn to the BX and Martinez to Boston you have to like the way things look.
Lastly: Bruney has lost any status he had towards the back end of the Bombers 'Pen. Hughes Aceves and Coke have firmly planted themselves in front of him. Bruney has been serving up nothing but meatballs, he can't be trusted in a big spot until he proves he can do it in low pressure situations now. His big K the other day was a fluke. I have a theory that a fantasy baseball foe of mine who has Mariano Rivera on his team has paid Mr Bruney to blow big leads and force Mariano in to bolster his saves and k/9. Bruney did say after his last bad outting "hey I just wanted to get MO a save." Just a theory but I'm sticking to it.
Phillies land Cliff Lee: Become almost as powerful as an American League team.
Look for the Yankees to get Jarod Washburn here in the next two days. Arroyo was a nice thought but with the Ian Snell move that Seattle made I think they are poised to send Washburn to the Bronx. The Sox can go ahead and add Victor Martinez. I'm confident with things as they stand today and if it were a Washburn to the BX and Martinez to Boston you have to like the way things look.
Lastly: Bruney has lost any status he had towards the back end of the Bombers 'Pen. Hughes Aceves and Coke have firmly planted themselves in front of him. Bruney has been serving up nothing but meatballs, he can't be trusted in a big spot until he proves he can do it in low pressure situations now. His big K the other day was a fluke. I have a theory that a fantasy baseball foe of mine who has Mariano Rivera on his team has paid Mr Bruney to blow big leads and force Mariano in to bolster his saves and k/9. Bruney did say after his last bad outting "hey I just wanted to get MO a save." Just a theory but I'm sticking to it.
Baseball Superstitions are Bullshit
Baseball players are notoriously some of the world's most superstitious people. They won't change their socks during hitting streaks and some perform gut wrenching rituals before each pitch of their at bat (early 2000 Nomar is my best example of that). But the most un-understandable baseball superstition comes from those not involved in the game: the perfect game/no hitter gag order.
The fact that those watching the game at home/in the stands/shitfaced at a bar or announcing the game for those people are chastised for pointing out that a pitcher is perfect through ___ or is no hitting whatever team absolutely infuriates me. The notion that when some drunk on a bar stool at his favorite watering hole points out a FACT the game is somehow adversely affected by way of a voodoo jinx of the baseball gods is the biggest load of shit I have ever heard. I can't even start to wrap my brain around this. This stems how the players, who are actually involved in the game, act while they are a part of this pitching marvel. Players often don't talk to the pitcher and if they do by no means do they talk about his perfection. This makes sense to me. It is easiest to do your job when it is just another day at work, not when there is enormous amounts of extra pressure on you. The pitchers are not idiots, they know they are throwing perfect games but I do believe its best to just treat it like any other inning. The goal in any inning is in fact to achieve 3 outs without allowing a runner to reach base therefore their approach should not change. Throw strikes and count on your defense.
This tirade of mine stems from a text I sent to a friend yesterday as Mark Buehrle had achieved perfection through 4 innings. This just after he throw the 18th perfect game of all time in his previous start. A STAGGERING FEAT! I had to make sure my friend was aware of what was going on. I texted both the spy and another friend. The spy obviously was not aware but was interested and I assume began checking box scores or something to that effect to see if it was possible he throw a 2nd consecutive perfect game. The second response I received was the one that set me off. It read: SHHHHHH, but I know. It's not my friend that I'm mad at. Its the general baseball public for making him feel obligated to hush my enthusiasm for the possible piece of history going on in front of our eyes. Could Mark Buehrle read my text to him? Didn't think so. I'm done with this myth. I will make it my mission to point out every single no hitter and perfect game through at least 4 or 5 innings that I can.
One last thing: Buerhle was joking with teammates in the dugout during his perfect game. And yesterday when he broke the consecutive outs record while still maintaining perfection he was laughing on the mound. Not because it was a joke but because he broke teammate Bobby Jenks' record. He knew what was going on and so did everyone else around. So THANK YOU Mark Buehrle: for not buying into this farce of a superstition.
-I'm going to do a rain dance now so it won't rain on my commute home
The fact that those watching the game at home/in the stands/shitfaced at a bar or announcing the game for those people are chastised for pointing out that a pitcher is perfect through ___ or is no hitting whatever team absolutely infuriates me. The notion that when some drunk on a bar stool at his favorite watering hole points out a FACT the game is somehow adversely affected by way of a voodoo jinx of the baseball gods is the biggest load of shit I have ever heard. I can't even start to wrap my brain around this. This stems how the players, who are actually involved in the game, act while they are a part of this pitching marvel. Players often don't talk to the pitcher and if they do by no means do they talk about his perfection. This makes sense to me. It is easiest to do your job when it is just another day at work, not when there is enormous amounts of extra pressure on you. The pitchers are not idiots, they know they are throwing perfect games but I do believe its best to just treat it like any other inning. The goal in any inning is in fact to achieve 3 outs without allowing a runner to reach base therefore their approach should not change. Throw strikes and count on your defense.
This tirade of mine stems from a text I sent to a friend yesterday as Mark Buehrle had achieved perfection through 4 innings. This just after he throw the 18th perfect game of all time in his previous start. A STAGGERING FEAT! I had to make sure my friend was aware of what was going on. I texted both the spy and another friend. The spy obviously was not aware but was interested and I assume began checking box scores or something to that effect to see if it was possible he throw a 2nd consecutive perfect game. The second response I received was the one that set me off. It read: SHHHHHH, but I know. It's not my friend that I'm mad at. Its the general baseball public for making him feel obligated to hush my enthusiasm for the possible piece of history going on in front of our eyes. Could Mark Buehrle read my text to him? Didn't think so. I'm done with this myth. I will make it my mission to point out every single no hitter and perfect game through at least 4 or 5 innings that I can.
One last thing: Buerhle was joking with teammates in the dugout during his perfect game. And yesterday when he broke the consecutive outs record while still maintaining perfection he was laughing on the mound. Not because it was a joke but because he broke teammate Bobby Jenks' record. He knew what was going on and so did everyone else around. So THANK YOU Mark Buehrle: for not buying into this farce of a superstition.
-I'm going to do a rain dance now so it won't rain on my commute home
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Pitching trades and Hughes/Joba
Another offensive clinic put on by the Yanks last night. AJ Burnett continued to baffle hitters as he has done for over a month now (where did that 2 seamer come from?). That's 10 of 11 for the Bombers now and something outrageous like 23 of 29 I think.
The Yankees are built to win a Championship. We say this every year but this is the strongest and most balanced they've looked in quite a few years. That being said I feel they need to add a pitcher, an innings eater with some major league experience under his belt. NOT Roy Halladay or Cliff Lee. They need a back end of the rotation type of guy that can eat up some innings and run out there every 5th day and give the juggernaut of an offense behind him a chance to win. 6 innings 3 runs: that type of guy. I've heard Bronson Arroyo talks. Perfect. Arroyo makes enough money to scare away other teams with better B level prospects to get involved and the Yankees still get to keep Jackson, Montero and the other top shelf guys. Thankfully Brian Cashman sees things this way as well.
I've read a few of the beat reporters suggesting they add a bullpen arm. This seems ludacris to me. Phil cy young Hughes has been the best 8th inning guy in the league since he's got there. It's not even close. He has been incredibly dominant, mirroring Mariano Rivera's numbers almost identically. Al Aceves has pitched very well from the pen as well and even Brian Bruney got a huge K in his last outing and has shown signs of recovery back to his old self.
So here is my proposal: Joba has this ridiculous innings limit approaching at 140-160 innings, lets call it 150. He's at 102 right now so in theory if he goes 7 innings from now on he only has 7 starts left with about 14 starts remaining. This is a problem. Especially if we want him to pitch in the Playoffs, which they do. So lets say he has about 4 starts left. I propose we piggy back Hughes with Joba to stretch him out, it is said by baseball people who know this that 2-3 starts is plenty to get Hughes to 100 pitches. Once we are ready to plug Hughes into the rotation we move Joba to the bullpen. This seems like we lose nothing in either spot to me. Joba has proven he's a freak in the pen and Hughes has gained incredible confidence in the bullpen. Hughes is throwing pitches for strikes and daring hitters to swing. He has a repertoire of pitches that can vary as he gets deeper into games.
In my opinion this gets the Yankees through the regular season without taking a hit in either their pen or rotation, and gets both Hughes and Joba to their maximum amount of innings so they can both throw 200 next year (that's a whole different post that I'll get to). Once the playoffs roll around we have a rotation of Sabathia, Burnett and Pettite with Joba, Hughes, Bruney, Aceves and Mariano in the pen. I'm very troubled to find any flaws in this. Please show me one if you do.
__________________________________________________________________
Saw Atmosphere at Webster Hall last night. Great show, especially impressed with Eyedeas and Abilities, a label mate of Atmosphere's. Check them out.
The Yankees are built to win a Championship. We say this every year but this is the strongest and most balanced they've looked in quite a few years. That being said I feel they need to add a pitcher, an innings eater with some major league experience under his belt. NOT Roy Halladay or Cliff Lee. They need a back end of the rotation type of guy that can eat up some innings and run out there every 5th day and give the juggernaut of an offense behind him a chance to win. 6 innings 3 runs: that type of guy. I've heard Bronson Arroyo talks. Perfect. Arroyo makes enough money to scare away other teams with better B level prospects to get involved and the Yankees still get to keep Jackson, Montero and the other top shelf guys. Thankfully Brian Cashman sees things this way as well.
I've read a few of the beat reporters suggesting they add a bullpen arm. This seems ludacris to me. Phil cy young Hughes has been the best 8th inning guy in the league since he's got there. It's not even close. He has been incredibly dominant, mirroring Mariano Rivera's numbers almost identically. Al Aceves has pitched very well from the pen as well and even Brian Bruney got a huge K in his last outing and has shown signs of recovery back to his old self.
So here is my proposal: Joba has this ridiculous innings limit approaching at 140-160 innings, lets call it 150. He's at 102 right now so in theory if he goes 7 innings from now on he only has 7 starts left with about 14 starts remaining. This is a problem. Especially if we want him to pitch in the Playoffs, which they do. So lets say he has about 4 starts left. I propose we piggy back Hughes with Joba to stretch him out, it is said by baseball people who know this that 2-3 starts is plenty to get Hughes to 100 pitches. Once we are ready to plug Hughes into the rotation we move Joba to the bullpen. This seems like we lose nothing in either spot to me. Joba has proven he's a freak in the pen and Hughes has gained incredible confidence in the bullpen. Hughes is throwing pitches for strikes and daring hitters to swing. He has a repertoire of pitches that can vary as he gets deeper into games.
In my opinion this gets the Yankees through the regular season without taking a hit in either their pen or rotation, and gets both Hughes and Joba to their maximum amount of innings so they can both throw 200 next year (that's a whole different post that I'll get to). Once the playoffs roll around we have a rotation of Sabathia, Burnett and Pettite with Joba, Hughes, Bruney, Aceves and Mariano in the pen. I'm very troubled to find any flaws in this. Please show me one if you do.
__________________________________________________________________
Saw Atmosphere at Webster Hall last night. Great show, especially impressed with Eyedeas and Abilities, a label mate of Atmosphere's. Check them out.
Monday, July 27, 2009
Tony Bernazzard is a Joke
Daily News reported the NY Mess (the AAA team that plays in queens) finally let this clown go.
In a truly classless Mets fashion Omar Minaya blasted Adam Rubin, the reporter who originally broke the news on Bernazzard, during the press conference this afternoon. Omar stated that in his miserable opinion Rubin's motives should be questioned as he had a desire to work in the Mets front office and had lobbied for a job in player development there. Really Omar? This would never happen in the Bronx. You know what, even the Red Sox would handle this in a classier manner.
In a truly classless Mets fashion Omar Minaya blasted Adam Rubin, the reporter who originally broke the news on Bernazzard, during the press conference this afternoon. Omar stated that in his miserable opinion Rubin's motives should be questioned as he had a desire to work in the Mets front office and had lobbied for a job in player development there. Really Omar? This would never happen in the Bronx. You know what, even the Red Sox would handle this in a classier manner.
1st Place
Monday July 27, 2009
As I waste time at work on this miserable Monday still battling a hangover from Friday night my beloved Yankees sit 2.5 games ahead of Kevin Youkilis and his band of slumping companions in Boston. What better time could there be to write my first post on beanyoukilis?
I'll start with a pseudo mission statement/introduction to the world of blogging: I hate Kevin Youkilis (as a player) I don't know the guy. I'm sure he's cool enough to share a beer with in some underground biker bar. I hate the fits he throws when he makes an out. I hate how he crowds the plate. I love when Joba beans him. But most importantly I hate that he was the face of a Red Sox World Series Championship in 2007.
OK, that being said here's my take on the state of the American League East: The Sawx have lost their personality. This is something I value in a team, perhaps more than I should and surely enough to frustrate my best friend (my favorite baseball conversationalist). *NOTE* From this point on we can refer to this friend as the "Red Sox Spy" or "The Spy" for reasons I will get into at a later time. Back to the Red Stockings, in 2004 they were the idiots, a name I obviously got a good kick out of, but the idiot tag brought them together and gave them a face. This unshaven, scrappy blue collar attitude that everyone on a Boston pub stool is enamored with was their M.O. from 2004-2008, a period of enormous success for the Sox. During this time the Yankees were plain, boring and too business like. They didn't seem to be having any fun but instead longing for the days of Paul O'Neil's intensity and Derek Jeter's early years. Towards the end of 2008 Jason Giambi started emerging as a dominant personality in the Yanks clubhouse and things seemed to get a little more relaxed. They were having fun again and that was only the beginning. The stache is gone (I was a big supporter) but in comes Mark Teixiera, the best 1st Baseman in the AL, CC Sabathia, clubhouse mayor, AJ Burnett, shaving cream pie connoisseur and Nick Swisher, a total clown who leaves his bat on his shoulder too often looks lost in right field but is loved by the section 203 Bleacher Creatures and widely agreed to be a good clubhouse personality.
The Red Sox have lost that swagger they had for the last 4 years. They look robotic, boring and are playing a very mundane brand of ball and momentum has shifted back towards our Evil Empire. I LOVE THIS TEAM. Things have gotten so relaxed in the clubhouse that even stern Jorge Posada can get a good laugh out of being hit with a pie in the face. Obviously it's only because they are winning, but I attribute much of their success to the new clubhouse demeanor the Yankees have embraced, that lights out pitching and a pony league right field porch but again I digress.
In conclusion, it is my opinion that the Yankees will open this lead up and finish at least 6 games ahead of the Red Sox this season. Mark this down so the spy can mock me when I'm wrong but I'm fine with going out on a limb here. We're 0-8 against them this season and that will change, for the better. The Bombers are a different team then they were when we allowed ourselves to be shellacked by the Sawx and I have very high hopes for them this season.
Sorry for rambling, I'll get better at this.
As I waste time at work on this miserable Monday still battling a hangover from Friday night my beloved Yankees sit 2.5 games ahead of Kevin Youkilis and his band of slumping companions in Boston. What better time could there be to write my first post on beanyoukilis?
I'll start with a pseudo mission statement/introduction to the world of blogging: I hate Kevin Youkilis (as a player) I don't know the guy. I'm sure he's cool enough to share a beer with in some underground biker bar. I hate the fits he throws when he makes an out. I hate how he crowds the plate. I love when Joba beans him. But most importantly I hate that he was the face of a Red Sox World Series Championship in 2007.
OK, that being said here's my take on the state of the American League East: The Sawx have lost their personality. This is something I value in a team, perhaps more than I should and surely enough to frustrate my best friend (my favorite baseball conversationalist). *NOTE* From this point on we can refer to this friend as the "Red Sox Spy" or "The Spy" for reasons I will get into at a later time. Back to the Red Stockings, in 2004 they were the idiots, a name I obviously got a good kick out of, but the idiot tag brought them together and gave them a face. This unshaven, scrappy blue collar attitude that everyone on a Boston pub stool is enamored with was their M.O. from 2004-2008, a period of enormous success for the Sox. During this time the Yankees were plain, boring and too business like. They didn't seem to be having any fun but instead longing for the days of Paul O'Neil's intensity and Derek Jeter's early years. Towards the end of 2008 Jason Giambi started emerging as a dominant personality in the Yanks clubhouse and things seemed to get a little more relaxed. They were having fun again and that was only the beginning. The stache is gone (I was a big supporter) but in comes Mark Teixiera, the best 1st Baseman in the AL, CC Sabathia, clubhouse mayor, AJ Burnett, shaving cream pie connoisseur and Nick Swisher, a total clown who leaves his bat on his shoulder too often looks lost in right field but is loved by the section 203 Bleacher Creatures and widely agreed to be a good clubhouse personality.
The Red Sox have lost that swagger they had for the last 4 years. They look robotic, boring and are playing a very mundane brand of ball and momentum has shifted back towards our Evil Empire. I LOVE THIS TEAM. Things have gotten so relaxed in the clubhouse that even stern Jorge Posada can get a good laugh out of being hit with a pie in the face. Obviously it's only because they are winning, but I attribute much of their success to the new clubhouse demeanor the Yankees have embraced, that lights out pitching and a pony league right field porch but again I digress.
In conclusion, it is my opinion that the Yankees will open this lead up and finish at least 6 games ahead of the Red Sox this season. Mark this down so the spy can mock me when I'm wrong but I'm fine with going out on a limb here. We're 0-8 against them this season and that will change, for the better. The Bombers are a different team then they were when we allowed ourselves to be shellacked by the Sawx and I have very high hopes for them this season.
Sorry for rambling, I'll get better at this.
Sunday, July 12, 2009
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