The Orioles team was wrecked by special treatment for Ripken
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The O’s were wrecked by piss-poor management. Ripken’s special treatment isn’t the reason the team has sucked since 1998.

Well, any player can’t, because they’re not all starting pitchers that throw every 5 days. This subject was broached with team leadership before the season even began; they’re on board with it, end of story. It’s not the way I would go about things, but what do I care?

So the Orioles failures to be competitive can be boiled down to Ripken’s favorable treatment? Gee, I thought it had more to do with an idiot owner that couldn’t keep a manager, terrible free agent signings like Albert Belle, and the lack of talent coming up from the minor leagues.

Who cares if they “look” desperate. I don’t care how anything looks, I want to win ballgames, within the rules of the game. It “looked” bad to bunt on Schilling in 04, supposedly, and I sure as hell wish they would have. Would it have been desperate if Boston signed him? I guess not since they’re pitching has been good.

The Orioles team was wrecked by special treatment for Ripken. Not sure if Clemens deigning to bring his presence to NY for part of the 2007 season will have the same effect. However, rules are rules. Why can’t any player on the 25 man roster now demand and expect the same?

Worse, Clemens LIED abot this stuff when he was asked about it Sunday. Nice, really nice. Way to go ‘Roger’, way to go.

This whole “integrity of the team” stuff is a joke. This is entertainment. And yesterday was terrific. These guys are multi-multi-millionaires; the stars are mini-corporations. You really think any of these guys are freaking out about Clemens’ special travel situation?

Innings, innings, innings. Clemens didn’t manage six (6) per start in 2006 so what will he manage in the AL in 2007? What is needed is another Wang, that is a guy who can go seven (7) plus innings fairly often. Other than Wang, who will do that? Probably no one. We will need Igawa out of the bullpen.

According to WFAN, Igawa is heading to Tampa and Rasner is staying in the rotation.

So I guess DeSalvo and Rasner will stick around till Clemens and Hughes return.

Once everyone is back, the rotation IS pretty impressive: Wang, Pettitte, Mussina, Clemens, Hughes.

Does it matter if they look desperate or not? That’s a game the media plays that has no bearing on what happens on the field.

Clemens was the best available pitcher. That’s the end of the story.

Given the state of the Yankees rotation, I was desparate too.
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It’s too early to be desperate. You already had 3 starters, plus one on the DL. Rasner has shown himself to be a competent starter, and who knows what DeSalvo will show tonight and in the future. I’d say it’s too early to give up on Igawa.

While the Yanks weren’t sitting pretty, I don’t think they were desperate.

Given the state of the Yankees rotation, I was desparate too.

Yep. The Yankees look foolish.