Great Joe Cowley, Ron Hassey, Bob Shirley, Dan Pasqua, Rich Bordi and Dale Berra…if this doesn’t take you back to 1985, what will?
Kate Bush – Running up that Hill
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The editor of The Baseball Prospect Book 2010 by John Sickels has provided us with a complimentary copy of the book to give away via a contest. While the book retails for $23.95, it’s true value is much, much, greater than that figure. To put it simply, this is the book that every big baseball G.M. should have on their desk. And, if you want to know the skinny and value of every minor league prospect in the game, you will want this book too.
The contest will take place this Friday, February 5th, at WasWatching.com.
Be sure to check it out, that day, to see the details of the contest – and to have a chance to win!
And, of course, our thanks to The Baseball Prospect Book 2010 for making this possible.
Via Peter Schmuck with a h/t to BBTF -
Clearly, Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti is a proponent of the NFL salary cap, and took a light-hearted shot at the Yankees during today’s big news conference for their inability to totally dominate Major League Baseball with their huge revenue and payroll advantage over the other 29 teams.
“It certainly doesn’t show up in the standings,” Bisciotti said. “If I’m a Yankees fan, I’m upset we’re not winning 130 games with the roster that they have and the money that they pay out. I think it’s a disgrace they only beat the average team by 10 games in the standings with three times the money. I’d fire that GM. You don’t need a GM. All you have to do is buy the last Cy Young Award winner every year.”
Does the Yankees front office have a clubhouse bulletin board? If so, this one has to make it, no?
Via Joel Sherman -
It was impossible to ignore, and the Yankees didn’t ignore it.
Words were not needed. Joba Chamberlain’s body language screamed confidence and the scoreboard flashed 97 mph. Here at the end of his most taxing season, Chamberlain was a strutting fire-breather again. In the postseason. As a reliever.
The difference from the starter who too often was tentative and too frequently throwing fastballs at 89-91 mph was stark. As one Yankees official noted recently, “It was hard to miss.”
The transformation was so blatant, in fact, that the No. 5 starter competition between Chamberlain and Phil Hughes is almost over two weeks before pitchers and catchers even report.
The Yankees never would admit it publicly, but if the season were to begin today, Hughes would be in the rotation and Joba would be Mariano Rivera’s primary set-up man — and, perhaps, heir apparent.
Yeah, let’s put Hughes in the rotation – because we know he lacks a third pitch that’s required when facing a line-up more than one time in a game, and, we know that his fastball – as a starter – is more in the 89-91 MPH range and then requires pinpoint control to be successful. Makes perfect sense, right?
Pull-ease.
Hey, I have no issue with Chamberlain in the pen, if that’s what the Yankees want to do. But, what about having him in the pen with Phil Hughes?
Sure, I know, there’s not a lot of room out there with Rivera, Marte, Robertson and Aceves…and perhaps Melancon and/or Gaudin. And, of course, there’s no room in the “budget” to acquire another starting pitcher like…say…Jarrod Washburn to be a fifth starter.
But, the thought of counting on Phil Hughes to make 30 starts and provide 165+ quality innings, at this stage of his career, based on what we’ve seen from him so far, makes no sense, whatsoever.
At this junction, I think the Yankees have no choice but to go with Joba in the fifth slot. (Don’t even mention Sergo Mitre, OK?) He may have some issues – but, the other choices, given the way the Yankees are now, make little sense.
Via the Newport News Daily Press –
Former major-league pitcher Jim Coates will sign copies of his new book “Always a Yankee” at a card-and-collectible shop in Hampton on Saturday.
Coates, a native Virgininian who lives on the Northern Neck, played for nine years in the majors, mostly for the New York Yankees. He pitched in three consecutive World Series, from 1960-62.
Coates and his collaborator on the book, Gloucester baseball fan and author Doug Williams, will be at the 10th Inning, at 3324 W. Mercury Boulevard, from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. on Saturday.
Coates, who Jim Bouton said “…could pose as the illustration for an undertaker’s sign. He has the personality to match…,” really should have covered first base in Game 7 of the 1960 World Series.
Is his book worth reading? Maybe…sometimes baseball story-telling from sources that you would least expect is very enjoyable. But, I’ve yet to see many reviews on this one. So, I’m going to wait on this one a bit…
Corey Italiano pointed this out to me, via Andrew Baggarly –
[Rich] Aurilia, despite his emotional sendoff in the Giants’ final homestand last October, said he isn’t ready to walk away from the game yet. He’s been working out for the past two months, taking swings and doing baseball work, hoping a team will toss a minor league deal his way and invite him to spring training.
But he wouldn’t play for just any team. He has two in mind, both of which would allow the Brooklyn native to close the circle on his life in double knits. And while he doesn’t expect the Yankees or Mets to give him a locker, they haven’t said no, either.
“We know nothing is imminent, but hopefully we keep in contact with them,” said Aurilia, who played at St. John’s. “It’s just been preliminary, but they said there could be some interest down the road. So I’m concentrating more on just making sure my body is ready. I still have the desire to compete and play. I can contribute. I’ve been throwing, swinging the bat and actually feel pretty good.”
At this point, Rich Aurilia is an older version of Angel Berroa. If this was four years ago, I’d have a different opinion. Now? Gotta say…pass.
It being Super Bowl week, and all, this WSJ report caught my eye.
Carlton Chin and Jay Granat have actually written a new book on this topic – it’s called “Who Will Win the Big Game? 50 Championship Characteristics – A Psychological & Mathematical Method for Identifying Winning Players, Teams & Coaches.”
Per Amazon:
The Big Game Events like The Super Bowl, The World Series, A Championship Fight, The Masters, Wimbledon, The US Open, The Stanley Cup, The World Cup, The Olympic Finals, The BCS Championship, a State Championship, and a Club Championship evoke special interest and a wide range of emotions for both the fans and the participants. Some people collapse under the pressure and others thrive in the spotlight and relish these big moments. What determines which teams, athletes and coaches will succeed when they are in the big game? And what determines who will fail to perform to their potential? This book will address the psychological forces which contribute to winning and to losing. -Why do some athletes excel in the big game? -What causes others to choke when the pressure is on? -What role does psychology play in determining the outcome of sporting events? -Can psychological factors determine how well an athlete or a team performs on a particular day? -What are the key psychological, sociological and emotional variables that impact the way teams, athletes and coaches perform under pressure? -What causes losing streaks and what causes winning streaks? -Why can some coaches win with many different teams and players? -What allows some athletes to play in the zone when the pressure is on? -What causes some athletes to choke and perform poorly? -Why do some athletes seem to always win while other equally talented players seem to always lose in the big game? -What percentage of sports is mental? -What are some of the secrets to winning the big game?
And, here’s a snip from one of the reviews that quotes the Times:
A study of concepts of sport psychology, backed by a statistical analysis of major sports championships, can help predict the winner of the Super Bowl and other championships. After analyzing the championship games or series of the N.F.L., N.B.A., Major League Baseball and N.H.L., and the major finals in golf and tennis, the authors identified 50 championships characteristics for their book.
Psychology and Stats? Holy Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups Batman! Sounds yummy.
Via Riverdogs.com –
The New York Yankees have announced that Charleston RiverDogs skipper Torre Tyson will take over the reins of the High-A Tampa Yankees of the Florida State League and that RiverDogs hitting coach Greg Colbrunn has been promoted to manager.
Colbrunn takes over for Tyson, who spent five years with the RiverDogs – two as hitting coach from 2004-05 and the last three as manager – with an overall record of 232-186, making him the winningest manager in RiverDogs history.
“We’re very happy for both Torre and Greg,” said RiverDogs General Manager Dave Echols. “Torre leaves as the winningest manager in RiverDogs history, but then again, our fans will be very happy with Greg, too. He’s been with us for three seasons already and knows how we do things. While Tampa is getting a great manager, this should be a seamless transition for Charleston as well.”
So, Luis Sojo is out as the Tampa manager? In any event, did you know that, in 1990, Greg Colbrunn was sort of the Jesus Montero of his time? Yup, ’tis true…
Today was a Jury Duty day down in the Land of Thunder. Ah, nothing like having to leave the house at 6:45 am for a nice 50 mile drive…
But, since I was going to be penned up for the day, or most of it, I decided to take advantage of it.
I’m a self-confessed baseball book junkie. But, as such, I sometimes buy baseball books and don’t read them right away. It’s usually because I’m reading another, or more, baseball books at the same time that I bought the one which landed in the “read later” pile. And, to be candid, the “read later” pile is bigger than I would like to confess to…especially over the last 6 years or so, since I have such little “free” time these days.
But, today, I was determined to rescue one book off the pile. And, I chose “Paths to Glory: How Great Baseball Teams Got That Way.” I picked this one up, in hardcover, back in 2003 because I heard a lot of good things, back then, about it. But, sadly, it got buried in the “pile.” Until…today!
Cracking it open, now, and having a chance to get into it, I now see what all the buzz was about six-some years ago. “Paths to Glory: How Great Baseball Teams Got That Way” is a very good book. And, now that I’ve started it, I’m not putting it back until I finish it.
If you’ve never read it, I suggest that you check it out.
It’s a simple question: Why do you read this blog? You can answer in the comments section below, or, send me an e-mail.
Actually, I understand why some read it – because they like it. And, that’s the reason why I read other blogs.
But, what I don’t get are those who read this blog, and read it all the time, who then complain about it.
I see it when other blogs link to me with comments like “Surprise, this guy had this opinion,” etc. And, I see it when they send me e-mails telling me that I’m a hater, and/or, a hack, and/or, my all-time fav, “not a true-Yankee-fan.”
And, I see it on Twitter, when, the second after I make an entry to WW, the twitter-livers start fluttering like a bunch of grade school girls in the playground during recess with these types of exchanges:
ferengi @Skolnick OMG, he’s at it again! WW link
Skolnick @ferengi @Hikikomori I know, when I saw it, my crazy straw fell out of my mouth.
Hikikomori @Skolnick That’s why I told him that I stopped reading him.
ferengi @Hikikomori Stopped?
Hikikomori @ferengi Yeah, I just read him once a day now instead of a few times a day.
Skolnick @ferengi @Hikikomori I stopped too. Now, I only read him now thru iPhone feeds and twitter when he updates, but, I refuse to go to his site!
ferengi @Skolnick I like it when his commentors call him names.
Hikikomori @ferengi @Skolnick I want to comment there and troll but I ran out of e-mail addresses to register with.
It’s a mystery to me. There are blogs out there that I have found difficult to enjoy – either because I don’t like the writing style, or, I find them boring and/or self-indulgent…or, for whatever reason. And, you know what? After I decided that they were not to my liking, I stopped reading them. They’re gone – off my radar. Why would I spend any time on something that I don’t enjoy? Why would anyone? And, that’s what I don’t understand.
So, if you read this blog for some reason other than because you like it, I’d welcome your feedback as to why you read it. Thanks!
You know…every time I hear the part of that stupid song where Jay-Z says “…I made the Yankee hat more famous than a yankee can…,” I wish that, someday, someone, somehow, would make their foot more famous than a sneaker can by sticking it up his ass in retaliation for him making that crazy claim. Really, what nerve.
A fun list of big days for Yankees batters, in terms of reaching base, in the Steinbrenner Era:
| Rk | Player | Date | Opp | Rslt | PA | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | BB | BOP | Pos. Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Derek Jeter | 2009-06-25 | ATL | W 11-7 | 6 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | SS |
| 2 | Johnny Damon | 2008-06-07 | KCR | W 12-11 | 6 | 1 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 1 | LF |
| 3 | Hideki Matsui | 2006-04-03 | OAK | W 15-2 | 6 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 6 | LF |
| 4 | Hideki Matsui | 2004-05-27 | BAL | W 18-5 | 6 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 6 | LF |
| 5 | Jorge Posada | 2003-06-01 | DET | W 10-9 | 8 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 5 | C |
| 6 | Chuck Knoblauch | 2001-04-19 | TOR | W 6-5 | 9 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | LF |
| 7 | Derek Jeter | 2000-06-03 | ATL | L 7-11 | 6 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | SS |
| 8 | Derek Jeter | 1998-08-22 | TEX | W 12-9 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 2 | SS |
| 9 | Bernie Williams | 1996-09-21 | BOS | W 12-11 | 7 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 6 | CF |
| 10 | Gerald Williams | 1996-05-01 | BAL | W 11-6 | 8 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 8 | LF |
| 11 | Wade Boggs | 1994-06-24 | CLE | W 11-6 | 6 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3B |
| 12 | Randy Velarde | 1994-06-24 | CLE | W 11-6 | 6 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 8 | SS |
| 13 | Don Mattingly | 1994-05-04 | CAL | L 6-7 | 7 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 1B |
| 14 | Willie Randolph | 1987-06-19 | BOS | W 10-5 | 7 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | DH |
| 15 | Don Mattingly | 1985-06-17 | BAL | W 10-0 | 6 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 1B |
| 16 | Rickey Henderson | 1985-06-17 | BAL | W 10-0 | 6 | 3 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | CF |
| 17 | Graig Nettles | 1981-06-05 | CHW | W 6-5 | 6 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 7 | 3B |
| 18 | Willie Randolph | 1980-06-09 | CAL | W 8-7 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 2B |
| 19 | Thurman Munson | 1975-07-12 | MIN | W 8-7 | 8 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 4 | C |
.
Boggs and Velarde, as well as Mattingly and Henderson, did it in the same game. And, 11 of the 19 times it happened, it happened in June.
I’m surprised that it happened seven times in one-run wins. That’s interesting.
Check out some of those game links. The one from 1975 was wild. Ditto the comeback in 1980. And, of course, nice memories for the two most recent former Yankees…Damon and Matsui.
I have a feeling this is going to be very funny…or very bad…and nothing in between. But, that’s the way Kevin Smith rolls…
Via Jon Heyman -
Superstar catcher Joe Mauer and the Twins have been engaging in contract talks over the past several days, and there is some optimism a deal can be completed in the coming days, though nothing is set yet.
The discussions are believed to revolve around a seven- or eight-year deal in excess of $20 million per year, according to people familiar with the negotiations. It’s thought Mark Teixeira’s $180 million, eight-year deal has surfaced as a comparable contract.
One TV report out of Minnesota suggested the sides had already agreed on a 10-year deal. But while baseball sources suggest there is a positive tenor surrounding the talks, there is no evidence yet that a deal has been completed.
Reports of talks started to leak out when Twins GM Bill Smith was spotted having lunch with Mauer’s agent Ron Shapiro in Minneapolis recently. Shapiro was the agent for Twins great Kirby Puckett and Orioles icon Cal Ripken Jr., both of whom played their entire careers in one city.
If Mauer is not available, will the Red Sox now look to lock up Victor Martinez? And, who will be the Yankees catcher in 2012? Will Austin Romine be ready by then? So, many, questions…
Is Scott Boras going to have to drive around “Miss Johnny Damon” between now and Spring Training the way that Morgan Freeman had to drive around Miss Daisy? In any event…
Neil Keefe, in his WFAN.com debut, talks about missing Johnny Damon. It’s a great read. Click here to check it out.
Via Reuters -
General Manager Brian Cashman said bringing [Hideki] Matsui to New York from the 2003 season was one of his best signings for the Bronx Bombers.
“I’ve had some successful signings in Japan, I’ve had some unsuccessful signings in Japan. Hideki Matsui will be one of the best deals I ever made,” he said.
“We will have future players from Japan on our roster. They will do everything in their power to try to help us win, but I doubt we’ll find another Hideki Matsui.”
Cashman said the former Yomiuri Giants star was prized by the Yankees not for his nationality, but for his skills as a player.
“We did not sign Hideki Matsui because he was Japanese, we signed him because he was a true champion and one of the world’s more gifted baseball players,” he said.
Team president Randy Levine also praised Matsui, adding he hoped the Yankees did not lose Japanese fans with his departure.
“We know the great allegiance to Hideki Matsui — he deserves it. He was a great Yankee,” said Levine.
“Hopefully, people will still root for the New York Yankees.”
O.K., now, let’s look back at a feature that appeared on mlb.com seven years ago – via some snips:
In her second year as the New York Yankees’ assistant general manager, Jean Afterman has cemented herself as an integral part of the organization’s baseball operations department. When she was hired in December 2001, GM Brian Cashman cited her expertise in the Far East as one of her strongest attributes. That expertise paid off for the Yankees, as Afterman led the charge to bring Hideki Matsui to New York this winter. MLB.com recently caught up with Afterman to discuss Matsui, Japanese baseball and women in baseball.
MLB.com: George Steinbrenner has repeatedly credited you with paving the way for Hideki Matsui’s signing with the Yankees. What was the most challenging part of the Matsui negotiations?
Afterman: That’s a tough question for me, because the negotiations are always the most fun part, because it’s like a chess game. There were certain issues that had to be worked through because the business of baseball in Japan is so different than it is in the U.S. There is always an issue in business translation, so a Japanese player has to not only learn and understand the bare bones of what kind of deal is being presented, but also be educated on a whole different business world. How the Players Association comes into play, what their new-found rights are in the U.S., how they can use those rights or not use them. It wasn’t ‘tough,’ there’s just a lot more meat to the process for a Japanese player coming to the U.S. than there would be with a player from the University of Texas.
MLB.com: Why do you believe that Matsui will succeed in the Majors?
Afterman: I think he will succeed because of his pure, raw talent. Over 10 years in Japan, including successful stints in the U.S.-Japan All-Star Series prior to this last one, he compiled a record that put him at the very top level of Japanese pro baseball players. And he’s not only at the top of current players, but all-time players. With players, the common perception used to be that the game is 50 percent mental and 50 percent physical. Now, having worked in the game like I do, I think the mental game is 70 percent. Hideki has the pure raw ability as well as the make-up to be here. He’s been in the largest baseball market outside of the U.S., he’s been in the spotlight and he’s dealt with the pressure for 10 years. This should be no different.
So, who made the deal to get Godzilla for the Yankees? Seems like we have some conflicting reports here.
Lou Merloni suggests that, no matter what, great pitchers stop great hitting teams. And, I would agree with that one – just look at some World Series highlights, if you want, and see how many great teams were shut down in games by ace pitchers at the peak of their career.
What Merloni also says in his post on this is that:
What the Yankees did do is what good hitting teams have done for years: beat up on everyone else.
Now, here’s where it gest interesting for me. Will the Yankees be a good hitting team in 2010 and beat up on everyone else?
Yes, the Yankees had their offense firing on all cylinders last season. Posada came back strong. Cano didn’t have a terrible start like in 2008. Matsui was able to play the full season. Damon enjoyed hitting in the new Yankee Stadium. Cabrera was a bit of a surprise. And, Swisher rebounded from a very, very, poor statistical season in 2008.
And, of course, Teixeira, Jeter and A-Rod did what they normally do.
So, how about 2010? Will Posada post another strong season? Cano too? Will Nick Johnson stay sound all year, adjust to being a DH, and give the Yankees what they got from Godzilla last year? Is Curtis Granderson in decline as some of his stats suggest? Or, will he take to Yankee Stadium the way that Damon did last year? Will Brett Garnder and Randy Winn match the clutch performance of Melky last season? And, will Nick Swisher repeat his 2009 levels this season?
If you ask me, the answers here are: Maybe. Maybe. Dunno. Pehaps. Dunno. Possibly. And, “Who knows?”
And, I have to wonder if the Yankees offense this season will be as good as it was last year. How about you?
