Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yanks Breaking Ranks On Retired #’s?

Considering that their parent franchise is heck-bent on honoring the past and following tradition, this was a pretty bad move, in my opinion, by the Triple-A Yanks. Betemit was only there for a rehab stint. Did it really matter if he was assigned the same number as the one he wears in New York? If he wore #99 while down there, would it have really mattered?

Via Donnie Collins of the Scranton Times Tribune:

Did anyone else notice that Wilson Betemit wore number 14 on his uniform during his brief rehab stint with the local Yankees last week? And that sound you just heard was the last breath getting kicked out of the Red Barons.

Now, I’ll be the first to admit that I don’t pay close attention to uniform numbers — and it’s possible that 14 has been worn by a countless number of Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees before Betemit donned it. But I do seem to remember walking into PNC Field every day back when it was called Lackawanna County Stadium and noticing a large glass case on display on the concourse.

Behind that glass: Greg Legg’s retired uniform — with his number 14 prominently displayed. Yankees fans make a big deal out of retired numbers. Come to think of it, they make a big issue out of numbers that aren’t retired, too. I just wish 18 seasons’ worth of history in this area warranted enough respect for this number to be a big deal, too.

We’re not talking about a number that should be retired here. We’re talking about one that was retired.

Legg obviously meant enough to the people he’d eventually call his neighbors and the franchise that revived professional sports in this area that he became the only Red Barons player to have his number retired.

Hey, I understand that Betemit has played 416 games in the big leagues and that the Legger played, ironically, 14. But it wouldn’t take much to just take 14 out of circulation for the Yankees and, in doing so, honor a beloved player and remember 18 pretty important seasons in our local baseball tradition.

Whenever I covered a game in Rochester, I’d have the privilege of running into Joe Altobelli, a Rochester legend who played for the Red Wings before moving on to catch for and manage the Baltimore Orioles. His uniform number 26 is retired by the Red Wings, but they didn’t put it back into circulation when the Orioles left town and the Minnesota Twins moved in a few years back.

Another good example: Former outfielder Hank Sauer’s number 9 is retired in Syracuse. Sauer’s major league career ended 18 years before the Chiefs’ parent club, the Toronto Blue Jays, even existed. But even the Blue Jays prospects can’t wear his number.

May 10, 2008 | Filed Under Embarrassing The Stripes | Leave a Comment

Yanks: We Goofed On A-Rod, Cashman: We’re Dying Vs. LHP

Via Joel Sherman:

Privately, the Yankees admit they incorrectly handled Alex Rodriguez’s initial quad strain.

He suffered the injury on April 20 in Baltimore and soon after left the team to be with his wife in Miami for the birth of their second child. Because the club was on the road in Cleveland and because Rodriguez has an iron man history, the Yanks allowed Rodriguez to talk his way back into the lineup without an MRI exam on April 25.

Club officials have told The Post they regret that decision. They think it is possible they let an injured player to continue playing, turning a mild strain into a Grade 2 strain and a Disabled List stint.

“We are dying right now without Posada and A-Rod against lefties,” GM Brian Cashman said. “But we have to properly wait out the healing process and not let what is transpiring day to day impact the decision making.”

I have to disagree. If Cano and Giambi were hitting, and, if Ensbreg and Duncan were not busts this season, the Yankees should have been able to weather this small storm of live without Rodriguez and Posada.

No one could have saw this coming with Cano. But, the Giambi/Ensberg/Duncan thing did not come straight out of the blue - - as there were signs that counting on these guys could have been a mistake.

But, of course, it’s much easier to point fingers at injuries than to blame poor roster construction.

May 8, 2008 | Filed Under Embarrassing The Stripes | 20 Comments

Catching Up With Carl

Via the Star Ledger -

The days blur together, distinguished only by minor developments in his throwing program — an extra 10 feet of distance, another dozen throws. For Carl Pavano, even these marginal increments serve as benchmarks on yet another agonizingly slow journey back to the mound.

The rest of the time, he’s just passing the time.

“I’ve got the baseball package, I watch all our games, I relax,” Pavano said yesterday at the Yankees’ complex in Tampa. “I mean, what is there really to do? I try to eat well, and stay in shape, and look forward to my next throwing session. That’s really all I’ve got going right now.”

In his time with the Yankees, he’s pitched in only 19 games, going 5-6. He missed all of 2006 and is still a ways off from throwing off a mound this year, as he focuses on getting his surgically repaired elbow up to strength with long-tossing.

Aside from watching the Yankees games on TV, Pavano doesn’t stay in contact with any of his teammates. When asked if he would visit the team during their series with the Tampa Bay Rays this week, he shook his head and said, “no chance.”

Pavano’s agent Tom O’Connell — the fourth agent the right-hander has gone through in his career — believes that Pavano would still be a desired commodity on the free-agent market this winter, even with his injury history.

“Carl’s a 1-2 starter,” O’Connell said. “Those guys don’t grow on trees. Those guys are very rare, 200-inning guys are very rare in this game, and they’re the ones that make the money. And he did it two years in a row, before he got hurt, and I’m sure he’s going to do it again.”

“Carl’s a 1-2 starter.”

Well, I’ll give him # 2. But, I’m thinking of “# 2″ as in what you teach a toddler to say when they have to go potty and it’s more than just a tinkle.

April 16, 2008 | Filed Under Embarrassing The Stripes | 5 Comments

Bombers, Birds, & Bimbos

I missed this one last week. (A report in the Calgary Herald just got it on my radar.) Via the Daily News on April 6th:

The Toronto Blue Jays beat the Yankees Wednesday night, but there was no ill will between the two teams later that evening when some of the players showed up at Rick’s Cabaret to, um, blow off some steam.

The Blue Jays bought the Yanks their first round of drinks.

“Later, they even ‘traded’ some of Rick’s Girls. Multiple blonds and brunettes danced for both teams,” our snitch says.

“Dancer” Karen (34C-23-35) said, “I love the Yankees, but the Toronto guys had a lot of class. Oh yeah, they were great tippers.”

Somehow, I don’t see this happening if it’s the Red Sox or Rays instead of the Blue Jays.

April 12, 2008 | Filed Under Embarrassing The Stripes | Leave a Comment

Alex Being Alex

Via the AP:

Alex Rodriguez sat in the first-base dugout at Legends Field, surrounded by the usual circle of cameras, microphones and reporters. He knows the scrutiny will only increase as he approaches Barry Bonds’ career home-run record, especially in an era when all top athletes must prove they haven’t juiced up on performance-enhancing drugs.

In his first session with reporters during spring training, Rodriguez talked about baseball’s drug-testing program and made a curious statement.

“Last year, I got tested 9-to-10 times,” Rodriguez said. “We have a very, very strict policy, and I think the game is making tremendous strides.”

If Rodriguez had been tested that many times, either he was selected for an unusually high number of checks or he might have been subjected him to additional tests — which would happen, for instance, if a player tests positive for a stimulant for the first time.

Later in the day, A-Rod said it was just hyperbole.

“My quote from earlier today was taken literally. I was not tested nine or 10 times last year. I was just using exaggeration to make a point,” Rodriguez said in a statement through Yankees spokesman Jason Zillo.

“My intent was simply to shed light on the fact that the current program being implemented is working, and a reason for that is through frequent testing. I apologize for any confusion I may have caused.”

First day of Spring Training, for him, and A-Rod already finds himself in a pickle. Ten more years, huh?

February 20, 2008 | Filed Under Embarrassing The Stripes | 5 Comments

Pavano: Working Hard Or Hardly Working?

Via the USA Today (and the AP) -

Oft-injured pitcher Carl Pavano arrived at the New York Yankees’ minor league complex Friday and played catch for 12 minutes.

A $39.95 million bust since signing with the Yankees as a free agent before the 2005 season, Pavano had rotator cuff surgery last June 5. It’s not known whether he will pitch in 2008, the final season of his four-year contract.

Yankees vice president Billy Connors and pitching coach Dave Eiland watched Pavano’s throwing session, which was broken into two segments. The right-hander’s throwing distance reached around 90 feet.

Eiland plans to meet with Pavano and Yankees head trainer Gene Monahan Monday to discuss the pitcher’s rehab program.

“He feels great,” Eiland said. “The ball came out of his hand well.”

Pavano, who threw in a restricted area, did not stop to talk with reporters.

He “played catch for 12 minutes.” Twelve minutes.

Twelve minutes!

Go ahead, and, count to 720. That’s twelve minutes. Man, that Carl, he’s a workhorse!

February 8, 2008 | Filed Under Embarrassing The Stripes | 4 Comments

Baseball’s Verison Of Gary Wallace & Wyatt Donnelly

Every time I hear a story about Brian Cashman buddying up with Theo Epstein, I have to confess, that, it puts a little tweak in my spine.

Yeah, I get it. They’re professionals. They’re in a select circle. There’s only 30 of them in the world. They need to be able to communicate. And, in a sense, they’re a band of brothers. So, they should be able to socialize and enjoy each other’s company. Fine.

But, Cashman just seems to be “too-buddy-buddy” with Epstein, and vice-versa. I almost want to yell “Get a room!” at them or something.

January 25, 2008 | Filed Under Embarrassing The Stripes | Leave a Comment

Leyritz Charged With Vehicular Homicide

From ESPN.com -

Former Major League Baseball player Jim Leyritz was arrested Friday on charges of driving under the influence and killing another driver after his vehicle crashed into hers.

Leyritz, who turned 44 on Thursday, faces charges of DUI manslaughter and DUI property damage, said Detective Kathy Collins, Fort Lauderdale police spokeswoman.

Police believe alcohol was involved in the crash, though investigators are awaiting results of blood alcohol tests, Collins said. He posted the $11,000 bond and was released from the Broward County jail at 2:35 p.m. on Friday, according to Keyla Concepcion, a public information officer for the Broward Sheriff’s Office.

It could not be determined whether Leyritz, who lives in Davie, had a lawyer.

Fort Lauderdale authorities got a call at 3:20 a.m. that a crash had occurred in the city’s entertainment district, Collins said.

She said Leyritz was driving a 2006 Ford Expedition when he collided at an intersection with 30-year-old Fredia Ann Veitch of Plantation, who was driving a 2000 Mitsubishi Montero.

Veitch was ejected from the car, police said. She died at Broward General Medical Center, Collins said.

Witnesses told police Leyritz had a red light. Officers on the scene observed Leyritz to have red, watery eyes, a flushed face and an odor of alcohol, police said.

Leyritz was told Veitch had died and he was asked to submit to a blood test, police said.

“After he refused, Leyritz was informed that blood would be taken above his refusal,” the police statement said.

I hope the courts punish Leyritz for this terrible crime. This is a tragedy - when someone so young, minding their own business, is taken away for no reason whatsoever outside of someone else’s inconsiderate behavior. It’s beyond sad.

December 28, 2007 | Filed Under Embarrassing The Stripes | 10 Comments

Szen Pleades Guilty

From George King:

Former Yankee traveling secretary David Szen yesterday pleaded guilty in federal court to filing a false tax return, admitted he failed to report more than $50,000 in tips from players and coaches and was fired by the club.

Szen took a paid leave of absence in late July while the investigation was under way.

“I was wrong, and for that I’m humbly sorry, your honor,” Szen told U.S. District Judge Mark Kravitz in New Haven, Conn.

Outside court, he asked for forgiveness and apologized to his family, employer and friends.

Szen, 56, was released on his own recognizance and will be sentenced March 7. Federal guidelines call for up to six months in prison for the felony conviction. He also faces a fine of up to $100,000 and will be required to pay $10,285 in back taxes plus interest and penalties.

Authorities said the tax loss was $10,285 based on under-reporting of $53,350 over five years. Szen, whose reported 2005 income was $63,631, received tips ranging from a few hundred dollars to $10,000 for services provided to unidentified coaches and players during the baseball season.

The position of Yankees traveling secretary paid an annual salary of $63,631 in 2005? In terms of net income, over the course of a calendar year, what is that, about $900 a week?

No wonder why he didn’t report his tips. If I was clearing less than $200 a day and working as hard as he probably had to work, I’d be looking to make-up some ground where I could too.

December 19, 2007 | Filed Under Embarrassing The Stripes | 2 Comments

The Mitchell Report Findings

Some Yankees named in the Mitchell Report -

Roger Clemens (page 215 of the PDF file), Andy Pettitte (page 223), Chuck Knoblauch (page 225), David Justice (page 229)…

…I would go on, but, I guess the PDF was being hit by everyone and his brother on the ‘net, because, the file kept hanging on me. So, next, I looked for some reports and saw that these guys made the list too: Ron Villone, Mike Stanton, and Kevin Brown.

Of course, this skips over the guys that we knew about like Jason Giambi, Gary Sheffield, and Jason Grimsley.

Of all the Yankees fingered, only Pettitte matters now. And, from what I’m reading, Andy used HGH in 2002 for his elbow rehab. That was five years ago - which is water way under the bridge, for me.

The “report” reads like a book - a heavily foot-noted book. It’s a nice summary of how it all got to this point. But, I don’t see it as being what it was billed to be…

Anyway, now, baseball has popped the pimple on its face and hopes that its complexion will start to clear up. In the meantime, I guess us fans will be stuck looking at the red mini-volcano there until this goes away.

December 13, 2007 | Filed Under Embarrassing The Stripes | 28 Comments

Rough Day In The Bronx?

From Bob Klapisch –

According to one industry official, “several” prominent Yankees will be named by Mitchell in his 2 p.m. news conference in Manhattan. The official, who spoke to a third party who’d seen the final report, predicted, “It’s going to be a rough day in the Bronx” after the identities are made public.

As long as it’s not Paul O’Neill, I can deal with whatever names they want to throw out there.

Shane Spencer? If true, who cares?

Tino Martinez? Chuck Knoblauch? Hey, there was no rules or testing back in those days. At least they were “cheating” - if it claims they were - to win.

Jorge Posada? If true, it would not be shocking.

But, if it’s Paulie, well, it would bother me - because I like the guy so much.

December 13, 2007 | Filed Under Embarrassing The Stripes | 23 Comments

Pavano May Not Accept Minor League Deal

From the Hartford Courant (with a hat tip to Pete Abe):

Carl Pavano is still mulling a Yankees proposal to release him and then re-sign him to a minor league contract. He said Monday he is not close to a decision.

“I’d be giving up a lot of options if I signed a minor league deal,” Pavano said.

Pavano and his new representative, Tom O’Connell, met with officials from the Major League Players Association in New York on Monday to discuss those options. Pavano, 31, from Southington, has one year left on his contract and the Yankees owe him $12.95 million, including a $1.95 million buyout of his 2009 option. At the moment, he is on their 40-man roster and cannot be taken off unless he is released.

Even though Pavano will not be fully recovered from Tommy John surgery until at least midseason, he cannot be put on the disabled list, which would free up the roster spot, until the end of spring training. The Yankees, who have agreements with Alex Rodriguez, Mariano Rivera, Andy Pettitte and LaTroy Hawkins, would like to open up a spot now.

If the Yankees release Pavano, he could sign with another team for the major league minimum and the Yankees would owe him the rest of his salary while he pitches for someone else. If Pavano signs a minor league deal, he would lose no money but could lose a year’s service time since the Yankees could keep him in the minor leagues all season.

Pavano, who had surgery in June, could be ready to pitch by midseason and his chances of getting a new contract anywhere would depend on whether and how he pitches in the majors in 2008.

Brian Cashman signed Pavano. He’s the one who took him to “Momma Mia.” Pavano was calling him “Cash” like he was a buddy, from the minute he signed.

I wonder how Brian Cashman feels about Carl Pavano today?

December 11, 2007 | Filed Under Embarrassing The Stripes | 14 Comments

Former Yank Ken Clay Headed To Prison

From the Sarasota Herald Tribune:

A former New York Yankees pitcher who grew up in Lynchburg is in trouble again.

A circuit judge sentenced Kenny Clay, who now lives in Florida, to five years in prison Wednesday, a longer sentence than the prosecutor recommended.

A jury convicted Clay, 53, of grand theft for creating a fake sales order at the Sarasota copy machine office where he worked in 2005 that would have netted him a $7,500 commission check.

Prosecutors recommended a prison sentence of three years, but Circuit Judge Rick De Furia cited the former major league pitcher’s criminal history in giving him the maximum sentence for the charge.

Clay has been caught stealing several times since his career as a ballplayer ended, and he was on probation for a similar crime when he tried to steal from the copy machine office in 2005.

In that previous case, Clay had pleaded guilty in Manatee County to stealing identification information about his girlfriend and using it to falsify credit card applications to forge checks and lease a 1998 Nissan Pathfinder.

Clay was also convicted in 1988 in Campbell County of stealing $16,000 from a class ring distributor that employed him.

Ken Clay was drafted by the Yankees in the 2nd round of the 1972 amateur draft.

May 21, 1978 and October 3, 1978 were probably the two best games in his Yankees career.

Talent and promise doesn’t always lead to a story-book ending. Sad.

December 1, 2007 | Filed Under Embarrassing The Stripes | 1 Comment

The Captain Validates

Wow, is it Jeter season already? From the Post:

IF Bronx Bomber Derek Jeter wants to keep his sex life a secret, he should learn to tie up any post-tryst loose ends.

Our spy in the lobby of the Shore Club in Miami early Sunday morning spotted “two scantily clad women screaming at the front desk because they had spent the night at Jeter’s penthouse and were then charged for parking.”

“The girls were wearing what looked like the same clothes they wore the night before - a tight cocktail dress and a mini-skirt. They were making a huge scene because they were asked to pay for parking.

“Obviously, they’d spent the night there,” giggled the onlooker, who noted that one of the overnight guests was screaming into the phone, “After last night, he’d better [bleep]ing take care of it!”

After a bit of insistence, “they eventually left happy. I assume he paid for their parking after all,” said our snitch.

Tongues in Miami are wagging over Jeter’s stint in Miami, where he was spotted Friday night dining at Nobu, then partying it up with Timbaland at Skybar. “They took over the table in the back and drank Grey Goose all night,” said a fellow reveler. “Five girls were dancing around him, but he didn’t seem interested.”

Jeter was spotted acting equally detached later that night at Set, where he was “surrounded by throngs of women five rows deep. He was hanging with a guy friend, though, and didn’t seem to take much interest in the hordes of ladies.”

Evidently, the Yankee captain likes to keep his conquests behind closed doors, because there were no Jeter sightings Saturday night.

“I heard he was staying in the penthouse at the Shore Club,” said one Miami source. “He checked in solo Friday, but nobody saw him Saturday night . . . and everyone down here talks when big names come to town. Maybe he was holed up in his suite all night?”

Jeter is notorious for his off-field plays - he’s been linked to the likes of Jessica Alba, Jessica Biel, Jordana Brewster, Mariah Carey, Scarlett Johansson, Vanessa Minnillo and Gabrielle Union. Shore Club reps had “no comment,” and a Yankee rep did not return calls.

Well, at the least, it looks like Jeter has found some sleep-over buddies to replace A-Rod.

October 17, 2007 | Filed Under Embarrassing The Stripes | 3 Comments

Shelley Duncan’s Prank

From the Boston Herald:

By most accounts, rookie Shelley Duncan has positively changed the culture of the Yankees’ clubhouse with his jovial demeanor.

Yet this weekend, that same demeanor brought Duncan some unwanted notoriety.

While he signed autographs before Friday’s series opener, Duncan exchanged playful banter with some Red Sox fans. In keeping with the spirit of those conversations, he wrote in the notebook of 10-year-old Griffin Whitman, “Red Sox Suck! Shelley Duncan.”

Duncan was surprised to learn that Whitman and his parents took offense.

“I thought I was back in middle school or high school, where you try to make a joke or say something funny, and you end up saying something that gets you in trouble,” Duncan said before the Yankees’ 4-3 victory last night. “I try to be interactive with people, be funny, have a good time and have a laugh.

“It’s not always Yankees fans that have us sign stuff. I try to rile ’em up and be fun. I don’t expect anybody to make a big deal about it. Nobody ever has before.”

While Red Sox pitcher and Boston native Manny Delcarmen said he has never offered such an epithet to a fan, he does sometimes exchange playful barbs, particularly when offering autographs to Yankee loyalists.

“You look at them and you say, ‘You’re wearing Yankees stuff but you want my autograph?’ ” Delcarmen said. “I grew up here in Boston. When a Yankees fan asks for an autograph, I’m like, ‘Whatever.’ I still sign for them.”

I’m still on the fence with this one. Part of me, as a parent of small children, wants to get on Duncan for doing this. But, the other part of me reminds myself that the word “suck” is now mainstream (used in song, T.V., print, etc.) and not what it used to be (in terms of “curse word” status) when I was a kid in the 1970’s. And, that a 10-year old is in the 5th grade and probably has seen and heard the word a few times by now. (Especially a ten year old that goes to Fenway Park when the Yankees are there.)

Since I’m split on this…I’ll say for now that it was a mistake on Duncan’s part to do this…and that you have to be careful in spots like this…and ask yourself “What would Derek Jeter do?”

By the way, this season, in all of baseball, so far, there’s just been one homerun hit in the 9th inning, with 2-men on, where the team of the guy who hit it was three runs down. Yes, it was that two-out homer by Duncan on August 15, 2007.

If you’re Shelley Duncan, you want that magic homer to be the thing that people think about, when they hear your name - and not something like this prank.

September 17, 2007 | Filed Under Embarrassing The Stripes | 8 Comments

Why The Yankees Have Struggled This Season

From Kevin Kernan -

IF the Yankees can’t beat the Devil Rays and Orioles, how in the world are they going to beat anybody in the playoffs?

That is, if they make it to October.

Last week’s sweep of the Red Sox was an August accomplishment, but these 2007 Yankees are inconsistent. It’s clear that this is a much different Yankees team than any other during the Joe Torre era.

Over the last five weeks, the Yankees have had three series against the dregs of their division. They dropped two of three in Baltimore at the end of July, lost two of three to the Orioles at Yankee Stadium in the middle of August and now have lost two of three to the Devil Rays, the team with the worst record in the majors. That’s six losses in nine games with two of those series at home.

The Yankees are 12-15 against TamBal this year.

This is not a team built for the long haul because its pitching staff is in transition. In the six losses against TamBal, the Orioles and Devil Rays averaged 7.7 runs.

Yankees hitters tend to disappear as a group. They best way to attack the Yankees is to throw them strikes. They worked only two walks yesterday.

Either the Orioles and Devil Rays have gotten a whole lot better the last five weeks or the Yankees are just not able to bring the same emotion and focus to every game.

The Yankees are 12-15 against TamBal this year.

For the record, the Red Sox are 18-8 against “TamBal” this year, so far, and the Blue Jays are 13-11 against them as well. How is it that Boston can beat them with ease, Toronto can hold their own against them, and, yet, New York has a hard time with the O’s and Rays? Maybe the answer is that these 2007 Yankees are not good?

With a win on August 12th, the Yankees got themselves within 4 games of the Red Sox - it was a great feat as New York was 9 games back of Boston on July 28th. That was a great run over a two-week period.

Since August 12th, the Yankees have gone 10-10 in their last 20 games. Yes, at a time where the Yankees put themselves right into the race for the A.L. East, and, it was time to make a push, they choked and became a just-five-hundred club.

Let’s face it, if not for the Seattle Mariners losing nine straight games, the Yankees would not be in the Wildcard lead at this time either.

As I’ve written before, the Yankees are 14-1 against the Pirates, Indians and Rangers this season. This means their 62-60 against everyone else. Again, just about a .500 team.

Why are the Yankees just a .500 team, when not playing teams that are struggling? The answer is Mike Mussina, Kei Igawa, and Carl Pavano. Brian Cashman counted on these three to be in his starting rotation and they all failed. And, their replacements, Roger Clemens and Phil Hughes, along with a gaggle of hurlers like DeSalvo, Wright, Karstens, Rasner, and Clippard, have not done consistently well.

When you don’t pitch consistently well, you’re going to be a .500 ballclub - even when you have a good offense.

When you boil it all down, all you have left is Brian Cashman. His pitching plan for 2007 failed. And, as a result, so have the Yankees, this season.

September 3, 2007 | Filed Under Embarrassing The Stripes | 22 Comments

Why They’re Gone

From The Times-Tribune, last Friday -

Former Yankees and Phillies and current Chiefs catcher Sal Fasano stole second base in the top of the seventh against Bruney and catcher Wil Nieves. It was Fasano’s first stolen base since playing for Salt Lake in 2002 and just his second swipe of the millennium.

Way to go, Bruney and Nieves! If you can’t hold Fasano, you’re not trying.

August 20, 2007 | Filed Under Embarrassing The Stripes | 4 Comments

A-Rod’s Wife’s Obscene Message

From the Post -

Oh, no, she didn’t!

Yankee superstar Alex Rodriguez’s long-suffering wife, Cynthia, may have finally flipped her pretty lid yesterday when she went to a game in The Bronx wearing a tight-fitting, white tank top bearing a foul message on the back: “F- - - you.”

The obscene phrase was plainly visible to thousands of fans - including plenty of kids - as she, her 2-year-old daughter, Natasha, and an older woman took their seats in the players’ family section of the House that Ruth Built.

“[One] father, was so embarrassed, he got up and left and took his son,” who appeared to be about 10 years old, a fan said.

“I mean this kid was right in back of Cynthia - his nose must have been about 4 inches away from the words ‘F- - - you.’ ”

Cynthia’s F-word faux pas also may have violated Yankee Stadium policy.

The team’s policy prohibits any banners or signs that are not in “good taste” and also warns that security guards will eject any guests “using foul language” or “making obscene gestures.”

Still, when some fans let nearby security know about Cynthia’s four-letter garment yesterday, nothing was done.

“It was noted by police and security,” one fan said. “They were aware of it. I guess they didn’t know what to do. I guess you don’t kick A-Rod’s wife out of the game.”

It’s not clear who the target was of Cynthia’s F-bomb: Yankee fans, management, the media - or even perhaps her wandering husband.

Classy lady. She can probably do some major damage to the chrome on a trailer hitch. Just what this Yankees season needs: Their own version of Anna Benson.

Will somebody wake me up when September ends?

July 2, 2007 | Filed Under Embarrassing The Stripes | 35 Comments

Nineteen Ninety - Again

The Yankees are now 3 games under .500, as we close the books on the month of June (2007). When was the last time the Yankees were 3+ games under .500 after their game on June 30th?

That would be 1995. However, 1995 was a season that started late and the Yankees were 26-31 on the morning of July 1st that year.

So, when was the last full season where the Yankees were 3+ games under .500 after their game on June 30th?

That would be 1991. At that time, the Yankees were 33-38 and 7.5 games back of first place.

O.K, how about this one? When was the last full season where the Yankees were 3+ games under .500 after their game on June 30th and they were 10+ games out of first place?

That would be 1990 - when they were 28-44 at C.O.B June 30th and 14 games out of first.

1990 - again. Some season, so far, this year - huh?

June 30, 2007 | Filed Under Embarrassing The Stripes | Leave a Comment

Mel Hall Arrested

From the AP -

Former Yankees outfielder Mel Hall has been charged with sexually assaulting two girls in 1998 and 1999 when he was coaching them on a select basketball team.

The 46-year-old Hall was released from jail Friday on $35,000 bail. He was arrested the previous day on charges of sexual assault of a child under 17 and aggravated sexual assault of a child under 14, police said yesterday. The second charge carries a possible life sentence because of the age of the alleged victim.

When Hall was arrested, there was also an unrelated outstanding warrant on a theft charge, police said.

Hall could not be reached for comment by The Associated Press yesterday. Several phone numbers listed in his name were incorrect or disconnected.

Police said they are looking for other possible victims because Hall was a girls basketball coach and organized a baseball camp in the area.

Hall played in the majors from 1981 to 1992 and again in 1996 for the Cubs, Indians, Yankees and Giants. He hit .276 with 134 home runs and 620 RBI in his career.

Mel Hall played 4 years in Chicago, 5 years in Cleveland, and 4 years with the Yankees. So, why is he “former Yankees outfielder”? Why not say “former major league outfielder”? Or “former Cubs, Indians, and Yankees outfielder”?

Don’t get me wrong here. If Hall did what they say, then he should be locked up and have the key thrown away. That’s not the issue to me.

I just want to know why his “Yankees” connection is being singled out here - above his other connections of equal or greater merit.

That’s not being very fair to the Yankees organization, is it?

June 24, 2007 | Filed Under Embarrassing The Stripes | 12 Comments

Yankees Series-us Problems

I was just looking at the first 19 series that the Yankees have played this season - prior to the current one with the White Sox. Here’s the rundown:

Yes, the Yankees have only won 6 of their first 19 series this season - which means they have split two and lost 11 of 19 series this year (so far).

Worse, to date, the Yankees have only won three series at home this season. Three.

So much for home-cooking.

June 5, 2007 | Filed Under Embarrassing The Stripes | 2 Comments

A-Rod’s Yappy Lappy Round Third

From the Sun Media -

[Alex] Rodriguez….sparked a brouhaha in the ninth inning last night at the Rogers Centre when he apparently yelled “mine!” as Blue Jays third baseman Howie Clark settled under a Jorge Posada pop fly with two out.

Thinking he was being called off by Toronto shortstop John McDonald, Clark let the routine fly fall behind him, allowing Hideki Matsui to score from second. Jason Giambi then singled up the middle to score Rodriguez and Posada, killing any chance the Jays had for a rally in the bottom of the inning.

….

After the play, McDonald showered Rodriguez with some choice adjectives, while Toronto manager John Gibbons came out to ask the umpires for a ruling, thinking that the deception was a break of the interference rules, as well as bad sportsmanship.

Turns out it wasn’t, but Gibbons was still not impressed.

“I thought it was a bush-league play,” he said. “One thing you know about the Yankees. There’s a lot of pride there, a lot of class. But that’s not Yankee pride (and) that surprised me.”

I figured that I should ring in on this with the official WasWatching.com take on A-Rod’s actions last night.

In times like these, to make the call, I like to reverse the situation - and see how I would feel if this play happened to the Yankees, instead of a Yankee making the play. How would I feel if a member of the Red Sox or Mets pulled this stunt against a Yankees infielder?

The answer to that for me is quick and simple. I would scream (no pun intended) that it’s a bush league play and that the player deserves to have a pitch stuck in his ribs the next time he steps into a batter’s box against “our” team.

Therefore, to be fair, I have to say that A-Rod’s actions last night were bush league and he should expect to get drilled for it the next time the Yankees face the Jays.

That said, I will tack on that this move by Alex last night, albeit bush league, was also a brilliant play on his part. Why?

Today, without this play happening in the game last night, everyone would be talking about Rodriguez’ off the field activities. Call that total population “X.” Now, instead of “X” focusing on that, it’s “X” minus “Y” - where “Y” is the number of people who will be discussing the latest chapter in A-Rod’s bush league base running adventures.

If you’re Alex Rodriguez, you probably would prefer to be asked about “What did you shout at Clark?” as opposed to “Is it true that you’re known as the king of the strip clubs?”

Granted, he’s still going to be asked the latter today. But, now, it’s not just that. With his yappy base running, A-Rod has given the media something else to talk about today - just when it’s when he probably needs it the most.

May 31, 2007 | Filed Under Embarrassing The Stripes | 28 Comments

Post Goes After A-Rod

From The New York Post -

Yankees superstar Alex Rodriguez stepped up to the plate with a mysterious, busty blonde in Toronto, as these intimate, exclusive photos reveal.

The cozy duo dined with two pals at a pricey steakhouse late Sunday night, then headed to a glitzy strip club before making their way to his hotel, where the pair ducked into an elevator and headed upstairs just after midnight.

Cynthia Rodriguez - A-Rod’s wife and mother of their 2 1/2-year-old daughter, Natasha - was nowhere to be seen during the slugger’s big night out on the town, which occurred the evening before the last-place Bronx Bombers’ pathetic 7-2 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays.

And it came as Rodriguez took a room at Toronto’s Four Seasons hotel - down the street from the Park Hyatt, where most, if not all of his Yankee teammates and coaches are staying during a three-game stint that ends tonight.

“No comment,” Rodriguez said when The Post asked him about his north-of-the-border jaunt with the blonde.

Two months ago, some fans reportedly heard about A-Rod partying at a strip club. At that time, I wrote: “If the media somehow decides to run with the story, which is always possible, it would be a shame.”

I have to offer the same commentary now.

When the media starts to go after a guy’s personal or private life, it’s crossing the line and basically an attack.

There’s a large majority of ballplayers doing this kind of stuff…many who are married. To single out one, in a case like this, well, it’s tells me that someone is out to get A-Rod.

This is just a mess that the Yankees don’t need now.

What a season, huh?

May 30, 2007 | Filed Under Embarrassing The Stripes | 16 Comments

More Leaks On Giambi Now Than In The UI Wing Of A Nursing Home

Reportedly, Jason Giambi failed a test for amphetamines. Shocking? Really? Even from the man who believes in better living through chemistry? No, it should not be shocking.

And, Giambi is probably not the only Yankee to pop a greenie or two before this season.

The bigger issue here is that the story was leaked. The source has to be Major League Baseball. Is this payback for Giambi’s comments the other day that Major League Baseball should have apologized years ago for its widespread drug problem?

Sure sounds like it to me.

Giambi would have been better off to just leave the issue alone - and not stir this whole thing up. Now, it appears that he’s going to be on Bud’s whipping list for a while. And, that’s not going to help the Yankees - with everything else going on this year.

May 23, 2007 | Filed Under Embarrassing The Stripes | 3 Comments

Pavano’s Condition Not That Bad?

BP’s Will Carroll on Pavano, via The Lineup Card -

“Here’s the long and short on Carl Pavano–even before he had an MRI or saw a specialist, he’d made the decision to have Tommy John surgery. Even after seeing specialists and finding that while his UCL was torn, it was not torn so significantly that doctors recommended the surgery. Much like Octavio Dotel a few years ago, though, Pavano is simply not willing to pitch through the soreness. There’s probably a high number of pitchers in the game today (far too high a number, actually) that have similar, perhaps worse damage and get out there. I’m not advocating that anyone pitch with pain, but when the possibility exists that someone can come back without surgery, I think they owe it to the team paying the bills to do it. Pavano’s not willing to, perhaps closing a chapter that the Yankees would rather not have had written. Call him ‘American Idle’ or the ‘Rajah of Rehab’ if you want. In my opinion, he’s gone beyond that, and is simply stealing money.”

This is probably why Cashman keeps sending Pavano to doctor after doctor, after doctor, etc.

May 10, 2007 | Filed Under Embarrassing The Stripes | 4 Comments

Yanks To Pay Miller Through 2009?

Jon Heyman offers the “Inside story to why Yankees fitness coach had to go” -

Cashman has accepted the hit for hiring Miller, and it’s a big one from Steinbrenner, who has always taken a special interest in conditioning and working out. Miller got a three-year contract, according to sources, that barely lasted more than three months.

In another interesting twist, Miller’s name was originally given to Cashman by the folks who are operating the Yankees’ new money-making venture “24 Hour Fitness,” a health chain that’s set to open Yankee-themed clubs in 2008. The chain has a 10-year deal with the club and trumpets its Yankees affiliation. The folks at 24-Hour Fitness also helped set up the new Yankees weight room, which Yankees players are also panning. The Yankees say many of the free weights were removed and replaced by too many of the same machines, as well as TV sets and empty space.

Miller had a three year contract? What’s next..we find out that he was taking naps under his desk too?

May 3, 2007 | Filed Under Embarrassing The Stripes | Leave a Comment

Steve Swindal Arrested For DUI

From Newsday -

George Steinbrenner’s son-in-law and designated successor to run the New York Yankees was arrested early Thursday on a charge of driving under the influence.

Yankees general partner Steve Swindal was arrested by the St. Petersburg Police at 4:26 a.m., according to a copy of the charge report posted on the Pinellas County Sherriff’s Office’s Web site. He was booked for a misdemeanor and released from jail in Largo at 9:53 a.m. on $250 bond.

A member of the police department’s DUI squad pulled Swindal over at 2:12 a.m. after he cut the officer’s cruiser off in traffic, police spokesman Bill Proffitt said.

“She had to brake and take evasive action to avoid hitting him,” Proffitt said.

Swindal was weaving and driving 61 mph in a 35 mph zone when he was pulled over, Proffitt said. He refused to take a breathalyzer test and failed a field sobriety test, but was cooperative, Proffitt said.

“Mr. Swindal apologizes profusely for this distraction during the Yankees’ spring training, and no further comment will be made until this is resolved,” said Steinbrenner’s spokesman, Howard Rubenstein.

Baseball commissioner Bud Selig called the arrest “a matter for Mr. Swindal, the Steinbrenner family and the local authorities in Florida.”

“Given the circumstances, I will continue to monitor the situation and will review the ultimate disposition,” Selig said in a statement. “Until that time I will have no further comment.”

Bad news for Stein’s daughter - Lindsay Lohan and Steve Swindal deserve each other. One’s a born drunk, the other’s convicted.

It just seems like that “One’s born, the other’s convicted” line pops up for Family Stein once every 30 years or so, huh?

Seriously, DUI is a terrible, terrible, crime. It’s inexcusable. If Swindal is found or pleads guilty, baseball must do something here to set an example.

If Marge Schott can get fined, suspended for one-year, and be required to attend sensitivity training for making bigoted remarks, then I see no reason why Swindal can’t be fined, required to seek counseling, and suspended for some period of time.

Sign me up as one of those people who consider DUI as attempted vehicular manslaughter. I hope that Bud Selig does not turn a blind eye to this matter.

February 15, 2007 | Filed Under Embarrassing The Stripes | 4 Comments

Jason’s Strange Bedfellows

From, gulp, Star Magazine -

Nick [Lachey] hosted a pre-New Year’s Eve party in Las Vegas at Pure Nightclub, while Vanessa stayed behind in New York. Before kicking off his duties as party host, Nick and his ten-person entourage (including his younger brother Drew) had dinner at Social House restaurant, where Nick ate mini kobe burgers and sushi. After dinner, the group headed to Pure, and Nick made a beeline to the stage, grabbing a glass of Dom Perignon first. He then grabbed went on stage, grabbed a microphone, and shouted, “What’s up Vegas? It’s New Year’s Eve Eve and we’re going to party like it is New Year’s Eve!”

While at Pure, Nick’s partying posse, seated in the VIP area, grew to include former 98 Degrees member Justin Jeffre, as well as lovebirds Lisa Rinna and Harry Hamlin. On a VIP bed to the left of Nick, was Dave Navarro, Nikki Six and New York Yankees star Jason Giambi. On the VIP bed to Lachey’s right were Pauly Shore and Shannon Elizabeth.

Dave Navarro and Nikki Six?

I guess Giambi still likes the motto “Rake like an All-Star, party like a rock star, hammer like a……”

I just wish he raked now as hard as he still parties.

Updated, 1/2/07, 3:59 PM EST: From The Dirty Laundry - Celebrity Gossip Blog:

Meanwhile, Kid Rock was in Vegas on Friday [12/1] wearing a T-shirt with the words “Bro’s Before Ho’s” as he partied with Kenny Chesney and Jason Giambi at the Hard Rock.

Looks like Giambino started and ended December with a bang.

Kid Rock?

There’s an old expression: “If you hang out at the barber shop long enough eventually you’ll get a haircut.”

I hope this is all good “clean” fun and not the makings of a future Ken Caminiti-type case.

January 2, 2007 | Filed Under Embarrassing The Stripes | 2 Comments

A-Rod Ditches Yogi

I just heard about this story - which I think broke about three days ago.

From Harvey Araton -

On Nov. 15, after attending his own charity poker tournament in Manhattan, he (A-Rod] canceled on a major fundraiser the next night at the Yogi Berra Museum in Little Falls, N.J. According to a person in the Rodriguez camp who spoke on condition of anonymity, A-Rod’s mother, Lourdes, had suddenly been hospitalized — certainly a legitimate excuse and far better than the reason David Wright’s people gave for him not showing. (Wright had been inadvertently double-booked that night.)

But Wright is a Met, A-Rod a Yankee, and because he has a history around town of blowing off events (including one of Torre’s last year), because the call to the museum to cancel was made not by Rodriguez but by one of his employees, because there was an A-Rod sighting Nov. 17 at courtside of the Knicks-Heat game in Miami, the museum people and the Berra family and even the Yankees’ president, Randy Levine, were said to be in a snit, with the impression that A-Rod too often gives: He just doesn’t get it.

The timeline here:

A-rod goes to his own party in NYC on November 14th.

Then, on November 16th, he was scheduled to be part of this event, at the Yogi Berra Museum:

A Night at the Hot Corner

Museum’s annual fundraising gala dinner and panel discussion paying tribute to baseball’s best third basemen. Special guests are Hall of Famers George Brett, Brooks Robinson and Mike Schmidt, and standouts Graig Nettles, Alex Rodriguez and David Wright. Moderator is Michael Kay. 6 - 9 p.m.

But, he did not make it - reportedly because of a family emergency.

However, the very next day, on the evening of November 17th, Alex and Johnny Damon are seen attending an NBA game in Miami between the Knicks and the Heat.

This reminds me of a scene from Monty Python and the Holy Grail -

Sir Bedevere: What makes you think she’s a witch?
Peasant: Well, she turned me into a newt!
Sir Bedevere: A newt?
Peasant: [meekly after a long pause] … I got better.

I suppose that’s what happened here. Whatever emergency A-Rod had that caused him to pass on going to Yogi’s event got better - just in time to go to the game with Damon.

Sure, that must have been what happened. Right?

November 26, 2006 | Filed Under Embarrassing The Stripes | 23 Comments

Cavalcade Of Un-Stars

A: Tim Redding, Darrell May, Kris Wilson, Sidney Ponson, Scott Erickson, Donovan Osborne, Wayne Franklin, Al Leiter, C.J. Nitkowski, Alan Embree, Gabe White, and Felix Heredia.

Q: Who were some of the pitchers to log innings for the Yankees over the last three years?

Why is it that the Yankees never seem to find a Chris Carpenter type guy off the scrap heap?

October 18, 2006 | Filed Under Embarrassing The Stripes | 14 Comments

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