TSN’s Eichenberger: Yankees-Mets Rivalry Lives

Bill Eichenberger, of The Sporting News, takes a look at the Yankees-Mets rivalry. Click here to read his feature. And, see if you can find the less than laconic (for a change) quotes about the rivalry from your Friendly Neighborhood Yankeeland Zealot in there too.

June 29, 2008 | Filed Under Rivalry Snapshots | Leave a Comment

Go Right At Perez

Here’s the BA/OBA/SLG line for LH-batters against the Mets Oliver Perez, this season, to date: .167/.298/.333. And, this is what it was last season: .206/.285/.340.

In 14 career PA against Perez, Bobby Abreu is 0 for 10 with 4 walks. That’s a BA/OBA/SLG line of .000/.286/.000. Sounds like a good day, today, to sit Abreu and have Justin Christian play rightfield.

June 29, 2008 | Filed Under Rivalry Snapshots | Leave a Comment

Andy Phillips Returns To New York

But, it’s not with the Yankees. Via MLB.com -

The [Mets] claimed former Yankee Andy Phillips off waivers from the Reds on Wednesday. Phillips will join the Mets on Friday for their two-site doubleheader against the Yankees.

But his stay may be short-lived. The Mets have identified him as “an inventory” player, and their plans for him, according to a person familiar with the club’s thinking, may not include many games after the return of Ryan Church. And Church’s assignment to the disabled list might end before Phillips puts his legs and arms into a Mets uniform.

Andy Phillips just may be one of the nicest guys in baseball. And, he knows the drill of playing in New York. Wouldn’t it be a kick in the pants if he sticks with the Mets and provides some of the clubhouse chemistry that they are reportedly lacking? On a smaller scale, how about if Phillips plays tomorrow and does something against Dan Giese and/or Sidney Ponson and wins a game for the Mets (against the Yanks)?

I’d be happy for Phillips if he does well for the Mets. But, if it costs the Yankees some wins, that would be a bummer.

June 26, 2008 | Filed Under Rivalry Snapshots | 5 Comments

Schilling’s Cooked

The end is now here for Boston’s Curt Schilling.

It’s interesting to look at the Red Sox’ pitching today. Schilling was a non-factor this season. So far, Clay Buchholz has been a bust. Josh Beckett has been just “O.K.” But, what’s saved Boston has been the pitching of Daisuke Matsuzaka, Jon Lester, and (to an extent) Justin Masterson.

In some ways, you can almost say that the difference between the Yankees and the Red Sox is that Daisuke Matsuzaka is not Kei Igawa; and, that Jon Lester is doing what the Yankees expected Phil Hughes to do (this season).

June 20, 2008 | Filed Under Rivalry Snapshots | 14 Comments

Give Me Cashman, Any Day

I got to see about five minutes of (Mets G.M.) Omar Minaya’s press conference at 5 pm (ET) today. That was enough. I think Omar said “OK?” about 40 times in the five minutes that I witnessed (live). He also went into some crazy spiel about how Jerry Manuel managed the White Sox in Chicago, and had to deal with living in the Cubs’ shadow, and that was going to help him as Mets manager, living in the shadow of the Yankees in New York.

Huh? Somehow this whole thing is about the Yankees now?

In any event, listening to Minaya babble - albeit just for five minutes - was just an uncomfortable feeling. Have you ever been in a situation where you’re about to do business with someone for the first time, or they’re trying to do business with you for the first time, and the more they talk you get this feeling of “Oh, this is going to be something I regret…the more I hear from this guy, the B.S. is getting deeper and deeper…I really don’t want anything to do with this con artist”? That’s what it was like listening to Omar today.

The Yankees are a billion dollar company. I have to think that the Mets are near that as well. I cannot believe that, seeing this mess today, that the Mets are fine with having Omar Minaya being the public voice of their organization…after seeing him in action this evening.

Anyone who has been reading this blog on a regular basis for a while now knows that I do not believe that Brian Cashman is an astute G.M. - in terms of his ability to scout and acquire talent. Nonetheless, in terms of representing his organization, as a public figure, in a polished and professional manner, Brian Cashman runs rings around Omar Minaya.

Many think that I never have anything nice to say about Brian Cashman. Let this stand as testament towards debunking that notion. After seeing Minaya today, at his press conference, I’d rather have Brian Cashman represent my billion dollar corporation in public, over Omar, any day.

June 17, 2008 | Filed Under Rivalry Snapshots | 3 Comments

Mets Fire Willie Randolph

Mets management pulled a Robert Irsay and fired Willie Randolph while most of New York was asleep (early this morning).

Last September, I expressed how sorry I was to see a great Yankee have such tough times in the Land of the Mets. Today, nothing has changed. While I cannot comment as to whether or not Willow did a good job as manager there - as I do not watch Mets games that closely - I do feel (from watching some news clips) that Randolph kept trying to keep his chin up and be both a man and a pro during the tough times. Was that enough? Obviously not, according to the Mets.

In any event, working for the Mets was a great way for Willie to cut his teeth as a manager. Working in any other town - sans New York, Boston or Philly - should be a piece of cake for him. If Randolph gets another chance to manage, I would not be shocked to see him do well - or, at least, better than he did with the Mets.

Could we see Randolph return to the Yankees, in some capacity, someday? I suspect that he’s burned his bridges to the Bronx. But, if the Yankees get a new G.M., it’s possible. Hank Stein, like his dad, has a soft spot for ex-Yankees and former champions. So, it’s probably safest to say “never say never” in regard to the question of “Will Randolph wear Yankees pinstripes again?”

June 17, 2008 | Filed Under Rivalry Snapshots | 7 Comments

The Crosstown 49

In their last 49 games, the Yankees have gone 25-24. And, in their last 49 games, the Mets have gone 21-28.

Anyone else wonder if things would be hotter, in terms of a media pounding, for the Yankees if the Mets were rolling this season instead of struggling the way they’ve been doing lately?

Should Cashman be sending Omar a “thank you” card right about now?

June 13, 2008 | Filed Under Rivalry Snapshots | 6 Comments

Next Four Weeks Will Tell Us About Yankees

As of this morning, the Yankees sit five games back (in the loss column) of the first place Boston Red Sox. That’s amazing - considering how the Yankees have hovered around .500 all season.

The Yankees will play the Red Sox on July 3rd - at Yankee Stadium - which will be the first game of a four-game series. Between now and then, the Red Sox will play 21 games and the Yankees will play 22 games (or, 23 games, if that rain-out game against the Mets is made up when the two teams face each other again).

The Yankees will have 10 games at home and 12 games on the road. The Red Sox will have 9 games at home and 12 games on the road. Six of the Yankees’ 22 games will be against the Reds and Astros. And, six of the Red Sox’ 21 games will be against the Reds and the Astros. Could the Reds and Astros play a big hand in determining how close the Yankees and Red Sox are when New York and Boston next face each other? It sure sounds like it.

In their “other” games between now and July 3rd, the Yankees get to play 9 games against the Padres, Rangers and Pirates. Clearly, the Yankees must win at least 6 of these nine games as well.

The Red Sox, in their “other” games between now and July 3rd, have to play 12 games against the Cardinals, Diamondbacks, Phillies and Rays. It would be nice to see Boston lose at least 6 of those 12 games.

This all said, the next four weeks should tell us all we need to know about the Yankees and whether or not they’re a contender this season. This period is an excellent junction in the season for New York to make a run at Boston and close that five game gap in the loss column.

To be candid, I expect the Red Sox to play, at the least, around .500 ball between now and July 3rd. And, I want to see the Yankees play .600 baseball between now and July 3rd. Looking at the schedule, there’s no reason why the Yankees cannot win around 14 games between now and when they next face the Sox.

And, if New York doesn’t take advantage of this situation, then, sadly, we may not see them make much of a run at any time this season.

June 9, 2008 | Filed Under Rivalry Snapshots | 8 Comments

Big Papi Down

Via the Boston Herald:

After injuring his left wrist during the Red Sox’ victory over the Baltimore Orioles on Saturday night, [David] Ortiz learned yesterday he has tendon sheath damage that will keep him sidelined indefinitely. According to a source, Ortiz’ wrist will be immobilized for roughly the next month to determine whether the injury can heal on its own.

If it cannot, the Red Sox and Ortiz very well may face a harsh reality:

Season-ending surgery.

I could see the Sox now using Manny at D.H., Sean Casey at first, and playing Jacoby Ellsbury, Coco Crisp, and J.D. Drew in the outfield.

Picking up Casey is really paying off for Boston now. It must be nice to have a bench that you can call upon when an injury strikes. You know, like, having Morgan Ensberg to replace Alex Rodriguez when he was out with his quad…

Update: As you can see from the comments section below, I pulled a rock on this one. (Note to self: Don’t blog before your morning serving of oatmeal and tea.) Yeah, I totally blanked on Kevin Youkilis. Probably because I like to forget that he even exists…

June 3, 2008 | Filed Under Rivalry Snapshots | 6 Comments

Mets Fans Ring In On Cashman

Matthew Cerrone, over at MetsBlog, has linked to my question of Will [the] Mets Situation Benefit Cashman?

And, the reaction of Mets fans on the potential of acquiring Cashman is very interesting. Stop by Metsblog and check it out.

May 27, 2008 | Filed Under Rivalry Snapshots | Leave a Comment

Will Mets Situation Benefit Cashman?

Since May 20th of last season, in regular seasons games, including yesterday’s loss, the Mets have gone 83-86. Some are now calling for Mets G.M. Omar Minaya to have his feet held to the fire for the sorry state of Metsdom over the last year.

Could this situation be something that Yankees G.M. Brian Cashman is holding in his back pocket? We know that reports have come up recently that suggest Hank Stein is not thrilled with Cashman’s team building. However, in the past, Big Stein would rather be stuck with something than allow it go to the Mets (where it could possibly haunt him by doing well). Will Hank be the same as his dad here?

If the Mets fire Omar at the end of this season, and if Cashman is a “free agent,” you know that Brian will be in consideration for the Mets job - and it’s probably a spot that Cashman would be very interested in…for all the obvious reasons.

In the end, after this season, Brian Cashman may just get an offer to stay with the Yankees…and one that pays well…and it may be the result of what’s happening over at Shea (rather than results in Yankeeland).

May 27, 2008 | Filed Under Rivalry Snapshots | 5 Comments

Madden: Yanks Losing Draft Wars With Sox

From Bill Madden today:

The problem is, [the Yankees Brian] Cashman has been handicapped by the incompetence of the Tampa-based scouting department. If you want to know why the Red Sox are suddenly the team talking dynasty, you need to look no further than the amateur drafts since 2002, where their superior scouts have cleaned the Yankees’ clocks.

In 2002, the Yankees lost their first two draft picks as compensation for signing Jason Giambi and Steve Karsay and consequently didn’t draft until 71st when they took Brandon Weeden, a high school pitcher from Santa Fe, N.M., to whom they gave a $565,000 bonus before releasing him a couple of years later. The Red Sox took Lester at No. 57 that year.

In 2004, the Yankees had four picks in the first 50 and took Hughes at No. 23, a high school catcher named Jon Poterson at 37, and pitchers Jeffrey Marquez and Brett Smith at 41 and 42.

Poterson, who turned out to be a hopeless hitter, got a $965,000 bonus and was released two years later. Marquez, who was one of the young pitchers Minnesota had targeted along with Hughes in the Santana talks last winter, is struggling mightily (6.16 ERA) at Triple-A while Smith showed little promise in three years in A-ball and is on the disabled list at Double-A Trenton.

Meanwhile, the Red Sox, who lost their first two picks in ‘04 for their signing of closer Keith Foulke, took Dustin Pedroia out of Arizona State with the 65th pick.

But if anything, it was the 2005 draft, in which the Red Sox had four picks in the first 50, all of them after the Yankees’ first pick, that really tipped the scales in the rivalry. In short, it was an absolute disaster for the Yankees, who took Oklahoma City high school shortstop C.J. Henry at No. 17. The Red Sox followed by taking Jacoby Ellsbury at 23, St. John’s closer Craig Hansen at 26, Buchholz at 42 and Stanford shortstop Jed Lowrie at 45.

From December 1995 through July 2004, Lin Garrett was the Yankees director of scouting. It’s been Damon Oppenheimer since Garrett.

I’ve already gone on record as to how Lin Garrett clogged up, if not destroyed, the Yankees talent pipeline that was manned pretty well by personnel such as Brian Sabean and Bill Livesey (the Scouting Directors before Garrett).

Brian Cashman’s greatest gift to the Yankees may have been getting Garrett out of town. Why it took the Yankees so long to figure this out…well, it’s anyone’s guess.

May 24, 2008 | Filed Under Rivalry Snapshots | 17 Comments

Rival House Of Horror For Those Other Guys

Yesterday, I got an e-mail from a reader, and Yankees fan, who was basically looking to find out how bad the Mets record was when they visited the Braves - because he wanted to give his Mets fans friends the business.

I was pretty surprised at the answer.

May 23, 2008 | Filed Under Rivalry Snapshots | Leave a Comment

Strange Waters

As a diehard Yankees fan, I have been rooting against the Boston Red Sox for the last 35 years. It comes with the territory. I want the Yankees to do well. But, regardless of whether or not that happens, I want the Red Sox not to do well. Maybe that’s not the nicest or most well-adjusted position to hold…but, I’ve been that way now for over a third-of-a-century…and, it is what it is…just telling it like it is, ya’ know?

Now, tonight, I find myself in strange waters. I’m actually happy for the Sox’ Jon Lester - in getting a no-hitter today. This kid has traveled a rough road to get where he is today. And, I was impressed by his on-the-field reaction after recording his final out this evening. Very professional. Very old school. There’s a lot to like there - at least for me. So, for one night, and one night only, I’m going to allow myself this Yankees fan indiscretion and tip my cap to a member of the Boston Red Sox and offer a smile, albeit reserved and not beaming, towards Lester’s way - acknowledging my respect for his achievement this evening.

Tomorrow morning, I’ll go back to hoping he pitches like Vaughn Eshelman every time he wears a Red Sox uniform.

May 19, 2008 | Filed Under Rivalry Snapshots | 14 Comments

It’s Not Always About Hitting

Playing around with Baseball-Reference.com’s Play Index today, I noticed that the Boston Red Sox have been on a hot streak with their bats. In fact, to date, in games during the month of May, the Red Sox have the following team BA/OBP/SLG line: .316/.385/.524 (in 692 PA over 17 games).

Yet, in the month of May, so far, the Red Sox are 10-7. So, what gives?

It’s pitching. In those same 17 games, Boston has a team ERA of 4.00 - and 4 of those 7 losses were by one-run.

Just some food for thought for those in Yankeeland who think New York’s problems will be solved once A-Rod returns and hopefully the Yankees offense starts to produce better…a reminder that you still need to pitch effectively to win, as well.

May 19, 2008 | Filed Under Rivalry Snapshots | 18 Comments

Giving The Mets The Ol’ One-Two

In my opinion, these are the five best regular season games that a Yankees starting pitcher has ever thrown against the Mets:

1. Andy Pettitte - June 30, 2002
2. David Cone - June 18, 1997
3. Chien-Ming Wang - June 17, 2007
4. Roger Clemens - June 28, 2003
5. David Wells - June 17, 1997

The Wells and Cone games were back-to-back starts in 1997. Wouldn’t it be nice if Pettitte and Wang could go back-to-back with stellar starts over the next two days?

I think that Wang is up for the challenge. Andy? Well, we will see in a few hours…stay tuned.

May 17, 2008 | Filed Under Rivalry Snapshots, Yankees History | Leave a Comment

Rainout Theater

My condolences to the fifty-something-thousand who dragged themselves up to the Bronx tonight, in the rain, only to find out 2 minutes before game-time that the game was being called. Shame on the Yankees for making everyone jump through hoops (like paying for parking, etc.) only to pull the plug at the last minute - when anyone could have told you that today’s weather was not baseball-friendly.

Me? I’m dipping into the DVD collection and am going to treat myself to my own personal “Rainout Theater.” Scanning my options, “The Warriors” caught my attention. Yeah, it will be 30-years old next year; but, it’s still a fun movie for me. A few years ago, there was some talk that Tony Scott was going to do a remake of it. But, I think that’s now in limbo.

What about you? What will you be watching tonight in place of the Subway Series?

May 16, 2008 | Filed Under Rivalry Snapshots | 8 Comments

Now The Mets Are Quoting Hank

Via the Journal News:

These up-and-down Mets are just 20-19. Yes, they’ve been without Pedro Martinez and Orlando Hernandez. But they are underachieving royally again, and they know it.

“The effort is there,” Billy Wagner said. “We’re just not earning our money, as Hank (Steinbrenner) likes to say.

“You look in here at the talent and the track records of all of our guys. You’re going to lose some tough games to some teams you shouldn’t. But it shouldn’t be as many as we continuously do.”

And then Wagner started to get annoyed. Here’s the cleaned-up-for-kids version:

“Will somebody tell me why the closer is being interviewed and I didn’t even play, and they’re over there not getting interviewed?” Wagner said, looking across the clubhouse in the general direction of where the two Carloses’ lockers are located. “I got it. They’re gone.”

Hey, you gotta love it, right?

May 16, 2008 | Filed Under Rivalry Snapshots | 6 Comments

Booth Envy

Have you heard the story about the Mets TV announcers selling T-Shirts for charity? If not, click here for the details.

In my opinion, this is one area where SNY has a leg up on YES. By going with three primary guys in the booth for most games, you do build something among the team of announcers and with the audience. It’s like the days when Phil Rizzuto, Bill White, and Frank Messer covered the Yankees games on TV. They knew each other, had fun, you got to know them, and you had fun with them as well.

Today, YES has seven guys that they use in the TV booth and you never know, coming into a series, which ones you’ll get - or, how many. Sometimes it’s a two-man booth and sometimes it’s three. Just like a ballclub, it’s hard to build on something when you keep moving the parts around in different combinations, etc.

In any event, it’s cool what the Mets announcers are doing with these shirts. It’s too bad that we can’t see something like this happening on the Yankees side too. And, (no pun intended) yes, as a Yankees fan, it hurts me to have to admit this…

May 15, 2008 | Filed Under Rivalry Snapshots | 8 Comments

Looking Ahead To The Subway Series

Matt Cerrone of MetsBlog and I take a look at what the Yankees and Mets will need to do in order to win the upcoming subway series at Yankee Stadium.

Click here to see what we have to say.

Feel free to comment on our thoughts in the comment section below.

May 15, 2008 | Filed Under Rivalry Snapshots | Leave a Comment

Reported Yanks Fan Accused Of DUI & Murder Of Reported Sox Fan

Via the AP with a hat tip to BTF:

A 43-year-old Nashua, N.H. woman faces murder charges after a man she’s accused of running down during the weekend died.

Witnesses say the incident was sparked by an argument between Red Sox and Yankees fans at a Nashua bar early Friday morning.

Ivonne Hernandez is accused of killing 29-year-old Matthew Beaudoin, and injuring his friend, 21-year-old Maria Hughes, by running them down with her car. She’s also charged with drunken driving.

Police say the incident followed an argument. They haven’t released details, but witness are saying an argument broke out in Slade’s Food & Spirits after Hernandez said she was a Yankees fan. They said Beaudoin was among a group of people who began chanting at Hernandez.

Via the Nashua Telegraph, we have a photo of Ms. Hernandez after she was arrested.

Craig Calcaterra commented on this case over at BTF and said “As is the case almost 100% of the time in these things, I’m guessing that their respective rooting interests have little or nothing to do with it.”

Give Craig a gold star on that one. I think he’s nailed it. Yet, I’m sure, some in Red Sox Nation may already be gathering their pitchforks and torches over this one.

May 5, 2008 | Filed Under Rivalry Snapshots | 2 Comments

Missed…By That Much!

Looking at the schedules, off-days, and pitching rotations of the Yankees and Mets, it appears that this could be the pitching match-ups for the first subway series of 2008 (next month at the Stadium):

May 16th: Oliver Perez vs. Andy Pettitte
May 17th: John Maine vs. Ian Kennedy
May 18th: Nelson Figueroa vs. Chien-Ming Wang

Get this, on May 15th - again, according to schedules, current rotations, etc. - Johan Santana should be starting for the Mets and Phil Hughes should be starting for the Yankees.

So, by one day, we missed seeing Johan Santana vs. Phil Hughes, at Yankee Stadium, in the first game this season where the Yankees and Mets face-off. Now, that would have been Hank Stein’s worst nightmare.

April 30, 2008 | Filed Under Rivalry Snapshots | 5 Comments

Beckett: April Schedule Works Against Sox

Via the Providence Journal:

[Josh Beckett] didn’t get any help from his offense, and when he looked around the clubhouse after the team’s 3-0 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays, he saw a lot of tired players. So he made his feelings known.

“A lot of our guys need that,” he said, referring to today’s off-day. “It’s unfortunate we’re just a little banged up right now. Tito is usually pretty good staying on top of giving guys days off when we’re in a stretch like that. I mean, Kevin Youkilis (0-for-3 yesterday) needs to be in there right now because he’s either playing third or first.

“There’s nothing you can do,” added Beckett. “Tito’s hands are tied. It’s going to be nice to get Mike Lowell back pretty soon. (MLB) makes the schedule and it’s not just the 20 games in a row we play — 8 o’clock getaway games in Oakland. There’s not enough [complaining] and moaning that goes on to get it changed. I don’t know what we can do.”

He wasn’t done.

“That’s what strings guys out,” he said. “It’s tough playing 20 in a row, anyway, but whenever you get Sunday night baseball here and Sunday night baseball there, it’s at 8 o’clock and you don’t get home until 5 in the morning. Then you’re right back out there the next day.”

Hey, Josh, have you seen the Yankees April schedule this season? Excuse me if I don’t play the violin for you.

April 28, 2008 | Filed Under Rivalry Snapshots | 2 Comments

Curse Jersey Current Bid: $82,600.00

Updating the story from last week, well, that’s one heckuva slice of cheddar, huh?

Almost eighty-three large. Must be nice to be rich.

Click here to bid or watch the auction.

April 23, 2008 | Filed Under Rivalry Snapshots | 4 Comments

Should Damon Sit Again Today?

In 68 lifetime PA against Josh Beckett, Bobby Abreu has batted .180 - yes, one-eighty. But, Abreu’s lifetime on-base average against Beckett is .397 - thanks to 18 walks in those 68 PA.

Here’s some other stats for Yankees against Beckett:

Melky Cabrera is a lifetime .318 hitter (7 for 22).
Robinson Cano is a lifetime .389 hitter (7 for 18.)
Jorge Posada is a lifetime .400 hitter (6 for 15).

Hideki Matsui (.214) and Johnny Damon (.238) have not hit Beckett well in the past. But, Godzilla is swinging a hot bat lately.

When I see all these stats, I think General Joe has to give Johnny Damon another day off today, no?

April 12, 2008 | Filed Under Rivalry Snapshots | 2 Comments

Welcome To The Fens Joba

Via George King:

Joba Chamberlain and a few people seated near the Yankees’ bullpen thought an unruly Red Sox fan was throwing ice cubes at the reliever while he warmed up in the latter innings of last night’s 4-1 Bomber win.

Mike Harkey, the Yankees’ bullpen coach, said the items being sent Chamberlain’s way were pumpkin seeds.

Whatever the objects were, they caught Chamberlain’s attention.

“They came by me on the right side but they didn’t hit me,” Chamberlain said.

Said fellow reliever La Troy Hawkins of the Red Sox fans: “They were just telling him they love him.”

Know what the Yankees should do when they go to Fenway? They should have someone in the pen armed with a digital camcorder. And, when stuff like this happens, they should record the fan(s) giving them a hard time and then turn the tapes over to the media and/or MLB.

Granted, Red Sox players get their fair share of abuse at Yankee Stadium. But, in the last five years or so, it seems like the visiting bullpen area at Fenway Park is a real hot spot for trouble. And, it’s time for visiting teams to start protecting themselves out there.

April 12, 2008 | Filed Under Rivalry Snapshots | 2 Comments

Is Tonight A Must Win Game For The Yanks?

No, it’s impossible to have a “must win” game in April - especially when it’s the first time that you face a rival that you’re going to face many, many, times again later in the season. But, tonight’s game is somewhat important in the sense that it’s Worm Killer Wang for the Yankees - to be followed in the next two games by Mike Mussina and Phil Hughes.

You just don’t know what you’re going to get from Mussina and Hughes, at Fenway Park, at this stage of their careers. The chances of them pitching poorly are the same as the chances of them pitching well. So, you need a great game from Wang tonight - and you hope that he can do better than his lifetime ERA of 6.17 at Fenway Park.

The Yankees don’t want to get swept in their series against the Sox. And, if they lose today, because of the questions on Mussina and Hughes, it’s not unrealistic that they will be swept. But, a win today takes away a lot of that “don’t get swept” pressure. Therefore, while tonight is not “must win” for New York, it’s still a “You really don’t want to lose this one” game.

April 11, 2008 | Filed Under Rivalry Snapshots | 2 Comments

Mike Pelfrey Vs. Phil Hughes

I looked at this debate, briefly, 15 months ago.

What have we learned since? Well, Hughes is still two years younger than Pelfey - yes, I say that tongue in cheek - and, to date, Phil has out-pitched Mike at the big league level so far. Last time I checked, younger and better is a pretty good edge.

But, it’s a small sample size too. Hughes has made 15 big league starts and Pelfrey has made 18 starts (and he also pitched in relief during two games).

Pelfrey’s big problems seem to be the 3rd and 5th innings of the games where he’s started whereas Hughes’ problem area is the 1st and 5th innings of games that he’s started. On the whole, neither of them has established that they’re a lock for a good game beyond 5 innings of work.

It will be interesting to see which of these two projected “No. 1 starters” has the better season in 2008. It will add to the bragging rights battles between Yankees and Mets fans, for sure.

Who do you think will have the better season and/or the better career?

April 10, 2008 | Filed Under Rivalry Snapshots | 1 Comment

Sox To Give Out Rings While Yanks At Fenway

Via wbztv.com:

Boston fans now have the chance to own their own 2007 World Series ring.

Starting on Tuesday, fans ages 18 and older can buy $10 tickets for their chance to win one of the nine World Series rings being raffled off, or a new Volvo C30 Red Sox special edition car.

Tickets will be sold at the Fenway Park ticket office and designated kiosks around the park until noontime on July 5. The Red Sox will sell a maximum of 200,000 raffle tickets.

All net proceeds from the ring raffle will benefit the Red Sox Foundation, according to the team.

A similar raffle took place in 2005 after the Red Sox won the 2004 World Series. “When we won the World Series in 2004, (the fans) supported our first ring raffle and helped raise $2 million for the Red Sox Foundation,” said Chairman Tom Werner. “This year we have increased the number of prizes and opportunities to win. It is a great way to reward the best fans in baseball while also helping children and families across New England.”

The rings will be identical to the 2007 World Series rings given to Red Sox players. It will be the same make and model and will be made with the same materials and jewels, according to Red Sox officials.

The raffle drawing will be held on July 11 and winners will have until July 17 to claim their prize, which will be presented during a pre-game ceremony before the Red Sox/Yankees game on July 26.

Oh, I’m sure that the timing of this is just a cowinky-dink thing. It’s not like the Sox are looking to rub the Yankees noses in this…not.

April 8, 2008 | Filed Under Rivalry Snapshots | Leave a Comment

Sox Making Money At Yankees Expense?

Via the FOX Business Network -

The Red Sox may have won two of the last four World Series, but as a business, the franchise has two strikes against it: the smallest ballpark in the Majors and one of the highest payrolls. At Fenway Park, every home game has sold out since 2003, leaving little opportunity to boost sales.

“We need to be creative,” says Mike Dee, the team’s COO. “We’re not building a new ballpark à la the Yankees.” So in 2004, he launched Fenway Sports Group, FSG, a marketing subsidiary of Sox parent New England Sports Ventures that creates new businesses based on the team’s relationships.

The Sox are now drawing revenue — more than $200 million a year, sources say — from Nascar, pop music, and even the New York Yankees. And because most of the work doesn’t involve the team, nearly all of the new income falls outside the league’s revenue-sharing agreement. “We turned a profit in year one,” Dee says.

It’s a tough act for most teams to follow — they’re focused on filling seats. But “teams are keeping an eye on [FSG],” says Joe Giles, the Philadelphia Phillies’ director of business development. “I like their aggressiveness.”

Online Ads
FSG proved so adept at selling online ads for the Red Sox Web site that MLB Advanced Media contracted it to do the same for other teams — even the Yankees. So, yes, when New York fans visit yankees.com, they’re indirectly paying the enemy.

Travel
Red Sox Destinations offered $5,000 packages to Boston’s opener in Japan, featuring a chartered 747 and a meet and greet with players. FSG has organized previous trips to New York and Baltimore. An offshoot does trips for BC.

Great, just great. MLB (or, if you prefer, MLBAM) is asking the Red Sox to sell ads for the Yankees site. And, the Yankees are allowing the Red Sox to bus in Sox fans for games at Yankee Stadium.

The Yankees can’t do much about the former. But, they should try, without question, to stop the latter. It’s just not right.

April 8, 2008 | Filed Under Rivalry Snapshots | 5 Comments