The New York Knicks have shoved themselves into the spotlight for the first time in months. Larry Hughes is now a Knick, and no one saw it coming. The Knicks have been in full LeBron mode since they gave away both their top scorer and rebounder earlier in the year. This took the Knicks from a playoff team to another season destined to be near the bottom, all in the name of clearing cap space for the summer of 2010. As a Knick fan all you could say is: “if you’re going to throw away the next two seasons , you better sign LeBron.” Now we can have hope for this year. The trade that went down between New York and Chicago was a gift from God for the Knicks, as the Bulls where just trying to unload a unhappy player. The Knicks gave away Tim Thomas, Jerome James, and Anthony Roberson. Two of those players are past their prime and the other will probably never be good. The combined salaries between James and Thomas is $12.2 Million, while Hughes is being inked for $12.8 Million this year. That means that this trade not only benefits this years campaign but it also doesn’t jeopardize LeBron fest ’10.
While we are on the topic of LeBron Fest, I herd a report that excited me, but also sounded a bit outlandish. People are talking of a potential Chris Bosh signing to pair with LeBron. I think that, as Knicks fans, we may be thinking a little too far into the stratosphere in that particular circumstance. The priority must be LeBron, and I just don’t see the cash available to sign Bosh. The only way for this to happen is if the Knicks find some way to dump David Lee and Nate Robinson. This might not be a bad idea because it is common trend that, unlike in baseball and football, role players are a unnecessary commodity. You can win championships in the NBA by stacking superstars on the same roster, especially Bosh who has stated that he wouldn’t mind sharing the ball with LeBron. When you are trying to build a championship team that is the one thing always seems to come up, sharing the ball, and when you have a established superstar who doesn’t mind being second in command you should probably jump on that opportunity. Even though I love David Lee and Nate Robinson they will not go as far to win a championship as Chris Bosh will. I’m a big believer in doing what has worked for others in the past, and in the NBA two superstars will spell championship more then one superstar with a bunch of good role players. The Celtics had three legit superstars last year, the Spurs built a couple of championships off of three great players, the Lakers won with Kobe and Shaq, and Jordan won with Pippen before that, it’s just a trend.
Another move that went down was a straight up swap of Malik Rose for Chris Wilcox. Both contracts expire after this season so the LeBron Fest will not be affected once again. This is a solid move because it thickens the post for the Knicks who have had to rely on Lee and Al Harrington. Wilcox is a good role player who will grad solid rebounds, however, he is not a especially good fit for the D’Antoni system, but his rebounding and defense make him a decent pickup. A nice complementary deal to the blockbuster known as Larry Hughes.
This is the kind of move that make me excited for the next Knicks game, the kind of game that makes me believe in the playoffs. Larry Hughes is a great addition because he fits. The cap number is excellent, he fills a need, and he makes a team that was supposed to be taking these next two years off anyway very competitive. I’m excited for the game tomorrow against the Raptors. I wasn’t a couple of hours ago.
Just a Thought
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Monday, January 12, 2009
2009
The first decade of the new century is almost passed us, and while this decade has been anything but productive for the New York sports fan, it has been one of the most exciting in sports history for the rest of y’all. In order for it to be halfway successful some things need to happen in the next year that have not happened yet. As this decade of double ohs has been officially crowned the age of regression by me, there is a light at the end of the tunnel, at least we aren’t Seattle sports fans, and don’t care who you are or what you do, you can always toast to that! This is all a little foreplay for a killer list of the top 10 things I want to see happen in NY sports this year.
10. The Bills hire a coach with a previous winning record:
Gregg Williams? 0-0 when they hired him, Mark Mularkey? 0-0, Dick Jauron? 36-49, well at least he had won a game, see the trend? Now the Bills are not likely to even hire another coach this decade, although the big Ralph should really look into it, but why can’t they hire one guy with a decent track record? If your franchise has gone through more loosing seasons then the new hairs on JD’s man chin [Scrubs might be the funniest show ever thought of, and it’s COMING BACK TUESDAY!] then you really need to hire someone who has gotten somewhere in the NFL. Someone like BILL FOR GOD SHAKE THIS SO OBVIOUS COWHER, here’s to hoping that one sticks.
9. Syracuse will realize that if Kimbo Slice and Albert Einstein had a baby, it would probably come out as Turner Gill, they will then fire Doug Marrone and offer Turner Gill however much money he wants.
That one explains itself, I will only add that I like Doug Marrone and think he will lay a good foundation but Gill can bring an actual turnaround soon, and that’s why I think the ‘Cuse made the wrong choice.
8. Jim boehiem will win 800 games.
Hell he could do that this season, he has won 784 games by the start of 2009 and this years team looks very good, I doubt that in the toughest conference in college basketball history they will win 16 more games to put their season total at 30, an unlikely goal but not impossible, and he will then have it locked up by the time conference play starts next season. Jimmy B. is the reincarnation of mosses, this season so far has convinced me of that, so I would be nice to him because I’m thinking that he has to be on some committee for the big guy upstairs, just a fair warning.
7. The Yankees will groom a prospect to a decent level.
And no, Melky and Cano don’t count yet, especially because at the first sign of development the front office geniuses talked of shipping Melky to Milwaukee for another over the hill out fielder. They are talking of taking Phil Hughes out of the starting rotation because he got injured two seasons in a row, Ian Kennedy hasn’t been traded yet, which knowing the Steinbrenner’s is a shock, Cano is probably only there because they actually have no other second basemen. My point is that these prospects could really use some time, not every one just pops out like Derek Jeter, picks up a bat and hits .314, and even he took 3 years to get through the minors. I challenge the Yankees to keep a prospect and use him in the right way [enter Joba] for at least one year, can they do that for me? I sure hope so.
6. Willis McGahee will die a painful death that involves a lot of staples.
He wants to have fun In Buffalo? Come back and we’ll show him a good time.
5. The Knicks will sign Chris Duhon long term
This is a new revolutionary stage that I’m in, a stage that calls for bringing in a guy who I always liked out of Duke for the long term. Chris Duhon is the black, east coast, Mike D’Antoni, reincarnation Steve Nash. He runs the D’Antoni system flawlessly after he cleans up the turnovers. He has a great shot, and the key to NBA success is to have at least one guy who can go one on one with the best guy on the other team, and Duhon can do that with pretty much anyone. He is the future of the Knicks, and that is a future that I believe we can start taking stock in.
4. Ralph Wilson, Andre Reed, and Bruce Smith will be inducted in the hall of fame this year.
Especially Dre, because this has gone way too far dammit! Andre Reed not being in the hall of fame is an embarrassment to the institution that resides in Canton. The man is fifth in all time receptions, 9th in yards, and 11th in touchdowns. What more do you want? Michael Irvin had less catches, so did Art Monk, and Cris Carter but are they in the hall of fame? I know he played in Buffalo and ESPN doesn’t think that Buffalo is sexy enough, but hall of fame voters, I challenge you to vote with your heart, and not your remote. Ralph should get in and if Bruce Smith doesn’t then I quit. I don’t even know what I’m quitting but I’m going to quit it so hard it will make the average man cry.
3. Tom Brady’s career will be over.
I heard hope the other day, ESPN was teasing us with news that Brady’s knee was not rehabbing with the schedule that cheater one [Belichick] and cheater two [Kraft] have decided on. Maybe because of infection? It is a possibility, and even with a smooth as I-81 rehab the track record for QBs coming back from this injury is not stellar. It is possible that the great dimple chin might have a bum knee for the rest of his playing days we can all marvel at the records he could have broken. I’m holding out hope.
2. No Boston team will win a championship.
At the start of the decade this was a given, but no I have had to sit through three Patriot Super Bowls, one Celtics championship, and two bloody championships for the God damn Red Sox. It’s not just the titles. It’s the threat that another one could lurk its ugly head around the next corner. Boston teams are always picked to at least make the playoffs, where for some reason they have decided to be remotely dangerous. So I have made a protocol for 2009, no more titles for beantown, none, like one less then one. I just can’t stand seeing more fat, alien like creatures lining up along the streets of the dirtiest city in the world to celebrate another championship that ESPN will still be celebrating two weeks late.
1.SOMEONE WILL MAKE THE PLAYOFFS!
just need one team. In 2008 the Yankees missed the playoffs for the first time since 1995, the Knicks lost more then 50 games again, Syracuse went to the NIT’s Elite Eight for the second straight year, and the Bills still don’t want to make the playoffs.[ Nine years isn’t really that long, right?] This is the year, I can feel it! For starters, Syracuse already has 16 wins as I write this [yes between thing on the list number 7 and now Syracuse has won two games.] and already has three wins against top 25 teams. The Knicks are 3 games out of the 8th spot in the playoffs, Donnie Walsh is also looking a little perky as the trade deadline nears. The Yankees have reloaded and nothing less then a world series will be a failure, and maybe the 10th year will be the charm for the Bills. One team is all I’m asking God for in 2009, and I believe I could get that. Here’s to hoping.
Just a thought.
10. The Bills hire a coach with a previous winning record:
Gregg Williams? 0-0 when they hired him, Mark Mularkey? 0-0, Dick Jauron? 36-49, well at least he had won a game, see the trend? Now the Bills are not likely to even hire another coach this decade, although the big Ralph should really look into it, but why can’t they hire one guy with a decent track record? If your franchise has gone through more loosing seasons then the new hairs on JD’s man chin [Scrubs might be the funniest show ever thought of, and it’s COMING BACK TUESDAY!] then you really need to hire someone who has gotten somewhere in the NFL. Someone like BILL FOR GOD SHAKE THIS SO OBVIOUS COWHER, here’s to hoping that one sticks.
9. Syracuse will realize that if Kimbo Slice and Albert Einstein had a baby, it would probably come out as Turner Gill, they will then fire Doug Marrone and offer Turner Gill however much money he wants.
That one explains itself, I will only add that I like Doug Marrone and think he will lay a good foundation but Gill can bring an actual turnaround soon, and that’s why I think the ‘Cuse made the wrong choice.
8. Jim boehiem will win 800 games.
Hell he could do that this season, he has won 784 games by the start of 2009 and this years team looks very good, I doubt that in the toughest conference in college basketball history they will win 16 more games to put their season total at 30, an unlikely goal but not impossible, and he will then have it locked up by the time conference play starts next season. Jimmy B. is the reincarnation of mosses, this season so far has convinced me of that, so I would be nice to him because I’m thinking that he has to be on some committee for the big guy upstairs, just a fair warning.
7. The Yankees will groom a prospect to a decent level.
And no, Melky and Cano don’t count yet, especially because at the first sign of development the front office geniuses talked of shipping Melky to Milwaukee for another over the hill out fielder. They are talking of taking Phil Hughes out of the starting rotation because he got injured two seasons in a row, Ian Kennedy hasn’t been traded yet, which knowing the Steinbrenner’s is a shock, Cano is probably only there because they actually have no other second basemen. My point is that these prospects could really use some time, not every one just pops out like Derek Jeter, picks up a bat and hits .314, and even he took 3 years to get through the minors. I challenge the Yankees to keep a prospect and use him in the right way [enter Joba] for at least one year, can they do that for me? I sure hope so.
6. Willis McGahee will die a painful death that involves a lot of staples.
He wants to have fun In Buffalo? Come back and we’ll show him a good time.
5. The Knicks will sign Chris Duhon long term
This is a new revolutionary stage that I’m in, a stage that calls for bringing in a guy who I always liked out of Duke for the long term. Chris Duhon is the black, east coast, Mike D’Antoni, reincarnation Steve Nash. He runs the D’Antoni system flawlessly after he cleans up the turnovers. He has a great shot, and the key to NBA success is to have at least one guy who can go one on one with the best guy on the other team, and Duhon can do that with pretty much anyone. He is the future of the Knicks, and that is a future that I believe we can start taking stock in.
4. Ralph Wilson, Andre Reed, and Bruce Smith will be inducted in the hall of fame this year.
Especially Dre, because this has gone way too far dammit! Andre Reed not being in the hall of fame is an embarrassment to the institution that resides in Canton. The man is fifth in all time receptions, 9th in yards, and 11th in touchdowns. What more do you want? Michael Irvin had less catches, so did Art Monk, and Cris Carter but are they in the hall of fame? I know he played in Buffalo and ESPN doesn’t think that Buffalo is sexy enough, but hall of fame voters, I challenge you to vote with your heart, and not your remote. Ralph should get in and if Bruce Smith doesn’t then I quit. I don’t even know what I’m quitting but I’m going to quit it so hard it will make the average man cry.
3. Tom Brady’s career will be over.
I heard hope the other day, ESPN was teasing us with news that Brady’s knee was not rehabbing with the schedule that cheater one [Belichick] and cheater two [Kraft] have decided on. Maybe because of infection? It is a possibility, and even with a smooth as I-81 rehab the track record for QBs coming back from this injury is not stellar. It is possible that the great dimple chin might have a bum knee for the rest of his playing days we can all marvel at the records he could have broken. I’m holding out hope.
2. No Boston team will win a championship.
At the start of the decade this was a given, but no I have had to sit through three Patriot Super Bowls, one Celtics championship, and two bloody championships for the God damn Red Sox. It’s not just the titles. It’s the threat that another one could lurk its ugly head around the next corner. Boston teams are always picked to at least make the playoffs, where for some reason they have decided to be remotely dangerous. So I have made a protocol for 2009, no more titles for beantown, none, like one less then one. I just can’t stand seeing more fat, alien like creatures lining up along the streets of the dirtiest city in the world to celebrate another championship that ESPN will still be celebrating two weeks late.
1.SOMEONE WILL MAKE THE PLAYOFFS!
just need one team. In 2008 the Yankees missed the playoffs for the first time since 1995, the Knicks lost more then 50 games again, Syracuse went to the NIT’s Elite Eight for the second straight year, and the Bills still don’t want to make the playoffs.[ Nine years isn’t really that long, right?] This is the year, I can feel it! For starters, Syracuse already has 16 wins as I write this [yes between thing on the list number 7 and now Syracuse has won two games.] and already has three wins against top 25 teams. The Knicks are 3 games out of the 8th spot in the playoffs, Donnie Walsh is also looking a little perky as the trade deadline nears. The Yankees have reloaded and nothing less then a world series will be a failure, and maybe the 10th year will be the charm for the Bills. One team is all I’m asking God for in 2009, and I believe I could get that. Here’s to hoping.
Just a thought.
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
A case for Cowher Time: Buffalo Version
Dick Jauron is staying in Buffalo for another year, and much to the dismay of common sense he is signed until 2011 even though he is the sole reason that the Bills are not in the playoffs. This team has the young talent to make the playoffs, but seem to be missing one integral piece of the ever changing puzzle. This piece has become easily identifiable over the past 10 games, with things like game management, the easiest training camp in the NFL, and an attitude that seems more grandparent like then head coach like. For nine years the Bills have been no better then the Detroit Lions, I’m serious. It shows me that to Ralph Wilson, 7-9 is good enough, and that’s what separates the Bills from other, playoff bound, organizations. Eric Mangini was fired from the Jets after going 9-7, but if Dick Jauron went 9-7 Ralph would most likely make him coach for life, speaking of which, former Denver Broncos “coach for life” Mike Shanahan was given the axe after finishing 8-8 and missing the playoffs for three straight years. Imagine how much trouble very Bills coach would be in if Ralph Wilson followed the same standards.
So what is the answer? The Bills play dead men football with an uninspired coach and a bunch of people who don’t care about winning unless they get paid. Who could possibly be the Buffalo savior if not Jauron? Well if I could just steal Cleveland’s thunder for a second [and who hasn’t been doing that in the last 40 or so years] and make a call to one Bill Cowher , and officially declare it Cowher time in Buffalo. It makes perfect sense , Cowher wants to go to a team with a young base already built. Enter the three headed monster of Edwards, Evans, and Lynch who are all three not yet in their primes. He has a team with a playoff caliber core, and if Ralph Wilson has any brains left in his 90 year old head he will give full personal duties to Cowher. Who would you rather have picking your players, Russ Brandon or Bill Cowher? I would pick the ladder. Cowher also expressed an interest in going to a city that he likes, and while I don’t know his personal feelings on Buffalo as a city, if you can live in Pittsburgh you come to appreciate a city like Buffalo. A tough, grind it out, cold city. If you like Pittsburgh then you will probably find Buffalo just as charming. While Cowher has not expressed interest in coaching in 2009 we have seen sparks of intrigue at mentions of the Browns and Jets, but the Bills are a more perfect fit. The Jets are too old, the Browns to bad, the Bills are a piece away. Bill Cowher will put these guys through a real training camp, you know, one with two a days and stuff. If you notice the Bills last three 7-9 seasons they have all shown bursts of unbridled potential, the first two years it came after the half way point when the Bills would play flawless after a disastrous start, and then this year they started 5-1 before going 2-8 in the last 10. God looking at that makes me just want to throw up in my hand and throw it at someone. The Loins weren’t much worse in the last ten, and if your compared to the Lions twice in the same post you know something is wrong. The Bills haven’t had the strength to play a full season in the last three years. It does not take a genius to realize that the Bills have one of the easiest training camps in the NFL while I bet there are war stories not as gruesome as some of the stuff that comes out of a Cowher camp. That would be what the Bills need, someone to remind them that it has been nine god damn years since they made the playoffs.
Mike Shanahan would also be a nice fit, he’s a guy who will yell when you need to yell, and act professional when the time dictates, he is another guy that Ralph is going to want to give full responsibilities to. There is a reoccurring theme that I’ve noticed in this post, the fact that Russ Brandon is NOT the right guy to give control of an NFL franchise. That’s all I’ll say about that, other then GET HIS ASS OUT OF THERE FOR CHRIST’S SAKE! Now I’m done. When I herd that a decision would be made on Wednesday I was almost excited, but then they made an announcement 24 hours before they where supposed to, what eats at me is that I thought the Bills would take after the model of our president elect and focus on change. What has happened in the last nine years that would make Ralph think his football model is working? Why on God’s green earth would you not change things up? It has been nine long years, change should have happened a while ago.
Just a thought.
So what is the answer? The Bills play dead men football with an uninspired coach and a bunch of people who don’t care about winning unless they get paid. Who could possibly be the Buffalo savior if not Jauron? Well if I could just steal Cleveland’s thunder for a second [and who hasn’t been doing that in the last 40 or so years] and make a call to one Bill Cowher , and officially declare it Cowher time in Buffalo. It makes perfect sense , Cowher wants to go to a team with a young base already built. Enter the three headed monster of Edwards, Evans, and Lynch who are all three not yet in their primes. He has a team with a playoff caliber core, and if Ralph Wilson has any brains left in his 90 year old head he will give full personal duties to Cowher. Who would you rather have picking your players, Russ Brandon or Bill Cowher? I would pick the ladder. Cowher also expressed an interest in going to a city that he likes, and while I don’t know his personal feelings on Buffalo as a city, if you can live in Pittsburgh you come to appreciate a city like Buffalo. A tough, grind it out, cold city. If you like Pittsburgh then you will probably find Buffalo just as charming. While Cowher has not expressed interest in coaching in 2009 we have seen sparks of intrigue at mentions of the Browns and Jets, but the Bills are a more perfect fit. The Jets are too old, the Browns to bad, the Bills are a piece away. Bill Cowher will put these guys through a real training camp, you know, one with two a days and stuff. If you notice the Bills last three 7-9 seasons they have all shown bursts of unbridled potential, the first two years it came after the half way point when the Bills would play flawless after a disastrous start, and then this year they started 5-1 before going 2-8 in the last 10. God looking at that makes me just want to throw up in my hand and throw it at someone. The Loins weren’t much worse in the last ten, and if your compared to the Lions twice in the same post you know something is wrong. The Bills haven’t had the strength to play a full season in the last three years. It does not take a genius to realize that the Bills have one of the easiest training camps in the NFL while I bet there are war stories not as gruesome as some of the stuff that comes out of a Cowher camp. That would be what the Bills need, someone to remind them that it has been nine god damn years since they made the playoffs.
Mike Shanahan would also be a nice fit, he’s a guy who will yell when you need to yell, and act professional when the time dictates, he is another guy that Ralph is going to want to give full responsibilities to. There is a reoccurring theme that I’ve noticed in this post, the fact that Russ Brandon is NOT the right guy to give control of an NFL franchise. That’s all I’ll say about that, other then GET HIS ASS OUT OF THERE FOR CHRIST’S SAKE! Now I’m done. When I herd that a decision would be made on Wednesday I was almost excited, but then they made an announcement 24 hours before they where supposed to, what eats at me is that I thought the Bills would take after the model of our president elect and focus on change. What has happened in the last nine years that would make Ralph think his football model is working? Why on God’s green earth would you not change things up? It has been nine long years, change should have happened a while ago.
Just a thought.
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Tex For Christmas
The reports where sure fired guarantees, at any moment the off season’s jewel slugger was about to call the city of Boston his new home and jack the Red Sox to the preseason throne of the A.L East. It was bound to happen, sure to happen! It didn’t happen, but the fact that it didn’t happen does not eat away at Red Sox fans but the team that did sign him sure does. Tex is going to be wearing pinstripes this spring instead of an old English B on his forehead and the difference was $12 Million. That’s $12 Million that says to the people of Boston, sure we want to win, but not really THAT much. Let’s face it, Yankees management cares, if that’s a problem then sports is really going down the tube. The Mets play in the same market but don’t really feel like spending enough, the Red Sox have developed a national following the is beginning to rival the Yankee’s , but always seem to come up $12 Million short. [A-rod in ‘04 and now this]The Royals owner [David Glass] owns Wall Mart for Christ’s sake! He bathes in thousand dollar bills, he’s practically as rich as Jesus and he can’t afford to thrown 2% of his fortune at making the Royals competitive? Because he pockets every dime he makes and doesn’t feel like throwing the team a bone, and that, believe it or not, is not the fault of the Yankees. Stu Sternberg [ Ray’s owner] made a fortune and a half in the stock market but Tampa, although they won the American League, can’t afford to spend more money then the Yankees do on the left side of the infield. Sports richest owner resides in Minneapolis [yes poor, small market Minnesota] as Carl Pohlad keeps a closed wallet and just pockets the cash he makes from running the Twins. He is said to be worth $1.8 Billion, more then enough to go out and try to get Tex.
The Yankees go out and spend more money then any other team, but don’t actually say that out loud because your missing the point by a huge margin. The Yankees in reality have no more money then any other team, the Steinbrenner family is probably not even in the top half of richest owners in baseball, because for every dollar that they make of owning the Yankees 100 cents goes back into making the franchise a well oiled winning machine. People who say the Yankees spend too much money are looserist, people who apparently think that there is a problem with wanting to win. The Yankees want to win and fans who have balls-less owners always cry and complain about it. If David Glass wanted to go out and offer Mark Teixeira $200 Million he easily could, and then he could turn around and offer C.C Sabathia another $200 Million and still not dive into half his fortune, but I guess he doesn’t think that Kansas City deserves a winner.
In a previous post I said that after signing C.C Sabathia and A.J Burnett the Yankees need to win the world series or some people should be fired. The Yankees possible pitching rotation looks like this:
C.C. Sabathia
A.J Burnett
Chein-Ming Wang
Joba Chamberlin
Andy Pettite [ possibly]
And the lineup:
1.Johnny Damon
2. Derek Jeter
3. Mark Teixeira
4. Alex Rodriguez
5. Hideki Matsui
6. Jorge Posada
7.Robinson Cano
8.Nick Swisher
9. Melky Cabrera
I’m sorry but if your Joe Girardi and you do not win it all with that lineup then find a job somewhere else. Tex is good for 7 years of hitting over .315 and has 5 more gold gloves in him, C.C has won a Cy Young in the A.L and Burnett has ace stuff when healthy, Girardi has to understand that this is his chance to show us that he deserves to be a Yankee. I love how the Red Sox had to take almost a month to get Teixeira to almost sign with them but the Yankees submitted an offer at noon today and had the deal done in four hours. It’s the difference between the Yankees and Red Sox I guess, the Red Sox try to poke and prod at clients while the Yankees do whatever they can to sign them.
So it turns out that Sabathia and Burnett where the opening act, and Tex the main attraction, all I know is this, there is a new favorite in the A.L, and the pre season throne is back where it belongs, in the Bronx.
Just a thought.
The Yankees go out and spend more money then any other team, but don’t actually say that out loud because your missing the point by a huge margin. The Yankees in reality have no more money then any other team, the Steinbrenner family is probably not even in the top half of richest owners in baseball, because for every dollar that they make of owning the Yankees 100 cents goes back into making the franchise a well oiled winning machine. People who say the Yankees spend too much money are looserist, people who apparently think that there is a problem with wanting to win. The Yankees want to win and fans who have balls-less owners always cry and complain about it. If David Glass wanted to go out and offer Mark Teixeira $200 Million he easily could, and then he could turn around and offer C.C Sabathia another $200 Million and still not dive into half his fortune, but I guess he doesn’t think that Kansas City deserves a winner.
In a previous post I said that after signing C.C Sabathia and A.J Burnett the Yankees need to win the world series or some people should be fired. The Yankees possible pitching rotation looks like this:
C.C. Sabathia
A.J Burnett
Chein-Ming Wang
Joba Chamberlin
Andy Pettite [ possibly]
And the lineup:
1.Johnny Damon
2. Derek Jeter
3. Mark Teixeira
4. Alex Rodriguez
5. Hideki Matsui
6. Jorge Posada
7.Robinson Cano
8.Nick Swisher
9. Melky Cabrera
I’m sorry but if your Joe Girardi and you do not win it all with that lineup then find a job somewhere else. Tex is good for 7 years of hitting over .315 and has 5 more gold gloves in him, C.C has won a Cy Young in the A.L and Burnett has ace stuff when healthy, Girardi has to understand that this is his chance to show us that he deserves to be a Yankee. I love how the Red Sox had to take almost a month to get Teixeira to almost sign with them but the Yankees submitted an offer at noon today and had the deal done in four hours. It’s the difference between the Yankees and Red Sox I guess, the Red Sox try to poke and prod at clients while the Yankees do whatever they can to sign them.
So it turns out that Sabathia and Burnett where the opening act, and Tex the main attraction, all I know is this, there is a new favorite in the A.L, and the pre season throne is back where it belongs, in the Bronx.
Just a thought.
Saturday, December 20, 2008
The 'Blueprint"
The Cashman, Steinbrenner doctrine is back in full swing as both C.C Sabathia [$161 Million] and A.J Burnett [$85 Million] got introduced in the “old” Yankee Stadium and so the bar has been set, if you are going to spend $246 Million on two pitchers then you better be delivering a world series. Now I know that you have to add in the New York spotlight, but the Yankees went against the wisdom of their own yesteryears that included one or two modest free agent signings and minor league development to win. Then the storm known as Brian Cashman came along, spending all the money in his wake, and while he won three world titles with Bob Watson’s leftovers he also wrecked what could have been the greatest dynasty known to man, one that reminded us of the 40’s or 50’s, but instead he pursued [in part due to orders by George Steinbrenner] high priced aging veterans that had never won a thing. Look how Jason Giambi ended up, Hideki Matsui has never won a world series, the Randy Johnson disaster is on my list of the top ten blunders of all time, you get where I’m going?
What I’m getting at is that New York is a place of extremes. Jason Giambi got off to a hot start and was referred to casually as the “Giambino” which is kind of a heft tag for someone who has STILL never won a ring. Fast forward to the end of this disaster and he was getting booed out of town. People confuse New York as a town that will never except superstars when this is quite the contrary, sometimes this place excepts stars that other cities might not if they had the batch to choose from that we do. We choose to worship Derek Jeter and resent Alex Rodriguez, even though A-Rod hits three or four times the amount of home runs and rakes a ton more RBI, their contracts are pretty close but there is a difference, Jeter doesn’t feel like an intruder. He won four rings, and was drafted by the Yankees. Notice a trend? Who do Yankee fans hold above all others? Jorge Posada, a former farmhand, Mariano Rivera was signed in 1990 by a Yankee scout to the Yankees farm system. We support Yankees who have always been Yankees.
Now does that mean it is impossible for CC and Burnett to gain acceptance in New York? No, many have thrived in the spotlight after leaving their farm towns. Paul O’Neill is one of my favorite Yankees of all time and he left Cincinnati after winning a world title and playing for 8 years. David Cone was successful with the cross town rival Mets and he was an all time favorite in the pinstripes. Tino Martinez was taken out of Seattle a couple of months after beating the Yankees in the 1995 playoffs. What was the difference with these guys and Giambi and A-Rod is one fundamental thing, besides the fact that they played as hard as humanly possible whenever they where call upon they all won FOUR rings. Want to know how to survive as a free agent with tons of pressure? WIN WIN WIN and WIN! New Yorkers love winners of world series, our definition of winning is different then Milwaukee’s. A world series is the end all be all, and with all the money thrown at CC and Burnett they better win it all, or I want people [ plural] fired. So to recap, go against what worked for years if you must, but win or find your ass a new job.
Just a thought.
What I’m getting at is that New York is a place of extremes. Jason Giambi got off to a hot start and was referred to casually as the “Giambino” which is kind of a heft tag for someone who has STILL never won a ring. Fast forward to the end of this disaster and he was getting booed out of town. People confuse New York as a town that will never except superstars when this is quite the contrary, sometimes this place excepts stars that other cities might not if they had the batch to choose from that we do. We choose to worship Derek Jeter and resent Alex Rodriguez, even though A-Rod hits three or four times the amount of home runs and rakes a ton more RBI, their contracts are pretty close but there is a difference, Jeter doesn’t feel like an intruder. He won four rings, and was drafted by the Yankees. Notice a trend? Who do Yankee fans hold above all others? Jorge Posada, a former farmhand, Mariano Rivera was signed in 1990 by a Yankee scout to the Yankees farm system. We support Yankees who have always been Yankees.
Now does that mean it is impossible for CC and Burnett to gain acceptance in New York? No, many have thrived in the spotlight after leaving their farm towns. Paul O’Neill is one of my favorite Yankees of all time and he left Cincinnati after winning a world title and playing for 8 years. David Cone was successful with the cross town rival Mets and he was an all time favorite in the pinstripes. Tino Martinez was taken out of Seattle a couple of months after beating the Yankees in the 1995 playoffs. What was the difference with these guys and Giambi and A-Rod is one fundamental thing, besides the fact that they played as hard as humanly possible whenever they where call upon they all won FOUR rings. Want to know how to survive as a free agent with tons of pressure? WIN WIN WIN and WIN! New Yorkers love winners of world series, our definition of winning is different then Milwaukee’s. A world series is the end all be all, and with all the money thrown at CC and Burnett they better win it all, or I want people [ plural] fired. So to recap, go against what worked for years if you must, but win or find your ass a new job.
Just a thought.
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Orange Empire
Syracuse has been in the news more then the usual, especially on ESPN. A scandal involving your best basketball player and getting a new coach will do that to you, and while I would rather ESPN talk about the ‘Cuse being ranked 13th in the country as opposed to their best player NOT hitting a young female, press is press.
That would be a good place to start, the fact that the JRB is a joke organization. Can anyone bring forth evidence that Devendorf actually struck this female? Well three eye witnesses can say that he did NOT hit her, what does this girl have to back up her ridiculous claims? I hope at least a sign that she actually got hit, but no serious damage visible. Well I hope she called the police right away, but that never happened either. Ok but she had to except medical treatment, I mean this thug who is only good for dribbling a ball hit her for Christ’s sake! Wait, no she didn’t do that either because she was too wasted. I know Devendorf is supposed to be a pampered athlete and this case is supposed to send a message, but no one has a shred of evidence to support this “poor victim”. Would it have been smart too just walk away from the conflict? [which according to eyewitness accounts was started by her, not Devendorf] Yes it would have, and Devendorf might want to consider anger management as suggested by coach Boheim but should not be suspended for getting into a yelling match. If we all lost our jobs for getting into a verbal tussle with someone then the economy would really be in the shoots because all our jobs would be lost. Yelling at a drunk girl is not grounds for being suspended for a basketball season. Boeheim sure does have a situation on his hands, but in watching him talk to the media it is refreshing to see him back Devendorf in full, Jimmy B. sees Devendorf as more then a thug.
It baffles me how people view the justice system, I have had people tell me that just because he is a pampered athlete that he should be suspended, damn the facts. I’ve had people admit to me that the evidence does not come close to lining up, but because the justice system favors “men who bring home the money” that he should be suspended. I go back to the Duke case to explain a motive for this girl to set up Devendorf, some people will do anything for attention. The Duke case ended with the girl being exposed and hopefully this happens in this instance.
The other reason that we have seen more of the Hill in the news is that a new coach has graced us with his presence. Now at first glance Doug Marrone looks like a Greg Robinson part two, a coordinator who has never been a head coach before, and yes Turner Gill looks like a better choice right now but I feel cautious optimism about this guy because he doesn’t seem like a guy who is filled with quirky clichés that every coach uses. He is not only an alum but also grew up in Syracuse and genuinely seems like he wants nothing more then success for the program. When introduced he could not stop gushing about how this was the greatest day of his career, and anyone who will leave warm and high octane New Orleans for cold and dismal Syracuse has to be committed. I stand by my comment that Turner Gill would be a much better candidate but I think Marrone can lay a solid groundwork for a possible program revival.
Just a thought
Syracuse has been in the news more then the usual, especially on ESPN. A scandal involving your best basketball player and getting a new coach will do that to you, and while I would rather ESPN talk about the ‘Cuse being ranked 13th in the country as opposed to their best player NOT hitting a young female, press is press.
That would be a good place to start, the fact that the JRB is a joke organization. Can anyone bring forth evidence that Devendorf actually struck this female? Well three eye witnesses can say that he did NOT hit her, what does this girl have to back up her ridiculous claims? I hope at least a sign that she actually got hit, but no serious damage visible. Well I hope she called the police right away, but that never happened either. Ok but she had to except medical treatment, I mean this thug who is only good for dribbling a ball hit her for Christ’s sake! Wait, no she didn’t do that either because she was too wasted. I know Devendorf is supposed to be a pampered athlete and this case is supposed to send a message, but no one has a shred of evidence to support this “poor victim”. Would it have been smart too just walk away from the conflict? [which according to eyewitness accounts was started by her, not Devendorf] Yes it would have, and Devendorf might want to consider anger management as suggested by coach Boheim but should not be suspended for getting into a yelling match. If we all lost our jobs for getting into a verbal tussle with someone then the economy would really be in the shoots because all our jobs would be lost. Yelling at a drunk girl is not grounds for being suspended for a basketball season. Boeheim sure does have a situation on his hands, but in watching him talk to the media it is refreshing to see him back Devendorf in full, Jimmy B. sees Devendorf as more then a thug.
It baffles me how people view the justice system, I have had people tell me that just because he is a pampered athlete that he should be suspended, damn the facts. I’ve had people admit to me that the evidence does not come close to lining up, but because the justice system favors “men who bring home the money” that he should be suspended. I go back to the Duke case to explain a motive for this girl to set up Devendorf, some people will do anything for attention. The Duke case ended with the girl being exposed and hopefully this happens in this instance.
The other reason that we have seen more of the Hill in the news is that a new coach has graced us with his presence. Now at first glance Doug Marrone looks like a Greg Robinson part two, a coordinator who has never been a head coach before, and yes Turner Gill looks like a better choice right now but I feel cautious optimism about this guy because he doesn’t seem like a guy who is filled with quirky clichés that every coach uses. He is not only an alum but also grew up in Syracuse and genuinely seems like he wants nothing more then success for the program. When introduced he could not stop gushing about how this was the greatest day of his career, and anyone who will leave warm and high octane New Orleans for cold and dismal Syracuse has to be committed. I stand by my comment that Turner Gill would be a much better candidate but I think Marrone can lay a solid groundwork for a possible program revival.
Just a thought
Saturday, April 5, 2008
Baseball preview
Hear that sound? It's the sound of Tim Kurkjan's squeaky voice at high noon, the crisp voice of Jon Miller welcoming America to Sunday Night Baseball on ESPN, it's the roar of that opening day crowd, we'll not hear another roar like that until the bone chilling months of October. The sound your hearing is the sound of another baseball season starting up and 30 teams believing full heartedly that they can, and will, win the World Series this year. It's the sound baseball fans hear from Canada all the way down to Miami, through the windy Midwest where there hasn't been a world title in 100 years [Chicago] and all the way out to the pacific waters of Southern California. It's time for baseball season, and it's the greatest time of the year.
It's also the time when the experts break out their stat sheets and try to pick who will come out of each division. Of course there is always the Detroit Tigers of 2004 or Florida Marlins of 2006 who no one thinks will win more then 60 games and they make startling runs, maybe even to the postseason. I'm about to attempt to do what Baseball Tonight does every spring, pick the divisions team by team, with grades and comments in each, and hopefully pick a world champion.It will limited to one division per post, so this could drag out, but for today, the AL East.
A.L East
1. Boston Red Sox
Rec: 98-64
It pains me to say that I think Boston will repeat, but offense wins regular season games. I don't think the staff is as strong as last year, as we have seen in spring, they have all gotten a year older. We all know that means that they will all be more prone to injury [hence Curt Shilling being out for a couple of months]. I've been saying it for years that I don't think Boston can keep up with the Yankees young pitching but that offense will have enough staying power to win games. This is still a wide open race and the Yankees will be in first place pro ably for a good portion of the season.
2. New York Yankees
Rec: 95-67
This could change, the pitching is invigorated with young, fresh prospects that balance out the experienced veterans. Phil Hughes is the next Roger Clemens, he has stuff that makes major leaguers cringe, and ice water in his veins. You will find yourself asking yourself, how old is that guy again? And proceed to answer yourself in astonishment with," He's only 21!" and that excites all Yankee fans from Yonkers to Fresno. The offense is not quite as fiery as Boston but it is not exactly a feather weight either.
3. Toronto Blue Jays
Rec: 86-76
The team that will always be the middle child of the A.L East. Still not enough talent to compete with Boston and New York but still not bad enough to be down in Baltimore and Tampa territory. The pitching has a great one-two punch in Halladay and Burnet, but after that the whole staff goes south quick, including the bullpen. The offense is average at best, when your biggest power threat is three or four years past his prime [Frank Thomas] but the rest is ok, you won't win in a division with two of the best offensives baseball has ever known.
4. Tampa Bay Rays
Rec: 78-83
By far the best season in franchise history, they will be the Detroit Tigers if this year. With so much young talent they can't make a huge move right now but will be right up there with Toronto by next year or so. Carl Crawford is already the best player the franchise has had since Wade Boggs or Tino Martinez. Scott Kazmir and the young pitching will also make noise but they need a little bit more punch in the back part of the rotation and bullpen before we can officially put them in the same group as Toronto.
5. Baltimore Orioles
Rec: 59-103
This will be ugly. They lost the only thing keeping them out of last place last year in Erik Bedard [who killed the Yanks last year] by sending him to Seattle. The other pitching, well, let's not go there. Same thing can be said about he "offense" or lack there of. They have a messy situation down in Baltimore and need some help fixing it, management change would be nice if the Orioles are to realize their glory days once again.
The A.L East is going to be a two team race once again, as both Boston and New York have stacked lineups and Toronto and Tampa Bay being a couple of years away, it looks like the dominance of this division is once again going to be between the greatest rivalry in sports.
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