Pinstripes.
As a result of the happenings on and off the baseball diamond in the last 20 hours, the most notorious Yankee fan you know is going to issue a statement about the going-ons.
1) Red Sox win the World Series.
I need two hands to count the number of times I was approached or IM'd about the winners of the MLB championship this year. Yes, it's true, they match the same uniforms, players, and name of the team whom I so openly loathe. Bitter? No, actually. I'm more bitter at the Cleveland Indians and generally at the Yankees themselves. The Red Sox had nothing to do with the Yankees inhibitions this year, so I don't have a much larger reason to be bitter at them. Seriously, congratulations, Boston. You earned it. You were pretty far and away the best team all season, so why wouldn't they be able to bring yet another title back. Now excuse me while I puke.
I'll tell you what annoyed me the most though. It wasn't the fact that the Sox won ... again; it's the over excited media. This morning I awoke, went through my usual website rituals, which include the New York Post sports page, Sportsline, and ESPN. Wanna know why ESPN is the last one I generally visit sports related? It might be because they're so unbelievably willing to over exaggerate EVERYTHING. One of the columns mentioned the Red Sox and the "D" word in the same sentence. HAH! Come on, even the most delirious of Red Sox fans doesn't believe that. If winning twice in the span of 4 years dictates a dynasty, I think some people will need to be given a dictionary. One of the definitions dictionary.com gives is "a family or group that maintains power for several generations". If Boston is a dynasty now, then generations aren't even close to how long they were before. Twice in four years, get the fuck out of here! Win 4 in 5 years, then talk to me. I know dynasty.
Again, congratulations Red Sox on your World Series win. Now let's focus on 2008, please.
2) A-Rod opts out.
Two words: Good. riddance.
If you ever talked to me while I was watching a Yankee game, be it in person, on the phone, or online, you will have noticed that--while I may have said some positive things like "Man, A-Rod is awesome!" or "Woot! An A-Bomb from A-Rod!"--I have never once said "Yes! I love A-Rod!" He had some great statistical years here, but New York just never gave him as much attention he adored. They derided him for his struggles and let him know it.
So he opts out, which essentially means the Yankees will follow through and not chase him. His reasoning is absolute bullshit as well. Scott Boras says that it's because he was concerned with the progression of the team, and that he was turned off at the status of Posada, Rivera, and Pettitte, as well as the lack of a manager. Bull freaking shit. A-Rod had up to three days after the end of the World Series to decide. And he chose to do it even before the Series ended. His timing was miraculously impeccable. If he had waited until today, his excuse would have been void considering news broke that the Yanks have filled the managerial role, assuming he signs on the dotted line. And the Yankees are close to having Posada sign a 3 year deal. So A-Rod's excuse is just that: an excuse. A way to save face and not look like he's turning tail and running.
Well I hate to break it to you, A-Rod. You haven't fooled anyone. There isn't a soul alive that believes you were worried about the direction of the team. And the way you just immediately jump out the hatch is such a cowardly move. A-Rod's motivation is one of two reasons, or potentially both. Number one: Money. The Yanks offered A-Rod an extension worth 30 million a year. Scott Boras earlier proclaimed that A-Rod's potential could be upwards of $35 mil a year. Because the Yanks made an offer and wouldn't budge, Boras and his homerun hitting puppet opted out until they found somebody willing to pay the amount they desire. Money talks, and everyone knows that A-Rod loves baseball, but he loves money more. Just ask Seattle fans in 2001. And the second, and to me more likely reason: He didn't want to deal with New York. He couldn't hack playing in New York, so he turned and ran like a coward. All that "I never run from a problem" and "I want to win in New York" bullshit that he fed the media sounded so genuine to the common stooge. I never did believe it. I knew he was scared, tired, aggravated, and frustrated by New York. Funny, but he seems to be the only one. Bobby Abreu came over and he's doing just fine. Sheffield was raking during his time here. A-Rod did great numbers wise, but had to feel unloved by the New York audience. So now he's being a little bitch and running off.
Good riddance. I really don't think the Yankees need him, or ever really needed him. He'll win MVP this year on his numbers alone. To say he wasn't valuable to the team this year would be a lie. He had some crucial hits and protected Abreu and Matsui in the lineup. But still, A-Rod alone can only be accountable for about 4 or 5 wins. And who's to say that if we never had A-Rod that our third baseman wouldn't account for one or two of them? But when the Yankees needed him the most, the playoffs, he was as cold as Antarctica during July (when they're at the peak of Winter. Go go, southern hemisphere!) A-Rod was a major distraction in the clubhouse. He was a tabloid grabber. Very few teammates had his back. My coworker Dave even went as far as to call A-Rod a cancer. And he may have a point. He left Seattle in 2001. 2001 and 2002, the Mariners are a premier team in the American League, even tying the major league record in wins in '01. He left Texas in 2004. That very year, the Rangers were a contender, finishing 18 wins higher than their previous year and only 3 back in the AL West. So it seems that despite all his accolades, A-Rod only weighs down a team than he does helping them. And the subsequent year of his departure, the team does exceedingly better. If 2008 mirrors that trend for the Yankees, I'm beginning to think A-Rod will be passed around the league one or two years at a time. It'll be Good Luck Chuck the baseball edition.
A-Rod is a greedy, me-first player. His lack of team means he'll be hardpressed to ever come close to the World Series trophy. As for how we'll replace him? Oh, never doubt the resiliency of the crack team working for the Yankee brass. Mike Lowell is a free agent, and even while still on the Sox expressed interest in the Yankees. Eric Duncan has been toiling in the minors forever, and seems as ready as he'll ever be for the bright lights of the Bronx. And in house, Wilson Betemit could be groomed for the hot corner as well. Plenty of options.
Frank Sinatra famously wrote about New York "If I can make it there, I'll make it anywhere". Well, A-Rod didn't make it in New York, so he won't make it anywhere.
Fuck off, A-Rod.
3) The Yankees offer the managerial position to Joe Girardi
This is the right move. Girardi was the man I was desperately hoping they'd call upon to replace the spot on the bench left by Torre. And he does get the nod. Catchers commonly make great managers. Torre was a catcher in his playing days. Mike Scioscia of the Angels is a great manager who was also a catcher. Catchers have to know much more about the flow of the game than any other player on the field, pitcher included. The entire feel of the game is in their blood. And as Girardi had proven in Florida during his one year managerial stint, he knows how to work with young players. The Yankees are about to enter a youth stage with a flux of young starters and some still budding every day players. There's no one else who I feel would be able to mold them better than Girardi, and believe it or not, that includes Torre. I was extremely impressed with his work in Florida and was ready to drive the Joe Girardi fanbus if Torre was canned before last season.
Don't get me wrong, I love Donnie. But he has no managerial experience whatsoever unlike Girardi and Tony Pena. Sure he was Torre's bench coach and was learning a lot from him. Sure he managed several games in Torre's stead while he was serving random suspensions. But how exactly would he react as an everyday manager? I think the biggest factor was Mattingly's lack of experience. If I'm the Steinbrenners, I don't want to hand a team ready to pop over to a manager with a 0-0 career record. I'd want someone who knows what it's like to call a game for 162 days of the year. Surely embittered by Girardi getting tapped, Mattingly said through his agent that he was disappointed and wouldn't want a coaching spot on the Yankees next year. That's sad to hear, but it's understandable. Good luck in your quest for a manager spot, Donnie.
Some in New York are questioning how the veterans are going to respond to Girardi being manager. It must be weird playing for a man who someone used to play with. Derek Jeter was on the team early in his career when Girardi was still the main catcher in New York. Hell, Mariano Rivera pitched to him nearly everyday during '96 and '97. But I think the veterans are all professional and would carry on, adjusting to Girardi and his tactics. And I find it hardpressed to believe that no one would ask Jeter, who IS the Yankees, what his feelings were on the matter.
Joe G. is the man for the job. Even a Red Sox fan on the Sportsline forum said that of the three managers, Girardi was the one he was hoping they wouldn't pick. Everyone seems to be in consensus on those forums that he was the right pick, one over anxious fan even claiming New York would be back in the World Series by next season. Probably not, but I will tell you this: The tale of the Yankees' demise is greatly exaggerated. They aren't going anywhere.
Let the Girardi Era begin!
So next season will begin with a new manager, no third baseman, and our arch rivals defending champions. God, I can't wait until 2008!
1) Red Sox win the World Series.
I need two hands to count the number of times I was approached or IM'd about the winners of the MLB championship this year. Yes, it's true, they match the same uniforms, players, and name of the team whom I so openly loathe. Bitter? No, actually. I'm more bitter at the Cleveland Indians and generally at the Yankees themselves. The Red Sox had nothing to do with the Yankees inhibitions this year, so I don't have a much larger reason to be bitter at them. Seriously, congratulations, Boston. You earned it. You were pretty far and away the best team all season, so why wouldn't they be able to bring yet another title back. Now excuse me while I puke.
I'll tell you what annoyed me the most though. It wasn't the fact that the Sox won ... again; it's the over excited media. This morning I awoke, went through my usual website rituals, which include the New York Post sports page, Sportsline, and ESPN. Wanna know why ESPN is the last one I generally visit sports related? It might be because they're so unbelievably willing to over exaggerate EVERYTHING. One of the columns mentioned the Red Sox and the "D" word in the same sentence. HAH! Come on, even the most delirious of Red Sox fans doesn't believe that. If winning twice in the span of 4 years dictates a dynasty, I think some people will need to be given a dictionary. One of the definitions dictionary.com gives is "a family or group that maintains power for several generations". If Boston is a dynasty now, then generations aren't even close to how long they were before. Twice in four years, get the fuck out of here! Win 4 in 5 years, then talk to me. I know dynasty.
Again, congratulations Red Sox on your World Series win. Now let's focus on 2008, please.
2) A-Rod opts out.
Two words: Good. riddance.
If you ever talked to me while I was watching a Yankee game, be it in person, on the phone, or online, you will have noticed that--while I may have said some positive things like "Man, A-Rod is awesome!" or "Woot! An A-Bomb from A-Rod!"--I have never once said "Yes! I love A-Rod!" He had some great statistical years here, but New York just never gave him as much attention he adored. They derided him for his struggles and let him know it.
So he opts out, which essentially means the Yankees will follow through and not chase him. His reasoning is absolute bullshit as well. Scott Boras says that it's because he was concerned with the progression of the team, and that he was turned off at the status of Posada, Rivera, and Pettitte, as well as the lack of a manager. Bull freaking shit. A-Rod had up to three days after the end of the World Series to decide. And he chose to do it even before the Series ended. His timing was miraculously impeccable. If he had waited until today, his excuse would have been void considering news broke that the Yanks have filled the managerial role, assuming he signs on the dotted line. And the Yankees are close to having Posada sign a 3 year deal. So A-Rod's excuse is just that: an excuse. A way to save face and not look like he's turning tail and running.
Well I hate to break it to you, A-Rod. You haven't fooled anyone. There isn't a soul alive that believes you were worried about the direction of the team. And the way you just immediately jump out the hatch is such a cowardly move. A-Rod's motivation is one of two reasons, or potentially both. Number one: Money. The Yanks offered A-Rod an extension worth 30 million a year. Scott Boras earlier proclaimed that A-Rod's potential could be upwards of $35 mil a year. Because the Yanks made an offer and wouldn't budge, Boras and his homerun hitting puppet opted out until they found somebody willing to pay the amount they desire. Money talks, and everyone knows that A-Rod loves baseball, but he loves money more. Just ask Seattle fans in 2001. And the second, and to me more likely reason: He didn't want to deal with New York. He couldn't hack playing in New York, so he turned and ran like a coward. All that "I never run from a problem" and "I want to win in New York" bullshit that he fed the media sounded so genuine to the common stooge. I never did believe it. I knew he was scared, tired, aggravated, and frustrated by New York. Funny, but he seems to be the only one. Bobby Abreu came over and he's doing just fine. Sheffield was raking during his time here. A-Rod did great numbers wise, but had to feel unloved by the New York audience. So now he's being a little bitch and running off.
Good riddance. I really don't think the Yankees need him, or ever really needed him. He'll win MVP this year on his numbers alone. To say he wasn't valuable to the team this year would be a lie. He had some crucial hits and protected Abreu and Matsui in the lineup. But still, A-Rod alone can only be accountable for about 4 or 5 wins. And who's to say that if we never had A-Rod that our third baseman wouldn't account for one or two of them? But when the Yankees needed him the most, the playoffs, he was as cold as Antarctica during July (when they're at the peak of Winter. Go go, southern hemisphere!) A-Rod was a major distraction in the clubhouse. He was a tabloid grabber. Very few teammates had his back. My coworker Dave even went as far as to call A-Rod a cancer. And he may have a point. He left Seattle in 2001. 2001 and 2002, the Mariners are a premier team in the American League, even tying the major league record in wins in '01. He left Texas in 2004. That very year, the Rangers were a contender, finishing 18 wins higher than their previous year and only 3 back in the AL West. So it seems that despite all his accolades, A-Rod only weighs down a team than he does helping them. And the subsequent year of his departure, the team does exceedingly better. If 2008 mirrors that trend for the Yankees, I'm beginning to think A-Rod will be passed around the league one or two years at a time. It'll be Good Luck Chuck the baseball edition.
A-Rod is a greedy, me-first player. His lack of team means he'll be hardpressed to ever come close to the World Series trophy. As for how we'll replace him? Oh, never doubt the resiliency of the crack team working for the Yankee brass. Mike Lowell is a free agent, and even while still on the Sox expressed interest in the Yankees. Eric Duncan has been toiling in the minors forever, and seems as ready as he'll ever be for the bright lights of the Bronx. And in house, Wilson Betemit could be groomed for the hot corner as well. Plenty of options.
Frank Sinatra famously wrote about New York "If I can make it there, I'll make it anywhere". Well, A-Rod didn't make it in New York, so he won't make it anywhere.
Fuck off, A-Rod.
3) The Yankees offer the managerial position to Joe Girardi
This is the right move. Girardi was the man I was desperately hoping they'd call upon to replace the spot on the bench left by Torre. And he does get the nod. Catchers commonly make great managers. Torre was a catcher in his playing days. Mike Scioscia of the Angels is a great manager who was also a catcher. Catchers have to know much more about the flow of the game than any other player on the field, pitcher included. The entire feel of the game is in their blood. And as Girardi had proven in Florida during his one year managerial stint, he knows how to work with young players. The Yankees are about to enter a youth stage with a flux of young starters and some still budding every day players. There's no one else who I feel would be able to mold them better than Girardi, and believe it or not, that includes Torre. I was extremely impressed with his work in Florida and was ready to drive the Joe Girardi fanbus if Torre was canned before last season.
Don't get me wrong, I love Donnie. But he has no managerial experience whatsoever unlike Girardi and Tony Pena. Sure he was Torre's bench coach and was learning a lot from him. Sure he managed several games in Torre's stead while he was serving random suspensions. But how exactly would he react as an everyday manager? I think the biggest factor was Mattingly's lack of experience. If I'm the Steinbrenners, I don't want to hand a team ready to pop over to a manager with a 0-0 career record. I'd want someone who knows what it's like to call a game for 162 days of the year. Surely embittered by Girardi getting tapped, Mattingly said through his agent that he was disappointed and wouldn't want a coaching spot on the Yankees next year. That's sad to hear, but it's understandable. Good luck in your quest for a manager spot, Donnie.
Some in New York are questioning how the veterans are going to respond to Girardi being manager. It must be weird playing for a man who someone used to play with. Derek Jeter was on the team early in his career when Girardi was still the main catcher in New York. Hell, Mariano Rivera pitched to him nearly everyday during '96 and '97. But I think the veterans are all professional and would carry on, adjusting to Girardi and his tactics. And I find it hardpressed to believe that no one would ask Jeter, who IS the Yankees, what his feelings were on the matter.
Joe G. is the man for the job. Even a Red Sox fan on the Sportsline forum said that of the three managers, Girardi was the one he was hoping they wouldn't pick. Everyone seems to be in consensus on those forums that he was the right pick, one over anxious fan even claiming New York would be back in the World Series by next season. Probably not, but I will tell you this: The tale of the Yankees' demise is greatly exaggerated. They aren't going anywhere.
Let the Girardi Era begin!
So next season will begin with a new manager, no third baseman, and our arch rivals defending champions. God, I can't wait until 2008!