Teixeira: Loose Lips Hurt Red Sox Again
Mark Teixeira said in an interview that the Red Sox leaking public info during their negotiations hurt them this past off season. Extra Bases from the Globe Reports:
Teixeira was asked specifically if the public nature of the Red Sox negotiations last winter bothered him. “It did, it did,” replied Teixeira. “And I think in the end, it probably worked against them a little bit, because everyone thought the Red Sox were [my] No. 1, but in reality, the Yankees were gonna be the team, like I said all along, if all things were equal, the Yankees were the place that I wanted to go. It made the most sense for my family. It made the most sense for me and my career and where I wanted to go. Being a Yankee and wearing the pinstripes into the new Yankee Stadium, it doesn’t get any better than that. They had a leg up all along.”
Well done again Larry Luccino and John Henry, they cry foul about everything else but never let Theo do his thing. Those two dinks should stay out of the public eye and stop making comments on anything and everything. The Red Sox already let Super Hobbit Rat Charles Steinberg go, but they are still too public when they do not need to be. I don’t think that Tex was worth that contract but it isn’t my money. Since losing out on Teixeira the Red Sox did not pick up another bat, so they must have had concerns about Drew, Lowell & Ortiz if they went that hard after the free-agent slugger. The Sox should have plenty of money to play with come the trading deadline.
Hall of Fame…..Who Cares?
March 2, 2009 by SOS · Leave a Comment
By DanTeeMan
As an ardent Red Sox fan for over 30 years, it may shock some of my fellow pinstripe pimps that the recent A-Rod allegations actually bring no joy to Mud-ville…er Fenway. Its only a matter of time before one of our beloved Old Towne Team members appear holding a syringe or are associated with with a south of the border pharmaceutical rep selling muscles from the backseat of their Chrysler Cordova. We are all just waiting for that proverbial syringe to drop. So that brings up the point of the Hall of Fame from this point on. How can we really know when the cheating commenced, and when it stopped? If the Russian women swimmers were using steroids in the 70′s, than how do we know Rollie Fingers wasn’t dipping his waxed mustache in steriod laced vaseline? Or Rod Carew wasn’t chewing on juiced chaw? How can we be certain that baseball is clean now? There is no reliable test for HGH, so why would any player be hesitant to use it until there is one. The answers are easy…We can’t, and they won’t… So I see no need to induct any further members into this hallowed “Hall of Fame”. We can’t be certain who to include or exclude so lets just exclude everyone. When was the last time you had a discussion of who belonged in the hall of fame with one of your buddies over a cold lager? Could you name more than 15 players in the HOF? Have you ever visited the HOF? These answers to these questions are probably “never”,”no”, and “no” for most fans. They simply don’t care. The only people who care about the HOF are sportswriters trying to fill up collumns and airspace on sports radio, during the deadest months of the sports year..February and March….I say tear it down and put up a GNC for A-Rod to buy his supplements in so he doesn’t have to have his cousin buy them in the Domincan Republic. Think of the gas money he will save?
Question comments? DanTeeMan@gmail.com
Morality Police
February 20, 2009 by Mike · Leave a Comment
Morality Police
I’ve been going to Yankee Stadium since 1993. For 15 years, I enjoyed the place affectionately known as “The House That Ruth Built”. On September 21st, I attended the last home game in Yankee Stadium. And this year, when I attend my first game at the new Yankee Stadium, there’s a good chance it might be short lived because I will probably be escorted out of the complex. Why you ask? Oh, you don’t ask. Well I don’t give a sh*t and I’m gonna tell you anyway. It won’t be for public intoxication or throwing an object on to the field. It will probably be for disorderly conduct, most likely fighting with a Yankee “fan” who will boo or sh*t talk the one and only Alex Rodriguez. Now, don’t get me wrong. I won’t be defending him. I’ll be antagonizing stupid Yankee fans who cheer him when he hits home runs and bitch and moan and complain when he does anything but hit a home run. I like to call these people “flip-floppers” or ass-clowns. The fact that he admitted to taking steroids won’t help his cause either. But the wagging of the finger at A-Rod or any other sports player or public figure who is accused of wrong-doing is a complete waste of time.
Everyone is entitled to their opinion about all of this. I personally think it was stupid of him, or anyone for that matter, to take steroids. Anything that makes you angry and can shrivel up your balls is stupid. But you know what? It’s his decision. Let him do whatever the hell he wants to. Does have to suffer consequences for using banned substances? Yes. But let the rules in place take care of that. And if there are none, oh well. But no. The media will play morality police and decide how he is portrayed and what people think. People can debate whether or not baseball players benefit from taking steroids. And how can you call it cheating when most of the players were doing it? If you’re an athlete and someone told you that you could get an edge on your opponents and make tens of millions of dollars and be financially stable for life, wouldn’t that be something you’d be interested in?
I don’t agree with a majority of mainstream media and their take on several issues, including A-Rod, Barry Bonds, Michael Phelps, etc. Let me start off by saying again that I think what these people are accused of doing is wrong. Ok? Good. But who the f*ck cares? Media should report the “news” and move on. Dragging this out day after day is old and no longer news. It’s not interesting to watch the same story beaten to a pulp every other hour. The overkill is a bit much. People are now labeling these guys “cheaters” and “frauds”. Several athletes (football & basketball) have been known to use a substance called stickum on their hands during play, most notably Michael Jordan (happy belated birthday MJ). Is Michael Jordan a “cheater” per se? Technically, yes. But in the eye of the public, he’s a sports god. Is a college degree cheapened because you cheated on a math test in 6th grade? I think not. Is Milli Vanilli’s Grammy award for Best New Artist in 1990 not valid because they didn’t sing the songs? Um…let’s forget about that one. You want to point fingers at cheaters and frauds? Take a look at the government or any of these companies that asked for handouts and are taking lavish trips on jets to tropical islands.
So before you join the morality police, think about what’s really important. And if you do join, don’t bother showing up at the new Yankee Stadium and sitting anywhere close to me.
Guest Blog Post by D.Daley
Happy New Year
January 1, 2009 by Mike · Leave a Comment
Way to ring on 2009 ESPN. Wait for the 2:25 mark. Someone at ESPN is going to get a call from the FCC.
9 Random Predictions for 2009:
- The Yankees will not make the playoffs: They replaced Mussina/Pettite’s 34 wins with 35 from Sabathia/Burnett. Wang will return but I am still not sold on that lineup. Giambi produced almost the same OPS as Teixeira. Plus the Rays should have improved and I think that the Red Sox still have a big move up their sleeves.
- LeBron James will win MVP and Finals MVP: the Celtics are the only team that can stop the Cavs and if the Cavs get homecourt in the playoffs, LeBron will dominate.
- LT will not be a 1st round Fantasy Football Pick. He is on the wrong side of thirty and he is starting to look old. Good news is that the new wave of young guys coming into the league - Steve Slaton, Matt Forte, Chris Johnson, DeAngelo Williams, Adrian Peterson should all be first round consideration.
- John Daly will be the #1 pick in my celebrity death pool. Self-explanatory. Sorry Amy Winehouse.
- B-List Celebrity Sex Tape will be made by….. someone from the cast of the Hills. Heidi Montag we hope.
- Brett Farve will not play in 2009, but he will in 2010 where ever Mike Holmgrem winds up coaching.
- Worst movie of 2009: Fast & the Furious 4
- Best movie of 2009: Terminator Salvation (Just ahead of Transformers 2)
- Michael Phelps will actually reveal that he is part horse and therefore needs to forfeit his gold medals. Please stop showing up in public your 15 minutes is up until the 2012 games. Who gives a shit about swimming anyways?
Yankees Stick it to the Red Sox Again! – Sign Kevin Cash
December 24, 2008 by Mike · Leave a Comment
The Yankees announced the signing of former Red Sox back up catcher Kevin Cash to a 1 year deal. What are the Sox going to do now that they’ve lost their heart and soul?
When Do You Put Your Cup On ?
December 17, 2008 by Mike · Leave a Comment
I know traditionally put like to put their cups on either at home or while in the locker room. It’s typically something people like to do privately. I guess the same can’t be said for A-Rod. Apparently when putting on a cup, A-Rod likes to draw a crowd and that’s what he did. The Yankees third basemen took his time putting on his cup and posing with his shirt off just long enough so that TMZ could capture a bunch of photos. Any guesses on the cup size ? From starring at this photo for the last 35 minutes, we’re going with a medium.
It’s Better For Manny If Teixeira Signs In Boston
December 16, 2008 by Mike · Leave a Comment
From Jon Heyman:
The Yankees are in on the Mark Teixeirasweepstakes but don’t appear overly optimistic to outbid the determined Angels or Red Sox. Should the Yankees lose out for Teixeira, who’s drawing interest from the perennially also-ran Nationals and Orioles in addition to the three aforementioned clubs, they seem ready to pounce for Manny Ramirez.
There are those suggesting the Yankees are only in the running for Teixeira to either monitor the rival Red Sox or drive up the price for the switch-hitting slugger. But while it’s true the Yankees don’t appear as eager to sign Teixeira as the Angels and Red Sox, they do appear willing to sign him at the right price.
While the Yankees have a trio of accomplished corner outfielders — Johnny Damon, Hideki Matsui and Xavier Nady -- they appear to love the idea of Manny and could still utilize Damon in centerfield on occasion.
If Teixeira goes to the Red Sox, Ramirez’s market becomes that much better because the Angels become a possibility for his services as well as the Yankees and incumbent Dodgers. If Teixeira stays in Anaheim, Ramirez loses a little leverage since the Red Sox don’t want him back. Boston’s resolve to win Teixeira is heightened since they don’t have a viable fallback option like Ramirez.
Teixeira’s agent, Scott Boras, has been telling teams he envisions Teixeira closer to Alex Rodriguez ($27.5 million, or $30.5 million annually, depending whether you count the performance bonuses)
The perfect scenario for agent Scott Boras is to have the Red Sox sign Mark Teixeira. Because no matter what, Teixeira will get his money. But with that, then the Yankees, Angels, Dodgers, maybe even the Nationals and Orioles could get into a bidding war for the services of Manny. Too date, there hasn’t been much interest in the slugger, but once Teixeira signs that will change, and Red Sox won’t be bidding on Manny, so that would takes out a big spending club which hurts Boras’s leverage. If Teixeira say signs with the Angels or Nationals, then basically Manny is left to the Dodgers and the Yankees (maybe), not the number of teams bidding on him that Boras would like. So, look for Teixeira too sign late this week with a team, most likely the Red Sox, and after Christmas let the Manny Ramirez frenzy begin.
Manny To The Yankees ?
December 15, 2008 by Mike · Leave a Comment
From NY Post:
According to several baseball officials, the Yankees remain in the Mark Teixeira hunt. But the same connected voices insist if the Yankees don’t land the switch-hitting first baseman, they will turn their money toward controversial slugger Manny Ramirez.
“If they can’t get Teixeira, they are right there on Manny,” an official with knowledge of the Yankees’ plan said yesterday.
If they pass on Teixeira, the Yankees will try and bolster a sagging lineup with Ramirez, one of the greatest run producers in baseball history. And to clear some money, they might entertain offers for outfielder Xavier Nady, who made $3.35 million last year, is arbitration eligible and a free agent after the 2009 season.
“Hank (Steinbrenner) wants him, but he isn’t alone in the organization,” a source said of Ramirez. “They need somebody to protect Alex (Rodriguez).”
The Yankees are likely to offer Ramirez, 37 in May, a three-year deal in the $20 million range, though agent Scott Boras reportedly is seeking a five-year deal for the future Hall of Fame lock.
This is agent Scott Boras at his finest. Could the Yankees get into the bidding for Manny Ramirez ? Yes, but it’s unlikely they will land or want him. Yankees GM, Brian Cashman is not the biggest fan of Manny. The Yankees GM worries about the defense that Manny would play in the wide-open Yankees outfield. This is just Boras trying to use the press to get teams interested in Ramirez. So far, other than the Dodgers no one has really shown any interest at all in signing the slugging outfielder. If Mark Teixeira, also represented by Boras, goes to the east coast like many think, then perhaps the Angels will get involved for Ramirez. As for now, all signs point to Manny back to LA. It’s possible that Hank Steinbrenner could get involved and try to sign Manny, but that remains a longshot at best.
Yankees Land C.C. Sabathia & A.J. Burnett
The Yankees have successfully upgraded their pitching staff by adding two front of the rotation starters in AJ Burnett and CC Sabathia. The Yankees are taking a leap of faith by giving $260 Million in guaranteed money to a set of players that have potential health issues. Burnett has a great arm but is on the DL more than JD Drew and Sabathia has a bigger ass than Vida Guerra.
Only Barry Zito has pitched more innings than Sabathia since 2001 and he weighs close to 300lbs., that is a lot of weight to carry for a pitcher. This move has great upside but it also carries great risk to the tune of $260 Million. For a player like Burnett, who has been referred to as a leap year player (A player who is good every four years) and a pitcher that has a post season ERA higher than his cholesterol levels things could get very ugly in New York if these two do not perform. With all that being said, these two moves now make the Yankees the favorite to win the AL Pennant. This of course, all depends on the what the Red Sox/Angels/Rays do in the rest of the free agency period.
According to ESPN.com:
Free agent right-hander A.J. Burnett has reached preliminary agreement on a five-year, $82.5 million contract with the New York Yankees.
Burnett’s agreement was confirmed by the office of his agent, Darek Braunecker, The Associated Press reported.
While Yankees general manager Brian Cashman and Braunecker are still negotiating final contract terms, the deal is expected to be complete once Burnett passes a physical.
According to ESPN.com:
The Yankees reached a preliminary agreement with Sabathia on Wednesday, following an in-person meeting between general manager Brian Cashman and Sabathia in California, sources with knowledge of the deal told ESPN The Magazine’s Buster Olney.
A source told ESPN.com’s Jayson Stark there are “zero major roadblocks” that would prevent the Yankees from finalizing an agreement with the 28-year-old left-hander.
Not all terms of the deal are agreed to yet, the source indicated. Sabathia also would need to take and pass a physical exam.
Sources told Olney that, to get the deal completed, the Yankees added a seventh year to their original six-year, $140 million offer, bringing the total package to seven years and $161 million — at $23 million a season, by far the biggest contract for any pitcher in history. He also confirmed that Sabathia can opt out of the deal after three years — addressing his concerns about living in New York with his wife and children.