February 2009
A Flashback & Moment To Kick Back
Because
I’m numero 17 on the Latest Leaders this week, I thought I’d give a
quick flashback to game a few years ago, in ’04, that became possibly
the greatest game ever played in the Boskees rivalry, in which the guy
with 17 on his back drove in the winning run in the bottom of the 13th.
The Date: July 1, 2004
The Match-Up: Pedro Martinez vs. Brad Halsey [talk about throwback]
The Box Score:
Winning Pitcher: Tanyon Sturtze [remember him?]
Most Memorable Moment:
This doozy:
The One That Ended It All:
Pinch hit RBI single by John “Flash” Flaherty:
That game that day was something.
You
know its great when Manny goes deep twice, the Yanks get struck out 12
times and lose the DH, let the Sox score in the top of the 13th and still manage to win it in the bottom. Great baseball right there.
Moving on to what happened today technically yesterday…
Apparently,
Joe G. just didn’t feel like working yesterday, so he decided to take
the gang to shoot some pool out in Tampa and brilliantly disguise his
move as a way to get the chemistry up and the guys “bonding” as a
team… riiight.
The guy that ruled:
Mo.. of course. Superman can whoop a** at anything.
However, I’d love to see him go up against this chick:
P.S. Ignore the mess.. it was a friend who doesn’t know how to clean’s basement.
Still On The Brain. . .
What I’m still wondering:
- How a photographer can still have his job after taking these:
I
ask that with complete seriousness. I didn’t even put the two worst
ones up because.. well, they’re that bad. Check them if you so dare here
and here. The other player pictures from the other 29 teams actually
looked like they weren’t shot by a guy with this:
… but let me not continue to criticize the guy that took the Yanks’ pics
[before he cries] and instead give the Yanks a little heads up: I have
a camera [a sexy Kodak with 10 MP] and I’ll work for minimum wage… on second thought, for the chance to have DJ give me a
smile, I’ll work free of charge.
-
How I managed to get poor CC sick… apparently, he wasn’t able to go
through with tossing BP today because of the flu. Sorry bud.. but hey, look
at the bright side: I’m feeling better 
[*Cough* It's your problem
now. *Cough*]
- What this would get on a “awh” scale:
… or would it not get anything at all just because it’s A-Rod?
- Who in their right mind would dare to battle this mean, blond skyscraper?:
Apparently,
Joe G.’s boy Dante, that’s who… and I’m betting the little one won.
Never underestimate a 7 year old… I’m not kidding.
Side Note: Swish is loving it. His last tweet:
“This team is amazing. Cannot believe I have been blessed enough to be here. I am on cloud 9.”
We’re glad you’re on the team Nick.
P.S.
More Major Leaguers need to sign up for Twitter… or at least give
some personal updates on their websites once in a while. It’s the age
of technology and fans that can’t get enough fellas. Get with it.
On The Brain. . .
Yes, I have one.. and here’s what’s swimming in it:
-
The possibility that A-Rod may have taken steroids since ’03… Hold
on, I need a second [or 38] to digest this… Okay, I’m good. Now, let me say this to all parents: Do not name your
child “Angel” [or Michael] unless you’re sure they won’t turn out to
be a steroid carrying, banned from baseball trainer, who likes to
accompany a recently admitted ‘roid user, along with his recently
blamed cousin, for an entire season, in which the ‘roid user won an
MVP. I’m just saying.
- The possibility that Angel Presinal may have just followed A-Rod around to give him some of MJ’s Secret Stuff.
I
mean, Alex hasn’t failed a drug test since ’03, and as far as I know,
H20, Flouride, and whatever other chemicals in tap water that manage to
make it through filtering is not illegal [or a drug at all] and it still worked for Bugs
Bunny.
- The question: Does the press realize that they,
in fact, have the same so called “single white woman obsession” with
A-Rod as the one Torre wrote of about Alex with Jeet in The Yankee
Years that they made a big deal of?
- The warm tingly feeling I felt when I read this… Sportmanship.. a beautiful thing.
- The question: Exactly how cool is Nick Swisher?
- The irony in how a guy [Damon] making $13 million this year “can’t pay bills right now“.
- The cold from hell that’s got me trying to remember what it’s like to breathe through your nose.
P.S.
If my cold doesn’t kill me, I think my continued lack of cable since I
moved to the wackest borough of NYC [take a guess] last week might do
it.
P.P.S. Just read a great article on A-Rod that might lessen the rage people have against him or open a few eyes. Click here for it. Here’s an excerpt:
“I am disappointed in Alex Rodriguez, but I am
frustrated and disgusted with the sanctimonious members of the press,
too many for me to single out individual names, who deal in speculation
and hyperbole and question his sincerity based on theories that are
little more than vapor … or smog, and who dissected every moment of
Rodriguez’s press conference in Tampa — every word, every pause, every
facial expression — looking for an exposed piece of flesh to attack.”
Can I get an amen?
Someone Can Take A Hint
…and
that someone, ladies and gentlemen, would be whoever it is in the Mets organization that brilliantly decided the Mets’ caps shouldn’t have the pizza patch, but instead, have a piece of design that
can actually be labeled as a “logo”.
*Round of applause.*
Taking It All In
The Press Conference:
Naturally,
because this involved Alex Rodriguez, a lot has already been said about
this one.. and naturally, because this involved Alex Rodriguez, a hell
of a lot more negative things have been put out there than positive..
which shouldn’t surprise anyone. However, I think this time it was
possibly taken to a whole new level.
A-Rod
has been the front and back page story more times than I can count, but
yesterday was probably the first time I felt as if many had their
articles written before A-Rod even said a word. Granted, it was pretty
much inconceivable to think that whatever A-Rod had to say or whatever
answers he gave was going to be powerful enough to take the stench
created by this latest ‘roid news away, but a lot of times power comes
not only from what is said.. and yesterday, for some reason, along with
some things I too found unpleasant, I also saw some things I
felt were commendable. For one, it was evident that Alex attempted to
prepare as best he could, as pretty much everyone knows he’s not a
great public speaker to say the least, realized that he did
this to himself and had to deal with it, was honestly sorry for it and
was probably more vulnerable than at least I’ve ever seen him. However, with that said, I know that the news of Alex’s use of steroids was a stab in the heart and
back to many, but I’ll let everyone else spend years criticizing him.
For the most part I pretty much take the stance that if it is not who you are now,
I don’t care.. and because A-Rod has not failed a drug test since ’03
[obviously not needing 'roids to play at the level he has] and can’t
change the past even if he wanted to, I don’t see a reason to continue
picking this apart [his credibility/character may be a different story]. Judgement Day will still come for him 14 or so
years from now whether he likes it or not.
One more thing though…
Rodriguez said he knew that what he was taking wasn’t Tic Tacs…
but ehhhh, I don’t know… they look pretty much the same to me.
El Capitan’s Response:
Though
Jeet had not said much about the situation since the story broke out,
when he spoke to reporters yesterday, I think all that came from his
mouth was pretty much expected. Unsurprisingly, he stated that he and
the team would be behind him, supporting him even though they do not
condone what he did, that Alex admitted to his mistake and now it’s
time to move on. However, probably the only thing really worth noting
is Jeet’s defense of the game, assuring all that not everyone
was taking at the time. I do wish many more people would realize this
and not state that ‘well, everyone was doing it so it really shouldn’t
be a surprise’ or something like that, because though many were, much
more weren’t and shouldn’t be put in the same boat.
The Death Of A Ballpark:
Yes, Shea’s demolition is done…
Ding dong, the witch is dead!
Sorry, just had to say that.
Manny Still On The Market?:
This guy does know that spring training is literally days away right? Hmm… should we start a pool?
Mark Teixeira:
Does the boy look good in Yankee blue or what?
Then again.. who doesn’t?
[Besides maybe Sal Fasano.. but we will not speak of that..]
In Retrospect
Absentee on the MLBlogosphere for a week and this is what happens:
1. Pinocchio Becomes A Real Boy… Or As Close As To One As He Will Probably Ever Get:
So
the big boy admits it. What does that deserve… a pat on the back or a
tomato in the face? I say… both. Though I hate to criticize Alex,
as he’s seen enough criticism as a Yankee than probably any other man
can handle, I just can’t ignore the fact that 1.) he obviously lied
about his use of PEDs before [and that was no little white lie] 2.) He
was partying it up in the Bahamas while the baseball world got a slap
in the face… and 3.) The guy has had more controversy surrounding him
in his career than any politician [and that, my friends, doesn't just happen]… but,
with that said… I do applaud him greatly for his admission, letting
it all hang out, and being, from what I could see, sincere about it. I hope he was truthful now,
in saying that he only used during his Texas years… but most
importantly, I hope he stops getting his name in the papers for the
wrong reasons, and instead, put the baggage aside and be the person he
can be and continue to be the player he has been.
2. And That Devilish Little Question Pops Up Again:
Hall
of Fame or no Hall of Fame? I’m going to keep this short, because
there’s really no use in answering it now, plenty of years before he’ll
even be eligible, but my answer, as of right now, is yes, a Hall of
Famer. Whether the guy deserves it or not for ethical reasons is
debatable, but looking solely at his capabilities on the diamond, it’s
a no-brainer. When all is said and done, assuming he continues to
produce as he has, he will likely be the one of the greatest players
[if not the greatest] in the history of the game… and I think he was
capable of that with or without the PEDs… but that’s just my
opinion now… we’ll see what happens.
3. Mo Says: Don’t Worry About It:
As with everything that surrounds the subject of Mariano, it’s pretty much routine that
the worries stir up at some point about the pitcher and his ever
increasing age. Coming off of shoulder surgery, the first slight worry this year is if
he’ll be ready for Opening Day, and Mo, being Mo, told reporters, “It will be
there”… which I’ve translated for you as: “I got this, relax people. Worry when I’m like… 50.”
4. Mmmm, Can You Smell That?:
That’s the smell of baseball… and it’s near. Oh yeah.
Side Notes:
-
Apparently the University of Miami didn’t get the memo from the Mets:
Don’t commit to naming your ballpark after something/someone, unless
you’re absolutely sure there is no reason you shouldn’t.
-
Bobby signs with the team that might as well be the Red Sox’s
brother… those devilish Angels. Seriously Bobby.. that’s messed up.
- An
oh so delicious news conference is scheduled for tomorrow, as A-Rod makes
his arrival to camp. He’s had to face an interrogation or two before, but
nothing like the one he will face now… this should be interesting.
P.S. Just noticed I’m #32 on the Latest Leaders.. went down a bit, but considering I only posted twice during that week.. pretty good.
Baseball Is A Dirty Rag That Just Can’t Get Enough
…and A-Rod/A-Roid/A-Fraud/A-Retard just became that rag’s biggest spot, with the news that he was one of the 104 reasons that baseball began imposing random drug tests in ’04.
I can’t believe I’m surprised to hear of more steroid news, but I guess this sport just loves to be tarnished.
Is it too much to ask for baseball’s future HOF’s to… I don’t know… not dope?
Can
you imagine the shape baseball would be in if it weren’t for guys like
Derek Jeter, who do it on Gatorade and chewing gum? Boys in the minors:
take notes. I’d hate for this sport to have to be still dealing with
this in the future.
It seriously is a shame. A-Rod does have an unmatched work ethic…
Will an asterisk be forever mentioned with his name now too?
P.P.S. I’ll ask the same question Jane did.. who are the other 103 players who tested positive in ’03 and why are we only hearing about A-Rod? You know how I feel about secrets. We fans deserve to know the truth about the people we idolize.
P.P.P.S. Opening Day is going to be a ball… The fans now have another reason to boo. I wonder if he can take another 9 years of love and hate?
You saw his nod when he said “no” right? smh.
Pre-Spring Training Practice Session
I present to you: The Greatest Batter Ever
Go ahead… envy. 
http://www.facebook.com/v/1080727425351
Now, who isn’t excited for baseball after seeing that awesome display of talent right there?
Lol.. okay, I’m not really that bad.. actually good in fact [seriously].. but, like A-Rod, the pressure just gets to me sometimes.. bahh.
[[This
was a vid a friend of mine took of me in the cages during "gym"
yesterday. Our puny school doesn't have a gymnasium so we head to
Chelsea Piers every week for a couple of hours for a cocktail of
baseball, basketball, touch football, soccer and/or dodgeball.. way
better than regular old P.E. no?]
19-ish days until the Yanks’ first Spring Training game…
A month [I think] before the first WBC USA game…
*Drumroll*
P.S. Yeah, I like that high heat and I stole Jeet’s entrance music.
P.P.S. I wear the high socks too… but mine look way cooler [though don't know if you can tell from the pic @ the end of the vid... but yeah].
Back On Top. . . Or Close To It At Least
Low
and behold, after being M.I.A. on the Latest Leaders list for quite
some time, this blog is back up in the top 20. Currently sitting at
numero:
bad eh? I guess I should thank the brilliant people who invented Winter
Recess and Regents Week for that. Had a total of 19 days off school
since Christmas Eve, giving me the chance to post more frequently
again… and it’s been great. Can you believe I also get another
week-ish off again in two weeks? Ahh.. it’s always great after Christmas break.. piece of cake.. or pie.. or whatever floats your boat.
And They Said Last Year’s Couldn’t Be Topped. . .
Never underestimate the mystic powers of sports.
Boy, was that game exciting. All hail Big Ben.
Had a good time with everyone who stopped by the MLB.com in-gamer. It was fun.
Now one step closer to baseball.
mlblogsflairforthedramatic
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