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Message |
    
wharfrat
Citizen
Username: Wharfrat
Post Number: 975
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 17, 2004 - 9:09 am: |     |
If the Red Sox WANTED A-Rod MORE than they wanted to get rid of Manny Ramirez, he would be playing in Fenway Park.
With the Rangers picking up about a 1/3 of A-Rod's contract, and Soriano one more undisciplined season away from Juan Samuel-like performance, the Yanks pulled off an unbelievaby good trade.
The Yankee clue also makes this very clear-The Mets owners, Fred and Jeff Wilpon, must finally realize that they need to step up to the plate in a real big way, or accept the reality that they would be better off owning the Montreal Expos! |
Grateful Straw
Citizen
Username: Strawberry
Post Number: 1939
Registered: 10-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 17, 2004 - 9:10 am: | |
the marlins won it all with 5,000 fans per game.
Look for awhile at the China Cat Sunflower proud-walking jingle in the midnight sun Copper-dome Bodhi drip a silver kimono like a crazy-quilt stargown through a dream night wind.
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bobk
Supporter
Username: Bobk
Post Number: 4681
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 17, 2004 - 9:21 am: | |
Do the Yanks play the Pirates this year in one of those interleague series? My guess if they do the Pirates will sell out.
One theroy is that a sports league has to have one team that everyone absolutely hates. In MLB this is obviously the Yankees.
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court07040
Citizen
Username: Court07040
Post Number: 40
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 17, 2004 - 9:30 am: | |
The angels also won the series and they have absolutely NO fan support.
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court07040
Citizen
Username: Court07040
Post Number: 41
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 17, 2004 - 9:32 am: | |
Does anybody else find it hypocritical that the Redsox, with the 2nd biggest payroll in baseball, are crying about this deal being "bad for baseball?" |
Hank Zona
Citizen
Username: Hankzona
Post Number: 966
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 17, 2004 - 9:45 am: | |
I dont know any of the 5000 Pirates fans to share my joy with...and the large part of the joy Im taking is in the people who are getting all broken up emotionally over this (largely, a number of Sux and Mets fans). The other enjoyment will be the better chance in catching A-Rod on those occasions when I do find time to watch a few innings. I admit I enjoyed emailing friends who are Sux fans telling them about the Valentines I got from George... the trade didnt make my weekend, but Im amused at how it ruined the weekend for some. Yep, Im a Yankee fan...yes, I was at game 7 against the Red Sux and it was amazing...nope, wasnt broken up when they lost the World Series. I guess I see it all as something part nostalgia/part theatre/part sports-viewing/part time filler (I usually listen to a game while doing any one of many other things). In the overall scheme of things, its just baseball...its sports entertainment, its not life or death. Baseball is unfortunately already cooked in many markets...and alot of groups are to blame for it. Alot of other sports are dead or on life support as well. Oh and it would be great if more smaller market teams were smarter in their front office dealings and fielded more competitive teams rather than sitting on their share of the luxury tax. After all, it was three smaller payrolls that won the last three Series. As I said in my previous post, noone is a lock to win the Series, only a lock to get a good chance to sit at the table. The Marlins winning last year was good for baseball...lets see if Marlins management will make it good for the Marlins and their fans. |
mfpark
Citizen
Username: Mfpark
Post Number: 206
Registered: 9-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 17, 2004 - 10:17 am: | |
Bob K:
Jeter has a no-trade clause. He would sooner move to third or second base than agree to a trade. In other words, not gonna happen anytime soon.
As a Red Sox fan, I agree with Hank Zona (sorry, Sbenois). King George is playing by the rules. The Red Sox had A-Rod all lined up, then blinked over $13 mil over a 5 year period.
If the rest of the league does not like what George is doing, they can try to change the rules. But they have to get the union to go along, and the union could give a rat's rear about making baseball a better product. They can't even care about protecting their members' bodies by banning steroids.
King George getting Maddux may be the final straw to push the rest of the owners to do something, anything, but I doubt it. The owners and the union have proven time and again that they put self-interest over the long-term welfare of the game. They will never allow a strong ruler like David Stern to run the league. If the owners in Kansas City and Pittsburgh and San Diego and Minneapolis and Chicago really cared, they have the power to band together and do something--they don't.
So, I may hate how it looks, but you gotta win on the field, and the Red Sox have sure spent enough money (and words) to put themselves in contention again. Let's toss out the first ball and see how it all winds up. |
Sylad
Citizen
Username: Sylad
Post Number: 239
Registered: 6-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 17, 2004 - 10:49 am: | |
How long before Arod is playing SS? I say before the All-Star break. |
Waldo
Citizen
Username: Discowaldo
Post Number: 44
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 17, 2004 - 11:14 am: | |
Unless Jeter gets hurt A-rod wont be playing shortstop. Jeter is the captain of the team and its fitting that he plays short which is the leader of the infield. Arod puts up awesome offense stats (although Jeter hits for a better average), but defensively he isn't all that better if he is better at all. Last year Jeter's FPCT was down a little but he did play injuried for a while and that hurt his stats. Jeter is the yankees rock in the middle infield, he wont be moved anytime soon. |
bobk
Supporter
Username: Bobk
Post Number: 4685
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 17, 2004 - 11:18 am: | |
Two words: Team Chemistry
That was what worked for the Yanks in the late 1990s. I know that A-Rod and Jeter were good friends at one time, but as said in a million grade B westerns: "This town ain't big enough for both of us". |
Hank Zona
Citizen
Username: Hankzona
Post Number: 967
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 17, 2004 - 11:38 am: | |
I agree on the importance of team chemistry, bob...but that means, chemistry between the foul lines, as well as how well prepared players are to play. I dont think anyone who spends time in the Yankees clubhouse would argue that Jeter is not the team leader (in intangibles, not statistics). What A-Rod is doing is not without precedent (although not common either)...Hank Greenberg switched positions after an MVP season to make way for Rudy York on the Tigers. Some guys will do what it takes to win. A-Rod and Jeter dont need money or recognition or endorsements...the only thing left are championships (or in Jeter's case, more championships).
And mfpark, I agree -- you have to play the games on the field..the Sox are in as good a position as the Yankees. The two teams have a similar make-up I think...great starting with some health concerns; excellent bullpens; deep line-up; some potential discontent among position players. I think the question mark for the Sox is did some guys have career years last year or will they be able to replicate what they did offensively. |
court07040
Citizen
Username: Court07040
Post Number: 42
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 17, 2004 - 12:54 pm: | |
Team chemistry is my biggest concern. A friend of mine who works with pro. athletes and musicians - and has also worked with A-rod - said he is a big time JERK.
It's true that Soriano struggled at the plate last post season, you can't deny that he's the most humble 40 HR player in baseball.
But then again, A-Rod is an incredible player and you've got to like the yankees chances with him. |
ML1
Citizen
Username: Ml1
Post Number: 1569
Registered: 5-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 17, 2004 - 2:20 pm: | |
the question now is: who plays 2nd?
To this point, they've filled a hole at 3rd, but opened another on the infield. They're replaced a 30 HR/95 RBI guy with a 45 HR/125 RBI guy, so they've improved, but not by a huge margin.
When they pick up Jose Vidro, THEN you can start wailing about the Evil Empire. |
Sylad
Citizen
Username: Sylad
Post Number: 246
Registered: 6-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 17, 2004 - 2:30 pm: | |
I bet that they can get Blockhead to pay the team to let him pay second. |
Hank Zona
Citizen
Username: Hankzona
Post Number: 968
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 17, 2004 - 2:43 pm: | |
Nomah will become a Yankee after the season and switch to second base.
Actually, Cashman said they will go with Enrique Wilson or Miguel Cairo. Then again, Cashman isnt the principal owner. I think they will sign Travis Lee as a defensive first baseman to get the right half of the infield stronger. |
Waldo
Citizen
Username: Discowaldo
Post Number: 45
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 17, 2004 - 3:54 pm: | |
For the first half of the season I see Enrique doing the duties at second base with maybe a little time for Cairo, but if Boone gets healthy for the second half of the season watch for the possibility of him moving to second. |
sbenois
Citizen
Username: Sbenois
Post Number: 10748
Registered: 10-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 17, 2004 - 8:00 pm: | |
quote:Do the Yanks play the Pirates this year in one of those interleague series? My guess if they do the Pirates will sell out.
Yes they probably will sell out Bobbestk. And the Pirates will also have about 60 other games this year where they have 5-10,000 fans in the seats.
The point here gentlemen is that while Steinbrenner is playing within the rules, he is also playing a huge role in framing the parameters which other owners must live by. And it's not acceptable because his never ending quest for short term gratification is killing the game.
It's time for the USA of to step up to the plate and revoke the anti-trust exemption that baseball enjoys. If that were to happen, you'd find a whole new attitude amongst the owners and the Players Union.
Baseball does not exist to feed the never ending appetite of Yankee fans. It's bigger than any of you.
---> Brought to you by Sbenois Engineering LLC <-
Let's Go Royals
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Hank Zona
Citizen
Username: Hankzona
Post Number: 969
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 17, 2004 - 8:34 pm: | |
Steinbrenner may be doing more long term financial building than short term ego building. According to a baseball economist I heard today, with the total annual salaries along with the penalties and league luxury tax, combined with what they spend on development and scouting and other "corporate" expenses (money most teams would never shell out), they wont stand to make a bundle, but the value of the franchise will continue to grow. Of course, his sons might think he is pissing away their inheritance. The economist added that as long as the smaller market teams were only going to squirrel away the money they receive from the league and not change their attitude about re-investing, the broken system wont be fixed any time soon.
Today, baseball exists to feed the never ending appetite of all the owners, not just George, who have one of their own as a commissioner, followed by the agents, followed by the networks, then the players. Any knowledgeable fan knows it has nothing to do with them. Besides, I, as well as many folks I know, dont have the stomach for more than grazing these days...there are plenty of appetite suppressants out there, regardless of who you root for. Nice dramatic closing sentence though. |
thevillagepub
Citizen
Username: Thevillagepub
Post Number: 164
Registered: 11-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 17, 2004 - 9:00 pm: | |
I am a Red Sox fan, but my hat is tipped to the Yankees for making this deal happen. It certainly adds to the drama of the greatest rivalry in sports. It will be interesting to see how the season develops.
I only hope that the Yankees can keep their club together. I am sure that A-Rod and Jeter will work things out and secure a solid left side of the infield.
The right side is what concerns me. 2nd base is obviously open. Then there is the steroid issue that is brewing and many pro players are worried whose names will actually show up on the "list". 
Rumors abound about Giambi and now the Smoking Gun specifically lists Sheffield as a name. (see attached link)
http://www.thesmokinggun.com
I would rather beat the Yankees at full strength, and not reduced due to scandal. But scandal is nothing new for the Yankees. I am sure they will find a way to buy themselves out of this as well.
TheVillagePub |
sbenois
Citizen
Username: Sbenois
Post Number: 10749
Registered: 10-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 17, 2004 - 9:23 pm: | |
If Sheffield and Giambi get in trouble Steinbrenner is going to try and coax Ruth and Gehrig out of retirement.
---> Brought to you by Sbenois Engineering LLC <-
Let's Go Royals
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sbenois
Citizen
Username: Sbenois
Post Number: 10750
Registered: 10-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 17, 2004 - 9:31 pm: | |
quote:Besides, I, as well as many folks I know, don't have the stomach for more than grazing these days..
Dearest Hank,
I'm betting that a big part of the new "diet" you and your friends follow is directly related to the cost of dining at the House That Ruth Built.
No?
---> Brought to you by Sbenois Engineering LLC <-
Let's Go Royals
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Hank Zona
Citizen
Username: Hankzona
Post Number: 970
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 17, 2004 - 10:20 pm: | |
Rumor has it that George is going to step up the research to bring Ted Williams back...the double whammy of cloning him and signing him to a Yankee contract would of course surely have the Red Sux Nation apoplectic. And S, by grazing, I mean, I dont have much interest in too deep an involvement or much time to do more than watch or listen to a few innings some nights...maybe catch a game at the Stadium every now and then (love those weekday matinees...if Mussina is pitching, we're home in time for dinner..I know you've done it too). And when I do go to a game, I tend not to strap on the feedbag there...although the hot dogs are a fine value -- the food that keeps giving, you do end up tasting them for a day or two afterwards. I swore off ballgame food many years ago after biting into a hot dog at the world's most famous indoor sports arena and finding a bone chip (I reckon it could have been something worse)...so I do my dining before or after most games, although my favorite German diner in Yorkville, a frequent pre-game stop in the past on the Number 4 Line on the way up to the Mecca of Baseball, was sadly torn down.
Oh and youre right about the anti-trust exemption being ridiculous...but that's what you get when the commissioner is one of the band of white- belted, white-shoed carpetbaggers. Hey is Marge Schott going to see the new Mel Gibson flick? |
bobk
Supporter
Username: Bobk
Post Number: 4709
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, February 19, 2004 - 10:40 am: | |
Who is the player to be named later? Derek? |
ashear
Citizen
Username: Ashear
Post Number: 985
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, February 19, 2004 - 12:01 pm: | |
There is a list of minor leaguers they can pick from. Don't know who they are. |
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