Only in Yankeeland is there no recession. Don’t get me wrong I’m fired up for baseball season now that the Yankees picked up Mark Teixiera yesterday. Great player. Switch-hitter, young, good defense. 8 years at $180 million---that’s after spending $243 million on CC Sabathia and AJ Burnett. I’m a little embarrassed by how they thrown their money around like Teddy KGB in Rounders. It’s one thing to get a single big free agent in the offseason…but to get 3? The Yankee lineup now includes the four highest paid players in the sport.
This team still has a few holes with which to address. That’s hard to believe after spending a King’s Ransom on players. For example, who’s the left fielder? Damon? My grandmother has a better throwing arm. The center fielder? Is it Melky Cabrera..who ended the season in the minors? The fifth starter? Phil Hughes? Howard Hughes pitched better last year.
Don’t get me wrong. The Yankees pay to play. The luxury tax, which should be named the Yankee tax, just grew way north of $26 million. That money gets doled out to other baseball teams to do with it as they wish. So in a weird way, the Yankee subsidize the Royals for the right to go pound them in July. I look it at like this: when your starting third baseman (Aaron Boone) breaks his ankle playing a pick-up basketball game during the off-season, you shouldn’t be allowed to go get the best player in the sport (Alex Rodriguez). It’s in the rules but not really in the best interest of the game.
Oh well. Let’s play ball. The pressure’s on …..manager Joe Girardi.
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Monday, December 22, 2008
I'm back.....
A lot has happened while I was away. And believe me, there are many people worthy of a shoe-throw: (Thank you, Iraqi journalist)
They are:
Anyone sending out a letter detailing that year's highlights: I have two thoughts on this: A.) Nobody gives a shit what you did or saw and B.) nobody can believe that you're arrogant enough to put it on paper and pay for postage.
The Dallas Cowboys--From Tony Romo to the defensive line, let's begin playing like it counts..because it does.
WFAN's Mike Francesa--It's not because he's an arrogant know-it-all, it's his picks. For instance, take his expert "analysis" of this weekend's games. First, there's "no way" that San Diego beats Tampa Bay. They did. Then looking like "they're done," Washington jumps up and nicks Philadelphia. Again, it's not like he's allowed to be incorrect but the near certainty in which he says it.
Bernie Madoff--This bastard deserves a big pair of size 14s upside the head. The NY swindler who put Cbrales Ponzi in the news again was clearly wrong in bilking $50 billion from wealthy clients and foundations. However, call me a prick but weren't some of these well-heeled clients guilty too...of greed? Story after story detailed clients who wanted to believe's Madoff's steady gains of 8%-12% regardless of market performance? I'm no Gordon Gekko, but doesn't that fly in the face of the stock market? The fact that joining Madoff's exclusive club had an air of exclusivity to it for the privilidged is what got me. Granted I never had a fortune to lose but some of these people will have to learn the wonder that is shopping at Costco...
Lastly, the other day I went to CVS to pick up Sudafed. Long story short: the girl behind the counter demands identification because some ahole druggies out there use the ingredients in Sudafed to make homemade Meth. And, that "the government monitors how much you buy in week or month." Reluctantly, I hand over my ID but not before I make a big scene. To quote Bob Grant..."It's sick outn there and getting sicker."
They are:
Anyone sending out a letter detailing that year's highlights: I have two thoughts on this: A.) Nobody gives a shit what you did or saw and B.) nobody can believe that you're arrogant enough to put it on paper and pay for postage.
The Dallas Cowboys--From Tony Romo to the defensive line, let's begin playing like it counts..because it does.
WFAN's Mike Francesa--It's not because he's an arrogant know-it-all, it's his picks. For instance, take his expert "analysis" of this weekend's games. First, there's "no way" that San Diego beats Tampa Bay. They did. Then looking like "they're done," Washington jumps up and nicks Philadelphia. Again, it's not like he's allowed to be incorrect but the near certainty in which he says it.
Bernie Madoff--This bastard deserves a big pair of size 14s upside the head. The NY swindler who put Cbrales Ponzi in the news again was clearly wrong in bilking $50 billion from wealthy clients and foundations. However, call me a prick but weren't some of these well-heeled clients guilty too...of greed? Story after story detailed clients who wanted to believe's Madoff's steady gains of 8%-12% regardless of market performance? I'm no Gordon Gekko, but doesn't that fly in the face of the stock market? The fact that joining Madoff's exclusive club had an air of exclusivity to it for the privilidged is what got me. Granted I never had a fortune to lose but some of these people will have to learn the wonder that is shopping at Costco...
Lastly, the other day I went to CVS to pick up Sudafed. Long story short: the girl behind the counter demands identification because some ahole druggies out there use the ingredients in Sudafed to make homemade Meth. And, that "the government monitors how much you buy in week or month." Reluctantly, I hand over my ID but not before I make a big scene. To quote Bob Grant..."It's sick outn there and getting sicker."
Monday, November 24, 2008
Get Your Free Dr. Pepper
Did you guys see this?
LOS ANGELES – Dr Pepper is making good on its promise of free soda now that the release of Guns N' Roses' "Chinese Democracy" is a reality.
The soft-drink maker said in March that it would give a free soda to everyone in America if the album dropped in 2008. "Chinese Democracy," infamously delayed since recording began in 1994, goes on sale Sunday.
"We never thought this day would come," Tony Jacobs, Dr Pepper's vice president of marketing, said in a statement. "But now that it's here, all we can say is: The Dr Pepper's on us."
Beginning Sunday at 12:01 a.m., coupons for a free 20-ounce soda will be available for 24 hours on Dr Pepper's Web site. They'll be honored until Feb. 28.
LOS ANGELES – Dr Pepper is making good on its promise of free soda now that the release of Guns N' Roses' "Chinese Democracy" is a reality.
The soft-drink maker said in March that it would give a free soda to everyone in America if the album dropped in 2008. "Chinese Democracy," infamously delayed since recording began in 1994, goes on sale Sunday.
"We never thought this day would come," Tony Jacobs, Dr Pepper's vice president of marketing, said in a statement. "But now that it's here, all we can say is: The Dr Pepper's on us."
Beginning Sunday at 12:01 a.m., coupons for a free 20-ounce soda will be available for 24 hours on Dr Pepper's Web site. They'll be honored until Feb. 28.
Friday, November 21, 2008
What I Learned Friday
A summary of the week that was.....
Mike Mussina retired this week. He can go into my Hall of Fame anytime. Two things about Mussina: Moose relieved in Game 7 2003 and held the Red Sox at bay in the middle innings and made the Yankee comeback possible. He was also the starter and winner in the Jeter “flip” game in 2001 where the Yankees, down 0-2, came back and beat Oakland three straight in the ALDS.
Speaking of Mussina, WFAN’s Mike Francesa said that “nobody” retires off of a 20-win season. It’s not that Francesa isn’t allowed to be wrong, that can happen to anyone. It’s the ironclad, written-in-stone, can’t happen, won’t happen way in which he says it.
Gas is down below $2 at my Costco. So why was it costing me twice that this summer? Was it a supply and demand issue? Did people stop driving and I missed it? Greedy bastards.
I have a lot for which to be thankful. Trading Marion Barber for oft-injured Willie Parker in my fantasy football league does not qualify as one of them. As a fantasy owner, I’m as imperious as Steinbrenner.
So my 401k is down 40%. Why do I care? It’s not like I need the money tomorrow. But if you’re within five years of retirement, I feel for you.
I used to cover the marketing space as a reporter when Robert Nardelli ran Home Depot before he was thrown out. Now Nardelli’s in the big boy seat at Chrysler. Don’t stand next to him in a rainstorm.
Speaking of Ford….Michigan representative John Dingell (D) before losing the House Energy and Commerce chair this week, was a big proponent of bailing out the auto industry. Wel-intentioned, right? How many of you know that Dingell’s wife is a Ford exec? Memo to Dingell: Leave your ID badge with the security guard.
Mike Mussina retired this week. He can go into my Hall of Fame anytime. Two things about Mussina: Moose relieved in Game 7 2003 and held the Red Sox at bay in the middle innings and made the Yankee comeback possible. He was also the starter and winner in the Jeter “flip” game in 2001 where the Yankees, down 0-2, came back and beat Oakland three straight in the ALDS.
Speaking of Mussina, WFAN’s Mike Francesa said that “nobody” retires off of a 20-win season. It’s not that Francesa isn’t allowed to be wrong, that can happen to anyone. It’s the ironclad, written-in-stone, can’t happen, won’t happen way in which he says it.
Gas is down below $2 at my Costco. So why was it costing me twice that this summer? Was it a supply and demand issue? Did people stop driving and I missed it? Greedy bastards.
I have a lot for which to be thankful. Trading Marion Barber for oft-injured Willie Parker in my fantasy football league does not qualify as one of them. As a fantasy owner, I’m as imperious as Steinbrenner.
So my 401k is down 40%. Why do I care? It’s not like I need the money tomorrow. But if you’re within five years of retirement, I feel for you.
I used to cover the marketing space as a reporter when Robert Nardelli ran Home Depot before he was thrown out. Now Nardelli’s in the big boy seat at Chrysler. Don’t stand next to him in a rainstorm.
Speaking of Ford….Michigan representative John Dingell (D) before losing the House Energy and Commerce chair this week, was a big proponent of bailing out the auto industry. Wel-intentioned, right? How many of you know that Dingell’s wife is a Ford exec? Memo to Dingell: Leave your ID badge with the security guard.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
1960 Series Loss Revisited…..48 years later
By Tom Gucciardo
Editor’s note: Yankee fans of a more recent age recall the stunning 2001 World Series loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks in Game 7. With Mariano Rivera on the mound, Yankee fans were stunned to lose. But before 2001, there was 1960. That was when another small-market team miraculously beat the big bad New York Yankees in 7 games.
Before the Internet, talk-radio, and World Series night games, Tom Gucciardo looks back at history and gives us his unvarnished view of what really happened. You’ll note how much has changed but also how little has changed. Enjoy.
History reflects on Casey Stengal as a great manager. He was a schmuck. And I’ll tell you why:
Whitey (Ford) was hurt that year. Instead of his usual 16-17 wins, he had maybe 11 or 12. His ERA was around 3.33. Another Yankee pitcher, Art Ditmar, stepped in and did well. He won more games than Whitey and pitched to a better ERA in the regular season.
But now it’s the World Series. Remember this is time before the multiple playoffs rounds you have now.
Anyone with any common sense regarding World Series play will tell you that starter of Game 1 would pitch Game 4 and Game 7 if necessary. Who better than Whitey?
Unbelievably, Casey gives the ball to Ditmar believing he was better suited to start Game 1 and Game 5.
What happened? Ditmar, in his two recorded starts got a total of 5 outs, and was charged with both losses. And how did Whitey do? Pitched two shutouts in Game 2 and Game 6.
The see-saw Series came down to a Game 7 in Pittsburgh’s Forbes Field. The Pirates jumped to an early 4–1 lead in Game 7, only to give up four runs in the sixth inning. The Yankees then added two more, making the score 7–4 by the eighth.
Destiny interfered when Yankee shortstop Tony Kubek was going to turn a double play when bobby schantz threw a ground ball pitch to hal smith. The ball hits Kubek in the throat erasing the double play. The Pirates go on to tie the score in the eighth and then go ahead 9-8. (Good trivia question....who replaced Kubek at short?)
The ninth inning was a classic. I'm sitting in my tenth period English class painfully trying not to expose my transistor radio.
One out, Mickey Mantle gets on. Roger Maris hits a Line-drive laser that Pirates infielder Rocky Bridges snares. Double play! World series over......wrong! Some how, Mantle dives back into first safely ahead of the throw. The most heads up play I've ever listened to. This is where it gets blurry? Somehow the Yanks tie it at 9. Who drove in Mantle?
The next thing I know is that Pirates second baseman Bill Mazeroski hits a home run off of Ralph Terry's hanging curve ball (which he was in love with all season by the way).
“OH SHIT!”
I had trouble explaining to my English teacher, Jack Munna, why I blurted it out.
Game over. World Series over. I couldn’t believe it. Did that just happen?
The Pirates were grossly outmatched against the Yankees, who had won their tenth pennant in twelve years. The Bronx Bombers outscored the Pirates 55–27 in this Series, outhit them 91–60, outbatted them .338 to .256, hit 10 home runs to Pittsburgh's four, three of which came as I was sitting in school that day.
My brother always told me that my mind was a repository of useless bullshit.
Stengel was summarily fired at the Series.
Tom Gucciardo, a lifelong Yankee and football Giants fan, lives in Staten Island, NY. This is his first piece for TDD.
Editor’s note: Yankee fans of a more recent age recall the stunning 2001 World Series loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks in Game 7. With Mariano Rivera on the mound, Yankee fans were stunned to lose. But before 2001, there was 1960. That was when another small-market team miraculously beat the big bad New York Yankees in 7 games.
Before the Internet, talk-radio, and World Series night games, Tom Gucciardo looks back at history and gives us his unvarnished view of what really happened. You’ll note how much has changed but also how little has changed. Enjoy.
History reflects on Casey Stengal as a great manager. He was a schmuck. And I’ll tell you why:
Whitey (Ford) was hurt that year. Instead of his usual 16-17 wins, he had maybe 11 or 12. His ERA was around 3.33. Another Yankee pitcher, Art Ditmar, stepped in and did well. He won more games than Whitey and pitched to a better ERA in the regular season.
But now it’s the World Series. Remember this is time before the multiple playoffs rounds you have now.
Anyone with any common sense regarding World Series play will tell you that starter of Game 1 would pitch Game 4 and Game 7 if necessary. Who better than Whitey?
Unbelievably, Casey gives the ball to Ditmar believing he was better suited to start Game 1 and Game 5.
What happened? Ditmar, in his two recorded starts got a total of 5 outs, and was charged with both losses. And how did Whitey do? Pitched two shutouts in Game 2 and Game 6.
The see-saw Series came down to a Game 7 in Pittsburgh’s Forbes Field. The Pirates jumped to an early 4–1 lead in Game 7, only to give up four runs in the sixth inning. The Yankees then added two more, making the score 7–4 by the eighth.
Destiny interfered when Yankee shortstop Tony Kubek was going to turn a double play when bobby schantz threw a ground ball pitch to hal smith. The ball hits Kubek in the throat erasing the double play. The Pirates go on to tie the score in the eighth and then go ahead 9-8. (Good trivia question....who replaced Kubek at short?)
The ninth inning was a classic. I'm sitting in my tenth period English class painfully trying not to expose my transistor radio.
One out, Mickey Mantle gets on. Roger Maris hits a Line-drive laser that Pirates infielder Rocky Bridges snares. Double play! World series over......wrong! Some how, Mantle dives back into first safely ahead of the throw. The most heads up play I've ever listened to. This is where it gets blurry? Somehow the Yanks tie it at 9. Who drove in Mantle?
The next thing I know is that Pirates second baseman Bill Mazeroski hits a home run off of Ralph Terry's hanging curve ball (which he was in love with all season by the way).
“OH SHIT!”
I had trouble explaining to my English teacher, Jack Munna, why I blurted it out.
Game over. World Series over. I couldn’t believe it. Did that just happen?
The Pirates were grossly outmatched against the Yankees, who had won their tenth pennant in twelve years. The Bronx Bombers outscored the Pirates 55–27 in this Series, outhit them 91–60, outbatted them .338 to .256, hit 10 home runs to Pittsburgh's four, three of which came as I was sitting in school that day.
My brother always told me that my mind was a repository of useless bullshit.
Stengel was summarily fired at the Series.
Tom Gucciardo, a lifelong Yankee and football Giants fan, lives in Staten Island, NY. This is his first piece for TDD.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Memo to Brian Cashman...
AJ Burnett? Have we not learned our lesson from Pavano, Carl?
Maybe it's New York media hype or maybe its window dressing, but the offer to AJ Burnett better be fictitious. The idea is to get better starting pitching, correct? It won't happen with AJ, who's missed significant time with arm troubles in two of the previous three seasons. Don't be fooled by the amount of innings logged (221)last year or the strikeouts (231).
Burnett can't trusted. Besides, Brian, you should have learned your lesson signing pitchers to big money after their career year. See Wright, Jared and Pavano, Carl.
Besides isn't it suspicious that the Big 3 (Burnett, Pavano, Beckett) Florida Marlin pitchers spent siginificant amount of time of the DL during their careers? I'm sure it's just a coincidence however.
Better throw the checkbook at CC because if you comeback in Spring Training with only Burnett and Derek Lowe to show for it, I think it might be time for Stick to drive the big boy bus.
But what do I know...I'm just a blogger/
7:55 pm --The NY Rangers have just given up another shorthanded goal, their league leading 7th...WTF?
Maybe it's New York media hype or maybe its window dressing, but the offer to AJ Burnett better be fictitious. The idea is to get better starting pitching, correct? It won't happen with AJ, who's missed significant time with arm troubles in two of the previous three seasons. Don't be fooled by the amount of innings logged (221)last year or the strikeouts (231).
Burnett can't trusted. Besides, Brian, you should have learned your lesson signing pitchers to big money after their career year. See Wright, Jared and Pavano, Carl.
Besides isn't it suspicious that the Big 3 (Burnett, Pavano, Beckett) Florida Marlin pitchers spent siginificant amount of time of the DL during their careers? I'm sure it's just a coincidence however.
Better throw the checkbook at CC because if you comeback in Spring Training with only Burnett and Derek Lowe to show for it, I think it might be time for Stick to drive the big boy bus.
But what do I know...I'm just a blogger/
7:55 pm --The NY Rangers have just given up another shorthanded goal, their league leading 7th...WTF?
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
King Henrik Masks Ranger ills
The Rangers are rolling. With last night’s 2-1 shootout victory, the Rangers improved to 14-5-2. Only the most jaded and cynical could find fault about their start. But we Ranger fans, like fans of the Jets and Red Sox, constantly fret about it all coming apart in an instant. It’s in our DNA.
Truth is despite the gaudy record, many of the nightly frustrations and gaffes committed on 33rd and 7th are masked by Henrik Lundqvist’s brilliant goaltending. The King is the front-runner for the Vezina, at least in the early season.
The season’s still young. So there’s plenty of time to fix these problems:
Specialty Teams:
At 15.4 %, can the Rangers decline the next power play? It’s been awful. In fact, not since Sergei Zubov, have the Rangers had a good guy at the point. Michael Roscival has been bad. Despite having a cannon of a shot, the guy won’t shoot. Can you imagine? That’s like saying…the guy’s got billions but he won’t spend. Rosi’s blunders have gotten so bad that the Garden faithful has embraced his as this year’s Marek Malik or Tom Poti. Not good.
And the team also leads the league in shorthanded goals, the last two gift-wrapped by you-know-who. To be fair, the Rangers kill off 91% of power plays against, good enough for second in the league. It didn’t cost them against the Bruins last Saturday but it will later on. Count on it. This is the Rangers we’re talking.
Lack of Scoring
To date, the Rangers are scoring less than your average college freshman. And they better start because you can’t win every game 2-1 or 3-2. The record also masks missing Jaromir Jagr or Brendan Shanahan as but Dawes, Callahan, and Dubinsky have not consistently produced.
60 Minutes of Hockey
This is the coach Renney’s mantra: “Play 60 minutes of hockey” They don’t wake up until the third period. They scored 13 goals in the first, 17 in the second and 23 in the third. (Thank you Larry Brooks of the New York Post for the stat)
The Prucha Problem
Then there’s the mystery of Peter Prucha. What do you do with a guy two seasons removed from a 30-goal campaign? Surely you don’t want him. But you don’t want to send him packing somewhere else and have him be the latest version of Alexei Kovalev. Strangely, Prucha finds himself as hockey’s Stephon Marbury minus the attitude, hand-wringing and back pages. Rather, he finds himself a healthy scratch.
Otherwise, I'm fired up by what I see. Too early to begin printing Finals tickets?
Truth is despite the gaudy record, many of the nightly frustrations and gaffes committed on 33rd and 7th are masked by Henrik Lundqvist’s brilliant goaltending. The King is the front-runner for the Vezina, at least in the early season.
The season’s still young. So there’s plenty of time to fix these problems:
Specialty Teams:
At 15.4 %, can the Rangers decline the next power play? It’s been awful. In fact, not since Sergei Zubov, have the Rangers had a good guy at the point. Michael Roscival has been bad. Despite having a cannon of a shot, the guy won’t shoot. Can you imagine? That’s like saying…the guy’s got billions but he won’t spend. Rosi’s blunders have gotten so bad that the Garden faithful has embraced his as this year’s Marek Malik or Tom Poti. Not good.
And the team also leads the league in shorthanded goals, the last two gift-wrapped by you-know-who. To be fair, the Rangers kill off 91% of power plays against, good enough for second in the league. It didn’t cost them against the Bruins last Saturday but it will later on. Count on it. This is the Rangers we’re talking.
Lack of Scoring
To date, the Rangers are scoring less than your average college freshman. And they better start because you can’t win every game 2-1 or 3-2. The record also masks missing Jaromir Jagr or Brendan Shanahan as but Dawes, Callahan, and Dubinsky have not consistently produced.
60 Minutes of Hockey
This is the coach Renney’s mantra: “Play 60 minutes of hockey” They don’t wake up until the third period. They scored 13 goals in the first, 17 in the second and 23 in the third. (Thank you Larry Brooks of the New York Post for the stat)
The Prucha Problem
Then there’s the mystery of Peter Prucha. What do you do with a guy two seasons removed from a 30-goal campaign? Surely you don’t want him. But you don’t want to send him packing somewhere else and have him be the latest version of Alexei Kovalev. Strangely, Prucha finds himself as hockey’s Stephon Marbury minus the attitude, hand-wringing and back pages. Rather, he finds himself a healthy scratch.
Otherwise, I'm fired up by what I see. Too early to begin printing Finals tickets?
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