Sorry everyone but I'm in the process of moving and so I have limited time to write right now. I'll be back on Monday with a review of everything that has been going on. I hope you will continue to stick with me. thanks,
Angry Irishman
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Willie is safe. For now
When Mets Manager Willie Randolph sprinted onto the field for batting practice Monday, several dozens fans were behind the first-base dugout. One clapped. The others were silent. These days, Randolph is used to that kind of skeptical treatment.
After a two-hour meeting with the team’s owner, chief operating officer and general manager, Randolph was still managing the Mets when they played the Florida Marlins at Shea Stadium. But regardless of General Manager Omar Minaya’s assurances that Randolph’s job was never in jeopardy, Randolph still seemed to be fighting to stay in the dugout for the long term.
Minaya explained Monday that Randolph was the Mets’ manager, and noted that he had a contract through the 2009 season. What he failed to say, however, was revealing. Minaya would not guarantee that Randolph would be the manager for the rest of the season. If anything, it appears that Randolph still has an undisclosed deadline to rejuvenate the Mets.
“There is no limbo period,” Minaya said. “Willie is the manager. As I said this weekend, Willie has the support of the general manager, has the support of the ownership.”
How long Randolph will continue in that role remained uncertain. When asked if Fred Wilpon, the Mets’ owner, and Jeff Wilpon, the chief operating officer, told him during their meeting that he would manage the Mets for all of 2008, Randolph said, “No, they didn’t say that.”
Although it is possible that he could be just another shabby streak from being fired, Randolph said that he did not clutter his mind with those thoughts. After an uninspiring 7-3 loss to the Marlins, the Mets have lost seven of their last eight games. If their dismal stretch continues, Randolph’s next meeting with ownership could be his last.
“It’s something I have no control over,” Randolph said. “My main concern is trying to get this team back to where we’re playing good, solid baseball.”
The Mets (23-26) have perhaps more talent than any team in the National League East, but they are six and a half games behind the first-place Marlins. Minaya said that the Mets, whose payroll is almost $140 million, had “championship talent,” but that there was a difference between championship talent and a championship team. The Mets have not come close to playing like a championship team.
The Mets botched a seven-game cushion with 17 games left to end the 2007 season, so they cannot let too much of 2008 slip away. If the Mets, who often perform like a lifeless bunch, do not improve, Randolph could pay. Some boisterous fans started chants of “Fire Willie” in the eighth and ninth innings, but they gained little momentum.
“He’s not playing,” first baseman Carlos Delgado said. “We got to go out and play. I think we need to be responsible and turn it up a notch.”
When Delgado and center fielder Carlos Beltrán were asked if they thought Randolph deserved to stay as manager, neither simply said yes. Delgado repeated that the Mets needed to play better. Beltrán said that a decision about the manager was made by ownership, and third baseman David Wright agreed.
“That’s not in our hands,” Beltrán said.
Minaya said the Wilpons wanted to meet with Randolph to discuss comments he made May 18 to The Record of Hackensack, N.J., and to discuss the Mets’ ragged play. Randolph told The Record that he wondered about the way he was portrayed on the Mets’ television network and also wondered if he was being held to a different standard than white managers.
Randolph, who is the first African-American to manage a baseball team in New York, said the Wilpons were disappointed with his comments and showed “some passion” while expressing themselves. After Randolph apologized, Minaya said, the organization considered the remarks a dead issue.
“Ownership was disappointed in the comments,” Minaya said, adding, “But they’re also very disappointed in how the team is playing.”
During a 25-minute news conference Monday, Minaya did most of the talking. He tried to steer the focus from Randolph’s job status to the Mets and how they needed to play better. Randolph was stoic throughout the session. The only time he became animated was when he was trying to leave the 60 or so reporters behind so he could get to the field. “I’ve got a game in a couple of hours, and I’d rather be out there doing that,” Randolph said. “So let’s do it — win a game.”
Of course, Randolph’s Mets did not do it, did not win a game. Again. Minaya said he did not think Randolph’s situation was a distraction for players, but Beltrán said it was. Beltrán said the speculation about Randolph’s future could cause players to “come to the ballpark wondering if it might happen today,” referring to Randolph’s possible dismissal.
Randolph said he did not feel pressure regarding his job security because he was “here as the manager now.” But the Wilpons did not meet with Randolph simply to review why the Mets have floundered. They surely wanted to remind Randolph about his responsibilities in reviving a sluggish team.
“I didn’t come in thinking that I was going to get fired,” Randolph said. “I think I told some of you guys that I was looking forward to being the manager today, tomorrow and hopefully the rest of the year.”
The meeting is over, but the Willie Watch will continue.
I said it before and I'll say it again. It's just a matter of time. Start packing now Willie. Start packing.
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Joba gets the chance he wanted
Wednesday, May 21st 2008, 11:58 PM
The Joba Rules are being rewritten altogether.
Joba Chamberlain pitched the eighth and ninth inning of Wednesday night's 8-0 win over the Orioles, and afterward the Yankees announced that it was the first step of the phenom's much-anticipated conversion from lights-out set-up man to starting pitcher.
"I am excited about the opportunity," Chamberlain said of the transition. "First and foremost though, we got to win ballgames from here on out. So tomorrow starts another day of getting my legs and getting back on mound to see what happens. And making sure we win a game."
Joe Girardi said the change is not in response to the Yankees' struggles of late or the starting rotation's problems, but rather had been part of the plan all along.
"This is the timetable that we had set," Girardi said while announcing the decision after last night's game. "It's going to take him awhile to get to where he can throw 100 pitches, but this is what we've had planned all along. This is what we talked about over the winter and in spring training, and you saw the first of it tonight."
General manager Brian Cashman also confirmed that the plan had always been to make Chamberlain a starter. "That's ultimately the place where he will have the biggest impact on this franchise," Cashman said.
The process of converting Chamberlain went into motion Tuesday afternoon with a conversation in the trainers' room between the pitcher, coaches and Cashman, who asked the reliever what he wanted.
"He looked me right in the eye and said he wanted the opportunity to start," Cashman recalled. "I asked 'This year?' and he said 'Yes.'"
So ended what had been an ongoing debate among Yankee fans, the front office and coaches since the hard-throwing righthander was brought up from the minors last season. The plan is for Chamberlain to pitch on a regular schedule, which Girardi would not disclose, and stretch his pitch count from 35 (which he threw last night) to eventually about 100 pitches.
Chamberlain said that he will incorporate more of his pitches when he can and work on building up endurance, but those are about the biggest changes he will make.
"That's it, that's all you're gonna see, I ain't gonna be any different Joba," Chamberlain said. "I am not gonna transform into a different person. I am going to continue to do the stuff got me to that point. The stuff you see in the eighth inning, you will see that from the first inning on. So it's not going to be any different. You are going to see a few more changeups, a few more curveballs a few more two-seamers but that's it."
Chamberlain will continue to stretch himself out while working out of the bullpen. There are no immediate plans to send him down to the minor leagues.
"The way the plan is, I am going to continue to stay here, there is no better place than here to learn and take your licks and get better," Chamberlain said. "The plan is, I am gonna continue to mix things in when I have the opportunity, but continue to do my job and get outs."
Chamberlain said the coaches had talked to him about the plan to stretch him into a starter's role during spring training, but never gave him a timetable for the plan to be implemented.
"I didn't know when, I didn't even know if it would," Chamberlain said. "I was surprised. They just told me (Tuesday), but I have a full faith in the coaches and the front office that they will do this the right way."
I really don't know how to feel about this. On one hand I totally believe this is a panic move. On the other hand He has electric stuff and just may save the season. We'll soon find out. The 8th inning will be weaker now leaving the obvious choice that Rivera will be picking up 4 or 5 out saves more often than not. I think I'm going to reserve judgment on this issue until I see him make his first start. I wonder who will get the boot in the rotation when Joba joins it. Most likely Mr. Kennedy. Interesting times are ahead my friends. Get your popcorn ready.
Pedro's future
Pedro has left the team to go back to his home in the Dominican republic to be with his ailing father. His dad battling an inoperable brain tumor had a seizure. Not sure how long Pedro will be away from the team but I'm sure he'll be given all the time he needs to be with his dad. His dad's health seems to be deteriorating at a fast rate that he may be near the end. I'm sure details will be released at a later point. On a side note. To basically destroy my blog from yesterday. Pedro insist he will not retire at season's end. In fact he thinks he can go two or three more. Well I wish I can spin this into an Hollywood version of hope for Pedro but lets face it folks. Pedro is a good pitcher but no longer dominate. His best days are behind him. I can see another year maybe but you know injuries will cut him down to maybe half a season. I just don't see the upside to having him.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Mike Piazza calls it a career
From New York Post writer Bart Hubbuch
The Mets had nothing but praise for Mike Piazza yesterday after hearing news of their former teammate's retirement. Piazza, 39, called it a career after 16 seasons, nearly eight of them with the Mets, after receiving no interest as a free agent this year.
A Met from 1998-2005, Piazza departs as one of the best power-hitting catchers of all time with 427 home runs and a .308 career average.
"I got a chance to work with him for a year, and he was a joy to coach," Willie Randolph said. "He was a real class guy and a real team player."Mets third baseman David Wright appreciated the chance to play nearly two seasons alongside Piazza in Queens.
"He was one of the guys who really helped me out," Wright said. "He was the man in New York, so to learn under him helped me out tremendously."
Mets closer Billy Wagner enjoyed facing Piazza.
"He could definitely change the game with one swing," Wagner said. "Nobody had his opposite-field power. Nobody."
Mets ownership released a statement.
"On behalf of everyone at the Mets, we salute Mike for his Hall of Fame caliber accomplishments in our game and with our team," Mets chairman and CEO Fred Wilpon said in a statement. "Mike electrified New York City and energized our franchise after we acquired him in 1998. He was an integral part of our 2000 National League Championship club. Mike played the game with passion, class and heart - symbolic of our city."
Nothing but respect for the Man. He was the face of the Mets. He was the one player you had to be careful to because he can take you out of any park. He had that much power. Mike will certainly be a first ballot hall of famer. I wonder what team he'll go in for. My pick would be for the Mets.
Willie: Mets suck because I'm black
From the New York Daily News' writer Bob Raissman
Willie Randolph should spend less time fretting over the media and more time worrying about his team's performance. If he can't find a way to shed that layer of thin skin soon, Randolph could wind up being a collaborator in his own demise.
For reasons known only to him, Randolph, between games of the Subway Series - after a Mets win, no less - decided it was a good idea to vent to a reporter. The Mets manager not only played the race card, but said SportsNet New York was visually slanting its Mets coverage to make him look bad.
Make no mistake, by putting the onus on SNY, Randolph is accusing Fred and Jeff Wilpon, the men he works for, of stacking the deck against him. The Wilpons are the majority owners of SNY. Randolph has every right to express his opinion.
But the timing of what he said and the content of his statements, some of it bizarre, leave the door open to question Randolph's judgment. Forget about the Billy Wagner nonsense and the closer's comments actually being an indictment of Randolph's leadership skills.
The remarks Randolph made to The Record's Ian O'Connor are much more damaging. These are statements that could eventually get Randolph fired - especially when they include a strong rebuke of a network owned by the men who sign his paychecks.
Randolph's words, coming after the clouds of controversy had lifted, again make the Mets "big" news for the wrong reason. As those clouds were passing, Randolph decided to seed them. Then again, the underlying reasons for his SNY commentary could have much to do with the distrust and distaste that some, on the team side, have for the network.
"They are simply a pain in the (butt) to work with," one Mets insider said.
Still, in the interview, Randolph came off as overly sensitive, even paranoid.
"They're (SNY) the artists, I'm the canvas," Randolph told O'Connor. "They paint the picture the way they want to. They want to show me when somebody gives up a home run or somebody makes an error, so they want to see me (using profanity) ...Why (isn't) SNY shooting me when I'm ready to go down the dugout clapping my hands and patting them on the butt, schooling them during the game? I'm at the top step every game.
"...Why don't you show that side of me so people can say, 'Wow, jeez, Willie's fiery," Randolph said.
Randolph's obsession with this is troubling. Is he returning home after every game and reviewing tape of SNY's coverage?
The manager's critique of the network doesn't reflect reality. If any suit ever told veteran director Bill Webb to make Randolph, or any manager or player, look bad he would blow cigarette smoke in his face and tell the guy to "go blow smoke out your ----."
Randolph's complaint about being portrayed in a negative light is nonsense. Tune in to any baseball telecast and it goes something like this: Team A hits home run. Director calls for a shot of Team A manager who is happy. Then director calls for shot of Team B, whose manager looks ticked. Duh, they all work from a similar production blueprint.
Randolph must not have checked out Saturday's telecast when SNY's cameras zoomed in on him patting Billy Wagner on the "butt" after the Mets' 7-4 win over the Yankees.
Randolph complains he's not seen "schooling" his players on TV, well, perhaps the most memorable image SNY has ever presented? Randolph, last July in Houston "schooling" Jose Reyes after he pulled him out of a game with the Astros for not running out of the box because he thought the ball was foul.
Before yesterday's twin bill in Atlanta, Randolph backtracked, saying he was not upset with SNY and understood they are "critical" sometimes. "There's so much perception out there about me that sometimes when you hear it or see it, you shake your head a little bit," Randolph said. "You're kind of like, 'Well, that's not really me.'"
Was Randolph being sincere or did he back off after being advised that he ruffled the wrong feathers? No matter. Randolph put himself back on the hot seat. There was another way to handle this. When Joe Torre was at odds with YES for allowing front-office types to plant postgame questions with reporter Kimberly Jones, he got his message out through back channels.
Not Randolph. He comes off like one of those talk-show callers who are so fond of ripping him. Their rants come with no consequence.
That's not the case for Willie from Brooklyn.
His words come with strings attached. And they could be very costly.
I think that anyone who uses race as an excuse to deflect from what the real problem is really shouldn't have a coaching job. I believe Willie knows he probably won't finish the year out. I don't believe he will finish the year as manager. I think most Met fans believe that as well. He has no control over his waste of talent team. He doesn't handle the media well which is key for managing in New York. I like Willie he was great when he was with the Yankees and he learned from one of the greatest managers of all-time in Joe Torre. I think he is a great manager but when you lose the team it is time to go. Hey Willie, it is time to go.
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Teixeira is in a New York state of mind?
by Dan Graziano/The Star-Ledger Tuesday May 20, 2008, 3:00 AM
They have, for reasons fair and unfair, become the symbols of what's wrong with New York's baseball teams. Highly paid, once-great sluggers in the final years of huge contracts. Jason Giambi and Carlos Delgado have started this year slowly, as have the Yankees and Mets, who are getting far less production from their first basemen than championship teams must get.
The solution lives, for now, in Atlanta.
At some point today, during a day-night doubleheader at Turner Field in Atlanta, Teixeira likely will stand next to Delgado at first base, allowing Mets fans to imagine him manning that position next year. The way things have gone for Delgado at Shea Stadium for the past year and a half, a replacement as perfect as Teixeira is a Mets fan's dream.
Of course, it won't be that easy.
If a Yankees fan happens to be flipping channels today and comes across the Mets-Braves game, perhaps while Teixeira is showing off his sweet swing with a double into the gap, it won't be hard to imagine the Braves first baseman in pinstripes, tipping his cap at the new Yankee Stadium next April as the replacement for Jason Giambi.
The Mets hold a $16 million option on Delgado for next year. The Yankees hold a $22 million option on Giambi. It's impossible to imagine either team picking up either option, which means both New York teams will be looking for a new first baseman at the moment Teixeira hits free agency.
It's enough to make an agent drool, and Teixeira's agent, Scott Boras, surely is. But if Teixeira is dreaming of the big dollars a Yankees-Mets bidding war could mean, he's not admitting to it.
"There's not really any reason to think about it, because I wouldn't be doing myself any good," Teixeira said last week in Philadelphia. "If I keep doing what I've been doing my whole career, everything will take care of itself after this season."
There can be no doubt of that. Teixeira and Indians left-hander C.C. Sabathia are likely to be the stars of next winter's free-agent market. With Boras running the show, Teixeira is not about to sign a discounted, in-season deal to stay with the Braves.
He'll be on the market and available to all who like power, plate discipline and spiffy defense from their first basemen. Both New York teams are sure to be interested, and they'll have the means to get him. The Yankees have about $82 million coming off their payroll after this season, the Mets about $49 million.
The Braves will get some payroll relief this winter too, and likely could offer Teixeira as much as $20 million per year to stay if they wanted to. But if the bidding goes much higher than that -- which it could, with both New York teams involved -- then that could be bad news for Atlanta, for Teixeira's hometown Orioles and many other interested teams.
"Obviously, Tex is a dynamic player," said Braves center fielder Mark Kotsay, who before becoming Teixeira's teammate knew him as an opponent in the AL West when Teixeira was with the Rangers and Kotsay was with the Athletics. "Switch-hitter with power, good defensively, and I'm sure he's aware what a great spot he's in terms of after this year."
He'd be a breath of fresh air for either New York team. Delgado was brilliant in 2006, his first year as a Met. But his sharp offensive decline in 2007 was a major reason the team failed to make the playoffs, and he has started off slowly this season as well. Giambi signed a seven-year, $120 million contract with the Yankees after the 2001 season and had some good seasons. But in recent years he' has struggled to stay healthy, dealt with his role in the center of the steroid scandal, and been a drain on the team's payroll and roster flexibility.
At first glance, the Delgado and Giambi situations look identical -- aging, creaky sluggers with whom their teams are stuck until the contracts run out. And to some extent, that perception is accurate. But there are subtle differences in the Giambi and Delgado situations -- differences that lead the Yankees, at least, to believe that they'll get something more out of their guy before his contract expires.
"I'd say when the league average of hitting the ball hard is 25 percent of the time and the stats have (Giambi) at 33 percent, that tells you you've got something coming," Yankees hitting coach Kevin Long said. "When you see what he's doing up there, the kind of at-bats he's having and the way he's hitting the ball, it's unfair to say this guy stinks. If he did stink, truly, I'd be the first one to admit it. But he's fine up there. He's just not getting as many hits as he'd like."
There are numbers to back up Long. Giambi's batting average on balls in play (BAbip) is a miserable .146 -- by far the lowest in the American League. (Second-lowest is Yankees second baseman Robinson Cano at .206, then Cleveland's Asdrubal Cabrera at .226.). A BAbip that low indicates bad luck -- and that the hitter has an incredibly hot streak coming that will bring the number closer to the league average (.291) before year's end. Giambi also has eight home runs in just 110 at-bats. And his .357 on-base percentage, while not up to his own standards, is hardly horrible and likely to rise once his hit totals do.
"I feel like I'm hitting the ball great," Giambi said. "I'm doing the things I need to do up there, and that makes me feel good about the rest of the year. That's always an unknown, and that's why you play the whole year."
Delgado's situation is not as encouraging. His batting average of .230 is higher than Giambi's .191. And his BAbip of .259, while far short of the NL average of .296, doesn't leave as much room as Giambi's does. His on-base percentage is a crippling .310, down more than 20 points for the third year in a row, and his slugging percentage is a wimpy .368.
"I'm not sure what we're going to get out of Carlos," Mets manager Willie Randolph said. "I wouldn't assume because of this year and last year that he's done. You never know. Anytime you think you're ready to kick dirt on someone, that's when he gets up and keeps going. I still feel like he's going to have a big year for us."
What it comes down to for the Mets, and for Delgado, is hope. They hope that he can be something like the player he was in 2006 before this year comes to an end. They don't know, but they hope.
"Every day, I think it's going to be a good day," Delgado said. "I've been hitting the ball okay, I think. I've been staying with the same approach all year, and I think it's getting better. I feel good up there."
There has been talk among fans of trading Delgado, or even releasing him. And if he regresses at all -- or even if he just fails to show improvement over the next couple of months -- team officials acknowledge privately that they'll have a tough decision to make. Delgado's track record earns him more rope than another player might have in a similar situation, but they can't allow him to cost them crucial late-season games if they can come up with a suitable in-season replacement.
Those are tough to find, however. There's nobody in the Mets' system pushing Delgado for the job, just as there's nobody in the Yankees' system doing the same to Giambi. The Yankees have Juan Miranda at Triple-A Scranton, a possible 2009 option if they decide to spend their money elsewhere. The Mets have Mike Carp putting together a nice year in Double-A Binghamton, but most believe he'll need some Triple-A seasoning before he's ready.
In the end, for 2008, the Yankees are basically stuck with Giambi and the Mets with Delgado. But once 2008 is over and Teixeira is open for business, expect both New York teams to start thinking real, real hard about moving on.
I being a Yankee fan believe it is job one to get him signed during the off season. With Giambi gone you need another first baseman to fill the void and with Teixeira growing up a Yankee fan I believe the Yanks have the inside track. Also doesn't hurt that the Yanks can outspend the Mets either. He grew up idolizing Don Mattingly and there is a chance to anchor Donnie Baseball's old spot. How can he resist? Get it done Yanks.
Pedro may retire at season's end
BY ROGER RUBIN
DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER
Pedro Martinez may be on the fast track back into the Mets' starting rotation, but he is traveling that road with a heavy heart.
After facing minor leaguers in game competition Monday at Tradition Field, Martinez was equal parts enthusiasm and concern in an extended interview. He was zealous about a proposed start for the club that could come before the end of the month. He was distressed about his ailing father and said a desire to be there for his family might bring him to an early retirement - possibly even after this season.
"It's taking a toll on me and my family, my dad's situation," Martinez said, referring to a form of brain cancer afflicting his 78-year-old father, Pablo. "I haven't been there for them. I just realized that between last year and this year I haven't been there for my family, my parents.
"That'll probably drag me away from the game a little sooner than people expect.
"After this season, I'm going to go back home and think about it and I'm going to decide."
Even with that gnawing at him, Martinez, 36, was very eager to get back to the Mets after pitching 4-1/3 innings in an extended spring training game against St. Louis Cardinals farmhands and feeling no discomfort from the injured left hamstring that's kept him on the disabled list since April 2.
He allowed two runs (one earned) on five hits, including a solo homer by Edwin Gomez. He didn't walk anyone, hit one batter and struck out five. On the radar gun, he was regularly in the high-80s, topping out at 90 when he fanned Gomez in his next trip to the plate. Of his 73 pitches, 54 were strikes.
Martinez spoke with general manager Omar Minaya shortly after coming out of the game and was instructed to meet the team in Atlanta tomorrow to throw a bullpen session. He said he and the GM discussed making a start in the upcoming series against the Marlins, which starts Monday at Shea, but nothing is definite.
"They want to evaluate how I look," the three-time Cy Young Award winner said. "I feel very good. ... I had good pop. I could dial it up when I needed to.
"I'm healthy and if I'm healthy, I can get big league hitters out."
Under normal circumstances Martinez would let his health and enthusiasm for the game determine how much longer he will play. And they still might. Things got far from normal over the winter when a bump appeared on his father's temple. Doctors in the Dominican Republic thought it was a cyst, but Martinez insisted his dad be examined in Miami. It was found to be an aggressive form of lymphoma.
Things hit rock bottom shortly before spring training. Between the rigors of the cancer and the chemotherapy treatment, Martinez's dad was reduced to a state of near-unconsciousness that Martinez described as "a coma." He thinks often about the times when his voice was the only thing that could get through.
"Then responding to just my voice when the doctors are trying to talk to him," he recounted. "He was not responding.
"'Dad, dad, squeeze my hand.'
"That's the only voice he could hear," Martinez recounted. "That tells me something."
Martinez's desire to get back to his parents' side nagged him all through one of his most difficult spring trainings. He admitted that at times, he couldn't wait to get away even though since his shoulder surgery in October 2006, he looks at every day of baseball as a gift.
His father made some improvements and is back home in the Dominican, but Martinez said his dad will not improve any further. The family's biggest concern is that he could suffer a seizure - common with this illness - that could shorten or worsen his quality of life.
"He's stable, but he's not going to get any better," he said. "He can't take any more chemo. We're letting him have a nice end of his life. The chemo is not going to help him. If they give him the chemo that might be it.
"They told me there's nothing we can do. He's eventually going to deteriorate."
Martinez was emboldened by what he saw in his teammates over the weekend as they sorted out internal strife and took two games from the Yankees at the Stadium. He said it was a sign of "what makes a good team" and he is looking forward to being a part of it.
But he also says that the future is uncertain.
"If I do go away sooner than later," he said, "understand it's because of my family."
My opinion is that if he has to retire because of his dad then I'm fine with it. Not that my opinion matters to him but A man who is worth anything has to be there when your family needs you. His dad and his family needs him and so in my opinion he is doing the right thing. I feel that he should retire after the season anyway due to his injuries. He is always injured. He is 36 years old and has a lot of baseball mileage on his arm and body. How much longer can he go on anyway? I used to hate Pedro because he was a red sux and I have to but when he came to the Mets I found myself starting to like him. He is a character after all and one who will never be forgotten in baseball history. I wish him the best of luck on whatever he decides to do.
Monday, May 19, 2008
When is it time to panic? Legends come back and save us!
So let me take this moment to take in what happened last night at the stadium. Ok now I'm ready. The Yanks lost to Oliver Perez. OLIVER MOTHER F***KING PEREZ!!!!!!!! This guy begs teams to beat him. What the hell is wrong with this team. They can't hit. Why can't this team score more than 2 runs a game? You can't blame it on A-Rod and Posada being hurt either. Other people have to hit. Jeter can't carry this team alone. Where is Johnny Damon, Bobby Abreu, and Robbie Cano? These guys have to start to contribute. I'm done with Giambi. Take your gold thong and retire. You're done. You can't hit and you can't field. GO AWAY! Duncan is worthless. Ensberg can't hit either. The bench blows. The offense was supposed to be good enough to carry the team while the young pitching learns on the job. Well no one is hitting and the pitching staff has to be perfect just to keep the team in it and it is not fair. You can't expect your pitchers to be able to pitch perfect every time so you can win 1-0. That doesn't happen. You guys have to start hitting. Where is Mickey Mantle when you need him? Mickey we need you buddy. Come back and help us hit. Bring Lou, Joe D and the babe back with you while you're at it
will win about 15 games but he has been getting hit hard lately and needs to do something to correct that. Once again the offense needs to help with that. Moose is pitching better than anyone could expect him to and whatever he can contribute is very big at this point. Hughes is hurt and ineffective thus far. Mr. Kennedy better start pitching to what I believe he can be. Speaking of pitching. It is not looking good and I'm going to stay away from the Joba issue because he is staying in the pen and that is it so he is not an option as of now. Wang is going to be fine. He'll probably win 19 again depending on weather or not the teams starts hitting. PettitteRasner is doing great thus far but we all know that won't last so unless there is a move down the line this rotation better pick it up or no playoffs this year. Can the whitey still pitch? Bring back David Cone. Something has to be done. Is it time to panic. Not yet but it is very close. Ask me again next week.
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Mets behind Santana take Yanks in game 1
The Mets beat the Yankees yesterday 7-4 behind decent pitching from Johan Santana. I say decent because 4 run via 3 homers is not a good job. He pitched good when he had to and was very aggressive. The Mets only won this game because Andy Pettitte hit the wall in the fourth inning. He was as dominant as you can get in the first three innings. Thank god Oliver Perez starts today. That is 6 runs easy for the Yanks without even trying. Oh and did I mention that our ace is going today. Wang. I see a lot of ground ball outs today. The difference between the two clubs thus far is that the Mets think they are better than what they are and that the Yanks are worse than what they are. Injuries and young pitching has beaten up the Yanks. The Mets are healthy with the exception of Pedro and El Duque who would be hurt anyway. At the end of the season if things continue the way it has for both clubs then both will be watching the playoffs on TV.
Friday, May 16, 2008
8 million reasons to return
Friday, May 16th 2008, 12:54 AM
Michael Strahan doesn't appear to be close to announcing his future plans, but there is something the Giants could do to push things along.
They could give him $8 million.
That's the amount Strahan hopes to get from the Giants for what would likely be his final season with the team - and possibly in the NFL - if he decides to return to play in 2008, according to two sources familiar with his situation.
That would be double the $4 million salary he's due this season in the final year of the seven-year, $46 million deal he signed in 2002.
In a meeting with Giants' officials in March, Strahan was told, "We'll take care of you" financially, according to a source, but the Giants weren't specific about those plans. According to one source, Strahan has been told the team is willing to go as high as $6 million for one season.
Strahan's agent, Tony Agnone, said money has not been discussed.
The $8 million Strahan is seeking isn't an arbitrary number, either. It's the 2008 salary of Miami's Jason Taylor, a defensive end in a comparable situation. The 33-year-old Taylor is obviously nearing the end of his career after 11 seasons, though he did have 11 sacks in 2007. Strahan, 36, has played 15 seasons and had nine sacks last year.
Speaking at a charity event in Manhattan on Wednesday night, Strahan insisted money isn't an issue, especially since he knows he could retire and still have a lucrative broadcasting career. "I can make money doing other stuff that means when I wake up on (Monday) I'm not sore, and I can have more time to enjoy life and be with my family," he said.
That may be true, but this isn't the first time Strahan has sought more money from the Giants. He asked for a bump in his salary last offseason too, before he skipped training camp and began contemplating retirement. The Giants refused to renegotiate his deal then, though co-owner John Mara has said he's willing to consider doing so now.
It's not clear whether Strahan is willing to play for less than $8 million, nor is it clear whether he'd be willing to come to training camp as a condition for getting that much. Strahan, according to a source, has not yet been given permission to miss camp again this year without the fear of being fined. That could factor into whether he decides to return, too.
WYNN, WIN: Veteran DE Renaldo Wynn, who was a first-round draft pick of Tom Coughlin's Jacksonville Jaguars in 1997, worked out for the Giants on Wednesday. Though he has not signed yet, the Giants did clear room for him by cutting DE Antonio Reynolds, an undrafted free agent out of Tennessee.
If this is to be Strahan's last year then why not give him the extra four million. What is the big deal. I think a healthy Strahan is worth 8 million a year. His presence on the field along is worth the cost. He makes it easier for guys like Tuck and Osi to get better match ups. Unless the brass doesn't want him back but I don't believe that. I think they should give it to him. Why not? Also Renaldo Wynn as a possible signing would be a good thing. Nice veteran backup who won't cost you too much. I'm interested to see how the brass handles the Strahan situation. Keep checking in. I think this just might be the beginning.
Tino: Yanks need to WAKE up
From the New York Post
by Dan Martin
May 16, 2008 -- Tino Martinez has been on teams that were on the receiving end of some rather harsh assessments from George Steinbrenner. Since the end of last year, Hank Steinbrenner has taken over for his dad in the criticism department, and Martinez said he believes Hank's antics, at least in the most recent case, were warranted.
"I think Hank has every right to do that, because they're playing lackadaisical," Martinez said.
The younger Steinbrenner told The Post this week the high-paid Yanks "had better decide for themselves to earn that money."
Martinez added that statements like the one Steinbrenner made have an effect on a team and often work.
"It definitely does something to you," Martinez said of the commentary, which Hank hasn't been shy about this season. "I think it helps a veteran team like this one. You don't want guys getting complacent with huge contracts. This kind of thing sends a message that you're not afraid to get rid of guys, which is a good thing to throw out there. It ignites you."
Martinez doesn't have to concern himself with being that kind of target anymore. The former first baseman is in his first year as a consultant to GM Brian Cashman and saw part of this past series in Tampa. He was touring the city yesterday with 7-year-old Jack Berney, an award-winner with Diamonds in the Rough, a community baseball program that donates money to little leagues.
His current role is considerably less stressful than the one he used to have in The Bronx. Though the Yankees' slow start has put them in a bit of a hole in the AL East, Martinez thinks the upcoming Subway Series against the Mets is just what they need.
"They've pretty much struggled with everything - from hitting, to defense, to pitching - and they need to pick up the intensity level," Martinez said. "A series against the Mets is a great time to do that. Nothing against the Rays, but it's easier to get up when you're playing the Mets."
I think Tino has every right to make those comments. He was apart of those great teams and he knows what they need to do to bounce back. Injuries aside the pitching has been sub par, hitting has been nonexistent and they just look like zombies. Where is the fun like they were having last year? I know winning is fun but this team needs to relax and smile and remember it is just a game and games are meant to be fun. If they start having fun trust me their play will be much better. The team will turn it around. They usually do. It is still too early to worry. Ask me again next month. A three game sweep of the Mets might go along way to saying what kind of a team this is. Especially if they beat Johan tonight. If they get the game in. What they can't afford to do is get swept or lose the series to the Mets. Hank will have their heads on his wall.
Wagner rips team. AGAIN!
Billy Wagner was almost out the door of the Mets’ clubhouse on Thursday. He was dressed in blue jeans and a T-shirt, had his cellphone earpiece in place and had tobacco stuffed against his lower lip. Wagner was 20 seconds from exiting, 20 seconds from avoiding a potential controversy.
But a reporter asked Wagner for an interview, so he stopped by his locker. One reporter turned into about two dozen. When the mostly innocuous questions were completed, Wagner had a few questions of his own, and it was then that things took on an edge.
For hardly the first time in his major league career, the 36-year-old Wagner was speaking without a filter. He is the player who openly criticized his Phillies teammates when he played in Philadelphia, creating what he called a “24 against 1,” feeling. He is the player who, in 2006, put a sign above the locker of the Mets rookie Lastings Milledge that said, “Know Your Place Rook!”
And he is the player who, in the midst of the Mets’ collapse last September, told New York magazine that Manager Willie Randolph and the pitching coach Rick Peterson were “not a lot of help” in understanding what the team’s bullpen was going through.
On Thursday, his targets were a bank of empty Mets lockers across from his, lockers whose occupants had already departed for the day after the team’s dispiriting 1-0 loss to the Washington Nationals. “Can somebody tell me why the closer’s being interviewed and I didn’t even play?” Wagner said. “Why they’re over there not getting interviewed? I get it. They’re gone. Shocker.”
Wagner’s anger, and gestures, seemed to be particularly directed at the locker of Carlos Delgado, who lined into a double play to end the game. Delgado, who has not been much of a Mets voice in his three seasons in New York despite his veteran status and who has been booed often in 2008, left Shea Stadium on Thursday before reporters ever had a chance to interview him.
For the angry Wagner, the issue was accountability, and in raising it he was echoing a complaint made last year by Paul Lo Duca, when he was the Mets’ catcher. At that time, Lo Duca suggested that reporters seek out some of the Mets’ Hispanic players for comments instead of continually coming to him.
“Some of these guys have to start talking,” he said. “They speak English, believe me.”
Before Wagner’s outburst Thursday, he and David Wright, the de facto captain of the Mets, spoke in hushed tones by Wright’s locker. When a public-relations official asked Wagner to be interviewed at Yankee Stadium on Friday, he reacted angrily and noted how he, Wright, Ryan Church and John Maine are routinely the spokesmen for the team.
After Wagner left Shea, he made his weekly appearance on “The Michael Kay Show” on ESPN Radio and spoke some more. Wagner said that every player is upset after the Mets lose, but that it is unfair to ask the same players to keep fielding the difficult questions.
“There are guys that are always there, but there need to be other guys that are accountable,” Wagner said. He added, “When you’re not there, it gets a little ridiculous.”
When Kay asked Wagner if this issue could remain a problem, Wagner, perhaps being too optimistic, said he did not think so.
“I think it will be rectified tomorrow,” Wagner said. “Those guys will be talked to. You need to stand there during the bad times, not just during the good times.”
Kay did not specifically ask Wagner about Delgado, but did ask Wagner to identify the Met or Mets who have not been accountable. Wagner declined. He also insisted that there were no racial overtones to what he had said.
“I think it’s just certain guys,” Wagner said of those who do not want to talk. “I don’t think it’s Latin, white or black. I don’t think it’s a color thing.”
Whatever it is, it is definitely something. Wagner was 20 seconds from the door Thursday, but he hung around long enough to send a message.
This time I actually agree with Wagner. The Latin players on that team are never vocal. You never hear from any of them. The last time anybody heard one of the Latin players say anything was when Beltran said they were the team to beat in spring training. Wagner just wants the press to stop running to the white players on the team. He did say in that they can speak English too. That is all Omar's fault. I've been saying that for a long time now. The joke amongst my friends and I was that the white and black players on the roster would have to learn Spanish too communicate with the rest of the team. Maybe the reporters should learn Spanish and then write the articles in Spanish too. Wagner says it is not a racial thing well I think it is. I'm not saying it is a racist act by Wagner because I believe he is right. I think that he is just stating facts and those players just happen to be Hispanic. Those players need to be accountable for their actions. They have to stop hiding behind the language and stand up for their actions good or bad. After all this is not a team of Sammy Sosas that didn't know Spanish at the congressional hearings.
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Strahan knows whats he is going to do but isn't telling
From the New York post. Dan Martin writes.
Michael Strahan still hasn't made up his mind about whether he is going to play next year, but some of his teammates are trying to do it for him.
"I think the guys want me to come back," Strahan said. "Osi called me out of the blue two days ago."
Strahan's fellow defensive lineman Osi Umenyiora has his work cut out for him, since this is the second year in a row that the veteran has toyed with the idea of retirement - and this time he has a Super Bowl title to complete his career resume.
Last night, Strahan reiterated his stance that he has a pretty good idea of what he was going to do, but that he isn't ready to let anyone know.
"I know what I want to do," said Strahan, who was at Cipriani 23 last night, giving an award for the Diabetes Research Institute. "I just want to make sure it's 100 percent what I want to do, because either way it's a heck of a commitment."
A year ago, Strahan skipped training camp, saying he was mulling retirement, and although veteran mini-camp is scheduled for next month, he said he's not thinking about it.
"It's not on my mind at all," Strahan said.
Still, he admitted he is feeling "better" than he was at this time last year.
"A ring makes you feel better," Strahan said. "Winning everything makes you feel great, but it's a Catch-22 because you feel the need to go back and defend it and then you think you couldn't write a better ending to the story."
That ending, it seems, still remains to be written.
"I'm not going to change my mind, whatever I decide," Strahan said. "If I retire, then I'm retired. If I say I'm playing again, then I'm committed to playing."
But Strahan did sound like someone who was seriously contemplating calling it quits.
"It's not [about money]," Strahan said. "Money is great, but I could make money doing other stuff. . . . There are a lot of other ways to make money, but that's not the sole purpose of life at this point. It's about enjoying myself, enjoying my family."
And maybe enjoying football.
I hope he comes back. He is still at a very high playing level and if he stays healthy can help the Giants possibly repeat. I think that is worth another go around. Don't you? I think that is what he is thinking. Either way you still have a ring so it is not like you never won. I think he still has the passion to play. If he wants to skip training camp again then it's fine with me and all of the other Giants fans. ONE MORE YEAR! ONE MORE YEAR!
Mooooooooooose!!!!
Ladies and gentlemen Mike Mussina is back. Well sort of. The old man pitcher we all assumed was done is currently 6-3. He has changed the way he pitches. He throws inside now with a fast ball that tops out at 84 85. He throws all his off speed pitches slower than normal. I mean a changeup that used to be 75 miles an hour is down to 65. How nasty is that? You would think the slower the pitches are the easier to hit right? Well you are wrong. Hitting is all about timing. Sometimes a slower pitch that is placed right will throw off the batter's timing and most importantly makes an 85 miles an hour fastball look like a 95 mile an hour fastball. you get it? It is all about trickery. He has to continue to pitch this way or he won't last the year. The Yankees need him to keep this up. I hope with this new style he can hopefully pitch for a few more years and if he wins 13-15 games a year he'll get to 300 wins in 3 years assuming he wins about that this year. I think he can do it. I might be the only one who does. Go moose go.
Mets cut dead weight
The Mets have placed pitchers Nelson Figueroa and Jorge Sosa for assignment on Tuesday.
Figueroa was decent at first but just came back to earth and the league caught up to him. Sosa was just plain horrible. Too bad the Mets will have to eat his salary. Who's rotation is worse? the Mets or the Yankees? I still think it is the Mets. The Yankees young pitching has upside while the Mets pitching has downside. Perez sucks, Pedro is always hurt, and I don't even know who your 4th and 5th starters are. Where is El Duque? Doesn't matter.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
My Super Bowl prediction was just a bit off.
It seems just about everywhere you look in Monroe County there are New York Giants fans.
In the Poconos, Giants fans are loud, proud and optimistic about their team's chances against the 18-0 New England Patriots in today's Super Bowl XLII in Glendale, Ariz.
"I'm actually happy everyone is not giving us a chance," said Analomink resident Hector Gonzalez, who drives around the county with a Giants helmet on top of his van.
"That feeling of being an underdog gets those guys in the locker room fired up and gives us an edge."
Gonzalez and other Giants fans in the area are going to need every edge they can get. The Patriots are 12-point favorites to beat the Giants and become the first team in NFL history to finish a season with a 19-0 record and the first undefeated team since the 1972 Miami Dolphins.
But that's not enough to dampen the spirits of Giants fans.
"It's going to be a shootout," said 26-year-old East Stroudsburg resident Mike Trainor. "It would be foolish to think we're going to limit the highest- scoring team in the league, but if they can score 30 to 35 points they're going to be right there."
Trainor, like many Giants fans, has followed the team since he was young. His first memory of watching Giants football was their 1987 Super Bowl victory over the Denver Broncos.
The memory of that victory and the Giants next Super Bowl victory, four years later against the Buffalo Bills in Super Bowl XXV, give many local Giants fans hope for this year's game.
"When (Bills' kicker) Scott Norwood missed that kick to lose the Super Bowl and give the Giants the win, that's my best memory," said 27-year-old Giants fan Sean Zuniga.
Like many local Giants fans, Zuniga grew up in New Jersey and has brought his love of the Giants with him to the Poconos.
One thing all Giants fans can agree on is the need for their team's defense to stop the powerful New England offense.
"The defense has to have a big game," Gonzalez said. "As long as the defense can play the way they did at the start of the game the last time we played them, it'll be close and we'll be able to get the win."
The Fist Pump Issue
Ok I'm going to settle the Joba fist pump issue once and for all because I'm tired of hearing about it everyday. First off he is a 21 year old kid with tons of emotion. He is not showing anyone up. If he was showing people up he would point at them or stare at them or his team's bench. I don't see anything wrong with it. Has anyone seen K-Rod for the Angels after he gets a save. He acts like he won the world series. No one says anything about that. It is just another example of people hating on New York. If you don't think so then prove me wrong. New York fans want two things from their players. Winning and playing with passion. He does both and is hated for it. The best thing is that he will not succumb to the pressure. He says he will continue to do it. Good. Don't change who you are.
this kid is special and we have to remember he is still a kid. Think about when you were a kid playing ball. Don't try to tell me that you never showed emotion at any point. If you love the game that much then you should be passionate about it. Never be afraid to show emotion. it makes you look like a human to the fans. It makes it look like you care. This kid cares. This kid will be special. This kid is a Yankee.
Monday, May 12, 2008
The LAUGH of the day
According to Rob Bradford of the Boston Herald.
Forget 500 home runs, Manny Ramirez has his eyes on another prize - a Gold Glove.
But, according to Ramirez, there’s one problem.
“How am I going to win a Gold Glove if they take me out in the eighth (inning),” said the Sox left fielder, repeating a line he has passed through the clubhouse since he was removed for defensive replacement Jacoby Ellsbury on Friday night against the Twins.
That was a joke.
This, however, wasn’t:
“I think I’m the best ever to play left field in Boston,” the slugger said.
There was quite a bit of joking that went into Ramirez’ pregame antics yesterday, even though he was out of the starting lineup for the third game of the series with a sore right hamstring. He pinch hit in the ninth, with the at-bat leading to a game-ending groundout.
He announced that Julian Tavarez will be traded to Milwaukee for one of the team’s racing sausages. He described how he and shortstop Julio Lugo used to chase chickens for fielding practice. And he asked the media, “How much do I make a day?”
But when it came to Ramirez analyzing his defense, it was serious business.
He asserts that no other Red Sox has defended left field like him because of his familiarity with the intricacies of playing so many games in front of The Wall.
“I invented that throw that I do,” said Ramirez, mimicking the double-play-like flip he uses to get the ball back into the infield. “I don’t know how it started, it just happened like three years ago. I have to practice it, though. I started to learn how to throw it where it tails right into (second baseman Dustin Pedroia. But I need to practice it more. I haven’t practiced it at all this year. But I’ve got it.”
Despite the pride he takes in attempting to revolutionize playing left field at Fenway Park, Ramirez admits there are drawbacks to his style of play.
“It’s a bad habit,” he said of the sidearmed throws. “You should throw over the top sometimes. For Fenway it’s good, though. The problem sometimes when I’m on this type of field (at the Metrodome) I get into bad habits and throw it like that, just trying to hit the infielder’s mitt.”
As for Ramirez’ other Fenway innovation - playing closer to the infield dirt than The Wall - the Red Sox asked that he put that away for a while.
“They told me to play back,” Ramirez said. “I figured when I play in Boston anything that was hit over my head was a hit, so I catch everything that might be base hits. But if they want me to play back, I’ll play back.”
Ramirez, who is routinely found working on his defense with outfield coach DeMarlo Hale, is intent on moving toward his ultimate goal of a Gold Glove.
“Why not?” he said. “If (first baseman Kevin Youkilis can win one, why can’t I? I only made two errors last year. Put a good word in for me.”My take on this is that my bet is that I'm going to win a gold glove before that dumb ass ever does. Manny being Manny=Crack Head. The man has to be on drugs to think that he is a great defensive player. He is ok at best. He is the Jason Giambi of the out field. Not great but usually doesn't kill you defensively. Manny should just stick to hitting home runs, working on his pose at the plate, and pumping big papi with steroids. Funny how that wasn't in the Mitchell report. Oh that's right Mitchell works for the Red Sux, but that is another story.
Is that Tiki Barber???
No that is Kenny Phillips rookie safety for the Giants. Phillips is wearing number 21 this year to honor the deceased Sean Taylor. Why is this big news? It is big news because another Giant once wore that number. His name is Tiki Barber. Barber is the franchise's best running back. Worthy of having his number retired. Up until last season Tiki would of definitely had his number retired but the way he left his team and the way he went after Eli Manning the fans turned on him. I guarantee that the fans won't boo Phillips for this. It will take a few years for Tiki to make amends with the fans and organization. Then his number will be retired. Until then run with it Kenny.
Friday, May 9, 2008
Alls well that ends WELLS?
Rumor has it the Hank Steinbrenner has been talking to left hander David Wells about a possible return.
Mike Puma of the New York Post has comments from free agent lefty David Wells and Hank Steinbrenner indicating a third tour with the Yankees is possible. Boomer's interest is obvious, while Steinbrenner seems intrigued. Before Brian Cashman gets involved and discussions occur, the Yankees will see how Darrell Rasner and Kei Igawa fare.
I don't know how I feel about this. I still hold a grudge for Wells crapping out on us during the 2003 world series when we needed him the most. Then again if Hughes and Kennedy don't pan out we'll need another starter that is as long as he can prove to be effective. I don't want another Clemens where he gets paid an absurd contract to stink it up on the mound. I'll go out there for the league minimum and I'm a lefty. Here's praying that Hughes and Kennedy get better and back soon. Lets pray that Wang, Moose and Pettitte never lose again.
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Avery thought he was dying
"I was writing my will that first night."
"I was in bad shape. I was nervous. I was trying not to think about it.
"I thought I was done."
Avery said.
"I bleed Ranger blue," said No. 16. "It would be very disappointing if I don't get to come back and play here.
"Losing this series is extremely upsetting, not only on a personal level, but because of the passion of the fans here who enhance every experience of being a Ranger.
"The way it ended, it's like we let down the city. I want to come back and win for these people as much as for myself and my teammates."
What else do you need to hear Glen? The fans want him, he wants to stay and the team wants him. Give him the contract he wants.Fans know Icelanders SUCK
From the New York Post. "For the second time in three years, the Islanders finished last in NHL attendance. According to 2008 attendance records published by ESPN, the Islanders rank 30th with an average of 13,640 fans attending home games and 25th in terms of attendance as percentage of capacity. Despite their last-place finish, however, the Islanders have made large gains in certain areas. Chris Dey, senior vice president of sales, marketing and operations for the Islanders, said the club reached its highest paid attendance since the 2002-03 season."
Why would anyone want to see a team that sucks in the middle of Long Island. You have to fight your way through all that traffic. Screw that. I wouldn't go there even when they play the Rangers. It's not worth it to me. This story is not a shock to me and most likely to anyone.
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Yankee fan KILLS red sux fan
NASHUA, N.H. - A woman accused of running down a man in her car after a Red Sox-Yankees argument in a bar never hit her brakes as she accelerated toward the small group he was in, a prosecutor said Monday.
"She never braked, and she accelerated at a high speed for about 200 feet. She went directly at this group of people," prosecutor Susan Morrell said of Ivonne Hernandez, who is charged with reckless second-degree murder in the death early Friday of Matthew Beaudoin, 29.
Authorities won't describe the argument beforehand in Slade's Food & Spirits, but witnesses said it heated up when Hernandez identified herself as a New York Yankees fan. Like the rest of New Hampshire, Nashua, 45 miles northwest of Boston, is Red Sox country.
Bartender Tanya Moran said the argument spilled outside, and at least one person in a group that included Beaudoin began chanting ``Yankees suck!'' when they saw a Yankees sticker on Hernandez's car.
Hernandez, 43, allegedly gunned her car and struck Beaudoin and his friend Maria Hughes, 21. Hughes had only minor injuries, which Beaudoin's sister Faith said was because her brother shielded his friend.
Hernandez, of Nashua, was arrested at the scene. She acknowledged she had been drinking and refused to take a breath-alcohol test, said Morrell, a senior assistant attorney general. Hernandez said she had been in an argument with the group.
"She indicated to police that she wanted to scare this group of people. She thought they would get out of the way," Morrell said.
Hernandez was ordered held without bail after being arraigned Monday in Nashua District Court. The charges, including aggravated drunken driving, are felonies, so Hernandez could not enter a plea.
Her public defender, James Quay, did not immediately return a call seeking comment.
Beaudoin died of massive head trauma at a hospital, Morrell said.
Moran told The Telegraph of Nashua during the weekend that Beaudoin came to the bar regularly to socialize, sing karaoke and have fun.
"He came to hang out. He didn't really drink much," she said.
Chris Lovett, a disc jockey at Slade's, told the New Hampshire Union Leader that Beaudoin kept to himself and "wasn't an instigator."
Faith Beaudoin said her brother, who lived in Nashua, was a 1997 graduate of Nashua High School who worked dealing poker at Sharky's in Manchester and Nashua. She said his organs, including his heart, live and kidneys, were donated in hopes of saving other people's lives.
"He was always helping people when he was alive, and he's still saving lives," she said, choking back tears during the weekend.
Seriously it only takes a moment to lose your head, but it takes a life time to deal with the consequences. My friends will say that I have a slight attitude problem. OK OK a big one, but I know enough not to go that extra mile. I know that maybe sometimes losing the argument means winning the war. I'm not going to jail for being a fan of a team that is not even paying me. People just need to think ahead sometimes. She obviously didn't.
Yankees Rumors
According to Tony Massarotti of the Boston Herald: There are already indications that the New York Yankees will be among Derek Lowe’s suitors during the offseason. That's not the point of Massarotti's column; he's mainly discussing Lowe's leverage given his unique durability. I did a piece of Lowe recently; Scott Boras should be able to get him at least three years and $39MM. Does he make sense for the Yankees? Could he succeed back in the AL East for his age 36-39 seasons (or more)?
No way this should happen. I'm tired of giving old guys ridiculous contracts to pitch for us. It's not like we get them with much left. We get them with nothing left and then when it is realized it is too late to do anything about it because the Yanks owe them too much money. We've seen it time and time again. I don't believe the Yanks will go after him but you never know.
Monday, May 5, 2008
NEW YORK ICELANDER NEWS!!!!!!
Well if any of you Icelander fans were wondering how I can write about the New York teams and never mention the Icelanders. Well here you go.
ICELANDERS STILL SUCK!!!!!!!!!!!
You may go back to your miserable lives.
Avery out of the box
Sean Avery was released today from the hospital. Great news. Glad to know that he came out just fine. Avery a fan favorite will be a restricted free agent on July first. All Ranger fans are begging GM Glen Sather to resign him at any price. His value to the team is something they can't afford to miss. Do the right thing Glen. Do the right thing.
Clemens just won't GO AWAY
I've been desperately trying not to write a blog about Roger Clemens because I just want him to go away but here it is. I guess I'll start with the Mitchell Report then move straight to the congress hearing and all the way to today's mess with the relationships he has had over the years.
So at first I wanted to believe rocket when he publicly blasted (red sox employee) Sen. Mitchell on naming him to the report. I didn't want to believe Brian McNamee for ratting him out. I took it as a disgruntled ex-employee. I think most people felt that way until Andy Pettitte who trained with McNamee and Clemens admitted to HGH use. Then I think everyone felt if Andy can admit to it then Clemens must have been lying. Yet Clemens stood his ground. Then there was the taped phone conversation with McNamee that proved nothing as both parties involved wasn't going to say anything. Boy did that piss me off. So after going back and forth Clemens had his day in court so to speak. Congress had McNamee, some nobody in the middle and Clemens. I was home that day and watched all of the proceedings. What a waste of time. It turned out to be that half of the committee was for McNamee and the other half was for Clemens. It was a political pissing match that proved nothing. The only thing I think everyone came away with that day was 2 things. First that anyone who wasted the day watching that crap lost many many i.q. points. Second that both were liars.
Now that Clemens awaits to see if the government is coming after him he decides to file a defamation lawsuit against McNamee. How does McNamee respond? He releases rumors about Clemens having affairs over the years and one in particular a decade long affair with a 15 year old country music singer Mindy McCready. Are you kidding me? Can someone of Clemens statue be that stupid.? Apparently he is. The country music singer now legal said she couldn't dispute the claim. Rocket says his relationship was strictly clean. Just friends. I find it hard to believe. What is next you may wonder? A bartender in New York came out and said she had an affair with Clemens too. Now there is reports that he had an affair with Golfer john Daly's ex-wife. Take a minute and let it all sink in.
OK break over because Clemens came out today and apologized for the "relationships" he has had over the years. Great. Who cares? What a shock. An athlete cheated on his wife. Stop the presses. Clemens is getting killed through the press and most people think including me that if he drops his lawsuit maybe this will all go away. The problem is Clemens is a stubborn southerner. I remember another stubborn southerner. His name was General Lee and you all know what happened to him. Clemens cannot win this war. Time to pack it in and pray that enough people forget this mess and vote you into the Hall of Fame. After all Roger we all know that going to the hall is the most important thing left to you. So important that you are willing to lose your family, dignity and reputation for it. I hope it is all worth it for you in the end.
Mr. Kennedy sent down to Scranton/Wiles-Barre
Yes Mr. Kennedy has been sent down to work on his control and hopefully build enough confidence to be able to get called up and pitch the way the brass thinks he can pitch. Kennedy seemed to be happy about this move saying that he won't be under the microscope anymore. Well welcome to New York Mr. Kennedy. In New York we expect our players to preform well especially the players who were hyped as the next big thing. We don't like flops. The fans have been more than patient with you and you still have not delivered a win yet. Hughes too. His excuse is being hurt. What is yours?
Kennedy's numbers thus far are 0-2 in 5 starts. He has 8.37 era. Not good.
Kennedy better get his crap together and come back with the right attitude because the Yanks are bringing up Kei Igawa to fill the void. THAT IS NO DAMN GOOD. Yankee fans hate this guy. Horrible signing. This guy has nothing. Everything he throws is up in the zone and is very very very hittable. Not a good option in my opinion. I can pitch better than him. Hurry back Mr. Kennedy please!!!
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