tonytalkssports My Take on Sports, particularly the Yankees, Maple Leafs and Browns

CC, Yankees, the DH & Canada Day – NHL Style

Earlier this baseball season, a comment on this blog said that CC Sabathia was no match for Josh Beckett.  Pleaaaaseee.  Yesterday, Sabathia showed why he is a legitimate all-star and one of the game's best by winning his 11th game and leading the Yankees to a 5-1 win over the Milwaukee Brewers.  13 strikeouts, all swinging, was the big lefty's signature yesterday afternoon over 7 2/3 innings of work.  How many times this year has Sabathia stopped any losing streaks by posting a victory.  There's no doubt he is one of the best in the business.

***********************************************************************************************

I was very concerned and critical after the Yanks were swept again by the Red Sox earlier in June and really wondered whether this team would have the ability to make the playoffs.  But since that series debacle, the Yankees have been on quite a roll in spite of losing Derek Jeter, Bartolo Colon, Rafael Soriano and Joba Chamberlain.  Now with Colon and Jeter scheduled to come back and Phil Hughes' impressive last outing in rehab, the Yankees suddenly find themselves in pretty good shape as we head into the July 4th weekend.  If Colon can pitch as well as he did prior to his pulled hammy and Hughes can bounce back to be the starter he was last year, then the Yankee starting rotation gets a huge upgrade and relieves the pressure to trade for a starter at the end of the month.

Another key to this resurgence has been the hitting of Nick Swisher and Jorge Posada.  Both have really picked it up since the Red Sox Massacre and once again relieves the need to pick up another bat.  As a result, Brian Cashman can be very selective about making a deal as suddenly the Yanks look to be in a position of strength. 

****************************************************************************************

Since interleague play started AL teams have had to forego using the designated hitter in NL parks.  A week or so ago when the Red Sox were heading out for a road trip to NL parks, Terry Francona said that he may consider putting Adrian Gonzalez in right field and David Ortiz at 1st base.  There was all kinds of discussion about this since it involved the Media's Team.  Interestingly enough, I have come across plenty of articles saying that both leagues should have the DH.  Coincidence??? Hardly.  Connect the dots: why now all the discussion about the DH in the NL???  Why not eliminate the DH??  Oh that would mean no place for Big Papi.  Give me a break.  I'm sure the lack of the DH is the reason why the Sox went 2-4 in their trip to the state of Pennsylvania.

****************************************************************************************

Today is Canada Day and while our friends across the border celebrate their country, its also the first day of free agency in the NHL.  Believe me the rumors have been hot and heavy as it seems 8 teams are in on the Brad Richards sweepstakes and speculation as to whether an offer sheet will be presented to Tampa Bay's young star, Steven Stamkos.  There have been plenty of signings before today and the one that has drawn my attention is the signing of Christian Ernhoff by the Buffalo Sabres.

If I remember correctly, when Gary Bettman was justifying the shutdown of the 2004-2005 season, he said it was to protect small market teams like Buffalo because they were not able to compete with the large contracts that were being given out by the big market teams.  Yesterday, the Sabres signed Ernhoff to a 10 year deal, front-loading it with $18 million dollars in signing bonuses over the 1st 2 years.  Ernhoff will be 29 on Wednesday which means he will be under contract until he is 39.  Amazing.  While the numbers are not as large, how is this contract any different than the one signed by Ilya Kovalchuk and the Devils??  It isn't.  The whole small market argument is baloney.  And Monopoly Man Terry Pegula is planning on spending more today.  He's going to get Brad Richards, Steven Stamkos, Jaromir Jagr and Carlton the Bear!!!

Enjoy Canada Day!!!