Storm Clouds On The Horizon For Yanks
Let me start out by making it very clear: I'm a die-hard Yankee fan. My first Yankee memory is Bobby Richardson's leaping catch which gave the Yankees a World Championship in 1962. I went through the dark era from 1965 - 1975, when they were flat out terrible and the only way I could listen to their games was by putting foil on a radio antenna and pulling in WGY Schenectady. I bring all of this up to show my Pinstripe loyalty. However, I call them like I see them and I'm concerned about where the Yankees are heading this season.
In earlier posts I have criticized Brian Cashman for his failure to shore up the starting rotation. Being fair, the bargain acquisitions of Freddy Garcia and Bartolo "little Andre" Colon has placed a temporary band-aid on the rotation. In fact, over the course of the last week Yankee starters have pitched well enough to win. However, victories have not necessarily followed.
Since coming back from a minor injury, ARod has been struggling big time, Jorge Posada has been awful at DH, Nick Swisher is having difficulty from the left side of the plate, Derek Jeter has not been Derek Jeter and Brett Gardner(while coming on lately) has not proven to be a lead-off hitter. You can pitch as well as you want, but you have to score some runs to win.
The Yankees are going to have to make some tough decisions. How long are they willing to go with Posada at full-time DH?? When does Derek Jeter get moved down in the line-up?? Do they have a legitimate lead-off hitter on their roster?? What do they do if Phil Hughes can't come back this season?? And, will Garcia, Colon and Nova be able to handle the heat of a summer pennant race.
The Yanks currently sit atop the AL East, 2 games ahead of the Rays and 4 games ahead of the Red Sox. Obviously, I'd rather be in first than third. However, you have rose-pinstriped colored glasses on if you don't have some concern as we go further into the month of May. I've felt from the beginning that this season was going to be a tough one. I hope I'm wrong, but I'm having a hard time seeing this team as its currently constructed doing much damage in October. Even more scary, October may not be guaranteed. Time will tell if I'm a worry wart or if having followed this team for nearly 50 years I can see the storm clouds ahead.
Tuesday’s Thoughts
While thinking about when we will go 2 days without rain, here's what going on in my mind this morning:
- I was really pleased with the Browns draft. The trade that saw the Browns garner four more picks from Atlanta, 2 this year and Atlanta's 1st and 2nd next year, was just what they needed to get more talent on their roster. The first three picks went a long way in helping to get some playmakers on their defense, particularly on the D line and the selection of Greg Little should help the receiving corp. I also thought the selection of the big OL Jason Pinkston was a very good pick and can really make a good offensive line even better. The selection of Jordan Cameron, the TE from USC, could end up being a diamond in the rough pick. Kudos to Tom Heckert. Go Brownies!!!
- Congratulations to the gallery gods at the Radio City Music Hall for booing Roger Goodell. It made me proud. Goodell and his band of owners continue to blacken the eye of the NFL. The sad thing is that if this thing gets settled, people will go back like lemmings, unlike what happened after the last MLB work stoppage.
- Here's a prediction: Cam Newton becomes the next 1st overall bust.
- The Cleveland Indians have the best record in baseball and after one month you have to wonder if they are for real. Heading into May 3: they are 8 games ahead of Detroit, 9.5 games ahead of Chicago and 10 games ahead of last year's Central Division champs Minnesota. If the Indians keep this distance heading into June it will be a fun summer for Chief Wahoo!!!
- The NHL Playoffs continue to roll along. I was really happy to see Nashville knock off the Canucks the other night in double OT. What is also pretty impressive is the number of people who showed up to welcome the Predators back to Nashville. The Canucks better be ready for a raucous crowd when Game 3 begins.
- The Sunday game between the Sharks and Red Wings was probably the worst game I've watched this playoff season. It almost reminded me of a youth hockey game. The Red Wings better get their act together or it could be an early exit.
- Boston defeated the Flyers last night in overtime to take a 2-0 lead heading back to Boston. Is this deja vu' all over again???
- Can't be any happier for Vinny Lecavalier. The Lightning have the Capitals on the ropes and Bruce Boudreau's job could be in jeopardy if his team gets knocked out. Quite frankly, I believe the Caps are done.
- Some joker has said that the NBA playoff was just as exciting as the NHL. Please!!!! There hasn't been one Game 7 yet in the NBA playoff.
- And finally, now that the tests on Phil Hughes have come back negative what's next???
U.S.A.!!! U.S.A.!!! U.S.A.!!!!
While watching the Mets-Phillies game last night, I received a message on my iphone indicating that President Obama was going to address the nation at 10:30pm. Seemed like it was going to be something big. Could it be greater involvement in Libya?? Was there another imminent threat??
I immediately switched to MSNBC and after15-20 minutes it was reported that Osama Bin Laden was dead. I was hoping that this was not a drone hit but that American forces actually killed him. Moments later the President announced to the world that American special forces engaged in a gunfight with the mastermind of 9/11 and killed him. They had the body and no Americans were hurt.
While the murder of this despicable individual will not undo the harm that he caused this country and the families who lost loved ones on that day, it does brings a measure of justice. It also gives us pride in knowing that the U.S. still has the ability to accomplish a special mission. Remember these types of missions are not a given. Things can go wrong as evidenced back in Iran in 1980 when the US tried to rescue the hostages that were taken by Iranian extremists only to have their helicopter crash and the mission failed.
God Bless our troops, God Bless President Obama, God Bless the United States of America!!!
Cashman Doing Great Job: Really???
This morning both New York dailies are praising Brian Cashman for unearthing such gems like Freddy Garcia, Bartolo Colon, Andruw Jones, Eric Chavez and Russell Martin. Now let me be fair, I loved the Russell Martin signing. Martin was a two-time All Star in the National League before injuries sidelined him. By the way, he's also only 28.
I liked the signings of Jones and Chavez. The Yanks have been notoriously weak on their bench and these two help to strengthen that and provides Joe Girardi with options. As far as the pitchers, I had no problem with Garcia. Having him as the number 5 starter was a decent move. Colon? I must admit that I am completely surprised by how well he has pitched. One can make the argument that he is the Yankees second best pitcher. So I guess all of that means that Cashman has done a great job. In fact, he's proud that he has "unearthed nuggets". Gene Michael once told Cashman that he needs to be a "prospector".
So let me see. The Yankee rotation is Sabathia, Burnett, Colon, Garcia and Nova. Hardly, intimidating for a playoff series. Maybe barely intimidating to win the AL East. The fact of the matter is that Brian Cashman made all the wrong moves going back to the 2010 trade deadline last July. It was then that he first got hung up over his love affair with acquiring Cliff Lee. The Mariners stuck it to him and he then decided that he would wait for free agency. But for a moment, what if Cashman had went after Dan Haren? Where would the Yankees be now?? Maybe Andy Pettite stays and Cashman could still have tried to sign Lee in December. Now how about this rotation: Sabathia, Haren, Pettite, Garcia and Nova.
To be fair, the situation with Phil Hughes could not have been predicted and certainly is unfortunate. However, the Hughes situation shows how fragile young pitchers are in spite of all the rules that the Yankees place on their young arms. In the end, as it stands right now, the most winningest young pitcher that the Yankees have come up with in the last 10 years has been Chien Ming Wang.
While Cashman has "cobbled" together a rotation to keep the ship afloat, the rest of the season is one injury to an over 30-something pitcher away from being torpedoed. The Rays are only 1 game behind and have a pitching staff that is younger and coming on. The Red Sox are 5 games out. The Yankees head into May having more road games than at home. The next 30 - 45 days will give us a good picture of where they will be as we head into the summer.
Cashman should know better than anyone that a trip to post season baseball isn't determined in April. It's way to early to be lauding the Yankee GM. I'll wait until October and let you know how well Cashman has done as GM.
Browns Draft: So Far So Good!!!
The Cleveland Browns made a steal with the trade that saw them get 4 extra picks from Atlanta, including the Falcons 2012 1st and 2nd round picks. So far the Browns have used their first three picks to address needs, particularly on the defensive side of the ball.
The selection of Phil Taylor in the first round came out of nowhere as I really had not heard much about Taylor in 1st round mock drafts. However, it makes sense to have a big body in the middle of the line. With Shawn Rogers gone, Taylor should be able to team up with Rubin to provide a difficult interior to run against.
Their first pick on Day 2 was an excellent one. The selection of the Big East Defensive Player of the Year, Jabaal Sheard, fills a need that the Browns have had forever: a legitimate pass rusher. I recall seeing a couple of Pitt games this past season and Sheard did make an impression. If Sheard can play to his potential and Taylor can be a run stopping force, the Browns have the making of an very good defensive line, again something they haven't had in years. In order to compete in the AFC North, you need a physical, tough defense. Add Sheard and Taylor with T.J. Ward, Rubin, Joe Haden and Scott Fujita and the Browns slowly begin to get playmakers on the defensive side of the ball.
With their second pick in the 2nd round, that they received from Atlanta, the Browns took wide receiver Greg Little from North Carolina. In reading mock drafts, Little's name was often mentioned as a second round pick and the Browns were at some points tied to him. Little is big, quick and excellent running after the catch. He played in a west coast offense at North Carolina so the system in Cleveland should be easy for him to pick up. The concern is that he missed the entire season last year as he was suspended for taking gifts. (Hmmmm.....Pryor and company get 5 games??)
As we all now there are no guarantees with draft picks. At this time of year, each team believes that they have helped themselves. None of these 3 Brown picks come without some concerns, mainly character issues. But I'm optimistic based on Tom Heckert's track record in Philadelphia and last year in Cleveland. I also think its clear that he gets the message that the defense needs to be tough and since they've been back, the Browns defense has been far from it. It certainly would have been real sexy to take Julio Jones, but Jones would not have made a difference next year. The added picks set the Browns up nicely as they potentially have 3 starters already selected and are set up nicely for the rest of the draft and more next year. 2012: 2 1st rounders and 2 2nd rounders.
The future looks bright. Finally, there is hope in Believeland!!!!
Round 2 – NHL Playoffs
Last night wrapped up one of the most exciting 1st rounds of the NHL playoffs that I can ever remember. In the East, 3 of the 4 series went to a Game 7. The last 7 nights have had at least one overtime game. We've seen blown 3 goal leads, teams being up two games and losing the series, and in the case of the Vancouver Canucks, a team being staked to a 3-0 lead in the series only to win the series 4-3 with an overtime win in Game 7.
It will be hard for the 2nd round to match what we have seen already. The East has some pretty interesting matchups. Boston will take on Philadelphia in a rematch from last season which saw the Flyers storm back from 3-0 deficit to win the series and send Bruin fans to jump in the Charles River. This year I think will be different. This series will be a bruising one as it always is when these two teams meet. The Bruins will have the edge in goal but so did the Sabres and it didn't matter to the Flyers. Both teams fought through adversity in the first round. This one could go 7 games because both teams have shown tremendous resiliency. In the end, the Bruins will not forget what happened last year. They also will be at full strength while I'm not sure what the status is of Chris Pronger and Jeff Carter. I'm going to take the Bruins in 7.
Washington-Tampa Bay will have all kinds of offensive stars on the ice and should be very entertaining. It will be interesting to see how the long lay-off will effect the Capitals. I think the Lightning were fortunate to be facing a game Pittsburgh team that was perservering without their two big stars: Crosby and Malkin. One would have to wonder how last night would have ended if those two were on the ice in the final 90 seconds of regulation when the Penguins were on the power play. I think the Lightning may have a slight edge in goal. In the end, the Capitals should prevail but it will take them 6 games to do it.
In the West, Vancouver will meet the Nashville Predators, who finally advanced past the 1st round of the playoffs. The Canucks could be poised for a good run in this series after having weathered the Chicago storm. There is no question the Canucks have more fire power and more talent. But the Predators are a tough defensive team who has a goalie, Pekka Rinne, who can match Roberto Luongo. The Canucks should win this one 4-2.
Perennial Western powers, Detroit and San Jose, will face off in what should be an excellent series. I think the goaltending is even as they can be very good or they can be mediocre. The Red Wings made easy work of the Coyotes while the Sharks struggled with the upstart Kings. In the end, I'm going with the Red Wings to win this one in six games.
As I've stated before there is nothing like the NHL playoffs. Every rush, every faceoff could mean victory or defeat, advancing or elimination. If your team is in it, the series consumes you every day and you end up being a nervous wreck. Sit back and lets hope the 2nd round is as good as the 1st.
The NFL can’t get out of it’s own way!!!
Yesterday the 32 NFL teams opened up their training facilities as a result of Judge Nelson's ruling lifting the league's lockout. When the players arrived they were told they couldn't use the weight room. They couldn't talk to their coaches. They basically had nothing to do but to leave. This from the league who's Commissioner says he cares about the fans.
Steve Serby's article (above) really puts this whole thing into perspective. It was the league who locked the players out. It was the league who wants more of the $9.3 billion pie even though not one team is losing money. It is the league that has been given a legal set back but continues to want a legal fight which will threaten the 2011 season.
What really is astonishing is that there is no recognition of what the average fan is going through right now. $4.00 a gallon gas prices, higher food costs as a result, frozen wages if your lucky to have a job and the uncertainty as to what's next. In the mean time, the NFL is going to fight over how they are going to divide the $9.3 billion pie with their employees. Insensitive, you bet it is. Arrogant, the NFL is the most arrogant sports league around.
If Commissioner Goodell truly cared about the fans, he would not be writing a column in the Wall Street Journal to defend his position while trashing the players. What he should be doing is getting on the phone with DeMaurice Smith, scheduling a meeting with their respective negotiating teams and agree to continue talking until a deal is done. The negotiation should be easy beacuse this isn't the NHL or NBA where franchises are in financial trouble. This is about the small market owners wanting more money and the big market owners looking to appease them. Whatever happen to acting in the best interest of the game.
It will be interesting to see what kind of reception Goodell gets at the draft on Thursday. If I was there I know what I would do every time he stepped to the podium: boo his ass like there was no tomorrow. Maybe that type of reception will shock some sense into him and send a message to the arrogance that is the NFL.
Tuesday’s Thoughts
While wondering if I will need a boat to get to work today, here is what's on my mind this morning:
*http://www.profootballweekly.com/2011/04/25/judge-nelson-lifts-lockout-nfl-appeals Judge Susan Nelson issued a ruling yesterday for all football fans by lifting the NFL lockout which means that players can report to work this morning. This is great news, particularly for teams like the Cleveland Browns who are looking to install a new offensive scheme under new coach Pat Shurmur. Of course, the owners continue to look like the greedy hogs that they are by planning to file an appeal today to place a stay on Judge Nelson's ruling. Their appeal will be presented to the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals. The players have indicated through DeMaurice Smith that they are williing to continue negotiations with the owners. The owners: they would rather go to court and prove their point. And Commissioner Roger Goodell tells us he cares about the fans. Pleeeeeeaassseeee.
* http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/writers/stewart_mandel/04/25/ohio-state-tressel-ncaa/index.html Well, the NCAA has issued its Notice of Allegations to Ohio State University regarding Coach Jim Tressel. As is accurately stated in the article from SI, the wording of the notice is similar to that submitted to the University of Tennessee regarding basketball coach Bruce Pearl. By the way, Tennessee removed Pearl from his job. The same should happen to Tressel. He lied to his employer and in essence was involved in a cover-up. Great example for the student athletes who he cares about so much. If Tressel is not removed, Ohio State is a joke. Up to this point, people in Columbus continue to defend Tressel. This defense could lead to severe NCAA imposed sanctions against the Buckeyes.
* Tonight three of the most exciting NHL playoff series resume tonight, two in Game 7 situations. The early games match Game 6 between the Bruins and Canadiens and the Game 7 war between the Flyers and the Sabres. I'll be watching the game at the Bell Centre mainly because I can't stand Sabre broadcaster Rick "Pork Chop" Jennereat. The Sabres have blown two 3 goal leads, ultimately winning one game in overtime and losing one in overtime. Anything can happen tonight and I would not be surprised with whoever wins. The Bell Centre will be ablaze tonight as the Canadiens will try to stave off elimination. Meanwhile, the late game pits the defending champion Black Hawks against the choking Vancouver Canucks. The Canucks led this series 3-0 and led in Game 6 throughout the game except for when it counted, in overtime. For a hockey fan, tonight is going to be AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!
* The NFL Draft begins on Thursday and I am not sure who my Browns will pick. I'm not sold on Robert Quinn. The Browns don't have very good luck with players who have had issues in college. I have to have faith in Tom Heckert based on the excellent draft he had last year. Would love to get Marcell Dareus but he probably won't be there when the Browns pick at number 6. Also wouldn't mind seeing the Browns take a flyer on Alabama QB Greg McElroy late in the draft. The kid's a winner.
* http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/blog/shutdown_corner/post/The-worst-No-7-pick-ever-Choosing-biggest-bust?urn=nfl-wp1194 Take a look at this article. It's pretty interesting.
* Bud Selig wants to expand the number of playoff teams by adding an additional wild card team. The plan is to have a best 2 out of 3 with the winner playing the team with the best record. Many players have come out against it. I wonder how is this going to prevent the World Series from being played in November. Once again, its all about the money and Selig shows again that he doesn't give a damn about the integrity of the game.
* And finally, can you find 4 bigger lackeys that run major sports than Goodell, Selig, Gary Bettman and David Stern. The NHL, NBA and MLB have teams in financial trouble which probably is a good reason for contraction and is a result of the mismanagement of their commissioners who are all about lining the pockets of their bosses who are the owners. The NFL?? Financial trouble?? Please!!! I guess I've answered my own question: it's Goodell.
1st Round NHL Playoffs: Awesome!!!
In my opinion there is nothing more exciting than the NHL playoffs, particularly the first round and this year has been no different. Best series without a doubt has been the Canadiens-Bruins series. An Original 6 rivalry, long-storied playoff history and the Chara-Pacioretty incident has really made this a compelling series to watch. Not to mention two unreal overtime games that has seen the Bruins storm back after losing the first two at home to take a 3-2 lead in the series. Game 6 at the Bell Centre will be wild.
The Buffalo-Philadelphia series has been a war of attrition with the Sabres looking to close out the Flyers today at HSBC. Quite honestly I'm not surprised as the Flyers played terribly the last 6 weeks of the season. The Capitals closed out the Rangers 4-1. The back breaker was Game 4 at MSG when the Rangers blew a 3 goal lead in the 3rd period and ultimately lost in overtime. The Caps look they might be poised for a late run.
The Pittsburgh-Tampa Bay series has also been interesting as Steve Stamkos finally broke loose in Pittsburgh. But what really needs to be emphasized is the great work that Coach Dan Bylsma has done with his team. How many teams could be on the verge of advancing without Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin? The truth be told the Penguins have really exhibited teamwork without their big stars since early January.
While the Red Wings rolled over the Coyotes, the Kings are giving the Sharks all they can handle which doesn't surprise me in the least. I guess we are witnessing why Jonathan Quick was on the US Olympic team last year as he has been outstanding making 51 saves last night. And then there are the Nashville Predators, the Rodney Dangerfields of the NHL, who lead the Anaheim Ducks 3-2.
But what has become one of the most intriguing series is the Chicago-Vancouver match-up. The Canucks had the defending champs on the ropes as they swept the first 3 games. But the Black Hawks have roared back running Roberto Luongo out of the net in the last two games. Game 6 is tonight at the United Center. It will be wild and if the Hawks win tonight I think they will win Game 7.
If the rest of the Stanley Cup Playoffs are anything like what we have seen thus far, its going to be an awesome Run to the Cup. The only thing that could be better was if the Maple Leafs were in it. Wait until next year!!!!!
Francesa Nails It: The NFL Is A Disgrace!
On Tuesday I had the opportunity to watch Mike Francesa on the Yes Network. Later that evening, the NFL was going to come out with its 2011 schedule. As Francesa appropriately stated, it's kind of ridiculous that they had to devote a whole show on their own NFL Network to unveil their upcoming schedule. A schedule that could be moot if reason doesn't prevail.
As the show went on, Francesa accurately (in my opinion) characterized the whole NFL situation. "It's the haves and the have-mores." And what he was referring to was not the players and the owners but the haves are the owners of the Bills, Bengals, Panthers, etc. and the have-mores are the owners of the Cowboys, Giants, Jets, Redskins, etc. This is where the problem lies because the haves are pissed off that they are not making as much money as the have-mores. But understand, the haves are making money. Lots of money.
You need to know that I consider Mike Francesa an NFL guy. He loves the NFL. In fact, I would consider him a defender of the NFL. This is a guy who used to be on the old NFL Today on CBS. He has plenty of contacts throughout the league and that's why I enjoy his Sunday morning show during the football season. That's why when he lays out his opinion on the lockout, like he did on Tuesday, it makes me know that my own perception of what was going on is accurate.
Several times Francesa referred to the NFL owners as pigs and that the whole thing is a disgrace. I couldn't agree more. As he accurately pointed out, the NFL is not losing money. There are no NFL teams that are losing money. This is not the NHL which had a shutdown for a year because teams were on the brink of solvency. This is not the NBA, where teams are losing money and a shutdown/lockout is imminent. This is the NFL with an annual revenue take of 9.3 billion dollars. That's more than MLB, NBA and NHL combined!!!!
In the end, the only ones suffering will be the fans and those businesses in the 32 cities that depend on the NFL season to make a profit. But Commissioner Roger Goodell says the NFL cares about the fans. Doesn't look that way to me. The NFL gouges its fans. Think about it. Every new stadium has now what is called PSL's. In other words, in order to have the honor of purchasing season tickets you have to purchase a personal seating license. What a freaking joke!!!!! By the way, these PSL's are in the thousands. Have you bought a beer or anything to eat at an NFL game??? Unreal.
Then let's look at the NFL Sunday Ticket. First, you have to be a DirecTV subscriber which only gives you the privilege to purchase the NFL Sunday Ticket. A purchase that is $335 for a 17 week season. MLB Extra Innings and NHL Center Ice (which I subscribe to) are much cheaper and you get more games over a longer period of time. It's a joke!!!
I'm in agreement with Mike: The NFL IS A DISGRACE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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