Where Have You Gone Phil Rizzuto??
All of us remember the iconic line in Simon & Garfunkel's hit song, Mrs. Robinson: "Where have you gone Joe DiMaggio our nation turns its lonely eyes to you." Well, Yankee fans who are over the age of 35 are now asking the question: "Where have you gone Phil Rizzuto Yankee nation turns its lonely eyes to you." Besides his mindless self-promotion, Kay is flat out terrible. Last night, Joe Girardi was coming to take out Bartolo Colon and Kay proclaims that he's bringing in the left-hander Boone Logan. However, it was clear on the TV screen that he was motioning for a righthander which happened to be Cory Wade.
Over the weekend in Minnesota there were numerous faux pax on the part of Kay. Bob Raissman, Sports TV critic for the Daily News, refers to Kay as Beavis. I love that so from now on we'll refer to him as the big headed goofy 90's cartoon character.
Monday was an off day for the Yanks so I had the opportunity to watch Ron Guidry's 18 strikeout game against the Angels back in 1978. Besides bringing some great memories back (I remember watching the game outside up on my parents porch), what a pleasure hearing Frank Messer, Bill White, Fran Healey and the incomparable Phil Rizzuto broadcast the game. There wasn't any stupid talk. No self-promotion. No mindless statistics. It was flat out baseball. What I also found enjoyable was how every 2nd or 3rd inning they would go over the out-of-town scoreboard. Not only would the scores be given but there would be a little bit of discussion about the teams involved. For example they gave a White Sox score and talked about how the AL West was really tightening up. It was classic Rizzuto who boldly predicted in the 8th inning that Guidry would break the most strikeouts in a game record. (He fell short)
Rizzuto, while considered a homer, knew his baseball and was very entertaining. He also called it the way he saw it, not afraid to criticize when necessary. It was really great to remember what Yankee baseball used to be on TV. When the Yankees were recently in KC, Bob Lorenz was doing the play-by-play as I'm sure Beavis had commitments with 1050 ESPN Radio (as he likes to remind us). I thought Lorenz was great. There was no self-promoting. A broadcast team of Lorenz, Singleton and any one of the ex-Yankees would be perfect.
Some may say that part of the problem is that Beavis is not an ex-player. But in the 70's foursome, Frank Messer never played the game yet he was a professional broadcaster. He knew the game. He had previously broadcasted for the Baltimore Orioles. There are many good baseball broadcasters who are not former ball players. Dwayne Staats who does the Tampa Bay Rays games is a classic example. He knows the game, has a great voice and there is no nonsense. And by the way, he used to do Yankee games.
Unfortunately, Beavis has probably kissed a lot of Yankee behind so that we are stuck with him. It's rather sad that the biggest team in the biggest city in the country is stuck with such a terrible play-by-play guy. FIRE! FIRE! FIRE! Ughhhh.
Tuesday’s Thoughts
While wondering how long Kris Kardashian and Kris Humphries will remain married here's what else is on my mind this morning:
* I know its only preseason but I'm really excited about Colt McCoy. McCoy was banged around by the Lions on Friday but managed to throw 3 TDs and had is team up at halftime. It seems like McCoy and Head Coach Pat Shurmur have something going so far as they seem to be on the same page. And Shurmur is calling the plays. Maybe, just maybe, things are looking up in Believeland.
* Speaking of Shurmur, kudos for him in immediately addressing Greg Little's actions after he caught a touchdown pass in Friday's game. Little decided to drop kick the football into the end zone. I don't have a problem with TD celebrations, but that is over the top and Shurmur felt the same way and he let the rookie know it. Hopefully Little gets the message as he has plenty of talent and doesn't need to be Braylon Edwards Part II.
* The Yankees defense of AJ Burnett is getting roasted in the New York dailies. Check out Bill Madden's article in today's Daily News. Madden hits the nail on the head: Burnett needs to be the odd man out of the Yankee rotation.
* Isn't it amazing that despite being 2-10 against Boston, the Yankees are 1 game ahead of the Red Sox and 2 games up in the loss column. The Yankees could have a comfortable lead right now if they had split the season series. That's why next week's 3 game series at Fenway is a big one.
* Plenty of talk about Curtis Granderson's chances of being named AL MVP. I would love to see it happen as I don't think there's a better guy than Granderson in all of professional sports. That being said, I don't think he will get it because I believe there is an anti-Yankee bias as evidenced by Derek Jeter not getting the award several years ago.
* The local media is already fed up with the Buffalo Bills. In a column yesterday in the Buffalo News, Mike Harrington ripped the Bills for not addressing needs and being flat out sloppy. At the very end Harrington says that three words will soon take over the town: "drop the puck".
* Speaking of the local media, its really sad how sportscasters have denigrated themselves by buying into the Entercom philosophy that their "sports talk" station needs to be more than sports. Chris "the Bulldog" Parker used to do sports talk on week night evenings on WBEN. It was a pretty good show and The Bulldog talked all sports. He was quite knowledgeable. Howard Simon had moved all around local radio and was a quality sports guy. On WNSA, Simon was really good and when they simulcasted with the old Empire network I used to make it a point of catching a part of his show. Both of these guys are now a shadow of themselves. While they both have the ability to be all-around sports talkers, in order to keep getting the Entercom green they need to talk about how much pizza Simon ate the night before, be movie critics and do nonsense polls on things that have nothing to do with sports. Oh well, I guess they have to earn a living, too bad they had to sell out.
* Another member of the WGR lineup is Mike Schopp. Schopp also was a very knowledgeable sports guy when he was on WNSA. He was someone else who I made a point of listening too. He also had an audition with ESPN Radio. For awhile he was on the national ESPN Saturday afternoon radio broadcasts. But obviously that went nowhere. I wonder if that had anything to do with the fact that Schopp is now viewed as one of the most arrogant and obnoxious hosts on WGR. It's really too bad since the kid could have been a contender. Instead he decided to be a big fish in a small pond.
* Reports of the violence that took place at the 49ers-Raiders game the other night is truly a disgrace and a sad commentary on today's society. This is the second incident in California where there were serious injuries between fans of different teams at a sporting event. I'm all about rivalries. I think they are great. Being a Yankee fan I hate the Red Sox. Being a Browns fan I hate the Steelers. Being a Leafs fan I hate the Canadiens. But would I fight or shoot a fan of those teams: NO!!! In fact, as long as they don't get in my face I'm good with them sitting right next to me at a game. I know how it feels to be at a game and feel like you are goiing to get into a fight. That's why I don't go to Buffalo when the Browns or Leafs are in town.
* The hypocrisy of the adults surrounding the NCAA and specifically NCAA Football rivals that of members of the Republican Party. The guy who laid the hammer down on USC is Paul Dee. Dee was the former AD at Miami. He had harsh words for USC when the penalty was handed down all the while his own football program was a modern day Sodom and Gomorrah. The football players are not to blame here. The blame is with those in charge. There hypocrites!!!
Yankees Have A Keeper In Nova
In the 5th inning of yesterday's game against the Twins, rookie Ivan Nova was faced with runners on 2nd and 3rd with none out as a result of Curtis Granderson and Nick Swiisher misplaying a fly ball in right centerfield. So what does the kid do??? He strikes out the next two batters and then gets the third out on a weak grounder to Mark Teixiera. That sequence shows me that the Yanks have a keeper in Nova. Certainly gives one hope that this kid can perform in October.
As the Yankees head home for 3 games against Oakland, before heading back out on the road again, they find themselves one-half game ahead of the Red Sox. It's not asking for much to expect a sweep of the A's. With ARod back in the lineup, the Yankees offensively should be primed for their next week matchup at Fenway Park. And that is what's left for this season: to win the AL East crown. The Yankees will make the playoffs. It's a question of getting home field throughout or heading out on the road.
In the mean time, the Yankees have reason to be excited about their young pitchers, Ivan Nova and Phil Hughes. As I stated yesterday, this bodes so well for the future and to me this is what this season is all about. And who knows, the Yanks could win it all too.
Don't forget check out Tuesday's Thoughts tomorrow.
Enough!!! Get This Guy Out of Here!!!
A week or so ago Yankee GM Brian Cashman told members of the media and Yankee fans that they needed to "smoke the objective pipe" when looking at AJ Burnett. Well, last night I wished I had something else in that pipe to take me away from one of the worst pitching performances I have seen from an $82 million pitcher. With the Royals knocking off the Red Sox, the Yanks had an opportunity to extend their lead to 1 1/2 games in the AL East. But before they batted in the third inning they were already down 7-0 thanks to Burnett.
Burnett is a mess and his antics when he is taken out of a game due to his own poor performances is really becoming a worn out act. But what is more disturbing is the defense put up by Cashman and now just as vehemently by Joe Girardi. Girardi had to know that he was going to be questioned by the media as a result of Burnett's mutterings as he was walking off the mound. It was also picked up on camera that Girardi followed Burnett into the clubhouse. When questioned about all of this Girardi blew up. The Yankee manager is tired of having to deal with this and tired of the media wanting to make something out of his relationship with Burnett. The organization seems to be tired of the fans and the media questioning Burnett's ability. Well, there's one way to stop all the questions and scrutiny: PITCH WELL!!
As fans we are all tired of hearing about what great stuff Burnett has. How nasty his curve ball is and the incredible God-given ability he possesses. Well, if all of this is true then why is he 9-10 with a 4.96 ERA on a team with the second best record in all of major league baseball. If all of this is true why has he had only one season where he has won more than 13 games and is 32-34 as a Yankee with a 4.71 ERA. And please don't tell me, as that jerk Michael Kay did last night, that this is the number 2 starter on the 2009 World Series team. Closer examination of Burnett's post season performance in 2009 reflects a pitcher who started 5 games and was 1-1 with a 5.26 ERA. He may have followed CC in the rotation but the guy who was the legitimate number 2 in 2009 was Andy Pettitte.
The Yankees need to "smoke the objective pipe" and realize that this guy is shot. He's a head case in the long line of free agent pitching head cases ( Ed Whitson, Kevin Brown, Carl Pavano...to name a few) that the Yankees have spent millions of dollars on and have received nothing in return except excuses and nonsense behavior. If Burnett is on the playoff roster its a damn joke. Time will tell but if the Yanks were smart they would eat salary and send Burnett off to the National League for a bucket of balls and some objective pipes.
There’s No Doubt: Hughes Belongs In The Rotation
Yesterday I finally was able to get a TV hooked up outside so I could enjoy a summer night while watching sports, particularly Yankee Baseball. It couldn't have been a better night!!! Comfortable evening, a cold drink, a nice cigar and a pitching gem from Phil Hughes. Hughes was in total command last night, going into the 8th inning and allowing only 2 hits. It was the Phil Hughes that made him an All-Star last year. It's Phil Hughes who deserves to be in the rotation and be on the mound during the month of October.
It's becoming clearer to me that the Yankees October chances will hinge on CC Sabathia, Phil Hughes and Ivan Nova. Bartolo Colon has hit the wall. He could help the Yanks by being put in the bullpen and being available for long relief if necessary, particularly since we know that AJ Burnett will pitch in a playoff series. Freddy Garcia, while doing a good job for the Yanks this season, is not the type of pitcher who can be successful in October. He's a number 5 starter and in the playoffs you don't need a number 5.
If the Yanks go with Nova and Hughes in October, regardless of whether they win or lose, it will be a success. The degree of success will be based on their performance. But for the future, playoff experience will be invaluable. In the end, it's not about this season. It's about setting up for another era of Yankee dominance. With Hughes and Nova, the Yankees will have the building blocks to establish another strong core as we await the coming of the kids in Scranton and Trenton.
Pryor Suspension – Right Move
In reading stories from various outlets, there is a considerable amount of condemnation over Roger Goodell's decision to allow Terrell Pryor to enter the NFL supplemental draft but he will have to serve a 5 game suspension. It is the suspension that has some people in an uproar. I think I am in the minority but I don't have a problem with the suspension.
There are some who say that the Pryor suspension sets a dangerous precedent and they paint a scenario where a player gets into a fight while in college, gets disciplined at school and possibly charged criminally. Why wouldn't that player be given a suspension?? Typically, in cases like the one posed, the player does suffer a penalty: they get drafted lower. How many times do we hear about so-called character issues.
While I don't condone such actions and quite frankly if there is a pattern of behavior I would not want my team to draft such a player, the Pryor situation is different in my mind because Pryor's acts strike right at the core of college football. College football is the NFL's minor league system. If the NCAA is ultimately damaged by the creation of a new oragnization comprised of the BCS conferences, it is unclear what the relationship will be with this new organization and the NFL.
It is in the NFL's best interest to ensure that NCAA College Football cleans up its act. The NFL can send a strong message to college football. In fact, I would like to see players not be allowed to enter the draft unless they graduate. I'll even propose something more drastic: if a program is found in violation of NCAA rules, players from that university would not be eligible for the NFL draft for the length of the penalties.
Will any of this happen??? Absolutely not!!! But drastic times requires drastic measures. Kudos to Roger Goodell.
College Football Is Burning
The recent report of unbelievable violations committed by the University of Miami should be the fuse that sets off an explosion which would result in major changes in college atheltics specifically college football. Unfortunately, it won't happen. College football is big business. While the NCAA tries to sell the whole purity of the sport story, the truth is that college football is about as pure as the creeps who work on Wall Street and the bankers and oil men who are living high off the hog.
The Miami story is similar to Ohio State in that the AD, the University administration and football coaches knew what was going on with one Nevin Shapiro. To think that 18,19 and 20 year old kids, who may come from impoverished backgrounds, would not jump at the chance to get large amounts of money, get new cars and attend lavish parties with strippers is totally unrealistic. I don't blame these kids. The blame needs to be placed on the adults. The very people who were supposed to be looking out for these kids. The fact is they could careless about these kids as long as they perform on the field so the University can rake in the cash.
Eight major college football programs have been penalized or are under investigation. (USC, Ohio State, Auburn, Oregon, Michigan, North Carolina, Georgia Tech, LSU) and the NCAA sits idly by and watches. My initial reaction is that Miami needs to have the death penalty dropped on them. However, that probably won't happen. There are some who believe that it won't happen because the NCAA fears that if Miami gets hammered, the big football programs will end up breaking away from the NCAA and create their own organization. This organization would be basically the BCS which is comprised of the big conferences. The mid-majors and small schools will all that will be left for the NCAA and as a result they would be powerless and lose plenty of money.
College football is burning. The NCAA is on the spot. Will they do the right thing and drop the death penalty on Miami or will they give them a slap on the wrist. Stay tuned.
NFL News
Here's what is going on around the NFL:
* Jermichael Finley had a promising start last season before an injury ended his 2010 campaign. Well, the Packers are hopeful that Finley will be back on the field possibly for this week's second preseason game.
* The Chicago Bears were not happy with the performance of second string quarterback Caleb Hanie in last Saturday's game against the Bills. Apparently, rookie Nathan Enderle is getting reps with the Bears second team offense. Not sure what this is all about. Maybe a motivational move to wake Hanie up. Whatever the case, the Bears need to get this situation worked out.
* Jimmy Clausen is scheduled to start once again this week for the Carolina Pathers against Miami. Coach Ron Rivera indicated that a decision will be made as to who the starter will be by the August 25th preseason game against the Bengals. Claussen's competition is overal 1st round draft pick Cam Newton.
* Speaking of the Bengals, Mike Brown's ridiculous stance on Carson Palmer's demand to be traded is typical of an owner who is a joke. Palmer has been a consumate professional and at age 31 sees the handwriting on the wall: the Bengals will be bad for awhile. Palmer could probably bring back a reasonably high draft pick back to Cincinnati but Brown refuses to budge. If I was a Bengal fan, they wouldn't see me at a game this year.
* Chris Johnson is out of his mind wanting to be one of the highest paid players in the NFL. The Titans are ready to pay Johnson Adrian Peterson money but that's not good enough. Johnson wants to be paid like a quarterback. Well, that's not happening. The average career length of an NFL running back is far shorter than that of an NFL quarterback.
* The Washington Redskins have announced that John Beck will start this week at quarterback and the word is that the Shanahans have already made the decision that he will be their starter. So much for Rex Grossman.
* Mike Sims-Walker may be a big find for the St. Louis Rams this season as he wants to prove that the Jacksonville Jaguars made a huge mistake letting him go. Sims-Walker could be somebody to keep an eye on for fantasy purposes.
* Earl Thomas, safety for the Seattle Seahawks, is having an outstanding camp so far. The former Longhorn star is drawing comparisons to All-Pro Raven safety Ed Reed.
* The Buffalo Bills have cut Aaron Maybin. Maybin, the former first round pick, is another of a line of light Penn State defensive ends who were drafted in the 1st round only to be cut. (Michael Haynes - Bears, Courtney Brown - Browns) I can't believe that Maybin came into camp at 228. Several teams have contacted Maybin's agent, including the Jets. It would seem that if Maybin has a future its at OLB.
* Don't know why but I'm really thinking the Kansas City Chiefs can be an exciting team to watch this year. Matt Cassel will have Dwayne Bowe, Steve Breaston, rookie Jonathan Baldwin and tight end Tony Moeaki as his receiving corp. This coupled with star running back Jamaal Charles and Le Ron McClain should make the Chiefs an exciting team to watch this year.
Tuesday’s Thoughts
While wondering what's more disgusting deep fried butter or a hamburger in between a glazed donut here is what else is on my mind:
* Well, well, well, AJ Burnett finally got off his August losing streak as the Yankees came back and defeated the Royals 7-4. Burnett did his usual one inning melt down in the 5th inning, blowing a 2-0 lead by giving up 3 runs in the bottom of the 5th. In 5 1/3 innings, the Blonde Bomber gave up 10 hits and struck out 2. Hardly confidence inspiring but I'm sure Mr. Cashman is pleased.
http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/yankees/2011/08/16/2011-08-16_colon_in_pen_could_relieve_rotation_logjam.html Filip Bondy's article today in the Daily News is exactly what I have been thinking since Cashman told us all to smoke the reality pipe. Bondy is right on the money when he says that it would be a huge mistake for this season and the future if you play games with Ivan Nova and Phil Hughes. Since Burnett is not going to the bullpen by Cashman's edict, Bartolo Colon to the pen makes sense. Interesting Colon stats in the article.
* Yesterday in the NY Post, there was an article where Jorge Posada said he loves the Yankee fans but if he decides to play next year it could be with another team. Don't let the door hit you on the way out, Jorge.
* In direct contrast to Posada is Bernie Williams. Williams just walked away when he was not guaranteed a roster spot in 2007. I don't ever recall Bernie saying a bad thing about the Yankees since he has left. It's a disgrace that the high muckety-mucks in Yankeeland have not had a Bernie Williams Day. Williams was just as important as the Core Four and in case you forgot, was a homegrown product.
* There was a good article in the last edition of Sports Illustrated about Bears quarterback Jay Cutler. Cutler has taken all kinds of heat for coming out of last year's NFC title game in spite of the fact that he suffered a Grade II tear of the medial-collateral ligament in his left knee and as a result couldn't plant and throw. Players, such as the genius Maurice Jones-Drew, called Cutler out calling him gutless. Cutler was sacked 52 times last year, the most of any quarterback in the NFL in 2010. Do you remember the Giants game when he was sacked 9 times in the first half!!! This is also a guy who plays while being a Type 1 diabetic. Cutler is also a professional athlete who does quite a bit of work for various charities with the understanding that he doesn't think its necessary to broadcast it to everyone. And that's why Cutler isn't looked favorably by the media, he doesn't go out of his way to cater to them. I'd take Jay Cutler on my team any day, not only for his athletic ability but also because of his off the field endeavors.
* Read yesterday that during the lockout, Colt McCoy went down to Mississippi to meet with Brett Farve to talk about the West Coast offense. Farve of course played under Mike Holmgren so it would make sense for Colt to pick Farve's brain. McCoy's 2011 debut was certainly impressive against the Packers. I'm liking this kid more and more.
* Last week I touched on the sad state of sports radio here in Western New York. While all markets tend to focus on their own teams, the Buffalo Sports Station, WGR550 covers only the Bills and the Sabres 365 days a year. Pennant races, March Madness, World Series are all non-existent on GR. But that's what happens when there is no competition. About 10 years ago or so, Western New Yorkers had options with WWKB Radio and WNSA. It raised the level of the product. Now, with no competition, sports talk turns into talk about how much pizza one of the co-hosts ate and compiling lists of favorite foods and movies. Hard hitting sports talk?? Give me a break!! The smug morning co-host Jeremy White would say: why do you listen if you don't like it. My response: I don't listen but my local sources keep me posted on what's going on with the best sports radio station in Buffalo.
* Congrats to Jim Thome for hitting his 600th home run last night. In fact, he hit is 599th and 600th against the Tigers in their 9-6 win. Thome is a throwback to the sluggers from the 60's and 70's. You've never heard his name mentioned with any performance enhancing drugs.
More troubling news out of college football as it's being reported on CBS Sportsline that the University of Miami's football team is being investigated for special favors and money being given to players. This allegedly happened prior to the current coaching staff. Let's see: USC, North Carolina, Oregon, Ohio State and now Miami. Hmmmm....there's no problem in NCAA Football.
* We also see that Texas A&M is looking to bolt the Big 12 and go to the SEC. What's pushing this is the fact that the Big 12 has allowed Texas University to have its own television network called "The Longhorn Network". The Aggies are concerned because this would give the Longhorns an even greater advantage in recruiting the many talented Texas high school football players.
* And finally, do you think the WGR guys know where Texas A&M is???
Mo & CC Least Of Yanks Worries
Over the past weekend, the New York dailies and Yankee fans have been wringing their hands over the latest pitching performances by Mariano Rivera and CC Sabathia. Take a chill pill, please!! With respect to Mariano, for the last several years we have seen Rivera go through a couple of rough outings and then he bounces back to his old dominating self again. If every time a closer went out their in the 9th inning and it was automatic why even play the inning?? As Yankee fans we have been spoiled by the most effective closer in modern time. But to expect him to be perfect every time is totally ridiculous. Yesterday I was watching the Pirates-Brewers game and the Pirates brought their All-Star closer Joel Hanrahan in to get a 4 out save. The Pittsburgh broadcast team was very confident. But Ryan Braun tied the game off Hanrahan and the Brewers went on to the win the game in extra innings. Now, am I comparing Hanrahan with the great Rivera?? No, but I'm sure today Pirate fans aren't questioning whether this is it for their closer.
Sabathia has had two rough outings, the latest being Friday night when he gave up 5 solo home runs to the Tampa Bay Rays. The sky was definitely falling now. But interestingly enough, two other aces got pounded Saturday, Jered Weaver and Josh Beckett. Should Angel and Red Sox fans be ready to jump off the bandwagon??? Hardly. While I am concerned about CC's stats against the Red Sox, the 5 solo home runs was one game. I do believe that Girardi made a mistake by giving Sabathia an extra day's rest. Pitchers like a steady routine and CC hinted that the extra day did throw off his schedule.
The Yankees have other concerns besides Rivera and Sabathia. As a fan, I'm more worried about AJ Burnett and management's undying loyalty to him, the DH spot in the lineup, who will be the number two starter in the playoffs and can they beat the Red Sox.
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