In 2003, Chris Hammond is traded to the Oakland A’s shortly after asking kids if they’ve ever “popped a wheelie” in a public service announcement.

Just nine years after the Ken Phelps-for-Jay Buhner debacle, the New York Yankees relived backpage backlash when they negotiated with the San Diego Padres for the rights to Hideki Irabu. The Yankees ultimately sent Rafael Medina, $3 million, and the “wallet thief” Ruben Rivera to Gwynn Country in exchange for the “pussy toad,” signing him to a $12.8 million, four-year contract. While Irabu won two more World Series rings than Don Mattingly and Pete Best combined, he finished his MLB career with a dismal 5.15 ERA in 514 innings. To his credit, Irabu stands as the only Yankee player in history to be mentioned by name in the “Seinfeld” finale.

While every one is pondering why Roy Halladay is needed on the Yankees (he isn’t), I want to focus on the first free agent deal that Brian Cashman will attempt to get done.

After Johnny Damon finally helped the New York Yankees back to the World Series, and winning their first title since 2001, he is a free agent again. And every time Damon has been a free agent, he has changed teams. He was the good corporate guy who said all the right things before, during and after the big parade down the Canyon of Heroes.

Damon would “love to be a Yankee again,” and he wants “to end my career in New York.”

But after making the defining play of this years World Series with his double steal, smart dash to third base, it appears Damon does want more of the Yankees…more of their money and more years in his contract.  

Before his breakout in the 2009 post season, it was widely thought that the Yankees and Damon would agree to a one year deal with incentives, similar to what Andy Pettitte signed with New York last off season. That type of situation would work well for bothe sides; the Yankees would retain the popular Damon with reasonable dollar figures and Damon would continue to play his usual 150+ games per season.

Damon would play mostly left field and occasionally DH to give his 36 year old legs a rest.

Now Damon (his wife, Michelle and agent Scott Boras) says that many teams are interested in his services, and he has told friends that he will not give the Yankees a discount to stay with the World Champs.

There is no other way to say this – Johnny Damon is a moron. Simply put, if he leaves the Yankees then he is a very stupid individual.

While a member of the Boston Red Sox, Damon was considered one of the “idiots” of their 2004 World Series title team.

That name aptly fits this older version of Damon, too.

After finally experiencing a World Championship in the best city to win a sports title of any kind, Damon wants more money. His agent has bandied about needing a four year deal for the 36 year old outfielder. But Boras’ free agent rants never get his client was he says they deserve.

In separate interviews Boras has said that Damon should get the same type of deal that Yankee catcher Jorge Posada (also 36 at the time) received prior to the 2008 season. Then Boras said that Damon “made Derek Jeter” by hitting behind him this season and his client compares favorably (saber and fantasy stst wisw) to the Yankee captain over the last three seasons. He stated that “whatever the Yankees plan on doing with Jeter long-term, Damon deserves similar consideration.”

Problem for Boras and Damon is that the decision on Johnny will come well before any work on Jeter’s new deal begins.

Also, Boras does not realize (or maybe he does and is just blowing his usual smoke), that the Yankees really needed Posada that off season, as they had nothing in their system at the catching position remotely close to the major leagues and the other choices available in free agency or via trades were terrible.  At that time Francisco Cervelli had finished his first full season in the minors at High A Tampa.

In fact, the Yankees were willing to give Posada a three-year deal, but had to go the extra year because Jorge was being courted by Omar Minaya and the New York Mets, and at that time, the best available catcher was their own backup Jose Molina or free agent Paul LoDuca. Also, Alex Rodriguez had already opted out of his Yankee deal at that time, and the Yankees were in desperate need of  right handed power, something the switch-hitting Posada provided.

Also, Posada plays a more demanding position (although not as well as his younger years) and was a mainstay Yankee from their dynasty years.

Not quite the same situation as with Damon is it Mr. Boras? But when have you ever been reasonable in your free agent demands?

And in regards to comparing Damon to Mr. Jeter, a five-time World Series winner, de facto leader of the Yankees over the last 10 years, this generation’s version of Joe DiMaggio and a sure fire first-ballot Hall of Famer… well I guess I just said all their needs to be said.

As the title of the piece says, Damon needs the Yankees more than the Yankees need him. Their are quite a few left fielders available via free agency (Jason Bay and Matt Holliday) and within the Yankees own system – they can promote Austin Jackson, and have a trio of Jackson, Melky Cabrera and Brett Gardner man center and left field. Lefty power can then be supplied by Juan Miranda or re-signing Eric Hinske.

Or the rumored trade involving the Yankees and Detroit Tigers for center fielder Curtis Granderson would move Cabrera to left field and Granderson in center will supply the lefty power Damon provided last season. While I personally do not like Granderson for the Yankees, it is another option for Brian Cashman.

According to reports Damon has options, too. Remember that even Damon said several teams have shown interest. Those teams include the San Francisco Giants and Chicago White Sox (very early reports). But lefty hitters are a dime a dozen. What most teams need is righty power such as Bay and Holliday. The Red Sox, Rangers, Rays and a dozen other teams fit this category.

And from what I remember, Damon hits left handed. So I do believe some teams are interested in a guy who put up a line of .284/.365/.489 this season with an OPS+ of 126. It is just that those teams are not good and would be in Damon’s worst interest to sign with them.

Damon needs to think about himself first, but not in the monetary sense, but in terms of legacy. It is what every person wonders – how will I be remembered in this game, business, job, family etc? And in major league baseball, legacy is determined by World Series Championships and the Hall of Fame.

According to baseball-reference.com, Damon has made a tick over $97 million in his baseball career. Assuming he hasn’t blown it all (and TMZ is more busy following Tiger Woods’ life), he is pretty well set, as are his children, his future grandchildren AND THEIR future grandchildren!

Unless you are Montgomery Brewster, a person can’t even begin to spend all that cash.

In other words Damon doesn’t need any more money.

What Damon does need is more career hits, runs, doubles,  HR’s and RBI’s. Evidenced by his never being in the Top 10 of any MVP vote, Damon has not been dominating in any aspect of his game during any part of his career.

Damon needs to accumulate stats to even get a whiff of the Hall of Fame. He has two World Series rings, but Damon needs to get 3,000 hits, needs to get to around 1,800 runs scored, needs 600 doubles, needs 300 homers and needs about 1,300 RBI’s.

Is Damon going to get to those numbers hitting second in the White Sox lineup? Will he get there hitting in spacious AT&T Park in San Francisco, hellish for a lefty hitter? No and no. The Red Sox might need a left fielder this year, but Damon can never go back there.

Damon bests interests  for HOF consideration (and a great legacy) in playing for the Yankees where he gets to hit in cozy Yankee Stadium, hitting behind a Hall of Famer in Jeter and in front of Mark Teixeira (potential HOFer) and Alex Rodriguez (lock HOFer). Hitting in that lineup, while in that park will get Damon more of the accumulated stats he needs to get serious Hall of Fame votes somewhere around 2020.

It would be great for Damon if they can work out that two year deal, and a TEAM OPTION for a third, which would keep Damon hungry for more.

Here is what Damon said during the parade, “I want to continue to be on a team that can win and to play in front of great fans – and we know that the Yankees fill both of those,” Damon said. “I think everyone knows my desire to come back. Still, every time I’ve been a free agent, I’ve ended up switching teams. It’s the nature of the beast. If people are interested, I’m going to listen.”

Go ahead and listen to them Johnny because when you take that bigger contract in San Francisco for more money and years, but fall short in career numbers for the Hall of  Fame, you only have yourself to blame. Imagine at age 70 Damon sitting on the front porch answering another reporter’s question about his thoughts on falling short of the Hall of Fame?

Don’t be an “idiot” this time around Johnny, but be a man and tell your agent, Mr. Boras, to get a deal done with the Yankees.

It will be in your legacy’s best interest.

I’ve had a busy couple months, and of course, schoolwork comes first. Realizing that I have left my blog undated, I will make it a priority to keep writing about important stories everyday.

Here’s what has happened in the past couple months:

The New York Yankees won the World Series: This saddened me greatly, being a Phils Phan. It has taken me a couple of months to come to grips with the loss, but I am already looking forward to our revenge next October. The Yankees just out pitched the Phillies starters, and hit in the clutch. Although, the Yankees got some help from a well placed camera, the Phillies got their own help from the umpires. All in all, it was a great and entertaining series. In attendance for Game 5, I can honestly say it was one of the greatest times of my life.

Surprising Teams in the NFL: Previously, I have predicted how I thought the season would unfold in the NFL. So far, I have pretty accurately

Cedric Benson (above) has led the Cincinnati Bengals to the AFC North Division lead.

predicted the positions of teams in the standings, but greatly miscalculated their records. Teams such as the 10-0 New Orleans Saints, the 7-3 Cincinnati Bengals, and the 7-4 Denver Broncos have overachieved by my standards, as I had these teams much lower in the standings. However, teams such as the 6-4 Pittsburgh Steelers, 4-6 Tennessee Titans, and the 5-5 Baltimore Ravens have really underperformed. My surprise pick for this year in the NFL was the Kansas City Chiefs, as I predicted them shocking the world and finishing the season with a 9-7 record, and a second place finish in the AFC West. However, the Chiefs have gone 3-7, and its looking very doubtful that they will win their final six games. I was wrong, I admit it.

Jimmie Johnson won his 4th consecutive championship: In a sport that goes highly unpublicized, a dynasty is occurring right before our eyes. Yes, NASCAR is not my favorite thing to watch, but even I can appreciate a champion like Jimmie Johnson. He has done nothing that no one else has ever been able to do, and there is a lot to be said for that. It takes much drive to succeed year in and year out, and Johnson has proven that he has more drive than anyone.

On this day in 1976, Reggie Jackson signed a free agent contract with the New York Yankees.

I only wish that I could have been around to witness this as I am sure that the city of New York and Yankees fans across the country were celebrating this incredible occasion.

By this time in his career, Reggie had established himself as a power hitting slugger that was able to dominate the game offensively.  His knack for driving in runs in timely situations earned him a lot of respect from fans, foes, and teammates.

But with this signing, I am not sure that anyone knew what was to come!!!

How about 144 home runs, 461 RBI, a .281 batting average, 380 runs scored, 5 All-star appearances, and 2 World Series championships!!!

I’d say that the Yankees got a bargain.  Agreed???

Mariano Rivera turns the ‘Big 4-O’ Today!!!

Quite possibly the greatest closer of all-time, and certainly the best closer in post season history, Rivera has many reasons to celebrate today!!

First, it is his 40th birthday – a landmark occasion for many.  Rivera amazingly remains the picture of perfect health as he continues to dominate around the major leagues with his New York Yankee teammates.  His ability to come into pressures situations and rise above the stress of the event is second-to-none.  While many falter, Rivera excels.  And that is one of the big reasons why he and his teammates are celebrating a 2009 World Series championship!!

As we all prepare for the 2010 season, one has to wonder how much longer ‘Mo’ will want to play.  A few more years?  1 more year?  Who knows…  What I do know and get reminded of consistently is that the role of a closer is only valuable to a club when the player is able to dominate each and every situation he faces.  And that is what makes Mariano Rivera a solid and key contributor to his team’s victories.

Happy Birthday Mr. Rivera!!!  600 saves is right around the corner…

Now that Joe Mauer has won the MVP and become the first catcher since at least 1900 to lead his league in OPS, and Tim Lincecum has won his second’s consecutive Cy Young Award, how much will it cost to sign them?

The talk is that the Twins are going to try to convince Mauer to stay in the Twin Cities (he’s from St. Paul, of course), for a hometown discount in the neighborhood of $120 million over seven years.  That’s an awful lot of money, but Mauer could make far more playing for one of MLB’s top eight teams (the Yankees obviously — he’s all-time good.)

There’s also talk that he could make enormous dollars in endorsement deals and advertising if he played in New York or Boston.  You weight that against being a huge star in your hometown.

My guess is that the MVP Award means the Twins will have to come closer to the $180 million, eight year deal that Mark Tiexiera got last year from the Yankees to get Mauer to still agree to a discount.

Tim Lincecum’s agent is apparently talking about going to arbitration, according the SF Chronicle’s John Shea.  There’s also talk that Lincecum’s agent and the union are considering filing for $23 million and one dollar, since that’s one more dollar than what C. C. Sabathia makes now.

The last part is just blather, I suspect, much like Scott Boras’s claim that Stephen Strasburg was a $50 million player.  After priming the market, Strasburg ultimately signed for $15.1 million, and I have a strong feeling that Lincecum’s final arbitration number would come a lot closer to that than the $23 million number above.  His agent’s job is to maximize the actual final contract, and I can’t imagine him coming in with a number that he wouldn’t have closer to a 50% chance on.

As an older man than Lincecum, I’m a big fan of the guaranteed long-term contract.  However, after winning two Cy Young Awards in a row, I can see why they’d want to go arbitration unless the Giants really wowed him on a deal that takes him up to free agency.  I still think there’s a good chance of a long-term deal, because I think that the $23 million dollar is just another attempt to prime the market.

Adrian Beltre isn't going to hit 48 homers like he did in 2004. He isn't going to drive in 120 runs, either. But he would give the Twins 20-30 homers and stellar defense at third base.

There are four sure-fire stars on the free-agent market–Matt Holliday, Jason Bay, John Lackey, and Chone Figgins–but there are countless others that, though classified as B-list free-agents, are capable of putting up solid numbers. Having predicted where the top-five free-agents will land, here now are my predicted destinations for free-agents six through ten.

6. Andy Pettitte: Pettitte has been a tremendously dependable pitcher over the course of his career, and especially in the playoffs. He can be counted on to accumulate 12-15 wins during the regular season, 3-4 more during the playoffs, and an ERA in the low 4’s. There is no reason for him to leave the World Series champion New York Yankees, and they have no reason not to retain him. He, who won all three playoff-series clinchers, will stay with New York, barring an unexpected retirement.

7. Marco Scutaro: Alex Gonzalez, who was the shortstop for the Boston Red Sox last season, signed a one-year deal with Scutaro’s old team, the Toronto Blue Jays, so it’s only fitting that the 34-year old signs with the Red Sox. There aren’t a lot of pleasing shortstops on the market (it’s Scutaro, a 36-year old and intriguing Miguel Tejada, and offensively-challenged Adam Everett, and that’s about it), and not many that are available via trade (unless Boston trades Florida the farm for Hanley Ramirez), but though it appears Scutaro is the only option for Boston, they want him and he wants the Red Sox.

He picked a good time to have a career year. This past season, he hit .282 with 12 home-runs and 60 rbi’s out of the leadoff spot, and posted a tremendous .379 on-base percentage. He is aging, and would probably want a three-year deal from Boston, but he’s a very good defender (he only made 10 errors), doesn’t strikeout very often (he had only 75 strikeouts compared to 90 walks in 144 games), and would be a good fit with Boston. If he is signed by the Red Sox, he will be their sixth shortstop in as many years.

The eccentric closer would solve many of the Phillies bullpen troubles.

8. Jose Valverde: The fiery closer has been one of the best in the business over the past three seasons. He saved over 40 games in both 2007 and 2008, and though he appeared in just 52 games in 2009 for the Houston Astros, the 31-year old compiled 25 saves in 29 chances, allowed only 15 runs in 54 innings, and had his best ERA, 2.33, since his rookie year with the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Not many teams are looking for a closer. The lack of demand for a saves machine is either because they can’t afford to spend money, or because they have their own options in-house or on the farm. One team in particular needs to add bullpen stability, and that would be the National League’s representative in the World Series, the Philadelphia Phillies. Their closer, Brad Lidge, had a nightmarish regular season. In four more innings than Valverde, he had a 7.21 ERA, allowed 51 runs, 11 home-runs, walked 34, and blew 11 saves. He pitched well in the postseason before being shelled in his lone World Series appearance, but the Phillies should certainly be on the lookout for a replacement.

They could move Lidge to the eighth inning, thereby taking the pressure off to increase his effectiveness, put Ryan Madson in as he setup man’s setup man, and Valverde in as closer. The 6′4″, 250 pound Dominican has been very dependable and will come relatively cheap. Unless they want uncertainty throughout their ‘pen, the Phillies should pounce on Valverde.

9. Adrian Beltre: In 2004, the third-baseman’s final season with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Beltre hit 48 homers–25 more than in 2003–drove in 121–41 more than in 2003–and batted .338–94 points higher than in 2003. Since this unbelievable season, Beltre hasn’t clubbed more than 26 homers or driven in more than 99 rbi’s in a season, disappointing throughout his five seasons with the Seattle Mariners, but he’s only 30 years old and is still an accomplished hitter.

On top of his offensive production, he is a tremendously gifted defensive third-baseman, which makes him that much more appealing on the free-agent market. The Red Sox have been linked to him, but he would fit more with the Minnesota Twins, a team in dire need of offense and particularly a third baseman. He would not only give the Twins one of the best defensive infields in the majors, but also 20-30 home-run power. Throughout his career in Seattle, his on-base percentage was awful, hovering around .300, yet in the 6th or 7th hole in Minnesota’s lineup, he would be a significant upgrade over the Brian Buscher/Brendan Harris/Joe Crede trio.

Harden should draw a lot of interest, and could be an ace if healthy.

10. Rich Harden: If there is a high-risk, high-reward player on the market, it’s the 27-year old Harden. The gifted right-handed starting pitcher has spent the bulk of his seven-year career with the Oakland Athletics. Over the course of his tenure in the league, he has compiled 50 wins to just 29 losses, and a 3.39 ERA. Despite these outstanding numbers, he has made only 127 starts, or an average of 18 per season. So, he’s been injury-plagued throughout, but he has a very good repertoire, with a wide array of strikeout pitches. Last season with the Chicago Cubs, he allowed just 122 hits in 141 innings while striking out 171 batters.

He should have plenty of suitors this offseason, given his age and ability. The Red Sox just signed knuckleballer Tim Wakefield to a two-year deal, making him their fifth starter once again. Daisuke Matsuzaka is also returning to the rotation, and the team has also expressed interest in Blue Jays ace Roy Halladay, who is on the trade market. But, despite having five starters and interest in a sixth, they should pull out of the Halladay Sweepstakes and focus on an inexpensive option.

Because of Harden’s injury history, teams will be hesitant to give him a multi-year deal. So, why don’t the Red Sox sign him to a one-year, $8 million contract? He could make 30 starts, something he has done only once, win 15-18 games, and make an already stacked rotation dominating. Worst case, he makes 15 starts, wins seven-to-nine games, and spends the majority of the year on the shelf. Given Harden’s potential for greatness, if Red Sox General Mananger Theo Epstein wants to improve, he’ll take the gamble.

Commissioner Bud Selig told a New York Times columnist. “I’m concerned about the pace of the game.

This Bud is empty. He has just announced his retirement. In 2012.

I came across this great Yankees tribute video on Youtube and I thought I would share it with you guys. It only covers up until the end of the 2008 season. The creator of this video (MattyVfromCT) is in the process of making a new one, which will include the Yankees capturing their 27th Championship.

Video Info: Tribute to the New York Yankees, the most successful franchise in the history of sports with 26 world championships. The song is “Your Hand in Mine” by Explosions in the Sky.

Who is ready for a shootout? I am.

Welcome sports fans to the grand finale of the piece I call “SHOOTING FROM THE MOUTH”. It’s a sad day for the update, but that doesn’t mean that we go out quietly. I still got some things to say before this baby wraps. However, someone else wants to speak their mind. Let’s hear it for Terry of Scarsdale, NY, with her first “shoot-off”.

“Sports hero”

Who is your sport hero? We all have one…I mean really, the one who changes your way of thinking, your way of being…you. Think about it.

I’ll tell you mine…Phil Jackson. Not so much Phil

Jackson Lakers coach, but the Phil “mophead” Jackson of the NY Knicks and Chicago Bulls. He captured my heart when I was in HS and he was a NY Knick. I pursued it to the point that we became pen-pals. He knew about my college years, marriage, teaching job, divorce etc…..he knew all about my life. Then for several years we lost touch. When he became an asst. coach for the Chicago Bulls I once again pursued. As luck would have it, the summer right before he debuted as the head coach of the Bulls, I finally met him. Yeah, 3000 miles away from home, I met my sport hero in CA.

Sometimes we put our heroes on a pedestal and think he/she can do no wrong. Yet, when I finally met Mr. Phil Jackson I was not disappointed. He was everything I imagined him to be and more. From the physical to the cognitive to the spiritual, I knew he would forever be my sport hero for life. My point? Don’t ever give up on your hero. You may not ever meet him/her….but at least know that the way you imagine them may just be real. Who is your Sport Hero?

That was a great piece; I’m sure that everyone indeed as a sports hero. I would like to know who YOUR favorite sports hero is. That would be very good to know. Now, it’s time for the final shootout.

There are many hot stories in the NFL. The infamous “Spygate” case is just one of the various subplots within this league. Yet, the case that will remain throughout the year is Tiki Barber vs. the Giants. Tiki left to pursue other interests, but he revealed that he might have returned if Giants coach Tom Coughlin was fired. Barber also attacked the Giants defense in the first two weeks of football. Yet, he gave them a lot of credit (well-deserved) for their victory against the Redskins. One victory will not shut Barber up. The Giants are still the team that should take a pounding because they did not address their needs on both sides. Barber will be waiting to point out the mistakes they make for the next loss. In the end, Barber already won the fight before the first pass was thrown.

There are many stories within all of sports. There are two of them that are very important in this sports world filled with cheaters and liars. The Yankees literally came back from the dead to be in post-season contention. The bullpen may be shaky, but there is a back-up bridge for closer Mariano Rivera. The 22-year old Joba Chamberlain is the man for the job, but his story is very inspirational. Chamberlain is a Native-American Nebraska native. His parents divorced when he was three. His father, Harlan, has been battling polio for all of his life. He had to play catch with one hand and was unable to move the other. Yet, in the present day, Harlan can watch his son achieve a dream that many people wish to do: play for the New York Yankees. Harlan has always been a Yankee fan, and seeing Joba always brings a tear when he’s on that mound. When Joba pumps his fist after a strikeout, so does his father. Nothing in this world should make a parent prouder than that.

The other story is one of the NFL’s “better stories”. Brett Favre is still playing, and many people (including myself) thought that Favre should have retired after the 2006 season. Yet, Favre is still in the league. Since 1991, announcers have been saying, “Favre throws a touchdown”. The same question has been repeated in everyone’s mind: Why doesn’t he retire already? Well, he just can’t. Can Brett Favre really see himself as something else other than a football player? The answer in his mind is no. He’s suffered so much in recent memory. His father passed away in December of 2003, and Favre persevered. His wife, Deanna, battled breast cancer in 2004. Favre’s family lost their house during Hurricane Katrina. Favre has already won a Super Bowl and an MVP award. Why does he keep playing? He keeps playing because football is his sanctuary. His teammates and coaches are extended members of his family. He may be selfish at times, but all he wants to do is to win once more. Favre tied Dan Marino for the most touchdown passes in NFL history by a quarterback. He will break this record. That is inevitable. Yet, no matter what happens to the Packers in the season, Brett Favre is already a legend. Breaking this record will only make him an immortal. Brett Favre is a winner in my book.

The point of “Shooting From The Mouth” was to get people thinking. Sometimes, I would get in people’s faces. Other times would have me speculating on the future. I got some people to agree with me, and others to disagree. I got what I wanted: FEEDBACK! Just because that “Shooting From The Mouth” is saying good-bye does not mean that this is the end. It’s just a new beginning. I would like to thank everyone that has subscribed to these updates and encourage you to see who else would like to read them. Expect a regular update for Saturday, as I will bring you the latest with a new format. Until then, sports fans, good night everybody.

Yours truly,

Sebastian Maldonado

Copyright © 2007 by Sebastian Maldonado

Hey sports fans; this is Sebastian Maldonado, and welcome to this special occasion of a true baseball player.  He exemplifies the true meaning of this phrase: loved by many, hated by few, respected by all.

Bernie Williams is arguably the most underrated Yankee on this team of All-Stars.  He has fought through countless injuries (too many to mention) in his career.  Yet, he carries on the battle just to be champion again.  Now, he has ascended into being a living icon &, possibly, a living legend.  In this season, Bernie joined the likes of Don Mattingly, Yogi, and others in the 2000 hit category as a Yankee.  He also clinched the American League East Title with a walk-off home run.  And in the Yankee’s loss to “Beantown,” he literally wrote his name in postseason history.  Bernie Williams was the only guy that came through in all 7 games of this series.  He now leads the postseason in all-time home runs, extra base hits, and RBIs. He passed the great baseball players that held that record, which were George Brett and Pete Rose.  Is he something or what!

Congratulations Bernie, you’ve earned this; what you have done this season will make people talk about you forever.  You will be compared to all the great Yankee outfielders before you; from the Babe and the Iron Horse to the M&M boys and Mr. October, you will join that list.  Hell, when you retire, you should be in Monument Park, where all Yankee greats lie.  But the greatest way for me to honor you was to wear your number in my last year playing baseball.  That’s every baseball player’s dream in New York: to wear you number.  They don’t want #s 2, 13, 11, 55, not even 7 or 3.  They want to wear #51. Why? Because everyone respects you, and I’m not just saying Yankee fans.  Even people that HATE & DESPISE the Bronx Bombers say they can’t hate you; they also respect you.  You are the heart and soul of that team.  You have become not just another center fielder in New York; you have become THE center fielder in New York.  And for that, I thank you.

Please reply back for those that read this e-mail.  I hope you guys agree with me, and see you soon.

Sincerely,

Sebastian Maldonado

P.S. “Now batting, the center fielder, #51, Bernie Williams, #51!”  Thank you, Bernie.

Copyright © 2007 by Sebastian Maldonado

1974 Topps League Leaders Card Starring Jim Palmer & Tom Seaver

This card celebrates the incredible seasons that both Jim Palmer and Tom Seaver had during the 1973 major league baseball season.

Each player led their leagues in ERA.  Palmer led the American League with a low 2.39.  And not to be outdone, Tom Seaver led the National League and the majors with a mighty impressive 2.08.

Two of the best pitchers from the 1970’s on one baseball card.  And a perfect addition to my Jim Palmer player collection!!!  

Oh, and just to close the circle, each of these great pitchers won the Cy Young award in their respective leagues that year.  For Palmer, it was his first of three.  And for ‘Tom Terrific’, it was his second of three awards.

Roy White was an all-star outfielder for the New York Yankees from 1965-79, finishing with 160 home runs, 758 RBI, and a .271 batting average and appeared in three ALCS and three World Series. White ranks among the top 10 Yankees in several offensive categories including, second in sacrifice flies, fifth in stolen bases, sixth in walks and intentional walks, seventh in games played, ninth in at bats, and eighth in times on base.

White was considered one of the classiest Yankees to don pinstripes, always the team player, never complaining. He recently published Then Roy Said to Mickey…: The Best Yankees Stories Ever Told (Best Sports Stories Ever Told), another volume in a long line of team histories from Triumph Books.

I was fortunate enough to have White as one of the coaches for my team at Yankees Fantasy Camp earlier this month. Even so many years removed from the game, the competitive juices still flow, as he guided us to a 5-3 record.

He took a few minutes from the hectic schedule to talk about his latest project with the Bookshelf:

Hear it here:

(apologies for the obviously inebriated photographer)

]]> http://bapple2286.wordpress.com/2009/11/27/1986-fleer-superstar-special-with-darryl-strawberry-tim-raines/ Fri, 27 Nov 2009 18:44:09 +0000 30-Year Old Cardboard http://bapple2286.wordpress.com/2009/11/27/1986-fleer-superstar-special-with-darryl-strawberry-tim-raines/

1986 Fleer Superstar Special with Darryl Strawberry & Tim Raines

What can I say, this is a card featuring two of my favorite players from my favorite baseball era – the 1980’s!!

The card’s theme is ‘Instant Offense’ and I don’t know if a better title could have been established for these two All-star players.

Both Strawberry and Raines were multi-faceted players whose offensive skills were some of the best in the league.  With blazing speed, home run power, and great control at the plate, there was nothing that these guys couldn’t do to ignite offense!!!

Another great card in my Darryl Strawberry player collection has found a new home!!!

Any of which you can put on or near a bookshelf.

We came back after our first game to find a brand new of Nike shower shows (see Bull Durham). The administrators had spoken earlier that morning about wearing such items to prevent athlete’s foot, so I thought this was just an ounce of prevention.

So imagine our surprise when after each game a new gift was waiting on our locker chairs including:

• A pair of Nike/Yankee shorts
• A Nike/Yankee t-shirt
• A pair of Nike running shoes (sensing a theme here?)
• A baseball signed by all the Yankees vets at the session
• A photo of your team
• A caricature of the late Johnny Blanchard, a staple of YFC
• A Nike/Yankee duffel, in which to put everything.

I’m not complaining, but if they had told us they’d be giving out all this suff, I could have packed a little lighter. Similarly, if I’d know they’d be doing our laundry on a daily basis, I could have gotten away with a carry-on.

Spent the week of Nov. 16 at Yankee Fantasy Camp (much more on that later). Ran into Bryan Hoch, who covers the Yankees for MLB.com. I first met Hoch in the press box at Shea Stadium more than a decade ago when he was an enterprising 19-year-old and I was part-timing for STATS Inc.

Hoch was a tough player, pitching and playing second (as a lefty) and adding some pop to a lineup that finished 1-7.

He blogged about his experience at YFC, which you can read here.

From ESPN.com

Players Had Reason To Question Donaghy's Calls

Have you ever wondered if the referees in sporting contests were on the take or showing a bias toward one team?  Maybe its not as far fetched as one might think and its not a thing of the past.  Recently, an NBA referee was put in jail for conspiring with gamblers to fix games.  After he went to prison, former NBA ref Tim Donaghy was reportedly beaten in prison with speculation that the beatings may have been payback from organized crime.  Guess he shouldn’t have sung.   Now, we find that a couple of professors did a study that was published in the Journal of Sports Sciences.  They concluded that during the 2004-2005 NCAA basketball season, referees showed a bias in the calls that they made, though, in some instances there was a variance in the bias shown given the situation of a given game.  This comes on the heels of another study that shows NBA refs are biased in their calls due to race.

Study Shows Coaches May Have Reason to Be Upset

For a long time, people have claimed refs from one conference might favor a team from their conference.  That is why in bowl games, typically the refs are from a conference that is not associated with either team.   And then there is baseball.  Major League Baseball rotates their umpires from city to city so that there is no risk of cries of an arbitor being a “homer.”  Many people have complained that the umps favor the Yankees so that they can bring their huge TV market into the World Series each year.  There is even an article that charges MLB itself to use its political arm to favor the Yankees!  Then again, Los Angeles Angels manager Mike Scioscia seems to think the umps are biased in favor of the Red Sox.  Funny how no one thinks the umps favor the Astros.  Anyway, while there is no study to support the notion that the Yankees or Red Sox Nation is favored that I am aware of, academics have done a study that claims umpires make biased calls based on race.  All of this may raise eyebrows or raise questions. Milton Bradley’s question is why are the umps all against him?  But, I have a question.  Shouldn’t academics be doing research that is a little more important than using money to determine if the refs need glasses?  With universities seeming to be more inclined to entertain the alumni rather than educate students, it almost seems as if the bar for higher education is getting lower and lower.

Just Another Day at the Old Ballpark

The correct conclusion of all such studies probably should be that the refs are human and are subject to all human failings on and off the field of play.  But, perhaps there is some redeeming reason for conducting such studies because sometimes fans viewpoint that a particular referee is biased can lead to violence.  Just this past August, a referee in Kenya was killed on the field by a mob of irate fans at a youth soccer game.  In California, a football referee was attacked by fans and a volleyball referee was assaulted by the president of the high school booster club.  Oh, those crazy fans.  But what about players?  Players often say that they want to “kill the ref” but for real?  A soccer player’s threat to kill a referee was once taken quite seriously.  Do players actually follow up on such threats?  In 2004, the Philadelphia Flyers drafted Ladislav Scurko  in the 6th round.  They may have to wait a couple of decades to see a return on that draft pick.  See, the Slovakian hockey player is in jail for killing a referee.  Now, there are those in society that suggest that allowing citizens to be armed actually deters crime.  So, is it a good idea to have refs packin’ heat?  Back in 1999, a referee did exactly that and successfully defended himself to the demise of a player.  It seems in South Africa, a soccer player pulled a knife on a referee who promptly pulled his pistol and shot the player to death.  What was a player doing with a knife on the field and what was a referee doing with a gun on the field?

Kids Learn From Parents

Cricket Umpire Target of Fans

The fact that there are academics spending time and money studying the calls of referees and that there is violence in the stands at sporting events all around the world and assaults and murder taking place due to sporting events doesn’t need a study.  It is obvious that people on this planet are taking sports way too seriously.  It’s supposed to be “just a game”  but to many that is not the case at all.  One can speculate that the big money in sports is the cause.  But what about those parents and fans at high school events that attack the ref?  No money there.  But there is an increasing number of cases of violence by and among parents at youth league games.  Does the actions of parents affect the kids?  A player in Little League sucker punched an opposing player during the post game handshakes the kids go through to try and teach sportsmanship.   Maybe youth league experience is what taught Oregon star running back LaGarrette Blount to punch out a Boise State player on national TV after a game.  Just think how productive people would be and how robust the economy might be if people would take their jobs as seriously as they seem to take sports.  Perhaps all of this is just a sign of a broader decline in civilization and all participants, fans and officials are human.  Historically, humans seem to have a proclivity for violence rather than peace.  How about examining the true value of sport in society, good and bad?  Now that would be a study.  Trouble is, no one would do anything about it.  Let the games begin.

Monday Morning

Weather Bottom Line:  Looks like I was at least partially right.  I had said I didn’t see how we got to the mid to upper 40’s on Thanksgiving or Friday and that some people may not get out of the 30’s on Thanksgiving.  By afternoon on Thursday, it was in the upper 30’s in many areas and no one got out of the low 40’s.  There were sprinkles but no snow.  And even if anyone saw snow Thursday night, not too many people would believe them because it was worthless if it happened.  I would think that on Friday, low to mid 40’s will work and so it may be a few degrees warmer than I had thought but I still think that its possible that low 40’s may be the max for many people.  High pressure moves to our south moves east and we get  a return flow for the weekend bringing the mercury up to the mid 5o’s each day.  Really not a bad weekend.  Late Sunday, clouds will increase with the approach of another front.  That will probably bring some rain Sunday night into Monday.  The rest of the week looks chilly with most people never getting out of the 40’s each afternoon and overnight lows in the low to mid 30’s.  Later in the week could be interesting as a cut off low in the southwest wanders around and picks up some moisture from the Gulf.

NEW YORK (AP) — Bob Sheppard has no intentions of returning to his longtime job as the public address announcer at Yankee Stadium, MLB.com reported Thursday.

Sheppard, who is 99, hasn’t worked a game since late in the 2007 season due to illness.

“I have no plans of coming back,” Sheppard told the Web site in a telephone interview. “Time has passed me by, I think. I had a good run for it. I enjoyed doing what I did. I don’t think, at my age, I’m going to suddenly regain the stamina that is really needed if you do the job and do it well.”

When contacted by The Associated Press, Yankees spokesman Jason Zillo said the team had no announcement or comment at this time.

Famous for his distinct and resonant tones, Sheppard became the PA announcer at the old Yankee Stadium in 1951. Decades later, Reggie Jackson gave him the nickname “The Voice of God.”

Sheppard has called out names from Joe DiMaggio to Mickey Mantle to Derek Jeter over the years. For the final game at the old park in 2008, he recorded a greeting to fans and the introduction of New York’s starting lineup.

Paul Olden took over as the public address announcer at the new Yankee Stadium this year in Sheppard’s absence. Jim Hall, a longtime backup, filled in for Sheppard late in 2007 and last year.

But when Jeter steps to the plate, it’s still a recording of Sheppard’s voice that rings out: “Now batting for the Yankees, No. 2, Deh-rick Jee-tuh.”

Sheppard told MLB.com that he doubts “very, very much” that he’ll be able to resume his duties for even one game next season.

“It’s not just the two hours or three hours of baseball,” he said. “It’s the trip, the preparation, the trip home, and a long, long day. I think at my age, it’s time to accept the fact that I had a great run. A great run. And I only made a few mistakes along the way.”