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"Wow, Larry. You've produced 25% of the comments on this thread and
said nothing meaningful. That's impressive, even for you."
"After reading all your postings and daily weblog...I believe you have truly become the Phil Pepe of this generation. Now this is not necessarily a good thing."
"you blog sucks, it reeds as it was written by the queer son of mike lupica and roids clemens. i could write a better column by letting a monkey fuk a typewriter. i dont need no 181 million dollar team to write a blog fukkk the spankeees"
"i think his followers have a different sexual preference than most men"
"Boring and predictable."
"Are you the biggest idiot ever?"
"I'm not qualified to write for online media, let alone mainstream
media."
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Disclaimer: If you think this is the official website of the New York Yankees, you're an idiot. Go away. Wednesday, September 29, 2004
Godzilla's Revenge by SG
Hideki Matsui was the most feared native-born slugger in Japan. With the nickname Godzilla, and his 50 homerun power, he was a matinee idol. When he indicated an interest to try himself at the highest level in the sport, it was the Yankees who pursued him most aggressively. They courted him for close to a year before signing him from the Yomiuri Giants for three years, and $21 million.
Tuesday, September 28, 2004
All-Baseball.com: Cooperstown Confidential: Why They Hate Jeter by Larry Mahnken
I don't hate Jeter, indeed I like him very much. But he's overrated, and I wish to correct misconceptions of him. If it comes across as hate, well, that's my error. But I don't hate him.
Monday, September 27, 2004
Kevin Brown by Larry Mahnken
Comment on Brown's lousy start yesterday here.
Sunday, September 26, 2004
by Larry Mahnken
I've been very ill the last couple of days, so no comments, other than I'm satisfied with the weekend's results. They won 1 of 3, the division is all but clinched, and I have no fear of facing Boston or anyone else in October.
Saturday, September 25, 2004
Brown will start series finale by Larry Mahnken
Great, great news. If he pitches well, it's even better news.
Friday, September 24, 2004
The Sound and the Fury: Postseason Rotation Edition by Sean McNally
In this edition, Sean and John bicker about the Yankees' postseason rotation, Joe Torre's annoying roster habits and how sweet it'd be for Texas to make the playoffs.
Last Stand by Larry Mahnken
The Yankees split their four games since Sunday, and the Red Sox split their four games since Sunday. That's good for the Yankees, not so much for the Red Sox. I've gotta say, I'm dumbfounded by Boston's struggles against the Orioles, they never play them as well as they should, and this season they've played them poorly, period.
Wednesday, September 22, 2004
Ten Years In A Row by Larry Mahnken
Mathematically, the Yankees' Magic Number to make the playoffs is 2, because the Angels could win 96 games if they won the rest of their games, one more than the Yankees' current 95.
Tuesday, September 21, 2004
by Larry Mahnken
I don't have data or anything, but it sure seems like the Yankees take the day off when they're facing a rookie they've never seen. It's probably not all that bad, but worse than expected, which makes it seem a lot worse than it is.
Monday, September 20, 2004
"They're better and it's not even all that close" by Larry Mahnken
When the Red Sox were super-hot a couple of weeks back, some Sox fans tried to read more into their hot streak than was really there. These were the real Red Sox, not the team that had played .500 from May 1st to August 6th. They hadn't made up 8½ games in 24 days because they had been hot while the Yankees were playing .500, they did it because they were better -- "and it's not even all that close", in the words of a Sox fan reader and fellow blogger.
Wednesday, September 15, 2004
by Larry Mahnken
OK, this is bizzare. I moved my computer into the other bedroom in my apartment, and it appears the floor is on a slight slant. I feel like I'm falling over while I'm sitting here. Weird.
Mailbag by Larry Mahnken
Reader Chris A. emailed me yesterday:
Tuesday, September 14, 2004
by Larry Mahnken
It's simply frustrating to watch a game like that, one that you not only going in that they should have won, but by actually watching it, they should have won. They got Brian Anderson in trouble again and again early, but couldn't make him suffer for it by getting the big hit. Halsey struggled again, and when Joe Torre tried to get Tanyon Sturtze to vulture one more win, it just wasn't there for him. Before you knew it, the game was out of reach, and the Yankees just stopped trying.
Monday, September 13, 2004
by Larry Mahnken
Ever see a team give up on a game? No? Then you weren't watching tonight.
A Star Nobody Wanted To See Twinkle by John
“Some men are born great, others achieve greatness and some have greatness thrust upon them.” Roger Maris didn’t ask for much. He wanted to play baseball and do it to the best of his abilities and of course -- win. Nobody knew better what Roger Maris had to do to achieve that than Roger Maris. Maris was never afforded that luxury. Roger Maris was initially drafted and signed by the Cleveland Indians in 1953 and was considered a five-tool talent. He could: hit, hit with power, run, catch and throw. He was also known as being a very strong willed, strong minded young man. Generally youthful talents in that era were deferential when they first entered the professional ranks because they were awed and grateful that a major league team had shown enough interest in their skills to offer a contract. Not Maris. The Indians initially wanted to send the talented youngster all the way down to their Class D affiliate in Daytona Beach Florida. Maris simply let it be known that it was unacceptable for personal reasons and wouldn’t budge until the Indians sent him to Class C, their team in Fargo of the Northern League. Maris proved he belonged there by displaying his incredible talent and was not overmatched at that level batting .325 and posting an OBP of .429. He also drove in 80 runs in 418 at bats despite hitting just nine home runs. So the Cleveland front office decided to keep him Fargo for another season to be certain that it wasn’t a “fluke” campaign on Maris’ part. Maris wouldn’t hear of it. He demanded, and ultimately got a promotion to the Indians’ Class B club in Keokuk in the Triple I league. As he had the previous season, Maris proved he belonged, having a monster campaign batting .315. He also showcased his power stroke hitting 32 home runs, driving in 111 [runs] and when pitchers grew tired of pitching to him he’d simply take a walk to first base, which he did 80 times that year. In 1955 he split time in both the Texas League and the Eastern League hitting 20 home runs, batting .300 and reaching base 42 percent of the time. He finally graduated to the American Association, one rung below the major leagues. He had a decent enough year in Indianapolis hitting in some tough pitcher’s parks slugging .494. This earned him two things: a major league job in 1957 and the attention of New York Yankees’ scouts. Yankees general manager George Weiss made some inquiries about the young man’s availability and the Indians informed him in no uncertain terms that the Yankees wouldn’t get him in this world or the next one for that matter. The Indians had a difficult enough time keeping pace with the Yankees without developing players on their behalf. Of course that didn’t slow Weiss up one bit. Weiss wasn’t only knowledgeable about players in his own farm system, he also made it his business to know everything about players in everybody else’s minor league organizations. Not just their batting or fielding percentages either, he’d go so far as to amass a comprehensive file on all of a player’s characteristics and personality. He knew that Maris was strong willed, stubborn even and it didn’t bother him a whit. That was one of the reasons he had hired Casey Stengel in the first place, Stengel could handle “difficult” players. The Yankees field boss had managed enigmatic Joe Page, the idiosyncrasies of Yogi Berra, the sometimes sullen, often moody Mickey Mantle, the dark brooding hot tempered Vic Raschi, the truculent red-assed Gene Woodling not to mentioned the fiery, insecure Billy Martin. If a player had the tools, Weiss knew Stengel could handle the peripheral matters in the clubhouse. Weiss also knew that a lot of teams couldn’t handle players of that stripe. He knew that soon enough Maris, because of his personality, might become available -- not to the Yankees of course, but available nonetheless. Weiss had allies that few knew about. Weiss let it be known to good friend, and Kansas City Athletics owner Arnold Johnson (who once owned Yankee Stadium) and Weiss’ previous employee of two decades and current Athletics’ general manager Parke Carroll that if they were to acquire Maris, that Weiss and the Yankees would sweep them off their feet with the sweetest deal imaginable. Maris opened his major league career in promising fashion. Although he didn’t hit for a high average that year (.235) he showed excellent power in Cleveland’s cavernous Municipal Stadium swatting fourteen home runs. Maris also showed a keen batting eye drawing sixty walks and striking out just 79 times, excellent ratios for a young slugger. The mark of a good batting eye is oft evidenced on whether a hitter can post an on base percentage 100 points over his batting average. Maris did just that finishing his rookie campaign with a .345 OBP -- not impressive of itself unless you take into account that young Maris batted less than .240. The bottom line was: Maris didn’t disappoint. What was disappointing to the Cleveland brass was how badly he tailed off in the second half after breaking a couple of ribs in an on field collision raising questions about his talent and desire. Maris however brought more than just his batting eye to the major league level, he also brought his strong willed nature along with him. Despite a sparkling sophomore season where -- despite a low batting average (.240) -- he still doubled his home run output from the previous season, Maris ultimately did become available after a falling out with the Cleveland Indians’ front office. The Indians, still suspicious about Maris’ pedigree after his injury plagued second half in 1957 began to platoon him with another promising young right fielder -- Rocky Colavito. When Maris butted heads with the Indians’ GM Frank Lane over this situation the Tribe then decided to keep Colavito and part with Maris. St. Louis Brown’s owner Bill Veeck was aghast and asked if Lane realized he‘d just sent Maris to the Yankees? Lane did and replied that it was a trade he had to make for the good of his club. Kansas City was ready and waiting. After a one year apprenticeship in Kansas City where he sparkled in all aspects of the game setting career highs (up to that point) in batting, on base and slugging percentage and as an added bonus, walked more than he struck out -- all despite a nasty second half slump, the Yankees shipped two promising youngsters: Marv Throneberry and Norm Siebern plus two solid veterans in Hank Bauer and Don Larsen for Maris and a couple of throw-ins. After the debacle better known as the 1959 season the Yankee roster underwent a number of changes, the biggest one in right field. Hank Bauer had served that station with excellence clouting over 150 HR for over a decade all the while batting right handed into the jaws of “Death Valley” where 425 foot blasts became outs. Having played in nine World Series made Bauer’s footsteps big ones to follow in. However Bauer made his career on grit and hard work whereas Maris -- also a hard worker -- was blessed with obvious physical gifts. Maris’ style of play was straightforward enough -- he was reckless. The right fielder knew only one way to play ... all out. Maris realized the obvious fact that baseball doesn’t operate by the clock, until the opposition had registered 27 outs there was still the possibility of tasting victory and he handled himself accordingly. By the end of May Maris was leading the league in longballs and was the offensive catalyst. Hank Bauer was a fine ballplayer but when somebody with the firepower of Maris was inserted into the middle of a lineup with the likes of Mickey Mantle, Yogi Berra and Bill Skowron then you’ve have the recipe for ravaging opposing pitchers’ ERA’s, not to mention their psyches. Maris’ linebacker approach to baseball inadvertently affected Mickey Mantle’s 1960 season for the worse in mid August against the Senators. Mired in a slump, knees aching and growing frustrated Mantle -- with Maris on first -- hit a sharp grounder on the infield to Washington shortstop Jose Valdivielso and Maris, in typical Maris fashion tried his utmost to knock Senators’ second baseman Billy Gardner into the vicinity of left field. However Mantle didn’t hustle down the first base line and Maris -- who had suffered broken ribs earlier in his career playing for the Indians -- reinjured himself and was lost until mid September. Stengel was livid and took a strip of Mantle in the press, the reaction of the Stadium crowd could be politely referred to as vitriolic. However Maris came back into the lineup and the Yankees kicked it into high gear shaking off the Orioles and winning their final 15 games of the season making an utter shambles of what initially appeared to have the makings of a spine-tingling pennant race. The October stage better known as the World Series has humbled many a great player. Ted Williams in his only Fall Classic batted .200. Babe Ruth, Ty Cobb and even Joe DiMaggio had suffered October humiliation where they couldn’t even hit the (.200) “Mendoza Line.” It didn’t appear to phase Maris much however as he homered in his first post season at bat off Pittsburgh Pirates’ ace Vernon Law who’d won 20 games for the National League champs. He would connect again in Game Five off Harvey Haddix however, it all went for naught as Bill Mazeroski sent the Forbes Field crowd into ecstasy by launching a home run in the bottom of the ninth off of Ralph Terry. 1960 ended in disappointment but Maris could at least celebrate being named the American League Most Valuable Player, however he’d have preferred to have a ring that proclaimed him a member of the World Series champions. In 1961 he’d get to enjoy both, but even in this his achievement was bittersweet. The beginning of the 1961 season, despite speculation that he had a chance to beat the unbeatable -- Babe Ruth’s single season record of 60 circuit clouts -- was quiet for the reigning league MVP May 3rd against the Minnesota Twins was only notable due to Roger Maris hitting just his second four-bagger of the season. On the penultimate game of the month Maris slugged two more against the Boston Red Sox and hammered one the following day for good measure giving him 12 to that point of the season. He was just getting warmed up. He slugged two against the expansion Los Angeles Angels on June 11th and finished June with 27 homers. On July 2nd he slugged a pair against the Senators and on the 25th blasted a trifecta against the Chicago White Sox. He finished the month with 40 HR and a proclamation from commissioner Ford Frick. If Babe Ruth’s 60 HR season was not accomplished in the season’s first 154 games (the schedule had been increased to 162 games because of league expansion) then the record would have an asterisk affixed to it. Maris went on another run slugging five more dingers from August 13-16. As he neared the Babe’s record the media crush became unbearable. Reporters from around the world came to cover the great home run chase and when Mantle became ill and injured then the spotlight focused squarely on Maris. Maris fell short of Frick’s imposed deadline finishing with 59 at the 154 game mark. On September 20th at Yankee Stadium in the third innings off flame throwing youngster Milt Pappas Maris launched the aforementioned 59th. The game clinched the American League flag for the Yankees and Maris could only shake, partly from relief because the chase was over, at least by the commissioner’s criteria. However Maris still had eight games to reach 61. He got 60 against another promising young Oriole named Jack Fisher and finally topped the Babe on the final game of the season off Boston’s Tracy Stallard and the record was his, asterisk and all. The World Series was anticlimactic as the Yankees completely overwhelmed the Cincinnati Reds. Maris wished he could’ve enjoyed it. The most crushing aspect of a professional athlete’s life is expectations. “What have you done for me lately?” is the anthem of the fans and the media. Maris for his heroics won his second consecutive MVP award, wore a World Series ring and the one question everybody seemed to ask: could he hit 62 HR in 1962? Maris had a stellar year in ‘62, his numbers not far off his 1960 totals when he copped his first MVP trophy. He added another World Series ring and was named “Flop of the Year” by the media ... expectations unfulfilled is a curse Maris would never be able to get out from under. The Yankees added two more American League flags in 1963 and 1964 and nobody was willing to let him get out from under 1961. Maris never thought he was better than the Babe yet everybody seemed to be determined to remind him of that fact. He just wanted to play baseball. Maris often said that he’d have enjoyed his career a lot more if he had hit 59 HR in 1961. Since he couldn’t duplicate his achievement he was labeled a bum. He broke his hand in 1965 and the test results were kept from him, his performance suffered and finally the fans and media drove Maris out of New York and he was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals for a journeyman infielder named Charlie Smith. However, despite no longer being able to play full time he contributed to a Cardinals’ World Championship in 1967 and a National League pennant in 1968. He heard cheers, not boos. They only expected him to be Roger Maris, the fans in St. Louis appreciated him and when he finally retired, Cardinals’ owner Gussie Busch set him up in a beer distributorship in Florida. To say he was crucified in the media would be accurate. Maris was a private individual, more artisan than artist despite his gifts. The sometimes heartless New York press wanted Maris to be something that he wasn’t. Maris was too honest for that. He knew he was best at being Roger Maris. The pressures of 1961 would’ve destroyed a lesser man. With the perspective of history it becomes clear that he handled himself with both dignity and class despite press reports to the contrary. Very few people that year seeking a story went away empty handed. However whatever Maris gave whether on the field or in the media was never enough for some people and those people sought to hurt him, to punish him because he wasn’t what they wanted him to be. He was Roger Maris, he deserved better.
Good for what ails ya by Larry Mahnken
If Joe Torre had brought in someone who was actually skilled in throwing a baseball past a batter in the third inning on Friday, the Yankees might have swept the Orioles this past weekend. There's been a few of those moments this season, a few decisions could have been made differently and the Yankees might still have a big cushion in the AL East.
Friday, September 10, 2004
Insert Stupid Sweep Pun Here by Larry Mahnken
I was awfully worried about having to play a doubleheader against the Devil Rays, not because the Devil Rays give anyone any particular cause to worry, but because doubleheaders are tough to sweep. You only get to use your first-string catcher for one of the games (an issue when it's difference between Jorge Posada and John Flaherty), and if the first game is close then you might have to use up your bullpen before even getting into the second game. Tough to win, easy to lose, they say. That's not logically correct, but it still makes sense in a Yogi Berra type of way.
Thursday, September 09, 2004
Let's Try this Again by SG
Thanks to the remnants of Frances, yesterday's doubleheader has been rescheduled for today at 3 p.m., with the second game scheduled for 7:05 p.m.
Wednesday, September 08, 2004
Maybe the Wild Card ain't such a bad thing after all... by Larry Mahnken
Yankees vs. Oakland: 7-2
by Larry Mahnken
At some point this month, the Yankees will have immunized us to their being behind in a game early. They give up a couple of runs in the first inning, and you won't really worry, because they're still likely to win.
Tuesday, September 07, 2004
Forfeit by Larry Mahnken
For the record, I don't think any Yankees fan, certainly not me, thinks the Devil Rays should have to forfeit a game yesterday. The Yankees asked because by the rules, they should be awarded a win. If you think they shouldn't have, you're incredibly naive, and probably think the players shouldn't have gone on strike in 1994 for the good of the game, and taken their screwing in 1995 when the owners would have locked them out, even though MLB was breaking the law.
Forfeit to be tied by Larry Mahnken
What happened yesterday afternoon was a failure on the part of Major League Baseball.
Monday, September 06, 2004
Devil Rays Can't Get Out of Florida by Larry Mahnken
"Let's get a grill," Yankees pitcher Mike Mussina said. "Hot dogs and burgers on the field."
by Larry Mahnken
Well, the Yankees had a bad weekend any way you spin it. Kevin Brown is out for most of, if not all of the rest of the season, Jason Giambi appears unlikely to return this year, and for the third straight series the Yankees dropped a game in the standings, again while playing a team they should have beat while Boston played a team they shouldn't have beat up on.
Friday, September 03, 2004
Brown breaks hand punching wall by Larry Mahnken
Bit of advice, Kev. Throw a chair, it's much less likely to break your hand.
Back in Business by Larry Mahnken
The recent Yankees collapse has, of course, not been so much a collapse as it's been a crazy surge by the Red Sox. Oh yeah, they lost six of seven, and they lost 22-0, but if Boston had only been hot instead of crazy-insane hot, the Yankees would still have quite a big lead. And, of course, 3½ ain't so bad a lead, either. It just sucks in comparison to a 10½ game lead. Or a 4½ game lead, for that matter.
Thursday, September 02, 2004
The Sound and the Fury: Crafting the Postseason Roster by Sean McNally
With a three-and-a-half game lead in the division and a seven game lead in the Wild Card, it's probably safe to think about who the Yanks should take into the postseason ... Sean and John debate this point in the first of a possibly, sort-of regular series, "The Sound and the Fury."
by Larry Mahnken
It's a subscribers-only interview, but BPro asked J.P. Riccardi about defense:
The Empire Strikes Back by Larry Mahnken
There have been a lot of must-win games for the Yankees in the past ten years. They've won a lot of them, they've lost some of them. But I don't think that they've had a single must-win during the regular season.
Wednesday, September 01, 2004
by Larry Mahnken
OK, I've changed the blog commenting system to Haloscan. All the old comments are on the old system, so they're still around, but not here.
Nightmare Scenario by Larry Mahnken
What do you say about a 22-0 loss?
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