The Big Ten. Ohio State. Players receiving gifts in exchange for football-related services/items. Big-time suspensions, right? No bowl game for those dastardly players? Not exactly.
Five Ohio State football players, including star quarterback Terrelle Pryor, got five-game suspensions from the NCAA for trading autographed items for tattoos. The problem is, the suspensions do not include the Sugar Bowl, instead starting with the first (easy, out-of-conference) game next season. Even worse, all the players involved are juniors (read: they can go into the draft this year, avoiding all disciplinary action).
There's no doubt the NCAA panders to certain schools or conferences depending on the situation. Cam Newton wasn't suspended even though the rule explicitly states he should have been suspended. Why? Because the NCAA didn't want TCU in the National Championship Game. Again, why? Because TCU might have beaten Oregon, which would have completely turned the BCS world upside down. Besides, Cam Newton plays for Auburn, a team from a major conference.
While the Cam Newton fiasco is even more blatant than the situation with Ohio State, it's pretty obvious that the NCAA simply wants Terrelle Pryor and his cohorts to play in the Sugar Bowl. Otherwise, who would want to watch the Sugar Bowl between Arkansas and the Ohio State B-Team except Arkansas and Ohio State fans?
In the end, it's all about money. The Big Ten is not only an extremely rich (read: influential) conference, there are TV ratings, attendance, etc. to think about.
Of course, it could have been worse. If Texas had a few players trading autographs for tattoos, they probably would have gotten trophies instead of suspensions.
Hydra
6-4-3 double play... Ballgame over! Yankees win! Theeeeeee Yankees win!
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
DeSean Ochocinco
Eagles wide receiver DeSean Jackson is developing a reputation as an excessive celebrator. On Sunday, Jackson ran back a punt for a TD as time expired, putting the Eagles ahead of the Giants in a game that otherwise would have gone into overtime. At the end of the play, he ran parallel to the end zone for quite a distance, even though the clock already said :00. That's about as unsportsmanlike as it gets. This isn't an isolated incident, either; Jackson has a history of excessive celebrations that dates back to his high school days.
Of course, the NFL has also helped to created this problem with Jackson. Since they banned the interesting ways of celebrating, even going so far as to fine Chad Ochocinco for celebrating on the sideline, wide receivers rarely get their antics broadcast in highlight reels. So DeSean Jackson celebrates while (or just before) scoring a touchdown. Then the networks have to broadcast his moment of glory.
We don't mind the NFL banning the T.O., Joe Horn, and Ochocinco celebrations. Elaborate, preplanned celebrations by individual players have no place in team sports. DeSean Jackson's celebrations don't quite fit in that category, though, and while they're very unsportsmanlike, someday he's going to be clobbered from behind by Troy Polamalu and learn a very valuable lesson. The NFL has already tried to drain all the life out of game by enforcing rules in ways they were never intended to be enforced. Roger Goody-Two-Shoes should just keep his nose out of DeSean Jackson's celebrations. Jackson will eventually figure out that 1) nobody really cares and 2) his actions only hurt himself and his team.
If you're a New York Giants fan like us, we hope you've been distracted from their painful, embarrassing loss to the Eagles. If you're not, please stop laughing at us and the rest of the Giants' distraught fans.
Hydra
6-4-3 double play... Ballgame over! Yankees win! Theeeeeee Yankees win!
Of course, the NFL has also helped to created this problem with Jackson. Since they banned the interesting ways of celebrating, even going so far as to fine Chad Ochocinco for celebrating on the sideline, wide receivers rarely get their antics broadcast in highlight reels. So DeSean Jackson celebrates while (or just before) scoring a touchdown. Then the networks have to broadcast his moment of glory.
We don't mind the NFL banning the T.O., Joe Horn, and Ochocinco celebrations. Elaborate, preplanned celebrations by individual players have no place in team sports. DeSean Jackson's celebrations don't quite fit in that category, though, and while they're very unsportsmanlike, someday he's going to be clobbered from behind by Troy Polamalu and learn a very valuable lesson. The NFL has already tried to drain all the life out of game by enforcing rules in ways they were never intended to be enforced. Roger Goody-Two-Shoes should just keep his nose out of DeSean Jackson's celebrations. Jackson will eventually figure out that 1) nobody really cares and 2) his actions only hurt himself and his team.
If you're a New York Giants fan like us, we hope you've been distracted from their painful, embarrassing loss to the Eagles. If you're not, please stop laughing at us and the rest of the Giants' distraught fans.
Hydra
6-4-3 double play... Ballgame over! Yankees win! Theeeeeee Yankees win!
Monday, November 22, 2010
Since Our Tempers Have Now Cooled...
We'd like to revisit Bo Pelini's tantrum in the Texas A&M game and postgame. Bo apologized in his press conference today, which makes things right again. He should not have provoked the refs into throwing a well-deserved unsportsmanlike conduct flag (coaches can't go around cussing out officials), but everybody makes mistakes; some people just make them on national television.
That being said, Bo's anger is completely understandable. Husker fans like us are fed up with the Big 12 refs, who have pummeled Nebraska with bad calls, no calls, and tweaked rules since the Big 12 Championship Game last year. The game against Texas A&M was about the worst game yet as far as the refs went. (Although it wasn't as bad as the Chiefs/Raiders NFL game a couple weeks ago... that was so bad it was funny.) Bo has just gotten to a point where he can't take it any more. Yes, Bo has gotten unsportsmanlike conduct penalites before, notably in sticking up for one of his players (we think it was Ndamukong Suh) in the Virginia Tech game two years ago. But Bo hasn't had one since... until Saturday, when his players were obviously getting targeted by the refs.
As far as his press conference goes, Bo should not have criticized Taylor Martinez as harshly as he did. (By the way, we have no problem with him shouting at Taylor on the sideline. Why is everyone making a big deal about that?) Did Taylor play well? Not at all. But the team was a heck of a lot better with him in the game than with Cody Green. Plus, Taylor was playing hurt. He didn't participate in practice today and showed up with a walking boot on his foot. (Incidentally, the walking boot was on his left foot, not his right foot... apparently his sprained right ankle is okay; his injury is on one of his left toes. Very confusing.)
In the end, Bo made a couple mistakes. But, frankly, it could be worse. Brad Childress handled the Brett Favre situation in a much worse way and got fired for it.
Hydra
6-4-3 double play... Ballgame over! Yankees win! Theeeeeee Yankees win!
That being said, Bo's anger is completely understandable. Husker fans like us are fed up with the Big 12 refs, who have pummeled Nebraska with bad calls, no calls, and tweaked rules since the Big 12 Championship Game last year. The game against Texas A&M was about the worst game yet as far as the refs went. (Although it wasn't as bad as the Chiefs/Raiders NFL game a couple weeks ago... that was so bad it was funny.) Bo has just gotten to a point where he can't take it any more. Yes, Bo has gotten unsportsmanlike conduct penalites before, notably in sticking up for one of his players (we think it was Ndamukong Suh) in the Virginia Tech game two years ago. But Bo hasn't had one since... until Saturday, when his players were obviously getting targeted by the refs.
As far as his press conference goes, Bo should not have criticized Taylor Martinez as harshly as he did. (By the way, we have no problem with him shouting at Taylor on the sideline. Why is everyone making a big deal about that?) Did Taylor play well? Not at all. But the team was a heck of a lot better with him in the game than with Cody Green. Plus, Taylor was playing hurt. He didn't participate in practice today and showed up with a walking boot on his foot. (Incidentally, the walking boot was on his left foot, not his right foot... apparently his sprained right ankle is okay; his injury is on one of his left toes. Very confusing.)
In the end, Bo made a couple mistakes. But, frankly, it could be worse. Brad Childress handled the Brett Favre situation in a much worse way and got fired for it.
Hydra
6-4-3 double play... Ballgame over! Yankees win! Theeeeeee Yankees win!
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Thoughts on the Huskers/Aggies Game
First, the Big 12 officially hates Nebraska. Or, rather, the Big 12 officials hate Nebraska. The "roughing the passer" penalty that rescued Texas A&M's drive and put them in game-winning field goal range was one of the most ridiculous calls we have ever seen. Plus, if you heard about the personal foul/unsportsmanlike conduct double penalties against Huskers tight end Ben Cotton, watch this video and you'll see why at least the personal foul flag was a bad call.
Of course, the Huskers didn't deserve to win that game. (But then, the Aggies didn't either.) Essentially, the offense looked totally lost. Shawn Watson has to be fired. The only time the Huskers ever go down the field, either with Cody Green (a truly awful quarterback) or an injured Taylor Martinez, is when Rex Burkhead carries the ball. But he hardly got any touches before the fourth quarter when, surprise!, the Huskers drove right down the field - until Watson switched to a passing play that fell flat and killed the drive. The Huskers ended up with a field goal instead of a touchdown, and ultimately lost the game by three points.
As a side note, Bo Pelini should get a little more discipline into his actions, both on the field and in press conferences, if he wants his team to play disciplined football. Hopefully athletic director Tom Osborne will help him control his temper a little better.
Hydra
6-4-3 double play... Ballgame over! Yankees win! Theeeeeee Yankees win!
Of course, the Huskers didn't deserve to win that game. (But then, the Aggies didn't either.) Essentially, the offense looked totally lost. Shawn Watson has to be fired. The only time the Huskers ever go down the field, either with Cody Green (a truly awful quarterback) or an injured Taylor Martinez, is when Rex Burkhead carries the ball. But he hardly got any touches before the fourth quarter when, surprise!, the Huskers drove right down the field - until Watson switched to a passing play that fell flat and killed the drive. The Huskers ended up with a field goal instead of a touchdown, and ultimately lost the game by three points.
As a side note, Bo Pelini should get a little more discipline into his actions, both on the field and in press conferences, if he wants his team to play disciplined football. Hopefully athletic director Tom Osborne will help him control his temper a little better.
Hydra
6-4-3 double play... Ballgame over! Yankees win! Theeeeeee Yankees win!
Thursday, October 28, 2010
There Are Smart Moves... And Then There Are Red Sox Moves
The Yankees have reportedly signed Joe Girardi to a three-year deal. Wasn't he supposed to end up in Chicago? I mean, who wouldn't leave the Yankees to go to the Cubs? Wait... nobody? Just checking.
Apparently the team options for Kerry Wood and Lance Berkman and the mutual option for Nick Johnson were all declined by the Yankees. Wood's was $11 million for one year, Berkman's was $15 million, and Johnson's was $5.5 million. The decision on Johnson was a no-brainer. Berkman is not worth that much money, but we don't think he's coming back anyway. The Yankees will likely sign Marcus Thames instead, and two DHs (three, if you include Posada) are just too many. Wood should definitely be brought back, but the Yankees can probably sign him to longer-term deal with less money per year.
As far as other free agents go, Derek Jeter and Mariano Rivera are definitely coming back. It's just a matter of how much and how long. Andy Pettitte will retire; the stupid Clemens court case hanging over his head would be too much of a distraction to the team if he were to come back. Austin Kearns and Javier Vazquez are goners. And Cliff Lee will be signing on the dotted line before Christmas.
Unfortunately, the likes of John Lackey, Mike Cameron, and Marco Scutaro are no longer on the market, since the Red Sox snatched them away from the Yankees and signed them to multi-year deals last offseason. Then again, maybe it's for the best.
Hydra
6-4-3 double play... Ballgame over! Yankees win! Theeeeeee Yankees win!
Apparently the team options for Kerry Wood and Lance Berkman and the mutual option for Nick Johnson were all declined by the Yankees. Wood's was $11 million for one year, Berkman's was $15 million, and Johnson's was $5.5 million. The decision on Johnson was a no-brainer. Berkman is not worth that much money, but we don't think he's coming back anyway. The Yankees will likely sign Marcus Thames instead, and two DHs (three, if you include Posada) are just too many. Wood should definitely be brought back, but the Yankees can probably sign him to longer-term deal with less money per year.
As far as other free agents go, Derek Jeter and Mariano Rivera are definitely coming back. It's just a matter of how much and how long. Andy Pettitte will retire; the stupid Clemens court case hanging over his head would be too much of a distraction to the team if he were to come back. Austin Kearns and Javier Vazquez are goners. And Cliff Lee will be signing on the dotted line before Christmas.
Unfortunately, the likes of John Lackey, Mike Cameron, and Marco Scutaro are no longer on the market, since the Red Sox snatched them away from the Yankees and signed them to multi-year deals last offseason. Then again, maybe it's for the best.
Hydra
6-4-3 double play... Ballgame over! Yankees win! Theeeeeee Yankees win!
Postseason Log 13
The Good News:
We were right about one thing; the Giants are in the World Series.
The Bad News:
The Giants won Game 1.
Our World Series prediction is for the Rangers to win in six games. (This pick has nothing to do with what happened last night; we had chosen before the game started and just didn't get around to posting.)
By the way, did anyone notice what a great pitcher's duel it was last night? Check that; the starters gave up 10 runs between them, didn't they? Okay. Just checking to see if you were paying attention.
Hydra
6-4-3 double play... Ballgame over! Yankees win! Theeeeeee Yankees win!
We were right about one thing; the Giants are in the World Series.
The Bad News:
The Giants won Game 1.
Our World Series prediction is for the Rangers to win in six games. (This pick has nothing to do with what happened last night; we had chosen before the game started and just didn't get around to posting.)
By the way, did anyone notice what a great pitcher's duel it was last night? Check that; the starters gave up 10 runs between them, didn't they? Okay. Just checking to see if you were paying attention.
Hydra
6-4-3 double play... Ballgame over! Yankees win! Theeeeeee Yankees win!
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Anybody Sick Of This Yet?
Brett Favre. Has anybody groaned and left this webpage? The Green Bay Packers played the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday night. The Packers won in a close contest that came down to the final minute of the game. But instead of focusing on the victorious Packers, NBC's cameras followed Brett Favre across the field and through the tunnel. Undoubtedly they would have followed him all the way into the locker room had their cameras been allowed.
This is just the most recent example of the media's obsession with Brett Favre. Granted, there's a lot to talk about. He's been the epitome of a drama king for the past few years, and his problems have multiplied this season. But what about the game? The NFL is, after all, about football, not the off-field problems of individual players, or even an individual player's injuries.
Unfortunately, the obsession with Brett Favre is part of a bigger problem. Pregame shows and other media outlets choose one or two topics to obsess over each week. Anyone who has watched an NCAA football pregame show on ABC knows the analysts latch onto one or two featured teams or players and pretty much focuses on them. Denard Robinson was a shoo-in for the Heisman until his dreadful game a few weeks ago. Alabama was the greatest team ever until they were defeated by South Carolina. Teams like Nebraska (who, granted, is not the greatest team ever)? Ignored until they played on ABC - and then their defense was called the "Blackhawks" instead of the "Blackshirts." Disgraceful.
Many sports have introduced salary caps to level the playing field. While we don't agree with salary caps, it would be nice if the media introduced a "coverage cap" to level the "broadcast field."
Hydra
6-4-3 double play... Ballgame over! Yankees win! Theeeeeee Yankees win!
This is just the most recent example of the media's obsession with Brett Favre. Granted, there's a lot to talk about. He's been the epitome of a drama king for the past few years, and his problems have multiplied this season. But what about the game? The NFL is, after all, about football, not the off-field problems of individual players, or even an individual player's injuries.
Unfortunately, the obsession with Brett Favre is part of a bigger problem. Pregame shows and other media outlets choose one or two topics to obsess over each week. Anyone who has watched an NCAA football pregame show on ABC knows the analysts latch onto one or two featured teams or players and pretty much focuses on them. Denard Robinson was a shoo-in for the Heisman until his dreadful game a few weeks ago. Alabama was the greatest team ever until they were defeated by South Carolina. Teams like Nebraska (who, granted, is not the greatest team ever)? Ignored until they played on ABC - and then their defense was called the "Blackhawks" instead of the "Blackshirts." Disgraceful.
Many sports have introduced salary caps to level the playing field. While we don't agree with salary caps, it would be nice if the media introduced a "coverage cap" to level the "broadcast field."
Hydra
6-4-3 double play... Ballgame over! Yankees win! Theeeeeee Yankees win!
Saturday, October 23, 2010
Postseason Log 12
The Good News:
Ha!
The Bad News:
The Yankees lost.
When you can't pitch and you can't hit, chances are you're going to lose. The Yankees will sign Cliff Lee in the offseason, stop trusting David Robertson in the postseason (c'mon, Girardi!), and be back next year for another shot at the World Series.
Hydra
6-4-3 double play... Ballgame over! Yankees win! Theeeeeee Yankees win!
Ha!
The Bad News:
The Yankees lost.
When you can't pitch and you can't hit, chances are you're going to lose. The Yankees will sign Cliff Lee in the offseason, stop trusting David Robertson in the postseason (c'mon, Girardi!), and be back next year for another shot at the World Series.
Hydra
6-4-3 double play... Ballgame over! Yankees win! Theeeeeee Yankees win!
Friday, October 22, 2010
Postseason Logs 9, 10, and 11
The Good News:
Basically, the Yankees aren't dead yet, and the Giants are leading the Phillies 3-2.
The Bad News:
The Phillies aren't dead yet, and the Yankees are going to have to go through Cliff Lee to make the World Series.
If any team can come back and win the ALCS under these circumstances (losing their #3 hitter, Teixeira, and playing against one of the best postseason pitchers in the game, Cliff Lee), the Yankees can. But if any team can have such a resurgence in confidence and quality of play in Game 5 and then fall flat on their faces in Game 6 to lose the series, the Yankees can. It all depends on whether they can hit those runs in.
Hydra
6-4-3 double play... Ballgame over! Yankees win! Theeeeeee Yankees win!
Basically, the Yankees aren't dead yet, and the Giants are leading the Phillies 3-2.
The Bad News:
The Phillies aren't dead yet, and the Yankees are going to have to go through Cliff Lee to make the World Series.
If any team can come back and win the ALCS under these circumstances (losing their #3 hitter, Teixeira, and playing against one of the best postseason pitchers in the game, Cliff Lee), the Yankees can. But if any team can have such a resurgence in confidence and quality of play in Game 5 and then fall flat on their faces in Game 6 to lose the series, the Yankees can. It all depends on whether they can hit those runs in.
Hydra
6-4-3 double play... Ballgame over! Yankees win! Theeeeeee Yankees win!
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Postseason Log 8
The Good News:
Don't even mention it.
The Bad News:
The Yankees got embarrassed by the Rangers, and the Giants got embarrassed by the Phillies.
This was the problem with starting Phil Hughes in Game 2. Assuming Cliff Lee's start in Game 7 is an automatic win for the Rangers, the Yankees have to win the next three games. Two of which are being started by A.J. Burnett and Phil Hughes, respectively.
Hydra
6-4-3 double play... Ballgame over! Yankees win! Theeeeeee Yankees win!
Don't even mention it.
The Bad News:
The Yankees got embarrassed by the Rangers, and the Giants got embarrassed by the Phillies.
This was the problem with starting Phil Hughes in Game 2. Assuming Cliff Lee's start in Game 7 is an automatic win for the Rangers, the Yankees have to win the next three games. Two of which are being started by A.J. Burnett and Phil Hughes, respectively.
Hydra
6-4-3 double play... Ballgame over! Yankees win! Theeeeeee Yankees win!
Monday, October 18, 2010
Postseason Log 7
The Good News:
The Giants beat the Phillies in the first game of the NLCS on Saturday night. The Yankees came back from five runs down on Friday night to beat the Rangers in the first game of the ALCS.
The Bad News:
The Yankees lost to the Rangers with a horrible performance by Phil Hughes on Saturday night, and the Phillies beat the Giants rather handily on Sunday night.
Well, if our teams win every other game, we'll end up on top. *Gulp*
Hydra
6-4-3 double play... Ballgame over! Yankees win! Theeeeeee Yankees win!
The Giants beat the Phillies in the first game of the NLCS on Saturday night. The Yankees came back from five runs down on Friday night to beat the Rangers in the first game of the ALCS.
The Bad News:
The Yankees lost to the Rangers with a horrible performance by Phil Hughes on Saturday night, and the Phillies beat the Giants rather handily on Sunday night.
Well, if our teams win every other game, we'll end up on top. *Gulp*
Hydra
6-4-3 double play... Ballgame over! Yankees win! Theeeeeee Yankees win!
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Postseason Log 6
The Good News:
The Rangers beat the Rays in Game 5 last night, which brings our predictions to 3-1.
The Bad News:
The Rangers played darn well last night.
The Rays made such a huge deal about getting home field advantage in the ALDS. What did they do? Go out and lose all three home games.
Hydra
6-4-3 double play... Ballgame over! Yankees win! Theeeeeee Yankees win!
The Rangers beat the Rays in Game 5 last night, which brings our predictions to 3-1.
The Bad News:
The Rangers played darn well last night.
The Rays made such a huge deal about getting home field advantage in the ALDS. What did they do? Go out and lose all three home games.
Hydra
6-4-3 double play... Ballgame over! Yankees win! Theeeeeee Yankees win!
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Postseason Log 5
The Good News:
The Giants finally clinched in a nail-biter against the Braves.
The Bad News:
The aforementioned Giants are going to have to step up their game if they're going to beat the Phillies in the NLCS.
Um, did anybody else notice who made the last out of the Braves/Giants series? The Melk-man must have had a flat tire on the way to his delivery.
Hydra
6-4-3 double play... Ballgame over! Yankees win! Theeeeeee Yankees win!
The Giants finally clinched in a nail-biter against the Braves.
The Bad News:
The aforementioned Giants are going to have to step up their game if they're going to beat the Phillies in the NLCS.
Um, did anybody else notice who made the last out of the Braves/Giants series? The Melk-man must have had a flat tire on the way to his delivery.
Hydra
6-4-3 double play... Ballgame over! Yankees win! Theeeeeee Yankees win!
Monday, October 11, 2010
Postseason Log 4
The Good News:
The Giants won, thanks to some awful defense by the Braves, and now lead their series 2-1.
The Bad News:
The Rays beat the Rangers (darnit), which means that series is going back to St. Petersburg for Game 5. Of course, the Rangers won the first two games at St. Petersburg, so that shouldn't be a big deal. Also, the Phillies completed a sweep of the Reds.
The good news about the Rays/Rangers series is that both teams are playing better on the road than at home. Looks like the Yankees might have been better off winning the wild card (read: being the away team) instead of the division. First getting to play the Twins, then playing on the road more...
Hydra
6-4-3 double play... Ballgame over! Yankees win! Theeeeeee Yankees win!
The Giants won, thanks to some awful defense by the Braves, and now lead their series 2-1.
The Bad News:
The Rays beat the Rangers (darnit), which means that series is going back to St. Petersburg for Game 5. Of course, the Rangers won the first two games at St. Petersburg, so that shouldn't be a big deal. Also, the Phillies completed a sweep of the Reds.
The good news about the Rays/Rangers series is that both teams are playing better on the road than at home. Looks like the Yankees might have been better off winning the wild card (read: being the away team) instead of the division. First getting to play the Twins, then playing on the road more...
Hydra
6-4-3 double play... Ballgame over! Yankees win! Theeeeeee Yankees win!
Saturday, October 9, 2010
Postseason Log 3
The Good News:
Oh, boy. None.
The Bad News:
The Giants aren't going to sweep the Braves after losing last night. The Reds are now down to the Phillies two games to none, and are likely not going to win the series. (Although if they do, it will be in five games.)
This is why we cheer for the American League over the National League. The NL just won't cooperate.
Hydra
6-4-3 double play... Ballgame over! Yankees win! Theeeeeee Yankees win!
Oh, boy. None.
The Bad News:
The Giants aren't going to sweep the Braves after losing last night. The Reds are now down to the Phillies two games to none, and are likely not going to win the series. (Although if they do, it will be in five games.)
This is why we cheer for the American League over the National League. The NL just won't cooperate.
Hydra
6-4-3 double play... Ballgame over! Yankees win! Theeeeeee Yankees win!
Friday, October 8, 2010
Postseason Log 2
The Good News:
Anyone who would like a taste of toasted Ray: Please line up outside Rangers Ballpark in Arlington, Texas on Saturday. Bring your own fork. The Yankees beat the Twins yet again, this time with help from Lance Berkman and Andy Pettitte. (Still don't understand why the media was freaking out with worry about him.) Tim Lincecum of the Giants threw a complete-game shutout against the Braves.
The Bad News:
None.
We would like to personally thank the MLB umpires for their cooperation in the fulfillment of our postseason predictions.
Hydra
6-4-3 double play... Ballgame over! Yankees win! Theeeeeee Yankees win!
Anyone who would like a taste of toasted Ray: Please line up outside Rangers Ballpark in Arlington, Texas on Saturday. Bring your own fork. The Yankees beat the Twins yet again, this time with help from Lance Berkman and Andy Pettitte. (Still don't understand why the media was freaking out with worry about him.) Tim Lincecum of the Giants threw a complete-game shutout against the Braves.
The Bad News:
None.
We would like to personally thank the MLB umpires for their cooperation in the fulfillment of our postseason predictions.
Hydra
6-4-3 double play... Ballgame over! Yankees win! Theeeeeee Yankees win!
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Postseason Log 1
The Good News:
The Yankees squeaked out a win last night, courtesy of Mark Teixeira. The Rays lost to the Rangers in decisive fashion.
The Bad News:
Yikes. So the Reds were no-hit by Roy Halladay of the Phillies. That doesn't look promising for our predictions, even if Orlando Cabrera was right and the ump was giving Halladay everything. Umps have given guys pitches before, and there has only been one no-hitter (perfect game, actually) in the playoffs before.
All in all, it was a satisfying day for us, both as Yankee fans and Ray haters. Oh, and postseason predictors.
Hydra
6-4-3 double play... Ballgame over! Yankees win! Theeeeeee Yankees win!
The Yankees squeaked out a win last night, courtesy of Mark Teixeira. The Rays lost to the Rangers in decisive fashion.
The Bad News:
Yikes. So the Reds were no-hit by Roy Halladay of the Phillies. That doesn't look promising for our predictions, even if Orlando Cabrera was right and the ump was giving Halladay everything. Umps have given guys pitches before, and there has only been one no-hitter (perfect game, actually) in the playoffs before.
All in all, it was a satisfying day for us, both as Yankee fans and Ray haters. Oh, and postseason predictors.
Hydra
6-4-3 double play... Ballgame over! Yankees win! Theeeeeee Yankees win!
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Postseason Predictions
We have decided on our postseason predictions, and we are never wrong. Except when we're wrong.
The Yankees will beat the Twins in the first round - probably in four games. After all, the Twins are the Twins, and the Twins always lose in the first round.
Meanwhile, the Rays will lose to the Rangers in four games. The Rays are simply not good enough to beat the Rangers.
As far as the National League goes, the Giants are going to sweep the Braves, and the Reds are going to beat the Phillies in five games.
In the League Championship Series, the Yankees will beat the Rangers in six games, and the Giants will beat the Reds in five games.
Naturally, the Yankees will win the World Series, beating the Giants in six games. However great the Giants's pitching staff is, they are in the National League. West.
These predictions are brought to you courtesy of a pair of baseball fans who once stayed up until the wee hours of the morning to watch the Yankees get pounded by the Los Angelos Angels of Anaheim. As you can see, we're a very unbiased duo.
Hydra
6-4-3 double play... Ballgame over! Yankees win! Theeeeeee Yankees win!
The Yankees will beat the Twins in the first round - probably in four games. After all, the Twins are the Twins, and the Twins always lose in the first round.
Meanwhile, the Rays will lose to the Rangers in four games. The Rays are simply not good enough to beat the Rangers.
As far as the National League goes, the Giants are going to sweep the Braves, and the Reds are going to beat the Phillies in five games.
In the League Championship Series, the Yankees will beat the Rangers in six games, and the Giants will beat the Reds in five games.
Naturally, the Yankees will win the World Series, beating the Giants in six games. However great the Giants's pitching staff is, they are in the National League. West.
These predictions are brought to you courtesy of a pair of baseball fans who once stayed up until the wee hours of the morning to watch the Yankees get pounded by the Los Angelos Angels of Anaheim. As you can see, we're a very unbiased duo.
Hydra
6-4-3 double play... Ballgame over! Yankees win! Theeeeeee Yankees win!
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Should Joe Go with Nova or Logan?
Joe Girardi's decision to pull Ivan Nova with two outs, two on and up by two in the 6th inning has been rather controversial around here.
Hlava: I completely agree with Girardi. Nova loaded the bases with nobody out, and got Longoria to ground into a double play. Obviously, Nova is a candidate for the 4th started role in the postseason. Lifting him from the game on that kind of a high note is a great idea. I've seen tons of games where guys would get themselves into a jam, get one or two outs, and then blow it. Why not give the kid some confidence?
Cabeza: Girardi shouldn't have done it. If Nova's starts over the rest of the years will determine whether he starts in the postseason or not, Girardi should have left him in to give him a chance to prove he can get out of that kind of situation by himself. Also, he took Nova out for Boone Logan, who has been terrible lately.
Hlava: There you go! Logan is the only lefty in the bullpen who's going to make the postseason. The Yankees need to be able to put him into those kinds of situations (2nd and 3rd, 2 outs) in the postseason in order to be successful.
Cabeza: However, this series is huge. It was important to win the first game. That out was the biggest out in the game, and why would Girardi bring in a guy who's been struggling. How does he have a better chance of getting Dan Johnson out than Nova would if he had stayed in the game?
Hlava: I don't know what the matchups were, so I can't really answer that. But, in all honesty, Phil Hughes has been so mediocre for the last four months, he really has no shot at making the postseason rotation. Therefore, the Yankees need Nova to be confident going into the postseason. If he had blown that game like so many other pitchers have blown similar games... ouch.
Cabeza: I see where you're coming from, but I still would have left Nova in there. I don't think he would have blown it, and he needs to prove that he can get out of jams.
Ultimately, Girardi is still the best manager in baseball. He won the World Series last year, despite his supposed "over-managing," and the Yankees are in first place in the AL East. But sometimes his decisions are annoying - particularly from a fan's standpoint!
Hydra
6-4-3 double play... Ballgame over! Yankees win! Theeeeeee Yankees win!
Hlava: I completely agree with Girardi. Nova loaded the bases with nobody out, and got Longoria to ground into a double play. Obviously, Nova is a candidate for the 4th started role in the postseason. Lifting him from the game on that kind of a high note is a great idea. I've seen tons of games where guys would get themselves into a jam, get one or two outs, and then blow it. Why not give the kid some confidence?
Cabeza: Girardi shouldn't have done it. If Nova's starts over the rest of the years will determine whether he starts in the postseason or not, Girardi should have left him in to give him a chance to prove he can get out of that kind of situation by himself. Also, he took Nova out for Boone Logan, who has been terrible lately.
Hlava: There you go! Logan is the only lefty in the bullpen who's going to make the postseason. The Yankees need to be able to put him into those kinds of situations (2nd and 3rd, 2 outs) in the postseason in order to be successful.
Cabeza: However, this series is huge. It was important to win the first game. That out was the biggest out in the game, and why would Girardi bring in a guy who's been struggling. How does he have a better chance of getting Dan Johnson out than Nova would if he had stayed in the game?
Hlava: I don't know what the matchups were, so I can't really answer that. But, in all honesty, Phil Hughes has been so mediocre for the last four months, he really has no shot at making the postseason rotation. Therefore, the Yankees need Nova to be confident going into the postseason. If he had blown that game like so many other pitchers have blown similar games... ouch.
Cabeza: I see where you're coming from, but I still would have left Nova in there. I don't think he would have blown it, and he needs to prove that he can get out of jams.
Ultimately, Girardi is still the best manager in baseball. He won the World Series last year, despite his supposed "over-managing," and the Yankees are in first place in the AL East. But sometimes his decisions are annoying - particularly from a fan's standpoint!
Hydra
6-4-3 double play... Ballgame over! Yankees win! Theeeeeee Yankees win!
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Heisman Hoopla
The media is in a hoopla over Reggie Bush and the 2005 Heisman. Between calls for Bush to hold a press conference and calls for him to sit down with a reporter that he "trusts," it's pretty obvious that the media wants answers. After all, Bush owes it to his fans, USC fans, and NCAA fans to explain his actions. Or does he?
Bush let fans down. He took money from an agent - something that violated the NCAA rules, but didn't affect his performance on the field - and essentially destroyed the 2005 season, both for him and for USC. Since his decisions affected fans, he owes fans an apology. We haven't seen anything approaching an apology in any articles about Bush and the controversy over his Heisman. However, while he owes fans an apology and USC and his former teammates many apologies and much, much more, he does not owe fans an explanation of his actions.
Fans have no right to demand an explanation from Bush. Yes, he let them down. But, ultimately, his bad choices didn't affect them much. Die-hard USC fans might disagree, but their lives are not seriously altered by the NCAA's decisions to strip USC of the wins it got while Bush was violating the rules. Bush likely has some very personal reasons for the decisions that he made. The American public, right down to that Trojan freak who dresses up like a Roman soldier every Saturday and owns a chariot and a horse, has no right to demand details from Bush's personal life.
Of course, the Nebraska Cornhuskers have nothing to be ashamed of. Look at their Heisman winners - like Eric Crouch. Okay, never mind.
Hydra
6-4-3 double play... Ballgame over! Yankees win! Theeeeeee Yankees win!
Bush let fans down. He took money from an agent - something that violated the NCAA rules, but didn't affect his performance on the field - and essentially destroyed the 2005 season, both for him and for USC. Since his decisions affected fans, he owes fans an apology. We haven't seen anything approaching an apology in any articles about Bush and the controversy over his Heisman. However, while he owes fans an apology and USC and his former teammates many apologies and much, much more, he does not owe fans an explanation of his actions.
Fans have no right to demand an explanation from Bush. Yes, he let them down. But, ultimately, his bad choices didn't affect them much. Die-hard USC fans might disagree, but their lives are not seriously altered by the NCAA's decisions to strip USC of the wins it got while Bush was violating the rules. Bush likely has some very personal reasons for the decisions that he made. The American public, right down to that Trojan freak who dresses up like a Roman soldier every Saturday and owns a chariot and a horse, has no right to demand details from Bush's personal life.
Of course, the Nebraska Cornhuskers have nothing to be ashamed of. Look at their Heisman winners - like Eric Crouch. Okay, never mind.
Hydra
6-4-3 double play... Ballgame over! Yankees win! Theeeeeee Yankees win!
Friday, September 10, 2010
Ex-Cheesy Drama Queen
We at Hydra are big Green Bay Packer fans. Therefore, we can't stand Brett Favre. The man is a traitor and a drama queen. Just thought we should clear that up.
Favre has stayed in the NFL three years too long. He never should have gone to the Jets in his first un-retirement. Yes, he won several games with late TDs - but those TDs were only required because he threw interceptions to send the other team ahead in the first place!
Then Favre went to the Vikings. He had the best statistical season of his career, but ended the year with a typical Favre moment - a key interception late in the game that essentially blew his team's chance to win.
Now he's back for his third season without a cheese-head. He didn't attend training camp and has no confidence in his wide receivers. It doesn't seem like he even thinks he made the right decision to come back. The Vikings might make the playoffs, but their postseason will be cut short in true Favre fashion - with a late interception of a stupid throw.
Hydra
6-4-3 double play... Ballgame over! Yankees win! Theeeeeee Yankees win!
Favre has stayed in the NFL three years too long. He never should have gone to the Jets in his first un-retirement. Yes, he won several games with late TDs - but those TDs were only required because he threw interceptions to send the other team ahead in the first place!
Then Favre went to the Vikings. He had the best statistical season of his career, but ended the year with a typical Favre moment - a key interception late in the game that essentially blew his team's chance to win.
Now he's back for his third season without a cheese-head. He didn't attend training camp and has no confidence in his wide receivers. It doesn't seem like he even thinks he made the right decision to come back. The Vikings might make the playoffs, but their postseason will be cut short in true Favre fashion - with a late interception of a stupid throw.
Hydra
6-4-3 double play... Ballgame over! Yankees win! Theeeeeee Yankees win!
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Hitting, Pitching, and RSN
Believe it or not, the Yankees are pretty similar to most other teams in one respect - their success hinges on a player or two carrying the team. Early in the year, it was Robinson Cano. Later, it was Mark Teixeira. Still later, Brett Gardner and Nick Swisher shouldered the team. Unfortunately, the Yankees are losing right now because none of their players are hot.
There's a simple remedy to the arctic bats in New York: Alex Rodriguez. He was just getting his power back when that calf injury cropped up, and his expected return in the next week would likely catapult the Yankees into a hot streak just like it did last May. Simply relieving the pressure on Cano (who is, frankly, dreadful in key situations) by moving him down in the lineup would be a big help.
Of course, there's never one reason for a team's struggles. The Yankee starting pitching staff has also been dreadful recently. Unfortunately, there's no A-Rod around the corner to rescue the pitchers. Andy Pettitte would straighten things out in a big hurry (the Yankees have struggled at 20-17 since his last start), but he isn't due back for at least another two weeks. So the starters will just have to ride things out until Pettitte can come back and save the day.
Naturally, ESPN is buzzing about how resiliant the Yankees have been in the last month or so whilst missing their best hitter and their second-best pitcher. Wait - ESPN (which should be known as RSN - Red Sox Nation) is too busy lauding the Red Sox for their resiliance in overcoming their injuries to pay any attention to the li'l ol' Yankees team.
Hydra
6-4-3 double play... Ballgame over! Yankees win! Theeeeeee Yankees win!
There's a simple remedy to the arctic bats in New York: Alex Rodriguez. He was just getting his power back when that calf injury cropped up, and his expected return in the next week would likely catapult the Yankees into a hot streak just like it did last May. Simply relieving the pressure on Cano (who is, frankly, dreadful in key situations) by moving him down in the lineup would be a big help.
Of course, there's never one reason for a team's struggles. The Yankee starting pitching staff has also been dreadful recently. Unfortunately, there's no A-Rod around the corner to rescue the pitchers. Andy Pettitte would straighten things out in a big hurry (the Yankees have struggled at 20-17 since his last start), but he isn't due back for at least another two weeks. So the starters will just have to ride things out until Pettitte can come back and save the day.
Naturally, ESPN is buzzing about how resiliant the Yankees have been in the last month or so whilst missing their best hitter and their second-best pitcher. Wait - ESPN (which should be known as RSN - Red Sox Nation) is too busy lauding the Red Sox for their resiliance in overcoming their injuries to pay any attention to the li'l ol' Yankees team.
Hydra
6-4-3 double play... Ballgame over! Yankees win! Theeeeeee Yankees win!
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
A Lack of Heavy Hitting
The Yankees are having trouble winning games because they can't hit. The obvious solution to this problem is to, you know, hit. But if they continue to struggle, the Yankees need to change the batting order so the hitters who are stuggling the least are at the top of the lineup.
First, Curtis Granderson needs to hit higher in the order, because he's about the only Yankee who is hitting well right now. Gardner also needs to move up. He ignites the offense when he gets on base, so it makes sense to give him as many at-bats as possible. Our next move is to shift Posada, who has stunk for a long time now, down in the lineup. Like, way down. Cano has also struggled lately, so he can move down as well. After all our changes are applied, this is what the lineup would look like:
Gardner LF
Granderson CF
Jeter SS
Teixeira 1B
Rodriguez 3B
Swisher RF
Cano 2B
Thames DH
Posada C
Now, we know too many egos would be rubbed the wrong way with that lineup. So we have also pieced together a lineup that is still good, but more realistic:
Jeter SS
Granderson CF
Teixiera 1B
Rodriguez 3B
Swisher RF
Cano 2B
Posada C
Thames DH
Gardner LF
This lineup, because Gardner is not leading off and Posada is hitting seventh instead of ninth, is not as good as our "ideal" lineup. However, we still think this lineup is an improvement over the Yankees's typical lineup because Granderson has been moved up to second and Swisher is in the fifth slot.
Ultimately, the Yankees need to start hitting. While we think our lineups would be better than the current Yankee lineup, it doesn't really matter who hits where when nobody can hit anybody in at any time.
Our clock is ticking. Two more days of wretched hitting, and we at Hydra will hit the panic button. Don't be surprised if a fire brigade pulls up outside Yankee Stadium on Thursday.
Hydra
6-4-3 double play... Ballgame over! Yankees win! Theeeeeee Yankees win!
First, Curtis Granderson needs to hit higher in the order, because he's about the only Yankee who is hitting well right now. Gardner also needs to move up. He ignites the offense when he gets on base, so it makes sense to give him as many at-bats as possible. Our next move is to shift Posada, who has stunk for a long time now, down in the lineup. Like, way down. Cano has also struggled lately, so he can move down as well. After all our changes are applied, this is what the lineup would look like:
Gardner LF
Granderson CF
Jeter SS
Teixeira 1B
Rodriguez 3B
Swisher RF
Cano 2B
Thames DH
Posada C
Now, we know too many egos would be rubbed the wrong way with that lineup. So we have also pieced together a lineup that is still good, but more realistic:
Jeter SS
Granderson CF
Teixiera 1B
Rodriguez 3B
Swisher RF
Cano 2B
Posada C
Thames DH
Gardner LF
This lineup, because Gardner is not leading off and Posada is hitting seventh instead of ninth, is not as good as our "ideal" lineup. However, we still think this lineup is an improvement over the Yankees's typical lineup because Granderson has been moved up to second and Swisher is in the fifth slot.
Ultimately, the Yankees need to start hitting. While we think our lineups would be better than the current Yankee lineup, it doesn't really matter who hits where when nobody can hit anybody in at any time.
Our clock is ticking. Two more days of wretched hitting, and we at Hydra will hit the panic button. Don't be surprised if a fire brigade pulls up outside Yankee Stadium on Thursday.
Hydra
6-4-3 double play... Ballgame over! Yankees win! Theeeeeee Yankees win!
Monday, August 9, 2010
Baseball Dummies and Bamboo
After long deliberations, we have finally come to a decision. The choice was difficult, as there were many candidates to choose from. But we have now picked the ESPN Sunday Night Baseball booth as the worst group of current national sports commentators.
It was a close call. How could it be otherwise? Though Joe Buck is good, his FOX Saturday Baseball partner, Tim McCarver, singlehandedly brought that pair into a close second in the worst commentator race. Again, Joe Buck is a good commentator, but listening to Troy Aikman, his pessimistic, critical partner in FOX NFL Sunday, is like having someone stick bamboo under our fingernails.
But the ESPN Sunday Night Baseball group proudly came away with the prize. There are many, many annoying things about that booth. Jon Miller has the strangest inflections in his voice. Everything is new! And exciting! And so-and-so is the Greatest Player! Ever! Joe Morgan wrote a book called "Baseball for Dummies." Enough said. Orel Hershiser is obviously a newbie in the booth, as many of his sentences are rather awkward.
Now, we at Hydra mute, on average, half of each Yankee game on ESPN. We just can't take it for very long. However, to our knowledge, the doofuses have not once said "Reigning World Champions" this year. Last night, Joe Morgan did say that this year's Yankees are not as good as the World Series-winning team of last year, but they're still a "good team." Um, good team? Last time we checked, the Yankees had the best record in baseball.
But the most annoying thing about that booth is the anti-Yankee bias. The pity-party thrown for the Red Sox by the commentators was nauseating. No one felt sorry for the Yankees when they used twelve different starting pitchers a few years ago.
By the way, did anyone notice THE TIE? It's always entertaining to see what Jon Miller is wearing - and if you watched the game last night, you couldn't have missed his unusual wardrobe.
Hydra
6-4-3 double play... Ballgame over! Yankees win! Theeeeeee Yankees win!
It was a close call. How could it be otherwise? Though Joe Buck is good, his FOX Saturday Baseball partner, Tim McCarver, singlehandedly brought that pair into a close second in the worst commentator race. Again, Joe Buck is a good commentator, but listening to Troy Aikman, his pessimistic, critical partner in FOX NFL Sunday, is like having someone stick bamboo under our fingernails.
But the ESPN Sunday Night Baseball group proudly came away with the prize. There are many, many annoying things about that booth. Jon Miller has the strangest inflections in his voice. Everything is new! And exciting! And so-and-so is the Greatest Player! Ever! Joe Morgan wrote a book called "Baseball for Dummies." Enough said. Orel Hershiser is obviously a newbie in the booth, as many of his sentences are rather awkward.
Now, we at Hydra mute, on average, half of each Yankee game on ESPN. We just can't take it for very long. However, to our knowledge, the doofuses have not once said "Reigning World Champions" this year. Last night, Joe Morgan did say that this year's Yankees are not as good as the World Series-winning team of last year, but they're still a "good team." Um, good team? Last time we checked, the Yankees had the best record in baseball.
But the most annoying thing about that booth is the anti-Yankee bias. The pity-party thrown for the Red Sox by the commentators was nauseating. No one felt sorry for the Yankees when they used twelve different starting pitchers a few years ago.
By the way, did anyone notice THE TIE? It's always entertaining to see what Jon Miller is wearing - and if you watched the game last night, you couldn't have missed his unusual wardrobe.
Hydra
6-4-3 double play... Ballgame over! Yankees win! Theeeeeee Yankees win!
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Fire Alarms and Dark Clouds in the East
Call out the fire brigade! The Yankees team is burning to the ground!
That is a typical New Yorker's response to the news that the Yankees no longer lead the AL East. New Yorkers overreact. First of all, the Rays only have a one-game lead. Second, the loss of the division lead could be a good thing for the Yankees. Complacency in baseball is a terrible thing. The Yankees need to fight through some baseball-related adversity during the regular season if they're going to win in the playoffs. Since it is only the beginning of August, they have plenty of time to make up one game in the standings. Finally, A-Rod will hit his 600th home run any day now, and that's the only thing the Yankees need to start winning consistently again.
The main reason the Yankees have fallen from the top of the AL East is A-Rod's recent struggles. Under constant bombardment from the media about his seeming lack of ability to hit #600, he has gone hitless in his last five games - games where the Yankees have gone 1-4. A-Rod is only human. No one would be able to ignore the criticism and pressure placed on him by the fans - and the media.
History has shown that the Yankees need A-Rod to hit well in order to win. The only playoff series the Yankees won with A-Rod before 2009 was the 2004 Divisional Series against the Twins. We all know how that season ended. He struggled through the next three playoff series - and the Yankees lost all of them. (Of course, Torre was a big reason why they lost those series, but we don't want to drag that long discussion into this post.) In 2009, A-Rod performed well in the playoffs. The Yankees won the World Series. Coincidence? We think not.
In the end, when every pitch in A-Rod's at-bats are scrutinized, when every out he makes is a huge disappointment to the media and the fans, the Yankees end up the losers.
All in all, the outlook for the Yankees is pretty sunny. Especially since Kevin Youkilis's injury guarentees rainy weather in Boston over the next few weeks.
Hydra
6-4-3 double play... Ballgame over! Yankees win! Theeeeeee Yankees win!
That is a typical New Yorker's response to the news that the Yankees no longer lead the AL East. New Yorkers overreact. First of all, the Rays only have a one-game lead. Second, the loss of the division lead could be a good thing for the Yankees. Complacency in baseball is a terrible thing. The Yankees need to fight through some baseball-related adversity during the regular season if they're going to win in the playoffs. Since it is only the beginning of August, they have plenty of time to make up one game in the standings. Finally, A-Rod will hit his 600th home run any day now, and that's the only thing the Yankees need to start winning consistently again.
The main reason the Yankees have fallen from the top of the AL East is A-Rod's recent struggles. Under constant bombardment from the media about his seeming lack of ability to hit #600, he has gone hitless in his last five games - games where the Yankees have gone 1-4. A-Rod is only human. No one would be able to ignore the criticism and pressure placed on him by the fans - and the media.
History has shown that the Yankees need A-Rod to hit well in order to win. The only playoff series the Yankees won with A-Rod before 2009 was the 2004 Divisional Series against the Twins. We all know how that season ended. He struggled through the next three playoff series - and the Yankees lost all of them. (Of course, Torre was a big reason why they lost those series, but we don't want to drag that long discussion into this post.) In 2009, A-Rod performed well in the playoffs. The Yankees won the World Series. Coincidence? We think not.
In the end, when every pitch in A-Rod's at-bats are scrutinized, when every out he makes is a huge disappointment to the media and the fans, the Yankees end up the losers.
All in all, the outlook for the Yankees is pretty sunny. Especially since Kevin Youkilis's injury guarentees rainy weather in Boston over the next few weeks.
Hydra
6-4-3 double play... Ballgame over! Yankees win! Theeeeeee Yankees win!
Monday, July 26, 2010
599 + 219 - 30 - 20 = A New Home Run Record
Alex Rodriguez is nearing 600 home runs for his career. If he finishes this season with 30 home runs, he will have 613 career homers. If his home run totals for the remaining seven years of his contract are 40, 40, 35, 30, 20, 20, and 20 (his age will be 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, and 42), he will end his career with the grand total of 818 homers.
Now, since Barry Bonds's record of 762 doesn't count because of the number of years he was on steroids, the true MLB home run record is Hank Aaron's: 755. The question is, should A-Rod's record be taken seriously, or should it be thrown on the scrap pile like Bonds's?
A-Rod admitted to using steroids from 2001-03. Assuming he's telling the truth, and assuming the steroids added ten homers a year to his totals, we estimate he should end his career with 788 home runs, a number which exceeds Aaron's record by 33, and even Bonds's "record" by 26. It's our opinion that A-Rod was on steroids his first two years with the Yankees, too. But even subtracting 20 more home runs (for those two years) from his total gives him the all-time home run record at 768.
At the end of his career, Alex Rodriguez will have so many home runs that his record will have to be taken seriously. Yes, he cheated. But the vast majority of those home runs were not or will not be helped by steroids.
Then again, when Brett Gardner ends his career with 839 home runs, no one will care what A-Rod's numbers were.
Hydra
6-4-3 double play... Ballgame over! Yankees win! Theeeeeee Yankees win!
Now, since Barry Bonds's record of 762 doesn't count because of the number of years he was on steroids, the true MLB home run record is Hank Aaron's: 755. The question is, should A-Rod's record be taken seriously, or should it be thrown on the scrap pile like Bonds's?
A-Rod admitted to using steroids from 2001-03. Assuming he's telling the truth, and assuming the steroids added ten homers a year to his totals, we estimate he should end his career with 788 home runs, a number which exceeds Aaron's record by 33, and even Bonds's "record" by 26. It's our opinion that A-Rod was on steroids his first two years with the Yankees, too. But even subtracting 20 more home runs (for those two years) from his total gives him the all-time home run record at 768.
At the end of his career, Alex Rodriguez will have so many home runs that his record will have to be taken seriously. Yes, he cheated. But the vast majority of those home runs were not or will not be helped by steroids.
Then again, when Brett Gardner ends his career with 839 home runs, no one will care what A-Rod's numbers were.
Hydra
6-4-3 double play... Ballgame over! Yankees win! Theeeeeee Yankees win!
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
The End of an Era
The Boss has gone to meet The Big Boss. George Steinbrenner made the Yankees what they are through his willingness to spend astronomical amounts of money to ensure his team was the best in baseball. His notorious personality, though he wasn't as outspoken during the last few years of his life, will be sorely missed by the Yankee faithful.
Bob Sheppard, commonly known as "The Voice of God," also passed away a few days ago. His iconic voice had been heard in Yankee Stadium by generations of Yankee fans, from the days of Mickey Mantle until 2007. Known universally as a gentleman, Sheppard added true Yankee class to every game with his refined pronunciations and slow, dignified delivery.
The passing of Steinbrenner and Sheppard, along with the destruction of Old Yankee Stadium, marks the end of an era of Yankees baseball. George Steinbrenner and Bob Sheppard, rest in peace.
Bob Sheppard, commonly known as "The Voice of God," also passed away a few days ago. His iconic voice had been heard in Yankee Stadium by generations of Yankee fans, from the days of Mickey Mantle until 2007. Known universally as a gentleman, Sheppard added true Yankee class to every game with his refined pronunciations and slow, dignified delivery.
The passing of Steinbrenner and Sheppard, along with the destruction of Old Yankee Stadium, marks the end of an era of Yankees baseball. George Steinbrenner and Bob Sheppard, rest in peace.
Friday, July 9, 2010
Look Out, Phil, You Might Be Driven Off For Cliff
The New York Post has reported that the Yankees are on the verge of acquiring left-handed pitcher Cliff Lee from the Mariners. Lee would be an awesome addition to the Yankees's rotation. Imagine, for a moment, a playoff rotation with CC Sabathia, Cliff Lee, Andy Pettitte, and A.J. Burnett. The Yankees would be unbeatable. Additionally, they wouldn't have to worry about Lee going to another playoff-bound team. Since every game against Lee seems to end in a big, ugly, L for the Yankees, facing him twice in a five-game series would be bad.
However, the main positive in acquiring Cliff Lee would be sending Phil Hughes to the bullpen. Hughes has an innings limit this year and likely won't last the rest of the year in the starting rotation. Plus, no team can win in the playoffs with a stinky bullpen and, frankly, the Yankee bullpen has stunk this year. With the exception of Mariano Rivera, of course. Joba Chamberlain hasn't been able to get the job done as the setup man this year, and he's one of the better ones. Hughes would add stability to the bullpen and a sense of security for the starters - they won't need to pitch eight innings to ensure a win.
Sending Hughes to the bullpen has its downside, though. Hughes is among the league leaders in wins this year, and has clearly won a spot in the starting rotation. The Yankees have tried using pitchers as yo-yos before and it hasn't worked out well. See Joba, who was all built up to be a starter before the Yankees shoved him in the bullpen during spring training. While we believe Joba belongs in the bullpen, the Yankees treated him unfairly by pushing the starter idea until the last minute and then suddenly changing their minds. He has struggled since then. Hughes seems to be more mature than Joba and will probably be better able to handle being placed in the bullpen, but we don't know him personally, so we can't say for sure. All we can say is Hughes had better have a guaranteed spot in the rotation come spring training. We don't want to see him messed up like Joba.
Then again, the Yankees don't have to trade for Cliff Lee because they have a nugget of a left-handed starter already in their minor leagues. Oh wait, Brian Cashman's stress ball probably wouldn't be able to handle another Kei Igawa call-up.
Hydra
6-4-3 double play... Ballgame over! Yankees win! Theeeeeee Yankees win!
However, the main positive in acquiring Cliff Lee would be sending Phil Hughes to the bullpen. Hughes has an innings limit this year and likely won't last the rest of the year in the starting rotation. Plus, no team can win in the playoffs with a stinky bullpen and, frankly, the Yankee bullpen has stunk this year. With the exception of Mariano Rivera, of course. Joba Chamberlain hasn't been able to get the job done as the setup man this year, and he's one of the better ones. Hughes would add stability to the bullpen and a sense of security for the starters - they won't need to pitch eight innings to ensure a win.
Sending Hughes to the bullpen has its downside, though. Hughes is among the league leaders in wins this year, and has clearly won a spot in the starting rotation. The Yankees have tried using pitchers as yo-yos before and it hasn't worked out well. See Joba, who was all built up to be a starter before the Yankees shoved him in the bullpen during spring training. While we believe Joba belongs in the bullpen, the Yankees treated him unfairly by pushing the starter idea until the last minute and then suddenly changing their minds. He has struggled since then. Hughes seems to be more mature than Joba and will probably be better able to handle being placed in the bullpen, but we don't know him personally, so we can't say for sure. All we can say is Hughes had better have a guaranteed spot in the rotation come spring training. We don't want to see him messed up like Joba.
Then again, the Yankees don't have to trade for Cliff Lee because they have a nugget of a left-handed starter already in their minor leagues. Oh wait, Brian Cashman's stress ball probably wouldn't be able to handle another Kei Igawa call-up.
Hydra
6-4-3 double play... Ballgame over! Yankees win! Theeeeeee Yankees win!
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Breathe, Everybody
The sports world is holding its collective breath. LeBron James, the NBA's biggest free agent this offseason, will announce which team he intends to sign with on ESPN tomorrow night. We at Hydra don't understand the frenzy that surrounds LeBron's decision, nor why everyone seems to think the team he signs with will automatically be the favorite to win the Championship next season. LeBron, though he is very talented, is a wimp. A 6' 8" wimp, but a wimp all the same. He essentially quit at the end of his final game with the Cleveland Cavaliers - Game 6 of a playoff series against the Celtics. The final score of that game was only 94-85, by no means a blow-out. This clearly shows that LeBron hasn't got the maturity to go to a team, take control, and lead that team to a title. So everyone should take a deep breath and move on with their lives.
Of course, we don't really know what we're talking about. We're very casual "fans" of the Spurs, but we don't really care about the NBA as long as the Lakers and the Celtics don't win. Which made the NBA finals a time of misery for us.
Hydra
6-4-3 double play... Ballgame over! Yankees win! Theeeeeee Yankees win!
Of course, we don't really know what we're talking about. We're very casual "fans" of the Spurs, but we don't really care about the NBA as long as the Lakers and the Celtics don't win. Which made the NBA finals a time of misery for us.
Hydra
6-4-3 double play... Ballgame over! Yankees win! Theeeeeee Yankees win!
Thursday, July 1, 2010
No, Strasburg's Not An All-Star
I must say I disagree with Cadeza's post about Stephen Strasburg and the All-Star game. I don't think he should play in the All-Star game period because I don't think he deserves to play. Theoretically speaking, the All-Star game is about bringing together the best players in each league from that year to find which league is better and, therefore, which league gets home field advantage for the World Series. It's not about the hottest players, but the best players. I realize not all the players who make the All-Star team deserve to go. However, whether the fans treat it as such or not, the All-Star game is reserved for the best of the best of that specific season. As of the All-Star break, Strasburg will have made only about one third the number of starts made by, say, Giants starters Matt Cain. I don't think that length of time, however well he pitched, merits an appearance in the All-Star game.
On the other hand, what do I know about All-Star games? I voted for Mark Teixeira and David Eckstein.
Hlava
6-4-3 dvojity hrat. Micova hra pres! Yankees vyhrat! Tyyyyyyy Yankees vyhrat!
On the other hand, what do I know about All-Star games? I voted for Mark Teixeira and David Eckstein.
Hlava
6-4-3 dvojity hrat. Micova hra pres! Yankees vyhrat! Tyyyyyyy Yankees vyhrat!
Si, Strasburg's An All-Star
The hot-button topic in baseball is whether or not Nationals phenom Stephen Strasburg should make the All-Star game. I think the question isn't so much whether he deserves to play as it is whether he should play. If the All-Star game is just for the best pitchers in each league for that particular season, he shouldn't play because of his limited number of appearances. However, if the All-Star game is about winning home field advantage for the World Series, then si, he should play. With his strikeout numbers, he's the guy I want on the mound if a pitcher gets into a jam.
On the other hand, I'm a Yankees fan, so I don't really care whether Strasburg deserves or should make the All-Star game - I just don't want him on the mound facing AL hitters with the game on the line!
Cabeza
6-4-3 doble jugar... Juego de pelota terminado! Yankees a ganar! Looooooos Yankees a ganar!
On the other hand, I'm a Yankees fan, so I don't really care whether Strasburg deserves or should make the All-Star game - I just don't want him on the mound facing AL hitters with the game on the line!
Cabeza
6-4-3 doble jugar... Juego de pelota terminado! Yankees a ganar! Looooooos Yankees a ganar!
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Clueless Joe Lives On
Joe Torre hasn't changed. Two things marked the end of his tenure with the Yankees: sloppy baseball and exhausted relievers. Both of these things obviously carried over into his Dodgers career. The key play in the Yankees' comeback win Sunday night was the groundball hit by Colin Curtis to Dodgers first baseman James Loney. There was one out in the ninth inning and the Dodgers were up 6-5. The Yankees had runners on first and third. Curtis hit a grounder to Loney, who stepped on first before he threw to the plate to try to get speedy Curtis Granderson before he crossed the plate. Loney should either have tried for the 3-4-3 (or 3-6-3) double play or thrown immediately to the plate to prevent Granderson from scoring.
As far as exhausted relievers, Dodgers closer Jonathon Broxton threw 19 pitches in 1.1 innings on Saturday when the Dodgers were up by five runs. He then proceeded to throw 48 pitches in an inning on Sunday - the Dodgers were ahead by four runs. 67 pitches over two days in non-save situations.
Ned Colletti (the Dodgers GM) probably called up Brian Cashman before Broxton even finished pitching Sunday night. Who knows? There might be some "Broxton Rules" in Torre's future.
Hydra
6-4-3 double play... Ballgame over! Yankees win! Theeeeeee Yankees win!
As far as exhausted relievers, Dodgers closer Jonathon Broxton threw 19 pitches in 1.1 innings on Saturday when the Dodgers were up by five runs. He then proceeded to throw 48 pitches in an inning on Sunday - the Dodgers were ahead by four runs. 67 pitches over two days in non-save situations.
Ned Colletti (the Dodgers GM) probably called up Brian Cashman before Broxton even finished pitching Sunday night. Who knows? There might be some "Broxton Rules" in Torre's future.
Hydra
6-4-3 double play... Ballgame over! Yankees win! Theeeeeee Yankees win!
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Chan Ho (Out of the) Park
Chan Ho Park came into the Yankees/Mets game in relief of Yankee starter Javier Vazquez on Friday night. It was the 8th inning and the Yankees were behind 1-0. He promptly walked the ninth hitter, followed by two straight doubles. He left the game with the Yankees in a 3-0 deficit after getting only one out. This is just another in a long line of games in which he has struggled. Park's stats for this year are as follows: 1-1, 6.16 ERA, 25 hits, 5 walks, 5 home runs, and 16 strikeouts in 19 innings. Opponents are hitting .313 off of him, with a slugging percentage of .563. (Teammate outfielder Nick Swisher, who has hit 11 home runs this year, has a slugging percentage of only .511.)
The curious thing about Park's numbers this year is that he has given up so many home runs. He gave up only 5 home runs in 83.1 innings last year - in Citizens Bank Ballpark, one of the most hitter-friendly stadiums in the majors. This year's home runs off of Park aren't cheap ones that sneak over the right field short porch in Yankee Stadium, either. They're moonshots.
The answer to Park's struggles could be very simple: He's in the American League now. His only scoreless appearances this year were against Toronto, Cleveland, Baltimore, Philadelphia, Houston, and Boston. Only four of those teams are AL teams, and out of those AL teams, only two (Toronto and Boston) are legitimate contenders. The appearance against Boston was very good: 1 hit over 3 innings. However, his other two appearances against the Sox were horrific as he pitched to the tune of a combined 26.95 ERA.
Yankee fans can only hope he'll turn into another Damaso Marte. Marte hasn't done well in his regular-season Yankee career, but was key to the Yankees' 2009 postseason wins.
At least Park is getting better. He had five straight scoreless appearances in June (albeit against less than stellar teams) before he got crushed by the Mets. Oh, and instead of giving up home runs, he's graduated to mere doubles.
Hydra
6-4-3 double play... Ballgame over! Yankees win! Theeeeeee Yankees win!
The curious thing about Park's numbers this year is that he has given up so many home runs. He gave up only 5 home runs in 83.1 innings last year - in Citizens Bank Ballpark, one of the most hitter-friendly stadiums in the majors. This year's home runs off of Park aren't cheap ones that sneak over the right field short porch in Yankee Stadium, either. They're moonshots.
The answer to Park's struggles could be very simple: He's in the American League now. His only scoreless appearances this year were against Toronto, Cleveland, Baltimore, Philadelphia, Houston, and Boston. Only four of those teams are AL teams, and out of those AL teams, only two (Toronto and Boston) are legitimate contenders. The appearance against Boston was very good: 1 hit over 3 innings. However, his other two appearances against the Sox were horrific as he pitched to the tune of a combined 26.95 ERA.
Yankee fans can only hope he'll turn into another Damaso Marte. Marte hasn't done well in his regular-season Yankee career, but was key to the Yankees' 2009 postseason wins.
At least Park is getting better. He had five straight scoreless appearances in June (albeit against less than stellar teams) before he got crushed by the Mets. Oh, and instead of giving up home runs, he's graduated to mere doubles.
Hydra
6-4-3 double play... Ballgame over! Yankees win! Theeeeeee Yankees win!
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Left Is Right - While Right Gets Left In Triple-A
The Yankees called up relief pitcher Boone Logan on June 15th to replace Sergio Mitre, who was placed on the DL. The left-hander Logan was chosen over righty Jonathon Albaladejo, who is also a reliever. On the surface, Albaladejo looks to be a better choice than Logan. Albaladejo has an ERA of 1.14 with 41 strikeouts in 31.2 innings in Triple-A. Logan, on the other hand, has struggled in the majors this season, with an ERA of 5.06, 7 walks, and 6 strikeouts in 10.2 innings. However, Logan has done almost as well in Triple-A this year as Albaladejo, albeit in a limited number of innings. Logan's numbers are: 1.32 ERA and 17 strikeouts in 13.2 innings. Plus, Albaladejo, since he is right-handed, is a bad fit for the Yankees' current series against the Phillies. Philadelphia is a dangerous, although slumping, team and has six left-handed hitters (including two of their best players: Ryan Howard and Chase Utley) and a switch-hitter. The Yankees, who had only one left-handed reliever (Damaso Marte) before Logan's call-up, wanted another southpaw to help neutralize the lefties and keep the switch-hitter away from the short porch in right field.
On the other hand, the Yankees could have called up lefty Kei Igawa. He would have been the perfect guy to neutralize all those Philly power hitters.
Hydra
6-4-3 double play... Ballgame over! Yankees win! Theeeeeee Yankees win!
On the other hand, the Yankees could have called up lefty Kei Igawa. He would have been the perfect guy to neutralize all those Philly power hitters.
Hydra
6-4-3 double play... Ballgame over! Yankees win! Theeeeeee Yankees win!
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Near Perfection Raises Questions
Major League umpire Jim Joyce blew a call at first base in the Cleveland at Detroit game on Wednesday night. Indians shortstop Jason Donald was called safe on an infield hit - but he was out by half a step. Donald would have been the last out of a perfect game pitched by Tigers pitcher Armando Galarraga. As is the case with any high-profile blown call, this raises the question of expanding instant replay in baseball.
Now, we don't think baseball should expand its replay to NFL proportions, but something needs to be done. There have been many calls over the last few years that have been key to a game or even a playoff series. Major League Baseball needs to expand its replay from just fair/foul, in/out home run reviews. Better guidelines would be a key play in a save situation, tie game, or extraordinary circumstances. That last criteria would cover perfect games and no-hitters where the leading team is ahead by a lot. The "key play" would, of course, be up to the discretion of the umpires - but isn't everything?
Unfortunately, expanding instant replay wouldn't fix all the Joe West - oops, we mean umpire problems in baseball. Watching a play on TV is no cure for a bad attitude.
Hydra
6-4-3 double play... Ball game over! Yankees win! Theeeeeee Yankees win!
Now, we don't think baseball should expand its replay to NFL proportions, but something needs to be done. There have been many calls over the last few years that have been key to a game or even a playoff series. Major League Baseball needs to expand its replay from just fair/foul, in/out home run reviews. Better guidelines would be a key play in a save situation, tie game, or extraordinary circumstances. That last criteria would cover perfect games and no-hitters where the leading team is ahead by a lot. The "key play" would, of course, be up to the discretion of the umpires - but isn't everything?
Unfortunately, expanding instant replay wouldn't fix all the Joe West - oops, we mean umpire problems in baseball. Watching a play on TV is no cure for a bad attitude.
Hydra
6-4-3 double play... Ball game over! Yankees win! Theeeeeee Yankees win!
Thursday, May 27, 2010
The Arrogance of Umpires
MLB umpire Joe West found himself in the midst of another controversy on Wednesday - a balking call controversy with White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen (no surprise) and pitcher Mark Buehrle. The last time West was in a controversy it involved attempting to speed up games, first with the Yankees and Red Sox and later with the Rays and White Sox. While West isn't a typical MLB umpire, he's a good example of their arrogance.
Baseball games are essentially in the hands of umpires - and they know it. They know they can influence games whichever way they want by blowing a call (or two or three) and later claim it was "human error." It's quite obvious (and becomes more so all the time - the 2009 postseason was a terrible one for umpires) that it doesn't really matter to them whether they get calls right or not.
There's no easy way to fix this problem. Taking games completely out of the hands of umpires is out of the question. That would mean drastic changes to the game of baseball itself with electronic strike zones and instant replays for everything from doubles to stolen bases. Joe West has caused far too many controversies this year alone and should be fired, but that seems too harsh a punishment for most umpires. They simply need to be taught to respect the game and the teams. This could be done through fines and suspensions - or perhaps bonuses for not getting calls wrong. The point is that umpires will continue to blow calls until it is in their best interest to get them right.
Then again, maybe Congress should intervene. That would fix everything.
Hydra
6-4-3 double play... Ballgame over! Yankees win! Theeeeeee Yankees win!
Baseball games are essentially in the hands of umpires - and they know it. They know they can influence games whichever way they want by blowing a call (or two or three) and later claim it was "human error." It's quite obvious (and becomes more so all the time - the 2009 postseason was a terrible one for umpires) that it doesn't really matter to them whether they get calls right or not.
There's no easy way to fix this problem. Taking games completely out of the hands of umpires is out of the question. That would mean drastic changes to the game of baseball itself with electronic strike zones and instant replays for everything from doubles to stolen bases. Joe West has caused far too many controversies this year alone and should be fired, but that seems too harsh a punishment for most umpires. They simply need to be taught to respect the game and the teams. This could be done through fines and suspensions - or perhaps bonuses for not getting calls wrong. The point is that umpires will continue to blow calls until it is in their best interest to get them right.
Then again, maybe Congress should intervene. That would fix everything.
Hydra
6-4-3 double play... Ballgame over! Yankees win! Theeeeeee Yankees win!
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Keys To a Speedy Turnaround
The Yankees are 3-3 on their current homestand. Their bullpen has given up twenty-one runs during this time. They've had at least three backup players in the starting lineup for each of their three losses. Despite all that, the Yankees' 10-6 loss to the Rays last night was the worst they've suffered during this homestand. They're losing, but not getting pounded. As soon as Joba Chamberlain (who has given up seven runs) and Mariano Rivera (who has given up four) turn it around or even one of the injured position players returns the Yankees will get back to their winning ways.
Things could be worse. Look at the Red Sox.
Hydra
6-4-3 double play... Ballgame over! Yankees win! Theeeeeee Yankees win!
Things could be worse. Look at the Red Sox.
Hydra
6-4-3 double play... Ballgame over! Yankees win! Theeeeeee Yankees win!
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Managing From Afar
Here are some interesting numbers: the Yankees are 7-5 since catcher Jorge Posada got his calf injury on May 3rd: 7-1 with backup Francisco Cervelli behind the plate and 0-4 with Posada catching. That can't be entirely coincidencidental.
Posada is simply getting old. He's won four World Series, so he's obviously a good catcher (or was a good catcher), but his skills have declined a little with age. Plus, the starting pitchers love Cervelli's enthusiasm and confidence behind the plate. Maybe Joe Girardi should consider making Cervelli the unofficial starting catcher for the Yankees.
Hydra
6-4-3 double play... Ballgame over! Yankees win! Theeeeeee Yankees win!
Posada is simply getting old. He's won four World Series, so he's obviously a good catcher (or was a good catcher), but his skills have declined a little with age. Plus, the starting pitchers love Cervelli's enthusiasm and confidence behind the plate. Maybe Joe Girardi should consider making Cervelli the unofficial starting catcher for the Yankees.
Hydra
6-4-3 double play... Ballgame over! Yankees win! Theeeeeee Yankees win!
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Brian Cashman is Brilliant
The New York Yankees, despite losing four out of their last five games, are 22-12. On May 13th of last year they were 16-17. The reason for the Yankees' early season success this year is simple: they learned how to win throughout the course of their world championship season.
It's difficult to believe a team that won 94 games in 2007 and 89 games in 2008 didn't know how to win. However, that seems to be the best explanation for the Yankees' early season (and playoff) struggles in those years. Generally speaking, players need to trust each other to get the job done if they are going to win championships. The Yankee players in 2007 and 2008 didn't play as if they trusted one another one little bit. Of course, they had good reason not to trust each other. The defense was terrible and the pitching staff was worse. The position players were right near the top with runs scored in both 2007 and 2008, but they couldn't score that extra one or two runs in the late innings to win close ballgames. Finally, the players didn't seem to like each other- specifically Alex Rodriguez. But GM Brian Cashman had a plan.
Cashman made two brilliant moves in the offseason following the 2008 season. The first was a trade for Chicago White Sox outfielder Nick Swisher. Cashman told Swisher that the Yankees traded for him- he didn't need to replace Bobby Abreu, who is one of the best all-around hitters in baseball. He could hit .245 with 25 home runs, 75 RBI, and an OBP of .380 (all within Swisher's capabilities) and the Yankees would be thrilled. What Cashman really wanted was for Swisher to liven up the Yankees' clubhouse. Swisher is a notoriously fun-loving guy- and the Yankees clubhouse, filled with "professionals," was in dire need of some fun.
The second brilliant move that Cashman made following the 2008 season was the acquisition of free agent CC Sabathia. Granted, Cashman was one of the few GMs in baseball who could afford to dish out a giant contract to the equally giant left-handed pitcher. But CC ended up being a perfect fit for the Yankees. He had been concerned about the overtly "professional" feel of the clubhouse before he signed. But Cashman told him that it was CC's job to change that atmosphere. CC rose to the challenge and loosened things up, starting with inviting teammates to NBA games during spring training. Of course, his performance during the 2009 season was also key to the Yankees' success: he went 19-8 with a 3.37 ERA in 230 innings pitched during the regular season and 3-1 with a 1.98 ERA in 36.1 innings in the postseason. However, even if he hadn't been quite as successful on the field his presence in the clubhouse would have greatly impacted the Yankees.
The Yankees went from getting embarrassed by the Cleveland Indians in the first round of the playoffs in 2007 to missing the playoffs entirely in 2008 to winning the World Series in 2009. Brian Cashman's offseason additions of Nick Swisher and CC Sabathia helped build a sense of trust among the Yankees and ultimately led to a world championship.
Hydra
6-4-3 double play... Ballgame over! Yankees win! Theeeeeee Yankees win!
It's difficult to believe a team that won 94 games in 2007 and 89 games in 2008 didn't know how to win. However, that seems to be the best explanation for the Yankees' early season (and playoff) struggles in those years. Generally speaking, players need to trust each other to get the job done if they are going to win championships. The Yankee players in 2007 and 2008 didn't play as if they trusted one another one little bit. Of course, they had good reason not to trust each other. The defense was terrible and the pitching staff was worse. The position players were right near the top with runs scored in both 2007 and 2008, but they couldn't score that extra one or two runs in the late innings to win close ballgames. Finally, the players didn't seem to like each other- specifically Alex Rodriguez. But GM Brian Cashman had a plan.
Cashman made two brilliant moves in the offseason following the 2008 season. The first was a trade for Chicago White Sox outfielder Nick Swisher. Cashman told Swisher that the Yankees traded for him- he didn't need to replace Bobby Abreu, who is one of the best all-around hitters in baseball. He could hit .245 with 25 home runs, 75 RBI, and an OBP of .380 (all within Swisher's capabilities) and the Yankees would be thrilled. What Cashman really wanted was for Swisher to liven up the Yankees' clubhouse. Swisher is a notoriously fun-loving guy- and the Yankees clubhouse, filled with "professionals," was in dire need of some fun.
The second brilliant move that Cashman made following the 2008 season was the acquisition of free agent CC Sabathia. Granted, Cashman was one of the few GMs in baseball who could afford to dish out a giant contract to the equally giant left-handed pitcher. But CC ended up being a perfect fit for the Yankees. He had been concerned about the overtly "professional" feel of the clubhouse before he signed. But Cashman told him that it was CC's job to change that atmosphere. CC rose to the challenge and loosened things up, starting with inviting teammates to NBA games during spring training. Of course, his performance during the 2009 season was also key to the Yankees' success: he went 19-8 with a 3.37 ERA in 230 innings pitched during the regular season and 3-1 with a 1.98 ERA in 36.1 innings in the postseason. However, even if he hadn't been quite as successful on the field his presence in the clubhouse would have greatly impacted the Yankees.
The Yankees went from getting embarrassed by the Cleveland Indians in the first round of the playoffs in 2007 to missing the playoffs entirely in 2008 to winning the World Series in 2009. Brian Cashman's offseason additions of Nick Swisher and CC Sabathia helped build a sense of trust among the Yankees and ultimately led to a world championship.
Hydra
6-4-3 double play... Ballgame over! Yankees win! Theeeeeee Yankees win!
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