 Friday, August 01, 2008
Gone Manny Gone! Hasta La Vista!
I wrote yesterday that Manny killed the Yankees over the years. Kai quoted ESPN that Manny’s stats against the Yankees are .321 BA, .1.029 OPS, 55 HRs, 163 RBIs in 200 games. I am so grateful that Manny left Boston but someone created a movie poster about it. Gotta love the Internet. 
Mega thanks to Kai for the stats and Editor-in-Chief and PermaGuest Outlaw Jack for the movie poster.
Posted by the Still Partying Tank in NY.
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Manny Moving to La-La Land; Paging Omar
Editor-in-Chief and PermaGuest Outlaw Jack informed me a moment ago that the Red Sox traded Manny to La-La Land. Wait, he already resides there in the theatre of his mind.
Manny wasn't traded to the Packers as he recently joked below.
Seriously, I waited posting until the dust settled. The Mets dodged a major bullet as Manny was rumored to go to the Marlins. I am just glad he is no longer with the Red Sox as he almost always kills the Yankees. Thank God/G-d/Buddha/Allah/Creator of your choice!
Where is Omar before the Trade Deadline? Was he asleep at the wheel or being held hostage by other teams for F-Mart and other prospects? If the Mets don't make the post-season this year, I will personally pay for Steve's cab ride to Citifield to swear him in as the Mets new GM. Of course, I'll blog about it.
Posted by a partying Tank in Tradeville.
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Expect the Unexpected -- Farnsworth for Pudge Trade
Editor-in-Chief and PermaGuest Outlaw Jack informed me not long ago that the Yankees acquired Pudge in return for Farnsworth who pitched for the Tigers in 2005.
I think it is a good trade. The Tigers need a reliever and the Yankees need a hitting catcher. No offense to Molina who is a great defensive catcher but he is not a good hitter. This also lets Posada get the time he needs to mend and be ready for Spring Training 2009 and the rest of his contract. Pudge and Molina can rotate.
This trade kind of came out of left field, literally from the bullpen and figuratively as neither name was bandied about in trade talks. Expect the unexpected until tomorrow's 4 p.m. Trade Deadline.
Posted by The Tank in Tradeville.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Baseball Immortality -- Induction Day in Cooperstown
Sunday was an emotional day. It was a chance to see one of my
heroes, Goose Gossage, inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame, near my
hometown in Cooperstown, New York.
I texted Editor-In-Chief and PermaGuest Outlaw Jack that the rain would hopefully hold off and it thankfully did. The only sad news was that my camera battery died. A new friend, John, is supposed to send me his. Until then, words will have to suffice.
My sister got some great tickets for my 12 year old nephew,
Elijah, and me. (It's partial closure for not giving me the Lakers at
Celtics ticket for the 1986 NBA Finals.)
Elijah and I traded stories about baseball players we have met. I
met A-Rod and he met the late, great Buck O'Neal. He has Rollie
Fingers' and Harmon Killerbrew's autographs. I met Gary Carter
and Dave Winfield and have their autographs. I guess meeting legends runs in the
family.
I am really grateful to Elijah for saving my baseball cards from the Flood of 2006 in Upstate New
York. I don't have any kids so Elijah is the closest thing I
have to a son.
There was a record 56 out of 64 living Hall of Famers in
attendance. The first voice on ESPN, George Grande, introduced each
one to the cheers of the crowd. Dallas Green correctly remarked that
there should be no games on this weekend as we should honor the past
legends like Yogi, Bob Feller, Reggie Jackson, Ralph Kiner, and on on.
Given that it's been 100 years since the last Cubs World Series
victory, Ernie Banks asked for reinstatement. Bud Selig unfortunately
said that he can't do it to the boos of the crowd. "We want a new
commissioner!" a lady behind me yells.
I got choked up when they did the roll call for Bobby Murcer, Tim
Russert, and Phil Rizzuto. It's a day for grown men to cry because
"it's a perfect game played by imperfect men" as Bruce Sutter's dad
would say.
There were so many great moments like the Buck O'Neal Lifetime
Achievement Award. No one will ever forget him as a bronze statue will
greet everyone at the entrance to the Hall of Fame. He dedicated over 70 of
his 94 years to baseball. Society owes him an immense gratitude for
being "right on time".
The voice of the Mariners, Dave "My Oh My" Niehaus, was the Ford
Frick inductee. I can see why many Mariners fans came to see him. He
has an infectious enthusiasm and his words tell the story better in the
"enclosed green field of the mind."
"Those are real baseball
cards back there," pointing to all the inductees behind him. Niehaus
took us on a journey from his boyhood Indiana home to Seattle and back
in the blink of an eye through his broadcasting work for the Armed
Forces Network, the Yankees, and even LA Lakers basketball games. It's
like you were drinking lemonade and listening to the game on the radio
on his parents' porch.
Larry Whiteside was honored by his son
for growing "The Black List" of African American journalists from 9 to
90. He was the African American writer to have a vote on the Writer's
Committee.
Get up and stretch! Stan "The Man" Musial usually plays his
harmonica. But, he couldn't make it this year. Johnny Bench stepped
in and did a great Harry Carey impersonation. Ernie Banks joined him
to sing "Take Me Out to the Ballgame".
Pirates owner Barney
Dreyfus was Veterans Committee Selection for help starting the World
Series. He was inducted by his great grandson Andrew. Andrew did a
great job even though his great grandfather died 32 years before he was
born. Barney was reunited with other Pirates Honus Wagner, Ralph
Kiner, Bill Mazerski, and Goose Gossage.
Bowie Kuhn was honored to be a "next scoreboard boy" as a kid at
Griffith Stadium in Washington, DC. But, he became much more
than that. He was commissioner through 15 turbulent years. His
adopted son, Paul Gegener, articulated how special his dad was. Paul
was adopted after his father was killed in a car accident. Paul
answered Bowie's critics. Bowie was the vanguard of the game against
gambling and other lurid interests that besmirched the "spirituality"
of the game. George was speaking to Commissioner Selig seated next to the podium and to all of us.
He linked to the current class, especially Goose Gossage, who was
the last major leaguer he spoke with before Bowie died. His dad
always "tried to do the right thing and be fair."
The crowd howled when Commissioner Selig presented George with the
plaque. "How does it feel to be near a real commissioner?" a man to my
right shouted.
"Bud, you'll never get one of those plaques!" another man shouted.
I couldn't see the rest of the speeches because I had to catch the last bus back to
the City for work. I was glad I spent the day with Elijah. We
made several great memories that I'll remember forever. I hope to
enjoy future ones as well, God Willing. If Elijah's Little League team
wins their next tournament, they get to burn their manager's Boston Red
Sox hat. That's enough incentive for me to get reinstated in Little
League with or without Commissioner Selig's permission. Posted by an emotional Tank at the Baseball Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony in Cooperstown, New York.
P.S. Elijah called me today and said he was able to get Goose's
autograph on a baseball. The "perfect game" is in good hands of the
next generation.
Monday, July 28, 2008
When and If Will Manny Become a Met?
Is Manny being Manny again? OR, is it something deeper? Manny wants the Red Sox's to pick up his options over the next two years or be traded. Red Sox brass is not happy with him sitting out Friday's game and had him sent for an MRI which revealed no issues in his knees according to Suzyn Waldman on last night's radio broadcast. Manny's teammates are also mad at him. Even Boston fans are fed up with Manny. I am hope that Omar makes the deal to get Manny out of Boston. The Mets need a corner outfielder. Yes, Manny is a defensive liability but a great offensive player. I don't think the Red Sox will make the deal before Thursday's deadline but will probably wait till the off-season. Manny getting out of Boston and into a Met uniform benefits the Mets and Yankees. Posted by a hopeful Tank in Tradeville.
Sunday, July 27, 2008
The Johan Santana we paid for...
Today Johan Santana showed what he is made of. After a 5 hour 14 inning marathon last night, Johan comes in and pitches a complete game, scattering six hits (and one Pujols Home Run). Johan even got a hit and his first RBI as a Met. While Johan has pitched awesome this year with a 2.93 ERA, the Mets have given him no run support and he has lost games 2-1, and 3-2. Today the Mets showed what they are capable of and supported their ace with 17 hits and 9 runs. Johan will probably finish the season with 15 wins and a 3.00 ERA, but the real money is worth it if the Mets make the playoffs. Posted by Steve in New York
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Mets and Yankees Continue to Win
The Mets beat St. Louis 7-2 and the Yankees beat the Red Sox 1-0 on Friday to continue to win. The Yankees made a roster move and had a trade with the Pirates landing former Mets outfields Xavier Nady and left hander Damaso Marte for four minor leaguers. The Yankees made a steal. While these are not super star players, they may be enough the Yankees need to make some noise.
Friday, July 25, 2008
Are the Mets for Real?
After taking 2 out of 3 from the Phillies, the Mets are now alone in first place in the NL East. The question is: Are the Mets for real? If you would have asked Mets fans on Tuesday night after the Phillies came back and scored 6 runs in the 9th to win, the answer would have been no. But to come back and win the next two games and take sole possession of first place is huge. This shows that the Mets maybe are for real. There is something different about the Mets the past month. They work the counts, they get to the bullpens, they get clutch hits. But what seems to have changed is that the team is pumped and having fun. Yesterday was Carlos Delgado's big 2-out 2 RBI off J.C. Romero (who owns Delgado). Not only did the Mets make the Phillies pay for the intentional walk to Wright, but the attitude and excitement was there. When Delgaldo made contact Jose Reyes ran out to the field and jumped up and down with the signal to Wright to come home. When Wright scored, he made a fist pump like the one he made in Game 1 of that NLDS in 2006. Oliver Perez even had a fist pump of his own after striking out Ryan Howard to end the 6th. All of the fist pumps and celebrations and clutch hits show that the Mets are enjoying themselves. The NL East is ripe for the taking. Yesterday's win and the recent dominance of Philly (5-2 in July, 9-4 on the year) show me that the Phillies are not a championship team, they played well last September to take advantage of the Mets historic fall, but did not follow it up this year with solid play. There are still two full months left and as we saw last year, anything can happen. But as we stand today, the Mets look like they can take the NL East. 
David Wright celebrating at home. (Photo AP)
Thursday, July 24, 2008
One Week to Go and 25 Years Ago Today
There is one week to the trade deadline. What does it mean for the Yankees and Mets? (1) Though
the Yankees acquired Sexson last week, will they make a big deal? I
doubt it as CC Sabbathia and Rich Haren are no longer available. More
importantly, Bruney should be back in the next week or so which should
really help the bull pen, touch wood. Kennedy threw seven innings in
AAA last week. Amazing! Wang is scheduled to be back in September.
Those returning players are as good as a trade. Expect the Yankees to
stand pat unless they get a deal they can't refuse. For instance, if
the Mariners offer Jerrod Washburn for Kei Igawa, expect the Yankees to
try to make it work, even if they have to eat some or most of Igawa's big contract. Washburn is a good #4 or #5 starter for this and/or next year if Ponson or Rasner run into issues. ESPN 1050
AM reports that Hank "Honky Tonk" Steinbrenner is considering acquiring
Barry "Steroid Boy" Bonds. I don't think the Yankees should or will. First, it will take Bonds a while to get in shape. Furthermore, it will
distract the chemistry which is pretty good. If the Yankees are going
to bring anyone out of retirement, it should be Bernie Williams. A
piper dream perhaps, but I wanted to get it out of my system. Expect the Yankees to try to get help at catcher since Posada won't be catching for the rest of the season. Molina is good defensively but as good as an out at the plate. As
for the Mets, they need a bat, especially at corner outfielder, but
Billy Wagner's shoulder may force them to get a reliever. Will Omar
give up F-Mart? If he has to, he will as his job is now on the line
after firing Willie Randolph. (2) We like to look ahead at
SATT. But, it's always nice to look back. Editor-in-Chief and
PermaGuest Outlaw Jack reminded us that it's been 25 years since the
infamous pine tar game. George Brett
had too much pine on his bat. After Billy Martin appealed, home plate
umpire McClellan called Brett out. Brett ran furiously out of the
dugout and wanted to get a piece of McClellan. Brett was thrown out of
the game. MLB reviewed the game. They ruled that it had to be
continued on another day and the Royals unfortunately won 5-4. White
Fedora Mike remembers Ron Guidry catching a ball in center. Brett
now laughs whenever he and his kids watch the video. I watched a TV
report a while back when Brett said he would rather be known for the
Pine Tar Incident than being a spokesman for Preparation-H. Time heals all wounds, literally and figuratively. Posted by a philosophical Tank in Tradeville and Memory Lane.
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Ninth Inning Nightmare
Johan Santana answered the bell last night and pitched eight great innings against the Phillies at Shea.
The Mets carried a 5-2 lead into the 9th inning. The bull pen, sans Billy Wagner, imploded and gave up six runs. It's beyond words and blogging. Editor-In-Chief and PermaGuest Outlaw Jack was at the Yankee game and was in disbelief when I reported the info to him.
The Mets scored one run in the 9th but lost 8-6. You try not to read too much into one game but this one hurts. Ouch!
Posted by The Tank in a "Land of Confusion" (title of a great Genesis song).
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