Posted by: James
I've never liked Tony Womack. He might be a great guy for all I know but articles like this annoy the heck out of me.
Are you serious? Does he really want people to look at the stats on his baseball card? The only consistency he has had in his career is that he has been consistently bad. The best he has EVER done in regular playing time has been to be 7% worse than the average and for his career, he has been 27% worse than the average. And that horrible last year that's he's talking about, it wasn't even the worst year of his career - that was 2003 when he hit .226/.251/.307. He actually made $6 million dollars that year for those "accomplishments"! He might be a great guy, good teammate or great in the clubhouse but you can't deny that he is a detriment to the winning percentage to any team that he's on. Well, I guess you can if you're Tony Womack. That self-delusion and constantly blaming someone else for your failures annoys the heck out of me. Good luck to you in getting your baseball card cleaned up, Tony. Good luck & good riddance.
"I went through it because they put me through it," he told MLB.com at Reds training camp in Sarasota, Fla. "It wasn't like I did it to myself. I still like to play. It's no fun knowing that you can still play and contribute to somebody when this team is holding you back. The Yankees held me back."
"The only thing that makes me mad is it messes up my baseball card," Womack said. "I was consistent for a long time and then that comes up. It was a learning experience for me. I'm a stronger person. I had to be. I had to bite my tongue a lot. I had to keep myself going and make sure I got my work in."
"The only thing that makes me mad is it messes up my baseball card," Womack said. "I was consistent for a long time and then that comes up. It was a learning experience for me. I'm a stronger person. I had to be. I had to bite my tongue a lot. I had to keep myself going and make sure I got my work in."
Are you serious? Does he really want people to look at the stats on his baseball card? The only consistency he has had in his career is that he has been consistently bad. The best he has EVER done in regular playing time has been to be 7% worse than the average and for his career, he has been 27% worse than the average. And that horrible last year that's he's talking about, it wasn't even the worst year of his career - that was 2003 when he hit .226/.251/.307. He actually made $6 million dollars that year for those "accomplishments"! He might be a great guy, good teammate or great in the clubhouse but you can't deny that he is a detriment to the winning percentage to any team that he's on. Well, I guess you can if you're Tony Womack. That self-delusion and constantly blaming someone else for your failures annoys the heck out of me. Good luck to you in getting your baseball card cleaned up, Tony. Good luck & good riddance.
02/22: Hot Flash!
Posted by: James
Tom Gordon is an angry man. Actually, he seems more like a sensitive man who feels that he was mistreated by the media. Whatever the case is, he doesn't come off as a happy man in the early goings of an article in the Daily News.
He does go on to explain his anger.
To be honest, I genuinely felt bad for the man. If I was a public figure and someone came up to me in front of my family and tried to pull something like that, I would be a little upset too (with my temper, probably more than a little). Nevertheless, I guess that is part of the price you pay when you sign on to play for the Yankees. That being said, keep in mind that he is mad at the NY media, not the Yankees or their fans. He had nothing but kind words about the Yankees organization and for the great one, Mariano Rivera:
Flash had a news flash: New York media, approach at your own risk. You're no friends of his.
"I don't want to hear about you guys missing me," Gordon said. "That's a lot of --- after all the abuse I took from you. You guys wanted Farnsworth? You got him!"
"I don't want to hear about you guys missing me," Gordon said. "That's a lot of --- after all the abuse I took from you. You guys wanted Farnsworth? You got him!"
He does go on to explain his anger.
"There was a headline," Gordon said. "'Not so Terrific Tom' and it prompted all kinds of abuse. I've been called everything in this game. I've even heard (N-word) a couple of times, too. Then, after that headline, I was in the city with my kids and this fan comes up to me and says: 'You're worthless!' How would you like to be told that? In front of your kids! "No player deserves that. But, if nothing else, it made me stronger."
To be honest, I genuinely felt bad for the man. If I was a public figure and someone came up to me in front of my family and tried to pull something like that, I would be a little upset too (with my temper, probably more than a little). Nevertheless, I guess that is part of the price you pay when you sign on to play for the Yankees. That being said, keep in mind that he is mad at the NY media, not the Yankees or their fans. He had nothing but kind words about the Yankees organization and for the great one, Mariano Rivera:
Posted by: James
The Asbury Park Press checks in with a story that has Jorge Posada talking about Chien-Ming Wang.
Of course, since this is spring training, there are always fluff stories about young pitchers coming into their own and learning the ropes - it makes for good copy and people like human interest stories, especially when the young man in question is now a huge star in his native country of Taiwan.
Personally, I really like Tiger Wang (I think he handles himself very well) and I believe that he is the goods. I don't believe that he is a No. 1 pitcher type but I think he can be a #2 and very soon (which the Yankees will need). The alarming lack of Ks that people seem to worry about are not an issue with me. First, he doesn't necessarily need to "miss bats" as often since he's a predominantly a groundball pitcher - he just needs to miss the fat parts of the bat (which he does very well as evidenced by his 2005 stats). Second, I fully expect his K rate to rise substanically this coming year, from 3.64 K/9 in 2005 to around 5 in 2006. I think this because of Wang's added experience and his experience in the minors (career 3.28 ERA and a 7.16 K/9 in 439.2 innings). The only caution flag is his arm - if he can remain healthy, we're going to be cheering the Wanger for quite a while.
Story via Brian.
"Randy is Randy and his power is incredible," Posada said Sunday. "But Wang has the best stuff in our clubhouse, no doubt. He'll be our No. 1 pitcher eventually."
"He does things that drive hitters nuts. I've never seen a pitcher get so many groundballs back to the mound," manager Joe Torre said. "That's all about movement."
Wang's sinker, according to Posada, is almost impossible to adjust to for a hitter.
"Even if he doesn't throw it perfectly, it still sinks and he still gets outs," the catcher said.
"He does things that drive hitters nuts. I've never seen a pitcher get so many groundballs back to the mound," manager Joe Torre said. "That's all about movement."
Wang's sinker, according to Posada, is almost impossible to adjust to for a hitter.
"Even if he doesn't throw it perfectly, it still sinks and he still gets outs," the catcher said.
Of course, since this is spring training, there are always fluff stories about young pitchers coming into their own and learning the ropes - it makes for good copy and people like human interest stories, especially when the young man in question is now a huge star in his native country of Taiwan.
Personally, I really like Tiger Wang (I think he handles himself very well) and I believe that he is the goods. I don't believe that he is a No. 1 pitcher type but I think he can be a #2 and very soon (which the Yankees will need). The alarming lack of Ks that people seem to worry about are not an issue with me. First, he doesn't necessarily need to "miss bats" as often since he's a predominantly a groundball pitcher - he just needs to miss the fat parts of the bat (which he does very well as evidenced by his 2005 stats). Second, I fully expect his K rate to rise substanically this coming year, from 3.64 K/9 in 2005 to around 5 in 2006. I think this because of Wang's added experience and his experience in the minors (career 3.28 ERA and a 7.16 K/9 in 439.2 innings). The only caution flag is his arm - if he can remain healthy, we're going to be cheering the Wanger for quite a while.
Story via Brian.
Posted by: James
Wow. This is the most fiesty I've seen A-Rod in a while. He's usually trying to please everyone but he comes out and takes a direct shot at baseball's head honcho's in this ESPN article. He seems genuinely unhappy with the organizers of the World Baseball Classic for the way they handled his decision to play for the United States instead of the Dominican Republic.
He also addressed Ozzie Guillen's comments and dismissed them as a non-issue.
The New York Yankees third baseman took issue with reports that he vacillated between playing for the Americans and the Dominicans.
"Just to make it clear, I only spoke once and then I spoke again three months later," Rodriguez said Monday after reporting to spring training. "All the garbage in between was major league baseball. I didn't go back and forth. I said once I wasn't playing, and then at the end I said, 'So OK, I am playing.'"
Rodriguez wouldn't identify any officials he spoke with, opting to say only "central baseball."
"I told him I was disappointed with all the stuff going back and forth, the leaking of information," Rodriguez said, "especially with me not being involved in any way, shape or form."
"Just to make it clear, I only spoke once and then I spoke again three months later," Rodriguez said Monday after reporting to spring training. "All the garbage in between was major league baseball. I didn't go back and forth. I said once I wasn't playing, and then at the end I said, 'So OK, I am playing.'"
Rodriguez wouldn't identify any officials he spoke with, opting to say only "central baseball."
"I told him I was disappointed with all the stuff going back and forth, the leaking of information," Rodriguez said, "especially with me not being involved in any way, shape or form."
He also addressed Ozzie Guillen's comments and dismissed them as a non-issue.
"I already heard what he had to say, he apologized," Rodriguez said. "The apology has been accepted. We've move on from there. Ozzie and I have always been friendly. It's not really that big of a deal."
Posted by: Patrick
Oh boy:
Via Brian.
Damon met with Steinbrenner for the first time a couple of weeks ago, driving to Tampa from his home in Orlando to spend some time with the owner.
"The meeting with George went great," Damon said. "I love him. I always loved him as an owner. He always wants to win, and that's very important."
"The meeting with George went great," Damon said. "I love him. I always loved him as an owner. He always wants to win, and that's very important."
Via Brian.
02/20: Coaching Staff Experience
Posted by: Patrick
There was an article in The Journal News about the experience of the Yankees coaching staff (a combined 5,167 games of managerial experience), including some good quotes:
It's funny to be excited about a coaching staff, but with the exception of the Roy White stuff, I'm really happy with the coaching staff. I'm very interested to see how this staff works and what transpires as the season wears on.
Via Brian.
"They say you don't invite the wolf into the henhouse," Pena said. "But Joe isn't afraid of the wolf or anything else. He knows who he is." ...
"I wasn't going to come back until he called me," Bowa said. "The Yankees' organization is special, it's what you think about as a kid. I also knew Joe would be easy to work for." ...
"Damon and Jeter won't need much coaching. They know how to run the bases," Bowa said. "The rest of them will need a stop sign now and then." ...
"I look at it this way: everybody wants to manage because it's the greatest job in baseball," Mazzilli said. "But if you can't manage, being the bench coach of the Yankees is the best job in baseball." ...
"It's great when you have a manager secure enough to want the best people," Cashman said. "He knows that even if somebody wants to take him out, they can't do it."
"I wasn't going to come back until he called me," Bowa said. "The Yankees' organization is special, it's what you think about as a kid. I also knew Joe would be easy to work for." ...
"Damon and Jeter won't need much coaching. They know how to run the bases," Bowa said. "The rest of them will need a stop sign now and then." ...
"I look at it this way: everybody wants to manage because it's the greatest job in baseball," Mazzilli said. "But if you can't manage, being the bench coach of the Yankees is the best job in baseball." ...
"It's great when you have a manager secure enough to want the best people," Cashman said. "He knows that even if somebody wants to take him out, they can't do it."
It's funny to be excited about a coaching staff, but with the exception of the Roy White stuff, I'm really happy with the coaching staff. I'm very interested to see how this staff works and what transpires as the season wears on.
Via Brian.
Posted by: Patrick
Next up is our own Michael Black.
When you're not blogging about the Yankees, thinking about the Yankees, talking about the Yankees, reading about the Yankees or watching the Yankees, what are you doing?
When I'm not sleeping, I am either studying to finish my degree or keeping up with my 2 year old. When I do get some free time outside of that, I like to read about baseball and civil war history.
How long have you been blogging about the Yankees?
For YanksBlog.com since its inception back last May. Other than that, I've used blogging in such a creative way to get out my frustrations. I've since got a handle on them, thanks in part to YanksBlog.com being such a family friendly place.
When you're not blogging about the Yankees, thinking about the Yankees, talking about the Yankees, reading about the Yankees or watching the Yankees, what are you doing?
When I'm not sleeping, I am either studying to finish my degree or keeping up with my 2 year old. When I do get some free time outside of that, I like to read about baseball and civil war history.
How long have you been blogging about the Yankees?
For YanksBlog.com since its inception back last May. Other than that, I've used blogging in such a creative way to get out my frustrations. I've since got a handle on them, thanks in part to YanksBlog.com being such a family friendly place
02/18: Ozzie Apologies
Posted by: James
What did I say? "I'm sure that in a week or two, we'll hear that Ozzie was misquoted or that the quote was taken out of context." It's actually only been a couple of days but lo and behold, Guillen scheduled a press conference to "apologize":
If he had so much respect for him, why did he say it in the first place? I don't mind people speaking their opinions. That's one of the greatest freedoms that this country offers. However, I also believe that most people would be better off thinking of the Golden Rule before they open their mouth. I think that applies in this case, especially with an apology that comes off as nothing more than self-serving publicity. Ozzie, please stop talking - people don't seem to mind this sort of thing as much when it is coming from a winner but they won't tolerate it if you were sitting in second place in the Central division and out of the playoffs.
"I apologize to Alex, his family, his fans, the New York Yankees organization, to the White Sox organization, because that's the first time I feel I did something wrong," Guillen said at the Kino Sports Complex. "I've done a lot of controversial things before, but I started this one and I'm going to finish it."
Guillen clarified his use of the word "hypocrite," saying the word isn't perceived as harshly in Latin America as it is in the United States....
"I will say what I feel," Guillen said. "I just took the first shot. To me, I never thought I was going to do that, and to me it's ugly because I know a lot of people have taken the first shot at me and I come back real strong. If Alex wants to say whatever he wants to say he has the right. He can call me anytime he wants. I'm not going to feel badly if Alex comes out and says what he wants to say. I think I should take the second punch the way I [would throw] a second punch. . . "Like I said, it was embarrassing because I have a lot of respect for Alex."
Guillen clarified his use of the word "hypocrite," saying the word isn't perceived as harshly in Latin America as it is in the United States....
"I will say what I feel," Guillen said. "I just took the first shot. To me, I never thought I was going to do that, and to me it's ugly because I know a lot of people have taken the first shot at me and I come back real strong. If Alex wants to say whatever he wants to say he has the right. He can call me anytime he wants. I'm not going to feel badly if Alex comes out and says what he wants to say. I think I should take the second punch the way I [would throw] a second punch. . . "Like I said, it was embarrassing because I have a lot of respect for Alex."
If he had so much respect for him, why did he say it in the first place? I don't mind people speaking their opinions. That's one of the greatest freedoms that this country offers. However, I also believe that most people would be better off thinking of the Golden Rule before they open their mouth. I think that applies in this case, especially with an apology that comes off as nothing more than self-serving publicity. Ozzie, please stop talking - people don't seem to mind this sort of thing as much when it is coming from a winner but they won't tolerate it if you were sitting in second place in the Central division and out of the playoffs.
02/17: Happy Days With The Farns
Posted by: James
One of my biggest concerns about Kyle Farnsworth when the Yankees added him to the bullpen was his reputation as being another guy with a "million-dollar arm and a 2-cent head" (well, that and his apparently prolific nightime escapades in Chicago). His arm and statistics speak for themselves (most of the time) but NY has broken down enough hyped players (with guaranteed contracts) that you can't help but be worried. So needless to say, I was relieved and somewhat amused to read that Farnsworth was putting in some reading time in order to better himself as a player.
Hopefully, these practices have helped him grow as a person but I (seflishly, I know) also hope they keep him pitching like he did last year for the duration of his stay with the Yankees. Improvement in the playoffs would also be a plus but then again, as many people have pointed out, Flash wasn't exactly reliable in the playoffs either so he doesn't have a very high bar to jump over.
Via Brian.
Sometime last year, he found some answers in a book called "Mind Gym." It had been in his duffel bag for a while, since a friend had sent it to him, and one day he decided to start reading.
Within its pages, Farnsworth picked up some techniques for creating calm and confidence, for visualizing the results he wanted, and he made it a ritual, reading it during games as he prepared for a late-inning entrance.
"Talent can only take you so far," said Farnsworth, who cashed in on his best season with a three-year, $17 million contract from the Yankees. "If you don't have the right mind-set, you're not clear-minded. You can't go out there with no plan at all."
Within its pages, Farnsworth picked up some techniques for creating calm and confidence, for visualizing the results he wanted, and he made it a ritual, reading it during games as he prepared for a late-inning entrance.
"Talent can only take you so far," said Farnsworth, who cashed in on his best season with a three-year, $17 million contract from the Yankees. "If you don't have the right mind-set, you're not clear-minded. You can't go out there with no plan at all."
Hopefully, these practices have helped him grow as a person but I (seflishly, I know) also hope they keep him pitching like he did last year for the duration of his stay with the Yankees. Improvement in the playoffs would also be a plus but then again, as many people have pointed out, Flash wasn't exactly reliable in the playoffs either so he doesn't have a very high bar to jump over.
Via Brian.
02/17: Tino Retires a Yankee
Posted by: Patrick
Tino has accepted the ESPN job.
Tino hangs 'em up: In a move that will surprise nobody, Tino Martinez has officially decided to end his playing career.
Martinez confirmed the decision in the St. Petersburg Times, telling the paper that he will begin his broadcasting career at ESPN.
"I don't want to make this a big deal," Martinez told the paper. "I'm done. I'm not going to play anymore. I'm 100 percent decided."
Martinez said that the offer from ESPN made his decision to retire a lot easier, as he will work on "Baseball Tonight," do some radio work and cover a few games. ...
"I wanted to retire as a Yankee, to have that uniform on for the last time," he said. "It's a great way to go out."
Martinez confirmed the decision in the St. Petersburg Times, telling the paper that he will begin his broadcasting career at ESPN.
"I don't want to make this a big deal," Martinez told the paper. "I'm done. I'm not going to play anymore. I'm 100 percent decided."
Martinez said that the offer from ESPN made his decision to retire a lot easier, as he will work on "Baseball Tonight," do some radio work and cover a few games. ...
"I wanted to retire as a Yankee, to have that uniform on for the last time," he said. "It's a great way to go out."
