Thoughts on the 2009 World Series/2010 Season

-Finally, I can enjoy my winter for the first time since 2000. I usually rate years of my life based on how the Yankees did. So, for me, 2009 will forever be known as "a good year".
-Sure I'm spoiled. I turn 22 on the 30th and have been lucky to experience five World Series championships. But don't assume that I have appreciated them any less. I'll never take them for granted. If I live to be a 100 and never watch the Yankees win another championship, I'll always have these five.
-It's going to be really interesting how the Yankees approach the whole resigning of Johnny Damon and Hideki Matsui. There are so many questions that need to be addressed. Do they want to stay in New York? How many years are they looking for? Does Matsui want to play left field? Do the Yankees want to employ a full-time DH? Aren't they looking to get younger? Obviously, all of these concerns will be ironed out over the next few months.
-The game was fun last night, but what was probably even more fun was watching the agents of Damon and Matsui as the night progressed. I'm sure after every Matsui RBI-hit, his agent was lighting cigars with 8,000,000 yen and yelling the Japanese equivalent of "Cha-Ching!" The same could be said for Damon's agent. That is until the third inning when Damon pulled his calf while scoring on Hideki's hit. My guess is general managers aren't necessarily salivating over Damon's impending free agency. "OOOOOO, an aging left-fielder with no arm and a penchant for straining vital muscles!" Don't get me wrong though, I want Damon back. He was too valuable to THIS team. Which brings me to my next point:
-Damon's at-bat in the ninth inning of Game 4 will forever be known as "the most unheralded important at-bat in World Series history". Two outs and no one on base. In the previous inning, Joba Chamberlain surrendered a game-tying home run off the bat of Pedro Feliz. The series had shifted in the Phillies favor. If Lidge gets out of the ninth, there's a very good chance Philadelphia wins it in the bottom of the ninth and the series is tied 2-2. But up steps Johnny Damon. After looking silly swinging at two sliders in the dirt, Damon fouls off pitch after pitch until Lidge leaves a fastball up. Johnny knocks it into left and passes the proverbial baton to Teixeira. Surprisingly, Damon takes off for second. Since the Phillies had the shift on for Teixeira, no one was covering third. Knowing this, Johnny sprints towards third and makes it. Cue Teixeira hit-by-pitch and Arod double. Game, Blouses. Yankees take a commanding 3-1 series lead. That's why I want him back (for the right length and price).
-I'll say this once, if the Yankees don't put Joba Chamberlain in the bullpen next season, I'll lose it. Whatever "IT" is, I'll lose it. This post-season was clearly a glaring reason why they should do so. And if they didn't see it, they're either blind, stubborn, insane, or epically stupid. Both his velocity and location improved. Plus his slider was actually sliding, which it wasn't during the season. The man was born to relieve. He doesn't have the intelligence nor the attention span to start.
-Since the Yankees WILL be doing the above, this means its a perfect opportunity for Phil Hughes to start. Look, I lovedwhat he did for us in the bullpen this season. It was terrific. But unlike Joba, his pitching repertoire and overall mental makeup screams "STARTING PITCHER!!!!". He's calm, cool, calculated and smart. Once again, unlike Joba.
-Can we officially call the period between 2001 and 2008, "The Curse of Mike Mussina". Mussina arrived in New York in 2001, a year after they had won their third straight World Series championship. And retired in 2008, a year before they won their 27th world title. Bad luck? Coincidence? Was he as much of a douche as everyone said he was? I'll put my money on the latter. He was a terrific pitcher and a great Yankee, but from what I heard, he was a word that starts with a "pr" and ends with a "ick". And I'm sure his "winning personality" had some effect on team chemistry.
-Throwing aside blatant homerism, I think we can all agree that Mariano Rivera is not human. On his Baseball Reference page it says he turns 40 on November 29th. Does that mean anything really? Really? Every time he strikes out a batter, I'm reminded of a C.S. Lewis quote:
"I find in myself desires which nothing in this earth can satisfy, the only logical explanation is that I was made for another world"
But I have nine homeruns today!
Sometimes, I truly have a one-track mind. There are weeks where I get super-obsessed with something. Anything. This is one of those times.
I've always been an avid The Simpsons fan, but recently, I've gone all-in. Reading books about the show. Re-watching my favorite episodes. Learning more about the writers and producers. And absorbing just about any Simpsons material I can get my hands on. And since I am still in the middle of a mini-writer's block crisis, I'll substitute any original thought I have with a terrific episode of The Simpsons.
It's an episode that combines two of my favorite things: The Simpsons and Baseball. It's "Homer at the Bat". Enjoy.
Editorial
I realized today that I have a editorial due in my Sport Management class tomorrow. So about an hour ago I started whipping one up. I just finished. We were told to write an opinion piece on anything related to sports. It's a little lame, but whatever. Here it is...
It was only a few days ago that Alex Rodriguez of the New York Yankees admitted to using performance enhancing substances from 2001 to 2003. The admission was met with great coverage and attention by the local and national media. ESPN had a twenty minute interview conducted by senior baseball analyst Peter Gammons that led SportsCenter. The New York Yankees held a press conference at their spring training home in Florida for Rodriguez to answer any further questions. The conference was attended by hundreds of media members wielding tape recorders and notepads. Reporters from North America, South America, Europe and Asia all stood by and watched Rodriguez admit to his faults. The media storm was vast, quick, and only a few weeks later it has seemed to dissipate. Sure there are a few stories still swirling around Rodriguez regarding his relatives, his meetings with Major League Baseball, and his performance this spring training. However, the fact of the matter is, the baseball-going public has become indifferent it seems. It is not a “story” anymore.
For the better part of a decade, the game of baseball has been slapped around regarding the steroid issue. Records have been broken, congressional meetings have been held, and legacies have been tarnished. Yet baseball shows no signs of slipping. Attendance sky-rocketed over the past few years and new stadiums seem to be built every season. For a problem that was destined to end baseball as we know it, the game has quietly stepped aside as the problem passes. Barring the struggling economy, baseball will be as strong as ever. Fans will whine and moan about how their favorite athletes are “cheating the game” and “tainting the integrity of baseball”, yet they will continue to purchase their favorite teams apparel, buy three-hundred dollar tickets to the ballgame, and pay nine dollars for a hot dog.
It is always nice to believe that we as human beings have a high moral ground, or that we are entitled to certain things. Yes, it is true, those athletes who test positive for performance enhancing substances have cheated. But does that type of action warrant the amount of criticism and denigration we inflict upon those players and the sport itself? The one attribute we hold most dear in our favorite athletes are their ability to be a “real” person, yet we ostracize them when they make “real” mistakes. We voice our outrage against these players, but the turnstiles are still used from April to October.
Professional baseball has been played in America for over one-hundred and twenty years. In that time there have been dozens of instances where integrity had been compromised and the playing field was not level. Until 1947, African-Americans were not even in the league. Bats have been corked, balls have been scuffed. The 1919 Chicago Black Sox are still referenced today for throwing the World Series. And the all-time hits leader in major league baseball, Pete Rose, has been kept out of the Hall of Fame for placing bets on games he played. There have been individuals littered across the landscape of the game who stopped at nothing to gain an unfair advantage. However, baseball continues to be our national pastime, fathers still use it as a way to connect with their sons and daughters, and no sport is more symbolic of new beginnings than baseball.
For over one-hundred and twenty years, America has stood by our pastime through the ups and downs. Steroids are just another chapter in the book of baseball. The naysayers who believe that the game is doomed have a very short memory. What the past has shown is that we, as a society, treat baseball as well as sports in general, as a microcosm of life. There are triumphs and there are defeats. There are heroes and there are villains. But such is life; we enjoy the game as a whole. Baseball is not about the destination, it is about the journey.

Are you there baseball? It’s me, Sean.
"Winter, slumbering in the open air, wears on his smiling face a dream of spring"
Let's break it down, shall we?
-We're exactly one week away from the Super Bowl. A relatively boring Super Bowl at that. The Cardinals are a nice story, but they are not in a big market, lack serious star power, and could be out of this game even before the coin toss. Meanwhile, the Steelers are only one half of a good game. This game is missing something, and I'm pretty sure it won't find it in the next seven days.
-It's midseason NBA. The NBA is inherently lousy to begin with. Midseason NBA is horrific. Sure, every few weeks or so there is a matchup between LeBron and Kobe or the Celtics and the Lakers. But 95% of games on the NBA schedule are unwatchable. Remember, I say this as a Knicks fan. So, you have to take everything I say regarding the NBA with a grain of salt.
-College basketball has just entered conference play. Meaning, we are about a month and a half away from March Madness.
My friends, we have entered, sports purgatory. It's an awful place. Worse than hell itself. A place where no interesting games are played. The only thing we have to cling to is hope. Hope for Spring. Hope for Pitchers and Catchers. Hope for Opening Day. I am probably one of the few sports fans who considers baseball as my favorite sport. Many of my friends and classmates are more anxious for the NFL Draft than Opening Day. But for me, baseball isn't just about the sport itself starting. It's a time when the seasons change. Where there is some sort of rebirth. It's a time to start over, so to speak.
This sort of lull in the sports world is made exponentially worse when you live up north. What I would give to spend my life in Southern California or Florida. But at the same time, I feel that living here gives me a better appreciation for all the great things that spring and summer bring. But as of this moment, all of that appreciation escapes me as I look out my window. What do I see out that window? Figuratively speaking, nothing. I see nothing. Snow covers everything. No grass, no trees, no homes, no animals. It's a blank sheet of paper out there. Not to mention, it's freezing. I feel like I'm living in a Coca Cola Christmas commercial. Sooner or later a polar bear is going to hand me a Coke and wink at me.
Hurry up baseball!
Sorry mom, the mob has spoken.
Oh those Yankees. Those New York Yankees. They've done it again. We can all say this started last off season, around January maybe. When the Yankees had Phil Hughes, Melky Cabrera, and two "Players to be named later" on the table for Johan Santana. It seemed at the time that that would be plenty for the services of Santana. Hughes was a number one pitching prospect in the majors. Cabrera was a young, above average fielder with plenty of upside. And those two players were going to be named later. It was clearly a pro-Twins trade. In hindsight, not so much. Phil (DON'T CALL HIM PHILIP!) and Melky were flat out worthless last year. Hughes couldn't stay on the plate or off the trainer's table. And Cabrera, in my opinion, isn't too good at the game of baseball. Sure, he could throw out a few runner's at third. But that doesn't make up for 400 ground balls to the second basemen. So, to sum up, the Yankees "Youth Movement" didn't take.
So after Johan Santana was traded to the Mets for Carlos Gomez, a bag of balls, and some Dome Wax, the Yankees faced the 2008 season with no discernible ace. Many people would make the argument for Chien-Ming Wang. But a pitcher who doesn't strike men out, does not have overpowering stuff, and greatest weapon is his ability to induce groundballs, is NOT an ace. Roy Halladay: Ace. Josh Beckett: Ace. Johan Santana: Ace. Chien-Ming Wang: Pitcher?
The 2008 season came and went for the Yankees. No playoffs since the 1993 season. The problem could've been pointed to a numerous amount of things. Bullpen. Offense. Defense. But according to the moves the Yankees made just a few days ago, it was the pitching. Two new pitchers have been added to the Yankees roster for at least the next three years. CC Sabathia and A.J. Burnett.
CC Sabathia
I wonder what it took to get CC over to New York. He was adamant about pitching on the West Coast (his home coast) and in the National League. There must have been some incentive for CC to come to the Yankees and sacrifice the comforts of home. Oh right! The money! All that money. What was it? 7 years, $161 million. Boy that sounds like a lot. Seriously, its a lot. But I've come to the point with the Yankees that money literally means nothing to them. It's almost as if they are playing with monopoly money. With the new stadium, the YES network, ticket sales, and merchandise, whatever money they spend on players is offset by their profits. But lets keep in mind that over $80 million is coming off the books from last season. Mussina, Abreu, Farnsworth, Giambi (Oh God Yes), Pettitte (at least the $16 mil), Pavano, and that dreaded Wilson Betemit contract is all gone. So you can't fault the Yankees for spending. I mean, they could conceivably sign Sabathia, Ramirez, and Teixeira and still have a lower payroll than last year. In regards to the signing, it feels fail-safe for the Yankees, at least for one year. He is only 27 years old. Has terrific, overpowering stuff, and can shut down any lineup. It will be nice to have him go every fifth day. But once again, I bring it back to the weight issue. He's so fat. I mean, really fat. Like close to obese fat. And to say he'll be like David Wells, a fat guy who could pitch into his late thirties because he had a rubber arm, is ridiculous. Wells was a one-of-a-kind athlete. A terrific pitcher who was constantly spilling out of his uniform. He would pitch seven scoreless at a one o'clock start and by five he'd be throwing down shots at a bar across the street. I don't think CC is like that. Wells seemed to hold his weight well. CC, so far, has done so. But I don't see it happening until his early to mid thirties. I would love to see it though. Nothing like a fat successful athlete to bring up the hopes for the fat children of this country.
A.J. Burnett
For the longest time, I've been telling my friends that the Yankees can sign anyone they want, except Burnett. He is injury prone, has no heart, and only turns up the dial in money years. Lo and behold, he's a Yankee. And not for a couple years. Probably, the rest of his baseball career. But as soon as I saw the scroll at the bottom of my television, "Yankees sign Burnett to 5 year deal" I was already in the process of convincing myself that this was a good deal. I began to sound like those idiotic talking heads on ESPN: "Well, he's got great stuff", "He really turns it on against the Red Sox", "If he plays to potential...", "At least they didn't have to trade for him". And that's what fans do. The Yankees could trade Derek Jeter to the Orioles for Cesar Izturis and the first thing I would say is, "Hey, Izturis is a gold glove shortstop". In the end, we root for the team, not the players. Thats why I'm a BIG FAN of this Burnett deal. Couldn't BE happier. He's got Cy Young STUFF. But in reality, I'm predicting a 14-10 season with a 3.99 ERA, 190 strikeouts, a stint on the DL. Those are Burnett numbers. And that is what the Yankees paid $16.5 million a year for five years for.
Regardless of the comings and goings of the baseball off season, it just makes me want more.
Spring Training 2009 can't come quick enough.
Winter Hot Stove Meetings?
For me, baseball's offseason does not officially start until the winter meetings. The winter meetings is where all the general managers, agents, reporters, analysts, Peter Gammons's, and etc. go down to a hot, sexy, touristy spot and make ridiculous trades and signings while under the influence of drugs and alcohol. I kid about the last part, but I'm sure plenty a deal was made under those exact circumstances.
This year are meetings are going to be held between December 8th and the 11th in Las Vegas, Nevada. Because when I think baseball, I think Las Vegas, Nevada. Don't be suprised to hear a bunch of retarded puns and analogies from ESPN relating a risky deal to the fact that there is legalized gambling in Las Vegas. "He really ROLLED THE DICE on that signing, right Karl?" "He just went ALL IN on that deal." It will be frustrating, but we'll all get through it.
So far in this offseason for the best sport in America (That's right, I said it), nothing has really happened. Javier Vasquez went to the Braves. Boring. So he'll not live up to expectations somewhere else, big deal. Edgar Renteria signs with the Giants. What is this, his tenth team in three years? Another stellar signing by the Giants. They really know how to pick them. Bonds kept them relevant for the years he was there, now, sometimes I forget they're even a franchise. Come back to New York, Giants, there's plenty of room. And besides, it would be awesome to have two New York Giant franchises again.
But now, the meetings are upon us. A time where small market franchises feel they NEED to make a big splash to be considered important. Even if it means signing A.J. Burnett to a ten year deal. But let me go through some of the more important free agents and make my predictions on where they will sign. Lets do this, shall we?

Still fat
CC Sabathia
It feels like a few months ago when the Yankees offered Sabathia a six-year, $140 million contract. Because, I'm pretty sure it was a few months ago. He has remained silent on whether he will take the deal. The rumor has been that he wants to A) stay on the west coast and B) stay in the national league. Two very reasonable requests. But CC, think this through, please. It's $140 million. No team is going to touch that offer. Are you really going to sacrifice 20 to 30 million just for a few at-bats and a few days at the beach? Hell, for $140 million, I would play in Calcutta. From my point of view, he's waiting it out for no reason. Teams have bluffed monetary interest to him over the past few weeks, but none have made good. So far, there are two offers, the Brewers and the Yankees. I would be shocked if he isn't in pinstripes come spring training. The MLBPA won't let him NOT take it. If he accepts, he sets the standard for ace pitchers in the future, and that is a good thing for the union. The players assocation might have to "make it worth his while", but someone better start knitting him a Yankees jersey.
2009 Team: Yankees

You don't have to read if you're an athlete.
Mark Teixeira
Word on the street is that he enjoys money. Like the rest of us. It's just that, unlike CC, he doesn't care where he plays, just as long as that team gives him the most sacks of money. I got nothing against that, seems like a normal guy trying to get what he deserves. And lets face it, he is in probably the best position for a free agent in the history on the sport. Let me break it down. He will be 29 years old on opening day 2009. He is a corner infielder who hits for average, gets on base, drives in runs, and switch hits. He is a gold glove first baseman. And lest we forget, his agent is, drumroll please...Sata....I mean Scott Boras. If anyone can have a homeless guy give HIM money, it's Mr. Boras. God knows what kind of currency he get squeeze out of these teams fighting for Teixeira's services. He might ask for 25 mil a year for 10 years in EUROS. But who is going to doll out the dough for Marky Mark. Angels? Red Sox? Yankees? Orioles? Nationals? That Nationals rumor is hilarious. But at the same time, I guess that's what you got to do in order to get the ball rolling as a franchise. If the Yankees get CC, they are not touching Teixeira. Even for them that's too much money to sign over in one offseason. My thoughts are leaning towards the Sox. Papi is not what he used to be and Lowell can easily become expendable if Teixeira is signed. They have the money, the appeal, and the need.
2009 Team: Red Sox

I'll get hurt in a few minutes
A.J. Burnett
There is not a pitcher, no, player in professional sports that I trust less that A.J. Burnett. I guess it's because he only has good seasons in walk years. Maybe it's because he's a malcontent. Or maybe it's because he sucks. Yeah, that's it. He sucks. Since the season ended, all I've heard is, "But he's got great STUFF". What the hell is stuff? I have stuff too. A lot of it. But I'm not being paid millions. So what if he occasionally can throw 98 MPH, or that he has a terrific curveball. Does he perform consistently? Absolutely not. "STUFF" is not worth the money he is going to be paid this offseason. I'd rather take Mike Mussina for another 5 years than A.J. Burnett for the next two. Because you know exactly what you are getting with Mussina. Consistency. Not erractic pitching, and anti-social behavior (well, maybe). I was so happy to find out the Yanks were losing interest in this guy. The last thing New York needs is another Carl Pavano, Kevin Brown, Randy Johnson, or Hideki Irabu. Well, the Braves have offered Burnett a 4-year, $60 million offer. Accept AJ! Take it and Run! Get yourself off the market before the Yanks get interested again!
2009 Team: Braves (God willing)
More to come...
Anything else? Mr. Nosey…
Ken Griffey Jr. has 611 homeruns, 1772 RBIs, 2680 hits, 1612 runs, and played in 2521 games in his long career. The guy has been playing since the 80s. Anyone want to take a guess as to how many playoff games he has been a part of? 15. Just 15 games. He hasn't been in the postseason in over a decade ('97). Today, at 2:30 ET on TBS, we'll get a chance to see one of the greatest players of his generation (Omit: Bonds) in the playoffs for probably the last time. Hes turning 39 in November and as his career stats indicate, he might be on his last hurrah. You could also tell that by his noodle armed throw to Pierzynski to save a run in that one game playoff against the Twins. 1996 Griffey would of put a hole in A.J. or would of just ran the ball in to nail the runner.
Lidge sent a shiver done the collective spine of the Phillie faithful yesterday by nearly blowing Cole Hamels' gem in the ninth. We're all just waiting for Lidge to give up some game tying homerun in the ninth and have like a Vietnam flashback to the 2004 NLCS. But for his sanity, and the Phillie fans, I hope at least they make it to the World Series. Mike Schmidt and the 1980 team are long gone. It's time for something good to happen in Philly. The show can't be the only thing going for it.
Ugh. What are Cubs fans thinking right now. This is their year. Just like every year. Most wins in the NL. They had the central wrapped up. The World Series was just a formality. In comes James Loney? Who? And the rest of the "We're just happy to be here" Los Angeles Dodgers. As soon as Loney hit that ball, Wrigley Field made less noise than silence. You could hear the wind whipping around the field. It was PAINFUL. The Cubs didn't even attempt to make it interesting after the grand slam. They saw the season flash before their eyes and e-mailed in the rest of the game. Can't wait to see how Zambrano pitches tonight? For him, it boils down to two outcomes: 1. A 2-hit shoutout. 2. Finds a way to give up back-to-back grand slams and eats his glove on the mound.
MLB Playoffs Start Today!
That is more of a sarcastic exclamation point. I'm not THAT excited about the playoffs. This is the first time the Yankees haven't been in it since I was 8, so for a majority of my life there has been October baseball on in my house. That being said, there are three games today, and I expect to watch at least two of them.
Brewers at Philles (3:00 ET, TBS, Gallardo vs. Hamels)
Could see a Home Run Derby break out in this one. Howard, Utley, Burrell (if he plays), Fielder, Braun, Hart, Hall. All in the little league field that is Citizens Bank Park. I've been there. You could THROW homeruns from home plate. I would like to see the Phillies do well, but if the Brewers don't make a splash this playoffs, we might never hear from them again. After this year, Sabathia and Sheets are going to RUN from Milwaukee. And when they do, they'll have bags of money in their hands. The Brewers will be based entirely on offense next year. They'll become the Texas Rangers of the NL. Could get ugly.
Dodgers at Cubs (6:30, TBS, Lowe vs. Dempster)
Dempster had a heck of a year, didn't he? 17-6 2.96 ERA. Cubs were smart to put him in as the Game 1 starter. He dominated at home this season. I do want to see what exactly Manny does with his pitches those. I bet he hits one of Dempster's fastballs so far, Dempster will turn around to see it go out, and it'll hit him in the back of the head. But seriously folks, I like the Cubs in this series.
Red Sox at Angels (10:00, TBS, Lester vs. Lackey)
Like I stated once before, Red Sox own the Angels. Even with Beckett starting Game 3. Lester is a future ace and can obviously handle the pressure. Cancer anyone? But I do like Anaheim's nine outfielder set. I think the X factor (whatever that means) for this series will be the bullpens. Usually is for every playoffs series. I said it because it makes it seem like I know what I'm talking about.
White Sox at Rays (Tomorrow 2:30, TBS, Vasquez vs. Shields)
If there's a playoff game at the Trop and no is there to see it, does it really happen? Apparently, it's going to be sold out for tomorrow's Game 1. People might be literally hanging from the catwalks. What an ugly place to host important games. It looks like the inside of a computer. I hope the White Sox take this momentum all the way to the WS. Of all the World Series scenarios, I would like to see Cubs/White Sox the most.
MY OUTLANDISH DIVISION SERIES PREDICTION:
Every Series will go 5 games!
Headlines…
Angels clinch division
Against the Yankees no less. The team which balls they've had in a vice grip for the better part of a decade. And speaking of the Yankees. It's going to be fun getting all this dead weight off the roster after this year. I honestly don't care if they performed or not. Giambi, Pettitte, Mussina, Abreu, and Pavano should all go. But I digress.
Truck champ Hornaday admits using testosterone
He better have used in order to "extend his life" or for his health, because I'm almost positive there is no advantage to using steroids while driving a truck. I guess you can look in the rearview mirror faster or change gears with more aggression.
Hurricane Ike postpones Texas/Arkansas game on Saturday
Hurricanes are postponing games left, right, and center. It's like they've become a big part of college football. And it's only a matter of time before companies sponsor them. "Today's game between the Longhorns of Texas and the Razorbacks of Arkansas has been postponed by Hurricane Freecreditreport.com."
USC/Ohio State game dubbed "Collision in Coliseum" by ESPN
Only the Worldwide Leader could cheapen an important college football game. I'm afraid to watch the game because I don't want ESPN to have the satisfaction of another viewer. Anyway, I'm still up in there air about how the game will turn out. THE Ohio State University may have kept Ohio U. in the game last week, but they will tighten the screws for this one. My prediction, it will stay close for three quarters, then USC will score twice successfully in the fourth and put the game out of reach.


