Fighting Against Stupid

monday morning music

2011-10-03T07:46:00.001-04:00

is this guy fucking serious?

2011-10-02T20:22:00.000-04:00

yankees forget there is a game today

2011-10-02T17:04:00.008-04:00

(this guy is really one hitting the yankees?)

it's the 6th inning of game 2 of the ALDS and apparently no one told the Yankees hitters that there was a game today.

Start hitting and for fucks sake, stop complaining about the low left side strike...he's been calling it all day.

Update - 5:16 p.m. - I really, really hope that the only manager who wears cleats defensive moves backfire. Nothing I love seeing more than overrated, old, entitled managers fail.

Update - 5:32 p.m. - Well, playoff Joe Girardi is back. Pinch hit for a lefty, with a lefty, against a guy who shuts down lefties. In the process he takes out his best base stealer and arguably the best defensive left fielder in the game. Nice at bat by the way Chavez.

Update - 5:36 p.m. - HE HAS BEEN CALLING IT ALL DAY JETER.

Update - 6:16 p.m. - Lifeless performance out of the Yanks today. 4 run deficit against a closer that hasn't blown a save all year...this should be fun. I really don't want to see this idiot re-enact the first time he got laid today.

slay them.

2011-10-01T00:57:00.004-04:00

advantage: yankees

2011-09-30T23:41:00.008-04:00

(lookin good dibble...)

Post rain-out rotations announced and it absolutely will be the scapegoat that the "experts" will use now that their precious Verlander can only pitch once in the series...off schedule. We all know how hesitant the only manager who wears cleats (as TBS pointed out 49283 times last time) was to pitch Verlander off schedule. I wonder if it has anything to do with the fact that he has never pitched on less than 4 days of rest?

Oh yeah and just a reminder of what big man does off schedule:

On a side note, with the game starting in the bottom of the second tomorrow, I want nothing short of a complete game out of Nova.

postponement allows me to enjoy this for one more day before the season starts.

2011-09-30T23:40:00.003-04:00

first it was espn, then it was mlb network...

2011-09-29T23:50:00.007-04:00

going into the season 45 of 45 espn "experts" picked the red sox to win the division.

tonight, not a single "expert" on mlb network's path to the pennant picked the yankees to advance past the ALDS...not a single one.

The Justin Verlander suckfest is reaching pre-decision LeBron levels. Forget about Alex Rodriguez, Mark Teixeira, Robinson Cano, Derek Jeter, Curtis Granderson, CC Sabathia, David Robertson, Mariano Rivera and home field advantage; Justin Verlander will pitch so Detroit will win. Forget that there are three games that Verlander absolutely will not play in no matter what, he will pitch....at some point in the series ... so Detroit will win. Forget that Detroit's defense is slow footed and weak, Justin Verlander will pitch in 40% of the series...at most...so Detroit will win

Yankees in 4.

"boston dirt dogs" got Vick'd

2011-09-29T22:13:00.006-04:00

"i dont know about you joe girardi....but i smoke rocks"

2011-07-05T23:10:00.006-04:00

As per Rotoworld:

And according to Ron Washington, he is not an allstar...

Old Reliable

2010-10-09T10:15:00.002-04:00

Playoff openers have come and gone, and baby huey is MIA, so here's some stupidity for ya. Stupid as in, relying on Billy Wagner come playoff time. Even if he was healthy, his 10.03 career post season ERA in 8 different postseason series, doesn't sound very enticing. Combine that unreliability with his now strained left oblique in his first appearance, and you have a worthless man. He's trevor hoffman 2.0.

the return...

2010-09-18T03:19:00.003-04:00

Starting with the playoffs, we are back to cock smacking stupidity one day at time.

"answer" me this.

2009-11-30T17:50:00.009-05:00

Reading my internet news postings today I came across the following post on rotoworld:

"Allen Iverson's people and the Sixers brass (GM Ed Stefanski, coach Eddie Jordan) met in Dallas on Monday. Iverson is not a Sixer as of "this moment," but that's all we know from Kate Fagan thus far. This should be considered good news if you're holding onto Iverson, and while there's no guarantee he ends up signing with Philly, it is still a real possibility."

A short time later, rotoworld updated with this:

"Sixers' GM Ed Stefanski released a statement about Monday's meeting with Allen Iverson, although it's clear that an agreement has yet to be reached."At this time, both parties remain non-committal regarding a final decision and we will continue to discuss internally whether or not to pursue this course," Stefanski said. A decision isn't expected before Monday's game, but we are also hearing reports that owner Ed Snider has given Stefanski the OK on the deal, meaning it's now simply a 'basketball decision.'"

What is my point you ask? Well, my point is this: What the fuck is so bad about Allen Iverson?

Why does every team seem to be giving this guy the Jose Canseco treatment? Because he doesn't like to practice?

Every media nut hugger and their mother points to Allen Iverson's off the court "issues" as the reason to stay away but what are the horrible things that Allen Iverson has done that could possibly justify him not being signed by a single NBA team? Throw his psycho wife out of the house? Smoke a blunt? Carry a gun? Recorded a rap song? Criticize referees?

I won't forget to mention that Tim Donaghy basically justified Iverson's hatred of NBA officiating:

"Allen Iverson provides a good example of a player who generated strong reaction, both positive and negative, within the corps of NBA referees. For instance, veteran referee Steve Javie hated Allen Iverson and was loathe [sic] to give him a favorable call. If Javie was on the court when Iverson was playing, I would always bet on the other team to win or at least cover the spread. No matter how many times Iverson hit the floor, he rarely saw the foul line."

On the court, the dude never gave anything less than 100% (yes, one. hundred. because it is physically impossible to give anymore...anyone who tells you different never gave 100% on anything...I digress..post for another day). No one can question that.

Allen Iverson has not acted any differently than 95% of all professional athletes today. We are talking about a league that let a man play the game with AIDs, reinstated a player that went into the crowd to fight a fan, hid the fact that it's biggest star gambled by forcing him to retire, and had a former referee openly admit that the whole thing is a crooked fix...yet Allen Iverson is too much trouble to be employed. I mean...even Marbury got another chance last year and that dude cried about how orgasmic it was to kiss his sister and created a 24 hour live channel to chronicle his crazy.

It's all shit. Fuck Stern. Fuck the NBA.

donnie walsh era: drafts

2009-11-27T14:29:00.005-05:00

So I am back...go ahead and jerk off. Will I be back with a vengeance or will I disappear into obscurity? Does anyone even look at this site besides me and AMF? Ahh... who cares.

In today's piece I will be piggybacking off of AMF's last paragraph - How badly has Donnie fucked up the draft?

On April 2, 2008 the Knicks announced that they had hired Donnie Walsh to run shit. While I generally agree with his philosophy of getting under the cap by any means necessary (for more reasons than the ra-tarded "Summer of LeBron"); I truly believe that he royally fucked up the one area where they needed to succeed the most - the draft.

In 2008, as AMF pointed out, the Knicks used the sixth overall pick to take Danilo Gallinari aka The Rooster. In doing so the Knicks passed on the likes of:

- Eric Gordon

- D.J. Augustine

- Brook Lopez

among others (Anthony Randolph, Hibbert, Courtney Lee, etc.)

Why did they do this? Because as AMF pointed out The Rooster is the offspring of Mike 'Antoni's (D doesn't exist in Mike's world) overseas boyfriend. In his short time with the Knicks, the 6-10 beanpole has crowed to the tune of an average of 20 minutes; 8.7 points; 2.8 rebounds; 0.3 blocks; and 0.8 assists. "BuT HE's a GrEaT ShoOtEr!11!" - 44.8% from the field and 43.9% from the line, averaging 1.8 3 pointers per game...killer. I guess if you want to look at the bright side, Gallo is leading the league in major back surgeries at the ripe age of 21. (HE CAN'T EVEN SIT ON THE FUCKING BENCH BUT RATHER NEEDS TO BE STRETCHED ON THE SIDELINES WHEN HE ISN'T ON THE COURT- COME ON..........)

I know hindsight is 20/20 but in Knick land, the foresight seems to be 20/200. Coming into the 2009/2010 season, the Knicks were in DESPERATE need of a (point) guard and a big man. (I loved watching Lee guard Bynum and Chandler on Pau the other night - it really put things in perspective for me). So armed with the knowledge that the biggest needs were at the 1, 2 and 5...the Knicks attacked the 2009 draft with reckless abandon.

With the 8th pick overall, the hype was on one of the 2898 point guards entering the draft. After Minny and Don Nelson seemingly went on a mission solely to fuck the Knicks (Flynn, Rubio, Curry) it seemed like Grandpa Donnie was put on full tilt. Bypassing Brandon Jennings and Ty Lawson, Donnie and Co. decided on ANOTHER PF in Jordan Hill. Straight from the Eddie Curry mold of out of shape and lazy, the Knicks ripped surplus from the hands of desperate need.

Hill has barely cracked the rotation and is extremely raw. I won't even bother with his stats because the sample size is meaninglessly small. In a pure stroke of genius, the Knicks then bought the 29th pick from LA and took Toney Douglas. Don't get me wrong, I like Toney Tone's style - defense first, think later; but if the Knicks were hellbent on buffering against the inevitable loss of David Lee; how would DeJuan Blair have looked with that 29th pick (especially if the Knicks had taken Jennings with the 8th pick). On the season, Blair is averaging 27.3 minutes, 15.7 points, 12.3 rebounds, 1.5 steals and a block per game. And that is with the big fundamental patrolling the paint.

In short, the Knicks' team is riddled with players who know they won't be here next year and bad draft picks. From that comes a team that heaves the ball up from anywhere on the court at any time. Like the paint doesn't even exist, the Knicks get to the basketball like a French solider gets into battle. What is the payoff? Pray, hope and pray some more that someone wants to play in the "mecca." Until then, take solace in knowing that at the very least, the Knicks don't have a draft pick to fuck up this year. (THANKS ISIAH).

What is Donnie doing?

2009-11-26T08:09:00.004-05:00

"In the beginning I didn't think it fit," Walsh said. "Then I started thinking about it, and it's enticing to think that you can get a guy that can score the ball that way. But as I went on, I started to think that he's going to take time from some of the players that we want to develop, he's probably not going to be there when the team is at its full strength down the road, and so we're better off sticking with what we've got."

...So you're saying that you couldn't find 30-40 minutes a night for Allen Iverson out of this mess of players who are not going to be with the Knicks when they are good either?

- Chris Duhon - 34.1

- Larry Hughes- 31.9

- Nate Robinson- 23.0

Lets see. Take 10 from Robinson; 15 from Hughes; and 10 from Duhon, and you have yourself 35 minutes of penetrating (editors note - HA!) and scoring OR dishing for open 3's (like the Knicks love to take). That is not even counting the 31.2 minutes for the the fake forward, Al Harrington; or the 19.4 minutes for the unbelievably worthless Jared Jeffries.

To top it all off, the Knicks winning more games (which they presumably could have done with AI), would not even hurt their draft position for next season; since, you know, they don't have a 1st round pick... (Thanks Marbury).

It just doesn't make any sense. What is Walsh doing? - Oh thats right he's drafting a SF named Jordan Hill, who nobody ever heard of before the draft over the 400 point guards that were available, ie Jennings, Lawson, Holiday, etc. And the year before that he passes on Eric Gordon, Brook Lopez, etc for the coach's best friends son from Europe. Not exactly making the right calls leading up to the summer of 2010.

A team of Lopez, Jennings/Lawson, Joe Johnson, Chandler and Amare could actually be an excellent team, which, even without getting Lebron/Wade/Bosh/Dirk would still have been possible had Donnie been drafting well the past two years. But as is, the Knicks are still going to need serious help, even after bringing in 2 stars next year. Thanks Donnie, and so far thats thanks for nothing.

Bill Madden

2009-11-23T07:37:00.003-05:00

Hey, remember this...

...when you wanted the Yanks to release Arod? Now, after you have been proven to be a complete joke; we get this from you.

Why didn't you write an article about how much of a fraud this championship was because the Yanks had that joke on their team? We all know thats how you really feel about it....

No. Hypocrites don't do that. They just change their tune to try and not look like complete assholes. Too bad you missed the boat there. You should be fired, and the News should be embarrassed they ever thought you were competent enough to write an editorial on sports.

an exercise in futility:

2009-10-29T21:58:00.002-04:00

Fatcessa endorses cheaters

2009-10-01T23:57:00.003-04:00

Straight from rotoworld, because I'm lazy and the Mets suck...

Bronson Arroyo has denied cheating allegations brought by Cardinals manager Tony LaRussa.

St. Louis pitching coach Dave Duncan also pointed a finger at Arroyo, saying that he pitched so effectively against the Redbirds by using pine tar on his cap to get a grip on the ball. The opposing pitcher, John Smoltz, was complaining all game long about the balls being too slick. Arroyo said the stain on his cap is from mud used to rub baseballs at other stadiums.

Nice try Bronson. Now we know how you've thrown 11 straight quality starts or whatever the hell it is.

The O'Day checkup

2009-09-01T02:34:00.004-04:00

Earlier in the year we checked up on Darren O'Days stats and this is what we found:

--IP-28.1 W-2 SV-1 HR-3 BB-8 K-27 HLD-9 ERA-1.27 WHIP-1.02 K/9-8.58--

He was pitching excellent for Texas....now that the season has reached the final stretch here's another look at O'Day's season to date.

--IP-46.2 W-2 SV-1 HR-3 BB-14 K-44 HLD-17 ERA-1.74 WHIP-0.99 K/9-8.49--

ugh...

i must say i agree with amf

2009-08-25T13:50:00.003-04:00

So Wagner goes to the Sox for two PTBNL

I suppose judgment must be reserved when looking at the Mets perspective on this deal but frankly, I just don’t get it.By all accounts Boston has retained the rights to offer Wagner arbitration after the season, arbitration he will not accept. He projects to be a Type A free agent meaning Boston would get two picks if/when he declines arbitration and signs with another team. Why wouldn’t the Mets keep him and do the same? Are the two “players to be named later” coming from Boston going to be comparable to two first round picks? I certainly hope so, otherwise Omar the stuttering prick is going to be forced to embarrass himself in front of a microphone……again.

2009-08-23T23:03:00.006-04:00

...was when it started, and this just confirms the complete assholeness of one, Jonathon Papsmear...As per MLBTraderumors.com:

6:14pm: SI.com's Jon Heyman is keeping tabs, via Twitter, on a war of words that has sprung up between Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon and recently-claimed reliever Billy Wagner. As Heyman "tweeted" a few hours ago, "wagner said he 'loves boston.' also said he doesn't expect to go. why? "inside intuition.''Papelbon seemed to take exception to the comments and said Sunday afternoon that he doesn't feel the Red Sox necessarily need to add the 38-year-old veteran. Joe McDonald of the Providence Journal passes along the quote: "We have a good dynamic down there in the bullpen and guys who work well together," Papelbon said. "Is Billy Wagner a good pitcher? Will he bring more depth to our bullpen and make our bullpen better? There's no question about it. But you still have to think about what we have now and what we've been able to accomplish to this point in the season."And here's Heyman, back on Twitter, with Wagner's response: "i dont have anything to say about somebody like that ... when he walks in my shoes then i'll say something. let him be 38 and have tommy john surgery."

Papelbon doesn't want to add Wagner to the pen for any particular reason, other than the fact that he feels threatened, despite the fact that his team needs serious help. A.S.S.H.O.L.E.

On a side note, I would like the Mets to hold onto Wagner, decline his option, offer him arbitration (which I would assume he would decline, as 1-he doesn't want to be a 7th/8th inning guy, and 2-he probably wants to go a team that will be better) and then collect the 2 top draft picks for him, as he currently projects to be a type A free agent, with only a month left in the season.

for your listening pleasure...

2009-08-19T16:25:00.000-04:00

Because I am bored...

all we need is just a little patience

2009-08-18T23:16:00.002-04:00

what happened to the Yankees giving a shit?

How many times over the last three games has the opposing pitcher walked the prior batter on 4-5 pitches only to have a Yankee swing at the first pitch like a little school girl.

Work the damn count and knock the scrub out of the game...then feast on the bullpen.

The formula is simple, and it works...so stick to it.

rock bottom

2009-08-13T18:11:00.004-04:00

As I continue my push towards what may be the greatest fantasy comeback of all time, I searched for a starting pitcher who may be able to lower my 5.79 era and 1.70 whip for the week and what I found out was this:

That's right...Garrett Mock is owned in 0% of fantasy leagues. Now that won't come as a surprise to most of you, and it shouldn't. To me though, it signified just how bad my fantasy team was going as I actually had this guy on my team earlier in the season. Now he is owned by no one. So I guess I pose this question: Who is more sad? Garrett Mock for not being owned in even 1% of the league or me for having had him on my team?

maybe fat is on to something.

2009-08-13T15:59:00.003-04:00

Bronson Arroyo has taken it upon himself to fight the media in the ongoing steroid crusade lately. Hidden in one of his latest interviews regarding admission to taking and doing whatever he wants, whenever he wants and not giving a shit about anything is one hell of a quote about league perception of the greatest owner of all time. Arroyo talks about how nobody REALLY cares about the health of the players and how owners want to make money (i.e. the McGwire/Sosa homerun chase) when he says:

“People don’t own teams to lose money. If you ask any owner whether they would rather make $20 million and come in last place or lose $20 million and win a World Series, there’s only one guy who honestly would take that championship: George Steinbrenner. Nobody else.”

You're damn right, Bronson. But I still don't want you on my team.

francessa on the fan: clueless

2009-08-12T17:15:00.003-04:00

So I just finished up watching Cano's walk-off single and the subsequent pie-in-the-face before returning to my office. Looking for some post-game crappy comments from the wrongfully-proclaimed King of NY Sports Talk Radio on WFAN, I decided to throw 660 on. What am I getting? An interview about WNEW with some douch who sounds like a small child is pinching his nuts while stuffing peanut butter in his mouth . That's right, the interview on WFAN - the sports talk radio station - during the afternoon drive, after a Yankee walk-off victory is about the FM rock station NEW and pedo's book about Woodstock. Are you fucking kidding me? As Nas once proclaimed: "Hip-Hop is dead." F.A.S. is now proclaiming:

NY Sports Talk Radio....is DEAD.

douch-klis gets thrown...red sox nation rejoices for some reason

2009-08-11T22:23:00.020-04:00

So I heard on the television that the Sox and Tigers got into a fight tonight. I learned further that Douch-klis got angry for being thrown at after the Sox threw at Miguel Cabrera (thus fucking my fantasy team - thanks dicks) two games in a row and was subsequently sent to the hospital.

So you hit the other teams best hitter two times, get thrown at once and charge the mound? That makes sense. Regardless, Douch charged and what happened next was pure hilarity. Douch got fucking TOSSED by the kid. I may pick Porcello up in fantasy just to give him props cause it was fantastic.

Below are screen caps of the Karo Parisyan-esq judo throw and a video in honor of Porcello.

An A-BOMB from A-ROD

2009-08-08T02:31:00.000-04:00

Alexander the Great does it again...

in honor of aj

2009-08-07T13:49:00.000-04:00

Beat. these. fucks.

will there be retaliation? absolutely if sheriff douchebag beckett has anything to say about it.

2009-08-07T13:36:00.002-04:00

Josh Beckett loves to puff his chest (and chipmunk cheeks) out about how he plays the game right and he knows how to play the game right and blah blah blah. He's an absolute idiot.

That being said, I fully expect Beckett to throw at someone tonight. And for that I hope he enjots getting slaughtered both in the game and on the mound...then by his boyfriend after the game.

aww poor baby

2009-08-07T13:20:00.002-04:00

Last night Mark Melancon threw a ball that was high and no where near Pedroia's head. Then he hit Pedroia between the shoulder blades. Pedroia, naturally, took offense. You would think that Boston pitchers didnt have free reign of the Yankee batters before Girardi took over the way that they cry up their in bean town now.

I heard Pedroia on the radio this morning saying that throwing inside is fine but stay away from the head. Well someone needs to inform the Most Valuable Piddling that had Melancon been throwing at a normal sized person, it would have been right in the back. It is Pedroia's own fault for being such a small target. Hit puberty, then chirp.

Stick a fork in 'em....its over

2009-08-05T01:29:00.002-04:00

It was approaching the 11 o'clock hour on the night of tuesday august 4th, 2009 and the Mets had just blown a 7-4 8th inning lead, giving up 8 runs in 3 innings to lose 12-7 to none other than the Cardinals. It was that moment when the Mets were officially pronounced dead. They were 48 years old and are survived by 6 minor league affiliates and millions of fans.

Another apology, another win

2009-07-30T15:47:00.004-04:00

Before the first game of todays double header, Omar Minaya held a short presser to let everyone know he apologized to Adam Rubin and was wrong and all that nonsense. Then Santana went out and shut out the Rockies for the Mets 5th win in a row. In game two tonight, the Mets will go for the 4-game sweep and send rookie Jon Niese to the hill.

In other news, it has been confirmed through multiple sources (secret lawyers) that Tony Bernazard is indeed one of the names on that infamous 2003 steroid list. This has led to speculation that this was the real reason Tony was let go, and not his impersonation of an angry Bruce Banner.

EDIT: Mets lose the nightcap to fall 6.5 back of the giants, or somewhere around there. Beltran says he will try to be back in 2 weeks or so, Wagner is starting a rehab, and Delgado and Reyes just need to run around the bases before they will be able to start a rehab. Putz is almost ready to pitch from a mound. and Maine got reassuring news from Dr. Andrews, his shoulder is intact, just weak. He could be back this year if he doesn't keep having setbacks in rehab.

So basically, the cavalry is coming. Hold the fort Mets, just a couple weeks longer.

re-definition of stupid: david "big papi" ortiz

2009-07-30T13:26:00.003-04:00

By now, all 3 of you know how angry A-rod's reaction to his past steroid use made me.
“You’ll have to talk to the union. I’m not saying anything.” That was the idiot's response. Now, with today's news it appears that David Ortiz* may have gone to the school of Alexander Emmanuel.

When approached about his past steroid use, Ortiz had this to say before today's game: “I’m not talking about that anymore. I have no comment.” Anymore? O, David...we have only just begun.

reactions

2009-07-30T13:10:00.004-04:00

My conversations have been a plenty today with the "breaking news" of Manny/Ortiz's infidelity.

Me: new york times. i love it. they sell their interest in the sox then shortly after...BAM -Report: Manny, Ortiz tested positive for steroids in 2003.

Pete: lol that's why the times is liberal scummy trash. I'm laughing like Dr. Evil. Are they sure it was steroids and not elephant hormones or special green ooze from Ninja Turtles 2?

JustJones: Apparently some lawyers told the NY Times Manny and Ortiz had positive tests in 2003. I'm Sure your law firm is behind it.
Me: Doesn't feel awesome, does it?
JustJones: At least I'm sure they cleaned up their act by 2004.

Spaino: I have a feeling FAS is going to be busy today.
Me: I can't stop smiling
Spaino: hahaha me either man.

Me: Manny/Ortiz tested positive in 2003
B-rabbit: Just saw...I freaking love it.

More to come as I continue to procrastinate my work day.

thank you jeebus

2009-07-30T13:01:00.004-04:00

No graphic. No need. Today is a glorious day indeed. I have so many people I want to thank...I don't even know where to start.

I guess first, I'd like to thank Bud Selig for being such a douche. He let this nonsense go on for so long and turned a blind eye while he lined his pockets and each day that passes, more butt pee is thrown on his "legacy."

Next, I need to say thank you to George Mitchell. In just one lousy report, he managed to make a mockery of Major League Baseball, himself, Bud Selig and the United States Government. Impressive. Twenty million dollars, very well spent I'd say.

Finally, the Nation. For years, you ass clowns have acted like you were the untainted franchise. Like all the steroid use in baseball managed to steer clear of the great white clubhouse. For every syringe graphic or asterisk you threw on pictures of A-rod, Bonds, Clemens, etc. For every steroids chant that rained through the decrepit walls of that circus show ballpark. For every time that you tried to diminish what the Yankees have done...this one is for you.

To paraphrase our garbage ex-8th inning guy - This couldn't have happened to a better two guys.

nyuck nyuck nyuck

2009-07-29T22:50:00.003-04:00

3.5 up. Joba was sick. All is good.

Well, almost all...Bruney's act is getting a bit tired.

As Circus carries on upstairs, Mets continue to win

2009-07-29T13:22:00.002-04:00

Through the midst of all the hoopala going on in the Mets front office, the actual Mets have won 4 straight baseball games, 2 against wild card leader Colorado. Santana on the hill today, and with a victory the Mets could pull within 4.5 games of the wild card lead. Not insurmountable. But to do it, players need to come back. Wagner is on his way, as is Delgado and Putz soon enough. Reyes is on again off again, but he's at least doing baseball stuff and running, somewhat, so we may see him sometime next month. Carlos Beltran is another story. He got another MRI and doctors say nothing has changed, the bone bruise is still the same, and they advised he shouldn't do anything to let it heal. But Beltran feels differently. He's saying the sharp pain that he was once feeling is no longer there, so he decided to pretty much ignore the doctors, and start rehabbing in a pool (swinging, running, stuff of that nature) and he's saying he feels better than he did weeks ago. Now I don't know if playing can further worsen the bruise (I would think it can, as it did before), but Beltran doesn't seem to care at this point and just wants to get back to help the Mets. My question to you is....would you like to see Beltran come back again and play through a little pain, risking further bruising, but helping the Mets try to catch the WC leader, or would you rather him sit out, possibly all year, to get the knee completely right? I for one, would like to see him come back and play as much as he can, show the fans a little toughness, and take care of the knee in the offseason. He may need surgery either way. I don't think we're out of this thing just yet.

dumb idea: grady sizemore (or is it)

2009-07-27T16:31:00.004-04:00

This deadline feels different for me. I don't know if it is because I dont expect the Yankees to make a huge move; I dont think the Yankees should make a huge move; or I am just content with the team in general. Regardless of the reason, I just havent been that "in" to the deadline this year which is a complete reversal from recent years. That was, at least, until today when I read this wonderful news: The Rays and Red Sox are each discussing blockbuster deals with the Indians for both Cliff Lee and Victor Martinez, according to Joel Sherman of the New York Post.

I DO NOT want to see either of those players in the AL East. Let me tell you that right now. I hate both of them (not for any other reason than that they kill the Yankees). So it got me thinking if Cleveland is going into full on rebuilding mode why not see what it takes to get Grady. The Yankees need a center fielder (both now and going forward) and he is digustingly good. He is cheap, almost too cheap, -- 09:$4.6M, 10:$5.6M, 11:$7.5M, 12:$8.5M club option ($0.5M buyout) which, at 27 years old makes him almost impossible to get.

Yeah, yeah, I'll stop pretending to think this is an option now...or will I?

non-sports related stupidity: peter gammons has a new favorite movie

2009-07-25T14:20:00.005-04:00

This is a screen cap from the trailer for "Orphan." The movie that is about a 33 year old woman who looks like a little girl. After being adopted to a loving family, murders start happening or something...who cares. The only reason to talk about this movie is because the little pain the ass is some kind of former hooker/murderer/temptress/whore.

Whatever. Here's a picture of the small bitch seemingly grabbing at her a-cup with a weird kinda eff me face on while the guy who adopted her looks on with pure amazement. The question is....would you hit it?

que the gayity: cementing his place as joba-rod

2009-07-25T01:06:00.005-04:00

Damned if you do; damned if you dont. I have come to the realization that as long as Joba Chamberlain is pitching in the state of New York, the story will never just be about his pitching.

At the beginning of the year it was Joba-to-the-pen. When he performed it became Joba's emotion. A mid season slump fueled the idiocy that is the bullpen argument once again. (By the way if the idiots got their collective wish, would Hughes/Mitre in the rotation really be any different than Joba/Mitre in the rotation?) Now that Joba has put together 2 very, very good starts coming out of the All-Star break, the media drones have piled it on with a daily double of pointless topics - The "new" Joba-rules and the "too much emotion" storyline.

Watching Daily News Live on Suck-NY (is it me or has this station consistently got worse over its tenure?) the hosts were debating (rather, yelling over one another like children about) Joba's show of emotion. One guy, whose name I refuse to care about, did his best Francesa impersonation and just kept yelling "IT WAS THE FIFTH INNING!" Who the EFF cares? I could care less if Joba did a K-rod like dance around the mound after every out. I could care less if Joba did a Papelbon-esq Irish jig following every strike. If he gives me 7 innings of 1 unearned run with 6 strikeouts every time out he could wear a hat that depicts him defecating on the Fighting Against Stupid logo. Please, PLEASE, can we just focus on his performance as a starter every five days.

Finally, the Joba innings limit is about as new of a story as Erin Andrews' video was to the Internet when the whole thing blew up. The Yankees have said since spring training that his innings were going to be capped. We have known this since the beginning of the year! I mean, even if they didn't say it outright, the guy threw 100 innings last season. Is it that crazy to think that the Yankees only want him to throw about 150-160 this season? It is common sense...What am I saying? Lacking a chromosome is a prequisite for working in the media.

Someone's gotta whack Tony...

2009-07-23T03:13:00.004-04:00

How does this guy still have a job? This is the same guy who single handedly turned Carlos Delgado away from signing with the Mets, because Delgado didn't like his attitude. He then undermines a bunch of people and has Willie Randolph, Rick Peterson and crew fired. (BTW Maine and Perez have pretty much **** the bed since they lost zenmaster jr)Then he goes ballistic on an AL scout during a game who was sitting in "his" box seat at Citifield. Then he goes Incredible Hulk on the Binghamton Mets. He has lost his mind. I don't care what type of talent evaluator he is, he hasn't been bringing **** to the Mets, and he's been in the news for all the wrong reasons over the past 3+ years. He is a cancer to the front office, and friend or not, Omar needs to get rid of him, and ultimately, the Wilpons need to get rid of everyone. They need to clean house, take out all the made men, and make sure Tony doesn't walk out of that diner alive, family or not.

BTW, I found another awesome blog regarding a similar topic.

And since we're all famous now and everyone reads our blog I'd like a response from BT regarding a few of his offseason comments.

yahoo's stat checkers: worse than aids

2009-07-22T17:29:00.004-04:00

So apparently Aaron Hill either struck out, grounded out, flew out, hit into a fielders choice, or reached on an error in his sleep on Sunday night/Monday's off day because when Sunday's game ended he was in an 0-19 slump. His hit a single in the first inning/his first at bat of Tuesday's game (Toronto did not bat around - I, unlike Yahoo, check my rubbish) to end the slump, which according to Yahoo had grown to 0-20 without a single inning of baseball being played. That is impressive.

f.a.s. exclusive: tony bernazard is the devil

2009-07-22T14:03:00.012-04:00

We here at Fighting Against Stupid don't have many connections but one of our few connections is over at the NY Daily News. After setting the sports-talk world a-blaze this morning with the report that Mets VP of Player Development took his shirt off and challenged his Double-A Binghamton team to a brawl; the Daily News has decided to run two follow-ups about Mr. B's shady past.

First, our sources reveal to us exclusively that Bernazard is a direct descendant of Adolf Hitler. Since I live in my mother's basement, it was easy for me to access the 14 boxes of baseball cards I have saved. It appears that Bernazard emulated his ancestor during the 1984-1987 seasons

It also appears that the News has obtained a cell-phone picture of Tony's whereabouts on the day that JFK was killed:

When F.A.S. reached out to Mr. Bernazard he refused comment and directed us to talk to the front office union. All attempts to confirm the above stories have been met with silence but a friend close to Mr. Bernazard has added more fuel to the fire that is Bernazard's past. For the first time ever it has been revealed that Tony Bernazard was, in fact, the one who provided Jessica Spano with caffeine pills. A Saved by the Bell employee has confirmed that Tony Bernazard was in Jessica's room just prior to her emotional breakdown but escaped through the door just before Zack Morris arrived. To corroborate his story, the employee has provided us with the following evidence:

The Mets, already riddled with injury and medical staff ineptitude, have also refused comment on the upcoming stories but it is believed that Mets owner Jeff Wilpon will be providing a vote of confidence to Bernazard in an upcoming meeting; guaranteeing his job through 2017 on the recommendation of chief advisers - Moe, Larry and Curly.

weight watchers: yankees cut some of the fat

2009-07-21T20:23:00.006-04:00

Well, this was a welcome sight:

UPDATE, 3:49 p.m.: Looks like Brent [sic] Tomko is out.

UPDATE, 4:29 p.m.: Tomko DFA’d.

(would it kill you to get his name right Abe?)

Now if they can only find a way to get Cody Ransom off the team...

....nah makes too much sense.

Mets win a game, lose their mind

2009-07-21T02:54:00.003-04:00

I'm not gonna beat around the bush with an in depth article right now because I'm tired. Quite frankly, I'm also tired of putting any effort into thinking about the Mets anymore, but I cannot help myself.

Two things today.

1 - It is announced today, or reported, or whatever, that both Omar Minaya and Jerry Manuel will apparently not be held responsible for the Mets to have the highest payroll of any 4th place team in Major League history. They will both be back next year. How soooo great is that. One more incompetant than the next, and as it turns out, its the Wilpons who out-incompetant all of them.

2 - As reported by Jon Heyman, the Blue Jays offered Roy Halladay to the Mets for a package of Fernando Martinez, Jon Niese, Bobby Parnell, and Ruben Tejada. The Mets turned it down. Now I'm not one for selling the farm, but the Mets don't have future superstars here, other than possibly Martinez. We've already seen Niese, and while he can be a servicable starter, he doesn't throw hard, and you hope he becomes half of Roy Halladay. Bobby Parnell is a struggling reliever who throws really hard right over the middle of the plate. Ruben Tejada is a 19 yr old SS in AA, who has been rushed through the minors for no apparent reason, and isn't even the best SS prospect in the system. (Wilmer Flores) Martinez has all the tools and has done well at young ages in his leagues but he has not made it through one season without missing significant time with injury in his pro career. If the Mets in fact could have Halladay without trading SP Brad Holt or SS Wilmer Flores and Martinez was the only possible future star they'd have to give up, I'd have to seriously think about doing that, and not just dismissing it, as the Mets apparently have.

home, sweet home.

2009-07-21T00:19:00.005-04:00

How sweet it is. Three straight 2-1 wins. Walk-off from the forgotten son. A-rod still fears the pile-on. 1st Place on July 21, 2009...and somehow they did it all without Bronson Arroyo (see below)

Play today, win today. That's it.

obsession analogy: john henry is to yankees as mike francesa is to.....

2009-07-20T14:57:00.006-04:00

If you said Bronson Arroyo then you clearly know what is to follow. Unfortunately, it is that time again folks. It's your annual "Trade for Arroyo" campaign as brought to you by none other than Mike Francesa. Year in and year out, Mike's answer to the Yankees' "problems" is Bronson Arroyo. That's right - no matter the year, the record, the flaws, the payroll; the battle cry is the same - GET ARROYO.

Why? What is his obsession with Bronson Arroyo?

Here is what we know about Bronson Arroyo; financially: He is signed through next season. He makes $9.5 million this season and $11 million next season. He has a team option for 2011 which is a base $11 million and can increase up to $13 million with innings pitched. O yeah, and the deal includes a $2 million dollar buy out. He also received a $2.5 million dollar signing bonus so add another $1.25 to the payroll for next year in terms of luxury tax.

Here is what we know about Bronson Arroyo; performance-wise: He eats innings. In his 3 full seasons with Cincy, Arroyo has averaged 217 innings. Mike, pretty obviously, loves all things eatting so that would begin to explain his obsession. Mike also loves things bloated...luckily for him, Arroyo's ERA over the last three years is just that ( 4.05 in the putrid NL Central). In 2009, he is eating innings once again (119 at the All-star break). In April/March his ERA was a robust 6.48; May-4.28; June - a Francesa-esq 6.82 and so far in July - 2.14. Does that mean that he is finally putting it together this season? I don't think so. He is now and always has been a servicable major league pitcher but he is horribly inconsistent.

Here is what I think about Francesa's idea - As I say every year: dumb and pointless. Everything I said above is what Arroyo has done in the NL Central. We are not talking in the AL, we are not talking in the AL East and we are not talking in Yankee Stadium. Arroyo has a 1.13 flyball/groundball ratio. Put that in Coors North and watch his numbers inflate like the broken High School prom queen after her freshman year of college. It is not a bright idea to attack the team's biggest problem (inconsistency) with a pitcher who has the same problem. On top of that you know that Arroyo is going to meet that innings pitched number and kick in the extra $2mil on his option. Arroyo can keep his fairy braids in the midwest. DENIED.

the hope of many, the dream of most, the reality of none.

2009-07-17T16:36:00.008-04:00

It has been exactly ten days since JP Ricciardi has made it publicly known that the Jays were listening on Roy "Doc" Halladay, which means it has been ten days since the ridiculously spoiled fan base of the team I love was infected with the Delusion of Grandeur virus.

In those ten days, thanks to the extended All Star break, the sports talk radio waves/newspapers/blogs have gone absolutely bananas with the thought that Doc might be donning the pinstripes before July's end. At first I tried to ignore it, but the idiocy grew to un-ignorable heights. "TRADE JOBA!" they say; "PART WITH HUGHES!" they cry; off with Jackson, Betances, Brackman, Kennedy, Melky and even Robinson Cano. "WHATEVER IT TAKES" has been the motto. ENOUGH. Let me break it down real simple so that it is easily understood - Roy Halladay is not and should not be a Yankee by the deadline and quite frankly I believe the Yankees should pull their name out of the Halladay sweepstakes, at least publicly.

Would Halladay help the Yankees? What team couldnt use arguably the best pitcher in baseball leading their staff? This isn't about that though. This is about so much more than that. This is about organizational philosophy, this is about the present, this is about the future, this is about logic.

So in examining the issue I have decided to look at some of the more prevalent banter. I won't be discussing who I would trade, or what I would do (i.e. take Vernon Wells' horrific contract);

1. Easily the most ridiculous argument - "right the wrong of not trading for Santana, get Halladay."

When are people going to realize that the non-trade was part of a bigger plan. It is clearly why the Yankees went so hard after CC. They did not want to trade Hughes, Kennedy, etc. for a pitcher and give him the money when they could get a comparable pitcher, who some believe will be more durable as the years start to add up, for just money one year later. I have said it since day one. That non-trade cannot be judged by one season, two seasons or even three seasons. That is a deal that people will have to look back on ten years from now to judge. Hughes has been long regarded as a top prospect and projected as a good-great major league pitcher. In exhibiting patience, instead of falling for the name as they have done so many times before, the Yankees were able to have their cake eat it to. Santana is a Met. Let it go.

2. "The Yankees NEED Hallady to win now."

Really? despite a bevy of problems and inconsistency this season the Yanks are right there (see post below). They don't NEED Hallady, they NEED consistency and they NEED performance. The pieces are here, it is up to Joe and the players to make it work.

3. Why do people think the Yankees can get Halladay to begin with?

Why is Toronto going to trade a 32 year old Ace in the division. He is under contract through next season and if traded to the Yankees, would likely sign an extension. Do you think that he is going to take a dime less than CC or Santana? Do you think he is going to take a year less than either of them? We are talking about Hallady in the AL East for the next 7 years. The Blue Jays are rebuilding, not moving. They want to win and I am pretty sure they don't want to wait ten years to do so. Trading Halladay to the Yankees would ensure a tougher road to the top and it takes an idiot to think they are going let that happen for anything less than an explosive bounty. We aren't talking B-level prospects. We are talking Hughes, Joba, plus. We are talking Jackson, Montero. We are even talking Cano. The Yankees will be mortgaging the present and the future to bring him here.

4. Why drive up the price?

The longer the Yankees stay in the picture for Halladay publicly, the more the Blue Jays will be able to use them as a tool to fatten the return. Again, the Blue Jays are in the division...we want them to get the worst package possible.

5. The pressure will destroy the current team.

I, for one, have loved the Yankees return to normalcy this season. They seem looser. They seem to enjoy themselves. Chemistry has seemed to make its triumphant return. By adding Doc, the Yankees will be doing the unthinkable - they will be raising the expectations to un-doable levels. If they get him and they don't win then it will be the biggest failure in the history of baseball (more embarrassing than 2003 and 2004 combined).

6. A trade like this will take the fun out of winning (if they win) for me

I know it sounds ridiculous but what happened to a good old fashioned race. I want to win WITH THIS TEAM.

Maybe I just don't want to believe it is possible, maybe I don't want it to happen....I don't know yet but right now I don't want the Yanks to trade for Halladay and I don't believe it will, or can happen.

we play today, we win today...that's it

2009-07-16T22:48:00.004-04:00

The Yankees return tomorrow from their extended spring break -3 in the division and +2.5 in the wild card.

Taking a closer look at the division, the Yanks (+60) are 3rd in run differential behind Boston (+85) and Tampa (+76). In the wild card the Yanks are 2nd behind Tampa and ahead of Texas (+34).

What does all this mean? Well it means Tampa is coming and last year was not a fluke. Whether it be for the division or the wild card, Tampa figures to be a thorn in the side of all those longing for a playoff berth.

In my not so humble opinion, because it is clearly better than yours, the Yanks are in a good position all things considered. They started the season without A-rod, they lost Posada and Molina for an extended period of time, Damon has been battling injuries, Matsui was good for a couple of good weeks in the first half, the pitching (whether it be the bullpen or the starters) has been inconsistent at best, Teix and CC stayed true to their "slow start" reputations and the Yankees went 0-8 against the Red Sox and 2-4 against the Nationals and Marlins and yet if the playoffs started today; they would be in. Wild card or division doesn't matter to me, the chip matters and you have to be in it to win it.

Unfortunately, some things need to right themselves for my sanity and for the good of this team if they are going to break the playoff-less drought of one whole year:

1. Andy Pettitte - Age, steroids, and an overrated career have seemingly caught up to the spineless lefty. The "big game fallacy;" oops I mean "big game pitcher" needs to find a way to get right handers out [A BAA of .286 and a K/BB of 1.08 have been killer so far.] He has not fared much better against lefties [.277 BAA] but his batting average on balls in (BABIP) play to lefties (.330) suggests he has been a little unlucky (baseball prospectus lists a typical babip as .290). Regardless, he is currently the owner of a 1.52 whip and it's just not good enough.

2. Joba Chamberlain - If this guy isn't the real life version of "Wild Thing" Rick Vaughn, then I don't know who is. In the first quarter of the season he performed like Vaughn at the end of Major League 1. He was on track to kill the Joba-to-the pen daily argument and fearing that he might not be in the news for anything other than his performance every 5 days, Joba reversed course and has decided to take a dump on the mound. I don't need to recite stats, just watch a start. He throws too many pitches, does not trust his stuff (or his catchers). He has become Vaughn in the beginning of Major League 2. A celebrity with a dead arm, crap pitches and a bad attitude. Growing tired of his act, his teammates did not even acknowledge him in the dugout after his latest debacle. Now with his name surfacing in trade rumors, Joba is in a position that he has never been in with the Yankees - he is starring failure in it's face. How will he react? Only he knows but if he doesn't start trusting his catchers and challenging hitters I fear he will find himself pitching the middle innings of close games or on another team - neither of which sounds good to me.

3. Defense - remember when the Yanks set the record for consecutive errorless games? Apparently neither do they. Melky/Gardner have done a terrific job committing only 1 error between them on the season but Swisher/Damon have been awful defensively. The Yankee outfield, as a whole, takes horrible routes to the ball. It makes me wonder if they even shag fly balls or just go out there and wing it, Sunday softball style. While speed covers up mistakes in center, it is severely lacking at the corners. They need to take better routes and make the plays that can be made. As for the infield, Jeter has played well (for Jeter) and Teix has been a god send. A-rod looked rusty and stiff but has looked better after his latest cycle, er lately.

4. Managing - Jor Torrardi needs to get out of his own way. Stop with the over managing and go back to coaching the way that you did in Florida and last year. Stop with the favoring in the bullpen, the panic moves and the soft side. I didn't have a problem with Girardi last year, the beat writers did. I don't care if the media likes him - manage how you want to manage, Joe; or book the next flight the #@$ out of here.

5. Health - the X factor every season. Everyone knows you have to stay healthy but with the construction of the Yankees...this is even more crucial. An aging staff and lineup has forced us to sit through Angel Berrora and Cody Ransom at-bats. One guy plays for the Mets and the other should be packing boxes soon enough. Stay healthy and the crap on the bench won't even matter.

With the trade deadline coming up, I am sure we will see some minor tweaks (think: Eric Hinske-esq moves). I do not think that Doc Hallady is (or should be) walking through that door. This is one of the most enjoyable and entertaining Yankee teams in a long time and talented to boot. They can win AS IS. Come out tomorrow against the D and get that swagger back. Go out there with Jorge's motto and live by it.

Play today, win today. That. Is. It.

and for facks sake - beat the taint-licking Red Sox.

playing a losing game of ookie cookie

2009-07-14T23:23:00.010-04:00

So over my non-vacation a lot has happened. Yankees got swept by the Angels (standard procedure); Roy Hallady became available in a trade (much more on that to come in the upcoming days); I got killed in fantasy (again, no surprise.); Artie Lange got a DUI; Jessica and Tony broke up; Obama continued his quest for celebrity domination by almost bouncing the first pitch of the all star game; I bought the domain www.fightingagainststupid.com; Snuggie tried to scam me; Yankees created Yankee Universe...wait what?

O that's right, after seeing what a bad idea it was for the Red Sox to create the "Red Sox Nation" fan club (full package includes a MEMBERSHIP CARD!!!!!); the powers that be decided that the team was not complete without their own embarrassing "Universe." I mean, seriously, do the Yankees have to do everything that Red Sox do now? Its mortifying. First their was the Kei Igawa response to their Dice-K and now this. Whats next? The blue monster?.....

Why Not?

2009-07-08T00:56:00.005-04:00

BARRY BONDS.

Yes, that IS where I am going with this.

Joe and Evan were talking about this yesterday, and it actually makes sense. The Mets should sign Barry Bonds right now, and they actually have no reason, or should I say no excuses, not to.

This is a team that is currently terrible on offense, terrible on defense, and only wins if they pitch a gem. This is a team that obviously doesn't care about steroid scandals, or at least doesn't care about non-proven steroid scandals, since they have employed Gary Sheffield - who was involved in the exact same case as Bonds was/is. This is a team that obviously doesn't think the Mark DeRosa's and Scott Hairston's of the world are worth the prospects they'd be forfeiting. This is a team that probably doesn't have enough good prospects to land a real difference maker (Halladay, Holliday, even Dunn) And this is a team that is playing minor league infielders in their outfield and utility men in their infield.

Barry Bonds costs no prospects, costs little money, and can play no worse defense in LF than the Mets have already received this year. He might even give fans a reason to still come out to that overpriced stadium to watch a joke of a team. There really is no argument as to why he's not a good option for the Mets. He would take the pressure off of David Wright and provide another bat to help out Wright and Sheff. It just makes too much sense. Too much sense for the Mets I guess.

Quick Checkup

2009-07-06T14:13:00.004-04:00

Earlier in the year, Omar chose to try and pass Darren O'Day through waivers when he needed a roster spot, as opposed to simply sending Parnell down to AAA for a week. O'Day did not clear waivers and went over to Texas to pitch. Lets check on his numbers this year over there, in a hitter's haven.

IP-28.1 W-2 SV-1 HR-3 BB-8 K-27 HLD-9 ERA-1.27 WHIP-1.02 K/9-8.58

Yea the Mets definitely didn't need that in their pen at all.

Speaking of sleeping...

2009-07-06T12:56:00.003-04:00

It appears Omar Minaya took a breif hiatus as well, or maybe not so brief. Not getting Mark DeRosa is one thing, but Omar couldn't put something together to go get Scott Hairston? He couldn't equal those two mediocre prospects the A's sent over? Does he realize how bad our lineup is right now? It seems that he is in a deeper coma than the team he has created.

BTW, Hairston's line, playing in Petco - .299 .358 .533 for an .891 OPS - Mets could have used that

down time.

2009-07-06T12:31:00.002-04:00

in an attempt to recover from this weekend, catch up on my actual job, and recharge the creative battery...I'm going on a brief hiatus. AMF is on his own. Last time I left him to his own device; there were crying animals and peanut butter....everywhere.

i love me some re-runs

2009-07-02T00:05:00.002-04:00

For the second time this season, the Yankees have blessed us with a weeks full of wins. Forgotten are the days when they looked inept against those upstart Nationals...well at least until they lose 5 of 7 to the Orioles and Athletics at home in a couple of weeks.

no me gusta los mets

2009-07-01T14:29:00.005-04:00

Johan Santana is arguably the best pitcher in baseball. That we know. But this guy has a real "not my fault" complex and I am quite sick of him getting a free pass for it. First he threw Daniel Murphy under the bus; and now it appears he has thrown the entire Mets team under the bus.

As Per Metsblog:

"Following a two-error, fourth inning, during which four runs scored, Santana was seen on television barking at his teammates and himself from the bench.Santana, following the game, explained to reporters:“I wasn’t frustrated (on the bench), I was just letting people know we need to play better baseball. If we don’t play better baseball we’re not gonna win. If we don’t make routine plays, if we don’t execute, throw the right the pitch, we’re not gonna win… I wasn’t trying to get on anybody, it was more of a general thing. We have to play better.”

Okay. Did I miss something? Wasn't one of those errors Santana? Don't mind my logical thinking, Cryhan, go on:

“I don’t know, man. I’m just trying to do my job… I cannot control things after I throw the ball, and that’s reality. I’m just trying to do my job and help as much as I can… Any time I pitch it’s always about one play, or one pitch, that can change the whole game and that was the difference in tonight’s game.”

Really? As some, but sadly not all, have pointed out: YOU WALKED THE PITCHER ON 4 PITCHES. Then a few batters later YOU threw the ball into the outfield allowing Braun to score. You are not doing your job, idiot. Stop acting like you are.

Since April ended, the Cry Young has pitched 2 full months of 6-5 baseball with a 4.39 era. That's EARNED RUNS, friend. Forgive me though, I didn't realize your 137.5 million dollar job was crap pitching, decreased velocity, media wars with former pitching coaches and pointing fingers.

Maybe I am wrong though. Maybe what he said was just lost in translation. No? Didn't think so. Here's an idea banana hammock: Your job is to be an Ace; to be the best pitcher in baseball, let alone the NL; your job is to stop the bleeding and pick up your teammates. Your JOB is to throw strikes...not knives into the collective back of your team. Just pitch and shut up.

Mets Lose Santana game, Warthen loses temper

2009-07-01T01:46:00.002-04:00

Well, we all thought the Santana game was the game we could count on for a win, but alas, that is not the case. Not with Randy Wolf's brother behind the plate pissing Johan off to no end. It got so bad that Dan Warthen actually got thrown out on a visit to the mound. Needless to say, Ryan Braun owns Santana and pillaged the Mets to the tune of 4 RBIs. Before the game, Manuel had said he would idiotically bench both Wright and Sheffield vs Yovanni Gallardo for tomorrows game, but with a 5-game losing streak staring him in the face I don't see how he can do that. He'd be giving up the game (again) before it began.

One positive from tonight's game was Fernando Martinez' first ML HR. Wright also finally went deep again. How 'bout we get some good pitching again, that would be cool.

now it matters

2009-06-30T19:17:00.003-04:00

It is now more than three years since Bud Senile and his band of idiots decided to award home field in the World Series to the league that wins the All-Star game.

Back in 2006, everyone not on Senile's payroll said this was a bad idea, yet the decree stood. Three years later, the stupidity of the decision has only been highlighted each passing year.

It would be one thing to make such a major adjustment on a whim but to do so without making the necessary surrounding adjustments is just irresponsible. Here are the dumbest things about the All-Star:

1. Fan voting - you simply cannot allow the people who will be playing for homefield to be decided by a bunch of idiots. Fans are inherently dumb. Moreover, fans are inherently bias. What stops me from voting for all Yankees and the worst option in the National League? NOTHING. In fact, voting more than once is actually encouraged. I can go and vote up to 25 times if I desire. For example, right now in the American League Jason Varitek is second in voting. that is right, Jason Varitek with his .240 batting average is SECOND. Who is starting in the outfield for the AL you ask? Josh Hamilton. Yes, Josh Hamilton batting .240 as well, with the .290 on base percentage. O, by the way, Hamilton has only played in 35 games this season. So according to the powers that be, 125 at bats with garbage results earns you the right to decide who gets last licks in game 7 of the World Series. Makes perfect sense. (Honorable mention of stupidity goes to Yadier Molina leading over Brian McCann and Jimmy Rollins being in second for SS)

2. Representative from each team - when you make a game matter, you cannot fill the roster with undeserving players. Do you realize that the Pirates are going to have a player on the all-star team? Who on the Pirates roster really deserves to be on the all-star team?? You name me ONE player and after I am done smacking you, I will crush your world with proof as to why he doesn't belong.

3. Short benches - Last year, the managers managed scared. I don't blame them. You bring players in on what should be their vacation to participate in this "exhibition" and the managers are torn between rewarding them with an appearance and worrying about winning the game. Let me tell you, can you imagine the backlash in Boston if Papelbon got hurt throwing a second inning of relief or in NY if K-rod blew out his arm trying to get a 4 out save? You can say that won't happen but it can, and it will at this pace.

The madness must end. Turn it back to an exhibition and if there is a dumb tie every couple of years then so be it. From looks of it, it wont be the second time Bud has kissed his sister.

lebron's friends love <3 NY

2009-06-29T12:12:00.010-04:00

I've steered clear of all 2010 nonsense on this site for a couple of reasons:

1. We focus mainly on baseball here as the Yankees and Mets provide more than enough stupidity; and

2. No one knows, can know, or will know what happens in 2010 until it happens.

The guessing game is more annoying than the trades that the callers on WFAN want the Mets and Yankees to do..."Hey Mike, this is one for the Yanks....they need to send uhhh Angel Berroa and uhh David Robertson to Colorado for Huston Street...what do you think?"

Sadly, I think that trade offer may be more logical than anything that is actually mentioned on that joke of a station...I digress.

Hat tip to Patty for the heads up. King James won the BET Award for best male athlete last night and chose to bring some friends up on stage with him. One was CLEARLY wearing a Yankees' hat and a "I heart NY" shirt. As has been pointed out, LeBron specifically went back and told this friend to come with him.

Screen caps here are below.

Do they mean anything? No, not at all but whether it be a sign from Lebron, a coincidence, or the King and his court rustling some feathers, it is interesting that these little things keep popping up. Am I reaching with this? Absolutely, but first there was the blue and orange bird in the Nike commercial and now this.

I know that LeBron loves to stir things up and loves the attention but just in case, I have to start putting my hatred for the man aside and start hoping he can bring a chip to NY.

Twitter

2009-06-29T03:39:00.002-04:00

I was going to start a poll to see if an angry Mets fan should get involved on Twitter, but apparently I am not allowed to do that, as I cannot find that option anywhere. Either that or I'm just having a Jerry Manuel moment. It would certainly enable more immediate Manuel bashing and mini-tirades, thats for sure. Oh no, thats right, my job sucks so I can't watch games, right, I forgot. Anyway, do any of our loyal readers out there want to see AMF tweeting?

Last night was an overall success

2009-06-29T02:55:00.003-04:00

Last night at Citifield the Yankees completed a 3-game sweep of the Buffalo Bisons, errr Mets rather, with a 4-2 victory. That much you should know already. But what you may not know, or realize, is that what occured during the top of the 9th may be the best thing thats happened to the Mets this year.

With the Yanks ahead 3-2, runners on 1st and 2nd, 2 outs, and Derek Jeter coming to the plate, Jerry Manuel decided to attempt to start to pitch to him, rather than walk him intentionally. Usually a bad call to begin with (Jeter has the highest AVG vs the Mets than any other player, ever), but this time the guy on deck was.........wait for it............Mariano Rivera. Let me repeat that one more time. Jerry Manuel decided to pitch to Derek Jeter instead of walking him to get to a career AL Closer with 2 career At Bats. I will have you know, while this was happening I was calling for Omar to march onto the field and fire Jerry on the spot, as that is the only logical decision that can be made after witnessing what was actually happening.

Now K-Rod eventually did walk Jeter and then decided to implode and walk Rivera as well, but thats not the topic at hand right now. What we as Mets fans, however many of you are left out there, can take from this game, is that it was Nationally Televised on ESPN. So not only Mets fans and Yankees fans, but the whole baseball world witnessed the idiocrasy, the lunacy, the absolute utter incompetence that is...Jerry Manuel. Hopefully, this was the begining of his public/media downfall, because his actual managing ability hit rock bottom tonight.

And if Omar Minaya doesn't doing something about this lunatic, he deserves to be fired as well.

A match made in baseball incompetency heaven.

Daily Manuel Update

2009-06-24T01:22:00.004-04:00

Tonight the Mets were once again dominated by Joel Pineiro, for the 3rd time in row. Apparently he, like Josh Johnson, become the greatest pitchers of all time against the Mets. But alas, even while the Mets could only muster 4 baserunners, that was enough for Jerry Manuel to screw up again and eliminate one of them all by himself. Luis Castillo walked, and in a 1-0 game at the time, with no outs, Manuel decided to hit and run...with Livan Hernandez. Now Hernandez is no Al Leiter at the plate (embarassing) but he is a PITCHER. Not only that, he did it on the very first pitch. That pitch could be anywhere. Naturally is was out of the zone and Livan swung aand missed, making for an easy out down at 2nd base. Has Jerry ever heard of the sacrifice bunt? Has Jerry ever heard of fundamentals? Does Jerry know what a baseball is?

send me out an s.o.s.

2009-06-23T23:31:00.005-04:00

This team is dead to rights. Even the "emotional leader" has given up. Sweet job tonight Posada - 4 k's, throws a ball into the outfield from his knees when he had ALL day to stand up and fails to run out missed third strike. I wonder if his lady bits will get all salty if he is benched, like he should be, tomorrow.

(I'll have you know, I am taking this upon myself and benching him in my fantasy league just to send a message because I fear Joe Torrardi will not be doing the same)

not the news we were hoping for

2009-06-23T23:16:00.005-04:00

So yesterday I called for Berroa's head...much like Jose Veras, it appears our voice has been heard; only this time it might be for the worse. When I called for Berroa's DFA'ing it was because he is utterly worthless...the problem is that his potential replacement might be even more worthless.

As per Peter Abraham:

"UPDATE, 5:28 p.m.: Girardi indicated that Cody Ransom would be here tomorrow. They have to decide whether Pena or Berroa goes."

Before landing on the 60-day DL, Ransom was playing regularly...why? I had no idea then and I have no idea now as to why he is coming back. With a robust .180/.266/.320 line (that is correct batting average/on-base percentage/slugging percentage) Ransom collected just 6 extra base hits in 50 at bats....what is worse is that he struck out 15 times to 3 walks. Now, I know no one was going to replace the A-rod of olds bat but I could have settled on league average stick with league average or above defense (as Ramiro Pena would have, should have, has and could provide). Such was not the case with Ransom. In 116 innings this season, Ransom had a fielding percentage of .947 (league average is .986 during this season). Only 81% of balls that he fielded AT THIRD BASE resulted in outs (mlb average for 3b is 89%). I think you get the point.

Now the news comes that Ransom's stint on the DL is up so there are 2 choices: DFA him and *risk losing him* (as rotoworld stated - I have a better chance at getting pregnant) or add him to the roster. P-Abe seems to think that there is a chance that the Yankees might send Pena down to make room for this bum.

Can you imagine a bench with Cody Ransom AND Angel Berroa...I can, you know what I see. Me turning my TV off before the game starts.

Manuel bailed out yet again

2009-06-23T01:07:00.003-04:00

Jerry Manuel is awful. That has been established, so I'm not going to get into it completely. But I was able to put into words one thing I especially hate about his decision making, sent via text to Mr. Met, aka Lodato.

He constantly will choose to go with a worse player just because he thinks its a better matchup - how about showing some confidence in your own better players that they can succeed in your opponent's "better matchup"

Slightly confusing but you can understand what I mean by simply looking at tonight's example. He leaves Jon Switzer in the game, who's barely even a lefty specialist at best, to face the right-handed pinch hitter, when he already has Brian Stokes ready in the pen for Pujols, who was on deck. Manuel doesn't go to Stokes because he doesn't want LaRussa to re-pinch hit for the righty with left handed Chris Duncan. Why not show some damn confidence in your better pitcher, Stokes, who has been good for more or less the whole year, and say our better guy will get your guy out. No, instead he goes with our crappy guy because hes a terrible manager and he promptly gives up a basehit. And then he brings in Stokes, who bails him out, and induces a ground ball from Pujols right back to Stokes, which he turns into a double play. Unfortunately, we aren't always as lucky as we were tonight. I cannot say it enough.....Manuel Must Go.

it's time.

2009-06-22T20:59:00.005-04:00

Once, one of the biggest supporters of Cashman's autonomy and Joe Girardi's managerial skills...I have slowly started despising the both of them.

There is absolutely NO reason for Angel Berroa to be on this team. He is a backup infielder who can't play the corners; he is slow; he is questionable at the two positions he "does play;" and he cant hit Rhianna in a Lambo on the side of a highway.

I'm not even going to waste my time looking up his lack of batting stats, defensive shortcomings, or overall worthless position on this team. The fact that he starts over Pena any day of the week has me questioning if I want Joe Torrardi to continue managing this team? DFA him Brian, take Joe's toy away.

yankee fans: looking back, mondaymorning qbing forward

2009-06-18T13:30:00.005-04:00

I can't believe I am saying this but as we speak Fat is addressing the Yankee game from last night and the non-steal attempt by A-rod that has everyone and their mother calling for Joe Girardi's job (despite the fact that Gardner stole second and third to even create the situation) and I actually agree with him. Some of his good points:

- Cano in his last 6 games - .450/6 homeruns/6 doubles

- a direct quote: "you aren't going to win all of these games coming from behind...you had eight innings to do something against that guy and they didn't."

Girardi has made some dumb moves this season but last night was NOT one of them. He did his managing, he set the number 4 and 5 hitters up for man on third and one out and they didn't execute. They. Did. Not. Perform. Last night's loss is on the players, not the manager. He didn't swing like a school girl for 8.1 innings.

Also, ask yourself this, say by chance they do throw and A-rod is out, or better yet, they cut the ball off and get Gardner at home...then what? He is stupid for taking the bat out of Cano's hands. I just ask the rabid idiotic fanbase of the team I love to take a step back and realize that no team is going 162-0. You are going to lose games....let it the F go.

In closing, as I finish writing this a caller who was in the "steal arod" camp thought that they should have sent a-rod, and provided he makes it to second...then the Nats walk Cano and he wants to pinch hit Francisco Cervelli for Jorge Posada. I don't need to say anymore...these are the people that are driving the theory that Girardi should have sent A-rod. I am validated.

stupidity is running amuck on the ineternet

2009-06-17T23:29:00.003-04:00

So the yankees lost to the nationals, a team they should beat every time. I get that. However, assuming sweeps in baseball is about as dumb as assuming that getting a MAC will stop you from getting a virus. It is as dumb as assuming that the girl who let you buy her drinks all night is into you. It is as dumb as assuming that going up 3-0 in a playoff series guaruntees a trip to the world series. it is dumb. Too many things can and will happen in baseball to bank on sweeps. They are nice but they aren't guarunteed. Bats go quiet, pitchers are on, and double plays happen. Tonight is what happens when everyone assumes a sweep. The batters looked tight and as the game wore on, the at-bats got increasingly more frustrating. But in the grand scheme of things, it's not really that bad. If the Yankees go out tomorrow and take care of business then they will have won 2 series in a row and that is what matters most. Just. Win. Series. Sweeps are nice and they will come and go but they just aren't to be expected.

Now if the Yanks lose tomorrow, then I will want to play in traffic. Until then, I am going to be happy that Wang did not get shelled and hope that someone in the Yankees front office has the stones to suggest putting Pettitte in the bullpen while letting Hughes become what every Yankee fan has hoped he would become for the last however many years because man he looks awesome right now.

like christmas morning

2009-06-16T16:02:00.002-04:00

As per Peter Abraham:

UPDATE, 3:52 p.m.: Veras DFA’d.

and Riveraveblues.com:

Bruney activated; Veras DFA’d

I didn't have to use my gat today...today was a good day.

calm down pipsqueak

2009-06-14T23:54:00.004-04:00

If Brian Bruney really is the nobody that Napoleon Rodriguez says he is then Webster-rod should have just let it go. Instead, all 4 foot 2 inches of Frank the Angry Drunken Dwarf made one of the worst, fake "I'd kill you if these here guys weren't in front of me" moves I have ever seen.

Brian Bruney would murder your 3 foot 1 inch frame. Stick to what you do best...o wait, overreaction is what you do best. My apologies.

ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

2009-06-11T22:30:00.003-04:00

it's a good thing you saved the greatest reliver of all time to potentially face the bottom of the order Joe.

Saves is the dumbest @#$#@$ category of ALL TIME!

i'm speechless.

explain yourself

2009-06-10T22:36:00.006-04:00

For as long as I live, I will never...ever understand why managers insist on bunting with their best/fastest runner on first base. Guys like Brett Gardner/Jose Reyes/Willy Taveras/Matt Kemp steal second at will...it is their main job.

In the 8th inning of tonight's game, Nick Swisher walks to lead off the inning. Joe Girardi promptly inserts Brett Gardner as a pinch-runner. So far, I am with you, Joe.

Melky Cabrera attempts a bunt on the first pitch and fouls it off. It was at this point that my anger started to rise. Why on earth are you giving a pitcher who just walked the lead-off hitter in a 1 run game a strike? Take a pitch...take two pitches - make him feel the pressure. On top of that Brett Gardner did not even break for second. Two mistakes, one pitch. Realizing that Melky might have done that on his own, I suppress the urge to break my TV.

However, it quickly becomes apparent that this was a higher power at work as Melky Cabrera bunts on the 2nd pitch and moves Brett Gardner to second. I understand that you have Derek Jeter coming up next but 1. he looked like a blind school girl all night at the plate and 2. Brett Gardner can get to 2nd on his own. HE DOES NOT NEED MELKY TO GET TO SECOND. Why insert him and take a far superior bat out of the line-up to simply run to second on a sacrifice...Swisher could have gotten there on his own. If you are going to bunt, take a chance and have Gardner run on the first pitch allowing the bunt to move Gardner to third with 1 out...making it possible for Jeter to tie the game on a variety of outs or at the least pull the infield in allowing Jeter to possibly tie the game on a hard grounder and get a hit in the process. On top of that, putting Gardner on third puts immense pressure on the pitcher because a passed ball/wild pitch scores the tying run. Should I even mention a straight steal of home? They did have the horribly awkward lefty delivery of Okajima on the mound. Who knows...Francona's hand can be forced to bring in a righty to minimize Gardner's lead and then Damon will get to face said righty or a lesser pitcher as a result.

Who knows what would have happened, the same thing might have happened; Gardner might have been caught; etc. However, I do know this: When a team has beat you 6 times in a row, and you are down 1 run in a game that you have absolutely no business being in, it is time to take an aggressive stance and turn the tides. If you fail attempting to maximize the potential of an inning then so be it, you tip your cap and lick your wounds. But playing it safe against a team that has owned you in every facet of the game for the entire season, whether it be in April, June or October is unacceptable. The problem is that this is a common problem and unfortunately one that isn't likely to be fixed.

that's the pot calling the kettle a joke.

2009-06-10T17:58:00.006-04:00

I love the Internet. I do. I look at it every chance I get so sometimes I get bored. When that happens, I find myself looking at a lot of different websites. One of the sites I visit often is Boston Dirt Dogs. I readily admit that, in spite of my hatred for that team, city and those people. I find their site entertaining. I think the graphics are funny and mostly well done and it is always good to get a sense of the enemy point of view. With that being said, it enrages me that they do not have any comment section whatsoever and more so that you cannot email them (at least I haven't been able to find the option) because sometimes they are outright ridiculous and need to be told so. As such, I have never wanted to start an Internet war more. In my infinite boredom, I stumbled on this flaming pile of horse dung posted at some point prior to yesterday's game:

Now, do not get me wrong...A-rod's story is hardly believable and the Yankees are one of the more famous franchises in terms of steroids but are Redsox or their fans really in any position to be harping on the steroid angle at this point. I mean, I know they "shockingly" came away from the Mitchell Report clean but come on. Between Manny Ramirez, Jason Varitek's rapid rise and subsequent demise, David Ortiz's shocking loss of power against anyone not named the Yankees (gotta start the cycle some time huh Papi?) and the Lou Merloni/Dan Duquette quote fest it is pretty clear that the Red Sox are not the squeaky clean franchise their idiotic fan base had once hung it's hat on. So I say it's time that the self proclaimed "dirt dogs" take a page from Alexander and start looking in the mirror.

can this madness please end

2009-06-10T14:14:00.002-04:00

The Yanks send the forgotten ace with the 14.46 era, 2.57 whip and 0-3 record to the mound tonight in an attempt to stop the bleeding...I don't know what I want more, a win or a rainout.

aj burn-it

2009-06-10T00:00:00.006-04:00

when Carl Pavano exited o so gracefully, A.J. decided that this town needed a better class of criminal:

4-3 record

4.89 era

73.2 innings pitched

72 hits

37 walks

1.48 whip

66 strikeouts

1.78 K/bb

4.52 bb/9

8.06 k/9

but hes good against the AL East!

v. Boston -

7.2 ip

12.91 era

11 earned runs

3 home runs

13 hits

8 walks

2.74 whip

4 strike outs

.5 k/bb (point! five!)

9.39 bb/9

4.70 k/9

15.26 h/9

boston is batting .382 and slugging .765 against him

Great move Cash. Good thing we got this guy for another 5 years.

"how to make an optimal line-up." - by joe torre.

2009-06-09T22:51:00.004-04:00

How matt Matt Kemp has performed this season:

.304 batting average

13 stolen bases

22 walks

6 homeruns,

9 doubles

4 tripples

.369 on base percentage

.465 slugging.

.387 batting average on balls in play

Where Matt Kemp has batted this season:

4th - 22 plate appearances

5th - 18 plate appearances

6th - 47 plate appearances

7th - 139 plate appearances

8th - 14 plate appearances

9th - 1 plate appearance

Yet another example of a team winning in spite of Joe Torre...not because of him.

Moreover, Joe Torre manages to screw me even when he is not managing my favorite team. I knew I should have stayed away from drafting any Dodgers.

i dare you to figure it out

2009-06-04T23:19:00.006-04:00

Since Padilla started pitching fulltime in 2002 he has hit 98 batters.

break it down further:

2002 - 15 -3rd

2003 - 16 - 2nd

2006 - 17 - 1st

2007 - 9 - 9th (he was hurt)

2008 - 15 - 2nd

2009 - 7 - 2nd

hes 8th among active pitchers in and 64th all time...

After Tuesday night's game he hit Mark Teixeira 3 times in 8 at bats or 38% of the time the two have faced.

What does all this add up to you ask?

A six game suspension AND fine for AJ and just a fine for Padilla...makes sense right?

not even billy mays could sell me on this crap.

2009-06-02T14:13:00.004-04:00

I must confess that I did something stupid while on my lunch break today. I went to ESPN.com.

Having steered clear of that flaming pile of poo for months now and I grew increasingly more happy each day that passed. Then today happened.

I saw a mock draft link (Version 3.0 - god only knows what he said in Versions 1.0 and 2.0). I love watching these "experts" fail on draft night. After reading Ford's (non) insight on picks 1-5, I could only imagine what he had in store for my Knicks at 8. (My money was on him getting really creative and saying the Knicks were going to take Steph Curry). What I was met with was even more offensive than his bland insight and nonsensical musing on the draft in general. A log-in page. So you are telling me that I have to PAY to see Chad Ford's baseless commentary on what he THINKS NBA teams MAY do at the end of June? For $2.50 a month I get to read Chad Ford's mock draft AND the mindless dribble that Peter Gammons wrote in between changing his adult diaper, losing his wooden teeth (he had to take them out to blow Dustin Pedroia - gum jobs kid) and drooling on himself.

No thanks. I'll keep my $2.50 a month for the next two years. You know what I'll do withthat $60.00. Buy a nice bottle of tequila and forget that today's lunch break ever happened.

when managers go rogue

2009-05-30T20:45:00.000-04:00

Many times we, as fans, watch the sports we love and get angry as if we could perform better. We yell as if we can hit the 95 mph fastball or the splitter in the dirt. We punch things as if we could lay off the slider low and away after being backed off the plate with a 98 mph fastball up and in. Truth is, we can't. That's why we watch and get angry and they cash checks. I have accepted this fact on pretty much every front, except one....managing a bullpen.

If you have ever read anything here, talked to me in person, or even seen me watching a baseball game I have an overwhelming hatred for mostly every manager's bullpen decisions. The present-day bullpen ideology is effed.

According to today's standards, your best relief pitcher MUST pitch the 9th (even if its the 7-8-9 hitters) and your second best relief pitcher (or even second best starting pitcher if you work for WFAN) MUST pitch in the 8th inning. Guys like BJ Ryan and Huston Street are continually allowed to pitch in high leverage situations despite the fact that they perform like poo (7 and upwards of 5 era's respectively in spring training) because they got the title "closer" somewhere along the line. These "closers" aren't allowed to pitch in extra innings on the road because they might be needed to "close the game out" if you get a lead so idiot managers *ahem* Joe Torre *ahem* are left to their own device and end up putting untalented wastes of money (Jeff Weaver) in extra innings of a crucial games (2003 World Series). All the while, the best reliever of all time sits on the bench with his thumb up is bum just in case he needs to "close the game." There is just just one problem with this school of thought - you can't close a game you don't have a lead in.

The save itself is a disgustingly flawed statistic. Baseball Reference explains a save as follows:

A relief pitcher is awarded a save when he meets all three of the following conditions:

1. He is the finishing pitcher in a game won by his club; and 2. He is not the winning pitcher; and 3. He qualifies under one of the following conditions:(a) He enters the game with a lead of no more than three runs and pitches for at least one inning; or (b) He enters the game, regardless of the score, with the potential tying run either on base, at bat, or on deck; or (c) He pitches for at least three innings [while his team has the lead]. (The word "effectively" has been removed from the MLB rules.) Under the last condition, the official scorer has some discretion as to whether or not to award a save.

Discretion? The fact that any of the dopes involved in baseball officiating are allowed to use anymore discretion than absolutely necessary is comical. Regardless a pitcher can come in to a 5-2, load the bases, give up two runs, load the bases again but as long as he records the final out before giving up that third run, he will get a "save" (and a couple more million dollars come free agency). All the while, the guy who pitched to Brandon Inge, Magglio Ordonez, and Miguel Cabrera with the tying run on third and no one out in the sixth just gets his name in the box score.

On top of this, the game has evolved to the point where you need an "8th inning guy." Which is basically another closer (or a front line starter if you write for Newsday) who is used only in the 8th inning of games where you have the lead by 3 runs or less. In some instances, these integral bullpen pieces can pitch in tie games or games when the deficit is one or two runs, but generally that is not allowed by the genius' that developed this bullpen blueprint. The rest of the guys in the bullpen are generally wild cards, used in any situation on any day.

Having read my unnecessary run-on sentences for as long as you have, you would think I want to do away with bullpen role definition but on the contrary, that is exactly what I think the Yankees need. I just don't like the way things are defined.

On the young season, Joe Girardi has done a complete 180 in terms of bullpen management. Last year, after years of Torre-fueled futility, Girardi managed the bullpen effectively, keeping everyone rested yet fresh and maximizing their talent. Do you know how he did that? HE PUT THESE GUYS IN THE BEST POSSIBLE SITUATION TO SUCCEED. That's how. This simple concept is one he has steer cleared of so far this year. He has a starter in the bullpen (not the one that the cult of idiots would like to have) that he doesn't use (Wang). He's got a long-man/mop up/piece of crap (Tomko) that pitches in close and late games. He has used Veras, Edwar and Alabadejo to the point of exhaustion. The same could be said about Coke who warms up even on days he is deemed "unavailable" - giving me flashbacks of Scott Proctor, Paul Quantrill, etc. Even when the Yanks provide more pieces for Girardi to play with, he can't seem to get out of his own way (Mark Melancon/David Robertson).

The perfect example of Girardi's bullpen mismanagement can be seen in the game from May 26, 2009 or as I like to call it "The game Mike Francessa inexplicably felt his mind numbing rants were validated." Joba Chamberlain comes out after 87 pitches. You would figure that it is time for Wang to finally get some work in and get some innings in...being in that you have a guy who won 46 games over the course of the last two and a half seasons picking splinters from his arse. No, instead we see Alfredo Aceves (who has been pitching the best out of everyone not named Mariano Rivera) pitch 2 innings after having pitched the night before with an 11 run lead. Talk about inconsistent. Aceves stinks, Yanks lose.

The dominos for this disaster started to fall two Thursdays ago. Joba Chamberlain was hit in the leg with a line drive and is taken out of the game. Needing eight and a third innings out of the bullpen, Joe Girardi used everyone NOT named Brett Tomko (the long man) for the win...but at what cost? Exhausting Aceves, the Yanks made him unavailable for the coming days...days which saw the Yanks win on a walk-off and lose by 1 in extra innings....games in which Jose Veras and Brett Tomko were asked to pitch in a high leverage situations with the game on the line including Tomko in the 10th against Philly after the Yanks tied it in the 9th...a situation which he failed in...costing the Yankees a win. After throwing 50 pitches in that game last Thursday, Aceves needed days off...what comes after a guy gets days off? He needs to get his work in. This is the rationale behind using Aceves in an 11 run game which is fine, but then why do you bring him back for TWO innings the following night?

Since I cannot do anything about the roles of guys like the closers/set up men/etc; here is my suggestion for fixing the Yankees bullpen this year. 7 relief pitchers used in these situations:

Mariano Rivera - Closer

Alfredo Aceves - Set up

Phil Coke - Set up

Robertson - later innings of close games

Melancon - middle innings/later innings of close games/ending games they are losing in

Ramirez - middle innings

Tomko - Long man

I fully understand that guys need days, guys have aches and pains and you need to plan around that kind of stuff but there is no reason that the above formula cannot be used as a blueprint to give the guys in the bullpen an idea when they will be pitching and what kind of situations they will be pitching in. sure sometimes you will need to deviate from the blueprint sometimes but Alfredo Aceves should not have to worry about pitching in the 2nd or the 8th every night. As you will notice Jose Veras does not exist in my bullpen because he ran into traffic and did everyone a favor. A guy can dream can't he?

booooo

2009-05-29T11:09:00.006-04:00

CC and other Yanks (I think that is Bruney in the back) attended the Cavs game last night to witness all that is LeBron (shoot my eyes out please) and the Cleveland fans booed him; much like the Texas fans booed Tex. So I ask the following

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media/fans to king james: ill s your d mannnnn

2009-05-28T14:48:00.008-04:00

Gotta love the media suck-fest surrounding LeBron James man. (I will not be capitalizing the B anymore, its too annoying -- almost as annoying as he is). The fellatio has reached new heights lately and became even more enraging today when I was watching the spelling bee, yes the Scripps National Spelling Bee. Best day of the year, shut your mouth.

Kid had no idea how to spell a word...he looked completely lost but somehow managed to spell said word. The ESPN announcer proceeds to liken his spelling to "Lebron v. the Magic." I immediately began to run down a list of reasons why that comparison may work:

1. Down 3-1 in a series they were picked to dominate? No.

2. Turning the ball over at an alarming rate? No.

3. Missing clutch free throws with the game on the line? No.

As I finished that third thought, the announcer explained himself: "hitting a miraculous shot with the game on the line." Then I remembered that the media is so willing to

ignore everything else that is going on with Lebron and remember the one highlight he has in this series so far.

Lebron is a beast, do NOT get me wrong but he is, at this point in his career, an overrated beast. To his credit, his career is very young and he has excelled at an unmatched pace. However, he is not the unstoppable force that his fans and the media would have you believe.

In the Conference finals, King James has 18 turnovers in 4 games for an average of 4.5 turnovers a game, leading every other individual on the four remaining teams by at least 1.1 turnover PER GAME (Melo has 3.4 to/gm). Spread that out to turnovers per 48 minutes and Lebron is tied for first with 4.9. But he makes everyone around him better!!!!11! right? Is that not the argument that everyone says about Lebron? His 1.61 assist/turnover ration ranks 14th in the conference finals.

Well at least he is scoring...from the field. Lebron can bang with the rest of them and you know that he can get to the line since he is leading in free throw attempts (the league has nothing to do with that [[said with complete sarcasm]]). The problem? He is only making 3 out of every 4 (75%). Well it is only this series the media would like you to believe. Actually, based on his career stats, he is performing slightly BETTER in this series. (74% career in the playoffs). Since everyone and their mother, including the King himself wants him to be Jordan, I'll have you know that Jordan shot 83% from the line in the playoffs.

So far this series, James has lacked that killer instinct that made Jordan what he was and makes Kobe what he is. Yes, he hit that miraculous shot...he also deferred in game 1 which resulted in a miss/jump ball/Mo Williams missed shot to lose the game. In game 4, Lebron went to the line with under a minute left in a tie game. He hit 1 of 2 free throw shots and yet the announcers droned on about how Lebron gave the Cav's a 1 point lead and seemingly ignored that he missed a huge opportunity to go up two. In a game that went to overtime, that one point was massive...yet not a peep was made.

The buzz around James is warranted, he is young, athletic, and supremely talented...but he is not by and far the best player in this league. Now he will probably go on to help Cleveland win tonight and make the series 3-2...where it goes from there is anybodies guess. He could very well go off and propel this team to the finals and beyond, he could very well become the player that everyone was so quick to label him as already being. Just remember this, Lebron has not won anything YET. When he does (and I say when because I truly believe he will become everyone wrongly thinks he already is) then we can all bow before him. Till then pull your bottom jaw up...you are embarrassing yourself.

(got that Kobe number....one over James)

coming soon...

2009-05-27T14:46:00.003-04:00

Things on the site (from my end) have been slow lately due to a variety of reasons including moving, working, general laziness, etc. Don't fret. I am planning a couple of huge rants so for all 2 of you that read this site...keep checking.

Starter or Reliever? Put him in the pen...

2009-05-22T05:52:00.005-04:00

In the aftermath of the latest Joba Chamberlain start, this question has reared its ugly head once again. Joba was hit with a line drive by the 2nd batter of the game and removed after 2 singles followed. Joba is fine and just has a bruised knee, but I couldn't help thinking about the Yankees bullpen problems/complaints. (There was no Met game to give me agita last night)

Contrary to what you may be thinking to this point, this piece is not about Joba, but rather the Yankee saviour of last night's game, Alfredo Aceves. Aceves came in after Joba departed and pitched 3.1 innings to get the game to the 5th without giving up a run. Job well done. But while Aceves may have come in handy as a long man yesterday (given his history as a starter in AAA), it seems he would be a perfect choice to pitch some more important innings toward the back end of the pen. Now before anyone gets bent out of shape, let me preface this next part by saying I am well aware that Joba is a much more talented pitcher, with better raw stuff, and a much higher ceiling.....but, lets look at these numbers for a minute.

Everyone is always clamoring for Joba to go back to the pen, be Mo's heir apparent, put Hughes in the 5 spot. Joba has never made a spot start, so we will be strictly separating starting and relieving with him. Alceves has always been thought of as a reliever, making a couple of spot starts so I will just include his career stats at first.

As a reliever, Joba has 59 IP with a 1.53 ERA and a 1.00 WHIP a K/9 of 11.9 and a K/BB of 3.90

In career, Aceves has 43.2IP with a 2.06 ERA and a 1.09 WHIP a K/9 of 6.0 and a K/BB of 2.08

Pretty comparable results, minus a few strikeouts. But if we break that down even further...

Aceves as a reliever - 20.2IP with a 1.31 ERA and a 0.91 WHIP a K/9 of 9.4 and a K/BB of 4.00.

As far a strictly numbers go, that is Joba dominant. I say stop wasting this guy in long relief already. Maybe he can't keep it up, but for everyone complaining about the Veras' Ramirez' and other craps of the world, why not slide this guy towards the back end of the pen to setup with Bruney, and use Tomko in the longman role. I think it's at least time to stop wasting him as an innings eater (although it worked out last night).

Swept Under the Rug

2009-05-21T05:02:00.004-04:00

Just in case you were unaware, that old guys name is actually Jeff Weaver. I'm sorry, I know, bad memories for Yankee fans. But be it 2006 or 2oo9, the Mets can't beat him, as him and the Dodgers sweep us under the rug. Pathetic.

In our Jerry Manuel update, he finally started Murphy at 1B and he actually made some good looking plays, although he is still hitting like a blind 3 year old trying to hit a pinata.

tradition.

2009-05-20T23:10:00.002-04:00

So the one and only Michael Kay addressed the new Yankee "tradition" of rewarding a walk-off with a face pie. While Kay was interviewing David Wells, Kay asked Wells about his feeling on the "fun" that the 2009 Yankees seem to be having, specifically the now infamous pies. David Wells simply said he has no problem with it. Kay responded by saying that after the game on Sunday he "turned to Cone and turned to O'Neil and they were both shaking their head because that's the not the way the Yankees do things."

When Boomer went on to say that it's no big deal at all, Kay said he was in disagreement and Boomer, rightfully, asked him why. Kay's idiotic response:

"I think there's a certain way that the Yankees have always done things and that is the special part of the Yankees...I mean the Yankees are supposed to win and it's not supposed to be that big of a deal that you hit someone with a pie."

Kay, treading water at this point, brings up that Boomer loved being an Yankee and "that," apparently meaning not having fun, is part of the "Yankee aura."

Wells went on to say that this game is inherantly boring and that the players need to find a way to have fun over the course of the season. He then went on to say that he always tried to have fun under Adolf Torre (my words, not his) and that when he did, he would be singled out as if he did something wrong. Wells basically described the atmosphere in one telling word: "sucked."

There is a serious problem with the Yankees, their fans, and the media middle men. Yes, the Yankees have won 26 World Series but enough already with this holier than thou attitude. This is not murder's row, this is not the Bronx zoo, and this is certainly not "the dynasty." The Yankees have not won a thing in going on nine years. During that time frame they have been embarassed time after time. Don't get me wrong, I love the Yanks through and through, but they have undoubtedly become predictable, boring, and downright stale. It is not a youth movement that this team has longed for, it is an injection of life -- a humanization of the robots that have worn the uniform for the last 8 years.

Out of this cult of traditionalism, the idiots of Oz have created multiple fallicies that plague a fanbase so spoiled and stupid that they call for their best pitching prospect to pitch in a meaningless inning of random games and boo the very players needed to win the one thing everyone wants on a nightly basis.

1. The Yankee Way - what exactly is the Yankee Way? Corporate, subdued, condescending, conceited, overinflated, and boring? No, the Yankee Way is to win; by any means necessary. That is it. This theory that the Yankee Way is to never crack a smile, never throw inside, never have fun, never be immature, always be clean cut is a complete and utter fabrication. It is a fabrication that has been promulgated and spread by people like Michael Kay and Joe Torre. Look at some of the Yankee greats and tell me that they fit this impossible mold that has been created - Thurman Munson (the dude never shaved, looked like a 4 cent bum but played his ass off and wanted to win every day - what is he? forever the Yankee captain); Mickey Mantle (the man was a degenerate - loved alcohol and loved life, partied his face off) and finally Babe Ruth (do I even really need to address this one?) My point is that if these guys played on the Yankees of today, people like Michael Kay would scold them, as if he was the principal of a nursery school, for not acting "like a Yankee." To Kay and his "Yankee Way" I say this - Shut up you closet Mary.

2. A True Yankee - God, nothing irritates me more than when someone makes an argument for Derek Jeter being more valuable to this team than anyone else because he is a "True Yankee." Like that means ANYTHING when the first pitch is thrown. I forgot pitchers see Jeter standing up there and just intentionally walk him because they don't want to face a "True Yankee." It is asinine! On top of that, since when did you need some kind of walk-off hit or singular monster performance to become "A Yankee?"

3. The Dynasty/Four Rings - The dynasty is not presently ending, it ended a long time ago. It ended when they lost to the D-backs, it ended when those players grew old and moved on/retired. It ended when the league adjusted and the Yankees did not properly adjust back. That was an extremely unique time with unique players. It was arguably the most professional team of all time and it will never, EVER, be replicated so let....it.....go.

While I am at it, "Pride, Power, Pinstripes?" What kind of saying is that? It is the dumbest thing I have ever heard. They sound like a bunch of pocket protector wearing nerds trying to put themselves on a level above everyone else. Posada said it best, the Yankee motto is "WE PLAY TODAY, WE WIN TODAY. THAT'S IT." Pride. Power. Pinstripes - This pompous saying fits perfectly with the Corporate Yanks, but my dream is that those Yanks die and take this saying with them.

The history is the history and it's great to look back on and appreciate but it is history for a reason - because it does not exist today. So let it GO.

2009 has a different feel to it; a more fun feel, and I like it. They seem like to have a "chemistry" Now, does chemistry breed winning or does winning breed chemistry? It's a chicken and egg scenario that can never be answered but one thing is clear, this Yankee team is not your 90's, 80's, 70's, or even 2008 Yankees. While the players have changed and the personalities have improved, the next step in the Yankee evolution is clear - a complete and utter overhaul of the media bridge that connects the franchise to it's fans. Between Kay, Sterling, Waldman and the 30 other YES Network go-fors, the only thing boring, predictable and stale about the franchise in 2009 so far is their unwavering marriage to this fallacy of "The Yankee Way."

bring your green hat...

2009-05-20T23:04:00.003-04:00

Do you think KFC is still open?

Mets lose again...to a couple of fat bottoms

2009-05-20T02:20:00.009-04:00

Another day in LA, another loss for the Mets. Fat Bottom Billingsley and Fat Bottom Broxton combined with another couple of relievers to shut down the Mets yet again.

And in our Jerry Manuel update, he once again started a premier defensive outfielder (Reed) at 1B and started a 1B (Murphy) in the OF. The result was an error on the very first play of the game by Murphy that led to a quick unearned run and put the Mets in the early hole. And Manuel shakes his head in the dugout not realizing his fault in that whole process.

Yea Jerry, we don't know what you're doing either.

an exercise in futility

2009-05-19T10:17:00.004-04:00

Definitions of futility:

- uselessness as a consequence of having no practical result - futile

- producing no result or effect; "a futile effort"; "the therapy was ineffectual"; "an otiose undertaking"; "an unavailing attempt"- futile

- bootless: unproductive of success; "a fruitless search"; "futile years after her artistic peak"; "a sleeveless errand"; "a vain attempt"

Examples of futility:

- Jose Veras and Edwar Ramirez

Lost in the win streak, comebacks and walk offs has been the dreadful duo of Jose Veras and Edwar Ramirez. These guys have been TERRIBLE. For the first quarter of the season, they have come in game after game and done their best Chuck Knoblauch impressions from the mound. It is one thing to get hit around as a reliever but how do you make it to the major league level if you cannot throw a strike??

As we all know, Edwar was pitching like complete and utter trash before being sent down today. I still think hes serviceable as a 6th inning guy so I'm glad they optioned him down. Give him a breather and bring him back at a later date.

Now, with Veras. If I have to hear about the "stuff" that this guy has one more time. I understand that he has a power arm and some decent breaking balls but he can't locate them. Isn't that part of being a good pitcher? (See: Kyle Farnsworth). In sixteen innings this season, Veras has allowed 12 walks and 13 hits - good for a 1.53 WHIP...out of the bullpen...horrible. In his 17 appearances he has allowed at least one run on eight appearances. EIGHT. That is almost 50% of the time. Of those 17 appearances, Veras has pitched less than 1 inning 9 times (more than 50% of the time). In breaking that down even further, it becomes even more maddening when you realize that he went 2/3's of an inning once, 1/3 of an inning SIX TIMES, and had TWO appearances where he did not even record an out. This is simply unacceptable. You cannot bring a ticking time bomb out of the bullpen every night, especially not if he is surrounded by powder kegs. While Girardi is a major upgrade from the in-game managerial nap time of Joe Torre, he clearly learned something from his mentor. Girardi cannot be left to his own device with this guy, his toy needs to be taken away. Designate Veras, give Robertson a call. Enough is enough.

Simply Embarassing

2009-05-19T04:39:00.002-04:00

Words cannot describe how futile the Mets looked late in last nights game. They committed 5 errors, which does not include Ryan Church being called out on appeal for missing 3rd base in the 11th inning. They had OF's almost colliding, players getting picked off, yet getting the lucky call, only to later miss 3rd base, and players who don't play 1st base playing 1st base and throwing a simple grounder away to lose the game. I was actually embarassed for them because they simply gave that win away. That seems to be becoming a theme.

Just pull the trigger already.....please?

2009-05-18T03:49:00.003-04:00

How long can this go on? How long can a talented team overcome an incompetant manager to win baseball games? Jerry Manuel has never been the best baseball mind around, far from it actually. But what he has done recently is unexplainable and undefendable, yet he always seems to try to explain it and attempt to defend it.

And for some reason, noone calls him out on it.

Actually, scratch that. We know the reason. Its Manuel's vibrant personality, and his witty, sometimes comical, relationship with the media that gets him off the hook. He gives them what they want, gives them a quote, smiles for the cameras, and everyone gives him a break and simply accepts his convoluted answers without pressing for an explanation that makes sense.

From pinch hitting Omir Santos (because he can catch up to the high heat) for a 2-3 ( off hard throwing Josh Joshson) Ramon Castro, to pulling pitchers, to letting Feliciano face righties, to not apprehending Reyes, to not playing Murphy...ever, to playing Church vs the lefties (who he cant hit) and benching him vs the righties (who he can), to not playing Daniel Murphy (bad OF) at 1B (his minor league position) and instead playing Jeremy Reed (good OF) at 1B (never played), to actually pinch hitting for Murphy is a huge spot with Angel Pagan (who was 0-1 for the season and should be the 25th man on the roster), to blah blah, etc. etc. The list just keeps on going. The man is out of control and apparently out of his mind, yet continues to just make jokes in his post game interviews. Its time he stops getting a free pass.

He's lost more than one game for the Mets already this year, and we all know the Mets cannot afford to be giving away games...ever. So if you really want the Mets to win Jerry, the best decision you can make is to just pull the damn trigger already.

*Edit: Just a quick note for the geniuses in the ESPN booth (thats you Miller, Morgan, & Phillips) - the guy you say should be doing more for the Mets right now that you decided to pick on for a good inning and a half, Carlos Beltran is leading the NL in batting at .379 and leading the NL in VORP, making him the most likely MVP choice at the moment. He is also 1st in the NL (among all players not suspended for steroids) in On-Base% at .473 and EQA, which strictly measures a players offensive total output. Not to mention he is in the top 5 or 10 in practically any other important statistical category you can find. I guess he could do more though, he could manage the team....we might be better off.

it's a walkoff!!!!

2009-05-17T22:42:00.004-04:00

Despite "the gritty gutty Brett Gardner's" best efforts, the Yanks were able to deliver close and late for a third straight night. To quote Brabbit; "This is insane!"

Due to the fact that Tampa Bay-ronto doesn't lose the Yanks remain 4.5 out of first but move within 1.5 of the second place "best pitching staff ever assembled." With one more against the Twins followed by three against Baltimore (while Toronto and Boston play for the first time this season); the Yanks have serious chance to close the gap. Let's do work boys.

it's on you, always has been, always will be.

2009-05-16T16:49:00.003-04:00

Tex finally awakes, A-rod hits a walkoff then gives an awkward walk away quote. Yanks win.

milk (and steroids) do a body good

2009-05-16T15:50:00.003-04:00

The Melk Man delivered last night and I am now convinced he is on steroids. I have nothing to back that up with other than my own belief that Melky is not a good baseball player. Maybe I am just a fan scorned for I believed in him and was against trading him for 2 seasons while I watched him flail away at pitches at his feet and over his suddenly bigger head. Regardless I don't care because my stance on steroids has always been just that - I. Don't. Care. so keep on juicin kid...lets get those W's.

josh and wake plus 8

2009-05-12T20:37:00.002-04:00

Watching the Yankees fail night after night I got bored and decided to check in on the Sox or the self...I mean Peter Gammons proclaimed "best rotation possibly in the history of baseball." What I saw made me chuckle and then made me depressed because they are still 20-12. I thought and I decided it's the little things that make me happy so I am going to post this anyway:

Beckett - 6.42 era

Lester - 6.31 era

Penny - 6.90 era

Dice K - 12.79 era

Masterson - 5.28 era

Smoltz - Has not pitched, experienced set back

Bucholz - still seeing Dr. Melfi

Again, I know they are 20-12 but I don't care...if they continue down this road, their offseason "bargains" will turn into regular season failures and the deepest pitching staff int he history of baseball will become mortal. That bodes well for the Yanks (provided they get out of their own way).

forgive me father for i have sinned....

2009-05-11T22:46:00.004-04:00

Dan Duqette one month before Lou Merloni's accusations that the "always clean" Red Sox (right George Mitchell?) taught their players how to "correctly" use steroids:

"The General Manager is not Father Flanagan, and this isn't Boys Town. In professional sports, the General Manager is paid to put the best ball club he can on the field ... if you don't have a testing program that has some teeth in it, with some penalties, you really don't have anything in terms of legislating fairness on the field. You can't tell who's using and who's not using."

Just read between the lines.

someone needs to put their p in a v.

2009-05-10T20:37:00.003-04:00

I guess I would be acting like i just busted my virgin nut after a hit if I batted .125 with no extra base hits or walks and struck out 40% of the time against Joba Chamberlain coming into the game...

o ian...

2009-05-09T03:01:00.003-04:00

currently airing on the YES network....

2009-05-07T23:36:00.003-04:00

Lastings Impression

2009-05-06T10:50:00.002-04:00

Consider this me advocating the Yankees make a move to make this team more young, versatile and deep.

Trade for Lastings Milldege.

Why you ask?

Because Melky Cabrera is a terrible baseball player. Because Brett Gardner is a terrible baseball player and because the Yankees bench is the worst in all professional sports.

Granted Milledge is a problem child whose mouth has outperformed his bat on numerous occasions but to quote one of the worst cliches in the history of the world: Maybe he just needs a change of scenery.

the yankees blow

2009-04-26T22:44:00.003-04:00

i just thought you should know that.

UPDATE: It's 2012 and Miller, Morgan and Phillips are still analyzing that Angel Berrora play...you know the one where he threw to first like he was supposed to.