|
|
|
Tuesday, November 08, 2005 |
Brian Cashman: Victor
With the GM meetings in Palm Springs in full swing, the battle over front office control appears to be over:
In years past, Cashman has been joined by Damon Oppenheimer, a Tampa-based executive, at these meetings. This year, however, as a result of his new deal with George Steinbrenner, Cashman picked his own traveling squad and tapped assistant GM Jean Afterman and baseball operations coordinator Anthony Flynn, both New York-based.
"The people with me are the people I want here," he said.
New York beats Tampa, which is excellent news. I expected to see Oppenheimer along (he's pretty much Wormtongue to Steinbrenner's Saruman) to spy, report back, and backstab. Remember, in the past Cashman was actually forbidden by the Boss to attend the GM meetings. Is a sense of normalcy descending upon the Yankee kingdom?
If so, to quote Cashman himself, "We have the most money... that's no secret. If we can combine that with the best decision-making process on a consistent basis, then God help the rest of baseball."
God help them indeed.
 Yankee GM Brian Cashman in Palm Springs Labels: brian cashman, pics
posted by Mr. Faded Glory @ 1:34 PM
2
comments
 
|
|
|
Wednesday, November 02, 2005 |
Joe West takes on the Media
http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/5010030
"World Series crew chief Joe West defended umpires against criticism of their postseason performance, saying "I think we did just fine...Instead of criticizing the umpires, the media should be thankful," he said in an e-mail to The Associated Press.
"I don't answer any of my e-mails during a postseason event because there is always some irate fan or person who tries to take a potshot at us, and I don't want to have a negative attitude because I'm mad at some guy I don't even know," he said."
Talk about brass balls. You call a terrible series and then crew chief for two more terrible series and then lambaste the media for pointing out howw bad the umpiring is lately? The problem is ince the whole "Regisnationgate" (yes, it is fashionable to throw a "gate" suffix on anything one feels like these days) you have a bunch of inexperienced umpires running the show.
The email comment is made all the more funny thanks to the blurb I saw written about it on the always wonderful soft hands.
You also have to appreciate an article that quotes West as saying how great the umps are that also includes four (4) links to stories about blown calls. Keep in mind a few things concerning these four blown calls:
- all in the same post season
- all of which, coincidentally (?) involve the same team (Chicago White Sox)
- in every instance the missed call helped the same team (the aforementioned Chicago White Sox)
- helped said team to win a World Championship
Yet West has the audacity to cry foul that someone may think there's a problem here? Newsflash, cowboy: it's not just the media. I watched most of the post season with others or was talking with people during the games - most of whom were unbiased and fans of neither team, by the way - who called the craptasical unpiring you and your boys in blue were performing while it happened. This isn't second guessing.
The good thing though, Joe, is Angel Hernandez still makes you look like King Solomon when it comes to calling a fair and proper game.
Recent photo of Umpire Joseph WestLabels: 2005 world series, cowboy joe west, douchebag, pics, white sox
posted by Mr. Faded Glory @ 3:37 PM
1
comments
A-Rod told to fold.
The wig isn't fooling anyone, Alex.
Apparently, the Yankees are fed up with reports of their biggest star playing in illegal New York Poker rooms with profesional poker jerk and all-around assface Phil Hellmuth:
"Alex Rodriguez was cautioned by the New York Yankees that playing poker in illegal clubs could be dangerous and harmful to his image, according to a newspaper report.
Early last month, the Daily News reported the star slugger had attended games at an underground club with professional card player Phil Hellmuth."
This is made front page news by ESPN on a day MLB awards are being handed out, regardless
of the fact that playing in those rooms is not illegal, Rodriguez's agent denies that he was ever warned about anything, and the source is not even mentioned. Boras declines to comment, MLB declines to comment, and no comment from the Yankees. The only named source is - yes, of course - the always reliable " New York Daily Spew" - however that story is a month old and only mentions that he was playing in said club. What happened to "people close to the investigation" or "those with knowledge of the situation" or "a friend of Rodriguez" or a "Yankee executive who wished to remain anonymous" as a source? Now I realize it's an AP story, but is this truly front page news? The Daily News doesn't even mention it in today's paper. Even if true.... so what? The worst thing Alex did is have a friend who has an ass for a face. Labels: a-rod, douchebag, espn, pics, poker
posted by Mr. Faded Glory @ 10:27 AM
0
comments
|
|
|
Tuesday, November 01, 2005 |
Congrats on your Gold Glove, Cap!
Originally, the stat-head in me was aghast - how could Jeter be the best defensive shortstop in the AL again? Well, looking at the stats, it's not that much of a stretch, actually.
First, let's compare Jeter and his primary competition - Orlando Cabrera - on "traditional" defensive statistics:
Cabrera has an advantage in FPCT, obviously. However, his 454 assists in 731 chances to Cabrera's 347 assists in 583 chances show that Jeter was getting to more balls (I have to question whether luck comes into play, but I can't imagine 20%+ more chances simply due to luck). More chances, more mistakes. However, this isn't definitive enough for me. Yes, Jeter played in more games, and yes, the Yankees had a higher GB/FB ratio, but you can't discount the numbers.
But look at Range Factor. Cabrera, in fact had the lowest range factor for all qualifying shortstops in the American League. This, more than luck, explains the differences in the chances. In fact, Jeter was ranked #2 in the league in RF. Finishing first was Julio Lugo at 4.94. While impressive, Lugo is out of the GG conversation when you factor in his 24 errors and .968 FPCT.
So who else is there? Jhonny Peralta? Juan Uribe? Angel Berroa? None of them have the defensive stats to back up an award.
It seems Jeter is actually deserving this year, or at least a great case can be made for him. Sorry I questioned you, Cap.Labels: awards, derek jeter, gold glove, pics
posted by Mr. Faded Glory @ 8:40 AM
0
comments
| 
L
I N K S
P
R E V I O U
S
P O S T S
A
R C H I V E
S
|
