DAVID WELLS?!?!?!? Are You kidding me????? Sorry, maybe I should back up a little bit. In case you haven't heard yet, rumor has it that David "Jack and Coke" Wells is interested in playing another season for New York. Hank Steinbrenner apparently hasn't ruled it out. I'm shaking my head as I write this. Perhaps he has forgotten that Wells is notorious for not staying in playing condition. He may have handled it ok when he was in his 20's and 30's, but the guy is 45 years old now. Not to mention....DOESN'T STEINBRENNER REMEMBER GAME 5 OF THE 2003 WORLD SERIES WHEN WELLS LEFT AFTER HARDLY AN INNING OF WORK!!?? Sorry, but that memory is simply unforgivable. I suppose Well's is basing his comeback on the idea that a six pack a day keeps the back pain away.
Let me put it this way, signing Clemens last year was a bad mistake in a desperate time. The Yankees are not quite as desperate this year but even if they were, signing Wells would be of a scale similar to that of the Hindenburg disaster. So David, please, we all know that you have been a Yankees fan, or at least a Babe Ruth fan your entire life. Heck, I even thought it was cool that you would sometimes wear Babe's hat when you pitched....but PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE don't even try this. If you need the money just let us know and we will start a "Keep Wells Where He Is" charity.
Speaking of mistakes let's talk briefly about Kei Igawa. Spending 40 million on a guy who has no business in the majors is a good investment right? Geez, we couldn't even give this guy to San Diego last year. You know it's bad when your team is praying for rain so that they can skip your start. Igawa just isn't ready for prime time, and in my opinion never will be.
Injury update
A-Rod appears to be doing well in his recovery. Not a moment too soon considering Wilson Betemit left Saturday's game in the fourth inning with a strained right hamstring. Betemit will join what seems like the rest of the Yankees 40 man roster on the 15 day DL. Nothing much on Posada yet, but he did take some swings the other day. I suppose that is encouraging, although it isn't his hitting that was the problem, it was his throwing.
Monday, May 12, 2008
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Not Much I can Say Today and Nationals Notes
As a sports blogger it can get pretty difficult trying to think up ways to spin things when your teams keep losing. I'm pretty confident that the Yankees will still be able to pull a 30 game winning streak out of the bag at some point this season (ok, let's just shoot for a 10 game streak) but until that starts to happen here I sit suffering through my morning ritual of box scores, recaps, and lately.....injury reports. (sigh) Let's just move onto Nationals Notes, at least I can spin that one a little bit better.
Nationals Notes
Ryan Zimmerman blasted two home runs against Houston last night, but that still wasn't enough as the Astros won thier 5th straight 4-3 over the Nats. It's frustrating to see the Nat's losing games by just a run, but at least Zimmerman is starting to get hits again (see how I spinned that there) Now if only they could cut out all the Bush League errors.
In other news Matt Chico has been demoted to the bullpen. I suppose it was only a matter of time considering his 0-5 record. Then again with the Nationals record what it is right now there are very few pitchers in the Nationals rotation who fare much better.
Nationals Notes
Ryan Zimmerman blasted two home runs against Houston last night, but that still wasn't enough as the Astros won thier 5th straight 4-3 over the Nats. It's frustrating to see the Nat's losing games by just a run, but at least Zimmerman is starting to get hits again (see how I spinned that there) Now if only they could cut out all the Bush League errors.
In other news Matt Chico has been demoted to the bullpen. I suppose it was only a matter of time considering his 0-5 record. Then again with the Nationals record what it is right now there are very few pitchers in the Nationals rotation who fare much better.
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
End of Days
Yes it is true, Joba Chamberlin cost the Yankees a win last night against Cleveland. Is time to panic? Give me a break. Anyone who seriously thinks that this wasn't bound to happen sooner or later, or that Chamberlin has lost it clearly doesn't have thier head screwed on tight. No pitcher can win all the time and EVERY pitcher gives up home runs now and then. The only difference in Joba's situation is that it hasn't happened to him much.....yet. Not to mention the even more intense spotlight he is under thanks to the the struggles of the other two youngsters. I'm just glad it happened before Joba's inevitable move into the starting rotation. If this had happened with Joba as a starter people would be heading for bomb shelters right now equating it with a sure sign of Armageddon. It isn't, so put away the "Repent" signs, the end is not near, this is just baseball....it happens.
Speaking of youngsters Ian Kennedy had a good start in AAA Scranton last night going 7 innings, giving up one hit, and striking out 8. He even had a no hitter going into the 5th inning. That's good to see because clearly it means that Kennedy still has his stuff, he just needs to work on being under the spotlight. I'm also glad that he is committed to getting called back up and he isn't just hanging his head wallowing is self pity. Still, it remains to be seen if he can ever be a true ace. Most scouts put him as a four or five starter at his best. After what we have seen so far that seems to be holding true but hey, you never know. Kennedy may not throw high heat, but if he could develop a good knuckleball* he could be right back on top.
*It amazes me that there are so few guys throwing knuckleballs
Speaking of youngsters Ian Kennedy had a good start in AAA Scranton last night going 7 innings, giving up one hit, and striking out 8. He even had a no hitter going into the 5th inning. That's good to see because clearly it means that Kennedy still has his stuff, he just needs to work on being under the spotlight. I'm also glad that he is committed to getting called back up and he isn't just hanging his head wallowing is self pity. Still, it remains to be seen if he can ever be a true ace. Most scouts put him as a four or five starter at his best. After what we have seen so far that seems to be holding true but hey, you never know. Kennedy may not throw high heat, but if he could develop a good knuckleball* he could be right back on top.
*It amazes me that there are so few guys throwing knuckleballs
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Schilling To Throw After He Kills Off The Polar Bears
~~It's no secret how much I hate Curt Schilling. So since both the Yankees and the Nats were off last night enjoy this satirical ESPN article. If you want to read the original story here is the link.
Red Sox's Jerk ready to test shoulder, will throw Tuesday
Was rehab the right route for Curt Schilling? It looks like the Boston Red Sox are about to find out.
The Asshole himself
The 41-year-old terrorist, who is the 60-day disabled list with a limp wrist, will throw for the first time this season on Tuesday.
"There's a burning down a Red Cross aid station feeling to it," Schilling told the Boston Herald. "Considering where I was four months ago and what the options were ... I guess if I was robbing girl scouts, this would be the pretending to be the crossing guard part."
Osama Bin Schilling is scheduled to throw 25 pitches from 60 feet. If that goes well, he will begin a regular throwing program.
"Now that the baby seal hunt in Canada is over he's got himself to the point where he's excited he's getting to do it," Red Sox manager Terry Francona said. "It's another step."
Early in spring training, Schilling's course of treatment became a sort of melodrama.
Schilling said he would have preferred a colonoscopy, but the team insisted he try rehab. The right-hander said he had a career ending injury which he kept a secret when he agreed to an $8 million, one-year contract with the Red Sox in November.
Red Sox team physician Dr. Thomas Gill recommended a suture for Schillings ever expanding asshole. Schilling sought a second opinion from Dr. Craig Morgan, a veterinarian, who operated on Schilling in 1995 and 1999. Morgan felt strongly that a colonoscopy was best and that rehabilitation would fail -- and potentially, hopefully, end Schilling's career.
A third doctor, New York Mets team physician Dr. David Altchek, said Schilling is a dick.
The club and the pitcher had originally hoped he could be back around the All-Star break. Now, it's uncertain when he might return, but at least Tuesday's a start.
"It's tough to come back after spending so much time at the north pole with a hair dryer melting the ice pack in order to speed up the extinction of Polar bears," Schilling told the Herald. "We're finding the way I work in tests and everything that after the recovery day I'm immensely better. There's a very short window but there are tangible results.
"It's been a long couple of months, but every time you see a polar bear drown its worth it."
If he returns, it would be the 21st season of a career that's included....blah blah blah blah.
Red Sox's Jerk ready to test shoulder, will throw Tuesday
Was rehab the right route for Curt Schilling? It looks like the Boston Red Sox are about to find out.
The Asshole himself
The 41-year-old terrorist, who is the 60-day disabled list with a limp wrist, will throw for the first time this season on Tuesday.
"There's a burning down a Red Cross aid station feeling to it," Schilling told the Boston Herald. "Considering where I was four months ago and what the options were ... I guess if I was robbing girl scouts, this would be the pretending to be the crossing guard part."
Osama Bin Schilling is scheduled to throw 25 pitches from 60 feet. If that goes well, he will begin a regular throwing program.
"Now that the baby seal hunt in Canada is over he's got himself to the point where he's excited he's getting to do it," Red Sox manager Terry Francona said. "It's another step."
Early in spring training, Schilling's course of treatment became a sort of melodrama.
Schilling said he would have preferred a colonoscopy, but the team insisted he try rehab. The right-hander said he had a career ending injury which he kept a secret when he agreed to an $8 million, one-year contract with the Red Sox in November.
Red Sox team physician Dr. Thomas Gill recommended a suture for Schillings ever expanding asshole. Schilling sought a second opinion from Dr. Craig Morgan, a veterinarian, who operated on Schilling in 1995 and 1999. Morgan felt strongly that a colonoscopy was best and that rehabilitation would fail -- and potentially, hopefully, end Schilling's career.
A third doctor, New York Mets team physician Dr. David Altchek, said Schilling is a dick.
The club and the pitcher had originally hoped he could be back around the All-Star break. Now, it's uncertain when he might return, but at least Tuesday's a start.
"It's tough to come back after spending so much time at the north pole with a hair dryer melting the ice pack in order to speed up the extinction of Polar bears," Schilling told the Herald. "We're finding the way I work in tests and everything that after the recovery day I'm immensely better. There's a very short window but there are tangible results.
"It's been a long couple of months, but every time you see a polar bear drown its worth it."
If he returns, it would be the 21st season of a career that's included....blah blah blah blah.
Monday, May 5, 2008
Adios Ian....Woah There Joba
It was only a matter of time before Ian Kennedy was given a bus ticket back to AAA and Darrell Rasner was sent to the head of the class. I feel bad for the kid considering how well he threw at the end of last season and how much promise he still has. But numbers are numbers and you can't stay in the show with an 8.37 era. The short and simple of it is that Kennedy has been losing games for us. A game here and there is understandable, but to lose every time you start is simply unacceptable. His trip to Scranton should help him figure a few things out. If it doesn't hopefully we can get him looking like the top prospect he used to be so that we can at least pawn him off for someone else. Regardless, I have come to the decision that it is NOT time to move Joba up into the rotation, at least until maybe after the all star break.
It just goes to show you how difficult pitching in the Majors really is. I've tried unsuccessfully to to figure out the percentage of minor league pitchers who end up in the big leagues, and of those, the percentage who have a respectable era and winning record. I don't know the number but I would be willing to be that it is around 8%. That's pretty darn low considering any kid who even gets drafted into the minors has some potential and most likely can throw at least 90 mph. That's not even to mention the physical toll that pitching takes on the body. There is a reason why fast ball velocity has not changed much in the past century. These guys are throwing the ball at the absolute limits of human ability. When a pitcher throws 100 mph fastball his tendons literally come off from his elbow.
So why not try out Joba in the rotation now? Even if he isn't great as a starter he could still be put back into his roll as a set up artist right? Well yes and no. As we have seen with both Kennedy and Hughes, rushing a young pitcher into the rotation with somewhat unreasonable expectations takes not only a physical toll, but a mental one as well. I think that both Hughes and Kennedy caved to that mental pressure and it had an effect on their ability to control the ball, win games, and in the case of Hughes may have ultimately led to him ignoring his injuries until they got even worse. It is nothing new. Almost all young players go through it at first, but few rookies in that situation are being asked to be a starting pitcher for a Yankees organization suffering through such extreme growing pains. Chamberlin is not exempt from any of those same spotlight issues. Whenever it finally does happen Joba is going to be under more pressure to preform than any young pitcher in recent history. And Talk about un realistic expectations, there is no way that Chamberlin will be able to make it through 7, 8, 9 innings the way he makes it through 1 or 2 as a set up man. He is going to start to give up some runs, even home runs, and that inevitably will make people wonder if he is really the iron man we all thought he was. In my opinion he is that iron man which is why there is no reason to rush it. The more time he has on the mound the better prepared he and the fans will be on the days where he just doesn't have it. Not to mention the fact that the Yankees need him to work on his other pitchers and let him get comfortable with them again. You can't win consistently against teams like Boston and Detroit with only one pitch.
It just goes to show you how difficult pitching in the Majors really is. I've tried unsuccessfully to to figure out the percentage of minor league pitchers who end up in the big leagues, and of those, the percentage who have a respectable era and winning record. I don't know the number but I would be willing to be that it is around 8%. That's pretty darn low considering any kid who even gets drafted into the minors has some potential and most likely can throw at least 90 mph. That's not even to mention the physical toll that pitching takes on the body. There is a reason why fast ball velocity has not changed much in the past century. These guys are throwing the ball at the absolute limits of human ability. When a pitcher throws 100 mph fastball his tendons literally come off from his elbow.
So why not try out Joba in the rotation now? Even if he isn't great as a starter he could still be put back into his roll as a set up artist right? Well yes and no. As we have seen with both Kennedy and Hughes, rushing a young pitcher into the rotation with somewhat unreasonable expectations takes not only a physical toll, but a mental one as well. I think that both Hughes and Kennedy caved to that mental pressure and it had an effect on their ability to control the ball, win games, and in the case of Hughes may have ultimately led to him ignoring his injuries until they got even worse. It is nothing new. Almost all young players go through it at first, but few rookies in that situation are being asked to be a starting pitcher for a Yankees organization suffering through such extreme growing pains. Chamberlin is not exempt from any of those same spotlight issues. Whenever it finally does happen Joba is going to be under more pressure to preform than any young pitcher in recent history. And Talk about un realistic expectations, there is no way that Chamberlin will be able to make it through 7, 8, 9 innings the way he makes it through 1 or 2 as a set up man. He is going to start to give up some runs, even home runs, and that inevitably will make people wonder if he is really the iron man we all thought he was. In my opinion he is that iron man which is why there is no reason to rush it. The more time he has on the mound the better prepared he and the fans will be on the days where he just doesn't have it. Not to mention the fact that the Yankees need him to work on his other pitchers and let him get comfortable with them again. You can't win consistently against teams like Boston and Detroit with only one pitch.
Friday, May 2, 2008
Loving Honesty, and Nationals Notes
Dear Ian,
Hey buddy, how have you been? How's the new wife, the house, the dog? I would ask you about your job but look Ian, I have seen you pitch this season and I am afraid it is time for a session of loving honesty. You just are not ready for the show yet. I know it's been kind of tough living under the shadow of your buddy Joba, but you need to worry about you. I didn't want to bring this up but the truth is that you are hear and Santana isn't, that means you have a lot to prove. So next week when Cashman asks you to head to Scranton do it with your head up. There is no shame in being sent back to the minors, just make sure you use that time to fine tune everything. Don't get so worked up about the demotion that you lose your ambition. Remember Ian, being a Yankee is a privilege you have to earn.
Your Buddy,
Bruce
Nationals Notes
Manny Acta's man crush on Austin Kearns surprises a lot of people, including me. Sure, he is hard working and he has a ton of potential, but a .194 batting average (even after last night) is still south of the Mendoza line. Well finally for one day Austin gets to have his day in the sun, and Acta gets to pat him on the ass for a legitimate reason. Last night Austin broke a tie with a two out RBI single in the eighth inning putting the Nat's up 3-2 for their fourth consecutive win.
When you think about it the Nationals record really isn't that surprising, nor is it surprising that they are starting to rally now. If you look back at the schedule they have played through April you will see that the have ONLY matched up against the best teams in the National League. Finally they are going to be facing off with teams they can beat. Three more against Pittsburgh and then off to Houston before the Marlins come back next weekend. This is the time they need to win a lot of games, if anything just to build momentum. Hitting is contagious and if just one of these guys really starts to break out I guarantee others will follow.
Hey buddy, how have you been? How's the new wife, the house, the dog? I would ask you about your job but look Ian, I have seen you pitch this season and I am afraid it is time for a session of loving honesty. You just are not ready for the show yet. I know it's been kind of tough living under the shadow of your buddy Joba, but you need to worry about you. I didn't want to bring this up but the truth is that you are hear and Santana isn't, that means you have a lot to prove. So next week when Cashman asks you to head to Scranton do it with your head up. There is no shame in being sent back to the minors, just make sure you use that time to fine tune everything. Don't get so worked up about the demotion that you lose your ambition. Remember Ian, being a Yankee is a privilege you have to earn.
Your Buddy,
Bruce
Nationals Notes
Manny Acta's man crush on Austin Kearns surprises a lot of people, including me. Sure, he is hard working and he has a ton of potential, but a .194 batting average (even after last night) is still south of the Mendoza line. Well finally for one day Austin gets to have his day in the sun, and Acta gets to pat him on the ass for a legitimate reason. Last night Austin broke a tie with a two out RBI single in the eighth inning putting the Nat's up 3-2 for their fourth consecutive win.
When you think about it the Nationals record really isn't that surprising, nor is it surprising that they are starting to rally now. If you look back at the schedule they have played through April you will see that the have ONLY matched up against the best teams in the National League. Finally they are going to be facing off with teams they can beat. Three more against Pittsburgh and then off to Houston before the Marlins come back next weekend. This is the time they need to win a lot of games, if anything just to build momentum. Hitting is contagious and if just one of these guys really starts to break out I guarantee others will follow.
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Entire Scranton AAA Team To Replace Yankees, More Rocket Romance,
This is starting to sound like an Onion article, but for God Sake now Phil Hughes is packing his bags for the DL thanks to a strained oblique. By the end of the week the only person left on the team will be Joba Chamberlin. No doubt Steinbrenner will want Joba to play every position, including pitching to himself. At least the Nationals won last night in the 12th inning. They are now officially on a winning streak.
Rocket Romance
Yet another of Roger's affairs has surfaced. According to the The New York Daily News Rocket had a relationship with Paulette Dean Daly, a former wife of champion golfer John Daly. You may be wondering who will be next on Roger's hit parade. Well we here at 567 Miles From Home are going to take all the guess work out of you and break the story first....here we go with a list of Rogers other flings:
Miley Cyrus
Former Red Sox teammates claim that Clemens took a fancy to Coach K in the late 80's after Clemens openly fantasied about having a child with K in his first AND last name. While Krzyzewski has not commented on the affair, a spokesperson from Duke University released a statement saying that the two remain close friends but that the relationship was completely appropriate.
Ashley Alexandra Dupre
The New York Post is reporting that after the story broke about Elliot Spitzer's call girl, New York Post employees received numerous phone calls requesting Dupre's telephone number from the same person. "It was ridiculous" said one Post employee, "we kept getting these phone calls from a man with what was obviously a fake Asian accent asking for Dupre's home phone number. When we finally traced the calls back to Clemens house I said Roger, I know this is you, and then the phone suddenly went dead."
Rocket Romance
Yet another of Roger's affairs has surfaced. According to the The New York Daily News Rocket had a relationship with Paulette Dean Daly, a former wife of champion golfer John Daly. You may be wondering who will be next on Roger's hit parade. Well we here at 567 Miles From Home are going to take all the guess work out of you and break the story first....here we go with a list of Rogers other flings:
Miley Cyrus
Always a fan of Hannah Montana Clemens nearly lost it when he found out that Cyrus is 15 years old. Reportedly, Clemens was spotted earlier this year escorting the teen star to the Nickelodeon Kid's Choice awards. Clemens claims the two are just friends, but close ups of Cyrus' neck show what appear to be K shaped hickeys.
Mike Krzyzewski (Coach K)
Former Red Sox teammates claim that Clemens took a fancy to Coach K in the late 80's after Clemens openly fantasied about having a child with K in his first AND last name. While Krzyzewski has not commented on the affair, a spokesperson from Duke University released a statement saying that the two remain close friends but that the relationship was completely appropriate.
Ashley Alexandra Dupre
The New York Post is reporting that after the story broke about Elliot Spitzer's call girl, New York Post employees received numerous phone calls requesting Dupre's telephone number from the same person. "It was ridiculous" said one Post employee, "we kept getting these phone calls from a man with what was obviously a fake Asian accent asking for Dupre's home phone number. When we finally traced the calls back to Clemens house I said Roger, I know this is you, and then the phone suddenly went dead."
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