Ouch

Got in the batting cage at Upton Hill Regional Park in Falls Church tonight after getting my swim on. The pool was crowded like nobody's business, which I guess is good for the open water part of my triathlon training. I can still drill my underwaters (swimming from one end of the pool to the other on one breath) like nobody's business.

After my swim, I headed over to the batting cages. The one I chose had a token in the return slot, so I used it. Like 60 swings later, the machine was still pitching off of that same token.

At first, I felt like Mike Piazza or Joe Mauer with my dedication in the cage, but then my hands started bleeding through my batting gloves and I decided that this wasn't fun anymore.


Dedication or Stupidity?

Hey, there is one school of thought (endorsed by at least one Yankee) that might help heal my hands:

In a recent interview with ESPN's Gary Miller, Chicago Cubs outfielder Moises Alou revealed that during baseball season he urinates on his hands to toughen them up. Alou, one of the few major leaguers who doesn't wear gloves while batting, is backed up by Yankees catcher Jorge Posada, who says, "You don't want to shake my hand during spring training." (ht: slate)

If you see me, be sure to play it safe and give me a fist bump.

My Two Favorite Coaches

Well, obviously Dugo's still my favorite coach of all time, but I thought this was a cool picture from @petecarroll 's twitter feed:


Anyone see Phil Jackson?

Baseball at the Break

Earlier this season, I made my annual picks for the 2009 MLB campaign. With a half season under my belt, I'm ready to reflect on those April picks, and spruce them up for the summer and playoff stretch.

Upon further review, I'm proud to report that my picks weren't too horrendous. I had one egregious error--picking two AL West teams to make the playoffs and failing to include a representative from the Central. A couple of my picks came through pinstriped lenses, but I'm pretty excited about the quality of my selections thus far, and excluding the Oakland A's, there are realistic scenarios for most--if not all--of my predictions to come true.

But before the pics...

Morgan's Diamond Notes

The highlight of my season thus far has to be Mariano Rivera's bases-loaded walk gifted to him by the so-called K-Rod during the Subway Series finale.


Walk this way

I also loved Nick Swisher's scoreless inning (featuring one K) of relief pitching against Tampa Bay.

Each year, Bill James names a top clutch hitter. In my wholly unscientific opinion, I imagine that Melky Cabrera is a front runner for the 2009 honors.


Mr. Clutch
AL
Yanks
Texas
Oakland
Tampa (wc)

Mid-season update: Boy, that A's pick really sucks, huh? Boston has the best record, but the Yanks and Rays are going to make things interesting. And to show how much attention I pay to baseball, Texas is in the AL West (but in the hunt!) I meant to pick Detroit in the Central :)

NL
Mets
Cubs
Dodgers
Marlins(wc)

Mid-season update: You can't hold me responsible for the Mets injuries, ok? The Dodgers are in great shape. The Cubs and Marlins may make me look like a genius if the Cards and Giants falter.

Yanks over Detroit
Tampa over Texas
Yanks over Tampa

Dodgers over Mets
Cubs over Fla
Cubs over Dodgers

Yanks over Cubs

Mid-season update: I should probably replace the Dodgers with the Cubbies. Otherwise, my blind love of all things pinstripes has me hoping for some October/November baseball in the Bronx.

AL ROY
David Price
Runner up: Matt Weiters

Mid-season update: I think Weiters will come into his own over the second half, but Rick Porcello looks like a stud.

NL ROY
Emilio Bonifacio

Mid-season update: I got sucked in by Bonifacio's fast start got me excited, but I think I like St. Louis' Colby Rasmus, who can flat out ball.

AL Cy Young
Mariano Rivera
Runner up: Nick Swisher

Mid-season update: Maybe Halladay will end up in the NL. If the Yanks make the playoffs, and Mo keeps the ball in the yard during the second half, Mr. Reliable might nab his first Cy Young. Swisher's still got great numbers though.

NL Cy Young
Josh Johnson

Mid-season update: Lincecum got the ASG start, Johnson has established himself as a top-tier starter in the NL. If the Fish make a second half push and knock off the Mets/Phils or both, Johnson will be well positioned to nab the Cy.

AL Manager of the Year
Joe Girardi

Mid-season update: Almost there, Girardi. Although even with the best record in baseball, it will be tough for the Yankees skipper to take home the prize.

NL Manager of the Year
Joe Torre

Mid-season update: I like this pick.

AL MVP
Evan Longoria

Mid-season update: He's been hurt a bunch, but was an All-Star starter, and the heir apparent as the next big thing in the AL. I'll stick with it.


The Greatest?

NL MVP
David Wright

Mid-season update: If Pujols doesn't win this, I'll be a monkey's uncle.

A Very POTUS 1st Pitch

RE: POTUS sports pics, I've now posted the Commander in Chief with the Heels and Tim Tebow. I just wish he was wearing a Yankee jacket, but understand why he had to go this way.

He needs to work on the velocity a little though...

Yanks Commemorate Lou Gehrig

While the Yanks still haven't quite figured out ticket pricing, they're still a first-class organization in a variety of ways. Here's footage of a unique interpretation of my favorite speech of all time, shown prior to Saturday's game on this commemoration of Lou Gehrig Day--not far from the location of the actual Lou Gehrig Day-- at the (new) Big Ballpark in the Bronx.

Note: A big thanks but no thanks to mlb.com and their embargo on embedding their proprietary video. Nice job Bud et. al.

Housekeeping

I know this video is a few days old, but make sure you watch the whole thing. I can't think of a better example of fatherhood and Yankee fandom than this fine piece of amateur film:



Morganobrien.com UPDATE: It's been a few days since I last posted (so sue me, I moved, calm down). To all the pervs looking up "Kate Gosselin's Bust Measurements" on Google, just stop. You're freaking sick.


Via Deadspin

Manny in Albuquerque

Yet another reason to miss the Land of Enchantment--I so would be at Isotopes Stadium tonight to catch ManRam begin his rehab. Interestingly enough, he was struck out the first time by Manny Parra, who I saw pitch against the Marlins a few weeks back.

Looks like Sr. Parra and I both found changes in latitude since we last met.


Manny in my old stomping grounds

Isotopes Park is a sweet venue. I worked a high school All American baseball game there a few years back (and had some hacks in the amateur home run derby). I also had the pleasure of hosting the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds there when they visited the Duke City a few years back for the Kirtland Air Show.

I'll be back, one day...maybe as the Diplomat in Residence at UNM.

As if Bernie Williams Needs Further Vindication...

At my first duty station, I had the opportunity to work with an incredibly difficult colleague. I was shocked that in a professional workplace, adults didn't necessarily act their age. To help me deal with this person, I'll never forget the lesson my folks taught me: "Morgan, if you think they're an asshole, odds are everyone else does too."

I was reminded of this in the sad/unconscionable case of former Yankee Mel Hall.

(Mel)Hall taped "Mr. Zero" to the top of Williams's locker to signify that he meant nothing to the team. One day Hall nearly brought Williams to tears by saying, "Zero, shut up," every time Williams tried to speak. The more Williams tried, the louder Hall interrupted with repetitive chants of "Zero."

- Birth of a Dynasty, Joel Sherman

Let's look at the stats.
Bernie Williams: five all star games, four gold gloves, one batting title, and four championships
Mel Hall: zero.

And now,
Mel Hall: 45 year sentence for an incredibly egregious sexual assault conviction against a minor.
Bernie: Still a fan favorite.


Disgrace to the Pinstripes

It's funny how in life, the bad guys are so often exposed as truly bad and the good guys are almost always vindicated in being good guys. The Yanks cleaned house in the early 90's and developed into a franchise that epitomized character, class and a championship pedigree. Mel Hall became an example of the old guard that needed to go in order for the franchise to return to glory.

While I feel terrible for the victim in the case (12 at the time, TWELVE!), here's hoping the prison system lives up to its remarkable tendency to ensure that scumbags like Mel Hall get their comeuppance.

Day 6: Key West to ????

I'm filing this bad boy from a Red Lobster in Ft. Pierce, Fla. My waitress finally stopped looking at my screen over my shoulder, giving me the chance to post. It got kind of creepy when she started correcting my grammar in my emails.

I have no idea where I'm going to end up tonight, I've got an eye on Patrick AFB, but think I have the stamina to drive even further north.

I began the morning in Key West, and while I enjoyed driving the Keys during the daytime, the trip is slow (a lot of 45 mph driving) and redundant.

The biggest highlight of my day was my visit to LandShark (sic, nee Joe Robbie, then Dolphin) Stadium in beautiful downtown Miami Gardens. I would like to take this opportunity to apologize to the New Yankee Stadium for all the things I've said because I think I've found the most soulless place in the entire MLB.

If there were 500 people on hand for the first pitch I'd be shocked (seriously). This is a Major League team that has won more World Series than the Yanks in the 21st Century (2000 was the 20th Century) and has a bunch of exciting young players.

I do have to give credit to a sizable Wisconsin contingent that came out in force. Although, I was kind of creeped out by the grifters wearing Marquette jerseys. Alright, I get it, you're proud you're from Milwaukee, but that D. Wade jersey is not flattering on you. On a side note, is there a word in the English language that sounds like it means more than "grifter"? And why are there so many of them in South Florida?

Granted there was a--surprise--rain delay, which apparently happens often (this is Florida, if you don't like the weather, wait 15 minutes and it'll change), but that could not have possibly driven away more than a couple dozen fans. Seriously. That said, thank God the new ballpark (scheduled for 2012) will have a retractable roof.


Florida weather

There was some buzz about the Yanks coming to town in a couple weeks, in fact they advertised Derek Jeter and A-Rod during the pregame announcements. It's a sad day when you have a highly successful franchise (2 world titles in less than two decades of existence) and you resort to advertising other teams' players to sell tickets. It should also be noted that the Marlins team shop also sells Mets and Yankees souvenirs, which is just weird.


I'm so lonely

The stadium is huge (it's a football field, first and foremost capable of seating 76,500), but even when the Yanks come into town and it's sold out, it's going to feel empty (baseball capacity is only 38,560). You're so removed from the field. At the same time, the lack of patrons enabled me the opportunity to have a shot at a couple balls during batting practice, and you can get real close to the players on the field and in the bullpens. Also, I didn't have to worry about lines at the concession stands or in the men's room. I did feel awfully lonely, though.


If a tree fell in LandShark Stadium...

So there you have it, LandShark Stadium, Morganobrien.com's least favorite ballpark in America!

Day 3: Jacksonville to Rockledge

Went for a quick run to kick off the morning and I can tell that New York's cool weather hasn't done me any favors in terms of prepping me for running in the humidity. I haven't sweat like this in a long time.

I was tipped off by one of my former colleagues, the Buckeye State's #1 Gator fan Jill Bohn, about the fact that I was barely an hour from Gainesville, home of my main man Tim Tebow.

Taking a quick look on mapquest showed that Gainesville was kind of on the way to St. Pete, so I had to go. Note: I was looking for the football stadium by typing "The Swamp, Gainesville" into Google. My search yielded a dive bar that Skynyrd probably played in '73 to tune up for Quadrophenia. The Swamp's actual name is Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.



On my drive down, I realized that Florida is the Dodge Challenger capital of America. I've seen five of them on the highway since getting down here. The UF campus is exactly what I expected, and Ben Hill Griffin Stadium was easily accessible. I found the words of Tebow's "Pledge" immortalized on the wall (covered on morganobrien.com earlier this year) and took a picture in front of it. After the picture, I patted it. At that very moment, my doctor called and said that the cancer is in remission. Also, I heard that Kim Jong-Il is planning on stepping down and surrendering all his nuclear ambitions. I'm beginning to think that Tim Tebow's powers are on par with the three wolf moon t-shirt.

Fun Fact: The Swamp also happens to be a magnet for hot coeds who like to run stairs.



After Gainesville, I headed to St. Pete, where I was poised to see your defending American League Champion Tampa Bay Rays square off against the Minnesota Twins. On the way there, I saw a sign for "George M. Steinbrenner Field" and had to make the detour to see the Yanks' Southern Command. It was pretty sharp, and some of the Tampa Yanks were practicing. Nothing much more to report.



Tropicana Field was disarming in that I was expecting it to be hokey, but the place actually had a nice buzz and was fun. Isn't that what baseball should be? The fan base is still working out some kinks (the place felt packed), and they're still learning how to root for a team. The cowbell gimmick they've developed is a lot of fun, and must be f'ing annoying for opposing teams.

The simple fact is that it's tough to sit and watch a ballgame under a dome on a 90-degree/sunny day, and I'll never get over the artificiality that comes with an indoor baseball game.

While we're on the topic of baseball, I've been meaning to mention a couple things about the Yanks trip to Cleveland this weekend. Things kicked off with a bunch of the Yanks taking in Thursday night's Cavs-Magic game. One thing I learned as a coach was that team trips are an awesome opportunity to build camaraderie, and I like that the fellas decided to catch the game together. And don't tell me that the attitude these guys have brought in the past four weeks or so isn't tied at least in some small way to the fact that they're really enjoying playing together.



The NY-Cleveland connection is pretty cool. Little known fact: George Steinbrenner is from Cleveland. Lebron James: Yankee fan. I also always enjoy seeing Mariano in the same arena as other great athletes--seeing Tiger Woods at the Stadium a few years ago when Mo came out of the bullpen was a cool moment.



One more quick note--I have XM, so I can listen to the home feed of ballgames. As the Yanks are in Cleveland, I can listen to the Indians announcers (who have an unhealthy fixation on the Yanks payroll, fwiw). I accidentally hit 880 on my dial and lo and behold, John Sterling's pompous pipes suddenly began filling my ears. I was getting the WCBS signal all the way in Jacksonville. How 'bout that?





The Rays have a tank with stingrays. I pet one (see photos above). It felt like a fish. RIP Crocodile Hunter.

After the Trop, I was off to see my Godmother in Rockledge, outside of Orlando. Made the trip in a little over two hours, and am bedding down for the night. Look forward to heading South tomorrow.

Road Trip Day One: Strong Island to Chapel Hill

I commenced my road trip around noon Thursday departing rainy, 60 degree weather in hopes of finding bluer skies on the South side of the Mason-Dixie. Sure enough things heated up the further South I traveled, and soon I was stuck in the middle of DC rush hour traffic.

Luckily, I have family in the area, so to kill some time and catch up I looked up my brother, Officer O'Brien and we decided to do dinner (at Macaroni Grill). I totally forgot that Officer O'B had recently welcomed a new addition to the family, but was reminded soon after I entered his apartment.


Meeting my Nephew

That's me and my nephew, Barnabas "Barney" Hasinger-O'Brien. I still love Homer, but Barney's pretty cool.



After dinner, I continued my trek, ending up in Chapel Hill, N.C., home of my alma mater and generally considered the Southern part of Heaven. I checked in to a Courtyard by Marriott, which is also hosting members of the Kansas and Dartmouth baseball teams, who are both here for the Super-Regionals of the College World Series. The Road to Omaha starts here!

A fire alarm roused my awake at about 7:55, so I decided to run up to campus. Of course, I forgot to pack workout clothes, so I had the pleasure of running in cotton in 90% humidity. Ah, the days before moisture wicking, how I don't miss thee.

There's a ton of construction going on up on the campus, but I also noticed that a lot of the guys here bear a striking resemblance to Kenneth from 30 Rock. Just saying.

I'm going to keep heading South, looking to end up in Tampa. I don't think I'll make it in time for tonight's game, but should be able to catch Tropicana Field on Saturday morning and add it to my list of ballparks visited.

The House that George Built

I hate when people give human qualities to inanimate objects. I think it's a literary crutch. However, after attending my first game at Coors Field East the new Yankee Stadium, I can't help but feel that by building this magnificent structure, my favorite ballclub also sold its soul.

The Stadium is great. Terrific site lines (I mean incredible), wide aisles, cushioned seats, lack of garbage stench, short lines for a wide variety of concessions (Nathans, Brother Jimmy's, and we had some noodle thing...I still miss the chicken fingers from the old ballpark). But I couldn't help but think that the quirks that made the old ballpark almost unbearable for the fans, also provided a distinct advantage for the players on the field.


Not the Same
I recognize that familiarity brings a level of comfort and for my entire baseball viewing life, I've only known the old ballpark. Perhaps for that exact reason, last night's game felt artificial--like some sort of exhibition that one would catch in the Grapefruit League or during a meaningless September game in Seattle.

For most of the game, the ballpark was eerily quiet. I recognize that Tampa's Jason Bartlett lead off with one of those all-too-familiar wind tunnel shots out to right field, but there wasn't much life for the first few innings. Finally, when the Yanks put together a mini rally in the 4th, there was some life amongst the Bronx faithful. However, where the old Stadium used to rock, the buzz just wasn't the same.


We'll hang your banner, O'Neill, but stay away from the clubhouse
Noted acoustics expert Dr. Michael Francesa spoke on his radio program yesterday that the cushioned seats might absorb some of the sound. And considering the fact that there weren't many butts in those cushioned seats on the park's lowest level, I guess this is feasible. But hey, they have waiter service for those seats. The fact of the matter is that either the fans weren't hyped up (entirely possible) or that the Stadium doesn't channel the same juice as the old place.

The field itself definitely evokes the old ballpark, and there's nothing like hearing Bob Sheppard's voice over the public address when leadoff hitter and Yankee captain Derek Jeter steps in the box. The friese/facade is a nice touch. However, as has been well documented elsewhere, the fans don't sit on top of the field as we used to in the old Stadium, and lose a little of that Roman Colosseum

I didn't have a chance to see Monument Park 2.0, I'll have to get there eventually. The retired numbers in left field were kind of tacky, as were the wall listing the 26 world championships garnered throughout the pinstripers storied history. And there is no lacking for advertising plastered all over the fence and scoreboard.

I did sneak a peak at section 103, where we were supposed to be assigned. I have to admit that they were awesome seats, right next to the Yankee bullpen. It would have been a real treat to watch Mo warm up night in and night out. Unfortunately, the seats were a thousand miles from where my old man sat for nearly three decades. And I don't think I mentioned that the Yanks quoted us one price for the seats before coming back with a 25% increase citing an "administrative error". I can sleep easy knowing that we were smart to avoid the $20,000 investment.


Field of Nightmares
Mrs. Morganobrien.com and I headed out in the 5th (it's a long way back to the Island), so I didn't have to suffer the indignity of watching Mariano give up back-to-back dingers in the 9th (something he had never done in 800+ appearances). And that's probably good, as I would have turned into Sam Neill in Event Horizon and cut my eyeballs out.


Liberate tute mae ex inferis
It's going to take a long time, decades even, to regain the home field advantage earned over eighty years at what was once described as "Baseball's Home Office." And that's a shame. I like the new ballpark, but I loved the old place.

Why I'm Rooting for the Rays Tomorrow Night

Tomorrow, I will venture north to the Bronx and visit the imposter Yankee Stadium for the first time. I'm excited and will of course review my experience on this very blog.

While I anxiously anticipate my return to Bronx baseball, I go with some trepidation. I've often lamented the many ways the Yanks have put me into this love-hate tailspin since earlier this year.

And then there's this (from Bob Raismann's column in the Daily News):

The latest episode came during the weekend series with the Angels. Paul O'Neill, a revered former Yankee, now an analyst for the Yankees Entertainment & Sports Network, was asked by security to leave the indoor batting cages, where he was watching Yankees hit, prior to one of the games.


The Warriors Collide
A security guard told O'Neill, the man George Steinbrenner called "warrior," he could not loiter in the area. O'Neill had another reason to be perturbed. Security would not allow his wife, Nevalee, into the Stadium "wives room." She was told by security it was for "current" wives only.

Think about it. Here's O'Neill, a guy who bled for the franchise, trying to prepare for a broadcast. Not only is he told to take a hike, so is his wife. O'Neill was not the only broadcaster ejected from a part of the Stadium over the weekend. (link)

You raise my ticket prices and move us to the outfield...fine. You play like an bunch of dogs and get punked by the BoSox...I'll learn to deal. But you screw with my hero and his wife--I've had enough.

When I returned from the war, I gave Pauly my unit coin at a golf outing in Dayton. He said he'd use it as his ballmark. A few years later, my brother-in-law asked Pauly if he still had it and sure enough he remembered me. O'Neill said that people busted his chops about using such a large ballmark though. That's a hero for you.

So there you have it. Let's go Rays! (I'm still going to have to get over how pretentious Joe Maddon is, though)

Visiting Citi Field

Soon after President Obama took office, it was announced that his first overseas visit would not actually go overseas, but to Canada. This was newsworthy because everyone tries to read into the president's every action. Maybe he chose Canada because he wanted to underscore the importance America places on our neighbor to the north. Maybe he chose it because it was closest and easiest to pull off a dry run. There's no right answer--it is what you make of it.

With two new ballparks opening in New York this year and with my insatiable interest in visiting as many ballparks as possible, it was only a matter of time before I saw the Yanks and Mets play in their new digs. Like the president, the only question that remained was which ballpark would I visit first?

As a lifelong Yankee fan, the answer seemed clear--or did it. After deciding to drop our tickets, and seeing the new Yankee Stadium cram decidedly less than capacity crowds over the first homestand of the season, there are still some raw nerves between the O'Briens and the Yanks.


In Front of Guido Central Station

So on Saturday, I ventured with Mrs. Morganobrien.com to Citi Field, home of your 2-time world champion New York Mets.

A number of my friends and family were shocked that I'd go to Citi before the new stadium, but to me it was a no-brainer. Once I stopped dropping a month's salary on my Yankee tickets, I became less invested in the franchise. And after watching the Yanks' piss-poor performance at Fenway this weekend, I can't say that cutting the cord was a bad choice.

Don't get me wrong, I still love the Yanks. When I'm overseas, I'll follow them as my favorite team. But now I consider myself more a baseball fan who favors a specific team than a die-hard Yankee fan that also enjoys baseball.

A quick review of Citi--Upon arrival, the manpower at the ballpark left a lot to be desired. The ticket agents were less than helpful, the security guards held up our line, the program salesman couldn't understand the questions we asked him and the cashier at Nathan's ran out of register tape and held up the line. Not quite as efficient as I'd like. There are still some kinks in the system.

That said, THEY HAD A NATHANS! Citi Field also boasts Blue Smoke and Shake Shack, which are definite plusses. Also, there's nothing like a fresh, new ballpark with a clean, retro look to really put you in the game.

Our seats were in the Pepsi Porch, which provided a nice view of the field (although deep fly balls to right field were not viewable from our perch). And I know he was a Dodger, but the Jackie Robinson Rotunda was a pretty sharp tribute to and American hero.

One other thing I noticed was that the Met fanbase was very Long Island/Queens. I don't know if this was a plus or minus, I just thought it warranted mentioning. For reasons I don't truly comprehend myself, although I'm a Long Islander by birth, I never really considered myself a Long Islander. I also could never see myself rooting for the Mets. Ever. (In related news, I also could never root for the Red Sox).

Ed. Note: I realize that last sentence just ended my ambitions to become an elected official from the region.


Behind Enemy Lines

In all, Citi Field is a nice ballpark. I think it stacks up alongside many of the newer ballparks (still stopping short of the Camden Yards and PNCs of the world), but I also think it's a little too antiseptic and fails to stands out. There were no signature views of any skyline, and as important as the Rotunda is, it's no Monument Park.

I'm interested in seeing Yankee Stadium, and comparing the two. Unfortunately for my heart, I have a feeling it won't even be close...

Empty seats force Yanks, Mets to discuss prices

This made my day and broke my heart at the same time.

Empty seats force Yanks, Mets to discuss prices

Posted using ShareThis

This is upsetting

The Yanks really have me on an emotional roller coaster this year. They're up and down on the field and I've documented how I'm torn over our whole ticket situation. Thankfully, it looks like the Pinstripe brass is learning the harsh realities of picking the worst time ever to build a $1 billion-plus baseball palace (see photo below, we're voting with our feet/butts):


Plenty of seats to go around

And then I read this, and this is almost the last straw. Stuff like this also helps me fully understand why there were only like 350 people at the A's game Wednesday:

As anyone who’s tried to sit in the bleachers for batting practice at the new Yankee Stadium could tell you, the Yankees are serious about making sure you have the proper ticket for the proper area of their new digs. (On YES, Paul O’Neill had even commented that he was turned away from the Yankees clubhouse because he didn’t have his credentials on him.) But this is going too far: Over the weekend, unofficial fan mascot Freddy Schuman (better known as Freddy “Sez,” of colorful sign-and-frying-pan fame) was denied entry to Yankee Stadium.

In the past, Schuman, 83, had either received tickets from a sponsor (like Modell’s) or was simply allowed to enter through the press gate. Which makes sense: He’s a stadium mainstay, and doesn’t occupy a seat anyway. (When we were at Fordham, where he occasionally would bring his pan to basketball games, he’d get the red-carpet treatment: press pass, lunch in the press room, the works.) He was even allowed entrance on Opening Day, through the press gate as usual. But all this weekend, he was turned away by stadium security.

So Freddy was forced to beg for a ticket, holding a sign that read “I can’t go in. Must buy ticket!” which is the saddest Yankee Stadium image we can possibly imagine. Luckily, fans came through by giving him tickets — costing upwards of $100. The Yankees chalked it up to “miscommunication,” which it better be. Because otherwise, we’re ready to trademark “The Curse of Freddy ‘Sez,’ ” which would clearly bring the Yankees decades, if not centuries, of bad karma in their new stadium.

Me and Freddy in Happier Times

The Yanks swung and missed here (what a stupid pun). First, he doesn't sit down during the game, he's walking around the whole time (not that the Yanks aren't hurting for empty seats--against the A's yesterday, it looked like Tropicana Field circa 2002).

Second, the guy's a freaking part of the experience, and it was always fun to see Freddy come around our seats in the 7th inning. Of course, if we ended up in the seats that the Yanks offered, who knows when he'd get out to right field.

Finally, give us some credit for being savvy here in New York. If we feel that you don't respect us or that you think we're suckers, we're going to tell you where you can stick your new stadium. In this economy, the suits better be careful--their failure to recognize realities already generated a season's worth of bad press six games in. Time to start treading lightly and let Freddy in.


From NY Magazine via NY Post

I wish I Knew How to Quit You: 2009 Yankees

First, I want to apologize for not writing in about 10 days. I'll be better. Promise. And now, back to our regularly scheduled program:

I came into the 2009 baseball season apathetic. Towards the end of last year, it was tough to watch a $200 million payroll spit the bit like a bunch of choking dogs and frankly my interest was only held by the fact that they were closing Yankee Stadium. Enter this year and for a variety of reasons, I'm not a huge fan of the transition to the new Yankee Stadium. We'll get to that later.


Dykstra 2.0
But over the first week-plus of the season, I began keeping tabs on the Yanks with a passing interest. Soon, I found myself falling back in love with the Pinstripers all over again. The moment that solidified it for me was when a smiling Nick Swisher pitched a scoreless inning (registering a k) of mop-up duty on the wrong end of a 15-5 drubbing at the hands of the Devil Rays. All of a sudden, the all-business Yanks became fun again. (It should also be noted that the Yanks won the two subsequent games and took the series from last year's best home team).


Cy Young Buzz?
Since the retirement of Paul O'Neill, I've been searching for a guy that I love to follow. As a young man, I admired O'Neill's intensity and Irishness, but I guess I've mellowed in my old age. Watching Swisher enjoy playing baseball and bring levity to the Yankee clubhouse is fun. I won't even hold it against Swish that he's a Buckeye.

I first learned of Swisher reading Moneyball, where A's GM Billy Beane loved Swisher's laid back attitude and approach to the game, comparing him to Lenny Dykstra (which might not be the best comparison). I wish I enjoyed my job as much as Nick Swisher does--I'll live vicariously for now.

But the rest of the roster also has me excited. Watching CC Sabbathia and AJ Burnett and Andy Pettite pitch relatively well so far has been great too (although Wang's got me worried). Watching Robinson Cano get off to a hot start has been a relief, too.

I recognize that we're going to enter a lull eventually, Swisher's hot start will cool off and Cano will get into the inevitable slump. If Wang gets batted around and CC has some more clunkers, that'll stink. Let's not forget that right now, they're only one game over .500. But I think the attitude the team takes to the ballpark each day has won me back. Maybe there is something to this concept of clubhouse chemistry. I'll keep my fingers crossed for the pending return of A-Rod.

One last point, I was listening to the latest BS report podcast and have to agree with Bill Simmons and Jack-O when they discussed how great baseball is to have on in the background, and great to have every day. You know what, baseball really is great for that. I guess that's why everyone was so upset when Harry Kalas past away. Because, as smug as John Sterling is, when he retires or steps up to the press box in the sky, I'm going to miss the conceited guy. He's been a part of virtually every spring, summer and fall day in my life for more 20 years.

2009 Season Preview (late edition)

I know we're nine games into the season, so I have an unfair advantage in making my picks. So sue me, I live in my mom's house and blog:

AL
Yanks
Texas
Oakland
Tampa (wc)

NL
Mets
Cubs
Dodgers
Marlins(wc)

Yanks over Oakland
Tampa over Texas
Yanks over Tampa

Dodgers over Mets
Cubs over Fla
Cubs over Dodgers

Yanks over Cubs

AL ROY
David Price
Runner up: Matt Weiters

NL ROY
Emilio Bonifacio

AL Cy Young
Mariano Rivera
Runner up: Nick Swisher

NL Cy Young
Josh Johnson

AL Manager of the Year
Joe Girardi

NL Manager of the Year
Joe Torre

AL MVP
Evan Longoria

NL MVP
David Wright

All's Not O-Kay with ESPN Radio

SVP Plays Hardball

I'm a huge Scott Van Pelt fan--he's on my all-time semi-famous dudes I'd love to hang out with list. Unfortunately, Deadspin reports that last week he was suspended for going off on baseball commissioner Bud Selig's $18.5 million salary.

Van Pelt declined to comment on the incident, passing it along to ESPN media relations, who "do not comment about personnel decisions." The story, passed along through several people, was that Van Pelt's rant about Selig was "too personal" for some of the ESPN bosses — comments about his slovenly appearance, something about a "pimp cup" — which led to the suspension. Van Pelt, reportedly on his own volition, called Selig to apologize and was in agreement that his statements were a little harsh.

Even before pitchers and catchers report this year--and mostly thanks to A-Rod, with more than an assist from Joe Torre--baseball's earned some dubious headlines, especially in the New York press (see NY Post's creative headline):


I want to be a headline writer

Speaking of the New York media and ESPN Radio, I'm curious as to why SVP gets a timeout for having an opinion while Michael Kay of New York's ESPN 1050 and his litany of conflicts of interests and axes to grind apparently don't matter to the Worldwide Leader.

- Kay is an employee of the New York Yankees (He works for the YES Network as the lead play-by-play man in the booth), a team he covers on his program.

- He openly dislikes Joe Torre on a personal level--a fact he's recently discussed on his program with Bob Costas in light of Torre's recent book release. (Adding insult to injury, Torre also snubbed Kay on the book's media blitz)

- And we're four years past it, but Kay was on A-Rod's payroll at a December, 2004 event at the Marriott Marquis in Times Square for a signing event (oh by the way, Barry Bonds was also there). Shortly thereafter, Phil Mushnick of the New York Post had some choice words about the event, which I was thankfully able to uncover:

In December (04), you might recall, Kay, on his ESPN Radio show, advertised and endorsed an autograph session that would star Alex Rodriguez and that paramount of baseball virtue, Barry Bonds. Kay also seemed mighty proud of the fact that he had been selected — hired — to host that session. And the cost of admission was only $7,500 per person.

And when Kay took heat in this column for lending (leasing) his name, presence and reputation to such a pig roast, he didn’t take it well. He hollered that he was comfortable with his decision and loudly rationalized that the Rodriguez/Bonds gig would pay him more for one night’s work than sportswriters “make in a week!

We made the point then; we’ll make it again. You can’t hop on the greed train, then make believe it was an accident, that you tripped and fell up a flight of stairs.

When Kay accepted that ugly gig — and he had enthusiastically voiced commercials for high-priced autographed stuff prior to that — he painted himself in. For whatever his financial take, it wasn’t worth it; there would be too many times when he’d either have to ignore the tidal wave of greed — and no credible sports commentator would do that — or grow inured to his hypocrisy.

It would be hard enough to believe that Kay was unbiased when discussing Torre and A-Rod considering his role as Yankees announcer. Knowing that in 2004, Kay made more in a night that most sportswriters make in a week thanks to A-Rod, how can listeners be totally assured that Kay's opinions regarding the tainted slugger are not prejudiced(Hint--they are)?

I would imagine that the two arguments ESPN would present in support of Kay would be:

- Kay's paid for his opinion, or
- Kay's local (as opposed to SVP's national show), so it's different

I know that life's not fair, but these cases strike me as particularly egregious. For starters, Van Peezy's also paid for his opinion, and I know I'm out of uniform, but I still despise the different spanks for different ranks argument.

I should point out that I really like Kay, and think he calls a terrific game. I also enjoy his radio program and subscribe to his Podcast. Truth be told, I don't mind that he has an opinion.

The fact of the matter is ESPN is locked in an 8-year, $2.4 billion deal with Major League Baseball, so attacking MLB's chief executive on ESPN airwaves presents a conflict of interest. Ergo, the suspension.

So all things considered, I guess I'm late to the party. Consider me the billionth observer to come to the realization that when it comes to journalistic integrity, ESPN can not be viewed as a reputable outlet.

Free SVP!

A word on A-Rod

Orange you glad you came clean?

I don't like him, I never liked him and I won't defend what he did. That said, I have to admit that on this issue I agree with Curt Schilling of all people:

I’d be all for the 104 positives being named, and the game moving on if that is at all possible. In my opinion, if you don’t do that, then the other 600-700 players are going to be guilty by association, forever.

I get it, A-Rod sells papers, but to single him out while failing to mention more than 100 other offenders is a disservice to everyone that was clean (ed- who didn't get caught).

I do wonder, however, if Schilling would feel that his rings were tainted if it was revealed that teammates from Boston and Phoenix used PED's in '01, '04, '07...

Schil's blog: 38 pitchester

Our New Seats at Yankee Stadium

We received word yesterday from the Yanks about our seat reassignment. Mind you, Morganobrien.com Jr. has had seats at the big ballpark in the Bronx since 1976, when I was not yet around. And after I arrived on the planet, sent to Earth from Krypton by my father Jor-El, I've only known the ballpark on the corner of River Ave and 161st St. as baseball's home office.


Our Seats in the Old Stadium: Section 220
Third base line, behind the plate

So here's the deal:

- In the old ballpark, we were on the 3rd base side of home, about 20 rows off the field
- In our reassigned seats, we're in right field, Section 103, Row 13, Seats 21-24:


We'd be four rows back, right next to the bullpen

- Our tickets in the old ballpark included access to the exclusive Pinstripe Pub and cost $85/per seat.
- The new ballpark does not have a Pinstripe Pub equivalent and the seats cost $100/pop.

(Ed. note- I'm not even going to go into the economy argument here, but the price increase--while mitigated by 5 less games--still stings).

- The old plan provided 46 dates, none on the weekend.
- The new plan provides 41 dates, alternating games. So we get Opening Day* and a bunch of weekends. Our best sellers on StubHub last season were Boston and the NY Mets. Under the new plan, we only get 4 Red Sox games, but 2 of the Mets games.

As a life-long Yankee diehard, it goes without saying that I'm conflicted about what we should do.

Last year was terrific. I was back home after 10 years and was able to give the old ballpark a last go 'round. I went to an All-Star game and saw Josh Hamilton DESTROY the Home Run Derby. While they failed to reach the postseason, by all accounts, 2008 was a fitting sendoff for the old place. And for obvious reasons, I don't feel the same affinity towards the new place.

And as for the new seats, call me a Paul O'Neill fan but I like looking my right fielder in the eye. Staring at the back of the player manning that hallowed ground just wouldn't feel right.

One final factor is that I figure to move to DC this summer, putting a cramp in the flexibility of my StubHub prowess and the Acela won't get me to the Bronx by gametime on weeknights.


Our location in the New Yankee Stadium, Right Field


I can only imagine the joy my old man would derive from conversating with Manny Delcarmen as he manned the seat right next to the visitor's bullpen

So tell me, friends and family what should we do? Should we renew? Your comments are appreciated (serious comments only, please).

*It should be noted that the Chicago Cubs will play the Yanks in an exhibition before Opening Day

Shots of the New Yankee Stadium

Via diamondhoggers come a bunch of new photos of the New Yankee Stadium (including a few that I cherry picked below). I'm going to miss the old place, but these pictures indicate that the new park will be first class.

Now they just need to send us our seat locations!











Hat tip: Diamondhoggers

My old lady could so do this...

Congrats to newest Yankee wife, Leigh Teixeira, who found $180 million reasons to coax her husband into playing first base for the Yanks. I'm also proud to say that Mrs. Morganobrien.com so could have done this interview, although I have to admit, I'm still a sucker for a Southern accent.

Come on, Joba!

Considering how hard Morganobrien.com is on drunk drivers, I was troubled by reading of this news about one of my favorite Yanks today:

Yankees' pitcher Joba Chamberlain arrested in Nebraska on DUI charge
BY DORIAN BLOCK
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER
Gutierrez/AP

Yankees pitcher Joba Chamberlain was arrested early Saturday morning in Nebraska for driving under the influence of alcohol, the state patrol said.

The 23-year-old starter - with a wholesome reputation - was driving southbound on Highway 77 in Lincoln, Neb., his hometown, at 1 a.m. when a trooper pulled over his dark-colored 2006 BMW for speeding, said Deb Collins, a spokeswoman for the Nebraska State Patrol.

Before I go on: he's innocent until proven guilty, but it is noteworthy that he's already apologized for his error in judgment.

Moreso than his beloved status as an on-field standout for the pinstripes, I admire Joba as a role model for the Native American community.

Native Americans are an incredibly underrepresented--damn near forgotten--ethnic group. For every success story coming out of the reservations, there seems to be dozens of tales of woe and misery.

The hardscrabble lifestyle that comes with tribal life is only underscored by the challenges of alcohol that American Indians face. Just this summer, USA Today reported that nearly 12 percent of Indian deaths are alcohol related. Compare that to about 3.3 percent of all Americans. While there is no evidence of a universal genetic predisposition of American Indians to alcoholism, there at least exists some significant research into the the issue.

In recent years, prominent Native Americans like Chamberlain, Boston Red Sox outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury and golfer Notah Begay have earned a national profile thanks to their respective athletic prowess. Begay and now Joba have both run afould of the law thanks to alcohol-related incidents, with Begay serving significant jail time as a consequence.

And if you don't think that American Indians can use role models, take a look at this profile about Ellsbury's heroic return home after winning a world championship with the Sawx in 2007:

Ellsbury, widely believed to be the first Navajo player in major league history, was born and raised in this small farming town in the Oregon high desert. His mother, Marjorie Ellsbury, moved here from her home in Arizona to become a special education teacher for the nearby Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs.

Here she met Jim Ellsbury, a forester for the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs, and they raised four sons, of which Jacoby is the oldest. He is an enrolled member of the Colorado River Indian Tribes in Arizona.



"I'm really proud of Jacoby, coming out of the Navajo Nation," said Ken Man, a member of the Warm Springs tribes who called the radio play-by-play of Ellsbury's high school basketball games. "He could have been in the NBA, too, he's that good." (more)

Charles Barkley talked about never asking to be a role model, and in the vein, Joba may not have asked for that status, but he's inextricably tied to his heritage (any Yankee fan worth their salt can tell you about Joba's dad, Harlan and the tough road he's hoed). And while he's in his early 20's (23) and bound to commit typical youthful transgressions, here's hoping that he can find the silver lining from this experience and use his example so that others--specifically those that look up to him--don't fall down this path.


Joba and dad, Harlan
The New York Times did a nice piece on this very issue, highlighting what Joba means to his fellow Winnebagos:

In his flat-billed Yankees cap that always seems a half size too big, with an arm already rated somewhere between fable and holy, Joba Chamberlain has all but passed through a dream catcher. In essence, he is a dream come true for American Indians who have been forever marginalized by cultural fatalism and outside bias, forever freighted by historic atrocities and benign neglect.

To watch Chamberlain is to spy on hope, to witness a revolution in belief among his Winnebago tribe.

“I think he shows that everyone can do it — even if you’re from around here,” said Aaron Lapointe, 16, a high school sophomore on the reservation. “It’s good just to see that he is a Native American, that he is the same as me(emphasis mine).”

In light of his arrest, Joba's boss Hank Steinbrenner has offered to provide any support that Joba needs. Lord knows that there are too many other Native Americans without the benefit of the same benefactor. By shining light on this, Joba's terrible error in judgment might have a silver lining and benefit a community terribly in need of a high-profile champion of this issue.

Fair Weather Fan

I got the Dodger Blues. Lets go Bums--were up 2-0 on the Cubs!

Now excuse me while I listen to Ice Cube and Randy Newman. WEST SIDE!!!!

Sarah and Manny

As a huge fan of baseball and politics, I was thrilled to read on the Freakonomics blog of Nate Silver, a guy who makes a living following both! It's nice to know I'm not alone. So as I watch tonight's VP debate and prepare to catch the Dodgers face off with the Cubbies, I can't help but think of the two marquis names in tonight's matchups--Sarah Palin and Manny Ramirez--and their respective paths to October under the national spotlight.

As a Yankee fan, I was thrilled when the Red Sox had enough of Manny's antics and traded him. He was a Yankee killer, with 55 lifetime dingers against the pinstripes. While Jason Bay--the player the Chowderheads received in return for Manny--is a nice ballplayer, he's a step down from Ramirez and even the most devoted Sawx fan would admit that.

And this is where I'm curious about the extreme left's hysteria regarding Sarah Palin.

I can't get over how devoted partisans like Maureen Dowd and Slate's Emily Bazelon are so adamantly opposed to McCain's choice of Palin as his running mate. Dowd (Pulitzer winner) and Bazelon (two-time Yale grad)--for the sake of this argument, we'll compare them to fans of the Yanks--are both brilliant enough and should be thrilled at the gaffes and missteps of Palin that have put John McCain in a ten-point national hole. I mean, when your enemy's diging a hole, don't stand there and critique the process--hand him a shovel.

I consider myself a moderate libertarian, but I can't get over this nasty vitriol from the media on this issue. Dowd compares Sarah Palin's rise to national prominence to a chick flick that offends her and Bazelon writes of the shame she experiences in watching Palin interview. There's criticism and then there's anger. These opinions venture awfully close to anger, and that's just not healthy.

When Jason Bay arrived in Boston, if I were to follow the Dowd-Bazelon tact, I'd go on and on about how ridiculous it was that this imposter was now roaming the sacred field of Williams, Yaz, Greenwell (who should have been the 1988 MVP) and Manny. But as a partisan Yankee fan, it would take a reincarnation of Ted Williams replacing Manny to send me into these hysterics. (I know Ted Williams, Ted Williams is a friend of mine, and Sarah Palin is no Ted Williams.)

In conclusion, I'll stick with the Yanks-Sox rivalry. I'll never forget the Yankees-Sawx game I attended July 1, 2004 (the Jeter dive game) where the Yanks mounted an incredible comeback to beat their hated enemies in 13 innings at the Stadium.

As the Yanks mounted their comeback, I'll always remember the look on the faces of the Boston fans in attendance that night. It's like they expected to lose. (Note: This was before Red Sox nation captured their first World Series in 86 years, and this is probably the last time New England experienced this emotion.)

And maybe that's why it's not a stretch to compare those that are nervous about Sarah Palin to those pre-world championship Red Sox followers. Maybe it would take an Obama-Biden victory to wipe this defeatist attitude from their collective mindset. And you know what, if this vitriol would cease because of it, that might not be the worst thing (although knowing the media and seeing were it's headed, this unfortunately is highly unlikely). And if the Red Sox can win two world titles in four years, I guess anything's possible.

Accountability

Now that the playoffs are underway, perhaps it is appropriate to review how well my predictions for the Major League Baseball season shook out.

After reviewing my choices, it appears that I better not quit my day job. My predictions skew to my marked pinstripe bias...apparently, my love for the Yankees precludes my ability to make sensible choices.

For starters, lets look at the American League East.

American League
I chose:
Boston
Cleveland
Seattle
With the Yanks nabbing the Wildcard.

What actually happened:
Tampa Bay
Chicago
Los Angeles Angels of the OC
Boston

OK. The Yanks failed to make the playoffs for the first time since 1993. That much we know. If I were to have done this over, I would have picked Tampa to get the Wildcard over Boston and the Yanks to win the division. Regardless, I would have been wrong.

I can't get over how badly I swung and missed with the Mariners, but I never would have predicted that Erik Bedard, a strikeout machine in Baltimore, was going to move to the Pacific Northwest and become a clubhouse cancer and .500 pitcher!

The Indians were in a solid division, yet still underachieveed, but at least they broke .500.


Now for my choices of Award Winners:
MVP: Magglio
Cy Young: Beckett
ROY: Joba/Bucholz
Manager: Joe Maddon
Executive: Shapiro


OK, we get it, you like to dive a lot

Keeping with my pro-Yankees bias, I hate Dustin Pedroia. With a passion. That said, I have to think that he's the trendy pick for MVP, and considering the way he played in Manny's stead, deservedly so.

For Cy Young, please show me anyone that predicted Cliff Lee would go 22-3. Yeah, exactly.

If healthy and if the Yanks made the playoffs, I'd imagine Joba would have had a shot at the Rookie of the Year honors. Clay Bucholz really spit the bit, so I have to take that one on the chin. It looks like Evan Longoria will take home ROY honors, again, well deserved by the Tampa Bay 3B.

I bet Joe Maddon takes home the Manager of the Year, and Tampa Bay GM Andrew Friedman (who is 31--what the Hell am I doing wrong?) gets executive of the year.

National League
I chose:
Mets
Cubs
Arizona
WC: Colorado

What actually happened:
Phillies
Cubs
LA Dodgers
WC: Milwaukee



Now I don't hate the Mets as much as I hate the Red Sox, nonetheless, I shouldn't have believed the hype! What are the odds--back to back years getting eliminated in game 162 at home?

The Cubbies made the most sense, but I'm shocked that the youthful energy of Arizona or the September experience of 2007 didn't translate for the Rockies.

MVP: Matt Holiday
Cy Young: Dan Haren
ROY: Fukudome

I have to figure that Ryan Howard's ridiculous post-steroid era home run numbers for a playoff team put him at the top of the list for MVP, although I imagine that Pujols deserves strong consideration.

Dan Haren's teammate Brandon Webb should get the NL Cy Young, but I think CC Sabathia should get some serious consideration--dude led the AL and NL in shutouts this year! Think about that.

While Fukudome was a big contributor (and All Star) for the Cubs, so was catcher Geovany Soto, who is also deserving.

Manager: Willie Randolph
Executive: Hendry

Yeah, about Willie Randolph... I think you have to go with the Cubs' Lou Pinella here.

I like my pick of Hendry. I really hope that Ned Colletti, the Dodgers GM, doesn't get more credit than he deserves.

Playoff Predictions
What I thought:
American League
Cle over Bos
Yanks over Sea
Yanks over Cle

National League
Mets over Colorado
Cubs over Arizona
Mets over Cubs

World Series
Yanks in 4

Fearless (Revised) Predictions
Philly over Mil
LAD over Cubs (I have the benefit of knowing the result of Game 1)

LAD over Philly

Tampa over ChiSox
LAA over Boston

Tampa over LAA

Dodgers over Tampa in 6!



Manny being Manny

It's fun to have a chance to root for Joe Torre again while at the same time I'm happy to now let my love and admiration for Manny be known to the world! That freaking guy can hit. He's Joe DiMaggio.

*Clearly, I have much to learn in terms of predicting the 162 game labyrinth that is Major League Baseball. So don't go to Vegas and try to cash in on these predictions.

RIP, 2008 New York Yankees

Yankee Killer, two years running

I reckon I'm a few weeks late in writing this, but after watching that 11-3 debacle tonight, I'm afraid that the 2008 Yankees will not make the playoffs, marking their first absence from the postseason since 1993.

It's interesting because last year, Paul Byrd lead the Cleveland Indians to a Game 4 victory over the Yankees in the ALDS to close out the season. Tonight, less than a year later, Paul Byrd lead the Boston Red Sox to a regular season victory in what portends to be the last Yanks-Sawx series at the Stadium.

I could go on and on about a lack of clutch hitting, hitting with two outs, and a litany of injuries, but all that's been done. I'm thankful for the power of StubHub, and hope that the last 13 games at the Stadium bring in some bucks to the O'Brien coffers.

Before concluding, I do find it hypocritical that the same Chowderheads that love to attack pinstriped juicers can find it so easy to follow into the playoffs a guy that got HGH from his dentist.:

Indians' Byrd says he took HGH under 'doctor's care and supervision'
ESPN.com news services
Paul Byrd, whose victory in Game 4 of the AL Championship Series put the Cleveland Indians on the doorstep of the World Series, has acknowledged taking human growth hormone under a doctor's care.

I don't even care if that's being petty. This freaking game is heart-wrenching.

ESPN.com: Where the Sawx Never Blow 10-run Leads

A picture's worth a thousand words (on describing either Bristol's blind love affair with the Red Sox or their less-than-stellar headline updating staff):


Click Image for Enlightenment (Before)


And 15 Runs Later, They're Closer (Score's still wrong, and I'd argue that coming back from a 10-run deficit is more notable than "Papi's HRs Wasted," which smacks of homerism for the Sawx.)

We Got Him!

The one on the left is a Yank.  The other guy's in jail in Caracas for trying to light someone on fire.

Giambi to the Shift: You're No. 1

Watch closely, lest you miss it:

From Withleather: [Video: Mr. Irrelevant; Still image: Sportscrack]  

.219 Batting Average Does Not an All Star Make

Come on, Tito--this is ridiculous; your guy's not batting his weight. You're telling me that Mr. .120 in June deserves a slot more than Jorge Posada?

* Update: I'm now told that the players voted Tek to the squad. That's pretty sickening, especially since these are the same players that voted Jeter and A-Rod as among the most overrated players in the game. For all the crap the fans get about making bad calls, it is now apparent that players are too stupid to have the vote.

http://mlb.mlb.com/team/player.jsp?player_id=123660

Hope springs eternal for A-Rod, Hamilton

Seeing Josh Hamilton on the cover of SI and posting some monster numbers is a great story and reminded me of last year (April 19, to be exact); I wrote the piece below and sent it in to the NY Times and Newsday. Neither ran it. They can go F themselves.

You decide if it's worth reading.

----

In the opening weeks of the 2007 Major League Baseball season, two number one draft picks from the 1990s are both living up to their superhuman potential while taming the challenges of their personal demons.

New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez, the first overall choice of the 1993 draft, and Cincinnati Reds outfielder Josh Hamilton, 1999’s top choice, are experiencing large measures of success right off the bat.

While high draft picks are expected to produce, their futures are never guaranteed. Both Hamilton and Rodriguez have fought vastly different—though crippling to their performance—challenges on their journeys to early-season success.

Widely regarded as the best position player in baseball and only a season removed from a most valuable player award, Rodriguez has suffered three seasons of Bronx cheers for failing to deliver in the clutch while collecting the majors’ highest paycheck of more than $25 million each season.

The bright lights and constant scrutiny of New York City has flustered even the most accomplished stars. While Rodriguez’ regular-season numbers in pinstripes are a statistical success, he has come up short in the only category that matters to the New York fans and press: October excellence. Rodriguez’ postseason performance has yet to fulfill his peerless potential, batting below .200 in both 2005 and 2006 while failing to pace the Bombers into the second round either year. These losses come on the heels of a monumental collapse at the hands of the Boston Red Sox in 2004, where the Yankees lost a three-games-to-none lead to their archrivals.

Living up to a spring training vow to renew his focus in the 2007 season, Rodriguez broke an American League record by clubbing 10 homers in his first 14 games—including two game-winning blasts that stand as the define the term “clutch”. A-Rod is riding a 19-game hitting streak dating back to last season and leads the majors in home runs and RBI heading into a series with the Red Sox.

“There’s a lot of good players in the major leagues, and there’s a handful of great players. Alex Rodriguez is the top of the game right now,” said former Yankee and Red Paul O’Neill after Rodriguez’ most recent walk-off home run Thursday.

When the Tampa Bay Devil Rays selected Josh Hamilton, the team figured to build their young franchise around the can’t-miss prospect. "Other than Alex Rodriguez, he is the best amateur player I've ever scouted," Marlins vice president of player personnel Dan Jennings—who was Tampa Bay’s scouting director when Hamilton was selected—told the Cincinnati Enquirer’s Kevin Kelly earlier this month. “That's not too bad. And I give Alex the edge only because he was a shortstop,” said Jennings.

Jumping straight from high school to the minor leagues, Hamilton was rewarded with a $3.96 million contract, which soon paved the way to the phenom’s downfall. In a time where baseball’s drug problem has focused on performance enhancing drugs, Hamilton fell victim to the performance crippling variety. On July 10, 2002, he was suspended for violating MLB’s substance abuse policy due to his cocaine and alcohol addictions. After a long journey back, he now says that he has been sober for more than 18 months.

Selected by the Cubs in the Rule V draft and traded to the Reds, Hamilton finished a stellar spring batting .403 for the Reds, and made the Opening Day roster as a fourth outfielder. Hamilton cracked the lineup for the Reds’ first game and homered in only his second at bat—his first home run in professional baseball since 2002.
Thanks to Hamilton’s fast start, the Reds are shifting their lineup to find a permanent place for the 25-year-old in their lineup. Half of Hamilton’s 10 hits in 2007 have been home runs and he carries a hefty .900 slugging percentage and superb .429 on-base percentage in the early going.

While hope springs eternal in virtually ever major league city each April, the dog days of summer are often ruthless in extinguishing those dreams. Rodriguez recognizes that he will receive his ultimate judgment as the pennant race heats up and the chase for the Yankees’ 27th world title enters October. Hamilton must face his addictions in a struggle measured day to day.

The most refreshing aspect of their early success comes in recognizing that these two supremely gifted athletes are enjoying themselves and finally finding themselves through the simplicity of playing a game.