To New York Yankees pitcher A.J. Burnett, Hurricane Irene should have come sooner to Camden Yards tonight. The struggling starter, fighting for his rotation life, was left in by manager Joe Girardi and had to fend for himself during a typical Burnett meltdown in the second inning against the Baltimore Orioles.
Girardi only watched as Burnett suffered through the disastrous inning. His starter allowed six runs, six hits with one error through the first two innings.
It looked like another early hook for the much-maligned pitcher, but it wasn't to be. There would be no rescue.
Girardi let the Orioles continue to tee-off on his ineffective hurler. Burnett looked as though he would have rather been stuck in a storm-lashed row boat in the turbulent Atlantic than the soul that was stranded on his solitary island-- the pitcher's mound.
It seemed like the only thing that could save the beleaguered pitcher would be a game called for rain-- or, more appropriately, a hurricane.
Maybe it was the manager's version of tough love. After all, wasn't it Burnett who walked off the mound cursing Girardi after being lifted after only getting eight outs in his last outing?
Could Girardi actually be thinking that the Yankees could come back from a six-run deficit like they did yesterday against the Oakland A's?
Whatever the reason for Girardi to let Burnett slowly lose whatever pride he is clinging to-- he gave up a home-run and four-straight doubles and dug a big hole for the Yankees, it was kind of sad to watch the pitcher throw what looked like an Orioles batting practice.
The game got off to a rough start after the Yankees committed two errors and nearly a third before Burnett escaped unscathed. It was only a preview of Burnett's eventual early-inning meltdown.
In the top of the second, the Orioles' bats and Irene's impending barrage began to rain down on Burnett.
A home-run followed by four straight doubles gave the O's a 4-0 lead. Yankees pitching coach, Larry Rothschild, came out to calm down Burnett. A two-run home-run by the O's made it 6-0. Burnett was probably the only person in Baltimore who wished the Category-3 storm would hurry ashore and wash out this game.
You didn't have to be a Burnett lover to feel some compassion for his slow death. There was one moment when it looked like the combustible Burnett was ready to blow. He didn't, but there was still more misery to follow.
In the fourth inning, Burnett threw two wild pitches where two runners advance, then Derek Jeter bobbles a possible double-play ball and it becomes a 7-0 O's lead.
Girardi left Burnett struggle through the fifth and even after a triple made it 9-1, let Burnett finish out the inning. Mercifully, Burnett closed out the embarrassing performance by striking out the final batter he faced. Too little, way too late.
Burnett knew it was over even before he got to the dugout. No cursing or public displays of insolence. The unusually stoic Burnett walked through the dugout, spoke with his catcher Russell Martin and brushed by Girardi on his way to the locker room. There was no eye-contact and the two passed like ships caught in Irene's swirling winds.
There must be some deep-rooted psychological reason for Girardi's actions tonight, but what did he accomplish and why? When did the manager turn into Dr. Phil?
In the fifth, it looked like the manager was purposely avoiding going out to the mound and pulling Burnett. Was he avoiding a confrontation, or was it a chance to let his pitcher finish the inning and march from the mound with a sliver of dignity?
Finally, at the end of the fifth, Burnett was put out of his misery. He struck out the batter and stiffly walked to the dugout.
What did Girardi's actions say? Was leaving Burnett in the game to sweat out a 9-1 losing effort some kind of pat on the back. It's like saying, 'Hey kid, I knew you could go five innings.'
Or was it retaliation for Burnett's outburst to stay in his last game? Like saying, 'You wanted it kid, you got it.'
Confidence builder or ego-breaker, Girardi's move possibly cost the Yankees a win.
There are a lot questions still to be answered. Did Burnett just pitch his way out of the five-man rotation? Phil Hughes-- who is in line to get the fifth spot-- was just as bad last night, but he was the beneficiary of three grand slams.
Tonight, there would be no grand slams, comebacks or Jorge Posada mopping up at second base for Burnett.
Hurricane Irene will have passed by Sunday, but for Girardi and his rotation the storm might just be brewing.
Showing posts with label Oakland A's. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Oakland A's. Show all posts
Friday, August 26, 2011
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Yankees Beat A's With Record Three Grand Slams and Posada Playing Second Base
Robinson Cano, Russell Martin and Curtis Granderson each belted a grand slam as the New York Yankees rallied to beat the Oakland A's, 22-9, at Yankee Stadium today.
The three bases-loaded home-runs are a MLB record for most grand slams by a single team in one game.
Phil Hughes started the game and was hit hard early. He went 2 2/3 innings and gave up six runs.
After a rain delay of almost an hour-and-a-half, the Yankees were looking up a 7-1 A's lead. After four innings, the home team then scored 20 runs to rally for the victory.
Cano hit the first grand slam off A's starter Rich Harden, in the fifth, to knock the deficit down to one and Russell Martin followed up with his slam in the sixth to put the Yankees in the lead. Granderson put the game in the record books with his home-run in the eighth.
The wild and lengthy game ended with the appearance of Jorge Posada grabbing a mitt and playing second base in the top of the ninth inning. It was garbage time, with a big Yankees lead, and there was no chance of blowing the game because A.J. Burnett was no where near the mound.
Posada, the former-catcher, appeared rusty. In the game's final at bat, he fielded a routine grounder and almost, single-handedly, made it look difficult. It seemed like he was gunning out a base-stealer at second from behind the plate, after he drilled the ball into the dirt in front of the first baseman.
Nick Swisher, playing first, scooped up the ball and rolled over the base for the out as the hitter jumped over him.
Posada and Swisher had a good laugh afterwards. Posada, who played second base in the minors, volunteered to take the position in the top of the ninth and the Yankees leading by 12 runs.
"I wanted to give Russell [Martin] a break and grabbed a glove and said put me in," said Posada. "It's been a while since I've been in the middle of the infield."
Martin had two home-runs and the catcher recorded a career-high six RBI's in the game.
Too bad Hughes couldn't have reaped the rewards of this historic slugfest. He had won his last two outings but it took 78 pitches to get eight outs in this game.
Derek Jeter got his 3,056 hit to pass Rickey Henderson as No. 21 on the all-time hits list. He is now batting .299.
The game lasted four-hours and 31 minutes.
The three bases-loaded home-runs are a MLB record for most grand slams by a single team in one game.
Phil Hughes started the game and was hit hard early. He went 2 2/3 innings and gave up six runs.
After a rain delay of almost an hour-and-a-half, the Yankees were looking up a 7-1 A's lead. After four innings, the home team then scored 20 runs to rally for the victory.
Cano hit the first grand slam off A's starter Rich Harden, in the fifth, to knock the deficit down to one and Russell Martin followed up with his slam in the sixth to put the Yankees in the lead. Granderson put the game in the record books with his home-run in the eighth.
The wild and lengthy game ended with the appearance of Jorge Posada grabbing a mitt and playing second base in the top of the ninth inning. It was garbage time, with a big Yankees lead, and there was no chance of blowing the game because A.J. Burnett was no where near the mound.
Posada, the former-catcher, appeared rusty. In the game's final at bat, he fielded a routine grounder and almost, single-handedly, made it look difficult. It seemed like he was gunning out a base-stealer at second from behind the plate, after he drilled the ball into the dirt in front of the first baseman.
Nick Swisher, playing first, scooped up the ball and rolled over the base for the out as the hitter jumped over him.
Posada and Swisher had a good laugh afterwards. Posada, who played second base in the minors, volunteered to take the position in the top of the ninth and the Yankees leading by 12 runs.
"I wanted to give Russell [Martin] a break and grabbed a glove and said put me in," said Posada. "It's been a while since I've been in the middle of the infield."
Martin had two home-runs and the catcher recorded a career-high six RBI's in the game.
Too bad Hughes couldn't have reaped the rewards of this historic slugfest. He had won his last two outings but it took 78 pitches to get eight outs in this game.
Derek Jeter got his 3,056 hit to pass Rickey Henderson as No. 21 on the all-time hits list. He is now batting .299.
The game lasted four-hours and 31 minutes.
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Umpire Tells Two Fans To Shut Off Their Jackets During A's-Orioles Game
Two Baltimore Oriole fans were told to turn off their high-tech lighted jackets during a game between the O's and the Oakland A's because it was distracting the players. The two men, seated in the barren outfield stands at Oakland-Alameda Coliseum, wore the mini-billboard jackets which read "Go Orioles" and other blinking messages.
With the A's at bat, the second base umpire stopped the game and told the two men to shut off their attire.
In Oakland, the only things that get lit up in the Coliseum are the A's pitchers.
Even the home crowd booed the ump's decision.
With the A's at bat, the second base umpire stopped the game and told the two men to shut off their attire.
In Oakland, the only things that get lit up in the Coliseum are the A's pitchers.
Even the home crowd booed the ump's decision.
Sunday, July 24, 2011
Yankees To Stick With Robertson As Set-Up Man When Soriano Returns
It sounds like New York Yankees manager Joe Girardi has decided who will set up Mariano Rivera when Rafael Soriano returns to the team and it looks like Dave Robertson, who replaced Soriano, will get to keep the job. Soriano is expected to return to the club sometime this week after being put on the DL almost two months ago.
This will be the second demotion for Soriano since signing with the Yankees last winter. Don't expect the surly pitcher to be happy. First, he took a back seat to Mariano Rivera and now a rumble seat to Robertson.
Robertson has blossomed as the eighth inning set-up man since filling in for the injured and rehabbing Soriano. He even has an 2011 All-Star Game selection to prove it.
The 26 year-old righthander may have stumbled a little in today's 7-5 victory over the Oakland A's, but over the last two months Robertson has been solid. He is 3-0 with a 1.57 ERA. But the stellar stats hide a lot of nail-biting drama when Robertson is on the mound.
Robertson is the Yankees version of the Cardiac Kid. In the 40 innings he has pitched, Robertson's bi-polar statistics include allowing 29 hits and 26 walks combined with an unbelievable 63 strikeouts of opposing hitters.
The tightrope-walking Robertson has allowed only two earned runs over his last 26 appearances and in 21 1/3 innings on the road has not given up a single run. An amazing achievement, considering it always looks like the bases are filled when Robertson is staring down a batter.
On that note, the lanky hurler struck out a batter for the third out with the bases loaded for a record nine times in a row against the A's on Saturday. The previous record of eight rally-whiffers was held by former Yankee Jeff Nelson when he was with the Seattle Mariners in 1995.
Robertson stumbled a bit, during a downpour, in Sunday's 7-5 win against the A's. He was pulled with two outs in the eighth after his curve ball wasn't tailing and he gave up a couple of earned runs.
When asked about his bases-loaded/strikeout record, Robertson shook his head and told the YES Network, "I can't stop doing that."
Whether or not your heart can handle Robertson's high-wire act, he's getting the job done.
Soriano, on the other hand, will have to earn back his old set-up spot. The brooding righthander has already gone from closer to set-up this season. There's really no shame there when it's behind Rivera, but coming back to Yankee Stadium as a middle reliever has to sting.
Before going on the DL on May 27, Soriano was 1-1 with a 5.40 ERA.
The $35 million rightie pitched the seventh inning for Triple-A Scranton today. Soriano gave up a lead-off home run before retiring the next three batters. On Thursday, he threw 16 pitches for Class-A Tampa. He gave up one run on two hits. Not exactly reassuring stuff.
Girardi said Soriano could probably pitch Monday as well.
"We're looking at that," Girardi told the YES Network. "I wanted to see how he feels today. If he feels good after today and tomorrow, it is very possible he would pitch Monday."
In any case, Girardi said he was going with the hot hand and keeping Robertson as Rivera's set-up man.
On using Soriano as a seventh inning relief pitcher when he returns, Girardi used caution in his selection process and will cope with the eighth-inning conundrum later.
"It's important to get Soriano healthy first," he said. "If he's healthy, it's a good problem."
This will be the second demotion for Soriano since signing with the Yankees last winter. Don't expect the surly pitcher to be happy. First, he took a back seat to Mariano Rivera and now a rumble seat to Robertson.
The 26 year-old righthander may have stumbled a little in today's 7-5 victory over the Oakland A's, but over the last two months Robertson has been solid. He is 3-0 with a 1.57 ERA. But the stellar stats hide a lot of nail-biting drama when Robertson is on the mound.
Robertson is the Yankees version of the Cardiac Kid. In the 40 innings he has pitched, Robertson's bi-polar statistics include allowing 29 hits and 26 walks combined with an unbelievable 63 strikeouts of opposing hitters.
The tightrope-walking Robertson has allowed only two earned runs over his last 26 appearances and in 21 1/3 innings on the road has not given up a single run. An amazing achievement, considering it always looks like the bases are filled when Robertson is staring down a batter.
On that note, the lanky hurler struck out a batter for the third out with the bases loaded for a record nine times in a row against the A's on Saturday. The previous record of eight rally-whiffers was held by former Yankee Jeff Nelson when he was with the Seattle Mariners in 1995.
Robertson stumbled a bit, during a downpour, in Sunday's 7-5 win against the A's. He was pulled with two outs in the eighth after his curve ball wasn't tailing and he gave up a couple of earned runs.
When asked about his bases-loaded/strikeout record, Robertson shook his head and told the YES Network, "I can't stop doing that."
Whether or not your heart can handle Robertson's high-wire act, he's getting the job done.
Soriano, on the other hand, will have to earn back his old set-up spot. The brooding righthander has already gone from closer to set-up this season. There's really no shame there when it's behind Rivera, but coming back to Yankee Stadium as a middle reliever has to sting.
Before going on the DL on May 27, Soriano was 1-1 with a 5.40 ERA.
The $35 million rightie pitched the seventh inning for Triple-A Scranton today. Soriano gave up a lead-off home run before retiring the next three batters. On Thursday, he threw 16 pitches for Class-A Tampa. He gave up one run on two hits. Not exactly reassuring stuff.
Girardi said Soriano could probably pitch Monday as well.
"We're looking at that," Girardi told the YES Network. "I wanted to see how he feels today. If he feels good after today and tomorrow, it is very possible he would pitch Monday."
In any case, Girardi said he was going with the hot hand and keeping Robertson as Rivera's set-up man.
On using Soriano as a seventh inning relief pitcher when he returns, Girardi used caution in his selection process and will cope with the eighth-inning conundrum later.
"It's important to get Soriano healthy first," he said. "If he's healthy, it's a good problem."
Friday, July 22, 2011
15 Year-Old Refuses To Return Hideki Matsui's 500th Home Run Ball
Reversing a chapter from Christian Lopez's book on what to do after you catch a historic ball hit by a professional baseball player, a 15 year-old kid refused to hand over Hideki Matsui's 500th career home run ball back to the player.
Maybe this kid is still holding a grudge against the Japanese because the of the women's soccer team shocker over every teenage boy's fantasy pin-up Hope Solo and the American team in the World Cup.
More likely, he is holding out for some sort of huge payday.
Lopez was the young cell phone sales man who caught Derek Jeter's milestone, and long awaited, 3,000th hit. After Lopez snagged the home run ball in the centerfield stands, he immediately handed it over to the New York Yankees organization. In return he was rewarded with signed memorabilia, season suite tickets and a $15,000 IRS bill. Experts claim the ball could have been worth up to $250,000. Cynics called Lopez a sucker.
Matsui homered for the Oakland A's on Wednesday night against the Detroit Tigers, giving him 500 home runs between the majors and Japan's Central League. The A's DH hit 332 homers in 10 seasons with the the Yomuri Giants and 168 in the majors playing for the Yankees, Angels and A's. 140 of those dingers came in pinstripes.
A's first base coach, Tye Waller tried to fetch Matsui's ball after it sailed into the Comerica Park stands, but it looked like he ended up in a public negotiation with the Detroit youngster and his father instead.
The ball probably has more sentimental value to Matsui than any real financial worth on the baseball collectibles market. So dad shouldn't be planning on an early retirement.
The quiet Matsui downplayed his feat even more.
"I guess you can say I'm happy to get it out of the way," said Matsui through an interpreter. "To add to that, winning the game just made it even better."
Matsui-debunkers claim the 500 home run total is tainted because most of the four-baggers happened while he was playing overseas. The former World Series MVP always maintained winning a World Championship was always his proudest achievement.
"It's not like I was aiming for 500 or anything like that in my career," he said. "Honestly speaking, the way I look at the record in Japan and the numbers here are completely different."
Matsui came to the New York Yankees in 2003, as a 29 year-old "rookie," and played his first seven seasons in the Bronx before playing with the Los Angeles Angels and A's.
Wednesday's home run was Matsui's seventh of the year. He is batting .223 with 43 RBI's this season.
Tonight he is visiting Hell-- otherwise known as Yankee Stadium in 100 degree July heat-- and the home of some of his greatest major league accomplishments.
Asked if getting No. 500 would have been sweeter at Yankee Stadium Matsui replied," It doesn't matter to me. I have so many great memories in New York. I think it would have been asking too much to have it happen here."
One thing is for sure, with Christian Lopez in his Champions Suite seats, fan-favorite Matsui's chances of getting the home run ball back would have been better too.
Maybe this kid is still holding a grudge against the Japanese because the of the women's soccer team shocker over every teenage boy's fantasy pin-up Hope Solo and the American team in the World Cup.
More likely, he is holding out for some sort of huge payday.
Lopez was the young cell phone sales man who caught Derek Jeter's milestone, and long awaited, 3,000th hit. After Lopez snagged the home run ball in the centerfield stands, he immediately handed it over to the New York Yankees organization. In return he was rewarded with signed memorabilia, season suite tickets and a $15,000 IRS bill. Experts claim the ball could have been worth up to $250,000. Cynics called Lopez a sucker.
Matsui homered for the Oakland A's on Wednesday night against the Detroit Tigers, giving him 500 home runs between the majors and Japan's Central League. The A's DH hit 332 homers in 10 seasons with the the Yomuri Giants and 168 in the majors playing for the Yankees, Angels and A's. 140 of those dingers came in pinstripes.
A's first base coach, Tye Waller tried to fetch Matsui's ball after it sailed into the Comerica Park stands, but it looked like he ended up in a public negotiation with the Detroit youngster and his father instead.
The ball probably has more sentimental value to Matsui than any real financial worth on the baseball collectibles market. So dad shouldn't be planning on an early retirement.
The quiet Matsui downplayed his feat even more.
"I guess you can say I'm happy to get it out of the way," said Matsui through an interpreter. "To add to that, winning the game just made it even better."
Matsui-debunkers claim the 500 home run total is tainted because most of the four-baggers happened while he was playing overseas. The former World Series MVP always maintained winning a World Championship was always his proudest achievement.
"It's not like I was aiming for 500 or anything like that in my career," he said. "Honestly speaking, the way I look at the record in Japan and the numbers here are completely different."
Matsui came to the New York Yankees in 2003, as a 29 year-old "rookie," and played his first seven seasons in the Bronx before playing with the Los Angeles Angels and A's.
Wednesday's home run was Matsui's seventh of the year. He is batting .223 with 43 RBI's this season.
Tonight he is visiting Hell-- otherwise known as Yankee Stadium in 100 degree July heat-- and the home of some of his greatest major league accomplishments.
Asked if getting No. 500 would have been sweeter at Yankee Stadium Matsui replied," It doesn't matter to me. I have so many great memories in New York. I think it would have been asking too much to have it happen here."
One thing is for sure, with Christian Lopez in his Champions Suite seats, fan-favorite Matsui's chances of getting the home run ball back would have been better too.
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Roger Clemens Witness List Looks More Like an All-Star Roster
Former pitching great Roger Clemens may call on ex-teammates to testify in his defense at his perjury trial. At the same time, a prosecutor said he may call former players already implicated in the scandal to the stand as well. It's virtually a Who's Who of future, potential and tainted Hall of Famers.
While throngs of potential jurors lined up outside the E. Prettyman Court House in Washington; both sides planned their strategies and it sounds like a lot of former baseball greats might be headed for the stand.
It sounded like U.S. District Judge might permit Clemens former Yankees teammates-- Chuck Knoblauch, Andy Pettitte and Mike Stanton-- to take the stand, after Clemen's attorney, Rusty Hardin, said that Clemens' main accuser, Brian McNamee, created evidence made to blackmail his client.
Other potential witnesses including Mark McGwire, Jorge Posada and Sammy Sosa also appeared on the list.
Clemens, the 48 year-old winner of seven Cy Young Awards, was indicted a year ago on charges he gave false statements to a U.S. Congressional Committee investigating the use of steroids in baseball and perjured himself under oath while obstructing the committee's investigation into the wide-spread use of the drug which damaged the sport's reputation.
Other witnesses' names being mentioned by both the defense and prosecution include Barry Bonds, Wade Boggs, Alex Rodriguez, Sammy Sosa and the guy who literally wrote the book on steroids--Jose Canseco.
The collection of names looks more like an old All-Star roster than a witness list in a Federal case and it's a pretty formidable team.
Here we go position by position.
1st Base- Mark McGwire. Former Oakland A's and St. Louis great. 583 career home-runs.
2nd Base- Chuck Knoblauch. Former Minnesota Twins and Yankee All-Star until he couldn't control his errant throws.
Shortstop- Alex Rodriguez. Yankees current third baseman who dates Cameron Diaz.
Third Base- Wade Boggs. Former Red Sox player who jumped to Yankees and rode police horse around old Yankee Stadium after winning World Series.
Catcher- Jorge Posada. Current Yankee DH who stormed out of manager's office after getting dropped to batting ninth in the batting order earlier this year.
Outfield- Barry Bonds. All-time HR leader with 762. Tried in own perjury case in April.
Sammy Sosa. Seven time All-Star who tested positive for steroids in 2003 according to New York Times. 609 career homers.
Jose Canseco. Former teammate of Clemens and admitted steroid user and book writer.
Relief- Mike Stanton. Former teammate of the Rocket on the Yankees.
Starter- Andy Pettitte. Just retired Yankee lefthander (19-10 postseason record) and good friend of Clemens. Probably has most to lose in this hearing besides Clemens.
Baseball fans' eyes will be glued to the All-Star game at Chase Field in Phoenix next week, but the real action may be in a Washington D.C. courtroom. And while the former baseball talent testifying may even be questionably better than most of the 2011 All-Stars, there is no doubt there is more on the line than World Series home field advantage for some of these ex-big league players.
While throngs of potential jurors lined up outside the E. Prettyman Court House in Washington; both sides planned their strategies and it sounds like a lot of former baseball greats might be headed for the stand.
It sounded like U.S. District Judge might permit Clemens former Yankees teammates-- Chuck Knoblauch, Andy Pettitte and Mike Stanton-- to take the stand, after Clemen's attorney, Rusty Hardin, said that Clemens' main accuser, Brian McNamee, created evidence made to blackmail his client.
Clemens, the 48 year-old winner of seven Cy Young Awards, was indicted a year ago on charges he gave false statements to a U.S. Congressional Committee investigating the use of steroids in baseball and perjured himself under oath while obstructing the committee's investigation into the wide-spread use of the drug which damaged the sport's reputation.
Other witnesses' names being mentioned by both the defense and prosecution include Barry Bonds, Wade Boggs, Alex Rodriguez, Sammy Sosa and the guy who literally wrote the book on steroids--Jose Canseco.
Here we go position by position.
1st Base- Mark McGwire. Former Oakland A's and St. Louis great. 583 career home-runs.
2nd Base- Chuck Knoblauch. Former Minnesota Twins and Yankee All-Star until he couldn't control his errant throws.
Shortstop- Alex Rodriguez. Yankees current third baseman who dates Cameron Diaz.
Third Base- Wade Boggs. Former Red Sox player who jumped to Yankees and rode police horse around old Yankee Stadium after winning World Series.
Catcher- Jorge Posada. Current Yankee DH who stormed out of manager's office after getting dropped to batting ninth in the batting order earlier this year.
Outfield- Barry Bonds. All-time HR leader with 762. Tried in own perjury case in April.
Sammy Sosa. Seven time All-Star who tested positive for steroids in 2003 according to New York Times. 609 career homers.
Jose Canseco. Former teammate of Clemens and admitted steroid user and book writer.
Relief- Mike Stanton. Former teammate of the Rocket on the Yankees.
Starter- Andy Pettitte. Just retired Yankee lefthander (19-10 postseason record) and good friend of Clemens. Probably has most to lose in this hearing besides Clemens.
Baseball fans' eyes will be glued to the All-Star game at Chase Field in Phoenix next week, but the real action may be in a Washington D.C. courtroom. And while the former baseball talent testifying may even be questionably better than most of the 2011 All-Stars, there is no doubt there is more on the line than World Series home field advantage for some of these ex-big league players.
Thursday, June 2, 2011
A-Rod's Banned Drug Mule Spotted On Yankees Road Trip
Major league baseball is looking into New York Yankees slugger Alex Rodriguez's relationship with his steroid-supplying cousin Yuri Sucart after the admitted drug mule was spotted at the team's San Francisco hotel during the Yankees series against the Oakland A's.
Like bedbugs and Katie Couric, Sucart isn't easy to get rid of.
According to a team source, Sucart was seen at the St. Regis Hotel Tuesday night during the Yankees two-game series across the bay. Sucart has been banned by the Yankees from any team-related activities after Rodriguez admitted that his cousin supplied and injected him with performance-enhancing drugs while he was with the Texas Rangers in 2001-3.
The source said Sucart, Rodriguez's mysterious "trainer" and "personal manager," has accompanied the Yankee third-baseman on numerous road trips over the past two seasons and the Yankees and MLB aren't too happy about the donkey's alleged resurrection.
Sucart was Rodriguez's constant companion during A-Rod's playing days with the Rangers, the Seattle Mariners and the Yankees. He was banished, by the Yankees in 2009, from any Yankees team flights, stadiums or training facilities where the team was located. Unofficially, Sucart's banishment does not apply to team hotels or sitting in the stands as a spectator.
After a 2009 Sports Illustrated story reported that Rodriguez tested positive during a 2003 drug test, he confessed how Sucart would pick up the steroids (or "boli" as it is sometimes called) in the Dominican Republic and inject the drug into both him and his cousin when he played for the Rangers in 2001-3.
Since 2003, Major League Baseball has had it's own ban on personal trainers and managers who are not affiliated with the teams and is once again looking into A-Rod's questionable relationship with Sucart.
Yankees GM Brian Cashman had no comment on the allegations, but can't be too happy about his star player bringing another distraction to the team. MLB is already interested in the miraculous "stem-cell procedure" that has revived Yankees starting pitcher Bartolo Colon's arm.
The 48 year-old Sucart has seen better times since his Yankee banishment. He is in foreclosure on several real estate properties according to his lawyer and feels he took the rap for A-Rod's misdeeds.
"Everybody wants a scapegoat," the dejected Sucart once said.
Maybe that's a step up from being a mule.
Like bedbugs and Katie Couric, Sucart isn't easy to get rid of.
According to a team source, Sucart was seen at the St. Regis Hotel Tuesday night during the Yankees two-game series across the bay. Sucart has been banned by the Yankees from any team-related activities after Rodriguez admitted that his cousin supplied and injected him with performance-enhancing drugs while he was with the Texas Rangers in 2001-3.
Sucart was Rodriguez's constant companion during A-Rod's playing days with the Rangers, the Seattle Mariners and the Yankees. He was banished, by the Yankees in 2009, from any Yankees team flights, stadiums or training facilities where the team was located. Unofficially, Sucart's banishment does not apply to team hotels or sitting in the stands as a spectator.
After a 2009 Sports Illustrated story reported that Rodriguez tested positive during a 2003 drug test, he confessed how Sucart would pick up the steroids (or "boli" as it is sometimes called) in the Dominican Republic and inject the drug into both him and his cousin when he played for the Rangers in 2001-3.
Since 2003, Major League Baseball has had it's own ban on personal trainers and managers who are not affiliated with the teams and is once again looking into A-Rod's questionable relationship with Sucart.
Yankees GM Brian Cashman had no comment on the allegations, but can't be too happy about his star player bringing another distraction to the team. MLB is already interested in the miraculous "stem-cell procedure" that has revived Yankees starting pitcher Bartolo Colon's arm.
The 48 year-old Sucart has seen better times since his Yankee banishment. He is in foreclosure on several real estate properties according to his lawyer and feels he took the rap for A-Rod's misdeeds.
"Everybody wants a scapegoat," the dejected Sucart once said.
Maybe that's a step up from being a mule.
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Anything But LeBron
By Tony Mangia
HEY BRADEN, YOUR THIRTY MINUTES ARE UP!
Dallas Braden of the Oakland A's is milking his days in the limelight. The pitcher pitched a perfect game in front of his grandmother on Mother's Day and the final scene on the diamond looked like a fuzzy-warm snapshot from Norman Rockwell gallery. It was only a couple of weeks after the then unknown lefty dissed Yankee superstar, Alex Rodriguez, for crossing in front of the mound. Braden challenged A-Rod to "Get off my mound", but now finds himself on the disabled list and unable to keep the drama with the Yankee third baseman going on the field. Now Braden is challenging his own team for putting those same famous fightin' words on tee-shirts. The Oakland pitcher must commute from Napa Valley because it sounds like he has a lot of whine.
Life on the diamond for Braden hasn't been so kind since his no-no-no in May. He has lost 5 in a row and become a punchline, Robinson Cano caused a ruckus in the Yankee locker room by jokingly hoisting the infamous tee. A-Rod, himself, wondered out loud if he was entitled to a cut of the profits. Braden also told reporters he felt entitled, but called putting the shirts at souvenir stands a "suicide request."
"They're trying generate revenue, get butts in the seats," the angry hurler said, "at what cost do you do that?" Braden said he feels that the tees puts him in a direct Dallas vs. A-Rod situation. The A's organization said they are just fulfilling fans requests and generating interest in the series which continues tonight and tomorrow in Oakland. Oddly, the only thing missing in this three-game set is Braden.
For a guy who doesn't want to raise the Titanic, Braden can't keep his mouth zipped. Asked if he crossed paths with A-Rod since the April 22 incident, the A's version of Niecy Nash, shot back, "No, I must have lost his number."
A-Rod is no new-comer to controversy, and he takes it in stride. Whether its dalliances with strippers, romances with movie stars, PEDs, or just yelling "Hey!" from behind a Toronto infielder settling in to catch a fly pop, the third baseman perseveres underneath the unyielding New York media. A-Rod's stoic facade still hasn't endeared him to opponents and fans. The future Hall-of-Famer isn't even popular on his own team. Braden said he does not regret the way he handled the situation and claimed he was only trying to respect the "fraternity" of baseball players.
WAY TO GO GRANNY
It's too bad that Braden won't be playing this week. The Yankees took the first game at the Coliseum. The reeling A's are eight games back and nearly out of contention. A Braden/Rodriguez confrontation would have livened things up and added another 15 minutes of fame to Braden's career. If the A's really want to put fannies in the seats, they should print tee-shirts with the succinct line spoken by Dallas Braden's grandmother, Peggy Lindsey, after his perfect game: "Stick it, A-Rod." Those are words that could sell in all American League stadiums.
SHORT JABS
Lesnar Not LeBron
What New York really wants is MMA. Brock Lesnar, the UFC behemoth, could be the kind of draw Madison Square Garden should welcome with open arms. On Saturday, over 16 thousand fans filled the MGM Grand Gardens in Vegas to watch the North Dakota wrestler force opponent Shane Carwin into a second round submission after taking a brutal first-round beating himself. Some fans paid thousand of dollars online for tickets to see the heavyweight match-up. New York Governor Paterson is still trying to legalize the sport and help fill tax coffers.
For My Last Meal, I Want 60 Hot Dogs, 300 Wings, Nine Dozen Ribs...
On July Fourth, competitive eater, Takeru Kobayashi, was arrested at the annual Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition in Coney Island. In a bizarre---in an arena whrer gluttony is sport---twist, the former champ was lead away in handcuffs after the 128-pounder tried to storm the boardwalk stage. Promoters would not allow Kobayashi to participate unless he agreed to sign a contract which prevented Kobi from entering other contests. Joey Chestnut won his fourth yellow mustard belt in a row by downing 54 dogs. Sadly, some people soberly equate these two competitors to Pacquaio and Mayweather.
HEY BRADEN, YOUR THIRTY MINUTES ARE UP!
Dallas Braden of the Oakland A's is milking his days in the limelight. The pitcher pitched a perfect game in front of his grandmother on Mother's Day and the final scene on the diamond looked like a fuzzy-warm snapshot from Norman Rockwell gallery. It was only a couple of weeks after the then unknown lefty dissed Yankee superstar, Alex Rodriguez, for crossing in front of the mound. Braden challenged A-Rod to "Get off my mound", but now finds himself on the disabled list and unable to keep the drama with the Yankee third baseman going on the field. Now Braden is challenging his own team for putting those same famous fightin' words on tee-shirts. The Oakland pitcher must commute from Napa Valley because it sounds like he has a lot of whine.
Life on the diamond for Braden hasn't been so kind since his no-no-no in May. He has lost 5 in a row and become a punchline, Robinson Cano caused a ruckus in the Yankee locker room by jokingly hoisting the infamous tee. A-Rod, himself, wondered out loud if he was entitled to a cut of the profits. Braden also told reporters he felt entitled, but called putting the shirts at souvenir stands a "suicide request."
"They're trying generate revenue, get butts in the seats," the angry hurler said, "at what cost do you do that?" Braden said he feels that the tees puts him in a direct Dallas vs. A-Rod situation. The A's organization said they are just fulfilling fans requests and generating interest in the series which continues tonight and tomorrow in Oakland. Oddly, the only thing missing in this three-game set is Braden.
For a guy who doesn't want to raise the Titanic, Braden can't keep his mouth zipped. Asked if he crossed paths with A-Rod since the April 22 incident, the A's version of Niecy Nash, shot back, "No, I must have lost his number."
A-Rod is no new-comer to controversy, and he takes it in stride. Whether its dalliances with strippers, romances with movie stars, PEDs, or just yelling "Hey!" from behind a Toronto infielder settling in to catch a fly pop, the third baseman perseveres underneath the unyielding New York media. A-Rod's stoic facade still hasn't endeared him to opponents and fans. The future Hall-of-Famer isn't even popular on his own team. Braden said he does not regret the way he handled the situation and claimed he was only trying to respect the "fraternity" of baseball players.
WAY TO GO GRANNY
It's too bad that Braden won't be playing this week. The Yankees took the first game at the Coliseum. The reeling A's are eight games back and nearly out of contention. A Braden/Rodriguez confrontation would have livened things up and added another 15 minutes of fame to Braden's career. If the A's really want to put fannies in the seats, they should print tee-shirts with the succinct line spoken by Dallas Braden's grandmother, Peggy Lindsey, after his perfect game: "Stick it, A-Rod." Those are words that could sell in all American League stadiums.
SHORT JABS
Lesnar Not LeBron
What New York really wants is MMA. Brock Lesnar, the UFC behemoth, could be the kind of draw Madison Square Garden should welcome with open arms. On Saturday, over 16 thousand fans filled the MGM Grand Gardens in Vegas to watch the North Dakota wrestler force opponent Shane Carwin into a second round submission after taking a brutal first-round beating himself. Some fans paid thousand of dollars online for tickets to see the heavyweight match-up. New York Governor Paterson is still trying to legalize the sport and help fill tax coffers.
For My Last Meal, I Want 60 Hot Dogs, 300 Wings, Nine Dozen Ribs...
On July Fourth, competitive eater, Takeru Kobayashi, was arrested at the annual Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition in Coney Island. In a bizarre---in an arena whrer gluttony is sport---twist, the former champ was lead away in handcuffs after the 128-pounder tried to storm the boardwalk stage. Promoters would not allow Kobayashi to participate unless he agreed to sign a contract which prevented Kobi from entering other contests. Joey Chestnut won his fourth yellow mustard belt in a row by downing 54 dogs. Sadly, some people soberly equate these two competitors to Pacquaio and Mayweather.
