Actions, not steroids, should keep Manny Ramirez out of Cooperstown

By Alan K. Stout
COMMENTARY

When word came down today that Manny Ramirez had unexpectedly retired, and that he had done so mostly because he had failed yet another test for performance enhancing drugs, the talk immediately steered towards whether or not his badly stained reputation would hurt his chances of being inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame. I watched a pretty good discussion of the topic on the MLB Network and heard some others on ESPN Radio, and the general consensus among some very smart baseball people is that Ramirez - despite his incredible talent - will never receive the honor.

I would tend to agree. But Ramirez's use of PEDs is only a part of the reason I'd never put him in the Hall of Fame. I'd keep him out because he didn't always use his talent - a talent that made him one of the most feared hitters of his time. I'd keep him out because he often shortchanged his fans and his teammates. I'd keep him out because, at times, he was a complete bum of a baseball player.

Unfortunately, in all of the discussions I'd heard today, that seemed to had been forgotten. All of the talk was about how great of a player Manny was, and how the juice had brought him down, and how that will probably keep him out of Cooperstown. But if you ask some diehard Red Sox fans, or baseball fans in general, their memory might be a little more clear. I'm sure they remember how Ramirez played himself - or, more accurately, un-played himself - right out of Beantown.

Ramirez was making nearly $19 million dollars from the Red Sox for the 2008 season and the team had an option to retain him in 2009 for $20 million. They had the same option for 2010. But that wasn't good enough for Ramirez, who wanted to be a free agent at the end of the year. Only a trade, however, would put him on the market. So what did Manny do? He essentially stopped playing. And he acted like a fool.

There was a heated altercation with teammate Kevin Youkilis, a ballplayer's ballplayer who always plays the game hard. And there was even a physical altercation between Ramirez and an elderly Red Sox traveling secretary. The two were arguing over the secretary's inability to fill Ramirez's large game-day request for 16 tickets to the game, and Ramirez pushed the 64-year-old man to the ground. In late July, according to Boston.com, after sitting out a game against the Mariners with a sore knee, Ramirez was slated to start against the Yankees. Several minutes before the game, however, he informed the team he would not be playing. During the series Ramirez was sent to an area hospital for MRIs on both his knees, where the results showed no damage. When back in action, Ramirez frequently failed to run out ground balls. And in one of those games against the arch-rival Yankees, Red Sox manager Terry Francona simply asked Ramirez to pinch-hit in a big spot in the 9th inning. Facing Mariano Rivera, the usually aggressive Ramirez never took the bat off his shoulders, taking three straight strikes down the plate.

That's what Ramirez did in the middle of a pennant race. That's how he went about earning his $19 million. That's how he went about repaying the loyal Red Sox fans who had come to accept his zany "Manny being Manny" ways. That's how he played before thousands of adoring young kids at Fenway Park who wore his name on their backs. That's how he played for his teammates.

He quit on them. And he disgraced the game.

Soon - within days of all of this - Manny had gotten his way. He was traded to the Dodgers, where he went on a hitting tear and was rewarded with a two-year $45 million dollar contract. He returned the favor by being suspended for the first 50 games of the 2009 season for failing a drug test. Previously, it was reported that he also allegedly failed a test in 2003 and was included in the infamous "Mitchell Report." And now, in 2011, he's failed yet another.

This, many say, will keep Ramirez out of the Hall of Fame. But to those with a better memory, his actions in Boston in the summer of 2008 provide for an even greater blackmark on his career. Other great players have been linked to PEDs. None, however, ever appeared to not be trying their best to help their team win ballgames.

And for that alone, Manny's door to Cooperstown should be forever closed.

Yankees trip to Cincinnatti

Date: June 20, 21 and 22
(Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday)
Place: The Great American Ballpark - Cincinnati, Ohio

TRIP INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING:
* Roundtrip Bus Transportation
* Beer, Soda and Food
* Two games - Monday and Tuesday night
* Excellent seats for both games – Section 113
($60 Field Level Box Seats)

Hotel Accommodations:
Millennium Hotel
* 3 blocks from stadium
* Walking distance from Cincinnati Zoo and other attractions
(Rooms based on double-occupancy: two full beds per room)

PRICE $350.00 for all of the above
Contact John Chernesky – 287-9701

This 'Cliffhanger' ends just fine

YANKEE BLOG COMMENTARY
By Alan K. Stout

Cliff Lee turns down what might have been a better offer from the New York Yankees to pitch for the Philadelphia Phillies, and all of a sudden Phillie fans are acting like they've somehow evened the score for the thumping the Yanks put on them in the 2009 World Series. In fact, this morning, Phillies fans everywhere seem more interested in taking jabs at the Yankees than celebrating the fact that they just landed a very talented pitcher. They're acting like they just put a beatdown on the Yankees ... the same kind of beatdown that Jeter, A-Rod, Matsui, Pettite, Rivera and company put on them just 14 months ago.

Sorry folks, but championships are still won on the field, not at the winter meetings. And twice, in 1950 and 2009, the Yankees and Phillies have faced off in October. And Philadelphia is 0-2.

Make no mistake, the Yankees wanted Cliff Lee badly and probably needed him more than Philadelphia. But as the negations dragged on in recent weeks and Lee played coy, some Yankee fans - myself included - and some in the New York media were growing leery of what Lee was asking for just to play in New York. Too many years for his age. Too much money. And really, if a guy who has journeyed from Cleveland to Philadelphia to Seattle to Texas in just two years doesn't think he can handle New York - the biggest stage in sports - than he probably can't.

I'd say "good riddance," but that wouldn't apply to something you never actually had. Rather, I say "C'est la vie."

Maybe Lee liked the inferior-hitting National League, where pretty much anyone that hits below the five-spot in the batting order can't hit. Or maybe he didn't want the pressure and scrutiny of New York, or playing in a division with several strong contenders every year. Or maybe the Yankee fans really got on his wife's nerves during the playoffs, as has been reported. Or maybe he just really enjoyed his brief stint in Philadelphia in 2009 and thought it was the best fit for him and his family. And if so, good for him.

Who knows? Who cares? He took less money - though even that is now being questioned -to make sure he was happy. If it's true, give him credit.

What's asinine, of course, is some of the Philadelphia fans. You know, the ones welcoming Lee "home," as if he was a lifelong Phillie and not a rent-a-player who was there for just three months back in 2009. These are the same people that whined about the aggressiveness of the Yankees front office during the 2009 World Series, yet always somehow failed to mention that the Phillies Game 1 and Game 2 starting pitchers in the 2009 World Series were high-priced stars that weren't even on their team at the All-Star break that year. These are the same people that bellyached about the differences in payroll, but didn't seen to care that their 2008 World Championship team had a payroll more than double that of their opponent, the Tampa Bay Rays.

Today, the double-standards and the hypocrisy ends. And really, hooray for the Phillies. They've got a guy who was a bit of a late bloomer as a starter, who was so bad he was sent back down to the minor leagues just a few years ago, who was 14-13 and 12-9 the past two years, and who was supposed to be the big difference in the 2010 World Series. He went 0-2.

As Mike Lupica wrote in the New York Daily news this week, Lee is not Sandy Koufax, even though everyone - especially the Yankees - seemed to be acting like he was.

Maybe having a lights-out rotation will return Philadelphia to the top of the baseball world. But it didn't work for Ted Turner's Braves, who had a comparable rotation for almost a decade and have only one ring to show for it. They didn't have the bats, something that perhaps Lee should think about as his new/old team ages, free agents begin to walk and his cleanup hitter continues to struggle in big spots.

But those concerns are for another day. The good news, right now, for Phillie fans is that you have now officially joined the ranks of the big boys. When the Red Sox were making some very big moves last week to improve their team and were shelling out a lot of dough, I said to a friend, "I have no problem with it. That's what the Sox are supposed to be doing. They've got great, knowledgeable, loyal fans that sell out the ballpark every night. And they've got money. And they put it back on the field. Good for them."

Philadelphia, for the most part, has never been that committed. And by that, I mean in both the front office and the fans. Clearly, they are now. So no more crying about being the-little-engine-that-could, and how you've built your team "the right way." The Phillies are finally doing things the right way. They're thinking about who's going to pitch in Games 3 and 4 of the playoffs, not just Games 1 and 2. And, like the Yanks and Sox, they're putting their money on the field.

But don't start waving those stupid towels in triumph just yet, or booking that parade down Broad Street. The Yanks have also spent big on pitching, and have often still come up short. Same with the BoSox. And certainly with the not-so-mighty Braves. And as for all of this jabbing and poking at the Yankee fans today, remember two things:

1) Nobody wants a guy that doesn't really want to be there.

2) We're still 2-0.

George Steinbrenner 1930-2010

Thank you, Boss, for 16 American League East titles, 11 American League Pennants and seven World Series Championships.
Thank you for a tireless and relentless commitment to winning, and for not being a cheap bastard like most owners in sports that are more concerned with their own bank accounts than the team they put on the field. Thank you for the new palace in the Bronx, the YES Network, and for restoring the New York Yankees to a position of greatness and prominence.
And thanks, specifically, for Reggie.
Hope Bob Sheppard gives you a big Yankee Stadium-style intro as you enter the Pearly Gates, and that you immediatley locate Billy Martin and re-hire him to do something. You can fire him again next year, and you can both laugh about it.
R.I.P, George.
There will never be another like you.

On to Facebook ...

After nearly two years of running this blog, we've decided to now take most of our Yankee discussions over to Facebook. We've found Facebook to be a very fast and easy way to post breaking news regarding the Yanks, as well as links to good Yankee-related newspaper and magazine articles. It also allows us to talk Yanks with each other in the "comments" section below each post. In fact, the nice thing about Facebook is that, should you post a comment on a topic, and others also post comments on that topic, you should get a notification, so it's an easier way to have discussions. We'll still post things here from time to time on the blog, but if you haven't yet done so, please join the "New York Yankees Fans of NEPA" page on Facebook. Thanks!

All is well in the world today ....

The Yankees won their home opener at Yankee Stadium on Tuesday. Andy Pettite pitches great. Jeter goes yard. Jorge gets three hits. Mo gets the save. The "core four" shine. The team gets its 2009 World Championship rings, which are handed out by Yogi Berra and Whitey Ford. Matsui, the World Series MVP, who happens to be there with the Angels, gets his ring, gets a huge ovation, and is greeted with hugs from his former teammates. Jeter and Girardi visit the owner's box and personally deliver a championship ring to The Boss. A new World Championship banner hangs over the new Yankee Stadium. A very good day in the Bronx.

Play Ball 2010! Yanks take 2 of 3 at Fenway ...

The World Champion New York Yankees opened the 2010 season by taking 2 of 3 at Fenway Park. Nice. At first, I was kind of ticked that they had to open the season in Boston. (Didn't they also do it a year or two ago?) But after watching the games, I think they should do it every year. As we all know, the Yanks often start the season off slow and seem like they're in a fog. Well, when you're playing the Sox, and 35,000 idiots are calling you every name in the book, that'll wake you up pretty fast. So, as far as I'm concerned, they can open at Fenway every year. I think it serves them well.

It's great to be back here on the blog for a third season. Looking forward to talking Yanks with everyone as the drive for #28 begins ...

Yankees trip to Camden Yards

For the past 20 years, a group of Yankee fans from NEPA has hit the road to see the Yankees play in their famous road grays. Over the years, they've visited Boston, Toronto, Detroit, Cleveland and Baltimore, and have even journeyed to Tampa Bay to see Yanks play the Rays and to Miami to see them play the Marlins. This year, for the first time in five years, they're heading back to Camden Yards in Baltimore. Here's some details on the trip:

New York Yankees vs. Baltimore Orioles
September 17, 18 and 19. (Friday-Sunday)
Trip includes:
1) Round trip bus transportation.
2) Beer, soda and food on the bus.
3) Tickets to the Friday and Saturday night games. Excellent seats in Section 61, near third base.
4) Hotel accommodations at at Mount Vernon Hotel for Friday and Saturday night. Rooms based on double occupancy. Two beds per room. Close to downtown attractions, eight blocks from Camden Yards, close to Inner Harbor.
Price is $320.00
All baseball fans are welcome! It's always a very nice, very well-run trip and a lot of fun.
Call John at (570) 287-9701.

Thank you, sir, may I have another ...

Another cool DVD has been released celebrating the Yankees 2009 season. This one was produced by the YES Network and takes a look at the highs and lows of the regular season, as well as some big personal milestones achieved by Derek Jeter and Mariano Rivera. It's a great companion piece to the World Series DVD, and if you own both of them, you'll really have a nice video keepsake of the first season at the new Yankee Stadium, all of the dramatic walk-off wins and, of course, a World Championship. Another "must have."

2009 World Series DVD: Fabulous

The 2009 World Series DVD has been out for a few weeks, and if you haven't seen it yet ... well, what the hell is wrong with you? You need to get this. Today. Seriously, log off of this blog right now and go out and buy it, or order it on-line. It's the perfect way to revel and bask in the continued glow of euphoric triumph.

Spoiler alert: The Yanks win in six.

Yankees trade Melky, acquire Vazquez

The Yankees have traded outfielder Melky Cabrera to the Braves in a deal that brings pitcher Javier Vazquez back to the Bronx. Arodys Vizcaino, one of the Yanks top pitching prospects, was also included in the deal. Vazquez, who pitched for the Yanks in 2004, won 15 games last year and will fill the No. 4 spot in the rotation. Could this reopen the door for the Yankees to talk to Damon? We'll see.

Sayonara to the great Matsui

Hideki Matsui has agreed to a one-year deal with the "whatever city they are calling themselves this year" Angels. Nothing but respect and well wishes for this great Yankee and class act. This guy drove in A LOT of runs for the Yankees from 2003-2009 and when he was hot, he was one of the toughest outs in the lineup. Lots of great memories of him, but I think what we'll all always remember the most is simply how totally locked in he was during the 2009 World Series. He seemed to be on a mission and I'm glad he got his ring with the Yankees. Sayonara, old friend. -------------
In another development, Roy Halladay goes to the Phillies in a big multi-team trade, yet they must part with Cliff Lee to get in done. Seems like an odd move, since Lee proved to be a big game pitcher in the postseason, is younger, and was willing to talk about an extension. It's all fine with me. Halladay is out of the AL and besides Seattle, nobody seems to have gotten any better. Nice.

Yanks aquire Granderson, resign Pettite

The Yankees made the biggest moves at the annual MLB winter meetings, pulling off a three-way trade with the Tigers and Diamondbacks in which the Yanks landed All-Star centerfielder Curtis Granderson. The biggest names the Yanks gave up were pitchers Phil Coke and Ian Kennedy and hot prospect Austin Jackson. In another move, the Yanks came to a one-year, $11 million dollar agreement with pitcher Andy Pettite. Your thoughts? Share them in the "comments" ...

Yankees Derek Jeter is Sports Illustrated's 2009 'Sportsman of The Year'

Yankees captian Derek Jeter has been named the Sports Illustrated "Sportsman of the Year." He is the first Yankee to ever win the award and it comes on the heels of him also winning the 2009 Hank Aaron Award and 2009 Roberto Clementa Award. He also won another Gold Glove, a Silver Slugger Award and a fifth Word Series ring. And of course, he also broke the Yankees all-time hits record this season and batted .344 in the postseason and .407 in the World Series. Here's a link to just one of the many stories hitting the newswires today about the SI Award:

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/yankees/2009/11/30/2009-11-30_jeter.html

Bob Sheppard officially retires

The great Bob Sheppard, 99, has officially retired as the public address anouncer of the New York Yankees. Bob, who was unable to announce any games at the new Yankee Stadium in 2009, says it's time for him to hang up the microphone for good. To many, this man was as much a part of going to Yankee Stadium as the game itself. Here's a link to a nice interview with Sheppard explaining his reasons:

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/yankees/2009/11/26/2009-11-26_bob_sheppard_officially_steps_aside.html

Bernie Williams brings his guitar to NEPA

Former Yankees star Bernie Williams, who is also a critically acclaimed musician, will perform in Northeastern Pennsylvania on Saturday, Nov. 21. To read an interview with Williams about his music, and how his time with the Yankees has somtimes influenced that music, click the link:

http://www.theweekender.com/music/Williams_an_All-Star_on_guitar_11-17-2009.html

Yankees 2009 World Series Championship trophy coming to Misericordia University

Alfred Santasiere III, an alumnus of Misericordia University and co-author of "Yankee Stadium: The Final Season, The Official Retrospective," will sign copies of the book at the Anderson Sports-Health Center on the campus of Misericordia University, Saturday, November 21 at 3 p.m. The 2009 World Series trophy will also be on display and fans will have an opportunity to have their picture taken with the trophy. "Yankee Stadium: The Final Season, The Official Retrospective," recounts the events that took place at Yankee Stadium in 2008.

Santasiere, 30, is the director of publications for the New York Yankees and serves as the editor-in-chief of Yankees Magazine and the New York Yankees annual yearbook.

Yankees: 2009 WORLD CHAMPIONS

The Yankees won the 2009 World Series tonight with an easy win over Philadelphia in Game 6. Andy was great. Pedro was not. The great and prideful Matsui - who hit .615 in the series and drove in six runs in Game 6 - is the series MVP. Jeter bats .407 and ties Ruth and Berra as the only players to hit over . 300 in five World Series. A-Rod carries team through postseason with huge hits. Damon was huge. Mo slams it down - again. Fifth ring for the "Core Four." #27 for the Yankees. #7 for "The Boss." Philadelphia fans - and even some of the players - kept saying how they wanted the Yankees. Well, there's an old saying: Be careful what you wish for, you just might get it. Phillies are a great team. Much respect. But congrats to the Yankees - WORLD CHAMPIONS!

World Series Game 5: Phillies - 8, Yankees - 6

The Phillies got back into the World Series last night with a 8-6 win in Philadelphia. Burnett didn't have anything and was gone early. Girardi rolled the dice by throwing him on short rest, and some say he has greatly compromised the staff for the rest of the series. Some, however, are still saying it was the right move, and that he has always managed aggressively and was simply staying true to form. Throwing Gaudin - who hadn't pitched in a month - could have been viewed as the white flag vs. Cliff Lee. Joe went for the kill. It's one of those moves that if A.J. was on, would have been viewed as brilliant. The good news is that they did get to Lee and also managed to put a real scare into them in the 9th. The Phillies are the best opponent the Yankees have faced in a long time, but the Yankees are also the best opponent the Phillies have faced in a long time. They are not used to people punching them right back. In the American League, it happens all the time. This is how we play. This is what we do. This is hardball.
My goal was to split two in New York, go down to Philly and get one, and then come home and try and win two. We're in even better shape than that. And we are the best home team in baseball. And Andy says he feels great.
LET'S GO !!!

World Series Game 4: Yankees - 7, Phillies - 4

The Yankees took a 3-1 lead in the World Series last night with an incredibly gutsy win in Philadelphia. Yanks take the crowd of the game early by scoring two in the first. CC, on short rest, again battles like a man and leaves the game with the lead. Game tied in the 9th. Two outs. Damon has one of the best and most important at-bats of his life and then gets what could end up being the most important stolen base in Yankees history. Then, on a heads-up play, immediately dashes to third where no one is covering. A-Rod gets what he later calls the biggest hit of his life (and he's has quite a few huge hits this postseason) and Jorge adds some insurance. Mo slams the door. A great, great win.