Yankees pick Girardi as their new manager

The reports from the New York media is that Joe Girardi is the Yankees’ favorite to be their new manager, a position that Girardi will soon accept.  Expect a press conference soon.

By picking Girardi to be the replacement for Joe Torre- rather than fan favorite Don Mattingly, who had been groomed to be Torre’s heir- the organization has pretty much severed all ties with their All-Star Gold Glove first baseman from the 1980s.  It’s hard to imagine what kind of capacity Mattingly will reappear in professional baseball while not wearing Yankee pinstripes.

Coming on the heels of A-Rod’s bush-league announcement that he’s opting out of his contract in the middle of Game Four of the World Series, I’m sure the heartbeats of Yankee fans are reaching an unhealthy tempo.  First they had to watch the hated Red Sox finish their second Series sweep in four years- and becoming the first team to win the World Series with the best record in baseball since the the Yankees did in 1998- but now they’ve had to watch Mattingly follow A-Rod and Torre’s lead out of Manhattan.

A-Rod deciding not to return with the Yankees is, in my book, absolutely surprising.  The official word from his camp- and who can trust Scott Boras anyway- is that due to the uncertainty of potential free agents Jorge Posada, Mariano Rivera, and Andy Pettitte, A-Rod was unable to commitment to commit to the Yankees by his contracted deadline of ten games after the World Series.  However, I’ve always thought that if A-Rod chooses to renege on the rest of his contract, it will primarily be due to financial reasons, as I’m sure he’s looking to demand at least $30 million per year.  Although it’s hard to imagine another team besides the Yankees willing to spend that much cash, the Yankees have said they’ll take themselves out of the bargaining picture if A-Rod opts for free agency.  So it’s hard to tell where A-Rod will- or even can- end up, where he’ll be able to play for the pay that he demands.

Of course, by saving the money that would otherwise go to A-Rod, both the Yankees and the Texas Rangers- who have been subsidizing A-Rod’s bat in the Yankees’ line-up- will free up funds for potential free agents.  I think this will make the case even more likely that we’ll see Andruw Jones end up in Yankee pinstripes.

Ironically, with A-Rod’s defection, he may ensure that Posada, Rivera, and Pettitte don’t return in Yankee pinstripes.  If that turn of events occurs, you’ll bet that A-Rod ’s returns to New York will be with the same level of warmth and affection that surrounds his return trips to Safeco.

Then again, it’s kind of hard to blame A-Rod when the public face of the franchise in recent days has been the Boss’s son, Hank Steinbrenner, the team’s senior vice-president who it appears is guiding the new direction for the club.  Contrary to the class and principled route taken by the club that we’ve just seen celebrating their second Series win in four years, Junior Boss seems intent on running the Yankees right into the ground.  First it was the parting shots he took at Joe Torre- “Let’s not forget the great team we handed [Torre]” Hanks said, simultaneously insulting Torre AND his managerial predecessor Buck Showalter (why fire Buck and replace him with Torre then if any idiot could’ve done what Joe did?)-  than there’s the attack on A-Rod a day after the announcement that A-Rod was opting out: “….do we really want people who aren’t sure they want to be a Yankee?  I mean, look at Jeter.”  Great job, Hank.  That will ensure that A-Rod and his annual 50+ home runs will never be in a Yankee uniform.  Good luck trying to reach that level of production with Wilson Betemit at third.

In the end, Girardi may be the best fit for the Yankees.  He guided a young Marlins team that was written off for 100+ losses to contention a year ago, and with the exodus of veteran players I see following Torre, A-Rod, and Mattingly’s lead, Girardi and team captain Jeter may have just inherited a junior version of the New York Yankees.  Girardi’s had experience in just such situations- and the Yankees may not even miss a beat.

Detroit Tigers trade prospects for All-Star Renteria

The Detroit Tigers, looking to fill a void now that they’re planning to shift former shortstop Carlos Guillen to first base, have landed former All-Star shortstop Edgar Renteria from the Braves in exchange for two prospects, pitcher Jair Jurrjens- projected to be in the Braves’ starting rotation next year- and outfielder Gorkys Hernandez.

So all you need to do to land a former All-Star is to give up a Gorkys.

The Boston Red Sox, 2007 World Champions

With a sigh of relief, the Red Sox finished their sweep of the World Series last night, ensuring that the World Series trophy won’t be clutched in the hands of a 15-year old expansion team in the Rocky Mountains.  Though it’s great to bring the Fall Classic to first-time cities like Denver, I’ll be damned if I’m ever rooting for a team or city to win it before the Mariners get a chance.

While I’m releived the Red Sox won it, I’m going to admit that I’m disappointed that the Series didn’t got at least five- or even more- games.  I mean, we would’ve had a chance to see Beckett pitch again, but any World Series game past Game Four instantly has drama ratcheted up.  And the drama was ion scarce supply this World Series, as the Red Sox prevented the Rockies from bringing any game to this Series.  The Rockies had no game, none.  Sure, they made it interesting when they brought the game within one run last night, but that was in the eighth inning of Game Four on the verge of a sweep.  A classic example of too little, too late.

And can somebody explian to me why Mike Lowell won the Series MVP award?  He had a fine Series, but shouldn’t the rightful winner be Jacoby Ellsbury.  I mean, shouldn’t you give it to the one guy whose name is on everybody’s lips and get respeated endlessly?  That was definitely Jacoby!  Oh well, I think they gave it to Lowell as they didn’t want an odd situation of having a player win a Series MVP award, and then winning the Rookie of the Year award the following season.  Though that would’ve been a great story if it had occurred.  At any rate, Jacoby could’ve split it with Paps, who with his two saves and three appearances probably did more to help the team win than Lowell…

Anyways, congratulations Red Sox.  But I’m going have to point out that after this Series win it’s going to be a lot harder to root for you guys.  You are no longer the underdog, and I hope you get comfortable with your new status as the hated bullies.  A title you swiped right under the Yankees’ noses…

2007 World Series, Game Three: Boston at Colorado

All of Japan, I’m sure, will stop and take notice as their native son, Daisuke Matsuzaka takes the mound in tonight’s game as the first Japanese pitcher to start a World Series game. The problem is, his Game Seven start in the ALCS notwithstanding, Daisuke’s been flat for the majority of the playoffs. (And even that Game Seven start wasn’t that great.) His rival on the opposing team tonight- Josh Fogg- has put up better numbers this post-season. Of course, to say that Fogg projects an imposing figure on the pithcing mound is an exercise in hilarity.

Should be an interesting game, which is also the first World Series game in the Mountain Time Zone…..

Yankees come close to new manager

According to their official site, the interviewing process for the new manager of the New York Yankees has been completed.  A new manager will be announced by the end of next week.

So, who does everybody think will be to fill Joe Torre’s shoes?  Former team captain and fan favorite Don Mattingly?  Former player and Manager of the Year Joe Girardi?  Or former All Star catcher and Manager of the Year Tony Pena?

The Curse of Curtis Leskanic

The Onion on this legendary curse.

Should the Mariners not bring back Jose Guillen?

Steve Kelley makes a case to not bring back Jose Guillen.  He makes a good argument.  The team’s most pressing need is pitching and as much as Guillen’s performance should earn himself a new contract, with Adam Jones in the wings, it may not be necessary for that contract to be with the M’s.

Might be the best thing for both sides to go their separate ways….

2007 World Series Game Two, Colorado at Rockies

After the 13-1 thrashing at the hands of the heathen Red Sox last night, I wonder if extra prayer circles were called to ask for heavenly assistance for the Rockies in tonight’s game. They’re going to need it with Curt Schilling who, even at the ripe age of 40, is still one of the best post-season pitchers in the history of baseball.

Same line-ups as last night, except Jacoby Ellsbury is batting eighth rather than ninth, swapping places with Julio Lugo.

And Curt hits Willy Taveras for an auspicious beginning to the ballgame…

Why I’m rooting for the Red Sox- and why I think they’ll lose

Okay, as evidenced by the list of links relating to the Seattle Mariners over to your right, this blog has been started by some Mariners fans with all intents and purposes to follow the 2008 season. In the meantime, we also like to blog baseball in general, and in October that means baseball playoffs in particular.

Being said, as the 2007 World Series begins in about an hour, I have to say that I am firmly rooting for the Red Sox, and hoping that they pull this series out over the Rockies. Not necessarily because I want to see the Sox add their second championship in four years, but simply because I don’t want an expansion team that’s been around half as long as my beloved Mariners to win a championship.

I mean, really that’s the only positive thing I can muster to rationalize supporting the Sox. Now that Boston has morphed into the new version of the Evil Empire supporting them is like rooting for the Harlem Globetrotters to prevail over the Washington Generals. They have money to spend, perhaps the best 1-2 offensive duo in the game, a charismatic ace and one of the best post-season pitchers ever heading the pitching staff, the legendary aura, the mystique, the Monster… yadda yadda yadda. Snore.

This series reminds me of the 2003 World Series match-up: the Yankees versus the Marlins. Yeah, hard to pick a winner there. At least the Yankees didn’t win, while Florida added the second god-damned championship.

Anyways, while I’m rooting for the Red Sox- kinda- I have a sneaking suspicion that historical trends are not favoring them. First, since the Diamondbacks’ triumph over the Yankees in 2001, every year has seen a different team win the championship. The Red Sox are the first team in the decade to possibly win more than one World Series. Secondly, while that may stands to work in the Red Sox’ favor, the Rockies are in the Series via the Wild Card, and Wild Card winners have won three World Series this decade from 2002-2004, one of them including the Boston team of “idiots” that shook off the 86-year old curse in 2004. And the third and fianl strike of historical trends against the Sox is the fact that they’re coming into the World Series with the best record in baseball- and the team with the best record hasn’t won it all since the Yankees did in 1998.

So, in the end, the Red Sox have a lot of history to overcome to best the Rockies. And, oh yeah, this Colorado team has won 21 of their last 22. Pushovers they aint. Plus that three games at Denver is going to immensely hurt the Red Sox offensively.

Final call? Though it pains me to say it and I hope to God that the outcome is otherwise, I think the Rockies are going to have this thing in five games.

2007 World Series Game One: Colorado at Boston

According to the weather report at the Weather Channel, it’s supposed to be rainy tonight in Boston.  But despite a 60% chance of rain, supposedly it won’t prevent the game getting in as it will be light drizzle off and on throughout the game.

So let’s bring it on.

Beckett versus Francis, who unbelievably has morphed into an ace and led his team to the Fall Classic.

Beckett has won four of five career decisions against the Rockies with a 3.89 ERA in 37 innings.  He’s allowed a home-run apiece to three of Colorado’s big bats- Matt Holliday, Todd Helton, and Garrett Atkins, who have combined to hit .444 with seven extra base hits in 36 at-bats.  Beckett better be at the top of his post-season form, otherwise the Rockies’ offense has a chance to put up runs in a hurry.

As for Francis, the only thing he’s done in his lone appearance against Boston is toss five scoreless innings.

Considering the Rockies hit the Red Sox around pretty good at Fenway during the summer- including handing Beckett his first loss of the season- why do I have a sinking feeling that this Game One will be Colorado’s to lose?