A few late-night/early-morning notes
Good column by Neil Best, calling Bud Selig's bluff on his desire to have a World Series day game. It's just not happening, at least as long as Bud is the commissioner. The next time he leaves money on the table will be the first.
I remember one of the first conversations I had with Bud on the phone - it must have been 2004. We were debating the merits of the "rivalry" interleague series - Yankees-Mets, Cubs-White Sox, etc. I told him I thought they violated the integrity of the schedule, and Bud responded, "The fans love it. How can I tell them they're wrong?"
I came back with, "Bud you just threw me a hanging curveball. If you go by what the fans want, then why don't you schedule a World Series day game?"
He came back with, "No, Ken, you just threw me a hanging curveball. Because our ratings go up as the games get closer to midnight."
And we agreed to disagree on that one.
At the very least, to echo a point I heard Francesa make this past week, they should make Game 4, the Sunday night game, a 7:30 first pitch. The NFL games are done by then. And prime time starts at 7:00 on Sundays. But if that means less money for MLB, it ain't gonna happen.
It is interesting, though: A person in the Yankees' loop said to me earlier today that they're more likely to wind up with Manny than with Mark Teixeira. Makes some sense, when you think about the relative commitment in years. For now, though, I'm gonna guess that some other team overpays for Manny. I think Cashman will have serious reservations about this one, especially since Cashman and Theo Epstein have become more friendly in recent years.
A note down in Kat O'Brien's story: Mick Kelleher is a possibility to join the Yankees' coaching staff. I think he would be helpful. He knows Robinson Cano from Cano's early minor-league days, and as simple as this sounds, Mick is a low-key, upbeat, likeable guy, and the Yankees could use someone like that around.
In Cody's memory, a scholarship fund has been established. The Cody Miley Memorial Art Scholarship Fund will be awarded ach year to a deserving and needy student from Chamberlain High School in Tampa.
Tax-deductible donations, by check, can be made out to the Cody Miley Memorial Art Scholarship Fund, and mailed to the attention of the Community Foundation of Tampa Bay, 550 N. Reo St., Suite 301, Tampa, FL 33609-1037.
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Comments (14)
Ken, I am having trouble accessing the links that you provided. Is anyone else experiencing the same? (I am online courtesy of a hotel in Madison, WI, so maybe it's just my connection?)
Another Richard Neer interview? Cool! Will this one also be conducted in your PJs from the living room sofa? ;-)
My links are working just fine, JE, so as much as I love Madison, I think this is a case of, "It's not me, it's you." ;)
And yes, living-room sofa for Neer; it's highly unusual to go in-studio, particularly on a low-profile time like Saturday AM.
Ken, what will Manny get years and dollars? When motivated, there are few better and clutcher than him. I hate the way he plays the game, but I cant argue his greatness. Delgado...wow is he gonna come down to Earth this year. You may owe me an extra box of cereal when he sucks this year. You'll see.
I know you say Hank has no say in what goes on player wise with the Yanks. I dont disagree...you obviously know more...but that is STILL tampering. He does this a lot. This is another reason Selig is a joke. Control your owners.
From that shot, it really looks like Joe Buck is wearing a wig.
Richie, on Friday, 11/14, I'll do a full prediction chart for the Top 10 free agents. I want to take the time in between, particularly next week at the GMs' meetings, to get a better feel for everything.
As for Hank/Manny, it's actually NOT tampering at the moment, not by any definition. Manny is a free agent, so anyone can say anything about him.
If the Yankees sign Manny it will make me sick to my stomach. It would be a serious step back and show the club still doesn't get it. Epstein and the Bosox are so much sharper, with their player assessments, player development, strategic planning, etc. Signing Ramirez would be a serious mistake.
Every sport takes the money from TV. If baseball wants to start World Series games early at night or in the afternoon, they are going to have to leave money on table. And I doubt its going to happen anytime soon.
Once Manny gets his money, he will get lazy and will lack the motivation to play hard for every game. And the Yanks don't need him because they already have 3 outfielders signed for next year. There is no room for Manny, and the Yanks first order of business is to get Sabathia.
While Hank keeps running his mouth, Hank is making Cashman and the organization look bad.
OK Ken...I know clubs have a 15 day window to sign their own free agents, I didn't know other clubs were allowed to talk about those guys in those 15 days.
But I kinda remember GM's being allowed to contact their agents and tell them they are interested in their client. Am I right??
But why would the Yankees be less inclined to sign Manny bc of Cash's friendship with Epstein?
For once in my lifetime when some reporter goes to a Steinbrenner and asks him "are you interested in signing.....", the Steinbrenner says no. Not only does saying yes automatically drive up a guys price, it makes cashman or whoever look bad when the guy signs for the high price someplace else. The Yankees should have no interest in Manny because he shows no interest in them except for driving up his price to the Dodgers or whoever else is dumb enough to give him a five-year $85million contract.
When I was a kid, primetime started at 7:30pm every night of the week and network news was at 7, so really the networks had the whole night to program for themselves. The reason why primetime starts at 8 is because the locla stations wanted that time revenue for themselves. Now as for starting the Sunday game at 7:30, that would be nice, however I read last week that Fox requests the NFL doubleheader game to be theirs that Sunday so they can have a lead-in audience for the World Series, therefore the game can't be started at that time because of the chance the second game won't be over by then. The earliest the could start is 8, which is still better than 8:30.
just curious how the TV ratings have been for Cubs' weekend home games before and after the lights went up - that should be a pretty good data point. I'd bet they've gone up a lot since. Day games are great if you're at the stadium, but the nostalgic feel doesn't hit you (me) when you're watching the tube, where all the advertising dollars are. So, sorry to Ken and all the harkeners out there; this is business. I'd say we'll never see a Series day game ever again.
My guess is that Boras will use the Yankees to drive up Manny's price tag and he'll sign elsewhere...my gut say the Al because of the DH.
Good question, Jon E. Not sure how tough that would be to research.
Richie, you are correct. During this window, the Yankees can call Boras and say, "We're interested in signing Manny," but they can't discuss dollars. It's pretty silly, and I'm certain there are back-channel conversations going on. But that's the way it is.
Given Cashman's friendship with Theo, I think Theo would tell Cashman something to the effect of, "Manny is a horrible guy. His offensive numbers don't justify the work it takes to get him out there," blah blah blah. Just a hunch on my part.
Ken its just add that Cash and Theo would try to help each other considering they are arch rivals on the field. I can see each other supporting the other publicly or giving advice on non baseball-on-field matters, but I would think Cash would say, "Sign Pavano!"
I'm 100% positive that backchannel talks go on with actual dollars being discussed during the season.
Were my eyes deceiving me or did Ken Davidoff get confused by the sound alike qualities of the last name and call the wrong Torre(y) for his article in the main pages?
GOOD STUFF, KEN!!
My kingdom for a Bow Tie in Uniondale these days.
I don't see what the big deal is about Hank saying the Yanks will be looking at Manny. I would expect them to. If a team doesn't look at all the possibilities, then I question its dedication to winning. Of course, considering a player doesn't necessarily mean winding up with him. Remember, the Yanks also discussed Barry Bonds this year. (And Hank could also be doing Joe Torre a "favor" by driving up the price on his best hitter!)
My guess is the Yanks are more likely to bring in Tex over Manny. They have a bigger need for a first baseman and his bat would fit perfectly in the 3 or 4 hole. Plus, he once said that Don Mattingly was his favorite player growing up. Wouldn't he love the opportunity to call the Hitman's corner his own, albeit at a new stadium?