Alex talks, Cano happy and motivated
During the morning clubhouse availability, we spoke with Alex Rodriguez. I also got to talk to Robinson Cano about his new contract, and Morgan Ensberg.
Here are excerpts from Rodriguez. The entire interview can be found here: http://www.newsday.com/sports/baseball/yankees/ny-sparod0221,0,5742120.story
"Wearing this uniform for the rest of my career was very important," Rodriguez said, after saying he will not address the opt-out again. "I have some unfinished business in New York. Obviously winning a world championship is the center of that, and the only thing that I really care about. So the fact that I'm back, and I'm going to be here for the rest of my career is very special to me."
Rodriguez was asked about comments by John Rocker that while Rocker and Rodriguez were with the Texas Rangers, doctors from the players' union or management pulled the two of them, Rafael Palmeiro and Ivan Rodriguez aside and talked to them about how to use steroids without getting caught. Said Rodriguez: "That did not happen."
He was also asked about veiled comments by Jose Canseco suggesting that Rodriguez might be mentioned in conjunction with the use of performance-enhancing drugs in his upcoming book.
"I think right now the game is in a very non-trusting situation with the public, with our fans," Rodriguez said. "I think with some of the things that I've accomplished, some of the things that people think I can accomplish, my name has come up and it will probably come up again in the future. That's just part of the nature of the business."
Asked if he could categorically deny ever having used steroids or human growth hormone, Rodriguez said: "Sure, yes."
Rodriguez said he thinks this team can win a World Series. He talked about the second-half surge last season, and said: "We're a team that's ready to win now and in the future."
Cano said he was kind of surprised the Yankees were willing to do a long-term contract, since they usually don't, but he was very happy. He said it didn't change his motivation at all.
Larry Bowa used to be one to push Cano really hard, and he's gone now. Cano said: "I've got to do it myself now." Cano said he talked to Bowa about two weeks ago, and Bowa wanted to know how much he's weighing. He also told Cano to "keep fighing, playing the ame right."
Cano said he's really happy that Alex is back, that he has helped Cano a lot.
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Comments (15)
Dateline 2025
Sully's twins in the outfield for Boston with
Earrings
Nipple Piercings
Tattoos all over
Dredlocks
I Pod on special sunglasses
Then they can
Hop up and down
Flip the bat
Throw their arms up in the air
And you'll be proud!
We'll ALL be SO SO SO VERY PROUD.
Dateline 2050
Ted Williams head is unfrozen, and his DNA sold at Red Sox games!
The future is bright ...
If my twins are as big a winner and as big a champion as Manny, they can wear all that stuff.
I ask you Ant, are you saying Manny isn't a great clutch player and a champion?
Are you so blinded by things that are a little different that you can't see that Manny is a great player, a great post season player and I wouldn't give you Manny for your whole outfield plus Giambi and Mussina?
Seriously Ant... you take your buttoned down players and I'll take my champions.
Also remind me what scandal Manny has been involved in.
Remind me what teammates have come out hating him.
I see a hysterical guy who is a champion and in the 2003 Division Series, the 2004 Division Series, the 2004 World Series, the 2007 Division Series, the 2007 ALCS and 2007 World Series came up with big hits after big hits.
Sorry the guy has dreadlocks and earrings.
How has that dress code helped the Yankees out the last 4 seasons?
They've sure been scandal free and consistent champions in that stretch.
Ant, please address my point on multi culturism.
As a Yankee fan did you watch the 2005 White Sox, the 2006 Cardinals and 2007 Red Sox and say "Thank GOD that's not MY team!"?
Sully,
I think you misunderstood Ant. He was applauding multiculturalism....just not the Red Sox version. But even there I think he was poking fun tongue in check. I may be wrong but I didn't think it was a slap at either.
This section was reposted from other thread, sorry of the dup.
Ant,
Careful now....I play the outfield....have 2 tattoos and an ear piercing....I wear sunglasses(no iPOD though)....I could get a dreadlock wig!!
As for that arm waving stuff well thats whatever style you like. Me personally I like to just act like its an everyday occurance when I beat someone. I leave the styling for the kids.
My style is the style of Boy George. I wish players could show me some of that stuff.
Do you really want to hurt me, Nudge?
Cliffy,
Congrats. 2 sentences. Next step is to make them a coherent thought. 2 disconnected Incomplete thoughts in the same paragraph is bad grammar. Each thought should be expressed and fully developed in a paragraph of its own. Introduce a thought support it and conclude.....then on to the next thought.
Example:
Nudge impersonators are generally little kiddies who look for attention from others. They post childish comments, generally with base sexual reference, much in the way adolescent boys looking at their fathers stolen playboys behind the school do. The poor quality of the expression of the thought shows a low level of development of their communication skills that dates them to the prepubescent to adolescent stage of language development. In all their attempts to mimc the Nudge are no different than a kid in his backyard counting down the clock out loud as he imagines making the winning shot in the championship basketball game.
See one whole paragraph that states a point, developes the thought and allows the reader to ponder its meaning.
TTFN
You have to check out this link I came across. Tell me it doesn't make you think of Joba.
http://www.local6.com/news/15346853/detail.html
I happen to like the Yankee dress code and "clean cut" tradition. It is unique in this day and age and something only the Yankees do. It gives the perception of professionalism and I tend to embrace that.
That said, I don't think “the code” has helped this franchise win a single game in their long history of championship teams - just as a locker room filled with “free-spirited” players hasn’t helped them win a single game.
Winning baseball games still has everything to do with their fundamentals on the field (offense, defense, base-running, clutch-hitting, health, and a little luck too) and absolutely nothing to do with the length of their hair (head or face) or style of dress.
Eggplant Parmisagna (from my godly grandmother to my beautiful late, sweet mother Viola to me ... and to you all ... this lil' Italian bit of multiculturalism.)
Peel and then slice the eggplant thin
Beat one egg into milk
Dip the slices in the milk
Breadcrumbs on both sides … use a separate plate, not too much BC’s on the plate at once -- or they get soggy
Quick fry on both sides in hot oil, use olive or canola … (change oil if you make a ton of eggplant)
Strain on paper towels
Add Feta, Parmesan and spices
To make it Eggplant parmisagna ...
Coat the bottom of a pan with red sauce
One layer of eggplant
Ricotta cheese, use low fat
Italian sausage that is cut up and pre grilled
Steamed broccoli is optional
Another layer of eggplant
Sauce
Mozzarella and spices
Cover with aluminum foil
Bake 325 for 90 minutes
You can make up to three layers
Fettuccini Alfredo
Heavy cream/Whipping cream
Philly
Garlic Powder
Parmesan cheese
If you don't want to do this just do what my student, Mai Juwarongson Polyonkorn-Smith, from Thailand said, "Everyone get in the car ... we're going to Olive Garden!"
(*) Yes that's her real name!
I am wishful thinking, of course, when i say kiddies. Truthfully, I really love myself, especially if you can see me now. I am the master of the english language, the lyrical jesse james, if you will. Worship me, call me Nudgey
my name is Nudge, I have no friends whatsoever
Viper -
I agree that it takes the fundamentals to win championships (and getting hot at the right time), but I feel the way the Yankee organization has been run has also helped contribute to winning so much.
Running the Yankees as if it were any other business by making them clean up their appearance, show up to work on time, work hard, and respect other employees instills organization and structure.
This structure (plus NYC) has brought some of the biggest names in the game to our team and has given us the opportunity to compete almost every year (along with $$).
Players always talk about the pride they have in putting on the Yankee uniform, and that pride humbles most players that get the chance to play for the Yanks. It drops ego's and makes players co-exist with one another easier.
I am not saying that this is the case with everyone that has played for the Yankees, but there are a lot of cases that would prove my point. Our "Clean Cut" tradition is just the way other businesses are successful and are able to generate revenue. Our tradition and values as an organization have brought in a lot of revenue.
Torre exemplified Yankee tradition with his class on and off the field. That made players want to not only play on the Yankees, but to play their best for the Yankees. Joe McCarthy, Stengal also were on Torre's level as classy managers.
I don't care so much about the clowning around that some players do but I do appreciate the Yankees professional appearance. I'd hate for my team to look like a bunch of dirtbags and before you go touting your two championships there Sully, it has nothing to do with winning, it's just a preference of mine. I think the Yanks go a bit overboard by not allowing facial hair. I'd say if a mustache and beard are maintained, that would look fine.
While on the subject of celebrations and antics of players, one of the things I enjoyed seeing the most was widely bashed by ballplayers.
Do you remember when Lastings Milledge hit a HR for the Mets and was so excited that he ran along the LF line and slapped hands with fans while on his way out to take the field? I found nothing wrong with that but even his teammates (at the time) bashed him for it.
Anthony,
Remember that scene in one of the Dirty Harry movies where Callahan is talking about what upsets him the most...it's not the teachers being thrown out of second story windows, or the kids beating up on the weak and weary...no, what upsets him is the way his fello cop eats hot dogs...more specifically, "nobody, and I mean nobody, puts ketchup on a hot dog."
Well, to paraphrase, nobody, and I mean nobody, puts feta cheese on italian eggplant parmagiana.