E-Boland and the Bombers

It was nice to watch as the young kids from VT played and enjoyed themselves. How amazing was it to play against the likes of A-rod, Jeter and the gang to be able to rub shoulders with their idols and retrieve autographs that they will carry to their graves.

I was fortunate to play in the old Yankee stadium at an invitational tryout for three days. It was amazing, the turtle back infield, hitting into the vastness of the yankee outfield, where a solid line drive looked like a mere pop up and fielding on an infield where it was manicured like a putting green on the PGA tour. Thinking about Mickey constantly smashing them into RC field over the auxillary scoreboard, 407 ft away. But my thrill was different than today. Shoulder to shoulder with some of the elite baseball players in the game. God Bless the Hokie family and the Yankees for a generous moment in this Universitie's life. Nice hat worn by the kids.

Yankees are still the class of the league.

I've just returned from my visit to Tampa to see the Yanks in spring training and it was a great trip. My son and I had a really great time. A couple of things that really stood out:

a. Greg Porter hits the ball hard every time up, to all fields.
b. Billy Traber looks great.
c. There is nothing better in this world than the sound of a bat hitting a ball.
d. That sound is really, really loud when Kei Igawa is pitching. He is just plain awful.
e. Brett Gardner is lightning fast.
f. Jose Tabata appears over matched right now, don't hold your breath waiting on him.
g. Jason Giambi and Johnny Damon may be the two nicest people in baseball. A lady in front of me told a very nice story about Giambi buying dinner for her and her sister, both in their 80's. The ladies, long time Yankees fans, saw Jason at a restaurant and asked him if they could give him a kiss and he had someone take a picture of the ladies kissing him on each cheek, made a joke about this ending up in the paper and him having to explain it to his wife. They wanted an autograph but didn't have anything for him to sign so he got someone to give them a ball and he signed it for them. Oh, and he bought their dinner too.
He, Damon and Shelley Duncan were the only players I saw signing anything.
h. If you go to Tampa, go to the Yankees minor league complex and watch the next and hopeful generation of Yankees work out and play games against other team's hopefuls. Those guys are great. We met Dellan Betances (HUGE! 6'8") and he is extremely nice. Jeff Marquez was great too. They each spent time talking to my son. We got signatures from at least 20 of the guys and they all have that hungry look in their eyes. I hope to be reading good things about a lot of them. It was embarrassing having to ask most of their names but one guy just laughed and he said he didn't even know what number he was wearing (James Cooper, # 41, an extremely nice guy).
i. We met so many nice Yankees fans from all over the US it was incredible. People telling us where to go and what to see and talking baseball all game long with people old and young was awesome.
j. At the Red Sox game, a great game by the way, we sat within 15 feet of the Steinbrenner box. I waved to George at one point and he waved back and I mouthed "thank you" to him and pointed to the field and basically meant the whole experience and he smiled and yelled "it's because of you fans". Having seen him up close, he's not the same guy he was and needs a little help now, but he is still George and he's not the diaper wearing, drooling fool that people make him out to be. He's still with us, he's just in his twilight years for sure.
k. Legends field is awesome, not a bad seat in the house.
l. My son has demanded that I find a job in Tampa and buy a house there.
j. Luis Sojo and Hector Lopez are two very nice guys.

Anyway, lots more to tell but I'll try to get to it when I have more time, like when I'm back to work :)

It was awesome to see my team play my school today. I enjoyed seeing A-Rod sitting in the Tech dugout, that was funny.

Good stuff, Jim.

Letter "D" made me chuckle.

Viper,
Igawa is horrible. I am not lying when I say the sound is much louder when he is pitching, I could almost see the Indians batters laughing as they ran around the bases.

Jim A.,

Welcome back and thank you for the first-hand report! I'm glad you and your son got to interact with the young players, hopefully as your boy grows up guys he spoke with will make it onto the big club and he will be able to see them in Yankee Stadium and remember this spring.

Thanks Diane.

I reminded my son (Michael) that he would grow up watching some of those players, hopefully in Yankee uniforms, so he was pretty excited about meeting them. I have to admit I felt pretty old as those guys looked like they have never even shaved before.

Jim, you make a good point about Damon, Giambi and Duncan signing. So you readers know, all three are excellent about that, and I think they really "get it" that the fans are why they are in the position they are. But I would add that there are really a ton of quality guys -- at least as far as I can tell -- on the Yankees.
Actually flying on the team charter today (though writers were towards the front and players at the back), I noticed a few things. While many, and probably most players, were really good to the fans at Virginia Tech, Jeter and Posada truly stood out to me for just how many autographs they signed and pictures they posed for. Tons! And Rodriguez going over to the Hokies dugout and watching a few innings/hanging out with those players was impressive.
On the way back, lest you think everything is completely easy, the security people seemed a little overzealous with wanding everyone. Mind you, this was outside the planes in about 45 degree temperatures. It took a good half an hour, and I didn't have a coat, just a sweater. Morgan Ensberg tried to offer me his jacket because he said I looked cold. Silly me, I wasn't thinking about this trip when I packed for spring training.
Anyway, it was a really memorable day. I'm glad I could go along for the ride.

Funny that you make a comment like that about Jeter. Every other person I've talked to who has gone down to Tampa this year has talked about how cold Jeter has been to the fans. I've heard great things about ARod as well.

Kat,
It's funny because I saw Jeter signing for fans at VA Tech on the news today and he looked like it was killing him to do it. He didn't seem to be saying much to anyone, just signing away but when I think about it I guess he is in a pretty impossible position because he will always leave someone unhappy. My son kept hounding me for A-Rod's autograph and while I tried getting him to the ballpark very early, it was just impossible. I can't keep a 7 year old at the ballpark from 9 AM until 5 PM w/o him wearing out and that's what happened the first day. The next two games we got to the park a little later. He's disappointed about not getting anything from A-Rod, but he had fun anyway.

I was amazed, really amazed at how big all the young players seemed at the minor league complex. Anyone under 5'10" really looked tiny when everyone else seemed to be 6'2" or more. When I saw Yogi Berra up close he seemed so tiny. If one didn't know better you would never believe he was a player.

Shelley Duncan is getting applause at the games as loud as Jeter and A-Rod.

Kat: Thanks for the information you sent me. I really appreciate it. I hope you don't catch a cold going from 80 degree weather, to 45 and back to 80!

A very moving day and it was great they played the game there at Virginia Tech.

Why did such a tragedy have to happen?

It leads me to question so many things.

Will anyone play a MLB game at Northern Illinois at that other campus where there was also shooting? There are so many shootings at so many campuses now ... it's sad. I think there is a motion in Oklahoma to allow people to carry weapons in self defense on campus. If you've ever seen someone killed at close range with small arms fire, it's not pretty.

I have a few more questions about all of the evil and craziness:

First for Reverend Wright: True, many believe FDR knew in advance about Pearl Harbor. It took courage to say that in public. But as for your other comments, can I ask you, Where do most of the drugs in the world come from? Afghanistan, Colombia, Laos, Peru, Bolivia, Belize, Burma. Who makes them? Who grows them? Who makes Ya Baa for consumption inThailand? (Hint: It's brown people, NOT white people. Who sends much of the heroin to the UK? The KLA Muslims in the new State of Kosovo, that's who.)

Next, how many weapons do China and Russia export and who gets them? (Sudan -- Darfur, where so many black Muslims are killing each other every day like hotcakes). What about Israel giving our Big Friend in Asia air-to-air missiles, or high technology to help them spy on their own dissidents? Is it just America exporting arms? What about France and Rwanda? France and ARMSCOR?

Next, if white people (US govt.) invented Aids to kill black people, why do so many people in Thaliand (brown) and the former Soviet Union (many whom are white) have that terrible disease? Do you think a condom can stop the virus? (They develop micro-openings and the virus passes right through!)

Next, about South Africa, why is it ok for the USA to support the ANC, the on-going farm genocide against the whites and also the ruination of Rhodesia? Why doesn't it count when whites are killed? Where's God in all of this? Is God only mad at Apartheid? Or do the white farmers in South Africa and Namibia and Rhodesia not count. (Sorry, I can't bring myself to call it "Zimbabwe," not till our "friend" the USA supported, Mr. Robert Mugabe is sent on his merry way to hell). Should God be mad at America for helping Rhodesia, hurting Rhodesia or helping put Mugabe in power? (Ask the great Jimmy Carter about that, you know, the man who sat back and watched The Killing Fields happen -- 2 million killed with hammers and saws -- without lifting a finger ... but that's another story!)

More over, why should poor James Byrd count more than poor Channon Christian? Or Abeer Hamza? May God rest all of their souls. Shouldn't every person be equally valued in our hearts and before the law, just as they are valued before God?

Clearly, the WHOLE WORLD lay in wickedness Rev. Wright. Not just the USA or the Anglophile world, or Venezuela or Namibia for that matter. It's everywhere. Good people everywhere, bad people everywhere.

Next question is for Barak Hussein Obama: Reverend Wright married you and Michelle and baptized your kids. You went for 20 years to his church and yet CLAIM you NEVER heard him speak his "special" words about Israel, the USA and whites? You have as much of a snow flake's chance in hell now of uniting this broken country. WHAT A DISAPPOINTMENT! WHAT A LIAR! LIAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We can understand the anger. Not the insanity.

Finally, questions for Brian McNamee:

When they carted off your half passed out female sex partner to the ER, and the police stood there with you, questioning you, what did you feel in that moment? Did you worry she would die?

Who is this woman and what is her name? I would like to talk with her parents and family.

Why did you have sex with her in the open and in front of another Yankee trainer? Why did the police have to step in and stop your sex act in public? The police claimed you lied to them. The hard copies of the major Tampa/St. Pete papers have recorded all of this in detail. Why didn't YOU call the police or the ER people if you were trying to "save her life." You "save the life" of a half passed out woman on a DATE RA__E drug by having sex with her?" Is that what your parents taught you? Is that how you get to be a trainer? Is that typical of your medical knowledge?

If the police and major newspapers are lying, why don't you bring a law suit against them for slandering your good name?

Or is all of this true?

Jim Baumbach's recent article "Up Close and Personal" about you was less than perfect Journalism 101 and leaves many unanswered questions at best. At worse, it is one of the most disgusting articles ever published by Newsday. Not because of what he put in, but because of what was left out.

I would appreciate some answers to all of this ...

Does anyone have any answers?

Ant Colony is such a jackass in every sense of the word.

Just his daily load in the punch bowl again.

No wonder you're not married and don't have kids. You're probably a convicted sex offender who loves the company of young boys.

remember when we talked baseball?

that was fun
I miss those days

Haven't had the opportunity of watching any of the spring training games being here in Australia, but have followed each game through box scores, recaps and articles from all the NY newspapers. To me, it's obvious that the Yankees will field a very high quality team and one that is very deep should injuries occur. I don't share the concerns that many of you have with regards to the pitching. There are many quality contenders for the bullpen spots and if one guy isn't making it happen then he can be replaced by someone else coming up from AAA. I think we have some flexibility with our starters as well. Traber has been a real pleasant surprise and probably deserves to make the team based on his outstanding performances thus far. I also believe that Girardi will know which buttons to push to get the most out of Farnsworth. I actually believe he will be an asset this year. Ramirez probably needs another year at AAA to develop another pitch or two. Ohlendorf would be very unlucky to miss making the team based on his efforts thus far. Chamberlain looks better suited to the 7th and/or 8th inning role at point in his career. Mussina has been a pleasant surprise. I wrote him off after last year, but now believe that he can still make a contribution and also serve as a role model to the younger pitchers. Wang will take the odd pounding when he can't get the ball down, but he will once again go very close to winning 20 games. Hughes has shown more poise and maturity. I'm glad we hung onto him and didn't press the Santana panic button. We have quality position player reserves this year. Who misses out between Betemit, Ensberg, Lane and the quick young center fielder (Alzheimer's setting in)? Probably Lane, but the numbers game points to one of the others also missing out. Abreu seems more focussed and determined in his walk year. He's a potential MVP candidate if he plays to his ability consistently. A-Rod has had a terrific ST. Maybe he really can reproduce those incredible numbers from last season. I'm really looking forward to the start of the season. Home grown talent is emerging and new leadership should bring out the best in this talented team. Well that's my 2 bob's worth.

-----------------------------

Did Mariano have value as an 8th inning man?
I don't understand why you'd move him [Joba] to the rotation
I don't see it

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Sully,

Since this is a rather lengthy response, I didn’t want it buried on the previous thread in a couple of hours.

Here goes….

Mariano was the 8th inning guy for one season (in ’96) while Wetteland was the closer. As soon as Mo proved to be the more dominant pitcher, they let Wetteland walk - even though he walked away with the WS MVP trophy.

The Yanks then shifted their focus on building a stable of depth in the rotation by obtaining innings-eaters like Wells in '97, El Duque in '98, and then Clemens in '99 via the Wells trade.

Yes, the Yanks did win the World Series with the one-two punch of Mo/Wetteland in ‘96, but they also won 3 rings and 5 pennants over the next 7 years primarily because of their unmatched rotation depth and Mo to shut it down. The middle relief was solid, but far from spectacular during those years. People forget that Mo often led all closers in saves in which he pitched more than one inning. More proof that the setup core was far from dominant because Mo too often had to come in and save the day.

The stronger the rotation is, the less the middle relief gets exposed. There are only so many Beckett, Verlander, Zambrano, and Peavy-type talents out there (the Yankee brass and virtually every scout believes Joba is in that category) and it is a waste to use him in such a limited role with his dynamic repertoire.

I think you and I just have a fundamental difference in philosophy. If I had to build an entire pitching staff from the ground up, I’d stack the rotation with as many quality arms as possible along with a great closer and take my chances with failed starters with great arms in the setup core. I believe this is the #1 most important element in building a championship ballclub and dynasty for years to come - not just focused on this year.

Yes, it’s true that there are teams who have won with dominant bullpens and average starting pitching (Cards, Angels, Yanks in ’96), but there is a much longer history of teams that won on the strength of their starting pitching (Yanks from ‘98 - ‘00, Marlins, D-Backs, and White Sox).

I wouldn’t put Boston in either of these categories because they just had good pitching across the board. The starters have been outstanding during their 8-game WS win streak with 7 quality starts in those games (only Wakefield failed), so the middle relief didn’t play a huge factor against the junior varsity teams (Cards and Rockies).

It’s safe to say that neither of us are going to persuade the other on this issue, but I thought I’d further explain my position and rabid support for Joba’s long term value being the greatest as a starter.

Viper & Sully

In order to determine whether a pitcher should be used primarily as a starter or closer you simply have to look at the amount of and quality of pitches he throws.

Mo was built to be a closer. All fastballs in the 90's. Cut, 2seam, 4seam.

Joba has the ability to throw 4 pitches right now. His mid 90's fastball, low 80's changeup, big slow curve and a slider. He is clearly built to be a very dominate starter because of his ability to throw different pitches at different speeds.

If Mo was not still a dominate closer then I would say we would have to move Joba into the closers role. But Mo still has a few years left in the tank and we have a lot of young minor league talent that could potentially step up and be his successor.

A rotation with:

Wang: 15-20 wins
Pettitte: 10-15 wins
Hughes: 10-15 wins
Joba: 7-12 wins
Kennedy: 7-12 wins
Mussina: 7-12 wins

Wins: 56-86 games

Add another 20-30 wins from other starters/relievers and we have the potential to be one of the deepest and most dominate starting rotations in baseball.

This is a link to a million great pictures of the Hokies-Yankees game and the associated activities.

http://www.hokiesports.com/baseball/gallery/

Go to the site and click on the thumbnail beside the Hokies-Yankees exhibition label. The Hokies photog got a lot of good shots. You'll be able to see details of the guys interacting with the students, players and coaches.

I got the link from Pete Abe's blog.

Jim A.,

I agree it's hard to believe how small Yogi looks in person. Given that he's lost a bit in height as people do by his age, it's still amazing to look at him and imagine the career he had. It makes you believe completely his story about how some coach told him to go be a shoeshine boy, he'd never make a baseball player.

But a lot of guys sizes are deceptive. Some look bigger and some look smaller in person. A couple of examples: Jeter looks much larger in person than on the field, Girardi looks shorter.

McCarthy and Viper...EXCELLENT points. Im with you guys 100%. Viper...Im very sorry about the other day with the "Viper Imposter", after reading your last post, I assure you it will never happen again. GREAT STUFF!

Jim A...that will be a trip you and your son will recall many years later. I thoroughly enjoyed reading about your Yankee pilgrimage. So those young men are monsters huh? Cant wait to see a couple in the BX. Did you get to see Betances or Marquez pitch?

Aussie Gary...very nice "2 bob's worth"

Diane..thanks for the pics.

Kat..thanks for the story...so is Ensberg cute or what? lol

Hughes is on the hill tonight, anyone know if YES broadcasting it?

Yogi in his playing days was only 5' 8" .Mick was 5' 11" in his cleats.

DRU

When you go to the Yankees MLB site (www.yankees.com) and click on the Schedule, it tells you if the games are televised and if they're on YES or some other station. Tonight's game is not televised on YES but it's on MLB TV. Hope that helps.l

Thanks Anon!