Perspective on Torre's Book

Real baseball coverage stumbles to a lull in January. The calm before the storm. Still, the show must go on. "The Yankee Years" Joe Torre's book, written by Tom Verducci has provided news starved Yankees fans something to speculate about. Virtually no one has read it--the release date is Febuary 3rd--but the opinionated observations just keep on coming.

Alex Belth of SI.com interviews Tom Verducci and provides some perspective to the garish headlines: "Verducci: The book frames the 1996-2007 Yankees around the macro issues and seismic changes in the game and business of baseball in that era, one of the most dynamic eras of change in the sport's history. The Steroid Era, expansion, contraction plans, competitive balance issues, the rise of information and statistical analysis, the change in ownership of the Boston Red Sox, biomechanics as the next possible market inefficiency ... those and other issues all provide important context to the book. It's an historical account...The larger context was enormously important toward constructing a book that stands as an historical document of the era. I sensed the frustration of the Yankees and, in some cases, the media that cover them, about why the Yankees were no longer winning world titles, but they weren't willing or able to see how much baseball changed in that time... I believe the currency of intellect became the coin of the realm in the revenue-sharing era. I don't want to discount the financial advantages they have over most every team but the Yankees. But brains and money make for a powerful combination. And the Red Sox found ways on the business side to generate more money and on the player personnel side to find, acquire and develop better players more efficiently."

Alex Belth's Verducci interview paints a picture not found in tawdry tabloid headlines or in frenzied fandom. "When people read the book, they'll appreciate it."--(Joe Torre/Larry King interview.) Read the book? What a concept.

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Yankees New Boss Offers Insight

I'm taking a day off from Yankees baseball blogging. Got a kick out of Hal Steinbrenner's take on the firestorm accompanying Joe Torre's book: "On occasion, the media’s been known to overdramatize certain things." It appears Hal compensates for his Dad's propensity for overstatement by being the master of the understatement. The New York Times, provides a glimpse.

Reactions to Torre's Book

Hall of Fame-bound manager Joe Torre and highly respected journalist Tom Verducci team up to produce: "The Yankee Years" and the media goes into hyper-drive. For those keeping score at home:

• The New York Post produces hyperventilated headlines--they do what they do.
• ESPN's ticker relentlessly crawls through the salacious dirt.
• The New York Times produces a cogent, objective book report.
• Popular beat reporter and Yankees blogger, Peter Abraham, writes: "Torre, the man who restored the luster to a faded powerhouse, prostituting himself for the sake of a book and another few million.
  When the smoke clears, the supposedly gory details of The Yankee Years will prove not so gory. Book publicists are good at what they do and some reporters are only too glad to take a baited hook. It beats actually doing any work.
  But Torre clearly traded some secrets for money."

What's the big deal? Two primary revelations have come to the forefront: A) A-Rod had clubhouse issues. File this under old news. B) Information regarding a front office meeting was revealed.

The New York Daily News, publishes a transcript: "Come to think of it, Torre thought, Cashman said nothing during the entire meeting. Cashman was the general manager who had persuaded Steinbrenner after the 2005 season to put it in writing that Cashman would have control over all baseball operations. And when the future employment of the manager was being discussed, how was it that the empowered general manager had nothing to say? 'Cash was sitting right over my right shoulder,' Torre said' and never uttered a sound for the whole meeting.' Cashman , for his part, says, 'It was Joe's meeting.' "

The shroud of secrecy engulfing the Bombers Brass, which Brian Cashman has so deftly manipulated to his advantage for years has lifted. Cash is adroit at getting his most recent story out through a receptive press corps. The truth shines and shadows are harder to find. The man behind the curtain is exposed: " And of course Cashman will have a different version of these events, one which nothing is his fault. Because more and more, as he becomes more and more defensive about his own record, it appears nothing ever is around the Yankees."--(NY Daily News/Lupica)

Ken Davidoff, of Newsday, reports: " Cashman and Torre shared a bunker, if you will, in the intra-organization battle against George Steinbrenner and his Tampa-based advisers.
So when Cashman got some real juice, you would've thought that would be good news for Torre. It proved not to be, and while my and others' reporting occasionally referred to tension between Cashman and Torre during Torre's final two years, there should've been much more such reporting.

After calling Yankee icon Joe Torre a "prostitute" Peter Abraham writes, "Verducci is an elegant writer and a terrific reporter. The book will be compelling and 100 percent true." So, what's the problem?

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Editor's note: No comments will be published until Friday--even bloggers get a day off.

Yanks Get Creative

The Yankees found a creative way to bring Andy Pettitte back into the fold. An incentive laden contract insures that the veteran southpaw will make it to the mound in the new Stadium. should Pettitte survive the season, he pockets $12 million--20% more than the Yanks long-standing offer. If calamity makes an appearance, the Yanks are only on the hook for a paltry $5.5 million, or as they say in the Bronx--chicken feed.

The transaction adds depth to the revamped rotation and provides a reinforcing ripple effect to the organization's farm system. A rotation of: Sabathia, Wang, Burnett, Pettitte and Chamberlain is locked and loaded. The flexibility garnered by having Joba fill the #5 slot is valuable. The next big thing broke down last season and only produced 100IP. Reality would suggest that a goal of 130IP would be obtainable from the flexible five spot, where the schedule permits an occasional respite.

Pettitte's signing also sends a clear signal to the young guns trying to make the show--You are minor leaguers until proven otherwise. Girardi's influence has helped turn around a major misstep by the front office. Last year, Igawa was the best Triple-A starter in a rebuilt farm system. This year, Hughes, Kennedy and company will toil in Scranton. The debacle of 2008's infamous pitching plan takes its place on memory lane. The 2009 season is on the horizon and prime-time pitching is part of the plan. What a difference a year makes.

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Yankees Calculated Controversy

Baseball is noted for tradition. Spring training, Hall of Fame inductions, opening day, pennant races, playoffs and the World Series are rites of passage for veteran fans. Time marches on and another ritual is added to the annual routine--sensationalized book marketing segueing to tabloid mania is now part of baseball's customary mix.

Ludicrous luminaries Canseco or Radomski rear their ugly heads in an attempt to snatch some scratch and shoulders shrug. It is what it is. A credible name--Joe Torre--enters the fray and eyebrows arch. Torre teams with respected SI writer Tom Verducci to produce: "The Yankee Years." The ESPN ticker churns into overdrive with snarling snippets, from "A-Fraud" to Cash the betrayer, it ain't pretty. Publicity is garnered mission accomplished.

The New York Times, publishes a book review that provides context to the sensationalism:

• "a lively chronicle of that historic era and the team’s depressing slide after 2001."
• "...devotes less attention to the team’s remarkable run at the end of the millennium than to its subsequent fall from grace"
• "The book does not hide Torre’s bitterness over his departure in 2007 (he was offered a one-year contract that involved a pay cut in his base salary) and takes a few swipes at the general manager, Brian Cashman, and some players — most notably, Alex Rodriguez. But the volume is most interesting in its thoughtful analysis of why the Yankees’ fortunes began to spiral downward after 2001,"
• "the front office tended to turn to imported All-Stars, who failed to congeal into an effective ensemble."
• "With each year’s failure to win a world title, Yankees management grew increasingly desperate, going for the quick fix instead of a long-term plan, bringing to the stadium a succession of aging hitters and what the authors of this book call a “collection of expensive pitchers”
• "This book often fails to detail Torre’s role in the decisions made over these years. His reactions to the signing of Giambi and management’s refusal to grant Williams a guaranteed contract in 2007 are duly noted, but in other instances, it’s unclear to what degree he protested specific choices made by the front office or its lack of a long-term rebuilding strategy."
• "What this book does do and does very persuasively is chart the rise and fall of one of baseball’s great dynasties..."

Tawdry tabloid headlines are a dime a dozen. Books produced by credible sources who give an inside perspective on an intriguing chapter in Yankees history, don't come along often.

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Yankees Shifting Expectations

What a difference a baseball season makes, this time last year the Yankees' heralded youth movement was in full swing. Brian Cashman's rebuilt farm was brimming with a harvest of hype. Need to fortify a rickety rotation? Have no fear, Generation Trey is here. A bountiful list of young names filled fans with uncharacteristic optimism: Cano, Cabrera, Gardner, Ohlendorf, Tabata, Duncan, Sanchez, Ramirez. A wave of fresh faces boosted skewed expectations to lofty levels.

The organization did its part to pump up the volume. Cash put Hughes and Kennedy in harm's way by prematurely granting them rotation spots. Brian concocted a unique (convoluted?) plan that would morph Joba from bullpen savior to top-of-the-rotation starter. The linchpin of the Yankees future ended up on the DL rocks with a measly 100IP and a tired arm. Girardi chipped in by effusively extolling the virtues of Cano and filling the scribes' heads with batting championship fodder. If you say it they will write.

In the end, inflated expectations crushed the hope from the Yankees 2008 season. Cashman's youth movement express crashed. When it was time to pick up the pieces, Brian re-signed and vowed, "to change the story."(As opposed to clean up the mess.) $423 million later, a new yarn is spun. 2009 is the season of the shrewd signing--yeah that's the ticket.

CC, A.J. and Teix. got the gold and will feel the heat. The kids are yesterday's news, but maybe, that's a good thing. Hughes, Kennedy, Cano, Cabrera, Gardner have something to prove. No one is counting on them. Production will be a plus, not a given. Improvement can be nurtured in the shadows of Gotham's glare, at a modest pace. Player development has a chance. What a concept.

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Yankees Quotebook

It should be quiet in baseball circles: there are no games to report; no trades have transpired; the rumor mill creeps to a redundant crawl; scandals are passe and spring training is weeks away. The lack of action hasn't muffled the murmuring. Here's an array of Yankees' related quotes to ward off winter's baseball chill:

• "Keeping in mind that everybody in baseball is flexible with the truth,"--(LoHud.) Telling it like it is.
• "It's easy to argue that the money makes Cashman look smart, but he was badly hamstrung by Steinbrenner, and in the last couple years that he's had greater control, he's drafted well, signed the guys he wanted, and made the deals he wanted. Rich teams don't necessarily succeed. Cashman spends his money pretty well." --(Huffington Post/Alex Remington) Does Hal know it's Cash's money?
• "If you think sports writers can be pompous, presumptuous and arrogant, well, they can."--(Yankees Scrolls.) I missed my calling.
• "I’m not entirely sure how anyone can overemphasize his defensive “slippage”. The truth is, Bobby Abreu is going to hurt you if he plays the field..."--(Fangraphs.)
• "Scott Proctor became a favorite of manager Joe Torre with the New York Yankees in 2006, leading the AL with 83 appearances. He matched the 83 in 2007, despite being traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers at the July trading deadline. Were the Yankees concerned he was used up?"--(USA Today.) Safe to say.
• ""I think this is historic," said Margaret Montoya, a visiting professor at CUNY School of Law. "I think a lot of people identify with the Yankees as transcendental. It wasn't just for New York. It was a team with a legacy, a team with a history."--(Newsday)

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Yankees Statistics

Putting the Yankees baseball blogging aside for a day and traveling to where the sand turns to gold. Here's a couple of Yankees related notes from Baseball America's print edition:

• Jerry Crasnick, profiles ex-Bomber Bobby Abreu: "For a guy who's widely regarded as a complimentary-type player, Abreu sure travels in elite circles...Abreu stacks up against players who've been all-star fixtures, made speeches in Cooperstown and been hailed among the game's all-time greats...joined Bonds and Henderson as the only players to amass 200 homers and 300 stolen bases while maintaining a .400 on-base percentage...currently working on a streak of 11 straight seasons with 150 or more games played. the only big leaguers with longer streaks are Willie Mays, Billy Williams, Pete Rose and Cal Ripken Jr...Consistency over time has helped Abreu put up some astonishing numbers." Stat-based analysis is useful, but not definitive, there is more to the game than numbers and Abreu's consistent, but clearly not "astonishing," career provides an example.
• Peter Gammons provides a trend that will make Yankees fans squirm: "...only twice in the past 30 years has a team won the World Series with a $100 million payroll: the 2004 and 2007 Red Sox."

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Yankees DVD Review --96' World Series

Part three of our DVD review of, The New York Yankees Essential Games of Yankee Stadium, features the 1996 clincher against the Atlanta Braves. The Bomber's quest for their 23rd ring was marked by the motto, "We play today; We win today." Game six featured a duel between pitching maestros Jimmy Key and the immortal Greg Maddux.



Snapshots from a Dynasty, Act I:

• A gimpy O'Neill lines a laser to the right-field corner, shuffles into second and strolls home on Girardi's triple. The crowd erupts and the Stadium shakes as Jeter strokes a single and Bernie bounces an RBI bloop to center. The scoreboard flashes: Yanks 3 Braves 0.


• A camera pans to GM Bob Watson, an announcer squawks, "He put this all together, in his first season." History will remember that "Stick" Michael and Buck Showalter built the elite foundation to an epic dynasty.


• The Great Rivera whittles away at the flailing Braves as destiny is on the Yankees' doorstep.


• O'Neill, on one leg, takes the field in the ninth, conjuring up Buckneresque memories.


• Wetteland wobbles, hands wring, but in the end, the ball lands in the soft hands of Charlie Hayes.


• A pile of ebullient Pinstripes cluster on the diamond while Sinatra croons a familiar tune.

The strength of the box set produced by Major League Baseball Productions, is in the game selection. Sorting through a long list of Yankees' triumphant moments is no easy task, but in the end, The New York Yankees Essential Games of Yankee Stadium, goes deep and delivers for Bomber's fans in search of warm memories.

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Editor's Note: This DVD set was provided for free in return for a review. Thanks to Bernadette from Out Of Write-Field.

Yankees Rumors & Notes

The information highway provides some fresh fodder for the Yankees trough:

• Peter Abraham reports on Melky Cabrera: "Melky Cabrera, meanwhile, asked for $1.7 million. The Yankees offered $1.2 million. Cabrera made $461,200 last season.
  This would be the same Melky Cabrera who hit .249 last season with 21 extra-base hits in 414 at-bats. He also was demoted to Triple-A in August and had 13 at-bats in September.
  I wonder if the Yankees burst out laughing when he asked for a $1.23 million raise." Perhaps, Melky wanted extra for being a convenient pinata. Cabrera rescued center field from Damon's anemic defense in 2006 and put up: .280/.360/.391 in 130 games. Hall of Fame-bound manager Joe Torre consistently complimented Melky by saying, "He gives us energy." (Note: there isn't a stat for this, so it must not count. Besides, what would Torre know about team chemistry and winning.) Cabrera has digressed and last season was appropriately demoted. The organization's replacement was Brett Gardner who produced: .228/.283/.299 in 42 games. I find it interesting that Cabrera is the target of lame jokes while Phil Hughes and Ian Kennedy's off-season workouts get breathlessly reported. (Nice AZ. fall league stats Philly.) When the Yankees stop "laughing" perhaps a reporter can ask Cashman why there are no other options, on a $200 million roster. Perhaps then the laughing will stop.
• Ken Rosenthal, adds grist to the rumor mill: "The Yankees aren't done. And if they're smart, they will sign free-agent right-hander Ben Sheets to be their fifth starter and righty Juan Cruz to be a setup reliever."
• "Throw out New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman, who is living on some other economic planet..." Earth to Hal, come in Hal.

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Yankees Ravenous Ownership

The baseball documentary, "When it Was a Game III" chronicles MLB's 60's era. A warm and fuzzy perspective sets the tone: "Baseball was a familiar game, a game played with a nice comfortable rhythm...The game was blissfully unaware of the changing times ahead. By decades end there would be a seismic shift in baseball on and off the field, dramatic changes would take the game in new and conflicting directions."

The dreaded new direction was paved by the advent of free-agency.Players evolved from disposable pawns, who were routinely manipulated by avaricious owners, to ultra-rich mercenaries. As Dylan once rasped, "The times they are a changin."

There is one aspect of baseball where the song remains the same, the perpetual greed of baseball's ownership hasn't missed a beat. Yankees fans have a front row seat to gluttonous behavior. The new stadium shenanigans amidst a looming economic depression clearly demonstrate ownership's unquenchable thirst for MO Money.

Emma from Bronx Banter pinch-hits for Peter Abraham of LoHud and gives Yankees fans an historical perspective: "But whatever you think of the team’s questionable financial dealings with New York City, Randy Levine & Co. are a bunch of fluffy kittens compared to the Yankees’ original owners...Today’s unethical baseball team dealings, while sordid, are dull as dishwater in comparison."

"When it Was a Game III" waxes nostalgic for the 60's when it was common practice to pay players a pittance. Time moves on and baseball's ownership continues to wallow in a bottomless pit of greed. Tradition is upheld.

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Yankees Prospects and Scouting

The clock creeps towards spring training in Tampa. Fresh air and cool breezes are in the forecast. That is then, this is now: redundant rumors, politically biased financial reports and the potential prosecution of a fallen legend are the order of the day. Fortunately, I found a couple of enlightening links to ease our pain:

• Baseball Intellect, provides comprehensive scouting on the Yankees top five farm prospects, including video. Any one who thought that the restocked farm would be a quick fix has been educated. Last years, over-the-top hype is history.
• Boston.com, provides insight on via Mark Shapiro and Theo Epstein: ""Postseason experience and, really, pennant race experience is meaningful in the ups and downs of a pennant race but difficult to quantify, and the bottom line is performance.
  "We look at a lot of variables in the decision-making process - primarily subjective (scouting), objective (statistics), medical, financial, mental makeup, and personality. The experience you mentioned could fit in as a small, positive intangible that helps shape decisions but not impact them in a meaningful way."--(Shapiro/Indians GM) ""[Identifying good postseason players] is certainly not a primary consideration - more of a secondary factor at best," said Sox GM Theo Epstein. "Ted Williams didn't perform in the postseason . . . I would take him!"--(Boston Globe/Hat Tip Ball Hype)
• Here are some Yankees related stats from the Boston Globe article: "Sabathia's postseason history is poor - 2-3. 7.92 ERA. Burnett has never pitched in the postseason. Incumbent Chien-Ming Wang, a two-time 19-game winner, is 1-3 with a 7.58 ERA in four postseason starts. Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez, arguably the best all-around player in the game, is hitting .159 in his last 44 postseason at-bats with one homer and one RBI." Short-term stats don't tell the story, over time talent will prevail, let's hope the Yanks get the opportunity to get to the long run.

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Yankees Follow the Money

The sanity of spring training isn't around the corner; it's down the road. The crack of the bat and warmth of the diamond are flickering memories. Yankees fans are left to stave off the scraps of January's freeze. Money issues and ghosts of scandals past pass for news. Someone said, "If it doesn't kill you, it'll make you stronger." New York Yankees news junkies aren't so sure.

• MO Money: "It was easy to get lost in the fog of information and misinformation, which only was exacerbated by the latest spat..." The anticipation for the New Stadium builds.
• "Part of what government does is throw its financial weight around for perceived common good, whether that be attainable home ownership or iconic public gathering places, especially in depressed areas." Let me translate: The New Yankee Stadium with it's over-the-top luxury, at exorbitant prices will be a "gathering place" for the "downtrodden" of the South Bronx. Yeah that's the ticket.
• "The city is so flush financially that it isn't even aware of the current recession/depression/meltdown. New York is making it rain on the Yankees, giving the team $940 million in tax-exempt bonds to build a new ballpark...The team will use the extra money to tack on a museum, a conference center (why can't the Yankees just meet on the mound, like other teams?), a steakhouse, a Hard Rock Cafe and restroom upgrades. --(SF Gate/Ostler)
• "For the latest chapter of this ongoing farce, Assemb. Richard Brodsky (D-Westchester) assumed the role of political tough guy. Yankees president Randy Levine, who is typecast in his role as Filthy Rich Owner's Henchman, played it to the hilt once again. Only Mayor Bloomberg, who has replaced Rudy Giuliani as Yankees Lapdog-in-Chief, played his role honestly and without affectation, which is that of business-friendly hypocrite."--(Newsday/Matthews) Righteous rants are refreshing.
• Telling it like it is: "The New York City fathers passed a $370 million kidney stone of public financing that will allow the Yankees to do right by the beleaguered butt-cheeks of luxury suite-owners..."--(It is High, It is Far..)
• Gone, but not forgotten.
• Be careful what you wish for: "I'm sure it's going to be a little more harsh, but they're tough anyway. Being in a Cleveland uniform, they were tough,'' Sabathia said. "I'm looking forward to them being even tougher, me being in a Yankee uniform and hearing some rude things.''
• Sounds familiar: "Rice does have reason to be bitter. From his post in the shadow of the Green Monster, he saw the Yankees buy Catfish Hunter, Reggie Jackson, Goose Gossage, Tommy John, Luis Tiant, Dave Winfield, Rickey Henderson and Don Gullett.Even now, Rice remains annoyed..."--(Newsday/Lennon)
• Plan B: "Yankees general manager Brian Cashman made no secret for the reason behind his trio of big-money acquisitions. "This is a huge compliment to the Rays and the Red Sox, two teams that we're looking up at," Cashman said at the press conference introducing Teixeira. "We made these significant upgrades to try and compete and keep up with what they've done. Our division has exceptionally talented teams, and they're getting better. We know we have our work cut out for ourselves."--(SI/Keith)

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Respected Baseball Writer Passes

I was away from the computer for a couple of days. While sifting through a large pile of Yankees related news, I learned of Todd Drew's passing by reading Peter Abraham's, LoHud tribute. The New York Times, Bronx Banter and 38 Pitches paint a vivid picture of the respect Todd garnered with his writing talent.



I started Baseball Hot Corner with no knowledge or experience of the Yankees' blogosphere. I soon found Todd's blog--Yankees for Justice-- and it's been in my "Yankee Rotation" ever since. Todd Drew wasn't merely a blogger, he was a writer who painted bright, humanistic pictures that taught us something. A year ago he wrote a piece for LoHud, I linked to it with the comment: "The final piece of the tri-fecta was an article by Todd Drew, author of the Yankees for Justice blog. Todd's article exemplifies what quality sports writing is all about." Recently, I read something by Todd over at Bronx Banter where he suggested an "optimistic" perspective. I commented that, "Optimism was refreshing" so was Todd Drew. RIP.

Yankees Power Play

I just had an article titled, "Yankees Traditional Power Play" published at Ezine @rticles. Here's the link.

Yankees DVD Review

The New York Yankees Essential Games Of Yankee Stadium boxed set provides warm memories to ward off January's baseball freeze. Today's review: "1995 ALDS Game 2 vs. Seattle Mariners" replays one of the most memorable games in Yankees' history.

Snapshots from a classic:

• 23 Year old Andy Pettitte takes the hill following an impressive rookie season: 12-9, 4.14 Era, 26 starts, 175 IP.
• Around the Horn: Boggs to Fernandez to Velarde to Mattingly, Leyritz behind the plate. A baby-faced Jeter cheers from the bench.
• Showalter's squad squares off against Piniella's vintage Mariners: Griffey's greatness, Edgar's big stick, a svelte Sojo at short and a familiar face--Tino--at first take the field in the Bronx while the Big Unit glowers from the dugout.
• Don Mattingly's Bronx swan song ends on a high note. Donnie Baseball's whole package: the compact, sweet swing, the fluid grace of flashed leather and the trademark competitive zeal accentuate the highlight reel.
• The camera pans to the bombastic Boss in the booth ranting at a group of local scribes.
• Bernie rifles a shot to left-center and glides into second, reinforcing an enduring image.
• Pettitte's prime performance is followed by Wickman, Wettland and a kid named Rivera. Mariano singes Seattle's potent lineup with understated heat.
• Jimmy Leyritz's walk-off, rain-drenched bomb in the 15TH puts an exclamation point on a game for the ages.

The DVD documents the days prior to the dawn of the latest Yankees dynasty. An epic fight between two evenly matched competitors offers another example of Yankee tradition at its best.

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Editors Note: A free copy of this DVD boxed set was provided in return for a review. Thanks to Bernadette at Out of Write-Field.

Rickey Henderson Revisited

In yesterday's article, "Rickey Henderson's Yankee Legacy" I mentioned my conflicted memories of Henderson's time in Pinstripes. Here are a few links that touch on the same subject:

• "Ah, yes, the famous Henderson "hammy" that dominated the New York baseball news that summer of 1987. By then, Lou Piniella was the Yankee manager - Martin had been fired by George Steinbrenner two years earlier, for the third time - and a season that had started out with much promise gradually disintegrated amid a rash of injuries. Of all the ailments, Henderson's pulled hamstring, which kept him on the disabled list for 55 games, proved most vexing.
  It was remembered that Henderson had sat out the first two weeks of the 1985 season when Yogi Berra was manager and returned to the lineup only after Yogi was fired and replaced by Martin. Henderson had made no secret that he wasn't crazy about Piniella, and that fueled speculation that Henderson was holding himself out of the lineup."--(NY Daily News)
• "As desperate for pitching as they were for parking, those Steinbrenner Yankees never even made the pre-wild-card postseason. It wasn’t for a lack of offense, which was provided often and instantly by Henderson, a human harbinger of video games to come."--(NY Times)
• "Henderson said. "I was supposed to be a star with the Yankees."But those 4 1/2 years did not work out. He had recurring hamstring problems that limited his playing time, and the Yankees, though they had Hall of Famer Dave Winfield and Don Mattingly, didn't make the playoffs." --(Hartford Courant)

Photo--Baseball Almanac

Rickey Henderson's Yankee Legacy

Former Yankee Rickey Henderson slid head-first into Cooperstown with his landslide election into baseball's Hall of Fame. The greatest leadoff hitter in the sports history left a distinctive legacy, a string of stellar stats and clearly deserves the honor.

Ricky's tenure in Pinstripes conjures up conflicted memories. Henderson signed with the Bombers in 1985. I had migrated from the swamps of Jersey to the shores of Cali. in search of the perfect wave. The Yanks arrived in Anaheim and I sat behind home plate for the series. Rickey stole the show with an unmatched combination of speed and strength. The Yanks had purchased a top-of-the-lineup force. Henderson's inaugural Pinstriped campaign--.314/.419/.516/3rd in MVP vote--was a searing success.

An unfunny thing happened on the way to monument park, Henderson became disgruntled when his place in baseball's pay pecking order diminished. His encore season was marred by episodes of walking after fly balls. The diminished stat line--.263/.358/.469--didn't tell the whole story.

The NY Sun, provides a glimpse of the times, here's a snippet of the 1987 season: " The Yankees' offense took a huge step back, in large part because Henderson spent half the season on the shelf with hamstring problems while fending off frustrations with manager Lou Piniella and charges in the press that he just didn't want to play (given how reluctant Rickey was to finally hang up his spikes, it's clear that although he didn't want to play at certain given moments, overall he really did want to play.)

Henderson's tenure in the Bronx only lasted four plus seasons and never regained the magic of 1985. Rickey took his unrivaled talent to a long string of stops in a 25 year career and ends his long strange trip in Cooperstown. Safe to say, he won't wear a New York cap on induction day, when he joins baseball's list of all time greats.

Yankee Questions

Star-studded names, gaudy contracts and a stadium boondoggle dominate headlines for the New York Yankees. In the shadow of the spotlight, there is work to be done, before the dawn of the 2009 season. Decisions must be made, questions answered: Swisher or Nady? Melky or Brett? How many DH AB's will Posada need when the lustre of the pie-in-the-sky optimism wears off? Is there help on the way?

• SWB leads off:"Doesn't the outfield depth expand beyond the 40-man roster?Not nearly as much as it did last year. Justin Christian was non-tendered and Shelley Duncan has been designated for assignment, leaving Scranton/Wilkes-Barre without an obvious call-up candidate. If all goes well, Austin Jackson will be that guy by the end of the season, but he's going to need some Triple-A seasoning before he goes to New York. Otherwise, the first in line for a Triple-A outfield call-up will probably be John Rodriguez (right).
  That's obviously not a terrible option," The heralded farm's hype has waned, reality bites.
• Newsday, analyzes the Swisher/Nady debate and concludes, more is better: "reminded me how important the bench is, and keeping both Nady and Swisher would give the team depth, something they've lack in recent years." Let's hope when Cashman reads this he is reminded of the famous words of the late, great Mel Allen, "How about that."
• Last year it was incessantly reported that the Yanks were stockpiling young arms to pave the way for the future. Brian Cashman's philosophy of targeting high-ceiling talent despite injury issues was implemented. The foundation was formed by the man in charge. A year later, after signing CC and A.J. we read that the Yanks are still looking for pitching. Here's a report that sounds familiar: "Brackman was sidelined off and on through his college career by a variety of injuries, including a hip injury as a sophomore and a sore elbow as a junior.
  The elbow woes kept him out of NCAA postseason action that spring, but his 3.81 ERA as a junior at NC State combined with his strong showing in the Cape Cod League the previous summer and his potentially overpowering stuff prompted the Yankees to call his name with the 30Th overall pick. And on the Aug. 15 deadline, they signed him to a big league deal worth more than $4 million." --(MLB)
• It is High, It is Far, It is Caught, gives us our daily dose of new stadium drama: "This new Yankee Stadium is turning into a George Bush administration-level fiasco: Everything about it stinks. We wallpaper money over the corruption, we piss away the treasure of our legacy, and after all is said and done, we have Sidney Ponson on the mound." Sir Sidney back in Pinstripes? You can never have enough pitching.

Photo/S.I.

Yankees News and Notes

Let's hit the Yankees' links for a smorgasbord of issues:

• Amidst an avalanche of stark economic news, the Yankees write huge checks to plug roster voids while looking to reap big bucks from New York City. The New York Times, in an article titled, "At the New Yankee Stadium, Sanity Rides the Bench" reports:" On top of the $942 million in previous financing, and $660 million that the city is pitching in to replace parkland sacrificed for the new stadium and transportation improvements.
  What is the team going to spend the new $370 million on?
  Here are some items on the submission filed with the city’s Industrial Development Agency: $10.5 million for “suite level upgrades,” and $5 million more for “public washroom upgrades,” and $1.1 million to “upgrade suite seats, field seats” and areas where disabled fans will sit."
• Yankees' President Randy Levine writes a response in the New York Daily News, in an article titled, "A home run for New York: Yankee President says everyone wins with new stadium deal" Mr Levine concludes: "Since the 1970s, there has been much talk and little action; the South Bronx remains the poorest congressional district in the United States. With the Yankees' $1.3 billion, largest-ever investment in the area, the revitalization is underway." I learned something today. I thought the Yanks were building a new plush stadium, which doubles the luxury boxes and eliminates half the bleacher seats, in order to grow over-the-top revenue, it turns out it was to revitalize the South Bronx. Go figure.
• Bob Verdi, of the Chicago Tribune, gives us a view from the road: " In an economy that is tanking and threatens to get worse, they represent everything you want in a sports ownership but can't have.You can't have it because the Yankees are unique, they know so, and they operate accordingly.
• Bill Madden, of the New York Daily News, has something to say,"We'll say it again - Cashman is a victim of the failed Yankee farm system...It is unfortunate for the Yankees that the tanking economy has coincided with a farm system bankrupt of impact players..." Sort of like saying a pyromaniac is a victim of matches.
• Yankees Scrolls, asks a simple question, "How could Brian Cashman be a “victim” of the failure of something that he essentially is in charge of? Blogging the Yankees' Teflon man is a unique experience, welcome to the dark side.
• Buster Olney, updates us on the plight of the unemployed millionaires: "players are beginning to grab the best available job, rather than remaining obsessed with what their market value should be."
• Baseball Musings, gives us a Red Sox report: "They've decided to go for injured players, who may or may not pay off. Now, if one of them plays well during 2009, the investment in all four will be worth it. However, there's no guarantee that any of them will be decent.
  Artful to me is improving the team through smart trades (Beckett, Schilling) or smart free agent signings (Ortiz). Just picking up a bevy of recovering pitchers doesn't do much for me." Did Theo pick up Brian's former playbook? Let's hope so.

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Yankees Rumors, Notes and Quotes

The heavy lifting is over for the New York Yankees. The big pieces are in place, let the fine tuning commence. Rumors of roster moves, financial reports, competition updates and general gibberish drive the information highway:

• "In their current roster logjam, the Yankees would strongly prefer to trade Xavier Nady and retain Nick Swisher..." Here we go again.
• "Swisher has averaged 25 homers per season over his career, but Nady's numbers are the more consistent. In fact, they have gotten better every year that he has played.
  But that Boras guy still looms..."
• "Yankees could not get back as much as they gave up for Nady and reliever Damaso Marte in the teams' July 26 trade -- outfield prospect Jose Tabata and starters Jeff Karstens, Ross Ohlendorf and Daniel McCutchen -- and that could make for an awkward set of circumstances." Assume the position.
• And now a word from the competition: "Boston sneaks in quietly the last few days with a BOOM of their own!" Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
• High and Tight delivers a quality AB for Pete Abe: "yet another chance for the Yankees to truly flex their financial muscles and reap as much benefit as possible from their brand."
• The New York Times reports the depth of the benefit reaping: "the city could scarcely provide these modest basics. Now, beyond all sense or sensibility, the New York Yankees have appeared with a request for $370 million in new taxpayer-backed financing for a new baseball stadium that will open in April.
  This is more. New. In addition to. On top of the $942 million in previous financing, and $660 million that the city is pitching in to replace parkland sacrificed for the new stadium and transportation improvements.
  What is the team going to spend the new $370 million on?" Stop the insanity.
• Sports gibberish never sleeps: "The biggest thing was finding the right fit," said Pavano, 33... I've been at the top and the bottom of the barrel...Things did not go as I expected in New York," said Pavano...There's no reason for them to focus on what happened to me. That's behind me." A bruised buttocks reference? For those scoring at home, I just broke my New Years resolution of never mentioning the "Raja of Rehab" again.

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Yankees Dynasty Revisited

The Torre era dynasty has a special place in Yankees lore. Perpetual winning was the exclamation point on a time marked by professionalism, supremacy and distinction. A roster populated by: Jeter, O'Neill, Martinez, Posada, Cone, Pettitte, Clemens, Wells, Mendoza, Nelson, Stanton, and of course, The Great Rivera is a tough act to follow. It will take more than garish free agent signings to appease the spoiled masses.

January's baseball freeze is thawed by the arrival of The HardBall Times Baseball Annual. The cover of the 2009 issue says, "Timeless commentary. Innovative stats. Great baseball writing." An article titled, "Pinstripes in the Mist" written by Tim Marchman, provides an example of stellar baseball writing that Yankees' fans will appreciate. Don't read it. Devour it:

"Whatever their flaws were and no matter how bloated and self-parodic their roster at times came to be, for years the Yankees captured something about the city in a way few previous iterations had. Far from the living incarnation of excess, for most of the great run that lasted through the boom the Yankees stood in for hard work, fearlessness and intelligence, the same virtues to which a city of strivers ascribed its renaissance.

No fielding metric is ever going to convince millions of people who saw his great play against Oakland in 2001 or the dive into the stands against Boston that Derek Jeter was anything other than a ferocious and brilliant defender. No one needs to be convinced that Mariano Rivera, as much as any player ever, was the embodiment of the easy grace under pressure to which everyone aspires. None of his misjudgements and flaws will ever make Joe Torre anything other than the model of a kind of steady and generous leadership that few can do anything but admire. In the end there were too many such men, too many indelible moments, and too many world championships to reduce the Yankees to anything less than a model of excellence."

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Yankees Revive Rivalry

Yankees' headlines have dominated the hot stove as a $423 million investment has revitalized the organization's stature. A third place aberration passes and exalted expectations are back. Prognosticators have the Yanks back on top while the traditional rival Red Sox cope with the evil empire's strike.

Boston tries to counter New York's financial brawn by exploiting their edge in front office smarts. Projects--Brad Penny and suspects--Nick Green are added to the mix while rumors of Smoltz and Baldelli rumble. The Red Sox revel in the underdog role. History suggests, they have no choice.

Notes: Some interesting fallout from the Teixeira sweepstakes--

• Venerable baseball writer Peter Gammons weighs in on new school media implications: "This is one of the worst winters I can ever remember. What happened this winter is that, as the internet has expanded to become the media power, the flow of information is quickly controlled by agents. A lot of general managers and those of us in the business kid about a couple of sites referred to as ScottBoras.com, and Scott will float things out there and throw it out there and people will report it,"--(Boston.com) The agents aren't the only ones exploiting the information highway. Baseball's management routinely use reporters, who are hungry for access, to foster their agenda's.
• "But in the eyes of fans outside New York, the Yankees represent outsized greed. Yesterday, officially, Teixeira became their poster boy...None of that matters now. What matters is Teixeira is the latest in a long line of New York villains, following Thurman Munson, Graig Nettles, Johnny Damon and A-Rod as the Yankee everyone else loves to hate."--(Boston Herald) Money may not buy love but it can buy hate. The Bombers' bucks stoke the historic rivalry.

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Cashman's Mentor

The World Champion Philadelphia Phillies were built by legendary team architect Pat Gillick. Mr. Gillick's distinguished resume includes notable stops at Toronto, Baltimore and Seattle. Each organization prospered with Pat at the helm, then floundered when he left. Gillick retired from Philadelphia at the conclusion of the historic 2008 season.

Pat Gillick was the Yankees Scouting Director in 1975-1976. In 2008 it was reported that Gillick, was one of Brian Cashman's mentors.

The Hardball Times Annual 2009, brings us an article titled, "GM in a Box: Pat Gillick" written by Corey Seidman & Eric J. Seidman. A detailed analysis of Gillick's method of operation is presented. Let's compare the teacher's proven methodology with the pupil's application.

Gillick: "...Builds a team that will buy stock in the collection as a whole mind-set, avoiding superstars if possible..."
Cash: Collects high-profile, big ticket stars to plug gaping holes.
Gillick: "He has a plan of action, a set mantra and holds steadfastly to each."
Cash: A year ago Brian was the king of the youth-movement hill, now he is overbidding on gaudy free agents. Yesterday, at the Teixeira press conference he said, "Without a doubt, this was a deviation from our plan."--(AP)
Gillick: "Never rushes a player to the majors."
Cash:Orchestrated a 2008 plan that featured neophytes Hughes and Kennedy as key components on a high-expectation stage.
Gillick: "Active problem solver, is very quick to diagnose and address problems...very creative."
Cash: With the resources of the richest franchise in history at his disposal, couldn't plug perpetual holes in the pitching staff or first base. Ownership's checkbook, once again, filled the voids at outrageous prices.
Gillick: "Philosophy is to give no more than three-years to a pitcher and four years to a position player."
Cash: CC-seven years, A.J- five years, Teixeira-eight years.

The list of pronounced differences goes on. That's what happens when you compare apples and oranges. The titles may be the same, the job descriptions aren't. Gillick was an autocratic baseball leader. Cashman has the title, salary and ego but for the most part spent most of his 11 year tenure taking orders. " Cashman--whose job title, at that time, implied more power than he actually possessed..."--(Buster Olney/The Last Night of the Yankee Dynasty/2005) Cash's two-year-reign-- 2006-2007-- as, The Man, ended with a thud. "Brian job is to negotiate the contracts."--(Hal Steinbrenner/2008/ paraphrased.)

The teacher awaits a call from the Hall of Fame, the pupil may be heard mumbling, "Yes Boss."

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Yanks' Competition Hunts for Bargains

The Yankees are set to unveil their latest luxury item as Mark Teixeira gets introduced to the Big Apple today. In the meantime, the competition sets its sights on the bargain bin. The Tampa Rays purchase Pat Burrell for a paltry eight million over a meager two-year term. Burrell defects from the World Champion Phillies and balances the Rays lineup. Shrewd shopping by the American League Champs. The Red Sox spring into action and pluck former Yankee Nick Green. The free agent field is large and hungry. The prices plummet, former Yankees get a dose of reality:

• Rumors have it that the Giambino will be returning to Oakland. Jason's Bomber bubble has burst and his true value makes an appearance: "Burrell, 32, batted .250 with 33 home runs, 86 RBIs and a .367 on-base percentage while making about $14.25 million with the world champion Phillies last season. Giambi, 37, batted .247 with 32 homers, 96 RBIs and a .373 OBP while making nearly $23.5 million for the Yankees. " --(MLB.)
• ''Obviously anyone else would say, ‘I’ll go wherever I want to,’ because people want to try to get the most money,”--(Andy Pettitte/NY Times) Pettitte's nonconformist behavior is confusing. He really wants to come back, doesn't need the money, but doesn't want to take a pay cut. Pride before the fall?
• Who's in charge? "Some in the organization apparently would prefer to have internal competition among youngsters such as Phil Hughes and Alfredo Aceves for the No. 5 spot. However, there is concern that Hughes may never live up to his can't-miss status as a prospect a couple of years ago.
  There is also some concern that Chamberlain will continue to be injury-prone as a starter, and bringing back Pettitte would provide a security blanket of sorts. " Puts the commitment to the alleged youth movement into perspective.
• "Yankees have significant questions at catcher and in center.
  As the Yankees scramble to plug holes, the Rays stay the course." In the Bronx, "scrambling to fill holes" is referred to as the latest shrewd, stealth plan.
• Quality AB: The Yankees' Republic pinch-hits for a vacationing Lo Hud.

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New York Yankees DVD Review

MLB recently produced a six DVD set titled: "The New York Yankees Essential Games of Yankee Stadium." The package includes: 17 hours, 47 minutes of Yankees' historic highlights. Rather than review this set in one gulp, I'll savor the warm memories and help ward off January's freeze.

Disc one presents: "1976 ALCS Game 5 vs the Kansas City Royals--Chris Chambliss' walk-off home run sends the Yankees to their first World Series since 1964."

The Bronx Bombers emerge from a prolonged slumber and chase their 30TH pennant. Billy Martin aggressively manages the Munson led Yankees squad against the Brett-era Royals. Two highly competitive, evenly matched teams provide a quality rivalry.

Watching 32 year-old footage on High-Def TV, provides a reminder as to how much time has flown by. (On a personal note, I graduated from college that year and it feels like yesterday.) The announcing crew: a crooning Keith Jackson, a grousing Howard Cosell and a bumbling, stumbling Reggie Jackson were Bermanesque in their banality. I endured the audio for seven innings, in the end the mute button notched the save.

The game starts with 28 year-old Ed Figueroa dealing to the late great Thurman Munson and ends with walk-off hero Chris Chambliss running for his life, as a groping, frantic mob of Yankees' fanatics chase him around the bases on a toilet-paper-strewn field.

This game is a stellar selection as the Yanks snatch the pennant in dramatic fashion. Disc One goes deep in delivering the goods to anyone interested in Pinstriped lore.

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Editors Note: The DVD was given to me free in return for a review. Thanks to Bernadette from Out of Write Field.

Yankees Links

An array of New York Yankees related links for your viewing pleasure:

• Embarrassing "Chain Yanking" update: "Unfortunately, it's not the Yankees' money that will be paying for CC Sabathia, A.J. Burnett and Mark Teixeira. Rather, it's yours." Puts a different perspective on ownership's largess and the mind-boggling 0ver-bidding.
• Murray Chass reports:"No matter which payroll the Yankees want to lower, they will have to do some tricky calculations." Mr. Chass uses "Mental gymnastics" in an attempt to decipher the Bombers' books.
• Peter Gammons reports: "An increasing number of teams now seriously study defensive data in their evaluations. The fact that Tampa Bay went from the worst defensive team in defensive efficiency to one of the American League's two best makes the Rays a model for other clubs." Time for a new plan?
• Say what? "the topic was CC Sabathia, who went on to sign with the Yankees for about $60 million more than the fictional home-town discount Giants fans were hoping to get, and Sabean fumed aloud about the pernicious gullibility of the baboon class.
• Lost in translation:" Wang is a bright and insightful guy who obviously has a lot of wisdom about pitching, but isn't yet confident giving an interview in his second language. Would you? So instead of the Yankees fan base realizing this, most see him as robotic, a metronome. It's not fair to him. It's not fair to them."--(NY Daily News)
• Melky kicks off comeback: Sliding Into Home reports.

Baseball's Winter Meetings Revisited

The promise of spring training is six weeks away. January's frozen tundra symbolizes baseball's post winter meeting stupor. For a warm and fuzzy flashback, let's reference Sports Illustrated's article, ""Take Me Out to... The Winter Meetings In Vegas, Baby, Vegas." Author Joe Posnanski gives us an inside perspective on baseball's annual carnival that you won't find in your hometown news.

"The Good thing about these meetings is that I don't know s--- but I look around and I realize that everyone around here knows even less."--(Anonymous baseball executive.)

"And it has all grown so complicated, so distant, so jittery, most executives seem afraid to make a bad trade, afraid to face the instant wrath of the newspapers and talk-radio hosts and bloggers."

When Brian Cashman signed a three-year contract extension, he defiantly stated that he was coming back to "Change the story" and referenced "Lazy reporters..." Apparently, Cash isn't alone in his thin skin. The fact that high-ranking baseball executives would factor in media reaction and public perception into their transaction analysis is ludicrous. (On a personal note, having "bloggers" referenced on the "wrath" list makes me smile.)

"Sportswriters who are desperate to find something, anything that resembles news..."

For a true glimpse of desperate, check out the long list of wrath inducing bloggers who have a feeding frenzy over the sparse morsels that fall off the reporter's plates.

"Everyone knows that the Red Sox and the Yankees do not like each other, but seeing the "You sunk my battleship" looks on the faces of Boston officials in the moments after New York signs CC Sabathia...tells a more complete story. "You have to understand," one Red Sox official says, "they won last night. Sure, we knew there was a good chance they would sign CC. We planned for it. But now that it has happened, I can tell you, it's like a punch to the gut. We never stop competing against the Yankees."

Imagine the look after the Yanks plucked the apple of Boston's eye Mark Teixeira. The empire strikes back. It almost makes $180 million feel like a bargain. The competitive fire stokes the hot stove and wards off winter's chill.

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Reference: Sports Illustrated print edition dated 12/22/08.

Yankees Defy Convention

The annual gift frenzy has faded but my favorite Christmas present just keeps on giving. The Hardball Times Baseball Annual 2009 provides baseball fans many happy returns. Leading off is the "American League East View" by John Brattain. The Tampa Rays earn star billing:

"the Rays' success proved once again that money in and of itself isn't necessary to field a competitive club. Indeed, the $200 million New York Yankees finished eight games back...like all successful teams, they made astute trades,..Another thing the Rays accomplished was to poke a big hole in "it's not fair that teams have to compete in the AL East with the Yankees and Red Sox."

The facts of the 2008 season counter the incessant whining of the "Yanks are buying a ring" crowd. It's not that easy. The Hardball Times sums up the Yankees' plight:

"The Yankees demonstrated that a team that tries to artificially extend (read: keep throwing money at problems as they crop up) its success cycle at its own risk. The Yankees are an old team with an aging lineup, several holes/question marks in the rotation and not much in the bullpen behind Mariano Rivera. The team defense is unreliable and there's not a lot of help in the minors."

Yankees' ownership responded to this fine mess by throwing even more money into the mix. As a result, the starting rotation morphs from defect to strength and the porous defense now has one glove of gold. The buy your way out method of operation, gleans headlines but is riddled with problems.

"...the Yankees will again reinforce the axiom that there is no substitute for a strong player development program." The Yanks' Brain Trust defy convention by substituting financial brawn for shrewd baseball acumen. The results speak, that's why they play the games.

Yanks New Years Resolutions

The first day of the New Year, time to reflect on lessons learned and resolve to improve. The New York Yankees had a tumultuous 2008, which provided an array of dubious experiences: Santana's sweepstakes came up snake eyes, heralded prospects morphed to suspects, injuries happened, Ponson was back, the rebuilt farm was a mirage, the old Stadium closed with a whimper, neophyte ownership responded by signing a blank--city subsidized--check, the legion of Yankees haters multiplied as MLB cringed. "And so it goes."--(Kurt Vonnegut)

Time for a few, optimism stretching, New Years resolutions:

• CC-- lose weight and have fun.
• A.J--stop getting advice from Pavano, pretend every season is a contract year.
• Joba--get back on track.
• Hank--mute the bluster.
• Hal--largess and ethics can co-exist.
• Cash--stop trying to "Change the story."
• Yankee fans--appreciate the tradition and advantages that come with rooting for the most successful franchise in history, but don't buy into the bottomless pit of corporate greed.