A-ROD AND MADONNA AT IT AGAIN!

On October 21, Madonna and Alex Rodriguez had a secret rendezvous at the NY mansion of Jerry Seinfeld, arriving in separate helicopters.

Sources say that "A" arrived at the airport by helicopter and was whisked away in one of Seinfeld’s Porsches, while Madonna arrived less than an hour later by helicopter and left with Seinfeld in another car.

According to various reports, last month, the two had dinner at New York's "Dos Caminos" restaurant, then attended a family Kabbalah event for the Jewish holiday Yom Kippur. Sources say they have built a bond after she introduced him to Kabbalah.

Kabbalah is an aspect of Jewish mysticism. It consists of a large body of speculation on the nature of divinity, the creation, the origin and fate of the soul, and the role of human beings. It consists also of meditative, devotional, mystical and magical practices which were taught only to a select few and for this reason Kabbalah is regarded as an esoteric offshoot of Judaism. Some aspects of Kabbalah have been studied and used by non-Jews for several hundred years.

A friend of "A" says that Rodriguez has “become enchanted by Madonna.”


The "StienBrothers" are going to regret every minute of the next 9 years.

TIME FOR A PITCHING CHANGE

As Phil Hughes get beat around in the Arizona Fall League, (15.2 innings, 15 hits, 13 runs, 9 earned runs, 10 walks, 14 strikeouts, four home runs), one has to start wondering what the %$&* are the Yankees are doing with their pitching prospects.

NY Post reporter Joel Sherman says one scout observed that Hughes' mechanics are screwed up.

"He couldn't command his fastball to the corners at all. Only about half his curves were good and only about one in four were in the strike zone. He is working to add that changeup (to use against lefties), threw three and all were up and out of the zone.

"I think the problem is that his elbow is too low so he is not commanding because he is not throwing downhill. His command stinks because his motion stinks. For example, his curve has good rotation and break, but I think because of that delivery it breaks early and so hitters pick it up."

If other scouts see this, way don't the Yankees seeing this? Why is he allowed to pitch in the AFL with flawed mechanics? That's a real good way to get hurt.


The problem is, once again, the pitching guru combo of Contreras, Connors and Eiland.

Until Cashman wakes up and makes a change in this department, the Yankees pitching prospects are doomed.

JETER AND MINKA KELLY

Seen at the Texas-Missouri college football game Saturday: Derek Jeter with actress Minka Kelly of "Friday Night Lights".

Kelly was recently dumped by musician John Mayer in favor of "Friends" actress Jennifer Aniston.

Jeter also spent some time with ex-Yank Roger Clemens on the sidelines.

CUBS MIGHT PRE-OPEN Y.S.3

From NJ.com and the AP:

NEW YORK -- The Chicago Cubs might play the unofficial opener at the new Yankee Stadium.

The Cubs and Yankees are talking about playing an exhibition game or games the weekend before most teams open the regular season, on Monday, April 6.

While the Cubs are the Yankees' first choice, the teams are still negotiating.

The official opener of the $1.6 billion ballpark is April 16 against Cleveland.



(Notice that the price is now 1.6 from 1.3?)

IS THE NEW STADIUM SAFE?

NYC Prosecutors will file racketeering and fraud charges against employees of Testwell Laboratories Inc., a company hired to test the strength of the concrete at some construction projects in the New York area.

One of those projects is the new Yankee Stadium.

Department of Buildings investigators have found irregularities in tests conducted at YS3 and other locations. Retesting of concrete at YS3 has begun.

The charges allege Testwell of failing to do some tests and falsifying others over a period of about five years.

Prosecutors raided the company’s office last spring and seized computers containing testing records and boxes of documents and billing records. There is also the possibility of overbilling and double-billing the City.

Testwell’s lawyers defended its work and denied any wrongdoing. They say that the tests have been done properly.

OPPORTUNITY FOR JOBA

Details of the Joba Chamberlain DUI are that he was at a bar drinking Grey Goose, went on to a strip bar, got into a shouting match with a drunk heckling Red Sox fan, left a $100 tip for a $145 tab and got stopped by the Nebraska State Patrol.

He had a BAC over the 0.08 state limit and has a 12/17 date with a Judge.


Considering the problems with alcohol (and meth) that Joba's mother had, I hope he learned something from this.

Unfortunately, alcoholism has been a problem on reservations with the Native-American population.

Joba should use this as an opportunity to use his stardom and the resources of the NY Yankees to make a difference.

YANKS MAKE DEAL WITH COWBOYS

The Yankees are teaming with the NFL's Dallas Cowboys, forming a company that will handle concessions and merchandise sales at their new stadiums.

Legends Hospitality Management LLC will offer fans high-quality food, shorter lines and snazzier retailing venues.

“Legends was founded on the principle that enhancing the stadium experience will result in a more satisfied fan base,” said Jerry Jones, the Cowboys’ owner and general manager.

George Steinbrenner, chairman of the Yankees, said the time was right to launch Legends since both his team and the Cowboys are moving into new stadiums next year.

“Beyond that base, we are confident that other facilities and teams will be interested in what Legends can offer,” he said. “I look forward to building a business with Jerry.”

“The old model of stadium concessions is broken,” stated Hal Steinbrenner, Co-Chairman of the New York Yankees. “Fans want and deserve a better experience for their sports entertainment dollar. Working with Legends to leverage the talent and experience resident in the Yankees’ and Cowboys’ organizations will enable us to set a higher bar for sports franchises while delivering greater value to fans.”

Jerry Jones and the Steinbrenners...what a combo!

WHY IS THIS NEWS?

All of the blogs (even the big guys) are reporting that the Yankees (Hank) revealed that Joba Chamberlain would be a starter in 2009.

Folks, this is old news.

On October 1st, before the ink was dry on his new contract, Brian Cashman told Mike Francesa that Joba was in the 2009 rotation.

Listen here: Cashman & Francesa

And not to waive my own flag, but, NYYU also reported it.

Maybe it's news because Hank said it? Beats me.

TOM TRESH PASSES AT AGE 71.

From NY Daily News:

Tom Tresh, who burst onto the big-league scene in 1962 and won Rookie of the Year honors as a fill-in shortstop for the Yankees after Tony Kubek was called into military service, died Wednesday at his home in Venice, Fla., of a heart attack. He was 71.

"I got a call from his son, Greg (Wednesday) morning who told me Tommy had passed away at his home," said Johnny Blanchard, Tresh's Yankee teammate in the '60s. "He'd played golf the day before and complained about an ache in his back, but I guess he didn't think it was serious. He played a valuable role for those ballclubs of ours in the '60s and was just a terrific fellow. This is a sad day."

MEACHAM FIRED!

Third base coach Bobby Meacham and special pitching coordinator Rich Monteleone have been fired by the Yankees.

Rumor is that ex-Yank Luis Sojo is the replacement.

Willie Randolph and Larry Bowa are also in the mix.

NYYU would like to see Tony Pena move to 3rd and Tino Martinez at 1st.

DID YOU "CC" THIS?

Update contributor "I-Man" submits C.C. Sabathia's post season stats.

5 starts, 2 wins, 3 losses, 7.92 ERA, 33 hits, 22 walks, 24 K's and 22 ER.

I also recommend taking a peek at his All-Star game numbers.

C.C. is not a big stage pitcher.

"I-Man" suggests that "and since just pitching in the Bronx is "The Big Stage" one would have to think that this guy would be Eddie Lee Whitson reincarnated."

IS EILAND OUT?

When Brian Cashman was on with WFAN's Mike Francesa, he was asked 2 distinct questions, that the answers to, should have raised some eyebrows.

Question 1 was the about how he will fix the pitching rotation. Cashman's answer was that Wang and Chamberlain were in and the other 3 spots will be filled through "trades and free agency."

Question 2 was about any changes to the coaching staff. Cashman said that decisions like that would be discussed when they hold their "organizational meetings" in a few weeks.

Yesterday, when Joe Girardi was asked about the coaching staff by Francesa, he gave a similar answer.

So, what does this mean?

Well, Cashman clearly stated that Chamberlain would start the season as a starter. He previously said that would be in the pen to start the season then move to the rotation later in order to keep his innings down.

Is this a departure from "Joba Rules"? Remember, the philosophy is that a pitcher cannot throw more than 40 innings than the previous season. That would limit Chamberlain to 140 innings in 2009. Starters are expected to give between 175 and 200 innings.

If this is, in fact, a departure from "Joba Rules", this could mean that there will be a change in the coaching staff. Dave Eiland is a proponent of the "Joba Rules" philosophy. I can't see how you can retain a coach that is not on the same page with the organization.

Now, the quote about filling the 3 remaining rotation spots through free agency and trades is puzzling. Where does this put Phil Hughes and/or Ian Kennedy? My guess is that Kennedy is traded and Hughes is in Scranton.