A-ROD COURTING BUD

Taken from various media reports:

 Alex Rodriguez has officially filed suit against MLB and Allan H. "Bud" Selig with “tortious interference with existing and future contracts."

The suit alleges that in its investigation of Anthony Bosch’s Biogenesis anti-aging clinic the “defendants have engaged in vigilante justice.”

“They have ignored the procedures set forth in baseball’s collectively-bargained labor agreement; violated the strict confidentiality imposed by these agreements; paid individuals millions of dollars and made promises of future employment to individuals in order to get them to produce documents and to testify on MLB’s behalf; bullied and intimidated those individuals who refused to cooperate with their witch hunt; and singled out plaintiff for an unprecedented 211-game suspension -- the longest non-permanent ban in baseball history.”

Joe Tacopina

Rodriguez also claimed that MLB paid $150,000 in cash for Biogenesis records, claiming they had been stolen and "we're handed off in a bag at a Fort Lauderdale restaurant."

The suit attacks the investigative tactics MLB used in its probe of  Biogenesis and Rodriguez’s suspected involvement in procuring performance-enhancing drugs from Bosch. Bosch is believed to have handed over evidence of email and text messages with Rodriguez, detailing their transactions, as well as evidence that Bosch administered PEDs to Rodriguez.

Rodriguez is represented by sports law expert David Cornwell and criminal-defense attorney Joe Tacopina.

A-Rod's lawyers have said Bosch could not be trusted because he had been paid off.

A-ROD WILL WALK

WHAT? NO WAY!

That is the usual reaction I get since I have been telling people that over the last few months.

Now I am not a lawyer, nor do I play one on TV, but I have a friend who is, and he tells me that if Alex Rodriguez  takes this to Federal Court, MLB will be embarrassed.

This is due to baseballs anti-trust exemption as a legal monopoly. Under the anti-trust exemption, Rodriguez has the right to appeal the arbitrators decision to Federal Court.

So, Team "A" heads to court with Team "Bud".

Team Bud lays out to a federal judge circumstantial evidence that they bought from a criminal, which an arbitrator on MLB's payroll used to decide against Rodriguez.

Good luck with that.

Additionally, lets not forget Ryan Braun-1. The MLB paid arbitrator sided against MLB and Braun walked. MLB then FIRED the arbitrator because of his decision.

"Your Honor, it is not unreasonable to believe that my client cannot get a fair hearing from this arbitrator due to his fear that his employment with MLB might be terminated if he decides against his employer, a past practice which was demonstrated in the  Braun vs MLB case."

If Bud was smart, he and "A" would agree on a monetary settlement to a charity or just drop it all together.

Unless, Bud wants to be embarrassed as he walks out the door.

POSTSEASON POSTMORTEM - 2012

The Boss would not be happy today

If George was alive, there would be a big meeting in Tampa today. At the conclusion of that meeting someone would leave without a job. Justified or symbolic, the first ax would fall. The Boss would apologize to the fans and angrily announce that the 2013 season begins TODAY.

Everyone would laugh, George is overreacting again, what a tyrant! Well, the last time the Yankees were swept in a best of 7 was 1976 to the Big Red Machine. The 2012 Tigers are an 88 win team and not the '76 Reds. The '76 Yankees were competitive in that series, this group didn't show up.

After game 4, there was none of that fire or determination to fix what just happened. What we got was a monotone manager and an equally as monotone general manager talking about disappointment and adjustments.

There is no need to rehash the numbers or detail the failings of Robinson Cano, Curtis Granderson, Nick Swisher, Eric Chavez and "The Player Formerly Known As A-Rod." We all know what they DIDN'T do.

And poor Nick Swisher, not only did he choke again in the postseason, Swisher's wife, JoAnna Garcia, learned that her NBC sitcom, “Animal Practice,” was canceled.  Remember when NBC scheduled "Animal Practice" to debut in the middle of the Olympic Closing Ceremonies and bumped The Who?

In the coming days this blog will do what the Yankees hierarchy did not do after the sweep, that is look into the future and begin the 2013 season.

Rest in peace Mr. Steinbrenner, you are missed. Especially today.

SIGN UP FOR THIS?

It is amazing to see how some people will drink Girardi's Kool-Ade and pretend that this collapse (and that's what it is) is no big deal.

The latest consumer of the beverage is Richard Justice of MLB.com. I encourage you to read his article now then come back and continue with this one.

Yankees lack healthy bodies, not heart - Richard Justice -MLB.com

My take on what was said:

"All things considered, it's surprising they're still tied for first place after 135 games. If Girardi had known in Spring Training how it would all play out, he surely would have signed up for a share of first place on Sept. 5."

How about this: If Girardi had known on June 11, when they had a 10 game lead, would he have signed up for a share of first place on Sept. 5? Would you? I think not.

"More was expected of Phil Hughes and Ivan Nova. But they were never supposed to be the keys to this strange season."

Mr. Longball

Anyone that expected Phil "Mr. Longball" Hughes to more than an average .500 pitcher was fooling themselves. Hughes' pitches are not measured in MPH, they are measured in FEET. He is a serviceable #4 starter that will see better days in a lesser teams uniform.

"Girardi has perfected the art -- and believe me, it's an art -- of answering every question the same way. He never raises his voice. He almost never seems irritated."

Except for when he is smug and bats his eyelashes at you. Ever notice how when he thinks he is above and beyond he bats his lashes at you? Makes you want to chuck the remote at the TV.

"The Yankees were not poorly constructed. They are not poorly managed. They do not lack heart. They lack bodies."

The Over Manager

Yes, they ARE poorly managed. They are OVER MANAGED. His constant "mixing and matching", as he calls it, hurts more than it helps. I don't care if the opposing pitcher throws with his left hand, right hand, big toe or other appendage, if Alex Rodreguez is hurt, I don't want to see Jayson Nix or Casey McGehee at 3rd when Eric Chavez is on this team. Sometimes your tired starter is still better than some of the scrubs he runs out of the bullpen. 100 pitches...take him out, put in a scrub. Insanity. Too many times Girardi does not put the best possible team on the field and that is his #1 job.  Francisco Cervelli and Chris Stewart are better hitters than Russell Martin. The defense between the 3 are equal but Girardi keeps putting Martin out there with his .190 average. This week we saw Girardi at his best by trying to out manage a fellow over manager versus Baltimore. Fail.

"In 49 days, their lead in the American League East has gone from 10 games to zero. In that time, they've gone 20-25. They've averaged 4.4 runs per game. Their ERA is 4.00. Neither number is particularly good. Neither number is awful, either. "

10 to ZERO and 20-25 IS awful! This team was built for more than 4.4 runs per game and with some of the pitchers on this team 4.4 doesn't cut it.

"With Sabathia, Pettitte, Hiroki Kuroda and Hughes pitching well down the stretch, the Yankees are good enough to make the playoffs."

GM Brian Cashman

Again, expecting more from Hughes than he is capable of delivering. Nobody should expect anything out of Pettitte. We know his reputation, but to count on anyone coming off of an injury is not a smart move. Brian Cashman needed to get a starter at the trade deadline and failed to do so. Instead, he got an outfielder and a scrub infielder.

"They never expected to be playing with this roster, but that's the hand they've been dealt. Girardi must somehow get his guys to take a deep breath and worry only about themselves."

The problem here is that Girardi is not the right guy to lead this. How long will it be before we see Jeter getting "rest" while Eduardo Nunez makes 2 errors at short and another game is lost? It WILL happen. When will another pitcher, who is pitching well, be removed for a lefty/righty mix and match, only to have the next pitcher blow the game?

"They're in more trouble than they ever expected to be, but nothing has been lost."

Nothing? A 10 game lead is not "nothing".

The Yankees are an under performing team and the manager makes it worse. When this season is over, regardless of the outcome, big changes need to be made.

DON'T BE A KNUCKLE HEAD

Take a breath Mets fans. I know you are all very excited over the wonderful season that R.A. Dickey is having but don't go ordering his Hall of Fame plaque just yet or hanging #43 on the outfield wall.

Historically, knuckleballers are .500 pitchers (as starters) over a career with a knack for double digit loss seasons. Most of their compiled records are due to longevity since most pitch into their 40's as relievers. While R.A. might win 20, don't be shocked if he loses 15 next season.

Here is a brief history of the knuckleball and some of its more famous users:

History:  (from Wikipedia) The identity of the first pitcher to throw a knuckleball is uncertain, but it appears to have been developed in the early 20th century. Lew "Hicks" Moren (1906) of the Philadelphia Phillies was credited as its inventor. However, Eddie Cicotte apparently also came up with the pitch while at Indianapolis, and brought it to the modern major leagues two years later in 1908. Since Cicotte had a much more successful career (and also gained later notoriety as one of the players implicated in the Black Sox scandal), his name is the one most often associated with the invention of the pitch today.

Hall of Famer Phil Niekro is probably the greatest of them all. Niekro's 318 career victories are the most by a knuckleball pitcher. He also amassed 274 losses in his 24 year career with the Braves, Yankees, Indians and Blue Jays.  "Knucksie" lead the NL in losses in 4 consecutive seasons between 1977 -1980. He won 20 games twice and lost 20 games twice. He pitched a no-hitter in 1973 and his #35 was retired by the Atlanta Braves in 1984 even though he didn't retire until 1987. He actualy played for the Braves AFTER they retired his number.

Joe Niekro (brother of Phil), went 221-204 with the Cubs, Padres, Tigers, Braves, Astros, Yankees and Twins over 22 seasons. His best season was 1979 (21-11. 3.00) with the Astros. He had double digit losses 11 times. including an 18 loss season in 1969.  In 1987 Niekro was suspended for 10 games when umpire Steve Palermo discovered a nail file in his pocket. Neikro died in 2006. His family sponsors the Joe Neikro Foundation which is committed to aiding in the research and treatment of aneurysm patients.



Hall of Famer Hoyt Wilhelm, primarily a reliever, (52 starts / 1070 appearances), went 143-122 in 21 seasons with 10 teams. His best season was 1952 (15-3, 2.43). He pitched in a NL leading 71 games, all in relief. Wilhelm retired with the lowest career Earned Run Average of any Major League hurler after 1927 (2.52) who pitched more than 2,000 innings.

Charlie Hough went 216-216 in 25 seasons with 4 teams. Hough ad 13 double digit loss seasons, including 12 in a row between 1982-1993.

Wilbur Wood went 164-156 with the Red Sox, Pirates and White Sox. Between 1971 and 1974 Wood went 22-13, 24-17, 24-20 and 20-19. In 1975 he was 16-20. In a 6-1 loss to the California Angels, on September 10, 1977, Wood hit three consecutive batters in the first inning. Wood started both games of a doubleheader for the White Sox against the Yankees on July 20, 1973. (He lost both games).

Tom Candiotti compiled a 151-164 record over 16 seasons with 5 teams, notably the Indians and Dodgers. Candioti lost 10+ games 10 times and won 10+ games only 8 times. His best season was 1988 (14-8). He lead the NL in losses with 15 in 1992 and the AL with 16 in 1996. Candiotti appeared briefly in Billy Crystal's 2001 movie "61*" as pitcher Hoyt Wilhelm and was was inducted into the International Bowling Hall of Fame in 2007.

Recently retired Tim Wakefield finished with a 200-180 record over 19 seasons, 17 with the Red Sox and 2 with the Pirates. Wakefield started 463 out of 627 appearances. He lost 10+ games 11 times and lead the AL in losses with 15 in 1997 and won 10+ games 11 times. His best season was 1998 when he went 17-8 but followed that with 6-11, 6-10 and 9-12 seasons between 1999-2001.

Steve Sparks became a knuckleballer after he dislocated his shoulder by attempting to rip a phone book in half while in the minor leagues with the Brewers. His best season was with Detroit in 2001 when he went 14-8. In 9 seasons he was 59-76. Sparks retired in 2005 and does some TV work with the Astros.

R.A. has never faced the Yankees. That changes Sunday night vs. CC Sabathia.