By now everyone knows that The Rocket, Roger Clemens is back with the New York Yankees.
"Welcome home!" radio cheerleader Suzan Waldman exclaimed, even though Clemens has only spent five of his 22 year career in pinstripes. Is that woman ever going to get a clue?
The Yankees have signed Clemens to a one-year 28 million dollar contract. I'm sorry, $28,000,022. I short changed him $22. The extra $22 represents his playing number. Isn't that cute?
Clemens, who is coming off of a 7-6 year with a 2.30 ERA in AAAA Baseball (National League), is joining a team that is off to a terrible start. With tonight's loss, they are now a full six games out of first place.
This is an obvious panic move by the Skanks. Torre and Cashman are feeling the pressure (as they should), and with Kei Igawa's recent meltdown and Pavono once again going under the knife, the Yankee hierarchy had to do something. They had to do something dramatic. Something to distract the ancient owner. Something to distract the overbearing media. A little smoke and mirrors to fool loser Yankee fans. Hence, $28 mil for a 45-year-old gun for hire. Who by the way, has the freedom to come and go as he pleases on his off days. Something Joe Torre has always said would never happen.
I doubt that this move is going to make much of a difference. Sure, Clemens is a great pitcher. Personally, I think he's the greatest pitcher of all time. But, it's too little too late for the Skanks. It's going to be hard to pick up six games on the Sox mostly because this Yankee team isn't that good. They still aren't getting timely hits. The bullpen is a disaster and completely over worked (thanks Joe!), and Mo just isn't Mo anymore.
It will be fun watching Clemens back in pinstripes, and I do love watching the guy pitch. I just hope this really is the end for him. It would be nice to see Torre, Pettitte, Arod, Mo, Cashman, Pavono and Bernie go away with him.
Good news loser Yankee fans, New York has a new choke artist! Just when you thought you would have no one left to boo, Mariano Rivera has stepped up to the plate and has replaced the hated Arod.
I know how much this season has bothered you. I mean, public enemy number one is having one of the greatest beginnings to any season in baseball history. Two walkoff, game winning homeruns, a solid defensive effort at the hot corner and now two huge homeruns against the over-rated Red Sux. He is leading the world with homeruns, runs scored and RBI. It's tough to boo a guy who is winning games single-handedly.
Even Joe Torre has jumped on the Arod bandwagon calling his star player "scary". This is the same manager who had the balls to bat Alex eighth in a playoff game.
So now that everyone loves Arod because he's basically redefining the word "clutch", things would seem pretty rosey in Yankee Land. But just when you thought this was going to be a season to remember, your closer is offically spitting the bit.
So far this year, Mariano Rivera has had two save opportunities. One against the A's, and one against the Red Sox. Both saves were blown. And not just blown, but busted. Against the A's Mariano gave up a game winning homerun to the light hitting Marco Scutaro. Last night he gave up a bunch of hits, including a triple to Coco Crisp. Mo's ERA is 8.44. His record is 1-2. His career is probably over.
Mariano blew through spring training fanning guys left and right, but since the regular season has started he has struggled with his location and his cutter (the only pitch he throws) has been straight as an arrrow.
It will be very interesting to see how he rebounds from this horrible beginning to the 2007 season. Personally, I don't know that he can. Sure there are streches every year where Mo isn't perfect, there have always been other distractions going on that takes the spotlight off of Mo's blown saves. Not anymore. Arod is mashing. Pavono is already hurt. Jeter isn't dating any movie stars. The focus will be on Mo and his lack of perfection.
Mo should be blaming Joe Torre for last night's debacle. Torre panicked, and went to Mariano too early. Torre's go-to-guy can't handle more than one inning anymore, he's going to have to stop over using the bullpen. Knowing Torre's history, that won't happen and it's going to cost New York a championship and ultimately Torre's job.
So don't worry loser Yankee fans, there is still someone to hate. There is still someone to strip of all that has made them great. There is still an all-time great player to boo on a regular basis. He doesn't wear Number 13 anymore. For now, the last player to wear Number 42 will have to do.
That's right Yankee fans, your boy, Arod ripped another homerun in the first inning tonight against the Twins. That's three games in a row (I think), and number six on the season. It was a two-run blast that gave Andy Pettitte a lead before he even took the mound. Arod gave Pavano a similar lead yesterday, allowing Carl to take the mound with a safety blanket. It turned out he didn't need it.
I wonder how all of you loser Yankee fans feel about Arod now? Do you still hate him? Is he clutch yet? Does it not matter until he does it in October? November? What's it like to go to Yankee Stadium and pay $40+ for tickets, $15+ for parking, $7.50+ for a 12oz. beer (of course you probably drink six of those), $10+ for a chicken finger meal and then boo Arod?
And for what? Because he's not Jeter? You're right, losers. He's not Jeter.HE'S A HUNDRED TIMES BETTER THAN JETER!!!!!
What's that, losers? I'm crazy? I'm stupid? I must be a Mets fan? Actually your wrong. I'm just not in love with Mr. Jeter. I think Jeter is a good player, a clutch player, but he's no where near what Arod is. You loser NY fans can't see past your thick New York accents to realize that, but after Alex bats .320 with 55 Hr's and 140 RBI this year, signs a contract in the off season for about $180 mil. with the Marlins, you'll realize that you ruined the best thing that has ever happened to you.
Then you can go around saying that Arod was all about the money. Like if someone offered you $180 million, you would decline, and stay with your $75 million, three-year contract, only to stay in a market where everyone hates you, no matter how many MVP's you win.
Wake up, losers. And when Arod comes to the plate, cheer for the guy. You can boo him next year when he's playing shortstop for another team.
This is part 2 of the Yankees Round Table here at Blogs by Fans, see part 1 at depressedfan.com.
Question No. 1. Let me start by saying that your love affair with Philip Hughes has got to stop. I have never heard someone talk so much about a pitcher they have never seen pitch. This guy will hopefully stay in the minors all year until the September call-ups. The less I see of Hughes, the better. If he's the Yankees' future, like you and a lot of the local media types claim, than I don't want to see the guy rushed up to the majors. I'm going to guess that on opening day, Torre is going to start Wang. It will probably be the only move that Torre will make all year that I will agree with. Torre's starting five in order will be Wang, Pettitte, Mussina, Pavono and Igawa. Based on what I currently know, I'm going to have to agree. I will say this though, I'm expecting a big year out of Pavono (15+ wins) because no man can possible be as worthless as he's proven so far. And I'm expecting Pettitte to be a HUGE bust. This isn't the NL. This isn't the same media that covered the Yanks when the Yanks could do no wrong, and he was never that good to begin with. So I wouldn't expect that starting rotation to be the same come September. Question No. 2. This is kind of a tricky answer, but I really don't believe there is anyone on the Yanks that can handle the pressure that surrounds the team on a regular basis. That's right, not even Jeter! Buster Olney was right when he wrote "The Last Night of the Yankee Dynasty", it's over. The Yanks aren't going to be able to get back to it's winning World Series ways anytime soon. The pressure from the fans, media and players themselves have taken on a life of their own. It's a much different atmosphere than what surrounded the team during the 96'-00' run. Pettitte's about to find that out. Back then there was hope. There was admiration. Pride. That's all gone now. First place isn't good enough anymore. 100 wins isn't good enough. Division Champions aren't good enough. All that matters is a World Series Championship. When your entire season is based on the ultimate prize, you can't win. Question No. 3. To Bernie, I have hated you from day one when you showed up on the baseball diamond wearing glasses. I want you to know that you are a heartless, emotionless, selfish, most over-rated artist/robot that has ever played the game and no one outside of the Tri-state area even knows who you are. Go die! Part 3 Alright, Mike. You are next. See if you can answer these questions three. 1. Tell me why Joe Torre should be coaching this team after going six years without a championship, and will he be back next year? 2. If this current team is missing something (i.e. player, manager, GM, intensity, youth), what is it? 3. For the last several years, the Yankee/Red Sox rivalry has reached an all time high. Especially after the 2004 choke job by the Yanks that reversed the curse. Is the rivalry still as strong as ever? Are the Sox still the Yankees' number one competition. If not, who is? Finally, does the regular season even matter anymore? Check out the answers to these questions and more at greenpinstripes.com.
The New York Post reported today that the New York Yankees and the Arizona Diamondbacks are still talking about a deal involving Randy Johnson. The two teams are discussing contract negotiations and once a deal can be reached, Johnson and his agent will be contacted to see if they agree to the trade. Since The Unit has a complete "no trade" clause in his contract, the two teams have to get his approval before anything is official. Dealing Johnson is a no-brainer for the Yanks. They don't need The Big Awkward stomping around the mound, being afraid to throw inside, leading the league in homers given up, faking injuries, complaining about pitching to a hispanic catcher and getting knocked out of big games by the third inning. Johnson needs to be in a warmer climate where he can grow back the mullet and get back to the Quadruple A Baseball League (National League). Arizona is perfect for the 65-year-old starter, who was never able to excel in New York (basically because he's done), because there is no pressure, no media and no talent, which only makes him look more impressive. Randy did win a bunch of games for the Yanks and they are going to need to get some arms back to fill in the rotation. Hopefully young arms. I doubt it's going to be anyone of immediate significance. There have been rumors that if the Yanks rid themselves of Johnson, they will then go after another fossil in Roger Clemens. The Yanks really don't need anymore old players, but Clemens is intriguing. The guy is a winner and someone who can bring an attitude to the Yanks that they have been lacking ever since they lost to the Diamondbacks in the World Series.
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