News, Views and What-Have-Yous
Observing the Rites of Spring







Special to Yankees Talk Shop
February 26, 2009

At last, Yankee fans have some baseball stuff, not related to steroids, to talk about. Well, at least, not all of it anyway.

First off, the continuing saga of Alex Rodriguez’s not so excellent adventure has to be addressed. Everyone was wondering the reception A-Rod would get in his first game experience of spring training when the Yankees visited the Toronto Blue Jays on Wednesday. It turns out that not all of the noise coming out of the crowd was boos. There was a smattering of cheers when A-Rod’s name was announced as he approached the batter’s box for the first time.

A-Rod apparently didn’t let anything distract him as he homered and walked twice in three plate appearances as the Yankees defeated the Jays 6-1. Rodriguez’s home run came in the 4th inning when he connected on a pitch left up in the strike zone by LHP Ricky Romero and drove it over the centerfield wall.

“It was just a fastball I left up and he’s a great hitter,” Romero said after the game to reporters. “He’s going to hit mistakes and I made a mistake. I was just trying to be aggressive.”

Rodriguez left the game after the fifth inning to a lot more cheers than boos, and later stopped to sign autographs for fans. He was asked he felt about the reception he got from the crowd on his first game played since admitting to using performance-enhancing drugs.

“When you’re playing, it’s hard to focus on standing ovations or boos. You’re just trying to go out there and do your job,” Rodriguez said. “Again, I didn’t see anything that was bad at all.”

A-Rod had plenty of support before he took his first cuts of the season. Tuesday night he had dinner with Hall of Famer and Yankees’ consultant Reggie Jackson. Jackson told reporters what advice he gave the Yankee third baseman on the eve of his first game.

“I told him to hit the baseball. It’s really an old story. It never really changes,” Jackson said. “Hit the baseball, and hit it like heck. That’s really about all that really matters.”

A-Rod evidently heard Jackson’s message.

On the team bus ride over to Dunedin manager Joe Girardi talked to A-Rod about what to expect.

“We weren’t quite sure what it would be like today. It was a mixture of both,” Girardi said. “We talked a little bit about today. Told him, we’re with you the whole way. We’re going to be here no matter what happens. I can’t pretend to know what it’s like to be in Alex’s shoes.”

So, all-in-all, things in A-Rod’s world didn’t come off too badly Wednesday.

That is until, even by A-Rod standards, he did a dumb thing. After he finished signing autographs he got into an SUV being driven by his cousin Yuri Sucart, whom the Yankees refused to identify at the time. This is the same cousin who allegedly provided the “juice” A-Rod used during his years playing for the Texas Rangers.

Since yesterday the Yankees informed A-Rod that his cousin is no longer welcomed on or around any Yankees’ property. Obviously, having the guy that did PED’s around the team and their most expensive asset is going to make management nervous and probably upset. The question I have for A-Rod is didn’t you think this thing out before allowing your cousin to show up at the game? Sucart is probably the last person A-Rod should be wanting around the Yankees right now or ever for that matter.

Somebody needs to sit this guy down and give him a lesson in dos and don’ts. A-Rod has enough on his plate without inviting more scrutiny. If he ever wants to get the proverbial 800 lb. gorilla off his back he has to stop shooting himself in the foot with these mental mistakes.

On the good news front, the Yankees made it two in a row with a 5-1 victory over the defending AL Champion Tampa Bay Rays at George M. Steinbrenner Field.

A-Rod was still the story as he received more cheers than boos before a friendlier home team crowd. Rodriguez played 5 innings and went 0-for-2 with a strike out to minor league pitcher Wade Davis in the second inning and later hit into an inning ending double play.

Principal owner George Steinbrenner was in attendance, along with 10,693 paying customers. Steinbrenner arrived in a golf cart, and was transferred to a wheelchair before disappearing into the stadium elevators. When he later appeared in his box the crowd gave him a loud ovation.

Jorge Posada made his first appearance at the plate since having season ending shoulder surgery last July. He has yet to throw in a game situation and is not expected to catch a game until mid-March. Posada thrilled the crowd with a solo home run to left off pitcher Chad Orvella. Posada has been doing throwing drills and so far no pain has been reported in his throwing shoulder.

RHP Phil Hughes made his spring debut and pitched two innings. He had a mixed outing. Hughes didn’t allow a run, but hit two batters, while striking out two and walking one. Lefty Phil Coke also pitched two innings and earned the victory.

Hughes has lots to prove to the Yankees coaching staff and brass. Once considered a “can’t miss” prospect Hughes has had several setbacks. Hughes showed promise in 2007 when he went 5-3 in 13 games started. On May 1 Hughes faced the Texas Rangers and was pitching a no-hitter for 6-1/3 innings before pulling his left hamstring. He ended up on the disabled list before returning on August 4 against Kansas City.

During the off-season several teams contacted the Yankees regarding Hughes. Most notably was the Minnesota Twins who wanted to make him part of a deal for LHP Johan Santana. GM Brian Cashman made Hughes “off limits,” and Santana ended up with the cross-town rival New York Mets. Hughes had a disappointing start to the 2008 season as he went 0-4 in 8 starts. He went on the disabled list on April 30 with a strained oblique muscle and a fractured rib. He returned to the Yankees in September, but didn’t gain a victory as the Yankees missed the playoffs for the first time in 13 years.

Hughes could be pitching for his baseball life this spring. As of now he isn’t projected to make the starting rotation, which will consist of C.C. Sabathia, Andy Pettitte, A.J. Burnett, Chien-Ming Wang and Joba Chamberlain. He could make a bid for a bullpen slot, but he has to show durability and shed the wildness that has plagued him. Hughes has the goods, but must harness it all in order to make a roster spot.

The battle for center field is still raging between Brett Gardner and Melky Cabrera. Gardner slammed a solo home run on Wednesday, going 1-for-3 with an RBI, but had an error in center. Cabrera sat out Wednesday’s spring opener.

In Thursday’s game Gardner played left and Cabrera made his debut in center. Both players went 0-for-2. It’s important for Cabrera to get off to a strong start. After having a sparkling 2007 season where he hit .273 with 8 home runs and 73 RBI in 153 games, Cabrera’s numbers fell way off in 2008. His average plummeted to .249 with 8 home runs and 37 RBI. He was demoted to Triple-A in August. Cabrera was mentioned in a lot of trade talk, so proving he belongs is monumental for him.

Another guy who needs to step it up in 2009 is Robinson Cano. Cano, who debuted for the Yankees in 2005, gave the Yankees hope for a productive player to replace Alfonso Soriano who was traded to the Texas Rangers for Alex Rodriguez in 2004. In his first 3 seasons Cano averaged a .315 batting average with 16 home runs and 79 RBI. In fact, he came in 3rd for the A.L. batting title in 2006.

Prior to the 2008 season Cano was rewarded with a 4-year, $30 million deal. He faltered out of the gate batting only .151 in April. He heated up after the All Star break, hitting .307 and had an .815 OPS. One of the concerns about Cano is his lack of concentration and his lackadaisical attitude. It’s important for Cano to get serious, start out hot and stay there the entire year.

After two games it looks like Girardi’s plan of taking the team to a pool parlor Tuesday is paying off. The Yankees look loose and haven’t appeared bothered by any of the distractions that have bothered them for the past couple of weeks.

Lastly, I want to address the World Baseball Classic. I know Major League Baseball wants to promote their brand globally, but doing so during spring training is just ridiculous. Yes, teams have been told that pitchers will be on pitch counts and players platooned, etc., etc., but having your best players like Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez playing for other managers in a tournament that in the end means nothing, but a great exhibition is just plain unwise. Sure it gives the winning team like Japan 3 years ago bragging rights, but that’s about it.

Another thing, what about team chemistry? If Jeter and A-Rod are off playing for the U.S.A. and the Dominican Republic how are they going to work on meshing with their teammates? They'll be gone until the end of March, which means they'll get very little playing time with Cano and, especially Texeira, who is new to the team. Let's not forget to mention the other guys on the club as well. The Beatles didn't become great, because John and Paul were off playing in another band, right?

The season is long enough as it is. Adding more games to the spring isn’t in the best interests of the teams or the players. It’s all fun and games until somebody loses an eye, and in this case if the Yankees lose Jeter (who already has a balky hamstring) or an A-Rod and they miss the playoffs again there will be H-E-double tooth picks to pay. If you want a WBC tournament, how about doing it in November and December? There are plenty of warm spots on the planet to play in at that time of year.



© 2009 Yankees Talk Shop @ yuku.com

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Waiting in the Wings
Up and Coming Prospect confidently waits his turn







Special to Yankees Talk Shop
February 23, 2009


So far this spring the sports sections of New York’s various newspapers have been filled with articles about the troubles of Yankees’ third baseman Alex Rodriguez. Has it dawned on anyone that spring training has officially started and the start of the regular season is less than two months away?

Although we haven’t reported or read the last about A-Rod’s quagmire it is time to turn the corner and get our collective focus back on baseball. The Yankees have the usual cast of characters adorning George M. Steinbrenner (formally Legends) Field, but there are also some unfamiliar faces around as well; hoping to catch the attention of the coaching staff and manager in anticipation of having their names filed away in the backs of minds to be recalled at a later, more opportune date.

One of these players is RHP pitcher Mark Melancon (pronounced Muh-lan-son). Melancon, at 6-2 and 215 lb. has impressed the coaches, manager Joe Girardi and GM Brian Cashman early with his ability.

Melancon was drafted in 2006 out of the University of Arizona, where he still holds the school’s single season and career marks for saves, by the Yankees in the First-Year Player Draft.

Melancon was assigned to the Class-A Short-Season Staten Island Yankees where he made seven relief appearances, amassing a 0-1 record, with two saves, and a 3.52 ERA. He helped the Yankees capture their second consecutive NY-Penn Championship.

A successful debut took a back seat for Melancon as he underwent Tommy John surgery on October 31st, which caused him to miss the entire 2007 season.

The 23-year old pitcher returned to the mound in 2008; starting with Class-A Tampa. Although rusty at the outset of the season Melancon was a respectable 1-0 in 13 appearances. He threw 25.1 innings, striking out 20 while walking six. Opposing hitters had a .265 B.A. against Melancon, as he only surrendered eight earned runs for a 2.84 ERA.

The right-hander was promoted to the Class-AA Trenton Thunder in mid-May where his numbers continued to improve. He accrued a 6-0 record and 2 saves, while fanning 47 hitters in 49.2 innings. His SO/BB ratio was nearly 4-to-1 as Melancon gave out no more than 12 free passes. In 19 appearances opposing hitters could only manage a .183 B.A. against him and his ERA plunged to 1.81.

At the end of July Melancon jumped up to Class-AAA Scranton Wilkes-Barrie. There, Melancon made 12 appearances; piling up 20 innings of work. He made the most of his opportunities as he struck out 22, and walked only 4 while going 1-1 with a save. Opponents could only hit .162 against Melancon. He helped the SWB Yankees to the 2008 Governors’ Cup Championship.

According to an article in today’s New York Daily News, Melancon is rated as the no. 9 overall prospect at the start of 2009 by Baseball America.

In an interview to the News Melancon gave out a ray of confidence, but not arrogance as to how good he is.

Asked if the thought he was ready for the majors Melancon replied, "I think I'm ready. I still think I have a lot of learning to do. I'm definitely not at the level I want to be at."

Although Joba Chamberlain’s name is the one that's most often discussed as the closer when Mariano Rivera retires, Melancon is also being mentioned as another candidate who could be closing out Yankee games in the future.

However, as of now, the big reliever is taking such talk in stride. "It's not overwhelming, because I know it's not true unless I make it true," Melancon told reporters. "I think it's able to be done, so I'm excited for that. I'm excited that people are throwing that out there, but I know it's not true until I make it true."

One thing Melancon and Chamberlain could have in common is the way Chamberlain debuted in 2007. He was a late season addition to the 40-man roster and sparkled out of the bullpen to help the Yankees return to the playoffs for the 13th consecutive year. Melancon could see that scenario happening as well.

"I can picture that," Melancon said. "I think I have a lot to offer - my competitiveness and my ability to get it done. I feel that in any situation I come in to I have a chance to get outs and win."

Right now Melancon has no expectations of making the opening day roster. However, in a long season where injuries do occur Melancon knows he has to be ready at any time to fill a spot on the big club.

Girardi told reporters Melancon is “in the mix” with the other relievers, but Cashman anticipates the right-hander starting the season in Triple-A.

Nonetheless, no matter where he ends up to start 2009 Girardi complimented his young star. "You don't want to make too much of what you see right now because his stuff is going to get better as he goes on in spring training," Girardi said. "I love his arm."

Nice praise to build on for sure.

Sources: NY Daily News, ESPN, Minor League Baseball website, Scranton Wilkes-Barrie Yankees website



© 2009 Yankees Talk Shop @ yuku.com

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Fooling Nobody
A-Rod looks bad coming out of press conference







Special to Yankees Talk Shop
February 20, 2009


There’s a new show on FOX called, “Lie to Me.” It’s about a group of body language experts who use their skills to identify people who are lying or not telling the whole truth. These guys would have had a field day with Alex Rodriguez this past Tuesday when he sat down with approximately 200 members of the media to readmit his use of performance-enhancing drugs.

A-Rod promised to tell the truth and give everyone the who, what, when, where and why he took illegal substances. Bolstered by most of his teammates, who were sitting and or standing nearby, Rodriguez read from a prepared statement where he said he used an over-the-counter drug found in the Dominican Republic with the street name of “Boli,” and that was supplied by his cousin; a cousin whom A-Rod refused to identify.

Rodriguez explained that his cousin told him this substance would give him an “energy boost, but was otherwise harmless.” He told us he and his cousin decided to use the drug twice a month for six months over the course of a season. This occurred during the 2001, 2002 and 2003 seasons. A-Rod said he and his cousin tried hard to keep their use “between them.” He also said, “We consulted no one. It was pretty evident that we didn’t know what we were doing.”

In the telling of his side of the issue, Rodriguez pointed to his youth, being naïve, not asking the right questions and being stupid for his reasons for doing what he did. He said after taking a drug test in 2003 where he apparently tested positive for evidences of Primobolan and testosterone, A-Rod quit taking “Boli,” because of a serious neck injury and the fact the player’s association voted for a mandatory drug policy. He stated he saw how serious the circumstances were.

Rodriguez told everyone he was clean while playing in Seattle and has been clean while playing in New York. He made sure we all knew how many times he’s been drug tested in the time he’s been in the Bronx. He concluded his statement by thanking his teammates for supporting him. That took approximately 37 seconds to do, because A-Rod paused a long time for effect before getting the rest of his thanks out.

This was when the all the fun started.

The members of the press corps were permitted to ask one question with no follow up questions allowed. Here were some of the highlights of the Q & A, followed by my observations.

On the subject of whether or not Rodriguez thought he shamed the game of baseball as stated by Commissioner Bud Selig, A-Rod sidestepped the question and answered, “”I certainly made a mistake, and I feel poorly for that.”

A-Rod was asked if he would’ve come forward on his own if his name hadn’t been revealed in the Sports Illustrated article that started this whole mess. He said, “I-I haven’t thought about it much. The fact is that it came out and I’m here to share my story and, uh, put it out there and hopefully I can put this behind me and my teammates to have to carry the burden of answering all the questions for me.”

(How can A-Rod say something like that? Of course, he’s thought about it. The obvious answer should have been something like - “Yes, I’ve thought about it, and I knew then I made a huge mistake back then, and that I was wrong. No, I wouldn’t have come forward if my name hadn’t surfaced. Why would I want to put myself through what I’m going through now? I was promised anonymity, so I assumed my name would be kept secret, along with all the other players who tested positive. It wasn’t so here I am. Now that it’s out there I want to be as honest as I can so I can get this behind me and get back to playing baseball.” - Let’s face it, nobody in their right mind would come forward, but answering honestly instead of skirting around the question would have gone a long way.)

On why he said he used steroids in Texas to protect the large contract he signed while playing for the Rangers, but discontinuined once he came to New York Rodriguez said, “I think I was curious. And, like I said in Peter’s (Gammons) interview I was young, and, uh, I was 24-35 years old, I mean, I keep going back to…I entered the game when I was 18 and if I had a son I would definitely recommend going to college and have an opportunity to grow up, and I didn’t…..”

(So from 1995 until 2001 while he was playing for the Mariners A-Rod managed to be mature enough not to stick illegal substances into his body, but because he signed a big contract, one which he obviously commanded because of his numbers in Seattle, he became young and stupid then? How is that possible? You were smart enough to play naturally for six years, smart enough to sign a contract for one-quarter of a billion dollars, but stupid and immature enough to start using steroids? That just doesn’t wash A-Rod.)

A-Rod was asked by Bob Klapisch of the Bergen Record why he didn’t disclose taking these illegal drugs with his cousin during his interview with ESPN’s Peter Gammons; an interview he arranged himself. Rodriguez responded, “Good question Bob. The thing is, when I was, uh, when a reporter came into the gym maybe 38 hours, or 48 hours I thought it was important to get the truth out there, early, and be forthright, and as far as all the details I didn’t want to speak from a position of non-factual. I thought I was putting myself out there already with saying the truth and over the last 9 days I sat down with my cousin and we’ve had several conversations and here are the facts 9 days later. I wasn’t prepared, Bob, to say that when I sat down with Peter, because it was a long, long time ago and I really didn’t remember.”

(Huh? The story comes out on a Saturday, and Rodriguez speaks to Gammons on the following Monday. Even if as little as 5 years would be considered a long, long time ago this is a cousin who has evidently lived with Rodriguez for many years as one of A-Rod’s entourage. So why would he need more than a couple of days to sit down with a cousin he can readily contact to refresh his memory about the events as they occurred back then?)

A-Rod was asked if he now thought what he did was cheating. “That’s not for me to determine. I’m here to say that I’m sorry. I’m here to say that in some ways I wish I went to college and got an opportunity to grow up at my own pace. You know, I guess when you’re young and stupid, you’re young and stupid and I’m very guilty for both of those.”

(A-Rod did the deed, but can’t determine if he was cheating or not? Hey, Alex, do you think Mark McGwire, Sammy Sosa, Raphael Palmeiro, or Barry Bonds were cheating? You don’t need to go to college to answer this question. How about, “Yes, I was cheating. I did it, because I wanted to be the best player I could be. I know now it was wrong.” This was one of A-Rod’s lamest responses.)

Joel Sherman of the New York Post posed the best question of the day. He asked Rodriguez that if he didn’t know what the drug he was putting into his body did, and if he wasn’t sure he was administering it right why would he continue, being a professional athlete, to put something into himself over a 3 year period?

A-Rod replied, “Yeah, instead of saying a general, I try to bring it in a box for you. Now that may be once a month it may be three times a month. I want to clarify that. O.K., you’re asking me why I would do that. Again it goes back to being young and being curious and when it started it was probably in the middle of ‘01 and when it ended it was the ‘03 and I realized, thank God, that I realized after my neck injury that I was being silly and irresponsible. And I decided to stop and I was a young guy.”

(Nowhere in Rodriguez’s response do I get the answer to Sherman’s question. A-Rod said he was curious, and he was young. It took a neck injury to make him realize he was being silly and irresponsible? Once again, he completely goes around what we want to know. A proper answer to the question could have been, “I kept hoping that the benefit would come, but after 3 years I never felt like it was helping my performance to go beyond what I could do naturally. I started, because I was curious, and I stopped because I needed to. It didn’t help me and with the neck injury and the mandatory drug policy being implemented I knew I could be doing more harm to myself than good.”)

Many other examples of Rodriguez’s, less than candid, responses could be given, but you get the picture. A-Rod admitted he took steroids, because he got caught. He’s sorry, because he got caught. He wants to educate young men and women in sports to avoid taking steroids or HGH, because he got caught. If the Sports Illustrated story had never come out we would never know that Alex Rodriguez was a cheater.

A-Rod came off looking poorly after the press conference concluded. His performance only created more questions and did little to stave off the media coverage Rodriguez can expect to get for the foreseeable future. He needs to acknowledge that he was a drug cheater and that he was wrong. He needs to become completely honest in his answers about his cheating. The more he evades in giving a direct response to a direct question the more he leaves the door open for more questions and conjecture.

The Yankees are understandably less than thrilled with A-Rod’s presentation. In a year where the Yankees need to focus on winning a championship they will instead spend a lot of time focusing on A-Rod’s needs and comforts. In order for the Yankees to thrive Alex Rodriguez has to put up big numbers. However, those numbers, heretofore thought to be produced by a natural, God-gifted athlete will now be forever tainted by steroids.

If it was A-Rod’s plan to convince all of us watching him Tuesday afternoon that he was being completely honest he missed badly. I would recommend to A-Rod that he not go into the field of acting when his playing days are finished, because he’s really, really bad at it.

Let’s play some baseball shall we?

Note: ESPN reported this morning on its Web site the cousin who Alex Rodriguez said injected him with steroids from 2001-03 has been identified as Yuri Sucart, 46, of Miami, Florida. Sucart was identified by his wife Carman as the cousin Rodriguez mentioned during his 33 minute press conference at George M. Steinbrenner Field on Tuesday.


© 2009 Yankees Talk Shop @ yuku.com

Redistribution, rewriting, rebroadcast, or republication of this story without the prior written consent of Yankees Talk Shop, Pride in the Pinstripes or its affiliates is strictly prohibited

A-Rod Plays Some Dodge Ball
Rodriguez evasive at Q&A session with media







Special to Yankees Talk Shop
February 17, 2009


Approximately 200 members of the media descended upon George M. Steinbrenner Field Tuesday to hear from Yankees third baseman and admitted steroid abuser Alex Rodriguez. Rodriguez, sitting in the first chair to the right of the podium, joined by Yankee GM Brian Cashman and Manager Joe Girardi, looked at the reporters in the audience and said, “I’m a little nervous, or a lot nervous, so bear with me a little bit.”

With that A-Rod read from a prepared statement and told those present he knows he has a long road ahead to try and regain the trust that had been lost when his use of steroids became public. He told the media he needed to do two things. Tell the truth and tell where, what, and when he used illegal substances.

Rodriguez thanked the Yankees, the fans and his teammates for their support before going into detail about his use of steroids. He said that in 2001, 2002 and 2003 he experimented with a banned substance that triggered a positive reaction to a drug test administered in 2003. He stated that he had a meeting with Gene Orza in September of 2004 and was told he was one of a number of players who may have tested positive for banned substances. A-Rod said, “I think it is important to note that the tests that were taken in 2003 were requested and voted by players to determine the extent of the drug problem in Major League Baseball.”

A-Rod said that starting in 2001 he was introduced to a substance by an unidentified cousin that could be purchased over-the-counter that would give A-Rod an “energy boost, and otherwise harmless.” The substance was called “boli” on the streets.

He said he and his cousin, “one more ignorant than the other,” decided it would be a good idea to take it and it was delivered from the Dominican Republic by Rodriguez’s cousin. Rodriguez said the drug was administered by the cousin, but that neither of them knew how to administer it properly. When asked how the drug was introduced into him A-Rod replied, “It was injected.” A-Rod said they both took the substance twice a month for six months over a 3-year span starting with the 2001 season.

Rodriguez told the media, "We consulted no one. It was pretty evident that we didn't know what we were doing."

A-Rod said he and his cousin tried to keep taking the drug between them and that his cousin never offered the substance to any other player. Rodriguez stated he stopped using the substance after the 2003 season for a couple of reasons First, he had sustained a serious neck injury and was afraid for his baseball career and his career after baseball and, secondly, because the players voted for a mandatory drug and, “at this time it became evident to me how serious this all was. And, I decided to stop then.”

Afterwards, Rodriguez told the crowd about how often he has submitted to urine and blood drug testing. He also said he understands that he wouldn’t have any control over the opinions of others regarding his career and any records he may influence. He said what he could control was his God-given ability and that, "spring training represents a new start to me, and a chance to win a championship.”

A-Rod concluded his statement by saying how baseball was bigger than Alex Rodriguez. He looked to his right and said, “To my teammates…..” at which point he became obviously emotional and paused for 37 seconds before finishing, ”.....thank you. “ Teammates Derek Jeter, Andy Pettitte, Mariano Rivera and Jorge Posada were looking at A-Rod when he apologized to them.

After finishing the statement Rodriguez answered 26 questions from various members of the sports media. It was here a contrite and emotional A-Rod began dodging the hard questions.

When asked if he thought he was cheating by taking banned substances A-Rod replied, “I knew I made a mistake.” He was also asked by George King of the New York Post to identify the cousin and he said the identity of the cousin wasn’t relevant. He said anything the cousin did he did under A-Rod’s direction.

Rodriguez kept putting blame on his naivety, stupidity and youth. He kept referring to himself as being a 24-25 year old guy who didn’t know any better. It is interesting to note that from his first full season in 1995 until 2001 he allegedly remained clean, and from 2004 until the present he has remained clean. So, why was Rodriguez only stupid, naïve and young while playing in Texas?

A-Rod was also asked about his stats and which ones he thought were tainted and Rodriguez skirted around answering the question directly, but said it wasn’t up to him to decide what to do with his numbers.

Throughout the question and answer session Rodriguez appeared to be caught off-guard by several of the questions posed to him. He would pause several seconds and collect his thoughts before answering. Often, he would only answer half of a question, ignoring the other part of the inquiry.

When it was all said and done A-Rod left the crowd wanting more. To me he came off looking less than genuine and forthright in his answers. He said he wanted to get this behind him as quickly as possible and devote his focus to baseball. Instead, what he had done is trigger more questions, which will be asked over and over down the road until Rodriguez decides to stop making excuses or giving politically correct answers and be absolutely, no holds barred, truthful.

That said, A-Rod didn’t blame anyone for his problems, but himself. He admitted he took steroids, said where he got them and how often and long he used them. When asked to comment on the statements of others, such as Jaime Moyer and Commissioner Bud Selig on his steroid use, A-Rod never got angry and only said he was sorry they felt like they did, but he wouldn’t comment on the gist of what was in their statements.

Rodriguez has undoubtedly made great strides in, as he termed it, facing the music. Did he do all he could do at the news session today? He probably hasn’t. This situation isn’t going to fade any time soon, and until everyone is 100% satisfied in A-Rod’s answers he can only expect to hear more of same he got today.

Report: Pettitte talks to feds in Clemens investigation

The Associated Press is reporting that New York Yankees pitcher Andy Pettitte has been interviewed by federal investigators to determine if Roger Clemens lied before a congressional committee looking into steroid abuse in Major League Baseball.

Pettitte, a long time friend and teammate of Clemens in New York and Houston admitted using Human Growth Hormone in 2007. He told investigators in the past Clemens had told him he had use HGH. Pettitte could be a very important witness if Clemens is brought to trial.




© 2009 Yankees Talk Shop @ yuku.com

Redistribution, rewriting, rebroadcast, or republication of this story without the prior written consent of Yankees Talk Shop, Pride in the Pinstripes or its affiliates is strictly prohibited

Bracing for a Storm
A-Rod expected to face media frenzy after reporting







Special to Yankees Talk Shop
February 16, 2009


George M. Steinbrenner Field may not be big enough to hold the enormous number of news media expected to turn up at the Yankees spring training facility in anticipation of Alex Rodriguez’s arrival with the rest of the position players Tuesday morning in Tampa, Florida. A-Rod is expected to address the media regarding his admission of steroid use from 2001-2003 while playing for the Texas Rangers. It will be a must-see TV event.

One thing is for certain, A-Rod won’t be alone to face the cameras and microphones. Many of Yankee teammates plan on being present to offer support for their star third baseman. It is unknown how much information A-Rod will impart as to his steroid use as a follow up to his televised confession to ESPN’s Peter Gammons a little over a week ago. According to manager Joe Girardi, how specific A-Rod is in telling his side of the story isn’t the most important issue.

“I don’t think it’s necessary in my eyes that he answers every detail,” Girardi said to reporters on Monday.

Girardi also told reporters he felt that the Yankee players have a definite affection for A-Rod and that it will put on display Tuesday. “I don’t think it’s window dressing,” Girardi said. “I think it’s out of their hearts and their feelings for Alex and them wanting to stand behind him and help him through this situation.”

Some of the players contacted Monday, such as Andy Pettitte and new first baseman Mark Teixeira, said they planned on being present at the news conference.

Said Pettitte to reporters, “It’s part of playing here. Everything is somewhat magnified to a certain degree being here, and just some things you’ve got to deal with.”

Teixeira said he wants to assure A-Rod he is in the third baseman’s corner. “When I see him tomorrow, I’m going to give him a big hug and just tell him I’m there for him. I’m going to be a teammate and a friend if he needs one,” Teixeira told the media. Teixeira and A-Rod played together in Texas during the 2003 season.

Much attention is going to be drawn to A-Rod’s place in baseball history. Always viewed as a clean player he had been touted as the heir apparent to pass current career home run champion Barry Bonds. Bonds ended the 2007 season with 762 home runs to surpass Henry Aaron who finished his career with 755 round trippers. Bonds legacy is in question as he has also been accused of being a steroid cheat, although he has never admitted to knowingly taking any illegal substances. Bonds is slated to stand trial on March 2, 2009 in federal court to face charges of perjury.

Rodriguez, who has 553 career home runs and trails Bonds by 209, will now be lumped into the same group as Bonds and every home run he has hit and will hit is going be questioned.

To be sure Rodriguez will face tougher questions from the media Tuesday than he faced when speaking with Gammons. Gammons didn’t know what to expect, but now that the media has had a chance to digest A-Rod’s words he can expect them to come out firing. He dodged questions by Gammons regarding what drugs he used, how often he used steroids and if he used them in the off- season.

ESPN was criticized in some circles by not pressing A-Rod for more specific answers.

A-Rod is obviously the biggest name ever to be linked with using performance-enhancing drugs. He has been condemned in many sports columns and in the office of Commissioner Bud Selig. He also has been the butt of jokes on many of the late night shows. Although understandably distressing to the Yankees front office the team plans on rallying around their sullied star.

“A lot of people think that, you know, this is going to tear the team apart,” Teixeira said to reporters about how the team will respond. “I think it’s going to bring the team together.”

Tuesday, like facing a firing squad, A-Rod will have to face the media, but at least he won’t have to face it alone.


© 2009 Yankees Talk Shop @ yuku.com

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A Few Answers, But Many Questions
How good are the ’09 Yankees?







Special to Yankees Talk Shop
February 15, 2009


As the old saying goes hope springs eternal and in the case of the 2009 New York Yankees that means spring training.

The Yankee will try and bounce back from a disappointing 2008 season that saw the team win less than 90 games for the first time since 2000 (the club’s last World Series victory), and not make the playoffs for the first time in 13 seasons.

Second year manager Joe Girardi knows he has to make the playoffs to keep his job. It would be better still to get to the World Series, and even better still to win it all. For most teams making it to the playoffs constitutes a successful season, but not with the Yankees. Anything less than a trip down the Canyon of Heroes holding aloft the coveted World Series trophy is considered a failure.

Going into the 2009 season there are still a lot of question marks as the landscape of the team have changed.

Gone are Mike Mussina (retirement), Bobby Abreu (signed with Angels), Jason Giambi (returned to Oakland A’s), Wilson Betemit (traded to White Sox), Carl Pavano (free agent, signed with Indians), Sidney Ponson (free agent, unsigned) and Ivan Rodriguez (free agent, unsigned)

Newly arrived are LHP C.C. Sabathia (free agent from Brewers), RHP A.J. Burnett (free agent from Blue Jays), OF/1B Nick Swisher (traded from White Sox), and last but not least 1B Mark Teixeira (free agent from Angels).

Girardi knows the pressure is on him to produce a winner. The Yankees committed nearly $500 million in salary over the past winter to Sabathia, Burnett and Teixeira, plus maintaining the huge salaries of third baseman Alex Rodriguez and shortstop Derek Jeter. Managing in the Bronx is difficult enough, but, now with the Rodriguez steroid scandal to deal with Girardi’s job just became that much harder. However, a strong start out of the gate and a lot of winning can cure a lot of anxieties.

The first question mark is Andy Pettitte. Pettitte, after going 10-6 with a 3.93 ERA in the first half of the ’08 season, struggled in the second half and finished with a 14-14 record and a 4.54 ERA. He has always been the Yankees stopper, but after it was discovered in the previous December he had used performance-enhancing drugs Pettitte fell off badly from the 2007 campaign. He said of his poor performance last year, “My shoulder, for whatever reason, just broke down.” Pettitte said he needed the help of the trainers to get through his last 10 games. All eyes will be on the big lefty who, after collecting a $16,000,000 payday for 2008, re-signed with the club for a reported $5,000,000 + incentives. Can Pettitte reclaim that toughness that has marked his career? Only time will tell.

Two other reservations are in the persons of Jorge Posada and Mariano Rivera. Posada landed on the disabled list twice last year with a torn labrum and rotator cuff injury. His season ended on July 31 after he opted for season ending surgery to repair the damage. The team has been very cautious with Posada. First they forbad him from competing in the World Baseball Classic for his home county of Puerto Rico and he won’t catch a game in spring training until mid- March. Posada who turned 37 this past August will be expected to get a lot more rest this season as the Yankees hope he can return to his pre-injury power.

Rivera had one of his best seasons ever in 2008. Arguably best closer in history, Rivera finished the year with 39 saves out of 40 chances and a infinitesimal 1.40 ERA. However, when it was reported he was having surgery on his right shoulder everyone held their collective breath and then gave a big sigh of relief as the surgery was deemed “minor.” Rivera had some bone shaved off his throwing shoulder and has been otherwise healthy. Rivera reportedly has been tossing for approximately two weeks and hasn’t pitched off a mound this winter. He expects to be ready for Opening Day.

The big off-season news was supposed to be the big free agent signings of Sabathia, Burnett and Teixeira. However, a week ago Sports Illustrated broke a report that A-Rod had tested dirty in a drug test administered in 2003. The results were supposed to be anonymous, but Rodriguez’s name surfaced in a story written by Selena Roberts, who cited for anonymous sources for her claim. This past Monday A-Rod admitted to ESPN’s Peter Gammons he had, in fact, used steroids from 2001 to 2003 while playing for the Texas Rangers. The confession hit baseball like a bombshell.

A-Rod has been both vilified and defended in the week that has passed since his cheating was discovered. Other than his confession to ESPN’s Peter Gammons, Rodriguez has remained silent on the matter. He was at the University of Miami on Friday, because he donated $3.9 million dollars for the renovation of their baseball field and the park was named after him. In his speech A-Rod alluded to his difficulties. “There will be adversity along the way,” he said. “But regardless of the challenges that lie ahead, move forward, address your errors and right your path.”

Along with the other position players, A-Rod will report to spring training on Tuesday where he is sure to meet a huge throng of reporters asking questions. The big question here is how fast can A-Rod put this latest bump-in-the-road behind him and how badly will the tremendous pressure of constant scrutiny affect him on the field of play.

Rodriguez didn’t help in himself out with his initial admission. He tried to paint himself as somewhat of a victim by telling Gammons he was young, naïve and stupid. He also attacked Roberts by saying she was practically stalking him. That was not supported by police.

According to a report in Yahoo Sports, Rodriguez called Roberts this past Wednesday and apologized for his critical comments. The report also said that Roberts won’t comment on the call until A-Rod addresses the media on Tuesday.

Next up are C.C. Sabathia and A.J. Burnett. Sabathia made it known he preferred playing on a west coast team, because he is from the area, and the Yankees made it known they wanted him in New York. The Bombers initially offered Sabathia $140 million over 6 years. After Sabathia sat on the offer for a month Brian Cashman visited him and convinced him New York was a great place to play in. The Yankees sweetened their offer and signed C.C. to a 7-year, $160 million deal, which Sabathia can void after the third year. The clear question here is can Sabathia thrive in New York, where the fans can turn quickly on you if you don’t perform?

A.J. Burnett has just one area of concern and that’s injuries. Burnett has had a reputation for being injury prone. Last year, in a contract year, Burnett had a big season where he set a career high for innings pitched. The Yankees signed him to a 5-year, $82 million contract, but have to be pacing the floor in hoping Burnett’s injury problems are a thing of the past.

Another area of apprehension is Chien-Ming Wang who appears to be fully recovered a foot injury that he sustained in June and never pitched again in 2008. If Wang is the 2-time, 19-game winner he was before the injury, then the Yankees rotation with Sabathia, Wang, Burnett and Pettitte will be very formidable.

The no. 5 starter in the rotation is another question mark the Yankees have to address in spring training. Phil Hughes and Ian Kennedy were both considered blue chip pitchers who GM Brian Cashman refused to put into any deal to obtain Johan Santana from the Minnesota Twins in 2008. Hughes went 0-4 with a 6.62 ERA before a rib injury put him on the DL. Kennedy was a huge disappointment. Kennedy started 9 games and went 0-4 with an 8.17 ERA.

That leaves Joba Chamberlain, the 23-year old fireballer who made a name for himself in the bullpen. In 2007 Chamberlain worked 24 innings and struck out 34 while walking six. He only gave up one earned run to post a microscopic 0.38 ERA.

In 2008 Chamberlain was promoted to the starting rotation. He started 19 games where he went 4-3 with a 2.60 ERA. Chamberlain had good numbers as he struck out 138 in 100.1 innings and walked only 38. However, he injured his shoulder in August and landed on the DL. When he came back he went into the bullpen to finish the season.

Going into the 2009 season, Chamberlain is projected for the rotation, but depending on how he performs he could be headed back to the ‘pen.

The outfield looks like it will be Damon in left, either Cabrera or Gardner in center and Xavier Nady in right. Meanwhile, according to Girardi, Swisher will get the chance to compete with Nady for the job in right.

Hideki Masui is in the last year of his current contract and is coming off knee surgery. He is slated to be the everyday designated hitter, but could fill in the outfield from time to time.

On paper things look good for the Yankees, but given their projection last year and where they ended up the Yankees have a big hill to climb. Injuries are the biggest key to this club’s success. If they stay away from a revolving door trip to the disabled list this could be a monster year for them. However, if the injury bug strikes the Yankees’ season could quickly unravel.

They are in the toughest division in baseball and they still have to contend with a young, talented and hungry Tampa Bay Rays team who went to the World Series where they lost to the Philadelphia Phillies in five games. The Boston Red Sox are still a dangerous team.

It’s a long season and it should be a fun one to watch.


The projected roster looks like this:

Starting rotation:

1. LHP CC Sabathia
2. RHP A.J. Burnett
3. RHP Chien-Ming Wang
4. LHP Andy Pettitte
5. RHP Joba Chamberlain

Bullpen:

RHP Mariano Rivera (closer)
LHP Damaso Marte
RHP Brian Bruney
RHP Edwar Ramirez
RHP Dan Giese
RHP Jose Veras

Starting Lineup:

1. LF Johnny Damon
2. SS Derek Jeter
3. 1B Mark Teixeira
4. 3B Alex Rodriguez
5. C Jorge Posada
6. DH Hideki Matsui
7. RF Xavier Nady
8. 2B Robinson Cano
9. CF Brett Gardner or Melky Cabrera

Reserves:

C Jose Molina
OF/1B Nick Swisher
OF Brett Gardner or Melky Cabrera
INF Angel Berroa or Cody Ransom






© 2009 Yankees Talk Shop @ yuku.com

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Andy Shows Jeter How It’s Done
Lefty throws lifeline to embattled teammate







Special to Yankees Talk Shop
February 13, 2009


There’s a right way to approach situations and a wrong way. Yankee captain Derek Jeter chose the wrong way by not addressing teammate Alex Rodriguez’s admission that he was a steroid cheat.

Nearly a week ago A-Rod’s name came out in a published Sports Illustrated report, written by Selena Roberts, in which she said that A-Rod was one of 104 players who failed a drug test. Rodriguez allegedly tested positive for the steroid Primobolan and testosterone during the test given in 2003 to determine how prevalent steroid usage was in baseball. Per an agreement between the MLB and the players’ union the names of the players were to remain anonymous and there was no punishment attached for failing. Roberts cited four anonymous sources in filing her story.

The fact A-Rod’s name or anyone else’s became public, after the participants were promised anonymity should be the subject of its own investigation, as someone clearly overstepped their authority in leaking out this information. However, that’s a story for another day.

Two days later Rodriguez, who up to that time remained silent about the story, appeared on ESPN to be interviewed by Peter Gammons. Rodriguez to the amazement of many looked at Gammons and admitted he had used steroids from 2001 to 2003 while playing for the Texas Rangers. A-Rod won his first MVP award during the 2003 season. Rodriguez blamed his youth and naivety, plus being the culture of the times, that led to his using illegal substances.

The next day, Jeter, who was working out at the Yankees’ minor league complex in Tampa, Florida was contacted by reporters to give a statement about A-Rod’s confession. Here’s where things went wrong. Instead of coming along side of his third baseman to offer support Jeter chose to stall.

"I'm not addressing Alex's situation until everybody's here," the Yankee captain said. "I'm not going to do it every single day. Are things a distraction? It's a distraction when you talk about it every single day."

Fair enough, don’t talk about it until everyone who covers the Yankees spring training is present so you can say all you want at one time. But what’s the matter with, “I’m not addressing Alex’s situation until everybody’s here, but as a teammate I am here to support Alex and to help him publicly in any way I can. That’s all I’ve got so say for now.” Or, he could’ve issued a statement through the Yankees’ media relations department and basically said the same thing.

Instead, Jeter’s silence and lack of support leaves open conjecture and imagination. Now, the news media can infer anything it wants as to how Jeter views A-Rod. Until Jeter decides when the time is right no one, including A-Rod, is going to know what he’s thinking.

Today, reporters grabbed Andy Pettitte to get his views on Rodriguez’s situation. Pettitte, himself, went through a similar trial in December of 2007 when his name was cited in George Mitchell’s 20-month, steroid investigation report submitted to baseball commissioner Bud Selig.

At the time of Pettitte’s difficulty Jeter had no problem coming out and supporting his teammate and friend.

"Andy knows how I feel about him, and he knows how we feel about him as an organization," Jeter said. "It took a lot of courage for him to come out and be honest about it. Hopefully he can move on."

After Pettitte took approximately 55 minutes or so to apologize for his using steroids Jeter, who was present at the act of contrition gave the big lefty a hug, which clearly relieved Pettitte’s anxiety.

So where was Jeter’s support for A-Rod’s honesty and courage?

Pettitte had no problem coming to the aid of his troubled comrade in pinstripes. According to reports, Pettitte set about texting A-Rod and he talked to him on the phone.

“He’s my teammate, and I love him.” Pettitte told reporters. “It has no effect at all, the way I look at him.”

Pettitte knows how those outside of the organization may look at A-Rod.

“Obviously he’s going to get a lot of criticism, and it could affect him,” he said.

The Yankees are bracing for the maelstrom of reporters who will be descending on George M. Steinbrenner Field on Tuesday when Rodriguez and the rest of the position players report. There will be a lot of notebooks, cameras and tape recorders shoved into players’ faces to get statements. Most of those will be pointed in A-Rod’s direction. They’ll also be pointed in the Yankee captain’s way as well.

Maybe, by then, Jeter will have figured out what he’s going to say.

Leyritz Arrested for Violating Terms of Release

Former Yankees catcher and 1996 World Series hero Jim Leyritz was arrested in Fort Lauderdale, Florida after a judge revoked Leyritz’s bond for violating the terms of his pretrial release for DUI and manslaughter. Leyritz was arrested on December 28, 2007 when he ran a red light in Fort Lauderdale killing a 30-year old mother of two. Leyritz’s blood alcohol level was 0.14 at the time of the crash. Interestingly, the victim, Frieda Ann Veitch, had a blood alcohol level of 0.18. Florida’s legal limit is 0.08.

Leyritz’s car had a system installed whereby Leyritz had to blow into a device in order to start the car. According to authorities, the device recorded that Leyritz had consumed alcohol on four occasions since being installed in April of 2008. Leyritz was forbidden to drink alcoholic beverages as part of the conditions for his release.

Leyritz is tentatively set to go to trial on May 25. If convicted, Leyritz could face up to 15 years in prison. He has pleaded not guilty.





© 2009 Yankees Talk Shop @ yuku.com

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Derek is Dead Wrong
Yankee captain’s silence deafening







Special to Yankees Talk Shop
February 12, 2009

This isn't going to be popular, but there is no other way to say this. Derek Jeter, team captain of the New York Yankees, is wrong; dead wrong. By not publicly addressing Alex Rodriguez’s latest disgrace Jeter is sending a clear and deafening signal about what he thinks of A-Rod.

On Tuesday, the day after Rodriguez went on live television and spoke to ESPN’s Peter Gammons and admitted he had taken illegal substances from 2001 to 2003; Jeter was contacted by reporters at the Yankees spring training facility in Tampa, Florida where he was asked about his feelings on A-Rod’s predicament. Jeter, who along with other Yankees has answered numerous questions about Rodriguez in the past, clammed up this time.

"I'm not addressing Alex's situation until everybody's here," the Yankee captain said to reporters present. He was referring to the legion of New York scribes who descend on the Yankees’ complex every year looking for stories.

"I'm not going to do it every single day," Jeter said, clearly upset by the particular line of questioning. "Are things a distraction? It's a distraction when you talk about it every single day."

Jeter told reporters if they had baseball questions he would answer them, but any questions about A-Rod and the steroid scandal were off limits…..for now.

By not making any kind of statement Jeter is leaving the door of conjecture wide open at least until the full squad of players arrives in Tampa and spring training officially begins. Jeter’s silence unfortunately leaves it up to others, such as Brett Gardner, to feel like they have to make statements.

Brett Gardner?

Gardner, who was unfortunate enough to be caught out in the open, was surrounded by reporters and asked to give his worldly view of A-Rod’s circumstances. Gardner, probably not comfortable by all this sudden attention, issued a sagely edict in saying he didn’t watch A-Rod’s ESPN interview. He told reporters he didn’t know if everyone on the team would forgive Rodriguez, but said, “I know I already have.

"He's our teammate and I think anyone with the organization will if they haven't already and we can all work together and hopefully play for a World Series."

It’s reassuring to know that young Mr. Gardner forgives A-Rod for his faux pas, but I don’t think the organization wants young players competing for the center field position on the club popping off about distractions affecting the club. That’s not Gardner’s fault, its Jeter’s.

This isn’t the first time Jeter has played favorites or has been less than 100% convincing in his support for his third base teammate.

In December of 2004, after Jason Giambi’s federal grand jury testimony on the BALCO situation became public Jeter came out in full support for his then first baseman.

"Jason made a mistake. Everyone makes mistakes. He's got to deal with it," Jeter said. "It's an unfortunate situation, and you feel for him that he's going through it. He's on our team, so I expect him to be back, and we have to support him as a teammate."

Jeter went a step further.

"I'm sure he's had a lot of time to think about what he wants to do, but I'm here to support him as a teammate and as a friend," Jeter said. "Jason Giambi is a great person, one of the nicest people I've ever met. No one is immune to any problems. This is a rough period for him, but I'm sure everyone will be supportive."

When the hometown fans booed Giambi in June of 2005 Jeter jumped into the breach again, telling fans to start cheering for Giambi for the good of the team.

When Andy Pettitte went before the microphones and apologized to all of New York, after it had been revealed in George Mitchell’s report to baseball that he had used illegal substances, there was Jeter along with Mariano Rivera and Jorge Posada sitting beside him showing their support for their comrade and friend.

Even after Pettitte revised his original statement, a lie, about the number of times he used performance enhancing drugs, Jeter and company were still there to support him.

"Andy knows how I feel about him, and he knows how we feel about him as an organization," Jeter said. "It took a lot of courage for him to come out and be honest about it. Hopefully he can move on."

Well, believe me Derek; A-Rod knows exactly how you feel about him too.

It is no secret that Jeter and A-Rod are no playpen pals. That ended long ago after Rodriguez made some ill advised remarks about Jeter in Esquire magazine.

"He (Jeter) has never had to lead," A-Rod was quoted as saying in the April 2001 edition. "He can just go and play and have fun. He hits second — that's totally different than third or fourth in the lineup. You go into New York; you wanna stop Bernie (Williams) and Paul (O'Neill). You never say, 'Don't let Derek beat us.' He's never your concern."

A-Rod apologized for those remarks with a weak explanation saying what he said were to praise Jeter, not to knock him. Even I have a hard time with that one. Regardless, it cooled off a once valued friendship.

In 2006, when A-Rod was going through a slump and the fans were booing him Jeter received a lot of flak for not standing up for A-Rod the way he had for Giambi. "From Day One I've said I support Alex,” he said. “The only thing I'm not going to do is tell the fans what to do. ... I don't think it's my job to tell fans to boo or not to boo."

The difference with all these scenarios is likability. Jeter likes Giambi and Pettitte, and Rodriguez he doesn’t.

Clearly, Rodriguez is a sensitive guy. He’s dumb a lot of the time as to how he conducts himself and in what he says, but he’s not stupid. He wears his emotions on his sleeve. All he wants is acceptance. He needs it from the organization, from the fans, from his teammates, and most assuredly Derek Jeter. He sees how Jeter is revered in the Big Apple. He sees Jeter’s success in a town where success is fleeting, and all he wants is to taste some of what Jeter has.

By saying nothing at this point Jeter is letting A-Rod squirm on the proverbial hook until he decides he wants to come before all the microphones and give his public proclamation on Rodriguez’s latest calamity.

If Jeter didn’t want to address anything until the full spring training season got underway he could have very easily remedied that with a call to Yankees’ media relations director, Jason Zillo. He could have issued a statement telling the world that he won’t answer any questions concerning A-Rod or his confession of using steroids until after the full spring training is underway. He could’ve thrown A-Rod a bone in the statement advising that as team captain he was throwing his full support behind his embattled teammate. End of statement.

That small exercise would have placated the reporters on hand who would have had the statement as advanced notice Jeter wasn’t talking and it would possibly have saved junior teammates like Gardner from pontificating on the situation.

As team captain it is Jeter’s responsibility to be a voice for the organization and an advocate for his teammates. He doesn’t have to love them all, but he has to be the first guy there to lend full support to the guys on his squad when they mess up. Privately, he can tell whomever ‘you’re an S.O.B., and what you did was wrong,’ but publicly he has to support them.

Alex Rodriguez, just like Andy Pettitte and Jason Giambi are and were troubled individuals going through rough waters in a scandal forever to be known as the “steroid era.” As Yankee captain Jeter doesn’t get to pick and choose who he fully supports. He has to be the bigger man and support all of his teammates equally.

A-Rod shouldn’t be viewed any different.



© 2009 Yankees Talk Shop @ yuku.com

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Charles Barkley Was Right
Athletes not role models






By: Russ Rose
Special to Yankees Talk Shop
February 11, 2009


You can say what you want about Charles Barkley, but the one thing he certainly got right is that athletes are not role models.

Barkley has always been a great quote and an even better pot stirrer. Back in 1993, while doing a commercial for Nike athletic shoes, Barkley looked into the camera and said, “I am not a role model.” He told the public athletes shouldn’t be looked up to, but that the job of being role models fell on the parents at home. Although it sparked a lot of controversy at the time it turns out that Sir Chuck hit the nail right on the head. You shouldn’t look up to an athlete and expect them to be a role model.

We all have our childhood sports heroes. Mine was Mickey Mantle. Was Mantle a role model? The answer is no. Mantle was a hard drinking, womanizing, absentee husband and father who happened to be a great baseball player. Back in Mantle’s playing days the press chose to basically turn a blind eye to his antics and the antics of other players before and around him. To a kid like me the Mick was the sun and the moon, and that’s because I didn’t know anything about what went on with him once a ballgame was over. It wasn’t until Mickey’s liver went bad and he later contracted cancer that he looked in the mirror and got himself turned around. He told kids, young and old, “Don’t be like me.” It was a simple and sincere message. He didn’t want anyone to emulate him.

The list in baseball is a long one of great athletes, who in their private lives, and sometimes their public ones, are miscreants. Babe Ruth, Ty Cobb, Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, Mark McGwire, Raphael Palmeiro, and Miguel Tejada are just a few of the well known names who are poor role models. And now, after confessing his use of performance enhancing drugs they are joined by Alex Rodriguez.

Not that A-Rod’s public persona was squeaky clean to begin with. Remember the mysterious blond bombshell he was seen with on the cover of the NY Post? The cover of the paper said “Stray-Rod?” Witnesses had them hanging out together in Seattle, Toronto and Dallas, allegedly going into strip clubs. How romantic. How about just last year when he was romantically linked to Madonna, though both slugger and singer denied any intimate relationship. Interestingly enough, both Rodriguez and Madonna divorced their spouses shortly afterwards. A-Rod is a magnet to controversy.

It just isn’t in baseball where poor role models exist. How many times have you seen the names of NBA and NFL players pop up in the sports section or police blotter after getting into some unlawful situation and they end up with their latest pictures being booking photos?

It doesn’t stop there. You see lousy role models in the Olympics, track and field, cycling, and tennis. You name the sport and you’re sure to find men and women you looked up to who have seriously disappointed you in how you used to view them.

Lance Berkman of the Houston Astros was quoted in the Houston Chronicle, regarding A-Rod’s public admission of cheating. Berkman said, “The problem with this whole sordid mess (is) … nobody’s going to be believed anymore.” Berkman, as far as we know, isn’t a steroid abuser and he is absolutely right. It will be extremely difficult for anyone to believe anybody in sports has an absolute clean past.

That’s the sad part of it all. The real victims are all the athletes who are clean, who are good citizens, who are good husbands and wives and who lead upstanding lives. Their sport has once again been spoiled by another athlete who decided to play by his own rules.

One thing I will commend Alex Rodriguez on. Even though after going back over his interview with ESPN’s Peter Gammons on Monday where I think he did a little too much justification about why he cheated with steroids, I will commend him on coming straight out and saying he did it. He didn’t lie about it although he did try and paint himself as an unwitting, naïve and young player who went with the flow. At least he put the onus on himself and didn’t blame anyone else for getting caught. He told the truth.

Something Miguel Tejada will learn about in federal court today.



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Casting the First Stones
Public Condemnation of A-Rod Begins






By: Russ Rose
Special to Yankees Talk Shop
February 10, 2009


The “confession” isn’t even 24 hours old and the public trial of Alex Rodriguez has already begun. After a published story by Sports Illustrated came out this past Saturday claiming that Rodriguez had failed a Major League Baseball sanctioned survey drug test in 2003 A-Rod went before the ESPN cameras and Peter Gammons yesterday and said, “I did it.”

This admission directly contradicted what he said in an interview that aired on 60 minutes in 2007 where he told news anchor Katie Couric he never used any illegal substances to try and better his performance:

Couric: "For the record, have you ever used steroids, human growth hormone or any other performance-enhancing substance?"

Rodriguez: “No.”

Couric: "You never felt like, 'This guy's doing it, maybe I should look into this, too? He's getting better numbers, playing better ball.”

Rodriguez: "I've never felt overmatched on the baseball field. I've always been a very strong, dominant position. And I felt that if I did my work as I've done since I was, you know, a rookie back in Seattle, I didn't have a problem competing at any level. So, no.”

OK, so we know now A-Rod wasn’t being truthful a year or so ago.

Now, put yourself in this guy’s shoes. You are the poster boy for Major League Baseball. In 2001 you signed the richest contract in baseball history to the delight of the player’s association who would now use that contract as a measuring stick. And, even though you’re playing in Texas there is going to be the never ending comparison of your performance with your paycheck.

On top of all that, look who’s on the team with you; Ivan Rodriguez, Rafael Palmeiro, Randy Velarde, and Gabe Kapler. Keep in mind that using steroids wasn’t illegal in 2001, 2002 or 2003. So A-Rod does something stupid and gets caught up in the “everybody is doing it” syndrome. Was it right? No. Was it stupid? Yes.

Can anyone actually look in the mirror and say they haven’t done anything in their life that secretly they’re ashamed of, but never got caught at? So why should we be sanctimonious and condemn A-Rod for doing something that, although wasn’t morally right, wasn’t deemed cheating by the MLB until 2004?

At present, A-Rod says he is drug free and he hasn’t injected, ingested, rubbed on or supositoried any illegal substances into his body since the spring of 2003. Other than the 2003 test, as far as we know, Rodriguez has never failed a test when given one. We can speculate all we want about that, but until somebody can refute that statement we shouldn’t be inferring anything other than one failed test.

Let’s get back to that test.

The test was supposed to assure anonymity of those players taking the test, especially any of those who failed it. Allegedly there were 104 names on the list of players who failed the drug screen, with Rodriguez being one of them. He apparently had the banned substance Primobolan and testosterone in his system. He told Gammons he didn’t even know what drug he got busted for.

“To be quite honest, I don’t know exactly what substance I was guilty of using.”

Also, there was no punishment for testing positive. The test was given only to see if steroid usage in baseball was a serious problem, and if a certain percentage tested positive, then mandatory drug testing would be implemented. The test revealed there was a problem, and mandatory testing was initiated, along with punishments for those who got caught.

The player’s association, in view of that agreement, could’ve had had the results of the 2003 test destroyed per the association’s contract with the MLB, but didn’t do so. According to union president Donald Fehr federal investigators seized the results in 2004, which he and Commissioner Bud Selig said seriously threatened the drug testing program, because the anonymity of the players couldn’t be guaranteed.

Well, since Saturday, I guess we can all figure out the end result of that concern.

In jumping around the news websites today I saw all the comments by readers calling for A-Rod’s head, polls asking if fans still want A-Rod on the team, or should he be in the Hall of Fame, and some self-righteous sportswriters calling A-Rod a bad citizen. Before making a comment or voting one should ask themselves have I ever lied, cheated at something or hidden something in my past I knew was wrong.

I know I have, and I appreciate the fact that Alex Rodriguez came forward and took the blame on himself. He only got caught in 2003, but he went so far as to say he used in 2001 and 2002 as well. Nobody, but A-Rod brought that information up. He didn’t blame baseball and he didn’t blame the player’s association. He didn’t feel betrayed. He looked into the camera and said he did it to himself. He put his predicament squarely on his shoulders. That took guts, more guts than some other big named athletes have done.

Ask yourself another question, who do you have more respect for, Roger Clemens, Barry Bonds, Mark McGwire, Rafael Palmeiro or Alex Rodriguez?

Should A-Rod go into the Hall of Fame when his playing days are done? If I had a vote I would mark his name down on the first ballot.

He deserves to be there.



© 2009 Yankees Talk Shop @ yuku.com

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A-Rod Comes Clean
Slugger admits steroid use in 2001-2003






By: Russ Rose
Special to Yankees Talk Shop
February 9, 2009



Alex Rodriguez did the right thing and stepped forward to admit he used steroids from 2001-2003 while playing for the Texas Rangers.


A-Rod told ESPN’s Peter Gammons in an interview, “Back then it was a different culture. It was very loose. I was young. I was stupid. I was naive, and I wanted to prove to everyone that, you know, I was worth, you know— and being one of the greatest players of all time. “

Rodriguez’s confession came two days after a published report issued by Sports Illustrated stated that he had failed a survey test administered in 2003 by Major League Baseball to determine how rampant steroid usage was in the sport. Rodriguez tested positive for Primobolan and testosterone.

However, the testing was done with a condition of anonymity and players who tested positive for banned substances were not subject to punishment at the time.

Rodriguez also told ESPN that he was young and naïve and made a mistake.

“It was such a loosey-goosey era. I’m guilty for a lot of things. I’m guilty for being negligent, naive, not asking all the right questions,” Rodriguez said. “To be quite honest, I don’t know exactly what substance I was guilty of using.”

A-Rod offered his apologies for his actions.

“And I did take a banned substance and, you know, for that I’m very sorry and deeply regretful. And although it was the culture back then and Major League Baseball overall was very—I just feel that—You know, I’m just sorry. I’m sorry for that time. I’m sorry to fans. I’m sorry for my fans in Texas. It wasn’t until then that I ever thought about substance of any kind, and since then I’ve proved to myself and to everyone that I don’t need any of that.”

Rodriguez’s name was one of 104 names included on a list that was cited by the Sports Illustrated. His admission directly contradicts the statements he made in a 2007 interview on 60 Minutes in which he said he had never taken steroids, human growth hormone or any other performance enhancing drug to compete.

“I’ve never felt overmatched on the baseball field,” he said at that time. “I felt that if I did my, my work as I’ve done since I was, you know, a rookie back in Seattle, I didn’t have a problem competing at any level.”

A-Rod’s name has frequently appeared in the sports section and tabloids in recent months. He and his wife Cynthia divorced after the ex-Mrs. Rodriguez filed for divorce and referred to A-Rod’s alleged adultery. Rodriguez was romantically linked to Madonna, but both denied an amorous involvement or that it was a reason that Madonna, too, divorced her husband director Guy Ritchie.

Just last month Rodriguez was a major subject of attention in Joe Torre’s new book The Yankee Years where Torre painted Rodriguez as a narcissist who craved attention and was more worried about he looked in a situation than just getting the job done. Torre also referred to A-Rod’s “single white female” obsession with Derek Jeter.

Now Rodriguez comes as the latest big name to pop up in the never ending steroid scandal. However, by getting out in front of the story and admitting he used illegal performance enhancing drugs A-Rod has avoided the same trappings that have snared the likes of Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, Mark McGwire and Rafael Palmeiro. Oh sure, he’ll have to answer a gazillion questions down the road, but what he may have done is save his bid to enter baseball’s Hall of Fame after he hangs up his spikes.

America loves to forgive. Just look at Andy Pettitte and Jason Giambi. They made their mea culpas about using illegal substances and have pretty much been left alone. And let’s face it, A-Rod is correct in saying he was just a dumb kid when he did what he did. The same line Michael Phelps used when he got caught performing mouth-to-mouth on a bong full of Marijuana. Phelps will lose some endorsements for a time, but eventually he’ll work his way back into everyone’s good graces. Alex Rodriguez can do the same. He just has to use his smarts and avoid controversial situations. That often proves to be a very tough task for Mr. Rodriguez.

I bet there is one person who would probably like to thank A-Rod for taking the heat off him, and that would be Joe Torre. Thanks to A-Rod’s latest fall down the stairs Torre moved to the back burner.

Correction: In my article on Saturday, “Another One Bites the Dust,” I inadvertently said A-Rod, who denied using steroids in an interview on 60 Minutes, gave that interview in 2003. The correct year was 2007.






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Another One Bites the Dust
A-Rod allegedly tested positive for steroids in 2003






By: Russ Rose
Special to Yankees Talk Shop
February 7, 2009

According to Sports Illustrated Alex Rodriguez tested positive for steroids during the 2003 season while a member of the Texas Rangers. It was the same year Rodriguez won the first of three MVP trophies.

According to the report numerous sources told SI A-Rod tested positive for two banned substances during a test in 2003.

Rodriguez’s name appears on a list of 104 players who failed a drug test for anabolic steroids during the season. He reportedly had tested positive for Primobolan and testosterone while playing for the Rangers.

Sports Illustrated caught up with Rodriguez working out in a gymnasium in Miami where he resides in the off season and he declined to comment on the report. “You’ll have to talk to the union,” he told a reporter.

Although Major League Baseball said it was “disturbed” by the news it could not comment on it, because of player confidentiality.

MLB executive vice president Rob Manfred said, “Because the survey testing that took place in 2003 was intended to be non-disciplinary and anonymous, we cannot make any comment on the accuracy of this report as it pertains to the player named,”

According to additional reports the player’s association refused to directly address the truthfulness of the report as well.

In a public statement the union said, “Information and documents relating to the results of the 2003 MLB testing program are both confidential and under seal by court orders.

“Anyone with knowledge of such documents who discloses their contents may be in violation of those court orders,” the union added.

Rodriguez was interviewed on CBS’ 60 Minutes in 2003, three days after George Mitchell’s report became public and he denied ever using steroids or other performance enhancing drugs.

“I’ve never felt over-matched on the baseball field. … I felt that if I did my, my work as I’ve done since I was, you know, a rookie back in Seattle, I didn’t have a problem competing at any level,” he said.

A-Rod began his career with the Seattle Mariners in where he played six seasons before moving to Arlington, Texas to play for the Rangers. In 2003 He won the first of three MVP titles as well as the AL home run title with 57 home runs. It was while a member of the Rangers A-Rod signed the then richest contract in baseball history when he inked a 10-year, $250 million deal.

Rodriguez moved to the New York Yankees in 2004 and won a second MVP award in 2005. In 2007, after opting out of his contract, A-Rod re-signed with the Yankees by agreeing to a new 10-year, $275 million deal making him, far and away, the richest player in sports history. He rewarded the club by winning a third MVP award to equal Yankee icons Mickey Mantle and Yogi Berra who also have three MVP awards; although Mantle and Berra won all three with the Yankees.

In recent years Major League Baseball has come under great scrutiny, because of players allegedly using steroids and human growth hormone. In the past 4 years heretofore legends such as Raphael Palmeiro, Mark McGwire, Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens have fallen in the eyes of fans due to their proven or alleged use of illegal performance drugs.

In 2005, Palmeiro, pointing at congressmen looking into the steroid scandal and telling them he never took steroids, tested positive for stanozolol. Palmeiro was out of baseball shortly after the failed test became public. McGwire, who originally broke Roger Maris’ home run record by knocking out 70 home runs during the 1998 season, told the same committee he wasn’t there to talk about the past. He, all but, inferred he used illegal substances. McGwire retired in 2001 nagged by injuries. He has failed in three attempts to enter the Hall of Fame with his garnering less and less votes with each passing year.

Both Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens legacies are in jeopardy as well. Bonds, in 2003, testified during the BALCO grand jury inquiry that he never knowingly took any form of steroids. That testimony, plus evidence seized by federal investigators over the past couple of years has led to Bonds being indicted for lying under oath. He goes on trial in March.

In 2007 Clemens’ name was the biggest name to become public out of the Mitchell Report when it was presented to Commissioner Bud Selig. Clemens former trainer, Brian McNamee, told federal investigators during Mitchell’s investigation he injected Clemens with PEDs. That launched Clemens into defense mode. He went on 60 Minutes to be interviewed by Mike Wallace. He categorically denied using anything illegal to better his performance and painted McNamee as a liar. He sued McNamee for character assassination. He also went before Congress and told them he wasn’t a drug abuser.

However, McNamee wasn’t through. He told investigators he injected Clemens wife Debra, with human growth hormones so that she would look good for a Sports Illustrated cover shoot with her husband in 2003. McNamee told authorities he did it in Clemens’ bedroom under Clemens’ supervision. Clemens denied every aspect of McNamee’s account. Mrs. Clemens admitted she was injected, but according to Clemens she did it herself after hearing McNamee telling her the benefits of using it.

After the congressional hearing the case was given to federal investigators to look into whether or not Clemens lied. Recently investigators turned over their findings to a federal grand jury that is in the midst of determining if Clemens should be indicted for perjury.

We’ll all know that shortly.

Turning back to A-Rod, he is the just latest athlete to have his name dragged through the mud in the never ending steroid scandal. Commissioner Bud Selig must have a lot of sleepless nights knowing that another icon’s name is going to come up. A-Rod is just the most recent to appear, and you know he isn’t the last.

What makes this soap opera so laughable is that just when you want to feel sorry for the guy, because he was just trashed by his former manager in a new book he shoots himself in the foot again. As it has been pointed out many times, A-Rod is a lightning rod for controversy. The way this guys’ life is going he could be the solution to the energy crisis.

As this story unfolds, we will all learn more and more details. The important thing here for A-Rod is history. Will he learn from it and say “mea culpa,” and ask for forgiveness or will he repeat it and deny his involvement as others have done with not too great results?

I have my thoughts, keep yours and stay tuned.



© 2009 Yankees Talk Shop @ yuku.com

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Torre Shakes Up Yankees’ World
New Book Hot Seller






By: Russ Rose
Special to Yankees Talk Shop
February 5, 2009

If it was Joe Torre’s intent to set the New York Yankees world on its ear, then his campaign has been an overwhelming success.

Ever since excerpts from Torre’s new book “The Yankee Years” co-authored by Tom Verducci of Sports Illustrated fame hit the media the sports world and the Big Apple in particular has been abuzz talking about the merits or the lack thereof regarding Torre’s exposé.

In every sports section you read from the NY Post to the NY Daily News there is something in print about Torre’s book. The same thing goes for television and radio as well. You cannot turn on a local, FOX or ESPN channel or station and not see or hear something about “the book.”

The initial reaction to Torre’s book form words was met with general hostility, causing Torre to go on a whirlwind television tour. He’s appeared on the “the Late Show with David Letterman,” “Larry King Live” and “Live with Regis & Kelly” to name a few to talk about and defend his book. In every instance Torre told hosts and viewers alike he did not betray clubhouse secrets, and that everything he wrote was already out in the open. He said all he was doing was chronicling his 12-year association as manager of the New York Yankees. He admits he was critical of several players, including David Wells, Alex Rodriguez, Kevin Brown and Randy Johnson, but in doing so he said nothing that he felt was betraying a trust.

Torre has stated for the record he doesn’t think he’s burned any bridges with the Yankees, even though he has been critical of principal owner George Steinbrenner, team president Randy Levine and general manager Brian Cashman. Torre called Steinbrenner a “tyrant,” but felt the Boss would be proud of the way he is described in the book. He also goes into detail describing Steinbrenner’s failing health, which the Yankees’ organization and the Steinbrenner family has tried to keep as veiled as possible.

Torre believes he won’t have problems with Alex Rodriguez whom he basically describes as a self-absorbed, attention grabbing narcissist who changed the mood of the Yankee clubhouse after his arrival in 2004. He believes if he and A-Rod meet down the road they’ll greet each other cordially and give each other a hug.

Torre describes other players and incidents as well, but that’s not to say the entire book is a hack piece about the Yankees. Torre also describes interesting stats and stories in telling about his 12-year history with the most famous franchise in sports. Even the most critical, diehard, Yankees’ fan will find much of the book exciting to read.

That said, what Torre has said negatively about the players mentioned in his book has now brought media scrutiny toward these players’ former and current teammates; specifically Rodriguez. A-Rod, because of his larger than life standing in baseball, is a lightning rod for controversy. With so much being adversely pointed out by Torre Rodriguez’s teammates have had to come to his defense.

Derek Jeter said in reports yesterday, “We've been down this road before. Alex is a teammate. I support him. Our whole team is behind him. We all support him. To be quite honest with you, it's old hearing the same questions. It's something that's been addressed before in the past. Everyone's moved beyond it. And it doesn't really need to be addressed again." Now does that sound like Jeter and Rodriguez would kiss and hug? Obviously not, but what it does say is that Jeter is in A-Rod’s corner as a teammate and has no personal issues with him in the clubhouse. Torre as much said the same thing to CNN’s Larry King last Friday night on his show.

Even Johnny Damon jumped into the fray, defending A-Rod. "All I know is, A-Rod is such a great teammate,” Damon told reporters last night at the 29th Annual Thurman Munson Awards in Manhattan.

“A-Rod is just a great guy who works harder than anybody," Damon added. "Alex is one of the greatest players ever, and I would put my odds on him to win another MVP this year."

Torre was in New York City on Tuesday and Wednesday doing book signings at various locations in the city. It has to please him a lot to know he has caused quite a stir in the Yankees’ backyard. Book sales have been brisk, aided mightily by the huge media splash Torre has gotten over the past week or so. Fans showing up to see Torre or get their books signed were generally supportive of him and what he did in New York during his 12-year run. However, if you jump around the media websites or blogs and read the comments not everyone is happy with Mr. Torre and his opinions.

Torre told Letterman he was proud of what he accomplished in his 12 years as manager of the New York Yankees and has no regrets about what is in the book.

"The New York Yankees put me on the map professionally," Torre said. "You know, I had a career playing, I had a career managing and it wasn't until I came here that people knew who I was and then the success that I had. There's no way that I feel that I wanted to write this book in any way to get back at somebody."

OK, Joe, whatever you say. Thanks for the memories. Well, some of them anyway.



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