Washington D.C.
May 15, 2008
There is a new Bronx Zoo brewing in New York, complete with a large beaked Goose, a mighty Moose, Joba “The Heat”, A Rod, a Dunc-animal, a bull pen, a Lil Joe, a Big G, lots of kids, some real angry fans, and and even, Godzilla!
It's a family thing...
The Steinbrenner Family has been running a multi-billion dollar organization since the development of the Yes Network, securing the Yankee future; and more than likely averting the 1980's from ever happening again. Fear not young ones, fans should not have to endure that much of a drought ever again.
Mr. George Steinbrenner has given New York 6 rings in 37 years. Hank has been right about most everything to date including Santana, Joba starting (not staying in the pen merely setting up the closer), and his teams' "leave policy." The Yankees will benefit, as much as Cashman’s wallet has, off of the multi-billion dollar YES Network, thanks to George.
While some in competing markets, likened to school kids, with their ever so clever sayings like, “Shut Up,” (Sporting News) enjoy slamming Hank (as they did his father), I would suggest they take their own advice. Duh. Steve Phillips is broadcasting, offering highlight coverage, and not managing for good reason. Color commentators are a dime a dozen.
The New Leadership
Hank Steinbrenner “opened the hatch to the Yankee Front office once more”, so I expect more improvements, again. The last time Steinbrenner talked to us he called out Mike Mussina, the Yankees won the next game; and Mighty Mike has yet to stop winning. If Hank is like his dad, and the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, then Yankee Fans can expect success in the near future, and writers can expect to have fodder for the circulation as well.
Hank issued an employee warning, saying, “if there are not improvements, then next year we will be forced to make improvements.”
Who is Hank referring to in this statement? Let’s look at the employees in their last contracted year in jeopardy of losing the Yankee job, and Yankee money. Is it Giambi? No, Jason is leading the Yankees in run production, plain and simple, though his market is more than likely diminished. Is it Abreu? It could be, his defense is sorely lacking, but one would think the Yanks would like to keep the bat. Is it Pettitte, or Moose? No way, we haven’t won a series without “Lefty”, and the Moose has 3 all Yankee low ERA out of the last 6 seasons. Who else is in the last year of their contract?
Brian Cashman went against Hank in the off season in not pursuing Johan aggressively enough. Yes, the Yankees made the best offer out there during the Nashville Meetings. On the table were Hughes, Kennedy and Cabrera. The Yankees were turned down by the Twins, what else did they want, Joba?
Yankee fans cried foul over selling out the farm to get another hired mercenary in an attempt to buy the World Series. Hank reiterated his interest towards the end of negotiations by saying. "I have the money for Santana, and just need to make a decision." He was referring to whether to trade up to 4 players (3 were turned down), for one player.
The philosophy was Santana can only pitch once every 5 days, as opposed to 2 rotation pitchers, and a regular centerfielder; plus who knows who else. Jim Kaat agreed to not entering long term contracts with the likes of Santana, who has had his elbow scoped for tendinitis; especially not at the cost of building a stock pile. A "Ratt pack."
If fans were tired of the off season back and forth over Santana, well hold onto your seats. CC Sabathia's trade deadline is approaching in late July, and if the Tribe holds onto him, then they only get compensatory picks in return when he becomes a Free Agent in October. Enter the "unproven rookie argument" versus a "Cy Young winning ace" debate.
The Yankees have: Cano, and Cabrera, Duncan and Gonzalez, Joba, Hughes and Kennedy, plus Ramirez, Ohlendorf, Albaladejo, Rasner, and Britton, or Bruney. The Yankees have a minor league team, it is the Ratt-Pack re-visited, and all are kids. Kennedy was to face off against Santana this Friday, with many readying their “Toldcha’ So’s” in anticipation.
Smarter, AND Harder
Today Hank said, “We have to play smarter, and harder.” One would think that if the Yankee’s offense is ailing, that they might do well to play the best defense available, which are not necessarily the highest paid players. Girardi changed the line up last night (May 14, 2008) moving Abreu to the 2 spot, he hits into too many double plays, and opting for Jeter’s bat third.
Girardi then replaced Abreu in right with a one run lead, opting for Shelley “I’m Hungry” Duncan. This is a move that Big Joe would have never made, and I agree with it. Girardi showed fans his displeasure for Abreu’s defense, he improvised, and made a good change. One would hope for better, but both moves are improvements.
Matsui sure doesn’t shy away from walls like Abreu does. He certainly is not going to give a 'story' about missing a JD Drew home run, see the video here, costing Wang a no hitter, and then after the game blame the wall; with a wink, and a smile. Matsui, Godzilla, will not pull up on fly balls either. He broke his wrist last year ensuring the ball didn’t drop in front of him. He took one for the team, and then apologized to the Yankees, and the fans for getting hurt! Abreu is Jackson minus the candy bar, swagger, and bat. Bobby Abreu should be the permanent DH. Yankees could get the best defense, and the best offense simultaneously.
You take out the weak right field, saving runs, but you keep his bat in the game as a DH. Yet against the Rays today (Kennedy vs. Kazmir), Ensberg is playing first forcing the run producer, Giambi, to DH. Matsui is out. Abreu, leading the team in RBI, is out too. Not smart, Mr. Girardi.
One Big Beak.
If there was not enough to worry about, then there is Richard Goose Gossage. Richard told Joba to take cue from Mariano Rivera, who smiled, and waived as he was cheered by Boston Fans in 2005, and be more “mute.” If Hank really wants to be hands on then he might do well to keep the ex players away from the now Yankee Aces.
Joba shrugged Goose off saying, “…whatever…” Perfect, he didn’t have to put a legend down, and said he wouldn’t change his emotion one bit. Goose has turned his back on the likes of his coach, see Billy Martin video here, his team mate, Sweet Lou Piniella, see Lou here, and his captain, Munson who all showed emotion. All great videos by the way, but if you like that Yanks do NOT read the classless comments, especially on the Munson video. None were very soft spoken, all are REAL Yankees.
So Mr. Goose if you need to slam anybody whom is playing, take a cue from your old coach (Billy) and have a talk with Bobby. Kick him in the pants, not Joba. The Yanks wanted the fire, they asked for it, and now they have it. Or explain to the fans your emotional outbreak on this one. Warning, cussing; a lot of cussing, and one very ticked off Goose. Not exactly Joe DiMaggio-esque.
The real line up has yet to even play on the same field yet. Joba is not starting, Rasner, and either Hughes or Kennedy (some combination To Be Determined) is not in the bull pen. A-Rod is coming back after being out a month, as is Posada. Ohlendorf and Farns are lights out in the last month, both of whom could replace Joba. The Yankees are enduring the same exact start as last year, and made it to post season play.
So fear not Yankee Universe, it takes time for all the proper systems to align. In the mean time, I like Joba’s walk on song, by Motley Crue, “Shout at the Devil.” No Goose, I am not talking about you. I liked you as a player. The song is fitting of the new Bronx Zoo Crue.
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2 months ago
pathetic article, of which I disagree with just about everything, hank is a loud mouth joke, he asks his players to act professional yet he acts like a jack arse. Most professionals don't go to the media to rake their team over the coals. He's a clown, and to give him the credit for Mussina is an insult to Mussina. I feel bad for Cashman having to listen to this fool act like he's the coach and gm. I wonder who cashman will be working for next, maybe reunited with Torre or better yet, the Rays. Giambi is a joke as well, last in the league in hitting. Oh that's right he leads his team in hr's but while the yankees don't score runs in Tampa, he puts up nothing this week. The yankees and the Steinbrenners were billionaires long before YES NETWORK nor has the Yes Net made them successful. Anyway, I wonder what could happen to a sox fan in the bronx. Prob not served alcohol
from 2 months ago
Pretty ruthless Bill. Who is pathetic??? Why would you give a crap about Hank, who has never asked his players to be professional that I know of. He just wants to win at all costs. Much like the "dirty red nation". Didn't understand your comment about a sox fan in the Bronx, but I can tell you that they can get alcohol all they want. Like the the classfull sux fans I witnessed years ago chanting "Giamby sucks, Jeter's d___!" Parents had to get up and move with their kids because the drunk sux fans told them to move if they didn't like it. But I'm not stupid enough to think that is how all sux fans are, because they aren't. Anyways, most fans on either side of this rivalry aisle are a little too excessive, just like you and I!! Hi to the fam by the way!!
2 months ago
Thanks for the compliment, which it is, coming from a red sox fan. Steinbrenner is a clown who has brought us 6, count em, 6 rings my friend..alomst eqauls the amount of your teams history. So, as frustrated as you may be with Hank, something the Steinbrenners are doind is working.
i would have edited the damm article, but couldnt. Blocked out for some reaosn. I realize it is a bit too much info, but again...couldnt edit it. When did Moose turn it around? Yep, thats right. Cashman? Good then you agree he should take a walk, as he did take over in 1999 and the Yanks have gone straight down hill since. Giambi again?? LEAGUE LEADING HR! and team leading in runs and rbi! we'll stick with him as much as you like to enjoy seeing us in the gutter, without GIAMBI we would be alot further back....ohhh, I see now. He went 2 for 3 two days ago, e ven with that funny looking defense you all play against him...how bad is he? Leading the team with HR, RBI d Runs...with less at abts than who?? Most on the team! What could happen to a sox fan in the bronx? He would destroy private property is what...you forget that one? I am outtie. Later all.
2 months ago
To clarify my position a little more clear, I think Hank is a little looney for going to the media and airing his dirty laundry, I'm sure I'm not the only one to think so. Most owners (exception Danny Snyder and a few others) keep their business in the office. It doesn't reflect good for Public Relations when you're boss is constantly bitching about the teams performance, I thnk they know they're starting slow and have enough pressure to perform. My comment about sox fan getting turned away in Bronx bar was in response to sox fans being ripped for hastling the lady at that bar in NH and drove her out of the bar and harrased her just cuz she's a yankee fan. Anyway, I think yankee fans and sox fans or better yet, fans for any team are all the same, some are a bit looney and some are not. I don't think yankee fans are any diff than sox fans. Let alone remember the su notre dame game. It happens everywhere, no matter the team. I'm not obsessive about yankee fans, just the yankees. It's out of respect, I don't think twice about yankee fans, spent a good chunk of winter on the blogs, chatted with some good dudes, but of course you always get those who act stupid just like sox fans, saying sox fans are so stupid their trash, but it's the same you see on sox blogs.. I love the game but hate the fans, xcept the smart ones like us.
2 months ago
paddy, we can disagree about giambi and hank, you don't have to prove me wrong or right, I don't think Giambi sucks I just don't see him as what he should have been when you got him, we have some of those guys too, but he's been a bust and I bet they can't wait to bid him goodbye. I never said hank and George do a bad job, but i think it's silly or stupid to go public, like george saying last yr if torre doesn't win this series he's fired. Why would he do that publically? I mean it's ludicrous, defend him all you want but as an owner, which I agree he's a proven winner, but going public is something I'll never agree with. I will always say it's immature and unprofessional. You see no others in any sport doing it let alone any other business, just Hank and George. My guess is Hank got that gene from George. I certainly don't questions his ability as an owner though, if I did I take it back
from 2 months ago
Perspective, Giambi is filling the role for which he was hired. He is leading in run production, the reason the Yanks hired him. Other than that, he has had alot of disappointing injury seasons, and other personal issues detracting from his play. Hit him more, now that he is healthy, and see...but for right now, he is a leader. Not average wise, but his results are in runs, rbi an hr's. You down with OBP? RISP-E.C.T.?? He is leading while having one of the fewest at bats too.
2 months ago
i think it's silly or stupid to go public, like george saying last yr if torre doesn't win this series he's fired. Why would he do that publically? I mean it's ludicrous,
......
He did it because it worked when he was frustrated with Billy Martin come post season time. Might be ludicrous, but it got results in the past. Bronx Zoo 77 and 78.
2 months ago
No one in other sports go public? Getcha popcorn ready. Think about all the wars between head coaches from past years...Bum Phillips? Jerry Jones? He is an owner of a baseball team, right or wrong, he gets confronted a lot by media types looking for headlines, and wanting to write about the Yankees...like shooting fish in a barrel. Once in a while you'll strike a nerve, and get classic Hank. Short, and opinionated. Right or wrong he should retain the right to possess an opinion.
2 months ago
Giambi can be my part-time player anyday- have you seen his swing ???
Like the Crue reference- Motley rocked and the Yanks will bring a world-series back to the NYC.
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