Bleacher Report - Articles by michael eisner

Manny Ramirez: A Major League Phony

michael eisner — Fri, 08 May 2009 09:27:13 -0400

The Baseball Gods must be turning over in their graves.

Ruth. Gehrig. DiMaggio. Williams. Mantle.

All of them.

Baseball reached its lowest point yesterday, and we all should have seen it coming.

Call it the PED Tsunami—and it is coming to a stadium near you.

Now, Manny Ramirez marches to the beat of his own drum. We've known that for as long as we've known Manny Ramirez. But the picture became just a bit more clear yesterday.

Ramirez is disappointed that he let down the fans of Los Angeles, that "Mannywood" won't be coming around for a while. Not until July, at least.

Please allow me to translate that for you—Ramirez is disappointed that he got caught.

Ramirez has been babied ever since he starred at George Washington High School in Washington Heights, a rough-and-tumble neighborhood in the Bronx. According to numerous accounts, he has never given a dime back to the neighborhood that prepared him for the stardom he was to achieve over the next 17 years of his life.

By all published accounts, Ramirez has artificial testosterone in his blood. He also tested positive for HCG, which is a fertility drug. In fact, it's the same dope that noted juicer Jose Canseco got busted for trying to smuggle it into the United States from Mexico because he was trying to get his mojo back.

Now I'm not a doctor, but perhaps Manny's "personal issue" had to do with a set of empty testicles and a nonexistent sex drive, which could be attributed to previous use of steroids.

Again, this is all hearsay—but I'll chalk it up to a semi-educated guess.

And I will bring this point up again—Ramirez made it clear that he passed at least 15 drug tests in the last five years. That was his Rafael Palmeiro "finger-waving" moment.

But what about six years ago, which would put us in the year 2003?

The year that Alex Rodriguez and 103 other major league baseball players failed a drug test.

I suspect that there's a lot more to this story than meets the eye.

Manny Being Manny (on PEDs)

michael eisner — Thu, 07 May 2009 13:22:33 -0400

According to several Web sites, Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Manny Ramirez has tested positive for Performance Enhancing Drugs (PEDs) and will be suspended for 50 games today.

What a sad day for baseball.

It was one thing that Alex Rodriguez was exposed for having failed a drug test in 2003, but it's another thing that arguably the third-best player in baseball got caught with his pants down.

But, that's just Manny being Manny, right.

Ramirez, the newest member of baseball's "elite" 500-HR Club will now share a seat at the PED dais with Rodriguez and Rafael Palmeiro as 500-HR Club members who have failed drug tests.

And, to add insult to injury, Ramirez was widely viewed as the best right-handed hitter of his generation, which just happens to be forever tainted.

I wonder how many other players knew about Ramirez. Did Bud Selig know? How about Joe Torre?

Was he on that the same list as Rodriguez was in 2003?

Ramirez has already released a statement in which he admitted to taking a banned substance, through a doctor's prescription. He claims to not have known the doctor's orders contained a substance that was forbidden by MLB's drug policy.

He also stated that he has taken 15 drug tests over the past five years and has passed them all.

You do the math - five years ago was 2004, exactly one year after Rodriguez failed his fateful test.

At the end of the day, it doesn't matter. He will always be known as a cheater. A 50-game suspension is a lot to swallow.

We've celebrated a new member of the "500 Club" seemingly every year for the last five or six years, finally culminating with Ramirez, Frank Thomas, Jim Thome, Ken Griffey Jr., and Gary Sheffield this season.

Everyone has a story. Palmeiro blamed it on Miguel Tejada. Rodriguez said his cousin did it. Sheffield claimed he didn't know the stuff he took was steroids. Barry Bonds allegedly lied under oath.

Roger Clemens, though not a member of the 500 Club, flat out denied ever taking anything despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary.

And now, sadly, Ramirez will just chalk his ignorance up to "Manny being Manny."

And yet, in the end, I believe in the integrity of just two of these men: Griffey and Thomas.

Let's just hope the unpublished list of 103 failed drug-tests from 2003 doesn't contain the names Ken Griffey Jr. and Frank Thomas, because if they do the last 20 years of baseball records should be trashed.

Selena Roberts, Ann Coulter, and A-Rod

michael eisner — Thu, 07 May 2009 09:48:42 -0400

For those of you who have been living under a really big rock the past few months, Selena Roberts released her long-anticipated unauthorized biography of Alex Rodriguez this week.

Roberts is an accomplished reporter for Sports Illustrated, and has been for years.

But this exploit of Rodriguez has gone too far. She has delved into the depths of one man's personal life the way no person ever should.

Like some sort of creepy stalker.

She kind of reminds me of good old Ann Coulter. You know, the blond-ambition extreme right-wing republican who once referred to 9/11 widows as...well, let's just say that I can't print what she said.

Rodriguez is the biggest star in baseball. He's won three MVP awards and signed the largest contract in the history of baseball—twice. He also plays for the Yankees.

The only knock on Rodriguez was the fact that he disappeared in the clutch and never won the big one.

Kind of like Selena Roberts, only without the MVPs and the hundreds of millions of dollars in earned income.

Roberts felt compelled to write this book for reasons that are unknown. Secret agenda? Did Rodriguez shun her advances? What, then?

We found out a few months ago that Rodriguez used performance enhancing drugs. He admitted it. Many of us were not sure whether he was being completely candid. The luster wore off his shine.

After a few weeks, we got over it.

Until Roberts' book debuted, which ironically was, and still is, outsold by Joe Torre's book which painted a far more flattering picture of this beleaguered superstar.

This should die down, too.

Selena Roberts, like Ann Coulter, just doesn't get it.

Men don't enjoy gossip nearly as much as women do. And there's a lot of stuff in this book that can be chalked up to nothing more than gossip.

Like the accusation that Rodriguez was tipping pitches as some sort of "slump insurance."

Preposterous. But not to Roberts.

You see, baseball fans are always looking for someone or something to believe in. Like Roy Hobbs or the 2008 Tampa Bay Rays.

We forgive our heroes faster than we forgive our own family members, sometimes.

The fact is that when someone like Selena Roberts has it in for someone, like Rodriguez, she pulls no punches. And the sad part is that many people, if not most, who read these types of books perceive them to be the absolute truth.

Ann Coulter tried so hard to smear Barack Obama and other prominent Democrats to the point where she became an annoyance, even to those who shared the same beliefs as her.

I haven't seen or heard from Coulter in quite a while.

Selena Roberts deserves the same fate.

A Bronx Cheer for the New Yankee Stadium

michael eisner — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 09:14:08 -0400

Today, Yankee Stadium officially moves across 161st Street...or, "One-hunnit and sixty-first street," if you're from the Bronx.

The ghosts, the legend, Monument Park. All of it.

But today signifies a lot more than just the opening of a stadium that challenges any dream sequence of a baseball stadium known to man. Today is about remembrance. About good old-fashioned, afternoon baseball.

It's about hot dogs and sauerkraut and maybe a cold one if you're old enough. Forget that the new ballpark has all the trimmings of your local shopping mall, with a pristine baseball field packed in between.

Today is about Babe Ruth, without whom the original Yankee Stadium would have been just another ballpark. It's about Lou Gehrig and his 2,130 consecutive games played, and how, on a sunny July day in 1939, when, in front of 62,000 adoring fans, he declared himself "The Luckiest Man on the Face of the Earth."

We think back to black-and-white images of Joltin' Joe DiMaggio and how he might have looked in color patrolling center field way back when.

Today, our thoughts shift back to a time when Willie, Mickey, and the Duke were the talk of the Town. That's Willie Mays, Mickey Mantle, and Duke Snider, all three of whom just happened to play center field for a New York baseball team in the 1950s.

At noon today, when the Opening Day festivities begin, we should remember a time when you could catch a baseball game and stuff your face for less than a buck.

Or when Mantle made that catch in the 1951 World Series. Or Don Larsen catching Yogi Berra after recording the final out of the only perfect game in World Series history.

When Roger Maris hit one "way back there" for 61 in 1961.

Or Reggie Jackson knocking out three in a row in the '77 Series.

Or Whitey Ford, period.

When Chris Chambliss went deep and he had to fight like Muhammad Ali to finally touch home plate.

When George Brett's pine tar-laden swing went yard, we remember just how much dirt Billy Martin kicked on the umpire that day.

Or where we were when Dave Righetti pitched that no-hitter of his in 1983.

We remember the sweet sounds of Phil Rizzuto and Bobby Murcer, never mind the fact that they were great ballplayers in their own right, adored by Yankees fans way before they stepped into the broadcast booth.

And, of course, the "Voice of God," Bob Sheppard. Mel Allen and Robert Merrill, too.

We recall the day that Thurman Munson tragically left us, and when Murcer, in front of a packed house, paid the ultimate tribute by singlehandedly beating the Baltimore Orioles just hours after attending his funeral. He drove in five runs that day as the Yankees beat the Orioles 5-4.

And after winning so many pennants and World Series, we did some hard time in the late 1960s, early 1970s, late 1980s, and the early 1990s.

Horace Clarke. Steve Sax. Ed Whitson. Roberto Kelly. And all the tears and frustration that came with cheering those guys on.

For some of us, the memories began with Don Mattingly and Dave Winfield battling it out for the American League batting title in 1984 on the very last day of the season. Mattingly won.

Or when Paul O'Neill came over from the Reds for Kelly and sprinkled his magic all over the Stadium in time for the next four World Championships, including one against the cross-town Mets.

Der-ek Jeee-ter.

Paul O-O-O-knee-yall.

Wade Boggs rode a horse around the Stadium's warning track in 1996. Dwight Gooden pitched a no-hitter. So did Jim Abbott.

David Wells and David Cone pitched perfect games.

Tino Martinez and Scott Brosius. John Wetteland.

Mariano Rivera. Jorge Posada. Andy Pettitte. And, of course, Derek Jeter, the Captain.

Yes, today is about opening up a new, two-and-one-half billion dollar ballpark. It's about the festivities and the pomp and circumstance, despite being in the middle of the world's worst recession.

Despite this, and the $2,500 seats, there will be no vacancies today. No empty cushions. Yes, the seats are all cushioned from what I hear.

And despite all of the Bernie Madoffs of the world, who found time to rob many of the country's richest people blind, the Yankees were blessed with an owner named George Steinbrenner, who never once robbed a single Yankees fan.

At times, his relationship with guys like Martin and Jackson may have been tabloid fodder, but his goal was always to put a winning team on the field.

Today, we open the new Yankee Stadium across the street from the old one, with a new generation of Yankees mixed in with the old.

C.C. Sabathia. Mark Teixeira. A.J. Burnett. Joba Chamberlain. Jeter. Pettitte. Posada. Rivera.

And here's hoping that baseball fans everywhere give the Stadium one big Bronx cheer for another 85 years of baseball at 161st Street.

Oh Say Can You C(C)?

michael eisner — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 14:06:00 -0400

To the majority of New York Yankees fans, CC Sabathia looked great in Pinstripes...until last Tuesday at roughly 5pm EST.

Ah, if only we could be transported back in time to a place where Sabathia was throwing darts at opposing hitters, and registering goose eggs on the scoreboard.

Say, 4pm EST.

Baseball fans are fickle—especially those who belong to the Pinstripe persuasion. And by April 13th, nobody will know that better than Sabathia, who incidentally, had his name legally changed from "C.C." to "CC".

Must be nice to be rich and bored during the off-season.

But seriously, there should be nothing to be concerned about short-term—at least not after one paltry start, even if Sabathia walked five and didn't whiff a single hitter.

If you don't believe me, let's think back to this same time last season, where Sabathia finished April with a record of 1-5 and an ERA (7.76) that was more bloated than Jose Canseco's ego.

Statistically speaking, Sabathia suffered one of the worst opening months of any defending-Cy Young Award winner in history. But, with April showers came May flowers, as Sabathia threw two complete games, including one shutout, and posted a sparkling 2.44 ERA, despite a 2-3 record.

In June, Sabathia was lights-out, as he compiled a 3-1 record to go with a minuscule 1.89 ERA and 44 Ks in 38 innings and some change.

And with Sabathia's trade to the National League, his numbers just got stupid, as he led the Milwaukee Brewers to the playoffs for the first time since the Reagan administration.

In fact, Sabathia went 9-2 with a 1.56 ERA post-All-Star Break.

But what really sticks out is the fact that Sabathia completed 10 games in 2008. Go check the statistics of top-tier pitchers like Jake Peavy, Roy Oswalt and Johan Santana—seven complete games between them.

Seven.

The Sabathia of 2008 was a throw-back to an earlier time where guys like Nolan Ryan, Bert Blyleven, Phil Niekro, and Don Sutton were throwing 15-20 complete games per season, and that's discounting the previous two generations of hurlers for whom the numbers are just off-the-charts.

It should be duly noted that pitching big innings early in a career could do more harm than good. Ask Jack McDowell and Teddy Higuera, both of whom flamed out almost as quickly as they shot to fame.

McDowell, who began his career with the White Sox and made stops with the Yankees, Indians and Angels, won 17 games in 1991 and at least 20 games in both 1992 and 1993. He also threw 38 complete games in that span. In strike-shortened 1994, McDowell led the A.L. in games started. By 1996, at age 30, his ERA had ballooned to 5.11, and he was out of baseball by 1999.

Higuera, on the other hand, got a late start as he made his debut as a 26-year old with the Brewers in 1985. From 1985-1988, Higuera threw 44 complete games. He also averaged 17 wins during that span, highlighted by a lone 20-win season in 1985.

By 1990, Higuera's career had been ravaged by injuries and by 1994, at age 34, his career was over.

Is it possible that we are witnessing Sabathia's career-path move toward those of McDowell and Higuera?

To be fair, Sabathia, who will be pitching this season as a 28-year old, has only eclipsed the 200 inning mark three times in eight seasons, but over the past two he has averaged close to 245 innings per.

And it's fair to assume that the Yankees plan on pushing the envelope again in 2009 to get their money's worth.

Let's just hope that Sabathia's arm is around to finish out the contract.

The future success of the Yankees depends on it.

Thank The Good Lord For Making Me a Yankee (or not)

michael eisner — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 09:55:58 -0400

The New York Yankees are the most storied professional sports franchise in the history of the World. Their record books glisten with names like Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Joe DiMaggio, Mickey Mantle, Whitey Ford and Derek Jeter. True legends of American sport. But the Yankees have been known to throw a lot of money and a lot of hype behind players who haven't quite panned out. Here's five that ended up on the sort end of the Yankees stick.

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Will Work for Food

michael eisner — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 10:32:12 -0400

I just caught the new Snickers commercial. You know, the one that features Patrick Ewing authoring an in-your-face slam dunk on some schlep who was too busy munching on a Snickers bar to realize that Ewing was on his way up. Oh, did I mention that Ewing, who was dressed up in full basketball attire (tank, shorts, etc.) looked like he had just inhaled a dozen candy bars a day since he retired? Why is it that most professional athletes put on the pounds after they retire? I know that I've probably put on a good 15-20 since I graduated college, but that was 12 years ago, and I was never a professional athlete. So, as a tribute to those who trained so hard to never look like us and yet ended up looking like us anyway, I present to you five ex-athletes who, for better or for worse, have retired from professional sports and have taken up eating as a hobby.

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Fantasy Baseball 4-1-1: Five Rookies You Should Own

michael eisner — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 09:57:03 -0400

When most fantasy baseball novices run out to their local newsstand and throw down hard-earned greenbacks on overpriced glossy magazines with $8.95 cover prices, I spend hours flipping through issue-after-issue of Baseball America building my knowledge-base of prospects that could help me win my league. Call me a nerd if you want. I've been called worse. But, it's been proven year after year that cheap talent helps win Championships and I'm about to let you in on five little secrets that could spell the difference between the bubbly and the basement.

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Five Fantasy Baseball Sleepers for 2009.

michael eisner — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 07:59:59 -0400

From David Tyree to the Tampa Bay Rays, the year 2008 had many moments that tugged at our heart strings and captured even the most vivid corners of our imagination. We've seen trials and tribulations; joy and sorrow; happiness and sheer pain. But most of all, we saw Tom Brady walking hand-in-hand on the streets of New York City with Giselle Bundchen on crutches. So, after the dust settles and the confetti is cleared away, the year 2008 will go down as one of the most bizarre in the history of American sport. I can see it now - in five years we'll be asking ourselves: Just who was this Kimbo Slice guy anyway?

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Forty-Three Will Get You Twenty

michael eisner — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 15:29:37 -0400

Clearly, former Yankees top prospect and current Pittsburgh Pirates farmhand Jose Tabata loves older women.

In fact, Mrs. Tabata is 23 years his senior.

But that's the least of his troubles if the latest news out of Tampa is true.

According to published reports, Tabata's wife, Amalia Tabata Pereira, 43, was arrested yesterday and charged with a number of alleged crimes including false imprisonment, interference with child custody and impersonating a siocial service worker.

She's currently being held in lieu of $750,000.00 bail.

According to Police, she kidnapped a two-month old girl from a family at a health clinic in Plant City, Florida, by stating that the couple was about to be deported.

Jose Tabata has not been charged and is not believed to have any involvement in this case.

Fortunately the little girl and her parents have been reunited.

Apparently, Tabata was "shocked" at hearing about the allegations.

Not nearly shocked as we were when we found out he was married to someone more than twice his age!

From The Corner Cube...

michael eisner — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 09:46:31 -0400

Good morning, from the middle of Manhattan.

So much to say...with just a New York Minute to spare.

There seems to be a managerial trend in Major League Baseball...journeymen catchers becoming Big League managers.

Eric Wedge. Joe Girardi. Bob Geren.

I missed my calling.

And what is this I read about Derek Jeter getting booed in the Semi-Final game of the World Baseball Classic? Clearly the Vendors slipped something in the Kool-Aid they were serving.

Speaking of the WBC, I found it quite strange that the Japanese could win the tournament with Kenji Johjima batting cleanup, especially when the only thing he cleaned last year in Seattle was the rest of the team's laundry after getting benched towards the end of the season. He's been a total disaster for the Mariners.

In fact, between the landmark arrival of Ichiro Suzuki and the much-ballyhooed arrival of Daisuke Matsuzaka, every single Japanese import has been nothing more than a flash in the pan.

Like Hideki Irabu, although his pan may have been bigger than everyone else's.

How is Steve Wozniak still in play for the Dancing With The Stars title? There was nothing more offensive to watch than Wozniak doing the "worm" on national television.

I'd rather have watched two hours straight of The Hills.

A few nights ago, the Knicks honored a bevy of former greats at Madison Square Garden by inviting back one player who best represented the team for each of the past seven decades.

Guys like Patrick Ewing. Bernard King. Willis Reed.

Fast forward ten years and who will they invite back to represent the 2000s?

Frederic Weis?

LeBron James is looking more and more like Michael Jordan by the day. At least on the basketball court, anyway.

And he'll stay in Cleveland, too.

Alex Rodriguez will be back in the Yankees lineup by May 1st. Write it down. He's too much of a narcissist not to beat the odds and come back early.

Hurry back, Alex. Not sure that I can stomach another picture of you kissing yourself in a full-sized mirror.

Just how good was the 2008 NBA Draft? Half of the players picked in the first round could end up becoming an All-Star within the next two seasons, or less.

On the contrary, the 2009 Draft looks to be atrocious.

Outside of Blake Griffin, the clear-cut number one pick, the Draft pool is Paris Hilton-thin. I bet Brandon Jennings can't take the first plane out of Italy fast enough in June.

I was saddened to hear of the passing of former WWE Superstar Test last week in Tampa. Too many former wrestlers are dying in what should be the prime of their life thanks to what many believe to be steroid abuse.

It kind of makes you wonder why the same thing hasn't happened to more professional baseball players.

I'm just saying...

Curt Schilling: Friend or Foe?

michael eisner — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 17:16:52 -0400

I bleed Pinstripes.

Now that that's out of the way, I am not a fan of Curt Schilling.

OK, the second admission was somewhat obvious based on my first, but I felt compelled to mention it for effect.

Personal feelings aside, Schilling is a Hall-of-Fame baseball player. Hands down.

His 216 wins fall way short of the "magic" 300 wins which are an absolute ticket to Immortality; however, Schilling did so much more than his final career statistics may indicate.

You can't measure grit and respected arrogance by statistics, and Schilling was gritty and arrogant.

So what if he came across as Baseball's version of Rush Limbaugh. Limbaugh could never throw a fastball 92 MPH.

Historically, Schilling's statistics are akin to a threesome of Hall-of-Fame pitchers featuring Catfish Hunter and Don Drysdale. Two guys who you'd want on the Hill if the season was on the line.

And the third—John Smoltz—ironically may have taken the spot of Schilling in the Red Sox rotation.

But, the moral of this story isn't the wins and losses, though Schilling won more than 20 games three times and finished with a career winning percentage just shy of .600; no, the truth is that what separates guys like Hunter and Drysdale and Smoltz and Schilling from the Bert Blylevens of the world is dominance on the big stage.

Hunter did it with the Oakland Athletics of the early 1970s and again with the New York Yankees of the late 1970s. Drysdale with the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 1960s and Smoltz with the perennial pennant winning Atlanta Braves of the 1990s.

And Schilling, who boasts three World Series Rings, has a 10-2 post season record, good for best in history with over 10 decisions.

He has drawn the ire of every Yankees fan, much to his enjoyment I'm sure.

Schilling even had his Kirk Gibson moment—the bloody sock.

So in five years, when the Election Committee gets to vote on whether Curtis Montague Schilling should be enshrined in the Baseball Hall of Fame, it would be a travesty of baseball justice if he is denied.

For there wasn't a team in baseball that wouldn't have wanted Curt Schilling on the mound, pitching for them, in Game Seven of the World Series.

Even the Yankees.

A(Rod) For Turbulent Times

michael eisner — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 15:35:09 -0400

You wouldn't know that the United States of America, and the World for that matter, is in the midst of the most dramatic financial calamity in history by paying attention to a large portion of the headlines.

Alex Rodriguez this, and A-Rod that.

First it was Madonna who ruffled A-Rod's tail-feathers. Then it was the steroid allegations that were later proved to be true thanks, in large part, to a "mea culpa" from A-Rod himself.

But it goes beyond that.

It seems as if the Media is obsessed with A-Rod's every move, despite the fact that there are more newsworthy stories out there that deserve to be told.

Last I checked, millions of homes were being foreclosed upon. Hundreds of thousands of jobs were being lost per month.

The stock market lost more than half of its value. Millionaires were being turned into paupers overnight.

And yet, A-Rod's hip surgery is front page news for days.

Society's obsession with everything A-Rod has really put a damper on what should have been a therapeutic start to a new season of baseball.

The offseason was exciting, to say the least. The Yankees signed three big-ticket free agents and the Dodgers re-upped with Manny Ramirez. The Rays could win it all this year.

But all of those things have paled in comparison to the travelling soap opera that is Alex Rodriguez.

There has never been a more polarizing figure than A-Rod in the history of baseball.

Ty Cobb was a known racist. Probably the fiercest of his day.

Babe Ruth was a womanizer and probably the most recognizable man in the United States back in the 1920s and 1930s. In fact, he was the first baseball player to make more money than the President of the United States.

"I had a better year than he did" Ruth once said of the President.

Joe DiMaggio and Marilyn Monroe were the David and Victoria Beckham of the 1950s.

And Pete Rose had a terrible gambling habit—one that eventually cost him his Plaque in Cooperstown and a lifetime banishment from baseball.

But, the truth is that none of these players have done anything that has potentially compromised the integrity of the holy grail of baseball lore—the statistic.

And that's really what it comes down to, isn't it?

The statistic is to baseball what eggs are to an omelet. An essential ingredient that would render the former impossible without it.

Had A-Rod just had a fling with Madonna, or cheated on his wife, or even got caught on film allegedly inhaling a bong, he'd still be considered arguably the greatest baseball player of his generation.

Ruth, Cobb and Rose held records that were so revered, it didn't really matter what they did off the field in the eyes of the record books. Ruth caroused, Cobb spewed hate and Rose placed a lot of bets on baseball.

But those three men never cheated the history books.

Whether it was 714 or 4,192 - they understood the reverence of the baseball statistic.

And no matter what happens with A-Rod going forward; whether he recuperates from his hip surgery and hits 300 more home runs in his career and never tests positive for steroids again, or whether he flames out quicker than Ken Griffey Jr., one thing is clear—A-Rod may understand Kaballah, but he does not understand the baseball statistic is a religion all by itself.

So in these turbulent times, where millionaires are turning to mush and property values are deflating faster than Star Jones after bypass surgery, it's important that the one of the last pure things in this great country of ours—the baseball statistic—stays that way.

Are you listening Commissioner Selig?

2007 Topps Triple Threads Football

michael eisner — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 10:23:26 -0400

If you are looking for an affordable, high-end football product packed with beautiful cards, top-notch players both past and present, and a fair shot at some high-dollar scores, look no further than 2007 Topps Triple Threads Football.

Each box of Triple Threads comes with two individually wrapped packs, with one containing a multi-piece relic and the other containing an autographed multi-piece relic.

All this is yours for just under $200. Can you believe it?

Triple Threads consistently boasts some of the hobby’s best multi-player relics. From Jamarcus Russell to Ben Roethlisberger to John Elway to Dan Marino, they’re all in there.

If you’re looking for autographed relics from immortals such as Jim Brown, Joe Namath, Jerry Rice and Joe Montana—they’re in there!

If you’re looking to pull autographed relics from today’s superstars such as Brett Favre, Tom Brady, Vince Young and Reggie Bush - they’re in there.

If autographed rookie relics tickle your fancy - some of the nicest Adrian Peterson, Calvin Johnson and Brady Quinn’s are in here!

There are also a plethora of serial-numbered parallels including the ultimate pull—“White Whale,” which are case pulls serial-numbered to just “one.”

We were fortunate enough to receive one full box to open from Topps and pulled a couple of really nice cards including a Lorenzo Booker triple patch relic autograph serial-numbered to 10 and a triple relic of Dan Marino, John Elway and Troy Aikman.

Triple Threads packs also contain five base cards, which are all serial-numbered, as well.

We really enjoyed ripping through a box of 2007 Topps Triple Threads football. This product has everything that even the most advanced of collectors can appreciate and enjoy. From serial-numbered base cards to multi-player relics to autographed triple relics.

If you can afford to spend $200 on a box, Triple Threads comes highly recommended from CardsandProspects.

Prospect Profile: Brandon Moss, Boston Red Sox

michael eisner — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 10:07:41 -0400

If you haven’t heard of Boston Red Sox outfielder Brandon Moss, you better ask somebody!

Thanks to a ninth inning home run against Huston Street in the season opener against the Oakland A’s in Japan, Moss has all but cemented a future role with the team, though he will begin the season in Triple-A.

Moss has shown a good stroke since being drafted by the Red Sox in the 8th round of the 2002 Amateur Draft out of Loganville High School in Georgia.

After initially struggling while playing bit parts of the 2002 and 2003 seasons, Moss came of age in 2004 by smashing 15 home runs to go with 121 RBI and 21 SB between stints in A and high-A.

Moss followed-up his coming-out party in 2004 with three identical years in which he averaged 15 HR and 72 RBI with an OPS consistently pushing .800.

Unfortunately, the Red Sox outfield is somewhat crowded this year, but his chance should come soon, especially if the Sox deal Coco Crisp, as expected. This should open up the fourth outfield spot for Moss.

In the meantime, look for Moss to excel for Pawtucket, the Red Sox Triple-A affiliate, while waiting for the call to The Show.

Moss has a couple of key rookie cards, both produced by Topps. His 2005 Topps Chrome certified autograph is tough to locate and get snapped up quickly for around $20, while his 2006 Bowman Chrome Prospect card has been picking up steam lately fetching a buck or two, but upwards of $15-20 in graded gem mint condition.

David Cone: 2009 MLB Hall of Fame Inductee?

michael eisner — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 15:08:25 -0400

One of the greatest moments in New York Yankees history took place on July 16, 1999, when David Cone pitched a Perfect Game.

I remember it well.

But am I the only one who remembers just how good his career was?

He won 194 games in his career,just short of 200. He collected 2,668 strikeouts - just short of 3,000. He had a career ERA of 3.46, and had he not hung around for three extra seasons, despite a circulatory problem in his pitching arm, his ERA would have been at least a quarter of a run lower.

Cone won 20 games twice, highlighted by a 20-3 season in 1988 with the Mets. He won 16 games once, 17 games once and 18 games once. He also won 14 games for three seaons in a row.

In 1996, he started only 11 games due to injury and went 7-2 with a 2.88 ERA. Had he been healthy, he surely would've surpassed the 200 win plateau, and possibly would've contended for the American League Cy Young Award.

He won two World Series Rings with the Yankees - 1996 and 1999.

Cone's post-season numbers were simply incredible. He amassed a 8-3 career record which included a 2-0 mark in six World Series starts in which he pitched 29 2/3 innings and let up a stingy 19 hits,

Cone won the AL Cy Young in 1994, finished third in 1988 and fourth in 1995 and 1998. What's incredible about his Cy Young finish in 1994 was that he won 16 out of 23 starts during the strike-shortened season.

He won two NL strikeout crowns and finished second twice. In all, he had 10 top five finishes.

Cone even finished in the Top 10 in MVP voting twice - once in the AL and once in the NL.

From 1988-1999, Cone was considered by many to be one of the top pitchers in all of baseball. In fact, there are many pitchers currently enshrined in the Hall of Fame who were never considered as good as Cone, including Don Sutton and Phil Niekro, but hung around long around to accumulate statistics including 300 wins, which Cone did not.

There are other pitchers whose candidacy have been gaining steam in recent years, including Bert Blyleven and Jack Morris, neither of which enjoyed the dominance of Cone.

It's safe to say that Cone won't make the cut the first time around, but hopefully he will garner some serious attention in the coming years.

Football Fanatics Enjoy Exquisite End to the 2007 Season

michael eisner — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 14:39:17 -0400

The wait is over for Upper Deck’s most anticipated football release, 2007 NFL Exquisite

Carlsbad, CA—(March 11, 2008)—After a solid football season for trading card sales, Upper Deck ended it with a bang this past Friday with the release of 2007 NFL Exquisite. Many collectors enjoyed an “exquisite” weekend by opening the product or watching others open it at hobby shops across the nation.

With a suggested retail price of $600 per six-card box, collectors’ expectations are high and 2007 NFL Exquisite has been delivering. The investment collectors make when purchasing a box of 2007 NFL Exquisite leaves them with a bit of a quandary with whether to open the box or leave it sealed.

Sealed boxes of the Exquisite product line have consistently held their value and, in most cases, appreciated over the years. The thrill of opening a box of cards like this is hard to be rivaled.

With a minimum of three limited-edition signed cards, a jersey card and a patch card from the best names in the league, it’s easy to see why so many collectors are compelled to rip them open. Continuing on the success of last year’s product, Upper Deck is randomly inserting 15 rare “Gold” boxes.

Each of these boxes boasts gold writing on the outside, the box itself is sequentially numbered of 15 and every one of the six cards in these select boxes will be a coveted 1-of-1 card. Rare signed and multi-signed cards from legends like Joe Montana, Joe Namath, Barry Sanders, Joe Theismann, Emmitt Smith and Brett Favre are gaining incredible momentum as collectors rush to add these rare cards to their collections.

Meanwhile, rookie autograph patch cards from 2007 NFL Exquisite from players like Calvin Johnson, Brady Quinn, JaMarcus Russell, Kevin Kolb, Marshawn Lynch and Adrian Peterson are on fire in the hobby right now.

Last year, the 2006 Exquisite rookie autograph patch card of Reggie Bush became the most expensive modern day NFL rookie card. Many experts in the industry believe the record could soon be broken by someone who knows a lot about breaking records: Adrian Peterson of the Minnesota Vikings.

Peterson did not have as much hype around him as Bush did coming out of college, but he put up numbers that have made him one of the most-talked-about rookies in recent history.

“We continue to push the envelope with the Exquisite product line to provide high-end collectors with a truly special collecting experience,” said Gregg Kohn, Upper Deck NFL product manager.

“Early responses to the line have been very positive because we stayed true to what makes this product great. Exquisite is consistently one of our best product lines because of its limited production run, great autograph cards, exciting patches and the chance to find these rare gold boxes. And having rare autograph content from one of the most talented rookies in recent years in the mix certainly doesn’t hurt.”

CONTENT HIGHLIGHTS:

· 1 Exquisite Rookie Signature Card in Every Pack on average!

· 1 Exquisite Rookie Signature Patch Card in Every Pack on average!

· 1 Additional Exquisite Signature, Multi Signed, Autograph Memorabilia, or Legendary Cut Card in Every Pack on average!

· 1 Exquisite Jersey Card in Every Pack on average!

· 1 Exquisite Patch Card in Every Pack on average!

· Look for Rare Gold Boxes with All Cards in the Box Containing 1-of-1 Content!

PRODUCT BREAKDOWN:

· Regular Set – ALL CARDS SERIAL NUMBERED

o Regular Cards o Exquisite Rookie Signatures o Exquisite Rookie Signature Patch

· Autograph Cards – ALL CARDS SERIAL NUMBERED

o Exquisite Rookie Signature Parallel (# to 1)

o Exquisite Rookie Signature Patch Parallel (# to 1)

o Exquisite Endorsements

o Exquisite Endorsements Parallel (# to 1) o Exquisite Inscriptionso Exquisite Inscriptions Parallel (# to 1)

o Exquisite Legendary Signatures

o Exquisite Legendary Signatures Parallel (# to 1)

o Exquisite Debut Signatures

o Exquisite Debut Signatures Parallel (# to 1)

o Exquisite Combo Signatures

o Exquisite Trio Signatures

o Exquisite Quad Signatures

o Exquisite Ticket Match Up Signatures

o Exquisite Signature Swatch

o Exquisite Trophy Signature Swatch

o Exquisite Dual Signature Swatch

o Exquisite Quad Signature Swatch

o Exquisite Signature Jersey Numbers

o Exquisite Signature Patch

o Exquisite Trophy Signature Patch

o Exquisite Dual Signature Patch

o Exquisite MaximumJersey Signatures

o Exquisite Rare Materials Signatures (# to 1)

o Exquisite Dual Logo Signatures (# to 1)

o Exquisite Quad Logo Signatures (# to 1)

o Exquisite Dual Legendary Cuts (Hand-Numbered to 1)

o Exquisite Quad Legendary Cuts (Hand-Numbered to 1)

· Memorabilia Cards – ALL CARDS SERIAL NUMBERED

o Exquisite MaximumJersey

o Exquisite Maximum Jersey Parallel (# to 1)

o Exquisite Maximum Patch

o Exquisite Maximum Patch Parallel (# to 1)

o Exquisite Patch

o Exquisite Patch Parallel

o Exquisite Combo Patch

o Exquisite Trio Patch

o Exquisite Quad Patch

o Exquisite MaximumJersey Parallel (# to 1)

· Parallel Cards – ALL CARDS SERIAL NUMBERED

o Exquisite Regular Card Parallel (# to 1)

Prospect Profile: Ian Stewart, Colorado Rockies

michael eisner — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 02:03:42 -0500

What began with Clint Barmes and Garrett Atkins a few years ago has evolved ever so steadily to become a plethora of Colorado Rockies infield prospects with pop.

This is where former first-round pick Ian Stewart fits in comfortably.

His coming-out party came in 2004, where as a 19-year-old third baseman with the Single-A Asheville Tourists, he smashed 30 home runs, drove in 101 runs, and hit .319.

Stewart's power and prospect status diminished a bit over the next two years as his home run totals dipped to 17 and 10, respectively. He still managed, though, to average 36 doubles and seven triples from 2005-2006.

In 2007 Stewart turned in a productive season in Triple-A. Hitting .304 with 15 home runs and 65 RBI, he earned himself a late-season call-up.

In 35 games for the Rockies, Stewart hit a disappointing .209 with one home run and nine RBI.

Stewart is now in the mix for the vacant second base slot in Colorado. However, he does face some stiff competition in fellow prospect Jayson Nix, brother of former Texas Rangers prospect Laynce Nix.

According to Baseball America, Stewart is currently the No. 2 prospect in the Rockies system.

He just might be an Atkins clone, albeit at second base or another position. If he can win the second base job out of Spring Training, he is a contender for the NL Rookie of the Year award.

As for trading cards, Stewart's history is quite limited with his only two cards falling in the 2003 Upper Deck Prospect Premieres set ($60-70) and the 2007 Bowman Sterling ($12-15) offering. Both cards are autographed.

Prospect Profile: Andrew Miller, Florida Marlins

michael eisner — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 04:45:02 -0500

Surprise, surprise—the Florida Marlins have traded away their two best players for prospects.

This time, however, the Fish were able to land the Detroit Tigers two top prospects, including 6'6", 210-pound fireballer Andrew Miller.

Chosen with the sixth overall pick in the 2006 Major League Baseball Amateur Draft, Miller debuted with the Tigers shortly after being drafted, albeit with disappointing results.

But he did come back with strength in 2007. Miller won five of his first seven starts, including six innings of shutout baseball in his first career start against the St. Louis Cardinals on May 18th. This feat was duplicated against the Atlanta Braves a month later, and Miller yielded just four hits en route to his third career win.

This strong push has been somewhat tarnished by his last three starts in which he gave up a combined 17 ER in nine innings, raising his ERA from a very respectable 3.76 to a bloated 5.62.

But despite these sub-par overall numbers, Miller's stock has never been higher, as evidenced by the blockbuster deal that sent him (and also Cameron Maybin) to the Marlins in exchange for perennial All-Star Miguel Cabrera, and top pitcher and fan-favorite Dontrelle Willis.

The University of North Carolina graduate is expected to compete for a spot in the Marlins’ starting rotation in 2008, and could end up becoming their Ace before season's end.

Due to his "Rookie Card" status, as determined by Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA), Miller appeared on a plethora of baseball cards in 2007. Some of the most sought after include:

•2007 Bowman's Best certified autograph ($10-15)

•2007 Bowman certified autograph ($15-25)

•2007 Upper Deck Exquisite Quadruple game-jersey autograph ($30-40)

•2007 Topps 52 Rookies certified autograph ($30-40)

•2007 Bowman Sterling rookie card ($3-4)

If you are in a fantasy baseball keeper league, grabbing Miller in the late rounds of your draft would be wise. The return on your investment may come more quickly than you might think.

1996: The Year of Ellis Burks

michael eisner — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 07:34:02 -0500

One could argue that the statistics compiled during the 1996 campaign may have been the most skewed in modern history.

From Alex Rodriguez' ninth-place finish in the AL MVP race to Ellis Burks turning in one of the most dominating offensive displays since the days of Willie, Mickey and The Duke, it's safe to say that we may never experience another year like 1996 again.

Now, it should be duly noted that Burks patrolled the outfield for the Colorado Rockies that year, so the thin air of Coors Field undoubtedly played a key role in the following:

Burks .344 142 R 40 HR 128 RBI 32 SB .408 OBP .639 SLG

In the NL MVP voting that year, Burks finished third behind Mike Piazza and Ken Caminiti, but ahead of Chipper Jones and Barry Bonds.

Conceivably, the numbers Burks put up in 1996 can be compared, and may times favorably, against the best years of players like Mickey Mantle, Willie Mays, Alex Rodriguez and Barry Bonds, who, like Burks in 1996, exhibited all-around masterful seasons where they exhibited a super-human-like power and speed combination.

Let's take a look at their best seasons as compared to Burks' 1996 season, which was clearly his best:

1956 Mantle .353 132 R 52 HR 130 RBI 10 SB .464 OBP .705 SLG

1954 Mays .345 119 R 41 HR 110 RBI 8 SB .411 OBP .667 SLG

2007 Rodriguez .314 143 R 54 HR 156 RBI 24 SB .422 OBP .645 SLG

2001 Bonds .328 129 R 73 HR 137 RBI 13 SB .515 OBP .863 SLG

Ellis Burks' breakout season came at age 31, which is right in the middle of what is considered an offensive players "Prime." And, despite the fanfare that came along with Burks' "can't miss" prospect status, nobody could've predicted the success he enjoyed that season. In fact, other than the season Bonds had in 2001, which was super-human in its own right, Burks 1996 season matches up quite well against the Mays of 1954 and the Rodriguez of 2007 in terms of OPS, and falls a little bit short of Mantle's 1956 campaign.

Say what you will about the Coors Field advantage that Burks enjoyed that year, his batting average and OBP are difficult to ignore, as are the 32 swipes.

Unfortunately for Burks, and his subsequent employers, his statistics never quite measured up to what they once were in 1996.

Twenty Years Later: Jose Canseco vs. Mike Greenwell

michael eisner — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 08:45:49 -0500

It's been 20 years.

Just tell that to Jose Canseco who, as a member of the then-Bash Brother combo along with a pint-sized Mark McGwire, broke the Major League Baseball numbers barrier by smashing 40 home runs and swiping 40 bases in a single season on his way to an American League MVP Award.

Unfortunately for Boston Red Sox Mike Greenwell, hitting a "clean" .325 with a rather pedestrian 22 bombs and 119 RBI was only good for runner-up to Canseco.

But, if we take a closer look at the numbers, and take into consideration the extra-curricular enhancement that Canseco admittedly engaged in that summer, perhaps the outcome may have been different.

Canseco was a burgeoning monster back in 1988, checking in at 6'4" and allegedly weighing 240 lbs. He caroused with movie stars and models as he gained notoriety far beyond the norm for a professional baseball player at the time.

Greenwell was a quiet, if not unassuming, product of the hapless Boston Red Sox, who hadn't won a Championship since the turn of the Century. He didn't quite have the muscles that Canseco did, and did not date Madonna.

But, as fate would have it, both men were locked in that summer, which resulted in some pretty impressive statistics:

Canseco - .307 42 HR 124 RBI 40 SB .391 OBP .569 SLG

Greenwell - .325 22 HR 119 RBI 16 SB .416 OBP .531 SLG

Upon closer inspection, Greenwell and Canseco had a nearly identical OPS (.950 for Canseco versus .947 for Greenwell).

Despite this virtual tie, Canseco won the MVP in a unanimous vote, while Greenwell struggled to a close second-place finish ahead of Kirby Puckett.

What set Canseco apart from Greenwell and the rest of the pack was his inagural membership in baseball's "40-40 Club."

Looking back, it's hard to imagine that nobody had ever amassed 40 home runs and 40 steals in a single season prior to Canseco. Not Willie Mays. Not Mickey Mantle.

Ironically, the closest anyone came prior to Canseco was in 1973, when San Francisco Giant Bobby Bonds hit 39 HR and stole 43 bases.

That year, Bonds finished a distant third in the NL MVP voting behind Willie Stargell and Pete Rose, who won the Award that season.

Now, it's hard to imagine that Bonds finished third in the MVP voting that season, despite almost becoming the charter member of the elusive 40-40 Club. Here is how the top three NL MVP candidates fared in 1973:

Bonds - .283 131 R 39 HR 96 RBI 43 SB .370 OBP .530 SLG

Rose - .338 115 R 5 HR 64 RBI 10 SB .401 OBP .437 SLG

Stargell - .299 106 R 44 HR 119 RBI 0 SB .392 OBP .646 SLG

Arguably, Bonds had the best all-around statistics of the bunch; however, the allure of the almost-40/40 Club membership clearly wasn't as much of a factor here as it should've been.

After Canseco's monster season in 1988, the mystique that surrounded a 40 HR-40 SB campaign disappeared faster than Rudy Giuliani after the Florida Primary.

In 1996, Bonds' son, Barry, would join The Club that his father missed by a single home-run in 1973, en route to a fifth-place finish in the NL MVP voting that year, ironically behind admitted steroid-user Ken Caminiti, who won the award unanimously.

Fast forward to 1998, when Seattle Mariner Alex Rodriguez finished ninth in the AL MVP race, despite the following mind-boggling season:

Rodriguez - .310 123 R 42 HR 124 RBI 46 SB .360 OBP .560 SLG

It's hard to imagine that eight players finished ahead of Rodriguez that season; however, the names were household back then: Nomar Garciaparra, Derek Jeter, Albert Belle, Ken Griffey, Mo Vaughn, Bernie Williams, Manny Ramirez, and the MVP winner, Juan Gonzalez.

At least two of the aforementioned were "indicted" on the Mitchell Report (Gonzalez and Belle), which, coupled with Canseco and Caminiti, accounted for four MVP Awards. We all know about the seven awards won by Bonds.

What's amazing about all of this is simple:

The once-rare blend of superior speed and power used to be touted as the end-all be-all of baseball statistics.

Before Canseco broke the speed and power barrier in 1988, becoming the charter member of the 40/40 Club, the closest anyone ever came was the elder Bonds in 1973, who fell one HR short.

Once Canseco broke the mold, those once mind-boggling statistics didn't seem to impress as much as they used to.

In other words, had Bobby Bonds hit that extra home run in 1973, it's quite possible that Greenwell would have been the American League's MVP in 1988, and we would've been all the better for it.

Top 10 Prospects: New York Yankees

michael eisner — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 07:10:07 -0500

This was previously posted on my website: www.cardsandprospects.com:

Pitchers and catchers are here!

Wasn’t it just Christmas?

Over the next few weeks, I will focus on the top 10 prospects for each Major League team, beginning with my hometown New York Yankees. T

he criteria for making the list is simple: You must be a prospect.

If you are not eligible to win Rookie of the Year honors in your respective league, you are no longer a prospect. I will also share some insight on the prospects best rookie card and most undervalued rookie card(s) to keep things interesting. Here it goes:

#1. Joba Chamberlain, P - This is a no-brainer. “Joba Rules” should move into the starting rotation with ease. It’s quite possible that Chamberlain can produce numbers like this right out of the chute: 15 wins, 3.50 ERA, 200 Ks. Chamberlain has #1 starter’s stuff. The best, and most popular, Chamberlain rookie card to get is his 2007 Bowman Chrome Prospect Autograph, which should set you back roughly $150-175. If you are looking for a bargain, try picking up his 2007 Topps 52′ Rookies short-print card #190, which is a quick seller at $10-12. Another key rookie card the 2007 Topps Updates & Highlights “reverse negative” which is extremely tough to find and can set you back $200 or so.

#2 - Jose Tabata, OF - The power will develop, or so they say. Tabata can run the bases and make consistent contact, but he needs to get stronger in order to develop some pop. We like his game; however, he should try taking some weight-gainer or something. He’s played most of 2007 as a 19 year-old, so there’s a lot to be said for that. Tabata has very few cards to choose from, so we recommend his 2006 Bowman Chrome Prospect card, which should set you back a few bucks.

#3 - Austin Jackson, OF - Jackson is the center fielder of the future for the Yankees, despite the presence of Melky Cabrera. He is a five-tool prospect with all the trimmings. If the Yankees trade Cabrera in a package for Johan Santana, look for Jackson to get a chance to play at the big league level at some point in 2008. At this point, Jackson’s card repitoire is limited, so we suggest picking up a few copies of his 2007 Donruss Elite Extra Edition certified autograph. But, if you can find a copy of his 2004 Bowman AFLAC promo card, picking it up would be a wise move, despite it’s probable $100 price tag.

#4 - Ian Kennedy, P - Kennedy was a member of Team USA a couple of years ago and was a very successful pitcher in college. His numbers in 2007 were filthy, both in the minor leagues and the Majors. Kennedy is not overpowering, but does profile as a #3 starter, though some scouts have predicted more success for him than that. If he makes the rotation out of Spring Training, which is expected, I wouldn’t be surprised if he wins 10-12 games with a 4.00 ERA and a decent K to Inning ratio. Nothing overwhelming, but certainly serviceable. While the flurry of Kennedy cards should hit the market in 2008 as he becomes “Rookie Card”-eligible, right now you’re only choice is any one of his 2005 and 2006 Team USA autographs.

#5 - Jeff Marquez, P - Not too many people realized that Marquez won 15 games last year. The problem, from a prospecting perspective, is that he barely struck anyone out. Marquez profiles as a back-of-the-rotation starter. If any one of the Yankee starters suffer injuries in 2008, it’s quite possible that Marquez could end up saving the day for the big club at some point, possibly following the same career path as a Jeff Karstens. Marquez best card is his 2004 Upper Deck SP Prospects certified autograph.

#6 - Humberto Sanchez, P - If he was healthy, Sanchez would probably be #2 on this list; however, he is recovering from major arm surgery and his status at this point is unknown. But, it’s safe to say that prior to his surgery, he had the best stuff of anyone in the system, this side of Joba Chamberlain. Sanchez’ future is probably in the bullpen. He’s a big, powerful guy who looks like Sid Fernandez from the neck down. Sanchez absolutely dominated minor league hitters for a stretch in 2006 and looks to regain that form in 2008. If he’s healthy, he could contribute at the big league level at some point late next season. His 2005 Bowman’s Best certified autograph is his most popular with the 2005 Bowman Sterling certified autograph running a close second.

#7 - Brett Gardner, OF - Time is running out for the 24-year old speedster from The College of Charleston. Despite putting up decent numbers in 2006 and 2007 between Single-A and Double-A, Gardner’s late-season jump to Triple-A produced average results, including a .260 AVG. and a miniscule .331 SLG., which won’t scare too many big league pitchers. However punchless his numbers were, Gardner did manage to swipe 21 bases in 45 games in Triple-A, bringing his 2007 season total to 39. He should receive a full-year of Triple-A at-bats; however, he could be in line for a call-up should Melky Cabrera get injured. His best, and only, rookie card resides in the 2005 Bowman Draft Picks and Prospects set. The Chrome parallel might set you back about a buck.

#8 - Alan Horne, P - Horne is another one of the Yankees almost-ready major league pitching prospects. At 25 years-old, Horne is on the verge of becoming nothing more than a middle-reliever for the Yankees if he is not traded soon. His numbers at Double-A Trenton last year were impressive (12-4 3.11 ERA, 153 1/3 IP, 165/57 K/BB), but they were not dominating enough to earn him top-billing with the likes of the other Yankees top pitching prospects (Chamberlain, Kennedy, Phil Hughes). Horne is nothing more than trade bait right now, though things can change quickly, especially if the Yankees run out of options in their bullpen and turn to Horne for a quick fix. Horne has no rookie cards to speak of at this moment.

#9 - Dellin Betances, P - Extremely young and very talented, Betances put up some impressive numbers in Low-A ball last year, though his season was cut short by injury. His 29 Ks in 25 IP with Staten Island turned some heads, though the 17 BBs he issued also turned the same heads in the wrong direction. Should those numbers improve with age, which they most certainly will, the Yankees will have another big-time pitching prospect to add to their repitoire. Betances’ imposing frame (6-8 215) remind some scouts of Randy Johnson, and the fact that he is a local kid (Brooklyn, NY) can’t hurt his chances either. If Betances stays healthy in 2008, he could end up in High-A ball by the end of the summer. His 2007 Bowman Chrome Prospects autograph is the card to get, though his 2007 Elite Extra Edition autograph is probably the best value out there right now.

#10 - Andrew Brackman, P - Brackman will spend most of 2008 recovering from Tommy John surgery; however, the 6-11 230 lb. 2007 first-round pick out of NC State is expected to be ready to go by 2009. Due to his extensive experience, including four years at NC State and Team USA, Brackman should move up the ladder quickly upon his return, and could be pitching in The Bronx sometime in 2009. Brackman’s best card is from 2007 Donruss Elite Extra Edition, which is a certified autograph. I also like his 2007 Team USA autograph jersey card, which is short-printed and difficult to locate.