Winter league watch
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- December
- 17
If you’re interested in following Yankee players and prospects in their winter leagues bookmark this page from MinorLeagueBaseball.com.
There are rosters and stats for all the teams in the Dominican, Venezuela and Mexico.
Robinson Cano just started playing for Estrellas de Oriente. Melky Cabrera, Edwar Ramirez, Bobby Abreu and others will play for their teams.
Keep in mind that many major leaguers don’t play every day. They may get a few at-bats a week or just DH in a game. Some guys wait until the playoffs to show up. Winter League rosters often have huge amounts of players.
The Yankees send out updates on their guys and I’ll pass those along when I get them.
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on Monday, December 17th, 2007 at 1:05 pm by Peter Abraham.
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Peter Abraham
Going to those games is a great experience. I got to see a few over the last couple of years and the crowds are raucous! Good times.
Pavano serves as water boy ?
Pavano would dislocate his wrist while opening a freakin’ bottle of Evian. Either that or he would find a way to dislocate his butt-tocks doing it.
New York Yankees Top 20 Prospects for 2008
By John Sickels
Posted on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 12:42:18 AM CDT
New York Yankees Top 20 Prospects for 2008
All grades are EXTREMELY PRELIMINARY and subject to change.
1. Joba Chamberlain, RHP, Grade A
2. Jose Tabata, OF, Grade B+
3. Ian Kennedy, RHP, Grade B+
4. Alan Horne, RHP, Grade B
5. Austin Jackson, OF, Grade B-
6. Bradley Suttle, 3B, Grade B-
7. Dellin Betances, RHP, Grade B-
8. Austin Romine, C, Grade B- (hate grading guys who haven’t played yet, could be C+)
9. Jesus Montero, C, Grade C+ (borderline B-)
10. Dan McCutchen, RHP, Grade C+
11. Brett Gardner, OF, Grade C+
12. Damon Sublett, 2B, Grade C+ (love this guy)
13. Andrew Brackman, RHP, Grade C+ (could slot anywhere from 9 to 20 depending on what you want to emphasize)
14. Jeffrey Marquez, RHP, Grade C+
15. George Kontos, RHP, Grade C+
16. Kevin Whelan, RHP, Grade C+ (check those K/IP and H/IP, but command?)
17. Frank Cervelli, C, Grade C+ (great glove, bat?)
18. David Robertson, RHP, Grade C+ (stunning numbers)
19. Jairo Heredia, RHP, Grade C+
20. Zach McAllister, RHP, Grade C+
So what is everyone baking for Christmas?
I am making chocolate chip cookies (world famous)
Lemon bundt cake
almond cresants
checker board cookies
Good thing Christmas is on a Tuesday, I’ll have all day Sunday and Monday to bake.
I don’t bake.
Won’t have time anyways. Getting ready to move to SF.
jennifer- Hip Hip Jorge
December 17th, 2007 at 1:34 pm
So what is everyone baking for Christmas?
I am making chocolate chip cookies (world famous)
Lemon bundt cake
almond cresants
checker board cookies
Good thing Christmas is on a Tuesday, I’ll have all day Sunday and Monday to bake.
__
Alice B. Toklas Brownies….with little green spribklies on top.
Hey, the sprinklies are just Christmas decorations..I swear.
http://www.realgmbaseball.com/src_wiretap_archives/8815/20071217/yankees_and_mets_both_interested_in_prior/
Why?!?
Did anyone hear CJ Nitkowski on ESPN this morning?
He still trains with McNamee and said McNamee did not encourage him to ever use PEDs. The main reason for him being on was to defend McNamee but he said a few things that amazed me.
He said he was happy Andy admitted what he did because everyone knows he’s a great pitcher but also a great person. Then went on to say he was disappointed that Andy didn’t show any support of McNamee in his statement about having used HGH. Maybe it’s me but if someone just sent my life into a state of turmoil, being supportive of him might not be the first thing on my agenda. Did he really expect Andy to say I want everyone to know that McNamee is a great trainer, I don’t hold him responsible for making my life miserable for the past 2 days and he did nothing wrong.
The other thing he said is that naming names like the Mitchell report did is not the way to convince guys not to use HGH. He said by naming guys who have had success in baseball and have used HGH is an incentive for guys to use who want to have success in the sport. In the absence of a credible HGH test, guys will take the risk if they think they can achieve the same success as some of the players who were named.
December 17th, 2007 at 1:41 pm
Hey guys, I need some advice.
Mark Littell, the guy that gave up the 76 Chambliss home run, is a guest on the webcast I cover the Yanks for this week.
What the heck do I ask him?!
Ask him when he first started playing baseball and when he realized he had the talent to make it to the bigs. Ask him if he’s got any good stories to tell about minor league travels. Same thing about the bigs. Then slip the Chambliss question on him…the fallout, what pitch was it, etc. Then ask him what he’s been up to recently.
he is promoting his new invention, so he will probably want to talk about that
Why no red sprinkles?
That is a very good point CJ made pat. Yet another reason that Mitchell naming names was stupid. I hadn’t thought of that angle, but after hearing it, I totally agree with it.
“December 17th, 2007 at 1:41 pm
Hey guys, I need some advice.
Mark Littell, the guy that gave up the 76 Chambliss home run, is a guest on the webcast I cover the Yanks for this week.
What the heck do I ask him?!”
Ask him if his neck still hurts from watching that home run go out, and thank him. It was the first time in my lifetime – not counting when I was 2 or 3- that the Yankees went to the world series.
I will probably make my trademark Rocky Road Brownies and try my hand at a nice Christmas Flan.
The Yankees are going for prior, I think, for the same reason they went after Pavano
Whatever that was.
Rocky road brownies, sounds interesting.
Why is McNamee still allowed to train pro baseball players? He’s a drug supplier. It is slugs like McNamee who started this whole thing.
MarkK
Good question, also why would anyone want to associate with a rat, rapist, I could go on with names for him.
Rebecca:
As I recall the bottom of the 9th inning of the 1976 final Playoff Game at Yankee stadium, there was a delay in starting the inning because several fans in right field were throwing toilet paper and other objects onto the field. Once the Ninth inningb finally got under way, Chambliss hit Littell’s first pitch in the RF Stands.
Did Mark feel that the “delay” affected his pitching to Chambliss in the 9th?
Rocky road brownies, sounds interesting.
I made them on a whim once and my wife loved them so they became a staple of sorts in my repertoire. I should warn you that marshmallows expand in the oven. Always use mini-marshmallows.
Did you have a bad expierence with jumbo marshmellows?
Nitkowski isn’t in the majors anymore. He played in Japan last year.
ask him how he got out off the field all in one piece
Did you have a bad expierence with jumbo marshmellows?
My bad experience was with mini-marshmallows. I used too many and it ended up being a bit of a mess.
“Did you have a bad expierence with jumbo marshmellows?”
http://tinyurl.com/3ekk5
I might make homemade marshmallows and package them up with nice cocoa mix – a last minute present idea!
saucy
How did I know when I opened the link, that that is what it would be.
I can’t believe that nobody’s heard or tried these brownies. I guess I’ll have to ask McNamee or Radomski if they’ve made any deliveries to universities, lately.
Well there’s some pretty big questions about the current state of the game that you could ask him about, and how they correlate to his days as a player…of course you could ask him the inevitable questions about the home run he gave up, though maybe you’d want to steer clear of those?
There’s a pretty hilarious section of his wikipedia entry that discusses a protective cup he invented…
Maybe you could ask him what it was like being a closer in what must have been the formative years of that role in baseball?
Interesting that his Chambliss HR was only the second he gave up in over 100 innings pitched.
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=hill/071217&sportCat=mlb
This item calls Andy Pettites admission a joke.Very disturbing.
jennifer- Hip Hip Jorge
December 17th, 2007 at 1:50 pm
Why no red sprinkles?
_
I don’t think there is any red. It’s green until it dries out and turns brown.
Rebecca-
Optimist Prime-Save the Three Musketeers!December 17th, 2007 at 1:42 pm
December 17th, 2007 at 1:41 pm
Hey guys, I need some advice.
Mark Littell, the guy that gave up the 76 Chambliss home run, is a guest on the webcast I cover the Yanks for this week.
What the heck do I ask him?!
_
Ask Littell if he knew the pitch was a mistake as soon as he threw it, because when he released the ball, it looked like he wanted to reach out and take it back. I’d also be interested in knowing what he said then, because it looked like he yelled “No”. I haven’t seen a ball player that despondent since Mantle at the end of the 1960 WS.
Butterscotch pecan pie.
nyy
She writes other nuggets, like this one:
“It’s been more than a year and a half since “Game of Shadows,” the blockbuster book from Mark Fainaru-Wada and Lance Williams that details Barry Bonds’ alleged steroids use, was released. And you know what’s been evident since the book was published and, really, since Fainaru-Wada and Williams broke the BALCO case wide open?
Bonds is the only person you can trust.”
and
“It’s fair to accuse A-Rod and Kobe of being types who can’t operate in a locker room unless they control it.
The difference is, there’ve been signs that Kobe has outgrown some of that. A-Rod doesn’t seem like he ever will.”
and on OJ simpson:
People are locking in on this incident because it’s supposedly our chance to get it right. African-Americans realize that supporting O.J. isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. White folks want a chance to say, “See, I told you so.”
I just hope we know that revenge does not equal justice.”
and michael vick: “But mostly, I hope that, through Vick, other black men learn that society is quite capable of gobbling them up. No extra help is needed.”
on sheffield: The truth is that many of Sheffield’s comments carry more truth than the sports world is comfortable with—from his assertion that Latino players were being controlled to the idea that Derek Jeter isn’t perceived as threatening because as Sheffield told “Real Sports,” he “ain’t all the way black.”
God, this lady has a goldmine in her archives, there is this huge article on how kobe is better than arod because all arod cares about is making money (she wrote this in october after he opted out), then over the summer she wrote this:
“But if there is one thing New Yorkers should be able to understand, it’s being told to kiss off. Although the best middle finger the A-Rods could provide is opting out at the end of the season.”
I refuse to read anymore of her work. I don’t want to give her the traffic. The only explination as to why ESPN allows this drivel to continue is because she gets a bunch of hits. Even if it is for the worst possible reason.
i mean, what is the difference here, this was written by the same person in a span of 3 months:
Oct 29, 2007
“A-Rod’s decision to opt-out of New York is far more self-absorbed than Kobe’s finagling to get out of Los Angeles.”
July 3rd, 2007
“But if there is one thing New Yorkers should be able to understand, it’s being told to kiss off. Although the best middle finger the A-Rods could provide is opting out at the end of the season.â€
Rebecca ask him how the heck he got off the field as the field turned into utter chaos wih fans all over the place.
ESPN Deportes is showing winter ball games FYI they had one from the dominican League yesterday afternoon
Green Beret7 –
Never tried ‘em myself.
I know what recipe you’re referring to.
My Christmas thing is cookies. I bake for a couple of weeks, and send the cookies in to my kids’ teachers, and to some relatives. Chocolate chips are a must, every year. This year so far I’ve made gingerbread with vanilla icing; gooey-chocolate cookies; triple chocolate cookies; chocolate chip jumbles (for those who are not purists and like nuts & dried cranberries in their cc’s); Orange pecan tuiles with orange cream filling; Swedish sugar cookies (log cookies flavored with cardamom and rolled in colored sugars); peppermint chocolate star cookies (with crushed candy canes); almond spritz cookies; Mexican wedding cakes with pistachios and dried cranberries; peanut butter and jelly thumbprint cookies; and my daughter’s favorite – whoopee cookies – they’re double chocolate fudge cookies with a marshmallow melted between two halves. Yes, marshmallows certainly DO expand in the oven! These are delish. One year I made about 18 different types of cookies. I was a litte kooky that year.
I’m cooking Christmas Eve dinner this year and I was thinking of doing all hors d’oeuvres instead of a formal dinner. My daughter who’s coming home from college sounded a bit disappointed. What do guys think? I’ve done the traditional Italian fish Christmas Eve; and I’ve also done the spiral ham Christmas Eve. I wanted to so something different, and I LOVE making finger foods.
(I really get into cooking for lots of people. It’s become my hobby over the years, both baking and cooking.)
Greenberet,
I know of the recipe which you speak. I think that some of our fellow bloggers aren’t into the same type of baking. More for me….
Not sure if any of you read this site, or this Fantasy Fleece section… but this was pretty funny!
http://mlbfleecefactor.com/2007/12/16/fantasy-fleeces-question-college-kids-fleece-girl-in-couch-trade/
I will be making Baklava at some point this week.
GreenBeret7
December 17th, 2007 at 2:30 pm
I don’t think there is any red. It’s green until it dries out and turns brown.
_
Oh, there’s plenty of red, if you’re using the right kind of sprinkles.
BTW,
not to be a shill for another blog, but Mike A. over at River Ave. Blues has just posted a composite of the Yanks in the winter leagues. Definitely worth checking out.
Why not consider signing Prior to an incentive-laden contract? Definitely pass if the guaranteed money is bid up too high, but at 27 years old I’d say he still has great upside IF he really wanted to be a Yankee.
Yahoo Sports/STATS:
“Prior is 42-29 with a 3.51 ERA in the majors. He made $3,575,000 last season. Prior finished third in NL Cy Young Award voting in 2003, when he 18-6 with a 4.24 ERA and struck out 245 in 211 1-3 innings. However, his career has been sidetracked by injuries.”
now back to vacation! phew that was hard work wasn’t it!
I wouldn’t waste any time of concern on what Jamele Hill has to say, though I did appreciate the sponsorted link from her article to Ambien CR, in case her work wasn’t enough sleep inducement.
That said, and as a fan and supporter of Andy, I wouldn’t be so quick to say that he did nothing wrong. His own statement admits as much, in that he says he only took the HGH twice and then stopped because he wasn’t comfortable doing it. Why wasn’t he? At the very least, I think most of us can agree that it’s a mistake for a professional athlete to sneak around getting injections of a non-prescribed substance, even if the intention is good. I think it’s to Andy’s credit that some internal mechanism told him that what he was doing was a bad idea and that it should stop.
Does that make him a cheater? To me, only in a very broad and theoretical sense, and only if you equate possible intent with practical effect. I would be very surprised if a couple doses of HGH did anything to really speed Andy’s recovery from the injury. And with that, I don’t know how one can make an argument that Andy’s performance was at all enhanced by his flirtation with HGH.
Last, I think it’s really sloppy the way people are looking at the 2000 team and saying it had X number of cheaters on it and including Andy in that number. You can think the absolute worst about what he did in 2002, but that was still more than a full season after the 2000 series.
Wolf, baklava (or baklawa as we Iraqis call it) is so much fun to make!
If you want to make it Iraqi style, add in some ground cardamom (plenty) and some rosewater to the honey syrup. Also, excessive use of ground almonds and pistachios are a requirement for this style of the recipe.
Let me know how it turns out. There is also kataifi, a variation on baklawa that uses shredded wheat.
Doreen
Can I come over?
Sounds very good!! I’d make the spiral ham and the finger foods.
I’ll go after Mark Prior.You know someone who has injuries and not uses HGH to fix it.
Whats sad is Pavano at least doesn’t look as bad a person now after the whole Pettitte thing.I still don’t like Pavano but at least he didn’t use HGH.
I say get Prior.He would be great behind SAntana if healthy “WHEN” we get SAntana.
Thanks guys!
I think I’m going to go with:
Did the toilet paper roll delay affect your pitching?
Did you know it right away?
How were you recieved in NY after that?
Jesus Montero has had an absolutely monster winter ball season. Tore the cover off the ball against much older competition.
It’s very early but he might be a special kind of player. He did very well defensively behind the plate this year – which was the biggest question surrounding him.
If he is able to stay behind the plate he projects to be a very unique player. Immense power and has shown an advanced understanding of the strike zone. He’s not just up there swinging wildly.
jemele hill should not be working for espn.
Doreen
I know I’m turning this into a cooking blog, but what the heck. Can you tell me where to buy Lemon oil.
jemele hill should not be working for espn.
Or anyone.
For those that know about those brownies, keep in mind….I never inhaled…err…chewed.
GB7 – Don’t say anything else until you have spoken to you union representative. and/or attorney. There is no evidence that you ever swallowed any of those brownies.
Jennifer:
I have to make it myself; I’ve never found it in a store, even like Williams-Sonoma or a high-end cooking retailer like that.
Just slice up a lemon or two, depending how strong you want the flavour (one good-sized lemon should do it), and simmer it over low heat in a shallow saucepan in extra-virgin olive oil (half a cup or so) for about five to seven minutes. Strain into a bowl and cool.
SandMan
why would Pavano want to use HGH? It would mean he would want to recover from his injury a lot quicker than norm. it would seem to be out of character don’t you think?
Yeah I called Williams sonoma and they didn’t have it.
My last resort would be to make it myself. Thanks for the recipe.
jennifer- Hip Hip Jorge
December 17th, 2007 at 3:33 pm
Doreen
Can I come over?
Sounds very good!! I’d make the spiral ham and the finger foods
__
Finger foods for me was anything in a can. The military doesn’t go in for such refinements as napkins, finger bowls, silverware.
Peter, you are a plagiarist! Good Lord. You took this nearly word for word from Kat O’Brien. You do this all the time. Someone has a post on their Yankee site and then it appears on here hours or a day later, barely reworded.
Pat wrote: “Maybe it’s me but if someone just sent my life into a state of turmoil, being supportive of him might not be the first thing on my agenda.”
Come, on Pat, don’t blame the trainer for Andy’s poor decisions. If Andy’s life is in turmoil now, it’s because of his own bad choices.
It’s pretty easy to make your own infused oils. Garlic, rosemary, basil, orange…chili oil is fantastic and so is saffron oil, which is crazy expensive but totally worth it…I made a risotto with sage and saffron oil last night and am consuming the leftovers for lunch attm.
Bon appetit.
Mike R.
December 17th, 2007 at 3:39 pm
GB7 – Don’t say anything else until you have spoken to you union representative. and/or attorney. There is no evidence that you ever swallowed any of those brownies.
__
Not a problem. I never leave any evidence, I burn all traces and flush my system with beer and wine. Only takes about 30 days to get it out of your system, and Gene Orza always calls before the next pizs test.
Thrillington- The Iraqi version sounds AWESOME. Seriously – I’ll have to try that some time. Thanks.
My mother’s side of the family was Greek (well, technically Albanian) so I use my Nena’s (grandmother’s) recipe regularly. Also one for spinach pie (spanakopita).
But you’re right – it IS fun to make. I’m not sure how many people actually have the patience to work with phyllo dough properly, but I enjoy it.
Jay – I just checked Kat’s blog and didn’t see anything even remotely similar to this post. I don’t know what you are talking about.
What the hell, am I in the wrong blog. I this a Martha Stewart blog or a Yankee blog. Anyways if you all must know Im proud to say I make the best pre made chocalote chip cookies around. Secret ball them up wet and take them out a tad early. Therefore you get the hard edges and soft middle.
Now back to sports. No on Prior. He was getting roped before he went back to the d.l. If you want to take a risk on someone go after Harden. A’s are in a rebuilding mode and at least he still has a killer fastball. Can you say 8th inning.
I wouldn’t mind Prior if he accepts a minor league deal. There is no room on the 40 man roster.
How do we know for sure that Pavano’s body didnt start breaking down due to using PED. Look at Mark Mcquire, his body broke down in no time. Nomar as well.Sounds famaliar?
Mike R.
December 17th, 2007 at 3:52 pm
I wouldn’t mind Prior if he accepts a minor league deal. There is no room on the 40 man roster.
__
Yep. He’s going to be out until late May anyway, and he can be put on the 60 DL at the start of Spring Training (I think is when that can be used, or, just before opening day. A 1 year 2.5 mill with incentives and a team option for a saecond year for 4.5 mill and incentives.
Prior wants a short term deal to see if he can get back out onto the market after 2008.
I’d be very surprised to see him want to sign with any team in the AL, never mind the AL East.
I don’t see him taking a risk of facing that kind of hitting while he’s trying to put up the best numbers possible. Only if he had no other choices.
You must be blind, Mike R.
Here’s Kat’s post:
“Cano playing winter ball
Robinson Cano is playing winter ball for Las Estrellas Orientales (the team in his hometown of San Pedro de Macoris, Dominican Republic). He made his season debut Friday, going 2-for-4. He also played yesterday, going 0-for-3 with a walk. The league began well over a month ago, but those MLB stars who still play tend to join late in the season or even just for the playoffs.
I’ve been told that Melky Cabrera will start playing in the next few days as well.
The Dominican Republic is the host this season for the Caribbean Series (Serie del Caribe), which includes the top team from the D.R., Venezuela, Puerto Rico and Mexico.”
The following paragraphs obviously have no similarity at all, right?
“The league began well over a month ago, but those MLB stars who still play tend to join late in the season or even just for the playoffs.”
“Keep in mind that many major leaguers don’t play every day. They may get a few at-bats a week or just DH in a game. Some guys wait until the playoffs to show up.”
Mariano Rivera’s contract finalized.
Any excerpts from a conference call Peter?
Thanks, I enjoy your blog!
Jay – You have a seriously warped sense of plagiarism. They are reporting on the same story so similarities are inevitable.
Take this with a pinch of salt, because I’ve never eaten them myself (legal disclaimer).
The secret to secret brownies is to melt the butter and steep the secret ingredient in it.
Jennifer
Don’t know where you live but if you are anywhere near a Sur La Table they had Lemon Oil. They are all over the country and probably have a website if one isn’t real close to you.
“Now back to sports. No on Prior. He was getting roped before he went back to the d.l. If you want to take a risk on someone go after Harden. A’s are in a rebuilding mode and at least he still has a killer fastball. Can you say 8th inning.”
Harden requires trading with Beane though. And that’s never fun.
Prior only costs money—and a spot on the 40-man. So, hopefully they’d trade someone else for a minor-league piece instead of having to waive someone.
Of course, if someone in the NL is giving Prior a chance to start against weaker lineups…I can’t see why he’d sign with the Yanks to maybe set up.
long time-
TRue.Just saying how what Pavano is doing is as worse as what Pettitte did.Pettitte should know better.
Wonder if Santana is gonna open the season opener.
Doreen lemon oil iherb.com If you don’t like there selection, google buy lemon oil for food(you don’t want polish) personally lemongrass is the true lemon flavor.imo
“The secret to secret brownies is to melt the butter and steep the secret ingredient in it.”
The secret about secrets is that you can put it in ANYTHING that requires melted butter. Rice Krispie treats, cookies. Knew some kids who did mac and cheese once. Though I can’t imagine that tasted at all pleasant.
mel
December 17th, 2007 at 4:06 pm
Take this with a pinch of salt, because I’ve never eaten them myself (legal disclaimer).
The secret to secret brownies is to melt the butter and steep the secret ingredient in it.
_
I was so “hungry” that most of the time I didn’t ever get them into the oven. My mom you to comment on how good the house smelled, though…and, for some odd reason, she always wanted to snack on grapes, oreos and fritos….odd appetite.
pat, i’m in NYC, I’ll check out the site thanks!
Mel, that is very true, as the active ingredient is fat-soluble. That’s why it takes so long to clear your system.
You could also make infused oil with it, using the recipe above.
Whozat—mac and cheese tastes fine. Powdered cheese is an overpowering flavour agent.
(So this is why they call it the Hot Stove league!)
mom used where’s the edit button?
Eddie Layton
I don’t blame the trainer for Andy’s poor decisions. I blame the trainer for his own poor decisions.
Doreen, I forgot you had told me a while back that you enjoyed cooking and baking so much. I’m going to set up a thread over at the site so that we (and hopefully others) can chat “kitchen stuff” whenever we like.
Great news about Mo’s contract. I feel a lot better knowing that he, Andy, Jorge, and ARod are all official now.
Jennifer
They have a store in SOHO in NYC. If you are into cooking, it’s a fun visit.
Jennifer if you look back at 4:11 pm I thought you were Doreen and listed the places you could find lemon oil under her name.
Guy,
O.K. Scary spooky that many of you are so “knowledgeable” about secret stuff. lol. Like I said, I’m not an expert.
BTW, does it take longer to clear your system whether it’s inhaled or consumed? An NFL player just got cleared because it was second-hand.
Hi everybody,
My wife and niece spent all weekend baking; Chocolate chip cookies, coconut cookies, hmmingbird cake (pineapple,coconut, with cream cheese icing, yum), home-made peanut butter cups.
After spending most of the year sugar free, I have been in a carb induced haze for most of the weekend
Oh and you can never have too much pitching, the Yanks should take a run at Prior for a one year deal.
not sure about second hand smoke. It always got mixed up with the first hand smoke. Except for the few times (ok..more than a few times) that I was shotgunned by some little hottie that took advantage of me.
Let’s make a Santa wishlist for the Yankees.
I’ll start:
1. Johan in pinstriped jammies without giving up Hughes.
I’d rather take a flier on Prior then Benson. The Daily News is reporting that we’re interested in Benson. Prior is a low risk-high reward type of deal. Benson is a low risk-low reward. Why even bother?
2. #27
Mike R.
Nice.
Brownies….Preferably about 19, blond and Swedish.
Mike R.
Nice.
My wish is that somebody would send a couple of fishes to Selig’s home as a message for his widow.
Yankee Christmas Wishlist:
1. Johan in pinstripes
2. Hughes in pinstripes
3. #27
4. AL East title
5. Clubhouse peace
6. New back for Farnsworth
3. A positive test for Manny, Ortiz and George Mitchell.
My wishlist for the Yankees:
1. A healthy year for Phil Hughes, he will make people wonder why we wanted to trade him in the first place.
2. A smooth transition to starter for Joba
3. A year like last year for Jorge.
4. For a fit Johnny Damon to show up for ST.
5. Someone to sieze the initiative and be a productive starting 1B.
Lets sign Bensons wife instead of Benson. I think she would be able to help keep the clubhouse loose.
Wishlist.
2. Joe Nathan as setup or Street.
Nah. Mitchell would lose the tests among his autograph collection.
RE: Prior
I don’t know all the rules around incentive-laden contracts. Can you bake in player options for additional higher-$ years based on benchmarks?
That could cover the AL East risk. Yanks would only pitch him enough to reach the benchmarks if he’s pitching well enough to deserve the additional year(s), and their evaluation would of course take performances against tougher competition into consideration.
So the right incentives could cover Prior’s goals. Just a thought.
I also think Harden is worth discussing.
Mike R.
Better start making those brownies.
Nick in SF, perfectly said about the Pettitte situation.
Now I lay me down to sleep,
I pray for an ‘08 World Series sweep,
If the Yankees miss the playoffs in 2008
I pray for Josh Beckett’s right arm to break.
Yazman, it could be set up in graduated steps for games started/appeared and innings pitched or awards like comeback of the year, but, not for wins.
RE 1B wishlist:
What are the odds of 1-2 of Giambi, Bettemit, S. Duncan having breakout years?
I like the odds.
My friends hubby made those brownies, it stunk up the house!!
David Wells had an incentive laden contract like that. He wanted one with the amount of beer and hotdogs, but, Cashman said the Yanks couldn’t afford that.
mel – LOL
Yazman, Duncan and Betemit, possibly. Giambi for a breakdown year, definately. Oh, wait…he’s already had those.
Ooh, stepped out to the old Stop-n-Shop and missed a few posts.
Jennifer –
My husband bought me lemon oil from Sur La Table, pat is correct about that. The name on the package is Boyajian Fine Oils. There was a number 1-800-965-0665 on the back of the package, so if you don’t have any luck maybe they do mail order. What about Dean & DeLuca in NYC?
Wolf –
I used to make Baklava all the time. I’d forgotten how much I loved to make it. It’s soooo delicious, and Thrillington, I love the sound of your version. Sounds like I have a recipe for New Year’s Day!
Mo’s official????? That’s great.
And thanks to whoever it was who suggested the spiral ham AND the finger foods.
Wolf – I’ll look forward to seeing the Kitchen in the Clubhouse!
Yankee Christmas Wishlist:
1. Johan in pinstripes
2. Hughes in pinstripes
3. #27
4. AL East title
5. Clubhouse peace
6. New back for Farnsworth
7. Justice for the Mitchell report
8. Stability at 1B
9. Hip-Hop Jorge!
10. Stud setup pitcher
11. Good Health for all the Yankees
12. Less GIDPS for the whole team
“Yazman, it could be set up in graduated steps for games started/appeared and innings pitched or awards like comeback of the year, but, not for wins.”
Yeah. They could/would probably do a team option with a low buyout that vests into a guaranteed year with appearances or innings. Or, just a straight up option. I think they’d avoid the one-year deal, as they got burned with Dotel.
Mel,
Switch your list around a bit, put #27 as your number 5, and sing to the tune of the 12 Days of Christmas, so that it would be (instead of 5 golden rings)—27th Ring!
Wow…Teixeira could get 7 yrs, 140M. yanks will be a top suitor. story below:
http://mlbfleecefactor.com/2007/12/17/let-the-mark-teixeira-rumors-begin/
Wolf,
Make that Kitchen in ClubBronx!
Could I add
1. Dump Pavano
2. Trade Mussina
3. More small ball(bunts,stolen bases)
“I can’t believe that nobody’s heard or tried these brownies”
GreenBeret7:
I’m old enough to remember seeing the Movie “I Love You Alice B Toklas” w/ Peter Sellers and Leigh Taylor=Young.
I believe the recipe was described in the Movie.
Never tried them though!
Wish list …
1. Joe Girardi’s No. 27 uniform is a good luck omen and becomes just that – Championship No. 27
2. Too numerous to mention but they all equate into good health and hustle minus ridiculous controversy fueled by rumors.
3. What else but a parade in early November down the Canyon of Heroes in Manhattan.
Anyone here have the Voyager phone from Verizon? It’s similar to the iphone? Just curious if it’s worth getting.
I find it very interesting that the dump Mussina ( he’s washed up ) is gathering members by the dozen…...Latham -Joe,,,I remeber those brownies with great fondness….I saw that movie in the Loew’s in Mt. Vernon….Hell that had to be 35 years ago…....Christmas Wish…..DO NOT TRADE PHILLIP HUGHES…...
buddy. if you need a touch phone that badly just get the iphone. or what for next years version to come out. verizon phones blow. this is coming from a guy stuck with verizon.
the todd-
I have Verizon now & am hesitant to break the contract for the iphone, but I am leaning that way.
Thanks
“3. More small ball(bunts,stolen bases)”
The Yankees stole a lot of bases last year. 4th most in the AL, 7th most in the majors.
Also…smallball for the sake of it is foolish. When most of your team gets on base 35% of the time or more, having them bunt doesn’t really make sense. Unless it’s one of those extreme situations where you’re playing for one run. And, a lot of the Yankees (since they’re kind of a team full of 3-5 hitters) aren’t that good at it. Melky needs to get better at it, it’ll improve his game. Jeter and Damon are already good at it. The rest of them…frankly, having them bunt would often be stupid.
I’ll be in the Dominican next week – does anyone know if there are any leagues around the PUnta Cana area?
i have verizon and my contract just ran up. i was thinking about the voyager but the iphone is just so amazing. rumor has it though the 2nd generation is coming out next year.
not to sound like too much of a nerd but starting soon verizon is planning to develop 4G mobile brodboand which is super kick ass.
so i dont know what to do.
whozat-
I just keep thinking of all the rally killing double plays we made this year, playoffs included. Or the first and second no outs and we come up empty. Im not saying to have Posada swip bases. But Damon was hurt all year his totals could have been better. Same with Jeter. Melky should perfect the skill of bunting if he hits in the same part of the lineup this year. Cano butchered some bunts last year or didnt advance runners when needed.
All im saying is we have to win more close games this year so we arent playing catchup in September. I think Girardi is the perfect man for this team.
It would be nice to see #27 in the near future.
Jay – You have a seriously warped sense of plagiarism. They are reporting on the same story so similarities are inevitable.——-
You’re a really sharp guy, Mike. She writes something yesterday, and then he writes the same thing today. Merely coincidence, of course! I guess it couldn’t be that he read what she wrote and then wrote it himself without citing her as inspiration. Of course not! But I won’t try to reason with you… obviously this is your second home.
The Todd and Others—
One of the things about not being thirty-something or younger, is I don’t feel like I have to have the latest thing right away. So I just wait til the second or third generation of whatever it is.
My daughter—that’s another story altogether!
Anyway, based on that, I would say, what’s the rush? If you can get it cheaper and better next year without breaking a contract, why not?
doreen –
I’m 23, so I have to have everything when it comes out. If I wait a couple years then they’ll just make a better version, and then I’ll just want that one.
S.o.S.27,
how do you “prevent” grounding into a double play (apart from sacrificing the runner over)? much was made of Jeter’s propensity to GIDP last year – a foot to the left or right and many of those hard-hit balls are basehits.
The Todd –
And that’s the “other story” I referred to with my 20-year-old daughter!
Doreen & the todd-
Thanks, I’ll just wait it out. Maybe if the Yanks get Johan w/o giving up Hughes, I’ll get the iphone.
“I just keep thinking of all the rally killing double plays we made this year, playoffs included. ”
That’s because you’re not remembering all the times that they DID come through, because those don’t stick out in your mind. Jeter hit into a lot of double plays, partly due to his bad knees affecting his hitting and his ability to beat out grounders. Still, the guy was hitting .320 with an OBP near .400…you’re going to tell him to sac bunt? When he has a near 40% chance of moving the runner over without making an out? Why?
Does Anybody know the teams of Melky, Abreu, Edwar, etc.? I’m curious to see how they’re doing, especially Melky who could be very important this season and could be on the verge of a make-or-break year.
Also, the Yanks grounded into fewer DPs than Boston and the Angels. It’s all a matter of perception. One forgets the things that go as they should (clutch hitting in the early innings) and disproportionately remember the things that go badly (rally-killing, especially late).
doreen – thats what i figured, so I can’t blame her.
buddy – there is also the blackberry 9000 coming out, its basically a blackberry with touch screen. very sexy
whozat – I don’t really believe in the bunt, I just don’t see the point in giving an out, even if it is to advance a runner. not with a team like the yankees. man on first with no outs or bunt him over and have a man on second with one out. don’t really see a difference.
“much was made of Jeter’s propensity to GIDP last year – a foot to the left or right and many of those hard-hit balls are basehits.”
In fairness, a lot of them weren’t hard grounders. His knees were bothering him, which meant he couldn’t beat out as many grounders, and I’m sure it affected his swing too.
You can stay out of DPs somewhat by basically hit-and-running more. If the guy going to second has a head start, the fielder usually takes the sure out at first. The fact that the Yanks were middle of the pack in GIDP and high in SB tells me that they WERE running plenty and not rally-killing any more than many other teams.
“whozat – I don’t really believe in the bunt, I just don’t see the point in giving an out, even if it is to advance a runner. not with a team like the yankees. man on first with no outs or bunt him over and have a man on second with one out. don’t really see a difference.”
I tend to agree. In fact, a man on 2nd with one out generally leads to fewer runs than a man on first with no outs. And, if you got a team like the Yankees, plenty of guys can score a guy from first with a booming double or a homer…so why give up an out to get the guy to 2nd? Unless it’s late and the game is close, and you only need one run, it really doesn’t make sense.
That said, I do like judicious use of the hit-and-run and good situational hitting…I wouldn’t mind seeing more guys keeping it simple and just trying to drive the ball back up the middle, or taking outside pitches the opposite way.
OFFICIAL SCHEDULE and prices
http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/nyy/downloads/sched_tickets_08.pdf
Joe Girardi’s strategy of moving runners and keeping rallies going will be different than Torre’s.
“And, if you got a team like the Yankees, plenty of guys can score a guy from first with a booming double or a homer…so why give up an out to get the guy to 2nd? Unless it’s late and the game is close, and you only need one run, it really doesn’t make sense.”
I agree, but the only problem, especially with the torre teams was that he would rarely bunt during the regular season, unless it was damon or someone, but come playoff time they would try it a few times … which I didn’t agree with because that is just not the type of team they are.
I would rather take my chances with a timely hit and run but with girardi coming into play, who knows maybe he’ll try to make his more of a “NL” team. i hope not.
Gayle –
Thanks for the link.
Anybody know what happened to the 4 o’clock starts in Baltimore?
Mo phone conference is up on yankees.com
More questions about Andy and Roger than about him coming back.
well on top of my tickets going up 30 bucks a ticket I get Kansas City twice in one year whoo hoo and get to see Cincinnati as my other national league team other then the Mets and no other AL Central team at all, Seattle 2 times. Very weird schedule this year that is for sure a 4 game series with the Royals at home. Not that I am complainng i have tickets lol. and I do have tickets to the 2nd to last regular season game.
Rachel Ray taken over this site in a delicious coup d’état
Buddy Biancalana,
I know this is late but you really want to wait for the next gen Iphone. The current model is based on old internet technology that is no longer used by anyone else. It is not nearly as good for broadband internet usage as the newer technology. Also, I hope that they will see the error in their ways and open the use of them to other wireless carriers (other than AT&T).
Anyone know when individual game tickets usually go on sale?
pat-
did anyone ask Mo if he’s ever used PED??
yanksrule57 – don’t get your hopes up about the iphone opening up anytime soon, the reason they did it was because they signed an exclusive contract with AT&T …. i think it was a 3 year contract.
that being said you can always by it and unlock it on another carrier.
Yanksrule they said that they will announce at a later date when single game tickets gto on sale. Tomorrow they are selling something called Holiday Packs I would recomend going to Yankees.com for all of the information as it is right there
YanksRule = I bought mine last year on January 31.
Blondie – I don’t know about the site, but Rachel Ray can take me over any day she wants.
My favorite line from Mo was “I havent even read it I am not going to go to any computer and try to read things and put things in my mind. If swomethign happens you know me I will wait for them to call me or I call to find out what happened. Andy called him and that is how he works. He doesnt read too many papers and doesnt go to computers to find things out.”
You gotta love Mo
Wolf In Pinstripes-
really?
Rachel Ray? She’s short and atleast a size 10.
“Santana is not going to Boston, he’ll be sent to NY for Hughes, Melky, Marquez and A. Castillo. Should be done by the weekend.”
Who is A. Castillo?
A. Castillo i’m sure is a dopey screwup for Alberto Gonzalez.
Is Beethoven’s birthday today or yesterday ?
Blondie –
I’m pushing 40. I don’t put much emphasis on the search for the size 2’s. LOL Oh, and I’m short too, so….no biggie. :p
Then again, she’s a Red sox fan.
Does anyone have a good recipe for Human Growth Baklava?
Rachael Ray fluctuates between a size 4 and size 6.
“i think it was a 3 year contract.”
Pretty sure it was 5…even worse!
But, then again…if they didn’t sign that deal, it may never have been made. Carriers almost always dictate to the manufacturers what features can and can’t be in a phone. This was the price for Apple to get the power to build it the way they wanted.
“that being said you can always by it and unlock it on another carrier.”
Yes, but be very VERY careful about letting iTunes update the software on your phone if you do that. By unlocking it, you’re modifying the device’s software. When Apple updates the phone, they are under no obligation to protect your hack.
dob beethoven’s birthday dec 16th 1770
hard to go through 107 comments during finals but if nobody posted this, the 08 schedule was announced today and is on the yankees site.
Phil, you’re so sweet. I’m sure Rachael appreciates that. And I thought I was being kind with the size 10 quote. There’s nothing wrong with a size six, and if you have a good personality, a size eight, but a size 10 or higher, well…
http://www.buttermilkpress.com/rachel-ray-time-3.jpg
Blondie, I’m a John Cusack fan and saw him on Ray’s show. During that show, she mentioned her dress size and how it fluctuated up to a six during the holidays.
I’m not being naughty or nice…just telling you what she said.
Phil-
did Cusack mention who he’s dating these days? I know he used to date Neve Campbell
No, no mention of his personal life.
A lot of talk about “Grace is Gone” and the plot/sentimentality.
Ray tried to get him to talk about his ‘80s movies and he did, a little.
Then she fawned over him and that was it.
it’s funny how John is so cute, yet his sister—yikes!!
Joan is one heck of an actress.
Orioles shortstop next season?? Ouch!
http://mlbfleecefactor.com/2007/12/17/tejadas-successor-at-ss-for-os/
Motown Yankees Fan
Thanks for the response. I am trying to plan a trip to NYC.
One wonders how much Joba’s waistline fluctuates over the holidays.
I Love Yams-
Joba is probably a size 8. Actually, he’s young, so he has a good metabolism. You have to look out for Giambino, who is pushign 40, if not a wheel barrel
Folks, long story, but Pete’s blog is getting whupped in this quasi-NCAA tournament of blogs.
Go here and vote for Pete:
http://www.bustedcoverage.com/?page_id=1124
I know I’m behind, but I hate Rachel Ray.
“I just keep thinking of all the rally killing double plays we made this year, playoffs included. ”
the Yankees hit into a lot of DPs b/c they always have a lot of men on base.
it’s that simple.
if you lead the majors in OBP, you’ll have a few more DPs.
doesn’t mean anything.
Go Golden State Warriors
oh crap I think Isiah is getting fired tonight
Rachael Ray is killing America with all those transfat recipes. On the other hand, the textiles industry is bursting at the seams.
Does anyone know where I can listen to Rivera’s conference call from today? I looked on mlb but I didn’t see anything.
Why Brandon? what makes you say that?
it is on Yankees.com
Captains Corner
It’s on yankees.com
he was speaking in past tense, and the biggest no no under James Dolan Garden policy
“I CAN GIVE YOU ALOT OF THINGS BUT I CAN’T GIVE YOU PRIDE AND HEART”
—————-
Dolan’s gotta to be going nuts about that last comment, he said his team has no heart or pride, but he brought them here
Blondie
Thanks for that picture!!!
Very revealing!!
Thanks, I will look again I must of looked at the wrong place.
Whomever last week was asking about the BBWAA and their inclusion or non inclusion of Rob Neyer, I found this interesting article on the Biz of Basball site that lists all current members and when they were added. It was provided to them by the head of the BBWAA. Got to love that Dave Anderson is badge #1
http://www.bizofbaseball.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1765&Itemid=111
http://www.rightwingnews.com/graphics/rachael-ray.jpg
grrrrr rachel ray.
Evenin’ all.
Don’t diss the size 4-6. You got one right here
How is size 4-6 bad???More to love:) and thats not even big.
Anyway Fernando Viña is saying he took HGH…only for healing,I think you are gonna get a crap load of players saying that.They can call it doing a “Pettitte” every time they use steroids only for Healing.
Don’t diss the size 4-6.
exactly!!