Mattingly Out in LA

After three straight NL West division titles and two straight division series losses, the Los Angeles Dodgers and manager Don Mattingly are going their separate ways. That news according to CBS Sports' Jon Heyman, who describes the ouster as a "mutual parting of the ways".

Although the higher ups, including primary owner Mark Walter, reportedly supported Mattingly, the team fell well short of expectations. Those expectations were high, though the Dodgers didn't necessarily have the team to meet them.

Mattingly was the first Dodgers manager to win three straight NL West titles. The team didn't make the playoffs in his first two seasons at the helm in 2011-2012. The Dodgers reached the NLCS in 2013, but lost in six games to the St. Louis Cardinals.

The Cardinals eliminated the Dodgers again in 2014, that time in the first round, before the NL pennant winning New York Mets knocked them out of this year's postseason.

RIP, Bob Welch

I was stunned by the news I heard earlier Tuesday evening that former Major Leaguer Bob Welch had died of a heart attack on Monday. Welch was just 57 years of age. One moment and one season will always stand out in my mind about Welch.

The moment I am referring to is, of course, his one on one battle with Reggie Jackson in Game 2 of the 1978 World Series. The LA Dodgers had already won Game 1 and led Game 2 4-3 in the top of the 9th inning. Bucky Dent led off the inning with a single off of Terry Forster and Paul Blair drew a one-out walk.

Dodgers' manager Tommy Lasorda sent for Welch, a rookie at the time, with Thurman Munson and Jackson due up. Munson flew out to right on an 0-1 count, but Jackson and Welch battled through a nine-pitch at-bat. With the count 1-1, Mr. October fouled off three straight pitches before the count evened at 2-2. After another foul ball, Jackson worked the count full. Finally, Welch, the 20th overall pick just a year prior, blew a fastball past Jackson to put the Dodgers up two games to none.

I can see it as if it were yesterday. Jackson's body language expressed his frustration as Welch and his teammates celebrated. (The Yankees would go on to win the next four and in a small measure of revenge, Jackson hit a tape measure home run off of Welch in the finale.)

Welch's 1990 campaign with the Oakland A's was one of the best in baseball history. He finished 27-6 with a 2.95 ERA. It was the most wins since Steve Carlton won 27 for the 1972 St. Louis Cardinals. After he started the season 3-2, Welch reeled off 10 straight wins. He also had five-game and four-game winning streaks later in the season.

Welch won the Cy Young Award and was named to the second of his two All-Star teams. He also finished ninth in the AL MVP voting. He won two World Series rings (1981 Dodgers, 1989 A's) and won 211 career games over a 17-year career (10 in LA, 7 in Oakland). Welch earned a third ring as pitching coach for the 2001 Arizona Diamondbacks.

After his retirement in 1994, Welch wrote about a book, with George Vecsey, "Five O'Clock Comes Early: A Cy Young Award-Winner Recounts His Greatest Victory". The tome discussed Welch's battle with alcoholism. He is survived by former wife, Mary Ellen, and three children.

Japanese Report: Tanaka Has Received Five Offers

Japanese news service Nikkan Sports has reported that Masahiro Tanaka has received offers from five Major League teams. ToH to Rotoworld. and MLB Trade Rumors for bringing this to everyone's attention.

Google translation is far from perfect, but the Yankees, Dodgers, Cubs, Diamondbacks, and White Sox have made official offers to the Japanese star. The Angels were expected to be competitive as well, but owner Artie Moreno apparently decided that Tanaka was not in the budget. The Angels already have large investments in Albert Pujols, Josh Hamilton, and C.J. Wilson.

Here's the Google and freetranslations.com translation, with some modifications I have made so it makes a little more sense. I also removed some sentences that made no sense.

The negotiations for Rakuten star Masahiro Tanaka is close to the final stage pitcher. The Yankees, the Dodgers, the Diamondbacks, White Sox, Cubs have present formal offers. All the team seem certain to have presented offer of about 10.5 billion yen or more than $100 million (US) over six years.  

Still Derrick Hall, CEO of the Diamondbacks, announced the team's intention is clear. "Hopefully he has a strong interest and I want to win the competition" he said. 

Tanaka is expected to take his time making a decision. It appears the Angels were prepared to make an offer, but withdrew from considration. "Wewant him (Tanaka), but the problem is in the budget," said Artie Moreno, owner of the Angels owner. 

Come Hell or High Contract, Yankees Need to Sign Cano

He's Robbie Cano, don'tcha know...and he wants some big cash this coming off-season. And while he says he wants to stay a Yankee, will the Yankees give him what he wants in the $ and years departments?

The Yankees gave it to Alex Rodriguez...bad example. They came through for CC Sabathia...somewhat bad example. When A-Rod opted out of his contract during the 2007 post-season (he really does need to think things through more and so do his "people"), the Yankees had no competition to give him a new long term deal. Of course, they bid against themselves and doled out even more money than originally intended.

There was no way they were going to let CC get away and he didn't want to go anywhere. If he had, he would have found suitors ready to pony up big money.

The Yankees need to act fast with Cano, because there's a bitter old rival on the west coast that will gladly throw all kinds of big money at him. The Los Angeles Dodgers have been spending money like it's going out of style and they will attempt to again this off-season when Cano becomes a free agent.

As much as I hate long term contracts - in my opinion every day players should get seven years tops and pitchers should get five - the Yankees may just need to give their prized second baseman what he wants. The best, most reliable, youngest good bat in the lineup belongs to Cano. He is the guy the Yankees count on most and will again next year if they re-sign him. You can look at Tuesday afternoon's opener of a day-night double dip for the reason why.

With some bad pitches, some bad luck, and some sloppy play, the Yankees fell behind the Toronto Blue Jays 4-0 in the 2nd inning. One frame later though, Cano strode to the plate with two aboard and got the Yankees right back in the game with his 23rd home run of the season and the 200th of his career.

Chris Stewart shocked the world when he hit a 3-run blast of his own in the 6th to put the Yankees up 6-4 and then there was Cano again in the 7th with an RBI for some insurance.  Starter Ivan Nova settled down, the pen was effective and efficient and the Yankees had themselves an 8-4 win.

Cano was 4-4 with 4 RBI in the crucial #3 spot in the batting order. He deservedly gets knocked for not always running hard out of the batter's box, but he's smooth as glass defensively and turns a double play quickly and with remarkable grace. He's hitting over .300 this year with 23 HR and 81 RBI (He added an RBI in the nightcap) with virtually no protection in the lineup. Cano entered Tuesday's play with an .882 OPS and has also stolen seven bases (one shy of his career high) in eight attempts. 

No one else on the team can do all the things Cano can do. With a mediocre free agent market and the minor league system not expected to send help until the latter half of 2014, the Yankees will need to sign on the dotted line of a big contract for Robinson Cano.

Ichiro Does It All

It wasn’t that long ago that I speculated that Ichiro Suzuki’s days in a Yankees uniform could be numbered. That’s not going to happen if the 40-year old has more days like he had in the first game of a day-night doubleheader with the LA Dodgers Wednesday.

Ichiro stood out at the plate and in the field in the Yankees 6-4 win in the first regular season contest played between the two storied franchises in Yankee Stadium. Already up 2-0, Ichiro hit a solo home run off Dodgers left-hander Hyun-jin Ryu in the 6th inning.

After the Dodgers scored a pair of runs off starter and winner Hiroki Kuroda, Ichiro helped out his countrymen again with a 2-run single to cap a 3-run 7th inning.  The 10 time Gold Glove winner then flashed the leather in the 8th inning when he made a running, leaping catch to take an extra base hit and an RBI away from Adrian Gonzalez. The play proved crucial when the next batter, Hanley Ramirez, belted a 2-run home run to cut the Yankees advantage to 6-4.

Kuroda helped himself out in the early part of the ballgame with some quick reflexes. Gonzalez and Ramirez started the top of the 4th off with a single and double to put two men in scoring position with no one out. Andre Ethier lined a ball back up the middle, but Kuroda snared it and threw to David Adams to double Gonzalez off of third. Kuroda then retired veteran Juan Uribe to keep the Dodgers off the board.

Mariano Rivera bounced back from his struggles Sunday in Anaheim to pitch a 1-2-3 9th inning for his 25th save of the season.  Rivera welcomed rookie Yasiel Puig to the bigs with a game ending strikeout.

Notes

Despite a shortage of infielders, the Yankees brought up outfielder Zoilo Almonte, who will play in the evening contest.  Almonte impressed Joe Girardi in the past two Spring Trainings and was having a good year for Triple-A Scranton. In 68 games, the recently turned 24-year old had splits of .297/.368/.421 with 6 HR and 36 RBI. The right-handed hitter also had 12 doubles, a triple and was 4-5 in stolen base attempts.

The main reason the Yankees brought up an outfielder, as Mark Feinsand pointed out on the radio broadcast, was due to injuries to infielders Corban Joseph and Ronnier Mustelier, both of whom are on the DL.

The Bleacher Creatures chanted “Donnie Baseball” in tribute to former Yankees standout and current Dodgers manager Don Mattingly. The former #23 now dons #8 (See what I did there) in Dodger blue and gracisously tipped his cap to the Creatures. He and Joe Girardi hugged each other when they brought out the lineup cards prior to the game.

Back in the lineup as a regular, Lyle Overbay came through in the clutch again. He drove a ball over Ethier's head in center field for a 2-run double to start the day's scoring.

Phil Hughes and Chris Capuano will face off in the nightcap.

Donnie Baseball's Coming to Town

Don Mattingly had three misfortunes when he wore the Yankees pinstripes during his playing career. He was called up from the minors one year after the Yankees had been in the World Series for the third time in five seasons and in the playoffs in four of those five seasons.

Second, his work ethic took a toll on his back and shortened the productivity and possibly the length of his career. It definitely impacted his chances at being elected to the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame.

Finally, he retired right before the Yankees won four World Series in five years. Don Mattingly left his imprint on the New York Yankees, Yankee Stadium, and Yankees fans around the globe. To this day he is one of the most beloved players to both fans and his former teammates.

Mattingly returns to New York and the new Yankee Stadium for just the second time tonight (His other appearance was for the unveiling of George Steinbrenner's plaque) as the team he manages, the Los Angeles Dodgers, gets ready to play its first ever regular season game at the Stadium.

While he wasn't the babe magnet that Derek Jeter is, Mattingly was every bit the rock star his fellow captain is. He didn't need to go clubbing or appear in his own series of car commercials to be the most popular athlete in the Tri-State area.

From 1984 through 1987, there was arguably no better baseball player on the planet. During the four year stretch, Mattingly averaged 29 home runs, 120 RBI, 102 runs scored, 210 hits, 45 doubles, a .336 batting average, and 350 total bases.

He drove in 145 runs in 1984 and won the AL MVP Award by 93 pts over Kansas City's George Brett. Controversy ensued a year later when Mattingly finished second to pitcher Roger Clemens despite having led the AL in seven offensive categories and won his second of nine Gold Gloves.  He had 238 hits in 1985, 53 of them doubles, and finished with a .967 OPS.

Mattingly's 1987 season included a then record six grand slams. Remarkably, they were the only ones he hit in his career. That same season he tied Dale Long's Major League record by homering in eight straight contests.

However, too many swings off the batting tee and his perseverance to continually improve at the plate took its toll on Mattingly's back. (There has also been a story that Mattingly injured his back messing around with pitcher Bob Shirley in the clubhouse, but both players denied it.) He would only top 20 home runs and 100 RBI one more time in his career.

He went from being extra-ordinary to ordinary at the plate. It's the reason the six time All-Star has fallen short of election to the Hall of Fame. 2,153 career hits, 222 home runs, and 1099 RBI don't cut it in a sport driven by numbers, playoff appearances and championship rings.

Unfortunately, timing was everything when it came to Mattingly's baseball career. There was no wild card playoff entrant for all but one season of Mattingly's career and the Yankees did not win any division titles in his tenure in New York. (They finished in 2nd place three times prior to the 1995 season). That may have changed in 1994 had the players' strike not wiped out the last two months of the regular season and all of the post-season.

Mattingly finally made the playoffs in his final year thanks to baseball's implementation of the wild card in 1995. The playoffs started out like a dream come true in Yankee Stadium. The Yankees beat the Seattle Mariners in the first two games of the best of five series and Mattingly's home run in Game 2 sent the crowd into delirium. (The Game 2 victor was a rookie by the name of Mariano Rivera)

The baseball Gods were not kind though when the series moved out to Seattle. The Mariners won three straight games, the finale in their last at-bat in the 11th inning. The team flight home was extremely emotional as Mattingly said good-bye to his teammates, many of whom felt they had let their leader down. In his only playoff appearance Mattingly hit .417 and had a gaudy 1.148 OPS. It was the captain's 2-run double that snapped a 2-2 tie and given the Yankees the lead in the 6th inning of Game 5, but it was not meant to be. A 14-year career came to an abrupt end.

The team retired Mattingly's number 23 on August 31, 1997, but he still wore it for several seasons as a Spring Training instructor with the team. He was then named the team's hitting coach prior to the 2004 season. After three seasons he became manager Joe Torre's bench coach until Torre's 12 year run ended after the 2007 season.

Mattingly was a finalist with Joe Girardi for the Yankees job and then joined Torre as hitting coach with the Dodgers. He lost out to Manny Acta for the Cleveland Indians job for the 2010 season, but then replaced Torre when he retired after the 2010 season.

The 2013 season came with a lot of expectations after new ownership threw money around like it was going out of style. Injuries and under achievement beset the team early on though and the Dodgers enter tonight's game in last place in the NL West, seven games behind the Arizona Diamondbacks.

There has been talk that Mattingly's job is in jeopardy. No matter what happens, he will always have a home in the Bronx.  The fans will prove that tonight.

Welcome Back Donnie Baseball!

You Can't Spell Immaturity Without the I in Ian Kennedy

Most likely by now you either saw the Arizona Diamondbacks-Los Angeles Dodgers game live Tuesday night, watched the "lowlights" or read about everything that is not what baseball is supposed to be about. When all is said and done Diamondbacks pitcher Ian Kennedy should be hit, no pun intended, with a lengthy suspension and a hefty fine.

Things started out when Zack Greine hit the Dbacks' Cody Ross, which probably looked innocent enough to most observers. However, Greinke has a reputation for well placed pitches that connect with body tissue and broke his collarbone earlier this year when San Diego's Carlos Quentin bull rushed the mound. Hitting Ross also backfired when the next hitter, Jason Kubel, hit a 2-run home run.

Arizona's Kennedy must have been one of those who though Greinke's pitch had a purpose, since he took thingst one step further and went head hunting at rookie standout Yasiel Puig. The ball hit Puig's shoulder and ricocheted off his nose. Luckily the Cuban native was only shaken up, but the benches emptied due to the location of the pitch. Things could have been let go there, but you can't blame Greinke when he retaliated.

His teammate didn't get hit below the waist, his career and life was put in jeopardy in a matter of seconds by Kennedy's irresponsibility. Greinke responded with a fastball in the back of catcher Miguel Montero. That is where it should have stayed, but Kennedy, who was immensely immature when he was in the Yankees organization, nailed Greinke up high when the Dodgers pitcher came to bat in the 7th inning.

In doing so, Kennedy set off an even nastier bench clearer that had managers and coaches pushing and shoving, and squaring off.  (Dodgers manager Don Mattingly shoved down Diamondbacks coach Alan Trammell; perhaps that was really retaliation for all the times Trammell's late innings hits helped the Tigers beat the Yankees back in the day.) Mattingly and fellow manager Kirk Gibson all had to be separated.  Dodgers hitting coach Mark McGwire was ejected after a shouting match with Gibson.

Jimmy Dugan aka Tom Hanks said, "There's no crying in baseball.", but a better saying is there is no room for stupidity in baseball. What Kennedy did Tuesday night was the ultimate in stupidity. There is no place in baseball for pitches thrown from the shoulders up.

Those of you who are Yankees fans remember when Kennedy pitched for the Bronx Bombers organization from the time he was drafted in 2006 into 2009 when he made his final Major League start for the pinstripes.  No loss was ever his fault. His pitchers were good ones, somehow the other team just hit them. His fielders let him down, the team didn't score, etc. Kennedy needed a change of scenery and attitude. It appears he only got one.

Two years later he was a 21-game winner and finished fourth in the NL Cy Young voting for the Diamondbacks. However, his numbers weren't as good in 2012 and have been much worse this season. (5.49 ERA, 1.35 WHIP, -0.8 WAR) You can bet Kennedy must be frustrated by the season he is having, but his behavior in LA Tuesday night is no excuse. Forget the somewhat standard eight game suspension and double it...at least.

And the worst may still be to come if Kennedy faces the Dodgers again this season.

Dodgers Want to Go Crazy on Greinke

Ever since the sale of the LA Dodgers went through last year the team has looked to break the bank. They acquired Carl Crawford and Adrian Gonzalez and their ridiculously large contracts from Boston at the 2012 trade deadline.

Now comes word from the LA Times' Dylan Hernandez that the Dodgers are working with free agent pitcher Zack Greinke on a reported six year, $145MM contract. The dumb just keep getting dumber.

I am tired of owners bitching and moaning about salaries getting out of whack and then they each make these ridiculous offers year after year. Of course, some of them are by Jeffrey Loria, who just lies through his con man's teeth and trades the player a year (or less) later.

How long until the Dodgers realize they're losing money and start whining?


UPDATE: A deal appears to be set in place (Physical, etc. needs to be done), six years for $147MM. The Dodgers payroll is now at a league record $225MM. The pressure is now on Donnie Baseball, who will feel like he's managing in Pinstripes.

Napoli, Victorino Join Red Sox

The Boston Red Sox have plenty of money to burn after unloading Carl Crawford and Adrian Gonzalez at the 2012 trade deadline, and they are quickly spending it.

The Red Sox have snatched up catcher/first baseman Mike Napoli and outfielder Shane Victorino at the start of the winter meetings.

Napoli will primarily be the Sox first baseman and could see occasional play backing up starting catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia. Napoli spent his first five seasons with the Los Angeles Angels before he was dealt along with Juan Rivera to the Toronto Blue Jays in Jan., 2011 for Vernon Wells. Four days later, the Blue Jays moved Napoli to the Texas Rangers for reliever Frank Francisco. The deal proved to be a winner for Texas as Napoli helped propel them to their second straight World Series.

The then-29-year old produced career highs in home runs (30), RBI (75), and OPS (1.046). Though his numbers dipped last season he made his first All-Star team. On the face of it, the Red Sox overpaid for a player (3 years, $39MM) that has only played more than 115 games in a season once in his career, but his former manager Ron Washington says he worth it.

The Texas skipper sang Napoli's praises at the winter meetings in Nashville.“Tremendous character,” Rangers manager Ron Washington said. “He’s a winner. It’s unfortunate that things didn’t work out here, but we do wish him well in Boston.”¹

Victorino became a full-time player with the Philadelphia Phillies in 2006 and was an instrumental  part if the Phiilies back to back pennant winners in 2008 and 2009. With free agency looming, the Phils sent Victorino to the Dodgers at last season's trade deadline for reliever Josh Lindblom and a pair of minor leaguers.

The "Flying Hawaiian" turned 32 last Friday and had a significant drop off in production in 2012. Despite that, the Red Sox were willing to give Victorino a three year, $39MM contract. Just like Napoli, the amount of money per year is more than the player is worth. But also like Napoli, the Red Sox are getting a top character guy for a clubhouse that has been in disarray the last two years.

1 - Boston Herald

Yankees, Kuroda Moving Closer

Hiroki Kuroda turned down the Yankees $13.3MM qualifying offer earlier this month, but it appears a return to the Bronx could be imminent. ESPN's Jayson Stark used Twitter to tell the masses that the Yankees are "very confident" they will be able to re-sign the 37-yr old right-hander.

The rumor mill had Kuroda wanting to return to southern California, where he pitched as a member of the Los Angeles Dodgers from 2008-2011. The Angels were also said to be in the mix for Kuroda's services, should he decide he does not want to return to his native Japan.

Kuroda was the Yankees' best pitcher in the second half of 2012 and finished with 16 wins and 3.32 ERA.

UPDATE 9 pm ET - It's official, Hiroki Kuroda returns to the Bronx for one more year with a raise to $15MM.

Dodgers Great Duke Snider, 84 | Baseball Digest

Dodgers Great Duke Snider, 84 | Baseball Digest

In New York’s glory days of baseball, when there were three teams in town, fans argued over who had the greater centerfielder. The Giants’ Willie Mays, the Yankees’ Mickey Mantle, or the Dodgers’ Edwin “Duke” Snider. It even inspired the baseball song, “Willie, Mickey, and the Duke”. Mays is the sole surviving member of the trio after Snider passed away early Sunday at age 84.

Snider played 16 seasons with the Dodgers, beginning in Brooklyn in 1947, and followed the team out west to Los Angeles. He came back to New York for one season with the Mets in 1963 before finishing up his career with the San Francisco Giants in 1964. Snider was beloved by fans of “Dem Bums” and was part of the 1955 squad that finally beat the Yankees in the World Series.

Mantle thought Snider would one day break Babe Ruth’s single season home run record. But the Dodgers great told Milton Richman back in 1957 that he felt no one would ever pass the Bambino. Click here to read all about it.

He was a .295 lifetime hitter with 407 home runs, 1,333 RBI, and 2,116 hits. He was an eight time All-Star and won two World Series rings (1959 Dodgers). He’s the only player to hit four or more home runs in two different World Series (1952, 1955), and yes, he was smooth as silk in centerfield. Snider wore #4 every season, but his final one due to the number being retired for the Giants’ Mel Ott.

Post playing, Snider served 13 years as a broadcaster for the Montreal Expos. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame by the BBWAA in 1980. The "Duke of Flatbush" is survived by Beverly, his wife of 63 years, and their four children.

Baseball Digest Birthdays: Don Zimmer | Baseball Digest

If you look up the word “character” in the dictionary, there’s a good chance you’ll see a picture of Don Zimmer next to the definition. With over 60 years in baseball as a player, coach, and manager, and one of the most recognizable faces on the planet, the man called “Popeye” has become one of the most beloved figures in the sport.

The Cincinnati, OH native started his career in the minor leagues as a player in Cambridge, MD as part of the Eastern Shore League. He made a number of stops, including Elmira, NY, where he married his wife Jean, better known as Scoot, in 1951. But it was a stop in St. Paul, MN that nearly ended Zimmer’s career and his life. Long before the days of batting helmets, Zimmer lost a pitch in the sun and was hit in the temple. He wasn’t fully conscious for 13 days.

Holes were drilled into his head to relieve the pressure on his brain. He couldn’t talk, walk, and had blurred vision. The stocky 5’9″ infielder lost 35 pounds. He was lucky to be alive, but doctors told him his career as a player was finished. But Don Zimmer would prove them wrong.

He reached the big leagues with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1954 and became a utility infielder for the next three seasons. In 1958 he became the regular shortstop as Pee Wee Reese played his final season with the then-Los Angeles Dodgers. It was arguably the best season of Zim’s career – 17 HR, 60 RBI, .720 OPS. Zimmer was traded after the ’59 World Series championship to the Cubs and then played for the Mets (an original member), the Reds, one more brief stint with the Dodgers, and the Washington Senators before retiring after the 1965 season (He would play one final year in Japan in 1966). It was an ordinary career by numbers – a .235 career average – but Zimmer was a student of the game and made many connections along the way.

The transition to managing was a natural one and Zimmer spent a handful of years at the helm in the minor leagues before taking a 3rd base coaching job for the Montreal Expos in 1971. He was on the Padres staff a year later when manager Preston Gomez was fired and Zimmer was named his replacement. He managed through the end of the ’73 season before he too was let go.

Zimmer’s next managerial stop was his most famous, or possibly, infamous. He was the skipper for the Boston Red Sox from 1976 (replacing Darrell Johnson after 86 games) to 1980. That means, of course, that he was running the team that blew a 14 1/2 game lead in July, 1978 before losing a one game divisional playoff to the rival New York Yankees. He also led the Texas Rangers (1981-1982) and the Chicago Cubs (1988-1991) and was a member of a number of coaching staffs until one fateful day when Joe Torre, whom he didn’t know at the time, asked him to be the bench coach for his new gig as manager of the New York Yankees in 1996.

The late Arthur Daley, of the New York Times and the first sportswriter to win a Pulitzer Prize, wrote an article for Baseball Digest in September of 1958 centered around Don Zimmer's breakout season. Click here to read the article!

Just like Rick and Captain Renault in Casablanca, it was the start of a beautiful friendship. Zimmer’s time in New York would make him a folk hero and led to a pair of books on his life and career. His time in the Big Apple was marked by supreme loyalty to Torre, the infamous brawl in Boston during the 2003 ALCS when he was thrown to the ground by Pedro Martinez, and an abrasive relationship with George Steinbrenner that helped lead to his voluntary departure after the 2003 season. Zimmer became a senior advisor for the Tampa Bay (Devil) Rays in 2004 and still holds that position today.

Happy 80th birthday Zim. You are a true gem!

Also Celebrating A Birthday Today:

Chili Davis (b. Kingston, Jamaica 1960): One of the best hitters in baseball, Charles “Chili” Davis spent 19 season in the major leagues. His stops included San Francisco, Anaheim, Minnesota (WS ring ’91), Kansas City, and New York (AL, WS rings ’98-’99). He finished his career with 350 home runs, 1,372 RBI, and 2,380 hits. He was a three time All-Star and finished fourth in the NL Rookie of the Year voting in 1982.

Also Born Today:

Darrell Porter: The Joplin, MO (1952) native would become a hometown hero when he was named the MVP of the 1982 World Series while a member of the St. Louis Cardinals. A catcher, Porter played 17 seasons with the Brewers, Royals, Cardinals, and Rangers. He’s 29th all-time in games caught with 1,506, and was a four time All-Star. His best season came for he Royals in 1979 when he hit .291-20-112 with an AL-leading 121 walks. Troubled by drug and alcohol addiction, Porter tragically died as a result of a drug-related incident in 2002.

BD Hot Stove: Giants Among Men | Baseball Digest

BD Hot Stove: Giants Among Men | Baseball Digest

Fans of the NY/SF Giants waited 56 years to celebrate their first World Series championship this past season. The Giants hadn’t won since Willie Mays was making over the shoulder catches against the likes of Vic Wertz. Things look bright for the team by the bay this year too with their core intact.

I left my pine tar in San Francisco: The Giants did lose a veteran on the left side of the infield- Juan Uribe, who departed for the Dodgers, and could lose a second in Edgar Renteria. GM Brian Sabean went low price/veteran shopping as a replacement and signed Miguel Tejada, who split last season between Baltimore and San Diego. Sabean’s biggest move was re-signing 1st baseman Aubrey Huff, who helped energize the team on and off the field. The Giants also re-signed outfielder Pat Burrell and took a risk by signing Dontrelle Willis to a minor league deal. Now if they can get Brian Wilson to lose that beard.

Welcome to Divorce Court: On this week’s episode the McCourts continue their battle over ownership of this long storied franchise while first year manager Don Mattingly waits to see who gets custody. In addition to Uribe, GM Ned Colletti made a shrewd move in signing veteran starter Jon Garland to a one year, $5M deal. Another good signing was steady set up man Matt Guerrier. With Russell Martin departing for the Yankees, the Dodgers kept Rod Barajas and brought back former Dodger Dioner Navarro. The team also re-signed starters Vincente Padilla and Hiroki Kuroda, and outfielder Jay Gibbons. Colletti also inked Tony Gwynn Jr. for some outfield depth.

Won’t you take me to Friar town: The Padres spent 131 days in first place last season, but September 25th was the final time as the team swooned down the stretch. The Padres made one of the biggest splashes at the winter meetings, dealing stud 1st baseman Adrian Gonzalez to the Red Sox for four prospects. Time will tell if the move was a good one, but the Padres did know they wouldn’t be able to re-sign Gonzalez when he became a free agent after the 2011 season. The Padres have been one of the busiest teams this off-season. They re-made their infield with a trade for shortsop Jason Barlett , and inked 2nd baseman Orlando Hudson and outfielder/1B Brad Hawpe to free agent deals. They also dealt for centerfield prospect Cameron Maybin who may be getting his final chance to prove himself at the major league level. The Pads added starter Aaron Harang and swingman Dustin Moseley through free agency. In addition to Gonzalez, gone are Garland, Gwynn, catcher Yorvit Torrealba (TEX), relievers Edward Mujica and Ryan Webb (Maybin deal), starters Kevin Correia (PIT) and Chris Young (team declined option), and pinch-hitter Matt Stairs.

Like a Rock: Colorado made a late surge under replacement manager Jim Tracey to make the playoffs in 2009 and for a time it looked like they would repeat that feat in 2010. The club brought back starter Jorge de la Rosa with a two year deal, but parted ways with long time Rockie Jeff Francis. The team also got younger by saying good bye to 3rd baseman Melvin Mora, 2nd baseman Kaz Matsui, who returned to Japan, and reliever Octavio Dotel. 1st baseman Jason Giambi will most likely also join the list. To replace Mora the team acquired Jose Lopez from Seattle and also signed versatile infielder Ty Wiggington via free agency.

Last and Least: The Diamondbacks have fallen a long way since their World Series title in 2001. The team won just 70 games in 2009, firing manager Bob Melvin in the process. They followed that up with a 65 win season in 2010, which cost Melvin’s replacement, A.J. Hinch, his job as well. Interim manager Kirk Gibson didn’t have a much better record than Hinch in the 83 games he had to work with, but he’ll get to start from scratch this year. The Dbacks dealt away home run hitting/baseball whiffing 3rd baseman Mark Reynolds to the Orioles and got a good prospect in starter David Hernandez in return (along with pitcher Kam Mickolio). AZ also made a low risk deal in acquiring one time prospect Zach Duke from the Pirates for a PTBNL. Reliever J.J. Putz was given a two year deal to be the new closer and Mora and Geoff Blum were signed to take over Reynolds’ spot. Xavier Nady was also inked to play 1st base. Veteran catcher Henry Blanco was signed to work with the young pitching staff. Gone are pitcher D.J. Carassco (NYM) and 1st baseman Adam LaRoche.

Rumors, News, and Transactions

SI’s Jon Heyman reports that the Red Sox are looking to strengthen their bullpen even further and are considering a run at Brian Fuentes.

The Orioles are talking contract with Kevin Gregg to become their new closer.

Cano Scripts Hollywood Ending

Cano Gives A-Rod The Last Laugh...

FINAL SCENE

A hitter steps into the batter's box. His current manager looks on with confidence. His former manager is concerned. The hitter's team has rallied from four runs down in the 9th to send the game into extra innings. Now the lefty gunslinger strides the mound. He's not as quick on the draw as he used to be.

The gunslinger goes into the delivery and fires. The crack of the bat can be heard for miles. The ball jumps off the hitter's bat and lands deep into the seats in left-center field. Quite a poke for a left-handed hitter. Teammates rejoice. The closer comes out of the dugout for another inning and slams the door shut, reminding his old manager that there is no one better. The good guys win.

THE END

It was a comeback for the ages last night at Dodgers Stadium. The Yankees had their stopper, Andy Pettitte, on the mound against the Dodgers' rising star Clayton Kershaw. Kershaw was as good as advertised, limiting the Yankees to an Alex Rodriguez 2-run home run in seven innings of work. He left with a 5-2 lead and watched as the Yankees rallied in the 9th and won it in the 10th when Robinson Cano homered off lefty George Sherrill for an 8-6 Yankees victory.

Pettitte, on the other hand, was a mess. After watching CC Sabathia and A.J. Burnett forget to cover first base recently and Pettitte's two wild throws after fielding bunts last night, you would understand if Joe Girardi wants to run a little PFP (Pitchers Fielding Practice) before this week's games.

It will be interesting to see if some teams try to bunt more against Pettitte after last night's debacle, which was both physical and mental.

Reed Johnson led off the Dodger 3rd with a double to right. Kershaw then bunted to the left side of the infield. Despite Rodriguez imploring Pettitte to throw to first base, the big Texan fired a wild throw to third, well out of Rodriguez's reach. 1-0 Dodgers and the beginning of some "not in the glove" cursing from Pettitte.

Rafael Furcal thought a bunt looked like a good idea and laid one down on the left side as well. Rodriguez charged, bare handed and fire to first, but not in time. Two on, no one out. Yeah, you know what's coming next.

Ronnie Belliard laid down another bunt, which Pettitte fielded cleanly...and threw wide of Cano for another error and another Dodgers run. Cano may have been able to record the putout, but Pettitte's thrown was in the baseline, which caused Cano to get alligator arms. Andre Ethier tacked on another run on a sac fly for a 3-0 LA lead.

The Dodgers added two more runs in the 4th, including a solo home run by Belliard, and things looked bleak. But A-Rod, who spoke briefly with Torre before the game, came up with the first of two very big hits on the night. One would argue his hits were even bigger than Cano's game winning home run.

A-Rod took Kershaw deep with a man aboard in the 6th to get the Yankees on the board. Though down 5-2 it gave the team some life and some spark. After the Dodgers added an insurance run off Joba Chamberlain in the 8th, it was A-Rod once again who got things going in the 9th with a one out single.

After moving to second base on defensive indifference, A-Rod came home when Cano ripped a double past first baseman James Loney. Then the Yankees really started to make closer Jonathan Broxton work.

Jorge Posada's 10 pitch at-bat resulted in a single to right, bringing the tying run to the plate in the form of Curtis Granderson. The Grandy man worked an eight pitch at-bat to draw a walk to load the bases. Chad Huffman got three straight 96 mph fastballs, lining the last one to right for a 2-run single to cut the Dodgers lead to 6-5. Granderson moved to third on the play to set up a big confrontation between Broxton and pinch-hitter Colin Curtis.

Curtis worked another 10 pitch at-bat before grounding to Loney at first. Instead of throwing home immediately, Loney chose to step on first for the second out of the inning and then made an off-balance throw home. The throw was the right side of home plate, allowing Granderson to beat catcher Russell Martin to the plate to tie the game.

After intentionally walking Derek Jeter, Broxton finally retired Francisco Cervelli to end the inning. The Dodgers closer threw a career high 48 pitches in the inning after throwing 19 the day before.

Rivera retired the side in order in the 9th, but Loney reached on a lead off single in the 10th to make things interesting. No problem as Rivera struck out Martin and Johnson, and got Jamey Carroll on a game ending ground out.

Just another day in the Hollywood.


Notes

Garrett Anderson and Russell Martin were both ejected after facing Rivera. Anderson was upset at a strike call in his pinch-hit at-bat in the 9th and said a no-no to home plate ump Chris Guccione on his way back to the dugout. Anderson and Torre pleaded the outfielder's case, but to no avail. Martin then K'ed looking in the 10th and slammed his bat down to garner another ejection from Guccione.

George Sherrill had not allowed a home run to a left-hander entering play last night. Cano was also 0-11 against him lifetime.

Brett Gardner had to leave the game after being hit with a Kershaw pitch in the forearm. Gardner stayed in the game at first, but then the arm began to swell. He'll have it further evaluated today.

photo courtesy of Yahoo Sports

Have You Seen April-May Burnett?

Tell me have you seen him, seen him..ohhhhhhhh.

The April version of A.J. Burnett was amazing. The May version of A.J. Burnett was decent. The June version...a horror show...a really bloody horror show.

Look at his face. It's the same every month. But something is inside that tattooed noggin' of his.

Okay, I don't know if his noggin' is tattooed, but he's been getting tattooed the entire month of June, which thankfully for him, is coming to a close.

Burnett absolutely sizzled in April. We all thought - come on you did - that A.J. had finally figured it out. Never mind that he was 3-0. Burnett recorded a 2.43 ERA in 331. innings. 20 strikeouts compared to 9 walks.

Then May rolled around. That's when the trouble really began. A 4.03 ERA for the month is deceiving. Two starts with the Twins and one each against the Orioles and Indians gave Burnett three wins. He allowed just three earned runs in 27 innings. Great stuff. But his starts against the Rays, whom he had beaten in April, and Boston were horrendous. 14 earned runs in just 11 innings and a pair of losses.

Now we come to the explosive month of June. It's really hard to put into words just how lost Burnett is on the mound right now. I've seen it before. Jeff Weaver comes to mind. Great stuff, weak mentality. Only I think Burnett has the capability of harnessing it where as Weaver never bounced back.

29 earned runs in 23 innings in June. Three starts of four innings or less. 17 walks and 35 hits. It actually might look worse in print than in watching it unfold.

There's no point in continuing to run Burnett out there. It's not going to change overnight and at the very least he should skip a start. The Yankees were better off with Phil Hughes going this weekend and giving Burnett a mental breather, especially on the heels of losing his grandfather.

So who do you put in there? It doesn't matter. Call up a pitcher for a spot start. Get a sports psychologist. Burn some incense. Sacrifice a Red Sox fan..oops, just kidding.

Just get A.J. out of there.

Last night's game.

A-Rod and Yankees Take Round 1 in LA

Alex Rodriguez decided at some point last year to talk with his bat rather than his mouth. That wasn't more evident than the week leading up to the Yankees-Dodgers series and its corresponding Joe Torre reunion this weekend.

A-Rod and Torre didn't have any meet and greets beforehand, but A-Rod's bat certainly got his former manager's attention. The third baseman snapped a 1-1 tie in the 6th with his 10th home run of the year and the Yankees took the first game of the series, 2-1.

CC Sabathia (9-3) never played for Torre, but gave him a game to remember. After struggling with his control early, the big man bore down and limited the Dodgers to four hits over eight innings. He also protected his teammates when he drilled Vincente Padilla (1-2) in the leg after Padilla hit Robinson Cano. Padilla had also left his mark last year when he hit Mark Teixeira twice in the same game while pitching for the Texas Rangers.

Torre also now knows how it feels to have Mariano Rivera close out your loss. Rivera did it in style, striking out Manny Ramirez, Matt Kemp, and James Loney in the 9th for his 17th save.

The Dodgers took advantage of Sabathia's early lack of command to pick up their only run in the 1st inning. Rafael Furcal drew a lead off walk, swiped second base and scored on Ramirez's single. The Yankees tied it in the 2nd when A-Rod reached on a lead off double and scored on a one out single by Jorge Posada.

Notes

"Manny being Manny" dropped a fly ball in the 8th that gave the Yankees an opportunity for an insurance run, but Padilla retired Jorge Posada and Nick Swisher to escape the jam.

James Loney was ejected from the ball game, even though the ball game was over, when he was called out on strikes by home plate ump Phil Cuzzi. That set off hitting coach Don Mattingly who screamed at Cuzzi as he walked off the field.

A-Rod's home run was the 593rd of his career.

Derek Jeter turns 36 on Saturday.

Yankees Head To Torre Territory.

This is a piece I wrote for baseballdigest.com

One of the first lessons I ever learned in life was, “Don’t ever burn your bridges”. It didn’t matter if you hated the job you were leaving, the boss you worked for, your co-workers, or life in general. You never know what might come back to bite you in the behind.

Apparently, Joe Torre didn’t learn that lesson. (Hmm, wonder if it’s in his motivational book or part of his speeches?) When Torre turned down a one year, incentive laden offer from the Steinbrenner clan after the 2007 season, he still had the support of a lot of Yankees fans. It’s difficult to tell if there was a majority of support for him at the time though, because many of those who liked him as Yankees manager still felt it was time for a change.

Click here to continue this article at Baseball Digest.

Derek Jeter Andy Pettitte Mariano Rivera Jorge Posada Alex Rodriguez

Those Other Series

I haven't forgotten about the rest of the playoffs, just been more focused on the Yankees' ALDS match up. But here's how I see things:

Red Sox vs. Angels

The Angels have been miserable in the playoffs against Boston and I don't see it changing. The Angels should be able to run at will against Jason Varitek and Victor Martinez, but Boston's 1-2 punch of Josh Beckett and Jon Lester is awfully tough.

The Angels have been through a lot this year with Nick Adenhart's death and a rash of injuries, and Mike Scosia has done an amazing job of keeping it all together. But I don't see the Angels' rotation, outside of John Lackey, shutting down the Boston lineup.

Prediction: Boston in 5


Rockies vs. Phillies

The Phillies have had their problems this season, particularly in the bullpen, but there's still plenty of talent in the starting rotation and a powerful offense.

The Rockies turned things around when manager Clint Hurdle was replaced by Jim Tracey, and played some of the baseball in the 2nd half. I don't like their starting pitching in this series. None of them scare you.


Prediction: Phillies in 3


Cardinals vs. Dodgers

St. Louis easily outclassed the heavily favored Cubs to win the NL Central. The Dodgers had a cake walk in the NL West, at least until the last 2 weeks of the season. Then things got ugly and they nearly blew the division (though they would have made the playoffs either way).

The difference in this series will be the Cards' top 2 starters - Chris Carpenter and Adam Wainwright should be able to shut down the Dodgers bats, which have been slumping of late. And Albert > Manny.

Prediction: Cardinals in 4

Breaking News: Dodgers Acquire Maddux

The Los Angeles Times is reporting that the Dodgers have acquired future Hall of Fame pitcher Greg Maddux from the San Diego Padres. Maddux cleared waivers, but would only agree to a deal that would send him to LA.

No word on what the Padres will received in return for Maddux, who pitched for the Dodgers in 2006.

Breaking News: Dodgers Acquire Maddux

The Los Angeles Times is reporting that the Dodgers have acquired future Hall of Fame pitcher Greg Maddux from the San Diego Padres. Maddux cleared waivers, but would only agree to a deal that would send him to LA.

No word on what the Padres will received in return for Maddux, who pitched for the Dodgers in 2006.