Of Myths, Legends, and Bullshit

As I'm finishing up Dan Brown's lastest tome ("The Lost Symbol") about symbology, legend, lore, etc., I couldn't help but think about just how much nonsense is going on in sports right now.

Viral video of Joe Mauer "stealing signs" is all over the web, TV, and radio shows right now. If Mauer was stealing signs and relaying them to his teammates, so what! Teams are always trying to steal opponents signs. Why do you think a catcher changes up the signs when an opposing runner is on 2nd base.

If indeed Mauer was stealing signs, it is not cheating. In an SNL Joe Bidensque way- let me say that again- Joe Mauer was not cheating. When the Giants admitted they had an employee up in the Polo Grounds scoreboard stealing signs during the 1951 baseball season that was indeed cheating.

Eric Wedge paid the price for the Cleveland Indians failures the last two seasons. But why hasn't anyone else, namely GM Mark Shapiro, been dealt a blow as well? Ownership didn't want to give big payouts to CC Sabathia, Cliff Lee, and Victor Martinez, so Shapiro was ordered to move them. What he got in return is quite questionable.

In return for the most recent castoff, Martinez, Shapiro got next to nothing (no matter what ESPN or Peter Gammons) may have insisted. The Indians came away with no top tier prospects. Justin Masterson is the only player with some real MLB experience and he is nothing special.

Shapiro did better on the Lee deal, getting upper echelon prosepcts Carlos Carrasco and Lou Marson from the Phils. As for the Sabathia deal, it remains to be seen if Matt LaPorta will pan out as a regular. When you deal top flight pitching, you had better get something good in return, so the jury is still out on both of these deals. The Indians look to be mediocre for quite some time.

ESPN's Sports Nation is renaming their show Favre Nation this Monday. OVERKILL.

It's only taken three games for USC product Mark Sanchez to prove he's a much better pro QB than fellow alum Matt Leinart.

The new show "Modern Family" on ABC is hilarious. NBC's much ballyhooed "Community" sucks.

Chicago lost out on the 2016 Olympics to Rio. While Chicagoans seem to be upset, imagine how upset they would be when the Olympics basically shut down their town and fecked up everything.

That's all for now sports fans.

Is Half a Confession Better than None?

In listening to Alex Rodriguez's "confessional" with Peter Gammons yesterday, you definitely got the impression that where there's smoke there's fire. While on the one hand he admitted to steroid use from 2001-2003 ("that's pretty accurate" left the door open for more revelations), A-Rod was more apologetic for being naive rather for actually taking an illegal substance.

Possibly more damaging to A-Rod's reputation, was his accusation that SI.com reporter Selena Roberts was stalking him, and in fact had been cited by the Miami police for trying to break into his home. Peter Abraham of the Journal News reported last night that no such citation took place nor are there any police records of any such incident.

We were also left with the impression that A-Rod is still not speaking the entire truth. A truth that may never come out. We're sure that Bud Selig will want to meet with Rodriguez, just as he did with Jason Giambi, to clear the air. A-Rod will also be quizzed about Roberts accusation that MLBPA COO Gene Orza tipped him off to a 2004 random drug test.

And of course this has the chance to get even uglier, even "zooier". Congressman Elijah Cummings (D-MD) wants to conduct another dog and pony show in front of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, which still is NOT supposed to deal with these issues. With nearly 600 thousand workers laid off in January, somehow we think Congress should be working on other things.

Even President Obama was quizzed about A-Rod's failings during his first press conference last night, stating that he was "disappointed" at the news. We wonder too if the President realizes just how little common sense A-Rod has.

Ah, this is only beginning of what is to be a very long baseball season in the Bronx.

A-Rod Admits Use

ESPN radio is playing clips of A-Rod's interview with Peter Gammons. A-Rod admitted to using banned substances during the 2001 thru 2003 seasons. He DID not say what substance he used saying he was stupid and naive, and wasn't sure what he was doing.

A-Rod said he did not use steroids once he joined the Yankees.

Tuesday Night Hot Stove

With the temps in the 20s in the metro area, what better night to start talking hot stove. All the awards have been handed out and now teams can concentrate are making up their rosters for next season.

The Seattle Times says the Mariners have reportedly found their new manager in 45-year old Don Wakamatsu. Joey Cora was thought to be the front runner for the job, but GM Jack Zduriencik wanted Wakamatsu.

A former minor league catcher, Wakamatsu is the first manager of Asian descent. His father was born in a Japanese internment camp during World War II. Wakamatsu has extensive minor and major league coaching experience, and was manager of the year in the California League in 1998.

The Cubs have signed Ryan Dempster to a 4-year, $52 million, with the final year having a player's option.

The Cubs are reportedly interested in acquiring outfielder/infielder Mark Teahen from the Royals.

Japanese pitcher Junichi Tazawa is garnering interest from the Indians, Tigers, Red Sox, Phillies, and Braves.

Peter Gammons is reporting the Jake Peavy to the Braves deal is not dead. The Red Sox could move Coco Crisp for a reliever so that Justin Masterson can move into the starting rotation, and the Blue Jays have made Milton Bradley their top priority.

According to his agent, Pedro Martinez is not ready to retire and plans to pitch in 2009 and beyond.

The Giants inked one of the prized lefty relievers on Monday, signing Jeremy Affeldt to a 2-year, $8 million.

Tuesday Night Hot Stove

With the temps in the 20s in the metro area, what better night to start talking hot stove. All the awards have been handed out and now teams can concentrate are making up their rosters for next season.

The Seattle Times says the Mariners have reportedly found their new manager in 45-year old Don Wakamatsu. Joey Cora was thought to be the front runner for the job, but GM Jack Zduriencik wanted Wakamatsu.

A former minor league catcher, Wakamatsu is the first manager of Asian descent. His father was born in a Japanese internment camp during World War II. Wakamatsu has extensive minor and major league coaching experience, and was manager of the year in the California League in 1998.

The Cubs have signed Ryan Dempster to a 4-year, $52 million, with the final year having a player's option.

The Cubs are reportedly interested in acquiring outfielder/infielder Mark Teahen from the Royals.

Japanese pitcher Junichi Tazawa is garnering interest from the Indians, Tigers, Red Sox, Phillies, and Braves.

Peter Gammons is reporting the Jake Peavy to the Braves deal is not dead. The Red Sox could move Coco Crisp for a reliever so that Justin Masterson can move into the starting rotation, and the Blue Jays have made Milton Bradley their top priority.

According to his agent, Pedro Martinez is not ready to retire and plans to pitch in 2009 and beyond.

The Giants inked one of the prized lefty relievers on Monday, signing Jeremy Affeldt to a 2-year, $8 million.

Hump Day Rumors - 7/9 Edition

We've already been wowwed by the fact that two rumors, concerning CC Sabathia and Rich Harden, were very true. So what else is being heard through the grapevine?

The Arizona Republic reports that the Diamondbacks are seriously considering taking a look at Barry Bonds. GM Josh Byrnes didn't deny it either when asked. Funny how Peter Gammons didn't bring up the Red Sox interest until Joe Morgan asked him about it. Hmmm.

The LA Times reports that Dodgers hitting coach Mike Easler is to be let go in favor of the man who was originally hired for the job. That's right Donnie Baseball himself. Reports are he would take over on July 18.

The Miami Herald reports that the Marlins are seriously looking for a catcher. Cincinnati's David Ross, Kansas City's Miguel Olivo and Colorado's Yorvit Torrealba are tops on the list.

And the Daily News reported yesterday that the Yankees are taking a look into Victor Zambrano. Why not just get Britt Burns back.

Hump Day Rumors - 7/9 Edition

We've already been wowwed by the fact that two rumors, concerning CC Sabathia and Rich Harden, were very true. So what else is being heard through the grapevine?

The Arizona Republic reports that the Diamondbacks are seriously considering taking a look at Barry Bonds. GM Josh Byrnes didn't deny it either when asked. Funny how Peter Gammons didn't bring up the Red Sox interest until Joe Morgan asked him about it. Hmmm.

The LA Times reports that Dodgers hitting coach Mike Easler is to be let go in favor of the man who was originally hired for the job. That's right Donnie Baseball himself. Reports are he would take over on July 18.

The Miami Herald reports that the Marlins are seriously looking for a catcher. Cincinnati's David Ross, Kansas City's Miguel Olivo and Colorado's Yorvit Torrealba are tops on the list.

And the Daily News reported yesterday that the Yankees are taking a look into Victor Zambrano. Why not just get Britt Burns back.

Hot Stove Update

Depending on who/what you believe Johan Santana will remain a Minnesota Twin for now or still has a good chance of going to the Red Sox. Peter Gammons reported that the vibe was more and more like Santana staying put for now. Jon Heyman thinks a deal to the Red Sox is still within reach as does Will Caroll of Baseball Prospectus. Ken Rosenthal says the Mariners are now getting back into the mix, and Heyman feels the Mets are, though they won't get it done without including Jose Reyes.

K-Ros also reports that the Rangers are talking to Scott Boras about both Eric Gagne, and Corey Patterson, who they see as a stop gap measure for centerfield.

In a minor move, the Blue Jays acquired outfielder Buck Coats (great name) from the Reds for a player to be named later or cash.


Buster Olney reports that Aaron Boone is receiving interest from the Giants, Nationals and Brewers. As for Johan Santana...

The Yankees' delegation at the meetings seems less and less interested in rekindling those Johan Santana discussions, even if the Twins try to draw them back in. They've been telling people there's a "99.9 percent chance" they're out of the Santana market for good. So where would the 0.1 percent come from? The unpredictability of the Steinbrenners. Where else?

Here's a good recap/breakdown of the Marlins-Tigers deal from Baseball Prospectus' Kevin Goldstein.

Hot Stove Update

Depending on who/what you believe Johan Santana will remain a Minnesota Twin for now or still has a good chance of going to the Red Sox. Peter Gammons reported that the vibe was more and more like Santana staying put for now. Jon Heyman thinks a deal to the Red Sox is still within reach as does Will Caroll of Baseball Prospectus. Ken Rosenthal says the Mariners are now getting back into the mix, and Heyman feels the Mets are, though they won't get it done without including Jose Reyes.

K-Ros also reports that the Rangers are talking to Scott Boras about both Eric Gagne, and Corey Patterson, who they see as a stop gap measure for centerfield.

In a minor move, the Blue Jays acquired outfielder Buck Coats (great name) from the Reds for a player to be named later or cash.


Buster Olney reports that Aaron Boone is receiving interest from the Giants, Nationals and Brewers. As for Johan Santana...

The Yankees' delegation at the meetings seems less and less interested in rekindling those Johan Santana discussions, even if the Twins try to draw them back in. They've been telling people there's a "99.9 percent chance" they're out of the Santana market for good. So where would the 0.1 percent come from? The unpredictability of the Steinbrenners. Where else?

Here's a good recap/breakdown of the Marlins-Tigers deal from Baseball Prospectus' Kevin Goldstein.

Santana, Cabrera Could Move Soon

Peter Gammons has reported that both Johan Santana and Miguel Cabrera could be trying on new uniforms shortly. The Red Sox offer for Santana now stands at 5-for-1, as they have added prospect Ryan Kalish to the mix (joining Jon Lester, Coco Crisp, Jed Lowrie and Justin Masterson).

The Marlins and Angels are going at it hot and heavy again for Miguel Cabrera. The Marlins should land Howie Kendrick, Nick Adenhart, Jeff Mathis and a prospect from L.A. for Cabrera.

Source


UPDATE 5:00 - You gotta love this - ESPN's Jayson Stark completely contradicts his colleague. We'll believe Gammons since he's basically on the Sox payroll.

The Twins and Angels continue to talk about a Johan Santana trade. Many of the same players mentioned in the Miguel Cabrera sweepstakes -- Howie Kendrick, Brandan Wood, Nick Adenhart, and possibly Jeff Mathis or Reggie Willits -- would be included in a package for Santana.

It is believed that the Angels haven't talked with the Marlins since last night, and Miguel Cabrera is off their radar screen -- at least for now.

Santana, Cabrera Could Move Soon

Peter Gammons has reported that both Johan Santana and Miguel Cabrera could be trying on new uniforms shortly. The Red Sox offer for Santana now stands at 5-for-1, as they have added prospect Ryan Kalish to the mix (joining Jon Lester, Coco Crisp, Jed Lowrie and Justin Masterson).

The Marlins and Angels are going at it hot and heavy again for Miguel Cabrera. The Marlins should land Howie Kendrick, Nick Adenhart, Jeff Mathis and a prospect from L.A. for Cabrera.

Source


UPDATE 5:00 - You gotta love this - ESPN's Jayson Stark completely contradicts his colleague. We'll believe Gammons since he's basically on the Sox payroll.

The Twins and Angels continue to talk about a Johan Santana trade. Many of the same players mentioned in the Miguel Cabrera sweepstakes -- Howie Kendrick, Brandan Wood, Nick Adenhart, and possibly Jeff Mathis or Reggie Willits -- would be included in a package for Santana.

It is believed that the Angels haven't talked with the Marlins since last night, and Miguel Cabrera is off their radar screen -- at least for now.