Will The Yankees Win It All

Posted on September 5, 2010 by kenrickthomas12| Leave a comment

By Kenrick Thomas Jr.

The New York Yankees have driven themselves to success throughout the season. Currently on an eight game winning streak and leading the AL East with a 2 game lead up on the Tampa Bay Rays, makes them serious World Series contenders. Their currently 86-50 on the season, which is amazing, because two of the Yankees most important players in their line-up haven’t been impressive.

Yankees third baseman, Alex Rodriguez hasn’t been putting up the numbers that’s expected. Despite being on the disabled list do to a left calf strain, his batting average is .265 with 21 home runs and 97 RBIs. Shortstop, Derek Jeter age’s has caught up to him. His batting average is .266 with 59 RBIs.

With the amount of talent the Yankees have on their roster, they still manage to lead the AL East. Yankees second baseman, Robinson Cano, has been playing his best this season. He’s bringing in .318 batting average and 26 home runs with 91 RBIs. Cano is a possible MVP candidate. The Yankees starting pitching rotation has been holding up with CC Sabathia leading the way with 19 wins and a 3.05 ERA.

With all that being said, will this Yankee team win the World Series Championship. The Texas Rangers line-up has been on fire with left fielder Josh Hamilton sky high batting average of . 362, designated hitter Vladimir Guerrero’s 25 home runs and right fielder Nelson Cruz .316 batting average. That’s not all, the Minnesota Twins and Tampa Bay Rays are talented enough to compete for the World Series.

The Yankees are still the favorite to make the World Series this season, but will they be able to exceed expectation? I’m still thinking will it happen.

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Ed Hearn- A Champion On and Off The Field

Posted on September 4, 2010 by baseballblogs| Leave a comment

A few days ago I received an email from the Nephcure Foundation regarding a great night that will be happening soon at Citi Field. On September 10th, The Mets will be holding an event that is near and dear to my heart.

In the fall of 1986 I was 17 years old. Like many 17 year olds I was starting my senior year in school,taking Driver’s Ed, and getting ready for what was ahead of me -THE BIG WORLD. That year however, I was allowed to postpone my time  becoming an”almost adult” as I watched my beloved Mets  have an amazing year and make it to the World Series.

I knew all the starters and all of the bench player’s names by heart back then and even though I did not get to many games at Shea that year, I watched most of them at home or at a friend’s house. This team finally made me realize why I was a Met fan and it felt so good to wear my Mets shirt  proudly in the streets after they had won.

As we all remember the road to the World Series was not easy and they gave us all Agita getting there. But eventually they beat the Red Sox and history was made. As the years went on players were traded, some retired, and as always some disappeared from your mind and some are always there with a question of ” Whatever happened to?”.

About a year or so ago I had the opportunity to speak with a guy who in many people’s opinion including mine. was a big part of that 1986 team even as a backup catcher who really did not get the chance to play that much.

Here was a guy that many Mets fans will remember mostly as ” The guy we traded away to get David Cone”.  After leaving the Mets and going to the Royals, Ed Hearn’s baseball career and his life would change for ever. After hearing Ed’s story and battle with so many things including skin cancer, Sleep Apnea, and the worst of all Kidney Disease, it put my life in perspective.

As I researched for my interview with Ed, I began to ask myself ” How much can I ask about his Condition?” Well the truth of the matter is between Ed’s Book ( Conquering Lifes’ Curves ) and all of the work he does for the Nephcure Foundation,The Bottom of The Ninth Foundation, and his motivational speaking, Ed wanted to talk about the fact  he was not just Ed Hearn the baseball player, but rather Ed Hearn, the survivor and Ed Hearn the helper. As a matter of fact all through the interview I realized the premise of the book and even our talk was not just about Ed Hearn, but more about how he could help people in the same position as he was.

If you are free on  September 10th, please go to Citi Field to watch the Mets and Phillies play. The name of the night will be titled The Ed Hearn/Nephcure Foundation Night.  Also in attendance will be former Mets General Manager Jim Duquette. Jim’s daughter also suffers from Kidney Disease. All of the information is below. Please remember to go through the site: www.savingkidneys.org as this is how you will donate a proceed of your purchase to the Nephcure Foundation. Also if you have not already done so, pick up a copy of Ed’s book ” Conquering Life’s Curves”.

ED HEARN/NEPHCURE FOUNDATION NIGHT

SEPT. 10, AT CITI FIELD

Health-Challenged Catcher from’86 Mets World Champion Team

 to be Recognized for Work with The NephCure Foundation

 

 New York, New York (September 3, 2010)—Ed Hearn, a member of the 1986 New York Mets World Championship Team, will be honored Friday, September 10, before the Mets- Phillies game as part of Ed Hearn/NephCure Foundation Night at Citi Field.

Hearn, who filled in capably for the injured Gary Carter during that memorable season, battles the kidney disease, Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis (FSGS).  He has had three kidney transplants as part of a continuing ordeal that started shortly after his retirement from baseball in 1991. For the past several years, he has served as an Ambassador for The NephCure Foundation, which funds research into FSGS and Nephrotic Syndrome. These are diseases for which there are no approved treatments and no cure.

 The Nephcure Foundation has set up the website, www.savingkidneys.org, for fans to purchase tickets to the game with a portion of the cost donated to Nephcure and matched by research institutions including the University of Michigan.  As part of the night’s festivities, Hearn will sign autographs and greet fans at NephCure Foundation tables located in the concourses at Citi Field.

 Also in attendance at Citi Field on September 10 will be former Mets General Manager Jim Duquette, whose daughter, Lindsey, also suffers from FSGS.  A member of The NephCure Foundation Board of Directors, Duquette’s daughter, now eight years-old, was diagnosed with FSGS in 2005 after being rushed to the hospital emergency room directly from Shea Stadium, where she was attending a game with her parents.

 An author and motivational speaker, Hearn lives in Kansas City, MO, with his wife, Tricia, and his 16 year old son, Cody. His perseverance and life messages have inspired audiences all over the country as he travels to hospitals and dialysis centers to bring hope to patients who face similar challenges.

 In addition to his kidney disease, Hearn has coped with skin cancer and sleep apnea among myriad other health complications.  In 1996, his book, Conquering Life’s Curves, detailed his journey, including the 1986 World Series triumph and the severe health problems and post-operative depression that pushed him to the brink of suicide.

 For NephCure, Hearn records public service announcements, makes speaking appearances and participates in fundraising activities in support of NephCure, which has committed over $6 million to research since 2008.  In January, Hearn was one of the NephCure’s team leaders for the Chase Community Giving program, helping NephCure secure a $25,000 grant by finishing in the top 100 from among some 500,000 smaller non-profit organizations.

 Late in 2009, the NephCure Foundation played a major role in securing a highly competitive grant of $6.25 million from the National Institute of Health (NIH).  The grant is part of a $10 million funding package – including a $2 million commitment from NephCure  to study kidney diseases that can lead to kidney failure and dialysis.

The NephCure Foundation is comprised of patients, their families and friends, researchers, physicians and other healthcare professionals, NephCure aims to help science unlock the biological mechanisms that cause these serious conditions and ultimately find the way to prevention and a cure.

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Where Does It Start?

Posted on September 2, 2010 by Pat Nestor| Leave a comment

by Pat Nestor

The other night, when Jeff Francour was traded to the Texas Rangers, it was reported that a number of players made the loud comment “Can I go with him?”

This would be the second time this occured, as we heard the same thing happened when Rod Barajas was traded to the LA Dodgers.  Jerry Manuel said on WFAN that he would address the whole team about the comments and sounded annoyed at the remarks.

I know this team has been in a bad place the last six weeks, but it’s still strange to hear this from a team that seemed to so together and upbeat in the first half of the season.

What I’m wondering is, that changed that? A lot was made of the loose and smiling clubhouse, how the players were picking each other up, how everone seemed to get along and there was a lot of positive vibes.

I’ve heard the whispers that Carlos Beltran’s return to the team was the starting point of where it went sour. Could that REALLY be it?

My guy feeling is that perception that is embedded in all media and seemingly all around baseball that the Mets organization is a total mess. A day doesn;t go by without some sort of insulting, smarmy remark being dropped about this team and the franchise as a whole. I’m sure after a while it wears on the players to the point they just don’t want to deal with it.

The way this team has sleptwalked it’s way through it’s second half, it’s obvious to me that Manuel has lost a chunk of the clubhouse. I also get the feeling that the fact that Oliver Perez is anywhere near the major league roster has pissed a lot of players off. Add in the fact that no moves were made to improve the club at the trade deadline after an offseason of little moves and the players may just have the impression the club has no faith in them.

Jeff Francour was a VERY popular guy in the clubhouse. Of that there is no doubt. I’m sure the fact his playing status went back and forth bothered players because they liked and respected him, and I’m sure his departure wasn’t something they wanted. However in the end Francour just wasn;t getting the job done. His excellent numbers from last year after the trade that brought him to the Mets never returned, and despite some timely and clutch hits this season, his overall body of work was erratic and weak enough to not merit the playing time he wanted. I’d actually be surprised if there were harsh feelings from the players that he was sat a number of times or that he was eventually traded away. As great of a guy that he was, I’m sure the players would look at his numbers and see he wasn’t having any real success… wouldn’t they?

The Mets seem to be the main punchline of almost any joke. Every time I see them mentioned on ESPN, in the newspapers or on sports radio it’s always followed by comments that are degrading or put down the team and organization. I’m not saying that backlash and critizism isn’t warranted, but holy cow everyone is relentless with the way they talk about them. I would think this goes a long way towards making players wish they weren’t stuck in the middle of it.

As I discussed way back at the beginning of the season, the Mets need to change the perception they are a organization run by the keystone kops. Changes need to be made. When you have players wishing they were on thier way outit needs to be addressed.

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For Better Or For Worse, Beltran Is Here To Stay

Posted on September 1, 2010 by MetsPubRec| Leave a comment

by AC Wayne

As Mets fans, we talk about Carlos Beltran all the time, the strength of his knees, the possibility of having him play left field, the large sum of money that he’s owed next season. Some fans have even went as far as to say that the Mets wanted to move Beltran before the start of this season and that was the reason why the organization was so slighted when he decided to undergo major surgery on his ailing knees.

Analyzing the current situation, I feel that perhaps this wasn’t the case. What seems more accurate to me now is that the Mets front office knew of the consequences in a rehabbing Beltran. They were aware that even if he managed to make his way back this season which he has, he still would have to work harder than before to get back to one-hundred percent, which he hasn’t.

With such a hefty sum of money left on the final year of his contract for next season, he will be tough to move. The best case scenario obviously will be a healthy Beltran in All-Star form. However, if this procedure he opted for prior to the start of the season leaves him further in a state of underperformance, GM Omar Minaya and the Mets organization will have to endure another scarring disappointment heading into the 2011 season.

For further reading check out, Something Not Wright With Beltran.

AC Wayne writes for the NY baseball blog, Mets Public Record.

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Oliver Perez is Insane

Posted on August 31, 2010 by Pat Nestor| Leave a comment

by Pat Nestor

So Oliver Perez,  during a conversation with Kevin Burkhardt of SNY, recently remarked that he feels he is being treated unfairly by the Mets, basically being a forgotten man and rarely pitching.

My first reaction to hearing this was “Onion headline”. Then I went on with my day.

Then I heard from other sources that this was a true quote. Metsblog.com and Keith Hernandez and Gary Cohen during last night’s game both confirmed it. So my second reaction was “WHAT THE &$@#?”

Perez is out of his mind if he seriously thinks this. The Mets gave Perez oppertunity galore and he failed. Then when they wanted him to go down to the minors and work out his issues, he refused. Now the Mets bascially play every game with a 24 man roster since Perez is pretty much usable except in games like yesterday where it’s a blowout and you want to try and save the bullpen a little.

I’m sick and tired of hearing this joker’s name. No matter what they have to eat, the Mets need to cut Perez loose. If they are so worried that he’ll go out and pitch well somewhere else, they really shouldn’t be. The only way I see him having some success is with a team like the Royals or even back with the Pirates where the team will throw him out there every fifth day no matter what and he’ll have games like he did here where he’ll be masterful but the overall body of work will be uneven and full of walks and nightmare innings.

Listen, back when they resigned Perez I thought it wasn;t a bad move. Perez had shown some serious flashes of brilliance and I honestly thought he was a very capable #3 pitcher. I mean at one point the guy was like 9-2 with an ERA under 3.00 against the Braves, Yanks and Phillies in a Mets uniform. However, those days are long gone. The gutsy pitcher from game seven of the 2006 NLDS and the 15 win promising pitcher from 2007 is likely never going to be heard from again. Looking at how much Derek Lowe signed for with the Braves and what was available back then the Mets actually didn;t have a h lot of choices. I don’t think ANYONE could have predicted on how bad overall this would be.

But now, Perez is not just an albatross on the team and isn;t just a basical Pariah from his teammates, but is now also sounding like a crazy idiot by saying he’s being treated unfairly. The Mets are paying him millions, yet he refuses to accept responsiblity for his terrible performances and at least do something to help the franchise by going to the minors and working it out and letting them have a servicible pitcher in his spot. To me, this must be the last straw. The Mets aren.t getting anything for their money anyway… at least get rid of him to clear the spot for someone useful. I don’t care if the orsters go to 40 men in a few days. Enough is enough. The Mets are the punchline to many jokes as it is, at least take control of this.

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How Many Years?

Posted on August 30, 2010 by Pat Nestor| Leave a comment

by Pat Nestor

During last night’s blogcast radio show, I asked Phil Speranza (from the great Yankees blogsite BehindtheBombers.com) what he saw Derek Jeter getting from the Yankees after the season since his $189 million, ten-year contract will be up. I asked if five years seemed out of the question, as I was speculating that he might want as much as that. Phil thought that five years wasn’t out of the question. Frankie The Sports Guy agreed that five yars was a possible number. I thought about it a lot over night though, and I have to wonder.

I cannot imagine the Yankees allowing Jeter to walk or Jeter really willing to walk away from the Bronx. However, I would suspect that Jeter may expect to get at least a four year deal, if not five years. I would also expect him to be looking for anywhere from $19 – $21 million per year. That would mean that the Yankees would be dishing out anywhere from $76 million to $105 milllion for the Captain’s final contract.

Jeter is 36. He had a fantastic 2009 and the Yankees won the World Series. However his 2010 has not been as productive and he’s heading towards one of the worst (if not THE worst) season of his career. 2008 wasn’t the best of years for him either. While you cannot argue his worth to the franchise, the Yankees have to figure out if they are rewarding Jeter for his past successes (in which he’s already been paid in excess of $205 million, a pretty damn good compensation) or his future performances, which will very likely not be worth $76 million, much less a whopping $105 million if he got a five year deal with a $21 million a year average.

So, do the Yankees low ball Jeter? Say they offer a three year, $48 million offfer? If they  did, would he get offended and be vindictive enough to walk? Would there be another team willing to pony up serious money to sign him? (Could you imagine a scenario where Joe Torre stays in LA and the Dodgers tempt Jeter with a five year, $90 million offer? What about the Braves looking to make some serious noise?)

Ok, I highly doubt such a bizarre situation could play out, however it’s something to consider. Phil mentioned last night he thought that Jeter has been the best centerfielder on the Yankees the last few years. Would s larger contract come with a decree from the Yankees for Jeter to move? Would his pride get in the way for such as move?

Listen, no one is going to cry for the Yankees if they wind up having to overpay Jeter in the tune of… say… $85 million for four years where the last few years are grossly overspent. The Yankees can afford it, right?

Maybe. Maybe not. The Yankees are in a tight position here. They have the face of the franchise… the figure that everyone thinks of first when you mention pinstripes. To the younger generation, Jeter is bigger than Ruth, Mantle and Jackson. To the older generation, he’s right in line with those names. No one would win from a divorce between Jeter and the Yanks, and like I said above, I cannot really imagine a scenario where it would happen… however that doesn’t mean the negotiations will be smooth or the end result will be one that is mutually benefitical for both parties.

I get the feeling that in the end, the Yankees will not have the stomach to offer Jeter what he’s worth going forward… which I feel is a two year deal at $14/14.5 million a year with a club option for a third year. The Yankees have paid Jeter well for his past services and don’t need to reward him in that way. Jeter will have a lifetime contact with the Yanks after he retires that will be a nice “reward” for all of his past services (as well as the gobs and gobs of dough he’s already made). My predicti0n? A four year deal worth roughly $14.75 a year or about $60 million. Is it the right move? I can’t answer that. Like I said above though… if anyone could absorb that sort of contact, it’s the Yankees.

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Maybe Jerry Manuel Should Act Like This

Posted on August 30, 2010 by baseballblogs| Leave a comment

As many Mets fan look back on this season, there are some good things to take away I must admit, but I really have not seen a lot from Jerry Manuel. In my opinion in the first half of the year alone pitching and other positional moves cost the Mets many games. Maybe if Jerry took some advice from this Minor Leauge Manager……………….. t

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NY Baseball Blogs Live: Tonight at 7 PM

Posted on August 29, 2010 by Pat Nestor| Leave a comment

Pat Nestor and Frankie The Sports Guy will talk New York Baseball tonight including the Yankees’ fight for first place, the Mets lost opportunities to pick up ground in the wild card chase, and much more. Joning them will be Phil Speranza from the Yankees blogsite BehindtheBombers.com. Get in on the action by calling: 1-646-716-8896. The show will start at 7 pm

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Should Parnell Be Closing?

Posted on August 25, 2010 by Pat Nestor| Leave a comment

by Pat Nestor

With Francisco Rodriguez’s season over due to his scuffle with his common-law Father-In-Law, the Mets have been using Hisanori Takahashi as their closer and he’s done a pretty good job. The Mets have actually picked up a game and half in the wildcard standings the last two days and are likely to keep things as they are as they try and see if they can somehow worm their way into playoff contention (as slim a chance it is) over the next two weeks.

However if things do not go the Mets way (and likely it will not, even if the Mets are able to lift their play to the level they were at in May and June) I have to wonder if the Mets would be better served by letting Bobby Parnell have a go at closing.

I think that the idea has some serious merit. I thought I was alone in the thought until I read a post saying the same thing from Matt Cerone over at metsblog.com. Parnell had a small period where he struggled not too long ago, but has been pretty spectaular since and overall has had a good season. The main thing is though, that the guy can bring some serious heat (he hit 101 in a recent game against the Houston Astros and 99 a number of times against the Pittsburg Pirates) and he’s young (only 25, compared to Takahashi’s 34). Looking at the volatile situations concerning closers these days, it would behoove the Mets to see if they have a very inexpensive alternative to close other than K-Rod or even just going forward for life after him.

At this point, it’s kind of obvious the Mets are looking to push forward with the idea of prospects and home grown players being a huge part of this team going into 2011 and beyond. Ike Davis is the 1st baseman. I think Ruben Tejada has the advantage on the 2nd base job for next year if he can show this season he can hit at least a little bit (with Daniel Murphy being more of a threat to him for next year than Luis Castillo is) . Jenrry Mejia is widely expected to be on the roster next year, either in the bullpen or give a shot to start. Kirk Nieuwenuis, Dillon Gee, Fernando Martinez and Pat Misch will all have a serious shot at making the team in 2011. Isn’t it a good idea to get at least a notion if Parnell has the ability to close and bounce back after a bad outing in a pressure situation?

It’s worth investigating the idea. If the Mets really are going to be a more thrifty team going forward and the young movement seems to be on the forefront of business, then they should see if they have an important cog now, and not wait until later. The Mets have a habit of putting themselves in a position to scramble, and it would be a good idea to avoid that.

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Cano Makes it Hard to Miss A-Rod

Posted on August 23, 2010 by Pat Nestor| 1 Comment

by Pat Nestor

The news over the weekend that Alex Rodriguez was going on the DL would worry a number of teams, but for the Yankees it seemed almost like a “Hhhm? What? Oh yeah, ok.” sort of reaction.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m sure the team would much rather have their slugging 3rd Baseman -playing everyday, but in his absence, their 2nd baseman has picked up any slack and continues a spectacular season.

Robinson Cano has put together the type of season the Yankees have envisioned over the last couple of years. Reports of Cano’s lack of focus and maturity issues seemed to dog the young 2nd baseman and a number of people wondered if the trade of Melkey Cabrara was partly to ensure the removal of  Cano’s “partner in crime” which would in tourn help him be more consistant and baseball minded.

Perhaps the absence of Cabrara has played a part, perhaps not. In any case, Cano’s numbers have lifted his stature from a solid player in the upper percentage of the league’s Second Basemen, to perhaps the best player at the position in all of Major League Baseball.

His number are sweet: .325 batting average, 25 home runs, 86 rbi, 45 walkss and 58 strike outs in 477 at-bats. Even his errors are down. He’s already tied his 2009 final number in home runs and actually has one more rbi than all of last year.  His strike outs are a little above past seasons but not by a lot and his overall production is very elevated to the point that Cano will get some  MVP consideration.

The Yankees are known for being a slugging team, with A-Rod and Mark Teixeria being the main names on the big bopper list and Jorge Posada, Curtis Granderson and Nick Swisher being the next ones in line in a lot of fans’ minds. Posada’s age, health and decrease in production and Granderson’s weak season play a factor in a change here, but even if they were putting up numbers like in the past, I think Cano really has to be looked at as one of the most dangerous hitters on the team, perhaps only really behind Teixeria at this point.

It will be interesting to see how Cano handles the role of big bat once the playoff crunch gets here, but so far his season has given the Yankees reason to believe they have a powerhouse in the lineup for years to come.

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