Mariano Rivera

In what we hope is now the post steroid era in MLB we were reminded tonight that no one is bigger than the game itself.
Mariano Rivera gave merely a grin as he was congratulated by Mark Teixeira after recording the final out on his 500th save. Teixeira actually fell down retreating to cover first before recovering to make the putout. Rivera however, always the professional, had sprinted to first to back up his teammate and was right there when the out was recorded.
In a time when players celebrate every little thing they do it was refreshing to see Rivera act like he’s been there before. 499 times before. There is no pointing to the sky, pounding his chest,triple sow cow fist pump, or hollering some post war battle cry. His performance alone speaks volumes.
From 1 to 500 Rivera has been a model of consistency. He has been described as mechanical, a machine, effortless. Yet he goes out every time with the same demeanor and approach: Here it is, hit it.
More times than not he ends up victorious. However, even in defeat he is gracious, professional and even consistent. Remember that wry smile as he walked off the mound in Arizona after losing game 7 of the World Series?
There is no telling how much he has left in the tank or if he will ever get the chance to close out another series clinching victory. However, if you are not enjoying it now for what it is then you are just not a fan of the game. For a guy who has been accused of having ice in his veins at least we know it’s only water.

Congratulations MO!

Crian Bruney

Dude are you kidding? Shut up and play baseball. The guy’s ERA is starts with a ZERO!

Oh I am sorry did you not hear? Brian “Cryin” Bruney was upset with K-Rod for his antics on the mound. Citing that he was not taught to play that way and calling Francisco Rodriguez’s animated mound celebrations “a tired act”

GROW UP! First of  all worry about yourself and staying healthy and earning your own inning as a reliever. Second of all why K-Rod? If you want to get into it with someone what about Papelbon? He celebrates more than anyone after beating the Yankees. At least K-rod celebrates the same way weather he beats the Yankees or strikes out the pizza delivery guy from team Italy in the WBC. Well either way Francisco Cervelli cant touch him. In the meantime the guy saved 62 games last year more than you’ll ever get to sniff at in your career. Perhaps you should talk to Joba Chamberlain about celebrating after he strikes out the pizza delivery guy. Or was it DiGiorno?

You know what? You are an idiot. You are just another cry baby. If you do not like it and you think someone is showing you up then drill’em in the ass when they get up to bat and be prepared to throw your hands like a man. Otherwise keep your mouth shut. Talk is cheap. I hate players who talk and whine and try to sound tough while doing it. By the way what happened when K-Rod got in your face today before the game? You punked out didn’t you?

BE A MAN!

You haven’t even pitched since April 21st. You are supposed to be a bridge to Mariano Rivera but you can’t even set the clock on your VCR let alone set the table for Mo.

Bottom line is no one likes it. Not even Met fans. So you are not telling us something we already don’t know. The difference you can actually do something about it. Talk is for the bums, and has-beens that never were, sitting at the bar.

“I was taught to play the game a different way and you won’t see me doing those kinds of things.” But do we have to listen you whine and moan like a little girl? Is that what they taught you in Oregon or did you learn that on the set of Kindergarten Cop?

Go back to your crab boat you freaking sea hag.

Bunch Of Stiffs

The New York Yankees are in unfamiliar territory. Their own home field. Mystique and Aura no longer appearing nightly. Usually played at 161st and River the World Series will surely not be held in the Bronx this year. The Yankees just plain suck. From top to bottom they are a disaster of a team with less identity then the New York Jets. Now that is hard to do.

Nick Swisher has become a folk hero overnight. He is more of a “true yankee” than Giambi Mussina and A-Rod combined and he has been in the Bronx for 3 days. And he is doing it while the team is struggling to even get out of its own way.

Joe Girardi is not managing this team like the guy who won manager of the year in 2006. Where is the Billy Martin in him that we all heard about? You can see in his press conferences and hear it in his voice. He is not himself. You cannot manage like that and win at the major league level. PUT YOUR FOOT DOWN JOE! Step on some toes and get the zoo going man. Tell Hal and Hank to go build some ships and leave the team decisions to you. MANAGE HOW YOU WANNA MANAGE!

Joba: Give it up, you are not a starter. You have the make up of a closer. A big guy with a mean attitude that can crank it up for an inning or two and be untouchable 3 or 4 times a week. Take your place behind Mo while he keeps the seat warm for you. The transition will be seamless… like your fastball after the 3rd inning.

Derek Jeter: Just admit you do not belong in the leadoff spot and you should probably be batting closer to the bottom if not last itself. Joe DiMaggio walked away at your age instead of holding on or taking a lesser role. And those were just whispers. What you are hearing is a LOUD ROAR! You have a caddie now? WOW! That in itself speaks volumes.

Jorge Posada: Give it up man. Molina is a great defensive catcher. You have nothing to prove. You could not throw guys out before you got hurt. Not one person expects you to throw anyone out now or cares if you do. just except the role of DH and back up firstbaseman/catcher and we can move on.

Johnny Damon: Feelin the love now Johnny?

Brett Gardner: Can you have a bigger hole that lefty loop? Shorten up the bat, choke up and be a hitter and get on base. Come on man didn’t you see Major League?

Melky Cabrera: You had to know last year you were competing for your job. You are not a centerfielder. But an outfielder nonetheless. They went out and got Nady and Swisher gave your job to Gardner and offered you in at least two trades. You think you could lose a pound?

A-Rod: take your time

I could go on but it’s not worth it. If you grew up in the late 70’s and suffered through the 80’s like I did watching this team you know that this team is far from greatness. World Series? Yeah right. They wont even make the playoffs. Yes it’s April and I said it.

Prove me wrong!

Ruth Aaron Mays…Rice?

Lest we not forget Williams, DiMaggio and Mantle. I am not sure anymore what if anything the Hall Of Fame means or should mean to anyone outside of MLB. There is no scientific formula that separates one player from the next in terms of voting. The voters themselves seem to be arbitrary at best and frankly what makes them more qualified than the average fan? We do not need them to tell us who is and who is not the best we have ever seen. We can see it for ourselves or at the very least look it up.

After a while it all seems meaningless anyway. The Hall of Fame in my most humblest of opinions should be reserved for the best of the best. So I ask you all who was the best of the best? How do we decide who is eligible and by what standard? I will give you my all time 25 man roster and you can come back at me with anything you like.

1. LF Rickey Henderson

2. RF Henry Aaron

3. P Babe Ruth (dh what’s that?)

4. CF Willie Mays

5. 1B Lou Gehrig

6 3B Brooks Robinson

7. 2B Jackie Robinson

8. C Yogi Berra

9. SS Cal Ripken Jr.

Ted Williams

Mickey Mantle

Pete Rose

Phil Rizzuto

Josh Gibson

Ken Griffey Jr

George Brett

Sandy Kofax

Steve Carlton

Bob Gibson

Satchel Paige

Nolan Ryan

Mariano Rivera

Cy Young

Walter Johnson

John Smoltz