Jerry Hairston Jr.

Phew.  After the Game 5 debacle, I was worried the Yankees would choke and that Jerry Hairston Jr. would not get his long awaited ring. 

Sure, the Yankees spent a combined $420M on contracts for Teixeira, Sabathia and Burnett. 

Sure, the combined salaries of the aforementioned 3, plus Jeter and A-Rod, total almost $900M. 

Sure, the Yankees payroll, is $200M and at least 30% above its next insufferable competitor, the Red Sox.*

But for those that know baseball, it was the trade deadline acquisition of Mr. Hairston from the Reds (again, the Rich get Richer) that put the Yankees over the top.  He will join the names Cairo, Brosius, Curtis, as THE key ingredient in Yankee Championship lore.   So it is nice to see the non-pitcher free agent gambles on Hairston and Teixeira (combined 2009 Salary of $22,650,000) work out.

* I must, in deference to my fellow blogger, CraigBe, give props to the Yankees.  After all, after signing the trio, only a World Series Championship would be considered a success, so I have to give the Yanks credit for answering the challenge.

Now on to some other interesting tidbits:

• Hideki Matsui was the MVP of the World Series.  He joined the Yanks in 2003, so this was his 7th season in the majors.  And you CANNOT be interviewed in English?  Really?  English is so difficult, more so than Japanese, that you cannot answer postgame questions in English?  Every year, a bunch of kids come to the states from all over Latin America.  They are usually 16 or so, and are not particularly educated.  They are certainly not Japanese Professional Baseball League veterans who are in their 20s.  Yet they learn English, unless testifying before Congress (see Sosa, Sammy).  Hideki, and while I am at it, Ichiro, c’mon, learn the language.  If Yes MSG spent 7 years blogging in Japan, well, let me just say, Arigato!
• Kate Hudson is Penny Lane.  Seriously, she is a Celeb groupie.  First she marries Chris Robinson of the Black Crowes.  Then she hangs with 7 time TDF Champion Lance Armstrong.  And now A-Rod.  Amazing success who is a 5 as an actress, and about the same as a ‘looker.’
• One writer wrote about how theYankees ‘elusive’ 27th title.  Can a 27th title be elusive?  The only professional sports team within shouting distance is the Montreal Canadiens, with 24.  And they won most of those when there were six teams in the NHL.  Well, considering that the Yankees closest baseball pursuers are the Cardinals with 10 titles, the A’s with 9, the Red Sox with 7, and the Dodgers with 6 (out of a second most 18 WS appearances behind the Yankees 40), I guess we will not hear that line for a while again.
• Jeter, Rivera, and Posada all joined the Yankees 15 year ago and won their 5th titles.  That is an amazing Rookie Class.  The best closer in history, a HOF shortstop, and a borderline HOF catcher.  This is amazing player development that gets overshadowed by all the Free Agent signings.

OK, then.  Baseball is over, so now we can get away from Tim McCarver and Joe Buck, and back to what matters, Football!

 

Mythbusting

Now Yes MSG could focus on giving you World Series tips.  But I cannot possibly provide the insight that my more well-heeled brethren at SI and ESPN are providing.  Just today, for example, they both had the same story on the Phillies: that to win, Ryan Howard, who led the majors in HR and RBIs, but who is currently 3-19, with one RBI and 12Ks, needs to turn it around.  Of course, for a guy who hit 0.207 against lefties in the regular season, and is facing Andy Pettitte, well, unlikely.  Anyway, I can only someday hope to give such insight.  In the interim, let me go ahead with some myth busting.

• The Phillies should have started Cliff Lee in Game 4.  Let’s remember a couple of things — it was 4-4 going into the 9th.  Leading 4-3 in the eighth, Yankee fans were none too “Feliz” when Pedro tied it up with a solo HR off of Joba Chamberlain.  So up to that time, Joe Blanton and the relievers had allowed a not great/not bad 4 runs.  Unfortunately, Phillie fans had to be talked off of the “Lidge” when Brad allowed Damon to get on, then steal second and third on a single pitch, resutling in him being ‘unable’ to throw his slider with a runner on third for fear of a passed ball.  Um, boys, this is the major leagues….OK, bear with meCliff Lee pitched game 5, fully rested.  He gave up 5 runs in 7 innings, albeit 3 of those runs came in the eighth (he got no outs).  So who is to say he would not have pitched worse on three days rest?  No, the Phillies potentially lost the series in Game 2, when they squandered Pedro Martinez’ fine outing, and would have been better off sacrificing Cole Hamels pathetic outing.  Of course, this decision was not really one that could be challenged, as pitching Cole at home, where he ERA is about a run lower, was a no brainer.
• Baseball has parity as teams like the Marlins have won World Series.  This article says it all, and while I do not totally agree with the author, I think that the whole Dynasty Theory (people like seeing the Yanks and Red Sox in the series) overvalues the post season TV ratings at the expense of the regular season and fandom.  Think about it.  Bud Selig is concerned with Post Season TV ratings – always better with big market teams — and the Fox game of the week — always better with big market teams.  What he is not concerned with are the local ratings for the Mariners, Royals, Rockies, etc.And yes, Small Market teams do get hot and make the post season.  But with the exception of the Twins, and previously the A’s, there is little consistency here.  These teams make limited runs — limited = one year, then lose their best players to the big market teams in Free Agency.  Anyone remember CC pitching for the Indians, then the Brewers?  Teixeira in Texas?  Holladay in Oakland?  Mauer in Minnesota.*  It is nice when you can afford to make these kinds of mistakes, but only Yankees, Red Sox and a few others can afford disasters on the Giambi, Kevin Brown level.  Other teams are saddled with those contracts for years. * OK, Mauer has not left Minnesota as a Free Agent, yet, but expect him to go to NY or Boston.Now I am not absolving teams from spending their money unwisely (see Giants, San Francisco – Zito, Barry), or not caring (see Royals, KC), but having such a huge disparity makes the margin for error so slight for the majority of teams not in large markets (unless, of course, the owners are in divorce court — see McCourts, Dodgers).  I think this will hurt baseball in the medium term, but then again, having never been a front runner, maybe I am an outlier. 

  For a more eloquent discourse of this, read the article I mention above.

• Iowa is the 4th best team in the nation.  I appreciate the Hawkeyes ability to make tremendous comebacks, but you cannot be BCS Title Game material and have benefited from: a)  not one, but two blocked FGs (consecutive plays at that) to beat Northern Iowa; b) Michigan State playing an absolutely indefensible defense, rushing 7 and leaving DBs with man-to-man coverage when Iowa faced 4th and Goal from the 7 (THE SEVEN); why not play 7 on the goal line and rush 4?; c) Indiana being the victim of misfortune — driving for a TD or FG, a pass is deflected 3 times into the hands of an Iowa defender who races almost 90 yards for a TD — and a terrible TD overturn by a blind replay ref — Indiana had scored a TD and the video seemed to show the receiver with a leg down in the end zone, as was the call on the field, but the replay ref says the receiver is out of bounds, nullifying the TD, and then Indiana misses the FG.  So that is at least 1 17 point turnaround in an 18 point game.  Iowa cannot possibly emerge unscathed from its visit to Ohio State.
• USC beat itself.  OK, this is only a myth that needs to be busted in LA.  Oregon worked USC so get over it Trojan fans.  Look, and I hate to say this, but there is no ignominy in defeat, especially when this was your first loss by more than 7 points since 2001.  No, that is not a typo.  That stat is so incredulous that I cannot even fathom it. 
• Florida / Alabama will play University of Texas in the BCS Title Game.  Sorry, cannot bust this one.  LSU is unlikely to beat Alabama in Tuscaloosa, Florida has not more difficult games, unless you count South Carolina and the “ol Ball Coach.”  And Texas was vulnerable but either played cupcakes, an injury riddled Oklahoma, and pretenders.  Now they are rolling and face no one of consequence from here on out.
• Brett Favre is the reason the Vikings are 6-1.  We all know that I think Fav-ruh is insufferable; however, I have enjoyed his renaissance this year, and he is playing well, especially against Packers — 7 TDs and no INTs.  However, while Favre has a QB rating of about 130 in the two games against the Pack, versus Rodgers 110, do you really think that if you changed QBs, the Vikes would not have won both games with Rodgers.  Rodgers has a long ways to go to be Favre, but give him Adrian Peterson, Percy Harvin and Jared Allen, sack Favre 14 times in two games, and I think we know the answer.  No QB, even one as good as Brett, can make up the talent difference between the Pack and the Vikes.

Myths?

Busted!

Sports B(C)S

Yes MSG is going internatonal tomorrow (ok, only Canada) to catch U2, so got to cover a lot today as no guarantee I post again before Saturday.  Scroll to the bottom if you just want the Kardashians and the sordid EScaPades(N).

So let’s start with the BCS.

1	Florida	7-0
2	Alabama	8-0
3	Texas	7-0
4	Iowa	8-0
5	USC	6-1
6	TCU	7-0
7	Boise State	7-0
8	Cincinnati	7-0
9	LSU	6-1
10	Oregon	6-1

Florida, Alabama and Iowa all should have lost, and, it is hoped, they will.  Seems just in a year like this one.  Texas will not lose as they don’t play anyone. Oklahoma State does not have Dez Bryant, because he, like PacMan Jones and Michael Crabtree, sought out advice from Deion Sanders, and that does not end well for anyone, except, perhaps, Deion.  So Dez gets to sit out the year, and despite another year of eligibility, will turn pro.  In fact, Yes MSG predicts that Dez has already attended his last class at OSU.

And exactly how is USC 5 when it lost to a mediocre Washington team?  Anything to stop it from being TCU and Cincinnati I guess. But perhaps Oregon will take out the Trojans and then we get to see how rigged the system is.  Would a one-loss Oregon pass undefeated TCU, Cincy and Boise? 

Here is hoping for a complete mess!

And what about those NFL QBs?

Favre had a fumble returned for a TD and threw a pick six, so at least he finally lost.

the Niners decided that Shaun Hill was not going to lead them to the Super Bowl.  Really?  Look, I appreciate that he is a gamer, but unless you are Trent Dilfer backed up by a sick defense, you are not winning the Super Bowl with Shaun Hill.  Now whether you win with Alex Smith….who knows. 

You remember Alex Smith?  First pick in the draft when the Niners should have taken Aaron Rodgers.  At least he was not as bad a draft pick as JaMarcus, Tim Couch, Akili Smith, Vince Young, Brady Quinn (who cannot beat out Derek Anderson – seee below), Matt Leinart, etc.

(OK, not a QB but instead of rehashing how stupid it was to give Matt Cassel, of the 72 QB rating, $63M, let’s talk about the troubled Larry Johnson.  I will not comment here, but this is a great article by Joe Posnanski)

Quick Soccer Interlude.

I know everyone says Europe is so much more sophisticated and mature than the USA.  In many walks of life it may be but definitely not in sport.  I was catching a bit of the Champions’ League and the advertising around the stadium basically says “Say No to Racism.”  Really?  We have to s-p-e-l-l that out for people?  Apparently we do.  Seems that Euro soccer fans like to chant racist things against opposing players, especially when African or of African descent.

I am not saying that racism is dead here in the USA, but having attended sporting events for almost 40 years, I have never heard anything that would require this kind of advertisment.  Unless it was, of course, “Say No to Racism (sponsored by Budweiser).”

Tough call for the next topic, but let’s go with Basketball and save the Sexual Escapades at ESPN for later.

So the NBA started this evening, which will fortunately allow me to avoid all the Yankee worship* that starts tomorrow. 

*Sorry, but the Yanks spent $420M on Sabathia, Tex and Burnett (toss in Jeter and Arod’s contracts and you are already at salaries of $900M (no, that is not a misprint)), so I just enjoy it more when the Yanks spend $100+M on the Giambi’s and Kevin Brown’s of the world.  I hope the Phils take ‘em, but nevertheless, the salary discrepancy numbers are ridonculous.  In fact, if you want a good baseball story, check out Dodgers owners, the McCourts, divorce proceedings.  Here is a little sampling:

Jamie McCourt’s filing states she is seeking reinstatement as the team’s CEO as well as access to perks including travel by private jet, stays at five-star resorts and use of the Dodgers owners’ suite. She wants $321,000 a month in spousal support if reinstated to her former position. If not, she believes she should be paid nearly $488,000 per month.

First off, Cleveland lost at home, with Shaq and LeBron, to the Celtics.  So now the Cleveland sports fan has realized:

• The Shaq-uisition (get it?) was a disaster.  The Celts are better than the Cavs. LeBron will sign elsewhere next offseason.  Add to this….
• The Browns are absolutely atrocious, and their QB, Derek Anderson, has a QB rating of 40.6, and their coach is an a-hole.  Was better when Modell moved the Ravens (nee Browns) to Baltimore
• The Indians were one win from the World Series in 2007, with, ironically, CC Sabathia going, and still lost three straight to Boston.  Now they have to watch two ex-pitchers, CC and Cliff Lee, go against each other in game 1 of the World Series.  Excuse them if World Series ratings are rather low in Cleveland
• They live in Cleveland

In other BBall news:

- Blake Griffin is hurt and not playing; but of course, he is a Clipper

- Baron Davis is banged up after a single game.  Of course he is, he is Baron Davis, AND he is a Clipper

- Lamar Odom married Khloe Kardashian.  He would have done better choosing Door Number 2 or 3 or 4 on Let’s Make a Deal.

Khloe Kourtney  Kim  Bruce

Finally, before we move on the Steve Philips Lewisnky-type scandal, check out this article on how Antoine Walker may have blown $100M in career earnings, and how his mom may not be the best Forensic Accountant out there.  The fact that Antoine had a “VC” (Walker Ventures LLC) and a Real Estate company (AW Realty LLC) might have been two warning signs.  I mean, with $100M in earnings, and say $40M net after taxes, agents, splurging, etc.  I would rather invest in real estate than just take my $4M a year in interest. 

Finally Mr. Phillips of ESPN.

ESPN seems to have a sordid history of sexual misconduct — Phililps, Harold Reynolds, Mike Tirico (he survived as he is the equivalent of the star Running Back), Stu Scott — but some of this story takes the proverbial cake.  The New York Post has the most comprehensive coverage, and the letter his mistress wrote his wife is Fatal Attraction.  It is disturbing and absolutely compelling in itself.  And in true Lewinsky style, his choice in mistresses seems to be as good as his selection of players while GM of the Mets.  Judge for yourself, but I think he just traded in his job and marriage for a .220 hitting shortstop who is never making it to AAA, much less the Big Leagues.  Not to mix sports metaphors, but this is the Infidelity equivalent of Ryan Leaf.

You are an Ex_GM, a good looking 46 year old, you made millions, and this is your choice?  His wife is probably pi$$ed AND embarra$$ed!  More the latter I expect.

Yes MSG Guide to Parenting

Yes MSG has two kids under the age of 4.  And sometimes, the myriad activities cause me to miss some sporting action.  I did not know how to sum up my thoughts; but then of course, I see that Bill Simmons did it for me.  I have a minor addendum after.

Important note: Being a parent of young kids sucks. Don’t let anyone tell you differently. About six months ago, I wanted to start a Twitter account of quotes my wife screamed in the heat of those my-kids-are-driving-me-crazy-moments such as these: “If you don’t stop crying, I am going to stick you in the microwave!!!!” and “Fine, climb up the stairs again; I hope you fall down, I really do!” She wouldn’t let me because she thought child services would arrest us. The truth is, every parent snaps from time to time. We can’t help it. Our kids’ job is to suck all forms of life from us, frighten us, embarrass us in public and prevent us from sleeping until they turn 4. We pretend it’s not so bad when, really, it’s mostly horrible and even somewhat indefensible. But — and this is a big but — they parcel out just enough, “Wow, I’m so glad I had kids” moments to make it all worth it. And that’s what Halloween is: an entire “Wow, I’m so glad I had kids” day. At least until they eat too much chocolate and wake us up at 5 the next morning because they’re Exorcist vomiting. But I digress.

So I figure you have to incorporate your child’s (mis)behavior into an opportunity.  For instance, last night the older boy did not want to eat, bathe, etc.  Just wanted to watch TV (not MNF, but Dora or something).  So he got a timeout (aptly named) and had to go to his room.  Now how long should a time out last?  Well, using the Yes MSG Associative Property of FTO — Flexible Time Outs — it should last as long as a tranche of action in the game you want to see.  For example, last night, it lasted long enough for me to watch the Phillies score 3 runs with two outs in the ninth to eliminate the Rockies, and qualify for the NLCS versus the Dodgers.  Had Yes RPG not misbehaved, Iwould have missed that.  Plus, I could not hear his screaming over the TV volume!

But that was not all….

The two month old, Yes RPG II, did not want to sleep after feeding, so Yes CPG, the missus, was delayed in coming down for dinner.  Being the good husband that I am, I did not want to eat without her.  Of course, this also afforded me the opportunity to watch Chad Henne (now the second most famous Chad in Florida being “Hanging” Chad) and Ronnie Brown (Wildcat) drive the Dolphins down the field for the winning TD with only 7 seconds remaining.

So see, Simmons is right, but it helps to incorporate discipline and sports watching for a rewarding Parenting experience.  I can now say that without my two, I would not enjoy Halloween as much, or have seen two great sporting finishes!

Oh Yeah! Baseball

In my haste to remind my readers about NHL and WNBA, I forgot to mention that the baseball playoffs just started.  Actually, I did not forget, I just did not care.  Let’s see, we have the Yanks, Red Sox, Dodgers, and then like 5 other teams.

I recognize that baseball prefers to the big market teams because that means big ratings.  But if you look at the season from April to October / November, is this really the best thing?  Each year you are fairly sure the Yanks and Red Sox will be in the pennant race, and the Cards will likely contend, then it is a bit of a crapshoot, except that many of the small market teams will be eliminated by June. 

Now we all know that Football dominates baseball in the national consciousness.  SportsCenter just went through the Crabtree signing by the Niners before showing the Phils-Rockies highlights.  [Really, a signature is more important to the general public than the defense of the World Series title by the Phils?  Well, who am I to doubt ESPN, it obviously is.]  But the fact that the NFL seems to have more parity and that your teams can make the jump yearly must account for something.  And while the Pats, Colts and Steelers are definitely perennial contenders, their financial advantage is not so great, due to revenue share and salary cap.

Conversely, we like to give the Yanks so much credit for contending, but is it that hard to be Brian Cashman (aptly named) when your offseason ’strategy’ is sign:

• Best available pitcher, Sabathia, $160M – check
• Best available position player, Teixeira, $180M – check

and for good measure, add on a prayer, AJ Burnett, $80 – check

Yeah Mr. Steinbrenner, that seems like a good plan, since we already have Jeter ($189M), A-Rod ($280M), Mariano ($40M) and Jorge ($40M) lined up.  Sure, the Giambi curse could hit, but do you have or need another plan when you have unlimited resources.

If you had to buy a team, wouldn’t you take the Minnesota Twins GM who is able to do almost as much with a LOT fewer dollars?  Heck, if you are a billionaire, you don’t even need a GM.  Ironically, thw Twins GM will lose all-world catcher Joe Mauer to the Yanks in free agency in a couple of years.  Probably $160-180M.  That signing will be accompanied by the Yanks signing Seattle’s Felix Rodriguez.  Wow, cannot wait for the 2012 World Series.

I prefer to watch the Big 12 matchup tomorrow night between Nebraska and Missouri, than the boring baseball playoffs, but that is just me.  If you have 4 hours to kill, then go right ahead. 

As an aside, CC came up big, no pun intended, but isn’t this a couple of years too late?  In 2007, the Cleveland Indians held a 3-1 lead in the ALCS against the not yet totally, repeat totally, insufferable Red Sox.  CC and Fausto Carmona came up small, tiny even, and Boston went on to win in 7 and then sweep the Rockies in the World Series.  Had CC pitched well and closed it out, the Indians beat Colorado in the World Series, maybe he stays, or not, in Cleveland, and Mark Shapiro is not fired from his GM position.  Plus, the city of Cleveland, currently living and dying with LeBron (who will also sign with the Yankees next summer) would be trying to bring a second championship to the city by the lake.   Just saying that winning for the Indians is monumental; winning on the Yankees, ho hum.

OK, Yes MSG already fed and put to bed Yes RPG and Yes RPG II, and got online for you, the loyal readership, even at this late hour.  Dedication.  I promise not to sign with the highest bidder for my services, but to remain true to those of you who have made me the 43,223,555 most popular blog worldwide!

No Fav-ruh

I recently received a request from a reader, which is actually a pretty big deal when your readership numbers in the single digits.  This reader requested a blog posting about Brett Favre. 

As this reader is from North Dakota (or is it South?), and has no sports teams within thousands of miles, obviously the Pack represent the closest thing to the “Big City” in his life.  And I would hate to disappoint him, BUT I HAVE TO. 

We have been through this before, 3, 4, 5 times.  Really, just go read any item in the Wisconsin Post Gazette dated May 12, 2006, 2007, 2008 and it will get you up to date.  So until Brett signs with the Purple, leave me alone.  Oh, but keep reading my blog.  And as a compromise, I will link to this hysterical article on the Favre Comeback/Retirement/Comeback story, so knock yourself out Dakota.

And if one of my remaining 6 readers want a Clemens article about his ‘alleged’ steroid use, see the paragraph above, substitute Arrogant, Egocentric Pitcher for Overly Sensitive Diva-esque Quarterback, and you have your answer.

Now if you want to read something good about a more contemporary insensitive, overly egotistical, detached, yet talented superstar, read this article by Tim Keown about Kobe Bryant:

Leave the scowl at home, Kobe

---

By Tim Keown
Page 2The strangest moment of the NBA playoffs took place during Game 3 of the Lakers-Rockets series, when Kobe Bryant hit an 18-foot turnaround jumper from the left elbow with Shane Battier’s right hand in his face. Bryant immediately began shaking his head with a look that indicated he smelled something really bad. This — as you know — is Kobe’s dismissive face, the one he now makes after nearly every basket.

But that wasn’t the strange part — after all, how can something be strange when it happens anywhere from 10 to 25 times a game? The strange part came afterward, when he started back downcourt and turned to the TNT broadcasters at center court and yelled toward commentator Doug Collins.

	We get it Kobe, no one can guard you. Now keep quiet and play the game.

“He can’t guard me,” Bryant said. Shaking his head, his mouth curled downward in a semicircle of disgust, he stared down Collins and said it again, “He can’t guard me.”

There was a pause on the broadcast. OK, that was meant for us, you could almost hear them thinking. So … what do we say now? They couldn’t ignore it, because it was clear to everyone watching that they were taken aback and that Kobe was the reason. Kevin Harlan acknowledged that Kobe was targeting Collins, one of the most even and knowledgeable minds in the game. When Harlan asked his partner what it was all about, Collins sounded genuinely perplexed. “I’m not sure,” he said, and they quickly and quietly moved on.

And that’s the deal about Kobe: None of us is sure. How can a guy with that much talent play with such little joy? Why does he feel he has to put on that phony tough-guy show all the time? Underneath all that pre-fab armor, who is he? Does he even know?

It’s sad, maybe, but Kobe will never be appreciated in a manner commensurate with his ability. He’s in the process of turning himself into an antihero. (In many respects, he is similar to Alex Rodriguez, another tin-eared superstar.) Everything he does reeks of insecurity, which is a really weird trait for a guy who — along with LeBron James — is a once-a-decade basketball talent.

Unlike LeBron, though, Kobe can’t let his game speak for him. He has to accentuate everything with the facial expressions and the dismissiveness. It’s not enough for him to beat someone; he feels compelled to belittle that person in the process. That’s why one of the best things about the Lakers-Rockets series — and, really, it’s turning into a 700-page novel — has been Shane Battier’s reaction to Kobe’s antics. And that reaction is this: zero. None. He acts as though he can’t hear or see any of it.

Hey, Kobe, we know you’re great. You know you’re great. Shane Battier knows you’re great. How about letting someone else say it first every once in a while? The way it works now, you’re telling us so often that we’re getting tired of it. Let us be the judge of whether someone can or cannot guard you. It’s pretty self-explanatory, to Doug Collins and everybody else.

You see, I want to be able to enjoy Kobe’s talent. I want to see it the way I see LeBron’s: transcendent, mostly pure and emanating outward. It probably will never happen, though. Kobe won’t let it.

For a guy with such a constant flow of creativity running through his game, it’s amazing to see how calculated he is about his image. He comes across as though he’s reading a script, and he’s all wrong for the part (maybe Alan Alda reading a part meant for Harvey Keitel). There are just too many false notes, and the worst part is, he actually seems to believe this is what people want from him. This is the persona he has cultivated, and he’s going with it no matter what. It’s really kind of sad.

And this is where Kobe veers from the arrogant antihero routine perfected by someone such as Barry Bonds. Bonds didn’t care what you thought about him. He thrived off the anger he generated. But this preening, jaw-jutting, head-shaking character is what Kobe believes people want.

Maybe it’s his attempt to answer the questions of the Lakers’ toughness. I don’t know, but in the playoffs, his performances generally follow one of two themes: (1) He takes over the game and taunts everybody in sight, demanding that all acknowledge his greatness or (2) he steps back and intentionally doesn’t take over a game, in which case his attitude seems to be, “See what they look like without me?” Either way, it’s a tough act to embrace.

In the wake of Sunday’s Game 4 disaster, when Battier and Ron Artest did guard Kobe — and after which Magic Johnson said the Lakers defiled the team’s honor — it’s a good bet Kobe will be at his contrived best in Tuesday night’s Game 5. He’ll probably dominate, and he’ll undoubtedly let us know.

But here’s a radical idea: Stop with the smugness and the arrogance. Play your game and let your talent speak for itself. You might not know this, but it does a much better job than you do. And if you’re not going to enjoy what you bring to the court, at least give us half a chance.

Manny Being Daddy

Apologies to all of those who read my blog many times a day, but i needed to update this post.  As you know, Yes MSG is all about quality, insight and originality.  And i was displeased with my effort last night.  So after a night of tossing and turning on what does it all mean, i decided that this issue of PEDs is a red herring.  To update, this should have been Manny’s response:

To all of my fans:

I apologize for what seems like a terrible transgression of MLB’s drug policy.  I can assure you that this was not my intent.  While I am best known for Manny Being Manny (MBM), which roughly translates to someone who can forget how many outs there are, who can rob someone of a homerun AND high five a guy in the stands, who can take a leak behind the green monster during a game, who can botch a simple outfield fly, who can be upset with a 2 years $40M contract, but who WILL ABSOLUTELY drive a deep double in the gap with men on and the team behind.  So you put up with my quirks.  And this personality of MBM gives me some leeway, which I may not be given this time since I have taken hCG.

However, despite everyone thinking they know me, I need to share with you the loneliness I have felt despite the fact that over $200M in career earnings has resulted in me having lots of “friends,” like Scott Boras.  Nevertheless, all I have ever wanted since growing up in the Bronx, was someone to love.  Yet, you know how hard it is to find someone who loves me for MBM and not for $200M?  Almost impossible. 

So recognizing this difficulty, and recognizing that my biological clock is ticking (hey, I am from the Dominican Republic; I am 36 like LeBron is 24 and Greg Oden is 22, if you know what I mean), I decided to try to start a family on my own.  That is why I took hCG, a drug similar to Clomid (which Barry Bonds used to attempt to have another child since all the traditional kids he had came from weird women). 

So don’t persecute me like Dan Quayle persecuted Murphy Brown.  I know that single parenthood is not for everyone, but it is for Manny.  And having read the collective bargaining agreement and drug policy in its entirety, I was under the impression that major leaguers attempting to get pregnant were not subject to the same testing rules as two parent families.  You know, similar to the fact that players who have ADD are allowed to take ‘medications’ that would otherwise be proscribed (OK, i looked that word up) by the drug testing policy.  (Did you know that while <4% of US population has ADD; over 60% of major leaguers do?  Must be the focus and dedication required to be a MLB Player.  Yeah, must be )

So please understand my unusual circumstances and wish me luck with a Malawi adoption (A-Rod told me that Madonna highly recommends it) since my dream of giving birth is obviously on hold as long as I continue my major league career.

See you on the 4th of July where I will celebrate Independence Day of the Greatest Country on Earth by hitting two homeruns and lead the Indians Red Sox Dodgers to victory.

Manuel Ramirez

Original Post

So Manny Ramirez suffers from a high, artificially high, testosterone level.  Hey, have you seen those dreads — something is going on with the guy hormonally.  Well, Manny’s t-count leads to another test, and Manny appears to have used hCG too.    For those of you not familiar with steroids, this is a drug similar to Clomid, which is mostly used by women trying to get pregnant, and Barry Bonds.  Oh, and it also helps restart the body’s natural testosterone production after completing a steroid cycle.

But hey, knowing what a quirky character that Manny is, maybe he just heard his biological clock ticking, he is single and 36, and thought he should get pregnant.  He certainly can afford a child.

So where does this leave us?  McGwire, Sosa, Clemens, Bonds, Rodriguez.    All (allegedly) guilty of some kind of Performance Enhancing Drug (PED) use.  So on the list of ‘gotta see’ baseball players that should/could be afforded the benefit of the doubt, we are down to Albert Pujols.  He is probably dirty too, but maybe he is smart enough to stick to HGH. 

And Ken Griffey is the only current Hall of Famer to be who will escape scrutiny.  If he ever did PEDs, he certainly is not bothering to do them now, so he will never test positive.  And since Canseco has not named him, there is unlikely another reputable (yes, on steroids Canseco is, gulp, reputable) source that could implicate him.

So what does this do to the NL West?  Actually, probably helps the Dodgers.  They are currently up 6+ games, and the entire division has fewer bats than Manny by himself.  So Manny sits until July — effectively rests.  In the interim, the young Dodgers get lots of practice without Manny in the lineup.  He returns, oblivious and motivated.  Dodgers still in the lead.  And the owners, The McCourts, save $7+m on the payroll. 

As a Giants fan, it would have been fairer if Manny had to bat left handed over the next 50 games.

Bonds REAL HR Total

Updating the post:  Who does A-Rod’s PR?  I know he hired Outside Eyes, which is obviously a misnomer as even Yes MSG, with its limited PR experience, knows that there are a few strategies you implement, as opposed to what A-Rod did.  For example:

1. Take the 5th.  Essentially, this is what McGwire did.  He did not implicate himself of anyone else.  You can debate the merits of that, but it is better than lying
2. Pretend you don’t understand the questions.  Best exemplified by Sammy Sosa, who ‘no speako the ingles’ in front of Congress.  Sure, A-Rod has lived his entire life in FLA, WA, TX and NY, but he is a dual citizen with the Dominican Republic, so always a possibility
3. Man-up.  This seems to be the Pettitte way.  Personally, I think that Pettitte did not tell the ENTIRE truth — just two times, recovering from industry, sure!  But it was believable enough, no inconsistencies, and perhaps he did not reveal anything, but at least it is supposed to have not lied

Instead, A-Rod makes lame excuses — young, stupid — and has inconsistencies — drug was not available over the counter in Dom Republic.  Also claims he was experimenting, for THREE YEARS?  And now there is evidence that A-Rod has a relationship with a doctor who has a sketchy past with Steroids.  Maybe only smoke, but considering all the other evidence, he does not get the benefit of the doubt.

Outside Eyes should go out of business.  Give him 5 talking points, make an apology, and move on.  Why “come clean” [pun intended] with rambling statements that only bring up more questions.  That is the WORST PR strategy.  But at least it gives us all something to blog about and to take glee in the schadenfreude.

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Original Post

So A-Rod has his press conference.  It was covered ad nauseum.  He was y0ung and stupid; his ‘cousin’ injected him; he did not know what it was although it was called “boli;” and he thanked his teammates, who were totally non-plussed.  My main question was actually: Who does his makeup?  Seriously, he has an orange (fake) tan, his skin has the closest shave such that it like he has never seen a razor, and he always uses just the right shade of lipstick.  He should walk the red carpet at the Oscars in a dress by Narciso Rodriguez (no relation).

Actually, the best part of the press conference was this mathematically-challenged question from a reporter: “So A-Rod, you admit to injecting yourself twice a month over three years, so that is at least 36 times, and you did not know what you were taking?”  36?  Um, Einstein, 2x a month is 24 times a year.  Over 3 years would be 72 times, but who is counting?  Oh, that is right; you are!

Now before I get to the HR adjustment, I have a prediction: A-Rod will suck this year.  There is no way a guy that fragile will be able to put all the questions and further allegations behind him.  Wait until he gets to Boston.  Even polite little Seattle will let him have it.  And it is obvious that his teammates and the organization would like to be rid of him.  Jeter said he “was a teammate and that they would support him,” but also went on to point out that not everyone was doing it.  GM Cashman pointed out how A-Rod was an asset, and they had to protect that asset – how personal, an Asset!  And Jorge Posada supposedly left the press conference in the middle.  With a network of supporters like that, I am sure he will be able to handle the Bronx pressure better than he has in the past.  His own teammates do not accept him; and A-Rod wants nothing more than to be liked.  Oops.

Lastly, and in the comment of the day, Johnny Damon, when asked what A-Rod could have done that would have been worse, replied: “Murder Someone.”  Gotta love Johnny Damon.  He did not refer to himself and his Boston teammates as “Idiots” without good reason!

But now to the HR totals.  One interesting tidbit that came out of this investigation were A-Rod’s Games Played and HR totals during the three years (according to A-Rod) that he used Primobolin.  When compared with the rest of his career, he averaged around 13 more games and 15 more HRs during these years.  So of his 553 HRs, you can presume that 15 a year (45 HRs) are illegit.  So that would give his a total of 553 HRs a more realistic total of 508.  So sets him back a bit in his pursuit of Bonds, speaking of which:

Barry had 762 HRs, using Alex as a proxy, and presuming that Barry juiced for 8 years, conservatively, then he has an extra 12o HRs.  So his 762 would be 642 if he had not juiced.  Still good enough for 4th place behind Godfather Willie Mays at 660. 

So there you go, each year of roid use is worth about 15 dingers.  Sure, I did not normalize for stadiums and other variables, but what do I look like, a statististician.

But at least A-Rod’s ‘roid sage has shed some light on the HR value of Steroids!  Now we can normalize all the records.

Maybe he will right a book — The User’s Guide to Statistics!

Welcome to the Mini Mart

Welcome to the first edition of the Mini-Mart, where I dish up a series of spicy topics (get it? Spicy?  MSG?)

1. A-Rod is a liar.  Fine, he admitted he took steroids, “pretty” accurately between 2001 and 2003.  And he is sorry, but what he means is that “he is sorry HE GOT CAUGHT.”  Does anyone really care anymore?  Baseball had already lost its luster, and now that all the top players seems to be drug users, the only thing we can do is see if A-Rod is the first to cry in the Batter’s Box.
2. But I will admit that strippers, divorce, Madonna, PEDs – the man is on a roll.  I will leave out the joke about he obviously went off the regimen in October.  But considering the joy the steroid scandal has brought, maybe it is all worth it.

   Pettitte only doing it twice — um, sure — and not to gain an advantage but to recover from injury.  Andy, you duffus, if injuries are part of the game, and you use something illegal to recover, then that IS gaining an advantage.  McGwire not talking about the past, and dedicating his life to educating kids about steroids (from the golf course with OJ it appears); Sammy forgetting English (Tejada should have tried that), Raffi Palmeiro’s finger wag.  Raffi, what were you thinking?  Why be so adamant when you know that you had done them?  You did blame Tejada, which looks more promising, but still, you are a liar.  And finally, Barry and Roger — no comment necessary.

   I am also thankful that Congress does not think it worth it to have Rodriguez testify.

3. Ya think?  Plus, isn’t is hypocritical for Congress to investigate someone for lying, etc. when that is pretty much what they do daily.  They may call it dissembling or being economical with the truth; I call it mendacity.
4. In another instance of Pot-Kettle-Black, congress spent the day berating Wall Street execs for their huge bonuses.  I too have no idea how those at the top justify bonuses when your business essentially goes bankrupt and you have to ask your ‘dad’ for funds, but that is what I would expect from people who are in charge of paying themselves; especially bankers, who, if you read my post below, have fewer ethics and scruples than even consultants.

   Few people, and usually only a very small percentage of the Super Rich (Rich like I never have to work again, billionaire rich) would not pay themselves exorbitant amounts of money.  In fact, Bankers are a lot like, hmmm, I don’t know, what public officials also pay themselves and determine their raises?  Oh yeah, Congress.  When was the last time they voted down an amendment that raises their pay?  Fortunately for them, they don’t pay themselves bonuses based on balanced budgets.

5. Speaking of Congress, they have given Obama the shortest honeymoon since Britney got married in Vegas.  Of course, I have to apportion some blame on the President.  Dude, if you want to stimulate the economy with all the capital you had after the most awaited inauguration since Kennedy, then YOU draft a bill that is as free of pork and dumb ideas and tell Pelosi and Reid to get it passed.  And when they try to add silly clauses, and the Repubs try to cut more taxes, you can take the high ground.

   Instead, you let the Dems in Congress, who are guilty of No Oversight in the past 8 years (Barney Frank railed against all further regulation of Fannie and Freddie and cajoled them into being freer with their lending policies — thanks Barney, you twit) write a bill that the Republicans, the same Republicans who demonstrated less criticism of their own President than the Politburo or the Communist Party Congress, take the high ground, because they are now fiscally conservative and worried about our debt.

6. Isn’t this the same party that watched our national debt double from $4.5T to $9T over Bush’s 8 years?  Either they considered that good debt, making them financial hypocrites, or they put party ahead of country, making then general hypocrites
7. Maybe they will pass legislation criticizing Michael Phelps instead.  Gee, the guy gets high and now he is a pariah.  Of course, when he was getting a DUI, like Tony LaRussa, Carmelo Anthony, Charles Barkley, and half the NFL (it seems), that is ok.  Um, no it is not. If he gets baked, the only item at risk is the KitchenAid refrigerator.  Driving drunk — well go ask MADD.

   Really, it is rather confusing.  He drives drunk, and Kellogg’s has no problem.  If his sponsor wereBudweiser, maybe I would understand.  Instead, he gets stoned, and Kellogg’s drops him.  Ironic.  If more kids emulated that behavior, Kellogg’s sales would increase.  Who wouldn’t reach for the Frosted Flakes after some ‘grass’?

8. Maybe Kellogg’s was too busy lobbying Congress (wow, they get into every story) about how Frosted Flakes and their other Corn-based products should be considered a vegetable.  Forget the childhood obesity and totally unforgiveable increase in diabetes that we are seeing.

Sorry for the heavy ending to the first Mini Mart, but Frosted Flakes and Mini Mart seemed to be the right time.  But never fear, I will be back soon with a review of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue, and see how it compares to the most famous of all time — Paulina Porizkova on the cover back in 1983.

The Yanks

We take a time out from this year’s bowl games to comment on the Yanks.

Teixeira at $180M

CC at $161M

AJ Burnett at $82M

Math is not my strong suit, but that is about $423M.

Add in A-Rod at $275M and Jeter at $189M, and we are talking $887.  I don’t even have to look up Damon, Matsui, Cano, Rivera, and Posada to know that their payroll commitments total over $1B.  No wonder they needed taxpayer assistance for the new stadium.

Makes baseball a joke to me.  Sure, you never know who is going to win — see Phillies and TB Rays last year — but the out-of-whack-ness in salaries makes it a less interesting sport. 

Of course, the Yanks have set the highest bar ever — win the World Series or be a failure.  That pressure should help A-Rod focus on in the postseason.   And it gives all of us someone to root against as hard as we can, except for the obnoxious Yankee fans who will someone equate a potential World Series victory with justice and good pitching and defense, not a $1B payroll.

As a correlation, though, can Red Sox Nation stuff it.  Look, we all loved 2004.  Greatest comeback, etc. but since then we have all had enough.  You are hardly David v Goliath.  More like the Titans v the Gods.  Sure, Prometheus v Zeus was not the fairest fight, but that makes the Royals the attendants in the “vomitorium.”

One quick non-baseball note:

1) ND destroys Hawaii in The Hawaii Bowl.  BFD.  Look, Andre Ware seems to be the best commentator out of all the crappy Heisman winning QBs (see Ty Detmer, Geno Torretta, Eric Crouch, Jason White, Matt Leinart), but he kept talking about the resurrection of ND Football.  Um, Andre, Hawaii was 7-6 and second in the WAC.  Shall I call it the WACK?  I hope the ND faithful are so excited with such a tremendous bowl win, and if they are, well how far the mighty have fallen.

Of course, ND will probably use this to vault to 7-5 next year since they get both Washington (0-12 this year) and Washington State (2-10).  But as far as being BCS competitive…..