Mocking the Yankees

by RLangford on Oct 7, 2006 4:21 PM PDT Comment 87 comments

Let us pause a moment to consider the pathetic Yankees.

Look what $220,000,000 buys: Jack shit.
Fastest change from "Best offense ever" to "Most overrated offense ever." Joe Morgan: Wrong again (said this was greatest offense ever).
Regardless of who we want the A's to play, it's great to see these 25 Grade A assholes and their management lose. After Game 1, everybody thought it was over and Cashman was on ESPN sounding smug as hell.
Congratulations to Jason Giambi, who took the money to go to a team that benched him in an elimination game. Enjoy the view from the bench. I'm sure it's miserable.
Congratulations to A-Rod on becoming the most miserable and maligned player in major league baseball. Life is so much better for Marco Scutaro than you right now. No, wait, life is so much better for Antonio Perez right now.
Is there anything funnier than Wright-LIDLE-Bruney-Proctor with the season on the line. And your payroll is $80 million higher than the next closest team? So great to see this pathetic collection of mercenaries humiliated.
Barry Zito is making, like, 10 million more dollars than he already would have because of this series. Steinbrenner is going to drive the price of pitching insanely high. Hope Zito doesn't go to them, though. He'll be miserable--too.
Yankees record in post-season since 2000 is awful. No World Series wins and plenty of embarrassment.
Blowing a lead to Arizona in the 9th inning of Game 7.
Having their ass kicked by the Angels.
The choke job against the underdog Marlins--in six.
The biggest ever choke job against the Red Sox. The only team ever to blow a 3-0 lead.
Another loss to the Angels--who even remembers a play from that series, and it was all in prime time.
And now this: losing in four game to a team that bumbled into the playoffs, having just been swept by the Royals, their pitching in shambles.

What a horrible run of playoff failure.

So, really, fuck the Yankees. They're worthless, pathetic, overpaid losers.

0 recs | Comment 87 comments

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

Giambi wasnt benched.

Bring back Hammer.

by OaktownPower on Oct 7, 2006 4:20 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

What do you mean?

""Let's [stay] home and do this shit!"

by mikeA on Oct 7, 2006 4:24 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

He sat because he is hurt.

Had a cortisone shot last night. Couldnt play today.....

Bring back Hammer.

by OaktownPower on Oct 7, 2006 4:49 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I am in New York right now and listened to the game on YES radio and they said Giambi wasn't playing because it was a health issue, but because of his numbers against Bonderman and Torre wanting to get some energy(Cabrera) into the lineup.

by CyberFT on Oct 7, 2006 10:00 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yankee's SUCK!!!

Stick that in your pie hole!

I miss Bill King :(

by gojohn10 on Oct 7, 2006 4:21 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Salaries

You could add up the total salaries of the two ALCS teams... and they would STILL be $50 million shy of the Yankees' payroll.

Asked where Zito's perfect fit would be, Hudson said, "Do they have a league on Mars?"

by JLaff on Oct 7, 2006 4:31 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

amen

god spoke, then it was so.

by since72 on Oct 7, 2006 4:31 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

somewhat overstated

I hope at least, when writing their recent playoff history, you notice that they've been there every year. I was hoping we could play them, it would've made our road to the World Series much sweeter.

by dscel on Oct 7, 2006 4:31 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Their record the last six years is horrible

Don't kid yourself. No rings. Embarrassing losses. Record-setting chokes. A loss in the final inning of a World Series after leading.

That's a complete post-season debacle.

by RLangford on Oct 7, 2006 4:41 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

you're kidding right?

right??

by dscel on Oct 8, 2006 10:02 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Sure hope not.

If you can't win a World Series this millenium with that lineup, and that payroll, you're a disgrace.

"It's time to blow this team up." - Oaktoon, July 2006

by Ozzz on Oct 8, 2006 3:04 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yes, but they have Derek Jeter

by matthias on Oct 7, 2006 4:36 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

So ESPN will be awarding them with WS rings anyway

"I got a good feeling in a bad city tonight / I got a good feeling everything's gonna be alright." - Rancid, "Detroit"

by GreenNGoldSooner on Oct 7, 2006 4:38 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Jeter will be the next ESPN player analyst

Their intangibles correspondent

Asked where Zito's perfect fit would be, Hudson said, "Do they have a league on Mars?"

by JLaff on Oct 7, 2006 4:39 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Don't knock Jeter...

he's the "prettiest" short stop in baseball history therefore he must be the best. Beauty before talent, right?

by DMOAS on Oct 7, 2006 4:48 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Looks like I was right

in this prediction on Wednesday night!

"And Julio Franco is batting right-handed!" -- Wayne Hagin, A's radio play-by-play, mid-80s

by Nick on Oct 7, 2006 5:23 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

huh?

Derek who??

by Sheldon72 on Oct 7, 2006 9:34 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

all very true

but I wanted the A's to be the ones to bring down the evil empire.

by sf drift king on Oct 7, 2006 4:45 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Well, there is always next year

You can keep your dreams going.

by MobiusKlein on Oct 7, 2006 5:13 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

ESPN programming this week

Mornings - ALCS games (taped from previous day)
Afternoons - NLCS games
Evenings - Derek Jeter coverage (Derek Jeter: Greatest Baseball Player ever, or Greatest Human Being ever?)

by matthias on Oct 7, 2006 4:50 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Looking forward to Jetercam...

Special camera that replaces player with computer simulation of Derek Jeter. It'll allow us tp visualize what Derek Jeter would have done at the plate (HR, Double, critical pitch take) or in the field (unbelievable stop, throw).

by calvin on Oct 7, 2006 4:59 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

20 consecutive innings shut out

(5+9+6) matching the postseason record, I believe.

Yup, that's the most powerful lineup in baseball history.

Sweeeeeeeeet.

"Even if you know the deck is stacked in your favor, you still have to have the discipline to trust the math and the cojones to go to the ATM." BB

by green star oakland on Oct 7, 2006 5:14 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Are they really 25 assholes?

I mean really - perhaps 5 grade A assholes, and 10 grade B ones. Perhaps a few high paid dorks as well.

by MobiusKlein on Oct 7, 2006 5:14 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Yeah

I wouldn't group Mariano Rivera into the asshole bunch with Giambi et al.

Asked where Zito's perfect fit would be, Hudson said, "Do they have a league on Mars?"

by JLaff on Oct 7, 2006 5:24 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Overstated, of course

But in my defense, this.

Let's take the great and admiable Rivera, and subject him to the syllogism I used to come to my determination for each player:

All Yankees are assholes
Mariano Rivera is a Yankee
Mariano Rivera is an asshole

Sorry if it's harsh. But Rivera could make the moral choice and demand a trade. He chooses to play for the Yankees; thus, he has to live with the consequences.

by RLangford on Oct 7, 2006 5:34 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

"admirable"

guess my left index finger was protesting at the use of the word.

by RLangford on Oct 7, 2006 5:36 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

the proof is complete!

A's v Giants "is kind of like the difference between going to see the Ramones and going to see the Bee Gees. A's fans will go see the Ramones." -BB 07/27/05

by xbhaskarx on Oct 7, 2006 5:43 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

xbh

How you feeling about your Twins in 4 prediction coming up three games wrong.

I'm thinking you're feeling really good about it.

by RLangford on Oct 7, 2006 5:45 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

i'm thinking the playoffs are a crapshoot

like they have always been, and sometimes that works in our favor.

as far as the prediction goes, i said in that diary:
"I won't pick the A's because I don't want to jinx them"

A's v Giants "is kind of like the difference between going to see the Ramones and going to see the Bee Gees. A's fans will go see the Ramones." -BB 07/27/05

by xbhaskarx on Oct 7, 2006 6:29 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

So wait

Now you're taking credit for the A's win? You really couldn't lose on that one.

(All said/written in fun.)

by RLangford on Oct 7, 2006 6:52 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

taking credit?

dude, i'm taking credit for more than the a's win, i'm taking credit for all the good things that have ever happened. the bad stuff is all a-rod's fault.

A's v Giants "is kind of like the difference between going to see the Ramones and going to see the Bee Gees. A's fans will go see the Ramones." -BB 07/27/05

by xbhaskarx on Oct 7, 2006 6:56 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

You, sir,

are truly an heir to Aristotle.

""Let's [stay] home and do this shit!"

by mikeA on Oct 7, 2006 6:13 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Side Question

On "The New Republic" website a Mike Askin blogged about the A's-Twins series and even mentioned Athletics Nation.

Wondering if that's you.

by RLangford on Oct 7, 2006 6:59 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Just checked out your tag

Dude, it is you. Nice going. The blog's not quite working out like the soccer one did, but I still check it out.

Been a subscriber for about 20 years, since I was in college.

I'll now be looking for more erudition in all you write.

by RLangford on Oct 7, 2006 7:02 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Thanks

I don't actually work for them, but it's nice to have the opportunity to blog over there. Thanks to the A's, there will more to come!

Your posts are consistently hilarious: take it from a soon-to-be erstwhile member of the East Coast media.

I took a stab at erudition in my diary.

""Let's [stay] home and do this shit!"

by mikeA on Oct 7, 2006 11:17 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

If I dis the New Republic

does that violate the community standars?

by MobiusKlein on Oct 8, 2006 2:39 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Sure hope not.

There's so much to diss!

Sockpuppetry, Stephen Glass, imploding subscription base - it's such fertile ground.

"It's time to blow this team up." - Oaktoon, July 2006

by Ozzz on Oct 8, 2006 3:09 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

And I thought I was being obscure!

But it's the Green & Gold mafia everywhere.

by MobiusKlein on Oct 8, 2006 6:49 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Gee whiz

You guys are such DailyKos clones. Just repeating the criticism you find there. Pretty sad.

But wow, if it makes you feel like you know something, go for it.

by RLangford on Oct 8, 2006 11:11 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

new republic articles are way too long and boring

i prefer to just read one paragraph rants and conspiracy theories posted by random people.

A's v Giants "is kind of like the difference between going to see the Ramones and going to see the Bee Gees. A's fans will go see the Ramones." -BB 07/27/05

by xbhaskarx on Oct 9, 2006 12:32 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Wha?

When a New Republic writer quits in shame because he's been busted 'anonymously' responding to his own blog posts, I don't think it comes down to what we 'think' we know. It comes down to fact.

Was Stephen Glass NOT a plagiarist? Are TNR sub numbers NOT coming down?

I can back my statements up with evidence. Can you?

You're normally better than this, TR.

"It's time to blow this team up." - Oaktoon, July 2006

by Ozzz on Oct 9, 2006 9:47 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

So it's OK to dis ESPN

but not the New Republic?
(because we read about it at Kos? Cmmon, DKos is for the newbies. We get our snark straight from billmon.)

by MobiusKlein on Oct 9, 2006 12:46 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

To the Yankees:

Neener, neener, neener!

That's all.

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Oct 7, 2006 7:43 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

perfect

LMAO!!!!!!!!

Baseball is life. . . at least that is what my sweatshirt says.

by 0R0H0E on Oct 8, 2006 6:09 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

So goes the night..

So, the skankees are offically out. .

I have NOTHING MORE TO SAY!

A-rod sucks and Jeter swallows

And the rest of the team can follow.

by Sheldon72 on Oct 7, 2006 9:39 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Mock On, Mock On

Mock on, mock on, A Rod, Cano:
Mock on, mock on: `tis all in vain!
You kick the sand against the ump,
The ump kicks you out of the game.

And each sand becomes a Web Gem,
Reflected in the box score line;
Blown back they blind your mocking Eye,
While Tigers on the basepaths shine.

The Failures of your Pitching Staff
Offensive Output, too, is Slight
Expect Pink Slips from your owner George,
While Motown's cars do burn tonight.

"I got a good feeling in a bad city tonight / I got a good feeling everything's gonna be alright." - Rancid, "Detroit"

by GreenNGoldSooner on Oct 7, 2006 9:40 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

This of course made me think...

Tigers! Tigers! so adroit
In the ballpark of Detroit,
What immortal catcher's twitch
Could frame thy fearful payoff pitch?

...but I'll stop while I'm ahead.

"I got a good feeling in a bad city tonight / I got a good feeling everything's gonna be alright." - Rancid, "Detroit"

by GreenNGoldSooner on Oct 7, 2006 9:48 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Jean-Jacques Cano

Didn't he write Confessions of a Solitary Choker?

Great poem, GnGS!

"And Julio Franco is batting right-handed!" -- Wayne Hagin, A's radio play-by-play, mid-80s

by Nick on Oct 8, 2006 7:28 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Make that "Reveries"

not "Confessions."

Early morning. Ugh. Need coffee.

"And Julio Franco is batting right-handed!" -- Wayne Hagin, A's radio play-by-play, mid-80s

by Nick on Oct 8, 2006 7:51 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Here you go.

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Oct 8, 2006 9:18 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

[Arranges press conference

on coffee-pouring incident]

[Puts sweater back in closet]

"And Julio Franco is batting right-handed!" -- Wayne Hagin, A's radio play-by-play, mid-80s

by Nick on Oct 8, 2006 10:20 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

First ever instance of Voltaire and Rousseau

being replaced by two Yankers. Nice.

Let me try:

Hear the voice of the Beane!

Who Present, Past, and Future sees

Whose Eyes have seen

The GoldNGreen

Walk forth 'spite Frank T's Ancient Knees.

I don't know how I did it, but I quieted this crowd in my head today. -Zito, 10/3/06

by LAXile on Oct 8, 2006 2:15 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

says it all

"Even if you know the deck is stacked in your favor, you still have to have the discipline to trust the math and the cojones to go to the ATM." BB

by green star oakland on Oct 7, 2006 10:57 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Best picture ever!

by Philip Christy on Oct 7, 2006 11:20 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Caption?

A-Rod: Is it time to get rid of the fade, Jason?

Giambi: #$%$#%$@#$&^%$!!!!!

A-Rod: Dude, I was talking about my hair.

"Next thing you know, they'll have me taking an overdose of pills."--Milton Bradley

by jeepers on Oct 8, 2006 11:01 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

uh huh

What Steinbrenner has done [buying every big bat he could find, buying every 'proven'(though old) pitcher he could grab, not building a team but buying one] is shameful for the great city and great franchise. He's the one that should be fired, not Torre. It's hard to understand why they didn't go for the 1/2 season of Clemens, really the one old player they should have picked up.

by Baseball Equals Life on Oct 8, 2006 12:05 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Steinbrenner signed Pavano?

Jaret Wright?

On Sunday, Minaya ticked off a list of candidates to join the rotation, and for once this season, none of them was Jose Lima.

by rfloh on Oct 8, 2006 12:09 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Bittersweet

On one hand I am bummed that the A's won't be able to go through the Yanks to advance, on the other it was awesome to see Detroit take care of business after the national media strapped their Jeter kneepads on after Game 1.

Bernie, Rivera, Jeter, Posada and Torre aren't assholes. They earned their stripes and play the game the right way. The rest of them are a different story. Seeing Wright replaced by Cory Lidle out of desparation in an elimination game was pathetic for that payroll, then they topped it off with an A-Rod to Sheffield error which was even better. I will be surprised if A-Rod finishes out the remainder of his Tom Hicks hoodwinked Lotto ticket with the Yanks...perhaps the Yomiuri Giants are interested

When these Yanks fail to qualify for the post-season that is when AN can collectively flip the bird to the Bronx.

In the meantime, Giambi is still trying to fit into Brosius' jock.

by southofcruiseamerica on Oct 8, 2006 1:40 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

how can somebody WANT to play for this guy?

"I am deeply disappointed at our being eliminated so early in the playoffs," Steinbrenner said in a statement issued Sunday by spokesman Howard Rubenstein. "This result is absolutely not acceptable to me nor to our great and loyal Yankee fans. I want to congratulate the Detroit Tigers organization and wish them well. Rest assured, we will go back to work immediately and try to right this sad failure and provide a championship for the Yankees, as is our goal every year."

link

by gotgreen on Oct 8, 2006 12:41 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Most people think the Boss is a buffoon

including the NYC media. Whenever the top sportstalk team in NYC reads one of these Steinbrenner statements on the air, they play the theme from Patton in the background (and one of the hosts is a die-hard Yankee fan). It's exactly the right effect.

"And Julio Franco is batting right-handed!" -- Wayne Hagin, A's radio play-by-play, mid-80s

by Nick on Oct 8, 2006 12:48 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

didn't steinbrenner

guarantee a yankee world series victory this past spring?

other than that, all i have to say is MUAHAHAHAHAHA! I hope the Yankees like watching GOOD baseball on TV!

by sypher1504 on Oct 8, 2006 1:13 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Steroids

I think the biggest loser of the whole Steroid Crackdown (besides BB) is the Yankees.

Their whole roster is littered with guys that were at the peak of their careers at the height of the steroid/HGH era.

Now, with the crackdown, a bunch of smoke and mirrors ballplayers are breaking down at the same time.

by connie mack on Oct 8, 2006 1:29 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Barry Lamar Bonds?

On Sunday, Minaya ticked off a list of candidates to join the rotation, and for once this season, none of them was Jose Lima.

by rfloh on Oct 8, 2006 1:57 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

He looked like Barry again in the 2nd half.

But yeah, his legs seem like they could shatter at any moment.

"Next thing you know, they'll have me taking an overdose of pills."--Milton Bradley

by jeepers on Oct 8, 2006 2:52 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

No.

He looked like Barry again with two weeks left to play.

I'm guessing he was seeing his free agency options drying up and decided to give his career a little... um.. injection?

"It's time to blow this team up." - Oaktoon, July 2006

by Ozzz on Oct 8, 2006 3:11 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Sure

What about the "crackdown" then?

That was my point when I brought him up. If the crackdown is affecting the likes of Johnson, Giambi, et all, shouldn't it also affect Barry Lamar Bonds?

As for Bonds, he's been playing well long before the last 2 weeks.

On Sunday, Minaya ticked off a list of candidates to join the rotation, and for once this season, none of them was Jose Lima.

by rfloh on Oct 8, 2006 11:38 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

He really hasn't.

He can barely run. When he hits an RBI-single, he gets ESPN time, so sure it looks like he w2as playing well. But he wasn't. Not like Old Bonds, anyway.

As for the 'crackdown', sling me another shot of HGH and let's talk.

"It's time to blow this team up." - Oaktoon, July 2006

by Ozzz on Oct 9, 2006 9:45 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

As Chavvy So Aptly Put It

Sleep in the bed you make.

I'm going on record here to predict Barry won't sign with the Yankees. He's too smart to fall for that craziness. Sure he wants to make lots of money, and he will, but he values other things, too. It amuses me how Yankee fans and sportwriters just assume the Yankees can buy Barry, as if it will happen with the snap of a finger. Not. Gonna. Happen.

"Oakland has a way of bringing out the joy in the game." NYT, 9/22/06

by SportySpice on Oct 8, 2006 3:14 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

He may not have a choice...

If the Yankees offer several million more per year then any other playoff team, the Players Union will put tremendous pressure on him to sign with the Yanks.

That's been going on for years. Players are highly pressured to take the most amount of money offered, particularly when there isn't another offer that's close.

They seem to think that if a player takes a LOT less to play elsewhere, that it somehow hurts the bargaining position of every other MLB player.

I'm not saying it makes any sense, but that's the way it's been in the Union since the Marvin Miller days.

`I firmly believe that in every game, at least one team should be required to wear a legitimate, major league uniform.' - Ken Korach - 8/4/06

by nodaclu on Oct 8, 2006 3:40 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Fuck the Players' Union

What are they going to do if he signs for less money in a local he likes, kick him out of the union?

Why yes. I am a ray of warm and fuzzy sunshine.

by grover on Oct 8, 2006 5:45 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Do you have a single example of this

or a citation to someone backing this up, with any proof other than prejudice against unions? I've heard this kind of rumor before, but I frankly think it's complete crap. Did Ken Griffey Jr. get in trouble for signing with the Reds at less-than-maximum price? Did someone call Giambi and threaten him when he was putting "hometown discount" proposals on the table with the A's? Did anyone lean on Chavez?

Now, this kind of rumor could be useful for players or agents to float out there -- "Gee, Brian, Barry would really love to play for you, but the Dodgers are offering a 7th year, and if he doesn't sign for the biggest package Vito and Knuckles are gonna come by his house and break his kneecaps with his guitar" -- but the fact that it could be useful for players if owners believe it doesn't make it true.

"And Julio Franco is batting right-handed!" -- Wayne Hagin, A's radio play-by-play, mid-80s

by Nick on Oct 8, 2006 6:11 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I assume it's the agent.

Do agents get paid a percentage of the price, or a fixed sum?

5% of ARod is lots more than 5% of Marco, as far as agents are concerned.

(And the 'hometown' discount is for suckers if they are just going to flip you to the Yankees anyway.)

by MobiusKlein on Oct 8, 2006 6:56 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Show me one...

...single example since free agency began in 1975 of a player taking significantly less money to play in one city when another city had millions more on the table.

You have no more proof then I do, so if I were you I'd rethink what you consider "crap".

`I firmly believe that in every game, at least one team should be required to wear a legitimate, major league uniform.' - Ken Korach - 8/4/06

by nodaclu on Oct 8, 2006 9:44 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

That was to Nick, by the way...

I hate the way these threads work. And Grover, get your head out of the sand. Between my father and grandfathers, I grew up with three men who had a combined 120 years of experience working union jobs - teamsters and railroad.

You have absolutely no idea what goes behind those curtains. I do. I lived with it.

`I firmly believe that in every game, at least one team should be required to wear a legitimate, major league uniform.' - Ken Korach - 8/4/06

by nodaclu on Oct 8, 2006 9:46 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

One more thing Nick....

Griffey - who offered him more money then Cincy did? No one else made a competitive offer because he made it clear he was staying in Cincy. That's 100% different than having two written offers on the table and choosing the one that's 20 million less. Next.
I don't care about the "hometown discount" talk with Giambi. Where did he ultimately sign? Next.
Chavvy was never a free agent. He was re-signed before he entered free agency. Next.

Let me know when you come up with an example that supports your argument. The side I'm taking in this would be illegal if conclusively proven - just like collusion was. All I have is circumstantial evidence. But you have the ability to provide concrete evidence that I'm wrong.

Unfortunately, two of your examples above are irrelevant, and Giambi's case actually goes a ways in my direction. That 91 million for Giambi was on the table before the season ended. He talked constantly about wanting to stay in Oakland, yet when the contract was laid out there, he hesitated.

Why?

Because everyone knew that there would be more money on the table from the Yankees after the season ended.

Where did the pressure to not sign with Oakland come from?

His agent?

Okay, maybe.

Who was leaning on his agent?

We can't prove it was the Union, as that would be illegal, and trust me, unions don't work that way anyway.

`I firmly believe that in every game, at least one team should be required to wear a legitimate, major league uniform.' - Ken Korach - 8/4/06

by nodaclu on Oct 8, 2006 9:55 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

This is your assertion, nodaclu

not mine. I frankly don't have the time or inclination to sift through every single free agent signing over the last 30 years to find an example of what you're talking about. You made the assertion -- you do the work.

So you make an assertion with no evidence. I ask for a single piece of evidence, and you respond by asking me to disprove your unproven hypothesis. I might as well assert that players base their free agent decisions on consultation with the Trilateral Commission, the Queen of England, and the International Cocaine Cartel, and than demand that you prove it isn't true.

Can you prove that Giambi didn't consult with Queen Elizabeth II? Can you? Because I think that's how these kind of decisions get made.

Giambi might have been playing games all along, but both he and the A's say that the final sticking point was his demand for a no-trade clause in his final year before his 10-5 status would have kicked in. And if the Big Bad Union really works this way, why wouldn't they pressure Chavez to wait until his free agent year so he could cash in? Why would the "let" Griffey stay in Cincy for less than his open-market value? Wouldn't they "make" him at least go through the motions of negotiating with other teams to drive his price up?

But here's one example, anyway, because I remember the controversy clearly. I went to college in Boston in the 1980's. Bruce Hurst signed with the Padres when he was a free agent rather than re-signing with the Red Sox, who were offering him more money, because he wanted to be closer to his family in Utah. BoSox fans were outraged that their money wasn't good enough for Hurst. No one, as far as I remember, ever mentioned MLBPA, and Hurst didn't have his kneecaps broken.

"And Julio Franco is batting right-handed!" -- Wayne Hagin, A's radio play-by-play, mid-80s

by Nick on Oct 9, 2006 6:21 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

And if the Teamsters were running

the Players' Union I wouldn't be so cavilier. To even suggest that the modern day Players Union uses the same tactics that made the Teamsters so famous is absurd. I also think it's silly to compare a union comprised of multi-million dollar athletes to one of truck drivers or railroad men. Simply put, the average person doesn't give a shit about your truck driver but tens of thousands buy jerseys with the name "Zito" stitched on the back.

And before you get too self righteous my dad was a Teamster and his dad worked for the railroads.

Why yes. I am a ray of warm and fuzzy sunshine.

by grover on Oct 9, 2006 2:55 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Bronson Arroyo

3 years, $11.25 million - $3.75M/yr - for the Red Sox at the beginning of this year, against his agent's advice.

I don't know whether there were other hard offers on the table, but given the going rate for half-decent pitchers he must have been able (and must have known that he was able) to get significantly more elsewhere.

Also, I would be careful about generalizing from the strange bastard beast that is the US trade union movement to unions in general :-)

"Even if you know the deck is stacked in your favor, you still have to have the discipline to trust the math and the cojones to go to the ATM." BB

by green star oakland on Oct 8, 2006 10:01 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Unions

It's not the same thing as pressuring players to take the highest offer, but the players union does act to stop a player who wants to agree to renounce part of his already-agreed-upon salary in order to make his contract tradable to another team. That happened with A-Rod when he was negotiating with the Red Sox.

(Presumably the union's concern is that if that sort of thing is allowed, teams might try to pressure unwilling small fry into renouncing part of their salaries.)

Perhaps this is part of the confusion here, since both practices fall under the general description of "unions won't let players willingly play for less money".

"...but we're also always open to hearing about other sandwiches if it can make our lunch better." -- Nico, channeling Billy Beane

by iglew on Oct 8, 2006 10:57 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Wait...

Is Bonds in the union? I thought the reason he's not represented by his actual self in video games was because he's not a part of the players' union.

Asked where Zito's perfect fit would be, Hudson said, "Do they have a league on Mars?"

by JLaff on Oct 8, 2006 6:24 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm talking about our Barry

Not the other one.

"Oakland has a way of bringing out the joy in the game." NYT, 9/22/06

by SportySpice on Oct 8, 2006 7:15 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yankees

I'm disappointed at the lack of class shown in this whole post. As baseball fans, and A's fans, we need to glory in the performance of our team. These rants about other teams, in my view, demean what this site is all about.

Maybe I've been around too long, being 72 years old and a baseball fan since 1946. But I was at the 73 and 74 World Series, and the 89 win. I glory in accomplishment of our team. I wasn't that concerned when we didn't get back as I know, from expierence, that sooner or later, we will. Knocking other teams, whether they be the Yankees or whom ever, doesn't do anyone any good other than show that we really are no different than all of those fans who are negative about--you name the team.

I'm a baseball fan. I love the game. If my A's win, great. But, I still love the game. I don't get my jolly's hating other teams. I get mine by loving the game and my A's.

Let's start showing some class on this site.

by racodd on Oct 8, 2006 7:01 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I don't get my jollies from

the failures of others compared to the A's success, but when an organization is as arrogant and entitled as the Yankees are, I won't apologize for enjoying their implosion. It's the Yankees, not AN, that lack class.

For all the reasons outlined above, I refuse to retract my "neener".

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Oct 8, 2006 8:25 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Wow

Whatever you do, I'd suggest that you NEVER visit Halo's Heaven.

That being said, while I haven't yet posted on this diary, I do take pleasure in the end of the Yankees' season. Perhaps I am classless and immature, (my wife would certainly agree with the immaturity part, especially when I let blanket frogs out in bed) yet I believe that my frustration stems from two common events:

From the beginning of spring training until the Yankees are eliminated, I have to hear from every national commentator, sportswriter, and causual fan how great the Yankees are, and how this is the year that they will win the World Series. Even if they don't do well initially, these people will repeat the mantra, "The Yankees will go out and get what they need."
I live in Arizona, and live on a very meager budget, and so I can only afford the last month of Extra Innings. I am sick of 80% of nationally telivised games showing the Yankees and the Red Sox. The few A's games shown nationally are against the Yankees or Red Sox! A Yankees elimination means that I can turn on the TV to see what game is on and NOT have to worry about seeing another Yankees game.

As a result, I celebrate the end of this year's Yankee reign. Sadly, by next spring training they will once again be the center of attention, while I struggle to catch glimpes of my beloved A's. Until then, however, I can still enjoy the next two weeks of baseball, when all of the sports commentators have to find something else to talk about.

by Steve on Oct 8, 2006 9:01 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

It isn't a yankee fans fault that...

the media centers around them. As for Steinbrenner puts the money back into his team instead of his pocket. I have often wondered why they can't make a rule that the luxury tax money designated to small market teams would have to be paid directly to the players in a trade or free agency situation or resigning. This would keep the owners from pocketing the money.

Everyone is entitled to their own feelings and even though, I take pleasure in seeing the yankees go down because they are the media darlings I do feel sorry for the fans that love their team so dearly. I know how depressed I felt when our team was eliminated a few years back.

by IM4Oakgal on Oct 8, 2006 11:46 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

except that there are very few

real Yankee fans, especially of late. Most fans of the Yankees are so obnoxiously arrogant, pig-headed and susceptible to the media blitz that they are no longer fans of the game, only NY.
I think by and large the Yankee fanbase is like every other team: 12K-15K real, dedicated fans who love their team no matter what...just like the Royals, Twins and A's.
But we are supposed to believe that EVERYONE loves the Yankees and their "standard", propogated by the NY media and its arrogance at proclaiming NYC as the center of the Western world. Its the same thing in the "regular" media, and its why most people around the world dislike the image of the US. We have a ton of money, bitch about trivialities and are not any more succesful at anything than other nations and cultures around the globe.
I for one am ecstatic that the Yankees got KO'd early again, and by a superior team ALL SEASON LONG. They (NYY) as a team once again benefitted from playing in the AL East and this season had their record blown up by playing the NL East, as did the other idiot organization in Boston. These two teams are everything that is wrong with baseball, and by extension, the US culture. And their idiot fanbases are evidence of that.
We as fans of the A's get to see truly exciting baseball, along with innovation, business acumen and a sense of exploring new ideas and realms of thought to enjoy a successful enterprise. I dont thing businesses across the globe are asking Brian Cashman to speak at their conferences, but BB is getting plenty of invitations.

tdwclark

by tdwclark on Oct 9, 2006 6:19 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

What is there to like about the Yankees

in this corrupt economic system of baseball. One team generates $300 million in revenue before a game is played, others have $5 million, one team can pay $200 million for salary and still make a $100 million or more profit, others pay $80 million and lose money. It is the system more than the team that fans dislike. And yes, it is joyous indeed when the Yankees fall flat on their face. In other sports it is different there are salary caps, and success is based on good management, and not just a case of having more money than any other team.

by china bob on Oct 9, 2006 8:28 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs