We've established a long time ago that you and I have vastly different views on baseball players. If a player is a subpar defensive player, I will have a problem with him, regardless of his offensive output. That's my opinion of a baseball player. It's just differing opinions, that's all. You want a guy who hits homers and drives in runs, no matter what he does on the grass (yes, I know this is an exaggeration, but it's to illustrate the point.) I want a guy who gets on base, and makes outs when the opportunity presents itself.
Even though he had a weak arm, Bernie got to many fly balls on speed alone. Grounder up the middle, batter gets second. Line drive to the gap, caught by Bernie. There is a reason why the fans annointed him Bernie Baseball after Donnie retired.
I was thinking the same thing. Anyway, I'm not saying Bernie didn't make plays. I'm not trying to rewrite the past to fit my argument. Like I said, I couldn't stand holding my breath while Bernie got a late jump on a fly ball and had to use his speed to catch up to balls. Quite simply, Damon is an improvement in CF, and that's pretty sad, considering his arm makes Chad's look like Manning's.
Damon is an improvement of 2003-current Bernie. Damon is not an improvement over 94-02 Bernie. That being said, I understand why he doesnt have a place on the team and he should be doing 1 of 3 things at this time. 1. Accept the minor league assignment of the Yankees and shut up. 2. Accept whatever other offer his agent says he has because the Yankee one isnt going to change. 3. Sign the 1 day contract and retire. Eventually, the third one will happen sooner than later.
Well the thing is, as much as people think they're disagreeing with me, they really aren't. No, I was never a Bernie fan, but that doesn't mean I deny his value to the team over the course of the first dozen years of his career. Like I've said, I had a problem with having to hold my breath as he got a late jump on well hit balls, and had to make great athletic plays, rather than smart ones. Watching him run bases over the years reminded me a lot of watching the kids on my sons' baseball teams run bases. Stress during Yankees games should come when David Ortiz is at the plate, not when Bernie is on first in a hit and run situation. As I've also said, had Bernie closed his locker for the last time 3 or even maybe 2 years ago, I'd have nothing bad to say about him at this point. However, he chose to hang on, and continues to do so. If we had room for a DH, or even a role-playing bencher at this point, I'd be in favor of keeping Bernie. (Regardless of how I feel about him, he still helped out last year, that's undeniable.) The fact is, there's no room. Melky is the clear #4 outfielder, and if we didn't have Matsui, Damon, and Abreu in the starting lineup, he'd be a starter. First base is flooded with guys, and like I said, I don't feel Bernie could translate to first anyway. We also have a full-time DH in Giambi, and let's be honest, Giambi is going to provide more to the lineup than Bernie could (except the fact that Bernie can switch sides of the plate.) If we honestly had the space (say, if we had 5 quality starters, and could afford one less middle-reliever,) I'd say bring Bernie back one more time. If Bernie could show he could play first, I'd take him in a heartbeat over Mienaklshjskdjk. He was given the opportunity to do this too. Getting the minor league invite was an olive branch that he probably doesn't deserve. Yet, he is choosing to believe firmly he is not washed up. He probably wouldn't play first anyway. My opinion of Bernie is that he firmly believes he is a capable CFer, which he isn't. That being the case, he's refusing to come as anything but a pro, so he truly has no place on this team.
As you all already know from my Jets interviews, I co-host a 100% commercial-free, no one makes a dime from it, Sports Talk radio show on Long Island. The other night, Newsday's Yankees beat reporter Jim Baumbach joined us only hours after he almost got arrested covering ARod's book signing. To Jim's credit, he did not even bring this up. The interview is 19+ commercial-free minutes of nothing but Yankees talk. Jim--and other Yankees beat writers--will join us throughout Spring Training, so I'll be sure to post the interviews when they happen. The interview can be found at http://hosted.filefront.com/patchyfogg Here's a non-exhaustive list of topics discussed: --ARod (opt-out clause, book signing, his psyche, etc.) --Bernie Williams (at the time, he was leaning towards going to Spring Training but Jim said "he could still change his mind") --Roger Clemens --Mike Mussina's comments about Carl Pavano --Pavano --Joe Torre's future --Mattingly and Girardi as successors --How close was the Melky Cabrera for Mike Gonzalez deal? --Andy Pettitte --The Rotation (Wang, Igawa, Pavano, etc.) --The contracts of Mariano Rivera and Jorge Posada --Phil Hughes --Robinson Cano's uniform # --Jim's Blog As always, thanks. And, I hope you enjoy.
junc. I agree Posada has been completely overrated. But you cant say that by pointing out his numbers. Only 100 Rbi once and never hitting .300....hes a catcher dude! His raw numbers are very very good for a catcher. The reason hes overrated is like you said until maybe last year his defensive has been laughable AND he is the worst situational hitter in baseball....he'll never move a runner over or make a productive out....and he has not been all that clutch in his career. Alio. Bernie has been the clutchest yankee besides maybe Oneil during the awesome run. I agree his defense has been scary at times and he has one of the 10 worst arms of all time but I think you are very much slighting the Bernie bro....for a good stretch there the yankee team went as Bernie went. And I heard today hes not taking the minor league deal so it looks like you got your wish. And yes I agree theres no room for him on the team
But like everyone else, you're taking what I'm saying wrong. Offensively, at the plate, Bernie has been absolutely huge for the Yankees. I never questioned that. I never questioned his value to the club either. What I did question was his need to hang on for too many extra seasons. As for getting my wish, he had already turned down the minor league contract last week, so I've been speaking from a position of knowledge, not desire.
I gotta say give him the money now and not do this "Wait and see" approach. The Yanks look like they want to see if he'll wear down or whatever... Give him his extension to 09', extend 2 years $24 million, whatever.
I absolutely agree. What the hell is Cashman thinking here at this point? One of the best closers EVER, and he's shitting on him? I mean, I understood the Bernie thing, but Mo has shown over the past couple years he is still one of the best in the game. I'll bet Sox fans are salivating at this. If the Yankees ever allowed Mo to head North, I would seriously consider my loyalty to the team.
I'm not even going to get into the speculation of Mo leaving, because it's not happening... But I'll bite on this...He would never go to Boston. Same thing as Andy Pettitte, he said he couldn't do it to Yankees fans, and he went to Houston. Mo has too much loyalty towards the Yankees to do that, or even think about it. With that said, the Yankees are showing him no loyalty by not giving him an extension. But Mo to Boston? Never.
See, but you're contradicting yourself. If the Yankees refuse to show loyalty, why should he? Damon won a World Series for Boston, then skipped town to come to the enemy. This isn't even about money, this is obviously over respect, which Mo deserves more than any single player on the team, save for Jeter. Besides, he already said he wants to pitch in the new Yankee Stadium. His best option to get that chance if not with the Yankees is with a team that plays 8-10 games here every year. We know he's not heading to Tampa, and Toronto probably wouldn't offer him what he deserves, so that leaves Baltimore and Boston. Who do you think will win that bidding war?
Damon to the RedSox is nothing to what Rivera is to the Yankees. Arguably the most clutch baseball player in history, arguably the best closer of all-time, and a big catalyst in the Yankees World Series wins. Now, Damon was as well, but he isn't an icon such as Rivera is to the Yankees and the Yanks fans. This isn't even really an issue to me, he'll be a Yankee next season and that'll be it. I just don't like the approach Cashman is taking, but he isn't going anywhere.
guys relax, please. you sound like two paranoid chiken littles. This "resect" shit is for hip hop punks in High school. And there is no loyalty in sports guys. It is a business. Day one of spring training and youre already falling for the tabloid bullshit? c.mon, I expect more from you two...And how bout this, Im not convinced that I want Mariano after this year. This could very well be the year he gets old guys, very well could be. His arm is starting to get tired and the elbow injuries have begun. Relax
Well, I am not comfortable with Cahsman's hardline stance here. I agree he is an icon, which is exactly why he should have a new contract before camp even starts. If you think he'll stay on principle though, I have to wholly disagree with you. I know even at my own job, I often entertain thoughts of going to a competitor for a new job, just to stick it to my employer when I feel cheated.
