Thursday, February 22, 2007
Spring Soap Operas
As the Field Turns presents...
...Randy Johnson return to his love after having an affair with New York.
...Gary Sheffield extracts revenge after leaving to Detroit.
...Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez no longer have the same feelings they have had for each other.
...Mariano Rivera, respect him, or leave him.
...Bernie Williams stood up Brian Cashman.
Let's start with the Big Unit. He claims that the New York media is the fault of his poor pitching. Whether he sits out an injury or pitches in pain, he still is a not the image he thinks he needs to be in the eyes of New Yorkers. Apparently Johnson is happy back in Arizona. Then again he has won a World Series title, World Series MVP, and pitched a perfect game with the Diamondbacks.
Gary Sheffield was traded to the Tigers in exchange for a few young guns and is already having that Sheffield swagger that follows him. Gary has criticized Joe Torre for his ALDS decisions that eventually led to the Yankees "doom". Sorry Sheff, I don't see you managing a baseball team, so do your job as a player. And besides, it was perfectly sane for Torre to place A-Rod eighth, do you see his playoffs stats?
Derek Jeter has come out and said that his friendship with Alex Rodriguez is not as strong as it used to be. So what. They are still friends and no matter what, they have to perform as team mates and win ball games. The only reason why I would see the two not be best of friends, is due to the fact that they are in fact team mates and their styles may be conflicting with each others.
Mariano Rivera has said that if he is not respected, aka does not get enough money, he will start talking to other teams. I doubt Rivera will be with another team, but if he does, my rumor has it Humberto Sanchez could very well be trained as a closer, but is grooming up for a starters role in the minors. Don't forget that Rivera used to be a starter from 1995-1996.
And the last episode of As the Field Turns, Bernie Williams has decided to decline the spring training invite, or so GM Brian Cashman says. Claiming that you didn't have to be stupid to know that he declined the invite. Bernie Williams is still sitting at home waiting for a guaranteed roster stop, but unfortunately, that offer is not coming. Face the facts Bernie, its retirement time. We all loved watching you grow from a rookie, to a World Series hero, and a season saviour, but it's time to let go. Hopefully a position will open on the managerial side, but one can only hope. It took Don Mattingly nearly ten years to be back in pinstripes.
Here's what you can expect on future episodes of As the Field Turns:
Joe Torre stands up to his father figure only to find his true self.
Carl Pavano and Mike Mussina's rocky relationship spills in the locker room.
An unexpected visit from an unexpected friend creates chaos on the field.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Labels: Alex Rodriguez, Bernie Williams, Brian Cashman, Derek Jeter, Gary Sheffield, Mariano Rivera, Randy Johnson, Yankees


Posted by Steve Kenul at 6:34 PM

Sunday, February 18, 2007
Scapegoats and Excuses
What defines a superstar?
A superstar goes out to do his job and help his team win, playing through personal problems and injuries.
We thought Randy Johnson was a superstar.
We though that he wouldn't let things get to him.
We thought that he would help.
We thought wrong.
Randy Johnson is now blaming the New York media for his bad two years in stripes. He claims that if he sat out, the media would eat him up, if hew pitched, the media would eat him up.
Randy, the only reason why the media is after you is for two reasons. One, you started the whole situation when you first came to New York. Remember that altercation?
Second, like Alex Rodriguez, you are considered a superstar. We paid you to excel, not allow five runs per game.
Ok, you were injured.
Sit out. But wait, then the media will toss you around like an Anna Nicole Smith custody battle.
Here is a list of players that were injured during the 2006 season:
Johnny Damon, Gary Sheffield, Mike Mussina, Hideki Matsui, and Robinson Cano.
I don't recall the media attacking those players for their injuries.
But if you want to blame the media for yo poor performances, go ahead. Is it possible that you're not as good as you once were? Is it possible that you are no longer a superstar?
Don't blame the media, blame yourself.
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Labels: excuses, injury, media, Randy Johnson, Yankees



Posted by Steve Kenul at 1:20 PM
