Ouch!

Before you read this, take a look at your calendar. You’ll notice it’s says we’re still in June. The pages need to be turned four times before October is visible. As Yankee fans reminded us in April, there are many more games left in this season.

This was not a good day in Red Sox Nation, however, and as the calendar turns tonight to July, the Sox will find themselves 7 1/2 behind the Yankees. Bad defense was again the culprit as David Ortiz performed a flawless impersonation of Bill Buckner.

And as Boston fans deal with the loss of Wednesday night’s game, they may find it more difficult to comprehend the potential loss of one of their favorite players as well. If rumors can be believed Nomar Garciaparra is again on the trading block.

On the pitching front, Boston signed right-hander Pedro Astacio, a 34-year-old free-agent who is recovering from an injury and hasn’t had an ERA below 4.8 since 1997. Having had surgery on his throwing shoulder last June, Astacio will join Pawtucket after evaluation.
For more information on both situations, go to the Globe Buzz

This Week's Top Ten

Top Ten Signs Your Child's Little League Coach Is A Yankees Fan

10. Asks father of best lefthanded pitcher to move family to Houston. (irishmandan)

9. Deals your 8-year-old for another $100 prospect. (derekjaybunk)

8. Instinctively yells "See ya!" every time one of his brats hits one out. (thompsma)

7. He's a big spoiled dumbass. (kid2short218)

6. Spends all his time at baseball camp urging kids on other side of lake to defect. (RubenSierraOnRye)

5. Makes your kid a "ninth-inning specialist" even though they only play seven innings. (Mr.Acadoodie)

4. Spot him at Baskin Robbins buying a round of ice-cream sundaes for best kids on opposing teams; think you overhear the word "trade." (vieuxcarre0)

3. Notice an alarming increase in your child's forearms. (miozzo)

2. New kid at second base looks suspiciously like Luis Sojo. (Parrick)

1. Your child starts at third base, just bought you a new house and makes more money than the whole Devil Rays roster. (knobs8880)

A Special Thank You

Hats off to the artist(s) who recently “fixed” the notorious Reverse Curve road sign hanging above Storrow Drive in Boston. As of this week, the sign has officially returned to glory. For those unfamiliar with the city, clever miscreants have transformed the sign to read “Reverse the Curse” for years now. While most vandalism is unsightly, this alteration has become iconic – a well-known microcosm for the city’s rabid obsession with the Red Sox. But sometime in the past two months, The Man stepped in and tragedy struck. The sign was cleaned as part of a war on graffiti waged by the city in anticipation of the much-maligned Democratic National Convention.

This effort by the killjoy powers that be represents the impact of the DNC at its worst. Go ahead and close down I-93, the Green Line, all of the North End for all I care. But leave the sign alone. Cleaning it strips the city of a veritable landmark, and deprives the Storrow motorist of a guaranteed smile. Not to mention that the sign’s original, intended message – Reverse Curve – is nonsensical. As a colleague put it this week, “What does that even mean? Isn’t a curve just a curve?” A valid point. And once again a moot one, thanks to the defiant Sox fan(s) who remedied the situation. Whoever you are, thank you.

Back to baseball. Tuesday’s contest was a dramatic win for a struggling team going up against its first-place divisional rival, and the team that knocked it out of the 2003 postseason. Combining timely hitting with strong defensive play, the good guys rallied from an early deficit to take the lead, then hung on for a 10-9 victory as they got the last out with two men on in the bottom of the final inning. It was an important win for a team coming off a tough week and looking to prove it belongs at the top of its division.

Oh wait, that was my softball team. Nothing of the sort was true of the Red Sox game last night, an ugly 11-3 loss to New York in the Bronx. At least the performance was horrible throughout, so that the time and emotion normally invested in a game against the Yankees were minimized. Still, not a strong effort. No hits with anyone in scoring position. Shoddy defense and four unearned runs. Tony Clark going deep. Yikes.

Tim Wakefield (4-5) takes the hill for Boston tonight against Jon Lieber (5-5), as the Sox look to find some semblance of consistency and rebound in the second game of the series.

New Lowe

While the New York Yankees celebrate their second victory over Boston in eight attempts, the Sox are now forced to regroup, retool and regain their composure.

After a night of atrocious defense, which saw Boston raise their major league-leading unearned run total to 58, the Sox are in desperate need of a solution to their sloppy inconsistent play. They have now lost six of their last nine games, and Darek Lowe (6,7), had another poor outing allowing a career high nine runs, while only five were earned.

The only Bostonian to get a lift tonight was Presidential candidate John Kerry, when the crowd booed Vice President Dick Cheney while a rendition of “God Bless America,” was performed during the seventh-inning stretch.

Yahoo! Wrap-Up

Mariners Screw Up in Reverse

"Wait�they made a good trade?"
Yes, indeedy. And not only do I kick off my YankeesSuck.com blogging experience with news of a deal which helps the M�s (on purpose, even!) and spanks the Yanks, I also get to use, in one column, my two least favorite sports-related expressions:

1. "Subway Series";
2. "Upside".

But first, the Freddy Garcia deal. In case you just woke up from a two-day bender (and if you�re a Mets fan, you may just have), the Mariners (my hometown team, for your reference) traded stud starting pitcher Freddy and uber-dork catcher Ben Davis to the Chicago White Sox for three players � Sox starting catcher Miguel Olivo, Topps 2003 Minor League Player Of The Year Jeremy Reed (OF), and SS/3B/1B/DH Michael Morse (prorated position switches after the M�s see him defensively at SS!).

As a Freddy Garcia fan, a firm believer in the "build everything around an ace" theory and a longtime basher of just about everything the M�s alleged front office has ever done, I was surprised at my own reaction to this trade. To wit: "Woot!"

Lemme �splain. The Mariners are desperately thin at catcher. So thin, in fact, that beyond Dan Wilson, their best option in 2004 has been erstwhile Civil War-era backstop Pat Borders. And while the M�s may value "veteran clubhouse presence" to an almost masochistic degree, listening to them try and talk Borders up was too much, even from them.

Whose fault is that?

Ben Davis�.

Davis is the worst possible life-sucking debit a na�ve front office can possibly possess � he is a "toolsy guy" with lots of potential "upside" (ACK!!!), and a staggering mental inability to follow through on any of it. You may remember Davis as the guy who broke up Curt Schilling�s perfect game attempt a few years back�with a bunt. And that�s all you need to know about Davis� concept of tradition and respect for the game. Batting .091 (!) before he was sent down to AAA Tacoma this season didn�t exactly help. I�d love Davis to be a Yankee. Does that tell you how much he stinks?

So, we�re all doing the Happy Dance in Seattle re: Davis� departure. And while the loss of a pitcher of Garcia�s caliber is a body blow, it was expected. This deal had been snaking around for at least a month. Not to mention the fact that a top-tier ace may be a luxury when you have this much dead weight from your starters (Stats as of 6/27/04):

SS Rich Aurilia: .237/.301/.326, 53 hits, 3 HR, 25 RBI in 224 AB.
3B Scott Speizio: .220/.292/.379, 47 hits, 8 HR, 28 RBI in 214 AB.
2B Bret Boone: .214/.288/.353, 54 hits, 9 HR, 27 RBI in 252 AB.
1B John Olerud: .262/.374/.376, 60 hits, 4 HR, 19 RBI in 229 AB.
CF Randy Winn: .260/.337/.377, 54 hits, 3 HR, 22 RBI in 265 AB.

Blarg. This team needs to get younger and tougher, with far more production, in an ENORMOUS hurry. The good news? We�re set for some record-breaking "Value Over Replacement Player" numbers over the next couple of seasons. And if the loss of Freddy Garcia is part of that equation�well, it had to be done. Olivo can start right next to Wilson today, Reed looks like the killer young outfielder the team so desperately needs (he could be called up in September � certainly Opening Day 2005), and Morse? Well, Morse has a lot of "upside" himself. We won�t hold that against him, though!

Of course, the cherry on the sundae was as follows�

"White Sox 1, Yankees Ooooooooohhhhhhh�"

There may have been no one in the world more distraught over the Garcia trade than current Yankee GM (and future men�s room attendant) Brian Cashman. See, the Yankees (not to mention the collective power of the New York press machine) were gunning for Garcia big-time.

Or so they thought. Having dangled minor-league catcher Dioner Navarro in Mariner GM Bill Bavasi�s face (and possibly Jose Contreras, if you believe some rumors), the Yanks certainly thought that they had the inside track, as they always seem to. However, just as in the Carlos Beltran trade, the team that is looking for prospects instead of suspects will avoid the Yankees like�well�the Yankees. When "Cha-ching" time came, the Sox desperately wanted Garcia themselves, and they had the farm system to make the trade go.

And there is Nothing. In. This. World. more enjoyable than the fact that the Yankees lost a guy they coveted�because they�re thin on prospects.

HAHAHAHAHA!!!

Enjoy those "meetings", Bri! No Vlad, no Beltran, no Freddy. Life sucks when there�s an even playing field, huh?

Take Two and Call Me In The Morning�

However lame it may be that the Mets just laid down and died in the Sunday doubleheader, what I find FAR more repulsive is the idea that this Yankees-Mets thing, with its negligible tradition, is termed a "Subway Series".

Sure.

Dodgers-Yankees in the �40�s and �50�s? THAT was a Subway Series. I find it very hard to believe that any current Yankee player would take a subway anywhere unless there was a photo op attached. Doesn�t go with the whole "arrogant sense of bogus entitlement" thing. In fact, the last major leaguer that I know for a fact rode a subway train was John Rocker.

And we all know how that turned out.

Let�s just call this series what it is�yet another excuse for the national media (especially Ravech and the BBTN boys) to get all goopy about Captain Intangible and his crew of overpaid goons. I wonder if that phrase would fit on a t-shirt!

ESPN.COM Yankee Quote(s) Of The Day:

"Derek Jeter is on a tear -- his batting average is up to .257" � Jeff Merron

"Jorge Posada is having an excellent year (while everyone's talking about I-Rod -- Ivan Rodriguez, in Detroit -- Posada has been his equal offensively)." � Jeff Merron

Uhhhhhhh�Jeff? Can you please mail me some of whatever it is you�re smoking? Here are the lines as of 6/28, my friend:

Pudge: .372/.410/.550, 100 hits, 10 HR, 54 RBI in 269 AB.

Posada: .273/.418/.515, 54 hits, 9 HR, 33 RBI in 198 AB.

Now, I don�t have anything against Posada (he�s actually one of five Yankees I can�t help but respect, the others being Gehrig, Berra, Munson and Mattingly), but this is revisionist analysis taken to a ludicrous degree�even for "The Worldwide Leader in Yankee Hoo-Ha". I eagerly await Merron�s statistical breakdown showing us less-enlightened folks just how much Yankee Mystique equals 46 hits and 21 RBI in less than half a season. Equal? If he�s Pudge�s equal, Derek Jeter�s an All-Star shortstop.

Oh, wait�

"Yankees lose! Thuuuuuuuh Yankees Lose!"

I Miss April

It was a good month to be in Boston, with spring in the air, Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez mired in slumps, and the Red Sox winning six of seven meetings with New York en route to a 15-6 start to their 2004 campaign.

The Sox haven’t been awful since, but their record of 27-26 from May 1 on has left players and fans uneasy. The team is 8-8 since Nomar Garciaparra’s return to the lineup, and 5-5 since Trot Nixon was activated. Mediocrity at its finest. The Yankees, meanwhile, have turned a 4-game deficit into a 5-game lead over Boston with a 39-15 record over the past two months. The Bronx Bombers will be out to avenge their poor April performances against the Red Sox, and looking to distance themselves from their chief rivals during a three-game series beginning Tuesday at Yankee Stadium.

Three games don’t make or break a 162-game season, but this week’s matchups could be defining for Boston. Will the team prove it belongs among the league’s elite, or begin watching its back for the surging Devil Rays? In order to compete with New York, the Sox will need timely hitting, along with quality starts from pitchers not named Pedro and Curt – both scarce commodities in the past few weeks. Despite MVP-caliber numbers from Manny Ramirez and David Ortiz, the team has struggled at the plate with runners in scoring position. Tuesday’s starting pitcher, Derek Lowe (6-6) is improving after a dreadful start to the season, but is still trying to assert control and regain his past form. Tim Wakefield (4-5), who will get the call on Wednesday, has not won since May 23. The Empire will counter with Javier Vazquez and Jon Lieber. Thursday, Pedro Matinez (8-3) will go up against Yankees rookie Brad Halsey in the series finale.

Another storyline unfolding Tuesday will be Garciaparra facing the Yankees for the first time this season. For those residing under a rock, the All-Star shortstop was nearly sent packing by Boston as a result of the team’s efforts to acquire Rodriguez, who later landed in New York. It will be nice to see these two standouts, who have been talked about in conjunction with each other on the rumor mill for months, generating some drama on the field for a change. A rumor circulating recently – no doubt started by agents of the Empire specifically to torment Sox fans – has a disaffected Garciaparra signing with New York next year, to play second base alongside Jeter and A-Rod. Nomar, please don’t give in to the Dark Side.

After losing two of three games to Colorado, San Francisco and Minnesota, the Red Sox finally scored a series victory this past weekend as they bested the Phillies twice at Fenway Park. Martinez and Curt Schilling keyed wins of 12-1 and 12-3, Friday and Sunday, while Philadelphia notched a 9-2 victory Saturday. The Phillies’ rambunctious and fun-loving mascot, the Phanatic, did not make the trip to Boston for the weekend, thus ensuring that Johnny Damon remained the hairiest creature on the field.

The Arch Enemies Meet Again

The Yankees will open up a series on Tuesday versus the Red Sox. As you might remember earlier in the season the Red Sox destroyed the Evil Empire. If 6 out of 7 games isn't enough for Sox fans, maybe 9 out of 10 will be. Last year the Red Sox only won 9 of 19 games versus the Yankees. This time the Red Sox will try to edge closer to first place. If a 3-game sweep occurred, the Yankees would only have a 2.5 game lead over the Red Sox in the AL East. However if the Yankees were to sweep the Red Sox, there would be a 8.5 game lead for first place. This series could make or break the AL East this year.

Let's look at the matchups:
Tuesday 7:05 EST: Javier Vázquez (8-5)3.38 ERA vs Derek Lowe (6-6) 5.24 ERA
Wednesday 7:05 EST: Jon Lieber (5-5) 5.26 ERA vs Tim Wakefield (4-5) 4.59 ERA
Thursday
Thursday 7:05 EST: Brad Halsey (1-1) 8.00 ERA or Kevin Brown (7-1) 4.13 ERA vs Pedro Martinez (8-3) 3.73 ERA

It looks like the matchups do favor the Red Sox is Halsey were to pitch on Thursday. Lowe has straightened himself out lately. He is 2-1 allowing 6 runs to score in the past 4 starts. Wakefield has been up and down lately and only gave up 1 run in his last start and had a no decision. Halsey was just awful in his last start vs. the Mets and Pedro is Pedro. It should be a good series. Let's go Sawx!

Rumors Are Swirling

When the Yankees didn't get Carlos Beltran or Freddy Garcia, you know George Steinbrenner wasn't happy. When Steinbrenner isn't happy, Brian Cash needs to make him happy.

So who will the Evil Empire go out and get? ESPN Insider Reports the new rumors as follows:

Who? Russ Ortiz
Why? He has a 3.67 ERA which is what the Yankees want. Lack of run support has cost him because he only has a 7-6 record. In New York, there is no lack of run support.
Details: "Jun. 28 - The Yankees reportedly were scouting Ortiz on Saturday (June 26th), and he pitched well. With Freddy Garcia dealt to Chicago and the Braves seemingly in cost-cutting mode, Ortiz could be a New York target.

As for Ortiz's availablity? At this point, closer John Smoltz told the paper, nothing is surprising.

"There's not a guy on this team whose name could come up in trade rumors that would surprise me," Smoltz said.

Who? Jamie Moyer
Why? Like Russ Ortiz, lack of run support has hurt Moyer. He is 6-4 with a 3.80 ERA.
Details: "Jun. 28 - If dealing Freddy Garcia is a signal the Mariners are waving the white flag on the season, expect Moyer's name to come up in trade talks, too. The veteran left-hander makes $7 million this season and will make $2 million next season, but can veto any trade as a 10-and-5 man. His name reportedly came up when the Yankees and Mariners were discussing Garcia, but it's unclear whether he would waive his veto rights for a trade to New York."

Who? Preston Wilson
Why? Yankees wanted Beltran, Wilson is a very similar player. However, he doesn't hit for average. He has decent speed, and can hit 30+ homeruns and last year he drove in a career high 141 RBI's. However, can he hit this outside Coors field? Why not? He's been on the DL for most of this year.
Details: Jun. 28 - Having missed out on Carlos Beltran, the Yankees reportedly have inquired about Wilson's availability. The right-handed hitting outfielder will make $12.5 million next season, the final year of his deal. He has spent much of this season on the disabled list after undergoing knee surgery April 19.

ESPN Insider

Vote For Everett

A vote for Astros SS Adam Everett is a vote for a future Gold-glove winner!

As most know, I am an Astros fan and to wake up this morning to find that he is behind Cardinals SS �dgar Renter�a by only 6 votes is not a good feeling.

Everett is by far the best shortstop in the N.L, he has all-round capabilities and his stats far exceed anything that Renter�a has done this season. There is also nothing better than playing the all-star game in your "home town".

Chances are, a lot of you have already voted your 25 times, but for those who haven't, I strongly urge you to vote for Adam Everett; This years N.L shortstop gold-glover.

Picture This

Rino, a die-hard Red Sox fan from Medford Mass. sent in these charming photographs of himself at a Yankees game. Why he allowed himself to be anywhere near that obnoxious hellhole is beyond us. He even managed to stomach a trip into the team store. The courage he displayed in proudly wearing his Boston hat into the joint awards this brave soul a free Yankees Suck bumper sticker.

Click on the pictures to see it bigger.

Motivational Speaking in Toronto

By Blue Jays fan Derek

A day after Toronto’s 13-19 loss to Tampa Bay, Jays first baseman Carlos Delgado and catcher Gregg Zaun called for an all-players meeting to discuss their, well, "issues." The injured slugger must have said some heart-warming, unforgettable words as his Jays went out and defeated Montreal 3-1, thanks in part to a few not-so-minor-league-anymore pitches from Josh Towers. That’s a great bedtime story, yeah?

So I guess this means that Delgado works for the Toronto branch of Inspiring Speakers. Did I say works? I meant runs it. No offense to Blue Jay or Delgado fans (God forbid!), but it seems that this All-Star can be more productive on the IL. No doubt that after the game he gave another eye-wetting performance from atop his locker-room podium, congratulating Toronto’s success. Now, if I were GM Ricciardi, I would be trying to schedule Carlos pep-talks before each and every game! Hopefully his sermons can continue until July 21st, when the Jays face off against the Yankees.

Bravo, Reverend! Bravo!

Yanks beat again! Garcia to White Sox

Steinbrenner loses out again this week. First Beltran, now one of the top pitchers on the trading block: Freddy Garcia.

White Sox get: Freddy Garcia, Ben David and cash
Mariners get: Catcher Miguel Olivo, Jeremy Reed who was the top prospect for the White Sox and minor league infielder Michael Morse.

ESPN Article

Safe at Home

Sometimes it’s damn hard to hate the Yankees.

When José Contreras defected from his Cuban national baseball team while in Mexico in October of 2002, he did something much more courageous and difficult than defecting from Cuba and Fidel Castro. He left his wife and two daughters behind.

"I would wake up in the middle of the night thinking that my daughters would be there, and they wouldn't be there," he said in this Kevin Baxter story for the Miami Herald. "And I would cry like a child because I was by myself."

Contreras risked everything for a dream treasured more — the promise of freedom and a lucrative American baseball career.

So last Monday, when 21 Cubans were smuggled to the shores of the Florida Keys aboard a "go-fast" boat, Contreras quickly learned that three of them were his wife and two daughters. Late Tuesday night, he joined them for a long awaited emotional reunion in Miami.

Contreras’ dream is now complete. Baxter describes how his wife sleeps by his side in the master bedroom of their spacious four-bedroom apartment. His arm is young and considered golden by many, and he’s financially secure earning $8.5 million this season alone. His 3-year-old daughter, Nailenis, wakes him in the morning with a gentle tap. "It was what I had dreamed about the past two years," Contreras said in the same story. The only question now is do they turn this "rags to riches" story into a silver screen production or a TV mini-series.

Contreras makes his first start since their reunion this afternoon in the first game a double header at Yankee Stadium. His wife and daughters have waited 20 months to see him pitch in a professional game and had to wait a couple of extra days because of the rain out Friday night.

This freedom story deserves a happy ending. So we here at YankeesSuck.com join all patriotic baseball fans in wishing Contreras the best of luck today in this nationally televised game. We wish this because of what he has accomplished off the field. He is a true American hero and his story is what makes this country great. We wish him and his family a "happily ever after" life from this point forward. And today we hope he pitches nine "perfect innings."

So lets root for a 1-0 victory by the Mets in the tenth!

Feels so good!

When the Yankees had the bases loaded in the bottom of the first inning, Yankee fans were undoubtedly thinking this would be a wonderful Saturday at the ballpark. But Mets starter Al Leiter, (3-2,) who won against a team he called �the mighty Yankees,� held tight.

Leiter struck out Yankee hulk Jason Giambi and forced Jorge Posada to weakly ground out, ending the inning and propelling the Mets to go on to beat the bombers and the Bronx's rookie pitcher Brad Halsey. Read it and weep: 9 �3. The pricey Alex Rodriguez went 0-for-5 and stranded seven runners, five of them on second or third and is hitting .211 against the Mets for his career. According to an AP wrap-up on ESPN, Rodriguez is hitting .197 (13-for-66 with runners in scoring position, including .086 (3-for-35) with two outs. Wow!

The subway ride continues today in a double hedder. The Yanks may face another mugging in the house that George wrecked. Let's go Mets!

Subway Series

The Yankees vs Mets rivalry will continue as they face off once again this weekend. Game 1 of the series was postponed due to rain but they will play a double header Sunday. Remember the 2000 World Series in which Roger Clemens stirred up Mets' star Mike Piazza by throwing the head of Piazza's broken bat in his direction? That was only the first inning of Game 2. This Subway Series included come-from-behind victories, heroics from an unknown player, the always special Derek Jeter moments (Gag me), and of course the Yankees winning the World Series. What else is new?

Well the Mets are actually doing well this year. Only 3 games behind 1st place, and 2 games out of second place. Also, those loveable Yankees are in 1st place (wait, that isn't new). Oh well, Mets fan and Red Sox fans rejoice! I predict a 9 game losing streak (6 games to the Mets, 3 to the Red Sox). The Red Sox will regain 1st place as the Yankees fall to 3rd behind the red hot Devil Rays. The Mets will be 2 games ahead of Florida in the NL East.

Mets' fan, Jake Cohen, 16, of Coventry, CT has very hateful words towards the Evil Empire, " [The Yankees] are dirty cheaters who bought their way to championships."

Al Leiter (2-2) will try to get it started today as he faces off against Brad Halsey (1-0) at 1:05 PM EST. On Sunday, Steve Trachsel (7-5) will battle vs. everyones favorite Cuban, José Contreras (4-3) at 1:05 PM EST. Game 2 of the double header will feature Matt Ginter (1-1)and Mike Mussina(8-4) at 8:05 PM EST.

Sub Series

In this “Subway Series,” the Yankees will arrive in the first class seats, while the Mets will be lucky to sit in the rear end of coach. The Yankees currently sport the best record in baseball. I haven’t read this anywhere. No need. I’m reminded about it by Yankee fans more often than CNN broadcasts Peterson trial updates. The Mets meanwhile, having decided to go with the "youth movement," are seeking to move into a .500 season with a win today.

When the Mets talk about going with youth, they're not talking about their pitching staff. When you look at today’s starters it’s the Yankees who look young. Their Brad Halsey, 1-0, 3.18 ERA, was six year-old when Al Leiter, 2-2, 2.14 ERA made his major league debut with the Yankees in 1987.

In the battle of the payrolls, this one sees the Mets $96 Million vs. the Yankees $180 million.

Urgent Media Report!

Daytona Cubs fans can support their favorite players - quite literally.

Check this out...

As an aside, Editor Doug pointed out to me: "Sheesh, what's next? Owl Puke Night at Safeco?", which enabled him to make me snork coffee through my nasal passages.

Fantasy Update: The Beltran Deal

Now that the huge Beltran deal has occurred, I thought I would spell out to fantasy owners what this means for your teams:

Astros� RP Brad Lidge moves into the closing role:
If Lidge is still available (chances are he's not) pick him up while you can. He is still on track for over 150 K's on the season, which is just amazing. Only a handful of starters get that amount and, because of that, you should have already had him. He will still be getting the same amount of save ops that Dotel would get, and he will blow a couple, but his fantasy value skyrockets.

RP Octavio Dotel closes for The A's:
Dotel's value also goes up. He will get a lot more save ops than he would in Houston, he will still have the same conversion rate, and he will get over 120 K's. The obvious doubt is there, because the transition to the AL may not be smooth. He has some hard pitches to catch and Damian Miller is nowhere near as good as Ausmus when it comes to that, so I predict a lot more wild pitches. Still, his value does go up.

Carlos Beltran is now playing in "The Juice-Box":
This is great news for Beltran owners as he now has some very good protection in the line-up, the short porch in left and more people to drive in. I am expecting his numbers to increase a lot. His steals may also go up, but that depends on Astros Manager Jimy Williams, known in fantasy circles as "The Devil" for his inconsistent game management. Now because of all the rest of the power, he may not be stealing, but it is no secret that Houston is not the speediest team in the majors.

Astros� RP Dan Miceli moves into the set-up role:
If you are in a league that counts hold, you should already have him, but know he moves into the set-up role and will get a lot more playing time, a lot more holds and most important, more K's. If he keeps on track, he will get over 100 K's for the season.

Bad news for whoever makes way for Astros� CF Craig Biggio:
It is most likely going to be Jason Lane, RF, as Biggio moves into left and Lance Berkman, CF, makes his way to right. If this is the case it is a shame, as he was just getting into his stride. He'll have to wait until next year.

All in all, this trade is great news for fantasy owners. All players are moving into a much better situation to improve their stats.

"The Rant" by Trav Flatt

Summer is finally here. Pragmatically speaking, summer seems to have come early to New Mexico. It’s been baking hot, and wildfires have already been running amok. Not to mention the fact that the proverbial "Boys of Summer", baseball players, have been doing their thing in excess of sixty games.

That’s one of the things that severely hampers my ability to really maintain focus on Major League Baseball; The interminable season makes any one game really drop off in terms of importance. A baseball team has to severely slack off for roughly two weeks to have the same effect in terms of win-loss record as, for example, one fourth quarter fumble in Pro Football.

I recognize that there are plenty of benefits to more games in a season. The most obvious being ‘Ticket Revenue multiplied by 81 instead of by 8". No doubt hometown fans enjoy a greater number of opportunities to get out and see the game, I just can’t personally relate.

For one thing, my attention span is roughly equivalent to that of tree bark. I can’t keep track of 81 hometown games, much less 162 hometown team games. My hometown Albuquerque Isotopes play fewer games per season, but at this point I would have to go rooting through the newspaper sports page to even be able to tell you whether or not they are, technically, in Albuquerque at some point this week.

That’s the second thing. As a procrastinator of limited means, an extended season affords me the luxury of putting off attendance. To date (And, again, I had to go look this up), the local Isotopes have 33 home games remaining. By way of contrast, if I wanted to see 33 home games for the UNM Lobos football team, it would take me five or six years. Since I can’t afford to go see EACH and EVERY game, I would naturally want to wait until some meaningful games came along… Basically, when the team was on the verge of being mathematically eliminated from the playoffs and fighting for a spot in the post-season. This would have me either watching a real crappy team early in the season, or waiting until August or so to see a game.

I haven’t actually looked into it (As a journalist, I have the innate personality characteristic of being too lazy to look up ‘facts’), but I would assume that "Length of Season" is one of the factors cited by the MLB Player’s Association to justify absurd baseball player salaries. It’s a shame I can’t use that logic on my boss, considering that I go to work all YEAR.

I just don’t find length of season particularly relevant in terms of salary negotiation. Let’s face it, baseball is not as physically demanding as football. Or hockey. Or basketball… Come on, any sport in which Sidney Ponson can be considered a Finely Tuned Athlete cannot be that grueling from an aerobic point of view.

I’m not denying that there are definitely skills involved, but I have played a great deal of organized baseball in my time. When I wasn’t pitching, I was generally behind the plate catching. Both of these positions involve participation on each and every pitch, obviously. On the occasions where I fielded another position, the majority of my ‘Playing Time’ involved enough free time with which to leisurely munch on sunflower seeds and oogle the redhead by the third base dugout. Then, before the pitch, I had to utilize the physically intensive skill of being Very Alert, in case I had to do something, until the guy at the plate would foul one off and I could resume munching and oogling.

Now, I have absolutely nothing against either of those activities. Most of the time, I’m doing one or the other or both whether or not I’m anywhere near a baseball field. The point is that it never would have occurred to me that I should be earning a few million dollars a year to do so.

Truth be told, from a player’s perspective I would be all over a 162-game season because I always played because I enjoyed doing so. If a salary were thrown on top of the deal, I’d be in heaven. These days, though, I’m a consumer instead of a player, and in the process of purchasing tickets, I’m subsidizing these guys’ salary.

Interleague Disparity

This is just a quick gripe, as I’m a bit surprised that I haven’t seen much mention of it. More frequently, I’ve seen writers touting the flip side of the same coin and prattling on about how Regional Rivalries are a great thing. The less commonly mentioned side effect of this sort of scheduling is that some regional rivals aren’t facing the same quality of teams as others. This would be all well and good in theory, but the interleague games in question still do count when the win-loss columns are counted up in divisional standings. This sort of selective scheduling can mean the difference between a playoff spot and going home when one takes competitive imbalance back into account.

Beltran to Astros

The Associated Press has put an end to the Carlos Beltran rumors by reporting that Beltran was just included in a three way deal that has him landing in Houston.

The AP reports: "The Carlos Beltran Sweepstakes are nearing an end, and the winner appears to be the Houston Astros.

A three-way trade that would send Beltran -- the biggest prize on the trade market -- to Houston and Astros closer Octavio Dotel to Oakland is "very close" to being completed, a baseball official with knowledge of the talks tells ESPN.com's Jayson Stark."

According to two sources, the trade could be completed Thursday night.

"Dotel would wind up in Oakland, where he would take over as the closer in a bullpen that has more blown saves (14) than saves (13), sources said. Kansas City would acquire three prospects in the deal, the most significant being Oakland's highly regarded third-base prospect Mark Teahan. A's minor league pitcher Mike Wood and touted Astros minor league catcher John Buck are alse included, ESPN's Peter Gammons reports.

Beltran would succeed Craig Biggio as the Astros' center fielder. Biggio probably would move to left field.

Cash also would change hands in the deal."

The Associated Press is reporting that Beltran was told by the Royals on Thursday that he is being traded to Houston. Beltran was informed of the deal by Royals general manager Allard Baird, AP reports.

Houston last week traded outfielder Richard Hidalgo to the Mets for relief pitcher David Weathers.

ESPN Article

The Curse of the Shaquino

In Other Sports...Orlando has an answer to the curse of the Bambino, it's the CURSE OF THE SHAQUINO. In 1992, the Magic won the first lottery pick. The Magic drafted LSU's Shaquille O'Neal. In 1993,the Magic drafted Chris Webber for the 1st pick overall and Anfernee Hardaway was drafted 3rd overall by the Golden State Warriors. The Magic traded Webber to Golden State in exchange for Anfernee Hardaway and first round picks in 1996, 1998, and 2000. It looked like it would be the beginning of a dynasty for the Orlando Magic.

The Magic played the Houston Rockets in the 1995 NBA Finals but were swept in 4 games. Shaq went to the LA Lakers and won 3 championships. The Magic thought that the additions of Grant Hill and Tracy McGrady for the 2000-2001 season that they would once again return to the promised land. Orlando thought wrong, Grant Hill has only played 47 games in 4 years. Now, Tracy McGrady could be on the way out as Orlando is exploring trade options with teams. He could be heading to Houston tonight before the NBA Draft in New York. Now the big decision for the Magic, draft a proven Emeka Okafor, a high school player in Dwight Howard or trade down. With the first pick in the 2004 NBA Draft, Orlando is on the clock.

13 Lucky for Orioles, 2 Bad for Yanks

The Yankees looked pitiful last night as the Baltimore Orioles ravaged the chances of the Yankees winning 10 straight against Baltimore. The last place Orioles looked phenomenal as Baltimore starter Erik Bedard threw 5 solid innings and only gave up 2 runs, one of which was earned. Then Baltimore’s bullpen took over and the lights went out for the Yankees. Newly acquired pitcher Jason Grimsley, B.J. Ryan and Mike DeJean, shut down the Evil Ones in the final 4 innings by not allowing a single hit or walk.

Yankees’ starter Jon Lieber went 3 and 2/3 innings giving up 11 hits, 7 runs, 5 ER, and only striking out 1. Tanyon Sturze and Félix Heredia didn’t fair too well either, giving up 6 hits, 6 runs in total. Heredia gave up a 2 run homer to Miguel Tejada in the 8th, who drove in 4.

For Orioles manager Lee Mazzilli it is a step in the right direction, “It's good to break the ice,'' Mazzilli said. "To be honest, you don't want to keep losing. After last week, getting a win right now no matter who we play is crucial,'' he said to David Ginsburg of the AP. The last place Orioles will try to win the rubber match today as Sidney Ponson faces off against Javier Vázquez tonight at 7:05 EST. Ponson will try to snap his longest losing streak of his career.

The Battle For Beltran

Enter the Houston Astros?

It is now being reported on MLB.com that there are trade talks about a three-way trade involving Kansas City, Oakland and Houston. The "supposed" trade would be sending Beltran to the Astros, sending Dotel to the A's - who are in desperate need of a closer - and would send a bunch of minor leaguers to the Royals from the A's.

For me, an Astros fan, I hope this trade happens (but can see no obvious logic behind it). It would give Dotel more chances at closing out games and would give Lidge a closing job that he has the stuff to match.

It would also give the A's a closer. Of the many they have had in the past, all have failed. For a team 1 game out of first place in the AL West, that is not a good thing. Dotel would nicely stabilize their bullpen and give them a genuine shot at making the playoffs.

I don't think I need to talk about how the Royals are struggling. At the start of the year, I thought they were going to be contenders. Oh, how wrong I was. They, of course, will be moving Beltran and the result will be minor league prospects. At this time, they just have to decide out of which organization.

Naturally, the Astros are denying these rumours.

FORGET BELTRAN, SIGN #5

Nomar Garciaparra put the exclamation point on a solid performance by Boston Tuesday night, belting his fifth career grand slam as the Red Sox rolled past the Minnesota Twins at Fenway Park, 9-2. The shortstop’s first home run of the year was part of a six-run seventh inning effort by the Sox, and Curt Schilling pitched seven strong innings to earn the victory. Schilling (9-4) allowed four hits and struck out five, allowing just one run and improving to 6-0 this season at home. David Ortiz contributed a home run and an RBI double, pushing his AL-leading RBI total to 65, while Manny Ramirez also hit a solo homer – his AL-leading 19th.

One big hit doesn’t mean that Nomar is fully recovered from the Achilles injury that kept him on the shelf for the first 57 games of this season, nor does it mean we can expect 430-foot bombs and curtain calls every evening. But perhaps it will serve notice to the Red Sox ownership that he should be their prized signing target. General Manager Theo Epstein’s attention currently appears to be elsewhere, with rumors of the team making a play for Kansas City outfielder Carols Beltran running rampant over the past few days. A number of scenarios have materialized for the Red Sox to acquire the Royals’ 27-year old soon-to-be free agent, a complete player who makes GMs salivate with his blend of power, speed and defense.

One potential three-way deal involves Boston obtaining Beltran, while sending reliever Scott Williamson and third baseman Kevin Youkilis to Oakland. Another has the Sox shipping those two players and minor leaguer Kelly Shoppach to the Royals for Beltran, straight up. As fun as it would be to thwart the Yankees, who also covet Beltran, neither plan makes sense. Where the Red Sox would play Beltran, with three strong outfielders already in place, is an unanswered question. Boston’s bullpen is not deep enough to make Williamson expendable. Youkilis has already shown flashes of his potential, and Shoppach is being groomed as the team’s catcher of the future. The price is just too high. With Beltran’s impending free agency after the season, is Boston really willing to risk mortgaging its future on what may amount to a three-month rental?

In order to ensure the team’s continuing success, Epstein needs to look no further than the guy wearing #5 on his own team . The cornerstone of the franchise since his Rookie of the Year campaign of 1997. A two-time batting champion who ranks in the top three among active players in career batting average. One of the premier shortstops in the game. A class act whose work ethic and team-first mentality are unparalleled. The Red Sox were willing to part with Garciaparra last winter during the Alex Rodriguez saga, but after a bizarre turn of events, they have been given a second chance. If any player is worth more than his “market value,” and should be retained for the rest of his career, it’s him. The ball is in Epstein’s court. Meanwhile, Nomar and his teammates – sans Beltran for now – look to make it two in a row against the Twins Wednesday at Fenway.

The Devil Rays' Sting

Tampa Bay's run at the playoffs continues, extending their franchise-record winning streak to 12 games with a win over the Blue Jays.

Am I surprised? No, Pat Hentgen doesn't exactly have the best looking stats and Toronto is playing without their top RBI men, but people are using that as an excuse to brush this streak off as nothing. Twelve games is a lot people, especially for a franchise that has never won more than 69 games in a season (they have got that mark twice), a team that is now only 6 games out of 2nd place behind Boston.

Does all this mean they have a chance to win the division? Quite possibly, but most likely that is not the case.

Anyone who brushes this off as nothing and insists on claiming that Tampa Bay "does well against bad teams," and this performance is "nothing special" is clearly in denial about Tampa Bay being currently better than their own team.

This Week's Top Ten

Top Ten Little-Known Records The Yankees Could Break This Season

10. Highest number of eye rolls after a strike is called. (azsistercat)

9. Most players out due to off-field groin injuries . (timd986)

8. Highest percentage of concessions worth more than the Montreal Expos. (GoblinDeath22)

7. Least economical team batting average to salary ratio . (knobs8880)

6. Most physician-assisted suicide squeeze plays. (Mr.Acadoodie)

5. Highest concentration of jackasses in a room that holds 25 people. (clemenssucks)

4. Largest chemically altered biceps for a first baseman. (ToxicTom77)

3. Most consecutive singles by a guy paid $20 million a year to hit home runs. (RubenSierraOnRye)

2. Longest unbroken string of lame excuses after a series with the Red Sox. (Parrick)

1. Number of years in a row fans acted like they were the champs without actually BEING the champs. (Kbernhard)

Yanks vs. Orioles Preview

Yankees at Baltimore June 22-24: Series Preview
The Yankees will open a three game series tonight versus the Baltimore Orioles. Mike Mussina will make his first start since he injured his groin on June 11th. Mussina is 7-3 against his former team since he joined the Yankees in 2001. He is 4-1 versus the Orioles in Camden Yards.

The series match ups are:
Mike Mussina (7-3) 4.43 ERA vs Matt Riley (1-2) 7.11 ERA- 7:05 EST June 22nd
Jon Lieber (5-4) 4.83 ERA vs Erik Bedard (1-2) 4.33 ERA- 7:05 EST June 23rd
Javier Vázquez (7-5) 3.43 ERA vs Sidney Ponson (3-9) 6.49 ERA- 7:05 June 24th

Watch out for Sidney Ponson on June 24th. When he has a good day, he can shut down his opponents. In the 3 starts in which he won, 2 have been complete games and he allowed only 2 runs during those 3 games.

The first time the Yankees played the Orioles this season, it was batting practice for them. The Yankees outscored the Orioles 41-17. In the second series, it was closer but the Yankees still prevailed - sweeping the Orioles for the second time of the year. Baltimore will try to bounce back tonight and regain 4th place ahead of Toronto. Manager Lee Mazilli still wants to prove himself to his former teammate and paesan, Joe Torre.

Game notes: Orioles acquired P Jason Grimsley from the Royals last night as they traded away Denny Bautista. This is the 5th major league team Jason Grimsley has spent time with. Grimsley was a Yankee from 1999-2000. Grimsley went 10-4 in 118 games with them.

SCHMIDT HAPPENS

Not unlike the 2002 motion picture starring Jack Nicholson, the finale of Boston’s series against San Francisco was About Schmidt – in this case, Giants pitching ace Jason. The right-hander won his ninth straight decision Sunday as he allowed just one hit and two walks in dominating the Red Sox. The complete game masterpiece marked his second one-hitter of the year, and powered San Francisco to a 4-0 victory. While Schmidt (9-2) stymied the Red Sox, Edgardo Alfonzo provided the decisive home run for the second straight day, breaking open a scoreless game in the seventh inning with a grand slam off Mike Timlin.

Despite allowing five walks, Sox starter Bronson Arroyo (2-6) kept the Giants off the board before being relieved with one out and two men on in the seventh. Barry Bonds then singled to shallow left, though Kevin Millar’s throw appeared to beat the advancing lead runner to third base. Manager Terry Francona was ejected after arguing the call, and Alfonzo’s home run followed, providing all the game’s offense. Arroyo is winless in his last six outings. Kevin Youkilis’ sixth-inning double was Boston’s only hit.

Managers, particularly those calling the shots for the Red Sox, are overly criticized. But Francona’s decision to give Manny Ramirez a day off Sunday is a curious one. Schmidt has been the hottest pitcher in baseball, and the Boston skipper has one of the game’s premier hitters at his disposal. Yet Francona decides to rest him. When the entire team has a scheduled day off the following day. And will face Kyle Lohse of the Minnesota Twins the day after that. Questionable timing at best.

The Yankees, 5-4 losers to the Dodgers Sunday night, remain 4 _ games ahead of Boston. The loss ended the Red Sox road trip at a disappointing 2-4, and dropped the team’s record to 8-9 in the month of June. The Sox will look to break out of their recent mediocrity in an upcoming three-game series against aforementioned Twins at Fenway Park. Curt Schilling (8-4) will take the hill Tuesday night, followed by Derek Lowe (6-5) and Tim Wakefield (4-5).

On The Flip Side - With Mr. Opposite

Why Tampa Bay is the best team in baseball:

What can $21 Million dollars buy you nowadays? It can pay Arod's salary for a season and it can also pay for The entire Tampa Bay staff for one season, I don't know about you, but I would much rather the latter.

Who would have thought it? Tampa Bay has a streak of 10 wins, and are 10-1 in interleague play, which just so happens to be the best record in the majors. The most surprising part is that it hasn't been against teams with offence that resembles Death Valley, like the Expos (yes I am fully aware that they managed to scrape together 17 runs against the White Sox. Shocking). It has been against productive teams like the Padres and the Rockies and Barry Bonds, oh wait, I mean the Giants. They rallied twice against Chacon, granted that isn't the hardest thing to do, and a lot of the games were won in the ninth or in extras, proving that they handle themselves well in clutch situations, something that even the greatest of teams can't always do.

Here are some nice stats: 2-7 2 BB's (1 HBP), those are Bonds' stats. At the end of the series they had, not one IBB. This is after Lou said that they would pitch to Barry, something which most team managers go back on. The most amazing of these coming in the tenth inning of the second game, with Barry leading off, I, like most other people was expecting an intentional, but no, they pitch to him, and he does nothing with it. Pinella told Paul C. Smith of MLB.com "We did a nice job on him. He might be a little tired from swinging the bat." Cruz drove in the winning run. I just love seeing Bonds fail. Take that ESPN.

They then followed up the 2-1 series win over the Giants by getting out the brooms for San Diego and Colorado. For me, the most impressive win so far would have to be taking it to Randy Johnson. He was quite a streak since his perfect game, little did he know that he was going to suffer a loss to "The most under-rated team in baseball".

Now I am fully aware that this trend may not continue, but I had tipped the D-Rays to be 3rd when the season is over. So far that's is looking like a great tip.

The reason for their success is quite simple, they don't have a highly-paid player that they have to look to in order to get wins. They have a nice mix of speedy young players (Crawford and The Pride of Rhode Island), power hitters (Martinez and McGriff) and all-round great players like Aubrey Huff . All of that mixed with the greatest coach of all time, Big-balled Piniella, and you get "The Best Team In Baseball".

All-Star Team or All-Suck Team?

Red Sox fans should keep the Pepto Bismol handy during next month's All-Star Game, because the American League lineup could be nauseating. As of this week, the Yankees' Alex Rodriguez, Derek Jeter and Jason Giambi are the leading vote getters at their respective positions. The only non-member of the Evil Empire who would start in the AL infield if the fan vote tallies were final today? Texas' Alfonso Soriano, the player New York traded for A-Rod. The cruel twists never seem to end. A-Rod and Soriano appear to have insurmountable leads in the voting, but - memo to Sox fans - Jeter's lead is still within reach. Start stuffing the ballot box for Nomar now. David Ortiz would be another great choice (supplanting Giambi) but because he served primarily as a designated hitter last year, he does not appear on the ballot. Anyone else smell another Steinbrenner conspiracy?

Best New Red Sox Nickname

This one was coined by Boston resident and lifelong fan Lucas Dwyer. "Mass Pike" (or simply "Pike"), for backup catcher Doug Mirabelli. Despite playing only whenever Tim Wakefield takes his turn in the pitching rotation, the nine-year veteran has consistently shown some pop with the bat, particularly at home. A dead pull hitter, Mirabelli frequently takes advantage of Fenway's short porch in left field. Almost all of his home runs soar into deep left and high over the Green Monster. Interstate 90 - the Massachusetts Turnpike - runs through Boston not too far beyond the Monster, and if any member of the Sox could launch a ball onto the highway, it's Mirabelli. His home run Friday was his fifth of the year, several of which have been Pike-worthy shots.

A Record-Setting Bunch

The 2003 Red Sox re-wrote the American League record books with their prolific offense. This year's team would undoubtedly be closing in on an another impressive record - most combined hair growth by a 25-man roster - if such a statistic were tracked. Major League Baseball might want to start, using the 2004 Sox as a benchmark. Johnny Damon's self-described "unfrozen caveman" look has been well documented. For Pedro Martinez, comfortably fitting a baseball cap over his coiffure may be a more impressive feat than his 173 career victories. I doubt Manny Ramirez remembers his last haircut. Or much else, actually. Bellhorn's sideburns and flowing locks have quietly grown beyond the length most of us could get away with at our jobs, and may be as under-appreciated as his play. Pokey Reese's cornrows are impressive, and the enigmatic Kevin Millar showed great potential last year. The hair production of this team simply blows away past and present major league competition.

Everyday Second Baseman?

With Nomar Garciaparra finally back in the Red Sox lineup, the team's infield is looking a little crowded, and will become even more so once third baseman Bill Mueller returns from knee surgery. After spending most of the season at shortstop in Garciaparra's absence, defensive wizard Pokey Reese has shifted to second base, the position he was signed to play. Reese's defense is a tremendous asset to the club and has gained popularity with fans. Rarely does a player receive a standing ovation for his glove work, as Pokey did last Sunday against Los Angeles after a ridiculous inning-ending snare of a line drive. But would the Sox be better off with him coming off the bench as a defensive replacement and continuing to give the majority of playing time at second to Mark Bellhorn? The numbers suggest that they might be.

Signed in the winter to be the team's utility infielder, Bellhorn has been an unsung hero this year in keeping Boston in the AL East race. In addition to respectable play in the field, he has worked his way up to the #2 spot in the batting order with his ability to get on base and occasional power. Entering Saturday's game, he led all everyday second basemen in walks (52), runs scored (48) and on-base percentage (.402). Historically, Bellhorn has never hit for average, but after hitting .194 through April, he has brought his clip up to .266. His 39 RBI and .429 slugging percentage are solid totals.

Compare those numbers to those produced in the 2003 campaign by Todd Walker (.333 OBP, .428 SLG), who was not retained by Boston in part because his fielding was seen as a liability. Bellhorn has proven himself to be a superior fielder and hitter than Walker. Compare the statistics to Reese's (.304 OBP, .372 SLG). Pokey is one of the best defensive players in baseball, but can his glove theatrics compensate for such a dropoff in production? Fortunately for the Sox, both players are versatile fielders and Garciaparra will be given a good number of days off as he returns from his 57-game layoff, so playing time will not been a huge problem in the next few weeks. But when and if the whole roster is healthy, manager Terry Francona will face some tough decisions.

Nixon for President!

It hasn't taken him long to make an impact. Although San Francisco won Saturday's game, Nixon's game-tying single in the eighth was an important moment for the team. It conjured up memories of last season, when the Sox always seemed to get the big hit when they needed it. This year, such efforts have been tougher to come by. After Nixon's breakthrough 2003 season, which included many clutch performances in the regular season and playoffs, the Red Sox have badly missed him so far this year. In his first four appearances since coming off the Disabled List, Nixon has five hits in 11 at-bats, including three home runs. Stats that good are a bit of an anomaly, but look for Trot to continue producing runs consistently and helping the team pull out close games.

Red Sox v Giants

The first series between the Red Sox and the Giants since 1912 promised to be entertaining, and the first two games of this weekend's series have certainly lived up to expectations.

In a wild contest Friday night at SBC Park, San Francisco surged to a 7-2 lead only to watch its defense crumble and its pitching surrender five Red Sox home runs in a 14-9 Boston win. Manny Ramirez, David Ortiz and Kevin Millar all homered in the fifth inning, capitalizing on the struggles of starting pitcher Jerome Williams and several defensive miscues by the Giants. Millar's three-run blast was the team's first pinch-hit home run of the season and gave Boston a 9-7 lead. Trot Nixon and Doug Mirabelli provided insurance with back-to-back homers in the ninth. Boston starter Tim Wakefield's recent struggles continued as he was removed from the game after the fourth inning, but Mike Timlin righted the ship with 2 2/3 scoreless innings of relief that earned him the victory.

The Sox spotted San Francisco an early lead again Saturday, as Pedro Martinez was touched for four runs in the first by the first six batters he faced. Gabe Kapler got the Sox on the board with an RBI double in the fourth, while Martinez settled in and was dominant until being replaced after six innings of work. Boston rallied in the eighth inning thanks to the pinch-hitting Trot Nixon, who delivered a bloop single with two outs and the bases loaded. Ortiz and Ramirez scored easily on the play, and a misplay by Barry Bonds in left field allowed Kapler to score all the way from first and tie the game, 4-4. The Giants quickly answered with their own pinch-hit heroics in the bottom of the inning, when Edgardo Alfonzo entered the game to face reliever Alan Embree and hit a towering two-out, two-run home run into the left field stands. Giants closer Matt Herges got the final three outs to preserve the 6-4 win.

Bonds, who ruffled feathers across the baseball world this week claiming Boston was "too racist" for him, has been held hitless in the series thus far, going 0-for-7 with two walks. Perhaps that comment is Barry-speak for "too good." Saturday marked the first time since May 12 that the slugger has not reached base.

Both teams go for the series victory Sunday at 4:05 EST. The Red Sox have their work cut out for them, with young Bronson Arroyo (2-5) going up against San Francisco's staff ace, Jason Schmidt (8-2).

Boston remains 4 1/2 games behind New York, which has split its first two games against the Los Angeles Dodgers, in the American League East.

Sgt Struppa's Iraq Update

This blog is written by Sgt. Mike Struppa, our Red Sox Nation correspondent in Iraq. As always, our thoughts and prayers are with all our troops. Even the Yankee fans among them. Sgt. Struppa is at right in the photo along with SPC Mark Kibbe from Western Mass.

"It's gotten pretty crazy over here! We have a streak going of three days of getting at least 3 mortars on post. Fortunately only a couple of people have been hurt and their injuries were not too major! I had a couple of close calls though. The first one was on Friday. I was walking from the clinic to my company office and just as I passed the driveway I heard a mortar land that was really loud, I though nothing of it until the next 2 hit by then I had sprinted into safety. We went and picked up a patient and it was only after we dropped him off that I saw one of the mortars had landed right by where I had been walking. If I had waited 15 seconds longer to leave the clinic, well I wouldn't be here typing this to you guys!!!! The second was yesterday while I was getting my teeth cleaned, when the dentist and I heard 2 mortars hit and though eh, we'll just finish off my cleaning and the look. All of a sudden BOOM, I flew out of that chair (almost had a tooth yanked) and we sprinted out of there. Once again after we responded to pick up a patient I looked and saw people standing near a crater on the corner of the dentist office, looked down at my feet and had another piece of shrapnel to add to my collection. The final close call this week was on Saturday morning was sleeping and I thought I was dreaming but I heard the sound of a rocket going over head and then a huge boom and then rocks and other debris hitting our living hooch's. Man no one was hurt on that one but it was still crazy times to have shrapnel hitting your house!!! Well despite these close calls, I am doing well and still having a blast over here! We are even starting up a softball team with our free time and I'm sure it will be Red Sox-ish colors! Well I got to go for now but I will keep you informed of what is going on. I may have been wrong when I said June 30th will not be as bad as I thought, but only time will tell! Talk to y'all later!

My buddy here, Dan Wetherbee, has more info on life here in Mosul on his website DanWetherbee.net!"

"The Rant" By Trav Flatt

I’m coming in butting my head up against multiple deadlines, and I have absolutely no clue what to write about. The main culprit is "Life Stress", which has ballooned this week to the point that I’m seriously inclined to run amok with my desk stapler. Unfortunately, it’s an electric and I don’t have an extension cord, so a rampant act of destruction has been averted via logistics.
Hey! There is that letter opener…

Anyway, I decided to browse some headlines in a desperate search for inspiration. The first thing to really jump out at me was as follows:

The Tampa Bay Devil Rays are in third place.

No, really! They’re on a seven-game winning streak, to boot. The only explanation that comes to mind is that Pinella took whatever mojo he had in Seattle with him when he relocated to Tampa. (Whatever it is, it sure as hell isn’t in Seattle anymore.)

My personal big happy news of the day doesn’t even have anything to do with baseball: The Lakers Lost. There are few things in the world of sports sweeter than watching an over hyped, overrated team getting their butts handed to them. Call me a bandwagon jumper, but I’m highly pro-Pistons these days. After hearing all of the sports radio call-ins ranting and raving about how Detroit had absolutely no chance in hell, it was very gratifying to see the Pistons methodically crush the Lakers into oblivion.

Detroit finally gets to be number one at something aside from per capita murders. If the Pistons hadn’t pulled it off, I think we can agree that things don’t look so good for the Tigers or the Lions (Side Note: Go, Mooch!).

So, the Pistons situation made me happy. I don’t generally care about basketball, but it’s the entire ‘Underdog’ situation that appeals to me. Point of fact is that I just finished writing an entire column on the topic, so I’m at a bit of a loss on how to elaborate here.

It’s that whole Triumph through Adversity thing, you know? Just love seeing some overlooked entity rise up from the scum pond of obscurity and knock the favorite right off their high horse. Now that I think of it, maybe that’s why I’m so damned anti-Yankee.

The flip side of Loving the Underdog is to sneer at the favorites. Affiliating with the downtrodden immediately sets one against the trodders, right? When everyone thinks you’re on top, there’s a drastic drop in the thrill of victory and all that remains is a surprised disappointment at defeat. Winning ceases to become an accomplishment so much as an expectation.

Those scars can grant character far more readily than pampering ever did. I tend to think this holds true for the physical, the mental, and even the Win-Loss column. There’s got to be a bit of a balance, of course. I mean, if you go and overdo it you turn into the Expos, and that’s just downright pitiful.

Top Ten Update

Our Mr. BoogBBQ had a family matter this week, so we’re giving the Yankees a short break from our readers thoughtful remarks, and Boog’s great editing.

Thanks to all who sent in entries and requested an update on the list. It will be posted as soon as possible.

Zen of Zim

Don Zimmer, former Yankee coach and Pedro plaything, is now an aide to Devil Rays manager Lou Pinella. He’s also a writer, and his new book, “The Zen of Zim: Baseballs, Beanballs and Bosses,” slams New York Yankee boss, George Steinbrenner. But according to Jack O’Connell’s Hartford Courant baseball roundup, Zimmer talks at length about the infamous brawl incident with Pedro. “the next day, Pedro sent word to me that he wanted to apologize. I said ‘what does he have to apologize for? I was the guy who charged him and threw the first punch.’ To people who said Pedro beat up an old man I said, no, an old man was dumb enough to try and beat up on Pedro.”

So, YankeeSuck.com is offering Free YankeesSuck caps to three people. Don Zimmer, for being an upfront honest man, Pedro Martinez, for having the class to apologize, and the first YankeesSuck.com loyal reader who buys the book, reads it, and posts a review on our Book Review section.

Trade winds...

Rumor has it that the Yankees are now trying to land another player the Red Sox were in rumors to be seeking. Today, George King of The New York Post, told us not believe the rumor that the Yankees are looking at a three way trade that would bring Carlos Beltran to the “House that Ruth built.” But if we don’t believe the Yankees, why should we believe The Post?

Here’s the skinny on the deal. KC sends Beltran to the Marlins. Then, the diabolical Yankees send Jose Contreras to the Marlins for Beltran. Of course the Yankees would pay most of what’s left on Contreras’ four-year, $32 million no-trade contract.

But now with Kevin Brown’s back in question, the Yankees may shift the direction their fickle finger of fate is pointing. The Yanks are now more urgently inquiring with the Mariners about right hand pitcher Freddy Garcia. Who knows, they may need Contreras for bait on this trade as well.

"The Rant" by Trav Flatt

Concerned Reader “Doug” recently pointed out to me that poor Derek Jeter had recently pulled up lame, and was flirting with the possibility of winding up on the 15-Day Disabled List. This is, of course, truly tragic, as the guy had been on a tear. His batting average had spiraled upward into the stratosphere of somewhere around .220. Now, as a well-educated and solemn Concerned Reader, he was quick to point out various insights that could be inferred from the nature of Jeter’s injury.

However, journalistic integrity (Har!) prohibits me from making ANY references WHATSOEVER to possible associations between the following concepts:

• ”Derek Jeter”
• ”15-Day Disabled List”
• ”Groin Injury”
• ”Mariah Carey”

Now, as I’m still trying to get myself up-to-date on all things baseball, there are bound to be holes in my contemporary awareness. I’m fairly certain that Mariah has gone splits with Jeter (Re-Har!), but I haven’t been able to really find any definitive evidence.

The reason for this is… I can’t research Mariah Carey at work. Why? Because a quick search on the woman produces too many images of her in various states of undress. I have nothing in particular against seeing Mariah’s bosoms, but my employer would most likely take issue with them appearing on my screen. “Hard at work again, eh, Flatt?”

Taking all this into consideration, it is my sad duty to inform the readers that the above associations will NOT be made reference to in any way whatsoever, because it would be journalistically inaccurate. I repeat: No mention will be made regarding groin injuries, OR Derek Jeter, or even Mariah Carey having anything to do with one another.

(They were going to get back together, but…)

No! We must move on to other pertinent baseball news such as:

Baseball Hair Revisited

I think I’m being ripped off. Well, that my self-affirming ego at work of course, but I did come across a feature in my latest copy of Sports Weekly. The subject was, yes, Bizarre Hair in Baseball.

It was a well-researched article, and reminded me of many classic coiffures of baseball history. My absolute favorite has to be the 1975 Oscar Gamble “Escaping Afro” look.

All-Star Stupidity

Can we all just agree that All-Star Voting has lost any shred of credibility? A news line pointed out that the afore-mentioned Derek Jeter was edging out Nomar Garciaparra for All-Star Shortstop. How in the hell does a guy batting under .240 get voted in as an ‘All-Star’? (No, not fielding. Six errors to date and he’s hovering at about .975 in fielding percentage.)

That’s not the whole stupid part. What’s absurd is that he’s edging out Nomar. I’m not saying Nomar is or is not a better shortstop, mind you. The POINT is that Garciaparra has spent the season on the disabled list. Yes, friends and neighbors, the second place shortstop has precisely ZERO at-bats to date for the season. I suppose one could argue that he has zero errors, as well. I don’t have any errors on the season, either. Hell, I haven’t walked a batter ALL YEAR! Where are my All-Star Pitcher votes, damnit?

In any case, what we end up with is a system in which a guy having possibly the least productive season of his career is in heated competition with a guy who isn’t even playing for ‘Best Shortstop of the Season’. Meanwhile, Michael Young is lollygagging along in the ballots at fourth.

Can’t blame the MLB on this one, though. All-Star Voting is in the hands of the fans, and the fans are obviously being wienerheads. Now, pardon me while I go vote for A.J. Burnett.

This Week's Top Ten

Here are the winners for last week's Top Ten entries as compiled and edited by boogsBBQ@yankeessuck.com.

Thanks to Boog and all who entered.

Top Ten Rejected Yankees Mascots

10. Zippy The Pinstripe (RubenSierraOnRye)

9. Franklin The Money Wad (Qball55)

8. Fred The Bandwagon Driver (Saky5587)

7. Lee Majors, the six-million-dollar mascot (ToxicTom77)

6. The Phillie Phree Agent (Mr.Acadoodie)

5. Buck-a-roo, the jumbo sewer rat in a suit made of $100 bills (Knobs8880)

4. Kenny The Weeping Bench Jockey (EddieD)

3. A life-size, dancing Fed Ex package of Balco (All4jc22)

2. Don Zimmer (MartinJay03)

1. George The Cash-Hemorrhaging, MLB-Ruining Jackass (ToxicTom77)

Thanks to all played. Please enter next weeks question on our home page. And check out the growing list of Top Tens in our Clubhouse.

Red Sox update from Iraq

Editor's Note: This correspondent, Michael Struppa, is currently serving overseas in Iraq as a part of Operation Iraqi Freedom 2. His unit is Alpha Company 118th Medical Battalion, from Concord Massachusetts.

We have invited Michael to send us the occasional dispatch from Iraq, to let us know how he, personally, is enjoying the baseball season so far away from home. We encourage our readers to post comments below to Officer Struppa - to lend him and his fellow soldiers our support and gratitude.

From SPC Michael Struppa, Mosul, Iraq:

"We were mobilized this past December and after a few months in Ft. Drum, NY arrived in various areas of Iraq in February. I am writing because residing in Massachusetts, I have enjoyed and appreciated your website, I particularly enjoy it now during the free time I have. During my active duty time in Korea, Bosnia, and Ft. Drum, NY. I remained a faithful Sox fan and put up with alot of BS especially being statione in Upstate NY. It is extremely helpful having a terrific website supporting the Sox and hating the Yanks, especially over here in Iraq!!! (it's pretty hard to keep up with the time difference and all)! Unfortunately, our choices of television and sports to watch are somewhat limited here in Mosul, and it is hard finding out what happened with the home town team!!!

Things here in Iraq have been going good. We're able to keep up with the Sox (even the heart breaking losses) daily with the internet. It's starting to get really hot here, usually 90 degrees before noon, which means it's time for things to heat up back home and the Sox to go on a run!!! I can't wait until it gets to be in the 120s. We had to go see 2 Iraqi prisoners for medical emergencies (suspect el duque fans) which was pretty cool. There was no crazy compromising positions or anything interesting like that. June 30 is right around the corner but I don't see it as being as bad as many people think it is. Unless the Sox go into a swoon. The Yankees fans are moving out of town, I think they got fed up with the fact that our wiffle ball field has a green monster, and the helipad has the Boston "B" on it!!! Losahs! Hope all is well at home and I'll talk to you guys later!"

Ronald Reagan 1911 - 2004

Ronald Wilson Reagan, a former film star who became America's 40th president, the oldest to enter the White House but imbued with a youthful optimism rooted in the traditional virtues of a bygone era, died yesterday at his home in Los Angeles. He was 93. — New York Times

Below are some words from his politial friends and foes:

"It's a sad day for America. A great American life has come to an end. Ronald Reagan won America's respect with his greatness, and won its love with his goodness. He had the confidence that comes with conviction, the strength that comes with character, the grace that comes with humility and the humor that comes with wisdom." — President George Bush

"He was the voice of America in good times and in grief. When we lost the brave astronauts in the Challenger tragedy, he reminded us that nothing ends here; our hopes and our journeys continue. Now, his own journey has ended, a long and storied trip that spanned most of the American century and shaped one of the greatest victories of freedom." — Sen. John Kerry

"Hillary and I will always remember President Ronald Reagan for the way he personified the indomitable optimism of the American people, and for keeping America at the forefront of the fight for freedom for people everywhere. It is fitting that a piece of the Berlin Wall adorns the Ronald Reagan Building in Washington." — Former President Bill Clinton

"We'd been political opponents and we became very close friends. And every Wednesday we'd have lunch alone together. And I'll never forget those lunches. There was no agenda, he didn't ask you to define different problems. It was just two people talking. He was never mean-spirited and so he set a great example." — Former President George H. W. Bush

"One of my closest political and dearest personal friends. A truly great American hero." — Former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher of Britain

"It is easy to see how profoundly President Reagan changed the world. He made it safer, more free and gave hope and opportunity to millions." — California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger

Ouch!

Titled "Another # 3 gets away..." by Mo, the author of this masterpiece.

However, something seems amiss with the Red Sox lettering on this “too real” looking cover.

It's A Shame...

Yankees Trivia Question: What Yankee Legend was unceremoniously fired, and then quickly re-hired by the Steinbrenner brain trust? Billy Martin you say? Well, yes – but he’s in good company. In the ultimate dis of our military (after all, he is a sailor, our pets (his adorable little doggy) and a great American snackfood/icon, the Yankees traded Cracker Jack for Crunch n’ Munch to anchor the 7th inning stretch. Read all about it.

We also enjoyed this article in the . Tewksbury Advocate by Bill Walsh. You’re right, Bill. Especially when you say "As usual, the business types were surprised by the vitriol of fan reaction."

Yep. They just don’t get it. I mean, who really cares about caramel crunch anyway? When was the last time you saw it served at a party? Nobody really likes it. It’s just something that you eat at the ballpark. And you eat Cracker Jack. Not some other brand even if it does taste test better. It’s like turkey at thanksgiving. Sure, lasagna is better but you just have to eat turkey. This is America. Sheesh! This requires no brains at all.

Besides, what about the song? Now everybody has to figure out what the heck rhymes with Crunch & Munch…. Brady Bunch? Liquid Lunch? Hawaiian Punch? It’s a disturbing exercise in pop culture free association.

But wait! Just like Billyball, Cracker Jack is back by popular outcry. But to be fair, FritoLay should put Cracker Jacks back in a box. Who ever heard of slipping an engagement ring into a mylar pack? It’s not about the "freshness" guys. It’s about tradition. Get a clue.

Steinbrenner's Dream

Is this the solution to Pedro's woes? The way Paid-Ro's been pitching, this could be the way the Red Sox get their revenge. But with the Yankees luck, they'd put him on a high-carb diet, stick him in left field, and get him to hit 60 taters.

Is Fenway really "The House that Ruth built? If you click on the illustration below, you will see a larger version of it in a separate popup window.

These two pictures were sent in by Mo, a Yankee fan with a sense of humor, and some talent.

Picture This

Next time your dog eats your neighbors Yankee hat, take a picture because you now have a place to share it with the world. Did you bring a camera to the last Yankee game you attended and capture that error by Jeter? Perhaps you have a funny picture of your neighbor, George Steinbrenner, getting his morning paper in his underwear and slippers? Well, maybe you should burn the negative, we couldn’t stomach that picture. But any other pictures you feel our readers would enjoy send them to us and we’ll add it to our display. Send a single picture, or a series. We’ll also keep "our cameras" loaded and focused.

Attach your photos to your email along with some info describing the pictures to photos@yankeessuck.com We’ll add it to our display.

The Photo Archive can be found as the newest addition to our Bleacher Features at right and called “Picture This.”

"The Rant"

CHUMP:
Coincidentally, I found myself getting off work early yesterday and got to catch Dan Patrick on the radio. He had Selig on as a guest, and I have to say… Bud sounds like a very amicable, honest guy. Might be a portion of the problem, though. He does not sound like the sort of Businessperson who would really put his foot down and take up a hard-line negotiation stance, which could explain why the Player’s Association seems to keep tromping all over the league. I honestly can’t picture the guy going toe to toe with Steinbrenner and telling him to go stick his absurd request up his butt. Doesn’t mean he’s not a ‘nice guy’, mind you. I’m just thinking that ‘Nice Guy’ doesn’t necessarily fit in a position where a hardass might be a better fit.

Selig could take a negotiating lesson or two from Paul Tagliabue:

From an archaic Dennis Dillon article.

"To underscore his point, Tagliabue took a yellow notepad and wrote in capital letters: NO MORE MONEY. He pushed the pad across the table. Condon shoved it back, knocking over a cup of coffee."

Now that’s what I’m talking about.

Speaking of money, I spent a good portion of the week (Damn near fifteen minutes) actually browsing over what I’m technically supposed to be talking about. Looking over last week’s USA Today Sports Weekly, I took a long hard (Fifteen minutes, yep yep) look to see precisely what Big George is paying these guys for. I’ll grant that projections are subject to some drastic shifts, but it helps to put things into perspective.

CHUMP CHANGE:
Five Really Rich Persons

#5: Alex Rodriguez: $22 million, $135.8 thousand per game.
First of all, I’m stunned that anyone gets twenty-two million dollars to play a game for one season. I don’t care how talented they are OR how long the season happens to be. For 135.8 thousand dollars, I’d gleefully play my one game, have Randy Johnson bean me, and be injured for the rest of the season. A-Rod isn’t completely sucking, but for 22 mil, you’d think he could at least hit .300. Rodriguez is on pace to make, over the course of the season, $34,482.76 per at bat. At his current rate, that will earn him roughly $4,931,034.40… for striking out. If you want to be more fair about it, shave that 22 million in half to put half of his salary toward offense and half toward defense. Only $2.46 million for striking out. Much better. At present, he has a fielding percentage of .972, so he’s only on pace to make about $308 thousand for errors if eleven million is going toward fielding.

#4: Mike Mussina: $16 million, Pace: $410,256 per start.
Mussina is not performing poorly per se (Latin for "For a weenie"), but when one considers that he’s pulling down four hundred grand per start, you’d like to see more than 50% of them qualify as ‘Quality Starts’. Mike is currently on pace to make $5.3 million for 13 losses. It’s hard to blame the offense for this, considering that he’s also on pace to give up 314 hits in 241 innings. At sixteen million, you kinda want to keep your ERA under 4.50.

#3: Bernie Williams: $12.3 million, $75.9 thousand per game.
Bernie should give his agent a bonus after this season. He’s drawing down an eight-figure salary, and batting under .240 while on pace to hit under twenty home runs and to get fewer than fifty RBIs. Amusingly enough, he’s not even the biggest salary head-scratcher of the bunch.

#2: Jose Contreras: $9 million, Pace: $391,304 per start.
With a career record of 9-4 with a 4.41 ERA, I can’t even begin to comprehend why anyone would think this guy worth nine million dollars a year. At 32, it’s hard to call him a young ‘up and coming’ prospect so much as a guy who’s demonstrated for a decade that he isn’t a star-caliber pitcher. His ERA is currently hovering around 7.00, and he’s on pace to make ninety thousand dollars per inning pitched en route to 6-6.

#1: Derek Jeter: $18.6 million, $114.8 thousand per game.
Yeah, like nobody saw THIS one coming. Jeter, while looking like a significantly weenier version of Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, has caught FIRE as of late! He’s driven his batting average all the way up to… well, .233, but he’s caught fire! Luckily, he makes up for this deficiency with his power, being on pace for… Uh, well… nineteen home runs. Never mind all of that! It’s his threat on the bases that bring in the big bucks, as Dwayne Jeter is well on his way to… Cough. Sixteen stolen bases. Well. Uh. At least he scratches himself very competently.
Fear not, though. For 81 home games watching these Dorks of the Diamond, it’ll only set you back roughly four thousand dollars. Jeter probably has that stuck between his couch cushions.

Shh - No "Yankees Suck" in the Library

Since my dialup connection is on indefinite suspension status due to my ISP’s unreasonable demand that they get "paid", my weekend mail check-ins are courtesy of the public library’s computers. So, there I was peeking in to see the comments that brought to mind the highly entertaining visuals of Pedro flinging himself at the movie screen, my wife reading over my shoulder. This being a new column, she was not familiar with this particular site.

"Yankees Suck?", she mused aloud, "That’s kinda mean." She has a tendency to be a very nice person, and would not dream of talking about something that sucked sucking unless it was absolutely certain that nobody would overhear her and think she would think such a thing. It’s all very complicated, which is why I cheerfully remain ignorant of this whole social dynamic.

Anyway, the POINT is that the guy sitting directly to my left chimed in: "Well, that’s sort of because they DO suck. Go Sox."

And THEN, the guy immediately to my right started to get bent out of shape: "Man, you don’t want to just go blurting OUT something like that."

Thus, they proceeded to begin debating whether or not the Yankees, technically, sucked. Meanwhile, my wife and I got up and left them to their squabble to go to a bar. In any event, and I’m still working on having a point here, this all occurred in a Public Library in Albuquerque, New Mexico. This indicates that the ‘Yankees Suck’ connection has a national audience.

This Week's Top Ten

Here are the winners for last week's Top Ten entries as compiled and edited by boogsBBQ@yankeessuck.com.

Thanks to Boog and all who entered.

Top Ten Signs Steinbrenner May Be Running Low On Money

10. Seen scouting for quality starter at Price Club. (irishmandan)

9. New York City officials are driving Kias. (pembroke63)

8. Asks A-Rod to spot him $600,000 till payday. (keith.gendron)

7. One of his loafers is missing a penny. (Lefty)

6. Drops price of beer by a nickel; declares 14-drink minimum. (RubenSierraOnRye)

5. Insists Giambi and Sheffield switch to generic steroids. (mattdodd2)

4. Jeter and A-Rod have to share a bed … err, hotel room … on the road. (pmbfan19)

3. Now lighting his cigars with $1 bills. (djw007)

2. To save electricity, visiting team must bat with lights out. (toxictom77)

1. He's now paying Jeter by the hit. (Maxbobbie)

Thanks to all played. Please enter next weeks question on our home page. And check out the growing list of Top Tens in our Clubhouse.