Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving from everyone at YankeesSuck.com.

Hot Stove Flashes

Although it's very early in the game to predict what will happen in the crazy world of free agency, I have some very definite thoughts about what I'd like to see the 2004 World Champion Boston Red Sox do in the market this winter.

I think their first priority in the market should be to sign Carl Pavano. At 28, they would be adding a pitcher in his prime who hopefully one day would assume the role of staff ace from his mentor, Curt Schilling. I think this is their most important move to make in free agency. This is the one guy I'd keep away from the Yankees. There is much upside with Pavano and I feel confident the Sox will get a deal done.

As for Pedro Martinez, I'm not sure what will happen. I think the only way he returns to Boston will be on management's terms. He is not going to be another Roger Clemens and last until he is 42 years old. Why not? Because Clemens, like Nolan Ryan and Tom Seaver before him, uses leg drive to derive all his pitching power. This is something Pedro does not do and never will do because of his slight frame. If he is to continue his career successfully he will have to adapt his pitching style to a style similar to Greg Maddux —one built on craftiness and not sheer power. I just don't think the Red Sox will miss him terribly if he leaves. But I don't think the Yankees will be his destination. There's too much bad blood in that clubhouse toward Martinez. I don't care about the papers saying Posada and others would accept him if he chose to sign there. That's baloney. But, then again, he would just be another addition to a clubhouse filled with headaches courtesy of George M. Steinbrenner. I think if Pedro leaves, he will join his buddies Bartolo Colon and Vladimir Guerrero in Anaheim. If that happens I say good luck, thank you and enjoy playing with baseball's most exciting player (Guerrero).

I think Jason Varitek will stay in Boston despite his agent, Scott Boras. I think Varitek realizes this is his team and that if he leaves he could end up as another Mo Vaughn — extremely rich, but totally out of place on his new team. In the end I think the extra money won't be enough to lure him away from the captaincy in Boston. But hey, who knows? It's only November 20 and I could end up wrong on all counts. That's why they call it the hot stove.

A Book With A Very Happy Ending

"We knew this team would contend. We had the players. They just had to perform — just deliver." This is how author Stewart O’Nan explains the fortuitous timing of his latest book project, a collaborative diary with Stephen King, of the 2004 Red Sox season. Yes, that’s THE HISTORIC 2004 CHAMPIONSHIP SEASON. The one that hasn’t had a happy ending for 86 years. Somehow O'Nan and King just sensed that this WAS the year. In a word: Spooky.

They’ve titled the resulting book in honor of the generations of Red Sox nation who have religiously followed their prodigal team — very simply — "Faithful."

We spoke with Stewart O’Nan just after the book was sent to print in early November — within just a couple of weeks of the Sox’ tidy sweep of the St. Louis Cardinals in the World Series. The book should arrive in stores on November 22, or can be pre-ordered online now. An audio version is being recorded even as Stewart and I are speaking. "They tell me that this is the fastest book to go from manuscript to production since the Starr Report," O’Nan told us. We think we heard a bit of breathlessness still in his voice.

The book’s bold cover design features an image that will forever be an icon of this season: Jason Varitek’s glove all-up-in-the-pretty-face of Alex Rodriguez during July’s legendary bench-clearing brawl. "As a Sox fan I will always be stirred by that image," said O’Nan, "Here’s this prima donna, Arod, going up against Tek, the ultimate dirtdog — and Tek’s saying ‘We’re not gonna back down, we’re gonna be tough and you’re not gonna yell at OUR guy." O’Nan agrees with many observers of baseball that this was a galvanizing moment in the rivalry of the two teams: "A-Rod really encapsulated what the Yankees were — a one-guy, one contract bunch. The Sox showed us then that they were gonna be a TEAM. Plus, Arroyo was great – he just pitched beautifully for us. The Yankees (ultimately) lost because they didn’t have the (pitching) talent, or the team."

O’Nan, ironically, was not at Fenway for that tipping-point game. He was watching the action while attending his wife’s family reunion on the Rhode Island shore. "Everyone was piled into the living room in front of the TV. Watching the Sox with generations of fans is like watching old family movies. We all feel the emotion of it, and everybody has their memories."

Yet O’Nan thinks Sox fans aren’t as sentimental as their reputation for undying loyalty may suggest. New Englanders — especially the ones who have forked over top dollar for a precious seat at Fenway — are a tough crowd.

O’Nan joined Stephen King at the park for several games over the summer, with tickets scrounged-up like any other fans. At times they attempted to take notes, but that effort usually gave way to just experiencing it. "The feeling was important" says O’Nan of how Boston’s fans relate to their team. "Players can go from goat to hero in one inning. First the crowd is all over a guy, booing him, screaming ‘you suck!’ and the next moment we’re all cheering him. For all of our faith and hope we can be a hanging jury." His favorite stretch of the season was the series against the Angels, A’s and Texas. "That full month of the season was very exciting. We went 8 and 1. It just showed me that this team had it together, and they made it look easy."

If you look around New England lately, there seem to be even more Sox fans than ever — proudly displaying their "B" emblems. "This team turned a lot of people into Red Sox fans. I think we got a lot of Mets fans now," says O’Nan. But will the Sox now become what they hate? Will they now become the Yankees?

"Let’s face it," O’Nan says about the state of The Rivalry, "We are a privileged, East Coast, high-payroll club. No one else has to deal with them - or CAN deal with them. The new owners have a new philosophy, but they have to respect the tradition. Bringing in Yaz — who hated the old owners — to throw out the first ball in the World Series — was a good move. I’d say don’t give up on our prospects — don’t chase them away. We’ve given away great pitchers in the past: Pavano, Suppan – both were Red Sox. Let’s not mortgage the future."

O’Nan sees a bright future for the Sox. He’d like to see "sleeper" players like Kevin Youkilis and David McCarty given a chance to show their value. And as far as predictions go, well, let’s just say if Stewart O’Nan and Stephen King decide to do a book on a Triple Crown contender, I will bet on their horse.

Red Sox Flash Movie

This is by far the best video I have seen of the 2004 World Series Champions. I thought I would share it with you.

Click here to go to the video.

Devil Went Down to Tampa

Pedro Martinez met with the Devil today at the New York Yankees spring training complex in Tampa, Fla. AP is reporting that the Devil, aka, “The Boss,” talked to Pedro at Legends field, and afterwards both George and Pedro’s agent agreed they had a good meeting. Personally, I’m hoping Pedro is just having fun trying to make the boss call him Daddy, but their meeting inspired me to alter a classic tune.

Sing to the tune of The Charlie Daniels Band song "The Devil Went Down to Georgia"

The devil went down to Tampa
He was lookin' for a soul to steal
He was in a bind
'Cause he was way behind
And he was willin' to make a deal

When he came upon this young man
Who could make a baseball dance so hot
And the devil jumped
Up on a hickory stump
And said boy let me tell you what

I guess you didn't know it
but I'm a pitcher too
And if you care to take a dare I'll make a bet with you

Now you throw a pretty good fastball, boy
But give the devil his due
I'll bet a contact of gold
Against your soul
'Cause I think I'm better than you

The boy said my name's Pedro
And it might be a sin
But I'll take your bet
And you're gonna regret
'Cause I'm the best there's ever been

Pedro rosin up your hand and throw your fastball hard
Cause hell's broke loose in Tampa and the devil deals the cards
And if you win you get this shiny contract made of gold
But if you lose the devil gets your soul.

The devil opened up his glove
And he said I'll start this show
And fire flew from his fingertips
As he rosined up his ball

Then he pulled the ball across the chest
And it made a evil hiss
And a band of demons joined in
And it landed in a catcher’s mitt of piss

[Instrumental]

When the devil finished
Pedro said well you're pretty good old son
Just sit right on that bench right there
And let me show you how it's done

He threw Fire at the Catcher
Run boys, run
The devil's in the House of the Rising Sun
Fastball high-and-tight backing off any foe
Granny does your dog bite
No child, no

[Instrumental]

The devil bowed his head
Because he knew that he'd been beat
And he laid that golden contract
On the ground at Pedro's feet

Pedro said, Devil just come on back
If you ever wanna be my caddie
I done told you once you son of a bitch
You’re my boy and I’m your daddy

He threw Fire at the Catcher
Run boys, run
The devil's in the House of the Rising Sun
Gerorge is in a bad suit throwing out dough
Cashman’s tail curled under
No child, no

Fastball high-and-tight backing off any foe
Does Pedro have a new Daddy?
No child, no!

Belated Applause For the Cardinals

I still can’t believe that the Boston Red Sox are World Series Champions. It’s finally sunk in. Why did the Baseball Gods make us suffer so long? Maybe Red Sox Nation wasn’t ready or maybe there wasn’t a Sox team worthy of winning it, I don’t know but what I do know is that this 2004 Red Sox team was worthy and talented enough to beat a team with the integrity of the 2004 Cardinals.

After the adrenaline of the victory settled down I was a little disappointed in Red Sox Nation. The reason being, that I didn’t hear anything about how great is was for the Cardinals to display the fine character that they did throughout the series and after. They could have insulted the Red Sox players but they didn’t. They could have made accusations about cheating but they didn’t. When Manny and Yadier Molina, the Cardinals catcher, were having a disagreement at home plate, Molina could have started a fight but he didn’t. He talked it out like a gentleman. I applaud his character as a player and as a person. The Cardinals took the loss like men. They knew the better team won and took it in stride.

I know the series didn’t have the flare of a Sox-Yankees meeting but it did have two great baseball teams that have integrity and strong morals competing for the World Championship. To me that is much better than steroid-junkies yelling stupid comments to newspapers and turning the series into a street brawl. I thank the Cardinals for not putting any blemishes on one of the greatest moments in sports history.

Light the Stove

Take out the checkbooks, the auction known as free agency is set to begin within hours. General Managers from around the league have convened in Florida all week eyeing their possibilities to bolster their ball clubs.

The liquidation sale of Scott Boras’ goodies has GM’s around the league transforming into giddy little children at recess. Like the saying goes, “everything must go,” but for many GM’s, Boras’ eye-candy serves primarily for window-shopping. For Brian Cashman and Theo Epstein it's nothing a few months' allowance can’t handle.

Due to the collapse of the bombers in this years ALCS, Cashman has his work cut out for him. The motto has been pretty simple, “pitching, pitching, pitching”, with a little dab of “Beltran, Beltran, Beltran.” The star center fielder who added a few figures to his potential pay with a monstrous October has been the apple of the boss’ eye since the start of the 2004 campaign, and expect “furious George” to empty his pockets for the services of Mr. Beltran.

Among the trade possibilities for the Yankees include Randy Johnson, Tim Hudson, and Barry Zito — basically the entire Oakland pitching staff. To pocket these aces, Cashman will have to get creative in his efforts, possibly using a third team, due to the watered-down Yankee farm system. Eric Milton, Brad Radke, Al Leiter, and the prodigal son, Pedro Martinez, headline the potential free agents the Yankee may real in.

Carl Pavano, who two years ago would’ve been lucky to muster up about five bids on Ebay, will surely stir up a dogfight of a bidding war between the Yankees and Sox which has become an off-season tradition in recent years.

But before Epstein begins contemplating additions, they need to worry about possible subtractions from their championship squad. Pedro Martinez did not bite at the Red Sox two-year $25.5 million offer; expect him to explore the possibilities of the four-year pact he wishes. The Red Sox haven’t been high on Derek Lowe in the past year, but the Texas Rangers have, and their lack of pitching makes landing D-Lowe a very sensible move. Jason Varitek, arguably the heart and soul of the “idiots”, could possibly be on his way out compliments of the 5 years, $50 million wishes of the ever so generous Scott Boras. The Dodgers will make a huge push for “Tek” since they traded of Paul La Duca at the deadline, and the Dodgers have the cash to do it.

The Sox will make runs at Brad Radke, Carl Pavano, one of Oakland’s “Big Three”, and interestingly enough, Jon Lieber who the Yankees have still not resigned despite a great postseason.

The gloves are off, and the General Managers will go from picking up each other’s tabs at generous dinner discussions to the hostile environment known as the “Hot Stove”. Don’t expect the dinner tables to be the last time this month General Managers will try to pull out more cash than the other.

Yanks Battle Sox for Great Divide

Dueling GM's Brian Cashman and Theo Epstein are dragging their bitter rivalry into the cold dark days of fall - or in this case, the balmy bright sun of Key Biscayne Florida. Sam Borden, of the New York Daily news, reports in this story that the Yankees and Red Sox are battling over free-agent Marlins pitcher Carl Pavano. Pavano was a CY Young candidate for the 2004 season, compiling an 18-8 record.

Pavano's home state of Connecticut is the long-standing demilitarized zone of the Bronx and Beantown rivalry. Traditionally, the Northeast of the state wears "B" caps; the Southwest sports the interlocking NY. Precisely in half-way between Boston and New York is Pavano's boyhood hometown of Southington. And for the duration of this news cycle the Pavano house may be the epicenter of the rivalry. Pavano's mother is a die-hard Yankee fan, and Pavano himself is said to favor the Sox.

But the choice may center more on statistics than geography. Cashman and Epstein will both meet with Pavano's agent this week to try and gauge the pitcher's interest. Pavano is said to be considering which team he stands a better chance to win with, and is looking into the hitters and defense of the teams to whom he might hitch his rising star. He's also looking at how friendly a park he'd be pitching in for half his starts.

Pavano did a stint on the Pawtucket Red Sox - Boston's Rhode Island farm team — as a new player in the late 90s. The Sox have come a very long way since then, as has Carl. Come on home, Carl, and join the winners. Your Mom will love you no matter what.

Tieing Up the Loose Ends

Ever seen a deer in headlights?

That stunned look is unforgettable and despite it coming from a small forest mammal, we can all relate to the feeling of being completely overwhelmed by a
singular event.

Case in point, I'm still in stunned deer mode after the curse was broken and 86 years of miserable futility all came to a glorious end in St. Louis. I've been riding the wave of euphoric joy ever since Keith Foulke underhanded the ball to first base and a team of grown men dog piled in true boyish fashion. It's been amazing, the whole thing overwhelming, needless to say, Christmas morning can't shake a stick at the Red Sox.

Through the cloud of joy and revelry comes the unstoppable reality that it is time to look forward and ready ourselves for the 2005 campaign. It will be a year unlike any other in along time for Red Sox Nation. In fact, it is safe to say we can now retire three well used battles cries for at least awhile:

1. "Why Not Us?"
This is easy because it was us!

2. "This is Our Year."
Technically this could be used, but now that we've finally had out year, let the Cubs have this one.

3. "Reverse the Curse"
I'm not much for the curse thing, but if there was one, it's gone! Once again, give this to the Cubs.

In addition to requiring new and improved battle cries, there will be new faces on the 2005 roster. There is next to no chance that Pedro, Varitek, D-Lowe and Orlando Cabrera will all be back. Personally, I'd bring back Varitek and Cabrera for sure, Lowe if you can afford it, and tell Pedro thanks for everything, we'll see you in pinstripes in April. There are some good buys out there and I think the World Series win validates the ability of Theo Epstein to lead this club into the future. Let the boy wonder work and I've little doubt we will continue to be pleased.

I think we would all love to bring the 2004 team back in one piece, but the realities of modern baseball will prevent that from occurring. Revel in the victory
and enjoy the winter because its only three months till pitchers and catchers report.

AFTERSHOCK

As I said, it’s just starting to sink in now that the Bo Sox won the World Series. I know I should enjoy this moment, for generations have been waiting for so long to say "The Sox are World Champions", but I want more. I’m a New England Patriots fan too, so the need for more winning, the need for more glory, sort of just carried on from the Pats to the Sox situation. But how real is the possibility of another championship? Possible, but so difficult at the same time. It’s going to be a tough winter for Theo Epstein. The Red Sox GM has much work to do to please the Red Sox nation during this off-season.

MLB has 65 players filed for free-agency since the World Series end, and more pending. The Red Sox have 17 players among the more than 200 potential free agents. Among the players for the Sox could be Pedro Martinez, Derek Lowe, Jason Varitek, and Orlando Cabrera. Carlos Beltran is currently a free-agent, but don’t get too excited Sox Nation, a player as high caliber as Beltran will either be scooped up by the Evil Empire, or re-signed by the Astros. Beltran had this to say about the situation, reporting to AP Sports writer Ronald Blum: "I experienced being on a team where they don't do anything to help the ballclub," Beltran said. "One of my priorities if I stay with this ballclub will be keeping the young guys ... our young players have potential to be real good." So it sounds like if the ‘Stros keep there young and talented team intact, the Houston fans can look forward to another spectacular year from Beltran. If I was Theo Epstein, I would definately re-sign Orlando Cabrera, and Pedro Martinez. Although Pedro wasn’t performing up to speed in September of the season, and gave the emphamic "Yankees are my daddy" quote, he was classic Pedro all through the post season. I would definately re-sign Cabrera, because after he finally adjusted to playing in Boston and in the A.L., he hit 6 home runs, and knocked in 31 runs. Cabrera also had a .294 BA, and a .320 OBP. In the post season, Cabrera was Mr. Clutch, batting .288, with 9 runs, 17 hits, 11 RBIs, and a .377 OBP; not to knock Ortiz, Damon, or Manny. So those are some impressive numbers and worth the big bucks. As for the rest of the Sox’ situations, here is what various news and media sources have to say:

"Still, the early guess is the Red Sox will let Derek Lowe walk and keep free-agents-to-be Martinez and Jason Varitek."
-- Bergen Record
"The Mets have been discussing the viability of acquiring World Series MVP Manny Ramirez as the antidote to their offensive woes. But if they can't work out a deal with the Red Sox -- and Ramirez's Series heroics are a serious setback to their chances -- the Mets might consider Sammy Sosa instead."
-- Newsday
As for the present time, Red Sox nation, let’s savor every bit of the World Championship. I just can’t wait for the day next season at the Sox home opener when the World Series Champions banner is unveiled in front of the weeping eyes of the Yankees. THIS WAS THE YEAR!

Sources:
www.mlb.com
www.espn.com
www.si.com

Believer Still Can't Believe It.

The Sox won the World Series. I’m not sure how many times I’m going to have to repeat that to myself before it finally is embedded in my mind and I get a grip of it. So what if I’m only 16, I’ve been a Sox fan my whole life and it’s all I know. But for all of those years of frustration, pain, misery, and heartbreak various Sox teams have brought us, I miss it all. I miss being on the edge of my seat, on the brink of insanity, and either pulling a clinch game out, or losing it. It mattered, but at the same time it didn’t. It’s all about being a Sox fan. It’s funny, really. All these years, I said "I believe"..But did I really?

I was so used to the Red Sox letting me down; I almost expected them to find some way to lose. However, something was special about this year. With the new and improved pitching staff and boosted offense, I expected them to win. I felt like a Yankees fan this year. Every time I turned on the TV and sat down to watch a Sox game this year, I cheered my team on like I usually would, but I had this strange state of mind that really did say "This is the year". However, when the impossible came true and the Red Sox made it to the World Series, those old feelings of "Oh Sox, how will you let me down this time" came back. As I sat down and listened to the obnoxious Fox Sports commenters, I decided to just enjoy what I was seeing. I had to take into account I was seeing the Boston Red Sox in the World Series, and that I was witnessing something historical. As I did so, history unfolded in front of my eyes, and the Red Sox swept the St. Louis Cardinals out of the World Series, and brought the first World Series championship to Boston.

I Believed. I still believe. But I don’t believe it!