Do The Math for 2005

Editor's Note: We here at YankeesSuck.com wish all of you a wonderful New Year! One of our faithful readers — Doug W. — has suggested that we have a little fun, and show King George some other ways his cash could be thrown around in 2005. The Yankee payroll for 2004 was about $187 million. Post a comment to add your thoughts about what that kind of money could buy — besides their next championship.

— 53,429 Plasma TV's = $187 million
— 18,700,000 bottles of Bacardi = $187 million
— 187,000,000 boxes of tissues from the dollar store = $187 million
— 37,400,000 Unicef medical kits to help one tsunami victim with basic medical needs for 3 months!!!!

Finding things the Yankees could have spent their 2004 payroll on...priceless. I guess there's one thing that money couldn't buy! Help me make this list as big as possible. — Doug

ADD TO THE LIST: POST YOUR IDEAS BELOW IN THE COMMENTS!

Randy Who?

Big Unit's career record vs. AL East opponents

Team W-L ERA

Red Sox 8-6 4.41*

Orioles 5-7 4.36

Devil Rays 2-2 2.70

Blue Jays 13-4 2.38

*Highest ERA against any AL team.

Time for a Change in Baseball

OK, the Red Sox are World Champions (has a nice ring to it) but 2005 is upon us and baseball, except for its newly crowned champion, is still the same old same old. The Yankees are on the verge of acquiring another superstar player for peanuts and nobody says boo. Haven't we seen this act before? How is it exactly that New York will give up less in any revised deal with Arizona than they would have in the 3-way deal with Arizona and the Dodgers? The answer? Bud Selig, the most powerless figurehead in all of sports, is going to allow it to happen.

Now, I realize that as the rules are set up, there really isn't much 'ol Bud can do, but let's be honest - do you really think if David Stern were Commissioner of baseball that 'ol Georgie Steinbrenner would always get his way? And that's the problem in baseball. There is no central base of power to regulate the sport. The result of that is no sense of equality among the 30 teams. No equal playing field (ala the NFL) for teams to have an equal chance at getting the best players. I believe the accountability for this starts in the Commissioner's office. The problem is that Don Fehr and Gene Orza and their precious union are bullies and THEY, not the owners and Commissioner, run the sport. Now, we all know players will always sell their services to the highest bidder so, to their line of thinking, its great to have the 600 lb. gorilla in the Bronx to drive up salaries. If the sport had a Commissioner who truly cared about the future health and viability of the game (a Stern type) I am almost certain he would demand that both players and owners come together in some form to make baseball a competitive sport once again.

I don't accept the argument that since the Yankees haven't won since 2000 there is viable proof that the system as it is now is working. Baloney!! I have a serious problem with a system in which the team with the most money is allowed to rip off the small market teams in trades over and over again. I say that about the Red Sox also, despite being a fan. Allowing the behemoths to dominate is not good for interest in the sport. Baseball wonders why many people stopped caring about the sport in recent years. In my view, the answer is that about 23 of the 30 teams have no realisitc chance at winning a World Series and their fans know it. Why should fans in Cincinnati or Kansas City or Pittsburgh or wherever invest 6 months of their energy in a sport in which their team hasn't even the slightest chance of playing in a World Series? Forget the excuse of late-starting games driving away bigger audiences. The audience has shrunk because no one outside of Boston, New York or Chicago cares because their team was probably out of the pennant race in May. Look at the NFL. That sport seems to be the only one in North America that gets it. That's because the owners and players are in a true partnership where revenue is shared among the owners and the players reap plenty in salary.

The NFL could put their playoff games on at 2:00 in the morning and I guarantee people would still watch. Why? Because the fan sitting in Cincinnati whose Bengals team is out of the playoffs and was eliminated only in the last couple of weeks genuinely cares about how the playoffs turn out. He cares because he knows anything can happen and that his team was so close to being part of it that he watches because he wonders "what if?" and looks forward right then until next season when his Bengals have another realisitc chance at the playoffs. In contrast, do you think a Reds fan chomps at the bit to see the playoffs and World Series after watching his team take a beating all season on the road to 75 wins? Forget it. It doesn't happen and the proof is in the ratings. Some say comparing baseball and NFL ratings is apples and oranges. Darn right they are! Because more people care about the NFL than baseball because the sport has many more competitive teams. Now whether the salary cap in football is solely responsible for this balance can be argued for eternity. But what if it is? So what? Why is this a bad thing?

I take issue with Yankee fans or anyone else who says "well, if these teams could figure out how to produce more money they could spend more." That's an outdated way of thinking. Not all baseball owners are cheapskates who are in the game to simply line their pockets with money. Some, like the guy in Detroit, want to build a great team (how'd the Tigers do this off-season?) but can't pay top dollar because they can't go out and create a YES or NESN TV network. That's the difference between baseball in the 1970-80's and now. Local revenue streams. If they aren't available, what are owners supposed to do? Start them up even if they aren't viable? So these franchises are left with middle-of-the-road talent with nowhere else to turn. It's disgraceful what's happened to a proud franchise such as the Tigers and it's all happened under Selig's watch. But there's nothing that can be done because if you even whisper the idea of a salary cap, half of Washington is at your doorstep. Well, guess what? The concept works in the NFL and NBA and the NHL is willing to destroy its league in order to implement one and move forward in the future. Even with a salary cap there will still be plenty of money for the players. Nobody will be left begging in the streets, which is what Fehr and Orza want you to believe. It’s time for baseball to emerge from the dark ages and get with the program.

I don't propose to have the solution to all of baseball's problems, but I do know that if a neutral party is brought to the sport and given real power that things would change for the better. I would imagine this person would look at the NFL model and say "hey, these guys are making money, there's no threat of strikes or lockouts, maybe they've got something there!" Who that person is I do not know, but it most certainly will not happen as long as Bud Selig is in "power." Why try to evoke change when you do the owner's bidding and are afraid of the union? Instead, we'll continue to be left with situations like the steroid fiasco and Randy Johnson trade scenario in which the Yankees in the end get whatever they want, baseball fans elsewhere be damned.

Big Unit to NY, Vazquez to AZ...Vazquez to Baltimore?

There are rumors starting that if the Randy Johnson trade is completed, Javier Vazquez will then be traded to either the Baltimore Orioles or the LA Dodgers.

A trade to the Baltimore Orioles could make an interesting story for the Boston Red Sox and the New York Yankees. Vazquez was quoted in an AP story December 24th, 2004, "I'm disappointed that the Yankees are talking about trading me for having only a bad second half to the season."

Vazquez then goes on to say, "I've had four consistent seasons in the major leagues, and for one bad second half it's unfair that they want to trade me,'' Vazquez said. "I still trust in my abilities, and if the Yankees trade me, they will regret it.''

"They will regret it,'' sounds like Javier Vazquez wants some revenge on those damned Yankees. Vazquez is a much needed pitcher to the Baltimore Orioles. How interesting would it to be that Vazquez throws games against the Boston Red Sox, yet pitches lights out to the Yankees?

An interesting chapter is unfolding in MLB. The Yankees seem to be going up in salary, not down. It seems like all of baseball will be trying to take down the Yankees, the Evil Empire. The starting lineup, pitching rotation, and closer could be an All-Star team of it's own.

How about a new All-Star game, the Yankees vs the rest of Major League Baseball. What the Yankees are doing is a mockery to the small market teams. The whole Yankees luxury tax of last season was greater than the salary of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.

With the Yankee trade for Randy Johnson seemingly complete, the Yankees are now looking to acquire Carlos Beltran. Tino Martinez could also become a Yankee once again, to platoon with steroid-jack at first base.

Maybe the Juice Boys, Gary Sheffield and Jason Giambi, can have 'roid time. Where they all can sit around a table, sipping tea, and injecting themselves with steroids. Then they can all go outside and rub the cream on each other and tan while they are in Spring Training.

It's time to step in Bud. It's your turn up to bat. You have the power to turn down this trade. Just do it, Bud.

Give it up!

Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of those hurt by the Indian Ocean tsunamis. We can all help the survivors and their families by making monetary donations to these organizations:

American Red Cross International Response Fund
AmeriCares South Asia Earthquake Relief Fund
Direct Relief International International Assistance Fund
Médecins Sans Frontières International Tsunami Emergency Appeal
Oxfam Asian Earthquake & Tsunami Fund
Sarvodaya Relief Fund for Tsunami Tragedy
UNICEF South Asia Tsunami Relief Efforts

Unit Ultimatum

After the busted Randy Johnson deal, George Steinbrenner was left foaming at the mouth because of the the way he felt he was treated by the Dodgers. Today, King George is drooling. He can almost taste the sweet rewards that a two-way deal between the Yankees and the Diamondbacks would bring.

The New York Daily News says in this story that Randy Johnson is already acting like a Yankee. He’s ignored a gag order and gleefully bragged to a few teammates that he is going to the Yankees. The conversation could have sounded like this. “Later boys, I’m outta here and tired of playing with you sorry asses. I’m going to a contender." Apparently his dislike for former teammate Curt Schilling is stronger than his loyalty to his current team. The pinstripes will suite him fine.

The New York Times is reporting in this story that "someone" told The Yankees that Johnson gave the Diamondbacks this ultimatum: either trade him by Friday, or he stays in Arizona and will not waive his no-trade clause. Hmm... who would have told the Yankees that? I suspect Johnson or his agent, Barry Meister, who just returned from the Bahamas with their families for a shared vacation. Doesn't this give the Yankees an unfair advantage in their negotiations with Arizona?

The rumored deal has the Diamondbacks getting Javier Vazquez and Brad Halsey as well as a couple of prospects plus cash. The better the prospects, the less cash. Vazquez has repeatedly said he wants to stay on the East Coast, and would probably demand a trade when he is eligible after next year.

Yankees Pay tax for the Luxury

For the second year in a row, the New York Yankees will be paying MLB a luxury tax for their obscene 2004 payroll of $187.9 million. The "competitive-balance tax" was established in 2003 by MLB as an attempt to keep the league competitive. Last year the Yankees were the only team to have to pay the tax, shelling out $11.7 million. This year they will have to pay $25,026,352.

However, this year the Yankees are not alone. The Boston Red Sox will have to pay $3,155,234 for exceeding the payroll threshold of $120.5 million and Anaheim will have to fork over $927,059.

Click here to read an AP story by Ronald Blum on this subject.

A Sound Trade

The trade of Dave Roberts for Payton, Vasquez, a minor leaguer and cash was success for the Sox. They filled 2 important holes and received some nice extra cash to assist with the payroll. Roberts was not going to accept a reserve role and now they’ve added 2 guys that will play important roles in that dept. Vasquez strikes out once every 5 at bats, but can play all four infield spots and Payton can hit with power and play all three outfield spots. Have to give Theo some credit on this one.

O Captain! My Captain!

Walt Whitman once wrote:

"O CAPTAIN! my Captain! our fearful trip is done;
The ship has weather’d every rack, the prize we sought is won;
The port is near, the bells I hear, the people all exulting,
While follow eyes the steady keel, the vessel grim and daring:
But O heart! heart! heart!
O the bleeding drops of red,
Where on the deck my Captain lies,
Fallen cold and dead."

Theo Epstein and the Boston Red Sox introduced the same catcher that has been catching in Boston for the past 8 seasons. However, today they introduced Jason Varitek with a new contract and a new uniform.

This Christmas Eve morning, Jason Varitek was given the undisputable title of Captain.

For the past two seasons, Varitek was considered the captain of the Boston Red Sox even though he was never offically given the title.

"Everyone knew he was the captain before, it was actually acknowledged, but I think it's a great honor that the Red Sox were able to put the 'C' on his jersey and officially call him the captain of the team," said veteran knuckleballer Tim Wakefield, who made a guest appearance at Varitek's press conference. "It means a tremendous amount not only to me personally, but to the team, and most important, to the city of Boston and Red Sox Nation."

Today, he became the third player since 1918 to be named captain of the Boston Red Sox, and the first since 1989. The other two? Maybe you have heard of them: Carl Yastrzemski and Jim Rice.

Varitek was very honored when Epstein handed over the two new jerseys, both home and away with a stitched 'C' on the shoulder.

"I'm extremely honored right now. I don't really know what to say. You add all these things together with it being Christmas Eve, a special day, but to have that honor, to hold this honor in this city and this region, for this team, is something I'll wear proudly," said Varitek. "For me, I can't change. I lead by my position, by what I do, by what I believe in."

As mentioned before, I wrote the words to Walt Whitman's first verse of "O Captain! My Captain!"

These words are very similar to the situation of the Red Sox. Whitman's mention of "our fearful trip is done," refers to the Red Sox' trip to the World Series Championship. "The ship has weather’d every rack," refers to how tired all the Red Sox players are as they finally completed what they had wanted. "The prize we sought is won," speaks for itself.

"O the bleeding drops of red,
Where on the deck my Captain lies,
Fallen cold and dead," refers to the Red Sox Nation bleeding Red (Sox) throughout their entire lives. And with the situation with Jason Varitek's agent Scott Boras, it seemed as if the Red Sox' Captain was dead and was going to move from the Red Sox...

But not this day.

Merry Christmas Baseball Fans!

Turn up the sound on your PC and check out Merry Merry Merry Frickin' Christmas! by Frickin' A.

And Happy Hot Stove Holidays to all of you from YankeesSuck.com

Varitek Stays in Boston

The entire Boston Globe Staff is reporting in this story on Boston.com that Jason Varitek is returning to the Red Sox in time for Christmas!

The terms: Four years, $40 million contract to be announced Friday. There is no no-trade clause per-se, but I'd bet it is the closest thing to a no-trade agreement you can get.

I guess Pedro didn't hold much sway over this Dirt Dog.

Grinch Steals "The Unit"

Well, it looks like the Grinch stole Christmas from George and his faithful followers. The complicated 20-team 45-player deal that would have brought Randy "The Unit" Johnson, to the Yankees is off. For now at least. Our hero in this saga is LA Dodger GM Paul DePodesta, who woke up just in time to realize what he actually agreed to. Preston, a regular commenter to the site, has pointed us to this ESPN Page 2 column by Jim Caple that sums up how George lost his Johnson. Very funny.

On another front, does anyone want to know why "The Unit" is so intent on relocating to the Bronx? Mike_D27 commented in another blog on this site yesterday that Schillings teammates on the Diamondbacks may not have liked him all that much. Apparently the guy is a little too much to take. Bobby Valentine has an interesting perspective as well. He mentioned on WFAN yesterday. He managed the 2001 All-Star team and suggested there appeared to be some tension between Randy Johnson and Curt Shilling. Apparently Schilling wasn’t able to pitch that game and timed a press conference to steal that night. Valentine suggested Johnson wants to go to the Yankees to beat his former teammate for revenge.

Georges "Unit" back on Hold

The last couple of days has seen some strange happenings on the Randy Johnson deal. The current situation has the Dodgers pulling out and killing the current configuration of the deal.

Yankee GM Ca$hman is swearing "never to deal with the dodgers again," acting like the Yankees and Dodgers have no prior history. But all the baseball minds think the deal will somehow happen with another team stepping in.

Boston?

Anyway, the other rumor is that Bud Selig is very upset because this stops him from being the Yankees Secret Santa this year.

R-E-$-P-E-C-T

Pedro — Get over yourself.

Pedro Martinez said this at a Friday new conference speaking of his former teammates on the Boston Red Sox. "They will field the best bad team in baseball history," In this AP story by Enrique Rojas Martinez came out swinging against the Red Sox front office.

"I'm a proud man and I think I deserve a little respect for the work I've done," he said. "I felt disillusioned and hurt by the way the Red Sox let me go so easily."

Maybe Pedro is upset because the Sox didn;t offer his as "suite" a deal as the Mets! This AP story by Ronald Blum, informs us the Mets are also furnishing Martinez with a luxury suite at Shea for all home games, and a hotel suite for all road games.

Now that is an Amazing Met.

More worrisome for Bosox fans is this comment by Pedro, "After giving seven great years, Jason Varitek, Derek Lowe and I were not signed." What's he getting at here? A rumor at ESPN's Rumor Central says Pedro is trying to help the Mets woo Varitek.

Mediocrity Pays

Parents — encourage your sons to learn how to throw a baseball. Another mediocre pitcher signed today for millions of dollars. This time it was Boston's turn to make a lifetime 69-75 pitcher with a 4.34 ERA into a multi-millionaire. Boston.com is reporting that the Red Sox have come to an agreement with the former Cub free agent pitcher Matt Clement. The deal will reportedly pay Clement $25 million to pitch in Boston for the next three years.

Globe staff reporter Gordon Edes reports in this story that Clement, 30, is expected to pitch in the No. 3 slot behind Schilling and Wells. His record last season was a mediocre 9-13 with a 3.68 ERA. Clement came up in 1998 with the San Diego Padres, pitched for the Marlins for one year, then spent the last three years dodging falling bricks at Wrigley field.

Red Sox fans can be encouraged, however, because although Clement has received less ink than the Yankees new pitcher Carl Pavano, he will also receive less cash than Pavano's four-year, $40 million. The two have posted remarkably similar numbers over their careers.

Both came into the league in 1998. Both have lifetime win-loss records bellow .500. Pavano is 57-58 after an 18-8 season last year which was by far his best year posting a 3.00 ERA. They share similar lifetime ERA's, with Pavano's at 4.21 just .13 below Clement. Both have played for the Marlins. Both are third day pitchers in the AL East. Clement throws more strikeouts, but he gives up more walks and home runs.

The book on Clement is that his pitches have such good movement, they elude the strike zone as well as the opponents' bats. When Clement is on, he is the perfect Fenway starter mixing strikeouts with groundouts. When he's off, look for walks and home runs. He throws some heaters and changeups and a sinking fastball in the low 90s. He also has a good hard slider. Also good for the Sox is the fact that he's getting better with experience. His last three years are stronger than his first four. So the Sox are banking on Clement being a diamond in the rough. We shall see.

George's "Unit" on hold!

Not so fast Unit, your ticket to hell is still on hold. According to this story on ESPN, the deal is more complicated than last year's failed A-Rod to Boston deal.

Apparently Newsday and FOX jumped the gun on this one. ESPN says "A Baseball source" told ESPN.com's Jayson Stark that the deal is very complicated and may involve a fourth team. The trade was proposed before Adrian Beltre, whom the Dodgers coveted, agreed to a $64 million deal with the Yankees.

Also, Shawn Green apparently likes the weather of southern California, where he grew up, and is not too keen to waive his no trade clause.

And the Dodgers want the New York Stinkees to help pay the salary of the ridiculously-overpriced Javier Vazquez. A reasonable request.

ESPN also reports there may be a fourth team involved.

BOSTON? Wouldn't that be a fun twist ala A-Rod.

George gets himself a "Big Unit"

Newsday reporter Jon Heyman is reporting that the Yankees have acquired Randy "Big Unit" Johnson from Arizona, via LA. Here are the specifics:

Yankees get Johnson.

From the Yankees, the Dodgers get Javier Vazquez and minor league prospects, catcher Dioner Navarro and third baseman Eric Duncan.

Arizona gets Dodger pitchers Brad Penny and Yhency Brazoban and outfielder/first baseman Shawn Green.

That's it.

Go here to read it for yourself.

Good, Bad and the Ugly

Sox loose Pedro … Bad
Sox don’t sell the farm to sign Pedro … Good
Mets get Pedro … Good – for Met fans.
Mets sell the farm to get Pedro … Bad - for baseball
Sox get Renteria … Good.
Renteria is the fourth free-agent to thumb his nose at the Tigers … Bad
Yankees get Pavano (aka Mamma's Boy) … Bad
Pavano can’t pitch in Boston … Good
Wells tries to get the Yankees to take him back … Bad
Wells ends up playing on a field he’s criticized … Good
Schilling will not be ready for opening day ... Bad
Schilling will be ready for the closing day ... Good
The Unit will sell his soul to pitch in Pinstripes … Ugly

DC or Bust?

What a revolting development this is:

NEW YORK (CP) - Washington's new baseball team shut down business and promotional operations indefinitely Wednesday as its move to the nation's capital teetered on the brink of collapse.

The decision by major league baseball followed the District of Columbia Council's decision Tuesday night to require private financing for at least half the cost of building a new stadium. The September agreement to move the Montreal Expos to Washington called for a ballpark fully financed by government money.

"Yes, I think baseball is now in jeopardy," Mayor Anthony A. Williams said.

Click here for the rest of the story

Tickets For the Troops

Editor's Note: We received this letter today from a loyal visitor to our site, Sargeant Mike Struppa. He and his buddies from Red Sox Nation have been serving all of us — the U.S. — in Iraq for a long, long time now and they have a Christmas / Homecoming request. This is your opportunity to be a hero for our heroes. Let's see if we can get them some seats at Fenway and give new meaning to "Safe at Home!" Contact Mike via his e-mail or add your suggestions to the Comments below. Thanks!"

Dear Sir or Madam:
My name is SPC Michael Struppa of Medford, Ma. My National Guard Medical Company, A 118th ASMB out of Concord, MA, is currently serving overseas in Iraq. We have been deployed since last December in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. I am writing because we are huge Red Sox fans and watched the entire drama of the playoffs and World Series victory over here everyday starting at 2 a.m. Recently we went online to Bostonredsox.com to try and purchase tickets to Opening day against the Yankees. Unfortunately we had a medical mission that we had to attend to and were unable to purchase tickets right away. We were dismayed to find out that after an hour and a half, the tickets were sold out. I am writing to inquire if there is anyway of purchasing tickets online or by other means at a reasonable price. We have tried to buy them online from brokers, but are unable to purchase 1 bleacher ticker for $697 as most of us have families which we must support. Your help in the matter of acquiring tickets is very much appreciated and as always thank you for your support of us while we proudly serve our country. If you need to reach me by regular mail the address is found below my name. I may also be reached easier by email at: michael.struppa@us.army.mil
Sincerely,
SPC Michael Struppa
A Co. 118th MED BN. (AS)
APO AE 09334

Pedro: The New King of Queens?

A pretty hot rumor has Pedro Martinez, 7-year veteran of the World Champion Red Sox, off to serve— and possibly be the savior for — the faithful of another team that - if it isn't cursed - sure has been acting like it is. The New York Mets' GM Omar Minaya has apparently outbid the Sox by offering Pedro a 4-year, $56 million contract. Pedro, knowing when "enough is enough" has apparently accepted the Mets offer.

Red Sox teammate Manny Ramirez has also been the subject of trade rumors that could have him sharing a U-Haul with Martinez for the move south to New York.

Holidays With The Enemy

Editors' Note: Back in April, we asked fans to tell us their personal stories of life with Yankee fans. Bosses, spouses, in-laws, ingrate kids and best friends: We all know, and yes, even love, some poor misguided soul. Now, for fans of the Red Sox, this will be a very different holiday season... The whole family dynamic has been turned around!

And - WE"LL SEND A FUN, SPECIAL PRIZE TO THE AUTHOR OF THE BEST STORY Send in your stories to ThrowsLikeAGirl@ Yankeessuck.com by December 20th, 2004 — and watch the site. We'll publish the best stories in time for Christmas.

Life is Now Complete!
—Submitted by Boston Art

"My love for the Red Sox and hatred for the Yankees are well documented. In the past I have fantasized all types of scenarios, with the Sox coming out on top of the Pinstripes. The best I could imagine was: The Sox had already clinched the division title, and were playing the last game of the regular season against the A's who were in a tie for the wildcard with the Yankees. If the Red Sox win, the Yankees make the playoffs. If the Sox lose, the Yankees are out. The Red Sox bring up newly acquired John Wasdin from triple A to start this crucial game. And you guessed it, WAY BACK- about 5 times as the Yanks kiss their season goodbye. Well, my fantasy can't compare to reality!

During the first game of the A.L. Championship series, my son-in-law Nathan was running happily to the phone to rag on me, and he broke his toe when kicking the hassock! Poor guy had to go to work for a month wearing three piece suits and sneakers. In game three, with the Yanks up by a couple of touchdowns, I refused to answer the phone. Then came the start of the miracle and the beginning of a fantasy-come-true beyond even my imagination. With the sweep eminent and Rivera coming to the mound, Nathan called and said, "I just wanted to share this moment with you." And what a moment it was! It lasted until the last out of game seven. Maybe the Curse wouldn't be broken until the Championship Trophy was ours, but the World Series was the most anti-climatic series I have ever seen. That American League title was the greatest thing I have ever experienced in sports. It's right up there with the Impossible Dream as far as baseball is concerned.

My father is a caretaker at a local Jewish cemetary. He found a Red Sox Championship hat placed lovingly on a grave. Rather than have the wind blow it away, he took it with him, and places it on the grave during the traditional visiting times, so family members will see it. Only a true Red Sox fan would understand.

Let the Yankees buy Beltran, the Big Unit, or Cy Young himself, this was the year that was as far as I'm concerned."

Selig Deals with the Devil, Gets Burned

Baseball commissioner, Alan 'Bud' Selig, voided his contract with Satan this afternoon as he attempted to have a cancerous lesion removed from his forehead. Selig, 70, says the lesion was discovered during a rountine checkup last week. Alan's doctor noticed a birthmark resembling Jason Giambi on the commissioner's forehead and immediately requested that it be cut open for observation.

The surgery was reportedly successful as MLB issued a press release stating: "There is no evidence that the melanoma has extended beyond the skin."

This may be good news for Bud, however, lawyers for Satan are crying foul stating line 18, section 42 of Selig's deal with Mr. Beelzebub. In the document, signed in red ink by Bud on July 2, 1998, Bud forfeits his soul to Satan "in exchange for undetectable steriods, numerous broken batting records, and eradication of 'The Curse of the Bambino.'" "We have given Bud everything he has asked for, yet he won't fulfill his side of the deal," Satan's lawyer proclaimed! "It's not like we are asking for a salary cap!"

Satan also stated that it was he who delivered the names of BALCO affiliates to the press. "If Alan is going to break his end of the deal, then there was no reason for me not to go public," exclaimed the Angel of Death from his ranch home near Bermuda, "I'll see his ass in court!"

Sox offer arbitration

The Associated Press is reporting that the Boston red Sox are offering arbitration to Pedro Martinez, Jason Varitek, Orlando Cabrera, Derek Lowe, Pedro Astacio, Mike Myers, Pokey Reese and David McCarty. The players can negotiate with any team and have until Dec. 19 to accept or reject the Red Sox offer.

What does this mean? If a player accepts arbitration, he is considered signed by Boston for 2005 for the salary the arbitrator decides at the February hearing. Any team who signs one of these players would give Boston a draft choice if they sign the free agent.
Click Here for the article on Boston.com.

Not offered arbitration by the Sox are: Terry Adams, Curtis Leskanic, Ramiro Mendoza and Scott Williamson, Ricky Gutierrez and Ellis Burks.

Steroids Are Our Fault?

A regular visitor to our blog, 'YankeeSonshine' posted a link to the article by Phil Pepe regarding the Giambi scandal. Some of what Pepe writes is right on. However, upon rereading the article he looses me on some key points. He attempts to create a convoluted justification for cheating. He says Giambi’s critical mistake is that he got caught. Now that sounds like a Yankee attitude. He says we’re ALL to blame: the owners, MLB, sportswriters and the yes, even the fans. He mysteriously left commentators off his guilt list.

Pepe blames the fans for cheeting? Give me a break. What were Yankee fans supposed to do, administer their own urine tests on Giambi and A-Rod and the gang? The truth is this: The only ones involved in this mess that have a right to be outraged are the fans.

MLB and the owners share in the disgrace as much as Giambi. They not only allow this to go on, they passively encourage it. They do little to stop it because they benefit even more than the players do. Millions are made when these juiced players raise the excitement level for America's favorite pasttime by shattering long-standing records. And where does this money come from? The fans. We fans fund baseball and we have a right to be outraged.

It’s obvious to every objective observer that steroids have been a problem for years. Look at the numbers. In 1927 Babe Ruth set the all time season home run record with 60, breaking his own record of 59 set six years earlier in 1921. It took another 34 years for Roger Maris to break that record with 61. Then look what happens. Thirty-seven years later, Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa shatter Maris’ record by clubbing 70 and 66 homers respectively in 1998. Then in the next 3 years Bonds hits 73, McGwire hits 65, and Sosa hits 64 and 63. Six times in four years the same three players post unprecedented power numbers. No wonder Giambi wanted in on this action.

Anyone that is not outraged is just not paying attention. Not just Yankee fans — ALL fans deserve better. Fans of Babe Ruth and Hank Aaron, and Roger Maris should be outraged. We were the victims of a known fraud perpetrated by a knowing and willing MLB. And now they act as though they’re shocked. But, let the players' inflated records stand they say. Asteriks next to records just clutter up the Hall of Fame plaques. No punishments will be doled out. As far as I’m concerned, every power record set in the last few years is now questionable.

This next season should not begin without every player passing a full test on any steroid use. I don’t care how they’re administered, creams needles, enemas, whatever — ban it. It’s only fair to the players who go by the rules and value their lives more than a record or a contract. And, yes, keep their medical records confidential. All the public needs to know is that the ones who are doping are no longer wearing the uniform of their team. And as for the federal government — let's not have to waste our congresspeoples' time on this bad behavior. The USA has some other more pressing business right now, don't you think? MLB should be able to straighten this out without another law against illegal drug use. After all, are we going to need a new customized federal law for every sport?

Back to Pepe's article: His final question is way off the mark. He asks, "which GM wouldn’t take a chance on Giambi with his potential to hit .300, knock in 120 runs and hit 40 home runs?" The problem with his premise is that Giambi apparently does not have that potential unless he is juiced. Admitting to using steroids is admitting that disability to himself.

Giambi Deflated

It’s now official — Jason Giambi is a cheater.

Staff Writers Mark Fainaru-Wada and Lance Williams of the San Francisco Chronicle, reported in THIS STORY, that Jason Giambi admitted to the federal grand jury in the BALCO steroids case that he injected himself with human growth hormone during the 2003 season. He also reportedly said he had started using steroids at least two years earlier. Key words here are “at least.”

A brief review of Giambi’s lifetime stats, listed below, suggest he may have started using steroids as far back as the 1998 or 1999 seasons when he became Oakland’s first baseman after Oakland traded Mark McGwire to the Cardinals in 1997.

Year  AB HR  Avg. 

1995 176  6 .256 Oakland

1996 536 20 .291

1997 519 20 .293

1998 562 27 .295 - Steroids?

1999 575 33 .315 - Steroids?

2000 510 43 .333  MVP - Steroids?

2001 520 38 .342 -Admitted Steroid Use

2002 560 41 .314 Yankees $120 million 7 Year deal

2003 535 41 .250 -Admitted Steroid Use

2004 264 12 .208 

In 1999 Giambi said this to the Rocky Mountain News, "The saddest day in baseball for me was the day of the Mark McGwire trade. We spent every day together, from lifting weights to eating, everything. He helped me to become the player I am today." Oh really Jason, “Everything?” McGwire went on to hit 70 home runs in 1998, and 65 in 1999. Giambi was MVP as in 2000, in which he set career numbers: Batting average – 333; Homers – 43; and RBIs - 137. Just what exactly were these guys eating?

Giambi, a five-time All-Star, played his first seven seasons in Oakland. After the 2001 season, his steroid inflated numbers paid huge rewards when he signed a seven-year, $120 million contract with the Yankees. Two months after testifying before the grand jury, Giambi reported to spring training this year looking much thinner, but insisting he had lost just four pounds.

So I guess the saying “cheaters never prosper” can be retired. $120 million sounds pretty prosperous to me. However, the ultimate price Giambi will pay will be his health. He already missed most of last season from various viruses – including a parasite that ravaged his body for most of the summer.
So we hope that there’s a cautionary tale here - and we hope that kids everywhere will be retiring those Jason Giambi posters. He’s about as real a sports hero as Barbie is a real woman. (And with friends like McGwire, who needs enemies?) Your action figure days are over, Jason. Too bad. And those millions…watch how fast the lawyers will put a dent in that piggy bank.