MFS62

Fman99 wrote: The whole thing stinks worse than Suzie Waldman's giant granny panties. Thank you for that Hallmark moment. Later

HahnSolo wrote: I guess they don't think Jesus Montero is the shit anymore. I'm guessing he will be used as trade bait for a pitcher. Later

The grapes are starting to taste sour for the Yankee shills. Around 6:30 tonight, Michael Kay said (a close paraphrase) that Lee isn't a big loss - he only had one really good year. And he got hit around in his first start after he got traded this year. You can't make this stuff up. Later

I don't get it - Mrs Lee didn't like the behavior of Yankee fans, then her hubby signed with the PHILLIES???. I can't wait for him to lose a home game. She'll need both an umbrella and body armour. Later

I always read their columns. But now I know a little more about the writers. Thank you. Later

seawolf17 wrote: John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: I'm not sure I got Emaus pronounced right either. His dad, Mick, has a much more pronounceable name. Got it. Nicely done. Later

Back to Crawford. I remember reading in his fifth year that he had a chance to become the first player in major league history to improve in BA, HR and RBI in each of his first five years. He just missed (RBI in his fifth year). Since then, his power has leveled off and he is predominantly a player who has speed as his biggest asset. The legs can either be good for a long time (Rickey Henderson) or start to decline earlier (Luis Castillo). There aren't too many Rickeys around. Of course, he won't have as much ground to cover in Fenway Park, saving his legs a bit. But once that speed starts to go, and he has nothing else to provide, those Boston fans may begin to get real nasty. Later

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: So the Nats took our flamethrower. Oh well. The reports make it seem like a fish story to me. He was a guy with a decent arm, in the 90s and suddenly he's a 99mph guy. The guy who watches the minors for "Inside Pitch" (subscription site) says that velocity comes as news to him. He says the guy's fastball tops out around 94. Later

I guessin' this stops the Beltran to the Sox rumors. Later

Apparently the only Force this Luke believes in is measured in caliber. Later

Boof? Barf. This guy has been told "Get outta' here!" more times than the high school nerd who keeps asking out all the girls on his school's cheerleading squad. The best part of this news is that its only to a minor league deal. Later

The comments on Carter brings up a question: Can you teach someone to be a better thrower? Someone's technique I am sure can be changed, which would help in some cases. But could a coach be brought in to work with someone just on their arm? A bunch of intertwined questions there. Yes, you can teach someone to be a better thrower (up to a point) but it must be done correctly. Two stories I remember reading. When outfielder Willie Davis first joined LA, he had a weak throwing arm. One of the coaches had him lie down on his back, and make gradually longer throws from that position. Over time (weeks? months?) Davis' arm got stronger. Not a Clemente rocket, but to the point it was barely avearge. But I also remember when Mookie Wilson had arm problems atthe end of one season. The Team had (then coach) Frank Howard work with Mookie to build his arm back up to full strength. I specifically remmber reading that Howard started Mookie out with 200+ foot throws, not gradually building up to that distance. As a result, he never got his arm strength back and it looked like it never recovered for the rest of his career. Not sure if either of those coaches were specifically "brought in" or if this was just one of their coaching assignments. Of course, Steve Carlton strengthened his arm by repeatedly plunging it into a barrell of rice. So you never know what will work. Later

Edgy DC wrote: A scout is: Trustworthy, Loyal, Helpful, Friendly, Courteous, Kind, Obedient, Cheerful, Thrifty, Brave, Clean, andReverent. Those are also the positive attributes for a Boy Scout. Unfortunately, none of those things has anything to do with finding and evaluating baseball talent. I'd like Sandy to hire a couple of those. Later

Frayed Knot wrote: Ceetar wrote: D.J. to with R.A. and J.P. Riccardi...who else? That's it ... at least initially. Groan. BTW- Yankee beat reporter Sweeney Murti is covering the winter meetings for WFAN. His sarcastic comment was (I'm paraphrasing) "The Mets signed a reliever from the team that had the worst bullpen in baseball". What a douche. Later

They could do a lot worse. Worth a backup slot. Later

I used many different words to describe Andy when he was playing against the Mets. Funny, "coach" was never one of them. Later

The Second Spitter wrote: batmagadanleadoff wrote: Potential Free Agents for 2012 The following players have contracts expiring or should have the six years of service necessary to become free agents after the 2011 season. * - player whose current contract includes 2012 option [a few of the players listed below have signed extensions beyond 2011 since this article was posted] Player Club Second Basemen Luis Castillo NYM Catchers Brian Schneider PHI Outfielders Jeff Francoeur TEX Starting Pitchers Oliver Perez NYM Relief Pitchers Francisco Rodriguez NYM * Cheers! When I read the first (longer) list, my first reaction was that it looks like teams are locking up the really good players with longer term contracts. And then, this shorter list brought me back to reality. Later

bmfc1 wrote: SOB Jayson Werth stays in the NL East--Nationals, 7 year deal. Crap! I had heard rumors from one of the talking heads on ESPN that he might sign with Boston. He would have been a real pain in the butt to the MFYs. Later

Thanks. Didn't know that was available. Later

Edgy DC wrote: I don't get it. The math is in place to adjust the numbers accordingly, and it's easy enough to use. We shouldn't be arguing in 2010 whether to embrace the numbers at face value or throw them out entirely. Interesting point. I wonder if anyone has used the new numbers to reexamine the numbers of players already elected who played in bandboxes such as Baker Bowl, Ebbets Field and Crosley Field. Later

Carter became a very reliable pinch hitter by the end of last half of the season. I'm surprised they let him walk. Who is there to replace him? I hope they're not thinking Duda, who needs his AAA at bats this year. Some team will pick him up and he'll come back to bite the Mets in the butt - you just know it. Later

Frayed Knot wrote: * I can still rattle off most of that late '60s Chicago team: Banks, Beckert, Kessinger & Santo around the infield Williams & Hickman at the corner OF, plus a revolving set of CFs the most famous of which (at least in NYC) was Jimmy Qualls Randy Hundley catching a strong starting staff with the likes of Hands, Jenkins, and Holtzman He was a shameless homer in the broadcast booth. I remember those Cub teams, too, including manager Leo Durocher. One of those centerfielders was a kid named Adolfo Phillips. He never had reached his potential, so Leo had to drop him to #8 the lineup. He didn't want to break his spirit, so Leo told him "Kid, you're my second cleanup hitter". The kid responded with his best year. I liked a lot of those Cubs players. Santo never made that list. But, I know what it is to fight Diabetes. RIP, Ron Later

Isn't Barajas a free agent too? If so, Barajas and Blanco could have a footrace, the Mets signing the winner (loser?). They could time it with a sun dial. Actually, forget that. I shudder at the thought of that that Kodak moment. Later

If you're thinking that's more per year than the Yanks have offered Jeter, just remember a few things: Dunn is younger Dunn has more power Dunn has more range Dunn probably has a better arm But who gives a flying rat's rectum anyhow, since he's a DH? STFU, you whining Yankee fans. Dunn IS worth more. Later

Didn't notice a separate thread for this, so.. Gil McDougald- versatile All-Star. http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/yankees/2010/11/29/2010-11-29_former_yankee_great_gil_mcdougald_1951_al_rookie_of_the_year_dead_at_82.html I spoke to him after he had retired and asked him if he had prepared differently before a game when he know he would be playing a position he hadn't played in a while. I expected him to say the throws were the main thing, but he said the footwork preparing to make the throw was what he concentrated on during infield practice.. A very nice person, willing to take time to speak with the average fan. RIP. Later