Farmer Ted

Good Gary

A top New York Yankees prospect is not who he claims to be, sources tell SI.com. Two weeks ago, the Yankees signed a shortstop purporting to be 16-year-old Damian Arredondo from the Dominican Republic to an $850,000 bonus. Now Major League Baseball's Department of Investigations has determined that Arredondo is not the player's real name and that he is older than 16. The Yankees signed the player they thought was Arredondo on July 2, the first day that major league teams are permitted to sign international free agents as young as 16. The Yankees were impressed with the switch-hitter's strong arm and speed -- he reportedly ran a 60-yard-dash in 6.4 seconds. According to a new Major League Baseball rule, a player found to have used a fraudulent identity cannot sign with another club for one year. Major League Baseball has recently increased its efforts to deter identity fraud in Latin America by hiring new investigators and dispatching other investigators from its New York City office to oversee the process. In general, sources say that MLB will be working with authorities in the Dominican Republic to bring criminal charges against the orchestrators of fraud -- often the trainers and agents who stand to make large percentages of the prospects' signing bonuses. Mark Newman, the Yankees Senior Vice President of Baseball Operations, says that he has not received official notification of the outcome of the Arredondo investigation. The Yankees did not lose any money on the prospect because his bonus was contingent on the outcome of the investigation. Newman expressed gratitude that the investigative process was swift, allowing the team time to continue searching for prospects among the pool of free agents who have not yet been signed. Last week, the Yankees also signed Dominican catcher Gary Sanchez, for $3 million. According to his agent, Brian Mejia, Sanchez has already passed his investigation.

Bad Ollie

She shoulda slapped Selig with an injunction and allowed the season to play out.

Total candy arm. If he was Costanza, they'd call him a Mary. I don't know what's worse, his throw or bowling prowess. Should stick to hoops.

Heyman suggested a few days back that Bobby could be holding down the Nats job now that Acta is out. I just don't see that one.

All wes gots is Feliciano and Misch. Wagner a possibility for a few weeks MAYBE at the end of the season. Do they go out and get another lefty reliever by the end of July?

Took in the game on Sunday. First time to Citi. Had recent trips to PNC and Safeco so I was anxious to do a some comparison shopping. Overall a definite A. I got there early so I was literally the first person to the Shake Shack. Yum. Only an hour before game time and the place was mobbed. So here are my drawbacks: 1. Food court. Serious congestion here before and during the game. Put a destination location at the stadium and everyone flocks to it. I say tear down some of the junk yards across the street, install a foot bridge, and put some more fun stuff over there to ease the food mess. 2. Concourse width not enough. Then again, maybe the concourse is wide enough but you lose 10 feet of space with the cashier ropes that jut out from the food counters. Who thought of this traffic nightmare? 3. Home Run apple. I'll give a pass to the apple not coming up for Tatis' home run. I was turned away trying to get to the OLD apple since there was a private reception on that level. Fuckers. I was impressed with the staff at the game. Tons of staff in an array of colored shirts. Lady behind me got up in between innings and the schmuck behind her spilled beer on her seat. Dude was sloshed and subsequently tossed by security for being "that guy". No fewer than five staff showed up including one supervisor to wash down and scrub around her seat. NEVER saw that at Shea or any other stadium. I had the usher nazi in my section. No ticket, get out. Ninth inning and want to sneak down for a closer look? Tough shit. The place looked great. Still a bit sad about the vacant parking lot next to it. Surprised to see the brackets holding up piping in the stadium were rusting. Yeah, rusting. Speaking of Rust. No homage to Rusty Staub? Boog Powell and Greg Luzinski have their food pits. Until the area around the stadium is cleaned up, Safeco and PNC still get a slight edge for convenience and accessibility. I was happy that the place turned out to be a top flight facility.

We left that game early. I fucking hate myself and never forgave Mrs. Ted for wanting to bug out early.

I wonder what fine things Walt Kowalski would say about the young Brewer?

A report on mets.com says Elmer could be DFA with Redding to the pen.

Sal Palantonio from espn football sitting behind home openly rooting for the Phils. Another reason to hate that monotone prick.

Where are Burkhardt"s hands?

Do two LaRoches equal one Bong?

Eat it Bud Selig.

Randall "Tex" Cobb must go down.

Kong's on a roll.

Feeling good, Lewis!

From the Headless, Obese and Sexy thread in the non-baseball forum: Being so large, I might get a neck down shot posted on the internet. I better iron a nice crease in my jeans so I look good? --Kong Iced coffee just came out of my nose on that one, bastard.

The virtual tour of Citi had a "Duke's" Food stand. Duke Sinder? Can this be confirmed?

Jack Clark. Zero world championships. Bitter. Asshole.

A friend spotted one of these at Citi recently. I like it. http://www.nomas-nyc.com/product_shea.html

Pretty Boy. http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/official_info/umpires/bio.jsp?id=3057

I recall Mex bitching about how the team had to fly commercial a few times "back in the day". They need to throw back a few Old Styles and loosen up.

Why a 7:05 start last night and an 8:05 start tonight? Is Milwaukee multi-time zone sensative?