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by Derek Felix

More HB: The Day After

September 30, 2008 in MLB, More HB, NFL, NY Mets, NY Yankees

-And so, the New York baseball season is over and it really does feel weird that both the Mets and Yankees won’t be playing meaningful baseball as October gets ready to hit. I just can’t remember what this felt like. Sure. The two teams both finished with identical records winning 89 games which meant they didn’t stink by any stretch but when you have the kind of payrolls they do, so many expectations come with it for this spoiled city which makes it all the more disappointing.

In the end, both teams despite big names proved to be flawed which was why they fell short in their postseason bids. Injuries aside, the Yankees didn’t have enough pitching or timely hitting. For some reason, they never hit the way they could’ve and too often couldn’t deliver in the clutch. That along with being a very streaky team which sometimes lacked energy kept them from putting together that run with their best ball coming way too late when the season was already lost.

The Mets also had their share of injuries but severely underperformed the first 10 weeks getting Willie Randolph axed before waking up under Jerry Manuel to get back in the race. Despite no pen to speak of, they persevered and once again were in great position to win their division before it all came crashing down in the final couple of weeks though not as badly as last year. While the pen could never be trusted and cost them a ton of games, what was most baffling was the offense which at times disappeared. How do you explain getting shutout 1-0 against the majors’ worst team the Nats? And what about scoring only five runs in the do or die weekend series against the same Marlins who danced on their field eliminating them last year? Questions will continue to linger about David Wright and Jose Reyes until they stop disappearing and carry this team back to October and beyond.

Now, it will be a long offseason for Omar Minaya with plenty of angry customers wondering why next year will be different at Citi Field. Getting a real second baseman while unloading Luis Castillo along with revamping the bullpen are just a couple of topics he must address with new record closer Francisco Rodriguez at the top of the list. It’s also likely Pedro Martinez pitched his final game as a Met after struggling mightily. And then there’s Oliver Perez, who will be seeking a deal in the neighborhood of $12-16 million per year under greedy agent Scott Boras$. Is he really worth that kind of money longterm? I say no. He’s just too unpredictable to get to that next level. What about Carlos Delgado? Do they pick up the $12 million option rewarding him for his brilliant second half or do they try to get younger going for better defense? If they let him go, it won’t be easy to replace his big bat.

As for the Yankees, they will need to decide on center field moving forward along with what they intend to do with Joba Chamberlain. If they make him a starter, then they must continue to shore up their pen. Bringing back 20-game winner Mike Mussina should be at the top of Brian Cashman’s list. Figure Andy Pettite to either retire or go elsewhere following a dismal second half. The Yanks of course need a real ace and should be in the running for C.C. Sabathia, John Lackey or A.J. Burnett with him expected to opt out of Toronto. There’s also the first base situation where they could be competing with the Angels and Mets for Mark Teixeira. Figure Jason Giambi to go elsewhere after a productive season proving he can still be a valuable DH somewhere. As for Bobby Abreu, he’s a solid run producer who gets on base but leaves something to be desired for in right which is why we see Xavier Nady shifting.

Whatever transpires over the next three months, New York baseball fans know full well their rosters won’t look the same following a quiet October.

Get ready for chaos.

-Just in case we forgot, there’s still one more regular season game to be played later today when the Twins visit the Windy City against the White Sox, who earned the one-game home playoff by getting a grand slam from overlooked rookie second baseman Alexei Ramirez in an 8-2 win over the Tigers in a makeup game Monday. They get the game despite winning their first in six thanks to the Twins dropping two of three to the Royals despite sweeping three from Ozzie Guillen’s club to pull half a game up. It’ll be John Danks going on three days rest against Nick Blackburn to decide the AL Central for the final playoff berth.

One team will advance to play the Tampa Bay Rays in the Division Series while Boston travels to California to meet the 100-win Angels.

The NL of course is all set with the Cubs taking on the Dodgers while the Phillies host the Brewers, who are in their first postseason in 26 years.

We’ll have more playoff stuff later on.

-It’s hard to choose one between each but our pick for NL MVP would be Ryan Howard for how he carried the Phillies the final month having one of the best Septembers eerily similar to when he clubbed 58 home runs and knocking in 149 to win the award two years ago. I’ve always been a huge fan of Manny Ramirez and he sure stepped up carrying the Dodgers in the final two months impacting their lineup while coming back to win the NL West. But it’s hard to pick him over Howard with how well the first base slugger finished leading his team to a 13-3 record over the final 16 pressure packed games in a very tight race.

-The same could be said for the NL Cy Young where worthy candidates like Johan Santana, Brandon Webb and Tim Lincecum all are in the running against Milwaukee rental Sabathia, who tossed a remarkable seven complete games pacing the league while turning in a money performance following Santana’s gem to get the Brewers in. For that, we’ll give the nod to Sabathia over Lincecum with Santana third and Webb fourth.

-AL MVP is a little easier and could depend on if the Twins win with Justin Morneau once again in the running against Boston tandem Dustin Pedroia and Kevin Youkilis. It’s hard to ignore Carlos Quentin’s impact with the White Sox, who haven’t been the same since he went down. To be honest, he would’ve been a lock had he not broken his wrist. If the Twins get in, Morneau should win his second MVP in three years this time edging another do everything infielder Pedroia, who resembles a young Derek Jeter. If not, give the award to Pedroia because he’s been his team’s best player since the Manny trade.

-As for AL Cy Young, Cliff Lee should get the nod handily edging out K-Rod, Dice-K and Roy Halladay. I know he won’t get a lot of consideration but Moose deserves a few votes for how well he pitched in the Bronx this year.

-What else can Joe Girardi be two-faced about and purposely hide from the media?

-It’s nice to see Brett Favre finally be allowed to open it up and get on the same page with Laveranues Coles, who caught three touchdowns for the first time in his career- half of Favre’s career high six in the Jets’ 56-35 win over Kurt Warner and the Cards. I just wonder if Gang Green fans can be pleased about their D turning a 34-0 halftime cushion into a game by allowing three straight TDs in the third quarter before Favre and the Jet offense put it away.

-Did anyone ever think the Bills and Titans would both be the only remaining unbeatens in the AFC looking like playoff locks?

-How come Terrell Owens always blames Dallas defeats on not getting him involved enough when it was about as believable as anything Sarah Palin says? Can’t he ever give credit to the opponent because the Redskins played a heck of a game and have certainly turned things around since the NFL Opener defeat to the Giants? But hey. T-Ho will always be a selfserving primadona who doesn’t care about the team concept despite his talent which is why I’d never take him on my team.

-I could do a better job than Scott Linehan did with the Rams.

-It sure took long enough for the Lions to realize Matt Millen wasn’t a good Team President. I wonder what keyed them in on that.

-When someone takes shots at the Yanks and Mets for not qualifying, just remember you could be the Tigers who gave up the world for Miguel Cabrera and Dontrelle Willis, who now looks like a serious rebuilding project. Tell ya one thing. Cameron Maybin sure looks good in center for the Marlins. And if Andrew Miller pans out, that’s gonna be one heck of a rotation in 2009. The Mets and Phillies might have some competition for the NL East.

-Just how ridiculous is Jim Dolan? Idiotic enough to continue bringing back Allan Houston while refusing to payoff Stephon Marbury to get him off the Knicks roster. That’s why no matter who’s running it, they’ll always be the same laughingstock.

-Now would be a good time to tell the Rangers that the NHL regular season begins in a few days over in Europe cause they have looked really bad so far. I wonder what Glen Sather thinks now of investing six years and six and a half per on Wade Redden. Just wait till the season starts up. You ain’t seen nothing yet.

-What I like about the Giant organization is they stick to their rules disciplining Plaxico Burress for missing two straight days of practice even if it was due to a personal family matter. The wideout still should’ve communicated better this way he wouldn’t be fined and have to sit out next week’s home game versus Seattle. However, there aren’t any excuses and no exceptions under Coach Coughlin which is why I believe this team can repeat. They get it!

-Someone might want to tell Jerry Jones that this isn’t the 50′s anymore when he last played organized football. He doesn’t belong on the sideline.

-Boomer and Carton are a fun listen on WFAN in the morning because they work well and have solid chemistry. Listening to them rant over the Mets’ latest disappointment was good radio. Loved Carton’s nickname for Wright for failing to deliver in the clutch: “D-Rod.” A reference to Alex Rodriguez.

-I feel bad for diehard Met fans like Steve Somers, Tony Paige, Evan Roberts and Joe Benigno, who live and die with their team all year long. You can feel the emotion and terrible bitterness in their voices. Particularly Somers, who last week coming back from a great Weezer concert sounded heartbroken over a costly extra inning defeat to the Cubs. You could really tell how badly he wanted to see them get in and reverse last year.

They all did and showed so much. Maybe if the Mets had played with as much energy as they brought to the WFAN airwaves, they wouldn’t be sitting home instead getting ready for Lou Piniella’s Cubs. They might get paid to talk sports but they wear the Mets’ logo as a badge of honor as did outstanding play-by-play man Howie Rose.

Nobody ever likes to get their hearts broken. Especially by their favorite sports team which is what can make following sports so crazy. One minute, you’re as high as the sky and the next you feel like burying yourself under the sand.

It’s the real diehards who never abandon ship who shall always get my sorrows. Cause it takes a lot sometimes to stay with a team that constantly gives you heartache.

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Avatar of Derek Felix

by Derek Felix

More HB

August 13, 2008 in More HB

-The Mets pen actually didn’t fall apart for once in a Johan Santana start holding a one-run lead the final two frames for a hard fought 4-3 series opening win over the Nationals last night in the nation’s capital. After giving up a leadoff single to Austin Kearns on his first pitch, reliever Joe Smith buckled down striking out the next former Met pair Lastings Milledge and Jesus Flores swinging around a Kearns steal. He then got Ronnie Belliard to ground out to second setting the stage for lefty Pedro Feliciano to record the final three outs. He retired the side in order fanning the last two for his first save of the season and third career.

It allowed Santana to pickup his 10th victory. He permitted a tying pinch hit Ryan Langerhans solo shot in the seventh but got support thanks to Damion Easley being plunked with the bases loaded and an out in the eighth forcing in the deciding tally. Trying for more, Jerry Manuel sent up pinch hitter Brian Schneider for his ace, who went the first seven on three runs, eight hits, two walks, six K’s and just 94 pitches. Schneider struck out to end it. Some might wonder why he didn’t just have Santana bat there as the catcher isn’t a great hitter. But Manuel played by the book and came out on top anyway thanks to Smith and Feliciano, who didn’t make it the seventh time a Santana lead was blown.

Instead, the Amazin’s win allowed them to get within a game of the first place Phillies, who fell in Los Angeles for a second consecutive time losing 4-3 on an Andre Ethier walkoff hit. The Phils blew a 3-1 lead and wasted second baseman Chase Utley’s 30th home run. Manny Ramirez drove in a run and Casey Blake a pair including the tying sac fly in the eighth.
Meanwhile, the Marlins also gained ground with a 4-3 home win over the Cards scoring all their runs in the first two innings including Hanley Ramirez’ three-run homer (26th) which held up as the difference. Kevin Gregg pitched a 1-2-3 ninth for his 26th save allowing Florida to remain half a game behind the Mets and a game and a half out of first.

-The Yanks got a much needed win last night in the Metro Dome 9-6 in 12 innings. They had led 4-3 on a Derek Jeter two out RBI base hit to center and increased to 6-3 on Bobby Abreu and Wilson Betemit RBI’s. But when struggling lefty Damaso Marte put a couple of runners on in the eighth, Joe Girardi called on Mariano Rivera to get a five out save. But he wasn’t up to the task serving up a tying three-run Delmon Young dinger off the foul pole to blow his first save in 29 chances. Rivera tossed a scoreless ninth and then Jose Veras came on for two perfect innings and a pair of K’s setting up the 12th. All season, Alex Rodriguez has struggled money situations but this time delivered a huge solo blast to dead center off Matt Guerrier putting his club ahead. Xavier Nady, who already drove in two on a double then added his sixth home run as a Yankee connecting for a two-run shot to give them some insurance. The former Pirate is batting .344 with six HR and 17 RBI’s in 17 games since they acquired him.
Edwar Ramirez closed it out for his first save.

The win snapped a four-game skid and allowed the Yanks to gain a game on first place Tampa Bay, who lost to Oakland 2-1. The problem is they still trail by eight and are five behind the Red Sox for the wild card after they won a wacky slugfest 19-17 over the Rangers at Fenway. The first inning saw Boston score 10 runs including two three-run homers by David Ortiz (both to right). However, they couldn’t hold leads of 10-0 and 14-2 allowing the Rangers to come all the way back due to eight in the fifth and five in the sixth highlighted by an Ian Kinsler three-run shot along with a barrage of hits and sac flies. Despite Marlon Byrd’s five hits and three knocked in, the Red Sox got the last laugh as Kevin Youkilis slugged his second long ball of the night- a three-run job in a four-run eighth to give the home club a football like 19-16 lead. Brandon Boggs’ pinch hit made it interesting giving the Rangers two shots to tie the game but Jonathan Papelbon got the final two batters for save No.32 to finally end a game which featured a combined 36 runs on 37 hits and four errors. Somehow, it took less than four hours to play.

Terry Francona would later remark:

“At some point, you’re thinking about going for a field goal.”

Texas skipper Ron Washington on his team’s resolve though they ultimately came up short:

“After that first inning when they had us down 10-0, I think everybody in the ballpark and everybody in all of Massachusetts thought that the game was over.”

According to Elias Sports Bureau, the last time a team rallied from 10 runs down to win was on May 8, 2004 by those Rangers, who turned the trick in a 16-15 10 inning win.

Simply amazing.

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by Derek Felix

Manny a Dodger

August 1, 2008 in Articles, MLB

When the trade deadline hit yesterday, it actually happened. Manny Ramirez was no longer a Red Sock traded in a three-team deal to the Dodgers with Pittsburgh’s Jason Bay landing in Beantown while the Pirates acquired prospects Andy LaRoche, Brandon Moss, Bryan Morris and Craig Hansen.

After seven-plus years swinging the bat like few right handed hitters have and helping lead the Red Sox to two world championships while the signature phrase “Manny Being Manny,” became a hit with fans in Massachusetts, the very laid back 36 year-old Santo Domingo native who starred for George Washington High School here in NYC is now headed west to Hollywood where Joe Torre will manage him. Ramirez can become a free agent at the end of the season but in the mean time will get to reacquaint himself with former Boston teammates Nomar Garciaparra and Derek Lowe and try to get the Dodgers into the playoffs. They currently trail the Diamondbacks by two games.

From our vantage point, the big slugger who brings 510 career home runs and 1,672 RBI’s plus a .312 lifetime average is one of the most colorful baseball stars in the game. For all the theatrics, he’s a player nobody wants to miss when he comes to the plate cause you know he’s capable of jacking one out with that perfect stroke which left the Green Monster so many times. Especially off Yankee pitchers. Nobody was more ecstatic than them yesterday. Ramirez kinda reminds me of Darryl Strawberry in that he also was a big athlete with a flair for the dramatic. And with that sweet swing, you had to see what he’d do. I can recall being fortunate enough to attend a three homer game as a Yankee where he victimized the White Sox back in 1996. That was freaking awesome and will stay with me just as witnessing troubled Met buddy Dwight Gooden toss a no-no on Athletic Sock Night shall for free due to snow versus the Royals on Opening Day.

That’s Manny too. He is an enigma who does things his way perhaps to a fault. In the end, that’s why the Red Sox finally pulled the trigger. Ramirez finished his Boston career with 273 homers slugging 33-or-better in his first six years while topping 40 three times and knocking in over 100 from 2001 to 2006. In 100 games this season, he was hitting .299 with 20 dingers and 68 RBI’s. Now, the 17-year veteran is moving to LA which 2004 World Series teammate Lowe is certainly excited about:

“I think people for some reason think he’s lazy and a bad teammate and that he doesn’t care. He’s none of the above. Does he do some goofy things? Absolutely. He does do some goofy things. But as far as preparation and knowing the game and wanting to win, there’s no way you put up those numbers year in and year out unless you’re a special talent and work at it. And he does both.”

Torre certainly likes being able to add a player of this caliber to an outfield which has struggled due to free agent bust Andruw Jones. Now, he has an everyday left fielder who can be penciled in the cleanup spot:

“When a player like Manny becomes available, I don’t think there’s a manager in baseball who wouldn’t say they’re interested. Manny’s certainly not a simple personality, that’s for sure. He’s complex. But I’ve seen him when he competes. … I’ve had some colorful personalities on my clubs like David Wells and Jimmy Leyritz. If you feel somebody’s going to help your club, you’ve got to find a way to make it work. And that’s my job. It’s a challenge, but I look forward to it.”

It will be strange to see Manny in Dodger blue as I’ve grown accustomed to seeing No.24 in that white and red Sock uniform take his cuts at the Yankees tormenting them over the years. Now, that dynamic duo of Manny and Big Papi are no more. Something I never imagined would happen. How will this affect his former club and can Bay, who’s never played on a winner really replace Ramirez and fit in helping the defending champs reach October again?

We won’t know the answer for quite a while. In the mean time, Manny will debut later tonight against another familiar face Randy Johnson in the second game of a big four-game set versus Arizona. Would it really shock anyone if he went yard helping his new team to a win?

For the Yanks, who went out and got crushed by the red hot Angels 12-6 on three three-run homers, they at least took solace knowing that they no longer have to deal with Manny in a big spot.

If you’re a Met fan, you’re wishing you had the chips to get the big slugger the rest of the way. Tale of two New York teams which changed places at 4 ET yesterday.

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by Derek Felix

More HB

July 28, 2008 in More HB

-Rafael Nadal took another step closer to the No.1 ranking by defeating veteran German Nicolas Kiefer 6-3, 6-2 to capture the Rogers Cup in Toronto yesterday for his ATP Tour leading seventh title of the year. It also marked his fifth consecutive tournament win and extended his match win streak to 29 straight. The 22 year-old No.2 ranked Spaniard also captured a fourth straight French Open and first ever Wimbledon becoming the first male tennis player to win both since Bjorn Borg in 1980. He defeated Scot Andy Murray in straight sets to reach the final after Murray had upset No.3 ranked Serb Novak Djokovic in the quarters of an upset marred tournament which saw top ranked Roger Federer, No.4 Russian Nikolay Davydenko, No.5 Spaniard David Ferrer and No.6 American Andy Roddick all bounced in the third round.

Nadal was able to avoid the upset bug to capture his first hard court tournament of the season. Though Kiefer raised his level early in the second set getting a few break points in the fifth game, the resilient Nadal fought them off and held serve before breaking the German’s spirit with two breaks to take the last four games for the championship.

If he continues to get solid results on the hard courts, then Nadal has to be considered a serious U.S. Open contender. He now believes he can win on any surface:

“I win on every surface, no? I win on grass, on hard, on indoor, and on clay, too. So if I am playing my best tennis I can win on every surface, no?”

In his career, Nadal’s now won 30 titles, making him the third youngest player to win that many behind Borg and Jimmy Connors.

He now trails Federer by just 300 points in the rankings boasting an impressive 61-7 record in 2008. So, can he finally overtake the 12-time slam winner who’s held the top spot a record 234 weeks in a row?

“Every player wants to be No. 1, no? I would love to be No. 1, but I am No. 2 right now. I’m very happy for be No. 2. Because with my titles, with my points, in a normal situation I, well, would have been No. 1 before. So I think I have to be happy, very happy anyway if I am No. 1 or No. 2. Because if I am No. 2 it’s because in front of me there is amazing player like Roger (Federer).”

We’ll see how Rafa follows up all his success in Cincinnati this week.
-This Brett Favre Saga has gotten out of control. Now, ESPN’s Bottom Line is giving a daily synopsis of the on-goings filled with quotes from the Green Bay QB as if it matters more to sports fans than the scores which is what it’s supposed to fill us in on. I highly doubt most NFL fans outside the crazies in Milwaukee care about every life detail of Favre’s existence. What’s next? ESPN Bottom Line fills us in on the little details of Favre’s day:
“After talking about how he won’t report to camp, Favre then milked his cows on his farm before having a balanced lunch with a homemade salad filled up of veggies freshly picked and washed it down with some fresh squeezed lemonade.”
Why can I actually see this happening?
-In a fun baseball season filled with pennant chases, it’s easy to overlook the season San Diego first base slugger Adrian Gonzalez is having. Despite playing for a last place team with not much else around him, the 26 year-old former Marlins’ 2000 No.1 pick is hitting .280 with 25 homers, 82 RBI’s and 63 runs scored. He needs just five dingers and 18 RBI’s to match last year’s total. His 25 long balls are tied for fifth in the NL and 82 knocked in are tied for second. Just imagine if he was on a good team with more productive hitters. He’s become one of the more productive hitters in the game since coming over from Texas three years ago. Isn’t it about time he got his due?
-I don’t care what comes out of his mouth. The Red Sox would be crazy to trade Manny Ramirez. Few sluggers are more dangerous in crunch time than the kid from Washington Heights.
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Avatar of Derek Felix

by Derek Felix

More HB covers Yanks’ latest win and big trade

July 25, 2008 in More HB, NY Yankees

-The Yanks just had a huge win over the Red Sox holding on for a 1-0 shutout in the first of three at Fenway to pull within two of the defending world champs for the wild card. Pending the result of Tampa-KC will determine if they’re within a couple for the division. At last check, the Rays led the Royals by a run in the seventh.

Joba Chamberlain went a career high seven innings baffling the Red Sox on just three hits while walking only Mike Lowell in the fourth and striking out nine on 103 pitches to pickup his third win (second as a starter). Just how brilliant a performance was it for the 22 year-old out of Nebraska? He retired the final 10 batters against one of the best hitting lineups, who even without Manny Ramirez (sat out) are lethal. David Ortiz returned tonight finishing with one hit in four at bats.

The story was Chamberlain, who outdueled Boston ace Josh Beckett, whose only mistake was a Jason Giambi infield single to short with the shift on allowing Bobby Abreu to come in from third for the game’s only run back in the third. The Yanks got plenty of base runners getting nine hits off Beckett but couldn’t tack on any insurance runs putting the pressure squarely on Joba’s shoulders. He was up to the challenge getting stronger as the night wore on mixing a filthy 87 MPH slider with his high 90′s heater and curve. He finished strong striking out rival Kevin Youkilis, Lowell and then got All-Star Game MVP J.D. Drew to fly out to right before departing for Kyle Farnsworth.

Farnsworth entered on a roll having tossed nine straight hitless innings but Red Sox rookie shortstop Jed Lowrie halted that with a leadoff single to right. After the Yankee setup man got struggling catcher Jason Varitek to harmlessly pop out to Derek Jeter, he had some tough luck when Boston center fielder Coco Crisp hit a roller up the first baseline. With first baseman Richie Sexson charging, a hustling Farnsworth beat him to it trying to pick up the ball and tag Crisp but instead missed him allowing for an infield hit.

With two runners on, skipper Joe Girardi didn’t mess around immediately signaling for Mariano Rivera for a five out save against the future Hall of Famer’s toughest foe. Even with a chaotic atmosphere, it didn’t matter as Mo did the job getting rookie Jacoby Ellsbury looking at a perfect outside cutter and then getting pesky second baseman Dustin Pedroia on a comebacker to end the threat.

After the Yanks went in order against Boston’s Hideki Okajima, Rivera still had to pitch to the heart of the order. First, he won the battle against Big Papi getting the big slugger to pop out to Abreu. It wouldn’t come easy though as Youkilis lined an inside heater through the hole to left. But with the tying run on, the Yankee closer buckled down against Lowell winning a classic battle.

After the World Series hero had foiled four cutters by fouling them off, Rivera finally came in and got the benefit of the doubt from plate umpire Marty Foster, who rang up the furious veteran third baseman. An animated Lowell protested getting in Foster’s face before getting the heave ho. Judging from the replays, it looked like he had a beef as the ball seemed to be just off the inside edge but catcher Jose Molina framed it to get the call.

Rivera still needed one more out and got it by dialing up two picture perfect outside cutters freezing Drew to give the Yanks their seventh win in a row out of the break. They’re now 57-45 and trail Boston (60-44) by just one in the loss column.

In Game Two tomorrow afternoon on Fox, the red hot Andy Pettite takes on veteran knuckleballer Tim Wakefield. The third game on Sunday Night Baseball features Sidney Ponson against Jon Lester.

-Meanwhile, the Bronx Bombers also were making headlines off the field as well. Those rumors according to WCBS’ Suzyn Waldman proved true about Brian Cashman finally going out and addressing two needs by acquiring outfield slugger Xavier Nady and lefty reliever Damaso Marte from the Pirates in exchange for four minor league prospects including OF Jose Tabata, SP George Kontos, SP Phil Coke and RP Ross Ohlendorf.

The move makes plenty of sense, especially with Hideki Matsui and Jorge Posada likely going under the knife ending their seasons. No question the Yankees needed to add another big bat and acquiring the 29 year-old Nady is a good move. The one-time Met who was packaged for Oliver Perez a couple of years ago was hitting .330 with 13 home runs and 57 RBI’s in 88 games with the Pirates this season. The former Padres’ 2000 second round pick has developed into a solid right handed hitter, which was exactly the Yanks’ need. He should fit right in supplying more pop as a five or six hitter.

Marte, 33, was originally a Yankee farmhand before going onto a solid eight-year MLB career with three other teams including as a key late inning reliever for the 2005 World Series champion White Sox. In his second stint with the Pirates, the Santo Domingo native was doing the job. In 47 games this season, he’s 4-0 with a 3.47 ERA recording five saves while fanning a batter per-inning (47 K’s in 46.2 IP).

Marte will be asked to fill the void as the lefty reliever for the Yanks further solidifying an improving pen which has seen Farnsworth flourish in a more distinguished role while Jose Veras and Edwar Ramirez have been steady contributors.

As for who went the other way, the 19 year-old Tabata was once considered to be one of the Yankee jewels in their system believed to have five tools. After a solid 2007 hitting over .300 with five homers, 54 RBI’s and 15 steals, he struggled in Trenton this season falling to .248 with three dingers, 36 RBI’s along with 10 steals in 79 games. In fact, his early season struggled were so bad that he went home for a couple of days to regroup. He hadn’t played since the beginning of July. Now, the Pirates get him as the centerpiece along with solid Double-A starters Kontos and Coke.

The 23 year-old Kontos is a Northwestern product who the Yanks tabbed in the fifth round in 2006. In fact, I covered his first pro season out here with the Staten Island Yankees where it was pretty apparent why they liked him. He possesses a low-90′s fastball along with a nasty curve and slider. He was one of the top Penn-League pitchers helping the Baby Bombers repeat as champions with an outstanding Game 3 performance which saw him escape a bases loaded jam to toss six shutout innings while fanning an impressive 11 for the team’s fourth championship.

After making some negative headlines for an off field incident prior to last season, Kontos battled an injury plagued 2007 in Tampa making 17 starts while posting a 4-6 record with a 4.02 ERA while fanning more than a batter-per-inning (101 in 94 IP). Elevated to Trenton this season, Kontos has pitched in bad luck posting a 3-9 record with a 3.77 ERA in 20 starts. In 107 and a third, he’s allowed 97 hits while walking 43 and fanning 103.

If there’s an area he needs to improve on, it’s not giving up the long ball. Last season, he served up 15 while this summer he’s given up 11. It couldn’t have helped that he struggled this month going winless in four outings with a 6.05 ERA. Part of the issue was his walks were up issuing 10 in 19-plus while permitting 21 hits and K-ing 19. Before this month, Kontos had three good months.

For the most part, his control was an issue in college but the Yankee staff helped fix the problem which has seen him continue to strikeout batters at a high ratio. If he continues to develop, there’s little doubt that he’ll make the majors. As someone who covered this former NYPL All-Star, he was fun to watch pitch and always a good quote in the locker room.

I’ll definitely miss Kontos and be pulling for him with his new organization.

The other SP the Pirates got was 26 year-old Coke, who has had a solid season with the Thunder posting a respectable 9-4 mark with a 2.60 ERA in 19 starts. That included a complete game shutout- a rarity in the minors or even baseball itself. So, the Sonora, California native who’s allowed 103 hits in 114.1 IP while walking 38 and striking out 109 bears watching as he’s closer to the majors than Kontos.

The prior season in Tampa, he went 7-3 with a 3.09 ERA in 16 starts fanning 76 in 99 frames while also notching a shutout. Coke’s a former 2002 26th round selection. It’s worth noting that Pirates’ All-Star center fielder Nate McLouth was selected in the 25th round in 2000. So, there is such thing as late bloomers to the cynics who believe if a player doesn’t make it by a certain age, they never will.

Also included in the deal was the 25 year-old Ohlendorf, who originally was part of the Randy Johnson deal. The former Princeton star never distinguished himself struggling mightily with the Yanks with over a 6.00 ERA while allowing 50 hits in 40 innings, walking 19 and serving up seven long balls before getting sent back down to Triple-A Scranton-Wilkes Barre. Maybe the Pirates will be a good change for the Austin, Texas native. If not, chalk it up to overhype.

-Update: Tampa prevailed over Kansas City 5-3 to pull a game up on Boston remaining three ahead of the Yanks. Carlos Pena’s 16th homer in the ninth (2-run variety) proved to be the difference as the Rays won for just the fourth time in their last 10.

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Avatar of Derek Felix

by Derek Felix

Yanks go extras for big win

July 9, 2008 in MLB, NY Yankees

Copyright Getty Images

Bobby Abreu is mobbed by teammates after winning the game against Tampa.

The Yankees needed extras to defeat the first place Rays 2-1 sweeping the brief two-game series at The Stadium this afternoon. Bobby Abreu’s one out walkoff double to the right center gap scored team captain Derek Jeter all the way from first giving the Bronx Bombers their fourth consecutive win pulling them seven over .500 at 49-42.

Most importantly, it allowed them to gain another valuable game on the majors’ best team, who fell for the third straight day allowing Boston (18-5 winners over the Twins) to pull within two games while the Pinstripes now trail by six and a half.

The Yanks couldn’t have asked for a better outing from righty veteran Sidney Ponson, who went the first six only permitting a tying solo shot to Tampa first base slugger Carlos Pena. With the game knotted, the Yankee pen did the job thanks to scoreless frames from Jose Veras and Kyle Farnsworth paving the way for closer Mariano Rivera to work the ninth and tenth striking out a season high four over two scoreless.

The Rays got a solid six and a third from Edwin Jackson allowing just an early run on a Jason Giambi RBI single which scored Jeter back in the first. He gave way to J.P. Howell, who was very tough not allowing a hit in two frames while fanning three.

With the game still tied entering the 10th, Grant Balfour who relieved Howell in the ninth getting Melky Cabrera swinging and catcher Jose Molina to groundout walked Jeter with one out setting the stage for Abreu to be the hero. The third-year Yankee right fielder had never had a walkoff hit since coming over to the Bronx from Philly but that changed when he drove a two strike offspeed pitch to deep right center allowing Jeter to round the bases without a relay throw.

A happy Abreu was then doused with Gatorade by Cabrera and buddy Robinson Cano before doing an interview with YES’ Kim Jones, who enjoyed the festivities.

It marked a big win for the Yanks who really needed to take both games against Tampa to have any chance of getting back in the hunt. Just remember, they don’t do it without Rivera, who somehow escaped a bases loaded no out jam against the Red Sox striking out a couple to help them take the final two of a four-game home series a few days back.

The durable 38 year-old veteran fireballer continues to defy logic by throwing the ball as well as ever stifling opponents while lowering his ERA to 1.06 in notching his fourth win. Counting today, Mo has now fanned 50 in 42.1 IP while permitting just 23 hits and walking only four including Cliff Floyd today.

His numbers are amazing. It’s all about location. So many batters just give up on that outside pitch taking it for a called strike three. Just ask Manny Ramirez who took three straight on the black. Rivera is just amazing and if the Pinstripes do comeback to qualify for yet another October, it will be largely because of how consistent No.42 has been.

Simply the best.

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Avatar of Derek Felix

by Derek Felix

Random Thoughts

June 9, 2008 in Random Thoughts

These are a few of the things floating around my head as a new week begins: 

1.How if you’re the Mets do you lose all four games to the hapless Padres in San Diego? They’d entered playing a better brand of ball taking their last three series and starting to look like the ballclub many expected them to be. Then, somehow they lost not one, not two but three consecutive 2-1 games to a team which had a brutal record in one-run games. To top it off, closer Billy Wagner couldn’t hold a two-run lead serving up a two out pinch hit three-run jack to veteran Tony Clark in the eighth which made San Diego an 8-6 winner sending the Amazin’s reeling back to Shea two under .500 (30-32). Now instead of building on two of three at San Fran, they trail the red hot Phillies by seven and a half. The Phils just got done sweeping the Braves to increase their lead to three and a half over second place Florida with a three-game series beginning tomorrow.

Meanwhile, the Mets will try to rebound when they return to Shea Tuesday and play host to struggling NL West leader Arizona. They could use some home cooking to get this turned around.

2.He did pitch into the fifth yesterday and threw a much better ratio tossing 53 of 78 for strikes but I still feel this Joba Chamberlain move to the rotation is all wrong. The Yankee pen is just not equipped for it and what happens when Ian Kennedy and Phil Hughes return?

3.It’s amazing to think that suddenly Jason Giambi has rediscovered his stroke leading the Pinstripes with 14 dingers including a go-ahead in their 6-3 win over the Royals. Where would they be without the rejuvenated first base slugger? Ditto Johnny Damon who has been unbelievable lately.

4.When you look at the Mets’ inconsistency, you no longer can say that it’s Jose Reyes who isn’t performing. The shortstop who bats leadoff has done his part heating up for the Queens club frequently hitting and getting on base. He’s hitting for power and stealing bases again. It’s the rest of his teammates which aren’t getting it done. Why is Carlos Beltran so streaky? How come David Wright’s hot streaks come and go?

5.A day later, I’m still extremely disappointed in Roger Federer’s performance against Rafael Nadal. Why was his energy lacking in such a big match? Sure. Nadal was too good. We get that but you don’t normally see him just mail it in. Once the second set was over, I knew where the match was headed. Pretty sad state of affairs for the 12-time slam champion who continues to fail at winning on the red clay at Roland Garros.

6.Who cares what Tiger Woods thinks about the NHL anyway.

7.Nice performance by Team USA finishing in a scoreless tie with Argentina in a men’s soccer exhibition where nearly 80,000 packed Giants Stadium last night. Freddy Adu showed off some serious ballhandling skills generating several great chances late and veteran Landon Donovan was sensational.

8.NL MVP race:

A.Chase Utley, Phillies

B.Chipper Jones, Braves

C.Lance Berkman, Astros

D.Albert Pujols, Cardinals

9.AL MVP race:

A.Josh Hamilton, Rangers

B.Carlos Quentin, White Sox

C.Manny Ramirez, Red Sox

10.Can anyone explain why ESPN/ABC continues to troll out Michael Wilbon for these NBA Finals?!?!?!?!?!

11.You know what’s sad about Hillary Clinton. Even after she finally conceded, the New York Senator still thinks it’s all about her when she was outclassed by Barack Obama.

12.You really could see what all the hype was about with Reds rookie center field prospect Jay Bruce.

13.Belated congrats to Chipper Jones on slugging career home run No.400 a few days prior. To think that the third base Atlanta Brave veteran did it while hitting over .400 is just remarkable. He’s going to miss a few games but when he returns, who doesn’t want to see him take a run at .400 a la John Olerud circa 1993?

14.When Daily News sports columnist Mike Lupica claims that the Yanks haven’t produced a starting stud through their farm system since Andy Pettite and Ron Guidry, I don’t know about you but Chien-Ming Wang isn’t exactly chopped liver. Though he has been struggling lately. Speaking of which, here’s a little trivia for Mr. Lupica. When exactly is the last time the Mets produced a starter out of their system who could win 18-20 games like Wang? You have to go all the way back to Dwight Gooden because they foolishly gave away Scott Kazmir.

15.I don’t know about you but when Chris Bosh buried his Raptors jersey out back in TD BankNorth before Game One of the NBA Finals, I had a good chuckle.

16.Jim McKay came before my time but from everything you read and hear about the legendary former ABC Wide World Of Sports anchor, he had the kind of memorable broadcasting career many could only wish to emulate. From all accounts on his unbelievable humanizing of the awful 1972 Munich Olympics tragedy which saw 11 Israeli athletes murdered by malicious terrorists, you can tell just how much McKay’s chilling details meant to the world of a terrifying ordeal. Watching the video the other day and seeing all the tributes to this man made me realize just how special he was. He’ll be sorely missed. :-(

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Avatar of Derek Felix

by Derek Felix

Ramirez hits No.500

May 31, 2008 in MLB

All Photos Copyright Getty Images 

 Manny Ramirez clocks Chad Bradford's pitch for No.500.Manny Ramirez gets congratulated by third base coach DeMarlo Hale after the big blast at Camden Yards.

Boston teammates led by David Ortiz mob Manny Ramirez outside Red Sox dugout.

Manny Ramirez became the 24th major league player to reach 500 career home runs earlier tonight during the Red Sox’ 6-3 road win over the Orioles at Camden Yards.

The milestone took place during the Boston seventh when the former George Washington High School product stepped to the plate and drove Baltimore reliever Chad Bradford’s first pitch to right center into the bleachers. A no doubter which allowed the charasmatic left field slugger to admire it walking before raising his arms and going into his home run trot.

Ramirez becomes the latest player to reach the exclusive 500 homer club joining the likes of Alex Rodriguez, Frank Thomas and Jim Thome who all did it last year. Out of the 24 to reach the plateau, Manny is only the seventh player in major league history to have 500 dingers, 1,500 RBI’s, 475 doubles and a .300 batting average joining The Big Hurt, Mel Ott, Hank Aaron, Willie Mays, Babe Ruth and Ted Williams.

Congrats to the Boston slugger on the achievement.

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Avatar of Derek Felix

by Derek Felix

Manny Ramirez

May 17, 2008 in MLB

Manny Ramirez is unlike any other baseball player in the game. We’ve all heard the signature expression, “Manny Being Manny” and for good reason. The former George Washington High School star out of the Bronx has been doing things his way for 16 years tearing the cover off balls and taking a relaxed approach to the game like no other.

He’s a baseball superstar or as I like to refer to him as a baseball God. Yes. He plays for the enemy up in Massachusetts at Fenway Park (Pa—hk) starring for the defending champion Red Sox (Sa—hhhxxx). But who cares because this is one of the greatest ballplayers of our generation. Also one of the most misunderstood who lets fans in unlike other star players.

What I admire about Manny is he doesn’t care what others think and is going to do things his way. And who the heck would argue given the results in a brilliant career with the Indians and Red Sox which has seen the outfield slugger hit 498 career home runs- a couple within the magical 500 which you know is just a matter of time for the 36 year-old out of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.

But Manny is much more than those prodigious blasts along with his trademark flip of the bat and admiration which always seems to irk fans. This is a career .313 hitter who’s closing in on 2,300 hits entering today’s game needing 43 to reach that milestone. He has also knocked in over 1,600. Offensively, the man with the braids and customary bandana has hit 30-or-more home runs 11 times driving in over 100 in each of those seasons. Amazingly, he’s never won AL MVP finishing as high as third twice in 1999 and 2004 with Cleveland and Boston respectively. Oddly enough, those same two years he won the Hank Aaron Award.

The 11-time AL All-Star has never really gotten his due because of his awkward style. Most believe he’s lazy but not according to Boston teammates who vouched for the strong work ethic of their left fielder in a cool Ken Rosenthal piece. It turns out that Manny is still highly motivated looking to bounceback from an off 2007 which saw him hit underneath .300 with just 20 homers and 88 RBI’s while missing 29 games. So far this season, he’s done his part hitting .308 with eight long balls and 27 knocked in.

You just can’t keep a great player down. Especially one as carefree as Manny. He’s never been known as a great fielder but there are times where the kid from NYC makes good reads on balls and does the job. Such was a case a few days ago at Camden Yards when he robbed former buddy Kevin Millar of an extra base hit by making a great running catch at the wall. Best part was before he doubled up an Oriole baserunner at first, he had the presence of mind to slap a Sox fan five. :lol:

Only Manny. The 2004 World Series MVP has always beaten to his own drum. In looking at different clips of this fun star, I happened to like this one the best because it’s shot so well. Here, you get the level of excitement from his fans at Fenway rooting him on in the eighth inning of a game last year against Seattle. Plus even a diehard Yankee fan can admit that Fenway is great. I’ve been there before and it’s just awe inspiring. Glad to see it’s not going down anytime soon.

As for Manny, it’s nice also to know that he’s still around producing great ball and entertaining fans as only he can. Before I conclude, I still recall one time during a Yanks-Sox game where he had a water bottle in the back pocket of his pants while playing left field in front of the Green Monster (Mon—st—ah) one inning. Just comical.

It is who he is. Best part is it’s a future Hall of Famer. So, enjoy watching this unique individual for as long as he plays because there sure isn’t going to be another one anytime soon.

Thank you Manny.

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