Mike Silva's New York Baseball Digest » Tampa Bay Rays

The Charm of John and Suzyn

Sunday, April 8th, 2012

I decided to do something different for the Yankees-Rays Opening Day game by listening to a couple of innings of John Sterling and Suzyn Waldman on WCBS 880. The due referred to as “Ma and Pa Pinstripe” by Bob Raissman of the Daily News, is always under fire. They are obvious homers, very un-fundamental in […]

One Day, This Ending Could Be For Real

Saturday, April 7th, 2012

Only the Yankees and Mariano Rivera blowing a save could make for mass hysteria on Opening Day. All the other 29 teams have experienced the natural roller coaster ride that even having the “second best closer” in baseball brings. Rivera blowing a lead is rare; on a big stage like Opening Day it’s unheard of, especially in […]

Nauseating MLB Political Correctness at it Again

Monday, February 20th, 2012

Yesterday I wrote at Sports Media Watchdog about the public overreaction to the ESPN “Chink in the Armor” story; today I came across a story about MLB messing with tradition in the name of political correctness. Last September, the League prevented the Mets from wearing hats honoring first responders during their game against the Cubs […]

Johnny Damon Can Take His Whining and Lying to Another Town

Saturday, February 18th, 2012

Johnny Damon has been pining for the phone call, a call that hasn’t yet been made. The fact that no team, not the Rays who Damon played for last season, or the Yankees, the team which Damon WANTS to play for in 2012. This whining was put forth through Jon Heyman’s recent piece on CBSSports.com. […]

Should Mets Push Wheeler, Harvey and Familia?

Friday, February 17th, 2012

Could there be a benefit to the Mets pushing their young pitchers? I am not suggesting eschewing any innings targets, but pushing them to compete at a higher level before they are ready. Wally Backman talked about some the young pitchers with WGR 550 in Buffalo. “I don’t know if they (Matt Harvey and Jeurys Familia) start the season […]

Mets Have Plenty to Be Positive About This Spring

Tuesday, February 14th, 2012

It is common knowledge among the electorate the 2012 New Mets aren’t going to be that good. Without a deep starting pitching staff and not even a true ace, Mets GM Sandy Alderson has attempted to follow the lead of the Arizona Diamondbacks GM Kevin Towers by building up a solid bullpen to improve their […]

Prospect Rankings Are Out and Its Buyer Beware

Sunday, February 12th, 2012

We’re at the time of year now when the various media outlets and fan blogs start releasing their minor league top prospect lists for 2012. Baseball America is clearly the industry standard leader in this venture, popping out their Top 100 lists every year since 1990. (Their number one Number One? Braves left hander Steve Avery). Whether you […]

A Possible Future HOF Available to Mets on the Cheap

Monday, February 6th, 2012

Reports indicate that Johnny Damon is looking for a contract in the $5 million dollar range. I doubt he can score that kind of deal this late in the offseason, so maybe the Mets should see if they could swoop in and sign him to an incentive-laden deal. Where would Damon fit? How about centerfield? Yes, […]

Manny and the Yankees - Why Not?

Friday, February 3rd, 2012

New York and Manny Ramirez has been talked about for years. Omar Minaya nearly acquired Ramirez a few times when he ran the Mets. The Yankees flirted with the idea as late as last season, but elected to pass. It appeared that Ramirez’s career was over after he elected to retire instead of serve his […]

Yanks Have the Advantage in the Bullpen

Sunday, January 29th, 2012

Ken Rosenthal broke down what he calls the “Super Six” in the American League on Fox Sports. After an offseason of spending, the Angels and Tigers join the Yankees, Red Sox, Rays, and Rangers as the elite teams in all of baseball. This year, the American League appears to have the potential to be even more top […]