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 [...]

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 [...]

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 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. [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

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, [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

The quotes to Bob Klapisch at Fox Sports from a senior Yankees official  caused very little stir. Perhaps because it’s a holiday week and the usual pundits are on vacation. Perhaps because Klapisch wrote it on Fox Sports instead of the Post or Daily News. Perhaps the opening week of the NBA and the Giants and Jets fighting [...]

Last night was the deadline for teams to offer arbitration-eligible players a contract. Those that weren’t, were non-tendered, which now makes them a free agent. The Yankees are searching for bench help and a situational lefty. The Mets need a backup infielder, second lefty, and more starting pitching. Both teams 40-man rosters are completely full, [...]

The Yankees also acquired 23-year old LHP Cesar Cabral from Kansas City for cash considerations. Cabral was drafted by the Royals in the this morning’s Rule 5. Sox Prospects describes Cabral as ”Lefty with a solid frame and a smooth delivery. Pitches exclusively from the stretch. Fastball sits between 88-92 mph and tops out at 95 mph. [...]

It came as no surprise that Andy Martino of the Daily News reported the Mets unhappiness with catcher Ronny Paulino. According to Martino, “the team did not view him as a diligent worker, adequate defensive catcher, or offensive force off the bench.” He also shared a story where Paulino annoyed Terry Collins with a near act of insubordination. [...]

Bud Selig announced yesterday that MLB has added a second Wild Card team that he hopes will be in effect for the 2012 season. I am all for this as I believe it will engage more cities later in the season. It will also give meaning to winning a division championship, which has largely been [...]