Reading ESPN.com this morning, I came across and interesting story involving Ichiro Suzuki and his teammates. Apparently, an M's player said something to a Mariners' insider about an incident earlier this year in which an Ichiro teammate said that he wanted to "knock" Ichiro out. Furthermore, the insider said that there is a large number of Mariner players who just flat out dislike Ichiro, to the point that the insider was surprised a bunch of players didn't just "go after him."
The frustrating part of the story is the idea that somebody inside the Mariners family would go to the insider with all of this information. Playing on sports teams in college and high school, I know that there is a certain code that everybody mutually follows: problems are kept in-house. It's pathetic to think of a grown-up, a major-league baseball player, thinking he needs to say something about this. It doesn't matter if it's true; it doesn't matter if every player on the Mariners hates Ichiro. If you've got a personal problem with a guy, then you go to his face and tell him what you're thinking. Although it would be hard to think why someone wouldn't respect and appreciate the numbers that Ichiro puts up every year, while playing hard every night. It just really makes which ever player this was that brought up the story look very weak. Why would somebody want people on the outside now to think negative thoughts about the Mariners? Why would you, as a player, want to have people think there's problems in your clubhouse? It just doesn't make sense. Next time, man up and go to the source if you've got something to say.
Friday, September 26, 2008
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Saying Goodbye to THE Yankee Stadium
Wednesday, September 17th, was the last time I will ever step foot in THE Yankee Stadium. Driving up to the game, its all I and my three buddies could think and talk about. New stadium; good idea or bad? Since the first day that the original idea for a new stadium has been discussed, I have been in favor. And while driving to the 'Cathedral in the Bronx' one last time, my argument stayed consistent.
One main reason which I don't feel people consider enough, is the fact that the current Yankee Stadium was renovated in 1973-74. We aren't talking about a few changes made during an off season. The renovations were so extensive that they took two years to complete, as the Yanks played in Shea Stadium during the construction. ESPN Sports Almanac refers to the current Yankee Stadium as "Yankee Stadium II." My point is simply to remind everyone that quite simply, the Yankees are NOT playing in the same place that they opened in 1923. Does this take away from all of the greatness that has occurred in the Stadium since the renovations? Of course not. But fans who think they are going to the same exact park that people were going to in the 1920's are mistaken. In fact, every seat in the stadium was replaced with the renovations.
Another reason why I'm excited about the new Stadium is the fact that the Yankees will have the opportunity to create a brand new legacy in a new park. All the history: the great moments, the 26 World Series Championships, will carry over to the new ballpark. It's not like people are just suddenly going to forget that the Yankees are the most successful professional sports team in this country. But take someone like Joba Chamberlain. If he was to have a Hall of Fame type career, with a few World Series rings and tons of success, then he will do it in what looks to be an incredible, classy, magnificent stadium. And then in 50 years people will be talking about when they used to go to the "new" Yankee Stadium to watch Joba pitch. And then when a 10-year-old steps into the "new" Yankee Stadium for the first time, he'll be watching a game on the same field where Joba Chamberlain once pitched. Legacies can be built and added to, whether a stadium is 10,000 years old or 50.
Yet, all of this seemed to make a lot more sense before the ninth inning. I found myself looking at everything; monument park, the black, the facade, the right field bleachers, the field itself, for the last time. When the final out was made, my group stayed around for a few minutes, taking in the sights one final time. And walking away from the field for that final time, the last thing I saw was the right field upper-deck, and suddenly I pictured the Tino Martinez grand slam landing there in the 1998 World Series against the Padres. I guess the reality of actually realizing I'd never be back finally hit me, because I got a little choked-up. I guess sometime you have to say good-bye to the things you love the most, and look forward to the future where new memories will be made. Thank-you Yankee Stadium; you will be missed.
One main reason which I don't feel people consider enough, is the fact that the current Yankee Stadium was renovated in 1973-74. We aren't talking about a few changes made during an off season. The renovations were so extensive that they took two years to complete, as the Yanks played in Shea Stadium during the construction. ESPN Sports Almanac refers to the current Yankee Stadium as "Yankee Stadium II." My point is simply to remind everyone that quite simply, the Yankees are NOT playing in the same place that they opened in 1923. Does this take away from all of the greatness that has occurred in the Stadium since the renovations? Of course not. But fans who think they are going to the same exact park that people were going to in the 1920's are mistaken. In fact, every seat in the stadium was replaced with the renovations.
Another reason why I'm excited about the new Stadium is the fact that the Yankees will have the opportunity to create a brand new legacy in a new park. All the history: the great moments, the 26 World Series Championships, will carry over to the new ballpark. It's not like people are just suddenly going to forget that the Yankees are the most successful professional sports team in this country. But take someone like Joba Chamberlain. If he was to have a Hall of Fame type career, with a few World Series rings and tons of success, then he will do it in what looks to be an incredible, classy, magnificent stadium. And then in 50 years people will be talking about when they used to go to the "new" Yankee Stadium to watch Joba pitch. And then when a 10-year-old steps into the "new" Yankee Stadium for the first time, he'll be watching a game on the same field where Joba Chamberlain once pitched. Legacies can be built and added to, whether a stadium is 10,000 years old or 50.
Yet, all of this seemed to make a lot more sense before the ninth inning. I found myself looking at everything; monument park, the black, the facade, the right field bleachers, the field itself, for the last time. When the final out was made, my group stayed around for a few minutes, taking in the sights one final time. And walking away from the field for that final time, the last thing I saw was the right field upper-deck, and suddenly I pictured the Tino Martinez grand slam landing there in the 1998 World Series against the Padres. I guess the reality of actually realizing I'd never be back finally hit me, because I got a little choked-up. I guess sometime you have to say good-bye to the things you love the most, and look forward to the future where new memories will be made. Thank-you Yankee Stadium; you will be missed.
Friday, September 12, 2008
Your Team isn't in the Playoffs: What's Next?
As the Major League Baseball regular season is winding down, it’s that unfortunate time of year for fans around the world to answer a very difficult question: Who do I want to win the World Series, or do I care?
**This question is not intended for those fans lucky enough to have a team playing in October, so if that’s you just leave us alone!**
Let’s first examine whether or not it’s ok to have another rooting interest. My vote? It’s fine. I’m not saying go out and buy a Manny Ramirez jersey if you’re a life long Astros fan, but if you want to sit in your basement, watch the games and root for the Astros, go for it. But there is a VERY important rule.
Can’t pick a team in your division. This should go without saying. If you are a Yankees fan, obviously there should be no chance that you want nothing more than to see a clean sweep of the Sox in the first round. (Or maybe you’d like to see them make it to the ALCS, win the first three games and THEN lose four straight. This is acceptable.)
Your team plays too many games against their division rivals, and this alone is enough of a reason to just not like the other teams in your division.
Outside of that, I’d say every team is fair game. Take for example a Yankees fan. You’re not going to want anything good to happen to Boston, and the Angels also because they have a history of beating you. But, what if you’ve always loved Joe Torre? Then your choice is simple, pull for Joe to get another World Series ring (even if it means another ring for Manny, too). You have to find something in another team that you legitimately are a fan of. Maybe it’s the simple fact that you think Chicago fans deserves a championship, so you want the Cubs to win. Maybe you think the Rays have had such a great run this year, they deserve to win it all.
If you can watch the playoffs without your team in it and just enjoy some good baseball without caring who wins, then do that. But if you’d like a rooting interest, just stay out of your division and you’ll be good. Enjoy the playoffs, and good luck to your team. Well, your second team that is.
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