Topic: Yankees Baseball

Joe G. says he has faith in Farnsworth abilities and he expects great things of him. No surprise there because I’m been on record as saying the same thing.

I’ve have gone even farther saying Farnsworth might be the key to our next championship being that his arsenal and speed (one of the true power throwers we have) can really be lights out.

I’m hoping this is the year of Farnsworth; when that happens it will be everybody’s year; no question about that. Then he’ll read on every newspaper how every tabloid knew he had it in him (ALEX could help us out on that one) and who are we to contradict these guys once we get there?

The more jumping on the bandwagon the merrier.

The banter that just started between the Phillies and the Mets brings to mind a point that I’m sure is on Joe’s agenda: What are we going to do about the sux pitchers throwing at our guys with impunity: Alex, Jeter, Matsui, etc...?

It seemed that the sux were always a step ahead of the Yankees and Torre being Torre didn’t care that much (he wasn’t the one getting all black and blue) and we were always ticked off and it seemed more than a happenstance. I particularly remember Matsuzaka and that idiot tavares together with Timlin, Lopez and Okajima throwing at our players and when Proctor, Bruney and Joba retaliated Torre went out of his way to sound apologetic. That was B/S at its worst.

The purpose of holding spring training camps is not a PR move nor is it to hold a pre-season tournament with points going to the winner.

ST is intended to allow your players to gradually unwind and gradually become stronger (or more fit) so they can build the stamina and “muscle memory” (thanks Delgado) required to perform at the highest level eventually once the season starts and to maintain that performance over a long period of time (hopefully for more than 162 games) and everybody needs to work hard because the time assigned for such a task seems to be getting shorter and shorter.

It is the time to work on mechanics, range, reflexes and sharpening one’s skills, focus and intensity, every practice is crucial no effort is wasted working on repetitions until they are etched in your subconscious like in stone.

There is all this excitement in the air about “JOBA RULES” (that should be old news by now except to the front runners).

Several tabloids have told us about how Joba lights up the room and about his brand of sense of humor. Joba’s father has said several times that his son’s love for the game has no limit and that he had been raised with a particular emphasis on respecting the game and its traditions. I don’t know where needling Moose falls under; definitively it doesn’t fall under tradition (maybe he’s been watching Reyes from across town). Joba has probably also read about the fun nights of Billy and the Mick not slowing enough to read about Mickey’s trials and tribulations. Joba still is a (wonderful) prospect and he hasn’t won anything for us. Moose hasn’t either but there are a few things he could learn from the Moose about how to conduct himself as a Yankee player.

I for one would rather focus on Hughes; he seems to be taking things gradually and he feels he’s in debt with the fans for staying with the Yankees. I’m sorry to burst your bubble but don’t let the fans deceive you. Those of us who asked the Yankees not to trade you to the twins did it out of a sense of loyalty to the Yankees. Needless to say Hughes is part of that uncertain future that we are so ready to embrace and we expect to bear fruit. But don’t fool yourself Hughes, fans just like tabloids are finicky and will turn against you in a NY minute. I think the best lesson Hughes can draw is from that game when he was on route to a gem against the Rays and he overextended that leg and hurt himself in the process; go back and read those comments and headlines after that injury happened; it’ll open your eyes.

Prospects by definition are just that: prospects (that’s about the only thing that’s certain about them) we’re just hoping that all those “baseball people” weren’t wrong about our top three prospects. The good news is we have more of those young studs coming down the pipeline.

Stop dreaming about Santana Hank. He’s a Met and it seems he wanted to be a Mets all along (he wanted no business playing in the AL East Div you can be sure of that). LIVE WITH IT.

Learn something from us fans: we REALLY like our chances with what we have WE REALLY do (is not just a mantra). Your dad can keep you busy for the rest of your life telling you about WANTING MORE. As the Yankees payroll got out of hand we stopped winning meaningful series.

So learn to live with the best of both worlds: developing your own pitchers (a lot easier to develop future studs than to go in the market and sign them as superstars to long term contracts, too risky, you know that) and having the funds to go and sign any star position player from the FA market or through trades (Alex a case in point). Not every future young stud will star for the Yankees one day, a fact of life.

The other teams in the Majors should have that problem. Poor Hank, he wants it all. It could be a lot a lot worse you could be working for a living like most of us do.

Captain Mon Captain.

I fully agree with Jeets. There is no reason why a major leaguer should fear a blood test.

I think the problem is (right Lowell?) they fear the RAMDOMNESS of it. Scary thing if you have something to hide. If a player can pitch his life out with a tendon crudely stapled to his ankle (yeah right) and look brave in the process. Why would such a brute (have you ever stood next to the likes of Alex, Jeter,  Canseco, Ortiz, Texeira, Pettitte or other baseball players? I have.) fear a prick he could barely feel? It’s not the needle is the randomness they can’t take.

Guys let’s have fun against the Bulls on Friday. I’m not impressed with the Mets coming from behind in their game against the Wolverines. It’s like the Noles, Gators, Rice or Baylor playing a good HS team, not even close.

The Bulls were fifth last year in the Big East; they are currently tied for second place. Yes I know. Mussina, Pettitte, Alex, Jeter and Giambi are going: In second place? WOW. They lost to Indiana State (Who?) last Sunday 4-6. In their first three games this season, all against Indiana State they are 2-1, they have played good defense so far and they are lead at the plate by their Juniors Addison Maruszak SS # 8 (.538 AVG) and Brian Hobbs DH # 16 (.385 AVG) and on the mound their pitchers are no strikeout artists led by Big East pitcher of the week Daniel Thomas # 26 no runs allowed in 5 innings pitched so far.

Beware that College kids can hit ANY fastball (thanks to our wonderful role models in MLB they’re probably on roids) just ask JOBA (not about roids but them kids being able to hit any fastball).

I’m not saying it will be a disgrace it these kids beat you (stuff is known to happen) but if they start hitting you they might make you look bad with their basic skills. It will surely be a nice chance to get in sync with the execution part of the business and also a great opportunity to understand you shouldn’t underestimate anybody. Other than that it’s just ST (practice makes perfect). Have fun . . . .  I know the kids will.

Bobby Murcer: Our prayers and thoughts are with you.

Hang in there Bobby.

“It’s a Nebraska thing — hard work . . . .”  ----Jeremy Mort.

Allow yourself and your family to be touched by magic at Disneyworld  .. . . .  Then fly back home safely.

Hi Jim feel free to post here you’re most welcome. You are a well known Yankee fan and have a very good feel for the team needs, shortcomings and outlook. I just would like to say that this is a public forum and you have as much right to post here as I do. I seldom reply to comments because I come in for just a few minutes every day sometimes I don’t even come for days at a time. Having said that post as often as you feel like.

I will never second guess your comments. I respect other fans opinions and I (really) don’t consider myself knowledgeable enough but like I always say what I post I do it from the heart. Peace and Enjoy.

fire away...got back a little while ago from the yank game, man, it was great outside. 71 degrees...yank kid pitchers looked good, but, they played against college kids, although iggy may not be long for the team...jason looked lost still at the bat, the regular lineup was in...almost everyone but jason did something positive...i think joba got to a 2 ball count just a couple of times. kennedy was good, although he had a few little moments, and i only saw an inning of hughes as i went to the yank store to get some gear, they put all the kids in at the top of the 5th except jorge...some kid ripped a double before i left....

 feel free to say whatever you think...dialouge is good...i go back to a game against the tampa team, yanks play them 3 times i believe...they have some good kids also...

If Igawa wants to help the Yankees at all: just relax and paint the black, that’s all. You’ve done it in Nippon before.

Lupica why don’t you tell us something we don’t know?

You went out of your way to spike the man knowing beforehand how he would react to your comments and others but you had to show the world you could help bring this guy down; you were wrong, the guy didn’t need any help he had the right lawyer or the right wife for that matter.

Now you realized you really pushed the envelope this time and you also realize you earn your living in this city where tens of thousands of Yankee fans won’t forget and you’re trying to back pedal and let the DOJ finish the job by inertia or at least give that impression. It’s too late man.

For the reasons that you pointed out on your quasi mea culpa brief the guy is done and it seems there is nobody who will pry him away from that poor excuse of a lawyer he found. The only thing that pains me is that 50 years from now when you, the rocket and the rest of us are gone nobody will know exactly what really did happen. I wonder if that’s what happened in Dallas after John Kennedy met that bouncing immaculate bullet. The deed is done.

Now go and furiously hit that keyboard so you can rush that book of yours to print because there surely are hundreds of others like you who might beat you to the punch. Timing is everything.

I predict Foston doesn’t stand a chance against us this year.