Road to Redemption: A-Roid Must Confess to Survive

We are still in the wake of the stunning announcement that even the “hardest worker in MLB” enjoyed an anabolic cocktail before workouts.

The news has barely had a chance to sink in, but the shockwaves have already traveled beyond The Milky Way Galaxy.

Major League Baseball has been through all of this before. They have watched as record holders, surefire Hall of Famers, and heroes of the game were sucked into the black hole of steroid use.

The blacklist has included the religiously dedicated, the publicly beloved, the publicly despised, the seemingly natural, the obliviously enhanced, and hitters and pitchers alike.

Regardless of who is involved, there seems to be only one way to creep back into the hearts of the media and the hometown fans. It is a clear and simple message — come clean, and get clean.

While Roger Clemens, David Justice, and Barry Bonds battle to protect their image and credibility, public perception continues to label them as guilty until proven innocent. Others like Rafael Palmeiro and Mark McGwire have suffered the same fate, and have simply chosen to disappear into exile.

Those who have been most successful in bouncing back from controversy have ironically been the active players. The best recipe has been a sincere apology and confession coupled with answering as many media questions as legally allowed.

Luckily for Alex, he has two excellent examples within his team’s clubhouse of how to handle the adversity surrounding a positive steroid test.

Jason Giambi and Andy Pettitte were forgiven in New York following confessions, and Andy is as beloved as ever before even following a poor performance in 2008.

A-Rod may not have a decade of success and World Series titles under his belt. What he does have is a 31 ounce toothpick in his hands on game day that he still uses as a dangerous weapon.

Alex’s ‘Road to Redemption’ begins in front of a microphone. The first sentences that roll off of his tongue under pressure will determine the next nine years of his Yankee career.

Acknowledging his previous steroid use, and apologizing to the fans, city of New York, and Yankee organization is a nice start. Performing on the field would at least bring forgiveness within driving distance.

Alex’s best course of action is to quarantine suspicions solely in his time with the Texas Rangers. Whether or not it is true, it is very believable.

In 2001, Alex teamed up with Pudge Rodriguez, Rafael Palmeiro, and Ken Kaminiti. They are all previously targeted or admitted steroid users. Alex can claim that his years in Seattle were all-natural, and that he stopped in 2004 when testing programs were initiated.

Alex can state that he was caught up with the wrong people in Texas, and apologize for a terrible error in judgment. He can try to erase three seasons from his incredible career, in order to attempt to save the other ten full seasons up to this point.

If he takes this path, and there are no clubhouse personnel or steroid suppliers ready to testify against his public statements, Alex may be on his way to salvaging a pinstriped career.

In all likelihood, he forever lost his chance at receiving a bust in Cooperstown. However, if he takes all the proper steps from here on out, Alex just may manage to save face in the city that so desperately wants a reason to like him.

Steroids: Alex Turns Out to be A-Fraud After All

As each day goes by, Jose Canseco seems less and less insane. It appears that virtually every reference that he has made about a player's use of steroids is later uncovered as accurate.

The latest victim is Alex Rodriguez, ironically the inevitable heir to Barry Bonds' home run throne. On pace to enter the 600 home run club somewhere around late April in 2010, A-Rod will inch closer to the most coveted record in all of baseball.

It is fitting that Alex is dating the 'Material Girl', because his obsession with statistics and lust for attention and money has driven him as far as to inject himself with performance enhancers. Apparently his fixation on becoming the greatest player to ever live has pushed him toward cheating to reach his goal.

In an interview with Katie Couric on 60 Minutes (displayed above), Alex vehemently denies ever using or being tempted to use performance enhancing substances.

In an acting job as believable as Rafael Palmeiro, A-Rod pretends that he never felt the need to turn to steroids in order to get a leg up in a sport he already dominated.

Alex went on to defend Barry Bonds, who may or may not have supplied him with the source of his newest vice. He claims that the true home run record holder is Barry Bonds, and seemed to dismiss the concept of an asterisk being placed next to Bonds' accomplishments.

As if his tenure in the Bronx did not already experience enough choppy seas, A-Rod has now added a black eye to his entire career. The clouds of suspicion that have hovered over the game's best player have finally rained down the evidence needed to seal his fate.

Fans who desperately want to like Alex have been given another reason to turn their backs on him. Those who secretly, or even publicly, hoped only failure for him have another reason to celebrate.

News like this truly makes you appreciate the ghosts of Yankee past. Superstars like Whitey Ford and Mickey Mantle never used performance enhancers, although the availability and variety of such substances was scarce.

In fact, they did everything in their power to impede their performance. Drinking and all night partying resulted in Mantle seeing three balls coming out of the pitcher's hand; he simply tried his best to hit the one in the middle.

Alex will have a lot to answer for in the months leading up to opening day. His inability to cope with the day to day pressures of New York will only be further magnified.

The only thing that can save him now is a World Series MVP award. After all, winning makes even the biggest dissenters come on board. Ask Eli Manning.

Happy 114th Birthday to Babe Ruth

February 6th, 2009, is a time when Barry Bonds is battling more court judges than starting pitchers, and signing more checks to his lawyer than autographs.

Ironically this date also represents the 114th birthday of George Herman "Babe" Ruth. The greatest hitter of his generation, and possibly in baseball history, Ruth slugged 714 home runs while ingesting thousands of hot dogs instead of performance enhancers.

The true staggering stat produced by The Babe has to do with his batting average as opposed to his power. Ruth hit .370 or better in SIX of his Yankee seasons.

Possessing the ability to hit for such a high average while leading the league in home runs is a truly remarkable feat. His pitching prowess makes him one of the most dynamic baseball players to ever play the game.

"The House that Ruth Built" may have taken its last breath in 2008, but the memories of The Babe and his building will never die.

2009 AL East Contenders Bullpen Analysis: Where Do The Yankees Stand?

Rays Bullpen Grade: B

Tampa Bay has unquestionable depth in the middle relief, with JP Howell and deadline acquisition Chad Bradford coming off of the best seasons of their careers. Grant Balfour also exploded onto the scene with 82 strikeouts in only 58.1 IP, as well as a 0.89 WHIP.

Even Dan Wheeler was finally able to put together a solid season in the American League. Wheeler, Bradford, and recent free agent signing Brian Shouse will provide an important veteran presence within a very young pitching staff.

Another interesting dynamic affecting the bullpen is the starting rotation’s tendency to not go deep into games. Scott Kazmir, Matt Garza, and Andy Sonnanstine combined to leave 40 starts before the end of the 6th inning in 2008. Adding a rookie to the rotation in David Price will only add to this problem. That is a lot of extra innings for a bullpen to throw without breaking down.

The Rays also have no dependable option for the 9th inning. If any baseball fans question the importance of the closer role, ask the Philadelphia Phillies if they could have won it all without Brad Lidge last season.

Wheeler was exposed down the stretch in pressure situations, blowing six games from the end of August through October. He was later replaced by rookie David Price in the ALCS, and Price’s move to the starting rotation in 2009 will eliminate their best closer option.

Troy Percival’s age and recent injury history, coupled with Balfour’s nearly 5.00 ERA in the postseason, leave the Rays without a proven stopper at the end of games. Tampa Bay cannot be given a higher bullpen rating than the Sox and Yankees without this necessity. However, if a talented young flamethrower like Balfour finds a way to step up, the Rays will be in good shape.


Red Sox Bullpen Grade: A-

The Red Sox also have the luxury of dependable middle relief, especially with the emergence of Manny Delcarmen. Boston has excellent balance in its bullpen, adding two solid lefties into the equation with Okajima and Javier Lopez. Okajima further adds to their versatility with his ability to frustrate right-handers with his changeup.

The Sox were also able to add Ramon Ramirez this offseason via a trade with the Royals. He is coming off of a breakout year, but it remains to be seen if he can adapt to the daily pressures of Red Sox Nation.

Depending on how Boston fills out the fifth spot in its rotation, they could also be adding two rising stars into the bullpen mix with Masterson and Bowden. Both blessed with electric stuff, these two could become the key wildcards to watch.

What sets Boston far apart from Tampa Bay is that they also possess Jonathan Papelbon, a lights out closer with ice water in his veins. It is an incredible advantage to have the ability to shorten games, and to know that a win is secured before the 9th inning begins in most cases.

Papelbon has recorded 113 saves and only 14 blown saves in his three full seasons as closer. His intensity and mean streak, whether it irritates you or not, is what makes him so effective at his craft.


Yankees Bullpen Grade: B+

When discussing the Yankees bullpen situation, where else can you start but with Mariano Rivera? Some fans worried that he was slowing down after the worst statistical season of his career in 2007.

Rivera responded with arguably his best in 2008, and reclaimed his place atop the closer world. A remarkable 13:1 strikeout to walk ratio and 0.67 WHIP said it all. I for one am completely unconcerned about a recovery from routine arthroscopic surgery. He pitched the year of his life through pain, and will return in great shape thanks to his work ethic.

The Yankees’ issues lie in the middle relief. A strength became a question mark with Joba’s permanent switch into the starting rotation. They will have to rely heavily on Jose Veras, Edwar Ramirez, and the re-signed Damaso Marte.

Veras and Ramirez both have fantastic stuff, and can get out left-handed hitters as well as right-handers, which is a key to being a successful reliever. Both do have issues finding the strike zone from time to time, and will have to improve in that area to earn the setup role.

Damaso Marte is an interesting debate. Will he be able to pitch as consistently in 2009 and he did down the stretch in 2008? I am confident that Marte, now comfortable in the bright lights of New York, will build on the mere two runs he allowed in sixteen appearances to finish the season.

The emergence of Brian Bruney and Phil Coke will help to ease the burden. If they can perform anywhere near as well as they did last year, the Yankees will have excellent bullpen depth. Minor leaguers Mark Melancon and Humberto Sanchez could burst onto the scene in the second half if needed, but the winner of the setup role is the true key to the Yankees’ bullpen success in 2009.

Historical Bronx Trend: Burnett and Sabathia Could Start Slow

The pressures and expectations of playing baseball in New York are as embedded in the fabric of Yankees jerseys as the pinstripes that line them. If nameplates were a part of Yankee history, some acquisitions might as well have had ‘JESUS’ or ‘MOSES’ written across their backs.

Superstars are depended on to be saviors in the Bronx before ever stepping foot between the foul lines. The weight on their shoulders is often too much to carry in the opening months of their first seasons, and it leads to a statistical drop off while they grow accustomed to playing in New York.

Slow starts in the Bronx are generally more associated with position players, similar to what Sheffield, Tino, and Giambi experienced. Hitters can be placed under a media microscope day after day in order to magnify their struggles, as well as constantly feed into a players’ intensifying frustration.

However, recent trends have shown that the Yankee adjustment period has also harmed the pitching staff.

Mike Mussina started 1-3 with a 4.78 ERA through the end of April 2001, his first Yankee season. He finished an impressive 17-11 with a 3.15 ERA.

Roger Clemens had a 4.60 ERA in his first Yankee season, the highest at any point of his career. Roger was coming off of back to back Cy Young seasons, which truly shows how much the Bronx affected him. Clemens’ second season resulted in a much lower 3.70 ERA, and he went on to win another Cy Young in his third year.

David Wells produced a 4.21 ERA in his first year. He battled for a Cy Young with an 18-4 record and 3.39 ERA in his second season.

The interesting thing to point out here is that Clemens, Wells, and Mussina all arrived in the Bronx via leaving another AL East franchise. Clemens and Mussina spent their entire pre-Yankees careers pitching in the AL East, and the majority of Wells’ seasons were spent pitching in Toronto.

Regardless of their familiarity with the division, the lineups, and the stadium environments, these three established and successful starters were unable to get out of the starting blocks cleanly.

David Cone had a 3.80 ERA in his first half season after being traded to the Yanks, and had an excellent 2.80 ERA in his second year in pinstripes. Cone was accustomed to media pressures and what it takes to succeed in New York from his time with the Mets. He also arrived in New York as a proud owner of a World Series ring, yet still needed time to adjust to the Bronx.

You would have to go back to Orlando ‘El Duque’ Hernandez in 2000 or Jimmy Key in 1993 to find pitching acquisitions that began their Yankee careers white hot. Hernandez was aided by his unorthodox pitching style, as well as the benefit of no AL hitters ever having seen his stuff before.

However, this analysis does not necessarily mean that CC and Burnett will have poor first seasons in the Bronx. Mussina proved that a hot start is not necessary to put up tremendous numbers in season one. Yankees supporters can agree that performing at high levels in August-October is much more important than April-May anyway.

You never know…Burnett may be able to use his past dominance in Yankee Stadium and Fenway Park as a stepping stone toward a confident and smooth transition into pinstripes.

Aside from a terrible start to the 2008 season while with the Indians, CC Sabathia does not have a history of slow starts. Perhaps the stresses of a contract year and the uncertainties regarding his future were to blame for the early season hiccup.

The lesson learned here is not to automatically expect the worst if either or both pitchers start off 2009 a tad chillier than you had hoped. Even the best pitchers felt a wobble in their knees when they toed the rubber for the first few times as a Yankee.

Pillsbury ‘Joe’Boy: Torre Gives Cookie-Cutter Answers on WFAN

Joe Torre was about a half hour late to his much anticipated radio interview on WFAN with Mike Francesa. He ironically made us all wait anxiously for him in the same way we awaited the release of his controversial book The Yankee Years.

Amidst a very hectic book signing tour, Torre sat down to attempt to clear up any animosity felt from New York’s side of the equation. Yankee fans were a ticking time bomb waiting for him to slip up and say the wrong thing, to give them all a reason to put the final nail into Joe’s Yankee coffin.

He of course never did. Torre tiptoed around sensitive topics, and fabricated responses to others. He ‘owned up’ to certain phrases scattered throughout the book, yet filtered the blame for others down to co-author Tom Verducci. Joe sounded rather rehearsed, as if his publicist was talking through him. To be fair, I suppose that is to be expected.

Torre may not have made any comments that will appear on the back page of the New York Post, but he did attempt to explain himself by addressing the key topics:
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Torre on the book itself:
-Joe was “very surprised at the reaction and fallout from the book”, and felt in his heart that “he never violated the sanctity of the clubhouse.”
-He claimed that he paid strict attention to only releasing information that was already suspected by the media, or that supplied insight into a player’s true personality.
-He agreed to write the book before the 2007 season, and “would have written it even if he were still a Yankee.”

Torre on his motivation:
-He wanted to “celebrate the twelve years that he spent in NY”, as well as to show how hard it truly was to assemble a dynasty — as opposed to public perception.
-Joe also wanted to “give a taste of the truth of what goes on in baseball.”
-The book was a two-year project, and was not founded on bitterness. However, he does admit that “the last chapter would have been different” had he stayed in pinstripes.

Torre on Wells (who threatened to knock him out):
-“I’d guess that he hasn’t read the book yet.”
-Joe acknowledged that they had their differences, and added that “Wells and Kevin Brown drove me nuts from time to time.”

Torre on A-Rod/A-Fraud:
-He felt that Alex “was trying to be something he wasn’t”, and that he “put on an act.”
-Joe echoed Larry Bowa’s comments that ‘A-Fraud’ was an open and public joke among coaches and Alex, not a cruel mockery behind his back.
-He thinks A-Rod will win here and find a way to relax under pressure. He wants him to “trust his ability more than trying to be perfect.”

Torre on Cashman:
-Their relationship began to change in 2006 as a result of Cashman’s valuing of numbers analysis over the heart and potential of players.
-They argued over OBP being the determining factor in not bringing Bernie Williams back as a bench player.
-He feels that Cashman wanted him back for one more year, but went along with Hank, Hal, and Randy Levine in not offering a multi-year contract.
-Joe believes that Cashman “saved him once or twice from the hatchet,” but that he feels he no longer had an ally when he left the Bronx.

Torre on player personnel decisions:
-Joe wanted Tino Martinez and Nick Johnson for first base, and did not advocate the signing of Jason Giambi. He felt that “a move to sluggers was not the way to go.”
-Following the 2003 World Series, he told Cashman to trade Weaver for Kevin Brown.
-His biggest disappointments were the acquisitions of Carl Pavano and Randy Johnson. He admits that “Pavano was at the top of my list,” and that he did not expect Johnson to be so uncomfortable in NY.

Torre on regret:
-There is nothing that he said that he wishes was not included in the book, nor does he have any second thoughts on the process.
-Joe does regret the language that Tom Verducci used in describing Alex Rodriguez, and stated that he had nothing to do with the ‘single white female obsession’ comments.

Torre on possibly tainting his Yankee legacy:
-He said that he “can’t concern himself with what people think because he can’t change it.”
-He “can’t control it affecting his legacy,” but again stated that he “loved his twelve years here.”
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It is very interesting that Joe refuses to admit that bitterness played a role in the book, or that he would be crushed if his legacy were destroyed in the Bronx.

If a utility infielder like Cody Ransom is wearing Torre’s former #6 come April, I am sure that he will be very upset at the realization that he will never receive a Yankee monument.

Perhaps Torre does not want to give the Yankees the satisfaction in knowing that he would be miserable in losing his reputation in the city that constructed his Hall of Fame coaching career. Like it or not, Joe may just have to face that truth.

Sabathia Tailor Made For Pinstripes

In the weeks leading up to the much anticipated arrival of spring training, CC Sabathia is already proving to be a perfect fit for Yankees pinstripes. I am of course referring to his actions off the field, and not the benefit of the illusionary ‘thinning effect’ of the pinstripes themselves.

The 300-pound hurler, and recent addition to the Yankees’ nine-figure contract club, has made an excellent first impression to the Yankees universe. CC’s personality has been as pleasantly striking off the field as his unhittable slider will be on it.

Joba Chamberlain has been publicly raving about how much he has enjoyed Sabathia’s company, one of the first signs of how inevitably beloved he will be in the ever-changing Yankees clubhouse.

It will be absolutely priceless to watch the daily interaction between these two, especially in the dugout during their days away from the mound. The team should have its collective head on a swivel in anticipation for plenty of pranks on the horizon.

Sabathia has gone as far as to fly to Florida to participate in Derek Jeter’s recent charity golf event. There is no better way to cement your place in the clubhouse than to rub shoulders with the Yankee captain, and CC is clearly making a strong effort to be immediately accepted and respected in NY.

CC’s scheduled coast to coast move of his family from California to their soon to be New Jersey home is another positive sign. The important phrase associated with the move is the perceived “full-time” stamping.

Sabathia used to live in Cleveland with his family during the season, before returning to his California home for the offseason months. A full-time relocation implies that the Sabathias are here to stay for the duration of the contract (or at least initially committed to).

Reports of CC and his family having reservations about a journey aboard the money train to the Bronx may or may not be true. What we do know is that they are all making a spirited effort to make it work.

Though a full-time commitment to NY was not always expected of his wife and children, a determined and dedicated CC Sabathia was never questioned. Once the ink dried on the contract’s pages, CC’s focus was entirely directed at doing whatever it takes to get a ring for his finger, his team, and his new city.

The heart that Sabathia showed as a member of the Milwaukee Brewers is more than enough evidence of what is to be expected from the southpaw workhorse.

Though initially not thrilled to be shipped to Wisconsin in mid-season, he never complained or pouted. He instead carried the team on his back into the playoffs, compiling an 11-2 record and 1.65 ERA.

Even while knowing he would never throw a pitch for the Brewers organization following 2008, Sabathia pitched countless games on short rest down the stretch. As the pitches and innings piled up, CC risked the most important offseason of his life in favor achieving the Brewers first playoff appearance in 26 years.

Greg Genske (agent) was holding his breath every time CC took the mound after only three days of rest. He was always just one ‘pop’ or tear away from becoming more like his teammate Ben Sheets than the only unquestioned ace on the market.

As it turns out, his long-awaited exploration of free agency went more perfectly than even Sabathia could have imagined. He was coveted more than the head cheerleader in high school, and secured the most lucrative contract ever signed by a pitcher.

Whether CC’s Yankee footsteps will follow the path of David Cone or Vazquez and Pavano is yet to be seen. If nothing else, CC Sabathia knows that he has a job to do, and he will not rest until he finishes it.