New York Sports Ramblings

Jay Vecchione
January 30, 2008

I’ve had some things on my mind so instead of writing 3 or 4 articles, I am going to try to be concise and put all my thoughts down in a few paragraphs.

The New York Yankees
It’s been quite an offseason for the boys in pinstripes (is anyone really surprised by that?). First, they lock down arguably the best two pitchers on the free agent market in CC Sabathia and AJ Burnett, which made me pretty darn happy as a fan (the contracts may have been a bit expensive but in my opinion, it will be well worth it), but moves many fans were already anticipating. Then, in a bit of a shock, they sign arguably the best position player (notice I said position player, not hitter; more on that later) on the market in first basemen Mark Teixeira after he had been courted for weeks by a few teams, including the Red Sox. The switch-hitting, smooth-fielding Teixeira eliminates a gaping hole at first (previously occupied by the garbage can known as Jason Giambi) and also provides stability to a lineup that was missing a middle of the lineup hitter who can hit for average and power, as well as get on base at close to a .400 clip.

With him batting 3rd in front of A-Rod, which is where I assume he will bat in order to balance out the lineup (i.e. Damon-L; Jeter-R; Tex-S; A-Rod-R; Matsui-L; Posada-S; Cano-L; Nady/Swisher-R/S; Cabrera/Gardner-S/L). Teixeira should get on base enough to provide A-Rod ample opportunity to choke in clutch situations….

A-Rod/Torre
Speaking of my favorite Yankee slugger, he has been the target of criticism in a new book written by former manager Joe Torre and Sports Illustrated writer Tom Verducci titled The Yankee Years. Though the book has not yet been released (release date is for February 3, 2009), the New York Post as well as the other papers in New York have released excerpts from the book which basically have Torre ripping into upper management and some players. Torre claims many of the players referred to A-Rod as “A-Fraud” and hints that he never really saw eye to eye with the slugger.

A-Rod has said that he is not bothered by the comments, while people like Brian Cashman (who is also the beneficiary of some gripes by Torre) and Johnny Damon have stepped up in defense of A-Rod. My initial reaction to all of this was indifference, mostly because it came out at a time where there was nothing else going on and someone at the Post was looking to drum up some controversy (and they succeeded). Now that I have had a few days to digest everything, my reaction has not changed.

I obviously have not read the book, and though I plan on eventually reading it, I believe that a lot of this stuff is being blown way of proportion. I am a huge Joe Torre fan (and now own a Dodgers hat in support of him) and thought he brought class to an organization that before his arrival was starting to become irrelevant. He went through his fair share of controversies while managing the Yankees and always handled it well, at least while in the public eye. Do I blame him for writing a book chronicling his experiences with the Yankees? Of course not, especially after the way he was treated before he went to the Dodgers; I thought it was a pretty lame one-year pity offer the Yankees gave him to try to save face. I am going to reserve passing further judgment until I actually read the book, in which case I will be able to see for myself if this is all a bunch of smoke in mirrors. I suggest everyone do the same and form their own opinions based on what they read, not what they are told…

Manny and the Mets?
It’s been long rumored, but hasn’t happened yet. Left field in the new Citi Field is Manny’s for the taking, albeit the Mets would have to be willing to chalk up around $25 mil a season for around three years to get it done. No one has really stepped up the plate and made Manny a serious offer other than the Dodgers, and my gut tells me he is waiting for one of the New York teams to make him a reasonable offer (or what he considers reasonable which in Manny-land could be anything). Manny has always said he would love to play in New York, it’s just never worked out (mostly because neither team wanted to take on the baggage). I think this time will be different. With the Yankees out of the sweepstakes (or at least looking like they are), the Mets have a chance to make a huge splash by adding the best hitter in the game to their lineup. GM Omar Minaya is known to be a fan of Manny, and Manager Jerry Manuel has said he would love coaching him, it’s just a matter of dollars and cents. It’s still a long shot, and smart money has him eventually ending up back in LA, but like I said, I think somehow, some way, the best hitter in the game will end up in a Mets uniform on opening day 2009. His bat would make the Mets the team to beat in the National League, however his glove has proved to be a bit of a liability that you learn to deal with because of the bat. But hey, it’s not like he’ll cut off a throw from center field. Wait, nevermind…

Thanks, Plax
Thank you Plaxico Burress! Shooting yourself in the leg cost the Giants a shot at a repeat. The Giants struggled down the stretch and it was evident in the playoff loss to the Eagles that Eli Manning did not feel comfortable without his security blanket. I’m not saying they would have won the game with Burress (especially with Eli circa 2005 making an appearance), but Eagles Defensive Coordinator Jim Johnson said multiple times that the Giants are a lot easier to defend without him in lineup. His presence alone took pressure off covering the other receivers because he was always a big play threat and often commanded double coverage. The Giants #1 offseason priority will be to find a receiver to replace Burress, and most likely will make a big push for Arizona’s Anquan Boldin. I’m a big fan of Boldin; he’s a tough player who plays with a lot of emotion, has a knack for the big play, and is dangerous after the catch. With a new #1 receiver and a few more supplemental parts (at least two new starting linebackers, a healthy Osi Umenyiora, a pass-catching running back, to name a “few”), the Giants will be a legitimate threat to reach the Super Bowl again.

The New York Knicks are…
Watchable!?!?! Yes folks, it’s true. For the first time in years, I actually enjoy watching the Knicks. They are starting to play TEAM basketball, a novel concept for a team that has had players like Starbury and Zach Randolph, and a coach/GM that couldn’t go a day without doing something stupid - like acquiring the players above or causing a lawsuit. Coach Mike D’Antoni’s system is a breath of fresh air and the team has bought into it. The Knicks may not have the most talent, but D’Antoni is really starting to get the most out of his players. Chris Duhon has been the team MVP up to this point, distributing the ball while also displaying a lead by example mentality by playing hard-nosed basketball. David Lee has been constantly improving, especially when it comes to scoring around the basket using both hands. He has drastically improved his mid-range jumper and has no problem stepping back to take the shot. On defense he usually has the responsibility of guarding the opposing center, which is out of position for him, but that has not taken away from his rebounding and other intangibles that make him a very good player.

Overall, the run-and-gun offense has really suited this team well. Though they are not in position to make a run deep into the playoffs, the Knicks are definitely getting back to respectability. Everyone is aware of their plan of making a play for Lebron in 2010, but I would not be surprised if they make the playoffs the next two seasons, making New York a desirable basketball destination for free agents once again.

There are other things I would like to ramble about, such as Brett Favre’s week 17 performance, how Arizona somehow got into the Super Bowl, and how much I really don’t like going to night classes, but I also value having some time to relax.

So that’s it for now. If anyone has any suggestions for me, send to Jay_Vec@fenway2freeway.com.