Letters to the Editor
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oafish Fox in-game A-Rod coverage
I agree that the A-Rod announcement by Boras was ill timed and "oafish" but what I can't figure out was why Fox was interrupting live on-going news with something that in my opinion was less newsworthy and could definitely wait. Why did Fox feel that we would even care, in the middle of a world series game, what A-Rod and his agent were doing? I kept sending wish thoughts: "just go back to the game, give us the context of the real news in the making, not this artificial, superficial, one-player-not-even-playing stuff." Why did it not occur to them?
It reminded me of the time in the middle of a NBA freaking finals game, the network cut out of the game for minutes on end to watch a continued helicoptor shot of OJ driving down the freeway. That time I actually talked to my TV set so maybe this latest wasn't as bad.
Remember your audience -- don't they get it???
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White Sox
Well as a White Sox fan I have to admit I don't hold a lot of hope for next year, but then again I felt the same going into 2005...
In any case, I don't take it as a slight as I'm not sure the Sox would really want Shilling. They already have one old, breaking-down starting pitcher (Jose Contreras) and they've got a couple solid prospects waiting in the wings (Gio Gonzalez, Jack Egbert). The rotation in 2007 was solid if unspectacular, and certainly not the problem. If anything I could imagine Ken Williams dealing a starter for some help in the lineup and bringing up a kid before I imagine him signing Shilling.
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I wouldn't sign A-rod just like I wouldn't sign Bonds...
Because both are losers despite huge talent and numbers. And both are selfish players as well. Talent and skill only bring you so far, then it's about leadership and chemistry -- things both these guys lack.
While teammates will appreciate 54 HRs a year, it doesn't make A-rod a leader or other players like him, not if he's making $20+ mil a year. Yeah sure Jeter made just as much but he carried himself differently and he didn't sign for that, he came up.
One could argue that A-rod killed this last Yankee dynasty, if only symbolically. Money doesn't guy championships (although it helps) and A-rod is the poster boy.
Despite the HR record (* or not), Bonds will never win a WS ring. If karma plays out...A-rod will be joining him.
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Chisox Miseries
Not knowing anything about that calculus, it looks a little strange to me that he includes the Cubs and not the White Sox. They had a down year in '07, but is it fair to write them off for '08 already?
Yes, as a matter of fact it is.
The boys at Baseball Prospectus were roundly mocked when PECOTA tabbed the White Sox to be 72-90 this year...I mean, how could that be? They signed Darin Erstad! Amazingly, the Sox had to get a little hot at the end, to finish - wait for it - 72-90.
The White Sox won 72 games because they are old. In 2008 they will be a year older than old, with virtually no young talent coming up behind them. And they still have Ken Williams and Ozzie Guillen running them, so I think you can pencil them in for another 4th (at best) in the Central.
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New Yorker
Did you read the profile of Boras in the latest (I think it's the latest, there's a stack in my bathroom) New Yorker? He seems incredibly inept at public relations while being very good at private negotiations. You'd think there'd be some overlap in the skill sets.
In the article, Arod, though not interviewed, seems not so bright. Johnny Damon, who was interviewed, seems also to be not very bright, but fine with that.
And, apropos of nothing, is Joe Torre going to be a Dodger? If he is, I think the Dodgers are destined for several more years of relative futility. I actually have nothing against Torre, apart from the Yankeeness, but I think the fact that the Dodgers would try to nab him so quickly is just further evidence of them not thinking clearly, or deeply, about their problems. "Joe Torre? He's famous, right? He won something didn't he? Let's get him."
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White Sox?!
Seriously, can you imagine Curt Schilling playing for Ozzie Guillen? I will always love Big Schill for his gutsy performance in the '04 postseason, and for the obvious care about his teammates and the game he brings to the table, but the man has--how can I put this?--a bit of a mouth on him.
That would be a whole lot of ego in one dugout. We're talking at least four or five kilo-A-Rods' worth of self-importance.
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A-rod Schmay-rod
I am a NYY fan and from the beginning have sought to support A-rod. He always struck me emotionally to be a like a large-breed puppy that couldn't get out of the way of his own feet, but he never seems to grow into his feet. One of his Rangers' teammates said after he left "I don't know how we'll be able to remember to run to first base without A-rod telling us what to do from the dugout." My take was that he was a dorky rah-rah guy which is annoying but forgiveable with those numbers. I also appreciated his willingness to discuss going to therapy etc publically.
It was a breath of fresh air, but after awhile, even supporters like me started thinking "Buddy, STFU and play." My God, if you gave johnny damon's unfettered psyche A-rod's physical talent? you'd have the second coming of Lou Gehrig (the greatest baseball player of all time.)
Plus, if being the highest paid athlete of all time in any sport isn't enough for you, fuck you and the horse you rode in on. I hope he goes to Boston just for the fun of watching all those freaking dumbass Red Sox fans falling over themselves to explain why it is right to hate him before, but now they love him (as long as he's hitting).
Now, for the Yankees, we're trading Melky Cabrera and Ian Kennedy for Johann Santana. We're also signing Mike Lowell. Then we're surrounding those two with all of our homegrown young talent and veteran expertise and -- jujst going on a limb here -- I think we'll cruise to a 94 win wildcard spot again. Then, the season really begins.
ps- is it pathetic that i LOVE hot stove league? it's so full of promise; like the night before Christmas for three months. Do other markets have a weekly hot stove league TV show like the YES network does?