We Want Bernie!

The Yankees have extended a non-guaranteed Minor League invite to spring training to fan favorite and life-long Yankee Bernie Williams. I for one want to see Bernie back in Pinstripes in 2008. I still think he can bring something to the table. Unfortunately, there doesn't appear to be any room at the inn for Bern. The OF is already full and there are a plethora of 1B. So where would Bernie fit in? I'm not sure, but in the event of an injury to anyone, Bernie would be the guy I'd like to see step into that role. Maybe Jorge can teach him to be the backup C? Dare to dream.
I can't imagine Bernie in any other uniform, and I honestly don't think he can either. It would be just weird. What would be really weird would be to see him suiting up for the Scranton Yankees. That's a possibility. I hope the two sides can get creative and work something out.
Go Yanks!
J-Boog

No Helton For You

I can't help but laugh at those that think the Colorado Rockies were asking for too much in their trade talks with the Red Sox. Imagine if you will:
Theo Epstein: "Hey Colorado. I hear Todd Helton is on the market. He's arguably one of the most prolific hitters in the past 10 years. What do you say we trade you Mike Lowell, who's nearing the end of his career and is in the final year of his contract, and will likely leave you after 2007. And we'll also throw in journeyman reliever Julian Tavarez. He's no spring chicken, and he might not be playing with a full deck, but he'll no doubt excel in the friendly confines of Coors Field, the greatest pitcher friendly park in the Majors. And maybe in addition to Helton, you pay us half of his remaining salary. Want me to announce the deal??"
The Red Sox basically wanted to trade the Rockies garbage in exchange for one of the game's greatest hitters. This makes me laugh. It's like the guy in my Diamond Mind league that offers up Paul Maholm in exchange for both Mariano Rivera and Moises Alou. Yeah, I'll get right on it. In what world is the trade of Helton for Lowell and Tavarez a fair deal? You expect to trade 2 aging players for one of the game's best? Anybody with half of a brain when it comes to baseball knows you have to include some young talent when you talk these deals. And yes, I know the financial aspect changes things, but asking for a pitching prospect wasn't an excessive request in my opinion.
"They weren’t willing to give us a player compatible for what we felt we needed. It didn’t work out. When you are talking about a Todd Helton, you need to get someone back who is going to be an impact player." - Charlie Monfrot, Rockies owner
Well duh. Here's what I see as one of Boston's problems: Theo Epstein doesn't want to get burned again. The Sox could be sitting pretty if they didn't trade away Anibal Sanchez, Bronson Arroyo, and Hanley Ramirez. What did the Sox get by landing Wily Mo Pena, Josh Beckett, and Mike Lowell? If you said a 3rd place finish, you're right. I think the Sox are a little gun shy in trading Delcarmen or Hansen, as they don't want to see them pan out to be superstars. Sanchez throws a no-no. Ramirez was the NL ROY. Arroyo was an all-star. And again, Boston's acquisitions landed them a 3rd place finish.
In the end, I think this trade will still happen. The Red Sox appear to be jaded after finishing 3rd and I can see them ponying up the prospect b/c they think Helton will help them win. I still think Theo is a little shell-shocked at the loss of Damon, the failure to land a big bat at the trade deadline, and finishing 3rd. I said a few months ago that the Red Sox were becoming a lot like the Yankees and I think their failures in 2006 are the main reason why. If you can't beat 'em, join 'em. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.
J

Yankees Fans Be Doomed

Curt Schilling is such a dooshbag. I know what you're thinking, "J-Boogie, tell me something I don't know." The Schillmeister has made it known that he plans to pitch in 2008, and the one team he won't suit up for is, you guessed it, the New York Yankees.
"Where I'm going to play beyond 2007? I hope it's Boston, but I will go out and find a home to pitch. I hope it's here, but there's also that possibility [of pitching elsewhere]. It would not be to New York."
And Yankee fans everywhere start jumping off of bridges. I really don't know what the Yankees are going to do without Schilling on the hill for them in 2008. It's over. The franchise might as well fold right now. It's been a good run but without Schill, we're doomed Yankee fans. Doomed I say. I mean think about it. Ohlendorf, Clippard, Sanchez, Karstens, Wang, Rasner, and Philip Hughes can only take us so far. If you're like me, you've already purchased this from the MLB store. I hereby renounce my Yankee fandom. All hail the Schillmeister.
Like I said, dooshbag.
J-Boogie

Rocket Watch '07

In what's becoming almost an annual rite of passage, the baseball world is wondering if Roger Clemens will pitch this year, and if so, where? Perhaps Roger is dropping hints as to what he wants to do and where he wants to go. This is from The Daily Texan:
"If somebody makes a phone call, and I think I can do it again physically, I probably could. The only reason why I'd continued to play was because of my teammates calling me. Guys made the phone call to get me back out of the house to play."
Interesting. The word that sticks out to me in his quote is "teammates." I've never been good at the game "Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon," but nobody on the Red Sox roster jumps out at me as being a teammate of Clemens, unless you want to count Mike Timlin in the WBC. The Astros and Yankees are chock full of ex-teammates of Roger's. But with Roger's hetero-life mate Andy Pettitte being on the Yankees, you have to give them the inside track. Does anyone watch "Scrubs?" If so, can't you just picture Roger and Andy signing their own rendition of "Guy Love?" In addition to Pettitte, there's Jeter, Posada, Matsui, Giambi, Mussina, and if you want to go the WBC route, Johnny Damon. Sprinkle in some World Series rings and I think you see my point. This has the Yankees written all over it. Wishful thinking, I know.
If the Yankees were smart, they'd be starting up the phone tree and making some calls to the Clemens' household, telemarketer style. Let's get it done.
J
ps- Tood Helton? Oooh, scary

Happy Belated Birthday

It just dawned on me that this blog was started just over a year ago. My how the time flies. It's been a lot of fun, and though I've been slacking off over the last month or so, I plan to picking back up with the daily posts real soon. I hope that you keep stopping by. The fact that anybody reads this still blows me away. So happy belated birthday Boogie Down. The first of many.
Even though we're just 3 weeks shy of the start of spring training, baseball season picks back up again for me this week. Tomorrow I'm making the short 2 hour drive down the NYS Thruway to Syracuse to get Yankee 3B coach Larry Bowa's autograph. I've always liked Bowa, and I'm glad I'm getting the chance to get his autograph. Then on Thursday, I'll be heading up to Toronto for an autograph session the Blue Jays hold for people who purchase one of their flex packs (I pick up a 10 game pack each year to go watch the Yanks). Hopefully this year's lineup is better than last year's. Last year it was Josh Towers (he got sent to AAA), Cito Gaston, HOFer Fergie Jenkins (that was the 3rd time I got his autograph), and Kevin Elster (he's apparently related to some dude in their marketing department-- and I already had his auto too.) Maybe this year they'll get a few current Jays to sign. I need to try and get the lineup in advance b/c I definitely don't want to drive across the border for a bunch of d-bags. Knock on wood. Today in the mail I got an offer from the Jays that if I bought a flex pack I could get an invite to a private Q&A with HOFer Reggie Jackson. I need to call and see if I can get in on that as I'd love to meet Mr. October, even though I've heard some less than flattering stories about him. With any luck, they'll let me attend and not exclude me b/c I already bought the tickets.
We're now under 3 weeks to go until pitchers and catchers report. I for one am getting pretty pumped for the upcoming season! April 2nd can't get here soon enough.
Peace, love and Pinstripes!
J-Boogie

I Want My MLB

Pretty soon, millions of people will be chanting the phrase "I want my MLB!" It looks like MLB's Extra Innings will solely be offered on DirectTV, alienating cable subscribers and much of the baseball-loving population from watching out-of-market baseball. All this for a measly million bucks a team. Hardly worth it in my opinion.
Here's a great piece from Dan Wetzel at Yahoo Sports. It's a good read on the subject. Check it out.
Be back soon.
J

Call All Road Trippers

I hope everyone out there is doing well, staying healthy. It's been a while since I've posted. Been busy with work and all. Same old same old. And I haven't had a lot to say. The Yanks have made some moves (see ya Randy) and I'll discuss those later as we draw closer to spring training. But the hot stove has cooled off, and to be honest, the break from the constant posting has been nice.
I got an e-mail yesterday from a guy named Brian. Brian is a NY Casting Director who was hired to cast the upcoming season of YES Ultimate Road Trip. For those of you not familiar with the show, the general premise is that a bunch of lucky Yankee fans get to go to every game. Think the Real World meets MLB. Anyway, I'm laying on the floor last night watching some tube,and my MSN messenger makes the little noise it makes when I get e-mail. I turn my head up to see who it's from and it reads roadtrip@yesnetworktv.com. My first thought is "holy **** I'm getting recruited to go on the show. Sweet." But that wasn't the case. Brian's trying to get the word out about the show and that's its casting and thought the blogosphere would be a good forum to get the word out. Now normally, I wouldn't shill something but, I watch the show, I like the show, and I don't mind posting a little something to help them out. All the info can also be found at Yesnetwork.com. Personally, I'd love to try out for the show, but you know, some of us have jobs and families we can't just leave, as much as we'd like to, even for the Yankees Here's the shill:
CASTING THE ULTIMATE YANKEES FANS FOR YES NETWORK REALITY SERIESYES NETWORK is looking for new cast members for season 3 of their Emmy Awardwinning reality series, "Ultimate Road Trip". Be a part of a fun and excitingreality show, compete for the grand prize and TOUR WITH THE YANKEES FOR THE 2007SEASON! We are looking for diehard Yankees fans who can and will dedicate a full SEVENMONTHS to this show. Cast members will be chosen based on their ability tocompete in a variety of physical and mental challenges, their dedication to theYankees and of course, their personality and ability to live and interact withother Yankees fans. If you worship the Yanks, are competitive by nature, want a chance at winning anincredible grand prize, and feel you are up to the challenge of a lifetime,download and complete the Season 3 application form and tell us why you shouldbe New York's next reality TV star (see application requirements below). go to: www.yesnetwork.com and click on Ultimate Road Trip Season 3 for full application information.Application deadline is January 31, 2007 or email us at roadtrip@yesnetwork.com or if you want to get a leg up on the competition, create and submit a videotelling us why you're the ultimate Yankee Fan and submit it to the followingaddress:Ultimate Road Trip: Season 3 P.O. Box 4027 Grand Central Station New York, NY 10163 Application requirements: 1) You must be a diehard Yankees fan. 2) You must be 18 or older. 3) You will not be able to work during this production March 12 - October 1(Travel expenses are paid and a weekly stipend is provided during the course ofthe season) 4) You must be able to live in a "Real World" style apartment for the durationof the season. 5) You must be available to the production team 24/7. 6) You must be comfortable with EVERY aspect of your life being aired ontelevision ** IF YOU FAIL TO MEET EVEN ONE OF THESE REQUIREMENTS, PLEASE DO NOT APPLY
Now what are you waiting for?? Go apply already.
J

What My iPod Says About Me

This isn't really much of baseball-themed post. I've been a little withdrawn from baseball for the last few weeks. Between work, life, and the holidays, it just hasn't been at the forefront. I've kept up on the major happenings, but there really haven't been any. The latest news, or should I say question, is will Randy Johnson get traded? I hope so, but right now, I'm dismissing it as in idle rumor.
I saw the other day over at Zack's (The Baseball Collector) blog that he listed his top 40 songs of 2006. They weren't necessarily from 2006, just his favorite 40 songs he listened to in 2006. I thought it was an interesting post. I've also see on VH1's "Best Week Ever" that they occasionally run a segment called "What Your iPod Says About You," or something to that effect. I thought I'd list the last 20 songs that my iPod played while on shuffle. I have about 8500 songs on the iPod and I usually listen to a playlist of my favorites, which is about 850 songs or so. This list is from that playlist. So, let me know. What does my iPod say about me?
Mr. Telephone Man - New Edition
Where Is The Love - Black Eyed Peas
Wild Thing - Tone Loc
Poundcake - Van Halen
I Want You Back - Jackson 5
Welcome To The Jungle - Guns N Roses
Men In Black - Will Smith
Greatest American Hero (Believe It Or Not) - Joey Scarbury
The Real Slim Shady - Eminem
They Reminisce Over You (T.R.O.Y.) - Pete Rock & CL Smooth
Yeah - Usher
Break Stuff - Limp Bizkit
The Last Song - Foo Fighters
Joints And Jam - Black Eyed Peas
Molly (Sixteen Candles) - Sponge
Mambo No. 5 - Lou Bega
If You Could Only See - Tonic
Knee Deep - Funkadelic
Go See The Doctor - Kool Moe Dee
Angel - Shaggy
Fallen Angel - Poison
Pardon Me - Incubus
The International Zone Coaster (Remix) - Leaders of the New School
If Anybody Gets Funked Up - George Clinton
Toxic - Britney Spears
T.N.T. -AC/DC
Somebody's Baby - Jackson Browne
Back To The Grill - MC Serch
Tear The Roof Off The ****** (Give Up The Funk) - Parliament
The Adventures Of Super Rhyme - Jimmy Spicer
I Get Around - Tupac
Cult Of Personality - Living Colour
Geek In The Pink - Jason Mraz
Dancing In The Midst Of The Night - Staggered Crossing
Check Yo Self - Ice Cube
Jeremy - Pearl Jam
Give It Away - Red Hot Chili Peppers
She Don't Use Jelly - Flaming Lips
For The Hand Of Magdelena - Lowest Of The Low
New Slang - The Shins
Happy New Year! Stay safe and healthy.
J