hiway29

The World Series is the same bait the Yankees dangled. Didn't happen. Lord knows he had enough opportunity to help make it happen. I'm not sure what players changed when they went to the Sox. I'm not knocking the team or organization, it's a great place to be. There are other great places to be. There's no place better for a player to be himself and enjoy life like Dodger Stadium., and even they can't change the 'head cases'(like Milton Bradley) that come through. I'm sure about now, Gagne is real nostalgic for LA.

The Yankees would love to get Cabrera, but the Marlins want Hughes or Chamberlain as part of the deal, and they can't afford to give up that kind of pitching. If they go for Lowell it will be interesting in that he started with the Yankees years ago. I always thought ilosing him a bad move, but wonder if getting him back this late in his career is the thing to do. A line up of Ortiz , Arod, and Manny is frightening, and that may be the motivation to get him.Funny how everyone hates Arod, but the thought of having him makes the mouth water. He is a hitter like no other. So why do I think the Yankees are going to be better without him? I don't know if you can 'iron out' the baggage he brings.' Arod being Arod' won't play like 'Manny being Manny' seems to. You can't insist he produce in the post season before he signs, and you can't change his'me, me, me', attitude.

Posada may have had a 'creer year', but he's never had a bad year, and shows no signs of slowing down. I think he's been somewhat 'lost' and underrated in his value to the Yankees, and even if he starts to fade in year 3 or so, I think he's earned the contract. Who knows if Damon has run into one too many walls ? Call it a 'hunch', but I think with the move to left, and a 'new' team direction, that he's going to return to his former self. This is the first I've heard anyone suggest moving Jeter to third. I don't know who these 'die hard' Yankee fans are-probably some posters at a Yankee fan site, but I'm not ready to put Derek out to pasture yet. Good Grief ! There have always been shortstops with greater range than Jeter, but he still plays the same today as 10 years ago, and is the glue and heart of the Yankee infield. Of course they're hoping for big years from Wang,Hughes and Chamberlain. Isn't that what strong young pitching is all about ? Pettite may still be coming back, and Pavano and Clemens were never in the picture. You can be sure they'll try to get Santana if possible. I agree the pitching staff has question marks, and is the big reason why the season can go either way. Of course third base is a huge hole that will be addressed over the winter. I just hope they don't trade pitching to get someone. I'm heartsick over the Stadium closing. I guess it's not as bad as the Dodgers leaving Brooklyn, (I just realized noone ever cries about the Giants leaving NY-wonder why? ) but it's an epic loss. My first trip to Yankee Stadium when I was 10 was one of my chief childhood events. I have to say that the Stadium lost something when it was renovated in the 70's though. If they can recapture the feel of the original park, with the distinctive frieze pattern running across the stands, and some better seating , then I'll live with it. The worst seat in baseball are the bleacher seats behind the monuments in left field. You may as well be in the next county. I think the all star game is there this year, and MLB figures they'll do all the 'hoopla' then, but I agree that the seasons last game should be there.

Posada signed with the Yankees today, staving off any free agent worries, and they're waiting to hear from Rivera. It doesn't look like there will be an exodus from New York with Torre's passing. I'm starting to think with Arod leaving, the young players that have started to gel, and a fresh approach with Joe Girardi, that the Yankees may be better than last year ( which wasn't much). I also 'predict' that Johnny Damon will have a big year after fading somewhat. Really, without Arod there, it feels like a giant barnacle and distraction is out of the way. I can only hope they mean it when they say they're not dealing for him.

I voted for Phil Rizzuto, Ralph Kiner, and Jon Miller, for various reasons.

Current show? No wonder I can't get it. I'm so out of the loop on current TV. I'm probably watching whoever wrote those quotes picketing with a sign outside of my window at work.

I can understand his concern for his son, and of course that's a distraction. I'm not sure what his concerns every other season were. I heard that same song about JD adjusting, coming into his own, etc, for years. He never has 'disappointed' in his ability to not live up to expectations. He had stretches with the Dodgers where he looked like the next mvp, until you realize he's just gone 3 weeks without an rbi, and has sat out half the games, and you wonder where that great player went. After a world championship, everyone looks wonderful. I've been there a few times with the Yankees.

Drew has alot of talent. Enough that he tantalizes, and gets people to think, gee, he's really not bad, he played well here and there, so let's stick with him. I'm just glad he's not in LA anymore. His on again off again style got old. It was mainly his attitude, not seeming to care, never playing when he got a hangnail.I suspect he's being given alot of slack due to a couple of big hits in the post season. Never fear, he'll be the same old JD come next May.

It's true that Arod kept the Yankees alive during a time of complete collapse. They were 14 !/2 games out at the end of May and should have been much further out. He also was consistent through most of the season, and did have meaningful hits before he did his usual playoff fold. That doesn't make him worth 350 mil, or mean that he's now 'clutch'. But he did have a fine year, and you can't take that away from him.

That makes sense to me. What doesn't make sense is how JD Drew is paid more than Ortiz.

I was referring to the obsession on players salaries-which is different than the 'mysteries, intrigue, and questions'. At least it ought to be.

JD Drew makes 14 million a year and Ortiz 13.5 ? JD Drew makes more than Ortiz ??!! What is wrong with those people? On his next contract Ortiz will, or should, be getting substantially more. If he decides to test the free agent waters, he can be assured of making considerably more. One need not worry about David Ortiz. The Arod thing is from another planet and should not be used as a 'yardstick' for anyone else. It's hopefully an aberration that won't be repeated. I do wonder why those of us who work our fingers to the bone in order to keep our heads above water, get all concerned about the fates of people who have wealth beyond our wildest dreams because they can hit a ball with a stick.

I'm glad the Yankees are coming to their senses and not biting , but still am not convinced they won't buckle under. I can't imagine the Dodgers going for it, but can see the Angels taking the plunge. How any team thinks they'll see a return on 350 mil is beyond me. Especially from a player who's never gotten to the series once. And before anyone says I'm 'flip-flopping', I've never been an Arod fan, though some have misconstrued my position. I'm in the camp that would love to see no one meet those demands.

I'm sure I'd been hearing "Play it again, Sam", long before the Woody Allen movie. It's one of those things that just crept into culture that was never actually said. Woody Allen can be blamed for alot of things, but gets a pass from me on this. Oliver Hardy never said 'This is another fine mess you've gotten me into". A nice mess, another mess, and other variations, but not 'another fine mess'

This is an easy one-I guess they're easy when you know them, and hard if you don't . 'Wolf in the Fold' Real good original series episode. Don't have one handy-might take a day or two before I do

I know the whole world loves that movie, and I'm not sure why it puts me to sleep. I feel like I'm missing some brain chip that responds to it.

I'm thinking Al Hirt played it for the TV show, but that's a foggy memory.

well, it's the Green Hornet theme, 'Flight of the Bumblebee', but I don't know the composer

no, fantasizing ALOT, not a little.

The teams most likely to sign Arod, in order of probability, are The Angels,Giants, Cubs, Red Sox, Dodgers, and even the Yankees. I'd be real surprised if he wound up anywhere else. As much as I didn't like seeing Torre leave the Yankees, I'm thrilled he's here. I also thinkthis might work out for both clubs. 12 years is a long time for any manager, and the yankees were kind of spinning their wheels. No fault of Joe's who managed great last year. Joe Girardi just might bring a fresh style to a stodgy team. Or it might be a disaster. Will be fun to see. Torre in LA gives the Dodgers instant credibility, and he's perfect for a developing team.Here's the longest of long shots, but a world series between the Girardi Yankees and the Torre Dodgers would be wild.

Mattingly is probably joining Torre. Lord knows about Arod. I can't imagine the Dodgers shelling out that kind of money, and if they do , we can expect Dodger Dogs to cost about 10 bucks to pay for him. I am more than happy to have Joe Torre here.

In the way it was discerning of faults, unmade beds, and anything about you that the local leader didn't like.

ah, Mike. 'nuff said

Torre isn't 'official' yet, but it seems to be all over but the shouting-whatever that means. I wouldn't have thought you'd have that many posts, Tom. You must be frequenting a thread I don't get to.

Geez Rocky, I just noticedwe joined here about the same time, but you have 5000 more posts than me ! Must be all taking place in the politics board, that I do my best to avoid.I get in enough trouble right here.