November 2008
Happy Thanksgiving Day, 2008
Thanksgiving Day is a time for all of us to thank Our Lord for all the wonderful gifts He has given us, starting with the “Gift of Life”, as we are all made in His image and likeness.
We are all thankful for our “family”, “friends”, and “freedom”, living in the greatest Country on earth, the United States of America.
We are thankful for the simple pleasures in life, such as our passion for sports, especially, Baseball.
And, we are all very thankful to be part of this awesome “Community of Bloggers” here at MLB.com/Blogs. Our passion for baseball, and following and rooting for our favorite team is greatly enhanced by our blogging activities, writing about “our team”.
My team, of course, is the New York Yankees. As a “life-long, die-hard” Yankees fan, I’m thankful for the great New York Yankees “History” and “Tradition” that forms the foundation of “Greatness” of the Yankees. I’m very proud, and thankful, to be a Yankees fan, as the Yanks have won 39 American League Championships, and 26 World Series titles throughout their outstanding history in New York City, the greatest city in the world.
I’m thankful to have attended many games at Yankee Stadium throughout the years; and, even more thankful to have been blessed to get a ticket, and attend the Special Mass Celebrated by Pope Benedict XVI, in April of 2008. I look forward to attending many games in the “new” Yankee Stadium, and will be very thankful, and in “awe”, the first time I enter the new Stadium. Hopefully, this will take place in 2009.
“I thank the Good Lord for making me a Yankees fan”, which is a mirror image of the famous Joe DiMaggio quote, “I thank the Good Lord for making me a Yankee”.
Finally, I’m thankful to all who have visited my mlblog, to view my “posts”, “comments”, “thoughts”, and “opinions”. I appreciate all your support; and, will always be thankful for your visits, and the many excellent ”comments”, “thoughts”, and “opinions” that have been offered this past year. I look forward to many more of your visits and comments in the future.
I’m thankful to have this great passion for baseball; and, also, be a fan of the greatest team and franchise in the history of Baseball, and all Sports, the New York Yankees.
A special thankful thought has to be extended to the New York Yankees owner for the past 35 years, George M. Steinbrenner, III. He restored the great Yankees Tradition to the Bronx, New York, with his outstanding leadership since 1973. Mr. Steinbrenner brought all the best players to New York, to play for the Yankees. And, all Yankee fans are very thankful and proud of the many great players that have graced the hallowed grounds of Yankee Stadium throughout the great history of our team.
Dear, Lord … Thank You ! … Thank You !! … Thank You !!!
It is important that we always remember the true meaning of Thanksgiving Day.
Each year the President of the United States makes a Proclamation in honor of Thanksgiving Day. One of the greatest expressions of the true meaning of Thanksgiving Day was made in a Proclamation by President Ronald Reagan, on October 13, 1986, in honor of Thanksgiving Day, 1986. This inspiring Proclamation by President Reagan is repeated below:
Thanksgiving Day Proclamation
Proclamation 5551 – Thanksgiving Day, 1986
President, Ronald Reagan (October 13, 1986)
“Perhaps no custom reveals our character as a Nation so clearly as our celebration of Thanksgiving Day. Rooted deeply in our Judeo-Christian heritage, the practice of offering thanksgiving underscores our unshakeable belief in God as the foundation of our Nation and our firm reliance upon Him from Whom all blessings flow. Both as individuals and as a people, we join with the Psalmist in song and praise: “Give thanks unto the Lord, for He is good.”
“One of the most inspiring portrayals of American history is that of George Washington on his knees in the snow at Valley Forge. That moving image personifies and testifies to our Founders’ dependence upon Divine Providence during the darkest hours of our Revolutionary struggle. It was then — when our mettle as a Nation was tested most severely — that the Sovreign and Judge of nations heard our plea and came to our assistance in the form of aid from France. Thereupon General Washington immediately called for a special day of thanksgiving among his troops.”
“Eleven years later, President Washington, at the request of the Congress, first proclaimed November 26, 1789, as Thanksgiving Day. In his Thanksgiving Day Proclamation, President Washington exhorted the people of the United States to observe ’a day of public thanksgiving and prayer’ so that they might acknowledge ‘with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peacebly to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness.’ Washington also reminded us that ‘it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor’.”
“Today let us take heart from the noble example of our first President. Let us pause from our many activities to give thanks to Almighty God for our bountiful harvests and abundant freedoms. Let us call upon Him for continued guidance and assistance in all our endeavors. And let us ever be mindful of the faith and spiritual values that have made our Nation great. With joy and gratitude in our hearts, let us sing those stirring stanzas” …
“O beautiful for spacious skies,
For amber waves of grain,
For purple mountain majesties
Above the fruited plain!
America! America!
God shed His grace on thee.”
“Now, Therefore, I, Ronald Reagan, President of the United States of America, in the spirit of George Washington and the Founders, do hereby proclaim Thursday, November 27, 1986, as a National Day of Thanksgiving, and I call upon every citizen of this great Nation to gather together in homes and places of worship on that day of thanks to affirm by their prayers and their gratitude the many blessings bestowed upon this land and its people.”
“In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand his thirteenth day of October, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and eighty-six, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and eleventh.”
– Ronald Reagan
There are many references on various web sites of President Ronald Reagan’s beautiful Thanksgiving Day, 1986, Proclamation, above. Listed below are the three references that I used when researching President Reagan’s statement …
http://www.ronaldreagan.com/forums/showthread.php?t=10019
http://lambofhisflock.blogspot.com/2008/11/thanksgiving-day-proclamation-ronald.html
http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/index.php?pid=36593
Happy Thanksgiving Day and Best Wishes to all !!!
– Jimmy [27NYY], “Baseball, The Yankees, and Life”
Mike Mussina Now On Path To “Hall of Fame”
Mike Mussina finally made it official. After 18 outstanding years in the American League, pitching for the Baltimore Orioles and the New York Yankees, Mussina has retired.
Moose ends his brilliant career with a record of 270-153 (.638); with a 3.68 ERA.
Mussina was an All-Star 5 times; won 7 Gold Glove Awards; never won a Cy Young Award; and, never was part of a World Championship team. But, he was one of the best pitchers of this era, winning 117 games over the .500 mark; with 57 complete games; including 23 career shutouts. And, Mussina had excellent control throughout his career, allowing only 785 base-on-balls in 536 games (1.46 per game).
Last year, Mike Mussina won 20 games (20-9) for the first time in his career. Moose won 19 games twice: (19-9), in 1995; and, (19-11), in 1996, both with the Orioles; He won 18 games, three times: (18-5), in 1992; (18-7), in 1999, with the Orioles; and, (18-10), with the Yankees in 2002; and, 17 games, two times, with the Yanks: (17-11), in 2001; and, (17-8), in 2003.
Mike Mussina has only “one” 20 win season in his great pitching career, but with a little luck, and maybe a few breaks along the way, Moose could have had “six”, or even, “eight” 20 win seasons. Mussina was very close in the 7 years that he had 17, 18, or 19 wins; and, if those seasons took a slighty different turn, there would be no doubt that Mussina would be voted into Baseball’s “Hall of Fame” on the first ballot.
The crowning achievement in Mussina’s career was his 20-9 season with the Yankees in 2008, which may well be enough to move the votes needed in favor of Mike Mussina being enshrined into the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York, at some point in the future.
Most Yankee fans, including myself; and, also, other baseball fans, would agree that Mike Mussina has earned a trip to Cooperstown. Hopefully, when the time comes, those who are privileged to have a vote for the selection of future Hall of Famers will also agree that Mike Mussina is worthy of being part of all the great players that already grace the walls of the hallowed ”Hall of Fame” shrine and building.
View Mike Mussina’s career stats on ”baseball-reference.com”. Click on:
http://www.baseball-reference.com/m/mussimi01.shtml
Mike Mussina will be missed by all Yankee fans. We wish Mike and his family well, as we are confident that in retirement, Mike will be just as successful as he was during his great pitching career.
Thank you, Mike, for the great effort you always gave on the pitching mound; and, the many great memories and pitching performances that you delivered throughout the 8 years that you were a member of the New York Yankees. Enjoy your well-earned retirement, as we all look forward to the time when you return to the new Yankee Stadium in celebration of a “Special Day” in your honor. Also, it will be great to see you return for your first “Old Timer’s Day”; and, of course, listen to your “induction speech” the day your baseball path reaches it’s final destination as a member of Baseball’s “Hall of Fame”.
The day that Mike Mussina officially retired, my thoughts drifted back to some of the most memorable games Mussina pitched during this past season. Three games immediately came to mind, and I vividly recalled each game as I re-read the “Posts” that I had written, describing the events of these games, on my mlblog, “Baseball, The Yankees, and Life”.
The following are the “Posts” of the three games I referred to above. To view these Posts, just click on the URL from my archives, listed below each game:
* April 18, 2008 [Post] - Game # 17 – Red Sox 7, Yankees 5 – Mike Mussina (L, 1-3)
“Manny Blasts Mussina And Yankees, Again” …
An early season game against the Boston Red Sox in which Manny Ramirez hit two long homeruns off Mike Mussina, in a start that Mussina lasted only three innings. Mussina did not get off to a good start in 2008, as this loss lowered his record to (1-3) at the time.
http://baseballtheyankeesandlife.mlblogs.com/archives/2008/04/manny_blasts_mussina_and_yanke.html
* August 3, 2008 [Post] – Game # 110 – Yankees 8, Angels 2 – Mike Mussina (W, 14-7)
“Mussina Shines On Final Old Timer’s Day At Stadium”
Mike Mussina pitched a ”gem”, the best game I think he pitched in 2008, in front of an overflowing “Old Timer’s Day” crowd at Yankee Stadium. The Yankees 8-2 victory was powered by four Yankee homeruns in a truly memorable game and day. Mussina earned his 14th win of the season in this game.
http://baseballtheyankeesandlife.mlblogs.com/archives/2008/08/mussina_shines_on_final_old_ti.html
* September 28, 2008 [Post] – Game # 161 – Yanks 6, Red Sox 2 – Mussina (W, 20-9)
“Mussina’s Final Start Ends With 20th Win Of Season”
Mike Mussina finally got the win that gave him his first 20 win season, at age 39, in his final start of 2008, in what turned out to be Mussina’s final start of his career. The 6-2 victory over the Boston Red Sox was saved by Mariano Rivera.
http://baseballtheyankeesandlife.mlblogs.com/archives/2008/09/mussinas_final_start_ends_with.html
Thank You, Mike Mussina !!!
Congratulations on having an “awesome” pitching career !!!
– Jimmy [27NYY], “Baseball, The Yankees, and Life”
Yanks Can’t Be Serious About Starting Swisher At First
“Swisher’s acquisition from the White Sox helps Cashman avoid the Teixeira market. Swisher is not a Gold Glover like Teixeira, but is considered above average at first. He also can play any of the three outfield positions. But even if he ended up there [with a trade of Johnny Damon or Xavier Nady], the Yanks would likely still avoid Teixeira. They worry Posada, Rodriguez or Derek Jeter could end up needing to play first during the life of what would be a long-term deal for Teixeira.” … Joel Sherman, “New York Post”, November 14, 2008 — “New York Post” article, “Mark-ed down” Swisher means Teixeira unlikely
There has not been a lot of action yet in this winter’s “Hot Stove League”, but I do think the Yankees trade with the Chicago White Sox for “utility man” Nick Swisher and minor league pitcher, Kanekoa Texeira, in return for Wilson Betemit, and minor league pitchers, Jeff Marquez and Jhonny Nunez was a good move by the New York Yankees.
Nick Swisher is an “average” to “good” player who can play first base; all three outfield positions; pinch-hit; and, be the DH on occasion. Swisher is a switch-hitter, with power, and has the ability to draw many base-on-balls. But, he will strikeout too many times, while not producing a very high batting average.
Last year, Swisher hit only .219 in 153 games played, with 24 homeruns; and 69 RBI’s. On the field though, he played only 71 games [46% of his total games played], at first base. Swisher also played 70 games in centerfield; 18 games in leftfield; and, 18 games in right.
So, Nick Swisher’s numbers show that he is a perfect player off the bench for the Yankees over the next few years; and, that is exactly the “role” Joe Girardi should assign Swisher in 2009.
Check out Nick Swisher’s career stats on “Baseball-reference.com”. Click on:
http://www.baseball-reference.com/s/swishni01.shtml
Another reason why this trade was a good move by the Yankees is the fact that Wilson Betemit was traded away. Betemit was very ineffective in his Yankee career, and his departure is a “plus by subtraction” that makes the deal with the White Sox a success just with Betemit leaving.
The headlines for this trade could have read: “Yankees Get Texeira”.
At first look, all Yankee fans would have been jumping for joy, thinking the Bronx Bombers had just signed Mark Tex. But, after reading the first paragraph of the article we all would be very disappointed because we would have realized that the headlines were misleading.
The real headline most Yankee fans want to see this winter is: “Yankees Sign Teixeira”.
A ”dotted” i, is what separates Kanekoa Texeira, the minor league pitcher the Yankees received from the White Sox; and, Mark Teixeira, the free-agent, all-star, switch-hitting, .300 hitting, power hitting, great fielding, first baseman, that can be the New York Yankees starting first baseman for the next 7-10 years.
Click on, “Baseball-reference.com” to view Mark Teixeira’s career stats:
http://www.baseball-reference.com/t/teixema01.shtml
It is very disturbing to contemplate that the Yankees braintrust envisions Nick Swisher as the New York Yankees starting first baseman in 2009 [and in future seasons?].
The Yankees have a “Golden Opportunity” to sign Mark Teixeira, one of the best players in the game today; and, in the process, solidify their first base situation for at least the next seven years. All it will take is ”Money”, and the Yankees making the best offer for “Tex”.
The Yankees have plenty of money. So, money should “never” be an issue in any deal the Yankees are considering. But, for some reason, the Yankees approach is going in the direction of “cutting” the payroll at a time when their bank vaults are overflowing with cash.
In my view, the Yankees have a huge advantage in the “money department”, and should pay whatever it takes to bring the best players to the Bronx. For this reason, the Yankees should be looking to increase their payroll, not cut it back, especially, with the ”new” Yankee Stadium opening next season.
The Yankees have already made “big” offers to CC Sabathia and A.J. Burnett, basically knocking every other team out of the water right from the beginning in pursuit of these top free-agent “ace” starting pitchers. But, there may be limits regarding the limitless amounts of money the Yankees have, and are willing to spend this winter.
In the same Joel Sherman, New York Post, article, that I quoted at the top of this post, Mr. Sherman gives an insight into the Yankees thinking in regards to their payroll with the following quote:
“A Yankees official said, the club has no plans to spend all of the approximately $88 Million coming off the payroll. The expectation is the $209 Million, 2008 payroll, will be sliced to the $190 Million range or lower.”
Yes, that still is a very large amount of money to work with, and I’m confident the Yankees will prosper during this “Hot Stove League”, signing more than a few top free-agents, greatly improving the team.
But, I will be very disappointed if the Yankees signings this winter do not include …
CC Sabathia … Mark Teixeira … Bobby Abreu … Andy Pettitte … and, another Starting Pitcher … and, also, Mike Mussina [if he doesn't retire].
My final thoughts regarding the Yankees signing Mark Teixeira, focus on the following concerns:
* Mark Teixeira is an “all-star”, and a much better player than Nick Swisher. To go into the 2009 season with Swisher as the Yankees starting first baseman, when Mark Teixeira was available on the open free-agent market, and all it would have taken for the Yankees to bring Tex to the Bronx was “offering him the largest amount of money” would be totally unacceptable to “not” have signed him.
There will be so much pressure on Nick Swisher to “match” the numbers that Mark Teixeira puts up in 2009, that “fairly or not”, Yankee fans will not accept numbers from our first baseman that does not equal those of Mark Teixeira.
* There are reports that the Boston Red Sox are very interested in signing Mark Teixeira. Enough said. For one of the same reasons that the Yankees signed Alex Rodriguez; the Yankees signing of Mark Teixeira will prevent the Red Sox from possibly signing the “all-star” first baseman.
* Finally, going back to 1976, the long line of great Yankees first baseman will be continued with the signing of Mark Teixeira …
Chris Chambliss, Don Mattingly, Tino Martinez, Jason Giambi, Mark Teixeira …
Sounds better, and makes a lot more sense to me, than:
Chris Chambliss, Don Mattingly, Tino Martinez, Jason Giambi, Nick Swisher.
Enjoy the “Hot Stove League” …
– Jimmy [27NYY], “Baseball, The Yankees, and Life”
Should Yankees Trade Bobby Abreu For “Nothing” ?
Yes, I know, Bobby Abreu is now a free-agent. But, if all reports [so far] are accurate, then it looks like the New York Yankees are planning on “NOT” re-signing Abreu, thus, allowing Bobby to walk away from New York, leaving a major hole in the number “three” spot in the Yankees lineup.
In my view, if this great error of misjudgement by the Yankees braintrust takes place, the result would be the same as if the New York Yankees traded Bobby Abreu for, “nothing in return”.
“Follow the money” on this one, because that will be the only reason a foolish move such as letting Bobby Abreu walk away from the Yankees will be made. I can see the headlines now, “Money Talks, as an All-Star Walks” !!!
Over the last four years, Bobby Abreu has played in an average of 157 games each year, delivering averages of: 170 hits, in 587 at-bats, for a .290 batting average. Those numbers also produced an average of: 106 runs scored; 19 homeruns; 102 RBI’s; 99 base-on-balls; 272 Total Bases; and, 27 stolen bases, each season.
In addition to Abreu’s .290 BA, Bobby has a .460 Slugging %; and, a .390 On-Base%, over the last four years.
Check out Bobby Abreu’s career stats from “Baseball-Reference.com” by clicking on:
http://www.baseball-reference.com/a/abreubo01.shtml
Check out Bobby Abreu’s “Player File” on http://yankees.com or click on:
http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/team/player.jsp?player_id=110029
Hank and Hal Steinbrenner have stated recently that the New York Yankees will be heavily involved in the free-agent market, and will spend whatever money is required to bring the best players to New York to improve the team, with the ultimate goal being to win our 27th World Championship in 2009; and, also, future World Series victories.
Since money does not seem to be an issue in the minds of the Steinbrenner family, [and, money shouldn't be an issue in any deal the Yankees consider]; then, money should not be an issue in regards to keeping Bobby Abreu in “pinstripes”.
Abreu has earned a new “three-year” deal because he is an all-star, and one of the best players in the “game” today. Bobby always hustles, is well liked by his teammates, and is a great team player, who is a fan favorite – intangibles that are priceless !!!
Also, Bobby Abreu wants to stay in New York as a part of the Yankees Organization.
So, to me, it is very clear …
George, Hank, Hal Steinbrenner, and Brian Cashman, “RE-SIGN Bobby Abreu” !!!
Hot Stove League … Yankee Decisions: Yes or No?
Decisions; Decisions; Decisions !!! … That’s what the Hot Stove League is all about — how to best improve your team in Baseball’s “so-called” off-season. Of course, there really is not an “off-season” in Baseball anymore. As we all know, baseball is a year-round sport; and, the winter months are just the “post”, post season; and, “pre”- spring training time for the upcoming baseball season.
Well, at the General Manager meetings this past week, at the St. Regis Monarch Beach Resort, in Dana Point, CA, the planning and decision-making by all baseball teams is in full force. But, the main action will start to take place at the end of this week, after these GM meetings have been completed.
After November 14th, teams will be able to start contacting and signing free-agents. So, that’s when the New York Yankees will open their bank vaults to start rebuilding the team by shelling out huge sums of money for the best free-agents on the market. So be it !!!
Spend Baby Spend … Spend Baby Spend … Spend Baby Spend !!!
Yes, George, Hank, and Hal Steinbrenner … Spend Baby Spend !!!
Hopefully, Brian Cashman hears this plea … Brian, the wallet is open !!!
Spend Baby Spend !!!
In my view, I offer the following moves the New York Yankees should make on some of the names mentioned recently during “Hot Stove” discussions. I will enter a simple “Yes” or “No” following my opinion regarding each player; and, the direction I believe the Yankees should take on these moves …
FREE AGENTS:
* Mark Teixeira – YES, YES, YES !!!
* CC Sabathia – YES, YES, YES !!!
* A.J. Burnett – NO
* Derek Lowe – NO
* Oliver Perez – NO
* Orlando Hudson – NO
* Manny Ramirez – NO !!! NO !!! NO !!! NO !!! NO !!!
CURRENT YANKEE PLAYERS:
* Bobby Abreu – Re-Sign – YES, YES, YES !!!
* Andy Petitte – Re-Sign – YES
* Mike Mussina – Re-Sign – YES – [if Mussina does not retire]
* Jason Giambi – NO
* Ivan Rodriguez – NO
* Carl Pavano – NO, NO, NO, NO, NO !!!!!
TRADES:
* Robinson Cano – NO, NO, NO !!!
* Ian Kennedy – YES
* Wilson Betemit – YES
* Jake Peavy – YES
* Mike Cameron – NO, NO, NO !!!
At This Point In The “Hot Stove League”, I would like to see the following everyday position players and starting pitching rotation, in the upcoming 2009 New York Yankees season …
(C) Jorge Posada
(1B) Mark Teixeira
(2B) Robinson Cano
(3B) Alex Rodriguez
(SS) Derek Jeter
(LF) Xavier Nady
(CF) Johnny Damon ? Melky Cabrera ?? Brett Gardner ???
(RF) Bobby Abreu
(DH) Hedeki Matsui
STARTING ROTATION …
* Joba Chamberlain
* Chein-Ming Wang
* CC Sabathia
* Jack Peavy
* Andy Pettitte
* Mike Mussina [if he does not retire]
* Phil Hughes
It’s interesting, the odds-makers must also believe the New York Yankees will spend heavily in this year’s Free-Agent Market.
In the “America’s Line” section in the New York Daily News … Benjamin Lee Eckstein has listed the following odds on who will win the 2009 World Series …
6-1 New York Yankees
7-1 Boston Red Sox
8-1 Chicago Cubs
8-1 Los Angeles Angels
12-1 New York Mets
15-1 Arizona Diamond Backs
15-1 Cleveland Indians
15-1 Detroit Tigers
15-1 Los Angeles Dodgers
15-1 Philadelphia Phillies
15-1 Tampa Bay Rays
20-1 Chicago White Sox
20-1 St. Louis Cardinals
25-1 Toronto Blue Jays
100-1 Baltimore Orioles
Note: Remaining MLB Teams not listed above were given odds of at least 25-1, or greater, by “America’s Line”, to win the 2009 World Series.
Enjoy the “Hot Stove League” !!!
– Jimmy [27NYY] “Baseball, The Yankees, and Life”
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