New York Yankees @ Bare Baseball - Baseball MLB Blog

Tue, Nov. 29, 2005
Billy Wagner became the latest star to join the New York Mets, reaching a preliminary agreement Monday on a four-year, $43 million contract only hours after first baseman Carlos Delgado was introduced at a Shea Stadium news conference.
Considered by many the top reliever on the free-agent market, Wagner, 34, saved 38 games for Philadelphia last season. The Phillies offered just more than $30 million over three years to retain the left-hander, whose fastball reaches 100 mph.
The deal is expected to be announced today after a physical in New York, and with Wagner in the fold, Mets general manager Omar Minaya can turn his attention to Manny Ramirez, who is very much in his sights heading into next week's winter meetings in Dallas.
The Mets also need a catcher, and Minaya has offers out to Ramon Hernandez and Bengie Molina.
Wagner's average salary would be the highest for a reliever, topping the $10.5 million Mariano Rivera is earning from the New York Yankees under a two-year contract that started last season. Earlier Monday, Toronto finalized the largest overall deal for a relief pitcher, a $47 million, five-year contract with B.J. Ryan.
The Mets have an $8 million club option for 2010 with a $1 million buyout; if exercised, the deal would be worth $50 million over five seasons.
Lack of production at first base and closer Braden Looper's struggles were two of the biggest deficiencies last season for the Mets, who faded in September and finished tied for third in the NL East at 83-79, seven games behind first-place Atlanta.
No deal with Nationals
Major League Baseball says it has not agreed to pay the District of Columbia's $20 million request to cover cost overruns on a new stadium for the Washington Nationals.
"All these items have been under discussion but there has been no agreement on any single point and there is no agreement until we have a consensus on all points," Major League Baseball president Bob Dupuy said.
Dupuy said arbitration is still an option to resolve the impasse, which threatens to scuttle construction of the new stadium.
Tejada not angry
Baltimore Orioles shortstop Miguel Tejada says he isn't mad at former teammate Rafael Palmeiro for involving him in a steroids scandal.
Palmeiro was suspended in August after testing positive for steroids. He said Tejada gave him vitamin B-12, and suggested it might have been tainted with performance-enhancing drugs.
"I don't hold a grudge against Palmeiro," Tejada said. "I only tried to help him because he looked tired and wasn't eating well. Sometimes being a good person is bad."

Source: http://www.dfw.com/

11/28/2005
The dash to Dallas sparked with the first real pyrotechnic contracts of this free agency season, as the Toronto Blue Jays and New York Mets signed closers to contracts worth a combined total of $90 million on Monday. The signings continued the rich market for relievers.And probably caught the eye of a frugal club focused on pitching.Such as, for example, the Cardinals.With the winter meetings beginning next Monday in Dallas, the Cardinals continue their courtship of several pitchers - including the ace of the market, righthander A.J. Burnett.
A starter, Burnett already has at least a couple of five-year offers, and the list of pursuing teams remains eight or nine long. As he fields offers, three pitchers helped shape the market price by signing multi-year deals Monday: Closer B.J. Ryan reportedly received $47 million over five seasons from Toronto, closer Billy Wagner $43 million over four from the Mets and starter Esteban Loaiza a reported $21 million over three from the Athletics."I could anticipate some movement, movement from some clubs, and we could see things pick up in the next few days," said Burnett's agent, Darek Braunecker. "I don't anticipate things being finalized (with any team), but that could be one phone call away. It's difficult to speculate on that."Braunecker declined to discuss any specifics related to his discussions with the Cardinals about his 28-year-old client except to say the Cardinals remain one of the teams still solidly in the mix.Cardinals general manager Walt Jocketty did not return messages left Monday. It is his usual practice not to comment on specific free agents, in particular those he is interested in or actively pursuing.Toronto, fresh from splurging for Ryan, also is in the derby for Burnett and San Diego's free-agent outfielder Brian Giles, another perceived target of the Cardinals. Giles' agent, Joe Bick, said after talks with the Padres ended last week that he "doesn't think anything will happen there." Joining Toronto, the Yankees and the Los Angeles Dodgers are reportedly interested.Bick said it's been nearly two weeks since he heard from the Cardinals and there have been "certainly more aggressive teams." That can always change with a phone call, he cautioned.That the Cardinals remain in the tight hunt for Burnett indicates the scope of their interest in the righthander, who went 12-12 with the Florida Marlins last season. Gifted with a plus-95-mph fastball, Burnett is considered the gem of the available starters. His wish for a five-year deal has been widely reported and that the Cardinals still are in talks may indicate their willingness to shape an inventive deal into that mold.Burnett's agent declined to comment about that possibility.Looking at DotelAs the market for relievers was rolling, the Cardinals had discussions over the weekend with the agent for Octavio Dotel. Dan Horwits said it was "kind of a discussion of parameters."Dotel, 32 and a year removed from 36 saves in 2004, is recovering from surgery on his right elbow. The Cardinals are eyeing him as a setup reliever for closer Jason Isringhausen. Dotel is seeking a one-year contract, laced with incentives.Dotel pitched in 15 games for Oakland in 2005.Horwits has a packet with medical information about Dotel's surgery and rehab, and he said the Cardinals have spoken with the doctor who performed the surgery. Dotel, who reportedly also is being wooed by Texas, Atlanta, the New York Yankees and several others, is expected to be ready to throw on or shortly after opening day.

Source: http://www.stltoday.com/

Tuesday, November 29, 2005
Story by Lowell BlankfortBorn and raised in New York City, Post columnist and former co-owner Lowell Blankfort returned recently to the city of his youth with his wife, April, on a month-long reporting trip. This is the second in a series of articles.***April and I made baseball history at the New York Yankees' final home game of this season at the end of September.We were in the crowd that gave the Yankees an all-time American League season attendance record of 4,090,696.Had we not been present, the record would have been only 4,090,694.Thus we knew our lives had not been meaningless - we had made a difference.It was the first time we'd been to Yankee Stadium since 1991, although we'd visited New York several times since then during baseball seasons.April had ordered a family boycott of the Yankees after our last experience - a barrage of filthy talk pelting our ears from a quartet of expensively dressed corporate types sitting in box seats behind us.Their expletives, delivered at both the Yankees and the visiting team, would have put Howard Stern to shame.This year April relented, and the better seats having been sold out, we ended up in the upper tier high up in left field among the hoi polloi, the family crowd.We heard nary a nasty word.***My acquaintance with Yankee Stadium goes back to when I was 4 years old and my father took me to my first game there.It was during the Depression - a period, I was later to learn, when baseball drew big crowds because tickets were as cheap as 50 cents and the millions of unemployed had little else to do with their days.(There were no night games.)All I remember about my first game is that the Yankees played the St. Louis Browns and my father kept shouting at me, "There's Babe Ruth! There's Babe Ruth!" while pointing to all those funny-looking men running around in knickers. I never could figure out what they were running for, or which one or what a Babe Ruth was.Four years later, I was to find out. My parents divorced, and my mother and grandparents moved with me into a 14th-floor riverside apartment.The other apartment on the floor belonged to Babe Ruth, by now retired.The Babe and I became elevator friends.He was so huge he consumed two-thirds of the space, while I squeezed into a corner. Every day I walked his adopted daughter, 3 years older, partway to school; after three blocks, she turned left to her Catholic school and I continued straight on to the pubic school.And when a fellow student and I started up a mimeographed school newspaper in the fifth grade, the Babe twice invited me into his study to provide me with interviews. All four walls of the study were lined, floor to ceiling, with the originals of cartoons about him that had appeared in newspapers all over America. Four years later (by which time we'd moved to another apartment house), Ruth was dead. America wept.And so did I.***Baseball and the theater were my passion during those growing-up years. But they presented problems - particularly economic ones. My allowance was 75 cents a week, and to teach me thrift, my family was very stubborn about supplementing it. And even though sports and theater were cheap compared to today, they were beyond my budget. My dad could help partially satisfy my passion for sports.He had been a well-known high school athlete, and every weekend he would take me to a baseball game (or, in other seasons, to see football, basketball or ice hockey).Indeed, I think my current fondness for sports, as well as that of many adults, reflects a child's subconscious desire to retain an emotional link with his father.However, long summer school vacations offered a void. But to the rescue came the New York Giants, my favorite baseball team among those then in New York.(The Yankees were so good, and the Dodgers so lousy, that rooting for neither of those teams was fun). For midweek games, they would admit free youth groups such as the Boy Scouts. They totaled several hundred at every game.I looked them over as they gathered outside the stadium and noted the stature of many was not unlike my own. And that nobody was asking for identification. So, every afternoon, I gave myself a temporary membership in the requisite group and slipped into the stadium. And with only one usher charged with confining hundreds of kids to faraway seating, it was not hard to get by him and make my way to excellent seats. Completely free.In three teenage years, I probably tried this 20 or 25 times. And never failed.***The theater presented other problems. We (two particularly play-loving friends and I) were too young to go at nights and too poor to afford the tickets, the cheapest of which was a prohibitive $1.65. Before the play, ushers meticulously checked twice every ticket - once to be admitted to the theater, the second time to make sure you are in the right seat.But, we noticed, they did not do any of this at intermissions. So gate-crashers could simply mingle in the lobby or outside with the intermission crowd, and follow it in. We became gate-crashers. And this also never failed to work.In the end, we perfected our technique. We limited our visitations to three-act plays, the better to get more for our non-money.

Source: http://www.paradisepost.com/

Tue, Nov. 29, 2005

Billy Crystal, Mr. Saturday Night, the Harry who met Sally and the curbstone cowboy in both "City Slickers" movies, plays himself in "700 Sundays," the Broadway smash that opens Wednesday at San Francisco's Golden Gate Theatre.
His solo show is an autobiography (also available in book form under the same title) that touches on his years growing up, his family -- including an uncle who was one of the most influential producers of jazz records in the United States during the '50s -- and the New York Yankees, Crystal's favorite team.
Crystal didn't want to do live or phone interviews prior to his show opening here, but he did agree to answer e-mail questions.
So, what follows are a few bytes with Billy Crystal:
Q: You mention in your book how you decided to be a comedian at a very early age, and it seems that your family put great stock in the ability to entertain. How much do you suppose, did that enter into your decision to be a comedian?
A It always felt like the natural thing to do. Entertaining them was a great thrill for me. I don't think it was a decision that I made, it just was what I should be doing.
Q: I also get the impression you like the notion of being a kind of old-fashioned comic -- if you could have a time machine, would you go back to the old vaudeville days? Or radio? Or early TV?
A I don't think of myself like that at all. I respect and admire those funny people because they inspired me. Is there anyone on television today that is funnier than Sid Caesar? If I could go back, it would be to those days with Sid and Mel Brooks and Carl Reiner and (Larry) Gelbart and Woody and Neil Simon in that writers' room for "Show of Shows." To do something like that when television was just getting off it's feet must have been amazing.
Q: What impression did you score your first big laughs with?
A Yul Brynner in "The King and I." I got a bald wig, took my shirt off and did 5,000 performances in the living room.
Q: Since you grew up with some of the greatest performers in jazz, have you continued your interest in the musical form? Who would you include in an all-star quartet?
A I love jazz and have eclectic taste. I still listen to Dixieland as well as the greats. Bill Evans piano, Miles (Davis) on trumpet, (John) Coltrane on soprano sax and Ed Thigpen on drums.
Q: How important to you was it to open your solo show on Broadway, as opposed to touring the country with it?
A The Broadway experience was amazing to me. The stories that I was telling took place just a few blocks from the theater. The audiences were extraordinary. I only stopped the run because I was missing my granddaughter, who is 2 years old. The tour has also been sensational. Performing across the country to the different moods of the crowds has re-connected me with America, in a way.
Q: You mention Ed Sullivan, Sid Caesar, Steve Allen and Ernie Kovacs as television favorites. If you were able to design your own television variety show, how would it look?
A It's the toughest kind of show to do. It either has to be a topical weekly kind of thing, or blow past all of that and just be funny and musical at the same time; it's all about the star, I think. That's why Dean Martin's show was a huge hit, and Carol Burnett and Flip Wilson. I have no idea if that would work now.
Q: What would you give up to play one season as the designated hitter for the New York Yankees?
A Nothing. I'm not a DH. I can play the field.
Q: What would Harry and Sally be doing right about now? And, for those who have read your book, do you have a recent report on "The Girl" (a crush from his youth who's talked about in "700 Sundays") and your 20th high school reunion?
A Harry and Sally would be taking their kids to college, I guess, and falling in love all over again. At least that is what I would do with the sequel. "The Girl" came to the show in New York, and it was nice to see her and her husband. It's always interesting to see someone you've known and then see them again after many years. You look to see if that face from your youth was still there.
Q: Do you have any thoughts on hosting the Oscars a lot more?
A A lot more? No. They asked me to do it this year, but I am too busy with the tour to consider it. "700 Sundays" is the most rewarding and satisfying thing I have done in my career. I find it hard to do things that aren't as much fun. That's my priority now. Do things I really want to do, and have as much of a good time as I can doing them. I had a great time doing all of those (Oscar) shows, but it started to wear at me. The pressure of topping myself every year just seemed like a struggle sometimes. It is the most frequently asked question of me, and I really love and respect the fact that people want me to do it every year. But right now, I don't see that happening.

Source: http://www.contracostatimes.com/

November 28, 2005
TORONTO – After finalizing the largest contract for a relief pitcher in baseball history, a $47 million, five-year contract with the Toronto Blue Jays, B.J. Ryan was asked if he was worth it.
"I don't know," Ryan said Monday. "I guess I'm going to go out on that field and see. When you sign a deal like this, you want to hold up your end of it."
A left-hander who turns 30 on Dec. 28, Ryan has 42 career saves, including 36 last season for the Baltimore Orioles.
"He stands among the few pitchers in baseball worthy of a five-year contract," Blue Jays general manager J.P. Ricciardi said. "I know our starting pitchers will be very happy to hear this news."
Ryan's deal tops the $39.99 million, four-year contract Mariano Rivera got from the New York Yankees from 2001-04. Rivera has the highest average salary for a reliever under a $21 million, two-year contract with the Yankees that has one season remaining.
"It's a byproduct of our industry," Ricciardi said of the record-setting deal. "We're damned if we do and damned if we don't. But this is a guy we targeted and went out and got."
Ricciardi said signing Ryan was just the start of Toronto's offseason plans. The Blue Jays were also thought to be pursuing free-agent starter A.J. Burnett.
"By no means do I think we're going to win the World Series, but I think we're a lot closer to having a chance to play in September and into October next year," Ricciardi said.
Toronto was 16-31 in one-run games last season. The Blue Jays finished 80-82, third in the AL East behind the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox (both 95-67).
"We've lost a lot of one-run games and this gives us an opportunity to say maybe we can win those games now," Ricciardi said.
Ryan converted 36 of 41 save chances for Baltimore last season, going 1-4 with a 2.43 ERA. He struck out 100 and walked 26 in 70 innings and earned $2,825,000, including bonuses.
"I know what I'm doing when I get out there," Ryan said. "It's just a matter of being consistent. You want that ninth inning to be yours."
Ryan said he would like to pitch for the United States in next March's World Baseball Classic. He said the decision would be up to the Blue Jays.
"I think he might be sick those weeks," Ricciardi interjected.

Source: http://www.signonsandiego.com/

The New York Yankees have struggled to come up with a decent replacement for veteran Bernie Williams in center field. So they just might turn to Alex Rodriguez or Derek Jeter to do the job, according to a report in The New York Daily News.
The News pointed out that manager Joe Torre told Reuters Monday that the team has considered moving one of the superstar players to the position, which is hallowed ground when you consider that Joe DiMaggio and Mickey Mantle both played there.
"We've thought about it," Torre said when he was asked about the idea of moving A-Rod or Jeter. "We just haven't made a commitment to that. We haven't broached it with the shortstops."
The fact that Torre has thought about moving either superstar is interesting because A-Rod, already a top shortstop, moved to third base to help the Yankees facilitate a trade with the Texas Rangers.
Now, it's possible that one — or both — could be moving. Rodriguez could be shifted to center or, if Jeter moves there, The News says A-Rod could fill the void at shortstop.
"That's happened before, hasn't it?" Torre told Reuters. "Bobby Murcer, Mickey Mantle. Hank Aaron came up as a second baseman. Robin Yount went to center field. It certainly is a consideration."
That Jeter is under consideration for a move to the outfield is hardly a revelation. The Daily News says that even before A-Rod's arrival, a small segment of Yankees' insiders liked the captain's ability to catch fly balls over his shoulder, making him a natural candidate to finish his career as an outfielder.
Jeter won his second consecutive Gold Glove last month, despite critics who feel he has below-average fielding range.
Rodriguez, meanwhile, has been honing his skills as a third baseman, and many feel he has reached Gold-Glove level.
Torre said he had no doubt that neither of the players would have any trouble handling the responsibilities of center field, and that they could learn the position during spring training.
"Jeter would do anything, and so would A-Rod for that matter, to help this ballclub win," Torre told Reuters.

Source: http://msn.foxsports.com/

11/26/2005
The Dodgers will interview Tampa Bay Devil Rays coach John McLaren for their vacant managerial job, a team spokesman confirmed Friday.
McLaren has been a coach with Lou Piniella the past 14 years, including the past seven as his bench coach in Seattle and Tampa Bay.
McLaren, 56, was a finalist for the Devil Rays job that went to Angels bench coach Joe Maddon earlier this month.
The veteran coach is the second official candidate Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti has identified. Colletti has already interviewed Atlanta special assistant Jim Fregosi, who has managed four teams over 15 seasons.
The team did not disclose when Colletti will interview McLaren.
_Vincent Bonsignore Ryan reportedly going to Blue Jays: B.J. Ryan, a hard-throwing lefty closer, signed a five-year, $47 million contract with the Toronto Blue Jays, according to the New York Daily News.
Ryan, 29, had 36 saves in 41 attempts for the Baltimore Orioles last season and had been pursued by the Cleveland Indians, Detroit Tigers and Boston Red Sox. The New York Mets and the Philadelphia Phillies viewed him as a fallback in case they could not sign Billy Wagner, and the New York Yankees hoped they could convince him to set up for Mariano Rivera.
Thome deal finalized: The Philadelphia Phillies and the Chicago White Sox completed their deal that sends slugger Jim Thome to Chicago for center fielder Aaron Rowand.
The trade was announced Wednesday, but wasn't official until the players passed their physicals. Philadelphia also gets minor-league left-hander Daniel Haigwood and a player to be named later.
The Phillies are giving the White Sox $22 million as part of the deal, a baseball official told the Associated Press, speaking on condition of anonymity because the teams did not make that information public.
Guillen will be ready: Washington Nationals outfielder Jose Guillen should begin rehabilitating his left shoulder in a week and is expected to be ready for the regular season.
Guillen should be able to start swinging a bat in about three months, Nationals spokesman John Dever said Friday.
Guillen had surgery Monday.
He hurt the shoulder on a headfirst slide in June but never went on the disabled list.
Hart stays with Rangers: John Hart has agreed to stay with the Texas Rangers as a consultant through 2013 and give up the opportunity to interview for general manager positions with other teams.
Rangers owner Tom Hicks announced the three-year extension this week. It adds to a five-year contract that the 57-year-old Hart signed with the club in October after stepping down as general manager to become senior adviser of baseball operations.

Source: http://dailynews.com/

Sat, Nov. 26, 2005
NEW YORK - Supporting baseball's biggest payroll will mean an increase in ticket prices for the New York Yankees, who are boosting the price of many of their best box seats past $100.
The Yankees said Friday they are raising the price of their box seats closest to the field by $5 to $20, depending on their row and location.
The seats, known as field championship boxes, will sell for $110, $105, $100 and $95, increasing from $90 last season.
New York's best regular seats, which include waiter service, are available only as part of season ticket plans.
New York had a payroll of about $205 million last season, when it lost to the Los Angeles Angels in the first round of the playoffs. The Yankees had 43 sellouts at home and drew an AL record 4,090,696 fans at home last season.

Source: http://www.dfw.com/

November 25, 2005
Supporting baseball's biggest payroll will mean an increase in ticket prices for the New York Yankees, who are boosting the price of many of their best box seats over $100.
The Yankees said Friday they are raising the price of their box seats closest to the field by $5 to $20, depending on their row and location. The seats, known as field championship boxes, will sell for $110, $105, $100 and $95, up from $90 last season.
New York's best regular seats, which include waiter service, are available only as part of season ticket plans.
With many sections for next year already sold out because of season tickets, the price of the top seat available in advance for individual game sales will be $55 for lower deck reserved, an increase of $5. Those seats will sell for $57 on the days of games.
Upper deck reserved seats will remain unchanged: $17 as part of season tickets, $19 in advance of individual games and $20 on days of games. Bleacher seats will remain at $10 as part of season tickets and $12 for individual games.
The Yankees open their season April 3 at Oakland and play their home opener April 11 against Kansas City. Individual game tickets go on sale Dec. 16.
New York had a payroll of about $205 million last season, when it lost to the Los Angeles Angels in the first round of the playoffs. The Yankees had 43 sellouts at home and drew an AL record 4,090,696 fans.
Thome deal done
The Phillies and the White Sox completed their deal that sends slugger Jim Thome to Chicago for center fielder Aaron Rowand.
The trade was announced Wednesday but wasn't official until the players passed their physicals. Philadelphia also gets minor league lefthander Daniel Haigwood and a player to be named later.
The Phillies are giving the White Sox $22 million as part of the deal, a baseball official told the Associated Press, speaking on condition of anonymity because the teams did not make that information public.
It's the first major move for the White Sox since they won their first World Series championship in 88 years last month. The injury-plagued Thome fills Chicago's need for a lefthanded swinging power threat. He could DH or play first base if free agent Paul Konerko doesn't re-sign.
Thome's departure clears the path for NL Rookie of the Year Ryan Howard in Philadelphia. Howard batted .288 with 22 homers and 63 RBI in 88 games.
Ryan, Jays on verge of deal
B.J. Ryan and the Toronto Blue Jays have reached a preliminary agreement on a $47 million, five-year contract, a high-ranking baseball official said.
Ryan, a lefthander who turns 30 next month, is getting the largest deal given to a reliever, topping the $39.99 million, four-year contract Mariano Rivera had with the New York Yankees from 2001 to '04. Rivera just completed the first season of a $21 million, two-year deal with the Yankees.
The baseball official spoke on condition of anonymity because Toronto had not announced the agreement.
Ryan had 36 saves in 41 chances last season with Baltimore and went 1-4 with a 2.43 ERA, striking out 100 in 70 innings. He had a $2.6 million base salary.
Etc.
• Washington Nationals outfielder Jose Guillen should begin rehabilitating his injured left shoulder in a week and is expected to be ready for the regular season. He underwent surgery on the shoulder Monday.
• John Hart agreed to stay with the Texas Rangers as a consultant through 2013 and gave up the opportunity to interview for general manager positions with other teams.
• Jeff Manto, the Pittsburgh Pirates' roving minor league hitting coordinator the past three seasons, was hired as the team's hitting coach.

Source: http://www.startribune.com/

For National Football League fans, Thanksgiving Day means watching the Detroit Lions at noon and, later in the day, the Dallas Cowboys, "America's Team." This year, Thanksgiving Day football will include two games replete with pageantry and a kickoff of the Salvation Army's Red Kettle funding raising drive complete with a halftime concert with Sheryl Crow in Irving, Texas.
But long before Tex Schramm conceived the term America's Team for his Dallas Cowboys, Dallas was the home to the original and real America's Team—the Dallas Texans, now the Indianapolis Colts.
Oddly enough, in 1952, the Dallas Texans "hosted" a Thanksgiving Day game. The game was played at the Rubber Bowl in Akron, Ohio as part of a morning high school-afternoon NFL game doubleheader.
To understand why the Colts really claim title to "America's Team," you need to brush up on NFL history. The 1952 Texas started out life in the All American Football Conference in 1947 as the Baltimore Colts, taking the place of the Miami Seahawks, who folded after playing one year in the AAFC. The Colts joined the NFL in 1950 but went belly-up, and a number of the Colts players went to New York in 1951, where the combined team played in Yankees Stadium as the New York Yankees.
The Texans rose from the ashes of this team, which folded after three years of struggling as both the New York Bulldogs and Yankees in both the Polo Grounds and Yankee Stadium. The Bulldogs came to New York in 1949 after a five year unsuccessful run in Boston where the team as known as the Yanks. The Boston Yanks merged with the Brooklyn Tigers in 1945, the Tigers disbanded in 1946. The Dallas Texans had roots in Boston, Brooklyn, the Bronx, Manhattan, Hershey, Akron and Baltimore.
Dallas was a big high school and college football hotbed and should have been a good pro city. It did not take off. The Cotton Bowl was nearly empty; the Texans averaged nearly 15,000 people per game in their first three home contests, and the owners gave up after the fourth game. The NFL took over and the Texans moved first to Hershey, Penn. and then Akron, Oh.
Hall of Fame defensive tackle Artie Donovan, who grew up on Grand Concourse, said the 1950 Baltimore Colts were one of two of the worst NFL teams ever assembled. The 1952 Texans were the other. He should have known, as he played for both.
The 1950 Colts were 1-11, when that team folded, Donovan's contract was assigned to the Yankees in 1951, who went 1-9-2. In the Texans' 1952 training camp, Donovan got an inkling as to what he was about to encounter with the Texans when the owners hired Willie Garcia as their equipment manager in Kerrville, Texas. If a ball was passed or kicked into the high grass, the Texans sent Willie to get it, because he had only one leg. The players figured Willie stood a 1 in 2 chance to get a rattlesnake bite.
By Thanksgiving, the NFL moved the Texans daily operations to Hershey. The 0-9 Texans would meet the 4-5 Chicago Bears as the second half of a high school-pro doubleheader in Akron. The Texans were the home team.
"In the morning they had a high school football game and they must have had about 20,000 people in the stands. When we went to warm up, there must have been about 3,000 people in the stands," Donovan recalled in his thick Bronx accent in Towson, Mary. in the early 1990s, after David Letterman "discovered" him.
"Now (Coach) Jimmy Phelan was one of the greatest men I ever met in my life, but football had passed him by years before. In his speech before the game, he told us, 'we are going to dispense with the customary introductions and meet 'em individually.
"We went out and about eight guys climbed over the fence and started shaking people's hands. Then we played and we beat them."
How the Texans ended up in Hershey/Akron is easy to explain, according to the man known as Fatso."The team was supposed to have folded after the game that was supposed to rescue us against the Rams. We played them in the Cotton Bowl and they expected about 50,000 people and lo and behold, it hadn't rained in Texas for about a year and that day it stormed. About 10,000 people showed up and the team folded.
"We then went to Hershey. From Hershey, we went to play games in Akron, Philadelphia and Detroit. I'll tell ya what, it was a great experience."
The Texans never came close to winning another game, losing to the Eagles and Lions. Phelan was fired and only 13 Texans moved to Baltimore after Carroll Rosenbloom purchased the team and Baltimore purchased enough tickets after a ticket selling campaign.
Rosenbloom would keep the franchise until July 13, 1972. In a tax deal, Rosenbloom traded his ownership in the Baltimore Colts in exchange for Robert Irsay's Los Angeles Rams, a franchise that started out as the Cleveland Rams in 1937 and moved to LA in 1946. Within five years, Irsay was looking for a new stadium and ended up moving the Colts to Indianapolis under the cover of darkness on March 29, 1984.
It seemed appropriate given the history of the franchise. Rosenbloom also had a lot of nomad in him. In 1980, he moved his Los Angeles Rams to Anaheim. In 1995, Rosenbloom's window Georgia Frontiere took the Rams to St. Louis. The Colts really are America's team, and the Rams are a close second. If the NFL cared about its history, the Colts and Rams would play one another on Thanksgiving for the title of America's Team.

Source: http://www.nypress.com/

Monday, November 28, 2005
The Toronto Blue Jays will give free-agent closer B.J. Ryan the largest contract ever signed by a relief pitcher today after he completes a physical examination this morning.
Then their focus will shift to A.J. Burnett and, increasingly it appears, outfielder Brian Giles.
The Blue Jays are expected to hold an afternoon news conference to announce that Ryan has signed a five-year, $47-million (all figures U.S.) contract that includes a $10-million bonus divided between the first two years of the deal, with $6-million in the first year and $4-million in the second.
Ryan's base salary in 2006 will technically be $2-million and will rise to $5-million in 2007 before climbing to $10-million in each of the last three years of the contract. Ryan made $2.6-million last season.
It's the heftiest contract given out by Blue Jays general manager J.P. Ricciardi in his four years with the team and has shaken up what had been a slow-developing free-agent market. It's a bold stroke that suggests progress has been made in getting Ricciardi signed to a contract extension of his own, since he has just two years left on his current deal and is seeking an extension through 2010.
On another front, the Blue Jays made what are described as "significant inroads" this weekend in their pursuit of free-agent outfielder Giles, according to a person familiar with negotiations.
Ricciardi has told people that he would like to have either Giles or starting pitcher Burnett signed this week so he can go to the winter meetings in Dallas, which begin Sunday, ready to trade to add another hitter or starter.
"We've had a number of conversations with the Blue Jays and all of them have been positive," Giles's agent, Joe Bick, said last night. "But the truth is we just found out last Wednesday that there was no chance of getting anything done with the San Diego Padres [Giles's former team] and now we're moving forward and looking at our other options. Toronto's one of them."
Ryan, who will turn 30 on Dec. 28, had 36 saves in 41 opportunities for the Baltimore Orioles this past season in his first year as a full-time closer. An intimidating 6-foot-6, 250-pound left-hander, Ryan had 12.80 strikeouts per nine innings pitched, going 1-4 (2.43 earned-run average). He has logged only 3811/3 innings in his career because he has been used as a reliever and has had little in the way of health issues.
Ryan turned down a three-year, $18-million offer from the Orioles last week. It was the second time he rebuffed the team, turning down a three-year, $15-million offer in the spring.
The last relief pitcher to receive a contract of more than five years in length is believed to be Bruce Sutter, who had a six-year, $10-million deal with the Atlanta Braves in the mid-80s. Mariano Rivera, considered the gold standard among active relievers and a future Hall of Famer, made $39.99-million in a four-year deal with the New York Yankees from 2001-04 and has one year remaining on a two-year, $21-million contract with the Yankees.
Ryan had four-year offers from three other teams, but the Blue Jays were the only club prepared to go to a fifth year. The signing was first announced Friday night by the New York Daily News on its World Wide Web site after Ryan's Chicago-based agents, John Courtright and Pat Rooney of SFX Sports, had informed both the Mets and Yankees that their client was signing elsewhere.
The Blue Jays called the reports premature. But the deal had matured enough by yesterday that Ricciardi was comfortable discussing it in general terms.
"This is a guy we've seen pitch against us for four years," Ricciardi said. "He was an all-star last year, and he'll be going into his prime. I feel very good about this."
It's no accident that Ryan's signing bonus is spread over two years, since there are two years remaining on owner Ted Rogers's three-year payroll commitment of $210-million, which included the $53-million spent this past season. The Blue Jays are expected to have a payroll of $75-million this season.

Source: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/

November 24, 2005
According to leaked grand jury testimony, former American League MVP Jason Giambi admitted to using steroids, a charge he formerly denied publicly every time the media brought it up.
A story in ESPN The Magazine suggested Giambi had been juicing for years and sought out dealers to make him bigger and better illegally.
He was quoted as saying he quit the drugs during the 2003 All-Star break, and his career — which included mysterious illnesses in 2004 — seemed to have bottomed out earlier this season when the Yankees tried to send a noticeably smaller Giambi to the minors.
After turning his season around, Giambi was recently named AL Comeback Player of the Year.
Congrats, Jason, for establishing that repeatedly cheating and lying is OK as long as you hit home runs, pass drug tests and woo media members who should be ashamed of voting for you.

Source: http://www.citizen-times.com/

11/25/2005
While the free-agent market is on the verge of blowing up around the fiscally responsible Indians, owner Larry Dolan and his son Paul are doing their best to level the playing field.How’s that, you ask? The Tribe might be on the verge of signing one of the half-dozen richest local television contracts in the big leagues.But don’t get giddy just yet. General Manager Mark Shapiro is not planning to prepare a mega-bid for Paul Konerko, Kevin Millwood, Billy Wagner and the entire injured list of the New England Patriots.The Indians’ new TV deal will be worth only a fraction of what the Yankees and Red Sox receive. On the other hand, it appears that the Tribe is close to an agreement that will bring in $30 million per year in rights fees. But from who?That still isn’t clear. On the one hand, word off the street is that FSN Ohio, which owns the current contract, has dropped out of the bidding. The new players are Ohio News Network, ONN to those who receive the statewide cable outlet, and WKYC-TV, Channel 3.Both entities appear to be bidding on the entire package, about 155 games. If Channel 3 wins out, it probably will air only a handful of games, maybe one a week, and sell the rest to ONN and maybe even to FSN.Why does a statewide cable network want to air Indians broadcasts to the rest of Ohio, much of which has only a minimal interest in the Tribe? Some say to increase the network’s penetration into various cable systems and satellite providers.At any rate, the Indians are expected to announce the winner of the sweepstakes soon.In the meantime, Shapiro is courting two players above all others: Brian Giles and B.J. Ryan.Ryan reportedly is anxious to play for the Tribe, which doesn’t mean his bags are packed. There’s still a minor detail: How much the Dolans are willing to pay.The pot of cash available for all of Cleveland’s free-agent acquisitions would appear to be about $20 million. But that seemingly princely sum doesn’t go as far as it used to.
Even so, the Tribe appears willing to pay Giles $30 million for three years to play right field. Giles, of course, spent the formative seasons of his career in Cleveland, before going off to Pittsburgh and then to San Diego, where he says he would like to stay. But he already has turned down $25.5 from the Padres, who offered a three-year deal.The Yankees, among others, are lurking in the background, though they seem to waver between intense interest and uncertainty, depending on the day of the week. On a day when New York operatives think that they must have Giles, word is the Bombers are willing to ante up $30 million for three seasons.Shapiro’s determination to land Ryan as a closer indicates that Bob Wickman represents a fall-back position at best (also, there’s been no official word that Wickman intends to play next year).Behind Wagner, Ryan might be the most sought-after closer among a good crop. If Ryan ends up elsewhere, Shapiro’s next choice seems to be Tom Gordon, who hasn’t been a closer for a while.By the way, Bob Howry, who asked Shapiro for $12 million on a three-year contract, could get as much as $15 million from the Cubs. Moreover, even though it s not official, Millwood surely won’t be back in Cleveland, what with his agent, Scott Boras, demanding $60 million for five years.Who would go for that deal? Allegedly, Millwood has three offers that meet Boras’ specifications, none from the Yankees.Tribe tidbitsTribe farm director John Farrell is on the short list to be the next general manager of the Red Sox.... Colorado has an interest in catcher Josh Bard, but it’s doubtful the Tribe would make a deal involving him, unless the Rockies were willing to part with first-base prospect Ryan Shealy, which is unlikely.... The World Series champion White Sox aren’t the only team that reaped a windfall ($324,000 per player) from the postseason. Even though they weren’t in the playoffs, the Indians received a share of the gate receipts as the No. 2 team in the Central Division. Tribe players divided their booty into 41 full shares worth $7,869.18. And yes, Juan Gonzalez received a full share.... Why ask why? Tribe radio ratings among women 18-34 were up 66 percent, more than in any group. In the key demographic of men and women 18-34, radio ratings improved by 33 percent. Television ratings increased 29 percent overall.... Tickets for opening weekend go on sale Friday on Indians.com, at Tribe Team Shops, the box office at Jacobs Field and at TicketMaster outlets.... Brad Snyder ranked sixth in hitting (.367) in the Arizona Fall League, while Ryan Garko was tied for fourth in RBI (27) and batted .314 with five home runs.

Source: http://www.starbeacon.com/

Thu, Nov. 24, 2005
This flood of awful feels worse by the drop, Carlos Delgado the latest Marlin swept out of town by this godforsaken current, but there is at least one rainbow at the end of this Apocalyptic baseball reign: Management is getting back a wonderful array of the world's best baseball prospects for this or some other city to enjoy in a few years.
Remember, that's how Dontrelle Willis ended up here, in what was perceived as a salary dump. A.J. Burnett, too. And Juan Pierre. And Derrek Lee. And Carl Pavano. And Brad Penny. And all those guys did was knock over Barry Bonds, then Sammy Sosa, then the New York Freaking Yankees in the single best surprise in South Florida sports history.
So there's still hope. That hasn't been traded. Not yet, anyway, though the Marlins are now commissioner-approved to look into swapping even that for a moving van to be named later. Still, the Florida-Las-Vegas-Portland-Charlotte Marlins have gotten the very best prospects the Red Sox and Mets have even with all leverage lost in this public dismantling.
DEMISE INEVITABLE
Florida will be worse next season, but it won't be that 108-loss atrocity it fielded in 1998 when manager Jim Leyland was embarrassed to have his team introduced before games as defending champions. Dontrelle Willis and Miguel Cabrera alone will make this team playoff-good every fifth day. Their new teammates might catch up to them in time to make this team a winner again the moment it debuts elsewhere to a full new baseball stadium and proper support.
But at least the sting will lessen from here. The worst is over. The past two days will be as terrible as local baseball fans (both of them) feel until the day the franchise does finally decide to leave. Trading Paul Lo Duca and Luis Castillo and Pierre won't cripple as much as losing Josh Beckett and Carlos Delgado, the former a young link to the glorious past, the latter the symbolic bridge to a competitive future.
You should see how excited Boston, a real sports town, is about the acquisition of Beckett. The Red Sox know how hard it is to groom a talent of his pedigree, so they'll happily borrow his nine disabled-list stints and zero career 200-inning seasons in exchange for their best prospect. Beckett immediately steps to the front of a 95-victory rotation as the single best pitching talent in the entire Red-Sox-Yankee rivalry now that Randy Johnson and Schilling have aged. He's going to be great for the next decade, elsewhere.
NO LOVE FOR BASEBALL
But we have zero appreciation for baseball excellence. The Mets know what they are getting in Delgado as we yawn. We've been so baseball blessed that we lose sight of the fact that Florida, for example, has had three pitchers throw no-hitters while the Mets, born in 1962, are still waiting for their first.
We're a banana republic for baseball, and anyone who cares about sports in this market should be alternately embarrassed and ashamed as fans throughout the country marvel and laugh at our incompetence and indifference while scavenging at the skeletal remains of our former champion like sharks lured to chum. We should get the commissioner's approval to change the name of the team -- The Florida Chum.
This is only the most underappreciated team in modern-sports history. That's all. And there's plenty of blame to go around, stretching from a wretched fan base to politicians who couldn't get a stadium done even with the Marlins paying for so much of it. Hispanic fans -- or alleged fans -- should be especially ashamed because we claim this to be the sport of our people, and we've never done anything to support this team even as it has pandered to our interests by signing the likes of Livan Hernandez and Alex Fernandez in search of such a spike.
Delgado is gone now, shipped to a market that cares.
He wanted to be here, God bless him.
Happy Thanksgiving, Carlos.
At least you'll be in The Major Leagues in 2006, The Bush Leagues in your rearview mirror.

Source: http://www.miami.com/

November 24, 2005
Jose Perez, 55, began reading the Daily News in 1967. He had just moved to New York City from Puerto Rico, and his uncle offered him this piece of advice: "If you want to learn English, you have to start reading the papers." And thus began Perez's love affair with The News.
Perez buys The News every day at his local store.
"I love the sports section and crosswords, and I always play Scratch n' Match," said the die-hard Yankees fan. On Nov. 14, Perez scratched his Week 9 game card and won $100 in New York City's biggest newspaper game.
Perez told his wife, Lydia, about winning, then headed to the Daily News Validation Center the first chance he got.
"This money is going straight into the bank," said the father of three. "My son Ricardo is a high school senior, and we've been putting away as much money as we can for when he goes off to college. He wants to go to school in Boston."
This Sunday, the Scratch n' Match Power Jackpot increases to $200,000, so get your green Week 11 game card in this Sunday's News.
Readers may submit prize claims by mailing card(s) with a photocopy of proper identification to: Scratch n' Match Claims, c/o Game & Contest Services, 8300 Douglas Ave., Suite 602, Dallas, Tex. 75225, or they can validate the claim in person at the Daily News Validation Center, W. 31st St. (Bay 19), between Ninth and 10th Aves. in Manhattan.

Source: http://www.nydailynews.com/

November 25, 2005
"How does this red carpet thing work?" wondered a BEFUDDLED SPORTS REPORTER recently at a benefit for the JOE TORRE Safe at Home Foundation. "We're used to just walking up to them in the locker room and asking them questions."
Not here, naïve grown-up reporter. The carpet may have all of the noise and chaos and sexual harassment of the locker room, but it has none of the candor.
("Speaking of candor," mutters a PERCEPTIVE READER. "When you say 'recently,' what do you mean, exactly? Because I heard about this event a week ago." To which we say: Give us a break; it's the day after Thanksgiving! Think of it as a cold Boldface sandwich.)
Where were we? Yes, there stood the confused sports reporters at the Pierre Hotel, shouting out questions at Mr. Torre, who created the foundation to educate the public about domestic violence. Those who were not Yankees - MICHAEL BOLTON, DARRELL HAMMOND, STANLEY TUCCI, CHAZZ PALMINTERI and ARI FLEISCHER - were generally ignored. But our correspondent was among the few who wanted the glitzy names, so there he was on the carpet, asking GEORGE F. WILL his opinion of the steroid controversy.
"It was once said of a maiden that she was saved from being ravished by a timely compliance," Mr. Will began, and as he talked, discoursing upon the players' union and Congress and whatever, probably weaving in references to KEYNES and HAYEK and THE THIRD EARL OF SHAFTESBURY that went over our dull, Us Weekly-littered heads, we fell into a reverie.
Over the carpet we flew, over the harbor and down the Eastern Seaboard to Miami Beach, to SHAQUILLE O'NEAL's house, for "A Night of Moroccan Heat," which was celebrating the start of the Miami Heat's season and raising money for the Real Model Foundation and the Miami Heat Family Outreach Charitable Fund.
("Wait, the start of the season?" the Perceptive and Increasingly Annoying Reader asks. Uh, Boldface tetrazzini?)
Yes, it was quite a reverie, as reveries go: there were camels and Mercedes-Benzes and the occasional Rolls parked outside Mr. O'Neal's 20,000-square-foot home - which he is selling because he wants "something bigger." Milling around, amid the Moroccan pavilions and belly dancers and fez-wearing staff, we saw most of the Heat players, as well as BARRY BONDS, METHOD MAN, TRICK DADDY and a three-foot-tall bobble-head of Mr. O'Neal, which stood in the middle of his dock.
Finally, Mr. O'Neal himself appeared in a gray three-piece suit. He had been out of play with an ankle injury for a, uh, few days, so we asked what he was up to.
"Nothing, just rehab."
Nothing? Reading any good books?
"Books? No."
Beat.
"I want to get my doctorate."
Your doctorate? In what?
"Psychology, with an emphasis in criminology. But it will take three years."
(And probably reading a book or two, right! Ha, ha! Actually, we did not say that out loud because we are small, and Mr. O'Neal could dribble us.)
Soon he was off and so were we, back up the coast, past the glittering Eastern cities and back to the red carpet at the Pierre.
"Because the crux of the indictment of LIBBY," Mr. Will was saying, "was that he was the first official to disseminate this supposedly secret information. He wasn't, so this will make it - even if it doesn't change the technical law involved - it complicates the matter of selling the jury."
It was at that point that Mr. Will concluded, and so will we, closing, appropriately enough, with MARIANO RIVERA, with whom we had a minute to chat.
Mr. Rivera's trot out to the pitcher's mound is accompanied by a little METALLICA tune called "Enter SANDMAN, " and we have always been curious how he picked his theme song.
"Metallica? No, I never picked that music," he said. "Someone with the Yankees did. The fans liked it, so we stuck with the song. If I had the choice, I would pick Christian music. And no rap music."

Source: http://www.nytimes.com/

Friday, November 25, 2005
The New York Yankees have purchased the contract of catcher Chris Grossman, who hit .314 in his only season with the Sioux City Explorers in 2005.The 24-year-old Californian not only led the X's in hitting with his .314 average, but also drove in 48 runs, collected 100 hits and scored 37 runs.He becomes the third Sioux City player from the 2005 campaign to sign with a major league organization. Pitchers Tony Evans (Oakland) and Mitch Wylie (San Francisco) both had their contracts purchased in June.
Grossman, who played collegiately at the University of California, was one of 10 semifinalists for the Johnny Bench Award that goes to the nation's top collegiate catcher after his junior season at Cal.He led the Bears in hits (72), doubles (16) and total bases (112) as a junior.

Source: http://www.siouxcityjournal.com/

11/25/2005
ALBANY -- Babe Ruth, Secretariat, Muhammad Ali -- the greatest in their fields. They're among the galaxy of sports celebrities whose stories and memorabilia are captured in two separate exhibits at the New York State Museum.
'We were still installing this the day it opened,' museum Director Cliff Siegfried said. 'It is a daunting task. You have to think, what are the objects that epitomize this or that event.'The two displays are separate, yet unmistakably intertwined.The first, on loan from The Smithsonian Institution, is called 'Sports: Breaking Records, Breaking Barriers.' Artifacts include everything from Abraham Lincoln's handball to Jim Brown's practice jersey.The second, 'Miracles: New York's Greatest Sports Moments,' is dedicated to the Top 10 athletic feats in state history, as selected by area sportswriter Mark McGuire.'It really is about the top moments in all of sports, because so many of them happened here in New York,' Siegfried said.Both exhibits challenge fans to think beyond the scoreboard, to the social and cultural impact of various athletes and events. Bobby Thomson hit the most dramatic home run in baseball history, but who changed the face of America more than Jackie Robinson?'It's hard to imagine a time when African-Americans could not play in the big leagues,' Siegfried said.The Jets' victory over the Colts in Super Bowl III might have been the biggest upset in football history, but the 1958 NFL title game changed the way people spend Sunday afternoons, because that game ushered in the sport's TV era.'Records & Barriers' opens people's eyes to many unknown heroes. Some achieved stardom with unparalleled acts of courage, while others changed the way people play games with revolutionary new equipment. Howard Head, for example, introduced the modern tennis racquet.Other articles include a full uniform and helmet worn by Roberto Clemente, John L. Sullivan's championship belt, the basketball Bill Russell used to record 10,000 rebounds, and Ali's white robe. Sullivan was America's first national sports celebrity and the first to earn $1 million.Clemente was the first Latino elected to the Hall of Fame, while Russell was the first African-American coach in any major professional sports league. Sandy Koufax, ironically, wore a Mickey Mantle-model glove while earning three Cy Young Awards for the Los Angeles Dodgers.'I became a good pitcher when I stopped trying to make them miss the ball and started trying to make them hit it,' Koufax said.All aspects of athletics are portrayed, from Betsey 'Sock 'em' Jochum, of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League to the late Tim Brauch, who brought skateboarding to national prominence before his untimely 1999 death, at age 25.Gertrude Ederle was the first woman to swim the English Channel; her goggles are on display.Native American Jim Thorpe, a 1912 Olympic champion, was named the 20th century's greatest athlete by ABC's Wide World of Sports. After witnessing Thorpe's feats in Stockholm, King Gustav V of Sweden proclaimed, 'Sir, you are the greatest athlete in the world.'To which Thorpe replied: 'Thanks king.'The top New York sports moments exhibit starts with the 'Miracle on Ice' at Lake Placid, when the 1980 U.S men's hockey team shocked the world by defeating a heavily favored Soviet squad. Hollywood recreated that event with the motion picture, 'Miracle,' starring Kurt Russell as coach Herb Brooks.'You know how it ends, but it's still a great movie,' Siegfried said.McGuire chose Robinson's breaking the color barrier No. 2, followed by the 1969-70 Jets, Mets and Knicks championships at No. 3.The exhibit promotes debate and invites fans to cast their own votes with an electronic balloting machine.Siegfried, who grew up in California's Bay Area, said his own favorite moment wasn't even mentioned. That's when Horace Stoneham moved the New York Giants to San Francisco, giving Siegfried a big league team to follow.Other moments left off the Top 10 include Joe DiMaggio's 56-game hitting streak, and the Red Sox' sale of Babe Ruth to the New York Yankees.'That's the good thing about sports,' Siegfried said. 'Everybody's got an opinion. So much of it is who you grew up with.'Both exhibits invite people to reconnect with their childhood heroes by getting an up-close look at the equipment and uniforms they wore. The displays have also broadened the museum's influence by attracting visitors who'd previously never been to the facility before.'This has been really popular,' Siegfried said. 'We've had lots of feedback saying this is the best thing we've ever put up.'Related eventsALBANY -- The state museum is hosting a variety of special activities in conjunction with two sports exhibits now on display.- Dec. 9 (7:30-9:30 p.m.). 'Breaking What Barriers?' A discussion on color, race and ethics in sports, in the museum theater.- Jan. 14 (11 a.m.-4 p.m.) and Jan. 15 (1-3 p.m.). 'Sports Bowl Trivia Contest.' Preliminary round on Saturday, followed by finals on Sunday. Pre-register by Dec. 30.- Jan. 28-29. Sports film festival, noon and 2:30 p.m. in the museum theater and student center.In addition, the 45-minute film, 'Miracles and Moments' shows continuously at the museum exhibit. It features a nostalgic retrospective of sports history and a look at how the exhibits were installed.'Miracles and Moments' will also be broadcast on Fox 23 on the following dates.- Saturday, Nov. 26 (7-8 p.m.)- Sunday, Dec. 11 (3-4 p.m.)- Saturday, Dec. 31 (7-8 p.m.)The exhibit continues through March 26. The museum is open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, call 474-5877.

Source: http://www.zwire.com/

11/25/2005
Holiday shopping season has officially begun, and online consumer spending during this year's season is expected to reach $19 billion -- up 24 percent over last year. Most baseball fans are now as comfortable finding the perfect holiday gift over the Internet as they are sitting behind the plate for a playoff clincher.
Whether you're looking for a White Sox Parade Sweatshirt or some Alex Rodriguez Bubble Gum, the Gift Guru's suggestions will make your shopping even more fun.
Let the questions and the shopping begin:
GG, my Mom tried to show me how to quilt, but I spend all my spare time following baseball. I keep trying to tell her I don't want to quilt. I want to watch Derek Jeter. How can I show her how I feel without hurting her feelings? -- Louise in Long Island
Show Mom you love her as much as Jeter and give her a G-III New York Yankees Women's Quilted Jacket. It's the perfect compromise: She will understand your passion, and you can borrow it from her.
I know I am not the only person who has asked you this: How can I get one of those new leather-sleeve jackets that managers like Ozzie Guillen were wearing in the dugout during the postseason? I'm thinking about taking a job further north and want to be ready just in case. -- Sweet Lou from Tampa
Everyone seems to want a Wool and Leather Coach's Jacket, and the White Sox version is in dwindling supply thanks to all that facetime for Oz. Maybe there's a special place in your heart for this Mariners version. These jackets are ideal for the winter and even next April's games. Many different styles can be found if you click on Men at the MLB.com Shop, then select Outerwear for your favorite team.
They say I am a gifted child because I am only 18 months old and I am already e-mailing the Gift Guru himself. But that's not the kind of "gifted" I had in mind, if you know what I mean. -- Billy in Cleveland
You have to like a kid who knows what he wants in life. You probably are way past the Santa thing already, so just tell the folks to look hard at the Kid Galaxy Cleveland Indians Remote Control Bullpen Car. Alternately, you can find toys, clothes, trading cards and other items for kids at the MLB.com Shop.
I can only watch "Christmas with the Kranks" so many times. I was wondering what kind of DVDs you have for the holidays. -- Stephen in Hollywood
DVDs are among the hottest items in the MLB.com Shop, and the best place to start is the 2005 World Series DVD. It's a must for every fan who waited for that team to end its 88-year drought. One of the biggest sellers in the history of the MLB.com Shop -- the Boston Red Sox 2004 World Series Collector 12-DVD Set -- is reduced for holiday shopping from $129.99 to $99.99. Another hot DVD is the A & E Video The New York Yankees: Fall Classic Collectors' Edition 1996-2001 DVD Set.
Two words: What's hot? -- Sam in South Beach
Two words: Zippo Lighter.
Hey, Guru -- can I burn my own CDs of past games so I can make a keepsake for my new baby to watch when he grows up? -- Paulie in Chicago
Sure. Just order any game from the past season at $3.95 through MLB.com's exclusive Digital Download Service. When you get the link, you can download the file of that full broadcast to your hard drive and burn your own CD. You can do the same for classic baseball broadcasts, or download Minivision highlight clips at 99 cents a pop.
All I want for Christmas is Roger Clemens back. -- Buzz Boy in Houston
All the Gift Guru can promise (again) is a customized No. 22 Clemens jersey. The rest is up to the Rocket. The holiday pick here is the gray road jersey, as a tribute to that untouchable run Clemens had going on the road in the first half of the 2005 season. Customized jerseys are always a popular holiday gift, but keep an eye on the Hot Stove League if your favorite player is a free agent.
How can I get one of those cool knit caps like Scott Stapp is wearing in the music videos he recorded at your MLB.com studios? -- Ex-Creed fan in Toronto
These are even cooler because you can have a Blue Jay logo right on the front. Or whatever team makes you wanna rock.
GG, when I look back on 2005, what stands out the most to me was Bobby Abreu hitting 24 balls over the wall in the first round of the Home Run Derby in Detroit. I still think it was one of the most amazing things I have seen in sports. My brother and I were there and I would like to get him something to always remember it. -- Bengie and Yadier
If you were there or watched on TV, then you remember the CENTURY 21 Home Run Derby Golden Ball that was substituted each time a batter was down to his final out. You may also remember that the officially licensed MLB ball from Rawlings was made available exclusively to MLB.com and in limited supply, and for just $49.95 you can still order one of those two-toned keepsakes. Get Abreu to sign it in 2006.
I especially like that Live at Fenway Park CD/DVD y'all are offering to Parrotheads, but I wondered what else a pirate could get his hooks into around here. -- Jimmy in Margaritaville
The cannons don't thunder, there's nothin' to plunder, but circle July 11 on your new JF Turner Pittsburgh Pirates 2006 Box Calendar because an All-Star Game at PNC Park will be a wonder.
I'm all over this Nationals bandwagon and I was wondering if I can give 2006 season tickets or single-game tickets as a gift. -- Anonymous Source, Capitol Hill
MLB.com is your one-stop home for purchasing tickets to any 2006 game, and maybe you just noticed that the main ticketing page here has a brand-new look. Ordering tickets is easier and more popular every year, and all you have to do is find the games you want and give the tickets to that special fan. You will be asked to disclose your name and we won't tell anyone.
I was thinking that A.J. Burnett would make a nice gift out here. What do you think of that? -- Peter in San Francisco
This should help, but don't break it.

Source: http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/

11/24/2005
Omar Minaya is the most valuable player on the Mets' roster, and he is out of the box and on his way to becoming the most valuable player the franchise has had since Tom Seaver. Minaya has earned this distinction by doing the one thing his front-office predecessors could not: convince Fred Wilpon to spend his money.
Oh, Wilpon has spent it before, just not like this. Not like a first-rate owner in New York is supposed to spend it if he wants to play hardball in George Steinbrenner's backyard.
Yesterday it was Carlos Beltran and Pedro Martinez for $172 million. Today it is Carlos Delgado for $48 million, minus the $7 million the Marlins are kicking in to keep the fires behind their fire sale burning.
Will tomorrow bring Billy Wagner? Alfonso Soriano? Manny Ramirez?
Maybe all three will join Delgado in a fearsome foursome press event to blow away every offseason feast Steinbrenner has ordered up for his blue-chip recruits as easily as he'd order up a pepperoni pie.
When Minaya is in the game, anything is possible. On the power of his own positive thinking, Minaya has made the Mets relevant. He has made Wilpon an honest-to-God slugger at the plate, an owner taking Herculean cuts at the kind of available players the Mets would've never chased in the past.
If Minaya was in place way back when, Alex Rodriguez and Vladimir Guerrero would've been dueling for MVP honors in the colors of the Mets. You really think Minaya would've let some half-baked concern about Guerrero's back wipe out a potential deal? And remember that non-courtship of A-Rod? Steve Phillips couldn't convince Wilpon to even make an offer, leaving Phillips to hold one of those phony news conferences he stages for ESPN.
Minaya never quits trying to elevate the Mets out of their second-class fog, never quits trying to keep them right there in Steinbrenner's grill. Delgado told him to get lost last year, accusing Minaya of building his sales pitch around some desired Hispanic bond.
Complicating matters was Delgado's amateur-hour agent, who appeared to take great delight in shipping his client a long way south of Shea.
Minaya didn't get angry; he got his man. One year later, he got Delgado for Mike Jacobs and a minor-league pitcher of unknown promise.
This isn't Mo Vaughn or Jeromy Burnitz the Mets are getting. This is a 33-year-old guy who hit .301 with 33 homers and 115 in a brand-new setting last year, in a brand-new league against brand-new pitchers.
This is a guy who has hit at least 30 homers in nine straight seasons, a guy who has cleared 90 RBI in 10 straight seasons and who has topped 100 RBI in seven of them.
So the Mets are suddenly the Yankees, and the Yankees are suddenly the Mets. Brian Cashman can't get the setup men he desperately needs in the bullpen, and he can't get the championship center fielder Yankee fans would've killed for in Aaron Rowand, traded from the White Sox to the Phillies for Jim Thome.
Steinbrenner can't like these sounds of silence in the Bronx, not when New Year's Eve is breaking out all over Queens. The Mets get Delgado. The Red Sox get Josh Beckett. The Phillies get Rowand.
The Yankees get nervous.
They used to carve out the biggest pre-Thanksgiving headlines, too. Seven years ago, the Yanks stole Bernie Williams back from the Red Sox on the night before Thanksgiving, this after merely settling for a turkey named Albert Belle.
Times and circumstances have changed. Minaya has made New York a two-team town again. Beltran was so sure he'd sign a free-agent contract with the Yankees, he was already considering a book deal that would center around his first year in pinstripes. Then Minaya came in and closed the book on that.
The GM has come a country mile since paying $3,500 to sign a raw teenager named Sammy Sosa. No, he doesn't play every hand right - Mike Cameron for Xavier Nady makes even less sense now that Nady won't be seeing any time at first base.
But there's no chance Delgado, Beltran or Martinez are on this team without Minaya in its front office. That makes the GM what Alex Rodriguez would've been: MVP of the Mets.
That makes Minaya the force behind a second-class franchise that has moved over to George Steinbrenner's side of the tracks.

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/

11/14/2005
The Most Valuable Player Award can be traced back to 1911, when an automobile manufacturer named Hugh Chalmers decided to give away a car to a player in each league in hopes of selling a lot more vehicles.
His original plan for the Chalmers Award had been to recognize the best batting average in each league, but he changed the rules and asked a committee of baseball writers to help determine the "most important and useful player to his club and to the league." Ty Cobb of the Detroit Tigers and Frank Schulte of the Chicago Cubs were the first recipients.
There were several iterations of the award along the way until 1931, when the Baseball Writers Association of America began polling a writer in each league city. Over the years it has always sparked annual debate -- Joe DiMaggio or Ted Williams? -- and today it remains Major League Baseball's most prominent individual postseason award.
On Monday, the Yankees' Alex Rodriguez became the 28th multiple winner of some kind of MVP Award since that first Chalmers Award was handed out -- the 24th since BBWAA voting began. On Tuesday, the National League recipient will be announced.
Rodriguez joined a small group in Major League history by becoming the sixth player to win one of these awards with more than one team -- and the first person since the 1930s to do it with two different American League clubs.
Rodriguez won his first MVP Award in 2003 with the Texas Rangers. He was a shortstop with the Rangers and a third baseman with the Yankees, so A-Rod became the first player ever to win this award with two different clubs while switching positions.
The last player to win an MVP with two different AL clubs was first baseman Jimmie Foxx, with the Philadelphia Athletics in 1932-33 and the Boston Red Sox in 1938. Catcher Mickey Cochrane was the only other person to win MVP with two different AL clubs -- the A's in 1928 and the Tigers in 1934.
Barry Bonds won his first two of a record seven MVP Awards as an outfielder for the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1990 and '92. He then won it with the San Francisco Giants in 1993, as well as his 2001-04 run that will end this week when the National League recipient is announced.
Frank Robinson remains the only player to win an MVP in two different leagues, as an outfielder for the 1961 Cincinnati Reds and the 1966 Baltimore Orioles.
Rogers Hornsby was MVP for two different NL clubs, as the second baseman for the 1925 St. Louis Cardinals and the 1929 Chicago Cubs.
Neither Cochrane nor Hornsby are recognized by the BBWAA for that distinction because both of Hornsby's awards and Cochrane's first one were bestowed before the 1931 selection process began. And on the all-time list of multiple MVP winners, Monday's announcement did not include the names of Walter Johnson or Lou Gehrig, because they each won at least one of their two awards pre-1931.
According to The Sporting News, there were various incarnations of an "MVP" recognition dating back to that first one in 1911. Chalmers discontinued his own award after 1914 because it did not become the marketing bonanza that he had expected.
In 1922, the AL created an award to honor "the baseball player who is of greatest all-around service to his club." But the criteria included several rules that mystified baseball people, including disqualification of player-managers and the fact that no one could repeat as MVP. That was dropped in 1929.
The NL had instituted its own contest in 1924 without such controversial restrictions, and then followed the AL's lead and eliminated the award in 1930.
The modern MVP award process began in 1931 when one writer in each league city filled out a 10-place ballot. In 1938, the BBWAA began polling three writers per league city, and the only key change since then was the reduction of writers to two per league city in 1961.
One of the more notable facts about the long history of the MVP selection process is this: Babe Ruth won only one. That was in 1923 -- the year after the AL began that controversial process of this recognition. There was no AL award given in 1929. But looking back, one MVP for the Bambino is kind of interesting.

Source: http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/

11/14/2005
NEW YORK -- With the deadline to sign Hideki Matsui just one day away, Matsui's agent and the Yankees neared agreement Monday on a four-year contract worth about $50 million.
Arn Tellem, who represents Matsui, arrived in New York this weekend and met with the two-time All-Star on Sunday to discuss the latest developments. Tellem and Yankees general manager Brian Cashman met face-to-face last week at the general managers meetings in Indian Wells, Calif., and spoke again on the phone this weekend.
"The talks have been positive and constructive," Tellem said in an early afternoon e-mail message Monday. "We're making progress."
A stipulation in the three-year, $21 million deal Matsui signed with the Yankees before the 2003 season gives the Yankees until Tuesday to sign Matsui to a new deal or the club is required to release him, making him a free agent. The two sides could choose to push back the deadline, though a deal is expected to be reached in time.
Following the meeting with Matsui, Tellem told the Daily News that Matsui is prepared for whatever may take place this week.
"He was calm, just like he always is," Tellem told the newspaper. "He's comfortable with the situation and is ready for whatever happens."

Source: http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/

11/11/2005
The A-Rod detractors of the world -- at least most of them -- took the week off from sending mailbag e-mails, but Rodriguez's supporters came out in full force over the past seven days.
But as we've done in the past few weeks, I'm not going to sit here and rehash all of the stats from the postseason. We'll address some other topics in this week's mailbag, then, at the end, post some of the letters we received in support of the Yankees' third baseman, just to give you a taste of what came in this week.
This was a week of close calls for the Yankees, who saw Robinson Cano finish second to Huston Street in the American League Rookie of the Year Award vote, Mariano Rivera finish second to Bartolo Colon in the American League Cy Young Award race and Joe Torre come in third behind Ozzie Guillen and Eric Wedge in AL Manager of the Year Award voting.
Monday, the AL MVP winner will be revealed, with -- you guessed it -- A-Rod battling David Ortiz for the award.
Let's get to the mail ...
As Joe Torre has said on many occasions, "Nobody is going to feel sorry for us." Well, it appears that nobody is ever going to vote for us either! Cano loses the Rookie of the Year, Rivera finishes second in the Cy Young. Now, A-Rod should be a cinch for MVP, but he seems sure to be beaten out by a glorified pinch-hitter.
Don't you think there is an unfair bias against the Yankees at awards time? Or, is it simply the Boston writers leaving our candidates completely off their ballots and thus assuring their defeat, no matter how deserving the Yankees candidates are? -- Bob T., Scituate, Mass.
Well, Bob, unfortunately for you, I must inform you that it wasn't the Boston writers' fault.
In fact, the two Boston writers who voted on the Cy Young had Rivera listed second and third, while one of Torre's four first-place votes came from a Boston writer.
It's hard to say that the Yankees aren't respected in the awards voting when they had second-place finishers in two of the three awards and a third-place finish in the other.
Yes, my opinion is that Rivera should have won the Cy Young, but I also understand those who feel that if only one pitcher in the entire AL wins 20 games, he is deserving of it.
As for Cano, I can't argue with the award going to Street. Cano had a great rookie season, but this was one of the deepest crops of rookies you'll ever see. Street had a spectacular season in a role which many pitchers have had trouble with. He is a very deserving winner.
I was just wondering if Chien-Ming Wang was eligible for Rookie of the Year Award. If he was, how come he got so little attention? If he wasn't, how close was he to being eligible? -- Kerry H., Hampshire, England
Wang was indeed eligible for the award, but after missing as much time as he did, it was unlikely that he was going to get much support for the award.
In a slow year, he may have received some votes, but with players such as Street, Cano, Jonny Gomes, Tadahito Iguchi, Nick Swisher, Gustavo Chacin and Joe Blanton out there, Wang's half-season and 8-5 record wasn't going to be enough to get him named on any ballots.
What are the chances the Yankees will land Juan Pierre? I think he would be a great fit for the Yankees as a true leadoff hitter, moving Derek Jeter to his usual No. 2 spot. Plus, Pierre can run down balls in center field that the Yankees haven't had caught in a while. -- Dan W., New York
Pierre's name is certainly in the mix as a potential trade target. So are Torii Hunter and Milton Bradley, though it is unclear what the Marlins, Twins and Dodgers will be looking for in exchange for their respective players.
I agree that Pierre would be a good fit in center, though his skills as a leadoff hitter aren't what people seem to believe they are. Yes, he steals a lot of bases -- he has averaged 38 stolen bases per year since 2003 -- but his on-base percentage last season was .326, which is not good enough to be considered a premier leadoff hitter. Pierre has also been caught stealing an average of 20 times per season in the past three years.
If the Yankees believe they would be getting the player that hit over .300 in four of his first five years, they should go after him. If they think he'll look more like he did in 2005, they should look elsewhere.
Why don't the Yankees just bring up Melky Cabrera next year to play center field? He's a switch-hitter who could take Bernie Williams' place in the lineup. -- Michael C., Mt. Pleasant, S.C.
Based on Cabrera's performance during his brief promotion to the Majors last summer, I can't see him stepping in as the Yankees' starting center fielder next season. Cabrera hit .211 with no RBIs in 19 at-bats during his brief stint, but it was his performance at Triple-A Columbus which raised even more eyebrows.
Cabrera hit just .248 at Columbus, compiling a .309 on-base percentage in the process. That prompted the organization to demote him back to Double-A Trenton, where he started the season.
At 21, Cabrera has plenty of time to establish himself, but I don't see the Yankees turning over the center field job to him just yet.
Since the Yankees just declined Tino Martinez's option, do you think they will hotly pursue Paul Konerko? -- Izzy D., Boston
No. Brian Cashman has stated that he would like to see Andy Phillips win the backup first base job, helping the team get younger while creating some payroll flexibility at the same time.
If Cashman opts to look at the free agent market, he would likely go after a first baseman that would be willing to play part-time, similar to the way Martinez fit in last year. Konerko obviously does not fit that description, and I expect to see him back with the White Sox in 2006 and beyond.
Below is a sampling of this week's A-Rod reaction. Like I said at the beginning of the column, it was almost all in support of Alex, with the occasional angry letter thrown in. Keep the mail coming, folks.
A-Rod had a bad five games. End of story. He carried the team for most of the year and I'm sure he'll put up huge numbers again next year. Let's quit all the crying and just call this what it is, a bad five games. He'll bounce back and so will the Yankees. -- Matt K., Frisco, Texas
I can't believe this A-Rod debate is still going on. It seems as if the bashers didn't watch a game at all this past season, only the postseason. Anyone who thinks New York will trade or bench Alex is out of their minds. Get a grip, people. -- Steve S., Waterbury, Conn.
Anyone that says A-Rod should be traded needs to get over it. The Yanks have much bigger fish to fry than getting rid of the best player of our generation. The Yanks would not have been in the playoffs without him, and like you pointed out, even October heroes sometimes disappoint, Jeter and Bernie included. -- Carla H., Torrance, Calif.
I know that you're getting sick of all this A-Rod talk, but I just wanted to say that I'm ashamed to call myself a Yankees fan because of the way that these supposed Yankees fans are treating Alex. We have the honor of watching arguably one of the greatest players to ever play the game on a daily basis and we take it for granted. He had one bad playoff series in his career! So what! The 2005 Yankees wouldn't be anywhere close to the playoffs without Alex's contributions. I, for one, am honored and thrilled to say that Alex Rodriguez is a New York Yankee! -- Dan A., Belleville, N.J.
I'm getting sick of all the A-Rod bashing here. Did A-Rod play poorly in the playoffs? Yes. Would the Yanks have gotten to the playoffs without him? Absolutely not! A-Rod should be the AL MVP and shouldn't be thrown under the bus because he had a rough October. Make no mistake, A-Rod will retire in pinstripes probably holding a number of Major League records and a couple World Series rings. I can't wait to see what the people here have to say about him then. -- Matt K., Stevens Point, Wis.
It never ceases to amaze me that Yankees fans can be so caught up in the "what have you done for me lately?" mentality. The same people who were chanting "MVP" every time A-Rod came up to bat late in the season immediately turn on him as soon as he struggles in the postseason. Am I crazy, or is baseball still a TEAM sport where everyone has to contribute? Point your finger wherever you want, but the 2005 Yankees just didn't get the job done in the ALDS. -- Jeff H., Dover, Del.
Had Alex played even marginally during the last 15-game stretch of the regular season, the Yanks would have been sitting out all of October. ALL of the big league sluggers were shut down during the postseason: Manny [Ramirez], [David] Ortiz, [Jason] Giambi, [Gary] Sheffield, A-Rod, [Vladimir] Guerrero -- the list goes on and on. The players that won the division series and World Series were the small ball players. -- Mike M., Sterling, N.Y.
Would anyone who saw Dave Winfield play in the 1981 postseason think he was a future Hall of Famer? I think it is smarter to judge A-Rod on his stats over 162 games than over five games, and he was outstanding both offensively and defensively for most of the year. -- Dave R., Winnipeg, Manitoba
As crazy as it does sound, A-Rod actually does have a killer instinct. He works harder than any player in the game and is phenomenal in all facets. I see his career path being a lot like Michael Jordan's was in basketball. When Jordan decided to no longer presume the team's success or lack thereof fell only upon his shoulders, he lightened up, let his skills take over and became the greatest clutch performer the game had ever seen. A-Rod is inches from that emergence and I will laugh when he hoists a World Series MVP trophy. -- Steve S., Brewster, N.Y.
As far as A-Rod goes, Yankee fans are being treated to perhaps the best talent in baseball and yet he manages to get bashed for it. This only goes to show how spoiled Yankees fans are -- including myself. -- Rolando R., New Jersey
If Michael Jordan would have missed his last-second shot against the Utah Jazz of the 1998 NBA Finals, would people have decided to turn against him? Jordan is the greatest basketball player ever, while A-Rod is one of the greatest baseball players ever. When Jordan hit shots, the crowd went crazy, and when A-Rod hits homers, the fans go crazy as well. So why are people hating on A-Rod? -- Cameron B., Indianapolis.

Source: http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/

11/15/2005
NEW YORK -- Alex Rodriguez may not yet have any World Series rings to show for his remarkable career, but the Yankees' third baseman picked up his second American League Most Valuable Player Award on Monday.
Rodriguez beat out David Ortiz, Boston's larger-than-life designated hitter, who finished a close second in the voting. Rodriguez earned 16 first-place votes and 331 points, while Ortiz received 11 first-place votes and 307 points.
"David Ortiz is a great player, and I have a great privilege not only to compete against David, but against a great organization like the Red Sox," Rodriguez said. "I'd certainly trade his World Series championship for this MVP trophy."
Los Angeles' Vladimir Guerrero received the other first-place vote, finishing third. Boston's Manny Ramirez and Cleveland's Travis Hafner rounded out the top five.
Rodriguez got 11 second-place votes and one third, while Ortiz was listed second on 17 ballots.
"I'm very happy for Alex," said Yankees manager Joe Torre. "This is a very proud moment for him. I'm very pleased with the year he had. He's getting more comfortable here in New York. Alex helped us win so many games, both offensively and defensively, and he continues to improve."
"This is an A-Rod day in New York," said George Steinbrenner. "I am very proud of Alex Rodriguez, and I am delighted for him and his family. A-Rod demonstrates the talent, hard work, and dedication of a true winner. On behalf of our devoted New York Yankee fans, I look forward to great things for many years from A-Rod as a Yankee."
A-Rod's numbers were hard to argue with: a .321 average, 130 RBIs and an AL-leading 48 home runs. Considering Ortiz's final stats (.300-47-148), a case could have been made for either candidate, but Rodriguez's stellar play at third base likely pushed him over the top, as Ortiz's status as a DH hurt him with some voters.
"Defense -- for the most part, being a balanced player and saving a lot of runs on the defensive side -- was a major factor," Rodriguez said. "I've been in a lot of these races and come in second and third place, so I thought David had as good a chance as I did."
Votes were cast before the postseason, which was good news for both A-Rod and Big Papi, who may have watched Chicago's Paul Konerko vault himself to the top in that scenario. Rodriguez went 2-for-15 in the Yankees' ALDS loss to the Angels, while Ortiz had just one RBI as the Red Sox were swept out of the playoffs by the White Sox in the opening round.
"I was tough on myself because I always expect to play very good baseball," said A-Rod, who referred to himself as a "dog" after New York's Game 5 loss in Anaheim. "My one regret is that I thought I could have walked 10 or 12 times, passed the baton and been a little more patient."
The fact that the Yankees overtook the Red Sox to win their eighth consecutive AL East title probably didn't hurt Rodriguez, either. In the clincher, which came on the penultimate day of the regular season, A-Rod went 4-for-5 with a home run in the Yankees' 8-4 victory at Fenway Park.
A-Rod ranked in the top five in the AL in homers (first), RBIs (fourth), batting average (second), runs (first), slugging percentage (first), OPS (first), on-base percentage (second) and walks (third). He even added 21 stolen bases, which was ninth best in the league.
Rodriguez's award is the 19th in Yankees history, the most of any franchise. He is the first Yankee to win the MVP Award since Don Mattingly captured it in 1985. Joe DiMaggio, Yogi Berra and Mickey Mantle won three MVPs apiece, while Roger Maris won two. Other Yankees winners were Lou Gehrig, Joe Gordon, Spud Chandler, Phil Rizzuto, Elston Howard and Thurman Munson.
Rodriguez became the 24th multiple MVP winner and only the fourth to win at two positions. He was a shortstop with the Rangers when he was the AL MVP in 2003. The other players to win the award at two different positions are Hall of Famers Hank Greenberg, Stan Musial and Robin Yount.
Rodriguez joins Barry Bonds, Frank Robinson and Jimmie Foxx as the only players to win the award with two different teams.
Rodriguez has also been the runner-up twice, in 2002 with Texas to Oakland's Miguel Tejada and in 1996 with Seattle to Texas' Juan Gonzalez.
Ortiz's supporters pointed to his numbers in "close and late" situations, which are defined by at-bats in the seventh inning or later with the team either ahead by one run, tied or with the potential tying run at least on deck.
In 78 such at-bats, Ortiz hit .346 (27-for-78) with 11 home runs, 33 RBIs and a .447 on-base percentage. But A-Rod posted respectable numbers in those situations, too, hitting .293 (22-for-75) with four home runs, 12 RBIs and a .418 on-base percentage.
Rodriguez, who took a lot of heat in 2004 for hitting just .248 with runners in scoring position -- including a .206 mark with RISP and two outs -- made up for it this season. With runners in scoring position, Rodriguez hit .290, including a .302 average with two outs.
But it was his defense at the hot corner -- which many believed was Gold Glove-worthy -- which pushed him past Ortiz for MVP honors.
"I think being on the field every day is a strong requirement, and doing it on both sides," Rodriguez said. "I think it's someone that goes out and helps the team day in and day out. How many runs is this guy saving a year?"
Rodriguez, who set an AL mark for most home runs by a third baseman, also set a new club standard for right-handed hitters with his 48 homers, breaking DiMaggio's 68-year-old mark of 47. DiMaggio's 1937 season had been the only one in which a right-handed hitter hit more than 40 home runs for the Bombers.
Of those 48 long balls, 26 of them came at Yankee Stadium, as A-Rod shattered the previous team mark of 19 home runs hit by a right-hander in the Bronx. The mark had been held by DiMaggio ('37) and Gary Sheffield (2004).
Rodriguez also became the youngest player in baseball history to reach 400 home runs, hitting his milestone shot on June 8 in Milwaukee. Rodriguez hit 409 homers before his 30th birthday, eclipsing the mark of his former teammate, Ken Griffey Jr., who hit 398 homers before turning 30.
"I can't wait to get back to Spring Training to work on my skills, continue to be a better player and reach my ultimate goal," Rodriguez said. "Winning the MVP is a great thing, but I'm here to do one thing, which is to win a championship."

Source: http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/

11/14/2005
NEW YORK -- Alex Rodriguez picked up his second career American League Most Valuable Player Award on Monday, becoming the first Yankees player in 20 years to capture that honor.
Rodriguez hit .321 with 48 home runs and 130 RBIs this season, helping New York to its eighth consecutive AL East title.
Just hours after he was informed of his MVP victory, Rodriguez took some time to talk with MLB.com's Mark Feinsand.
In this exclusive Q&A, A-Rod discusses his impressive season, his disappointing postseason, what the MVP Award means to him and what the Yankees need to do in order to get to the World Series in 2006.
MLB.com: What does this award mean to you?
Rodriguez: This award is very special to me, for a couple of reasons. First, doing it in a Yankees uniform is unbelievable. Second, to win it twice in three years, knowing how hard this game can be, it's what I strive for every year. I strive to be consistent, and this shows that I am.
MLB.com: Is it more special the first time or the second time?
Rodriguez: They're both special. The first one was a huge surprise because I was on a last-place team in Texas. It's almost like having two kids -- you love them both, but you love them differently.
Doing it in a Yankees uniform, being the first guy to win it on this team in 20 years, that's special to me.
MLB.com: Does it feel more significant winning the MVP Award on a first-place team rather than a last-place team?
Rodriguez: Yeah, it does. The way we wound up as a first-place team this year makes it even better. That we had to overcome a nine-game deficit to beat the Red Sox, to play well in September and help this team win a division was incredible.
MLB.com: How much do you think defense played into you winning this award?
Rodriguez: I think it helped a lot. I think the two defining factors that helped me the most were that we won the division and that I played Gold Glove-caliber defense at third base. Down the stretch, I thought that made the biggest difference.
That said, I have to congratulate David Ortiz on having a fantastic year. He's just become a monster, offensively. He's the most improved player I've ever played against from the first half of his career to the second half of his career.
MLB.com: You have come a long way as a third baseman and, as you said, your play in the field probably won this award for you. Was it disappointing to not win your first Gold Glove at your new position?
Rodriguez: I thought that was more of a sure thing than the MVP. I saw so many people write about it, had so many people tell me throughout the year that they thought I was going to win it, so you get these expectations in your head.
I woke up this morning feeling like I was even money, 50-50, going up against David Ortiz. He had a monster year.
MLB.com: Were you surprised that the poker story made front-page news in New York?
Rodriguez: No. When you don't have any news, I realize now that everything I do -- whether it's true or not -- becomes a big story. It was a simple case of a couple of my friends coming up from Miami, and I was relaxing at the end of the year.
It was quite dumb -- something I shouldn't have done. The significance of the game was probably a few dollars here and there, bingo-style. I shouldn't have done it, I learned from it, and I'll never go back. I've moved on, because it's not that big a deal.
MLB.com: You're the first Yankees player to win the MVP Award since your hitting coach, Don Mattingly, in 1985. What are your thoughts on that?
Rodriguez: I think it's pretty cool. He's been so helpful to me, and the fact that we're together in the same uniform, representing the same organization, is great. I've always looked up to Don Mattingly, so to be the first guy to win the award in this uniform since him is pretty neat.
MLB.com: You have had about six weeks to reflect on it -- do you have any further thoughts on the way the Division Series loss to the Angels played out?
Rodriguez: No, I stunk. I thought Mike Scioscia and Buddy Black had a very good plan against me, and they executed it perfectly. My only regret is that toward the end, I got a little anxious, and expanded the strike zone a little bit.
Looking back, I probably should have walked 10 or 12 times. That's it. I've seen players like Barry Bonds go through it, I saw Vladimir Guerrero struggle this year. Sometimes in the postseason, they circle a few guys and single them out. They did that to me.
MLB.com: Have you gotten over that series, or will it linger with you all winter?
Rodriguez: When you have a daughter as cute as my daughter is, it's a lot easier to overcome those kinds of things. We win as a team and we lose as a team, but I know I didn't bring to the table what I know I'm capable of bringing to the table. That's going to fuel me as we go into the 2006 season.
MLB.com: You called yourself "a dog" after Game 5 ended. Do you think that was the emotion talking, or do you believe that?
Rodriguez: When I play well, I brush it under the rug, because I expect so much out of myself. When I play poorly, I'm my own worst critic. I don't take it back, because it's the way I felt. It came from the heart, I was being very honest and that's the way I played.
MLB.com: After your first year with the Yankees, which was not what people expected out of you, what did it mean to you to respond with this kind of year and win an MVP Award?
Rodriguez: Even winning the MVP, until I win the MVP, win the World Series and am the MVP of the World Series, it won't be complete. And even if I do all of that, I better get off to a good start the next April, because my expectations are so high.
I'm happy with what I've done over the last 11 years. I look back at a talk I had with Joe Torre, and the talk I had with the Boss, and those two conversations helped me get even more comfortable this year. I think year three will be even better, and I'm excited for Spring Training to get started.
MLB.com: How do you handle all the criticism that comes your way?
Rodriguez: I get criticism everywhere, and I really don't understand it. At the same time, I think it comes with the territory of being a very good player. I love my teammates, I'm very close with them, and I love to play the game. I respect the game and I respect my opponents. I guess I'm a big target and an easy one.
MLB.com: Do you think the criticism is unfair, or do you just accept it as part of playing in New York?
Rodriguez: First of all, I think I'm one of the most blessed people in this world. For me to say something is unfair, I'd be a crazy person.
It is what it is, and I handle it. When I retire, I'm going to come home, and they can criticize somebody else. I don't really worry about it.
MLB.com: What was the hardest thing for you about this season?
Rodriguez: Obviously, it was not getting where we need to go, which is to the World Series, and winning it. At the same time, I'm so proud of overtaking the Red Sox for the division when we were behind by so many games. It was a case of us running out of gas. We were a tired bunch, and the Angels played better than us.
MLB.com: What do you think the Yankees have to do this winter to get better?
Rodriguez: I think the White Sox taught us all a lesson, that it's all about pitching, defense and speed. When you have any questions, you get more pitching, more defense and more team speed. That's a recipe that has worked for over 100 years, and that will never go away.
MLB.com: How closely do you follow the offseason moves and the Hot Stove rumors?
Rodriguez: Before, it was all I ever thought about. Right now, with my family, my daughter has her first birthday coming up. I'm very excited about it. I think I'm going to be a clown and get a nice costume. That's really all I'm worried about right now.
I'm really looking forward to next year. I think we have as good a chance as anybody to be world champs in 2006.
MLB.com: Are there any rumors or names that you have heard that made you think, "That would really be a great move for us?"
Rodriguez: I heard John Olerud's name come up, and that really excited me. He's an incredible player, and I think he could be a championship first baseman.
MLB.com: How important do you think it is that Torre and Brian Cashman are returning?
Rodriguez: I think it's awesome. I thought Brian and Joe did their finest job as general manager and manager this season, because it was such a transition year for us with all of the injuries we had.
Cashman really saved our year with Aaron Small, Shawn Chacon and Al Leiter. Those three moves were everything for us.
MLB.com: Considering the career numbers of several Hall of Famers in the postseason -- Ted Williams and Barry Bonds come to mind -- is it easy for you to forget about an October like this one?
Rodriguez: I wish every postseason and season could be perfect, but it can't be. I'm a target, a player that the other team doesn't want to beat them. I was very prepared for the playoffs, it just didn't work out. Sometimes that happens. At the end of the day, you have to just move forward.

Source: http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/