Tuesday's Thoughts

While counting down the days for the NHL season to start, here is what's on my mind this morning:

The NFL continues to amaze me. Tough Guy Commissioner Roger Goodell hands down a 2 game suspension to Ray Rice for slapping around his then girl friend now wife. What a damn joke!! If you want to clean up this league there should be no tolerance for domestic violence, any type of gun possession charge and the use of PEDs. This kind of stuff is what continues to disgust me with the NFL. 

Stephen A. Smith is a loudmouth and ESPN should have suspended this self-promoting jerk. Maybe people should start boycotting ESPN non-game programming instead of worrying about whether Dan Snyder should change the name of his football team. I have not watched ESPN shows since they hired Ray Lewis. 

The Baltimore Ravens should do the right thing and suspend Rice for an additional 2 games and a hefty fine. However you can probably forget about that happening in that this is a franchise (along with the NFL) that glorified Lewis who was involved in a double homicide in Atlanta. 

Have to give Yankee GM credit for the acquisitions of Brandon McCarthy, Chase Headley & Chris Capuano. In spite of these rental players, the Yankees need someone who can play first base and the outfield and they still need another starting pitcher. 

The Cleveland Browns started training camp this weekend and the team is questioning Johnny Manziel's behavior. Really?? They claim he is definitely behind Brian Hoyer and may have actually regressed. I guess there was little preparation during party time at Bieber's. 

Joe Thomas, the Browns veteran All-Pro left tackle, said that Hoyer has Tom Brady like attributes. I wonder what Joe thinks of Johnny Football??

Looks like Brendan Shanahan is starting to put his mark on the Toronto Maple Leafs by firing Dave Poulin and Claude Loiselle and hiring 28 year old Kyle Dubas. Dubas was the GM of the OHL's Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds where he did a good job in moving that team forward. The 28 year old brings a fresh perspective to MLSE and understands and utilizes analytics in developing and scouting players. The Leafs are also stocking plenty of forwards to fill out the bottom six of their roster so training camp should be very interesting. It also means that Shanahan recognizes the importance of having 4 lines that can play. 

It's July 29th and I'm already sick of Bills coverage.

Seems to be a good chance that we may have a West Coast World Series as Oakland and the Los Angeles Dodgers continue to roll along. If the Dodgers acquire either Cole Hamels or Jon Lester look out!!!

And finally, check out @WagerWizard on twitter. The guy has some interesting information and his picks aren't bad either!!!

Second Half Begins: Is There Hope?

Today marks the second half of the baseball season and the New York Yankees find themselves 5 games out of first place in the AL East and 3.5 games out of the wild card. The question for Yankee fans should be: Can the Yankees make the playoffs??

In my opinion, I just don't see it. The Yankees simply don't have the assets available to acquire a starting pitcher who isn't 35 or older. Getting Cliff Lee would be a huge mistake. As would rushing Masahiro Tanaka back to the starting rotation. 

If the Yankees were smart, they would go with what they have and hope that their aging hitters bounce back. If they catch lightning in a bottle, they will be in the race into September. If they don't, play the kids and see what you have before the 2015 season. 

The Yankees also need to be truthful with the fan base and move off the win at all cost mentality. That mentality was created when the Yankees could out spend anybody to get quality free agents. Now teams lock up their stars when they are in their prime leaving only aging stars to gamble on. Joel Sherman wrote a good piece on this: http://nypost.com/2014/07/16/core-fores-greatness-is-a-recipe-yankees-cant-keep-chasing/

Unfortunately the dog days of August are going to be brutal and even if they made the playoffs, the Yankees would be no match for the Oaklands and Detroits of the world. It's time to retool and for Yankee management to be honest and realize that you can't buy a championship with aging players. It didn't work in the late 80's and it won't work now. 

Tuesday's Thoughts

While wondering when was the last time the Yankees had a .500 record at the All-Star break, here is what's on my mind this morning:

Well, for the second year in a row I will watch the All-Star Game to see the final one for a Yankee great. Last year's game was highlighted by Mariano Rivera's entrance on the field as both teams remained in their dugouts allowing the capacity crowd at Citi Field to give the greatest closer of all time a fitting tribute. It will be interesting to see how AL Manager John Farrell will give Derek Jeter his moment in the sun. Mind you prior to last year, I hadn't watched an all-star game since 1997 when interleague play began.

Kudos to NY Daily News Reporter Bill Madden for calling out Yankee General Manager Brian Cashman and Mark Newman,Vice President of Player Development. If you are a Yankee fan check it out:
http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/yankees/madden-yankees-gm-brian-cashman-show-moves-article-1.1864362

Must admit I never thought Lebron would go back to Cleveland to play for the Cavaliers. Good for Cleveland fans.

I like what Phil Jackson is doing with the Knicks and I think Derek Fisher is the right man for the job. Re-signing Carmelo Anthony with a contract that gives them flexibility in 2015 will go a long way to bring the Knicks into championship contention. That being said, I agree with Derek Fisher that the Knicks will make the playoffs this year.

Many in the New York media are comparing Shane Greene to Aaron Small. If memory serves me correctly, I don't recall Small throwing 92mph to 96mph fastballs. I could be wrong but I think Greene may be someone who will be in the starting rotation next year for the Yankees. Keeping my fingers crossed.

The Chicago Cubs will be a playoff contender next year. No, I haven't hit the Dewars' bottle this morning. Take a look at their farm system and their prospects. GM Theo Epstein is doing it right.

I'm already sick of hearing about the Buffalo Bills training camp and it doesn't start until July 21st.

Can't remember a time when I could careless about the NFL season being right around the corner.

And finally, I am quite pleased with the Maple Leafs promoting Marlies Head Coach Steve Spott and hiring former Florida Panthers Head Coach Peter Horachek to be Randy Carlyle's assistant coaches. Both men bring a different vision to the coaching staff and Carlyle will be under the gun if the team does not perform. The team's success will rise and fall on Carlyle's ability to accept the new direction that seems to be getting set by Brendan Shanahan as evidenced by his comments that its time to give the youngsters in the farm system opportunities to play for the Leafs. Should be interesting.

Turn Out The Lights

During a Monday Night Football game many years, Dandy Don Meredith began to sing, "turn out the lights the party's over", after a drive killing interception sealed the outcome. Well, with news of the elbow tear in Masahiro Tanaka's pitching arm, it's time to turn out the lights for the 2014 New York Yankee season.

With one remaining pitcher in the starting rotation that began the season, there is no way they have a legitimate shot at winning the American League Eastern Division, particularly with their offense. Any thoughts by Brian Cashman to trade young players or prospects for a 30-something pitcher should immediately be forgotten because this team is done. 

If Cashman is smart (which he is not) he would shut Tanaka down for the season and play the kids. According to Cashman, Tanaka will rehab for 6 weeks which brings us to about August 21st. The Yankees will be out of it by then. Trading for Cliff Lee would be a complete mistake but is a typical Cashman move. If you look at the AL East, the Orioles are better than the Yankees and there will be only one team to make the playoffs this year as both wild card teams will probably come from the AL West.

There has been much made that it is in the Steinbrenner DNA not to give up and try to win. But, it was in the Steinbrenner DNA to hold people accountable and that no longer seems to be the case. While there is not much you can do about losing 4 out of your 5 starting pitchers, there is a lot that should have been done over the last ten years to build the farm system to have players in place to replace Derek Jeter, Jorge Posada, Bernie Williams, etc. If the Yankee farm system is not as bad as everyone thinks (this is what the Yankees and their apologists in the NY media are saying), then the Yankees should forget this season and see what you have with the kids. It's what makes sense for the future because the present is a disaster.

Tuesday's Thoughts

While wondering how many US soccer fans are still following the World Cup, here is what's on my mind this morning:

The New York Yankees made some roster moves yesterday and not sure if it will make a difference. The Yanks designated Alfonso Soriano for assignment which means the 38 year old will have the opportunity to try to hook on with another team. Soriano has struggled mightily at the plate and one has to wonder if that is as a result of being in a platoon system or is it because of his age. They also acquired starting pitcher Brandon McCarthy for Vidal Nuno. While Nuno was a liability on the mound, one has to wonder what the Yanks are getting with McCarthy. The former A's pitcher was 3-10 for Arizona this season. Ordinarily a starter coming from a weaker team could rely on Yankee offense to pick up a few wins they wouldn't normally get but with this Yankee team that is not a given. 

Nice outing last night by Yankee rookie pitcher Shane Greene. The kid was throwing 96 mph and had a good slider. He was able to get plenty of ground ball outs and did not walk a batter. It would be great if this kid could contribute as the Yanks head to the all star break. Keeping my fingers crossed as I really like the way this kid looked against Cleveland. 

I'm still stunned over the deal that Oakland made with the Cubs in order to get Jason Hammel and Jeff Samardzija.  The Cubs continue to stockpile young talent while the A's are going all in this year to be World Champions. With a rotation of Samardzija, Hammel, Sonny Gray and Scott Kazmir, the A's will be awfully tough to beat in a playoff series. The Cubs have a bright future ahead which could bear fruit starting next season.

The big A's-Cubs trade leaves the mediocre AL East teams to look for pitching help elsewhere. Hence, the Yankees getting McCarthy. It will be interesting to see what else happens as this once powerful division is up for grabs.

A nice article by Bill Madden of the NY Daily News about mediocrity throughout Major League Baseball. Madden points out that runs are down, strikeouts are up and attendance is down. That's what happens with too many teams and no PEDs. 

The Toronto Maple Leafs strengthened their bottom six forwards and added veteran defenseman Stephane Robidas in the first week of free agency in the NHL. It was a plus that they did not pay what Florida did for third line center Dave Bolland. I have a feeling that Dave Nonis & Company are not done yet making changes but so far so good.

The Western New York sports media is crowing over the fact that Josh Gorges chose Buffalo over Toronto. What a bunch of morons!! You have to call into question the mindset of a professional athlete who wants to go to the worst team in his sport. Good luck Josh you loser.

I'm tired of Sabres GM Tim Murray's hard-ass act. One more reason to dislike his team.

I wonder if the Bills leave Buffalo if WGR 550 will change it's format to country western. 

Josh Gordon has a problem. Facing a possible year long suspension from the NFL, the Browns young star receiver was picked up for DWI. There were some reports that there were negotiations underway that would have reduced the year suspension. One would think this is off the table now. This kid needs help and neither the Browns or the NFL have done little if anything to provide professional help to Gordon. It's great having Michael Irvin talk to him but it obviously had no impact. His football career is on the brink but more importantly so may be his life. Here's hoping that this kid gets his act together regardless of what happens to his football career. 

The Lebron rumors are in overdrive big time. People in Cleveland honestly believe he's coming back to the Cavaliers. I simply don't see it. 

If Carmelo Anthony goes to the Lakers he will have less of a chance to make the playoffs next year than if he re-signs with the Knicks.

And finally, just read an article about a beer vending machine that will make its debut at the All-Star Game in Minneapolis. Another example of taking the characters out of sports and also hitting the little guy where it hurts by automating his or her job. Here's hoping the whole thing bombs!

The Numbers Look Bleak For Yankees

18 -23 at home this season. 17-18 against the AL East this season. 6-9 against all 4 AL East opponents in most recent 15 games against division foes, not winning a single series. 4 of the 6 wins came in the first four games. 5 for 37 with RISP in their last 5 games. 1-5 at home against Tampa Bay.  The numbers look bleak for the New York Yankees and while there are still 80 games to go, this team just doesn't look like it has the ability to turn this thing around.

Poor Joe Girardi. You really have to feel for the guy. He's like a fantasy baseball manager, filling out his daily lineup card with all these stars yet he continues to lose. However, unlike the fantasy baseball manager, he didn't select these players. Girardi knows what it takes to win. He was part of the glory years from 1996 - 2000. Those teams never quit and found a way to win, they found a way to snap losing streaks. It seems like Girardi knows that the 2014 edition of the Yankees may not be that resourceful because why else would he bring up that his team hasn't quit.

The fact is that when you bring in a bunch of mercenaries, they don't have any fire in the belly. They got their big payday and now its time to play and if we win great and if we don't, well I'm getting paid. I've seen this act before in the mid to late 80's. It was a frustrating act then and it's even more frustrating now because at least back then you knew that right, wrong or indifferent, The Boss would make changes. To prove my point about mercenaries, how does big free agent signing Jacoby Ellsbury decide yesterday that he needed a day off. Your team is mired in a slump, you are one of the few players who are hitting (though not for the money he is getting paid) and you decide that you need a day off!! Could you see Bernie Williams or Derek Jeter asking for a day off?

When Girardi was asked yesterday if changes were needed to shake up this team his response was "that's not my decision to make."http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/yankees/madden-yankees-home-woes-hard-understand-girardi-article-1.1852976. That decision belongs to Brian Cashman. Cashman says that he is ready to "rock and roll" as far as trying to make a trade to get another starting pitcher. The problem however is deeper than acquiring another starting pitcher. In order to get a starter he is going to have to give up a prospect or two and the question becomes, do they have any prospects that another team would want. Moreover, if you move prospects, don't you continue to weaken what already is a shallow farm system.

While another starting pitcher is important, the lineup is pathetic both offensively and defensively. But for Jeter, Ellsbury and Brett Gardner, the Yankee bats must be made out of toothpicks. I'm tired of hearing how all these guys need to do is hit to the backs of their baseball cards. If memory serves me correctly, the back of a baseball card also shows the players age and that is the problem. It takes longer for older players to heal from injury (Teixiera, Beltran) and to bounce back day after day during a 162 game schedule. It's looking more like these guys have had it.

Defensively and on the base paths, this team is probably one of the worst Yankee teams since the early 90's. Fundamental baseball is what I'm talking about and this collection of older players seem to have forgotten how to run the bases and play defense. It's a lack of concentration or worse yet, not giving a damn and mailing it in.

If this team were a collection of young 20-somethings who were 1 or 2 years in the big leagues and were losing, you wouldn't hear a peep out of me. In fact, I would be excited as I could see players growing into hopefully being a good major league ball player. There would be hope for a new "Core Four". But that's not the case right now and unless the international players that the Yankees have signed come in and perform like Hideki Matsui and not Kei Igawa, it may be a long while before we see another "Core Four".

It's rather depressing that many Yankee fans are willing to accept this mediocrity that Cashman & Company have put together. During the recent series against the Rays, Michael Kay told Yankeeland that if you look at the team's run differential (it's minus something) they should be well below .500. It was like this should be something that we should all be thankful for. Really Kay?? Really? That's just like I'm sick of hearing that we can sneak in as a wild card team. Wow, the Yankees have become the Kansas City Royals.

Something needs to happen. Cashman has created a bad situation. His team is old and there are few options in the farm system. Whatever kids are of value he will send away to help prop up this aging collection of players which will only continue to send this franchise back into the state it was 30 years ago. If anyone thinks that Brian Cashman is a good general manager think again. The glory year teams of 1996 through 2000 were built by Gene Michael. If it weren't for Steinbrenner money, his team wouldn't have won in 2009. The only star position player that has come up from the farm was Robinson Cano and he let him go to sign the aging Carlos Beltran, Jacoby Ellsbury and Brian McCann. In order for the Yankees to get back to winning, there needs to be a house cleaning and I'm not talking about Girardi. That decision will have to be made by Hal Steinbrenner but I'm not sure Hal has the chops to do it.

Manziel: The Face Of Your Cleveland Browns...Yuck!!

Let me start out by saying that I have been a Cleveland Browns fan for over 50 years.  Jim Brown, Leroy Kelly, Greg Pruitt, Brian Sipe, and Bernie Kosar are all players that I followed along with Ozzie Newsome, Gary Collins, Milt Morin and Frank Ryan.  The Cleveland Browns were a signature NFL franchise and that's why Art Modell's decision to move the team to Baltimore shook the very foundation of many NFL fans. If they could move the Browns, no team was safe from leaving. Their traditional uniform, despite what Jimmy Haslam thinks, was right up there with that of the Green Bay Packers. The expansion Browns have been a shadow of their original predecessors with ego-maniacs like Braylon Edwards and Kellen Winslow Jr.  Yet despite them, there were still players who understood what the Cleveland Browns were all about like D'Qwell Jackson and Joe Thomas. 

The expansion Browns have been in search of quarterback since they have come back into the league. From Tim Couch through Brandon Weeden.  Each quarterback I wanted to succeed.  After all, the quarterback is your leader.  Each of them came in with high expectations and I was willing to follow them. That ended for me with the selection of Johnny Manziel in this past draft. From a football perspective, I just don't see how Johnny Football will survive in the NFL. His schoolyard style of offense is not going to work. He has been compared to Fran Tarketon as it relates to his scrambling ability. However, there is one major difference: the defensive players that chased Tarketon were not as big or as fast as the ones who will be chasing Manziel. He is smaller than Colt McCoy and look what happened to him on that cold Thursday night in Pittsburgh.

I also think that Manziel's act will soon wear thin on many of the veterans on this team, especially if he starts and the team loses. This kid has proven absolutely nothing. He hasn't established the credibility to do whatever he feels like off the field. We have seen this act before in Winslow and Donte Stallworth. In both cases, it turned out bad and Manziel will be no different. In fact, it could be worse because once again the Browns will have reached out for a quarterback only for him to be rushed out of town.

The team had asked Manziel to tone down his extracurricular activities. So what does he do? He goes and parties with two of the biggest attention seeking out of control guys in Floyd Merriweather and Justin Bieber. What a joke. Joe Montana and Warren Moon have called into question Manziel's off season ways, two guys who have a proven track record and both are in the Hall of Fame. I had to laugh when Browns fans came down hard on Brady Quinn when Quinn stated that Manziel doesn't realize the effect he has on younger Browns fans who will look up to him. You see, Brady knows what that means because as a young boy his idol was Bernie Kosar. While Quinn's NFL career was mediocre at best, I would take him over the party hardy Johnny Football.

I hope I'm wrong, but I think this is going to be a disaster for my favorite football team. Here's hoping that some how, some way Brian Hoyer is the Browns' starting quarterback. But I'm sure that this will not be the case as many Browns fans are looking forward to the Johnny Football era. Maybe Johnny's buddy Bieber will be there on opening day to sing the National Anthem. The Browns wanted to be in the national spotlight again. Well, they sure will be now and not for be being a winning team in the AFC North.