February 18, 2007

Make a decision, Bernie!

Today is reporting day for position players. What that means is that every position player who is on the Yankees' spring training roster is expected to contact team officials and let them know they have arrived in Tampa. Some players will show up in the clubhouse today. Others we won't see until their physicals tomorrow. So Bernie Williams may or may not decide today. But time is running out, and the Yankees are looking at that as a sign he may not be coming. We'll see.

back0218.jpgOur stories from today's paper:

  • Igawa's learning curve
  • A rarity: Torre calls in sick
  • Davidoff: Cashman encourages Bernie
  • Randy Johnson criticizes NY media

    ***

    Congratulations to everyone out there who reads this blog. Last night we eclipsed 10,000 comments -- and we only started this blog last May. Thanks for taking part!

    Posted by Jim Baumbach at 09:01 AM | | Comments (4) | TrackBacks (0) | Previous Posts

    • February 17, 2007

    Still no word from Bernie

    A quick day here at Legends Field, which was much appreciated. We're already back up in the press box writing our stories. Here's what has happened today: Joe Torre called in sick because of a cold ... Brian Cashman has still not heard from Bernie Williams ... Position players report tomorrow, so time is running out for Williams ... Phil Hughes threw to Jorge Posada in the bullpen and Posada raved. "He's legit. He's going to be in the big leagues soon ... He's a no doubt. I said that last year."

    Posted by Jim Baumbach at 02:32 PM | | Comments (12) | TrackBacks (0) | Previous Posts

    What's next?

    backpage0217.jpgNow that Carl Pavano and Mike Mussina have essentially held hands and sang, "Kumbaya" as a duet, one storyline is out of the way.

    Next up: a decision from Bernie Williams.

    Position players report tomorrow, so we may get a decision today. Or, knowing Bernie, it may be a while before he decides, and relays his decision to the Yankees. The Yankees' first full-squad workout is Tuesday, so this very possibly could last until then.

    Our stories from today's newspaper:

  • Moose, Pavano turning the page
  • Davidoff: Peace talk a good start
  • Yankees working to keep Mo healthy

    ***

    So, in separate news, Roger Clemens says he is "80-20" leaning toward retirement. Anyone out there believe that? I don't, and certainly the players in the Yankees clubhouse don't. Andy Pettitte and Derek Jeter, who speak with The Rocket regularly, are both on record saying they believe he's going to play.

    Posted by Jim Baumbach at 08:03 AM | | Comments (17) | TrackBacks (0) | Previous Posts

    • February 16, 2007

    Mussina, Pavano talk

    moosehead.jpgpavanohead.jpgCarl Pavano sought out Mike Mussina and they spoke for 11 minutes behind closed doors this afternoon. Both emerged feeling good about the situation (with no obvious bruises or black eyes). Mussina said he apologized for talking about it to reporters before bringing it to Pavano, but he certainly did not apologize for his opinion. Pavano said he told Mussina that he realizes he has let everyone down and is looking forward to starting anew. And Mussina definitely sounded sincere when he said the conversation helped matters.

    Posted by Jim Baumbach at 02:19 PM | | Comments (23) | TrackBacks (0) | Previous Posts

    Time for a breather!

    backpag0216.jpgWhat a crazy, crazy day here yesterday. Check out our back page in today's newspaper; all three stories came from Yankees camp. Hopefully today is quieter...

    Here's our stories:

  • Torre encourages Bernie to show
  • Mussina calls out Pavano
  • Swindal arrested on DUI charge
  • Yankees want to play game in China

    Today it's the relievers turn to throw off a mound in the bullpen. Also, we'll get Pavano's reaction to Mussina's comments.

    Posted by Jim Baumbach at 07:57 AM | | Comments (23) | TrackBacks (0) | Previous Posts

    • February 15, 2007

    Breaking news here in Tampa

    Two big developments today at Yankee camp:

  • Mike Mussina absolutely shredded Carl Pavano, who earlier in the day claimed his standing in the clubhouse was fine and that stories of that sort were merely a media creation. Mussina did not buy that theory, saying Pavano needed to prove to everyone that he wants to be pitching for the Yankees. I'll post the actual quotes from Mussina once I finish transcribing them. Trust me. There's a lot.

  • Bernie Williams finally returned Joe Torre's call yesterday, and Torre said he encouraged Bernie to accept the Yankees' non-roster invite to spring training. Torre also mentioned several roster scenarios that would allow them to carry Bernie, including Doug Mientkiewicz playing against both RHPs and LHPs or Miguel Cairo playing first against RHPs. This situation obviously should get very interesting, very soon. Torre expects to speak with Bernie again in the next day or so.

    I'll give you more details on both stories in a bit.

    Posted by Jim Baumbach at 02:51 PM | | Comments (60) | TrackBacks (0) | Previous Posts

    • The First Workout

    philhughesspring.jpgToday is the first workout for pitchers and catchers, so we'll get to see the five starters pitching side-by-side for about 10 minutes in the bullpen. Always a neat day, because hearing the pop of the catcher's mitt and the yells from fans really marks the beginning of spring training. Also on the mound, probably in the second group of pitchers, will be top prospect Phil Hughes. Newsday's Ken Davidoff wrote about Hughes today, saying the Yankees finally have a legit phenom.

    Our other stories in today's paper:

  • Rivera warns Yankees, again
  • Pettitte feels as if he never left
  • Jeter doesn't think Bernie will show

    Posted by Jim Baumbach at 07:58 AM | | Comments (21) | TrackBacks (0) | Previous Posts

    • Search


    Recent Posts

    Recent Comments

    Erie said:

    If I never hear another AROD opt out story till it is actually time for him to opt out, I will...I don't know what I'll do, but it won't involve me wanting to hurt someone...or myself.

    BaseballDad said:

    If Bernie retires what happens to 'Burn Baby Burn' Sterling?

    LONGFELLOW said:

    RUSE YOU ONLY TELL HALF THE STORY... RJ WITH A BAD BACK STILL GAVE THE YANKS 2O5 INNINGS WITH 172K'S AND GAVE UP 194 HITS.THE YEAR BEFORE HIS ERA WAS 3.79 WITH 225 INNINGS-211K'S-207 HITS. DID THE YANKEE OFFENSE JUST WIN GAMES FOR RJ? WHAT YANKEE STARTER PITCHED MORE INNINGS ,HAD MORE K'S OR HAD A BETTER HITS TO INNINGS RATIO OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS? RJ IF HEALTHY STILL HAS A LOT LEFT IN THE TANK AND WOULD STILL BE A YANKEE IF NOT FOR FAMILY CONSIDERATIONS.
    ON THE OTHER HAND, ANDY PETTITTE ERA 4.20, GAVE UP 238 HITS IN 214 INNINGS PITCHING IN YOUR WORDS "THE WEAK HITTING NL CENTRAL". FREE AGENT TO BE ZAMBRANO 214 INNINGS GAVE UP 162 HITS WITH 210K'S PITCHING FOR A CLUB THAT FINISHED LAST WITH 66 WINS.

    Michael Sacco said:

    God will be there for you Bobby. He will do no less for a class act like you.
    Good Luck.

    Flanders Ny

    NY Fan relocated to AZ said:

    Pavano- I thought you would be the one when you joined the team. This should be your year! You are due! Mussina, Pettite & Pavano should be a great combo! Stay healthy! Glad Johnson is gone, Should have never been a Yankee and gone is where he should be after giving Jorge such a hard time. What is up with Cashman going after everyone after they have peaked? Pavano has not peaked yet. Make this your year! Pettite has earned his spot in the heart of the team! Welcome back. Please help bring it home this year! Now we just need Bernie back.

    Yanks61 said:

    Baseball Dad and Ruse,

    All the broadcasters mentioned were (are, in the case of Scully and Coleman)great. I had the pleasure of hearing at least a little of them all. Living/working in France for the last 22 years means that I only get a few weeks a year to listen to the new guys (gals in the case of Waldman.) Thanks for the book tip, Ruse. By the way, speaking of Scooter's broadcasting, I've also read some perfectly hilarious Coleman and Kiner comments from when they were doing games. There should be a book with a compilation of those guys gaffes!

    I worked as a busboy on weekends in a fancy restaurant in Jersey in 61. It had a bar attached where patrons often took a drink before dinner or while waiting for a table. I got to see more games that summer than at any other time in my life. Besides the obviously celebrated M & M boys chase of Ruth, Ford's spectacular year, etc., it seems to me that I recall the Yanks winning more games coming from behind in the 8th and 9th innings than at any other year in my lifetime. Does anyone else remember it that way?

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