Derek Jeter: The Transition from Franchise Player to Wily Vet

This pitch actually hit Jeter

The question asked by many today was "Is Derek Jeter a cheater?" After last night's shenanigans in Tampa Bay, it was a topic I talked about it here in Portland on the Morning Jab with Shoe. I heard it on both Boston sports stations today. WFAN touched on it. ESPN talked about it. Here's the problem: this shouldn't be the story about Derek Jeter.

In the 9th inning, he looked absolutely awful against Rafael Soriano. Over-matched, flailing at a fastball he had no chance in hell of catching up to. They showed him in the dugout afterwards, and for the first time since he arrived in the Majors, I thought one simple thing.

"Wow, he looks old."

Maybe last night's play wasn't so much cheating, as it was a Major League veteran looking to take advantage of a situation in a tight game to steal first base. It's like an older pro wrestler who can't get up to the top rope anymore opting for the low-blow while the ref is turned, a grabbing the brass knucks, or putting his feet on the ropes during a pin. To me it was no different than Don Baylor leaning into pitches in 1986, Manu Ginobili trying to draw a charge, or Claude Lemieux trying to draw a penalty for fighting on another team's superstar.

Jeter is hitting .178 in his last 30 games, and .262 for the season. It's a contract year. He's not getting any younger. There is pressure on the captain, and not just the normal every day pressure that comes from being the face of the Yankees. It's the type of pressure that causes a guy to dig his fingernails into the floor before he's carried out of the room. Much like The Macho Man Randy Savage's world title win in Wrestlemania 8, sometimes you have to grab a handful of tights to hang on. Jeter is trying to hang onto his career, and there is no way anyone should fault him for that.

The Boss' Legacy - Jordan Kobritz

It was typical of “The Boss” to be at the center of the baseball universe as he passed into eternity.

When George Steinbrenner passed away on Tuesday morning, he upstaged MLB’s All-Star Game.  But no one should be surprised.  Steinbrenner was typically the center of attention regardless of where he was.  No one commanded the spotlight – indeed, sought it – like George did.

Much of the commentary on Steinbrenner’s accomplishments has focused on the Yankees’ on-field success, 11 American League Championships and seven World Series titles during Steinbrenner’s 37-year reign as the longest serving and most bombastic owner in sports during that period.  But the Yankees have experienced an even greater rate of success during the course of their history.  In fact, during one 29-year period, between 1936 and 1964, the Yankees won 22 AL pennants and 16 World Series titles, a record unlikely to be matched in professional sports.

Stump Merrill Talks George Steinbrenner and Yankees Baseball

Former Yankees manager Stump Merrill joined the Morning Jab to remember George Steinbrenner this morning. Some of the best stuff...

On organizational meetings:

"When you went into a meeting with 12 guys voting, you realized quickly George had 13 votes"

On a game the team lost to Texas when Nolan Ryan was going for his 300th win:

"I told him we'd try to win, and he said 'I can get a dog to try'"

#RedSox Release a Statement on Passing of George Steinbrenner

The Boston Red Sox deeply mourn the passing of George M. Steinbrenner III this morning at the age of 80. Principal Owner John W. Henry extended sincere condolences on behalf of the organization to Joan Steinbrenner, George’s wife of 54 years, his children, his grandchildren, the entire Steinbrenner family, and the New York Yankees organization.

“I had the good fortune to call George Steinbrenner both partner and friend," said Henry, a former minority owner of the New York Yankees. “I had the privilege to watch George as he built a system that ensured his beloved Yankees would have a strong foundation for sustained excellence. And then we fiercely competed in the American League.

"George Steinbrenner forever changed baseball and hopefully some day we will see him honored in baseball's Hall of Fame as one of the great figures in the history of sports," said Henry.

“George Steinbrenner was a formidable opponent and baseball’s greatest rivalry will not be the same without him,” said Tom Werner, Chairman. “As the longest tenured owner, he left an indelible mark on the game. I worked with George in my position as the owner of two Major League franchises and saw first-hand his passionate leadership style, his zeal for winning, and his love for the game. Above all, I knew George as a competitor and today Red Sox Nation lost a person who truly relished the prospect of facing the Red Sox and doing all he could to make sure his beloved Yankees would come out victorious."

“George Steinbrenner was one of the most important people in the history of the game, and his impact touched all aspects of the business of baseball," said Larry Lucchino, President/CEO. "His vision for the Yankees turned around a once struggling franchise and manifested itself in the form of seven World Series Championships and 11 American League pennants. My respect for George went beyond the baseball field because of his sincere and longstanding commitment to charity, and to people in need. He had a giant heart, often well hidden from public view. Part of his legacy here in Boston will be the profound kindness he showed to numerous local philanthropic causes, especially as a regular and generous contributor each year to the Jimmy Fund of the Dana Farber Cancer Institute.”

The Red Sox will observe a moment of silence in Steinbrenner’s memory on Thursday, July 15, 2010 at Fenway Park before the club’s matchup against the Texas Rangers at 7:10 p.m.

--Red Sox Communications--

George Steinbrenner Passes Away

The New York Daily News was the first to report that Yankees owner George Steinbrenner passed away this morning at the age of 80 years old.

Steinbrenner bought the Yankees in 1973, and saw the team win 11 pennants and 7 World Series Titles.

RED SOX YANKEES OPENING NIGHT LIVE BLOG!

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Matty's Maledictions-The #RedSox 170 Million Dollar Question

Theo Epstein's payroll for the upcoming season is not going to be Yankee-sized, but it certainly isn't going to be on par with the Marlins and Pirates, either. With almost 130 million dollars committed to 15 players, plus players like Manny Delcarmen, Jeremy Hermida, Casey Kotchman, Hideki Okajima, Jonathan Papelbon and Ramon Ramirez all due raises in arbitration that could total anywhere from 20-30 million dollars (with Papelbon possibly getting in to the 10 mil range), the Red Sox had to fill out a roster in a different way then just re-signing big ticket items like Jason Bay or Matt Holliday if they were going to keep the luxury tax hit within reason. The team's tactic this winter is to build the team around defense and pitching, similar to how football teams build around defense and special teams. In theory, this could work really well or go horribly, horribly wrong, and I don't believe there is going to be a middle ground.

Red Sox games are going to be much, much shorter this season. Let's face it, with the defense improved (in theory), it means fewer errors and fewer hits, which in turn would lead to less pitches being thrown by the pitching staff. So those marathon 4 to 5 hour Yankee games should be a rarity than the norm, and pitchers like Billy Traber won't have to be thrown to the wolves as much and left for dead. This team allowed 736 runs last season, 41 of which were unearned. The thing is, the 2009 Yankees allowed 753 runs, 64 of which were unearned, and they have added Curtis Granderson as a centerfielder while improving the defense by subtracting Johnny Damon, regardless of who his replacement is. What does this mean? It means that good offense can overcome defensive errors and bad pitching. If the Red Sox have a bad pitching performance or a bad day in the field, can the offense carry them for a game or two? Maybe. If the pitching and defense go into a week long funk, can the offense carry them then? Probably not.

What's curious is the mid-market approach Epstein is taking. Could they have signed Matt Holliday to a big deal? Of course they could have. Could they have re-signed Jason Bay? Yes, they could have. They went with a different tact, thinking that signing Marco Scutaro, John Lackey, Mike Cameron and Adrian Beltre would be better than signing Holliday or Bay, re-signing Alex Gonzalez and getting another salvaged pitcher hoping to catch lightning in a bottle, a la John Smoltz, Brad Penny and the like. It's almost a newer version of Money Ball with a focus on UZR.

It's a huge gamble, and it relies on Jon Lester to get off to a good start for the first time in his career, Josh Beckett to pitch consistently for a full season, for John Lackey to stay healthy, for Dice-K to stay away from the buffet, Tim Wakefield to have a working back, and Clay Buchholz to make more progress (without having his personal pitching guru Mike Cather in the organization now to fall back on in case he meltss down). Which Manny Delcarmen shows up? How many days a week does Jason Varitek play and what happens to the lineup when Victor Martinez is out? Who sits? Does David Ortiz get fewer at-bats? What's the over/under on heart attacks caused by Papelbon this season?

Anyone who believes they know what this team is and has right now is wrong. No one knows. Adrian Beltre is still looking for his first Fenway Park home run. It's great that the infield defense is the best it has ever been, but you can't score runs when you're not at the plate. I do expect the improved defense will translate into more quality starts for the pitching staff, heck maybe Dice-K can even go 6 innings regularly (ok, not realy, he is the epitome of 5 and fly), but when this team gets into late July and August, which bat will carry the offense? One thing is for sure, depth-wise and defensively, this team is better than the one last season that went 95-67. It's a huge gamble for Theo, because he is banking on Red Sox Nation to embrace this new philosophy once they see it work. If they don't see results right away, sports-radio, print media and the like will blast the Red Sox for being cheap, when in reality, they are spending alot of money on an experiment. Whether that translates to a better record than last season is the 170 million dollar question.

Yankees Get Granderson, Red Sox Have Interest in Ron Mahay

So far today the New York Yankees have acquired Curtis Granderson in a 3 team deal with Arizona and Detroit. The D'Backs got Edwin Jackson and Ian Kennedy, the Tigers got Max Scherzer, Austin Jackson, Phil Coke, and Daniel Schlereth in the trade. The Red Sox have of course responded to this news with rumors they are interested in Ron Mahay and that they won't meet the price tag on Matt Holliday. In related news the virtual waiting room for tickets to Fenway Park may not quite be as full this season. Oh, and before everyone gets on the Yankees "buying another player" gambit, Granderson is owed around 23-25 mil for the next 3 years of his contract, and his 2010 salary is 5.5 million, or almost a third of what JD Drew is making in 2010.

In The Crease with Javier Gorriti-Timmay!

This World Series is shaping up to be one of the best in recent memory. Both the Phillies and Yankees have great teams, with powerful line ups and comparable pitching staffs. One can give the edge one way, or the other, but in the end this is probably the best match up we have had in a World Series in 20 years. For the record, I took the Phillies in six.

The hated Evil Empire vs. the defending champs. CC vs. Lee, Pedro, Jeter, Howard, Gay-Roid.....the list goes on and on. Nothing can ruin this series. Oh, I forgot....Tim McCarver is doing the color commentating. Can Fox find anyone more annoying to do this...oh ya, his partner is Joe Buck. Oh God it just got worse.

I wonder which focus group Fox uses to determine that these two dubs are the guys for the job. Most of my friends are sports junkies. Most watch an inordinate amount of sports. Not one of them can tolerate this TV crew...not one!

Last night with two outs in the top of the 9th in game 2, Phillies down 3-1, Ibanez gets a 2 out single bringing up Bangor resident and Bangor High assistant hockey coach, Matt Stairs. Heeeeeere comes Timm-ayyyy! McCarver explains to all of us morons watching the game that this gives the Phillies life. Really Tim? You mean that getting a 2-out single with one more out left to give before the game ends keeps the Phillies alive?! Awesome, thank you, I had no idea!

It's not all Timm-ay's fault. Fox broadcasts the game as if MOST of the audience has never seen the game before. That in and of its self is extremely annoying, but when you add McCarver's ability to over analyze a blade of grass for 20 minutes, it becomes excruciating. My personal favorite was Tim-ahh comparing running with a guy ahead of you on the bases to be like pulling out from a stop sign. You know, the player at 1st needs to gauge the player on second's speed, much like you do when pulling away from a stop sign with a car in front of you. WHAT!!!!!!!!???????

Living in Red Sox territory, where we get to listen to Rem-dawg (get well soon) and Don, we are probably spoiled. They are the best duo for my money doing baseball games right now. The drop from that to Tim-ah and Joe is dramatic, no it's catastrophic. This is a great series so far and I expect that it will be one we all talk about for many years to come. I will watch every second and I probably won't remember much about Tim-ah and Joe driving me absolutely insane with inane comment after inane comment, but can't Fox fix this travesty? This is an assault on sports fans everywhere.

Javier Gorriti, UMaine Black Bear from 1994-1998, is a frequent contributor to the CMSB and the co-host of the PM JAB with Chris Sedenka. He is the president of Mermaid Seafoods in Portland ME. and has been working and living in Maine over the past 5 years. He can be reached at javier_gorriti at hotmail.com. He once performed successful open-heart surgery with a paper clip, duct tape, and a beer bong.

Cliff Lee=Awesome

Cliff Lee has reached a post-season level reached by such greats (from my era anyways) as Mike Scott in 1986, Orel Hershiser in 1988, and Jack Morris in 1991. Good lord.

The Phillies Have a Nation behind Them

Phillies fever has overtaken New England. Take the Yankees down!

Jimmy Rollins Is Ready For the World Series

Jimmy Rollins, the Nostradamus of Major League Baseball, is ready for the World Series. So are we.

Phillies Fever Spreading through New England

Well Philadelphia, a nation turns it hopes and prayers to you. Red Sox Nation, that is....

Don't forget Maine resident and current Phillie Matt Stairs joined us to talk baseball Saturday. Right here is the link.

Hit Like A Girl-Olive Branch Extended

“I’ll give you one last chance to be a Yankees fan again.”

My dad extended this enticing offer at some point last week when the Yankees were beating the Angels. Again. And A-Rod hadn’t yet been told it was the post-season. And CC Sabathia seemed to be throwing rocket launchers across the plate.

For a second, I considered the offer. My father would accept me back into the family, I wouldn’t have to change my last name, and he might stop buying me New York sports paraphernalia in an attempt to get me to root for the “right teams” again. Despite the fact that I lovingly told him to screw off (I’m sweet like that) and declined, I can’t help but acknowledge how dominant the Yankees have been this post season. And now, after writing that sentence, my father loves me again. And Matty hates me. If I’m not here next week, it’s because your favorite Phillies fan has kindly asked that I never come back to this site.

However, there are three reasons it’s unlikely I’ll be rooting for the Yankees again.

1.I live in Boston.

During my freshman year in college my friend Kate and I were riding home from Boston on the T. After a Red Sox game. As we rode peacefully on the hot, crowded Green Line, Kate said, “I should tell them all you’re a Yankees fan.” I know what they do to those people. Unlike you, Dad, there is a serious threat to my wellbeing as a 5’5”, petite, blonde woman. You know karate, but I am helpless to defend myself! Perhaps if you had taught me some badass karate moves, I wouldn’t have been scared into being a Red Sox fan in the first place.

2.The Red Sox are more fun (for masochists) to watch.

After initially beginning to watch the Red Sox as a result of feeling threatened, I actually discovered that Boston fans and I have a lot in common. We love to suffer. Seriously, life can’t be too good. Something will always go wrong. That’s how I like to live my life, that’s how Red Sox fans live their lives. We are like peas in a pod. Plus, winning all the time gives me less to complain about. You know me, Dad. If I’m not complaining, I’m probably not alive.

3.Dustin Pedroia, Tim Wakefield, Josh Beckett, Mike Lowell…

The list goes on. The point is, they trump Jeter, A-Rod, Texiera, and Posada any day. Why? Well, in the end pinstripes just aren’t that flattering.

Sorry dad, but I’ll take the Green Monster over a home-run enhancing right field any day. Plus, I have a hunch that if the Yankees win the series this year, I will get another “last chance to be a Yankees fan!”

Samantha Lewis is the author of "Hit Like a Girl". She is the Creative Director of Northshore Editorial in Salem, MA and can be followed on Twitter

Hit Like A Girl-The Sports Chip (No, Not the Dipping Kind)

I am currently experiencing sports overload. Too many seasons are converging and on more than one occasion I have screamed, “Tom Brady throws a pass to Krejci who hits a home run over the Green Monster!!” And then my boyfriend wakes me up, tells me that I’m doing “it” again, and then says, “So have you heard about Seymour getting traded?” followed by, “Papi just hit a home run!” And then my head explodes.

All I’m saying is that it’s tough work keeping up with all the sports news. I was getting used to watching just one sport, and now I’ve got football, hockey, and basketball (if I can stand the shoes squeaking for more than 5 minutes). These aren’t just any sports teams either. These are Boston sports teams. I’m not going to have any hair left come the spring. Plus, the Red Sox are still fighting for the wild card. I’m thrilled for the added fun of fall and winter sports.

Meanwhile, my boyfriend is sitting on his computer with Boston.com, NESN.com, and ESPN.com open, hitting refresh at a feverish pace. All of the information he acquires from the interweb will later be discussed with his friends or me. Usually it’s me since I tend to land directly in his sports-news-spewing path quite often.

Now, this brings me to what I really want to talk about: the fact that men have a sports chip implanted in their skulls.

You guys, I’m not even being sarcastic. I think I may actually believe this.

Exhibit A: The Boyfriend
The Boyfriend loves video games, writing, comic books, and sports. Somewhere in his English Lit-filled head there is space for all the aforementioned interests as well as a multitude of handy sports trivia. This includes events that happened before he was born. How? The Sports Chip.

Want to know which team the Red Sox lost to in the 1967 World Series? Want to know more about Bobby Orr than Bobby Orr himself? Want to know which round Brady was drafted in?! Call him up, he’s be happy to tell you. My earlobes are constantly accosted with stats, facts, and then… comic book news. AND he still remembers our anniversary. It’s all very strange.

Granted, The Boyfriend has enough free time to constantly refresh his brain with this information. BUT, I give you…

Exhibit B: The Father
The father loves sports, sports, sail boats, and sports. He teaches high school chemistry, coaches high school football, and coaches lacrosse at Merrimack College. Oh, and in his spare time he slings around nail guns doing contracting work. Oh, and in his spare, spare time he fixes my poor, decrepit, duct-tape car.

Now, I know what you’re thinking. He coaches multiple sports teams! Of course he knows about sports! No. This man could write a brief history of the New York Yankees, the New York Jets, and University of Miami football just with the information that is in his brain. Also, by brief I mean 1,000 pages each. In addition, he knows the most up-to-date sports news despite the fact that he has no free time and almost always falls asleep 10 minutes after the TV is turned on. I’m pretty sure there is a Sports Satellite in space that transmits information to his chip. There is no other explanation.

Finally, I present you with…

Exhibit C: The English Professor
The English Professor enjoys writing, reciting lines from random literary works, and bagels. The English Professor grew up in Brooklyn, New York, but has since moved to Massachusetts. Somehow, despite the fact that he spends 85% of his waking hours trying to teach people what good writing is, he is still able to talk sports with Exhibit A: The Boyfriend. And Boston sports at that.

Where did he acquire this information? I doubt the 1950’s in NYC were filled with chatter about important moments in Boston sports history. Besides that, how does someone who could probably recite all of Macbeth and remembers all the lyrics to any 60’s song have any recollection for Boston sports facts? I’m telling you, it was downloaded.

What do you think? I barely remember what I ate for breakfast an hour ago, so don’t even think about asking me Beckett’s ERA or Brady’s completion percentage. Remember that bit about my head exploding? It’s not pretty. Save yourself some time – just go ask the nearest man. They’re all Sports Bots, some just don’t realize it yet.

Samantha Lewis is the author of "Hit Like a Girl". She is the Creative Director of Northshore Editorial in Salem, MA and can be followed on Twitter

SUNDAY MORNING LINKS

Houston wins Senior Little League World Series in Bangor

• The Southwestern Team from Houston Texas wins the 2009 Senior Little League World Series in Bangor
• The Portland Sea Dogs were swept in a double header Saturday by the Harrisburg Senators 5 – 4 and 3 – 1.
• Former Portland Sea Dogs pitcher Greg Montalbano lost his battle with cancer, he was 31.
• The Lewiston MAINEiacs lose their pre-season opener, back home Sundayat 4PM.
• Junichi Tazawa held the Yankees at bay for 6 innings(Editor's note: Just like some really smart guy said yesterday on the radio) and the Red Sox had a little revenge on the New York Yankees, beating them 14 – 1 Saturday.
• The CMSB will be at Hadlock Field today for the unveiling of the Maine Red Claws new mascot, Crusher, and the Portland/Harrisburg game, so stay tuned right here for coverage.
• Did Kyle Busch's win at Bristol alter the Big Jab Nascar Pick Standings? Click here and find out!
  

SATURDAY MORNING LINKS

Senior Little League World Series Championship today in Bangor

• Former University of Maine DL Jovan Belcher leads the Kansas City Chiefs in tackles in a 17 – 13 loss to the Brett Favre led Minnesota Vikings.
• Texas to battle California in the Senior Little League World Series today in Bangor.
• The Portland Sea Dogs were rained out Friday, but have schedules a double header Saturday at Hadlock.
• Win in sight for 1 Oxford Plains Driver
• Shawn Crable continues to have issues getting on the field.
• The New York Yankees blasted the Boston Red Sox 20 – 11 Friday night. Some good and bad news for the Sox Friday, Jacoby Ellsbury tied Tommy Harper’s club record of 56 stolen bases and Victor Martinez left the game after fouling a ball of his big toe, he should be fine.

FRIDAY MORNING LINKS

PIRATES PROSPECT PEDRO ALVAREZ AT HADLOCK

• The Maine Red Claws unveiled their new website yesterday.
• Adam Mills won his 8th straight, as the Portland Sea Dogs beat the Altoona Curve 8 – 1 at Hadlock.
• Nova Seafood takes 1st win New England Regionals.
• The University of Maine Men’s Basketball team hires some new assistants.
• The New England Patriots trade for Oakland Raiders LB Derrick Burgess.
• The Boston Celtics announced their season schedule.
• Celtics Assistant GM Dave Wohl might be heading to Minnesota.
• Yeah Yeah..Yanks beat the Sox 13 – 6.

• Don’t forget tomorrow Tune into 96.3 The Big Jab at 7AM for The Weekend Jab and then our show at 9AM The Big Jab Weekend Warm-Up where we will have the Boston Globe’s Tony Massarotti

WEDNESDAY MORNING QUICK HITTERS

Boston's Public Enemy #1 after plunking Jason Bay (COURTESY NY TIMES)

• The Portland Sea Dogs dropped another game to the Binghamton Mets 4 - 1 Tuesday night.
• The Boston Red Sox held on, then added insurance runs against the Yankee bullpen, finally beating the Yankees 7 - 3 at an empty New Yankee Stadium. Special thanks to Joba Chamberlain for re-igniting a blasee Yankees Red Sox rivalry after plunking Jason Bay square in the back. Bay had ealier hit a HR of Bay, and right before the beaning, lost David Ortiz who walked. Thanks Joba...Thank you very much.
• Tonight will be a very busy remote control night in New England. The Boston Red Sox open a series at Fenway against the Cleveland Indians at 7PM on NESN +. NESN + can be found on the following stations DirecTV Channel 629(SD), 629-1(HD), Time Warner Cumberland and York Co. Channel 22(SD) and 522(HD), Time Warner Bangor Channel 12 (SD) No HD, Comcast Channel 81 (SD) no HD and Oxford Networks Channel 31 (SD), no HD. The Boston Bruins will start Game 3 against Carolina Hurricanes at 7:30 on regular NESN Channels and the Boston Celtics will start Game 2 of the 2nd round series against the Orlando Magic at 8PM on TNT. Make sure you guys have extra batteries and all supplys needed for multiple game viewing. FYI MLB TV.com has Sox coverage, so those with laptops or computers near your TV can watch all 3!

TUESDAY MORNING QUICK HITTERS

Jonathan Paplebon finishes off the Yankees early Tuesday Morning (COURTESY BOSTON.COM)

• The Portland Sea Dogs came back from a 5 run deficit to beat the Binghamton Mets 11 - 6 in New York.
• Fatigue seemed to catch up with the Boston Celtics as they came back from a 28 point deficit, but couldn't keep the lead and lost Game 1 to thre Orlando Magic 95 - 90
• The Boston Red Sox played late into the night, holding off the Yankees on a rainy night in NY 6 - 4
  

Also little late but here is the link for Bruin Game 2 Post Game Audio

Bruins Game 2 Post Game Audio