1.  In case it helps, I've read the book, and enjoyed it: http://www.waswatching.com/archives/2005/07/book_review_bat.html

2.  Luther Ingram will sing tonight's National Anthem

If Wright going tonight is wrong, then I don't wanna be right.

If being Wright means being without a win.

I'd rather live a wrong doing life.

Your Fans and Beantown say it's a shame

It's a downright disgrace

Long as I got you by my side Giambino

I don't care what your people say

Tonight, at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg Florida, the Yes Network presents the 2005 World Series between the New York Yankees and Tampa Bay Devil Rays.

Starting for the Yankees is Jaret Wright, former Yankee nemesis and much maigned power pitcher.

Will he come inside?

Will The Yankee bats wake up?

Will Lou have some kind of a meltdown?

Will that vein in Joe's neck finally explode all over Joe Girardi?

Will Alan Embree have to warm?

We need a win tonight guys. When you have to win, it's hard to stay loose, but I have faith that you will. Score early and often, put your foot on their neck and don't let up!

Go Yankees. The Playoffs begin tonight.

3.  The name "Matt Nokes" always brings back a good memory. The first game I ever saw at the Stadium was on Old Timers' Day in '91, against the Angels. We had seat in the right field upper deck. We didn't bring our gloves because who would ever hit one that far? But Nokes hit one up there, about 6 rows in front of us, with that golf swing he had.

The best part of the game was the Yanks won, which was rare enough in those days, even though they tried hard to blow it:
http://retrosheet.org/boxesetc/B07270NYA1991.htm

4.  Nokes: Two memories -

1. Him getting HBP, by Clemens, IIRC, and catching the ball in his armpit and then firing it back at Roger.

2. Him landing a plane on a highway years after he was done playing.

I think he was playing Indy ball, for a while, too, long after MLB.

5.  Agreed- good read for those of us who've always wanted to know what kind of monkeybusiness goes on in the locker room & clubhouse...

However, if you're thinking of getting the audiobook, DON'T.

I listened to a preview on iTunes and couldn't listen to the guy's voice for more than 10 seconds...

6.  FYI,
Happy birthday BERNIE! Light 'em if you got 'em - he turns 37 today. Here's to a great Yankee and an all-around class individual.

7.  NetShrine, how could you take away one of The King's career highlights and give it to Nokes? Leyritz was the one who caught the ball from the Unit and threw it back to him, scowling as he walked to first.

8.  I can't believe there's so much hype in the NY Papers because the Yanks are playing the Devil Dawgs. Not questioning it, just surprised because I never would have expected it but with the Yankees play this year against them it does make for great news.

I went to the Tampa Tribune's website to see if they were getting hyped for this series too, and as I expected it doesn't seem like they care too much about the Rays and whether they are making the Yankees miserable or not. There's nothing headlining this upcoming series. I was hoping to find some good material, but they don't really care if the Rays bounce the Yanks from the playoffs or not. It's football season and the Bucs rule over there. I really hope it's a packed house, or more fans than usual, in Tropicana Field today. It would be nice to see some Devil Ray fans getting all excited - hopefully they get to witness the Yankees beating up on them, but I'm not too sure anymore. If the stands are packed, it would at least drown out the noise coming from that fat bastard's mouth that sits by the Yankee dugout and yells all day at the visiting players.

BTW, Happy Birthday, Bernie!!!! Get us a win on your b-day....

9.  For all intents and porpises, the World Series begins tonight.

Let's beat these guys already.

10.  Ken Rosenthal Gets the Gas Face. I knew he was pissed for missing the cut on his High School Field Hockey Team, but this is ridiculous. I had to articulate my concerns regarding this irresponsible journalism.

Is He Really This Much of an Idiot?

Recent article at: http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/4826882
Article I cite to: http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/4848042
(The second article is a defense of Jeremy Morse, recently suspended for his third positive Steroid test; Rosenthal claims that because his use came prior to being called up from the minors, he got a raw deal when he tested positive this year based on remnants of that use remaining in his system. Evidently, Mr. Rosenthal thinks certain Steroid use is defensible.)

How can I plow thee, let me count the ways.

Ken's article with annotations:

Oh, I'd love to write an ode to Yankees first baseman Jason Giambi, marveling at his revival, comparing him to the Giambi of old, endorsing his candidacy for Comeback Player of the Year.

Forget it.

*

(Well thanks Ken. I'm sure he'd appreciate that, you always open an article with such brilliant thoughtful writing and analysis?)

*

Everyone loves a comeback story, but embracing Giambi's requires a willful suspension of disbelief.

*

(Hard work and dedication, he had not one positive Steroid test in the minors or MLB. Sure Ken, it's likely he did take Steroids, but he sat before a Grand Jury and told the truth. So, Morse's Steroid use is Ok, but Giambi's suspected use is not based on what, the unlawfully disclosed transcripts of the Grand Jury testimony in violation of a Federal Protective Order that the San Francisco Chronicle may have had a hand in, given its penchant for attacking Barry Bonds, which, in my mind at least, is far more dangerous than any one man taking Steroids?)

*

We know what he's coming back from — a sprained right ankle, intestinal parasite and pituitary tumor that limited him to 80 games last season.
But we don't know if the latter condition might have been related to Giambi's use of performance-enhancing drugs, which he admitted taking in testimony before the BALCO grand jury.

*

(Exactly Dr. Nick, what now you're a freaking doctor you pencil neck freak, "related to Giambi's use of . . ., what on God's green earth do you have to back that up, are you a journalist or a writer for the National Enquirer, I do know for sure you're not a Doctor? You're a hack!)

*

We also don't know if he still might be using human growth hormone, which is detected only in blood tests, not the urine samples taken by Major League Baseball in its steroid testing.

*

(Right Ken, you're right, but we also don't know that of any other single player in the league, why single Jason out here? Andruw Jones is having quite a year, Albert Pujols couldn't be right, because he's just too nice a guy right, Derick Lee perhaps, again, you're a hack!)

*

Comeback Player of the Year?

*

(Absofuckinglutly-Considering there is not one bit of evidence that Giambi has done anything other than work hard, practice, and take Don Mattingly's advice and tutoring for countless hours, what do you base this on, guilty with no evidence, speculation, conjecture, your own worthless opinion?)

*

Sure, and Rafael "Ear Plugs" Palmeiro is the early favorite for next year's award.

*

(This may come as shock to you Ken, but Palmiero actually tested positive in violation of MLB's Policy, did you hear?)

*

Give Giambi credit for staying mentally strong when many perceived him to be weak. But his resurgence further underscores the problem with Major League Baseball in the steroid era.

You don't know what to believe.

*

(Exactly, I really wish you would stop making my job so easy here, and that is precisely why you need to shut your fucking mouth about it. So, you "don't know" but yet you have completely foreclosed the possibility he could be awarded the Comeback Player of the Year. Just one more reason none of these awards should get within 200 feet of any writer. Let's give them back to the players and managers, where they belong.)

*

I don't have a problem with Giambi getting nominated by a panel of MLB.com staff writers for the comeback honor, which this season is sanctioned by MLB for the first time.
I'd have a big problem with Giambi winning the award — and the possibility is greater than you might think.

*

(I don't suppose that has anything to do with his work ethic and performance this year eh? No, oh that's right you are opposed to voters taking that into account, it's all about past Steroid use, again conjecture, and your own worthless opinion.)

*

The comeback players in each league will be determined by fan voting, and the Yankees have one of the game's largest, most passionate followings.

*

(Ok Ok, can I have my meltdown here? So now you're blaming the Yankees for this too? What else, war, poverty, global warming (after all that stadium uses a lot of oil, huh, huh), hunger, greed, gluttony, Pee Wee Herman, The Backstreet Boys, what Ken what?)

*

What's more, none of the other AL nominees — the Blue Jays' Roy Halladay, Indians' Bob Wickman, Orioles' Jay Gibbons, A's Barry Zito and Mariners' Richie Sexson — is the slam-dunk candidate that the Reds' Ken Griffey Jr. is in the NL.

*

(Is this where you give me your evidence that none of the above have used Steroids or other performance enhancing drugs Ken, is it? Oh that's right, you "don't know." That only apply to Jason, or to everyone?)

*

The panel selected the nominees largely on the basis of statistics, according to an MLB official. Giambi leads the majors with a .445 on-base percentage. He's fifth with a .988 on-base/slugging percentage. And he's on pace to finish with 31 homers after entering July with just five.
While the MLB.com writers discussed Giambi's, uh, unique situation, they concluded that they could not justify excluding him. Giambi's steroid use is known only through leaked grand-jury testimony. He has never publicly admitted using performance enhancers, never flunked a steroid test.

*

("While the MLB.com writers discussed Giambi's, uh, unique situation . . . He has never publicly admitted using performance enhancers, never flunked a steroid test." Exactly!)

*

Which brings us back to the willing suspension of disbelief.

Perhaps Giambi is simply a good guy proving that he could thrive without "the juice." That would make his story a traditional baseball myth, nice and clean. Giambi certainly is a pleasant enough sort.

Alas, he's also a confirmed liar.

*

(Kenneth Rosenthal or Ken Starr, which is it? Ok, so he lied about taking Steroids, so did Palmiero, so did Caseco, So, um, did McGuire, so did every other MLB player who was ever asked who was taking them. If Barry is ultimately found to have used them, as there is evidence to suspect he has, are you prepared to throw out his records Ken? Why you might think, why not just tell the truth, last year, the year before, and so on? Damned if they did, damned if they didn't, what would be the outcome if he had admitted Steroid use two years ago, Palmiero, Sosa, what would have happened? I'm sure I don't need to remind you that Steroids weren't even banned by MLB two years ago, however criminally illegal they might be. So, you were in effect asking them to deny or confirm something you had absolutely no right asking in the first place. The onus belonged on MLB, not the players. Maybe you should ask if they drink too much, use HGH, cheat on their wives, own slumlord housing, anything else which may at some point become banned by the league. No, you can't in fact, because you have no right, and you had no right to ask them about Steroids. You ask a question, and if it's answered in the affirmative you shout HA! Got YOU! What the hell is that? Maybe the police should go to bars and ask patrons if they plan on driving drunk later? Then arrest them? Tom Cruise would be proud. Because you simply cannot extrapolate from Giambi's "lie," -- and I am actually unsure where Giambi is on record stating he didn't use Steroids, which would actually make it a "lie," – further, you have never seen the transcript have you, do you know what he said? Sammy says it was his practice bat, would you write this same column if he had pounded 50 Home Runs this year and was in the running for comeback player, I suspect not. No one in baseball, or for that matter ever become accustomed to a specific weighted bat believed Sosa's story concerning the "practice bat" so, that form of cheating ok Ken?)

*

Giambi's BALCO testimony contradicted his previous comments, and he still hasn't admitted publicly to his use of performance enhancers, fearing that the Yankees might void the remainder of his seven-year, $120 million contract, which expires in 2008.

*

(Or maybe he is protecting himself, as you sure as hell would, from what may be done to him as a result. That is an incredibly unfair thing to ask, and evidences a serious misunderstanding of the Commissioner's power and the Criminal Justice System in general.)

*

In theory, his renaissance could empower him to tell the truth; the Yankees wouldn't dare get rid of him in the middle of a pennant race, would they?

No, but the next time he slumped, look out.

*

(Seriously Ken, how long is your memory, you don't think they would have done that in April, May, if they were planning on taking that sort of action at all. Steinbrenner is on record as supporting Giambi, maybe you could work that into your next "column." Get your fucking FACTS straight.

*

Imagine Giambi accepting his Comeback Player of the Year award, then getting asked if he believed that his tumor might have been caused by his use of growth hormone — a valid medical question.

*

(Absolutely Ken, if you asked a Fucking Doctor! Is Giambi qualified to answer that, maybe you should ask him what the likelihood is that the Human Genome may lead to a cure for Cancer, or maybe if he thinks there is any viability of cloned human organs becoming a medical option one day? Hack, hack is what you are, and not even a very smart one at that.)

*

Giambi could borrow a line from his old friend Mark McGwire and say, "I'm not here to talk about the past. I'm here to talk about the future." He could then make one of his patented apologies, without revealing what he was apologizing for.

It's easy to picture Griffey winning the NL award — no one has accused him of using performance enhancers, and he's on a 41-homer, 110-RBI pace in his first injury-free season since 2000.

*

(Ok Ken, you're true colors and motivations once again show themselves. So, the standard is now "accusation?" If you're accused you're excluded? Is that it? It wouldn't have anything to with tha fact that you're on record as "liking Griffey?" What evidence do you have that Griffey has never done anything wrong, he sure hit a lot of Home Runs for a lot of years and was then befelled with quite a few "injuries." I accuse him of being on Steroids, does that take him out of the running Ken? Ok I accuse you of being an irresponsible, unethical journalist who does not adhere to the standards of your profession. Does that mean I should expect your resignation this week? "Accused," you actually did say it, I just had to check again. Did your dad work for Hoover, McCarthy?

*

Sexson, who played only 23 games last season before undergoing shoulder surgery, probably should win in the AL, but fans might overlook his 32 homers and 96 RBIs because he plays for a last-place club.
Frankly, the best AL candidate — A's second baseman Mark Ellis — is not even on the ballot. Ellis, who missed all of 2004 due to a career-threatening shoulder injury, is second on the club with a .361 OBP, and the A's are in first place.

*

(Or, Ken, maybe you should ask them if their injuries were caused by performance enhancing drugs, a "valid medical question" as you said earlier, right? Well, you did say it's ok to ask ball players medical questions, didn't you? Huh? Huh? That would take them out of the running in your mind, no?)

*

The best comebacks inspire. Giambi's makes you cringe.

Do not vote for him for Comeback Player of the Year.

*

(That closing was despicable. You're despicable and irresponsible. You should apologize immediately. You are lobbying voters to exclude Giambi based on conjecture and misrepresentations, lies, and false accusations and spurious extrapolations based on absolutely nothing. Watch out Ken, I hope you don't have any skeletons in your closet, because I hope George is looking, and by God I hope he finds them.)

In case you forgot Ken, let me cite from the Journalists Code of Ethics for you.

Seek Truth and Report It

Journalists should be honest, fair and courageous in gathering, reporting and interpreting information.
*
Journalists should:
• Test the accuracy of information from all sources and exercise care to avoid inadvertent error. Deliberate distortion is never permissible.
• Diligently seek out subjects of news stories to give them the opportunity to respond to allegations of wrongdoing.
• Identify sources whenever feasible. The public is entitled to as much information as possible on sources' reliability.
• Always question sources' motives before promising anonymity. Clarify conditions attached to any promise made in exchange for information. Keep promises.
• Make certain that headlines, news teases and promotional material, photos, video, audio, graphics, sound bites and quotations do not misrepresent. They should not oversimplify or highlight incidents out of context.
• Never distort the content of news photos or video. Image enhancement for technical clarity is always permissible. Label montages and photo illustrations.
• Avoid misleading re-enactments or staged news events. If re-enactment is necessary to tell a story, label it.
• Avoid undercover or other surreptitious methods of gathering information except when traditional open methods will not yield information vital to the public. Use of such methods should be explained as part of the story
• Never plagiarize.
• Tell the story of the diversity and magnitude of the human experience boldly, even when it is unpopular to do so.
• Examine their own cultural values and avoid imposing those values on others.
• Avoid stereotyping by race, gender, age, religion, ethnicity, geography, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance or social status.
• Support the open exchange of views, even views they find repugnant.
• Give voice to the voiceless; official and unofficial sources of information can be equally valid.
• Distinguish between advocacy and news reporting. Analysis and commentary should be labeled and not misrepresent fact or context.
• Distinguish news from advertising and shun hybrids that blur the lines between the two.
• Recognize a special obligation to ensure that the public's business is conducted in the open and that government records are open to inspection.

Just in case you lost your copy!

And most importantly as to this article:

Be Accountable
Journalists are accountable to their readers, listeners, viewers and each other.
Journalists should:
• Clarify and explain news coverage and invite dialogue with the public over journalistic conduct.
• Encourage the public to voice grievances against the news media.
• Admit mistakes and correct them promptly.
• Expose unethical practices of journalists and the news media.
• Abide by the same high standards to which they hold others.

11.  Great job, Stormer....I agree.

Put Gammons in that category too. As well as Steve Phillps.

12.  I simply believe, as a "professional" myself, that if Ken Rosenthal and his ilk are going to be compensated to the tune of hundreds of thousands, or even millions--he appears to be at FOX and the Sporting News, and ESPN, and here and there, he's like bug that won't go away--they must adhere to the professional standards which all professional must, many under threat of sanction and/or foreclosure of continued employment in a specific field or area, in his case, is the code promulgated by the Association of Professional Journalists and the "Canons of Journalism."

For some reason many sportswriters enjoy holding themselves out as "journalists" and "writers" but do not believe they must adhere to the same standards other "news" or area journalists must adhere to.

If it's opinion, then say so! However, even in an opinion piece you are not permitted to provide false factual or under-researched information.

Satire is Satire, and Parody is Parody, but if you claim to be a journalist Ken, then you damn well better conduct yourself like one, otherwise stick to the op-ed page where you belong. Grab the Webster's from under your ass so you can reach the keyboard, get out of your office and research something, I'm tired of hearing what a "league" or "team" official told you, that, not by any definition, is journalism.

13.  I think it's insane if he doesn't win it, I also think that you could make an admittedly tenuous but not devoid of merit argument that Jason should at least be considered for the MVP. He'll never win it, not this year not any other, due to the steroid issue, and he probably shouldn't as long as A-Rod is drawing a breath, but here's a list of Major Leaguers with a better OPS this year than Jason:

Pujols, A-Rod, Derek Lee. That's it. I wrote more about it here:

http://www.letsplaytwo.squarespace.com

14.  JohnnyC - guess again on Nokes - I "WasWatching" [wink] see:

http://archive.sportingnews.com/features/wherearethey/nokes/

*
"I was batting with the Yankees, and I remember catching Roger Clemens' 95-mph fastball under my armpit and throwing it back at him," Nokes said. "That was crazy, it was one of those things where you know he likes to throw inside and occasionally he hits guys. I was hitting him well, and he threw it under my arm and I just happened to flinch and when I winced with my elbow, the ball was right between my armpit.

"So all in one motion I turned and crow-hopped and threw it right back to him. Oh, man, it was great. I was walking down to first thinking, 'Yes, I can't believe I just did that.' It was a once in a lifetime thing."*

15.  *

"Sexson, who played only 23 games last season before undergoing shoulder surgery, probably should win in the AL, but fans might overlook his 32 homers and 96 RBIs because he plays for a last-place club.
Frankly, the best AL candidate — A's second baseman Mark Ellis — is not even on the ballot. Ellis, who missed all of 2004 due to a career-threatening shoulder injury, is second on the club with a .361 OBP, and the A's are in first place."

*

And another thing Ken, it's not the MVP award, what does "first place" have to do with it? .361 OBP, almost .100 behind Giambi, That's the stat you use to foward Ellis? Remind me not to hire you for my PR manager.

And Fans may overlook Sexson, so now the fans can't be trusted as a bunch of front runners, MLB.com writers are fools, Oh great one who can we trust, you?

The same fans who voted in Podsednik and his .270 average, average fielding percentage and a Wad of stolen bases over Jeter, hmmm, did the fans screw that one up Ken?

God man, could you be more incompetent and inept at your "job."

16.  Maybe he won't like the unsolicited, and sometimes unfair and over-the-top criticism I toss his way. I'm sure he doesn't appreciate being attacked in the way he attacks ball players every day to grab headlines, instead of actually writing a story, got too much on your plate Ken, Fox, ESPN, Sporting News? Too busy to write a real story, gotta make that bling bling right, that's what journalism is all about right, gotta get yours?

He should be pretty farmiliar with the style, he perfected it.

17.  OK guys, so is Matt Nokes's memory really screwed up, or did both he AND Leyritz turn that trick?

BTW, nice plug, SL, very subtle. ;)

18.  In fact, Jason Giambi is exactly the kind of Player that Writers should be applauding publicly.

He is not only a Comeback Player, he's a Comeback Person

Did he put himself out to stud in light of new Steroid Testing and a knowledge that he could no longer Cork, and run off to small market Baltimore where no one would pay attention to the fact that his performance had dropped so dramatically as to raise serious concerns about his numbers?

Did he retire as quick as he could, lose 100 pounds and start doing commercials in St. Louis once it became clear that MLB would begin testing for Steroids?

Did he wear earplugs, then refuse to play, then run off with his tail between his legs, likely never to return, unwilling to put in the work that might be required to redeem his self-respect, and attempt to earn back the respect of the fans?

Did he take an entire season off, refuse to allow team Dr.'s near him quite suspiciously, and then return when HE was ready, not when his team needed him, return with nothing to lose, in order to solicit trade offers and further line his pockets?

Jason should be looked up to. He's a ball player, not Jesus Christ. Peter Gammons is an alcoholic but they sure seem to love him at ESPN and the Hall of Fame. He made a mistake and tried to correct it, just like Jason.

Jason made some mistakes, told the truth, protected himself where appropriate, never shrunk from the criticism and parsimonious remarks, and then got back to the business of working hard to prove himself and attempt to earn back what he had lost from HIS fans, not the writers. He's done what virtually every human being has done and will continue to do, he made a mistake

19.  Stormer, interesting stuff as always. Got to say you are living up to your moniker. I appreciate your contributions here and especially your energy, but after seeing the length of some of your most recent posts, I couldn't help but think that you might want to consider launching your own blog. You certainly have a lot to say.

I don't mean to suggest that I don't value your contributions to the Bronx Banter threads and I don't mean to discourage you from adding your two cents worth, but I think the length of some of your comments is excessive for this forum, and I wouldn't want anyone to feel alienated because the threads are being dominated by one, or a choice few, people.

I don't mean any of this as a personal attack so please don't take it that way. Cliff and I are in the tricky position of inviting anyone to join the party yet at the same time having to monitor the proceedings. I don't mean to stifle your enthusiasm, which is very much appreciated, just the opposite. I feel like you've got so much to say that you should at least think about starting a site of your own. I know I'd check it out.

20.  Stormer,

Hey do you have your own Blog somewhere? If not, you should think about it. You're definetly prolific enough to run one.

21.  What's the current line on Yankees winning the wild card?

22.  Ben, Alex,

Well, thanks.

Alex,

I understand completely, and again, thanks for your professional approach. I grabbed a domain from midphase--which I have to change, but simply don't want to pay the change in name fee right now--Not to mention the time needed to build the site from scratch, I'd want one to stand alone if possible, simple but . . . well you know. I don't usually have this much time to contribute, and writing consistently has always been the most difficult for me--I have my sporatic spurts and that damn TV calls me like a crack pipe, and, as I'm sure you know, the key to keeping any site going is consistent updates. Not to mention, could I really find something interesting to write about the NFL, hmm?

And all one has to do is open any major paper to realize that you don't need to be Leo Tolstoy to write about sports for a living.

(I happen to be away from everyone, on business....nuff said)

However, eventually I will start one, or at least a satire site, and you're encouragement is much appreciated, sincerely. . .I will be sure to ask you for advice once I get up and going. And with the fear of encouraging unsolicited emails, I'll ask you to shoot me an email at brstormer@adelphia.net, no it's not a gay dating service, maybe you could exchange ideas with me, give me some pointers, or talk about starting a for profit site where one guy --namely me-- wouldn't have to do all the work.

That being said, I will absolutely scale back the length of my posts. Sometimes, that Rosenthal article for example, get me all wired and, at the moment, wish I had taken typing instead of Art, what was I thinking--if you could see my disfigured pecking, I will have to retain myself, to represent me, in my carpel tunnel suit, against myself, someday.

23.  Further Cliff.

I continue to be encouraged by the artful and intelligent posts I read here from your members, and would not want to do anything to distract.

One can only go to MLB.com etc., and read a heaping serving of "Boston Sux, blah blah blah," before you search for a more thougtful forum,although I do have my moments, usually in front of an older woman, and behind some 10 year old kid, accidentially screaming "Fuck you Manny, want me to come down and help you with this next fly ball you oversensitive selfish, childish punk, you suck!"

Then the usher and myself become fast friends at the parents request.

I have seen a bunch of these, as I'm sure you have, and yours in top notch.

24.  By the way, call it Blind Faith, but right now, I gotta believe the Yanks are going to win all three games down in Tampa. What do I know? But I've got to keep hope alive here. Let's go, boys!

25.  And meantime, here's hoping the A's and Blue Jays win tonight too!

26.  Baseball prospectus daily does a million simulations to calculate playoff odds:
http://www.baseballprospectus.com/statistics/ps_odds.php

As of today, Yanks have a 16% chance of the division championship, 13% of the wild card for a total of 30% chance of making the playoffs.

27.  Wow, 30%, wow is all I can say. I've seen the mountain top, and it sure is a long way down.

I couldn't log on to my sportsbetting site to grab the odds, thanks! I figure, better to trust the oddsmakers and sportsbooks, they're odds are about as good as it gets, as they have to pay when they're wrong, and don't get enough action on both sides of the wager.

28.  Stormer,

Completely agree with your assessment of the Rosenthal piece, which I didn't read. Unless Giambi is fooling us all and sneaking the stuff on the sly, my guess is that his return to form, which I didn't expect at all, is the result of hard work. No question that he deserves his award.

He might even be an MVP candidate if some other big guy would stop hitting late inning jacks in tie games, night after night after night after night. The one he hit last night, by the way, was found floating in Hudson Bay.

29.  Stormer,

The odds aren't set by statisticians based on stats, but by bookmakers based on money laid down. The Yanks are always a bad bet because there's always an excessive amount bet on them.

Personally, I think the Yanks are better than 30% to make it to the playoffs, though I'd be willing to lower that some if I knew that Sheffield was going to be on the shelf for an extended period.

I expect them to club their way in, not pitch. Methinks Aaron Small's magic dust supply was only slightly greater than that of Sean Chacon's, and his is apparently gone.

30.  Debris,

I unserstand that man. That's why I said "on both sides of the wager," that's what lines are designed to do, once the money begins rolling in, never have too heavy an amount of action on one side, the line moves with the action.

The Yanks aren't a bad bet becuase the of the amount necessarily, although that sometimes pushes the line too far, making the odds unfavorable due to the huge risk on the part of sportsbooks to pay the winning wagers, they are a bad bet, sometimes, because the return is small based on a higher likelyhood that the bet will pay off, more risk, higher reward, go ahead and bet the Devil Rays at 1000-1.

I don't think I said "statistician."

No fighting damn you.

31.  Debris,

As a fan, I think the Yankees chances are 100% God Dammit!

As a wagerer, I think 30% is just about right on.

32.  I hope the odds at Baseball Prospectus are compiled by statisticians, otherwise I want my money back.

If the Yanks don't win tonight, I have to take a week off from baseball. Waechter sucks.

Tomorrow's game is going to be the tough one. Hendrickson is no joke these days.

33.  Stormer,

That's the spirit. As a lifelong Yankee hater, I must confess that I've been shocked (yet enjoying) by the defeatist attitude around here.

BTW, I'll be celebrating my 50th Anniversary as a Yankee hater next month. You're all invited to the party. The highlight of my summer this year was meeting Johnny Podres and sharing a good reminisce with him

34.  To follow the great start above....

I think your work is very good too, Stormer. I'm often tempted myself to write a chapter or two, especially when my brain is racing with something.

And....this has got to be the best sports related site I've ever visited. Most places feature heavy on the "Yankees suck"/"Red Sox suck" rhetoric and we actually end up saying something here. What a relief.....

We WILL sweep TB this series and I forsee the Yanks going 9-1 over the next 10, while the Sox will go 7-3. We'll be a game back going into the final 9 games. That and a dollar will get you a cup of coffee from a street vendor....

35.  Have you guys seen the lineup do jour:

Jeter
ARod
Giambi
Sheff
Matsui
Bernie
Posada
Cano
Crosby

With Sheff as DH and Bernie as CF (Bubba RF).

I like it, give more AB's to your best batters. I'm not a fan of the tablesetters philosophy. Plus with the on-base percentage of ARod and Giambi it makes sense for Sheff and Matsui to drive them in. And let's face it, ARod is better when he does not have RISP (that does not mean he is not clutch, he is as clutch as any other). Thoughts?

36.  Have you guys seen the lineup du jour:

Jeter
ARod
Giambi
Sheff
Matsui
Bernie
Posada
Cano
Crosby

With Sheff as DH and Bernie as CF (Bubba RF).

I like it, give more AB's to your best batters. I'm not a fan of the tablesetters philosophy. Plus with the on-base percentage of ARod and Giambi it makes sense for Sheff and Matsui to drive them in. And let's face it, ARod is better when he does not have RISP (that does not mean he is not clutch, he is as clutch as any other). Thoughts?

37.  Check out the top of the lineup tonight - Jeter, ARod, Giabi, Sheff, Matsui.

38.  Dang, tocho is (barely) first and (much) better.

39.  and double posted.. sorry I meant to change a typo "do jour" for "du jour"

40.  I like it. No Lawton, at least.

IIRC, A-Rod got a real boost last year after Torre dropped him to #2 in the lineup.

And maybe it'll help him win the Triple Crown, too. Kinda hard to get a lot of RBIs batting behind Sheff or Giambi.

41.  I guess the lineup is working... but it needs to produce another 5 runs at least

42.  Is 10 enough for ya? ;)