The Mark Graham Sports Blog's posts tagged New York Yankees

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• Giambi, Clemens Drank Beer In Yankees Dugout

  October 20, 2011

  In "shocking" news, reports are coming out that former New York Yankees jason Giambi and Roger Clemens drank beers in the dugouts during games.

  Giambi and Clemens would pass around Giambi's "protein shake", code name for beer. The source also claims that beer drinking would continue in the clubhouse and training rooms. The Yankees aren't alone either, the Mets were also called out for beer drinking. The source states that Mets players would go into the clubhouse with Gatorade cups and have them come back filled with beer. Beer distributors would also leave beer for the players, sometimes numerous cases during games.

  Another report says that former Yankee and A's player and all-around class act Jose Canseco drank beers before each of his home runs in at least one of his two three home run games.

  Drinking appears to be a big problem in baseball with more and more reports of players drinking during games. The St. Louis Cardinals have taken an extra step by banning alcohol in the clubhouse after the drunk driving death of pitcher Josh Hancock in 2007. Teams need to nip this in the bud before the problem gets worse and have another incident similar to the Hancock accident. Also, regular working Joe's can't drink while they're working, so why can ballplayers? These athletes need to be professional and grow up.

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• The Pros And Cons Of Potential Red Sox Manager Canidates

  October 15, 2011

  The list of names on the Red Sox list seems to be growing everyday and no one knows how the Red Sox will go. I have comprised a list of names that have come up and weighed their pros and cons.

   

  • Dave Martinez- Rays Bench Coach

  Pros: Since 2007, Martinez has been Joe Maddon's right hand man and has been a huge success in the Rays 180 turn. Martinez is also a former player and knows the ins and outs of a clubhouse and used to coach Carl Crawford while in Tampa. Martinez could possibly get Carl Crawford back on track and back to his old self.

  Cons: When it comes to pitching, Martinez doesn;t really know all that much. Maddon is in control of the pitching in Tampa and Martinez basically gives Maddon no feedback. This is not good considering the Red Sox pitching collapse down the stretch. Also, the Red Sox are looking for candidates with managerial experience. Unfortunately, Martinez has none and the Red Sox could be a little wary of that fact because this team really needs some discipline.

   

  • Sandy Alomar, Jr.- Indians Bench Coach

  Pros: Alomar is a hot commodity in baseball when it comes to young managerial candidates. Sandy used to be a catcher and catchers seem to make great managers (Joe Torre, Mike Scoiscia, Joe Girardi, etc.). Alomar was also a finalist last season for the Toronto gig that when to former Sox pitching coach John Farrell and was rumored to be considered for the White Sox job before Robin Ventura (I know, right?). It's not a question of if Alomar will get a managerial job, but where?

  Cons: No managerial experience and was only promoted to the Indians bench coach position in September.

   

  • DeMarlo Hale- Red Sox Bench Coach

  Pros: DeMarlo Hale is well respected by the Red Sox players and ownership. He knows this team and the players would feel very comfortable with him as manager. Like Alomar, he was considered for the Blue Jays job last season.

  Cons: DeMarlo Hale was part of the epic Red Sox September collapse. It probably wouldn't be that big of a change for the Sox when they definitely need one right now. Also, when Terry Francona gets a managerial job, Hale would probably go with him presuming he already hasn't secured a manager job of his own.

   

  • Bobby Valentine- ESPN analyst and former Rangers and Mets Manager

  Pros: Bobby V is a fiery manager and would not put up with the Red Sox dramatic clubhouse. This team need a disciplinarian and outside of "Sweet" Lou Piniella there is no one else more tough than Bobby Valentine.

  Cons: Valentine doesn't exactly have the best of records. 15 years as a Major League manager, 2 playoff appearances (1999 and 2000), 1,117-1,072. Then again Terry Francona didn't have the best of records either and we all know how that turned out.

   

  • Dale Sveum- Brewers Hitting Coach

  Pros: Not many other than the fact he used to be a coach in Boston.

  Cons: Sveum might be regarded among Red Sox fans as the worst third base coach the Sox have ever had. Continuous players thrown out a the plate because he doesn't know what a stop sign is. If Sveum is hired, there would be a huge backlash and I think the Red Sox ownership would be wise not to hire him.

   

  • Tony Pena- Yankees Bench Coach

  Pros: Tony Pena has become Joe Girardi's right hand man in New York on a successful ballclub. Pena also has managerial experience as he managed the Kansas City Royals from 2002-2005. In 2003, he led the Royals to a 83-79 record, their first winning record since '94, and won the 2003 American League Manager of the Year award. That is nothing short of amazing that Pena actually won in Kansas City, if only for a year, with a minuscule payroll. Also, it would be a huge coup if the Red Sox stole away one of the Yankees top men.

  Cons: When Joe Torre left as Yankees manager, they passed Pena over in favor of Joe Girardi. So there is something in Pena that the Yankees didn't necessarily like and, although managing the Royals, Pena followed his amazing 2003 season by leading the same Royals to a 104 loss season in 2004.

   

  I believe that one of these names will be the new Red Sox manager and I just hope they take their time and hire the right man for the job. Not Dale Sveum.

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• Ortiz, Red Sox Divorce Inevitable

  October 14, 2011

  Like sands through the hourglass, so are the days of the Red Sox. The Red Sox drama sounds more and more like a soap opera everyday.

  Today's installment of As the Red Sox World Turns, David Ortiz has said that he is fed up with the drama in Boston and might consider signing with the Yankees. Ortiz said, ""There's too much drama, man, there's too much drama. I have been thinking about a lot of things. I don't know if I want to be part of this drama for next year" and has heard that playing for the Yankees is a good situation to be in. The Yankees need a middle of the order presence and Ortiz fits that mold, so why not? Plus it would be a huge coup if the Yankees can steal a beloved Red Sox player.

  Just two weeks ago, Ortiz stated that he wanted to return to Fenway next season. That was before the mudslinging and the departure of Theo Epstein. Since the season ended, reports have come out saying Terry Francona was distracted by martial problems and a substance abuse problem, pitchers partying down in the clubhouse during games, and players revolting against ownership over a doubleheader against Oakland. The Yankees will overpay for Ortiz that is a given, but will Ortiz bite? If Ortiz does sign with the Bronx Bombers it will erase everything he has done for Red Sox Nation and make him a vilified figure in Boston. Ortiz has to do what he has to do and if it is signing with the Yankees so be it.

  When Ortiz leaves, it does give the Red Sox more money to go after bigger names like Albert Pujols and Prince Fielder. Question is would any of them be willing to play DH with first base occupied by Adrian Gonzalez? Pujols will most likely re-sign with the Cardinals because he seems like a pretty loyal player and is known as one of the greatest Cards of all time and the Cardinals will break the bank for him. Fielder has previously stated that this season will probably be his last in Milwaukee. So the Red Sox have a better chance of signing Fielder than they do with Pujols. Fielder, if he does sign with Boston, would almost have to play DH because Gonzalez is better defensively. Problem is Fielder doesn't play any other position and a move to Boston seems unlikely. A move to the AL seems unlikely. When it is all said and done Pujols and Fielder don't end up in Beantown.

  In my opinion, Ortiz has played his last game in Boston as the drama has gotten to be too much for him. It will be hard for new General Manager Ben Cherington to replace him during free agency without Pujols and Fielder. Red Sox fans, you are witnessing the beginning of the end.

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• The 1st Annual Marky Awards

  October 13, 2011

  Ladies and gentlemen, this is the 1st annual Marky Awards for baseball, the most prestigious award of any kind since the Cable Ace. After tabulating all the votes, The Mark Graham Sports Blog has come up with the winners in the following fields:

  • AL Pitcher of the Year- Tigers P Justin Verlander

  Verlander just dominated this year going 24-5 with a league leading 2.40 ERA. Verlander was a big part of the Tigers success this season ans should be a shoo in for (a less prestigious) Cy Young

  Honorable Mention- Yankees P CC Sabathia, Tigers P Jose Valverde

  • NL Pitcher of the Year- Diamondbacks P Ian Kennedy

  It would be real easy to go with Roy Halladay and one could make a real argument for him, but my vote goes to Kennedy. Kennedy went 21-4 with an ERA of 2.88. Before this season, Kennedy's career high in wins was 9 in 2010. Kennedy seems to be in the prime of his career and only will get better. His pitching helped propel the Diamondbacks to a surprise NL West title and was easily the best player on his team this season.

  Honorable Mention- Phillies P Roy Halladay

  • AL Most Valuable Player- Tigers P Justin Verlander

  Again, Verlander is deserving of this award. Verlander's pitching this season was lights out and was the only starting pitcher on his team with an ERA under 4. With the starting pitchers ERA being so high the Tigers still won the AL Central and defeated the Yankees because of Verlander. Verlander is the MVP, period.

  Honorable Mention- Red Sox CF Jacoby Ellsbury, Yankees CF Curtis Granderson

  • NL Most Valuable Player- Brewers LF Ryan Braun

  I had three players in mind when thinking about this. Matt Kemp was the best player on his team, but the Dodgers were a non-factor. Prince Fielder had a great year but another player on his own team I thought was more valuable. So Ryan Braun wins the NL MVP. Braun hit .332, 33 HR, 111 RBI and was one half of probably the best 1-2 punch in baseball. I chose Braun over Fielder simply because Braun was an overall better hitter. Fielder may have had a higher on base percentage but Braun had the higher batting average. Although, I would not be surprised if Fielder wins the MLB NL MVP, Braun gets the more prestigious Marky Award.

  Honorable Mention- Dodgers CF Matt Kemp, Brewers 1B Prince Fielder

  • Brien Taylor Award (Biggest Disappointment)- White Sox DH Adam Dunn

  Red Sox fans everywhere would probably say Carl Crawford but Crawford eventually got out of his slump. Dunn however did not. After signing a four year, $56 million deal with the South Siders, Dunn hit .159, 11 HR, 42 RBI, and had a mind boggling 177 strikeouts. Many players would be sent down to the minors, but the White Sox signed Dunn for that much money they just simply couldn't do it. Dunn is now untradeable because of this season and the White Sox are now stuck with him for three more seasons. Good signing, Kenny.

  Honorable Mention- Red Sox P John Lackey

  • AL Manager of the Year- Rays manager Joe Maddon

  Any reason I need to explain? Maddon led the Rays to an epic comeback erasing a Red Sox nine game lead in September. It seems like every button Maddon pushes seems to be the right one. For example, when the Rays were down in the ninth on the final game of the year, he called upon Dan Johnson to pinch hit and he proceeded to hit the game tying home run. Maddon also won with a razor thin payroll and it goes to show you with the right leadership you can win with anything.

  Honorable Mention- Rangers manager Ron Washington

  • NL Manager of the Year- Diamondbacks manager Kirk Gibson

  The Diamondbacks were not supposed to win the NL West, but try telling that to Kirk Gibson. Gibson led the Diamondbacks to a 94-68 record, a 29 win improvement from last season. The Diamondbacks didn't really make any big changes during the offseason, so it was almost the same team as last year. Gibson was a hard nosed player back in the day and expects the same from his team and it payed of this year. With Gibson at the helm, good days are ahead for the D-Backs.

  Honorable Mention- Brewers manager Ron Roenicke, Pirates manager Clint Hurdle

  • AL Rookie of the Year- Rays P Jeremy Hellickson

  Hellickson was a solid starter for the Rays this past season going 13-10 with a 2.95 ERA. He also threw two complete games with one being a shutout. Hellickson was pretty good down the stretch when the Rays needed him. That is a pretty tall order for a rookie.

  Honorable Mention- Yankees P Ivan Nova

  • NL Rookie of the Year- Braves P Craig Kimbrel

  The Braves had a few good rookies this year, but none was better than Kimbrel. Kimbrel led the NL in saves with 46 and he is only a rookie. Kimbrel was as good as they come in terms of relief pitchers (except for the blown save against the Phillies). Kimbrel still has time to grow as a closer and could be one of the greats.

  Honorable Mention- Braves 1B Freddie Freeman, Phillies P Vance Worley

  That is all for this year's Marky Awards for Baseball Excellence (except for Dunn) don't forget to tip your waitresses and have a good night.

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