Shamefully I had to rely on a Sox fan to remind me that August 2nd was the 30th Anniversary of Thurman Munson’s death. Munson was characterized as “Old School” and considering I continually refer to 70′s baseball as Old School anyway, you have to go back a lot further. Munson played with grit, guts and effort. He was effective rather than graceful, his legend filled with leadership and intangibles beyond simple statistics. Munson won the MVP in 1976 and was the cornerstone of the 1977 and ’78 World Series Championship teams. He both feuded and be-friended Reggie Jackson (and was actually out flying with him weeks before his death). The Bronx Zoo was the first Yankee team I remember (yet Munson’s death escapes me with the exception of stories, books and articles I’ve read or watched over the years).

Marty Appel has recently released a new Biography of the Yankee Captain which was released in July (I unfortunately have not read it yet but have heard it’s a must read for all Yankee Fans and baseball fans a like). There have been eleven Yankee Captains in history, but the fifth and sixth names on that list stand out. Lou Gehrig and Thurman Munson. I’ve read biographies recently on both Gehrig and Munson and eerily had the same experience, an experience I read over multiple postings that other fans have also written. I powered through the first two thirds of both books, and then in the chapters on 1979 (and 1939 for the Iron Horse), slowed down considerably. I’d read a page, put the book down and walk away, feeling that if I did not finish the chapter that maybe it’d change, maybe Gehrig would not come down with ALS or Munson would not buy (or fly) that Cessna.

Munson’s career numbers have not been determined to be Hall of Fame worthy (and with the recent influx of offense, we will have to wait for a veteran exception similar to Joe Gordon’s). .292 Average, 1500 hits, 100 HR’s and 700 RBI’s over a 10 year career are serviceable numbers. Intangibles such as leadership, defence, seven time all-star, a rookie of the year award, MVP and two World Series Rings (and three AL Pennants) add to his resume. Munson is also the only Yankee to have won both the MVP and Rookie of the Year in pinstripes.

Munson’s famous locker has been moved from the Old stadium to the New Stadium and is displayed for all fans to see. I’ve read countless stories about the game after his death, the ten minute tribute from the fans and the impact the loss of Munson had on the Yankees, their fans, baseball and the city of New York (and Canton Ohio). I am at the new Stadium this weekend and Munson’s locker is a must see for my visit. His number 15 is still prevalent on the backs of fans at any game in the Bronx.

“Our captain and leader has not left us, today, tomorrow, this year, next … Our endeavors will reflect our love and admiration for him.” – George Steinbrenner.

Rest in Peace Thurman Munson, as our Captain, you deserve a spot in the Hall of Fame.

Todd Price
follow me on twitter at www.twitter.com/todd11ny  

For the record, we’re only talking sports teams, but someone has to ask the question. Is Boston the dirtiest sports city in America? IF it’s not, who is. Here’s some ammunition against it.

1. Manny and Ortiz test positive for Steroids – Here we are three to four days post Papi-gate and I’ve kept extremely tight lipped on the whole Manny and Ortiz getting “outed” for failed tests in 2003. I really do not have to run through the tainted championships and impacts/feelings to Sox fan, I already wrote that article on May 7th, following Manny’s 2009 positive test. There’s still more Sox to come, if that was not apparent Thursday, well, Friday, Bronson Arroyo admitted he’s expecting to see his name on the 2003 list soon (by the way, good on you for admitting you used PEDs before you were actually caught – that shows real class and I do not write that lightly). The 2004 and 2007 Championship banners hanging in Fenway are tainted and they are tainted badly. There is absolutely no doubt in any person who’s ever watched a baseball game over the past five years that the Sox NEVER would have won those two World Series without Manny and Papi. That point is undeniable.

2. Red Sox have had to release employees in the past for connections and possession of PEDs – Red Sox.com ran a story just this week about two members of the Red Sox security staff being let go for possession of steroids in September 2008. Nicholas Cyr and Jared Remy we’re let go following an incident in July 2008. (Yes broadcast and former Sox, Jerry Remy’s kid).

3. The Mitchell Report – I’m a Yankees fan, so it took me all of forty five seconds to find out that Senator George Mitchell was high up in the Boston Red Sox organization. There has been countless conflict of interest claims around the report, especially considering several prominent Yankees players from their World Series clubs (including Pettitte, Knoblauch and Clemens) were listed, yet no prominent Red Sox (with the possible exception of Mo Vaughn) and no Brewers (Bud Selig’s team) at all. Considering that employees of his club and his two super star corner stones were involved, do you question the validity of his research or his character? Either way, the man’s a fraud or an idiot. You take your pick.

4. Spy Gate – The 2007 New England Patriot’s season started with a little controversy as head coach Bill Belichek and the Pats were fined $50,000 and the loss of their first round draft pick for video tapping the opposing teams (The Jets no less) defensive signals from an unauthorized location in week one. The Boston Herald reported that an employee of the Patriots secretly videotaped the St Louis Rams 2001 Super Bowl practices. Matt Walsh was on staff as a videographer during their first Super Bowl run. Did the city or the team show any remorse for being caught and fined for cheating? No, they went out and ran the score up on every team they played. Brady and Moss both broke records for Touch Down passes and receptions that year. If I recall the Super Bowl did not go as planned and here I had pre-ordered a copy of 19-0, the story of the New England Patriot’s Undefeated season.

5. Tom Brady’s love life – The golden boy is known for more than just Super Bowl rings and Touch down passes. Bridget Moynahan confirmed to People magazine that she was three months pregnant (with Brady’s child) on February 18th, 2007. Tough luck since Brady had sent her packing about six weeks prior to the announcement. Seems the Gisele Bundchen was more to his liking. When you are living the high life and can flip a pregnant actress for super model, who wouldn’t. In fairness to Brady, from what I’ve seen and read in the press, he’s a great dad, just a lousy boyfriend.

6. Racism – From what I’ve seen personally and read recently, Boston has made huge strides forward. I’ve been to Pats games and Sox games and have never experienced or seen anything that would indicate Boston is a racist city. I’ve run the Marathon four times and been through Boston more than any other US city. So why do I even bring it up? Well, google it, the perception is still there. The Sox were the last team to integrate, passing on Willie Mays, Elston Howard and Jackie Robinson who all tried out for the Sox in the late 40′s (I mean really, do you think Matt Batts, Bobby Doerr and with all do respect to Dom, Dom DiMaggio, could have kept those three hall of famers off the team?). Bill Russell has spoken openly about his experience living in Boston and Jim Rice would experience racism during his time in Boston. Mo Vaughn and eventually Barry Bonds as recently as 2004 discussed issues with Boston. It’s a tough label to climb out under and hopefully the City of Boston can continue moving forward.

7. 2008 Celtics – I’ve really got nothing here, Celtics vs. Lakers final was amazing to watch (although I would have loved to see it go to Kobe). There’s a crazy tabloid accusing Kevin Garnett of cheating on his wife with a Timberwolves Cheerleader (but find me an NBA player who’s not cheating on his wife, that’d be news. Only piece I can even poke some fun at is Paul Pierce attempting to steal a little Willis Reed action from the Knicks as he was carried off the floor half dead only to return running down the run way.

8. Fan Reaction – This is coming from a die hard Yankees fan, so take it for what its worth. To quote some JPG I found on the web “Yankee Fans – They’re front runners who derive a sick pleasure from other’s despair. They’re rude, obnoxious, entitled and owned by a jackass. And they’re waiting for you to screw up. Don’t screw up.” The only thing I could personally add to that is we’re title hungry. I’ve been told countless times (not in a personal direction, just as a group) that Yankee fans are the worst fans in America, and maybe we were. Sox fans, Pats fan, the reaction I’ve seen both times (during Spygate and immediately after Ortiz was caught) was the same. Who cares, we won. Papi hits a three run home run with the news still wet on the paper and its curtain call time. These are not just drunken idiots, MLA T.J. Burke was quoted by the New York Times as saying “Papi can take steroids all day long if he wants, he brought us two championships”, while these comments were lated clarified as just joking around. For me, though, I’ve seen and heard it too many times. Sox won, who cares what they were on.

I’m in Boston in a little over a week and I’m half expecting to see a huge banner flying over the city. “Our Cheaters are better than your cheaters”. To the Sox fans who called out Papi as the cheater he is, I applaud you. People make mistakes, if they acknowledge it, accept some consequences and show remorse, you forgive them. The Sox cheated. The Patriots cheated. Boston, show some respect for yourselves and demand some sort of an apology. The Yankees have not won the World Series 31 times in my lifetime, the Giants, 33 non-Super Bowl title years. These teams didn’t cheat me, they cheated you.

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Todd Price

http://wayoverpriced.com

Since 2007 we’ve moved away from the so-called “Joba Rules” . Joba was restricted from pitching on consecutive days and rested for one day per inning pitched in his previous appearance. The Joba Rules became well known and socialized resulting in an inspired a t-shirt craze in the Bronx and a couple funny stories such as Joba thinking he could pitch in Fenway one night because the clock had struck mid-night, thus beginning a new day. 2007 has come and gone and Joba is in year two of his career as a starting pitcher for the New York Yankees. Since the All-star break he’s been the Best starting pitcher in Baseball – 3-0 Record (including wins against Detroit and Tampa Bay), 21.2IP, 19K’s and only 2 earned runs and 8 hits. Joba has been on fire of late with his breaking stuff looking absolutely filthy, especially coming off a fast ball with pinpoint accuracy that hit 97MPH in Tampa on Wednesday night. Joba’s been extremely aggressive on the mound of late, working as fast as any pitcher in league. His body language exudes confidence, he’s standing a top the mound, loaded and ready to fire almost instantly as if to say, “come on, hurry up, I want to send you back to the dug out with that bat, and your tail, between your legs”, and he’s doing what power pitchers are supposed to do – he’s throwing high inside heat and he’s moving people’s feat. Pedro Martinez and I agree on one thing (and quite possibly one thing only), so let’s get it out there. You want to dominate in the Majors, you go old school Don Drysdale, Bob Gibson style and you throw inside. It’s no coincident that the leading pitcher in MLB this year for Hit Batters is Joba (of note, Burnett is number four, Sabathia is fifteenth) and its no coincidence that the best pitcher since the All-star break is Joba, and its no coincidence that Joba is having fun again.

No one is questioning whether or not he should be in rotation or pen since his break in Nebraska, the questions now revert to…what are the new Joba Rules going to look like?

Lets step back a second and remember this kid is 23 years old and has very limited innings at the Major League level (even though it seems like we’ve been talking about him forever). Estimates put Chamberlain on a 160 Inning limit for 2009 (he’s currently at 110) and the Yankees have been adamant that regardless of where they are in the standing, they are not toying with Chamberlain’s future. Up until the last three starts, no one was really overly concerned with the cap. Chamberlain of late has been dominant and the questions are looming. How do the Yankees utilize Joba’s fist pumping, spin-o-rama filled, 50 remaining innings to the best of their ability through August, September and hopefully a long October stretch.

With the trade deadline looming (and perhaps past depending on when you hit the blog), expect to see another arm landing in the Bronx. Swapping Phil Hughes and Joba between the Pen and the Rotation will not be the answer. Hughes has been stretched out a little further over the past four to five appearance (hitting as many as 39 pitches and going two innings instead of the traditional 8th. I believe this is more in line with using him in a similar fashion to the way Mo was utilized during the 1996 Play off run where he was absolutely unhittable from the time the starter faltered until they gave the ball to Wetteland. Hughes should stay in the pen, and Joba (much to the disagreement of himself and many of his teammates) needs to be managed through the next three months. He’s the real deal, and while I’d love another World Series Banner in the Bronx as much as the next guy, I think the Yankees can both protect his arm and future while still making a deep post season run. Time will tell.

Todd Price

www.wayoverpriced.com

Manny Ramirez and David Ortiz tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs in 2003, lawyers with knowledge of the results told The New York Times.

The two were key members of the Boston Red Sox World Series teams in 2004 and 2007.

From ESPN and the New York Times

Comments to follow later tonight

Todd Price

www.wayoverpriced.com

Follow me on twitter at www.twitter.com/todd11ny

When the Boston Red Sox signed John Smoltz in the off-season, I thought they had made an excellent acquisition that would help shore up a shaky bullpen from the season before. I thought that the man with over 200 wins and 150 saves may not have had the arm strength to pitch the ninth inning anymore, but he was a reliable veteran and knew how to get people out. Then I found out that the Red Sox planned on bringing him back as a starter, and I laughed and I laughed and I laughed some more.

Last May, recovering from an inflamed shoulder, Smoltz admitted that he would never be able to start again. The Braves planned to bring him back as a closer, a position in which he would finish his career. On June 2, Smoltz returned as a closer and lasted a grand total of eight days on the job before recquiring season ending shoulder surgery. It appeared that a great career was over.

It wasn’t. In December, 2008, Smoltz worked out with the Sox and displayed excellent progress from shoulder surgery. The Red Sox decided to sign him to a one year contract in hopes that he could return 100% healthy before mid-season. It was a feel good story, reading that Smoltz had been able to successfully rehab his shoulder at the age of 42. The Red Sox were gaining a dangerous bullpen weapon; a man with nerves of steal and a pretty good arsenal of pitches.

Shortly after Smoltz was signed, the Sox indicated that they planned to bring him back as a starter. Remembering his claims less than a year earlier that he would never be able to start again, I was stunned by this bit of news. Stunned and in complete disagreement. I didn’t think there was any chance Smoltz could return as a starter.

Well, for once I was right. Since returning at the end of June, Smoltz has posted an unimpressive 1-4 record with a 7.04 era. He has been lit up by Oakland, Baltimore, and the Nationals. That’s not exactly a group of powerhouses. He has lasted six innings once, he’s thrown zero quality starts, and his whip is over 1.50. It is safe to say that Smoltz is finished as an effective starter.

The question remains, will the Red Sox move him to the bullpen or continue the starting experiment? They are 14-15 since Smoltz returned, and their rotation that was once complimented for its depth is struggling. Smoltz has been ineffective, Brad Penny has been a flop (much to my accurate predicting delight), Dice-K was last seen clucking around the mound like a chicken, Wakefield’s hurt, and Bucholtz is struggling to solidify his position in the rotation. All of a sudden, the Sox only have two reliable starters. Uh oh. I’m mostly surprised that I could find a picture of him actually pitching. 

While the Red Sox shop around for Victor Martinez and Adrian Gonzalez, I’ll continue to smile and watch my Yankees inquire about Jarrod Washburn. Somewhere along the way, the Sox forgot about the recipe for success and the Yankees remembered. It’s pitching and defence that wins championships. At this point in the season, I expected the Yankees to have more rotation question marks than the Sox. Instead, it is a Sox great who is at the end of his rope, and it is a Sox rotation that cannot be trusted. Meanwhile, the Yankees continue to pull away from the pack.

Ryan Price

www.wayoverpriced.com

Let’s set the record straight right of the bat, I’m not suggesting for a second I’d trade Josh Beckett for AJ Burnett. I’m also not comparing the career successes of Josh Beckett to AJ Burnett (or even the entire year where Beckett has beaten Burnett once already in two opposing starts). There, now that the disclaimer is out of the way for the lawyers, let’s look at comparing Burnett and Beckett about eight days before they collide in a massive match up at new Yankee Stadium next Friday night (assuming rotations stay the same and it does not rain anywhere the Yankees or Sox play over the next week). Beckett and Burnett each have one more start before renewing acquaintances in the Bronx (Beckett in Camden Yards and Burnett against the White Sox in Chicago, both games on this upcoming Saturday).

Beckett has been absolutely dominant in Fenway Park (save for a Yankees visit early in the year that ended in a ridiculous circus score and a Sox win). Beckett’s 7-0 in Fenway, and has an ERA of almost two full runs lower than he does on the road – 2.58 vs 4.34. Beckett’s sitting 12-4 with a 3.44 ERA, a 1.15 WHIP and 127K’s year to date. Burnett has posted a 10-4 record, 3.53 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 113 K’s; quite comparable.

Burnett has stepped it up the past 8 games and is the number one reason the Yankees are closing in on posting an unheard of .750 winning percentage in the month of July and currently are sitting 2.5 games up on the Sox. If you take away the Angels series (where Burnett did not take the mound, and honestly, neither should have anyone else) the Yankees are 17-3 in July with four games to play. Burnett over his past eight starts is 6-1 with 53.2 innings pitched (6.2 IP per game) and an ERA close to under 1.70 with 57K’s and only 37 hits. Beckett’s stat line is comparable with a 5-2 record, 59.2 innings pitched and an ERA of 3.00 or slightly under with his season average. He’s put up 51K’s and 52 hits. Both no decisions for Burnett and Beckett ended up in wins with the Yankees beating Detroit late on a Burnett start and the Sox doing the same to the Orioles.

Next Friday’s game will be huge for that series, the momentum of the winning team and quite possibly the season. Josh Beckett is money in big games, check his career – he is a literal beast when all the chips are on the table. AJ buddy, it’s time to step up. I’ve been in your corner all year, predicting a big season. I was all over your fast start and blogged about your intangibles when you couldn’t put a win together in May. I’ve made room for my brother on the AJ Burnett Bandwagon this past month, and all I’ve asked for is 16 wins this year. BUT, I want your start against the Sox next weekend to be one of those sixteen…so don’t let me down.

Now, back to the Rays-Yanks game

Todd Price

Follow me on Twitter at www.twitter.com/todd11ny

www.wayoverpriced.com

Cooperstown welcomed in Jim Rice, Rickey Henderson and Joe “Flash” Gordon today as the newest inductees into the Baseball Hall of Fame.

Rickey was one of a few ever first time ballot entrees, entering as perhaps the greatest leadoff hitter in Major League History. Jim Rice had a little longer wait but was no less deserving, compiling a life time stats line of .298, 382 Home Runs, 1,451 RBIs and 2,452 hits playing his entire career with the Boston Red Sox. Rice was in the heart of the order during the late seventies and was the last in line from Williams to Yaz and now Rice for Hall of Fame Left Fielders for the Sox. Rice narrowly lost out on Rookie of the Year and league MVP to team mate Fred Lynn during the famous 1975 season in Boston (Rice also missed the ALCS and World Series with a wrist injury). Growing up in the late seventies and early to mid ’80′s in New Brunswick (which is sadly located a little too close to Boston for my liking), had all the kids I used to play ball with pretending to be Yaz, Freddy Lynn, Dwight Evans, Carlton Fisk and of course, Jim Rice. Me…I was always Reggie Jackson, whether I was stuck catching as the youngest on the team or not (well until someone else came along when I was a little older in let’s say 1985.

On July 28th, in Fenway Park, the Red Sox will retire Rice’s number 14

Toronto fans will vividly remember the ’89 ALCS where Rickey was a one man wrecking crew and utterly dominated the Jays. .400 Average with 7 walks, .609 OBP, 2 home runs, a double and a triple, 8 stolen bases and 8 runs added up to the ALCS MVP that year and a return trip for Oakland to the World Series (Henderson hit .474 against the Giants to win his first of two World Series Rings). He followed up the ’89 Playoff campaign with an MVP season in 1990.

My own personally recollection of Rickey Henderson was from 1985 to 1989. Mattingly was the face of the franchise in the years between Munson and Jeter and admittedly tears were shed when he went deep against Seattle in the 95 ALCS off Andy Benes in game two. I can still see those beer cups showering the field in the Bronx. Most Yankees fans from the ’80s will still attest to their love affair with Donne Baseball, me, I couldn’t get enough of Rickey Henderson’s flare. From his snatch catches to his spot a top the league in Runs, Stolen Bases and lead off home runs, Rickey brought a style, approach and dramatics to the Bronx that had been missing since Reggie Jackson left. He hit home runs, he scored runs, he ran, he walked and he won games by himself.

While Henderson’s legacy can not be measured simply by numbers, his numbers do merit a first ballot induction into the Hall. He stole 1406 bases (or 50% more than the man in second place on the all time list – Lou Brock – think about that for a second…did Barry Bonds break Aaron’s record by 370 Home Runs…even with some artificial help?). Henderson re-wrote the book on base running and subsequently ended up scoring more Runs than anyone in history (2,295). He retired as the career walks leader with 2,190, having surpassed Babe Ruth and he also owns the career lead off home runs record with 81. He’s one of two players to hit 20 home runs and steal 80 bases (Eric Davis being the only other) – Henderson accomplished this twice in the Bronx (1985 and ’86). I have to thank Wikipedia for the next tidbit, as while I remember this happening time and time again; I had forgotten how often this took place. Rickey walked 796 times in his career to lead off an inning. Think about that for a second. There would not have been anyone in the history of baseball you would want on base less than Henderson (as a pitcher) and yet he worked almost 800 walks to lead off an inning through out his career. The career stolen base and runs leader in history lead of an inning with a walk 796 times.

For me, if I’m picking my all time team, leading off and playing Left Field would be Rickey Henderson. Is he the greatest Left Fielder of all time? Probably not, but no one in the history of baseball ever dug in to lead off a game that was better. Your all time team can have Ted Williams, home runs, RBI’s and average are a whole lot easier to find through out history than what Henderson did.

Henderson took a lot of heat for this speech as he attempted to emulate Muhammad Ali, but looking back, knowing who he was, the respect he showed for the game and the impact he’s had on Baseball and on the city of Oakland, you have to admit…he was right – the numbers don’t lie.

It took a long time, huh? [Pause for cheers] First of all, I would like to thank God for giving me the opportunity. I want to thank the Haas family, the Oakland organization, the city of Oakland, and all you beautiful fans for supporting me. [Pause for cheers] Most of all, I’d like to thank my mom, my friends, and loved ones for their support. I want to give my appreciation to Tom Trebelom and the late Billy Martin. Billy Martin was a great manager. He was a great friend to me. I love you, Billy. I wish you were here. [Pause for cheers] Lou Brock was the symbol of great base stealing. But today, I’m the greatest of all time. Thank you.
—-Rickey Henderson’s full speech after breaking Lou Brock’s

Joe Gordon was a key contributor on the DiMaggio lead Yankees from ’38 to ’46 having played on five World Series Champions and kicking in a ’42 MVP award (the same year Ted Williams won the triple crown). He skipped ’44 and ’45 to fight in World War II before being traded to the Cleveland Indians in ’47. Gordon and Phil Rizzuto formed one of the best middle infield tandems in Yankees history from ’41 through ’43 (and again in ’46) leading the league in Double Plays multiple times and each winning an MVP award in their careers (Careers that spanned Lou Gehrig, Joe DiMaggio, Yogi Berra and Mickey Mantle in the Bronx alone).

The greatest all-around ballplayer I ever saw, and I don’t bar any of them, is Joe Gordon.” Joe McCarthy

Todd Price

follow me on twitter at www.twitter.com/todd11ny

www.wayoverpriced.com

There’s nothing like a nice mid-afternoon beer, sitting on a deck in the sun.  In traditional North American style I’m on vacation in mid-July and taking a couple extra days in mid-August.  I’ve essentially unplugged from society to enjoy some time at my cottage (and when I say my, I mean my parent’s as I’m way too poor for even the little piece of property I do own) over the past week.  Between kayaking with the kids, sailing, swimming and a couple day trips (St. Andrews, by the way is a must see in the summer if you are ever around this area), I’ve essentially just been completely relaxing.  I’ve managed a golf weekend with the guys and am headed to Yogi Bear campground this weekend for Christmas in July, I’ve powered through a book, a magazine and spent the better part of the week playing with my two and four year olds.  My biggest decision over the past week has been whether to play my 8-10 of hearts with a monster pre-flop raise against my only “Professional” Poker playing friend (Monster being retrofitted to the quarter, fifty cent blinds, and Professional classifying a good friend of mine who is literally living by playing online poker full time without any other source on income over the past two years).   Now, you may be wondering why I’m enlightening any of you with some tidbits from my vacation in a blog dedicated to the AL East.  I was actually wondering the same thing, until I checked the box scores over the past week.  Apparently, although I’ve yet to see him; Terry Francona and arguably a good percent of the Sox hitters have taken an extended vacation from the All-Star break.  Boys, if any of you are around the Kingston Peninsula, drop in for one of those afternoon beer.

Please take into consideration that I’ve only caught a scattering of games the past week but you have to wonder as I glanced through the standings yesterday and again today, what’s going on with the Sox.  It seemed like a little over a week ago, the Yanks were getting lit up by the Angels and had blown two weeks of clawing upward in the standings to sit tied a top the AL East with three games to play before the break.  Three days later they sat three out after the Sox swept and the Bombers were swept heading into the All-Star game.  (A game Jeter scored twice, Papelbon won, and Mo locked down – AL East dominance you say…they could have started their own team and won in my opinion).  So, while I’ve been out, I missed a great series between the Jays and Sox (Lester vs. Halladay’s 3-`1 game I caught some of and Rzepcyznski’s win on Saturday I also watched for a few innings).  I missed Verlander and Sabathia’s classic match up (one of the many 2-1 games the Yankees have won) and other than Pettitte’s win on Monday and some of AJ’s win yesterday I’ve only caught the last three innings of each of the Jays-Indians series watching with my dad (who while being a Dodger’s fan, watches the Jays almost exclusively…go figure).  I have to ask though, as the only Sox highlight I’ve seen since the All-Star break (other then Big Pappi trying to stretch a single into a double, which if you missed, you really should Youtube) is some box scores is, what’s going on with the Sox?  Swept against the Rangers and one of three in Toronto makes a five game swing in the standings over six games?  They have an off day today, and host Baltimore on the weekend; the Yankees finish of a ten game home stand against the Oakland A’s.  With Sabathia pitching tonight, the Sox could enter the weekend 2.5 back and close out July in a battle with the Rays for the wild card spot (the Rays are 3.5 down on the Sox at this point and have been playing solid ball for the past six weeks).  I’ll save some actual analysis of the Sox meltdown until I’ve had some chance to actually see a game.  For those superstitious Yankee fans, If you’d like me to stay on vacation (or perhaps take the month of October off) I’m going to need some money emailed to me (I’ve set up a gmail account for those transfers – way.over.priced@gmail.com) Come on you know me not working is good luck.  For Sox fans, I can be bought to go back to the office – just identify which way you’re pushing – average contribution so far has been $25 – please no “swings both ways” jokes.

To tie up any loose ends, and in case you are wondering, my Pro friend’s favourite hand is 8-10 of hearts (he had just finished telling me a story about those cards which I took as a sign).  He bet hard pre-flop, which I called (and received a lecture on calling…apparently it’s not a smart move).  Flop came up two hearts including a seven-nine (I can not remember which of the two was a heart but I had a flush draw with an open ended straight, so I’m not playing completely loose from here on in).  He pushed all-in (in a cash game, re-load at will)…figuring it was fate I called (and again was ridiculed loudly through the turn and river and for the remainder of the night, on my bad card playing).  $80-$90 pots are rare in a quarter-fifty cent cash game, as is sticking it to a Pro with his favourite hand…of course a Heart hit on the river, would it have happened any other way?

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I’ll be back from Vacation Monday, and for New England, hopefully Francona and the Sox will return by then as well.

Todd Price

For those who missed this last week, Dustin Pedroia has decided to skip the all-star game to attend to his pregnant wife. Pedroia beat out Ian Kinsler and was voted in as the starting second baseman for the American League All-star game. Having won the AL MVP last year, I was actually okay with Pedroia representing the American League. His numbers are not on track from last year, but he’s hitting over .300 and could challenge 200 hits and a 125 runs. He’s not the best choice to represent the east at this position, but if you favour fan voting, you have to take the good with the bad. Pedroia’s wife has been hospitalized with labour complications with their first child.

So, imagine this scenario…Joe Maddon gets a call late last week saying Dustin Pedroia will not be available for tomorrow’s all-star game. The new starter is Aaron Hill of the Toronto Blue Jays (again, no complaints – .292 average, .487 slugging, .820 OPS with 20 Home runs, 60 RBI’s and 52 Runs scored) take away Halladay and this kid has been the heart and soul of the Jays. His back up, Ben Zobrist…wait did I type Ian Kinsler in incorrectly? Oh and his chosen replacement to make up for second baseman Dustin Pedoroia not being able to play…well of course its Carlos Pena.

Joe Maddon, wake up and give your head a shake. Sure you won the American League pennant and deserve the honour of selecting a few members of your squad to play in the all-star game. To be fair, I’m even fine (and on record within this posting) of acknowledging some outstanding player stats from last year’s run and awarding a spot. Does Carlos Pena deserve a spot on the team? He’s easily as deserving as Wakefield and Pedroia and I’m not about to argue the merits of who should be there and who should not be there on an individual basis. The biggest issue is who is not there and that’s Ian Kinsler.

The fans preferred last year’s MVP (oh and Boston Red Sox) Pedroia over Kinsler who only has 20 Home Runs, 62 runs, 55 RBI’s, 18 SBs, a .489 Slugging and .816 OPS for the first half of the season. Those are 2009 MOST VALUEABLE PLAYER stat projections. First of all I blame the fans, we should have voted Kinsler in, period. He’s the best second baseman in the game and deserves consideration as the best player in 2009. I then blame the fans again, as to my recollection, we had a shot at righting this wrong last week and instead voted in Brandon Inge. So, with one last chance and the final decision, with his actual position coming open, Joe Maddon chose none other than the only starting infielder on the Rays NOT currently on the team, Carlos Pena. Give me a break. Pena’s leading the league in Home Runs, and participating in the derby. Again, not disputing the fact he’s there. Perhaps you should have chosen him over Ben Zobrist last week when you had the chance. Kinsler’s playing in a football first market and understandably is not as much of a household name as if he played in NYC, LA, Chicago or Boston. Dallas (or Arlington) will always follow the Cowboys first, College Football second, Friday Night Lights third and well baseball’s something you play if you are not good enough for football, and isn’t there a Pop Warner game going on somewhere?

I’m a pretty big supporter of the Rays (well since BJ Upton came up in 2007) and I rarely take sides against them. I love watching that team (but I absolutely hate the Trop) and was even super Pro Maddon last year, especially when he joined the ranks and sported the playoff mohawk. Today, I might even acknowledge the “looking out for HIS guys” approach. A couple days ago though, I could have absolutely spit my coffee all of this screen. You left Ian Kinsler off the all-star team. Here’s hoping the Rays come back, win the wild card and get knocked out of a potential inter divisional ALCS (in the Bronx of course) by Ian Kinsler and the Texas Rangers in the playoffs. Serve you right.

Follow me on Twitter at www.twitter.com/todd11ny

Todd Price

www.wayoverpriced.com  

Early July used to provide sportswriters with an excellent opportunity to criticize, complain, and campaign about baseball players who were unjustifiably snubbed during the selection process for the “Mid-Summer Classic.” Well, since rosters have been expanded to include 100 players from each league, there are no longer many snubs to complain about. Yes, it’s ridiculous that Miguel Cabrera is on pace for 320. 30 100 and is a known second half performer, yet wasn’t even added to the final five team, but beyond that major league managers did a decent job selecting their squads. However, the American League starting lineup needs an adjustment, and considering this is in large part an American League blog, I seem like the most deserving candidate to fix their roster.

Catcher

Fans Selection: Joe Mauer
My Selection: Joe Mauer
Who am I to complain? He’s been the pleasant surprise of my fantasy roster this year. This wasn’t even close.

1st Base

Fans Selection: Mark Teixeira
My Selection: Justin Morneau

Here’s what does not work when it comes to fan voting. How does a star from Minnesota beat out a star from New York City. There are more people living on the Upper West Side than in all of Minneapolis. Seriously, Morneau is hitting . with 23 homers and 69 RBI. He’s arguably the first half MVP and his main competition hits in front of him in Minnesota and should be hitting in front of him in this game. Yes, Tex has bounced back from an awful April to hit .275 with 20 homers, but he’s number three on my list behind Cabrera and Morneau, and Youkilis is a very close fourth.

2nd Base

Fans Selection: Dustin Pedroia
My Selection: Aaron Hill

It’s the same story as above. Really America? The American League’s best option at 2nd base is a guy hitting .290 with 3 homers? Steve Sax should have made about 10 All-Star games, I guess. Aaron Hill is hitting .299/20/59 and is easily better than Pedroia. Should I continue? What about Ian Kinsler and his 30/30 pace? Robbie Cano’s .300/12/45 first half doesn’t match Pedroia? Ben Zobrist ring a bell? Heck, you could make an argument that Dustin Pedroia had the worst half of any second baseman in the American League East. Ladies and gentlemen, your starting second baseman for the 2009 All-Star game. Worst yet, he isn’t even the least talented and least deserving Boston Red Sox on the team, but we’ll get to that later.

Third Base

Fans Selection: Evan Longoria
My Selection: Evan Longoria

Pencil him in to this spot for a long time, though Alex Rodriguez may challenge him for another year or two.

Short Stop

Fans Selection: Derek Jeter
My Selection: Derek Jeter

I’d have given it to Bartlett had he not been injured. I must admit though, I gave Nick Green a lot of thought for this spot. How can you go wrong with the Pedroia/Green double play combo? Can I change my third base vote to Mike Lowell? Nah, it’s too late.

Left Field:

Fans Selection: Jason Bay
My Selection: Carl Crawford

Oh, I thought the All-Star selections were made in July, not May. Jason Bay has carried his monster June, .230/4/20, into July, .133/0/1, clinching his starting left field spot on the All-Star team. Who cares if Carl Crawford is hitting 60 points higher than him and stole 41 bases in the first half? Ho hum….
This is why fan voting should be eliminated, or it should at least be reserved to a two week window at the end of June and beginning of July. Oh well, at least the Red Sox are getting some representation on this team.

PS. Jason Bay isn’t the least deserving Red Sox on this team either.

Center Field:

Fans Selection: Josh Hamilton
My Selection: Torii Hunter

This isn’t even close. Hamilton does not belong on the team whatsoever, and would readily admit this. Torii Hunter would be top five in my Al MVP voting with a 304/17/63 line, and is deserving of a starting spot.

Right Field:

Fans Selection: Ichiro
My Selection: JD Drew
“You picked Ichiro over me?”
JD Drew was snubbed because Ichiro dominated him by winning the Japanese vote. It’s an unjust world.

Who Should Start?

Just for fun, I’ll select my starting pitchers for next week’s game.

American League: Zach Greinke

I don’t care if he’s slowed down a bit since the beginning of the year. 10-4, 2.00 era, and 120 k’s are sick numbers. Let the kid start.

National League: Yovani Gallardo…..oh wait, his spot was given to Ted Lilly. Please!

National League: Tim Lincecum

2.23 era, 9-2, 141 strikeouts, 25 years old. Yikes.

Least Deserving Red Sox All-Star

Tim Wakefield

Is this some kind of joke? I thought MLB was hosting an All-Star game next week, partly in attempt to decide which league deserves home field advantage in the World Series. “I have to go where next week? But it’s prime fishing season!”Apparently, they are hosting a charity event. Take Wakefield’s 10 wins away for a second because wins are impacted too much by other factors (ie run support). Here are his other important stats: 4.30 era, 53 strikeouts (look out), 1.35 WHIP (yowza), and 6 wins where his team scored at least five runs. Ooops, I was suppose to exclude wins. And this guy is an all-star over CC Sabathia (more K’s, lower whip, lower era, less run support), Ricky Romero (lower era by a run and a half, more k’s, lower whip, less run support), James Shields (ditto). The list could go on for a while longer before I run out of better options than Tim Wakefield.

But, it is important that the elderly players are honoured. Who cares about statistics……?????

Enjoy the Mid-Summer classic. They almost got it right this time.

Ryan Price

www.wayoverpriced.com