Conference noted::yankee

Yeah, nice to see them bust this guy Sanders.  With Fassero, Sanders and
some of those new Seattle relievers there was hardly a familiar face
on the mound...they might as well have been playing a NL team.

Holding "the best offense in baseball" to 6 runs over 18 innings is
a job WELL DONE !  Gotta love Pettitte...paraphrasing Al Davis: "he just
wins baby !".

    
    
        Tino was Wonderful!!!
    
       3 Dingers and they were hit hard!!
    
    
    Man am I tired today......

>    So the Yanks get their first win of the year on April 2nd in Seattle. 
>    A 7-run ninth inning highlighted a 16-2 win over the Mariners.  The
>    game was never in doubt...
    
I went to sleep after tino's second hr put them up 5-1

I noticed cecil fielder in the line-up but was in canada for a week and missed 
his signing.   what was the deal?

    
    well the yanks end up 4-4 on their opening road trip.....
    starters are doing fine, cone pitched a gem then Weathers blew
    it, wells pitched a great game and rivera blew a save....
    he also blew a save chance Wednesday...the yanks were leading 9-8
    and lost 10-9.....maybe the pressure is too much on Rivera, hows
    Wettland done so far??  
    
    Got my tickets for Mattingly day on August 31st vs Montreal...
    have a great one..../westy
    

    Hello fellow Yankee FANS!
    
    Today is my last day with DIGITAL.  I leave to pursue an exciting
    position with a small client/server consulting firm in Boston, and have
    very positive feelings towards DIGITAL and all of my past and present
    colleagues here.  My short time here has been a time of great learning,
    both personally and professionally, and working with such talented,
    creative, capable people has served only to show me how much more there
    is to learn.
    
    I wish all of you the greatest success now and in the future!
    
    Best wishes,
    Mike Gilbert
    
        email:   [email protected]
    
    
    
    GO YANKEES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  BEST OF LUCK TO ALL OF YOU!!!!

re: a couple back

Fielder didn't sign a new contract.  His current deal expires after this
season.  Since he was traded and entering the final year of his contract,
he had the right to demand a trade by 3/15.  If the Yanks didn't move him,
he could FORFEIT the last year of his contract and become a free agent.
He didn't walk away from $7M this season, so he's a Yank this year.


re: the relievers

They're responsible for 5 of the 6 losses...all after the 7th inning.
The other loss was Cone's 4-2 defeat on Opening Day.  Their were two
major questions coming out of spring training:  1) the bullpen;  and
2) would Straw and Doc hold up ?  So far we've had bad answers to
both.

Only 3 poor starts from the starters (Doc, Rogers, Mendoza).

Bats aren't producing...especially in the middle.

I wish they'd move Duncan and Raines.

Oh the job of a closer.  More mental than physical, IMO.  I read about
how hard Rivera takes these blown saves (up to 3 now), and it's not what
you want to hear.  These guys must have the mindset of a cold-blooded
killer.

Wetteland never did it easily, but he did it.  Will Rivera ?

    
    Did Rivera blow last nights game? I stopped listening when it
    was 4-3 yanks.
    
    						Matt

    
    
       Yes. He blew a 5-4 lead in the ninth. two bloop singles two K's ans
    a Double to our old pal Jim Leyritz. Leyritz now has 2 hr's and 6
    ribbies against us this year he was 4-5 last night.
    
    
        Rivera has 3 BS in 6 trys. He's a competitor thats why he gets so
    upset after a BS. I think he'll be ok, just had a run of bad luck so
    far.
    
    
    Chap

    
    
       Yanks are up 4-1 in the 5th today.
    
    
    
    Chap

    
    Chap you put the curse on them again........Torre is starting to get
    under my skin,  the way he is handeling his relievers is like he has
    no confidence at all in them......Rivera should go back to a set-up man
    Sorry but bring in another closer and slowly bring him into the roll
    the poor kid looks scared shitless out there that someone is going to 
    hit a tater on him.....Weathers is back to Colorado form, dump him...
    If Fielder doesn't shape up quick and play the game instead of
    complaining about playing time, bench him and let him find out WHO the
    boss is, he's not in Detroit anymore where he can do what he pleases.
    
    Can you tell the Yanks are pissing me off.....This is a new year.
    they have to get that bullpen in order, I'm tired of the starters doing
    well to the 7th and the pen blowing the game.....in time....we need to
    win like 7 out of the next 10 to get the ball going......I'm cheering
    for the Red Sox this weekend to beat the O's.....the yanks are in
    Chicago.......
    
    Go Yanks start playing so good ball...../Westy
    

>    ......Rivera should go back to a set-up man
>    Sorry but bring in another closer

Well Westy, looks like the Yanks *are* looking for a new closer.  They
failed to sign that Cuban pitching star (Tampa Bay Devilrays got him),
but they just acquired the rights to Hideki Irabu.  Rumors have been
flying that if the Yanks got him, they'd look to make him either the
setup man or closer.  Now we'll get to see what happens.

The price for Irabu was high:  Ruben Rivera, Rafael Medina (considered
the best pitching prospect at the AAA level) and $3M in cash.  The Yanks
get the rights to Irabu and 3 minor leaguers (2B Homer Bush, OFs Gordon
Amerson and Vernon Maxwell).  Irabu better be a Japanese Nolan Ryan at
that cost !

The Yanks must believe that Rivera's shoulder problem *could* be serious,
and that Ledee is his equal with the bat.  They have an abundance of
OF prospects (Shane Spencer, Shea Morenz, Jackson Melian), so I guess
Rivera was expendable.  Quite a reversal from Watson's "the next Mickey
Mantle" statement last year.  But we all know Steinbrenner made this deal.

    
    OUCH......Sorry but those answers hurt......Rivera and Medina + 3
    million,  this guy must be for real, but 3 mil to good ole George 
    is like a quick 100 to us.....question now is does Irabu want to 
    start or relieve??  any ideas??  Lets hope he has the TEAM attitude 
    and will do either just to play for the best dam team in the land...*:)
    
    Thanks for the updates...../Westy
    

The NY Post is reporting that the Yanks are shopping Boehringer, Weathers
and Kelly.  There have been no takers on Weathers, and some "baseball
people" believe the Yanks will release him.  Calif is interested in
Boehringer, but it's rumored that the Yanks are MAKING THEM take either
Kelly or Duncan with him.  Milw might be Kelly's next address now that
Vina is down.

Irabu deal *IS* contingent upon their signing him, so stay tuned.
Steinbrenner is said to be talking about Irabu being used in the 'pen,
either as a setup man or closer.  Let's see how Rivera responds.

Pettitte is now 4-0 and could be 5-0 if Boehringer hadn't blown his
7-5 lead in Chicago.

Fielder still hasn't homered.  It's the longest homer-less drought
of his ML career.

Duncan could have started last night but was held out.  Kelly played
in front of Milw, a team that's interested in him.

American League Leaders (4/25)

BATTING--SAlomar, Cleveland, .411; O'Neill, New York, .397;

RUNS--Griffey Jr, Seattle, 21; Fryman, Detroit, 20; TMartinez, New York, 19;
      Jeter, New York, 18; ARodriguez, Seattle, 18;

RBI--TMartinez, New York, 27; Griffey Jr, Seattle, 26; ToClark, Detroit, 24;
     McGwire, Oakland, 21; O'Neill, New York, 17;

HITS--Garciaparra, Boston, 32; ARodriguez, Seattle, 32; Jeter, New York, 30;
      BeWilliams, New York, 30; TMartinez, New York, 30;

DOUBLES--Sprague, Toronto, 12; O'Neill, New York, 11;

TRIPLES--Jeter, New York, 3; Durham, Chicago, 2;

HOME RUNS--Griffey Jr, Seattle, 10; McGwire, Oakland, 8; ToClark,
           Detroit, 7; TMartinez, New York, 7; SAlomar, Cleveland, 6;

PITCHING (3 Decisions)--Kline, Cleveland, 3-0, 1.000, 2.16
      Dickson, Anaheim, 3-0, 1.000, 2.45; Pettitte, New York, 4-0, 1.000, 2.57;

STRIKEOUTS--Cone, New York, 40; RaJohnson, Seattle, 30;

SAVES--RaMyers, Baltimore, 8; Charlton, Seattle, 6; MRivera, New York, 5;

Its starting to look like a three way race between the o's, yanks and blue jays.

Boy did the ump blow the call Friday night. In the 10 or so replays, there was
no clue as to why he called the baserunner out. He also got in the middle of
the rundown so it would have been difficult to get the out... of course the 
yanks had MANY changes to win the game (boggs struck out with the bases loaded
and 1 out) and blew it. I think this umpires crew has it out for the yanks,
they also made a call on gerardi running inside the line on a bunt that I have
never seen called (didn't even know it was a rule)...

>Boy did the ump blow the call Friday night.

Yanks played the game under protest.  Haven't heard if a ruling has been
made.  Fat chance anything will go their way now that Steinbrenner is
suing MLB.  Good chance he will be suspended from running the team if
he doesn't withdraw the suit.  I'd like to see him stay with the suit
to see if he can break-up this anti-trust exemption MLB has.

The Yanks sure have turned their season around.  They've now won 17 of their
last 23 and are 6 games over .500.  Rivera has converted his last 10 save
opportunities and is tied for the AL lead in saves (13?).  Tino leads the
majors in HRs and RBI, and his 15 HRs ties him with Ruth and Mantle as
Yanks who have put up 15 dingers in their 1st 40 games.

The Yanks, as a team, have hit 23 HRs over their last 13 games, while only
allowing 3 to their opposition.  Our top 3 pitchers are having quality
starts every time out.  Their ERAs:  Cone 2.40;  Pettitte 2.33;  Wells 3.18.
Pettitte has been dominant all season (Cy this year ?).  Wells has had
only one rough outing.  Cone has been good, but his control hasn't been
what he wants it to be (citing the cold weather as a problem that's causing
numbness in his pitching hand).  He had great control last night, throwing
only 35 balls in 107 pitches.

Rogers is over 5, and so it Mendoza.  Rogers could be sent to the 'pen,
although his last start was very good and may save him for another week.

Pat Kelly has been put on the DL.  The media claims it's just a way for
the Yanks to buy time to try to trade him.  Watson says Kelly's contract,
injury history, and weak bat make him "untradeable".  Kelly has asked
to be traded (hey Pat, rewrite your contract and it may happen), and
expects he'll eventually be released (sure, take the money and run).

Nothing happening with Irabu.  If a contract isn't signed by 5/31, the
deal is off and Rivera, Medina, and $3M come back to the Yanks.  Rivera
was at The Stadium Sunday to participate in the ring ceremony.

    
    
       Sox 1   Yanks 0    Top 2nd

    
    
         Yanks 1   Bos 5  6th inning.

    
    
       David Cone pitched a Shutout today 4-0 over Woody Williams and the
    Blue Jays.
    
        On the Irabu front, the Yankees have announced a press conference
    for tomorrow, reports are he has signed with the Yanks at around the 4
    mil range. 
    
        As some of you know I have mixed feelings about this, I really
    liked Ruben Rivera and I think he is gonna be a star in this league in
    a couple yrs. But if Irabu is as good as they say he is, I guess you
    got to give something to get something. Looks like he may have extended
    spring training until July than come up to the big club.
    
       I just hope this trade doesn't work out like the Bagwell or Frankie
    R, fiascos. :-)
    
    
    Chap

    
    Frankie R is a stiff... 

The Yanks are riding highs and lows now, as they evolve as a team.  We
know about the losses of Wetteland, Key and Leyritz.  But more changes
are going to happen.  We know Irabu will get a starting spot.  We also
know that we need help at 2B.

Gooden and Strawberry have been on the DL since week 2.  Gooden is still
pitching rehab in the minors, and not too happy about it.  Reports say
Steinbrenner is keeping him there as punishment for his part in a fight
with a Texas cab driver.  Others say he's "on the block" now that Irabu
is a Yankee.

Strawberry's knee has cartilage damage and it's possible he will have
season-ending surgery.  His present condition would limit him to PH
and occasional DH duty.  Scott Pose was recalled from Columbus and
has done a decent job in the outfield and at the plate.

The Yanks HAVE TO do something at 2B.  Sojo has started 4 of the last 5
games.  Steinbrenner told the media that Duncan has likely lost the
starting job, 'though Torre denied it.  Kelly (on rehab), Matt Howard,
or Homer Bush (from SD in the Irabu deal) could get the job.  They could
also trade for Mickey Morandini (how long have we heard this ??), or
Montreal's Mike Lansing (Ramiro Mendosa could be the cost).

Will we eventually see Ricky Ledee ?  Most analysts say "no".  Clubs
don't want to bring anyone up they don't have to.  Once a minor leaguer
enters "The Show", he's eligible for the expansion draft this Fall.

    
    Picked up the POST at the store this morning and quickly read the back 
    page that states the "The Boss says dump Cecil and pick up Maguire"
    Seems Mark Maguire is on the trading block and Stienbrenner wants him
    right away.......
    he's fed up with Fielder and said hes gone, he'll either trade him and
    /or eat up alot of his salary to give him away......
    
    See ya Cecil........./Westy
    
    
    
    
    
    
    

    
    
       Good News!!!!!

I'm always amazed at how some of these players talk about Steinbrenner.
We and the players all know Phineas T. Bluster, but isn't it shocking
what some of these guys say about the man who's PAYING THEM MILLIONS ??
(and always OVER-PAYING them, at that !)

Duncan went off this week about Steinbrenner using him as a scapegoat
for the team's problems.  Not only did Steinbrenner praise Duncan for
what he did last year on the field and in the clubhouse, but he never
said he wanted him off this year's team...just off 2B.  Yet Duncan is
now demanding a trade because of this "supposed" mistreatment.  Duncan
should look in the mirror and in his wallet, and shut the hell up.

And last week, when talking to reporters about Steinbrenner's comments
about his disappointment in Rogers' performance, Kenny calls The Boss
"my buddy".  This, from a guy who will be known in NYC as "Ed Whitson - Left".
He's a bigger bust than Lonnie Anderson, and "his buddy" has guaranteed
his family's financial security for his lifetime, if not longer.

It's things like this that rekindle my wish that MLB had non-guaranteed
contracts.  Hopefully, some day an owner will breakthrough and start
this.

Yanks drafted HS outfielder Tyrell Godwin who's got blazing speed, but also
has a football scholarship at North Carolina (his home state).

One analyst says he "could be Kenny Lofton, could be Tom Goodwin".

    
> It's things like this that rekindle my wish that MLB had non-guaranteed
> contracts.  Hopefully, some day an owner will breakthrough and start
> this.
    
    In practice, they're called one- and two-year contracts, and of the 
    teams with any money to spend, Dan Duquette is probably the leading 
    advocate.  Look how popular that's made him with his players.  Also
    look at the quality of talent he's able to attract and how well his
    team is doing.
    
    But the minute you take this approach, and a guy performs well and 
    you lose him to free agency, the fans scream.  That's why as a 
    hard-and-fast rule (combined with a free market) you'll never see
    it, because it doesn't make sense to lump in a Ken Griffey Jr.
    with the likes of Kenny Rogers.  It's not Kenny Rogers' fault that
    someone chose to give him outrageous money when he was never that 
    good (but admittedly better than with the Yanks) to begin with.
    
    glenn
    

I like the NFL's structure.  4-yr deal, and as long as you make the team
you get the contracted money.  You get cut, you get nothing.  If a player
is good enough he'll get another contract with someone else.  If he isn't,
he should feel lucky that he got more than his actual worth to that point.

> I like the NFL's structure.  4-yr deal, and as long as you make the team
> you get the contracted money.  You get cut, you get nothing.  If a player
> is good enough he'll get another contract with someone else.  If he isn't,
> he should feel lucky that he got more than his actual worth to that point.
    
    The market supercedes any such "policy" of non-guaranteed contracts.
    The player just collects a huge bonus up front.  Very common in the 
    NFL now...
    
    glenn