What's Not To Love About The Break

The All-Star Break is upon us, as is the usual bickering that goes along with it. During the Break you'll hear it all: It's a meaningless game; it's not real baseball; does anyone really care?

The answers to those gripes are slightly different. But, the basic point remains: What's not to like?

These are the days we forget Yankees or Red Sox, Mets or Phillies, Cubs or Cardinals. It's all about baseball. Sure the teams are split American League and National League, but let's be honest that doesn't really matter. The A.L. has won what seems like 30 consecutive All-Star contests yet the N.L. has won its share of World Series, so what does it really prove.

Yes, it is a meaningless game in terms of actual standings -- despite what Bud Selig and Co. will tell you -- but how often do we get the celebrate this game we love? In October there are only a handful of teams and it's way too intense to just sit back and enjoy the game. The regular season is a marathon not an event.

This game provides a stress-free environment to just sit back and enjoy baseball.

Why is it not considered "real baseball?" There is a pitcher, a batter, an umpire, fielders and a scoreboard, just like any other baseball game. In addition to the usual, the best players on the planet are on the field. Sure some of guys are missing due to Steroid use (Manny Ramirez) injury (Evan Longoria) or both (Alex Rodriguez). But, overall the lineups are stacked with some real top-line hitters and pitchers.

Sure we care. Some of the most memorable events in baseball history took place in the Mid-Summer Classic. Some of these accomplishments are still reveled at today. Carl Hubbell faced five straight future Hall of Famers in the second All-Star contest in 1934, and struck them out in order. Have a look at these names: Babe Ruth; Lou Gehrig; Jimmie Foxx; Al Simmons and Joe Cronin. Some of the best batsmen baseball has ever seen.

In the first edition of the game, Babe Ruth hit the first All-Star home run. How great is that.

In 1993 Randy Johnson still had all sorts of control problems, yet was good enough to be considered one of baseball's best. John Kruk of the Phillies was facing Johnson when the fireballer sailed one over the hefty first basemen's head. As the next pitch was coming, Kruk backed out of the box in mock fear. Kruk did the same on the next two pitches as he struck out. That's still one of the funniest moments in baseball.

In 1945 World War II was heading to its conclusion, yet much of baseball's best talent was still in the military. The lack of legitimate All-Stars combined with war time travel restrictions caused the first cancellation of the game. In its place inter-league games were played between teams who shared the same city.

Of course there are also the dubious moments that occurred. The 2002 tie in Milwaukee is still one of Bud Selig's worst moments. In 1970 Pete Rose ran over Ray Fosse injuring the young catcher and all but ending a promising career.

Then again just last year, at the only real Yankees Stadium, Josh Hamilton completed his comeback from drugs and injuries in a home run derby for the ages. The game itself went 15 innings and was the last memorable baseball event at the cathedral in the Bronx.

So tonight just sit back and relax. Who wins is of little importance. It's just the game of baseball being played by those who play it best. Who knows we may even see history, or just plain ol' funny. Enjoy.

My Two Cents Worth

The Yankees keep on rolling but if they can’t beat Anaheim is it really worth much. We already know this club has issues with top tier teams like the Red Sox and Phillies. If they continue to show weakness against the big boys, many Yankee fans will start to wonder what the playoffs will bring.

Sure a postseason appearance will keep Joe Girardi in the dugout and Brian Cashman in his office as G.M. however a quick first round ouster at the hands of the Angels will not be enough to satisfy fans. A second round drubbing by Boston will only upset them more.

This weekend the Bombers have to put that notion to rest. Sure the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, of California, of the U.S.A. of the G8 are not healthy, Vlad Guerreo and Torii Hunter are on the DL and the pitching staff has been a mess all year. Not to mention losing two out of three to rival Texas this week. The Yanks have had problems in SoCal since 1996. Taking the series going into the break would – at the very least – show there is reason to believe this team can contend in October.

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The Carlos Gomez leaping catch will be on the highlight reel of this season. Any time an outfielder steals a home run it’s a tremendous play and good effort. But, every once in a while, there is a defensive play that makes you say, “Wow!” Gomez got his shoulders over the wall to haul it in. Of course the ball was hit by A-Rod, with the bases loaded no less, somehow some way he will always be there when the spotlight is shining.

Speaking of defense, Daniel Murphy has had his share of troubles this season, but his behind-the-back throw against the Dodgers is as nifty and heads-up as it gets.

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Although you would never know it listening to Mets fans, the Amazins are still in playoff contention. Sure things are not looking good right now but no other team is going to add Carlos Delgado, Carlos Beltran and Jose Reyes down the stretch.

Now there is talk that the Mets might go after Roy Halladay. So, here’s the question: Do you want to give away whatever is left of the farm system for a 32-year-old pitcher, albeit the best in baseball, who has a ton of innings on his arm? Not a smart move for this team. If a club is an ace away, go for it. But this team still has question marks in the bullpen, outside of the ninth inning, and in the back half of the rotation. That’s assuming the crowded DL shrinks, or you can add a lack of power in the line-up to the list of flaws.

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The Nets once again cut salary and brought in guys who enjoy passing as much as shooting, clearly another attempt to bring King James to Kings County. (For non-New Yorkers, that’s Brooklyn.) First round pick Terrance Williams models his game after Magic Johnson, if he even resembles Magic the Nets will be all smiles. Williams prides himself on being a point-forward.

Keeping on all things Magic, the Nets traded Vince Carter to Orlando. A move that helps both clubs perfectly. Orlando now has a clutch shooter to go to late in a contest; Games Two and Four of The Finals were lost because of missed shots late. Carter may not have made those attempts but VC is better option than anyone the Magic have. New Jersey in turn brought in a legitimate back-up point-guard, by far the biggest hole in the line-up last season. Rafer Alston is a local product – grew up in Queens and is a proud Yankees fan – and is excited about being here. Also coming north is Courtney Lee, a good young guard who will bring it on defense.

The Nets now have it all when it comes to luring LeBron. Devin Harris is a young point guard who can score and pass. Brook Lopez is a 21-year-old seven-footer who can score, rebound and will only get better on defense. He would be the first sports super-star in Brooklyn since Duke Snider and Dem Bums moved west more than 50 years ago. To top it off LeBron is good buddies with Jay-Z who is a part owner of the Nets.

There is be billboard waiting for you, your highness.

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On a parting note, the Wimbledon final between Roger Federer and Andy Roddick was one the best sporting events of the year. There are few stages that parallel Wimbledon in all of sports, and to have history on the line just made it that much better. Two tough competitors refusing to go down, what more can we ask for?

My Two Cents Worth

Trading Scott Gomez to Montreal was a move Glen Sather had to make. Gomer makes too much money for what he brings to the ice. Many Rangers' fans would have you believe Scotty is not a first line center. That is incorrect; Gomez would be in the middle of just about any team's top line. However, Scott's ability was severely diminished when the Rangers expected him to be the top player on the club.

The trade of Gomez freed up cap space to get Marian Gaborik, whose only issue is a big one. His health. In the past five years he has only played more than 65 games once. Of course, when healthy he is a top ten forward. Sather and Gaborik both insist he is healthy. For the amount of money given to Gaborik, Sather better be right.

There is still lingering talk of the Rangers being interested in Dany Heatley. If the reports are accurate and Ottawa is asking for Marc Staal and either Ryan Callahan or Brandon Dubinsky, Sather is better off keeping the youngsters to build with. If Slats feels the itch to make another move, how about a solid D-man to pair with Staal.

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The Yankees have been playing terrific baseball. Solid starting pitching, clutch hitting, even A-Rod has been good when it counts this year, and a bullpen that is flawed but more often than not getting the job done.

Wang going back on the DL is something to worry about. He was expected to be the third starter in the rotation, and if he's out for any length of time it's going to hurt the bullpen. It's important to get Brian Bruney going, long term he is still the best eight inning option.

Alfredo Aceves should be giving pitching classes. Sometimes it is as simple as throwing strikes and trusting your stuff.

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Scoring three runs in three games against the Phillies shaky pitching staff, in hitter friendly Citizens Bank Park no less, will not make anyone happy. But what is even more disturbing is the shaky Mets' defense. Giving away outs to a lineup like the Phills is going to cost you dearly.

Johan Santana and Mike Pelfey each pitched great in their last start. If Oliver Perez can somehow get his act together, the Mets will at least have their rotation in order.

The lineup needs a bat, but does it make sense to give up on a top prospect to get a mediocre bat. Omar ought to find out about Shelley Duncan, who the Yanks have no need for, and is currently in the minors.

In 250 plus at bats Duncan has 21 home runs, that's more than double any Met. And among non-DL Mets, Shelley has four times as many round trippers as anyone in Jerry Manuel's regular squad -- part-timer Gary Sheffield has ten. In case you were wondering, Duncan is batting .290.

True, Duncan was awful when he was with the big club early last season. However, in 2007 he hit seven homers on 74 A.B.s and almost as importantly brought energy and enthusiasm to the field and dugout, something this club is desperately lacking.

Lay Off of Omar

Will Mets' fans please get off Omar Minaya's back. I'm not the biggest Omar supporter, but to make it seem like Minaya is a do-nothing General Manager is just not fair.

Minaya brought the best center fielder in the league today, Carlos Beltran, to Queens. He also orchestrated the trade to bring Johan Santana to the Mets, even though there was heavy competition from both the Yankees and Red Sox -- two teams who usually get what they want.

At the end of last year, by far the most glaring need of the organization was the bullpen. Omar signed Francisco Rodriguez and traded for J.J. Putz. As the season was about to get under way, the Mets realized they can use a corner outfielder with some pop in his bat. Sure enough Gary Sheffield was on his way to CitiField and is currently leading the club with nine home runs. Try and imagine where the team would be without Shef.

Results are the only things that matter in sports, both for an athlete and management, good intentions won't get anyone a contract. And Minaya has some positives --K-rod, Sheffield-- and some negatives -- Putz, Oliver Perez.

Sure the Mets need to go out and get a bat for the middle of the line-up, Omar would be the first to admit that. However, it's not as simple as it may seem. Every team in the league knows the Mets are desperate and will do everything to fleece the Mets of top tier prospects. It is still early and the G.M.s who are looking to dump players still have a month to play hard-ball. Plus, figuring out what position to fill is no simple matter.

If a first baseman is brought in , what happens when Carlos Delgado returns from injury? Want to bring in Adam Dunn because he can move to the outfield? Sure, but if you thought Daniel Murphy was an adventure in left, wait until you see this guy stumble around cavernous Citifield on an every day basis.

The Mets are one game above .500 but just two games behind division leading Philadelphia. Sure, they're a little lucky the Phillies have not been able to find any consistent pitching. But, the Phills are fortunate the Mets haven't been healthy. If not for the injury bug it's possible it would be the Mets who would have been able to run and hide.

Any evaluating of Minaya will have to include the collapses of the past two years. The injuries of this year will also be considered. Not many (if any) teams can survive losing three of their top four hitters, two starting pitchers and an eight inning set-up man.

If the Mets end the season without partaking in October baseball, both Minaya and Manager Jerry Manuel should be on the way out the door -- despite the overcrowded DL. Three consecutive years with no playoffs is just too much in this city.

It's the result that should ultimately decide Minaya's fate, the pro-active approach is already there.

Baseball in the City

Memorial Day has come and gone, summer is underway. The baseball season is moving in on 50 games played, a nice size sample that can be fairly assessed.

With that said, it's time for a Yankees update. The Yanks are seven games over .500 and a single game out of first place in the overcrowded American League East.

Yet the season to this point has not exactly been a joy ride. There have been plenty of ups and downs.

ROTATION:

The most obvious disappointment being Chien-Ming Wang, although not a great pitcher – his numbers against quality teams and in the postseason prove that – he was consistent in the regular season, someone who can go out there every fifth day and, usually, get the job done. The team concocted an injury to give him time to straighten it all out. It will be something to watch as the season goes on.

CC Sabathia has been what we SHOULD have expected, just because an athlete gets overpaid doesn’t mean he will live up to it. Sabathia got Santana and Halladay money, well guess what, he’s not Johan or “Doc”. He is a very good pitcher who gets better as the weather warms-up; he should start being more reliable from here on. But he will not be on the level of the two best pitchers in the majors today.

The other free agent import in the rotation, A.J. Burnett, has been sliding downhill lately. The positive is that he has avoided the DL thus far. Now, if only he can get back to pitching the way he was earlier in the season.

The veteran of the rotation, Andy Pettitte, has been fairly reliable, doing what it takes to put the team in a position to win. Joba Chamberlain has shown from time to time why management insists on keeping him as a starter. The righty is still learning to be more economical with his pitches so that he is not hitting the showers by the fifth inning every time out.

Staying in the Bronx will be a challenge for Phil Hughes. Young pitchers need time to develop, and what better place to grow up than in the majors. Eight innings and no runs against a good hitting team in the bandbox in Arlington will make it difficult to send the youngster back to the minors. Keep in mind he will not turn 23 for another month, baseball has few joys like watching homegrown talent mature before your eyes.

If Wang can work his way back into the rotation, Joe Girardi and Co. will have an interesting decision to make with six starters on their hands. Joba to the bullpen is still the best answer.

LINEUP:

The lineup has been a roller coaster ride. As an example, Robinson Cano began the season scorching the ball, hitting well above .350 for April. May has not been as kind as Robbie slumped and briefly fell below .300 before recently getting it back up to .315.

After an awful start Mark Teixeira has really turned it around, the protection of A-Rod batting clean-up has helped. However, to say the reason Tex has been hitting is Rodriguez’s return is absurd, that would imply that without A-Rod, Teixeira is a .215 hitter.

A-Rod’s healing has stabilized the top four spots in the order. Derek Jeter, Johnny Damon, Teixeira and Alex will be there on just about every night, barring a major injury, a scary thought if you’re an opposing pitcher. A-Rod’s comeback has also gotten rid of the outs the other third basemen have been contributing.

Jeter has not gone on a tear to this point, and has been stuck below his usual average of .300. The Captain is on the downside of his career and it’s noticeable with his bat and range. At some point he will have to move from shortstop. As sad as that is, it is nice to see a player’s career progress normally, getting older and slower as he ages. Not getting bigger and stronger while his head explodes.

At the corners of the outfield, Damon has taken advantage of the balls flying out to right in a big way. Defense and throwing arm are always the things to watch with Johnny, along with the health of those aging knees. Nick Swisher is not an everyday player and that has shown with Xavier Nady injured. Swish is great to have in the clubhouse and will be fine so long as he doesn’t have to get out there on a everyday basis.

Centerfield has been juggled all season by Girardi. At the end of Spring Training, Brett Gardner was said to be the starter, and the speedster has had his share of playing time, especially lately when he has started to hit a little. It was unclear where exactly Melky Cabrera would be playing when the club headed north at the end of spring, but he has hit well including several big hits late in games. The platoon has been working and if it’s not broken don’t fix.

The injuries to Jorge Posada and backup Jose Molina have put a big dent at catcher. Francisco Cervelli has come up and played well but he has played just over 100 innings, not quite time to call him an everyday backstop. Kevin Cash is not a starter but will have to do until one of the regulars is ready to go.

BULLPEN:

Hysteria hit the Yanks when Mariano Rivera appeared shaky for a couple of games earlier in season, but has calmed over the last couple of weeks as Mo has returned to form. Eventually The Greatest Reliever of All Time will become hittable. The only way it goes down well for the Yankees is if he hangs up the cleats while still pitching fairly well. There is no backup plan if Mariano starts getting rocked in middle of a season, nor should there be, if it happens that is something the team and the fans will have to deal with.

The eighth inning spot has been a problem all year. Brian Bruney showed some promise before going on the DL, briefly returning and now going back on the shelf. It’s possible, if not likely, he’s done for the season.

Phil Coke has been decent at times; however the lefty is not the long term answer. Alfredo Aceves has been good lately, but with only 14 innings pitched there is not enough to call him consistent just yet.

Going to anybody else out of the pen is what keeps Girardi up at night. Jonathan Albaladejo, Jose Veras and Edwar Ramirez all have ERA’s over five, certainly not what you want in relief.

CONCLUSION:

Although the club got off to a rough start, they have been playing well since four straight losses to Boston and Tampa Bay. The way the Red Sox have knocked around the Bombers in the five games they’ve played this season is reason for concern. The Yanks and Bosox are going to be in the battle for the division in September. If Boston continues its dominance in the head to head matchups that may very well be the difference in making the playoffs and Joe Girardi looking for a job.

The walk-off hits and Nick Swisher have brought some excitement to the new stadium -- where homers are flying out at a record pace.

Consistency is the biggest issue facing the team. The talent is there at every position, outside of the bridge to Mariano. The only question is if the ability will show itself on a regular basis.

If Hughes and Wang push their way into the rotation, Joba may be pressed into the set-up role.

Outside of the Dodgers, who are a completely different team without Manny Ramirez, no team in either league has gotten off to a great start. Every good team has run into some problems that make you question how good they really are. The title of Best in Baseball is out there to be had, if the Yankees start playing up to their ability the title is well within grasp in the Bronx.

NOTE ON THE METS: Has anyone seen a team that is four games over .500 and a half game out of first place and yet its fans are so upset.

Sure there have been some ugly moments, including: Not knowing when to slide, the inability to catch routine fly balls and missing third base while on the way home for what would have been the go-ahead run in the eleventh. And sure the handling of certain injuries would leave you scratching your head.

However, considering losing Carlos Delgado and Jose Reyes to injuries, the Oliver Perez disaster and Daniel Murphy batting .246 the Mets are still in good position to contend for the division. David Wright, who seemed like he was going to be driven out of town in April, and Carlos Beltran have carried the club offensively. Johan Santana has been brilliant, same for Francisco Rodriguez. The Phillies have had struggles of their own, specifically with their pitching staff.

Omar Minaya will be on the lookout for a bat, and if he comes through with something decent the Mets will be in fine shape. Why Mets fans are so down on this team seems very strange.

My Two Cents Worth III

As far as I'm concerned this year's NBA playoffs are very similar to College Football's Bowl games. While an individual series may have some excitement and drama, there are only two teams who have a chance at winning a championship. If the Lakers and Cavaliers are not there when the conferences are decided it will be a major upset.

Give the Jets and Mike Tannenbaum credit for getting Mark Sanchez. They wanted Sanchez from the start, and had the conviction to do whatever it takes to bring him in. Now, they have to hope they turn out to be right about the Q.B. or Tannenbaum will be looking for a job.

I'm a bit disappointed that the Giants didn't end up with Anquan Boldin. I hope the reason they didn't pull the trigger has to do with the salary cap and not the Draft picks. Receiver is the only glaring weakness on the team, a third round pick wouldn't mean a whole lot for a team with that much talent.

With that said the first pick of WR Hakeem Nicks is a good one. Eli Manning is not exactly the most accurate thrower, and needs someone who can catch the ball even if it's not between the numbers. Hicks has huge hands - glove size of 4XL - so he can reach out and catch anything in the vicinity.

Apparently the Mets' issues from last year had nothing to do with the Manager or Stadium. As a club they still can't hit with runners-in-scoring position, and the starting rotation has one reliable pitcher in Johan Santana.

There have been an unusual amount of home runs hit to right field in the new Yankees stadium, and many people have been screaming and yelling "how could the Yankees let this happen." Will everyone please calm down. Number one we only have a week to judge by. Two if it is a long term issue don't you think the team will do something to cut down on the wind in that direction. What does need to be fixed is the fact that the fans sit right up on the wall and can easily interfere with a ball still in play.

As far as the Yankees on the field are concerned, the team will go as far as the pitching carries them - A-Rod or no A-Rod. Both the starting and relief pitching have been terribly inconsistent. Brian Bruney going on the DL is going to hurt. And no, there is still no reason to be worried about Mariano.

The Devils and Hurricanes are going to Game 7 which is exactly where the series belongs. It has been such an even match-up and both goalies have been so good, it would have been a shame had this series not gone the distance.

However, Game 7 is not where the Rangers should be. With a 3 games to 1 lead, the team has been flat for games five and six. This has been a one man team all year, if Henrik Lundqvist is on top of his game there is a chance otherwise it is all but an automatic L.

Is John Tortorella the epitome of do what I say not what I do? Torts benches Sean Avery for Friday night's game for being undisciplined, sure enough in the third period of that game the coach squirts a fan with water and then throws a bottle into the stands. The NHL suspended him for game 6 and rightly so, no league can afford its players, coaches etc. to interact with fans that way. We have all seen what happens when it gets out of hand.

Why We Love Baseball

After the longest Spring Training in history opening day has arrived. At last meaningful baseball, no more exhibition games, no WBC, finally baseball that counts, games and stats that will be looked at throughout the summer and beyond.

It's on days like this that baseball is on our mind, and when we think baseball we think of...

...Fastballs, sliders, curve balls and beanballs.
...Turning two, tagging up, pick offs and the squeeze play.
...Take Me Out to the Ballgame, Enter Sandman, Hells Bells and chin music.
...Hank Greenberg, Jackie Robinson and Roberto Clemente.
...No-Hitters, hitting for the cycle and the perfect game.
...Batting gloves, pine tar, eye black and the rosin bags.
...Stan "The Man", Teddy Ballgame, The Mick and Donny Baseball.
...The Bleacher Creatures, the Bleacher Bums and 'Dem Bums.
...The Homer in the Gloamin, Slaughters mad Dash and The Shot Heard 'round the World
...Wrigley field, Fenway park, Ebbets field, the Polo grounds and the only real Yankee Stadium.
...Opening day, the All-star break and the Fall Classic
... The Sultan of Swat, Big Train, Pee Wee, Three Finger Brown and Doug "Eyechart"Gwosdz,
...61, 755, 511 and 4,256. (No we don't think of 73 or 762)
...Murderers Row, The Big Red Machine, the Gashouse Gang, and the Miracle Mets.
...Jim Abbott, Pete Gray and Bert Shepard.
...The Mazeroski game, The Carter game, The Gibson game, The Fisk game and Larsen's Perfect game.
...Connie Mack, John McGraw, Sparky Anderson, Walter Alston and Casey Stengel.
...The Natural, Bull Durham, Field of Dreams and A League of Their Own.
...Yankees - Red Sox, Cubs - Cardinals and Dodgers - Giants.
...Rawlings, Louisville Slugger and New Era.
...Diving stops, leaping catches and outfielders crashing into walls.
...Jeter's backhand flip, Mays' catch and Endy's leap.
...The crack of the bat, pop of the glove, clack of the cleats and roar of the crowd.
...The ivy on the wall at Wrigley, Tal's Hill at Minute maid and the Green Monster.
...D.P.'s, K's, R.B.I.'s and 6-4-3's.
...The Baltimore chop, screaming liners, Texas Leaguers and Uncle Charlies.
...Pinstripes, stirrups and shin guards.
...Yogi-isms, Stengelese and the Who's on first routine.
...You're safe, you're out and play ball.
...Spring Training, the All-star game and the home-run derby.
...Cy Youngs, Gold Gloves, Silver sluggers, MVP's and Rookies of the Year.
...Mel Allen, Red Barber, Ernie Harwell and Vin Scully.
..."Shoeless" Joe Jackson and Pete Rose.
...Blazing fastballs, tape measure shots and bunt singles.
...Aces, set-up men, closers and clean-up hitters.
...Steinbrenner, Turner, Veeck and Charlie O.
...Vida Blue, Shawn Green and Red Schoendienst.
...Beer, peanuts and hot dogs.
...Eddie Gaedel, Sid Finch and the Philly Phanatic.
...Cans of corn, seeing eye singles and grounds rule double.
...Infield dirt, foul lines and the patterned grass.
...Cooperstown and Monument Park.
...D.S., C.S. and W.S.
...Klem, Hubbard and McClelland.
...Gehrig's Luckiest Man, Ripken's trot and induction speeches.

But most of all we love baseball because it's our sport. It was there for us through two World wars, the Great Depression and 9/11. It is not ours to keep but only to cherish and pass along to future generations. It is our National Pastime.
Enjoy the Season.