Angels, Kendry Morales avoid arbitration
The Angels and first baseman Kendry Morales have agreed on one-year deal for $2.975 million to avoid salary arbitration, according to a source.
The deal also includes a $50,000 bonus for 550 plate appearances.
Morales was hitting .290 with 11 home and 39 RBIs in 51 games before he suffered a season-ending leg injury when he landed wrong on home plate after a walkoff home run on May 29.
He placed fifth in the American League’s Most Valuable Player balloting in 2009 after hitting .306 with 34 homers and 108 RBIs.
Latinos in the big leagues: What would Roberto Clemente think?
It’s been nearly four decades since Roberto Clemente’s deadly plane crash, but his legacy still resonates with Latinos.
Clemente represents an image of dignity, a strong Latino proud of his culture and language who embraced his ties to the community. In life, the Puerto Rican star was a better man than ballplayer, which says a lot because he was a Hall of Famer. In death, Clemente has emerged as a symbol of hope and goodwill among Latinos across the U.S. and Latin America.
Next month, Major League Baseball will honor one player with the prestigious Roberto Clemente Award for contributions on and off the field. Over the next month, MLB will join the rest of the country in celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month. Ceremonies will take place at ballparks around the Majors.
The upcoming celebrations come at a time when Latinos are strong in numbers and influence in the clubhouses and in the stands.
“Dad would be happy with all the progress we’ve made, but he would also make sure that the Latinos who have jobs in the Major Leagues would have a mission and think about the big picture,” said Luis Clemente, reached at his Puerto Rican home. “He would want them to represent themselves well but also give back to the community. He was an activist for equality, and I know he would still defend the rights of people.”
Latino players have come a long way since the days of Clemente, who died in a plane crash at the age of 38 while delivering food and supplies to earthquake-torn Nicaragua in 1972. Since then, the influence of Latinos has grown in nearly every way. Latinos are the fastest-growing demographic nationally, and their impact is felt in businesses, schools, non-profits and in the Major Leagues, where Latinos make up about 30 percent of players and comprise many of the game’s highest-paid and most-celebrated stars.
Major League Baseball, under the leadership of Commissioner Bud Selig, has made an institutional commitment to sound hiring practices and diverse participation at all levels of the game, and Latinos are making strides in Major League front offices. Angels owner Arte Moreno and Linda Alvarado, a member of the Rockies’ ownership group, are of Mexican descent. Mets general manager Omar Minaya and Phillies GM Ruben Amaro Jr. also are Latino. Young front-office executives like Moises Rodriguez in St. Louis, Manny Colon in Florida, Rolando Fernandez in Colorado, Eddie Romero in Boston and Rafael Perez, who oversees International Player Development with the Mets, could be future general managers.
In the dugout, White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen is from Venezuela, Marlins manager Edwin Rodriguez is Puerto Rican and Indians skipper Manny Acta is from the Dominican Republic.
They follow the path set by managerial predecessors such as Mike Gonzalez, Preston Gomez, Cookie Rojas and Felipe Alou.
“On our side of it, what guys like Felipe Alou and Ozzie Guillen have done, and then [former Marlins manager] Fredi Gonzalez and myself getting a chance and now Edwin Rodriguez in Florida — it gives the rest of the guys a chance,” Acta said. “They say, ‘Hey, it’s possible. Those guys did it, we can do it.’ It’s got to come from us. You work hard, and people will notice you if you earn your peers’ respect, regardless of where you come from.”
Could the number of Latino managers be higher? Of course. But as with everything in life, the likelihood of more Latino managers hinges on the union of opportunity and skill. As the numbers of Latino players and retired Latino players grow, the numbers in managerial positions should grow, too. White Sox bench coach Joey Cora and Cardinals third-base coach Jose Oquendo are among the Latinos waiting for the opportunity to manage in the big leagues. Longtime coach Juan Samuel served as Baltimore’s interim manager this summer until he was replaced by Buck Showalter.
“Baseball is an extension of society,” said Rodriguez, the first Puerto Rican-born manager in the Majors. “If you look around, there are more Hispanic people living in the United States. That means there are going to be more Spanish-speaking people playing baseball. So chances are you are going to see more Latinos or Hispanics becoming managers. I think the baseball industry is very knowledgeable about it. The number of Hispanic players have been increasing every year in professional baseball. So that has to be a factor whenever they decide who is going to manage where.”
Major League Baseball, through the MLB-Dominican Development Alliance/USAID Incentive Fund, matches grants to carry out development projects in players’ hometowns and communities where big league teams have academies. As of this month, the MLB-DDA has directed more than $840,000 to support 16 projects in the D.R.
The number of Latino players could increase in the future. Major League Baseball’s expansion into Latin America now includes Panama, Nicaragua and Colombia. The Atlanta Braves have explored baseball options in Spain, while the Tampa Rays have made connections with Brazil.
“I am very pleased with the progress Latinos have made in baseball in terms of players, and it will keep growing because clubs have made a tremendous investment in Latin America,” said Lou Melendez, MLB’s vice president of international baseball operations. “But you can never get comfortable. There is still room for growth, growth in more significant roles in the industry, especially in policy-making roles and decision-making roles. We are all aware of Arte Moreno, and I’d like to see other Latinos consider purchasing teams and becoming part of the industry.”
A big part of Clemente’s legacy is the emphasis on charity. He encouraged veteran Latino players to take care of younger Latinos in the clubhouse. He would be proud to know that those traditions are still honored in communities and stadiums across the country.
The examples are everywhere.
As teammates in Arizona, Livan Hernandez used to buy Miguel Montero suits, shoes and provide advice on the life of a professional ballplayer. In Texas, a young Carlos Pena was moved out of a local hotel and into Alex Rodriguez’s Dallas mansion until he adjusted to life in the big leagues. Rodriguez later mentored Robinson Cano during his first few years in New York.
In Cincinnati, Francisco Cordero’s primary job with the Reds is to close games, but he’s also served as the bridge between the English-speaking world and Spanish-speaking world in clubhouses for a decade. Several Latino stars, including San Diego’s Adrian Gonzalez, St. Louis’ Albert Pujols, Boston’s David Ortiz, Guillen, Acta, Carlos Delgado and Pedro Martinez have created non-profit foundations to help their communities in the United States and Latin America.
The Roberto Clemente Foundation, established 1993 to help the youth in Pittsburgh, is still going strong, and The Roberto Clemente Sports City for young ballplayers in Puerto Rico is under renovation.
“Like everything, there is good and there is bad, but it’s better than what it was before,” Luis Clemente said. “There are a lot of Latinos that have been giving back to the game, a lot of great players that bring a lot of fans to the game. They’ve become role models. Latinos have been a real good influence on baseball, but there is still a lot that can be done.”
Time of Lima
There are countless memories of Jose Lima being shared at this very moment and that should surprise no one.
Lima always brought people together. He did it in life. He’s doing it in death. Here’s my moment in Lima Time and I’m happy to share it. One day, I’ll share it with my son.
My first meeting with Lima was one to remember. It came in October of 2003 in Washington D.C. while waiting in the security area just outside of The White House.
It was raining.
How we all ended up there is a story in itself. President George W. Bush, a former Rangers owner and huge baseball fan, had gathered a large group of Hispanics in the U.S. to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with him at the biggest white house on the block. I covered the Rangers. I was/am Hispanic. Boom, I’m invited along with Rangers manager Buck Showalter, Rafael Palmeiro, other players and Rangers officials. First thought: “I’m outta my league.” It’s my third year on the beat and at this point in my life, I’m old enough to have a clue about some things but not mature enough to understand what it all means. But hey, I’m going to the White House and I’m going to write about it.
I looked lost when I arrived in the secure area near the Casa Blanca because I was. Everyone was. It’s crowded and all you hear is Spanish being spoken with a little English sprinkled in. It’s cool. We are here, but wow. I see a famous television personality/sportscaster at the security gate and she pretty much ignored me and blew off this group of young scholars when we ask her the whats, whens and hows of getting into this fiesta. What was her problem? Whatever. What happened next made up for it.
One by one, some of the biggest Latin players in baseball starting showing up. Carlos Beltran showed up with his wife. A short-haired Magglio Ordonez arrived. Rafael Palmeiro and family, Omar Minaya, Tino Martinez and family were dropped off with us poor saps in the rain.
Vladimir Guerrero made a slow walk to our area. Other players began to arrive.
Everyone smiles at each other and embraces. Listening in, it doesn’t take long to realize that everyone feels like a fish out of water just like I do. Everyone. And that feeling brought us all together.
Then the chatter among players begins:
“Wait, is that Celia Cruz’s husband? Oh my goodness, it is. That guy over there, I’m pretty sure he’s Puerto Rican salsa singer Victor Manuelle.”
“Do you think Miss Universe will be here? I think she’s Venezuelan. Venezolanas always win that contest don’t they? Oh yeah, she’ll be here.”
“Hey, is that Buck Showalter? What is he doing here?” “Oh right, he manages the Rangers. Bush and Showalter are probably friends. Claro que si.”
One player asks if A-rod is going to show up. “He’s Dominican. He’s American. He plays for the Rangers so why wouldn’t he?”
Then somebody else chimes in: “Because it’s raining. Alex don’t do rain.”
Out of nowhere, another player jumps into the conversation. The voice is booming and raspy. I would later find it to be one of the most recognizable voices in the game.
“Listen guys, if Alex was here it wouldn’t just stop raining, it would start raining upwards. He’s so good he changes the weather.”
Everybody bursts into laughter. Was he mocking Rodriguez or was he complimenting him? Nobody knew and nobody cared. Lima went on for the next 10 minutes cracking jokes about the rain, weather in Latin America and pretty much anything he could think of. The next scene was right out of prom night. Everybody starts taking photos with each other. Couples, friends, strangers. Everyone. This all takes place in the middle of the security area (basically, a parking lot) and it was hilarious. It was a pre-party before the official celebration had even started and Lima was in the middle of it. He was the life of the party, any party, but specifically, the party of life.
During the ceremony President Bush mentioned Lima by name and the crowd erupted into applause.
I took a photo with Lima and made a friend that day. Every time I would see him throughout the years that followed I would think back to that day in DC. I think he did too. The whole thing was too bizarre not to remember. What were all of us really doing there? Look how far we had all come. The White House, really? Yes, the White House. Players salaries didn’t matter that day. Millionaires stood next to underpaid teachers. Strangers shook hands like old friends and everyone nodded in silence at each other for a job well done. We were all tied together by our humble roots, language and baseball. We were all the same, just from different parts of this country and different parts of other countries. Lima was part of the glue.
Nelson Figueroa still brings it up.
Years later, I ran into Lima at Shea Stadium. He was with the Mets and he was sitting at his locker in silence. It would be his last year in the big leagues but he didn’t know that at the time. Small talk led to deep talk. He said something that I’ll never forget. He says, “Don’t ever worry about me. I’m fine. I’ll never get down, never. I am always going to be ok. Always.”
He was right. I saw Lima pitch a few more times in the Dominican Republic during the Winter Leagues and in Puerto Rico during the Caribbean Series. It seemed like he was always singing the national anthem and then getting on the mound a few minutes later. He was a fan favorite for everybody and he meant so much for the people in The DR. He was loved by so many and he loved them back. It was beautiful.
The last time I saw Lima we were in the seats near the dugout at Dodger Stadium. We were watching batting practice and he was telling me that he almost originally signed with the Dodgers as a teen but all that changed one night at camp when he accidentally came across a Dodgers prospect doing something illegal. The prospect chased Lima with a machete and he ran all the way home. Lima never came back and he later signed with the Tigers. We laughed and laughed. He went on to tell more stories, talk about his band and relive the old days in The DR.
When I tell my son about Jose Lima, I’ll tell him about a man that enjoyed every moment of his life and he inspired others to do the same. Lima will be missed by many, including me, but he will live on in hearts across the world, especially those who believe what he believed: Don’t worry because everything is always going to be ok.
Troubles in Mexico stretch to MLB
Former Major League pitcher Ismael Valdez used to tell a story that sounded more like a joke than a warning.
As the story goes, Valdez was driving near his Ciudad Victoria home in the Mexican state of Tamaulipas when a band of criminals ran him off the road. The bandits drew guns and tied the pitcher’s hands behind his back.
Valdez’s mind raced. He was being robbed or kidnapped or worse.
Then one of the bandits recognized him. The gunman was a Dodgers fan. Valdez spent the next 15 minutes signing autographs and posing for photos with the assailants. They then apologized for the trouble they’d caused.
Valdez drove away unharmed. Eventually, he learned to laugh off the incident.
Nobody is laughing now.
Mexico is experiencing an unprecedented rise in crime, kidnapping and violence as drug cartels and Mexican authorities fight for control of the lucrative drug routes across the border into the United States.
The violence has affected millions on both sides of the border, who fear they could get caught in the crossfire. It’s hit home, too, with many Mexican Major League players no longer feeling safe in their own hometowns.
“The truth is that it’s pretty scary,” said Angels infielder Freddy Sandoval. “Living in Tijuana is a pretty tough place to be, and I have not gone back for the simple fact that the crime is so high. Everyone always says that if you don’t mess around with the bad guys that they won’t mess around with you, but it’s still scary. There are innocent victims all of the time, so for a lot of us, it’s hard to believe that saying.”
Mexico City’s Reforma newspaper reports that the country had 6,587 drug-related murders in 2009, up from 5,207 in ’08 and 2,275 in ’07. Drug-related violence has claimed the lives of more than 3,300 this year.
To combat the problem, Mexico president Felipe Calderon deployed 45,000 soldiers and 20,000 federal officers to the country’s most dangerous areas to take on the drug cartels. The U.S. State Department has extended its travel warnings to certain parts of Mexico until August.
Calderon is visiting with President Barack Obama this week amid concerns over the escalating drug war and recent immigration legislation in Arizona.
“It’s very hard here. It’s turning wild,” said Oscar Sanchez, a sports writer in Monterrey, Mexico. “Major League players have to keep a low-profile here. Soccer players are more recognizable, but the salaries baseball players have can make them targets.”
Players from Mexico have a deep history with the Major Leagues: since Baldomero Almada played for the Red Sox in 1933, 111 players from Mexico have played in the Majors. Opening Day rosters featured 12 Mexicans.
In the past, Mexican Major Leaguers tried to keep their salaries, addresses and number of children out of the press for security reasons. In the age of new media, that information is easily found and is also often reported by traditional media outlets.
“Unfortunately, the delinquency in Mexico is at levels that we’ve never seen,” said Royals closer Joakim Soria, who is from the state of Coahuila. “I think you have to have faith in God and belief that the country will get better. I’m proud to be 100-percent Mexican and I love my country, and when I get a chance to go back home, I go. You can’t live in fear, but you can’t pretend nothing is happening.”
The northern states of Coahuila, Tamaulipas, Nuevo Leon, Chihuahua and Baja California have suffered much of the drug-related violence. There have been public shootouts in Ciudad Juarez, Tijuana and Nogales.
In February, Astros Spanish broadcaster Francisco Romero and his family were caught in gunfire at a U.S. border checkpoint in Nogales. The Romeros were unharmed, but four were killed and 17 injured in the four-minute shootout.
“The shooters were 50 yards to our right, and about 150 yards from the actual border,” he said. “The last three years, it’s something very common in that area of Nogales. You’re aware of it, but you don’t know you’re going to be in the middle of a shootout.”
Last year, Oscar Manuel Robles Arangure, father of former Major League infielder Oscar Robles, was kidnapped for a day in Tijuana. Two years ago, Padres All-Star Adrian Gonzalez, also from Tijuana, was harassed with terrorizing phone calls from Mexico but has said the threats have subsided.
“It’s not like I’m not going to go back to Tijuana, but I think everybody knows what is happening, and it’s part of what’s going on,” Gonzalez said. “You just go about your business, and if you are not doing anything wrong, you will be fine.”
Sinaloa, once famous for baseball, is now infamous as home of the most powerful and ruthless drug-trafficking organizations in the country. The Culiacan, Mazatlan, and Los Mochis baseball teams of the Mexican Pacific League all operate in the state but have not been affected by the escalating crime, according to league president Omar Canizalez.
“Mexico has been and always will be a country full of hard-working people, good people that love sports,” Canizalez said. “Unfortunately, we border a country that many people want to get drugs into. The violence a lot of times is between the people who are involved in that type of trafficking. We don’t have to be worried or be timid doing our business. We are fine.”
Dodgers pitcher Luis Ayala, who was born in Los Mochis, understandably has a different opinion. In January, Ayala and his family were held at gunpoint for 40 minutes after burglars broke into his Culiacan home. The assailants left after they realized they hit the wrong house.
“That was the scariest night of my life. We could have died over confusion,” Ayala said. “There’s just not enough security for players. That’s the biggest problem. You don’t always feel safe.”
Major League Baseball, its security department and investigative wing are all closely monitoring the activity in Mexico and working with the U.S. State Department to make sure the clubs receive the most recent travel warnings and advisories. Security assistance is provided when requested by a player or a club.
“We are very cognizant of what is happening and we make all information available to the central office and the clubs,” said Earnell Lucas, Major League Baseball’s vice president of security and facilities management. “I like to think our clubs and players are sensitive to the issues going down in parts of their countries and they are aware of what’s occurring in the world, but we still reach out to them and they reach out to us. To the extent that baseball can, we want to be a resource for safety awareness.”
Ayala now lives in an Arizona suburb. Sandoval moved from Tijuana to Arizona last winter and is trying to get his parents to join him.
“My dad comes home from work around 4 o’clock and they just stay home,” Sandoval said. “Their lifestyle has completely changed. You have to think twice before you do normal things like go out to dinner. I call home and the first thing my dad says is ‘They killed five, six, seven, eight or 15 today.’ It’s too much.”
Nicaragua Academy in the works
Is Nicaragua the next hotbed for baseball? A group of U.S. businessmen, including former Major Leaguers Dave Stewart and Reggie Smith, believe it is and plan to build a privately funded academy in the Central American nation.
The International Baseball Association and its affiliate, International Baseball Academies — Central America, announced plans on Thursday to build a state-of-the-art academy in Nicaragua for promising young players.
“We understand that for academies in the Dominican Republic, the primary mission is to find kids to play ball,” said Bob Oettinger, one of the principals of IBACA-Nicaragua “We want to provide Nicaraguan kids that opportunity, but we are also going to incorporate vocational training. They will be getting the best instruction on the field, but also in the classroom. When it comes time to leave the academy, they will have learned skills for other areas.”
About an hour west of Managua near the city of Villa del Carmen, the academy will be built adjacent to the Gran Pacifica Beach and Golf Resort on the Pacific Coast. The academy will be constructed in four phases, with the initial phase including a dormitory for 48 players, two full baseball fields, one half-field, eight pitching mounds, batting cages, a cafeteria, a trainers’ room, locker rooms, a gym and weight room, a classroom with computers, administrative offices, and storage and maintenance areas.
The academy will accommodate 192 participants, most ranging from ages 14-16. Upon entering the academy, players will agree to give a portion of their signing bonuses to the academy if they sign with a Major League club. Fantasy camps and facility rentals for tournaments and winter ball will also provide a source of revenue for the facility.
Groundbreaking is scheduled for early 2010.
“The thing that impressed us is that we would see young people in uniform walking to pickup games in pastures and any place big enough to host game,” Oettinger said. “We were really impressed with the level of play despite the facilities. They showed a lot of skill. We thought that if we can build a facility that’s comparable to the Yankees or Mets, just think what these guys can do.”
Baseball instruction at the academy will be provided by U.S. and Nicaraguan coaches with a staff that includes former Major League players Brad Lesley, Stewart and Smith. Campers will receive classroom instruction in English, computer skills, nutrition, humanities and business.
“We realize that it is an ambitious project, but we feel can pull it off and have the resources to make it happen,” Smith said. “With the passion that they have for the game there, and the fact that it is centrally located, we believe the potential to produce ballplayers out of all of Central America is a tremendous opportunity.”
“We want to accomplish what they are doing in other academies,” Smith continued. “When they are ready to sign, we want the players to be capable enough to go to the United States.”
As part of its research, the group spent time evaluating the baseball academies in the Dominican Republic, and it has worked closely with Major League Baseball’s international office on the project. Although not officially affiliated with the project in Nicaragua, MLB has provided coaching clinics and advice on how to work with players.
“Dave came up to us about a year and a half ago about the idea, and as far as player development is concerned, from a baseball standpoint, it’s a good idea,” said Lou Melendez, MLB’s vice president of international baseball operations. “It’s a good project, and although we are not affiliated, having someone like Dave Stewart lends credibility to it, and I think they will do a world of good in Nicaragua.”
There have been 11 big league players from Nicaragua, with the most recognizable being pitcher Dennis Martinez. In 2009, there were two Nicaraguans — Vicente Padilla and Everth Cabrera — on Opening Day rosters.
“We want it to be profitable venture, but we are just as motivated to do something for their country,” Oettinger said. “We are so impressed with the people down there that we want something that will make a lasting impression on their lives. One of our guiding philosophies after doing our research is that we believe that Nicaragua, with the proper facilities, can be another Dominican Republic.”
Curious Case of (O) Cabrera
INDIANAPOLIS – He’s equal parts enigma and champion.
Up to this point, his career has been a success. It’s also been a bit confusing.
Welcome to the strange world and the curious baseball life of Colombian shortstop Orlando Cabrera.
Cabrera, a member of the 2004 World Series champion Red Sox, a perennial postseason player and two-time Gold Glove winner, is looking for a job.
Again.
“Why he doesn’t he have a job? Well, that’s something you have to ask all of his other managers,” said White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen, Cabrera’s manager in 2007. “That’s something a lot of people ask and I don’t have the answer. I think Orlando, when he played for me, he played great. We had a little argument at times but we faced it. He will find a job because this guy is a winner. “
Last season, Cabrera a signed with the A’s to start the season and was traded to Minnesota at the July 31st non-waiver trade deadline for shortstop Tyler Ladendorf. With Cabrera at shortstop, the Twins went on to qualify for the playoffs, marking the fifth time in the last six years that Cabrera appeared in the postseason.
That’s quite a postseason streak and probably where the whole “winner” moniker comes into play.
But here’s the tricky part: Cabrera played for four different teams during that six-year span and developed a reputation as an unlikely journeyman. Overall, the shortstop has played for six different teams since making his big league debut with the Expos in 1997. He played for parts of eight seasons – arguably some of the best years of his career — with Montreal before being traded to Boston at the 2004 trade deadline as part of a four-team swap that included Nomar Garciaparra. The Red Sox won the World Series that season and Cabrera, who had previously toiled in anonymity in Montreal, was suddenly thrust into the spotlight.
He signed a four-year, $32 million deal with the Angels in 2005 but was eventually thrust back on to the trading block when he was shipped to the White Sox along with cash considerations for Jon Garland in the winter of 2007.
He didn’t stay in Chicago for long. On March 6, 2009, Cabrera signed a one-year deal with Oakland.
“I loved every minute of having him,” Oakland general manager Billy Beane said. ” I think one of the reasons he’s been on so many teams is that he is attractive to having and he’s been a good player. If you look at his track record, most of the teams he has played on go to the playoffs. “
“I have nothing but great things to say about him,” Beane continued. “I wish our club could have played better so we could have kept him the whole year. He loves to play and he brings an upbeat tempo to everything he does. He’s had a great career. You can’t argue with his postseason track record.”
Cabrera’s age, not his intense personality nor his on-and-off again relationship with media, could be his biggest obstacle at this point of his career. It doesn’t help that he led all shortstops in errors with 25. He has a career batting average of .275.
“He’s going to play at 35 this year so I think anytime you have a player that has many years, the term will probably vary,” Beane said. “He has been a highly sought after guy but anytime time a guy gets into his mid-30s, you are going to vary the length of contract but at the end of the day, I’m a big Orlando fan.”
The Twins like Cabrera, too. There’s talk he could return to Minnesota to play second base with newly acquired J.J. Hardy at shortstop. The Twins are unable to offer Cabrera arbitration because of his contract agreement with Oakland last season.
“I’m not afraid to try anything,” Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said. “I like Cabby. I think he’s a winner. He’s a good player and he’s a winner. If Hardy is our shortstop and maybe we can figure out where Cabby can go, he can play at second, he can play at third. I think he’s an offensive threat. I think he can do a lot of things. I’m not afraid to try anything.”
The ability to play second base and shortstop could make Cabrera more attractive free agent but only time – and the market — will tell.
”He’s a winner,” Guillen said. “Everybody is going to want him because he plays to win. He wins everywhere he goes. “
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World Series: Hold the champagne …
PHILADELPHIA - The Yankees did not lose the World Series on Monday.
They just didn’t win it.
The 8-6 loss to the Phillies in Game 5 didn’t end the series. It just extended it.
The Yankees still lead the Phillies by one game in the best-of-seven series and need one more victory to win their 27th World Series championship.
Life is still good in the Yankee Universe.
Tuesday’s day off will only delay the inevitable, Yankees catcher Jose Molina said. The series ends and the celebration begins Wednesday night in Game 6 at Yankee Stadium.
Molina made a declaration. You can say he made a guarantee.
“We are going to be at home. We are going to win and that’s it,” Molina said. “Wednesday is another game. We’ll win it and that’s what we are going to do.”
Molina’s tough talk came on a night starter A.J. Burnett failed to live up to expectation. The right-hander gave up six runs on four hits in two innings before yielding to David Robertson. Once again, Phillies starter Cliff Lee stole the show, slowing down the Yankees offense for seven innings.
Overall, Lee was charged with five runs and walked three batters. Stellar? Hardly. It was still good enough for his second victory of the World Series.
“I felt we put some better at bats on him,” Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. ” We hit some balls hard and we got something going and got a run in the first, and then he got a pretty big lead and we were able to get back into the game. But I thought our guys had better at bats. And I didn’t think he was as sharp as he didn’t throw as many strikes tonight. ”
In the Yankees clubhouse, the players seemed more concerned with getting their equipment bags on the shipping truck than putting the loss behind them. They still won two-out-of-three games at Philadelphia’s Citizen’s Bank Park so the feeling of doom and gloom was noticeably absent.
The Yankees cavalier attitude could be traced in history. They have held a 3-1 advantage in the Fall Classic on nine previous occasions, winning Game 5 six times and completing their run with a championship all nine times.
“We have to play a good game and we have to find a way to win a game,” Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter said. “When you look back on it, this is a tough place to play and they are real comfortable playing here. They have a great team and the bottom line is you have to play well to win.”
The Phillies will send Pedro Martinez to the mound for Game 6. The Yankees have not made an official announcement but it appears that they will counter with Andy Pettitte on short rest. Should the series reach Game 7, it’s likely the Yankees will bring back CC Sabathia, who also started Game 1 and Game 3.
You can argue the Yankees are in a good position in the final two games with their top two pitchers ready to pitch — or you can argue the exact opposite because their top two pitchers should be tired by now.
“Physically I’ve got to see how (Pettitte) is,” Girardi said. “He threw a side today and felt good. But I’ll check with him Tuesday.”
Pettitte hasn’t pitched on short rest since 2006 and is 4-6 with a 4.15 ERA in those situations. Overall, he is 12-4 with a 3.73 ERA in the playoffs with the Yankees but only 4-4, with a 4.00 ERA in the World Series play.
The veteran has been in this position before. He had a chance to clinch a World Series title for the Yankees in 2001 against the Diamondbacks and in 2003, he pitched in Game 6 against the Marlins. He came up short both times.
The Yankees don’t seem worried.
“We’re OK,” left fielder Johnny Damon said. “Obviously, we wish we could have won but it happens. They played a little bit better than us, but we’re fine. We understand we have a very good chance and hopefully we can take care of it.”
World Series: Ring, ring, ring X 27
PHILADELPHIA - History is ringing again.
Following Sunday’s 7-4 win against the Phillies in Game 4, the Yankees are one victory away from winning the 2009 World Series championship and picking up their 27th world championship even if everybody in pinstripes refuses to talk about it.
The Yankees lead the series, 3-1 but somehow it feels like it’s 0-0.
Welcome to cliche city. Ask the Yankees and they’ll say they are “in the moment.” They are “playing one game at a time.” They are “Not thinking about the future.”
But ask Yankees fans and they’ll say the moment is now. Well, the moment will come Monday night.
“It feels good to win this game but we have to come out tomorrow night and try to win again,” Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter said. “Every game is big. We have yet to accomplish anything. Our mindset is to come out here and play the game to win.”
Win is what the Yankees have done the last three games against the defending champs. Why not make it four in a row?
“We’ve never given up,” closer Mariano Rivera said. “We have the type of team that never quits. We’ve worked hard all year and been working since Spring Training to get to this moment. “
The Yankees have enjoyed the moments. On Sunday, the Yankees led 4-2 after five innings but the Phillies tied the game at 4 after eight innings. In the top of the ninth, the Yankees added three runs behind the heroics of Johnny Damon and Alex Rodriguez.
“It feels good, but again, we’ve been down this road before, and we have to stay very focused,” Rodriguez said. “Those guys are the world champs. We’re going to come out fighting, and so are we, so just staying in the moment.”
Monday’s moment belongs to starter A.J. Burnett, who is pitching on short rest, and Phillies starter Cliff Lee. You can argue the spotlight belongs to Burnett’s personal catcher Jose Molina.
Yes, Molina won a World Series title with the Angels in 2002, but he played sparingly and was primarily known back then as Bengie’s little brother.
Molina says he’s not nervous and he’s not too excited. Yankees fans want to believe him. All of Puerto Rico wants to believe one its favorite sons.
“For me, I’m taking it as another game and play my game,” Molina said. “I’m going to look at it as a regular season game and do my job. “
Forgive Molina if he sounds cocky. He expects great things from Burnett and he should. In four career starts on short rest, the right-hander is a perfect 4-0 with a 2.33 ERA. In his last outing, Burnett outdueled Phillies star Pedro Martinez.
“I’ve waited a long time for it, and I’m going to take it full stride,” Burnett said. “I’m going to go out there with everything I’ve got, and you take nothing for granted. I’ve seen some crazy things this post season, and I guess that’s why they call it post season baseball, because anything can happen.”
“But you’ve got a great lineup over there, and we’re going up against Cliff,” he continued. “So I’m just going to try to go pitch for pitch against him and keep our squad in it. But I’m looking forward to it and can’t wait.”
Yankees manager Joe Girardi is probably just as excited. He’s just not expressing it.
Yet.
“As far as thinking about one game, all I think about is playing a good game Monday,” Girardi said. “Go out and play a good game tomorrow and let’s see where we’re at. Continue to play the type of baseball that we’re capable of playing.”
Ring, ring, ring.
World Series: Hoosier Dad
NEW YORK – Even in defeat, Pedro Martinez came out looking like a winner.
The veteran right-hander shined for six innings in the 3-1 loss to the Yankees in Game 2 of the World Series but took the loss. After the game, he was showed why he will never be considered a loser.
“Regardless of what happened, the fact that I was the loser today for the game, I’m extremely proud and happy being able to participate, compete against a real, real good team, a very solid team, be able to put my team in position to catch up or win that game,” he said. “At the same time tell myself that I made the right decision by coming back and getting this opportunity, putting myself in the position to get an opportunity to pitch in the World Series.”
He also showed why many consider him one of the classiest players in the game. On his way out of the game in the eighth inning, he smiled at the fans. He talked about how he addressed a loud Yankees fan.
“It’s a new Yankee Stadium, but the fans remain the fans,” he said. “I remember one guy sitting right in front of the front row with his daughter, sitting with his daughter, and his daughter in one arm, and a cup of beer in the other hand and saying all kinds of nasty stuff. I just told him, ‘Your daughter is right beside you. It’s a little girl. It’s a shame you’re saying all these things.’”
That’s simply Pedro being Pedro. He speaks his mind and he pitches with heart.
Unfortunately for the Phillies’ fans he is not receiving much run support. Thursday marked the second time in a row that Martinez did not have strong run support from his offense. He threw seven scoreless innings against the Dodgers in Game 2 of the National League Championship Series, but the Phillies scored once and lost, 2-1.
He was the tough-luck loser again Thursday.
“I felt like Pedro did a tremendous job,” Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said. “He changed speeds, and he definitely moved the ball around, and he was aggressive. He wasn’t afraid to throw inside to some of their big hitters, and he pitched a good game. Pedro got hurt by the long ball off left handed hitters, and that’s kind of it was a heck of a game. It was a very close game, and we couldn’t pull it out.”
Martinez’s mistakes Thursday came with first baseman Mark T eixeira and Hideki Matsui at the plate. Each Yankees’ slugger hit a solo home run,
“When I made a couple of mistakes, I paid for them,” he said. “Teixeira’s home run to me, seems like he hit a good pitch. I just have to tip my hat and kind of let it go. Matsui I was disappointed. I was just into a groove and pitching and throwing pitches, and just flip a curveball there, kind of paid for it.”
There’s a chance Martinez could pitch at Yankee Stadium once more if his turns comes up again. There’s also a chance he never pitches in a big league game again.
.”If we win the World Series, I’d suggest you fly to Dominican and come and ask me,” he said. “If we don’t win it, I’ll probably give it another shot. “
World Series: Frillies?
NEW YORK – Yankees mystique and aura yielded to reality Wednesday night in the Bronx.
The Phillies are the defending champs and that’s not an accident.
It took a 6-1 loss in Game 1 of the World Series to remind everybody in the Yankees nation that this is not going to be an easy series. The Phillies are for real and the Yankees have a real fight on their hands.
“Obviously, they are the defending champs,” Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. “They earned their World Series last year, and they earned their right to get back here this year. They’ve played extremely well.”
On Wednesday, Phillies Cliff Lee allowed one run for a complete game victory. It won’t get any easier for the Yankees. On Tuesday, the Phillies will have Pedro Martinez to the mound for Game 2. The Yankees will counter with A.J. Burnett.
“A loss is going to happen,” Yankees right fielder Nick Swisher said. “We have lost a game before and we know what to do. We are going to come back t the same time and be ready to go.”
Expect both teams to be ready to go. As it turns out, neither team should really be considered the favorite in this series because it’s too close to call.
Maybe Yankees fans already knew that fact. Maybe they didn’t. The Yankees know how good the Yankees are.
Just ask anybody in the home clubhouse.
“We’re a good team, too, and that’s why you play a series,” Yankees left fielder Johnny Damon said. “They won today and hopefully A.J. comes out and throws the way we know he can. Hopefully, our bats will be better. We don’t like this situation and we can’t lose three more. We want to win four. It’s one game, one loss and it’s over with.”
On Wednesday, the Yankees managed six hits against Lee. Six hits against Martinez and the Phillies might not be enough for a victory in Game 2.
Just ask anybody in the home clubhouse.
“The bottom line is we have to swing the bats better than we have,” Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter said. “You move on further in the playoffs and it gets more and more difficult. Pedro knows how to pitch. He’s been pitching for a long time and he mixes it up. He’ll be ready.
Every game at this point is critical.”
The Yankees will be ready for Martinez. He is 11-11 with a 3.20 ERA in 32 career starts against them in the regular season, and was 8-4 with a 2.95 ERA in 16 career starts at the old Yankee Stadium. He is 1-2 with a 4.72 ERA in six postseason appearances against the Yankees, and is 0-2 with a 5.93 ERA in his past five.
Yes, the Yankees would have preferred to lead the series but will settle for a spilt in the first two games at Yankee Stadium. They definitely don’t want to go into Philadelphia this weekend trailing, 2-0.
“You like to win the first one at home but it didn’t work out the way we wanted,” said Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez, who struck out three times Wednesday. “You have to have a short memory. Pedro is going to be ready to pitch so we will be ready for him.”
The Phillies won by playing Yankees-style baseball. The pitching was strong, they hit home runs and they drove in runners with two outs.
Martinez will be waiting for them. He has something to prove to Yankees fans and New York media.
“I think in every aspect, the way you media guys have used me and abused me since I’ve been coming to Yankee Stadium , just because I wore actually a red uniform just like this one while playing for Boston. I remember quotes in the paper, “Here comes the man that New York loves to hate.” Man? None of you have probably ever eaten steak with me or rice and beans with me to understand what the man is about. You might say the player, the competitor, but the man? You guys have abused my name. You guys have said so many things, have written so many things.”
“There was one time I remember when I was a free agent, there was talk that I might meet with Steinbrenner,” Martinez continued. “One of your colleagues had me in the papers with horns and a tail, red horns and a tail. That’s a sign of the devil. I’m a Christian man.”
Martinez is also a warrior, something Yankees fans already knew. Now, everybody knows how good the rest of his team is.
Jesse Sanchez
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