Abreu shaping up for '08

I like to see this. Just make sure that personal trainer doesn't inject him with anything. I would like to see Abreu put up some better power numbers, but I think he would serve the team better by just posting a huge batting average in front of A-Rod. If we could get Damon to hit .300, Jeter to hit his usual .320-.330, and Abreu to do the same, A-Rod would drive in 175-185 runs next year. That would rock.

Give Abreu a 2 year extension, especially if Cabrera is traded.

What is the contract status of Wang and Cano? 1 year deals?

http://www.northjersey.com/page.php?qstr=eXJpcnk3ZjczN2Y3dnFlZUVFeXkxMTMmZmdiZWw3Zjd2cWVlRUV5eTcyMzU0NzQmeXJpcnk3ZjcxN2Y3dnFlZUVFeXk2

Call for Clemens to sue IF INNOCENT.

Clemens to congress with Perjury possiblity or trainer to be arrained

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/yankees/2007/12/18/2007-12-18_if_roger_clemens_wants_to_tell_his_story.html

NY Post is calling him Rog instead of Rocket.

Rivera deal not done? Still wants option year?

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/yankees/2007/12/19/2007-12-19_mariano_rivera_attempting_to_squeeze_opt.html?ref=rss

Article has today's date but some info towards the end is clearly outdated.

Clemens is definetely in a tough spot.

He could go under oath and risk Perjury and disgrace even if innocent.

He could sue and federal investators will arrest his trainer on obstruction plus other charges if he wins.

He could admit he lied and never go to the hall.

He could go to congress and lawyer up and take a Mark Mcguire 5th.

*All options: no way to prove conclusively either way.

Clemens and Pettitte's trainer:

Either he lied to save himself

or

He tossed his clients/friends under the bus and has no credibility as a person.

Possible tax evasion issues if misreported "tips" from players.

I believe that the Rivera deal is done.

Clemens is screwed either way. He's damned if he does and damned if he doesn't. It's basically his word against the trainer's. He was never tested. The only proof is circumstantial. Checks? He never denied that McNamee was providing personal training services. On his side? Were there McNamee clients who AREN'T in the list? Clients who only received personal training services?

And those of you who want to trot out the Piazza incident and link it to 'roid rage, you're full of it. If that is the case then Zimm was on the juice when he went after Pedro. People get angry for whatever reason. It happens.

I am so tired of hearing about steroids...

Anyway, it is great to see that Abreu is serious about coming into spring training and the season in good shape. If he can hit around .300 and get a ton of walks like he usually does, we'll be set. The only reason we didn't have 100 wins last year is because of the slow starts of guys like Abreu, Damon, etc. So if Abreu can avoid such a slow start due to injury, then this bodes well for our offense. He plays a key role in setting up for a big inning.

Keep it up Abreu...I hope the rest of our guys are doing the same. We can't afford to get off to such a slow start again this year.

I just realized that our horrific bullpen and the clusterf*ck in our rotation were also reasons we didn't reach 100 wins...but you all get my point haha

GIANTS LOSE.

Parcells taking a job will ATL that he should have had with the Giants last year.

I agree Golf, Deion Sanders and Jerry Rice, Chris Childs and Kobe Bryant, Charles Barkley and Shaq....all fists fights = roid rage? I don't think so.

If Clemens is innocent: game plan = go before congress risking perjury LIKELY trial and sue trainer.

Reason perjury trial is likely is because of sworn testamony from trainer with threat of jail time if trainer lied.

Mariano Rivera attempting to squeeze option year as Yankee deal nears
BY MARK FEINSAND

DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER

Wednesday, December 19th 2007, 4:00 AM

Would it be a bad idea to have a club option for a 4th year for Rivera?

That way if he's still on the decline, we can decline the option, but if he's still bringing it he we exercise the option.

The only down side I see to that is decline Rivera's option might seem disrespectful. But then again, if we don't give him the option and after 3 years he wants a 1 year deal that we turn down, that also could be viewed as disrespectful. I think Rivera has earned enough to at least have a club option for 2011.

What do you guys think?

He got a 3rd year out of a 2 year offer.

Thats true bpark...I only talk about a 4th year option because Mo is one of my favorite players off all time, right behind Bernie. So my thought are probably based more on nostalgia of him retiring than anything else.

I just don't see him being effective that late in his career. Stranger things have happened. If he can develop an effective changeup to compliment his cutter when it loses velocity, I guess he can pitch into his 40s.

Mo is falling apart already? See the rainout against BMore. He is still better than free agent options. Cordero could have been a good option. If Mo is finished, Chamberlain wll get the job.

I don't really get this disrespectful bit, What does this mean? He is getting older, if the team offers a 4th year it should be club option. He's 38 and should only got a 2 year plus club option. I can't understand that because he's a favorite he should be treated special. This is a business, although the Yanks tend to overpay, they don't have to throw it away. I'm not even sure if he can really be effective come 2009. Time will tell. Players like to hang on forever even they are not performing anymore.

The Daily News apparently goofed and put up an old story about Mo with today's date. It's since been yanked. Rivera is a done deal at three years and $45M.

Good job, Daily News! LOL! I was wondering if I stepped into a time vortex. I was reading that Rivera was locked in, and suddenly we are talking about that **** 4th year again! OOOOOOOO WEEEEEE OOOOOOOOO!

Juan Miranda, 1B: While Miranda made a bit of a splash as a Cuban defector signing this past offseason, it wasn't anything like El Duque or Jose Contreras in magnitude. He then went and had a quiet debut, starting in Tampa and ending in Trenton. Combined, he hit .265, but with 16 homers, 34 doubles and 96 RBIs, leading the organization in that category. The Yankees then sent the 24-year-old to the Arizona Fall League and he responded well with four homers, 15 RBIs and a .514 SLG through 21 games. First base isn't exactly a position of tremendous depth for the Yankees, so if Miranda can keep improving, he may hit the Bronx sooner rather than later.

TRENTON OR SCRANTON B?

Makes sense to put him in Trenton first, doesn't it?

Bryan > Mark

Bryan, is there anyway we can leave your bosses positive feedback about the job you do here. You go way beyond what most blogs do, answering as much of our questions as you can and contributing to the discussion.

Trenton is no longer affiliated?

Is it Scranton-Wilkes BAR or Scranton-Wilkes BARRY? How do you say it?

Not only does Hoch respond to us, but he posts a new thread every day, and sometimes 2 or 3! I've seen some other Blogs, and the host posts only a few times a week, if that. Like most things, the Yankees have the best available. Nice going, Bryan.

Chaz, it is pronounced Scranton/ Wilkes/"Berry".

On another note, I hope Miranda does keep improving. It would be nice to end the platooning.

Thanks, jlemoine.

No problemo. I have a friend who goes to school in Scranton, he got to see Hughes, Chamberlain, Kennedy, and a ton of other guys play there. Pretty cool.

My mistake, it was Columbus that had their affiliation pulled, ignore the question.

Mark only seemed to respond if you said something controversial and you backed it up with multiple sources.

For example:

I said at the time Sheff shouldn't have been dealt and listed a whole bunch reasons why. I have since recanted that position. The only response I got from Mark is that it was the greatest trade in the history of the Yankees. I do still believe we could have gotten more for Sheff and Johnson.

Bryan,

Is the blog where I asked you 20 questions still available? I curious to see how those questions panned out.

Chaz it's Wilkes-Barre
Yes, I agree Bryan does a fine job, He keeps the communications door open and usually response in a reasonable time to any question.

ya know what i like about this place? THE BLOGGERS!!

from chaz to bpark to jeterstar to jlemoine to redsoxlose to sportsgirl to fjr to knuteroc to everyone else! (excluding sentinel lol)

you guys are the best and love the diverse opinions. keep it up. and of course bryan's my homie.

Agreed, keep up the good blogging Bryan!

I'm sorry for the random note on the following, but this signing makes me want to puke several times:
4yrs for $44million

"Silva spent the past four seasons with the Twins, posting a 47-45 record. He was 13-14 with a 4.19 ERA in 2007"

He's a sub .500 pitcher for 07' and JUST a smidge over .500 for his career and he's signing for $11mm/yr. This guy blows, PERIOD. Put him in a game against a team like the Yankees and it's Hamburger Hill 2...he's minced f&cking meat! Why the EFF is this guy getting such a huge contract? You might say "it's the market", which means you know s%hit about baseball(look at Oakland!)! He's a career 4.5ERA pitcher who 'flourished' (more like BLEW hard) in Minny. He's called an 'innings eater' or 'pitch to contact' pitcher, which is also known as: gets hit but Minnesota astro turf saved his fat ***. This guy blows harder than Chicagao wind off lake Michigan, blows harder than Contreras in pinstripes, BLOWS harder than Sammy as an Oriole.

I hope the M's choke hard on this investment. My prediction: 10-15 with an ERA over 5. Screw you Silva.

Go YANKEES!

Parcells just turned down ATL, The Giants need to get him back.

I haven't read some of the recent blogs yet but this is interesting on Yank prospects.
http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20071110&content_id=321096&vkey=news_milb&fext=.jsp

some interesting stuff..

I hope this is not repeating someone elses blog.

Was Darren Driefort worth his deal? No! Was Zito worth his? No! But when you are the best free agent in a LEAN market (to say the least) you are assured to get a huge contract. Why do you think Johan is justified in asking for 150 million when he becomes an FA. If you ask me, he should ask for 300 million with the way free agent pitchers are OVERPAID in the majors. I hope Silva falls flat on his face, too. It might educate some of the GM's out there to NOT pay out a fat contract to a scrub just because he is the best of the worst.

This is honestly the only place I have to talk baseball with anyone intelligent. I wanted to take a second and just say to you people how much I appreciate every one of your opinions, whether they are right (if you agree with me), or wrong (if you don't). I wanted to wish each one of you and your families a great holiday, and good fortune for the upcoming year. Thanks for everything. You guys are awesome. GO YANKEES!!!!

Thanks corshep, I do like to keep things stirred up, As you say they're strictly my opinions, right or wrong. I was getting tired of the old garbage "the Mitchell report" It was getting boring, without anything being resolved.

Even you, Sentinel. Merry Christmas, you Asshat. LOL.

Bpark, I do believe Trenton is still a Yankee Affiliate.

You too Chaz. These blogs are my escape from my Red Sox populated area haha.

I'll be heading for Florida in a couple of Days, And I'll say it now before it slips my mind.
I want to wish each and every one of you A MERRY CHRISTMAS and a HAPPY, HEALTHY and PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR. GOD bless you all.

You May all enjoy this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IAckfn8yiAQ

FJR

When the Yankees officially re-signed Bobby Abreu, it was the move I most looked forward to this off-season by the Yankees. (I felt: Rivera, Posada, and Pettitte would return - so, I expected those moves...A-Rod - I wasn't sure about, but was happy he did re-sign with the Yanks - and, not sign with Boston!)...

Bobby Abreu's style of hitting is perfect for the Yankee line-up - which is so much better when Abreu is at the top of his game...Taking pitches, working the count, walking, and hitting line dives all over the field with that great swing of his!!!...

As John Sterling would say...

"Bobby Abreu, Sweet As Candy" !!!

Jimmy27NYY

http://baseballtheyankeesandlife.mlblogs.com/

Good one FJR, Thanks for the link. Merry Christmans everyone!

Not to mention he's the perfect hitter to set up A-Rod...when he's not having a slow start due to injury, of course.

Thanks guys, much appreciated. But we can do even better in '08. I have a few ideas I'm kicking around for the spring and the season, so stick with us...

Ummmm, before we get sidetracked with love & madprops for Bryan, what about our bullpen situation? We still need a LHP with some experience -- I don't want to see some ******* from AA coming into the majors and placing all sorts of expectations on his shoulders. Give me a 3.3ERA and a fancy below .200 BA against lefties and i'm happy.

Sidenote: let's clone Joba, train the Joba clone to pitch left-handed, and call him Aboj.

Sweet.

I'm not impressed with the FA LHP's demands this past year; there are very few relievers that should make over $4million/yr, who doesn't close games -- one of them should've been Goose.

Mahay: 3.5mm/yr, not worth it.

Bryan, have the Yankees attempted to sign an LHP from the Japanese lagues? Or even from the CBA?

Thanks

Hey fjr,

Don't know if you have seen this juicy bit of news today, but it looks like Bill Parcells might be heading to the Phins as head of football operations after turning the Falcons down. Interesting turn of events, ain't it?

"Pete Rose, the Altar Boy"...

"I never thought anybody would make me look like an altar boy", Rose said, in an interview with Dennis Miller, that airs tonight on "Versus".

In the story reported by the AP, Pete Rose thinks: players who use steroids and other PED'S are "making a mockery of basball".

Rose said, "I've been suspended 18 years for betting on my own team to win. I was wrong...but, these guys today, if the allegations are true, they're making a mockery of the game".

He also said, "I would have got 5,000 hits", (Rose's quote), when asked what would have happened if steroids were prevalent during his day.

Its great to know that Pete Rose is looking out for the best interests of Baseball???

Yeah, Right!

And, what does he mean when he said, "he would have gotten 5,000 hits"?

Anyway, in my view...as bad as Steroids, HGH, and any other PED'S are - Betting on, or Fixing games by players, or for that matter, by any one that is part of a team, is a far greater sin involving the game of baseball...

The game of Baseball was greatly damaged by the Black Sox Scandal, in 1919...Baseball can never let another gambling scandal ruin the "Game" again!

"The Black Sox Scandal", and "The Steroids Era" are two disgraces that I hope Baseball will never have to go through again!!!

Jimmy27NYY

http://baseballtheyankeesandlife.mlblogs.com/

I like Abreu and all that, I just hope he doesn’t go into another no-reason-what so ever- slump this season. When Abreu got going that’s when the team started kicking. I find it funny that Abreu is shedding pounds and not the other obviously overweight people. I’m also happy we picked up his option, now can we extend it? Is Jose Tabata an outfielder?

Matt, that would be great, he's a good football man.

Obsport, Yes, and a good young player, Give him another year.

Yeah, I agree that the Yankees should extend Abreu's contract...I think the Yankees should give him a three-year extention, keeping Abreu in rightfield for the next 4-years, (2008,'09,'10,'11)...

___________________________

Jose Tabata played outfield for the Class A Tampa Yankees last year...

He had a .307 BA; 5 HR's; 54 RBI's; and 15 SB....Tabata played in 103 games and had 411 AB's.

Jimmy27NYY

http://baseballtheyankeesandlife.mlblogs.com/

Tabata is indeed an outfielder obsportsgirl, and a promising one at that. He's only 19 years old though, so give him a year or two to move on up.

I'm looking forward to seeing Tabata by the way. I've heard people say he's "the next Manny Ramirez, only not as lazy". So the talent of Manny with a better attitude and work ethic? Sounds good to me.

I agree with extending Abreu. Give him 2-3 years, then Tabata will be ready to replace him. Is Tabata a right fielder? Anyone know if he's got the cannon to cut it out there?

Jose Tabata played rightfield for the Tampa Yankees, last year...

note: Tabata had a hand/wrist injury last year which caused him to be shut down for the year in the middle of August.

He had surgery to remove a "hamate bone" from his wrist, (I'm not a doctor...This information is from the Yankees web site).

Hopefully, Tabata will be healthy by spring training. He's only 19, and will probably start the season at Double-A, Trenton.

I don't know about his fielding or what kind of an arm he has. It will be great to see how he does in spring training. He should get some playing time in the early part of the Spring which will give us all a chance to see what he can do.

Jimmy27NYY

http://baseballtheyankeesandlife.mlblogs.com/

Bryan,

I wish you could make the blog like a forum, so that topics don't get buried and the most recent topic posted in is at the top of the list.

Lol@

This game is the new front-runner for ugliest game of the year, regardless of outcome. It's 6:21 p.m. and we're in the bottom of the seventh? First pitch was 2:37. And Kyle Farnsworth gives up the lead... that was unpredictable.

Posted by: Bryan | September 22, 2007 06:22 PM

Bpark, I hope the Giants can get B. Parcell back. I can't stand Tom Coughlin's play calling, and he can't even control the team anymore. Plus what the **** is up w/ Eli and plaxico practicing together 2 hrs. before the game. If parcell was here that would never happen.

.

Fjr, I lived in the tampa bay area for 5 years. Moved from Queens. Anyways, It is still hot down here, at least in the afternoon. I was at the beach today playing football with my friends. At the beach during christmas time, could you believe that. So don't forget to pack some swim shorts & shirts b/c it's awesome weather down here. Well, I hope you have fun.

Can someone explain to me how the Twins are interested in this deal: Jon Lester, with outfielder Coco Crisp, shortstop Jed Lowrie and right-hander Justin Masterson. How the **** is that package better than ours: Hughes, Cabrera, and 2 prospects. Hughes and Cabrera are definetely better than Lester and Coco. How the heck are the redsox the frontrunners with a crappy deal like that. If they make this deal, I'm gonna hate minnesota even more.

This is the kind of deal minnesota would make. Like I said, Minnesota have been killing us with their stupid trades (not all trades). From Ortiz to Randy moss, to Marion Barber, to Kevin Garnett. And next is gonna be santana.

Parcells is going be a GM where ever he goes. He interview for the GM job with the Giants last year but he was still coaching Dallas.

No way are the Giants getting Parcells back. The Phins are close to signing him to a 4-year deal after which he will be cleaning house. Looks like The Mule, and Cameron will be looking for new jobs after the season ends.

Dammit. I hope he doesn't go to Miami. Well, if we don't get him, maybe we can get Bill Cowher to coach again.

The deal is in place. It's expect Parcells will sign it within the next 24-48 hrs. Cowher has said he is going to sit out another year.

Very tough year for Atlanta with Vick, and Petrino, and now this.

Parcells just agreed to deal, now officially with Miami!!

anyone else see Schilling's latest rant on what he feels Clemens ought to do? What an ***...

Yeah, I read the Schilling piece. While the guy certainly has the right to his own opinion, it's disturbing that the media gives people the time of day, as if this is newsworthy on the sportscenter edition or one some newspage online?

It's also disturbing that people are so quick to judge these days. Reminds me of that George Carlin piece someone sent me... pretty good stuff, maybe I'll post it sometime.

Anyway, I don't know anymore than anyone else does if Clemens is guilty as charged. But until someone produces evidence, we shouldn't be stating that it's up to Roger to prove himself innocent. I mean, really, if Roger came out on ESPN tomorrow and said, I didn't do it and gave a long speech etc... and was savvy and all that (believable), would you or anyone else then just totally flip positions?

It's like, he who gets their story run first gets the upperhand, fact, truth or anything else notwithstanding. I just find that extremely illogical as our pointy-eared friend would say.

I do realize that the media is about sensationalism. I remember reading about it in my Mass Comm class. Reporting the facts only I guess was too drab to sell all those papers. So that part I do understand. But in today's media, why can't we get those kinds of stories too? It's not like we can't find the sensationalism everywhere on practically any media outlet.

While I will say that it doesn't look probable that Roger didn't use, the fact still remains as I've posted before; not everyone who used got busted or had their supplier in MLB busted. Therefore, it seems trite and scapegoat-ish to go the people they were able to get people to squeal on.

My question is that if these were illegal and obtained illegally, where are the criminal charges for them in this? Why aren't all these guys getting charged like the suppliers?

Schilling is deluded indeed if he thinks that records and awards are going to be retroactively changed to how did he say it, 'their rightful winners' verbatim? Sounds like he knows or really engaging in wishful thinking. Roger has not yet been proven guilty and therefore should still be the rightful winner in those years.

I've been thinking about this for awhile now; since it's been harped on so much by ESPN at the least as I do have to get my sports fix...

You've heard it before; players don't get better with age.

Well, I started to think about that. Who do ya think the first guy that popped in my mind was? Ok, that wasn't fair, but it was Nolan Ryan.

So I've finally taken the time to start comparing these two. While the era's do differ slightly, I find them very intriguing and considering their both Texans I thought this interesting.

I'll post the links so you can peruse them yourselves, because the formatting will be all out of whack here.

http://www.baseball-reference.com/r/ryanno01.shtml

http://www.baseball-reference.com/c/clemero02.shtml

Years Pitched:

NR 27

RC 24

Career ERA:

NR 3.19

RC 3.12

Worst year ERA:

NR 4.88 (His last year '93) We'll just not include Nolan's first year (15.00 ERA)

RC 4.60 (first year in NY '99)

Best year ERA:

NR 1.69 (1981 his 15th year)

RC 1.87 (2005 his 22nd year)

Now we could go into other things like AL vs. NL and all sorts of other things too, but Nolan was 46 years old when he had his worst ERA. Clemens is only 44 yet and unlikely to have two more seasons but who knows?

Then you also have to consider the hitters, the IP, all kinds of other factors to really be able to discern that Roger got oh so much better after leaving Boston.

In Roger's last year with the Sox he was 10-13 with a 3.63 ERA.

In 24 years of pitching Roger has had a total of 7 double-digit loss seasons, 6 of which came with the Sox.

In Ryan's 27 years, he had 17 such seasons with double-digit losses.

One can account for this in many ways, run support, bullpen support, etc. I'd have to do a lot of digging and research to provide those exact numbers.

Going back to the NL and on a Houston team that rep'd the NL in the series, it's not that surprising he had that stellar ERA in 2005.

Conversely, poor Nolan was wallowing on middle of the pack teams his whole career. It's not too much of a stretch to think that if he had been on the contenders in half of his years that he'd have posted better numbers too.

Both Ryan's and Clemen's ERAs over their careers have been pretty steady, especially so when you look at the stats after the first 10 years.

I don't think anyone that I know would be accusing Nolan of being on the juice. Yet, their careers are quite comparable in many aspects.

Clemens has 5 years with double digit complete games, and none after his stint with Boston. Conversely, Ryan had 9 years of double digit complete games and 8 of those came with the Angels who could be said to have pitched him to death as 5 of those years had him at 20+ complete games. Never in Clemens' career has he had more than 20 CG's, 18 in '87 with the Sox was his high.

So, even though he may ultimately may be guilty, the argument that it's so improbable (maybe considered against pitchers not in his class) is really a bunk argument.

That's my opinion. Prove him guilty. ;)

I personally have not really ever liked Roger that much... respected, well a bit yes... his ability was never the question. Personality-wise, well he leaves something to be desired so I hear, but heck, so do a lot of people.

What's A Complete Game???...

The unfortunate reality in Baseball is this whole "100-pitch count" restriction placed on the starting pitchers. This results in way too much reliance on the middle inning relievers.

This trend regarding the starting pitchers has now made the Complete Game [CG] rarer than a "no-hitter". Even pitching a shutout into the 7-8-9th innings is no guarantee the pitcher will complete the game!...(that's part of the reason for the decrease in CG's by Roger Clemens after the 1987 season - mentioned in a comment above).

Side Note: that reference to CG's by Clemens brought my thoughts to these very annoying subjects, (the 100-pitch count and the lack of complete games by starters in MLB), that have frustrated me for many years!

____________________________

Anyway, concerning the whole "steroids mess".....

MLB, MLBPA, Owners, and Players, need to look to the future. This should include:

* More and Better testing for PED's

* An Independent "Dept. of Investigation"

* Full cooperation by the Players Association

I think focusing on the names of the players in the Mitchell Report, or others not listed - IS NOT HELPFUL!

But, any agreement in the future, (starting no later than 2009 or 2010), must include more "Lifetime Bans" for players who continue to use PED's...(just like in the Olympics and Cycling - the medals are taken away from the athletes, and they are stripped of their titles!

Bans are now: 50 games for a first time offense; 100 games for the 2nd offense; and a Lifetime Ban for the third offense...

To show the fans that MLB and the MLBPA are really looking to rid the "Game" of PED's, the bans should be revised to at least the following, as a start...

First Time Offense - 120 games to a Year "Ban"

2nd Offense [Final] - Lifetime Ban...Period!!!

Jimmy27NYY

http://baseballtheyankeesandlife.mlblogs.com/

Yankees say no on Benson and Prior. Santana deal being explored.

Knuteroc,
The only numbers which need asterisks in you list are double digit losses and CG's. Those two I think are the watermarks that differentiate the eras in which these two pitched. 10,12,13 losses back in NR's era weren't the same when he was also winning 16, 19 or 22 games. The other telling stat is IP. 300+ Can you imagine that in 2008? Even 250+? Not on your life. No, the biggest difference I see between then and now was durability. And really, aside from his longevity, NR's career was otherwise mostly just above average. The fact is, there is another pitcher who has had a long career (certianly not NR long, but 16 years already) who has similar if not BETTER W/L numbers and a career 3.7 era. Moose.

I find it rather amusing that Fat *** Schilling opens his piehole, and it's front page news. I find it even more amusing when I actually agree with him. Clemens needs to pull firmly on his head, and see if he can pry it from his rectum. I find it hard to believe that Clemens, a guy that would be the first one to stick a baseball on your forehead if you challenge him in the box, is acting like such a little B__CH regarding this controversy. Issuing statements through lawyers and agents? That doesn't sound like the actions of an innocent man. I want to give him the benefit of the doubt, but he's making it real hard. At this point, even if he came out and said he did it, I would respect him alot more than I do right now. C'mon, Rocket, get off your ***!

As far as what Pete Rose had to say, I agree with him too. Betting on your own team to win, while unethical and downright reprehensible. Is still not as bad as doing drugs. There is no way to put a spin on that, IMO.

I am really getting sick of all this. That congressional hearing cannot come fast enough.

Oh, and knuteroc,

Dude! Nolan Ryan on the juice? Booooo! I am pretty sure that this is the first time you have EVER posted something that I don't agree with, but that is borderline SACRELIGIOUS! LOL!

Knuteroc,

Sorry, diregard that last post. I misread your comparison post. My bad.

knuteroc your an idiot man!

wait nvm my bad

haha chaz your the man

what do you guys do for a living?

I'm a graphic designer.

I'm an Information Security Analyst.

I do agree that it doesn't look good for Roger, but was just trying to illustrate that it is possible for pitchers to have better years in their careers than they may have had in their first 5-10 years.

RCN, good point, even Nolan only had 2 years of 300+ innings and the last was in '73. He did flirt very closely with 300 again with the Angels but yes the point is clearly evident there.

I realize it can get really sticky comparing era to era. I just thought it'd be interesting to see how these two stacked up since their both roughly the same body type and build and 'Texan'.

It's not that I don't think the players shouldn't pay in some measure for what they've done, I do think Amnesty should be given because the majority I feel understands that MLB was culpable too along with the Clubs. I just think it's ridiculous to go after a few people when you're stating so assuredly that it was a rampant problem. If it was rampant for over a decade; and all you have is 80 odd names, yeah... you just can't discount that disparity. Either name them all or name them none and produce your 'findings' and recommendations and move on.

So for example; Vina admits it, nothing really happens, people shrug, people may still be disappointed etc, but his stats aren't removed from the books. You just can't do it without creating a huge mess, we'd have to have award ceremonies for MVPs, Cy Youngs, Batting titles etc. and such back in x, y or z years and it'd be that laughable. I just feel quite disappointed in the whole mess. I too would just like to put it behind us, I wish the sports world would too. I'll try to do better on my part I was just curious how the Ryan and Clemens careers looked side-by-side.

Ok note to self; proofread and recall the difference between, they're their and there! :P