Was that loud cheer I heard late last night

[traininvain]

The Red Sox Nation or Tom Hicks?

Congratulations to the Red Sox and especially MVP Mike Lowell.

And to A-Rod, thanks, see ya later, auf wiedersehen, aloha and don't let the door hit you in the ass on the way out.

[earendel]

And to A-Rod, thanks, see ya later, auf wiedersehen, aloha and don't let the door hit you in the ass on the way out.

In fairness to A-Rod, he isn't just taking his marbles and going home. He's concerned about the viability of a team that will probably lose several other superstars because of the loss of Joe Torre (loss? How about "shameful treatment ranking right up there with Jerry Jones' dismissal of Tom Landry"?).

My secret hope is that Torre will go on Letterman tonight (he's a scheduled guest) and announce that he is coming back after all.

[5LD]

Can I just say Ear, you have been rec'd!!!

Amen.

[traininvain]

In fairness to A-Rod, he isn't just taking his marbles and going home. He's concerned about the viability of a team that will probably lose several other superstars because of the loss of Joe Torre (loss? How about "shameful treatment ranking right up there with Jerry Jones' dismissal of Tom Landry"?).

Does anyone really believe this? It's all about Scott Boras, I mean A-Rod. If the Yankees offer their free agents the most money, they will most like resign with The Yanks.

My secret hope is that Torre will go on Letterman tonight (he's a scheduled guest) and announce that he is coming back after all.

It wouldn't surprise me, but I don't think it happening this time around.


BTW Landry was treated very shabbily, and deserved much better.

[earendel]

In fairness to A-Rod, he isn't just taking his marbles and going home. He's concerned about the viability of a team that will probably lose several other superstars because of the loss of Joe Torre (loss? How about "shameful treatment ranking right up there with Jerry Jones' dismissal of Tom Landry"?).

Does anyone really believe this? It's all about Scott Boras, I mean A-Rod. If the Yankees offer their free agents the most money, they will most like resign with The Yanks.

Yes, I believe it. I know that Boras is an ass, but I'm not sure that it's all about the Benjamins for Pettitte, Rivera and Posada. Please allow me some illusions about sport.

My secret hope is that Torre will go on Letterman tonight (he's a scheduled guest) and announce that he is coming back after all.

It wouldn't surprise me, but I don't think it happening this time around.

That's why I said it was a secret hope - there's not a snowball's chance that the Steinbrenners would take Torre back, or that he would go back, given the way he was given a Hobson's choice regarding his career.

BTW Landry was treated very shabbily, and deserved much better.

Absolutely!

[earendel]

Can I just say Ear, you have been rec'd!!!

Amen.

Wow! I don't think I've ever been rec'd before.

[Ritterskoop]

Someone at work last night was surprised A-Rod is giving up that final $72 million.

I said he's already been paid $180 million; I think he'll manage.

That is a shitload of money.

[eyégor]

Someone at work last night was surprised A-Rod is giving up that final $72 million.

I said he's already been paid $180 million; I think he'll manage.

That is a shitload of money.

Forget the Sox. The happiest team in Baseball today is the Rangers.

They are off the hook for their portion of A-Rod's salary.

[T_Bone0806]

In fairness to A-Rod, he isn't just taking his marbles and going home. He's concerned about the viability of a team that will probably lose several other superstars because of the loss of Joe Torre

I'm not buying it. After all the lip service this year, how much he loved playing in New York, how proud he was to wear the pinstripes, how he wanted to stay etc etc, he couldn't opt out fast enough. If he loved wearing the pinstripes so much, why didn't he return Hank Steinbrenner's calls (Hank said that he had left several messages wanting to arrange a meeting with A-Rod and Boras) and address his "concerns" about personnel and such. Nope. Didn't even bother to hear a word of what the Yanks had to say. And he couldn't care less about Torre leaving. Joe, don't forget, was the guy that dropped him down to 8th in the batting order vs. the Tigers last year. Don't believe for a minute that all was forgiven on that front.

My opinion?

#1) A-Rod wants to be loved and never really got that from the fans (it's Jeter's team and always will be, making it even harder to win the fans' love after he raked Jete over the coals in that interview years ago).
#2) To paraphrase Gladys Knight and several Pips, "New York proved too much for the man". He couldn't take the microscope anymore. The constant scrutiny of his postseason woes, fans who took pleasure in booing his failings, getting caught with the "other woman"...heck, let's face it, if the guy didn't hit .750 or better, the knives were out. But with a $25M per salary, higher expectations are part of the package. He was never never totally comfortable in the Bronx.
#3) Boras. Evil, slimy, scum-sucking, Boras. His ego demands that he plays power games with the owners and procure the most outrageous deal he can get. Just for the ego trip it provides. I would not be surprised in the least if he has not already received an offer, if not several, under the table from owners. Tampering? You betcha. Would not put it past weasel Boras at all. Since the Yanks have already stated emphatically that they would NOT deal with A-Rod if he opted out, why would they leave behind a guaranteed $25M each for 3 years with one of the very few teams who can afford it AND be in contention yearly, if they didn't' already have a pretty good idea that a sweeter deal awaited them? Pretty high stakes gambling otherwise. Something smells. Badly.


Yes, it'll be tough replacing that bat. At least in the regular season. Maybe, though..just maybe..this will get 'em back on the right track and focused on the things they got away from, the things that won them their 4 championships 'tween '96 and '00-TEAM-oriented players (O'Neill, Williams, Cone, Brosius, etc.), a collection of very good role players instead of high priced superstars (Giambi, Mussina, A-Rod, Randy Johnson, etc.) who have given them bupkis. The glittering distraction that is A-Rod is gone. Time to bolster the pitching (THAT wins championships!) to compliment the VERY good crop of youngsters (Joba, Hughes, Kennedy) we were introduced to this year. In the long run, the Yankees will be better off if they learn their lesson from this fiasco.

And A-Rod can get his $30-35M from some other team that won't be able to afford enough other talent to place around him in order to get him that ring he supposedly wants so badly.

Just my (long-winded) opinion, but I don't think A-Rod really cares WHO his teammates are.

Except for Boras, that is.

[traininvain]

And A-Rod can get his $30-35M from some other team that won't be able to afford enough other talent to place around him in order to get him that ring he supposedly wants so badly.

Outside of the Yankees and Red Sox, at $30 mil he would be compromise about 25% of the payroll of the top 10 or so teams, that is any awful amount of money to have tied up in one player.

Just my (long-winded) opinion, but I don't think A-Rod really cares WHO his teammates are.

He might care, but Boras will never let him express it. Right now Scott Boras is A-Rod's agent, mother, father and boss. Boras is in charge and A-Rod is his puppet.

Time to bolster the pitching (THAT wins championships!) to compliment the VERY good crop of youngsters (Joba, Hughes, Kennedy) we were introduced to this year. In the long run, the Yankees will be better off if they learn their lesson from this fiasco.

I couldn't agree more, The Yanks haven't won in the last few years mainly because their pitching has let them down in the post season. I'm very excited about next year and I think it's going to be a great battle in the American League East with not only the Red Sox but also the Blue Jays too.

And one last thing, as far as I can tell A-Rod hasn't offically opted out just yet, hopefully if he does The Yankees hold their ground and do not negotiate with him. It's time for someone to call Boras' bluff.

[T_Bone0806]

And one last thing, as far as I can tell A-Rod hasn't offically opted out just yet, hopefully if he does The Yankees hold their ground and do not negotiate with him. It's time for someone to call Boras' bluff.

Absolutely. They had better stick to their guns and not answer BORAS' calls.

Mebbe Boras is holding a grudge since the Yanks wouldn't budge a couple of years ago on the length of Damon's contract. They beat Boras on that one, and I'm bettin' ol' Scotty hasn't forgotten it.

[takinover]

Yes, it'll be tough replacing that bat. At least in the regular season. Maybe, though..just maybe..this will get 'em back on the right track and focused on the things they got away from, the things that won them their 4 championships 'tween '96 and '00-TEAM-oriented players (O'Neill, Williams, Cone, Brosius, etc.), a collection of very good role players instead of high priced superstars (Giambi, Mussina, A-Rod, Randy Johnson, etc.) who have given them bupkis. .

Please don't forget Rogah Clemens. I hate that AT&T/Cingular commercial. Oh, I can't say enough about A-Rod so I won't start to try.