The LoHud Yankees Blog

Torre maintains sense of humor

2007-10-12T17:06:00.000-04:00

Joe Torre traveled south last night ... not to Tampa, however. He was in Washington at the Kennedy Center to see his friend Billy Crystal receive the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor.

My friend Matt attended and reported that Joe received a huge ovation from the crowd when he was introduced.

"Billy is having a better week than I am," he said.

Gary Sheffield tells his story

2007-01-16T11:12:00.000-05:00

Gary Sheffield is coming out with a book this spring.

The New York Times was sent an advance copy and according to their story, Sheff calls Joe Torrre "an engima." He also denies knowing the drugs from Balco were actually steroids. It's the same story he told us last spring.

The book was written by David Ritz, who has been the co-author of autobiographies by celebrities from the world of music including B.B. King, Priscilla Presley, Etta James, Ray Charles and others.

It should be interesting to see what other tales Sheff weaves. Nobody believes more in what he is saying - whether it is actually true or not - than Sheff.

The Yankees did the right thing by trading Sheffield to Detroit for three prospects. The alternative was keeping him around without a position and that would have been trouble. But he's quite a character and I know that we in the media will miss him greatly.

Not much news this week

2007-01-15T11:22:00.000-05:00

The first two weeks of the new year were full of Yankees news. Do not expect that pace to continue. It's not often when a team trades away a player like Randy Johnson.

The roster going into spring training is pretty much set from what I can tell. Even Brian Cashman is away on vacation this week. Cash Money is chilling on a beach with his family, taking a much-deserved break.

I'm not working myself for a while in advance of spring training. But the blogging will continue. In fact, plans are being made to shift platforms so we can add more features for the upcoming season.

Hot Stove Mailbag No. 5

2007-01-15T01:21:00.000-05:00

Andrew writes: Do you think that Brian Cashman missed the boat on Matsuzaka? I think Cashman assumed he would go at about 15 million per year so when the Yankees put in a bid they did that with the 15 million per year in mind. The Red Sox took that extra 5 million per year and put that in the bid and that's why they came out so far ahead of Yankees.

Answer: I'm not sure I follow your math. All I know for sure was that all of baseball was shocked when Boston bid $51.1 million. Obviously they decided they had to have him. Whether it was a good move remains to be seen.

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Alvaro writes: The Yankees are paying to much for some players, Matsui, Pavano, Damon come up to mind very easily. I think of the guys with enough years to be eligible for free agency only Posada, A-Rod and Jeter are not overpaid. So I don't understand how come they haven't overpaid for a backup catcher.

Answer: Try again, Alvaro. Matsui and Damon are actually signed to quite economical contracts and no team overpays for a backup catcher.

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Philip writes: We all know that Cashman has been stockpiling all the young pitching for future deals. Of all the young pitchers the Yanks have now, which ones are considered untouchable beside Hughes?

Answer: How do we all know that? The Yankees have Mussina and Pettitte signed for two years and one year, respectively. They need at least one starter to emerge this season and more down the road. Beyond Hughes, I think Cashman really likes Humberto Sanchez and Ross Ohlendorf.

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BJB writes: Promise me I will never have to read the word "Barbaro" in anything you write.

Answer: You got it. My favorite horse was "Mr. Ed" anyway.

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Richard writes: How do you feel about this new stadium? it makes me sick to my stomach every time I think of it. I dearly love this "House that Ruth built." I feel reverence in it. I feel the history. It is like church to me. Isn't this new stadium about Steinbrenner's greed?

Answer: Go to Camden Yards or Safeco Field and then tell me how great Yankee Stadium is. There will be more bathrooms, more concession stands, wider concourses, more comfortable seats and better parking. Steinbrenner is building the stadium with his money, which is a lot more than a lot of teams did.

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James writes: One question I've always wondered about but never bothered to ask: What is the significance of the 40-man roster in the offseason?

Answer: Players on the 40 are protected from the Rule 5 draft. Plus teams have to have some kind of limit of players they can sign.

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Brian writes: I am originally from Yonkers and upstate Woodstock before moving to So Cal 10 years ago. There has been a lot of hot stove talk this offseason about the possibility of Mark Teixeira joining the Yankees as a free agent. When is his contract with Texas up? Other than the "Don Mattingly is his idol" speculation, have you heard anything about MT being a possibility with the Yankees?

Answer: Teixeira is signed through the coming season and will make $9 million. I think part of the reason the Yankees didn't want any first basemen signed to long-term deals was to keep a spot open for a player like Teixeira. Enjoy the sunshine.

Mighty Patriots win again

2007-01-14T20:30:00.001-05:00

I'm still not sure how the Patriots won that game, only that they did. The Pats rushed for only 51 yards and Tom Brady was 27 of 52 with three picks. But when it counted, Brady was Brady.

Marty Schottenheimer could not be more fired. He'll end up in Miami before the week is out.

In case you missed it, I picked the Pats to win by four earlier this week and I'm 5-3 in the playoffs. That's gold, Jerry. Gold.

Here they come, Peyton.

The Sunday links return again

2007-01-14T11:32:00.000-05:00

Via the blog, quite a few people have asked about attending spring training. So we decided to run a spring training travel guide in the paper today.

Meanwhile, Roger Clemens is making charity appearances in Houston and isn't sure when he will be ready to pitch according to MLB.com.

The winter two-step with Clemens is getting kind of tiresome. But everybody will play along. Here's how it could work:

1. Clemens will spend some time at Houston's camp throwing to Koby.

2. Every writer with a pen in Florida will stake him out. He'll claim he has no idea what he wants to do.

3. The season will start and every time a starter from Boston, New York or Houston gets shelled, we'll write how Clemens is available. Kei Igawa will learn how to say, "I'm not worried," in English.

4. Clemens will be spotted throwing batting practice to Koby with his minor league team and "looks great."

5. Scoop-hungry writers will pen stories about how "sources close to Clemens" or "friends of the big right-hander" or "a Major League executive who requested anonymity because he is not allowed to speak candidly about free agent players" say that Clemens will pitch again.

6. Sometime in mid May, Clemens will admit that he wants to pitch. Cash-laden armored cars with team logos will start to slowly circle his mansion.

7. In late May, Clemens will select the Yankees and swear how great the Red Sox and Astros were. "We're OK. We don't think Matsuzaka's 6.21 ERA is indicative of how good he really is," Boston GM Theo Epstein says. "Plus that Benihana logo looks great on the Green Monster."

8. On June 17 against the Mets at Yankee Stadium, Clemens allows two runs on six hits in 6.1 innings in a 10-4 victory and is hailed as the greatest pitcher ever. George Steinbrenner issues a series of statements, some that even make sense.

9. Yankees embark on road trip to Colorado and San Francisco and Clemens returns to Houston because Krazy and Korncob Clemens have Little League games. "No question that's important," Joe Torre says.

10. Clemens returns on June 26 in Camden Yards and two-hits the Orioles. Bernie Williams gets both hits for Baltimore before Clemens drills him in the back in the seventh inning then smashes a guitar over his head. "I didn't have a good view of it," Torre says. "I'm sure it's a misunderstanding."

11. Picked for the All-Star team even though he is only 2-0, Clemens skips the game because he promised Kerfluffle and Kriss Kross Clemens that he would take them to a movie. "Gibby and I used to go to movies, they're fun," Torre says.

12. Clemens finishes 8-3 as the Yankees win the World Series and award him a fleet of Hummers in every color of the rainbow when he announces his retirement. "This is really it," he says. "Unless it's not."

Updated 40-man roster

2007-01-13T12:24:00.000-05:00

A few people asked about the 40-man roster. Here is the updated version:

Pitchers (22): T.J. Beam, Colter Bean, Chris Britton, Brian Bruney, Matt DeSalvo, Kyle Farnsworth, Sean Henn, Kei Igawa, Jeff Karstens, Jeff Kennard, Mike Mussina, Mike Myers, Carl Pavano, Andy Pettitte, Scott Proctor, Darrell Rasner, Mariano Rivera, Humberto Sanchez, Jose Veras, Luis Vizcaino, Chien-Ming Wang, Chase Wright.

Catchers (2): Wil Nieves, Jorge Posada.

Infielders (9): Robinson Cano, Jason Giambi, Alberto Gonzalez, Derek Jeter, Doug Mientkiewicz, Juan Miranda, Josh Phelps, Andy Phillips, Alex Rodriguez.

Outfielders (7): Bobby Abreu, Melky Cabrera, Johnny Damon, Hideki Matsui, Kevin Reese, Bronson Sardinha, Kevin Thompson.

That's 40. Josh Phelps is a Rule 5 draft pick, meaning the Yankees have to keep him on the 25-man roster all season or offer him back to Baltimore.

Spring training invitee list

2007-01-12T17:55:00.000-05:00

Here are the non-roster players the Yankees are inviting to spring training:

INF Andy Cannizaro, C Francisco Cervelli, INF Angel Chavez, C Raul Chavez, RHP Tyler Clippard, C Ben Davis, INF Eric Duncan

OF Brett Gardner, RHP Phil Hughes, RHP Steven Jackson, LHP Ben Kozlowski, INF Ramiro Pena, RHP Ross Ohlendorf, C Peter Pilittere

C Todd Pratt, C Omir Santos, OF Jose Tabata, INF Marcos Vechionacci, RHP Kevin Whelan, RHP Steven White

Jackson, Ohlendorf and Whelan were all obtained in trades this winter. Unless I missed it, I don't think anybody realized they had signed Pratt as a catcher. He hit .207 in 65 games for Atlanta last season. He must be insurance against Wil Nieves looking overmatched.

Tabata and Gardner are their top position player prospects.

I'm a little surprised J. Brent Cox wasn't invited to camp considering he seems ready for Class AAA ball. If I get a chance, I will try and find out.

Jeff Nelson retires as a Yankee

2007-01-12T17:25:00.000-05:00

Jeff Nelson wanted to retire as a Yankee and the team granted that wish, signing him to a minor-league deal today before he officially retired.

Nelson, 40, was a member of the four World Series champions under Joe Torre. In 331 career appearances with the Yankees, he posted a 23-19 record with a 3.47 ERA from 1996-2000 and in 2003.

Nelson made 798 career appearances and played in the postseason eight times. He ranks second among all pitchers in Major League history with 53 postseason appearances, behind only Mariano Rivera (73). That's a heck of a career.

"I'd like to thank George Steinbrenner, Brian Cashman, Joe Torre and the entire Yankees' family for allowing me to retire as a New York Yankee," Nelson said in a statement released by the team. "I enjoyed a fulfilling 15-year Major League career, and each season brought experiences and friends that I will cherish forever. But being able to be a part of four World Championship teams with the Yankees, while playing in a place like Yankee Stadium in front of the greatest fans in the world - that time will always hold a special place in my heart."

Ready for some football?

2007-01-12T11:14:00.001-05:00

We had some fun last week with the NFL playoffs. So here are some more predictions:

Baltimore 21, Indianapolis 20: Wow, what a great game. Other than seeing the Patriots win, my weekend would be made by watching Ray Lewis throw Peyton Manning around like a rag doll. Brian Billick is smart enough to give the ball to his running backs unlike Herman Edwards,

New Orleans 24, Philadelphia 21: When is the last time the No. 2 pick in the draft was playing this late in the season? The resurrection of the Saints is one of the best stories in sports. I also promised noted Eagles fan Tyler Kepner of the Times that I would pick against Philly because I did last week and they won. There you go, Ty.

Seahawks 17, Bears 7: Chicago hasn't played an important games in months. In the interim, their defense has gotten banged up and Rex Grossman went in the tank. The NFC is so lousy that Seattle getting to the conference title game makes sense.

Mighty Patriots 28, Chargers 24: There's a good chance the Pats will get crushed. They've had some real stinkers this season and that team is in there somewhere waiting to come out. But I choose to ignore that. Bill Belichick will confuse young Philip Rivers and the defensive line will slow up LDT. I'm also counting on Marty Schottenheimer to be Marty Schottenheimer.

Last week: 3-1 (not counting the BCS game, which I had dreadfully wrong).

It won't be the summer of love

2007-01-12T11:05:00.000-05:00

With the full understanding that this isn't too likely to happen, wouldn't it be nice if the San Francisco Giants threw their hands up and decided they had enough of Barry Bonds?

Bonds and the Giants agreed to financial terms back in early December but no deal has been signed. The Giants reportedly are negotiating for contract language that would exclude his entourage of annoying sycophants from the clubhouse and protect them financially should Bonds get hauled away by Federal agents.

Now comes this latest furor regarding his testing positive for amphetamines last season.

Bonds will ruin the season. His pursuit of the cherished home run record will monopolize the media, especially ESPN. The Mets play the Giants, the Yankees play the Giants and the All-Star Game will be in San Francisco. What a mess.

Giants owner Peter Magowan should fall on his sword for the good of the game and cut Bonds loose. No other team would sign him.

Pettitte on Clemens

2007-01-12T10:46:00.000-05:00

Here is what The Journal News had today on Andy Pettitte's sitdown with the press.

The story of the day, unfortunately for Andy, was Roger Clemens and his possible return. But he's used to that by now.

Further proof that it's Derek Jeter's world and we're all just living in it

2007-01-11T20:45:00.000-05:00

This would be the Captain on vacation in Puerto Rico with the lovely Jessica Biel. Unable to meet any sportswriters, Miss Biel settled for a shortstop.

Nice to see that Derek is preparing for the season with a little volleyball.

Proctor staying in the bullpen

2007-01-11T16:45:00.000-05:00

A few other tidbits from today:

* Scott Proctor is going to camp as a reliever.

* Brian Cashman doesn't seem much interested in adding a lefty reliever, pointing out that Proctor, Luis Vizcaino and Kyle Farnsworth were effective against lefty hitters.

* Miguel Cairo's deal isn't done yet but will be soon.

* Cashman is going on vacation next week, so don't expect any news out of the Bronx.

* Andy Pettitte took a tour of the new stadium site with chief operating officer Lonn Trost. Based on what the Yankees are saying, the new place will be a palace.

Return of the Rocket?

2007-01-11T16:18:00.000-05:00

It turns out Andy Pettitte is happy to be back in New York and wants to win another World Series. Big surprise.

So what about Roger Clemens?

That's when the day got interesting. Pettitte said he played golf with the Rocket this week and got the impression he wants to play next season.

"He has an awful lot of life," Pettitte said. "I think he's going to pitch and that's amazing to me."

Pettitte wouldn't share where he thinks Clemens would pitch, saying that wouldn't be fair. But forget the idea of Clemens signing now.

"Spring training will definitely be out," Pettitte said, laughing.

Brian Cashman, of course, got the same questions. Unlike earlier this week, when he refused to discuss Clemens, he admitted that he has spoken to Randy Hendricks and that once Clemens decides to play, the Yankees will go after him hard.

"If he's interested in New York, we'd love to talk to him," Cashman said.

Cashman later said that Clemens would get the, "full-court press." Several reporters tried to ask Cashman whether the Yankees would bend their rules to allow Clemens to come and go. But the wily GM wouldn't bite.

"C'mon dude," he said to Anthony McCarron of the Daily News.

I'm just guessing here but I now think Clemens will sign with the Yankees. He and Pettitte were frustrated with their lack of run support last season and Carlos Lee isn't enough to change that. If it comes down to New York or Boston, Clemens can expect recruiting calls from a lot of people he considers good friends.

Ladies and gentlemen ... Andy Pettitte!

2007-01-11T11:02:00.000-05:00

The Yankees agreed to terms with Andy Pettitte on Dec. 8. There will be a press conference at the Stadium in two hours to introduce him.

Yes, it's Jan. 11. The Yankees sometime move in mysterious ways. Pam Anderson's marriage to Kid Rock started and ended since Pettitte first agreed to the one-year deal with the option.

I'm guessing it takes two questions before somebody asks him when Roger is coming to join him.

So I'll back later with all the exciting news.

A few thoughts on the steroids issue

2007-01-11T00:20:00.000-05:00

Everybody screwed up during the steroids era. You, me, everybody.

No fans stayed away when Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa were slugging it out. The writers did not ask enough tough questions. The Players Association looked the other way as its members abused their bodies. Teammates did the same. MLB and the owners counted up the cash and watched the television ratings soar.

As Tony Gwynn said on Wednesday, "Nobody wanted to be a pariah by being the guy who blew the whistle."

The players started it by injecting the drugs in the first place. Please don't tell me that steroids weren't illegal in baseball at the time. They were, and are, illegal in this country without a prescription. That would be like saying MLB doesn't specifically outlaw murder, so feel free to shoot shortstop to break up a double play.

So what now? There are those in the media who want to give everybody a pass and start from scratch. Let's welcome guys like McGwire, Sosa and Barry Bonds into the Hall of Fame because they were a product of their time. There's no real proof they did anything. How do we know everybody didn't do it?

There is no real proof in most cases and we don't. But there has to be a line drawn somewhere and if it's up to the BBWAA, then so be it. I don't see anybody else stepping forward. Just because we ignored it before doesn't mean we should again.

I'm not comfortable with some of my fellow writers voting in these elections because, frankly, there are a few morons among us. But I would wager that 95 percent of the people who vote are honest, thoughtful and truly care about the game. They will look hard and ask questions. Thanks to the work of dogged reporters like Mark Fainaru-Wada and Lance Williams, we're learning more every day.

Not voting for McGwire sent a message to the players that cheating is not acceptable. And save the nonsensical Gaylord Perry analogy. Perry did not sneak into Mexico to buy Vaseline because it was illegal to have in the States. These guys committed Federal crimes when they obtained and used steroids.

Not voting for McGwire also sent a message to high school and college players that the end may not justify the means. Do you want to end up a recluse like McGwire, locked behind the gates of his mansion, afraid to face the world? Or do you want to be a respected player like Gwynn or Cal Ripken?

Gwynn told us how he became a better hitter. He sat and talked about hitting with men like Ted Williams and Rod Carew and worked hard every day. He didn't jab his buttocks with a needle or take medical advice from a dope like Jose Canseco.

So perhaps McGwire is the first scapegoat for everybody screwing up and if so, that is too bad. But the Hall of Fame is not a player's right.

This is what it says in the rules for voting:

"Voting shall be based upon the player's record, playing ability, integrity, sportsmanship, character, and contributions to the team(s) on which the player played."

Integrity, sportsmanship and character. My definition of those words doesn't include taking drugs to improve your performance.

I manage to do my job without committing any crimes or using drugs. I suspect you do, too. Mark McGwire didn't and now he pays the price. Is it fair that he got caught and others didn't? No. But that doesn't lessen his crime.

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Not that I need to tell you, but feel free to chime in on this issue. Having reported on the Hall of Fame election the last few days and read a lot of opinion, I'm curious what the paying customers think.

Bad news for Bobby Murcer

2007-01-10T15:05:00.000-05:00

Statement from Bobby Murcer: "As we begin a new year, I find myself facing a new challenge - the biggest of my life so far. Pathology reports have revealed that the brain tumor removed was malignant.

I'm not having to battle this alone, but am fortified with the most loving family, an abundance of wonderful friends and fans and the very best class of physicians.

I'm gaining confidence that with God and my faith leading the way, we will as a team put up an incredible fight. Please continue to send up prayers. That's all I can really ask of you at this time."

Statement from George Steinbrenner: "Bobby Murcer represents the spirit of the Yankees, and above all, he's my dear friend. I know Bobby very well. He has true grit, is a fighter and our entire Yankee organization offers our prayers to him and his family for a big win in this battle."

UPDATE: Several people have asked me where they could send a card to Bobby Murcer. I would think your best bet would be YES. If I hear more from the Yankees, I will update this. But for now:

Yankees Entertainment and Sports
405 Lexington Avenue, 36th Floor
New York, NY 10174-3699

Randy Hendricks on his clients

2007-01-10T09:54:00.000-05:00

Check out this Q&A Houston Chronicle baseball writer Jose de Jesus Ortiz did with agent Randy Hendricks.

Interesting stuff on Roger Clemens and Andy Pettitte.

Hot Stove Mailbag No. 4

2007-01-10T01:30:00.000-05:00

The mail is piling up. Please don't be offended if your question isn't used. A lot of people ask generally the same thing. Plus it's not like I'm giving away prizes. But feel free to e-mail me with any comments, suggestions or questions.

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Mark writes: Do you think the addition of Luis Vizcaino in the Johnson deal puts an end to any interest the Yanks might still have had in acquiring Mike Gonzalez? I still wouldn't mind seeing Gonzalez in pinstripes in 07.

Answer: Vizcaino has great splits against lefties (they hit .163 against him last season with two home runs in 121 PAs. I believe he will slide into the Ron Villone role even though he is not a lefty.

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Ned in Alaska writes: Your blog is excellent. It's 7 below and North America's highest mountain, Denali, is glowing red and blue in the distance.

Answer: Thanks for writing, Ned. I went to Anchorage twice to cover the Great Alaska Shootout college basketball tournament. I remember two things: My rental car had a heater you had plug in at night and the paper had a story about how you shouldn't disturb a polar bear if you came across one. No, really?

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Rich writes: With everyone fixating on Randy Johnson had completely forgotten the J.D. Drew contract wasn't finalized yet. Anything new with that?

Answer: I'm getting a lot of Red Sox e-mails lately. Doesn't anybody up there do a blog? Last I checked, nobody else had offered Nancy a contract, so presumably he will sign with the Sox at some point.

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Doug writes: I have always wondered what the Yankee clubhouse is like. What kind of access do you have during the season? How do the players treat reporters, especially the daily guys like you? Do they ever let you "in" on anything going on? It just seems to me like you have a great job, but I am sure that there are parts of it that aren't so good just like all jobs.

Answer: Good questions, Jeff. We get access 3.5 hours before the first pitch no matter when that is. MLB rules. Most of the players are cordial, especially to the regular beat writers. Some let you in more than others. As you get to know guys, you can get more info out of them. It can be a cool job but you do a lot of standing around waiting for players and there's intense competition for stories.

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Dave from 15th and 1st asks: I'm curious how far you can go when you ask questions during conference calls. Can you seriously question the GM's decision making process, throw some stats at him for feedback, etc.? I'm guessing that would be a poor idea you want to maintain a good relationship but no one else really gets to pose these types of questions to a MLB GM.

Answer: It depends on your job. A columnist writing opinion might challenge a GM. Beat writers are writing news, so we tend to ask more questions about the process. The intent is not necessarily to be critical. Cashman is a good dude, you can get some back-and-forth with him.

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Magoo writes: If the Rajah of Rehab is unfit to serve as the Yanks fifth starter, who do you think the organization fills that spot with? Also, interesting that your sister lives outside Providence. I live in Warwick, RI. Ever been to the Foxy Lady while you are in town?

Answer: We'll have to wait for spring training. I think they like Karstens but have an eye on Hughes coming up at some point. As for the Foxy Lady, I have not been there since my buddy Rich's bachelor party long ago when we went there on a school bus after playing 18 holes. I believe I slept on a pool float in his backyard that night. He should find a way to get married again.

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Look, look, I have my old number back!

2007-01-09T21:04:00.000-05:00

If you booed Randy Johnson when he was with the Yankees, don't feel bad. He understands.

"As a consumer myself, when I buy a steak or go to the movies, if it's not a good steak I send it back and if it's not a good movie I usually leave," Johnson said earlier today in Phoenix when the Diamondbacks had a press conference. "If I didn't pitch well there, they'd boo me. It's completely understandable. That didn't bother me."

On whether the Yankee fans wanted him gone: "I never got the feeling. If you don't pitch well there, they're going to voice their opinion."

On his time in New York: "I wouldn't change a thing. I think those are life experiences that make a man. I made some mistakes there; I fessed up to the mistakes that I made. On the field, I gave everything I had."

On his bad back: "I had a 5.00 ERA. Well, I was out there pitching with a bad back for most of the year. Most people may not choose to do that, but I decided that's the kind of person I am. Overpaid athlete that wants to try to give something back. I know it sounds kind of corny, but that's where I'm at."

So there you have it. Johnson will chase his 300 wins in peace and quiet and the Yankees get four players back. Everybody is happy.

I'm just trying to picture being at a movie and having Randy Johnson get up and leave while you're trying to watch. Would you dare tell him to sit down?

Johnson deal finalized (finally)

2007-01-09T16:16:00.000-05:00

Brian Cashman is on a conference call now talking about the Yankees' side of the trade.

All three of the prospects are being invited to spring training. Alberto Gonzalez is being added to the 40-man roster.

Cashman said Johnson made it clear to him that following the death of his older brother, he preferred to pitch closer to home if a deal could be made that made sense to the Yankees. Cashman said he spoke to four teams on the West Coast.

"I've been very vocal over the last year and a half about what our goals are," Cashman said. "We want to win and win now but I also want to reduce our payroll, which we did last year for the first time in 10 years. This year it will be down even more because of this move and others. I want reduced payroll and an improved talent base at the minor-league level.

"Our position players are best in the game. We're trying to find a proper mix of quality arms in the rotation and the bullpen. We've had a lot of success in doing that. But in the last few years we had gotten a lot older. I'm trying to speed up the process of getting younger, more flexible and more athletic.

"I'm happy about the inventory we're collecting."

Have an opinion on McGwire and the Hall?

2007-01-09T15:22:00.000-05:00

Sorry for the technical issues today. Seems like Blogger.com had some problems.

I'm working on the Hall of Fame voting story for my newspaper and I want to incorporate some comments from fans.

If you live or work in Westchester, Rockland or Putnam counties and have an opinion on whether Mark McGwire should have been elected, I would love to hear from you. Please e-mail me at pabraham@lohud.com with your comment. I would also need your name and where you're from.

Thanks.

Ripken, Gwynn in Hall of Fame

2007-01-09T14:21:00.000-05:00

As expected, Cal Ripken Jr. and Tony Gwynn were elected to the Hall of Fame.

Goose Gossage fell 21 votes short and Jim Rice 63 votes shy.

Here is how the voting went. 409 votes (75 percent) were needed for election

Cal Ripken Jr. 537
Tony Gwynn 532
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Rich Gossage 388
Jim Rice 346
Andre Dawson 309
Bert Blyleven 260
Lee Smith 217
Jack Morris 202
Mark McGwire 128
Tommy John 125
Steve Garvey 115
Dave Concepcion 74
Alan Trammell 73
Dave Parker 62
Don Mattingly 54
Dale Murphy 50
Harold Baines 29
Orel Hershiser 24
Albert Belle 19
Paul O'Neill 12
Bret Saberhagen 7
Jose Canseco 6
T. Fernandez 4
Dante Bichette 3
Eric Davis 3
Bobby Bonilla 2
Ken Caminiti 2
Jay Buhner 1
Scott Brosius 0
Wally Joyner 0
Devon White 0
Bobby Witt 0

A few thoughts:

* Eight people didn't vote for Ripken. They should find another line of work.

* If Bruce Sutter is in, it would seem Goose Gossage should be, too.

* I don't have a vote yet. If I did, I would have picked Ripken, Gwynn, Gossage and Rice.

* No votes for Bobby Witt? Shocking.

What song is Theo Epstein playing?

2007-01-09T10:01:00.000-05:00

* "Money Flow" by Three 6 Mafia?

* "Big Budget Finale" by DCAP?

* "Drew Me In" by Mandy Feiler?

* "Spending Money" by Jimmy Buffet?

No, it has to be "Out of Control" by U2

Seriously, that's Theo playing at a club in Boston earlier this month as part of the "Hot Stove Cool Music" show that raises money for charity. It's all for a good cause and we're told that Theo can hold his own on stage.

I don't think we'll ever see Cash Money strap on a guitar. He's more of a hip-hop man.