CATCHING UP

A Player For the Ages....

No it wasn't as sexy as, say, setting a new hitting streak record, but what Derek Jeter accomplished last week was monumental in its own right. Think of the most storied franchise in the history of the game and of all of the Hall of Famers who passed through Yankee Stadium: Ruth, Gehrig, DiMaggio, Mantle, Berra. These names are synonymous with the Yankee tradition. Now comes Derek Jeter, the team's all-time hits leader, breaking Gehrig's record, which stood for 70 years.

Derek Jeter is now a true Yankee legend. Yet is doesn't seem like it, because his low-key and modest persona does not attract media scrutiny like, say, Manny Ramirez.

Ten years from now it will sink in when a tour of Monument Park will include seeing the number two included on the wall of retired numbers. Maybe then we will appreciate what an asset to the game Derek Jeter is.

 

Pity Milton Bradley?

Should we be surprised that Milton Bradley proved again that he is his own worst enemy? Another meltdown has led to his season ending suspension. He lambasted the press, the fans, and his teammates.  He has left a wake of chaos and discontent wherever he has played. Yet, one can't help to have some sympathy for the man. He has a mental health disease that needs to be treated quickly and aggressively. The Cubs' fans shouldn't be surprised by this since they have booed him unmercifully almost since opening day. The sensitive nature of his fragile makeup almost guaranteed this unfortunate outcome.  While it is easy to bash someone and call them vile names, people need to understand that Milton Bradley is not a bad person, he has a real medical condition that needs treatment.

Please, Milton, for your own sake, get some help.

 

The Brewers Are Mailing It In

Today, September 21, the Brewers open a three game series against the Cubs 12 ½ games out of first place. They have effectively been out of the race since the beginning of the month. Everyone knew that the starting pitching has been woefully ineffective. GM Doug Melvin's failure to improve the rotation was unfathomable. He appeared during the telecast tonight defending his inaction by saying he still has faith that the starters will bounce back next year. Yah?  If you believe this, you also believe that national health care will be cheaper and more efficient.

The team is mailing it in. They might as well pack it up and go home since they are playing like they can't wait to get there.  Manager Ken Macha's use of the pitching staff is like a house painter using a different color paint in the middle of doing a room. He lets the starters get pounded and when the game is all but officially over goes to his "tired" bullpen. He will not give Yovani Gallardo another start citing the number of "pitches" he has thrown! This is another trend that is unsettling. If a team's good players are not going to be used, why don't we just end the season a month earlier or give the loyal fans a discount, like minor league ticket prices. Who needs to pay full price to watch this travesty?

A promising start has been reduced to protecting pitchers for next year. Do you feel as cheated as I do?

 

Should The Brewers Trade Prince Fielder?

This will be the hottest topic in the hot stove talks this winter. Getting a jump on the speculation, I believe that the team should seek legitimate offers. There are a few logical reasons for this.

First, when he is eligible for free agency he will seek and probably get Teixiera money, his agent being the notorious Scott Boras. That, of course, is out of the club's price range.

Second, with the club in dire need for quality pitching, a Fielder trade could reap a harvest of good young arms.

Third, not many teams will be able to afford Fielder and among those who can, most are set at first base. The most likely pursuers will be the Red Sox and the Mets.  The Sox could upgrade the position since right now they are working a rotation there between Youkalis, Martinez and Kotchman.  The Mets will have money to burn since they will show Carlos Delgado and his $19.2 million expired contract to the door.

Who has the best pitching prospects? With Boston, it starts with Dan Bard, Clay Bucholz and Michael Bowden. With the Mets, there's not much to offer. A Jon Niese or a Tobi Stone is about it. If the Mets had any other good prospects they would've been up this year.

Trading Fielder will create a crater in the offense that will not be easily replaced. And it will be spectacularly unpopular with the fans. But he's going to leave eventually so upgrading the pitching staff sooner than later is the best outcome.