Wednesday Night Open Thread

by 61 Comments

Youkilis discusses batting stance changes
Yankees invited Hideki Matsui to Spring Training...

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mM_XYs_bAU4&w=580&h=326]

This week has felt exceedingly long for some reason. I don’t think it’s because pitchers and catchers are due to report next week or anything like that, the clock just seems to be moving extra slow these last few days. I’m pretty much ready for the weekend right now.

Anyway, here is your open thread for the evening. Both the Knicks and Nets are playing tonight, but feel free to talk about whatever you want. You know how these things work. Enjoy.

[video link if he embed doesn’t work for whatever reason]

Youkilis discusses batting stance changes
Yankees invited Hideki Matsui to Spring Training...
  • trr

    Batter up! With all the BS in the world, it’s great to have BB to look forward to!

    • Manny’s BanWagon (formerly Andy Pettitte’s Fibula)

      I noticed in another tread that you’re very well versed in JFK assassination theories. I only have a very superficial understanding on that topic but I’d without going into too much depth, I’d be interested in hearing your opinion on who was behind the shooting.

      • Pat D

        Me.

        • Manny’s BanWagon (formerly Andy Pettitte’s Fibula)

          I had my suspicions.

          • Cris Pengiucci

            I can believe that too. Just because Lee Harvey Oswald shot JFK alone doesn’t mean that Pat D. didn’t put him up to it.

      • trr

        Hi Manny,
        I started out thinking it must be a conspiracy, but once I researched I came to discover it was the actions of one, lone disturbed person – Lee Harvey Oswald. Most of the conspiracy theorists start with the conviction that some combination of the Mafia, the Dallas police, The Soviet Union must’ve been behind it, then twist the facts to support their theory. It’s ridiculous to think that such diverse groups would somehow conspire and then keep it a secret to this day. Here’s 2 simple facts that destroy the cospiracy theories: Kennedy’s schedule and motorcade route was only fixed a few days in advance, and Jack Ruby’s shooting of Oswald was happenstance – they were only together because Oswald asked to go back to his cell for a change of clothing. Simply put, both Oswald’s and Ruby’s crimes were crimes of opportunity. For a detailed breakdown of Oswald’s life and a cold, hard look at the physical evidence I recommend “Case Closed” by Gerald Posner. It’s definitive.

        • Manny’s BanWagon (formerly Andy Pettitte’s Fibula)

          Very interesting. Thanks.

        • Pat D

          I’ll just never be able to accept the lone gunman theory. I don’t want to start an argument, as I’m sure you’ve researched this more than I have, but I just can’t believe all these things just happened. I still believe it was some kind of inside job.

          Or, as I said, I was the one behind it. Why? I knew it would eventually lead to Nixon’s election.

          • Sweet Dick Willie

            Vincent Bugliosi (the LA prosecutor who got the conviction on Manson) wrote a book called Reclaiming History (over 1,600 pages, w/ a CD containing another 1,000+ pages of footnotes) that purports that LHO was the lone gunman. He also “prosecuted” LHO for a British TV station, with the noted defense attorney Gerry Spence defending, and Bugliosi got the conviction.

            It is also interesting that two writers who started their books believing there was a conspiracy believed LHO acted alone by the time they were done with their research: Norman Mailer with Oswald’s Tale and Stephen King with 11/22/63.

          • bobtaco

            back… and to the left… back… and to the left… back… and to the left…

            http://www.Youtube.com/watch?v=RJP-R8rd2og

        • Robinson Tilapia

          I believe whatever Big Member tells me on this.

        • Improbable Island’s Dirty Midget Whores (formerly RRR)

          I’m totally with you. Haven’t done as much research, but the research I have done matches up with yours.

          • Improbable Island’s Dirty Midget Whores (formerly RRR)

            I will give a personal caveat: I do not believe conspiracy theories on principle. If you’re going to convince me that the originally established theory is false the evidence better be pretty fucking conclusive. Like, “The Lion King blatantly and consciously ripped off Kimba the White Lion” conclusive.

        • JY

          TRR,
          Late to the party, but is it true that Oswald was stationed at the US base in Atsugi, Japan and that the U2s flew from there?

  • Pistol pete

    Are the Yankees seriously going to start the season with Chris Stewart at catcher. This is absurd. He’ll hit 200 and slug 300, where is he going to fit into the lineup. Or do we go with Cervelli a proven marginal major leaguer who couldn’t crack last years roster and has ped issues now. A Romine hasn’t played a season beyond double A and has not proven he can hit at all. Sanchez is a couple years at least away. It baffles the mind they didn’t resign Martin or sign Pierzynski for just a year and at just 7.5m.

    • Sweet Dick Willie

      With their emphasis on character, there was no way they were signing Pierzynski.

      I agree that it is baffling as to why they didn’t resign Martin, especially in light of the contract he signed with Pittsburgh. Must be something we fans aren’t aware of.

      • Pistol pete

        Yeah their emphasis on character and they sign Pronk a poster child for ped use. If he wasn’t juicing who was.

        • Pat D

          Pierzynski is a known asshole who is hated by about 85% of the league who would probably not have any friends in the clubhouse.

          Hafner maybe using PED’s is not the same thing at all.

          • WhittakerWalt

            Pierzynski is literally the most hated man in baseball, and I think he deserves it.
            Don’t need him.

          • http://www.twitter.com/_swarlesbarkley Mark Teixeira – Ghostbuster (formally Drew)

            So what if he was a douche, he seemed like his teammates liked him in Chicago, just nobody else did. I think the same could be said about Youkilis, you hate the guy when he plays against you, but you love his play when hes on your side. That being said, asshole AJ > Cervelli/Stewart/Romine/Whiteside 7 days a week and twice on sunday.

            • Pat D

              Except Pierzynski will probably suck this year and not really be worth having around, even if he’s marginally better than our cavalcade of catching shit.

            • Robinson Tilapia

              False equivalency between AJ and Youk there.

    • DC

      It’s been explained every time you ask why they didn’t sign Pierzynski…it’s because he is highly unlikely to produce at the same level as last year and he’s a major asshole. No matter how many times you ask, that will be the answer.

      It’s also unfair to say Cervelli has PED issues. He has been linked to the clinic, but not to the PEDs at this point.

    • MannyGeee

      “Are the Yankees seriously going to start the season with Chris Stewart at catcher”

      Per Peter Gammons: The Yankees are only going to ‘make believe’ start the season with Chris Stewart as their starting catcher. Then when they for real for real ‘seriously’ start the season, they will simply resurrect Munson.

      • Robinson Tilapia

        I mean, why WAS Matt Nokes suddenly at Old Timers Day last year?

  • Bob Buttons

    Giants say bye bye with Bradshaw and Canty after they canned Boley yesterday.

    Them Giants.

    • Pat D

      Had to be done. Between declining production, advancing age and injury concerns, plus their salaries, it’s not too surprising. I won’t be surprised if Diehl and Webster are next.

      • Bob Buttons

        I know that with DTs they got some options but LBs not so much. RB Brown and Wilson can probably step up and fill the hole but it’s a bit sad seeing a successful 7th round pick going away, the last bit of our Earth Wind and Fire combo a handful of years back.

        • Pat D

          Yea, it’s the nature of the sport, unfortunately. Believe me, I’m still not over Phil Simms being the first salary cap casualty in the history of the game.

          They need a lot of help at LB, but they won’t do anything about it, I can almost guarantee. As far as DT goes, Marvin Austin better be ready to go next year. I’m not too concerned about RB so long as Brown comes back healthy and gets re-signed.

          • Bob Buttons

            I’m not too worried about RB since both of them showed some nice promise, nor do I care about DT since our DEs are pretty good, so we can live as long as Austin and someone (Joseph?) stays healthy and does an average job but I am seriously concerned about LB. Kinda nice to not have to worry my ass off over football since I already have enough time-consuming in obsessing over the Yankees.

            • Pat D

              Joseph is solid at DT. Austin is the one who needs to stay healthy and show up.

              • Bob Buttons

                I’ll take your word for it. Don’t get many Giants games from out of market to judge other than various video game ratings.

    • Manny’s BanWagon (formerly Andy Pettitte’s Fibula)

      This is one of many areas where the NFL is far superior to MLB. When a player doesn’t produce up to his contract, they’re shown the door. Nearly no albatross contracts holding teams hostage like in baseball.

      IMO, that’s the way it should be.

      • Cris Pengiucci

        +1.

        • Robinson Tilapia

          +5,000,000

          • I am not the droids you’re looking for…

            +189,000,000

            (Sorry)

      • Bob Buttons

        Well in baseball it’s less likely that a player suffers career ending injuries or suffers irreversible skill loss due to injuries, so I’m guessing that’s why baseball has more guarantees in contracts.

        While I don’t like the notion of a player being kicked to the curb once he runs out of his use, it is better than wanting to claw your eyes out at the sight of a twice-caught PED user eating up 10~15% of your team’s payroll for the next 5 years.

        • Manny’s BanWagon (formerly Andy Pettitte’s Fibula)

          Baseball has guaranteed contracts because the players union is ridiculously strong. Those contacts are bad in the NBA too but a least they were able to limit the damage to 4-5 years max.

          No one is saying kick a player to the curb but rather compensate him for what he’s worth now, not what he was worth 3 years ago.

          • Bob Buttons

            I’m a really nostalgic guy so I’m rather emotional about cutting a player who have helped my team a lot in the past (A-Rod aside), so I am not a big fan of the NFL’s system (but I dislike other systems more).

          • RetroRob

            Okay, so you agree then that a player should be a free agent immediately. Mike Trout and Bryce Harper should be free to sign with any team this season so they can maximize their value; otherwise, you’re saying that the team should control the player during their most productive years at artificially lower pay. Can’t have it both ways.

      • Jimmy

        Mike Tannenbaum please call your office.

      • RetroRob

        I strongly disagree. NFL abuses its players. Both sports make a ton of money. MLB is just better at sharing its wealth with the players once they’ve been in the league for a number of years and after MLB has artificially kept the pay of its players at a low level at the start of their careers.

        No one is holding a gun to any MLB team’s owner to sign a player. They know what they’re signing up for and they are totally fine with it.

  • Dan

    felt like 1/2 the catches on that video was Trout robbing HRs . That kid is amazing

  • Eddard: Back and better than never

    The Yankees just have to cut all ties with A-Rod. Just cut him loose, Cervelli too. Last year, the Giants rallied around their management after they sent the cheater home and wouldn’t let him come back. If A-Rod is even around the team it’ll cause drama and he’ll infect more players like he did Melky and Cervelli.

    We’ll be just fine with guys who do it the right way like Jeter, Youkilis and Ichiro. A-Rod is falling apart due to all of his steroid use. He’ll never get to the all time HR record and he’ll have to retire in shame. Should have just used his natural talent, he still would have been rich and maybe even a hero.

    And Ryan Braun is just as bad. At least ARod is 1/15 in admitting steroid use. Now Braun says he hired Bosch as a consultant. Who’s his lawyer, Saul Goodman?

  • Dalek Jeter (formerly: Raul Ibanez AKA Tom Marvolo Riddle AKA True Yankee(TM))

    Just had my first Steak ‘n Shake burger and shake combo…I report to all of you, I have found Nirvana, and it is glorious.

    • http://www.twitter.com/_swarlesbarkley Mark Teixeira – Ghostbuster (formally Drew)

      I used to work on W55th street b/t 8&9 and when I found out that there was a Steak n Shake around the corner, I ate it non stop for lunch for about 2 weeks straight. Gained 6lbs over the course of 2 weeks but it was so worth it.

    • Cris Pengiucci

      There’s an In ‘n Out Burger right near LAX. I must have past it 20 times or more. Never ate there. Have to try In ‘n Out and Steak ‘n Shake when I next get the chance. Unfortunately I don’t travel to LA for work anymore. I will have the opportunity to go to NY again though. Maybe I’ll hit In ‘n Out when I head out to CA in August.

  • Dale Mohorcic

    Leaving for Tahoe in the morning. Nice to know that pitchers and catchers will be reporting by the time I get back.

    • Cris Pengiucci

      I’m jealous. Never skied Tahoe. Then again, I will be vacationing for 2 weeks in August, 1st week in Napa/Sonoma and the 2nd in Hawaii.

  • http://www.twitter.com/_swarlesbarkley Mark Teixeira – Ghostbuster (formally Drew)

    Anyone see that there might be a possible Young Han Solo and Bobba Fett spin off movies in between Star Wars 7,8,&9?

    If they do those characters I would be okay with that. If they do a Yoda movie I will boycott the shit out of that.

    • Pat D

      They’ll do it, so get ready to boycott.

    • Dalek Jeter (formerly: Raul Ibanez AKA Tom Marvolo Riddle AKA True Yankee(TM))

      I just saw a rumor on tumblr, Idk how legit it is, also both are way too easy to screw up which scares the shit out of me. I mean in retrospect, while the prequels were too easy to screw up, they were too easy to do right as well…and they failed miserably. How didn’t they just have 2-2.5 movies of two young Jedi’s kicking ass throughout the universe. Seriously, it should’ve been buddy cop jedi’s in space.

  • bkight13

    Jesus Montero is the latest player being named in the Bosch story. Seems like a lot Yankees and ex-Yankees are involved in this mess.

    • Bob Buttons

      Apparently he has the same agent as Melky, so I wouldn’t be surprised one bit if he was actually on PEDs.

  • Pat D

    Jesus Christ, Knicks. The Wizards? THE WIZARDS???

    • mt

      Wizards have beaten OKC, (admittedly depeleted) LA Clippers team, Miami,and Chicago at home this year – they have been very tough against good teams at home, especially with Wall back.

      I knew we were in trouble when we gave up 29 points in first quarter (matched by 36 in the fouth quarter). Good to see Chandler lash out at Knicks for not being prepared.

      I am very concerened about Knick’s “inside beef” situation – Amare is much better on offense since his return but worried about his frontline defense – Chandler is only one person – I don’t think we stack up with the Chicagos (even without Rose) and Indianas of the world who pound inside offensively and play tight defense by limiting threes. (we also are susceptible to quick point guards but as Shumpert gets his sea legs under him as he plays more – hopefully that will improve somewhat – anyhow, still more worried about interior defense situation.) Many in NYC assume we are the second team in the East behind the Heat but we match up poorly with Chicago and Indiana.

      I am very skeptical waiting on Camby and Rasheed for help. It would be a shame if this flaw sinks us in playoffs.

      • Pat D

        I thought they said ‘Sheed is probably done for the year. And I never would rely on Stoudemire to perform defensively.