I must admit,  I’m pretty excited to possibly see CC Sabathia in pinstripes. 

Joe Torre

Why was there absolutely no mention of Joe Torre last night during the last game at Yankee Stadium? I understand the Yankees existed before Torre, and they will certainly exist after Torre, but he’s a very big contributer to the team’s history. It was an insult to the fans to not even have him mentioned.

And I’m sorry, but where was Hank Steinbrenner last night? Say what you will about George, but at least that man has earned respect throughout the league. Hank is just making a mockery out of this team.

Derek Jeter

I’m not the biggest Derek Jeter fan, I’ll be honest. I think his pride hurts him at times — perhaps he tries too hard to fit into the “Yankee mold,” so to speak. He’s certainly not a power hitter, and he’s certainly not the best defensively. But put that aside, and how can you not be impressed by the guy? Sure, many view him as being overrated, but anyone making that type of money is going to be deemed overrated.

Derek is on the threshold of reaching a rather significant milestone — 2,500 hits. He had 3 hits last night against Toronto, which put him at 2,498 hits. Derek needs 2 hits to reach 2,500. If he doesn’t do it tonight, then perhaps tomorrow (Friday) night in Baltimore.

Take a look at the all-time hit list below, and look how many at-bats, and seasons, it took for the players around him to accomplish that level.

All Time Career Hits Leaders

Derek Jeter even has the capability to crack into the top 5, too. He averages just over 200 hits per season. Lets just say Jeter, who is 34 years old, can, and wants to, play for another ten years. Lets also say he can continue putting up similar hit numbers. That’s an additional 2000 hits — putting him at 4,498. 4,498 is about 200 more hits than the current leader, Pete Rose.

Now, of course, Derek is getting older. I’m sure his numbers are going to dip, but even so, he has the potential to definitely make his way into the top 5 of all time. How incredible is that? Imagine if he stays healthy and his age doesn’t decrease his numbers dramatically? We’re witnessing incredible history here.

And without going into too much about Alex Rodriguez, he’s going to be in the running to pass Barry Bonds in the all time career home run total, too. How amazing is it going to be for us fans to witness possibly two great records be broken by two players on possibly the same team?

Update: Derek Jeter is now at 2,499 career hits.

Brett Favre is now a New York Jet.  Green Bay traded him to the New York Jets for a first round draft pick.

Yankee Stadium

I’ve been really torn on the issue of Yankee Stadium being torn down after this season; only to be replaced with a new Yankee Stadium just next door.  For those who have been fortunate enough to see Yankee Stadium, you know exactly what I’m talking about — there’s a certain aura to the place.  You walk in there, and you’re overwhelmed by what is Yankee Stadium.  You can feel the history.  It’s all still there; within your reach.  You sit down in your seat, wherever it might be, and you know the crowd will be into the entire game, inning for inning and no matter what the score.  You don’t experience that anywhere else.

But when you think about it, the current Yankee Stadium isn’t the same house that Ruth built back in 1923.  Sure it stands on the same grounds, but it was more or less entirely renovated in the 70s.  Major things changed in the 70s for the stadium that set it apart from the 20s.  So why not start completely over in 2009?  In the end, what’s the big deal?  The history, and memories, will still be there — just carried over to a stadium a block away.  The prestige of the Yankees organization will still be there — just in another stadium.

However, I realized the other day why I was so torn on the new versus old stadium.  And honestly, it comes down to my son or daughter just not being able to see the old stadium and what it had to offer.  I was very fortunate growing up and going to several Yankee games per year.  I wasn’t the biggest baseball fan, but even then, I just enjoyed the atmosphere of the game.  Every time we would go, my father would tell me stories about how him and his friends used to sneak out to go to Yankee games, or how his grandfather used to take him to games, or how he was able to see Player A do X, Y, and Z.  At the time, I could care less about those stories, as would any young kid.  But as now an adult, it’s those stories and the overall history of the Yankees that absolutely define the current stadium to me.  And it saddens me to not be able to share that same feeling with my children.

I am looking forward to the new stadium and what it has to offer.  I’m looking forward to being able to see the many memories to come in that stadium, too.  I certainly hope to be able to share those new stadium memories with my children, as well.

But when I’m at a game with my kid, and I’m doing what my father did to me, telling him stories.  They’re going to be about “the old stadium across the street.”  I’ll be able to tell him or her about how I was able to see Paul O’Neil hit three home runs in one game on August 31st, 1995 — but in the old stadium.  I’ll be able to tell him or her about the great seats my father used to get just five or six rows from the Yankee’s dugout — but in the old stadium.  And I’ll be able to tell him how his mother and I froze our asses off in an April game which resulted in us leaving in the second inning — but that all occurred in the old stadium.

Maybe I’m just looking into it a bit much.  Maybe it’s not the physical aspect of the Yankees that needs to be there to continually cherish all of these moments.  Maybe it’s just the memories themselves that define everything.  The memories will always live on, maybe soon in a different form, but they’ll still live on.

So maybe it is a good thing, this new Yankee Stadium.  Maybe it’s good to create new memories for a new generation.  I was fortunate enough to see a great dynasty, and I’ll always be able to share those memories with my son or daughter — just the same way my father did with me.  We’ll always hold on to these memories, and just because the current stadium is coming down, it doesn’t mean these memories will just vanish.  They’ll always be there for us to appreciate and to reflect upon.

The New Jersey Nets and Milwaukee Bucks are just about to make a trade that’ll send Richard Jefferson to Milwaukee for Yi Jianlian and Bobby Simmons.  Totally unfair trade in favor of Milwaukee — they’re getting a veteran guy coming off of his best season. 

But look past that and you’ll see that this is a move to clear some salary for the Nets.  Why?  Lebron James.  King James will be an unrestricted free agent after the 2010 season.  By then, the Nets will (or should) be playing in Brooklyn. 

Lebron already stated that he loves playing in Madison Square Garden.  But throw in buddy, and Nets co-owner, Jay-Z and you could have Lebron playing a few miles from the Garden.  Lebron will be playing in New York or New Jersey after the 2010 season; there’s no doubt about it. 

I certainly understand why a team would want Lebron; he’s pratically the next coming of Michael Jordan.  I’d like for him to stay in Cleveland, though.  I love the idea of a franchise player — the Patrick Ewings, the Derek Jeters, the Cal Ripkens.  There’s something special about franchise players.  Lebron is certainly entitled to want more money and fame.  Hell, he deserves it.  But think about your legacy, too. 

Former Orioles outfielder and alleged steroid user, Jay Gibbons, has been out of work for six weeks since Baltimore released him.  Teams have shown very limited interest in him, and Jay asking for a second chance. 

Writing this letter is both painful and humiliating. It has been almost six weeks since my release from the Orioles and I am still unable to land any opportunity at a second chance to play the game that I love.

I am young, healthy and determined. I have acknowledged and apologized for the mistake that I made and writing this letter should be proof enough that I have indeed suffered for my mistake.

I have faith and hope that some team will give me the chance to prove that I can not only be a productive player but also be a stellar member of their organization. My faith in a second chance has inspired me to work harder than I have at any time in my life. My faith has gotten me through this most difficult period in my life.

All I need is a chance — any chance — anywhere. I am more than willing to begin the process of proving that I can and will be a productive major league player by playing in the minor leagues.

As you know, I have played seven seasons in the big leagues and have hit 20-plus homeruns in three seasons and have hit .277 in three seasons (2003, 2005 and 2006). At 31 years old, I have NO DOUBT that my best baseball is ahead of me.

I know that my agents at ACES have tried to land me an opportunity in the minor leagues but have been met with negative responses by each and every Organization. I am not blind to the fact that I have made a mistake and that mistake has raised doubt about my character and ability. It is important that you know that my indiscretions, while regretful, were made in an effort to heal a nagging wrist injury. I would encourage you to speak with anyone in this game, including players, coaches, front office etc. who know me. I am confident that everyone you speak with will vouch for my character.

I respectfully and humbly request that you grant me the chance to play for your organization.

I am so willing to prove myself as a player, and a person, that I will donate ALL of my minor league earnings to your Club’s charity. In the event that I earn the right to play at the major league level, I will gladly donate a significant sum to that same charity.

Once again, all I need is a chance and I will prove that I can be an extremely productive player and a great addition to your organization.

Curt Schilling scored some courtside tickets for game two of the NBA finals.  These seats were right behind Kobe and the Lakers.  In turn, Schilling heard plenty from Kobe and was surprised by Kobe’s treatment of teammates. 

Every (timeout) he came to the bench p—-ed, and a few of them he went to other guys and yelled about something they weren’t doing, or something they did wrong. No dialog about “hey let’s go, let’s get after it” or whatever. He spent the better part of 3.5 quarters p—ed off and ranting at the non-execution or lack of, of his team.

Watching the other 11 guys, every time out it was high fives and “Hey nice work, let’s get after it” or something to that affect. He walked off the floor, obligatory skin contact on the high five, and sat on the bench stone faced or p—ed off, the whole game.

But as a fan I was watching the whole thing, Kobe, his teammates and then the after effects of conversations. He’d yell at someone, make a point, or send a message, turn and walk away, and more than once the person on the other end would roll eyes or give a “whatever dude” look.

…And this is coming from the guy who bad mouthed managers and teammates while playing in Philly.  And this is the same Schilling who complained his way out of the Phillies organization.  Curt, take a look at yourself, and you’ll see Kobe.  Perhaps your mythical “bloody sock” changed your self image, but besides that, you’re not much different than Kobe Bryant.

The Sports Hernia is reporting that State Trooper, Jason Giambi, is back. 

The 2008 State Trooper Giambi is doing something that the 2007 version couldn’t do, actually hit, which is leading to fewer unwarranted tickets at first base.

New York Yankees great, Yogi Berra, is known throughout the world for quick comments and witty remarks — often dubbed Yogiisms.  I stumbled upon some quotes of Yogi’s that just made me laugh.

“You’ve got to be very careful if you don’t know where you are going because you might not get there.”

On a trip to Cooperstown with Phil Rizzuto, Phil commented to Yogi, “I think we’re lost.” To which Yogi replied,

“Yeah, but we’re making great time.”