WHY DOES CLASS HAVE TO TURN CRASS

When Ted Williams was still alive, do you remember when Major League Baseball was celebrating the All-Century team back in 1999? Williams was driven out on a golf cart for the world the see and every top ball player in history came over to give the old man a hug. Now, you know me, I hate the evil Red Sox more than anything, and Ted Williams was one of them, but for the love of baseball, the world rejoiced, including us Yankee fans and many who understood what baseball was doing tipped their hats to an incredible ballplayer and war veteran.

I watched Jon Lester come back from cancer and pitch a no-hitter in 2008, it was a story for the ages, and again, I hate the Red Sox. But anyone with a heart and a love for baseball got it and again you tip your cap.

When Josh Hamilton cranked out 28 home runs at Yankee Stadium in 2008 at the Home run derby, while I hate the Rangers, I respected this feat. It was pretty damn incredible and I got it... it was good for baseball, the best sport in the world.

So, to my surprise, or maybe not, some ridiculous blogger decided that the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim really did a stupid thing honoring a living legend in Derek Jeter with a painting last Friday night at Angels Stadium. I wrote WHY IT’S BIZARRO WORLD last month because yes, even I was confused by the honor, but the more I thought about it, I found it to be true class. Wow, another ball club other than the Yankees was going to honor Jeter. To me, it was pretty damn unselfish and respectful, plus, it’s great for baseball.

The Angels gave Derek Jeter a painting commemorating his 3000^th hit. There wasn’t a party, there wasn’t a parade, there was just a gift and a photo op and that’s it. I stated in my piece last month:

"...you have to wonder how baseball fans and Angels fans in Angels Stadium will react. I would expect fans will get it and a standing ovation would take place, but to tell you the truth, with that stupid rally monkey all over Angels Stadium and the rivalry that has developed over the years between the 2 teams, there will be plenty of booing and aggravation..."

I was hopeful however that baseball traditionalists would understand and tip their cap, out of respect for Jeter and for the game. I think more did than didn’t, and one guy, uses his blog as a hate site and found this generous deed by the Angels "outrageous." He wrote:

“LA Times fossil Bill Dwyre was sniffing Jeter’s jock in public on the pages of the rag he blogs for and mentioned the fact that the Angels were planning a tribute to Jeter. Is Carpino hoping to be hired away by the Yankees organization?”

He goes further: “Someone must pay for this rubbing of our noses in East Coast dogshit in our own town kennel.”

Wow. Look, I get the frustration, but I find this to be crass. He is however entitled to his opinion and clearly I am to mine. Derek Jeter has 5 championships under his belt. True, it’s a team effort, but he contributed to every one. Derek Jeter is on a hit list with players who are long retired from the game of baseball. Currently he stands at #20 at 3073. Derek Jeter is the most clean cut ballplayer I’ve ever witnessed in my lifetime, a role model. What happened to a tip of the cap and you move on? No? Too soon? I’m not getting it.

True, if David Ortiz can into Yankee Stadium and the Yankees gave Papi a painting, I’d be furious. If the Angels’ Ervin Santana was honored at Yankee Stadium with a painting, it wouldn’t make sense. The difference between them and Jeter is simple, he’s a living legend, a baseball icon, and they are not. Longevity, presentation and championships define Jeter.

Jeter is on the most “overrated” players list every year… yeah, that’s because he’s good and jealousy runs that poll. Just look at his numbers. No one likes a winner, no one likes the Yankees but everyone likes baseball. The point is, you may not care for the team or the athlete, but respect the game and the achievement, that's all.

Bottom line, I feel like before you run your fat mouth off on your blog, you should think. It's all about the game. I'm not saying we have to hold hands with opposing fans, I'm saying decipher between respecting someone and being annoyed by someone... the game's more fun that way.

Please comment and let me know what you think and follow me on Twitter @BleednYankeeBlu and join the group Bleeding Yankee Blue on Facebook, just type it in.

WHY THE YANKEE GODS ARE SMILING ON MONTERO

Sure, contributing to a team as a newbie is great, but to do it consistently is just plain awesome. It looks to me like Jesus Montero is just delicious right now because the kid is comfortable at the plate and contributing like mad. The best part, it didn’t take long.

Montero came up and Yankeeland rejoiced. After all, everything you hear or read about him in the minors hyped this kid up ten-fold. I always imagined the pressure for a kid who is hyped up that much at such a young age. How do you NOT believe your the greatest? Look at ballplayers like Josh Hamilton who broke into the Tampa Bay Rays organization. I remember reading about him before he ever stepped into a pro batter’s box. The world was hyping him up, big time. Then, the young Hamilton bought into the hype, started enjoying himself alittle too much and fell off the face of the earth. I remember reading that he literally hit rock bottom and was crack addicted. he wrote about it in his book Beyond Belief. Bottom line, it was a dark road, but he got himself right and now he's clean. It's an amazing journey, but clearly he bought into the hype.

Look at that Matt Bush kid out of the San Diego Padres organization. Another one with high hopes. This kid thought he was the greatest player since Babe Ruth the way they hyped him up. So, he bought into it, he thought he probably thought he was invincible and guess what? He got into some trouble with the law and right now he has nothing. Hopefully he can turn his life around. Read about it HERE.

The point is Jesus Montero looks humble. He looks like he’s just happy to be there and if you know anything about the Yankees, they will do their best to shield their young talent from the demons of excess. But ultimately, it comes down to the kid. It comes down the Jesus Montero. Look, I am in no way saying Montero is going down that dark road of excess. In fact, I’m saying the opposite. There’s something about the way this kid carries himself that is making God smile on him. Maybe it’s his focus, dedication, maybe his name (that’s clearly a joke) but one things for sure, I see this kid growing up in an organization that will give him tools to succeed and not fail. And Montero, who looks as focused as any veteran, will hopefully stay on the right track, perform, grow and win a few championships with the New York Yankees.

Bottom line, I haven’t felt this way since Derek Jeter was talked about way before he ever put on a professional uniform. And that goes back to my point; Focus and the Yankees. Derek Jeter is home grown. Derek Jeter has never strayed off the path, in fact, he knew what talent he had and what the Yankees were willing to do with him and the marriage is historic. I see Jesus Montero as our next Derek Jeter ladies and gentlemen. Dedication, Talent, Passion and Championships. Here we go again Yankeeland. It’s about to get exciting again.

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WHY ANY KIND OF BASEBALL IS FUN

(Photo: Lem Allen)

Recently I took my family to a Short-Season, NY-Penn league between the Hudson Valley Renegades (Rays) and the Vermont Lake Monsters (Athletics). It really brought me back to why I love this game. First off, Dutchess Stadium may be no frills, but it's a wonderful place to see a ballgame. There are box seats, which seem to be roomier than anything I’ve sat in at either Yankee Stadium. Even the metal bleachers have backs and the last row is no more than 50 feet from the field. It brought me back to when I played as a kid, dreaming of getting just 1 at-bat in the big ballpark in the Bronx.



The game was a little sloppy, but these guys are what, 18, 19, 20 at the most? However they all played hard. No one dogged it. They all ran hard to first; every time. Watching these guys made me wonder where some of our professionals pick up their bad habits? I actually bumped into a couple players walking through the concourse. Most of them had baby faces and were all trying to live out their boyhood dreams.



When all was said and done, my hometown Renegades pulled out a 6-5 victory and remained in third place behind the Staten Island Yankees and the Brooklyn Cyclones (Mets). Oddest part for me was the left-handed, first basemen wearing number 23. Jeff Malm doesn’t appear to be much of a hitter, but he played decent defense. I grew up loving Don Mattingly and I wondered if Malm did too.I was engrossed in the game; loving every minute of it. My kids, however, couldn’t get enough of the alternate entertainment. Between innings they do an excellent job of putting on a show and really making it fun for the whole family. On the way home, both of my kids said they had “a really fun time, but the game was boring”. A win for Dad?



Will any of these kids make the “Show”? I’d like to think so, I mean Josh Hamilton and Evan Longoria have both passed through here. Only time will tell.

-- Lem Allen, BYB Freelance Writer

bybcurmudgeon@gmail.com









Please comment and let me know what you think and follow me on Twitter @BleednYankeeBlu and join the group Bleeding Yankee Blue on Facebook, just type it in.