It’s Bobby Valentine vs. Joe Girardi this weekend. We all know that Valentine needs a big weekend, but the manager opposite of him might need to come away with a series victory, as well. Valentine’s controversial comments about Kevin Youkilis‘ commitment rankled Red Sox Nation- specifically Dustin Pedroia- but the struggles on the field shouldn’t be a […]

Radio Row in Indianapolis was abuzz with the reunion of Mike Francesa and Chris Russo on WFAN. It was like old times for the duo, which I analyzed over at Sports Media Watchdog. Like any “Mike & the Mad Dog” show they elected to talk Yankees, bash the Mets, throw in some San Francisco Giants analysis, discuss […]

The Red Sox and Yankees have been called the “best rivalry in sports,” but it hasn’t been that way in a long time. As a matter of fact, it’s gone from the “best rivalry” to the most “boring” or “corporate” rivalry in sports. That all changed late last night when John Henry, Larry Lucchino, and […]

Tony La Russa said his days of managing are over when he announced his retirement on Monday. I don’t want to call La Russa a liar, but 33 years of doing something doesn’t leave your blood overnight. Bill Parcells retired and came back a few times. Phil Jackson didn’t stay away from the NBA very long. Don’t forget […]

The playoffs have brought about much debate about managers and their impact. Every night you hear complaints on Twitter about a move someone made. It’s no different in the regular season since Terry Collins‘ and Joe Girardi‘s moves were dissected every night. I have stated numerous times that a managers greatest impact is in the […]

The hot stove began early here in New York, so it’s time to start planning for what the Yankees can do to improve their ballclub in 2012. Decisions have to be made on CC Sabathia, who is expected to opt-out, Nick Swisher who has a $10.25 team option, and even Alex Rodriguez, who is owed 6 […]

The emails came fast and furious for me last night after the Yankees 3-2 series ending loss to the Tigers, as frustrated Yankees fans began asking the usual questions, like “what went wrong” and “who‘s to blame.” “I know a lot of fans hate Girardi, but Joe doesn’t hit, nor does he pitch. It’s up […]

We are less than 24 hours from the Jose Valverde‘s fastball blowing away Alex Rodriguez to end the 2011 ALDS. A Yankees team that caught the hearts of its fans because of unlikely stories disappointed for the 10th time in the last 11 Octobers. You can’t blame Brian Cashman as it wouldn’t have made sense […]

Back in August, Bob Klapisch of The Record talked about the failures of Joe Girardi as a manager. He believed that “Girardi is unable to stand in the middle of his clubhouse and ask the Yankees for an extra gear that they need in the playoffs.” Despite winning the World Series in 2009, Girardi’s group has never handled […]

Yesterday night started with a typical media fake outrage talking point in the Jose Reyes batting title controversy. Regardless of the fact that players before Reyes have sat out to protect their stats, somehow the New York media found it offensive that Reyes elected to bunt for a hit to start the game, and then […]

A.J. Burnett very well may have a great shot to pitch Game 3 of the ALDS. Joel Sherman laid out the Yanks strategy in a recent column. Here are two important items to remember when you are thinking about Game 3: One: There is an off-day scheduled the day before, so the entire bullpen should be […]

Jose Reyes said the predictable words that you would hear from any free agent this time of the year. He told everyone how he loves New York, but that it’s a business and we will see what the future holds. That’s negotiations 101 in the agent playbook. What I do know is the Mets are […]

I was extremely skeptical of Don Mattingly taking over as manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers. The former Yankees star didn’t have any minor league experience. He was given coaching jobs with the Yankees and Dodgers due to his name and relationship with Joe Torre. When he went up for the Yankees job against Girardi it was made […]

Resisting the urge and fan demands to get a starting pitcher at the trading deadline, New York Yankees General Manager Brian Cashman stuck to his guns and refused to trade a package of prospects for less than a sure thing pitcher. This would be a pitcher who undoubtedly would solidify the Yankees to win another World Series. […]

In case I lose power from Hurricane Irene, I have posted a few pieces to go up over the next couple of days. I anticipate the pre-record audio from this week’s show to be up in a few hours. Stay safe out there and hopefully we will still be able to talk baseball here over […]