* Former bench coach and Popeye doppleganger, Don Zimmer, stood by his man today. Viewing the most recent episode in the Jeter & Rodriguez saga as an attack on the Captain's legacy, Zim decided to bury A-Rod. I think Zimmer is misreading the public, because most baseball fans are not blaming Jeter, they only believe he can do more to support Alex."They're making [Jeter] out to be the bad guy," Zimmer said. "What has he done wrong? If A-Rod hits a home run tomorrow, Jeter will be on the top step, the first guy shaking his hand. What do you want [Jeter] to do, put his arm around him and kiss him?
"Now, here's a guy. What's [Rodriguez] make, $25 million a year? What is it that Jeter's done any different with him than what anybody else has done? How in the hell can Jeter be criticized over A-Rod? I'm trying to figure it out. I don't even understand it, but it makes me sick because I'm a Jeter man -- me and millions others."
Zimmer was asked why he thought people would side with Rodriguez.
"All I know is I know what Jeter is," Zimmer said. "And for Jeter, they're making him out the villain. How in the hell could you ever make Jeter the villain, of all people, in this game?"
Zimmer expressed his opinion on how the perceived friction between Jeter and Rodriguez began.
"When it all happened, and A-Rod got the big contract, he made a comment, and you guys have to go back and look it up, he said Jeter can never get a contract like that because he doesn't hit home runs like I do," Zimmer said. "Is it Jeter's fault he's playing in New York with the Yankees and they win four World Series? You're going to hold that against him towards A-Rod, who has never won nothing?"
Donnie, come back to us. One of the 4000 New York columnists must have worded the question in a way they knew would get a rise out of Zimmer. Is his opinion really necessary? I know they're trying to sell papers, but Zim sounds more bitter-old-man than important observer.
* Bubba Crosby, 5th outfielder extraordinaire, thinks he didn't get a fair shake with the Yankees. A new addition to the Cincinnati Reds, Bubba ripped the team chemistry in New York as well as manager Joe Torre.
"That's something we lacked in New York. It felt like everyone would go their own separate ways. Here guys go out and do things together," said Crosby, who was signed to a free agent contract in the off-season. "I think that's a huge part of the game. The Yankees have had $200 million-plus payrolls the last few years. Money doesn't mean championships all the time. You look at St. Louis, it looks like the guys love each other and hang out."Ok, let's relax Bubba. I liked you when you played for the Yankees and you were nice little player. But you're still Bubba Crosby. Lead the whole camp in hitting? What planet is this guy on right now. And the reason you will get a whole lot more atbats while in Cincinnati results from two factors:
"Even being a fifth outfielder for [Cincinnati], you're going to get three times as many at-bats as I would if I were with the Yankees again," Crosby said. "It's exciting to know I can play my game. Sometimes I'd get the green light, but I'd get the stare from Joe (Torre) that said I better be sure. Then you hesitate and just wait for (Hideki) Matsui to hit a two-run homer."
"I hit every spring training. I got to the big leagues with the Dodgers because I could hit," Crosby said. "I was ready to see what I can do, hitting. I knew I could go out there in spring and lead the whole camp in hitting and it wouldn't matter, I'd still be the fifth outfielder. It's nice to go to an organization that if you produce, you're going to play."
- the Reds do not have half the offensive talent the Yankees do.
- the Reds play in the National League, meaning no DH and more atbats for utility men.
1 comment:
I think the article was misunderstood. Bubba was comparing the NL and the AL, not ripping Torre or the Yanks.
The author of the article, Trent Rosecranz, posted a clarification to Blogging the Bombers:
in no way did bubba 'rip' torre and the yankees. he just said it was different.
he was saying in the national league a fifth outfielder -- especially one on jerry narron's squad -- is going to get a lot more at-bats than a fifth outfielder on an american league team.
this was unused, but better sums up the tone of the interview
"It was an honor that Joe had enough faith and trust in me to throw me out there. In '05 I started three of the five games of the postseason. But if an offensive situation came up and it was me or Bernie Williams, Bernie was going to hit. I understood that role."
i didn't even see it as being an anti-yankee rant, which some people are taking it as here. bubba said he knew his place in new york and he enjoyed his time there and his time as a yankee, but thought his skills were better suited to the national league
Post a Comment