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Whether he was using the Green Monster's restroom between innings, petting Julian Tavarez, inexplicably cutting off a throw in the outfield, or listening to his MP3 player during play, we've all witnessed at least one instance of "Manny being Manny."
 Every now and again, however, Boston Red Sox outfielder Manny Ramirez takes his foolish antics to a whole new level. And during the fourth inning of yesterday's 6-3 loss to the Baltimore Orioles, he didn't disappoint.
After making a beautiful catch on a sharp Kevin Millar liner, Ramirez propelled himself unnecessarily onto the left field wall in order to high-five a fan wearing a Red Sox jersey.
Adding an even more unique twist to this already bizarre play, Manny promptly spun around, launched the ball back into the infield, where Dustin Pedroia relayed it to first base and doubled up Aubrey Huff.
Wow. What else can you say?
It's no secret that I am not a big fan of the Boston Red Sox or Manny, but that doesn't mean I lack a sense of humor.
That play, and most of Ramirez's Manny moments, are hysterical. And for as much heartache as he's caused me over the years, he's given me plenty of good laughs as well.
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On Friday, the New York Yankees and New York Mets will rekindle their infamous crosstown rivalry in the annual Subway Series. Although neither team is doing particularly well at the moment, you can bet that the desire to own New York bragging rights will be enough to motivate each team to give it their all ... and then some.
Over the next few days, I'll be taking a look back at some of the more memorable and historic events that have occurred during the Subway Series.
Memorable Subway Series Moment No. 1: The Bat Incident
 What would the Roger Clemens/Mike Piazza rivalry have been like without the New York media fanning the flames? That's a question that will never be answered definitively, but it's a question that will linger forever thanks to Game Two of the 2000 World Series.
Already up by the count of 0-2, and having struck out the first two batters, Clemens bore a fastball in on the hands of Piazza. Being the professional hitter he is, the Mets catcher was able to get a little wood on the ball. Unfortunately, that wood would shatter and send the entire city of New York spiraling downward.
A large part of the broken bat barreled toward Clemens. Piazza, meanwhile, slowly started toward first base.
As the ball sailed foul, the Rocket grabbed the piece of the lumber and launched it in the direction of the Yankees dugout, just ahead of the stunned Piazza.
Following a momentary stare down and a little shouting, both benches cleared. And while no punches were thrown, it would set the tone and lay the foundation for even angrier showdowns ahead.
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One of the world's most active volcanoes is about to erupt again.
 Shortly after the New York Yankees lost to the AL East-leading Tampa Bay Rays, Hank Steinbrenner, one of three lava-spewing natural mountains in the Bronx, began to smoke and bubble.
"The bottom line is that the team is not playing the way it is capable of playing," Mount Steinbrenner said. "These players are being paid a lot of money and they had better decide for themselves to earn that money."
As you may have expected, Hank's temper tantrum did not end there. "This is going to get turned around," continued Steinbrenner. "If it's not turned around this year, then it will be turned around next year, by force if we have too."
No George Steinbrenner, no Joe Torre, no matter. As many things in New York change, so many others remain the same. And when the team isn't performing up to their $210 million standard, a head or two is bound to roll.
So, how long will it be until we hear about the potential firing of Brian Cashman? How long until Joe Girardi is suddenly on the hot seat? How long until Steinbrenner really blows his top and begins openly criticizing players by name?
It's going to be a long, hot summer in the Bronx.
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You know you're an old school WWE fan when...
1) You refuse to call it "WWE." It's WWF, damn it!
2) You hear "whatcha gonna do?" and reply with "when Hulk Hogan runs wild on you!"
3) The insane ramblings of the Ultimate Warrior actually make sense to you.
4) Instead of calmly getting into bed, you get on your dresser and "Superfly splash" into it.
 5) You still have the completed collection of "wrestling buddies."
6) You remain a tad bitter over Shawn Michaels' super-kicking Marty Jannetty through the Barber Shop window.
If any of those memories leave you craving more, then you're in luck! Every Wednesday, MSG will be airing several old school WWE matches.
It's been quite some time since I watched wrestling, but it'll be hard to pass up matches like the Ultimate Warrior vs. The Undertaker and Hulk Hogan vs. Mr. Perfect. Or matches like Jake "The Snake" Roberts vs. Earthquake and "Macho Man" Randy Savage vs. "The Million Dollar Man" Ted DiBiase.
At a young age, there was nothing better than the excitement of watching the face (good guy) take it to the heel (bad guy). But there was also nothing worse than watching the heel cheat their way to victory by using the ropes to their advantage.
As a kid, I remember gathering around the lunchroom water fountain and discussing the events from the previous night.
How did the referee not see Bobby "The Brain" Heenan hit Hulk Hogan with that belt? Can anyone survive Randy Savage's elbow drop? Is the sharpshooter the best finishing move of all time?
What were your favorite wrestling moments? Who was the ultimate face? And who was the most hated heel?
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Say what you want about Tom Brady, but you can't help but admire a man who wears his emotions on his sleeve. And as arrogant as he sometimes comes across, he's more than capable of being humbled.
 When he's the best, he knows it. And when he's been bested, he knows that as well.
"I have a lot of respect for [the Giants] because they work hard, and they have a lot of great leaders on that team. It's kind of a blue-collar team," said Brady. "When you do lose a game, you at least want to lose to guys you respect. And I certainly respect those guys. I don't respect everybody, but I do respect the Giants."
As much as it pains me to admit it, that was a very classy statement by Brady. But it didn't take him very long to turn it around and take a dig at New York.
"There's four letters in their name," Brady said when asked who didn't respect.
How many teams in the NFL have only four letters in their name? Well, there are two, but I think it's a pretty safe bet to say he wasn't talking about the St. Louis Rams.
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It may be 2008, but Hall of Fame closer Goose Gossage believes players should act like it's still 1979. "There's no place for it in the game and I will stand by that, and I love Joba Chamberlain," Gossage said of Chamberlain's strike out celebration.
It doesn't matter what you do in New York, someone will always be there to criticize you.
 Since 2001, one of the major knocks on the Yankees has been their lack of emotion. They have often been accused of allowing teams to walk all over them, while quietly accepting playoff failure.
In fact, it was one of the very reasons Joe Torre had fallen out of favor with the Steinbrenners.
Yet now, with young blood lining the roster, they're accused of being immature, disrespectful and overly emotional. "Guys taught me when I broke into the big leagues. I didn't say two words all year. Now the team is full of young guys, they feel more comfortable. They can do anything they want to do because they have that comfort zone. There was not that comfort zone. I was treated like a rookie for two years. Just sit there and be quiet," Gossage added.
Don't get me wrong. I'm a huge Gossage fan, but he's a little out of his league here. Times change and so does society. Do you remember when kids used to go trick-or-treating on Halloween?
The type of youthful exuberance you see displayed by some of the Yankees is something that should be encouraged, not shunned. After all, baseball is still just a game. And if the players aren't having any fun, chances are the fans aren't having much fun either.
I enjoy the enthusiasm that Melky Cabrera, Chamberlain and even Jonathan Papelbon bring to today's game. And while I still respect the brick-faces like Mariano Rivera, I am more highly entertained by the youthful antics of the aforementioned stars.
Like hot dogs, Cracker Jacks and the seventh-inning stretch, on-field celebrations are now just a part of the game.
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My Mets Power Rankings this week have Ryan Church finally getting over that hurdle and claiming that top spot.
Dropped out of the Top-10: Mets fans.
Welcome to the club: Carlos Beltran and Luis Castillo.
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1) Ryan Church (LF/CF/RF)
Last week: No. 2 |
| Notes: Last week I claimed Church hadn't had an "eye-opening moment" worthy of the No. 1 ranking. Well, he must have been reading, because he turned it up another notch and now he's being rewarded for it. |
2) Billy Wagner (CL)
Last week: No. 1 |
| Notes: Wager didn't allow an earned run last week, but that doesn't mean his only outing was pretty. A simple look at the stats won't show anything other than an increased WHIP, but Billy got busted up against the Reds. |
3) Johan Santana (SP)
Last week: No. 3 |
| Notes: Is Santana ever going to live up to the hype? He had a less than spectacular week, but it was still better than most of the starting staff. Basically, by default, Santana claims the No. 3 spot. |
4) Scott Schoeneweis (RP)
Last week: No. 6 |
| Notes: As was the case last week, Schoeneweis dominated when called upon. He hasn't given up a run since April 19 and appears to be the Mets most consistent bullpen arm. |
5) Jose Reyes (SS)
Last week: No. 4 |
| Notes: From this point on down, it's a bit of a crapshoot offensively. No one has really stood out on a consistent basis, and Reyes is a perfect example of that. Last week I noted that he was on a hot streak, but assured it would turn cold. Sure enough, he promptly went 5-for-24. |
6) David Wright (3B)
Last week: No. 5 |
| Notes: An underachieving .271 season average and a 5-for-24 week land the franchise at No. 6. |
7) John Maine (SP)
Last week: No. 8 |
| Notes: There are times when Maine looks like the Mets best pitcher, and last week vs. the Dodgers was one of those times. Still, he's got a lot to prove before he can make any significant strides on this list. |
8) Carlos Delgado (1B)
Last week: No. 9 |
| Notes: Two weeks in a row for Delgado? That's impressive, but I wouldn't count on his hot-streak continuing. Mr. Carlos will eventually revert back into the average hitter he's become. |
9) Carlos Beltran (CF)
Last week: N/A |
| Notes: It's about time Beltran showed up! Now he needs to continue to earn all that money. He's got a long way to go, but it's better late than never. |
10) Luis Castillo (2B)
Last week: N/A |
| Notes: Castillo finds his way back on this list because, frankly, there was no one else worthy of this spot. How sad is that? |
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My Yankees Power Rankings this week have Mariano Rivera reclaiming the top spot.
Dropped out of the Top-10: Bobby Murcer.
Welcome to the club: Robinson Cano and Jason Giambi.
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1) Mariano Rivera (CL)
Last Week: No. 3 |
| Notes: I've asked this before, but I'll ask it again: What can you say about Rivera without repeating yourself? He had another dominating week and has yet to give up a run this season. At this point, he's too good for the word dominant. |
2) Hideki Matsui (RF)
Last Week: No. 5 |
| Notes: It's time to give Matsui his due. He's been the most consistent batter for New York all season, and last week was no exception. He silently gets the job done each and every time he goes out there. What more can you ask for? |
3) Chien-Ming Wang (SP)
Last Week: No. 2 |
| Notes: Wang picked up a loss last week, but it was through no fault of his own. He went heads-up with the Indians' Cliff Lee, who was able to stonewall the Yankees' offense. Still, he held his own and kept New York in the game. |
4) Melky Cabrera (CF)
Last Week: No. 1 |
| Notes: Melky had a rough week, but he'd have to prolong this little mini-slump to fall out of my Top-5. Along with Matsui, he's been one of the most consistent, and arguably most valuable players this season. |
5) Derek Jeter (SS)
Last Week: No. 7 |
| Notes: Jeter's production isn't exactly what it's been in the past, but he's still been able to get it done on a daily basis. He finally picked up his first homerun of the season and appears ready for a classic Jeter stretch. |
6) Darrell Rasner (SP)
Last Week: No. 9 |
| Notes: Two games, two wins. Rasner is never going to strike out the park or appear unhittable, but he will give the Yankees quality outings. There is absolutely no reason to believe his success at this level is a fluke -- Rasner is the real deal. |
7) Kyle Fanrsworth (RP)
Last Week: No. 8 |
| Notes: I think it's safe to assume that Farnsworth is no longer Farnsworthless. He pitched 2.2 scoreless innings last week and dropped his season ERA to an even 3.00. Whatever button Joe Girardi pushed, was the right one. |
8) Johnny Damon (OF/DH)
Last Week: No. 4 |
| Notes: When Damon is on fire, he's the king of the locker room. When he struggles, he's just that creepy guy who does naked pull-ups. Last week, unfortunately, he was that creepy guy doing naked pull-ups. |
9) Bobby Abreu (RF)
Last Week: No. 6 |
| Notes: The wall will not eat you, Bobby! AH! Does Abreu's fear of the wall drive anyone else insane? At this point, I would trade all of his production at the plate for a routine out up against the wall. I'm tired of him turning flyouts into doubles or triples. |
T-10) Robinson Cano (2B)
Last Week: N/A |
| Notes: Robbie! I've been anxiously awaiting the moment I could put Cano on the Top-10. And after a solid week, I am finally able to do so. Robbie is currently riding a six-game hit streak (8-for-22) and it's beginning to look like he's gotten his stroke back. |
T-10) Jason Giambi (1B)
Last Week: N/A |
| Notes: This list would not have been complete if I didn't add Giambi. Like Cano, he finally snapped out of it last week and really turned it up a notch. And while I don't have much faith that this hot-streak will continue, I can't deny him a spot on theTop-10 list. |
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How does the Yankees-heavy crowd in Tampa Bay affect the balance of power at Tropicana Field? Will yesterday's rain-out in Detroit hurt New York's focus? And will the warming seat of General Manager Brian Cashman draw some attention away from the playing field? How do things happening behind-the-scenes and off-the-field impact the team?
 External Factor No. 1: Home field advantage?
The Yankees are known for selling out stadiums across the country, but when they play in St. Petersburg, Florida, the crowd is rarely out to get them. In fact, it's the Rays that usually find themselves on the wrong side of the hooting and hollering.
Thanks in large part to their many facilities in the state of Florida, the Yankees have become just as popular there as they are right here in New York. And over the years, it has gotten to the point where the majority of fans only turn out when the Bronx Bombers come to town.
Some Yankees, namely Derek Jeter, love to be booed. Much of their motivation is derived from the heckling of opposing fans. However, many others love to be cheered and welcome it with open arms. So every time New York travels to Florida, they are met with a bit of a mixed bag. Unfortunately for the Rays, it's quite the opposite, and feeling alone in their own ballpark has to be mentally tough to accept.
 External Factor No. 2: Losing a rhythm ...
If you're a fan of the New York Yankees, then you don't need me to tell you that weather has not been kind to them over the last few years. You also don't need me to tell you that many players on this team are creatures of habit and that a single hiccup in their schedule could send them spiraling into a slump for quite some time.
Had Mike Mussina been scheduled to pitch yesterday, the rain out would have been a little more disconcerting. However, since Andy Pettitte was slated for the start, it's unlikely that the starting staff will face any adverse effects of the postponement.
Still, the Yankees have been known to really toss up a few stinkers following an unexpected weather delay.
 External Factor No. 3: Is Cashman on coals?
It's that time of year again! The Yankees aren't 10-games over .500, they aren't leading the AL East and they aren't scoring 12 or more runs per game. So that means it's "hot seat" time.
Filling his yearly role on the warm chair is General Manager Brian Cashman, who appears to be accompanied by Jason Giambi this time around. And while Giambi was a legitimate question mark prior to last week, I again struggle to find solid reason for dragging Cashman down this worn-out tunnel.
What sort of distraction will this cause, if any? It's hard to say. This cycle continues year in and year out; it's like a broken record. By now, most Yankees players and personnel have gotten used to it, but when the bosses go looking for someone to blame, watch out!
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Third time's the charm? Usually, but not for Kei Igawa.
 When the New York Yankees invested a total of $46 million in the former Japanese star, they expected quality in return. And while they didn't anticipate numbers like he produced in Japan, they certainly looked forward to more than a 2-4 record with a 6.75 ERA in 15 games.
After giving up 11 hits and six earned runs in three innings pitched yesterday, it's become blatantly obvious that the Yankees investment is never going to pay off.
Not only is Igawa NOT worth his $26 million posting fee and $20 million contract, he's not even worth the plane ticket it cost the team to get him to New York.
However, if there is a bright side to Igawa's meltdown, it's that he has paved the way for David Wells to return to pinstripes.
With Phil Hughes on the disabled list with a rib injury and Ian Kennedy back in Triple A, Brian Cashman & Co. have precious few options. They can either suck up a loss every fifth day with Igawa on the mound, or they can fit Wells with a new uniform and at least have a fighting chance to contend this season.
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Could David Wells possibly return to the New York Yankees for one last go-around?
 As far-fetched as that may seem on the surface, both Wells and Yankees co-chairman Hank Steinbrenner have given it some thought.
And while the two sides have not taken part in any official discussions, the need for New York and the desire by Wells may ultimately lead to a contract agreement in the near future. "I've thought about it," Steinbrenner told The Post. "I saw him on TV, and I did think about it when I was watching."
"You never know. [Wells] hasn't come up in conversation, but I've had so much other [bleep] to deal with lately."
David Wells back in pinstripes. That thought sure plays several tricks on the old noggin, doesn't it?
Sure, he may be nearing the ripe ol' age of 45, but it's Boomer Wells we're talking about here. Unlike many other professional pitchers, he's had the undeniable ability to pitch well when the pressure is on. And unlike so many other professional baseball players, he's also had the undeniable ability to perform at a higher level when donning that interlocking NY.
I am usually 100 percent against the Yankees bringing in over-aged talent, but not in this instance. I believe Wells could be an adequate solution to a temporary rotation problem, and it would also give him the luxury of ending his career in the only place he really loved to play.
If it were up to me, which it's obviously not, I'd say "Git-r-done."
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Will the sudden revival of Robinson Cano breed positive feelings up and down the Yankees lineup? Will the third time really be a charm for Kei Igawa? And will Joba Chamberlain's celebration cause a distraction once again? How do things happening behind-the-scenes and off-the-field impact the team?
At the start of each Yankees series, I'll be breaking down the External Factors that could distract or enhance the Yankees' play, potentially affecting the outcome of the games.
 External Factor No. 1: Positivity and optimism are contagious.
Yankees second baseman Robinson Cano is currently riding a four-game hit streak, and it appears that the positivity is beginning to rub off on his teammates.
Following yesterday's 6-3 victory over the Cleveland Indians, Cano was met with congratulatory high-fives courtesy of Melky Cabrera, Jose Veras and Jose Molina. Only this celebration was a tad different than usual. It wasn't only about the team coming out victorious; this celebration was more about Cano finally breaking through and looking comfortable at the plate.
If Cano is feeling good, the rest of his teammates are feeling good. And when a team is feeling good, good things happen.
External Factor No. 2: Is the third time a charm?
Kei Igawa will take the mound Friday night for the New York Yankees, and it will be the third opportunity he's been given to prove himself after a strong stint in the minor leagues.
Can the former Japanese All-Star finally get it done at the Major League Level? Will it sink in that this may be his last chance with New York?
There's a lot riding on Igawa's arm and mind for both he and the team.
 External Factor No. 3: Youthful distraction, part two.
As I said yesterday, Joba will be Joba. And just like he's not a robot when it comes to pitching perfection, he's not a robot when it comes to youthful exuberance either. And unfortunately, for the second time this year, that's causing a problem. "That's what gets him going and that's what everybody likes to see, but if a hitter was to do something like that they'd probably say it was 'bush (league)' and you shouldn't do it," David Dellucci said. "It's kind of funny how a pitcher can get away with it."
Rather than pumping his fist in excitement, I'm starting to think that Joba should play the world's smallest violin.
Hopefully this doesn't distract Chamberlain, Joe Girardi or any of the other Yankees like it did last time.
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Joba Chamberlain gave up a home run in Yankee Stadium? He lost a game? OMG!!! The sky is falling! The four horsemen are coming! It's Judgment Day!
 Yawn. Wake me when there is real news.
Yes, Joba had a poor outing last night. In fact, he's had several bad outings against the Cleveland Indians early in his career. But the reality is, he's not perfect and expecting him to be unhittable is foolish.
Like Phil Hughes and Ian Kennedy, Joba is going to have some growing pains. This is the major leagues and these players are paid to make adjustments. Last night, David Dellucci did an excellent job making an adjustment and Chamberlain paid. Now it's his turn to make a change, and maybe next time things will be different.
Either way, there's no need to go off the deep end just yet. Joba is not a bad pitcher; he just had a bad game -- it happens to everyone. There was no reason for him to be booed (shame on you fans) and there will be no reason not to trust him moving forward.
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Imagine this scenario:
You're a New York Jets season ticket holder (hang on, don't laugh -- that's not the joke) and they're trailing the New England Cheatriots Patriots by 24 in the fourth quarter. The referee signals for a timeout and the "Flight Crew" come out to entertain the fans. Since you refuse to leave the game because of ticket prices, you kick back and wait to be entertained by the lovely ladies.
Only there's a problem ... a big problem.
 Those lovely ladies are no longer lovely ladies. Instead, the beautiful eye candy has been replaced by several drag queens. That's right, drag queens!
According to Brian Bassett, a good friend of mine over at The Jets Blog, the Flight Crew's choreographer, Denise Garvey, claims she is open to hiring attractive drag queens to fill a few spots. REPORTER: There's not the kind of human variety you might find in a supermarket checkout line -- the largest body is about a size 6 -- and there are no male cheerleader wannabes.
GARVEY: We haven't had any men apply. We are looking for young women.
REPORTER: If there was a mind-blowing drag queen?
GARVEY: I guess everyone deserves a fair chance... so that would be my attitude.
I'm sure that would go over well! I couldn't think of anything angry football fans would want to see more than some dudes dressed up in women's spandex.
Let's be realistic about this: drag queens and football go together like lamb and tuna fish.
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Will the death of a Red Sox fan dampen the Yankees' recent on-field success? Will New York fans be waiting to shower Cleveland with insults and accusations over the bug incident of a year ago? How do things happening behind-the-scenes and off-the-field impact the team?
At the start of each Yankees series, I'll be breaking down the External Factors that could distract or enhance the Yankees' play, potentially affecting the outcome of the games.
External Factor No. 1: The rivalry leads to tragedy.
 It's hard to believe that Red Sox fans and Yankees fans hate each other so much that it would lead to second-degree murder, but that's apparently what happened last Friday night.
Following a heated Yankees/Sox debate that eventually spilled outside of a New Hampshire bar, Ivonne Hernandez, a 43-year-old from Nashua, drove her car into a group of people that included Matthew Beaudoin, a 29-year-old Boston fan. The results, unfortunately, were fatal.
Beaudoin was struck and later died from what the doctors called "massive head trauma." Hernandez was charged with second degree murder, aggravated driving while intoxicated and two counts of reckless conduct.
The question then becomes: Will the Yankees bring this onto the field with them?
Yes, I realize the tragedy that occurred is far more horrific than New York losing will ever be, but if you think for one second that being asked about it won't affect the players, you're out of your head.
External Factor No. 2: The Fly Midges
Yankees fans will not soon forget the swarm of Midges "unleashed" on Joba Chamberlain during the 2007 ALDS, and you can bet that their creative nature will be out in full force over the next three days.
Will they dress up like "The Fly?" Will they all have bug spray handy? It's anyone's guess, but you can bet it will be entertaining ... for the Yankees.
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Afraid? Am I afraid of defamation lawsuits? Ha! I laugh in the face of potentially damaging, life-changing suits. And for that reason, against my better judgment, I am back to talk a little Roger Clemens.
 After several horrible accusations, including one that was confirmed, Clemens finally decided to address the hysteria earlier this week.
And in a statement first published by the Houston Chronicle, he acknowledged some personal mistakes, but continued to defend himself as best as he possibly could. "Even though these articles contain many false accusations and mistakes, I need to say that I have made mistakes in my personal life for which I am sorry. I have apologized to my family and apologize to my fans. Like everyone, I have flaws. I have sometimes made choices which have not been right," Clemens said.
That final line is the understatement of the year, is it not?
The seven-time Cy Young Award winner went on to scrutinize the reports about his and Mindy McCready's relationship, claiming that "nothing could be further from the truth."
Nothing could be further from the truth? Really? Because when McCready said "I cannot refute anything in the story," I could have sworn that means the reports were accurate. Why else would a has-been country star agree to something that could not possibly benefit her in any way?
Does anyone else see that brown stuff Clemens is stepping in? It sure is getting pretty deep.
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My Yankees Power Rankings this week have Melky Cabrera taking over the top spot.
Dropped out of the Top-10: Alex Rodriguez and Jorge Posada.
Welcome to the club: Kyle Farnsworth, Darrell Rasner and Bobby Murcer.
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1) Melky Cabrera (CF)
Last Week: No. 3 |
| Notes: Players and fans continue to overlook this kid. He had another fantastic week and now leads the Yankees with six HR. More importantly, he's getting the job done in every aspect of the game. What else does he need to do to get recognized? |
2) Chien-Ming Wang (SP)
Last Week: No. 1 |
| Notes: Wang was dominant once again, but he's no Melky Cabrera. Still, another top of the line start has him hovering near the No. 1 spot. |
3) Mariano Rivera (CL)
Last Week: No. 2 |
| Notes: You can only say so many things about Mo before you start to repeat yourself. Dominant, dominant, dominant. That is all. |
4) Johnny Damon (LF/CF/DH)
Last Week: No. 4 |
| Notes: Last week I declared "he's baaaaccckkk!" Well, I was right, and now I declare, "he's stayyiinnnggg!" It's nice to see Damon playing the way he's capable of playing; both offensively and defensively. |
5) Hideki Matsui (RF)
Last Week: No. 5 |
Notes: Outside of the Top-3, Godzilla has been one of the most consistent Yankees this season. And to think some fans actually wanted New York to trade him. What was I were you thinking? |
6) Bobby Abreu (RF)
Last Week: No. 7 |
| Notes: Abreu moved up a spot with another solid week offensively. However, his fear of the wall prevented him from moving up any further. And let me tell you, it's a good thing he's hitting because Yankees fans are getting tired of his "defense" near the warning track. |
7) Derek Jeter (SS)
Last Week: No. 9 |
| Notes: "Derek ... Jeter!" Do you ever get tired of hearing those chants? I certainly don't. It's been a pleasure to watch the captain for all of these years and it was a pleasure watching him turn things around last week. |
8) Kyle Farnsworth (RP)
Last Week: N/A |
| Notes: Farnsworth finds his way back onto this list after a rare but solid week. Good performances may come few and far between for Farnsy, but he's recently begun to look like the pitcher Brian Cashman hoped he'd get back in 2006. |
9) Darrell Rasner (SP)
Last Week: N/A |
| Notes: Phil Hughes this, Ian Kennedy that. People had forgotten about Rasner and shame on them. It took him only one start to do what Hughes and Kennedy were unable to do throughout April -- get a win! |
10) Bobby Murcer (Announcer)
Last Week: N/A |
| Notes: How great was it to hear Murcer's voice again? God bless ya', Bobby. And welcome back. |
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My Mets Power Rankings this week has Billy Wagner claiming the top spot ... again
Dropped out of the Top-10: Duaner Sanchez, Luis Castillo and Raúl Casanova.
Welcome to the club: John Maine, Carlos Delgado and Mets fans.
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1) Billy Wagner (CL)
Last week: No. 1 |
| Notes: Ho-hum. Wagner remains as dominant as ever, while no other Mets player performs at a level high enough to dethrone him. Fans should get an award for watching this team every day. |
2) Ryan Church (LF/CF/RF)
Last week: No. 2 |
| Notes: Church played well again last week, but didn't really have an "eye-opening" moment capable of pushing him over the top. That said, he and Wagner are the only two Mets playing up to, or beyond, their ability at this point. |
3) Johan Santana (SP)
Last week: No. 5 |
| Notes: Santana didn't earn a win last week, but was able to pitch slightly better than the league norm. For that very reason, we'll consider him the best of the worst (remaining). He earns the No. 3 spot. |
4) Jose Reyes (SS)
Last week: No. 7 |
| Notes: Reyes is on another hot streak, so enjoy it while it lasts. He'll go 2-for-20 next week and fall back to No. 7 ... or worse. Can you say overrated? I won't say that, but "Let's Talk Baseball" will. |
5) David Wright (3B)
Last week: No. 6 |
| Notes: How bad is New York's offense? Bad enough that a week batting .250 is good enough to get you ranked No. 5. On the bright side, Wright did showcase some power with two homers. |
6) Scott Schoeneweis (RP)
Last week: No. 8 |
| Notes: Schoeneweis only pitched 1.1 innings of no-run ball last week, but that's plenty to be listed among this group |
7) Pedro Feliciano (RP)
Last week: No. 9 |
| Notes: Like Schoeneweis, Feliciano didn't really do anything special last week. In fact, he had a WHIP of 1.50. Still, he didn't give up a run and that's good enough to make this Top-10. |
8) John Maine (SP)
Last week: NR |
| Notes: Maine actually looked decent last week and that will save him from any cruel jokes ... for now. But so help me, if he slips up next week, even a little bit, it's Maine-bashing time. |
9) Carlos Delgado (1B)
Last week: NR |
| Notes: You know things aren't going well when Delgado makes an appearance here. But after all, he did have one of his best weeks this season ... batting .250 with one HR and two RBI. |
10) Mets Fans (Couch)
Last week: N/A |
| Notes: I said Mets fans should get an award for their constant support of this team, and here it is. They creep onto the Top-10 for being able to put up with one of the most boring teams of all time. |
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New York Giants defensive end Michael Strahan made a guest appearance yesterday at the 134th running of the Kentucky Derby, but gave absolutely no indication on whether or not he would return this season.
"I have no idea," Strahan said, "that's the announcement. There are days I wake up and I want to play football, and there are days where I wake up and I don't want to play. Right now, there are probably more days where I don't want to play than I do."
It may be frustrating to think about the question marks Jerry Reese, Tom Coughlin & Co. will have face going into training camp, but at this point, Strahan deserves a break. After 15 long years of tireless service and 100 percent effort, he's earned the right to take as long as he needs to contemplate his future with the Giants and his future as a professional football player.
However, despite insisting that he has not made a decision yet, several of Strahan's teammates believe their emotional leader will be back for the 2008-09 campaign.
"Oh, no question. I think he’ll be a member," said Amani Toomer. "I think he loves that fact that he’s Michael Strahan. He loves that fact that he’s playing and doing the stuff that he loves to do. He loves hanging around with the guys. I think it is going to be a hard transition. But I think it is one of those thing that when you know you’re done it becomes a pretty easy decision and for him to be toiling over it I think that that says something right there."
Like Toomer, I fully expect Strahan to return for at least one more season. He had the time of his life last year, and the fact that the Giants are likely to be contenders again will be too much for him to pass up.
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Can the Yankees survive with a growing list of injured players? Will the Steinbrenner family allow the youngsters to work through their struggles? And will the fans' frustration eventually boil over? How do things happening behind-the-scenes and off-the-field impact the team?
At the start of each Yankees series, I'll be breaking down the External Factors that could distract or enhance the Yankees' play, potentially affecting the outcome of the games.
External Factor No. 1: Pressure to please the bosses.
 The Steinbrenners are known for doing whatever they can to help the team succeed, but they're also known for showing no patience during that process. The recent struggles of Phil Hughes (DL) and Ian Kennedy have to be weighing on them, and it's only a matter of time before they push the panic button.
I hate to be the one to point out the obvious, but it's not like Kennedy and Hughes have lived under a rock for the last 10 years. They're both well aware of the Steinbrenners' demand for excellence, and that could be a reason for their recent struggles.
You have to wonder how many other players are struggling because of the same pressure.
External Factor No. 2: Fan frustration reaching the boiling point.
In addition to the pressure put on by the royal family, Yankees fans make it increasingly difficult for players to focus. Like the Steinbrenners, they demand perfection.
Look no further than Discostud's April 30th rant on the MSG.com message board: I don't care about their record and how close they are to first place. This team is dreadful and absolutely boring to watch! I've had it! They are old and they NEVER hit when it counts. For a full month, they have made ordinary pitchers look unhittable. For a month, their prized young pitchers can't even pitch FOUR innings! They can't pitch and they can't hit! If Wang wasn't having a Cy Young-type year, this team would be five games under five hundred!
It's hard to make excuses for a team with a $210 million payroll, but the pressure of playing in New York is clearly weighing down on all of their shoulders.
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