Well guys, spring training is only a few weeks away, and after the particularly boring 2005 season, I've got high hopes for this year. Burning questions:
-Will Johnny Damon signing from the BoSox to the Yankees shift either team dramatically?
-Will the Houston Astros make it one step further in the playoffs and nab their first championship title?
-Will the Kansas City Royals improve from one of the worst performances in MLB history?
-Will negotiations for the current labor agreement, set to expire in December, progress accordingly, or will we see a ninth shortened season in just 35 years?
-Will the steroid scandal claim the reputations of more world-class players such as Bonds and Sosa?
At least one team is starting off on the right foot.
Quote:
Jurors reject Anaheim's claim in Angels name change dispute
By GILLIAN FLACCUS, Associated Press Writer
February 9, 2006
SANTA ANA, Calif. (AP) -- A jury ruled Thursday that the Angels did not breach a contract with the city of Anaheim when the baseball team changed its name.
Jurors rejected the city of Anaheim's argument that the baseball team violated a stadium lease and cost the city where it plays at least $100 million in revenue by changing the name last year from Anaheim Angels to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. The jury, which deliberated for a little more than four hours, also found the team did not violate a state law requiring good faith and fair dealing.
"I was trying to create something positive and more inclusive ... which we believed was our legal right to do," Angels owner Arte Moreno said. "Long term, we're going to have a healthier franchise that can compete."
Anaheim Mayor Curt Pringle was disappointed, adding the case was about more than just a name change. It was "to make sure the identity of our community, both in Orange County and in the city of Anaheim, was preserved," Pringle said.
The city sued the Angels for breach of contract in January last year, shortly after Moreno changed the name.
City officials said the change cost Anaheim at least $100 million in lost tourism, publicity and so-called "impressions" -- buzz the city gets each time its name appears in the national media in conjunction with a major league baseball team.
City officials also claimed The Walt Disney Co., which sold the franchise to Moreno in 2003, agreed to call the team the Anaheim Angels and signed a 1996 stadium lease agreement committing to that.
Although the lease language said only the name shall "include" the word Anaheim, the city said Disney promised to call the team the Anaheim Angels in exchange for concessions, including stadium repairs and the use of the stadium itself.
Moreno maintained that changing the name did not violate the contract because he kept Anaheim in it. He said he wanted to use Los Angeles to capitalize on the second-largest media market in the nation, adding the new name would attract more publicity, broadcasting contracts and sponsors.
Pringle said the city, which spent $2 million on legal fees, had not decided whether to appeal. The matter could be discussed at next week's City Council meeting.
The judge in the case could still decide to issue an injunction changing the team's name back to the Anaheim Angels. A hearing to discuss that possibility was scheduled for March 2.
Testimony during the monthlong trial included statements from former Disney executives and city officials who negotiated the 1996 stadium lease, sports marketing experts who testified as to the value of the team name for Anaheim, and Moreno, who took the stand on three different days.
The Angels began play in 1961 as the Los Angeles Angels, becoming the California Angels when the team moved from Los Angeles to Anaheim in 1966. The name was changed to the Anaheim Angels in 1997 after Disney bought the team from founding owner Gene Autry.
Well guys, spring training is only a few weeks away, and after the particularly boring 2005 season, I've got high hopes for this year. Burning questions:
-Will Johnny Damon signing from the BoSox to the Yankees shift either team dramatically?
-Will the Houston Astros make it one step further in the playoffs and nab their first championship title?
-Will the Kansas City Royals improve from one of the worst performances in MLB history?
-Will negotiations for the current labor agreement, set to expire in December, progress accordingly, or will we see a ninth shortened season in just 35 years?
-Will the steroid scandal claim the reputations of more world-class players such as Bonds and Sosa?
the yankees also shored up there bull bullpen in big ways adding kyle farnsworth and octavio dotel. adding damon as there leadoff guy is bigtime. damon then jeter 400 hits between the 2 them all the power after them. plus the n.y papers are reporting clemens interest in comeing back. they always have a worthy team can this be the year they make it back as champions? they sure look good on paper. best in the past 5 years.
Astros wont go anyplace without clemens.
But the most improved team on paper this season has to go to the BlueJays they did a great job of retooling there team. they should be a wildcard contender easily.
-Will Johnny Damon signing from the BoSox to the Yankees shift either team dramatically?
-Will the Houston Astros make it one step further in the playoffs and nab their first championship title?
-Will the Kansas City Royals improve from one of the worst performances in MLB history?
-Will negotiations for the current labor agreement, set to expire in December, progress accordingly, or will we see a ninth shortened season in just 35 years?
-Will the steroid scandal claim the reputations of more world-class players such as Bonds and Sosa?
Johnny Damon gives the Yankees a true leadoff hitter something they haven't exactly enjoyed over the last few years with Kenny Lofton and Tony Womack. He will be a valuable commodity for the Yankees. What the Red Sox lose is one of their leaders and even though Coco Crisp is a solid CF he isn't Johnny Damon! The Houston Astros didn't really improve their team in the off-season. Without Clemons they still have a solid rotation with Oswalt, Backe and Pettite, but will that offense still be there? St. Louis remains the favorite in that division while the Cubs have made improvements and one can't discount the up and coming Milwaukee Brewers. The Astros won't be as good this year. The Royals will be better than last year, but not that much better. Their nearest rival the Detroit Tigers are still a much better team. KC fans better prepare for a 100 loss season or close to it. It is in baseball's best interests to avoid a strike and they know that. The damage caused by the 1994 strike is still affecting baseball somewhat. The steroid scandal is definitely going to affect Bonds and Sosa's reputations, but a further investigation of their involvement would really determine how bad it is.
I'm exciting for this season! The Blue Jays added A.J Burnett, B.J Ryan, Lyle Overbay, Troy Glaus and Bengie Molina to their already talented lineup. I hope that the Jays can contend for a wild card spot this season. The Red Sox still have some questions with their rotation and how healthy guys like Schilling and Wells will be and they have questions at SS and the Manny saga continues. The Jays could very well past the Red Sox in the standings.
I agree, the Jays do look pretty strong this year, they certainly spent alot of money to get where they are. They lost a wild card because they didn't have the right guys on the mound; Burnett and Ryan should be a great combo.
A team that I think will have a great season is the Washington Nationals. I was really impressed with their play before they choked in September. They didn't have star power or big budgets yet for a time looked like they could've unseated the Braves in NL East. Robinson is my pick for best coach in the league (I wrote a letter of outrage to ESPN when they didn't pick his 40-second stare-down as the greatest sports moment of 2005) and if Sosa accepts the Nats offer, they'll make waves.
I agree, the Jays do look pretty strong this year, they certainly spent alot of money to get where they are. They lost a wild card because they didn't have the right guys on the mound; Burnett and Ryan should be a great combo.
A team that I think will have a great season is the Washington Nationals. I was really impressed with their play before they choked in September. They didn't have star power or big budgets yet for a time looked like they could've unseated the Braves in NL East. Robinson is my pick for best coach in the league (I wrote a letter of outrage to ESPN when they didn't pick his 40-second stare-down as the greatest sports moment of 2005) and if Sosa accepts the Nats offer, they'll make waves.
The nationals added soriano's bat and speed durring the offseason. he is well known for bigtime hits.
The nationals added soriano's bat and speed durring the offseason. he is well known for bigtime hits.
I still think there in a little over their heads in that division. The Mets made significant improvements as everybody knows, however there is still questions with their pitching rotation behind Pedro. The Braves still look to be the favorites to me, I mean I discredit them every year and they win. Their pitching rotation is still strong and they have a good mix of youth and veterans in their starting lineup.
Schmidt trying to bounce back from injuries
February 16, 2006
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) -- The San Francisco Giants exercised their $10.5 million option on right-hander Jason Schmidt, hopeful the injuries that limited him to reduced velocity and 12 victories last year are gone.
Schmidt, 89-40 in four-plus seasons with the Giants, hopes so, too. He stepped up his winter workout regimen in preparation for a fresh start, but offered no guarantee he would be the hard thrower of old.
"I was pitching 80 percent, and that's not easy to do," he said. "We'll get out there and see if it's back. If it's not, I'm in better shape now to deal with things. Mentally, I've already dealt with it once. We all have stuff we go through."
Schmidt wants to avoid another slow start, one which produced a 6-5 record and a 5.01 ERA at the All-Star break. General manager Brian Sabean also wants to see improvement.
"The more you see of the old Jason Schmidt, the more you want to sign him," Sabean said when asked about the pitcher's future with the club. "We need him to get through 200 innings."
Because of injuries, Schmidt worked 172 innings in 29 starts last year. But he learned to pitch effectively with less velocity and went 6-2 after the break to finish 12-7 with a 4.40 ERA. Then the Giants decided against a $3.5 million buyout.
"I thought it was a 50-50 thing," Schmidt said about returning to the Giants. "I have mixed emotions about it. I'm going back to a familiar team. I never said I didn't want to be here. It's just it would have been a good time to be a free agent."
Now, Schmidt will be pitching for a contract again and is eager to avoid the frustrations that accompanied his worst season with the Giants after he won an ERA title in 2003 (2.34) and went 18-7 in 2004.
"It was one of those years," he said of 2005. "The first one or two starts were the only ones where I felt normal. You're coming out of the All-Star break and you're trying to save face till the end and wait for the next season to come.
"You realize things aren't going your way for whatever reason. A mental break is what I needed more than anything. I beat myself up, and there was a lot of other stuff going on. I just needed to get away from it. I got beyond frustrated."
Manager Felipe Alou hasn't lost faith in his ace.
"Expectations are high," he said. "The key is keeping him healthy. He can be dominant without blowing people away with 96-97 mph fastballs. He's in a transition period now, becoming more of a pitcher."
More excuses from another Giants choke artist. Makes me feel all warm inside that they're throwing ten million down another hole.
Nevertheless they are among the favorites to win that division. Schmidt was a good pitcher before all his injuries and if he his healthy he forms a good 1-2 punch with Matt Morris.
Bonds backs off retirement talk after earlier report
February 20, 2006
Barry Bonds might retire after this season. Or, maybe not.
The San Francisco slugger gave differing accounts this weekend, first saying this year would be his last -- no matter whether he hits the 48 home runs he needs to break Hank Aaron's record.
Then Sunday night, he said he would play in 2007 if his surgically repaired knee is OK.
In a story posted on USA Today's Web site Sunday afternoon, Bonds said the game isn't fun anymore.
"I'm tired of all of the crap going on," he was quoted. "I want to play this year out, hopefully win, and once the season is over, go home and be with my family. Maybe then everybody can just forget about me."
A few hours later, MLB.com reported Bonds said his health will determine how long he plays.
"If my knee holds up, I'll keep on going," he said. "I'm playing psychological games with myself right now. I don't want to set myself up for disappointment if things don't work out this season. So I go back and forth. Back and forth every day. These are the things that are going through my mind. This is what I'm struggling with."
Bonds can be moody and sometimes changes his mind. In May 2004, he told reporters in New York that, "Half the stuff I say, I don't believe."
Bonds turns 42 on July 24. He said he plans to report Tuesday to spring training in Scottsdale, Ariz.
The All-Star left fielder was limited to 14 games last year following three knee operations. He has 708 homers, trailing only Babe Ruth (714) and Aaron (755).
"Breaking these records aren't a big thing to me," he told USA Today. "It's a great honor to pass Ruth, but it means more to baseball than it does to me. History is good for every sport, and I'm creating great interest for the game."
Bonds told MLB.com that his conversation with USA Today was just indicative of his state of mind at that particular moment.
The Giants said they would not comment on the newspaper report until they heard from Bonds directly. Giants manager Felipe Alou, speaking before the USA Today story was posted, said he was looking forward to Bonds' arrival.
"I think everybody wants to see him," Alou said. "I haven't seen him since October, but we've talked on the phone. There's no urgency to talk except for the normal welcoming. There's a lot of time to discuss things."
Bonds' agent, Jeff Borris, wouldn't say whether Bonds has discussed retirement with him.
"I'd rather those conversations between Barry and myself remain private," Borris told The Associated Press on Sunday.
Bonds has twice hit more than 48 homers in a season. He hit a record 73 in 2001 and 49 the year before.
Bonds' accomplishments, however, have come under scrutiny.
He testified in 2003 before a federal grand jury investigating illegal steroids distribution. The San Francisco Chronicle reported in December 2004 that Bonds testified he used a clear substance and a cream given to him by a trainer, but said he didn't know they were steroids.
Greg Anderson, the slugger's personal trainer, pleaded guilty last July to steroid distribution and money laundering, and in October was sentenced to three months in prison and three months in home confinement.
"I'm clean, I've always been clean," Bonds said in the newspaper report.
He added: "Right now, I'm telling you, I don't even want to play next year. Baseball is a fun sport. But I'm not having fun. I love the game of baseball itself, but I don't like what it's turned out to be. I'm not mad at anybody. It's just that right now I am not proud to be a baseball player."
Bonds didn't play until Sept. 12 last year because he was recovering from the knee operations. He hit five homers in 42 at-bats.
Bonds told the newspaper he is taking pain pills and sleeping pills.
"I don't have a choice. I can't even run that much anymore. How can I run? I don't have any cartilage in that knee. I'm bone on bone," he said. "But I can still hit. I can rake. I can hit a baseball."
Bonds was more positive about his health in the MLB.com report, raving about a new knee brace.
"Right now, I feel like I can play for another five years, another 10 years," he said. "It's given me a new lease on life. That's how I'm feeling today. I'm ready to get going."
Steinbrenner predicts World Series win
February 22, 2006
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) -- George Steinbrenner is predicting the New York Yankees' five-year World Series drought will end this October.
"We're going to win it this year," the Yankees owner said Wednesday. "We're going after it."
The Yankees haven't won the World Series since beating the New York Mets in 2000. They lost to Arizona in 2001 and to Florida in 2003, were eliminated by the Angels in the first round of the playoffs in 2002 and 2005, and wasted a three-game lead against Boston in the 2004 AL championship series.
Steinbrenner had kept a lower profile in recent years, but has been present daily at Legends Field since the start of spring training last week.
"You guys want to talk to me," he said.
Steinbrenner walked into the manager's office while Joe Torre was talking with reporters. When a reporter asked, "Who is the best owner in the majors?" Torre pointed at Steinbrenner.
"Who's the best manager in the majors?" Steinbrenner then said, before pointing to Torre.
Steinbrenner then sat down on a sofa and listened to the rest of Torre's daily media session.
"I can't do much to teach him anything, but I'm just there so he knows he's got my support," Steinbrenner later said.
Torre addressed the team during a one-hour meeting prior to the first full-squad workout. The expectation of winning the World Series was the key topic.
"You can't camouflage it," Torre said. "You hope in entertaining people that you obtain your goal. But they do know that there's pressure. You don't try to ignore the fact that there is pressure. You just understand that's part of what you do."
Center fielder Johnny Damon, the highest-profile acquisition during the offseason, worked out with his new teammates for the first time.
"He's a great player," Steinbrenner said.
The former Boston Red Sox star, who was given a $52 million, four-year contract, pointed his bat skyward after fans chanted "Johnny" when he walked onto the field.
"I thought the first day was awesome," Damon said. "It's great to see a lot of the fans accept me as being a Yankee. You feel proud because you know what you've done over your career and you know what your reputation is, and they know what I can bring to New York."
Damon hit .316 for Boston last season with 117 runs, 10 homers, 75 RBIs and 18 steals.
"My time in Boston was great," Damon said. "But now I'm here playing for the greatest franchise in the world. The team with the most championships."
Damon is reunited with former Oakland teammate Jason Giambi -- who has an adjacent locker. Damon came up from behind and gave Giambi a hug in the clubhouse.
"Everybody sees Johnny Damon for long hair and the beard, but he's a great, great teammate," Giambi said. "He's fun to play with. He'll be fun for this team. I think they'll really enjoy having Johnny around."
Giambi doesn't foresee Damon having any transition problems.
"I think it's going to be a little bit easier for Johnny," Giambi said. "He's coming over from Boston. I think he has already been through it. He's not going to have the deer in the headlights (look), where I came over from Oakland and the media outweighs the players."
Giambi says he is feeling the best he has in years and again expressed his desire to play mostly at first base this season.
"When I DH, my numbers are terrible," he said. "I don't know what it is. If they want me to be that player and do the things I did at the end of the year last year ... drive in the runs and hitting big homers ... that's kind of the way to go."
2006 MLB Thread
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