The new Carl Pavano doesn't seem much different from the old Carl Pavano. He spent ten weeks in the off-season to strengthen his body and vowed that he would be different from the pitcher who has lost all credibility with his team, the fans, and the media by missing almost two seasons due to injury. So much for that. Less than a week into spring training he missed drills yesterday because of "heavy legs." Way to get in shape and tough it out Carl.
Courtesy of the NY Post.
Tim Hardaway in an effort to diffuse the furor over his remarks last week about John Amaechi:
"It was like, you know, I had killed somebody. ... I never knew that this was going to escalate that high."
Obviously he didn't; otherwise, he never would have gone on the public airwaves to denounce gays and say that he hated them. Setting aside the hatred and prejudice in those words - there's nothing for me to add to what's already been said - it's pretty naive to think you can slam a minority group and get away with it. How else do you think people would react? It's like saying, "I hate African-Americans" or "I hate Chinese people." People are going to react negatively to such blatant and hateful bigotry. Tim Hardaway should just shut up and crawl away to the same hovel that Jimmy the Greek, Al Campanis, and Mel Gibson had to crawl into after their own bigoted rants. If I never hear the words Tim Hardaway again, I'll be happy.
Picking up on a favorite pastime at Plum Crazy, I bring you Name That Tune. Snippets of song lyrics for your use in identifying the song title. Post subtle clues alluding to the title, nothing that will give it straight away.
Name this pup:
You saw me standing alone/Without a dream in my heart/Without a love of my own
Remember, don't blurt, be subtle, leave a clue.
Anyone out there still wondering why former NBA player John Amaechi never came out while he was still in the league? Turn to Tim "I Hate Gays" Hardaway and your confusion will be cleared up.
For various reasons, I have decided not to post at Plum Crazy anymore and instead post exclusively here on all stuff. Originally, this site was about the Yankees, but now it will be about whatever - politics, news, entertainment, diversions such as polls and quizzes, you name it. The name will stay the same, however, as I like it and am a huge Yankees fan. Next up is a redesign of the site and an attempt to establish a readership since no one outside the immediate family knows this site exists.
Yesterday's news was that Bernie Williams would accept a minor league contract and battle for a job in spring training. Last night, the Yankee legend threw cold water on that theory, meaning his days as a Yankee are over. I can't say that I blame Williams for rejecting the offer. It was an insult to an all-time team great who has been nothing but a class act during his entire tenure with the club. The end of his career here is a sad day.
Part of me doesn't fault the Yankees. Their mission is to put the best product on the field and to win. If they don't feel that a player is part of the equation, their prerogative is to move on and use players who they feel can contribute the most.
But Bernie Williams gave the Yankees so much during his 16-year tenure. He was a star performer for most of his career and a linchpin when they won four titles in five years. He is one of the teams legends, ranking high in the club's record books. More to the point is his class. Bernie played with a quiet, dignified air, never once acting the part of a star, even though he was one and had every right to. After all he has meant to the team and to New York, combined with the fact he can still play, he should be allowed to leave on his terms, when he is ready. The Yankees owe him more than a minor league contract and only the thread of a chance to make the team.
I can understand carrying twelve pitchers on the team, but I can't understand putting three first basemen on the roster at the expense of Bernie. The Yankees are choosing Josh Phelps, Andy Phillips, and Doug Mientkiewicz over him. Maybe Bernie deserves a shot at the right-handed component of the first base job. Neither Phelps nor Phillips are anything special. Nor, for that matter, is Mientkiewicz.
Last year, Bernie showed he can still be a productive player, more productive than Phillips. He helped keep the Yankees afloat when they were decimated by injuries. The Yankees could have and should have found a way to keep him on the team for one more year or even two if that's what Bernie wanted. There is also the practical matter that they really should carry five outfielders and give up one of the first basemen. All around it is a bad, heartless decision.
All I can hope for at this point is that Bernie retires. He should only be a Yankee. To seem him finishing his career in some other uniform would be sadly wrong. A retirement, no matter how forced, seems to be the best choice now that his time here is over.