Elijah Dukes

Elijah Dukes is at it again. Our two loyal readers may recall that Dukes and his troublemaking ways were discussed a few days ago. Here's the article from Baseball America.

http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/prospects/news/261735.html

More red cards

I missed the first two minutes of the second half, and apparently they found another spy on the US team, because another ridiculous red card was handed to a US player. This is clearly WIC.

Yankees-Nats

With the soccer game at halftime, I flipped over to watch the un-contracted Yankees take on the Nats.

TJ Beam, a 25 year old career minor leaguer was just stepping to the mound to make his debut. Of course this gave resident Fox jackasses Joe Buck and Tim McCarver time to discuss his name, nickname, its origins, Derek Jeter's number being retired, TJ Beam's number being retired, and other assorted idiocy. Someone needs to switch McCarver off whatever red hair dye product he insists on using, because it continues to fry his brain.

Ope, here's the requisite 'Homegrown Talent' graphic for the Yankees. 29 yr old Andy Phillips and his .264 batting average make an appearance. Now, I'll give you Melky Cabrera, he looks like he has some skill, but if they keep insisting on tossing Phillips in there, its a little ridiculous. The Phillies just called up a 33 year old catcher to make his debut last week, I wonder if he'd make their 'Homegrown Talent' graphic.

Hopefully they'll cut to the studio soon, so we can hear some mindless drivel from Kevin Kennedy and some anecdotal stories about him managing the Rangers into the ground. Ok, I just checked his stats, and I may need to take that back. He managed the Rangers in strike shortened 1994 to a 52-62 first place finish. Thats not a typo. This guy is a genius.

Oh geez, McCarver just announced that TJ Beam tried on a batting helmet for the first time his life. Don't most leagues have the pitchers hit in the minors?

10 on 10

Some dude on the US team named Mastroeni, just received a red card after the officials determined he was actually an Italian pretending to play for the US team. That has to be the reason, because there appeared to be no reason to kick him out of the game.

#15 on the US is pretty good. He appears to be quite athletic. This must be the aforementioned 'athleticism.' I think Landon Donavan is either taking a nap or adjusting his wig.

GOAL!

Wow, just when it looked like it was back to the drawing board, after four years of progress, the US picks up a score on an own-goal by Italy, and gets a new lease on life.

Followed immediately by a red card for an Italian. Now, I don't know the rules, but I believe it now goes to 11 on 10 for the rest of the game. Big advantage for the US, and huge momentum swing in the last two minutes. They just showed a replay. Very dirty play, McBride's face got bloodied by an elbow.

Missed opportunities early

Some dude just pulled an A-Rod, missing a wide open opportunity on a crossing pass on the left side of the goal.

Meanwhile, the real A-Rod has homered today. With the addition of renowned Yankees fan 'Muffin Man' to the board, I'd like to pose the following question. 'Should the Yankees trade A-Rod?' Not 'can' or 'will', but should they.

US just missed a goal by about three feet. They look pretty good so far, much better than the first half against the Czechs.

Opening thoughts

Uh oh, this may turn into a live blogging event, that will be read by 3 people.

Pretty cool to hear probably close to 50,000 people at the game singing the national anthem.

Whose this Marcela Balboa guy? Didn't he play the gigolo in Deuce Bigelow 1? Ha, the fact that I have to put a '1' after that is flat out ridiculous.

Slow start to the game. I don't know anything about soccer, but from what I have heard other people say the team needs to use their 'athleticism' and 'speed' to create some scoring opportunities. I use quotes because the US team doesn't look any more athletic or faster than these other guys.

YELLOW CARD! Not sure why, but this is good for the US I think. "very promising" development was the commentator's quote.

USA - Italy

Just tuned into the soccer game. WTF!? Ghana beat the Czech Republic?? Now, the US needs to at least tie this game, and then beat Ghana by like 8 goals. Or, they can just beat Italy, like they are capable of.

Interleague Play

Kicks off again tonight. Looking at the schedule, the Mets draw the AL East. I'm a little confused as to how they miss a three game set with the D-Rays, to play the Yankees again. Doesn't exactly seem fair. (I'm guessing the Yankees miss out on the Marlins too.) But, who can complain when you're up 9.5 in your division.

Speaking of the Devil Rays, not sure what they're doing looking to trade Carl Crawford. The Angels (Ervin Santana) and Rockies (a bunch of overrated AAA prospects) are interested. Why trade a proven commodity like Crawford who is signed relatively inexpensively (~$5m per) for the next two years, when you can move some of the overload of AAA OF prospects? No one talks about Elijah Dukes, but he may be as good as Delmon Young. BJ Upton's future is probably in the outfield too.

Crawford may be one of the most explosive and dynamic outfielders in baseball right now. I understand the Devil Rays are desparate for some front line pitching, but I think they could still get young guys on a par with Santana using some other trade bait. (Such as the long rumoured deal last winter with Joey Gathright going to Florida for Scott Olsen.)

Speaking of Dukes, he is absolutely crazy from what I've read. Between him and Delmon and Crazy Dmitri (anyone find him yet?), I would not start a bar fight with the Durham Bulls. Might be fun to watch though.

Peter Gammons has a CD coming out next month. Arroyo, Papelbon and some other Red Sox players appear on it. Good thing the media is maintaining objectivity. I guess Bernie Williams was too busy to join in on the fun.

Who can work at a time like this?

The Mets are threatening to post their 8th straight victory, as they put a beatdown on Cory Lidle and the Phillies, up 4-1 early. Of course, the good feelings are wrecked by Met-killer Pat Burrell. Hopefully he'll head over to the AL soon to torture the Yankees.

In other news, Kris Benson gets the start on Saturday at Shea against Pedro. That should be a good time. I'm sure his wife is keeping busy posting on her blog (what a loser), about how dumb the Mets were to get rid of him. Fortunately she has some more redeeming qualities. (Poor Kris Benson, he can't even get mentioned on Sportscenter without his wife coming up.)

Update: 4-2. Trachsel is going to do his best to piss this lead away today.

Welcome Update

Sorry, that last post was incomplete. Mrs. Crosby just sent an angry email, so I'd like to include Bubba in the 'youth movement' as well.

One of the idiots on YES was talking about what a fantastic trade the Yankees made a few years ago, dumping Ventura to get Crosby and Scott Proctor. I don't even know where to begin to address that.

Welcome

'Contract the Yankees' will kick off in the next few days.

As you may have been able to guess, this blog will be run by Mets fans, however this blog will deal with all things sports - baseball, football, college basketball, etc.

And really, no one wants the Yankees contracted. They're good for baseball. Nothing better than watching their current 'youth movement.' Lots of 29 year old 'prospects' contributing for the Yankees right now. I'm looking at you Andy Phillips.

Mets Magic Number : 90