First Time Ever: Mets, Yankees Meeting In New Stadium

The first Subway Series in 2009 kicks off in the Bronx this weekend. The Mets will have a chance to prove that the new Yankee stadium IS definitely major league baseball's premier homerun paradise.

So far in 2009, 105 homers have been hit in 29 games in the Yankees new ballpark. If the pace continues almost 300 homers will be hit over the regular season, more than 140 homers more than were hit in the old stadium last year. The record number of homers in a season, 303, was set in the Colorado Rockies Coors Field in 1999.

Back in Queens only 47 homers have been hit, a rate that would lead to season total of 136.

The Mets have been homerun challenged at home in 2009 with just 21 hit. They rank 28th in the majors with a total of 37, only Pittsburgh (33) and San Francisco (31) have less.

The Subway Series will certainly have the fans and players on the edge of their seat but its the Yankees front office who will be biting their nails as they wait for the attendance figures. The Yankees have failed to sell-out any of their home games in the new bandbox.

Joba Chamberlain (3-1) starts Friday night for the Yankees against Livan Hernandez (5-1), Andy Pettitte (6-2) goes Saturday against John Maine (5-4) and A.J. Burnett (4-3) follows Sunday against Johan Santana (8-3).

The Subway Series will be especially important to the Mets as they struggle with baserunning blunders, untimely hitting and shabby defense. A sweep by the Yankees could land the Mets 4 games out of first with the Braves and Marlins on their tails in the NL East.

Playing at Yankee Stadium may give the Mets a chance to see what it's like to hit homeruns, like their division rivals - the Philadelphia Phillies.

10 Reasons Why Great Baseball Teams Win On The Road

Being able to win games on the road is what separates the good baseball teams from the champions. In a sport where the regular season consists of 162 games, with half of them played away, it is essential to win on the road.

Many may argue that the physical talent of a team is what makes a great baseball team regardless of home or away games, I disagree. Obviously you need the talent to compete, but without having team chemistry, good coaching, leadership, confidence and a little luck, teams don't stand a chance. Here are the top 10 attributes that make a great baseball team win on the road.

1. Team Chemistry
There are many cases of teams having the best talent on paper that have fallen short of reaching their goals. Why? Lack of team chemistry. Team chemistry is especially important on a long road trip when the mental and physical pressures can lead to infighting, confrontations and sheer exhaustion.

Don't forget that personal egos and Personnel changes can also have a devastating effect on the team chemistry of a major league baseball team.

2. Coaching
The important of great coaching is not in the strategy but how the players are handled. Managers need to handle players differently some need caressing, others a pep talk and others need a good kick in the butt.

Great coaches are able to shield their players from the media and give their stars rests on the road without conceding a win.

3. Leadership
Leadership on a ballclub is often overlooked as a reason for a team's success. Having a veteran player keeping things tight can make all the difference in the world - especially on the road.

4. Conditioning
It's a long season and it's important to stay in shape to prevent injuries. Players on the DL adversely effect team synergy. Something could be said about the 2009 New York Mets and the number of players on the DL -and it's only June 10!

5. Confidence
Having the confidence and belief in oneself, especially in a different ballpark, in front of booing fans, makes a winner - period!

6. Road Schedule
The road schedule for a team can be critical to a team's success. Rainouts sometimes put a wrinkle in the schedule - a team may have to travel on what was originally an off-day to make up for the rainout. The great teams will take care of business and come home with a win.

7. Preventing That Mental Block
It has happened countless times - The Chicago Cubs in 1969, the NY Mets in 2007 and 2008 - mental blocks, bad karma, baseball voodoo - that prevents a team from finishing what they started. When this happens it seems to perpetuate from year to year.

8. Dedication
Sure most baseball players are dedicated. It seems that the players on the great teams work a little harder and more as a cohesive unit.

9. Baseball Mentality
Baseball is a mental game. The great teams tend to be able to excel under the heavy mental pressures of the day-in, day-out grid of the game. Maybe it's because they feel comfortable with each other, can express themselves, have fun and keep it real.

10. Sheer Good Luck
Call it what you want but it seems that teams with confidence and positive thinking get the better bounces, better calls and often just get plain lucky!

The bottom line is that to be a great baseball team you must win on the road and having the best talent just won't do it for you!

Joe Says "No" To Manny Playing In The All-Star Game

Suspended LA Dodger Manny Ramirez should skip the 2009 Major League All-Star if he voted in by fans, Dodger manager Joe Torre said.

When asked if Manny should play in the July 14th spectacular Joe Torre said "No". "I think if you asked Manny, he'd give you the same answer."

Manny Ramirez is currently serving a 50-game suspension for violating baseball's drug policy but is currently fourth among outfielders in the All-Star voting. Ramirez has received over 450,000 votes and is about 35,000 votes behing Mets' Carlos Beltran for the third starting spot for the game in St. Louis on July 14.

Ramirez hit .348 with six home runs and 20 RBIs in 27 games before he was suspended May 7. He is set to return to the Dodgers on July 3.

"To me, I think the significance of the All-Star Game is to reward players who have a good first half," Torre said. "We don't always do that, because it's a popularity vote, for the most part. If you want to include the fans, that's how it's got to be."

First of all the voting of Major League Baseball All Stars needs to be taken out of the hands of the fans to remove the favoritism and popularity vote. Gvie it back to the coaches and players to decide.

And even more important, MLB must act, and act now - to prohibit any player, suspended in the second half of the previous season or first half of the current season, from participating in the All-Star Game - no exceptions! Otherwise, what kind of message is MLB sending?

Ways To Make Attending A 2009 MLB Game Affordable

The economic climate in America has everyone worried. In times like this, entertainment is the first thing that families will cut in order to save money. So what kind of attendance can Major League Baseball expect in the 2009 Major League Baseball season?

MLB is confronted with two major issues as we approach the 2009 MLB season. A bad economy and the "steroids in baseball" issue raising its ugly head again. But realistically, regardless of the steroids issue, families are just not going to come out to the ballpark like they have in previous years.

If you do plan on attending a major league baseball game in 2009, here are a few tips for doing it cheaply:

1. Check out your teams web page and search for discount ticket days. Most teams run some type of family day, half price ticket day, reduced hot dog day, anything. Search the promotion section and plan your day at the park around one of these days. The first way to save money is by taking advantage of lower tickets.

2. Bring your own snacks because food at ballparks can be very expensive. If you can eliminate the cost of food, your overall cost can be reduced by a large percentage. Check your team's website to see what the rules are for bringing in food to the stadium. You may want to bring some sandwiches and eat them in the parking lot before the game - make it a tailgating episode.
3. Parking is another large cost. For most ballparks there is parking very near the stadium, but you will pay for it. If you have young kids, it might be worth paying the price, but if your kids are older find an alternative. The further away you go from the stadium the cheaper. One option is to park in a parking garage away from the stadium and hop a bus. Or take public transportation from your home, eliminating parking cost altogether.

4. Limit the number of souvenirs you purchase. If your kids want a jersey, buy that prior to the game. Convince them this way they can wear it to the game. Also, if you know months in advance you are going to the game, have your kids earn money by doing chores. This money then can be used for any purchases they may want. This will limit the amount spent and make them feel proud of their purchase and accomplishment.

5. Limit the number of alcoholic beverages. At $7 - $10, beer is probably the bigger cost at the game.

6. One of the best ways to make a major league game affordable is to see the minor league affiliates. Prices for tickets can be had for as little as $10 for a really good seat. And the minor league baseball parks cater to the family. They will stage events that entertain the kids and the mascots are always interacting with the crowd. If you go early enough, the players are more than happy to sign autographs for the kids. And there is always a minor league ball club close to home.

So even though it is a tough year economically, you can still enjoy the national past time. To make it even more fun for you and the kids keep score at the baseball game - the memories of that day will be priceless.

source: ehow.com, howtoscorebaseball.info, bestbaseballebooks.com

Holy Sheets! Deal With Rangers Called Off Due To Bad Wing

Ben Sheets, the free agent who signed a two year deal with the Texas Rangers, pending a physical, may need to find another job. It seems that Mr. Sheets, who pitched for the Milwaukee Brewers in 2008, may need surgery to repair the torn flexor tendon in his elbow.

Now Ben's agent wants his former team to pay for the procedure since he injured it late in September 2008 while leading the Brewers to the playoffs. Major League Baseball officials have also been brought into the discussion on who pays for the surgery.

"We're working our way through all of the details and we don't know the answer yet," Ash said. "Major League Baseball has regulations related to workers comp and there are procedures and protocols that have to be respected. We're working our way through those so I can't give you much insight other than that."

The Texas Rangers backed away from the deal with after it was determined that Sheets had a torn flexor tendon that might require surgery.

If the Rangers want to gamble, they could still sign him and hope that he'll return to form after possible surgery and rehabilitation.

"We've maintained contact but I'm not optimistic at this point," general manager Jon Daniels said Thursday morning.

Daniels declined to discuss Sheets' physical and health situations.

Sheets is a free agent who declined an arbitration offer from Milwaukee on Dec. 8, but he was injured while a Brewers employee. He worked much of the second half of the 2008 season with elbow pain and was left off Milwaukee's postseason roster, then revealed to reporters that he had torn the flexor tendon near his right elbow.

At the time, according to Brewers General Manager Gord Ash, the medical prognosis was that, "with rest and exercise and rehab, he should be fine."

Asked if there was any talk of surgery at that time, Ash replied simply, "None."

The Brewers, fully aware of his injury, felt comfortable enough to offer arbritration to Sheets. If he had agreed, it was almost certain he would have gotten more than the $11 million he got in 2008.

Sheets decided to roll the dice and entered the free agency market knowing that teams were interested, especially the Yankees. But the Yankees signed A.J. Burnett and re-signed Andy Pettitt and the Rangers emerged as Ben's suitor.

Sheets has a history of arm injuries going back to 2005 when he tore his right lat (upper back) muscle. He has been on the disable list 6 times since then and all seem to be related to the lat muscle tear in 2005.

Ash was not sure when the debate about possible surgery would be settled.

"When you're dealing with multiple parties, it always takes a little longer than you hoped," Ash said. "We're working our way through it."

Torre's "Yankee Years" Swings At Rodriguez, Cashman and the Yankees

Joe Torre, the manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers takes some harsh swings at Alex Rodriguez, Brian Cashman and the Yankees in a book due out early next month.
The "Yankee Years" reveals that Alex Rodriguez was called "A-friend" by his teammates and that Alex developed an obsession with shortstop Derek Jeter. Torre, coached the Yankees from 1996 to 2007, says he was betrayed by Brian Cashman, the Yankees longtime General Manager.
Torre's book is co-authored by Sports Illustrated's Tom Verducci. It is due out on February 3, 2009 and is being published by Doubleday. The book is not a first-person account, but instead is written in a third-person narrative based on interviews with Yankees players, coaches and employees.
Torre, who was loved by the Yankees fans, took the Yankees to 4 World Series titles between 1996 and 2000. But in 2007 he was offered a one-year contract with a significant paycut after George Steinbrenner handed control of the team to his son Hank.
According to Verducci. "the book really needs to be read in context", "...Anybody who know Joe, especially during his time in New York, knows he's a very honest man and he is very honest in the pages of this book".
Joe Torre will go down in Yankee lore as one the most successful and the most popular Yankee manager in New York Yankee history.

Jeff Kent Turns Back To Clark Kent

After 17 years in the big leagues, Jeff Kent is calling it quits on major league baseball. Jeff's decision to leave the game is due to him missing out on his kids childhood, traveling from town to town and the "baggage" that goes along with it.
Jeff's teary-eyed farewell is in stark contrast to the gruff public demeanor Kent maintained for years.
"I don't get how you can go up to an opposing starting pitcher, give him a hug and say, `How you doing?' and then go out there and try to hit a gapper," Kent said. "I tried to separate the emotions from the game.
"If you allow yourself as a player to get emotionally involved in every little thing that happens, I don't think you can stay as consistent as you ought to in this game. I wanted other people to perceive me as a guy who was level emotionally."
But that facade came undone during a farewell news conference at Dodger Stadium, especially when Kent looked over at his wife, Dana, daughter Lauren, and three young sons. His 12-year-old daughter wiped her eyes at times.
"We're glad to see him home," Dana Kent said.
At 40, Kent realized his future as a middle infielder was in jeopardy. The Dodgers reportedly offered him another year but it was not a factor in his decision.
Kent leaves as the career home run leader among second basemen with 351 — 74 more than Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg. A five-time All-Star and the 2000 NL MVP, Kent made his only World Series appearance with San Francisco in 2002, when the Giants lost to the Anaheim Angels in seven games.
"Being a Game 7 loser is the worst feeling that I've ever had as an athlete, but the participation in those games and being able to play alongside my teammates have put to peace any resentment of not being a World Series winner," he said. "I'm OK with it."
Kent had a .290 career batting average with 377 homers, 1,518 RBIs and a .500 slugging percentage. He was drafted by Toronto in 1989 and also played for the New York Mets, Cleveland, San Francisco and Houston.
"Half of my playing career I was able to get on a team and then make the playoffs, and what a special feeling that is to be part of," he said. "The reasons why I was able to do such things is because of my teammates."
Kent's famous intensity led to clashes with teammates, including Barry Bonds when they played with the Giants from 1997-2002, and the two once scuffled in the dugout for all to see. In 2005, Kent tangled with then-Dodgers teammate Milton Bradley, who claimed Kent couldn't deal with black players.
"Those two guys were teammates of mine and we won," Kent said. "I had run-ins with other teammates. Was it me having a run-in with those guys or them having a run-in with me? It doesn't matter, we were all teammates."
Kent criticized players who used performance-enhancing drugs while endorsing improved testing.
"The integrity of the game has been jeopardized for so many years and I'm just so embarrassed about the steroid era," he said.
Kent thinks the sport has made great strides against steroids.
"Baseball has created a drug policy that is on the right path, that has brought the game to a better level playing field than it ever was," he said.
Kent said he applied a motto to his career that his police officer father taught him: If you're going to do a job, do it right.
Jeff had some tips for kids who have dreams of playing in the big league one day. You don't have to be the biggest guy, or the fastest guy or the smartest guy to make it!
Kent hit .253 during the first half of last season, improved to .353 in August, then injured his knee on Aug. 29 and had surgery four days later. He returned to make the postseason roster, but was relegated to a bench role. He went a combined 0-for-9 with four strikeouts during the two playoff series and became a free agent in November.
He said he walks away with no regrets.
"I believe I've played this game right and I believe I'm leaving this game right," he said.

MLB 2009 World Series Favorite Early Odds

The 2009 Major League Baseall season has yet to begin and the trades and free agents signing aren't even complete, but the early 2009 World Series Championship odds have been established.
The pre-season favorites to win the World Series Championship are; from the American League, the Los Angeles Angels (7 to 1) and Boston Red Sox (9 1/2 to 1).
In the National League, it's the Chicago Cubs (7 to 1) and the New York Mets (10 to 1).

Longshots include Balitmore Orioles, Cincinnati Reds, Cleveland Indians, Kansas City Royals, Pittsburgh Pirates, San Diego Padres and Seattle Mariners - all at 100 to 1.

Here is the pre-season 2009 MLB World Series odds:

Team	Odds
Arizona DIAMONDBACKS	20 to 1
Atlanta BRAVES	40 to 1
Baltimore ORIOLES	100 to 1
Boston RED SOX	9 1/2 to 1
Chicago CUBS	7 to 1
Chicago WHITE SOX	22 to 1
Cincinnati REDS	100 to 1
Cleveland INDIANS	100 to 1
Colorado ROCKIES	40 to 1
Detroit TIGERS	20 to 1
Florida MARLINS	35 to 1
Houston ASTROS	35 to 1
Kansas City ROYALS	100 to 1
Los Angels ANGELS	7 to 1
Los Angeles DODGERS	20 to 1
Milwaukee BREWERS	35 to 1
Minnesota TWINS	30 to 1
New York METS	10 to 1
New York YANKEES	30 to 1
Oakland ATHLETICS	44 to 1
Philadelphia PHILLIES	13 to 1
Pittsburgh PIRATES	100 to 1
San Diego PADRES	100 to 1
San Francisco GIANTS	50 to 1
Seattle MARINERS	100 to 1
St. Louis CARDINALS	20 to 1
Tampa Bay RAYS	12 to 1
Texas RANGERS	50 to 1
Toronto BLUE JAYS	40 to 1
Washington NATIONALS	10 to 1

2009 World Baseball Classic: Who Is The Favorite?

The opening round of the World Baseball Classic will take place from March 5 to March 12. The tournament consists of two double elimination rounds followed by a single elimination Semi-Final and a single-elimination Championship round. All of the World Baseball Classic games will be played in California.

Who are the favorites to win the World Baseball Classic in 2009?

Once again, the Japanese national team is the early favorite. However, one of its top pitchers from 2006, Koji Uehara, is not on the provisional roster after just signing with the Baltimore Orioles. The Dominican Republic team is very much at the top, the United States should be much improved, Venezuela is always tough and Cuba can never be discounted.

What are other teams to watch out for?

Korea is the first team that comes to mind, especially since they beat the Cubans at the Summer Games and finished third in the 2006 World Basebal Classic. Hey, Puerto Rico is going to be super tough, considering that the following MLB stars are expected to play for them: Carlos Beltran, Carlos Delgado, Alex Rios, Yadier Molina, Mike Lowell, Bengie Molina, Geovany Soto and retired Yankee Bernie Williams.

Just south of the border, Mexico will also be in the mix, with veterans Oliver Perez, Elmer Dessens and Rodrigo Lopez as impressive starting pitchers. They will be joined by newcomers Matt Garza and Jorge Campillo along with bullpen stud Joakim Soria.

Team USA will have some outstanding talent and will be lead by manager Davey Johnson. Some familiar names include infielders Derek Jeter of the Yankees, Derrek Lee of the Chicago Cubs, Atlanta's Chipper Jones and Boston Red Sox's Dustin Pedroia and Kevin Youkalis. Some of the big name pitchers expected to play include the Angels' John Lackey, the Padres' Jake Peavy and Houston's Roy Oswalt.

The starting lineup could include: Derrek Lee or Kevin Youkilis at first base, Pedroia and Cleveland's Mark DeRosa at second, Jeter and Philadelphia's Jimmie Rollins at shortstop, Chipper Jones and the Mets' David Wright at third and Brian McCann of the Braves behind the plate.

It looks like the outfield of Team USA may be in good hands with Ryan Braun of the Brewers, Curtis Granderson of the Tigers and Grady Sizemore of the Indians. However, you would expect more superstars and/or well known players.

The starters could be Peavy, Lackey and Oswalt or even Tampa Bay's Scott Kazmir. The bullpen possibilities are the newly signed Angel Brian Fuentes, Joe Nathan, Scot Shields, Jonathan Broxton of the Dodgers, B.J. Ryan of the Blue Jays, J.J. Putz of the Mets, Matt Thornton of the White Sox and Matt Lindstrom of the Marlins.

The one and only, Yankee, Alex Rodriquez will play for the Dominican Republic in the 2009 World Baseball Classic. He played for Team USA in the 2006 World Baseball Classic.

The teams for the double elimination Round One will be divided into 4 pools, they are:

Pool A - China, Chinese Taipei, Japan, Korea

Pool B - Australia, Cuba, Mexico, South Africa

Pool C - Canada, Italy, USA, Venezuela

Pool D - Dominican Republic, Netherlands, Panama, Puerto Rico

Giambi Signs And Heads To The Left Coast

Jason Giambi, the former New York Yankee and free agent, has signed a deal with the Oakland Athletics for the 2009 season. Jason will be heading back to the Left coast, where he started his career with the A's.
Giambi came up with the A's in 1995 and quickly became a fan favorite and a true MLB star, winning the 2000 American League MVP award before signing a seven-year, $120 million deal with the New York Yankees following the 2001 season.
The Yankees declined to pick up his $22 million option for 2009. Now, as Giambi celebrates his 38th birthday Thursday, the A's hope he has enough left in his bat to help them return to contention in the American League West.
Giambi's Giambi's 2009 salary will be $3.5 million, with the $5 million option for next season carrying a $1 million buyout. The deal also includes a 2010 club option.
The deal is said to be a one-year deal worth $4 million, with a $6.5 million club option for 2010 and a $1.25 million buyout.
Giambi will mostly see time as the DH and at first base. His signing is a bargain the A's and it will help the A's in the hitting challenged AL West.
The money Giambi agreed too reflects the economy and the realization by both players and MLB front offices, that "it is what it is".
There are rumors that the A's ain't done dealing. With free agents Bobby Abreu and Garret Anderson on their radar, they could really become the top hitting team out West.

Pettitt Refuses Yanks But The Cash Man Visits

Various sources are reporting that Andy Petitt has refused the New York Yankees offer of $10MM to play for the Yankees in 2009. His annual salary in 2007 and 2008 was $16MM.
However, the New York Daily News is reporting that Brian Cashman, the New York Yankees General Manager, is in contact with Andy to try to hammer out a deal.
There is no denying that Andy wants to play with the Yankees, and the Yankees really want Andy. They have both been around the Yankees when they won the World Series in 1996, 1998, 1999 and 2000.
Chances are good that a deal can be reached in the next few days. If not, expect Andy to retire from the game and head back home to Texas.
Andy Pettit made his major league debut on April 29, 1995, with the New York Yankees, with whom he spent 9 seasons in the starting rotation. He has a lifetime record of 215 wins and 127 losses. His career earned run average is 3.89 and he has 2,002 MLB lifetime strikeouts.
He is a 2 time All Star (1996 and 2001) and has won 4 World Series Championships with the Yankees. He was also the 2001 ALCS MVP.