The Major League Baseball Hot Stove Season has officially started. This is the time of year when talented baseball players stand in line for handouts. However, rather than a small, tin cup in their hand, players back up Brinks trucks to the door of crazy team owners who hand out cash like it’s Monopoly money.

I guess it was foolish of me to think the current financial crisis would hit home with MLB. With capitalism gone amuck from the greed on Wall Street and the crazy like fox CEO’s who horded company money while their firms were crumbling – MLB owners appear to be well on their way to, yet again, another record-breaking contract season. With players like Mark Teixeira and CC Sabathia likely to sign deals in excess of $150 million, I guess MLB thinks they’re not vulnerable to any future liquidity crisis. Either that or they know our new socialistic system will bail their asses out too if and when the time comes.

Understand this…baseball teams cannot survive solely from ticket sales and charging ludicrous prices for hot dogs and beer. They need corporate America. Without them, their current ability to print money will soon come to an end. And, with the economy as is, you’d think they’d begin tightening their payroll belts. When the Yankees have trouble selling all their new luxury boxes, it should be a sign of times to come. Hell, even the end-all capitalist team, Boston Red Sox, have put a freeze on ticket prices for 2009.

Who knows, maybe our game has become bigger-than-life and is recession proof. Maybe money will continue to flow into team coffers indefinitely. Maybe owners think fans will continue to flock to stadiums to watch these over-paid players.

Sellers beware.

It’s October, so when does the World Series begin? I’ve been fiddling with my remote for days, yet can’t find it anywhere. When do the Dodgers-Red Sox start? I’m anxious for Manny, Nomar, and Lowe to make their return trip to Fenway. Is MLB giving Beckett time to recover from his oblique problem?

I know FOX is foaming at the mouth for the LA-Boston match-up. They’re thanking their lucky stars the Phillies and Rays didn’t win. What nightmare TV-ratings that match-up would give. Other than the Florida Gulf Coast, Philly, and South Jersey, no one would watch. And, can you imagine what type of rating they’d get if a game in Philly had a rain delay, and the game didn’t begin until 10 pm? Ouch!

Whenever it begins, I’m picking the Sox in 5. Beckett and Lester will dominate. As for Manny, he better get ready for an earful when he gets to “Friendly Fenway.” Quitting on teammates was a big no-no in Red Sox Nation. His presence belongs in LA with all the other actors out there.

So, please, someone let me know when the World Series begins. I don’t want to miss it.

His destiny was Cooperstown. After his first seven years in a Red Sox uniform, not many would argue that the skinny shortstop from California was on the road to enshrinement into the Baseball Hall of Fame. How times have changed. Today, 4-1/2 years removed from his glory days in Boston, Nomar Garciaparra is relegated to the Dodgers’ bench as a utility player and pinch-hitter, with Cooperstown nowhere in his future travels.

Drafted in 1994, Nomar won American League Rookie-of-the-Year in 1997. Disregarding his injury year in 2001, Nomar averaged 27.5 home runs, 107 RBI, and a batting average of .328, including two batting titles in 1999 and 2000 when he hit .357 and .372, respectively. Since his trade to the Cubs mid-season in 2004, his yearly averages are .286, 46 RBI, and 9.6 home runs (albeit, dealing with numerous injuries).

Ironically, Nomar’s fall from super-stardom can be directly linked to his new Dodger’s teammate, Manny Ramirez. After the 2003 season, the Red Sox had a deal in place that would have sent Ramirez to the Rangers for shortstop Alex Rodriguez. If the deal had gone through, the Sox would have sent Nomar to the White Sox for Magglio Ordonez. The following season, a disgruntled Nomar quickly became a clubhouse cancer, and he was shipped to the Cubs in a blockbuster trade.

When Nomar’s baseball days are over, and we look back at his career, thoughts of what might have been will always linger.

An interesting poll question this week on HOFN.com asks which MLB record will never be broken? Joe DiMaggio’s 56-game hitting streak. Cal Ripken’s 2,632 consecutive games-played. Pete Rose’s 4,256 hits. Nolan Ryan’s 7 no-hitters. Cy Young’s 511 wins.

Despite the saying “records are meant to be broken,” I think all will stand the test of time. The game has changed too much for these records to be threatened. However, to play the ranking-game, here’s how I’d list the chances of them falling – with the least likely to be broken ranked #1.

5. DiMaggio’s 56: Of the five records, this could be in most jeopardy…someday. In recent years (1978), Pete Rose made it to 44-games. In 1987, Paul Molitor got stopped after 39. So while I think this record is safe, I would never say never.

4. Rose’s 4,256 hits: This record will not be broken in my lifetime, but who knows what the future could bring. Maybe there’s a Roy Hobbs out there in high school who will keep away from that enticing woman and soon make his mark in MLB. However, the young Mr. Hobbs better be more durable than today’s player, as it would take 213 hits per season for 20-years to overtake Pete.

3. Ryan’s 7 no-hitters: Not a chance. However, the next two records are even less likely to fall in my book, so Nolan gets the number 3 spot. Did you know he also threw 12 1-hitters and 18 2-hitters? And he never won a Cy Young award! Figure that one out. Nolan, your record is safe.

2. Ripken’s 2,632 consecutive games played: Can you imagine a MLB player going 16+ years without missing a game? First, try to get one to play 162 consecutive games. Many baseball experts were proven wrong when they said Gehrig’s 2,130 game streak would never be broken, but they broke the mold after Ripken, so this record will last forever.

1. Cy Young’s 511 wins: When hell freezes over. It boggles my mind every time I read Young’s stats. He also holds the record for innings pitched (7,355), games started (815), and complete games (749). He pitched for 22-years, so you do the math. I guarantee you’ll be amazed by the numbers per season. To break this record, all a pitcher need do is average 20.5 wins per year for 25-years. Never! Never! Never!

Is there an argument which record is #1? I think not.

Where did summer go? If you live in the northeast, Labor Day marks its end. September brings cooler temperatures, pennant drives, and the NFL. Autumn – plus the collision of MLB playoffs and the NFL – is my favorite time of the year.

Pennant fever has hit a few cities, but don’t count Tampa Bay as one of them. If the Rays can’t put fannies in the seats after the storybook season they’ve had, I wonder if the area is a MLB city. The ballpark (if you dare call it that) could be part of the problem, but they couldn’t even sell-out the recent Yankees series during a pennant drive. God knows what will happen to their fan base when the Red Sox cruise by them in September for the AL East title. However, they should still make the playoffs as the Wild Card team – and what an embarrassment for MLB if the catwalks come into play in a game 5 or 7.

Southern California is abuzz with thoughts of a Freeway World Series. The Angles have made a joke out of the AL West, and Manny has brought live back to Dodgers’ blue. My brain tells me Arizona will win the west, but my gut tells me not to bet against ‘Manny being Manny’ down the stretch.

Chicago also looks like the city has two playoff entries forthcoming. The Cubs are a gimmie, but the ChiSox have a struggle on their hands with Minnesota. Unfortunately for the Twins, the RNC took over their Twin Cities – and the schedule makers could have put a nail in their coffin with all the year-end road games. If Tampa Bay totally collapses in September, the only prayer is a Wild Card, but I wouldn’t bet on it.

The Brewers could be the best team in the National League, but I doubt they’ll catch the Cubs. However, as the Wild Card team, they will be Cub fans worst nightmare come playoff time. Cue the Billy Goat!

In the Big Apple, pennant fever just isn’t the same without the Yankees. The New York tabloid back pages will soon be all Mets … a scary thought for the team from Queens. The pressure of the 2007 choke could play a factor in their NL East race with the Phillies. Santana to the rescue.

Here’s a look at my winners and who should be playing baseball in October.

American League
East: Red Sox: ‘Little’ Pedey, not ‘big’ Papi, will carry them. Plus pitching.
Central: White Sox: Twins will loose, hence, ChiSox win.
West: Angels: Too much of everything for a weak west.
WC: Rays: They get in only to have a dream season quickly come to an end.

National League
East: Mets: With a hope and a prayer…and Santana.
Central: Cubs: Oh…the pain the Brewers will eventually inflict.
West: Dodgers: Manny being Manny is enough to get in.
WC: Brewers: As long as CC doesn’t collapse from overuse.

AL Champs: Red Sox: Too much depth, but Beckett needs to be Beckett.
NL Champs: Brewers: Power and a healthy Sabathia and Sheets make them dangerous.

WS Champs: Red Sox: Beckett, Lester and Dice-K should make it back-to-back.

A good friend once told me, it’s all about pitching, pitching, and pitching.

During one’s life, the thought of mortality eventually hits home. It has happened to me a few times, but none more prevalent than on Tuesday, August 19th.  Interestingly, it was also my father’s birthday. I visited his grave sight that day, which heightened my emotions, but it was not what ignited them.

On Tuesday, August 19, Carl Yastrzemski was rushed to Massachusetts General Hospital where he had triple by-pass surgery. Fortunately, reports state that the operation was a complete success – and Yaz rests comfortably.

I was 11 years-old when Yaz began his career with the Boston Red Sox in 1961. He took over guarding the Green Monster at Fenway Park from Red Sox icon Ted Williams, “the greatest hitter who ever lived.” While my Sox fanhood began in the mid 1950s, it was those early Yaz-years that I best remember, as my love for baseball took shape in the 60s.

Yaz wasn’t my favorite player. That distinction belonged to Tony Conigliaro, who joined the Sox in 1964. However, Yaz was the leader of the Sox – and it was he that should be credited with founding what today is called Red Sox Nation.

It was 1967, Boston’s “Impossible Dream” year. It forever changed the Red Sox organization. Yastrzemski had one of the great years in Major League Baseball history. He won the American League MVP and the Triple Crown. It was a season I will always remember. It was also the year we got our first color television! My brother and I talked my Dad into buying a color TV for the World Series – arguably the greatest World Series ever played.

So when thoughts of mortality hit, it isn’t always a bad thing. Thought of mortality is really remembrance of life. Yaz and baseball played a big role in my early years. It brought back some fond memories.

Be well Yaz

As the saying goes, “Be careful what you wish for.”

It appears Red Sox Nation has had enough of Manny being Manny. For the past week, Boston sports talk-radio airwaves have been inundated with callers who appear to have had enough of the savant slugger, who recently pulled himself out of the Sox lineup twice. Manny stated it was due to a cranky knee, but MRIs came up negative on both knees.

It was one thing for Ramirez to pull himself out of the lineup against the lowly Seattle Mariners, but when he sat again in the first game of the most recent Yankees series at Fenway Park, all hell broke loose in New England. More important than fans and radio talk-show hosts, it also appears the Red Sox brass has had enough of Manny’s quirkiness. What appeared to be a no-brainer two weeks ago – that the Sox would pick up the team’s $20M 2009 option for Ramirez – now seems as likely as John McCain winning Massachusetts in November.

Manny quitting on loyal Sox fans and, more importantly, his teammates is deplorable. Letting teammates down is the mortal sin of an athlete. However, let’s not kid ourselves. Pro sports are all about winning. As a reminder, until 2004, Sox fans had not seen a World Championship since 1918. They’ve now witnessed two since 2004. Would they have done so without Ramirez? Probably not. Had they not won those two championships, would fans and Sox brass still want Manny to walk? My guess is no.

Manny Ramirez is a first-ballot Hall of Famer. Does that forgive him for his recent actions? Not in real life, but this is not real life. It’s Major League Baseball. Lest we forget the indiscretions of Babe Ruth, Ted Williams, Juan Marichal, Mickey Mantle, Barry Bonds, et al.

David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez are the best 3-4 hitters the game has seen since Ruth and Gehrig. So, be careful what you wish for Sox fans … and enjoy it while you can. Those days may be gone soon. And with it, championships.

I’m not a Yankees fan, so seeing Don Mattingly wearing Dodgers blue after the MLB All-Star Game won’t bother me. However, my two best friends live in a world of pinstripes, and I can’t speak for them. As a matter of fact, one named his son Mickey. However, with much disdain from Dad, Mickey is a Red Sox fan!

It was inevitable that Mattingly would be making his way back into uniform. He signed to be the LA Dodgers hitting coach in November 2007, but was temporarily replaced by Mike Easler in January, due to personal problems.

It’s one thing to see Torre in Dodgers blue - Joe has worn many uniforms. However, Mattingly is a life-long Yankee who has never worn anything but pinstripes. He was a 19th round draft-choice of New York in 1979, and he played 14-seasons in the Bronx. Don was AL MVP and MLB Player of the Year in 1985. He was a 6-time All-Star and won nine Gold Gloves. While not as admired as Mantle or DiMaggio, Mattingly was well-respected by his peers and Yankees fans. Even Red Sox fans had a hard time disliking this classy Yankee. So, while seeing Mattingly in Dodgers blue is really no big deal, I’m sure diehard Yankees fans will have a hard time dealing with it.

Hell, I grew up as a Boston sports fan - and had to deal with seeing Ted Williams in a Senators uniform and Bobby Orr wearing a Chicago Blackhawks sweater. Williams wasn’t too bad, as he joined the Senators as the manager. But, Orr, despite his problematic knees, went on the ice…albeit for only 26 games in two years with Chicago.

Who was the worst sight in a different uniform? How about Willie Mays wearing Mets colors?

Has the newness worn off for you yet? Are you tired of seeing pitchers hit or the DH walk to the plate? Has MLB Interleague Play run its course - or, is baseball now just playing too many games?

I know, attendance for Interleague games remains up versus regular league play, but that might be skewed by real rivalry games, such as: Yankees-Mets; Cubs-White Sox; Angels-Dodgers; Giants-A’s; Indians-Reds; Royals-Cardinals; Marlins-Rays. Plus, any National League team relishes a series with the Yankees or Red Sox - the two biggest road-draws for years.

Call me old-fashioned, but I’d prefer waiting for October to see American League versus the National League.

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While I’m on the subject of Interleague Play, I might as well add my two-cents regarding the DH rule. Having lived in an AL city most of my life, I’ve been watching the DH for so long (it was introduced in 1973) that I no longer have interest in watching pitchers hit. Nor does Hank Steinbrenner, especially after losing pitching ace Chien-Ming Wang to a base-running injury. Two sets of rules in one league are ridiculous. Plus, one would think the MLB Players Association would push for the DH in the National League to extend time-served for some aging players.

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Be sure to vote in this weeks www.HOFN.com Poll regarding Interleague Play. Are you for or against?

Here’s another question for you…other than baseball, is there another sport where the defense has the ball?

The Texas Con Man was a name given to Roger Clemens during his tenure with the Boston Red Sox by the late, great Boston Globe sportswriter William “Will” McDonough. Will took much grief from Sox fans and some media colleagues for what many thought a harsh title for one of the Red Sox all-time greats. Little did we know the true wisdom of Will.

Unfortunately, McDonough passed away on January 9, 2003 at the tender age of 67. However, I’m sure those who knew him – or was occasionally in his company at sporting events, as was I – know that Will has a huge grin on his face today. How right he was.

I was a huge Clemens fan. I remember the skinny kid’s debut with the Red Sox in May of 1984. I watched him pitch many times at Fenway Park and saw every one of his 20-strikeouts in the historical game versus the Seattle Mariners in April 1986. It was a masterpiece – and, to this day, probably one of the great pitching performances of all-time. I also recall numerous arguments with a New Jersey friend – a Mets’ fan, regarding who was better; Clemens or Dwight Gooden. That argument faded after the 1986 season when Clemens posted a 24-4 record and won both the CY Young and MVP awards.

For many Sox fans, McDonough’s The Texas Con Man name began gaining popularity in the late 1990s and early 2000s, as Clemens’ words became more confounding and nonsensical. But, little did we know how much real truth there was to Will’s insightful nickname.

Has any sports hero fallen from grace as quickly as Roger Clemens? In 2006, a poll of 32 ESPN analysts voted Clemens the greatest living pitcher – and many considered him the greatest pitcher of all-time, or at least of the modern game. However, in a matter of a few months, Clemens has been accused of possible steroid use, potential infidelity, a questionable relationship with an under-age girl, and only God (and the New York Daily News) knows what’s next.

Clemens has gone from Cooperstown to OJ-town … the town of non-desirables.

My apology to Will McDonough. You were accurate from the beginning.

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Would you vote Roger Clemens into the Baseball Hall of Fame? Cast your vote on The Hall Of Fame Network poll: www.HOFN.com.

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