Archive for April 5th, 2008

Apr 05

[CONSPIRACY THEORY] Did Joe Girardi Serve A Secret 1-Game Suspension?

Elliot Johnson, Joe Girardi, Melky Cabrera, Shelly Duncan admin 5 Comments »

How many times in your entire life can you remember a major league manager missing a game because he was sick?

I am sure it has happened a few times in history, but it is so rare, that I honestly can’t think of a single case. Last night Yankees manager Joe Girardi missed the Yankees-Rays game because of an “upper respiratory infection” which in my book sounds a awful lot like a “common cold”.

Is it a coincidence that Girardi was ill on the night in which the Yankees and Rays were to meet for the first regular season contest since the bench-clearing incident in spring training? Maybe…

Is it also a coincidence that Girardi got a cough on the same day that Shelley Duncan and Melky Cabrera had their 3-game suspensions reduced by a game without even an appeal hearing with Major League Baseball?

Or is it more likely that Major League Baseball agreed to reduce the suspensions of Cabrera and Duncan, if in return, Girardi would serve a one game suspension himself?

Remember, it was Girardi’s comments to the media immediately following the Elliot Johnson home plate collision that led to the bad blood in the first place.

So, if Girardi was suspended for one game after-the-fact, why not just make an official announcement? Simple. Major League Baseball does not want to set a precedent in which other teams try to negotiate the reduction of suspensions for on-field incidents.

Please keep in mind that there is absolutely no evidence for any of this. Just a series of really strange coincidences involving the most powerful organization in sports. But in the end, I find it really hard to believe that Joe Girardi would miss just his third game as Yankees manager because he had a “cold”.

Apr 05

[THE SATURDAY MORNING REVOLUTION] Rays Punch Yankees In The Mouth

BJ Upton, Brian Griese, Dioner Navarro, Edwin Jackson, Ian Kennedy, Joe Maddon, Jonny Gomes, Melky Cabrera is too, Mike DiFelice, Shawn Riggans, Shelley Duncan is a lil' bitch admin No Comments »

DRG here again to get you through the weekend…

Yesterday: Tampa Bay Rays.

  • The Good: Scoring 13 runs in Yankee stadium in the first regular season game since the incidents in spring training. Like Prof keeps saying. If you want respect, you gotta punch the bully right in the mouth…The Bullpen was solid, even with the game out of reach. Three relievers combined for 3 hitless innings with only one walk…Carlos ‘El Gato’ Pena hit his second home run in 3 games. Anybody still think he will only hit 30 this year?…Cliff ‘Dr. Huxtable’ Floyd with his second also. After the game he sat Elliot Johnson on his knee and taught him some lessons picking on his sisters too much…Shawn Riggans came on after Dioner Navarro had to leave the game with an injury and delivered the knockout blow. A huge 3-run double to right-center.
  • The Bad: Scoring 13 runs in Yankee stadium in the first of a 4-game series. The Yankees were undoubtedly embarrassed by their performance. Let’s hope the Rays did not wake the sleeping giant…Carl Crawford grounded into a double-play. Still trying to figure that one out…
  • The Telling: Eric Hinske made his first start at third base since July 22, 2006 over Elliot Johnson and of course poor Joel Guzman who of course is still in the minors 26 years after the Dodgers signed him as a 16-year old prospect…Jonny Gomes was originally penciled in to make his first start of the season in right field even with a right hander on the mound. Instead he served his 1-game suspension…Dioner Navarro was in the 6th spot of the lineup rather than his usual 8-hole. It appears as if Joe Maddon was ready to ride his hot bat before he was injured…With a 1:05 start today, it is unclear if Mike DiFelice will make it to the ballpark in time for the game. If he does he very well could get the start in a day game after a night game.

DEVIL DOGS WEBTOPIA…

  • Jonny Gomes had his suspension reduced from 2 games to 1 and he served it last night. Melky Cabrera and Shelley Duncan also had their suspensions reduced by one game. Cabrera served his suspension last night and today. Duncan will serve his 2-game suspension starting Sunday. [The Heater]
  • Dioner Navarro has been placed on the 15-day DL and Mike DiFelice has been recalled from Durham to take his place on the roster. Navarro slipped entering the dugout and cut two fingers on his hand. He needed 12 stitches. [MLB]
  • Sounds like a little luster has come off Ian Kennedy already which if you ask me is awesome because I am sick and tired of hearing from Yankees fans how great their pitching staff is this year. [New York Post]
  • Edwin Jackson makes a huge start today in his career. Joe Maddon is hoping that Jackson can focus on every pitch and try not to rush when things start to unravel. [MLB]
  • DRays Bay found some rather disturbing photos of BJ Upton. [DRays Bay]
  • Brian Griese will throw out the first pitch at a Rays home game on April 18. Good thing for Griese, Shawn Riggans will not be moving or else the pitch would certainly be about 5 yards behind him. [Tampa Bay's 10]