SUE THE YANKEES? GET OUTTA HERE!

New York fans have a reputation for holding their sports teams to a higher standard of excellence, but it now appears they’ve got a litigious streak.

Andrew Rector, who famously dozed off in the ballpark’s lower level during an ESPN broadcast of the Yankees-Red Sox game on April 13, filed a lawsuit this week in the New York State Supreme Court in the Bronx claiming that disparaging remarks made by the announcers caused emotional distress.



Rector names Major League Baseball, ESPN, the New York Yankees, Dan Shulman, and John Kruk as defendants in his three-page complaint. He does not specify the amount of damages being sought. (You can read the full document here.) So just what did the ESPN announcers say to hurt Rector’s feelings? The lawsuit alleges: 

“[A]nnouncers like Dan Shulman and John Kruk unleashed avalanche of disparaging words against the person of and concerning the plaintiff. These words, include but not limited to ‘stupor, fatty, unintelligent, stupid’ knowing and intending the same to be heard and listened to by millions of people all over the world…”

The complaint is strange considering that if you watch the clip of Rector dozing off at the ballpark the announcers never say any of the insults he alleges in his lawsuit. I can’t see this complaint getting very far in the courts (I mean c'mon, how do you fall asleep during a Yanks/BoSox game?) but if Rector needs to take his online humiliation out on someone, Joe Buck is certainly more deserving than Shulman and Kruk!

--Alexis Garcia, BYB's "Eye on MLB" Columnist
Twitter:  @heylexyg



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GOOD ALEX RODRIGUEZ PIECE WITH THE WRONG "EXPERT"

There was a real good piece from the New York Daily News and Bob Raissman from December 14th (read HERE).... and I can't believe I even missed it.  Why? Because it had 2 lightening rods attached to it. Alex Rodriguez and John Kruk.  Now, I have nothing against John Kruk anymore, after he responded to Bleeding Yankee Blue on Twitter when we asked him simply to acknowledge the stupid "dancing" of Jose Valverde as bad sportsmanship if he was going to target Nick Swisher's chest beating in that Red Sox game early last season.  He did.  Read JOHN KRUK RESPONDS TO BLEEDING YANKEE BLUE for guidance on that.  

But back to Raissman's piece.  A good piece in reference to Alex Rodriguez and his second hip surgery.  A good read. One problem, he's using Kruk as an expert and the reality is, there are plenty of people more qualified than John Kruk when it comes to forming an opinion on a second hip surgery and Alex Rodriguez. Kruk "thinks A-Rod will never be the same. 'What are the chances of that hip coming back 100%? Not very good. It’s going to be a huge struggle for him,' Kruk, who was elevated to  ESPN’s “Sunday Night Baseball” booth replacing Terry Francona, said over the telephone. 'I hope not. I don’t wish bad on any player, but it’s a devastating injury to have your front hip (when you’re hitting) maybe immobile for the rest of the season when he comes back.'

For Kruk, any comparisons to how Rodriguez rebounded from right hip surgery in 2009 (30 homers, 100 RBI before leading the Bombers to a World Series title ) are invalid. Kruk kept emphasizing how important the front hip is to a hitter because “it takes all the torque,” the turning, twisting force.

'If it (the left hip) is not turning and rotating with force, he’ll never be that power guy again,' Kruk said. '. . . He can’t stand there with that big leg kick and try hitting home runs, He has to make a complete adjustment to his swing. If he can’t, he’s in big trouble. Alex is such a big guy, he’s going to accidentally hit 20 homers, but he’s not going be a 35- to 40-homer guy anymore.'"

Now John Kruk is a former ball player, he knows how to play the game, he knows injury... but all I'm saying is, isn't it just obvious, to you, to me, to the world that Alex may not ever "be the same?"  Plus, why not just make it a better news item and interview a hip doctor that understands the injury and can give a true analysis on the Alex hip situation. Or maybe do a man on the street type piece and ask a variety of people baseball fans, Yankee fans, etc and get their opinions. I mean, the reality is a few of them would be bound to give you the same opinion Kruk did.

Bob Raissman writes a great piece, he just has the wrong "expert".  My take? Alex won't be the same player, but I've been saying that for a year now. You guys have stated it as well in your comments.  Alex is older, it's a bum hip... it's a double whammy.  Sure he could be a star again, but there are so many obstacles to climb.  Could he do it? Yes... but will he? No.

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THE YANKEES WILL STAND TALL DESPITE INJURY TO ALEX

(Arod leaving game last night after being hit by pitch)

I can't believe I'm about to say this, but I heard John Kruk on Mike and Mike this morning and he made a lot of sense. Look, the Alex Rodriguez injury is significant because, as Krukie said, Alex was starting to really swing the bat. Having a hot Alex in the lineup is a good thing and the Yankees could have used him... Until they couldn't because of his broken hand last night in Seattle. In the end, the Yankees will do what they've always done, shuffle and regroup.

(Can Eric Chavez play every day?)

As Derek Jeter has always said during dark times... " Who's going to feel sorry for us? No one... Someones gonna have to man up." I'm paraphrasing here, but it's true.  Eric Chavez is of course a logical choice. He's a Gold Glove 3rd baseman, and he knows his role. He still plays a helluva 3rd base. He also gets hurt a lot...that's the reality.  I love Eric Chavez, but he'll forever be my walking ceramic. He's fragile and that's because he plays the game harder than anyone. So I ask you... What happens if Chavez fills the role and gets hurt? Believe me, it was in the back of the Yankees' minds too,  they announced they have called up Ramiro Pena, but that's a terrible bat in the lineup, not exactly a great offensive replacement. Is it the right choice? Tough question to answer. I suspect the Yankees aren't going to go after anyone for 3rd base by the trade deadline so this is where we're at.  I'm going to be honest, I'm not too jazzed about Pena, but the Yankees can survive.

Losing Alex pretty much sucks. People can say "Well Alex hasn't done anything this season." Sure, say that if you want, I've been saying for weeks that Alex is now "just a regular player" and when you see his numbers, this is true. He ISN'T ARod, but he's got decent numbers for a regular player. That consistency, believe it or not has helped us this season. If you don't believe me, keep an eye on it now that Alex is gone. There may be a difference because you have to think about it this way, while Eric Chavez is wonderful, he's no longer an every day player anymore. Expect fatigue... Pena will help with that at 3rd but not with his bat.

(Mariners' King Felix pitching in last night's game)

And back to King Felix last night. He was hitting everybody last night. This morning Yankeeland is calling for his head. Yankeeland wants "retaliation". Why?  For the record, Felix didn't intentionally hit anyone last night. Even Jeter said that.  Maybe he had control problems, maybe he wanted to brush a few guys back, but Felix Hernandez is good enough that he doesn't have to pop anyone in the hand and bust it. There should be no retaliation, it serves no purpose...let's just get the game in and get out of Seattle, winning the series at least.

Look, we'll be alright ladies and gentlemen, this is an injury, but it just seems more amplified because we've had plenty this season. Know this, we'll juggle some things and come back swinging like we always do. Why? Because we're the Yankees... The greatest franchise this world has ever seen. That's my take.

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JOHN KRUK RESPONDS TO BLEEDING YANKEE BLUE

It's no secret that John Kruk ticked me off a while back when he was ripping on Nick Swisher during the Yankees, Red Sox game back on April 22nd. You remember, the Yankees won 15-9 and it was Nick Swisher who had the game of his life and stood on second base and banged his chest like King Kong.  It was then John Kruk who said “Yeah, Nick, you did your job. That’s what you were expected to do so just accept it and be a little more humble...” Read HERE.

Listening to a commentator say that on a National televised game shocked me.  Why is Swisher being singled out like that? That got to me a bit because you know me, I've always been a fan of the passion on the field...when warranted.  You don't want to showboat, you don't want to taunt, but if you come up big in the ballgame, show it.  Swish came up big in that game.

I have never had a problem with Francisco Cervelli fist pumping and I damn sure don't have a problem with Nick Swisher pounding his chest, 1 time in a big game for his team and himself.   And, if you read our post, VALVERDE'S SPITTER & OTHER ANTICS from over the weekend, I don't have a problem with Jose Valverde's stupid dance either, he has the right to do it, he just clearly looks idiotic. 

So, you know me, I'm fascinated with Twitter, so I reached out to Kurk, because, you can do that kind of thing these days.  He never responded to me, but luckily we have passionate and loyal Bleeding Yankee Blue readers and thanks to @egyankee, she sent our post to Kruk again.  This around, John was nice enough to respond to us, because, we really wanted to know, Was there a double standard when it came to the New York Yankees? Why would Kruk get on Nick Swisher's case, but commentators end up always giving Jose Valverde a slide when he does his "clown jig", as I put it?  Well, Kruk responded... here it is:

Kruk's alright! In fact, I was never exactly ticked at Kruk specifically as I am of many of these commentators who hammer the Yankees for a lot of things, but not other teams who may do the same stuff. The Swisher / Valverde situation was a perfect example. Thanks for responding Mr. Kruk.

What does this prove? Nothing but getting these commentators on the record.  So many times the Yankees are considered "evil", the ones who are always in the spotlight.  All I wanted to do was make sure I didn't misunderstand what Kruk was saying. Clearly it bothered me...what can I say, I'm a baseball nerd.

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VALVERDE'S SPITTER & OTHER ANTICS

I believe in passion on the field and while I don’t necessarily feel like Jose Valerde doesn’t do anything wrong but embarrass himself with his stupid dance at the end of Tiger wins, I do think there’s a double standard when broadcasters give this guy a pass for being a clown, yet some hammer guys like Nick Swisher when he pounded on his chest back when the Yankees beat the Red Sox…a game full of emotion.

Yup, that was John Kruk that did that and I tweeted him to ask him what he thought about Valverde compared to Swisher recently. I’m not sure why, but it was on my mind. I know…I don’t hold a grudge or anything, but I was curious. Needless to say, Kruk's way to big for me, he didn't write me back, whatever.

Baseball is a great game. I was thinking about the passion recently when the world got wind of Jose Valverde's obvious spit into his glove, onto the baseball...the spit seen around the world.  Read HERE. Now clearly he spit, if you watch the video HERE, it's obvious, but I have a theory that you probably won't believe.  I have more of a problem with Valverde dancing like a moron after a Tigers win than I do about a spit ball.  Or, let me rephrase, a spitball that you obviously know is coming.  You know what I mean?  If Valverde snuck that spitter and no one saw him, I wouldn't care.  But spitting out in the opened into a mitt with a ball in it, much like coating your glove with pine tar like Rays pitcher Joel Peralta did the other night, it stupid.

My take on this is simple, many pitchers use "substances" to doctor baseballs, and it's been happening forever.  I say, if you're going to do it, don't be obvious.  If you're obvious, you're stupid.  Valverde was stupid. Peralta was stupid.

(In Photo: Gaylord Perry)

Antics in baseball has always been there and the spitball was big with guys like Gaylord Perry and no one did it better. Bottom line, I love the spitball, I’m not going to lie. Sure, you’re not supposed to throw it, but any time you can get alittle dirt on the ball or pine tar or, dare I say spit, well, I call it baseball, as long as it’s not overdone.

Remember Joe Niekro and the nail file he tossed when the umpires wanted to look a  his hands?  That was when there was no Internet and a lot less cameras than there are now, yet, he got caught.  If Valverde was doing something “under the radar”, 2012 was the wrong place to do it…where’s Doc Brown when you need him?

So what’s my point to all this? I have no problem with these types of antics, I do however think back to that Nick Swisher chest pounding though. Why? Because when a sports broadcaster, and I use that term loosely,  makes an example of our New York Yankees for being passionate in an emotion baseball game between 2 rivals, yet, Jose Valverde gets a pass for his “clown jig”, you really have to question the Yankee hate.  You also have to lump them all together and Valverde would no doubt also be in that “Swisher chest pound” category.  But he won’t be lumped in…because Valverde’s a Detroit Tiger, not a Yankee. And same with the spitting incident for Valverde.  Look at the video again HERE. He's spitting on the ball. Yet, he gets a pass.  Meanwhile, Joel Peralta is suspended for 8 games, read HERE.  What the hell is this about here?

At least stop suggesting it’s “Valverde being Valverde” and start calling it what it is…ridiculous.

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BYB PRESENTS: YANKEE SHORTS #4

10. Curtain Call 

Is Curtis Granderson the Reggie Jackson of 2012? No, I don’t think so. He is Curtis “Grandeur” Granderson . A class act that is writing his very own baseball history. Three Homers in one game on April 19th….Unbelievable. So glad you are a Yankee! Read HERE.

9 Boston Globe...LOL 

I found this hilarious…The Boston Globe headline from earlier last week was "Rangers roll over Yankees." Wow I just want to know where is the article that headlines Yankees roll over the Sox?…. Just Saying. Luckily USA Today, America's paper had the headline correct in the recent rout of the Red Sox by the Yankees... "Red Sox red faced again." Gotta love that.

8. La Perfumeria Rivera

Not only do we dominate the baseball world …you now can see the beloved NY emblem on Men and Women cologne, I'm not kidding. Pitching the fragrance is Mr. Mariano Rivera. Opposing batters will now get a nice whiff when they strike out on that famous cutter. Read about it HERE.

7. Swisher Kong 

Nick Swisher was blasted by John Kruk for celebrating the come from behind win against the Red Sox. Read about it HERE. Frankly I think it’s nice to see a player pumped and enthusiastic about the game. What’s wrong with celebrating a win. I’m certain the Red Sox have done their share of celebrating themselves. It’s not like he pointed to the Sox dugout or showed poor sportsmanship. So John Kruk, we really don’t care what you think! Swish keep doing what you do because Yankee Nation loves you!

6.Remembering the House that Ruth Built

  

I accidentally stumbled across the New York Daily News pictures of the dismantling of the Old Yankee Stadium.  The 17 pictures in this sequence are just something else and I wanted to share them. Click HERE and you can scroll through the pictures. Damn, that building had some amazing memories.  I thought I'd share.

5. Age Ain’t Nothing But A Number 

Well Derek Jeter finally gets some respect!! Cal Ripken, Jr. acknowledges that the critics’ have been well... too critical. Read the full interview HERE, but here is Cal's quote about Jeter: "Interesting, isn't it? All the commotion that was caused last year, and the criticism that he had lost some steps, felt familiar to me in a lot of ways... Deep inside, it had to bother him. I felt for him. I thought a lot of the criticism and the momentum that was gathering was wrong. When you're in a slump, you're in a slump... But when you get to a certain age, a slump is looked at differently, like it's an indicator your career is over. He's answered that. The way he's playing, he's not slowing down at all."   The Captain has come out swinging in 2012. Yea I think being over .400 for most of April speaks for itself, doesn’t it. So, my wish is for the critics to eat Jeter Crow IS happening! Dear Brothers' Steinbrenner and Cashman... about that contract... you might want to get those pens ready for 2013!

4. The Cubs Win!

 

Not so fast...Did you fail to hear the blurb that says the game is so real it's unreal? The Cubs beating the Yankees is not going to happen! Ask Theo Epstein because he certainly knows it's not easy beating the Yanks. I think this trailer should have Aerosmith's Dream On playing in the background. Casey asked me to include this in the list, not because it's Yankees related, but because everyone can relate to their team winning it all.

3. Mismatch 

Mark Teixeira and CC Sabathia share socks... well accidentally anyway. However the Yanks were successful during the sock switch up game so the switch will stay permanent at least for a while. I say if it works don’t change it but I do hope you at least wash them guys. Read about it HERE.

2. Go to Bat for BULLY

 

 

Unfortunately bullying has become a big issue. So the New York Yankees are going to bat for BULLY, read HERE. Jeter, Mo, ARod, Granderson and Girardi speak out against this issue. So be a friend...don't bully.

1. Kay speaks his mind...and is hilarious!

 At the Yankees Rangers game the other night, a baseball was tossed into the stands and a kid in the stands who didn't get the ball began to cry.
 

Michael Kay commented on it, and I need to be honest, he was hilarious with commentary of what was happening between the couple who caught the ball and the kid and his family.  Kudos to Kay. You made me laugh!

--Kate Munrow, BYB Staff Writer

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WHY SWISHER'S FUTURE IN PINSTRIPES LOOKS DIM

We all know it’s coming… and no one wants to talk about the reality of it…except Joel Sherman of the New York Post, and guess what, he’s entitled. Read HERE.
 

The Yankees have pretty big decisions coming up this off season, and yes, I hate to rush this season along, but there are really important things to think about.  One of course is Robinson Cano, the other is Curtis Granderson.  Joel Sherman writes: "...the Yankees are serious about getting under the $189 million luxury tax threshold in 2014, which means they are not re-signing Nick Swisher after this season."

So, where does that leave Nick Swisher, the most fun loving New York Yankee in recent memory? Probably not returning to the Bronx. That’s the harsh reality.  Look, it works like this, Nick Swisher has a huge opportunity to have his best season ever as a New York Yankee…I believe he will, I said it here on Bleeding Yankee Blue plenty of times.  Swish has gotten off to a decent start and the reality is, he has an opportunity to get a real nice contract and pay day from any team in Major League Baseball if this season is extra special.  He can play a decent right field, has a great arm and can even play first base if needed.  Plus if the Yankees were to try to keep Curtis Granderson, which would be a smart thing to do as well as signing Robinson Cano, which should be their top priority, to a long term deal, where does that leave Nick Swisher?

And factor this in... could Eduardo Nunez play the outfield and if the Yankees can train this kid to become an every day right fielder at a cheaper price, than why would we need Nick? I'm not rooting against Swish, I'm just suggesting that there are cheaper options for the Yanks. No, it doesn't need to be Nunez, it would be a cheap free agent, all I'm saying is, if Sherman is serious, we have to consider it. By the way, read BYB's piece on Nunez titled WHY NOT MAKE NUNEZ AN OUTFIELDER?

Now sure, it’s always possible that Nick Swisher comes back to the New York Yankees next year, but let’s be honest, that’s not fair to Nick Swisher.  What I mean is, say he does have a monster year in pinstripes, are you really going to insult him with a low ball contract to continue to play right field for the Mighty Yankees? No. It’s wrong to do and if the Yankees want to stick to that $189 million figure, Nick Swisher is not in the Yankees plans.  Don’t get all pissed at me… that’s business and good for Nick Swisher if he can go somewhere for whatever long term deal he can get. He can thank Curt Flood for that because he’s the one that made these free agency moves possible in baseball. (Read HERE.)  Nick has the right and can and should move on if the opportunity is big enough.

For now though, we have a ton of Yankee baseball to play, and let’s be honest, I love watching Swisher this season.  There was nothing better than seeing the Yankees rout the Red Sox this past weekend and Swisher pounding his chest like King Kong in Fenway Park.

There’s nothing better…and the more I think about it, the more I feel like it was expected…even Red Sox fans understood that passion. They didn't like it, but they understood it.  So message to John Kruk…chillax. Swisher had adrenaline pumping through his veins that day, that’s why Yankee fans love him.  You should try that with your gig at ESPN, maybe you’d be better at your job... just a thought.

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