Yesterday was the official numero uno day of spring training. I spent it at work. Only if I could be in Tampa for the next six weeks, soaking in the rays and watching my favorite team. Someday…someday….
The biggest news of the day, IMO, was the renaming of Legends Field to George M. Steinbrenner Field. I’ve gotten particularly attached to Legends Field and now having to change my mindset will take a while, but it’ll always be Legends Field to me. At the least, the Yankees have vowed not to sell naming rights for the new Stadium. If they do, I’m going to host a quiet protest for the rest of my life and refuse to call it by its corporate name.
In this morning’s New York Times, Rep. Waxman admitted that hosting the hearing was unnecessary.
I think Clemens and McNamee both came out quite sullied, and I didn’t think it was a hearing that needed to be held in order to get the facts out about the Mitchell report.
Well, duh. My sentiments echoed. That theater of the absurd was unnecessary and a waste of taxpayer money. Considering where billions of dollars are going these days, I can’t complain too much about waste of money.
Times columnist William Rhoden in today’s column quoted Rep. Elijah Cummings in saying that “the same people who looked at the Marion Jones case and Barry Bonds are looking at Clemens,”… “I have full faith that they will use the same standards and will do what is appropriate.”
We still don’t know what’s going to happen. Rep. Waxman also said that he doesn’t know whether perjury was committed and whether the committee will recommend the next step to be taken.
Moving on…
Pedro Martinez, of “who’s your daddy” fame came out loud as he always does and announced that he dominated the steroids era clean. Well, good for you, Pedro. I’m incredibly proud of you. Oh, don’t you see my hint of sarcasm? How about a bigger dose?
Chien-Ming Wang went to arbitration with the Yankees yesterday. The difference? A measly $600,000. Yessir. The team with the biggest payroll in baseball last season couldn’t pay an extra $600,000 to a pitcher who has given them 38 wins the last two seasons. Unreal, considering how much they pay Kei Igawa (5 year, $20 million), of Scranton Wilkes-Barre fame.
Paul O’Neill last wore number 21 for the pinstripes. It was announced that Morgan Ensberg would wear that number. Judging from the comments left on Pete Abraham’s LoHud blog, it’s mixed. Me? I’m still undecided now, but if I had to make a decision now, I’d say don’t retire #21.
Today is the first day of workouts at the Legends Steinbrenner Field complex. Play ball!
