If It’s Not About The Money Then What Is It In The World Of Sports ?

If It’s Not About Money Then What Is It In The World Of Sports

Well unless we’ve all missed something when it comes to the business of sports. It’s clearly about the finances before one can go out and assemble the talent on the field of play. I’ve read the pieces of many contributors and all that they tend to opine about are the statistics and not much else.

Granted, there’s a need to assess statistics but at the end of the day before one can start to opine on the greatness of a sports franchise. One clearly needs to take a look at the structure and in particular the organizational setup in terms of the finances. The biggest misnomer there is in sports is the fact that it’s about the talent and then statistics. Before any of that can come into being , there has to be a template in terms of the financial setup of an organization. And that too, of the ownership and the subordinates in terms of the executives. If those aren’t in place then it’s hard to see how the groundwork of an organization can come into being.A case in point , is the veracity being placed with regard to statistics and the game of baseball.

The biggest fallacy I’ve read is in a piece that was recently written , wherein the writer was trying to make an argument as to the astuteness when it came to the effectiveness of Toronto Blue Jays‘ GM J P Ricciardi . The basis of the writer’s argument was around the idiocy of Ricciardi’s assembling of talent within the organization. The fact of the matter is that while the talent was there. The team has never proven to be competitive over the tenure of Ricciardi’s rein. The franchise owned by the Rogers family, has been one complete joke over the last decade. Furthermore, over the last decade the team as we know it, has done more to disassemble the franchise instead of trying to main a competitive stride or edge. They’ve not won a World Series since their back to back wins in the early nineties. Since then, it’s been nothing but sheer ineptitude. But the writer would have you believe that the franchise was on the rise. He’d be better off trying to sell ice to the Eskimos for all the sense he was actually trying to make and then some !

I’ve always maintained that a sound structural setup will guarantee success but even more so if the finances and executive talent is in place. The Toronto Blue Jays for their part seems to have moved away from that in terms of its executive setup. More so, the ownership has never been known to spend money on the talent needed to guarantee success. We always hear in baseball that the team is building for the future in terms of its roster. And that in two or three years they’ll be ready to challenge for success. Well as of late, that hasn’t really happened within the game of baseball. Parity as it allegedly is, in for all sense and purpose still about the haves and have nots. We all know who the financial powerhouses are within the game and they’ve been the dominant franchises within the game over the the last decade. The rare exception to the rule may well have been the Florida Marlins . They’ve won two World Series over the last decade. Operating, on a shoe string budget, they’ve managed to succeed where others have failed. But the biggest fallacy within the game, is to believe that these teams are operating on a level playing field. Nothing could be further from the truth. And even with the tax-sharing revenue scheme in place. The game still remains with its imbalances.

There may well be only a handful of teams within the game baseball that actually make an operating profit in the true sense of the word , without the assistance of the hierarchy of the game providing the small and mid-tier market teams with an assist. The game’s hierarchy and its owners refuse to address the issue of a salary cap. And at the same as they continue to see many of their corporate sponsors slowly decline to further involve themselves in the game. And Players’ Union seems all too indifferent to the plight that the game now finds itself in. But what is even more of a concern is that now you’ve got a handful of agents who are now driving the spiraling market in terms of salaries not only for impending free agents but also for new draft picks. Signing bonuses ,are escalating out of control.

And whilst we’re at it, can someone explain to me why it is that a complete ass such as Bud Selig feels that he can dictate the terms under which a franchise can operate and go about facilitating a new stadium ? He’s at present trying to pressurize the Tampa Bay Rays franchise by stating that they’re in need of a new baseball facility. Bearing in mind, that the franchise itself has one of the lowest payrolls in all of baseball and a fan-base that’s no more than 15,000 at best. And even in-spite of its recent success , it still struggles to fill its home venue. Selig’s edict, is that if the franchise is to stage an All Star game. Then it’ll have to avail itself with a new state of the art stadium. Furthermore, if it’s to take place, it more likely than not will have to be at the taxpayers’ expense. When, if there was ever the view that Selig has no concept as to what it takes to run a business. Then his custodianship of the game has bordered on sheer ineptitude. Within the state of Florida ,there’s an employment rate bordering on the national average of 9.5% and his mandate is that the Rays ought to be building a stadium.

Less, Selig forgets , the franchise doesn’t operate on the premise that was facilitated by the idiocy that took place in the state of New York. Wherein, Mayor Michael Bloomberg , facilitated the building of both the Yankees new stadium and that of Citi-Field through a $2.25 billion bond issue . This being the same individual who was critical of the federal government bailing out the financial and automotive industry. But then, he has the temerity to have a bond issue and then issues favorable tax benefits to both the Wilpon and Steinbrenner families. To assist them in obtaining the additional land, in order to facilitate the building of their new facilities. Somehow, not only does baseball seem to be out of touch when it comes to economic realities but so too are a number municipal, state and governmental agencies.

But that’s merely what makes this sport something of a misnomer. In terms of its unnerving base when it comes to its financial setup and lack of reality. It’s not as if the game acts with any fiscal responsibility to begin with.

Weekend Sports Update ……

Well here I am in the beautiful city of Miami, on business for the next couple of days, at the expense of the firm that I work for. In conjunction with the associates of the Miami and Orlando offices. We’re working on a proposal for a Latin American client of the firm. If all goes well it’ll mean several million dollars in terms of fees and commissions that’ll be forthcoming to the firm . On the other hand if things don’t work out we’ll still be paid but it won’t on the scale that many of the firm’s senior partners had envisaged. But that’s another story , for another day.

Woods raises the Buick Open trophy signaling his victory of the the event held at Warwick Hills G&CC in Grand Blanc , Michigan. This was Woods' 69th official PGA Tour victory placing him third alltime on the PGA victory tour list. picture appears courtesy of getty images/ Chris Graythern ...................

Well on the sport’s front, Tiger Woods won his 69th professional PGA tournament. And basically it was merely another stroll in the park for the world’s number one golfer. The main challenge for Woods wasn’t how much he’d win by but whether or not his game was really where he wants it to be. With only the PGA Championship left on the calendar as the sole remaining Grand Slam event. Woods must view this as an event that needs his utmost attention . If he’s to resurrect what by his own lofty standards can be viewed as something of a disappointment by his own lofty standards.

For Woods at this stage of his career it’s not merely about winning events on the PGA Tour. It’s more to do with rewriting the history books and surpassing Jack Nicklaus’ total of eighteen Grand Slam major victories. Whilst Woods may well now be viewed as the best to have ever played the game. In many purists’ eyes the veracity of that argument can’t be made until he chases down to the reverential total and surpasses that milestone. If things had gone right for Woods in the two opening Grand Slam events, The Masters and the US Open . Then, we may well have been talking about Woods being on the threshold of winning his seventeenth major Grand Slam tournament. As it is, questions lingered as to his missing the cut at The Open. But one as they might say could account for that as merely ……”Tiger being Tiger “?

Woods’ win of the Buick Open , was one of ease, for the golfer by his own irreprissible standards. His three stroke victory never really saw him placed under any great challenges that weren’t as such of his own making. It was merely Tiger against himself after the first round of the tournament , held at Warwick Hills GC, in Grand Blanc , Michigan. And with his 69th official tour victory that now places him third alltime on the list of victors on the PGA Tour. The alltime victor’s list is head by the 82 victories of Sam Snead . When it’s all said and done, Woods may even surpass Snead’s total . As it is , it’s felt that he’s now in the prime of his career , even after just over a decade on the PGA Tour.

Filly , Rachel Alexander on her way to victory in The Preakness held at Pimlico Racecourse in Baltimore , Maryland. The equine won the race going away from Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird. picture appears courtesy of afp/ Ricardo Cortez .........................

Well this year’s Triple Crown was once again much ado about nothing. There was heightened excitement when it was felt that Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird was thought of as a logical favorite to triumph in all of three of the premiere equine events ran as part of the Triple Crown. Well it wasn’t to be for the victor the victor in the Kentucky Derby . This race, alongside that of The Preakness and The Belmont Stakes make up the triumvirate of most prestigious races held on the North American thoroughbred racing circuit. Inasmuch, as I like the content of thoroughbred racing here in the United States , I believe that the quality of racing isn’t on par with that of its European counterparts. Especially within the United Kingdom and France , of all places. Whilst the purses here are larger , the overall quality and prowess of the jockeys are somewhat less than satisfactory.

Rachel Alexander (6) ridden by Calvin Borel , sits behind Munnings (4) and Papa Clem (3) at the start of the Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park, Oceanport , New Jersey. The filly went on to win the race with ease by a margin of 6 lengths over her closest rival. picture appears ap/photo/ Bill Kostroun ...........

But it’d be foolish, to think that the racing here isn’t of a top notch level. And while much has been made of the heroics of Mine That Bird this equine season. If anything it has been the exploits of Preaknesss winner, the filly , Rachel Alexander , that has had the press and the fans of thoroughbred racing aghast, with her abilties. And for jockey , Calvin Borel , it too, has been a monumental season. As he’s had the privilege of having ridden both horses to victory in two of the three legs of the Triple Crown.

Racehel Alexander ridden by Calvin Borel strolls to victory in the Grade 1 Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park, Oceanport , New Jersey. picture appears courtesy of equi photos/ap/ Ryan Bishop ........................

The filly , herself, is unbeaten in all of her six races and has amassed well over $1,500,000 in prize money for her owners. But the intriguing thing has been to witness her take on the boys and beat them at their own game. Having been the first female to do so in a Triple Crown event with her emphatic victory in The Preakness by some 6 1/2 lengths over Kentucky Derby winner , Mine That Bird.

This weekend Rachel Alexander went out and once again prevailed in a Grade One event ,winning the $1.25million Haskell Invitiational at Monmouth Park, Oceanport, New Jersey. And to once again to emphasize how good this 3 year old filly really is. To say the ease with which she triumphed once again at Oceanside wouldn’t do her enough justice. Suffice to say that her victory over these colts was just another example that in the world of thoroughbred racing it certainly isn’t necessarily a man’s world. She completely annihilated her competition with her turn of speed, striding away from some top class equine talent.

Next up for the filly , may well be another race against the boys in Travers Stakes. And there’s no telling how emphatic she might be on her next outing. The one thing that you can be sure of is that she’ll have her full show of support from all of her fans out there. Especially if she shows the kind of form that has now become the norm for her.

McCutchen of the Pirates rounds third base after hitting a three run home run against the Washington Nationals. McCutchen would have a career day hitting three home runs and driving in six runs against the NL East team. In picture also is Nationals' third baseman Ryan Zimmerman . picture appears courtesy of ap/photo Gene J Puskar ..............................

Say what you will, one either clamors for the game of baseball, or they don’t . Given what transparency that there’s now said to be within the game. I , for one can’t say that as of late I’ve been overly excited with the direction that the game is now said to be going in. And at the same time I don’t even feel that the hierarchy can be entrusted to safeguard the best interests of the game . Much less , deal with the steroid issue in the appropriate manner. In watching the actions of the players, the owners and that of MLB , it’s like watching children at play deficating on themselves and then looking for someone else to come along and clean up their mess. And that’s given the fact that they’ve been potty trained.

McCutchen and teammate Lastings Milledge celebrate after McCutchen's celebrated feat against the Nationals. McCutchen joined a select few players whom as a rookie (aged 21 or younger) have hit three home runs in a game and driven six runs. Amongst those of that rarified air are Willie Stargell , Roberto Clemente (twice) and Aramis Ramirez . picture appears courtesy of ap/photo/ Gene J Puskar ........................

That asides, watching the heroics of the Pittsburgh Pirates’ Andrew McCutchen hit three home runs as a rookie , was an impressive performance. Albeit that the Pirates’ season must be filled with about as much optimism as that of both Kim Kardahsian’s and her hopes of reuniting with Reggie Bush .

McCutchen’s display for the Pirates whilst impressive. It simply doesn’t hide the very fact that this ballclub is heading nowhere. We’re forever being told that as such young teams such as the Phillies and Royals are building towards the future and that they’ll become competitive. But other than the Tampa Bay Rays and the Florida Marlins at present. There isn’t a team in baseball that’s even viewed in that criteria in terms of having a young core roster and being consistently competitive.

The Pirates are a microcosm of what’s said to be wrong when it comes to baseball and the imbalance that there’s said to be between the small to mid-tier to large market teams . Luxury tax sharing revenues or not , the teams that have been recipients of this. Not all of them have used those funds to bolster their rosters. Instead a large part of that money seems to have found its way into the pockets of their owners. And what’s even more intolerable these are the same owners who come cap in hand to the various municipal , county and state governments looking for tax breaks in and taxpayers’ monies to facilitate the building of ballplarks up and down the country. Think the Yankees’ and Mets’ new ballparks were funded through private monies ? Think again ?

Andrew McCutchen hits the third of his three home runs in the Pirates 11-6 rout of the Washington Nationals. picture appears courtesy of the post gazette/ Matt Freed ............................

So as it now stands, while McCutchen’s accomplishment can be looked upon as something of a great achievement for the player and the team. It doesn’t belie the fact , that for the Pirates’ immediate fortunes . It really doesn’t amount to much , other than a brief satisfying moment for the team’s fans. It certainly won’t change the fact that this team doesn’t appear to have a chance of competing at the highest levels of the game. It’s merely just another ballclub that exists within the realms of MLB for the vultures to come and swoop on down upon to replenish their rosters as and when they see fit. It’s not as if the hierarchy seems to think that there’s anything wrong in that to begin with. As far as they’re concerned ‘……it’s a dog eats dog world. And the weaker teams are just there to be gobbled up without there being any recourse at all ‘ !

Why Compete ? Well Why Not ? We Try To But We Can’t ……

I know longer worry about the alleged competitive aspect that there’s said to be within Major League Baseball . OK, so one can subscribe to the fact that over the last few years we’ve seen several different teams win the World Series . While commendable it really doesn’t hide the fact that there’s still something inherently wrong with the game. Not only is it somewhat troubling , it also seems to be of no real importance to the game’s hierarchy. One would’ve thought that it’d be of the utmost importance to the the commissioner , Bud Selig .

Pirates' left fielder Brandon Moss is unable to get to the triple hit by the Milwaukee Brewers' Mike Cameron in a game played at PNC Park in Pittsburgh, Pa,. The Pirates, however , would go on to win the game 8-7. picture appears courtesy og ap/photo/ Gene J Puskar ..................

When looking at teams such as the Pittsburgh Pirates (42-52) , one sees a team that for all sense and purpose , being competitive is no longer part of it their being , if it ever where there to begin with in the first place. They’ve become a moribund franchise within baseball and are the ‘the laughing stock of the league’ for all sense and purpose. It wasn’t so long ago that the game’s hierarchy were proposing to contract one or two teams within the game of baseball , stating that they weren’t financially viable. The two teams in question at the time were said to be the Florida Marlins and the Tampa Bay Devil Rays , as they were then known at the time. Nowhere , were the Pittsburgh Pirates mentioned in all of this when the exercise was being considered.

Granted, both Florida franchises were struggling to gain traction as far as attendance went , let alone be competitive. But if anything , they did produce a product on the field in terms of players who were willing to actually play a competitive game of baseball. No one can subscribe to the fact that the Pittsburgh Pirate have actually made the effort to do that at all over the last decade , if not longer ! This is a baseball club that borders on inanity from its upper echelons on down. And when one looks at the standings , other than the San Diego Padres(37-58) and Washington Nationals (28-66) , you won’t find another team comparable when it comes to showing sheer ineptitude within the National League.

The Pirates' Adam La Roche (left) sits in the dugout alongside his brother Andy La Roche during the game played against the Milwaukee Brewers, yesterday. picture appears courtesy of ap/photo/ Gene J Puskar .......................

One can surmise that the Pirates’ struggles are just like that of any other small or mid-market team within the league. But when it becomes repetitive in nature and the same excuse is being constantly used year in , year out to absolve themselves of any responsibility for the teams lack of competitiveness. It surely begins to grate on the minds of the fans of the team and generally for the observers of the game. Not once have I ever heard the likes of ESPN’s analysts Tim Kurkjian or Peter Gammons address this very issue head on. And as knowledgeable and insightful as they both are about the game. I find it somewhat galling that they fail to address it. But their masters if anything, has both them on a tight leash , not wanting to annoy the hierarchy of Major League Baseball with anything openly critical as to how they run the game. Then , so be it !

And the Pirates under the watchful eye of GM Neal Huntington , Team President Frank Coonelly and the team’s manager John Russell have remained anything but relevant. As their struggles have become an ever present thing. Each year we’re told that they’ve got a great ‘farm system’ and that future is very bright for the team. Not wanting to burst their bubble , if that were the case , we would be seeing some semblance of that with regard to there being productivity on the field in terms of their play. Rather than there being the constant upheaval either with the team’s roster and its management strucrture.

Robert Nutting the principal partner in the ownership structure of the Pittsburgh Pirates. picture appears courtesy of afp/photo/ Michael Thompson ..................

Principal partner in the team’s ownership , Robert Nutting seems to be at a loss for words, as to how to explain the team’s ineptitude. But one would guess that as long as they’re said to be getting their part of the league’s luxury tax-sharing revenue , that’s paid out to the small and mid-market teams. Then the lack of success on the field will continue have its financial benefits off the field for the team’s partnership structure. And for the fans of the Pirates they too ,can wallow in the depths of the ineptitude being shown by the organization. Afterall , what would ownership care about them to begin with ? Just as long as they’re prepared to pay to witness the ineptitude on diamond. Then they’ll continue to conjure up and serve up more of the same.

Adam La Roche (right) is seen here alongside Pirates' manager John Russell in the dugout at PNC Park in Pittsburgh. This was prior to the announcement being made that the player was to be traded to the Boston Red Sox in exchange for two minor league prospects. picture appears courtesy of Pittsbugh Tribune Review/ Christopher Horner ..............

With yesterday’s spectacle of witnessing the team trade away the best player on their roster , in Adam La Roche to the Boston Red Sox in exhange for two minor league prospects in right handed starter Hunter Strickland and shortstop Argenis Diaz. Well , if anything it could be looked upon as being back to the drawing board as the team once again seeks to rebuild. But as alluded to before it’s more of the same old horse-play on the part of the Pirates’ organization.

One would have to go back to the Jim Leyland era when the Pirates had a great deal of resonance within the game. And that was when the team had on its roster Barry ‘Lamarr’ Bonds and Bobby Bonilla . In addition to Bonds and Bonilla on the team’s roster at the time there was also Andy Van Slyke , Jay Bell , Steve Buechele , Mike LaValliere , Sid Bream , Jose Lind , Doug Drabek , John Smiley and Stan Belinda. And consistency was the norm for the team under Jim Leyland, then , as the team’s manager.

The McClatchy / Littlefield reign of the nineties , wherein, the team squandered what little goodwill they had within the city. It has merely brought about an endemic process of systematic changes. The cost-cutting that took place was drastic . Payroll was cut and the team in the form that it took was barely recognizable from their heyday under Jim Leyland. And once the McClatchy family and their partner saw fit to rid themselves of the team. It has to be said, you knew you were in for more of the same. It goes to the old addage …….. the more things on appearance looks to have changed. In effect the more still, things remain unchanged. It is the enigma and the puzzle that the fans of baseball have now come to know as the Pittsburgh Pirates. They’re not about to change for anyone , anytime soon. Despite what they may appear to do , or lead you to believe otherwise.

Pirates' player Ryan Doumit heads for home plate in the game against the Brewers. Inset in the background is the Brewers' pitcher Jeff Suppan. picture appears courtesy of ap/photo/ Gene J Puskar .................

The sad fact for baseball and in particular its fans. It is that whilst we have a hierarchy that’s merely concerned about its image. Rather than what’s best for the game, we will continue to see the likes of Pirates exist marginally on the fringes of the game of baseball. And be there purely as a source for other teams to plunder their roster and to do with as they as please. If you’re not of that belief then look around , just to see what’s indeed happening within the game. Whilst it’s veiwed as , that there’s being nothing wrong. It can’t at all be viewed as being healthy for the future of the game as we know it.

Ah Those Pesky Mets Much Like Their AL Neighbor They’d Rather Talk About The Past , Not The Present Or The Future

As a die-hard Marlins’ fan I once had a debate with a contributor within the Foxsports.com website as to the merits of the New York Mets and my Florida Marlins . The individual whose identity I won’t make public was of the opinion that the Mets were a far better team than the Marlins. And if anything they were by far the best team in the entire NL East. Suffice to say that’s about what I’d expect from someone who probably was either on prescriptive medication. Or who basically is still reliving the days of the Mets’ last World Series triumph , much less their last appearance in the World Series. If memory serves me correctly that was in a much vaulted ’subway series’ against the New York Yankees.

Manny Ramirez crosses homeplate having hit a home run in the Dodgers' 5-4 loss to the New York Mets in a game played at Citi Field in Flushing, New York. Mets' catcher Brian Schneider looks on. picture appears courtesy of getty images/ Jim McIsaac ..............................

The Mets as a team this season have underperformed. And once again we’ll hear the usual cacaphone of excuses as to the reasons why they’ve not played well. And the fact that injuries have played its part in the team’s poor performances on the field. Well these Mets are a team unlike any other who like other clubs in the majors have to meet and face adversity head on. It’s not how about the excuses you make but how you deal with the adversity that shows one’s resolve as a team. And that’s what you’ll tend to hear from even the most profound Mets’ fan more often than not.

Daniel Murphy of the Mets breaks his bat in the fifth inning with an infield single against the Los Angeles Dodgers. picture appears courtesy of getty images/ Jim McIsaac.....

With a record of 40-43 , 1 1/2 games under .500 and the season not yet having reached its midpoint. It has got to be said that even with the struggles and the resources at their beck and call. This is a team that seems to have lost sight of a goal. Ladened with a plethora of stars almost at every conceivable position on their roster . This is a team lacking in leadership but even worse , lacking in heart.

Summarily the woes of this team could be written off if they were anyone else. But we are talking about the New York Mets Their’s is a legacy built up around heroic deeds , a profound sense of history of the feats achieved from a bygone age. Whilst it’s valid to look back into the past as a way of guiding you towards the future. More often than it’s used by the Mets’ fans as a crux and a crutch for what ails them most.

Over their last ten games the team is a woeful 3-7 over that streak. And with both the Philadelphia Phillies , Florida Marlins and the Atlanta Braves seemingly having hit a rich vein of form . The Mets are now looking up at the triumvirate in the standings. With only the Washington Nationals as the division’s cellar dweller beneath them at this juncture.

David Wright of the Mets scores a run as he comes to home plate in the fifth inning of the game played against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Citi Field in Flushing , New York. picture appears courtesy of getty images/ Jim McIsaac .................

With the All Star break beckoning this may well give the team enough time to recuperate and lick many of its self inflicted wounds. For the team’s general manager Omar Minaya and that of their coach Jerry Manuel at the helm of the club under the auspices of owner Fred Wilpon and his family. One has to say that the club has ill served its fans a great deal ! With the club now playing inside the lavishly palatial Citi Field in Flushing , New York. And no expense being apparently spared when it comes to the assembly of this highly paid team . I’m really wondering how anyone in their right mind can believe that this team is really that much better than a team , wherein its payroll when compared to that of the Mets’ is minuscule to say the very least. Furthermore. as evidenced by the Marlins’ productivity on the field and their success when measured against that of the Mets. The assumption of this particular Mets’ fan is way off base ! .

Mets’ closer Francisco “K Rod” Rodriguez points to the skies in celelbration of the team’s 5-4 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers at Citi Field in Flushing , New York. picture appears courtesy of getty images/ Jim McIsaac …….

On paper he may well have had a valid point. But teams aren’t judged by how they look on paper. It’s what they do around the diamond that really counts at the end of the day. And this season the struggles of the Mets on the field of play has manifested itself in such a way that even the fans aren’t turning out in the numbers one would imagine for the games played at Citi Field. In-fact attendance at the Mets’ home venue are down over 200,000 in comparison at the same stage to last year. Economic woes or not there are some teams that’ll continue to have their struggles. And then there are those who just create even more for themselves by way of their lack of judgement managerially. Notwithstanding , the poor play of the players on the field . And by all accounts it has been this also which has now got to be leading to certain questions being asked in numerous circles as to the current plight of the New York Mets.

Citi Field in all of its grandeur and splendor . A vast edifice in which the Mets' fans can celebrate the team's triumphs and losses. picture appears courtesy of getty images/ Jim McIsaac ..................

At this juncture should the team fail to make the playoffs after the acquisitions of Johan Santana, J J Putz, Francisco Rodriguez as well as an aging veteran Gary Sheffield. It certainly would not bode well as to the fortunes of the of ball club. Not when you also consider with a multi-million dollar payroll the dividends returned have been less than satisfactory. And for players such as Carlos Beltran , David Wright , Jose Reyes and Carlos Delgado All of whom are highly paid stars on this roster. They if anything will have to take a look at themselves in the mirror and ask themselves . “Do they really like what it is that they see in return as a reflection” ? Chances are the answer may not well be to the fans’ liking. But then again the fans of the Mets at this juncture can ask …….. ” who ought we to blame ” ?

I Am A Man, And To Question My Sense of Well Being Is To Deny Me A Right

Well the the New York Yankees (38-31) now sit a mere 4 games adrift of the Boston Red Sox (42-27) in the AL East standings. And whilst on the face of it this doesn’t seem a large margin to make up between the two teams. The situation as such couldn’t be more dire for the franchise at present. That’s unless you’d count a recurrence of the inane rants of Hank Steinbrenner as an overall cause for concern ?  

Derek Jeter (left) and teammate Nick Swisher of the Yankees wait to bat during the eighth inning of an inter-league series game against the Florida Marlins played in Maimi. The Yankees would end up losing the game 6-5 and the series also 2-1. picture appears courtesy of getty images/ Lyne Sladky .............

And with the Yankees having gone 4-6 in their last ten games. All appears to be not quite tranquil as far as ‘The Evil Empire’ goes. With the Red Sox seemingly playing baseball at their usually proficient standard. Anything that’d indeed create on appearance of a gap as to the quality in between the two team’s play would be of cause for concern. Especially when one considers the rivalry between the two teams and their faction of fans. In all of professional sports this may be the most heated and fabled rivalry of them all. In essence it adds to the reason why as baseball fans we can be transfixed by anything that merely happens between the two teams on or off the field of play.

Joe Girardi manager of the Yankees has a discussion with home plate umpire Tim Simmons (95) and his colleagues during the eighth inning of the game played against the Florida Marlins at Land Shark Stadium in Miami, Florida . picture appears courtesy of getty images /Lyne Sladky .................

The AL East as we know is most definitely the most glamorous division in all of baseball. It certainly is the most contentious in terms of the quality of the teams and their competitiveness. And with the young upstarts of last year in the Tampa Bay Rays (37-34) now being added to the mix. Let’s just say that any slip ups by either of the two more prominent teams within this division and the Rays’d be more than willing to take advantage of the situation. As the reigning AL East champions , having won the AL pennant and making it to the World Series. The thought of a return visit hasn’t escaped the thoughts of this young team. The elixir that’s success once having become accustomed to. The taste of more isn’t at all easy to give up or even overlook.

Yankees' 3rd baseman Alex Rodriguez tosses his bat in frustration having been struck out in the third inning of an inter-league game played between the Marlins and Yankees at Land Shark Stadium , Miami , Florida. picture appears courtesy of getty images/ Lyne Sladky ..............

Yankees’ manager Joe Girardi can’t be at all happy with the frailties now being shown by his team. And with a slumping Alex Rodriguez now hitting a mere .213 and adding little if any potency to the offense as of late. It can’t have gone unnoticed that the player and his off the field situation earlier on in the season may well have to an extent reared its ugly head once again. Never mind the allegations now being made as to his relationship with actress Kate Hudson. Added to the fact their ace pitcher C C Sabathia may well have some injury concerns . A visit to the DL mightn’t be out of the question should the injury prove to be of concern.

Fans in the crowd are somewhat jocular given that the game was being played on Fathers' Day in Miami between the two inter-league teams. picture appears courtesy of getty images/ Lyne Sladky .....................

For Girardi his patience will now be severely tested. Say nothing of which with Hank Steinbrenner not less than a few steps away opining on things and closely scrutinizing every move concerning this team. The calm before the storm may well be about to uncorked. And with the All Star break just around the corner . A widening gap in the margin between the two teams (Red Sox) would make the Yankees’ predicament less enticing as a fan of the organization.