The Sommer Frieze

Kind of a slow day as we await the beginning of ST.

Pitchers and catchers on the 17th.

I’m reminded of one of my favorite stories today. In one of the Pro Bowls in the late 1970’s, 8 of the 11 starters on defense for the AFC were from the Steelers. For one play, Jack Lambert, instead of calling a special AFC defense put in for the Pro Bowl (so that the guys—all from different teams—were on the same page) called a Steeler defensive scheme.

One of the three guys who wasn’t a Steeler looked at Lambert, and pointing at the other non-Steelers and himself, said “what is that and what do WE do?”

To which Lambert replied, “leave it to us and just stay the F*** out of our way.”

Maybe I didn’t explain it quite exactly, but it went something like that. Yes, I can see that that happened. Wouldn’t surprise be one bit.   

MBLTR reports:

Meanwhile, Jon Paul Morosi and Ken Rosenthal of FoxSports.com report that Damon hasn’t moved off his demand of a two-year deal. Good luck with that, Johnny.

Exactly. Damon wouldn’t take the Yanks 2 yrs. at $14M. He wouldn’t take 1 year at $6M with $3M deferred without interest. God only knows what he’ll get now.

Sometime (maybe soon?) Johnny (and Boras) will realize that they have no leverage. But when?

Good article today by Joel Sherman (NY Post) on five guys the Mets could probably get cheaply. All five could help the Mets. One of the five being Russell Branyan for 1B. Meanwhile, MLBTR states that the Mets could be looking at Mike Jacobs? Branyan would probably be a better choice.

As for Delgado, who knows? Best fit for him….AL as a DH, but a lot of those spots are filled. Thome had to settle for a part-time position with the Twins. Jermaine Dye is still looking, as is Damon. How many games would JD need at DH as opposed to LF? He is 36, after all.

Apparently the odds are already out for next year’s SB champ. The Colts are favored at 7-1. My Steelers are 12-1 (as is Dallas). Saints? 10-1. Chargers 8-1, Patriots 10-1. Both NY teams are 25-1. Eagles 20-1.

The longest shots? Buccaneers and Rams. Both 300-1.