NO MORE SECOND CHANCE . . . AND HOWE

Steve Howe was a promising young reliever when he broke in with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1980. But although he had the presence and poise to become a star in the bigs, his even quicker spiral into the world of substance abuse tempered his quick success with the Dodgers. His most impressive statistic was his record-number of drug-related suspensions (seven).

Today marked the end for the colorful reliever. The former Yankee lefty who played for the Yankees from 1991-1996, lost his life in a car accident at the way too young age of 48. There was a moment of silence at Yankee Stadium before New York played Toronto on Friday night.

Back in the early 90s Howe was the perfect whipping boy at BTB as well as on the road in the American League, not to mention the ppress corps. In 1994 when the players went on strike Steve was selling tickets in Tampa at Spring Training (1995) to help him fulfill his sentence due to the drug charges. As part of his conviction he had to remain working to stay out of jail. They Yankees were behind Steve and let him work at the Ticket Office in Tampa.

Howe, who was a regular at the Yankee Fan Fest was 47-41 with 91 saves and a 3.03 ERA with the Dodgers, Minnesota, Texas as well as the Yankees. His final season in the majors was 1996, and the Yankees released him in June. Two days after the Yankees let him go, Howe was arrested at a Delta Airlines terminal at New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport when a loaded .357 Magnum was detected inside his suitcase. He later pleaded guilty to gun possession and was placed on three years probation and given 150 hours of community service. Howe tried a comeback in 1997 with Sioux Falls of the independent Northern League. In August, he was critically injured in a motorcycle accident in Montana and charged with drunken driving. So one has to wonder of his condition when he had his accident.

Steve Howe may not have been the model Yankee, no not even by any stretch of the imagination. He did give it his all everyday and he did know what it meant to wear the pinstripes. The disease that took the not only the pinstripes but from the game from as well may have made a return visit and may have taken his life.

Unfortunately Howe will not be remembered for being a Yankee, not for being the hot shot reliever, not even for playing the game that he loved. Steve will be remembered for his seven "second chances". Sadly there are no second chances in life. RIP Steve. 1958-2006

SEASON OF WASTED OPPORTUNITIES

I would like to send a wake up call to our Yankees to start playing like a team. You are swinging at too many first pitches, letting too many close pitches go by with a two strike count and just looking awkward at the plate.

I know it is early and I am not panicing. I know we were 9-19 last season and came back from 14 games back in 78. This is 2006 my friends and the only destiny we have control of is our own. We can't make the Bostons, Torontos and baltimores lose unless we are playing them. Frankly we haven't been doing the best job of that. A good team wins one run games a bad team doesn't. So far we a re 0-4 in one run games.

Are we going to come around? I have no doubt. My question is when??? We don't need this torture. Let's Go Yankees.

And on a side note Let's Go Devils and Nets.

TOP NON SEXIEST MEN LIST

A magazine in Boston has released its list of the ugliest male celebrities. (No Asburry, Hideki Masui was not listed.) Randy Johnson took the #2 honors and Don Zimmer finished in the #29 spot. The Phoenix arts and entertainment alternative newsweekly ranked the "100 unsexiest unsexiest men in the world."

MO BLOWS FIRST SAVE

Just when it looked safe to go back in the water Mariano Rivera gave up the winning single with two outs in the ninth for a 6-5 Twins victory.
After allowing runners to reach second and third with nobody out in the 9th, Mo proceeded to strike out the next two batters. The rest is history.
We still aren't playing they way we should and Jaret Wright doesn't seem to be anything more than dead weight. Anyway we will see what happens next time out.

BASEBALL HISTORIAN

and Bomber Buddy Harvey Frommer is on the CNN PODCAST for APRIL 2006 Check it out. http://www.cnn.com/services/podcasting

OPENING DAY (NIGHT)

The 2006 Baseball Season officially takes off tonight as the Champion White Sox take on the Tribe at the New Comminsky or whatever they are calling it this week. In a game that was traditionally the Reds and Cubbies for years the two AL Central rivals open it all up in what really should be called Opening Night. Mark Burehrele makes his 5th Straight OD start against Cleveland's CC Sabathia.

Tomorrow night in Oakland the Yankees send the Big Unit against the A's in the quest for #27.

Luckiest Fans On The Face Of This Earth: History of New York Yankees Fall Classics

as written by author and essayist Michael Aubrecht of the Pinstripe Press

No team in the history of Major League Baseball has ever dominated the postseason like the New York Yankees and their storied franchise currently leads all sports teams in championships-won. From Ruth and Gehrig - to Jeter and Rivera - the history of the "Bronx Bombers" in the Fall Classic continues to be written and rewritten again and again! The intent of this website is to provide fans with a concise, online reference guide featuring New York's World Series notables. I have also included several detailed studies into my own personal favorite Yankees World Series subjects, little known facts from Baseball-Almanac and key historical events that took place off the field. From purists and historians, to novices alike, this website has something for everyone!

BOOK REVIEW

The Last Nine Innings
By Charles Euchner
A Review By Phil Speranza

A baseball fan reads a book about baseball because he loves the game. The key word there is game. The cover itself will turn off the avid Yankee fan. The slogan "You'll Never watch a Baseball Game The Same Way." Broadcasts the fact that it more than just a baseball book. The author Charles Euchner has written six other books that deal with the business of baseball as far as the amenities go.

As far as the baseball purest goes the slogan itself tells you this book is more than the game. The photo brings back a bad memory to the Yankee fan all by itself. The photo is enough to keep the Yankee fan from buying the book. The photo depicts Luis Gonzalez's game winning hit with one out in the ninth inning of Game 7 of the 2001 World Series. A game that had Yankees written all over it. From the travesty of the WTC bombings to a World Series where the Yankees should have been swept.

Mr. Euchner marks this hit and game as a turning point in the make up of todays game. It is at this point that he asks the question Is Baseball Better or Worse? He questions everything from psychology, movements, fitness, and their relationship with the "new" stats of the game. He blasts everything from the media to the free agent system and naturally jumps on the steroids bandwagon.

The author uses Game 7 of the 2001 World Series as the main focal point to rip into the game that we love. He takes shots at Paul O'Neill as well as teen idol Derek Jeter. O'Neill's base running choices that feeds fuel to a discussion about the theory and practice of base running; he takes a sharp grounder to Jeter in the second inning and make it gospel of his whole career and shoots down the use of fielding stats in general.

Euchner hits just about everything: there are treatments on the mechanics and physics of hitting and pitching, the intricacies of managing, and the globalization of the game, and quite a few other subjects. The author makes a simple game way to complicated and if one reads this book to learn about the game they would probably chose another sport to be a fan of. You didn't think that game seven had such an impact did you?

Mr. Euchner does a great job of detailing the events of each inning in with conversations he's had with the managers of each team, the players, and other people associated with the game of baseball. I probably would have enjoyed that more if my team won, but it was a great insight into what went wrong. He also uncovers trivial tidbits like conversations with Mariano Rivera where he reveals why he plans to devote himself to God after his playing days are over. Her brings forth the fact that Mariano's close friend and teammate; Enrique Wilson may be dead now if the Yankees had won that game. It seems Wilson had reservations on Flight 587 to the Dominican Republic; which crashed bearing no survivors upon take off. Once the Yankees fell to the D-backs Enrique changed his reservations to an earlier flight and the rest is history.

While it brings up a lot of trivial, although some useless facts the book is quite an interesting read but maybe not for the between the lines baseball fan as it brings up way too many bad memories for the Bronx Bomber fans.

JP DAWSON AWARD

Former Staten Island Yankee 1B/3B Eric Duncan was voted winner of the 2006 JP Dawson Award. The award is given to the best rookie in Spring Training. Duncan joins the ranks of Don Mattingly, Jorge Posada and Willie Randolph among others.

YANKS TAKE GAMBLE ON PROCTOR

Scott Proctor who is out of options extended his lease in pinstripes due to injuries to Aaron Small. He did have a great spring as well. Proctor impressed the Yanks with a 1.06 ERA over 17 innings this spring and will begin the year as a long reliever. The way the starters have been dropping don't be surprised if he makes a start or two this season.

Jaret Wright will make his first appearance in a game since March 18 when he pitches in a minor-league game today. Wright, who said he's over the back spasms that sidelined him, is waiting to find out his role at the start of the season. Joe Torre and Ron Guidry will watch Wright pitch and said he'll likely announce his rotation tomorrow. Lee Mazzilli will stay back at Tampa and manage the Yanks against the D-Rays.

BEHIND THE BOMBERS BRIEFS

Holy Cow Yankee fans we went from 7 starters to three in no time at all. Chien Ming "Don't Call Me Tiger" Wang will test out his bruised knee Friday as the Yankees return to the scene of the 2001 World Series Arizona. So if all goes well it looks like Wang will be the number 4 hurler behind Randy Johnson, Mike Mussina and Shawn Chacon.

Speaking of Randy Johnson, he showed his classlessness these past couple of days. RJ has gone to court demanding that an ex-girlfriend return less than $100,000 in day care payments he made for a daughter they had out of wedlock 16 years ago, the Smoking Gun Web site reports. Johnson last month petitioned a judge in Island County, Wash., for return of the $750 a month in day care payments he provided over eight years to the girl's mother, Laurel Roszwell. He's also demanding interest, for a total of about $93,000.
Johnson has also been paying $5,000 a month in child support, none of which is in dispute. Johnson and Laurel Roszwell did not enter into a child-support agreement until the girl, Heather Roszwell, was 8 years old. You may have a point Randy but suck it up and show some class. Let her keep the money.

BY A NOSE
Jorge Posada is expected to be behind the plate come Opening Day in Oakland after he return to defensive action this afternoon. Posada took part in the team's workout before Sunday's game against Detroit, taking batting practice, but he wasn't expected to return to game action until Tuesday or Wednesday.

A few thoughts about the game and other stuff:...

Barry "Goodad" Spencer Special Guest Blogger


1. Proctor looked really good. He's got hisself a slider now, and he's throwing it for strikes. He's also got hisself a changeup now, and he's throwing it for strikes. He actually appeared to get stronger as the game went into the 4th. Word is they're grooming him for long relief.

2. Pavano looked ok. I hate back problems in pitchers. Especially young ones. They can flare up at a moments notice. Fingers crossed.

3. Jorge was plugged in as DH. Looking like rocky raccoon his timing is a little off. But, consider this. If Joe uses him like he did last year, a few weeks off in the Spring should facilitate fresher legs for Hip. Bodes well for our October.

4. Murcer and Singleton mentioned the Yanks had been doing defensive drills earlier that day. Specifically infield defense. Both were kinda surprised about this so late in Spring training. Which begs the question, why so surprised? You can never work on fundamentals too much. Stinnett was taking pops behind the plate. Anybody who has ever been there knows, there is no such thing as an easy pop up the catcher has to field. All this continuing work on infield fundamentals has a Larry Bowa flavor to it. And I like it a lot!

5. Bowa has also been working with Cano on keeping his glove down, and teaching him to anticipate a bad hop on every play. Basic infield mechanics, taught in Little League, but you could see the difference in Cano's fielding last night. Much more sure handed. Much more fundamentally sound. Don't let Bowa's efforst go unnoticed as you watch the Yanks infield this year.

6. Mazzilli on the bench is also going to be a major asset to Joe. Joe has a great deal of respect for his former 1st base coach. Maz has a great baseball mind, and watches the game with a keen eye. He's also a walking rule book.

7. Giambi's eye for the plate is right there! What a surprise!8. The importance of renewed interest in working on sound baseball fundamentals can not be emphasized enough. Mental errors cost ballgames, and by the break in July, I expect to hear from more than a few announcers, how fundamentally sound this years Yankees play the game.

My predictions for this year:

1. Look for a lot of fun.

2. Look for a lot of frustration.

3. Look for a lot of crooked numbers.

4. Look for a lot of wins.Last night I could feel the tingle of anticipation as opening day draws near.

And with the last pre-season game Saturday afternoon, it's almost time for Yankinit to set the table, and the great AlanH to bring it home in true BTB tradition.

LOOKING BACK AT THE WBC AND SPRING TRAINING 2006

With the rosters trimming down and Opening Day in site, it is time to rewind and look back at just what we have seen this Spring. Sources say that this years crop of players have beat last Spring's bunch hands down. Yankee Spring Training has been Kevin Heaven as both outfielders Kevin "KT" Thompson and Kevin Reese have had super pre seasons. However both player will benefit by heading to Columbus to start the season with our old friend Melky Cabrera.

That does however make the Columbus outfield a little crowded. Melky had a great spring being a step ahead having played winter ball. Miguel Cairo is happy to be in pinstripes and had a great spring as well.

How accurate has the performances been during the Spring? Well, you have to take into consideration that a lot of the kids have been given more exposure being a good portion of the regulars have been participating in the World Baseball Classic. The results of the "Spring Break" have yet to be seen.

• Will the regulars be ready to start the season?
• Will they run out of gas earlier than normal?
• Are the good outings by some of the kids been misrepresentation to the the lower quality of competition?

These questions all remain unanswered. We probably wont know all the answers until September.

I must admit I wasn't excited about the WBC but I really enjoyed watching the tournament. Sure there are bugs to be worked out but the best teams won. Next time around I wouldn't be surprised if the preparation changes for the US and Dominican teams. The Japan, Korean and Cuban teams were better prepared and it showed and deservingly so.

Opening Day is coming and the Yanks will be involved with three of them. Before they get home to their own the playing in both the Angel and Athletic home openers. All I can say is "Play Ball".

IF LOVING YOU IS WANG ...

I don't want to be (Jaret) Wright!!!

Special Guest Blogger
Andrew Allen

Jaret Wright is in mid season form. He had a despicable outing last time out, giving up 8 runs on 11 hits. This is a good thing. If he isn't traded, he shouldbe put at the end of the bully, as a mop-up specialist. Our rotation to begin the season will hopefully be: Randy Johnson, Mike Mussina, Chien Ming Wang, Shaun Chacon, and Aaron Small. Hopefully Carl Pavano can move in if he gets healthy. Jaret just won't be effective as a starter this year.
His fastball looks too straight and hittable.
Move him to the pen, and all is well.

LOTS OF BASEBALL NEWS

Lots of baseball news, first there is the untimely passing of Kirby Puckett. Kirby is one of those opposing player you just have to love. He didn't look like a centerfielder but boy could he play it. God Bless You Kirby.

The Canadians upset the US Team today. I noticed A-Rod, Jeter, Damon and Clemens are all buddy-buddy in the dugout. Al Leiter announced he will retire after the World Baseball Classic and Roger Clemens is hinting he could go the same route.

Jarret Wright looked in mid season form tonight as he was pulled in the 3rd inning after seemlessly losing the strikezone. Also he seems to be wearing #34 this spring instead of #33. It didn't seem to help much.

Bernie Williams wasthe Team Puerto Rico DH Tuesday. Batting leadoff he knocked in the go-ahead run in the bottom of the fifth as his team scratched out a 2-1 win over Panama in the opening game of Pool C play in the World Baseball Classic. The PAnama team was originally suppose to be managed by former Bomber Roberto Kelly.

TISKET A TASKET. . .

By Guest Blogger Barry "Goodad" Spencer

A few thoughts from a few things I read this morning:-First full squad workout today, and the locker room was just a hustle and bustle. Probably with the anticipation of another season to get Derek Jeter back his toy.-

Jason Giambi and Johnny Damon have lockers next to each other and were appearing to be enjoying that. Reportedly Jason looked in excellent shape, and said he feels better now than at any other time as a Yankee. His offseason consisted of 3 weeks off, and he continued to work on some of the hitting drills Don Mattingly taught him. Note to Jason: Doesn't hurt to work on a little leather either buddy. I've been told Donnie was pretty good at that too.-

We've heard about Gary Sheffield's meeting with Cashman. Now there is speculation out there why Mike Mussina wasn't given the same treatment. Personally, I would like to see Mike pitch his way into his option. If he doesn't at least tickle the 20 win mark this year; well, I'll have to see how it goes. BTW, Moose says he is unconcerned about this.-

Kelly Stinnett sounds like a kid in a candy store. He's loving the Yankee way, which includes working with legends like Mariano Rivera. Somebody pinch this guy.-Bernie reported on Monday, and says he's excited to be back. Looks like he will be taking some balls in the corner outfield spots. I got a feeling Bernie Williams is going to surprise a lot of people this year at the plate. Pride will be the catalyst.-

When Joe Torre and George Steinbrenner had their big sitdown, it was expressed by Torre that he needed to communicate with The Boss a lot more. Well, George has been at Spring Training nearly every day and has been seen around Torre's office quite a bit. Joe is getting what he wants from the Boss. And he couldn't be happier about it.-Shef says he would consider it an honor to hit his 500th home run the same year as A-Rod. He has a great deal of respect for our 3rd baseman, and calls him his best friend. Nice to hear somebody say something good about the reigning MVP.

On a personal note:I can't remember the last time I was as anxious to get a season going as I am about this one. All reports, with the exception of Pavano, coming out of camp are positive. No steroid issues. No contract issues. No trip to Japan. From what I've read everybody is in a positive frame of mind and anxious to get this thing going. The newbies are happy to be there, and the vets are excited to be back.


EVEN GOD LOVES THE NEW YORK YANKEES!!!

THE BOYS OF TAMPA

The team is present accounted for in Tampa. Joel Sherman and George King put their heads together and report on George Steinbrenner doing his best Joe Namath and guaranteeing the 27th Championship. Meanwhile Sam Borden reports the same thing over at the Daily Snooze. I am sure Newsday and the Star Ledger have the same things going. Bill Madden of the Snooze tell us on how Jason Giambi is ready to start over again. Good thing for Jason there is no Olympic style testing in baseball.
Why is it that one of the biggest teams in sports history has problems getting writers? Anyone want to write for BTB please send me an email.

SPRING HAS SPRUNG IN TAMPA

Now I propose the question, is this a good year to attend Spring Training? If you trek to Tampa you may not get to see Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez or newbie clean-shaven Johnny Damon. You may not even get to see Miggy Cairo. You will however get to see Robbie Cano, who opted out of the World Baseball Classic because he felt it more fruitfull playing than being third string and riding the pine. You will get to see the remaining 2/3 of the Yankee outfield as Hideki Matsui and Gary Sheffield both took a pass on playing. You will definitely get to see Jorge Posada who the Yankees have sucessfully blocked from participation despite Jorge's disire to wear the "PR" on his cap. George Steinbrenner has spoke out about his dislike for the WBC but Derek Jeter is at the opposite side of the spectrum he is outright excited about playing for USA team.

Mike Mussina was approached by Italy to play in the WBC, the only problem is Mike is not Italian, he is slavic, his family had changed their name. The Daily Snooze reports that Mike now is ready to sit down and bang out a contract extention.

Carl Pavano has halted throwing due now to back problems he is experiencing. The Yankees signed 38-year-old Scott Erickson to a non-roster contract. The audition is due to the fact that "superscout" Jason Giambi has seen him throw and that the signing was, mostly Giambi's work .

Chisox Skipper Ozzie Guillen made a sideways apology yesterday from his comments in a Sports Illustrated interview calling A-Rod a "hypocrite," among other niceties, for hedging over playing for Team USA or the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic. Anthony McCarron of the Snooze report on the inane comments of a sore winner. Who is a hypocrite now Ozzie?

BOMBER BYTES

With the east coast covered with almost 2 foot of snow one can only long for the baseball season to start. To shed a little warmth Sam Borden of the Daily Snooze has five questions that Yankees have to ask themselves about their current squad.

In the New York-Penn League (short season A) where the Staten Island Yankees rein champions the Lowell Spinners are making the New England Little Leagues quite an offer. The Spinners say that if youth baseball leagues across New England change the name of a team from the Yankees to the Spinners, Lowell would pay for new uniforms. Not a bad deal for the youngsters. Then they can have one of those goofy top jerseys as well.

New York Snoozeday adds to that thought, there are still roles that need to be determined while Peter Caldera of the Bergen Record recycles the above stories again and again.

THE QUIET BEFORE THE STORM

Alex Rodriguez was on XM Radio this week explaining why he made his decision of who to play for in the WBC. If the fans don't drive him crazy the media will. A-Rod needs to just get up at bat and forget about the critics. He needs to start getting a partial Manny (Rodriguez) attitude. Not only is he the best player in the game he is also the most misunderstood. I will be curious to see how "his people" greet him when he returns to the Bronx in April.

The Bronx Bombers announced today that they have claimed right-handed pitcher Darrell Rasner off waivers from the Washington Nationals. To make room for Rasner on their 40-man roster, the Yankees designated right-handed pitcher Jason Anderson for assignment.