The Yankees Web site is reporting that third-baseman Aaron Boone injured his knee while playing basketball. And he may be out for the entire 2004 season!

This isn't a good sign for the Yankees, and for fans of big Boone. Apparently his contract says he can't play basketball during the off season.

Pro athletes are discouraged from playing pick-up games of basketball in the off-season for just this reason. In fact, a number of LA Kings have it written into their contracts that they are not to engage in pick-up games (or waterski.)

~Adam

Yeah, when I heard this on MSG tonight, I thought of Drew Henson all of sudden. frown

According to an article on the Yankees website: ""I can confirm that the Yankees have been notified by his representatives that third baseman Aaron Boone suffered an injury to his left knee while playing basketball," Cashman said.

Sustaining the knee injury playing basketball would be a violation of Boone's contract with the Yankees."

In a Yankees press release, Brian Cashman says, "Concerning his contract, I can confirm that there are certain prohibited activities which include basketball."

A couple of years ago the Blue Jays had a situation where a player (was it Paul Quantrill?) had injured himself skidoo-ing. Initially, he pretended it was something else because injuring yourself during a "prohibited activity" could invalidate your contract. Boone only has a 1-year contract. Losing pay plus losing a year of playing time will not be good for him.

But it must be tough for players to be barred from doing things they like to do (like playing basketball, or skidoo-ing) during their off season.

[ January 26, 2004, 07:47 PM: Message edited by: canmark ]

speaking of prohibited activities. I believe that motorcycle riding is prohibited by many teams, although quite a few players like to ride. When they do get hurt, there's always an attempted cover up- there's a lot of money at stake.

Wade, I think the Giants and Jeff Kent can confirm that last activity is definitely among those prohibited in many contracts ....at least, I'm sure Aaron Boone won't claim that he slipped while washing his truck, though, like the lame excuse Kent tried to get away with to cover up his off-season motorcycle mishap.

It's just so odd that these professional athletes are supposed to be in good shape and well conditioned, you'd think they'd be less prone to accidents such as this knee injury for Boone. He must have really been rough-housing with the boys.

Just watch the union get Boone out of this and get him at least a chunk of the salary he's due.

What I don't understand, is why any athlete no matter how good a shape they are in, takes risks like this that are strictly prohibited in their contracts. There is WAY TOO MUCH MONEY at stake! :confused:

But imagine being an athlete and told you couldn't play a pick-up game of basketball or flag football with your friends, or go skiing or snowboarding, or ride your motorcycle or go skidoo-ing... for the next 15 years of your life!

Nobody expects to injure themselves doing these activities, and one could just as easily get injured playing tennis or slipping in the bathtub. To avoid recreational sports for the entire length of your career--the prime years of your life--would be hard to do, I think.

Perhaps the players can get insurance in case such mishaps occur (like movie stars/movie studios get insurance in case a star gets injured/dies)?

I think the 7 figure salary is adequate compensation. Surely you can't feel sorry for these guys (after all, playing a recreational sport is their job; it's not as if they're being required to stay in a cell when not practicing or on the field).

Now that he may have a chance to really prove himself this spring training (and possibly get a starting or backup position at third base), Drew Henson is reporting that he is giving up baseball, and is going to pursue football. Weird! :confused:

Gary Sheffield, who has played many games at third base, is volunteering to play third base in Aaron Boone's absence.

The 2004 stories and drama are beginning. I've got to get this year's Yankee thread going soon! wink

Sheffield played third for a couple of seasons when he was with the Brewers many years ago. But Sheffield, Soriano, Giambi and Jeter would make up one of the worst defensive infields I can think of in baseball history! Jeter is slightly better than average, the rest are well below average.

Anyway, Sheff isn't going to third. Maybe they could lure Ventura back! Few butts have looked better in pinstripes and he's still got a glove.

Good observation about a potential worst defensive infield in baseball if Sheffield were to move to 3rd. But If he did go to 3rd what does that do to their outfield? Bernie Williams goes to right field?

I just love all these problems the Yankees are having. It's been a snowball effect starting with Andy Petitte saying, "I'm outta here."

[ January 28, 2004, 03:41 PM: Message edited by: amazin12 ]

If only Boone were a better player, I'd call this more "YANKEE MAGIC"!

The Rich Guys have wisely rejected Sheffield's offer, and as Rob Neyer writes, they need to deal... he points out their 3B will likely be the worst hitter in the lineup (as he would've been if Aaron had confined his winter sport to tiddlywinks).

Boone told the NY Daily News that he'll be back this season.

Boone to Bounce Back?

Boone's comments aren't surprising for an athlete. They always feel their injuries are not as serious as they might be. But in his case, he might be right. Even though he didn't go into details about the incident, I can't imagine him falling on his knee so badly that it would tear a muscle. And an MRI should show any significant tear. All this talk about waiting for the swelling his just cautious gab. The fact that the Yankees so an early MRI and aren't going full throttle to find a replacement might be an indicator that the tear is so minor they can barely see it now. So it should be able to heal itself in three months, tops. I do hope Boone bounces back. He's not the best hitter, but he sure is a tall hunk of man. I mean, really, Enrique Wilson? The Yankees are really hurting in the eye-candy department these days. (OK, don't spam me, I know they're hurting in other areas too!)

[ January 30, 2004, 09:53 AM: Message edited by: batboy ]

It looks like the Yankees have addressed their third base issue (or at least attempted to) by trading for Rangers third baseman Mike Lamb....while Lamb's value in Texas was clearly diminished by the emergence of Hank Blalock and Mark Teixeira last season I actually think this deal may turn out well for the Yanks, particularly given the fact that they only gave up a minor league pitcher in return.

[ February 04, 2004, 12:11 PM: Message edited by: gamecock ]

The latest rumor (according to ESPN, for whatever that's worth) has the Yanks and Cardinals talking about an Alfonso Soriano for Albert Pujols trade EVEN-UP....I know the Cards have made some BAD trades over the years (sending Steve Carlton to the Phils for Rick Wise comes immediately to mind) but I think they would be absolutely NUTS if they made this deal and would regret it for the next two decades....I know on paper it looks like it would "solve" the third base problem in the Bronx and the second base dilemma in St. Louis but, despite his 39 HR season two years ago, I do NOT yet think Soriano is a perennial All-Star (and he is horrendous defensively at 2B) while the offensive numbers that Pujols has put up during his first two seasons rival ANY player in MLB history and I see nothing to indicate that will change....St. Louis CANNOT seriously be considering making this deal, can they?

I hope to God not... Soriano could turn into Juan Samuel any year now.

Mike Lamb? Didn't I read his glove cost him his Texas job?

Wow, as a Yankee fan I would love to see that happen, but I can't believe the Cardinals would consider such a trade. Pujols is probably one of the top five players in baseball right now in terms of all-around ability. Soriano can be flashy and streaky, but he is a terribly undisciplined hitter and has shown no sign that he's interested in learning better self-control. If the Cards really offer Brian Cashman such a deal, I hope he grabs it and runs.

[ February 06, 2004, 06:02 PM: Message edited by: Munson Man ]

Sori seems like a nice enough guy, but I've got no love for him. Besides, Pujols is way sexier, and the Yankees need more hotties.

But Pujols is an outfielder, right? Who would play 2B if this trade is for real? Enrique Wilson?

I'm not sure who would play second in the Bronx if Soriano is dealt, FeverDog, but Pujols has played a LOT of THIRD BASE in St. Louis (along with alternating between the outfield and first) and the reason for this "proposed" deal is solely due to the Yanks weakness at third and the Cards relative inexperience at second base....not only has Albert put up incredibly strong offensive numbers during his two year MLB career thus far but he has played very well defensively, which is even more impressive given his constant change of positions on Tony LaRussa's lineup card....nevertheless, I seriously doubt that this deal will happen due to the outcry that would inevitably arise from the knowledgeable baseball fans in Missouri.

[ February 06, 2004, 07:56 PM: Message edited by: gamecock ]

I guess some people just never learn that for absolutely everything in life, there is a downside.
if you want a 7 figure salary, the downside is a prohibited activies clause in your contract. Sounds like a mighty nice trade off to me.

People must think Steinbrenner can hypnotize other owners to do whatever he wants them to do!

Making this trade would be a huge blunder on the Cards' part. Besides, Cards need pitching. If they are going to let Pujols slip through their fingers, they're going to get pitching, not defensively inept second baseman.

How do the two players rate salary-wise? I understand that the Cards want to reduce their payroll (sound familiar, Mr. Rolen?). I imagine that Pujols either makes more now or will do so in the next couple of years.

Soriano is only on a one-year deal (for $5.4 mil.), so I can't imagine the Cards trading a franchise player for someone they could lose at the end of the season.

Pujols made only $900,000 last year (his third year), but is asking for $10 mil. in arbitration. Likely the Cards will sign him to a multi-year contract, much like the Blue Jays did with Roy Halladay.

The Cards are always among the biggest draws in MLB so there is no way to justify cutting payroll, especially when you're talking about one of the best players in the National League if not the best.

The St Louis Post-Dispatch reported that the Yanks offered Soriano in a package for Pujols ... and the Cards turned it down flat.

The Yankees completed the deal for Mike Lamb from Texas, which pretty much wraps up any third base questions.

Thank goodness my Cardinals didn't even think about trading Pujols in a package for Soriano. No comparison between the two. Now, let's just hope the two sides are close to getting Pujols under contract for the next 5-8 years.

As for the Yankees, Lamb will solve their problem until July. Possibly Lamb and/or Tyler Houston with Miguel Cairo in a platoon until then? We'll see what the team looks like out of spring training.

Do the Yankees know something about Soriano that we don't? A couple of years ago he was an untouchable, now he's rumored trade bait (and only signed for a year by the Yankees) for Pujols and A-Rod.

The latest is that the Yankees were offering Soriano, Contreras and minor league catcher Dioner Navarro for A-Rod, but were turned down by the Rangers.

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Scanned the message boards for Yankees, Red Sox and Rangers... and it seems the speculation is rife. The Newsday and NY Post stories that have tongues wagging.

[ February 14, 2004, 11:36 AM: Message edited by: canmark ]

So what will happen to the cutie Aaron Boone now that he's all but forgotten following the A-Rod acquisition? If the Yanks terminate Boone's contract (which they've said they are entitled to because of Boone's violation), does that mean Boone's a free agent when he gets healthy for next season? Or is he still under the Yanks stable for trades?

If Boone stays a Yank, he makes for a better second base option than any of the ones they have at the moment, provided he heals completely. He won't be available until next season, in all likelihood. But if the Yanks are unable to terminate the contract, why not keep him and use him at second next season.

So it's official, Boone got unconditionally released today by the Yankees, saving the Yankees close to $5 million by not having to pay Boone for finding the need to play basketball during the off season. Sounds like the Yankees do want to keep some connection for him to have him play second next season, but with so many other players trying to make their way to Yankees stadium, will Boone be remembered in a few months?

Interesting what Cashman said:

``He'll get back from this injury,'' Cashman said. ``He'll be down for almost the entire year, if not the whole season. We're looking toward next year, maybe. We don't have anything in place, but I do volunteer that we would be interested.''

Guess we will have to wait and see