Well, most of you knew this thread was eventually coming. I hope we have as much fun as we did last year--even if we did end up two wins short in the World Series.

The projected starting lineup of the Yankees this season is:
1. Kenny Lofton (CF)
2. Derek Jeter (SS)
3. Alex Rodriguez (3B)
4. Jason Giambi (1B)
5. Gary Sheffield (RF)
6. Bernie Williams (DH)
7. Hideki Matsui (LF)
8. Jorge Posada ©
9. Enrique Wilson (2B)

Projected starting rotation:
1. Mike Mussina
2. Kevin Brown
3. Javier Vazquez
4. Jose Contreras
5. Jon Lieber

Bullpen:
The Righties: Tom Gordon, Paul Quantrill
The Lefties: Gabe White, Felix Heredia
Closer: (WHO ELSE?) Mariano Rivera
(I thought Steve Karsay would be ready for opening day, but apparently it will take at least another month before he is back from rotator cuff surgery).

This is going to be a much tougher battle for the AL East this year, as the other four teams have definitely improved this off-season. I once again look forward to discussing the Yankees with you.

So you're sure Bernie's gonna be the DH? I think he should, too, but it hasn't been decided yet.

Jeez, Posada batting eighth. Whatta lineup!

The lineup looks really good. The pitching is going to be the big question mark. I look for Mussina and Vazquez to have pretty good years. But Brown, Contreras, and Lieber are coming off injury ridden years. I don't think it's a problem that none of the Yankee starters are lefties, since I think it's more important to have quality left-handed setup men. Heredia looked shaky last year, so I'm think Torre will probably rely more on White for that role.

I also think that the rest of the AL East is going to be better this year, so it should be a fun and exciting season. I can't wait until the season starts.

It's a prediction that I have read from a couple of websites. This would probably be a good decision. From what I understand, Kenny Lofton has a stronger arm than Bernie Williams.

I agree pat...better competition, better season to watch. Does anyone know when they start airing pre-season games? I'm chomping at the proverbial bit here...
wink

And I know I'm not supposed to say things like this on the Outsports board <G>, but, picthing-wise--if Lieber or Brown or go down--something'll be done before it's too late. We'll bring someone in.

I was watching something earlier on TV and someone on the Red Sox was saying--maybe it was Schilling--that, sure he was pissed when he heard about the ARod deal, but what can you do? The Yanks operate within the rules and do what they have to do. Then he went on to add that the Yanks probably parlay more of their profits back into salary than probably 70% of the other teams in the league, and you can't be mad at that, right?

First televised Spring Training game on YES is March 8, against Toronto.

Oh yeh, I forgot.
Thanks for starting the thread Cattledog.
I finally have reason to return to the baseball threads

I hearby plead to the Outsports moderators to close this thread, based on the obscene comments scattered throughout!

Woo Hoo, baseball is in the air!! You beat me to it, C-dog, I was planning to start the official Yankee thread. Is anybody going to spring training games at all? I've had a place in Ft. Lauderdale for a few years now, and make a point of going down for a long weekend in March and taking in a few games. Unfortunately, the Yankees, who USED to train in FTL, train in Tampa now, and don't even come to the East Coast of Florida. So this year a buddy and I are going down and driving cross-state to see the Good Guys on the West Coast. It'll be my first Yankees spring training game ever, and I can't wait. Actually, no matter who your favorite team is, spring training games are a great experience - small ballparks so you see the players up close, great weather, and tons of fans who've journeyed hundreds of miles because they love the game so much. It's an experience I heartily recommend.

We didn't, since we've never had a season-long thread devoted to one baseball team. (You guys simply hijacked one last May.) Shall we start 29 other team threads, or is this one necessary simply because the Yankees are bigger than baseball?

You're truly living down to your rep as the most obnoxious sports fans on the globe. I guess the more objective Rich Guys-observers -- who realize that they're starting a shitty defensive shortstop -- will be analyzing the AL East in other threads.

[ February 25, 2004, 06:36 AM: Message edited by: Bill W ]

I think it would be a good idea to have a season-long thread for every team. Each thread could be started when something newsworthy (or discussion-worthy) about the team happens, and the Yankees have certainly been in the news lately. Last year there were season-long threads about other teams, like the one about the Royals that started in April when the R's kicked off the season with an undefeated streak (and no, I wasn't the only one posting in it. ).

And Bill W, just because Cattledog and others are fans of the Yankees doesn't make them obnoxious. Yankees fans are regularly trod upon by fans of other teams, and they have every right to stand up for themselves. I don't recall Cattledog resorting to personal attacks on fans of other teams. Maybe you left out a smiley face that should have gone after your comment(?). wink

Emoticons are like explaining a joke. Homey don't play that.

The core of my interest in baseball is the dynamic of teams playing each other, not some solipsistic Amen chorus of "We're the best (and/or richest)." So when the Yanks and Red Sox play a big series, do we discuss it in "Yankees," "Red Sox" and "AL East" threads? Life's too short.

One of my best friends is a Yankee fan. I didn't mean they're universally obnoxious people, just that it's an obnoxious trait.

[ February 25, 2004, 08:49 AM: Message edited by: Bill W ]

I appreciate your sentiments, maxallen, and I know that you love your Royals, and truly respect that! I have never understood why someone would waste their energy bashing someone else's team instead of spending that energy supporting their own. I really cannot speak for the others, but I go on OutSports because it makes me happy. If I am arguing with guys on the threads, then I am defeating the purpose of why I am here. That is why I typically avoid the conflict of the Politics and Religion thread. Obviously the Yankees existence offends some people, and last spring I realized that Yankee fans were unable to make a single positive post about our favorite team without being needlessly attacked. So, the purpose of having this thread is really just so we can discuss our favorite team in peace without having to upset other people. If people want to call me or anyone else "obnoxious", that is their problem. Being a native New Yorker, I have loved the Yankees my entire life. I refuse to apologize for that! Some of my most positive moments with my dad have been shared just going to see the Yanks play or just talking about them with him on the telephone. Some of those that know me personally, like Marc, Pat125, Puckman, Gamecock, etc., etc., know that I am a pretty nice guy that is absolutely in love with the Yankees. If I was born in, say, Minneapolis, I would probably feel this way about the Twins. So, with that said, I hope that some of the people that make relentless negative comments about the Yankees or anything else with which they don't personally like rethink their approaches to other people, and realize how they are coming across to others. I, on the other hand, am just going to enjoy myself talking and yes, even boasting, about my favorite team, and hope that others with similar positive attitudes do the same.

LET'S GO YANKEES!

Hi Bill W. I guess since this is not a professional sports board with a committee on what threads should be included, there is a bit of leeway as to what threads can be started. There have been several threads regarding several of the hockey teams, and there didn't seem to be a problem with that. And I think the necessity of the thread was explained, even if you don't agree with it.

I don't see how starting and participating in a Yankees thread makes some of us Yankee fans obnoxious, but whatever. Besides, I think it's clear that there are obnoxious fans from all different teams.

If someone wants to start a thread such as a Yankee-Red Sox series thread, they can feel free to do so. I don't see why there cannot be both. As I said, there didn't seem to be a problem with the hockey threads. Also, if anyone wants to ignore this thread they can feel free to do so as well.

Anyway, as I said, it should be an interesting year for the Yankees and baseball in general.

{{{{{Cattledog!!!}}}}} {{{{{Pat125!!!}}}}}

group hug, cumbaya, all that suff.......

Very well put, gentlemen. And thank you, too, Maxallen. Like C-dog, I've been a Yankee fan my entire life. My family's first home in this country was in the Bronx for two years, and my earliest childhood memories are of going to Yankee games with my dad, and among the last things my partner and I were able to enjoy together was watching Yankee games during his illness. I think we all have very personal attachments to the team, and if we want to discuss them here so be it. I think folks who feel otherwise should start threads about the teams they're interested in, so they can engage in discussions with others who are of a like mind.

Hey Cattledog, I think it's great that you started this thread. I'm like you, I come to Outsports to joke and chat about the fun things in life. I'm not here to get into petty personal attacks and banter, which is why I generally avoid the politics and religion threads too!

With a thread named "Yankees 2004," the people who don't want to talk about it can just avoid this thread and go to the general baseball thread. But I'm sure we're going to get one or two Yankee haters now and then who will come and vent. It's just expected.

As for the lineup, what's up with the Mike Lamb trade? Is he already gone? How about him for second base? Is Enrique the logical choice?

Being a West Coast Yankees fan, I always have difficulty following the team, so it's nice to have this thread to check in on my team.

Cattledog, since I am fairly positive your post was indirectly aimed at me, I will respond. And I ask you to read this with an open mind.

“Okay guys, we’re going to have our own little Yankee forum where only positive, pro-Yankee stuff gets posted and those who bring up anything else, well, they’re just negative, mean-spirited bashers. I love the Yankees, blah, blah, blah and I refuse to be open to anyone’s opinion other than another pro-Yankee supporter. I’m not open to having a conversation with anyone who shares an opinion other than mine. Anybody who doesn’t boast about the Yankees like we do is wasting their energy bashing us.”

Cattledog, I think you have “relentless negative comments” and an “open discussion about the Yankees” a bit confused.

Now, I’m sure you’ll be construing this as a personal attack on you. It’s not. Honestly, this is the way you come off as I read your post. What gives? Why the defensiveness? Why not appreciate the fact the people may view your favorite team in a different (not right, not wrong) light than you do? Why not open yourself up to constructive dialogue with others? Why not enjoy the diversity of opinions among all the members of OutSports?

And by the way, before you respond with your “I hope you enjoy the baseball season” tagline that you have used twice before responding to me, I challenge you to tell me 1) where I have personally attacked you, and 2) where I have needlessly attacked the Yankees without posting solid foundation or facts on which to base my objective opinion.

I hope you enjoy the baseball season.

When you see the stadium the Yankee's play in, you will know why they don't play in FTL any longer! MY tax dollars hard at work! You will love to see them play there man!

Mike Lamb is still there, but he is at this point securing himself a spot as a utility infielder. The A-Rod to third base deal has generated so much excitement, that poor Lamb kind of just got brushed aside. In addition, the Yankees are probably going to have a deal with first baseman Travis Lee from Tampa Bay by the of the week, if not the day. Yet, they have already signed Tony Clark, who was supposed to be the backup for Jason Giambi. So the Yankees are probably going to have Lamb, Lee, and Clark to serve as backups.

I can assure you that I didn't have you in mind when I posted my sentiments this morning. It was more of a general thing. So if you feel that something was indirectly aimed at you, I can only accept the fact that you feel this way. Regarding the rest of your post, all I can say is that you have the rights to your opinions, and I have zero control over them. I could give you examples of personal attacks on Yankee fans here from others (not necessarily you) over the past season or so, but I care not to discuss this topic any further. The thread has been started, and unless the moderators find it unsuitable for some reason, I believe it is here to stay. I wish you well, and I honestly want you to enjoy the baseball season.

Travis Lee? Travis Lee??????? The AL East: Frankotite vs. Travis Lee. I'm starting to think the Orioles will win the division! wink

The thread is fine. If it becomes absolutely necessary, I'm sure the moderators will delete individual posts rather than the entire thread.

As was mentioned, we've had individual team threads on the hockey forum all season and it's worked out fine. But if someone started a separate thread regarding a specific event, that's fine too.

I think people are worried about duplicate threads being created at the same time. Say, threads such as "WOO-HOO! PHILLIES WIN WORLD SERIES!" or "PHILS 2004 WORLD CHAMPS!" or "FIGHTIN' PHILS BURY THE YANKS IN 4!". And that's fine. But sometimes things deserve their own thread as well.

[ February 25, 2004, 11:43 AM: Message edited by: Joe in Philly ]

Joe - Should we share with Yankees fans that during Travis Lee's last year playing with the Phillies (2002), there were "Travis Leave!" signs made by fans hanging Veteran's Stadium? Then again, maybe Yankees fans will post signs "How'd you lose those 4 pounds Jason?"

Well the answer to that question is: "All those torrid nights of passion with Cattledog when he visits New York to root for the Rangers." wink

Of course, then Cattledog wakes up, and Giambi looks like Clay Aiken ...

Okay guys, what's the deal with Travis Lee? I looked at his picture, he definitely doesn't lack anything in the looks department. So what happened in Philadelphia? :confused:

I see that Darryl Strawberry resigned from his position as head of player development. When was the last time the Yankees developed a player??? :confused: :confused:

Back before they hired Strawberry? wink

Travis Lee: huge underachiever. I'm sure we've discussed him before. If I can I'll dig up an old thread...

(Did a search -- there were no old threads specifically on Lee, just random comments on other threads)

[ February 25, 2004, 02:51 PM: Message edited by: Joe in Philly ]

He is very attractive. I remember Bowa being very upset with his lackluster, not give a shit in the world attitude. It was like he didn't care if Phillies won or lost, nothing affected him. When Bowa made comments about this year's team, I'm sure he was referring to Travis Lee when he said that there used to be players on the team that would take long breaks during spring training and Bowa would have to search them down to resume training.

Ah, what would the baseball board be without Bill W. posting yet another link about why Jeter's a crappy shortstop.

We. got. it. already.

I trust you guys with the warning about Travis Lee. Brian Cashman did say yesterday that this probable signing did not exactly guarantee him any playing time. Lee did pass his physical, though, and a few bugs just need to be worked out in the contract. Aaron Boone is going to most likely be released for obvious reasons. So, the Yankees have three first basemen (Jason Giambi, Tony Clark, and Lee).

"Head"?? haha, no, that's a job for a professional talent evaluator. Darryl was hired as a player development instructor, meaning he'd stand behind a cage during minor-league BP and say, "Good swing, good swing ... do you know the Lord?" Aren't most Yankee homegrowns with other teams, like Eric Milton?

At least Travis Lee gives the Yanks 7 or 8 players now who are better-looking than Jeetz.

This is an old team ... Baseball Prospectus assigns most of them, except A-Rod, Mussina and a few others, as at least medium risks for significant injury. Lieber is already having problems.

[ February 26, 2004, 07:32 AM: Message edited by: Bill W ]

My guess is Clark will be gone by the end of spring training. It's just as well - Lee is a pretty good fielder. As much as I like Giambi (especially this new slimmed-down version), as a first baseman he's a terrific DH.

Travis Lee was actually a very good first baseman. But when he played for the Phillies, we dreaded his at-bats. With no one knowing how the slimmed down Giambi will play, maybe Travis Lee will get more playing time than anyone anticipates now.

Yanks made it official today by releseing Aaron Boone.

Buh Bye Boonie!

Well, it looks like Kenny Lofton will definitely get the start at center (by default). Bernie Williams had appendectomy surgery today in Tampa, and is now expected to miss at least the first three weeks of the regular season. So the Lofton/Williams thing has been settled for now.

Well my prayers are with Bernie for a speedy recovery, but what about the media, so far, this year? Will it be another season of fueling rumors to insight fighting between Jeter and A-Rod? Will they constantly hound Jason Gimabi about alleged steroid use? Or will they let them play ball? Adding logs to the fires of controversy seem more important than reporting what's going on on the field.

The boys sound pumped and ready for opening day.

Well, my boy Jason Giambi kind of half-jokingly (well, it's probably NOT funny to the Boston guys) sort of made some suggestions that I must admit have crossed my mind over the past month, "Nomar [Garciaparra] will be [a free agent]. Nomar at second, I could see that. We'll get all the shortstops over here. It'd be nice to have all the shortstops." While smiling, Giambi also suggested, "Pedro's up too, isn't he?" Derek Jeter simply said, "They already hate me in Boston, I am not saying anything."

Bernie Williams surgery was a success, but he still will probably miss three weeks.

Darryl Strawberry: "Because of the commitments that I have to my church, I do not feel I can fulfill my obligations to be with the Yankees at this time. I must therefore leave my position as a player development instructor. While I truly love baseball, my focus on passion now are outreach to the community of youth evangelism."
Draw your own conclusions!

Yankee scouts are looking at Orlando "El Duque" Hernandez in Miami. George Steinbrenner said, "I love El Duque; if he is back he is a good one". El Duque is a righty.

Finally, the New York Post has a poll of what the nickname of the 2004 Yanks should be:
"The Boss-ton Stranglers", "The Cash Men", "the Don Wands", "The Producers", "The Weapons of Mass Production". The latter is currently the leader. I voted for the first. I think I know what some would understandably vote for. wink

Since the news was thankfully quiet out of Tampa for a few days, I thought this New York Daily News interview with Alex Rodriguez was just a fun read:

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/story/16...8p-147472c.html

I honestly didn't know he was married.
He's 28, needs 411 to break it, if he averages 35 a year til he's 40, it's possible. Bonds will get there first probably.

That was a nice article about ARod. He seems pretty happy to be with the Yankees, even if he did grow up as a Mets fan. I didn't get the reference to something that happened between he and the Mets in 2000. Jim, I didn't know he was married either. This morning, I also saw part of an interview with ARod and Jeter, and he mentioned then he was married. They also talked about ARod comment about Jeter a couple of years ago, and how they made nice after it.

The best pitcher who's never won 20 games?

The vastly underrated Mike Mussina (Bronx Banter)

According to New York Daily News, Bernie Williams should be back to training with the Yankees in the next week. The forecast for his actual return for the regular season has now decreased to as early as the third game of the season (or about a week after the Yankees leave for the opening 2-game series with Tampa Bay in Tokyo).

Hey Bill W,
thanks for the posting on Mussina--i've always maintained that he was one of the underrated best...(and one of the sexiest, to boot) wink

Condolences out to him and his family--his wife's father passed away and Moose is gonna miss the spring training opener as a result... frown

Depending upon the sources that you read or hear, there is already slight concern about the current conditions of Jon Lieber (who strained his groin on Feb. 21) and Jose Contreras (back problems). Mike Mussina's exhibition start against the Phillies has been pushed back due to the death of his father-in-law (which Catcher already mentioned above). Instead, Moose will start probably on Tuesday (Mar. 09). All eyes are shifting towards Jorge De Paula (the #6 guy), who will get the start against the Phillies in place of Moose. According to the New York Post, the Yankees are pursuing options with various pitchers--the biggest name being the Angels' lefty Jarrod Washburn. They also continue to monitor Orlando Hernandez and Pedro Astacio. There is also Donovan Osborne, who is a 34-year-old lefty that was cut by the Mets (last year) in spring training and hasn't pitched in a Major League game in 5 years. As for now, Mussina, Kevin Brown, Javier Vazquez, and now, De Paula, seem ready to go. Contreras will be tested in a start against the Red Sox on Sunday. Lieber is not being pushed too hard at this time.

Unless they're going to trade Alex Rodriguez for him, there's nobody in the Yankees starting lineup I want to see on the Angels. Are they naming names on the Yankees side?

Yeah, this kind of surprised me when I read it, J.A., and it is probably just rumor. After all, this is the New York Post. wink
But I wanted to report what I read anyway.

It looks like Joe Torre is ready to sign a new contract with the good guys.

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball...6p-148531c.html

He's coming back to the Mets?

No thanks. Without Mariano Rivera, he's a lowly manager.

(See, to put that nonsense across, you have to use initial caps. The Yankees are the Good Guys like WalMart is the Store That Cares.)

Gee, care to explain why?

Yeah, he really f**ked up last fall when he replaced Rocket with Moose in the fourth inning in Game 7...

[ March 04, 2004, 07:42 AM: Message edited by: FeverDog ]

See, that's another option he didn't have on the late '70s Mets: relieve one future Hall of Famer with another. And we've all seen starting aces relieve in the postseason before ... Arizona 2001, anyone? Is Bob Brenly a "genius"?

As with all managers (to differing degrees -- ie, Torre is smarter than Grady Little), it's the roster talent that determines his fate.

Who said "genius"? And are you saying Torre hasn't improved from the time he was with the Mets twenty-some years ago?

You didn't answer my question. Can you? Please explain why Torre is "lowly."

So good teams have bad managers, or ineffective ones, or inconsequential ones? How do you determine what makes a good manager, then?

[ March 04, 2004, 08:41 AM: Message edited by: FeverDog ]