Could Soriano Save Brian Cashman's Off Off-Season?

It hasn't been the best of times for New York Yankees GM Brian Cashman in recent months.  It started after the Yankees were eliminated from the playoffs by the Texas Rangers. Since then,  Cashman has been rejected, accused, jerked around, questioned and now, overruled.

At Christmas, Cashman rappelled down the Landmark Building in Stamford, Connecticut.  He must have the same dangling feeling right now in the Yankees front office.

The signing of set-up man Rafael Soriano was the first significant addition to the team after a winter of rejections.  It may be the only saving grace for the Yankees dismal off-season acquisitions--but it did not come without controversy.

The battered GM admitted he recommended the Yankees pass on signing the 31 year-old Soriano, but said he was overruled by ownership.  Soriano has 88 career saves over eight seasons.  45 of them last year.

Cashman, who was given full control of baseball operations in 2005, said the signing will help the team but was against it because of the financial commitment and draft pick considerations.  Cashman insisted all winter that these factors would be deal breakers.  The Steinbrenners thought otherwise.

 "It's not my team.  I don't own it. They [Hal and Hank Steinbrenner] do," said the GM at Soriano's press conference.  "I'm a big boy.  In any job you better be prepared for every decision to not go your way."

Cashman continued by saying there were "internal debates and discussions" on how to proceed.  "Ultimately, Hal's in charge of making the final call in what he feels is the best direction at that time frame.  He made that call.  This is Hal Steinbrenner's and his family's franchise.  It's not mine and it's never been, obviously," he said.  "But this is not something that was done without me being aware of it.  I had my say," he made clear.

Being overruled by the boss (or Boss' sons) is not so bad as compared to the other career lows of Cashman's miserable recent winter.  It has been rough.

First, the whole Cliff Lee fiasco ended with the highly desired pitcher spurning Cashman's front-runner status and refusing the Yankees record-breaking contract to return to the Philadelphia Phillies.  For millions of dollars less!  It was a supernova implosion in the Yankee Universe.

Then, there was the drawn out he-said/they-said squabble over Derek Jeter's contract talks, culminating with the face of the Yankees calling out the team brass for leaking details of the negotiations to the press.  The future Hall of Famer was not so happy with Cashman and made it public.

Combine those ulcer-inducing episodes with the pressure to replace Lee with another top-notch starter and playing pattycake with 'will he or won't he return' Andy Pettitte.  Pettitte is still flapping in the wind.

The GM meekly admitted he even had discussions with Carl Pavano's agent about bringing back the loathed Yankee castaway and the PR nightmare it would cause.  Yankee fans could only hope the Steinbrenner boys would have overruled that move too.

Yesterday,  Cashman was thrust into the awkward position of introducing to the press a player he didn't even want.  If Soriano's press conference was any indication, Cashman probably told the party planner to use a Mets budget  The event was franks and beans compared to the festive soirees given to CC Sabathia, Mark Teixeira or even Curtis Granderson at their intros.  You would think the Yankees would give the give their new 3-year, $35 million possible successor to Mariano Rivera a better coming out bash. 

The modest fete had none of the Steinbrenners or star players present and, instead of the Legends Room, it was held in the less opulent conference room.  Oh yeah, there was an interpreter and a table of coffee and donuts on the side.

Now, the only thing left for Cashman to do now is convincingly promote his new relief pitcher who makes "closer's money."

Cashman began by acknowledging that Soriano led the AL in saves last season for the Tampa Bay Rays and the righthander gives the Yankees a "dynamic punch" in the later innings.  Wow.

"Let me put it this way, I think 29 GMs would love their owner to force Rafael Soriano down their throat," said Cashman.  "It doesn't mean that I was right, or that it's the best approach, but it's who I am and still am.  But we are better in 2011 for this, there's no doubt about it."

Cashman, whose contract runs out this year,  made it clear he doesn't think the Steinbrenners have started a trend by overruling his input.  " If I have 10 recommendations, nine or ten get followed, but not every one of them," he reasoned.

Soriano, arguably,  does give the Yankees one of the best bullpens in the league.   Cashman can also take comfort in the fact that even though the team didn't get Lee or outfielder Carl Crawford, the Steinbrenners have a little George in them and will spend whatever it takes to help the team and save face.  Even overspend.

Jersey Gov Says Jets Belong To Them. What About It?

If the New York Jets and Pittsburgh Steelers insist on being as cuddly as Regis and Kelly, before the teams clash in the AFC Championship Game on Sunday, then leave it up to the Governor of New Jersey to stir things up.

A war across the Hudson River broke out yesterday after the Garden State's Gov. Chris Christie claimed the Jets belonged to New York in name only and that where the team actually plays is in the New Meadowlands Stadium, in East Rutherford, in his state.  So that makes them New Jersey's team.

Funny.  Nobody was banging on Woody Johnson's door and claiming the Jets as it's own while Eric Mangini was coaching the team.

New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg jumped on Christie's bold statement faster than he would a cigarette smoker cooking with salt and trans fat.  Lucky it wasn't a snow storm or we'd still be waiting for a reply.

Christie--who is as outspoken as Jets head coach Rex Ryan with a girth to match--asked, "Today when they are practicing, where are they practicing?  New Jersey."

"And when they play their home games, where do they play?  New Jersey.  And where do most of the players live?  In New Jersey," he bragged.  Pure Rex Ryan.

 To which, that closeted New England fan, Bloomberg shot back by saying the Jets were formed in New York, bred in the Polo Grounds and then played their games at Shea Stadium.

"We can all root for the Jets, but they don't call him Turnpike Joe," said the defensive mayor, referring to legendary Jets quarterback "Broadway Joe" Namath.

That was then, this is now reasoned the  stubborn Gov.

Even Ryan jumped into the fray if, surprisingly, only as peacemaker.

"There's enough of the Jets to go around, " reasoned the guy who never let anyone cut in front of him at the all-you-can-eat buffet table before his lap-band surgery.

New Jersey. A hot bed of popularity and hilarity these days.  The birthplace of Sinatra, Springsteen, Nicholson and Joe Theisman.  Even Pia Zadora comes from the land of the best pizza (it's the water), diners, Atlantic City and "The Sopranos."

If any state deserves the loud and obnoxious Jets though, its Jersey.  The state can wholly lay claim to the pitiful Nets and their .45 cent tickets and the long-forgotten Devils.  And not the Jersey Devil demonizing people in the barren Pinelands.  It might even find more warm bodies in that desolate stretch of forest then languishing in the near-empty seats at the Prudential Center.

Yeah, Jersey has it's Shore and Housewives and, if anyone could have combined those towering cultural pillars with football, it would be the Jets.  Gang Green did it with "Hard Knocks" last summer on HBO.

And if you've ever enjoyed (or been called as a witness to) a Jersey Transit train ride from the Meadowlands after a Jets game (hide the women, children and Patriots jerseys) you might smell another bad reality show mixed with the stench of beer on the trip.

While Christie and Bloomberg fire salvos across the river, the Jets players have keeping their mouths shut for once.

Not so the mayor.  He asked New Yorkers to "put aside rivalries and focus on what's truly important."  City dwellers were sure he wasn't talking about snow removal or rising crime and debt.  "I'm talking about the Jets winning the AFC Championship on Sunday," said Bloomberg.

Whichever state owns the Jets is a moot point.  This is still Giants territory and all of the green lights in Times Square and beaming on the Empire State Building can't cover up the Giants blue.

New Jersey.  You can have the Jets.

Will Joba Chamberlain Start Or Will He Depart?

Today, Yankee GM Brian Cashman called Joba Chamberlain a "bullpen guy."  The only problem is he didn't say for what team.  Chamberlain, the one-time gem of Yankee pitching prospects just signed a one-year contract with the team, but now his future as a Yankee doesn't look so shiny.

On Monday, the up-and-down reliever signed a one-year deal worth $1.4 million to avoid arbitration and instead of giving him job security, it makes him valuable trade bait.

Last week's signing of former Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Rafael Soriano to a three-year deal worth $35 million now makes the big righthander expendable.

The 25 year-old Chamberlain has been shuttled between being a starter to middle or short relief--all with limited success--since being signed by the Yankees in 2007.

The "Joba Rules," designed to preserve the flamethrower's arm, ironically,  could have ruined his career in pinstripes.  The "rules" commanded that the young pitcher would not pitch on consecutive days and he would accrue an additional days rest after each inning pitched.  It led to Chamberlain never finding a stride or a steady position.

Chamberlain comes into this year's spring training with his stock at an all time low.  The Yankees bullpen is now considered one of the strongest in baseball with Dave Robertson and Pedro Feliciano being the bridge between the starters and the set-up man Soriano, who then hands the ball to closer Mariano Rivera and his indefatigable arm.  There now seems to be little room for an inconsistent component like Joba.

Meanwhile, the starting rotation begins with CC Sabathia, Phil Hughes and A.J. Burnett as the big three and Ivan Nova and Sergio Mitre rounding out the five.  If Joba stands any chance of making it on the team, it would be after battling it out with Nova and Mitre for a starter's position.  If Andy Pettitte decides to pull a Favre and return for one more year, Chamberlain is pretty much the sixth wheel.

Chamberlain's versatility may have led to his downfall.  The Yankees never knew where to use him.  They played head games with him, and last year's attempt at using him as Rivera's set-up man was a disaster.  It left the Yankees wondering about his abilities and Chamberlain doubting himself.

For every fist-pumping Chamberlain strikeout, there were too many high fives by the other team.  Even his sweaty and courageous rookie relief effort in the insect-infested 2007 ALCS against the Indians turned into a loss.  If his career has been anything, its been like those midges buzzing aimlessly  all over that Cleveland field.

Chamberlain, who had the talent to be a starter, a set-up man or closer now seems to only mop up during routs or long lost games.

This makes the one-time phenom perfect trade bait for the Yankees to score an experienced four or five starter.  His arm still has life--thanks, Joba Rules--and he'll come relatively cheap. As it stands now, Chamberlain can only wait and see if either Nova,  Mitre or (not inconceivably) Burnett implodes.  Otherwise he'll be accruing splinters on the bench.

It's sad to see a young talent like Chamberlain languish as a Yankee.   With Soriano on deck as Rivera's most likely replacement in two years, it wouldn't help the Yankees to keep Chamberlain.  A change of scenery might do the Nebraskan good, and Cashman could get the fourth starter he needs.  A win-win for the Yankees and Chamberlain.

NY Jets Plane Gets Green Light To Buzz Empire State Building

On Sunday night, the New York Jets charter flight was given permission by Newark Airport to divert the plane's scheduled route home and get a bird's eye view of the Empire State Building, which was lit up in the team's colors.

According to the New York Post, the Jets plane altered its route to get closer to the city's tallest building which was illuminated in Jets green and white lights.

The Jets were returning to New Jersey after defeating the New England Patriots,  when the captain asked the tower, "If it's [the Empire State Building] green and white, these guys actually want to get as close as we could to see it."   The air traffic controllers in the tower--about 10 miles south of the New Meadowlands Stadium--must have been shy of depressed Giants fans and granted the Jets team it's wish with this exchange.

NEWARK TOWER:  Tower advises it is lit up.  You're flying one-niner zero visual approach.

JETS:  You guys are awesome.  And I will tell you later who said that.  190 headed to see the building.

TOWER:  Go Jets!

JETS:  Go Jets!

The desire to get close and personal with the green and white landmark came from none other than the controversial Jets head coach Rex Ryan, according to sources.

The route change down the Hudson River required special permission to fly into LaGuardia Airport's airspace.  FAA's spokesperson, Jim Peters, said, "No other flights were affected."

This kind of special fly-by request is not uncommon.  "Its kind of cool," said a spokeperson for the Air Traffic Controllers Association in Newark.  "It wasn't a typical flight path, but it does happen," he said.

TOWER:  Continental 915 taking you down the west side of the building down the Hudson .

JETS:  It's beautiful.

TOWER:  Continental 915, Empire State Building should be at 11 o'clock.

JETS:  Yeah, we got 200 people looking at it.  Looks pretty  nice too.

JETS:  Really appreciate it guys.

TOWER:  Glad to do it.

Jets GM,  Mike Tannenbaum said, "For the Empire State Building to be lit green and white was already special.  Then for everyone involved to allow us to have a view on our way back was a great ending to our trip and something the team will always remember," he said.

 At approach, the tower announced "Clear to land for the champion New York Jets," moments before Continental charter flight 915 touched down in Newark at 10:53 p.m.

Will Rex Ryan Get 'Personal" With Roethlisberger?

It's hard to believe the soft and cuddly person on the podium yesterday, extolling the virtues of Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots, was New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan.  Ryan, who had been the NFL's version of Ricky Gervais at the Golden Globes, was now speaking fondly of last week's vanquished foes and acted like Dr. Phil when asked about the upcoming AFC Championship Game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

No war of words between the Jets and Steelers.  The only blip on the No Fun League's Polly Purebred meter came from Patriots receiver Deion Branch who called the New York team "embarrassing" and "classless."  That's pretty tame stuff in the Jets universe.

The Jets head coach has been saying 'it's personal' about a lot of things the past few weeks beginning with the foot-fetish videos, which popped up on YouTube, and calling out opposing team's proven leaders the week before they meet.  Now the boastful Ryan has become...boring.  It makes one wonder why he would tone it down and tinker with success now?

Ryan and the Jets have been winning after targeting a prominent person on the opposing team and turning it into a personal vendetta.  Could the Jets actually respect the Steelers or are they afraid?

First, it was Ryan's old thorn-in-the-shorts tormentor Peyton Manning of the Colts who got the Jets skipper yapping.  Then last week, it was Mr. Personality, Belichick and a side order of Tom Brady, who got Ryan riled.  The Jets won both games.

The closest Ryan got to insulting anyone yesterday, after showering the Steelers with everything but candy and flowers, was ask whom he was gunning for this Sunday.

"Give me somebody you want to call out," said Ryan.  "I guess Hines Ward, Casey Hampton."

The Steelers wide receiver and nose tackle make good adversaries but what about quarterback Ben Roethlisberger?

The Jets have had one of the toughest roads to the Super Bowl.  If they succeed, they will have faced, and beaten, the holy trinity of NFL quarterbacks--Manning, Brady and now Roethlisberger.  No small feat, but that task just got bigger--a lot bigger.

Big Ben is the largest and strongest quarterback of the three and could set up the fiercest challenge for the Jets defense.

Roethlisberger may not have the statistical clout of the the other two but he makes up for it in pure size and toughness.  The brutish, 6'5", 240-pound Steeler can flick a pass 50 yards, can pound the defense on the ground and improvise a play-in-progress with the best of them.  The Jets D will have their hands full.

"You can't prepare for what he naturally does," said defensive-end Trevor Price.  "How do you prepare to tackle a guy as big as a polar bear?"  How do you prepare for a guy who wants to win like he wants to win?"

Ryan agrees.  He said, "I've never seen a guy take the hits he can take and also make people miss the way he does and be as accurate on the run."

The Jets beat the Steelers 22-17 on December 19 in Pittsburgh by executing their "Plaster Rules."  It was a zone scheme which turned into man-to-man coverage after Roethlisberger was chase out of the pocket.  On the plays where Pittsburgh started in a man coverage, it usually ended with Steelers gaining large chunks of yardage.

The Jets rough-and-tumble road to Dallas must continue through a solid Steelers team.  The Jets have exorcised the ghosts of their arch-enemies-- the Colts and the Patriots.  Now they face the daunting task of beating an experienced and playoff-tested  team.  Can they do it without puffing out their chests and flapping their gums? It seems unlikely.

If anyone can find a way to rile the Steelers with trash talk, it is Ryan. Many have called him and his team loud-mouthed braggarts.  The Jets 4-1 playoff record over the past two seasons have been partially attributed to the blustery head coach whom his players adore.  Many have called the Jets uncouth but they seem to be winning when everyone expects them to lose.

The Jets have been winning by getting under the other team's skin and making it 'personal'.  The bragging, mocking and seven-letter words are what set the tone for this squad.  Something just doesn't seem right with this new fuzzy-puppy version of the team.

The NFL is probably happy about the eerie quiet.  The networks, not so much.

Anyway, there are still five days to go.  An eternity in Rex Ryan press conferences.

Rex Ryan Is A Ophiuchus

People have called New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan many things--some too vile to be put in print.  Now you can add Ophiuchus to that list.  It's not as bad a word as it sounds.

New Age freaks and superstitious fools had their world turned upside down the other day when it was revealed that the western version of the Zodiac is wrong and after over 2,000 years of following the twelve astrological signs a new one has popped up--The Serpent Bearer or more formally known as Ophiuchus.   Serpentarian would be better.  It rolls off the tongue easier, but you can't argue with those Babylonians.

Ryan, who blessed this world on a 13th of December, is now one of the many people scrambling to reschedule weddings, change their pre-picked, lucky Lotto numbers or having that giant crab tattoo removed from their back.

Compatible signs are now combustible ones.  "What was your sign?" is the new "What's your sign?"  Destinies have been altered by the earth's gravitational pull.  Even Dionne Warwick is in hiding.

The sign, which comes after Scorpio and before Sagittarius, fills the astrological dates between Nov. 23 and Dec. 17.

Ophiuchus is associated with the healer Asclepius who was skilled at bringing the dead back to life [insert Jets reference here] and originated after Hades was angered by his talent he had Zeus kill old Asclepius with a lightning bolt.  I see fate in the Jets stars. Didn't LaDanian Tomlinson wear a lightning bolt on his helmet at one time?

Ryan is good company with people who now have to change their personality traits and astrological sign to a man grasping a snake because of a wobble in the earth's axis.  Brad Pitt, Brittney Spears and Ozzy Osbourne are all members of the 13th sign.  Even Ryan's nemesis, Patriots head coach Bill Belichick, has gone from the ram-headed Aries to a mellower Pisces.

A quick glance at the characteristics of the Ophiuchus seem to show a person who is a good overseer of work and is ambitious, modest and optimistic.  Nice positive attributes but, after more research, the zodiac charts claim the Ophi (short version) wants fame--either grand or misunderstood.  Hmm...sounding a little more like our brash coach.  There's more.

The serpent holder is partial to outrageous behavior, green is an Ophi's lucky color and the No. 12 [Tom Brady?] holds great significance.  It's true.  It's all there on the horoscope chart and, after more delving, we find the Ophiuchus is partial to sweater vests and soft, tiny feet.

Jeanne Dixon, I'm now a believer.

Lawrence Taylor Pleads Guilty To Two Misdemeanor Sex Charges

Former NFL great Lawrence Taylor pleaded guilty to two misdemeanor charges for sexual misconduct today in a Rockland County, New York courthouse.  The ex-New York Giant will be sentenced in March and is most likely looking at 3-6 years of probation with no jail time.

Taylor was arrested for his role in a teenage prostitution bust at a Holiday Inn last May 6.  He admitted paying $300 to a teenage girl for sex.  He claimed he believed the girl was 19 years-old.  The District Attorney's Office charged Taylor with "improper sexual conduct involving an underage girl."

In court, Taylor admitted he knows now that the girl was 16 years-old at the time.


Taylor plead guilty to 1 count of sexual misconduct and 1 count of patronizing a prostitute in the 3rd degree.

Outside the courthouse Taylor had no comment but his attorney, Arthur Aidala, said the Hall of Fame linebacker "wants to put it behind him" and is satisfied that the case "ended swiftly."  He said Taylor acknowledged that the girl was 16 but his client "was lied to."

Taylor will be sentenced in March.  The judge will probably show leniency because Taylor is cooperating with authorities to break up a sex-trafficking operation involving the young girl's pimp.

In addition to the probationary period and monetary fine, Taylor will have to register as a sex offender.