Sunday, October 23, 2005 |
Pickoff Moves
Clemens' Career May Be Over
Roger Clemens strained his left hamstring last night and left the game early. However, Ken Rosenthal reports that the situation could be much worse:Clemens received an injection to help reduce his pain and swelling, according to a source with knowledge of his situation. One Astros source described him as "done for the Series," but such an assessment appears premature. Officially, Clemens is day-to-day.Via BTF.This much is certain: Clemens was unable to climb the steps necessary for him to make an appearance in the post-game interview room. Reporters instead gathered in the Astros' clubhouse, waiting for him to finish icing his leg. At one point, Astros first baseman Mike Lamb walked by and said, "I think he quit."
Lamb was kidding. But his words could prove prophetic.
"Think Of The McCourts As The Brand And The Dodgers As The Product"
If the Frank And Jamie Show wanted to go full horror on us, they could hardly do worse than this Times story by Tim Brown. According to the usual unnamed "high-ranking American League East official", Paul DePodesta's leash may be microscopically short, with a possible replacement coming once the dust settles in the eastern divisions. With Brian Cashman, Theo Epstein, Mark Newman, Jim Bowden, and Kevin Towers possibly available, so goes the rumor, the Dodgers might be looking to give DePodesta an early boot, contract or no, and public assurances or no.Dodger insiders believe DePodesta has another year to satisfy the McCourts, which seems rational enough, given the injuries that undermined the past season. But little in the McCourt occupancy of the Dodgers suggests rationality, particularly in the realm of the public relations department, where employee turnover has reached a Steinbrenner-like pace and attracted the attention of the highest offices in baseball. People in the commissioner's office are starting to ask questions.Whether that latter is true or not, the constant rotation of executive positions certainly doesn't lend much credibility to the McCourts.Dodger employees and prospective employees, according to sources, have been directed by the McCourts and their lieutenants to "think of the McCourts as the brand and the Dodgers as the product." Most owners think of their franchises as the brand and the baseball as the product, and endeavor to keep themselves out of it.
But, as we have learned, this is not all about the baseball. While waiting on DePodesta's developing leadership skills, and upgrading the ballpark, and obsessively fretting over their image, the McCourts have created the perception that the Dodgers to them are little more than a real estate venture, and the rest of us are just in the way.
Update: I realized upon rereading this that Jon's right, and this story reads too much into the Dodgers situation. If the McCourts' credibility is somewhat strained, so is that of the Times.
More Ramirez-To-The-Angels Nonsense
You'd think by now that Mike DiGiovanna would have enough sense to keep stories like this out of the news. Maybe not.Frank Jobe Says Miller's Shoulder Is OK
Frank Jobe looked at prospect Greg Miller and found it structurally sound, according to the Daily News. RHP Casey Hoorelbeke will replace him on the AFL roster. "[Hoorelbeke] is not considered to be among the organization's top prospects."
Why would I think that? Man's got to write something, and, as I'm sure you've noticed, there's not a whole lot happening on the Angels beat at the moment.
If Clemens doesn't want to play next season, it will probably be due to the enormous offseason commitment he'd need to apply toward his conditioning. If the Astros win, he may be content.
: 10/23/2005 03:47:00 PM : 10/23/2005 05:20:00 PMNewer› ‹Older
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