Looking back at the past week in baseball 'Kudos & Wet Willies' style. As always, a heavy dose of Yankees.
Kudos to ..
- The Colorado Rockies: Heading into Saturday the Rockies had won 14 of 15 games.Somebody needs to stop this nonsense, quick! The Rockies might just decide they are good and forget about selling off pieces like Huston Street at the trade deadline.
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Joe Torre: Became the fifth-winningest manager in baseball history last week. Only Connie Mack, John McGraw, Tony LaRussa and Bobby Cox have more victories. Whether you like or dislike Torre, that's pretty rarified air.
- John Lannan: Great effort by the Long Island native and Washington Nationals starter last week against the Yankees, pitching 8.1 innings and getting the win. Lannan grew up a Yankee fan, so you know how much of a thrill the victory was.
Wet Willies to ...
- Linda Robertson: The Miami Herald colunist makes the list for her ridiculous, petty tirade against Alex Rodriguez that we discussed on Saturday. Robertson comes off small-minded and vindictive -- and I think I'm being nice.
- Joba Chamberlain arguments: I don't care which side of this you are on, the arguments are old, tired and utterly pointless. Everyone who has a position on this is completely dug in, and no minds are being changed. Your opinion is your opinion, and at this point nothing anyone says is changing anybody's mind. Besides, Chamberlain's status isn't changing. He's staying right where he is, in the rotation. Let's wait and see what happens if he ever does go back to the bullpen, then we can debate the wisdom of that move.
- Joe Girardi (for his handling of A-Rod): Peter Abraham asked yesterday 'Why didn't the Yankees stick with the plan' of giving Alex Rodriguez time off every few days. It's a fair question, especially since the rest was recommended by his doctor and Girardi knew that. Why did A-Rod have to beg for time off, and General Manager Brian Cashman have to insist on it? I like Girardi, but I think at times this season he has managed like a desperate guy who knows his managerial future is on the line. To me, his handling of A-Rod has been an example.
- Sammy Sosa: The latest big-name guy to have tested positive for steroids. Do we call him 'Sammy Steroids' or 'Steroid-osa?'
- Kerry Wood: In his return to Chicago, the Cleveland closer blew saves both Friday and Saturday as the Cubs came back to win both games.