This is an interesting article from WSJ Online that hypothesizes why the bursting of the housing bubble has caused so much more harm than the bursting of the tech bubble. The question that remains is, did the Fed overreact in 2001 to the bursting of the tech bubble, basically preventing a slightly worse economy in 2002 at the cost of what we're going through now? Or were their actions appropriate at the time, but they were slow to react to the improving economy in 2002?
The contents in this blog are my own and in no way represent official positions of any current, past, or future employers. I am not responsible for the accuracy nor the contents of links to any external sites. In the case of financial topics, please consult with an investment adviser prior to making any investments. Past performance is never indicative of future results.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Friday, April 3, 2009
Broncos Fans: Blame Sun Jan 26, 2006
We didn't know it then, but the events of that day set forth in motion the transactions that resulted in the Broncos (Ponies as I like to refer them as) trading Jay Cutler to the Bears.
That day, the Broncos hosted the Steelers in the AFC Championship game. The Steelers knocked off the Ponies' nemesis, the Indy Colts, in the prior week. The Ponies were favored, and with a weak NFC (Seattle/Carolina) opponent, looked like they would've been favored to win the Super Bowl.
But a funny thing happened that day. The Steelers took a big halftime lead and beat the Ponies 34-17.
So what happened since then?
Amazing huh.
So the question is, which team won this trade?
Outside of Jay Cutler sustaining a career ending injury prior to suiting up for the Bears, I cannot understand why anyone thinks the Ponies won this trade. Look at Cutler's statistics last year:
16th overall QB rating
3rd in Yards (4,526)
25 TDs (7th overall)
Denver Offense: 3rd in passing, 12th rushing, 2nd overall
Denver Defense: 26th in passing, 27th in rushing, 29th overall
I do not think Jay Cutler is this generation's Jeff George. Is Jay aloof? Perhaps. To me, the whole Jay Cutler 'spat' is analogous to when a guy is dating/married to a girl. The girl is upset. The guy asks "why are you upset?" The response: "if you need to ask, then we have big problems." Inevitably the guy rolls his eyes. Is it fixable? DEFINATELY. I mean, do you give up a Pro Bowl QB who is still on the upside of his career over some miniscule spat? Do you think the Titans and Cards wish they picked Jay Cutler over Vince Young and Matt Leinart?
OK the people who think the Ponies won this trade is because of the DRAFT PICKS, because no one in their right mind would trade Jay Cutler straight up for Kyle Orton. Let's be real: There are too many people way too enamored by DRAFT PICKS. Those would be known as draftnicks. Everyone and their uncle cites the robbery the Cowboys did of the Minnesota Vikings way back in 1988 (the infamous Herschel Walker trade). So now people are convinced that Denver won this trade because the Bears gave up 2 #1s, a #3, and Kyle Orton.
Do the Ponies really think Kyle Orton is a 5 to 10 year answer for a starting QB? Is everyone convinced that Chris Simms can't beat out Kyle Orton? OK let's move on to defending the draft picks.
Since 2000, here are the Denver Broncos' first round picks:
Deltha O'Neal, Willie Middlebrooks, Ashley Lelie, George Foster, D.J. Williams, (none), Jay Cutler, Jarvis Moss, and Ryan Clady.
Quick name the pro bowlers from those picks. Don't count Jay Cutler. :) Yes. One. Deltha O'Neal in 2002. Ryan Clady looks like a keeper. Otherwise...can any casual NFL fan name these guys? So Broncos fans are excited about having multiple first round picks? WHY?!?!?! Hey folks, Pat Bowlen isn't rolling in dough. He can't afford the payroll for these picks since he's still paying Shanahan's contract. Don't confuse 'payroll' with 'salary cap' - two very different things.
The counter argument is that Mike Shanahan the GM made these picks, and the new team will be so much better. Um, we'll see.
Perhaps the Ponies are going to package these picks as part of another deal, which could ultimately make this trade more even. But for now, the Bears win this trade, and do so decisively.
The contents in this blog are my own and in no way represent official positions of any current, past, or future employers. I am not responsible for the accuracy nor the contents of links to any external sites. In the case of financial topics, please consult with an investment adviser prior to making any investments. Past performance is never indicative of future results.
That day, the Broncos hosted the Steelers in the AFC Championship game. The Steelers knocked off the Ponies' nemesis, the Indy Colts, in the prior week. The Ponies were favored, and with a weak NFC (Seattle/Carolina) opponent, looked like they would've been favored to win the Super Bowl.
But a funny thing happened that day. The Steelers took a big halftime lead and beat the Ponies 34-17.
So what happened since then?
- Ponies drafted Jay Cutler in the 1st round of the 2006 draft.
- Cutler replaced Plummer on December 3, 2006. At that time, the Ponies were 7-4. The Ponies missed the playoffs finishing the year with a 9-7 record. Plummer 'retired' after the season.
- The Ponies went 7-9 and 8-8 in the next two seasons, not making the playoffs. They especially gagged in the 2008 season, having an 8-5 record needing to win ONE game to make the playoffs, but failed to do so.
- Mike Shanahan was fired after the 2008 season.
- Jay Cutler was traded on April 2, 2009.
Amazing huh.
So the question is, which team won this trade?
Outside of Jay Cutler sustaining a career ending injury prior to suiting up for the Bears, I cannot understand why anyone thinks the Ponies won this trade. Look at Cutler's statistics last year:
16th overall QB rating
3rd in Yards (4,526)
25 TDs (7th overall)
Denver Offense: 3rd in passing, 12th rushing, 2nd overall
Denver Defense: 26th in passing, 27th in rushing, 29th overall
I do not think Jay Cutler is this generation's Jeff George. Is Jay aloof? Perhaps. To me, the whole Jay Cutler 'spat' is analogous to when a guy is dating/married to a girl. The girl is upset. The guy asks "why are you upset?" The response: "if you need to ask, then we have big problems." Inevitably the guy rolls his eyes. Is it fixable? DEFINATELY. I mean, do you give up a Pro Bowl QB who is still on the upside of his career over some miniscule spat? Do you think the Titans and Cards wish they picked Jay Cutler over Vince Young and Matt Leinart?
OK the people who think the Ponies won this trade is because of the DRAFT PICKS, because no one in their right mind would trade Jay Cutler straight up for Kyle Orton. Let's be real: There are too many people way too enamored by DRAFT PICKS. Those would be known as draftnicks. Everyone and their uncle cites the robbery the Cowboys did of the Minnesota Vikings way back in 1988 (the infamous Herschel Walker trade). So now people are convinced that Denver won this trade because the Bears gave up 2 #1s, a #3, and Kyle Orton.
Do the Ponies really think Kyle Orton is a 5 to 10 year answer for a starting QB? Is everyone convinced that Chris Simms can't beat out Kyle Orton? OK let's move on to defending the draft picks.
Since 2000, here are the Denver Broncos' first round picks:
Deltha O'Neal, Willie Middlebrooks, Ashley Lelie, George Foster, D.J. Williams, (none), Jay Cutler, Jarvis Moss, and Ryan Clady.
Quick name the pro bowlers from those picks. Don't count Jay Cutler. :) Yes. One. Deltha O'Neal in 2002. Ryan Clady looks like a keeper. Otherwise...can any casual NFL fan name these guys? So Broncos fans are excited about having multiple first round picks? WHY?!?!?! Hey folks, Pat Bowlen isn't rolling in dough. He can't afford the payroll for these picks since he's still paying Shanahan's contract. Don't confuse 'payroll' with 'salary cap' - two very different things.
The counter argument is that Mike Shanahan the GM made these picks, and the new team will be so much better. Um, we'll see.
Perhaps the Ponies are going to package these picks as part of another deal, which could ultimately make this trade more even. But for now, the Bears win this trade, and do so decisively.
The contents in this blog are my own and in no way represent official positions of any current, past, or future employers. I am not responsible for the accuracy nor the contents of links to any external sites. In the case of financial topics, please consult with an investment adviser prior to making any investments. Past performance is never indicative of future results.
Monday, March 30, 2009
GM = Government Motors
Well our country took a big step today.
A big step towards a centrally planned economy.
The Federal Government, lead by a president who has held exactly how many executive posts (prior to the one he's has now), has decided that they know more about building a car than a company that has been doing it for 100 years, give/take.
Now I am not in any way defending Government...err...General Motors. Their business model is stuck in the 1950s. They failed to remember the lessons of the 1970s, when Detroit faltered big time when a) gas prices shot up, b) American consumers wanted small, dependable, fuel efficient cars, c) Detroit had a bunch of clunkers, but d) the foreign automakers (mostly Japanese) had what we wanted. So history is indeed repeating itself, aided and abetted by a massive credit crunch and the stuck-in-the-past mentality of the UAW.
Let's consider the actions taken over this weekend and today:
Mr. Obama, United Airlines was in bankruptcy for nearly 3 years. Just go check the records if you don't believe me. Do you really think you can get Government Motors through bankruptcy in, what 3 months? Do you understand bankruptcy? Do you understand that the "creditors" you are asking to sacrifice includes the small businesses that provide parts and other components to these manufacturers? I suppose the government can be "debtor in possession", but that's going to make the process go faster?
In fairness to Mr. Obama, he didn't do as I thought he would - roll over for his special interest group (unions). So there's something to be said for that.
However, empowering the Federal government to be the judge and jury on whether or not a company has a viable business plan? That's supposed to be the role of the financial system, and not the Federal Government. Fixing the global financial system is the key to a global recovery. Government redistribution, business plan arbitration, and massive new government programs only serve to delay recovery and prolong the current economic doldrums. Never ever ever forget that the government is not in the business of creating value. They only redistribute or destroy it.
The contents in this blog are my own and in no way represent official positions of any current, past, or future employers. I am not responsible for the accuracy nor the contents of links to any external sites. In the case of financial topics, please consult with an investment adviser prior to making any investments. Past performance is never indicative of future results.
A big step towards a centrally planned economy.
The Federal Government, lead by a president who has held exactly how many executive posts (prior to the one he's has now), has decided that they know more about building a car than a company that has been doing it for 100 years, give/take.
Now I am not in any way defending Government...err...General Motors. Their business model is stuck in the 1950s. They failed to remember the lessons of the 1970s, when Detroit faltered big time when a) gas prices shot up, b) American consumers wanted small, dependable, fuel efficient cars, c) Detroit had a bunch of clunkers, but d) the foreign automakers (mostly Japanese) had what we wanted. So history is indeed repeating itself, aided and abetted by a massive credit crunch and the stuck-in-the-past mentality of the UAW.
Let's consider the actions taken over this weekend and today:
- The government told Rick Wagoner, thanks for playing. Interesting they did not ask their UAW counterpart to do the same. Won't it, in your words Mr Obama, take a new vision and direction to create the GM of the future? Wouldn't that also apply to the UAW? Perhaps as a partner with GM as opposed to an adversary? OH - silly me: unions = Democrat votes.
- IF GM needs to file bankruptcy, they will apparently do so under new bankruptcy rules that are specific to them. What else justifies Mr. Obama's assertion that:
Mr. Obama, United Airlines was in bankruptcy for nearly 3 years. Just go check the records if you don't believe me. Do you really think you can get Government Motors through bankruptcy in, what 3 months? Do you understand bankruptcy? Do you understand that the "creditors" you are asking to sacrifice includes the small businesses that provide parts and other components to these manufacturers? I suppose the government can be "debtor in possession", but that's going to make the process go faster?
- Oh, this will make me sleep easier at night: "Your warranty will be safe. In fact, it will be safer than it’s ever been. Because starting today, the United States government will stand behind your warranty."
In fairness to Mr. Obama, he didn't do as I thought he would - roll over for his special interest group (unions). So there's something to be said for that.
However, empowering the Federal government to be the judge and jury on whether or not a company has a viable business plan? That's supposed to be the role of the financial system, and not the Federal Government. Fixing the global financial system is the key to a global recovery. Government redistribution, business plan arbitration, and massive new government programs only serve to delay recovery and prolong the current economic doldrums. Never ever ever forget that the government is not in the business of creating value. They only redistribute or destroy it.
The contents in this blog are my own and in no way represent official positions of any current, past, or future employers. I am not responsible for the accuracy nor the contents of links to any external sites. In the case of financial topics, please consult with an investment adviser prior to making any investments. Past performance is never indicative of future results.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Way to go Geithner!
This has to be the quote of the year so far. From the Wed Feb 11, 2009 Denver Post, in response to Geithner's message of "change and hope":
The Obama team has been a sort of smarty-pants administration, talking about how dumb the other kids, the previous administration, was, and saying how much better they'll do when they're in power. To then show up, in effect, without their homework - no plan details - removed that smarty-pants invincibility aura and spooked the markets. - Dave Maney, chairman of Denver investment bank Headwaters
Mr Maney, I could not agree with you more.
But that's ok. Looks like there's agreement on the Great American Bankruptcy...oops...Stimulus...plan. A mere $780B of wealth transfers, pet projects, and even a few good things. Emphasis on 'few'.
The contents in this blog are my own and in no way represent official positions of any current, past, or future employers. I am not responsible for the accuracy nor the contents of links to any external sites. In the case of financial topics, please consult with an investment adviser prior to making any investments. Past performance is never indicative of future results.
The Obama team has been a sort of smarty-pants administration, talking about how dumb the other kids, the previous administration, was, and saying how much better they'll do when they're in power. To then show up, in effect, without their homework - no plan details - removed that smarty-pants invincibility aura and spooked the markets. - Dave Maney, chairman of Denver investment bank Headwaters
Mr Maney, I could not agree with you more.
But that's ok. Looks like there's agreement on the Great American Bankruptcy...oops...Stimulus...plan. A mere $780B of wealth transfers, pet projects, and even a few good things. Emphasis on 'few'.
The contents in this blog are my own and in no way represent official positions of any current, past, or future employers. I am not responsible for the accuracy nor the contents of links to any external sites. In the case of financial topics, please consult with an investment adviser prior to making any investments. Past performance is never indicative of future results.
Sunday, February 8, 2009
The Week in Sports
So this past week we saw the following headlines (amongst others) in the world of Sports:
Michael Phelps gets bonged
I guess this is why George Bernard Shaw said "youth is wasted on the young." Dude, you live in the US. Bongs are illegal. You won a ton of medals and are financially set for life. Heck, after a few speech coaches, you can go do whatever you want. USE YOUR BRAIN. Go find a coffeeshop in Amsterdam if you really want to smoke the wacky tabacky.
The counter argument: "We're uptight, most 'college kids' do this anyway, calm down." Sorry. Most 'college kids' don't have millions of dollars in endorsements. If he just wanted to 'act like a kid', then go ahead and return your endorsement money. Sorry Michael. You are held to a different standard. Deservedly so.
A-ROD* injected
I guess this is why Mark McGwire said "I'm not here to talk about the past." I have to admit, this news leak stuns, but is not surprising. The question that I have to ask is, "Why, A-Rod, WHY?" You're not a marginal player looking for that extra edge to get into MLB. You weren't in a "contract" year looking for the extra boost to get the BIG contract (you already had it). In 2003, you were not an aging player just trying to hang on for another year or two. You're our generation's most talented player. Your bust is already in Cooperstown. With some luck, you could have restored some dignity to the 'all-time HR leader' record. Now, in addition to being a walking soap opera, you were caught on the juice. Did you 'cheat'? Technically, in 2003, you didn't. Now your legacy is tarnished. You didn't need to do it, either. Sad.
Pro-Bowl
Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz. For a sport that "owns" the US, for some reason their "all-star" game is totally irrelevant. Quick - who won last year? Don't look it up either.
The only logical solution is to play the game on the "off" Sunday in between the NFC/AFC Championships and the Super Bowl. Maybe even at the Super Bowl site. Yes, the Super Bowl teams would not send their players. Otherwise - why bother playing the game at all?
Spring Training
Pitchers, catchers, and syringes (oh that's cold) start reporting next weekend. Remember when Spring Training was a 'renewal' of all that was good?
OK that's it for now. I'm still considering blogging about the Great America Bankruptcy Act of 2009, but quite frankly, I keep vomiting every time I read about it. Why don't we just call it "The pent-up Special Interest Plan, with a hint of stimulus?"
The contents in this blog are my own and in no way represent official positions of any current, past, or future employers. I am not responsible for the accuracy nor the contents of links to any external sites. In the case of financial topics, please consult with an investment adviser prior to making any investments. Past performance is never indicative of future results.
Michael Phelps gets bonged
I guess this is why George Bernard Shaw said "youth is wasted on the young." Dude, you live in the US. Bongs are illegal. You won a ton of medals and are financially set for life. Heck, after a few speech coaches, you can go do whatever you want. USE YOUR BRAIN. Go find a coffeeshop in Amsterdam if you really want to smoke the wacky tabacky.
The counter argument: "We're uptight, most 'college kids' do this anyway, calm down." Sorry. Most 'college kids' don't have millions of dollars in endorsements. If he just wanted to 'act like a kid', then go ahead and return your endorsement money. Sorry Michael. You are held to a different standard. Deservedly so.
A-ROD* injected
I guess this is why Mark McGwire said "I'm not here to talk about the past." I have to admit, this news leak stuns, but is not surprising. The question that I have to ask is, "Why, A-Rod, WHY?" You're not a marginal player looking for that extra edge to get into MLB. You weren't in a "contract" year looking for the extra boost to get the BIG contract (you already had it). In 2003, you were not an aging player just trying to hang on for another year or two. You're our generation's most talented player. Your bust is already in Cooperstown. With some luck, you could have restored some dignity to the 'all-time HR leader' record. Now, in addition to being a walking soap opera, you were caught on the juice. Did you 'cheat'? Technically, in 2003, you didn't. Now your legacy is tarnished. You didn't need to do it, either. Sad.
Pro-Bowl
Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz. For a sport that "owns" the US, for some reason their "all-star" game is totally irrelevant. Quick - who won last year? Don't look it up either.
The only logical solution is to play the game on the "off" Sunday in between the NFC/AFC Championships and the Super Bowl. Maybe even at the Super Bowl site. Yes, the Super Bowl teams would not send their players. Otherwise - why bother playing the game at all?
Spring Training
Pitchers, catchers, and syringes (oh that's cold) start reporting next weekend. Remember when Spring Training was a 'renewal' of all that was good?
OK that's it for now. I'm still considering blogging about the Great America Bankruptcy Act of 2009, but quite frankly, I keep vomiting every time I read about it. Why don't we just call it "The pent-up Special Interest Plan, with a hint of stimulus?"
The contents in this blog are my own and in no way represent official positions of any current, past, or future employers. I am not responsible for the accuracy nor the contents of links to any external sites. In the case of financial topics, please consult with an investment adviser prior to making any investments. Past performance is never indicative of future results.
Friday, January 30, 2009
Super Bowl!
So I was thinking about my next blog post:
So we have Steeler Nation versus the 100 or so dedicated Arizona Cardinals fans. The line is currently Steelers -7. ESPN's Bill Simmons is postulating that this game could be very similar to the 2001 Ravens-Giants Super Bowl (which also never happened. Repeat after me. The 2001 Ravens-Giants Super Bowl never happened). I think he's right. Here's why:
-- The Arizona defense nearly gave the game away against the Pigeons. The Steelers offense is ordinary at best, but they can put up points against the Cardinals.
-- As long as the Tampa field isn't mud (Sunny and COLD for Central FL - 60s during the day, falling into the 40s at night? wow), the Steelers defense will be able to limit the Cardinals offense. I think they'll likely not blitz Warner. They'll suffocate Fitzgerald and make someone else beat them. The Cardinals can't run. Period. Warner can't run either. So he's going to be throwing into double coverage all day long and will make mistakes.
Close game in the first half, turning into a convincing Steelers win in the 2nd half. Some window dressing at the end will make the score closer than the game really is. Steelers 28 Cards 17.
The contents in this blog are my own and in no way represent official positions of any current, past, or future employers. I am not responsible for the accuracy nor the contents of links to any external sites. In the case of financial topics, please consult with an investment adviser prior to making any investments. Past performance is never indicative of future results.
- After a good start to the week, an awful finish in the equities markets. We are severely testing the recent market lows.
- The abomination that is H.R. 1. Have you ever seen a rush to spend a ton of money that has no coherent plan to it? It makes TARP look logical. About time the Republicans showed some balls. Now let's see them take initiative and offer a viable alternative and really test Obama's "change we can believe in" mantra.
- The new octupulets born to a single mom in California. Let's be blunt. Whether you believe God created us or if you believe we evolved from microorganisms, the simple fact remains: the human female is NOT designed to carry 8 simultaneous babies. So why are we celebrating this?
So we have Steeler Nation versus the 100 or so dedicated Arizona Cardinals fans. The line is currently Steelers -7. ESPN's Bill Simmons is postulating that this game could be very similar to the 2001 Ravens-Giants Super Bowl (which also never happened. Repeat after me. The 2001 Ravens-Giants Super Bowl never happened). I think he's right. Here's why:
-- The Arizona defense nearly gave the game away against the Pigeons. The Steelers offense is ordinary at best, but they can put up points against the Cardinals.
-- As long as the Tampa field isn't mud (Sunny and COLD for Central FL - 60s during the day, falling into the 40s at night? wow), the Steelers defense will be able to limit the Cardinals offense. I think they'll likely not blitz Warner. They'll suffocate Fitzgerald and make someone else beat them. The Cardinals can't run. Period. Warner can't run either. So he's going to be throwing into double coverage all day long and will make mistakes.
Close game in the first half, turning into a convincing Steelers win in the 2nd half. Some window dressing at the end will make the score closer than the game really is. Steelers 28 Cards 17.
The contents in this blog are my own and in no way represent official positions of any current, past, or future employers. I am not responsible for the accuracy nor the contents of links to any external sites. In the case of financial topics, please consult with an investment adviser prior to making any investments. Past performance is never indicative of future results.
Monday, January 26, 2009
Joe Torre
OK enough 'serious' blogs for a bit. Onto something that some people view more seriously and passionately than politics or even Collateralized Debt Obligations (CDOs).
Sports. Baseball. The New York Yankees.
I grew up rooting for the Yankees. It started in the mid 70s. I enjoyed watching the dysfunctional 1977 team, which was reasonably well portrayed in ESPN's "The Bronx is Burning.". They were part of a 4 World Series run from 1976 through 1981. Then the "good, but not great" teams of the mid 80s, followed by the dark ages (late 80s - early 90s), then the resurgence, the dynasty, concluding with the playoff debacles of the '00s (NOTE: 2004 never happened. Let's just move on.), and a possible return to high priced mediocrity.
So now Joe Torre has written a book called The Yankee Years. It is due for release on Feb 3. I found two interesting previews of the book online. One comes from the statistically based ESPN Writer Rob Neyer and the other comes from The Gray Lady herself.
Rob's name is actually a 4 letter word amongst all Derek Jeter worshipers. Rob has been saying - forever - that Derek was, at his prime, a very mediocre defensive short stop, and is far worse now. I don't read much of Rob's columns anymore, but he generally has good statistical arguments to back himself up. However, it is difficult to apply his statistics to shortened series such as LDSs, LCSs, and the World Series itself. So Derek Jeter is "GOD" to most Yankees' fans for being a winner.
Of course, all the hoopla so far over the book has been over Torre throwing Cashman and A-Rod under the bus. Cashman himself is trying to rein in "insta win" King George and his sons. A-Rod should go down in history as arguably the best baseball player of our generation, but, as of now, will be better known for his post season failures, his third world GDP-sized contracts, and, who knows, marriage to Madonna?
I doubt I'll get this 500+ page tome. I have a million other things I want to read and no time to read them all. But it is tempting...
As to their success under Torre? In '96, the Yanks got lucky. The kid in right field (LCS) combined with Bobby Cox's brain fart in the WS gave the Yanks the title. A hanging curveball in Cleveland in '97 ruined that year. '98-'00 was basic domination (12-1 in WS games!). Then the downfall. They were totally outplayed in the '01 WS. If it wasn't for BK Kim, that series was a sweep for Arizona. Then postseason fizzles, fades, and like I said, 2004 never happened.
Joe Torre was a hero in New York City. He restored pride and stability to the Yankees. Now? I wonder if he'll wear the Yankees' uniform when he gets elected to Cooperstown. He represented class. He could've written a great baseball book. Maybe it still is. But there's enough "tabloid material", already covered by the previews, to make one wonder, why did you do it Joe?
To me, that's sad.
The contents in this blog are my own and in no way represent official positions of any current, past, or future employers. I am not responsible for the accuracy nor the contents of links to any external sites. In the case of financial topics, please consult with an investment adviser prior to making any investments. Past performance is never indicative of future results.
Sports. Baseball. The New York Yankees.
I grew up rooting for the Yankees. It started in the mid 70s. I enjoyed watching the dysfunctional 1977 team, which was reasonably well portrayed in ESPN's "The Bronx is Burning.". They were part of a 4 World Series run from 1976 through 1981. Then the "good, but not great" teams of the mid 80s, followed by the dark ages (late 80s - early 90s), then the resurgence, the dynasty, concluding with the playoff debacles of the '00s (NOTE: 2004 never happened. Let's just move on.), and a possible return to high priced mediocrity.
So now Joe Torre has written a book called The Yankee Years. It is due for release on Feb 3. I found two interesting previews of the book online. One comes from the statistically based ESPN Writer Rob Neyer and the other comes from The Gray Lady herself.
Rob's name is actually a 4 letter word amongst all Derek Jeter worshipers. Rob has been saying - forever - that Derek was, at his prime, a very mediocre defensive short stop, and is far worse now. I don't read much of Rob's columns anymore, but he generally has good statistical arguments to back himself up. However, it is difficult to apply his statistics to shortened series such as LDSs, LCSs, and the World Series itself. So Derek Jeter is "GOD" to most Yankees' fans for being a winner.
Of course, all the hoopla so far over the book has been over Torre throwing Cashman and A-Rod under the bus. Cashman himself is trying to rein in "insta win" King George and his sons. A-Rod should go down in history as arguably the best baseball player of our generation, but, as of now, will be better known for his post season failures, his third world GDP-sized contracts, and, who knows, marriage to Madonna?
I doubt I'll get this 500+ page tome. I have a million other things I want to read and no time to read them all. But it is tempting...
As to their success under Torre? In '96, the Yanks got lucky. The kid in right field (LCS) combined with Bobby Cox's brain fart in the WS gave the Yanks the title. A hanging curveball in Cleveland in '97 ruined that year. '98-'00 was basic domination (12-1 in WS games!). Then the downfall. They were totally outplayed in the '01 WS. If it wasn't for BK Kim, that series was a sweep for Arizona. Then postseason fizzles, fades, and like I said, 2004 never happened.
Joe Torre was a hero in New York City. He restored pride and stability to the Yankees. Now? I wonder if he'll wear the Yankees' uniform when he gets elected to Cooperstown. He represented class. He could've written a great baseball book. Maybe it still is. But there's enough "tabloid material", already covered by the previews, to make one wonder, why did you do it Joe?
To me, that's sad.
The contents in this blog are my own and in no way represent official positions of any current, past, or future employers. I am not responsible for the accuracy nor the contents of links to any external sites. In the case of financial topics, please consult with an investment adviser prior to making any investments. Past performance is never indicative of future results.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
