Yanks office dismayed....again

[Alloutwar]

The Yankees front office is upset. I know, I know - you've NEVER heard that before. But this time, it isn't about a player's facial hair, or the poor performance this season, or about a size-large tee shirt buried in cement. This time, it's about an all star game promotion.

Is this just the way the Yankees are trying to dominate the headlines, even while mired in a struggle with the Orioles for 4th in the AL East? It seems that every week, there's some off-color Das Steinbrenner quote, something the office is upset about, a big news story about Hughes or Kennedy 'making strides'. I was really hoping that this season's poor Yankees team would allow some other teams to get the spotlight, the reporters, the stories - maybe more focus on the Rays and Marlins. Maybe if the Mets were over .500, the NYC media could focus on them. Ah well.

Anyway, I've tried to think about this objectively; like, what if this was Fenway's last year, and there was some all-star game promotion that had Giambi swinging for a homerun at fenway? Well, I could see that ruffling some feathers, just with the rivalry and all. But it's the all-star game, so aside from some hard-line Sox fans saying its less of a wickad pissah, I can't see it being that much of a deal, especially to the front office, which generally maintains a polished, professional demeanor.

Now, imagine Giambi wasn't embroiled in the steroid charges in the past. Well, maybe that small level of upset-ness would drop even more.

Now, imagine Giambi was on the club that won the world series last year. Let's say he was a marquis name, maybe the best slugger on that team, or at least a known power-hitter in that tandem. Well then, I don't see much cause left for anger/alarm. Then we could all get behind him as baseball fans. (Unless he hit a ALCS-winning homer off of Wakefield or something...then, screw him.)

Honestly, I could see some home-field concern to this; why not pick A-Rod, or Abreu, or some Yanks slugger that can knock one over the fence with power (and isn't crumbling in injuries or inefficacy). Maybe MLB ran it by them, and Abreu spat at the idea, and A-Rod fainted. Maybe neither of them have that relationship with the fans and are such a popular figure as Ortiz; the Phillies fans I know still hate Abreu fervently (which is odd, considering his performance for those years and some community service), and after A-Rod opted out and collected his full $30mil/year, I think there is a legitimate concern about nationwide fan-friendliness.

Ortiz (though making $12mil) is something of a fan favorite; let go by the Twins, picked up on the cheap, rose out of nowhere to become the most dominant DH in the game today. Now he's helped slug his team to two WS wins, and he's always happy, smiling, waving, etc. No controversies, no contractual issues, no holding out for $300mil (yet). Not a great fielder, but for a power-hitter promotion during a power-hitter special event, seems like a perfect choice. Am I far out on this?

[McLoving]

The Yankees front office is upset. I know, I know - you've NEVER heard that before. But this time, it isn't about a player's facial hair, or the poor performance this season, or about a size-large tee shirt buried in cement. This time, it's about an all star game promotion.

Is this just the way the Yankees are trying to dominate the headlines, even while mired in a struggle with the Orioles for 4th in the AL East? It seems that every week, there's some off-color Das Steinbrenner quote, something the office is upset about

Welcome to late 1970's. Many teams have upsets, it's just the NY media that makes a ****ing big deal out of it.

In my opinion, I think it's not really... rational to put a Red Sox slugger in the last Yankee Stadium main promotion position unless if it's meant to alleviate the relations between the Yankee-Red Sox rivarly. I WOULDN'T oppose to this if the All Star game is held in other stadium, but when in Rome... well you know what I'm trying to say, right. Are you a Sox fan?

[Alloutwar]

I would say I'm a Sox fan, yes. I grew up around Boston, was a rabid fan as a kid, and then from 2002 on, but now that they've won two WS titles...well, I'm really starting to like NL ball. So they've got a warm spot in my heart, but I'm no longer solely focused on them.

That being said, my dislike of the Yankees continues somewhat more fervently. It applies more to the ownership and symbol than the players- heck, I tend to go where the money is best in my field too.

That's why I tried to turn the situation around on myself, above...I can certainly see some rumbling and/or dislike, given the rivalry...but given the combination of the sense it makes, with Ortiz' power, WS rings, and fan-favorite status...and that the All-Star game is planned by MLB, not the organization that owns the stadium or hosting team...and that, usually it's the fans that oppose things like this, while the organization 'takes the high road'. Boston is a pretty intense media market, but I can't imagine Theo and co taking issue with something like this. At the very worst, they would take the 'its not my decision' approach.

I guess, given the Yankees office, I shouldn't be so surprised when they say something without much forethought or that could potentially start controversy...I dunno. Obviously, I can hypothesize about my feelings and public/office reaction if roles were reversed, but I guess until it happens, you don't really know.

[ohms_law]

Hang on a second... In the article on MLB.com, all that was said was:

According to an article in The New York Times on Friday, "The Yankees were upset about the plans involving Ortiz and said they were unaware of the promotion until a reporter contacted them Thursday night. The Yankees were discussing the matter internally and planning to contact Major League Baseball for an explanation."

And here's the NYT article: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/23/sp...l/23ortiz.html

It seems to me that the media is making much more out of this then the Yankees are. Big surprise there.

[McLoving]

Maybe not in this situation, but I can name some...

What is done is done anyways. It would be even worse to trying to swap Ortiz with someone else than just leaving him right there

[ohms_law]

True

[koolzach1]

I definitely don't want Ortiz doing the contest. I'd much rather have A-Rod or someone. Ortiz, a known Yankee killer, and a Boston hero, is very much disliked by many Yankee fans.