Robinson Cano and Curtis Granderson headline group of major leaugers headed to China

Here is a link from the Daily News and blogging bombers on a November exhibition series in China.  Curtis Granderson and Robinson Cano are headlining the group of major leaguers taking part in this tournament against Chinese Taipai.  Miguel Cabrera will also take part if he is up to it after his postseason is over, he will decide once his season is over. 
http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/yankees/2011/10/cano-granderson-headed-to-taiwan?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+nydnrss%2Fblogs%2Fyankees+%28Blogs%2FBlogging+the+Bombers%29

Mets get pounded

The New York Mets lost to the St. Louis Cardinals this afternoon by the score of 10-5. Mike Pelfrey got the start for the mets and continued to have a terrible spring. He pitched 5 2/3 innings giving up 12 hits and 6 runs with 0 walks and 3 strikeouts. He allowed 3 homeruns, he has a 7.97 era this spring. Sean Green faced one batter and got him out but it looks like he will start the year in AAA according to Adam Rubin formerly of the NY Daily News who will be working for ESPN NY now. Ryota Igarashi didn't pitch too well going 1 inning and giving up 3 hits and 3 runs with a walk. Pat Misch pitched an inning giving up 3 hits and 1 run with 1 walk. Elmer Dessens pitched a scoreless inning giving up a hit. Angel Pagan had a big day with 2 hits and 3 rbi. Luis Castillo had a hit and Fernando Tatis had a couple of hits. Jason Bay had a walk and Frank Catalanotto had a hit and 2 rbi. Fernando Martinez, Ruben Tejada, Mike Pelfrey and Chris Carter all had a hit each. The Mets will play a split squad tomorrow. They will be at Washington and home against the Marlins.

Mets Lose to Cardinals

The New York Mets lost to the St. Louis Cardinals today by the score of 6-5. John Maine got the start and pitched pretty well today. He allowed 2 runs and 2 hits in 4 innings. Pat Misch and Francisco Rodriguez didn't pitch so well either. Francisco Rodriguez allowed 2 runs and Pat Misch allowed a run. Misch allowed 2 hits and 2 walks, Rodriguez allowed 3 hits and 2 runs with a strikeout. Sean Green pitched a scoreless inning with a walk and Elmer Dessens pitched a inning giving up a hit. Kiko Calero gave up a hit and a run without giving up a hit. Gary Matthews Jr. gave up a hit and Ike Davis had a hit and rbi. Luis Castillo and Russ Adams had a hit. Fernando Martinez and Alex Cora each had a hit. Henry Blanco gave up a hit and Chris Coste had a hit and rbi. Frank Catalanotto had a hit and 2 rbi. The Mets play split squads tomorrow, one at Kissimmee against the Astros and one game at Tradition Field against the University Of Michigan. According to Adam Rubin of the NY Daily News the Mets have released Josh Fogg.

New York Mets Recap

The New York Mets defeated the Florida Marlins in Jupiter by the score of 11-2 today. John Maine made his first start of the spring and went 2 2/3 innings giving up 1 run and 2 hits. He also struck out 4 and threw 21 of his 39 pitches for strikes. Jenrry Mejia was impressive again pitching 3 scoreless innings, allowing 2 hits and striking out one. He threw 27 of 33 pitches for strikes. He really seems to be on the fast track but I hope the Mets don't rush him, the best thing to do is send him to the minors and if he pitches great down there for a couple of months and you need a guy in the majors then bring him up. R.A. Dickey pitched 2 1/3 innings giving up 2 hits with 1 walk and a strikeout, he did not allow a run. Ryota Igarashi pitched 1 inning giving up 2 hits and a run with a strikeout. Pedro Feliciano pitched a perfect inning with 2 strikeouts. The Mets offense was led by Chris Carter who had 2 ninth inning homeruns. Fernando Martinez was 2-5 with a rbi and Jason Bay was 1-3 with a rbi. Rod Barajas hit a solo homerun and Ike Davis continued his hot hitting going 2-3 with 2 rbi. He did have his second straight game with a error though. It looks like he will have to work on his defense but his hitting has been amazing. The Mets will take on the Astros tomorrow afternoon at 1 at Tradition Field. The game will be televised on SNY. If you want to read some quotes from John Maine check out Adam Rubin of the Daily News blog or go to http://metsblog.com and you can access it through there.

Games Begin Tomorrow But For Now Fun And Games

The Yankees will have their first exhibition game tomorrow at 1:00PM against the Pittsburgh Pirates. The game is in Tampa, the pitchers have been announced and they will be Chad Gaudin, Sergio Mitre and Alfredo Aceves who everyone already knew about. The pitchers available out of the bullpen will be Jonathan Albaladejo, Wilkens Arias, Jason Hirsh,Royce Ring,Amaury Sanit and Zach Segovia. The Yankees went to a local arcade today and took part in 3 different type of games there were in tournament style. The games were pop-a-shot, some kind of racing game and skee ball. There were four ideas that were thrown out and they were bowling, paint ball, ping pong and a pool party. Here is what Joe Girardi said about them: Paintball-"We thought that was dangerous." I can't disagree with him on that one. Ping Pong-"In pop-a-shot you want to have a soft touch, where in ping-pong they may want to spike it." That I guess is a good point but what could happen, maybe he means they try and do it too hard and hurt themselves. Bowling-"Pitchers arms, you get concerned." I can see his point but I don't think it is that strenous. Pool Party-"That had stubbed toes written all over it." I just think he didn't want to see grown men in speedos or whatever swimming attire they would of worn. Here is a recap of the action that took place today: Indy Car-Winner-A.J. Burnett and Runner Up-Dana Cavalea, for anyone that might not know he is the strength and conditioning coach. Skeeball: Winner-Andrew Brackman and Runner Up-Eduardo Nunez Pop-A-Shot-Winner-Royce Ring and Runner Up-Mark Melancon Here are some of the comments from Mark Teixeira that were obtained by Mark Feinsand of the NY Daily News. "The highlights were A.J. Burnett just smoking the field in the video game racing, and Royce Ring probably being the best pop-a-shot basketball player I have ever seen." Mariano Rivera was last years big winner in the pool tournament but his name wasn't on the winners list this year. Here is what Teixeira had to say about that "I don't think he did as well, but I don't want to throw him under the bus. At pool he was definitely head and shoulders above the rest, but these arcade games leveled the playing field a little. I won't throw anyone else under the bus, but I admit the race car game was a little difficult and I finished last in my heat." He also added that "It was a great day, the fact that we get three or four hours not to have to worry about baseball and not have to compete on the baseball field, it was fun. Playing video games, we felt like kids again. It promotes a light-hearted atmosphere." Joba Chamberlain had flu like symptoms and didn't attend the outing today. He will attempt to throw a bullpen tomorrow and if he can, he will stay in line to pitch on Friday but if not plans will be adjusted. The Yankees also announced the probably pitchers for the games on Thursday and Friday, here they are: Thursday at Philadelphia: CC Sabathia, Kei Igawa,Zach McAllister,Mark Melancon,Ivan Nova,Romulo Sanchez. Friday vs Tampa Bay: Phil Hughes,Joba Chamberlain,Jeremy Bleich,Grant Duff,Dustin Moseley,Hector Noesi,Dave Robertson and Kevin Whelan.

New York Mets Pre Spring Training Workout

The New York Mets got to work today ahead of the Thursday report day for pitchers and catchers. David Wright, Daniel Murphy, Mike Jacobs, John Maine, Jon Niese, Ryota Igarashi and Hisanori Takahashi. Sandy Koufax was a guest of new minor league field coordinator Terry Collins and Guy Conti. They both once worked for the Dodgers. Here are a couple of pictures from Port St. Lucie, these pictures are courtesy of the NY Daily News and Adam Rubins blog Surfing the Mets. There wasn't much news coming out of today down there but Omar Minaya did say there is competition between Mike Jacobs and Daniel Murphy for first base. I don't know how the Mets could not have Murphy win that job though since there isn't any other spot for him and they really have high hopes for him and have continued to support him.

5 days until Pitchers and Catchers

This is the worst time of the year, there isn't much going on and pitchers and catchers are about to report. It feels like 5 days is 5 months and it can't come soon enough. Pitchers and catchers is just a symbolic thing and then they work out for about a week or so before the other players show up. There still won't be any actual games until the first week of March but still it is something, baseball is back. Here is some baseball news to hold you over until next week. It looks like the Johnny Damon saga could be ending soon. It appears it is down to the Tigers and White Sox. I would guess he ends up with Detroit by Monday or Tuesday. Brian Cashman was speaking at a university yesterday and had some interesting things to say. He said he told Scott Boras and Johnny Damon he wouldn't fight for a contract to Hal Steinbrenner unless he knew they would sign it. He then said that he was expecting Johnny to get a Bobby Abreu type contract and if he didn't he should of been a Yankee and that isn't the Yankees fault. A really interesting thing Cashman said is prior to one of the World Series games he was talking to the Tigers GM. This is where the root of the Granderson trade came from, Dave Dombrowski was like dude you have a game at 8 and Cash said yeah but my work is done I have to start thinking about next season. Mark Feinsand of the NY Daily News is already down in Tampa and has been blogging about the workouts at the minor leage complex. He wrote in his blog today that Brett Gardner has shown up and has long hair, at least for him. Joba Chamberlain, Francisco Cervelli, Boone Logan, Dave Robertson, Alfredo Aceves and some minor leaguers are all there.

Johnny Damon and the Yankees

Johnny Damon was at the Empire State Building with his wife and Nascar driver Jimmie Johnson yesterday. He reiterated the same message he has had for several months now and that is he wants to remain a Yankee but he is listening to other offers. " I would love to come back to New York but I also know other teams are calling to have me go and help them win a championship," he said. " I have loved my time here. Hopefully, it is not over, but we just have to wait and see what New York comes to offer. We are listening to anybody out there." Damon stated that he has not heard from the Yankees GM Brian Cashman yet and he and agent Scott Boras are waiting. He said he feels fine physically even though he turned 36 earlier this month. I feel like I can play another 10 years he said. He said he feels great now and has during the season. Johnny Damon has to be realistic here he has been breaking down, he is pretty durable and tough but defensively he is not the same player, he has to rest more and be used as the DH more to keep his legs fresh. If he really wants to stay in New York then he should prove it by taking a pay cut but of course no player can do that. Paul O'neill did it and others in the past have but that doesn't happen anymore. Johnny also said " I know what is here in New York, the New Stadium, the great coaches, the great players. You guys tell Cash to get things going with me. I am up for it." The Yankees have told everyone they are not even meeting until the end of next week to formulate their plans. The Winter Meetings begin Dec 7th and that is when things should really heat up with the hotstove. This news came from the NY Post but was everywhere on the news and internet since he was in a public place. There was a article out of the NY Daily News today that the Red Sox are really heating up talks with the Blue Jays for Roy Halladay and speculating about the Yankees jumping in. The article said it would start with Clay Bucholz and Casey Kelley a 20 yr old prospect that Theo Epstein is said to love and that may be a sticking point in negotiations. The Yankees would have to give up Joba or Phil Hughes and Austin Jackson or Jesus Montero. If I was the Yankees I would really have to think about giving up Joba and Austin Jackson. I know this is tough but if the Yankees have a rotation of CC, Halladay, A.J. Andy and Phil Hughes that will be very very tough to beat. They can use Dave Robertson, Damaso Marte, Phil Coke as the setup guys. The other benefit of course is that the Red Sox wouldn't get him. It is very tough because the Yankees as World Champs could just have Joba and Phil Hughes as the 4th and 5th starters and hope they fulfill thier potential and have a great rotation like that anyway. They also save a lot of money by doing this but that isn't a guarantee, it is a guarantee that Roy Halladay will pitch well for another couple of years at least. The article said the Red Sox hope to land him within the next couple of weeks so this could get interesting quickly.

Me featured on another blog

Here is a link to me being featured in the Touching base blog by Jesse Spector in the NY Daily News today. I think you guys will enjoy me talking about the Yankees and getting a little hot stove action going. I want to hear your comments on this, how did I do? What did you think of this please let me know and thanks for all the support. http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/touchingbase/2009/11/blogger-nine-innings-gary-marc.html

New York Mets create a mess again

I really didn't want to have to do this as I don't hate them and I really don't want to trash them but the Mets hit a new low today. I know they have won 3 in a row which is great but Omar Minaya in his press conference today to announce the firing of Tony Bernezard just really embarrassed the Mets organization by ripping into NY Daily News Mets beat reporter Adam Rubin. He accused him of taking down Bernezard with his stories about the minor league scene when he challenged them to a fight because basically he wanted his job and when Rubin asked him in the press conference if that is what he was accusing him of he tried talk his way out of it. This was very vindictive and wrong for Minaya to do and may be the beginning of the end for him. I don't know if it was his idea or management told him to do it but anyway you slice it, this will be the story all over the papers tomorrow and not in a good way. If you missed this and you are a Mets fan or just a baseball fan in general check out the press conference and also Rubins response later on over at SNY.com. I really can't believe this went on today, it seems like even when the Mets do something right they still manage to do something wrong at the same time.

Joe G Happy Cash Not So Much

The manager of the New York Yankees Joe Girardi said he thought Alex Rodriguez emotions were genuine and it should help him move on. He was very happy his players came together in support of Alex. "Fired up, that was great." he said regarding his players showing up. It is clear thought that Brian Cashman wanted to get rid of him and still wishes he would of been gone. When asked about Alex being young and naive he said this: "Those are the facts he gave you, it doesn't mean it's acceptable. I like the fact more that he was stupid rather then young or naive. It was a bad decision that may cost him on so many levels." Then he went on to calling Alex an assett several times, wow very cold. It is quite obvious Cash is not too happy with Alex. Well that should wrap up Circus day, tomorrow is a new day and hopefully we will have some baseball. Derek Jeter is expected to discuss Arod tomorrow and that will be fun im sure. In some Yankee news Nick Swisher had some interesting things to say regarding his possible role, it was good to see. You can read what he had to say in the NY Daily News. In another baseball tidbit Oil Can Boyd at 49 years old is trying to make a comeback, that is funny to me, the guy hasn't pitched in 18 years.