Players often use the word loyalty when discussing their contract status, future plans or a freshly inked deal that many times is nothing more than a reward for past career success.

Rarely does ownership play this card; the ramifications from the clubs fan base are way too steep. Truth is there are way too many variables in contract negotiations for either side to pretend that it ever comes down to loyalty. Pro sports is a business, simple as that.

That’s why Andy (Little Rocket) Pettitte’s words regarding his future ring awfully hollow right about now. With an opportunity to re-up at a princely sum of $16 million next year, Pettitte decided to opt out, a la Alex Rodriguez, citing an uncertainty of his desire to pitch next year. In a statement delivered last week, Pettitte – through his and his buddy Roger Clemens agents the Hendricks brothers - declared that given NY’s loyalty to him in the past he feels it would be disingenuous of him to play anywhere but the Bronx next year. So what’s the hold-up? If you ask me it sounds like Pettitte is waiting out the market in an attempt to see what other lefties are signing for in 08.’

When players and agents start talking this jive it simply reinforces the notion that pro athletes (especially baseball players) are becoming more and more like boxers. Once those big paydays start kicking in that hunger that made them what they are starts to become satiated. When your willing to thumb your nose at that kinda dough at the age of 36 you’ve obviously been over compensated some where down the line. As the Yankees are finding out this off season - with virtually there whole core of dynasty era players heading into free agency - the word loyalty may only surface if an element of over payment enters into the equation.

The old Hot Stove League sure has petered out in the last few years. As the only major sport operating without a salary cap, baseball teams are becoming increasingly responsible over the last several off-seasons. Rather than lining up at the free-agent trough, most teams are expressing the desire to build from within and as a result are guarding prospects like golden eggs.

When even the Yankees are getting into the act you know it’s more than just a fad. Perhaps a few too many Carl Pavano type signings have made Brian Cashman a tad gun shy. Either way it’s the best path for every team going foreword.

Clown of the Week – Joel Zumaya – The sooner this bozo learns that his right arm is his sole ticket to ride, the better for every fan in Tiger Town. Visions of Mark Fidrych are starting dance in my head. While his explanation of the box landing on his shoulder did seem a little bit shady at first, I now do believe that he is simply that stupid. Smarten up kid.

Quote of then Week – “It’s like the Kennedy assassination. Everyone comes up and tells me where they were when Gibson hit that home run.” – Dennis Eckersley, former A’s reliever on the famous dinger he gave up to Gibby in game one of the 1988 World Series.

By Punch N. Judy
BaseballBigMouth.com baseball news

The trade that brought Josh Beckett and Mike Lowell to Boston for Hanley Ramirez and Anibal Sanchez is looking better by the day. If it’s true that you can’t accurately pass judgment on any deal for at least five years, the Red Sox are at least off to a good start.

If you flash back to year one of the deal however, it seemed the Marlins may have had the edge. A late no-hitter by Sanchez was followed by Ramirez wrapping up the NL Rookie of the Year award. In Boston, Beckett was wildly inconsistent in winning 17 games, aided considerably by the best run support per start in the AL. Lowell meanwhile was solid on both ends of the field. With both players a year away from free agency, some tough decisions had to be made going into 2007.

Things were made considerably easier when Beckett coming off what was for him a bad opening act, agreed to a three year $30 million dollar deal. Lowell meanwhile was left to play out his contract, which may end up costing the Sox the difference in what Beckett is really worth – around 15 to 20 million.

Back in Florida, Ramirez enjoyed another fine season, while Sanchez blew his arm out in April, landing himself in Alabama with an appointment with Dr. James Andrews. So, after two years it appears to be advantage Red Sox.

The difference in Beckett from 06’ to 07’ has indeed been dramatic. Unable to control his emotions or mechanics for that matter, the former Yankee killer was a mess last season to the point where the Sox felt compelled to overspend on Daisuke (Mr. Fuji) Matsuzaka. After last nights dominating performance – 7 inn, 1 run, 9K’s – it appears Beckett is on track to join the Babe, Cy Young, Pedro and the Rocket on the franchise’ Mound Rushmore.

Punchouts
 - Don Mattingly looks like the front runner in the Yankee managerial sweepstakes. Claiming that he learned not only from Joe Torre, but Billy Martin, Lou Piniela and Dallas Green (say what?), Donnie Baseball says he is “100 percent ready to manage.” Better get off to a better start than 21-29 Donnie.
 - At least the Yanks didn’t blame the three out of five first round format for their early exit this year.
 - The new Yankee regime officially is headed by Curious George’s sons Hal and Hank, whose main decision heading into the new Yankee Stadium must be: Do we fill the seats by resigning A-Rod or by actually winning again?
 - Nobody did more with his God given talent than Carl Michael Yastremski. Even though he bounced last night’s first pitch.
 - A-Rod should be careful what he wishes for. Back in 04’ Nomar Garciaparra turned down the Red Sox $15 mil a year offer then got hurt and never earned more than $5 mil thereafter. If Yanks won’t pony up the dough who will?

Clown of the Week – Super agent Scott Boras. While stoking the fires of interest in Alex Rodriguez, Boras continues to flap his gums on all the factors that may influence his client not to opt out his contract following the World Series. You know, like who the manager is, who else re-signs, who drags the infield, etc. Gimme a break. This guy would play in the cornfields of Nebraska if some farmer had the bread to pay him.

Quote of the Week – “I’m just another ghost, fully capable of haunting.” Boston manager Grady Little in the aftermath his firing following the 03’ playoffs. 

Editor’s note - Baseball and Eggs will appear every Thursday, and serves as a form of self–therapy for this clinically insane baseball fan. The baseball part is self–explanatory. The eggs however, could pertain to just about anything on Punch’s mind from Thursday to Thursday.

By Punch N. Judy
BaseballBigMouth.com baseball news

As Joe Torre twists in the wind, awaiting his fate, you have to wonder if Curious George Steinbrenner is regretting his pre-game three threat that this would be the Yankee manager’s last chance to save his job. World Series win or bust, the Boss insisted.

Forget the fact that Roger Clemens and his Family Plan contract (which was just as much the Boss’s idea as anyone’s) proved to be ill-advised to say the least. Or that for all Joba Chamberlain did to fortify the bullpen it still was thin when you consider Torre’s reluctance to even warm up two or three guys down there. Heck I think he burned Kyle Farnsworth’s number sometime in July. No, this Yankee exit was far from Torre’s fault. It sits squarely on the pinstriped shoulders of every player on this roster of overpaid chokers. And that includes old Captain Clutch himself Derek Jeter.

Yeah I know, how soon we forget. Jeter is Mr. November, the air to Reggie’s throne, the guy who when the chips are down always comes up with the big play. Remember “The Flip?” Fact is, Jeter is no different than A-Rod when it comes to playoff baseball nowadays. When the Yankees are rolling he’s right there with his shovel, throwing coal on the fire. When the other team punches back however, his jaw is as much a cheap wine glass as the rest of them. At least Jeter’s Take Two Foundation gained some free advertisement from the chairman’s multiple twin killings in games three and four.

I believe A-Rod summed up the problem in the Bronx best when he left the clubhouse telling reporters how proud he was of this overpaid lot of misfits. “These guys are the most courageous group of guys I ever played with.” Really? You mean even more than the 2004 squad let the Red Sox come back from an 0-3 hole? How about a couple of those Texas teams that went in the cellar wire-to-wire at the beginning of the decade? If anyone knows courage it’s gotta be Alex.

And what about Chien Ming Wang? The last time an Asian import stunk this bad he left town with George forever labeling him “a big fat toad.” At least those Hideki Irabu era teams won at the end of the day.

To me the real guy under fire should be GM Brian Cashman. He’s the one who George said was on a “big hook” back in May. Other than stumbling into Chamberlain and registering a sizeable PR coup with the signing of Clemens, the man they call “Cash” has spiraled into bankruptcy in the way of on field contributions. Remember this year started with Carl Pavano on the bump opening day. In the middle we saw Johnny Damon, two years into his bloated contract, unable to man centerfield with his Girl Guide left arm. We also watched a lefty-lefty (say what?) first base platoon of Doug Mientkevitch and Jason Giambi. And how about that Kie Igawa $53 million dollar signing?

Bottom line here folks is that the Yankees need a street sweeper to broom the dead weight residing in that front office. Instead of worrying about the manager’s post, it may be more prudent to get in touch with a man named Walt Jocketty or perhaps former Twins architect Terry Ryan. Cashman it should be remembered has simply been along for the ride. It was Gene Michael responsible for the glory years of the nineties. It was he who was responsible for the drafting of Jeter, Posada, Williams and Rivera. It was he who helped bring in David Cone, John Wetteland, Paul O’Neil, Tino Martinez, and of course Joe Torre himself.

The Wanted Poster simply has the wrong face on it.

Clown of the Week – Bud Selig. That does it, from here on out this weekly award is being renamed in this man’s honor. This time it was Bud Light’s decision, despite a nationwide backlash, to continue with cable only access to the post-season. This isn’t the NBA, its baseball, and for all those older fans denied the opportunity watch the  national past time in October, Selig should be ashamed.

Quote of the Week – “I tell him, ‘that away to hit George,’” – Jim Frey, Royals manager on what advice he gives to third baseman George Brett.

Final Result Worth Noting - On a blustery, wind swept Wednesday night, the team of Punch and the Parrot were victorious 1-0 in a good old fashioned game of Strikeout. The four inning tilt, won on a Parrot single down the third base line, was notable in that the first no-hitter that  I can recall was hurled in dominant fashion by the duo. Team Wilhelm-O’Neil were simply overmatched. As an added bonus, my right arm isn’t throbbing as I write this. 

Editor’s note - Baseball and Eggs will appear every Thursday, and serves as a form of self–therapy for this clinically insane baseball fan. The baseball part is self–explanatory. The eggs however, could pertain to just about anything on Punch’s mind from Thursday to Thursday.

CLICK HERE to read Punch’s take on Bonds’ bashing

CLICK HERE as Punch puts things Bonds in historical perspective 

CLICK HERE to read The Hecklers’ take on MLB waffling on recognizing feat