Giambi clams up after testing positive - again
By Punch N. Judy
BaseballBigMouth.com baseball news
The truth just continues to rear its head in the Bronx where now it has come to light that Jason Giambi failed an amphetamines test last season.
Shocking? Hardly.
As Giambi sat in front of his locker contrite to a fault, he told the assembled media throng that he wished he could be more helpful but that unfortunately he couldn’t “really talk about anything.” Why Giambi opened his big mouth last week in the first place is still beyond me. When he told USA Today’s Bob Nightengale that he wished he “never used that stuff,” and that owners and players alike should just fess up and admit they were wrong, the Yankee slugger may have unwittingly opened a can of worms that could eventually lead to the voiding of his contract.
What this writer would like to know is if the recent amphetamine revelation is in some way a payback on the part of either MLB or the Yankees themselves.
When Ryan Howard deservingly cake-walked to the NL MVP award last year an off-season quote in Baseball Weekly caught my eye. Howard claimed that the famous banquet circuit was taking up a lot of his time, but would not interfere with his preparation heading into 07.’ Flash forwarding to this season, Howard who finished last year the way Yaz did in 67,’ is hitting all of .204 with six homeruns and 23 RBI. On top of that an out of shape Howard was placed on the 15 day DL May 10th with a strained quadriceps.
According to John Kruk, Roger Clemens is no where near ready to lead the cavalry back in the Bronx. Citing a lack of “downward tilt” in the Rocket’s splitter, Kruk noted that the Portland Sea Dogs were able to tee-off on Clemens fastball at will. Stay tuned.
On our way to Comerica Park last night the The Heckler an I were discussing (as always it seems) some of the things we missed about our old friend at the corner of Michigan and Trumble. Unlike the team’s new home, the walk to Tiger Stadium was an event in of itself as a variety of vendors sold their wears from primitive card tables to street car like structures that parked along Michigan Ave. Cheap T-shirts, caps and pennants were the order of the day, along with the odd peanut vendor every other block. Sometimes the little brown bags were thrown in as part of the parking fee. I’m sure a licensing issue prevents this practice in and around Comerica Park, but I gotta say I sure do miss it.
I doubt I’m the first guy to think of it, but why not hire a roving knuckleball expert to beat the bushes and find a successor to the Red Sox Tim Wakefield?
Quote of the Week – “You take a team with 25 assholes and I’ll show you pennant. I’ll show you the New York Yankees.” – Bill Lee, former Red Sox and Expo hurler.
Clown of the Week – Carl Pavano – The first two time Clown, Pavano has most likely thrown his last pitch in the Bronx with the announcement made yesterday that the American Idle has been booked for surgery at Dr James Andrews Alabama bed and breakfast. Pavano’s 5-6 Yankee record means that each victory cost Curious George over eight million dollars. No Way!
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 Wednesday to Wednesday. Good day all.