Zack Greinke likely will need to be at his best against the Red Sox.
As great as Zack Greinke is, he can’t drive in runs or be counted on for a nine-inning gem every time he starts. The reigning A.L. Cy Young award winner left his opening day start with a 2-1 lead after six innings, but Kansas City eventually lost 8-4.
Saturday, the problem could be run support because the Royals are facing Red Sox ace Josh Beckett, who went 2-0 with a 1.20 ERA and 14 strikeouts in two starts against the Royals in 2009. In his lone start against the Red Sox last season, Greinke tossed six shutout innings and struck out five in a 5-1 win in Kansas City.
Ruling over the Rangers
In Texas this afternoon, Felix Hernandez, the runner-up in the A.L. Cy Young award voting last season, will try to find the command that eluded him on opening day. King Felix uncharacteristically walked six A’s batters in 6 2/3 innings in a no-decision but should be excited to see the Rangers.
In six starts against Texas last season, Hernandez went 4-1 with a 2.38 ERA (he didn’t beat any other team more than twice last season). Count Rangers left fielder Josh Hamilton among those who won’t be thrilled to see Hernandez on the mound. Hamilton is 2-for-21 (.095) with six strikeouts in his career against the righthander.
Big Z’s big ERA
The new and improved Carlos Zambrano must have stayed behind in Arizona when the Cubs broke camp. Although Zambrano is noticeably slimmer, his ERA is noticeably inflated after a disastrous opening day outing in Atlanta.
The righthander was pounded for eight earned runs on six hits (two homers) in 1 1/3 innings. With a complete-game shutout this afternoon in Cincinnati, Zambrano could lower his ERA from 54.00 to 6.97.
Zack Greinke likely will need to be at his best against the Red Sox.
As great as Zack Greinke is, he can’t drive in runs or be counted on for a nine-inning gem every time he starts. The reigning A.L. Cy Young award winner left his opening day start with a 2-1 lead after six innings, but Kansas City eventually lost 8-4.
Saturday, the problem could be run support because the Royals are facing Red Sox ace Josh Beckett, who went 2-0 with a 1.20 ERA and 14 strikeouts in two starts against the Royals in 2009. In his lone start against the Red Sox last season, Greinke tossed six shutout innings and struck out five in a 5-1 win in Kansas City.
Ruling over the Rangers
In Texas this afternoon, Felix Hernandez, the runner-up in the A.L. Cy Young award voting last season, will try to find the command that eluded him on opening day. King Felix uncharacteristically walked six A’s batters in 6 2/3 innings in a no-decision but should be excited to see the Rangers.
In six starts against Texas last season, Hernandez went 4-1 with a 2.38 ERA (he didn’t beat any other team more than twice last season). Count Rangers left fielder Josh Hamilton among those who won’t be thrilled to see Hernandez on the mound. Hamilton is 2-for-21 (.095) with six strikeouts in his career against the righthander.
Big Z’s big ERA
The new and improved Carlos Zambrano must have stayed behind in Arizona when the Cubs broke camp. Although Zambrano is noticeably slimmer, his ERA is noticeably inflated after a disastrous opening day outing in Atlanta.
The righthander was pounded for eight earned runs on six hits (two homers) in 1 1/3 innings. With a complete-game shutout this afternoon in Cincinnati, Zambrano could lower his ERA from 54.00 to 6.97.
MILWAUKEE — As the Brewers’ payroll continues to move toward $100 million, the team is looking for additional revenue streams to enable it to compete against the big-city teams in Major League Baseball.
Principal owner Mark Attanasio — in the news recently for a back-and-forth with the largest-market Yankees’ president, Randy Levine — said this week the team is focusing on increasing non-baseball events at Miller Park and drawing 3 million for the third consecutive season.
Mark Attanasio’s Brewers will have a payroll of nearly $90 million.
The team’s payroll for the 2010 season is nearly $90 million, an all-time high, and up from about $27 million when he purchased the team in 2005.
"We don’t have a lot of arrows left in our quiver," Attanasio said. "We are drawing 3 million fans, have increased our sponsorships and are seeing more revenue from concessions and retail. The next area to focus on is bringing in more events to use the stadium when the team is not playing."
Attanasio jokingly referred to wanting to hold a World Wrestling Entertainment event at Miller Park after team announcer Bob Uecker recently was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame. "I am waiting to meet (WWE chairman) Vince McMahon," he said.
The key to non-baseball events is that revenue doesn’t have to be shared with other major league teams. (For example, a Bruce Springsteen concert at Miller Park in 2003 earned the team about $600,000.)
Attanasio, a Los Angeles investment executive, talked with the Business Journal of Milwaukee’s Mark Kass about what it would take for the team to draw 3 million fans this season, efforts to sign slugger Prince Fielder to an extension and plans to replace the Miller Park scoreboard for the 2011 season.
Sporting News: Are you surprised that your payroll is almost $90 million this year? Mark Attanasio:Baseball is a very competitive game. I never thought when I bought the team that we would be near $90 million payroll. Our budget may have a nine in it, but the Cubs have a ($140 million payroll). Our fans have been terrific and allowed us to be in this ZIP code (of payroll).
SN: What is your attendance budget this year? What has to happen to allow you to draw 3 million for the third straight year? MA: Our budget is 2.7 or 2.8 million. I think we have a shot at 3 million fans, but pretty much everything has to go right. Years ago we couldn’t use a number like 2.7 million in our budget, so we’ve really made some great progress. On-the-field performance is the most important factor in drawing 3 million, and getting off to a good start is key because it is hard for fans of any sport to go to a game that doesn’t count.
We were a bit of the exception last year on that. We made a decision, which was really not a business decision, but a baseball decision. When we were falling out of contention, we kept all of our veteran players. If we would have traded them, we would have saved money. You could ask, "Why wouldn’t you have traded them if you could have saved a few million dollars?" But we feel that we have a commitment to competitive baseball in this city and it’s hard to say that we’re competitive one day, but not the next. The one thing about being competitive is that you always have to be around .500.
SN: Talk about the renegotiation of your cable contract that you mentioned would add about $10 million in revenue in 2013. What were you able to accomplish, and are you looking at any of your other media contracts to try to get more revenue? MA: That was quite important because we had one of the three lowest contracts in the major leagues. We did that last year on the strength of making the playoffs (in 2008) and huge ratings. We are in the middle of our radio contract with WTMJ so we don’t have a lot of options there.
We are really focused on keeping the games affordable. We are not looking to do what a couple of other teams have done in dramatically raising ticket prices. You can even argue that if you raise prices and draw fewer fans, you can still make more money. We like drawing 3 million fans and having it be affordable. As a result, we don’t have a lot of arrows left in our quiver.
Will Prince Fielder re-sign with the Brewers?
SN: You made several upgrades to Miller Park over the offseason. What are you looking at for future upgrades? MA: Next year, we will have a new scoreboard, which will make a dramatic difference in how fans get to experience the game. In fact, it will make such a difference that we are a bit concerned it will actually overwhelm people with new graphics. We don’t want the scoreboard to overwhelm what is happening on the field. We are also going to overhaul the 20 founders suites on the first level after this season.
SN: Will you be able to sign Prince Fielder to a new contract to keep him in Milwaukee? MA: There is mutual intent on both sides to try and make it work. It’s a very complex transaction. It does not get done with a quick conversation and a handshake.
This story first appeared in the Milwaukee Business Journal, a sister publication of Sporting News.
Mark Kass, Business Journal of Milwaukee
MILWAUKEE — As the Brewers’ payroll continues to move toward $100 million, the team is looking for additional revenue streams to enable it to compete against the big-city teams in Major League Baseball.
Principal owner Mark Attanasio — in the news recently for a back-and-forth with the largest-market Yankees’ president, Randy Levine — said this week the team is focusing on increasing non-baseball events at Miller Park and drawing 3 million for the third consecutive season.
Mark Attanasio’s Brewers will have a payroll of nearly $90 million.
The team’s payroll for the 2010 season is nearly $90 million, an all-time high, and up from about $27 million when he purchased the team in 2005.
"We don’t have a lot of arrows left in our quiver," Attanasio said. "We are drawing 3 million fans, have increased our sponsorships and are seeing more revenue from concessions and retail. The next area to focus on is bringing in more events to use the stadium when the team is not playing."
Attanasio jokingly referred to wanting to hold a World Wrestling Entertainment event at Miller Park after team announcer Bob Uecker recently was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame. "I am waiting to meet (WWE chairman) Vince McMahon," he said.
The key to non-baseball events is that revenue doesn’t have to be shared with other major league teams. (For example, a Bruce Springsteen concert at Miller Park in 2003 earned the team about $600,000.)
Attanasio, a Los Angeles investment executive, talked with the Business Journal of Milwaukee’s Mark Kass about what it would take for the team to draw 3 million fans this season, efforts to sign slugger Prince Fielder to an extension and plans to replace the Miller Park scoreboard for the 2011 season.
Sporting News: Are you surprised that your payroll is almost $90 million this year? Mark Attanasio:Baseball is a very competitive game. I never thought when I bought the team that we would be near $90 million payroll. Our budget may have a nine in it, but the Cubs have a ($140 million payroll). Our fans have been terrific and allowed us to be in this ZIP code (of payroll).
SN: What is your attendance budget this year? What has to happen to allow you to draw 3 million for the third straight year? MA: Our budget is 2.7 or 2.8 million. I think we have a shot at 3 million fans, but pretty much everything has to go right. Years ago we couldn’t use a number like 2.7 million in our budget, so we’ve really made some great progress. On-the-field performance is the most important factor in drawing 3 million, and getting off to a good start is key because it is hard for fans of any sport to go to a game that doesn’t count.
We were a bit of the exception last year on that. We made a decision, which was really not a business decision, but a baseball decision. When we were falling out of contention, we kept all of our veteran players. If we would have traded them, we would have saved money. You could ask, "Why wouldn’t you have traded them if you could have saved a few million dollars?" But we feel that we have a commitment to competitive baseball in this city and it’s hard to say that we’re competitive one day, but not the next. The one thing about being competitive is that you always have to be around .500.
SN: Talk about the renegotiation of your cable contract that you mentioned would add about $10 million in revenue in 2013. What were you able to accomplish, and are you looking at any of your other media contracts to try to get more revenue? MA: That was quite important because we had one of the three lowest contracts in the major leagues. We did that last year on the strength of making the playoffs (in 2008) and huge ratings. We are in the middle of our radio contract with WTMJ so we don’t have a lot of options there.
We are really focused on keeping the games affordable. We are not looking to do what a couple of other teams have done in dramatically raising ticket prices. You can even argue that if you raise prices and draw fewer fans, you can still make more money. We like drawing 3 million fans and having it be affordable. As a result, we don’t have a lot of arrows left in our quiver.
Will Prince Fielder re-sign with the Brewers?
SN: You made several upgrades to Miller Park over the offseason. What are you looking at for future upgrades? MA: Next year, we will have a new scoreboard, which will make a dramatic difference in how fans get to experience the game. In fact, it will make such a difference that we are a bit concerned it will actually overwhelm people with new graphics. We don’t want the scoreboard to overwhelm what is happening on the field. We are also going to overhaul the 20 founders suites on the first level after this season.
SN: Will you be able to sign Prince Fielder to a new contract to keep him in Milwaukee? MA: There is mutual intent on both sides to try and make it work. It’s a very complex transaction. It does not get done with a quick conversation and a handshake.
This story first appeared in the Milwaukee Business Journal, a sister publication of Sporting News.
Umpire Joe West told the Bergen Record that the pace of the season-opening series between the Red Sox and Yankees, of which he was the crew chief, was "a disgrace to baseball."
West added: "They’re the two clubs that don’t try to pick up the pace. They’re two of the best teams in baseball. Why are they playing the slowest? It’s pathetic and embarrassing. They take too long to play."
The Boston Globe noted the game times in that series were 3:46, 3:48 and 3:21.
According to The Boston Globe, Twins manager Ron Gardenhire joined in the Red Sox and Yankees bashing when speaking to reporters in Anaheim on Thursday.
"There’s a lot that goes on in New York and Boston," Gardenhire said. "It’s showtime, and they get away with things that other people don’t, and if you want to change the game, you have to start with those guys. We all know that. "We move our games along pretty good, and it’s pretty hard to tell some of those guys, ‘Let’s go, get in the box.’ They just look at you like, ‘Why? I haven’t heard the second verse to my song yet.’ That’s just the way it is."
Sporting News staff reports
Umpire Joe West told the Bergen Record that the pace of the season-opening series between the Red Sox and Yankees, of which he was the crew chief, was "a disgrace to baseball."
West added: "They’re the two clubs that don’t try to pick up the pace. They’re two of the best teams in baseball. Why are they playing the slowest? It’s pathetic and embarrassing. They take too long to play."
The Boston Globe noted the game times in that series were 3:46, 3:48 and 3:21.
According to The Boston Globe, Twins manager Ron Gardenhire joined in the Red Sox and Yankees bashing when speaking to reporters in Anaheim on Thursday.
"There’s a lot that goes on in New York and Boston," Gardenhire said. "It’s showtime, and they get away with things that other people don’t, and if you want to change the game, you have to start with those guys. We all know that. "We move our games along pretty good, and it’s pretty hard to tell some of those guys, ‘Let’s go, get in the box.’ They just look at you like, ‘Why? I haven’t heard the second verse to my song yet.’ That’s just the way it is."
Sporting News’ Stan McNeal analyzes several early season trends.
STRIKE 1: It’s early but Wells is showing up
Vernon Wells is letting his bat speak for him — and it’s making big noise.
Just ask David Ortiz if the season is too young to make long-range assumptions. He bristled at reporters (to put it nicely) who tried to ask him about his slow start.
Vernon Wells has been around too long to get overly excited about his strong start. But this sure beats last year when he hit .260 with 15 homers. His struggles were compounded because of his massive contract, which has the Blue Jays on the hook for $107 million over the next five years. You can be sure Toronto fans upset about the team’s decision to trade Roy Halladay haven’t forgotten about Well’s deal.
Wells is doing as much as possible to get back in Toronto’s good graces. He slammed his fourth home run in three games Thursday — it was a ninth-inning shot that tied their game against Rangers. Toronto won 3-1, and Wells ended the series with a 6-for-10 showing, seven RBIs and more homers than he hit all of last April.
Don’t expect him to regress to his ’09 struggles, either. Two reasons: "Vernon is healthy and motivated," Blue Jays TV announcer and former manager Buck Martinez said. "He finally takes on the leadership role with Halladay out of the picture."
Health is the key. Wells, 31, didn’t complain last year when he missed only four games even though his left wrist bothered him most of the season (the same wrist he broke in 2008). But offseason surgery to repair cartilage damage has Wells feeling better and producing more than he has since signing his deal in late 2006.
STRIKE 2: San Francisco is off to a Giant start
Early results on Mark DeRosa are good as the Giants crank up on offense.
What was impressive about the Giants’ three-game, 18-run, 37-hit sweep of the Astros: They didn’t get an RBI from Pablo Sandoval.
What wasn’t so impressive: their opponent. The Astros’ best pitchers, Roy Oswalt and Wandy Rodriguez, both turned in (bare minimum) quality starts. But Brett Myers and the troubled Astros’ bullpen didn’t fare so well. The Giants pounded out 12 runs and 23 hits in 15 innings against Myers and the Houston ‘pen.
Like Wells, San Francisco newcomer Mark DeRosa also is responding nicely from offseason wrist surgery. DeRosa scored at least once and reached base at least twice in all three games. Edgar Renteria, a disappointment last season, had a five-hit game and reached base 11 times in 14 plate appearances. But the Giant to keep an eye on is John Bowker, who hit his way into the right-field job with a six-homer, 23-RBI showing in spring training. He had a hit in all three games, including a homer in Game 3.
The Giants will be tested this weekend when they open at home against the Braves. Hanging 18 runs on Atlanta like they did at Houston certainly would qualify as impressive.
STRIKE 3: Dusty’s critics are out again
Dusty Baker wears out umpires; more critical is early overuse of pitchers.
The knock against Dusty Baker is that he burns out his starting pitchers. Scouts and execs take both sides of the argument, and, yes, more have leaned toward the "yes" side. Three games into 2010, it’s easy to see why Baker has developed such a reputation.
Two Reds starters threw 109 pitches in their season debuts. On Wednesday, it was Johnny Cueto and on Thursday, Bronson Arroyo. So far, only the Rays’ Matt Garza has thrown more pitches (114).
So was 109 too many?
In Cueto’s case, yes. He’s 24 and spent time on the disabled list last season because of shoulder inflammation. He wasn’t pitching well enough to be extended so early. Still, Baker’s stance is easy to understand. Though Cueto labored, he had the Reds even with the Cardinals, 2-2, through six innings. Enter bullpen, goodbye tie. The Cardinals scored four runs in the seventh and won 6-3. This came after Cincinnati’s bullpen was bashed for seven runs in four innings in the opener.
Arroyo, conversely, is a veteran who can handle a heavy workload. Beginning in November, he throws "pretty much every day" and reports to spring training in excellent shape. Before he left for Arizona, he said, "I need those full six weeks (of camp). Hopefully, I’ll get 90 pitches under my belt in spring and with a little extra adrenaline in a real game, I can push it to 105."
Arroyo topped that slightly Thursday, but Baker shouldn’t be faulted for sending Arroyo out for the eighth in a 1-1 game. Arroyo had allowed only three hits to that point. After extending Arroyo through a scoreless eighth, Baker sent out closer Francisco Cordero in the ninth and he retired the Cardinals in order, setting the stage for Jonny Gomes’ walkoff homer to give the Reds their first victory.
This story appears in April 9’s edition of Sporting News Today. If you are not receiving Sporting News Today, the only digital sports daily, sign up today.
Sporting News’ Stan McNeal analyzes several early season trends.
STRIKE 1: It’s early but Wells is showing up
Vernon Wells is letting his bat speak for him — and it’s making big noise.
Just ask David Ortiz if the season is too young to make long-range assumptions. He bristled at reporters (to put it nicely) who tried to ask him about his slow start.
Vernon Wells has been around too long to get overly excited about his strong start. But this sure beats last year when he hit .260 with 15 homers. His struggles were compounded because of his massive contract, which has the Blue Jays on the hook for $107 million over the next five years. You can be sure Toronto fans upset about the team’s decision to trade Roy Halladay haven’t forgotten about Well’s deal.
Wells is doing as much as possible to get back in Toronto’s good graces. He slammed his fourth home run in three games Thursday — it was a ninth-inning shot that tied their game against Rangers. Toronto won 3-1, and Wells ended the series with a 6-for-10 showing, seven RBIs and more homers than he hit all of last April.
Don’t expect him to regress to his ’09 struggles, either. Two reasons: "Vernon is healthy and motivated," Blue Jays TV announcer and former manager Buck Martinez said. "He finally takes on the leadership role with Halladay out of the picture."
Health is the key. Wells, 31, didn’t complain last year when he missed only four games even though his left wrist bothered him most of the season (the same wrist he broke in 2008). But offseason surgery to repair cartilage damage has Wells feeling better and producing more than he has since signing his deal in late 2006.
STRIKE 2: San Francisco is off to a Giant start
Early results on Mark DeRosa are good as the Giants crank up on offense.
What was impressive about the Giants’ three-game, 18-run, 37-hit sweep of the Astros: They didn’t get an RBI from Pablo Sandoval.
What wasn’t so impressive: their opponent. The Astros’ best pitchers, Roy Oswalt and Wandy Rodriguez, both turned in (bare minimum) quality starts. But Brett Myers and the troubled Astros’ bullpen didn’t fare so well. The Giants pounded out 12 runs and 23 hits in 15 innings against Myers and the Houston ‘pen.
Like Wells, San Francisco newcomer Mark DeRosa also is responding nicely from offseason wrist surgery. DeRosa scored at least once and reached base at least twice in all three games. Edgar Renteria, a disappointment last season, had a five-hit game and reached base 11 times in 14 plate appearances. But the Giant to keep an eye on is John Bowker, who hit his way into the right-field job with a six-homer, 23-RBI showing in spring training. He had a hit in all three games, including a homer in Game 3.
The Giants will be tested this weekend when they open at home against the Braves. Hanging 18 runs on Atlanta like they did at Houston certainly would qualify as impressive.
STRIKE 3: Dusty’s critics are out again
Dusty Baker wears out umpires; more critical is early overuse of pitchers.
The knock against Dusty Baker is that he burns out his starting pitchers. Scouts and execs take both sides of the argument, and, yes, more have leaned toward the "yes" side. Three games into 2010, it’s easy to see why Baker has developed such a reputation.
Two Reds starters threw 109 pitches in their season debuts. On Wednesday, it was Johnny Cueto and on Thursday, Bronson Arroyo. So far, only the Rays’ Matt Garza has thrown more pitches (114).
So was 109 too many?
In Cueto’s case, yes. He’s 24 and spent time on the disabled list last season because of shoulder inflammation. He wasn’t pitching well enough to be extended so early. Still, Baker’s stance is easy to understand. Though Cueto labored, he had the Reds even with the Cardinals, 2-2, through six innings. Enter bullpen, goodbye tie. The Cardinals scored four runs in the seventh and won 6-3. This came after Cincinnati’s bullpen was bashed for seven runs in four innings in the opener.
Arroyo, conversely, is a veteran who can handle a heavy workload. Beginning in November, he throws "pretty much every day" and reports to spring training in excellent shape. Before he left for Arizona, he said, "I need those full six weeks (of camp). Hopefully, I’ll get 90 pitches under my belt in spring and with a little extra adrenaline in a real game, I can push it to 105."
Arroyo topped that slightly Thursday, but Baker shouldn’t be faulted for sending Arroyo out for the eighth in a 1-1 game. Arroyo had allowed only three hits to that point. After extending Arroyo through a scoreless eighth, Baker sent out closer Francisco Cordero in the ninth and he retired the Cardinals in order, setting the stage for Jonny Gomes’ walkoff homer to give the Reds their first victory.
This story appears in April 9’s edition of Sporting News Today. If you are not receiving Sporting News Today, the only digital sports daily, sign up today.
In a wide-ranging conversation, Pete Rose spoke with Dan Barreiro on KFAN in Minneapolis about differences between baseball players today and those from his playing days, and, of course, the scandal that led to Rose’s banishment from baseball. To listen to the interview, go to Sports Radio Interviews.
In a recent interview, Pete Rose wondered why he hasn’t been forgiven by the Commissioner of Baseball.
What does Rose think about players who hang on to their careers too long?
Rose: I think, more or less, guys in my time stuck around a little longer. Let me tell you why. It’s because today, if you’re a Willie Mays type player – and there’s some pretty good players out there – when they get to the end of their career at 37, 38 years old, they’re going to have $100 million in the bank. Okay? Willie, when he played – Hank, when he played – we didn’t have $100 million in the bank.
So, to stay around for that extra 1 or 2 years, to go to another team and make that extra money, that’s probably why most of us did it. So, you know, a lot things would be easier when you’re making $16 million a year and you sign a 10-year contract. And that’s the type of players we’re talking about.
Wouldn’t you like to be in Joe Mauer’s shoes? And he may go down – and I’m predicting this and I played with Johnny Bench – Joe’s going to go down as the best hitting catcher in the history of baseball when it’s all over. I mean, he’s already won two or three batting titles. Do you know how hard it is to win a batting title? And it’s even harder if you’re a catcher.
Is Rose ultimately to blame for making the All Star Game mean less, because he bowled over Ray Fosse in 1970?
Rose: I never took an exhibition game as going through the motions when people pay good money to see you play. Now, I played the same in the All Star Game, and if you watch that replay, Dan, I actually started to slide head first because Ray Fosse had that plate blocked, and I went over him and tagged the plate with my hand. Okay?
But what people won’t say about that controversial play is I missed the next three games of the season and he didn’t miss any. And he went on to have a better second half than he did a first half. But everybody said I ruined his career.
I mean, there’s 53,000 people in Cincinnati, my hometown, watching that game and I always thought – maybe I’m wrong, but I’m going to preach this ’till the day I die – I’m playing the game to win. That’s my goal. If I’ve got a uniform on and people are paying to see me play, I’m going to give everything I’ve got to try to win the game. I don’t care if it’s a spring training game, if it’s an exhibition game, if it’s an intrasquad game, I’m going to try to win the game. That’s just the way you have to do it, and if you don’t that way, you’re going to be a loser.
Now, why did I play that way in an All Star Game? Well, I played 17 of them and we won 16 of them, and I think it’s partly being around Willie Mays, and Hank Aaron, and those guys early in my career when I’d just become an All Star. It was like an honor to be an All Star in the National League and that’s the way we looked at it. I mean, I can’t imagine Willie Mays getting on a plane from San Francisco to Pittsburgh, or New York, to play in an All Star game to get one at bat and then fly. I mean, he’d want four at bats. We all did.
Does he think the steroids era has made his transgressions seem more palatable to the public?
Rose: You’re probably right in the eyes of the people, but I don’t think you’re so right in the eyes of the commissioner. I’m just one guy, and regardless of what side you’re on, or what you think I did, or how bad you think it was, or whatever, it was wrong, no question about it.
But I had nothing to do with altering the statistics of the game of baseball. As you know, as I can tell from hearing you talk, baseball’s statistics are sacred.
Now, to answer your question about steroids, wouldn’t you like to ask Roger Maris how he feels about steroids? Or Babe Ruth how he feels about steroids? Or Hank Aaron, you could probably ask how he feels about steroids. Because those guys all lost records because of people who supposedly took steroids. So that’s a different deal right there. But I didn’t alter any statistics of baseball.
What did I do? I’ll tell you exactly what I did. I bet on my team to win every night. I mean, my players were like my sons. I had so much confidence in them. I was wrong, but I didn’t bet on them four times a week, or five times. I bet on them every night. Okay? That’s the way I did it, and I was wrong, and I paid the price. But unlike me, it seems like most other guys, or a lot of other guys who do this, or do that, or do this, they’ve all gotten second chances.
I’d have been better off to be a drug addict, or a spousal beater, or an alcoholic. If I’d been one of those three, they probably would have paid for my rehab and I’d still be managing a baseball team. That’s the sad thing about my case.
Has Rose allowed himself to think about what it would be like if he were to be elected to the Hall of Fame?
Rose: No. I don’t think about that moment at all. Listen, I go to ball games just like everybody else. I get texts from players every day, asking my advice on how to hit a baseball and how to approach the game of baseball. So it’s not like I’m not around the game of baseball. I’m just not allowed to work in baseball. Okay? That don’t mean I don’t help this player, or that player, or this player.
I mean, a couple months ago, I went out with Joe Mauer right here in Las Vegas. We went to the 9 Steakhouse and talked about hitting for 45 minutes. I do that all the time. Whether baseball wants it or not, my name is synonymous with the game of baseball. As long as I’ve got that "Hit King" in front of my name, people are going to look at me as a player who did special things.
What would he say to those who are wary of trusting Rose, since he denied allegations against him for many years before finally coming clean?
Rose: You have no idea what I would have said if I was called into baseball’s office in 1991 or 1992, because I was never given the opportunity. The first time I was able to have a meeting with the commissioner I spilled my guts. Okay? The first time. That’s how long it took those guys to answer my mail or my phone calls…
I’ve never seen a report that says I bet against my own team. Never. Ever!
In a wide-ranging conversation, Pete Rose spoke with Dan Barreiro on KFAN in Minneapolis about differences between baseball players today and those from his playing days, and, of course, the scandal that led to Rose’s banishment from baseball. To listen to the interview, go to Sports Radio Interviews.
In a recent interview, Pete Rose wondered why he hasn’t been forgiven by the Commissioner of Baseball.
What does Rose think about players who hang on to their careers too long?
Rose: I think, more or less, guys in my time stuck around a little longer. Let me tell you why. It’s because today, if you’re a Willie Mays type player – and there’s some pretty good players out there – when they get to the end of their career at 37, 38 years old, they’re going to have $100 million in the bank. Okay? Willie, when he played – Hank, when he played – we didn’t have $100 million in the bank.
So, to stay around for that extra 1 or 2 years, to go to another team and make that extra money, that’s probably why most of us did it. So, you know, a lot things would be easier when you’re making $16 million a year and you sign a 10-year contract. And that’s the type of players we’re talking about.
Wouldn’t you like to be in Joe Mauer’s shoes? And he may go down – and I’m predicting this and I played with Johnny Bench – Joe’s going to go down as the best hitting catcher in the history of baseball when it’s all over. I mean, he’s already won two or three batting titles. Do you know how hard it is to win a batting title? And it’s even harder if you’re a catcher.
Is Rose ultimately to blame for making the All Star Game mean less, because he bowled over Ray Fosse in 1970?
Rose: I never took an exhibition game as going through the motions when people pay good money to see you play. Now, I played the same in the All Star Game, and if you watch that replay, Dan, I actually started to slide head first because Ray Fosse had that plate blocked, and I went over him and tagged the plate with my hand. Okay?
But what people won’t say about that controversial play is I missed the next three games of the season and he didn’t miss any. And he went on to have a better second half than he did a first half. But everybody said I ruined his career.
I mean, there’s 53,000 people in Cincinnati, my hometown, watching that game and I always thought – maybe I’m wrong, but I’m going to preach this ’till the day I die – I’m playing the game to win. That’s my goal. If I’ve got a uniform on and people are paying to see me play, I’m going to give everything I’ve got to try to win the game. I don’t care if it’s a spring training game, if it’s an exhibition game, if it’s an intrasquad game, I’m going to try to win the game. That’s just the way you have to do it, and if you don’t that way, you’re going to be a loser.
Now, why did I play that way in an All Star Game? Well, I played 17 of them and we won 16 of them, and I think it’s partly being around Willie Mays, and Hank Aaron, and those guys early in my career when I’d just become an All Star. It was like an honor to be an All Star in the National League and that’s the way we looked at it. I mean, I can’t imagine Willie Mays getting on a plane from San Francisco to Pittsburgh, or New York, to play in an All Star game to get one at bat and then fly. I mean, he’d want four at bats. We all did.
Does he think the steroids era has made his transgressions seem more palatable to the public?
Rose: You’re probably right in the eyes of the people, but I don’t think you’re so right in the eyes of the commissioner. I’m just one guy, and regardless of what side you’re on, or what you think I did, or how bad you think it was, or whatever, it was wrong, no question about it.
But I had nothing to do with altering the statistics of the game of baseball. As you know, as I can tell from hearing you talk, baseball’s statistics are sacred.
Now, to answer your question about steroids, wouldn’t you like to ask Roger Maris how he feels about steroids? Or Babe Ruth how he feels about steroids? Or Hank Aaron, you could probably ask how he feels about steroids. Because those guys all lost records because of people who supposedly took steroids. So that’s a different deal right there. But I didn’t alter any statistics of baseball.
What did I do? I’ll tell you exactly what I did. I bet on my team to win every night. I mean, my players were like my sons. I had so much confidence in them. I was wrong, but I didn’t bet on them four times a week, or five times. I bet on them every night. Okay? That’s the way I did it, and I was wrong, and I paid the price. But unlike me, it seems like most other guys, or a lot of other guys who do this, or do that, or do this, they’ve all gotten second chances.
I’d have been better off to be a drug addict, or a spousal beater, or an alcoholic. If I’d been one of those three, they probably would have paid for my rehab and I’d still be managing a baseball team. That’s the sad thing about my case.
Has Rose allowed himself to think about what it would be like if he were to be elected to the Hall of Fame?
Rose: No. I don’t think about that moment at all. Listen, I go to ball games just like everybody else. I get texts from players every day, asking my advice on how to hit a baseball and how to approach the game of baseball. So it’s not like I’m not around the game of baseball. I’m just not allowed to work in baseball. Okay? That don’t mean I don’t help this player, or that player, or this player.
I mean, a couple months ago, I went out with Joe Mauer right here in Las Vegas. We went to the 9 Steakhouse and talked about hitting for 45 minutes. I do that all the time. Whether baseball wants it or not, my name is synonymous with the game of baseball. As long as I’ve got that "Hit King" in front of my name, people are going to look at me as a player who did special things.
What would he say to those who are wary of trusting Rose, since he denied allegations against him for many years before finally coming clean?
Rose: You have no idea what I would have said if I was called into baseball’s office in 1991 or 1992, because I was never given the opportunity. The first time I was able to have a meeting with the commissioner I spilled my guts. Okay? The first time. That’s how long it took those guys to answer my mail or my phone calls…
I’ve never seen a report that says I bet against my own team. Never. Ever!
Mets shortstop Jose Reyes is scheduled to make his 2010 major league debut Saturday, according to the New York Times.
Barring a setback in his final minor league rehab start today, Reyes will be activated from the disabled list before Saturday’s game and appear in his first regular season game with the Mets since May 20 of last season.
In 2009, Reyes was limited to 36 games by a hamstring injury that eventually required surgery. Then, a thyroid condition sidelined him in early March this year.
From 2005-08, Reyes averaged 114 runs, 65 stolen bases, 66 RBIs and 14 homers as the Mets’ leadoff man.
Sporting News staff reports
Mets shortstop Jose Reyes is scheduled to make his 2010 major league debut Saturday, according to the New York Times.
Barring a setback in his final minor league rehab start today, Reyes will be activated from the disabled list before Saturday’s game and appear in his first regular season game with the Mets since May 20 of last season.
In 2009, Reyes was limited to 36 games by a hamstring injury that eventually required surgery. Then, a thyroid condition sidelined him in early March this year.
From 2005-08, Reyes averaged 114 runs, 65 stolen bases, 66 RBIs and 14 homers as the Mets’ leadoff man.
A new season, and a new start, for Dontrelle Willis.
D-Train back on track?
After posting a 3.22 ERA in 22 1/3 innings this spring, Tigers left-hander Dontrelle Willis was awarded the No. 5 starter job. In fact, Detroit dealt Nate Robertson, Willis’ chief competition for that role, to the Marlins late in spring training. But it remains to be seen if the Tigers’ confidence in Willis is wise. In two seasons with Detroit, Willis is 1-6 with an 8.27 ERA in 15 games (14 starts). He has pitched more in the minors — 5-7, 4.52 ERA in 19 games (18 starts) — than the majors since his trade from the Marlins to the Tigers. The D-Train will be on the mound tonight in Kansas City.
Speaking of Robertson …
Robertson was drafted by the Marlins in 1999 and posted an 11.88 ERA in six games (one start) with them in 2002, prior to being dealt to the Tigers. But he is back and will start tonight at Citi Field in the series finale against the Mets. Robertson will be opposed by Jon Niese, whose 6.52 ERA this spring actually was better than that of teammates Johan Santana (6.75), John Maine (7.88) and Oliver Perez (8.68). The last time the 23-year-old Niese was on a mound in a regular season game (Aug. 5, 2009), he crumbled to the ground after tearing his right hamstring from the bone.
The future is now
Braves fans have plenty of reasons to be excited this season, and two of them will be on the field tonight against the Cubs. On the mound will be 23-year-old right-hander Tommy Hanson, who finished third in the NL Rookie of the Year voting in 2009 after posting a 2.89 ERA in 21 starts. In right field will be 20-year-old Jason Heyward, who could bash his way with this season’s NL Rookie of the Year honor.
A new season, and a new start, for Dontrelle Willis.
D-Train back on track?
After posting a 3.22 ERA in 22 1/3 innings this spring, Tigers left-hander Dontrelle Willis was awarded the No. 5 starter job. In fact, Detroit dealt Nate Robertson, Willis’ chief competition for that role, to the Marlins late in spring training. But it remains to be seen if the Tigers’ confidence in Willis is wise. In two seasons with Detroit, Willis is 1-6 with an 8.27 ERA in 15 games (14 starts). He has pitched more in the minors — 5-7, 4.52 ERA in 19 games (18 starts) — than the majors since his trade from the Marlins to the Tigers. The D-Train will be on the mound tonight in Kansas City.
Speaking of Robertson …
Robertson was drafted by the Marlins in 1999 and posted an 11.88 ERA in six games (one start) with them in 2002, prior to being dealt to the Tigers. But he is back and will start tonight at Citi Field in the series finale against the Mets. Robertson will be opposed by Jon Niese, whose 6.52 ERA this spring actually was better than that of teammates Johan Santana (6.75), John Maine (7.88) and Oliver Perez (8.68). The last time the 23-year-old Niese was on a mound in a regular season game (Aug. 5, 2009), he crumbled to the ground after tearing his right hamstring from the bone.
The future is now
Braves fans have plenty of reasons to be excited this season, and two of them will be on the field tonight against the Cubs. On the mound will be 23-year-old right-hander Tommy Hanson, who finished third in the NL Rookie of the Year voting in 2009 after posting a 2.89 ERA in 21 starts. In right field will be 20-year-old Jason Heyward, who could bash his way with this season’s NL Rookie of the Year honor.
Despite their much-publicized problems late last season, Yankees right-hander A.J. Burnett and catcher Jorge Posada were on the same page during Tuesday’s start. Afterward, Burnett said he was ready to put the Posada issue to bed.
"This will be the last time I will answer this question. It was great, it was good. It was good to go out there and play ball," he told the New York Daily News.
Sporting News staff reports
Despite their much-publicized problems late last season, Yankees right-hander A.J. Burnett and catcher Jorge Posada were on the same page during Tuesday’s start. Afterward, Burnett said he was ready to put the Posada issue to bed.
"This will be the last time I will answer this question. It was great, it was good. It was good to go out there and play ball," he told the New York Daily News.
Evan Longoria could soon be baseball’s No. 1 pitchman.
Evan Longoria won’t turn 25 until October, but he already has exceeded all expectations for someone who went undrafted out of a Los Angeles high school in 2003.
• He became an All-American at Long Beach State after spending a year at junior college, and ended up as the third pick in the 2006 draft. He soared through the minors, reached the majors early in 2008 and has established himself as one of the game’s top players.
• He was a unanimous winner of the 2008 AL Rookie of the Year award, has made two All-Star teams, won a Gold Glove and set a rookie record for homers in a postseason (six).
• He averaged 30 homers and 99 RBIs in his first two seasons and started his third season Tuesday night by slamming a monster home run — a 473-foot shot that was the third longest in Tropicana Field history — in his third at-bat.
So what’s next?
Becoming a commercial star, of course.
Even if you don’t see the Rays on national TV much in the coming months, prepare to see a lot of Longoria. He is starring in two ads — one for New Era caps and on for the MLB 2K10 video game (he is the cover boy) — and has a role in a Pepsi spot. All figure to be played often during baseball broadcasts.
Longoria is reminiscent of Derek Jeter, baseball’s foremost pitchman. He has the All-American looks and although obviously confident, he comes across as humble and as guarded as he can be in interviews. Still, you can sense his personality.
He shows this in his role in the New Era commercial in which he plays a James Bond-like character who zooms around Tampa Bay seeking the culprit whom he believes has snatched his cap. While Longoria is not new to the camera, this was the rare instance when he wasn’t wearing his No. 3 jersey. In jeans and T-shirt, he felt the difference.
"When I wear my baseball uniform during a commercial shoot, my comfort level is unbelievable. I feel like I can do anything in my baseball uniform," Longoria says. "When I had to wear my civvies, it made me feel like I was acting."
At one point in the chase, Longoria finds himself on a street trolley walking up to a young blonde. He stops and introduces himself in what is supposed to be "a spoof of Ferris Bueller."
"That was acting," Longoria says. "I would not have done that."
Even though he is young, somewhat rich and famous and still single, he has an image to maintain — and Alex Rodriguez 2008 is not what he has in mind. Longoria, in fact, says he "had to politely decline" participating in a Rays’ promotion in which the club would have given away T-shirts with "Mrs. Longoria" on the back.
"I don’t want to project the image of me having all these women with my name on the back of their shirts," he said. "That’s not something I want out there."
Unlike teammates Carl Crawford and Carlos Pena, who are eligible to become free agents in the fall, Longoria is a Ray for the long haul. He remains under club control through 2016 as perhaps the biggest bargain in the majors. His $950,000 salary for 2010 ranks 19th on his own team.
When Longoria talks about upping his profile, he is quick to point out how he enjoys "getting the Tampa Bay Rays out there."
"So the more opportunities I get to be on a national media stage, I try to take," he says.
For his endorsements to grow, so must his game. Longoria improved across the board in his first full season, finishing 2009 with 33 homers, 44 doubles, 100 runs, 113 RBIs, a .281 average and .364 on-base percentage. Another year of facing the same pitchers should help his pitch recognition, which should allow him to reduce his strikeouts and improve his batting average.
Considering how fast and far he has come since high school, such improvement is as likely as a successful recovery of his cap in his new commercial.
Evan Longoria could soon be baseball’s No. 1 pitchman.
Evan Longoria won’t turn 25 until October, but he already has exceeded all expectations for someone who went undrafted out of a Los Angeles high school in 2003.
• He became an All-American at Long Beach State after spending a year at junior college, and ended up as the third pick in the 2006 draft. He soared through the minors, reached the majors early in 2008 and has established himself as one of the game’s top players.
• He was a unanimous winner of the 2008 AL Rookie of the Year award, has made two All-Star teams, won a Gold Glove and set a rookie record for homers in a postseason (six).
• He averaged 30 homers and 99 RBIs in his first two seasons and started his third season Tuesday night by slamming a monster home run — a 473-foot shot that was the third longest in Tropicana Field history — in his third at-bat.
So what’s next?
Becoming a commercial star, of course.
Even if you don’t see the Rays on national TV much in the coming months, prepare to see a lot of Longoria. He is starring in two ads — one for New Era caps and on for the MLB 2K10 video game (he is the cover boy) — and has a role in a Pepsi spot. All figure to be played often during baseball broadcasts.
Longoria is reminiscent of Derek Jeter, baseball’s foremost pitchman. He has the All-American looks and although obviously confident, he comes across as humble and as guarded as he can be in interviews. Still, you can sense his personality.
He shows this in his role in the New Era commercial in which he plays a James Bond-like character who zooms around Tampa Bay seeking the culprit whom he believes has snatched his cap. While Longoria is not new to the camera, this was the rare instance when he wasn’t wearing his No. 3 jersey. In jeans and T-shirt, he felt the difference.
"When I wear my baseball uniform during a commercial shoot, my comfort level is unbelievable. I feel like I can do anything in my baseball uniform," Longoria says. "When I had to wear my civvies, it made me feel like I was acting."
At one point in the chase, Longoria finds himself on a street trolley walking up to a young blonde. He stops and introduces himself in what is supposed to be "a spoof of Ferris Bueller."
"That was acting," Longoria says. "I would not have done that."
Even though he is young, somewhat rich and famous and still single, he has an image to maintain — and Alex Rodriguez 2008 is not what he has in mind. Longoria, in fact, says he "had to politely decline" participating in a Rays’ promotion in which the club would have given away T-shirts with "Mrs. Longoria" on the back.
"I don’t want to project the image of me having all these women with my name on the back of their shirts," he said. "That’s not something I want out there."
Unlike teammates Carl Crawford and Carlos Pena, who are eligible to become free agents in the fall, Longoria is a Ray for the long haul. He remains under club control through 2016 as perhaps the biggest bargain in the majors. His $950,000 salary for 2010 ranks 19th on his own team.
When Longoria talks about upping his profile, he is quick to point out how he enjoys "getting the Tampa Bay Rays out there."
"So the more opportunities I get to be on a national media stage, I try to take," he says.
For his endorsements to grow, so must his game. Longoria improved across the board in his first full season, finishing 2009 with 33 homers, 44 doubles, 100 runs, 113 RBIs, a .281 average and .364 on-base percentage. Another year of facing the same pitchers should help his pitch recognition, which should allow him to reduce his strikeouts and improve his batting average.
Considering how fast and far he has come since high school, such improvement is as likely as a successful recovery of his cap in his new commercial.
Jake Peavy’s focus is on being as dominant as he was last September.
Tough act to follow
Usually accustomed to pitching opening day, White Sox right-hander Jake Peavy took a back seat to Mark Buehrle this season. And it will be nearly impossible to top the performance Buehrle turned in Monday. Not only did he toss seven shutout innings in a 6-0 win over the Indians, Buehrle made what likely will turn out to be the best defensive play by a pitcher all season with his between-the-legs scoop to first baseman Paul Konerko. Although an acrobatic display would be nice, Peavy’s focus will be on beginning 2010 the way he ended 2009 (3-0, 1.35 ERA in three starts for the White Sox).
Ace no longer waiting
More than a few eyebrows were raised when the Dodgers opted to start Vicente Padilla on opening day, rather than left-hander Clayton Kershaw. And Padilla’s performance against the Pirates on Monday (seven earned runs in 4 1/3 innings), did little to silence the naysayers. This evening, however, Kershaw, who led Los Angeles’ rotation with a 2.79 ERA last season, will be on the mound in Pittsburgh. The Pirates are only 81 wins away from their first non-losing season since 1992, thanks in part to two opening day homers from outfielder Garrett Jones. The left-handed hitting Jones batted just .208 against southpaws last season, though six of his 21 hits were homers.
St. Louis scored eight of its 11 runs via the long ball Monday, going deep four times against Cincinnati pitchers in the season opener. Seeking to curb the Cardinals’ power, the Reds will turn to right-hander Johnny Cueto this evening. In three starts against St. Louis last season, Cueto posted a 1.76 ERA with no homers allowed. Unfortunately for Cincinnati, its hitters also will face a challenge against 19-game winner Adam Wainwright.
This story appears in the April 7 edition of Sporting News Today. If you are not receiving Sporting News Today, the only sports digital daily, sign up today.
Jake Peavy’s focus is on being as dominant as he was last September.
Tough act to follow
Usually accustomed to pitching opening day, White Sox right-hander Jake Peavy took a back seat to Mark Buehrle this season. And it will be nearly impossible to top the performance Buehrle turned in Monday. Not only did he toss seven shutout innings in a 6-0 win over the Indians, Buehrle made what likely will turn out to be the best defensive play by a pitcher all season with his between-the-legs scoop to first baseman Paul Konerko. Although an acrobatic display would be nice, Peavy’s focus will be on beginning 2010 the way he ended 2009 (3-0, 1.35 ERA in three starts for the White Sox).
Ace no longer waiting
More than a few eyebrows were raised when the Dodgers opted to start Vicente Padilla on opening day, rather than left-hander Clayton Kershaw. And Padilla’s performance against the Pirates on Monday (seven earned runs in 4 1/3 innings), did little to silence the naysayers. This evening, however, Kershaw, who led Los Angeles’ rotation with a 2.79 ERA last season, will be on the mound in Pittsburgh. The Pirates are only 81 wins away from their first non-losing season since 1992, thanks in part to two opening day homers from outfielder Garrett Jones. The left-handed hitting Jones batted just .208 against southpaws last season, though six of his 21 hits were homers.
St. Louis scored eight of its 11 runs via the long ball Monday, going deep four times against Cincinnati pitchers in the season opener. Seeking to curb the Cardinals’ power, the Reds will turn to right-hander Johnny Cueto this evening. In three starts against St. Louis last season, Cueto posted a 1.76 ERA with no homers allowed. Unfortunately for Cincinnati, its hitters also will face a challenge against 19-game winner Adam Wainwright.
This story appears in the April 7 edition of Sporting News Today. If you are not receiving Sporting News Today, the only sports digital daily, sign up today.
