The Phillies, Heat, Celtics, Wall Street, and the consolidation of power.

The Yankee fans won’t admit it but they are stunned and shattered by the Phillie’s drive-by signing of Cliff Lee.  They did not see this one coming.  In October, after the Texas Rangers eliminated the Yankees in the ALCS, my Facebook and Twitter feeds were rife with comments such as, “Cliff Lee will look great in pinstripes!”  It was as if the only way the fans could process the ignominy of losing to the small-market Rangers was with the comforting knowledge that they would soon usurp their best player.   They thought it was a foregone conclusion, and they thought so up until 9pm Monday night. 

Have you noticed this recent trend of super-teams?  A few years ago the Celtics somehow  finagled their way into a lineup that included Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, and Ray Allen.   More recently we saw the Miami Heat’s twin signings of LeBron James and Chris Bosh to compliment their resident star, Dwyane Wade.   Now the Phillies will possess what is possibly the greatest pitching staff since the 1970 Baltimore Orioles and the Koufax/Drysdale Dodger teams of the mid-60s. 

In the past great players were content to have teams built around them.  Lately we see them willing to share the spotlight — to coalesce.  They eschew the individual spotlight for the greater glory that comes with championships.  Some would call it selfless. I call it greed.  They are already rich beyond their wildest fantasies — the only thing left for them is a championship ring. 

While I’m glad that Lee didn’t end up on the Yankees, I’m not enamored with him.  I have no use for the type of player who is essentially a hired gun.  That’s why I never liked David Cone or Roidger Clemens.  They would go to a team, collect their ring, and move on.  Lee could have stayed in Texas and become a real hero.  Instead he chose the easy way:  to go a team of superstars and collect his ring a la LeBron.  Don’t get me wrong, I’m glad he went to Philly instead of the Yankees.  At least Philly has only won a couple of times

I think you can draw a line from these powerful sports franchises to the way the American economy has seen its wealth consolidated among the top 1%.   Players are merging to form super-teams, much the way banks were merged to form mega-corporations.   

Hopefully this is just a trend.  Otherwise the Mets are screwed.

Is this what baseball has come to?

Today, on my way to checking my fantasy teams, I happened upon a yahoo article that I found to be one of the most cynical pieces of journa-ma-lism ever.  The article is about the Rockies having locked up their all-world shortstop, Troy Tulowitski, to a long-term, big-money contract.  The reporter, Jeff Passan, opines that Tulo was foolish not to pursue more money, as well as championships, with different teams. [read large-market]

What could’ve been, though. Oh, what could’ve been. On one hand, Tulowitzki played things safe. He was reasonable. And on the other, he lacked the fortitude to chase the greater glory that awaited him elsewhere. The money he could’ve gotten and the championships he could’ve won had he simply played out his current contract with the franchise that can’t help itself from taking a blade to its jugular.

So this is what it has come to?  Remaining loyal to one team throughout your entire career shows a lack of fortitude?!  I didn’t realize that Ernie Banks had such little gumption.  According to Passan we should look up to people like Alex Rodriguez, Cliff Lee, and Roidger Clemens — athletes who follow their dreams of glory through inevitable championships.   

Passan goes on to write

If this deal is bad for Tulowitzki, it’s ill-conceived and unconscionable for a Rockies team that knows what long-term, big-money contracts do to franchises with middling budgets: cripple them. 

So as the Rockies celebrate Tulowitzki’s new deal, they do so knowing that Ubaldo Jimenez is now likely to leave after the 2014 season. And that Carlos Gonzalez, a Scott Boras client, is certain to do so. And that rather than waiting until 2014 to figure out where to spend their money, the team went all-in on a player who has missed significant time in two of his four seasons because of injuries.

In Passon’s cynical world the chief function of teams such as the Rockies and the Washington Nationals is to serve as petri dishes for the serious contenders.  The temerity of the Rockies, to lock up this talented player, thereby denying the large-market teams the chance to tweak their already over-stuffed lineups. 

My dreams scenario for 2011:  The Rockies win the NL West by 10 games and breeze to the Series by beating the Cards and Phillies in the playoffs.  In the Series they sweep the New York Yankees on the strength of Troy Tulowitzki’s 4 homerun, 10 RBI performance. 

   

The Cliff Lee sweepstakes

…or as it is known around the Bronx, a date with destiny.  Frankly, I don’t get it.  Why would Lee want to go to a franchise where it is a given that he will collect a ring?  It strikes me as a lose-lose situation for him.  Either he helps the Yankees to win a championship, in which case he simply did what was expected of him, or he fails and can take his place alongside Randy Johnson, Kevin Brown, and Carl Pavano in the pantheon of Bronx bums. 

If he stays with Texas and brings them a championship he will be a hero for the ages.  Like Tim Lincecum.  He would be the man instead of one of several stars.  In this sense the Yankees are like the Borg —   Lee can be 1 of 9. 

There is nothing new about this — we’re seeing it with LeBron James this year in Miami.  But here’s the thing:  People root against these teams.  Nobody I know is rooting for LeBron to pick up his ring.  On the contrary, we want Cleveland to (improbably) beat them in the playoffs! 

From the Yankee fan standpoint it becomes even more perplexing.  The Yankee fan will never get to experience the unbridled joy of a Giants fan.  I don’t understand where the fun comes from.  If you root for the Yankees you know that, for the most part, you are going to acquire the best free agents, and that year after year you can book your October ticket.  Sure you won’t make the Series every year but you’ll get your share of them.  Yes, they are playing within the rules, but to me, when winning becomes inevitable  the game becomes boring.

Texas vs San Francisco

Everyone once in a while the good guys win and you remember why you like to watch sports.  There can’t be a more compelling matchup then these two talented and extremely likeable teams.  Sure, Yankees vs Giants would have been classic, and hopefully FOX would have seen it in their hearts to air some old footage, but the Yankees pitching this year was a cut below.  Perhaps they really are aging, but I’m sure they’ll retool and be back for next season.

The Phillies fans are miserable and do not deserve a winning team.  Pat Burrell was being interviewed and all of a sudden an audible boo could be heard from the remaining Phillies fans — they were booing the Giants who were exiting the field to celebrate in the clubhouse.  Burrell was aactually taken aback and said “I don’t know what they’re reacting to…”  As much as I hate the Yankees, their fans would never have done something so bush league after a defeat.

How can you not like these teams?  Texas is young, aggressive and plays with fire.  They take the extra base, pitch their asses off, and have plenty of pop between Hamilton, Cruz, and Vlady.  The Giants are more offensively challenged, but every game a different player seems to deliver the clutch hit.  Whether it’s Cody Ross, Juan Uribe, Burrell, or somebody else, there’s always somebody who steps up.  You can’t help but feel happy for Aubrey Huff, who seems like  a great guy, and will be going to his first Series.  With Cliff Lee and Tim Lincecum dueling in game 1 we have an incredible matchup to look forward to.  

Texas has never won a Worlds Series in their 39 year history; 49 if you include their stint as the Washington Senators.  The Giants have won five Series, all in New York, the most recent being in 1954.  One way or another this year’s winner will hail from a city that has never had a championship.  As of now the Mariners, Nationals, Astros, Padres, Brewers, Rockies, Rays, and Rangers have never a title.  The Mariners and the Nationals are the only two teams never to have competed in a World Series.

For me, the good news is that both of the teams I rooted for made the Series.  The bad news is that I can no longer complain about small market teams not being able to make the Series.  Well…I’m sure I can find a way, but now is not the time.  Let’s have a beer.

Tommy Hunter, this is your hour!

I actually still think the Yankees are going to win this thing, but I’d admit to feeling a little cocky if the Rangers can somehow win tonight. The Yankees have their worst pitcher going — AJ Burnett — even though last year he somehow pitched a great World Series game in a similar situation. You never know what you’re going to get with A.J.

Why aren’t the Yankees starting C.C. Sabathia tonight? I seem to remember him going on short rest during last year’s playoffs and Series. Would they use him in game 5 and 7? (or would that be 2 days rest?)

Of course none of the Yankee fans have heard of Tommy Hunter, but he had a pretty good season going 13-4 with a 3.73 era. If it wasn’t for the 8th inning of game 1 the Yankees would be all but dead.

Unfortunately this means they are due to wake up. How long can you hold Texeira and Arod down?

So come on Rangers, remember the alamo, or whatever is it that psyches you up!

Cliff Lee riding herd.