http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=20622305&topic_id=10025018&c_id=mlb&tcid=vpp_copy_20622305&v=3

Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-US PRESSWIRE

A group – Guggenheim Baseball Management LLC — led by former Lakers star and NBA Hall-of-Famer Magic Johnson and longtime baseball exec Stan Kasten (among others) agreed Tuesday night to purchase the Dodgers from Frank McCourt (not this one) for a record $2 billion.

This technically isn’t Yankee news, but in a way it is. You have to figure that after shelling out $2 billion the group will do whatever it takes to win. That is good news for the team’s manager, Don Mattingly, who, of course, is a NYY legend. You may remember he was unable to win a World Series with the Yanks as a player, and this new ownership could be just what the Dodgers need to put a winning team on the field. Hopefully he can finally get a ring (unless they have to go through the Yanks, obviously).

I have to believe that every Dodgers fan is ecstatic about the news; no longer do they have an owner who is going through a messy divorce and cutting corners at every turn. Now they can rest easy knowing they have legit owners. Insert generic Mets joke here

A couple of things I thought when I heard the news:

• I had no idea Magic was into baseball. If he ever bought a team, I figured it would have been an NBA franchise. Although it clearly makes sense he would go for an LA-based team.
• Where the hell did he get $2 billion? I understand he’s been successful in business ventures following his playing career, but that’s a lot of dough. I wonder how much each partner chipped into the $2 billion.

If you think I’m going to make an HIV joke, you’re wrong. I’m way too mature for that.

In honor of the sale:

Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-US PRESSWIRE

Noted racist Torii Hunter admits what everyone already knew: the Twins were scared to play the Yankees in the playoffs in 2003 and 2004.

Hunter on those Twins teams:

Some guys were nervous, all nervous. There were a lot of guys mentally down — like, ‘ooh, we drew the Yankees.’ Just play the game. Once it gets in your head, you’re done.

This shouldn’t come as a surprise, seeing as how in each of those series the Twins took the first game before the Yanks rattled off three straight victories for a Fake Sweep™.

The culture must not have change when Hunter left the team (prior to ’08 after signing with the Angels), because the Yanks swept the last two ALDS meetings between the teams (’09 and ’10) while outscoring Minnesota 32-13.

Another former Twin, Michael Cuddyer, agreed with Hunter and confirmed my suspicions about the fear remaining:

It was never about talent in those series. We played with them all (14) of those games. I think that’s pretty accurate [what Hunter said].

Cuddyer is right; all but two or three of those eight games in ’03 and ’04 were close (including thrilling 12- and 11-inning affairs), but the ’09 and ’10 series not so much. In fact, the Yanks have won nine straight postseason games against the Twins, with Minnesota’s last win coming in Game 1 of the ’04 ALDS. (For what it’s worth, their two wins in those four series came at (real) Yankee Stadium.)

I appreciate Torii and Mike coming clean and admitting this, but it was clearly evident if you were paying attention. The kicker in the article, though, comes late in the form of a Torii Hunter anecdote:

Hunter recalled one 2004 ALDS game the Twins lost where they had a runner on third with one out, down a run against the great Yankees closer Mariano Rivera, and Twins manager called on a young righty hitters [sic] to bat against Rivera, and Hunter recalled that hitter turning down the pinch-hit assignment.

“You need a righty hitter against Rivera with his cutter,” Hunter recalled. But, according to Hunter, the player shook his head no. So Gardenhoire [sic] used another kid, Jason Kubel, a left-handed hitter, who Hunter recalled getting jammed. “Kubel wasn’t afraid, but he’s a lefty hitter.”

That is just…wow. I can understand getting psyched out by facing the Yanks, but to turn down a pinch-hit appearance in the playoffs is just mind boggling. Of course nobody wants to face Mo, but for a young player to disobey his manager and bitch-out like that is stupid. That could hurt his standing within MLB and put the kibosh on his career. I really wish Torii would have named names with that story.

The bottom line is the Yanks must have REALLY been in their heads. That’s a Steve Perry-esque psyche out right there.

Who am I kidding? NYY is still paying rent in Minny’s domes; since the start of the 2003 season (regular season only), the Yanks are 45-18 against the Twins with a run differential of 103 (341-238). The team must be licking their chops for the April 16-19 series when the Twins come into town for a four-game set.

I hope that AJ makes a full recovery and is able to get back on the field ASAP. I would never wish injury on any athlete (even a Red Sock, a Met or Carl Pavano), and anytime I see a story like this it’s sad. As I’ve said/written numerous times before, I wish AJ Burnett the best of luck in all future endeavors. Just because he didn’t live up to the expectations in New York doesn’t mean he was a bust or a bad signing.

GET WELL SOON, AJ!

All that being said, if you’re an awful human being like I am feel free to check out after the jump where I’ll make some tasteless jokes that will no doubt solidify my special place in hell. If you are not despicable, and actually have a conscience, then please don’t read on. You’ve been warned.

(more…)

The good folks over at Baseball Instinct wrote up a terrific profile of Jose back in August, and you can check it out here. Bart Klett breaks down the kid’s mechanics, pitches and even has video of him pitching (which I jacked; see below). It’s good stuff, I promise.

Now the next time some a-hole asks you who the other guy they got in the Jesus trade is, you can be a know-it-all prick and spout off all this info. You’re welcome.

My favorite has got to be either Robbie Cano, Johnny Damon’s spastic leg kicks/gimpy running, the Tex crotch grab or Swish Dog. Although I couldn’t tell you if his Xavier Nady is on point because I practically forgot he was on that team.

Hopefully this video will ease your hangover and give you a couple of laughs. Enjoy.

Although it’s probably not what you wanted, we got you something! Tah dah: here’s video of Rangers back-up catcher Yorvit Torrealba assaulting an umpire during a Venezuelan Winter Ball game earlier today. It gets good right around the 30-second mark. Enjoy:

Mariano Rivera closed out Monday’s 6-4 win over the Twins with His 43rd save of the season. Not only did it give the Yanks a five-game lead in the division but it also marked the 602nd save of His illustrious career. He also got another today to clinch a playoff spot before the Yanks swept a doubleheader to take the division title.

Not much else can be said about Mo, He is now officially the greatest closer ever…even by San Diego’s standards. Take a look at some of the videos I took at the game. I finally got a real camera so you won’t be subjected to crappy crackberry pictures.

(more…)