PAPI'S EXCUSED DISHONESTIES (P E D)

First of all, let me start by stating that, as a NY Yankees' fan, his October has been very disappointing. Instead of watching the Yankees in the playoffs, I'm watching other teams. Most New Yorkers aren't even watching one game, but, as the true baseball fan that I am, I simply cannot avoid watching the last remaining MLB games of the year! Of course, it's a no-brainer that I (and any true Yankees' fan) cannot root for Boston!!

The only major things that have happened with the Yankees this October have been Girardi's extended contract (congrats, Joe) and A-Rod's arbitration case and recent lawsuits against MLB and Doctor Ahmad, his surgeon. I'm sure that most, if not all, NYY fans have lost their patience with all of this A-Rod propaganda. He’s his own worst enemy as he is really the only one to blame – so, for that I don't feel sorry for him.

That now leads me to my main topic, which is regarding another accused PED (Performance Enhancing Drug) user, David Ortiz (Big Papi). As I've been watching the Boston playoff games (the Red Sox are currently leading the Tigers 2 games to 1), my mind’s few remaining working gears have been developing anger every time I see another accused PED cheater, David Ortiz. During the American League Championship Series (ALCS), the announcers (Tim McCarver & Joe Buck) never dare to talk about Ortiz’ accusations & findings from the 2003 tests.

On Sunday night’s telecast of the ALCS/Game 2 playoff game versus the Tigers, Ortiz hit a dramatic homerun to tie the game in the 8th inning. If A-Rod hit the grand slam in that situation the other night instead of "Big Papi" Ortiz, then Tim & Joe would have unhesitantly begun citing the past findings and placing some form of doubt relating to the grand slam feat (especially Joe Buck). Yet, neither announcer dared to say a word about that topic and its ties to Ortiz.

In fact, they continued to sensationalize the effects of the home run throughout every trotting step Ortiz took around the bases – while the Tigers' Torii Hunter was lying on the other side of the fence, physically as out of the ballpark as the ball was. When I first saw the homerun, during its sailing travels towards the fence, I couldn't believe the daring effort that Torii took, as he never even slowed down as he got inches away from the fence. (Remember Jeter running into the stands to catch a foul ball?) Then, as I saw Torii’s body completely flip viciously over the fence, I felt totally petrified for his life! Yet, I had to wait until the exuberant announcers finally issued some form of attention to the Torii situation - the one in which a man’s life could have been lost.

Then, after that, I saw the replay which showed the Boston policeman stationed in the bullpen area where the homerun was hit raising his arms in excitement, instead of doing his “job” - like immediately running over to help Torii. Great job, officer, you’ve proven to be a Sawx fan in every aspect!

There’s no doubt that I envy the Red Sox for being in the playoffs instead of the Yankees, but I also have no doubt that if A-Rod hit that homer in the same exact situation against the Tigers, I still would have shown the same concern over Torii - before A-Rod even rounded first base. Additionally, I would have begun to think about the real PED users, just like I would if the Yankees’ Cervelli hit the grand slam. It’s a shame that most of the baseball world is blinded and has a short-term memory only when it comes to the Papi’s Excused Dishonesties.

DONNIE BASEBALL IN LOS ANGELES?

Don Mattingly will always be loved by almost every Yankees’ fan, including me.  It's unfortunate that the Yankees lacked solid starting pitching and keen player signings during his 14 years as a player.  As a hitter, he was one of the best of his time and, as a fielder, he was one of the best of all time. 

During those years, many compared him to his crosstown rival, Keith Hernandez.  Defensively, Keith often edged his way towards the batters he felt were bunting (a more common strategy within the National League, especially with pitchers batting), but Don Mattingly shined during his almost infallible defensive 3-6-3 double plays.  Undoubtedly, both of them were great defensive 1^st basemen (9 Gold Gloves won by Don & 11 won by Keith).  Of course, comparing the two in regards to character is like comparing A-Rod to Mariano; but, that's not what this article is mainly about:

While I have a great deal of admiration for Don Mattingly as a Yankees’ player, captain, coach, and a person, I can't help but express my controversial opinion for him as a Los Angeles Dodgers manager.   Back in 2008, when he joined Joe Torre to become his hitting coach for the Dodgers, I selfishly felt a bit of disapproval.  Although the Steinbrenners chose not to hire him months prior to that as the manager to replace Joe Torre and, even though Don had given all that he had during his Yankees’ tenure (especially his unbelievable efforts during the 1995 playoffs), I greedily felt that he needed to wait a few years in hopes that he might inevitably manage the Yankees in the near future.  Perhaps, I thought, he should manage in the Yankees’ minor league system first, so that he could gain experience.  Those pinstripes were just so suitable to a fan favorite like him; after all, he even originated from our own farm system.  In those days, no one ever excelled from our farm system and played his whole career for the NY Yankees!

Another factor that bothered me (and still does) is that he would be working for the "Hollywood" team, not the Yankees.  As a native New Yorker, Hollywood has always been a rival, not just in sports but also many other forms of entertainment, e.g., the Grammy Awards are sporadically held in Los Angeles instead of New York's own Radio City Music Hall.

From the early 1900’s, the Yankees and the Dodgers faced each other in the World Series 11 times - gratefully the Yankees won 8 out of the 11!  I’m glad I got to personally witness two of those winning years in 1977 & 1978.  In fact, 1977 was the first time they had faced each other as East Coast versus West Coast teams.  That’s because 1957 was when the Dodgers’ owner (Walter O’Malley) decided to relocate the Dodgers from Brooklyn, New York to Los Angeles, California.  That major move made all New Yorkers feel betrayed, as I've been told and fully comprehend.

So, when Don Mattingly became the Dodgers manager in 2011, many of my rivaling feelings (perhaps inconsiderately) heated up and ultimately helped me choose my dual love for the Yankees and dislike of the Dodgers versus my admiration I had for Don Mattingly.  Additionally, when one of the biggest cheaters of all time, Mark McGuire, was hired as the hitting coach, that fully overtook any slither of hope for me to be rooting for Donnie Baseball as it was being applied towards the Dodgers!

In summary, from a very selfish/dedicated Yankees’ fan, I cannot root for the "Los Angeles – Hollywood" Dodgers – unless they end up playing my absolute least favorite team, the Red Sox!  What I will root for, though, is that one day (probably not anytime soon) Don will eventually become the Yankees’ manager and finally win a championship ring with the only fitting team for him…the New York Yankees.