1999 Regular Season

8-28-99 - Okay, get ready for a big time rant. Ken Brett, what a chump!!! I have always thought that Ken Brett was nothing more than an marginal, if that, former player now up in the broadcast booth. Boy was I wrong. Ken took it upon himself tonight on FX's Saturday Night game, the Mets v. D-Backs, to lecture the viewers on how Rickey Henderson has not had the kind of career he was capable of having. He ranted on Rickey about not busting his butt to first when Rickey looped a base hit to right. It was a clean hit, there was no chance of it going to the wall for a double. But Ken even had then replay Rickey getting out of the box. He also proclaimed that Rickey, while on first in the top of the first with 2 outs, didn't hustle down to second when Piazza grounded to short to end the inning. Now Ken I realize you didn't even finish your career with a .500 record (83-85) and the closest you will ever get to even smelling the Hall of Fame is when you were at your brothers induction, but think about it you idiot. You're Rickey Henderson, you're 40 years old, you've made your living on your legs and there is no chance of either making it to second on a single nor beating out the throw from the shortstop to the second baseman. Do you run as hard as you can? No. Do you get on other players such as Mike Piazza or John Olerud who run to first at the same pace as Rickey after their hits? No, you don't. So get off of your high-horse and use what little brain you have. You already embarrassed yourself on the same broadcast by claiming that when Rickey Henderson stole his 119th base in Milwaukee in 1982 he yanked the bag out of the ground and proclaimed that he was "the greatest." Yes, he did yank the bag out of the ground, but he made that speech in 1991 when he stole his 939th base. You also exhibited your lack of knowledge in the same broadcast by wondering how to score a runner moving from first to second when the pitcher threw to the first baseman, who was not holding the runner on first, and the ball went into rightfield. The runner moved only to second as he should have, but you were looking for the error. Do you not know that it is a balk to throw to first if the first baseman is behind the runner. Therefore, the runner would advance to second without an error being credited to the pitcher. The game is almost over and I have not heard you say anything about it. But that's okay, you just look like an even bigger idiot that way. Hopefully both Rickey and myself will see you in Cooperstown when he is being inducted. I'll be sure to wave, albeit with only one finger.

One more thing for tonight (I am not in a good mood tonight, am I?). Why must we see the Cardinals every week on national games? Until McGwire is in the mid-60's I don't want to see the Cardinals. They suck. There are pennant races going on and only one month left in the season. Yes, Sammy and the Cubs are on every day, but that's WGN. If we watch that it is by choice. Let's see the A's, the Red Sox or the D-Backs for that matter. I heard somebody complain today that the home run race is over-shadowing the pennant races. I agree, but you know why that is? Because we are forced to watch the Cards on every national game. You can thank Ken Brett for bringing on this tantrum.

8-23-99 - How great are these pennent races? The National League East and Central both have two teams within a game of first. Out of the Mets, Braves, Reds and Astros only three can go. That means that a team with possibly over 90 wins could miss the playoffs. In the American League the wild-card is the only real race, but what a great one! Three teams including the A's. It should be an interesting series in Oakland the next couple of days. The A's will host the Cleveland Indians. While the Tribe are still hurting, the A's are now without their team leader, Tony Phillips. Oakland has also lost Eric Chavez for a couple of weeks. So they lose one rookie and have to replace him with another, Olmedo Seanz. Seanz has looked okay so far this season though, so we will have to wait and see how he fills in.

Rickey has had a great week as usual. After taking the collar tonight (0-4), his average drops to .333. If he had a couple more at bats he would be third or fourth in the batting race in the NL. Rickey also stole his 30th base the other night. I am hoping he can get at leat 10 more for 40 bags at 40 years old. How good is Rickey? First game of the double-header against the Cards on Sunday, 3-for-3, two walks, the game tying rbi and scored the game-winning run. Rickey rocks!!! If the Mets starting pitching was a bit better, this Mets team would really look a lot like last year's Yankees. Offensively there are so many valuable players it is hard to choose one. I am glad Robin Ventura is getting a push for N.L. M.V.P. Although we all know who would get my vote.

8-19-99 - I am a little worried. Last night Rickey left the game against San Diego early after trying to stretch a single into a double. Tony Gywnn nailed Rickey at second with a good throw. Rickey got up a little gingerly and was limping in left field the next half inning and then left the game. If you will remember the Mets struggled for that week that Rickey was nursing that hip a week or two ago. Let's hope for two things; one, Rickey's okay, and two, the Mets continue to play well with or without him. They have a chance to put some more ground between themselves and the Braves next week. The Mets will host the Cards while the Braves will host the Reds next week. Remember the Reds have the best road record in the majors.

Speaking of road records, how 'bout those A's. They sweep the Blue Jays in Skydome, and if they beat the Sox tonight would split with Boston in Boston. It looks like it is going to be a two teams race for the wildcard. Toronto is fading quickly. If the stupid Rangers would lose every now and then, the A's might even have a chance to make some ground up on them as well. Note to Art Howe, if you don't give Doug Jones his out-right release, at least move him out of the closers role. How many games does he have to blow in a pennant race before you figure this out?

8-6-99 - Not alot to report right now, Rickey strained his hip while the Mets were taking care of the Brewers. He hasn't played for a couple of days, but at least he hasn't been put on the DL yet. I have been told that this weeks Sports Illustrated has an article on Rickey in it. Needless to say I am on my way to go and find a couple of copies of it. Fear not, I will let you know how it is as sson as I can finish reading it. On another subject, go A's!!! How cool is it to watch the A's run over everybody? The White Sux are in Oakland for the weekend and WGN is carrying all four games. The first two have been great even while having to listen to Hawk and Whimpy. Oliveres looked good in his first start but was very shakey on Thursday. Appier looked good as well, he will go on Saturday.

Another note, I have not seen the video of the Yankees-Mariners fight from tonight, but I have a feeling I am going to have to say the M's are probably to blame. I guess Mesa was ready to start the inning but Pinella left Rodriguez in to hit Knoblauch. Of course Jeter was hit in the first game and then Edgar Martinez was hit in this game after a A-Rod homer. That was okay, things were even. But then to hit Knoby in the eigth was too much. Rodriguez charged Girardi on the on-deck circle as he was leaving. I was glad to hear that Jim Leyritz lead the charge for the Yanks. Remember Leyritz and Randy Johnson's disagreements a couple of years ago? But what I don't understand is how Girardi was tossed from this game while no Mariners were. If the Mariners charged Girardi from the dugout, how is it his fault? Oh well, just another reason to hate the Mariners and all things Seattle.

7-30-99 - Another congrats to Rickey, his second Baseball Weekly cover of the season. He came up with a big home run in today's ball game at Wrigley. It gave the Mets the lead which they held on to, and following the Braves loss later, they moved into first place. Speaking of the Braves game, I want to talk about it. I usually don't like fights. Be them either in hockey, basketball, football or baseball, they are usually just guys trying to be macho and not really fighting for a reason. Tonights Braves-Phillies fight was very different. I loved it. If you will remember last week in Philadelphia, Paul Byrd hit Eddie Perez on the arm. Perez walked to first but talked to Bryd on the way and the benches emptied but no punches were thrown. I was mad at Eddie for doing this. Take your damn base and shut up. You're a .200 hitter and Byrd has hit the most batters in the National League. Tonight, Eddie's first at bat he gets hit in the exact same place on the first pitch. He again talks and the benchs empty, again no punches thrown, but alot of talking. ESPN didn't show this part of the whole equation. Perez is on first and Smoltz grounds to short. Eddie goes in hard at second, spikes up and rolls past the bag with a late slide. Perez is out on the put out at second and Smoltz is called out because of Perez's interference. Eddie was getting back at the Phils in his own way. Cox is ejected. Next inning, I was expecting Leiberthal to get hit to lead off the inning since he is Eddie's opposite number. But Smoltz retires the first two batters. Alex Arias comes up with Byrd on deck. There has been no warning issued to either bench mind you. Smoltz plunks Arias and is tossed. I think this is bunk without a warning issued. But Smoltz loses it and I think Pat Corrales is tossed as well for the Braves. Then Byrd walks to the plate. He and Eddie start talking, go face to face and Eddie starts swinging. Then all hell broke loose. I work at Turner Field, right behind home plate as a matter of fact and had the best seat in the house for this one. Schilling was the first one out of the Phillies dugout. Klesko was swinging and I thought he was going to get tossed as well. Andruw Jones was throwing people off the pile before he was wrapped up. Why was this fight acceptable? Eddie tried to settle it on the base paths with the play at second. Smoltz stuck up for his catcher by hitting the number 8 batter with two outs and nobody on with Byrd on deck. Then Eddie took it into his own hands. These two teams don't like each other and are fighting for the NL East title. Neither was going to back down and every player on both benches was going to back each other. Good hard-nosed baseball. When Eddie was hit there was a history, not just a single incident. If I have to watch a fight, this is the way I want one to happen. I can't wait for the next two games.

7-25-99 - Congrats to Rickey. The charter member of the 1,000-1,000 Club. With a home run in his second at bat against the Cubs Dan Serafini, Rickey Henderson collected his 1,000th career rbi. That makes two home runs (two big games for that matter) in two weeks of being on ESPN's Sunday Night Baseball. Also of note from tonight's game was Rickey tagging and scoring from third on a pop up to second base in the first inning. As soon as the ball left Piazza's bat, I knew Rickey was going to try it. And once I saw that Blauser was going to make the catch I knew he would be safe. There is no way anybody is going to throw out Rickey while going backwards in the outfield. You have to let the centerfielder make that catch. I am mulling over a tough question though. Ofcourse I want the Mets and Rickey to win the Series, but I also can't root entirely against the Braves because I so want to be able to go to a World Series game. Well, as long as one of them goes I guess. But how incredible would it be to have a Mets-Yankees World Series. That would be something to behold. That city would be going nuts.

A thought about the Hall of Fame. Looking at the three first-ballot inductees that were enshrined today, Nolan Ryan, Robin Yount and George Brett, Rickey is linked to all of them in some pretty big ways. First, Ryan: August 23, 1989, Nolan Ryan srtikes out Rickey for his 5,000th career strike out. Second, Yount: August 27, 1982, Ronin Yount was the short stop when Rickey stole his 119th base of the season, breaking the single season stolen base record. And lastly, George Brett, battled Rickey for the batting title in 1990. George eventually beat out Rickey by sitting for the final week of the season, enabling him to win a batting title in three different decades. Too bad the Royals weren't in contention so that he would have had to play. It would have been great to see Rickey win the batting title while playing half his games in Oakland where we all know how much foul ground there is. Rickey got the last laugh however, winning the American League MVP as well as a World Series ring.

7-23-99 - I'm writing this before Rickey plays the Cubs tonight, so he might collect his 1,000th career rbi tonight. If that is the case I am sure you will hear from me again. But it was just reported that the A's traded Kenny Rogers to the Mets for a couple of minor leaguers. What the hell is Billy beane doing? The A's are in second place and are in both the AL West and Wildcard race. So you trade your ace? Come on you idiot. Yes, Rogers is a free agent after the season, but you're still in the race. Is Jerry Riensdorf your role model? I am really upset about this. The A's are going on an important road trip which could make or break their chances for the post-season. If they would have stumbled on the trip and fallen out of contention, I can see making the deal and getting something for Rogers. But there will be no chance for that to happen. Is this what Mariner fans feel like every year?

7-21-99 - Last night Rickey scores one run against Baltimore, tonight he scores one against the Expos. That's 2063 total for his career, moving him past the immortal Willie Mays (for whom Rickey wears the number 24) into the number 5 spot all-time. The only players int he history of the game that have scored more runs than Rickey are Pete Rose, Hank Aaron, Babe Ruth and Ty Cobb. That is some kind of company. All but Rose being legends of the game that are in the Hall.

Speaking of the hall, I used to wonder if Rickey's sometimes tepid relationship with the press as well as the public perception of Rickey would keep him out of the hall on the first ballot. I don't think there is any chance of the\at at this point. Regardless of what you think of him personally, there is no over looking the incredible things that he has done in the game. He has carved his place in history and it is among those immortals such as Mays, Ruth and Cobb. Rickey has talked lately about playing a couple of more years (that might have something to do with the fact that he's hitting .315 right now). If he does he has a legit shot of gathering his 3,000th career hit. How many players have 3,000 hits? How many of them are leadoff batters let alone leadoff batters that are among the all-time leaders in walks? Need I mention the stolen bases? The man's got over 270 homeruns as well. There have not been many players like Rickey in the history of the game, and I doubt whether there will every truely be another like him.

Quick note on the umpire situation: I respect the handful of umps that have recinded their resignations and that have asked for Richie Phillips to step down. Don't damage the game. We all remember what happened last time a season was interrupted with a worl staoppage/striike/lockout last time. We are just mending that hole, let's not make another.

7-19-99 - National game, Sunday night, Rickey 3-4 with a bomb to lead off the game!!! That home run by the way gave him 999 career rbi's. How many players who have led off their entire career have even close to that many? The only down side of the game was Rickey getting thrown out at second by Charles Johnson. Credit to Johnson though, Rickey had that base stolen against 95% of the catchers in baseball. Johnson threw a perfect strike.

7-17-99 - Where would the A's be right now if Rickey was still there? Who would have ever thought the Oakland Athletics would be in second place in the American League West two days after the All-Star break? Now, what if they had Rickey having the kind of year he was having with the Mets? He's hitting .307, stolen 27 bases and walking at his usual pace. I think the Rangers would have more of a challenge than they or anybody else was expecting. I already think they have more even without Rickey. Oh well, an A's fan can dream can't he.

Rickey made some comments on the game article for last night's game article against the D-Rays about he and Roger Cedeno. He said that there was no competition between he and Roger for the stolen base title. But, rather he was trying to push Roger to win the title out-right. I love this. Rickey gets alot of bad pub, some deserved, most not, but I think this is great. There are very few players who can play the kind of game Rickey plays. Cedeno is one of those players, minus the power. They can both disrupt a game without ever getting a hit. Rickey said he always wanted to play with a player like Kenny Lofton, and Roger is one of those players. This really reminds me of Tony Phillips when he first came to the bigs in the early 80's with the A's. Not many people know this, but Rickey took Tony under his wing, even letting him stay at one of his homes until Tony was settled in the league. Now, I know Tony Phillips is not the most personable guy, but needless to say, those are the kind of things that Rickey does that never gets mentioned. I never thought there would be another player I would follow like Rickey once he retired. But Rickey might have made my choice easy, Roger Cedeno might be it.

A quick thought about this BS the umpires are pulling. Their contract is not up until after the season is over, but they want to resign with a month left in the season. Then they complain about everybody ganging up on them. My God people!!! Baseball is on the way back to the popularity it once had. Last year's wonderful season sparked it and a couple of really good pennant races this year look to continue that momentum. The umpires couldn't wait and finish out the season, letting the game speak for itself. No, they have to go one thinking they are bigger than the game, possibly ruining the integrity of the final month, when numerous important games would be played. If you can't wait for the season to finish before you make your move, fine, go. I hope you enjoy your retirement. I never want to see you on the diamond if you do go. Show some class, finish out the season. Wouldn't that give you some bargaining power to finish the season in good faith? Remember spring training a couple of years ago with replacement umps? Do you want that in the World Series?

Main | Stats | Sounds | Records | Articles | Photo | Greatest | Highlights