>From: "Coney's Court!" <[email protected]>
>To: "Coney's Court!" <[email protected]>
>Subject: Today's game 7-1....:(
>Date: 5 Jul 2000 06:18:19 -0000
>
>Coney's Court! - http://ConeysCourt.listbot.com
>
>http://www.geocities.com/coney36_nyy/
>
>Hi everyone...Well, just my weekly note saying I've updated the page...but
>I really didn't have much to say.  I am really worried...and not about a
>win-loss record or going to the WS or anything like that, I am just so
>worried about Cone and how horrible he must be feeling right now.  I can't
>believe the fans BOOED him!!!  When I heard that my heart just ripped
>right in half.  I mean, this is the same guy they cheered last July when
>he pitched his PG...how can people be so two-faced?!  I know he pitched
>badly, but he still didn't deserve that, not after all he's been through,
>not after all he has done...
>
>I'm also worried about what's going to happen to him with regards to the
>rest of the season...people keep talking about trades and releases, or
>that he should just retire...I just don't know what to think!  A part of
>me still believes he can snap out of this, but at the same time, it just
>kills me to see him go out like he did today because I know how much he
>beats himself up when he doesn't do well...Knowing him he'd probably say
>he deserved the boos and that actually the fans let him off easy...that
>just sounds like something he would say, doesn't it?  Plus, I don't want
>him to be remembered for a last crappy season, he's worked so hard and had
>so many highlights in his career to have it all overshadowed by the
>present.  But like I said, there's that part of me that thinks he can
>still find his way out, like he's always done.  He had 5 strikeouts, and
>he only walked 2 batters...so I think he still has stuff left, he just has
>to...he's shown it throughout this season so far, just inconsistently...I
>just hope he can get it all together again, for his sake.....
>
>I can't even bring myself to go to the forums, and fortunately, I don't
>have time to go there anyways as I have to go to work...but I can't bear
>to see people saying whatever mean, horrible things they're saying...
>
>So I'd like to know where all of you stand on the whole situation...I'd
>love to hear your thoughts...and if anyone hears any interviews or
>anything from Cone, posting info from them here would be greatly
>appreciated....
>
>Just for the record, no matter what I will always stand behind Cone and I
>will always respect him...! :)
>
>Thank you, and take care~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
>                             --KC
>
>
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Hey Everyone
Not a great day for us courters to see David take another loss. My heart 
just breaks for him.Your right KC I think his stuff was ok he just threw too 
many breaking balls that broke right over the plate. I didn't hear the crowd 
boo him (thank god) beacuse I would have been very upset for the same 
reasons you are. I did see a post game interview with him on the news I 
don't remember it word for word but he said somthing like its very 
disappointing and that he know the whole team is pulling for him and that 
they tried to put runs up on the board for him and he kept making mistakes.I 
just feel so bad for him. I know that he will put it together. I hoping 
during the all star break he can work on some stuff and come out the second 
half fresh. I know he still has it in him to turn this season around.

               Keeping my fingers and toes crossed for Daivd Cone
                          Francesca

http://www.geocities.com/coney36_nyy/

Thank you for your replies!  BG and Cesca-- thanks for sharing interview
quotes and tidbits, however depressing they may've been.  I just knew
David would go and say stuff like that...man, he doesn't need the fans to
be hard on him because he is hard enough on himself!!  I just hate seeing
him this way...what I wouldn't give to see him flash a confident grin or
see him punch his fist into the air and pull it back towards his body in a
jolt of proud emotion...I want him to feel good about himself again.  It
was nice to hear him say the team is still behind him, surely that makes
him feel a little better....

Kris-- I 100% agree with your stance on booing players...I find it
unecessary and just downright disgusting...not to mention MEAN!  I don't
understand the concept of booing your own team's players either.  I can
understand not being happy with a play, or an error, or something like
that...but don't BOO the PLAYER!  It does just make them feel worse, I'm
sure...!  I also thought your idea about the Court all going to a game
together was so cute!  I would love to do such a thing, but unfortunately
I'm stranded out here in the midwest!  I wonder though if it would make
him feel good if he saw us all out there supporting him at a game...if
even just for a moment...:)

Thanks again for writing, your kind words and support for Sweet David just
warmed my heart....:)

Take care~ ~ ~ ~ ~
             --KC <<<<:)

Well as far as I'm concerned we lost that game because of Cone.  He is
not getting the job done and if things don't change soon he could very
well cost us the pennant.  

Do you all realize if he had a few wins we would not be in second place
right now, we would be in first. 

If I was George I would be wondering what I'm paying this guy 12 million
dollars for anyway - half a season - one win.

Maybe David should start thinking seriously about retirement.  It is
really sad when someone loves the game so much but they just aren't
getting the job done.  

I myself don't boo my own team in general, but I can understand how
those people at the game felt.  Many are getting sick and tired of his
failing act.

Kat

I hardly think David Cone can be blamed for our current second place.  Not 
only do we still have over half a season left, the Yankees have proven in 
past seasons that comebacks DO occur.  Yes, David Cone should take 
responsibility for our being behind the Blue Jays -- 1/25 of that 
responsibility.  What about Roger Clemens??  He's a 5-time CyYoung award 
winner, isn't he?  He's not exactly in All-Star form, huh?  And Knoblauch, 
Scotty, Tino, Nelson, Spencer, and Stanton haven't been perfect this year.  
Even Mariano has been flawed.  Jeter had a shaking few months early, and 
others, including Jeter, have found themselves on the DL -- replacing key 
players with Triple A quality backups certainly does not create a winner.  
Who on our team has been above expectations??  Jorge Posada.  That's about it.

Yeah, ok, we're not doing so hot.  We're doing better than the Red Sox.  We're
 nearly tied with the Blue Jays, who have David Wells, a former Yankee who is 
overcoming all expectations.  Remeber 1978?  What a comeback, huh?  Weren't we
 14 games down at the All-Star break?  Remember the magic in 1996?  How about 
the incredibility with which we al watched the Yankees in 1998?  We beat all 
odds last year for another World title!!

We're the Yankees, guys -- Courtiers.  We get chills watching Babe Ruth 
circle the bases before jersey numbers.  We cheer, watching Maris hit his 
61st into the porch in right.  You know he was booed, too?  We have claims to 
Joe DiMaggio's 56-game hit streak in 1941, the Bronx Zoo that erupted in the 
late 1970s, the most loved and hated owner in professional sports, the sad 
tale of Donnie Baseball vying for a Championship, the incredulous season of 
1998.

We, as fans, also have claims to defending our name, our team, our title, our 
record of dominence.

Sorry this turned out so long -- GO YANKS!!

YankeeCindy,
Royal Bat Girl

This'll be quick --
As fans of a sport -- actually, of a particular team -- it is our 
responsibility to wear "rose-colored" glasses.
The Yankees are, and always will be, number 1.
The Red Sox suck, and the Yankees can kick their butts any day.
The Yankees -- not the Braves -- are the Team of the Decade.
The ball Derek Jeter hit in the 1996 ALCS off the Orioles WAS a homerun.
Chuck Knoblauch DID tag the BoSox running to second base during the ALCS.
If not, it WAS the Curse of the Bambino.
The Bambino DID call his shot.
Bill Buckner WAS under the influence of Babe himself.

No one will ever change my mind.  Blame it on the "rose-colored glasses" I 
wear with my Yankees hat.

YankeeCindy,
Royal Bat Girl

I was at the game yesterday and I felt so bad for him. I cheered for him
when he left the field, but I know others did not. I believe if you are a
Yankee Fan you stick by ALL your players through EVERYTHING. That is what
being a fan is all about. And I agree with you KC New York fans can be so
two-faced. It is like when you are on top yeah let's cheer for you, but the
second you make a mistake or have a slump let's boo you and make your job
all the much harder. My heart really goes out to him.

In response to Kris I would totally go to a game if I could to support
Coney. I know I wanted to for Knobby, but Friday's aren't good for me. Nor
are Saturday's. But that is something we would have to decide as a group.
What do you all think? Good suggestion Kris!

DJ aka SSDJ2

I was at Sunday's game as well and it was tough to watch Coney struggle the 
way he did.  He was hit early, hard and often.  However, I found it to be in 
bad taste when some of the Yankee faithful booed him off the field.  There 
are a handful of guys on the team that deserve to be spared from the fans' 
wrath when things go wrong and Cone is definitely one of them.  I understood 
the boos but I couldn't bear to do it myself.  David Cone, afterall, has been 
a trooper...and moreover he gave me perhaps the greatest baseball experiece 
I'll ever have last July 18, 1999.  To watch a perfect game is incredible.  
To see one in person is simply awe inspiring.  Cone may be on his last legs 
but I'll never take for granted the memory that I was lucky enough to 
experience at The Stadium that magical summer day.

James Escher

Thought you would be interested in this (depressing but 
good) article about Coney.  It is getting very 
depressing - we were at the game yesterday, and I could 
not believe the people booing!  How rude is that - I 
can't believe any Yankees fan could boo any Yankee, 
especially not Cone, after all the great things he's 
done for us.

Anyway, I can't say enjoy the article, but it was an 
interesting analysis of the situation.

http://www.newyorkpost.com/sports/yankees/32351.htm

Cindy - you have really written some great things!
 
Take care and try to keep smiling...:) 

Ally

http://www.geocities.com/coney36_nyy/

Hello everyone....On a positive note, I am very pleased to see the list so
active....;)

Kat-- I really don't think you should put all the blame on Cone for losing
that game or any game in fact...or put all the weight on his shoulders
about not being in first place.  Like Yankee Cindy pointed out, the whole
team has kind of been struggling...but they are also the biggest fans of
comebacks and surprises...and there really is a lot of baseball
left....Also, remember this list is in *appreciation* of David Cone...we
like him here, win or lose...:)

Cindy-- I thought your letters were just beautiful!  And you brought up
soo many good points and Yankee highlights...this is the stuff that we as
Yankee fans need to remember..and hey, I'm with you...rose-colored glasses
aren't exactly all bad...sometimes it really pays off to just think good
thoughts...it works in the fairy tales, doesn't it?  And baseball is just
like a live fairy tale, if there even is such a thing!

Gene and James-- Thank you for your letters!  It's always neat to hear
from the people that were actually at the games...and I'm so glad that you
all can find it in your hearts as Yankee fans to still stand behind Cone
and show him the respect he deserves, unlike the rude Yankee "fans" that
felt it necessary to boo him...  You know I read in some articles that
Torre claimed that he and the entire team are still behind David, and they
all believe he will come out of this slump...I mean, what more do you want
as a Yankee fan than the info right from the horse's mouth? :)  If the
team still believes in him, then the fans should, too.  And even the
opposing teams acknowledge that Cone still has good stuff...I really think
the problem lies somewhere within his mind, and once he clears that up,
which will hopefully be soon, everything will be just fine!!

Ally-- Thank you for the article!!!  That sure is a sad one though,
probably the saddest one out of the bunch today....

Take care everyone, here's to eagerly awaiting Cone's next start..! ~ ~ ~
                 --KC <<<<:)

Just on a side note when I reply it says Gene but that is my Dad and I am
DJ. :-)

DJ

http://www.geocities.com/coney36_nyy/

Hi everyone...again! :)  Ok, one of our courtiers E-mailed me and said she
tried to mail to the list, but for some reason it didn't go through.  So
she wrote me and asked me to paste her thoughts to the Court...so here
they are....:

Can't agree with this crew more!!!  OK guys don't know where everyone 
lives
as I as still new to the Court, but as I have mentioned to KC, my 
sister and
I will be at the Minn. games (with all these rumors of trades, releases
etc.. I hope David will be there too!!!)  Anyway, what do you think?? 
Can we
possibly meet there???  Unfortunately, I can't make it to NYC anytime 
soon
and I know for KC,  Minnesota is a trek but not too much of one, as we 
are
both in the mid-west.  I dunno I was Really upset when the booed chucky 
and
I was LIVID when they did it to Dave!!! Altho- Cesca, I didn't even 
have to
read that article you posted... I KNEW he would say he deserved it. 
He's
been in NY too long not to know how horrible the fans can be and he 
probably
feels it's better to agree with them then fight w/them.  I have not 
been to
the Y.website!!  When he gave up that 3 run homer I heard the clicking 
of
the basher's mice just itching to get those nasty posts up. I just 
don't
have the stomach to read them right now.  I don't care what anyone 
says, I
do believe the players read that suff.

Anyway, think about going you guys, anyone that can.  We will be there
Friday July 28 (7:00ish start) Saturday July 29 (another night game I 
think
at 7:00) and Sunday July 30 (1:00 start).  According to everyone, we 
will
also be staying at the player's hotel (the Marriott City Center- kind 
of
pricey but if you go to www.marriott.com the price is less).

We are looking into steak houses, when they were in Chicago they ate at
Gibsons the most popular place for steaks.  I read that Manny's is the 
best
one in Minneapolis.. who knows

take care all
Laura

Thanks Laura for your note!  Like I said before, I really like the idea of
going to a game and supporting Cone...but it is somewhat difficult for me
to travel right now...though I am seriously considering this trip to
Minnesota if I can swing it...I know a lot of you are in NY, so I dunno
how this would work...maybe we could plan for something in New York in
August if not the Minnesota thing...However I think he'd have a better
chance of seeing us at an away park...Plus, I bet it would be nice to
blatantly see some friendly fans away from home...;)

Take care! ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
              --KC <<<<:)

http://www.geocities.com/coney36_nyy/

Hi everyone yet again! :)  I'm just sending along another message that
failed to go through on its own for some reason...Remember, to write the
list, I believe you send messages to "[email protected]" or if you
just hit "reply all" on any Court message, it should go automatically to
the list...If anyone has any further questions, please don't hesitate to
ask!

Oh, and DJ...sorry about the Gene thing! hee hee :)  I know now to call
you DJ...:)

Anyways, this letter is from penguin4, who is an active forum poster and a
great Yankee fan! :)  Here's what she said...:

KC, I agree with you 100%... you said exactly everything I was thinking...
it 
so broke my heart to hear him booed like that, and I haven't been to the 
forum since Saturday because I've been so afraid of all the antiCone
posts.  
4 homeruns... jeez... Fans can be so cruel.  I could see them booing
Justice 
or someone, but this is DAVID CONE we're talking about.  People are just 
getting impatient.  And if people like us are hurting so bad for him, you
can 
only imagine what HE must feel like right now.  That error only put the
cap 
on what was a way-more-than-humbling experience.
Forced retirement?  No, I really don't think the Yankees organization will 
push him that far like they did with Chili.  He's a real "battler" (as
Torre 
puts it), and I still don't think that he's ready to retire; he's only
ready 
the day he wakes up and says "I can't."  Right now, he's still saying "I 
can", "I will", "I feel good", and as long as HE still believes he can do
it, 
he will do it.  And I also don't think that he's lost the ABILITY to
pitch.  
Like Chuckie's throwing problems, he still CAN pitch well, and has proven
to 
pitch well on occasion, just not frequent enough.  So it seems it's really 
all mental, like somehow he's just lost that confidence he once had; all
it 
really is is a prolonged "pitching slump", and I think it still is
possible 
to recover.  I mean, he's only 1-7 (it was his first DECISION in like 2 
months...); it could be a lot worse (if you look at a player like David 
Wells, he's got 16 decisions under his belt already)... there's still 1/2
a 
season to play, and I think the all-star game will do him some good.
As for trade, who are they going to trade an aging $12 million pitcher for 
who's 1-7?  First of all, there's no one really on the market worthy of 
taking Cone's place.  Filling in, maybe, but certainly not permanently 
replacing in the rotation.  Secondly, as I've often mentioned many times 
before, Coney's too much of a presence in the clubhouse for them to get
rid 
of him; he may not be the pitching ace, but he's certainly their captain.  
And lastly, I was also doing some figuring in my head, and I realized that 
Coney  will become a 5 and 10 player within the month, which means that 
unless the Yankees trade him right now, he can veto any proposed deal.
Which 
all but guarantees him to stay in New York until the end of the year.
For David's sake, for the sake of the team, and for the sake of the fans,
I'm 
really hoping that he can pull it together for the second half of the
season. 
 I really can't bear to watch them boo a guy who's done so much for the
city. 
 Oh and KC, I was at the game tonite, wearing of all things my David Cone 
T-shirt my friend made me for my birthday.  This New Yorker still
believes!!!
--PEN4

You brought up a lot of really great points...especially about him being a
presence in the clubhouse, and the insights on a "forced retirement."  I
agree, he is a "battler" and he will get through this.  And like many
people have said, there's no one really great out there to trade
for...which I don't think trading Cone is the answer anyways...actually I
think it's a down right horrible idea.  He *can* still pitch well, he
still has the talent, he still has the stuff...it's just a matter of
making it a little more consistent.  I know what you mean, though...I do
hope, most of all for his sake, that he does pull it all together, because
I'm with you...I can't stand to see people boo someone so special...

Thanks for writing...it's nice to hear from you all! 

Take care~ ~ ~ ~ ~
             --KC <<<<:)

Hi everyone!!
Amen to what James wrote -- David Cone's Perfect Game was the experience of a 
lifetime.  I will openly admit that I will always be a fan of David Cone 
because of that bright, promising Sunday nearly a year ago.  I've been a 
Yankees fan for years, and although my family will every-so-often watch a 
game with me, I am the dedicated fan of my family.  I had spent years begging 
to go to a game (we visit NY about twice a year, so that makes it hard).  We 
finally went last season -- July 18th, 1999.  First Major League Baseball 
Game:  Priceless.
Why don't we try exchanging Cone stories for a while?  It would uplift our 
spirits, at the very least.

:(  I live in North Carolina, so you'll have to count me out of the Court 
rendevous. (Did I spell that right?)  That and the fact that I'm 15 (I don't 
have a whole lot of impact on family trips) will impede on the festivities!  
:(

One more thing -- I've been thinking about how Andy had a great start on 3 
days rest a few days ago.  Has anyone noticed a pattern of David's days of 
rest?  He appears to me to be more similar to the pitchers of the early 1900s 
who knew pitching as a true art; they had very short days of rest -- 2 or 3.  
However, I remember him resting 7 days a few times and coming back with 
strong outtings.  (His Perfect Game came after extended-All-Star game rest.)  
I'd love to hear comments about this!!

YankeeCindy,
Royal Bat Girl

Hey everyone!  I just heard on the news that David
won't be starting on Sunday and that he got bumped. 
Andy Pettitte will pitch on 3 days rest.  What do you
all think about that?  Do you think they are giving
David that extra day rest?  I was a bit concerned...
just wanted to share with the court!

eckman

http://www.geocities.com/coney36_nyy/

Hey!!  First of all, thank you eckman for posting that info to the list!
I was going to post it, but I just didn't have the time...(worked all day)
There's an article that discusses the situation a little bit at espn.com at
http://espn.go.com/mlb/news/2000/0706/621657.html

I really have mixed feelings about the whole situation.  I was kind of
hoping this would be Cone's turn-around game...especially the way he
pitched against the Mets a few weeks ago...I was thinking he would be
totally hungry for that victory...moreso than normal, that is...;)
However, I can see and understand why Torre did what he did, and like I've
said many times before I believe he knows what's best for the team.  At
first I was kind of upset about the whole thing, because the way I heard
it first it sounded like he was being plucked *permanently* from the
rotation...but really, it just sounds like they're skipping his turn this
week, and giving him some extra rest over the All-Star break in the hopes
that he will recollect himself and fix out whatever kinks he has.  So I'm
pretty much banking on him to come back after the All-Star break as a
*starter* and I'm really hoping things will then turn around for him.
They say he is ready in relief right now though...which is all fine and
dandy...but dang, can you imagine seeing Cone come out of the pen?  It
just seems so *weird*....even though he was a reliever in the minor
leagues (I think...)  On an emotional note though, my heart just aches for
him...you can tell by the stuff he says he is not very happy with
himself...I just really hope he can fix whatever is wrong so he can start
feeling good about himself again...I refuse to believe the fire in him is
not eternal...;)

Cindy--  Nice message!  When the list first started some people shared
some of their Cone stories, and they were great!  Unfortunately I have
never seen him pitch live...but I really hope to someday soon!  I probably
could dig up some really cute stories about him though from the backs of
various baseball cards (I have stocked up quite a collection!)  Hmmm..one
of my favorite tidbits about him though was from an article I read on the
web once somewhere....It was right after he had had that surgery on his
shoulder to repair the aneurysm...They described him as still a little
groggy from the anesthetic, he looked up at his doctor and asked, "When
can I pitch again?"  When I read that my eyes just teared up, and it was
probably one of the main points that led to my respect for him today.  I
just admire his dedication and loyalty...:)

I agree with what you said about him getting rest, etc....He does seem to
do better when he's had a lot of rest.  I also liked how you said he's
like those who knew pitching as a true art.  That is so true...and
actually he is so fascinating because he really is an artist in every
aspect of the word, but he is also a scientist.  You know he has
experimented with different arm angles 'n' such ever since he was a kid as
he was inspired by Luis Tiant.  Actually, Akino pasted an article here
which talks about David's experimentation and inspiration that led him to
be known for re-inventing himself out on that mound still even today. :)
It's still available in the list's archives...just go to page 2 message
#91 if you want to read it!

Take care~ ~ ~ ~ ~
            --KC <<<<:)

http://www.geocities.com/coney36_nyy/

Hi everyone...just forwarding on a little note I received from
listbot.com...:

ListBot will be temporarily down for planned maintenance between 11:30PM
PST July 8 through 5:30AM PST July 9, 2000.  During this time, users will
not be able to log in, nor will the system send or receive mail. If
members try to post to a list during this time, they will receive a
“Message Undeliverable” error.
We apologize for any inconvenience that this may cause and thank you for
your patience.
Sincerely,
The ListBot Team

Just thought I'd let you all know!!  Take care! ~ ~ ~ ~ 
                                       --KC <<<<:)

Hi everyone!

Yesterday, I was at the nightcap of the Yankees-Mets doubleheader at Yankee 
Stadium.  I was fairly close to the Yankees bullpen, and in about the 6th 
inning I noticed Cone out in the bullpen.  (He was probably there earlier 
and I just wasn't watching.)  From that point on, I spent a sizable portion 
of my time with my binoculars fixed on the bullpen, and I thought I'd share 
with you what I saw:

Cone likes to dance.  Several times, when the music for one of the hitters 
or the music between innings came up, he would kind of bounce back and forth 
to the music.

I certainly saw a good amount of smiling on his part.  He joked around with 
Mariano Rivera, a bullpen catcher, and another reliever I didn't recognize 
(possibly Dingman or Choate?  because I'm good with faces on most of the 
guys).

He had this... thing... that he just wouldn't put down.  It was black, about 
a foot long, and had a weight on the end.  I believe it was made for 
warmups, because he used it when he was trying to stretch (to be prepared to 
warm up in the pen-- I don't know if he was told to be ready, or if it was 
just wishful thinking).  He would imitate his pitching motion with it in his 
hand.  But that wasn't the funny part... it was when he used it to imitate 
hitting!  I'm virtually certain that it wasn't what the gimmick was for, but 
he took the thing in his hands, got into a batting stance, wiggled it around 
in a circle, and took some cuts.  Then, of course, there was the time when 
Mariano started to stretch, and Cone kind of used it like a spear towards 
him and made him jump back...

So for anyone who's worried about how he's taking it, while I don't claim to 
know his mental state, I got an opportunity to observe him while he was 
acting basically naturally, and he seemed to be upbeat and in good spirits.

Yours,
Britt

In this Sunday's New York Times magazine there is an article about the
differences between pitchers and batters. There is also a cute picture of
Coney. Unfortunately I don't have a scanner, but if any one does, could they
please send a link to the picture? For those Court members not in the New York
area. The story is about different players but there are some Coney quotes in
there.

Jenn

http://www.geocities.com/coney36_nyy/

Britt-- Thank you so much for your message!  It's really cool that you got
to see all that candid action, and even cooler that you shared it with us!
Thanks again! :)

Take care~ ~ ~ ~
              --KC <<<<:)

Torre is just using common sense.  This is a big series.  We need to win
some games and Coney is not gettng the job done.  Andy pitches pretty
good on three days rest (he actually prefers it to five days rest) and
with Coney struggling Torre decided to go with Andy and Cone is spending
the time this weekend in the bullpen in case he is needed for long
relief with the day/night doubleheader.

kat