Georgia on my Mind

Separatists in South Ossetia seceded from Georgia, which itself left the Soviet Union/Commonwealth of Independent States/Unified Team after Mr. Gorbachev did, in fact, tear down that wall. So, the Georgians acted in turn to shell various positions and have troops take some positions. Russia, acting again like the old USSR, shelled the Georgian positions, and escalated things by bombing Georgia, proper, sending troops into Georgia itself, and putting up a naval blockade of Georgia's Black Sea coast. The Ukraine, sharing a desire to bond with the West and join NATO with Georgia, and sharing a resentment of many past Russian actions, announced that the Russian ships may not be allowed to transit through Ukrainian waters whilst returning to their Crimean ports. Things could be escalating.

Here in America, hardly anyone even knows what is going on, and fewer still actually care. This apathy is frustrating. I know it's not 1914 any more, and the shade of Gavrilo Princip is nowhere at hand, but this is dangerous stuff nonetheless. I can understand both the positions of the South Ossetians and the Georgians, and it's damned difficult. I can understand Russia's position, too, but once again, I must disagree with their societal paranoia. Let it go.....

29 Years ago, Today

Twenty nine years ago, today
Our Captain went away.

Thurman Munson, Rest in Peace.

Diana, my condolences.

Now, Go Yankees!

Playoff Bound

We got X-Man Nady to man left field. He's got a better arm than Johnny D, so we are stronger on defense. He's actually tearing the cover off the ball, and after an initial few games getting used to pinstripes, he has resumed same. Johnny can man DH, especially since Godzilla has been out. Even with a brace, the fluid will return. Betting money [other than house money] says he will have to go under the knife, ending his 2008 season.

We got Marte. We will soon get Bruney back. That made two guys expendable: Troy Hawkins [a good man but a mediocre pitcher], and Kyle Farnsworth, now pitching to potential. Hawk is gone for a prospect, and that's fine. Krazy went to Detroit for Pudge Rodriguez. Veras and Edwar, plus Davey Robertson [plus Marte and Bruney] make this a good deal. We can stand losing Farnsy [who actually cried when he left, bless his heart].

Posada got his right shoulder scoped. His throwing shoulder, eh? He'll be ready when pitchers and catchers report in mid-February. Now, here's the rub: his arm wasn't that great to begin with. Actually, it's weak, to be honest. He had an inflamed rotator cuff, plus a torn labrum and damage to the capsule. Projection: he'll never catch again. Contracts and money rule. He's got three years and about $30 mil to go. Pudge will get a new contract to be our catcher. Jose Molina will remain our backup. Posada will become our new first baseman [and not catching, should regain some power. Not being injured, should regain some average.], and he'll be an adequate glove man. I expect Big Sexy will be gone, and frankly, armed with this new info, I anticipate the Yankees giving Jason Giambi his $5 mil buyout for 2009.

For 2008, we are stronger. We didn't get Jarrod Washburn [yet] from Seattle, and no biggie. Ian Kennedy, Phil Hughes, and Chien-Ming Wang are all right around the corner. Don't look now, but Carl Pavano is rehabbing, too. [1] He's playing for a contract {somewhere}, [2] His arm HAS to have plenty of pitches left in it, and [3] I-Rod caught him in Florida, in 2003. 18 victories..... just sayin'.......

Playoff Outlook: Good.
Besides, Tampa is in uncharted territory, and Boston just lost Manny.
We could possibly win the division! :-)