Arles
07-22-2004, 04:34 PM
It's getting almost comical how bad the New York media wants the Yankees to get Randy Johnson. But, I have to admit this story takes the cake.
First, the statement "that he feels his teammates are beneath him by not talking to them" is just silly. Randy rarely talks to anyone. When he was in the series in 2001, he went an entire day without saying a word to anyone but Damien Miller. I suppose he felt his teammates were beneath them back then as well. :rolleyes:
Then, there's this gem: "With Johnson blatantly unhappy, the Diamondbacks will have to contemplate what keeping him past the July 31 non-waivers trading deadline would do to the franchise."
Randy came out yesterday and said he hasn't even approached the GM yet, and isn't campaigning to leave town. He also said this situation is nothing like what happened in Seattle when the Mariners refused to extend his contract and Segui ripped into him in the media. Johnson said last night that he is very happy in Arizona and hopes to finish his career here because he can be close to his family. The idea of being away from then for all next year is not something his is very fond of.
This is crazy as well:
"It's baseball tradition for a pitcher who throws a perfect game or no-hitter to buy a gift for teammates ... To celebrate his May 18 perfect game against the Atlanta Braves, however, Johnson didn't exactly break the bank."
Sheesh. Combine that when them trying to hype out every Yankee prospect (including some not even hitting their wife's weight) is just crazy. And to think, I thought you were supposed to be atleast a little objective when covering sports news stories...
http://www.newsday.com/sports/baseball/ny-spytrade213901170jul21,0,163371.story?coll=ny-sports-print
"Big Unit is big problem"
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Randy Johnson's behavior has become so intolerable in the last few weeks that his Diamondbacks teammates are now openly rooting for their ace to be traded, a National League source said yesterday.
While the Diamondbacks have told numerous people outside their organization how much they dislike the Yankees' prospects, Johnson's antics could force his club's hand. The five-time Cy Young Award winner has informed Arizona general manager Joe Garagiola, Jr., both directly and through his agents Barry Meister and Alan Nero, that he would waive his no-trade clause only to go to the Yankees.
The source, who has had close contact with Diamondbacks players, said that Johnson has virtually cut himself off from fellow players. He has given off the impression, the source said, that he feels his teammates are beneath him by not talking to them.
While the Angels have increased their level of interest in a trade for Johnson, Anaheim officials are pessimistic that they can pull off the deal. Their prospects are regarded higher than the Yankees', but the Angels can't trade young third baseman Dallas McPherson because they have him slated to start at the hot corner next year. Troy Glaus, the injured impending free agent, is expected to be elsewhere. And Johnson, so far, has not given his blessing to an Angels trade.
Johnson's behavior in Arizona mirrors his actions with the Mariners in 1998. That year, the lefthander was upset with Seattle management because it wouldn't grant him a contract extension. Johnson pitched poorly, going 9-10 with a 4.33 ERA, and he started a fight with teammate David Segui. The Mariners ultimately dealt him to Houston on July 31.
The five-time Cy Young Award winner got into a tussle with longtime Arizona teammate Luis Gonzalez during a July 9 game, pushing the outfielder against a water cooler. The action greatly upset Johnson's teammates, who have appreciated Gonzalez's grinding through a right elbow injury that will require Tommy John surgery next month.
It's baseball tradition for a pitcher who throws a perfect game or no-hitter to buy a gift for teammates, a sign that it takes a whole team to attain such greatness. Former Yankees David Wells and David Cone both purchased jewelry for their teammates for their perfect games in 1998 and 1999, respectively.
To celebrate his May 18 perfect game against the Atlanta Braves, however, Johnson didn't exactly break the bank. This was before it was known he might be headed out of town, but he handed out a commemorative scorecard and ticket to each member of the team.
With Johnson blatantly unhappy, the Diamondbacks will have to contemplate what keeping him past the July 31 non-waivers trading deadline would do to the franchise. If Johnson is determined to destroy his relationship with everyone in Arizona, then it might be best to give him to the Yankees and spend his $16 million salary elsewhere.
The Diamondbacks think that Yankees minor-league catcher Dioner Navarro is solid defensively, but doesn't have the capability to hit for power, and they haven't loved second baseman Robinson Cano. They would like pitching prospects most of all, and the Yankees have no attractive pitchers on their higher-level minor-league clubs.
Many teams like righthander Edwardo Sierra, who has 21 saves for Class-A Tampa, and outfielder Melky Cabrera, who is hitting .309 for Tampa.
First, the statement "that he feels his teammates are beneath him by not talking to them" is just silly. Randy rarely talks to anyone. When he was in the series in 2001, he went an entire day without saying a word to anyone but Damien Miller. I suppose he felt his teammates were beneath them back then as well. :rolleyes:
Then, there's this gem: "With Johnson blatantly unhappy, the Diamondbacks will have to contemplate what keeping him past the July 31 non-waivers trading deadline would do to the franchise."
Randy came out yesterday and said he hasn't even approached the GM yet, and isn't campaigning to leave town. He also said this situation is nothing like what happened in Seattle when the Mariners refused to extend his contract and Segui ripped into him in the media. Johnson said last night that he is very happy in Arizona and hopes to finish his career here because he can be close to his family. The idea of being away from then for all next year is not something his is very fond of.
This is crazy as well:
"It's baseball tradition for a pitcher who throws a perfect game or no-hitter to buy a gift for teammates ... To celebrate his May 18 perfect game against the Atlanta Braves, however, Johnson didn't exactly break the bank."
Sheesh. Combine that when them trying to hype out every Yankee prospect (including some not even hitting their wife's weight) is just crazy. And to think, I thought you were supposed to be atleast a little objective when covering sports news stories...
http://www.newsday.com/sports/baseball/ny-spytrade213901170jul21,0,163371.story?coll=ny-sports-print
"Big Unit is big problem"
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Randy Johnson's behavior has become so intolerable in the last few weeks that his Diamondbacks teammates are now openly rooting for their ace to be traded, a National League source said yesterday.
While the Diamondbacks have told numerous people outside their organization how much they dislike the Yankees' prospects, Johnson's antics could force his club's hand. The five-time Cy Young Award winner has informed Arizona general manager Joe Garagiola, Jr., both directly and through his agents Barry Meister and Alan Nero, that he would waive his no-trade clause only to go to the Yankees.
The source, who has had close contact with Diamondbacks players, said that Johnson has virtually cut himself off from fellow players. He has given off the impression, the source said, that he feels his teammates are beneath him by not talking to them.
While the Angels have increased their level of interest in a trade for Johnson, Anaheim officials are pessimistic that they can pull off the deal. Their prospects are regarded higher than the Yankees', but the Angels can't trade young third baseman Dallas McPherson because they have him slated to start at the hot corner next year. Troy Glaus, the injured impending free agent, is expected to be elsewhere. And Johnson, so far, has not given his blessing to an Angels trade.
Johnson's behavior in Arizona mirrors his actions with the Mariners in 1998. That year, the lefthander was upset with Seattle management because it wouldn't grant him a contract extension. Johnson pitched poorly, going 9-10 with a 4.33 ERA, and he started a fight with teammate David Segui. The Mariners ultimately dealt him to Houston on July 31.
The five-time Cy Young Award winner got into a tussle with longtime Arizona teammate Luis Gonzalez during a July 9 game, pushing the outfielder against a water cooler. The action greatly upset Johnson's teammates, who have appreciated Gonzalez's grinding through a right elbow injury that will require Tommy John surgery next month.
It's baseball tradition for a pitcher who throws a perfect game or no-hitter to buy a gift for teammates, a sign that it takes a whole team to attain such greatness. Former Yankees David Wells and David Cone both purchased jewelry for their teammates for their perfect games in 1998 and 1999, respectively.
To celebrate his May 18 perfect game against the Atlanta Braves, however, Johnson didn't exactly break the bank. This was before it was known he might be headed out of town, but he handed out a commemorative scorecard and ticket to each member of the team.
With Johnson blatantly unhappy, the Diamondbacks will have to contemplate what keeping him past the July 31 non-waivers trading deadline would do to the franchise. If Johnson is determined to destroy his relationship with everyone in Arizona, then it might be best to give him to the Yankees and spend his $16 million salary elsewhere.
The Diamondbacks think that Yankees minor-league catcher Dioner Navarro is solid defensively, but doesn't have the capability to hit for power, and they haven't loved second baseman Robinson Cano. They would like pitching prospects most of all, and the Yankees have no attractive pitchers on their higher-level minor-league clubs.
Many teams like righthander Edwardo Sierra, who has 21 saves for Class-A Tampa, and outfielder Melky Cabrera, who is hitting .309 for Tampa.