Don't Be Suprised If More Players Make The Desme Decision

Grant Desme crossed my mind while I was at church this morning. That shouldn't suprise anyone. Desme is the highly touted A's prospect who retired recently to pursue the priesthood. Apparently, he's not alone in at least thinking about making such a decision. Other athletes have contemplated making the same move or a similar one.

They have contemplated it and, I believe they will contemplate it. You'll see more promising young athletes struggling with this issue in the very near future.

We live in a world full of crises right now. Wars,  recession and natural disasters fill up the pages of the newspapers and the air time on news programs. More people turn to religion in times like this, and it's only natural that star atheletes do so as well.  I'd never heard of Grant Desme before he retired, but my guess is that these times in which we are living had a lot to do with his decision.  Perhaps he couldn't see himself enjoying all the perks of stardom while so many people in the world are in trouble, so he decided to forgoe the chance to insulate himself from it and to become part of the solution to it.

So fans, be ready. Don't be suprised if the prospect you've been waiting for so anxiously makes "The Desme Decision." 

McGwire: How His Past Will Change The Future

Now that Mark McGwire finally has talked about The Past, the future will bring a change in how votes are cast in baseball's Hall Of Fame. I can almost guarantee it.

With his presence on the HOF ballot, Mark McGwire is the straw that has broken the proverbial camel's back. Baseball writers cannot possibly ignore this elephant in their room any longer. How foolish will they look if they each continue to vote using their individual critiera as to who should and shouldn't get in?  Look for them to sit down soon and come up with a set of rules and regulations which make it clear who from the steriod era gets in and who doesn't get in. You will also see an end to this tired debate about asterisks and the question of just how the steoid era should be dealt with exhibit-wise in the Hall.

I'm looking forward to it. Are you?

Merry Christmas From Babe Ruth - Circa 1947

Babe Ruth plays Santa in this 1947 newsreel:



All the best this holiday and may all your wishes come true in 2010!

Melky And Wang Are The Least of It

As regular readers of this blog know, Melky Cabrera and Chien-Ming Wang were my favorite Yankees. Now, in the span of a little more than a week, they are no longer a part of the team that I love. However, losing Melky and Wang are only a small part of how my life has changed this year.

For months I've been debating whether or not I should share this issue on this blog. Some of you may have been wondering why I've been so scarce the last few months, probably seeing my mini posts and those cryptic writings about a "crisis" and wondering what the heck was going on.

On October 30th I was evicted from the apartment I lived in for over twelve years. Ever since then I have been part of the homeless population of New York City. I live in a womens' shelter and use public computers, so it has been very difficult to keep this blog up. But I am determined to keep it going. This blog is my passion. It is like the child I never had. I want to go on "raising" it, if you will. I want to continue to nurture it by sharing with you my love for the game of baseball.

Becoming homeless has it's obvious ups and downs. One of the "ups" occurrred during Game 6 of the World Series this year, when a group of us gathered around the shelter's flat-screen TV (Yes, flat-screen TV!) to watch the Yankees clinch. We all cheered the Yankees on and we were delighted when Derek Jeter raised the championship trophy.

There have been more of these moments (as well as many "down' moments) the past few months. I hope to put all of them into book form one day. For now, I'm keeping a journal so that I don't forget them.

My thanks to everyone who already knows my story and continues to support me through this difficult time. Thanks for reading to those of you who did not know. Love you all!

How Often Do You Visit The Lady?

There's a new LATB Poll up. Look on the left and you'll see the question. I'm trying to find out more about my readers during this off-season so that I can better "serve" you in the 2010 season. So, don't forget to vote. Results will be available in about a week.

A-Rod & Kate Hudson: The Reason They Split

Anyone who believes that Kate Hudson was the reason for Alex Rodriguez's great year must be shaking in her or his boots. UsMagazine.com is reporting that the couple has split up.

Calm down, guys.

Here's my theory: A-Rod had such a good year because he hit rockbottom in his life and had nowhere else to go but up. He did go up and, because he went up, his self-confidence went up, which is why he felt comfortable enough to break up with Ms Hudson.

Of course, I have no idea if that's what happened. But, being an A-Rod fan, I hope that it is.

[Photo: Flynet]

Chien-Ming Wang Now A Free Agent

Early in the 2009 season I wrote about the mis-handling of Chien-Ming Wang. That mis-handling has led to him being non-tendered by the Yankees.

It is hard not to feel sorry for Wang, who was just doing what he was told to do by the organization. Now, the only way he can don the pinstripes again is if he accepts an incentive-laden deal. As much as I like him and want to see his familiar face on the mound, I wouldn't blame him if he just went elsewhere. (I hear the Dodgers are very interested.)  Better that than taking another chance and "doing what he's told."

Winter Meetings Mini Post #3: Granderson The Main Piece In 3-Way Deal?

Since when is Curtis Granderson such a big-name player that he can be the big chip in a three-way deal?  Granderson a star player? Hardly. At least the Yankees didn't give up much for him. I can live without Ian Kennedy and Phil Coke. Losing Austin Jackson makes me a little misty-eyed, but I'll get over it.  Welcome to the Yankees, Curtis.

Winter Meetings Mini Post #2: Yanks Should Cut Ties with Pettitte

By negotiating with Andy Pettitte for a 2010 deal the Yankees are pushing their luck just a bit too far. Things worked out for both parties in 2009 but Pettitte will be a year older in 2010 and that luck just might be running out. Don't be surprised if that elbow of his reaches up and bites the Yankees in the proverbial ass.

Winter Meetings Mini Post #1: Goodbye Brian Bruney

Brian Bruney was as good as gone after that fiasco involving Mets closer Francisco Rodriguez. The staid Yankees don't tolerate such behavior. If they could have gotten rid of him sooner they would have. Sending him to the Nationals is just punishment.