BBTF.org/m/yankees : Madden: A-Rod is already guilty in conspiracy of silence

Friday, May 17, 2013

Pinstriped Bible: Albin: Is Ichiro done?

(www.pinstripedbible.com)

posted 1 day ago by Repoz to sabermetrics, yankees | 45 comment(s)

The Yankees are only a month and a half into Ichiro’s new contract, and it already looks like they will rue the day the two sides reached a deal. Well, perhaps the business side of the organization is pleased, but I digress. Ichiro is hitting .239/.280/.328 through 145 plate appearances, and finally broke a 22 at-bat hitless skid last night. At this point, it is hard to be optimistic about him going forward.

It shouldn’t be a surprise that Ichiro is scuffling. From 2011 through 2012, Ichiro ...

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1. SG posted on February 05, 2013 at 10:45 AM # hit 0 | hit 0

Madden nails it here. Look how well protesting his innocence worked out for Roger Clemens.

2. RollingWave posted on February 05, 2013 at 11:03 AM # hit 0 | hit 0

Is Arod one of the worst public image managing athlete ever?

3. Bob Tufts posted on February 05, 2013 at 11:05 AM # hit 0 | hit 0

Madden translation: "Why isn't A-Rod calling me to give me the story?"

4. The Mohole* of David Wells (* - Piehole)

posted on February 05, 2013 at 11:07 AM # hit 0 | hit 0

Convicted in the court of public opinion!

5. RoyalsRetro (AG#1F) posted on February 05, 2013 at 11:07 AM # hit 0 | hit 0

BURN HIM

6. Pops Freshenmeyer posted on February 05, 2013 at 11:09 AM # hit 0 | hit 0

Only ARod would be accused of conspiring with himself.

7. RoyalsRetro (AG#1F) posted on February 05, 2013 at 11:13 AM # hit 0 | hit 0

If A-Rod truly is a victim here, his reputation smeared, his career in such jeopardy, then why is he in hiding? Why isn’t he shouting to the world he is innocent?

Right. Those that are innocent shout it out to the world, just like Roger Clemens and Rafael Palmeiro did.

8. McCoy Wilfong for Money posted on February 05, 2013 at 11:14 AM # hit 0 | hit 0

The centaur doth protest too little, methinks.

9. Yeaarrgghhhh posted on February 05, 2013 at 11:22 AM # hit 0 | hit 0

Obligatory: Now, here are some results from our phone-in poll: 95% of people believe ARod is guilty. Of course, this is just a television poll which is not legally binding. Unless proposition 304 passes, and we all pray it will.

10. John Northey posted on February 05, 2013 at 11:25 AM # hit 0 | hit 0

11. The Id of SugarBear Blanks

posted on February 05, 2013 at 11:31 AM # hit 0 | hit 0

Clemens's experiences in court are far more neutral than generally described on these boards. The government wasn't able to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Clemens perjured himself, but nor was Clemens able to prove by a preponderance of the evidence that McNamee's accusations defamed him.

12. Pops Freshenmeyer posted on February 05, 2013 at 11:50 AM # hit 0 | hit 0

I believe the suit against McNamee was dismissed on jurisdictional grounds.

13. fra paolo posted on February 05, 2013 at 11:52 AM # hit 0 | hit 0

For a comparison... Barry Bonds says almost nothing despite a book and tons of evidence, Clemens goes to court to prove he is innocent of the accusations from one trainer who was not known for his honesty. HOF vote? 214 votes for Clemens, 206 for Bonds. Yeah, A-Rod coming out and saying 'I am innocent' would make such a big difference.

There has been absolutely no reward from the BBWAA for being honest about the use of steroids. This, to my historian's mind, has been the biggest disaster of the whole Steroid Era.

14. charityslave is thinking about baseball posted on February 05, 2013 at 12:24 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

Can't we just see if he weighs the same as a duck and be done with all this?

15. What did Billy Ripken have against Elroy Face? posted on February 05, 2013 at 12:26 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

Yeah, shouldn't there at least be a little stomping of hooves or something?

16. Dale Sams posted on February 05, 2013 at 12:30 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

WORF: He refused to answer the question about his Romulan grandfather.
PICARD: That is not a crime, Worf. Nor can we infer his guilt because he didn't respond.
WORF: Sir, if a man were not afraid of the truth, he would answer.
PICARD: Oh, no. We cannot allow ourselves think that. The Seventh Guarantee is one of the most important rights granted by the Federation. We cannot take a fundamental principle of the Constitution and turn it against a citizen.

17. RoyalsRetro (AG#1F) posted on February 05, 2013 at 12:30 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

then why is he in hiding?

He's probably still humiliated from that incident at the Kansas City restaurant.

18. Ray (RDP)

posted on February 05, 2013 at 12:59 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

They love love LOVE attacking ARod. Do they have nothing better to do?

But ARod did deny it, in a statement. Of course, that wasn't good enough, because nothing is. One would think that after Clemens climbed to the highest rooftop shouting that he was innocent only to have that seen as further evidence of his alleged guilt sportswriters would stop with this BS that that might make a difference, but clearly not.

The best response to this stuff, at this point, is probably a silent 'eff you.'

I love this from Madden, though:

At the outset of Super Bowl week, Sports Illustrated reported that Lewis may have used deer antler spray, a supplement banned by the NFL, to help recover from a torn triceps. On media day, Lewis met the controversy head-on by telling the hundreds of reporters he never used the stuff and that the story was B.S. two years ago and B.S. now.

By the end of the week, the story had faded away and nobody cared any more.

And why is that? Could it be that nobody really cares about football players doing this stuff?

But so we're clear: according to Madden and the lesson learned from Ray Lewis, all ARod has to do is tell reporters he is innocent like Lewis did, and ARod will be believed and all of this will fade away!

Not even Madden believes that. Which means that the faux Hall of Fame writer is being dishonest.

19. Ray (RDP)

posted on February 05, 2013 at 01:02 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

Clemens's experiences in court are far more neutral than generally described on these boards. The government wasn't able to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Clemens perjured himself, but nor was Clemens able to prove by a preponderance of the evidence that McNamee's accusations defamed him.

WTF are you talking about, SugarBear? Clemens never got a chance to prove that.

20. bunyon posted on February 05, 2013 at 01:04 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

I think A-Rod should go full villain. He's really got nothing to lose but there are points to be made in the inconsistency of how he is handled (as pointed out here). It won't win back most folks, but he's unlikely to win them back anyway.

He could also produce his own blackmail as he must know some names that aren't out in public.

Or he could just move to some island somewhere with his piles of cash.

21. RoyalsRetro (AG#1F) posted on February 05, 2013 at 01:20 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

I think A-Rod should go full villain.

WWF style?

22. Mirabelli Dictu (Chris McClinch) posted on February 05, 2013 at 01:28 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

Are you just noticing that SugarBear never lets facts get in the way of a good rant? This is the same guy who claimed yesterday that MLB still allows players to amp up.

23. The Id of SugarBear Blanks

posted on February 05, 2013 at 01:31 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

WTF are you talking about, SugarBear? Clemens never got a chance to prove that.

Sure he did. He sued and bailed.

The status regarding the legal system is as I wrote: The government couldn't prove perjury beyond a reasonable doubt; Clemens has tried and been (as yet) unable to prove by a preponderance that he was defamed. If Clemens proves defamation, this will change -- naturally.

Clemens didn't get "a chance to prove" defamation because he went for the home-court advantage in picking his venue.

24. The Id of SugarBear Blanks

posted on February 05, 2013 at 01:33 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

MLB still allows players to amp up.

It doesn't?

25. Ray (RDP)

posted on February 05, 2013 at 01:38 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

Please stop. You said Clemens wasn't able to prove it. That is not true. It is false and misleading. It pretends that a jury rendered a verdict against him in the defamation case, which never happened. And you juxtaposed that statement alongside a situation where there WAS a trial and a verdict that was in Clemens's favor; you pretended the two situations balanced each other out.

26. DA Baracus is gritty and hits with RISP posted on February 05, 2013 at 01:39 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

I think A-Rod should go full villain.

WWF style?

"Routine pop up to third, Evan Longoria under it--OH MAH GAWD KING! IT'S A-ROD! HE'S GOT A GATORADE BUCKET!"

27. Ray (RDP)

posted on February 05, 2013 at 01:39 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

It doesn't?

MLB tests for amps. If MLB is still providing amps to its players, that is news to me.

28. The Id of SugarBear Blanks

posted on February 05, 2013 at 01:41 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

It is false and misleading. It pretends that a jury rendered a verdict against him in the defamation case, which never happened.

It is no such thing. Clemens has claimed in court that he was defamed, but has been unable to prove it. That statement is entirely true in all particulars.

It is also likely true that he has stopped trying to prove it once his effort to obtain a home-court advantage in a clearly wrong forum failed. So the best conclusion on the current record is that Clemens is unwilling to submit his claim of defamation to a neutral forum in a proper venue.

29. Nasty Nate posted on February 05, 2013 at 01:43 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

A sizable chunk of MLB players are allowed to take amphetamines by the league as medication.

30. The Id of SugarBear Blanks

posted on February 05, 2013 at 01:43 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

If MLB is still providing amps to its players, that is news to me.

MLB has allowed "therapeutic use" exemptions to its anti-amp rules since the anti-amp rules were put in place. Something on the order of 8% of players have been granted such exemptions. A hundred or so players have played amped up, with the knowledge of MLB, since 2007.

This is knowledge fundamental to understanding the issue. Amps are "banned" in MLB in name only.

31. Ray (RDP)

posted on February 05, 2013 at 01:51 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

It is no such thing. Clemens has claimed in court that he was defamed, but has been unable to prove it. That statement is entirely true in all particulars.

It is entirely false. He was not "unable" to prove it. He was "unable" to get the chance to prove it.

It is also likely true that he has stopped trying to prove it once his effort to obtain a home-court advantage in a clearly wrong forum failed.

Forum shopping is what all plaintiffs do; a plaintiff's lawyer would be a fool not to do so.

So the best conclusion on the current record is that Clemens is unwilling to submit his claim of defamation to a neutral forum in a proper venue.

The NY forum would not be neutral. But even this does not support the notion that Clemens "wasn't able" to prove defamation.

32. Good cripple hitter posted on February 05, 2013 at 01:54 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

I think A-Rod should go full villain.

This was already suggested here all the way back in 2006, in this (abridged) Primey-winning post:

60. DCW3 Posted: July 21, 2006 at 09:35 PM (#2106832)
Dear Mr. Rodriguez:

It is becoming clear that it will be impossible for you to ever satisfy the New York fans. Therefore, I suggest that you stop trying to please them, and become every bit the villain they so desperately want you to be. A few recommendations:

1) Begin referring to yourself in the third person, as "the Rod."

[...]

4) Buy ten World Series rings from former players or front office personnel who are now down and out and in need of cash. Hell, buy twenty. After completing each transaction, point out to the seller that you just bough the crowning achievement of his life for as much money as you make in the time it takes you to take a dump in the morning. Wave your ring-covered fingers around the clubhouse, yelling, "Count the ringzzzzz!!"

[...]

6) Take every opportunity to show up the opposing team. When you hit a home run, don't trot around the bases. Walk. The important thing is that at no time should both your feet ever be off the ground. As you walk, perhaps take out an antique pipe and smoke it with a thoughtful look on your face. Or take out a block of wood and a knife and begin whittling.

[...]

8) Make sure to always insult the memories of beloved sports figures from the past. For example, if a reporter asks you what you think about the campaign to retire Roberto Clemente's number, respond, "The Rod ain't heard of this Clemento cat, but so long as fools still get to wear the Rod's number, the Rod don't want to hear no more of this retiring number business, a'ight?" When the reporter counters that Clemente gave his life flying to help earthquake victims, write a check for $1,000,000 to "Earthquake Kids" and give it to the reporter, telling him to cash it the next time there's an earthquake: "Now how come the Rod don't get his number retired now? Just 'cause he ain't dumb enough to sit his ass on no plane?" (Be sure to stop payment on the check.)

9) Only endorse the most controversial and/or distasteful products, like Alex Rodriguez Home Abortion Kits, or Alex Rodriguez Heroin Nougat.

I would totally buy a package of Alex Rodriguez Heroin Nougat.

33. Yeaarrgghhhh posted on February 05, 2013 at 01:56 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

If he's gonna do that he absolutely must embrace the centaur story and star wearing a costume with fake rear legs.

34. ColonelTom posted on February 05, 2013 at 02:06 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

Amps are "banned" in MLB in name only.

Someone forgot to tell Chooch.

35. RoyalsRetro (AG#1F) posted on February 05, 2013 at 02:07 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

Has there ever been a baseball player fully embrace the villain role? AJ Pieryznski seems to relish in it a bit, but he's not a superstar or anything. Bonds seemed to accept people didn't like him, but didn't out and out flaunt being disliked. Same with Albert Belle. I think it would be awesome if someone totally played up how everyone hated him, and was openly disdainful of fans in a playful manner.

36. JJ1986 posted on February 05, 2013 at 02:11 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

Would it be illegal for MLB not to allow TUEs?

37. Ron J2 posted on February 05, 2013 at 02:14 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

#12 Not just jurisdictional grounds. The court ruled that McNamee's conversations with Mitchell were protected by his immunity deal with the government. Which is an interesting catch 22 imo.

38. The Non-Catching Molina (sjs1959) posted on February 05, 2013 at 02:15 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

I am for the "villain" role, I think he should grow a full Snidely Whiplash mustache.

39. dlf posted on February 05, 2013 at 02:19 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

Has there ever been a baseball player fully embrace the villain role?

John Rocker

40. BourbonSamurai, vassal of the Harpsburg Empire posted on February 05, 2013 at 02:36 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

Has there ever been a baseball player fully embrace the villain role?

John Rocker

AJ Pierzinskwhatever

41. Magnum RA posted on February 05, 2013 at 02:48 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

I remember in 89 or 90 when Jose Canseco was still a star, the As came to Baltimore. He hit two or three dingers in the series, was roundly booed, and when he crossed the plate he would flex his bicep and wave to the crowd. As a 12 year old, I thought it was fantastic.

42. RMc don't hate anyone Asian posted on February 05, 2013 at 03:27 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

Has there ever been a baseball player fully embrace the villain role?

You're kidding, right?

43. Curse of the Andino posted on February 05, 2013 at 03:28 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

Has there ever been a baseball player fully embrace the villain role?

Tyrus Cobb?

44. Nasty Nate posted on February 05, 2013 at 03:34 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

a response to this from Calcaterra.

45. The Id of SugarBear Blanks

posted on February 05, 2013 at 03:40 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

a response to this from Calcaterra.

You know, this nation needs nothing more than it needs a movement to protect the rich and privileged from newspapers and reporters. Thank God(s) we have Calcaterra there to lead this essential and indispensible charge.

46. Walt Davis posted on February 05, 2013 at 04:26 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

I suppose it wasn't exactly a villainous role, but Gaylord Perry happily played along.

47. jack the seal clubber (on the sidelines of life) posted on February 05, 2013 at 04:35 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

If he’s so innocent, don’t you think he owes those kids a personal assurance that he’s still everything he portrayed himself to be?

Kids, I personally assure you that I am everything I portrayed myself as.
signed,
A-Rod.

Also I am still a mythical horse/man creature.

48. Ron J2 posted on February 05, 2013 at 05:01 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

#43 Actually Cobb made plenty of attempts to refute the stories about him. But ... "print the legend"

49. akrasian posted on February 05, 2013 at 05:06 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

#45 - the nation needs that a whole lot more than it needs somebody to support media sources who at best are being intentionally misleading, and at worst are cynically besmirching someone to get a few online impressions.

50. Gonfalon Bubble posted on February 05, 2013 at 05:11 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

Madden: A-Rod is already guilty in conspiracy of silence

As Max Bialystock's jury might have said, Madden is incredibly guilty in conspiracy of speaking.

It's a dumb column in a bitter newspaper from a writer who is Exhibit A in the ongoing comedy that elected no players this year but wouldn't dream of skipping a Spink Award induction if the apocalypse arrived.

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Friday, May 17, 2013

Pinstriped Bible: Albin: Is Ichiro done?

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