Lazy JC “Smithers, are they booing me?”
(Smithersâ response: “No sir, theyâre saying Boo-urns, Boo-urns.”)
Keeping in theme with todayâs movie-quote post, I canât help but comment on the frequency of TV generated quotes that run through my head, in reaction to most everyday occurrences. One happened just Monday, as I sat at home, enjoying my spring break, watching the Oâs host the Yankees on Opening Day.
Orioles fans, finally with some hopes of backing a respectable team (the starting pitching is not good, but theyâre going to be a fun team to watch), made a conscious effort to taunt, jeer, and boo Yankee first baseman Mark Teixeira at every opportunity. When he was announced during pre-game festivities, during his at-bats (not just at his announcement, but during the ENTIRE at-bat), and even whenever he handled the ball at first base. Now, for a lot of Yankees, this is nothing new. Derek Jeter gets heckled mercilessly at ballparks around the country. A-Roid will have to play with earplugs this year. Itâs common, and, usually, expected. Now, why had the Baltimore fans singled out Teixeira, as I assume theyâll continue to do all season? Easy, the Orioles offered the Severna Park, Md. native $140 this past offseason to man first base near to his childhood home. Of course, shortly after, the Yankees swooped in and offered $180 million. Teixeira, like any of us, took the money and donned the pinstripes.
Should he be faulted for turning his back on the team he watched play as a kid?
Should he be faulted for turning his back on the team he watched play as a kid?
No, heâs admitted many times that, while an Oâs fan, his favorite player was Don Mattingly. How can you blame a guy for following in the footsteps of their hero? Fox Sports writer Ken Rosenthal and ESPN Radio blowhard Colin Cowherd have made thier opinions on this matter known, blasting the Baltimore fans for being classless, and clueless, like they ever really had a chance to land Tex in the first place.
Granted, itâs thier job to stir-up controversey and fan interest, theyâve got to attract readers and listeners somehow. Still, itâs times like these that make want to drive my car off a cliff when I listen, keeping in mind how much theyâre being paid to blabber on about such stupid and meaningless things. Newsflash: Mark Teixeira will get booed in most American League parks simply because heâs a Yankee. While a lot of folks canât remember the time there was a Baltimore-New York rivalry, is it even unexpected for a Yankee to be dealt with hostilely in Camden Yards? You think the reaction will be much different in Fenway? Are the Oâs fans bitter? Sure they are. So what? My only regret is, that unlike the Simpsonsâ episode it reminded me of, the fans didnât pelt Teixeira with soft pretzels, the way the fans of the Sringfield Isotopes did to Mr. Burns. Tex has $180 million reasons to be completely unaffected by the boos, maybe he can lend a few to the national sports media to give it a rest.
Granted, itâs thier job to stir-up controversey and fan interest, theyâve got to attract readers and listeners somehow. Still, itâs times like these that make want to drive my car off a cliff when I listen, keeping in mind how much theyâre being paid to blabber on about such stupid and meaningless things. Newsflash: Mark Teixeira will get booed in most American League parks simply because heâs a Yankee. While a lot of folks canât remember the time there was a Baltimore-New York rivalry, is it even unexpected for a Yankee to be dealt with hostilely in Camden Yards? You think the reaction will be much different in Fenway? Are the Oâs fans bitter? Sure they are. So what? My only regret is, that unlike the Simpsonsâ episode it reminded me of, the fans didnât pelt Teixeira with soft pretzels, the way the fans of the Sringfield Isotopes did to Mr. Burns. Tex has $180 million reasons to be completely unaffected by the boos, maybe he can lend a few to the national sports media to give it a rest.
Will The Oâs Land Teixeira?
YES!!This is my take on the whole Teixeira sweepstakes, probably way wrong but here is what I think is going on. Obviously smokescreens are being set everywhere. We donât know exactly who has a serious offer on the table or who is in, who is out? Are the Red Sox really out, or are they just working Boras? Are the Yankees going to come to the table with ridiculous money? Does he play near his home in MD, but not for the Oâs but for the Nationals? Does he stay with the Angels?
No, I think he signs with the Orioles. When the Orioles made an initial offer to Boras to show they are in the ballgame, that was all I needed to see. I believe that the Orioles will have the right to match any offer. I think Boras is out trying to get a $200 million dollar contract for Tex, because itâs his job, but ultimately he will not get the $200 million. He will probably get the 8 year $185 million that is being reported in the press. I believe Teixeira will then ask him to see if the Orioles will match it, because Baltimore is where he wants to be. Baltimore probably will not match it however, they will probably offer around 1-1.5 million less per year. At this point Tex will have to decide if wants to play for Baltimore at a “hometown discount,” or play for Boston. Whats 21 million per compared to 22 million? He chooses Baltimore (it may take an opt-out clause after 3 years, based on how competitive the Orioles are.)
The Orioles then need to sign Nick Markakis to a 6 year 75 million contract to lock him up. Committing $250 million dollars is a lot, but youâll be set for the future. Tex, Markakis, Matt Weiters, and Adam Jones form an awesome nucleus to build around.
Here is a tentative lineup for 2009.
1 - Roberts .297-9-57 40SB 107R
2 - Jones .290 -9-57
3 - Markakis .306 -20-87
4 - Teixeira .308 -33-121
5 - Huff .304-32-108
6 - Mora .285-23-104
7 - Weiters .355-27-91 (minors)
8 - Scott .257-23-65
9 - Izturis .263-1-24 24SB
That lineup will hang with anyone, now the pitching on the other hand……
Iâm anxious to see how it turns out, I feel strongly that I am right on this. We should know by Christmas.
Cheers and Hail
