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The 2005 Yankees
Topic Started: Aug 6 2004, 03:54 PM (244 Views)
Mantlemurcer
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The Star-Ledger
January 23, 2005
By Dan Graziano


Moments after the final out was recorded in Game 7 of the 2004 World Series vs. the St. Louis Cardinals, George Steinbrenner promised sweeping changes despite the Yankees winning their record 27th World Championship. Steinbrenner wasn’t kidding. In November, he completed sale of the team to business tycoon Mantlemurcer for seven hundred-fifty million dollars. Mantlemurcer made his fortune with a chain of ice cream stores called, “Eat My Cone”. He immediately stunned the baseball world by naming himself as General Manager.

Mantlemurcer promised to keep the aggressive attitude of the front office, not to cut payroll, and to start mixing in youth. Mantlemurcer cited the New York Rangers as a team who constantly purchased high priced veterans, dismissed youth, and still could not win as motivation for his approach.

“We want to be in a position so that players like Mariano Rivera and Derek Jeter still get a chance to play for the team they were drafted by.”

Coming into Spring Training 2005, the team looks like this. Holdovers from last year include the starting infield. First baseman, Jason Giambi reported in the best shape of his career. Miguel Cairo returns at second base, while the left side of the infield remains intact with Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez.

Proving he would still spend money as his predecessor did, Mantlemurcer signed Carlos Beltran to a 5-year deal worth $75 million dollars. Hideki Matsui and Gary Sheffield return to man the corner outfield positions. Mantlemurcer also sat down over with Bernie Williams, and got the long time Yankee to accept reduced playing time as an extra outfield and part-time designated hitter.

“You don’t discard an all-time great Yankee like Bernie Williams like he was a piece of trash”, said Mantlemurcer. “He has represented this organization with class and dignity, and he should retire wearing the pinstripes.”

Jorge Posada is back as the starting catcher, but who will be throwing to him has changed quite a bit. Kevin Brown and Javier Vazquez return, as does Esteban Loaiza who won Game 4 of the World Series, and was signed to a free agent deal in the off-season. One notable gone from the rotation is Mike Mussina. Mussina was traded in December back to Baltimore for young left-hander Erik Bedard and prospects. Bedard will compete with Orlando Hernandez for the 5th spot in the rotation. Also joining the start rotation is hard throwing right-hander, Carl Pavano. Pavano was inked to a three year deal worth $27 million, plus an option for a fourth year at another nine million dollars.

The bullpen is still anchored by closer Mariano Rivera, who will be joined by returning teammates, Tom Gordon, Paul Quantrill, and Scott Proctor. The new lefty in the bullpen will be “Every Day” Eddie Guardado who was acquired for Brett Prinz and one of the prospects acquired in the Mussina deal. Youngsters Andy Beal and Charlie Manning will compete with veteran CJ Nitkowski for the final bullpen spot.

Joining Williams on the bench, are Tony Clark (“a cool cat”, said Mantlemurcer), Bubba Crosby, new acquired Frank Catalanotto, and Felix Escolona.

The future of the Yankees is also getting a good hard look this Spring. Originally drafted as a third-baseman, Eric Duncan will be moving to first-base full-time this Spring, with the hopes that he will eventually supplant Giambi in the starting lineup. Mantlemurcer also expects second baseman Robinson Cano to join the big club “some time this season”.

The changes aren’t just on the field either. Vacancies were created when pitching coach Mel Stottelmyre retired, and Willie Randolph was hired as manager of the Philadelphia Phillies. Former Yankee stand outs Ron Guidry and Joe Girardi were hired to fill the void. Luis Sojo (third base coach), Don Mattingly (hitting coach), Roy White (first base coach), and Rich Monteleone (bullpen coach) return to fill out manager Joe Torre’s staff.
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amit
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:serious:
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Mantlemurcer
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amit
Aug 6 2004, 04:01 PM

I was going to name you President of Minor League Development, but now you can forget it. :please:
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amit
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Mantlemurcer
Aug 6 2004, 04:04 PM
amit
Aug 6 2004, 04:01 PM

I was going to name you President of Minor League Development, but now you can forget it. :please:

:serious:
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irishdude1

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Thats believable.
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amit
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Mantlemurcer
Aug 6 2004, 03:54 PM
Bubby Crosby

:laugh:
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Mantlemurcer
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amit
Aug 6 2004, 05:19 PM
Mantlemurcer
Aug 6 2004, 03:54 PM
Bubby Crosby

:laugh:

What's wrong with Bubba as the 5th outfielder? Who do you want, Vlad?
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Giambi_MVP_25
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You called him "Bubby" not "Bubba." If you know Amit, you know he loves Bubba.
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Mantlemurcer
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Vazquez33
Aug 6 2004, 07:49 PM
You called him "Bubby" not "Bubba." If you know Amit, you know he loves Bubba.

:laugh: oops
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amit
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Proofreading is essential. :yes:
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moomoo24
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Well done MM. Despite amit's usual lack of humor, I thought it was a good read. A couple of things though. What happens to Kenny Lofton? He's signed through next year. Although the Mussina deal probably isn't likely, I don't think that'd be a terrible move, especially if we could get someone like Tim Raines Jr. to come with him. And does Steve Karsay make it back and join the bullpen next year?
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amit
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moomoo24
Aug 6 2004, 08:22 PM
Well done MM. Despite amit's usual lack of humor, I thought it was a good read. A couple of things though. What happens to Kenny Lofton? He's signed through next year. Although the Mussina deal probably isn't likely, I don't think that'd be a terrible move, especially if we could get someone like Tim Raines Jr. to come with him. And does Steve Karsay make it back and join the bullpen next year?

Tim Raines, Jr. is a piece of sh*t. He's a pinch runner/defensive replacement at best.
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moomoo24
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Better than your boy bubba :peace:
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amit
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Little Rock's hitting .245 in AAA. :peace:
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moomoo24
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Yeah, but in the 23 games he had with Baltimore's big league club (if you can call it that this year) he hit .294 with 4 stolen bases. :thumbup:
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amit
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moomoo24
Aug 6 2004, 08:35 PM
Yeah, but in the 23 games he had with Baltimore's big league club (if you can call it that this year) he hit .294 with 4 stolen bases. :thumbup:

:serious:

I'd rather have Bubba.
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moomoo24
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I'm not suprised.
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amit
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OK.
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YankeeBaseball
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Just one question MM, you're going to be the general "manger"?

:laugh:
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Giambi_MVP_25
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MM. :no1:
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Grandy4MVP
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Great job MM, I love the outlook of the team for 2005. I especially like the fact that we won our 27th WS in 2004! :agent:
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Venom
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Quote:
 
Moments after the final out was recorded in Game 7 of the 2004 World Series vs. the St. Louis Cardinals, George Steinbrenner promised sweeping changes despite the Yankees winning their record 27th World Championship.


:agent:
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Mantlemurcer
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Aug 6 2004, 09:15 PM
Just one question MM, you're going to be the general "manger"?

:laugh:

manger got through spellcheck. :dunno:
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Venom
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Mantlemurcer
Aug 6 2004, 10:41 PM
YankeeBaseball
Aug 6 2004, 09:15 PM
Just one question MM,  you're going to be the general "manger"?

:laugh:

manger got through spellcheck. :dunno:

Baby Jesus slept in a manger.
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NYFanYGRK83

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Quote:
 
One notable gone from the rotation is Mike Mussina. Mussina was traded in December back to Baltimore for young left-hander Erik Bedard and prospects.


Are you on crack you old fool!!!!!????
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MastaR316
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What.....The........f*ck?! :serious:
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Yanks473
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And the Band played on......
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The A's are gonna win the WS :serious:
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Grandy4MVP
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Yanks473
Aug 7 2004, 12:15 AM
The A's are gonna win the WS :serious:

:please:
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amit
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Yanks473
Aug 7 2004, 12:15 AM
The A's are gonna win the WS :serious:

With Dotel closing? :lmao:
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Grandy4MVP
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Let's see them get out of the division series for once.
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