Jayson Stark: Fantasy Writer?
Back when the The way I see it blog (I believe that was the one) was online, Michael Blackfam (author of the blog) wrote a post about Jayson Stark and … (going to my memory now, as the blog is down, so I may not be totally accurate) his propensity to talk about the Yankees when there really wasn’t a story or to make a big deal out of nothing or something. I’m sorry, I forget.
At the time, I said that I didn’t mind Stark and that, let’s face it, the Yankees are just fun to talk about. Want attention? You don’t talk about the Royals, you talk about the Yankees. So, no big deal. And I still feel the same way.
Anyway, today’s article kind of makes me wonder if he should just be writing fantasy books or something. Although I believe it’s a lighthearted article, the basic implication is Boone injuring himself has something to do with the Red Sox winning the World Series. We’ll never know, as the article says, of course. But, logically, if you had to bet money, you would bet that it hurt their chances, rather than helped. And you wouldn’t take the chance. Considering…
Straight up with Boone, A-Rod is obviously light years ahead of him and better in all aspects of the game that I can think of (speed, glove, arm, average, power, clutch, smarts, name it). Don’t get me wrong, Boone’s fine. I liked him. But, A-Rod is a once in a long time player. There are a lot of Boones.
It had 2 position impact, of course. So, take it to Cairo and A-Rod or Soriano and Boone? I think it is arguable. But, let’s expand it. The Red Sox get A-Rod. Nomar is dealt for Magglio Ordonez.
What’s better for the Yankees?
Yankees: Cairo and A-Rod
Red Sox: Nomar and Ramirez
OR
Yankees: Soriano and Boone
Red Sox: A-Rod and Ordonez
For my money, it is definitely the first scenario.
Schilling can spout off all he wants about the Red Sox not being able to win if A-Rod had been there, but we all know that’s garbage. A-Rod’s not a cancer. Cancer’s hurt, but they can be overcome. Pedro and Manny are cancers and the Red Sox won with them.
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March 3rd, 2005 at 7:08 pm
Stark has always been the type of writer to stir the pot. He doesn’t report facts, just humors the good people of the new england area. "Senior Writer" is a good title, as "Senior Reporter" would have him actually checking facts before he reports them.
Stark loves to play the "what-if" game. I’ll play that game, through my "tinted Yankee blue lens" …
what if… A-Rod didn’t swipe the ball from Arryoyos glove, but instead ran the base path and became another coming of Albert Belle mixed with a steamroller and flattened both Bronson and Doug - with the ball coming out. The umps really couldn’t have called interference on that could they?
what if… Mo was Mo and the series was put away….a sweep! More boo-hoo’s from Stark and the Nation and the Page 2 crybabys.
what if … the Yankees actually decided to trade Sori and Boone to Texas for A-Rod? Or move Boone over to 2nd?
I’ve learned to take Stark for what he is…a writer stirring the pot…and stirring and stirring…
March 3rd, 2005 at 7:37 pm
Good stuff. Good to see you.
Yeah, I have pondered what would have happened if A-Rod had just flattened Arrojo. You know he’ll do it next time.