Comments on: Yankees decline their 2011 options on Lance Berkman, Kerry Wood, and Nick Johnson

By: Kerry Wood “would be welcomed back to the Cubs” | HardballTalk

Kerry Wood “would be welcomed back to the Cubs” | HardballTalk — Thu, 28 Oct 2010 17:50:40 +0000

[...] the Yankees declined their $11 million option on Kerry Wood for next season and today Bruce Levine of ESPNChicago.com reports that he [...]

By: pisano

pisano — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 22:31:05 +0000

The only one that was worth a crap was Kerry Wood . Nick Johnson ought to be made to return the money the Yankees gave him. I don’t know how he can look himself in the mirror . Berkman is on the down side , but maybe a national league team will pick him up .

By: Utley's Hair

Utley's Hair — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 22:12:22 +0000

Add lifelong to that list. Tagging “true” onto players does say that other players are not team players. I would say Victorino (the Hawaiian) and JDub are just as true a Phightin as JRoll and Chase are.

By: Gobias Industries

Gobias Industries — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 22:08:57 +0000

In other words, Babe Ruth, the greatest, most popular Yankee of all time was not a “True Yankee”. Glad we got that one straightened out.

By: yankees1996

yankees1996 — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 21:37:22 +0000

O.k., I can understand what your saying, loyalty always loses out to the almighty dollar.

By: WhenMattStairsIsKing

WhenMattStairsIsKing — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 21:32:25 +0000

Couldn’t agree with you more – I wish loyalty was more important than it is – I’m just saying that saying that someone isn’t a “true” member of their team because they didn’t come into success with them just isn’t appropriate.

By: yankees1996

yankees1996 — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 21:27:44 +0000

I appreciate any good player on any team whether he came through the system or not but the “homegrown” or “true” players just add to the game for me. I still like players that play their careers for one team, it must be a sentimental thing. I believe…. I am getting OLD! Donny baseball is still one of my most favorite Yankees.

By: WhenMattStairsIsKing

WhenMattStairsIsKing — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 21:19:06 +0000

That’s not the point.

“Gee, Matt Holiday, you’re really great for our team, but since you didn’t come up through our system, you’re really not a true Cardinal.”

If you’re right, wouldn’t that be a crappy mindset to have of your players?

By: yankees1996

yankees1996 — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 21:16:28 +0000

Yes, they truly are a dying breed. @WhenMattStairsIsKing – I don’t understand, why is it demoralizing? There is no pro sport left that has all “true” or “homegrown” players. Free agency has ruined all pro sports.

By: proudlycanadian

proudlycanadian — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 21:14:44 +0000

In 24 games with the Yankees, Wood was 2 & 0 with a 0.69 era. He struck out 31 over the 26 innings pitched. He was a very productive rental.

By: proudlycanadian

proudlycanadian — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 21:09:10 +0000

Not many of them!

By: WhenMattStairsIsKing

WhenMattStairsIsKing — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 21:08:37 +0000

Using the word ‘True’ instead of something like ‘Homegrown’, then, is nothing short of demoralizing.

By: yankees1996

yankees1996 — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 21:06:21 +0000

“True Yankee”, “True Dodger”, ” True Phillie”, – A player who was drafted by and played through the minor league system and was developed by the coaches of the particular franchise and went on to have a successful career with that particular Major League team. Your Welcome.

By: WhenMattStairsIsKing

WhenMattStairsIsKing — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 20:09:03 +0000

I don’t even think Jeter knows what that means.

By: Utley's Hair

Utley's Hair — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 20:08:30 +0000

Obviously not a one of them was a “True Yankee,” whatever the hell that is.

By: WhenMattStairsIsKing

WhenMattStairsIsKing — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 20:00:02 +0000

Call me corny, but for none other than his character and past success, I’d love to see Lance as a Cub next year. The Cubs aren’t going to win it all next year, have no shot at someone like Fielder, and he’d be a great veteran presence with a decent amount of pop left in him.