I've never had any feelings for FOX's Chris Rose, one way or another, before. That is until FOX decided that he's their "Ernie Johnson" and put him in front of the camera every chance they got. He's really a terrible announcer, but he hasn't really had the time or training to even be considered one. He has however been a host/interviewer before, and based on last night's postgame performance, I think we can officially say he isn't very good at that either.

Chris not only decided to address Derek Jeter as "Jeets", but he continually tried to go with a GPS joke about the parade route, thus confusing the players to no end. If you hop into Twitter and search for Chris Rose, you can read some of the reactions to his stellar work....

- Chip Caray, congrats. The worst postseason broadcast performance now goes to Chris Rose. What a complete embarrassment.
- How obnoxious is it that Fox's toolbag Chris Rose?
- Chris Rose is a grease fire as an anchor/reporter. It's like casting Jim Carrey in a serious role.
- Chris Rose should be out of a job tomorrow
- chris rose suuuuuuuuux
- I have no idea what Chris Rose was talking about, neither did Jorge or DJ.
- I hope Chris Rose asks more players how they feel and to soak it in.
- Chris Rose should stick to poker commentary

I love how it took a World Series win for people to realize how annoying Chris Rose can be. My personal favorite moment from the postgame was that Mariano Rivera had to bring up the retirement question by himself, and then answer it. Just terrible.

With that said, FOX's attempt at the Series wasn't all that bad this year. I still think that Tim McCarver doesn't know what he's talking about, but he does have his brief moments of genius. And Joe Buck was surprisingly tolerable for once.

Head to Deadspin for some more tweets about Rose....

Chip Caray Surrenders His Crown To Chris Rose As The Most Loathed Broadcaster In Baseball (Deadspin)

I feel like the 2009 MLB Season took forever, but it's finally over. The Yankees are your champs, and Hideki Matsui becomes the first full-time DH to win the MVP. Here's your celebration, and everyone stay safe tonight (in both NYC and Philly)....

It's been since 2003 since the Yankees made an appearance in the World Series, so it comes as no surprise that they're breaking out all the stops for this year's Fall Classic. Before game one there will actually be a concert, and Jay-Z and Alicia Keys are scheduled to appear. Via NY Daily News....

The Yankees will get Empire State-size support from two of the music world's biggest stars.

Hip-hop mogul and Bombers booster Jay-Z will perform his hit "Empire State of Mind" just before the Yanks take on the Phillies in Game 1 of the World Series on Wednesday.

The Brooklyn native will join fellow New Yorker Alicia Keys in singing the rap anthem blasted at Yankee Stadium during the Bombers' postseason run.

"Thank the good Lord for making me a Yankee," Jay-Z said Monday, invoking the famous quote by Yankee legend Joe DiMaggio.

I'm a bit sick of that song, but it's about NYC and has been Jeter's entrance theme for awhile now, so it makes sense. Maybe the Phillies can get Pearl Jam to walk over to Citizen's Bank before the start of game three.

Jay-Z, Alicia Keys to perform 'Empire State of Mind' before Game 1 of World Series (NY Daily News)

If you missed the unbelievable ending from the Mets-Yankees game last night, you need to watch this video. If not for the hilarity of the ending, but for the collection of reactions from New York announcers. Here are the call from the YES Network, SNY, WCBS and WFAN last night....

Man, I don't know what's more embarrassing, the drop itself or the Yankees praising A-Rod like he's actually clutch. The best part about the play was that it was so shocking that John Sterling didn't even give his famous "Yankees Win...Thaaaaa Yankees Win!"

The Red Sox have owned the Yankees this year, so it came as no surprise that they shut the team out for their sixth win in the season series. The game was well in hand by the seventh inning, so much so in fact, that Jonathan Papelbon decided to take a cat nap. Via Sox & Dawgs....

Too funny. They should really just have a bed out in the bullpen anyway. It's not fair that players in the dugout have a whole clubhouse at their disposal, and relievers have to basically sit in the stands.

Papelbon Is Bored By The Yankees (Sox and Dawgs)

A-Rod has dealt with a lot of gossip over the past few months. While most of it has been justified, some of it has been pure speculation. One of those rumors appears to be the possibility that Rodriguez tipped/tips pitches to teammates, and at the forefront of those rumors is ESPN's Rick Sutcliffe. Sutcliffe recently said that he believed A-Rod was sending signals to Mark Teixeira, and the two decided to confront the analyst last night. Via Newsday....

Hours before they were to do battle with the Red Sox Tuesday night, Mark Teixeira and Alex Rodriguez were involved in different type of confrontation, this one inside the Yankees' clubhouse.

Upset with an accusation made by ESPN's Rick Sutcliffe two weeks ago, the two players approached the former Cy Young winner to discuss the situation.

Sutcliffe said on the air that A-Rod had been feeding Teixeira verbal signs from the on-deck circle, giving his teammate a heads-up on the catcher's location before the pitch was delivered. Teixeira and A-Rod pulled Sutcliffe aside when they saw him in the clubhouse last night, expressing their displeasure with his charges.

"Me, Alex and him talked about it," Teixeira told the Daily News, confirming that the conversation took place. "No doubt it's disappointing when someone makes an accusation like that. Whatever. I can't control what they say."

I would caution any person to take what Sutcliffe says seriously, because he's borderline crazy, but they have every right to defend themselves. Sutcliffe also needs to learn to keep his mouth shut, especially if he's making accusations like this.

Accusations bring A-Rod, Mark Teixeira to tipping point (Newsday)

I am overjoyed to point everyone to a new website completely devoted to the wonders of Yankee announcer, John Sterling, as well as share this video of a recent Sterling call. Most know about Sterling's catchphrase when Alex Rodriguez hits a homer ("It's an A-Bomb, From A-Rod!"), but apparently Sterling himself forgets when he should and shouldn't use it....

That's just wrong on so many levels. Heck, he should have just turned it into "an H-Bomb from Hideki", and gone completely of the politically correct plank. Too funny.

Oops: John calls an A-bomb... from Hideki (IT IS HIGH, IT IS FAR, IT IS... caught)

There's a pantheon of phrases that announcers should never use (i.e.- face raping), but I think this one moves to the top of the list. YES announcer, David Cone recently described Joba Chamberlain's loss of form as, "jerking off", and in fact this was the second time he's done so. Here's the video proof via NYAT....

Wow. I'm not sure if he means "jerked around" or what, but that's pretty disgusting, David. Hopefully someone sets him straight on that one before the YES Network starts getting FCC complaints.

Video Proof Of Cone Incident (No, You're A Towel)

It's no secret that ESPN covers certain teams more than others, but it's always fun when a player calls them out. Heath Bell, the Padres' closer, took offense to a recent John Kruk comment about his team, and decided to say what everyone is already thinking. From R&R via Sign On San Diego....

“I saw John Kruk on “Baseball Tonight” and he said, ‘They’re playing really well, but I don’t believe in them,’” Bell said before Monday’s game. “And I saw ESPN’s promo for tonight’s game. They mention the Mets are opening Citi Field, they mentioned the starting time, but nowhere did they mention the Padres. That gave me the (expletive).”

Bell was just getting warmed up in his pregame commentary.

“I truly believe ESPN only cares about promoting the Red Sox and Yankees and Mets - and nobody else,” said the closer, a former Met. “That’s why I like the MLB Network, because they promote everybody. I’m really turned off by ESPN and ‘Baseball Tonight.’ When Jake Peavy threw 8 1/3 innings on Saturday, they showed one pitch in the third inning and that was it. It’s all about the Red Sox, Yankees and Mets.”

Now if this comment was directed at say Sports Center, I wouldn't even pause, but calling out Baseball Tonight is something different. I think the show has been losing fans for years now, and unlike NFL Live or NBA Fastbreak, it's apparent that they don't give equal coverage to all teams. However, in Baseball it has been proven that certain teams draw better ratings, and you can't entirely blame the "Leader" for their biases.

But lucky for us, and Heath Bell, the MLB Network is currently putting the once "go to" show, to shame.

Heath Bell Does Not Care For Your Coverage, ESPN (Rumors and Rants)

The makers of this Youtube video just sent this one my way, and I can't stress enough how hilarious it is. Former Yankees, and one current one, make it to the Lost island, but there's a problem....their numbers!!! Oooooh oooooh ooooooooh....

Obviously this has nothing to do with anything really, but it was damn funny. Good times.

I don't know what new information could come out of an A-Rod press conference, but the admitted steroid user will speak to a horde of media members in Tampa today at 1:30pm. The Yankee will speak to anywhere from 150-300 media members, will be joined by his fellow teammates, and the presser will be aired on YES as well as being simulcast on ESPN and the MLB Network. Here's what the two national networks have planned.

ESPN: ESPN’s daily SportsCenter will present live coverage of the Alex Rodriguez press conference tomorrow (Tuesday) at 1:30 p.m. ET from Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, Fla.

ESPNEWS will present the entire press conference, beginning its coverage at 1 p.m. with highlights of last Monday’s Peter Gammons-Rodriguez interview. It will re-air the press conference during the 4 p.m. and 7 p .m. hours. Hannah Storm and Bob Holtzman will report live from Tampa. ESPN Radio will also cover the press conference within its Tirico & Van Pelt show (1-3 p.m. M-F) with co-hosts Mike Tirico and Scott Van Pelt.

MLB Network: MLB Network today will air live coverage of the Alex Rodriguez press conference at the Yankees’ Spring Training facility in Tampa, beginning at 1:00 p.m. ET. MLB Network’s coverage will be anchored by Greg Amsinger along with Harold Reynolds, Barry Larkin and Billy Ripken, and will include reports and reaction from Jon Heyman and Joe Magrane, who are both in Tampa.

Wait....Billy Ripken? I didn't even know that he was a part of the MLB Network. I guess you learn something new everyday. As far as the press conference goes, I'll try to have video up later in the day for those of you who want to see it, but I'm certainly not looking forward to it.

There is rarely anything that shocks me in this world anymore, and on a scale of 1-10, A-Rod taking steroids comes in at a .25. Jose Canseco called the Yankee slugger a user in his book "Vindicated", but Rodriguez vehemently denied the allegation. Well today (weird that this broke on a Saturday), SI is saying that he tested positive for the anabolic steroid Primobolan and testosterone back in 2003....

In 2003, when he won the American League home run title and the AL Most Valuable Player award as a shortstop for the Texas Rangers, Alex Rodriguez tested positive for two anabolic steroids, four sources have independently told Sports Illustrated.

Rodriguez's name appears on a list of 104 players who tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs in Major League Baseball's '03 survey testing, SI's sources say. As part of a joint agreement with the MLB Players Association, the testing was conducted to determine if it was necessary to impose mandatory random drug testing across the major leagues in 2004.

When approached by an SI reporter on Thursday at a gym in Miami, Rodriguez declined to discuss his 2003 test results. "You'll have to talk to the union," said Rodriguez, the Yankees' third baseman since his trade to New York in February 2004. When asked if there was an explanation for his positive test, he said, "I'm not saying anything."

While this isn't surprising, it's not all that damaging to Rodriguez. Steroid use wasn't yet banned in Baseball back in 2003, and the samples tested were supposed to be kept anonymous. Obviously, as we've seen with Bonds, Giambi, etc., that hasn't held true. But as we've seen with Giambi, Pettitte, etc., a little time just makes everyone forget.

It will still taint A-Rod's legacy as a hitter, but I don't think it will hurt him as much as Bonds or McGwire.

Sources tell SI Alex Rodriguez tested positive for steroids in 2003 (Sports Illustrated)

Happily ensconced in L.A. until he decides to hang it up for good (seriously, don't expect any blame for the Dodgers to fall anywhere but the McCourts, and in most cases, rightfully so), Joe Torre has decided to put his former team, the one he won four world championships with, on blast.

The New York Post paid for a copy of a book he co-wrote with SI's Tom Verducci (my bet is that Torre talked into a tape recorder and Verducci assembled the narrative into something approaching literary form) called "The Yankee Years." Apparent highlights:

• Alex Rodriguez is known as "A-Fraud" among his own teammates, and has an unhealthy obsession with Derek Jeter (justifying every parody blog post and joke made on that matter)
  
• Team doctors told George Steinbrenner that Torre had cancer before they told Torre
• Brian Cashman sold the manager down the river, not telling the ownership that Torre wanted a two-year deal to remain as manager

Plenty to snack on for the Yankee Haters among us (myself included), but let's just say that the upcoming season will determine how much attention is actually paid to this -- if the Yanks' off-season spending works in their favor while Torre manages to scrounge out another NL West title (and don't front, Manny Ramirez will go back to L.A. because they're the only ones who are serious about signing him), no one will remember this book much.

Good lord. I honestly though that the Yankees were out of the Mark Teixeira sweepstakes, but apparently I was wrong. The Yankees just signed the slugger with a eight-year deal worth $180 million. Not only have the Yanks signed three players in the offseason totaling $423,500,000, but they now have four of the MLB's highest paid players on their roster.

And while everyone in and around Baseball is rolling their eyes, there is one man who thinks this is a great idea. Stephen A. Smith!

I'll gloss over the fact that S.A.S. said that the Yankees didn't, "walk away with a World Series Championship this millennium," (ummmm....they have a good while to attempt that), there's no way they can still be considering signing Manny. I guess Steven does have a point though. If you've already spent $423 Million, you mind as well make it a cool $500.

I really cannot pretend to even find a way to justify inking a pitcher who rarely makes more than 30 starts a year and is damn near always on the disabled list to a five year contract worth $82 million, that is, if I were the general manager of a baseball franchise. However, I am not a GM, and not Brian Cashman, who has decided that after inking CC Sabathia to $161 million over seven years, signing A.J. Burnett was the next move.

I mean, after signing Carl Pavano and Jaret Wright, you'd think the franchise would be a bit more careful about pitchers breaking down. But, this is the consequence of the Yankees not making the playoffs because of their pitching, and some residual grumbling about not trading for Johan Santana, letting him go cross-borough to Queens. The very public growing pains of prospects Phil Hughes and Ian Kennedy also added to the furor, I'd think -- and now Hank "the Dauphin" Steinbrenner wants to make waves in order to get back to where the franchise believes it ought to be; what it believes is its birthright.

The benefit? If Burnett stays healthy, he strikes guys out. A lot. The Yankees are not a great defensive team to begin with. Any pitcher who gets outs without having the ball go off someone's bat is a bonus, but particularly to a team that isn't great around the horn.

All is right with the world again when the Yankees are blowing through money in free agency with an Alfred E. Neuman attitude towards the economic recession. Such is sport: the industries that are recession-proof are booze, cigarettes, porn, and the Yankees.

We all know that the Red Sox bring ratings, and I honestly thought that FOX would be crying after their loss Sunday night, but the network is surprisingly upbeat given the uphill ratings climb in front of them. According to President of Fox Sports, Ed Goren, the secret to their success lies not in the actual teams playing, but rather the length of said series. From Globe and Mail via SBD....

"It's not just about the matchup," Goren said. "As important as anything else is the number of games, the volume of games. If we get six or seven games in this matchup, we will out-rate last year's Red Sox World Series."

The longer it goes, the larger the numbers get. If a network is fortunate enough to televise a seven-game series, the ratings for the latter games will pull up the overall average.

"These things build," Goren said. "It's water-cooler talk. It becomes must-see TV."

Still, if this Series is over in four games and the average rating dips to historic lows, Fox will be required to reimburse advertisers with additional ad spots on other shows.

Fox's advertising revenue won't be affected, because the commercial time was bought before the World Series teams were decided. A ratings decline this year, however, would affect 2009 prices.

The network is reportedly charging $475,000 (U.S.) for a 30-second spot.

While the talk of a longer series equaling better ratings isn't necessarily groundbreaking, it's still interesting to hear Fox flat out admit that's what they're hoping for. While I obviously want to see the most competitive World Series possible, there's a small part of me that wants to see Fox tank in the ratings. You know....just to see how bad it is.

Networks made their Red Sox-Yankees bed along time ago, and now they have to lie in it.

Mis-Matched? (Sports Business Daily - $)
Fox bullish despite weak matchup (Globe and Mail)

Normally I am not the type to run your usual garden variety police blotter items when it comes to jocks and the sports we love. These things get overexposed on ESPN and, personally, I often feel there's a discrepancy in how they're covered.

But I only pass along the news that Yankees pitcher Joba Chamberlain got busted for DUI in his home state of Nebraska this weekend because of where he was sent as a matter of protocol, according to the Nebraska State Patrol: the Cornhusker Place Detox.

Speeding + open container + 1 AM = bad move, but let's see how this cycles through the legal system. I just think calling the drunk tank in Lincoln the "Cornhusker Place Detox" is frickin' hilarious. I know the state is obsessed with anything and everything Husker, but damn, man. I bet the state would put prisoners in red and white jumpsuits if it could.

Stuff like this just pisses me off. FOX has decided to replace the Mets-Marlins game, which has huge Playoff implications, with the possibly meaningless Yankees-Red Sox game. The main game for the network will be the Cubs and Brewers, but most of the East Coast (25% of the country in total) will be getting the Yanks and Sox. Via NY Daily News....

Looking at the final Saturday of the regular season as a chance to max out on its baseball ratings, Fox is playing it strictly by the book. It's betting a traditional rivalry - even though the game means nothing - will get a bigger rating than a contest, featuring a New York team, with huge playoff implications.

Also, bringing the Cubs, the biggest ratings magnets in baseball, into 30% of the country offers further proof the Foxies are playing chalk here.

In the final weekend of the regular season, Fox ain't taking a chance by betting on what it considers a ratings longshot. Before the regular season, Fox guarantees a certain average rating to advertisers for its baseball package. Not delivering on that "guarantee" is terrible for Fox's bottom line.

While I understand that the Sox-Yankees rivalry normally gets good ratings throughout the season, and that Boston could be playing for the division, but there's no way that it would beat out a Mets game with their trip to the Playoffs on the line. If the Rays clinch the AL East tonight, the Red Sox are probably going to just bench their starters, and 25% of the country will be stuck with a dreadful game. I just don't understand the move. And I, like most of the country, want to let Mets' schadenfreude wash over me this weekend.

Oh well. At least TBS picked up the slack so we can enjoy the misery on Sunday. Here's the announcing schedule if you're interested....

SATURDAY:

Chicago Cubs at Milwaukee Brewers - Josh Lewin and Mark Grace (FOX, 3:55pm, 63%)

Markets Include: Albuquerque, Atlanta, Austin, Birmingham, Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, Dallas, Dayton, Denver, Detroit, Greenville, Houston, Indianapolis, Knoxville, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Louisville, Memphis, Milwaukee, Nashville, New Orleans, Oklahoma City, Phoenix, Pittsburgh, Portland, Sacramento, Salt Lake City, San Antonio, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, St. Louis, Tulsa

New York Yankees at Boston Red Sox - Dick Stockton and Jerry Remy (FOX, 3:55pm, 25%)

Markets Include: Boston, Buffalo, Charlotte, Fort Myers, Greensboro, Hartford, Jacksonville, Miami, New York, Norfolk, Orlando, Providence, Raleigh, Richmond, Tampa, West Palm Beach

Washington Nationals at Philadelphia Phillies - Tom McCarthy, Tim McCarver & Ken Rosenthal (FOX, 3:55pm, 7%)

Markets Include: Baltimore, Philadelphia, Washington

Kansas City Royals vs Minnesota Twins - Chris Rose and Bert Blyleven (FOX, 3:55pm, 4%)

Markets Include: Kansas City, Minneapolis

SUNDAY:

TBS MLB on Deck - Ernie Johnson, Cal Ripken and Dennis Eckersley (TBS, 12:30pm)
Florida Marlins at New York Mets - Chip Caray and Harold Reynolds (TBS, 1pm)
MLB 2008: An Epic Season (ESPN, 8:30pm)

Mets not Fox-y enough for national broadcast (NY Daily News)

A little levity to ESPN's all-day fawning over Yankee Stadium, as commenter Bazooka Jones alerted us to earlier today, via the wonderful someecards.

Despite having family in the New York area, I'd never gone to the Stadium. (My family is full of Mets fans; I've been to Shea twice.) But, I understand the reverence everyone has for Yankee Stadium; it's obviously an integral part of baseball history. Too many great players and too many great moments in baseball, including 26 World Series banners, hang in that stadium.

And yet, MLB lets that history go out into the sunset with the Baltimore Orioles visiting. Yikes. Didn't they have a year to fix that after the initial schedule came out? Anyway, if you have Yankee Stadium stories, share them, and consider this another open thread, this one for the O's-Yanks Sunday night game -- if you can bear to deal with Joe Morgan tonight.

Sunday Night Footbal Live Blog coming in an hour....

ESPN has released its day-long timeline for covering the final game at Yankee Stadium this Sunday, and while a little over the top, the network does have some cool features planned. There will be a total of seven hours of pre-game content including the pre-game ceremonies (ESPN2, 7pm) before turning the broadcast over to Jon Miller and Joe Morgan for the call of the game.

The Baseball Tonight crew of Karl Ravech, Peter Gammons, John Kruk, Steve Phillips, Buck Showalter and Buster Olney, will be on hand as well. And while thhe list of special guests is still growing, here's who's confirmed to appear in the booth so far: Yogi Berra, Whitey Ford, Billy Crystal, and former Negro League Rookie of the Year Mahlon Duckett.

It's a lot to take in, but here's the schedule if you want mark anything down....

ESPN’s Day-Long Yankee Stadium Coverage

SportsCenter Specials (1-3; 4-6 p.m.), Baseball Tonight (6 p.m.) and SportsCenter
(7 p.m.): Live reports and discussion with commentators from Yankee Stadium; Interviews with current and former Yankee players and executives; A re-air of the 30 Yankee Stadium vignettes recounting some of the most memorable events ever held at the landmark venue; Classic innings in New York Yankees history.

(ESPN will re-air Yankee Stadium: Baseball’s Cathedral presented by Chevy, a one-hour documentary produced by MLB, at 3 p.m.)

Yankee Stadium Pre-Game Ceremonies: ESPN2, ESPN Radio, ESPN360.com and ESPN Mobile TV will present all pre-game ceremonies live from Yankee Stadium.

New York Yankees vs. Baltimore Orioles (8 p.m.): ESPN, ESPN HD, ESPN Radio, ESPN Deportes and ESPN International will present the final game from Yankee Stadium.

Post-Game Coverage: ESPNEWS will cover the entire post-game ceremonies live, with ESPN offering coverage within SportsCenter.

ESPN Classic: Beginning September 21 at 12 a.m., ESPN Classic will televise 20 consecutive hours of programming featuring events which occurred at Yankee Stadium.

12-2AM: 1976 ALCS, Game 5: Royals vs. Yankees – Chris Chambliss hits a walk-off home run
2-4AM: 1977 World Series, Game 6: Dodgers vs. Yankees – Reggie Jackson hits three home runs in the deciding game of the World Series
4-5AM: 1983 Red Sox vs. Yankees – Dave Righetti pitches Yankees’ first no-hitter since Don Larsen’s perfect game
5-6AM: 1983 Royals vs. Yankees – the George Brett pine tar incident
6-7AM: 1993 Indians vs. Yankees – Jim Abbott no-hits the Indians
7-9AM: 1996 World Series, Game 6: Braves vs. Yankees – the Yankees win their first World Series title since 1978
9-10AM: 1998 Twins vs. Yankees – David Wells becomes the first Yankee to toss a perfect game during the regular season
10-11AM: 1999 Expos vs. Yankees – on “Yogi Berra Day,” when Don Larsen threw out the ceremonial first pitch, David Cone tosses the 15th regular season perfect game
11 AM-1PM: 2001 World Series, Game 5: Diamondbacks vs. Yankees – Scott Brosius hits a home run with two outs
1-2PM: 2003 ALCS, Game 7: Red Sox vs. Yankees – Aaron Boone hits a pinch hit, game-winning home run in the bottom of the 11th inning
2-2:30PM: 1993 Max Schmeling vs. Max Bear
2:30-3PM: 1936 & 1938 Joe Louis vs. Max Schmeling I & II
3-3:30PM: Joe Louis’ Greatest Hits, KO of Arturo Godoy at Yankee Stadium
3:30-4PM: 1946 Joe Louis vs. Billy Conn II
4-5PM: Joe Louis’ Greatest Hits, KO of Jersey Joe Walcott in 1947 at Yankee Stadium
5-6PM: 1950 Joe Louis vs. Ezzard Charles
6-6:30PM: 1954 Rocky Marciano vs. Ezzard Charles
6:30-7:30PM: 1955 Rocky Marciano vs. Archie Moore
7:30-8PM: 1957 Sugar Ray Robinson vs. Carmen Basilio