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 was waiting all night for EA or someone to joke on the whole dressgate (or whatever they're calling it) from last week, but alas....nothing. Well that's not entirely true. Rick Sutcliffe decided to make fun of Dave O'Brien's fancy tie last night, which prompted the following exchange....

"I'm going to leave the wardrobe comments alone this week OB."- Erin Andrews

My favorite part of that whole exchange was Dave O'Brien saying he never comments on EA's out and, to Sutcliffe, "as you should too." I think that's the perfect note to end this whole thing on.

Erin Andrews Wardrobe Watch 2008 (Awful Announcing)

(Thanks to HK for the clip)

My plan was to avoid the Taco Bell Celebrity game entirely, but with Gary Thorne and Rick Sutcliffe involved (and both potentially drunk), I couldn't help myself. The highlight of the contest was easily Kenny Mayne committing about 5 errors and then having Wade Boggs walked so that George Lopez could let him hit in the ninth. Sutty is obviously elated at the end of the game and drops this gem of a comparison on the viewing audience....

It's not one of the greatest transgressions but it still made me laugh. Also, during the game Whoopi Goldberg and Billy Crystal turned a pretty stellar double play and Chris Rock struck out looking (I didn't think that was possible in Softball). Good times.

Yes! I love when information surrounding "celebrity" games comes out. It's such a random collection of people and you can almost make out the bad jokes and terrible interactions ahead of time. Well lucky for us this year is no different. I give you the 2008 Taco Bell Legends and Celebrity Softball Game participants....

Celebrities scheduled to participate include Chris Rock, Billy Crystal, Whoopi Goldberg, Spike Lee, Andy Roddick, George Lopez and James Denton; legends include Hall of Famers Ernie Banks, Wade Boggs, George Brett, Goose Gossage, Ozzie Smith, Dave Winfield and more, along with Yankees legends Tino Martinez and Paul O’Neill. Kenny Mayne (miked during the game) will participate as a player/manager, with Gary Thorne (play-by-play), analyst Rick Sutcliffe and reporter Erin Andrews.

You know what? That's not a half bad group of people. Well, if you get rid of Billy Crystal. Also, it'll be interesting to see if Rick Sutcliffe keeps his eyes on the action as opposed to EA's dress choice. Good times! The action gets underway after the Home Run Derby (more info coming on this in the next post) next Monday.

(Via ESPN PR)

A weird exchange took place during last nights ESPN Baseball game between Rick Sutcliffe and Erin Andrews last night. The conversation started with Dave O'Brien commenting on the color of Andrews' dress and ended with Rick Sutcliffe talking about her skirt possibly blowing up and people staring at her during batting practice. Seriously. Via Big League Stew....

I love Rick's attitude towards his battle with Cancer, but good lord he made OB a little uncomfortable at the end there didn't he? Not to mention how much of a stoner he sounded like when he said, "I've got a new favorite color, I know that, man."

Just a bit more than awkward there, and I'm sure EA doesn't mind it, but I wouldn't be surprised if Sut got a talking to before his break. USS Mariner though thinks the penalty should be a little harsher.

Rick Sutcliffe is concerned for Erin Andrews' skirt in Chicago (Big League Stew)
Rick Sutcliffe is a horrible person and ESPN’s no better (USS Mariner)

Rick Sutcliffe is back in full swing as an announcer and every paper out there is trying to get an interview with him following his bout with Cancer. I'm pretty sure the ones that follow the one in the KC Star won't be able to top this tidbit that the paper got when asking Sut about his friendship with Bill Murray....

Sitting in the booth, [Steve] Stone and [Bill] Murray had to stall while a new pitcher warmed up. Murray looked at Stone and said, “I betcha a case of beer Sutcliffe steals second.”

Stone laughed and pointed out Sutcliffe had never even attempted to steal a base. He pointed out Sutcliffe had a bad hamstring. He pointed out Sutcliffe was not exactly the world’s fastest human being.

“But,” Sutcliffe remembered Stone saying, “I’ll take the bet because I’d like to win a case of beer from you.”

The pitcher was still warming up when word spreads and a fan yelled, “Hey Sut, Murray just bet Steve Stone a case of beer you’ll steal second!”

Standing on first base, Sutcliffe decided: Screw it. I’m going.

“All of a sudden the pitcher comes down and I tell my mind to go but my body won’t move and I literally almost fell down,” he said.

Then Expos manager Buck Rodgers yelled to first baseman Andres Galarraga, ‘Play behind him, he ain’t frickin’ going anywhere!’ ”

Sutcliffe took off running. All 6-7 of the Red Baron hauling ass for second base just to mess with Cubs announcer Steve Stone.

“I am gone,” Sutcliffe said. “He comes down and looks over. Well I’m halfway to second. I’m going, ‘Ah, he got me.’ Well the dummy goes to home so now I’ve got to get going again. But there’s still a play. That’s how slow I am.”

The throw. The slide. He’s safe.

“I look up into the booth and Murray’s going crazy and I kind of gave him a little whatever,” Sutcliffe said, reenacting a manly head bob. “I throw a shutout, I steal a base, and we were locked for life.”

How awesome is that? What happened to the days in Baseball when there was drinking and betting in the booth??? I would certainly poke fun at it, but I'd rather have those type of play-by-players over people who don't care about their job as an announcer. Good times.

As Rick Sutcliffe fights cancer, he treasures the connection with his hometown the most (KC Star)

Rick Sutcliffe seems to be well on his way to beating Colon Cancer, which he was diagnosed with this past Spring, and he'll be in the booth for tonight's Braves-Mets game on ESPN. From The Chicago Tribune via SbB....

Sutcliffe returns to the broadcast booth Wednesday for the Atlanta Braves- New York Mets game, his first as an ESPN analyst since being diagnosed with colon cancer during spring training.

"I'll be honest," the former pitcher said Tuesday after stopping by Turner Field, his first visit to a ballpark since his diagnosis. "I'm going to be a little nervous."

The 51-year-old Sutcliffe is on the road to recovery. He was strong enough to undergo chemotherapy and radiation treatments at the same time, speeding up the process, and is hopeful of getting a clean bill of health after surgery on June 16.

Well that's just the best news I've heard in awhile. Not because he beat Cancer (yes that's amazing), but now we won't have to be subjected to another night of Joe Morgan. In all seriousness it's good to have Sutcliffe back and congrats on getting through the treatment.

Now let me follow Brooks' lead and once again revisit Sut drunk telling Matt Vasgersian to leave the Padres. Good times!

Sut Drunk

Now We Can Go Back To Posting Sut’s Drunk Vid (Sports by Brooks)

Good lord. I don't know what's going on in Bristol but they might want to check for asbestos or something. Yet another broadcaster has been diagnosed with Cancer at the World Wide Leader....

ESPN Major League Baseball analyst Rick Sutcliffe has been diagnosed with cancer. A routine test during a physical revealed that Sutcliffe has a treatable and curable form of colon cancer. He will undergo chemotherapy and surgery over the next few months and he is hoping to make a healthy comeback later this year.

“I deeply appreciate the support of the ESPN family and my family and friends around the country,” said Rick Sutcliffe.

“Rick is an integral member of our baseball team and we wish him a full recovery,” said Tim Scanlan, ESPN vice president, event production. “We will keep him and his family in our thoughts and prayers.”

Just not something you like to hear. I wish you all the best Mr. Sutcliffe and my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

(Via ESPN)