ghost of miles

Close is already denying that that's their starting point, but I might not be so surprised, if they're ultimately hoping to simply continue Jeter at his present salary for at least four more years. Part of what's making this process so "messy" is that the Internets are perched on and quickly reporting every word or rumor concerning this and any other significant free-agent situation...but especially this one, given that it's Jeter and the Yankees. OTOH if that's close to what Jeter and Close really ultimately want, they're over-the-moon crazy, and Jeter would be well advised to take a long, hard look at how things played out for Johnny Damon last year. (I know Jeter is an Iconic Yankee and all that, but away from NY he's not going to find much more, objectively speaking, on the market than Damon did.) I think NY will eventually move to a 4 yr/70 million offer, or else they'll come up with some convoluted, "creative" deal that compensates Jeter down the road in some manner. If Jeter doesn't accept that, then good luck finding a better or equivalent deal elsewhere. IMO he's certainly losing the publicity battle, especially in light of the NY Daily News story to which Dan linked. (And I'm sure I don't have to tell you this hasn't gone over well at Pinstripe Alley.) EDIT: the NY Times says he wants 4-5 years at 23-24 million a year and suggests that an "obvious compromise" would be almost exactly what I've speculated, in the neighborhood of 4 years/76 million, with Jeter making a tad more than what he makes now annually...but it also goes on to suggest that NY might not ultimately be willing to offer that much.

Me as well.

This past week's Night Lights show, A Brief History of Mary Lou Williams, is now posted for online listening. It's sort of "Mary Lou in 59 minutes," an attempt to survey the entire arc of her career. Next week: "The Billy Strayhorn Songbook"

Happy birthday to one of the Good Guys!

Random House is publishing a slightly revised American edition of this biography in January. I've read the British edition and can vouch for it as a well-researched, illuminating take on JDS's life, and one that certainly brings World War II to the forefront in understanding its impact on his writing.

There are still a few uncollected ones--Medjuck and I have been trying to track all of them down over the past several years.

Yes, I'd wager Mosaic's not happy about it either, given that they'd like to get it out before Christmas. Very eager to hear it myself, though (especially since I have some time off from work in early December), so I do share your disappointment, Dave.

Thanks for the heads-up, Crisp. I think all I have of this material is PLAYS and a few stray tracks on a couple of anthologies... I'll definitely want to pick this one up when it comes out.

Speaking of Dorothy Fields, has anybody here read Pick Yourself Up: Dorothy Fields and the American Musical yet? It just came out several months ago, and I've been thinking about snagging a copy at some point.

F*&# yeah! Crisp, I have solid intelligence that the Friedwald book will be showing up under my house's Christmas tree come December 25.

This'll never happpen, but given how excessive A-Rod's contract is, imagine if he went to Steinbrenner/Cashman and said, "Hey, you know what? Take $3-4 million annually out of my contract over the next 3-4 years and give it to Jeter instead." A-Rod's inflated salary comes down, Jeter gets something closer to what he wants on an annual basis, the Yankees don't "lose" money in terms of total payroll, and A-Rod comes off looking like a pretty good guy, teammate and friend. Like I said, ain't never gonna happen, but if I had A-Rod's cash and a true desire to finish redeeming a busted-up friendship... that might be a nice way to do it.

Blogging Bombers now quoting another source as saying that no offer whatsoever has been made to Lee. Still, I think the initial report is quite likely what it will come down to... NY offering around that much and Lee trying to squeeze an extra year out of either them or Texas. Believe me, people over at Pinstripe Alley aren't happy about the thought of signing him through either age 38 or 39. Sure, Andy Pettitte did well this past year (although his age surely factored into how long it took him to come back from his groin injury), and I'd say he's a good bet to win 15 games in 2011 if he stays healthy... but he won't be making $24-$25 million either. The Jeter contract negotiations are already getting ugly, btw, and I don't expect them to get much better anytime soon. He really dug himself a hole by having such a bad contract year. Supposedly NY's offering 3 years/45 million, and supposedly he wants more years/more money. I could see offering him 4 years/65-70 million at most... much more than he's worth now as a player, objectively speaking, but Jeter is Jeter and all that.

Ken Davidoff just tweeted that Andy Pettitte's leaning towards coming back for one last season as a Yankee in 2011. And you've probably already seen the reports this afternoon that the Yankees have offered Cliff Lee 6 years/140 million, and that Lee's holding out for a 7th season. Frankly, that kind of contract should be viewed as a good thing by those who, ah, do not count themselves as Yankee fans. Sure, Lee will probably give NY several good seasons, but they'll be saddled with yet another huge contract for an aging player. And I still don't rule out Lee's eventually signing with Texas instead, especially if they're willing to offer a 7-year deal around $150 million+.

Oh man, Rolf, I am so sorry and sad to hear this--I know what a battle she fought with this and what the two of you went through with it. Yes, you may have been a lucky man to be with her, but she was lucky to be with you as well. Please know you'll have as much care and friendship as those of us here can offer.

Ivie Anderson and Duke Ellington, "There's a Lull in My Life."

I've still got this kicking around in a closet somewhere:

I was tempted by APBA too, but never bit... was that the game took into account the dimensions of the real-life stadiums in determining the outcomes of certain plays? That may have been yet another game (was there a third one in the 1970s?). I used to love seeing the ads for them in Street and Smith's baseball annual, which was a must-buy every spring when I was a kid. And Jsngry, I know what you mean by "used"! My Strat-O-Mat set is well-thumbed and about as far from "mint" as one can get.

There's a legendary Strat-O-Mat Johnson family picnic story, in which an uncle of mine, managing the 1977 Philadelphia Phillies, had Greg Luzinski, who sported a stealing rating of "E," attempt to steal home. Iirc this meant he had a 1 in 30 chance of succeeding (you drew small orange cards to determine the outcome). My uncle proceeded to draw a 1 card and Mr. Luzinski successfully stole home. He had 16 GDPs in 1961...no triple plays occurred in MLB at all that year (according to this chart).

Strat-o-matic!!!! A proud player and owner from 1966-1969, even bought the "Hall of Fame" set somewhere in there...1927 Ruth vs 1966 Koufax, a kid's dream come true (and Koufax usually won). It was like fantasy baseball only much more baseball than fantasy. Yes! Me too! A proud player and owner from 1977-1981. I had the complete 1977 season...my brother had the complete 1978, and we had many of the teams from 1979-81. I also bought a few of those Hall of Fame teams as well. Man, I loved playing that game. Still have the cards, board-set, and a ton o' scoresheets somewhere in a closet at my dad's house.

We re-aired this program last week and it remains archived for online listening.

No more Lowe blows, please!

How do you pronounce David van Kriedt's last name? (Member of the late-1940s Brubeck octet.)

What do you mean "we," Kemo Sabe? I'll see your Kemo Sabe and raise you 40 acres and a mule.

Gents, I think it's high time we reined in these remarks and corralled our punning tendencies.

Get it while you can...