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Wednesday, October 03, 2007
Thomas Sowell :: Townhall.com Columnist
Random Thoughts
by Thomas Sowell
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How much of the Republican convention did you watch?




Random thoughts on the New York Yankees:

The Yankee bullpen has some young pitchers who could throw a baseball through a brick wall -- if they had enough control to hit the wall.

More than one-fourth of the American League pennants in the 20th century were won by the New York Yankees -- and they didn't win their first pennant until 1921.

The major league records for the highest batting average by a catcher (.362), the most runs batted in by a first baseman (184) and the most home runs by a third baseman (54) were all set by Yankees -- Bill Dickey, Lou Gehrig and Alex Rodriguez, respectively.

The Yankees got rid of Babe Ruth when he was over the hill. Why are they still sticking with Jason Giambi, who is a serious liability in the field? Let the man retire and spend his time counting his millions.

There is no excuse for major league outfielders running into each other, when for generations center fielders have had the right of way. The Yankees' young center fielder Melky Cabrera doesn't hesitate to wave off the other outfielders when he goes for the ball, even when these are veterans with big salaries.

During Alex Rodriguez's great season this year, he had 156 runs batted in. But Lou Gehrig had more than 150 RBIs in 7 of his 14 full seasons. That's the record. Even Babe Ruth had only 6.

Gehrig was probably the greatest clutch hitter of all time. Even though more than 20 players hit more home runs during their careers, Gehrig still holds the lifetime record for the most home runs with the bases loaded.

In addition to being one of the great relief pitchers of all time, Mariano Rivera is a throwback to the great poise and professionalism of the Yankees of old.

Everybody remembers Willie Mays' great catch in the Polo Grounds during the 1954 World Series but Joe DiMaggio made a great catch in the Polo Grounds, even deeper in center field, in the 1937 World Series.

Babe Ruth was easily the greatest ballplayer of all time, for he mastered every aspect of the game. No one else ever led the league in home runs, batting average, lowest earned run average and highest winning percentage as a pitcher. He was said to be the best bunter on the Yankees and even stole home a few times.

For all their greatness, the Yankees have never had a player with 3,000 hits in his career as a Yankee or a pitcher with 300 wins as a Yankee. Continued...

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About The Author
Thomas Sowell is a senior fellow at the Hoover Institute and author of Basic Economics: A Citizen's Guide to the Economy.
 
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Subject: Sowell is way off base
Finally! A subject on which I can disagree with Sowell. Boo Yankees! Go Cardinals! (Next year, of course.)

Millions
Millions for playing a game! Sure some of them are truly superstars and should get paid well. Yes, they have short careers.But, youcould cut all their bay by 2/3s and none would quit. These outrageous salaries are a product of lawyers scratching each others backs.
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