A New Addition

The Board of Directors of Ed Randall's Bat for the Cure with pride announces the addition of third baseman Mike Lowell of the Boston Red Sox to our distinguished list of supporters that comprise our Legends for Life Advisory Board.

 

Mike is a testicular cancer survivor, his father, a prostate cancer survivor.

Meanderings, Minutiae & Miscellany

When he came up with Montreal, great things were expected of Javier Vazquez. He had 20-game winner written all over him when acquired by the Yankees in 2004. But it was no to be. Last night in Washington, Vazquez won his fourth straight game and 15th of the season winning 4-1. The Braves are a season-best 13 games over .500. Who would imagine?...Washington, meanwhile, has become the first National League team since the 1973-74 San Diego Padres to lost 100 or more games in consecutive seasons...Who won't miss Bobby Cox, one of the most underrated managers in recent baseball history still...

Cliff Lee first five starts with Philly: 5-0, 0.68, 40 innings, 39 strikeouts 24 hits. Since: 2-3, 6.35, 34 innings, 29 strikeouts, 34 hits..They brought Lidge into Friday's game in the seventh inning. And that is where he will remain with his 0-8, 7.51 and 11 blown saves...Colorado's Yorbit Torrealba: 14 RBI's over five months, 13 in September...And going-nowhere Houston fired Cecil Cooper this week exactly why? 

Meanderings, Minutiae & Miscellany

Don't believe for a moment the declaration of the Wilpon's ownership that General Manager Omar Minaya will be back in 2010 to begin work under the terms of his new three-year contract. They said that before the Mets began laying down on Manager Jerry Manuel, staggering to a merciful end with 9 games to go. If Manuel somehow survives, pitching coach Dan Warthen will most certainly not be asked to return. Not after a season of 'ball four'...Detroit gets Jake Peavy Friday night, off one fine start for Chicago. After the weekend, it's the showdown with the Twins at home. For Minnesota to catch Detroit, they have to go through American League Cy Young Award-winner-in-waiting, Zack Greinke. Not once but twice....American League Cy Young runner-up-in-waiting, Felix Hernandez, was brilliant Thursday night in Toronto in gaining his 17th win. And his pitching coach believes King Felix is just starting to scratch the surface. To think the Mariners may dangle him out in the trade market this winter to see the king's ransom he might bring in return...11 blown saves,

0-8, no chance Brad Lidge closes in the post-season as the Phils begin defense of their World Championship.   

In Gratitude

My great thanks to Tim Scheld, News and Program Director at WCBS-880 Radio, for setting up my guest appearance on the Yankees radio network during the second inning of the second game of their day/night doubleheader tonight to talk about our free upcoming PSA testing for prostate cancer Wednesday at Yankee Stadium. John Sterling and Suzyn Waldman could not have been more gracious (she kept saying to me, "Have some cake." It was her birthday and there was a cake in the back of the radio booth). Fortunately, the inning was long enough for me to express the importance of this free service designed for men over age 40 to come save their own lives.

I opened by first thanking Yankees Chief Operating Officer, Lonn Trost, whose idea this was in February '08 across the street in the old ballpark.

Both radio and the YES television network, with full-screen graphics, are plugging the event during every game.

I also worked the press box to politely implore my friends in the local print media to promote our initiative in their papers, which they will.

 

MEANDERINGS, MINUTIAE & MISCELLANY: The 'Jeter Meter' remains at four for him to eclipse Lou Gehrig for the most hits, career, in a Yankee uniform. Hitless in the first game, he was the only Yankee without a hit in the nitecap when they scored 11 runs. A flood of lightbulbs flashing on every pitch. Doesn't bother me. I hope he ties or breaks it Wednesday...A.J. Burnett got his first win since July 27th. With him in town, it is astounding to watch him every fifth day with his electric stuff and not win more games...Schedule snafu: though some of their fans might be grateful, why didn't the Mets play on Labor Day,  a tradition for all teams?...Carlos Beltran back in their lineup Tuesday...Labor Day is the final milepost for the long season. Since 1999, just 13 of 62 teams leading their divisions on Labor Day wound up finishing first.