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Seattle Mariners Welcome Robinson Cano

Robbie Cano Now Sailorman, Off to the Mariners

In the world we live in today, mostly known for our undivided attention to material things, it is very difficult to humble oneself when approaching a product and simply disciplining yourself in knowing that you cannot afford it. As shocking as it may seem, the New York Yankees found themselves in this position referring to 2B Robinson Cano, the latest Yankee to depart from the organization this winter in free agency.

Cano is trading in his pinstripes to become a sailorman, agreeing to a 10-year $240 million contract with the Seattle Mariners on December 6th, 2013. I guess it's safe to say that Jay-Z and Roc Nation Sports, who represent Cano are doing their job. "Show Me What You Got", by Jay-Z is fitting here isn't it? Cano initially was seeking a $300 million contract over the span of 5+ years, (good luck with that) and due to his inability to attract any suitors for that lifetime salary, those numbers have decreased. Take 2: Cano reduced his original asking price of $300 million to $252 million for 9-years, numbers the Yankees did not find beneficial for their own development. The Yankees resided more along the lines of a 7-year deal worth $160 million, and with both sides failing to see eye-to-eye, someone else decided to net the big fish.

From Cano's perspective, is it possible that his decision to join the Mariners was out of spite, since the Yankees decided to use their dinero on the likes of 2B Kelly Johnson, OF Jacoby Ellsbury, C Brian MCcann and OF Carlos Beltran, four deals that have accumulated to $286 million. While a Cano deal would have garnered a very lucrative purse, his potential deal has resulted in netting four players that have filled some of the voids that the Yankees needed to close. Did the Yankees just lose out on the overall best player in baseball? Did they lose the future face of the franchise after the inevitable departure of Yankee icon SS Derek Jeter? We cannot see the future, but we can review the past. Cano is a career .309 hitter. A 2009 World Series Champion, 5-time MLB All-Star, 5-time Silver Slugger and a 2-time Rawlings gold award recipient. It's an impressive resume the Dominican Republic native has completed so far and definitely one the Yankees will miss beginning March 22nd, 2014. Last season Cano batted .314, belting 27 homeruns, as well as, bringing home 107 RBI's. You cannot replace that production but you have to start somewhere and likely candidates have revolved around the names of INF Omar Infante, or maybe trading for Cincinnati Reds 2B Brandon Phillips, two respectable bats. It does not matter who the Yankees bring in to aid the infield moving forward from this loss.

There's only one Cano and with that being said, perhaps, it's time to say R.I.P. to the Bronx Bombers.

New York Mets GM Sandy Alderson

Mets GM Sandy Alderson Singing “Can’t Stop Won’t Stop” with Signing of Colon

"Can't Stop, Won't Stop," seems enough of an appropriate title for this post due to the constant action the New York Mets are displaying, led by GM Sandy Alderson. The phrase "Can't Stop, Won't Stop" is more than a phrase used for motivation, it is also a novel, the title of an album by a group called The Maine and has served as the title for two songs from recording artists Usher and the Young Gunz. Now let's dive into what's significant and what is current at the moment. The Mets have agreed to a 2-year $20-million contract with free agent starting pitcher Bartolo Colon.

Toyota promotes the moving forward campaign and that's exactly what the Mets are executing. Met fans may miss Matt Harvey on the field in 2014; it is a tough steak to chew and digest. However, the signing of Colon has the potential to aid and provide the gravy we will need to digest that loss. Here's why: Colon, 40 years old (40 is the new 20 by the way, get over it) is coming off a year where he finished sixth in the AL CY Young voting. He also manufactured an All-Star appearance, an 18-6 record and a 2.65 ERA. Sounds good enough to me.

Colon was tested for PED's, suffering a suspension on August 22, 2012 for 50 games by the MLB police, who in the last decade has prioritized disinfecting MLB. Colon's resurgence with the New York Yankees, as Mr. Clean has only added to his stint with the Oakland Athletics, re-establishing his pitching prowess and his future with the Mets. This move further displays Alderson's understanding of the fan base and its desire to win now. He's fully taking on the challenge to resurrect the Mets franchise back to shades of 2006. Hopefully the addition of Colon relieves the Mets of finding a starter to replace Harvey while also fusing him with what's left of the starting rotation of Zack Wheeler, Dillon Gee and Jonathan Niese. The 5th spot in the rotation will now feature a competition between the likes of Jenrry Mejia, Carlos Torres and possibly farm-hand Rafael Montero. Colon's presence alone will have a positive impact on the next generation of arms that the Mets have at its disposal in a nurturing effect, with his pitching style in pounding the strike zone, which can influence many. Like Harvey's ascent to the majors, Colon's presence will provide enough time to thoroughly promote top pitching prospect Noah Syndergarrd to the big stage, a process which appeals to Alderson, as he very much dislikes rushing young talent.

All in all, the Mets are not done and they should not be satisfied with this recent player confirmation. The shortstop position must be addressed due to SS Ruben Tejada's inability to advance the ball past the infield. For positive momentum, as well as, finding a suitor to unload either 1B Ike Davis or Lucas Duda, preferably Davis, who has already uninspired and frustrated the fan base due to his struggles so early into his career. With OF's Chris Young, Curtis Granderson and now Colon in the mix, it sparks excitement to see who else we will welcome to the city that never sleeps. At this time, I guess the Mets are wide awake.

Thomas Glavine, Frank Thomas and Greg Maddux new inductees into the Baseball Hall of Fame

Thomas, Glavine, and Maddux Introduced to Media as New Baseball Hall of Fame Inductees

Frank Thomas should have warned the media to wear sunglasses. His sun blinding smile soaked up the Waldorf Astoria ballroom Thursday when he was introduced along with Tom Glavine and Greg Maddux as the 2014 Hall of Fame inductees. One year after the Baseball Writers of America did not vote any player into Cooperstown amid steroid allegations surrounding the eligible players, all three players were voted in on their first year on the ballot. It not only spoke to what they accomplished on the field but the way they carried themselves off of it.

Had Frank Thomas been more successful on the gridiron, he might not be in New York putting on his Hall of Fame jersey and hat. After his freshman year at Auburn, his college coach told him he was a good football player but could be a great baseball player. Thomas never looked back. At the conclusion of a stellar 19-year career, Thomas finished with 521 home runs, 1,704 RBIs and a .301 batting average. More remarkable for a guy his size (6'5 240lbs) is that he is the ONLY player in the history of the game with 7 straight years of 20+ homers, 100 RBIs, 100 walks and a .300 batting average. Think of all the great players who have a plaque in Cooperstown. Thomas stands alone in those categories. He's most pleased with his batting average against what's described as the "top tier" pitchers he faced.

"I hit the great ones. I think my career batting average is much better against the top tier pitchers."

Thomas clearly recalls facing the greatest closer the game has ever seen in New York Yankees Mariano Rivera.

Said Thomas laughingly, "I did great early and then not so great the next ten years. He made mistakes with me early and I took advantage of it. The next 10-year period, he never made a mistake."

Over his 19-year career, Thomas' mistakes were few and far between.

Teammates Glavin and Maddux Get The Nod in the Same Year

They were born just 20 days apart and when their major league careers were finished Tom Glavine (305) and Greg Maddux (355) combined for 660 victories. They pitched 28 years as members of the Atlanta Braves winning 436 games. Suffice it to say they were the best 1 and 2 pitchers in baseball from 1989 thru 2002. In 12 seasons, Glavine won more than 15 games 9 times. He won 20 games 5 times during that stretch. He signed as a free agent with the New York Mets in 2003 winning 52 games, including the magical #300 in 2007. Maddux began his career with the Chicago Cubs winning 18 games in 1988. It began a streak of at least 15 wins for the next 17 straight seasons, the longest streak by any pitcher in the history of the game. It is only fitting that they will accompany their manager Bobby Cox into the Hall as Cox was voted in last year by the Veterans Committee.

Said Glavine, "to have the opportunity to go in with Greg and Bobby, two guys that have been so instrumental and influential is even more special."

Maddux, who had an opportunity to sign with the Yankees as a free agent before signing with Atlanta, threw over 5,000 innings, striking out over 3,300 batters. The "Ferris Bueller" look a-like was a master of "painting" the corner of the plate with a variety of pitches that never topped over 90mph.

"It's a tremendous honor to be included in this," said the soft-spoken Maddux. "I can't wait to meet some of the guys that are already in the Hall of Fame. To share this moment with Glav and Frank is a very special moment as well. It's a tremendous honor."

The steroid cloud will hover over baseball for as long as the game is played. Deciding who should be voted in based on the speculation of what player may or may not have used illegal supplements will be that scab that simply will not go away.

Teammates Glavin and Maddux Get The Nod in the Same Year They were born just 20 days apart and when their major league careers were finished Tom Glavine (305) and Greg Maddux (355) combined for 660 victories. They pitched 28 years as members of the Atlanta Braves winning 436 games. Suffice it to say they were the best 1 and 2 pitchers in baseball from 1989 thru 2002. In 12 seasons, Glavine won more than 15 games 9 times. He won 20 games 5 times during that stretch. He signed as a free agent with the New York Mets in 2003 winning 52 games, including the magical #300 in 2007. Maddux began his career with the Chicago Cubs winning 18 games in 1988. It began a streak of at least 15 wins for the next 17 straight seasons, the longest streak by any pitcher in the history of the game. It is only fitting that they will accompany their manager Bobby Cox into the Hall as Cox was voted in last year by the Veterans Committee. Said Glavine, "to have the opportunity to go in with Greg and Bobby, two guys that have been so instrumental and influential is even more special." Maddux, who had an opportunity to sign with the Yankees as a free agent before signing with Atlanta, threw over 5,000 innings, striking out over 3,300 batters. The "Ferris Bueller" look a-like was a master of "painting" the corner of the plate with a variety of pitches that never topped over 90mph. "It's a tremendous honor to be included in this," said the soft-spoken Maddux. "I can't wait to meet some of the guys that are already in the Hall of Fame. To share this moment with Glav and Frank is a very special moment as well. It's a tremendous honor." The steroid cloud will hover over baseball for as long as the game is played. Deciding who should be voted in based on the speculation of what player may or may not have used illegal supplements will be that scab that simply will not go away. For one day however, three guys, Frank Thomas, Tom Glavine and Greg Maddux had baseball fans and writers talking about all the good things they did on and off the field.

For one day however, three guys, Frank Thomas, Tom Glavine and Greg Maddux had baseball fans and writers talking about all the good things they did on and off the field.

Video:Baseball Hall of Fame Inductees' Introduction Press Conference

 

METS GM Sandy Alderson addressing the media

MLB: Mets 2014 Season Outlook

The pain of what used to be has not left us. By us I mean New York natives. By pain I mean what could've been of the 2006 assembled New York Mets. I loved that team. As someone who bleeds orange and blue, you are aware of the success of the neighboring baseball club in the New York Yankees who reside only a borough away. We share the state with their fan-base, we can't escape their cockiness, confidence or spoiled golden spoon of a fan mentality. We are fully aware of the 27 world championships and 40 American League Pennants. We have been educated about their dominance and rich history, literally and literally.

That's why 2006 was supposed to be our year as Mets fans to reclaim the city and the hearts of all New Yorkers, because when the Yankees win, its expected and envisioned but when the Mets win, the entire state rises. That's what the Mets were capable of. That offseason featured a class of players who help the Mets ascend to the top of the National League East and eventually, one win away from a trip to the World Series. That class includes, Xavier Nady, Carlos Delgado, Paul Lo Duca, Billy Wagner, Julio Franco, and Kris Benson.

These off-season acquisitions were additions to a team that already featured a young and talented core of Jose Reyes and David Wright, the best left-side of the infield in the majors at that time. An All-Star center-fielder in Carlos Beltran was already in place. The Mets had an ace in Pedro Martinez, a Hall-Of-Famer in Tom Glavine and other complimentary starting pitchers in Steve Trachsel, John Maine, Orlando Hernandez and Oliver Perez. This team finished their regular season with a 97-65 record, winning the NL Eastern Division. It was safe to say that current GM at that time in Omar Minaya was definitely earning his salary. For the season and memories he provided due to his responsibilities as a GM for the New York Mets, he should have a statue.
In that post-season, the Mets easily eliminated the Los Angeles Dodgers, sweeping the series, three games to none. In the National League Championship Series against the St. Louis Cardinals, the Mets fell one game shy of a World Series berth by one pitch that froze Beltran at the plate with two outs and the bases loaded. The Mets haven't recovered since then. It's been six years since the Mets have qualified for the post-season and like the team, the fans have suffered enough.

It's 2014, and this offseason for the Mets, sings a different tune from those of recent years. Here's why: Current GM Sandy Alderson was brought in to be the successor of Minaya, following the 2010 MLB season. Since his entry into the New York Mets front office, Alderson has revamped and vastly improved the Mets farm system, acquiring Zack Wheeler from the San Francisco Giants for Beltran and cash, Noah Syndergaard & Travis D'Arnaud from the Toronto Blue Jays for R.A. Dickey, Josh Thole and Mike Nickeas. As far as drafting, Alderson has selected Matt Harvey in his initial first draft of 2010 and in years 2011, 12 and 13 has drafted Brandon Nimmo, Michael Fulmer, Gavin Cecchini, Kevin Plawecki and Dominic Smith, respectively. Acquiring these top prospects through deals and the drafts has been acknowledged by ESPN analyst and Prospect Expert, Keith Law who rates the Mets farm system 6th overall in the MLB. That's high praise. That means Alderson has been doing something right. It means Alderson's prospects aren't just showing up to play, they're making their presence felt in the Mets organization knocking on the doors of the big leagues to join the show.

That impact is Harvey taking the baseball world by storm in the 2013 MLB season displaying his dominance as the Mets ace, going 12-10, striking out 261 batters, all while posting a 2.39 era, which earned him his first All-Star selection. Its Wheeler, who was ranked 6th overall in MLB.com's top 100 prospects list and 4th in the Right-hander Pitchers list, being brought up to the major leagues during the 2013 MLB season exhibiting a pitching repertoire along with the results of a 7-5 record and 3.42 ERA, striking out 84 in a short stint, which has solidified his spot in the starting rotation for immediate future. It's Syndergaard, who was selected to represent the Mets in the 2013 All-Stars Futures Game at Citi Field, possessing a 95 mph four seam fastball, and 80 mph curveball also throwing a two seam fastball and a circle change-up. Its D'arnaud who in 2013 was ranked 6th in MLB's Top 100 prospects list only to have his ranking slip to 23 due to injury, take the helm as the Mets catcher now due to his bat, defensive capabilities and game-managing potential.

The Mets have prospects who are ready to contribute now to conclude the Mets dry spell in postseason play along with a 2013-14 offseason class in which the Mets made headlines for the first time in a long time. Former All-Star, Chris Young was signed to a one-year $7.25 million dollar contract on November 22, 2013 to help shore up the Mets outfield. On December 6, 2013, Curtis Granderson was lured away from the Yankees and the OF market agreeing to a four-year $60 million dollar contract signed December 6, 2013 with the Mets to bring power to a Mets lineup that has lacked that aspect of their offense. With Harvey expected to miss the duration of the 2014 MLB regular season, Bartolo Colon, fresh off an 18-6 season for the Oakland Athletics, posting a 2.65 ERA, has signed on to join the Mets cause as insurance in the starting rotation, confirmed December 11, 2013. With All-Star third basemen David Wright already in the fold along with solid rotation starters Jon Niese and Dillon Gee, starters who have yet to reach their full potential, the culmination of prospects, starters, and all-stars suggest the Mets should contend for a playoff spot this upcoming season. Nothing is easy when it comes to the Mets, which is exactly why making the playoffs isn't a sure definite.

Questions that have yet to be answered throughout this spring still linger. Who will command first base? Alderson has offered Ike Davis and his services to the Pittsburgh Pirates, Milwaukee Brewers, Houston Astros and Baltimore Orioles, all teams who have pressing first basemen needs due to his struggles at the plate while Lucas Duda faces a similar predicament despite both having moments this spring as they make their cases to man the right-side of the infield. Who will solidify themselves as the everyday shortstop? I have absolutely no faith in Ruben Tejada who posted .202 Avg through 57 games last season, which is why Wilmer Flores has been given ample time to prove himself defensively between 2nd and 3rd base as his bat is too pure to keep him from the lineup. Can the Mets hit enough to support their solid pitching staff? It's no secret that the Mets rotation will continue to improve but wins aren't being registered by pitchers due to the poor offensive production. Maybe the additions of Young and Granderson can alleviate the pressure on the pitching staff to toss zeroes every outing.

Can the Mets stay healthy? One of the reasons why the Mets have failed to qualify for postseason play is due to the fact that they cannot stay on the field. If the Mets can answer half of all of these questions, the Mets will rock Citi Field like Shea Stadium did in 06. I'm praying on it, and I believe. I believe in the Mets. When they win, life is just better. Maybe in the not too distant future, we can experience another 06 in this new decade.

 

Derek Jeter, New York Yankees short stop

MLB: New York Yankees 2014 Season Outlook

October 30, 2013 is long gone and will never be revisited in reality. It can be revisited as far as MLB History is concerned through all media outlets. That was the day the Boston Red Sox defeated the St. Louis Cardinals, 4 games to 2, to capture their eight world-series title in franchise history. If you're a Red Sox fan, you enjoyed it, you celebrated it and you relished it. Your team just won the World Series and that feat is something you probably savored, especially at the expense of the New York Yankees.

The Red Sox and the Yankees produce the greatest rivalry in sports all-together, and with the Red Sox winning the most recent championship, it's only fitting that the Yankees re-modified and improved their roster to make a championship run of their own. I mean it's what the Yankees do. They are no stranger to winning titles, they own 27 of them, the most in MLB history.

Major League Baseball logo

Major League Baseball Business and Employment Opportunities at 3rd Annual Diversity Business Summit

You are invited to the 3rd Annual Major League Baseball Diversity Business Summit, the premier sports employment conference and supplier diversity trade fair. The MLB Diversity Business Summit, co-hosted by the New York Yankees, will be held in New York City on Monday, April 14th and Tuesday, April 15th, which is Jackie Robinson Day throughout Major League Baseball.

The meetings and networking sessions on Monday, April 14th and Tuesday, April 15th will be held at Manhattan Center, 311 West 34th Street, New York, NY 10001.

Various elements of the third annual MLB Diversity Business Summit include a keynote speech by Baseball Commissioner Allan H. (Bud) Selig, league-wide networking, matchmaking sessions for entrepreneurs, interviews for job seekers, panel discussions, workshops and more. Additionally, the Yankees will host attendees at Yankee Stadium for the Welcome Reception on April 14th and the Jackie Robinson Day Interleague game between the Yankees and the Chicago Cubs on April 15th. As a part of Jackie Robinson Day ceremonies, the Yankees will honor Nelson Mandela with a dedication of a plaque in Yankee Stadium's Monument Park.

The MLB Diversity Business Summit uniquely and directly connects attendees with decision-makers for employment and business opportunities from all 30 MLB Clubs, MLB Network, MLB Advanced Media, Minor League Baseball Clubs and MLB's Central Office in New York City.

SanDisk Extreme Pro 512GB SD Memory Card

Nobody Beats SanDisk: Company Unveils World's First 512GB SD Card

If you produce video and have run out of space on your SD card at the most inopportune moments, then you are going to love this news.

SanDisk launched at the international Broadcasting Convention, its 512GB SanDisk Extreme PRO SDXC UHS-I memory card, the world's highest capacity SD™ card on the market.

The new offering is designed to meet the demands of industry professionals who require the most advanced gear available for shooting 4K Ultra High Definition (3840x2160p) video, Full HD video (1920x1080)1 and high-speed burst mode photography.

"As an industry leader, SanDisk continues to push the boundaries of technology to provide customers with the innovative, reliable, high-performance solutions they have come to expect from us," said Dinesh Bahal, vice president, product marketing, SanDisk. "4K Ultra HD is an example of a technology that is pushing us to develop new storage solutions capable of handling massive file sizes. The 512GB SanDisk Extreme PRO SDXC UHS-I card is a tremendous advancement that enables professionals to reliably store more content on a single card than ever before."

Now, if you were holding off on that 4K video camera because of storage issues, you won't have to wait much longer. Unless, of course, you are budget conscious. The 512GB SanDisk Extreme PRO SDXC UHS-I memory card will set you back $800.00.

 

Megan Smith, Senior Vice President, Google’s X Division announcing Google will offer scholarships for women and minorities to learn to code

Google Offering Scholarships to Women and Minorities to Learn to Code

A week before Google's I/O Conference, Google announced MADE WITH CODE, a new initiative to motivate future female programmers. On hand at the launch event in New York City, were MINDY KALING, CHELSEA CLINTON and approximately 150 high school girls. They represented local chapters of the Girl Scouts of the USA, Black Girls Code and Girls Who Code.

A week later at Google's I/O Conference in San Francisco, word came from on high that Google will pay for three months of continuing education for women and minorities in tech in an effort to close the tech gap.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, only 18 percent of software developers in the U.S. are women, while only 12% of computer science degrees today go to women. Google found from its own research published in its diversity report that only 30% of its employees are women, while African-Americans and Hispanics only comprised 1 and 2% of Google's tech employees, respectively. Google said the current state of its company diversity is "miles from where we want to be."

So what's a company to do? The search company is spending $50 million over the next three years to change these deplorable statistics and is partnering with Code School to execute MADE WITH CODE.

Google released an online application for MADE WITH CODE training vouchers that's available to women everywhere. Google says its available vouchers for women number in the "thousands."

Megan Smith, vice president of Google's X division, said the company's initiative to encourage women to seek tech as a career choice is all about "debugging inclusion."

"We shouldn't feel guilty about our biases," Smith said. "We should wake up and do something about them."

Women shopping online

Congress Mulling Over Sales Tax for Internet Purchases

If you purchase online to avoid paying sales taxes on your merchandise, then your party will be over if the Congress has its way.

Congress is considering a bill that could result in a sales tax of five-to-ten percent on purchases made via the Internet, bringing prices on such buys in line with those at brick-and-mortar stores.

The tax itself is not new. The only difference is that online retailers could soon be required to collect it — just like their traditional bricks-and-mortar peers — instead of trusting customers to pay it on their own to the state, which is a requirement few heed, according to the Washington Times.

The problem is most online shoppers don't realize they are required to pay sales tax.

The movement to step up the collection of online sales tax is gaining momentum from traditional retail stores that want to level the playing field and, more recently, state governments that are desperate for money.

In the Senate, the Marketplace Fairness Act would allow states to require online retailers to collect sales tax. In the House, the Marketplace Equity Act, which has a hearing next week, would essentially do the same thing.

Stacy Narine interviewing Todd Jones owner of Sweet Dreams Mini Donuts at the 2013 Brooklyn Beer and Wine Festival

Todd Jones Owner of Sweet Dreams Mini Donuts Brings the Sweet to Brooklyn Beer and Wine Fest

On one of the hottest days of the summer, What's The 411TV's correspondent, Stacy Narine, was out at the 2013 Brooklyn Beer and Wine Festival held at The Lab in Bedford-Stuyvesant.

At the festival, Stacy caught up with the one and only Todd Jones, owner of Sweet Dreams Mini Donuts. A donutologist, Todd has been in the donut business for 40 years; first working with Dunkin Donuts for 25 years to now the owner of Sweet Dreams Mini Donuts.

Even at a beer and wine festival, Todd brought his professional donut making equipment, which is capable of making 1200 donuts in an hour with precision. What makes Sweet Dreams' donuts unique are that they are mini donuts and that Todd uses his donutologist's techniques to come up with unique flavors.

So what's in Todd's creative bag of flavors? How about buttermilk and donuts for grownups: White Hennessy and Ciroc donuts. He is even introducing salty caramel and strawberry shortcake donuts.

Sweet Dreams Mini Donuts are popping up everywhere. They have found their way into the halls of Google and many a celebrity wedding.

Sweet Dreams Mini Donuts is soon to be dispensing its confectionary greatness at a new location, in the heart of Brooklyn's corporate park at 2 MetroTech Center.

Can't make it to Brooklyn? You can always reach Sweet Dreams Mini Donuts online at www.SweetDreamsMiniDonuts.com and on Facebook. You can also call them at 347-724-6200.

Videography by Jesse Whitehead

 

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