Sterno Speaks ...

I'm Baaaaaaaaack!

2008-04-02T14:38:02Z

What's Up Party People.....Sterno back in the saddle - my apologies for a delay that has been completely my fault. With everything new going on and all of the changes with the channel heading into the season, I've been swamped up the wazoo trying to get everything ready.

MIDDAY

First of all, I really want to thank all of you for your comments on the Midday - I enjoyed doing that show so much and mostly because of the fact that I felt it was a vehicle to reach out to you guys - people with the same insane baseball loving issues I have - and to have a great time doing it.

That said, I am having a BLAST with the 411 and am doing my best to settle into my new role. Rome wasn't built in a day - and I know that. That said, I am greedy and am always working to make things better and to improve and with that I'm trying daily to bring whatever I can to the table to help make this great show even greater - without taking anything away that you the fans are used to. I hope it's working....

For me after all is said and done, it's just baseball and a fun atmosphere to let it all fly. And as you all know - opinions are my favorite thing. I'm not one to keep quiet. The more I get adjusted to the show, the more the folks who've backed me the past few years will see what they love - my attitude.

Those who don't like it - Oh well. Haha.

RANDOM THOUGHTS

Allright some random thoughts this 1st week of the season at 230 in the morning...

Pedro Martinez - Can a brother catch a break? I mean seriously people. Here's a guy who busted his hump to get all the way back, was working his way back to you babe and all that good stuff - and now a hammy gets him and boom he's down for the count. Do i REALLY have to guarantee staring at Mike Pelfrey and that god for saken annoying mouthpeice for the next two months? ARGH!

Johan Santana -

Dear Johan,

Be ready to pitch every three days.

Signed,

Your friend WIllie :)

Jose Canseco and Curt Schilling - Will we ever be lucky enough to get this guy to shut his mouth. I mean, we all know he isn't intelligent enough to actually write any of this **** so maybe if we would stop enabling him and taking money to type for him - he'd get some kind of a books on tape deal and fizzle out.

Although...I WAS ecstatic to see he and Curt Schilling going at it. If there's anyone more obnoxious than Canseco - It's Schilling. I should blog like he does. Take credit for every move made at MLB.com, then proceed to bash half the people in the company. While at the end....thanking Jesus my savior.

Oh Lord is right!

San Francisco Giants - Is it wrong that I think I could crack their lineup this season? I mean are you serious with Bengie Molina hitting cleanup? I was watching the game tonight and was preparing to see Jake Taylor, Tom Berenger's character from Major League get out there to hit. Absolutely ridiculous....Good job Aaron Rowand. You took some extra cash to sit in a black hole and rot for a few years...

And all of it just to hear Barry Zito play guitar...

Allright people I gotta bounce and get some rest. I PROMISE this is the beginning of much more on here and I'm going to start plugging on the show. Keep up with the new 411 and get to me any questions or concerns related to the show that you'd like. In the end - I am here for you.

Thanks so much for all of your support - I really do appreciate it always

Sterno

Bottom Line - Progress in Congress

2008-01-10T16:57:38Z

We all were anticipating the January 16th congressional hearing because we couldn’t wait to hear what Clemens and Pettitte would say at this point, and say facing the penalty of perjury. For me though, now that things have been postponed they become even more interesting because yes, the reasoning is that there will be further investigation into Rocket’s denials so that Congress is equipped with all the answers and facts it needs to handle the proceedings, but for me, the bigger and better aspect if you like drama, is that Roger has plenty more wiggle room now to make a mistake. He’s angry and borderline furious. Will he keep the lips sealed or will he continue to lash out? What happens next might tell us a ton about what to expect come time for Congress..that’s the bottom line!

Bottom Line - Roger, Roger

2008-01-08T17:53:11Z

Roger Clemens has said that the only reason he waited so long to viamently deny all the allegations was because his counsel Rusty Hardin had told him not to, even though most of us INCLUDING myself would consider quote lawyering up an admission of guilt - because if you're innocent at that point, as John Smoltz pointed out, and I agree with - you're flipping out and willing to do absolutely anything you have to in order to clear your name. With the 60 minutes thing what I saw was an angry Rocket, but a HIGHLY and almost laughably edited and CLEARLY pre-screened and scripted interview that had no tough questions and a whole lot of fluff...including my lord how about the "Swear?" Yes "I swear" stuff....I mean were tosies crossed...? Give me a break! Here is my problem with this whole thing and why I dont think it really helped Clemens all that much. What would be the VERY FIRST thing you would ask McNamee in that spot if it were you - a guy who gave this trainer a life and career, and quite obviously a guy you considered a close friend? Thats right - WHY DID YOU LIE - HEY MAN WHY AND HOW COULD YOU DO THAT - These guys danced around things and Clemens NEVER asked that question. It was clear to me that Clemens had Hardin in his corner on this call, and I dont think we heard ANYTHING that leans us back to the innocent side at all. THAT’S the bottom line!

Bottom Line - Hall of Fame

2008-01-07T15:56:48Z

What’s up party people?...The National Baseball Hall of Fame is the most exclusive class there is and it should remain that way. I’m not one of these guys who think everyone should get into Cooperstown. Not by a long shot. I do however think that you’ve got a solid foursome available for entry in Gossage, Rice, Dawson and Blyleven. The question for me is what about this whole system we’re working with? How is it that you’re not a Hall of Famer for seven, eight, sometimes fourteen years of eligibility…but then suddenly because of the competition you’re up against and nothing more than that, you deserve entry in year fifteen. These guys should ALL be in the Hall but they shouldn’t have to wait this long. NOTHING has changed people! That’s the Bottom line!

Now…GIVE ME YOUR VOTE! WHO’S ON YOUR BALLOT FOR THE CLASS OF 2008?

Bottom Line - New Year, Same Stories

2008-01-04T17:34:07Z

2008. A New Year. A New Attitude. And yes, some of the same storylines. We still don’t know what the fate of Johan Santana will be. Where he will play. How it will affect the landscape of the American League next season. IF Johan DOES get moved – all this waiting will be worth it for the team who gets him and immediately puts themselves atop the list of favorites to go the distance. We still don’t know what the fate of Roger Clemens will be. At least in the court of public opinion. Right now most are skeptical, some are downright angry, and very very few are in his corner. As more continues to come out in the coming weeks, we’ll get a better idea of what direction this whole mess turns…and how about the Goose? Does he FINALLY get the call? Will Jim Rice give the city of Boston room to finally sleep soundly. These are just some of the many questions to be answered in what promises to be a very busy year…and guess what…that’s WITHOUT even BRINGING UP what might happen on the field. 2008’s already full of intrigue…that’s the bottom line!

Bottom Line - Breaking News?

2008-01-03T19:45:33Z

Hank and the other eighteen members of the Steinbrenner clanhave all banned together to bring us some ground breaking news today. No, they will NOT sign Roger Clemens to play for the Yankees in 2008. Wait, what? I’m sorry, but did ANYONE actually think this was going to happen? First of all on the in-game side, the physical side of things, the “Rocket” that we last saw pitch to close out 2007 was a guy who looked like he was pitching at age 80, had barely anything remotely reminiscent of his glory days, and had nothing close to what he was being paid as far as value is concerned. So, why then would ANYONE sign him? Beyond that, please tell me that during this process you think there is an actual resolve coming at some point down the road. If you do, please tell me what that end game is. Because for me, I see a “he said, she said” taking us all the way through Spring Training and beyond and for that reason alone – no way is Roger back on a field anytime soon, or ever in my opinion – that’s the bottom line!

Happy New Year!

2008-01-02T16:02:12Z

Happy New Year!

What’s up people…happy and a healthy New Year to all! Good to get a chance to ring it in by talking about a man who’s name rings in MY head every night for all the wrong reasons. Roger Clemens. Roger Clemens. Roger Clemens. Every newspaper, every sportscast, every night, without fail. I don’t know about you but a little song and dance on “You Tube,” and a pre-scripted interview on “60 Minutes” aren’t exactly going to change the way I feel about this whole mess, and the Rocket’s involvement. As I’ve said, it’s all about how you react immediately after the adversity. THAT reaction is the natural one, and Clemens did nothing (unless you count a two paragraph statement coming from his attorney). To me, no matter how many statements Roger makes, nor how many law suits he puts together, one thing just cannot escape me, and that’s WHY in the world would Brian McNamee be honest about Andy Pettitte but subsequently lie through his teeth, just to put one of his best friends under a bus that would continue to roll over his body for the rest of his life. It just doesn’t compute. One thing’s for sure – I hope SOMEONE makes a big trade – and soon, so that I don’t have to spend any more time thinking about it. Roger Clemens. Roger Clemens. Roger Clemens. ARGH! STOP! That’s the Bottom Line!

Bottom Line - Clemens, Come Clean

2007-12-19T18:57:22Z

I want to believe Roger Clemens because I’m a huge baseball fan at heart and he’s been respected as one of the game’s best. But how could you. If someone said ANYTHING and I mean ANYTHING about me that wasn’t true, accused me of something I didn’t do – the VERY FIRST second I heard the comments or the accusation, I would be on every network, paper, media outlet denying it and doing so with conviction. Here is the Rocket who hangs around for a week and then makes these comments about a rush to judgement? Maybe YOU should have rushed to DO something because if it weren’t true you would be SICK thinking of someone who would believe it was. I can understand SAVING the legacy and not wanting to tell the truth – but to me – my opinion when it comes to THESE comments – THIS nonsense – SAVE – IT – That’s the bottom line.

Bottom Line - Post-Mitchell Report...

2007-12-17T13:24:45Z

...baseball still goes on. What's up people...who said this was the off-season?After 48 hours of Mitchell Report breakdown to close the week, this weekend has been just as busy in the news and a pair of things have really caught my attention. First of all, we ALL know that in the NL West, the only way to win is to pitch, pitch and pitch some more. If anyone in that group could actually hit maybe we'd actually see some seperation one of these seasons! The D-Backs pulled off a HUGE move in my opinion picking up Danny Haren and by doing so, they have put together one of the nastiest if not THE nastiest one-two punches in the National League with Webb and Haren at the front end. So, kudos to them! But, don't you have to question what in the WORLD the A's are doing? Do they EVER want to win a ring? And then just when you thought a couple of huge hot stove moves would make you forget about the "Steroid era" here comes Andy Pettitte in a move that completely suprised me. I thought that for sure, we would see all of the big names on that Mitchell list deny any involvement especially in the cases like Andy's where everything was related to hearsay. But his admission, which I have a lot of respect for as a baseball fan, all but cements the legacy of his boy the Rocket, because they both were in this report and under suspicion for their relationship with Brian McNamee. If Andy is guilty then most will believe - AND it is probably the case - that Clemens is as well. Now all the Hall of Fame conversation can continue. What do I say at a moment like this? Serenity now...that's the Bottom Line!

Bottom Line - Pre-Mitchell Report...

2007-12-13T19:38:47Z

What’s in a name? We think about that all the time when we’re having kids because we want to make sure that we’re respecting those in our family AND for the kids sake not giving them a rhyming name that gets them teased throughout their entire childhood. But how about the names we will hear tomorrow? What about that Mitchell Report? What happens to those names? What are the consequences? As the clock continues to tick down to the big unveiling I wonder this. Does anyone really, truly care – and if they do – is it for any reason other than to have something controversial to talk about regarding this great game of baseball? I for one will be spending MY time getting the latest on where Johan lands, and the up to the minute trade talks – because to me – Santana, Rowand, Bedard, Haren – THOSE are the “names” I care about!

Bottome Line - Gag-Me Gagne

2007-12-10T15:17:13Z

While everyone’s going to spend the next few days talking about the “Mitchell Report” and speculating as to the outcome of baseball’s version of Watergate…I myself will be spending hours upon hours trying to figure out what in the WORLD they’re smoking out there in Milwaukee! Ten Million dollars for Eric Gagne, are you kidding me? I mean – this IS the same Gagne who the Red Sox were putting behind skipper Terry Francona on the pitching depth chart down the stretch, isn’t it? This IS the same Gagne who proved after leaving Texas last year that he is still as inconsistent and a risk as ever, is it not? To me, the Brewers had a chance to show they were in this thing, to WIN this thing…would you have had to overpay Francisco Cordero to keep him? The answer is yes. But when a guy is as comfortable as he was in that organization and as successful, leading the league in saves, you simply get it done. End of story. Now a nightmare with Gagne awaits….Game Over! That’s the Bottom Line!

Bottom Line - Movers and Shakers

2007-12-03T16:52:16Z

I can’t remember an off-season like this one to be honest with you because normally there’s a ton of talk – and very little action…this past couple of months has been FULL of action around the league, with big names moving, and others on the way. The age of free-agency has had it’s negative aspects and affects on the game of baseball and on sports as a whole – you lose some of that loyalty – the business becomes at times just that – business…but right about now is when you reap the benefits because this is about as exciting as gets right? Oh, you mean only for the teams with the cash. A short list. If you’re a Pirates fan – you’re not arguing with your friend the Royals fan about who to go after Santana or Haren – you’re rather asking what prospects might make the big club this coming season. As in life – in baseball – right or wrong – happy or sad – money can’t buy you love but it sure can buy you everything else – THAT’S the bottom line!

Bottom Line - A-Stunning Turn of Events

2007-11-15T16:57:25Z

No matter how many things change so many others stay the same…it seems like only yesterday that Scott Boras and his antics were front page news. Oh wait it was. And the day before that. AND the day before that. Now instead of putting his little book of good deeds for Johnny Damon or Carlos Beltran or enter other big name here – he is doing so for the biggest of all, the best in the game, Alex Rodriguez. But what is one man really worth – especially when it’s a man who’s failed to come through when its mattered most, failed to bring home the one thing he supposively wants most, a ring. Here’s what I do know. A-Rod is a tremendous talent who will put up ridiculous numbers anywhere – and because of that – he WILL get paid. A lot. But, to me, he’ll never erase the tag of being a guy who couldn’t hack it mentally in the greatest city an athlete could EVER call home. That’s the bottom line!

Bottom Line - Yankee Domination?

2007-09-26T18:12:16Z

Call it dejavu – call it a broken record – call it WHATEVER you want – but here we are again talking about health and how important it is to winning it all. The Yankees have been the best team in baseball over the 2nd half of the season – in fact – it is NOT EVEN CLOSE…but…the questions surrounding Roger Clemens have changed things up just a bit because this club STILL needs that trio intact with Wang and Pettitte being the other two. With Roger Clemens going at far less than 100% which will most likely be the case here – it raises some serious questions as to whether or not a Mike Mussina or a Phillip Hughes will end up having to step it up at some point here and that alters the landscape because the Indians are bringing a red hot Jake Westbrook behind their top two, and we all know about the Halo’s and Jared Weaver. Things may have just gotten a bit more interesting in the American League and NOT in a way that’s going to make any Yankee fans too happy - that’s the bottom line!

Bottom Line - Detroit Down

2007-09-20T15:58:34Z

If you ever needed any proof that baseball isn’t played on paper – and that winning in this game is about a whole lot more than who is on your roster – take a closer look at the Detroit Tigers, who now have all but officially been put away for good here in 2007. Jim Leyland watched his club come within a couple of pitching mistakes of a World Series ring just a year ago…and then witnessed an off-season that saw Gary Sheffield’s bat join the lineup – something that could make this team even better. But all that great young pitching – all that mastery in the pen – all that we thought were givens for this club – were anything but – and after an up and down campaign – that quite frankly without the work of Magglio Ordonez could’ve been a whole lot worse, the Tigers will head into THIS off-season wondering what might’ve been. If they’d stayed healthy. If they’d been consistent. If they’d performed up to their collective capability. Baseball is the best game there is…one of the reasons…its unpredictability…another reason that finding out who gets IN the dance is only step one – then, we again are up for grabs as to who becomes the last club standing – that’s the bottom line!