With baseball in full swing and football training camps beginning, we’ve started to hear that ugly word “injury,” the word nobody likes to hear. For owners, managers, and even fantasy baseball enthusiasts, injuries are killers of the season. And recently I have noticed that the number of injuries in many sports have skyrocketed, and the types of injuries that are being suffered vary greatly. Yet, what truly drives this article is the astonishing feat that Tiger Woods was able to pull off just two weeks ago in five days. I know that he has been in the headlines for a long time now and that his story has become like an overplayed song, but it really is spectacular.

We all know the story of Tiger Woods in the US Championship tournament at Torrey Pines two weeks ago. But what amazes me is what he went through to accomplish this great task, and how it compares to other sports. We do not know for sure when exactly Tiger incurred all of these injuries. However, we do know that for most of the tournament he was playing in terrible pain, that to be honest most of us would call in sick for at a job where we sit behind a desk. But he went about his day and his “job” and completed all tasks ahead of the rest. And when all was said and done the carnage report came out with two fractures in each bone of his leg, and a torn ACL. This is mind boggling.

Let’s compare this to other athletes in other sports. Many defend athletes in other sports, saying that he wouldn’t be able to do this in this sport or do that for that sport. I think differently. You hear it all the time in football, this man out with an ACL tear, or this player goes down with a fractured leg. And most people argue that they have more physical needs than that of Tiger Woods. Again, wrong. The swing that Tiger uses places more pressure on his front leg (the leg injured) during the downswing and follow through than any movement a football player makes.

We can compare that to another sport, baseball. First of all I would like to say that baseball is America’s and the world’s greatest sport in my mind. But the players sometime take it all for granted. For instance, just the other week I saw three pitchers go on the 15-day DL because of shoulder soreness. This is inexcusable. In the past when true baseball was played by the greats, the players went out everyday regardless of if they were 100% or not. They loved the game therefore they played everyday with a smile on their face and a small paycheck to boot. Again people will argue Tiger did it for the money. Sure he did, thats how he gets paid. But he also did it because he wants to be great and be distinguished from the rest.

Another sport I would like to use as an example is soccer. The most popular sport around the world is, I feel , filled with the most prima donnas. Honestly, they get clipped in the leg running for a ball and they fall and yell and complain begging for a card to be handed out by the referee. And then they are taken off in a golf cart because their own teammates cannot help them off. It is atrocious to see some of the lengths to which these players go to get a card drawn for a harmless foul. Do not get me wrong—soccer is a good sport filled with many talented and hard working athletes but I think these few who take “dives” really give all involved a bad rap.

In short, my hat is off to you Mr. Tiger Woods for your superior efforts. You are a true athlete who suffers for what they do best, as well as the other millions of athletes both past and present who played through adversity to become legends.

I know it has been a long time since my last post, but as promised, here are my thoughts on the 2008 Yankee’s starting rotation, which is set but questionable. (Please do not forget that I am a die hard Yankees fan)

The Yankees starting rotation is a big mix of youthful arms and veteran leadership. At the head of the rotation we have Chien-Ming Wang. Last year Wang went 19 and 7 with an ERA around 3.70. With these statistics he was the Yankees most reliable arm last year. However, this is somewhat deceiving. Wang relies heavily on his signature pitch, the sinker ball. But this pitch is very unstable. The weather plays a huge role in the movement of the ball, and if it continues to stay flat he will get rocked. Another one of his better pitches is the two-seamed fastball,  which hits speeds up to the mid 90’s. He can spot this effectively and when jamming righties, it is very efficient. The only thing to watch out fot his year is Wang’s blow-ups. In most of the games he lost, Wang gave up an average of 7 runs. With Wang at the top of the rotation he is also going to be facing the opposing teams best pitcher and I would not expect a repeat performance of last year. Expect around 20 wins but I would also throw in a few extra losses. (Prediction:19-10 with ERA about 4)

Moving into the two spot in the rotation we have Andy Pettite. Over the off season he has faced many issues with his past rehabilitation practices. Now I think he is focused, though, and ready to get back into the swing of things under Joe Girardi’s watchful eye. Last year Pettite started 34 games and went 15 and 9 with a just over 4 ERA. The numbers are just below average for Pettite. However, age and help are a concern this year. Pettite is getting older and losing velocity in his fastball. Now he hits low 90’s. However, he is still able to work a very good change-up into the mix and still has one of the best curveballs in the business. I think Pettite will be a decent starter this year and put up about the same numbers this year as last. Expect about 15 wins again out of Pettite and about 11 or so losses.

Philip Hughes is one of the young arms in the rotation this year and has been put into the three spot. Last year Hughes went 5 and 3 in 13 starts and a 4.46 ERA. Since pitchers and catchers reported this spring for the Yankees, Hughes has shown nothing but positives. In his last few bullpen sessions Jose Molina has said that there is more pop on his ball. He has been clocked at 95 mph, which is pretty impressive. The only question mark is, will he be able to maintain the speed and consistency throughout the season? Another big key to Hughes is going to be the effectiveness of his curveball and slider. If he is able to make the key pitches this season, and limit mental mistakes he will do well this year. Right now I am optimistic and say he will go 16-10 with about 4 ERA.

Mike Mussina is another veteran arm for the Yankees this year. Last year he did not have a good year, going 11 and 10 with a 5.15 ERA. Mussina showed glimpses last year of a very effective pitcher, hitting his spots well and keeping a good velocity on the ball. But in his worst starts, his ball was not moving much and the fastball was low 90’s. Last year Mussina was also rested a bit, so endurance may be an issue this year again. Expect a better season this year from Mussina as he faces the number 4 starter of the opposing team. I predict a 16-12 record with below 5 ERA this year.

The final spot of the rotation is still up for grabs by two young arms, Igawa and Kennedy. (Chamberlain may be thrown in the mix this year as well). If it were my choice, I would put Kennedy in too see how he handles the pressure and keep Igawa in the bullpen. Long relievers are also helpful in the bad starters games. Chamberlain is also going to start in the bullpen this year and with his strict pitch count and innings limit he may not become a starter. I think he is better serving us in the bullpen to set-up Rivera.

This year is going to be a year of streaks for the Yankees starting pitchers, but it is going to be a good year nonetheless. Hopefully all will stay healthy in spring training and when the opener in Yankee stadium is upon us they will all be in pristene condition.

Personaly, I still have major doubts about their chances. There are still so many question marks placed on the team. Right now the projected starting rotation is Santana, Martinez, Maine, Perez, and Hernandez.

I have few doubts about Johan being able to pitch under the pressure of New York. My main concerns lie with the rest of the rotation. The Mets keep telling the media that Pedro will be fine for the entire season, but I think this is false. After such a big surgery, Pedro was only able to throw in four games. Granted he did win three out of the four, but I do not believe he will be able to maintain his stamina for the year. His velocity is also not what it used to be. Pedro relies a lot on his velocity, hitting 95 and blowing people away right down the middle. However, if his speed drops to 92 or so he will have to work on spotting the ball which might lead him to make some costly mistakes.

John Maine is another guy that I have concerns with. The kid did show he had some good stuff last year, but I think that good hitters in the NL will be able to get a better look at him in year two. Last year he went 15 and 10 with a just under 4 ERA (Earned Run Average). I do not think that these numbers will repeat themselves. I project he will have around 15 wins but add another two or three losses on there.

Dropping down into the four spot is Oliver Perez. I have some hope for the pitcher. With so many good pitchers in front of him he will be matched up with the other number four starters and may just fly under the radar on some teams. Last year, he too went 15 and 10 with a 3.56 ERA. I think he will maintain these numbers pretty well and is not going to be spectacular but somewhat reliable.

The fifth starter is Orlando Hernandez. I cannot say enough about this guy. I absolutely loved him when he was a Yankee and was sad to see him go. (Yes, I am a die-hard Yankees fan.) Orlando is a finesse pitcher who uses his veteran status to his advantage. He does not throw hard at all, but uses great command and a sick-nasty curveball to freeze batters. He is also very versatile, because as he showed last year, he can come out of the bullpen for long relief. Depending on how the Mets use him he may just get them 10 wins.

So there you have it, the Mets starting rotation. Let’s see how spring training goes and we shall see how all five guys hold up throughout the season.

Here is just an agenda for my next few columns: Yankees starting five, Mets and Yankees bullpens, Rest of the League, and the Sanman’s Bold Predictions.