Oh, Those Savvy Vets

The old adage in Major League Baseball used to be that experience and service time were more valuable to a team than youth, potential and the exuberance that young (early 20s) players brought to their teams.

That may have been true at one point, even as recently as three or four years ago. But once drug testing became prevalent, MLB cracked down on the use of amphetamines by players and the Mitchell Report was released, a lot of things have changed in the game.

No longer are veteran players who may be on the down slope of their careers valued higher than young, healthy, prospects who can contribute at the Major League level. At the beginning of the season, the two may seem even, and maybe the veteran player would get the edge, because of his experience.

But wait until the dog days of summer, day games after night games and those grueling August and September tilts that either put veterans into slumps they can't ever seem to get out or land them on the DL.




Johnny Damon is the perfect example.

A guy with 14 years of Major League experience that can do many things for a ball club. But is contributing everyday at 100 percent in August and September one of them? Don;t think so.

On the other hand, someone like Jacoby Ellsbury is the exact opposite of a player like Damon. Ellsbury may not have the "seasoning" or the "experience" that Damon has, but managers, owners and fans can probably rest assured that 120+ games into the season, a 24-year-old Ellsbury will be in a much better position than Damon to run out an infield single, track a gap shot in the late-innings or steal a base when the team needs a runner in scoring position.

Damon, now a 34-year-old left fielder, will most likely be battling a calf pull, knee sprain, back spasm, sore elbow or a case of dyslexia at that point and won't be able to perform like Ellsbury would without the assistance of amphetamines or some other performance-enhancer.

The days of veterans in the latter halves of their careers being more valuable than rookies and young guys who may make a "rookie mistake" sometimes is over. Guys like Ellsbury, outfielder Jay Bruce and first baseman Joey Votto of the Reds and third baseman Evan Longoria of the Rays will replace the Damons, Scott Rolens, Juan Pierres and Adam Dunns of the world.

In this day and age, youth equals extended health and sustained energy. And without amphetamines and other "useful" substances, the old guys just won't be able to keep up in the latter third of the season.

Apparently this theory doesn't apply to the Yawkey League though, as the weekly awards are being dished out behind-the-back style to two Yawkey League pillars of longevity.



The slate of games for this past week was a small one because Mother Nature felt the need to soak New England in the middle of baseball season. What a crude bitch. To make matters worse, she then hit us with July's weather in the first week of June, officially confusing the hell out of everyone.

With Wednesday being a wash and only three games total between Thursday and Saturday, the sample size for the YBL's Pitcher and Hitter of the Week was reduced.

There were still some impressive numbers out there though, as the Brighton Brewers, Somerville Alibrandis and McKay Club Beacons all put up at least a dirty dozen in their Monday games.

The offensive Man of the Hour is someone who you could say earned himself a Kobe Byrant-like life-time achievement award this past week for his performance against the Brookline Dodgers. Ted Tracy, a 12-year Yawkey League veteran, hit his first ever YBL home run to propel his Brighton Braves to a 7-3 win last Tuesday.

Tracy finished the game 3-for-3 with three runs scored and three RBIs when his three-run shot cleared the fence in the fourth inning.

What a relief, huh Ted?

What took you so damn long?

Tracy, in 11 games so far this season, is hitting a rather robust .424 (14-33) with six extra-base hits and his OBP is a Barry Bonds-esque .545. His 14 hits are third behind Dave Scioli of Somerville and teammate Jeff Cashman, who both have 16.



Another Yawkey League veteran earned himself honors this past week for his performance against the Brighton Black Sox. Steve Szathmary of the juggernaut Alibrandis did his best Bob Gibson impression as he baffled the Black Sox for six innings last Monday, fanning 11, walking two while giving up five hits (all singles) in six innings.



The Alibrandis, who have won 812 of the last 815 Yawkey League Championships (or something like that), won the game 5-0. The win ran Szathmary's record to 2-1 on the season and he has 25 punchados (seventh in the league) in 23 innings.