Friday Nyah News: Ortiz can’t rule out playing for Yankees; Selig pressured act against Giambi; Raissman vs. Russo, Fransesa, Flaherty, O’Neill, and Gammons; Yankees have to keep winning (durr); Clemens to have AAA start before return; Kevin Kernan is an idiot; Cashman keeps cool; Clippard looking forward to home debut

It’s a hot one here in New York today. It’s above 80 and it feels like it’s time for baseball. Therefore, I’m going to play a home run derby with some chums, but before I do that, let’s see what’s in the papers today.

I’m gonna organize this by subject today, because I’m awesome.

David Ortiz doesn’t rule out playing for Yankees

• According to this Time Magazine interview with Ortiz, he won’t rule out playing for the Yankees someday because, “You can never fall in love with a team.” Let the rumors begin, however early this might be. Ortiz is signed through 2010 with the Red Sox, with a club option for 2011. He’ll be 35 or 36 by the time he’s a free agent, depending on if his option is picked up. So there’s a ways to go before anyone should seriously consider this becoming a reality, and by then, would anyone want Ortiz? Who’s to say he won’t break down by then. Knowing the Yankees, though, they’d probably sign him through his 42nd birthday at some ridiculous price. What makes this story interesting to me, though, is that right now it probably really irks many Boston fans, who don’t ever want to hear a beloved player even entertain the thought of playing with the Yankees. Har har.

Jason Giambi and his “stuff”

• A story by Daily News reporter T.J. Quinn (seems like he should own a bar) reveals that there are many within the commissioner’s office, “hawks,” if you will, who want to turn the heat up on Giambi. Of course the final decision rests with Bud Selig, but the aforementioned “hawks” want to force the Players Association to defend Giambi, even though the commissioner would likely lose.
• On the topic of amphetamines, Bob Raissman has really been on a tear in The Daily News the past two days. In a column from Wednesday, he verbally deflowers Chris Russo and Mike Fransesa, who, on their radio show “Mike & The Mad Dog,” claimed that nobody cares that The Daily News broke a story about Giambi taking amphetamines, and that it was no surprise. I’m paraphrasing here, but those two guys seem to think it’s okay to overlook amphetamines because they have a history in the game, and hey, it’s not like they’re STEROIDS. Yeah, Raissman takes them to the woodshed on that one.

  In yesterday’s column, Raissman doesn’t relent. He takes exception to the YES broadcasters handling of the Giambi illicit substances scandal. Surprisingly, he likes what Michael Kay had to say. Actually, I should cut Michael Kay a break, he may be a bit of a tool, but he has the balls to come out and say what he feels. What Raissman doesn’ like is that Kay’s broadcast partners, John Flaherty and Paul O’Neill (who is usually outspoken) both were reluctant to say anything on the matter directly, focusing more on the peripheral issues attached to it. Raissman’s conclusion: grow some sack.

  Then, in that same column, Raissman turns his ire to ESPN analyst Peter Gammons, who, according to Raissman, cast suspicion on The Daily News’ report because ESPN had not broken the story themselves.I love angry tirades. Read them both.

Really? The Yankees HAVE to win? I hadn’t noticed

• With the Angels coming to town, there’s a slew of columns about how this is another must-win situation for the Yankees. It’s a good thing that we have people to report this to us, because that 9-1/2 game lead the Red Sox have over the Yanks doesn’t speak for itself. In spite of how unnecessary it is to go over this time and again, John Harper of The Daily News manages to write a good column on what the Yankees face this weekend against Anaheim.

Rocket Relaunch

• Both Newsday and The Daily News are reporting that Roger Clemens likely has one more minor league start to get through before rejoining the team. Kat O’Brien thinks Clemens would then join the team in Boston, but Mark Feinsand thinks the Yankees will wait to start Clemens until Chicago, the series after. Of course, Clemens could still pitch Monday if his bullpen session goes well enough where he feels he could rejoin the team this week.
• What’s that you say, Kevin Kernan of The Post? The Rocket needs to come back ASAP? Maybe I just can’t recall any others that top this, but this is one of the most sickening sycophantic columns I’ve read. Kernan is treating the return of Roger like Jesus himself is going to throw for the Yankees. On Clemens’ rediness, Kernan writes, “By throwing 102 pitches Wednesday night in AA Trenton, Clemens showed he is ready for a major-league workload.” Really? You know what, Kev? I can throw 102 pitches. I’ll go do it right now.

  Okay, I just cranked 102 off in my backyard. None of them were any good. If Kernan went by pitch counts as a barometer of greatness, then Al Leiter’s 2005 season was legendary. Clemens walked something like two batters in the first and hit a guy. He didn’t make it to 6 innings. He gave up six hits and 3 runs. But hey, he threw a lot! Get him back NOW!

  Kevin Kernan is a fool. Take Clemens’ wee-wee out of your ear and realize that rushing a middle-aged man back to the majors probably isn’t the most prudent thing to do. I should really boycott The Post if they’re going to allow trash like this to be published. It’s like Clemens’ PR man wrote this. Utter garbage.

Cashman not panicking

• A story by Tyler Kepner in today’s New York Times has some praise for Cashman provided by other GM’s, and talks about some of his successes, and some of his failures as an autonomous GM (Pavano, anyone?). Kevin Towers, the Padres’ GM, claims Cashman always has a plan B, and C, and D, etc. Hmm, these plans wouldn’t be to throw money at aging ballplayers, would they?

Clippard is pumped for Stadium debut

• Who wouldn’t be excited? Here’s the story from The Post. I hope he doesn’t let up five bombs in a row tonight.

That’s all for this batch. I’ll be back in a minute with another story that deserves it’s own posting, so that you all can discuss it. You can discuss any of these as well by leaving comments. Go ahead, I can take criticism.