Perspectives: Random Thoughts...

by Paul Semendinger

January 8, 2024

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As we wait for the Yankees to make the next big move (they're going to make one...right?), the following are thoughts I have regarding the Yankees and more...

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Late yesterday I saw that the Dodgers signed Teoscar Hernandez, an outfielder, to a one-year, $23.5 million contract with the Dodgers again using deferred money to get a ballplayer they want. (Hernandez is a very good, but is certainly not a great player whose production has gone the wrong way each of the last few years.)

That deal demonstrates again, a few points that I have been making over and over:

1. The Dodgers are playing to win. They're playing big. They're not cutting corners. (This is the way the Yankees used to operate.)

2. When a wealthy team wants a player, they can get that player - there are creative ways to structure contracts. Smart teams operate smartly. The Dodgers keep doing this.

3. As fans, we do not understand players costs, values, and etc. To the casual fan, $23.5 million sounds like a ton of money for a player like Hernandez. It isn't.

4. When we, as fans, say, "That player is too expensive" we are making the excuses the Yankees want us to make for their own shortcomings. We make the Yankees' excuses for them. The Yankees today can sign (and afford) Cody Bellinger, Blake Snell, and Jordan Montgomery, or whoever else.

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Yesterday we published the latest article in the "Counting Down" series focusing on uniform #2. This week (or very soon, at least) I'll write about the best Yankee in uniform #1 and then (reluctantly), uniform #0 (not really a number).

That would normally put a wrap on that series, BUT... I have two more articles. Not long after I started my series, Bryan Hoch did a similar exercise. I have never looked at his list, but I will once I'm done. I'll then compare the two lists. The last article will be an update for any of the players from 2023 who might have changed some of my conclusions (or not).

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My next book, 365.2: Going The Distance, A Runner's Journey, is now available for pre-sale on Amazon, Barnes & Noble and everywhere. The following is from the publisher:

It's easy to make a New Year's resolution. It's much more difficult to fulfill it. Dr. Paul Semendinger, a 53-year-old father of three, an average runner (who runs about one marathon a year), an author, and a school principal, decided to run every single day for an entire year. That was his New Year's Resolution. This is the story of his quest to do what, for him, seemed to be the impossible. There were no off-days, no chances to take it easy. He made a promise to himself to run every day in 2022. He worked to achieve that goal as one of the biggest parts of his life changed radically. This is his tale of running. It's also the story of a year in his life.

Join Dr. Sem as he pushes ever forward. This is a story of motivation, of drive, of success, and even failure. The insights, the humor, the reflection, and the emotion that is part of this true tale is one that should motivate and inspire others to set their own goals for themselves and find ways to achieve them letting nothing get in the way of reaching a goal, no matter how unreasonable it might seem to others.

We all have goals, this book will help you reach yours!

Artemesia Publishing, the publisher of this book, also created a great playlist of some of my favorite songs to run to on Spotify. This is very cool.

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The NFL playoffs are all set. I don't follow football super closely, but I watch on the periphery. Here's my rundown of the teams in the playoffs:

Teams I Will Probably Root For: Chiefs, Bills, Steelers, Buccaneers, Packers

Teams I Don't Have An Opinion On: Ravens, Texans, Browns, 49'ers, Lions, Rams

Teams I Will Root Against: Dolphins, Cowboys, Eagles

As a kid, I was a big fan of the Washington Redskins (John Riggins was my favorite player). As such, I have always rooted against the Dallas Cowboys.

My favorite team was (still is) the New York Jets, but they never win so they don't usually factor into discussions like this. But, that being said, before the Redskins defeated the Dolphins in the 1982 Super Bowl, the Dolphins defeated the Jets. I have also always rooted against the Dolphins.

When the Giants are good, I root for them. I like when New York (New Jersey) teams win, and in that light, a Giants fan (no matter fair weather or not) also can't root for the Eagles.

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I have a longer article on this coming, but if Gary Sheffield gets into the Hall of Fame, that should, once and for all, put an end to the PED debate and the reasons for keeping players out. I have long hated the stain that whole era put on baseball and how it destroyed so many records, but it was part of the game, and it's time to move on. Once Sheffield gets in, the doors should open for the other greats who are now outside looking in.

Again, I'll have more thoughts on this, hopefully later this week.

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Yesterday I started one of my favorite winter rituals. I set up my big net in my downstairs room and I started my off-season pitching program. It's great to be throwing again. Last year I helped pitch one of my teams to the league championship. I'll turn 56-years-old this summer, but I feel as youthful and strong as ever.

The joy I get from standing on a pitcher's mound and facing batters (some more than half my age) - and especially getting them out, is simply too great for words. I hope I have many more seasons in my right arm.

But for now, I'll just start focusing on the season ahead.

I still think the Yankees can use me. (My dad and I still play catch (with a baseball) and he thinks the Red Sox could use him still as well. He's 85-years-old. AMAZING!!!)