The Fanboy Crybabies Need to Get Over Giancarlo Stanton Joining the Yankees

Every time Boston does not get their way, a small violein plays while Bill Simmons whines

I know that I am a little behind with today's topic, but it is the holiday season, and life has been crazy. But, as you all know by now, Giancarlo Stanton is now a member of the New York Yankees. Derek Jeter and the crew that bought the Marlins have been gutting the roster, which they said they were going to do. So far they have traded 3 big time players, with Stanton being the biggest. From the moment that the new owners took over it was very evident that Stanton was going to be moved. I was excited for awhile because the Cardinals, my team, were heavily in the mix all the way to the end. But in the end, the Yankees got him because that is what the Yankees do. They have always been able to pull off the big move ever since I was a kid. As soon as the Yankees came to the forefront, it was a foregone conclusion to me that he would join the team. And when it happened, I was not shocked.

What irks me about this is the same thing that irked me about KD joining the Warriors last offseason. People say that the Yankees have had a few "down" years, yet they were one game away from making the World Series this past season. They also have a roster filled with young, very good players. I mean, just Aaron Judge alone, who I do not think is as good as everyone else does, won rookie of the year. They have great hitters all over their roster. Their pitching leaves a bit to be desired, but it is serviceable. Now with Stanton, they have to be the odds on favorites to make the World Series next year. I'd love to see them go down, but they just look way too good on paper to be beaten by anyone in the AL next year.

The trade is not the point of my piece today. I am an avid listener of "The Bill Simmons" podcast. Lately it has become more of a hate listen because Simmons is becoming more cocky and insufferable with every episode. He seems to think the sun rises and sets based on his opinions. But, I do like the guests, especially when they do basketball stuff. And with basketball stuff, since he and KD have become buddies lately, he has been fully on board with KD joining the Warriors. He always says that he wants the best players to play together because he loves the game in its purest form. He praises KD non stop for leaving OKC, all the while trashing Russell Westbrook any chance he gets. He has never, ever said one bad thing about KD joining a team that didn't need him, and that beat him head to head. Like I said, he praises KD's decision. In fact, he has made it his personal mission to defend KD. If anyone comes on his show and bad mouths it, he roasts them, and then tries to ham fist a Thunder jab in there somehow. He has become what he claims to have hated about ESPN, a star lover. He has made friends with one of the biggest NBA stars, and he doesn't want to rock the boat.

On a podcast recently, Simmons had one of his old college buddies on who happens to be a lifelong Yankees fan. This person, whos name escapes me right now, has been on from time to time. He isn't on as much as Joe House, who I really like, but he is on enough that I kind of know who he is. He had this buddy on after the Stanton trade was completed, and he trashed the MLB for allowing this to happen. First off, if you do not know by now, Simmons is a big time Red Sox fan, and he is from Boston. So, anything that doesn't go his way for his city, he is a big time crybaby about. This Stanton trade fits into that category. He acted like such a baby about this. He made stupid, hackney jokes about the Yankees front office. Like I said above, he trashed the MLB because Stanton used his no trade clause, which he got in his contract, to veto trades to the Cardinals and Giants. It was basically just an hour long whine fest while Simmons buddy laughed at him the whole time.

What I don't get about his whining though, how is Stanton joining the Yankees any different from KD joining the Warriors? This is exactly what he advocated for with the KD move, with one exception. The Yankees didn't beat the Marlins in a big time playoff series. Stanton didn't go to a team that was in 2 straight world champion series. Stanton didn't join a team that was an odds on favorite to not only win the title, but coast to it. As I talked about earlier, Stanton joined a team that some "experts" considered "down". So in actuality, what Stanton did wasn't nearly as weak as what KD did. KD was/is a title chaser. He couldn't beat the Warriors, so he joined them. The only similarity between the 2 players is that they won MVP's on different teams from their current team. So for Simmons to attack Stanton and the MLB and his buddy is off putting and makes him look like an idiot and a front runner himself. He only likes big time moves when it benefits him.

Look, I am not on board with either of these moves, but I have made no mistake about that. I hated when KD joined the Warriors, and I do not like that Stanton joined the Yankees. It waters down the game. It takes the drama out of sports. It makes it way easier to make predictions. That is where Simmons and I differ. I can separate myself from players and teams and be non biased. Maybe it is easier for me because I don't have a personal relationship with these guys and the people around them, but Simmons is a professional. His job as a journalist is to be non biased. But, he may be the most biased sports writer in the industry. I'm not going to stop listening to his show, but the more I do listen, the less respect I have for him and his opinions.

Get over yourself Bill Simmons. Boston sports are doing just fine. So what if the Yankees will be better than the Red Sox for awhile. You still have the Patriots and Celtics. But stop contradicting yourself based on friendships. It makes you look like a real asshole.

Ty

Ty is the Pop Culture editor for SeedSing and the other host of the X Millennial Man Podcast. He is still sore about the almost trade of AJ McCarron going to the Cleveland Browns. That would have been the making of a one or two win super team.

Follow Ty on instagram and twitter.

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Jose Fernandez - A Great Baseball Talent, and a Better Human Being, Gone Too Soon

My "Eric Andre Show" and "Bar Rescue" reviews are going to have to wait until tomorrow and Thursday because I need to talk about the tragic loss of Jose Fernandez.

I could not believe it when I saw the news on Sunday. I took that day, and yesterday for that matter, to process the whole thing. I was at a loss. I could not believe what I was reading and watching on television. I just did not think it was true. How could someone so young and filled with life and potential all the sudden be gone? It just didn't make sense. Then, I was watching the beginning of the Marlins-Mets game, and that's when it all came together for me. This is when I realized that Jose Fernandez was actually gone.

First off, the tribute that the Marlins gave him was one of the most moving things that I have ever seen. It was more moving than any movie, TV show or other thing that is written to move people. This was such a wonderful, yet very painful tribute to a fallen teammate. Then, watching Dee Gordon hit that leadoff homerun and run around the bases in tears, I mean, man, I feel like tearing up myself right now.

Jose Fernandez, if you don't know his story, was a 24 year old ace pitcher for the Miami Marlins, who defected from Cuba, and it took him 4 times to make it to America. On the fourth try, he had to save his drowning mother, which he did, and they finally made it to America. He was a hero, literally, from the moment he finally made it to America. Then, he showed off his pitching prowess. This kid was a phenom. He had an incredible array of pitches, and he had an arm that allowed him to be a starting pitcher that could go 7+ innings and throw 100 pitches a game. He had an incredible home record and ERA in his young career. He was a lock down pitcher from the moment he made the major leagues. He and Giancarlo Stanton were the cornerstones for the Marlins. The team was just starting to become a bit competitive, and it was due to Stanton and Fernandez.

But, he was so much more than a baseball player. I mean, this is coming from someone that does not watch a lot of baseball, but when I had a chance to watch Fernandez pitch, I did. He was a joy to watch, not only because he was dominant, but because of the joy with which he played baseball. He played baseball like the game that it is. He was never too serious, but he was elite. He always seemed to have a smile on his face when he was on the mound. One of my favorite highlights that has been reappearing lately is when he robbed Troy Tulowitzki on a line shot back to him. Fernandez threw the pitch, Tulo ripped it right back at him, he stuck his glove up and the ball was in his glove. He acted like this was normal. He and Tulo were both amazed at this catch. They both laughed, not believing what had just happened. That showed right there that, not only did he have the respect of his teammates, but he also had the respect of his counterparts. That does not happen too often in professional sports, unless you are a star. Go watch that highlight, that is the epitome of Jose Fernandez. Great athlete, but also played with such joy and passion.

After his tragic death, more stories came out that he was just like this off the field. He was everyone's friend. He was always smiling. He brought joy to those around him at all times. He was in a great mood most of the time. He just seemed to be a great kid, both on and off the field.

Next, the tragic news on Sunday. As I said, I did not believe it at first. I thought this was a hoax. He was too young, and had too much time left in his pro career to be gone so sudden. I started to search the internet fervently to see if this was all false. I, unfortunately, found out that all the reports were true. I still did not believe it, until last night. This is a great tragedy. Don't be fooled and just think that it was another young player that lived fast and died young. By all accounts, Fernandez was a good kid that just happened to be involved in a horrific accident that took his life, and the lives of 2 others. This is such a freak thing, and no one deserves this. I am still kind of in shock. I cannot believe that I will never see him pitch again. He was such a tremendous pitcher who had such a long career ahead of him. He was going to be a surefire, multiple Cy Young award winner, and he and Stanton were going to lead the Marlins back to being contenders. This is a true sports tragedy.

Jose Fernandez brought so much joy to his teammates, fans, friends and his family. He will be greatly missed. His life is gone, and he was so young, and so full of life. I cannot believe that he is gone, I just can't wrap my mind around it. I'm at a loss. I hope wherever you are now Jose Fernandez you are at peace. You will be greatly missed. RIP

Ty

Ty is the Pop Culture editor for SeedSing and the other host of the X Millennial Man Podcast. Follow him on instagram and twitter.