Quick Hits: Marino & Bernie, Dice-K and Hooch, Marty, Carlos Z and the Padres...

Mariano Rivera: He’s pissed according to CNNsi’s John Heyman. Mariano is not happy at how the Yankees have handled the Bernie Williams situation.

Responding to a question about whether he's surprised that Williams didn't receive a guaranteed deal from the Yankees, Rivera responded, "Surprised? Yes ... I think Bernie shouldn't be treated that way. But who am I to say?'' … “"Bernie should be here with his bat,'' Rivera said, emphatically.”He had a great year last year, and he helped us a lot. I guess that's the business side of baseball.'' (CNNsi.com)

Wow. He said a whole lot right there.

The mentality of the Yankees is changing, and it sure isn’t based on sentimentalism. The team is looking to turn over a new leaf, and Bernie obviously is not in the plan. Cashman wants to get the team to get younger, and that’s ruffling a few feather in Yankee-land.

For all you Yankee fans, what do you think?

Matsuzaka Upror: Ian of the Red Sox blog, Random Thoughts alerted me about the Daisuke Matsuzaka (Dice-K) mini-controversy going on in Boston on Sunday when I first posted a commercial of him hawking beer in Japan.

Well, reading the Baltimore Sun this afternoon, it looks like MLB and the city of Boston are in a tizzy.

Bottom line, in America, you are not allowed to be contracted to a MLB team and drink beer.

Some people have a problem with him appearing in a beer commercial with Red Sox gear on.

The Boston Red Sox's expensive new import, pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka, is causing some consternation for his team with a commercial airing in Japan.

John Blake, the Red Sox's director of media relations, told the Boston Herald: "I called [MLB International], talked to their marketing people and explained the situation, and I believe they understand the situation and will probably be more careful in the future."

An MLB International representative said: "The ad is consistent with what's acceptable in the Japanese marketplace. We did approve it with him drinking the beer outside of his uniform. It's a type of commercial that is really commonplace in Japan. It is not really that farfetched. (Baltimore Sun)

In country where we celebrate infamy, and cheer athletes even though they may have committed adultery, been incarcerated, or disrespected fans, we still cheer them. This is why a commercial with an athlete drinking beer is not a big deal. For parents who are worried about kids looking to someone who chugged a beer down, you could do worse than Dice-K.

The commercial is not being shown in the U.S., so it’s much ado to about nothing.

Marty-Ball out in San Diego: I guess ego supersedes everything in life. Marty-Ball is over in San Diego after he went 14-2 & earned a playoff spot. It has been known that Marty Schottenheimer is hard to deal with, as I know he was with the Redskins, but it takes on a whole new level when you’re fired after getting in the playoffs.

Marty Ball will end up somewhere.

Carlos Wants to be Paid: Carlos wants a deal before the season or he’s done with the Cubs.

This is what he says:

"Whatever happens, I don't want to know [anything] about a contract during the season. I want to sign with the Cubs before the season starts," the Cubs' pitching ace said in an interview on WGN-TV. "If they don't sign me, sorry, but I must go. That's what Carlos Zambrano thinks."

Geez. The Cubs should just lock him up now. Then again, after you spent $300 million on contracts, and not even assured of a World Series, I’d be hesitant too.

Nevertheless, sign him or the Cubs will pay big time later, and I mean in the win-loss column.

Padres sign a Veteran Marine: I think this story is cool. The San Diego Padres signed Cooper Brannan, a veteran of the War in Iraq who lost a finger (his pinky) in the conflict.

Stieren said Padres general manager Kevin Towers "was adamant that we were doing this because of his potential, not because it was a great story. (CNNsi.com)

I say, if he’s got potential, sign him. In an era of spoiled athletes who commit crimes and lack humility, you only have to root hard for a guy like Cooper Brannan to make the big leagues.