Game 60: Pirates at Yankees
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- June
- 9
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Here is the lineup:
YANKEES
Damon DH
Jeter SS
Abreu RF
Rodriguez 3B
Posada C
Matsui LF
Cano 2B
Phelps 1B
Cabrera CF
Clemens RHP
Pregame chatter: Kevin Devaney, who followed Clemens for his minor-league starts, wrote a story on his return for today’s paper. … Interesting that Phelps is getting a shot at first base. Perhaps Cairo hasn’t won the job just yet. … The Pirates placed Salomon Torres on the DL with an elbow injury and called up Masumi Kuwata from Indianapolis. This will be very big news in Japan. Kuwata was a standout there for years who came to the majors at the end of his career.
I’m not covering the game today but I can imagine the scene in the clubhouse. There is a certain smell on the days when Clemens is pitching. Yes, smell. The Rocket has this pre-game routine he goes through that includes coating his arm with this hot balm and it stinks the place up. He also stalks around a bit, almost like a football player. One of the rules of the road for writers is that you don’t talk to the starter before the game, other than maybe to say hello. With Roger you don’t even do that. Jeter and Posada will be happy today. They love playing with Clemens.
Whether you think the Yankees were right or wrong to spend so much money on the guy, just appreciate the fact that Clemens is the greatest pitcher of his generation and one of the best two or three pitchers in the history of the game. Outside of Cy Young himself, there may be nobody better.
UPDATE, 3:35 P.M.: Checking in via a friend’s BlackBerry here … That was a quality start, statistically anyway. If Clemens gives them that 15 times, he’s going to win a bunch of games. Look at this way, it beats Matt DeSalvo walking off the mound in the second inning or more of Kei Igawa nibbling.
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on Saturday, June 9th, 2007 at 12:04 pm by Peter Abraham.
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Chad Jennings
Sam Borden
Josh Thomson
Welcome Home, “Roger!!”:http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a81/kos102/2007/Yankees/clemens/roger_returns_3.jpg
Does anyone know of the game will be carried on MLB.TV?
This stinks, I live out of market and the game is blacked out today!! I hate FOX. Fox isn’t even covering a game at 1:00 today, and yet I’m still blacked out. I guess, I’ll be waiting for updates on ESPNews…
Let Cairo Play. Josh Phelps stinks!!!!
Rocket activated….Chris Britton sent down
Cy young the best pitcher in the history of the game? And Roger the second best?
Sure, Clemens is one of the greatest of his generation, but let us not get carried away and insult the history of the game.
Walter Johnson??
Once again Joe does it. Britton sent down. Joe needs to get his head out of his a.. and start playing guys who desever it and not ones that are there for other reasons.
Launch,
Saturday a.m. games are blacked out on mlb.tv. You’ll have to wait until the game is over for the video. Or you can listen to mlb.tv audio. Warning: Some content may be inappropriate. “OOOHHH, Roger. Stop!! Stop rubbing balm up and down your arm! Oh, Roger, you’re driving me crazy. Ohh!”
Or you can watch it on Sopcast: http://www.myp2p.eu/MLB.htm
I’ll say one word and shut up: proxy.
I guess, Phelps is getting the start becuase Clemens is not a ground ball pitcher and today is a day game after night game. Cairo is getting the rest mainly given he has not been a regular and a breather will help. He will be back in the line up tomorrow. In fact, he will be in today late in the game for defense.
Clemens is a lot better than Cy Young was.
Probably Phelps with the strikeout pitcher on the mound.If Phelps could improve just a little the RH bat would come in handy low in the lineup
Regarding sending Britton down, I think they want to build up Vizcaino and trade him before the trading deadline and get something back. Incidentally, Vizcaino is not pitching badly recently.
Check out Bob Klapish on the Rocket:
*http://www.northjersey.com/page.php?qstr=eXJpcnk3ZjczN2Y3dnFlZUVFeXkyNjgmZmdiZWw3Zjd2cWVlRUV5eTcxNDgzNTkmeXJpcnk3ZjcxN2Y3dnFlZUVFeXk2*
Can’t wait for him to get out there and BANG HIS FIST.
Where’s Pollyana Porkchop when you need her?
I agree Clemens is better than Cy Young, then by Peter’s statement, Roger is the best in the history of the game? I do not think so.
Irresepctive of this debate, it is good to have Clemens back and hope he will do well today. If his performance is sub-par, imagine all he second guessing that will start on this blog as well as by most of the media. Poor Cashman!!!
you will see, the yankees are fine, they’ll win the division and then all the playoffs and world series. you guys just don’t know. i know in their hearts the yankees will win. they want to. all you posters want to do is argue and be negative. remember what clemens said last night about negativity. he banged his fist on the table. it made a loud noise and the reporters were frightened.
now imagine if clemens bangs the mound. then the red sox will be frightened. they will come undone, and lose games.
i think this is all an elaborate plan by the yankees. i think they are resting their best weapons like rivera so he doesn’t pithc in the first have, and when the red sox start to lose in the second half, they will win and rivera will be rested and better. cashman will look like a genius. torre will come back for two more seasons. you watch. this will happen.
it’s like in the rocky movies when rocky didn’t throw his devastating left until later in the fight. he didn’t fight southpaw, and totally confused his opponent. the yankees are rocky. the red sox are tommy gunn.
clemens will bang his fist. you will see
the yankees will destroy the red sox from july 15-august 15. they will call it the “boston annihilation.� red sox fans will be wandering the streets in tattered clothes and black eyes, like in war of the worlds. they will be crying, asking for milk and butter.
they have none. they will lose. their children will not know light, only darkness. a new sun will rise in the bronx. a tall man will stand on the mound of yankee stadium. his fist in the air.
clemens will bang his fist.
Rocket is not only the greatest pitcher, but I think he’s also the 2nd and 3rd best pitchers, also.
Thanks for the info, but what all do I have to do to get it on sopcast. How do I download what I need, I really want to see Roger live. Thanks for the help.
http://www.myp2p.eu/Programs/Overview.htm
the yankees will destroy the red sox from july 15-august 15. they will call it the “boston annihilation.� red sox fans will be wandering the streets in tattered clothes and black eyes, like in war of the worlds. they will be crying, asking for milk and butter.
they have none. they will lose. their children will not know light, only darkness. a new sun will rise in the bronx. a tall man will stand on the mound of yankee stadium. his fist in the air.
clemens will bang his fist
The Yankees have timed their better play with the easing up of the schedule. When I saw my wife’s cousin a misguided Red Sox fan a few weeks ago, he said 14.5 games to sorta rub it in and I responded that just makes for a better story when we come back in the end. Hopefully that’s still the case.
As for Phelps starting, Torre just said he was giving Miggy a day off. I would expect to see Miggy out there the majority of the time until Minky or Tex get here.
I hope Suzyn goes nuts. I love that.
When my self and few other very loyal fans were still predicting that Yanks will make to the playoffs, many were questioning our optimism. I was basing my belief based on the track record of our players and not carried away negatively by the unortunate injuries to staring staff and the slump of many good offensive palyers at the same time.
I believe that we are past those troubles. Now we are only 5 games out in the loss column for WC. Does any one still doubt that we are in contention for playoffs?
I was hopiing to be in contention for WC by the end of June. The way things are going so good now, I would not be surprised if we are in contention for the division by all start break. I am sure the Rex Sox are thinkning the same.
Phelps is brutal. We need to designate him for assignment. He cant even play 1st base. I cant stand him
Its so funny when Mike and the Mad dog play that over and over.
GAME TIME!!!!!!!!!!
Turning point of the season today?
the rocket has officially launched
Yea I’d rather see either Cairo or Phillips playing 1B
no inside the parkers there!!!
anyone see Navarro get drilled last night?
Torre has been making some good decisions lately and they have been working out well. I bet Phelps proves him right again.
If you guys post links, why don’t you explain what the link is and sum it up also. I don’t have the time to click on every link unless I think it is cool or seems important. You don’t have to but I like some of the links you guys post but I usually skip the ones without info or a summary.
I can’t believe Torre sent down our third best reliever and potential set up man. HAHA. Looks like the guy isn’t as good as you all thought. Or Torre doesn’t like having the best players in the organization on the team. He’ll probably be sending Jeter down to AAA sometime soon.
If I lived in NYC this game would be a must to attend. The atmosphere is going to be awesome. I think the Yanks win on adrenaline alone. I’m saying the final score is 9-3. Pete I think we need a prediction out of you.
Im in Easton PA and Directv doesnt even have this game.Ive missed 2 games cause of blackouts….this one and Hughes first start.Go figure.
Some of y’all are nuts…
Chris Britton really isn’t that great…the more exposure each reliever gets, the easier they are to track and hit. The good relievers, adjust to this, and still get people out — Britton has done a decent job, but he’s not a shutdown reliever.
Farnsworth has shut down stuff, he just can’t find it…you gotta throw him out there every once in a while hoping he will. He throws high 90’s and has a good slider, his location is just off.
Viscaino…I got nothin. He doesnt throw hard enough to challenge with the fastball…everything has to be on the outside half of the plate, and he doesn’t have the control – Id rather send him down to work on things than Britton. Agreed.
Proctor – he’s been the guy for the last two years. and at least he enjoys throwing inside to the Red Sox unlike anyone else.
Bruney – can’t overuse him, he’s not as durable as Proctor.
Too bad about that wild pitch. I like the strikeouts, though. Another Yankee rookie pitcher with a high ERA. lol.
ah guys, Roger looks kinda not good. 90MPH?
(
Im dreading him facing real anerican league east teams.
Yanks down 1-0?
For 28 million?
Who came off the 40 man?
HIP
HIP
JORGE!!!
I put Clemens and Walter Johnson (whom Roger portrayed in the movie “Cobb”) in the top two (1A and 1B, or vice versa). Cy Young is probably a borderline top 10.
Clemens won’t know what to do with 3 runs after the last couple years.
Jetes tripped over his heel as he slid into home and he nearly snapped his ankle.
Leiter says Jetes’ *HighTops* saved him.
1. Sandy Koufax
2. Satchel Paige
3. Rajah Clemens
..i am an uprooted new yorker – been living in florida now for a year – i pay $160 a year for the MLB package “Extra Innings” .. and i can’t find this game anywhere.
Has this game been blacked out? ..
…are you kidding me??
does anybody know about this and how many times they are actually ‘allowed’ to do this??
thanks for hearing me vent
..Let’s Go Yanks!
The games are blacked out saturday afternoon because of fox’s exclusive.
Josh Phelps scoffs at chances to make it 5-1
the yankees web site is saying this is a YES game
.. and even so, this isn’t on fox.
I’ve seen yankees game on fox before, as well as espn.
…NOT happy!!
Pinstriped- What are you talkin about?
Giambi to Mitchell- “I unwittingly ate a lollipop containing steroids”
My prediction:
Clemens 5 IP, 6 runs, 11 hits.
Yankees win 8-6.
Phelps must have been dissapointed because he didn’t have an opportunity to hit into a double play – - –
What a loser!!
5.2 3 runs 6 hits 7-3 yankees
Pinstriped, I’m ticked for the same reason, Read up to the early posts in this thread – apparently MLB.TV and extra iniings black out Saturday morning games, even if they aren’t being broadcast on TV. It’s pathetic, no doubt.
Anyway – what is wrong with Clemens “only” pitching 90mph? The man is 44 years old – is he supposed to be hitting three digits on the radar gun after 20-something years in his craeer? Geez, you guys look under rocks for stuff to be negative about sometimes.
That’s the smell of money. He get’s about $10,000 per pitch
bit high on the pitch count right now i dont know how long hes going to go but they said in the pre game to expect around 90 pitches to be the end although i think roger will push to stay out longer should be interesting
I paid big $$$ for MLB Extra Innings and this game isn’t being carried. Local Fox affiliates are not showing the game as well, (I live in Delaware), my wife has XM satelite radio and the game isn’t being carried via XM online, so the wife may ride around for a few hours to check it out. The good news is that if you call MLB on XM, they are broadcasting the game live as their “on hold” music.
Pathetic.
I’m going to throw up if I hear the phrase Rocket Relaunch one more time.
Frank Discussion-
See, Rupert is Evil (NY Post notwithstanding). Plus, Fox owns the Dodgers
clemens will bang his fist
This start is actually nice. Its like he went from A to AA to AAA to AAAA.
Why would a Fox affiliate carry the game? Its on YES.
And to anyone going on about him only throwin 90 mph, He is 44 years old. He will throw harder as he pitches more games. Its pretty much common sense that as a pitcher gets more into game shape, the harder and better he will throw.
a walk!? Oh goodness…goodness gracious!
His pitch count is high very quickly, but it’s a nice outing. If he goes 5 innings and keeps them to one run with 7 strikeouts, I’ll take that any day for a first start coming back in the middle of the season. Woo-hoo!!
Oops…. so much for that. I’ll shut up now.
damn, that hit hurt, i really felt like abreu coulda caught that, o well
Roger Clemens = Matt DeSalvo?
Just shut up knocking Clemens already. He is still getting into game shape. At least give him a few more starts to get there. His command and velocity will come along eventually.
Of course Cairo hasn’t won the job yet… He is a horrible hitter and his defense isn’t great – it’s just not bad (like Phelps’).
Does this myp2p.eu website broadcast NFL games too?
Roger Clemens = AA Matt DeSalvo
Paul Maholm = 1/2 Cy Young
At least we’ll have a better chance against Chacon.
It is not fair to knock Clemens.
We should not expect him to be like when he was in his prime.
For a 44 year old and first game of the season, he is doing pretty good. Look, he has basically replaced DeSlavo in the rotation and in another two or three starts he will be a reliable #3 starter behind Wang and Pettitte.
96 pitches through 5, should Roger come out in the 6?
PETER!!!,
As a person with access, can you please, pretty please ask the thinking behind sending Britton down, while keeping Henn, Villone, and especially Vizcaino?
Thanks
Bologma!
Last person I want to see now is Mr. Farnsworthless
I guess that’s part of being the yanks; loser and hobos playing their hearts out try to beat them like their lives depend on it.
This being the first game, I think Clemens should not come back for 6th inning. We should look at long term. The bullpen is well rested.
Now Jeter walking leading off, there is a good chance Yanks will score this inning and Clemens may still get a win.
Hopefully, Alex will pop one out…..for a HR!
i think you let him come out for the 6th and maybe lift him if one guy gets on, i dont know how clemens is feeling but i would think he wants to come back out
All we need is any thing other than a strike out to score a run and we have the right guy in Posada at the plate.
If we score another run, Clemens will probably come for 6th and gets lifted when first guy reaches base.
Jeez! I almost forgot, who closes?!?!
i would guess its proctor today, that seemed to be the one place he struggled last year
dare i say farnsworth, at some point they are going to need to get some good production from kyle
I’m glad Roger is not going to run out there for the 6th. I think its a good challenge for the pen. The pen will feed off of Roger’s intensity and pitch with pride IMO… lets get the man on third home eh!
The good news is that Maholm is at 97 pitches so it will be a battle of the pens
That’s disappointing. We had the bases loaded with the heart of the lineup and only got one run. On a guy with a 5 ERA.
wow, really surprised roger is out there. i thought that he’d be limited to 90 or so pitches, and was pretty happy that he survived 5 innings.
well hes looking good after 5 pitches in the 6th
Rocket finishes the 6th with a strikeout!
To make romm for clemens on the 40 man roster, Yankees moved Phil Hughes to 60 day DL. So, we will not see Phil for a long time. It is a great opportunity for T-Clip.
WOW…what a way to finish what’s he gonna look like when he rounds into mid season form! Look out AL East!
not bad…i’ll take that as a start every 5th day
The Rocket ought to get better as the season goes along and he builds up his endurance, but if he goes 6 IP 3 ER everytime out and pumps up the team, I’ll take it.
Clemens start qualifies as a quality start – 3 runs in 6 innings. We could not have asked for more.
They already said, they kept Henn because he is the long reliever now. They stretched him out as a starter in AAA.
It means that Hughes can’t come back before July 2nd. We already knew that after he sprained his ankle.
Meanwhile from SOSH
I just thought “wow, Jeter is adopting the Abreu tush-wiggle” and he gets a walk just like Abreu.
Ugh, now Abreu gets a hit.
Seriously, I think the tush-wiggle is a distraction (not making veiled h*m*-erotic suggestion) to the pitcher. I know it makes me wanna puke!
Jesus Clemens is getting some calls that Maholm is not (pitch wise)…
How many nyyfans posters will have TEAM HERO – ROGER CLEMENS if the Yankees win this game, even if Clemens doesn’t come out for the 6th?
It’s unbelievable how sh*tty the Pirates are. They make the MFY’s look like a good team
Iam shocked. Clemens reall has nothing and Pittsburgh has less. I can see why no one goes to watch this team. No only are they not talented, but they don’t even play the game well. Kinda sad. At least the Royals look like they are trying really hard.
Now the YES guys are talking about unwritten rules. With AROD on your team DON’T even GO there.
Redsox Fans bunch of Hypocrites. See Lowell, Pedro and Pedroia are considered dirty players.
Leiter just said his splitter is making the Pirates look like they’re not major league hitters.
Uh, I don’t think that’s the cause and effect he’s looking for.
Just a putrid approach by these Pirates hitters
3 pitch K from Nady. This team s*cks.
So, is the Yankees’ season saved now?
Sterling is FREAKING OUT. It’s scary!
Dude, he went six innings 3 runs against a light hitting lineup. Not awful, but he is not your savior.
Against a discipline hitting team that makes contact, Clemens would have gone 4. Played away from Yankee Stadium, maybe not that long
Over 100 pitches, Sterling’s spine is tingling, Yankees acting like they won the World Series- what more can you ask for?
The Yankee Jesus just walked on water! Turned water into wine! Against the Pirates!
“That dugout was unbelievable! It was like they won the World Series!.” – Waldman
Unbelievable. Even for a career homer that is amazing. Seriously, what are you smoking?
6 innigns and 3 runs against the Pirates in your firststart is better than Schillings first start of the year against the anemic Royal’s offense
I was hoping for a Clemen’s implosion or at the very least, leaving the game with a groin pull
Givne that we have four out of five starters righties, Henn being the lefty long man is a good idea. It will pay dividends down the road. The one who will benefit most from this will be Mussina!!!
worst case scenario we now have a 2 run lead to work with.. Lets hope our bullpen can pull through
Or we can just hope A-Rod hits it out
man the Yankees are so much fun to watch nowadays. They need to keep it going, get to .500 quickly, then blow past it.
Great job by Clemens overall. I was surprised he came out for the 6th, with this being his first start plus the groin problem, but he looked sharp there. The fastball had a little less on it than normal, but the splitter was excellent. Plenty of good to take from this, I think.
Abreu is making great decisions at the plate lately. Great great form to get that single.
Pirates have triple -A Offense? Redsox bunch Idiots, and bitter that Clemens went to Yankees
Laroche
Paulino
Nady
Bay
Look at their numbers, Before saying something stupid.
Moving Hughes to the 60 day DL is retroactive to when he was injured. Its 60 days from then, not from now.
Who would have the time would come where we need to rest Rivera? Happy days are here again.
I think its crazy that in the 60th game, A-Rod and Posada have a combined 98 RBIs — That is just terrific!
aggressive on the paths, and this guy paulino throws out 40% of the runners – regardless of this being the pirates the base running has been impressive
the energy in this game is incredible, u can feel it
Looks like Bruney, Proctor, Mo/Farns. The way it should be
Well Melky just made me eat a bucket of crow from last night…
Based on along spell of slump, many wanted Abrue to be DFAed, traded,……
Now we all can see his value to the team. Now with his better play offensively, he is making A-Rod, and the rest better.
That is why it is important to have patience and value the long time track record of the players unless they are at their fag end of the career.
I don’t like the fact if Farnsworth closes today over Bruney or Proctor
Is Joe saving Henn to finish up for Clippard tomorrow?
Have we seen Damon make a similar play this year… would he have made that one?
this is why melky should start in cf all the time and yesterday was just an freak thing..
he is not just an above avg cf in my opinion.. he is an all star defensive cf..
Farnsy will come out in the ninth.
Better score 5 more runs. and you know he doesn’t like roger.
T-Clip will pitch minimum six innings tomorrow, that is, if he is given a chance. We need Henn more when Mussina Pitches.
Farns will go 1-2-3 if he pitches. He will be pumped and won’t want to answer all the questions if he screws up a Clemens start. Mark it down.
why is hearnoevil watching the game if he hates the yanks. i would never watch a redsox game just like that, ever..
no matter, we understand the yanks are just that much more interesting to watch, besides it just helps YES ratings
From the time this team was playing horribly, one after the other, all the players are returning to thier norm and playing well.
I believe today it will be Kyle’s turn and he will pitch wel..
I’m with Joe, I don’t like Farns closing. I don’t like Farns in any game that the Yanks lead by lead than 10 runs.
Yankee VIP,
I agree. Unless it is a big game I really hate watching the Sox. I watch a lot of baseball besides the Yanks but I hate watching the Sox. No matter what Sox fans say, they are worried about the Yanks making a run and making them look stupid for blowing a 14.5 game lead.
BBFan
I think we need to tack your last post up somewhere to read whenever the Yankees aren’t winning –
“That is why it is important to have patience and value the long time track record of the players”
It’s this patience that in part makes Joe a great manager
A not-in-boxscore moment: Bruney is overthrowing his fastball. Posada calls for two sliders (Leiter pointed this out), and K’s the reigning NL batting champ.
If Phelps makes that bunt, you guys go crazy
Who is the Yanks’ MVP this year?
Personally, I would pick Posada by a smidge over Jeter and A-Rod. He has been doing an unbelievable job at the hardest position and dealing with a million rookies starting their first games. He is having a great (contract) year!!!
I would say offensively its Arod. He’s on pace for 60 homers, 150-160 Rbi’s and 140 runs scored. One of the greatest offensive seasons by any player ever. Posada might be the most important person to this team however. He has worked with a patchwork pitching staff and has greatly exceeded his offensive expectations.
TKinDC, I think there are really only two options, A-Rod and Posada. I’d have to go with Alex…his 9th inning heroics this year have won us too many games this year for me to say otherwise. But Posada is an excellent candidate in large part because he’s a catcher…he contributes with the pitching staff, and the dropoff from him to his replacement may be the largest on the team. Especially since there’s really nothing for catchers available on the market or in the farm.
Jeter’s been very solid and is hitting great with runners in scoring position, but I just can’t justify putting him above Alex or Jorge right now.
I 100% agree with Kyle Litke.
A-Rod and Posada in that order.
So far, Jeter is not in the mix.
Igawa had a very good game in AAA yesterday.
7 innings
100 pitches
1 run
8 srikeouts
2 walks
He made improvements from start to start. Looks like whatever fixes were made to his delivery, they seem to be working.
If we need a starter, it will be Igawa next time.
If Henn bombs in long relief, then also we may see Igawa.
holy cow Farnsworth didn’t totally screw up.
We need another
7/8 inning guy other than Bruney and Proctor.
Vizcaino and Henn do’t cut it and Myers still gives me the heebie jeebies.
5 stolen bases wow.
Pete-
You dont need to make excuses for signing Roger Clemens by comparing him to Desalvo and Igawa. When players are performing on the field, the money means absolutely nothing. Your talking about one of the best pitchers ever who still is a bull on the mound and can still bring it. Compare his stuff/understanding of HOW TO PITCH, to what Schilling offers Boston right now and you can clearly see what an upgrade he is for the Yankee rotation. Compare him to other elite pitchers, thats what he deserves.
This guy brings a passion and teaches other less established how it is to be a real legend of a ballplayer, how to perform and give appropriate effort… you cannot put a dollar amount on that.
Roger Clemens quality start = $153,000
Tack-on runs when there is no Sandman available = Priceless
so the yanks send down britton instead of getting rid of dead wieght Vizciano and Villone…..
Why????
they have bruney, farnsworth, and proctor as the bridge to Mariano, that bridge is incredibly shaky………………
again they need to bring up 1 more position player..
Stuart,
How bout you realize that Britton is not that good. One of the greatest coaching staffs ever assembled would not ship down one of the best relievers on the team which obviously should tell you that he isn’t better than anyone on this team. He pitched well against the White Sox, that doesn’t mean he is good. You can point to his pointless stats as a reliever on the O’s or his ONE good outing here but I think Kerrigan, Guidry, Torre, and Cash know what they are doing a tad more than you watching him for a couple innings against a White Sox team that has no hitting.
Funny that “uh-oh” guys like Farnsworth and Vizcaino can look just fine when we have a big lead.
Signing Clemens was a no-brainer. Sure he costs a lot, but paying one great pitcher for the rest of one season makes much more sense than paying more money to a mediocre pitcher over the span of several seasons. I completely agree with Pete that you have to look at Clemens as replacing a nonentity like DeSalvo or a question mark like Igawa.
No matter how good he is, he can’t singlehandedly get the team into the playoffs. But he gives us a much better shot.
Clemens has a legitimate claim to being the greatest pitcher of all time. The man’s average season: 17-8, 3.10 ERA, 144 ERA+. He averaged a Cy Young Award-caliber season – that’s probably why he has 7. If he had gotten any run support in Houston in 2005, he would have had many more wins and probably another Cy Young.
Great win.. I really have no complaints in a while except for that Saturday game against the Sox where they seemingly forgot how to play for an inning
Clemens looked as good as you could hope for. Farnsworth, Visciano, and Bruney put together 3 consecutive scoreless innings (1st time all year?)
Everyone is starting to click on offense at the same time. It really is amazing that guys like Damon, Abreu, and Cano can all start off so slow and then start to click at the same time..
Here is to more of the same
Congrats Yankee faithful. Another day, another win. Two games awasy from .500. By the way, I saw a quote from Sheffield in the Post today, that the wild card is coming out of the AL Central. When that guy talks, people listen, he is the great communicator of our time, sorta like Ronald Reagan.
Nick B.:
well the numbers don’t lie either.
I don’t have to guidry to tell you that visciano’s 28.6 IP and 6.91 ERA and villone’s 10 IP and 6.30 ERA are *BAD*.
that isn’t just a lot of bad luck, it is a lot of bad pitching.
britton put up a ~3.5 ERA last year w/ baltimore over ~ 60 IP iirc. he should have a chance. what is the worst he can do… 6.5 ERA?
i meant i to say “ i don’t have to *BE* guidry…”
Who here would sign up for 6 innings, 3 ER’s for Clemens in every game he pitches this year? I know I would.
Huuz,
I think most teams put there best players on the big league club and don’t send them to the minors for a few months and then bring them up for 3 games just to send them back down but maybe I’m crazy?
Where is Ro-Jah!! He’s at Yankee Stadium, winning again. Good old days. Clemens will get stronger. It was a good day to listen to the Yanks.
Clemens is great, but it sucks for Pettitte. Yankees go and give Clemens a ton of run support. He gets the win, and a huge standing ovation. Everyone loves Clemens.
Pettitte is and has been doing the work though for this team.
Seems a little unfair to me. But both are getting paid ridiculously, go get another WS.
Jeff NJ,
I sure would. Clemens pitches for 6, the 7-8 guys give up a run and Mo shuts them down in the 9th would equal 12-15 wins. I would take that for a 4 month pitcher.
Col,
Never thought about it like that but it is true. I would hope Andy wouldn’t feel that way, but that is a good point. Roger gets the red carpet treatment while Andy sits in his shaddow. I doubt Andy minds just b/c he goes where Roger goes and talks him into coming back.
kei igawa pitched 7 inn with 8ks and 1 er.. pretty good
Andy will get the red carpet treatment when he is considered one of the all-time greats. The fans show Andy plenty of respect. He has just been unlucky this year when it comes to the bullpen and run support.
I think Pettitte enjoys his improved chances of making it to the playoffs more than he minds Clemens, his good friend, getting some attention. He probably also likes his $16 million and player option for next year.
Huuz is right.
We need to look at what Britton was able to do for a full season last year, rather than focus on this year’s ST #’s.
You can also look at Vizcaino’s past numbers. He has been very good the past few years.
Nick B has a thing about Britton. I do not think he is Scot Shields I just think he needs the chance to pitch and see what he can bring to the team. I know what we get with Viz andVillone and that is not much in my opinion. They need more relief pitchers and more effecgtive pen so why not try a internal option???
My arguement and many fans arguement on Britton is really pretty basic and not that outrageous….
Kevin Hench has an article on Foxsports.com detailing Clemens’ last 4 seasons in Boston and his “miraculous” late-careeer turnaround when he left – when his age would typically produce further decline. (Actually, it started in his “contract year” in Boston).
Hench makes it “clear” that he thinks that chemicals are involved, but that no one seems to want to pursue the obvious (a la Barry Bonds’ record chase). Before any fan, or pundit, starts to rate Clemens above the Walter Johnsons and Cy Youngs in MLB history, let’s address that 600 pound gorilla in the corner of the room. (Actually, Clemens has only balooned to 260 pounds, from 210).
And remember, Yankee fans …. you’ve only had him for 20% of his career. There is no need to dance with this devil as though he is your prodigal son. He’s just a gun for hire, and a cheater. Don’t waste any emotional capital on him, because he’s just laughing at you. Believe me, Roger only likes Roger.
Take his wins, but hold your nose.
Thanks for your valuable input, Brian.
There is no way Clemens is 260 pounds.
*K K K K K K K*
Yeah, baby!!
Bring on ‘da Mets
I can’t wait to hear Schilling and the creeps at ESPN.
Hell, the crying you hear isn’t Paris Hilton, no, it’s Kruk & Steve Phillips wailing from CT.
Nick B
What is your problem with Britton???He has done nothing but good and all you can do is trash…..Get a life…
Look who’s talking, Schilling was bloated and overweight coming into the season. His fat belly was hanging in his stomach. That’s disgusting.
Brian: I try to get as much high-level analysis as possible from writers for the Jimmy Kimmel Show.
This is sweet. A parent lifts up a kid, so that one day he say he saw one history’s “greats”:http://tinyurl.com/2lv5up
The red sox troll has crossed the line. Yea big papi is clean…gagne and about 100 other players also.
that is right before clemens did whateer you think he did he was not an affective player…
I think what you are talking about is rumor with no proof.
if you and hench(probably a red sux moron) have proof show it else f off….
Clemens is top 5 pitchers of all time, shilling top 150..
clemens at 44 struck out 7, this guy is a freak. the guy works out like a madman……
That’s really sour grapes Brian. If the Sox had signed him you’d be writing about how his career has come full circle, he’s back home where he belongs, he’s the final linchpin for the Sox, etc…I thought more of you than that Brian.
Hench is Bill Simmons’ buddy that he always refers to.
They have no credibility for anything other than sox homerism. Most of their baseball arguments are easily debunked by actual stats.
Simmons’ basketball artices are good, but he’s grown progressively worse when it comes to baseball. Hench offers nothing original, so it’s unclear why he’s even employed.
I never cease to be amazed at the Red Sox/Baseball Writer establishment’s preoccupation with this 1 pitcher. I don’t care about Clemens one way or the other, I never expected to see him again anyway. I don’t care about any analysis by so-called experts about Clemens years ago. Why don’t the Red Sox suggest they’re building a new ball park or something to move these people onto a new topic.
Can’t wait to see Lupica’s hatchett job on Clemens tomorrow, I am sure it will include a) bashing the Yankees payroll and said goal to lower payroll, b) bashing the Yankees youth movement, c) bashing the Pirates as a AAA team that they should beat, d) bashing the Clemens clause that he can come and go (ignoring Glavine & Unit) or e) all of the above.
After the Rocket retired in 2003, was there anyone in the world who thought he would be a Yankee again in 2007? Pretty unbelievable.
The Red Sox trolls are hearing footsteps. . . its 1978 all over again . . . tick, tick, tick
“And remember, Yankee fans …. you’ve only had him for 20% of his career.”
…and 100% of of his rings.
Damn randy i was just about to say that.
YankeeBoy,
It’s time to activate Bucky Dent and Aaron Boone.
Stuart ….”The guy works out like a madman” is the Bonds argument. You still don’t get it, do you? People can “work out like a madman” BECAUSE of the PEDs!! PEDs increase testosterone, which increases energy. Also, the “bounceback” after a workout is much quicker, allowing even more workouts.
Look at Clemens face …. look at Giambi’s (bloated twins). Look at Clamens’ physique in his first 20 strikeout game …. look at it now. Look at his stats from age 31 – 34 …. and look at them from 41 – 44.
Consider the fact that, by “retiring” the last three years, he escapes testing for 8 mos./yr. under the new (three year old – get it?) MLB drug policy (remember, he’s not a player for those 8 months). He can juice up, mask it, and get ready to pitch against the tough Pirates.
I repeat …. Take the wins, but hold your nose.
“Hah!”
P.S. I would have taken him this year, but I would have hated myself for being such a hypocrite
Big “cheater” Pappi HR Stats (lifetime)
Year HR
(Twins)
1997 1
1998 9
1999 0
2000 10
2001 18
2002 20
TOTAL HR WITH TWINS: 58 in 6 seasons
(Boston)
2003 31
2004 41
2005 47
2006 54 (ALMOST HIS TOTAL IN 6 SEASONS WITH TWINS)
TOTAL HR WITH BOSTON: 173 in 4 seasons… gee that makes sense, guess he’s clean… call me crazy, I think not.
About bullpen:
I still believe that they want to build up Vizcaino and trade him for a prospect or backup catcher or something like that. Until that time, Britton will be in the minors and will be called up for good after the trading deadline.
Kyle and Villone are here to stay and they will contribute to the success of the team.
Again Brian the red sox fan why would you post here.???Do you have no friends?
Yea clemens is so smart and conniving that he knows how to get out of the testing etc.. Yea, most players over there career do not get heavier…..
name one player that looks the same after 10 yrs. Look at Jeter, bernie, jorge, pettite, hell look at mariano in 95 and now, as they get older people gain wait watch brian when you turn 16 you might put on some weight.
brian you are a fool………………..
I liked the way Torre used the bullpen today. Use the best reliever in the 7th, then get progressively less important relievers after that. Tomorrow I predict Clippard for 6, Proctor for 2 and Mo for the save.
“Look at Clamens’ physique in his first 20 strikeout game …. look at it now.”
Geez, Brian, I’d hate to compare my own physique now to what it was 20 years ago. . . .
Tick, tick, tick . . .the 14 1/2 game lead is shrinking . . Yankees are coming to get ya . . .tick, tick, tick
“You still don’t get it, do you? People can “work out like a madmanâ€? BECAUSE of the PEDs!! PEDs increase testosterone, which increases energy.’
is that why varitek had that off year last because of the lack of testosterone in his system from increased testing? it takes the body a year or so to start producing it’s own again once the peds are stopped.
Beckett’s having a really good year after stinking things up last year. Maybe he’s on something?
Pimplebon-ass after being drafted in the 4th round in 2003 is untouchable at the Majors. Hmm. . .
And God only knows what kind of stuff Manny is on.
The lead is fading, the lights are dimming at Fenway, the Yanks are coming . . tick, tick, tick . . .
regardless of the baseless accusations, Clemens has never tested positive for anything, is a known workout freak even going back to when he was a Red Suck, and he helps the team now. If Clippard pitches well, this is by far the best starting pitching staff in the league.
Jeff NJ-
_”If Clippard pitches well, this is by far the best starting pitching staff in the league.”_
Just wait till Hughes returns in August!
Yankee *ARROGANCE* is back, baby!!!!
Google “Fleer David Arias” and look at the picture. That guy’s put on more size then Clemens in a quarter of the time.
People forget that it IS possbile to gain weight and muscle but eating right and exercising.
Re: “Normal” weight gain …. I was 175 pounds when I was in the USMC in 1971. I am now 185 pounds. Clemens has gained 50 pounds.
Re: Papi …. I think he is (or has been ) on PEDs also. He is much heavier than he was with the Twins. I will point out that his breakout years started when he was 27 (not much older than Wang’s), so at least there is an argument that he finally developed and “got it.” But he is MUCH bigger.
Stuart …. Dr. Melfi has an opening if you’d like to discuss your insecurities. I am visiting your site because I can contribute a lot more on Clemens than you could hope to, having seen most of his Red Sox’ starts. Stop being so territorial with “your” site, and try to welcome other opinions.
Sheesh ….
Yankee ARROGANCE is back, baby!!!!
You got it right, Dr. Acula, and just wait until the Red Suck pitchers have their own string of injuries.
Randy 1 …. A few weeks ago I stated that I thought that Varitek and Nixon had been on PEDs …. they both lost a LOT of weight before the beginning of last year, and had a power outage.
It was also suspected that Damon was using while with the Sox …. I think he still is, from the looks of him.
Those are the only three Red Sox player from the recent past who have had suspicions circulated about them (in addition to Ortiz). Manny was a hitting prodigy when he was in HS, and his physique hasn’t changed. Like ARod, he’s never been mentioned as a user (nor has Papelbon).
Oops …. one more … Garciaparra was an obvious user (one HR this year ….. multiple injuries …. and that famous SI cover).
ALOT of the players were using PEDs, from EVERY team. Lets just DROP the subject.
I missed the whole game because I got “volunteered” to help out in the yard today. Can anyone give me a recap of stuff I can’t get out of a boxscore?
Did Clemens pitch well? What was his pitch count? Was he throwing well, or getting into counts? From the box score – looks like the Yanks are still rolling.
Thanks!
I graduated HS at 138lbs. I’m now 185lbs and leaner. 47lb gain over 15 years. Avg of about 3lbs a year. It can be done.
Rogers had no fastball spotty control, and if it wasnt pittsburg would have been killed. I as one Yanks fan am pissed we spent that much money for something any replacement level player could have brought us.
When he faces the good hitting teams of the AL he is going to get crushed.
if any of u guys are interested tonight in tampa (yankees high A affiliate) Prilys Cuello 2B is making his debut. he was a member of the great Latin American free agent class. The kid raked during the dominican summer league, and hes 3 months younger than tabata. ridiculous. his numbers were BA .279 7 hrs, 8 steals, 408 OBP, 906 OPS in 59 games. should be interesting to follow him, the yanks must be high on him because they are promoting him straight to high A.
” Those are the only three Red Sox player from the recent past who have had suspicions circulated about them (in addition to Ortiz)”
… and what about kapler? his strength decreased so much that he ” retires” at age 31?
on a serious what in the world were you doing in the marines in 1971?
*on a serious note, that is.
I don’t have anything out for anyone. I am trying to defend a manager and GM who have won 4 world series titles and have been to the postseason for over a decade. You guys think that you know it all. If Britton was good, he would be on this team. If he was good he would not have been traded for nothing during the offseason (the Yanks either had to pay Wright 4M or trade him, well they traded him and threw in 4M so they basically cut him). If he was good he wouldn’t be in the minors. Yeah he had a decent ERA last year, you guys have no idea what situations he pitched in. I am not trying to trash any player I am saying that Torre and Cash know what they are doing. But I guess they both should have been fired a month ago according to some of you idiots out there
Clemens certainly is not and never has been 260 pounds. He is listed at 235 and that seems somewhat accurate. I would say he is probably 245. And Bian, there is no masking agent. You have no idea what youre talking about. There is no masking agent that works effectively. And if you try to tell me there is I will laugh at you. HGH is not masked. Its just that the test is not reliable. There is no masking agent for steroids or any other drugs that actually works.
Clemens was ok. Needed a lot of pitches and his fastball only topped out around 91. He did a nice job of spotting his pitches and his splitter was better than I remember it. Good movement. He’ll be fine. 6 Innings, 3 ER’s, two on bad pitch after a walk.
Other highlights, the offense again was outstanding, took advantage of some awful Pitt defense. Melky caught one if not over the wall then 3 inches from the top. Basak came in and pinch ran in the 8th and didn’t get a play in the 9th. His first major league action.
Sterling once again said “Yankees Win, The Yankees win!”.
One Red Sox troll came out to tell us Clemens is on steroids. None of the “we suck” or “this team isn’t good” or “DFA (insert name here)” or “trade for Helton now!” commenters were anywhere to be seen. Good day all around.
Instead of coming back at me about Britton why don’t you defend why Torre and Cash would send him down. That is my point. They know what they are doing. They wouldn’t send down someone if he was better than what we have.
Britton was sent down because they wanted to keep Henn as a long reliever, it just meets their needs a little more right now. Britton will be back up soon, don’t you worry.
Idiot Red Sox fans,
Clemens work out over 5 hours a day. I bet if you guys got off your couch and did that you would get a lot bigger too. I think if you work out like a professional body builder you are going to add a lot of muscle. He is one of the hardest working guys in baseball.
Randy 1 …. I forgot about Kapler (probably because he was less than a major contributor).
Re: The Marines …. I was drafted right out of college; and you are drafted into “The Armed Services of the US.” So, needing cannon fodder, I was assigned to the Marine Corps.
Fortunately for me, Nixon was (belatedly) trying to get out of Viet Nam, so the Army was mostly being used at that time (holding action). After Parris Island and Infantry Training, I spent the rest of my two years state-side.
From whence I came home to another 33 years of Red Sox futility. But it beats being on “The Wall” (God Bless those people – what a shame).
Thanks for asking — sorry about getting a little reflective.
sunny,
not sure if anyone answered you. he threw 108 pitches. only 24 in the last two innings combined. he seemed to get stronger as he went through. his splitter looked good. fastball wasn’t great but good enough for a first start. he fanned 7 i think in 6 innings which is pretty good for his first start. i don’t think he controlled his splitter like he would have wanted to but that will come. i thought it was a great first start. he’s not in june form but I think facing the pirates was a good debut for him. I was pleased that he threw 108 pitches, shows his arm is in pretty good shape.
sunny,
the yanks also ran quite a bit on the pirates today. the score could have been even worse than it was on them. left quite a few guys in scoring position.
Melky is in CF for the rest of the year unless he falls on his face.Damon will play first and back up all 3 of spots plus DH.
brian-
anyone who was around in those days knows that there was no easy choice to make. that’s why i asked. guess we’re done insulting each other today.
… not that that will stop us tomorrow of course.
Britton was good for Baltimore last year and has been dominant in AAA. He’s better than viz, myers and villone and probably henn. He was kept because he has options. In other words, so we don’t lose our crap. Its stupid.
Nick B.,
Good call on the score.
Thanks for all the recaps guys. Much appreciated. The general feeling I get is that he was good, but not great. Battled and won most of the time. Great game, wish I could’ve seen it, but having you guys around is like another online Tivo.
Night!
sunny,
no prob
david,
yeah you are a genious. they ship down a reliever who is better than 4 guys on our roster so they don’t lose anyone. screw having the best roster possible and winning every game necessary. they just have people on the team so they don’t lose any of the bad relievers on our team. your logic is unprecedented
Gonzo, regarding Ortiz’s numbers, I think Fenway Park can be considered a performance-enhancing drug.
Agreed Andrew – Fenway Park can make mediocre players look amazing – the story of the Red Sox legacy.
Interesting commment about Ortiz seeing that his homerun numbers would only increase if he played in Yankee Stadium with a short porch in right field. One study last year that took a look at the distance of his fly ball outs to right and right center field at Fenway projected that his homerun numbers at Yankee Stadium with those same hits would be around 70 for the season.
I gotta say, the Yankees feel right again with Clemens on the mound and with Pettite on the mound.
The team has that Yankee feeling again. That winning feeling again like in the late 90’s.
Not that I expect them to have a repeat of the 98 season as it’s already too late for that. I see good things for the rest of the season.
Cairo at 1st is a wonderful move. Phelps needs to be returned and a better backup picked up. At this point, even get Andy Phillips on the 40 and have him as the backup infielder.
I’m curious as to why Pavano wasn’t moved to the 60day dl. I am guessing it has to do with insurance on his salary.
Damon as DH is golden. Melky in CF has saved runs and made him quite valuable. Little Melky is even hitting the ball again. From 1 – 9, there are hits and runners moved along. This is how you win games. Forget the HR. They are playing to win games and this is exactly how the Red Sox have been doing it all season long. Keep this up and losing a game will be a rarity.
Go Yankees!
Nick B-You can insult me all you want, but Britton’s options are the reason he’s down in the minors again. And he’s proven he’s a better pitcher than Villone, Myers and Henn. I’ll give you Vizcaino because his recent suckage probably has to do with his arm being ruined the first three weeks.
Which of these pitching lines is better
PITCHER A (Supposed #3 starter)
6IP 3ER 5H 2BB 7K
Salary: #28,000,022 (prorated)
PITCHER B (#5 starter – filling in for another pitcher who is coming back after beating cancer)
6IP 3ER 6H 1BB 5K
Salary: $3350000
Which one is better Yankee Fan ?
Which of these pitching lines is better
PITCHER A (Supposed #3 starter)
6IP 3ER 5H 2BB 7K
Salary: #28,000,022 (prorated)
PITCHER B (#5 starter – filling in for another pitcher who is coming back after beating cancer)
6IP 3ER 6H 1BB 5K
Salary: $335,000
Which one is better Yankee Fan ?
tavarez makes 4 mil pal. and doesn’t he also have an ERA above 5
thats what makes red soxs fan, red soxs fans…god love em
the 300k winner with more Ks is better- to answser your question…
id rather clemens over tavarez but i thank sweet jesus every morning of my life… 1.) i am not a yankees fan 2.) i live in the promised land 3.) i do not have damons new weird egg head shaped new hair cut.
I’d rather have pitcher A since based on experience that line is a “bad” outing for pitcher A while the the line for Pitcher A appears to be his ceiling. Nice try.
Let me help you clarify it a little more
PITCHER A (Supposed #3 starter)
Pitched against a AAAA lineup
Shows up when he feels like it (Has offered to mentor Philip Hughes by email, however)
PITCHER B (#5 starter – filling in for another pitcher who is coming back after beating cancer)
Pitched against a real major league team
Is a real teammate
Well, Yankee Fan ?
you have to love red sox fans, they are so freaking stupid and myopic that they come over here trying to make an argument how they would rather have julian tavarez than roger clemens.
dude, do yourself and the world a favor and go jump off the Tobin Bridge…the less people as moronic as you around, the better itll be for everyone else.
you got me “red sox fan” id much rather have julian (i think thats his first name right?) tavarez than roger clemens. thanks for showing me the light.
hahahahaha. dude, your idiotic comments made my night, im showing all my buddies and using you as another example of just how stupid red sox fans really are. congrats man, youre giving us all a good laugh over here.
If you’d take Taverez as a starter over Clemens (even at this age) then you are a retard. Simple as that, I don’t even wanna hear a rebutal about it.
Which one had the better line Yankee Fan ? Or I’ll ask this in a way even you can understand. Which pitcher earned $13,000/pitch and could not dominate a AAAA line-up. That’s value for your money.
Where’s DeSalvo when you need him ?
Which one of these organizations is better?
Team A: 26 World Championships, 39 Pennants and 15 East Division titles.
Team B: 6 World Championships, 11 Pennants and 5 East Division titles.
Well Red Sox fan?
You set me up
YEAR 2000
YEAR 2000
YEAR 2000
YEAR 2000
YEAR 2000
YEAR 2000
Sucker, Or a Slappy McBluelips says:
*Ha!*
Pwned !
Roger Clemens:
Wins-losses 349-178
ERA 3.10
Strikeouts 4616
Julian Tavarez:
Win-Loss 77-59
ERA 4.34
Strikeouts 700
WHICH one is BETTER Red Sox fan?
the lines are similar (the hits and walks even out), but pitcher A had 2 more strikeouts. i’ll take him.
what do i win?
Yankees suck. They spend 28 million dollars on a 45 year old pitcher and hope he can save there season. and you think he’s still the same when he faces the pirates who shouldn’t even be in the majors with their offense. what a joke. your GM is horrible. with a nazi owner anybody could make a good team with that much money. but he can’t even do that. Yankees BLOW