The Moose spells it out
Posted by: Peter Abraham - Posted in Misc on Sep 03, 2007 
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This from Mike Mussina:
“We knew we were not going to play .700 ball from the middle of July until the end of the season. You have to be realistic.
“But we fought our way back, we’re leading the wild card now and we want to stay after it. The last four days we haven’t played very well. We’ve been flat it seems like. We’ve got to get our heads on right and play with some energy.”
I could have told you that. Theres some Stanford brilliance.
peter, just wondering since clemens, mussina, farnsworth, and britton pitched in the same game
could this be the most expensively pitched game in regular season history?
clemens 27 mil
moose 12 mil
farnsworth 8(i think?)
britton (minimum i think)
thats over 47 million
just wondering if you knew the answer
Replace “we” with “I”, and that would be correct.
They are leading the wildcard. By one game.
I’ve never seen a team go “flat” so many different times in the course of one season. It seems Torre has had to hold one closed-door meeting after another with this team to get it to start winning games again. (In fact, I bet he holds another before tomorrow’s game!) It just gets ridiculous after a while. Isn’t this supposed to be a veteran club that knows when you need to turn the heat up and play your butts off (to get to the playoffs)?! I really wonder…
Moose is correct and astute as always, but with one of his starts coming up this weekend, these words would carry a lot more weight if he could take his own advice too.
Maybe we need Posada to loudly question the team’s drive and urgency again. Worked last time right?
Moose needs to shut up and pitch like one of the Cy Young contenders on the Devil Rays staff…..
I think Mussina actually pitched as well as he is capable of today. I mean, let’s face it, he has had it and really doesn’t have the stuff to get major league hitters out (at least on a consistent basis) anymore. Still, he went out there and gave us the best he could give today. (Heck, he even hit 90mph on the gun a few times!) This is more than you can say of any of our hitters this afternoon…
The Moose problem is just one of many the Yanks have to deal with now. I don’t particularly like the guy and I don’t like seeing him get beat to a pulp ever time he goes out there, but at least he’s trying to compete…The rest of the Yanks should do the same.
Nothing stops a losing streak by playing the Yankees.
I have long since liked the Moose, and am hoping he does well in his next start.
Clemens injury is not looking good. An Elbow? Might be the thing that finally gets him to retire unfortunately.
Moose hopefully your ready for your next start, it’ll be a big one.
Cashman has done a good job stockpiling young arms, but he did screw the pooch in terms of putting together the major league staff for this year. When three of your starting five are 35, 38 and 45 years old, and you don’t really make sure you have any good backup options for those guys going in, then you’re just inviting trouble.
as a Mariners fan, I got to say I’m loving the way the Yankees are playing right now.
Let’s go Mariners!
Jesus, are there no Mariners blogs in existence?! Oh wait, I forgot that you’re just “Best Team in BB” in disguise…You Sux trolls have no stones whatsoever.
Wasn’t Curtis Anderson of the Tigers only 3 for 28 (4 for 30 ?) or something like that before the Yankees lit his fire?
Who the f#%k is “Curtis Anderson.” There is no one by that name on the Tigers roster, clown.
Just to be clear – I’m a Mariners fan; Red Sox hater.
granderson
“This is more than you can say of any of our hitters this afternoon…”
I agree, except for Posada, he had a good game. Which is why I think he’s in kind of a good spot to call a meeting, rally the troops.
As far as what Cashman has done with pitching in the minors and majors, he didnt put us in the best spot this year but I do understand his dilemma. If he had signed a guy like Lilly we’d be more or less stuck with him for the next few years if we couldn’t find a good trade for him, and he’d be possibly blocking one of our prospects from a rotation spot.
It has been said here before countless times but building a core of talented players and trying to contend at the same time is very very difficult. While Cash has made some mistakes for sure, I think he’s done a good job at this overall. Just hope it’s good enough to get us into the playoffs so the kids have, at the very least, a chance to get their feet wet, and a taste of the future.
“Just to be clear – I’m a Mariners fan; Red Sox hater.”
And you’re also a big fan of a fictional ballplayer named “Curtis Anderson.” Don’t sell yourself short…You have quite the fruitful imagination!
Mussina said that?
The Yanks could use one of those ten game winning streaks.
How wonderful it’d be to have a winning team to root for right now–the only other team I cheer for that’s playing now is Syracuse football.
You can probably get how disgruntled I am.
At least the Jets play next week, and they have a chance to win, thank you Mangenius!
“as a Mariners fan, I got to say I’m loving the way the Yankees are playing right now.”
Almost as much as you’re loving the way the Mariners have been playing as of late, right? Sorry but 1 of 9 in their last 10 is not exactly reason to celebrate.
BBB – I think we’ll be asking too much of Hughes and Kennedy now, won’t we? Not to mention the fact that Hughes would have to get his stuff “right” in a hurry to help the Yanks at this point…
1 and 9, rather.
Yeah, I can’t wait until the Mariners continue their schedule after this series against the Yanks…Jeff Weaver leading the charge! God, that makes me laugh…
Rebecca: It could be worse, you could be a Giants fan like me – not too much to look forward to there except for Coughlin getting fired, lol.
Dave: It is asking a LOT from Hughes and Kennedy and that’s what makes me nervous. Hopefully, at least one of the two will come up huge for the rest of the month. I’m inclined to think Kennedy, since he’s not coming back from an injury and seems more poised and accustomed to pressure. But it is a crapshoot in either case. Just gotta pray it goes our way.
Chi Dave- At the end of ST our rotation included: Pettitte Mussina Igawa Pavano. To hold any stock in PAvano or Igawa was insane.
BBB – It would be great to see the kids step up and get the Yanks to the playoffs, no doubt. If only the vets would wake up and start pitching in, then perhaps that could happen!
Go NYR – I agree with you 100%!
Remember that one game Pavano pitched against the Twins at the very beginning of the season? If only he could have continued to do that all year, just imagine where we might be now! (I bet we would be neck-and-neck with the Sox for the division title.) Yes, I know it’s a pipedream, but still…
Expecting Pavano to be anything but his useless styrofoam self was DEFINITELY Cash’s biggest downfall. I can even abide the Igawa debacle as scouting gone bad. But there is NO excuse for expecting Pavano to stay healthy.
Right now we have promising uncertainty at the back of our rotation, for sure. Not the best way to be going into Sept. But I remember in the offseason so many people said they would trade one or two years of the playoffs to build a solid, young and cheap rotation for the future. Wondering, do people still feel that way?
I still feel that way – I will take a not-fully-developed Hughes and Kennedy in the rotation over the likes of Brown and Johnson any day. But, of course, now that the Yanks have won over 75 games and lead in the wildcard, I figure, why can’t we just have both? The young rotation of future aces and the playoffs?
Here is fervently hoping that we can.
BBB: My brothers are Giants fans!!
I, however, saw the light–in ’98 or ’99, both teams made the playoffs (I don’t remember what year). The Giants lost in the first round. The Jets beat the Jaguars. The J-E-T-S chant, and the ‘hey hey goodbye’ chant completley captivated me.
Now, having actually been to Jets games, that chant is crazy live!
Rebecca I’m glad you have alot of confidence in the game next week. I really don’t. I didn’t see much of the Jets preseason games, but what I didn’t really didn’t enstill (sp) any confidence in me.
We never should have let Kendal go. I think i’m getting tickets to Sept 23rd game, they are honoring my favorite player Wayne Chrebet 
I was at the last game he played and literly got sick to my stomach.
Anyway onto the Yankees. I think we will pick it up and go on a nice win streak. I think a players only meeting might be in order. Jorge seems like the right guy to lead it.
Who does he think he is to talk? That statement would mean a lot more if it was coming from someone who was actually producing, or even performing to a mediocre degree.
When it comes from a player who’s routinely being knocked around, I would be surprised if his teammates didn’t resent him for it.
Rebecca:
How is Thomas Jones doing? Also, any chance Pennington will get replaced? I also am a Jets fan, but living in Chi-Town its hard to keep track of the preseason dirt!
he next five games will decide the Yankees’ fate… FOR SURE…
(1) Seattle (Wang vs Ramirez)
(2) Seattle (Hughes vs Washburn)
(3) @ KC (Kennedy vs Duckworth)
(4) @ KC (Pettitte vs Bannister)
(5) @ KC (Moose vs. Greinke)
These five games will go a L-O-N-G way in determining our playoff fate. If we are to play in October… circle these five games. I’ll go out on a limb and declare this: IF WE SWEEP THESE FIVE GAMES… NYY will win the Wild Card! No doubt…
Yanks have 25 games left. Yanks are two up on Detroit (2 on loss side) and one up on Seattle (tied on loss)… NOW… first thing’s first… win the next two games and take care of business against one of our competitors… A split wont suffice… A split means Seattle leaves NY tied with Yanks (but one game ahead on loss side)… Yanks lose two would be killer… obviously… BUT… If Yanks win both games… Seattle would be THREE games back (2 on loss side) and that’s HUGE. Next three days, Yanks have these two games and then an off-day on Thursday… During that stretch, Detroit plays White Sox for three games. They do face Garland and Buerhle so I’ll submit that Tigers go 2-1… THUS… heading into Friday’s action… IF… NYY wins the next two games… Yankees would be 3 games ahead of Seattle (2 on loss side) and 3 games ahead of Detroit.
THEN… Detroit welcomes Seattle for three games. The good news is one team will lose but the bad news means one team will win. SO… In order for the Yanks to maintain their ground, they must SWEEP KC. Then, neither Detroit or Seattle could gain ground… AND… I doubt one team sweep… SO… If Detroit-Seattle play to a 2-1 series… Yanks would be FOUR games ahead of one team and FIVE games ahead of the other… 4-5 games lead in WC standings with 19 games remaining… I like those odds!
THEN… Yanks have to play @ TOR (3), @ BOS (3), home for TOR (4), BAL (3), @ TB (3), @ BAL (3)… Yanks are 26-27 against AL East so it’s more than possible Yanks go something like 8-8 in these games… Maybe 9-7… That will give Yanks a record of 89-90 wins! SO… If Yanks do stumble in these division contests, THEY MUST HAVE THAT 4-5 game cushion… which a five game wining streak RIGHT NOW will provide.
What are the Skeds for Seattle & Detroit? Here you go… Their remaining games after the next five:
SEA: home for OAK (3), TB (4), @ OAK (3), @ LAA (4), home for CLE (4), TEX (3)
DET: home for TOR (1), TEX (3), @ MIN (3), @ CLE (3), home for KC (3), MIN (3), @ CHI (3)
REMEMBER: Detroit is 26-28 in division play(4-8 against CHI, 6-9 against CLE, 9-6 against KC & 7-5 against MINNY) and Seattle is 22-22 (10-3 against OAK, 4-11 against LAA & 8-8 against TX).
SO… not like DET or SEA will breeze through their division foes… SO… IF Yanks win the next five games… That 4-5 game lead will pretty much be insurmountable and will carry Yanks into October UNLESS they fell apart down the final three weeks.
I’s tough to imagine how an entire team can go flat all at once. Slumps happen but usually there’s a few to pick those guys up.
Sounds like a closed door meeting coming up.
jennifer – Glad to see you back! Although I wasn’t on the blog at the time, looking back at the comments it looks like some jerk was trying to bully you off!! Anyway, glad you came back so quickly…
Not sure how Jones is doing. And Yeah I think there is a chance that Chad will be replaced. I did hear that Clemens was playing well in the preseason.
“But I remember in the offseason so many people said they would trade one or two years of the playoffs to build a solid, young and cheap rotation for the future. Wondering, do people still feel that way?”
BBB – I was one of those people, and I do indeed still feel that way.
Chi Dave: Thomas Jones was hurt, but I think he’ll be okay. Pennington didn’t play in the last preseason game. If Pennington does get hurt, Clemens did play well.
As an aside, one of the preseason games there was a Clemens to Ryan pass, and I thought of Roger and Nolan playing football!
Jennifer: Football’s a funny thing. I saw the Jets nearly beat the Colts last year, and they weren’t supposed to win more than four games!
I’m going to the game against Buffalo, in Buffalo. Should be great fun!
Thanks Chicago. I had to go make dinner anyway. But yeah there were some real jerks on here this afternoon. The insults were being slung. Instead of posting on the blog, they should have been getting together their school supplies for tomorrow.
I’m also waiting for someone to email me about the nov 4th game. They have a parking pass. So i’m like i’ll take the game!! I won’t go if I have to park 2 miles away.
Kellen “The Younger Rocket” Clemens for starting QB!!!
Pavano’s start against the Twins was very promising. I think he went 8 innings 1 or 2 runs. Then Carla said her elbow hurt after the game. I think he actually flew around the country to find a doctor that said he needed TJ. Pavano is just mentally week.
On Igawa: I really dont think the Yankees even scouted him. They just saw his stats and bidded to show Boston they were gonna counter their moves. There is no way you can convince me Cashman had ANYTHING to do with Igawa.
Yeah, I’ve heard some good things about Clemens. Pennington is fast becoming the Jets’ version of Mike Mussina!
Kellen Clemens is the QB of the future and very well could see playing time this year as Chad has a hard time staying healthy. But he only played against reserves and you cant start the season with him.
Why, oh, why are players given the benefit of the doubt regarding soreness, injuries and the like? They are competitors who never want to give in, for crying out loud. I don’t know that Mussina or anyone else would have been any better than Clemens today, but I do know that now Clemens is going for an MRI on his elbow. This is not the first time something like this has happened on the Yankees. At what point do the coaches and manager and trainers and whoever say, “NO! You’re not pitching with soreness�?
BBB -
I feel that way. If there is a playoffs for the Yankees this year, I will consider it a gift. From where the team was mid-June, I really didn’t expect too much. I’m very happy they’re in a pennant race, and only hope that the race will go on till the end of the season. If they get it, great; if not, I really, really am looking forward to the promise of the future. To me, it’s incredible for a team to be “rebuilding” and contending at the same time.
Jennifer: Park in the Continental lot and walk over, as long as there’s not a basketball game!
Chi Dave: Nah, Pennington is more like Johnny Damon: Smart, great speed, but can’t throw!
Mangenius for president!
Sorry to interrupt this football discussion but the 2007 season looks bleak for both New York football teams.
The Mangeni(Not a genie, he’s a man) will only lead the Jets to 6 or 7 wins. Chad “Noodle Arm” Pennington and the Jets will not have the ridiculously easy schedule like they did last year.
Unfortunately the Giants also arent looking too good. Brandon Jacobs isn’t going to last and Tom Coughlin is a lame duck. Giant Fans, let us pray that next year, Bill Belicheck comes and coaches the Giants! Hoo Ra!
Rebecca – Well, Mussina can’t throw either!
On the whole Igawa thing. I heard they had a compnay they work with scouting him, he wrote all glowing stuff on Igawa. Than later after he saw what a bust he was said he wouldn’t have signed him. He conradicted his own report. I wish I could find the article about it.
I thought you need a parking pass for over there too.
All I know is I thought Cashman was calling ALL the shots this past offseason…At least, that’s what all the hoopla was about at the time! So, I think he has to take the blame for Igawa…
Global- You didnt even spell “Mangini” correctly. Shows your analysis is a strong one. At least the Jets dont have HGH users on their team. (Re:Rodney Harrison, Patriots)
If anyone has extra innings and wants a good laugh put the Sox game on and check out Coco Crisps hair. He looks like a clown.
Oh damn. I want to see that.
I’ll check yahoo, they usually post pictures during the game.
Crisp IS a clown! A little known fact is that the Indians liberated him from a traveling circus…that’s how he showed up in an Indians uniform to begin with! He had to repay his debt to his rescuers…
Chi Dave- Thats what they want us to think. It has the distinct odor of a Steinbrenner Guru move.
Go NYR – According to that Conde Nast article that came out a few months back, I thought Steinbrenner was now a vegetable?
I asked this last night, but none of the regulars were around.
I found a Joba shirt in an adult small, but it is too large for me. I am very Petite. I need a childrens medium or large. Does anyone know where I can find one? I looked all along River yesterday.
Chi Dave- That article has the distinct scent of a writer trying to get himself some publicity. They have a nack for doing things like that.
jennifer: No, it’s like $8 to park without a pass, I think.
I want a Joba shirt still!
Matt Frags:
Thanks for the breakdown and hopefully the scenario plays out but 1st these Yankees have to find their legs and not rely on help from elsewhere.
Cash has made some bonehead moves, all GMs do. Is there anyone else you would have guarding the future of this Franchise? I know, I know, Stick Michael… it doesn’t matter because both of them on the same page though and are assembling another dynasty. The Prospects in the Yankees system are still here thanks to Cash. I only hope Steinbrenner’s sons don’t sell out.
Go NYR – Yeah, I questioned the validity of that article as well, if only because the rest of the media didn’t pick up on it. If it was true, that story would have been everywhere!
jennifer – Sorry, I can’t help you on the Chamberlain jersey!
Are you sure? Off site parking is $25!! I know if you have a parking pass it is 150 for the season. I thought you needed a pass to park anywhere near the stadium.
Yankees will win the WC.
The only question is will the Angels knock us out of the 1st round AGAIN?
Jennifer- Check this out.
store.majesticathletic.com/item–i-MBNCY-NYY-YS-NVY–m-2_3_99_100.html
You can customize your Joba T-shirt at majestic
jennifer: No, not entirley sure because it’s been a while, and it wouldn’t surprise me if parking for Jets was more $$ than for the Nets or Devils, but i know that I’ve gone to games without a parking pass and not had to walk the ends of the earth.
Well, I did once, but that was because we didn’t get to the hockey game till the third period. @#$@#% snow!
Looks like I might have to do that, if I want a Joba shirt.
Its 22 dollars for the youth
I’m willing to sacrifice one year of missing the playoffs in order to build a rotation. Cashman did the right thing by signing veteran pitchers to short-term deals as our prospects developed. I wouldn’t want Ted Lilly blocking any one of our future arms.
We’re asking alot of Hughes and Kennedy if we want them to stabilize the rotation in a playoff race. That being said, I’d rather lose with them than pretend that we have a fighting chance with Moose and Clemens.
We might not make it this year and if we do, we might not go very far. But a new dynasty is being born and I look forward to 2008 no matter what happens this year. After losing in 2006, I thought we were 5 years from fielding a contender. After seeing Hughes, Chamberlain, Kennedy and Edwar, I feel better now. I’ve also heard very promising things about H. Sanchez, Austin Jackson and Jose Tabata.
They changed the rules this year because of the construction. They lost alot of lots and now require most to park at satalite parking lots. I heard from alot of people it is a nightmare now. You take school buses from the lots and they don’t even drop you have at the stadium enterance.
Yeah Sanchez is already throwing off flat ground. So it seems like he will be ready for the start of next year.
They better be REAL careful with Sanchez, that’s all I’ve got to say! (Maybe he should be groomed as a reliever/closer? Less stress on the arm that way…)
Thanks you Mussina, you are a genius to figure that out. They have been flat but when your starting pitcher gives up 5 runs on back to back days it doesnt really help the matter. I love how the starting pitchers got soo used to the offense scoring 9 runs a game and then when they only score a couple of runs the pitcher doesnt know how to win a low scoring game. Or wants to know what is wrong with the offense.
Like Mussina should be talking they took him out of the rotation for throwing bp. Torre says Mussina was “fine” today. In 3 2/3 giving up 7 hits and 2 runs and 1 after a big DP doesnt seem fine to me.
Shouldn’t this surgery have taken care of what ever arm troubles he had?
“Global- You didnt even spell “Manginiâ€? correctly. Shows your analysis is a strong one. At least the Jets dont have HGH users on their team. (Re:Rodney Harrison, Patriots)”
Go NYR: If you think the Jets (or any other NFL team) do not have HGH users, you are beyond naive. Harrison just happened to get caught because he bought it from the wrong source.
Well I am heartened by the responses to the “would missing playoffs for a year or 2 in order to build a great rotation” be worth it question. I’m glad I’m not the only one who thinks that the future is of paramount importance.
I still believe that we can pull through this year and get the WC. But no matter what happens, the future is bright and that matters a lot to me. Imagine missing playoffs in a year like 2005? With nothing to show for it and nothing to look forward to but all those over-30 guys getting one year older? Things are definitely different now, and I can only hope Cash is given the chance to see his plan through to completion.
I think Dave hit the nail on the head.
If a team is “flat” in September, then something is wrong with your team.
This is where leadership from the veteran players and manager have to kick in. If it doesn’t, then shouldn’t that tell us something?
No team worth its salt is “flat” in September.
That’s a pathetic excuse and frankly, they have used it too much this season.
I also don’t buy the “we can’t play .700 ball all season” nonsense. Unfortunately, they have to because: They played .420 baseball the first 50 games and, they can’t beat TB or Baltimore. That’s why they have to play .700 ball the rest of the way.
Is it easy? No. But, playoff teams do it. The ’95 Yankees did it on their way to the WC. If this team can’t do it, they don’t deserve to go to the playoffs.
At this point, Moose and the rest of the team should just shut up and play. Stop analyzing everything, play hard and play good baseball.
If you lose, you lose. That’s baseball. However, its the lack of effort in too many games this season that has ticked off so many Yankee fans. Not the results.
We can see its not a very good team. The flaws are obvious. But, you can still produce maximum effort every game the rest of the month. That’s NOT too much to ask. When you see guys flailing at first pitches and giving away AB’s, its clear the effort isn’t there. To me, that’s unacceptable.
The last 4 days, the effort has been pathetic. Flailing at first pitches, walks, WP’s, errors, poor in game decisionmaking, etc.
Its April-June Yankee Baseball again in full bloom.
If the manager wants to come back in 2008, he has to put a stop to it right now.
If guys are “flat”, then replace them with guys who aren’t flat. I would guess Shelley Duncan isn’t “flat”. Put him in the lineup and see how it works out. At this point, it can’t hurt.
If they are going to spend the rest of the month being “flat”, then one off-season question will be answered. There will be a new manager next season.
BBB that is what worries me. We need Cash here to see his plan out. I fear if he is gone, than all the planing put into the arm will be shot to pieces. I want to see the likes of Hughes, Kennedy, Joba pitch here! I don’t want to see them sucessful elsewhere.
Yeah I definitely see Sanchez as a reliever or closer in the future, not a starter.
Speaking of bullpen arms of the future, anyone know how JB Cox is doing? All I know about the surgery he’s recovering from is that it isn’t Tommy John. Not sure how his recovery is progressing but is he still being looked upon as someone who could help maybe next year?
I worry about that too, Jennifer. Other than the youngsters getting their feet wet that is the #1 reason I want them to make playoffs this year, so Cash doesn’t get fired. It’s all so uncertain especially since we don’t even know really who would be making the decision to keep him or fire him, whether it would be Steinbrenner or his son-in-law or what…
Yanks are at the precipice right now but we will never make it to the other side if we quit on our plan halfway through! Cash losing his job would be BEYOND deflating.
Jennifer – Well, some pitchers come out great from surgery and never have any more problems. However, on the flipside you have guys like Kerry Wood, who end up with one problem and one surgery after another once they start having arm trouble. Who knows which camp Sanchez will fall into, but the Yanks are sure to ruin him if they rush him back and/or make him throw too much too soon…That’s all I’m saying.
can you say 7 games?
I think the future depends on getting back to a winning philosophy. In that regard, Cashman is taking them in the right direction.
He wants to make it a pitching first organization. That’s the right way to go. However, its going to take some time for it to come to fruition.
Right now, its an offense first team. Its why its so maddeningly inconsistent.
All the statheads will quote the offensive numbers. However, they haven’t won in the post-season because they have been outpitched.
The numbers are also VERY skewed because they are either red hot or ice cold. No in between.
There is a lot of dead weight on the team that, contractually, holds them up right now.
It is changing for the better.
Sacrfice this season for the future? It depends.
Who will run the team? Who will manage the team? Are some of these young players for real or overhyped?
Until we know the answers to those questions for sure, I’d rather try to make the playoffs this year and see if they can make a dent in them.
I haven’t heard anything about Jb either. I’d guess he is an option for next year as well.
They say TJ surgery is 85 to 90 percent reliable.
For those worrying about the Jays coming up our rear, they are getting crushed by the Sox 10-1 right now.
SJ, even next year we will still have the dead weight you are referring too. The only one that may or may not be back is Bobby.
Jason is here for another year, Matsui and Johnny are both here for antoher 2 years.
So is it time to give up on the division and worry about the Wildcard?
Cashman will be back next year, IMO. The Steinbrenner Family likes him and its clear rebuilding the farm system (his #1 objective) is working. If they make the playoffs, Torre will go before Cashman.
JB Cox, along with Sanchez, is throwing off flat ground right now. I saw them working out a few weeks ago when I was in Tampa watching the GCL Yankees.
Without complications, he should be ready to go in the spring. So should Mark Melancon, another recovering TJ patient, who was the #1 college closer last year.
BTW, Sanchez looks like he lost some weight.
Perhaps the blue jersey made him look thinner but he looks much more fit than he did in the spring to the naked eye.
Another couple guys who might not be around next year…1) Clemens (even if he ends up getting over this elbow thing right now), and 2) Pettitte. I, for one, think Andy is going to need a lot of cajoling to come back!
Was Mussina wearing his red Captain America T-shirt? Perhaps he just hasn’t gotten over Cap’s death yet.
jennifer – In all honesty, I think the WC has been our realistic goal for a while now. We simply lost too many games at the beginning of the year to seriously challenge the BoSox for the division.
Thanks for the updates SJ. Next year with the pitching looks very promising.
It truly is amzing how many pitchers need this surgery. I guess Jim Kaat was right when he used to say that throwing over the top is not a natural motion.
It’s always good to hope. But one thing that is very encouraging, is all the ws winners that won the wild card.
It might take the Yankees some time to decide whether to bring Bobby Abreu back or not. There are days when he is valuable at the plate and can work a count better than anybody. Other times, though he seems timid at the plate and he has a tendency to lumber around in right field. There really aren’t any attractive options in right field at the end of the season. Not Torii Hunter or Andruw Jones. It really will be interesting to see whether they bring Bobby back or not.
jennifer – Yeah, the Cardinals were really a mediocre team last year (at best). However, they managed to get into the postseason and then they really caught fire… That’s the way to do it!
Go NYR – Yeah, if only we all had had the foresight to become orthopaedic surgeons, right?! Then we could all have the windfall that I’m sure guys like James Andrews have realized from the TJ surgery craze!
SJ, very glad to hear that there is a good chance Cash will be back next year!
Him leaving would be a mess, way more troublesome than Torre leaving. As Pete mentioned a few days ago, IMO the only super compelling reason to bring Torre back is if it helps bring Mo, Jorge and Andy back.
Dave you wrote that Andy would need a lot of cajoling to return; I agree, and that is something that keeps me up at night more than almost anything else. They better get ready to do some serious cajoling cause we NEED him to come back next year. No way can we rely on all these young pitchers without someone like Andy to anchor the rotation.
It is funny how the Cardinals caught fire last year. I live in the South and people down here were absolutely burying the Cardinals. They had three hot pitchers(Carpenter, Suppan, Weaver) and timely hitting and that’s all that it takes. There’s no reason why the same thing can’t happen to the Yankees, as this team is MUCH better than last year’s Cardinals squad.
I have a feeling either Giambi or Damon will be gone next year. Perhaps both if they eat enough money on Giambi’s contract. Even though he has a no trade, I am not so sure he wouldn’t waive it for the right situation. Much like RJ did last off-season.
I hope they pick up Abreu’s option. He’s a very good player and is a better fit for this team than any of the available FA’s. Andruw Jones is a dog and Torii Hunter is at the age where guys begin to break down. See Damon for example.
I don’t see Damon agreeing to be a part-time player. They will trade him because he will agree to waive his partial no trade, IMO.
Playoffs or not, I think there will be a lot of turnover on this team in the off-season. I also think more young players will be incorporated into the mix.
They are being VERY aggressive with minor league promotions. That tells me they are setting the stage for off-season trades, or are looking to incorporate more youth into the team next season.
If they are intent on getting younger, there will also be a new manager next season.
By putting in the Joba Rules, Brian Cashman showed publicly he has no trust in Joe Torre’s handling of young pitchers. Its also pretty clear he is ticked off Torre went public with the Joba Rules. Not exactly a ringing endorsement by the GM for his manager. That’s pretty obvious.
If they decide to get younger in the off-season, regardless of what some of the veteran players on the team may want, I find it hard to believe Cashman is going to trust Torre to handle these younger players correctly.
If he trusted him, he wouldn’t have instituted the Joba Rules in the first place.
BBB – Yep, Andy would be a great anchor! Still, I’m honestly surprised his cranky elbow has held up all year (knock on wood!)…I wonder if it’s hurting him at all (and he’s just not saying anything)?
J-Dawg, I’d bring Abreu back for that exact reason – any alternative would require a much longer commitment than we should be willing to give, what with Tabata on the farm and all.
SJ44 – I think Damon will be traded; whereas we will be stuck with Giambi for another year.
Jennifer:
“On the whole Igawa thing. I heard they had a compnay they work with scouting him, he wrote all glowing stuff on Igawa. Than later after he saw what a bust he was said he wouldn’t have signed him. He conradicted his own report. I wish I could find the article about it.”
Halfway down the page… and yes, it was the Yankees’ own Mike Pagliarulo (I posted about this the other night…lol).
http://www.nydailynews.com/spo.....anges.html
BBB- I also hope Andy comes back next season. The main thing that probably keeps him coming back is the fact that he knows that he still has plenty of life in that left arm of his. He still has what it takes to get hitters out, and he’s had a much better season this year than last.
I want the Yanks to win it all this year, but honestly, whatever happens, happens.
Think about it. If not for April and May, they’d be in first place, and probably by a comfortable margin.
We had shoddy luck this spring, and it’s biting us in the backside now. Couple that with a bad couple weeks for the team, not helped by injuries and an offensive funk, and you’ve got now.
Whatever happens this year, happens.
Next year, our team has potential out the wazoo. A winter, full winter, of conditioning for Phranchise, Joba, Kennedy, Wang and whoever else.
I wouldn’t be surprised if we pulled a ’98 in ’08.
We have the talent, and hopefully after this year, the drive.
Name me another team that can look as forward to 08 as we can?
Rebecca – Well, unfortunately the Sox have a lot to look forward to as well, with Matsusaka coming back with more experience under his belt, Beckett coming off a (potential) Cy Young year, and Lester and Bucholz replacing deadweight like Tavarez (and potentially Schilling as well). I think the Sox also have a few other promising young starters in their minor league system as well. So, all-in-all, I’d say they have a lot to look forward to…
Maybe the Red Sox. But your right Rebecca. I can’t wait.
Thats it Bobcat thanks!
Pagliarulo is no better as a scout than he was as a player. What a goof that guy is!
Rebecca- We really do have something terrific to look forward to with the youngsters and the talent that we have coming back. Just like what was said earlier, all of this speaks volumes about the job that Brian Cashman has done. Cashman has taken some shots, but he’s also done a terrific job of changing the culture of the franchise.
Another thing we’ll have going for us- Marty Miller won’t be the conditioning coach next season, so hopefully we’ll be able to avoid all of the hamstring injuries!
J-Dawg – Man, I had forgotten all about Marty Miller! I wonder what that guy is doing now… Is there an old folks home somewhere with an inordinate number of hamstring pulls? HA!!!
I forgot about him too!
I posted earlier that I’m not a fan of Cashman for his poor performance in trades and free agent signings. A responder said we really dont know what deals were by Cashman.
So here’s my question: In the past few years, say since 2003, which deals do you think were Cashman’s and Cashman’s alone? I feel pretty certain that RJ, Sheffield, A-Rod were Steinbrenner deals but Brown, Vazquez, Pavano, Farnsworth, the terrible bench earlier this year, leaving Mariano and Posada hanging, maybe even thinking about jumping to name just a few recent decisions look to me like Cashman’s fingerprint.
If Torre goes, the whole front office team should go.
Thoughts?
“If anyone has extra innings and wants a good laugh put the Sox game on and check out Coco Crisps hair. He looks like a clown.”
It’s called an afro. That’s all this blog needed, racist remarks.
I, for one, think Cashman deserves the opportunity to see his plan through.
michael – How exactly was that a racist remark?
I agree, this is really the first year of Cash’s plan. And we are already see the rewards.
michael – P.S. – Yesterday someone commented that it looked like Beckett has a squirrel living on his chin (because of his goatee)…I suppose that’s a racist remark, too?
Red Sox fan?
It was crazy with all of the hammy injuries. I nearly started counting the players who didn’t have bad hamstrings!!
A-Rod was a Cashman deal.
Chicago, I think they were talking about Youk.
I wouldn’t count on the TJ surgery guys until 09. These things take time usually 12 to 18 months. well have Sanchez, Garcia, Cox and Brackman all healed up and dealing in 09. By then Betances and Pope will be serious candidates as well. The future is extremely bright barring any injuries. The position players are catching up as well with Austin Jackson, Tabata, Montero, Suttle, Romine, Gardner, All looking very good. in addition a few of the kids at Statten Island have really knocked the cover off the ball. Keep um coming Cashman!
The main thing with Cashman has been the idea of getting quality young players and then hanging onto them long enough so you can see if they’ll develop into major league-quality players (rather than trading them all for washed-up veterans at the earliest opportunity). This is why I’d like to see Cashman stay in power for a while…It’s a good strategy!
jennifer – I could have sworn it was Beckett…Whatever, my point is still the same…
I have to say tonight this blog is enjoyable to read and post on. Earlier in the day it was like a garbage dump.
Is it Tabata who was just called up to AAA for the playoffs? Maybe they are thinking about having him take over rf? i don’t know what kind of arm he has, but it would be great to see other players from the farm.
Tabata has a plus arm for a centerfielder an avg arm for right field.
Jennifer – I think it was Jackson who was called up, wasn’t it?
LOL @ Boston.
Jennifer – Yep, just confirmed that…It was Austin Jackson, not Tabata.
Chicago, now i’m not sure
Holy crap! How is the Boston game now 10-9?!!!
They had him make the jump from a to AAA. I wonder if he is in their plans.
jennifer- Check out this link:
http://emedia.thetimes-tribune.....fault.aspx
If Torre goes the whole front office needs to go? What has Torre done to keep his job this year? This team has climbed back into the race because the Left handed batters started hitting and the infusion of young energy and talent. Torre is not responsible for either. He has run the bullpen like Enron ran it’s pention funds. He has shattered the confidense of one of the yankees top prospects (Ty Clippard). He has been horrible at game management and is so uninspiring that it took a 27 year old journey man to re-invigorate this team (Duncan)… Torre has not made a good move since 2000 WS win over the Mets. It is no coincindence that he has looked totally clueless since Zimmer left. Torre is a gentlemen and he was absolutely the right choice of Manager to take over for Buck. However, would the Yanks have lost to Boston in 04 with Showalter in charge? Would Showalter have bunted on Schilling? would any manager have done so besides Torre? yes, all of them. He gets paid 7 million per anum to WIN! not be a nice guy. This team has taken on his laid back personality. Nice guys get nowhere in sports…You have to step on the opponents throat when you have them down. He and this team don’t have that. They let lesser teams bully them around and have done so for years. remember Pedro slamming Zimmer to the ground? The team is very passive…Classy? yes, but winners? no. Give me victory or give me death! let’s bring back Billy…even in his current state he can manage a game better than Torre…Cashman stays…Joe must go…
Whoa, who is getting smacked around?
Whoa 8 runs in one inning. Dice gave up most of the runs. LOL Good to see it.
Chi Dave–HAH!
Ray of happiness in a bad day.
Toronto had an 8-run sixth. Matsusaka’s line was 7 earned runs in 5.1 innings. Yowza!!!
His reason for developing players is driven by P&L and a change in the role of the Steinbrenner sons.
For me, he cant pick talent.
A-Rod was a Steinbrenner call even though Cashman brought it to Levine and George because it was brought to him by Texas. It didnt take a genius to want A-Rod.
The whole baseball operation should stay or the whole operation should go.
In the interest of full disclosure, on balance I appreciate Torre for his abilities but if the Yankees make the playoffs and dont go far, its time for a change, top to bottom.
Cashman had plenty of calls over the past few years, letting some go, bringing in some and his choices have been awful.
Josh Towers is the worst.
Thanks for the link Chicago. I forgot about Miranda, is he really in the mix for fb next year?
jennifer – Don’t know…Only Cashman (or SJ44) could tell you for sure!
Wow is he horrible. his team just got them back within one and he already left them in a bind.
I wonder if SJ is really Cash. He gets us alot of good info. LOL
Josh Towers…A-Rod’s favorite pitcher!
Yes, he does suck mightily…
Oh well, looks like the Sox might still hold on, but it’s still an embarassing game for Dice-K.
It is imperative the Yanks take the next two from Seattle not only to go 3 games ahead of Seattle for the wildcard, but to tie the season series 5-5. If Seattle splits the next 2 games, they win the season series 6-4 thus the wildcard if they finish tied with the Yanks for best non-divisional winner record (tiebreaker is season series). If that happens (both teams tie, Seattle wins the wildcard) and the Yanks go into the final day of the season a game behind Seattle (thus a Yankee win and a Seattle loss means nothing), oh man FIRE CASHMAN AND TORRE BEFORE THE DAMN GAME IS PLAYED CUZ IT’S OVER!!! Or make them co-resign after the game so neither are fired immediately after that. They save face and bow out like real men.
Real men resign i.e. accept full accountability for their mistakes, Cashman’s mistake being no acquisition of a reliever via trade so Joba could join the rotation. They won’t pull a dual-bitchmove and quit before they’re fired -no way Cashman is losing his salary for next year and Torre wouldn’t be so sneaky he’d take his firing like a man like he did with the Mets, Atlanta, and St.Louis.
Again, these two would resign honorably rather than quit like kids 3 days removed from the start of college who quit stock clerk jobs at the local supermarket.
You people who think Cashman has the gold key to the crapper because of the farm system better check yourselves along with him. This team is about making the postseason every year, not rebuilding and not missing the postseason and consoling themselves with “Well we missed the postseason by (1 to X) games, but we have some solid young players from the farm. PBBBTTTTT!!!! That’s loser talk. That’s Tampa Bay with a $200+M payroll.
jennifer – I don’t think SJ is Cash, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he works in the front office. Just a little recreational trip down to see the GCL Yankees? No way! That was a business trip all the way!
Sounds like it to me.
The only way I’d let Cashman go is if Stick takes over. to bring in someone from outside could be disasterous.
10 they wouldn’t be familiar with the yankee farm system and could trade away the wrong peices.
2) they would feel they have to make a splash and would most likely trade one of the young guns for a veteran pitcher (Santana) would not do this because we can get him a year later for nothing more than money.
Cash has had complete control for a year or so. his plan is working and he can’t be blamed for all of the dumb moves under his tenure because we don’t know which decisions were actually his. what we do know is that he has protected the future of this organization this year even when a quick fix could save his job. That is the type of GM I want guarding the future of this team…
Am I the only one posting here with tenuous connections at best to MLB?
Torre has made so many boneheaded moves since 2003 and at least a dozen this year, half a dozen with the pen, he definitely should be fired the moment the Yanks are eliminated from the postseason if they are. He should be fired if they don’t win a World Series even if they make it to Game 7 -THREE World Series losses -GTFOH! Since when is mediocrity (which is what a division title or pennant is) rewarded? Not just let go -fired, even if it’s 3 days after the season is over and his contract is up whenever. He needs to pay for 2003 on and to a lesser extent 2001 (that idiotic bullpen management where he brought Mo in an inning too soon at the away park -what if the game was tied 2-2 in the 15th, Mo’s still in the game you jacka ss?!!)
Jennifer did you check the Yankees store in the park while you were there they had them hanging up when I was there on Saturday although I cannot account for the sizes
What connection is that Rebecca ?
Yeah but I couldn’t find childrens sizes, than I got yelled at cause I had a bottle of water. I ended up walking out. LOL
The adult sizes are too big for me.
Back to woik,
That is the type of thinking that got the Yankees in this mess!!! Look at the rosters of the 96 thru 2000 Yankees…see farm system and development. see the all the lost years prior in the 80s same menatality taht you’re endorsing…
Jennifer: My dad knows the people that do the insurance for the MLB, I think. I know they do NBA and NHL and I think MLB. Anyway, that’s how we get our once or twice a year tickets.
But that’s it, really.
Oh, and Darryl Strawberry once had a home run of my brother’s friend’s chest.
That sounds like it was fun.
You guys/gals are great and I love your responses, polite but provocative. I’m probably a lot older than most here and have an executive background so hopefully you’ll understand that I come from another place.
I’d be very happy to see Stick back and Showalter too in a key front office position, not field mgr role. They built the teams that were successful as we all know.
And let them pick the manager they believe in whoever that is.
Sorry but I’m unable to constitutionally give Cashman a pass by saying that none of the decisions prior to this year were his? But as for this year, was Igawa his? passing on Lilly his? No bench $ which cost the Yankees games earlier in the year.
When a business is failing to meet its goals for an extended period of time, you have to start by changing at the top.
Don’t worry, Rebecca, I have no connection whatsoever to MLB!
scarletknight – I would take Stick Michael and Buck Showalter (and don’t forget Bob Watson, too!) over Cashman, if Cashman had to go. You’re right, those are the fellows who built the late-’90s dynasty.
My connection is I know one of the players security guys.
I won’t say which, though.
jennifer – We have ways of making you talk!!!
Chi Dave and Jennifer: Ah, that makes me feel a lot better!
I mean, it’s not that I wouldn’t mind a job writing about the Yanks or anything…but I wouldn’t be very good, I get too emotional during the games!
Not sure I could get any job remotley associated with the Yanks, though, unless it was being a professional Yankee historian!
I really dont think we need to worry about the Mariners,they will take care of themselves.
Its the Detroit Tigers and Cleveland Indians that the Yankees have to watch for.
Moose certainly is a brilliant philosopher…..up until this season,he really didnt have much to say to the media.
By the way…..nice to see Miguel Cairo getting a chance with the Cardinals again.
I still dont understand why Shelly Duncan stayed up with club,when he could have played everyday in Scranton,
and then got called up Sept 1.
Duncan stats since 8-13-07—–ABs 15 Hits 3 SOs 4 Runs 2 Avg .200
Rebecca – If you want to be “official Yankee historian,” I’ll write you a letter of recommendation!
I often wonder what this blog would look like back pre 1996 days. We are a spoiled bunch, us Yankees fans. There is nothing wrong with wanting perfection and wanting to win the championship every year but believe me it doesnt happen and if the team doesnt win it doesnt mean that everyone should get fired or traded. My other fav team is the Phillies imagine how I have felt since 1980 thats 27 years since we have won a thing. There is still plenty of baseball left in this season and I have faith in the team we have will get us to the playoffs, how far once we are there I have no clue the best team doesnt always win.
I’ll say I know him to email him on occation. I met him at an event. Thats it thats all you’ll get me to say. LOL
No matter what this postseason brings, there will be major changes to this team during the offseason…..As many have said earlier, this club is definately capable of going on a run and go deep into October…Can they win 11 games, it’s possible….Regardless changes a plenty are awaiting….Defensive upgrades are necessary to the outfield corners ( Aaron Rowland would be a nice fit ), right hand hitting OF ( SEE ROWLAND )……But for now, they just need to stop crapping in their pants….If playing in the Postseason is not enough motivation then this team is just a sad display of chump professionals without any heart….Not all, but many…..
When you look at the big picture we’ve won almost 1/4 of all world championships since the Yankees existance. that is pretty damn good.
jennifer – Awww, come on, don’t make us break out the rough stuff! Tell us more!!!
Anyone can get hot and win the world series. We don’t have to look very far to see that. Cardnals last year. No one thought they’d go anywhere in the playoffs much less win the ws.
Scarlett Knight,
I am also older than most and have been following this team since the early seventies. Cashman does not get a free pass. However, Baseball is not like anyother bussiness and like I said Cashman protecting the youth of this org. at possibly his own demise has to count for something. Igawa has not hurt the Yanks and in fact he may help in the BP next year or bring something of value in a trade, don’t be fooled he does have value with a low salary next year and he is left handed. Lilly would have taken a roster spot for next year and the year after. See the arms coming up and where do we fit him. One season without a playoff appearance is not a tragedy. burying these young arms would be.
looks like Okajima’s getting hit as well…
Chicago if you’ve read what I’ve said in the past I mentioned the player.
It isn’t taking much arm twisting is it. LOL
Nice to see how well Okie is doing since Gagme got there.
The Cardinals also had Adam Wainwright come up late in the year and be huge out of the pen for them…Just like Joba with the Yanks!
jennifer – No, don’t make me have to remember at this time of night (especially when I’m already stressing about going back to work tomorrow!)!! Just be a pal and tell me already!
jennifer – Unless maybe you’re talking about Andy Phillips?
Juan Miranda stats for Tampa and Trenton 2007
.265 16HRS 96RBIs
On the 40Man Roster since 12-22-06
Signed a 4 yr contract it extends to 2010
Chi Dave–Hah! I’ll take it! God knows I’ll have a hard enough time getting a job!
I’ve momentarily tried to content myself by writing the great American baseball novel. I actually did 3000+ words today, which is a lot even for me.
Usually the only time I write that much is when I’ve got an essay due the next day!
MM.
thats all I’ll say.
Mike Mussina!!! NO!!! It can’t be, can it?!
I’m not saying anymore.
Um
1. Joba and Hughes are untouchable as they are in the 2008 Yankees rotation with Wang and a returning for his free $16M (player’s option) Pettitte. Kennedy is tradebait for no less than a proven veteran #3 starter. G.m.s don’t have absolute power automatically you know.
2. The Yanks don’t need Cashman to do the first thing they must do after 2008: SIGN JOHANN SANTANA for a Santana/ Wang/ Chamberlain/ Hughes rotation w/ or w/o Pettite back if he’s good in ’08., or w/ some other guy. 8 years $200M ($25M/yr.)
no b.s.
Since when does Cashman have complete control for a year or so? He gets a pass this year if the Yanks fail to make the postseason for the first time since 1993/ a non-strike year? He shouldn’t. He shouldn’t for KEI IGAWA alone. If the Yanks miss the postseason, blame Cashman for being caught up in the RACIST game of oneupmanship with Boston, racist because he countered Boston’s signing of a Japanese starter with a signing of a Japanese starter. The move was based on race (the mongoloid race which Igawa is part of, go check any Anthropology 101 textbook). It was based on “let’s outdo Boston”, a Jap for a Jap. Boston got Matsuzaka, I’ll get Igawa. He lost badly again. He couldn’t sign Okajima for the PEANUTS Theo Epstein signed him for? Theo PLLLEASE be the Yanks g.m. next year. It took Cashman what, 3-4 years to finally rebuild the farm system he destroyed? He should get accolades for rebuilding what he destroyed? NO! Did you know if this overrated, lucky clown got Scott Linebrink or some other good reliever and another guy like say Dan Wheeler via trade with one of his many damned highly touted prospects save Joba, Hughes, and Kennedy, Joba would’ve been in the Yankees rotation with the way Mussina, Hughes, and now Clemens have pitched? We’d have Wang/ Pettitte/ Joba/ Clemens w/ Mussina AND Hughes fighting to stay in the rotation? Mo, Viz, Linebrink, Wheeler means no Sean Henn or Edwar Ramirez. The back end would’ve been Bruney, Proctor, and Farnsworth (last guy only cuz of his contract).
Humberto Sanchez: Humbertopotamus Sanchez cuz he’s a fat pig with a history of injuries. Detroit fleeced the Yanks.
Ohlendorf: Hurt most of the year. Now he’s a reliever, I thought the Yanks were getting a potential #4-5 starter with this guy?
Vizcaino: Good but nowhere close to 1996-2001 Jeff Nelson or 2004-5 Tom Gordon as a setup man. It’s a decent trade considering R.J. is just about done but it was a no-brainer:
R.J. wanted out of here, wanted back in Arizona, this package was just good enough. $14M cleared, cool. Why haven’t the Yanks extended Viz yet? Say another year and $3M
or 2 years $5M which is fair for a guy of his durability? He’s secure through 2009.
Betemit: We had to trade a 70-85 game workhorse reliever for this guy? This trade is AWFUL when you compare what Proctor has done for the Yanks to what Betemit has done for the Yanks. Betemit is a 2-3 game wonder.
Cashman c/should’ve put his personal feelings aside and re-signed David Wells for peanuts -$400K? Imagine Wang/ Pettitte/ Clemens/ Wells for the postseason? With Mussina and Hughes on standby? Who’s the best of the three right now: WELLS! Too bad if Torre doesn’t like it. Joba Rules? He’d be given the Wells Rules which are “start him” and “don’t talk to the guy outside of games”. Who says they have to socialize outside of the ballpark? Like they ever did haha.
Wang/ Pettitte/ Clemens/ Joba/ Wells.
Tell me that isn’t a better rotation -IT IS!
Rivera/ Vizcaino/ Linebrink/ Wheeler/ Mussina/ Proctor (or Bruney if you want to still trade him for Betemit)/
Farnsworthless
Tell me that bullpen isn’t better than what it is now -IT IS!
Mike Mussina or Mike Myers.
Hmm…:-D
Could be either one
Well, Myers is no longer a Yankee, so I’m going with Mussina.
jennifer – So, did you ask his security guy if Mike is as much of an ass as everyone says he is?
Jennifer is being coy, but she’ll cave eventually…
He isn’t. Mike is a very nice guy, and can be very personable, believe it or not.
I said before I was at his fan club dinner. He stayed for hours signing autographs for every single person there. Also had a very nice auction.
I wish I knew famous people.
Oh well. Maybe I’ll become one of them. Too bad I’m completley and utterly talentless in most facets of life.
jennifer – I wonder why he rubs so many people the wrong way, then? I mean, Jim Kaat (who I always seemed like a real gentleman) ripped Mussina a new one when he wrote his book. (Yes, Kay hates Mussina too, but Kay is a goof!)
That BP is no better!!!check your history of NL releivers in the AL east….Igawa has not killed this team only cost them money and the door is not shut on him he has trade value. Cashman has made mistakes yes…Name someone who hasn’t…The clown up in beantown has destroyed his bullpen with the Gagne move when he was trying to play keep away. Joba could not start because he would have been capped out in innings. Listen, I could play this all night but the bottom line is other than Stick…who else would you hire? Beane? He’s human and has made a few bonehead moves besides I don’t think he’s available.
“Oh well. Maybe I’ll become one of them. Too bad I’m completley and utterly talentless in most facets of life.”
Now, now, Rebecca…Don’t talk such nonsense about yourself. I think you’re an absolutely fabulous person with a whole lot to offer the world! Keep your chin up!!
Did he really what did he say?
Kaat basically went off on Mussina for being aloof, and for completely ignoring Kaat’s attempts to give him advice when Mike was having some trouble throwing strikes (a few years back now). He basically made it sound like Mussina thinks he is better than everyone else.
jennifer – Have you actually spoken with Mike at all? If so, how did that go?
I think Mike’s problem with everyone is that he was a wall built up. A defense mechanism. At the dinner he let us peer over the wall. He joked around, even poked fun at himself.
I asked him about what he thought of the Randy Johnson and Sheffield deal he went into detail about what he thought of it. If your talking one on one. We exchanged pleasantries.
At one of the meet and greets we were setting up for pictures, he was looking around trying to find the best place for the best picture to take them.
Jennifer – OK, so you’re talking about the comments he made to the assembled crowd (about Sheffield and Johnson, that is)? You didn’t talk a whole lot with him one-on-one?
P.S. – It sounds like you were actually involved in setting up the event, or am I wrong about that?
Chi Dave: Hah! You must not know me very well
Seriously, though, being an official Yankee historian? That’d be like the best job on the face of the planet.
Except, of course, playing for the Yanks, but aside from the whole no-talent thing, and the whole still-scared-of-the-ball-thing, and the wrong-gender thing, I probably wouldn’t enjoy it
Wouldn’t mind blogging about the Yankees either, but not sure anyone would be interested in what I have to say–am certainly not the most knowledgable. And I have problems spelling, as you can see…
No I wasn’t involved with setting up the event. His family and a family friend do that. I wish I was.
One thing I’ll say in Mussina’s favor…Unlike a lot of other guys, he has actually wanted to stay here over the years. It seems to mean something to him to wear the Yankee uniform, you know?
Yeah I think it also is he is comfortable in this situation and it is close to home.
How the hell did Cashman Destroy the Farm system? He had no authority there. That was the Tampa gang who drafted very poorly and instructed Cashman to sign the superstars that robbed them of more draft picks. Name one Young Player that Cash traded away that has become a superstar player. Okijima? hows he look now that the league has seen him a second time? Dice K? 100 plus million for a pitcher that over time will not be Wang. How is he lucky? The Draft picks started panning out after he left Openheimer in charge and let him draft high risk high reward players. you are like most younger fans live and die with every game. It’s a marathon and I would rather build dynasties than 1 year wonders…Theo is not imune to some boneheaded moves…How would H Ramirez look at SS for Boston? becket would not be needed with all the supposed young pitchers Theo has in his holster…
well I have to go to work tomorrow morning . UGH Catch everyone tomorrow morning.
jennifer – BTW – Does Mike do a fan club dinner every year? Do you have to pay dues or something to be in the club? I imagine you have to pay something to attend the dinner, regardless, right?
Other question…What exactly did he say about Johnson and Sheffield? I’m curious…
Tampa won again today. They’ve won something like eight of ten or nine of eleven.
They may be as bad as we think they are, but they aren’t playing like it.
Of course, they’re playing the Orioles, but still.
On Red Sox radio, they don’t say Gagne has a ‘sore’ shoulder, they say he has a ‘tender’ shoulder. Re: Buck Showalter, what Joel Sherman reported about his behavior would make your skin crawl (in his book, ‘Birth of a Dynasty’ about the 1996 Yankees).
Rebecca – Seriously, we need to work on your self esteem, girl! Heck, you could run a blog just as well as any of the other people that have established Yankee blogs!! You just need to be a devoted fan with opinions, and I think you qualify on both counts! So, again, don’t sell yourself short.
Of course, you’re right…The whole playing for the Yankees thing probably won’t pan out. Then again, you could try to be a ballgirl!!!
Jen-
which one are you ??
http://tinyurl.com/2letpj
susan – I will have to check out Sherman’s book. I want to read about the “ugly side” of Buck. I personally always liked the guy!
Dr. Acula:
Check out where that one chick has her hand! I hope that’s his wife (or Jennifer)!! HA!!!
Dave-
does Rebecca have an esteem issue? I haven’t detected that.
basically, I think we’re all hams; some are honey baked, some are salty, and some are juuuuuuuuust right.
Chi Dave: Fine, then. I’ll start a Yankee blog, sometime when I don’t have four classes, a thesis, my brother’s wedding and grad school applications to worry about, and you’ll get people to come read it, okay?
Wouldn’t want to be a ballgirl–Rick Reilly once did a column on the life of ballboys/ballgirls, and it sucks. I’m also too old for it–I think Phil Hughes is actually a couple months younger than me! I know Jackson is.
And that just makes me feel old! Ycch!
Dr. Acula:
Well, I have been kind of kidding around with Rebecca, but just read her recent comments…She has been slamming herself pretty hard!
P.S. – Where did you get that Mussina pic? Mussina is a PLAYA!!!
OK, Rebecca, you have yourself a deal! (I’ll even be the first person to post on your blog!!)
13 – 10? who the hell pitched for the red sox? louis braille?
That’s not his wife.
Moose is a good lookin guy, not sure about his personality, but mix and match, ya know.
I just think its funny how “he finds time” {cough} to do these meet and greets. Nice to know he likes to _give back_ to his fans
Hah! Dr. A–I don’t eat ham.
It’s not kosher =P
_Well, I have been kind of kidding around with Rebecca, but just read her recent comments…She has been slamming herself pretty hard!_
Rebecc, ya can slam me around “pretty hard” – best 2 outta 3
I am not a fan of Sherman.Wouldn’t read his book, his columns are annoying enough. I also would not want Buck back but he was a better tactician than Torre and has an eye for talent. Girardi is probably next in line. Love Donny BBall but he’s not ready for this job.
Chi Dave–All right! When I feel less guilty about putting off coursework, GRE studying and all that crapola, I’ll go and start one.
Dr A–….
Dude, you haven’t seen a picture of me. You *sure* you want to make that assessment?
Dr. Acula – Oh, you are such a pervert! Still, that Mussina pic has my mind in the gutter right now, too… It’s more like meet-and-greet “Little Mike,” right?! (Oh, I kill myself!)
_iight_ Grrls, quién es más Caliente ?
Contestant Number 1
http://tinyurl.com/2kn9bd
Or
Contestant Number 2
http://tinyurl.com/36yo39
Rebecca – Dr. Acula loves all women, regardless of appearance!
(Mind you, I’m not slamming you at all…I’m sure you’re a beautiful young woman!
)
Dr. – You forgot Coco Crisp!
Dr. A–Niether, actually.
Chi Dave–Yea, yea…well, see, there’s no way to answer that. If I say I think I’m pretty, I come off like a bitch, and if I say I think I’m ugly, I have no self esteem, and if I post a picture without anyone asking for it, I’m an attention whore!
_Hah! Dr. A—I don’t eat ham. It’s not kosher_
No problem, I eat kosher like a licensed pro
Rebecca – No, you could post a picture…Everyone here (including the good Dr. A) is a gentleman. We would NEVER call any fine young lady like yourself a “whore”!
Such words are only used by ignorant Red Sox fans…
Rebecca, Chicago Dave isn’t kiddin’
here’s one my favorite Photo essays.
http://tinyurl.com/279kpf
i hate papelbon and all those faggy red sox fans
here’s another from this past Spring
http://tinyurl.com/ynqn23
alright u guys are on cloud nine, im out
Fine, make what you can. Not the best picture in the world, but it’ll have to suffice.
http://photos-a.ak.facebook.co.....6_9538.jpg
Yankees V Angels, 6 July 2007. We had box seats right above the netting–got fishing nets for the foul balls!
Rebecca – See, I knew it…A fine looking girl indeed!
hah! Thanks.
If you’ve got new york in ya DNA, then you love trash and gossip, like me.
Proust. Hemmingway. Pffffft! Booooooring. Gimme a break!
Nutin’ like curling up with some good trash like Karrine Steffans’ “Confessions Of A Video Vixen.”
In that vein, here’s some juicy gossip about Krazy Karl from two years ago.
http://tinyurl.com/2a9hgo
Dr. A – Seriously, how do you find this stuff?!
Rebecca, you ham, you
Chicago Dave-
I’ve been kicked outta the “best” schools (actually they WERE the worst).
GO GATORS!!
HAH! GO SYRACUSE! GO ORANGE!
Chi Dave–http://puristbleedspinstripes.blogspot.com/
Yea. It’s late and I don’t feel like going to sleep. Oops. I do too many things on the spur of the moment. Best not elect me president of anything.
Re: Buck Showalter, he tried to undermine Torre after Torre had already started doing the job, and as a fan I resent that. The job is tough enough to begin with. Showalter refused to let go, and continued to work through certain angles (eg Michael Kay) to needle Torre, find out info, etc. As far as Joel Sherman, I don’t like having to mention anyone’s name or their book, and there are things I dislike about him. But, he has the story of the team, including what happened transitioning Showalter out and the numerous odious characters involved. I’ve posted items from his book and will continue to do so. If you’re at all into the business end of things and use that as your justification for including Showalter in any capacity on this team, please believe me, this is not the guy. On Sherman, he gives details pleasant and unpleasant on a lot of people–it’s not all bad about Buck. But Sherman notes one of Showalter’s mistakes was failure to recognize what he had in Mariano Rivera. Rivera was thrown out there in the post season in 1995, but more because Buck had used his trusted guys up and didn’t know what else to do. The future of the Yankees was in that bullpen.
Rebecca – AWESOME!!! Great job! I’ll have to think of something good for my first post…
Gainesville = Titletown USA
http://tinyurl.com/37m2eu
Chi Dave–Thank you! We’ll see what happens.
Re Buck Showalter: You guys do realise where ever this guy goes, the year after he leaves, the team wins it all, right?
So he’s actually a good thing.
I’ve never known a Yankee manager other than Torre; I’m actually too young to remember any others. Honestly, in the end, I think Jeter will make a FANTASTIC manager. He just knows the game.
However, in the mean time, what is Donnie Baseball’s record in games he’s managed that Torre’s been suspended (or ejected?) I’m ambivalent about Girardi, given what I’ve heard about his handling of pitchers.
Dr. A–but in Syracuse, you’ll get people lining up the night before a game in 20 degree weather.
Did I say 20?
I meant -20.
And we’ve got the best student cheer ever. Unfortunatley, if I posted it here, I’d get kicked off the blog…
Geez, Rebecca, that was fast.
You create copy almost as fast as SJ44!
http://puristbleedspinstripes.blogspot.com
Susan,
I am in no way asking for a return of Buck. I just stated that he would not have lost that series to Boston in 04. I don’t think Torre can take this team anywhere near the WS anymore. There is no passion in this team other than the kids…That has to fall on Torre. Girardi? idk (wheres out pitchers), Donnie? not enough experience. My vote is Tony Pena.
We should all e-mail Pete to get him to mention Rebecca’s new blog in one of his posts. That should help the readership!
I grew up in Mid-Jersey, then the townies let some torches and exiled me to Brooklyn
Dr A–I type really, really fast, and I read really fast, so, despite twenty billion spelling mistakes, I can easily write 2-4 pages inside an hour.
Chi Dave–Umm…God, I don’t…umm…maybe we should see if I can manage to keep it going for more than one or two days before doing something like that? =P
Damn, I really don’t want to go to class tomorrow…Eh. Sleep is for the weak. =P
one more thing “Back Ta Woik”,
The stuff you are saying about Humberto Sanchez are exactly the same things people like yourself were saying about Joba when the Yankees drafted him? The Yankees got fleeced? Maybe, but it may be the other way around in 09 when Whelan is the closer or at least set up man, Sanchez is the 4th or 5th starter and Sheff has worn out his welcome on yet another team.
OK, is everyone posting on the new/next thread now? I’m tired of flipping back-and-forth!
works for me.
See ‘ya at the new thread then!