More on Pinkygate as the culprit is found
Posted by: Peter Abraham - Posted in Misc on Sep 18, 2007 
Print This Post
| 
Email This Post
According to Gordon Edes of the Boston Globe, Eric Gagne denies that he threw the ball that hit Mariano Rivera on his right pinky on Sunday night.
However, Gagne did reveal that there was a wild pitch and that it came from Devern Hansack, who was warming up at the same time he was.
Meanwhile, there is general panic in the Nation. Daisuke Matsuzaka is being “bumped back” (or as the impolite would say, skipped) for three days. And Manny Ramirez won’t be asked to return from his oblique injury until he is mentally right.
So expect to see Manny again in, oh, 2009.
Meanwhile, Kevin Youkilis remains out with what is now being described as a bruised tendon, the result of that Chien-Ming Wang sinker that drilled him on Saturday.
Here is Boston’s remaining schedule:
2 at Toronto
3 at Tampa
2 vs. Oakland
4 vs. Minnesota
If they really screw it up and go 4-7, the Red Sox would finish with 94 wins. The Yankees would have to go 8-4 to tie them. They would then win the division because of a better head-to-head record.
Is it possible? Sure, anything is possible. But give it another week before you start calling your buddies who are Boston fans and mentioning 1978.
With Minnesota officially out of the WC race even after winning against Texas last night I don’t see that last series going too close. Crap maybe with the pressure off they decide to start playing decent ball again and sweep the Sox. That’s the thing you just never know in this game!!!
How hard was that ball Wang threw?
I agree it will still be tough to catch the Sox, however, all these scenarios get negated with one quick 4 game losing streak and a corresponding Yankee 4 game winning streak. I remember a month ago listening to Chris Russo talk about how there is no way the Yankees would play 4 games better than Seattle the rest of the way. A week later the Yankees were ahead of Seattle. So these things have a way a changing quick. Nice making Boston to have to play down the stretch anyway.
Even if the Yankees don’t catch Boston, this has turned out to be a great season all around. 3 new young guns for the rotation with more on the way. The farm is looking great. We will almost certainly make the playoffs. And best of all we gave an entire city an ulcer
Hey Boston, reach for the rolaids…:>
I’m pretty sure that ESPN showed the bullpen wild pitch live. Unless I’m mistaken, they were showing a shot of two pitchers warming up for the Sox and one of them uncorked a pitch way over the catcher’s head. I remember chuckling about it and then forgetting it. Does anyone else remember seeing this?
I am really excited for this final stretch of the season. For a season that started out so heart wrenching, the boys once again have put together a solid season. I questioned their grit at the beginning of the season, I am glad to see it turn around.
Drew,
I saw it too, but it was the Yankees bullpen. Matt DeSalvo was warming up and his catcher threw it over his head when he was returning the ball to him
Re: Catching the Sox – there’s no reason we can’t finish 10-2. That means we can win if the Sox go 6-5. The Sox face Burnett tonight, Kazmir later this week, then have to finish up with 6 games against Oakland and Minny. It’s not a stretch to think the Sox will finish 6-5.
I think if we could cut the lead to 2 and a half by next week, we have a real good shot. The last 6 games boston plays good pitching teams in oak and minn. They have struggled all year vs. good pitching. Its not far fetched to see us string along another long streak. It starts tonight. Our rotation is solid accept for moose. So if has another game like the last one. Watch out!!
Keep Doug at first. He has been producing hits and his glove is priceless.
Not to be negative or anything, but isn’t it a stretch to think the Yanks will finish 10-2. I’m just saying.
Chris Russo is always wrong in his predictions.
As the promo pieces say, I LIVE for this. What a great ending to a season so many people were ready to write off just a few months ago. Yes, it would be great if there was a total Boston collapse and we passed them to win the division yet again. But, as the Yanks have been saying, let’s just worry about us right now. Play hard, play clean and win. That would be the best way to head into the playoffs. If they waste too much energy worrying about catching the BoSox, then there is the risk of an emotional drain making it difficult to step up for the playoffs.
i’m surrounded by red sox fans at work . i have been taking abuse all season long . how sweet would it be to take the division from them on the last day of schdule and rub it in thier stupid red sucker faces . but the wild card will do just fine too .
How about 9-3 and sox finish 5-6. Very possible with some of their pitchers looking burned out.
Winning the division would be pretty funny, but it’s not like the Red Sox wouldn’t make the playoffs.
At this point, the Division title would just be a gigantic cherry on top of a pretty sweet cake.
It’s all be said before, but considering where the Yanks were early in the season (14 games back?!), to even be threatening Boston this late in the season is a victory.
And it seems like the Yanks are in the right mindset- right now, there’s nothing they can do about the Division. It’s really in Boston’s hands now, because no matter how well the Yanks play, Boston needs to collapse to give NY the title. So all New York can do is play well down this last stretch, and see where the cards fall.
Talk about a roller-coaster season though. Barring a total NY collapse in the next two weeks, October is going to be a lot of fun.
Our magic number is sitting at 9. Lets pay attention to that for awhile.
The division would be nice, but just flat out making the playoffs is great. In May, June and July, it was very far off from being a sure thing.
Winning divisions is what we do. They brought in the wild card system for teams in our division,so they would have a chance in the start of the season to make playoffs. Giving them hope. Wild card isnt for us. Unless offcoarse we have no other choices to make it to ocober.
if I were Gagne claiming that he hit him woudl be the one good thing he has done for the Nation. Take the credit lol
It’s still one day at a time. Just keep winning games. But the possibility of them catching the Red Sox is too irresistable to dream about. Either the noose gets tighter or Boston digs in their heels. Either way it doesn’t matter. The Yankees are 44-21 since the break and have won 14 series in that time. As long as they make the playoffs it’s all good.
Whether NY falls short of the division title or not – assuming they don’t finish unbelievably cold or Detroit doesn’t finish unbelievably hot – we would still have to make the world series before reminding our friends/foes in Boston of 1978.
I’ve got them on speed dial and I’ve got an address group especially for them on my e-mail account.
lol Gayle. Sox fans would probably have a shred of respect for him if that was the case!
Question? If we mathmatically win the wild card with lets say 6 games left 2 behing boston.
a. do we rest our players
b. go for the division
Remember the cardinals and tigers of last year couldnt rest anyone and they ended up in the world series.
Last question. When was the last time both teams who made the world series the prior year, didnt make the playoffs in the wild card era?
Did the Yanks skip the President’s spot in the rotation? I thought he earned the right to continue in the rotation.
Wasn’t it last year?
They are going with a 6 man rotation,last I heard.
SoS,
Knowing the Yankee philosophy and listening to Joe & Jeter, they will fight until the end. Play to win every game and then see where the chips fall. Now if Boston were to clinch, the Yankees earned the wildcard, and the first round opponent was set then they might rotate out some of the regulars and try to get their rotation in order.
S.o.S.27
I’m a big fan of not resting anyone. I feel like giving players a couple days is like prematurely rewarding them..
The only reason they should get time off at the end of the season, is the same reason they get time off during the whole season.. Hep an injury, start on regular rest, etc.
By last year I mean the WS was white sox vs astros 2005 you silly goose.
I don’t know if many of you who have been hoping for Cleveland knows, but whoever has the best record gets to choose who they play in the first round. That’s another incentive to have the best record.
http://bostonherald.com/news/r.....id=1031894
Makes ya love Shelley even more, doesn’t it?
keith,
Thanks,made my question really dumb. Brain cramp.
Anyone elst think Jeter needs some time at d.h. to rest his knees? He is more valuable than Giambi or Matsui come playoff time. Cant have him limping around. It has to help a little not playing the field.
Manny: “Doc, will I be mentally right if I rest for a bit?”
Doc: “Yes.”
Manny: “That’s funny, I’ve never been mentally right before.”
I actually like Manny, but he is a headcase.
raymagnetic,
Do you have a link to that info?
I know that the big talk is top AL seed gets to choose whether or not they want to have an extra day of rest in the first round series. Rosenthal did a big writeup about that being a bad idea for Boston if they play Cleveland. That would give them 4 games w/ CC & Carmona.
They’re thinking of alternating the extra day between the leagues each year.
raymagnetic,
I thought the team with the best record only gets the choice of how many days off between first round games. They would play the team with the worst record, unless its a team that is in their division.
I for one dont want any part of Clevelands aces.
How does an oblique have anything to do with manny’s mental rightness? the man hasn’t been mentally right since birth…
Must not be going with a 6 man rotation if it is Mussina tonight and Pettit tomorrow night. What happened to Kennedy’s start?
Sounda like Manny is pouting to me. Mentally right? He has a physical injury, he should be back on the field when it is healed. Not that I am complaining or anything. I don’t understand how those fans can stand him. I’d hate him if he were on my team.
Last week Torre was quoted as saying he would have a 6 man rotation. But looking at some of the sites,your right none show Kennedy’s name penciled in. Maybe PETE can find out the reason for that.
I just returned to the West Coast last night with the sights and sounds from Sunday Night’s game in Fenway fresh in my mind…..I’m not certain how it translated on TV, but when Jeter drilled The Chill, the sounds of shock and disbelif was stunning…..The faceless expressions will remain with me forever….Then again the 9th inning showdown with Ortiz was almost as satifying as Jeter’s blast….The tension in that little pissbox called Fenway was playoff like, and the exhalling of disappointment was just great for us few Yankee fans in attendance….I kept thinking about the Chowdahead blogger Best team that pollutes our site, wondering what he had to offer…..The Fens faithful are very worried about the upcoming two weeks……As stated before, come October, A Hard Rain is Goin Fall for the Red Sox Nation…….Yanks have that swagger back, and very well maybe the team to watch during the next 6 weeks…..Fenway still reeks of urine and stale beer, just as it did 40 years ago when I used to go watch Namath & the Jets play the Patriots ……
Not sure if it’s true but I heard Petitte and Wang get regular turns and the other 4 fit in to make the 6 man rotation.
they are going with a 6 man rotation but keeping Pettitte and Wang on regular rest
ESPN shows Mussina, Pettitte, Wang, Clemens, Hughes, Mussina. Joe said last week that they’re going to do whatever they have to get Andy and Wang the rest they need and they might be trying to line up the rotation. Kennedy may be the odd guy out right now because of innings count.
“We’re pitching him [on Tuesday] because we like what we saw,” Torre said of Mussina. “Obviously, the fact that he’s Mike Mussina is important because of the history, but it didn’t keep us from taking him out of the rotation, either. We’re going to try to win every game we can, and we’ll do it by whichever means we can do it.”
Serious question. Do we really want Moose to pitch a good game tonight? Doing so would convince Torre to put him in the PS rotation. Even if he pitches well tonight I don’t want to see Moose out there against the Angels or Indians. I think our best chance is going with Hughes or maybe even Kennedy.
What do you guys think? A win tonight could actually hurt us.
Here we go with Torre playing his veterans again. Moose has one good outing and now hes back in. Thats a bunch of crap. Kennedy has pitched better than Hughes and Clemens and is still getting the short end of the stick. I hope they can find a taker for Mussina next year. Tired of watching the roller coaster that he is.
If he struggles today to go deep into the game.Will they throw Kennedy in as a long man?
DONT GET TOO EXCITED. MIKE MUSSINA IS STARTING TONIGHT.
HE WILL MOST LIKELY GET SHELLED TO SHOW TORRE AND CO. THAT HE SHOULD BE LONG RELIEF IF ANYTHING.
Bob:
I think they need to win every game at this point (until and unless they clinch the wildcard). Even a mediocre outing from Moose tonight does not automatically mean that Torre would not tap him for the postseason.
Bob,
That’s a great question and before this year, yes that would be a concern. Funny how the Yankees are called the Evil Empire, but they’ve never been IMO ruthless with their players. They’ve held on to aging veterans for sentimental reasons or simply because they had no one to step in. But this year you’ve seen vets (Meyers) & favorites (Bernie, Proctor, & Cairo) get tossed to the side. Read Torre’s quote in my 1:17 p.m. post. They’re going to try to win games at all costs. They weren’t afraid to hurt Mike’s feelings and will use a quick hook with Mussina until the end of the season. No worries.
i think pat has it right. 6 man rotation, with pettitte and wang being the only 2 going on regular rest. the others fill the gaps. kennedy on saturday…
If he’s going to get shelled,lets hope its in the early innings. So we can at least have a chance to comeback. I was hoping he got shelled his last start but he didnt. Maybe if I keep hoping he will end the season strong and have some trade value. Thats as possitive as I can be when talking about Mike.
SoS,
What are you talking about? Mike’s given up 0 earned runs in his last 12 innings. You’d hope for 5, 6, 7 runs over that? No offense, but we need good pitching from all the guys.
S.o.s. You are right about how the playoff schedule is determined. I misinterpreted what I read from Rosenthal yesterday. The team with the best record does get to choose the playoff format and not which team it plays. Sorry for the misinformation.
Hoping your pitcher got shelled? Your either a Red Sox fan or not very bright.
the shelley autograph thing is hilarious. the comments to the article are pretty funny too. some people are way too sensitive…
Why would you hope that Mussina gets shelled? The Yankees need to win games. I don’t care who is pitching.
Saucy-
People just look for reasons to hate the Yankees… It’s pretty ridiculous. Shelleys a funny guy.
SoS, my mistake he’s given up 0 earned runs in his last 5.2 innings pitch. But I’d still take that over his 17 ERA in that bad stretch.
To the mother of the 10 year old who received the Shellely Duncan autograph: If you are so disconcerned with what Shelley wrote, do you shield your sons’ eyes from the Yankees S*ck t-shirts and signs that appear all over Fenway?
Let’s me fair here.
Yah.. Like those Yankee hater hats.. Those are just a joke and everybody knows it. Thats why nobdy causes a rucuss about their kids wearing something that has the word ‘hate’ being implied..
People are to sensitive.
Maybe I was hoping he would so that Torre would quit looking for him to pitch and keep Kennedy in the rotation. Maybe its the selfish attitude that he has shown over the 7 years hes been with us. Just because I was hoping he got shelled didnt mean I wanted my team to lose. I thought he would give up a few runs and our offense would get it right back. Sorry for rooting against a player on our team but I just cant get myself to like someone who shows up his teammates with his face expressions during the game or tanks it after an error. Or post game interview (accept his recent ones) never took the blame in his bad outings.
Let’s hope Burnett does a number on the Sox like he did on us last Thursday. No Manny and no Youk in the lineup and Lester pitching against a good Toronto team. There could be another let down in Beantown tonight.
As The Trolls Dwindle…..NEWSFLASH…The Yankees are going 10-2 the rest of the way,,,,so the Idiots only need to go 6-5 or worse and the Division is OURS….AGAIN ! ( sweet revenge ! )
What he did was clearly inappropriate for a professional athelete trying to make a positive impression on a kid. As much as Shelley’s enthusiasm is a welcome sight in the dugout, he does need to know when to act his age. Jeez, its not like he’s 21 or something. He’s been around the majors his entire life… he knows the impression that big leaguers have on kids… maybe he should act like it is a privilege to be there and show respect for the fans. He could have really impacted this kid in a positive manner…but he lost that opportunity forever.
The Yankees are concerned about the number of innings that Kennedy has pitched this year. That is why they pushed his next start back a few days. I believe he’s scheduled to pitch on Saturday and once more before the season is over.
SoS,
I didn’t like Mussina’s attitude either. He was cantankerous and blamed others for his losses. But I think his removal from the rotation was the best thing. He could get out of the spiral he was in and basically start a new season with a new attitude. Mike was humbled and sees that it’s about the team and not about him. At least that’s what it seems like from what Torre’s been saying, but who believes what he says about any of his pitchers? lol.
Loss Column
Sox…61
Cle…62
LAA…62
Yanks.64
games left..12
is there one spot where all the players from both teams go to sign autographs? just wondering because i think its funny that a redsox fan was getting shelly’s signature. i wonder if he asked shelly to make it out to eBay.
SOS-
With the extra days built into the postseason schedule this year, there’s not much need to rest too many players. It would probably be good to chain Jeter to a bench for a game or two, but I think he’d chew through the chain.
Besides, as the Yankees have proven the last few years, resting your players and coasting into October isn’t the way to go. If the Yankees start building momentum in the next two weeks, it would be a waste to secure the WC and then rest up. Keep on burning through these easy teams, and go out with a bang.
There’s already time to rest in October. There might be one or two players who could use a game off, but I think NY needs to keep its A-game going for as long as possible. Especially if they’re going to face Anaheim in the first round.
I think Moose will pitch very well tonight. I have yet to see something that would convince me otherwise.
Yes, Shelley was wrong and I’m sure his dad and brother were mortified. If Dustin Pedroia did that to a kid at Yankee Stadium, Yankee fans wouldn’t find it amusing at all. But then a Yankee mom wouldn’t have her kid pose with his saddest expression with the autograph and allow her son’s name and picture to be splashed all over the internet. duh.
And by very well… i mean 6 IP, 6H, 2ER
Shelley was spot-on!
the kid was gonna learn, sooner or later, that boston sucks.
He should think of the autograph as an AP course, with Shelley as the teacher.
i think it is hilarious. shelly is a new star, give him a break. he won’t do it again
Speaking of extra days rest. There is only a need the 4th starter once if they get one of two ALDS series. Otherwise throughout the playoffs 3 is all that is needed. It will be interesting to see how Torre constructs the roster. He could have a bullpen of Mo, Viz, Joba, Farns, Ramirez, Mussina, Hughes and Kennedy. Not sure how Villone and Ohlendorf figure in.
Just think of the children!!!
Shelly was wrong,
I sincerely doubt that a 10 year old Red Sox fan would have a life altering experience by receiving positive reinforcement from a bench player for the Yankees. I can appreciate your sentiment regarding the impact of pro athletes, but find it a bit naive to think that this experience will have any long lasting effects on a 10 year old who most likely hears worse words and sayings on the playground.
Years from now, the kid will be able to put that autograph experience in context and may even have a laugh over it. Shelly Duncan and other ball players can set an example by their play on the field and keeping out of trouble off it. I genuinely do not believe this ‘incident’ defines Duncan as a player with off field problems. It was a joke that most fans within the rivalry can keep within context.
“The positive for the Sox: Their magic number to clinch a playoff berth is five games following Detroit’s loss. The Tigers trail wild card-leading New York by 3 games.”
boston newspapers are switching to the wildcard magic number now. just shows how the yanks have them on the run.
i still think only about the wild card for the yankees. if the yankees catch boston it means the yankees are winning and that the tigers can’t catch them .
in a weird kind of way, i think it would actually help boston to go in as the wild card. it fits their perception of themselves as scrappy dirtdogs.
this year is all about winning #27. if the yankees can set its players up for that while just winning the wildcard, i’ll be perfectly happy with that.
mel, i think yankee fans would question why the kid was looking to get Pedroia’s autograph in the first place…
Let’s not start counting chickens…….
(I’m a bit superstitious!)
for those of you avoiding work: the FED cut the rate by 50bps
the kid’s mom probably increased the value of what he could get for that autograph on ebay…
i agree with doctor a, when will the child learn that the red soxs suck? Its been 10 years and his mother hasnt told him? shame on the mother
yin and the wang,
You’re wrong! This encounter with Duncan will ruin that kids life. That kid will grow up feeding an obsessive, all-consuming hatred of the Yankees and everything associated with New York. He’ll go on blogs with handles like “Best Team in Baseball” and have passive aggressive dialogue with Yankee fans. He’ll chant “Yankees Suck” at every game even when the Yankees aren’t there, and cry when he’s drafted by the little league team called the Yankees. He’ll spew out MFY and his face will turn red when he talks about the Yankees. Oh, wait. They’re all bred and raised like that. Never mind.
Maude-
Hah! Good one.
I wonder how much poor little 10-yr old Griffin Whitman and his mommy are getting for the article about Shelley’s autograph.
Yes, and don’t forget to shield his innocent eyes from such things as ‘Yankees Suck’ t-shirts and his innocent hears like-worded Fenway chants.
Oh and don’t forget, kids can say some pretty hurtful things to other kids so you better get that in the newspapers too. The other innocent little Sox fans at his school will probably tell him that he sucks for asking a Yankee for an autograph in the first place. If they don’t, they’ll probably say even worse crap to him. If he’s lucky he won’t get his butt kicked.
But Mrs Whitman, your kid probably says those things already too.
There’s no crying in baseball …. SO QUIT CRYING!!!!!
mel,
very funny and accurate.
Sorry for the typo above … i think you get the idea
Oh, guys, they’re not putting it up on e-bay. It’s evidence in the wrongful whatever suit. They’re going to sue for the mental anguish endured by the boy. Did you see his face? He was traumatized.
Going to the game tonight……..hell yea
Miller-
Sweet, keep your eyes peeled for the Squirrel!
yin and the wang,
Thank you. That was very liberating. I didn’t realize I had that pent up in me. I’m very at peace now and I think that my yin and wang are now balanced.
I think Shelley may use a little better judgement next time he faces a situation like that again. But Mom needs to relax a little. She should shrug it off and tell the kid “it’s just Shelley being Shelley” That seems to work for Manny in Boston when people try to explain away his lack of perfect judgement.
Yes that was very astute, Mel … and very accurate.
Oh, I’m not just saying its accurate because I’m a Yanks fan and it seems that way. I’ve been around that. I grew up around it. It really does happen that way.
And, ironically, it’s all about the money. They’re brainwashed from the beginning to always fall back on that excuse.
I find this hypocritical because if any of them were ever offered something like 1/3 more money to switch jobs, in most cases they’d think of themselves as idiots not to take it or at least think seriously about it.
It’s not 1978, it’s 2007.
When we win this year, it’s gonna be so much better…
And then there’s the notion in Sox Nation that all pro athletes playing in NY (NBA/MLB/NFL/NHL) are lazy, over paid, self-absorbed, egotistical slackers who are happy to just collect a check while they screw up on the field.
Sounds a lot like Manny Ramirez. Especially with his defensive foibles and mood swings. But in Boston that’s okay because it’s just ‘Manny being Manny’.
Money as a motivator? Mercenaries? How about Shilling’s contractual clause where he got an 8-digit bonus or guarantee because the Sox won the world series once?
See what they think about that if a NY guy get a bonus for something accomplished. Never mind that most players in pro sports already do.
Ranting Guy,
One day, hopefully soon, Cashman will shed this team of the most expensive in baseball label. Boston has to spend to keep up with the Steinbrenners, Riccardi has a blank check, and the Cubs are spending like crazy until somebody buys that team. Then people can hate a little less.
To me, it’s about respect. I don’t like the Red Sox because they’re good and you have to respect that. I don’t hate on them just because they’re the Red Sox. They just get under my skin because they’re our long-time rivals, merely an obstacle. If they had Tampa’s record they wouldn’t garner a second of my attention. I just feel it’s a crime to teach impressionable kids to hate someone because they cheer for a team or live in a certain city. End of rant!
Yeah Rebecca … ’1918′ was a good chant for so long, but we need a new one. It’ll be easier for a stadium full of people to chant ‘oh seven’ over and over rather than any way you want to cut ’1978′ and try chanting it.
But the stadium could chant “FOUR-TEEN-GAMES!” over and over as they’re being eliminated in the ALCS.
No wait, I take that back … the stadium SHOULD do that.
Mel … yep!
… but it’s a worthy rant you got there.
I don’t know – I was there a few times in ’78 and it was pretty sweet.
I’ve got a friend out here in SoCal who’s a huge Sox fan. Bet him $20 on May 29th the Yanks would win the division. As he said then, that’d be the best best bet you ever won. So it will be sweet this time too.
Here’s a thought:
IF our Yankees make it all the way to World Series, the team that I do not want to face is the Chicago Cubs. Because the series will be all about the 99-year curse of the goat, or whatever it is out there; it’ll be about Lou; it will be about the team being up for sale; it’ll be about “destiny.” It will be a MAJOR distraction. And frankly, I’m DONE with teams of “destiny.”
I’d rather face the Mets, for cryin’ out loud.
_for those of you avoiding work: the FED cut the rate by 50bps_
The Fed is OBVIOUSLY reacting the collapse in Red Sox Nation!!
*1978!*
*1978!*
*1978!*
*1978!*
You can’t sue Shelley for saying, “Red Sox Sucks” ~!!
Truth is an absoulte defense.
http://community.foxsports.com....._New_Level – Thats an article about how Shelley Duncan signed his name with the words “Red Sox Suck” for an eleven year old, kind of funny.
(I’m a bit superstitious!”)
doreen-
i’m not superstitious, but just to be on the safe side, i threw away the one red m&m that came in my M&Ms .
just win series and the yanks are in. that’s the battle cry. win series!!!
Doreen: You are incredibly right. I want to face Arizona or the Mets or the Phillies or the Padres or hell, even the Brewers.
But not the Cubs.
If the Cubs win the world series, I’ll cheer loudly–but only as long as they’re NOT playing the Yankees.
Andrew: Report IMMEDIATELY to the principal’s office for your late pass. You will not be admitted to this blog without it.
*Das Boot*
you know those yarns about submarines stuck on the bottom of the ocean, with the undersea pressure slowly crushing the haul?
That’s what it must be like to be in Red Sox Nation today.
Think of all the gaskets and bolts blowing as we speak.
Just look at their crew: unshaven, praying for intervention, crying (youkilis), breaking down (Dice-K), profusely sweating (Francona). Turn up ya radio, the sonar you’re picking up is the RSN Fenway creaking and cracking.
Let’s not use up all our wins in the regular season. Let’s save some for the postseason!
M.L.B. should place sanctions on Boston for their wretched all-around ballpark setup because please tell me anywhere else where a guy in the bullpen could get hit by a ball from the other bullpen. Boston ever heard of a fence high enough where a ball couldn’t possibly get over it unless someone intentionally tossed it over? There’s always some stupid sh it if not dirty pool going on at Fenway. Time to tighten up security and improve the general setup cuz what if Mo really got hurt? Then M.L.B. should let the Yanks choose who Boston loses for the rest of the season including the postseason -my choice would be Josh Beckett.
Hey, the Brewers might be okay. They don’t have a particular story or history with the Yankees, do they? Does anyone know? Or San Diego, maybe, if they overtake the Diamondbacks.
Hey Miller- see you at the Stadium – we’ll be there! Anyone else there tonight??
Doreen: Personally, I’m seeking a little vengence on Arizona…
They always say that you should be honest with kids. Shelley Duncan was just telling the truth.
Love the “Das Boot” reference, Dr. Acula.. just look at that depth gauge falling, think of Manny as being that engine room mechanic who lost his cool and headed for the escape hatch…
Regards Ramirez and his “mental state”, this shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone who has watched this buffoon in the past few seasons. He simply can’t take the pressure.
Regards Mussina, he is far from being my favorite Yankee, but I still hope for a successful start from him, he could wind up being an asset in the post-season. The tools are there, he just needs to put it together. Let’s hope he has at least 6 innings in him.
Brewers have a little need for revenge, but it’s pretty distant: back in ’81, the player’s strike took two months out of the regular season. Yanks won the AL East for the first half, Brewers [who were in the AL back then] won the East for the second half. The 2 halves played, and the Yanks came out on top, 3 games to 2. Yanks then closed out Oakland to make the WS; won the first 2 games, lost the last 4 to Dodgers.
Padres? We bested them in the 1998 Series, 4 games to none. Maybe they are still sore at us for signing Dave Winfield away from them?
I love this. Nnder 2 weeks left in the season and we’re all still captivated by this team and by baseball in general.
I must be way behind….
what happened with Shelly Duncan and the Red Sox?
2 weeks in the regular season that is.
I won’t be there tonight. I was there last night and will be there tomorrow night.
I guess the bottom line is the Yankees have been champions for so long they have a history with everyone!
So, as far as I’m concerned, bring on anyone (except the Cubs!), if the Yanks get that far.
In the meantime, I’m with randy1 and have been all season — WIN SERIES, ONE GAME AT A TIME.
Miller-
click on the link posted by Andrew at 3:11 PM.
It has the full dope (including pictures)
Dayn Perry backs Shelley? I’m shocked!
The newspaper this morning had the longest winning streak of the season at 9 games, and it was by…the Yankees. Anyone else a little surprised (that no one else had a longer one?)
As I was saying it in my office someone was writing it here.
Sox 6-5, Yanks 10-2, and Yanks win the division. I believe that Don Vito has been predicting 96 wins for days now. Look at it this way, he isn’t wrong yet!
Rebecca,
Revenge on Arizona would be soooo sweet. I don’t think they have many players left from that team though.
Maude – I’m sorry to say it, but I’m 95% sure that it was Reverend Lovejoy’s wife that used to beg everyone to think of the children.
The whole “too much rest in 2006″ argument isn’t really valid…..the Yankees stormed into the playoffs in 2005 and that didn’t help them much either. There really is no rhyme or reason to it, unfortunately.
Of course, the last two years the Yankees were damned by poor defense at first base, so hopefully that is ONE thing the Yanks will change when they get there.
Forget the division.
Just keep winning games and playing good ball.
You just have to make the playoffs. You cant control what Boston does and how they play.
YankeesRule: Hmm…I think Juan Gonzalez is still there? I’d love Mo to K him…
swo -
I would slightly disagree with the assessment that the Yankees stormed into the playoffs in 2005. They had an exhaustive head-to-head competition with the Red Sox that culminated in a flat-footed tie with Boston for the division, that the Yankees won by virtue of having taken the season series from them by one game. So I would say they kind of hobbled into the 2005 playoffs. I think it would be fair to say they had left it all on the field just trying to GET there.
This year feels different. Even though they are chasing the Red Sox, it doesn’t have that feel of desperation that 2005 did. They seem to be moving steadfastly, playing mostly good baseball.
And they actually LOST the last game of the season to the Red Sox in 2005.
Doreen,
I’m surprised that Boston hasn’t beat that streak. The have a better starting rotation, DH,defense, bullpen, closer, manager, owner, gm, park, foul pole, Japanese rookie import, rookie pitching sensation, celebrity fans, trainer, equipment manager, clubhouse toenail clippings collector, I could go on and on.
There’s no surprise actually. This year’s had the most parity there’s been in years. There’s no easy wins anymore with Toronto, Baltimore, Tampa, and Kansas City playing teams tough. Even though we’ve had an easy schedule, those kinds of games have often been trap games for the Yankees. I hope they’ve really learned their lesson now. Any team can win on any given day.
Becca,
I think AZ actually released him and the Dodgers picked him up. He can still crank. He had a walk-off HR the other day I think.
Mel –
Thanks for the belly-laugh!!!
EVERYTHING feels different than the years 2002, 2004, 2005 and 2006.
(Aaron Boone gets the entire team off the hook for 2003).
This is a team that’s FUN to watch–you watch Melky, Cano, Joba, Phil, Ian, Shelley, and you get this feeling.
They LOVE doing what they’re doing. If they’re in it for the money, it’s not showing. They’re not even in it just for winning–like the previous Yankee teams of this decade–they’re in it to have fun, and since having fun involves winning, Yankee fans everywhere get a result they can enjoy.
They’ve got just the right mix of veterans like Jeter, Posada, Mo, Pettitte, and pure talent, like A-Rod and Joba, baby faces and DRIVE (think Clemens and TOUGH ALL DAY…)
This is how dynasties are born.
We might all be looking forward to 2008 and 2009, but do not forget about 2007.
This is where it all starts.
DestiNY: Dynasty!
Hail Rebecca, oracle of all things good in Yankee Land!
Dr. Acula-thanks
Becca –
One of the most fun things for me to see has been ARod clearly enjoying the season. Of course, Melky and Cano seem to have an awful lot to do with that. But it does seem freer and easier on the bench with everyone — and even when they’re losing, they don’t look morose and forlorn. Peeved, maybe, but not sullen.
You know who I want revenge on?
Tony Womack.
Screw you, Womack.
i think juan gonzalez would love the chance to play on any major league team, except detroit, at this point. I think you are thinking of Luis “i for some strange reason hit 50 homeruns in one season, but i have never done steroids” Gonzalez.
Duncan is the man. Period.