lohud.com

Sponsored by:

The LoHud Yankees Blog

A New York Yankees blog by Sam Borden, Chad Jennings and the staff of The Journal News

Game 155: Blue Jays at Yankees

Peter Abraham
September
23

Here is the lineup:

YANKEES
Damon LF
Jeter SS
Abrreu RF
Rodriguez 3B
Matsui DH
Cano 2B
Cabrera CF
Mientkiewicz 1B
Molina C
Mussina RHP (10-10, 5.01)

Pregame chatter: Yanks are facing RHP Dustin McGowan (11-9, 3.84). … Yankees have a Magic Number of 3 for a playoff spot. … Yankees have won 13 of their last 16. … Jeter has a nine-game hitting streak. … Now had Matsui has 103, Bobby Abreu is two RBI from being the latest to get to 100. … Thanks to Brian Heyman for calling in the lineup.

Rumor has it at the Stadium that Roger Clemens could be pushed back until Tuesday. That would hardly be a surprise. More on this as it becomes available. I’m off today, so there probably won’t be many updates. After yesterday’s debacle, I could use the rest.

Enjoy the game.

This entry was posted on Sunday, September 23rd, 2007 at 11:16 am by Peter Abraham.
You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.
Print This Post Print This Post | Email This Post Email This Post

671 Responses to “Game 155: Blue Jays at Yankees”

  1. Rebecca--27 in 07! Nothing beats Optimism!

    Hey guys, I need a favor:

    I won’t be able to follow the game today, so I *need all of you to keep the OPTIMISM flowing!*

    Can you do it? :-D

  2. Phil - 27 in '07

    Big G gets the day off. Minky getting a lot of starts lately.

  3. jennifer 27 in 07

    Who would start in his place? Andy? He’d be pitching on normal rest.

  4. Phil - 27 in '07

    Nj.com is reporting it will be Andy, yes, on normal rest.

  5. jennifer 27 in 07

    We can clinch tomorrow if everything falls right :D

  6. jennifer 27 in 07

    Thanks Phil :)

    I was at yesterdays game, oh god what a bad game. We won but it was painful!! And all those idiots doing the wave! UGH. I applaude the creatures, they didn’t do it. I didn’t either for the record.

  7. E-ROC

    Go Yankees! I wonder how Mussina will fare today against the Blue Jays. LOL, I think Mussina told Posada to sit this one out so he can play catch with Molina.

  8. Leonardo

    All this movement around the lineup cannot really be to the benefit of yesterdays hero. That said, he’s NOT a leadoff hitter by trade. So here’s to hoping that yesterday served as an awesome springboard towards a surge in these final games, and into the second season.

    LETS GO YAN-KEES!!

  9. JeterFan23

    E-ROC,

    No, Posada needs an afternoon off after the long game yesterday. Posada caught mussina on Tuesday anyway.

  10. hmmm

    Damon in LF, thank God. i guess Joe was paying attention yesterday. if Damon started in LF yesterday, Hughes probably goes 6+ innings of 0-1 run ball.

  11. E-ROC

    JeterFan23–I was just kiddin’. I know he Posada caught Mussina’s last outing and that he needs the rest.

  12. Uncle Vito - †his ¡s ®eall� mÊ

    Optimism…GO YANKEES….GO DETROIT ( I want them to PUSH us all the way into the division crowd AND a number 1 or 2 seed in the playoffs ) LAA and CLE need to lose….Tampa needs to do us ONE FLIPPIN’ FAVOR and that is HIT THE WHIFFLE BALL ! Al Reyes has single-handedly GIVEN the Red Sox 3 of their wins this year…without those 3 wins….the YANKEES would already be in first place….OPTIMISM….ALL WILL COME TOGETHER TODAY and the Yankees are winning today 10-3 !!! GO YANKEES…OPTIMISM RULES !!!

  13. BBFan

    The team is better with Damon in LF and Giambi on the bench available as PH in a right spot. Hopefully, Torre leant the lesson from last year (Sheffield at 1B) and does the right thing rather than go for his loyalty nons-sense. If he goes with loyalty and the yanks tank in the post season, he dserves to be fired.

  14. SouthSide Pinstripes

    Hey has anyone seen this yet about A-Rod/Boras/Tampering/Cubs Ownership???
    “A-ROD AGENT A ‘CUB $COUT’ STAR COULD BE PART OWNER: MAG
    By DAVID K. L”
    http://www.nypost.com/seven/09.....b_cout.htm

  15. No Turd as Big as Vito

    Hey Vito, I heard the lurkers said two days agi that fat boy Clemens was injured and you assured us the lurkers were talking smack and to disregard them.
    Is anything you say accurate?

  16. Leonardo

    Hey Southside, I wouldn’t trust anything the Post ever says. I am honestly convinced that, like the times, the Red Sox own part of it. All the Post does, is print negative articles about A-Rod over and over and over again. In my opinion itsw all a stupid attempt to oust him. It’s horrible journalism, and sleezy is so many ways.

  17. I love Joba

    Dang Pete, another day off? You live the good life my man.

  18. jennifer 27 in 07

    Clemens and Andy have swapped days. It is official, they want to give clemens time to heal.

    Question, I guess it was kinda answered in a previous post. I was at the game and it looked to me like Damon would have gotten to some of the balls that dropped in front of matsui? I think Damon should be playing lf, with Matsui dhing.

  19. jennifer 27 in 07

    Red soxs own part of the post too?

  20. Leonardo

    Jenn, I think that the reason he’s not always out there right now is a combinatino of two things: 1) he’s been injured all year, and no matter what he might say it will probably take the off season for him to get back to nomral, so he needs to rest up some days, 2) Matsui like Damon is making a lot of money not just to be a DH.

    Also, its quid pro quo with both them. In Damon you get considerable range, and minus arm. Reverse Matsui.

  21. Phil - 27 in '07

    GP in 2007, Errors, Range Factor, Zone Rating
    Johnny Damon (in LF): 28, 2, 2.47, .859
    Hideki Matsui: 109, 3, 2.01, .822

  22. Leonardo

    I don’t know, that was strictly a guess. Stemming from my frustruation with their constantt negative bombardment of A-Rod.

  23. SouthSide Pinstripes

    Yeah Leo I was thinking along similar lines, but man what a story that would be if it were true….

  24. randy l

    peter a. -
    i agree about joba being a starter, but using your logic of 200 innings being more important than 60, was using mo for only 60 for his whole career a misuse of his talents? with the two seamer, four seamer, the cutter,and a possible change up, wouldn’t he have been a great starter too?
    the red sox went through this with papelbon and both the red sox and papelbon came to the conclusion that 60 was better than 200 in thier case.
    i don’t think it’s just the 60 vs 200 because it’s also a factor when a quality inning is pitched that matters ,not necessarily just how many. on the other hand i wouldn’t switch someone like santana to the closer role either. i’m just saying there’s more to it than just the number of innings in each role that determine the value of the role.
    i personally thingthe yankees will like the red sox try out joba in both roles before totally commiting to one way or the other.

  25. Leonardo

    Matsui has 6 Assists vs. Damon’s 2 (and 1 in CF), not surprising.

  26. Leonardo

    I’m pumped for the Rizzuto ceremony. He was the best, I’m 21 but I have vivid memories of listening/watching him on WPIX channel 11, before cable ever got to the Bronx. Hearing Rizzuto makes me think of names like: Danny Tartabull, Mike Gallgo, Melido Perez, Randy Velarde, Patk Kelly, Jim Abbott, Kaminiecki, and so many more. Just awesome. The Yankees always do a great job with these things, and I’m clearly not struggling to get my hopes up.

  27. hmmm

    “Also, its quid pro quo with both them. In Damon you get considerable range, and minus arm. Reverse Matsui.”

    Matsui does not have a good arm, do people think he does?

    also, do you think that good range and a good arm are equal tradeoffs? not even close. good range + bad arm >>>> bad range + good arm.

    Matsui was abysmal yesterday, to the point where it looked like he was drunk. he pulled up on about 3 balls that were catchable. shades of late-era Bernie “and he’ll play it on a hop” Williams.

  28. jennifer 27 in 07

    If the article is true, than there will be some tampering charges filed and Boras will be in trouble.

  29. Jeff NJ

    Rizzuto makes me think of Reggie, Bucky Dent, Graig Nettles, Ron Guidry, Bobby Murcer, Dave Righetti and Don Mattingly.

  30. Leonardo

    Matsui was horrible yesterday. And he doesn’t have a good arm, but I think that it’s an improvement over Damons. Moreover, he doesn’t get enough credit for having a very quick release when he actually gets to the ball.

    But by no means did I mean that he has a good arm, just better than Damon’s. As for your equation up there, I completely agree. I was just trying to play devil’s advocate before. Trying to attack things from a different point of view.

  31. jennifer 27 in 07

    Leonardo me too!! I was supposed to get tickets to the Jet game but that fell thru, and I ended up going to yesterdays Yankee game. Had I known that they were doing the Ruzzito cermomy today I would have gone to todays game.

  32. jennifer 27 in 07

    I’ve been happier with how Damon has played lf, he has gotten to balls that Mastui wouldn’t, that saves more runs than throwing out runners (in my opionion).

    By my vantage point at the game, I think two of the balls that fell in, in front of Mats Damon would have gotten too. That would have saved at least 3 runs.

  33. hmmm

    “But by no means did I mean that he has a good arm, just better than Damon’s. As for your equation up there, I completely agree. I was just trying to play devil’s advocate before. Trying to attack things from a different point of view.”

    i see, fair enough.

    let me add that it is also possible that the outfield was really wet yesterday and matsui didn’t want to get hurt.

    there has to be an explanation, b/c some of those balls were totally catchable but he gave up on them.

  34. Leonardo

    ITS STARTING. GO YANKS, TAKE CARE ALL.

  35. jennifer 27 in 07

    I am preaching to the chior but that yankees are a very classy organization.

  36. jennifer 27 in 07

    Auh Yogi is there :)

  37. Sherri

    I had a family function, so I missed the game yesterday, but it sounds like it was a crazy one. I watched the condensed game on MLB and I’m so glad Melky stepped up! Good for him!!

    OPTIMISM for a win today!! GO YANKEES!!!!!!!!!!!

  38. Jim Johnson

    This is a pretty touching tribute.

  39. jennifer 27 in 07

    Yeah it is very nice.

  40. gianthinker

    If Clemens cat start Monday who will start in his place?

  41. jennifer 27 in 07

    Andy is starting, it is official.

  42. gayle

    I hope Bill White agrees to go into the broadcast booth today for a visit that would be great to hear him again

  43. J-Dawg--Veintisiete en '07

    Moose is gunning for victory Number 250, it would be nice to see him get it. I’m about to leave for work and I’ll have to miss today’s game too, so let’s play hard and notch another victory!

  44. Yankees Chick

    is anyone listening to the game on WFAN? I thought Waldman’s replacement yesterday was obnoxious…

    until she returned today.

  45. Khoa

    MOOOOOOOOOOOOOOSSSSEEEEEEE

  46. Khoa

    How does Wakefield have 16 wins this season? luck of the rotation order i guess.

  47. Sherri

    Let’s go MOOSE and YANKEES!!!! Let’s PLAY BALL!

  48. dmm

    strap yourselves in….woo hoo!

  49. Rusty

    That Moose call is so fricken cool, as a pitcher thats just gotta be sweet to hear a custom tailored cheer. Did that start in Baltimore or when he came to the Yankees?

  50. Yankees Chick

    1-2-3!

    great start!

  51. Sherri

    Nice start! MOOOOOOSE!

  52. Phil - 27 in '07

    It was started while he was in the minor leagues in Baltimore.

  53. dmm

    MOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOSE! 1-2-3!!!!!

  54. Yankees Chick

    Rusty, I always worry that Moose might confuse the moose call with “BOOOOOOOOOOOO”…. like in LA when folks would shout “raUUUUUUUUUUUUUUL” at Raul Mondesi :)

  55. Leonardo

    Thought: If Vernon Wells comes back healthy next year. If Frank Thomas mimics what he’s done this year. If Aaron Hill continues to be the new Shea Hillenbrand. And if Rios remains healthy, the Blue Jays should be a very scary team, with very very good pitching. And at least as annoying as they’ve been these last two games. And I’m not only talking about the starters in their pitching staff. They’re bullpen (judging from this year) isn’t bad at all.

  56. jennifer 27 in 07

    Well it looks like we won’t get any help from KC today. Tigers already up 4-0 bottom of the first with only one out. I wanted the Yankees to clinch at home, doesn’t look like that will happen.

  57. jennifer 27 in 07

    Yeah the Jays will be a very good team, if they stay healthy.

  58. Sherri

    Jennifer – there’s still a whole game to play, but it’s not looking good for KC, is it?

    C’MON A-ROD!!!

  59. Rusty

    The broadcast replacement yesterday was Joel Sherman from the Post. The day before it was wasshisface from the Daily News. Personally, i thought it was nice to have someone in the booth who could you know, SEE the damn plays on the field and had a confident statistical understanding of the team and the players. As a sportswriter, he could actually question some of Torres moves and seemed to have more insight into the Yankees then im used to from Waldman or Sterling – plus he wrote Birth of a Dynasty which was a superb book about the 96 season and the foundations of the same organization we have today, so hes legit.

    But yea – he did have a super obnoxious voice, not as bad as Suzyn, but pretty bad.

  60. Khoa

    Maureen, at least he can pawn it off as Moooooose in case the boos are well-deserved :-)

  61. Khoa

    OT: Anyone see the Philly Eagles uniforms today? sick.

  62. jennifer 27 in 07

    UGH :( 2nd and 3rd no on out. Bear down MIKE

  63. Rusty

    Hey Yankees Chick, i didn’t realize you were like, THE Yankees Chick till i clicked yer name. Dude you rock you’re hilarious, keep it up!

  64. Khoa

    Boooooooooo

  65. Sherri

    Moose needs to do better than this. Our bullpen was pretty used up yesterday.

  66. CaptainsCorner

    And what do you know TORRE the regular 90 year old Mussina returns…. I cant wait to see batting practice in a play off game.

  67. Phil - 27 in '07

    Alright…3 is the limit, now time to hold ‘em. Give at least four shutout innings after this and we’ll call it a quality start. Let’s go, Moose!

  68. Rusty

    I still really want to know if the Moose call is a Bronx original or if we co-opted it from the fans in Baltimore.

    Well. Thanks Mike, way to field your position there. The string of expletives id be shouting right now couldn’t be confused with MOOOOSE or BOOOOO, trust me…

  69. Sherri

    What was that Jeter was doing?

  70. sunny615

    Wonder if Pete still thinks the post season roster is going to have Moose as our #4. I’m thinking Hughes or even Kennedy with no Post season experience is better than moose right now.

  71. Sherri

    one more strike!

  72. Phil - 27 in '07

    Rusty, see above. The Moose call started while he was playing in Baltimore’s minor league system…for the Hagerstown Suns, I believe.

  73. jennifer 27 in 07

    Trying to make the ump think he couldn’t catch it so he could get a double play.

  74. BBB

    Well, Moose’s scoreless streak wasn’t gonna last forever. Now we just need to answer back!! LET’S GO YANKEES – OPTIMISM!!

  75. Sherri

    Jennifer – thanks! I’m watching Yankees and the Colts/Houston game, and I looked away for a second! :)

  76. Khoa

    Hughes has been shaky. Kennedy’s barely played in the bigs. I’d keep Moose in and have the kids looking over his shoulder in case he needs to be yanked in the 3rd or 4th.

  77. Khoa

    funny stuff Rusty

  78. Yankees Chick

    Thanks Rusty!

    and jeez, COME ON moose. our bullpen is completely tapped out, we cannot go to them after 5 again.

  79. Rusty

    Phil thanks man. I was hoping that was all us but whatever, if he holds them right here for the rest of the game and we can start to hit ol’ mutton chops here, i don’t care where it started.

    Wonder what highschool must have been like for a kid with a name like Thigpen…

    Matty with a leadoff walk…

  80. jennifer 27 in 07

    Postive thinking, worked like a bunt.

  81. Dr. Acula

    Check out those mad mutton chops, I betcha they keep his ears warm ;)

  82. Khoa

    not to mention Curtis as his first. I remember a kid named Abraham Woody back in my day…poor guy.

  83. Rusty

    Ha. Murcer just described McGowans ‘chops as ‘Old-Timey’. Love it.

  84. jennifer 27 in 07

    The phillies game is already in the 6th inning,

  85. jennifer 27 in 07

    Bases juiced for Jose.

  86. BBB

    Way to work the count Melky!!

  87. jennifer 27 in 07

    I don’t know what i’m saying, maybe i’ve become miss cleo? LOL

  88. jennifer 27 in 07

    Okay so i’m not miss cleo, I won’t quit my day job.

  89. Terry in N.H.

    Yankees Chick- Nice blog site! I’ll be glad when Toronto goes home. They have depleted this team with this series. Moose has gone back to his bad habits. By the way, you are way more cute than Pete..lol Keep up the good work!

  90. jennifer 27 in 07

    Okay but we did get some runs. :D

  91. BBB

    Jose!!!

  92. Rusty

    Yes! Frere Molina comes correct fillin in for Jorge!!

  93. BBB

    Gotta love the Molina behind door #3 :)

  94. randy l

    :COME ON moose. our bullpen is completely tapped out, we cannot go to them after 5 again.”
    what do mean tapped out? we’ll throw edwar,bruney, farnsworth,igawa,veras, britton, karstens, olandorf, villone, etc, at em again if we have too. most of them only threw for one out. one big plus of the yankee bullpen is most of them are not good enough to get tired. the can stink multiple days in a row.

  95. Joe M

    Moose has not gone back to his bad habits. He is now facing a better team with much better hitters

  96. Khoa

    at this point, I say let the Gator lace em up

  97. BBB

    Classic neverending Damon AB. LOVE IT!!

  98. Sherri

    BOS 0 TB 2!

  99. jennifer 27 in 07

    Rbi for DEREK JETER! :D

  100. Sherri

    JETER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Clutch as always!!!

  101. Yankees Chick

    el capitan! he continues to amaze me every day

  102. BBB

    Yessss!!! Jeter is on FIYAH!!!

  103. BWH

    I’m on a bit of a time delay, but they showed Melky Cabrera and Robinson Cano in the dugout about 5 minutes ago with someone sitting in between them – anyone know who that is? I didn’t recognize him.

  104. Khoa

    new game

  105. Steve

    How does a pitcher like Wakefield sweat from thowing with little effort in an air conditioned dome ?

  106. Khoa

    yeah, wakefield is 16-11…you’d think he’s gotta come back to earth sometime.

  107. Rusty

    no doubt randy. the matchups yesterday were killing me. That was one of things Sherman was questioning yesterday – why Joe feels so inclined to pitch lefty/right matchups even when the stats suggest otherwise or when we can’t afford to use certain pitchers for a single at bat or whatever. A matter of fact, Britton, Ohlendorf and i believe Bruney were all pulled after retiring the first guy they faced, and he left in the guys who gave up a walk or a hit, solely based on the matchup.

    He then went on to worry about what Joe would do given the dillemma of ‘needing’ lefties like Villone, Henn or Igawa on the postseason roster so much that he would pass on bringing Hughes or Kennedy to serve as longmen. A valid concern, if you ask me – and it was nice to hear some intelligent criticism instead of the drivel i usually hear during the games.

    Think they’re gonna win this one for the Scooter today! (and no, not the squirrel)

  108. jennifer 27 in 07

    jets are stinking it up today :( Not really watching that game. Flipping back and forth, I want to see Wayne get honored.

  109. Khoa

    i wouldnt get too excited about TB though. they probably can’t protect a 10 spot if they wanted to.

  110. BBB

    Welp, at least we tied it. Answering back rocks! McGowan at 60 pitches…

  111. Khoa

    i hear ya Jennifer…at least NY baseball’s in good shape. I always tell myself i’ll catch up on work sundays and its always the same unproductive channel-flipping story now that NFL’s back.

  112. BBB

    woohoo I just picked up Kevin Jones in my fantasy league. Early bird catches the worm :) Now if only the Lions could beat the Beagles!

  113. E-ROC

    Nice comeback by Yankees. Let’s see if Mussina can have an easy inning to get the Yankees batting again. Go Moose!

  114. Khoa

    quite a hole though…mcnabb’s finally woken up. maybe its the awful uniforms

  115. Khoa

    theyre so bright they blind the DBs

  116. Sherri

    NICE!! Go MOOSE!

  117. Giuseppe Franco

    _Moose has not gone back to his bad habits. He is now facing a better team with much better hitters_

    Not really. Moose shut TOR down through 5.2 IP two starts ago.

  118. BBB

    LOL at those Eagles uni’s. Looks like it’s working though, unfortunately. :(

  119. BBB

    YEAH JOSE!!! Niiiice throw!!

  120. Sherri

    WOW!!!! Molina and Minky!!! What a PLAY!!! Love it!

  121. Khoa

    nice!

  122. Khoa

    what a nice addition Molina’s been. we went through so many lame backups for Jorge (though I miss Sal Fasano’s sweet stache)

  123. Yankees Chick

    picking up molina was a great move – decent backup catchers are very hard to come by!

  124. Sherri

    Good inning, now let’s get some RUNS!!!!

  125. Dr. Acula

    Dougie earned his starting spot for the postseason.

  126. Khoa

    great inning

  127. gayle

    The person sitting between them was Wilson Betimit
    Jenifer turn back to the Jets playing nicely now
    Jeez it is nice to see a backup catcher who can not only play defense and can he ever but is not an automatic out
    Minky again great de fense

  128. Sherri

    Dr. Acula – I hope you’re right, because he would be my pick.

  129. E-ROC

    Good job by Moose. Let’s go A-Rod!

  130. jennifer 27 in 07

    Jets just increased the lead, pending booth review.

  131. Rusty

    dude, can we keep Molina please? Best Yankees backup i can remember since Posoda was still backing up Girardi. Not comparing the Molina=Posada potential, obviously – but ugh, remember Stinnet, Fasano and Nieves?

  132. BBB

    Yankees Chick, let’s just hope Molina hasn’t been SO impressive that other GMs are thinking they want him to start for their team. Cause I really want the Yanks to re-sign him! He and Jorge would be the best duo ever till Francisco Cervelli is ready.

  133. BWH

    Thanks Gayle!

  134. Khoa

    I think Chien Ming swings a better bat than Nieves did. Ugh.

  135. jennifer 27 in 07

    Cash and co have a lot of work to do in the off season.

  136. BBB

    Khoa, Moose has a higher lifetime BA than Nieves I think. Scary huh??

  137. Rusty

    I thought our big catching prospect was the Jesus (Montero?) kid? Too bad we didn’t hang onto Dioner Navarro… not playing too bad for the D-Rays.

  138. BBB

    Great AB Alex!

  139. Khoa

    Ha! Hilarious. I believe it.

  140. Rusty

    I cant even remember who we got for Dioner, i remember he went to the Dodgers first, and then the Dodgers sent him to TB for Mark Hendrickson last season. Must have been a three way trade that i can’t recall, but i’m gonna roll the dice and guess that it DIDNT work out in our favor.

  141. Cumberberg

    i have no illusions that tampa is going to win today, but if you’re a boston fan, you have to be concerned about not just your relievers, but your starters after beckett. how effective will 39 doughnuts, dice-bbb, and 100-year-old wakefield be? do you start lester in a playoff game?

  142. Sherri

    72 pitches bottom of 3rd!! Way to go YANKEES! Make him work!

  143. BBB

    boooo that sucked. they got lucky :\

  144. jennifer 27 in 07

    I HATE CBS!! THEY AREN’T SHOWING WAYNE! :(

  145. Khoa

    Thats a shame. I love when they do that type of stuff during halftime. One of my favorite football memories was seeing LT’s ceremony during halftime and watching Phil Simms toss him a pass (that he almost dropped).

  146. raymagnetic

    Jesus Montero is in short season A ball. He is a looooooong ways away and they don’t know if he’ll stay at catcher because he’s pretty big already as an 18 year old.

  147. Khoa

    alright. Melky struck out. That means that he’s due for a gamechanging positive play now.

  148. MATT

    anyone know anything about kennedy??

  149. E-ROC

    Don’t forget that Molina can call a good game, too. I hope he does re-sign with us.

  150. ~Adam.

    It’s official. John Sterling has crowned this the “Most Beautiful Day Ever.”

  151. 20 %

    What a BS organization Toronto is. Only gives 100% when they know they are already out of the race.

  152. Joe M

    My worst memory of LT was at RFK I was in the end zone and Joey T went down with a broken leg

  153. jennifer 27 in 07

    I haven’t heard anything about Ian. :(

  154. Khoa

    Wow you were there? Yeesh. that was gross.

  155. E-ROC

    Greg BLEEPIN’ Zaun….I can’t believe he got that walk.

  156. Khoa

    looks like TB scored another one

  157. Defense matters

    hey guys Tampa is winning 3-0 in the 4rth thought you’d like to know

  158. Joe M

    Yes I was I leaved in DC at the time

  159. 20 %

    Please forget how Tampa Bay is doing. The proper mindset is to pretend that Boston has already won today’s game.

  160. Sherri

    C’mon MOOSE! Let’s get out of this inning and leave those runners on base!!

  161. jennifer 27 in 07

    What the hell was that replay from? scared me!! I was flipping back and forth and saw Jeter go down.

  162. Khoa

    meh. i like to keep an eye on the enemy. thinking boston’s already won isn’t going to help the yankees win any more than keeping an eye on the scoreboard. i’m not the one wearing pinstripes (at least on the field)

  163. 20 %

    If only the Yanks can find a way to shut down AA guys like Thigpen and Narvarro…..

  164. Rusty

    20%… Navarro is on the D-Rays dude. Which game you watchin?

  165. 20 %

    Alas, even given a 30-0 lead, Tampa Bay will still lose.

  166. Khoa

    I concur 20%.

  167. Yankees Chick

    MELKY! what a weekend for the melk-man!!!!! WOW!

  168. jennifer 27 in 07

    NICE PLAY@@

  169. 20 %

    I know. Remember what Navarro did when we played Tampa Bay? The point is we need to crush these nobodies of the world.

  170. Sherri

    MELKY DID IT AGAIN!!!!!

  171. BBB

    THE MELKMAN!!!!!

  172. Khoa

    I told ya. Melky striking out earlier only means that he will make up for it later

  173. Rusty

    YEAH BABY!! When are third base coaches gonna start respectin the cannon in center field? silly bit¢hes…

  174. rover

    melk man did what guys, girls

  175. Joe M

    Awful Moose a ten pich at bat to the Number 9 hitter an than give up a base hit

  176. jennifer 27 in 07

    Rusty aren’t we better off that they don’t? :P

  177. BBB

    How many assists is that for Melky now? If he doesnt lead the league in OF assists its gotta be close!

  178. Sherri

    rover – Melky threw in to home from CF and Molina tagged runner out at home!

  179. Sherri

    rover – Melky threw in to home from CF and Molina tagged runner out at home!

  180. Rey22

    What are Melky’s chances at winning a Gold Glove?

  181. Mel #2

    I don’t know how many of you know about this but I just found it…it’s a live feed of the game

    http://wham1180.com/cc-common/.....reshed=yes

  182. Sherri

    ok – that was weird – I only posted once.

  183. rover

    ty, sherri, much appreciated.

  184. Dr. Acula

    thanks for the boston score, guys.

  185. Vader

    When will teams learn that Melky leads the league with outfield assists from a CF.

  186. BBB

    I think 3b coaches are so used to us having bad arms in CF (Bernie and Damon) that they forget Melky has a cannon. Keep forgetting pls! :)

  187. Phil - 27 in '07

    Melky made a strong throw…but don’t forget the love for Molina. He sold that “tag” and ran out of there.

  188. Khoa

    does that feed work EVERY game Mel? or is it just this one?

  189. Sherri

    Yes, and he sold it well! :)

  190. randy l

    not only should cashman sign molina, but don’t forget posada is not going to be an easy sign either. it’s going to take three years because jorge has seen bernie have go out on cashman’s terms. he won’t let that happen to him and will hold out for a three year deal.
    i say give him three years at 12 million avg. a year. if the last year is a total waste, count it as a nice golden parachute for being the unofficial 2nd captain on the team for so many years.
    after bernie, cashman needs to resurrect his loyalty image with core veteran players. the yankees need to not burn any bridges with jorge because players like him should stay in the organization as coaches or managers to pass on the torch.
    this is guaranteedl be a hot topic this fall because a jorge three year signing flies in the
    face of cashman’s younger and cheaper plans, but signing him is the smart thing to do.

  191. NanjemoyEd

    I think that Navarro went to the Dodgers in the three-way deal for Randy Johnson.

  192. Khoa

    TB tacks another one on

  193. Khoa

    we really need to do our part

  194. Dr. Acula

    Ya know, the Angels musta thought we were dead in the water when they _gave_ us Molina, back in July.

    That’ll teach them to listen to steve philips

  195. Sherri

    Isn’t that the WCBS feed that you get from the MLB media player?

  196. Khoa

    Its John and Suzyn alright, but it looks like you dont have to go through MLB.com!

  197. Rusty

    Yeah – i meant that purely as a bad-mofo gloat. Let them keep their short memories!

    But still, Melks been doin that most of the season, you’d figure they might have figured that one out by now? Especially with what, Zaun at third today, and last night, Stairs? These dudes are slow, if i were Gibbons i’d be pissed that they were being sent home, especially with the top of the order coming up to get that RBI.

  198. Vader

    Navarro, Halsey and Vasquesz were used to get RJ, then Navarro and others were sent to the Dodgers for Shawn Green.

    Navarro did exactly what he was intended for…..trade bait. Nice player though.

  199. raymagnetic

    Tampa Bay won’t beat Boston. I knew Boston would win yesterday even though they were losing 6-5 going to the 9th. I think Boston players have a deal with Reyes under the table to throw every game where he has a save opportunity. Reyes has blown 3 in a row against Boston. There’s your 2.5 game lead for Boston right there.

  200. Khoa

    MOOOOOOOSSEEE

  201. Sherri

    WAY TO GO, MOOSE!!!!!!!!!!!

  202. Vader

    I feel bad for anyone who listens to Steve Phillips. I wonder if he really thinks the things he says or is he just ESPNs puppet controversial GM.

  203. Phil - 27 in '07

    Moose with 3 R through 5 IP…he gets through one more and it is a “quality start.” He’s at 77 pitches now.

  204. Dr. Acula

    Wakefield is walking wounded.

    7 hits (3 Xbases) and 3 walks thur 5. But moreover, that’s against a team he has historcially dominated.

  205. Khoa

    speaking of the Sox and former players who really bloomed in their new surroundings, how about Carlos Pena?? Hes having an AMAZING year and nobody has really noticed.

  206. BBB

    MOOOOOOOOOOSE!!! That was a BEAUTIFUL called 3rd strike on Adams!

  207. NanjemoyEd

    Back to the discussion on Scooter:

    I’m 53, and for me Scooter brings back memories of Berra, Mantle, Maris, Ford, Kubek, Boyer and Richardson. My mother is a Yankee fan in her 80s and for her it’s DiMag, Bower, Martin, Reynolds and Stengel.

    That’s one of the coolest things about Rizzuto, that he can bridge all those generations of Yankees fans.

  208. DKA

    “That Melky….he’s no better than a fourth outfielder on a good team….we should upgrade in the off-season….”

    Can that be put to rest once and for all?

    I’ve never noticed Yankees Chick as a commenter on here. Great site, Maureen. Keep up the great work.

  209. Rusty

    Yeah i checked it out, we sent Navarro, a home-grown switch hitting catcher and Javy Vasquez (14-8, 3.79 btw) away for the Big Useless. God i hated signing that mongoloid redneck POS.

  210. BBB

    Dr. A, I think the Rays finally heard what Mattingly always says about Wakefield: slow pitch softball. They never used to hit him and now I think they have the past few times they faced him.

    Go Yanks!! Let’s get some runs!!

  211. A Tampa Yankee in King George's Court

    I cant watch the game here so I was wondering what the throw to get Zaun at home looked like. I get the feeling that had the catcher been Jorge rather than Molina, Zaun would have been safe. Jorge cant block the plate or catch a ball on a hop to save his hide.

  212. A Tampa Yankee in King George's Court

    And now Boston has the bases loaded against TB in the top of the 6th down 4 runs with Papi at the plate. I think we all know the end result of this at bat.

  213. jennifer 27 in 07

    Rusty we sent Brad Halsey too, and he stinks!

  214. Sherri

    I can hardly stand listening to Steve Phillips.

    C’MON A-ROD!!!

  215. Khoa

    The TB collapse looks like its beginning to form

  216. A Tampa Yankee in King George's Court

    Papi just grounded a ball that should have been an easy double play but the pitcher kicked the ball in between first and second and no outs were recorded with a run in and still bases loaded. 4-1 TB

  217. Khoa

    surprised it wasnt a Grand slam

  218. Dr. Acula

    NanjemoyEd-

    you’re 53?

    Wow! that’s old.

    I mean, that’s before color tV or MTV, for goodness sake.

    On the other hand, I bet those senior discounts must be sweet, huh?

    ;)

  219. Rusty

    Uh – did you watch the Boston game last weekend when Hinske absolutely plowed over Jorge? How about the huge 14-13 comeback vs Texas last season when Teixera hit him? Posada gets a bad rap for going with the swipe tag and not blocking the plate but he’s played very differently since Tony Pena came on as the first base coach. Molina is a great backstop, but i don’t think one has more ‘courage’ than the other.

    The throw was perfect but Zaun slid behind him and he had to reach back and it looked like he just nipped him on the helmet or back before he got the hand in (but it was questionable wheter or not he actually got the tag on).

  220. Khoa

    Ouch! Burn. haha

  221. Phil - 27 in '07

    I’m surprised he is being left in to face Matsui after throwin 106 pitches and walking two straight batters.

  222. Phil - 27 in '07

    Melky’s throw wasn’t perfect. It was slightly up the line, causing Molina to have to go out in front of the plate and towards third base, then reach back to “swing” tag the runner.

  223. Rusty

    haha. damn, i haven’t thought of Brad Halsey in ages. But yea, he did stink. he was sorta like the weak precursor to Scott Proctor.

  224. Khoa

    well, they tore through their pen as well yesterday, but unlike our situation, they dont need to rest for anything in oct.

  225. Phil - 27 in '07

    Cano delivers.

  226. A Tampa Yankee in King George's Court

    Thanks for the description of the throw. I was thinking of Friday night where Jorge dropped an easy out at the plate on a throw from Abreu. Anyway, after King Lowell, TB pitcher walked in another run so it is 4-2 with bases loaded 1 out and Covelli at the plate.

  227. Khoa

    YES!

  228. BBB

    Robbie Cano dontcha know!!!

  229. Khoa

    adios McGowan

  230. BBB

    I cant believe they left McGowan in that long. Way to preserve your young pitcher’s arm and confidence, Gibbons. Of course, it’s good for us! :) But, just sayin, questionable judgement on Gibbons part. I don’t care for the guy, I wish he would have let Lilly fight him last year, lol.

  231. A Tampa Yankee in King George's Court

    Just gave up a base hit scoring 1 run. Still 1 out still loaded, TB still looking like they have money on the Red Sox

  232. Sherri

    so much for TB’s lead….not sure they’ll get out of this inning without losing it.

  233. Rusty

    Anyone see Cano’s backswing hit the catcher on the mask? I officially do not like Gibbons, that guy just looks like a prick, im not surprised Ted Lilly and Shea Hillenbrand wanted to punch him in the damn face.

  234. Steve

    The Rays just cannot stand prosperity. They’re toothless.

  235. BBB

    anyway, heres an informal poll – who sucks worse, the D-Rays or the Lions?

  236. Dr. Acula

    Tampa is such a tease. They should open their own bait shop.

    yeah, I’m a sap, I bit hard. I thought Tampa could win last nite. but no more. As Bush says, “fool me once, shame on — shame on you. Fool me — you can’t get fooled again.”(sic)

  237. A Tampa Yankee in King George's Court

    The D-Rays because they have to play the Red Sox 19 times a year for at least 16 guaranteed losses. The Lions rarely ever have to play the Patriots so the guaranteed losses are few and far between

  238. raymagnetic

    At least Tampa’s “closer” won’t blow the game as usual. And people think the Yankees bullpen is a house of fire, Tampa’s pitching staff is like that movie Backdraft.

  239. A Tampa Yankee in King George's Court

    TB got out of it with a double play from Hinske. 4-3

  240. BBB

    LOL Tampa Yankee, I was thinking in terms of the Lions beating the Beagles today…doesn’t look like it’s gonna happen, sadly. 49-21 now, yuck.

  241. A Tampa Yankee in King George's Court

    Does anyone know what happened to Carl Crawford?

  242. Sherri

    Amazing…I can’t believe TB got outta that one!!!!

    C’MON MINKY!!

  243. BBB

    I believe Crawford is day to day with some sort of minor injury. Of course I’m sure he will be fine when it comes time to play us! :(

  244. PAT M.....

    I agree with Randy I and his take on resigning both catchers…..I also hope they sign someone like Aaron Rowland, and right hand hitting fold glove CF…Move Melky to Right, as he has the perfect arm for right….

  245. Khoa

    fumblitis!

  246. BBB

    DOUGIE!!!!! Woo Hoo!!

    Thx Adams! :)

  247. A Tampa Yankee in King George's Court

    I just looked it up and apparently Crawford is scheduled to return to face the Yankees after missing the Red Sox series with a “sore groin” (otherwise known as being afraid seeing his BA drop below .300 when he takes an 0-15 collar for the series)

  248. BBB

    YEEEAH JOSE!!!! Clutch!!!

  249. Khoa

    FASANO, NIEVES, STINNET never would’ve pulled that off

  250. Sherri

    First Minky, now MOLINA!!! WOOOOOO!!!! 6-3 YANKEES!!!!!!!

  251. Dr. Acula

    Baby Bombers strike again: Robbie, Dougie, Molina

  252. Phil - 27 in '07

    Not just because of the RBI at bat…but unless Cashman has or can find a young, up and coming C to eventually replace Posada down the line….it might be good to bring back Molina as Posada’s back-up.

  253. Sherri

    Baby Bombers!! HA! I like that!

  254. jennifer 27 in 07

    Well our magic number is stuck at 3. Now we can’t clinch at home. :(

  255. randy l

    “I was thinking of Friday night where Jorge dropped an easy out at the plate on a throw from Abreu. ”
    well you”ve just let everyone know you have never tried to short hop a ball with a catcher’s mitt thrown in from the opposite direction from a runner who’s about to kill you.
    that was not an easy play to make. i have no idea why the official scorer gave him an error on that play.

  256. Giuseppe Franco

    Dougie and Molina are not Baby Bombers. Molina is 32 and Mientkiewicz is 33.

  257. Rusty

    can we please sign Guiseppe Franco or something so he quits the barber gig and i don’t have to watch this goddam commercial ever again?

  258. Dr. Acula

    maybe crawford does have a “sore groin�

    I’ve lived in Flordia; the grrls are wild (well, they were in the 80s).

  259. jennifer 27 in 07

    I got a great Joba t-shirt yesterday. it says HOT JOBA with a cup of coffee with Jobas number on it. On the back it has his number 62, and right on the back on the neck is a NYY with a website address soxsuckunlimited.com LOL my friend and I looked at it and laughed so hard.!

  260. raymagnetic

    PAT M…..
    September 23rd, 2007 at 3:29 pm
    I agree with Randy I and his take on resigning both catchers…..I also hope they sign someone like Aaron Rowland, and right hand hitting fold glove CF…Move Melky to Right, as he has the perfect arm for right….

    No, the Yanks need to definitely pick up Abreu’s option and keep Melky in center. They can move Melky over in ‘09 when Austin Jackson or Tabata will probably be ready.

  261. Phil - 27 in '07

    Randy, I would hazard to guess that 96% of the posters on this board have never tried to do that…heck, I played up baseball through college and never tried it.

  262. BBB

    Swiiiing and a miss! Nice!

  263. Phil - 27 in '07

    edit…baseball up…

  264. raymagnetic

    Jennifer is the Yanks win today and tomorrow and Minnesota somehow beats Detroit tomorrow the Yanks will clinch at home.

  265. Dr. Acula

    Giuseppe Franco-

    baby bombers in terms of pinstripe service.

  266. Phil - 27 in '07

    Moose has a quality start…whether you like it or not, he is the #4 pitcher in the postseason rotation, if needed.

  267. Khoa

    uno-dos-tres

  268. BBB

    MOOOOOOOOOOOOOOSE!!!

  269. Rusty

    Moose wants that postseason start!

  270. Khoa

    TB put up another one 5-3

  271. jennifer 27 in 07

    But they won’t be home, they will be on their way or in Tampa. We play a day game, they play a night game. :(

  272. Khoa

    i’m feeling good bout moose. like someone mentioned earlier, this is a quality lineup. i think the month off (or however long Joe took him off) helped

  273. Sherri

    BOS 3 TB 5 bottom of 6th.

    MOOSE is having a good game! Good enough anyway to keep us from having to go to the bullpen to early.

  274. A Tampa Yankee in King George's Court

    Randy
    I think I am probably among the majority of people in this country who have never tried to short hop a ball with a catcher’s mitt with a runner bearing down on me. That being said, I was just commenting on the fact that just about every major league catcher, whose job description I might add is to be able to handle that exact scenario, would have made that play that Jorge bothced with ease. And the guy didnt even run Jorge over, he just slid into home plate.

    But I am not really criticizing Jorge, just thinking that Molina is better at blocking home plate. That doesnt in any way make up for Jorge’s far superior offensive skills, just an observation on my part.

  275. dmm

    5-3 TB

  276. jennifer 27 in 07

    Mike was banged up, the rest did his mind and body good.

  277. NanjemoyEd

    I’ll tell you, Dr. A, that Ty Cobb, he was one helluva player!

    Yup, TVs were black and white on 15″ screens. No computers, faxes, xerox copies, cds, dvds,or vcrs. Telephones were hard wired only, had dials instead of buttons and you had to go through the operator to place a call on your party line.

    You’re right that those senior discounts are great. I just wish that you could still get tooty fruity ice cream.

  278. Giuseppe Franco

    _baby bombers in terms of pinstripe service._

    Not to nitpick, but then Cano isn’t a Baby Bomber because he’s in his third season with the club.

  279. Dr. Acula

    Jen-

    where digya get the shirt?

    Did you stay for the whole game yesterday?

    And Jaba is smokin’ His stock is poppin’

    http://tinyurl.com/2wth68

  280. randy l

    pat m-
    you’d let abreau go after this year? he seems like he’s fitting in well after the horrible start.matsui is the one who worries me. i wish they’d get him a first baseman’s mitt and have him at least try to learn what to do with it. first base isn’t as easy as most people think. outfielders approach ground balls in a much different way. infielders are easy to convert. outfielders are another story, but it’s worth a try because of matsui’s bat.

  281. gayle

    Yes if we win today and win tomorrow and detroit loses tomorrow we clinch the PROBLEM is that the Detroit game isnt until night time so there will be no on field or in clubhouse champagne popping as the team will be on a plane to Tampa.

    Also dont forget tomorrow after the game is rookie hazing where the rooks have to dress up in whatever they is put in their locker

  282. Brandon

    this is really Cano’s 2nd full season so he is still a baby bomber because he hasn’t hit FA yet

  283. Rusty

    You know, last Yankee home run was Matsui last Wednsday vs Baltimore. Thats crazy.

  284. BBB

    Oh I forgot the rookie hazing was coming up. Can’t wait to see pics!

  285. Brandon

    Rusty, that is actually a good thing because it means we’re scoring runs w/o the long ball :D

  286. The D train

    Jennifer -

    Not to throw cold water on your Joba shirt but after this year, he won’t be issued a football number (62)and the same applies to Phil and IPK.

  287. Sherri

    So what do you think they’ll do to JOBA??? :)

  288. Phil - 27 in '07

    Tivo says he was safe…I need to see a different angle.

  289. jennifer 27 in 07

    Dr. no I got the one with a cup of coffee on the front.

    I didn’t stay for the entire game, I left at the top of the 10th. I had dinner plans and I was already very late. One thing that really bugged me was the WAVE!! I hate the WAVE. I was maybe the only person who didn’t stand up and do it.

  290. Dr. Acula

    NanjemoyEd-

    I’m just curious, did they use paper money in those days?

    I mean I’ve seen pictures of US currency, but to actually use them – man that blows my mind.

    ps I’m glad you have a sense of humor.

  291. Khoa

    Who has to dress up? Joba, Hughes, Edwar, Ian, Minky, Molina? who else? Its all first year Yankees right (because I know Minky and Molina have been in the league for a while)

  292. Rusty

    weird call on that play, something tells me the umps gave that to the Jays due to the call on Zaun at home.

  293. Phil - 27 in '07

    Hughes asked for that number, as did Joba. I don’t think they are switching.

  294. Khoa

    Sherri, JABBA THE HUTT for sure! THAT WOULD BE AWESOME

  295. jennifer 27 in 07

    d-train, he wants a number that adds up to 8. also I would think since he has had success with this number he won’t change it.

  296. Phil - 27 in '07

    No, vets from other teams don’t dress up…just rookies.

  297. Khoa

    and then make one of the guys dress like lea and another as chewy.

  298. BBB

    D Train, I think Joba will want to keep #62. IIRC, he chose it b/c the numbers add up to 8, in tribute of his friend who passed away and had always worn #8.

  299. Khoa

    Thats a shame. Matsuzaka kind of got the bleep end of the stick then since he played for years in JAP

  300. Brandon

    oh YES why do you have to remind me of Giants football :(

  301. dmm

    oh look a must win for us today as the tigers beat KC

  302. jennifer 27 in 07

    Rusty I agree, there was no way he was out.

  303. PAT M.....

    Raymagnetic….The Yanks need to find some balance in their BA….Rowland is superior to Abreu defensively by a large margin, and his offensive numbers are not that far off…Plus he’s younger and improving……Abreu is on the downside of his career, & he sucks defensively….I say he goes, along with Farnsworth…..As for Jackson & Tabata, it could be several years before we really see them in the Stadium……

  304. Phil - 27 in '07

    Short end of the stick for Dice-K? No, it was all in good fun and he had a blast with it. It gets him that much closer with his teammates. Even Ichiro did it way back when. As did Matsui.

  305. Khoa

    you think Reyes will be back in the 9th for TB if they can hang on another inning?

  306. jennifer 27 in 07

    It is just the rookies dressing up. And I would assume it is just the “major” ones. Ian, Phil, Joba.

  307. randy l

    tampa yankee-
    no problem. it’s just that i watched that play closely several times on tv and i knew it was going to be a problem when it short hopped. it’s really no one’s fault when an outfielder’s throw comes in like that. it’s not like a short hop at first because of the difference in size of the first baseman’s mitt and the catcher’s mitt. i’ll admit it does look bad when the ball is there in time and the catcher doesn’t make the play, but it is not an easy play. a lot is going on.

  308. jennifer 27 in 07

    The Jets are in the process of blowing a game they had in hand.

  309. BBB

    Viz throwing in the pen? I thought he wasnt available today although that is a good sign that he’s been throwing for a while, means his back feels good, I hope!

  310. Khoa

    It looked like DiceK had a good time but I read an interview where Mike Lowell was talking about experiences with other teams in which some of the foreign players didn’t take to it very well. Thats a shame.

  311. gayle

    It is MLB rookies not Yankees rookies so I believe it will be

    JOba
    Edwar
    Veras
    Ohlendorf
    Wright
    Clippard
    DeSalvo
    Sardinia ??
    Duncan

    I may be forgetting someone not sure

  312. jennifer 27 in 07

    Khoa if Reyes is back in the game to close it out today, I think the manager should be investiagted for throwing games.

  313. Rusty

    Brandon, yes, ill take non-HR offense any day of the week. The only guy im worried about the power outage with is Alex, it was like last week he was still trying to hit it out and was only getting to the warning track, and nows he adjusted by hitting the other way and just getting singles with men on base – so his clutchness is as good as its ever been. But it would be nice for him to be a power threat again by the time the ALDS starts. He seems to go back to the power swing when theres no one in scoring position and seems to be striking out alot when that happens. Still the MVP by a long shot, but i hope he finds that power again soon!

  314. BBB

    Aww, I hope Edwar dresses up too. Being that he’s so skinny he’d probably make a pretty convincingly hot chick, LOL!

  315. Phil - 27 in '07

    Moose: 7 IP, 3 ER, 5K, 1BB…a solid outing.

  316. jennifer 27 in 07

    NICE game for Mike, He is probably done, near 100 pitches. Problem who pitches the 8th and 9th>?

  317. BBB

    MOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOSE!!!!!!!!!!

  318. Khoa

    mooooooooosssseeeee!

  319. Khoa

    BBB, hilarious.

  320. Brandon

    Pat, Austin Jackson is going to HFL they are serious about him , he might be a mid-season call up next season, and Tabata w/ a broken bone in his wrist hit .305 w/ 50 + RBI this season and had clutch numbers w/ RISP , so they are atleast 1 – 2 yrs. away, Jackson might be up here next year.

  321. Sherri

    Wow!! What a game MOOSE has had!!

    So, what about Shelley Duncan?? Are they going to make him dress up as one of the Goonies? I love Shelley – I guess he could dress up as Chewy. He’s a big guy with lots of enthusiasm!

  322. Khoa

    I think thats just asking for a photoshop job on Edwar’s headshot

  323. BBB

    I’d pitch Villone for 1 inning, not sure about the other. Sterling seems to think Viz may be coming in.

  324. gayle

    Duh i forgot Kennedy and Hughes

  325. David (In Seattle)

    Maybe “Baby Bombers” refers to those players young enough that they don’t have the huge contracts? :-)

  326. jennifer 27 in 07

    wow Cbs couldn’t cut away from the jet game any quicker.

  327. Phil - 27 in '07

    An article about the rookie hazing:

    http://mlb.mlb.com/news/articl.....p;c_id=mlb

  328. jennifer 27 in 07

    And might I add that the chargers suck, I shouldn’t have played them for d. Meanwhile my backup qb in farve racked up a number of points, but he is sitting. UGH

  329. BBB

    Gaah, Chargers D killing my fantasy team. :(

  330. Khoa

    If it makes you guys feel better, I benched McNabb today

  331. BBB

    Neither the Chargers or Dolphins D has really been all it was cracked up to be pre-season. Dolphins always get overhyped!

  332. Brandon

    anyone have the Giants D :D

  333. Khoa

    Ouch, TB just served up a leadoff HR.

  334. BBB

    LOL Brandon. 6% owned, probably. :\

    What are the chances the G-Men can actually pull out a win today? They have been so nightmarish to watch.

  335. Brandon

    -TB choking one away again-

  336. Phil - 27 in '07

    3 for 4 for Cano.

  337. Luigi 27 in '07

    whats bostons record vs TB this year?

  338. Brandon

    BBB, I’m gonna be a crying Giants fan today

    probability 99.8 % :(

  339. Scooter

    D-Rays just need 4 outs!

  340. Khoa

    make that 3 BIG outs scooter!

  341. Scooter

    D-Rays just need 3 outs!

  342. jennifer 27 in 07

    0-18?

  343. Khoa

    i hope they keep wheeler in

  344. Rusty

    OK. Madden better leave Wheeler in there for the 9th and not go to Reyes: 5 blown saves this year, 4 of them vs the Red Sox.

  345. The D train

    BBB :

    Two & six add up to 8. Jose Molina not likely to be particular what he gets for a number as long as it’s not a high football issuance.

  346. Luigi 27 in '07

    i cant even remember nieves

  347. BBB

    I LOVE YA JOSE!!! Woot woot!!!

  348. Khoa

    JOSE MOLY!

  349. jennifer 27 in 07

    They better score a few more, 1 run is not nearly enought. I don’t know if 10 would be enough.

    Good to see Jose getting meaningful hits. Cash better re-sign him.

  350. Brandon

    my god Molina just makes me love him more than Will da thrill -Nieves-

  351. Khoa

    crazy fact Rusty

  352. Sherri

    JOSE!!!!!!!!!!! What a great day he’s having!!

  353. jennifer 27 in 07

    Jose is one of our best backups in a long time

    remember stinket? or Nieves. Jorge would be in the game if they were still here.

  354. BBB

    Brandon, lets just hope the Yanks go deeep into the postseason because I think the Giants have only just begun to break our hearts this year. :(

  355. randy l

    in tampa bay,i wish madden would put in a starter who would be throwing anyway to try to win the game and at least make it look like he’s trying.

  356. Scooter

    Delmon Young steals second in Tampa with one out. Time to bring him home.

  357. Scooter

    Make that no outs in Tampa.

  358. BBB

    That was Molina’s 13th double. Does Nieves even have 13 doubles in his entire career?

  359. Joe M

    The giants break your hearts every year Go Skins

  360. NanjemoyEd

    Dr. A., you’re right that you paid with paper money or with a check. That was it. No supermarkets, but the butcher, the grocer, the bakery, the milk man, the eggs lady and the diaper service all delivered to your door. They would sell stuff on credit (they’d keep a running tally on paper) because everyone knew you and had a relationship with you. The cop on the beat was your friend, the guys in the firehouse let you sit in the driver’s seat, wear a fire hat and ring the truck’s bell, and the lady in the bakery always had a free cookie for you. It was a different world growing up in the 1950s.

    I love freaking out my teenage daughter with stuff like this. She teases me too.

  361. Wouter - zevenentwinting in 07

    Luigi, the season series is 13-4

  362. Scooter

    Men on first and second for Tampa. No outs.

  363. Dr. Acula

    *A Special Sunday Trendynation: Da Best Of Rookie Hazing*

    http://tinyurl.com/2tv62o

    Pix

    1. Zilla

    2. Wang and not sure who

    3. Shawn Chacón

    4. Andy Phillips/ Bubba Crosby/ scott Proctor/ Brad Halsey /Dioner Navarro

  364. Phil - 27 in '07

    Just turned on the Giants game…I thought they were playing the Packers again upon first glance because of the Redskins’ uniforms.

  365. Brandon

    BBB, trust me I understand the sad part is the homer fan in me had these Giants in the playoffs I believed they would come up big and shut the skeptics unfortunately this season is going to be known as the season -when the Giants D gets the biggest a$$ kickin’ of a lifetime- a dissapointment.

  366. jennifer 27 in 07

    YEAH CHARGERS ROCK! 2 points for my defense. How the mighty have fallen, they go from the afc division game and , to sucking!!

  367. Hail mary

    Which has a greater chance of happening, every poster on this site wins the lotto or Tampa Bay hangs on?

  368. Rusty

    it might be 3 out 4 BS’s and not 4 out of 5, depends if last night counted toward the stat. But yeah, even crazier to trot his ass out to the mound when you’re the manager and you have those numbers in front of you. But you know, hes the ‘closer’, so itll probably happen. I don’t get it really, Detroit is a good example; they have guys like Zumaya and Rodney, but Todd Jones was the closer, so just throw all the numbers out the window – i took Jones on my fantasy team this year and i swear the guy always gave up a few hits and a walk, maybe even a few runs, before he earned his save. Wouldn’t it make more sense to go with Zumaya, whos just dominant and can put the opposition to bed?

  369. Khoa

    shouldve kept schottenheimer

  370. Dr. Acula

    NanjemoyEd-

    a teen daughter – at your age?

    Wow. I can’t wait until I’m old enough to use viagra.

    ;)

  371. jennifer 27 in 07

    Khoa isn’t that the truth.

  372. BBB

    Cleveland just clinched the Central.

  373. Wouter - zevenentwinting in 07

    Wow, Dr. A, those are some hilarious pics. Godzilla really is living the part :D . I remember a pic on MLB.com a few weeks back of Wang and Cano in those cheerleader outfits…

  374. Joe M

    Haven’t sean that uniform since Larry brown an Sonny J

  375. BBB

    and yeah Norv Turner is killing the Chargers. I am starting Indy D next week!

  376. Scooter

    Damn Tampa wasted a good opportunity.

    To the 9th….

  377. jennifer 27 in 07

    Wow one minute into the Giants game, and the skins are in the red zone.

  378. BBB

    TB doesnt score in 8th, onto top 9th. Please leave Wheeler in!!

  379. Onkel Bob

    NanjemoyEd – It was like that in the 1960’s too. I remember being sent to the store without any money and having the clerk put out bill on credit. Things were still in place when I graduated H.S. in 1977 but when I returned after my first enlistment (1982) that practice was all gone. This was in Bridgeport CT.
    I remember reading any article in a western weekly newspaper, and they rated how small your town was by what “fast food” was around – if the only choice was a Dairy Queen, it’s still a small town. The presence of a McD’s changed it and a BK turned it into a metropolis.

  380. PAT M.....

    RANDY I….Matsui should take a 1b mitt with him back to Japan….Believe it or not, the biggest issue outfielders have with making the transition to 1B is the throws and proper footwork….This is especially true on throws across the infield…It does help if you throw from the left side….I just think the Yanks need a everyday righthand hitting outfielder who also upgrades the outfield defensively……As for Jackson & Tabata, it’s wishful thinking at this time to even think they’re everyday ballplayers in NYC before 2010……I just can’t see Cashman staying with what he has for the next 2-3 years…..Someone is going, Abreu or Damon or maybe even both…….

  381. jennifer 27 in 07

    My reserve d is the saints. I got stuck with crappy ones. UGH

  382. Brandon

    freakin’ Kavika Mitchell butterfingers !

  383. jennifer 27 in 07

    ARE YOU KIDDING ME REYES AGAIN!! call bud he is throwing games.

  384. A Tampa Yankee in King George's Court

    Al Reyes is in for TB to blow another game. Let’s see if he can make it 4 straight blown saves against the Red Sox.

  385. Scooter

    D-Rays just need 2 outs!

  386. Rusty

    well sh!t. there he is. Al Reyes.

    *smashes head into wall*

  387. Scooter

    D-Rays just need 1 out!

  388. jennifer 27 in 07

    WOW the skins kicked missed an easy fg.

  389. Khoa

    Reyes back in. at least hes got one out

  390. Yankees Chick

    oh COME on :(

  391. jennifer 27 in 07

    Well thank god we have a 2 run lead still.

  392. Khoa

    make that 2…i’m late.

  393. Khoa

    jeez

  394. BBB

    gaaaah :(

  395. Yankees Chick

    viz :( tired? bad day? or is this the best we can expect

  396. A Tampa Yankee in King George's Court

    If Shockey kept his feet, it would have been 6.

  397. jennifer 27 in 07

    WHOA JOBA!!

  398. Scooter

    SOX LOSE!

    SOX LOSE!

    SOX LOSE!

    SOX LOSE!

  399. The D train

    Do you believe it ??? Al Reyes with a save ?

  400. Rusty

    see what happens when y’all start payin more attention to the NFL games? Its September baseball and this game isnt done yet! Viz apparently needs more rest…

  401. jennifer 27 in 07

    Boston lost!! :)

  402. Scooter

    GO TAMPA!

    SOX LOSE!

  403. A Tampa Yankee in King George's Court

    WOOHOOO TB actually wins and Reyes saves the game.

  404. Brandon

    Wagner blows another save

  405. BBB

    Wow, Al Reyes actually recorded a save? Better late than never!

  406. Mike

    Yes!!!

    Red Sox LOSE!!!!

  407. jennifer 27 in 07

    YEAH!! the marlins tied the game!!

  408. Khoa

    TB did it. go figure

  409. BBB

    spammit Viz. WHY?

    Cmon, ONE MORE OUT!!!

  410. Scooter

    Alright, attention to the Yanks game. This one isn’t over yet.

  411. Rusty

    Al Reyes. Im so proud i think i might just cry a little, way to go big guy!

  412. Dr. Acula

    Well, I’ll be damned.

    oNE game lead wth one week to go.

    If we tie – we win cuz of the tie-breaker is in our favor.

  413. Phil - 27 in '07

    If Joba’s up, you can almost bet the farm he is coming in.

  414. jennifer 27 in 07

    That last pitch was a strike!

  415. Yankees Chick

    boston down and out! nice!

  416. Sherri

    WOW!! I can’t believe BOSTON LOST!!! :)

  417. Brandon

    com’on Viz I believe in you that’s all that matters !!!

  418. Khoa

    Brandon Jacobs needs to get healthy (and Coughlin needs the boot!)

  419. Phil - 27 in '07

    Joba time!!!!

  420. jennifer 27 in 07

    Good luck Joba. Tough situation.

  421. Brandon

    well ..

    *IT’S JOBA TIME !!!* :D

  422. Rusty

    OK. Get him out of there, hes already thrown too many damn pitches for a guy whos supposed to be resting. Lets see how Joba takes to inheriting baserunners.

  423. Khoa

    good experience here.

  424. Scooter

    I don’t like this.

  425. Wouter - zevenentwinting in 07

    Is Bob Sheppard still out?

  426. dmm

    whats wrong with the viz. Is our bullpen that crappy..?
    Villone, Olendorf, Joba and Mo seem like the only reliable guys. altho i hesitate with villone…

  427. jennifer 27 in 07

    Jose needs to go out there and make sure Joba isn’t too hyped up.

  428. Limey Yankee

    Ideally they need give Viz 3 or 4 days off.

    C’mon JOBA!!!

  429. Sherri

    JOBA’s THE PERFECT GUY FOR THE JOB!!

  430. Brandon

    Micheal Kaye puts Ohlendorf w/ the rest stupis S.O.B.

  431. jennifer 27 in 07

    Wouter yeah I read they aren’t sure if he’ll be back for the playoffs. :(

  432. Yankees Chick

    did anyone else just see that stat the put up on YES? joba and mo have an ERA under 1.00, and the rest of the bullpen 8+?? YIKES

  433. dmm

    ok this is a must win. Boston LOST!

  434. jennifer 27 in 07

    In the last few days.

  435. Khoa

    Thats CRAZY YC.

  436. Sherri

    Yes, Yankees Chick – I heard that – kinda scary.

  437. Phil - 27 in '07

    Ohlendorf has pitched sparingly…he hasn’t earned the “reliable” tag yet.

  438. jennifer 27 in 07

    poor Jose. LOL

    Jobas song is shout at the devil. I thought it was indian outlaw.

  439. Rusty

    Joba enters to “Shout at the Devil” by Motley Crue? C’mon he could do better…

  440. Phil - 27 in '07

    Give ‘em a heater at eye level.

  441. Sherri

    Did someone tell him he couldn’t have Indian Outlaw?
    I still like “Another one bites the dust!”

  442. Rusty

    All i can think of is playing Guitar Hero when i hear that damn song. Still better than Indian Outlaw, not very intimidating, even though appropriate.

  443. jennifer 27 in 07

    NICE JOB JOBA!!!

  444. Khoa

    again, JOBA THE HUTT’s song should be Star Wars Imperial March.

  445. Dan

    JOBA GETS THE STRIKEOUT

  446. Yankees Chick

    he is honestly ASTOUNDING!

    talk about a pressure situation – and he didn’t let it faze him AT ALL.

    WOW.

  447. Mike

    Strike ONE!
    Strike TWO!

    STRIKE THREE!

    SIT DOWN!!!

  448. Brandon

    :adds another K to IT’S JOBA TIME K victims:

  449. Khoa

    K!

  450. Dr. Acula

    How SWEEEEEEEET it is!!

  451. dmm

    JOBA RUUUUUUUUUULES!

  452. Carmine

    This is a big time Joba Rules amendment. He threw 2 innings on Friday.

  453. Kill-Schill(ing)

    God, I love that Kid!!

  454. jennifer 27 in 07

    I posted earlier but I don’t know if anyone saw it. I saw Joba’s father during the rain delay. Everyone that was walking by and wishing him luck, he was loving it.

  455. Jim Johnson

    Ow… did anyone else see Molina take that bounce right in the junk? Yowza!

  456. Kill-Schill(ing)

    Vizcaino’s performance was very disconcerting. The HR to Stairs didn’t bother me; it was the walk to Rios. Inexcusable!

  457. jennifer 27 in 07

    Means mo will come in next.

  458. Sherri

    Okay, so he comes out to “Shout at the Devil” and then he walks to the mound and prays??? I think he needs a better song.

  459. CYF

    Love Joba, wonder why he hasn’t been throwing the fastball much at all the last couple of outings. it seems like slider after slider after slider. It’s a great pitch, but I want to see a couple fo 100mph heaters chucked in there too.

  460. dmm

    omgoodness. we may actually win. Joba to Mo:the bridge to the 9th just got a little shorter.

    but… what are we to do with our pen?

  461. Khoa

    Eli must be adopted.

  462. Sherri

    I LOVE JOBA!!!!!!!!!!!! He is just amazing and such energy!!!

  463. jennifer 27 in 07

    Koha. LOL

  464. BBB

    PHEW, a Joba well done! They broke the rules tho! Is he gonna pitch the 9th?

    AWWW Suzyn saying Harlan is signing hats, etc. in the stands. :)

  465. Brandon

    thank you Bjays Defense

  466. Dr. Acula

    It’s open-mic nite at Red Sox Nation.

    top joke: “Take My Division – Pleaze!!”

  467. jennifer 27 in 07

    HMM?? Joba for the 9th? He put a towel on his arm?

  468. Yankees Chick

    jennifer thats really cool about joba’s dad – i also heard that kids were asking him for his autograph :)

  469. JJ

    Love Joba
    Hate his song

  470. Brandon

    com’on sun glasses work your magic

  471. jennifer 27 in 07

    His father was so gracious. he shook my hand when I told him good luck to his son, smiled. It is so nice!

  472. Rusty

    I’m not a big Bon Jovi fan, but “Wanted Dead or Alive” would stick with the indian outlaw vibe, wouldn’t it? The opening guitar licks are pretty tough (i think it grew on me after watching too much Deadliest Catch)

  473. Carmine

    Sherri:

    Shout at the Devil’s actually an anti-devil song. Motley Crue wrote it against Ronald Reagen. So, I think it fits that he prays afterwards. That said, he should definitely come out to the Max Rebo band music in Jabba the Hutt’s palace from Return of the Jedi.

  474. Brandon

    up yours GIANTS DEFENSE !!

  475. jennifer 27 in 07

    Good choice Rusty!

  476. Sherri

    I guess Thunderstruck is taken? or just overused?

  477. Rusty

    Jennifer – thnx, you gotta have a song that the crowd can rock to, ya know?

    I’m a fan of the, ahem, much heavier stuff and there are some tuff-ass songs out there that would pump me up so much, but i know they gotta pick a pop song to use so everyone can get into it.

  478. Giuseppe Franco

    Master of Puppets would RULE as Joba’s entrance music!

  479. Yankees Chick

    TWO cs for abreu? jeez

  480. Khoa

    thats hilarious Carmine.

  481. Jim Johnson

    A GREAT closer song would be Big Gun by AC/DC. The oepening riff on that song is absolutely badass.

    Hells Bells would be pretty sick too.

  482. Rey22

    Wow, that was a disaster

  483. Big Johnson

    The good news is that clearly the yankees are aiming for the division and home field advantage throughout. Yankees don’t settle for wild card designation. There is still a prize to play for, and they will use everyone in the pen to get it. Home field will be very very important to this team.

    The Viz is a nightmare, and unfortunately he has returned to his usual dreadful form. At least we got a solid 2.5 months out of him during a very difficult time for our pen. He cant be relied upon in any kind of high stress situation. Unfortunately we really only have to reliable arms in the pen. Joba will get tons of work in the post season.

    BJ

  484. Rusty

    OK, whats wrong with Mo? Wasn’t he warming?

  485. jennifer 27 in 07

    Okay Joba time again!!

  486. Brandon

    what I hate about Joba closing you get bandwagoon fans at night and the next day talking about why he can’t close now and put Mo as the SU man. I can’t stand those fans

  487. Luigi 27 in '07

    AC/DC is so cliche for entrances

  488. NanjemoyEd

    Hey guys, with the miracle of viagra you can now father a child even into your late 30s. It stops working when you turn 50, so enjoy it while you can. (Nyah, ha, haaa …)

  489. Snowman

    Way to run yourself out of an inning- nice managing Joe.

  490. Rusty

    the chorus for Big Gun would definitely kick some ass in the stadium.

  491. jennifer 27 in 07

    Brandon you’re right, it will happen. But Mo pitched 2 days in a row already. It is a two run lead. Joba can finish it.

    Mo is up and ready at the first sign of trouble.

  492. Rey22

    Hells Bells is already used by a pretty good closer somewhere around San Diego..

  493. jennifer 27 in 07

    Top of the 11th with the mets.

    Wow do baseball games take forever. This game started the same time s the jets, and it has been over for almost an hour. games that started at 4 are already into the second quarter.

  494. Brandon

    Jennifer I just don’t want this organization panicking next season and shying away from Joba being the future # 1 or 2 SP.

  495. Luigi 27 in '07

    joba is a machine

  496. jennifer 27 in 07

    They won’t. That is of course assuming that Mo will be back.

  497. Luigi 27 in '07

    anybody who thinks joba should stay in the bullpen is insane

    he already has 3 outstanding pitches

  498. CYF

    Better mix of pitches this inning for Job, showing fastball, slider and that curve. Good stuff.

  499. Rusty

    Jeez, im not doing much to hold up my distaste of Bon Jovi, but Blaze of Glory is yet another bad ass ‘countryish’ rock song with a good hook. I swear i’d never listen to that stuff but for entrance music, its pretty awesome.

    Cmon Jobas 27th Bday!!!

    YANKEES WIN!!!!

  500. Dr. Acula

    Sawks limp home from 2-4 road trip.

    Yanks continue September SURGE!!

    *Jaba’s FIRST SAVE !*

    Cle 63

    Sox 64

    LAA 64

    Yank 65

  501. Brandon

    :adds 2 more to IT’S JOBA TIME K victims: :)

  502. Khoa

    finally…even in non-extra innings games versus TOR, we take forever. good times.

  503. jennifer 27 in 07

    Nice job by Joba. First save!! :D

    Michael is wrong we are 1/2 game behind the soxs. we hold the tie breaker.

    Magic number down to JETER!

  504. Yankee Fan in Boston

    Wow, Joba Chamberlain is simply unbelievable. What a huge find for the team. You keep waiting for the other shoe to drop, and it never does. The kid can pitch.

  505. Rusty

    sorry 22nd bday, stupid.

    1.5 games back. magic number 2.

    more work to do.

  506. Brandon

    I forgot it Joba’s B-day

    Happy Birthday Joba :D

  507. Mike

    Moose deserved that win.

    Excellent first save by Joba. 4 batters, 3 Ks.

  508. Kill-Schill(ing)

    I think we should start some kind of rumor that in ancient Egypt, Joba was the pagan god of Conquest.

  509. Uncle Vito - †his ¡s ®eall� mÊ

    I hear Crickets where there once was the sound of Idiots Fans !!!

  510. jennifer 27 in 07

    Joba is 22!! not 27

  511. NanjemoyEd

    How sweet it is!

    Joba gets his first save, strikes out 3 of 4 hitters!

  512. Sherri

    Great game, MOOSE!!

    HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JOBA!!!!!!
    Congratulations on your first save!!

    GO YANKEES!!!!!!!!!!!

  513. jennifer 27 in 07

    I was getting a little nervous, the strike outs went away for a few outtings, there back now. :D

  514. gayle

    Joba should have to dress up as Luke Skywalker tomorrow lol or better yet Princess Leah

  515. Sherri

    Joba should dress up like an Indian princess. :)

  516. Rusty

    yeah – 22 years old, not 27.

    I don’t know what it is about that number 27. Keeps popping into my head a lot lately, i wonder what it could possibly mean. 27? Hmmm? I wonder…

  517. jennifer 27 in 07

    gayle great idea!! Hopefully they think of it!

  518. NanjemoyEd

    I’m starting to actually believe that we can steal the division from Boston. Have the Yanks been in 1st place since after the first day of the season? Anybody know??

  519. Bobcat

    Yankees are doing a great job of transitioning Joba to the pen. His next step is back-to-back games, which should be sometime next week.

    He’ll then be primed to be THE bridge, on a daily basis to Mo.

    Don’t kid yourselves, he is no way a candidate for arm trouble, not with his body and flawless delivery. Knuckleheads like Liriano, Wood, Prior, who don’t listen to coaches who tell them they have bad mechanics are the ones who get hurt.

    Joba still moves to the rotation next year, with his arsenal of four quality pitches. The difference between Joba and Mo, is that Mo was horrible as a starter, as he only has one pitch.

    Therefore, the Yankees will probably fill Joba’s role next year with “Mo-like” SP (read Ohlendorf) or kids whose innings they want to limit, but have the stuff to stick (read Horne).

  520. Swami sez .......

    Jose Molina added to the ‘must sign” list of Brian Cashman. Sign for 2 years plus an option with more work next year. A Jorge/Jose tandem until Francisco Cervelli or A.J. Pilittere show they’re ready.

  521. jennifer 27 in 07

    I don’t think we’ve been in first at all this season.

  522. BBB

    Guys, was this Moose’s 250th career win or am I one W ahead of myself?

  523. jennifer 27 in 07

    Actually I lied April 4th. ONe DAY
    http://www.baseballrace.com/main_racePlayer.asp

  524. jennifer 27 in 07

    You are correct it is his 250th win

  525. BBB

    Oh and re: Joba. Just when I thought it was *IMPOSSIBLE* for me to love him any more, I find out he uses Crue as his entrance song. Noice! Long live the big 80s :)

    Congrats to Joba on his 1st major league save!! Woo Hoo and I’m SOOOOOO happy his dad was there to see it, that rules! Joba rules!

  526. NanjemoyEd

    Jennifer – That’s what I remember too. I think we won our first game – had a tie for first – and that was it.

    BBB – Yes, it’s Moose’s 250th win!

  527. Joe M

    SKINS 14 G-Men 3

  528. BBB

    Yay! Well in that case…a BIG congrats to Moose on his 250th career win!!! HOF HOF!…just sayin’. :)

    I am so proud of him the comeback he has managed to make. I knew he could do it. MOOOOOOOOOSE!!

  529. BBB

    I’m so happy about this win I’m not even bummed about the Giants today! :) Moooose wins 250, Joba with his 1st save, Al Reyes w/a save.. a GREAT Sunday afternoon of America’s pastime!!

  530. LCâ„¢ 27 in 07

    Joba is unbelievable.

  531. Rusty

    In 96, Joe would regularly use Mariano for 2 or 3 innings as the bridge to John Wetteland, his dominance gave him the ability to get through a few innings without throwing too many pitches and that allowed him to pitch mutliple innings, back to back days and so on – Joba is the same type pitcher – it wasn’t till later on that they added Stanton and Nelson to complement Mo and moved him to the closer role, but in 96 they pulled out the stops and Rivera was the difference maker.

    You start to wonder just how much they should use Joba during the playoffs, since the guy is used to starting games and going multiple innings, should they try and utilize him the same way they used Mo in 1996? I agree he has good mechanics and a smooth delivery that lessens his chances of injury, and if the rest of the pen can’t get the job done, being able to go to Joba for multiple innings should be on the table, if he feels he can deal.

  532. Defense matters

    There are lots of people here that are getting really high on turning Matsui into a 1st baseman. Am I the only one who wants to see Minky return? His defense at first is the best since Mattingly. Further more he save a tremendous amount of runs and errors. He is a good number 9 hitter in that he is a n adept bunter who can advance runners into scoring position for the top of the order to know in. He reminds me of Scott Brosius. I think we should sign him to a 1 or two year deal. He is amazing! I am not smoking anything when I say this there must be someone out there who agrees with me?!

  533. Rebecca--27 in 07! Nothing beats Optimism!

    Looks like you guys did great today!

    1.5 games!

    GO YANKEES!

  534. Ben

    I would have Minky and Andy Phillips on 1st next year I can’t forget what Andy did for us with his Glove & his Bat. I’m really sorry for andy.

  535. DCJim

    Now I really, really want the Yankees to win tomorrow. Imagine, if you will, for this team to be 1 game out of first place after being 14 1/2 games out.

  536. Brandon

    Bobcat
    September 23rd, 2007 at 5:06 pm
    Yankees are doing a great job of transitioning Joba to the pen. His next step is back-to-back games, which should be sometime next week.

    He’ll then be primed to be THE bridge, on a daily basis to Mo.

    Don’t kid yourselves, he is no way a candidate for arm trouble, not with his body and flawless delivery. Knuckleheads like Liriano, Wood, Prior, who don’t listen to coaches who tell them they have bad mechanics are the ones who get hurt.

    Joba still moves to the rotation next year, with his arsenal of four quality pitches. The difference between Joba and Mo, is that Mo was horrible as a starter, as he only has one pitch.

    Therefore, the Yankees will probably fill Joba’s role next year with “Mo-like� SP (read Ohlendorf) or kids whose innings they want to limit, but have the stuff to stick (read Horne).

    ——————————————————–

    I agree w/ all of that and don’t forget J.B. Coxx and Humberto Sanchez :D lets not forget Mark Melancon people foreget this season the top tier in power pitchers we’re out w/ injuries. Sanchez in 08′ it’s going to be sweet :D

  537. Rusty

    See the problem with Dougie AND Andy is i feel like the main perk for the both of them is defense, and even though they can get some brilliant moments on offense, over the course of the season, its too inconsistent and streaky. I say we keep Dougie OR Andy and platoon them with a traditional slugging first basemen; maybe thats Matsui, maybe we’ll have to go get someone, but Giambi just seems way too fragile to rely on for consistency. I would have loved to see Teixera, but thats not gonna happen…

  538. Sherri

    I would like to see Minky and Phillips on 1st.

  539. Brandon

    Eli is alone in Washington :(

  540. LCâ„¢ 27 in 07

    Now all the Yankees have to do is win one more game than Boston, since we win the tiebreaker.

  541. Clay Buchholz stole my laptop, and David Ortiz ate my hamburger (aka Joe)

    Happy Birthday Joba & Bruce Springsteen!

  542. Clay Buchholz stole my laptop, and David Ortiz ate my hamburger (aka Joe)

    Tomorrow is huge for our division hopes!

  543. Bobcat

    There are very few seasons that, when you get to the last week, you think, “this team doesn’t need any tweaking”. This team has all the parts it needs within its own organization.

    The only free agents the Yankees should show any interest in are the ones on their current roster.

    I’ve said it before; the Yankees are 52-24 since July 2 (a 110 win pace). There is no need to change anything. Just some competition for roster spots.

    This roster feels a lot different than the late 90s…. those always felt like they needed changes; not so this bunch.

  544. Bill

    Another exciting Yankee win! Magic number 2! If we play the Angels in the playoffs, having Jose Molina (a former Angel) should give us an advantage we’ve never had before against them. I’m sure he has info about the Angels that will e useful.

    Once the four man playoff pitching staff is established, starters five and six will help solve our 5th,6th and 7th inning problems. Joba and Mo are solid in the eighth and ninth innings.

    GO YANKEES!!!

  545. Jeter's future wife

    you know the Angels are pretty banged up: Vlad is hurt, Gary Matthews is hurt, they have like 4 regular starters that are hurt and even questionable on when they can return to the lineup….so we’ll see.

  546. Stuart

    the angels are banged up but they are tenacious and tough..

    I like to play anyone but them in the 1st round….

    the angels are very good.

    mOlina 2 yrs and a option!!!!!!!!!!he is 32 yrs old.. Please do not ever become the GM of my team.. he is a nice backup that is it…..1 yr end the story…

  547. Brandon

    alright ELI is leading my Giants back

  548. Jeter's future wife

    Defense Matters,

    I’ve been saying that all along since Phillips went down and Gaimbi was activated off DL. I do believe too, with shown confidence, his bat can and will improve, with an off-season working with Kevin Long. I feel 110% safe with him at 1st, and Posada, as I’m sure he’ll be a Yankee next year, will have to stay at catcher for at least one more season. So sign Minky to a one or 2 yr deal.

  549. NYCSox = Scum of the earth.

    Good game from the boys. Lets take tomorrow and get one step closer from taking something from the Red Sox which they thought was a formality a couple of weeks ago.

  550. Jeter's future wife

    Stuart,
    all I’m saying is that the Angels aren’t the same team we’ve faced this season. We shouldn’t be afraid of anyone! they are all afraid of us!

  551. Sherri

    Everyone should be afraid of us!!! The team I’m seeing this year looks so much different than the ‘06 team. I don’t know if it’s the younger players or what, but they’re playing like a team and there’s a chemistry there that wasn’t there before. GO YANKEES!!!

  552. LCâ„¢ 27 in 07

    Anyone know what Joba’s entry music was today?

  553. Sherri

    poor Eli.

  554. NYCSox = Scum of the earth.

    Shout at the Devil by Motley Crue. Nobody is perfect. Not even Joba.

  555. Sherri

    Entry music was “Shout at the Devil” for Joba

  556. Brandon

    that had to be the dumbest throw he did this season :(

  557. Brandon

    that had to be the dumbest throw he did this season :(

  558. Brandon

    aaron ross w/ a good tackle why is he only being used for 3rd downs

  559. Mantle

    “anybody who thinks joba should stay in the bullpen is insane

    he already has 3 outstanding pitches”

    Count me in with the ‘insane’ and have me committed. Imagine a pen without Chamberlain at the moment. We would be dead meat plain and simple.

    While there is no doubt he would be a terrific starter, in the pen he would impact far more games and actually make other starters better.

    Don’t worry, he can use all of his pitches to dominate from the pen for years to come.

    We might have the single greatest set-up, closer punch ever assembled at the moment.

    Bottom line: It is much easier to find a good starter. Near impossible to find a guy of Joba’s talent to come out of the pen and be dominant.

    Starters don’t necessarily need to be unquestionably dominant, relievers do. Without Joba in the pen, there is no playoff push.

    If it aint broke, don’t fix it.

    BJ

  560. Rusty

    LC – it was Shout at the Devil from Motley Crue, which is better than Indian Outlaw, but still not good enough for that kid, he needs something more epic. Kinda funny too if you think about it cause the next month or so could be the last time hes going to need ‘entrance’ music since he will hopefully be starting next year. Everyones got an opinion on his music, they should take a poll and mail it to Joba or somethin!

    Also – anyone else read this crap about Boras talking to the Cubs re: A-Rod? a 300 mil, 10 year deal with a partial ownership clause?

    http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/.....id=3033203

    I know its his job as Alex’s agent to explore all the possibilities, but man, that dude goes above and beyond, a total shark. I’m never going to forgive Boras, Cashman or Alex if they don’t work something out to keep him in NY. ( i think a lot of fans feel the same way. i hope anyway. )

  561. Yankeejosh

    Brandon,

    I agree that Rivera in 1995/1996 was better suited to the bullpen. But to be fair, we never got to see enough of him as a starter to see if he could have done it. He came up in 1995 as a starter and was terrible. The Yanks sent him down and he gained some speed on his pitches, especially the fastball. He then was recalled and had one or two very good starts before being shifted to the bullpen after the Yankees pitchers got healthy and the team aquired David Cone. A bit of me always wonders whether the “New Mo” could have been a dominant starter, although clearly the Yankees made the right decision moving him to the bullpen.

  562. Jeter's future wife

    the biggest question is:

    do Joba Rules apply during playoffs?

    and if they don’t, please, please don’t make it public!!! let the opposing manager think they still apply!

  563. Brandon

    Mantle your wrong and I suggest you look at our minor league arms before you get commited

    Ross Ohlendorf
    Humberto Sanchez
    JB Cox
    Kevin Whelan
    Christian Garcia

    can all go into the SU role , wasting Joba’s arsenal in the pen is just plain stupid. This year I understand the next 7 – 10 yrs. that’ is just ridiculous. I’d take an ACE pitcher over a bullpen guy any day of the week.

  564. Sherri

    Rusty – OMG – I just pray that A-ROD stays for next year. I feel like (and others may disagree), but I feel like he has solidified his spot as a Yankee this year. He overcome whatever issues he had before, and he has really become a part of the team. He just seems more relaxed and able to laugh at himself this year. I just find it hard to think that he would leave though, because, as I’ve stated before, where else could he go where he could do what he does and it mean as much?

  565. Jeter's future wife

    Rusty,

    if we can unload Giambi and Damon, then there is plenty more money to put towards ARod’s new K.

    My vote is to find another starter for next year and keep Joba in the ‘pen, no doubt!!! the starter, whoever it is, won’t be pressured as much knowing you have Joba to come out and get thru a few innings.

  566. Yankeejosh

    Count me in Brandon’s camp on the Joba starter/reliever debate. He’d be great out of the pen but a player with his arsenal needs to be a starter. If he somehow tanks as a starter he can be moved back to the pen. Bullpen is important but you need starters who can get to the pen with a lead. Besides the players mentioned, Phil Hughes would be a better candidate than Joba to move long term to the bullpen since his pitching arsenal is not as deep.

    This off-season if I’m the Yankees, I look for a good right handed hitting firstbaseman and bullpen help. Get all the arms you can. You can never have enough pitching and that goes doubly for the bullpen.

  567. Rusty

    I’d lessen up my opinion of Joba as a starter vs a reliever if Hughes returns to form and Kennedy continues to impress, but as it looks now, Jobas about the best arm on the team, and i’d rather apply that talent to 200 innings rather than regulate it to 70 or 80. They’ve got plenty of prospects to try in the ‘pen: Sanchez, Whelan, Ohlendorf, et al, any of those guys could be groomed for relief work. Bottom line, i’d much rather have a dominant starting rotation that reduced our need to go to the bullpen in the first place. If all we’re filling is the 8th and 9th innings, then we should have plenty of options.

  568. Sherri

    Someone please tell me why Mientkeiwicz would not get a spot as first baseman —- am I missing something? Don’t get me wrong, Andy Phillips should be there, too, but I think Doug has proven himself, and the defense he provides makes a difference.

  569. YankeeJosh

    Unloading Damon would be a huge mistake imo. He plays a better Left Field than Matsui, has the best quality at bats on the team and makes pitchers work and is our only legitimate lead-off hitter.

    Giambi and Abreu may walk a lot, but that’s more from having a good eye. They aren’t in Damon’s league in spoiling pitches, making a pitcher work and wearing down the opposing pitcher.

  570. randy l

    ‘mantle’-
    no offense, but i think you need a new moniker. i realize you had trouble with the other one you had, but for those of us who idolized mantle it’s kind of sacriligious to use his name as a username. it’d be like a red sox fan using tedwilliams. mantle what? mantle fan,mantlewasthebest, mantleforever,mantleisbetterthanarod, we knew mantle. you’re not mantle. just kidding sort of.

  571. Jeter's future wife

    i just don’t feel we’d even be where we are in the standings or rather playoff bound if it wasn’tfor Joba. who in the pen would anyone fear? what if we can’t even get it to Mo? what’s the use of having Mo? see earlier in the season!

  572. Brandon

    exactly case in point look at what happened to the Mets , when your SP doesn’t go deep the BP gets over worked and that leads to bad innings

    Hughes 6 + innings
    Pettite 6 + innings
    Joba 6 + innings
    Kennedy 6 + innings
    Wang 6 + innings

    BP

    Ramirez 1-2 + innings
    Sanchez 1-2 + innings
    Viz SU
    Ohlendorf SU
    Mo closer

    I’d glady roll w/ this, the biggest need in the pitching aspect is a LH relief pitcher I’ve been wanting Damaso Marte hopefully we get him or the Rockies LH closer

  573. Jeter's future wife

    I’m with you Randy? ask him if he’s a drunk too?

  574. gayle

    I am in the keep Damon camp. he has already shown this year he can play left field and Matsui the past 2 seasons has shown he can breakdown and needs a break. I like having Damon be the option and he does give us when healthy and I know that is key for him som speed and options at the front of the order.

  575. randy l

    “We might have the single greatest set-up, closer punch ever assembled at the moment.”
    hadn’t thought about that, but that’s a nice thought.

  576. Sherri

    TD GIANTS!

  577. Jeter's future wife

    I’m with you Randy, ask him if he’s a drunk too?

  578. Rusty

    Yankeejosh – totally agree on the aquisition tip, more pen, righthanded power at first base since we seem limp against lefty starters. Also – when we were using Mariano in 1996, Joe would trot him out there to pitch 2, maybe 3 innings a game – because he was originally a starter. Kinda feel the same way about Joba for this postseason, the kids used to starting, hes got a nice compact delivery and his mechanics are consistent. If we’re gonna have him in the bullpen, we should be able to lean on his experience as a starter and realize that the kid can take pitching multiple innings or back to back days (reasonably i mean – which for Joe, can admittedly be pretty scary i guess!)

    Sherri – yankees media have said it again and again, if Alex leaves NY, its because he wants out of NY. Everyone feels that theyre going to give A-Rod what he wants, but hes got to want to stay in order to knock the other contenders out of the bidding. Unless hes been lying straight up, Alex has said again and again that he wants to be a Yankee and he wants to play in the new stadium, he wants to be in pinstripes. I picture Scott Boras as this fat little devil on his shoulder whispering in his ear that money is everything… hope he doesn’t listen.

  579. Shdw

    Anyone who can’t see A-Rod leaving the team is in denial. Frankly, I can barely see him staying with the team unless they break the bank to pay him. His options are so open and he can demand so much from any team who wants to spend the money. And besides the money, he can find a nice park where he can hit even more HR’s and get more records while taking less pressure.

    As for Joba as a reliever. It’s just stupid to say, “don’t mess with a good thing” and keep im in the pen. This year, keep him there, next year you convert him. There’s no question there. He’s too good and he can keep his stamina through an entire game. I’d rather him pitch a complete game shutout than a 2 inning shutout.

  580. Nick L.

    Unless Giambi starts to light it up this week, it’s not looking like he’ll be a factor in the playoffs in any kind of regular basis. Minky deserves a spot. His glove and some timely hits hasn’t hurt his cause.

  581. jennifer 27 in 07

    I picked up dinner from the Cheesecake factory and I saw someone who looked like Andy Phillips. He was tall and skinny with brown hair. I was walking out as he walked in. Anyone know if he lives in Jersey?

  582. Brandon

    yes Ruben Droughns w/ the people’s elbow :D

    P.S. in LF if it’s defense we need Brett Gardner and Austin JAckson aren’t too far away.

  583. Jeter's future wife

    Sherri,
    all my friends are the Fed Ex Field….I would have gone too, but I went boating on this most cloudless beautiful day….missed the Yanks game too, but I had to! it was so gorgeous!

  584. randy l

    jeter’s future wife-
    not funny. there’s no one on this team who could hang with mantle at his peak.he had more power than anyone on this team, was faster than anyone on this team, and was a better all around player than anyone on this team. mantle was the man.

  585. Sherri

    Rusty – thanks! I also just hope he stays, but honestly, don’t know why he would want to leave. I guess we’ll all know before too long.

  586. Jeter's future wife

    Rusty,

    AROD wants a monument in Monument Park, he wants to be part of the legacy and make history here b/c he knows that history as a Yankee is much more known that history as a Cub, whether you live in NY or Arizona. Why in the world would AROD need more money? how much is too much? I would like to think that the possible move or no move is not about money.. really, how would more money change his current lifestyle? but how would staying in NY and winning World Series change your life?

  587. Sherri

    JFW – WOW! Now, that sounds wonderful!!

  588. Brandon

    dammit Shockey drops another ball !!!

  589. Jeter's future wife

    Rusty,

    AROD wants a monument in Monument Park, he wants to be part of the legacy and make history here b/c he knows that history as a Yankee is much more known than history as a Cub, whether you live in NY or Arizona. Why in the world would AROD need more money? how much is too much? I would like to think that the possible move or no move is not about money.. really, how would more money change his current lifestyle? but how would staying in NY and winning World Series change your life?

  590. mike

    great win bitches

  591. Mantle

    “There’s no question there. He’s too good and he can keep his stamina through an entire game. I’d rather him pitch a complete game shutout than a 2 inning shutout.”

    I’m not sure where this concept of ‘too good for the pen’ comes from. Imagine for a moment that Rivera would have been a dominant ace. Would you have pushed him out of the pen. Both concepts are equally important, and only the baseball writers have convinced the lay fan that a starter is more important than a relief guy. Rivera has proven this summary judgment false.

    History has shown that it is infinitely harder to obtain a dominant relief guy than a starter. If the yanks have plenty of arms to start it doesn’t make a whole lot of sense to leave the pen, an equally important part of the game, deprived of any talent outside of Rivera. That is what we would be facing RIGHT NOW if Joba didn’t seal up the 8th for us. There would be no playoff push this year.

    Starting pitching is important, but history is replete with examples of great starters filling in other roles when needed. Many may not realize that Ruth was not only a starter, but a dominant 20+ game winner. Imagine if he had not made the move. Imagine if Rivera never made the move.

    Both relief and starting are important. Joba is providing us with something this team has never ever had before. It is a huge reason why we are making a relentless push into the playoffs and beyond.

    Again, if it aint broke don’t fix it.

    BJ

  592. Phil - 27 in '07

    “AROD wants a monument in Monument Park, he wants to be part of the legacy and make history here b/c he knows that history as a Yankee is much more known that history as a Cub, whether you live in NY or Arizona.”

    Unless you are close friends with Alex or Cynthia Rodriguez, you have no idea what Alex wants or knows. You are projecting your feelings onto him.

  593. neil

    speaking of next year, what about Nick Johnson via Trade?

  594. Shdw

    Personally, I’d rather have that dominant start every 5 days. I’d take a 60% chance of the bullpen ending the inning with no runs than have a reliever that stops the opponent 90% of the time but an inferior start.

    Basically, I want the starter to hold them down and the offense to build the lead and not have to use the relief at all. I think having the better starter to build up a 5-0 advantage and have an slightly inferior bullpen than a bad start with a 5-4 lead and a better bullpen.

  595. Sherri

    OMG – It looks like the Giants might WIN!!

  596. Brandon

    Mantle and what the hell do they do w/ Christian Garcia, Mark Melancon, Humberto Sanchez there are arms more dominant than Joba for that role. Joba’s future is w/ the starting rotation , I don’t know how hard this is to understand for you, but you will see.

    I’d say Nardi Contreras and Damon Oppenheimer know more about Joba’s future and what role he will play then the desperate if it ain’t broke don’t fix it fans like you. :)

    TD GIANTS !!!

  597. Mantle

    “I’d take an ACE pitcher over a bullpen guy any day of the week.”

    Thats because 99% of relief guys you are familiar with stink plain and simple. We have tried numerous guys in the pen this year. How many had extended success? Joba is the only one on my list too. In fact I would argue we haven’t had this capability since 96.

    How many teams in the past 15 years are able to turn a 9 inning game into a 6-7 inning game. Thats exactly what Joba and MO are providing right now. This is an incredible feat that is unmatched in history.

    The last time we had this was in 96 with Wetteland and MO. I would argue that this combo is the best in history. Few would argue that point.

    BJ

  598. Jeter's future wife

    Phil,

    he has said that in an interview earlier in the season. now I don’t know if that was to appease his current team’s fans and/or teammates, but he did say that. I think his wife is an a–hole, but the bottom was my opinion.

  599. Phil - 27 in '07

    “The last time we had this was in 96 with Wetteland and MO. I would argue that this combo is the best in history. Few would argue that point.”

    Many would argue that point. The Angels in 2002 were able to shorten the game to 6 innings, as one example.

  600. Brandon

    Mantle, how many guys did we bring up to be a successor in the pen, point is Cashman and Oppenheimer and Nardi Contreras have started to focus on the MLB draft instead of FA that is why guys like Hughes and Joba are here. There are more options than Joba I suggest you start scouting our minor league system before you appoint Joba as the future closer, that is not his role.

  601. roger

    Neil
    Nick Johnson could be interesting if we could get him cheap. He’s got 2 yrs @ 5.5/yr, so Washington could unload him considering his injury history.

  602. NanjemoyEd

    What about trading Matsui (only if A-Rod stays!) and putting Damon in LF full time. Matsui’s started to decline and we could get better value for him this year than in the future. We need to keep getting younger players as well as stocking up with better all-around players. We could also consider picking up Abreu’s option and looking for a beneficial trade, like we did with Sheff.

  603. Phil - 27 in '07

    Nick Johnson breaks down every other day. Plus, he’s yet another lefty bat.

  604. Brandon

    Tuck just laid out Campbell !!!

  605. Mantle

    “Mantle and what the hell do they do w/ Christian Garcia, Mark Melancon, Humberto Sanchez there are arms more dominant than Joba for that role.”

    You pray like heck that they will be good in the majors like every other minor league flop that we have seen this past century.

    Joba is a once in a lifetime find. He has some of the nastiest stuff around at the MAJOR LEAGUE LEVEL.

    “I’d say Nardi Contreras and Damon Oppenheimer know more about Joba’s future and what role he will play then the desperate if it ain’t broke don’t fix it fans like you.”

    Well that does it than. I am certainly not entitled to any opinion since there are those with more intimate knowledge.

    I guarantee you Joba’s future is far from set, and this debate is going to get heated beyond belief in the offseason if Joba dominates in the playoffs.

    MO will need an heir, and none of the guys you mention can hold a candle to Joba.

    BJ

  606. Mantle

    “There are more options than Joba I suggest you start scouting our minor league system before you appoint Joba as the future closer, that is not his role.”

    His role is yet to be determined as painful as that may be to you.

    BJ

  607. YankeeJosh

    Mantle,

    How valueable was Rivera for us in 2002 against the Angels or last year against the Tigers? Your bullpen pitchers only matter if the starters keep you in games.

    Joba is wasted in the bullpen because he has 3 or 4 plus pitches and won’t be able to use them all in one or two innings. Hughes would be a much better candidate to move there right now as only 1 or 2 of his pitches are working.

    Rivera is still a top level reliever. There are enough other arms to try in the pen before Joba. It’s much easier to move Joba from a starter into the pen as opposed to grooming him for the pen and then finding out you need a starter.

    The Yankees are doing the absolute right thing with him.

  608. NanjemoyEd

    Roger, the problem is that Nick’s never been durable. He missed this entire season with a broken leg, and he is getting older. I wouldn’t go there.

  609. Rusty

    The opportunities Alex will get to make peripheral money in NY is far more than any other market. So many other markets hate the Yankees and hate the Red Sox because they are such popular ‘bandwagon’ teams, you take a decent player and put a Yankee, Met or Red Sox hat on them and all of a sudden their value doubles because theres that many more fans in the market and around the country that are considered potential ‘consumers’.

    Basically, Arod as a Cub or Angel will sell alot less hats and jerseys than Arod as a Yankee, because theres a helluva lot more Yankee fans (or Red Sox fans) than any other MLB team. Sure most of that money goes into the licensing deals for the team, not the player, but his ’star’ power increases in the NY market for corporate endorsements, media saturation, etc. Don’t think the Yankees don’t realize that having Alex is a symbiotic relationship, like they sell more Jerseys overall because so many people want to buy a #13 jersey, know what i mean?

    Alex will be great whereever he goes, he’ll break all the records for sure, maybe another GM will be willing to commit to a longer contract for more money, but do you think he would enjoy playing on a team without as much media ‘juice’ or the ability to play alongside other ‘great’ players? He endured alot of crap last year, and righfully so for the slump he was in, but he turned it around this year (understatement) and to me that says, he LIKES the pressure, he LIKES the excitement, he LIKES the ‘aura and mystique’, he very well may have thousands of fans adore him in any market he goes to, but he’s got to realize that he would become a figurehead player at best, someone who drains the majority of a franchise payroll that can afford little else – the Yankees can afford Alex and then some (thanks to our sweet new farm system cranking out quality arms).

    Alex is not Bonds, he wants to win a WS, he wants to prove he can perform under pressure, perhaps later in career he might start to think about breaking records and his stats, but for now, he wants to be on a winning team, and wants to feel that hes a big reason for that success, i don’t buy this crap that Alex is a greedy sports star, i’ll buy that Boras is a greedy sports agent, but he still works for Alex, not the other way around.

    And as far as not knowing how he feels unless we personally knew his family, i’m going to stick with my reasoning: he said he wants to stay in NY, and i don’t think hes a liar, unless we totally stick him with some relatively garbage contract, hes going to stay with the Yankees. I honestly think that sportswriters around the country love to talk smack about whats happening with Alex next year because they straight up hate the Yankees and love to watch the fans squirm. I hope he proves them all wrong and comes back next year locked in for around 6 years / $175 million with all sorts of WS/MVP incentives to kick some ass.

  610. Brandon

    Mantle, you only say that because you haven’t seen these guys up here, what kind of comment is they don’t hold a candle to Joba, one half season and already no one can touch him , he’s a high talent but not the only one.

    And again
    *You pray like heck that they will be good in the majors like every other minor league flop that we have seen this past century.*

    that was a different era, different scouts, different pitching coachs in the minor, Oppenheimer + Nardi Contreras + Carlos Rios know what they are doing.

  611. Shdw

    Rivera does need a closer. But I highly doubt they will put Joba in as a closer unless they test out MANY other options and they all fail or unless Joba turns out to be a bad or fragile starter.

    It’s hard to find a dominant closer or a reliever in general but an ace starter is more valuable in more ways than one.

  612. Sherri

    Rusty…dude…you need your own blog! You have a lot to say!! :)

  613. Rusty

    Sherri

    Ah, i don’t have enough to say day to day to open a blog – theres already too many good Yankee blogs anyway! – i just have alot to say about the A-Rod thing cause its infuriating me. Sorry for writing the books guys i can get carried away. But thanks for the suggestion!

  614. mel

    Don’t want to jump in to your debate, but it raises a great topic for discussion:

    Which pitching prospects will get an invite to spring training with a chance to make the team? (i.e. which ones will have a chance to replace the dead weight we have in the bullpen right now)

    or who will be in the next rookie class (like Joba, Phil, & Ian) to make the big jump.

  615. NanjemoyEd

    I feel strongly that Joba needs to be allowed to become the dominant starter he is capable of becoming. We’ve been too dependent on our bullpens. In terms of the value of starters vs. relievers, a good starter makes far more money than the most dominant closers and the number of starters in the HOF far, far outweighs the number of relievers (2 or 3?). These two facts say it all.

    If we put together the strongest rotation that we possibly can and improve the team defensively, we will vastly decrease our dependence on the bullpen, which has been excessive in recent years.

  616. longtime

    these giants just find a way to lose time to clean house

  617. Brandon

    mel,

    Humberto Sanchez, Christian Garcia, Anthony Clagett and Kevin Whelan

  618. Brandon

    oh and Mel, the biggest jump could be made by Christian Garcia and Mark Melancon

    damn you Giants you better get this stop !!!

  619. Brandon

    *YES BABY UPSET !!!!!!!!!!!!* :D

  620. mel

    Thank, Brandon.

    Heard that Sanchez was starting to throw already. Did you read the Pettitte notebook at mlb.com? He said he pitched his 1st 8 years with elbow problems and that he’s really happy with how his elbow is responding to his 2004 surgery. Let’s hope that he’s so happy that he’ll be back next year. After his son’s football scare, he might want to stay close to home.

    Speaking of surgery, 11 Jays to have surgery in the offseason. Their medical bill must be astronomical.

  621. Sherri

    Rusty – just giving you grief! :) I am scared at the prospect of Alex leaving. I want him to stay. I think he belongs in NY, and I think many people agree, but I guess all that doesn’t matter. What matters most is what Alex wants and, like you’ve said, Alex has said several times that he wants to be a Yankee.

  622. Rusty

    Re: The Joba debate. Not to compare Papelbitch to Joba at all, but wasn’t Papelbon a dominant minor league starter who was brought up to take over for Keith Foulke as closer last season? And weren’t they going to make him a starter this year? Does anyone know why it didn’t take, was it the lack of a proper closer at the break of camp or was it that he wasn’t performing as well as a starter? That organization was crazy high on him and had the full intent to put him in the rotation, if i recall, for whatever the reason, it was kind of a panic last minute decision to retain him as a closer instead, so really – speculating on Jobas place on the team may be moot until spring training and the team sees who they have to do what. Like if Hughes implodes for some reason, they’ll need a starter – or if some offseason signing for setup man goes bunk, they’ll need a setup man. Its a good discussion, just a little pointless until we can really see whos on the team next year and how they’re performing.

  623. jennifer 27 in 07

    Can you post a link to the Pettitte thing.

  624. Doreen

    After today’s performance by Joba — coming in in a high pressure situation, not the start of an inning, closing out the game and getting a save — what does anyone think that the thinking here is that they can alternate Mo and Joba in the playoffs as closers?

  625. mel

    Rusty,

    Papelbon was a starter in ST. Then something happened to the bullpen and when word broke he was going to be a closer he was disappointed to say the least. Later on that day you couldn’t find any of those quotes and they had been replaced with the party line, “What’s best for the team. I want to become the next Mariano Rivera, blah, blah, blah”

  626. Shdw

    As I posted a while ago, Papelbon was taken out of being a starter because he didn’t have what Joba has. Stamina. I saw every one of Papelbon’s major league starts on television and he was dominant through 3-4 innings and then he fell apart and got thrashed. They converted him to the pen and the rest is history.

    The reason he’s still a closer now is because they couldn’t find an adequate replacement in the offseason.

  627. Dr. Acula

    Weird, Sad, and Funny

    Milton Bradley got into an argument with the 1st base umpire, and as he’s being restrained, he popped his knee. He either blew it out or it’s hyperextended. Either way, that’s not what the Padres needed, going into the final week of the season.

    if you see the clip, it’s funny cuz it looks like one of those offbeat accidental home videos, which makes it all the more out of place, on a professional field.

  628. Doreen

    Also, Joba can still be a starter next year, and if (when) Mo retires and if they still haven’t anyone else, they can put Joba back in the pen. He’s shown he can do it.

  629. Jeter's future wife

    AROD’s decision will be easier to make if we go far or win the WS this year. don’t ya think?

  630. mel

    Doreen,

    I don’t know if you were following gameday while you were watching, but the batter swung at two balls inside. So Joba could’ve conceivably loaded the bases.

    He still did a great job, but he was much better in the 9th.

    I’m not complaining, though. I’d like to see Joba as a starter. Then at least he had a chance. Do we want the next Rocket or the next Rivera? Hmmm…

  631. jennifer 27 in 07

    Where can I see that video.

  632. Kill-Schill(ing)

    Don’t forget to add J.B. Cox, Alan Horne, and Jeff Marquez to that mix as well, mel.

    The Yankees are going to have a difficult time picking up that game on Boston, if Boston doesn’t face Santana or Haren. And as Oakland and Minnesota have currently structured their rotations, Boston misses both of them.

    Not Good.

    An added irony. If the Yankees overtake Boston they could end up with the 3rd seed and have to play Anaheim on the road in the 1st round. In such a circumstance, they might actually benefit from finishing as a wild-card and opening against Cleveland, provided Boston selects the eight-day series and Cleveland can’t pitch both Sabbathia and Carmona twice. Otherwise, it doesn’t make much of difference who the Yankees play. Hence, it doesn’t matter who wins the division.

  633. mel

    jennifer,

    http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com.....p;c_id=nyy

  634. Rusty

    A-Rods decision will hinge greatly on the REACTION from how he performs this offseason. If we go onto win the WS, but we get carried by our pitching and insane offensive performances by Jeter or Melky and Robbie while A-Rod goes on some nasty slump and gets torn to bits by the press and fans, i think the WS win will be meaningless. He needs to perform well and help the team win, he doesn’t need to be WS MVP, but he needs to help win (whether they do or not) otherwise hes gonna get ripped for it by the dumbass NY tabloids and that will probably have much more effect than anything else. He had an MVP season for the ages, we wouldn’t be anywhere near a postseason berth without him and that respect needs to stick through the end of the season regardless of what he does in October.

  635. NanjemoyEd

    Just noticed that today’s win was #90, with 7 games left to play. Their 90 wins is 4th best in both the AL and the majors. I never would have believed it back in May or June.

  636. Jeter's future wife

    gee, we should all be GMs somewhere!

  637. Sherri

    JFW – Yes, A-Rod still has to prove himself in the post-season. If he does well there, I don’t see him leaving.

  638. Dr. Acula

    Jen-

    sportscenter/baseball tonite.

    I’m sure it’s also running on ESPN News

  639. mel

    Kill,

    I don’t listen to Torre’s coachspeak. The guys on the team follow Jeter’s example who has stated many times they are out to win the division. Especially in this year with countless struggles, bad bounces, bad calls, and bullpen collapses it would be huge thing for these guys to win on the final lap of the race.

    I think the likelihood of us making up that one game in the loss column is greater than us not doing it. I understand your logic about Minny & Oakland, but did anyone see the Red Sox getting swept by Toronto and then almost getting swept by Tampa? No. So anything can happen. If the Yankees keep up the pressure it’ll go down to the wire. Magic number down to 2?

  640. Doreen

    Mel –

    I only heard parts of the game today. We were enjoying one of the last weekends of summer at Point Pleasant Beach in New Jersey. I heard when Joba came in and I heard the first two outs in the 9th. So, on the radio, what I heard, it all sounded good.

    I didn’t know the Yankees were ready to bring Joba in in that kind of situation, though, and he did get through it the first time encountering the situation. I was just wondering if this was a try-out to see if he could handle it. Also thought wouldn’t it be cool if someone other than Mo could close if need be.

  641. Frank

    I am not sure if this has been said, but has anyone seen the report on ESPN that the Cubs have talked to Boras and bascially offered AROD about a 10 year 300 million dollar deal with incentives to buy into the team when he retires.

  642. Dr. Acula

    I have a solution.

    Jaba can start and relieve on off days.

    I wish they would hurry up with the stem-cell research -we could clone a staff of Jabas.

  643. Jeter's future wife

    Rusty, I agree, for the most part….

    I do feel he has gotten us to where we are….but for so many years, so has Jeter, Posada and Rivera…..and do they want to opt out and renegotiate their contract? they performed in the regular season AND in the post season. I just find the players too greedy when they want to opt out or renegotiate when they are having a great season.

    do you see Carl Pavano trying to renegotiate his contract since he is injured? No, of course not! he is still getting paid even though he is watching from his couch! Why is is always so one-sided? when they do good, they want you to “Show Me the Money” and when they underperform, they just keep cashing those paychecks….

  644. Nick L.

    Every NY Metropolitan area team won today. Yankees, Mets, Giants, and Jets.
    Loaded tabloids tomorrow…

  645. mel

    Doreen,

    It was Joba’s birthday today, so the save was a a great present. Torre said he would not pitch today, but papers were reporting that they wanted to put him in situations he might see in the playoffs.

    Joba quote of the day to Kim Jones, “Rules were made to be broken, right?”

  646. Kill-Schill(ing)

    I’m a Dolphins fans, so I’ll be skipping the football pages as I have now for the last five years. Painful.

    “I’m such a baby. Yeah the Dolphins make me cry”— Darius Rucker.

    What do you think of the irony Mel that the Yankees might actually benefit from NOT winning the division. Because in winning the division and finishing as the 3rd seed, they have to open in Anaheim. Whereas, as the wild-card, the Yankees increase their chances of playing Cleveland in the seven-day series, requiring four starters.

    I realize the teams are too close and there are too many permutations at this point to try to predict who the Yankees would play in each scenario.

  647. Sherri

    Dr. Acula! You’ve got it!! That’s exactly what we need! Little Joba clones! :)

  648. mel

    Doreen,

    Lo and behold. A whole article about it:

    http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com.....p;c_id=nyy

  649. Doreen

    Thanks, Mel. Great quote by Joba. And I’m glad there was the opportunity to try him out in new situations before the very last minute, you know?

  650. mel

    Doesn’t matter. They need to face those demons. The reward of getting the best record outweighs the risk of having to play Anaheim. They’ll have to play Anaheim at some point, and who knows, maybe Anaheim will have to travel to New York for games 1 & 2.

  651. Jeter's future wife

    Frank, I have not seen that ESPN report, only heard about it.

  652. jennifer 27 in 07

    Frank espn’s source is the NY POST. If this is remotely true Cash should be on the phone with Bud filing Tampering charges. Alex is under contract, he is under contract and can’t speak to other teams until he opts out. I think someone who really dislikes him floated this story just to get yankee fans on his back.

  653. Dr. Acula

    The Boras thing comes out in tomorrow’s New York magazine.

    it’s boras talking to a potential _future_ cubs owner.

    Boras must have a hole in is head to leak this and shake the NYC media bee hive, and have the wasps fly after his client’s tush, just before the playoffs.

  654. jennifer 27 in 07

    * Chamberlain has the ball from his first save, which he plans on giving to his father, Harlan. And he’s got the green light to break some more rules in the near future. So on his 22nd birthday, he really had only one other wish.

    “A steak,” Chamberlain said. “I don’t care where it’s at — as long as it’s dead and not winking at me.”

    LOL

  655. Jeter's future wife

    Mel, Doreen,etc.

    I just think they need to stop making public the Joba Rules or the modification of Joba Rules…let the opposing team wonder! don’t ya think?

  656. mel

    JFW,

    Did you see Gibbons’ quote? They were hoping they wouldn’t see him because of the rules, but they were wrong.

  657. Jeter's future wife

    I’m sure the guys showed him the way to Ruth’s Chris in Lower Manhattan!

  658. Dr. Acula

    No Mel-

    the Joba quote of the day to Kim Jones, _was_ “All those curves, and me with no brakes ;)

  659. Jeter's future wife

    yes, I did, but now the article on Yankees.com talks about the meetings with Torre, Contreras and Cashman! why? why give that out? it just seems so stupid to make that public, case in point – TODAY with Gibbons!

  660. Jeter's future wife

    I didn’t realize tomorrow’s game is a rainout reschedule…would have been nice for them to have a day off. anyone able to watch it at 1:00 tomorrow?

  661. mel

    Dr.,
    I also like the one about the steak not winking at him. So midwestern. He’s like the Roy Rogers of our time.

  662. Jeter's future wife

    good nite everyone, check you all out tomorrow, game time!

  663. mel

    JFW,

    It’s o.k. Everyone knew the handcuffs would come off at some point. Now the fear is not knowing WHEN they’ll see Joba come in.

  664. longtime

    Arod of course will say he wants to be a yankee Boras is no dummy why take out the only team that will drive up the price it’s all about the money. so if the yankees want hime they will pay for him, i look for a deal to get done before 11/15 so they can tqke advantage of texas’s 9,000,000 mil for the next three years that’s why Cash says they won’t be a player if he opts out. it’s poker time all in for the yanks. just remember with Boras it’s not about where the player wants to play it’s all about the money. that extra 9 mill will go along way to makeing arod the highest paid player in sports history

  665. Bronxie Brenda

    Jeter’s future wife :

    Do you care to share with this blog some idea of what Derek’s digs in Trump Tower look like ?
    It’s the curiosity factor.

  666. sunny615

    Here’s an interesting post – Verducci defending Torre’s use of the pen:

    *I guess you are good friends with Joe Torre. How can you seriously say that Torre doesn’t overuse his bullpen? He rarely lets any of his starters go more than seven innings and he has the bullpen up in the fourth at any hint of trouble. To say that he doesn’t overuse his bullpen is just showing you have blinders on when it comes to him. I would expect more from one of the few baseball writers out there that still has some credibility.
    – Chris Neese, Harrison, Mich.*

    Do you actually think that Torre, or any manager, prefers to pull his pitcher before the seventh inning? Come on. Bullpen usage is a direct function of the reliability of starting pitching, plain and simple. Here are the starts of at least seven innings by Yankees pitchers in the Torre era:
    *1996:* 54
    *1997:* 77
    *1998:* 91
    *1999:* 69
    *2000:* 67
    *2001:* 64
    *2002:* 79
    *2003:* 87
    *2004:* 53
    *2005:* 56
    *2006:* 44
    *2007:* 40
    Now why weren’t you accusing Torre of overusing his bullpen in 2003? Because he could start Clemens, Wells, Pettitte, Mussina, Weaver and Contreras. That’s a little better than Matt DeSalvo, Chase Wright and Tyler Clippard. Torre didn’t suddenly have a sudden philosophical change and decide to start going to his bullpen earlier. He’s the same manager he’s always been; it’s his starting pitching that changes.

  667. pat

    Just found this and thought it interesting:

    “Reliever Scott Proctor, whose fastball Saturday night was clocked as high as 102 mph, has not allowed an earned run in 13 1/3 innings, and he has 12 strikeouts in 9 1/3 September innings while holding opposing hitters to a .176 average. Proctor has a 2.83 ERA since joining the Dodgers in a trade with the Yankees for Wilson Betemit.”

    He pitched 19 innings in August for LA and the most he pitched in a month this year for the Yanks was 15. So much for the theory that he wasn’t effective because he was overused.

  668. Uncle Vito - †his ¡s ®eall� mÊ

    …Did you realize that the Yankees are only 2 games out of being the NUMBER ONE SEED in the AL ? That is right….CLE is exactly 2 games ahead of us and we own the tiebreaker against them. If ANYONE thinks that the Yankees as the NUMBER ONE SEED versus the Yankees being the NUMBER 4 SEED is not something to shoot for over the next 7 games….that person needs some help, really !!!!

  669. VOIII

    Sunny615,
    Great post, Hopefully with the 3 young guns in the rotation next year, the BP will be come a strength again. You got to figure this years experience will help them go deeper into games next season. I still think Torre makes some strange moves in the BP. I also think he goes to it to early. You have to let guys pitch themselves out of trouble once in awhile. Still great post…

  670. Miguel

    Wow. I’m a Joe Torre-lovin’, Brian Cashman respecting, totally optimistic “don’t worry guys we’re gonna be fine I have faith in this team no matter what” Yankee fan. But if you told me at any point this season, even when we were playing well in July and August, that the AL East would be the CLOSEST race in baseball going into the final week, I’d have thought you were crazy. A win tomorrow, and we’re not one game away from catching the Red Sox…we’re one game away from PASSING the Red Sox…mwahahaha!

  671. rover

    i don’t believe arod will have an outstanding playoff series. he won’t be pitched to, with men on if there is a base open. not to be confused with intentional walks. if we have a good deal of offense trhoughout, opposing pitchers will be teribly careful with him. on the other hand if he gets a lot of leadoff bats, no one on, he could have a very good series. who knows? either way it won’t be because of a lack of ability. only i believe the situations he sees.

Leave a Reply

Advertisement
Parade Photos
New York Yankees baseball fans cheer during a ticker-tape parade along Broadway celebrating their 27th World Series championship on Friday, Nov. 6, 2009,  in New York.   (AP Photo/Henny Ray Abrams) New York Yankees baseball player  Mariano Rivera, bottom, waves during a ticker-tape parade along Broadway celebrating their 27th World Series championship on Friday, Nov. 6, 2009,  in New York.  (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan) Floats carrying the New York Yankees baseball team make their way along Broadway during a ticker-tape parade celebrating their 27th World Series championship on Friday, Nov. 6, 2009,  in New York.  (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan) New York Yankees baseball players Alex Rodriguez, second from left,  Francisco Cervelli, third from right, and entertainer Jay-Z, left, celebrate on a float  during a ticker-tape parade along Broadway celebrating their 27th World Series championship on Friday, Nov. 6, 2009,  in New York.   (AP Photo/Henny Ray Abrams) New York Yankees baseball player Alex Rodriguez, right, and entertainer Jay-Z celebrate on a float during a ticker-tape parade along Broadway celebrating their 27th World Series championship on Friday, Nov. 6, 2009,  in New York.   (AP Photo/Henny Ray Abrams) Floats carrying the New York Yankees baseball team make their way along Broadway during a ticker-tape parade celebrating their 27th World Series championship on Friday, Nov. 6, 2009,  in New York.  (AP Photo/Jason DeCrow) New York Yankees' Hideki Matsui, the World Series MVP, celebrates from a float during a ticker-tape parade along Broadway celebrating their 27th World Series championship on Friday, Nov. 6, 2009,  in New York. (AP Photo/Henny Ray Abrams) Baseball fans cheers as the New York Yankees were honored along Broadway in New York on Friday, Nov. 6, 2009, with a ticker-tape parade celebrating their 27th World Series championship. (AP Photo/Craig Ruttle)
More photos
About this blog
Thoughts and discussion on the 27-time World Champion Yankees.

LoHud's Yankees News Page

Subscribe
LoHud Yankees Podcast | Get iTunes

Get blog updates via email:

Twitter Updates
 
 
About the authors
Chad JenningsChad Jennings joined the The Journal News in October 2009, having spent the better part of seven years covering baseball in Scranton, PA. He is a graduate of the University of Missouri and an award-winning beat reporter and features writer. E-mail me at cjennings@lohud.com
READ MORE ABOUT CHAD

Sam BordenSam Borden is an award-winning journalist who joined The Journal News and LoHud.com in January 2008. He covered the Yankees for the New York Daily News from 2004-06, and has also worked as a columnist for the Florida Times-Union in Jacksonville. E-mail me at sborden@lohud.com
READ MORE ABOUT SAM

Advertise
Democracy


Ad
MLB Salaries
MLB SALARY DATABASE
Links
Other recent entries
Monthly Archives