Media training, whether you need it or not
Posted by: Peter Abraham - Posted in Misc on Feb 26, 2008 
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As you read this, Phil Hughes, Ian Kennedy and some of the other young players are in a mandatory “media training” class at Legends Field. Trust me when I tell you, those two don’t need it.
The Franchise appealed to the beat writers to try and spring him, but Media Relations Czar Jason Zillo wouldn’t give any special treatment.
As for the manager, he’ll get some of his own media training tonight. The beat writers asked Joe Girardi to dinner and he graciously accepted. It’s an off-the-record affair, so don’t expect any details.
————
Those of you who have sent me e-mails pleading for stories about prospects will be happy to know that I’m working on a story for tomorrow’s paper on RHP Dan McCutchen.
He’s had quite a winding road to this point, one that has included three colleges, getting drafted four times and a 50-game suspension for PED use that he says was a misunderstanding.
I’m not going to give the whole story away, but I did pick up one little piece of trivia. During the 2005 season at the University of Oklahoma, McCutchen beat Nebraska 5-1 on April 28. His opponent that day was a hard-throwing right-hander who had not yet lost a college game.
His name?
Joba Chamberlain.
“I’ll never let him forget that,” McCutchen said.
————
My man Sweeny Murti of WFAN asked me to go on his first ever video blog for WFAN.com Here is the link on YouTube.
McCutchen is another sleeper he definitely has the stuff
Good stuff, Pete. Thanks for keeping it fresh.
Here’s the Verducci audio about what was Roger thinking and his HOF chances.
Jennifer, beware, the first couple of minutes is them talking about sports films vs. sports movies.
http://tinyurl.com/2dcjru
Pete,
Is the media training simply a seminar on how best to deal with, well, the media? Or are the Yankees also going to include a briefing on the dangers of the internet? Is this where they get their first real exposure to “how to answer a question without giving any information? And does Derek Jeter give a special presentation?
I’m mostly j/k, but I am serious about whether they are going to include information about MySpace, FaceBook, personal blogs, etc.
Pete it is SOOOOO unprofessional to keep referring to Hughes as “the franchise”.
Continuing the convo from the previous thread.
ray, the offense adjusts itself when Giambi plays first.
re: Mussina & the trip. I don’t think it was Japan so much as the timing of the trip. If he didn’t like Japan personally, then that may have been because the Japanese people picked up on his, um, personality. Athletes and stars absolutely love Japan because they’re treated like royalty.
re: Theo. Something are best left unsaid.
Pete, it’s kind of cool and groundbreaking that you and Phil are “collaborating”. Hope the Yankees don’t pull the plug.
Remember, guys, Big Brother (Hank) is watching us!
Pete can call phil whatever he wants. he clearly has some relationship with phil judging by their blog interaction(which is great by the way) about joba losing that game. from interviews from scouts that i have read, i got the impression that joba played for a pretty bad team. course this wouldn’t matter if all 5 runs were earned and off of joba. oh well.
oh damn you Glen Sather !!!
WTF type of deals were those !
I was about to post a comment to the last thread then Pete started a new one. Rather than blueball my brain, I’ll post that comment anyways.
I always thought Giambi would hit for at least a 50 point higher average if he would use the whole field. If he showed he still had the ability to get hits to LF, he’d force defenses out of that ridiculous shift which would then allow more hits to CF/RF, I think he’d hit as many dingers, and still have a higher OBP.
I know they PITCH him inside to hit into the over shift, but if he could slap/inside-out/whatever-you-call-it to anywhere on the left side it’d drop for a hit and a base runner on first might even get a bonus base. They do throw a few to the outside corner trying to sneak it by, and he has to be able to capitalize on those.
Injuries aside, if he’d been doing that all along instead of either walking, swinging for the RF fence, or hitting into the shift, he might have been worth the $20M+ per over the last 4 years.
I’m among those wishing for the past few years that NY could get out from under his contract. I’d really love to see him be worth it this year, but unless he has a HUGE year and shows that being in better shape helps him play better D and stay uninjured, that’s got to be it for him in pinstripes.
I could only see offering him a short extension ONLY if he played like the MVP-type player he was when he signed his contract, and if NO other/better 1B options come through for ’09. Anything less than that, thank him and wish him well for ’09 and beyond.
Honestly I think this’ll be it for him. If he has a big walk year, the team benefits from it and then he moves on, that’s all I would want for ’08. Even as I assume Tiexiera is staying where he is now, there have to be other options by ’09.
Off topic, maybe I’m having an absolute lapse in memory, but did Sheffield ever play on the same team as Pettitte and Clemens?
phil franchise is a very dumb nickname. honestly. that’s supposed to inspire…what?
let’s see, we got charlie hustle, the rocket, the sultan of swat, donnie baseball, the wizard of oz, the ryan express, nails, and…phil franchise.
this guy deserves better.
Aaron:
I sooooooo don’t care. If I can’t have some fun on my blog, I woudn’t do it.
Say it ain’t so – it ain’t so
Say it –
No they were never on the same teams Andy and Roger were in Houston when Sheff came to NY and he was gone when they came back
What is the big deal about the Hughes nickname?
Speaking of Giambi’s contract…
What are the odds the payroll slips under 200 million next season? Abreu, Giambi, Mussina?, Pettitte… who else’s contract is up that may not be likely to return?
Giambi’s OPS+ Since he’s been with the Yankees.
2002 – 172
2003 – 148
2004 – 90
2005 – 161
2006 – 148
2007 – 108
In the years he was completely healthy he was the 3rd,4th,3rd, 6th best offensive player in the AL based on OPS+. Giambi doesn’t need to hit .300 to be great. He just has to stay healthy.
Peter….you are too funny, pal !
Not only unprofessional but so last year… when for a while people really did think he was about to be the face of the franchise…
i just think we could do better. it’s nothing special. kinda weak. almost a little nerdy. that’s just my take, but i feel like in comparison to other sweet baseball nicknames, this one doesn’t sound so good.
You won’t even tell us what Girardi had for dinner?
Yeah, I already knew they weren’t ever on the same team. However, God forbid Passan would do his homework:
” and that he has not paid attention to the controversy between Roger Clemens and Andy Pettitte, two of his former teammates.”
http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/ne.....;type=lgns
Joba on Jime Rome in 2 minutes…
Pete,
LOL. Did you have your tongue out? How did you type if you were wiggling your fingers by your ears?
FYI- Joba is appearing on Rome is Burning on ESPN as we speak
Um…are there any openings left in the media training class? Maybe Theo could take it. LOL
how is it “unprofessional” for Pete to call Hughes by a nickname on his BLOG?
he wouldn’t do it in the paper.
seriously, list some reasons, instead of just “b/c i said so”.
Thanks, VTYankee fan.
I say let Phil play for a while, and see what nickname evolves.
Clemens wasn’t The Rocket until a few years into his career in Boston. Johnson wasn’t The Big Unit until his 30′s. Ulless I missed something from being too young at the time, Guidry wasn’t Louisiana Lighting until he went 25-3.
Guys who come up pre-ordained with nicknames can be flakes or don’t live up to it or just don’t sustain it … the short career of Mark ‘The Bird’ Fidrych comes to mind.
D-Train just fit Dontrelle Willis at a young age, but he still had to make it first.
Give Phil & the other new guys some time. It’ll come naturally.
VTyankeefan,
Care to give a report for those of us not watching?
Thanks muchly.
I’m really pissed off today Glen Sather acts like Isiah Thomas and gives away Al Montoya for nothing.
Meanwhile, the Penguins add Marian Hossa, w/ Crosby & Malkin
Hockey Season over
I say the nickname is no big deal. Much ado about nothing.
Its Pete’s blog and he’s having a little fun. Big deal.
Its obvious Hughes doesn’t mind.
If he doesn’t, why should anybody else?
Its sports folks, not life and death.
Brandon,
The Rangers have been down on Al Montoya for the last two years.
When you sign Lundquist to a 6 year deal, and he is still in his mid-20′s, there is no room for Montoya.
Its not like he is going to stay in Hartford for the next 4-5 years and Valliquette has done a nice job as the backup.
Reggie wasn’t Mr October until he played in NY for a couple years. And nor was Winfield Mr May. And both were accomplished players for yars before they came to NY.
Let the nicknames happen naturally.
Give it time, Phil’s nickname will come eventually accompanied with the corny scoreboard graphic like the fire for Bern baby Bern.
Media training? Maybe somebody can offer it to Mike and the Mad Dog, especially the part where they explain to the players what a journalist’s job is and how the professionals go about doing it.
SJ but look what they got back for him man
we didn’t address anything, no defense man, no PP D-man, and no sniper, this was a horrible deal, it’s unbelieveable they let him go for that.
Anybody catch what Joba said on jim rome? I just missed it…
I think the majority of the media needs some training on how to do research.
What’s wrong with Phil Franchise?
I kinda dig his nickname.
At least it’s appropriate because he was the first of the young guns to get so much hype and will be one of the faces of the organization for years to come.
Well, at least we hope he will.
There are a lot of stupid nicknames out there, but Phil Franchise is not one of them.
I like the current nickname. But the real one will come when he earns it.
They got a defenseman from St. Louis to help out the backline. They got a penalty killer (whom they need) and another goaltender for Hartford in the Montoya deal.
For a guy who hasn’t shown much, that’s about all you are going to get for Montoya and Hossa.
They didn’t give up any of their high end prospects. That’s a good thing.
Bottom line, if Jagr and Lundquist are at the top of their games the rest of the way, they have as good a shot at anybody to get to the Finals.
Aside from the meltdown in Montreal, they are playing the best they have played all season right now.
The beat writers are taking a cue from the Japanese media and having dinner with their target.
Sheffield never has anything good to say about anyone.Never knew that real estate in India was hot property. Very bizzare. It will be interesting to see what happens with the Boras thing from a business perspective. We all know that Sheff sat down with George and did the deal but if he was the agent of record with MLB I blieve he (Boras) is owed money. Also will be interesting to see if Sheff really goes all out like he says when it is over and says lots of stuff. I often find that he lots of talk and no action on these things or says things then backs away somewhat from what he said.
The relationship between Pete and Phil is starting to remind me of the one between Michael Kay and Al Leiter. Let us know when that dinner is scheduled.
there is difference between not liking the nickname and accusing Pete of being unprofessional for using it.
if you don’t like it, fine. it’s an ok nickname, nothing too great or too horrible.
Other Yankee FA in 2009:
Hawkins
Farnsy
Pavano
Gayle, Sheff will just claim he was misquoted.
Dirk – We have yet to see if Hawkins will pan out. But as to the other two, don’t let the door hit you on the way out.
I know everyone is saying this and it’s off-topic but I just can not keep myself from being completely thrilled about the first spring games tomorrow, even if the Yanks only play intrasquad.
The Giants won the superbowl. Now it’s the Yankees turn.
How about PHENOM PHIL or PHAB PHIL or K(knee)B(buckling)C(curve)PHIL. Or NO HIT 6 PHIL or THE MISSILE(being that he is compared to CLEMENS). Man i can go on and on.
hmmm,
Welcome back to the dark side. I hope a helped a little.
Lori,
I agree. I was just trying to remember some potential FA”s
Dude, that McCutcheon story is awesome.
Other news: I got my email from http://www.yankees.com, and apparently they don’t like me much. I didn’t win.
Rebecca- Welcome to the club!
first SP training game in four days, anyone stoked ??
Brandon: See the
darknesslight.Become a Devils fan.
We do win stuff on occasion. And Brodeur makes Rivera look mortal. Heck, Brodeur’s got two goals on his resumè, but I don’t think Rivera has two home runs on his, and I’m a HUGE Rivera fan
All you basketball fans…..
Looks like Yao is out for the year with a stress fracture in his foot.
http://tinyurl.com/2gfz9b
I had him on my fantasy team, big blow there. I’m in first place, hopefully the rest of my squad can weather the storm.
i love K(nee) B(uckling) C(urve)Phil. It just rolls right off the tongue.
Rebecca – Yeah Devils! What a fun team to watch this hockey season. Especially when everyone was counting them out. Have you been to the Rock yet?
Lori: Yes! My brother asked my dad if he could get us tickets, my dad said “don’t pay above face value”, so my brother, sneaky as he is, got us row three tickets between the goal and the bench.
We saw them beat Philadelphia.
There’s an entry with pics on my Blog, go to the archive, click December 2007 and look for the entry called “Fire and Ice”
i haven’t followed hockey in years (aside from the bits of info i get on this blog). all i know is i hate the flyers.
what is wrong the the nickname phil franchise? i like it
Pete-
Loved the video blog. I like the end joke about getting paid, reminded me of a skit on SNL where Captain Kangaroo, is on Jackie Rodgers game show & at the end he asks I’m getting paid in cash right, that was the deal.
Scott,
We then would have a nickname for 2 of our 3 trinities. With 3 letters. IPK,KBC. For Joba maybe 99K(for 99mph K’S YOU). Or for Joba just MPH.
Or Phil-up Phil….. “Hello Phil, I’m Jill. This is Bill, and this is Gil.” Ocean Breeze Soap gets you clean.
Anyone, anyone?
Pete, great video blog by the way. Ignore all those classless comments that people will post up there, I’m sure it’s a safe bet the majroity of them know nothing of your or Mr. Murti’s work.
no coverage of the epstein-moose feud here i see…
you can read about it here:
http://riveraveblues.com/2008/.....tics-2214/
scott,
It was discussed on the last thread.
The conclusion is that Theo should pay attention to his own team
Great video blog Pete – loosen up though dude! Need to smile more – and you look like you were afraid to move!
ah. i should have known that lohud also beats the competition to the punch. shame on me for doubting.
also=always
Jim Rome repeats at 6:30 PM on ESN2.
There’s a picture of Giambi up on Yahoo for whoever asked. He has a hat on but you can’t see a bit of hair sticking out so it must be short.
Rebecca: re: Rivera having home runs. He does not, but Andy Pettitte hit one while he was with Houston
Pete- enjoyed the video blog. Good discussion. The composition of the Yankee bullpen will be an interesting spring training story.
Andrea: somewhere, deep down inside me, I knew that.
Nice video. You guys are quite a team. Intro with some Odd couple music next time.
Pete
I liked your sit-down with Sweeney. You guys covered a lot in a small amount of time. No filler. That’s how it should be done!
Rebecca
I didn’t even get rejection notice! At least not yet.
Clare,
just caught the Verducci article you posted. that was funny…
Doreen: Then you prolly got accepted
NJ in Tampa
Are you still out there???
Pete’s branching out! Good work.
Joba Chamberlain was just on Rome is burning and it doesn’t look like he needs any media training either.
I like Phil Franchise. It speaks to what the Yankees have thought about him and the way they think of him in the future.
Also, Hughes is the franchise. That’s a cool nick name for Phil Hughes. Phil “the franchise” Hughes. He has to be the franchise because the Yankees didn’t trade him for Santana so he has to take the Yankees on his back.
Boston Dave,
Yeah, I still haven’t forgiven him for that 2006 ARod nonsense, but that was surprisingly funny.
I am a big cano fan and i want to know why i dont see any reports about him , i am looking for a big season from him, i guess he is not happy that schilling is hurt…
Good One TIME 4 #27!!
I thought it was just “Phranchise”.
Rebecca -
Nope. Oh, well.
That Cano is not in the news only means that everything is good with him. If he hits for high average in spring training you’ll see plenty of stories about how he’s going to have a great year. Just wait for him to do some batting.
I’m not worried about Canò’s bat, just his baserunning…
http://sports.espn.go.com/broa.....Id=2963048
Issue 1: I love “Franchise” … don’t change a thing
Issue 2: Holy hostage tape Batman! Did you and Sweeny shoot that video blog in Abu Ghraib? What are your captors’ demands?
Nicknames are fun. (Especially if not overdone, a la Berman.) “Phil Franchise” works now, I think, because of the hype he received. It kind of teases him while wishing him well. He’ll undoubtedly gain other nicknames as his career progresses, some used more than others.
Krazy Kyle Farnsworth, for instance, is good nickname because he has not been the picture of stability in his career. If he can turn it around this season, “Krazy Kyle” can become a more endearing nickname.
Gus
Muppets take Manhattan?
I know it’s Muppets something
Another Yankee abusing PED’s. There’s a shocker.
What are the odds the payroll slips under 200 million next season? Abreu, Giambi, Mussina?, Pettitte… who else’s contract is up that may not be likely to return?
—————————————————–
Farnsworth and Pavano to name 2.
Why is Edwar Rameriz doing a video blog on the Yankees?
Pete – You and Sweeny Murti were a blast! Great discussion of the bullpen. I wouldn’t mind seeing more of you two at various points during the season.
Where is the picture of Jason?
Virginia Tech update
In response to a couple questions beneath my last post, the Yankees are playing at Virginia Tech on March 18th. Joe Girardi said he plans to take the whole team. Obviously, that doesn’t necessarily mean taking 45 people. But all the regulars are expected to go. The team will fly there and back the same day.
http://blogs.trb.com/sports/baseball/yankees/blog/
…where is everyone tonight?
I here Rebecca…was hoping to catch NJ in Tampa on here tonight.
Jennifer how is your bird???
Saucy,
Yes! Best Muppet movie outside the original…
“Listen, I don’t take my clothes off for anyone, even if it is artistic.”
Looking forward to your article on McCutchen Pete. SJ44, looks like you are right when you said that beat writers are more aware of the kids in the minors.
About the media training, there was actually an article in the star ledger today about Hughes’ blog. They talked a bit about media training and how the players are warned about the internet. Also mentioned what happened to Clippard last year with his Myspace. One yankee official said player blogs might be banned in the future but it sounded like it would only happen if a bad incident occurred due to a blog. The article went on to say that Hughes shouldn’t have any trouble because he is very aware of the dangers and that his blog doesn’t really talk about baseball that much. Sorry, I don’t have a link but it was a marginally interesting story and relates to what Pete mentioned in his entry.
Peter,
I like the video blog. You should try this on your site with players, coaches, maybe a clubbie. That said, when you do audio/video you need to watch your “crutch phrase”. In case you didn’t know it, you know, it’s ‘YOU KNOW”. Transcribe any 30 seconds of the video blog posting and you’ll find at least 5 “YOU KNOW’s”.
Speaking of the bullpen
I think I read somewheres that Sean Henn would have to clear waivers if he doesnt make the 25 Man Roster.
Mike and the Mad Dog today said that Igawa and Veras would be in the bullpen out of ST…..Im not so sure about that…obviously if they have good STings then they will,but to be sure of it on 2-26-08???
UtilityMan you are forgetting one thing. Mike and the Mad Dog are morons and don’t have a clue.
Nice addition to LoHud Blog with Sweeni and Peter!
Phil’s Nickname for 2008… How about:
Phil Hughes-to-be-named-The-Franchise?
Boomer would love it!
Hey I’ve got a question for everyone. Basically an opinion question.
I mentioned already that NYU’s graduation is going to be at Yankee Stadium on May 14. Where do you think they’d have the graduates sit? I can’t imagine they’d let us sit on the field, but I dont’ know where else we’d be…
Patrick
This is true….and I did read that article in the Star-Ledger today.
Hooray, Rebecca, good taste in hockey teams! Now if only I can locate one of the other six Net fans, I’ll feel less lonely.
I got my “you flunked the lottery email” this afternoon. Oh well, figured I didn’t have a shot.
go rangers
Skippy: I’m a Nets fan as well! I prefer hockey to basketball, but I’m a Jersey girl and PROUD OF IT!
I don’t pump my own gas!
watching NJ vs ORL and this Marcus Williams is going to be special you can already tell that name will haunt NY
Andrea-
They will probably put some of flooring, same stuff that is used for the occasional concert. I would bet anything the graduating class sits on the field & family & friends may sit in the seats.
I am so jealous.
Daniel McCutchen is throwing well in Tampa and with a good season at AAA, could see time in the Bronx at some point in the season.
Marcus Williams haunts me. Stupid UConn.
Buddy: why didn’t I think of flooring? All I’m thinking is they can’t possibly put us on the field on May 14.
I wasn’t gonna go, because quite frankly I hate NYU and they’ve ruined my life in more ways than one, but I guess this is their way of giving back.
Sucks though. I know quite a few NYUers who are Sox and Mets fans
when Devin Harris returns NJ should waive Armstrong
Rebecca….Hockey is NOT a sport ! ( joke ) You guys have a great night. How many days until Game 1 of the 2008 World Series at Yankee Stadium ???
Brandon: Agreed.
Vito: LMAO!
Rebecca–I wouldn’t know what to do at one of those self-service places (and now that I haven’t had a car in like 6 years, I guess I probably wouldn’t know what to do with a clutch, either).
I’m annoyed at the idea that Devin Harris is going to take minutes away from Marcus Williams. Hey, as long as he didn’t steal your computer, all is forgiven now from the UConn days, right?
UtilityMan
He is getting stronger every day. Not eating his pellets like i’d like him to, he is eating the junk bird food. But I guess at this point something is better than nothing. I’m going to speak to the vet about that tomorrow. Thanks for asking.
Not sure if you all had read this one yet…I just saw it – good stuff on the “Big 3″ (or whatever they are being called these days): http://sportsillustrated.cnn.c.....ml?eref=T1
Skippy I never understood that talk by Frank, if you see Marcus getting better and better w/ more minutes don’t put him to ride the bench, it won’t make sense. If anything Devin could benefit better off the bench running fastbreaks and then every once in awhile get Carter a breather
Rebecca Diop already has more rebounds than Curry had the other night
Love the video blog. Great stuff Pete.
Skippy: I haven’t graduated ‘Cuse just yet
seeing if Frank lets Marcus come off the bench now
Has anybody seen Tim and his update from camp yet?
Pete, appreciate it if you would alert everyone once Tim’s post shows up.
Boone fell asleep on help D
A Yankee fan
I don’t know if “tim” is the same poster on the yes blog, if he isn’t he just copied what is being posted there.
http://yesnetwork.prospero.com.....;tid=38990
The Sox signed Bartolo Colon?? Why wasnt this posted?
close but no cigar Boone makes a rookie mistake leaving the lane open and NJ never recovered after that, I also blame Frank for excessively letting Darryl Armstrong do all those turnovers before finally putting Marcus in.
The Colon signing has been posted about many times over the past few days (in the blog posts – not by Pete). The guy is throwing 82 mph and failed his physical with some teams. I don’t think it’s big news. If the Sox need him to actually pitch, that’s good news for the Yankees. But it’s a low risk move for them.
dr. colon’s toast, why would his signing deserve a posting? expect him to start for the pawsox
Thank you, Jennifer!
Brandon, I think they have to say that Harris will get the majority of the minutes, just because of the nature of the trade. Plus you don’t want Harris to start sulking. I think (or at least I hope) that when Harris comes back, the time will rather quietly be split more closely between Harris and Williams than we’ve been led to believe. I also have been wondering since the trade went down whether Harris might eventually be packaged with some picks and other contracts or something to maybe move up in the draft…
And I have more rebounds than Curry.
I just was suprised he was signed, Ive been on the boards and I hadnt seen it,
Wow. Great video blog Pete!
And I never even thought that “Mel-an-CONE” was pronounced as “Mel-AN-son” ever in my life! Great information!
That is all.
Here’s a link to Rome’s interview with Joba. Nothing earth shattering, but Joba is very comfortable in front of the camera
http://sports.espn.go.com/broa.....brand=null
…We are so not a talkative bunch tonight, are we?
Does anyone else absolutely love it that Mussina and Pettitte have really taken the “big 3″ under their wings? I think it’s so great, it seems like Mussina’s taking care of all the mental stuff, and Pettitte is taking care of all the physical stuff.
Say it ain’t so: Just glad it’s those two instead of Pavano and Igawa!
The way this team seems to be bonding already is incredible. Seems like a perfect mix of youthful enthusiasm with veteran experience. Of course it’s not even March yet, but it sure builds alot of excitement for the season to get here…17 days til I head to Tampa!
Lol, yeah, I have to agree on that.
I do hope that Wang joins in on all of the Moose and Pettitte knowledge, though. I’m sure he already does, it just rarely gets reported.
Colon = Gagne
Except that he’ll be out there from the beginning of the game and he’ll stay in for more innings in each outing. I hope he makes the 25-man.
Still shocked at the number of doomsday comments even after Schilling’s shoulder problem was official. Despite the fact that it was already hurting last year.
Pete, great job. Murti seems like a cool dude. A lot of stuff we’ve already read on here, but nice information either way. Great to know how to properly pronounce “Melencon”. I don’t think I’ve ever said his name out loud, but at least now I can read it correctly. Oh, and maybe work on the lighting a little bit next time. The white blob kept creeping down your face the whole time. Maybe it was Murti trying to sabotage this blog!
Last year Pettitte tried to take Pavano under his wing. Didn’t work.
Andrea- remember though — although it is still hard to believe almost a year later — that Pavano was our OPENING DAY pitcher. And then, Pavano went back to being Pavano and the rest was history.
Didn’t we actually win that game, too?
yeah rebecca we actually did. what i’m a little worried about is that we will likely face roy halladay on opening day this year. could be ugly. but if we DO win it, it will be a great confidence builder.
thoughts anyone?
Just remember:
In 1998 we started 0-2. (I think it might have been 0-3, but I forget.)
you’re right 0-2
good point!!!
( still…its a bummer losing opening day…but yeah in the long run, unimportant)
If Pettitte took Pavano under his wing Pavavno would have taken HGH and not had any injuries.
Pavano pitched a pretty good game against Toronto last year. Then got the ouchies. THEN we saw Pettitte and Pavano in the dugout talking a lot, and that’s when I thought things would turn around.
Rebecca–the Yankees won both games Pavano pitched last year. All 2 of them. He didn’t get through 5 innings opening day though, so he didn’t get the win. However, he was still undefeated.
McLovin: shut it.
MikeEff: last year, I believe the opening day match up was Pavano v. Kazmir. And the Yankees won. Who would have thought that could happen? Don’t fear Roy Halladay! He’s got nothin!
The ’98 Yanks started 1-4 then went 17-2 in their next 19 games. That is sick.
Buddy Biancala: That is sick.
What’s sicker, though, is that in 2007 our second half win percentage was better than our second half win percentage in the vaunted 98 season.
Sick was the next 126 games after those.
Rebecca & Ranting Guy-
Tru dat!
thank you Andrea.
Was it Kazmir…i didn’t remember
hey rebecca that IS right.
just think how many games we might have won if not for those early hamstrings. then we woulda faced the by that time lame Angels…
well.
it looks like we might get a better shot out of the gate this year
Kazmir pitched but didn’t get the loss, Brian Stokes did.
2nd half comparisons aren’t the same.
In ’98 the team eased up the last few weeks … seemed to me as though they seemed to be saving a little for the playoffs. I thought they could have won 118-120 regular season games if they didn’t ease up. Going into September their win percentage was close enough for it to happen.
The ’07 team had to fight every day and finish on a 3-month hot streak just to make the playoffs as a wild card. Different motivations. I don’t think last year’s team stood a chance against 98′s if ’98 was pushed to the limit.
Ranting Guy: I agree about last year’s team, but
a) Last year’s team is not this year’s, even if the roster is nearly the same, and more importantly,
b) My point was last year’s second half team had the talent to do that. Different motivation, sure, but talent I’ve not seen since I first started following the team in the late nineties.
Rebecca makes an excellent point, the ’98 Yanks won with a lot of heart.
The 2008 Yankees are way more talented than the 1998 team, though not as experienced.
Buddy: true, but when you see Pavano v. Kazmir, how do you anticipate the outcome of THAT game? I don’t care who got the win and who got the loss–the Yankees won (and it was my first opening day
)
Andrea-
The fact that the Yankees can win any games where Pavano has pitched is a small miracle. :>)
I actually agree with you Rebecca … much of this year’s team is the same guys as last year’s team. But still it’s different.
The big difference with the veterans is they’re in better shape and the young guys naturally bring energy along with a little more talent than previous young guys. Things are all things that the team’s lacked for the most part in recent years. Even if several of the names are the same.
And the ’98 team had no bopper like A-Rod in the middle of the lineup.
These characteristics along with the motivation General Joe apparently brings begins to remind me of the late 90s teams. I’m not equating them … that’s up to the players to do on the field.
Andrea-
C’mon I’m not a Pavano fan but think about all the injury plauged players who people complain are always hurt who don’t take steroids are ridiculed for not being healthy.Yet Pettitte who I really like cheated and even admitted McNamee told him not to take it.I believe in giving second chances but hey Pettitte cheated now he is taking players under his wing.After Pettitte took HGH I can’t trust anybody no matter how nice to many.
McLovin: thing is, Pettitte didn’t take enough HGH (even according to McNamee’s account) for it to actually have mattered. He did cheat, but it didn’t matter.
And Pavano is beyond the point of injured players.
You can take jabs at Pettitte for the HGH thing. It’s your right. But not when it comes to Pavano being injured. Sometimes I have doubts Pavano was even injured. He pitched a great game and then was like “ouch. my arm.” Then a few weeks later he insisted on TJ surgery even though a couple doctors told him he didn’t need it. He’s just fishy to me.
Sorry. I started babbling when that totally wasn’t the point.
Hey guys, just wondering— I haven’t read anything about the shape of Wilson Betemit. I remember the Yanks being disappointed in his weight. He could be an interesting player if he became fit.
Pete — Enjoyed the video blog with Murti.
Not a regular poster but just like to post a quick thanks. Living in England you can imagine Yankees news is all but non existent. For the last 18 months or so your blog has been one of my first ports of call every day for my yankees ‘fix’. You do a great job and i am sure you are appreciated by Yankee fans all over the world. Thanks also to the regular posters, the likes of Rebecca, SJ etc who are informative and funny. I know between you all,nothing gets missed.
peter rabbit, the less we hear of wilson betamit this season the better.
Gus G.
i’m a little late but thanks. i usually never get obscure references. the muppets are a different story though. made my day.
re: 1998
didn’t the yankee starters go like a month or so without recording a loss?