Today in The Journal News
-
- March
- 4
Jeff Karstens is competing for a job in the bullpen that Joe Girardi says will be important.
Bobby Murcer is waiting for results of a biopsy. This notebook also has word on a rough day for Mike Mussina, optimism for Jesus Montero and an update on Hideki Matsui.
The Yankees remain on the spring training road today and will head to Dunedin to play the Blue Jays. Phil Hughes will start for the Yankees. Back later with the lineups.
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on Tuesday, March 4th, 2008 at 7:15 am by Peter Abraham.
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Peter Abraham
Any idea if this game will be on MLB tv?
the franchise pitches today. God help us if he’s less than perfect.
Damn you Yankees Panic Society
“Any idea if this game will be on MLB tv?”
I think they all are. The schedule on yankees.com will say for certain, though.
Nice articles on Karsetens and the notes. I think long relief of any sort was missing from last year’s team big time. Not just the garbage time man but the ability of relievers other than Mo to go more than one inning — which Nelson, Stanton, and Mendoza did from time to time in 98-2000. This particularly hurt in extra inning games where we’d see Mo often go 2 (at home when you couldn’t bring him in for a save) and then everyone else would go 1. Result, the bullpen would be burned and you’d eventually have to use a starter. So having Karstens, plus a few guys like Ohlendorf and McCutcheon, able to go for a few could really make a difference.
We should all pray for Bobby Murcer. I remember when I was a kid having surgery and the Yanks were playing a DH against Cleveland. The first game (on TV) was a huge disappointment. Although we had Stottlemyre on the mound, it was a disaster in the field and we got blown away. The highlights of the game came in the ninth inning when Steve Hamilton got Tony Horton to pop out to Thurman on a folly floater and Bobby hit a HR. Cheeck out
http://www.retrosheet.org/
for 6/24/70, first game. The second game — as often happened back then — was only on radio and that was the game where Bobby hit 3 more HR’s for a total of 4 in a row. I don’t believe they have the real radiocast, since my recollection is that it was called by Bob Gamere (who lasted one season before Bill White joined). Anyhow, Bobby’s feat kept the spirits of 3 boys in one hospital room sky high for about a week, and I hope that we can all keep his spirits as high as he faces a situation a whole lot scarier than the one we were in.
big day for Phil Franchise today. I’ll be reading the live blog, hoping for some good news.
Cano Wallpaper…
http://i27.tinypic.com/30ju4uw.jpg
A little something I made last night…
Thanks whozat. I Can’t wait to see the franchise pitch.
Is Moose done?
In 2005, at age 34, Posada posted the following: .262 .352 .430 .782. His OPS was 70 pts below his career average. In 2006, he posted an OPS of .867, about 20 pts above his career average. Last year, he had a career year.
During 2005 and in the winter after, there was tons of talk on blogs about trading Posada while he ’still had some value’. It was ‘obvious’, especially for a catcher, that at 34 years old, he was in serious decline.
Well… judging by 2006 and 2007, I guess it wasn’t that obvious.
Well, I think it is obvious that Moose is no longer an above average pitcher. It’s really a matter of if he can still be average… or if he stinks. We can guess, look at stats, look at yeasterday’s game and make all kinds of proclaimations, but we just won’t know until the year is over. If he posts a 4.6 ERA in 200 IPs we will be happy, but not that surprised. If he posts a 6.8 ERA in 140 IPs we will be miserable, but not that surprised.
I know you all want the answer NOW, but this is a ‘wait and see’ situation. Moose is very smart. The question is can he make the adjustments and become a ‘battler’, and give us a decent #4-#5 guy year.
Nice story Paul. Good vibes can’t hurt.
I have a Bobby Murcer autograph on a 1965 Toledo Mud Hens game program stashed away somewhere. He was here for awhile that year as a AAA shortstop. One of the other autographs is Elvio Jiminez. Can’t remember who the other 4 or 5 are.
OldYanksFan
I agree that it’s a “wait and see” proposition, but your Posada/Moose comparison is apples and oranges.
Posada didn’t have to face Ramirez, Ortiz, Sheffield, Guerrero, or any other sluggers with a 3-1 count, and be forced to try and sneak an 88 mph fastball by them.
If he can regain some velocity, he’ll be fine. If not, well….
That was my whole point about Moose yesterday. We aren’t going to know anything now.
All this, “Its the same as last year” stuff isn’t true. Last year, he was hurt. This year, at least so far, he is not. Big difference.
If anything, the fact that his fastball hit 86 yesterday is encouraging. You build up arm strength throughout the spring. If its at 86 now, logic tells you its very possible for him to get it to 88-90. That’s a good enough fastball for him to be successful.
Nobody is looking for the Mike Mussina of old.
If he can give them 10-12 wins, 25 starts and an ERA around 4.50-5 (AL league average for a #3-#4 starter), its good enough.
Time will tell if he can do it.
Paul… I was at the Murcer double header against Cleveland where he hit his 4 HRs in a row (with one walk sandwiched in there). If was the MOST amazing thing I ever saw.
In his last AB, he hit a number of screaming liners foul and a foul HR (or 2?) before he finally connected. My friend and I were amost in tears (of dreaded anticipation) as he kept pulling balls foul with 2 strikes. He was SO locked in. We had great seats behind the 3rd base dugout and had a perfect view of the ball coming to the plate as Bobby mashing them.
When he finally connected for the HR, we were in disbelief. I would love to see a pitch-by-pitch account of that AB, but it has to be one of the all-time great At Bats. It was almost unbelievable.
There’s everything to like about the mindset of Jeff Karstens. The stamp he can make on the pitching staff as a long reliever can’t be stressed enough. Any team with postseason expectations needs the flexability of the pitcher that sits between the starter and the bullpen. Any starter is subject to a rough outing on occasion and the long reliever is the glue in not burning out the bullpen with continuous use of short relievers.
to whoever asked, the game is not on MLB TV today, just gameday audio.
I love when the Franchise pitches. I mean for most of last year i was interested in him but didn’t think anything too amazing of him…but then i went to game 3 of the ALDS and he relieved Roger..and did an awesome job. something about seeing a guy perform in october makes me like him, i don’t know it’s wierd.
jesse litsch or whatever is pitching for toronto. is he the guy who looks like a zombie?
Give me a Mike Mussina that produces a 12-6 and 4.01 ERA season with 10 quality starts and I’ll show you a guy that was the difference maker in Hughes, Chamberlain, and Kennedy having successful years.
John,
Here’s the thing. Curt Schilling got guys out, swinging and missing no less, throwing 85-86 MPH last year.
You locate your fastball, regardless of the MPH, you can get guys out. Its more about location than speed.
Kyle Farnsworth has thrown 100 MPH fastballs that end up in the seats because they aren’t located well.
The most overvalued thing in baseball is the radar gun. Its all about location and setting up your pitches. When Moose is right, those are the things he does very well.
Last year, when Moose was getting shelled, he was constantly pitching from behind. Even if you throw 96, if you pitch behind in the count in the AL, you are dead.
He has to pitch ahead and he has to be able to keep guys from reaching out over the plate. Meaning, his fastball has to be located well enough on the inner half to keep guys honest.
Yesterday, it seemed to be to be leaking out over the plate when he tried to put it on the inner half. That’s not an issue of MPH. Its an issue of mechanics and getting back into the swing of things.
If he is healthy, there really isn’t any reason why he can’t post decent numbers this year. By “decent”, league average for #3 or #4 starters. The offense will score a lot of runs and he hasn’t forgotten how to pitch. He can still be pretty creative out there.
I’m hoping he brings back that big, almost ephus pitch-like changeup this year. He had it in 2006 and its a great way to get more spread from your fastball. It was a very effective pitch for him.
He couldn’t throw it last year because of his leg injuries. I’m curious to see if he brings it back this year.
IMO, its a pitch that could help him.
Found this site, keep your fingers crossed one of them works.
http://radiotime.com/affiliate/a_37940/station/Toronto_Blue_Jays_Radio_Stations.aspx
Joba pitches tomorrow right? So at least we get to see him.
Why don’t we wait and see what Mike does in April before tossing dirt on him?
a lot of us feel that way jennifer, unfortunately however, these are yankees fans we’re talking about…
I saw Bobby Murcer hit a blast up on the roof at Tiger Stadium on July 1, either 1970 or 1971, against Denny McLain. It was McLain’s first start of the year after being suspended by the commissioner for throwing ice water on a sportswriter (and, I think, having a gun in the clubhouse).
Anyway, Murcer clobbered one, and Al Kaline, playing right field, did not even move. Never took his hands off his knees.
The ball bounced back in to the stadium…didn’t leave the park. Still, it was very cool.
My point about Posada, John, was that his being in decline was ‘obvious’. In baseball, ‘obvious’ is not always so obvious.
jennifer-
Thanks for finding those links! Just tried them, and they’re not firewalled here at work.. Which hasn’t happened yet this year..
Be great if they actually broadcast the game later on..
using Karstens to keep phil and ian’s (and joba’s) innings down is going to be very important to the yanks, giving the big 3 more starts as the year winds down. the problem is gonna come in every they have to bail moose out in the 4th inning b/c he cant get through the bosox lineup twice. these extra innings are going to take away from joe g’s ability to use karstens the way he intends. i say moose is out of the rotation by may 15.
OYF — Now that you mention it I remember the long foul balls as well. I also recall he hit one to the track in his first AB the next night, which would have made 5. Lucky you to have been there.
Do you remember what a great catch Munson made (Rizzuto couldn’t believe it) on the Horton pop off the floater before Horton crawled back to the dugout? I think the funniest thing I ever saw (to rival that) was Toby Harrah in the bottom of the ninth with 2 out bluffing a run home to try to rattle Goose and running back in fair territory and the batter hitting a liner off Harrah’s right cheek in fair territory. The ump did a Ron Luciano “out! out! out! out!” call. They replayed it about ten times and then turned off the scoreboard before people started leaving. Cheers. Paul.
dman, keeping fingers crossed!!
If Karstens is an effective long reliever he can fill the role that Ramiro Mendoza used to have. He was so valuable to the Yankee pitching staff.
You better hope Mike isn’t out of the rotation by May 15. You can’t rely on Jeff Karstens.
very sad to hear about doc gooden:
http://www.northjersey.com/sports/Gooden_is_out_of_control.html
nice to see straw working it though. it does get better…
The most overvalued thing in baseball is the radar gun.
***************************************************
So true SJ44. Whether the readings on the gun are correct or not, younger pitchers in particular are inclined to see the readings on scoreboards and attempt to top out the next fastball rather than focus on location. More often than not, it leads to trouble. Location is always the overriding factor.
el duque with out the leg kick? say it aint so………
from today’s daily news:
“During Hernandez’s signature high leg kick, his right heel is forced to lift off the mound, creating discomfort by the big toe. El Duque is reworking his mechanics and largely ridding himself of the leg kick in order to keep the foot flat on the rubber and avoid the pain.”
BTW OYF I never saw Bobby hit one out when I was at the park. I saw him get alot of hits and make some fine plays, but for whatever reason I never got a HR at the park. I’m glad you did (& then some)! He hit plenty for me on TV and radio and I enjoyed the hits and other good plays he made so I was always a fan of his. I was sorry when he was traded for Bonds — although that ultimately turned into Rivers and Figueroa, who played huge roles in the ‘76-78 pennant teams. When he came back I hoped ‘81 would bring him full circle into the championship dynasty but it didn’t quite happen.
I saw long balls from Mickey (Memorial Day ‘68 — 2 HRs and 5 for 5, Thurman, Nettles, Reggie, White (I saw alot by him), and an inside the park HR by Piniella in ‘69. The ball landed in the monuments and I can still remember how red Lou’s face was as he was going around the bases.
Cheers. Paul.
Y’S GUY, I read in today’s paper that he hasn’t even thrown off a mound yet. He also cut short his throwing session yesterday.
OldYanksFan,
Good post at 8:16AM. Where were you yesterday when the Panic Society was out in full force?
YESSSSSSSSS !!!!! BRETT FAVRE TO RETIRE !!!!
“to whoever asked, the game is not on MLB TV today, just gameday audio.”
Yeah, I was wrong:-(
I thought most, if not all, games were on mlb.tv, but turns out it’s just a smattering.
Tomorrow’s is on YES and ESPN, though. Is it Joba tomorrow? Ian?
Not so much a bog day for Hughes as a very big outing for Igawa. After his debacle last Friday, he needs to start showing something to either have a shot of making this team or building up some trade value. His biggest problem is keeping the ball down. He does have decent stuff cause he strikes out a lot of hitters, but he also gives up alot of home runs cause he can’t seem to keep the ball down, especially his slider. Maybe he should abandon that pitch and try a conventional curve ball instead. Might have better luck.
Brandon are you sure? He is a lot like Roger or Roger is a lot like him when it comes to the R word.
Jenn ESPN, FOXSPORTS and WFAN have confirmed it press conference later
his last throw was caught by a Giant
Jennifer - all of the sports sites are reporting it. Press conference later.
I think a lot of you are overvaluing Jeff Karstens. He might be useful from time to time but he is essentially an AAAA pitcher. All I’m saying is don’t get your hopes up.
Long reliever/spot starter is essentially what happens to AAAA pitchers. He’s not good enough to start on a competing team, but he’s good enough to weasel through the order once or twice on a day when the starter doesn’t have it.
My point is his stuff is not good. At least someone like Mendoza had a few decent pitches. Tanyon Sturtze was a decent spot starter/long reliever for us and he had pretty good stuff. Karstens does not. For me, Karstens is a waste of a roster spot. It would work better to bring Ohlendorf, he can be a middle reliever but when needed he could fill in for 3+ innings.
“I saw long balls from Mickey (Memorial Day ‘68 — 2 HRs and 5 for 5….”
Paul… I’m going from memory, but I remember a day I was playing stickball with my best friend who introduced me to the Yankees in 1965. We were listening to a game on a TEN transistor radio. The game, I believe was against Washington.
Mickey went 5 for 5, and had one… or I thinl 2 doubles? along with 2 HRs. Was that the game? I remember Phil and I were a little somber walking home because we both realized that might be the best day we would every see from Mickey again. And it was.
I have only been to 5 or 6 games at the stadium. One was old timers day, the first time they announced Mantle LAST, and opposed to Joe D., who that honor had always been saved for. I was at Murcers famous day, and in a small miracle under the oddest of circumstances, I was at a game in 1967, where in his last AB, Mickey hit #500.
OYF — Yes it was Washington. Memorial Day doubleheader, first game. I can’t remember how many doubles he hit, but he hit everything solidly. One HR was in the right field stands, the other went into the middle of the old Yankee bullpen.
Good for you to see #500 and Bobby M’s great day. I saw the Nettles Game from the LF bleachers (I was in college and a bunch of us lined up in front of the local Ticketron at around 5 am) and I can’t imagine a better place to appreciate what he did, as the balls were all coming at us. I also made it a point to see Brett’s last game at the Stadium and he got at least 3 hits, all classic Brett shots. I still miss the old Stadium — because the outfield was so big you saw alot of triples which are great fun. It was the architectural equivalent of Bob Sheppard’s voice.
Cheers.
OYF and Paul
you guys are such a breath of fresh air.
after a day of ” he’s done” comments it is really great to hear your stories.
Thank you so much for sharing them.
Thanks Dale D. I hope you build a great memory bank of Yankees moments yourself. Cheers.