A few updates from Legends Field
-
- March
- 11
Johnny Damon has a badly bruised toe and received treatment today. That also will be the case tomorrow.
Shelley Duncan fouled a ball off his left shin and yelled out a bad word that everybody in the stadium heard. He stayed in for three at-bats and is fine.
Francisco Cervelli will have surgery on his broken right wrist.
I feel obligated to report that the Yankees have set up a locker for Billy Crystal. It’s right between Cody Ransom and Heath Phillips. If you’re looking for extensive Billy Crystal coverage on this blog, look elsewhere. I don’t plan to pay much attention.
It looks like Jeff Karstens will pitch against Virginia Tech next week and Mike Mussina will start a minor-league game in Tampa. There is no sense having Moose take the mound at a college field in what could be cold weather.
The Yankees have won three straight and have allowed one run in their last 18 innings.






Peter Abraham






what letter did shellys word begin with
Probably #
Josh it began with an F and not only did everyone in the stadium hear it but eveyrone watching the YES broadcast heard it quite well
Maybe Billy can make the team as a utility guy.
Josh
I’m pretty sure it started with an F.
So out of curiousity - what has the Yank pitching ERA been whittled down to after the past 18 innings?
Yeah Shelley
I suppose he should have just taken a deep breath and said “oh my, now that really smarts” …
Pete, you havent bashed the Crystal thing at all. But your comments above lead me to believe that you agree with the rest of the media who seems to think this is a disgrace (and works much stronger than that). I really could care less one way or the other. But why don’t you guys lighten up. I mean it’s spring training, jeez.
“The J Train
March 11th, 2008 at 4:59 pm
honeslty, I would throw 100 million at any black pitcher…black pitchers suck”
Pete, you might want to consider banning this clown.
Any idea if the Yankees plan to fly the entire team to VT? It would be a shame if any got hurt, but it would also be a shame if they don’t send one or two of the big guys, it being a fundraiser and all.
yeah you could hear it even through my crummy laptop speakers…
Ray - Just stop copying it. It just adds to the posts Pete has to erase.
“Ray - Just stop copying it. It just adds to the posts Pete has to erase.”
I just wanted to make sure that Pete saw the post.
I was at the game, but couldn’t hear Shelley as my seats were quite a bit away from home plate. But, great game all around. Good pitching, a bomb by A-rod. It was well worth the expense (I couldn’t sell my extra seats.)
I understand. I e-mailed him with the link.
I still cannot believe they are doing such a clownish stunt.
I find it hard to believe that Girardi is OK with the Billy Crystal thing…Love Crystal, and really enjoyed his 61* movie but this is ridiculous…
was shelley duncan in the movie scream?
The Billy Crystal thing is a joke, but lighten up: he’s a comedian!!!
This is good publicity for the yankees, the fan’s will enjoy it, and you always say that ‘it’s not only my blog, it’s the your blog too’ so i think you should pay attention to it. just because you disagree doesn’t mean your readers do.
lol @ ppl getting mad at Billy Crystal playing in a game
I agree that some people are blowing this out of proportion. It isn’t a playoff game.
So I sat behind homeplate today, and I heard Shelly loud & clear. Even Frank Thomas was laughing his ass off.
The people that are upset are probably the same people that didn’t care about the play at the plate the other day who are probably the same people that think Spring Training games mean something. Who cares. Let the man play. I seriously doubt he will play for any exteded period of time. I bet it will be ONE at bat or ONE play in the field or ONE pinch running situation. Really, stop having a fit over it.
Billy Crystal playing is a disgrace. For the sake of the Yankees never doing anything like this again, I hope he injures himself on the field.
Shelly rules
I thought I heard that during Shelley’s AB. I convinced myself that the ump or someone said, “foul”.
Missed the last half of the game. Anything exciting?
…i think people are just jealous of billy…i cant blame them…id love to play…damnit…o well…i guess ill just have to become rich and famous…
…ya so im never ever playing for the yankees…ever.
Lighten up:
The Yankees need the publicity that letting a washed-up movie star play for them will generate? Really? Seems to me they get plenty of publicity.
Meanwhile, everybody knock off the racism stuff. Enough. We’re not going down that path.
i believe so mike…i believe he is according to his 700 sundays or whatever its called…
…also…j train was making a joke…you know…because of that whole lame ass joke he made from before that people got all bent out of shape about…
…he was being coy.
NY really needs some good smart sports talk radio. Don Lagrecca is on 1050 comparing Jeter as a tax cheat to steroid users, and Mike and the Mad Dog are in full attack mode on anyone who wants Joba to be a starter. Apparently we don’t know Joba will be a great starter, but he is guaranteed to be the best reliever ever.
Pete,
What if the Boss wanted to do it?
I don’t get the Billy Crystal thing, didn’t he wear a Mets hat in City Slickers, oh I forgot the Mets were semi good when he made that movie.
Peter what are the players/coaches saying about it?
Cashman tried to make excuses for it but you could tell he was not on board.
I don’t like it - at all.
“and Mike and the Mad Dog are in full attack mode on anyone who wants Joba to be a starter. Apparently we don’t know Joba will be a great starter, but he is guaranteed to be the best reliever ever.”
and you know what they say…once you go start, you can never go back.
The yankees need the type of publicity that siging a well reputed poster on this board can bring. I can pretty much guarantee they would sell at least 12 tickets if they signed me for a one day contract. I’m available.
“…also…j train was making a joke…”
Indirectly malevolent joke by implying a person can’t do something because of he’s a so and so
Yep, that’s a harmless joke. Doesn’t show any biased mentalities underneath. Totally.
Watching Billy Crystal should be a gas. As long as he doesn’t get hurt I see nothing wrong with him getting a pinch-hit AB and maybe playing an inning in the outfield. If he plays anywhere within the infield dirt, however, he could get killed by real a line drive.
Watch … he’ll pull a stunt where he runs someone over in the base paths. Mostly he’ll keep the dugout loose all day. Let ‘em have a little fun one time then get back to business.
Joe Maddon, of course, would pitch him high and tight because he’s instilling an attitude of toughness at all times.
thisguy = j train = boring and tired.
You need a new shtick as the whole ‘racism is cool’ angle is tired.
Richard Pryor/(young) Eddie Murphy/Dave Chapelle you are not.
Mike, what number would you be?
Hmm, note to self, should use square brackets instead of arrows for faux tags later
YankeeJosh
I agree. Why do we subject ourselves to this?
Steve Sommers?????????
Kellerman is pretty good -whan he is not talking about boxing or music.
Sounds like Girardi’s ok with it:
“Yankees manager Joe Girardi, after Monday night’s 4-0 win over Cincinnati, said he hasn’t determined what position Crystal will play. That remains to be seen,” Girardi said. “Obviously, it’s kind of exciting. Billy Crystal has done a lot for this organization. He’s always been a big part of it. Our way of rewarding him, saying thanks for everything that you’ve done.”
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/wire?section=mlb&id=3286972
I don’t think this stuff is a big deal. I really don’t.
They do it, everybody has fun with it, and you move on.
Its not going to upset their preparation for the season.
It doesn’t have to be covered, and I appreciate Pete not covering it because that (at least to me) is overkill.
But, if the Yankees want to do it, no big deal to me.
I’m more chapped about Cervelli getting hurt on a needless play than I am Billy Crystal having an AB in a ST game.
fine pete, you dont like the word publicity. but way to totally ignore my second point.
did a player search on mlb.com, billy is listed as an outfielder in the list of results, but no page has been set up after you click his name…
Russo: We don’t know if Joba can be a dominant starter.
So the way to find out is to make him a reliever and never let him start to see. The kid has 4 good pitches and could be a great starter. I want to see it. I’d rather the Yanks start him as a starter this year and when he gets near his innings cap, then close the year out with him in the pen like last year, with him setting up for the playoff run.
I have not seen it mentioned but the movie 61 (Billy Crystal produced it) was in my opinion great. It gave me an inside look at Maris and the Mantle / Maris relationship that I did not have even though I lived through that era.
Just curious what it was like growing up as Shelley Duncan … As a 12-year old, did he & his grandparents used to exchange head butts when they greeted each other at the front door?
“Hi Gram … how have you been?”
“Hi Shelley, my how you’ve grown … *BONK* … ooh that was a good one! Now go over and say hello to Grampa… ”
“Hey, whattaya say Shelley?!?!” *BONK*
“Hi Grampa! Boston Sucks, thats what I say!”
Or did they just do forearm bashes?
What makes them think Joba is a sure thing as a reliever? Has he proven he can pitch 3 or 4 days in a row without losing any of his stuff? He’s never done that.
We’ll we see a photo or a interview or stats for the game for Billy Crystal on Thursday?
Sign #3 that it’s only spring training: Shelley gives high fives instead of forearm bashes after homeruns.
Jax -
Pitch 3 or 4 days in a row? I don’t know if any reliever can do that effectively, much less without it taking its toll on the guy.
How long did it take for Proctor’s arm to get smoked? He had a pretty decent arm in the beginning.
I wonder if Francona has looked into the possiblity of inducing labor for Daisuke’s wife?
Beckett to stay behind, which really makes sense because the travel is…Oops, I almost complained about it. I’ll shut up now, Theo.
When the time comes that we take pitching advice from Mike and the Mad Dog, its time to shut down this blog.
Let them babble foolishly on the radio.
I’ll leave the pitching decisions to Eiland, Contreras, Patterson, Girardi and Cashman.
I know but my point was if he stays as a reliever he’s not going to have the luxury of having 2,3 or even 4 days off like he had last year. I guess what I’m trying to say he still has a lot to prove as a reliever despite how great he was for 24 innings.
Never mind inducing labor. Any guy their team who thinks they may have caused her condition should stay behind and take care of her. That might free Dice-K up to make the trip to Japan.
“This just in … Red Sox 2nd basemen Dustin Pedroia and designated hitter David Ortiz couldn’t make the team’s trip to Japan this week due to undisclosed personal issues. Manager Terry Francona and team captain Jason Varitek also had multiple obligations, and may catch up to the team in a few days.”
“… and the team’s bat boy is nowhere to be found”
Too bat the Red Sox don’t have a 4-legged mascot.
dang. typo. “too baD”
Pete, are you going to make it up to VT for the game? I didn’t win a ticket in the lottery for the game; there are however a lot of people selling the ticket, which I find disgraceful.
damon gets hurt every year but he is hurt already? uh oh. hopefully it won’t be his legs next. how did he hurt his toe? can’t this guy stay healthy? i know he plays hurt but i would rather have him play healthy.
Its a waste of time discussing it. If Joba becomes a successful starter, Francesa will tell his audience he “knew all along” he would be a successful starter.
If he bombs as a starter, Francesa will say he “knew all along” he would bomb as a starter.
Its how he rolls.
Wonder if he has figured out yet that the guy he said would, “never win anything in NY” won the Super Bowl this year?
They sell a lot ads and make a lot of money for WFAN.
That doesn’t mean they know anything about baseball.
When it comes to baseball, they are two of the most uninformed people I have ever heard on the airwaves.
They don’t know how many HR’s Arod hit last year or has in his career. Russo didn’t even know how many HR’s Babe Ruth had in his career. I mean, how in the world can you host a sports talk show in NY and not know that?
Francesa? He is the guy who destroyed a caller last year who called into the show and had the “nerve” to suggest the Yankees call up a kid in AA (Joba) to help in the bullpen.
Three weeks later, when it happened, Francesa took credit for “discovering” the move.
What makes it funny is the arrogance of both guys. No matter how ridiculous their positions may be, they believe being arrogant about it makes them right.
It was comical to listen to Cashman calmly slice and dice them today.
The two of them were so self-absorbed, they weren’t even sharp enough to realize the job Cashman did on them.
He took a foul ball off his toe. Kind of hard to see how he could avoid that.
Its not a serious injury and he will be fine in a few days.
Ranting Guy,
That was so mean. I’m going to ignore it. But did anyone see the Dave Chapelle sketch where Dave was Oprah’s “baby daddy” and the baby came out with Dr. Phil’s head on it. Hilarity!
SJ44 :
Correction. Gil Patterson opted to go to the Oakland A’s organization for reasons unexplained. In talking with Nardi, he understood and said the lower level pitching plans will remain without any bumps in the road.
Would it be amusing if Mike & Mad Dog encountered a rash of the worst phone-in Red Sox trolls? Neither party would even realize how amusing that could be …
OK the mascot comment was a little over the top ….
I didn’t realize Gil took that job. I know he was offered the job but, wasn’t aware he accepted.
I believe the job offer was to be the worldwide pitching coordinator of the A’s.
Good luck to him. He’s a good man.
Pete -
You mean Shelley didn’t get a “time out?” For shame.
I’ve made my feelings know regarding “the Billy Crystal thing,” but since it’s going to happen no matter how I feel about it, I hope he has the time of his life.
I missed the game, all the game posts, too. I’ve been busy fulfilling a lot of household projects that I’ve been putting off and promised myself I’d get done by Easter, if not by Memorial Day (some depend on contractors to finish). I’m exhausted, but pleased. However, I missed today’s game entirely. Sounds like the Yankees are beginning to get on a roll, and that’s good (duh!).
I’m a little worried about Damon only because he’s had such trouble with his feet before. I hope that this is just a bad bruise that will heel quickly. But it shows how fragile everything is in a hurry, doesn’t it?
Who’s on deck for tomorrow’s game (is there a game?)?
Mike and the Mad Dog exist solely to create controversy and encourage callers. They don’t have to know anything in depth, they only have to major in sound bytes.
Ranting Guy,
Mascot? I was talking about your joke about Daisuke’s wife. Who else did you offend? lol.
Not only did the whole ballpark hear Shelley’s “F-Bomb” but all viewers/listeners on YES, too!
During his abat, you couldn’t help but notice the little
12-year-old girl sitting in back of Homeplate with an sheepish grin on her face!
Doreen,
They travel to the Rays. First pitch @ 1:05. No audio, no video.
Thanks, mel! I wouldn’t be around audio and/or video tomorrow anyway, but I like to know that somewhere in the universe a game is happening!
Mel -
The mascot comment was just a continuation of that joke …
Doreen,
You’ll be there in spirit right? At least you know where to be. That’ll be at Progress Energy Park in St. Petersburg.
just listening to brian cashman on m&md…hysterical - quality information and you can hear just how stupid these clowns are.
it just a matter of where one draws the line on ‘mean’ …
Yay! am going to the game tomorrow!! Anyone else from here going?
They had NO idea about how Dusty Baker ruined Prior and Wood. This guy called and said “I’m sure you guys know JB Cox, Mark Melancon, and Humberto Sanchez”. Mike and then Dog then did one of these “uhhh ahh yeah they got them in the sheffield trade” and hung up on the dude.
What exactly is it Girardi thinks Billy Crystal has done for the Yankees???
When Steinbrenner compared owning the Yankees to “owning the Mona Lisa”, I don’t recall him adding “…thanks to all Billy Crystal has done for the Yankees…”
That was not even remotely funny
don’t quit your day job
RE: Billy Crystal - it is worth taking a look at this article.http://nationalpost.pa-sportsticker.com/default.aspx?s=mlb-news-display&nid=A21601911205227026A
ooops that should have hyper linked:
http://nationalpost.pa-sportsticker.com/default.aspx?s=mlb-news-display&nid=A21601911205227026A
Anyone heard rumors about the Yankees being interested in Brian Fuentes?
From ESPN Rumor Central today:
Fuentes staying put . . . for now
Brian Fuentes | Rockies | Interested: Yankees?
Rockies’ setup man Brian Fuentes has been drawing considerable interest, particularly from the New York Yankees who had a scout at Monday’s game, reports the Denver Post. However, general manager Dan O’Dowd insisted that there is “zero chance” he would deal the reliever right now.
Anybody hear Lonn Trost on M&MD. He was talking about the new stadium. Sounds unbelievable.
He also was saying that the Steinbrenner’s were offered a lot of money for the naming rights to Yankee Stadium. They turned every offer down and said that the stadium would always be “Yankee Stadium”
Insider has that Fuentes thing … at first glance it appears he wouldn’t hurt the team. No the second coming of Mariano but he’s been pretty consistent for 5 of the last 6 years.
Pitching in Colorado has a way of raising a pitcher’s ERA just a little. Not sure at what price though …
“Johnny Damon has a badly bruised toe”
bad bad news. This will probably linger throughout the season. Though not 100%, Damon of course will say he’ll play through it. Deja vu ….
Mel -
I will definitely be there in spirit! How could I have forgotten - it’s “the game!” against the Rays.
Hurray to George Steinbrenner for sticking with tradition and not succumbing to the lure of lots of luchre for naming rights.
Don’t worry, Cy, Brett Gardner can be our new left fielder/leadoff man. Doesn’t have the power but can steal 50 bases and has a better OBP… I appreciate Damon’s skills, but it ain’t the end of the world, if he has lingering issues…
Keith: lol on M&MD. They hang up on people who threaten them. And of course, they have never heard of Melancon and J.B. - only Sanchez. When they both come up in July, they’ll be “Gosh, Dog, where are the Yankees gettin’ these guys from?? Who knew about these guys?? You know what Dog? These guys can pitch!..”
is it just me, or does anyone else feel like they’ve been sent thru a time warp whenever they hear the intro music or the music they play when they come back from commercial on M&MD’s show? were those clips recorded in 1983?
So who’s watching the Devils game?
Fouling a ball off his toe is going to “linger” for the season?
A little over the top with the doom and gloom over such a mninor injury.
Same guy posted earlier that Damon would be “hurt” all season.
Players foul balls off their feet all the time. They play through it.
Damon will be fine in a few days. Its not a big deal.
For those who are curious.
Tue
Mar 18
Few Showers
60°/43° 30%
Weather for next tuesday at VT.
SJ, how long you’ve been a Yanks fan?
I am going to the Rays S/S game on Saturday at Legends field. Does anyone know if Joba or IPK is pitching there? Either way is fine but I really would like to see Joba pitch in person.
Wow! Johnny Damon is hurt. I can hardly believe it…..
If you may permit me to change the topic..
It will be interesting to see Girardi’s approach to tomorrow’s game with the rays.
Put me firmly in the camp of one who thinks Girardi needs to send a clear msg that the kind of bush league play that took out Cervelli of which NYY has too often rolled over on for many years now, won’t be tolerated by NYY any longer.
I hope Joe sends the message clearly.
Have you guys been hearing Pete? It’s not serious.
I don’t think that the Yanks will do anything tomorrow. Keep them guessing when and if there will be retaliation. Let it be in their heads during the season.
Just watching the game. What’s the chances this Jason Lane guy could make the team? Seems like he could help.
Fran :
There’s some substance to what you say. Somewhat like a cat in the bushes waiting for the right moment.
The wondering of when could force nervous mistakes or make the Rays play overcautious. Getting it out of the way for the sake of getting it out of the way serves no purpose. Let them have the “watch your back” thoughts for at least the 1st series played in the regular season.
Agreed Fran. Plus it will be too obvious that it was retaliation. Whereas if they wait two more games, it won’t be as obvious.
It’s reaching the point of spring training where some players come to the clubhouse in the morning and wonder when they’ll get called into the manager’s office to hear the bad news.
Most managers will say it’s the toughest time of the year for them to tell a player there’s no roster space available.
that’s not fair everyone knows there is no way Fatcessa and the puppy would know who Melancon, Horne, Cox or Sanchez is
as for Brian Fuentes I don’t see Colorado dealing him I just don’t. I think we may have to take Traber and Philips, I also hope we continue to dip in the foreign market.
Ah cmon Pete .. cover the Billy Crystal thing tomorrow and the day after. This is a once in a lifetime thing and it’s only Spring Training.
Did Mr. Duncan say “fudge” ???