Yankees-Pirates: The Live Blog
Posted by: Peter Abraham - Posted in Misc on Mar 19, 2008 
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Good evening and welcome to McKechnie Field. The Yankees are facing those plucky Pirates of Pittsburgh.
It’s 78 here in Bradenton.
BUCS
McLouth CF
Wilson SS
Sanchez 2B
Bay LF
LaRoche 1B
Doumit C
Nady RF
Gomez DH
Rivas 3B
Morris RHP
FIRST INNING
Phil Hughes allowed a homer by Nate McLouth (McLovin?) then retired the side. He fanned Jason Bay on three pitches to end the inning.
The Big G singled up the middle before Posada hit a fly ball to right that got caught in the wind and sailed out. 2-1 Yankees.
SECOND INNING
Is it too late to rescind the decision on Joba? Ryan Doumit and Chris Gomez have hit solo homers off Hughes. 3-2 Pirates.
THIRD INNING
Brett Gardner continues to be a very, very interesting player. He just reached on a bunt single and took second when the Pirates threw the ball away. The Yankees have nobody like this guy.
Meanwhile, the Yankees had five straight singles off Matt Morris and now lead 6-3.
Bobby Meacham is no Larry Bowa as a third-base coach. He just waved A-Rod home and the throw beat him by 30 feet. A-Rod turned around and scrambled back to third.
That’s the second time (at least) this spring that Meacham has made such a mistake. That one more time than I remember Bowa making a mistake sending a runner in two years.
6-3 Yankees.
Hughes allowed another run on a doule by McLouth and a single by Sanchez. 6-4 Yankees
FOURTH INNING
The Yankees are hammering Morris again. A-Rod crushed a double off the wall in left then Posada looped an RBI single into left. 8-4 Yankees.
Hughes struggled again as the Pirates scored two more. One was unearned as Cody Ranson threw a ball away. His line so far: 4 6 6 5 2 3.
FIFTH INNING
The Yankees went down in order. Hughes allowed a single (off A-Rod’s glove) to start the bottom of the inning and was lifted for Traber. I had Hughes at 77 pitches.
Traber allowed a hit, a walk and threw a wild pitch. A-Rod also threw a double-play ball into right field. The Pirates scored three runs and now lead 9-8.
SIXTH INNING
The final line for Hughes: 4 7 7 6 2 3 77 pitches/48 strikes.
SEVENTH INNING
Just talked to Hughes in the clubhouse. He said that he was overstriding on the mound because he was trying to throw too hard. “Even though it didn’t look it, the last few innings were better,” he said.
Hughes said he typically does not pitch well in spring training. “I wish that wasn’t the case but it seems to be,” he said.
EIGHTH INNING
Nick Green – Yes, Nick Green – just crushed a two-run homer than landed in Sarasota. 11-9 Yankees.
Chad Moeller just crushed one, too. Turns out that B.K. Kim is pitching. That explains everything.
that curve of phil’s is beautiful today!
morris looks good.
Pete, do you have the Pirates lineup?
This ump is generous.
were packed in tight in the of bleachers. iPhone in hand I deliver fan posts!
I,ve heard there is alot of wind in tonight’s game. If so then maybe Phil just gave wind blowing hr.
3 nasty pitches pete!
Strike out of Alex, single to cf for Jason.
Does anyone have the pirates lineup?
Mel you are watching too?
I,ve heard there is alot win in tonight’s game
jorge knocks it out2-1 yanks
you can get the pirates line up off gameday if you want
Pirates crew, “That was helped by the wind, but he had that one squared up.”
Sounds about right.
Jay,
How did that homer look from inside the stadium? Was it hard hit or was it mostly the wind?
Appreciate the live updates
jay make a sign that says Hi Pete ABe’s blog!!
Hr to right field from Jorge!
Called it a wind blown pop out that went out.
yeah its breezy
Hip Hip Jorge! 2-run dinger was definitely wind-aided. That was off the fists.
Thanks Mel, for some reason it wasn’t working, but I got it.
looked no doubter to me. Matsui running well
double down the line by matsui.
I call a strike out by wilson.
j/k (well maybe not)
Yeah, it’s the first it’s been working all day
Sorry, that 7:20 post was re: McLouth’s HR, didn’t know that Jorge was going to get one, too.
I was wrong, dribbler down first, moved the runner over.
Jay any radar readings at the ballpark?
diving catch (NICE PLAY) off of Brett?
no radar. Very no frills park
those outfielders of theirs have made a couple of nice catches.
off of ransom
pete got a media guide for me? My last spring training game!
Does anyone have a gameday link?
The game is on mlb.tv if you subscribe to that service. If you use a dish service such as directv or dn the game is on fsnp if you get that channel.
jennifer,
No, I’m in the stands. Drunk. Puking all over Jay.
Pop up to Alex.
Anyone got a link for the game
mel just don’t talk on a cell phone to wave hi to a friend 3 sections over, or start the wave, or get up a zillion times for food.
Phil give up another HR
anothervwindy homer
Actually, that’s me on the phone behind home plate.
http://www.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/#20080319
I guess there is a lot of wind, they commented that the wind probably helped it a bit.
How big is the park? 275 down the lines?
wave hi!
Man it’s gotta be tough to be a Pirate, in a city where they love the Steelers and the Penguins so much. I have it on FSN Pitt on MLB.TV and i can’t believe it but it’s their first telecast of a Pirates ST game this year. i mean i don’t know maybe they have another channel that broadcasts their games but if not, that seems so weird to me since practically all the yankees ST games are on YES
phil breaking a bat!
Another HR
This one was hit well
another dinger. Not as much wind carried either
this wind is way too excessive… feel bad for the franchise
Phil looks just okay tonight, I would say. Not awful, but not as sharp as we’ve seen him. The first home run was not wind-blown. It was a line drive.
Phil just gave up his third home run. Yeesh.
man the wind is ridiculous tonight. everything that gets some lift on it goes out, lol.
Phil leaving his pitches high and over the plate and Pirates taking full advantage
Wow, are most of these wind aided? And has anyone found the dimensions of the park?
Yeah the first and third home runs he gave up were not wind-assisted. That’s a bit troublesome.
3-2 Pirates after 2
He who walks the least is the beast.
Windy or not phil has been behind in the count hitter after hitter.
I’m still waiting for that auto-refresh button, Pete. I’d like to eat my breakfast with both hands. Thank you.
praying this is dead arm
Gardner gets a bunt single and goes to 2nd on the error by the catcher!!
Dimensions 335L, 375LC, 40C, 375RC, 335R
Has Hughes thrown a lot of pitches so far?
Brett lays down a bunt, the guy had no chance to throw him out, threw the ball way. Brett got to second.
nice bunt single for our boy brett. turned into a double on the errant throw. not bad at all.
Gardner!!!!!
What is Hughes doing pitching batting practice? Hope he gets this out of his system before the season starts.
40 feet to center, damn that is shallow. These guys can play some D
Is this common for pitchers at this point in ST?
oh jete just got robbed. nice play.
Gardner should have gone to 3rd on that ball in he dirt
jennifer,
http://www.springtrainingonlin.....irates.htm
First one was definitely wind assisted, only the third was true homerun. That said, leaving way too many pitches centered and up..
He is throwing a ton of sliders and changeups in comparison to his usual pitch mix.. Leads me to believe he experimenting too much & losing feel for his bread&butter..aka fastball
fyi it is very very windy, camera not staying still.
is MLB.tv being choppy for anyone else?
oh brett, you need to advance on that. keep your head up.
Nice to see Yogi making the trip with the team
3-3 game as Gardner scores on a single by Abreu
nice hitting abreu tied again
MLB.TV is working just fine for me. it’s only given me problems on one game all spring so far and it may have been due to the poor wifi at my college.
Andrea which gameday are you using new or old version. I am running the old it is working fine.
yogi was by the cage for an hour pregame
Abreu steals 2nd easily
Going to third would have been to easy. How’s he going to show off his speed from 3rd?
Abreu is having a nice spring. Hopefully last year’s awful start is won’t happen again.
Same for Cano and Melky. They’ve all hide nice camps.
This game has a weird vibe to it. Feels lazy, I guess. I wonder if the Tech game messed up the Yankees’ rhythm at all.
4-3 Yanks as A-Rod goes up the middle
single up middle
Hey! Morris is from Middletown!!
single to center (arod) , 4-3 NY
For those who can’t watch the game and are concerned about the HR balls, they were all wind-aided including Posada’s.
The big G gets a hit through the shift.
jennifer: I’m using the old version. I don’t really like the new version–it’s super choppy. I just keep losing the picture on this version. I can hear it, but the picture goes away.
good job Alex.
Giambi kills it. Up middle
another single to cf for jay.
I love it when Bobby steals a base. It’s like stealing candy from a kid. Or a 60 year old man stealing base. He’s not supposed to be able to do it, but he can.
Elizabeth: are you near Middletown? I live right near there. I got excited too!
I guess the shift won’t work on Giambi anymore, huh?
Bases jammed as Posada gets a single.
oh that whacky Alex!
Bases loaded with one out.
Okay we need to settle this 3rd base coach situation. this is at least the second time something has happened.
Remarkable thing about the pirates – former yankee career minor leaguer Kevin Thompson has the inside track to be their starting center fielder.
loaded
Another single. 5-3 Yanks. Matsui gets into the act
what the *** is up with bobby meacham? i miss bowa!
Hideki has been really good the last couple of games. He got his swing going in a hurry.
6-3 as the Big G scores on a sac fly by Betemit
note to bobby meacham: stop waving a-rod around
A double play with 2 outs. LOL
4 outs in the inning
I miss Bowa too, but Meacham cannot possibly be as bad as Luis Sojo was, lol. at least there’s that.
Bobby Meacham needs to sharpen up his skills as the 3rd base coach.
Wow, Meachem…..Wow.
Bobby is going to get someone hurt!
i guess we all are on the same page about meacham…
does anyone know if he has actually been a 3rd base coach before?
Phil Phony !!!!!!!!
Bets on whether or not Bobby makes it he entire year?
Has he ever coached third?
Hughes leaving pitches up. Almost another HR but ends up being a double
Girardi loves Meacham. He swears by him – that’s his handpicked guy. Meacham was with him in Florida – he was his third base coach there as well.
This is getting ugly.
Is this McLovin guy playing in Center? because the pittsburgh commentators seem pretty sold on him getting a starting job. if it’s centerfield ( i haven’t been paying a lot of attention) then i don’t think kevin thompson exactly has the inside track
Phil’s fastball has been straight today. No late movement
thanks for the info CB
# HR Hughes gives up in this game -
6
Average # of innings per start for Hughes during regular season -
4.1
read on NYT blog
– Shelley Duncan told me that the appeal of his three-game suspension will not be heard until after Opening Day, which is March 31 against Toronto. I did not see Melky Cabrera to ask about the timing of his appeal.
Arod broke to cover third on a blown pick off?, single to left in vacated hole.
This is really scary. Hughes looks like he should down at Scranton right now. He is just throwing and nothing is working.
wow chris, you are one baseball genius. great prediction, every major league ball park are gonna be windy enough to shake the broadcast cameras
You are over reacting. Could be the “dead arm” period.
well if a-rod hadn’t moved that would have been an out Rick
Phil getting knocked around by the Reds and Pirates…hmm. unfortunately for him, we’re playing the NL Central in inter-league this year.
Hughes is blowing in the wind, not because of it.
Come on Phil!
Don’t worry about Hughes. He’s going to be fine. He’s just off with his command tonight.
He’s behind every single hitter and that’s not his game.
This is just part of spring training. This is why they have games before the season starts.
Where did Phil Hughes go? This isn’t the guy I remember from the beginning of spring training…
Jason playing a decent first
Jennifer I said this was dead arm a few comments back i expect the same thing next start but after that light out.
Hughes will be fine.
Get rid of Meachem!
C’mon, optimism!!
We’ll see what Phil and Eiland have to say about this, and then assess again after his last ST start. He looked so good early and he started throwing even earlier, so maybe this is just fatigue.
the BB concerned me, but if a-rod had not been out of position he could have worked around that leadoff double. no need to panic guys
What is dead arm?
double down the left field line for Jeet.
I hate having to watch this for Phil-he is going to beat himself up I bet. I am fine with him getting all the kinks out now. we have seen him do incredible things with that arm of his. he needs to be roughed up a litte to let some of that pressure off of him- hope people aren’t too harsh about him. thank goodness we’ve got plenty of runs on the board though.
Meacham is an awful 3rd base coach!!! He is going to get someone killed during the game with him not knowing if he should send the runner or not. That is like the 3rd time he has done that during spring training. Hughes fastball is way too hittable. His curve is very good but his fastball doesn’t look over powering at all. The balls fly out of these ballparks. Also Kennedy and he better be able to pitch more then 4 innings every start.
are these broadcasters trying to make it seem like the yanks don’t have 6 runs by saying “that ball wasn’t hit that hard” after every hit?
Dead Arm happens mostly during spring training when u stretch a pitcher out he tires and then the arm get used to the workload and return to normal.
FYI, I just called him Phil Phony on his website too
The Franchise will be okay!
Wow with the scoring…runs every inning? This is going to be a long game…
Arod double to the left field wall.
utube- do you feel like a man now? Leave the guy alone.
Anyone watching: should abreu have scored on that?
CB –
Thompson’s 3rd in line for CF, with their top prospect McCutcheon also a CF. Thompson’s behind both McLouth (who can play all 3 OF spots), and Nyjer Morgan. But since both are lefties, and he can play all over too, he’s got a very good shot at making the team. That would be nice – I always liked him.
Phil has done a lot of work this winter. He started throwing off the mound in January.
All pitchers go through some kind of dead arm period in the beginning of their season.
The extra work and the fact that it’s still spring training may just causing his dead arm period to be coming around now.
Phil Hughes has had impeccable command at every level he’s thrown at. That’s his strength. That doesn’t just go away.
Cashman has to be a little nervous about these kids right now. Over the last week or so none of them have been very impressive. Hopefully they are just stretching it out and getting there work in.
UTube=Dumb
Rishi–They got the ball in really fast.
I don’t remember Morris being this bad in San Francisco.
Every single hit the Yankees have isn’t hard hit.
CB,
Didn’t Phil struggle with control somewhat last season when he was called up as well?
“Thompson’s 3rd in line for CF, with their top prospect McCutcheon also a CF.”
Thanks for the update. I don’t profess to be an expert on the pirates. That’s just what I read somewhere. Last time I saw Thompson was hitting .333 and he was who they were leaning towards. That could very well be yesterday’s news.
I don’t think McCutcheon is going to make the team. He needs more time in the minors. He’s a fantastic prospect but still needs work.
I keep on thinking that Arod is going to get hurt with all of these plays at the plate. It seems like he is involved in more then 1 every game.
thanks, Elizabeth…I’m trying to understand if it is Meacham or not.
I love how people forget about Phil’s first few st starts!
was that another meacham mistake?
Hard to understand what the Bucs were thinking trading for Morris – the straw that brike Dave Littlefield’s back. Sure they needed a RSP and preferably a vet with all the kids in their rotation, but that wasn’t the deal to make. Vet RSP’s that only have to be a 4 or 5 starter are a dime a dozen in FA.
I feel bad for the Pirates – have made no headway and still seem very far away from progress. But they are in the NL Central, so not all is lost.
I’m sure Hughes and Kennedy will go over 4 innings each start. They’re on a pitch count of like 70 right now, and it was even less their last starts.
Boston Dave,
Phil’s command wasn’t very good his first start – which was mostly due to the fact that, well, it was his first major league start.
His command was not good when he first came back after the hamstring. More than the decreased velocity that’s what made me think he was having trouble getting his legs under him when he was coming back.
Down the stretch his command was very good.
I would not enjoy being the pitcher who has given up 13 hits already….but I am enjoying seeing that score!
Wow.. Pirates telecast is horrible
Morris must be feeling the difference between the NL West and the AL East right now…
It is awful! why do we have to watch someone talking? I thought we are watching the game?
“Hard to understand what the Bucs were thinking trading for Morris – the straw that brike Dave Littlefield’s back.”
One of the most perplexing trades made in recent years.
He’s making 9.5 million a year. They’re payroll was $38 million last year.
Matt Morris is roughly 25% of their total payroll? Amazing. I think they felt some pressure to show the other owners that they weren’t just keeping the luxury tax/ revenue sharing money they were getting.
Is the game on tv or just mlb.tv?
(btw – Devils over the Rangers, 1-0 in the 2nd)
mlb.tv
Phil does have a nasty curve tonight, I guess his fb isn’t working again.
John Russell sounds just thrilled to be the Buccos’ manager..
I’ve never heard a more boring interview in my life.. I like how the broadcasters asked Russell if he was going to hit & run Nady…
Last year we all said Phil needed to work on his secondary pitches. Now that he’s doing it, people are complaining? I don’t get it.
Let him get the kinks out now, and not in April.
If you want to worry, worry about paying income taxes, or how we’re getting out of Iraq. Not about games that don’t count.
His fastball is getting killed tonight
Phil is ALL over the place. Poor kid.
Double play ball Cody Ranson gives them another 2 runs. Should have been out of the inning.
cody ransom :
I didn’t see a replay [of course] but it didn’t even look like Hughes hit the batter…
I wonder how many pitches he has thrown? Can it get any worse…
this is REALLY bad. I hope he’s not injured.
What? He’s fine.
42 pitches/26 strikes
Double play ball? Give me a break. It was not gonna be close at first.
Are sunflower seeds nutritional. Simply dazzling journalism going on with Pittburgh’s telecast… wtf
Nobody will accuse this game of being a pitching duel.
He is fine. Yup. Thats why he got shelled in 2 straight starts. Our pitching is scaring me.
Dennis,
Thanks for the clear definition of ‘dead arm.’ I sure hope that is what this is, because PH is just out of control and the wind is no excuse.
The new math:
Pirates hitters + wind assist = Red Sox line up (-) = TB line up = TBJ line up (+)
Well hey he didn’t pitch. Oh well it happens. Let him work it out now. Hey you just don’t be great just like that more times than not. Phil has worked hard and is going to pay off just be patience. Besides it’s ST.
The one good thing though is that he was getting a good amount of groundballs. When Phil is healthy the groundball tendencies are very good. So I like the groundballs. Plus his curve was good.
Hey his fastball will get stronger trust me.
overall, you just wipe it off. He be okay.
It would have definitely been close at first if Ransom got rid of the ball quicker
Nobody in the Yankee braintrust can be happy about this appearance tonight. Hughes just didn’t look like a major leaguer tonight. I don’t think anyone can make any excuses for him. I think you will see more good games out of these kids than bad ones this season but it could get ugly at times too. These are kids with very little major league experience and they will have to work through it.
PJH your oviously a sox troll right. so take it elsewhere
If you guys are worried about a ST game, how are you going to get through the season?
The games don’t count. How he pitches now has ZERO impact on how he pitches during the season.
Its about working things out, working on pitches, delivery, etc.
There are going to be rough spots at times with the young guys. Its all part of their development.
Its a little nuts to me to see people sending him nasty messages on his blog over a ST outing that none of you will remember a month from now.
His blog won’t last season if folks are going to pepper it with nonsense. If that happens, don’t blame Hughes.
Nobody should have to put up with that nonsense from fans.
It amazes me how reactionary people are. If this happened during the season, sure, there’s cause for concern. But this is clearly a dead arm situation. Note: the wild pitches, the walks, the HBP. He’s just battling through at this point. He has to to stretch out his arm.
How many pitches for phil now?
Guys, this is why they call it Spring Training. Lighten up.
Phil is not very sharp tonight. He certainly isnt throwing his fastball by anyone, but he did throw a few nasty breaking balls.Except for Gomez’s shot, the home runs were mostly aided by the wind. Nice to see the Yanks hit so many base hits.
“Can it get any worse…”
Igawa is pitching next and the wind is blowing out.
Seriously, relax. This is only spring training. Phil is going to have a very good year.
Last time this year Pavano and Igawa were in the rotation. They suffered ridiculous injuries.
And still won 94 games.
He was their best pitcher against Cleveland last year in the playoffs.
Nothing’s changed. It’s only spring training.
Ummm. Rick, what were you expecting?
I am expecting all 3 young guys to get shelled a hand-full of times this year.
Anyone who doesn’t believe that is a sucker for hype.
The voice of reason, thanks SJ!!
Phil was laughing on the mound, he is fine. He knows it is just spring training and he has to get his kinks out now. CHILL!!
Moose is going to have to give them alot of good innings this year. If Hughes and Kennedy are getting pulled early for not being good or just throwing alot of pitches the 3 other guys have to be good. This bullpen is going to be used a ton.
SJ
The guy who left garbage on Hughes’ blog is a troll & def. not a Yankees fan.. Pretty sad actualy
OH GOD! what part of this is st don’t you people understand?!
SJ44 is right, of course. ST games are basically meaningless. But with 12 days to go before the games begin to count, we’re approaching the time when you’d like to see the players be sharper than they were 2 weeks ago. Right now the main thing still is that everyone gets their work in and stays healthy.
“Nobody in the Yankee braintrust can be happy about this appearance tonight.”
No I bet the yankee braintrust isn’t worried at all.
It’s some yankee fans who aren’t happy when they lose any game – even a meaningless spring training game against the pirates.
John you are right. We will all have to put up with games like this. But will Hank Steinbrenner put up with it that is the question? There are rumors the Yankees have been scouting Blanton and Harden right now. Maybe just rumors take it for whatever it is worth.
Nope, not a Sox troll. Just being realistic. Hughes is throwing a low 90s straight fastball and cant throw it where he wants. These are the Pirates. It would be one thing if they were a good team.
I’m more worried about the expectations some had for Hughes than I am Phil’s performance. Sounds like some of you really thought he would have a 0.000 era and never have a bad outing. I can’t think of one mlb pitcher that hasn’t experience that before.
AMEN SJ – seeing Phil laughing it off on the mound lets you know this is March, not April. Give me a break with these worrywarts or trolls, whatever you may be.. Put the sharp objects back in the drawers. I almost think you should take a psychological exam before being allowed to view ST games..
Was he at his pitch limit? Or was he working too hard so they got him out of there..
I hope we are going to go through another Alex throwing slump
Wow we look like the bad news bears tonight. Dp ball thrown away by Alex. Trade him he stinks!
diva, better now than April.
PJH March 19th, 2008 at 8:28 pm
He is fine. Yup. Thats why he got shelled in 2 straight starts. Our pitching is scaring me.
I agree. The Red Sox pitching is something to be worried about.
Some of you are being way too reactionary. There isn’t a pitcher in the game who doesn’t have bad outings in ST.
Why? Because its not real game situations.
They throw certain pitches in counts they wouldn’t throw them in during the regular season.
Teams try things (like third base pickoffs) they don’t try in the regular season.
Cody Ransome ain’t playin’ second base in a regular season game.
No scouting reports on hitters.
ST is about throwing free and easy, working on secondary pitches, mechanics, etc. Most important, its important to come out of each start healthy with an increased pitch count.
That’s it. Anybody else putting more importance to ST starts than what I wrote above simply does not understand the game.
Nobody will stop folks who chose to be reactionary and negative.
However, take a breath, think for minute, and realize the games and outcomes don’t count. Getting the work in and staying healthy is all that matters.
aren’t not are lol
very true Jen….get it out of his system now.
Laughing? Really? Guess there were particular pitches he was working on? Or if they are playing the Pirates this season, just didn’t want to give them a true look?
Anyway, if Hughes is laughing, then I guess I can be happy too.
jennifer- We realize this is ST, but its coming to a close. I would write it off it were his first start or 2. But the regular season is coming up fast and none of our pitchers seem to be able to get past the 4th inning. They should be nearly ready for real baseball. Hughes looks a long way off and probably has 2 starts left to fix it.
Just because the Yankees scout players, doesn’t mean they are looking to acquire them. You do your due diligence in case something comes along that makes sense.
Hank Steinbrenner is a helluva lot more patient than some of the folks in here tonight.
Believe me, he is not monitoring every ST pitch with his hand on the “red phone” ready to call in the cruise missiles.
Natives are getting restless. Anyone catch what the fan yelled?
Trading for Blanton or Harden? What? Hank JUST said they were NOT going to pay the money or talent to do that.
If Gardener bats .320-330 in AAA, the Yanks should bring him up to do a rotation thing where he plays every so many days and gives Abreu/Damon/Matsui monster a break in the outfield.
He is a weapon and I’ll be surprised if someone if not all of the Three headed monster gets hurt. Besides this will give them time to evaluated whether to bring any one of the 3 headed back. Most obviously Abreu if he gets hurt or goes through a bad slump again.
TRADE FARNSWORTH
Finally a dp.
YAY Alex LOL!!
i heard it jenn.
finally the DP works!
SJ44-
I agree,
…but what if you’re Rasner trying to win a spot on the roster? What if you’re Billy Traber trying to prove you can get out lefties?
I’m assuming ST doesn’t matter for the starting rotation and the rest of the pitchers assured a flight to New York.
The guys that are competing for jobs are treating it with a real game mentality?
Looks like Traber is working out some kinks too.
Well, at least we know that in the real season, Traber will be facing Lefty batters and only lefty batters..
Right handed batters hit him hard. Always have.
SJ44 is preaching to ducks.
Sloppy game tonight all the way around. Not a big deal let it be now.
This game is like batting practice. lol
This is like last season all over again.
As a punishment for errors this year Alex should have to sit and answer all media questions after a game
Lori–yeah, he was laughing with Derek and Alex while waiting for Eiland to come out
He looked in good spirits.
This has been bothering me for years.. can someone please teach Posada how to catch a ball!!! He is terrible with balls in the dirt, balls in the air, and all balls that dont guide themselves into his glove.
Why do people have to automatically call someone a Sox fan if they have a differing point of view on something? Its like you guys are in denial that Hughes is not looking too good.
Are these announcers stupid? Joe G is paying for it 1 pitch one out? um maybe they said to him one more batter? Than the lefty is trabers?
Maybe the Yankees don’t play well at night? Maybe they are tired from being up in Virginia yesterday? They have a long time until the season starts (twelve days)? Let’s not get excited? Forty percent of there starting rotation has less than a year’s professional experience? No time to worry now.
can you believe those announcers saying the runs were punishment for girardi bring out a relief pitcher after the one out.
don’t they understand that he wanted to see what his relief guys can do? sometimes i wonder how these FSN guys get jobs
I like Traber, but it’s amazing that he still doesn’t have an ERA.
I don’t think anyone is denying that Phil doesn’t look great tonight. What people are trying to explain is that this is st a time to work on things, and work things out. Stop worrying. This guy had a no hitter last year, won important games down the stretch for us, won our one and only playoff game. He gave up his first run last start. As it has been said he could be going thru a dead arm period. He has been in Tampa since the beginning of Jan.
In other words CHILL OUT!
“Its like you guys are in denial that Hughes is not looking too good.”
No. Hughes looked awful tonight. No one is denying that.
What others are saying is that we don’t care that he looked awful – it’s still spring training.
The games don’t count and the players aren’t only competing to win.
They are playing to prepare for the season – that’s their priority – not winning the game.
Mike they are morons.
This game doesn’t tarnish Billy Traber whatsoever. He did little wrong with no fielding support. Discounted by Girardi.
Why do people think he was laughing on the mound. If he was really concerned about it, he would not have been laughing.
Or maybe some folks realize its just spring training and don’t get caught up with the results.
You can look bad when you are trying to use your secondary pitches in hitters counts, which a lot of guys do in ST, or its simply not your night.
Either way, its not about the results at this point. Its about building up arm strength and staying healthy.
Last spring, every Yankee pitcher was throwing goose eggs during their starts. Until of course, every single one of them (except for Mo) got hurt at the end of ST.
At this point, all I want is good health and good pitch counts by the starters for the rest of ST.
The 5 guys are set in the rotation and nothing they will do between now and March 31 will tell us anything about how they will do during the season.
The regular season is a whole different animal.
Are they going to interview the mascot next?
Enough will phil… let’s talk about how terrible posada is behind the plate
PJH – It’s not about having a different point of view. It’s about being doom and gloom in March. The people that accused you of of being a Sox fan (myself included) were probably giving you the benefit of the doubt because the only other explanation to the pitching scaring you is that you are a hysterical pessimist.
CB,
That’s exactly right. I could care less if he looked horrible tonight. Is he healthy? If he is, the key part about tonight is, he’s up to 74 pitches.
One or two more starts and he’s ready for the season.
If folks wants to panic over ST results, nobody will stop you.
But, we kind of pride ourselves in this blog on having intelligent, fun baseball discussions.
Going nuts over ST results is dumb. Perhaps those who believe the results matter can take it somewhere else on game nights.
The only threads that completely go off the charts on this blog are the game blogs. Sadly, its not just because of Red Sox trolls.
This is getting boring. Guess I’ll go play with my Jonathan Papelbon blow-up doll. It’s awesome. It’s even got those tight black spandex shorts that big Jon (that’s what I like to call him) dances in.
Pirates are tattooing everything tonight.
Aren’t we taking this game too seriously?
Come on, it’s a couple of bad games in ST.
I am gonna guess that Steve Lombardi is gonna write some crazy stuff on Hughes soon.
Mike R- I think you would be insane if you did not have any concern about our pitching. 2 of our pitchers are aging, 2 have very little MLB experience. The only one you can count on for sure is Wang.
I love this blog, but some of the statements people make are frustratingly lacking in baseball knowledge. Why bother being a fan of a team if you’re going to do nothing but criticize it?
PJH–you don’t think we can count on Pettitte, our gamer?
Jaret Wright. Hmm. For some reason, that name sounds familiar…
The pitching so far in the spring has been pretty good.
No injuries, guys have been working well, even Moose is throwing the ball better than he did at this time last year.
You are playing in a ST stadium with the wind gusting to 35 MPH and blowing out.
In other words, conditions you won’t see in 10 regular season games this year.
Its no big deal.
If our starters are bombed every start of the regular season, then worry.
Until then, worrying about meaningless games is a waste of good emotion.
The great $21m Wright with 2 easy outs
PJH – Questions and concerns aren’t the same. I have questions about our team just as I do about every team. When the season rolls around I might be concerned depending on what I see.
The Red Sox have there ace on the bench with back issues and Schilling out for probably the season and I STILL don’t think Sox fans have reason to be scared, only more questions.
Of course the Red Sox have problems also. Beckett has a bad back. Lester has been wild all spring, which is the norm. Matsuzaka has stunk and can’t get over his tendency to blow up at least one inning every game. Bucholz has been getting bombed all spring. Schilling’s career is over. Wakefield is older than dirt. Over all, I like the Yank’s upside a lot better than Boston’s.
our old friend jaret wright…these BB seem all too familiar…
Remember when Wright and Pavano were expected to make up 2/5ths of our rotation? Those WERE NOT the days…
they sure as heck were’nt , Slogan Guy ( very funny BTW )
yet another interview…. zzzzzzzzzzz
No sunglasses for Igawa? Not sunny enough for him tonight?
Dougie!! oh wait he’s not on our team anymore….and got thrown out anyway.
Pete, can you ask girardi if he is concerned about Posada’s inability to catch breaking balls in the dirt or fastballs high and away.
And remember last year we did very well in st and we stunk in the beginning of the season.
I guess there goes the theory from the poster this morning that he does well without sunglasses.
Folks should understand that this is the first Pirate telecast of the year. The Pirate announcers are doing their job by familiarizing Pirate fans with their team. Us Yankee fans are spoiled with all the coverage we get. We really do have it better than most.
” can you ask girardi if he is concerned about Posada’s inability to catch breaking balls in the dirt or fastballs high and away”
come on…its just ST and I’m sure Jorge is working on game situations, catching angles, and getting back to the backstop quickly
jj
It is the first telecast? Wow.
4 pitch walk….there’s my Igawa!
Do you chicken littles feel better now. Phil knows what he did wrong, so he will correct it in his next start.
the announcers just said yankee new guy kelly duncan won’t get playing time…
Do you think the Yanks will put Igawa on waivers before the season is over? At some point, they may need his spot on the 40 man roster.
I remember when Kevin Thompson working a walk and Doug M. hitting a single was a good half inning for the Yankees.
So many ex-yanks, so little playing time. Wright, Mientkiewicz, Thompson….I saw there was a Boone pinch running and I almost spit up my sushi.
so I see nothing has changed we have alot of people who are getting scared because of ST results as we get close to the season. Anyway alot of players are having the same issue relax I think this is our 2nd night game, it’ll calm down.
MikeEff- Shelley , Play Every Day March 19th, 2008 at 9:24 pm
the announcers just said yankee new guy kelly duncan won’t get playing time…
I think that’s a smart move by Girardi. We are too far into ST to give playing time to guys we’ve never heard of. I drew the line at Billy Crystal.
may not have been a pretty inning, but it was a scoreless one:) good for Kei
hey brandon. the only thing that bothered me tonight was bobby meacham at 3rd
Mike R:
alot of people will be bothered by that trust me MikeE
BY Kim…another blast from the past
Rishi,
I’ve been meaning to ask you if Rishi is Japanese?
Ah, there we go.
Good to hear that from Phil. If he’s not worried….
Kelly Duncan. Wasn’t he our second round pick after Brackman last year?
Speaking of Billy Crystal, I was at the game. I think my favorite memory of it was listening to the first base umpire ask that he’d like 4 autographed balls. When he got the balls, he was acted like a fan, just like the rest of us.
PETE:
Ask the scouts where Hughes was sitting velocity-wise pretty please where cherries on top
nicky showing some muscle!!
Hey Pete – Just wanted to tell you that the new mobile version rocks! Don’t know when you updated it but I can read all of the comments!
Rishi
Anything that will help his trade value.
Bronx Liaison
If he was over striding his velocity could have been messed up.
Elizabeth – Kelly Duncan is the kid from Bad News Bears. He has 5 tool talent but some serious make up issues. He smokes, mouths off, rides a motorcycle.
I say posada has at least 15 passed balls this year, and that’s being kind.
it might be – i’m indian…it’s my dog – he just passed away at 20 so I changed what I post under to his name kind of as a memorial…
I feel so sorry for Kim. Really sorry.
A-Rod Schmay-Rod. Give me Green! :lol
Nick Green homers – who ever thought you’d read those words together
Chad Moeller = nice insurance at AAA
Oh my friend hung one kim is pitching.
quick note: Devin Harris is running laps on Atlanta
Rishi,
My condolences. 20 years is a long, long time. Nice gesture.
our buddy gave up another one ? he’s so nice
Mike–So THAT’S where I know the name from
Silly me.
Jennifer:
He could be overstriding, but he wasn’t all game or else he’d be injured. It would just be nice for Pete to see where the scouts [not YES, NESN or ESPN] had Hughes tonight. Hasn’t happened yet this Spring Training, though.
Oh, Kim. We ruined you in 2001, it seems. Go the way of Mark Woehlers.
Thanks, Mel – # 27 would be a great way to help me cope
Something tells me that Girardi won’t put up with that many passed balls. As a catcher that would have to peeve him.
yeah, we should have Kim as the team mascot
who his the second HR in that inning?
rishi, sorry to hear about your dog
Love me some Chad Moeller…good pick up
Chad Moeller
Wow – How can he keep putting in Kim against the Yankees? The poor kid (ok, not really, but why oh why?)
Anyone know who pitches tomorrow? Is it Ian?
Who was the last out?
Phil seems to know what he was doing wrong, admitted he has not been good in spring generally (excpet the first few starts this year). That being said, he had a decent gb to fb ratio, struck out three, had some nice offspeed pitches. Let Phil build up the arm, work out the kinks and move toward REAL games. Take a look at some other ace pitchers who are getting hammered this spring. Take a look at some of the pitchers who are already nursing injuries: Beckett, Schilling, Kazmir, Ryan (coming off dl).
AS2008 – Chad Moeller. We signed him when Cervelli broke his wrist.
I think Kim see pinstripes in his nightmares.
last out = Jason Lane…
THanks, MikeEff…appreciate it
Jennifer–Ian’s starting, Joba will be coming out of the bullpen.
i remember that kid brian friday from his college games…
maybe when Kim sees the blue helmet …IDK what’s up w/ that boy ! I’m trying but seriously we hit a HR everytime we see him
Rishi,
I think that #27 would bring world peace. That’s how long we’ve suffered.
Brandon,
I knew that you guys would like Devin Harris. What was Cuban thinking? Oh, that’s right he was trying to keep up with the Joneses. They’re 0-7 against WC contenders since the trade. Big ups to your GM. Cuban really liked Harris.
Cuban’s on a Nazi rampage. Won’t let legit bloggers like Abbot & the LA Times guy into the locker room. Specifically denying them access. Technical issues had them offline for half the game, too.
BJ Ryan has elbow soreness after his outing the other day.
Gibbons told Jeremy Accardo to be ready to close in the early part of the season.
Don’t know yet if BJ is being shutdown or going on the DL.
But, coupled with Marty Janssen’s season ending shoulder surgery, not good news for the Blue Jays.
Thanks Elizabeth.
Are these announcers stupid.
“Yankees have a three run lead and they are trying to pick off valandia”.
Um Yeah for the time when we have a one run lead. You know you do need to work on it, it is spring training.
mel I’m a Knicks fan
I just watch Nets game because I don’t want to lose the love for basketball
Okay I got a crazy text from my friend. I’m sure people are messing with her. She said Jeter got hurt tonight? I didn’t see anything.
Rock-n-Rollendorf is getting it done!
SJ–It’s Casey Janssen, I believe.
Shelve this one under the “sloppy game” category.
SJ – Don’t you mean Casey Janssen? I thought Marty Janssen was a track star?
I’m not blaming Posada for Hughes struggles tonight but these are interesting numbers:
With Molina catching him:
30 innings 11 ER 8 BB 27 SO 3.30 ERA
With Posada catching him:
32 innings 21 ER 17 BB 20 SO 5.91 ERA
I love when Pete names me on his blog glad he’s thinking of me.It explains his only 6 innings blogs and no Patriot talk whewn he has nothing better to say my name:)
Jax wasn’t Jorge catching Phil during his no hitter?
Did everyone just lose the game?
what happened?
Brandon,
That’s right. We sent you Riley. We were laughing about Riles to help you forget your misery.
I thought it was Cam Jansen?
What is this garbage? I want to watch the game!
What happened? how did it end?
Correct, Casey Janssen. My bad.
if anyone is interested
PRAISE JEZUSSSSS was 2 for 3, HR, 2B
Dellin Betances 3 IP, 3 Ks, retired 8 straight batters (sat 92-94), 1H, 1BB
Christian Garcia 1 IP, 3 Ks + a groundout (batter reached on passed ball on a swinging strikeout)
“BJ Ryan has elbow soreness after his outing the other day.”
That is really big news. JP Ricciardi must be besides himself.
That’s the thing with spring training – just hope the team gets through it health.
People were talking about the yankee front office being nervous with tonight’s game?
Tampa Bay’s FO should be nervous as they keep their fingers crossed kazmir’s elbow stays together. Same for Beckett, Lackey, Zumaya, Rodnery, Janssen, Pujols, etc, etc.
Main thing in spring training – get through it health. If they do that its a big success.
Blaming Posada for a bad ST outing for Hughes is a little absurd.
The two best games Hughes pitched last year, the near no hitter and the playoff game, came with Posada catching.
Sometimes, a guy has an off night. Doesn’t take any more deep analysis than that.
lol, i think someone is mistaking being notorious for being popular.
Brandon- do these guys have any chance being with the big club this year?
cb didn’t Ryan just have TJ surgery last year? Normally TJ surgery is longer than a year.
lol, but its spring training. We must criticize performance constantly, regardless of the lack of perspective/knowledge it shows.
/end sarcasm.
Brandon: thanks, i AM interested. i think we might see betances this year.
do any of you have a lot of confidence in edwar?
Jennifer it depends, I mean Christian Garcia can make a huge jump, he’s that good it depends if he stays healthy and how desperate the organization gets, Montero I don’t think so , he might be 2 or 3 years away like Betances but both will make a case who knows when.
whozat and CB have a better handle on this give the reports future evaluation is a thing I’m adjusting to.
CB,
I was just going to post that, thanks for beating me because the list is long and famous.
People, be glad that Phil got roughed up and is not injured (knocking on wood).
There will inevitably be injuries, but the good news is that a lot of players/pitchers have proven their worth this spring. We can dip in the well until players return or a more permanent solution is found.
The off-season conditioning that Girardi insist take place has two benefits. It helps prevent injuries and will help the Yankees get of to a good start. Working through injuries is what jammed us up in the first place last year. Took months to get healthy and get the mechanics sound again.
Cross your fingers and keep poking those Red Sox voodoo dolls, guys!
Edwar is a confusing guy, one night he can be unhittable Trevor Hoffman another night he looks like BP, MikeE no chance in Betances this season, that I’m sure of.
“didn’t Ryan just have TJ surgery last year? Normally TJ surgery is longer than a year.”
jennifer – you’re absolutely right.
Ryan is only around 10 months out of TJ surgery. For some reason the Jays have been insisting he’ll be fine to open the season with the team. Usual TJ recovery is 12-18 months.
That’s why that news from SJ on Ryan’s elbow is particularly concerning for them.
They may be pushing him too hard and maybe he still needs a few months.
I don’t have any real information on this but the sense I got from listening to what the Jays have been saying is that they really want to start getting some return for the massive investment they made in Ryan. Burnett has already been such a headache for them.
They were really counting on having Ryan back and having Accardo be the set up man – that way they could more easily slide Janssen into the #5 starter role.
Now Janssen is out for the year and Ryan could be up in the air.
Some idiot on Phil’s blog posted this to me and someone else
baileywalk (20:55:34) :
It’s wasn’t sarcasm or tongue-in-cheek — it was an insult. You people are so sycophantic it’s repulsive.
All because I said what Pete posted about Joba to the pen is it too late. (said that it was sarcasm.
You know idiots like that is going to make Phil shut down his blog.
There is also another idiot running with the rumor about Harden. I only wish Phil would let someone moderate the site and delete stupid comments before he reads them. I don’t care who you are, some of the stuff has to hurt.
Christian Garcia was sitting at 90-91 MPH. That is very good considering this is his first start after the TJ surgery. I really like this kid.
Betances and Garcia won’t be near the Bronx this year. Way too early in their development.
They will spend the year in A ball.
Garcia is coming off TJ Surgery and they aren’t going to overdo it with him.
Betances was limited last year due to elbow soreness.
I believe Betances will start the year in Charleston.
Not sure where Garcia starts yet. Most likely, it will be in Tampa.
SJ so we’re looking more at 2010 for Garcia right ?
Edwar faced AA and AAA guys guys tonight. Hence, he was effective.
Its when he faces ML hitters that his weakness (lack of consistent pop on the fastball) comes back to bite him.
He needs more in order to pitch in the majors. Its why he will start the year in Scranton.
I hate to say i told you so but…
so far this spring…
Igawa with shades, 4.0IP 7H 6ER 4Ks 4BB 1HBP
Igawa without shades 5.0IP 7H 0ER 4K 3BB…
Now i know, theyre both not good lines… but the runs scoring definately follows a correlation of him seeing his spots… which hes not doing with the raybans…
Agent Kei needs to keep the shades off.. Im tellin you guys.
No coincidence here.
Pete… im serious.
My only expectation/ hope for Christian Garcia and Dellin Betances are that they stay healthy the entire season.
That’s it. I don’t care how they pitch. With both of them main thing that matters is that they stay healthy, work on their mechanics and throw innings.
Garcia has had a laundry list of injuries but has a great arm. Great arm. Coming off of TJ.
Betances has a tremendous ceiling but had elbow pain last year that shut him down. That’s very worrying. He’s 6’8 or so and has trouble repeating his delivery – I’m worried his inconsistent mechanics are going to lead him into TJ territory.
Montero – no chance he’s in the pros any time soon. Only goal for him is that he improves defensively behind the plate and makes consistent contact at Charleston.
It depends on a few things Brandon.
Garcia will be eligible for the Rule 5 Draft after this season.
I think the Yankees have to see if he can stay healthy enough to pitch before making a decision on him.
Its a tough position for the Yankees. Yes, Garcia has potential. However, a big part of pitching is being able to stay healthy. If he can’t do that, they may just have to expose him to the Rule 5.
Going to be interesting to see how this one shakes out.
Although if you read Pinstripes Plus, Garcia can make some leaps forward this year. Agreed that unless something miraculaous happens, he won’t see NY. But you have gotta love the incredible, high ceiling depth the Yankees have created in three-four years. Joba, Hughes, Kennedy – Now. Horne, Marquez, Melancon, Cox, Sancez coming soon. Brackman, Garcia, Betances, Heredia coming a bit after that. here are plenty of others, but it would seem that over the next several years, there is the potential for 2-3 IMPACT pitchers graduating the minors. The hitting is a bit behind (perhaps a year or two), but we will see that too. Tabata, Jackson, Montero, Romine, Almonte etc.
Call me daffy, I’d take Gardner’s speed and run producing abiliy over Melky’s canon arm any day.. Brett’s is awesome, he is just what the Yankees need on the bases..
I’d say alternate gardner/cabrera and find out who fits the bill better.
(melky lovers need not apply)
Brett Gardner has to prove he can hit at AAA. When he went to AAA last year he didn’t hit at all.
He’s not yet a better player than Melky who, BTW, is hitting over .400 this spring.
Gardner has made strides this spring. But, he needs to play everyday in order to continue to improve.
Scouts will tell you that you don’t make decisions on players based on their spring results or on their September callup results. That’s how you get into trouble evaluating players.
If Gardner can hit close to .300 and get his OBP up over .370 at the AAA level, then we have something to talk about.
Jennifer–that was to me, too. It was obvious Pete was doing it as a nod to the Panic Society.
SJ – someone tell that to the Ellsbury to the HOF club. Can’t make an out in Sept. and can’t get a hit in the spring. My guess is he will end up being in between the two extremes.
Montero is going to be interesting to watch this year.
This kid can flat out hit. I don’t care who is pitching, he has no fear at the plate.
His catching is a work in progress.
Both he and Austin Romine (a much better defensive catcher) will start the year at Charleston.
What will be fascinating is if Montero is a monster offensively and Romine is the better catching prospect.
If that happens, do the Yankees move him to first base or continue to keep him behind the plate?
He’s a kid whose bat may get him closer to the big leagues faster than first projected. The catching part will hold him back.
What they do with him will be an interesting decision down the line. He’s a special talent with a bat in his hands.
SJ–Nice to see someone else not jumping on the “START GARDNER IN CENTER” bandwagon. Yes, I’m biased in my love of Melky, but he’s proven he can play every day and score runs. He’s a proven commodity at this point, and he gels very well with the rest of the ballclub. Thanks for pointing out his st BA, as well. He’s no slouch, himself.
Elizabeth, how funny is it that he is calling us sycophantic. I think he needs to look in the mirror.
SJ I wouldn’t expose Garcia to the Rule 5 that could be a real bad mistake imo just because of his stuff and potential.
oh yeh before I forget
Arodis Vizcaino 2 IP, 1 BB, 3 K’s (sat 91 mph)
I like Gardner better than many as a future ML player. However, he isn’t ready yet.
Folks get too giddy or too down based on ST results.
Baseball is a game of adjustments. Three full series in the regular season, and advance scouts have a book on you. Once teams learn how to pitch you, the onus falls on you to make adjustments.
Melky has had that experience making adjustments that Gardner currently lacks. Melky is in fact younger than Gardner. When Melky was in AAA a few years ago, he was tearing it up before getting called up.
Gardner has not yet torn up AAA. Let’s see 400 AB’s in AAA before we decide he should be the Yankees CF.
Doesn’t someone called baileywalk also post on Was Watching?
It was pretty clear to me, that if Peter was insulting anyone, it was ‘the sky is falling, the yankees suck in spring training’ brigade.
They may not have a choice Brandon. The Yankees are going to have some tough decisions to make after this season.
Yes, Garcia has a lot of potential. However, he hasn’t pitched much in over two years.
Its why this year is very important for him. If he can’t give them something to hang their hats on, I have a feeling he will get exposed in the Rule 5.
They have so much RH pitching talent, they all can’t make the Bronx.
Its going to be interesting to see after this season which guys have improved their stock and which haven’t.
SJ-
You think Pujols goes under the knife before the All Star break?
Hey, Igawa got the win tonight, lol.
Pujols says he is playing with the injury.
He really can’t hurt it anymore than it is right now. Its about pain tolerance.
I see the Cardinals being in the same boat as the Miami Heat this year. Dwayne Wade played hurt all year for the Heat. At some point, with the team floundering, they shut down Wade for the season.
I suspect the Cardinals would look to do the same with Pujols if the team is out of contention.
Problem is, that is such a bad division, the Cardinals may just hang in there this year.
If they do, and he is hitting, now what do you do?
Certainly not a positive situation for the Cards or for Pujols.
I know you got this down pat a bit SJ but say what you want I’m not into giving up arms like Christian Garcia to the ML for free. I really highly doubt they let him go Rule 5 reguardless who is in thier system.
If there’s a good possibilty he will need the surgery at some point, he should have it ASAP. Isn’t the ligament hanging by a thread? If it’s a TJ type of surgery, you’re looking at a long recovery, maybe less than a pitcher’s recovery, but still you might be able to salvage the ’09 season rather than miss parts of ’08 & ’09.
SJ
Very true about Pujols, especially if Carpenter can come back & contribute, it’s worth fighting through all the pain.
Amazing that Ankiel is now a pretty decent offensive OF starting in CF for the Cards as well.
hahaha Bill Belichick is at the Florida NIT game with Urban Meyer and he is wearing a Cardinals hat
You know any Red Sox fans that saw that are pissed.
Houston now lost 2 in a row, yikes!
Just got home. Was this game on mlb.tv, and if so, does anyone know if springtraining games are archived and available later?
Thanks.
Clare–yes yes and yes
Buddy,
Here’s that tasty treat
I promised you.
Does this Rich Harden rumor have legs or were the Yankees just kicking the tires?
Elizabeth,
Thank you!
mel-
Nice, that was awesome!
back in bOrelando
Parking in Bradenton was a mess. Met some nice folks and yelled at bobby m.
it has legs Elizabeth, wee have scouts watching Rich, but Beane and his demands might be too much to do.
Well, I read the article so I got that there were scouts there, but I meant whether or not the Yankees were just interested in what it would cost them or if they’d seriously consider dealing Ian.
No legs on the Harden rumor, unless the Yanks wanna get fleeced.
put it this way Elizabeth I don’t see Ian going anywhere anytime soon
Brandon–excellent. That’s all I wanted to know.
Buddy,
Glad you liked it.
BTW, have I ever told you that I really, really, really hate Raja Bell? With a passion. And I hate that Taco Bell gong they do when he makes a FG.
Sorry, lost it for a minute there.
Enjoy the game Friday. I’ll be cheering for you guys.
Bobby Meacham!
How do 3rd base coaches screw that up?
It’s not just Meacham, it happens alot. Remember how Cleveland’s Joel Skinner held up Lofton in last year’s game seven, versus the Red sox.
Luis Sojo also made alot of mistakes.
And Sojo and Meacham were infielders, just like Bowa.
Elizabeth–FarnsWORTHIT: “Yes, I’m biased in my love of Melky, but he’s proven he can play every day and score runs. He’s a proven commodity at this point, and he gels very well with the rest of the ballclub. Thanks for pointing out his st BA, as well. He’s no slouch, himself.”
While I don’t know if Gardner is the answer or not, I know that he could likely easily hit for Melky’s OPS, in addition to having much, much more value due to his speed.
Anyway, a .700 OPS hitter isn’t the long term solution to CF for the Yankees. Melky had better show more than that. He had a .718 OPS and a hideous .327 OBP. When you don’t hit for any sort of power, you have to get on base more than that. If he doesn’t get off to a good start, they’re going to have to send him back to AAA to develop some more and let someone like Gardner get a shot to see what HE can do.
Forgot to add that the only thing Melky has “proven” is that he has a good arm. His bat is among the worst of all MLB outfielders. I’m not knocking him, it’s just that’s what the numbers and results have clearly shown so far. Maybe he’ll improve, maybe he wont, but I don’t think the Yankees can continue to let a player perform that poorly offensively. Yes, the Yankee lineup is good, but you can never be TOO good. If there’s a better option, you have to explore it.
ps I love ARod, but he shouldn’t yell at the coaches out in the open. The same way Billy Martin shouldn’t not have yelled at his players during a game.
Nike,
Did something happen?
Gardner + Sanchez + Horne should be enough for Harden.
University-
We are cutting you off, too much to drink tonight.
Nightline: Adam and Eve walked with dinosaurs. LOLLLLLL. Which comic book was this?
Mr. Natural?
Alex yelled at Meachem? I didn’t see that.
which issue of Mr. Natural?
“[Melky's] bat is among the worst of all MLB outfielders.”
Eric, on what do you base that? It looks to me that, at the age of 21/22, he was already almost an average AL OF with a superior arm. Out of 42 startling AL OFs in 2007, Melky was:
-#22 in RBIs, better than Damon, G. Matthews, Drew and other $10 million+/yr. OFs
-#19 in hits, more than Damon, Manny, Drew, Matthews, Wells, Crisp, Swisher
-#5 in triples
-#25 in total bases
Many of his weaknesses are learnable: positioning, plate discipline, etc. And he’s younger than Butler!
No idea, it was just a shot in the dark.
Melky was also top 5 in sac hits.
I’m doing my fantasy baseball draft right now and Yahoo ranks Carl Pavano above Mike Mussina.
I could only type that out. My tongue cannot form those words in that order.
http://philhughes.wordpress.co.....and-cramp/
That is why he was off today.
Phil may have been affected by the slight change in weather. the last couple of days, the area has gone from a bit cooler drier air to a heavier damp warm air. wouldn’t think that would make a diff, but it does and can.