Blue Jays-Yankees: The Live Blog
-
- March
- 22
It’s overcast and 69 degrees here at Legends Field. Rain could be coming.
In a matchup of legends, it’s Jon Albaladejo vs. Randy Wells. The game is on YES and WCBS, so my dedication to live blogging could be limited. But I’ll chime in from time to time.
Just ran into Ron Howard in the lunchroom. I had no idea what to say to him, so I stopped at “Hello.”
In retrospect, I should have gone with “Cinderella Man was underrated,” but I missed the chance.
Anyway, enjoy the game.
FIRST INNING
This inning just has to be recorded for the sake of baseball scholars.
Eckstein: Singles on an 0-2 pitch
Rios: Groundball through the legs of Jeter. Duncan foolishly throws to third and Rios advances to second
Wells: Grounds to third, drives in a run
Rolen: Fly ball to left that Shelley drops, run scores
Thomas: Single off the base at third
Hill: RBI double
Stewart: Bloop single into short right, two runs score
(now it starts raining)
Scutaro: Double over the head of everybody to center, one run scores.
5-0 Jays and Albaladejo is out of the game and probably en route to Scranton.
Still only one out. Scott Patterson on to pitch.
SECOND INNING
Kyle Farnsworth pitched the second inning and allowed a double and a walk before getting out of trouble. Shelley made a diving catch for the last out and left a crater in left.
Now we’re in a rain delay.
UPDATE, 2:33 p.m.: The game was just canceled.
This entry was posted
on Saturday, March 22nd, 2008 at 1:07 pm by Peter Abraham.
You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.
Share and Enjoy: 
| 
Print This Post
| 
Email This Post
Peter Abraham
pete, you should asked ron Howard how tobias is doing. He might hve given you some insight on a movie being rumored for arrested development.
Arrested Development was great. Sucks it only lasted 3 seasons.
I wonder what Robinson Cano’s “general body stiffness” is a euphemism for.
He got into the medicine cabinet looking for an aspirin but accidentally took something else.
Pavano actually stands for the National Anthem….Amazing…
Hello is better than I could have mustered.
Cinderella Man was indeed underrated. Great movie.
Should have said “Yowza yowza yowza” to Howard lol
Duncan wake up…..
shelley…
Nice D Jeter and Duncan.
Jeter and Duncan are off to less than stellar starts in this game.
Now imagine Igawa and that kind of defense combined. That inning should have been over 10 minutes ago.
Tough inning for Albaladejo. Good example of one of the tough parts of being a ground ball pitcher.
The ball gets put in play and then, to some degree, you have to depend on your defense and luck - like the ball hitting the bag.
Aron Hill is going to be very good.
Albaladejo looked strong at first but it seems like he’s trying too hard to make up for the errors.
Bob Lorentz is really good as a color guy. They should get him in the booth during the regular season instead of all of the similarly generic sounding O’Neill/Cone/Flaherty/Leiter.
Also, Albaladejo sucks.
watching on yes, you can actually hear raindrops hitting the microphone.
Ron Howard is one of the few fans remaining in his seat through the rain.
Ross
I think Al Leiter is great. Especially when he’s with Michael Kay, they really push eachother’s buttons and hilarity ensues.
You could see this coming. Girardi has used Patterson in the fire man role to put out rallies in the middle of an inning several times.
Another opportunity for patterson here.
“Also, Albaladejo sucks.”
Gee, you really have good baseball analysis skills.
An inning with 2 errors, a throw to the wrong bag, a ball hitting 3rd base and blooper to right. And then a triple served up while pitching in the pouring rain.
Stick to analyzing the announcers…
Is Patterson slated to start in AAA this year or is he going back to AA?
John you have summed up the inning very well lol
Patterson does it once again - and against the blue jay regulars. Comes in throws strikes and gets outs.
If he doesn’t make the team, no chance Patterson goes to AA. He was completely dominant there and spent the full year there last season.
If he doesn’t make the team he’ll be at Scranton.
Patterson is hoping to make the team and get a spot in the pen!
One thing that is a little concerning to me about Patterson is his awkward delivery. particularly the way he jerks his body back after he releases the ball, he seems like he could hurt himself doing thing.
If he doesn’t make the team, Patterson will start in AAA.
Kind of hard to rip on Albie after that inning.
Then again, only Joe Maddon, and few folks in here, get fired up for spring training baseball.
He will go to Scranton and look to hone his sinker.
Guys like that are useful during the season after their arm weakens a bit.
Sinkerball pitchers often struggle early in seasons because they are too strong. Albie will be a guy in the mix to help in the ‘pen later in the season.
Number 1 - Yes, Albie didn’t get any help from his fielders, and there was some lucky placement from the batters. However, that was a real shot to center. And these things happen, a pitcher has to pitch through it.
Number 2 - I really like Shelley, but he needs to continue working on his D.
Number 3 - Can anyone give me a reason why Scott Patterson shouldn’t make the team?
Oh yeah, Number 4 - I like Bob Lorenz doing the games. Can he swap jobs with Kay?
Bob Lorenz definitely is a lot better than Michael Kay.
Any truth to the rumor that Kei Igawa has been demoted to the Staten Island Yankees batting practice pitcher???
No injury risk for Patterson…in his entire professional career, he has never missed an inning with ANY injury.
kei igawa is insecure about his eyes that is why he wears sunglasses.
Every pitcher gives up shots in a game. Sometimes, they are hit at fielders, sometimes not.
Shelley has played excellent D all spring. He made a bad couple of plays today. It happens.
The other day, he made an excellent relay to Cano to nail Eckstein trying to stretch a double into a triple. In fairness to Shelley, is a RF who has played a lot of first base this spring. I don’t recall him playing too much LF.
Its tough for any pitcher to pitch through multiple poor plays in the field. Especially when you pitch to contact. Which is Albie’s style of pitching.
Patterson may get caught in a numbers game. They have two open spots in the ‘pen: long man and one more slot behind Farnsworth, Hawkins and Joba.
Girardi said the other day he doesn’t see Patterson as a long man. So, that seems to leave that battle between Rasner and Karstans.
That means, its between Patterson, Veras, Britton, Ramirez and Bruney for the final spot. Bruney has a guaranteed deal and an option left. The other guys all have options remaining.
Will be interesting to see what the Yankees do because Patterson has certainly pitched very, very well.
Joe-
Was just about to say that. When I first saw Patterson I was like, “This guy’s arms gonna fall off trying to make the team”, but it looks as though he has that wind-up down pat. It looks so unnatural but he made it work for him.
Question about Pavano…I understand that Yankees fans really don’t like him because of his injuries….and this is a REAL question…but why such venom? Has he seriously milked injuries or is there any chance he really has been the most unfortunate guy ever when it comes to getting hurt? I know him and Pettite are still close and from what I hear he is a good guy…and again this is a REAL question, what do I not know that the yankees bloggers do?
SJ44- is ohlendorf out of the running?
If I am Scott and I get the assignment to AAA, it would be very hard for me to go considering I have dominated for two plus years now and know it’s just a numbers thing. Gotta be tough to take.
Albaladejo was marginal to make the team. He can hone his pitches at AAA and be called up when needed.
a lot of people are jealous of pavano because he gets to sit around and make money without doing anything. while the rest of us have to work our butts off.
I’m gonna omit Shelley’s defensive troubles today because it’s (i believe) his first time in left, but he does have a really good arm in the OF. just made a strong one hop throw straight to A-Rod from the warning track.
If Patterson doesn’t make the team the main reason will be that Girardi doesn’t think he has enough experience.
That’s the main knock you can put on him.
I don’t think the $750,000 guaranteed to Bruney is going to be any substantial factor in leading the yankees to giving Bruney a shot.
They can send any of the relievers to the minors except for Henn (who’s clearly out of the running).
If Patterson doesn’t make it Girardi will have placed some other factor over performance.
Joe-
Pavano followed up his playoff exploits with his best season to date in 2004, posting an 18-8 record and a 3.00 ERA. He became a free agent following the season and, despite receiving bigger offers from Boston and Cincinnati, chose to accept a four-year contract worth $39.95 million with the New York Yankees on December 11, 2004.[2][3]
In 2005, Pavano began the season with quality starts in seven of his first 10 appearances, compiling a 4-2 record and a 3.69 ERA. However, in June of that year, he injured his right shoulder and went on the disabled list. Pavano made 17 starts and finished 4-6 with a 4.77 ERA. The Yankees expected him to be healthy for the 2006 season, but Pavano began the season on the disabled list after bruising his buttocks in a spring training game. He did not pitch at all in the Majors in 2006, making only minor league rehab starts. On August 15, 2006, he broke two ribs in an automobile accident. However, he didn’t tell the Yankees until August 28, the day they informed him that they planned for him to come off the disabled list to play that Thursday.[4]
In 2007, after ace Chien-Ming Wang injured his right hamstring late in Spring Training, the Yankees chose Pavano to start on Opening Day against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays at Yankee Stadium. On April 15, 2007, Pavano was placed on the 15-day DL with what was described as an “elbow strain”. On May 23, 2007, it was reported that Pavano would opt for Tommy John surgery in his elbow.
In December 2007, the Yankee organization asked Pavano to accept a minor league contract to clear space on their 40-man roster, Pavano’s agent, Tom O’Connell, stated that he would consider the request, but he later turned it down. O’Connell also stated that Pavano’s rehabilitation is going faster than expected and he might be available to pitch at the Major League level by mid-summer 2008.[5]
Because of his numerous injuries, some teammates (most notably, fellow starting pitcher Mike Mussina) have questioned his desire to pitch,[6] and the New York press has dubbed him the “American Idle.”[7] On February 16, 2008, a Yankee veteran player spoke off the record to New York Newsday reporter Wallace Matthews saying:
“It’s hard to trust the guy anymore. He keeps getting hurt and it takes him forever to come back. Plus, now I think he’s feeling sorry for himself.”[8]
In his Yankees career, Pavano earned five wins while compiling a 4.77 ERA.
from wikipedia lol
YEAH SHELLEY!
Jets should sign Duncan…what a catch!
Shelley, baby! trying to show us he CAN play left!
Joe:
From what I remember of the press coverage on Pavano: he was not very cooperative with the reporters, and then there is the whole incident of the car accident where he didn’t report his injury. All in all, he didn’t project himself as a “good guy,” and to top it off, he didn’t cooperate with the Yankees when they wanted to make room on the roster (because he wanted to get time credited to his pension!).
Looks like Shelley has improved his D already.
I forgot about Ohlendorf. He is also still in the mix.
What I like about this year’s team is that its the first time in several years they are sending guys to Scranton who are good enough to make the team.
Over the course of the year, you win with 30-35 players. Guys underperform, injuries occur, and you need depth to win today. Especially in the AL.
This year, the Yankees finally have depth within their organization and its going to come into play this year.
I saw some folks complaining in the other post about the bench.
Last years bench was, Cairo, Nieves, Phelps, and Minky.
This year, its Betemit, Ensberg, Duncan and Molina.
Its NIGHT AND DAY better than last years bench.
Gardner needs more seasoning before you can determine whether or not his future is with the Yankees. Playing everyday at AAA will help make that determination.
I really like the way the team is shaping up. They just need to stay healthy for another 8 days.
I am a man of two minds about Shelly Duncan’s outfield defense. While one could aptly characterize it as positively frightening, at least its not dull.
Yeah I know that story…but considering he accepted less money to go to New York and considering the injuries, minus the butt injury (what was up with that? he missed a whole year with a butt injury?) were serious is there any slack cut for him or has he done other stuff to wear out his welcome.
Shelley Duncan is indestructible. Studies show he’s made of cast iron.
If they send Igawa out there to pitch in the rain and he gets injured, does the team get some insurance money back to make up for some of horrible investment of his contract??
I know it’s a stupid and evil thought, but I’m just curious about how insurance for the players work.
And by the way…congratulations to the players union for guaranteed contracts, great pension plans, etc…Can’t know Pavano for not accepting a minor league deal when he doesn’t have to. It is a business, and I guarantee no one here would take a pay cut and hurt their retirement because the boss asked you to when it isn’t neccessary. But the butt injury made me laugh…guy missed a whole season with a strained arse?
and there’s the delay…damn, i wanted to see Joba! i missed his bullpen “debut” the other day.
Compare the yankees bench to the projected bench’s for some other contenders:
Boston’s:
Alex Cora, Sean Casey, Coco Crisp and Kevin Cash.
Cleveland’s”
Jamey Carroll / Kelly Shoppach / Andy Marte / Jason Michaels
Detroit’s”
Brandon Inge / Marcus Thames / Ramon Santiago / Ryan
Raburn
Brandon Inge is acting as their backup catcher. That’s how bad their depth is.
People complaining about the Yankee’s bench don’t see how generally weak reserves are - even on very good teams.
The yankee’s bench is much better than any of those teams. They have 3 guys who could start for many teams.
Few teams can match the depth the yankees have.
Someone has to tell Duncan that this is baseball and not the WWE. He is funny out there.
Clevelands bench isn’t that bad at ALL. Micheals and Marte are really really good players.
If spring training ended today I’d take Darrell Rasner and Ross Ohlendorf. If Rasner crumbled as the long reliever slide Ohlendorf in the role and with his background as a starter, it can work.
It’s so nice to have depth at AAA unlike other recent years.
9 days… god that seems like an eternity still. And i’m not even gonna get to watch the entire opening, just as much as i can see between classes….sucks. can’t wait to get back to night games.
Andy Marte has thus far done nothing in his career to live up to his hype.
He is having a good spring. He is also out of options. The Indians have no choice but to keep him and hope he can produce.
Tough role for a young kid who has never been a reserve in his career.
Jason Michaels is your prototypical 4th OF. A decent player who, if played too much (like last year) gets exposed.
Their bench isn’t anywhere near as good as the Yankees.
I actually like the Tigers bench. Rayburn showed last year when he was recalled that he can flat out hit. He is also playing all of the infield positions.
Always liked Marcus Thames. He was Shelley Duncan before Shelley Duncan in the Yankees organization. I always felt the Yankees didn’t give him enough of a shot at being a bench player. He always has good AB’s against lefties.
Inge is an interesting case. I thought he was the best defensive third baseman in the league last year. He’s always been a streaky hitter. He is now unseated at third because Cabrera.
He may be the last remaining chip the Tigers have if they need to make a deal to improve their team.
BTW, Dontrelle Willis has been awful this spring. Coupled with the injuries to Rodney and Zumaya, Leyland is counting on a lot of new faces in that bullpen to get the job done. Will be interesting to see how that goes.
“Mary Duncan Shelly Frankenstein”
That’s the funniest thing I have seen on the blog in a long time
Alex Cora is the only reserve worth consideration that Boston has. Even Sal Fasano can run faster than Sean Casey. Crisp is an unhappy camper with a noodle arm and bad attitude. If Varitek goes down, Boston is in deep doodoo with Kevin Cash.
In summary, PffffffT !!
I think that whoever gets the last bullpen spots is going to have to pitch well. With all of the good arms that will be going to AAA it will be easy enough to make roster moves and send ineffective pitchers down.
I think Jeter and Duncan should go to Scranton too to learn how to play defense because Jeter can’t spend the next 10 years being good at PR and Duncan needs to play first to play at all we already got four outfielders and three first basemen.
If anybody is interested WNBC-TV in NY has a special on tonight from 7-8PM called “The Legacy of Yankee Stadium”
The Red Sox bench is uncertain until/when Crisp is traded. There have been rumors that he’ll be traded for (a) a fourth outfielder, or (b) bullpen help. If the Sox trade for a pitcher, Bobby Kielty figures to be the 4th outfielder.
One key aspect about evaluating a bench … the player has to be able to produce when being used sporadically. Also, you really don’t want benchwarmers who think they should be starters, especially if they have recently been starters(e.g. Crisp).
My conclusion is that I have no idea how the Yankee bench compares to the Sox bench. I know that Cora and Casey are good clubhouse guys, and that Cora can produce in his infrequent appearances. Crisp would be a super 4th outfielder, but no one thinks it will play out that way.
For the Yankees, Ensberg is used to playing every day, and Betemit reminds me of Willy Mo Pena (a tease who needs ABs).
Overall, I like the Yankee bench for offense, and the nod goes to the Sox bench for defense. But that’s why they play the games.
on any given day through out the season, we may question shelleys, d, and someitmes his bat. don’t think we will ever esver question his heart
The only bullpen I agree on is one in which Patterson is a member. He’s old enough and has been around enough that if he can’t handle it after a couple months then you can send him down. He just has nothing left to prove for the Yankees in the minors, while a couple others (Ohlee, Edwar, etc.) can actually benefit from some more time down there.
Patterson is making the team there is no chance he doesn’t. Alba looked good but I also would start him in AAA I’d want them to test his mentality down there, will he continue to work hard for his spot once things go wrong. He was solid today if not for slapstick 5 hole Jetes at SS and Shelley’s inexperience throw to 3rd instead of 2nd
Anyway watching Duke and WVU mark it down Joe Alexander will knock Duke out today
Albaladejo did not pitch that bad. The defense behind him was horrendous.
Joe Alexander about to take over !
Patterson is not a lock to make this team out of ST - although I certainly hope he does.
The thing I like most about him is that he throws strikes and he provides a stark contrast to the fireballers with his herky-jerky motion and slow curve ball. You don’t want every arm in the pen to have the same look or repertoire.
Since Mo, Joba, Hawkins, and Farnsworth are all locks in the pen, I’d like to see the final slots go to Traber, Ohlendorf, and Patterson.
Unfortunately, I think it’s going to be Traber, Bruney, and Karstens getting those slots.
Guiseppe everytime Joe G has used Patterson all he has done is not allow a run to score, his herky jerk throws hitters off big time ala Okijima’s neck snap, he’s making it.
If I saw Ron Howard, I’d ask him if he were Frank’s brother. Then I’d borrow the old Eddie Murphy reference to “Opie Cunningham.”
Didn’t he direct Alien?
Alexander is laying the whipping on Duke
On the radio broadcast today Sterling and Waldman were speculating that if the Yankees were not carrying a long man (probably Rasner or Karstens) then Patterson would make the team.
Don’t discount Darrell Rasner quite yet. Karstens needs to show more before the long relief role is decided on.
Flip a coin with Bruney and Patterson with Ohlendorf as a sleeper.
“Guiseppe everytime Joe G has used Patterson all he has done is not allow a run to score, his herky jerk throws hitters off big time ala Okijima’s neck snap, he’s making it.
We agree that Patterson has done his job so far. But so has Brett Gardner and he’s almost definitely not making the team out of ST.
It’s a numbers game and the team may decide to put him in Triple-A to start the season and keep him on speed dial.
Saw the Duncan catch… mus’ta registered on the Richter scale when he landed.
i’d like to see the last 3 bullpen spots go to Traber, Patterson and Karstens. I like Ohlendorf a lot, but i kind of would like to see him start at AAA and have a chance to enter the Yankee rotation when we are Pettitte and Mussina free. Of course he’d be competing with the likes of Alan Horne and Humberto Sanchez, but still.
Ohlendorf’s starting days are over. He’s strictly a relief pitcher for the Yankees. They made the switch the middle of last season and they aren’t moving him back.