Pirates-Yankees: The Live Blog
-
- March
- 27
It’s 73 here in Tampa and they’re in the middle of the ceremony renaming Legends Field to Steinbrenner Field.
I just got to do a fun thing. As a member of the executive board of the New York Chapter of the BBWAA, I was asked to present Shelley Duncan with the Dawson Award for the best rookie in camp. The ceremony was on the field.
He received a watch that I had to hand to him. I was a little worried that he would give me a forearm smash, but he only shook my hand and broke four bones.
“This is cool, dude,” Shelley said. “Awesome.”
Meanwhile, the Steinbrenner family is about to reveal the sign over the scoreboard that says “George M. Steinbrenner Field.”
“This is a great thing,” Steinbrenner said. “It makes me proud.”
Steinbrenner is in a golf cart circling the stadium and waving to the fans, who are giving him a standing ovation.
FIRST INNING
I was just downstairs interviewing Hank and Hal Steinbrenner. I’m going to post the audio ASAP.
Meanwhile, I get back upstairs and Igawa has already given up two runs. Go get ‘em in Scranton, K-Man. But Jeter homered and it’s 2-1.
As for the live blog, I have a ton of work to do and the game is on YES, so my updates might be sparse.
I do have this info for you: Cody Ransom, Jason Lane, Jason Brown, Greg Porter and Bernie Castro were all reassigned to the minor league camp. But most of them will go to Miami as backups.
FOURTH INNING
Igawa’s line: 3.1 5 4 4 3 2 65 pitches / 36 strikes. If they really want to honor Steinbrenner they should release Igawa.
Meanwhile it’s still 4-1. The only hit for the Yankees was Jeter’s homer. They look pretty lifeless for whatever reason. Guess they’re ready to get out of Tampa.
FIFTH INNING
Here’s Hank Steinbrenner before the game:
And here’s Hal Steinbrenner:
FIFTH INNING
Rough time for the Yankees. Jeff Karstens limped off with what appeared to be an injured right leg. Count on him going to the DL. Then Scott Patterson got drilled in the back with a line drive. But he came back out for the sixth.
The bullpen is all but set now:
Rivera
Chamberlain
Farnsworth
Hawkins
Traber
Rasner
Bruney or Ohlendorf.
My guess is Bruney, albeit on a short leash.
EIGHTH INNING
It’ll be time to head down to the clubhouse soon. It’s 4-1 Pirates and the Yankees have three hits. If the score holds, they’ll have lost three straight and four of five.
Then again, they haven’t used the entire lineup for a few days.
This entry was posted
on Thursday, March 27th, 2008 at 1:12 pm by Peter Abraham.
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as an executive do you get a discount on beer at ball parks?
How does George look and sound?
Hey anyone with extra innings having probs with todays game…
Boxing????
Thanks
wow that might be the first time i’ve seen george in years
LOL, Posada’s such a nerd.
I just MLB extra innings and the game isn’t on, anyone having problems viewing todays game…
Thanks
Why is Posada a nerd? I’m at work can’t watch/can’t listen. HELP!
Very nice to see the Boss on the field!!
jennifer,
George didn’t say anything, but he looked like the Pope riding in the cart.
Gotta say Jessica looks pretty glamorous.
jennifer- I’m only teasing, he was just being very excited and giggly when George went by him in the golf cart.
can someone post video of The Boss?
George looks fine for his old age.
I cried through the whole thing. Who is more deserving of that honor than George Steinbrenner? Who has given more to his team and to the fans?
GOD BLESS YOU GEORGE!
The game was supposed to be on YES and I have it recording. Is it on? Some people seem to be having a problem……
I think George just fired his wife. She threw the ball like 12 inches.
Mrs. Steinbrenner! Better watch it or Hank will have you traded!
anyone has the link to the gameday?
trisha pleas stop crying! or maybe your real naqme is susyn waldman
YanksRule- It’s on YES, you’ll have it when you get home.
That was almost as bad an opening pitch as the mayor of Cincinnati last year
Oh look…base hit to start the game. Shocking.
What a pitch! Get that woman a jersey and a locker!
Hey
Someone throw me a friggin’ bone
I just MLB extra innings and the game isn’t on, anyone having problems viewing todays game…
And of course he looks old ..he is…
al, I am pretty pathetic when it comes to the water works. Sorry.
Mick, I have the game on MLB TV.
Take those stupid sunglasses off Igawa!! The catcher’s signals reflect from the shades to the hitters!!!
Say it ain’t so,
Thank you.
Mick
I dont think ST games are on extra innings. And here in NY the Yankee games might be blacked out on extra innings.
Of all the dramatic!
trisha,
What happened to the hard-nosed lawyer from yesterday?
gameday please
Hope the plane ticket to Scranton is ready
Igawa will never make it into the majors. Yankees should have traded him when they had the chance.
mel, I am a hard-nosed lawyer with a big heart.
Kind of like George Steinbrenner.
i love how everytime we cant see igawa hes magically dominant but its always the same thing when hes on tv
A distraction from the game:
Stark
89-73
2nd in AL East
Kurkjian
93-69
2nd in AL East
Olney
93-69
1st in AL East
Law
91-71
2nd in AL East
Phillips
90-72
2nd in AL East
==============================
ESPN Predictions for Boston:
Stark
96-66
1st in AL East
Kurkjian
95-67
1st in AL East
Olney
92-70
2nd in AL East
Law
96-66
1st in AL East
Phillips
92-70
1st in AL East
=========================
2 people picked Boston to have 96 wins?!?
How is it 2-0 already???
Well check it out. Remember this moment. I’m picking the Yankees to take the division.
what is the gameday link?
How in the world do they give them so many more wins than us?
Who is on their staff? Beckett? Has he ever had two good healhty seasons together? Wakefield? He is old. And aren’t the rest of them rookies like our staff?
Thanks trisha & Yankee4life!
I’m up here in Newfoundland and just ordered MLB extra innings on satellite and all the other games are on except this… they did have Boxing on from MSG then the mets from SNY…
they probably just can’t find YES
This is going to be a very unpredictable season.
Lori - would the answer to your question be: “because Igawa is on the mound?”
Trisha - I second that - let’s hope they stay consistent-
Optimism is catching
Someone apparently gave Igawa the note that he was pitching for the long-man job and he has thrown up the white flag to surrender.
Although they should have turned two.
“2 people picked Boston to have 96 wins?!?”
Don’t you understand? Every Sox player who got better last year will continue to do so, and every one that did poorly will bounce back. Also, the young players will be awesome.
For the Yanks, everyone who did well will regress to the mean, everyone who did less well than usual is done, and the young players are too inexperienced to count on.
Thanks Motown - I was looking for something a little more specific, but I guess that works.
jennifer
I totally agree. We are better then the red sox if not even with them. They have manny and big ortiz but we have alex and cano. Evens things out. We will finish first but the red sox will run us close
“And aren’t the rest of them rookies like our staff?”
But Matsuzaka and Lester’s control will magically become awesome, while Phil, Ian and Joba’s will desert them for no apparent reason.
Oh DJ, go DJ!!!!
Leave it to Jeter to help the beaver.
For those of us with NOTHING - details please details? DJ HR?
Hey Mick, if you have computer access, give me your email address and I’ll email you my screenname and password and you can watch this on MLB TV.
That goes for anyone else who wants to.
I only ordered it through March because I have YES and Extra Innings and most games are night or weekend.
“They have manny and big ortiz but we have alex and cano.”
And Giambi and Matsui and Abreu.
I’d take their LFer, their 1B and their DH. That’s it for their position players.
And Beckett, even though I hate him.
trisha.
oli_rulez@hotmail.com
Lori,
A no-doubter to left field. Dedicated to George M. Steinbrenner.
People say we may have a pitching problem but we have enough firepower to overcome it.
Thanks Trisha
It finally pop on ….I decided to get extra innings this year instead mlb.tv which I had the last two years…. only $150 a season well worth it …Arod K oh well
Later
anyone know whats up with moose and why we dont see him out there instead of beaver?
Nice! Thanks mel.
heh, he said beaver
Oliver - just sent it.
I love how everyone forgets that the Yankees were the best team in the 2nd half when they were healthy. Well they’re healthy now and they Hughes, Ian, and Joba for a full season. How does that not make them better?
http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/y2007/gd.html?2008_03_27_pitmlb_nyamlb_1&brand=mlb
LOL, beaver.
I’m kind of rooting for Igawa to do bad, no way do I want him in the roster.
http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/y2007/gd.html?2008_03_27_pitmlb_nyamlb_1
josh,
I think Igawa was taking Andy’s place in the rotation.
About the dead Sox. Besides remembering that they can only win when they feed off our injuries, remember that
1. They opened in Japan. JET LAG WARNING! JET LAG WARNING!
2. They have Josh “oh my aching back” Beckett in their rotation.
3. They DON’T have Curt “where’s the media?” Schilling in their rotation.
4. Papelsmear is an overbloated flash in the pan.
Moose is pitching tomorrow.
Trisha: info@albaniansunrise.com
Thanks for the gameday link folks!
thx
“josh,
I think Igawa was taking Andy’s place in the rotation.”
I gosh, I hope not. Last person I want in the rotation is Igawa.
Trisha jimmymac67@hotmail.com
Thanks
Man coudnt they have let a guy like Horne or Marquez start this game? Watching Igawa pitch is so boring!!
Trisha, can I “borrow” your screen name and password too?
radj_2@yahoo.com
Another hit drilled off Igawa’s pitch.
Igawa may some day be a credible major league pitcher but not with the Yankees. Igawa needs a change of scenery.
This may very well be a situation where a pitcher is trying too hard to please too many people and his ability to pitch is suffering.
“I gosh, I hope not. Last person I want in the rotation is Igawa.”
For today. He’s taking the slot for today. Moose would be going on 3 days rest today, and then taking 5 days off before his first start. If he pitches on-turn tomorrow, he’s on 4 and 4.
Welcome to NY Rasner.
I’m surprised that Ensberg, used to fielding hot-shots at 3B, didn’t get that grounder.
I think those predictions sound about right.
Its very close. Red Sox fans think Boston is a little better.
You guys being Yankee fans think New York will be a little better.
Shocker!
As a die-hard Yankee fan, my objective sense tells me the Sox are a tad better than the Yankees and will finish with a couple more wins…
Jimmy and V -
Sent.
Let me know if someone has difficulty. I have no idea how many times they let me sign on before, uh, questioning how many computers I might have!
It is a shame that Rasner. Igawa, or Karstens will make this team. They don’t deserve the shot.
I assume if Karstens pitches like Igawa is, Rasner who I favor anyway, will be the long man.
4-1 Pirates as Igawa shows his true colors again.
“my objective sense tells me the Sox are a tad better than the Yankees ”
Ok. Explain your objective sense. And don’t just say “their pitching is better,” explain to me how their pitching is better.
I think, once you do, you’ll see that no, they’re in no way objectively better.
John - Uh, no, I don’t THINK anything. I know.
Yankees will be better and will take first in the division.
Trust me. I’m smart.
its going to be long day for yankees with igawa and karstens pitching
trisha - stephen.m.rhoads@gmail.com
thanks!
NYT article about the voice of Yankee Stadium the Legendary Bob Sheppard - a treasure
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/27/sports/baseball/27vecsey.html?_r=2&ref=baseball&oref=slogin&oref=slogin
Gotta agree about the long-man choice. I don’t really have confidence in any of them.
John,
Of course we have a rosy view of our team, but 96 wins for Boston?!?
Your objective sense is objectionally horrible! The Red Sox’s one strength over the Yankees is pitching, but that is only with Schilling healthy, Matsuzaka not a bust, and Beckett healthy.
All three of those things are out the window at the moment. Bucholz Lester vs Kennedy Hughes is a wash, and should objectively favor the yankees. Moose vs Wakefield is the ultimate wash.
Beckett Matsuzaka vs Wang Pettitte favors the Red Sox IF Matsuzaka posts a better ERA than pettitte(he won’t).
Offense and bench is New york by a mile.
Sorry Don, didn’t see yours. Just sent it.
Stephen
Just sent.
“Bucholz Lester vs Kennedy Hughes is a wash, and should objectively favor the yankees. Moose vs Wakefield is the ultimate wash.”
And that’s ignoring 12 or so starts from Joba, and that the Yankees have guys like Horne or Marquez able to step in if needed. The Sox don’t have that.
Am I the only one glad that Igawa is getting rocked today? I mean true you really hate to see anyone do poorly, but at least Girardi has gotten to see Igawa pitch a handful of times this spring, and hopefully realizes how ineffective he can be. Therefore we won’t waste a regular season start on him.
And to think the Yankees could have shipped him and his $4 million dollar salary to San Diego last year. Oh well you live and learn.
Ooo, maybe you haven’t noticed but Bucholz has pulled a David Cone since his no hitter. I wouldn’t count on him to match up with Kennedy or Hughes. No, Sox pitching will not match Yankee pitching either.
Thanks trish!
It looks like most of us here are fully expecting the Yankees to restore order in the American League East.
Hey Standing!
As an aside, if you Google “Wang” and “Yankees”, under News, you’ll get to see that more than a few writers are in my camp…
Mel - absofrickinlutely! And it’s about time!!!
yankees have pitching depth red sox dun. We still have joba to come in as a starter later on in the season and people still think tht red sox will do better?
“Ooo, maybe you haven’t noticed but Bucholz has pulled a David Cone since his no hitter.”
Hughes and Kennedy have had their trials this spring as well. I think it’d be perfectly reasonable to think Clay could match Phil’s performance this year, both in terms of innings and numbers.
The anti-Yankee bias in the media makes me smirk. How did the Virginia Tech event not get more acknowlegment?
During the Giants’ Superbowl run, noone picked them to even beat Tampa Bay.
The Yanks are a great team. In my view, better than the Sox. But what do I know?
The fact that they are not expected to win it all will only make it more enjoyable if in fact they do so.
Also John, don’t get me wrong. The Red Sox are going to be good, but the Yankees already play them tough and were beating up their starters(especially matsuzaka). I see the Sox being like the Yankees last year, 2 games behind the Yanks at the end of the year.
Oh also I want to send a big FU to Bobby Valentine in Japan. I like the guy as a manager, seems to get his teams to play well (just take the ‘00 Mets, who made the World Series with an outfield of Timo Perez, Benny Agbayani & Jay Payton) but his statements about how all Japanese players could make an MLB roster are ridiculous.
I have a ton of respect for the Japanese and their fans. They worship the game over there, and their players play the game hard and with respect. But seriously, they are a level below the MLB. Especially the pitchers. There great players can be stars here ie Ichiro, but take a guy like matsui, who was a God over there, and here he is a solid regular with holes in his game.
I just don’t think the talent level is the same, and it may have a lot to do with players here being bigger and stronger. But I think only the best of japan can make it in the Majors, while league average over there would be AAAA or AAA here.
A damned shame that the Yankees ended up with a conditioning coach last year who induced more hammies than Easter dinner! The ONLY reason the D-Sox took the division is that we had freakin injuries to deal with for the majority of the season. Hell the guy even got poor Phil Hughes!
“As an aside, if you Google “Wang” and “Yankees”, under News, you’ll get to see that more than a few writers are in my camp…”
The same writers that project the Yanks to be second or third in the AL East this year?
So…when they agree with you, it’s a sign you’re right. When they don’t, it’s a sign that they’re dumb.
Got it.
Good Afternoon!
My thoughts on the rotations…
Wang vs Beckett- Advantage Sox if Beckett does not go on DL long term
Pettitte vs Dice K- even to slight edge to Yanks. I believe they will both end up with @15 wins.
Wakefield vs Mussina- even to slight edge to Sox. I know he is one trick pony but he seems to come up with an average of 14-16 wins a year. (17last year) I think Mussina will win 12-13 games
Hughes-Bucholtz- Advantage Yanks. Hughes has electric stuff and seems to be ahead of Bucholtz in maturation. This could change by July but I believe Hughes has more upside.
Kennedy-Lester- Slight advantage Yanks. Lester has better stuff with shaky command and is a lefty however Kennedy makes up for that with command. I am just not sold that “Maddux like control” will work in the AL East. I do believe to start the season that Kennedy is the better pitcher.
You guys must have puked when everyone said the Yanks needed Santana more than the Sox. I believe we both needed him equally as we both are counting on a lot of ?’s in our rotations. I am glad though that we have a chance to both see how our kids do…
Please know I read PA and this blog not to antagonize. I like to read other fans opinions. PA also works his tail off to give good information.
Take Care -dennis
“As an aside, if you Google “Wang” and “Yankees”, under News, you’ll get to see that more than a few writers are in my camp…”
Don’t think I want to go down this road again, but I trust the numbers I see before Sports writers. In fact a lot of sports writers (ie Bill Madden) have publicly mocked sabermetric stats, which is a foolish thing to do.
“Let me know if someone has difficulty. I have no idea how many times they let me sign on before, uh, questioning how many computers I might have!”
You cannot have multiple people logged in to the same account. Maybe two but certainly not 10. MLB would be losing a lot of money otherwise.
thanks trisha, got it. I can see Igawa’s shades! (I thought it was proven on this blog that he pitches better without them, why is he still wearing them?)
Not this again………
NewFoundland Mick
Taiwan -Jessica
Singapore- Oliver
Who else is from “out of town”?
Any Europeans??
whozat, I’ll take a 2.00 ERA from Kennedy 7 days a week, 52 weeks a year. Bucholz at 9.35? Not so much.
So let me say it this way. Bucholz will not be as good as Hughes or Kennedy. I can feel it in my bones.
“thanks trisha, got it. I can see Igawa’s shades! (I thought it was proven on this blog that he pitches better without them, why is he still wearing them?)”
I don’t think Cashman has informed Igawa of the shades/no shades connundrum.
“here he is a solid regular with holes in his game.”
Holes like what? He’s never had speed. I’m pretty sure he was never renowned for his D. The parks are smaller there, so it’s no surprise he hits fewer homers here. He’s still put up an OPS over .850 every season he’s been here. He gets on base a good bit better than average, slugs better than average…
Japanese pitchers, on the other hand…yeah, they’ve been pretty consistently disappointing.
Will - so far so good.
Whozat - I addressed that PURPOSELY to Standing. I knew he could take it. I didn’t address it to you PURPOSELY. I knew you couldn’t.
Right again!
” … I was a little worried that he would give me a forearm smash, but he only shook my hand and broke four bones.”
C’mon Pete - you should know this is still spring training so he took it easy on ya. It’s not like in the regular season where he might have knocked you over just for being near home plate. On the other hand, you ARE in Tampa.
Standing - I was joshing with ya! No need to go down that road again.
Trisha you really should take all the stats from spring training and toss them out. They are meaningless since you don’t know what the pitchers game plan going into a start was. In the regular season their plan is to win, so they will use their best pitches. In the spring, they may be working on a certain pitch, and even though they get smacked around, they may leave satisfied that they got work in.
Its nice to see a guy do well, but remember these names: Jared Wright & Tony Womack
Pete ….
How many of the players do you think/know read the blog?
I know Igawa is one of our favorite whipping boys, but we may need this guy to take a spot start or so, and he might figure in as a long guy for a stretch. I’m not watching but on Gameday - seems he’s getting a lot of ground balls, which is a good signal that his pitches might be down more. For him that’s an importnt step.
That said, what I can’t see is if they are actually down, and if the ground balls are sharply hit. Right now the results look like Wang on a bad day. But for Igawa that’s progress. Comments - aside from the he’s s***s variety?
The long candidates are handing a job to one of the shorter guys, and that’s okay in the short run. Our pen depth can get us through until everyone settles in. Gives Ohlendorf, Patterson, or Ramirez another chance to break with the club, try to hold a spot and build a case to take Joba’s pen spot in June. Not a bad thing.
“whozat, I’ll take a 2.00 ERA from Kennedy 7 days a week, 52 weeks a year. Bucholz at 9.35? Not so much.”
But…wait, I thought numbers were for robots and that we should only form opinions based on what we see with our eyes!!
Ian gave up 4 unearned runs in one inning the other day…yes, the one error was Melky’s fault, but then he gave up a hit and a homer. He certainly could have picked up his teammate.
I say this NOT to bash Kennedy. AT ALL. I love Ian as a pitcher, and think he’ll be solid for a long time. But, to point to his spring ERA and Clay’s spring ERA and say that the latter will be worse than the former this year just doesn’t make sense…especially when what I saw with my eyes (and, incidentally, some evil stats that are more useful than ERA) show me that Clay will probably be as good and Hughes this year. Unless he responds poorly to the pressure of Boston, which is certainly a possibility.
why is betermit in the roster? his batting average is so low. is there no one who is more reliable?
Standing - I was joshing with ya! No need to go down that road again.
Oh I know, still had to defend my boy though
Im back… and Yep.
Im still stickin my chest out on this one.
NOW so far this spring…
Igawa with shades, 7.0IP 12H 10ER 6Ks 6BB 1HBP
Igawa without shades 9.0IP 7H 0ER 12K 4BB…
COME ON already… before I sounded silly but this is just too much now.
Ensberg=Phelps, ok almost
“and that’s ignoring 12 or so starts from Joba, and the Yankees have guys like Horne or Marquez able to step in if needed. The Sox don’t have that.”
Shhh your not suppose to say that. Remember the Sox have a better farm then the Yankees.
Anyone have ESPN insider? I’d like to read Buster Olney’s article: http://insider.espn.go.com/espn/blog/index?name=olney_buster
He says the Yankees offense will drive them
“Whozat - I addressed that PURPOSELY to Standing. I knew he could take it. I didn’t address it to you PURPOSELY. I knew you couldn’t.”
That he could take…what? You showing off your hypocrisy?
When writers agree with you, it means you’re right. When they disagree, they’re wrong. When stats support your pre-conceived notions, you use them. When they don’t, you claim they’re for “robots” and that those of us who bother to understand them are not brilliant free-thinkers like you.
Seriously, how often does a closing argument of “Nuh uh!!!!” work for you in a court room?
I suppose I could see Iggy-san coming in to eat some innings a few times when the team’s 3 or 4 innings into the wrong end of a laugher.
I would prefer to see him prove that he’s improved his mechanics & control CONSITENTLY in Scranton before taking a risk on him in the big leagues.
You never know … he may get his shot at the ‘pen for a few weeks (or even a spot start) in the dog days of summer or after the division race is just about decided in September.
ok final line..
Igawa with shades, 7.1IP 13H 10ER 6Ks 7BB 1HBP
Igawa without shades 9.0IP 7H 0ER 12K 4BB…
even in the time I typed he got worse.
this has to stop.
karstens in. will he do better then igawa? i hope so
Standing - I know what you’re saying. I also have a sense that Bucholz has a case of the Cone yips. I’ll see if I’m right.
I believe Kennedy and Hughes will both be better pitchers.
Time will tell.
“his batting average is so low. is there no one who is more reliable?”
Because batting average says very, very little about a player’s offensive contribution to a team.
whozat - IT WAS A JOKE CHILD! OKAY???????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
Jimmy 27
I am online here in Albania! (believe it or not, bandwidth is not up to the mark and I sort of have the mlb.com telecast on.)
Well, “very, very little” is hyperbole.
But on-base percentage and slugging percentage are much more useful.
ok. nice throw to first base by posada
nyISLAND -
I would like nothing more than to see Igawa get straightened out. I still can see him pitching that game to the Red Sox. I still remember his reputation as a major K pitcher in Japan.
He has the goods.
Where are the sports psychologists when you need them?
Whozat - didn’t you see My Cousin Vinny? Worked there.
Are you guys blind ?
If the yankees infielders are playing standard today, the score should be 1-0 or 1-1.
I understand about pitching for Igawa is not great today.
However, it is better pitching than Karstens or Rasner.
no psychologists needed trish…
just take the damn shades off
Trisha
my email address is: yopyop13@yahoo.com
Whozat -
lets not start into this again. Trisha has her opinions, she holds them close, and that’s that. You’re not going to change her mind. She sounds like a successful women confident in her ability to evaluate what she sees. Maybe too so, but so what? I’m sure she’s open to the discussion, but no need to get worked up.
Stats are very useful in establishing a range of possibilities, but they’re also history. And spring stats, particularly for pitchers that aren’t fighting for a job, can be misleading. But the future is unknowable. Let’s all enjoy the ride!
Ok, I just started posting, and I already have someone using my adopted name?
“Trisha, can I “borrow” your screen name and password too?
radj_2@yahoo.com”
That’s not me.
“I still can see him pitching that game to the Red Sox. I still remember his reputation as a major K pitcher in Japan.
He has the goods.”
And Wang is inconsistent? So I’m beginning to realize that you actually hate Wang. That has to be it.
al - sent.
nyfan - thanks.
“whozat - IT WAS A JOKE CHILD!”
Ah, I see. Now that several board members refuted every single point you tried to make about Wang and his “inconsistent” pitching, you were joking. I get it.
Anyhow, does anyone have an informed opinions that are worth discussing? I would like to use actual data in our conversations, though, if that’s ok. I know Trisha thinks that makes me a robot — or perhaps a child? Not sure what that’s about — but it’s really how I prefer to do things.
Derek,
If I were you I would personally write a letter to Cashman with Igawa’s stats sans eyewear. Last year a couple of Seattle bloggers really helped out King Felix maybe you could do the same with Igawa.
Ray - I’ll say this calmly and after this I will just start telling you guys to kiss my ass.
Wang pitched for a long time, and he was successful without inconsistency for a long time. That’s the crap I’m talking about.
Igawa is new and wildly inconsistent.
I hope they both get their issues straightened out.
I hope you get yours straightened out too.
I don’t owe you answers by the way.
I’m crazy about Wang. I think he is a great guy and a wonderful Yankee.
I’m still trying to figure out why he can’t be more consistent.
I can’t talk another moment of Igawa or another Pirates spring training game.
“I’m sure she’s open to the discussion, but no need to get worked up.”
Were you in here yesterday? She showed no interest in listening to anyone else’s opinions, and mocked people who provided statistical support for their differing point of view.
I’m not a huge fan of people who don’t listen and then argue by insult.
Trisha,
Igawa is VERY consistent. He’s consistently bad.
whozat - this IS my last comment directed to you because you have real problems with reading comprehension and I don’t have the time nor energy to deal with your hystrionics.
See if you can connect the dots. Things go very fast here.
1. I wrote the post to Standing as a joke. He and I hung around long after you took off yesterday and made our peace.
2. I told Standing that I was joshing with him when he responded that he didn’t want to go down that road.
3. THAT was the joke. Okay child? I don’t make any statements without being able to back them up. That’s my gig in life. I don’t talk out of my butt. You may not agree with the backup I give, but it’s there and it’s well thought out.
4. I didn’t have a hissy fit because any of you are Wang fans or feel he is consistent. See if you can pull yourself together and realize that people won’t always agree with your opinion and that it’s actually okay for that to happen.
Hey Trisha, I have it but its not working for me. Its telling me I need to upgrade to premium. Can you send me yours
jserrano07@gmail.com
“Wang pitched for a long time, and he was successful without inconsistency for a long time.”
“I’m crazy about Wang. I think he is a great guy and a wonderful Yankee.
I’m still trying to figure out why he can’t be more consistent.”
Wait…is he consistent or inconsistent? You’re being inconsistent.
You don’t owe us answers, it’s true. However, when you show up here and instead of engaging us in civil, rational discussion, you start mocking us when we don’t agree with you…it’s not like you’re being a contributing member of the community.
Ray - but you’ve seen Igawa throw filthy stuff. That’s the hell of it. Someone else pointed out earlier than Igawa’s major problem is in his head. I believe that. I just wish there were a way to get it straightened out is all.
Thanks trisha ! (this is for the public record)
“They look pretty lifeless for whatever reason. Guess they’re ready to get out of Tampa.”
Maybe they’re ready to get to Matsui’s bachelor party/wedding reception?
What a catch by Shelley! He looks like a wide receiver!
I didn’t mock anyone. I disagree with your positions and don’t believe that stats tell the whole story.
I also stated on various occasions that it is difficult to have solid intellectual and well-thought-out discussions when you are working, posting, and trying to pay attention to a game. So it’s sound bytes. Them’s the breaks.
Wait, Karstens is in now?
Im thinking about moving to Japan and playing ball. Id probably be a superstar over there….and Id get to bang lots of girls with hello kitty apparel
Durham - sent!
Timeout, guys!
Everyone needs to chill out and stop ruining the good vibe here.
Congratultions to Contestant #3.
Karstens out with a groin injury.
Karstens injured. Or something.
karstens is out now groin injury
Karstens hurts, Igawa terrible. Come on down Darrell Rasner!
Karstens hurt. Rasner wins by default?
whozat: It’s not worth the blood pressure for us computer scientists/logical thinkers to deal with lawyer types (except for murphydog, he’s a good one)
mel - yeah, Karstens came in last inning.
Mel,
Actually, karstens is out now — he just injured his groin.
Oh man….
“I didn’t mock anyone. I disagree with your positions and don’t believe that stats tell the whole story.”
You called us robots.
You said that we were incapable of being “free-thinkers”.
You can try and split hairs all you want, but you started condescending, and then you started name-calling. You also refused to listen to anything that anyone said that disagreed with your preconceived notions. In what world is any of that useful contribution to a discussion? Or even civil?
Whozat -
I also understand your point of view. I was here yesterday, commented a couple of times on your behalf early on in the discussion.
You’re a data guy - you like your arguments backed by numerics. Nothing wrong with that, I happen to largely agree. Trish is an advocate - she argues her side with what works for her. It’s what she does, just like data is what you do (programming, no?). So you’ll differ. But if you keepon , the knot on your forehead from banging the wall is going to hurt. Agree to disagree, and don’t hijack the whole string.
I’m still waiting to hear from someone watching whether Igawa was keeping his pitches down (good despite results), or was he just getting hammered? Just looking at the “data”, he was awful. But if he was keeping the pitches down, that’s progress despite the results - “Impression”. Room for both. Not saying he should be on the team, but that would represent important progress for him.
That, and ditch the shades!
Patterson is coming in.
thats something I have never seen/heardbefore
“I have to go there is an injury”
Girardi being interviewed live on YES just as Karstens got hurt
Trisha,
Just curious where do you happen to be sitting on opening day? I ask because I’ll probably get annoyed if some fan behind is yelling at Wang if he starts shaky, but if I know its you I’ll let it go, lol
keith,
See? Just like the Dating Game. Only, we know what the bachelors look like. But we secretly want to pick Patterson or Ohlendorf.
Gilbert Gottfried is out!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I feel bad for him, but at the same time, this is good news for the yankees.
You see how these things work themselves out. You can never have enough pitchers.
I’d go to war with the Rays or Jays starting rotation before the ultra chancy Boston group. Question abound.
Doreen - Thanks. I was wondering if it was a Gameday thing or if they really changed pitchers mid-batter.
Did you guys just see Jeter jokingly shove A-Rod? I think their love affair is back on. I don’t care what anybody says - I think A-Rod plays better if he’s on good terms with Jeets.
“whozat: It’s not worth the blood pressure for us computer scientists/logical thinkers to deal with lawyer types (except for murphydog, he’s a good one)”
It’s funny…it doesn’t raise my blood pressure
I’m Italian; getting up in arms is fun and cathartic for me.
And I have several friends that are lawyers, and even Sox fans. And our baseball discussions are WAY more rational and interesting that it’s been talking with Trisha.
nyyfan - you are brilliant. Great analysis!
Whozat you’re a programmer? I’d like to learn API, any good books for a beginner?
Mel, I am obviously the new kid on the block here and am happy to extract myself at any time in order to keep peace on the block.
I’m serious. I am really a live and let live kind of person but don’t ever back down when people try to tell me how to think - or cannot deal with someone who doesn’t parrot their idea of life. I’ve always been an out-of-the-box thinker and that doesn’t always set well with people who have a more confined way of thinking. The hell of it is that it always bothers them more than it bothers me. I don’t care if there are people who believe Wang is great or greatly consistent. BFD. I don’t.
Again, say the word and I will be out of here. Now, THAT’S a team player!
Scott Patterson’s time to shine. He gets outs whichever way possible. The prototypical “take one for the team”.
Blargh - Hey, what did I ever do? No need to generalize!
OK freaky, I was just going to say something about Patterson’s funky wild delivery and he catches a liner in the back.
Nice job by Alex to finish the play.
save the drama for yo mama
Lori: Sorry, forgot about you
using both WAGS theorem, and relying heavily on over fifty years of experience utilizing said theorem, it is absolutely a possibility the yanks win 101 besting the sux who finish a dismal season with 89 wins.
Laura–agreed. Did you hear Alex’s “honeymoon” comments about their relationship?
for the record, igawa’s problem is not so much mental as it is mechanical and quality. it’s not as if he has a 96 MPH heater, or as if he’s ever pitched consistently in MLB. the fact that his success has not translated here doesn’t mean that he needs to see a sports psychologist, it means that he needs to learn that a fat fastball waist high is going to get hit out of the park. fast.
Standing - our tickets are being sent through the mail. I’ll let you know where the seats are before Opening Day.
I have never booed a player. I would never get down on a Yankee player. I reserve the right to have discussion ad infinitum about any damned topic I choose, including things I observe about Yankee players. However, once the game starts and they are down on the field, I’ll defend them to the death.
By the way, Wang has been terribly inconsistent. You’ll just have to read about it…
trisha,
I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to offend. I often try to break up cyber-tussles. But it’s usually testosterone fueled and it almost always starts when someone calls someone a name.
Don’t leave, though. Our mission of females taking over the blog is almost complete.
“You’re a data guy - you like your arguments backed by numerics. Nothing wrong with that, I happen to largely agree. Trish is an advocate - she argues her side with what works for her. It’s what she does, just like data is what you do (programming, no?). So you’ll differ. But if you keepon , the knot on your forehead from banging the wall is going to hurt. Agree to disagree, and don’t hijack the whole string.
I’m still waiting to hear from someone watching whether Igawa was keeping his pitches down (good despite results), or was he just getting hammered? Just looking at the “data”, he was awful. But if he was keeping the pitches down, that’s progress despite the results - “Impression”. Room for both. Not saying he should be on the team, but that would represent important progress for him. ”
Thing is, it’s not like looking at stats EXCLUDES watching someone and seeing how he’s performing. That’s a false dichotomy.
I watched the first two innings today, and I saw Igawa — once again — have trouble commanding his pitches in the zone and get hammered on elevated pitches. That’s data, just like balls, strikes, hits, runs, etc.
And, if you look at Wang’s outing yesterday, we could see that — despite the numbers at the end — he got hurt in one inning during which he gave up a plethora of grounders (two of which should have been DPs). According to that data, I’m not super concerned. Also, given that the people watching most closely (Girardi, Eiland) felt good about it, I feel good about it. It’ll be interesting to see him come inside more. I think that’ll help open up the outside of the plate and get more righties to roll-over on outside pitches and hit easy grounders to Jeter. I think he’s got good enough command (based on the fact that his career walk rates are very good) to do that effectively.
Gorzelanny seems to be breezing through our lineup. Not sure how this will fare over the course of a season, but as of right now it doesn’t seem that adding some righty hitters (Duncan, Ensberg) has done much for the offense today. Then again, it’s early in the game too…
I guess the day Igawa “wowed” the Sox was an aberration and he really doesn’t know how to pitch.
Not.
I didn’t see the play.
Did Patterson get hurt?
He has been very impressive.
“Whozat you’re a programmer? I’d like to learn API, any good books for a beginner?”
I’m a computer scientist. It’s different
To me, API means Application-Program Interface. A generic term
What do you mean by API?
I’ll admit it, I have booed yankee players. It’s usually in the heat of the moment and its more my frustration of the team losing then anything personally about that particular player. FOr the record though I want to state I have never booed Arod. He has disappointed me at times but I feel he’s more than made up for it as well.
This may sound like BS to some, but when I boo its more at the situation then the player. I have to express my anger somehow, and I’ve been told not to swear in the stadium
So instead of sitting quietly I let out a boo.
I will boo a player who I think isn’t trying or is dogging it. I did boo last year when Colter Bean came in and threw 20 straight balls. In hindsight I feel bad for the kid, but it was just so frustrating as a fan to watch, booing was my way to voice my displeasure.
Patterson took a line drive off the back. He is quite simply a strike-throwing machine. He’s got a middling fastball but good control, and a rather good curveball which is a strikeout pitch. He tops it all off with a deceptive, funky delivery. That can be a bad thing, but if he can make it work for him, which he has, it can be a huge plus.
I think he can be a sort of right-handed Okajima. Girardi has to be in LOVE with him.
Kelli -
The Rays are the flavor of the month as the little team breaking through. But their rotation has more than it’s share of questions. Kazmir’s on the DL for a spell (good for us we’ve got ‘em early), Shields looks good, Garza is as proven / unproven as Hughes, Sonnanstine could go either way, and Jackson and Hammel are nothing to bank on. Good kids coming but still a year off - Price is hurting a bit too.
I feel bad for the Pirates - I have a warm spot for them as underdogs. They’re kind of the Little Engine That Can’t. Some decent young pitchers, good but not great players. That they can’t get over the hump in the NL Central is sad, but if they have one of those seasons where everybody spikes together, they could be surprising for a bit. Bullpen despite a couple of good ones (Capps, Marte, Grabow) is a problem, and not enough power. But I pull for them, a bit out of pity.
“not”??
yes, that was an aberration, when compared to the overwhelming majority of his other MLB starts. i’m at a loss to ascertain why someone would have a problem figuring that out.
Want to beat the yankees? Just throw a soft tossing lefty at them.
I don’t see how they can keep Patterson off this team. Man, he’s done nothing but impress.
jason,
He’s still in. Throwing strike after strike after strike. Spun Bautista around.
The fact that Patterson isn’t in the bullpen reeks of money issues and really sucks for the Yankees. This is a stupid move.
has to be ohlendorf or patterson. forget bruney.
Traber, Patterson, Bruney
Mel, you didn’t offend, honest. I am totally aware that I could piss off the Pope.
But I am someone who is NOT going to back down because I know my position has merit, and it actually amuses me to see men spin out of control when they can’t get a woman to come around to their way of thinking.
I did NOT call names, and I did NOT take off on people who disagreed with my position. I just defended my postion more vehemently. It’s a lawyer thing I guess.
Anyway, I don’t want to spoil what has probably been a really good thing for all of you. My personality is not going to change, nor would I ever want it to, so if there are delicate men here, it could turn into a potential brouhaha. I don’t want that to happen either.
But I do want to thank the guys who have come to my defense, if only because I feel that there are people here who either understand my perspective (nothing says you have to agree) or are able to think in such a way that you are not threatened by people who may not think the same. Or something.
The Yankees have to find a place for Patterson. He throws strikes. Stretch him out and he can be the long man.
I really think Patterson has a great chance to make the team. He’s done absolutely everything right. It would also send a nice message to the rest of the players in the league, if you come in and perform, you’ve got a great shot at making the team. Patterson is one of the most deserving candidates to be on the opening day major league roster this year.
Rasner if he makes the team good story. It always amazes me when someone is released, put on waivers, not claimed, comes back and actually makes the team. He took a risk signing a minor league deal with the Yanks and it just might pay off.
he throws strikes and that’s what we love about Patterson but question is can he do it at the ML level
Andrew,
I was thinking the same thing. He has the same over the top motion as Hideki Freaky-jima. Oka doesn’t even look at the plate on his follow through.
Patterson, Ohlendorf, Traber.
Good thing about Gorzelony throwing now at least we now have some sort of book on him and the players would have seen him before we face them in Pittsburgh when it counts.
Every year there’s at least one surprise out of spring training. This year’s nomination goes to Scott Patterson. Who woulda figured ???
Pete - Why not Patterson? Seems to have had a MUCH better spring than Bruney.
whozat, I have to ask (even if displaying my ignorance) - what’s the difference between a computer scientist and a programmer?
Boston Dave, Thanks, and :blush:
“yes, that was an aberration, when compared to the overwhelming majority of his other MLB starts. i’m at a loss to ascertain why someone would have a problem figuring that out.”
Well let me help you out then. It’s good to try to expand your mind to figure things out for yourself but I’m happy to assist. Use your eyes. The guy has filthy stuff. When he has it working he gets Ks. Guys can’t hit him. So he actually does know how to pitch.
So I agree with the poster who said it’s more mental than mechnical. If that’s okay with you of course.
not to fan the flames, but anyone who thinks that lawyers don’t eat, drink and breathe logic has no idea what they’re talking about. it’s what we stake our profession on.
also, anyone who thinks that stats are the be-all and end-all of a player’s value to an organization, also has no idea what they’re talking about. they’re a good way to objectively measure on-field performance, sure; but people who’ve played sports understand that stats are just a window onto a particular athelte’s entire contribution.
not that kei igawa’s exactly the second coming - far from it. i just wish that people that rely on stats could also tolerate the people that look at stats, but also choose to make more subjective observations about the team and its players. this is baseball, not source code.
Does anyone know if Patterson has ever walked anyone this spring? The dude’s freakin awesome.
My Not-so-Bold Prediction for 2008: Patterson is this year’s Joba.
dont forget your hat olendorf
Lori,
You’ll notice that I said Bruney, too. That’s not a personal choice, that’s a $$ choice. They’ll give some rope and see what he does with it. He’s been given plenty of chances and we’ll see if Girardi’s tough love approach will work. Just like with kids you got to give perameters to work with.
Patterson’s been very impressive though.
whozat - i’m starting to get why you’ve been so frustrated this afternoon. it’s like talking to a wall.
trisha - i certainly understand that you think he has filthy stuff. he has a pretty good changeup. his fastball is…not so filthy. but that’s ok, its like e. ramirez. but you can’t say that because he has filthy stuff that his red sox performance wasn’t an aberration. it fits, exactly, the definition of aberration. he was by and large awful last season. he had a few, as in a handful, of OK outings, and he pitched well against boston.
so. a bunch of bad outings and one great outing. the great outing is an aberration.
you’re def. entitled to think he has great stuff, high ceiling, good potential. i wish he could locate his fastball better. but the sheer fact that he has a quality changeup doesn’t mean that his boston performance was not an aberration when compared to the body of his MLB 2007 work.
and lay of the snark already. jeez.
Jane - if Patterson succeeds, I would say he’d be this year’s Okajima - a guy who had no expectations and not great stuff and then vastly exceeded them.
If there’s a way to have a good bullpen quagmire, this is the way to go. Multiple ammunition chomping at the bit at AAA. What’s not to like compared to recent years ?
rb15
Hallelujah and Amen!
Thank you for that post. You said it much better than I couldhave.
I didn’t get to scroll through the comments. But which lef to Jeff break last year. Did he injure the same leg?
Don- are you an ex-pat or a native Albaian?
Elisabeth - Yeah, I did. And I predict that because of this new honeymoon, A-Rod will either match or better last season’s numbers.
Believe it or not, I actually read where someone said that Boston Red Sox chief idiot Manny Ramirez will win the MVP. I couldn’t disagree more. That award is A-Rod’s to win. Manny is a bum who doesn’t hustle and who grandstands after homers. Just for once, I’d like for someone (preferably a Yankees pitcher) to throw at that loser. Not at his block head, mind you - but a nice hard one in the back works for me.
Uh, Jane, are you out of your mind? Joba’s an ELITE ELITE once-a-decade arm. Scott Patterson is a journey man reliever they found in the independent leagues. He might be effective, but he’s nothing like Joba.
Patterson didn’t walk a batter and only allowed one hit over 7+ innings with 6 SO
mel - Yeah, I saw that in your list. I guess I leave my business sense at the door in looking at these things. I get so frustrated with the business side of baseball - I’d rather it be a complete and total meritocracy and we can actually just take the players who deserve it most.
“Jane - if Patterson succeeds, I would say he’d be this year’s Okajima - a guy who had no expectations and not great stuff and then vastly exceeded them.”
funny I could have sworn I said this a long time ago
“Want to beat the yankees? Just throw a soft tossing lefty at them.”
Or toss in a pitcher who the yankees have never seen before. David Pauley and Scott Baker say hi.
It seems like if Patterson was ever actually in the competition, he should have it. He’s done everything he possibly can to earn a spot on the team…if he doesn’t get it then he was never in the race, plain and simple. Which may be the case if they want him to have more minor league time, but it seems odd that he’d still be here if he wasn’t going to have a shot at making the team no matter what.
“I’m a computer scientist. It’s different
To me, API means Application-Program Interface. A generic term
What do you mean by API?”
I think what I’m more interested in is programming in general. Which would allow me to use something like Ebay API interface. Of course I know very little of what I’m talking about.
jennifer,
He pointed at his groin.
Laura,
Crasnick’s picking the new kid on the block: Miggy Cabrera
frits I think you’re on to something. I don’t ever look at the bottom line but rather look at all of the working parts of an entire body of work. It’s like putting a puzzle together. When a piece isn’t fitting I always want to know why. So yes, I am talking about innings of work. And I always end up asking myself why something can’t be corrected. If someone shows flashes of brilliance, I believe that there has to be a way to harness that brilliance. I never take no for an answer and if there isn’t an answer to a problem, my belief is that it is out there and just hasn’t yet been figured out. I always believe that you go back to the drawing board time and time and time again until you get it figured out.
Now maybe you can understand the thought processes that go into my trying to figure out why Wang has up and down games rather than more of a smooth pattern and why Igawa isn’t able to come across in a more consistent way. It’s because I have seen that they can do it that’s maddening.
Someone’s WL record doesn’t mean a darn if they’ve done it on the backs on the offense.
Gonzo sells it
I love Molina!
Trisha,
I feel exactly the same way you do about Wang.
Do not let the bullies who tell you you’re clueless and stupid in here for having an opi