Today in The Journal News
Posted by: Peter Abraham - Posted in Misc on Apr 02, 2008 
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Joe Girardi was in good company as the Yankees beat the Blue Jays on Opening Day.
Sam Borden looked around the Stadium and realized these are the last firsts we’ll see there.
Rick Carpiniello sees good signs from Alex Rodriguez.
Chien-Ming Wang was a winner for his new manager. Brian Heyman has the story.
Melky Cabrera had a huge night. This notebook also has news on Joba, Mr. October, Robbie Cano, lots of cheering and a few boos.
———
Mighty UMass beat Florida in the NIT semis and will face Ohio State for the title. Kevin Devaney has the story. It’s hard to believe such a top-flight school with a journalism department second to none would be a hoops power.
Great stuff, love the notebook Pete (and Brian). I wonder how’s Reggie’s health, if Bush can throw off the mound, why cant Reggie?
The NIT is like getting a GED, sure you want it if you can get it, but you still wish you did a bit more.
I graduated from UMASS last year and, although the team was getting better over the past few years, it’s pretty shocking to see them do what they’re doing now. I remember in 2005 (I think that’s when it was) when we beat UCONN and charged the court like we just won the Final Four. That was actually quite embarassing in retrospect.
Question for Pete but please answer if you know.
What does team president Randy Levine do? What does his job entail? I’ve tried to think about it but can’t think of one thing he actually does. Any help would be much appreciated.
Also, Pete, if you are looking for people to interview Levine would be one of the more interesting ones along with the director of scouting or anyone in the scouting department.
I would love to learn more about what the Yankees do in Central America. Now that the minor leagues are getting more press that’s probably the biggest mystery for me.
Pete
On behalf of all Ohioans, thanks for recognizing Ohio State’s School of Journalism. Greatly appreciated.
Plank
He makes poor decisions and butchers the English language….oh wait…that’s a different president.
It’s funny to mentioned a smattering of boos for Pettitte. I was at the game and not only didn’t I hear any boos for Andy, but I thought he got one of the loudest ovations. Another paper’s game account mentioned the same thing. I guess it’s true what they say about the accuracy of eye witnesses.
My fiance graduated from UMass, and told me the story of when Aaron F’n Boone hit the HR off of Wakefield, the drunken jocks started a bonfire outside of their dorms, and things eventually got so rowdy, they tried to throw the campus security into the bonfire. Good times.
We go up for homecoming every fall; the food around campus is great… god bless ‘Bueno y Sano’ and that farm market down the road that sells the apple cider donuts.
I was in class last night, so i didnt actually get to see the game, but it’s great to see Melky off to such a good start. A lot of people, including me, kind of just write him off as replaceable, but he just keeps on making plays. It’s fun to watch him play.
WHAT A WAY TO START THE SEASON!!
Hope ya’ all had great offseason.
Here’s the commemorative album of last nite’s BASH.
So much fun, I needed two volumes.
Let’s begin with volume I -
â–º http://tinyurl.com/3ddr25
“The Last Dance”
Dr. Acula,
Great stuff as always, nice to see you back around these parts.
Great way to start the season, with a winning formula…starter for seven then Joba and Mo. I won’t get too tired of seeing that, as well as a game less than three hours.
I was about to say the same thing Will. I heard no boos for Pettitte. I heard probably the most chears for him, and I was out in the bleachers so I get king of the full effect of crowd response. Maybe there were some people in the press box behind Pete booing him
Sorry for the typos. I am on my blackberry. These things get tricky.
Hi, Vader!
we had it in the bad, all the way
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q6Tjps_-JnQ
What a nut!
Opening Day Slide Show
http://tinyurl.com/2wkuud
Volume Two
TURN UP THE VOLUME The Yankees under Joe Torre generally did not allow music in the clubhouse. There were exceptions — David Wells could play hard rock at a low volume on the days he pitched, and Jorge Posada has a small iPod dock in his locker — but mostly, it was a quiet room.
Joe Girardi is different, to the delight of Johnny Damon and his teammates. Damon purchased a portable iPod sound system that is roughly the size of a rolling, carry-on suitcase, and it sits on the clubhouse floor next to a pillar near the lockers of Mike Mussina and Brian Bruney.
The system, which played hard rock from Bruney’s iPod Tuesday afternoon, is equipped with a microphone, just in case the players want to stage karaoke competitions.
Sorry forgot link.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04.....38;emc=rss
DUNCAN’S APPEAL DATE SET Shelley Duncan, who was suspended three games and fined for inciting a brawl against the Tampa Bay Rays on March 12, said he would have his appeal heard Monday. Melky Cabrera, who was also suspended three games and fined, said he was still talking with his agent about the timing of his appeal hearing.
Good news, hopefully they won’t have the appeal heard the same day. We’ll avoid losing two players at the same time.
There we go. I hate code glitches. I had the hardest time posting the 2nd volume.
I hope you enjoy the coffee I brewed – but careful, it’s hot and packs a punch. I’ll be back tonite with some more yummy treats.
“Good news, hopefully they won’t have the appeal heard the same day. We’ll avoid losing two players at the same time.”
One can always just drop his appeal, thus serving his suspension immediately. If Melky’s appeal will be heard monday, Shelley could drop his appeal friday, serve friday, say and sun, and then be back for Monday’s game.
When do the Yanks face lefties?
Dr. Acula – great pictures – thanks for posting. I could feel the excitement from the stadium watching on tv.
Great start to the season obviously. But did you all hear on the broadcast last night that the Yanks play 20 straight days and something like 34 out of 35?
Wow, I hope Joe G. is better than Joe T. at juggling the bullpen. One bad outing by a starter and it messes up the team for several days.
In no way am I trying to be pessimistic, but it is a tough schedule.
I was in the upper deck in right field and i did not hear one boo for Pettitte. What are you talking about Pete?
Shelley’s appeal is Monday. Shelley’s should and will likely be cut to two days. So he’ll miss Monday and Tuesdays game. And since we go on the road after that, I would suspect that Melky will drop his appeal and serve it the rest of the week. We don’t return to NY until April 16th and it is against Boston. Joe will not want to lose Melky for those games.
Rocco, I’m not either. In the NYT article it said Pettitte got some of the loudest cheers. Maybe there were one or two jack — near the booth, and that is who Pete heard.
Ummfada noted: “I wonder how’s Reggie’s health, if Bush can throw off the mound, why cant Reggie?”
I don’t know about Reggie’s health or how he takes care of himself, but we’ve all seen stories about President Bush’s health regimen. Both men were born in 1946, with Reggie (May) emerging two months before Bush (July).
I wonder if the President’s dad can still throw off a mound? That guy still jumps (piggyback) out of airplanes. I want if Pavano can jump out of airplanes? Would they let him use a parachute?
Pete, is it true that some fans booed Hawkins when he was announced? I have a problem with that. I mean, I love Paulie as much as anyone, but there’s no way in the world that his number should be retired.
spellcheck! “I want if Pavano..” was a Freudian slip. Should be: “I wonder if Pavano…”
God I love baseball season.
Congrats to Joe and the Yankees. And based on Republican’s record for Yankee home opener wins, congrats to McCain in November.
“Shelley’s appeal is Monday. Shelley’s should and will likely be cut to two days. So he’ll miss Monday and Tuesdays game. And since we go on the road after that, I would suspect that Melky will drop his appeal and serve it the rest of the week.”
But if both appeals are monday, they’ll both have to start serving suspensions monday. So, either one guy drops his appeal and serves his before that, or they play with 23 men for a couple days.
the only downside of a Yankees opening day win, Dirk.
Ed Price’s blog says Melky’s appeal is Monday too.
Laura,
Hawkins did get booed.
Pete – Please pass along to Sam my thanks for a great article. I sorely miss going to opening day at the Stadium every year, but it is quite an emotional season and I think Sam captured much of that sense quite well.
It’s a shame Hawkins got booed for wearing 21 to honor Roberto Clemente. Everyone loves Paul O’Neill, but let’s get real here… some fans can be really ignorant.
I was just assuming his wouldn’t be heard Monday since a date hasn’t been choosen yet. I would like to think MLB is giving the Yankees a break since they are playing so many games in a row.
an aside…a friend called me last night, during the bottom of the 8th. She usually calls me either when she’s walking around NYC (and thus isn’t really paying attention and makes me wonder why she’s wasting my time) or when she wants to talk about boy troubles. Irritating. Anyway, to the point…I answered the phone and told her I was watching the game. So we’re talking a bit about it (mostly her telling me why I should stop watching and talk to her while she walks home from the bar) and we get onto the subject of ARod. She says:
“I don’t like ARod. And besides…doesn’t he do steroids?”
All she really knew was that someone had accused him of it. Didn’t know who, didn’t know any details of what had actually been accused, nothing. It just goes to show how low the bar is for being presumed guilty these days. It made me frustrated.
pat- I guess that changes everything. I suspect than that either SHelley or Melky will be told to drop their appeal and serve it.
Dr. Acula— welcome back!
“I would like to think MLB is giving the Yankees a break since they are playing so many games in a row.”
Doesn’t seem that way
there is no reason for them not to appeal. that is what their union is for. maybe they’ll get a day removed, or not…but it’s worth the try.
Rocco, that’s really a shame. Hopefully, it was a one time thing.
“But did you all hear on the broadcast last night that the Yanks play 20 straight days and something like 34 out of 35?”
No worries. It’s April, Mother Nature will see to it that a couple games get rained out somewhere down the line.
They don’t face any lefty starters at least through saturday. Maybe it’d be best to just have Shelley go ahead and drop the appeal. I guess it’d depend on who they’d think is most likely to get their sentence reduced on appeal…the other guy should just bite the bullet sooner rather than later.
Here’s a question that may have been beaten to death already…who else would have pinch hit ensberg or shelley for Abreu in the 9th last night? Abreu’s D is better than his replacement (Shelley), but I figure a righty would have had a better shot against Tallet…
“there is no reason for them not to appeal. that is what their union is for. maybe they’ll get a day removed, or not…but it’s worth the try.”
The reason is that there’s two of them. If they both appeal, they’ll both wind up serving at the same time. That would cut the roster to 23 men for several games in a row. Better to be down to 24 for 5-6 games than down to 23 for 3 games, in my mind.
He better pitch well or he’s not going to hear the end of it.
Dr Acula we mised you glad to see you back.
Yes for sure there were some boos for Hawkins I would say after Farnsworth he got the loudest boos and they were only because he wore #21. Pettite there were a smatering to say there were not any would not be true BUT the cheers far far outweighed any boos.
how much blow do you think Giambi did last night?
Paul O’Neill was a very good player. He doesn’t deserve to have his number retired.
If you retire all the numbers of players fans think should be retired, the present players would be playing with letters on their backs instead of numbers.
Some fans just want something to complain about and, in this case, its Hawkins.
Unfortunately, the Dynasty Years of the 90′s hitched a lot of bandwagon fans.
This is one example of their ignorance.
Only 3 numbers from the Dynasty Years deserve to be retired.
Jeter’s #2, Rivera’s #42 (which will automatically be retired because of the Jackie Robinson Rule) and Bernie’s #51.
You may be able to make a case for Jorge’s #20 if he continues to pile up Yankee career numbers.
But, that’s it.
Paul O’Neill doesn’t make the cut. He isn’t on anybody’s Top 10 list for All-Time Greatest Yankees at a respective position.
That should be the criteria for one’s number to be considered for retirement.
does anyone know what that was Larry Bowa blew a gasket about in the Dodgers game? i mean, he was FREAKING out.
I didn’t even think of this until i just read a post above about Shelley appealing his suspension…but I wonder if we would have won last night if Melky was serving his suspension.
I agree SJ, Paul O’Neil was a very nice player and I love him, but there is no reason for his number to be retired…warrior?? Patrick Ewing he was not
Brain…the umpires made some really bad calls and he he had enough.
Whozat
I just saw your post about that friend of yours who called you during the game and said those things about A-Rod. I think the answer is quite simple: cut her out of your life.
just kidding obviously, but man, that would set me off if a friend of mine said that to me.
“I think the answer is quite simple: cut her out of your life.”
I kinda consider that anyway. I dodge her calls more often than not. She basically calls for me to entertain her while she’s walking around, or to tell me all her boy trouble.
If she wasn’t so hot, I’d have stopped talking to her YEARS ago. Which makes me feel shallow, but waddaya gonna do?
Brian Heyman? I thought he wrote for SI. Is there a story there?
LOL. Pete, I heard the NIT results on the radio and immediately thought of you. I knew that you’d somehow take credit.
Dr. Acula! Long time no see and thanks for the pix.
whozat…youre friends with a girl that you not tattooing? suspect
Good game by Wang last night. I do think though that it is still premature to give him the label of an “ace”. Granted it was last year, but his ERA in the playoffs last year I believe was over 19 and those numbers are very un-ace like. Just as I would so the jury is still out on Dice-K een though he allowed only one run, two hits, and no walks in almost 7 innings last night.
mel
Jon Heyman writes for SI
but what about Wangs ERA in the playoffs prior to last season? people seem to forget that he has been excellent in the post season before last years hiccup.
“whozat…youre friends with a girl that you not tattooing? suspect”
I’m friends with lots of women I’m not “tattooing”. I usually have to actually have romantic designs on a woman before I’m willing to hook up with her.
You said that Wang struggled vs the Jays last season due to his 0-2 record with 6.35 ERA. Not quite.
Lets check out the 3 games he started.
7.0 6 2 1 ip/h/r/er
2.2 9 8 8
7.1 7 3 3
2 great starts and one abysmal one on the turf at Toronto.
“Granted it was last year, but his ERA in the playoffs last year I believe was over 19 and those numbers are very un-ace like.”
What about the entire two years prior to that? Two games does not an ace make or un-make.
Brian,
Thanks. I knew something wasn’t right. My mind!
“Good game by Wang last night. I do think though that it is still premature to give him the label of an “aceâ€. Granted it was last year, but his ERA in the playoffs last year I believe was over 19 and those numbers are very un-ace like.”
Thank you for your very unbiased opinion on Wang. Do you not have a Red Sox blog you can go talk about your beloved Dice K on?
Peter you do a great job with blog, THANKS!
How about a little mention of Giambi’s glove work last night. Not game-saving stuff, but he made some nice plays on the line drive and the force at 2B.
Whozat, I understand. As men we feel it necessary to keep the hot girls around no matter how annoying they are, because of the outside chance that under some circumstances we could score. (even if you don’t admit it, that’s the reason) but sometimes we have to draw the line…i’ve recently had to cut a girl out of my life that years ago was a great friend, but then she kept changing and being influenced by other friends. i kept hanging out with her though and putting up with her crap because she was smokin, but eventually it was just too much and i stopped talking to her. every once in a while she e-mails me like “how come you won’t friend me on facebook whats your problem?” it’s annoying.
…go Yankees
Roy Halladay is consider a ACE. well look at their numbers they are almost idenictal. the only difference is K’S. wang is an ace he’s just not that power pitcher ace we would like to have. Hopefully Hughes and Chamberlain will fill that void in the upcoming years
Whozat, I dont know man…all the girls I talk to, I tattoo. to each his own I guess.
This item below was in a George King column in today’s NY Post re: Shelly and Melky’s suspension hearings.
Shelley Duncan’s appeal hearing is set for Monday at noon. Duncan is questioning a three-game ban that also included a $3,000 fine for his involvement in a spring training bench clearing melee against the Rays on March 12 in St. Petersburg in which he slid into second base with his cleats up. A source close to the Players Association believes Duncan can get the entire three-game suspension erased.
Melky Cabrera, who was handed a three-game suspension and fined $2,500, said he didn’t know when his appeal would be heard. Girardi was waiting to hear about Cabrera’s situation. . . . Two days after throwing 77 pitches in a minor league game Andy Pettitte said yesterday that he didn’t feel any problem and was ready to start Saturday against the Rays.
I’m not at all trying to disrespect Wang. I’m a Red Sox fan and I admit I would love to have him in our starting rotation. I’m just not sure that he falls into the “ace” category quite yet. Yes, it was only two games but by the very nature of the playoffs you will have a very small sample size, and I feel that if a player does not produce in the playoffs it is much like a race car that leads the Indy 500 the whole race but then breaks down on the last lap! Ya, just one lap…but a very crucial one.
SJ44 :
One possible way to honor uniform numbers without retiring them altogether is to have a monument in the park of the new Stadium under the heading of special accomplishments to be judged by a special panel of writers/broadcasters as being worthy of mention.
For example, No. 21 – Paul O’Neill, a solid contributor during championships of 1996-1998-1999-2000.
SPeaking of Jorge did anyone see or did they mention on tv what milestone Jorge got to last night in terms of catching. The announcer guy Jim from the stadium I could barely hear (by the way my other rant why does he have to pretend to sound like Bob SHeppard just talk how you usually talk everyone knows your not Bob) and missed it on the screen. I thought it was something about most consective cathing days for openers or something like that.
PS classy move by Derek to have a tape recorded Bob Sheppard introduce him every time he comes to the plate
“wang is an ace he’s just not that power pitcher ace we would like to have.”
He is a power pitcher. He’s just not a super-duper strikeout pitcher. Which means that he’s always at risk of having stuff happen like last night, where a bunch of bleeders lead to a run. Sure, he also gave up some hard hit balls and walked friggin Marco Scutaro, but Halladay gave up a well-hit ball or two as well.
If Wang isn’t our ace then who is?
Geography test. Be back later.
“Yes, it was only two games but by the very nature of the playoffs you will have a very small sample size, and I feel that if a player does not produce in the playoffs”
Like Sabathia didn’t? Is he not an ace now?
Gayle,
“Jorge Posada is the first major league catcher to catch at least one game with the same team in 14 straight seasons since Milwaukee’s Charlie Moore from 1973-1986.”
It doesn’t matter if Wang’s an ace or not. He’s our guy, and he delivered big time last night.
Dr. Acula,
I’m still going through the photos. The one of Christopher Walken & the lady from SNL caught my eye. I saw them on the TV promos last night. Did they just take a break from rehearsals to catch the game? That picture with Loren Michaels is a classic. Where’s T-iselle?
exactly mel…wang is not an ace in the traditional sense, however he is the ace of the yankees staff.
Hoops power? If only the NIT actually meant something, but don’t get your hopes up. In 2004, Rutgers was in the exact same position UMass is in. Disappointing regular season followed by a great run to the NIT Finals against Michigan. 15,000 RU faithful showed up to MSG. It seemed like the beginning of good times. Four years later, the basketball team is in such a sorry state it’s not even worth talking about.
The nonsense about Joba being more valuable in the pen as an 8th inning guy rather than as a starter is already starting in the media.
This is just going to get worse as the first half progresses.
You know beforehand that hitters facing Joba for one inning at the end of the game are going to be consistently over matched.
Every 8th inning Joba holds to get to Mariano the more the calls to keep him in the pen all year are going to get.
whozat,
Funny how Scutaro was in on a lot of their action last night, huh?
And they need to have a new stat put in the books. One that the sabermetricians can stick up their nose.
BBBBAP. That’s Broken Bat by Bad Ass Pitcher. CMW & Mo would be tops in the category.
Wang had 2 K’s & 4 BBBBAP’s.
college basketball is awful
CB,
Now worries about Joba being regulated to the pen. Check out this quote from the New Boss.
“They have to be brought along a certain way. The trash is littered with 20-(something) pitchers all throughout baseball history. Their arms fell off. It’s something we’re not going to allow to happen… When it comes to the postseason hopefully they’ll really be ready. Joba will be, of course, a starter by then and hopefully he can be our 22-year-old [Josh] Beckett when he was with the Marlins.”
Source: http://www.nypost.com/seven/04.....104576.htm
“college basketball is awful”
Are you and J Train the same person? I say yes.
“Every 8th inning Joba holds to get to Mariano the more the calls to keep him in the pen all year are going to get.”
Hopefully he’ll shut them up by coming back to the rotation strong.
“Now worries”
Supposed to say “No worries”
yes raymag, I guess you missed the post where I said I changed my handle.
Mel,
pretty soon people are going to being speaking and communicating in acronyms only.
PSPAGTBSACIAO
Want to know what’s funny Pete? You know that it’s impossible to stay on top forever, be number one and this idea is killing you, isn’t it you fat slob? You WON’T be the number 1 blog forever and you WILL take a back seat to other blogs. That’s your biggest fear, isn’t it, fat boy? When your blog falls to second and starts being insignificant, I will personally find you at a Yankee game, point and laugh in your face.
“yes raymag, I guess you missed the post where I said I changed my handle.”
Yes, I guess I did.
ray,
Harold Reynolds – who is a smart guy – said that he didn’t understand why the Yankee’s were ever thinking about moving Joba into the rotation because he was “made” for the eight inning set up role.
Now when George King or WFAN types say that – ok fine. But when Harold Reynolds is saying it….
So it was great to see that quote from hank. I know a lot of people have been critical of him speaking out so much – but in terms of baseball moves he hasn’t made any significant mistakes and he clearly is willing to listen to his baseball people.
I’d guess he made it a point to say that about the playoffs and Joba being a starter to reset expectations – which is important.
Classy move by Hank last night not going to the club house after the game or making any phone calls – he let the night be Girardi’s as it should be.
Funny take from DJ Gallo re: pre-season picks…
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn.....ortCat=mlb
reading that quote by Hank gives me alot of hope.
oh look at Scotty’s face when he sees this Red Sox hat
click
Okay I admit I’m not a math wizard, but can someone explain to me how the freakin Dead Sox have already lost a game and are still in first place?????
http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/standings/index.jsp
trisha more games played..let it go
CB,
I am surprised that Reynolds would say that, but it seems like everyone in the media is piggybacking upon one another with the idea that Joba is an 8th inning guy.
Hopefully Joba really will be shutting the other team down for 8 innings come October this year.
Trisha,
IBMLBLTRSATWTTABIFP
Trisha,
The Sox are in 3rd place behind the Rays and Yanks. At least according to the link you posted they are.
good to have you back SJ.
i wasn’t the only missing your comments.
I can’t believe that the Yankees are tied with the Rays for 1st. Kind of funny…..Oh wait nevermind– their game was against the Orioles…. someone had to win….. It will only be a few more days until it will be only the sox and the Yankees.
If you guys want a one-stop site for Yankee news, here’s a good page.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.c.....s/yankees/
Check out the Yankee stats. We rank 1st in Runs Allowed! LOL.
ray,
I was also surprised to see Reynolds say that. Interesting thing about Joba’s outing last night was how many curve balls he threw. That was a good sign as he’s keeping his secondary pitches in the mix.
Brandon,
That’s Patterson? Not Proctor, right? Poor Scotty Proctor. Well, at least he didn’t get the call last night. Who’s the pitching coach again?
BTW, if you guys want to see the Kay intro from last night, it’s on the archived game at mlb.com. Just click on the mlb.tv icon on yesterday’s scoreboard. Try to listen to the words, not hear the voice. lol.
Thanks fran I thought it was something like that but as I said it went by so fast I didnt catch it.
Thanks Ray, I’m figuring then unless a team is 500 percentage points or more behind the team in front of them, they are listed as being on equal footing in terms of games behind, since it appears that 500 percentage points to 1.000 is called 1/2 game out – if you know what I mean!
If you want to laugh your ass off, go to this website and read the following posts: 15591, 15599, 15604 and 15607. Th posters are predominantly Dead Sox and Yankee fans. I don’t post there but used to post with the majority of them on the NY Times forum.
http://forums.escapefromelba.c.....ic=2.15585
Farnsworth by far got the most boos. I didn’t hear any cheers.
Andrea,
That’s sad and a bit unfair. Farnsworth finished the season well and deserves the benefit of the doubt. I hope that the fans understand he’s an important part of the mission.
Wait. Pavano wasn’t there right?
Good win last night, especially against 232 hits in 225 innings Halladay (
)
With Mussina on the hill tonight, there’s a likelihood of Hawkins and either Farnsworth or Ohlendorf used with Traber mixed in facing a LH hitter or two.
Quality starts count for a ton in the next 19 days with no days off.
Pete:
I think I will take Ohio University’s Scripps School of Journalism over UMASS. (wink, wink)
The next month is going to be brutal for this team – especially the pitching staff.
We need to temper our expectations – this is the toughest part of their schedule. I hope they have a great month, but there’s a good chance they are going to struggle some.
They just need to survive this month and still be in striking distance at the end. They will make up games later on when their schedule softens.
Mel – I agree about Farnsworth. None of the Yankees should be boo’d on opening day at the Stadium. Everyone starts with a clean slate. Except Pavano – but he was nowhere near NY I’m sure!
Hmm, quick stat denoting the quality of first two days’ (+games prior to opening day…) pitching:
Halladay’s 3 earned runs in 7 innings for an era of 3.86….then adjust for the park…nets him an ERA+ of 96
League average ERA (park adjusted) is 3.72
Meaningless, but eh, I was bored
mel: I agree. I was upset he got booed. My dad were kind of sad about it.
lol, no, they didn’t announce Pavano. Pettitte was the only DL player they announced.
mel,
It is Patterson, in AAA the pitching coach is Rafael Chaves former 2007 Seattle Mariner (jewel pitching coach) he is most credited for getting Felix Hernandez to the ML so quickly and getting alot of arms ML ready. When Seattle let him go Felix hasn’t been King Felix since his removal. He got Feliz to mix his pitches more.
“I’m very happy to get this opportunity,” Chaves said from his Puerto Rico home on Thursday. “We all know how prestigious the New York Yankees are, and I feel excited and honored to be a Yankee.”
Anyone else see Halladay yell at Melky to get back in the Dugout after his curtain call? He had some choice words if my lip reading skills didn’t lie.
Really I missed that. I’ll have to check it out again. And if Halladay did yell, maybe he shouldn’t have given up the homerun. SOre loser!
Francona wants Harden ?
KevinCT: I saw that on the replay. But it wasn’t a curtain call just for the HR. It was a curtain call for the HR and the 2 awesome catches. If Melky just hit the HR, the fans wouldn’t want a curtain call. Halladay needs to relax and realize where he is.
Good look trying to get Harden if your a team that wants him. Beane will ask for your entire farm.
Halladay yelled at Melky because Melky took a curtain call in the middle of a pitch (and took a curtain call on a 315 ft home run).
Melky should not have tipped his cap while Halladay was in the middle of a pitch. That is not a good move.
If a blue jay player did that while Joba was mid-wind up we wouldn’t be so happy.
From what I heard from people who went to the game, from what I read on other beat writer blogs, and from what I heard with my own ears, Andy got one of the loudest ovations of any of the players. So it seems to me that the press was making a story out of absolutely nothing and exaggerated more than a little.
great game. and good to see Dr Acula is back around.
I honestly think Halladay was more upset at himself for giving the hr up than the actual curtain call – it was just a reminder. I mean really – I don’t think it’s that big a deal…he struck him out the next time up anyways
Great to have SJ back.
Last night was a great victory. Not because Alex got a big hit (which is awesome), but the pitching. Wang did his job. I really don’t understand the ace/not an ace debate. He wins games. That’s what you want. He takes the ball and gives the team a chance to win.
If 10% of the Yankee prospects deliver, this is going to be a great decade in Yankee history.
3 things about yesterday.
1. Im on the Melky bandwagon. 1 game down. 1 game he had his hands on the win. Like some of us have stated before. He might not have Torri Hunter numbers in center. But he always seems to have his hand on our victories. The energy he brings is priceless. 2 good catches(one better than the other)and a huge(not by distance)homerun. Whos on?
2. Halliday has a bad temper. I never knew he throws F bombs out there while he’s pitching. I thought he was a poised pitcher and never lost his cool. I guess it works for him though. As far as the Melky fiasco. CB is right he came out while Roy was pitching. Cant blame him for getting mad. But does it matter how far the homerun was. ITS STILL A GAME TYING HOMERUN. Next time know what staduim your pitching in.
3. Pedro strained hamstring. It brought chills watching it. Not because i like him or anything. But it reminded me of Hughes injury. I wonder if its as bad as that was.
LOL Max Kellerman on ESPNradio w/ the synonym of Knicks fans to batter’d beaten wifes
caller: “If Isiah comes back I’m done !!”
Max: “Brian another words Knicks fans are like batter’d beaten wives, another words think about what the caller just said “IF HE HITS ME ONE MORE TIME!”
I’m so happy that wang outpitched halliday, with all the talk’s if he’s a ace, last night he showed you that he is.
Brandon,
I heard that Isiah might still continue to coach the team. Whats wrong with that picture? Whats your thoughts on it?
I think some people need to calm down. It wouldn’t surprise me if the Knicks are waiting until the end of the season to fire him.
kd,
I agree. All that should matter is wins and loses. He goes deep into games and gives us a chance to win. People are so obsessed with this ace talk that its getting out of hand. If he has a bad game its”see he isnt an ace”. If he has a good game its ” he need to show me more”. The braves had 3 aces at one time and only won 1 world series. Give me consistant #2′s on the team and i’ll be more than happy. The 90′s dynasty’s did it without a staff full of aces.
S.o.S.27,
If kidnapping were legal, not saying I’d do it but it’s getting testy
Had anyone else felt that something was missing when baseball season was over? It feels great that the season has restarted.
Pete, nice thing about A rod : He scored the go ahead run for the last 2 home openers! last year and this year! (if you remember last year he stole 2nd and scored on a giambi single)
Any news on Mark Melancon?
OT for this blog but here goes:
As a lifelong Knicks fan I have felt like I have been in exile since Thomas took over. Dolan owes him a crap-ton of money and probably doesn’t want to have to go to war again like he did with Larry Brown. So it is either pay the nice man and send him away, or pay him to sit behind a desk and keep his mouth shut.
I for one would like to see Rick Carlisle or Mark Jackson coach the team next year. I am a big Mark Jackson fan. I have a close friend that has done some charity work with him, my friend is a great judge of character and he absolutely loves Mark.
i’ve learned one thing from reading about what is an ace. my conclusion is thus. aceyness and pornography, are one and the same. both seem to be in the eye of the beholder
Knicks should definitely hire Mark Jackson. Especially if they get Derrick Rose in the draft. He can really help Rose develop.
the Nets aren’t letting Jackson go for free. …oh here’s FATA$$ CROOK DOLAN
haha, i was just gonna say Mark Jackson already has a job…
how the hell does Walsh say “I think Isiah has the skills to lead this team”
OMFG SHOOT ME ALREADY !!!
He will likely fire him after the season is over. He can’t be stupid enough to keep him around.
Well at least he sounds like he wants to get under the cap. Which is good.
“I have known isiah for a long time, have great respect for his knowledge, and im not going to judge anything from afar, we will sit down, talk in the coming days, and go from there, I think he can help this franchise”
-Donnie walsh
TurnTwo – I didn’t go to UMass (went to the other college in Amherst) – I LOVE Bueno y Sano and Atkins Farms. You just made my day!
back from my test earlier. it was hard.
Barack Obama is at my school today to do a taping of Hardball with Chris Matthews. They closed down two major parking lots on my campus which is already a crapshoot for parking. really annoying. and the line for people outside the gym where it’s being held waiting to get in is at this point at least 50 yards long, and it doesn’t start for 4 and a half hours.
So Moose-Burnette tonight. Should be pretty tough like last night. We seemed to have difficulty with Burnette last year. As long as Moose keeps us in the game..
I’m pretty sure Steven A. Smith will do his Isiah Thomas is hated w/o reason act on his 2 PM show
Mel,
BBBBAP: priceless!
SJ44
Your comments:(Unfortunately, the Dynasty Years of the 90’s hitched a lot of bandwagon fans.
This is one example of their ignorance.)
That is truly petty and more than a little pathetic
cut the crap guys this is a baseball blog not basketball and of course its not even worth to talk about the lousey knicks!
Great start to the season. It’s a 6 inning game with the Yanks this year. Can someone share with me the definition of “Traditional Ace”? My understanding is that the “Ace” is the top pitcher on your staff and it has nothing to do with how many strike outs they have.
Dr. Acula, love the picks. Post some of those over at SmackCaster.
“cut the crap guys this is a baseball blog not basketball and of course its not even worth to talk about the lousey knicks!”
MIND YOUR OWN DAMN BUSINESS AND DON’T MESS W/ ME TODAY !
haha love the first comment, i was going to say something like that about the NIT…. but at the same time ANYBODY who beats UF is great in my book!
1 – Yankees
2 – UCF
3 – anyone who beats another florida school!
(not into the sox “anyone who beats the Yankees” thing, we can beat them on our own!)
bodhisattva,
Thanks. Is your name an acronym?
I think that Bowa’s trying to get himself kicked off the Dodgers and that he wants to come back to the Yankees.
Check out the video. http://mlb.mlb.com/news/articl.....8;c_id=mlb
WOW WOW WOW BRANDON! ! ! cool down what went so bad today?
SJ44 hit the nail on the head again with his comment about bandwagon fans from the late 90′s.
“Hawkins did get booed.”
wow, that is really embarrassing and stupid.
CB
I agree with your media statement, that now everyone will clamor for Joba to remain in the pen. I think it would be foolish to keep him there indefinately without trying him in the rotation first to see what we really have in Joba as a starter.
With that said, in watching Joba pitch late in games last year and last night, “right now” he has the look and “feel” of a dominant closer. I don’t think anyone can argue that with him pitching in that spot shortens the game for the opposition if we have the lead. I think what Joba allows the Yanks to do(at least for the first half and possibly second of season) is play in tight games. We can sit here all day long about who else in the bullpen can do what Joba does in the eighth, but my confidience is not the same for our other options “today”.
If this is what we continue to get for the rest of the year from our bullpen (everyone else 7th,Joba 8 and Mo 9), this could very well be the recipie for a championship assuming our starters do their part. Do I want us to mess with that? No, especially if it means we can win a title with the setup the way it is currently. Now, the question is do we keep doing what is working/winning with Joba where he is now and move him to the rotation for ’09 or move him to rotation at the break and experiment with our other options in the pen…we shall see. Either way though the Yanks are shooting themselves in the foot by not trying Joba in the rotation for several starts to see what he can do at the major league level. whew! sorry for the long post. Just my 2 cents. Back to work.
From what I remember, bodhisattvas are those who have attained enlightenment, but have chosen to stay in the cycle of reincarnation to help others in their journey toward enlightenment
“WOW WOW WOW BRANDON! ! ! cool down what went so bad today?”
my bad man, I’m really not like that you just hit a wrong frustrating spot there.
oh and Tina Cervella now works for MSG interesting choice for the longtime NY Giants fan former Red Sox reporter
Does anyone know the reason why Hawkins got booed? It doesnt have anything to do with all the pranks he’s done to brackman does it?
It was for wearing Paulie’s no 21
SoS,
Apparently the fans that booed don’t like him wearing Paulie’s number. Or they’re numerologists and see something they don’t like.
Look who made the “Who Dat? List” http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/.....id=3325118
Mel – i saw that this morning…I’d be interested to see what happens the first time Johnson comes to bat this weekend…I’ll be there on Sunday
Thanks guys. Youd think he ran out there with the Bambinos number. Dont get it. If the Yankees havnt retired the number,than what the problem is?
mel,
Spurs 8 straight. Dirk coming back possibly by next game. Whats the status on Bynum and Gasol? Its going to be the greatest playoff yet. Lower seeds can take out the top ones.
Rishi,
LOL. I was talking about Traber. I glanced over the other names and didn’t catch that. Talk about being a nobody.
SoS,
What’s with Dirk? He sprained his KNEE and he’s back already?
Gasol’s got swelling after playing, but that’ll go for another 6 weeks so he’ll have to play through it. He’ll be starting tonight vs. Portland. Bynum running on terra basketballa (on the court with full weight).
anybody following the Royals and Tigers – scoreless into the 5th (both with 2 hits). Kenny Rogers v. Brian Bannister
Rishi,
I’ll be very disappointed if the fans don’t boo him more than Farnsworth.
mel,
They say he’s a very quick healer. With all those tough teams in the 7,8,9 spots. Im almost hoping that we fall to third seed. Denver gives us fits and the Warriors just flat out shoot every chance they get. If Dallas lands in any of those spots. They will be just as tough.
Does anyone have a problem with Damon? I know he hit a triple yesterday. But he just doesnt seem to be much of a threat as he was in 06. His spring has been lousy and im not convinced that he’s going to revert back to being pesky like 06 and prior. I hope he proves me wrong.Thoughts?
Hey Pete,
St. Bonaventure has a better Journalism School!! At least you have basketball over us!
“If she wasn’t so hot, I’d have stopped talking to her YEARS ago. Which makes me feel shallow, but waddaya gonna do?”
:::Shallow::: is a term someone made up so they wouldn’t have to comprehend the truth.
There is no reason to boo Hawkins.
I went through the same thing that O’Neill fans are going through. The Yanks retired 9 for Roger Maris, great guy, almost hall of fame player. Fine.
Graig Nettles plays for the team longer, arguably has a better career than Maris while wearing the same number. In fact he was probably the best fielding 3rd baseman of the 70′s.
What recognition did he get? None. He made the mistake of ripping George S. in a book.
Now I am biased in that Roy White and Nettles are my two favorite all-time Yankees. But Paul O’Neill was not a hall of fame player or really even a near hall of fame player, let’s be honest. The team kept his number unused for several years and that in itself is a tribute. This is no knock on Paul but try to keep a perspective.
mel, i’m sure Johnson will get booed PLENTY this weekend. Hopefully, Farns will prove that he shouldn’t be booed prior to the weekend.
and i hope Gomes is heckled until he cries
From Elias Sports, Rios now batting .760 against the Yanks!
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