Game 28: Tigers at Yankees
-
- April
- 29
YANKEES
Damon CF
Jeter SS
Abreu RF
Matsui LF
Giambi DH
Duncan 1B
Ensberg 3B
Cano 2B
Stewart C
Hughes RHP
Notes: As was reported today, A-Rod (quad) is getting a day off and it could be a few more days before he gets back. … This will be the debut of Chris Stewart, who a month ago was out of work after being released by the Rangers. … The Tigers had yesterday off. … Detroit has won 5 of 7 after its horror-show start of the season. … The teams split eight games last season. … Sheff is back in town, so expect some crazy comments. He’s trying to work though a shoulder injury. … Thanks to Brian Heyman for calling in the lineup.
Phil Hughes vs. the Detroit hitters.
Kenny Rogers vs. the New York hitters.
Back later (maybe) with updates.
UPDATE, 4:31 p.m.: Chris Britton (of course) was optioned out and Edwar Ramirez is back. … Brian Bruney was in the clubhouse and said he is going for a third opinion on his foot. The first two docs said he needed surgery. … A-Rod will be evaluated again tomorrow. He is, as they say, day-to-day. … Thanks again to Brian for relaying this information.
UPDATE, 6:49 p.m.: Lots of news at the Stadium tonight. Here is the schedule for Jorge Posada:
Monday: Examined by Dr. James Andrews in Alabama. Had MRI. Results of MRI were also sent to Dr. Tim Kremchek in Cincinnati, a shoulder and elbow specialist.
Tuesday: Examined by Yankees team doctor Stuart Hershon in New York.
Thursday: Scheduled to be examined by Mets team doctor David Altchek.
By the time the week is over Dr. Benjamin Franklin Pierce, Dr. Bones McCoy and Toronto ace Roy “Doc” Halladay will examine Posada as well. I guess the Yankees are being careful.
The Yankees also released a statement they said was from Posada: “Until all the doctors weigh in, I’m not going to guess and speculate. When they give me concrete information I’ll be sure to share it.”
Meanwhile, A-Rod has left the building and will get an MRI on his quad. Joe Girardi said he thinks A-Rod will only miss a day or two. Of course Girardi would have said that about President Lincoln after he saw My American Cousin at Ford’s Theater.
As cautious as Brian Cashman is, Girardi is optimistic. One thing is certain, the Yankees won’t leave anything to chance with these guys.
As we reported earlier in the day, initital reports are that Posada will not need surgery.
UPDATE, 7:48 p.m.: Hey, it’s Robinson Cano. … Meanwhile, they tie it up and Hughes gives up a bomb to Granderson. Phil is really a mystery at this point. He’s not the guy we saw last year for whatever reason.
UPDATE, 8:45 p.m.: Another ugly outing for Phil Hughes: 3.2 8 6 6 3 2. Poor Ross Ohlendorf is left to give them innings in a game that is likely to be lost. Hughes and Ian Kennedy are testing their patience. If the Yankees lose this game, they’ll be 2-9 in games that Hughes and Kennedy have pitched. They’re 12-5 otherwise.
Is Darrell Rasner any better? I don’t know. But they may need to find out. Getting belted around is part of growing up as a pitcher, but at some point it becomes counter productive.
I don’t think the Yankees did Hughes any favor by having him pitch to a catcher he met for the first time 24 hours earlier.
UPDATE, 9:17 p.m.: Great job by Ohlendorf. But Kenny Rogers is killing the Yankees softly. … Meanwhile, some of you people commenting on the blog are foolish. There are 162 baseball games. If the Yankees win, it doesn’t mean they’re winning it all. If they lose, it doesn’t mean the season is over. Did any of you learn any lessons from the last few years? Have some perspective.
UPDATE, 10:06 p.m.: I’m listening to the game on the radio while I do my expenses from the last trip and some other stuff. Here’s my question: Why do they let the “Freddy Sez” guy into the Stadium who bangs on the pan? As John and Suzyn are talking, this guy is pounding away like he’s trying to send Morse Code to Mars. Does this annoying sound add to anybody’s enjoyment of the game? I don’t get it.
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Would have been nice to see Molina in there for Hughes to get over the hump with a nice game..
Has Stewart ever caught Phil?
Yeah Hughes really needs to get on track tonight
Was Stewert the one Rasner enjoyed working with in Scranton? If so, hopefully Hughes takes to him as well.
I asked this the other night but didnt get any responses which may mean it really doesnt matter either way lol.
Is it more important for Molina to work with the veterans or to work with the young guns. IN terms of when you give him the rest day. Does it effect younger pitchers more so than veteran guys to work with a new catcher or vice versa.
Because Stewart is catching tonight that may be the answer just not sure.
I agree Chris.
That sucks — A-Rod is batting over .500 against Rogers in 19 career ABs.
Kenny Rogers pitches::Yankees hitters as nails::hammers
I would’ve had Molina in there catching Hughes instead of Stewart, who knows nothing about Hughes.
Girardi has 4 of the first 5 hitters batting lefty, how could you now sneak duncan into the 5 hole there?
Duncan 1B
Ensberg 3B
Cano 2B
Stewart C
.
What is the over/under on total hits by these 4 tonight…something like THREE ???
.
I would think the younger guys need Molina more because they need his guidance more, in terms of pitch selection, location, etc… how to go after the hitters. He also knows the hitters better than they do. The veterans like Pettitte are more likely to have their own game plan and shake off the catcher more. Where the young guys might go with the catchers first choice more often.
Moose just endorsed JOba in thepen this year on WFAN
Moose just endorsed JOba in thepen this year on WFAN….SHOCKING…as it will possibly be MOOSE’S job that Joba takes !
I would prefer that Molina catch Hughes, but I can’t blame Joe - day game after night game for Molina and they got home at 2:30 am. Still, not exactly optimal conditions - Phil is not familar at all with Stewart.
“SHOCKING…as it will possibly be MOOSE’S job that Joba takes !”
seriously.
“Is it more important for Molina to work with the veterans or to work with the young guns. ”
Gayle,
I’d say the kids given how good Molina is. That said given how long posada may be out having molina always catch them might not be possible.
Darrel Rasner spoke very highly of stewart as a receiver.
It might have been a good idea to have Molina catch Phil tonight given Phil’s recent struggles, but overall its something the team is going to have to deal with.
it’s not a day game after night game, it’s a 7:05 start tonight.
When is the last time the yanks have gone with the same 5 starters through April?
Knock Knock
Clearly Moose has no clue.
And we’re sitting Melky tonight for what reason?
I mean it’s not like he didn’t just win a game for us against last seasons LH Cy Young winner the other day or anything.
Melky has not had a day off in a while he deserves it
“Moose just endorsed JOba in thepen this year on WFAN”
Mussina has advocated for Joba to stay in the pen several times including during spring training.
It’s a tough question for him as the implications of joba moving to the pen for mussina are pretty clear.
Fortunately the decision isn’t mussina’s.
Doubly fortunate - it’s also not WFAN’s decision.
Stewart has got to start a game sometime. Maybe Molina told Joe G that he needed a rest.
I wouldn’t pitch Hughes with Molina, at least for now. Remember how much confusion there was between them last time out? Hughes was constantly shaking Molina off and they was lots of confusion about signs with a guy on second. Totally out of synch. I’m sure they can get it together but lets see how Stewart does.
I’m assuming Melky is just getting a day off to rest.
I know he’s only in AA but he’s not a 18 y/o prospect. I would have rather seen them call-up P.J Pilittere at least he’s familiar with Hughes.
I missed Hughes’ last couple of starts. didn’t realize he couldn’t get on same page as Molina. Who was catching him the game he was doing well before the rain delay, Molina or Posada?
From the quotes I’ve seen, many of the Yankee players are endorsing Joba to the pen. They all preface it by saying Joba is a starter but….
I swear some of you just complain to complain.
The Yanks played in Cleveland last night, Molina caught, then they flew to NY afterwards. Molina can’t catch everyday. Today is as goood as any to give him the game off.
Stop over reacting to every single decision Girardi makes.
“I know he’s only in AA but he’s not a 18 y/o prospect. I would have rather seen them call-up P.J Pilittere at least he’s familiar with Hughes.”
I think they want him to get time in AAA before they think about summoning him to the big leagues.
As far as I know he has very little experience beyond AA.
“And we’re sitting Melky tonight for what reason? ”
Giambi vs. Rogers: .435/.567/1.000
if Giambi was playing 1B, everyone would bitch about that.
Giambi owns Rogers. he should play. if he is going to play, than he should DH. right?
that makes Matsui the LFer.
Damon is hitting even better than Melky, so he gets the start.
Hey guys, this is off-topic from Yankee talk but the best place I could think of for a mass collection of people with baseball knowledge…
I have an AL-only keeper league going right now that I just picked up Carlos Quentin in because he’s absolutely mashing the ball now that he’s with the White Sox, but shortly after picking him up I was offered a trade where I would receive Rich Harden & Matt Garza in return for Quentin…
Anybody out there with recommendations would be greatly appreciated…SJ, CB…you seem to have alot of minor league knowledge…does Garza seem like he’ll excel anytime soon? Harden’s injury risk scares me a bit, so I wanna see what I should do here
time to start the all star yankee campaign
http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/events/all_star/y2008/ballot_reg.html
“Stop over reacting to every single decision Girardi makes.”
Who are you to bark orders at people? This is the US where people can say and blog whatever they want. Deal with it.
“SHOCKING…as it will possibly be MOOSE’S job that Joba takes !”
The way I’m looking at it is Moose’s job is far more secure right now then either Kennedy’s or Phil’s. Right now Moose is the third best starter on the team.
No surprise all the veterans want him to stay put in the pen. Like most of the media and fans they never saw him start.
gayle, i say it’s better for molina to work with the young pitchers, if for no other reasons than he knows opposing batters very well and has better defense (esp. important given ian kennedy’s blips here and there).
“Stop over reacting to every single decision Girardi makes.”
Who are you to bark orders at people? This is the US where people can say and blog whatever they want. Deal with it.
Yes you do have the right to be an uninformed whiner. Deal with people being annoyed with it.
“Who are you to bark orders at people? This is the US where people can say and blog whatever they want. Deal with it.”
Unless you tell people to stop over reacting. Then and only then can someone tell you what to say or not to say.
raymagnetic ™
“April 29th, 2008 at 4:17 pm
“SHOCKING…as it will possibly be MOOSE’S job that Joba takes !”
The way I’m looking at it is Moose’s job is far more secure right now then either Kennedy’s or Phil’s. Right now Moose is the third best starter on the team.”
.
ray, do you really think that can’t change in 2-3 weeks ? ,,,just askin’…
If the players asked said Joba should be in the rotation then a follow up question of who he should replace would be asked, no? That would make for an uncomfortable situation imo.
Am i the only one who laughs when stuff like this comes up?
Law and Order
April 29th, 2008 at 4:16 pm
“Stop over reacting to every single decision Girardi makes.”
Who are you to bark orders at people? This is the US where people can say and blog whatever they want. Deal with it.
Isn’t it slightly counter productive? you say that thhis is the US and people can say whatever they want. then tell him to deal with it. guess what, he’s got the same right to say what he wants as you do. so as you say…deal with it.
i don’t mean to be snarky, this kind of thing just keeps coming up a lot, and makes me laugh
In Moose’s defense, who would you want pitching the eighth when it’s your win on the line: Joba, or anyone else in the pen? I don’t blame him. I just don’t agree with him.
Nate - Rasner did speak very highly of Stewart.
“This is the US where people can say and blog whatever they want. Deal with it.”
Doesn’t apply to private property; like this blog, for example. There is that handy Terms of Service link right above the comment box…
I have to agree with ray, mooses job is very safe if Kennedy and hughes continue to last less than 5 innings.
wsr: I was gonna point that out too, but I got lazy and settled for just the private property angle xP
Melky sitting. I hope Girardi isn’t getting in the pattern of resting the guy after he gets going, Met fans accuse Randolph of that. I’d rather run a guy out there until a bad day, then give him a day off, but maybe there is some psychology behind this, what do I know?
“ray, do you really think that can’t change in 2-3 weeks ?”
I’m sure it can change. But right now at this instant Moose isn’t worried about his spot in the rotation.
I am not one to go crazy with all star voting, but i think its imperitive that every yankee fan vote as many times as possible to ensure that we get our guys starting in the event this year, especially important is to get jorge at the starter, even though he will be hurt
Pete -
What are the odds Moeller clears waivers and the Yanks recall him?
i hear ya blargh. it sounds like between all of us, we had that post pretty well covered.
Sometimes, you have to think like a manager and you will come up with the logic behind the lineup.
Hmmm posted Giambi’s numbers against Rogers. That causes a domino effect in the lineup.
Without Arod, Ensberg has to play.
They also want to get Giambi off first base. Duncan gives them another RH bat in the lineup and he is MUCH better defensively than Giambi. Matsui and Damon are both hot. You want them in the lineup.
Somebody has to sit and tonight its Melky’s turn.
No Molina? Simple. They have to be careful not to overwork him. He’s going to be playing an awful lot in the coming weeks. They can’t blow him out.
He hurt his hamstring the last time they overdid it with him.
Its a cold night tonight and its the perfect time to get Stewart in the game.
Yes, its the US and you can blog what you want.
Conversely, folks who are sick of the daily whining about the lineup will call you on it. Don’t get your panties in a wad. Justify your complaint with facts.
Thanks Gayle
VOTE EARLY AND OFTEN
(you know our Boston counterparts will stuffing the box)
gayle
April 29th, 2008 at 4:15 pm
time to start the all star yankee campaign
http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/events/all_star/y2008/ballot_reg.html
I have to think that Girardi, a former catcher, knows what he is doing by pairing Stewart with Hughes. Ease up, everyone.
Basically what Moose said like CB said he said that Joba will be a starter in the futre, that he has always been a starter in the past but that with him there right now it shortens up the game for the starters and teams know with he and Mo you have a limited time.
Basically the same stuff that some have been espousing. I just thought it interesting that he would be so forthcoming about it.
I also thought what he said about Kennedy was insightful as well.For those that didnt hear one of the things he thought was that he as most young pitchers are afraid of contact early on so that he is working backwards and instead of working from the inside out he is working outside in and getting hind in the count, giving up too many walks than he needs to and you cannot succeed that way. Basically said that if you get a batter to either swing or hit the first pitch they bat around 200 so you are at the advantage.
Also tidbit was they rehashed the Manny walk versus pitch to and Moose said that he really was not comfortable with either Manny or Youk and that if the count got to 2-0 they were going to intentionally walk him but he just didnt execute and rather than pitch him outside corners he got one right down the middle. He said that having to pitch insice to Youk with bases loaded did not make him comfortable.
“No surprise all the veterans want him to stay put in the pen. Like most of the media and fans they never saw him start.”
It’s going to be really hard for Joba to mentally commit to being a starter if he spends the next two months having his entire team telling him that they want him in the pen. It’s all mindset for him…in the spring, he wasn’t attacking with his stuff when he was starting. Could easily be because he was expecting the inevitable return to the bullpen. If his teammates and all the talk convince HIM that the team is best with him in the pen…it’s going to be a real uphill battle to get him to really commit to returning to the rotation.
It was interesting hearing Mooses talk on WFAN about Kennedy throwing 1st pitch strikes on the center of the plate because batting average against on first pitches is only .200 and it sets up the batter to be behind in the count from the start. I always understood strike one was important but hearing the avg. added into the equation really drove the point home.
Why is Ensberg batting in front of Cano. I know Cano has been struggling but Ensberg hasn’t exactly been hitting the cover off of the ball either.
Jorge has barely played. I’m sure he himself would say he doesn’t deserve to be on the all-start team this year.
Westerner etc if you think I was bashing Molina sitting tonight I asked the question a few days ago when Posada was out it was a philosophical question in trying to figure out when you do sit Molina knowing he will need at least 2 days off a week and if the idea of keeping him with the younger pitchers or vet guys would have anything to do with it.
Stewman 23,
Quentin is a good young player - not great. He’s a tough guy to read as many prospects who play in the PCL are as it’s a real hitters league.
I don’t think he’s going to hit anywhere near what he ’s doing right now. The league will adjust to him and I think he might have trouble making adjustments back.
That said his problems in the past were related to striking out as I understand. This year he’s not doing that - he’s walked more than he’s K’d.
That’s often a big step forward for a young player.
The bigger issue with your trade is the health of the players. I wouldn’t touch harden.
With Garza it’s tough. That nerve problem has a pretty good chance of coming back and there’s not easy way to treat it. Should it bother him more and he needs surgery then he’s done for the year.
It’s a matter of where you want to place your risks and what you have on your team. Quenting isn’t going to be this good - but he’s not going to bomb. Garza is still a first year pitcher and has health risks. Garza’s got a lot of issues to sort through. For whatever reason, so far, his stuff (which is very good) has not translated to major league success.
“For those that didnt hear one of the things he thought was that he as most young pitchers are afraid of contact early on so that he is working backwards and instead of working from the inside out he is working outside in and getting hind in the count, giving up too many walks than he needs to and you cannot succeed that way. Basically said that if you get a batter to either swing or hit the first pitch they bat around 200 so you are at the advantage.”
Stuff moose inside Kennedy’s hat during his next start and have him say this over, and over, and over.
“Look, kid…five years ago I still had stuff as good as yours. I did pretty good. Here’s what I did. Do it.”
but Chris NY, i heard Mike Lowell is already ahead in total votes
molina is suddenly a very valuable member of the team. he’s not used to playing all the time. he needs his rest. girardi also probably wants to see what he has in stewart. one way to find out is start him right away.
lol
‘lol’ looks like a person doing the wave.
It is what it is. The team is banged up and arrived at Newark Liberty at 2:30 AM.
This shows how the team plays under adversity.
lol, whozat. lol.
BTW, quick story on Mariano.
In Charleston over the weekend, I was talking to a scout who was working the game. In the course of our conversation, I asked him about Mariano. Mainly, about how amazing he has looked so far this year.
He told me the advance scout of the team he works for handed in his report and next to Mariano’s name was a one word comment:
“Unhittable”.
I thought that pretty cool.
“Why is Ensberg batting in front of Cano. I know Cano has been struggling but Ensberg hasn’t exactly been hitting the cover off of the ball either.”
who cares?
do you guys know that studies have been done that show that the order in which you put guys in the lineup has minimal to no impact?
obviously you want your best hitters up top, so they get more ABs, but i can’t think of the slighest reason to complain about switching your 7 and 8 hitter.
Ensberg has crushed lefties over his career. Cano currently looks like dogcrap.
that’s all there is to it.
McCarver on Saturday said the same thing Mussina said about Kennedy. He keeps trying to hit the corners so much the ball is ending up outside the strike zone instead he needs to work the middle of the plate.
It really stupid to give Melky a day off today and not tomorrow…unless it is for a injury. Now along with Posada and Arod they have 3 righty bats out of the lineup. I also would of played Gonalez at 2nd instead of Cano. 5 lefties in the lineup against Rogers. Doesn’t make alot of sense considering who knows if Stewart can hit major league pitching and Ensberg 99% of the time strikes out.
RE: All Star voting.
The way i look at it, let the Sox bring all their guys to the ASG and I would love to see Manny, Ortiz and Youk in the HR derby too. They can get the extra three days of work and travel and a good chance to mess up their swings and tweek some bothersome injuries on a useless event. I think it would be best for Arod, Jeter, Mo, Wang, Matsui, Melky, JoPo and everyone else to get the extra rest.
The month of August, with all it’s traveling, will be a grueling one for the Yankees no need to spend energy on the ESPN generated circus that surrounds the meaningless game.
—–/\——-/o_——-
that looks like a guy being chased by a shark.
I thought Jim Palmer summed all this stuff up well when discussing the Hughes and Kennedy.
When it comes to young pitchers, you can talk to them until you are blue in the face.
Until they slow the game down in their minds, stop overestimating the hitters (as in pitching too fine), its going to be a stuggle.
Sooner or later, the guys who end up making it find a comfort zone and they take off.
There is no question both Hughes and Kennedy have the stuff and talent to be successful ML pitchers.
You don’t rise through the system, especially the Yankee farm system, this quickly if you don’t have talent.
Its just a question of those guys (especially Kennedy. I don’t Hughes’ issues involve lack of confidence) getting over that mental hump.
When they do, they will have success.
“5 lefties in the lineup against Rogers. ”
1. Rogers has been awful
2. Johnny and Matsui have been hitting really well
3. Giambi has always done well against Rogers
SJ, Thanks
We are so lucky -Mo, Jorge, Jeter, Bernie all the kids…….
‘ Cano currently looks like dogcrap”
yeah he does. what is up with that? it’s strange how he gets off to such slow starts. it doesn’t matter where they hit him if he isn’t hitting.
girardi is going to earn his money. this is no push button team.
“He told me the advance scout of the team he works for handed in his report and next to Mariano’s name was a one word comment:
“Unhittable”.”
I’m hoping this is the year that Mariano finally wins the Cy Young award.
He’s already got 8 saves. 0.00 ERA. The only AL pitcher who has gotten off to a really great start who’s been in the Cy Young race before is Wang. No Santana. Beckett off to a mediocre start. Sabbathia and Verlander off to very poor starts (though Sabbathia’s turned it around).
April is usually Mariano’s weakest month. Hopefully he avoids the mid-summer lull he gets.
Obviously Mariano getting the Cy Young isn’t that important in light of trying to win the series. And it’s early.
But I’d love to see it happen.
ha, whozat.
i voted for all my yankees, and wrote in shelley duncan. you know that if sox fans get all their guys into the all star game at yankee stadium, we will never, ever hear the end of it.
What is Cashman’s beef (no pun intended) with Britton? How come the kid never gets a chance to pitch here?
I agree, SJ re: Hughes and Kennedy. The question is, what changed between last year and this year with Kennedy’s confidence? Wasn’t he more aggressive and confident last year when he came up? There’s obviously more expectations of him this year, but last year, in the middle of a playoff race, wasn’t exactly stress-free..
Hughes’ issues seem to be/to have been more command and movement related. Hopefully that’s in the past and we see him back to being the guy we saw against Toronto.
Bruney going to yet another doctor after 2 have already said he needs surgery sounds a little like trying to find someone to tell you what you want to hear. Feel badly for him as he worked awfully hard this year, this is his last year with the team and will be a free agent coming off of that injury not too good for him
Anybody watching the game last night keep track of Molina’s glove while Mo was on the mound? Jose barely moved the leather - Mo was slinging the cutter with pinpoint control. And the slap of the ball in the glove was audible, too through the TV - really fun to watch and listen to.
“Until they slow the game down in their minds, stop overestimating the hitters (as in pitching too fine), its going to be a stuggle.”
hughes made a quick adjustment in his rain shortened game when he was throwing breaking balls for balls in the first inning and piling up pitches. he came out in the second inning and attacked the strike zone and had a quick inning. too bad the rain came.
you can tell palmer really likes hughes. that’s an endorsement carries some weight. hopefully hughes will pick up right where he left off in his last game.
“What is Cashman’s beef (no pun intended) with Britton? How come the kid never gets a chance to pitch here?”
What’s the point of keeping a pitcher on the roster who the manager is not going to use?
It’s pretty clear than Girardi did not like Britton’s stuff and didn’t trust him. Same thing with Torre - don’t think he liked Britton’s stuff. And right or wrong Britton’s lack of conditioning is also hurting him in the eyes of the yankees.
whozat, I never questioned why those 3 are in the lineup but why Melky and another righty like Gonzalez isn’t. It doesn’t matter if the lefty has been pitching awful or not, Igawa could probably get the Yanks out right now. The Yanks do not hit lefties!! The Indians brought up 2 lefties from AAA and even though the Yanks won yesterday he had a no hitter until the 5th inning.
Melky is hitting .385 lifetime against Bonderman. He’s never faced Kenny Rogers.
If they were going to give him a day off in this series, that probably went into the thinking.
BTW - funny article in last week’s ESPN mag about Maddux throwing 3 pitches to a blindfolded bullpen catcher. Maddux hit the glove 3 times out of 3 - only once did the catcher squeeze and hold onto the ball, though.
(The bullpen coach stood close by and yelled “squeeze” when the catcher should close the glove.)
The bullpen was in hysterics after the third throw. Maddux just stood there with a smirk on his face.
Few are better.
I’m sorry, you have to get Harden for Quentin if that was offered, in fantasy baseball.
What is the deal with sending Britton down for Ramirez? WTF!
Britton must have mentioned someone’s mother in a bad way. Ever since they got him from Baltimore, they have downright screwed him. He has been effective in the minors and never gets a chance up in the big leagues. Feel bad for the guy.
Not the best defensive line up to have on the field for Hughes.
The whole key with Mariano is not to overuse him. He is 37. Its easier said than done because he is throwing so well and is such a weapon, its easy to fall into the trap of overdoing it with him.
So far, Girardi has been smart about Mo’s usage. Only two dry humps (warm up but not put in the game) so far this year.
Sometimes, Mo will get up and throw 10 light tosses. That’s not warming up. Its when he goes full bore and isn’t used, that’s a problem.
So far, that only happened twice. That’s ok.
If they limit his usage, he has a chance to put together a really special season because his stuff and command are so good right now, its scary.
Every time Britton goes to the coffe pot for his cup it’s empty.
Westerner99, wherever you be. Looks like they went with the hot hand theory in terms of Ramirez. (Going back to our discussion about how relief pitcher decisions are made by the organization.)
SteveHoweYouDoin
good story about maddox.
“What is the deal with sending Britton down for Ramirez? WTF!”
I have to think at this point the organization as a whole is just not enamored with Britton.
He’s never gotten a fair chance with the Yankees and he’s pitched well in AAA.
When Hughes and Detroit come to mind, I think of the long drive Mabin hit off Hughes in Detroit last season to the corner that matsui could not get to that went for an inside the park Hr. One Damon would have caught.
I think Ramirez(from what i saw last year)is a AAAA pitcher.
He needs to amp up his fastball.
Solution to two problems.
Have Britton give Ramirez half his food daily. That puts lb’s on Ramirez which increased his fastball and Britton sheds off his gut. Which makes him more appealing to Cash and Girardi. They both stay up. DONE DEAL!
Ever wonder when the American Idle’s uniform No. 45 will be re-issued ?
CB, no love for Cliff Lee? He’s undefeated with a microscopic ERA and WHIP
I apologize if this has been asked/answered already but what were the roster moves to get Stewart on the team? Did he just fill Moehler’s spot on the 40, and Posada’s on the 25?
Question for the Board:
Bottom 9, tying run at 3rd and 1 out, of the 2008 Yankees (and based on 2008 performance), who do you want up at the plate and why?
Britton may have been effective in the minors but, he hasn’t pitched better than Ramirez this year. Look at Ramirez’s numbers. They are pretty impressive and he is has pitched in bigger spots than Britton this year.
He also pitched well in his limited time with the Yankees this month.
I think Britton was called up for a day and was going to go back when Duncan was recalled. Problem was, Traber was so awful, they decided to send him out and wait for the 10 days to expire before they recalled Edwar.
Once the 10 days were up, Edwar got recalled and Britton was the odd guy out.
They aren’t sending down Albie. He has pitched himself onto the roster.
The only other option to send down was Ohlendorf. JMO but, Britton isn’t a better pitcher than Ohlendorf.
“Ever wonder when the American Idle’s uniform No. 45 will be re-issued ?”
When his contract expires after this year… he’s still on the team. Painful as it is to remember that fact.
One last thing I left out re: Ramirez.
Absent a lefty specialist in the bullpen, the next best thing is a RH with a great change up. Its a way to neutralize lefties.
Edwar’s changeup may also be a reason why he got the recalled.
He may be the de facto lefty specialist.
“Britton must have mentioned someone’s mother in a bad way. Ever since they got him from Baltimore, they have downright screwed him. He has been effective in the minors and never gets a chance up in the big leagues. Feel bad for the guy.”
I meantioned last week that they need to trade players in the minors that are good but never get the chance in the bigs. In the dog house. Britton/Patterson and throw in Igawa as well. Just because i dont want to see him called up.
stevehoweyoudoing-
who’s pitching- righty or lefty?
“Britton isn’t a better pitcher than Ohlendorf.”
Doesn’t matter how they look on paper. Ohlendorf has been God awful.
As long as it isn’t first and third- Jeter
“no love for Cliff Lee? He’s undefeated with a microscopic ERA and WHIP”
I’ve been following Cliff Lee. His numbers are past off the charts. His first 30 innings have been a historically great start.
But I just don’t see it lasting. No one is going to continue with a .28 ERA and WHIP of .4.
He just doesn’t have the stuff to come close to those numbers and there’s little indication from what he’s done in the past that he’s going to be a cy young caliber guy, especially so early in his career.
He’s going to come back down to earth.
They guy on cleveland who could challenge for the cy young is carmona. He’s been good overall but having a weird start. He’s had very bad control when he’s usually an extreme control pitcher. Despite that his ERA is like 2.89. No one is hitting the ball off him.
Steve - Melky batting lefty.
So, Mo finishes the season with 0.00 era, could it happen?
uhhhh,naw. To much to even think about.
SteveHowe
Bobbie or Melky (because he delivers)
LH pitcher - Okajima
“Bottom 9, tying run at 3rd and 1 out, of the 2008 Yankees (and based on 2008 performance), who do you want up at the plate and why?”
Captain Clutch. Because he’s Capt. Clutch and will never hit into a double play again.
Steve,
The guy I always like to see in that situation. Hideki Matsui.
Unlike too many American players, Matsui is trained to be a situational hitter in that situation.
In other words, he has no issue looking to lift the ball and hit a sac fly. Or, work the count to a point where you are in position to be a situational hitter to get in the run.
So many players today want the hero shot. The Sportscenter highlight. Its why, IMO, you see so many big swings in those situations.
Its not just the Yankees. I watch a lot of baseball every week and a lot of teams have had trouble getting that runner in this season.
I guess my point is that it’s not the usual suspects. So far this year we’ve seen a real inability to “shorten up” and get the run in. Last night was a fluke - dribblers don’t count. I honestly can’t remember the last time Arod hit a sac fly, for example.
Britton is too similar to the other hard throwers on the roster, Edwar gives them a different look. It’s probably that simple. That said, Edwar was hit or miss last year, so he needs to be much more consistently good to stick around this time.
If it’s the Red Sox then it’s Papelbomb and I think A-Rod deserves that spot.
“Bottom 9, tying run at 3rd and 1 out, of the 2008 Yankees (and based on 2008 performance), who do you want up at the plate and why?”
Cano. all he does is ground out to 2B.
serious answer, probably Matsui so far.
I voted once so far, but will vote to maximum allowed (times 3, with my daughters!). I never used to believe in “stuffing the ballot box” but that’s apparently the game here - they’re allowing you 25 votes, so 25 votes really is equal to 1.
SJ44 –
Loved that report on Mariano. It’s been so amazing to watch him so far this season. Does he really have to wait to be elected into the HOF?????
Bill James put it in his book for a reason - of Arod’s 150 rbi last year, 100 came via the HR. Abreu had a larger percentage of RBIs via single, double, etc.
No one was better at that than Magglio last year - power guy who can, as SJ so correctly points out, make the “situational” adjustment.
I’d like to see more of that from this team.
Right now, my vote is Damon - great at slapping the ball the other way, and he can also beat out the slow roller.
SJ,
Britton hasnt had a fair shot at pitching in the bigs since joining us. Oelendorf hasnt proved much in the bigs and even last year in the minors. Yes he can get his fastball up when he pitches just one inning. I know he he’s thrown alot. But i just dont see much history that tells me that he will succeed. Britton succeeded in baltimore. The least we should do is give his a chance. If they gave fat boy Bruney a chance a couple years ago with his physic. I cant see why they shouldnt.
This is really weird–I just saw Chris Stewart play on Sunday!
I like Johnny Damon. I do not like him in Center, so much.
Also, I will never have to take another final ever again. Well, until grad school.
I guess for me the question is are you playing to tie or to win? A groundout to 2nd still scores the run if the runner’s going on contact (actually I guess the runner on 3rd matters too)…
hmmm…good point, a ground ball to 2nd would do the trick.
Rishi - runner on 3rd, 1 out, bottom 9, you are playing to EXTEND the game.
Now if the winning run was on 2nd, then maybe all bets are off based on who’s at the plate.
I wonder why the Yanks don’t give Heath Phillips a shot. He’s a lefty and seems to have pitched effectively at Scranton.
We’ve seen Edwar Ramirez enough to know that his stuff is just a little below major league material.
Britton doesn’t throw hard. He throws 87-89.
He’s ok. Nothing special. His ball really doesn’t do much. Not a lot of downward bite. He’s far from a dominant arm.
He’s a grinder type of guy.
Ohlendorf has much better stuff. He’s just been overused and used in the wrong role.
Side by side, there is no comparison between Britton and Ohlendorf. Ollie is a better pitcher.
Edwar was throwing his fastball at 91-92 in Baltimore. If the gun was correct, that’s big enough to be effective because of his changeup.
The guy who has been impressive is Albadalejo. He’s got nice downward plane on his pitches and he attacks hitters.
He may be a find for 6th and 7th inning work.
The whole key with guys who pitch in those innings is not to blow them out every week.
Used properly, and that involves starters going longer in games, Albie can be an asset in the ‘pen this season.
Rebecca - congrats on finishing finals. Are you coming back to NJ?
I voted once so far, but will vote to maximum allowed (times 3, with my daughters!). I never used to believe in “stuffing the ballot box” but that’s apparently the game here - they’re allowing you 25 votes, so 25 votes really is equal to 1.
Could not agree more…. Sox Nation REALLY takes this seriosly - they are saying right now “we goota get ah boys to the al sta game this yea.”
I personally witnessed ballot stuffing when they got Okijima in the game last year - my friends aunt actually asked me if she could use my email address…..I said no.
i think dan mccutchen will have an impact on the yankees bullpen at some point this season
steve-
against okajima, definitely jeter.
Congrats, Rebecca!
At least Detroit is throwing two lefties while ARod is out, allowing Ensberg and Duncan better matchups (as well as Molina/Stewart).
Even if the Yanks lose 2 of the 3 games in this series, they will have concluded what has to be considered a moderately successful April.
Who would have though that the big matchup tonight in the American League isn’t the Yanks vs Tigers or the Red sox vs Blue Jays but the 1st place Tampa Bay Rays vs the 1st place Baltimore Orioles??!! lol
Motown: Yes, but not until after graduation (May 10/11th)
Jimmy27 -
Can’t allow for there to be more Red Sox All Stars than Yankees this year, considering the game’s location…
Drive 4-5,
I think predicting Baltimore, Tampa, Oakland, and Florida being in first after April is tougher than a perfect NCAA bracket.
Baltimore and Oakland traded their best pitchers. Florida dumps their best player and one of their starters. They get better.
It’s crazy….
“Bill James put it in his book for a reason - of Arod’s 150 rbi last year, 100 came via the HR. Abreu had a larger percentage of RBIs via single, double, etc.”
This is an utterly meaningless statistic. It’s just an observation - you can’t conclude anything from this.
There’s a saying in statistics - correlation does not imply causality.
That’s pretty much what applies to this bill james observation (and I highly doubt james was trying to imply that because of this observation Abreu was a more “clutch” player than abreu last year or that ARod was only driving runs in via home runs).
Last year Alex his .330 with RISP.
Abreu hit .287 with RISP in last year.
There’s a statistic that looks at how players perform in clutch situation that the hard ball times keeps track of.
Last year Alex was the second most “clutch” player in baseball and by far the best on the yankees in clutch situations.
Abreu was actually slightly worse than league average last year in clutch situations.
do you think joba makes the all star team based on his popularity and success?
Steve
Yup - and you know sox fans will do anything to not let that happen.
This year it is ok to vote with your heart.
This is a night when it is a lot of fun to have the MLB Extra Innings package. My remote will be smokin’!
I did my part in getting the Yankees to the all-star game. Thanks for the link Gayle.
Rebecca - Congratulations!
If looks like a really nice evening out for a baseball game. Let’s go Yankees.
SteveHowe,
care to take a guess at who the all-stars will be from the yanks or sox this season?
ARod, Jeter, Wang, Rivera, Joba
Manny, Pedroia, Ortiz?, Beckett? Okajima?
put me down for some matsui for steve’s survey
and congrats rebecca!
If you think Ramirez’s stuff is below ML material, Heath Phillips stuff is well below Edwar’s.
Edwar has a changeup that is above average. Well above average.
If his fastball location is sharper, and it has so far this year, he is a much more servicable arm in the ‘pen than either Britton or Phillips.
Its not about “giving guys a shot”.
Its about making the evaluation, based on how they are pitching, as to which guy can help the team.
If Scott Patterson was pitching better, he would have gotten a shot. His stuff is much better than Britton or Phillips. He just hasn’t pitched well.
Right now, aside from Jose Veras, Ramirez has pitched better than anybody in Scranton this season.
Trish - Yep.
Even though he hasn’t done well, I still want Patterson to pitch. Its a conscience thing. I still feel bad that they didn’t take him after spring training.
Melky/Ellsbury will vie for an outfield position.
Pedroia will boo coo Sox votes
Some were talking about Maddux earlier.. I saw this story in ESPN the magazine I believe,
“When Brad Penny and Maddux were teammates on the Dodgers, during the last two months of 2006, they had a conversation one day that led Penny to reach a stunning conclusion: This guy knows my stuff better than I do. It was eerie, really, how easily Maddux dissected Penny’s repertoire and suggested ways to maximize it.
“Penny, figuring he’d take advantage of the situation, asked Maddux to call a game for him against the Cubs. And so, on the night of Sept. 13, Penny glanced into the dugout before every delivery and found Maddux, who signaled the next pitch by looking toward different parts of the ballpark. Penny threw seven scoreless innings with no walks and beat the Cubs 6-0.
“Maddux probably won’t tell you that story,” Penny says. “He’s right.”"
Boston Dave -
2008 All Star Reps:
NYY:
Jeter, Rodriguez, Posada, Rivera, Chamberlain, Wang
(what year was it when Torre coached and he had 7 or 8 Yanks on the team?)
SOX:
Ramirez, Beckett, Papelbon, Pedroia
Too much baseball left to determine who the other candidates could be, though you know guys like Youkilis will be on the bubble due to the amount of votes from the Northeast.
“do you think joba makes the all star team based on his popularity and success?”
Yes, on the success part. The managers pick the pitchers, so popularity has (hopefully) little or nothing to do with it. Francona knows how dominant Joba has been. He and Mo will be in the pen at the all-star game.
Thanks guys!
If Melky keeps up the way he’s been performing in April, I’d like to see him on the All Star team.
Big Papi will block Youk.
I would love it if Melky made the all star team, but we’ll have to see. He just doesn’t have the big name notoriety of other outfielders.
Great story on Penny & Maddux.
Maddux will probably be one of the best pitching coaches ever.
Sounds like he has already started. Peavy must be thrilled to have him as a teammate.
JD - there is a DH spot.
Melky WILL be on the team - if we make it so.
If Cano can turn it around he can be there too.
I know he’s at first base Arod could have some competition with Miguel Cabrera in the AL now.
I would hazard to guess Cabrera has zero chance of beating out A-Rod at 3B.
I wish we could vote for pitchers on the ballot…
This is why I hate the fans deciding the all-star team… sure, it’s nice to get our guys in because that’s who we want to see. But, it’s not an all-star team anymore, it’s a popularity contest. The year the White Sox were campaigning to get that last slot and it was Posednik (sp?) or Jeter, was pathetic. Guys that deserve to be there often aren’t because of someone with a bigger name in a bigger market. We shouldn’t be allowed to vote, and definitely shouldn’t be allowed to vote a million times each…
I agree with Westerner99 in regards to A-Rod.
Chris - the same could be said about the Presidency.
Chris NY, that’s the beauty of the All-Star game. When else can you vote 50 times for the same candidate and have it count? Have you ever tried to vote twice in an election? Very difficult.
But, isn’t the whole idea of stardom one steeped in popularity?
You know, as much as I am going to “stuff the box” for Yankees, I think it is rather sad that no one votes for the most deserving players anymore. Everyone (I’m assuming) or at least most people, vote for hometown favorites. And I do understand that, as I am doing that myself, but it’s really not in the spirit of what the game was supposed to be.
It’s become, “The Most Popular Players Play the First Couple of Innings Game,” followed by manager’s picks who may or may not be deserving depending on the integrity of the manager.
And if you go about the voting based on merit, then it’s truly way too early to start voting for this season’s all-stars.
Full disclosure: And does anyone REALLY think Giambi deserves to be an All-Star? In good conscience, he is the only Yankee I could not vote for. I shouldn’t have voted for Cano, but I’m banking that he’s gonna pick things up within the next week or so.
Melky should have a spot on the All-Star team, but I doubt he’ll get voted in. I wish I could give my Giambi non-votes as a double vote for Melky!
The thing that sucks worse is that they now have World Series ramifications. Home field advantage could be left in the hands of someone who’s popular but not necessarily having a good year. That could very easily affect the outcome of the World Series. Pathetic, IMO.
Westerner, scary, but true…
Jimmy,
that’s right. get those votes for Melky in.
it’s almost certainly his only shot.
Manny, Vlad, Ichiro probably get voted in.
Hamilton, Rios, Quentin is playing himself into a spot, Matsui has a shot….
this Yankee team of geriatrics, ex roiders, children and too old ex allstars is beyond repair! Time to wipe the slate clean and stop the bleeding
Me, well I’d like to see a squad of youth take the reigns, no namers who are euphoric and grateful to play, not syngeryless and fragile egos! More like melky heart with canoe bat
And
can we please get speed on the dang bases???? I mean speed I. E gardner
I’m actually heartened to see that at least some of you feel the way I do regarding the voting.
Doreen,
don’t forget that at least one player from each team has to make the team, deserving or not.
We are fans of the team that plays in the biggest city in the country that is also hosting the game.
WE could vote in Stalin if we wanted to badly enough!
Disclosure: usually I’m not THAT big of a homer when it comes to all stars THIS YEAR IS DIFFERENT -ALL BETS ARE OFF!
VOTE YANKEE!!!!!!!!!!!
CB…thanks for the info of Quentin and my trade situation…I had no idea Garza’ injury was one of these nagging types that could lead to future problems…this trade really is very injury prone when you toss harden into the equation
Regards Steve’s question:
Based on this years performance, I’d want Matsui at the plate. He’ll get the job done and not simply try to make the “Touch ‘em all” highlights.
And I’ll admit, I’m as guilty as anyone. In the AL, I always vote for every one of our starters. That’s why I don’t think it should be in our hands. Loyalty to our team doesn’t mean they deserve to be there.
This year being at Yankee Stadium, it would be really nice to see as many Yankees as possible, especially the lifelong guys like Jeter and Mo, Andy and Po… but I really hope this system doesn’t come back to cost us a World Series someday. Next year I start voting for the best players, period.
Chris NY
I still think “home field advantage” in the WS is, if not over-rated, then kind of screwy at the very least. I know you want to have “last licks” at home, and start at home and that seems like a homefield advantage. But the other team, if it goes 7 games, has three games in a row at home. The advantaged team has 2 and 2. I wish there was a better way to apportion the games. Like 3, 2 and 2. THAT would be a home field advantage.
dang it…I’m itching all over…I’ve got fleas again !
“don’t forget that at least one player from each team has to make the team, deserving or not.”
Another flaw in the system…
Boston Dave -
That point (a player rep from each team) would only bother me if it kept a really deserving player off the team. There are usually enough spots available that it’s not a huge issue. But, yeah, what’s the standard??????
Chris NY,
Keep voting for Yankees, even next year. Just because you stop doesn’t mean anyone else will. It just means the entire Red Sox team will make it, along with the popular aging stars of other teams.
It’s a flawed system. Changing the way you work in the system isn’t going to fix much. The only way to change it is to change the system (which isn’t happening anytime soon).
I disagree, Doreen. Especially in the post-season, there is an advantage. Think about how crucial every at bat, every inning, every game can be… Think about how some pitchers pitch much better at home then on the road and things like that. In a close series, home field is very much an advantage.
Got to feel bad for Cano, batting 8th in a batting order filled with fill-ins
I think Matsui is one of the best situational hitters on the Yankees. I’d almost always choose him. Until recenty, I would have said it was a toss-up between him and Jeter, but Jeter’s recent propensity for GDPs is a little unnerving!
Doreen,
There are almost always 1-2 guys who are left off the team, deserving of spots, specifically because the manager had to take someone from every team. It’s not a huge issue, but by no means is the All-Star team ever going to be the team with the absolute best chance of winning.
Good point, Dave.
Doreen, there are deserving guys that get bumped every year, no matter how many spots there are…
I only care because they decided that an exhibition game should “count” in order to get more fan interest (generate more $$$$). The day they decided to do that, they should have re-vamped the system and gotten the best players from each league on the field.
ChrisNY,
I agree. Look at home field records every season. There is a clear home field advantage - not sure what %.
I think home field should simply go to the team with the best record, but that’s boring, so it won’t happen.
IMO, I’d rather have it be determined by a coin toss than the AllStar game, though. The mighty dollar doesn’t agree with that theory.
Chris NY -
My quarrel is not that home field is not an advantage, but that the way games are apportioned don’t necessarily set up an advantage.
Think this way: If you’re the team without “HFA,” which is defined, basically as having the opportunity to play 4 of the 7 games at home, both starting and ending the series at home, all you have to do is split the first 2 games, and you’ve got 3 consecutive games at home. You see, homefield advantage easily switches to that “other” team. If they split it 3, 2 and 2, that’s a true home field advantage to the team with HFA as determined by the All-Star game. You have the advantage of playing the first 3 games at home; you can split the away games or lose the away games and still come home. I know it’s one less game for the “other” team in terms of box office and other revenue, but maybe they could split the returns for a game 7.
Oops –
And one other thing, if you’ve got HFA under the current scenario and happen to win 4 in a row or 4 out of 5, you’re winning ON THE ROAD and not in front of your home fans.
it stinks our young pitchers are always working with a different catcher. i wish little stein and the ny media would realize these kids are 21 and have been working with 4 different catchers this season (posada, molina, moeller, and now stewart)
Don Vito-
Don’t worry, those annoying fleas will be gone before you know it.
Well, actually, the only way you ever win in front of your own fans is if the series goes to 6 or 7 games, so scratch that previous comment!
I agree Dave, going back to using best record makes the most sense. That’s the team that has been the best all year and has earned the right to an advantage.
Westerner - ARod should defintely beat out Cabrera at 3rd base. Actually Cabrera is not even playing 3rd base anymore. He is now a first baseman.
You know, by the standards of this board, I’m a down-right traitor when it comes to All-Star voting!
Also, in 1998, the Yankees had no starting all-stars, or so I remember reading.
I suppose you are right about deserving players always being left off the All-Star team. Why don’t they just expand the roster a bit?
I get what you’re saying Doreen, and the advantage can definitely shift throughout the course of the series. But, you still have the opportunity to play more games at home. The same way you said the other team can split the first two games and steal HFA, all we have to do is win one of the 3 on their field to get it back. The fact remains that the team that starts with HFA still has an edge that should be earned.
Rebecca-
David Wells started the ‘98 AS game.
John Smoltz was at Dr. Andrew’s office too. He also has shoulder inflammation and has been shut down.
Rebecca-
You are correct though b/c no position players for the Yanks started.
“Why don’t they just expand the roster a bit?” Then it would just be a different couple of deserving guys that get the shaft… because there could still be someone on the team that may not even be any good at all, always someone out there that’s better.. It’s a never ending saga unless they remove that requirement.
Plus, only so many guys can actually get in the game.
Sorry if you already talked about it, but I haven’t read the responses…
What’s the weather looking like tonight? Wet and cold?
“SJ44 April 29th, 2008 at 5:19 pm
Britton doesn’t throw hard. He throws 87-89.
He’s ok. Nothing special. His ball really doesn’t do much. Not a lot of downward bite. He’s far from a dominant arm.
He’s a grinder type of guy.”
Pin Stripes Plus:
Britton has nasty stuff. He throws 92-94, but it looks faster because of his deceptive delivery. His massive stomach hides the ball. Ok, maybe not, but Britton is a big guy. He is 6′3″ and reportedly weights 280 lbs. Baseball America reports that the fastball looks more like a 96 mph heater to hitters. Britton complements his fastball with a plus-and-a-half curveball, which is where he gets his strikeouts. Britton also has a changeup, but it’s more of a “show-me” pitch. Britton has excellent command and control of both his fastball and his curveball.
Scouts.com
“Despite essentially skipping two levels from the Carolina League to the Major Leagues, Chris Britton was the second best reliever on the Orioles. That may not mean much considering the state of the Orioles’ bullpen, but Britton certainly didn’t embarrass himself. He was demoted in late August because the organization was concerned that he had become overly reliant on his fastball. The concern was valid, considering that it was actually his curveball that Carolina League hitters had so much trouble with in 2005. Britton nonetheless showed an ability to effectively locate his fastball that can touch 93 MPH.”
Chris NY -
I guess that’s another way to look at it. HFA can definitely switch during the series.
I agree that the team with the best record should have HFA. What the heck else are you playing the season for???
Is it a consideration that if the All-Star game didn’t count for anything, if it was simply an exhibition game as it used to be, it’s the PLAYERS who would shrug it off and not show up? Because they’re making so much money now that a stipend for playing in the All-Star game as weighed against having 3 days off to spend how they’d like (with family?), wouldn’t many players choose to skip it? How else to make it “mandatory” than to make the game count?
Why do the have an all-star game at all? Now that there’s interleague play, and the opportunity to see the “other league” play during the season, what purpose does the all-star game really serve?
It truly used to be the only time you got to see the stars of the “other” league play, except for, maybe, the game of the week on Saturday afternoon. Now, with FOX and ESPN and regional sports networks, it’s not such a problem. Fans are more exposed, if they choose to be, to players in both leagues.
Oh, I used the word Strday and my post got eaten up. I though the rest of you were exaggerating!
Anyway, what I had said was, why is there an All-Star game at all anymore? It used to serve the purpose of exposing the fans to the best players in the “other” league. The game of the week was the only other opportunity fans could see teams in the “other” league play if they chose to watch.
Nowadays, with interleague play, Fox, ESPN and the various regional sports networks, that purpose does not exist anymore.
Question: Is the All-Star Game obsolete?
The specialness of the All-Star game is definitely gone, that’s for sure. I hate to say it, but I stopped watching it in the late 90’s. The allure of NL vs AL was gone for me.
I just hope my name gets drawn for some volunteer work during All-Star week!
Doreen: That’s a good question. I don’t think so, but it’s certainly not the same thing it was when it started.
Throw in the fact that starters routinely leave the park before the game is over…if the players don’t care, why should I?
(I realize there are exceptions, but still.)
Even the HR Derby has been ruined by ESPN, their announcers and the over commercialization of it.
“Bottom 9, tying run at 3rd and 1 out, of the 2008 Yankees (and based on 2008 performance), who do you want up at the plate and why?”
I’ll tell you who and why. And these will also become your choices!
Bobby Abreu - because in a split called “close and late” he’s hitting 500!; runner up - DA MELK at 400, followed by Johnny Damon at 364
With runners on - Bobby Abreu at 374, followed by Matsui at 355 and the Captain at 353
RISP - the Captain at 429, followed by Abreu at 391 and Jorge at 333
RISP with 2 out - Abreu at 600, followed by the Captain at
429 and Jorge at 333
Interesting note - Chad Moeller actually ended up in several of those mixes but I left him out because of so few AB